Green synthesis of bentonite-supported iron nanoparticles as a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst:Kinetics of decolorization of reactive blue 238 dye

This study aimed to synthesize green tea nano zero-valent iron(GT-NZVI)and bentonite-supported green tea nano zero-valent iron(BGT-NZVI)nanoparticles using green tea extracts in an environmentally sustainable way.Bentonite was used as a support material because it disperses and stabilizes GT-NZVI,and it helps to reduce the cost,increase the adsorption capacity of GT-NZVI,and decrease the optimum amount of GT-NZVI used in Fenton-like oxidation.A scanning electron microscope,an atomic force microscope,and a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope were used to characterize GT-NZVI and B-GT-NZVI,while the zeta potential was measured to evaluate the stability of iron nanoparticles.The decolorization kinetics of reactive blue 238(RB 238)dye in the aqueous phase in the Fenton-like oxidation process were investigated as well.The effects of various experimental conditions such as reaction time,dosages of catalysts,concentration of H2O2,temperature,addition of inorganic salts,and other parameters were investigated.The results show that the oxidative degradation efficiencies of RB 238 dye catalyzed by GT-NZVI and B-GT-NZVI were 93.5%and 96.2%,respectively,at the optimum reaction conditions as follows:c(H2O2)¼5 mmol/L,r(GT-NZVI)¼0.5 g/L or r(B-GT-NZVI)¼0.5 g/L,c(RB 238 dye)¼0.05 mmol/L,and pH¼2.5 at 180 min.The best catalytic performance was exhibited when B-GT-NZVI was used.Three kinetic models were employed,and the second-order model was found to be the best model representing the experimental kinetic data of RB 238 dye.The value of activation energy decreased from 38.22 kJ/mol for GT-NZVI to 14.13 kJ/mol for B-GT-NZVI.This indicates that the effect of B-GT-NZVI in decreasing the energy barrier is more pronounced than that of the GT-NZVI catalyst,leading to improved Fenton-like oxidation processes.©2020 Hohai University.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Nano-Phytotechnological Remediation of Endosulfan Using Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles

Endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, is known for its toxicity and ability to accumulate in the environment. In India endosulfan was banned only in 2011 and hence toxic residues are still persistent in the environment. The abilities of three plant species Chittaratha (Alpinia calcarata), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) to remove endosulfan from soil in the absence and presence of zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVIs) (1000 mg/Kg of soil), i.e., by phytoremediation and nano-phytoremediation, were determined. Extracted soil samples from the experimental plot were analyzed using Gas Chromatograph with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD) and final dehalogenated product was confirmed by Mass Spectrometer (MS). A. calcarata had the best efficiency compared to the other two plant species and the efficiency decreased in the order A. calcarata > O. sanctum> C. citrates. The initial endosulfan removal rate was high (82% was removed within 7 days) when nano phytoremediation experiments were conducted with A. calcarata but then gradually decreased, probably because the activity of nZVI decreased over time. The nZVI endosulfan degradation mechanism appears to involve hydrogenolysis and sequential dehalogenation which was confirmed by GC-MS analysis. Only small amounts of endosulfan were accumulated in the plants because the added nZVIs might have promoted the reductive dechlorination of endosulfan.

Preparation of Carbon Encapsulated Iron Nanoparticles with Very Thin Shells by DC Arc Discharge

Carbon encapsulated iron nanoparticles （CEINPs） with very thin shells and good core-shell structures were prepared by DC arc discharge at argon intake temperature （AIT） of 800 ℃. The results of high resolution transmission electron microscope （HRTEM）, energy dispersive X-ray （EDX） spectroscope, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope （XPS） characterizations on the product B show that the thickness of the carbon shells of CEINPs in the product B is in the range of ca. 0.5-5.3 nm, i. e., which can be as thin as only two layers of graphite. The average diameter of the CEINPs is about 24. 7 nm. The total content of Fe element in the product B is 77.0 wt%. The saturation magnetization （Ms） and coercivity （Hc） of the product B are 107.4 emu/g and 143 Oe. resnectivelv. The formation of the CEINPs in the oroduct B is discussed briefly.

Recent Progress in Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles(SPIONs)have immeasurable potentials in many fields such as nanobiotechnology and biomedical engineering because of their superparamagnetic properties and small particle size.This review introduces the methods for SPIONs synthesis,including co-precipitation,thermal decomposition,microemulsion and hydrothermal reaction,and surface modification of SPIONs with organometallic and inorganic metals,surface modification for targeted drug delivery,and the use of SPIONs as a contrast agent.In addition,this article also provides an overview of recent progress in SPIONs for the treatment of glioma,lung cancer and breast cancer.

Preparation of Superparamagnetic Dextran-coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles used as a Novel Gene Carrier into Human Bladder Cancer Cells'

Objective: Application of magnetic nanoparticles as gene carrier in gene therapy has developed quickly. This study was designed to investigate the preparation of superparamagnetic dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (SDION) and the feasibility of SDION used as a novel gene carrier for plasmid DNA in vitro. Methods: SDION were prepared by chemical coprecipitation and separated by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300HR, characterized by TEM, laser scattering system and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer Signal Processor. The green fluorescent protein (pGFP-C2) plasmid DNA was used as target gene. SDION-pGFP-C2 conjugate compounds were produced by means of oxidoreduction reaction. The connection ratio of SDION and pGFP-C2 DNA was analyzed and evaluated by agarose electrophoresis and the concentration of pGFP-C2 in supernatant was measured. Using liposome as control, the transfection efficiency of SDION and liposome was respectively evaluated under fluorescence microscope in vitro. Results: The diameter of SDION ranges from 3 nm to 8 nm, the effective diameter was 59.2 nm and the saturation magnetization was 0.23 emu/g. After SDION were reasonably oxidized, SDION could connect with pGFP-C2 to a high degree. The transfection efficiency of SDION as gene carrier was higher than that of liposome. Conclusion: The successes in connecting SDION with pGFP-C2 plasmid by means of oxidoreduction reaction and in transferring pGFP-C2 gene into human bladder cancer BIU-87 cells in vitro provided the experimental evidence for the feasibility of SDION used as a novel gene carrier.

Highly Efficient Labeling of Human Lung Cancer Cells Using Cationic Poly-L-lysine-Assisted Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Cell labeling with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles(IONPs)is increasingly a routine approach in the cellbased cancer treatment.However,cell labeling with magnetic IONPs and their leading effects on the biological properties of human lung carcinoma cells remain scarcely reported.Therefore,in the present study the magnetic c-Fe2O3nanoparticles(MNPs)were firstly synthesized and surface-modified with cationic poly-L-lysine(PLL)to construct the PLL-MNPs,which were then used to magnetically label human A549 lung cancer cells.Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated with propidium iodide/fluorescein diacetate double staining and standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-diphenyl-tetrazolium)bromide assay,and the cytoskeleton was immunocytochemically stained.The cell cycle of the PLL-MNPlabeled A549 lung cancer cells was analyzed using flow cytometry.Apoptotic cells were fluorescently analyzed with nuclear-specific staining after the PLL-MNP labeling.The results showed that the constructed PLL-MNPs efficiently magnetically labeled A549 lung cancer cells and that,at low concentrations,labeling did not affect cellular viability,proliferation capability,cell cycle,and apoptosis.Furthermore,the cytoskeleton in the treated cells was detected intact in comparison with the untreated counterparts.However,the results also showed that at high concentration(400 lg m L-1),the PLL-MNPs would slightly impair cell viability,proliferation,cell cycle,and apoptosis and disrupt the cytoskeleton in the treated A549 lung cancer cells.Therefore,the present results indicated that the PLL-MNPs at adequate concentrations can be efficiently used for labeling A549 lung cancer cells and could be considered as a feasible approach for magnetic targeted anti-cancer drug/gene delivery,targeted diagnosis,and therapy in lung cancer treatment.

Use of PEI-coated Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Gene Vectors

Summary: To evaluate the feasibility of using polyethyleneimine (PEI) coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (polyMAG-1000) as gene vectors. The surface characteristics of the nanoparticles were observed with scanning electron microscopy. The ability of the nanoparticles to combine with and protect DNA was investigated at different PH values after polyMAG-1000 and DNA were combined in different ratios. The nanoparticles were tested as gene vectors with in vitro transfection models. Under the scanning electron microscope the nanoparticles were about 100 nm in diameter. The nanoparticles could bind and condense DNA under acid, neutral and alkaline conditions, and they could transfer genes into cells and express green fluorescent proteins (GFP). The transfection efficiency was highest (51 %) when the ratio of nanoparticles to DNA was 1:1 (v:w). In that ratio, the difference in transfection efficiency was marked depending on whether a magnetic field was present or not: about 10 % when it was absent but 51 % when it was present. The magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with PEI may potentially be used as gene vectors.

Green synthesis of iron oxide(Fe_3O_4)nanoparticles using two selected brown seaweeds:Characterization and application for lead bioremediation

The exploitation of different plant materials for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles is considered a green technology because it does not involve any harmful chemicals. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles（Fe3O4-NPs） were synthesized using a completely green biosynthetic method by reduction of ferric chloride solution using brown seaweed water extracts. The two seaweeds Padina pavonica（Linnaeus） Thivy and Sargassum acinarium（Linnaeus） Setchell 1933 were used in this study. The algae extract was used as a reductant of Fe Cl3 resulting in the phytosynthesis of Fe3O4-NPs. The phytogenic Fe3O4-NPs were characterized by surface plasmon band observed close to 402 nm and 415 nm; the obtained Fe3O4-NPs are in the particle sizes ranged from 10 to 19.5 nm and 21.6 to 27.4 nm for P. pavonica and S. acinarium, respectively. The strong signals of iron were reported in their corresponding EDX spectra. FTIR analyses revealed that sulphated polysaccharides are the main biomolecules in the algae extracts that do dual function of reducing the Fe Cl3 and stabilizing the phytogenic Fe3O4-NPs. The biosynthesized Fe3O4-NPs were entrapped in calcium alginates beads and used in Pb adsorption experiments. The biosynthesized Fe3O4-NPs alginate beads via P. pavonica（Linnaeus） Thivy had high capacity for bioremoval of Pb（91%） while that of S. acinarium（Linnaeus） Setchell 1933 had a capacity of（78%） after 75 min.The values of the process parameters for the maximum Pb removal efficiency by Fe3O4-NPs alginate beads synthesized via P. pavonica（Linnaeus） Thivy were also estimated.

Toxicity of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: Research strategies and implications for nanomedicine

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles （SPIONs） are one of the most versatile and safe nanoparticles in a wide variety of biomedical applications. In the past decades, considerable efforts have been made to investigate the potential adverse biological effects and safety issues associated with SPIONs, which is essential for the development of next-generation SPIONs and for continued progress in translational research. In this mini review, we summarize recent developments in toxicity studies on SPIONs, focusing on the relationship between the physicochemical properties of SPIONs and their induced toxic biological responses for a better toxicological understanding of SPIONs.

Water oxidation electrocatalysis with iron oxide nanoparticles prepared via laser ablation

Iron oxide nanoparticles（FeOx NPs, 5–30 nm size） prepared via laser ablation in liquid were supported onto Indium Tin Oxide conductive glass slides by magnetophoretic deposition（MD） technique. The resulting Fe O x@ITO electrodes are characterized by a low amount of iron coverage of 16–50 nmol/cm^2,and show electrocatalytic activity towards water oxidation in neutral phosphate buffer pH 7 with 0.58 V overpotential and quantitative Faradaic efficiency towards oxygen production. XPS analysis on the oxygen region of the FeOx films reveals a substantial hydration of the surface after catalysis, recognized as a crucial step to access reactivity.

Balanites aegyptiaca Oil Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Characterization and Antibacterial Activity

Antibacterial activity of iron oxide nanoparticles, an employing B. aegyptiaca oil (L.) Del., was used as natural stabilizer by modifying a co-precipitation method. In this work, we chose B. aegyptiaca oil as the new surfactant coating agent, and synthesized B. aegyptiaca oil coating with iron oxide nanoparticles which were characterized with a variety of methods, including Gas Chromatography (GC) to determine the fatty acids composition of the seeds oil, Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Powder Diffractometer (XRD) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). In antibacterial studies, disk diffusion susceptibility test was used to measure efficacy of iron oxide nanoparticles against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) in terms of zone inhibition. The B. aegyptiaca coated on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles;its particle size was found to be nanoscale below 50 nm, and the magnetization (δs) was 16.975 emu g-1. Antibacterial activity was measured. Efficacy of iron oxide nanoparticles against bacterial strains was found in Escherichia coli (E. coli). All these findings suggest that the nanoparticles synthesized from B. aegyptiaca oil may be a promising reagent for a wide variety of applications in biological fields as well as in nanomedicine.

Magnetic labeling of primary murine monocytes using very small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Due to their very small size,nanoparticles can interact with all cells in the central nervous system.One of the most promising nanoparticle subgroups are very small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles(VSOP)that are citrate coated for electrostatic stabilization.To determine their influence on murine blood-derived monocytes,which easily enter the injured central nervous system,we applied VSOP and carboxydextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles(Resovist).We assessed their impact on the viability,cytokine,and chemokine secretion,as well as iron uptake of murine blood-derived monocytes.We found that(1)the monocytes accumulated VSOP and Resovist,(2)this uptake seemed to be nanoparticle-and time-dependent,(3)the decrease of monocytes viability was treatment-related,(4)VSOP and Resovist incubation did not alter cytokine homeostasis,and(5)overall a 6-hour treatment with 0.75 mM VSOP-R1 was probably sufficient to effectively label monocytes for future experiments.Since homeostasis is not altered,it is safe to label blood-derived monocles with VSOP.VSOP labeled monocytes can be used to study injured central nervous system sites further,for example with drug-carrying VSOP.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles carrying PTEN gene to reverse cisplatin-resistance of A549/CDDP cell lines

To evaluate the feasibility of using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle as wild PTEN gene carrier for transfection in vitro to reverse cisplatin-resistance of A549/CDDP cells, A549/CDDP cells were transfected with the wild PTEN gene expression plasmid (pGFP-PTEN) by magnetic iron nanoparticle and lipo2000. The transfection efficiency was detected by fluorescence microscope and flow cytometer. The expression levels of PTEN mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry analysis. The effect of PTEN transfection on cell cycle enhances the sensitivity of A549/CDDP to cisplatin and nanoparticle-mediated transfection has a higher efficiency than that of the liposome-mediated group. The apoptosis level was up-regulated in PTEN transfection group. The magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle could be used as one of the ideal gene carriers for PTEN gene delivery in vitro. PTEN can be an effective target for reversing cisplatin-resistance in lung cancer.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: promote neuronal regenerative capacity?

Currently,we know that neuronal outgrowth during development and regeneration requires a complex interaction of intra-and extracellular molecules such as growth factors,neurotransmitters and extracellular matrix proteins（O’Donnell et al.,2009）.Furthermore,the discovery of a broad spectrum of growth-promoting cues has led to novel concepts for thera-peutic strategies.

Fluorescence detection of Europiumdoped very small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in murine hippocampal slice cultures

In the late 1980s,superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles（SPIO）moved into focus as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging（MRI）,due to their strong relaxivity and resulting higher resolution of images.At the time,no one anticipated their high potential in basic research or for medical diagnostic andtreatment. Since then, SPIO have been evaluated notonly as spe- cific markers for MRI, but also for cell labeling and tracking （Li et al., 2013）.

Efficiency and Effectiveness Method versus ε-NTU Method with Application in Finned Flat Tube Compact Heat Exchanger with Water-Ethylene Glycol as Nanofluid Base of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

This work aims to establish comparisons between two models used for the performance of heat exchangers. The chosen system, in this case, consists of a heat exchanger used in automotive radiators flat finned tube type. Water and ethylene glycol compound as base fluid and volume fractions of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) are used as a refrigerant. The quantities determined in this work are the nanofluid exit temperature, the air exit temperature, the absolute error between the models for heat transfer rate, and Effectiveness. The quantities that constitute parameters, independent variables, are the airflow, represented by the Reynolds number, and the iron oxide volume fraction. Ethylene Glycol 50% compound has slightly better thermal performance than pure water and reduces the reactive effect of water on the environment, increasing the average life of the equipment. The absolute relative error between the models is less than 20% and presents maximum values with the increase of the nanoparticle volume fraction and growth in the Reynolds number for the air.

Self-assembled superparamagnetic nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents — A review

Recent progress of the preparation and applications of superparamagnetic iron oxide（SPIO） clusters as magnetic resonance imaging（MRI） probes is reviewed with regard to their applications in labeling and tracking cells in vivo, in diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and tumors, and in drug delivery systems. Magnetic nanoparticles（NPs）, especially SPIO nanoparticles, have long been used as MRI contrast agents and as an advantageous nanoplatform for drug delivery,taking advantage of their unique magnetic properties and ability to function at the molecular and cellular levels. Due to advances in nanotechnology, various means to control SPIO NPs＇ size, composition, magnetization and relaxivity have been developed, as well as ways to usefully modify their surface. Recently, self-assembly of SPIO NP clusters in particulate carriers — such as polymeric micelles, vesicles, liposomes, and layer-by-layer（Lb L） capsules — have been widely studied for application as ultrasensitive MRI probes, owing to their remarkably high spin–spin（T2） relaxivity and convenience for further functionalization.

Fe Nanoparticles Synthesized by Pomegranate Leaves for Treatment of Malachite Green

A green and convenient pathway of preparing iron nanoparticles(FeNPs)with pomegranate leaf(PG)extract for highly effective removal of malachite green(MG)was proposed under ambient conditions.The materials were characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM),X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometer(EDS),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),X-ray diffraction(XRD)and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)techniques.The results show that their surfaces are capped and stabilized by PG extract with amorphous nature and without any detection of zero-valent iron.The size and surface valence state of FeNPs are the key factors that affect the MG removal efficiency.As the reagent volume ratio of PG extract to FeCl_(3) increases greater than 1,the cross-linked FeNPs become more obvious,having a homogeneous distribution with the size range from 30 to 40 nm,and show an increasing ratio ofFe(Ⅱ)/Fe(Ⅲ),which is in proportion to the degradation efficiency of MG,reaching higher than 95%in only 2 min by using 50 mg Fe/L FeNPs and 200 mg/L MG.

Precipitation of hematite nanoparticles via reverse microemulsion process

Hematite nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized via two processing routes：（i） conventional precipitation route and （ii） reverse microemulsion route.The particle precipitation was carried out in a semibatch reactor.A microemulsion system consisting of water,chloroform,1-butanol and surfactant was loaded with iron nitrates to form iron nanoparticles precipitation.The precipitation was performed in the single-phase microemulsion operating region.Three technical surfactants,with different structure and HLB value are employed.The influence of surfactant characterization on the size of produced iron oxide particle has been studied to gain a deeper understanding of the important controlling mechanisms in the formation of nanoparticles in a microemulsion.Transmission electron microscopy （TEM）,surface area,pore volume,average pore diameter,pore size distribution and XRD were used to analyze the size,size distribution,shape and structure of precipitated iron nanoparticles.

Doping engineering of iron oxide nanoparticles towards high performance and biocompatible T_(1)-weighted MRI contrast agents

Extremely small-sized iron oxide nanoparticles(IONPs) are of great interest in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) due to their biosafety as an alternative to clinical gadolinium(Ⅲ) complexes-based contrast agents.Especially when the particle size is less than 10 nm,it has strong diffusion ability and deep penetration distance in tumor tissue.Substitution doping can significantly enhance the T_(1)contrast effect of nanoparticles by regulating the surface exposed atoms.However,the nucleation and growth processes of multi-component synthesis systems are complex and difficult to be accurately controlled,leading to great challenges in the synthesis of ultra-small-sized nanoparticles with different components and sizes.Here,extremely smallsized superparamagnetic gadolinium-doped iron oxide nanoparticles(GdIONPs,Gd_(x)Fe_(3-x)O_(4) NPs) with adjustable doping amount and controllable size in the range of 3.5-7.5 nm were synthesized by thermal decomposition.Then,as-synthesized GdIONPs were surface modified with a highly water-soluble and biocompatible carboxyl-polyethylene glycol-phosphoric acid ligand with high binding affinity.Gd_(0.65)Fe_(2.35)O_(4) NPs exhibited very high r_(1) relaxivity of 10.6 mmol^(-1)·L·s^(-1) in terms of all metal concentrations and 49.0 mmol^(-1)·L·s^(-1) in terms of gadolinium alone,respectively,3 and 14 times higher than clinical T_(1) contrast agents(Gd-DTPA).GdIONPs can continuously obtain high resolution images of blood vessels,and can be used as an efficient and multifunctional contrast agent for MR T_(1)imaging.This stable and efficient doping strategy provides an easy and effective method to individually optimize the magnetic properties of complex oxides and their relaxation effects for a variety of biomedical applications.