Biosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles using an Extract of the root of Asparagus racemosus:Basic Synthesis,Antimicrobial,and Anti-oxidant Potentials

Copper nanoparticles(CuNPs)have emerged as a promising alternative due to their unique antimicrobial properties.The synthesis of CuNPs using Asparagus racemosus,commonly known as Shatavari,offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to producing nanomaterials.Moreover,the resulting CuNPs have been found to possess excellent antibacterial,and antioxidant properties,which further expands their potential applications in medicine and environmental remediation.In this article,we discussed the in vitro characterization of the CuNPs.In vitro studies revealed that CuNPs have the potential for biomedical applications and as a base nanomaterial for the construction of drug delivery and targeting vehicles.

In Situ Generation of Copper Nanoparticles in Heat-Treated Copper-Containing Masson’s Pine as a Preservative Process for Sawn Timber

Heat-treated wood has good dimensional stability,durability,and color,but its susceptibility to fungal growth affects its commercial value.In this study,lumber harvested from mature Masson’s pine(Pinus massoniana Lamb.)was vacuum impregnated with a basic copper salt solution(copper hydroxide,diethanolamine,and polyethylene glycol 200)prior to heat-treatment at 220℃ for 3 h.Antifungal properties,surface chemistry,crystal structure and sugar contents were tested,compared with heat treatment alone.The results showed that the samples treated by heating without copper salt treatment showed poor suppression of fungal growth,the copperimpregnated heat-treated wood suppressed(100%)the growth of Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat.,Aspergillus niger V.Tiegh.,Penicillium citrinum Thom,and Trichoderma viride Pers.The combined results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction and sugars analysis suggested that fungal inhibition by the heat-treated copper-bearing Masson’s pine was mainly due to the reduction of the metal salt by PEG200 at high temperature to generate copper nanoparticles.In addition,the reduced sugar content of the treated timber,and hence the nutrient substrate for spoilage microbes,reduced in the presence of the metal salts at high-temperature.This study has demonstrated an effective method of increasing low-grade wood’s utility and commercial value.

Q-Switching Pulse Operation in 1.5-μm Region Using Copper Nanoparticles as Saturable Absorber

We demonstrate a passively Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser （EDFL） using a copper nanoparticle （CuNP） thin film as the saturable absorber in a ring cavity. A stable Q-switched pulse operation is observed as the CuNP saturable absorber （SA） is introduced in the cavity. The pulse repetition rate of the EDFL is observed to be proportional to the pump power, and is limited to 101.2kHz by the maximum pump power of 113.7mW. On the other hand, the pulse width reduces from 10.19μs to 4.28μs as the pump power is varied from 26.1 mW to 113.7mW. The findings suggest that CuNP SA could be useful as a potential saturable absorber for the development of the robust, compact, efficient and low cost Q-switched fiber laser operating at 1.5-μm region.

Colorimetric Recognition of 3,4-Dihydroxy-D,L-phenylalanine with Tetrapeptide-modified Copper Nanoparticles as Chiral Nanozymes

The construct of artificial nanocatalyts by simulating natural enzymes and thereby bringing new properties for practical applications is still a challenging task to date.In this study,chiral tetrapeptide(L-phenylalanine-L-phenylalanine-L-cysteine-L-histidine)-engineered copper nanoparticles(FFCH@CuNPs)were fabricated as an artificial peroxidase(POD).More interestingly,the nano-catalysts exhibited chiral identification function.In comparison with other nanocatalysts like L-cysteine-,L-histidine-,chiral dipeptide(L-cysteine-L-histidine)-,or chiral tripeptide(L-phenylalanine-L-cysteine-L-histidine)-modified CuNPs,FFCH@CuNPs demonstrated higher POD-mimetic catalytic activity in the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine(TMB)-H_(2)O_(2) system and stronger enantioselectivity in the recognition of 3,4-dihydroxy-D,L-phenylalanine(D,L-DOPA)enantiomers.Considering the strength difference between the intermolecular hydrogen bonding and theπ-πinteractions,the principle behind the chiral discrimination of D,L-DOPA was explored.Furthermore,higher contents of surface Cu2+ions and hydroxyl radicals were found in the FFCH@CuNPs-D-DOPA-TMB-H_(2)O_(2) system than in the FFCH@CuNPs-L-DOPA-TMB-H_(2)O_(2) system.Based on these results,a protocol for distinguishing between D,L-DOPA enantiomers through colorimetric recognition was established.This study provides a new insight into the design and fabrication of oligopeptides@CuNPs-based chiral nanozymes with improved catalytic performance and features additional to those of natural enzymes.

The Antibacterial Activities of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Laser Ablation in Different Surfactants against Streptococcus mutans

Copper oxide nanoparticles(CuO NPs)were synthesised with laser ablation of a copper sheet immersed in deionized water(DW),cetrimonium bromide(CTAB),and sodium dodecyl sulphate(SDS),respectively.The target was irradiated with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm,600 mJ,a pulse duration of 10 ns,and a repetition rate of 5 Hz.The CuO NPs colloidal were analyzed using UV–Vis spectroscopy,the Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectrometer,zeta potential(ZP),X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscope(TEM)and field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM).The absorption spectra of CuO NPs colloidal showed peaks at 214,215 and 220 nm and low-intensity peaks at 645,650 and 680 nm for SDS,CTAB and DW,respectively.CuO NPs’colloidal results are(−21.6,1.2,and 80 mV)for negatively,neutrally,and positively charged SDS,DW,and CTAB,respectively.The XRD pattern of the NPs revealed the presence of CuO phase planes(110)(111),(20-2)and(11-1).The TEM images revealed nearly spherical NPs,with sizes ranging from 10–90,10–50,and 10–210 nm for CuO NPs mixed with DW,SDS and CTAB,respectively.FESEM images of all the synthesized samples illustrate the formation of spherical nanostructure and large particles are observable.The CuO NPs were tested for antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans by using the well diffusion method.In this method,CuO NPs prepared in DW at a concentration of 200μg/mL showed a greater inhibition zone against Streptococcus mutans.

Role of Inclined Magnetic Field and Copper Nanoparticles on Peristaltic Flow of Nanofluid through Inclined Annulus: Application of the Clot Model

A genuine neurotic condition is experienced when some blood constituents accumulate on the wall of the artery get withdrew from the wall, again join the circulatory system and coagulation occur. Role of copper nanoparticles and inclined magnetic field on the peristaltic flow of a nanofluid in an annular region of inclined annulus is investigated.We represent the clot model by considering the small artery as an annulus whose outer tube has a wave of sinusoidal nature and inner tube has a clot on its walls. Lubrication approach is used to simplify the problem. Close form solutions are determined for temperature and velocity profile. Impact of related parameters on pressure rise, pressure gradient,velocity and streamlines are interpreted graphically. Comparison among the pure blood and copper blood is presented and analyzed. One main finding of the considered analysis is that the inclusion of copper nanoparticles enlarges the amplitude of the velocity. Therefore, the considered study plays a dominant role in biomedical applications.

Copper nanoparticles/polyaniline-derived mesoporous carbon electrocatalysts for hydrazine oxidation

Copper nanoparticles-decorated polyaniline- derived mesoporous carbon that can serve as noble metal-free electrocatalyst for the hydrazine oxidation reaction （HzOR） is synthesized via a facile synthetic route. The material exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward HzOR with low overpotential and high current density. The material also remains stable during the electrocatalytic reaction for long time. Its good electro- catalytic performance makes this material a promising alternative to conventional noble metal-based catalysts （e.g., Pt） that are commonly used in HzOR-based fuel cells.

An Enzymatic Reaction Modulated Fluorescence-on Omethoate Biosensor Based on Fe_(3)O_(4)@GO and Copper Nanoparticles

The employing of organophosphorus pesticides(OPs),especially,the abusing of OPs,leads to residue accumulation,which causes immense effect to human health and environment.So,it is an urgent task to develop highly sensitive OPs’detection platforms.A novel enzyme modulated fluorescence-on sensor for sensitive detection of omethoate was successfully constructed,using AT-rich double-stranded DNA(dsDNA)templated copper nanoparticles(CuNPs)as the fluorescent signal and covalently combined magnetic Fe_(3)O_(4)and graphene oxide(GO)as the single-stranded DNA(ssDNA)adsorbent.The assay just associates acetylcholinesterase(AChE),one strand of dsDNA,acetylcholinein(ATCh),Fe_(3)O_(4)@GO and ascorbic acid(AA)/Cu^(2+).T6-1 and T6-2 are two strands single-stranded DNA(ssDNA)with the AT-rich sequence and continuous T bases at their two ends,respectively.In the aid of Hg^(^(2+)),they can hybridize into a blunt-ended dsDNA with one AT-rich end and one T-Hg^(^(2+))-T base pairs end.Once omethoate exists,it can inhibit AChE from transducing acetylcholinein(ATCh)into thiocholine(TCh).So,no TCh can snatch Hg^(^(2+))from T-Hg^(^(2+))-T base pairs in blunt-ended T6-1/T6-2.T6-1/T6-2 still keeps its integrity in blunt-ended dsDNA configuration,and hence the subsequently added Fe_(3)O_(4)@GO cannot absorb it.The remained blunt-ended T6-1/T6-2 in supernatant can act as the template of CuNPs to produce strong luminescence.The developed detection offers a signal-on omethoate detection,which can sensitively detect omethoate in the linear range of 5-200 nmol/L with a detection limit of 2.48 nmol/L.More importantly,it can detect omethoate in food and environmental samples,demonstrating high potential in real sample detection.

Uniform and Homogeneous Growth of Copper Nanoparticles on Electrophoretically Deposited Carbon Nanotubes Electrode for Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor

The multiwalled carbon nanotubes thin-film-based electrode was fabricated by electrophoretic deposition and modified with copper （Cu） nanoparticles to fabricate Cu/CNTs nanocomposite sensor for nonenzymatic glucose detection. The expensive glassy carbon electrode was replaced by fluorine-doped tin oxide glass containing CNTs film to confine the Cu nanoparticles growth by electrodeposition through cyclic voltammetry （CV）. The ultraviolet visible and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the successful deposition of Cu nanoparticles on the CNTs-modified electrode. The atomic force microscopy images confirrqed the morphology of electrodeposited Cu on CNTs film as uniformly dispersed particles. The electrocatalytic activity of electrode to the glucose oxidation was investigated in alkaline medium by CV and amperometric measurements. The fabricated sensor exhibited a fast response time of less than 5 s and the sensitivity of 314 μA rnM^-1 cm^-2 with linear concentration range （0.02-3.0 mM） having detection limit 10.0 μM. Due to simple preparation of sensor, Cu/CNTs nanocomposite electrodes are a suitable candidate for reliable determination of glucose with good stability.

A novel fluorescent detection for PDGF-BB based on dsDNA-templated copper nanoparticles

A novel method for the detection of PDGF-BB has been developed using double-strand DNA-copper nanoparticles （dsDNA-CuNPs） as fluorescent markers. This assay relies on the premise that the aptamer- based probe undergoes a conformational change upon binding with target protein, and subsequently triggers polymerization reaction to generate dsDNA. Then, the resultant dsDNA can be used as a template for the formation of CuNPs with high fluorescence. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed assay allowed sensitive and selective detection of PDGF-BB with a detection limit of 4 nmol/L. This possibly makes it an attractive platform for the detection of a variety of biomolecules whose aptamers undergo similar conformational change.

Deposition of copper nanoparticles on multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified with poly （acrylic acid） and their antimicrobial application in water treatment

A novel hybrid material, Cu-PAA/MWCNTs （copper nanoparticles deposited multiwalled carbon nano- tubes with poly （acrylic acid） as dispersant, was prepared and expected to obtain a more effective and well-dispersed disinfection material for water treatment. X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, the X-ray fluorescence （XRF）, X-ray photoelectron spectra （XPS）, Fourier transform infrared spectra （FT-IR）, Raman spectroscopy, and thermal gravi- metric analyzer （TGA） were used to characterize the Cu- PAA/MWCNTs. Escherichia coli （E. coil） was employed as the target bacteria. The cell viability determination and fluorescence imaging results demonstrated that Cu-PAA/ MWCNTs possessed strong antimicrobial ability on E. coil. The deposited Cu was suggested to play an important role in the antimicrobial action of Cu-PAA/MWCNTs.

Gutmicrobiome modulation:Ancillary effects of inorganic nanoparticles on gut microflora

The association of gut microflora and human health is being increasingly recognized,and the impact of gut microflora on the host is well characterized,including the body’s energy metabolism and immune system maintenance.Several human diseases,including metabolic,autoimmune,obesity,hypothyroidism,and intestinal disorders,are closely associated with gut dysbiosis.Inorganic nanoparticles(NPs)are extensively utilized in numerous fields due to their distinctive,attractive physicochemical properties.Estimation of the potential impacts of NPs,with a high number of microorganisms inside the human body(microbiota)and its genomes(microbiome),represents one of the most important aspects of nano-toxicology.This review article aims to provide information on the association of gut microflora alterations to diseases and describe the impacts of various inorganic NPs,including silver,zinc,selenium,titania,silicon,and copper,on gut microflora.Research on the effect of inorganic NPs on gut microflora of animal models and the poultry industry is reviewed.The response of pathogenic Enterobacter species to inorganic NPs has been expounded in detail.This review also highlights the need to focus on the ancillary effects of various inorganic NPs on gut microflora to expedite the suitable advancement of these particles for future use.Finally,the key opportunistic areas for the application of nanotechnology are underlined to manipulate the microbiome of gut dysbiosis,provide an overview,and address potential challenges and our perspective on this evolving field.

Exciting News from Indentations onto Silicon, Copper, and Tungsten

Indentations onto crystalline silicon and copper with various indenter geometries, loading forces at room temperature belong to the widest interests in the field, because of the physical detection of structural phase transitions. By using the mathematically deduced FNh3/2 relation for conical and pyramidal indentations we have a toolbox for deciding between faked and experimental loading curves. Four printed silicon indentation loading curves (labelled with 292 K, 260 K, 240 K and 210 K) proved to be faked and not experimental. This is problematic for the AI (artificial intelligence) that will probably not be able to sort faked data out by itself but must be told to do so. High risks arise, when published faked indentation reports remain unidentified and unreported for the mechanics engineers by reading, or via AI. For example, when AI recommends a faked quality such as “no phase changes” of a technical material that is therefore used, it might break down due to an actually present low force, low transition energy phase-change. This paper thus installed a tool box for the distinction of experimental and faked loading curves of indentations. We found experimental and faked loading curves of the same research group with overall 14 authoring co-workers in three publications where valid and faked ones were next to each other and I can thus only report on the experimental ones. The comparison of Si and Cu with W at 20-fold higher physical hardness shows its enormous influence to the energies of phase transition and of their transition energies. Thus, the commonly preferred ISO14577-ASTM hardness values HISO (these violate the energy law and are simulated!) leads to almost blind characterization and use of mechanically stressed technical materials (e.g. airplanes, windmills, bridges, etc). The reasons are carefully detected and reported to disprove that the coincidence or very close coincidence of all of the published loading curves from 150 K to 298 K are constructed but not experimental. A tool-box for distinction of experimental from faked indentation loading curves (simulations must be indicated) is established in view of protecting the AI from faked data, which it might not be able by itself to sort them out, so that technical materials with wrongly attributed mechanical properties might lead to catastrophic accidents such as all of us know of. There is also the risk that false theories might lead to discourage the design of important research projects or for not getting them granted. This might for example hamper or ill-fame new low temperature indentation projects. The various hints for identifying faked claims are thus presented in great detail. The low-temperature instrumental indentations onto silicon have been faked in two consecutive publications and their reporting in the third one, so that these are not available for the calculation of activation energies. Conversely, the same research group published an indentation loading curve of copper as taken at 150 K that could be tested for its validity with the therefore created tools of validity tests. The physical algebraic calculations provided the epochal detection of two highly exothermic phase transitions of copper that created two polymorphs with negative standard energy content. This is world-wide the second case and the first one far above the 77 K of liquid nitrogen. Its existence poses completely new thoughts for physics chemistry and perhaps techniques but all of them are open and unprepared for our comprehension. The first chemical reactions might be in-situ photolysis and the phase transitions can be calculated from experimental curves. But several further reported low temperature indentation loading curves of silicon were tested for their experimental reality. And the results are compared to new analyses with genuine room temperature results. A lot is to be learned from the differences at room and low temperature.

Modification of tamarind fruit shell powder with in situ generated copper nanoparticles by single step hydrothermal method

Tamarind fruit shell powder(TFSP)with particle size of<50μm(obtained from cleaned tamarind fruit shells)was modified with in situ generated copper nanoparticles(CuNPs)by simple one step hydrothermal method.The modified TFSP was characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM),Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR)spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction(XRD),thermogravi-metric analysis(TGA)and antibacterial tests.The generated stable CuNPs on the surface of the modified TFSP were spherical in shape with an average size of 88 nm.The FT-IR spectroscopy analysis indicated the involvement of the functional groups of the TFSP in the generation and stabilization of the CuNPs.The XRD analysis indicated the presence of both CuNPs and Cu 2 O nanoparticles in the modified TFSP.The thermal analysis indicated the presence of 5.6 wt%of copper nanoparticles as calculated from the difference of residual char content between the un-modified and modified TFSP.The modified TFSP with in situ generated CuNPs exhibited obvious antibacterial activity against both the Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and hence can be considered as low cost filler in the preparation of antibacterial polymer hybrid nanocomposites for packaging and medical applications.

Preparation of Monodispersed Copper Nanoparticles by an Environmentally Friendly Chemical Reduction

In this paper, highly dispersive nanosized copper particles with a mean particle size of less than 6 nm are prepared by an environmentally friendly chemical reduction method. Non-toxic L-ascorbic acid acts as both reducing agent and antioxidant in ethylene glycol in the absence of any other capping agent. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） is used to characterize the size and morphology of Cu nanoparticles. The results of UV-Vis spectroscopy （UV-Vis）, energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS） and high resolution TEM （HRTEM） illustrate that the resultant product is pure Cu nanocrystals. The size of Cu nanoparticles is remarkably impacted by the order of reagent addition, and the investigation reveals the reaction procedure of Cu^2＋ ions and L-ascorbic acid.

Combination losartan with hyaluronic acid modified diethyldithiocarbamate loaded hollow copper sulfide nanoparticles for the treatment of breast cancer and metastasis

The application of photothermal therapy(PTT)is greatly limited by the low accumulation of photothermal agents,uneven photothermal distribution,and heat endurance of cancer cells.Worse still,despite PTT enhances immunogenicity,the anti-tumor immune efficacy is still unsatisfactory due to the inefficient immunogenic cell death(ICD)induction and poor infiltration of immune cells.To solve the above problems of PTT,we developed hyaluronic acid(HA)modified hollow copper sulfide nanoparticles encapsulating diethyldithiocarbamate(DDTC)to construct a breast tumor targeting and near infrared(NIR)photo-responsive drug delivery system(D-HCuS@HA),which further combined with losartan to improve the accumulation and penetration in the tumor site.Upon irradiation,D-HCuS@HA realized enhanced PTT and released cytotoxic Cu(DDTC)_(2)to eliminate heat endurance tumor cells,thereby enhancing antitumor effect and inducing effective ICD.Moreover,the combination with losartan could remodel the tumor microenvironment,allowing more T cells to infiltrate into the tumor,and significantly inhibiting the occurrence and development of metastatic tumors.In vitro/vivo results revealed the great potential of D-HCuS@HA combined with losartan,which provides a new paradigm for anti-tumor and anti-metastases.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis Shows an Elevation of Mdh1 Associated with Hepatotoxicity Induced by Copper Nanoparticle in Rats

Copper nanoparticle is a new material widely used in biological medicine, animal husbandry and industrial areas, but its potential toxicity to human health and environment remains unclear. In order to study the hepatotoxic mechanisms of nanoparticles copper, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis （2-DE） and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry （MALDI/TOF MS） of proteomics technology were used to isolate and identify the differentially expressed proteins from liver, which associated with hepatotoxicity induced by copper nanoparticle in rats. In this study, we have screened 15 kinds of proteins related with hepatotoxicity, of which spot8212 was identified as Malate dehydrogenase （Mdhl）. The mRNA expression trend of Mdhl was consistent with the result of 2-DE by RT-PCR validation. Bioinformatics analysis showed that Mdhl was stable and no signal peptides, subcellular location was in endoplasmic reticulum; it contained many functional sites such as malate dehydrogenase activity signal sites 155LTRLDHNRAKSQI167; a helixes and random coils were the two main elements. Homologous analysis demonstrated high homologous of Mdhl in rats with mouse and human, and the phylogenetic tree of Mdhl was constructed. The result indicated that copper nanoparticle could regulate up the Mdhl protein expression so as to compensate the energy deficit. Energy metabolic disturbance may be a pathway for copper nanoparticle particles to exert the hepatotoxic effects in rats.

Synthesis, characterizations and hydrophobicity of micro/nano scaled heptadecafluorononanoic acid decorated copper nanoparticle

Copper nanoparticle was synthesized in the presence of heptadecafluorononanoic acid by the conventional solution immersion method at room temperature from the copper plate, as a resource material. The bulk etching rate was calculated by the weight loss method. The pale green colored Cu-HDFN was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and contact angle measurements and the results are critically analyzed.

Synthesis and Tribological Properties of Copper-alumina Nanocomposites Prepared by Coprecipitation Technique

The objective of this work is to study the synthesis of copper-alumina nanocomposites using the coprecipitation process and hot-pressing method, and investigate their mechanical properties. The effects of calcination temperature on the average size of composite particles and chemical composition after calcination were also analyzed. The sintering parameters including sintering temperature, hot pressure and packing time were optimized to fabricate the alumina nanoparticles reinforced copper matrix composites（CMCs）. The density, microhardness and tribological properties of the CMCs reinforced with 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt% and 5 wt% of alumina nanoparticles were investigated correspondingly. The results showed that the optimum preparation parameters for the CMCs were 900 ℃ of hot pressing temperature, 27.5 MPa of hot pressure and 2 hrs of packing time. The CMC reinforced with 2 wt% of alumina nanoparticles had the lowest wear rate, with the relative wear resistance of 3.13.

TiO_(2) nanofiber-supported copper nanoparticle catalysts for highly efficient methane conversion to C1 oxygenates under mild conditions

The selective oxidation of methane under mild conditions remains the“Holy Grail of Catalysis”.The key to activating methane and inhibiting over-oxidation of target oxygenates lies in designing active centers.Copper nanoparticles were loaded onto TiO_(2) nanofibers using the photo-deposition method.The resulting catalysts were found to effectively convert methane into C1 oxygenated products under mild conditions.Compared with previously reported catalysts,it delivers a superior performance of up to 2510.7 mmol·g_(Cu)^(-1)·h^(-1) productivity with a selectivity of around 100%at 80℃for 5 min.Microstructure characterizations and density functional theory(DFT)calculations indicate that TiO_(2) in the mixed phase of anatase and rutile significantly increases the Cu^(+)/CuO ratio of the supported Cu species,and this ratio is linearly related to the formation rate of oxygen-containing species.The CuI site promotes the generation of active O species from H_(2)O_(2) dissociation on Cu_(2)O(111).These active O species reduce the energy barrier for breaking the C-H bond of CH_(4),thus boosting the catalytic activity.The methane conversion mechanism was proposed as a methyl radical pathway to form CH_(3)OH and CH_(3)OOH,and then the generated CH_(3)OH is further oxidized to HOCH_(2)OOH.