scholarly journals Dispersion State Phase Diagram of Citrate-Coated Metallic Nanoparticles in Saline Solutions

Author(s):  
Sebastian Franco Ulloa ◽  
Giuseppina Tatulli ◽  
Sigbjørn Løland Bore ◽  
Mauro Moglianetti ◽  
Pier Paolo Pompa ◽  
...  

The fundamental interactions underlying citrate-mediated chemical stability of metal nanoparticles (NPs), and their surface characteristics dictating particle dispersion/aggregation in aqueous solutions, are largely unclear. Here, we used a newly developed theoretical model to estimate the stoichiometry of citrate molecules chemisorbed onto spherical metallic NPs and define the uncovered solvent-accessible surface area of the NP. Then, we exploited two-body free energy calculations and extended coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of citrate-capped metallic NPs in saline solutions to explore an experimentally relevant range of NP charge, as well as the electrolytic medium’s ionic strength, a known trigger for aggregation. In this way, we define dispersion state phase diagrams of citrate-capped metal nanocolloids. UV-vis spectroscopy experiments validated our predictions and extended our results to NPs up to 35 nm. Altogether, our results disclose a complex interplay between the particle size, its surface charge density, and the ionic strength of the medium, which ultimately clarifies how these variables impact colloidal stability. <br>

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Franco Ulloa ◽  
Giuseppina Tatulli ◽  
Sigbjørn Løland Bore ◽  
Mauro Moglianetti ◽  
Pier Paolo Pompa ◽  
...  

The fundamental interactions underlying citrate-mediated chemical stability of metal nanoparticles (NPs), and their surface characteristics dictating particle dispersion/aggregation in aqueous solutions, are largely unclear. Here, we used a newly developed theoretical model to estimate the stoichiometry of citrate molecules chemisorbed onto spherical metallic NPs and define the uncovered solvent-accessible surface area of the NP. Then, we exploited two-body free energy calculations and extended coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of citrate-capped metallic NPs in saline solutions to explore an experimentally relevant range of NP charge, as well as the electrolytic medium’s ionic strength, a known trigger for aggregation. In this way, we define dispersion state phase diagrams of citrate-capped metal nanocolloids. UV-vis spectroscopy experiments validated our predictions and extended our results to NPs up to 35 nm. Altogether, our results disclose a complex interplay between the particle size, its surface charge density, and the ionic strength of the medium, which ultimately clarifies how these variables impact colloidal stability. <br>


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Franco-Ulloa ◽  
Giuseppina Tatulli ◽  
Sigbjørn Løland Bore ◽  
Mauro Moglianetti ◽  
Pier Paolo Pompa ◽  
...  

Abstract The fundamental interactions underlying citrate-mediated chemical stability of metal nanoparticles, and their surface characteristics dictating particle dispersion/aggregation in aqueous solutions, are largely unclear. Here, we developed a theoretical model to estimate the stoichiometry of small, charged ligands (like citrate) chemisorbed onto spherical metallic nanoparticles and coupled it with atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to define the uncovered solvent-accessible surface area of the nanoparticle. Then, we integrated coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and two-body free energy calculations to define dispersion state phase diagrams for charged metal nanoparticles in a range of medium’s ionic strength, a known trigger for aggregation. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy experiments of citrate-capped nanocolloids validated our predictions and extended our results to nanoparticles up to 35 nm. Altogether, our results disclose a complex interplay between the particle size, its surface charge density, and the ionic strength of the medium, which ultimately clarifies how these variables impact colloidal stability.


MRS Advances ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (63) ◽  
pp. 3353-3360
Author(s):  
Susana Helena Arellano Ramírez ◽  
Perla García Casillas ◽  
Christian Chapa González

AbstractA significant area of research is biomedical applications of nanoparticles which involves efforts to control the physicochemical properties through simple and scalable processes. Gold nanoparticles have received considerable attention due to their unique properties that they exhibit based on their morphology. Gold nanospheres (AuNSs) and nanorods (AuNRs) were prepared with a seed-mediated method followed of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coating. The seeds were prepared with 0.1 M cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB), 0.005 M chloroauric acid (HAuCl4), and 0.01 M sodium borohydride (NaBH4) solution. Gold nanoparticles with spherical morphology was achieved by growth by aggregation at room temperature, while to achieve the rod morphology 0.1 M silver nitrate (AgNO3) and 0.1 M ascorbic acid solution were added. The gold nanoparticles obtained by the seed-mediated synthesis have spherical or rod shapes, depending on the experimental conditions, and a uniform particle size. Surface functionalization was developed using polyethylene glycol. Morphology, and size distribution of AuNPs were evaluated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. The average size of AuNSs, and AuNRs was 7.85nm and 7.96 x 31.47nm respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry was performed to corroborate the presence of PEG in the AuNPs surface. Additionally, suspensions of AuNSs and AuNRs were evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Gold nanoparticles were stored for several days at room temperature and it was observed that the colloidal stability increased once gold nanoparticles were coated with PEG due to the shield formed in the surface of the NPs and the increase in size which were 9.65±1.90 nm of diameter for AuNSs and for AuNRs were 29.03±5.88 and 8.39±1.02 nm for length and transverse axis, respectively.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 4671-4677 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Abdelghany ◽  
A.H. Oraby ◽  
Awatif A Hindi ◽  
Doaa M El-Nagar ◽  
Fathia S Alhakami

Bimetallic nanoparticles of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) were synthesized at room temperature using Curcumin. Reduction process of silver and gold ions with different molar ratios leads to production of different nanostructures including alloys and core-shells. Produced nanoparticles were characterized simultaneously with FTIR, UV/vis. spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX). UV/vis. optical absorption spectra of as synthesized nanoparticles reveals presence of surface palsmon resonance (SPR) of both silver at (425 nm) and gold at (540 nm) with small shift and broadness of gold band after mixing with resucing and capping agent in natural extract which suggest presence of bimetallic nano structure (Au/Ag). FTIR and EDAX data approve the presence of bimetallic nano structure combined with curcumin extract. TEM micrographs shows that silver and gold can be synthesized separately in the form of nano particles using curcumin extract. Synthesis of gold nano particles in presence of silver effectively enhance and control formation of bi-metallic structure.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4585
Author(s):  
Nicole Jara ◽  
Nataly S. Milán ◽  
Ashiqur Rahman ◽  
Lynda Mouheb ◽  
Daria C. Boffito ◽  
...  

Nanomaterials have supported important technological advances due to their unique properties and their applicability in various fields, such as biomedicine, catalysis, environment, energy, and electronics. This has triggered a tremendous increase in their demand. In turn, materials scientists have sought facile methods to produce nanomaterials of desired features, i.e., morphology, composition, colloidal stability, and surface chemistry, as these determine the targeted application. The advent of photoprocesses has enabled the easy, fast, scalable, and cost- and energy-effective production of metallic nanoparticles of controlled properties without the use of harmful reagents or sophisticated equipment. Herein, we overview the synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles via photochemical routes. We extensively discuss the effect of varying the experimental parameters, such as the pH, exposure time, and source of irradiation, the use or not of reductants and surfactants, reagents’ nature and concentration, on the outcomes of these noble nanoparticles, namely, their size, shape, and colloidal stability. The hypothetical mechanisms that govern these green processes are discussed whenever available. Finally, we mention their applications and insights for future developments.


Author(s):  
H. Jelger Risselada ◽  
Helmut Grubmüller

AbstractFusion proteins can play a versatile and involved role during all stages of the fusion reaction. Their roles go far beyond forcing the opposing membranes into close proximity to drive stalk formation and fusion. Molecular simulations have played a central role in providing a molecular understanding of how fusion proteins actively overcome the free energy barriers of the fusion reaction up to the expansion of the fusion pore. Unexpectedly, molecular simulations have revealed a preference of the biological fusion reaction to proceed through asymmetric pathways resulting in the formation of, e.g., a stalk-hole complex, rim-pore, or vertex pore. Force-field based molecular simulations are now able to directly resolve the minimum free-energy path in protein-mediated fusion as well as quantifying the free energies of formed reaction intermediates. Ongoing developments in Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), free energy calculations, and coarse-grained force-fields will soon gain additional insights into the diverse roles of fusion proteins.


Coatings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 484
Author(s):  
Matthias Schuster ◽  
Dominik Stapf ◽  
Tobias Osterrieder ◽  
Vincent Barthel ◽  
Peter J. Wellmann

Copper indium gallium sulfo-selenide (CIGS) based solar cells show the highest conversion efficiencies among all thin-film photovoltaic competition. However, the absorber material manufacturing is in most cases dependent on vacuum-technology like sputtering and evaporation, and the use of toxic and environmentally harmful substances like H2Se. In this work, the goal to fabricate dense, coarse grained CuInSe2 (CISe) thin-films with vacuum-free processing based on nanoparticle (NP) precursors was achieved. Bimetallic copper-indium, elemental selenium and binary selenide (Cu2−xSe and In2Se3) NPs were synthesized by wet-chemical methods and dispersed in nontoxic solvents. Layer-stacks from these inks were printed on molybdenum coated float-glass-substrates via doctor-blading. During the temperature treatment, a face-to-face technique and mechanically applied pressure were used to transform the precursor-stacks into dense CuInSe2 films. By combining liquid phase sintering and pressure sintering, and using a seeding layer later on, issues like high porosity, oxidation, or selenium- and indium-depletion were overcome. There was no need for external Se atmosphere or H2Se gas, as all of the Se was directly in the precursor and could not leave the face-to-face sandwich. All thin-films were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV/vis spectroscopy. Dense CISe layers with a thickness of about 2–3 µm and low band gap energies of 0.93–0.97 eV were formed in this work, which show potential to be used as a solar cell absorber.


2016 ◽  
Vol 145 (18) ◽  
pp. 185101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald W. Thompson ◽  
Ramil F. Latypov ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Aleksey Lomakin ◽  
Julie A. Meyer ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 661 ◽  
pp. 8-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Intan Syaffinazzilla Zaine ◽  
N.A.M. Napiah ◽  
Azmi Mohamad Yusof ◽  
A.N. Alias ◽  
A.M.M. Ali ◽  
...  

The MWCNTs was functionalized by refluxing commercial MWCNTs (a-MWCNTs) in concentrated HNO3/H2SO4 (3:1 v/v) at 100°C for 6 hours. The dispersion of a-MWCNTs and functionalized MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs) were observed after 1 hour sonication in ethanol. Both samples were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy for dispersion behavior. The dried f-MWCNTs and a-MWCNTs were characterized by Raman spectroscopy to estimate the defect level. The morphology of the samples were analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The f-MWCNTs was well dispersed in ethanol within 2 weeks of observations period. The colloidal stability of a-MWCNTs was low as it was easily sediment after 24 hours. The UV-vis spectra of f-MWCNTs show maximum absorbance at 250 nm meanwhile no absorbance was observed for a-MWCNTs. Analysis from Raman spectrum shows that the f-MWCNTs have relative intensity of 1.101 which is higher than a-MWCNTs that have relative intensity of 0.935. The image from TEM revealed that the f-MWCNTs have structural defects and the absence of amorphous carbon on sidewall meanwhile the a-MWCNTs indicate otherwise.


Author(s):  
Kashan Khan ◽  
Mohd Aamir Qureshi ◽  
Ameer Azam ◽  
Moinuddin ◽  
Javed Musarrat ◽  
...  

Aims: Globally Scientists are working to find more efficient antimicrobial drugs to treat microbial infections and kill drug-resistant bacteria. Background: Despite the availability of numerous antimicrobial drugs bacterial infections still poses a serious threat to global health. Due to a constant decline in the effectiveness of antibiotics owing to their repeated exposure as well as shortlasting antimicrobial activity, led to the demand for developing novel therapeutic agents capable of controlling microbial infections. Objective: In this study, we report antimicrobial activity of chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (cAgNPs) augmented with ampicillin (amp) in order to increase antimicrobial response against Escherichia coli (gram –ve), Staphylococcus aureus (gram +ve) and Streptococcus mutans (gram +ve). Methods: Nanostructure, colloidal stability, morphology and size of cAgNPs before and after functionalization were explored by UV-vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, zeta potential and TEM. The formation and functionalization of cAgNPs was confirmed from UV-vis spectroscopy and FT-IR patterns. From TEM the average sizes of cAgNPs and cAgNP-amp were found to be 13 and 7.8 nm respectively, and change in colloidal stability after augmentation was confirmed from zeta potential values. The antimicrobial efficacies of cAgNP-amp and cAgNPs against E. coli S. aureus and S. mutans were studied by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), zone of inhibition, assessment of viable and non-viable bacterial cells and quantitative assessment of biofilm. Results & Discussion: Our results revealed cAgNP-amp to be highly bactericidal compared to cAgNPs or amp alone. The nano-toxicity studies indicated cAgNP-amp to be less toxic compared to cAgNPs alone. Results: This study manifested that cAgNPs show synergistic antimicrobial effect when they get functionalized with amp suggesting their application in curing long-term bacterial infections.


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