Carbon-Based Nanocomposites for Energy, Environmental, and Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "2D and Carbon Nanomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 13953

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Interests: heavy metals; adsorption; kinetic modeling; carbon nanotubes; coating; water and wastewater treatment; oxidation; catalysis; photocatalysis; phycoremediation; biochar; hydrochar; graphene; CNTs; activated carbon; biofuel

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Owing to their unique chemical and morphological properties, carbon-based nanomaterials such as graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and carbon-based quantum dots have diverse applications. Compositing carbon-based nanomaterials with metals or non-metals oxides and hydroxides substantially improve or introduce novel properties. Carbon-based nano-composites are used for energy storage and conversion applications. The environmental applications include their use as adsorbents, catalysts, antimicrobial agents, environmental sensors, high flux membranes, and depth filters. The biomedical application covers their use in drug delivery, biomedical imaging, biosensors, tissue engineering, and cancer therapy.

This Special Issue of Nanomaterials will be a collection of groundbreaking research on energy, environmental, and biomedical applications of carbon-based nanomaterials/composites. The types of contributions include full-length research articles, review articles, and short communications.

Prof. Dr. Moonis Ali Khan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Graphene
  • Graphene oxide
  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Carbon-based quantum dots
  • Carbon-based nanomaterials
  • Carbon-based nanomaterials/composites
  • Carbon composites
  • Carbon nanocomposites
  • Energy
  • Environmental
  • Biomedical applications

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 8078 KiB  
Article
Thermal Fabrication of Magnetic Fe3O4 (Nanoparticle)@Carbon Sheets from Waste Resources for the Adsorption of Dyes: Kinetic, Equilibrium, and UV–Visible Spectroscopy Investigations
by Mohamed A. Habila, Mohamed S. Moshab, Ahmed Mohamed El-Toni, Zeid A. ALOthman and Ahmed Y. Badjah Hadj Ahmed
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(7), 1266; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13071266 - 03 Apr 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1186
Abstract
Thermal treatment is applied for the direct conversion of palm stalk waste to Fe3O4 (np)@carbon sheets (Fe3O4 (np)@CSs). The effect of conversion temperature was investigated. The TEM examination of the prepared magnetic Fe3O4 (np)@CSs [...] Read more.
Thermal treatment is applied for the direct conversion of palm stalk waste to Fe3O4 (np)@carbon sheets (Fe3O4 (np)@CSs). The effect of conversion temperature was investigated. The TEM examination of the prepared magnetic Fe3O4 (np)@CSs showed the formation of Fe3O4 (np) in a matrix of carbon sheets as a coated layer with surface functional groups including carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. Removal of dyes such as methyl orange, methylene blue, and neutral red was achieved using fabricated Fe3O4 (np)@CSs which were prepared at 250 °C, 400 °C, and 700 °C in a weak acidic medium. By studying the contact time effect for the adsorption of methylene blue, neutral red, and methyl orange, using the fabricated Fe3O4 (np)@CSs which were prepared at 250 °C and 400 °C, equilibrium occurred between 120 min and 180 min. In addition, the first-order and second-order kinetic models were applied to the adsorption data. The results revealed that the adsorption data fit better with the second-order kinetic model. Furthermore, the Freundlich model was found to be more suitable for describing the process of the separation of the dyes onto Fe3O4 (np)@CSs which were prepared at 250 °C and 400 °C, suggesting heterogenous surfaces and multi-layer adsorption. Full article
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18 pages, 3470 KiB  
Article
Plasma-Etched Vertically Aligned CNTs with Enhanced Antibacterial Power
by Emily Schifano, Gianluca Cavoto, Francesco Pandolfi, Giorgio Pettinari, Alice Apponi, Alessandro Ruocco, Daniela Uccelletti and Ilaria Rago
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(6), 1081; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13061081 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1503
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria represents a growing threat to public health, and it calls for the development of alternative antibacterial approaches not based on antibiotics. Here, we propose vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNTs), with a properly designed nanomorphology, as effective platforms to [...] Read more.
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria represents a growing threat to public health, and it calls for the development of alternative antibacterial approaches not based on antibiotics. Here, we propose vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNTs), with a properly designed nanomorphology, as effective platforms to kill bacteria. We show, via a combination of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, the ability to tailor the topography of VA-CNTs, in a controlled and time-efficient manner, by means of plasma etching processes. Three different varieties of VA-CNTs were investigated, in terms of antibacterial and antibiofilm activity, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus: one as-grown variety and two varieties receiving different etching treatments. The highest reduction in cell viability (100% and 97% for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, respectively) was observed for the VA-CNTs modified using Ar and O2 as an etching gas, thus identifying the best configuration for a VA-CNT-based surface to inactivate both planktonic and biofilm infections. Additionally, we demonstrate that the powerful antibacterial activity of VA-CNTs is determined by a synergistic effect of both mechanical injuries and ROS production. The possibility of achieving a bacterial inactivation close to 100%, by modulating the physico-chemical features of VA-CNTs, opens up new opportunities for the design of self-cleaning surfaces, preventing the formation of microbial colonies. Full article
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19 pages, 5792 KiB  
Article
Biopolymeric Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/Calcium Alginate Aerogel for the Decontamination of Pharmaceutical Drug and Microbial Pollutants from Wastewater
by Rajeev Kumar, Mohammad Oves, Mohammad Omaish Ansari, Md. Abu Taleb, Mohamed A. Barakat, Mansour A. Alghamdi and Naief Hamoud Al Makishah
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(20), 3642; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12203642 - 17 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1724
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of pharmaceutical drugs and microbes in the water is leading to the development of drug resistant microbes. Therefore, efficient materials that can remove or inactivate the drug and microbe contaminants are required. In this work, nickel sulfide/calcium alginate (Ni3 [...] Read more.
The ubiquitous presence of pharmaceutical drugs and microbes in the water is leading to the development of drug resistant microbes. Therefore, efficient materials that can remove or inactivate the drug and microbe contaminants are required. In this work, nickel sulfide/calcium alginate (Ni3S4/CA), silver sulfide/calcium alginate (Ag2S/CA), modified titanium dioxide/calcium alginate (TiO2/CA), and Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/calcium alginate (Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA) aerogels have been synthesized for the removal of the oxytetracycline (OTC) drug and microbial contaminants from real beverage industry wastewater. The results revealed that Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA aerogel is highly efficient for OTC adsorption and inactivation of microbes compared to Ni3S4/CA, Ag2S/CA and TiO2/CA aerogels. The OTC adsorption depends greatly on the solution pH, and optimum OTC removal was observed at pH 6 in its zwitterionic (OTC±) form. The formation of H-bonding and n-π electron donor-acceptors is possible to a considerable extent due to the presence of the double bond benzene ring, oxygen and nitrogen, sulfur-containing functional groups on the OTC molecules, and the Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA aerogel. Based on the statistical analysis, root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), chi square (χ2) values, and higher correlation coefficient (R2) values, the Redlich–Peterson isotherm model and Elovich kinetic model are most suited to modelling the OTC adsorption onto Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA. The prepared aerogels’ excellent antimicrobial activity is observed in the dark and with solar light irradiation. The zone of inhibition analysis revealed that the antimicrobial activity of the aerogels is in the following order: Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA > TiO2/CA > Ag2S/CA > Ni3S4/CA, respectively. Moreover, the antimicrobial results demonstrated that reactive oxygen species, electrons, and active radical species are responsible for growth inhibition and killing of the microbes. These results indicated that Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA aerogel is highly efficient in decontaminating pollutants from wastewater. Full article
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11 pages, 2299 KiB  
Article
Toward the Industrial Application of Aluminum-Based Nanocomposite Material: A Study of Zn-Plating Process in Circuit Breaker Application
by Emmanuel Segura-Cárdenas, Nicolás A. Ulloa-Castillo, Roberto Hernández-Maya, Oscar Martínez-Romero and Alex Elías-Zúñiga
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(19), 3535; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12193535 - 10 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1216
Abstract
This article explores the industrial application of an Al-based nanocomposite reinforced with 0.5 wt.% of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with a Zn mechanical plating applied to fulfill the field requirements of electrical devices. The performance of electric devices made from this nanocomposite material and [...] Read more.
This article explores the industrial application of an Al-based nanocomposite reinforced with 0.5 wt.% of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with a Zn mechanical plating applied to fulfill the field requirements of electrical devices. The performance of electric devices made from this nanocomposite material and with a Zn plating was compared with that of MCCB devices using a normal Cu compound. MCCB devices with the Al-based nanocomposites compound showed a better performance, with less heat generated due to a flow of electrical charge passing through the device. The presence of MWCNTs in the Al nanocomposite dissipates heat, maintaining a stable electrical resistance in the MCCB, in contrast to what happens with Cu compound, which increases its electrical resistance as the temperature in the device increases. Full article
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11 pages, 2971 KiB  
Article
Silicone Elastomer Composites Fabricated with MgO and MgO-Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes with Improved Thermal Conductivity
by Christopher Kagenda, Jae Wook Lee, Fida Hussain Memon, Faheem Ahmed, Anupama Samantasinghar, Muhammad Wasim Akhtar, Abdul Khalique and Kyung Hyun Choi
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(12), 3418; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11123418 - 16 Dec 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3004
Abstract
The effect of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and magnesium oxide (MgO) on the thermal conductivity of MWCNTs and MgO-reinforced silicone rubber was studied. The increment of thermal conductivity was found to be linear with respect to increased loading of MgO. In order to [...] Read more.
The effect of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and magnesium oxide (MgO) on the thermal conductivity of MWCNTs and MgO-reinforced silicone rubber was studied. The increment of thermal conductivity was found to be linear with respect to increased loading of MgO. In order to improve the thermal transportation of phonons 0.3 wt % and 0.5 wt % of MWCNTs were added as filler to MgO-reinforced silicone rubber. The MWCNTs were functionalized by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to activate organic groups onto the surface of MWCNTs. These functional groups improved the compatibility and adhesion and act as bridging agents between MWCNTs and silicone elastomer, resulting in the formation of active conductive pathways between MgO and MWCNTs in the silicone elastomer. The surface functionalization was confirmed with XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy confirms the pristine structure of MWCNTs after oxidation with H2O2. The thermal conductivity is improved to 1 W/m·K with the addition of 20 vol% with 0.5 wt % of MWCNTs, which is an ~8-fold increment in comparison to neat elastomer. Improved thermal conductive properties of MgO-MWCNTs elastomer composite will be a potential replacement for conventional thermal interface materials. Full article
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9 pages, 1353 KiB  
Article
Highly Enhanced Enzymatic Activity of Mn-Induced Carbon Dots and Their Application as Colorimetric Sensor Probes
by Ahyun Lee, Wooseok Kang and Jin-sil Choi
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 3046; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11113046 - 12 Nov 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2009
Abstract
Nanomaterial-based enzyme mimetics (nanozymes) have attracted significant interest because of their lower cost and higher stability compared to natural enzymes. In this study, we focused on improving the enzymatic properties of metal induced N-doped carbon dots (N-CDs), which are nanozymes of interest, and [...] Read more.
Nanomaterial-based enzyme mimetics (nanozymes) have attracted significant interest because of their lower cost and higher stability compared to natural enzymes. In this study, we focused on improving the enzymatic properties of metal induced N-doped carbon dots (N-CDs), which are nanozymes of interest, and their applications for sensory systems. For this purpose, Mn(acetate)2 was introduced during the synthetic step of N-doped carbon dots, and its influence on the enzymatic properties of Mn-induced N-CDs (Mn:N-CDs) was investigated. Their chemical structure was analyzed through infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry; the results suggest that Mn ions lead to the variation in the population of chemical bonding in Mn:N-CDs, whereas these ions were not incorporated into N-CD frameworks. This structural change improved the enzymatic properties of Mn:N-CDs with respect to those of N-CDs when the color change of a 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine/H2O2 solution was examined in the presence of Mn:N-CDs and N-CDs. Based on this enhanced enzymatic property, a simple colorimetric system with Mn:N-CDs was used for the detection of γ-aminobutyric acid, which is an indicator of brain-related disease. Therefore, we believe that Mn:N-CDs will be an excellent enzymatic probe for the colorimetric sensor system. Full article
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17 pages, 3208 KiB  
Article
Chitosan/Phosphate Rock-Derived Natural Polymeric Composite to Sequester Divalent Copper Ions from Water
by Rachid El Kaim Billah, Moonis Ali Khan, Saikh Mohammad Wabaidur, Byong-Hun Jeon, Amira AM, Hicham Majdoubi, Younesse Haddaji, Mahfoud Agunaou and Abdessadik Soufiane
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 2028; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11082028 - 09 Aug 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2313
Abstract
Herein, a chitosan (CH) and fluroapatite (TNP) based CH-TNP composite was synthesized by utilizing seafood waste and phosphate rock and was tested for divalent copper (Cu(II)) adsorptive removal from water. The XRD and FT-IR data affirmed the formation of a CH-TNP composite, while [...] Read more.
Herein, a chitosan (CH) and fluroapatite (TNP) based CH-TNP composite was synthesized by utilizing seafood waste and phosphate rock and was tested for divalent copper (Cu(II)) adsorptive removal from water. The XRD and FT-IR data affirmed the formation of a CH-TNP composite, while BET analysis showed that the surface area of the CH-TNP composite (35.5 m2/g) was twice that of CH (16.7 m2/g). Mechanistically, electrostatic, van der Waals, and co-ordinate interactions were primarily responsible for the binding of Cu(II) with the CH-TNP composite. The maximum Cu(II) uptake of both CH and CH-TNP composite was recorded in the pH range 3–4. Monolayer Cu(II) coverage over both CH and CH-TNP surfaces was confirmed by the fitting of adsorption data to a Langmuir isotherm model. The chemical nature of the adsorption process was confirmed by the fitting of a pseudo-second-order kinetic model to adsorption data. About 82% of Cu(II) from saturated CH-TNP was recovered by 0.5 M NaOH. A significant drop in Cu(II) uptake was observed after four consecutive regeneration cycles. The co-existing ions (in binary and ternary systems) significantly reduced the Cu(II) removal efficacy of CH-TNP. Full article
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