Editorial

5 pages, 561 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Smart Tools for Smart Applications: New Insights into Inorganic Magnetic Systems and Materials

by Francesca Garello, Roberto Nisticò and Federico Cesano

Inorganics 2020, 8(10), 56; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/inorganics8100056 - 10 Oct 2020

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This Special Issue, consisting of four reviews and three research articles, presents some of the recent advances and future perspectives in the field of magnetic materials and systems, which are designed to meet some of our current challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Tools for Smart Applications: New Insights into Inorganic Magnetic Systems and Materials)

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Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

13 pages, 2438 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Separation of Heavy Metals by Magnetic Nanostructured Beads

by Lisandra de Castro Alves, Susana Yáñez-Vilar, Yolanda Piñeiro-Redondo and José Rivas

Inorganics 2020, 8(6), 40; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/inorganics8060040 - 26 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2497

Abstract

This study reports the ability of magnetic alginate activated carbon (MAAC) beads to remove Cd(II), Hg(II), and Ni(II) from water in a mono-metal and ternary system. The adsorption capacity of the MAAC beads was highest in the mono-metal system. The removal efficiency of [...] Read more.

This study reports the ability of magnetic alginate activated carbon (MAAC) beads to remove Cd(II), Hg(II), and Ni(II) from water in a mono-metal and ternary system. The adsorption capacity of the MAAC beads was highest in the mono-metal system. The removal efficiency of such metal ions falls in the range of 20–80% and it followed the order Cd(II) > Ni(II) > Hg(II). The model that best fitted in the ternary system was the Freundlich isotherm, while in the mono-system it was the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum Cd(II), Hg(II), and Ni(II) adsorption capacities calculated from the Freundlich isotherm in the mono-metal system were 7.09, 5.08, and 4.82 (mg/g) (mg/L)^1/n, respectively. Lower adsorption capacity was observed in the ternary system due to the competition of metal ions for available adsorption sites. Desorption and reusability experiments demonstrated the MAAC beads could be used for at least five consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles. These findings suggest the practical use of the MAAC beads as efficient adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Tools for Smart Applications: New Insights into Inorganic Magnetic Systems and Materials)

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11 pages, 5648 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceCommunication

Magnetic Composite Submicron Carriers with Structure-Dependent MRI Contrast

by Anastasiia A. Kozlova, Sergey V. German, Vsevolod S. Atkin, Victor V. Zyev, Maxwell A. Astle, Daniil N. Bratashov, Yulia I. Svenskaya and Dmitry A. Gorin

Inorganics 2020, 8(2), 11; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/inorganics8020011 - 30 Jan 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3256

Abstract

Magnetic contrast agents are widely used in magnetic resonance imaging in order to significantly change the signals from the regions of interest in comparison with the surrounding tissue. Despite a high variety of single-mode T₁ or T₂ contrast agents, there is [...] Read more.

Magnetic contrast agents are widely used in magnetic resonance imaging in order to significantly change the signals from the regions of interest in comparison with the surrounding tissue. Despite a high variety of single-mode T₁ or T₂ contrast agents, there is a need for dual-mode contrast from the one agent. Here, we report on the synthesis of magnetic submicron carriers, containing Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in their structure. We show the ability to control magnetic resonance contrast by changing not only the number of magnetite nanoparticles in one carrier or the concentration of magnetite in the suspension but also the structure of the core–shell itself. The obtained data open up the prospects for dual-mode T₁/T₂ magnetic contrast formation, as well as provides the basis for future investigations in this direction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Tools for Smart Applications: New Insights into Inorganic Magnetic Systems and Materials)

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10 pages, 1965 KiB

Open AccessArticle

¹H NMR Relaxometric Analysis of Paramagnetic Gd₂O₃:Yb Nanoparticles Functionalized with Citrate Groups

by Fabio Carniato and Giorgio Gatti

Inorganics 2019, 7(3), 34; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/inorganics7030034 - 04 Mar 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3006

Abstract

Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles doped with different amount of Yb³⁺ ions and coated with citrate molecules were prepared by a cheap and fast co-precipitation procedure and proposed as potential “positive” contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. The citrate was used to [...] Read more.

Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles doped with different amount of Yb³⁺ ions and coated with citrate molecules were prepared by a cheap and fast co-precipitation procedure and proposed as potential “positive” contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. The citrate was used to improve the aqueous suspension, limiting particles precipitation. The relaxometric properties of the samples were studied in aqueous solution as a function of the magnetic field strength in order to evaluate the interaction of the paramagnetic ions exposed on the surface with the water molecules in proximity. The nanoparticles showed high relaxivity values at a high magnetic field with respect to the clinically used Gd³⁺-chelates and comparable to those of similar nanosytems. Special attention was also addressed to the investigation of the chemical stability of the nanoparticles in biological fluid (reconstructed human serum) and in the presence of a chelating agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Tools for Smart Applications: New Insights into Inorganic Magnetic Systems and Materials)

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Review

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43 pages, 10271 KiB

Open AccessReview

Smart Ligands for Efficient 3d-, 4d- and 5d-Metal Single-Molecule Magnets and Single-Ion Magnets

by Panagiota S. Perlepe, Diamantoula Maniaki, Evangelos Pilichos, Eugenia Katsoulakou and Spyros P. Perlepes

Inorganics 2020, 8(6), 39; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/inorganics8060039 - 29 May 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4954

Abstract

There has been a renaissance in the interdisciplinary field of Molecular Magnetism since ~2000, due to the discovery of the impressive properties and potential applications of d- and f-metal Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) and Single-Ion Magnets (SIMs) or Monometallic Single-Molecule Magnets. One of the [...] Read more.

There has been a renaissance in the interdisciplinary field of Molecular Magnetism since ~2000, due to the discovery of the impressive properties and potential applications of d- and f-metal Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) and Single-Ion Magnets (SIMs) or Monometallic Single-Molecule Magnets. One of the consequences of this discovery has been an explosive growth in synthetic molecular inorganic and organometallic chemistry. In SMM and SIM chemistry, inorganic and organic ligands play a decisive role, sometimes equally important to that of the magnetic metal ion(s). In SMM chemistry, bridging ligands that propagate strong ferromagnetic exchange interactions between the metal ions resulting in large spin ground states, well isolated from excited states, are preferable; however, antiferromagnetic coupling can also lead to SMM behavior. In SIM chemistry, ligands that create a strong axial crystal field are highly desirable for metal ions with oblate electron density, e.g., Tb^III and Dy^III, whereas equatorial crystal fields lead to SMM behavior in complexes based on metal ions with prolate electron density, e.g., Er^III. In this review, we have attempted to highlight the use of few, efficient ligands in the chemistry of transition-metal SMMs and SIMs, through selected examples. The content of the review is purely chemical and it is assumed that the reader has a good knowledge of synthetic, structural and physical inorganic chemistry, as well as of the properties of SIMs and SMMs and the techniques of their study. The ligands that will be discussed are the azide ion, the cyanido group, the tris(trimethylsilyl)methanide, the cyclopentanienido group, soft (based on the Hard-Soft Acid-Base model) ligands, metallacrowns combined with click chemistry, deprotonated aliphatic diols, and the family of 2-pyridyl ketoximes, including some of its elaborate derivatives. The rationale behind the selection of the ligands will be emphasized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Tools for Smart Applications: New Insights into Inorganic Magnetic Systems and Materials)

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22 pages, 2446 KiB

Open AccessReview

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: An Alternative for Positive Contrast in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

by Irene Fernández-Barahona, María Muñoz-Hernando, Jesus Ruiz-Cabello, Fernando Herranz and Juan Pellico

Inorganics 2020, 8(4), 28; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/inorganics8040028 - 10 Apr 2020

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 6438

Abstract

Iron oxide nanoparticles have been extensively utilised as negative (T₂) contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. In the past few years, researchers have also exploited their application as positive (T₁) contrast agents to overcome the limitation of [...] Read more.

Iron oxide nanoparticles have been extensively utilised as negative (T₂) contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. In the past few years, researchers have also exploited their application as positive (T₁) contrast agents to overcome the limitation of traditional Gd³⁺ contrast agents. To provide T₁ contrast, these particles must present certain physicochemical properties with control over the size, morphology and surface of the particles. In this review, we summarise the reported T₁ iron oxide nanoparticles and critically revise their properties, synthetic protocols and application, not only in MRI but also in multimodal imaging. In addition, we briefly summarise the most important nanoparticulate Gd and Mn agents to evaluate whether T₁ iron oxide nanoparticles can reach Gd/Mn contrast capabilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Tools for Smart Applications: New Insights into Inorganic Magnetic Systems and Materials)

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27 pages, 1305 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nanomaterials with Tailored Magnetic Properties as Adsorbents of Organic Pollutants from Wastewaters

by Marcos E. Peralta, Santiago Ocampo, Israel G. Funes, Florencia Onaga Medina, María E. Parolo and Luciano Carlos

Inorganics 2020, 8(4), 24; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/inorganics8040024 - 31 Mar 2020

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5482

Abstract

Water quality has become one of the most critical issue of concern worldwide. The main challenge of the scientific community is to develop innovative and sustainable water treatment technologies with high efficiencies and low production costs. In recent years, the use of nanomaterials [...] Read more.

Water quality has become one of the most critical issue of concern worldwide. The main challenge of the scientific community is to develop innovative and sustainable water treatment technologies with high efficiencies and low production costs. In recent years, the use of nanomaterials with magnetic properties used as adsorbents in the water decontamination process has received considerable attention since they can be easily separated and reused. This review focuses on the state-of-art of magnetic core–shell nanoparticles and nanocomposites developed for the adsorption of organic pollutants from water. Special attention is paid to magnetic nanoadsorbents based on silica, clay composites, carbonaceous materials, polymers and wastes. Furthermore, we compare different synthesis approaches and adsorption performance of every nanomaterials. The data gathered in this review will provide information for the further development of new efficient water treatment technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Tools for Smart Applications: New Insights into Inorganic Magnetic Systems and Materials)

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59 pages, 11275 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Magnetic Materials and Systems: Domain Structure Visualization and Other Characterization Techniques for the Application in the Materials Science and Biomedicine

by Roberto Nisticò, Federico Cesano and Francesca Garello

Inorganics 2020, 8(1), 6; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/inorganics8010006 - 17 Jan 2020

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 12739

Abstract

Magnetic structures have attracted a great interest due to their multiple applications, from physics to biomedicine. Several techniques are currently employed to investigate magnetic characteristics and other physicochemical properties of magnetic structures. The major objective of this review is to summarize the current [...] Read more.

Magnetic structures have attracted a great interest due to their multiple applications, from physics to biomedicine. Several techniques are currently employed to investigate magnetic characteristics and other physicochemical properties of magnetic structures. The major objective of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the usage, advances, advantages, and disadvantages of a large number of techniques that are currently available to characterize magnetic systems. The present review, aiming at helping in the choice of the most suitable method as appropriate, is divided into three sections dedicated to characterization techniques. Firstly, the magnetism and magnetization (hysteresis) techniques are introduced. Secondly, the visualization methods of the domain structures by means of different probes are illustrated. Lastly, the characterization of magnetic nanosystems in view of possible biomedical applications is discussed, including the exploitation of magnetism in imaging for cell tracking/visualization of pathological alterations in living systems (mainly by magnetic resonance imaging, MRI). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Tools for Smart Applications: New Insights into Inorganic Magnetic Systems and Materials)

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