We report a fabrication route of silica nanoparticles with two, three or six patches with an easily tunable patch-to-particle size ratio. The synthetic pathway includes two main stages: the synthesis of silica/polystyrene multipod-like templates and the selective growth of their silica core through an iterative approach. Electron microscopy of the dimpled nanoparticles obtained after dissolution of the polystyrene nodules of the multipod-like nanoparticles provides evidence of the conformational growth of the silica core. Thanks to the presence of some polymer chains, which remained grafted at the bottom of the dimples after the dissolution of the PS nodules, the solvent-induced assembly of the patchy nanoparticles is performed. Chains, hexagonal suprastructures and cubic lattices are obtained from the assembly of two-, three- and six-patch silica nanoparticles, respectively. Our study can guide future work in both patchy nanoparticle synthesis and self-assembly. It also opens new routes towards the fabrication of specific classes of one-, two- and three-dimensional colloidal lattices, including complex tilings.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules26164736 | DOI Listing |
J Phys Chem C Nanomater Interfaces
January 2025
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QL, U.K.
Many different types of nanoparticles have been developed for photothermal therapy (PTT), but directly comparing their efficacy as heaters and determining how they will perform when localized at depth in tissue remains complex. To choose the optimal nanoparticle for a desired hyperthermic therapy, it is vital to understand how efficiently different nanoparticles extinguish laser light and convert that energy to heat. In this paper, we apply photothermal mass conversion efficiency (η ) as a metric to compare nanoparticles of different shapes, sizes, and conversion efficiencies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOptomechanical cavities can be used as highly sensitive mass sensors actuated by an optical field. In this work, we introduce and numerically demonstrate a new design for an optomechanical cavity consisting of a series of asymmetrically distributed rectangular silicon nanobricks, with each brick acting as an independent mechanical resonator but all coupled to the same optical field. Each silicon brick is placed on top of a thin silica pillar that ensures mechanical support whilst providing enough acoustic isolation between the individual mechanical resonances - at GHz frequencies - of each brick.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFColloids Surf B Biointerfaces
January 2025
Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Environment Science, Shaanxi University of Technology, No.1 East 1st Ring Road, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723001, PR China.
The advantages of large surface area, high volume ratio, good biocompatibility, and controllable surface functionalization make hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs) an ideal drug carrier. HMSNs can achieve high efficiency, targeting, and controlled release by adjusting the microstructure and surface modification of its particles, which makes it broad application prospects in the field of medical therapy, especially in cancer therapy. Numerous studies have shown that preparation method, shape, particle size, hollow inner diameter, aperture and wall thickness of the HMSNs, the characteristics of the drugs, the interaction between the drugs and the carriers, and the external environment all closely affect the drug delivery, release, and efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComput Struct Biotechnol J
December 2024
Environmental Intelligence Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium.
Exposure of lung epithelia to aerosols is omnipresent. Chronic exposure to polluted air is a significant factor in the development of pulmonary diseases, which are among the top global causes of death, including COVID-19, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and tuberculosis. As efforts to prevent and treat lung diseases increase, the development of pulmonary drug delivery systems has become a major area of interest.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiscov Nano
January 2025
Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, IPEN, CNEN/SP, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242, São Paulo, SP, CEP05508-000, Brazil.
Gold nanoparticles are widely used in biomedical applications due to their unique properties. However, traditional synthesis methods generate contaminants that cause cytotoxicity and compromise the biocompatibility of the nanomaterials. Therefore, green synthesis methods are essential to produce pure and biocompatible nanoparticles, ensuring their effectiveness in biomedical applications.
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