Metal Nanoparticles: Preparing and Advanced Applications

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "C:Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 March 2025) | Viewed by 1674

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Physics “E.R. Caianiello” and Centre NANO_MATES, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, Italy
Interests: nanomaterials; catalysis; tribocatalysis; lubricants; advanced materials; sustainable energy; green chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics “E.R. Caianiello” and Centre NANO_MATES, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132-84084 Fisciano, Italy
Interests: nanomaterials; catalysis; tribocatalysis; lubricants; advanced materials; sustainable energy; green chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoparticles (NPs) are used increasingly in catalysis to boost chemical reactions. Numerous NPs are synthesized by researchers using various methods and techniques. In addition, metal oxide nanomaterials such as magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are attracting the attention of investigators from an eclectic range of disciplines, including those studying heterogeneous and homogenous catalysis, biomedicine, magnetic fluids, data storage, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and environmental remediation such as water decontamination. The literature has revealed that NPs perform best when their size is < the critical value, i.e., 10–20 nm. At such a low scale, the magnetic properties of NPs dominate effectively, which makes these particles priceless and allows them to be used in different applications. The uneven electronic distribution in NPs leads to their magnetic property. These properties are also dependent on the synthetic protocol and the various synthetic methods, such as solvothermal, co-precipitation, micro-emulsion, thermal decomposition, and flame spray synthesis, which can be used for their preparation. In particular, the scope of the present Special Issue focuses on “Metal Nanoparticles: Preparing and Advanced Applications”. This Special Issue aims to offer a forum for the prompt publication of original and high-quality research with an emphasis on the synthesis, assembly, and characterization of nanoparticles and their potential catalytic chemical applications.

Dr. Claudia Cirillo
Dr. Mariagrazia Iuliano
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • metal nanoparticles
  • nanocatalysis
  • electrochemical catalysis
  • heterogeneous catalysis
  • chemistry development in nanoparticles and applications
  • environmental applications of nanoparticles

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 10403 KiB  
Article
Silver Nanoparticle-Based Finishing for Leather Antimicrobial and UV Protection
by Claudia Cirillo, Mariagrazia Iuliano, Francesca Fierro, Claudia Florio, Gaetano Maffei, Andrea Loi, Todor Batakliev and Maria Sarno
Micromachines 2025, 16(4), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16040376 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 322
Abstract
This study focuses on preparing and characterizing functionalized silver nanoparticle-based (Ag-F NPs) finishing agents for leather treatment. Ag-F NPs were synthesized and functionalized through a ligand exchange process with citric acid, enhancing their dispersion stability in aqueous media. The nanoparticles were incorporated into [...] Read more.
This study focuses on preparing and characterizing functionalized silver nanoparticle-based (Ag-F NPs) finishing agents for leather treatment. Ag-F NPs were synthesized and functionalized through a ligand exchange process with citric acid, enhancing their dispersion stability in aqueous media. The nanoparticles were incorporated into polyurethane- and nitroemulsion-based finishing formulations and applied to ovine and bovine leather via a spray coating process. Morphological (SEM, TEM), structural (XRD), thermal (TGA), and spectroscopic (FT-IR) analyses confirmed successful functionalization and uniform dispersion within the finishing layer. Leather samples treated with Ag-F NPs exhibited a significant improvement in antibacterial properties, with microbial growth reduction of up to 90% after 72 h. Additionally, accelerated aging tests demonstrated enhanced UV resistance, with a 30% lower color change (∆E) compared to control samples. The Ag-F NPs-based finishing layers also exhibited superior abrasion and micro-scratch resistance, maintaining a stable coefficient of friction over time. These findings demonstrate the potential of Ag-F NPs as multifunctional leather-finishing agents, making them highly suitable for applications in the automotive, footwear, and leather goods industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles: Preparing and Advanced Applications)
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17 pages, 3843 KiB  
Article
Metal Oxide Nanocatalysts for the Electrochemical Detection of Propofol
by David C. Ferrier, Janice Kiely and Richard Luxton
Micromachines 2025, 16(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16020120 - 22 Jan 2025
Viewed by 903
Abstract
Propofol is one of the most widely used intravenous drugs for anaesthesia and sedation and is one of the most commonly used drugs in intensive care units for the sedation of mechanically ventilated patients. The correct dosage of propofol is of high importance, [...] Read more.
Propofol is one of the most widely used intravenous drugs for anaesthesia and sedation and is one of the most commonly used drugs in intensive care units for the sedation of mechanically ventilated patients. The correct dosage of propofol is of high importance, but there is currently a lack of suitable point-of-care techniques for determining blood propofol concentrations. Here, we present a cytochrome P450 2B6/carbon nanotube/graphene oxide/metal oxide nanocomposite sensor for discrete measurement of propofol concentration. Propofol is converted into a quinol/quinone redox couple by the enzyme and the nanocomposite enables sensitive and rapid detection. The metal oxide nanoparticles are synthesised via green synthesis and a variety of metal oxides and mixed metal oxides are investigated to determine the optimal nanocatalyst. Converting propofol into the redox couple allows for the measurement to take place over different potential ranges, enabling interference from common sources such as paracetamol and uric acid to be avoided. It was found that nanocomposites containing copper titanium oxide nanoparticles offered the best overall performance and electrodes functionalised with such nanocomposites demonstrated a limit of detection in bovine serum of 0.5 µg/mL and demonstrated a linear response over the therapeutic range of propofol with a sensitivity of 4.58 nA/μg/mL/mm2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles: Preparing and Advanced Applications)
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