Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Can Xiao, Bernat Mir-Simon, Pilar Rivera-Gil
Summary: This article reports a synthetic procedure to obtain stable, reproducible, and robust highly-SERS performing nanocomposites for labeling. The biosensing performance was validated by designing a SERS-based detection assay model for SARS-CoV-2, with a detection limit below 10 ng/mL.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Siu-Wai Chan, Wenxuan Wang
Summary: Surface stress is rarely discussed in chemistry, but it is closely related to size-dependent lattice changes in nanocrystals. Different materials exhibit different surface stress behaviors with changes in crystal size, with some materials showing tensile surface stress and others showing compressive surface stress. The coordination of surface atoms and lattice-matching between surface and interior play key roles in determining surface stress in nanostructures.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Beom-Sik Kim, Junemin Bae, Hojin Jeong, Chanyeong Choe, Hyunjoo Lee
Summary: The study presents a Pt catalyst deposited on CeO2-Al2O3 support with octahedral nanoceria, showing improved sulfur resistance and resilience. Variations in hydrothermal treatment temperatures can control the surface oxygen defects and basicity of the support material.
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Francisco Sebastian Navarro Oliva, Mehdi Sahihi, Luc Lenglet, Alejandro Ospina, Erwann Guenin, Andres Jaramillo-Botero, William A. Goddard, Fahmi Bedoui
Summary: PVDF-Fe3O4 nanoparticle nanocomposite films were produced and the effect of nanoparticle size on the film's morphology, mechanical properties, and physical properties (beta-phase percentage) was investigated. The results showed that nanoparticle size enhanced the mechanical properties but inhibited the crystallization of the beta-polymorph. Further analysis revealed the influence of NP surface chemistry on the crystallization of the piezoelectric phase of PVDF. Simulation results aligned with the experimental findings, indicating the usefulness of simulation in understanding and guiding experimental results.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liqun Kang, Bolun Wang, Andreas T. Guntner, Siyuan Xu, Xuhao Wan, Yiyun Liu, Sushila Marlow, Yifei Ren, Diego Gianolio, Chiu C. Tang, Vadim Murzin, Hiroyuki Asakura, Qian He, Shaoliang Guan, Juan J. Velasco-Velez, Sotiris E. Pratsinis, Yuzheng Guo, Feng Ryan Wang
Summary: In this study, a flow of electrons from metallic Cu to surface carbon species was observed, leading to the proposal of an electronic metal-support-carbon interaction model. This provides a comprehensive understanding of mass and electron flow, aiding in the prediction and improvement of catalytic performance in various chemical reactions.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Licinia Timochenco, Raquel Costa-Almeida, Diana Bogas, Filipa A. L. S. Silva, Joana Silva, Andre Pereira, Fernao D. Magalhaes, Artur M. Pinto
Summary: This study explored high-power ultrasonication as a method for reducing the particle size of graphene oxide (GOn), resulting in improved stability and process yield. Chemical characterization identified characteristic oxygen functional groups in GOn.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Zhihui Liang, Yuan He, Christina S. U. Ieong, Chung Hang Jonathan Choi
Summary: This review provides insights into the interactions between Polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) and cells. The study reveals that PDA NPs can self-target cells through dopamine receptors without the need for ligands, and can exhibit self-therapeutic cellular responses in the absence of drugs. The review also discusses the cellular localization and pharmacological properties of PDA NPs upon various routes of administration.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiri Henych, Petr Ryanek, Martin St'astny, Zuzana Nemckova, Slavomir Adamec, Martin Kormunda, Simona Kaminkova, Katerina Hamalova, Jakub Tolasz, Pavel Janos
Summary: Two types of CeO2 nanoparticles (CeNPs) were successfully immobilized in electrospun PA6 nanofibers using a low-temperature precipitation method in water. The colloidal solutions of CeNPs were directly mixed with the polymer solution before the electrospinning process, resulting in good dispersion of CeNPs in the nanofibers. The immobilized CeNPs showed strong catalytic activity in dephosphorylation, as demonstrated by the hydrolytic cleavage of phosphodiester molecules and the ability to cleave different types of P-O bonds.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nazurah Binti Sazali, Lai Wah Chan, Tin Wui Wong
Summary: Nanoscale medicine has the potential for targeted drug delivery, but there are challenges in processing and administration. Agglomeration and compaction techniques are used to overcome the aggregation and poor flowability of nanoparticles, but there are risks of altering their geometry and surface chemistry. This study reviews the risk factors and discusses ways to modulate the effects of material, formulation, processing, and environmental variables to maintain the physicochemical and biological behavior of nanoparticles during agglomeration and compaction.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xingfan Zhang, Taifeng Liu, Lei Zhu, Jingcheng Guan, You Lu, Thomas W. Keal, John Buckeridge, C. Richard A. Catlow, Alexey A. Sokol
Summary: Determining the absolute band edge positions is crucial for optimizing the performance of solid materials in various applications. This study combines theoretical approaches to understand the contributions of the bulk and surface to the ionization potential (IP) of metal oxides, such as CeO2. The results provide insights into the range of experimental results and contribute to the interpretation of oxide band structures in future studies.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xingfan Zhang, Taifeng Liu, Lei Zhu, Jingcheng Guan, You Lu, Thomas W. Keal, John Buckeridge, C. Richard A. Catlow, Alexey A. Sokol
Summary: Determining the absolute band edge positions in solid materials is crucial for optimizing their performance in various applications. This study combines theoretical approaches to investigate the contributions of bulk and surface properties to the ionization potential (IP) in metal oxides, providing a firm basis for interpreting experimental and computational studies of oxide band structures.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Vepika Kandjou, Zoraida Gonzalez, Beatriz Acevedo, Jose M. Munuera, Juan I. Paredes, Sonia Melendi-Espina
Summary: This study analyzed the influence of key properties of graphene oxide (GO) sheets on the performance of nanofiltration membranes for water purification. GO water suspensions with different lateral sizes and oxygenated functional group distributions were prepared by controlling sonication time, showing a significant impact on membrane rejection values. The findings suggest that the physicochemical characteristics of GO play a crucial role in determining membrane performance in water purification applications.
JOURNAL OF THE TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Siu-Wai Chan, Wenxuan Wang
Summary: Recent developments indicate that the heat capacity of nano-oxides is dependent on their size, as the product of bulk modulus and thermal expansion coefficient scales with isometric heat capacity. The size dependence of heat capacity is explored by examining the product of bulk modulus, thermal expansion coefficient, and lattice parameter, which shows maxima at certain crystal sizes and decreases with decreasing size. This contradicts the heat capacities of metals, which are larger in nano-grains, and may be explained by the absence of electronic carriers in oxides.
SOLID STATE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tomotaka Seki, Kosuke Takeda, Akira Nakayama
Summary: In this study, ab initio molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the adsorption structures of picolinic acid on the CeO2(111) surface in an aqueous environment. A unique chemisorbed structure with a C-O-S bond was discovered, which spontaneously released a hydroxide ion from the carboxy group. These findings suggest that picolinic acid forms various adsorption structures at the water/CeO2 interface, potentially altering the reactivity of the CeO2 surface.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Akshad Balde, Se-Kwon Kim, Soottawat Benjakul, Rasool Abdul Nazeer
Summary: Respiratory distress syndrome and pneumothorax are the leading causes of death due to lifestyle changes and increasing air pollution. Natural polysaccharide-based polymers have been widely used in the preparation of nanoparticle carrier systems, enabling better drug delivery to the pulmonary tract. This review focuses on the transport and mechanism of action of natural polymer-derived nanoparticle carrier systems in the bronchiolar and respiratory regions, as well as their physicochemical properties and toxicological effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Changjian Xie, Xiaowei Li, Zhiling Guo, Yuling Dong, Shujing Zhang, Ao Li, Shan Ma, Jianing Xu, Qiuxiang Pang, Willie J. G. M. Peijnenburg, Iseult Lynch, Peng Zhang
Summary: The toxicity of graphene oxide (GO) in aquatic systems was evaluated using the freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica. GO not only impaired the growth of normal worms, but also inhibited the regeneration processes of regenerating worms. High concentration of GO killed all the worms. Mechanistic analysis suggests that GO disturbed the antioxidative system and energy metabolism, causing oxidative damage and retardance of neuron regeneration.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chong Qiu, Yanyan Wu, Qiaoli Shi, Qiuyan Guo, Junzhe Zhang, Yuqing Meng, Chen Wang, Fei Xia, Jigang Wang, Chengchao Xu
Summary: Cancer is a complex malignant consequence of genetic mutations that control cellular processes, making tumor treatment extremely challenging. Various cargo molecules, including nucleic acids drugs, therapeutic drugs and imaging agents, have shown potential in clinical applications. However, the heterogeneity of tumors and drug resistance limit the effectiveness of single therapeutic drugs, leading to the adoption of nanotechnology-based combined therapy for enhanced anticancer effects. This review discusses the current advanced development in co-delivering small-molecular drugs and nucleic acids for anticancer therapy with nanomedicine-based combination, highlighting the superiority and addressing the barriers to overcome clinical challenges. Future perspectives in rational direction for combined tumor therapy of drugs and nucleic acids are also presented.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kaini Yang, Xiangyu Wang, Iseult Lynch, Zhiling Guo, Peng Zhang, Lisi Wu, Jun Ma
Summary: An ultra-high NZVI-loaded PAN film with a unique 3D honeycomb structure was successfully designed and demonstrated excellent Cr(VI) removal activity and tolerance to coexisting ions. The film maintained a removal efficiency of over 80% even after long-term use.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Changjian Xie, Xiaowei Li, Lisha Hei, Yiqing Chen, Yuling Dong, Shujing Zhang, Shan Ma, Jianing Xu, Qiuxiang Pang, Iseult Lynch, Zhiling Guo, Peng Zhang
Summary: In this study, the toxic effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles (n-CeO2) on stem cells, tissue regeneration, and neuro-regeneration were investigated using freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica as a model. The study found that n-CeO2 not only disrupted the homeostasis of normal planarians, but also inhibited the regeneration processes of regenerated planarians. Ce3+ exhibited higher toxicity than n-CeO2.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Quanlong Wang, Peng Zhang, Weichen Zhao, Yuanbo Li, Yaqi Jiang, Yukui Rui, Zhiling Guo, Iseult Lynch
Summary: The development of nanotechnology and the widespread use of metal-based nanoparticles in consumer products have led to the release of nanoparticles into soil, particularly in agricultural systems. This review examines the interaction between metal-based nanoparticles and the plant rhizosphere microenvironment, using examples of commonly used nanoparticles such as Ag NPs and ZnO NPs. Factors such as soil pH, organic matter, microorganisms, and rhizosphere exudates can influence the behavior of nanoparticles in the environment. Moreover, nanoparticles can alter the soil chemistry and microbial properties in the rhizosphere, subsequently affecting their behavior and biological effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiling Guo, Peng Zhang, Changjian Xie, Evangelos Voyiatzis, Klaus Faserl, Andrew J. Chetwynd, Fazel Abdolahpur Monikh, Georgia Melagraki, Zhiyong Zhang, Willie J. G. M. Peijnenburg, Antreas Afantitis, Chunying Chen, Iseult Lynch
Summary: As antimicrobials, graphene materials (GMs) have potential advantages over traditional antibiotics. The antibacterial mechanism of GMs, whether it originates from parallel or perpendicular interactions or a combination of both, remains unclear. This study demonstrates that GMs with high surface oxygen content (SOC) predominantly attach in parallel to bacterial cell surfaces in suspension. The interaction mode shifts to perpendicular when the SOC reaches a threshold of around 0.3. These findings help to understand the different physical mechanisms leading to the antibacterial activity of GMs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pingfan Zhou, Yaqi Jiang, Muhammad Adeel, Noman Shakoor, Weichen Zhao, Yanwanjing Liu, Yuanbo Li, Mingshu Li, Imran Azeem, Yukui Rui, Zhiqiang Tan, Jason C. White, Zhiling Guo, Iseult Lynch, Peng Zhang
Summary: Nickel (Ni), as a trace element, can improve plant growth and development. A study compared the effects of NiO nanoparticles (n-NiO), NiO bulk (b-NiO), and NiSO4 on soybean growth and nutrition. n-NiO at 50 mg kg-1 significantly increased seed yield by 39% and promoted fatty acid and starch content. n-NiO had long-lasting regulatory effects, and its Ni2+ supply decreased phytotoxicity concerns. Majority of Ni in seeds was in ionic form, with only a small portion as n-NiO.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mingshu Li, Li Gao, Jason C. White, Christy L. Haynes, Tana L. O'Keefe, Yukui Rui, Sami Ullah, Zhiling Guo, Iseult Lynch, Peng Zhang
Summary: Increasing the capacity of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is an effective strategy to enhance food security and reduce the carbon and nitrogen footprint of agriculture. Nanotechnology offers several pathways to successfully enhance BNF.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiangyu Wang, Min Jiang, Iseult Lynch, Zhiling Guo, Peng Zhang, Lisi Wu, Jun Ma
Summary: In this study, a highly efficient composite Fe/Fe2O3@UiO-66 material was constructed by employing an urchin-like core-shell structure of Fe/Fe2O3 onto UiO-66 through a facile ion exchange precipitation method. The urchin-like core-shell configuration extended the life span of Fe0 and produced more active sites, while the addition of Fe2O3 broadened the absorption spectrum and achieved high-efficiency separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs with the load of Fe/Fe2O3. The findings of this research provide a promising method for promoting the catalytic properties of MOF-based materials and Fe/Fe2O3.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xi Wu, Xiangyu Wang, Iseult Lynch, Zhiling Guo, Peng Zhang, Lisi Wu, Ping Ning, Nanqi Ren
Summary: A novel Z-scheme heterojunction catalyst (Fe0@CQDs-TiO2(b)) was designed by decorating nZVI with carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and implanting them into black TiO2 (b-TiO2). This catalyst optimized the band gap of b-TiO2 during the light reaction and enhanced the photo-elimination capacity of metronidazole.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wu Cai, Peng Zhang, Xueci Xing, Lai Lyu, Han Zhang, Chun Hu
Summary: This study presents a synergetic strategy between microbes and dual-electric centers catalysts for treating water containing Ciprofloxacin. The catalyst cleaves Ciprofloxacin into small molecules and reduces the accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes, while promoting the expression of extracellular electron transfer-related genes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Swaroop Chakraborty, Dhruv Menon, Venkata Sai Akhil Varri, Manish Sahoo, Raghavan Ranganathan, Peng Zhang, Superb K. Misra
Summary: Due to their excellent properties, ferrite nanoparticles are widely used for various applications. This study investigates the effects of doping ferrite nanoparticles with transition metal elements on their stability and toxicity. Monodispersed and phase pure ferrite variants were synthesized, and the results show that Co and Mn doping enhances dissolution, while Cu and Zn doping has the opposite effect. DFT calculations and cell viability tests further support the experimental data. Comparisons with other metal-oxide nanoparticles are also provided.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiling Guo, Peng Zhang, Changjian Xie, Evangelos Voyiatzis, Klaus Faserl, Andrew J. Chetwynd, Fazel Abdolahpur Monikh, Georgia Melagraki, Zhiyong Zhang, Willie J. G. M. Peijnenburg, Antreas Afantitis, Chunying Chen, Iseult Lynch
Summary: As antimicrobials, graphene materials (GMs) have potential advantages over traditional antibiotics due to their physical mechanisms of action, which reduce the chance of microbial resistance. This study shows that GMs with high surface oxygen content (SOC) primarily attach in parallel to the bacterial cell surface, while the interaction mode shifts to perpendicular when the SOC reaches a certain threshold. The rigidity of GMs is closely related to these distinct interaction modes. By understanding the interaction mode of GMs with bacteria, the antibacterial activity of GMs can be better understood.