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Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Nanoscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2023) | Viewed by 40333

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Dr. Raghvendra Singh Yadav

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Centre of Polymer Systems, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 76001 Zlin, Czech Republic
Interests: magnetic materials; dielectric materials; electrical properties; luminescent nanomaterials; micro-wave absorbing materials; ceramics; materials chemistry; soft matter; nanostructured materials; materials for energy; semiconductor materials; nano-bio composite materials; metals and alloys; nanocomposites; functional materials; optical materials; graphene; polymer nanocomposites; graphene nanocomposites; graphene quantum dots; nanoparticles; structural properties; magnetic properties; dielectric properties; magnetically recoverable efficient photo-catalysts; data storage; gas sensing; magnetoresistance; other physical properties; synthesis; characterization; hyperthermia cancer treatment; drug delivery; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents; magnetic refrigeration (MR); spintronic devices; ferro-fluids; anode materials for Li-ion batteries; microwave devices; water splitting for hydrogen production; paint industry; super-capacitors; elect
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Dear Colleagues,

Multifunctional nanomaterials consist of smart nanoparticles with two or more engineered properties/characteristics. These multifunctional nanomaterials exhibit remarkable structural and physical properties, which have led to an increase in their industrial applications. In addition, biomolecules can be functionalized on the surface of nanoparticles for their potential applications in the biomedical field.

This Special Issue focuses on the development, characterization, and analysis of advanced multifunctional nanomaterials for various applications, including photocatalysts, anode materials for Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells, photovoltaics, data storage, gas sensing, chemical sensors, biosensors, magnetoresistance, hyperthermia cancer treatment, drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, magnetic refrigeration (MR), spintronic devices, ferrofluids, microwave devices, water splitting for hydrogen production, the paint industry, electromagnetic interference shielding or microwave absorbers, etc.

For this Special Issue, we would like to invite researchers to contribute original research articles as well as review articles on ‘‘Multifunctional Nanomaterials’’ focusing on synthesis, properties, and applications.

Dr. Raghvendra Singh Yadav
Guest Editor

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Keywords

photocatalysis
anode materials for Li-ion batteries
photovoltaics
sensors
biomedical applications
environmental applications
energy storage applications
energy harvesting applications
biomolecules functionalized on the surface of nanoparticles

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 167 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0

by Raghvendra Singh Yadav

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 7619; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087619 - 21 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1265

Abstract

This Special Issue, “Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications 2 [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

11 pages, 6082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Highly Selective Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction to C₂ Products on a g-C₃N₄-Supported Copper-Based Catalyst

by Zijun Yan and Tao Wu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(22), 14381; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232214381 - 19 Nov 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2557

Abstract

Herein, a novel approach used to enhance the conversion of electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂R), as well as the capacity to produce C₂ products, is reported. A copper oxide catalyst supported by graphite phase carbon nitride (CuO/g-C₃N₄) was prepared using a one-step hydrothermal method and exhibited a better performance than pure copper oxide nanosheets (CuO NSs) and spherical copper oxide particles (CuO SPs). The Faradaic efficiency reached 64.7% for all the C₂ products, specifically 37.0% for C₂H₄, with a good durability at −1.0 V vs. RHE. The results suggest that the interaction between CuO and the two-dimensional g-C₃N₄ planes promoted CO₂ adsorption, its activation and C-C coupling. This work offers a practical method that can be used to enhance the activity of electrochemical CO₂R and the selectivity of C₂ products through synergistic effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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15 pages, 4788 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oxidative Precipitation Synthesis of Calcium-Doped Manganese Ferrite Nanoparticles for Magnetic Hyperthermia

by Sérgio R. S. Veloso, Raquel G. D. Andrade, Valéria Gomes, Carlos O. Amorim, Vítor S. Amaral, Verónica Salgueiriño, Paulo J. G. Coutinho, Paula M. T. Ferreira, Miguel A. Correa-Duarte and Elisabete M. S. Castanheira

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(22), 14145; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232214145 - 16 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2827

Abstract

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are of high interest for therapeutic applications. In this work, nanoparticles of calcium-doped manganese ferrites (Ca_xMn_1−xFe₂O₄) functionalized with citrate were synthesized through thermally assisted oxidative precipitation in aqueous media. The method provided well dispersed aqueous suspensions of nanoparticles through a one-pot synthesis, in which the temperature and Ca/Mn ratio were found to influence the particles microstructure and morphology. Consequently, changes were obtained in the optical and magnetic properties that were studied through UV-Vis absorption and SQUID, respectively. XRD and Raman spectroscopy studies were carried out to assess the microstructural changes associated with stoichiometry of the particles, and the stability in physiological pH was studied through DLS. The nanoparticles displayed high values of magnetization and heating efficiency for several alternating magnetic field conditions, compatible with biological applications. Hereby, the employed method provides a promising strategy for the development of particles with adequate properties for magnetic hyperthermia applications, such as drug delivery and cancer therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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14 pages, 2715 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polydopamine Nanoparticles Functionalized Electrochemical DNA Aptasensor for Serum Glycated Albumin Detection

by Pornsuda Maraming, Nang Noon Shean Aye, Patcharee Boonsiri, Sakda Daduang, Onanong Buhome and Jureerut Daduang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(22), 13699; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232213699 - 8 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2363

Abstract

Polydopamine (PDA) has now been widely applied to electrochemical biosensing because of its excellent biocompatibility, abundant functional groups, and facile preparation. In this study, polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs)-functionalized electrochemical aptasensor was developed for the rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective detection of glycated albumin (GA), a promising biomarker for glycemic control in diabetic patients. PDA-NPs were synthesized at various pH conditions in Tris buffer. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) of PDA-NPs-coated screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) revealed that the materials were more conductive when PDA-NPs were synthesized at pH 9.5 and 10.5 than that at pH 8.5. At pH 10.5, the prepared PDA and PDA-aptamer NPs were monodispersed spherical morphology with an average size of 118.0 ± 1.9 and 127.8 ± 2.0 nm, respectively. When CV and electrochemical impedance spectrometry (EIS) were used for the characterization and detection of the electrochemical aptasensor under optimal conditions, the proposed aptasensor exhibited a broad linearity for detection of GA at a clinically relevant range of (1–10,000 µg mL⁻¹), provided a low detection limit of 0.40 µg mL⁻¹, appreciable reproducibility (less than 10%), and practicality (recoveries 90–104%). In addition, our developed aptasensor presented a great selectivity towards GA, compared to interfering substances commonly present in human serum, such as human serum albumin, urea, glucose, and bilirubin. Furthermore, the evaluation of the aptasensor performance against GA-spiked serum samples showed its probable applicability for clinical use. The developed PDA aptasensor demonstrated excellent sensitivity and selectivity towards GA detection with a simple and facile fabrication process. This proposed technique shows its potential application in GA measurement for improving the screening and management of diabetic patients in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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14 pages, 3403 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrochemically Activated CNT Sheet as a Cathode for Zn-CO₂ Batteries

by Daniel Rui Chen, Megha Chitranshi, Vesselin Shanov and Mark Schulz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012602 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1969

Abstract

High demand for electrochemical storage devices is increasing the need for high-performance batteries. A Zn-CO₂ battery offers a promising solution for CO₂ reduction as well as energy storage applications. For this study, a Zn-CO₂ battery was fabricated using a Carbon Nanotube (CNT) sheet as a cathode and a Zn plate as an anode. The electrochemical activation technique was used to increase the surface area of the CNT electrode by roughly 4.5 times. Copper (Cu) as a catalyst was then deposited onto the activated CNT electrode using electrodeposition method and different Cu loadings were investigated to optimize CO₂ reduction. The final assembled Zn-CO₂ battery has a 1.6 V output voltage at a current density of 0.063 mA/cm², which is higher than most devices reported in the literature. This study demonstrates the importance of activation process which enabled more catalyst loading on the cathode resulted in additional active sites for electroreduction process. This paper presents the activated CNT sheet as a promising cathode material for Zn-CO₂ batteries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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14 pages, 4664 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Crystal Design and Photoactivity of TiO₂ Nanorod Template Decorated with Nanostructured Bi₂S₃ Visible Light Sensitizer

by Yuan-Chang Liang, Shao-Yu You and Bo-Yue Chen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 12024; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231912024 - 10 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1915

Abstract

In this study, TiO₂-Bi₂S₃ composites with various morphologies were synthesized through hydrothermal vulcanization with sputtering deposited Bi₂O₃ sacrificial layer method on the TiO₂ nanorod templates. The morphologies of decorated Bi₂S₃ nanostructures on the TiO₂ nanorod templates are controlled by the duration of hydrothermal vulcanization treatment. The Bi₂S₃ crystals in lumpy filament, nanowire, and nanorod feature were decorated on the TiO₂ nanorod template after 1, 3, and 5 h hydrothermal vulcanization, respectively. Comparatively, TiO₂-Bi₂S₃ composites with Bi₂S₃ nanowires exhibit the best photocurrent density, the lowest interfacial resistance value and the highest photodegradation efficiency towards Rhodamine B solution. The possible Z-scheme photoinduced charge separation mechanism and suitable morphology of Bi₂S₃ nanowires might account for the high photoactivity of TiO₂ nanorod-Bi₂S₃ nanowire composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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13 pages, 3134 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Spherical Cellulose Nanocrystals from Microcrystalline Cellulose by Mixed Acid Hydrolysis with Different Pretreatment Routes

by Peng Zhu, Luyao Feng, Zejun Ding and Xuechun Bai

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(18), 10764; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810764 - 15 Sep 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4852

Abstract

Spherical cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), as a high value cellulose derivative, shows an excellent application potential in biomedicine, food packaging, energy storage, and many other fields due to its special structure. CNC is usually prepared by the mixed acid hydrolysis method from numerous cellulose raw materials. However, the pretreatment route in preparing spherical CNC from cellulose fiber is still used when choosing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as the raw material, which is not rigorous and economical. In this work, pretreatment effects on the properties of spherical CNC produced from MCC by mixed acid hydrolysis were systematically studied. Firstly, the necessity of the swelling process in pretreatment was examined. Secondly, the form effects of pretreated MCC (slurry or powder form) before acid hydrolysis in the preparation of spherical CNC were carefully investigated. The results show that the swelling process is not indispensable. Furthermore, the form of pretreated MCC also has a certain influence on the morphology, crystallinity, and thermal stability of spherical CNC. Thus, spherical CNC with different properties can be economically prepared from MCC by selecting different pretreatment routes through mixed acid hydrolysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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15 pages, 7801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facile Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Silver Nanostars for Ultrasensitive Detection of Biological Analytes by SERS

by Radu Nicolae Revnic, Gabriela Fabiola Știufiuc, Valentin Toma, Anca Onaciu, Alin Moldovan, Adrian Bogdan Țigu, Eva Fischer-Fodor, Romulus Tetean, Emil Burzo and Rareș Ionuț Știufiuc

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(15), 8830; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23158830 - 8 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3525

Abstract

We report a very simple, rapid and reproducible method for the fabrication of anisotropic silver nanostars (AgNS) that can be successfully used as highly efficient SERS substrates for different bioanalytes, even in the case of a near-infra-red (NIR) excitation laser. The nanostars have been synthesized using the chemical reduction of Ag⁺ ions by trisodium citrate. This is the first research reporting the synthesis of AgNS using only trisodium citrate as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The key elements of this original synthesis procedure are rapid hydrothermal synthesis of silver nanostars followed by a cooling down procedure by immersion in a water bath. The synthesis was performed in a sealed bottom flask homogenously heated and brought to a boil in a microwave oven. After 60 s, the colloidal solution was cooled down to room temperature by immersion in a water bath at 35 °C. The as-synthesized AgNS were washed by centrifugation and used for SERS analysis of test molecules (methylene blue) as well as biological analytes: pharmaceutical compounds with various Raman cross sections (doxorubicin, atenolol & metoprolol), cell lysates and amino acids (methionine & cysteine). UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, (Scanning) Transmission Electron Microscopy ((S)TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) have been employed for investigating nanostars’ physical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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13 pages, 1088 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomimetic Nanosponges Enable the Detoxification of Vibrio vulnificus Hemolysin

by Shuaijun Zou, Qianqian Wang, Peipei Zhang, Bo Wang, Guoyan Liu, Fuhai Zhang, Jie Li, Fan Wang, Beilei Wang and Liming Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(12), 6821; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126821 - 19 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2542

Abstract

Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus) infection-associated multiple antibiotic resistance has raised serious public health concerns. Recently, nanosponges (NSs) have been expected to provide innovative platforms for addressing antibacterial and drug-resistant challenges by targeting various pore-forming toxins (PFTs). In the present study, we constructed NSs to explore the effects and possible mechanism of recombinant V. vulnificus hemolysin (rVvhA)-induced injuries. In vitro, NSs significantly reversed rVvhA-induced apoptosis and necrosis, and improved toxin-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, and apoptosis signaling pathway disruption. To explore the clinical translation potential of NSs, we established VvhA-induced septicemia and wound infection mouse models, respectively, and further found NSs could notably attenuate rVvhA-induced acute toxicity and septicemia-associated inflammation, as well as local tissue damage. In a conclusion, NSs showed excellent protective effects against rVvhA-induced toxicity, thus providing useful insights into addressing the rising threats of severe V. vulnificus infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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15 pages, 3986 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optical and Material Characteristics of MoS₂/Cu₂O Sensor for Detection of Lung Cancer Cell Types in Hydroplegia

by Arvind Mukundan, Shih-Wei Feng, Yu-Hsin Weng, Yu-Ming Tsao, Sofya B. Artemkina, Vladimir E. Fedorov, Yen-Sheng Lin, Yu-Cheng Huang and Hsiang-Chen Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(9), 4745; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23094745 - 25 Apr 2022

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 3810

Abstract

In this study, n-type MoS₂ monolayer flakes are grown through chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and a p-type Cu₂O thin film is grown via electrochemical deposition. The crystal structure of the grown MoS₂ flakes is analyzed through transmission electron microscopy. The monolayer structure of the MoS₂ flakes is verified with Raman spectroscopy, multiphoton excitation microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. After the preliminary processing of the grown MoS₂ flakes, the sample is then transferred onto a Cu₂O thin film to complete a p-n heterogeneous structure. Data are confirmed via scanning electron microscopy, SHG, and Raman mapping measurements. The luminous energy gap between the two materials is examined through PL measurements. Results reveal that the thickness of the single-layer MoS₂ film is 0.7 nm. PL mapping shows a micro signal generated at the 627 nm wavelength, which belongs to the B2 excitons of MoS₂ and tends to increase gradually when it approaches 670 nm. Finally, the biosensor is used to detect lung cancer cell types in hydroplegia significantly reducing the current busy procedures and longer waiting time for detection. The results suggest that the fabricated sensor is highly sensitive to the change in the photocurrent with the number of each cell, the linear regression of the three cell types is as high as 99%. By measuring the slope of the photocurrent, we can identify the type of cells and the number of cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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Review

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18 pages, 2528 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nanomaterials: A Review about Halloysite Nanotubes, Properties, and Application in the Biological Field

by Giuseppa Biddeci, Gaetano Spinelli, Paolo Colomba and Francesco Di Blasi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11518; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911518 - 29 Sep 2022

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4512

Abstract

The use of synthetic materials and the attention towards environmental hazards and toxicity impose the development of green composites with natural origins. Clay is one of the candidates for this approach. Halloysite is a natural clay mineral, a member of the Kaolin group, with characteristic tubular morphology, usually named halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). The different surface chemistry of halloysite allows the selective modification of both the external surface and the inner lumen by supramolecular or covalent interactions. An interesting aspect of HNTs is related to the possibility of introducing different species that can be released more slowly compared to the pristine compound. Due to their unique hollow morphology and large cavity, HNTs can be employed as an optimal natural nanocarrier. This review discusses the structure, properties, and application of HNTs in the biological field, highlighting their high biocompatibility, and analyse the opportunity to use new HNT hybrids as drug carriers and delivery systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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15 pages, 4069 KiB

Open AccessReview

Latest Advances in Metasurfaces for SERS and SEIRA Sensors as Well as Photocatalysis

by Grégory Barbillon

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(18), 10592; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810592 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2724

Abstract

Metasurfaces can enable the confinement of electromagnetic fields on huge surfaces and zones, and they can thus be applied to biochemical sensing by using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA). Indeed, these metasurfaces have been examined for SERS and SEIRA sensing thanks to the presence of a wide density of hotspots and confined optical modes within their structures. Moreover, some metasurfaces allow an accurate enhancement of the excitation and emission processes for the SERS effect by supporting resonances at frequencies of these processes. Finally, the metasurfaces allow the enhancement of the absorption capacity of the solar light and the generation of a great number of catalytic active sites in order to more quickly produce the surface reactions. Here, we outline the latest advances in metasurfaces for SERS and SEIRA sensors as well as photocatalysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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20 pages, 4354 KiB

Open AccessReview

Reporter Genes for Brain Imaging Using MRI, SPECT and PET

by Tianxin Gao, Pei Wang, Teng Gong, Ying Zhou, Ancong Wang, Xiaoying Tang, Xiaolei Song and Yingwei Fan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(15), 8443; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23158443 - 30 Jul 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3693

Abstract

The use of molecular imaging technologies for brain imaging can not only play an important supporting role in disease diagnosis and treatment but can also be used to deeply study brain functions. Recently, with the support of reporter gene technology, optical imaging has achieved a breakthrough in brain function studies at the molecular level. Reporter gene technology based on traditional clinical imaging modalities is also expanding. By benefiting from the deeper imaging depths and wider imaging ranges now possible, these methods have led to breakthroughs in preclinical and clinical research. This article focuses on the applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET) reporter gene technologies for use in brain imaging. The tracking of cell therapies and gene therapies is the most successful and widely used application of these techniques. Meanwhile, breakthroughs have been achieved in the research and development of reporter genes and their imaging probe pairs with respect to brain function research. This paper introduces the imaging principles and classifications of the reporter gene technologies of these imaging modalities, lists the relevant brain imaging applications, reviews their characteristics, and discusses the opportunities and challenges faced by clinical imaging modalities based on reporter gene technology. The conclusion is provided in the last section. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications 2.0)

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