Preparation, Characterization, Properties, Simulation, and Applications of Nanostructured Materials

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposite Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2024 | Viewed by 2368

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Chemistry and Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Technical University, 430122 Baia Mare, Romania
Interests: nanomaterials; magnetic nanocomposites; sol-gel synthesis; ferrite preparations and characterization techniques; food thermal behavior; flavor analysis; volatile profile; applications
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Developing composite materials is a frontier research field with applications in tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery, supercapacitors, food packaging, water remediation and decontamination, energy conversion, sensing, storage filters, lithium-ion batteries, nanoelectronics, sensors, energy-storage devices, supercapacitors, food packaging, etc. Functional nanocomposites with specific functionalities such as drag reduction, anti-wear, self-healing, anti-fouling, and stimulus response have emerged as highly attractive materials. In this regard, inorganic quantum dots/nanoparticles, nanorods/nanotubes, and 2D materials (i.e., graphene-based nanosheets, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanospheres, bentonites, nano-sized silica particles, and zeolites) can be decorated in the inorganic/organic matrix via chemical synthesis or physical blending for improved characteristics. These include heightened thermal stability, water and chemical resistance, transparency, thermal conductivity, and tensile strength. A particular interest has been acknowledged in the hybridization of SiO2 with appropriate materials since ferrite/SiO2 composites can be tailored to meet the needs of new cutting-edge technologies. These nanomaterial systems have remarkable properties for removing harmful contaminants such as heavy metals, organic pollutants, and pharmaceuticals from various water sources.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of original research articles, communications, or reviews focusing on the development, preparation, chemical synthesis, structural design, material selection, characterization, and application of advanced nanocomposites. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Novel synthesis strategies and design principles for nanocomposites (clays, nanoparticles, ferrite embedded in SiO2/PVA matrix, catalysts, dyes, drugs, etc.);
  • Mechanism of formation, physicochemical and morphological properties, and applications of nanocomposites embedded in SiO2;
  • Advances in characterizing the structure and properties of nanocomposites;
  • Processing and simulation of damage and failure in nanocomposites;
  • New applications of functional nanocomposites in medicine, healthcare, green energy, coating, magnetic materials, optoelectronics, and sensing;
  • Industrial implementations and technological innovations utilizing nanocomposites;
  • Design, synthesis, and characterization of composite adsorbent nanomaterials;
  • Nanocomposites for biomedical and dental applications.

Dr. Thomas Dippong
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanocomposites
  • graphene-based composites
  • organic coatings/films
  • thermal or magnetic properties
  • semiconducting nanoparticles
  • dental gels, adhesives, resins, and composites
  • water treatment
  • pollutant removal by nanocomposites

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

33 pages, 10616 KiB  
Article
Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Hydroxyl and Epoxy Group Effects on Graphene Oxide Properties
by Ximena Jaramillo-Fierro and Guisella Cuenca
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(8), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14080714 - 19 Apr 2024
Viewed by 407
Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the impact of hydroxyl and epoxy groups on the properties of graphene oxide (GO) for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye from water, addressing the urgent need for effective water purification methods due to industrial pollution. Employing [...] Read more.
In this study, we analyzed the impact of hydroxyl and epoxy groups on the properties of graphene oxide (GO) for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye from water, addressing the urgent need for effective water purification methods due to industrial pollution. Employing a dual approach, we integrated experimental techniques with theoretical modeling via density functional theory (DFT) to examine the atomic structure of GO and its adsorption capabilities. The methodology encompasses a series of experiments to evaluate the performance of GO in MB dye adsorption under different conditions, including differences in pH, dye concentration, reaction temperature, and contact time, providing a comprehensive view of its effectiveness. Theoretical DFT calculations provide insights into how hydroxyl and epoxy modifications alter the electronic properties of GO, improving adsorption efficiency. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in the dye adsorption capacity of GO, attributed to the interaction between the functional groups and MB molecules. This study not only confirms the potential of GO as a superior adsorbent for water treatment, but also contributes to the optimization of GO-based materials for environmental remediation, highlighting the synergy between experimental observations and theoretical predictions in advances in materials science to improve sustainability. Full article
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12 pages, 6512 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Characterization of Uniform and Controlled Silica Encapsulating on Lithium Yttrium Fluoride-Based Upconversion Nanoparticles
by Yahya A. Alzahrani, Abdulmalik M. Alessa, Mona K. Almosaind, Rahaf S. Alarifi, Abdulaziz Alromaeh and Masfer Alkahtani
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(8), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14080685 - 16 Apr 2024
Viewed by 383
Abstract
In this work, we present an advancement in the encapsulation of lithium yttrium fluoride-based (YLiF4:Yb,Er) upconversion nanocrystals (UCNPs) with silica (SiO2) shells through a reverse microemulsion technique, achieving UCNPs@SiO2 core/shell structures. Key parameters of this approach were optimized [...] Read more.
In this work, we present an advancement in the encapsulation of lithium yttrium fluoride-based (YLiF4:Yb,Er) upconversion nanocrystals (UCNPs) with silica (SiO2) shells through a reverse microemulsion technique, achieving UCNPs@SiO2 core/shell structures. Key parameters of this approach were optimized to eliminate the occurrence of core-free silica particles and ensure a controlled silica shell thickness growth on the UCNPs. The optimal conditions for this method were using 6 mg of UCNPs, 1.5 mL of Igepal CO-520, 0.25 mL of ammonia, and 50 μL of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), resulting in a uniform silica shell around UCNPs with a thickness of 8 nm. The optical characteristics of the silica-encased UCNPs were examined, confirming the retention of their intrinsic upconversion luminescence (UC). Furthermore, we developed a reliable strategy to avoid the coencapsulation of multiple UCNPs within a single silica shell. This approach led to a tenfold increase in the UC luminescence of the annealed particles compared to their nonannealed counterparts, under identical silica shell thickness and excitation conditions. This significant improvement addresses a critical challenge and amplifies the applicability of the resulting UCNPs@SiO2 core/shell structures in various fields. Full article
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19 pages, 10539 KiB  
Article
Elastic Liposomes Containing Calcium/Magnesium Ferrite Nanoparticles Coupled with Gold Nanorods for Application in Photothermal Therapy
by Ana Rita F. Pacheco, Ana Margarida Barros, Carlos O. Amorim, Vítor S. Amaral, Paulo J. G. Coutinho, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues and Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(8), 679; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14080679 - 15 Apr 2024
Viewed by 471
Abstract
This work reports on the design, development, and characterization of novel magneto-plasmonic elastic liposomes (MPELs) of DPPC:SP80 (85:15) containing Mg0.75Ca0.25Fe2O4 nanoparticles coupled with gold nanorods, for topical application of photothermal therapy (PTT). Both magnetic and plasmonic [...] Read more.
This work reports on the design, development, and characterization of novel magneto-plasmonic elastic liposomes (MPELs) of DPPC:SP80 (85:15) containing Mg0.75Ca0.25Fe2O4 nanoparticles coupled with gold nanorods, for topical application of photothermal therapy (PTT). Both magnetic and plasmonic components were characterized regarding their structural, morphological, magnetic and photothermal properties. The magnetic nanoparticles display a cubic shape and a size (major axis) of 37 ± 3 nm, while the longitudinal and transverse sizes of the nanorods are 46 ± 7 nm and 12 ± 1.6 nm, respectively. A new methodology was employed to couple the magnetic and plasmonic nanostructures, using cysteine as bridge. The potential for photothermia was evaluated for the magnetic nanoparticles, gold nanorods and the coupled magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles, which demonstrated a maximum temperature variation of 28.9 °C, 33.6 °C and 37.2 °C, respectively, during a 30 min NIR-laser irradiation of 1 mg/mL dispersions. Using fluorescence anisotropy studies, a phase transition temperature (Tm) of 35 °C was estimated for MPELs, which ensures an enhanced fluidity crucial for effective crossing of the skin layers. The photothermal potential of this novel nanostructure corresponds to a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 616.9 W/g and a maximum temperature increase of 33.5 °C. These findings point to the development of thermoelastic nanocarriers with suitable features to act as photothermal hyperthermia agents. Full article
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14 pages, 1286 KiB  
Article
Utilizing Constant Energy Difference between sp-Peak and C 1s Core Level in Photoelectron Spectra for Unambiguous Identification and Quantification of Diamond Phase in Nanodiamonds
by Oleksandr Romanyuk, Štěpán Stehlík, Josef Zemek, Kateřina Aubrechtová Dragounová and Alexander Kromka
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(7), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14070590 - 27 Mar 2024
Viewed by 701
Abstract
The modification of nanodiamond (ND) surfaces has significant applications in sensing devices, drug delivery, bioimaging, and tissue engineering. Precise control of the diamond phase composition and bond configurations during ND processing and surface finalization is crucial. In this study, we conducted a comparative [...] Read more.
The modification of nanodiamond (ND) surfaces has significant applications in sensing devices, drug delivery, bioimaging, and tissue engineering. Precise control of the diamond phase composition and bond configurations during ND processing and surface finalization is crucial. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the graphitization process in various types of hydrogenated NDs, considering differences in ND size and quality. We prepared three types of hydrogenated NDs: high-pressure high-temperature NDs (HPHT ND-H; 0–30 nm), conventional detonation nanodiamonds (DND-H; ~5 nm), and size- and nitrogen-reduced hydrogenated nanodiamonds (snr-DND-H; 2–3 nm). The samples underwent annealing in an ultra-high vacuum and sputtering by Ar cluster ion beam (ArCIB). Samples were investigated by in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in situ ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and Raman spectroscopy (RS). Our investigation revealed that the graphitization temperature of NDs ranges from 600 °C to 700 °C and depends on the size and crystallinity of the NDs. Smaller DND particles with a high density of defects exhibit a lower graphitization temperature. We revealed a constant energy difference of 271.3 eV between the sp-peak in the valence band spectra (at around 13.7 eV) and the sp3 component in the C 1s core level spectra (at 285.0 eV). The identification of this energy difference helps in calibrating charge shifts and serves the unambiguous identification of the sp3 bond contribution in the C 1s spectra obtained from ND samples. Results were validated through reference measurements on hydrogenated single crystal C(111)-H and highly-ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). Full article
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