Enhanced magnetic performance of aligned wires assembled from nanoparticles: from nanoscale to macroscale.

Magnetic wires in highly dense arrays, possessing unique magnetic properties, are eagerly anticipated for inexpensive and scalable fabrication technologies. This study reports a facile method to fabricate arrays of magnetic wires directly assembled from well-dispersed α-FeN/AlO and FeO nanoparticles with average diameters of 45 nm and 65 nm, respectively. The magnetic arrays with a height scale of the order of 10 mm were formed on substrate surfaces, which were perpendicular to an applied magnetic field of 15 T.

Correlations between Reduction Degree and Catalytic Properties of WO Nanoparticles.

Degrading organic dyes via catalytic processes for waste water purification is an important research topic from the environmental conservation point of view. Herein, the catalytic performance of tungsten blue oxide (WO ) nanoparticles was investigated systematically by varying the reduction temperature. The optimum reduction temperature to obtain the most stable WO phase was obtained when plasma-synthesized WO nanoparticles were thermally reduced at 425 °C.

Biodegradable Polymer-Coated Multifunctional Graphene Quantum Dots for Light-Triggered Synergetic Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer.

In this work, we reported the synthesis of an engineered novel nanocarrier composed of biodegradable charged polyester vectors (BCPVs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for pancreatic cancer (MiaPaCa-2 cells) therapy applications. Such a nanocarrier was utilized to co-load doxorubicin (DOX) and small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA), resulting in the formation of GQD/DOX/BCPV/siRNA nanocomplexes. The resulting nanocomplexes have demonstrated high stability in physiologically mimicking media, excellent K-ras downregulation activity, and effective bioactivity inhibition for MiaPaCa-2 cells.

Selective Low-Energy Carbon Dioxide Adsorption Using Monodisperse Nitrogen-Rich Hollow Carbon Submicron Spheres.

Monodisperse, nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres of submicron size were synthesized using hexamethoxymethylmelamine as both a carbon and nitrogen source in a short (1 h) microwave-assisted synthesis. After carbonization at 550 °C, porous carbon spheres with a remarkably high nitrogen content of 37.1% were obtained, which consisting mainly of highly basic pyridinic moieties.

Correlation between particle size/domain structure and magnetic properties of highly crystalline FeO nanoparticles.

Highly crystalline single-domain magnetite FeO nanoparticles (NPs) are important, not only for fundamental understanding of magnetic behaviour, but also for their considerable potential applications in biomedicine and industry. FeO NPs with sizes of 10-300 nm were systematically investigated to reveal the fundamental relationship between the crystal domain structure and the magnetic properties. The examined FeO NPs were prepared under well-controlled crystal growth conditions using a large-scale liquid precipitation method.

Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity of Pt/3D Hierarchical Bimodal Macroporous Carbon Nanospheres.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells require electrocatalysts with a high platinum (Pt) loading, large active surface area, and favorable hydrodynamic profile for practical applications. Here, we report the design of three-dimensional hierarchical bimodal macroporous carbon nanospheres with an interconnected pore system, which are applied as an electrocatalyst support. Carbon-supported Pt (Pt/C) catalysts were prepared by aerosol spray pyrolysis followed by microwave chemical deposition.

Highly conductive nano-sized Magnéli phases titanium oxide (TiO).

Despite the strong recent revival of Magnéli phase TiO as a promising conductive material, synthesis of Magnéli phase TiO nanoparticles has been a challenge because of the heavy sintering nature of TiO at elevated temperatures. We have successfully synthesized chain-structured Magnéli phases TiO with diameters under 30 nm using a thermal-induced plasma process. The synthesized nanoparticles consisted of a mixture of several Magnéli phases.

Synthesis of Dual-Size Cellulose-Polyvinylpyrrolidone Nanofiber Composites via One-Step Electrospinning Method for High-Performance Air Filter.

Dual-size nanofibers consisting of a random mixture of nano- and submicron-size nanofibers are promising structures for specific applications such as air filters because of their increased specific surface area and low pressure drop. Synthesis of dual-size nanofibers using one-step electrospinning was reported here for the first time. The formation of well-mixed nano- and submicron-size cellulose-polyvinylpyrrolidone nanofiber composites was accomplished utilizing the physical properties of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (i.

Tunable Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Particles with Unique Radially Oriented Pore Structures from Tetramethyl Orthosilicate via Oil-Water Emulsion Process.

Numerous studies of the synthesis of mesoporous silica (MPS) particles with tailored properties have been published. Among those studies, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) is commonly used as a silica source, but tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) is rarely used because its reaction is fast and difficult to control. In this study, MPS particles were synthesized via one-step controlled polymerization of styrene and hydrolysis of TMOS, followed by the addition of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and n-octane.

Heat-treated Escherichia coli as a high-capacity biosorbent for tungsten anions.

Adsorption performance in the biosorption of tungsten using Escherichia coli cells can be significantly improved by using cell suspensions that have been heat-treated at ⩽100°C. In the case of E. coli cells suspension heated at 100°C, the aqueous tungsten ions concentration rapidly decreased from 0.

Role of C-N Configurations in the Photoluminescence of Graphene Quantum Dots Synthesized by a Hydrothermal Route.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) containing N atoms were successfully synthesized using a facile, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly hydrothermal reaction of urea and citric acid, and the effect of the GQDs' C-N configurations on their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images confirmed that the dots were spherical, with an average diameter of 2.17 nm.

High production of CH4 and H2 by reducing PET waste water using a non-diaphragm-based electrochemical method.

In recent years, the worldwide use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has increased exponentially. PET wastewater contains ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalic acid (TPA). In this study, we present a unique method for producing combustible gases like CH4 and H2 from PET wastewater by electrochemical reaction of EG and TPA.

Effect of magnetic field strength on the alignment of α''-Fe16N2 nanoparticle films.

Aligning the magnetic orientation is one strategy to improve the magnetic performance of magnetic materials. In this study, well-dispersed single-domain core-shell α''-Fe16N2/Al2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were aligned by vertically applying magnetic fields with various strengths to a Si wafer substrate followed by fixation with resin. X-ray diffraction indicated that the alignment of the easy c-axis of the α''-Fe16N2 crystal and the magnetic orientation of the NPs depended upon the applied magnetic field.

Hollow Silica as an Optically Transparent and Thermally Insulating Polymer Additive.

We present an improved synthesis route to hollow silica particles starting from tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) instead of the traditionally used ethyl ester. The silica was first deposited onto polystyrene (PS) particles that were later removed. The here introduced, apparently minor modification in synthesis, however, allowed for a very high purity material.

Preparation and evaluation of magnetic nanocomposite fibers containing α″-Fe₁₆N₂ and α-Fe nanoparticles in polyvinylpyrrolidone via magneto-electrospinning.

Two kinds of ferromagnetic nanocomposite fiber comprising α″-Fe16N2 and α-Fe nanoparticles (NPs), which have the highest magnetic moments as hard and soft magnetic materials, respectively, embedded in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) have been synthesized via the magneto-electrospinning method. Both α″-Fe16N2 and α-Fe were single-domain core-shell NPs with an average outer diameter of 50 nm and Al2O3 as the shell. Ferrofluid precursors used for the electrospinning were prepared by dispersing these NPs in a PVP-toluene-methanol solution.

Low-Energy Bead-Mill Dispersion of Agglomerated Core-Shell α-Fe/Al₂O₃ and α″-Fe₁₆N₂/Al₂O₃ Ferromagnetic Nanoparticles in Toluene.

Magnetic materials such as α″-Fe16N2 and α-Fe, which have the largest magnetic moment as hard and soft magnetic materials, are difficult to produce as single domain magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) because of quasistable state and high reactivity, respectively. The present work reports dispersion of agglomerated plasma-synthesized core-shell α″-Fe16N2/Al2O3 and α-Fe/Al2O3 in toluene by a new bead-mill with very fine beads to prepare single domain MNPs. As a result, optimization of the experimental conditions (bead size, rotation speed, and dispersion time) enables the break-up of agglomerated particles into primary particles without destroying the particle structure.

Influences of porous structurization and Pt addition on the improvement of photocatalytic performance of WO3 particles.

Tungsten trioxide (WO3) displays excellent performance in solar-related material applications. However, this material is rare and expensive. Therefore, developing efficient materials using smaller amounts of WO3 is inevitable.

Aerosol synthesis of self-organized nanostructured hollow and porous carbon particles using a dual polymer system.

A facile method for designing and synthesizing nanostructured carbon particles via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis of a self-organized dual polymer system comprising phenolic resin and charged polystyrene latex is reported. The method produces either hollow carbon particles, whose CO2 adsorption capacity is 3.0 mmol g(-1), or porous carbon particles whose CO2 adsorption capacity is 4.

Gas phase preparation of spherical core-shell α''-Fe16N2/SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles.

Well-dispersed spherical core-shell α''-Fe16N2/SiO2 ferro-magnetic nanoparticles were successfully synthesized from core-shell α-Fe/SiO2 nanoparticles. Introduction of oxidation prior to the nitridation process gives 90% of α''-Fe16N2 phase contained in the core while no phase change is observed without oxidation. Saturation magnetization and coercivity are 148 emu g(-1) and 1.

Control of the shell structural properties and cavity diameter of hollow magnesium fluoride particles.

Control of the shell structural properties [i.e., thickness (8-25 nm) and morphology (dense and raspberry)] and cavity diameter (100-350 nm) of hollow particles was investigated experimentally, and the results were qualitatively explained based on the available theory.

Self-organized macroporous carbon structure derived from phenolic resin via spray pyrolysis for high-performance electrocatalyst.

The synthesis and evaluation of porous carbon derived from phenolic resin using a fast and facile spray pyrolysis method has been studied for use as a new electrocatalyst support material. By adding polystyrene latex nanoparticles as a template to the phenolic resin precursor, self-organized macroporous carbon structure was first developed. The mass ratio of phenolic resin to PSL at 0.

Self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles inside charged droplets during spray-drying in the fabrication of nanostructured particles.

Studies on self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles during formation of nanostructured particles by spray-drying methods have attracted a large amount of attention. Understanding the self-assembly phenomenon allows the creation of creative materials with unique structures that may offer performance improvements in a variety of applications. However, current research on the self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles have been conducted only on uncharged droplet systems.

Influences of surface charge, size, and concentration of colloidal nanoparticles on fabrication of self-organized porous silica in film and particle forms.

Studies on preparation of porous material have attracted tremendous attention because existence of pores can provide material with excellent performances. However, current preparation reports described successful production of porous material with only partial information on charges, interactions, sizes, and compositions of the template and host materials. In this report, influences of self-assembly parameters (i.

Mesopore-free silica shell with nanometer-scale thickness-controllable on cationic polystyrene core.

The formation of mesopore-free silica shell with homogenous shell thickness, smooth surface, and controllable thickness in the nanometer range (from 4 to 12 nm) on core material was studied. Cationic polystyrene particles with various sizes (ranged from 80 to 300 nm) were used as a model of core material, which could be effective to support the electrostatic attraction between the core material and the negatively charged silica without any additives. Different from other reports, mesopore-free shell was produced due to the absence of additive.

Mesopore-free hollow silica particles with controllable diameter and shell thickness via additive-free synthesis.

Mesopore-free hollow silica particles with a spherical shape, smooth surface, and controllable diameter (from 80 to 300 nm) and shell thickness (from 2 to 25 nm) were successfully prepared using an additive-free synthesis method. Different from other hollow particle developments, a mesopore-free shell was produced because of the absence of additive. Although common reports pointed out the importance of the additional additive in pasting and growing silica on the surface of a template, here we preferred to exploit the effect of the template charge in gaining the silica coating process.