Publications
271 results found
Qin H, Wu D, Sathian J, et al., 2018, Tuning the upconversion photoluminescence lifetimes of NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ through lanthanide Gd3+ doping, Scientific Reports, Vol: 8, ISSN: 2045-2322
The multiplexing capacity of conventional fluorescence materials are significantly limited by spectral overlap and background interference, mainly due to their short-lived fluorescence lifetimes. Here, we adopt a novel Gd3+ doping strategy in NaYF4 host materials, realized tuning of upconversion photoluminescence (UCPL) lifetimes at selective emissions. Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC), was applied to measure the photoluminescence lifetimes accurately. We demonstrated the large dynamic range of lifetimes of upconversion nanoparticles with good upconversion quantum yields, mainly owing to the dominance of high efficient energy transfer upconversion mechanism. The exceptional tunable properties of upconversion materials allow great potential for them to be utilized in biotechnology and life sciences.
Ellis T, Chiappi M, García-Trenco A, et al., 2018, Multimetallic microparticles increase the potency of rifampicin against intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis, ACS Nano, Vol: 12, Pages: 5228-5240, ISSN: 1936-0851
Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( M.tb) has the extraordinary ability to adapt to the administration of antibiotics through the development of resistance mechanisms. By rapidly exporting drugs from within the cytosol, these pathogenic bacteria diminish antibiotic potency and drive the presentation of drug-tolerant tuberculosis (TB). The membrane integrity of M.tb is pivotal in retaining these drug-resistant traits. Silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are established antimicrobial agents that effectively compromise membrane stability, giving rise to increased bacterial permeability to antibiotics. In this work, biodegradable multimetallic microparticles (MMPs), containing Ag NPs and ZnO NPs, were developed for use in pulmonary delivery of antituberculous drugs to the endosomal system of M.tb-infected macrophages. Efficient uptake of MMPs by M.tb-infected THP1 cells was demonstrated using an in vitro macrophage infection model, with direct interaction between MMPs and M.tb visualized with the use of electron FIB-SEM tomography. The release of Ag NPs and ZnO NPs within the macrophage endosomal system increased the potency of the model antibiotic rifampicin by as much as 76%, realized through an increase in membrane disorder of intracellular M.tb. MMPs were effective at independently driving membrane destruction of extracellular bacilli located at the exterior face of THP1 macrophages. This MMP system presents as an effective drug delivery vehicle that could be used for the transport of antituberculous drugs such as rifampicin to infected alveolar macrophages, while increasing drug potency. By increasing M.tb membrane permeability, such a system may prove effectual in improving treatment of drug-susceptible TB in addition to M.tb strains considered drug-resistant.
Wang T, Centeno A, Darvill D, et al., 2018, Tuneable fluorescence enhancement over nanostructured ZnO arrays with controlled morphology, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Vol: 21, Pages: 14828-14834, ISSN: 1463-9076
Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) have been demonstrated as a promising platform for enhanced fluorescence-based sensing. It is, however, desirable to achieve a tuneable fluorescence enhancement with these platforms so that the fluorescence output can be adjusted based on the real need. Here we show that the fluorescence enhancement can be tuned by changing the diameter of the ZnO nanorods, simply controlled by potassium chloride (KCl) concentration during synthesis, using arrays of previously developed aligned NRs (a.k.a. aligned NR forests) and nanoflowers (NFs). Combining the experimental results obtained from ZnO nanostructures with controlled morphology and computer-aided verification, we show that the fluorescence enhancement factor increases when ZnO NRs become thicker. The fluorescence enhancement factor of NF arrays is shown to have a much stronger dependency on the rod diameter than that of aligned NR arrays. We prove that the morphology of nanostructures, which can be controlled, can be an important factor for fluorescence enhancement. Our (i) effort towards understanding the structure–property relationships of ZnO nanostructured arrays and (ii) demonstration on tuneable fluorescence enhancement by nanostructure engineering can provide some guidance towards the rational design of future fluorescence amplification platforms potentially for bio-sensing.
Sk MH, Abdullah AM, Qi J, et al., 2018, The effects of Cr/Mo micro-alloying on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel in CO2-saturated (sweet) brine under hydrodynamic control, JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY, Vol: 165, Pages: C278-C288, ISSN: 0013-4651
The effects of micro-alloying of plain carbon steel with Cr and Mo on the corrosion behavior in CO2-saturated (sweet) brine (0.5 MNaCl, pH 6.6) environment, under hydrodynamic conditions, at 80◦C were investigated. Crystalline siderite/chukanovite scalesformed on all the alloys. Analysis of potentiostatic current transient data suggest that there exists a synergistic interaction betweenCr and Mo, which induces more rapid crystallization of the scale compared to Mo-free steels. Increasing the Mo content alsosuppressed the transport-dependent dissolution current passing through the initially-present amorphous surface film. TEM imagesof the FIB-sectioned corrosion scales confirm that the corrosion scale formed on 1Cr0.7Mo is comparatively thinner and yet offersgreater protectiveness when compared to the plain carbon steel.
Botelho D, Leo BF, Massa C, et al., 2018, Exposure to silver nanospheres leads to altered respiratory mechanics and delayed immune response in an in vivo Murine model, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Vol: 9, ISSN: 1663-9812
Here we examine the organ level toxicology of both carbon black (CB) and silver nanoparticles (AgNP). We aim to determine metal-specific effects to respiratory function, inflammation and potential interactions with lung lining fluid (LLF). C57Bl6/J male mice were intratracheally instilled with saline (control), low (0.05 μg/g) or high (0.5 μg/g) doses of either AgNP or CB 15 nm nanospheres. Lung histology, cytology, surfactant composition and function, inflammatory gene expression, and pulmonary function were measured at 1, 3, and 7 days post-exposure. Acutely, high dose CB resulted in an inflammatory response, increased neutrophilia and cytokine production, without alteration in surfactant composition or respiratory mechanics. Low dose CB had no effect. Neither low nor high dose AgNPs resulted in an acute inflammatory response, but there was an increase in work of breathing. Three days post-exposure with CB, a persistent neutrophilia was noted. High dose AgNP resulted in an elevated number of macrophages and invasion of lymphocytes. Additionally, AgNP treated mice displayed increased expression of IL1B, IL6, CCL2, and IL10. However, there were no significant changes in respiratory mechanics. At day 7, inflammation had resolved in AgNP-treated mice, but tissue stiffness and resistance were significantly decreased, which was accompanied by an increase in surfactant protein D (SP-D) content. These data demonstrate that the presence of metal alters the response of the lung to nanoparticle exposure. AgNP-surfactant interactions may alter respiratory function and result in a delayed immune response, potentially due to modified airway epithelial cell function.
Koronfel MA, Goode AE, Weker JN, et al., 2018, Understanding the reactivity of CoCrMo-implant wear particles, npj Materials Degradation, Vol: 2, ISSN: 2397-2106
CoCrMo-based metal-on-metal hip implants experienced unexpectedly high failure rates despite the high wear and corrosion resistance of the bulk material. Although they exhibit a lower volumetric wear compared to other implant materials, CoCrMo-based implants produced a significantly larger 'number' of smaller wear particles. CoCrMo is nominally an extremely stable material with high Cr content providing passivity. However, despite the Co:Cr ratio in the original alloy being 2:1; chemical analyses of wear particles from periprosthetic tissue have found the particles to be composed predominately of Cr species, with only trace amounts of Co remaining. Here a correlative spectroscopy and microscopy approach has shown that these particles dissolve via a non-stoichiometric, and geometrically inhomogeneous, mechanism similar to de-alloying. This mechanism is previously unreported for this material and was not apparent in any of the regulatory required tests, suggesting that such tests are insufficiently discriminating.
Zhang Y, Cao M, Lv H, et al., 2018, Electrodeposited nanometer-size IrO2/Ti electrodes with 0.3 mg IrO2 cm(-2) for sludge dewatering electrolysers, ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA, Vol: 265, Pages: 507-513, ISSN: 0013-4686
Cal E, Qi J, Preedy O, et al., 2018, Functionalised magnetic nanoparticles for uranium adsorption with ultra-high capacity and selectivity, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Vol: 6, Pages: 3063-3073, ISSN: 2050-7496
The removal of radioactive contaminants from the environment for safe and efficient waste disposal is a critical challenge, requiring the development of novel selective and high-capacity sequestering materials. In this paper the design of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as highly efficient magnetic-sorbent structures for uranium (U(VI)) separation is described. The nanosorbent was developed by surface functionalisation of single crystalline magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles with a phosphate-based complex coating. This new design allowed for the development of a magnetically separable ultra-effective sorbent, with a measured U(VI) sorption capacity of ∼2333 mg U per g Fe (1690 mg U per g Fe3O4 NP), significantly higher than everything previously reported. Based on TEM analysis, it is proposed that these properties are the result of a multi-layer ligand structure, which enables a high degree of U-incorporation compared to conventional surface-ligand systems. Moreover, the phosphate-NP construct ((PO)x-Fe3O4) shows exceptionally high specificity for the sequestration of U(VI) in solution at pH 7. Adsorption tests in the presence of competing ions, such as Sr(II), Ca(II) and Mg(II), showed high selectivity of the nanoparticles for U(VI) and extremely rapid kinetics of contaminant removal from solution, with the total amount of uranyl ions being removed after only 60 seconds of contact with the NPs. The results presented in this paper highlight the potential of such a phosphate-functionalised magnetic nanosorbent as a highly effective material for the remediation of U(VI) from contaminated water and industrial scenarios.
Hassan Sk M, Abdullah AM, Ryan MP, et al., 2018, Mo-mediated corrosion behaviour of 1 Cr - Carbon steel in sweet medium under hydrodynamic control, ISSN: 0361-4409
The effects of micro-alloying of plain carbon steel with Mo (0.7 wt.%) in the presence of 1 wt.% Cr on the corrosion behaviour and scale protectiveness in CO2 saturated (sweet) brine (0.5 M NaCl) environment, under hydrodynamic conditions, at 80°C in a slightly acidic environment (pH 6.6) were investigated. Potentiostatic current transients suggest that there exists a synergistic interaction of Cr and Mo, which induces more rapid scale crystallization compared to the Mo-free steel. The presence of Mo also suppressed the current passing through corrosion scale. SEM images suggested that 1Cr.0.7Mo steel induced formation of thinner scale with better protectiveness compared to their non-Mo counterparts. From the mechanistic perspective, we suggest that the addition of small amounts of Mo induces formation of a crystalline scale at short times and then it accelerates the growth of that crystalline layer, by modifying the local environment at the steel surface. Modeling of this hypothesis is currently in progress.
Meyer N, Rivera LR, Ellis T, et al., 2018, Bioactive and Antibacterial Coatings Based on Zein/Bioactive Glass Composites by Electrophoretic Deposition, COATINGS, Vol: 8, ISSN: 2079-6412
Skinner SJ, ryan MP, pramana S, et al., 2017, Crystal structure and surface characteristics of Sr-doped GdBaCo2O6-δ double perovskites: oxygen evolution reaction and conductivity, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Vol: 6, Pages: 5335-5345, ISSN: 2050-7496
A cheap and direct solution towards engineering better catalysts through identification of novel materials is required for a sustainable energy system. Perovskite oxides have emerged as potential candidates to replace the less economically attractive Pt and IrO2 water splitting catalysts. In this work, excellent electrical conductivity (980 S cm−1) was found for the double perovskite of composition GdBa0.6Sr0.4Co2O6−δ which is consistent with a better oxygen evolution reaction activity with the onset polarisation of 1.51 V with respect to a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). GdBa1−xSrxCo2O6−δ with increasing Sr content was found to crystallise in the higher symmetry tetragonal P4/mmm space group in comparison with the undoped GdBaCo2O6−δ which is orthorhombic (Pmmm), and yields higher oxygen uptake, accompanied by higher Co oxidation states. This outstanding electrochemical performance is explained by the wider carrier bandwidth, which is a function of Co–O–Co buckling angles and Co–O bond lengths. Furthermore the higher oxygen evolution activity was observed despite the formation of non-lattice oxides (mainly hydroxide species) and enrichment of alkaline earth ions on the surface.
Luongo G, Perez JE, Kosel J, et al., 2017, Scalable high-affinity stabilization of magnetic iron oxide nanostructures by a biocompatible antifouling homopolymer, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Vol: 9, Pages: 40059-40069, ISSN: 1944-8244
Iron oxide nanostructures have been widely developed for biomedical applications, due to their magnetic properties and biocompatibility. In clinical application, the stabilization of these nanostructures against aggregation and non-specific interactions is typically achieved using weakly anchored polysaccharides, with better-defined and more strongly anchored synthetic polymers not commercially adopted due to complexity of synthesis and use. Here, we show for the first time stabilization and biocompatibilization of iron oxide nanoparticles by a synthetic homopolymer with strong surface anchoring and a history of clinical use in other applications, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethy phosphorylcholine) (poly(MPC)). For the commercially important case of spherical particles, binding of poly(MPC) to iron oxide surfaces and highly effective individualization of magnetite nanoparticles (20 nm) are demonstrated. Next-generation high-aspect ratio nanowires (both magnetite/maghemite and core-shell iron/iron oxide) are furthermore stabilized by poly(MPC)-coating, with nanowire cytotoxicity at large concentrations significantly reduced. The synthesis approach is exploited to incorporate functionality into the poly(MPC) chain is demonstrated by random copolymerization with an alkyne-containing monomer for click-chemistry. Taking these results together, poly(MPC) homopolymers and random copolymers offer a significant improvement over current iron oxide nanoformulations, combining straightforward synthesis, strong surface-anchoring and well-defined molecular weight.
Theodorou IG, Muller KH, Chen S, et al., 2017, Silver Nanowire Particle Reactivity with Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophage Cells: Intracellular Availability of Silver Governs Their Cytotoxicity, ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING, Vol: 3, Pages: 2336-2347, ISSN: 2373-9878
Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are increasingly being used in the production of optoelectronic devices, with manufacturing processes posing a risk for occupational exposures via inhalation. Although some studies have explored the environmental effects of AgNWs, few data exist on human health effects. Alveolar macrophages are central in the clearance of inhaled fibers from the lungs, with frustrated phagocytosis often stated as a key determinant for the onset of inflammatory reactions. However, the mechanisms through which fully ingested AgNWs interact with, degrade, and transform within primary macrophages over time, and whether the reactivity of the AgNWs arises due to ionic or particulate effects, or both, are poorly understood. Here, a combination of elemental quantification, 3D tomography, analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and confocal microscopy were employed to monitor the uptake, intracellular Ag+ availability, and processing of AgNWs of two different lengths (1 and 10 μm) inside human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMMs). Using AgNO3 and spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a comparison, the amount of total bioavailable/intracellular Ag highly correlated to the cytotoxicity of AgNWs. The 10 μm AgNWs were completely internalized in HMMs, with numerous lysosomal vesicles observed in close vicinity to the AgNWs. Following cellular uptake, AgNWs dissolved and transformed intracellularly, with precipitation of AgCl as well as Ag2S. These transformation processes were likely due to AgNW degradation in the acidic environment of lysosomes, leading to the release of Ag+ ions that rapidly react with Cl– and SH– species of the cell microenvironment. Our data suggest that, in HMMs, not only frustrated phagocytosis but also the extent of intracellular uptake and dissolution of AgNWs dictates their cytotoxicity.
Theodorou I, Jawad Z, Jiang Q, et al., 2017, Gold Nanostar Substrates for Metal Enhanced Fluorescence through the First and Second Near-Infrared Windows, Chemistry of Materials, Vol: 29, Pages: 6916-6926, ISSN: 1520-5002
Gold nanostars (AuNSs) are receiving increasing attention for their potential applications in bionanotechnology because of their unique optical properties related to their complex branched morphology. Their sharp features allow strong localized surface plasmon resonances, tunable in the near-infrared (NIR) region, and large enhancements of local electromagnetic fields. Here, the application of AuNSs in metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) in the NIR and second NIR (NIR-II) biological windows is explored for the first time. NIR/NIR-II fluorophores are incorporated onto monolayers of AuNSs with tunable plasmonic responses. Over 320-fold fluorescence enhancement is achieved in the NIR, confirming that AuNS substrates are promising NIR-MEF platforms for the development of ultrasensitive biosensing applications. Using fluorescence lifetime measurements to semiquantitatively deconvolute the excitation enhancement from emission enhancement, as well as modeling to simulate the electric field enhancement, we show that a combination of enhanced excitation and an increased radiative decay rate, accompanied by an increase in the quantum yield, contribute to the observed large enhancement. AuNSs with different morphological features exhibit significantly different excitation enhancements, indicating the important role of the particle morphology on the magnitude of electromagnetic field enhancement and the resulting enhancement factor. Importantly, enhancement factors of up to 50-fold are also achieved in the NIR-II region, suggesting that this system holds promise for the future development of bright probes for NIR/NIR-II biosensing and bioimaging.
Qin H, Shamso A, Centeno A, et al., 2017, Enhancing the upconversion photoluminescence of hexagonal phase NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles by mesoporous gold films, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Vol: 19, Pages: 19159-19167, ISSN: 1463-9076
Efficient enhancement of photoluminescence in rare-earth activated upconversion materials is of great significance for their practical applications in various fields. In this work{,} three-dimensional mesoporous gold films were fabricated by a low-cost and facile dealloying approach to improve the upconversion photoluminescence efficiency. The mesoporous Au films exhibit good chemical stability{,} large-area uniformity and abundant distribution of porous nanospaces. Varying the time of the dealloying process leads to modification of pore size distribution{,} surface roughness and residual Ag content{,} resulting in effective tuning the wavelength of the broadband localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Enhancement factors were identified to be a function of the dealloying time. With the optimized upconversion photoluminescence enhancement a 41-fold increase was achieved with the mesoporous gold substrate which had been dealloyed for 8 days. These results pave the way to overcome the limitation of poor upconversion efficiency for widespread practical applications in life sciences and energy applications.
Chung KF, Seiffert J, Chen S, et al., 2017, Inactivation, clearance, and functional effects of lung-instilled short and long silver nanowires in rats, ACS Nano, Vol: 11, Pages: 2652-2664, ISSN: 1936-086X
There is a potential for silver nanowires (AgNWs) to be inhaled, but there is little information on their health effects and their chemical transformation inside the lungs in vivo. We studied the effects of short (S-AgNWs; 1.5 μm) and long (L-AgNWs; 10 μm) nanowires instilled into the lungs of Sprague–Dawley rats. S- and L-AgNWs were phagocytosed and degraded by macrophages; there was no frustrated phagocytosis. Interestingly, both AgNWs were internalized in alveolar epithelial cells, with precipitation of Ag2S on their surface as secondary Ag2S nanoparticles. Quantitative serial block face three-dimensional scanning electron microscopy showed a small, but significant, reduction of NW lengths inside alveolar epithelial cells. AgNWs were also present in the lung subpleural space where L-AgNWs exposure resulted in more Ag+ve macrophages situated within the pleura and subpleural alveoli, compared with the S-AgNWs exposure. For both AgNWs, there was lung inflammation at day 1, disappearing by day 21, but in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), L-AgNWs caused a delayed neutrophilic and macrophagic inflammation, while S-AgNWs caused only acute transient neutrophilia. Surfactant protein D (SP-D) levels in BALF increased after S- and L-AgNWs exposure at day 7. L-AgNWs induced MIP-1α and S-AgNWs induced IL-18 at day 1. Large airway bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine increased following L-AgNWs, but not S-AgNWs, exposure. The attenuated response to AgNW instillation may be due to silver inactivation after precipitation of Ag2S with limited dissolution. Our findings have important consequences for the safety of silver-based technologies to human health.
Pramana SS, Cavallaro A, Qi J, et al., 2017, Understanding surface structure and chemistry of single crystal lanthanum aluminate, Scientific Reports, Vol: 7, ISSN: 2045-2322
The surface crystallography and chemistry of a LaAlO3 single crystal, a material mainly used as a substrate to deposit technologically important thin films (e.g. for superconducting and magnetic devices), was analysed using surface X-ray diffraction and low energy ion scattering spectroscopy. The surface was determined to be terminated by Al-O species, and was significantly different from the idealised bulk structure. Termination reversal was not observed at higher temperature (600°C) and chamber pressure of 10-10 Torr, but rather an increased Al-O occupancy occurred, which was accompanied by a larger outwards relaxation of Al from the bulk positions. Changing the oxygen pressure to 10-6 Torr enriched the Al site occupancy fraction at the outermost surface from 0.245(10) to 0.325(9). In contrast the LaO, which is located at the next sub-surface atomic layer, showed no chemical enrichment and the structural relaxation was lower than for the top AlO2 layer. Knowledge of the surface structure will aid the understanding of how and which type of interface will be formed when LaAlO3 is used as a substrate as a function of temperature and pressure, and so lead to improved design of device structures.
Gonzalez Carter DA, Leo BF, Ruenraroengsak P, et al., 2017, Silver nanoparticles reduce brain inflammation and related neurotoxicity through induction of H2S-synthesizing enzymes, Scientific Reports, Vol: 7, ISSN: 2045-2322
Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are known to penetrate into the brain and cause neuronal death. However, there is a paucity in studies examining the effect of AgNP on the resident immune cells of the brain, microglia. Given microglia are implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), it is important to examine how AgNPs affect microglial inflammation to fully assess AgNP neurotoxicity. In addition, understanding AgNP processing by microglia will allow better prediction of their long term bioreactivity. In the present study, the in vitro uptake and intracellular transformation of citrate-capped AgNPs by microglia, as well as their effects on microglial inflammation and related neurotoxicity were examined. Analytical microscopy demonstrated internalization and dissolution of AgNPs within microglia and formation of non-reactive silver sulphide (Ag2S) on the surface of AgNPs. Furthermore, AgNP-treatment up-regulated microglial expression of the hydrogen sulphide (H2S)-synthesizing enzyme cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE). In addition, AgNPs showed significant anti-inflammatory effects, reducing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated ROS, nitric oxide and TNFα production, which translated into reduced microglial toxicity towards dopaminergic neurons. Hence, the present results indicate that intracellular Ag2S formation, resulting from CSE-mediated H2S production in microglia, sequesters Ag+ ions released from AgNPs, significantly limiting their toxicity, concomitantly reducing microglial inflammation and related neurotoxicity.
Calderon L, Han TT, McGilvery CM, et al., 2017, Release of airborne particles and Ag and Zn compounds from nanotechnology-enabled consumer sprays: Implications for inhalation exposure, ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT, Vol: 155, Pages: 85-96, ISSN: 1352-2310
The increasing prevalence and use of nanotechnology-enabled consumer products have increased potential consumer exposures to nanoparticles; however, there is still a lack of data characterizing such consumer exposure. The research reported here investigated near-field airborne exposures due to the use of 13 silver (Ag)-based and 5 zinc (Zn)-based consumer sprays. The products were sprayed into a specially designed glove box, and all products were applied with equal spraying duration and frequency. Size distribution and concentration of the released particles were assessed using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer and an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to investigate the presence of metals in all investigated products. Spray liquids and airborne particles from select products were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). We found that all sprays produced airborne particles ranging in size from nano-sized particles (<100 nm) to coarse particles (>2.5 μm); however, there was a substantial variation in the released particle concentration depending on a product. The total aerosol mass concentration was dominated by the presence of coarse particles, and it ranged from ∼30 μg/m3 to ∼30,000 μg/m3. The TEM verified the presence of nanoparticles and their agglomerates in liquid and airborne states. The products were found to contain not only Ag and Zn compounds - as advertised on the product labeling - but also a variety of other metals including lithium, strontium, barium, lead, manganese and others. The results presented here can be used as input to model population exposures as well as form a basis for human health effects studies due to the use nanotechnology-enabled products.
Gonzalez Arellano DL, Bhamrah Harley J, Yang J, et al., 2017, Room temperature routes towards the creation of zinc oxide films from molecular precursors, ACS Omega, Vol: 2, Pages: 98-104, ISSN: 2470-1343
The advent of “flexible” electronics on plastic substrates with low melting points requires the development of thin film deposition techniques that operate at low temperatures. This is easily achieved with vacuum or solution-processed molecular or polymeric semiconductors, but oxide materials remain a significant challenge. Here we show that zinc oxide (ZnO) can be prepared using only room-temperature processes, using the molecular thin film precursor zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), followed by vacuum ultra-violet light treatment to elicit degradation of the organic components and transformation of the deposited film to oxide material. The degradation mechanism was assessed by studying the influence of the atmosphere during the reaction: it was particularly sensitive to oxygen pressure in the chamber and optimal degradation conditions were established as 3 mbar with 40% oxygen in nitrogen. The morphology of the film was relatively unchanged during the reaction, but detailed analysis of itscomposition using both scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) revealed that a 40 nm thick layer containingZnO results from the 100 nm thick precursor after complete reaction. Our methodology represents a simple route for the fabrication of oxides and multilayer structuresthat can be easily integrated into current molecular thin film growth setups,without the need for a high temperature step.
Sk MH, Abdullah AM, Ko M, et al., 2017, Effect of Cr/Mo on the Protectiveness of Corrosion Scales on Carbon Steel in Sweet Medium under High Flow Regime, 232nd Fall Meeting of the-Electrochemical-Society (ECS), Publisher: ELECTROCHEMICAL SOC INC, Pages: 509-517, ISSN: 1938-5862
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Pang J, Theodorou I, Centeno A, et al., 2016, Gold nanodisc arrays as near infrared metal-enhanced fluorescence platforms with tuneable enhancement factors, Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Vol: 5, Pages: 917-925, ISSN: 2050-7534
Metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF) is a physical effect through which the near-field interaction of fluorophores with metallic nanoparticles can lead to large fluorescence enhancement. MEF can be exploited in many fluorescence-based biomedical applications, with potentially significant improvement in detection sensitivity and contrast enhancement. Offering lower autofluorescence and minimal photoinduced damage, the development of effective and multifunctional MEF platforms in the near-infrared (NIR) region, is particularly desirable. In this work, the enhancement of NIR fluorescence caused by interaction with regular arrays of cylindrical gold (Au) nanoparticles (nanodiscs), fabricated through nanosphere lithography, is reported. Significant MEF of up to 235 times is obtained, with tuneable enhancement factors. The effect of array structure on fluorescence enhancement is investigated by semi-quantitatively de-convoluting excitation enhancement from emission enhancement, and modelling the local electric field enhancement. By considering arrays of Au nanodiscs with the same extinction maximum, it is shown that the excitation enhancement, due to increased electric field, is not significantly different for the particle sizes and separation distances considered. Rather, it is seen that the emission from the fluorophore is strongly enhanced, and is dependent on the topography, in particular particle size. The results show that the structural characteristics of Au nanodisc arrays can be manipulated to tune their enhancement factor, and hence their sensitivity.
Simoes TA, Bryant MG, Brown AP, et al., 2016, Evidence for the dissolution of molybdenum during tribocorrosion of CoCrMo hip implants in the presence of serum protein., Acta Biomater, Vol: 45, Pages: 410-418
UNLABELLED: We have characterized CoCrMo, Metal-on-Metal (MoM) implant, wear debris particles and their dissolution following cycling in a hip simulator, and have related the results to the tribocorrosion of synthetic wear debris produced by milling CoCrMo powders in solutions representative of environments in the human body. Importantly, we have employed a modified ICP-MS sample preparation procedure to measure the release of ions from CoCrMo alloys during wear simulation in different media; this involved use of nano-porous ultrafilters which allowed complete separation of particles from free ions and complexes in solution. As a result, we present a new perspective on the release of metal ions and formation of metal complexes from CoCrMo implants. The new methodology enables the mass balance of ions relative to complexes and particles during tribocorrosion in hip simulators to be determined. A much higher release of molybdenum ions relative to cobalt and chromium has been measured. The molybdenum dissolution was enhanced by the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA), possibly due to the formation of metal-protein complexes. Overall, we believe that the results could have significant implications for the analysis and interpretation of metal ion levels in fluids extracted from hip arthroplasty patients; we suggest that metal levels, including molybdenum, be analysed in these fluids using the protocol described here. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We have developed an important new protocol for the analysis of metal ion levels in fluids extracted from hip implant patients and also hip simulators. Using this procedure, we present a new perspective on the release of metal ions from CoCrMo alloy implants, revealing significantly lower levels of metal ion release during tribocorrosion in hip simulators than previously thought, combined with the release of much higher percentages of molybdenum ions relative to cobalt and chromium. This work is of relevance, both from the persp
Sweeney S, Hu S, Ruenraroengsak P, et al., 2016, Carboxylation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes reduces their toxicity in primary human alveolar macrophages, Environmental Science: Nano, Vol: 3, Pages: 1340-1350, ISSN: 2051-8153
Surface functionalisation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) is commonly used to facilitate their various and diverse applications. Inhaled nanomaterials, such as MWCNTs, have a high deposition rate in the alveolar units of the deep lung, where alveolar macrophages (AM) provide the front line of cellular immune defence by removing foreign matter (microbes, particles etc.). The toxicity of MWCNTs (with or without functionalisation) towards primary human AMs is not known. We investigated the physicochemical characteristics and toxicity of two MWCNT materials: acid purified ‘Purified-MWCNT’ and concentrated acid functionalised ‘COOH-MWCNT’. We hypothesised that the bioreactivity with primary human AM would differ between the materials. Full characterisation of the MWCNTs revealed that –COOH functionalisation yielded shorter MWCNTs, accompanied by a greater occurrence of framework defects, in comparison to Purified-MWCNT. In agreement with our hypothesis that the bioreactivity would differ, Purified-MWCNT were significantly more toxic as measured by reduced cell viability and increased inflammatory mediator release. For example, IL-1β and IL-8 release by AMs significantly increased 3.5- and 2.4-fold, respectively (P < 0.05), 24 hours after treatment with Purified-MWCNT. In contrast, IL-1β and IL-8 release by AMs did not significantly change 24 hours after treatment with COOH-MWCNT. We determined that the mechanism of this toxicity is likely due to activation of the inflammasome, as lipopolysaccharide priming of primary human AMs was necessary to see the inflammatory response and this was accompanied by lysosomal disruption and increased generation of reactive oxygen species. This study contributes further to our understanding of the effects of MWCNTs and surface modification on highly relevant human lung AMs; the findings have important implications for the manufacture, application and use of MWCNTs. In particular, this is
Zhang JJ, Lee KB, He L, et al., 2016, Effects of a nanoceria fuel additive on the physicochemical properties of diesel exhaust particles., Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, Vol: 18, Pages: 1333-1342, ISSN: 2050-7887
Nanoceria (i.e., CeO2 nanoparticles) fuel additives have been used in Europe and elsewhere to improve fuel efficiency. Previously we have shown that the use of a commercial fuel additive Envirox™ in a diesel-powered electricity generator reduced emissions of diesel exhaust particle (DEP) mass and other pollutants. However, such additives are currently not permitted for use in on-road vehicles in North America, largely due to limited data on the potential health impact. In this study, we characterized a variety of physicochemical properties of DEPs emitted from the same engine. Our methods include novel techniques such as Raman spectrometry for analyzing particle surface structure and an assay for DEP oxidative potential. Results show that with increasing Envirox™ concentrations in the fuel (0×, 0.1×, 1×, and 10× of manufacturer recommended 0.5 mL Envirox™ per liter fuel), DEP sizes decreased from 194.6 ± 20.1 to 116.3 ± 14.8 nm; the zeta potential changed from -28.4 mV to -22.65 mV; DEP carbon content decreased from 91.8% to 79.4%; cerium and nitrogen contents increased from 0.3% to 6.5% and 0.2% to 0.6%, respectively; the ratio of organic carbon (OC) to elemental carbon (EC) increased from 22.9% to 38.7%; and the ratio of the disordered carbon structure to the ordered carbon structure (graphitized carbon) in DEPs decreased. Compared to DEPs emitted from 0×, 0.1×, and 1× fuels, DEPs from the 10× fuel had a lower oxidative potential likely due to the increased ceria content because pure ceria nanoparticles exhibited the lowest oxidative potential compared to all the DEPs. Since the physicochemical parameters tested here are among the determinants of particle toxicity, our findings imply that adding ceria nanoparticles into diesel may alter the toxicity of DEPs. The findings from the present study, hence, can help future studies that will examine the impact of nanoceria additives on DEP to
Podhorska L, Delcassian D, Goode AE, et al., 2016, Mechanisms of polymer-templated nanoparticle synthesis: contrasting ZnS and Au, Langmuir, Vol: 32, Pages: 9216-9222, ISSN: 0743-7463
We combine solution small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and high-resolution analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM) to gain a full mechanistic understanding of substructure formation in nanoparticles templated by block copolymer reverse micelles, specifically poly(styrene)-block-poly(2-vinyl pyridine). We report a novel substructure for micelle-templated ZnS nanoparticles, in which small crystallites (~4 nm) exist within a larger (~20 nm) amorphous organic-inorganic hybrid matrix. The formation of this complex structure is explained via SAXS measurements that characterize in situ for the first time the intermediate state of the metal-loaded micelle core: Zn2+ ions are distributed throughout the micelle core, which solidifies as a unit on sulfidation. The nanoparticle size is thus determined by the radius of the metal-loaded core, rather than the quantity of available metal ions. This mechanism leads to particle size counter-intuitively decreasing with increasing metal content, based on the modified interactions of the metal-complexed monomers in direct contrast to gold nanoparticles templated by the same polymer.
Theodorou IG, Ruenraroengsak P, Gow A, et al., 2016, Effect of pulmonary surfactant on the dissolution, stability and uptake of zinc oxide nanowires by human respiratory epithelial cells., Nanotoxicology, Vol: 10, Pages: 1351-1362, ISSN: 1743-5404
Inhaled nanoparticles (NPs) have high-deposition rates in the alveolar region of the lung but the effects of pulmonary surfactant (PS) on nanoparticle bioreactivity are unclear. Here, the impact of PS on the stability and dissolution of ZnO nanowires (ZnONWs) was investigated, and linked with their bioreactivity in vitro with human alveolar epithelial type 1-like cells (TT1). Pre-incubation of ZnONWs with Curosurf® (a natural porcine PS) decreased their dissolution at acidic pH, through the formation of a phospholipid corona. Confocal live cell microscopy confirmed that Curosurf® lowered intracellular dissolution, thus delaying the onset of cell death compared to bare ZnONWs. Despite reducing dissolution, Curosurf® significantly increased the uptake of ZnONWs within TT1 cells, ultimately increasing their toxicity after 24 h. Although serum improved ZnONW dispersion in suspension similar to Curosurf®, it had no effect on ZnONW internalization and toxicity, indicating a unique role of PS in promoting particle uptake. In the absence of PS, ZnONW length had no effect on dissolution kinetics or degree of cellular toxicity, indicating a less important role of length in determining ZnONW bioreactivity. This work provides unique findings on the effects of PS on the stability and toxicity of ZnONWs, which could be important in the study of pulmonary toxicity and epithelial-endothelial translocation of nanoparticles in general.
Seiffert J, Buckley A, Leo B, et al., 2016, Pulmonary effects of inhalation of spark-generated silver nanoparticles in Brown-Norway and Sprague-Dawley rats, Respiratory Research, Vol: 17, ISSN: 1465-993X
BackgroundThe increasing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in consumer products is concerning. Weexamined the potential toxic effects when inhaled in Brown-Norway (BN) rats with a preinflammatorystate compared to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.MethodsWe determined the effect of AgNPs generated from a spark generator (mass concentration:600-800 µg/mm3; mean diameter: 13-16 nm; total lung doses: 8 [Low] and 26-28 [High] µg)inhaled by the nasal route in both rat strains. Rats were sacrificed at day 1 and day 7 afterexposure and measurement of lung function.ResultsIn both strains, there was an increase in neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid at24 hours at the high dose, with concomitant eosinophilia in BN rats. While BAL inflammatorycells were mostly normalised by Day 7, lung inflammation scores remained increasedalthough not the tissue eosinophil scores. Total protein levels were elevated at both lungdoses in both strains. There was an increase in BAL IL-1β, KC, IL-17, CCL2 and CCL3 levels inboth strains at Day 1, mostly at high dose. Phospholipid levels were increased at the highdose in SD rats at Day 1 and 7, while in BN rats, this was only seen at Day 1; surfactantprotein D levels decreased at day 7 at the high dose in SD rats, but was increased at Day 1 atthe low dose in BN rats. There was a transient increase in central airway resistance and intissue elastance in BN rats at Day 1 but not in SD rats. Positive silver-staining was seenparticularly in lung tissue macrophages in a dose and time-dependent response in bothstrains, maximal by day 7. Lung silver levels were relatively higher in BN rat and present atday 7 in both strains.ConclusionsPresence of cellular inflammation and increasing silver-positive macrophages in lungs at day7, associated with significant levels of lung silver indicate that lung toxicity is persistent evenwith the absence of airway luminal inflammation at that time-point. The higher levels andpersistence of lung silve
Theodorou IG, Jawad Z, Qin H, et al., 2016, Significant metal enhanced fluorescence of Ag2S quantum dots in the second near-infrared window, Nanoscale, Vol: 8, Pages: 12869-12873, ISSN: 2040-3372
The amplification of light in NIR-II from Ag2S QDs via metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF) is reported for the first time. Significant fluorescence enhancement of over 100 times for Ag2S QDs deposited on Au-nanostructured arrays, paves the way for novel sensing and imaging applications based on Ag2S QDs, with improved detection sensitivity and contrast enhancement.
Othman BA, Greenwood C, Abuelela AF, et al., 2016, Targeted Cancer Therapy: Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy Shows RGD-Targeted ZnO Nanoparticles Dissolve in the Intracellular Environment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells and Cause Apoptosis with Intratumor Heterogeneity (Adv. Healthcare Mater. 11/2016)., Advanced Healthcare Materials, Vol: 5, Pages: 1248-1248, ISSN: 2192-2640
On page 1310 J. S. Merzaban, A. E. Porter, and co-workers present fluorescently labeled RGD-targeted ZnO nanoparticles (NPs; green) for the targeted delivery of cytotoxic ZnO to integrin αvβ3 receptors expressed on triple negative breast cancer cells. Correlative light-electron microscopy shows that NPs dissolve into ionic Zn(2+) (blue) upon uptake and cause apoptosis (red) with intra-tumor heterogeneity, thereby providing a possible strategy for targeted breast cancer therapy. Cover design by Ivan Gromicho.
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