Comparison of dispersion of nanoparticles ultrasonicated with probe and cup horn

This study aims to investigate the effects of a probe and a cup horn on the de-agglomeration efficiency in ultrasound vibration processes. TiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticle dispersions were prepared in distilled water at a concentration of 50.0 mg/mL followed by treatment with a dispersion stabilizer （100% FBS） and ultrasound vibration at 20 kHz and 35% amplitude for 10 min by a probe and a cup horn, respectively. The average sizes of dispersed TiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles were measured by a dynamic light scattering device. Compared to dispersion with the probe sonicating, the average sizes of TiO2 and Al2O3 particles sonicated by the cup horn are markedly smaller at time points of 30, 60, 120, and 180 min. The TiOe and Al2O3 particle size distributions of cup horn-treated suspensions were narrower than those of probe-treated suspensions at time points of 120 and 180 min. It is suggested that the cup horn has a higher efficiency than the probe in dispersing nanoparticles, The cup horn is better than the probe for processing multiple small sample vessels simultaneously. Indirect cup horn sonication is ideal for processing pathogenic and sterile samples.

Plasma Treated TiO_2 Nanoparticles for Dispersion Enhancement

TiO2 nanoparticles were treated in a fluidized reactor by introducing Hexamethyldisiloxane （HMDSO） plasma monomer. The organic HMDSO-polymer vapor was condensed on the nanoparticles and lowered their surface energy. This plasma treatment was harmless to the crystal lattice of the TiO2 nanoparticles. The treated nanoparticles were mixed in glycol solutions and polymerized into TiO2-polyester composites for studying the effect of plasma deposition on dispersion. It was found that the dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles in both glycol and the polyester matrix was significantly improved due to lower surface energy and HMDSO plasma treatment, as from ultraviolet absorbency measurements and scanning electron microscopy observation. The theory of colloid stability successfully explained the dispersion enhancement of TiO2 nanoparticles in glycol.

An ionic liquid supported CeO_2 nanoparticles-carbon nanotubes composite-enhanced electrochemical DNA-based sensor for the detection of Pb^(2+)

An electrochemical sensor incorporating a signal enhancement for the determination of lead （II） ions （Pb2＋） was designed on the basis of the thrombin-binding aptamer （TBA） as a molecular recog- nition element and ionic liquid supported cerium oxide （CeO2） nanoparticles-carbon nanotubes compo- site modification. The composite comprises nanoparticles CeO2, multi-waU carbon nanotubes （MWNTs） and hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquid （RTIL） 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate （EMIMBF4）. The electrochemical sensors were fabricated by immersing the CeOa-MWNTs-EMIMBF4 modified glassy carbon electrode （GCE） into the solution of TBA probe. In the presence of Pb2＋, the TBA probe could form stable G-quartet structure by the specific binding interactions between Pb2＋ and TBA. The TBA-bound Pb2＋ can be electrochemically reduced, which provides a readout signal for quantitative detection of Pb2＋. The reduction peak current is linearly related to the concentration of Pb2＋ from 1.0 ＊ 10-8 M to 1.0 ＊ 105 M with a detection limit of 5 ＊ 109 M. This work demonstrates that the CeOz-MWNTs-EMIMBF4 nanocomposite modified GCE provides a promising platform for immobi- lizing the TBA probe and enhancing the sensitivity of the DNA-based sensors.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Bacterial Growth Medium: Optimized Dispersion and Growth Inhibition of <i>Pseudomonas putida</i>

The majority of nanoparticles tend to agglomerate in bacterial growth media. Thus, nanoparticle-specific characteristics can get lost. To investigate the influence of nanoparticles on bacteria, these particles should remain in their nanoparticulate state. The present study demonstrates the stabilization of commercially available zinc oxide (ZnO) with sodiumhexametaphosphate (SHMP) in bacterial growth medium (LB) to avoid agglomeration of these particles after the addition to LB. This established method is appropriate to stabilize ZnO agglomerates as small as 43 nm. The method of fractionated centrifugation was used to obtain stable agglomerates (also stable in the presence of bacteria) with different mean diameters. The SHMP-stabilized ZnO inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas putida with increasing concentration (up to 500 mg/L) and decreasing agglomerate size (43 - 450 nm).

Synthesis of Stable Silver Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Activities in Room-temperature Ionic Liquids

Stable silver nanoparticles was successfully synthesized by chemical reduction of silver nitrate in an ionic liquid,1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate（[BMIM]·BF4） at room temperature.Results of UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy show as-prepared Ag nanoparticles exhibit a typical emission peak at 400―430 nm.By varying the reaction temperature and the precursor concentration,the size and the shape of the silver nanoparticles could be easily controlled under mild conditions.Analyses of transmission electron micrographs,X-ray diffraction pattern and X-ray photoelectron spectrum further reveal that the silver nanoparticles were coated incompletely by [BMIM]·BF4.Microbial experiments indicate that as-prepared silver nanoparticles show a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities and have better antimicrobial activities to Pseudomonas aeruginosa than silver nitrate with the same concentration of silver.

Determination of Sulfadimidine in Royal Jelly by C_(18)-functionalized Magnetic Silica Nanoparticles Solid Phase Extraction-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

[Objective] This study aimed to develop a method of C_18-functionalized magnetic silica nanoparticles solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chro- matography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of sulfadimidine in royal jelly. [Method] The royal jelly samples were pretreated by MCX SPE column and C_18-functionalized magnetic silica nanoparticles, and the purified samples were de- tected by HPLC-MS/MS. [Result] The detection method showed a good linear rela- tionship in the range of 5-80 ugkg （r=0.993 1）. The recovery ranges were between 93%- 104% with the relative standard deviations （RSD） below 11.3%. [Conclusion] Combined with automation equipment, the method is simple, fast, time-saving, and easy to real- ize the automation of sulfadimidine in the royal jelly samples before determination.

Immobilization of Penicillin G Acylase on Magnetic Nanoparticles Modified by Ionic Liquids

Functionalized ionic liquids containing ethyoxyl groups were synthesized and immobilized on magnetic silica nanoparticles （MSNP） prepared by two steps, i.e., Fe304 synthesis and silica shell growth on the surface. This magnetic nanoparticle supported ionic liquid （MNP-IL） were applied in the immobilization of penicillin G acylase （PGA）. The MSNPs and MNP-ILs were characterized by themeans of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. The results showed that the average size of magnetic Fe304 nanoparticles and MSNPs were -10 and -90 nm, respectively. The saturation magnetizations of magnetic Fe304 nanoparticles and MNP-ILs were 63.7 and 26.9 A＇m2·kg^-1, respectively. The MNP-IL was successfully applied in the immobilization of PGA. The maximum amount of loaded enzyme-was about 209 mg·g^-1 （based on carder）, and the highest enzyme activity of immobilized PGA （based on ImPGA） was 261 U·g^-1. Both the amount of loaded enzyme and the activity of ImPGA are at the same leyel of or higher than that in previous reports. After 10 consecutive operat!ons, ImPGA still mainrained 62% of its initial activity, indicating the＇good recovery property of ImPGA activity. The ionic liquid modified magnetic particles integrate the magnetic properties of Fe304 and the structure-tunable properties of ionic liquids, and have extensive potential uses in protein immobilization and magnetic bioseparation. This work may open up a novel strategy to immobilize proteins by ionic liquids.

Ionic liquid-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of SnS nanoparticles:Electrode materials for lithium batteries,photoluminescence and photocatalytic activities

Tin mono-sulphide（Sn S） nanoparticles（Nps） have been successfully synthesised through ionic liquid assisted hydrothermal method using hydrated tin（II） chloride as a precursor, thiourea as sulphur source precursors using 2-Methoxy ethyl methyl imidazolium methane sulfonate ionic liquid as co-solvent. The Reitveld refinement on powder X-ray diffraction（PXRD） confirmed the presence of orthorhombic Sn S structure as major phase along with traces amount of Sn S2 and Sn2 S3. Diffuse reflectance spectrum studies revealed the energy band gap around 1.38 e V. TEM images confirmed the Sn S Nps with average particle size of 40 nm and HRTEM suggest good crystallinity. The electrochemical property for lithium storage behaviour shows an initial discharge capacity of 658 m Ah/g and it retains discharge capacity of 426 m Ah/g for 16 cycles, at current density 100 m A/g. The obtained results indicate that Sn S Nps to be one of the possible promising anode materials for next generation Lithium batteries. Photoluminescence study of Sn S Nps shows a strong green emission at 530 nm. Sn S Nps were also tested for the photocatalytic adsorption of methylene blue and Rhodamine B.

Ionic liquid-derived core–shell gold@palladium nanoparticles with tiny sizes for highly efficient electrooxidation of ethanol

To maximize the size and structural advantages of nanomaterials in electrooxidation of ethanol, we herein report the synthesis of core–shell gold(Au)@Palladium(Pd) nanoparticles smaller than 3 nm in an ionic liquid, which combines the advantages of ionic liquids in preparing fine metal nanoparticles with the benefits of core–shell nanostructures. This synthetic strategy relies on the use of an ionic liquid(1-(2'-aminoethyl)-3-methyl-imidazolum tetrafluoroborate) as a stabilizer to produce Au particles with an average size of ca. 2.41 nm, which are then served as seeds for the formation of tiny core–shell Au@Pd nanoparticles with different Au/Pd molar ratios. The strong electronic coupling between Au core and Pd shell endows the Pd shell with an electronic structure favorable for the ethanol oxidation reaction. In specific, the ionic liquidderived core–shell Au@Pd nanoparticles at an Au/Pd molar ratio of 1/1 exhibit the highest mass-and area-based activities, approximately 11 times than those of commercial Pd/C catalyst for ethanol electrooxidation.

Effect of BaTiO₃Nanoparticle on Electro-Optical Properties of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Displays

Ferro nematic suspensions are the prominent materials to enhance the electro optical performance of liquid crystal displays. Electro optical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display with the introduction of Barium Titanate nanoparticles have been investigated in this article and it is shown that there is a considerable enhancement in electro-optical response of the displays. The nanoparticles lower the switch-on electric field and thereby increase the optical transmission at certain voltages of the displays. The electro-optical characteristics of the PDLC cells were investigated with a He-Ne laser followed by MatLab calculations.

Microwave-Assisted Preparation of CdS Nanoparticles in a Halide-Free Ionic Liquid and Their Photocatalytic Activities

A microwave-assisted (4-6 min) method was used for the preparation of CdS nanoparticles in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate,a halide-free room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL).The samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction,energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,and scanning electron microscopy.Diffuse reflectance spectra showed a 1.33 eV blue shift relative to bulk CdS.The photocatalytic activities of the nanoparticles for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) using UV and visible light were measured.The photodegradation of MB decreased with calcination temperature.First order rate constants for the reaction under visible and UV irradiations over the nanoparticles prepared in the RTIL rich media were 5.4 and 2.5 higher,respectively,than the sample prepared in water.

Fabrication and Growing Kinetics of Highly Dispersed Gadolinium Zirconate Nanoparticles

Highly dispersed gadolinium zirconate(GZ)nanoparticles with fluorite structure were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method,and their phase composition and microstructure,formation mechanism,and grain growth kinetics were investigated.The results suggest that the nanoparticles were obtained through hydroxide dehydration and solid phase reaction.High dispersion was accomplished by ethanol solvent to reduce the hydrogen bond and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate(SDBS)surfactant to increase the electrostatic repulsion between the nanoparticles.The grain growth activation energy of GZ powders calcined at lower temperature(<1200°C)is 86.5 kJ/mol(Ql),and the grain growth activation energy of GZ powders calcined at higher temperature(>1200°C)is 148.4 kJ/mol(Qh).The current study shows that the optimal process to synthesize dispersed GZ nanoparticles includes ethanol solvent,3 wt.%SDBS surfactant,and 1100°C as calcining temperature.

Enhanced dissolution of poorly soluble antiviral drugs from nanoparticles of cellulose acetate based solid dispersion matrices

Polysaccharide-based polymers were used to produce nanoparticles of poorly soluble antiviral drugs using a rapid precipitation process. The structure-property relationships of four novel cellulose acetate-based polymers were studied for their solubility enhancement of poorly soluble drugs. Particles were purified by dialysis, and dried powders were recovered after freeze-drying. The particle diameters were 150–200 nm. The target drug loading in the particles was 25 wt%, and the drug loading efficiencies were 80–96%. The effects of the formulation process and nanoparticle properties on drug solubility were investigated. All nanoparticles afforded increased solubility and faster release compared to pure drugs. Drug release was a function of the relative hydrophobicity (or solubility parameters) of the polymers.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University.

Preparation of SiO_2 Nanoparticles by Ion Exchanging and Study on Their Dispersion Stability

By adopting sodium silicate as a major material,SiO_2 nanoparticles (size in 8-15nm) water-dispersiod was prepared by ion exchanging.The effects of sodium silicate concentration,surface-modifying time,temperature and technological conditions on their diameter,size distribution and dispersion stability were also studied.The result show that,the hydrophilic lipophlic and hydrophilic-lipophilic SiO_(2) nanoparticles water-dispersoid can be prepared through different kinds of surface-modifiers and the optimum reaction conditions have been determined as follows:sodium silicate solution concentration:8w%;silicone dosage:3% of the total mass of nano SiO_(2) water-dispersoid;adding way and time of surface-modifier:continual dropping for 2h;surface-modifying temperature:60-70℃.

Preparation of SiO_2 Nanoparticles by Silicon and Their Dispersion Stability

Silicon dioxide sol was synthesized by silicon in the presence of alkali catalyst. SiO_2 nanoparticles (size in 8-15 nm) aqueous dispersion was prepared by using dispersion and surface modification in situ. The effects of reaction time, temperature, medium pH value, dispersant and surface-modifier on their diameters, sizes distribution and dispersion stability were also studied.The experimental results show that the preparation method can effectively resolve the dispersion stability of SiO_2 nanoparticles in water.

Critical size of iron nanoparticles on liquid substrates

We study the iron atomic aggregates deposited on silicone oil surfaces by using atomic force microscopy. The aggregates are composed of disk-shaped nanoparticles with the mean diameter Φc≈31.7 nm and height Hc≈4.5 nm, which are nearly independent of the nominal film thickness. The experiment shows that a material condensation process must occur in the nanoparticles during the growth period. The anomalous phenomenon is explained.

Highly efficient [C8mim][Cl] ionic liquid accompanied with magnetite nanoparticles and different salts for interfacial tension reduction

The 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [C8 mim][Cl] ionic liquid(IL) was used as a novel surfactant in n-heptane/water system. The interfacial tensions(IFT) were measured and corresponding variations were investigated. An IFT reduction of 80.8% was appropriate under the IL CMC of about 0.1 mol·L^-1 and stronger effects were achieved when magnetite nanoparticles and salts were present profoundly under alkaline p Hs.The equilibrium IFT data were accurately simulated with the Frumkin adsorption model. Hereafter, the saturated surface concentration, equilibrium constant and interaction parameter were obtained and their variations were demonstrated. Further, emulsion stability and contact angle of oil/water interface over quartz surface were studied. The oil/water emulsion stability was hardly changed with nanoparticles;however, the stability of oil/water + IL emulsions was significantly improved. It was also revealed that the presence of sodium and calcium chloride electrolytes fortifies the IL impact, whereas sodium sulfate weakens. From dynamic IFT data and fitting with kinetic models, it was found that the IL migration toward interface follows the mixed diffusion–kinetic control model. Consequently, the IL diffusion coefficient and the appropriate activation energy were determined.

Orientation in Nematic Liquid Crystals Doped with Orange Dyes and Effect of Carbon Nanoparticles

Some properties of nematic liquid crystal E7 doped with two disperse orange dyes used together and effect of addition of carbon nanoparticles （single walled carbon nanotube or fullerene C60） on them were studied. Two dyes （disperse orange 11 and 13） having high solubility and order parameter were used as co-dopants. A notable increase in order parameter was obtained comparing to that of liquid crystal doped with single dye. When carbon nanoparticles were used as dopant, a decrease in order parameter was observed at low temperatures while it increased at high temperatures. When applied voltage changed, the order parameter abruptly increased in its threshold value and saturated in higher voltages as expected. An appreciable change in textures was not observed with addition of dopants. This addition gave rise to an increase in nematic-isotropic phase transition temperatures compared with that of pure liquid crystal.

Preparation of Highly Concentrated Silver Nanoparticles in Reverse Micelles of Sucrose Fatty Acid Esters through Solid-Liquid Extraction Method

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized in reverse micelles consisting of sucrose fatty acid esters by dissolving reactant powder in the water pool of reverse micelles through the solid-liquid extraction. Silver nanoparticles having various sizes and shapes were obtained at high concentration. The size of silver nanoparticles was controlled by reaction temperature. Moreover, the size of silver nanoparticles was dependent upon the average esterification degree of sucrose fatty acid esters forming reverse micelles. The wavelength in the peaks, which corresponded upon the localized surface plasmon resonance of resultant silver nanoparticles, was correlated with their sizes.

Seed Mediated Growth of Gold Nanoparticles Based on Liquid Arc Discharge

We report studies on the growth of gold nanoparticles by a seed-mediated approach in solution. The synthetic method is adapted from one we published earlier （Ashkarran et al. Appl. Phys. A 2009, 96, 423）. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, dynamic light scattering （DLS）, UV-Vis spectroscopy, optical imaging and atomic force microscopy （AFM）. Optical absorption spectroscopy of the prepared samples at 15 A arc current in HAuCI4 solution shows a surface plasmon resonance around 520 nm. It is found that sodium citrate acts as a stabilizer and surface capping agent of the colloidal nanoparticles. The intensity of the plasmonic peak of the prepared gold nanoparticles for 1 minute arc duration gradually increases due to seed mediation for up to 6 hours. The formation time of gold nanoparticles at higher seed concentrations is less than that at lower seed concentrations.