Adsorptive Capture of Ionic and Non-Ionic Pollutants Using a Versatile Hybrid Amphiphilic-Nanomica.

A versatile, functional nanomaterial for the removal of ionic and non-ionic pollutants is presented in this work. For that purpose, the high charge mica Na-4-Mica was exchanged with the cationic surfactant (CHNH(CH)). The intercalation of the tertiary amine in the swellable nano-clay provides the optimal hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature in the bidimensional galleries of the nanomaterial responsible for the dual functionality.

A Comparative Study on Luminescence Properties of YO: Pr Nanocrystals Prepared by Different Synthesis Methods.

Pr-doped YO nanocrystals (NCs) have been obtained via five wet-chemistry synthesis methods which were optimized in order to achieve superior optical properties. To this end, a systematic study on the influence of different reaction parameters was performed for each procedure. Specifically, precursor concentration, reaction temperature, calcination temperature, and time, among others, were analyzed.

Dye-doped biodegradable nanoparticle SiO coating on zinc- and iron-oxide nanoparticles to improve biocompatibility and for in vivo imaging studies.

In vivo imaging and therapy represent one of the most promising areas in nanomedicine. Particularly, the identification and localization of nanomaterials within cells and tissues are key issues to understand their interaction with biological components, namely their cell internalization route, intracellular destination, therapeutic activity and possible cytotoxicity. Here, we show the development of multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) by providing luminescent functionality to zinc and iron oxide NPs.

Mn-Doping level dependence on the magnetic response of MnFeO ferrite nanoparticles.

Manganese/iron ferrite nanoparticles with different Mn doping grades have been prepared by a thermal decomposition optimized approach so as to ascertain the doping effect on magnetic properties and, especially, on the magnetic hyperthermia response. The oxidation state and interstitial position of Mn in the spinel structure is found to be critical. The particle size effect has also been studied by growing one of the prepared samples (from 10 to 15 nm in diameter) by a seed mediated growth mechanism.

Eu Luminescence in High Charge Mica: An In Situ Probe for the Encapsulation of Radioactive Waste in Geological Repositories.

Isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in deep geological repositories (DGR) through a multibarrier concept is the most accepted approach to ensure long-term safety. Clay minerals are one of the most promising materials to be used as engineered barriers. In particular, high charge micas, as components of the engineered barrier, show superselectivity for some radioactive isotopes and a large adsorption capacity, which is almost twice that of the other low charge aluminosilicates.

Nano-ZnO leads to tubulin macrotube assembly and actin bundling, triggering cytoskeletal catastrophe and cell necrosis.

Zinc is a crucial element in biology that plays chief catalytic, structural and protein regulatory roles. Excess cytoplasmic zinc is toxic to cells so there are cell-entry and intracellular buffering mechanisms that control intracellular zinc availability. Tubulin and actin are two zinc-scavenging proteins that are essential components of the cellular cytoskeleton implicated in cell division, migration and cellular architecture maintenance.

Enhanced magnetic anisotropy and heating efficiency in multi-functional manganese ferrite/graphene oxide nanostructures.

A promising nanocomposite material composed of MnFe2O4 (MFO) nanoparticles of ∼17 nm diameter deposited onto graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets was successfully synthesized using a modified co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction confirmed the quality of the synthesized samples. Fourier transform infrared measurements and analysis evidenced that the MFO nanoparticles were attached to the GO surface.

Incorporation and luminescence of Yb3+ in CdSe nanocrystals.

Doping quantum dots (QDs) with lanthanide ions is promising to combine the efficient sharp line emission of lanthanides with the strong and size-tunable absorption of QDs. Incorporating lanthanide ions in II-VI QDs remains challenging, however, here we report successful coupling of CdSe QDs with the lanthanide ion Yb(3+). Our spectroscopic results demonstrate that Yb(3+) ions are first adsorbed on the CdSe surface and subsequently incorporated in the nanocrystalline semiconductor particles by growing a Se shell.