Showing papers on "Nanoparticle published in 2010"

Shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Abstract: Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful spectroscopy technique that can provide non-destructive and ultra-sensitive characterization down to single molecular level, comparable to single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. However, generally substrates based on metals such as Ag, Au and Cu, either with roughened surfaces or in the form of nanoparticles, are required to realise a substantial SERS effect, and this has severely limited the breadth of practical applications of SERS. A number of approaches have extended the technique to non-traditional substrates, most notably tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) where the probed substance (molecule or material surface) can be on a generic substrate and where a nanoscale gold tip above the substrate acts as the Raman signal amplifier. The drawback is that the total Raman scattering signal from the tip area is rather weak, thus limiting TERS studies to molecules with large Raman cross-sections. Here, we report an approach, which we name shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, in which the Raman signal amplification is provided by gold nanoparticles with an ultrathin silica or alumina shell. A monolayer of such nanoparticles is spread as 'smart dust' over the surface that is to be probed. The ultrathin coating keeps the nanoparticles from agglomerating, separates them from direct contact with the probed material and allows the nanoparticles to conform to different contours of substrates. High-quality Raman spectra were obtained on various molecules adsorbed at Pt and Au single-crystal surfaces and from Si surfaces with hydrogen monolayers. These measurements and our studies on yeast cells and citrus fruits with pesticide residues illustrate that our method significantly expands the flexibility of SERS for useful applications in the materials and life sciences, as well as for the inspection of food safety, drugs, explosives and environment pollutants.

Water‐Soluble Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots and Photocatalyst Design

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures are attracting intense interest because of their many unique and novel properties. The strong and tunable luminescence of carbon materials further enhances their versatile properties; in particular, the quantum effect in carbon is extremely important both fundamentally and technologically. Recently, photoluminescent carbonbased nanoparticles have received much attention. They are usually prepared by laser ablation of graphite, electrochemical oxidation of graphite, electrochemical soaking of carbon nanotubes, thermal oxidation of suitable molecular precursors, vapor deposition of soot, proton-beam irradiation of nanodiamonds, microwave synthesis, and bottom-up methods. Although small (ca. 2 nm) graphite nanoparticles show strong blue photoluminescence (PL), definitive experimental evidence for luminescence of carbon structure arising from quantum-confinement effects and size-dependent optical properties of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) remains scarce. Herein, we report the facile one-step alkali-assisted electrochemical fabrication of CQDs with sizes of 1.2– 3.8 nm which possess size-dependent photoluminescence (PL) and excellent upconversion luminescence properties. Significantly, we demonstrate the design of photocatalysts (TiO2/CQDs and SiO2/CQDs complex system) to harness the use of the full spectrum of sunlight (based on the upconversion luminescence properties of CQDs). It can be imagined that judicious cutting of a graphite honeycomb layer into ultrasmall particles can lead to tiny fragments of graphite, yielding CQDs, which may offer a straightforward and facile strategy to prepare high-quality CQDs. Using graphite rods as both anode and cathode, and NaOH/EtOH as electrolyte, we synthesized CQDs with a current intensity of 10–200 mAcm . As a reference, a series of control experiments using acids (e.g. H2SO4/EtOH) as electrolyte yielded no formation of CQDs. This result indicates that alkaline environment is the key factor, and OH group is essential for the formation of CQDs by the electrochemical oxidation process. Figure 1a shows a trans-

Graphene Oxide−MnO2 Nanocomposites for Supercapacitors

Abstract: A composite of graphene oxide supported by needle-like MnO2 nanocrystals (GO−MnO2 nanocomposites) has been fabricated through a simple soft chemical route in a water−isopropyl alcohol system. The formation mechanism of these intriguing nanocomposites investigated by transmission electron microscopy and Raman and ultraviolet−visible absorption spectroscopy is proposed as intercalation and adsorption of manganese ions onto the GO sheets, followed by the nucleation and growth of the crystal species in a double solvent system via dissolution−crystallization and oriented attachment mechanisms, which in turn results in the exfoliation of GO sheets. Interestingly, it was found that the electrochemical performance of as-prepared nanocomposites could be enhanced by the chemical interaction between GO and MnO2. This method provides a facile and straightforward approach to deposit MnO2 nanoparticles onto the graphene oxide sheets (single layer of graphite oxide) and may be readily extended to the preparation of othe...

Surface modification, functionalization and bioconjugation of colloidal inorganic nanoparticles

Abstract: Inorganic colloidal nanoparticles are very small, nanoscale objects with inorganic cores that are dispersed in a solvent. Depending on the material they consist of, nanoparticles can possess a number of different properties such as high electron density and strong optical absorption (e.g. metal particles, in particular Au), photoluminescence in the form of fluorescence (semiconductor quantum dots, e.g. CdSe or CdTe) or phosphorescence (doped oxide materials, e.g. Y(2)O(3)), or magnetic moment (e.g. iron oxide or cobalt nanoparticles). Prerequisite for every possible application is the proper surface functionalization of such nanoparticles, which determines their interaction with the environment. These interactions ultimately affect the colloidal stability of the particles, and may yield to a controlled assembly or to the delivery of nanoparticles to a target, e.g. by appropriate functional molecules on the particle surface. This work aims to review different strategies of surface modification and functionalization of inorganic colloidal nanoparticles with a special focus on the material systems gold and semiconductor nanoparticles, such as CdSe/ZnS. However, the discussed strategies are often of general nature and apply in the same way to nanoparticles of other materials.

Properties and emerging applications of self-assembled structures made from inorganic nanoparticles

Abstract: Just as nanoparticles display properties that differ from those of bulk samples of the same material, ensembles of nanoparticles can have collective properties that are different to those displayed by individual nanoparticles and bulk samples. Self-assembly has emerged as a powerful technique for controlling the structure and properties of ensembles of inorganic nanoparticles. Here we review different strategies for nanoparticle self-assembly, the properties of self-assembled structures of nanoparticles, and potential applications of such structures. Many of these properties and possible applications rely on our ability to control the interactions between the electronic, magnetic and optical properties of the individual nanoparticles. Self-assembly is a powerful technique for controlling the structure and properties of ensembles of inorganic nanoparticles. This article reviews the properties and potential applications of self-assembled structures made from nanoparticles.

Self-Assembled Plasmonic Nanoparticle Clusters

Abstract: The self-assembly of colloids is an alternative to top-down processing that enables the fabrication of nanostructures. We show that self-assembled clusters of metal-dielectric spheres are the basis for nanophotonic structures. By tailoring the number and position of spheres in close-packed clusters, plasmon modes exhibiting strong magnetic and Fano-like resonances emerge. The use of identical spheres simplifies cluster assembly and facilitates the fabrication of highly symmetric structures. Dielectric spacers are used to tailor the interparticle spacing in these clusters to be approximately 2 nanometers. These types of chemically synthesized nanoparticle clusters can be generalized to other two- and three-dimensional structures and can serve as building blocks for new metamaterials.

Nanostructured materials for photon detection

Abstract: The detection of photons underpins imaging, spectroscopy, fibre-optic communications and time-gated distance measurements. Nanostructured materials are attractive for detection applications because they can be integrated with conventional silicon electronics and flexible, large-area substrates, and can be processed from the solution phase using established techniques such as spin casting, spray coating and layer-by-layer deposition. In addition, their performance has improved rapidly in recent years. Here we review progress in light sensing using nanostructured materials, focusing on solution-processed materials such as colloidal quantum dots and metal nanoparticles. These devices exhibit phenomena such as absorption of ultraviolet light, plasmonic enhancement of absorption, size-based spectral tuning, multiexciton generation, and charge carrier storage in surface and interface traps.

Nanoparticles : from theory to application

Abstract: 1. General Introduction (G. Schmid).2. Quantum Dots (W. Parak, et al.).Introduction and Outline.Nanoscale Materials and Quantum Mechanics.From Atoms to Molecules and Quantum Dots.Shrinking Bulk Materials to a Quantum Dot.Energy Levels of a (Semiconductor) Quantum Dot.Varieties of Quantum Dots.Optical Properties of Quantum Dots.Some (Electrical) Transport Properties of Quantum Dots.3. Syntheses and Characterizations.Semiconductor Nanoparticles.Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles.4. Organization of Nanoparticles.Semiconductor Nanoparticles.Metal Nanoparticles.5. Properties.Semiconductor Nanoparticles.Electrical Properties of Metal Nanoparticles.6. Biomaterial-Nanoparticle Hybrid Systems: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications (E. Katz, et al.).Introduction.The Synthesis and Properties of Biomaterial-Functionalized Nanoparticles.Biomaterial-Functionalized for Controlled Chemical Reactivity.The Aggregation of Biomaterial-Functionalized Nanoparticles.Assembly of Biomaterial-Nanoparticles Architectures on Surfaces.Functional Biomaterial-Nanoparticle Structures on Surfaces for Sensoric and Electronic Applications.Biomaterial-Functionalized Magnetic Particles.7. Conclusions and Perspectives (All Authors).

Stability and Aggregation of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Natural Aqueous Matrices

Abstract: There is a pressing need for information on the mobility of nanoparticles in the complex aqueous matrices found in realistic environmental conditions. We dispersed three different metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO(2), ZnO and CeO(2)) in samples taken from eight different aqueous media associated with seawater, lagoon, river, and groundwater, and measured their electrophoretic mobility, state of aggregation, and rate of sedimentation. The electrophoretic mobility of the particles in a given aqueous media was dominated by the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) and ionic strength, and independent of pH. NOM adsorbed onto these nanoparticles significantly reduces their aggregation, stabilizing them under many conditions. The transition from reaction to diffusion limited aggregation occurs at an electrophoretic mobility from around -2 to -0.8 microm s(-1) V(-1) cm. These results are key for designing and interpreting nanoparticle ecotoxicity studies in various environmental conditions.

On-chip single nanoparticle detection and sizing by mode splitting in an ultrahigh- Q microresonator

Abstract: The ability to detect and size individual nanoparticles with high resolution is crucial to understanding the behaviour of single particles and effectively using their strong size-dependent properties to develop innovative products. We report realtime, in situ detection and sizing of single nanoparticles, down to 30 nm in radius, using mode splitting in a monolithic ultrahigh-quality-factor (Q) whispering-gallery-mode microresonator. Particle binding splits a whispering-gallery mode into two spectrally shifted resonance modes, forming a self-referenced detection scheme. This technique provides superior noise suppression and enables the extraction of accurate particle size information with a single-shot measurement in a microscale device. Our method requires neither labelling of the particles nor a priori information on their presence in the medium, providing an effective platform to study nanoparticles at single-particle resolution. With the rapid progress in nanotechnology, nanoparticles of different materials and sizes have been synthesized and engineered as key components in various applications ranging from solar cell

Toxicity of silver nanoparticles increases during storage because of slow dissolution under release of silver ions

Abstract: The dissolution of citrate-stabilized and poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-stabilized silver nanoparticles in water was studied by dialysis for up to 125 days at 5, 25, and 37 °C. The particles slowly dissolve into ions on a time scale of several days. However, in all cases, a limiting value of the released silver was observed, i.e., the particles did not completely dissolve. In some cases, the nanoparticles released up to 90% of their weight. Formal kinetic data were computed. Rate and degree of dissolution depended on the functionalization as well as on the storage temperature. The release of silver led to a considerably increased toxicity of silver nanoparticles which had been stored in dispersion for several weeks toward human mesenchymal stem cells due to the increased concentration of silver ions. Consequently, “aged” (i.e., immersed) silver nanoparticles are much more toxic to cells than freshly prepared silver nanoparticles.

Kinetic Analysis of Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol by Metallic Nanoparticles Immobilized in Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brushes

Abstract: We present a study on the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride in the presence of metal nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are embedded in spherical polyelectrolyte brushes, which consist of a polystyrene core onto which a dense layer of cationic polyelectrolyte brushes are grafted. The average size of the nanoparticles is approximately 2 nm. The kinetic data obtained by monitoring the reduction of 4-nitrophenol by UV/vis-spectroscopy could be explained in terms of the Langmuir−Hinshelwood model: The borohydride ions transfer a surface-hydrogen species in a reversible manner to the surface. Concomitantly 4-nitrophenol is adsorbed and the rate-determining step consists of the reduction of nitrophenol by the surface-hydrogen species. The apparent reaction rate can therefore be related to the total surface S of the nanoparticles, to the kinetic constant k related to the rate-determining step, and to the adsorption constants KNip and KBH4 of nitrophenol and of borohydride, respectively. In...

Graphene-Based Nanoarchitectures. Anchoring Semiconductor and Metal Nanoparticles on a Two-Dimensional Carbon Support

Abstract: Graphene based two-dimensional carbon nanostructures serve as a support to disperse catalyst nanoparticles. Reduced graphene oxide is used as a support to anchor semiconductor and metal nanoparticles. Such a design strategy would enable the development of a multifunctional catalyst mat. This Perspective focuses on the interaction between graphene oxide−semiconductor (TiO2, ZnO) and graphene oxide−metal (Au, Pt) nanoparticles and discusses potential applications in catalysis, light energy conversion, and fuel cells.

Properties and Applications of Colloidal Nonspherical Noble Metal Nanoparticles

Abstract: Nanoparticles of noble metals belong to the most extensively studied colloidal systems in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Due to continuing progress in the synthesis of nanoparticles with controlled morphologies, the exploration of unique morphology-dependent properties has gained momentum. Anisotropic features in nonspherical nanoparticles make them ideal candidates for enhanced chemical, catalytic, and local field related applications. Nonspherical plasmon resonant nanoparticles offer favorable properties for their use as analytical tools, or as diagnostic and therapeutic agents. This Review highlights morphology-dependent properties of nonspherical noble metal nanoparticles with a focus on localized surface plasmon resonance and local field enhancement, as well as their applications in various fields including Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence enhancement, analytics and sensing, photothermal therapy, (bio-)diagnostics, and imaging.

Photochemical green synthesis of calcium-alginate-stabilized Ag and Au nanoparticles and their catalytic application to 4-nitrophenol reduction.

Abstract: Silver and gold nanoparticles have been grown on calcium alginate gel beads using a green photochemical approach. The gel served as both a reductant and a stabilizer. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV−visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analyses. The particles are spherical, crystalline, and the size ranges for both Ag and Au nanoparticles are <10 nm. It is noticed from the sorption experiment that the loading of gold on calcium alginate beads is much more compared to that of Ag. The effectiveness of the as-prepared dried alginate-stabilized Ag and Au nanoparticles as a solid phase heterogeneous catalyst has been evaluated, for the first time, on the well-known 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of excess borohydride. The reduction was very efficient and followed zero-order kinetics for both Ag and Au nanocompos...

A Critical Size of Silicon Nano‐Anodes for Lithium Rechargeable Batteries

Abstract: Due to the high theoretical capacity (ca. 4200 mAhg ) of Si when Li4.4Si is formed, it has been extensively investigated for use as a high-capacity anode material that can replace graphite, which is currently used (372 mAhg ). However, Si exhibits significant volume changes (> 360%) during Li alloying and dealloying. These changes cause cracking and crumbling of the electrode material and a consequent loss of electrical contact between individual particles and hence severe capacity drop. However, such mechanical strain induced by volume change can be reduced by employing smaller particles. To this end, synthetic methods such as spark ablation, aerogel techniques, and sputtering have been employed. Formation of crystalline Si nanoparticles requires higher temperatures due to the more covalent nature of these particles compared to Ge particles, and at low temperature amorphous phases become more common. The first commonly recognized successful production of Si nanoclusters was reported byHeath et al. They showed that Si nanocrystals capped with alkyl groups can be produced by reduction of SiCl4 and RSiCl3 (R=H, C8H17) according to the reaction SiCl4+RSiCl3+Na!Si+NaCl. This process was carried out at high temperature (385 8C) and high pressure (>100 atm) in a steel bomb fitted into a heating mantle. A process that utilizes SiCl4 reduction at room temperature under an inert atmosphere was initially reported by Kauzlarich et al. However, the drawback of their method was that the product obtained at room temperature was not fully crystallized and was severely capped with alkyl terminators. Moreover, an annealing process above 900 8C is required to obtain the crystalline phase. Similar solution syntheses have been reported at low or high temperature after reducing Si salts with LiAlH4 [13,14] or alkyl silanes. However, all of these methods produce a broad particle size distribution or involve aggregation of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, they all yield amounts of material too small for use in anode production for lithium secondary batteries. We now report a synthetic method using reverse micelles at high pressure and temperature in a bomb that produces Si nanoparticles (n-Si) with various particle sizes without aggregation and thus enables the optimal nanoparticle size for use in anode materials to be chosen. Figure 1 shows the XRD pattern and TEM images of n-Si prepared with trimethyloctadecylammonium bromide (OTAB) surfactant. The XRD pattern clearly shows forma-

Multifunctional Mesoporous Composite Microspheres with Well-Designed Nanostructure: A Highly Integrated Catalyst System

Abstract: The precise control of the size, morphology, surface chemistry, and assembly process of each component is important to construction of integrated functional nanocomposites. We report here the fabrication of multifunctional microspheres which possess a core of nonporous silica-protected magnetite particles, transition layer of active gold nanoparticles, and an outer shell of ordered mesoporous silica with perpendicularly aligned pore channels. The well-designed microspheres have high magnetization (18.6 emu/g), large surface area (236 m(2)/g), highly open mesopores (approximately 2.2 nm), and stably confined but accessible Au nanoparticles and, as a result, show high performance in catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (with conversion of 95% in 12 min), styrene epoxidation with high conversion (72%) and selectivity (80%), especially convenient magnetic separability, long life and good reusability. The unique nanostructure makes the microsphere to be a novel stable and approachable catalyst system for various catalytic industry processes.

Ceria maintains smaller metal catalyst particles by strong metal-support bonding

Abstract: The energies of silver (Ag) atoms in Ag nanoparticles supported on different cerium and magnesium oxide surfaces, determined from previous calorimetric measurements of metal adsorption energies, were analyzed with respect to particle size. Their stability was found to increase with particle size below 5000 atoms per particle. Silver nanoparticles of any given size below 1000 atoms had much higher stability (30 to 70 kilojoules per mole of silver atoms) on reduced CeO2(111) than on MgO(100). This effect is the result of the very large adhesion energy (approximately 2.3 joules per square meter) of Ag nanoparticles to reduced CeO2(111), which we found to be a result of strong bonding to both defects and CeO2(111) terraces, apparently localized by lattice strain. These results explain the unusual sinter resistance of late transition metal catalysts when supported on ceria.

Impacts of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle Size, Pore Ordering, and Pore Integrity on Hemolytic Activity

Abstract: This paper uses the measure of hemolysis to evaluate the toxicity of nonporous and porous silica nanoparticles with varied sizes and investigates the effects of porous structure and integrity on the nanoparticle−cell interaction. The results show that both nonporous and porous silica cause red blood cell membrane damage in a concentration- and size-dependent manner. In the case of mesoporous silica nanoparticles, the size-dependent hemolysis effect is only present when the nanoparticles have long-range ordered porous structure, revealing that pore structure is critical in cell−nanoparticle interactions. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles show lower hemolytic activity than their nonporous counterparts of similar size, likely due to fewer silanol groups on the cell-contactable surface of the porous silica nanoparticles. The extent of hemolysis by mesoporous silica nanoparticles increases as the pore structure is compromised by mild aging in phosphate-buffered solutions, initiating mesopore collapse. The pore i...

Lock and key colloids

Abstract: New functional materials can in principle be created using colloids that self-assemble into a desired structure by means of a programmable recognition and binding scheme. This idea has been explored by attaching 'programmed' DNA strands to nanometre- and micrometre- sized particles and then using DNA hybridization to direct the placement of the particles in the final assembly. Here we demonstrate an alternative recognition mechanism for directing the assembly of composite structures, based on particles with complementary shapes. Our system, which uses Fischer's lock-and-key principle, employs colloidal spheres as keys and monodisperse colloidal particles with a spherical cavity as locks that bind spontaneously and reversibly via the depletion interaction. The lock-and-key binding is specific because it is controlled by how closely the size of a spherical colloidal key particle matches the radius of the spherical cavity of the lock particle. The strength of the binding can be further tuned by adjusting the solution composition or temperature. The composite assemblies have the unique feature of having flexible bonds, allowing us to produce flexible dimeric, trimeric and tetrameric colloidal molecules as well as more complex colloidal polymers. We expect that this lock-and-key recognition mechanism will find wider use as a means of programming and directing colloidal self-assembly.

On the structural and surface properties of transition-metal nanoparticles in ionic liquids

Abstract: Ionic liquids (ILs), in particular imidazolium-based ILs, have proven to be suitable media for the generation and stabilisation of soluble metal nanoparticles (NPs). Indeed, transition-metal NPs with small sizes, narrow size distribution and different shapes have been prepared by reduction of organometallic compounds with molecular hydrogen, decomposition of transition-metal complexes in the zero-valent state, metal bombardment or simple transfer for previously prepared water- or classical organic solvent-soluble colloids to the ILs. The formation and stabilisation of NPs in these highly hydrogen bonded organised supramolecular fluids occur with the re-organisation of the hydrogen bond network and the generation of nanostructures with polar and non-polar regions, including the NPs. The IL forms a protective layer, which is probably composed of imidazolium aggregates located immediately adjacent to the nanoparticle surface, which provides both steric and electronic protection against aggregation and/or agglomeration. These stable transition-metal NPs immobilised in the ILs have proven to be efficient green catalysts for several reactions in multiphase conditions and also novel materials for chemical sensors. In this critical review, the structural/surface properties of these soluble metal NPs dispersed in ILs and their application in catalysis and as chemical sensors are discussed, with particular attention paid to the stabilisation models proposed to explain the stability and properties of these metal NPs (219 references).

Recent Progress on Silica Coating of Nanoparticles and Related Nanomaterials

Abstract: This chapter provides a brief overview of recent progress in the synthesis of silica-coated nanomaterials and their significant impact in different areas such as spectroscopy, magnetism, catalysis, and biology. The need to increase the topological complexity of colloid-based structures for the creation of designer materials with specific functionalities demands a better understanding of the relationships between material topology and material function. A number of reports have been devoted to silica coating of colloidal nanoparticles by aqueous classical methods such as Stober synthesis, use of silane coupling agents, and the sodium silicate water-glass methodology. Microemulsions are macroscopically homogeneous mixtures of water, organic solvent (oil), and surfactant, which on the microscopic level consist of heterogeneous domains of water and organic solvent separated by a surfactant monolayer. Various general approaches toward silica coating of inorganic nanoparticles within W/O microemulsions have been considered so far.

Uniform Mesoporous Dye-Doped Silica Nanoparticles Decorated with Multiple Magnetite Nanocrystals for Simultaneous Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Fluorescence Imaging, and Drug Delivery

Abstract: Highly versatile nanocomposite nanoparticles were synthesized by decorating the surface of mesoporous dye-doped silica nanoparticles with multiple magnetite nanocrystals. The superparamagnetic property of the magnetite nanocrystals enabled the nanoparticles to be used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and the dye molecule in the silica framework imparted optical imaging modality. Integrating a multitude of magnetite nanocrystals on the silica surface resulted in remarkable enhancement of MR signal due to the synergistic magnetism. An anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), could be loaded in the pores and induced efficient cell death. In vivo passive targeting and accumulation of the nanoparticles at the tumor sites was confirmed by both T2 MR and fluorescence imaging. Furthermore, apoptotic morphology was clearly detected in tumor tissues of mice treated with DOX loaded nanocomposite nanoparticles, demonstrating that DOX was successfully delivered to the tumor sites and its anticancer activity was retained.

Polymer-Nanoparticle Composites: From Synthesis to Modern Applications

Abstract: The addition of inorganic spherical nanoparticles to polymers allows the modification of the polymers physical properties as well as the implementation of new features in the polymer matrix. This review article covers considerations on special features of inorganic nanoparticles, the most important synthesis methods for ceramic nanoparticles and nanocomposites, nanoparticle surface modification, and composite formation, including drawbacks. Classical nanocomposite properties, as thermomechanical, dielectric, conductive, magnetic, as well as optical properties, will be summarized. Finally, typical existing and potential applications will be shown with the focus on new and innovative applications, like in energy storage systems.

Green synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles using Hibiscus rosa sinensis

Abstract: Biological synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles of various shapes using the leaf extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis is reported. This is a simple, cost-effective, stable for long time and reproducible aqueous room temperature synthesis method to obtain a self-assembly of Au and Ag nanoparticles. The size and shape of Au nanoparticles are modulated by varying the ratio of metal salt and extract in the reaction medium. Variation of pH of the reaction medium gives silver nanoparticles of different shapes. The nanoparticles obtained are characterized by UV–vis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR spectroscopy. Crystalline nature of the nanoparticles in the fcc structure are confirmed by the peaks in the XRD pattern corresponding to (1 1 1), (2 0 0), (2 2 0) and (3 1 1) planes, bright circular spots in the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and clear lattice fringes in the high-resolution TEM image. From FTIR spectra it is found that the Au nanoparticles are bound to amine groups and the Ag nanoparticles to carboxylate ion groups.