With the evolution of nanoscience and nanotechnology, studies have been focused on manipulating nanoparticle properties through the control of their size, composition, and morphology. As nanomaterial ...research has progressed, the foremost focus has gradually shifted from synthesis, morphology control, and characterization of properties to the investigation of function and the utility of integrating these materials and chemical sciences with the physical, biological, and medical fields, which therefore necessitates the development of novel materials that are capable of performing multiple tasks and functions. The construction of multifunctional nanomaterials that integrate two or more functions into a single geometry has been achieved through the surface-coating technique, which created a new class of substances designated as core-shell nanoparticles. Core-shell materials have growing and expanding applications due to the multifunctionality that is achieved through the formation of multiple shells as well as the manipulation of core/shell materials. Moreover, core removal from core-shell-based structures offers excellent opportunities to construct multifunctional hollow core architectures that possess huge storage capacities, low densities, and tunable optical properties. Furthermore, the fabrication of nanomaterials that have the combined properties of a core-shell structure with that of a hollow one has resulted in the creation of a new and important class of substances, known as the rattle core-shell nanoparticles, or nanorattles. The design strategies of these new multifunctional nanostructures (core-shell, hollow core, and nanorattle) are discussed in the first part of this review. In the second part, different synthesis and fabrication approaches for multifunctional core-shell, hollow core-shell and rattle core-shell architectures are highlighted. Finally, in the last part of the article, the versatile and diverse applications of these nanoarchitectures in catalysis, energy storage, sensing, and biomedicine are presented.
This work provides a comprehensive overview on designs, synthesis approaches and applications of core-shell, hollow core, and nanorattle multifunctional nanostructures.
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•Hollow core silica spheres were prepared by anionic surfactant and ultrasonic waves.•Textural properties of hollow spheres are tuned by controlling synthesis conditions.•Surfactant ...removal by solvent extraction resulted in amino-decorated nanoparticles.•Coordination of amino group to metal ions is significant in heavy metal removal.
In this work, amino functionalized hollow core–mesoporous shell silica spheres (NH2-HCMSSs), which are expected to have a significant tendency for heavy metal removal, are synthesized by ultrasonic assisted soft-templating method using anionic surfactant. Ultrasonic waves, have produced bubbles on which the anionic surfactant micelles have assembled and thereafter the silica nuclei have precipitated to form hollow core structure. Co-structure directing agent, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APMS), was used to assist the electrostatic interaction between the partially negatively charged silica particles and the negatively charged surfactant molecules through S−N+I− pathway. Upon the surfactant removal by solvent extraction, amino groups of APMS have then functionalized the mesoporous shell of hollow core structure. Various synthesis parameters, such as sonication time, solvent type, and acid concentration, have been investigated to synthesize HCMSSs spheres with superior textural properties (e.g., total pore volume and surface area). Furthermore, the impact of these parameters on the removal of heavy metal cations from polluted water was evaluated accordingly. HCMSSs were characterized by low-angle X-ray diffraction (Lo-XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 sorption analysis. In this study, the variation of synthetic parameters have led to a considerable increment of the surface area and pore volume from 319.44 to 718.024m2/g and 3.309×10−1 to 1.190cm3/g, respectively. HCMSSs samples have shown heavy metal adsorption capacity of 194.4, 190.5 and 193mg/g for Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) metal cations, respectively.
The quantitative analysis of neurological drugs is critical since the kinetics of body fluids is strongly dependent on the dosage of the drug levels. Thus, the study of neurological medicines is ...significant because of the major diseases connected to it, for instance, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Herein, a 2D hybrid MXene/graphene (MX/Gr) film was synthesized through a top-down approach and utilized to prepare an electrochemical transducer for the electrochemical sensing of nicotine. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the successful incorporation of MX with Gr sheets. The high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used to confirm the formation of MX, graphene sheets and the MX/Gr hybrid film. Furthermore, the MX/Gr hybrid film composite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was prepared to selectively detect the nicotine in phosphate buffer medium (0.1 M PBS, pH~7.4). Under the optimized condition, the MX/Gr/GCE based sensor provided a linear response against nicotine from 1 to 55 µM and 30 nM – 600 nM with the lowest limit of detections (LOD) of 290 nM and 0.28 nM by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and amperometry, respectively. This newly developed MX/Gr hybrid film modified electrode displayed a remarkable selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility for accurate detection of nicotine. Finally, this new sensor was applied to detect nicotine in human/artificial saliva samples with high accuracy.
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•MXene/Graphene nanocomposite was prepared to fabricate a nicotine sensor.•XRD, Raman, XPS, HR-TEM and HR-SEM characterizations were carried out.•MX/Gr/GCE showed enhanced electro-catalytic activity towards nicotine.•Lowest LOD, wide linear range, high sensitivity, reproducibility and selectivity.•This new sensor was applied for the determination of nicotine in saliva samples.
Interference of organic compounds in the matrix of heavy metal solution could suppress their pre-concentration and detection processes. Therefore, this work aimed to develop simple and facile methods ...for separation of heavy metals before ICP-MS analysis. Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 core-double shell magnetic adsorbent was prepared and characterized by TEM, SEM, FTIR, XRD and surface area, and tested for Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction (MSPE) of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II). TEM micrograph of Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 reveals the uniform coating of TiO2 layer of about 20nm onto the Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles and indicates that all nanoparticles are monodispersed and uniform. The saturation magnetization from the room-temperature hysteresis loops of Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 was found to be 72 and 40emug−1, respectively, suggesting good separability of the nanoparticles. The Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 showed maximum adsorption capacity of 125, 137, 148 and 160mgg−1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) respectively, and the process was found to fit with the second order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm. Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 showed efficient photocatalytic decomposition for tartrazine and sunset yellow (consider as Interfering organic compounds) in aqueous solution under the irradiation of UV light. The maximum recovery% was achieved at pH 5, by elution with 10mL of 2M nitric acid solution. The LODs were found to be 0.066, 0.049, 0.041 and 0.082µgL−1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively while the LOQs were found to be 0.20, 0.15, 0.12 and 0.25µgL−1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively.
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•Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 is used for magnetic solid phase MSPE of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) prior to ICP-MS.•Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 acts as magnet, photocatalyst and acid resistant adsorbent nanoparticle.•The process includes enrichment of metals simultaneously with degradation of interfering organic matrix.•LOQs were 0.20, 0.15, 0.12, 0.25µgL−1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II).
The bioactivity of nanoparticles has engendered a promise in scientific communities for developing novel therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the protective effects of selenium ...nanoparticles (SeNPs) against kidney injury in streptozocin-induced diabetes during pregnant (DDP) rats. The female rats were separated into three groups (
n
= 8). Group 1 received the vehicle, normal saline. Group 2 received a single intraperitoneal dose of 50 mg/kg of streptozocin. Group 3 received a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg of streptozocin, followed by treatment with SeNPs at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg twice a week for 6 weeks (1 week before gestation and continuing for 5 additional weeks). The structure formed by the fabricated SeNPs with citric acid in the presence of ascorbic acid indicated that nano-Se was associated with a carbon matrix. The diabetic group suffered from polyuria, a reduction in body weight, delayed gestation, and only 40% successful pregnancy compared with the control rats. Interestingly, SeNPs significantly reduced the rate of urination, accelerated the start of gestation, and increased the percentage of successful pregnancy in females with DM. Severe changes were observed in the pancreatic β-cells of the diabetic rats, with darkly stained and fragmented chromatin in nuclei, while SeNPs partially restored the normal morphological features of the pancreatic β-cells. The concentrations of urea, creatinine, MDA, and glucose were significantly increased in the diabetic rats, while GSH was significantly reduced compared with controls. Interestingly, SeNPs restored all of these parameters to values at or near control levels. SeNPs were capable of improving the histological structure of the kidney in mothers with DDP. Hence, the present work is relevant to GDM demonstrating SeNPs shielding the kidney structure and function in vivo.
Nowadays, for environmental remediation, photocatalytic process involving graphene-based semiconductors is considered a very promising oxidation process for water treatment. In the present study, ...nanocomposite (Cu/Ni/rGO) has been synthesized by Dypsis lutescens leaf extract. Characterization of the sample was carried out by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Different parameters like contact time, nanocatalyst amount, dye concentration, effect of temperature. and pH factor were optimized to examine the maximum removal efficiency for dyes rhodamine B and alizarine R with and without visible light source. In both cases, i.e., with or without light, maximum removal was observed at 20 mg of nanocatalyst for 5 ppm concentration of both dyes at 45 °C temperature and pH 10 for rhodamine B and pH 4 for alizarine R, respectively with a 20 min contact time. Maximum removal of dyes 93% rhodamine B and 91% alizarine R were observed under a tungsten lamp as compared to without a tungsten lamp, i.e., 78% of RhB and 75% of AR from mixture solution of these dyes. To assess the rate of reaction, spontaneity, and nature of reaction thermodynamics, kinetics and adsorption isotherms were studied. Thermodynamic values indicated that both dyes depicted endothermic and spontaneous degradation processes. Isotherm data fitted best to a Freundlich isotherm, while results of kinetic studies of both dyes followed the pseudo 2nd order kinetic equation. In the end, scavenging radical studies concluded that hydroxyl radicals were the main active specie involved in the photocatalytic degradation process, and regeneration experiments resulted that Cu/Ni/rGO nanocomposites were re-utilized for about four times.
The current work reports the photocatalytic and antibacterial performance of tin (Sn) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles synthesized via ultrasonic aided co-precipitation technique. The increase of ...Sn concentration decreased the lattice parameter and increased the crystallite size without changing the ZnO structure. The hexagonal shaped particles and sheets obtained for 3% and 5% Sn substituted ZnO, respectively. The increase of dopant concentration reduced the reflectance and optical band gap energy of Sn doped ZnO. The vibrational band present at 1443 cm−1 confirmed the successful bond formation of Sn–O–Zn. The 5% Sn doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibited greater dye elimination rate of methylene blue compared to 3% Sn. The antibacterial activity of Sn doped ZnO showed the higher zone of inhibition about 14 mm against different pathogens. The 5% Sn doped ZnO photocatalyst improve the transfer rate of photo excite carrier and decrease the rate of recombination which greatly influence on the photocatalytic and antibacterial performance.
•Sn doped ZnO nanoparticle was prepared by ultrasonication aided co-precipitation method.•Photocatalytic efficiency of the Sn doped ZnO nanoparticle was tested.•The 5% Sn substituted ZnO nanoparticles showed higher photocatalytic activity.•Antibacterial activity of Sn substituted ZnO nanoparticle was studied.
The negative environmental and industrial impacts of the presence of sulfur compounds such as benzothiophene in fuels have led to a greater interest in desulfurization research. In this work, carbon ...from palm waste sources was modified with trihexYl(tetradecyl)phosphonium dicyanamide-ionic liquid and characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD and FTIR to assess surface properties. Then, the prepared carbon and carbon modified with ionic liquid were evaluated for the adsorption of benzothiophene by investigating the effects of time. The equilibrium occurred after 120 min, recording adsorption capacities of 192 and 238 mg/g for carbon and carbon modified with ionic liquid, respectively. The effect of the adsorbent dose on the adsorption of benzothiophene was evaluated, indicating that the maximum adsorption capacities were obtained using a dose of 1 g/L for both carbon and carbon modified with ionic liquid. The kinetic investigation for the adsorption of benzothiophene onto carbon and carbon modified with ionic liquid indicated that the second-order kinetic model is well fitted with the adsorption data rather than the first-order kinetic model. The equilibrium investigations for the adsorption of benzothiophene onto carbon and carbon modified with ionic liquid with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models reveals that the Freundlich model is the most suitable for describing the adsorption process, suggesting a multilayer adsorption mechanism. The desulfurization process showed a high impact on environmental safety due to the possibility of regenerating and reusing the prepared adsorbents with promising results up to five cycles.
Microextraction procedures for the separation of Pb(II) from water and food samples extracts were developed. A deep eutectic solvent composed of α-benzoin oxime and iron(III) chloride dissolved in ...phenol was applied as a phase separator support. In addition, this deep eutectic mixture worked as an efficient extractor of Pb(II). The developed microextraction process showed a high ability to tolerate the common coexisting ions in the real samples. The optimum conditions for quantitative recoveries of Pb(II) from aqueous extracts were at pH 2.0, conducted by adding 150 µL from the deep eutectic solvent. The quantitative recoveries were obtained with various initial sample volumes up to 30 mL. Limits of detection and limits of quantification of 0.008 and 0.025 µg L
were achieved with a relative standard deviation (RSD%) of 2.9, which indicates the accuracy and sensitivity of the developed procedure. Recoveries from the reference materials, including TMDA 64.2, TMDA 53.3, and NCSDC-73349, were 100%, 97%, and 102%, respectively. Real samples, such as tap, lake, and river water, as well as food samples, including salted peanuts, chickpeas, roasted yellow corn, pistachios, and almonds, were successfully applied for Pb(II) analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) after applying the developed deep eutectic solvent-based microextraction procedures.