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New Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2020) | Viewed by 27340

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Barbara Bonelli

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Guest Editor

Department of Applied Science and Technology and PoliTO BiomED Interdepartmental Lab, Politecnico di Torino; INSTM Unit of Torino—Politecnico, 10129 Turin, Italy
Interests: surface properties of materials; nanoporous materials; TiO₂ modification; photocatalysis; emerging pollutants' removal; IR spectroscopy; CO₂ reduction
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that submissions are open for the Molecules Special Issue “New Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications”. This issue, intended for scientists working in all related fields, will cover multiple aspects of nanomaterials, including new nanomaterials synthesis, their characterization by means of both experimental and calculation techniques, and finally their applications. Scientists working on novel synthesis methods, possibly envisaging the use of green protocols, are warmly invited to submit their work. Nonetheless, papers including both experiments and theoretical calculations are especially welcome, as well as papers reporting the performance of new nanomaterials in any field of materials science (catalysis, sensing, biomedical applications, etc.). Regular articles are welcome, as well as perspectives and, when applicable, reviews.

Prof. Barbara Bonelli
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Nanomaterials
Nanoparticles
Nanotubes
Nanocomposites
Quantum dots
Hierarchic porosity nanomaterials
Hybrid nanomaterials
Advanced synthesis techniques
Advanced characterization techniques
In situ characterization
Advanced calculation techniques
Green syntheses

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Separation of Biological Entities from Human Blood by Using Magnetic Nanocomposites Obtained from Zeolite Precursors

by Serena Esposito, Antonello Marocco, Gianfranco Dell’Agli, Barbara Bonelli, Franca Mannu, Paolo Allia, Paola Tiberto, Gabriele Barrera and Michele Pansini

Molecules 2020, 25(8), 1803; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25081803 - 14 Apr 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2355

Abstract

In this work, three novel magnetic metal–ceramic nanocomposites were obtained by thermally treating Fe-exchanged zeolites (either A or X) under reducing atmosphere at relatively mild temperatures (750–800 °C). The so-obtained materials were thoroughly characterized from the point of view of their physico-chemical properties and, then, used as magnetic adsorbents in the separation of the target gene factors V and RNASE and of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria DNA from human blood. Such results were compared with those obtained by using a top ranking commercial separation system (namely, SiMAG-N-DNA by Chemicell). The results obtained by using the novel magnetic adsorbents were similar to (or even better than) those obtained by using the commercial system, both during manual and automated separations, provided that a proper protocol was adopted. Particularly, the novel magnetic adsorbents showed high sensitivity during tests performed with small volumes of blood. Finally, the feasible production of such magnetic adsorbents by an industrial process was envisaged as well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)

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17 pages, 4062 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Conjugation of Carbon Dots with β-Galactosidase Enzyme: Surface Chemistry and Use in Biosensing

by Shiv K. Sharma, Miodrag Micic, Shanghao Li, Benjamin Hoar, Suraj Paudyal, Elsayed M. Zahran and Roger M. Leblanc

Molecules 2019, 24(18), 3275; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules24183275 - 09 Sep 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4097

Abstract

Nanoparticles have been conjugated to biological systems for numerous applications such as self-assembly, sensing, imaging, and therapy. Development of more reliable and robust biosensors that exhibit high response rate, increased detection limit, and enhanced useful lifetime is in high demand. We have developed a sensing platform by the conjugation of β-galactosidase, a crucial enzyme, with lab-synthesized gel-like carbon dots (CDs) which have high luminescence, photostability, and easy surface functionalization. We found that the conjugated enzyme exhibited higher stability towards temperature and pH changes in comparison to the native enzyme. This enriched property of the enzyme was distinctly used to develop a stable, reliable, robust biosensor. The detection limit of the biosensor was found to be 2.9 × 10⁻⁴ M, whereas its sensitivity was 0.81 µA·mmol⁻¹·cm⁻². Further, we used the Langmuir monolayer technique to understand the surface properties of the conjugated enzyme. It was found that the conjugate was highly stable at the air/subphase interface which additionally reinforces the suitability of the use of the conjugated enzyme for the biosensing applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)

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15 pages, 4585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Etlingera elatior-Mediated Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles and Their Application as Electrochemical Current Enhancer

by Farah Asilah Azri, Jinap Selamat, Rashidah Sukor, Nor Azah Yusof, Nurul Hanun Ahmad Raston, Noordiana Nordin and Nuzul Noorahya Jambari

Molecules 2019, 24(17), 3141; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules24173141 - 29 Aug 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3646

Abstract

This work presents a simple green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by using an aqueous extract of Etlingera elatior (torch ginger). The metabolites present in E. elatior, including sugars, proteins, polyphenols, and flavonoids, were known to play important roles in reducing metal ions and supporting the subsequent stability of nanoparticles. The present work aimed to investigate the ability of the E. elatior extract to synthesise AuNPs via the reduction of gold (III) chloride hydrate and characterise the properties of the nanoparticles produced. The antioxidant properties of the E. elatior extract were evaluated by analysing the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. To ascertain the formation of AuNPs, the synthesised particles were characterised using the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement. The properties of the green synthesised AuNPs were shown to be comparable to the AuNPs produced using a conventional reducing agent, sodium citrate. The UV-Vis measured the surface plasmon resonance of the AuNPs, and a band centered at 529 nm was obtained. The FTIR results proved that the extract contained the O-H functional group that is responsible for capping the nanoparticles. The HRTEM images showed that the green synthesized AuNPs were of various shapes and the average of the nanoparticles’ hydrodynamic diameter was 31.5 ± 0.5 nm. Meanwhile, the zeta potential of −32.0 ± 0.4 mV indicates the high stability and negative charge of the AuNPs. We further successfully demonstrated that using the green synthesised AuNPs as the nanocomposite to modify the working surface of screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE/Cs/AuNPs) enhanced the rate of electron transfer and provided a sensitive platform for the detection of Cu(II) ions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)

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12 pages, 2951 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mixed Two-Dimensional Organic-Inorganic Halide Perovskites for Highly Efficient and Stable Photovoltaic Application

by Jia-Yi Dong, Zi-Qian Ma, Ye Yang, Shuang-Peng Wang and Hui Pan

Molecules 2019, 24(11), 2144; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules24112144 - 06 Jun 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3061

Abstract

Solar cells made of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite (HOIP) materials have attracted ever-increasing attention due to their high efficiency and easy fabrication. However, issues regarding their poor stability remain a challenge for practical applications. Engineering the composition and structure of HOIP can effectively enhance the thermal stability and improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE). In this work, mixed two-dimensional (2D) HOIPs are systematically investigated for solar-power harvesting using first-principles calculations. We find that their electronic properties depend strongly on the mixed atoms (Cs, Rb, Ge and Pb) and the formation energy is related to the HOIP’s composition, where the atoms are more easily mixed in SnI-2D-HOIPs due to low formation energy at the same composition ratio. We further show that optimal solar energy harvesting can be achieved on the solar cells composed of mixed SnI-2D-HOIPs because of reduced bandgaps, enhanced mobility and improved stability. Importantly, we find that the mixed atoms (Cs, Rb, Ge and Pb) with the appropriate composition ratios can effectively enhance the solar-to-power efficiency and show greatly improved resistance to moisture. The findings demonstrate that mixed 2D-HOIPs can replace the bulk HOIPs or pure 2D-HOIPs for applications into solar cells with high efficiency and stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)

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17 pages, 4146 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Using the Endophytic Bacterium Pantoea ananatis are Promising Antimicrobial Agents against Multidrug Resistant Bacteria

by Tahmina Monowar, Md. Sayedur Rahman, Subhash J. Bhore, Gunasunderi Raju and Kathiresan V. Sathasivam

Molecules 2018, 23(12), 3220; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules23123220 - 06 Dec 2018

Cited by 93 | Viewed by 4928

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most important global problems currently confronting the world. Different biomedical applications of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have indicated them to be promising antimicrobial agents. In the present study, extracellular extract of an endophytic bacterium, Pantoea ananatis, was used for synthesis of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and Zeta potential. The antimicrobial potential of the AgNPs against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC 11632), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 10876), Escherichia coli (ATCC 10536), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 10145) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), and multidrug resistant (MDR) Streptococcus pneumoniae (ATCC 700677), Enterococcus faecium (ATCC 700221) Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 33592) Escherichia coli (NCTC 13351) was investigated. The synthesized spherical-shaped AgNPs with a size range of 8.06 nm to 91.32 nm exhibited significant antimicrobial activity at 6 μg/disc concentration against Bacillus cereus (ATCC 10876) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) which were found to be resistant to conventional antibiotics. The synthesized AgNPs showed promising antibacterial efficiency at 10 µg/disc concentration against the MDR strains. The present study suggests that AgNPs synthesized by using the endophytic bacterium P. ananatis are promising antimicrobial agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)

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Review

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30 pages, 1274 KiB

Open AccessReview

Industrial Application of Nanocelluloses in Papermaking: A Review of Challenges, Technical Solutions, and Market Perspectives

by Ana Balea, Elena Fuente, M. Concepcion Monte, Noemi Merayo, Cristina Campano, Carlos Negro and Angeles Blanco

Molecules 2020, 25(3), 526; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25030526 - 25 Jan 2020

Cited by 90 | Viewed by 8570

Abstract

Nanocelluloses (NC) increase mechanical and barrier paper properties allowing the use of paper in applications actually covered by other materials. Despite the exponential increase of information, NC have not been fully implemented in papermaking yet, due to the challenges of using NC. This paper provides a review of the main new findings and emerging possibilities in this field by focusing mainly on: (i) Decoupling the effects of NC on wet-end and paper properties by using synergies with retention aids, chemical modification, or filler preflocculation; (ii) challenges and solutions related to the incorporation of NC in the pulp suspension and its effects on barrier properties; and (iii) characterization needs of NC at an industrial scale. The paper also includes the market perspectives. It is concluded that to solve these challenges specific solutions are required for each paper product and process, being the wet-end optimization the key to decouple NC effects on drainage and paper properties. Furthermore, the effect of NC on recyclability must also be taken into account to reach a compromise solution. This review helps readers find upscale options for using NC in papermaking and identify further research needs within this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)

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