This review focuses on the development of multi-layer fullerenes, known as carbon nano-onions (CNOs). First, it briefly summarizes the most important synthetic pathways for their preparation and their properties and it gives the reader an update over new developments in the recent years. This is followed by a discussion of the published synthetic procedures for CNO functionalization, which are of major importance when elucidating future applications and addressing drawbacks for possible applications, such as poor solubility in common solvents. Finally, it gives an overview over the fields of application, in which CNO materials were successfully implemented.

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Carbon nano-onions (multi-layer fullerenes): chemistry and applications.

Carbon nano-onions: Unique carbon nanostructures with fascinating properties and their potential applications

The traditional pyrolysis of vegetable ghee leads to the fabrication of graphitic photoluminescent, water soluble carbon nano-onions (wsCNO) with tunable photoluminescence without using any metal catalyst. Simple oxidative treatment by nitric acid fabricated a high density “self-passivated” water soluble version. As-synthesized wsCNO possessed tunable photoluminescence behavior from the visible-to-near infrared region. Further small sized wsCNO separated from the bulk as-synthesized wsCNO via gel filtration achieved a highly fluorescent colored fraction, used for cell imaging (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida) and selective, immediate sensing of glucose molecules based upon a simple fluorescence “turn-off”/“turn-on” technique.

From the traditional way of pyrolysis to tunable photoluminescent water soluble carbon nano-onions for cell imaging and selective sensing of glucose

Conventional fillers used in rubber matrices include carbon black (CB), silica, and clay. However, the new demands on reinforced rubbers, especially the need to significantly enhance the overall performance while reducing the amount of filler, is currently expected to be met only through intelligent use of nano-sized fillers. Among carbon-based nanomaterials, such as fullerenes, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene and nanodiamonds (NDs), nanodiamonds are a good candidate due to their nano-scale size, stable diamond core, highly reactive outer shell, biocompatibility, and potential for chemical functionalization. Here we review the state of the art and current research on nanodiamonds produced by laser ablation and detonation techniques with a special focus on their application in elastomers. The current understanding about structure and synthesis of nanodiamonds indicates some possible methods for their functionalization and dispersion in soft rubber matrix. We also discuss the effect of nanodiamonds on the various properties of elastomeric materials.

Hard nanodiamonds in soft rubbers: Past, present and future - A review

Diamond nanoparticles (NDs) have demonstrated great promise as useful materials in a variety of biomedical settings. In this paper, the antimicrobial and antibiofi lm activities of variously functionalized NDs against two common bacterial targets Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli and Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus are compared. Hydroxylated (ND-OH), aminated (ND-NH 2 ), carboxylated (ND-COOH), mannose (ND-Mannose), tri-thiomannoside (ND-Man 3 ), or tri-thiolactoside (ND-Lac 3) - modifi ed NDs are fabricated and evaluated in the present work. Of these, the mannose-modified NDs are found to interfere most strongly with the survival of S. aureus, but not to influence the growth of E. coli . In contrast, particles featuring lactosyl units have the opposite effect on S. aureus growth. Sugar-functionalized NPs reported to display antibacterial effects are rare. Only ND-COOH particles are seen to have any effect on the growth profile of E. coli, but the effects are moderate. On the other hand, both ND-NH 2 and ND-COOH are found to inhibit E. coli -induced biofilm formation at levels comparable to the known E. coli biofilm disruptor, ampicillin (albeit at concentrations of 100 μg mL -1). However, none of the modified particles examined here reveal any significant activity as disruptors of S. aureus -induced biofilm formation even at the highest concentrations studied.

Selective Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Disrupting Properties of Functionalized Diamond Nanoparticles Against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Water solubilization of carbon nanoparticles (nanocarbons), single-walled nanotubes (SWCNTs), nano-onions (NOs) and nanodiamonds (NDs) has been achieved through their covalent functionalization by fluorination and subsequent derivatization with sucrose The covalent bonding of sucrose to the surface of the fluorinated nanocarbons was attained by a one-step fluorine substitution reaction with sucrose-derived lithium monosucrate under sonication in DMF at room temperature This chemical process provides a simple, inexpensive, and easily scalable method for hydrophilic chemical modification of SWCNT, NO, and ND surfaces to produce sucrose-functionalized nanocarbons that become soluble in water, DMF, ethanol, and other polar solvents The sucrose-functionalized nanocarbon particles are expected to be biocompatible due to the abundance of hydroxyl groups available for hydrogen bonding and further chemical modification Relevant examples have been given

V. N. Khabasheskua

Papers

Solubilization of carbon nanoparticles, nanotubes, nano-onions, and nanodiamonds through covalent functionalization with sucrose