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Green Molecules and Green Materials for Sustainable Life
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Green Molecules and Green Materials for Sustainable Life

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 12120

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Kazuo Umemura

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Guest Editor
Department of Physics, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo 1628601, Japan
Interests: nanobiophysics; nanobiomaterials
Prof. Dr. Hisao Taira

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Faculty of Education, Hokkaido University of Education, Sapporo, Japan
Interests: physics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Developments and characterizations of green materials are one of the most important approaches to realizing sustainable human life on the earth. Based on recent progress in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information technology, the regulation of green materials at a molecular level has become possible. For example, nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene conjugated with various biomolecules can be listed as green materials. Gene engineering techniques provided tremendous opportunities for designing functionalized biomaterials. Computer simulation is a powerful method to design innovative green materials.This Special Issue focuses on green molecules and green materials for a sustainable life. Novel concepts of green molecules, which are generated by combinations of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information technology. Research concerning traditional green materials is also welcome if the materials can be integrated by combining new techniques in near future. Not only experimental research, but approaches from simulations are also welcome. The fusion of several different research fields can be a trigger to create new concepts of green molecules and green materials. We expect submission from many researchers in various research fields.

Prof. Dr. Umemura Kazuo
Prof. Dr. Hisao Taira
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

  • Green molecules
  • Green materials
  • Sustainable

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 4457 KiB  
Article
Numerical Analysis for Light Absorption Spectra of the Base of DNA-Wrapped Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
by Hisao Taira, Daisuke Miyashiro and Kazuo Umemura
Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2719; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062719 - 17 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1466
Abstract
This study numerically demonstrates the light absorption spectra of each base of DNA-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Previous experimental and theoretical studies show that the optical properties of these composites are different from the bare SWCNTs. In this work, we investigated the bases [...] Read more.
This study numerically demonstrates the light absorption spectra of each base of DNA-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Previous experimental and theoretical studies show that the optical properties of these composites are different from the bare SWCNTs. In this work, we investigated the bases of DNA that influence optical properties. To obtain stable molecular states for studying optical properties, molecular dynamics calculations were performed. Additionally, light absorption spectra in the ultraviolet-to-near-infrared region of one type of base-wrapped (e.g., adenine-, thymine-, cytosine-, or guanine-wrapped) SWCNTs were investigated by utilizing the semi-empirical molecular orbital theory using SCIGRESS commercial software. This method can significantly reduce the calculation time compared to the ab initio molecular orbital method, making the handling of composites of bases and SWCNTs possible. We found that the largest peaks appear at a wavelength of around 300 nm for all the composites. Furthermore, we found that the light absorption spectra above 570 nm are strongly influenced by adenine and cytosine. Thus, our computational results provide insight into the optical properties and the effects of base–SWCNTs that are difficult to investigate experimentally under the influence of solvents and various molecules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Molecules and Green Materials for Sustainable Life)
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16 pages, 8589 KiB  
Article
Influence of Nanocellulose Structure on Paper Reinforcement
by Waldemar Perdoch, Zhuoran Cao, Patryk Florczak, Roksana Markiewicz, Marcin Jarek, Konrad Olejnik and Bartłomiej Mazela
Molecules 2022, 27(15), 4696; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154696 - 22 Jul 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3000
Abstract
This article describes how crystalline or fibrous nanocellulose influences the mechanical properties of paper substrate. In this context, we used commercially available cellulose nanocrystals, mechanically prepared cellulose nanofibers dispersed in water or ethanol, and carboxy cellulose nanofibers. Selective reinforcement of the paper treated [...] Read more.
This article describes how crystalline or fibrous nanocellulose influences the mechanical properties of paper substrate. In this context, we used commercially available cellulose nanocrystals, mechanically prepared cellulose nanofibers dispersed in water or ethanol, and carboxy cellulose nanofibers. Selective reinforcement of the paper treated with the nanocellulose samples mentioned above was observed. The change in the fibre structure was assessed using scanning electron microscopy, roentgenography, and spectroscopy techniques. In addition, the effect of nanocellulose coating on physical properties was evaluated, specifically tensile index, elongation coefficient, Elmendorf tear resistance, Bendtsen surface roughness, Bendtsen air permeability, and bending strength. It can be concluded that the observed decrease in the strength properties of the paper after applying some NC compositions is due to the loss of potential disturbances in hydrogen bonds between the nanocellulose dispersed in ethanol and the paper substrate. On the other hand, significantly increased strength was observed in the case of paper reinforced with nanocellulose functionalized with carboxyl groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Molecules and Green Materials for Sustainable Life)
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8 pages, 1586 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Eutectic Ga-In Nanowire Arrays Based on Plateau–Rayleigh Instability
by Takashi Ikuno and Zen Somei
Molecules 2021, 26(15), 4616; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154616 - 30 Jul 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2075
Abstract
We have developed a simple method of fabricating liquid metal nanowire (NW) arrays of eutectic GaIn (EGaIn). When an EGaIn droplet anchored on a flat substrate is pulled perpendicular to the substrate surface at room temperature, an hourglass shaped EGaIn is formed. At [...] Read more.
We have developed a simple method of fabricating liquid metal nanowire (NW) arrays of eutectic GaIn (EGaIn). When an EGaIn droplet anchored on a flat substrate is pulled perpendicular to the substrate surface at room temperature, an hourglass shaped EGaIn is formed. At the neck of the shape, based on the Plateau–Rayleigh instability, the EGaIn bridge with periodically varying thicknesses is formed. Finally, the bridge is broken down by additional pulling. Then, EGaIn NW is formed at the surface of the breakpoint. In addition, EGaIn NW arrays are found to be fabricated by pulling multiple EGaIn droplets on a substrate simultaneously. The average diameter of the obtained NW was approximately 0.6 μm and the length of the NW depended on the amount of droplet anchored on the substrate. The EGaIn NWs fabricated in this study may be used for three-dimensional wiring for integrated circuits, the tips of scanning probe microscopes, and field electron emission arrays. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Molecules and Green Materials for Sustainable Life)
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9 pages, 2407 KiB  
Article
Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes with “Green” Detergents
by Kazuo Umemura, Ryo Hamano, Hiroaki Komatsu, Takashi Ikuno and Eko Siswoyo
Molecules 2021, 26(10), 2908; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26102908 - 14 May 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2839
Abstract
Solubilization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a fundamental technique for the use of CNTs and their conjugates as nanodevices and nanobiodevices. In this work, we demonstrate the preparation of CNT suspensions with “green” detergents made from coconuts and bamboo as fundamental research in [...] Read more.
Solubilization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a fundamental technique for the use of CNTs and their conjugates as nanodevices and nanobiodevices. In this work, we demonstrate the preparation of CNT suspensions with “green” detergents made from coconuts and bamboo as fundamental research in CNT nanotechnology. Single-walled CNTs (SWNTs) with a few carboxylic acid groups (3–5%) and pristine multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs) were mixed in each detergent solution and sonicated with a bath-type sonicator. The prepared suspensions were characterized using absorbance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Among the eight combinations of CNTs and detergents (two types of CNTs and four detergents, including sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the standard), SWNTs/MWNTs were well dispersed in all combinations except the combination of the MWNTs and the bamboo detergent. The stability of the suspensions prepared with coconut detergents was better than that prepared with SDS. Because the efficiency of the bamboo detergents against the MWNTs differed significantly from that against the SWNTs, the natural detergent might be useful for separating CNTs. Our results revealed that the use of the “green” detergents had the advantage of dispersing CNTs as well as SDS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Molecules and Green Materials for Sustainable Life)
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17 pages, 4900 KiB  
Article
Optical Response Characteristics of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Chirality Exposed to Oxidants with Different Oxidizing Power
by Yuji Matsukawa and Kazuo Umemura
Molecules 2021, 26(4), 1091; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26041091 - 19 Feb 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1906
Abstract
Semiconductor single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have unique characteristics owing to differences in the three-dimensional structure (chirality) expressed by the chiral index (n,m), and many studies on the redox characteristics of chirality have been reported. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the [...] Read more.
Semiconductor single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have unique characteristics owing to differences in the three-dimensional structure (chirality) expressed by the chiral index (n,m), and many studies on the redox characteristics of chirality have been reported. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the chirality of SWNTs and the oxidizing power of oxidants by measuring the near-infrared (NIR) absorption spectra of two double-stranded DNA-SWNT complexes with the addition of three oxidants with different oxidizing powers. A dispersion was prepared by mixing 0.5 mg of SWNT powder with 1 mg/mL of DNA solution. Different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), potassium hexachloroidylate (IV) (K2IrCl6), or potassium permanganate (KMnO4) were added to the dispersion to induce oxidation. Thereafter, a catechin solution was added to observe if the absorbance of the oxidized dispersion was restored by the reducing action of the catechin. We found that the difference in the oxidizing power had a significant effect on the detection sensitivity of the chiralities of the SWNTs. Furthermore, we revealed a detectable range of oxidants with different oxidizing powers for each chirality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Molecules and Green Materials for Sustainable Life)
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