Nanofabrication of Iron-Cobalt (FeCo) Alloy by Sol-gel Method

Background and Introduction: Metal oxides (MOs) have been extensively used in a large range of engineering and medical applications. Methods: FeCo nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized by the solgel method in the presence of a powerful reducing agent-sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The structure, morphology, and optical properties of NPs were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field effect scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) at room temperature. Results: The XRD spectrum showed the body center cubic (BCC) structure of the samples after heat treatment at 500 °C. The SEM analysis exhibited that the particle size of as-synthesized and annealed samples was approximately 40 nm and 22 nm, respectively. Conclusion: The TEM investigations showed the rod-shaped sample of annealed NPs. The optical studies of the FTIR analysis revealed the starching bound of Fe-Co at the frequencies of 673 cm-1, 598 cm-1, and 478 cm-1.

In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicity Assessment of Metallic Nanoparticulate Systems for Skin Targeting

: In the recent decades, nanoscience and nanotechnology have played a revolutionary role in the therapeutic domain. Manipulation of atoms and molecules at the nanometric scale endows bio-materials with specific physicochemical properties. Skin being the largest organ of human body and an extensively exploited route for drug delivery is one of the primary sites for the exposure to nanoparticulate matter. Skin care products and cosmetics also constitute a major source of exposure to metallic nanoparticles. Metallic nanoparticles are widely used for therapeutic, diagnostic and cosmetic purposes. The potential risks associated with their use in modern medicine are a subject of extensive research. The present article aims to discuss the toxicity concerns associated with the use of metallic nanoparticles in dermatological products, and provide an overview of their in vitro and in vivo methods of nanotoxicity assessment, as per OECD guidelines. It also presents a concise account of the lacunae in the existing guideline, which need to be addressed in order to adapt the prescribed tests to testing of nanoparticles. The review also gives an insight into the gaps in the in vitro- in vivo correlation of data furnished by various research groups. It provides a glimpse of important regulatory aspects applicable to the evaluation of topically applied nanoparticulate systems. In the end, it discusses the challenges and future perspectives in order to strengthen the scientific investigations in this domain.

Nanotoxicity: The Dark Side of Nanoformulations

: Nanotoxicity has become the topic of great concern in nanoscience and nanotechnology because of the increasing toxic effects of nanomaterials on living organisms. The toxic patterns of chemotherapeutic drugs, nanomedicines, and nanocarrier are closely associated. Long term exposure of nanocarrier composed of several bioactive (protein and peptide drugs) and chemotherapeutic drugs (anticancerous agents) leads to toxicity, selective induction of cytotoxicity in normal cells and organ. Important factors that contribute directly and significantly to the toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) constitute particle size, shape and surface area. Apart from size and shape, the structure of the NPs also contributes to nanotoxicity. The review focused on the basic perceptions and mechanisms of nanomaterial-based drug delivery and nanotoxicity is introduced along with a detailed classification of drug delivery approaches i.e., carbon nanotubes, Quantum dots, fullernes and NPs and nanotoxicity models, supported by the most contemporary investigation studies with distinctive emphasis on the communicates between nanotoxicity and nanomedicines research, which is emphasized in order to discover future prospects for developing progressive therapeutic methods. In this framework, the present silhouette focused to assemble and present recent advances, outcomes, and interlinks between nanomaterial-based drug delivery and nanotoxicity disciplines in order to provide inclusive supervision for future nanotechnology-based medicinal research. Reactive oxygen stress with subsequent DNA damage is the major reason for nanotoxicity which can be overcome using green nanoscience uses of antioxidants and surface modification. The silhouette is established with future forecasts on the use of nanocarrier for manipulating the behavior living organism.

Toxicity Risks of Nanomaterials used in the Building Construction Materials

Introduction: In recent years, there has been a growing research interest on the applications of a range of nanostructured materials in construction materials (i.e. asphalt concrete, bricks, concrete, timber, steel, and mortar), manufacturing, electronics, cosmetics, and medicine. The use of nanoscale structures in the construction industry offers exceptional physicochemical characteristics for the modification of construction materials. Nanomaterials, which are being used in cement and concretes, are carbon nanomaterials (Graphene, CNTs, CNFs), nanosilica, nano Al2O3, nanometakaoline, nano Ca- CO3, nano Fe2O3, nanoTiO2. Methods: These materials improve the properties of concretes by modifying the microstructure and also improve the mechanical properties. The improvement in mechanical and durability properties of concretes in the presence of nanoparticles are due to their smaller size (<100 nm), high surface area, and energy. Results: Nevertheless, all these nanoscale particles find their way (either directly or indirectly) to various environmental matrices such as groundwater, surface water, rivers, seas, lakes, and soil. The potential bioaccumulation of metal oxide nanostructures results in undesirable effects on animals, aquatic biota, plants, and humans. Therefore, it has become crucial to determine toxicity levels during the use of these multifunctional nanoscale materials. Conclusion: This study presents an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of nanomaterials in concretes and related materials. A particular emphasis has been given to discuss the potential toxicity risks of nanomaterials used in building construction materials.

Nanofillers for Food Packaging: Antimicrobial Potential of Metal-Based Nanoparticles

Background: Recently, numerous studies on packaging nanomaterials for foods underline the significant function of nanofillers in the manufacturing of innovative nanocomposites based on polymer or biopolymer matrices. It is evident in the literature that nanofillers exhibit effective characteristics such as antimicrobial potential, barrier, mechanical, and thermal properties. However, the exact mechanisms regulating the occurrence of the antimicrobial activity of nanofillers are only hypothesized, the literature containing controversies on the mechanisms of nanofiller-induced toxicity. Objective and approach: The objective of this review is to highlight several types of nanofillers, especially inorganic nanofillers that can be used along different polymers or biopolymers to form innovative food packaging materials. The antimicrobial potential of metal-based nanofillers is also discussed in the second part of the review. Key findings and conclusions: Even though numerous reports on polymer or biopolymer nanomaterial applications in food packaging are available, their purpose is not aimed at in this article, and a smaller number of reviews approaches food packaging nanomaterials in this way. It is expected that the information contained in this paper will complement previous reports, and open new vistas for explorers to apply nanofillers in the functional food packaging area.

Plant Stimulant to Nanotoxicity : Recent Advancements and Opportunities

: Nanotechnology has come a long way showing major contribution in the field of agriculture and food production. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) is increasing day by day since they possess better solubility, enhanced magnetic and optical properties, and better surface to charge ratio. The affirmative effects due to use of NPs has been explained including enhanced germination, increased root and shoot length, and overall increase in plant biomass along with improvement in physiological parameters like photosynthetic activity. Recently, toxicological effects of NPs in agriculture have become matter of concern. The current review focuses on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative damage and defense mechanism in response to phytotoxicity caused by the use of NPs. The other aspects included in this review include the effect of NPs on macromolecule concentration, plant hormones and crop quality. The review also discusses about the future prospects of NPs on plant phytotoxicity and growth. Further, it also discusses about the possible measures which can be taken for plant protection and growth while using NPs in agriculture.

Microorganisms as nano-factories for metal nanoparticles synthesis

: Nanoparticles applications have revolutionized the different areas of the research. These include medicine, surgery, drug delivery, wastewater treatment, agriculture, cancer therapy, etc. The use of nanoparticles is increasing day by day to their popular, promising characteristics. With the excessive use of the nanoparticles, their accumulation in the organisms and different environments have been reported. A very high increase in the accumulation and toxicity of the nanoparticles nanoparticle been reported in this decade. Therefore, the nanoparticle research has been now shifted to find new techniques and methods to minimize the toxic effects of the nanoparticles. In this context, the requirement of a safe design approach and the generation of fewer toxic nanoparticles is required. One of the eco-friendly approaches for safer nanoparticles synthesis is the use of living organisms for nanoparticles production. Microbes especially, bacteria, fungi and yeasts, are considered safe, secure, and efficient systems for nanoparticle biosynthesis. This review is an attempt to understand the potential of the microbes for biosynthesis of nanoparticles.