Current Nanomaterials - Volume 4, Issue 3, 2019

Background: Nonlinear optical properties of Graphene and Graphene Oxide have been widely used in industry and academia. Graphene oxide disperses easily in water and has easier interaction with other materials because of the presence of oxygen groups. So, this feature of Graphene oxide enables us to manipulate its nonlinear optical properties by combining it with other nanoparticles. Objective: We introduced recent advances in the nonlinear optical properties of materials based on Graphene oxide. Methods: Nonlinear optical properties and optical limiting of Graphene oxide and/or its composites with various nanoparticles, considering the wavelength and the incident pulse width, are investigated in this review. Conclusion: At low intensities and in all pulse regimes, saturation absorption seems to be the dominant mechanism of nonlinear absorption in Graphene oxide, while at higher intensities, the main mechanism is the reverse saturation absorption. In the regime of very short pulses of picoseconds and femtoseconds, the dominant mechanisms of two-photon and multiphoton absorption lead to reverse saturation. In the nanosecond pulse regime, long laser pulses and short pulses with high pulse repetition rates, excited-state absorption and nonlinear scattering due to thermal effects are causing the nonlinear process.

Lipid based excipients have gained popularity recently in the formulation of drugs in order to improve their pharmacokinetic profiles. For drugs belonging to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II and IV, lipid excipients play vital roles in improving their pharmacokinetics properties. Various nanocarriers viz: Solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, selfnanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS), nanoliposomes and liquid crystal nanoparticles have been employed as delivery systems for such drugs with evident successes. Lipid-based nanotechnology have been used to control the release of drugs and have utility for drug targeting and hence, have been used for the delivery of various anticancer drugs and for colon targeting. Drugs encapsulated in lipids have enhanced stability due to the protection they enjoy in the lipid core of these nanoformulations. However, lipid excipients could be influenced by factors which could affect the physicochemical properties of lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDS). These factors include the liquid crystalline phase transition, lipid crystallization and polymorphism amongst others. However, some of the physicochemical properties of lipids made them useful as nanocarriers in the formulation of various nanoformulations. Lipids form vesicles of bilayer which have been used to deliver drugs and are often referred to as liposomes and nanoliposomes. This work aims at reviewing the different classes of lipid excipients used in formulating LBDDS and nanoformulations. Also, some factors that influence the properties of lipids, different polymorphic forms in lipid excipients that made them effective nanocarriers in nano-drug delivery would be discussed. Special considerations in selecting lipid excipients used in formulating various forms of nanoformulations would be discussed.

Background: Synthesis of metal oxides nanoparticles with specific morphology and size has become the subject of many experimental protocols. Biosynthesis of the nanoparticles using plants is more preferable than physical and chemical methods because of its environmental friendliness. Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the potential for green synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts with a high content of phenolic metabolites. Methods: We have synthesized the CeO2 nano- and microparticles using Petroselinum crispum aqueous extract. The particles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic light scattering analysis. For detection the reduction capacity of the extract the evaluation of total phenolic and flavonoid content as well as high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) were performed. Biological activity of the particles was identified by bioluminescent tests and bio tests with Triticum vulgare. Results: Testing on T. vulgare showed that biogenic cerium dioxide powders stimulated the growth of up to 5-11,4% relative to intact samples, significantly increased the length of the leaves of seedlings and the root length. When seedings were exposed to the biosynthesized CeO2 particles, the level of chlorophylls was more stable and even slightly higher than control. Noticeable protective properties of the biosynthesized CeO2 powder under oxidation conditions were observed on the plant T. vulgare after a brief exposure (from 4 to 24 h). Conclusion: Thus, biogenic CeO2 can be potentially utilized in oxidative damage protection of agricultural plants.

Background: Silver nanoparticles play a significant role in bioavailability and refining the compatibility of natural drugs in the treatment of various chronic diseases including different types of cancer. Objective: Green synthesis of silver nanocomposites of Nigella sativa seeds extract to evaluate the anticancer effects against hepatocellular carcinoma using HepG2 cell lines. Methods: The AgNCs were developed by treating aqueous extract of N. sativa seeds treated with silver nitrate (1mM) solution and were used to test its efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma using HepG2 cell lines. Results and Discussion: The Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) of prepared AgNCs showed a peak at 432 nm via UV spectroscopy. The selected N. sativa AgNCs were characterized for polydispersity, surface charge and size and the results showed 0.215±0.093 polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential 18.8±0.372 mV and size range 10-20 nm, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also showed various peak of functional groups that are possibly involved in the reduction of silver ion and synthesized the N. sativa silver nanocomposites, respectively. N. sativa AgNCs showed 89.954% drug release while in the case of extract release, it was only 33.821% in 24 hrs. Further, in vitro studies of N. sativa AgNCs against hepatocellular carcinoma showed good cytotoxic effect p<0.05 with 7.16 μg/ml IC50 value. Conclusion: Thus, the present results revealed that green synthesis of N. sativa AgNCs can be an alternative tool for clinical application in cancer therapy; however, there is a need to find the mechanism and role of AgNCs inside the individual.

Background: This article deals with the analysis on improved performance and efficiency of induction motor by using nano composites for stator winding. Methods: The nanocomposites are added with different enamel. Enamel is mostly preferred for induction motors’ winding, due to three main reasons: adhesion, infusion and plaster. To predetermine the plaster and nanocomposite conductor’s behavior when they are used for transmitting AC currents and developing AC magnetic field, a numerical analysis is performed. The total heat losses are determined by the heat run test. Open circuit and short circuit tests are used to analyze the performance and efficiency of the proposed induction motor. Results: The AC losses of composite and plaster conductors having good accord are compared with previous solid and hollow conductors. Analysis of the coil by a composite and plaster conductor shows that the AC losses in low current are lower than the coil, which is wrapped by a solid, and hallow conductors. Due to this reason, composite and plaster conductors are considered advantageous for low and medium power motors. Conclusion: Adding nano composites with the plaster material will help to improve electrical, thermal and mechanical characteristics. The property of enamel can change the lifetime of induction motor. The induction motor winding makes use of nano composites SiO2 and TiO2 with enamel coated.

Background: The aquatic toxicity of Iron doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles (FeTiO2 NPs) with an average particle size of 15 nm and a Nickel ferrite nanoparticle (NiFe2O4 NPs) with an average particle size of 12 nm on catfish in water was investigated. Objective: The goal of this work is i) The synthesis and characterization of FeTiO2 NPs and NiFe2O4 NPs, ii) To prepare the different concentrations of FeTiO2 NPs and NiFe2O4 NPs, iii) Different concentrations of NPs exposure to aquatic catfish. Methods: The study was conducted with different dose rates of the NPs in the water at ambient temperature for a period of four days. During this period, abnormal behavior and mortality were observed by visual examination. The selected dose range of FeTiO2 NPs and NiFe2O4 NPs were 0.1 to 100 mg/L in water. Results: The lethal concentration for FeTiO2 NPs is > 100 mg/L and NiFe2O4 NPs were 48.6 mg/L. During the study period, abnormal behaviors such as loss of equilibrium, pigmentation, and lying down at the bottom of the aquaria were observed. Conclusion: The toxicity study of nanoparticles conducted on fish indicated that the NiFe2O4 NPs exhibited higher toxicity as compared to the FeTiO2 NPs.

Background: Nanoparticles are in the forefront of research due to their unique properties that find possible applications from optoelectronics to medical technology. It is also reported that nanoparticles can interact with the living cells and can selectively destroy the cells. Researchers are thus interested to find a way by which the drugs will be attached to the nanoparticles, go to the target site and destroy the infected cells. Before that, it is very much important to understand the interaction of nanoparticles with the blood, plasma and other biological cells that exists in the blood. It is also very essential to understand how the nanoparticles interact with the absorbed sucrose in the cell. Objective: Our objective in this research is to investigate the interaction of ZnO nanoparticles with sucrose and honey sugar to understand the basic interaction mechanism. It will also enable us to find a way of stabilizing body sucrose and glucose level. Methods: We have followed a simple chemical synthesis method to prepare ultrafine ZnO nanoparticles. Then the interaction of ZnO nanoparticles with sucrose and honey sugar was investigated as a function of time using UV-visible spectroscopy to understand the basic interaction mechanism. Results: Well grown ZnO nanoparticles were found to form of crystallite size ~38 nm. The band gap was calculated from the absorption spectra and was found to be ~ 3.9 eV. This band gap enhancement indicates that the sizes of the nanoparticles are very small. The decrease of absorption with time indicates that the ZnO nanoparticles interact with the sugar molecule. Sucrose molecules are polar. Hence there is electrostatic attraction between the sucrose molecules and ZnO molecules resulting in the sucrose-ZnO composite system. On increasing the interaction time more and more sucrose molecules will cover the ZnO nanoparticles by forming ZnO-sucrose corona. The interaction time constant i.e., the binding time of sucrose molecule with the surface of ZnO nanoparticles, t1 was found to be 27.7127 min and is 29.59 min for honey. The results indicate an association process to form corona of ZnO nanoparticles with sucrose and honey molecules. Conclusion: We have successfully synthesized ultrafine ZnO nanoparticles of high band gap. The synthesized nanoparticles interact with the sucrose and honey molecules and form corona. This study is very important in understanding the interaction mechanism on nanoparticles with the biomolecules for possible drug delivery applications.

Background: We synthesized cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (NPs) via green synthesis method mediated with Rajma seeds powder as a fuel and cerium nitrate as an oxidizer. Objective: The obtained cerium oxide nanoparticles are used to study the various environ mental appilications. Methods: The achieved CeO2 nanoparticles are tested using PXRD (Powder X-ray diffraction), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), electron microscopic studies including SEM, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy. Formation of agglomerated cubic phased CeO2 nanoparticles were confirmed from both PXRD and SEM. Results: The average crystallite size of CeO2 nanoparticles was found to be 38 nm calculated from highly intense peak using Debye-Scherer’s formula. The characteristic Ce-O stretching was confirmed by FTIR and Raman studies. CeO2 nanoparticles are promising material for the organic dye degradation. Photocatalytic activities evaluation under various parameters like sunlight, UV light and variation of PH, catalytic dosage etc. CeO2 nanoparticles exhibit highly enhanced photo degradation of Methylene Blue dye. Kinetics and isotherm models of Photocatalysis were studied. Conclusion: We have prepared CeO2 nanoparticles by low-temperature combustion technique using Rajma germinated and Rajma non- germinated seeds as fuel. The XRD pattern confirms the formation of cubicphase CeO2 nanoparticles. The existence of Ce-O vibration is confirmed by FTIR and Raman spectra of the CeO2 nanoparticles. The UV-Visible spectra of CeO2 nanoparticles reveal the absorbance band range at 350-390 nm. SEM images of CeO2 nanoparticles indicates the agglomerated with irregular morphology. CeO2 nanoparticles are favorable material for the organic Methylene blue dye degradation. The different amount of the Rajma influences improved Photodegradation of cerium oxide nanoparticles was characteristics of slight crystal dimension, new superficial deficiencies, more band hole and ability to make smaller the electron-hole pair rearrangement. Adsorption kinetics results show that adsorption of MB over cerium oxide follows pseudo-first-order and second-order kinetics. Using the Langmuir isotherm, Freundlich isotherm, maximum adsorption capacity is calculated. Thus it can be used as attractively recoverable nano adsorbent for the removal of MB dye by adsorption technique from effluent water.