International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Editorial

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4 pages, 170 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0

by Xuan-Hung Pham, Jaehi Kim and Bong-Hyun Jun

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(12), 4395; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21124395 - 20 Jun 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2090

Abstract

Currently, nano/microparticles are widely used in various fields [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

Research

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11 pages, 2418 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facile Histamine Detection by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Using SiO₂@Au@Ag Alloy Nanoparticles

by Kim-Hung Huynh, Xuan-Hung Pham, Eunil Hahm, Jaehyun An, Hyung-Mo Kim, Ahla Jo, Bomi Seong, Yoon-Hee Kim, Byung Sung Son, Jaehi Kim, Won-Yeop Rho and Bong-Hyun Jun

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(11), 4048; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21114048 - 05 Jun 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3511

Abstract

Histamine intoxication associated with seafood consumption represents a global health problem. The consumption of high concentrations of histamine can cause illnesses ranging from light symptoms, such as a prickling sensation, to death. In this study, gold–silver alloy-embedded silica (SiO₂@Au@Ag) nanoparticles were [...] Read more.

Histamine intoxication associated with seafood consumption represents a global health problem. The consumption of high concentrations of histamine can cause illnesses ranging from light symptoms, such as a prickling sensation, to death. In this study, gold–silver alloy-embedded silica (SiO₂@Au@Ag) nanoparticles were created to detect histamine using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The optimal histamine SERS signal was measured following incubation with 125 μg/mL of SiO₂@Au@Ag for 2 h, with a material-to-histamine solution volume ratio of 1:5 and a phosphate-buffered saline-Tween 20 (PBS-T) solvent at pH 7. The SERS intensity of the histamine increased proportionally with the increase in histamine concentration in the range 0.1–0.8 mM, with a limit of detection of 3.698 ppm. Our findings demonstrate the applicability of SERS using nanomaterials for histamine detection. In addition, this study demonstrates that nanoalloys could have a broad application in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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11 pages, 1609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultraviolet Irradiation Enhances the Microbicidal Activity of Silver Nanoparticles by Hydroxyl Radicals

by Shingo Nakamura, Naoko Ando, Masahiro Sato and Masayuki Ishihara

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(9), 3204; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21093204 - 30 Apr 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2801

Abstract

It is known that silver has microbicidal qualities; even at a low concentration, silver is active against many kinds of bacteria. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively studied for a wide range of applications. Alternately, the toxicity of silver to human cells is [...] Read more.

It is known that silver has microbicidal qualities; even at a low concentration, silver is active against many kinds of bacteria. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively studied for a wide range of applications. Alternately, the toxicity of silver to human cells is considerably lower than that to bacteria. Recent studies have shown that AgNPs also have antiviral activity. We found that large amounts of hydroxyl radicals—highly reactive molecular species—are generated when AgNPs are irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation with a wavelength of 365 nm, classified as ultraviolet A (UVA). In this study, we used electron spin resonance direct detection to confirm that UV irradiation of AgNPs produced rapid generation of hydroxyl radicals. As hydroxyl radicals are known to degrade bacteria, viruses, and some chemicals, the enhancement of the microbicidal activity of AgNPs by UV radiation could be valuable for the protection of healthcare workers and the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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10 pages, 1344 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Array-Based Screening of Silver Nanoparticle Mineralization Peptides

by Masayoshi Tanaka, Shogo Saito, Reo Kita, Jaehee Jang, Yonghyun Choi, Jonghoon Choi and Mina Okochi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(7), 2377; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21072377 - 30 Mar 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3068

Abstract

The use of biomolecules in nanomaterial synthesis has received increasing attention, because they can function as a medium to produce inorganic materials in ambient conditions. Short peptides are putative ligands that interact with metallic surfaces, as they have the potential to control the [...] Read more.

The use of biomolecules in nanomaterial synthesis has received increasing attention, because they can function as a medium to produce inorganic materials in ambient conditions. Short peptides are putative ligands that interact with metallic surfaces, as they have the potential to control the synthesis of nanoscale materials. Silver nanoparticle (AgNP) mineralization using peptides has been investigated; however, further comprehensive analysis must be carried out, because the design of peptide mediated-AgNP properties is still highly challenging. Herein, we employed an array comprising 200 spot synthesis-based peptides, which were previously isolated as gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-binding and/or mineralization peptides, and the AgNP mineralization activity of each peptide was broadly evaluated. Among 10 peptides showing the highest AgNP-synthesis activity (TOP10), nine showed the presence of EE and E[X]E (E: glutamic acid, and X: any amino acid), whereas none of these motifs were found in the WORST25 (25 peptides showing the lowest AgNP synthesis activity) peptides. The size and morphology of the particles synthesized by TOP3 peptides were dependent on their sequences. These results suggested not only that array-based techniques are effective for the peptide screening of AgNP mineralization, but also that AgNP mineralization regulated by peptides has the potential for the synthesis of AgNPs, with controlled morphology in environmentally friendly conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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22 pages, 7327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Antibacterial and Cytotoxicity Properties of Silver Nanowires and Their Composites with Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Applications

by Arianna De Mori, Richard S. Jones, Matteo Cretella, Guido Cerri, Roger R. Draheim, Eugen Barbu, Gianluca Tozzi and Marta Roldo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(7), 2303; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21072303 - 26 Mar 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3490

Abstract

In this work, we prepared silver nanowires (AgNWs) via the polyol method in the presence or absence of single wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and tested their physicochemical, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties. Results showed that the introduction of CNTs lead to the formation of [...] Read more.

In this work, we prepared silver nanowires (AgNWs) via the polyol method in the presence or absence of single wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and tested their physicochemical, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties. Results showed that the introduction of CNTs lead to the formation of AgNWs at lower temperature, but the final product characteristics of AgNWs and AgNWs-CNT were not significantly different. AgNWs exhibited antibacterial properties against all the studied bacterial species via the formation of oxygen reactive species (ROS) and membrane damage. Furthermore, AgNWs exhibited a dose-dependent and time-dependent toxicity at concentrations ≥ 10 µg/mL. Fibroblasts appeared to be more resistant than human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and osteoblasts to the toxicity of AgNWs. The cytotoxicity of AgNWs was found to be related to the formation of ROS, but not to membrane damage. Overall, these results suggest that AgNWs are potential antibacterial agents against E. coli, S. aureus, MRSA and S. saprophyticus, but their dosage needs to be adjusted according to the route of administration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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9 pages, 2518 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photochemical Printing of Plasmonically Active Silver Nanostructures

by Marcin Szalkowski, Karolina Sulowska, Martin Jönsson-Niedziółka, Kamil Wiwatowski, Joanna Niedziółka-Jönsson, Sebastian Maćkowski and Dawid Piątkowski

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(6), 2006; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21062006 - 16 Mar 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2618

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate plasmonic substrates prepared on demand, using a straightforward technique, based on laser-induced photochemical reduction of silver compounds on a glass substrate. Importantly, the presented technique does not impose any restrictions regarding the shape and length of the metallic [...] Read more.

In this paper, we demonstrate plasmonic substrates prepared on demand, using a straightforward technique, based on laser-induced photochemical reduction of silver compounds on a glass substrate. Importantly, the presented technique does not impose any restrictions regarding the shape and length of the metallic pattern. Plasmonic interactions have been probed using both Stokes and anti-Stokes types of emitters that served as photoluminescence probes. For both cases, we observed a pronounced increase of the photoluminescence intensity for emitters deposited on silver patterns. By studying the absorption and emission dynamics, we identified the mechanisms responsible for emission enhancement and the position of the plasmonic resonance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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15 pages, 4301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Situ Formation of Ag Nanoparticles in Mesoporous TiO₂ Films Decorated on Bamboo via Self-Sacrificing Reduction to Synthesize Nanocomposites with Efficient Antifungal Activity

by Jingpeng Li, Minglei Su, Anke Wang, Zaixing Wu, Yuhe Chen, Daochun Qin and Zehui Jiang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(21), 5497; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20215497 - 05 Nov 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3254

Abstract

We developed a novel green approach for the in situ fabrication of Ag NPs in mesoporous TiO₂ films via the bamboo self-sacrificing reduction of Ag(NH₃)₂⁺ ions, which can inhibit fungal growth on the bamboo surface. Mesoporous anatase TiO [...] Read more.

We developed a novel green approach for the in situ fabrication of Ag NPs in mesoporous TiO₂ films via the bamboo self-sacrificing reduction of Ag(NH₃)₂⁺ ions, which can inhibit fungal growth on the bamboo surface. Mesoporous anatase TiO₂ (MT) films were first synthesized on bamboo via a hydrothermal method. Then, Ag NPs with a 5.3 nm mean diameter were incorporated into the pore channels of optimal MT/bamboo (MTB) samples at room temperature without the addition of reducing agents, such that the Ag NPs were almost entirely embedded into the MT films. Our analysis indicated that the solubilized lignin from bamboo, which is rich in oxygen-containing functional groups, serves as a green reductant for reducing the Ag(NH₃)₂⁺ ions to Ag NPs. Antifungal experiments with Trichoderma viride under dark conditions highlighted that the antifungal activity of the Ag/MT/bamboo samples were greater than those of naked bamboo, MTB, and Ag/bamboo, suggesting that these hybrid nanomaterials produce a synergistic antifungal effect that is unrelated to photoactivity. The inhibition of Penicillium citrinum effectively followed a similar trend. This newly developed bamboo protection method may provide a sustainable, eco-friendly, and efficient method for enhancing the antifungal characteristics of traditional bamboo, having the potential to prolong the service life of bamboo materials, particularly under dark conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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11 pages, 1777 KiB

Open AccessArticle

4-Mercaptobenzoic Acid Labeled Gold-Silver-Alloy-Embedded Silica Nanoparticles as an Internal Standard Containing Nanostructures for Sensitive Quantitative Thiram Detection

by Xuan-Hung Pham, Eunil Hahm, Kim-Hung Huynh, Byung Sung Son, Hyung-Mo Kim, Dae Hong Jeong and Bong-Hyun Jun

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(19), 4841; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20194841 - 29 Sep 2019

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 5081

Abstract

In this study, SiO₂@Au@4-MBA@Ag (4-mercaptobenzoic acid labeled gold-silver-alloy-embedded silica nanoparticles) nanomaterials were investigated for the detection of thiram, a pesticide. First, the presence of Au@4-MBA@Ag alloys on the surface of SiO₂ was confirmed by the broad bands of ultraviolet-visible spectra [...] Read more.

In this study, SiO₂@Au@4-MBA@Ag (4-mercaptobenzoic acid labeled gold-silver-alloy-embedded silica nanoparticles) nanomaterials were investigated for the detection of thiram, a pesticide. First, the presence of Au@4-MBA@Ag alloys on the surface of SiO₂ was confirmed by the broad bands of ultraviolet-visible spectra in the range of 320–800 nm. The effect of the 4-MBA (4-mercaptobenzoic acid) concentration on the Ag shell deposition and its intrinsic SERS (surface-enhanced Raman scattering) signal was also studied. Ag shells were well coated on SiO₂@Au@4-MBA in the range of 1–1000 µM. The SERS intensity of thiram-incubated SiO₂@Au@4-MBA@Ag achieved the highest value by incubation with 500 µL thiram for 30 min, and SERS was measured at 200 µg/mL SiO₂@Au@4-MBA@Ag. Finally, the SERS intensity of thiram at 560 cm⁻¹ increased proportionally with the increase in thiram concentration in the range of 240–2400 ppb, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 72 ppb. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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14 pages, 3171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Silver Nanoparticles Addition in Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Dental Matrix: Topographic and Antimycotic Studies

by Valeria De Matteis, Mariafrancesca Cascione, Chiara Cristina Toma, Giovanni Albanese, Maria Luisa De Giorgi, Massimo Corsalini and Rosaria Rinaldi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(19), 4691; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20194691 - 21 Sep 2019

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 4067

Abstract

The widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs) in medical devices has opened a new scenario in the treatment and prevention of many diseases and infections owing to unique physico-chemical properties of NPs. In this way, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known to have a strong [...] Read more.

The widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs) in medical devices has opened a new scenario in the treatment and prevention of many diseases and infections owing to unique physico-chemical properties of NPs. In this way, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known to have a strong antimicrobial activity, even at low concentrations, due to their ability to selectively destroy cellular membranes. In particular, in the field of dental medicine, the use of AgNPs in different kinds of dental prosthesis matrixes could be a fundamental tool in immunodepressed patients that suffer of different oral infections. Candida albicans (C. albicans), an opportunistic pathogenic yeast with high colonization ability, is one of the causative agents of oral cavity infection. In our work, we added monodispersed citrate-capping AgNPs with a size of 20 nm at two concentrations (3 wt% and 3.5 wt%) in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), the common resin used to develop dental prostheses. After AgNPs characterization, we evaluated the topographical modification of PMMA and PMMA with the addition of AgNPs by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM), showing the reduction of surface roughness. The C. albicans colonization on PMMA surfaces was assessed by the Miles and Misra technique as well as by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 24 h and 48 h with encouraging results on the reduction of yeast viability after AgNPs exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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Review

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17 pages, 4636 KiB

Open AccessReview

Silver Island Film for Enhancing Light Harvesting in Natural Photosynthetic Proteins

by Dorota Kowalska, Marcin Szalkowski, Karolina Sulowska, Dorota Buczynska, Joanna Niedziolka-Jonsson, Martin Jonsson-Niedziolka, Joanna Kargul, Heiko Lokstein and Sebastian Mackowski

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(7), 2451; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21072451 - 01 Apr 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2907

Abstract

The effects of combining naturally evolved photosynthetic pigment–protein complexes with inorganic functional materials, especially plasmonically active metallic nanostructures, have been a widely studied topic in the last few decades. Besides other applications, it seems to be reasonable using such hybrid systems for designing [...] Read more.

The effects of combining naturally evolved photosynthetic pigment–protein complexes with inorganic functional materials, especially plasmonically active metallic nanostructures, have been a widely studied topic in the last few decades. Besides other applications, it seems to be reasonable using such hybrid systems for designing future biomimetic solar cells. In this paper, we describe selected results that point out to various aspects of the interactions between photosynthetic complexes and plasmonic excitations in Silver Island Films (SIFs). In addition to simple light-harvesting complexes, like peridinin-chlorophyll-protein (PCP) or the Fenna–Matthews–Olson (FMO) complex, we also discuss the properties of large, photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) and Photosystem I (PSI)—both prokaryotic PSI core complexes and eukaryotic PSI supercomplexes with attached antenna clusters (PSI-LHCI)—deposited on SIF substrates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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33 pages, 3398 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Calix[n]arenes and Pillar[n]arenes in the Design of Silver Nanoparticles: Self-Assembly and Application

by Pavel Padnya, Vladimir Gorbachuk and Ivan Stoikov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(4), 1425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21041425 - 20 Feb 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 5215

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are an attractive alternative to plasmonic gold nanoparticles. The relative cheapness and redox stability determine the growing interest of researchers in obtaining selective plasmonic and electrochemical (bio)sensors based on silver nanoparticles. The controlled synthesis of metal nanoparticles of a defined [...] Read more.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are an attractive alternative to plasmonic gold nanoparticles. The relative cheapness and redox stability determine the growing interest of researchers in obtaining selective plasmonic and electrochemical (bio)sensors based on silver nanoparticles. The controlled synthesis of metal nanoparticles of a defined morphology is a nontrivial task, important for such fields as biochemistry, catalysis, biosensors and microelectronics. Cyclophanes are well known for their great receptor properties and are of particular interest in the creation of metal nanoparticles due to a variety of cyclophane 3D structures and unique redox abilities. Silver ion-based supramolecular assemblies are attractive due to the possibility of reduction by “soft” reducing agents as well as being accessible precursors for silver nanoparticles of predefined morphology, which are promising for implementation in plasmonic sensors. For this purpose, the chemistry of cyclophanes offers a whole arsenal of approaches: exocyclic ion coordination, association, stabilization of the growth centers of metal nanoparticles, as well as in reduction of silver ions. Thus, this review presents the recent advances in the synthesis and stabilization of Ag (0) nanoparticles based on self-assembly of associates with Ag (I) ions with the participation of bulk platforms of cyclophanes (resorcin[4]arenes, (thia)calix[n]arenes, pillar[n]arenes). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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18 pages, 2415 KiB

Open AccessReview

Synthesis and Application of Silver Nanoparticles (Ag NPs) for the Prevention of Infection in Healthcare Workers

by Shingo Nakamura, Masahiro Sato, Yoko Sato, Naoko Ando, Tomohiro Takayama, Masanori Fujita and Masayuki Ishihara

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(15), 3620; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20153620 - 24 Jul 2019

Cited by 170 | Viewed by 15043

Abstract

Silver is easily available and is known to have microbicidal effect; moreover, it does not impose any adverse effects on the human body. The microbicidal effect is mainly due to silver ions, which have a wide antibacterial spectrum. Furthermore, the development of multidrug-resistant [...] Read more.

Silver is easily available and is known to have microbicidal effect; moreover, it does not impose any adverse effects on the human body. The microbicidal effect is mainly due to silver ions, which have a wide antibacterial spectrum. Furthermore, the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria, as in the case of antibiotics, is less likely. Silver ions bind to halide ions, such as chloride, and precipitate; therefore, when used directly, their microbicidal activity is shortened. To overcome this issue, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been recently synthesized and frequently used as microbicidal agents that release silver ions from particle surface. Depending on the specific surface area of the nanoparticles, silver ions are released with high efficiency. In addition to their bactericidal activity, small Ag NPs (<10 nm in diameter) affect viruses although the microbicidal effect of silver mass is weak. Because of their characteristics, Ag NPs are useful countermeasures against infectious diseases, which constitute a major issue in the medical field. Thus, medical tools coated with Ag NPs are being developed. This review outlines the synthesis and utilization of Ag NPs in the medical field, focusing on environment-friendly synthesis and the suppression of infections in healthcare workers (HCWs). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silver Nano/Microparticles: Modification and Applications 2.0)

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