Nanocellulose as a natural source for groundbreaking applications in materials science: Today’s state

This review describes recent advances on the application of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in selected applications. CNCs are produced via acid hydrolysis of cellulosic materials, such as wood, cotton, tunicate, or other biomass. It possesses many desirable properties, such as large surface area, high tensile strength and stiffness, excellent colloidal stability, and potential for modification due to the abundance of surface hydroxyl groups. By modifying its surface with small molecules, polymers, and nanoparticles, they can be utilized as a zero-dimension nanostructure for drug delivery, spun into 1-dimension fibers for enhanced strength, cast into 2-dimension films for flexibility, or molded into 3-dimension hydrogels and aerogels for compressibility or porous materials. The use and impact of CNCs in three industrial sectors: biomedical, wastewater treatment, energy and electronics are described and discussed, and we will offer our perspective on the future and new applications of this sustainable nanomaterial.

Recent advances in the application of cellulose nanocrystals

Starch, cellulose, pectin, gum, alginate, chitin and chitosan derived (nano)materials for sustainable water treatment: A review

Current State and New Trends in the Use of Cellulose Nanomaterials for Wastewater Treatment

In recent years, sustainable nanomaterials, such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), jointly referred to as cellulose nanomaterials (CNs), have been explored for application in water/wastewater treatment processes Unique properties of CNs coupled with the global quest to develop low carbon footprint alternatives as aids for water treatment processes have been the driving force for the increasing interest among researchers worldwide There are several reviews that describe the chemistry and modification of CNs; however, a comprehensive review on the potential application of CNs in water/wastewater treatment processes is scarce Thus, this review provides a detailed overview of pristine, surface-functionalized CNs and CN-incorporated nanocomposites for applications in various water/wastewater treatment processes, such as sorption, membrane filtration, and flocculation The latest advances and developments on other processes using CNs, such as catalytic degradation and disinfection, are also discussed The mechanism responsible for the performance of CN-based systems in all these water treatment processes is also elucidated The key challenges and knowledge gaps that limit the practical application of CNs in water treatment processes are examined, which offer appropriate perspectives to researchers working in this field

Cellulose nanomaterials: promising sustainable nanomaterials for application in water/wastewater treatment processes

Development of a system that can simultaneously sense and scavenge toxic heavy metal ions at low concentrations is an ideal solution for in situ monitoring and purification of contaminated water. In this paper, we report on the synthesis and application of a novel system, luminescent atomically precise cluster–cellulose nanocrystal composite, namely, bovine serum albumin-protected gold nanoclusters (Au@BSA NCs)-loaded cellulose nanocrystal–alginate hydrogel beads, that can simultaneously sense and scavenge heavy metal ions, specifically mercury ions in water. Characterization of the system performed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy elucidated the physical and chemical characteristics of the system. Additionally, we proposed a new method to visualize the diffusion phenomenon and calculate the effective diffusion coefficient of heavy metal ions in hydrogel beads by monitoring the fluorescence-quenching dynamics of Au@BSA NCs ...

Diffusion-Controlled Simultaneous Sensing and Scavenging of Heavy Metal Ions in Water Using Atomically Precise Cluster–Cellulose Nanocrystal Composites

We report simultaneous plasmonic scattering and Raman spectroscopic observations of single citrate capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which exhibit surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) upon meeting specific conditions induced by laser (532 nm) exposure. We show that nanoparticles which are not initially SERS active become SERS active by laser-induced reshaping/reorientation. A set-up developed for these observations enabled in situ high speed time-lapse characterization using plasmonic and Raman spectroscopies in conjunction with dark-field microscopy (DFM). Changes in the AgNPs were confirmed by monitoring plasmonic scattering spectra and DFM images. Time-lapse observations have shown that laser-induced changes in the plasmonic properties of AgNPs resulted in the appearance of SERS. Spectral matching between plasmon resonance and downward molecular vibronic transitions for molecules adsorbed on the surface of plasmonic nanomaterials is attributed to the nanoparticle SERS. We have further shown that the release of silver ions by silver nanoparticles can be the probable reason for their plasmonic changes. Gold nanoparticles inert to such mild (850 μW, 532 nm) laser-induced changes do not exhibit the appearance of SERS.

Appearance of SERS activity in single silver nanoparticles by laser-induced reshaping.

Simple Summary Natural killer cells are a part of the native immune response to cancer. NK cell-based immunotherapies are an emerging strategy to kill tumor cells. This paper reviews the role of NK cells, their mechanism of action for killing tumor cells, and the receptors which could serve as potential targets for signaling. In this review, the role of nanoparticles in NK cell activation and increased cytotoxicity of NK cells against cancer are highlighted. Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the first lines of defense against infections and malignancies. NK cell-based immunotherapies are emerging as an alternative to T cell-based immunotherapies. Preclinical and clinical studies of NK cell-based immunotherapies have given promising results in the past few decades for hematologic malignancies. Despite these achievements, NK cell-based immunotherapies have limitations, such as limited performance/low therapeutic efficiency in solid tumors, the short lifespan of NK cells, limited specificity of adoptive transfer and genetic modification, NK cell rejection by the patient’s immune system, insignificant infiltration of NK cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME), and the expensive nature of the treatment. Nanotechnology could potentially assist with the activation, proliferation, near-real time imaging, and enhancement of NK cell cytotoxic activity by guiding their function, analyzing their performance in near-real time, and improving immunotherapeutic efficiency. This paper reviews the role of NK cells, their mechanism of action in killing tumor cells, and the receptors which could serve as potential targets for signaling. Specifically, we have reviewed five different areas of nanotechnology that could enhance immunotherapy efficiency: nanoparticle-assisted immunomodulation to enhance NK cell activity, nanoparticles enhancing homing of NK cells, nanoparticle delivery of RNAi to enhance NK cell activity, genetic modulation of NK cells based on nanoparticles, and nanoparticle activation of NKG2D, which is the master regulator of all NK cell responses.

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Vasanthanarayan Murugesan

Papers

Diffusion-Controlled Simultaneous Sensing and Scavenging of Heavy Metal Ions in Water Using Atomically Precise Cluster–Cellulose Nanocrystal Composites

Appearance of SERS activity in single silver nanoparticles by laser-induced reshaping.

Nanoparticle Enhancement of Natural Killer (NK) Cell-Based Immunotherapy