A Review on Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Nanofabrication, Characterization and Applications.

The development of modern cutting-edge technology relies heavily on the huge success and advancement of nanotechnology, in which nanomaterials and nanostructures provide the indispensable material cornerstone. Owing to their nanoscale dimensions with possible quantum limit, nanomaterials and nanostructures possess a high surface-to-volume ratio, rich surface/interface effects, and distinct physical and chemical properties compared with their bulk counterparts, leading to the remarkably expanded horizons of their applications. Depending on their degree of spatial quantization, low-dimensional nanomaterials are generally categorized into nanoparticles (0D); nanorods, nanowires, and nanobelts (1D); and atomically thin layered materials (2D).

Facile approach to develop durable and reusable superhydrophobic/superoleophilic coatings for steel mesh surfaces.

Oil spills on the surfaces of bodies of water are now a great concern as they affect marine creatures and the ecosystem. Therefore, a facile technique for removal of oil from water is of much interest. In this study, superhydrophobic and superoleophilic coating is synthesized on stainless steel mesh via chemical etching using a mixture of FeCl and HCl followed by treatment with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane.

Physicochemical properties and characterization of chitosan synthesized from fish scales, crab and shrimp shells.

Chitosan is derived from different starting materials such as fish scales, shrimp and crab shells by the process of deacetylation of chitin, which is carried out using 40% KOH at 90°C for 6h. Prepared chitosan was characterized by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Scanning electron microscope and Thermogravimetric analysis. Futher the physicochemical properties of chitosan like Fat binding capacity (FBC), water binding capacity (WBC), solubility, average molecular weight, ash content, moisture and degree of deacetylation of chitosan were also studied.