Hydrothermal synthesis of silver nanoparticles in Arabic gum aqueous solutions

Finely divided silver nanoparticles were synthesized via the hydrothermal method. Arabic gum （AG） was used as both the reductant and steric stabilizer without any other surfactant. By adjusting the reaction temperature, mass ratio of AG to AgNO3, and reaction time, silver nanoparticles with different morphological characteristics could be obtained. The products were characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, TEM, SEM, and XRD measurements. It was found that temperature and AG played an important role in the synthesis of mono-disperse silver nanoparticles. Well dispersed and quasispherical silver nanoparticles were obtained under the optimal synthesis conditions of 10 mmol/L AgNO3, m（AG）/m（AgN03）= l：1, 160 ℃ and 3 h.

Controllable Electrochemical Synthesis of Silver Dendritic Nanostructures and Their SERS Properties

Ag dendritic nanostructures were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide covered glass sub- strates by the electrodeposition method. Results demonstrate that the size, diameter, crys- tallinity, and branch density of the Ag dendrites can be controlled by the applied potential, the surfactants and the concentration of AgNO3. Three kinds of typical silver dendrites were applied as substrates of the surface enhanced Raman scattering （SERS） and one of them was able to clearly detect rhodamine 6G concentrations up to 0.1 nmol/L. The differences of the SERS spectra at these Ag dendrites confirmed that the shapes and interparticle spacings have great effect on Raman enhancement, especially the interparticle spacings.

Optimizing electrophoretic deposition conditions for enhancement in electrical conductivity of carbon fiber/carbon nanotube/epoxy hybrid composites

The effectiveness of optimizing electrical conductivity of carbon fiber/carbon nanotube （CNT）/epoxy hybrid composites via Taguchi method was demonstrated. CNTs were induced on carbon fabric by electrophoretic deposition （EPD） technique. The essential deposition parameters were identified as l） the deposition time, 2） the deposition voltage, 3） the mass fraction of CNTs in suspension, and 4） the distance between the electrodes. An experimental design was then performed to establish the appropriate levels for each factor. An orthogonal array of L9 （34） was designed to conduct the experiments. Electrical conductivity results were collected as the response. The relative influences of design parameters on the response were discussed. Using the model, signal to noise （S/N） ratio and response characteristics for the optimized deposition parameter combination were predicted. The results show clearly that the optimum condition of electrophoretic deposition （EPD） process improves the electrical conductivity of carbon/epoxy hybrid composites.

PF/EP/Nano-SiO_2 Composite Paint for Resistor

Phenolic resin(PF) and nano-SiO2 were used to improve the curing property and high humidity resistance of epoxy resin (EP) and methyl nadic anhydride (MNA) resistor paint, respectively. Hydrogen bonds, formed between phenolic resin and nano-SiO2 in alcohol, made nano-SiO2 disperse easily in EP/MNA paint through phenolic resin without being treated by supersonic vibration. When the mass ratio of PF to EP in paint is 3:7, the formed composite paint film can be cured in 2 min at 170 ℃ . When the mass ratio of nano-SiO2 to PF in paint is 3:100, the property of high humidity resistance of the composite paint is the best, meeting the requirement of varying ratio of resistance less than 0.1% after experiment on high humidity resistance. SEM analysis shows the surface of the composite paint film is smooth, glassy, tight and homogeneous, without acicular air holes.

The application of nanotechnology in the improvement of dental composite resins

In this paper, nanotechnology for the improvement of dental composite resins has been reviewed in the background of the existing shortcomings, focusing on the improvement for polymerization shrinkage, anti-bacterial properties and mechanical properties of composite resins. The results show that the use of nanotechnology and nano materials can be an effective method to improve the performance of dental composite resins in a various ways. At last, the paper also discusses the perspective about the dental composite resins.

Synthesis of Modified Epoxy Resin Undercoat for Resistor by Nano-SiO_2

A kind of undercoat for resistor with high temperature and humidity resistance was obtained by modifying epoxy resin with proper nano-SiO2 added at 80℃. The structure, thermal stability, humidity resistance, and morphological characteristics of the modified epoxy resin undercoat were studied by electrical tests, infrared spectra （IR） analysis, and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The results show that more compact and steady inter-crosslinked network structures are formed in the modified epoxy resin undercoat added with nano-SiO2, which greatly improves the performance of modified epoxy resin undercoat. The undercoat with nano-SiO2 of about 2. 71%, kept for six months at room temperature without flocculating and aggregating, is of good stability, and the surface of painted resistor is uniform, tight and without air holes on it. The varying ratio of resistance with such undercoat painted is less than one in a thousand after high temperature and humidity resistance tests.

Green synthesis of silver nanoneedles using shallot and apricot tree gum

A green synthesis method to produce silver nanoneedles was described using shallot and apricot tree gum（ATG）.A fast,simple,and low cost method was used to synthesize silver with nanoparticle and nanoneedle shape from the silver nitrate solution.Shallot as a reducing agent and apricot tree gum（ATG） as a stabilizer and a capping agent were utilized to reduce and form silver ions into silver atoms with needle and particle shape.Moreover,high crystalline structures of silver nanoparticles（AgNPs） with diameters of 8-20 nm and silver nanoneedles with average diameters of 50-60 nm and lengths of 5-10 μm were consequently synthesized by shallot and the mixture of shallot and ATG.A self-assembly mechanism was proposed to indicate the formation of needle-like structures of spherical Ag NPs via carbon chains of ATG.The results indicate that the presence of ATG with shallot can transfer the reduced Ag NPs into the silver nanoneedle.The findings were characterized using X-ray diffraction（XRD）,ultra violet visible（UV-Vis） spectrometry,field emission scanning electron microscopy（FESEM）,and transmission electron microscopy（TEM） techniques.

Optimum Insecticide Doses Determination of Seed Oil of Three Botanicals Jatropha Curcas L., Helianthus Annus L. and Cocos Nucifera L. against Maize Weevil Sitophilus Zeamais Mots.

The insecticidal effect of four dosage rates of three botanicals namely Jatropha curcas, Heliathus annus and Cocos nucifera was tested on the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Mots.. This is done for the purpose of finding a replacement for conventional insecticides which has been found to be harmful to man. The seed oil was applied topically at the rate of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mL per insect. There were a total of 20 insects per Petri-dish. There were four replicates per treatment. Insect mortality was recorded on 12 hourly basis for 48 hours. The results of insects treated with all dosage rates of C. nucifera showed a significantly higher mortality when compared with the control. In the case ofH. annus, insect mortality ranged from 40-100, 70-100, 60-100 and 80-100% and for J. curcas the result ranged from 0.0-100, 40-100, 80-100 and 80-100% for rates of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mL, respectively, from 12 hrs to 48 hrs post application. The control experiment remained at 0% level throughout the period of the experiments.

Effectiveness of Bark Extracts and CeO2 Nano Particles as Coating Additives for the Protection of Heat-Treated Jack Pine

High temperature heat-treatment of wood, which is value-added green product, is one of the altematives to chemical treatment. It has better dimensional stability, thermal insulating properties and biological resistance compared to kiln dried wood. It also has dark brown color which is very important for decorative purposes. Unfortunately, this color changes during weathering. Developing a transparent and non-toxic coating for the protection of heat-treated wood against discoloration without changing its natural appearance is the main objective of this study. For this purpose, waterborne acrylic polyurethane base was chosen because of its durability against weathering and non-toxic nature. Natural antioxidants which are extracted from barks and CeO2 nano particles （alone or together with lignin stabilizer） were used as additives to develop different coatings. The protective characteristics of these coatings were compared with highly pigmented and toxic industrial coating under accelerated weathering conditions. The results showed that acrylic polyurethane coatings protected wood better compared to commercially available coating tested in this study. The chemical modifications during accelerated weathering of coated and heat-treated wood surfaces were monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The morphological changes took place during weathering were studied by fluorescence microscope analysis.

Improvement of Impact Absorbed Energy of CFRPs on Adding the Nanoparticles into Epoxy Resins

The present study investigates the effect of the addition of nanoparticles into epoxy resins as the matrix on the impact absorbed energy of CFRP （carbon fiber reinforced polymer）. Impact absorbed energy is one of the main properties to evaluate the CFRP＇s performance for transportation and aerospace structures. Two types of nanoparticle, namely nanofibers and nano-silica beads, were added into the epoxy resin to improve the impact absorption capacity of the CFRP. Two modified additives and conventional epoxy resins were quantitatively compared. The impact test results showed that impact absorbed energy for nanofibers was higher than nano-silica beads, and nanofibers as the additive promoted about 11% of impact absorbed energy compared with neat epoxy resin.

Sleep quality alterations in healthy workers at high altitude in Yushu area

During the period of reconstruction after Yushu Earthquake, a large number of sea-level or lowland workers ascended there and worked at altitudes between 3 750 m and 4 878 m which is a hypoxic environment. To investigate the sleep quality at that altitude, we performed two full polysomnographies （PSGs） in 10 volunteers, who were healthy male workers, aged 31 ：i：6.6, born and living at sea level, without experience of pre-altitude expo- sure. The assessment of subjective sleep quality was performed twice in each volunteer. The first investigations were carried out at sea level in Jinan city （pB=760 torr, 1 torr=133.322 4 Pa）. The second studies were performed at an altitude of 3 750 m （pB=416 tort） in Yushu Jiegu in the same 10 workers after they lived and worked at that alti- tude for 5 months. At sea level, workers presented a normal sleep structure and a higher oxygenation during sleep. However, as compared to sea-level sleep, at 3 750 m, workers had a shorter total sleep time （TST） （p 〈 0.001）, a longer stage 1 non-rapid eye movement （nREM） sleep （p 〈 0.05） and a shorter 3＋4 nREM and rapid eye movement （REM） sleep （p 〈 0.05） with a severe sleep hypoxemia （p 〈 0.01）. Our data suggested that sea-level workers revealed a disturbed sleep and a bad sleep quality with a significant sleep hypoxemia at altitude of 3 750 m. Strengthening the prevention and treatment are thereby sorely necessary.

Changing the Moisture Content of the Spartina and Miscanthus and Willow Shoots during Storage in Natural Conditions

The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of the distribution of energy plant moisture content along the height of their shoots and the dynamics of moisture during storage in natural conditions. The shoots of Spartina, Miscanthus and willow were used in the study. Entire shoots were cut into sections of 10 cm and for each set in monthly cycles for six months moisture content was evaluated. After a month＇s storage of freshly cut shoots the biggest decrease of content moisture in the shoots of Spartina and Miscanthus was recorded, by 31% and 22%, respectively, and the lowest in willow shoots （12%）. After sixth months of shoots storage the lowest moisture content （10%-12%） was reached in miscanthus. The most uneven moisture content along the height of shoots Spartina was characterized because on one third of the height from the bottom, the moisture content of shoots was 20%, and the top had moisture content in the range 5%-10%. Willow shoots were characterized by the smallest drop in moisture, and the final moisture content was about 23%, with the top part of moisture content of 10%-20%. The dynamics of moisture change during the six months of storage of grass shoots （Miscanthus and Spartina） in natural conditions under roofing was described by one power function regression, and willow by another one. Empirical models can be used to predict changes in moisture content of these plants in experiment conditions, since the coefficients of determination were 94.66% and 89.18%, respectively.

Synthesis and Characterization of Modified Epoxy Resins by Silicic Acid Tetraethyl Ester and Nano-SiO_2

A kind of modified epoxy resins was obtained by condensation of epoxy resin with silicic acid tetraethyl ester（TEOS） and nano-SiO2. The reactions were performed with hydrochloric acid as a catalyst at 63 ℃. The structure, thermal stability and morphological characteristics of the modified epoxy resins were studied through infrared spectra（FT-IR） analysis, thermogravimetric（TG） analysis and scanning electron microscopy respectively. It has been found from the IR and TG study that modified epoxy resins have greater thermal stability than epoxy resins, and its thermal stability has been improved by the formation of inter-crosslinked network structure. The modified epoxy resins exhibit heterogeneous morphology and heterogeneity increases with more TEOS feeding, which in turn confirms the formation of inter-crosslinked network structure in modified epoxy resins.

Flame Retardants Nanocomposites-Synergistic Effect of Combination Conventional Retardants with Nanofillers of the Flammability of Thermoset Resins

The consumption ofthermoset resins as building polymers is approximately over one million tone word wide. The thermoset resins are proven construction materials for the technical and highly demanding applications of the transportation, electrical and building part industry. Heat stability, high thermal, low shrinkage, excellent mechanical properties are typical for their type of polymers. Above applications in addition to the mechanical properties also require good flame retardants of the materials. Undertaken activities refer to official draft, laws and legal recommendations in UE states. This paper presents positive effect of reduced flammability of thermoset resins （unsaturated polyester and epoxy resins） thanks to the use of nanocomposites containing multi-ingredient halogen-flee flame retardants which combine conventional phosphorus/nitrogen modifiers interacting with nanofillers （oMMT （organomodified montmorillonite）, EG （expandable graphite）, graphene, GO （graphene oxide）, nSi （nanosilica））.

Facile Synthesis of Micro/Nano Binary Dendritic Gold Structures for SERS and Superhydrophobic Applications

Via a galvanic displacement reaction, well-defined micro/nano binary dendritic gold structures were prepared on silicon wafers in fluoride acid solution containing HAuCI4 at 50 ℃. The gold deposits were characterized with scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, energy-dispersive X-ray （EDX） spectrum and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The investigation of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering （SERS） reveals that the film of gold dendrites was an excellent substrate with significant enhancement effect. Also, the gold dendritic structured surface exhibited a remarkable superhydrophobic property with a contact angle of approximately 165° and low contact angle hysteresis after further simple surface modification with n-dodecanethiol.

Preparation,characterization and pharmacokinetics of 10-hydroxycamptothecin nanosuspension

10-Hydroxycamptothecin （HCPT） is a broad-spectrum anticancer drug, while its low solubility and instability severely limit its application. In this study, HCPT nanosuspension （HCPT-NSP）, also known as nanocrystal, was prepared by micro-precipitation combined with high-pressure homogenization method. This nanosuspension was characterized by size, shape, zeta potential, drug loading efficiency and in vitro drug release behavior. Preferred formulation and process showed that particle size was （129.8±13.9） nm, PDI was 0.20±0.07, and drug loading efficiency was 36.5%±9.5%. Moreover, HCPT nanocrystal concentration reached （1.35±0.2） mg/mL in HCPT-NSP, which was more than 1000-fold higher than that of HCPT. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） results showed that the nanosuspension was short rod in shape. X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）, thermogravimetric analysis （TGA）, derivative thermogravimetric analysis （DTA） and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） further elaborated the crystal state of the HCPT. The drug concentration-time curve of HCPT-NSP in rats was in accordance with the three-compartment model, showing prolonged half-life. Taken together, our data suggested that HCPT-NSP was a promising drug delivery system.

One-step synthesis of the PdPt bimetallic nanodendrites with controllable composition for methanol oxidation reaction

This paper demonstrates a one-pot approach to produce highly dispersed dendritic palladium-platinum bi- metallic nanoparticles （NPs） with small particle size, tunable composition and high catalytic activity. Herein, the PdPt bi- metallic NPs have been obtained using bayberry tannin （BT） as both the reducing agent and surfactant. Additionally, the PdPt bimetallic NPs with different Pd/Pt atomic ratios can be prepared by just varying the amounts of the Pd and Pt pre- cursors. Most importantly, the as-prepared Pd52Pt4s catalyst exhibits the optimal catalytic activities compared with the other compositional PdPt NPs （Pds2Ptls, Pd69Ph~, and Pd36 Pt64） and commercial Pt/C （20 wt.%） catalyst for the methanol oxidation reaction （MOR）. Meanwhile, Pd52Pt4s also shows better CO tolerance, which can be attributed to the unique dendritic structure and the synergistic effect between Pd and Pt. With evident advantages of the facile preparation and enhanced catalytic performance, it holds great promise as a high-performance catalyst for electrochemical energy con- version.

Dendrimer/inorganic nanomaterial composites: Tailoring preparation,properties,functions,and applications of inorganic nanomaterials with dendritic architectures

Inorganic nanomaterials have a variety of fascinating properties and a wide range of promising applications.However,they often suffer from instability and poor processibility.To solve it,dendrimers,a special family of macromolecules having a unique three-dimensional architecture,provide one of the excellent solutions.In addition,the site-selective functionalization of the specific elements in the dendritic structure endows the nanohybrid system new functions and applications.Inspired by such ideas,a variety of dendrimer/inorganic nanomaterial composites have been designed and exploited.This review article selects a number of representative examples,and illustrates their preparation,characterization,properties,and applications.The influence and the unique features that originate from the introduced dendritic structures are particularly discussed.

A Comparative Study of the Cellular Microscopic Characteristics and Mechanisms of Maize Seedling Damage from Superabsorbent Polymers

Superabsorbent polymers(SAPs) as soil moisture conditioners have been increasingly used in agriculture, but conflicting results were reported regarding the effects of SAPs on crop growth. In this study, both laboratory cultivation and analysis were conducted to investigate the effects of different SAPs on the growth and physiology of crops under water-saving agricultural practices. Maize(Zea mays L.) seedlings were cultivated using distilled water or three different SAP hydrogels, sodium polyacrylate(SP), potassium polyacrylate(PP), and sodium polyacrylate embedded with phosphate rock powder(SPP), as growth media. Growth characteristics of the model plant and damage were assessed using scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The results showed that both the SP and PP treatments had pronounced negative effect on the hydrogels of growth of maize seedlings. The SPP treatment appeared to facilitate the stem-leaf growth and had no obvious adverse effect on root growth. All the three hydrogel treatments caused varying degrees of damage to the organizational structure and cellular morphology of the roots, with the SP and PP treatments causing the most severe damage; the membrane system of root cells was damaged by both SP and PP treatments. An excessive accumulation of sodium and reduction of calcium occurred in the roots may be responsible for the observed damage to the cell membrane system, which, in turn, may have promoted the wilting of the cells.