Nanoscience & Nanotechnology-Asia - Current Issue

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin condition characterized by the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. Dithranol is an established antipsoriatic agent with limitations in topical delivery due to poor skin permeation and irritation. Nanoemulsion gels offer an advanced approach to enhancing drug delivery and reducing adverse effects.

A dithranol nanoemulsion gel was prepared using high-speed homogenization followed by ultrasonication, employing linseed oil, Tween 80, PEG 400, Carbopol 940, and badam gum. Characterization included FTIR, DSC, particle size, PDI, zeta potential, viscosity, spreadability, drug content, in vitro drug release, and accelerated stability studies. An in vivo anti-psoriatic evaluation was conducted using an imiquimod-induced psoriasis model.

The optimized nanoemulsion gel had a particle size of 176.7 nm, a PDI of 0.189, and a zeta potential of -41.7 mV. DSC and FTIR confirmed drug-excipient compatibility. The formulation exhibited sustained drug release over 300 minutes and remained stable under accelerated conditions for 90 days. In vivo, dithranol nanoemulsion gel significantly reduced PASI scores, erythema, and skin thickness compared to controls without causing skin irritation.

Nanoemulsion-based delivery enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of dithranol by improving transdermal penetration and site-specific drug delivery while minimizing irritation. The gel's physicochemical properties and in vivo performance affirmed its potential for clinical use in psoriasis.

Dithranol nanoemulsion gel is a promising formulation for the topical treatment of psoriasis, offering improved stability, bioavailability, patient compliance, and therapeutic outcome.

The present work examines the mass and heat transfer of water-based hybrid nanofluids across a vertically positioned stretched surface rooted in a porous medium with slip conditions where there is an inclined magnetic field. The effects of the inclined magnetic field, thermal radiations, viscous dissipation, and Joule heating are modelled in the mathematical formulations of the flow under consideration.

The governing equations have been reduced to the dimensionless system through the development of appropriate similarity transformations. The governing equations are converted and then numerically solved by the Spectral Quasi Linearization Method (SQLM).

The results of this work have been examined and discussed using various tables and figures, which show how changing certain parameters affects the profiles of temperature, concentration, and velocity.

It is anticipated that this work will be a useful resource for researchers looking into nanofluid flows under different hypotheses and a repository of vital information for the development of novel heat transfer devices in the future.

The flow characteristics and rates of heat transfer can be greatly impacted by the direction and intensity of the inclined magnetic field. In the presence of an inclined magnetic field, optimization studies can be carried out to identify the nondimensional parameters for the hybrid nanofluid flow over a stretching surface, and any other outcomes can be found in this study.

Para-nitrophenol (p-NP) is a toxic pollutant frequently released from industrial processes, posing risks to both environmental and human health. This study aimed to develop a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor using a Ti3C2Tx MXene-based ternary nanocomposite.

A ternary nanocomposite comprising Ti3C2Tx, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and silver (Ag) nanoparticles was synthesized through ultrasonic dispersion and in situ chemical reduction under alkaline conditions. The resulting material was characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The composite was drop-cast onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV).

Multiple characterizations confirmed the formation of the nanocomposite. The Ti3C2Tx/SWCNT/Ag/GCE exhibited excellent performance for p-nitrophenol (p-NP) detection at a low reduction potential of –0.47 V. This sensor exhibited a linear detection range of 5–30 µM and 50–500 µM, with a detection limit of 0.32 µM. The Ti3C2Tx/SWCNT/Ag/GCE showed good repeatability and stability over multiple cycles.

The enhanced electrocatalytic performance was attributed to the high conductivity of MXene, the fast electron transfer properties of SWCNTs, and the catalytic activity of Ag nanoparticles. This synergy enabled sensitive p-NP detection at a lower potential.

The Ti3C2Tx/SWCNT/Ag-modified GCE presents a promising platform for the sensitive detection of environmental pollutants, such as p-NP. This study provides insights into the design of multifunctional nanocomposites for advanced electrochemical sensor applications.

The nonwoven fabric industry has witnessed significant developments in recent years, with the emergence of diverse production methods to meet various needs and applications. Recently, a new technology has been developed for the production of nonwoven fabrics made from micro and nanofibers, known as solution blown spinning. This technology boasts high productivity and enables the manufacture of industrially viable webs. The air compressor in solution blown spinning machines is the most important component, as it pumps high-pressure air to blow the polymer material and form the fibers. Therefore, the air pressure used is a critical factor, as it ensures the high velocity of the compressed gas, which generates the shear force necessary for blowing the polymer and forming the fibers. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of varying the high air pressure exiting the compressor cylinder on the properties of the resulting fiber web, including its composition, diameter, density, and productivity.

Air pressure values were changed using a pressure gauge installed on the compressor outlet nozzle within a range of 1-5 bar. A blow-spinning process was carried out to form five nanofiber webs using a 7% weight-percent poly (lactic acid) solution at each pressure value, while keeping the other process parameters constant. The resulting webs were examined microscopically using SEM. The resulting microscopic images were then processed using Image J software, and the average fiber diameters, densities, and productivity were calculated for each sample based on the solution flow time. The results were then discussed graphically and statistically.

The results indicated that the fiber formation process was better at lower pressures, with higher densities and smaller diameters on the nanoscale. The average fiber diameters within the studied pressure ranged between 554.7 and 1342.1 nm, and the smallest diameter measured was 350 nm. The statistical study also demonstrated a difference between fiber diameters. Essentially, the study yielded impressive results for fiber specification values. The fiber density in the surface layer of the samples also decreased with increasing air pressure, which is consistent with the results showing an increase in diameter. This led to a decrease in the polymer solution consumption time, accompanied by an increase in the solution flow rate, which doubled the production of fiber networks on the blower.

The study demonstrated the possibility of controlling the diameters of the nanofibers to be produced before initiating the production process by calibrating the air pressure value exiting the cylinder and thus evaluating their speed during operation. In addition, the importance of using polylactic acid waste resulting from 3D printing, recycling it, and converting it into biodegradable and environmentally friendly nonwoven nanofibers was highlighted. These products could find wide future applications in medicine, healthcare, and environment fields by being used as nano-filters.

The results of this research can be used as a basis for research conducted within the context of developing blow-spinning technology. We also propose the use of cameras to monitor the airflow during the rotary blowing process, measure air speed, determine product specifications, and compare them with the results of the hydraulic study presented in this research. If the results are consistent, the cost of equipment used in future research can be reduced by relying on the computational fluid dynamics calculations presented in this manuscript.

Proteins and peptide drugs are easily degraded in the gastrointestinal tract when administered orally, decreasing their bioavailability, and hence are administered intravenously or subcutaneously, creating a demand for how to administer them orally efficiently. The present research aims to develop protein-loaded nanoparticles by the coacervation method using biodegradable polymers and study their different characteristics.

The nanoparticles are prepared using low molecular-weight Chitosan and sodium alginate and characterized using instruments like Zetasizer, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), & UV Spectrophotometer, etc. The nanoparticles are further loaded with egg albumin to study protein loading and release characteristics.

The empty nanoparticles have a size range of 226-589 nm and a Polydispersity Index (PDI) of 0.398-0.298. The minimum size of loaded nanoparticles was 180.2±7.82 nm, with a PDI value of 0.314±0.02. The maximum protein entrapment efficiency and loading percentage were 76.12% and 29.78%, respectively. The maximum in vitro protein release from 29.78% loaded nanoparticles was 42.30% and 12.80% in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and water as the test medium, respectively.

The particle size, PDI, entrapment statistics, and prolonged protein release profile, etc, show the possibility of the nanoparticulate system to be used as a suitable vehicle for oral delivery of proteins and peptide drugs.

The optimised standard protein-loaded nanoparticles have all the characteristics making them suitable vehicles for administering proteins and peptide drugs orally. The current Nanoparticulate development system offers a promising solution for the effective oral delivery of protein or peptides.