Thermal control of the defunctionalization of supported Au₂₅(glutathione)₁₈ catalysts for benzyl alcohol oxidation

• Zahraa Shahin,
• Hyewon Ji,
• Rodica Chiriac,
• Nadine Essayem,
• Franck Rataboul and
• Aude Demessence

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 228–237, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.21

• basic media. In the context of using atmospheric conditions for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and a stable support, we present in this work the catalytic activity of a new composite material: Au25(SG)18 clusters (SG – glutathione) supported on ZrO2 nanoparticles. The interest in using ZrO2 comes from

• its high physical and chemical stability, along with its ability to form nanoparticles for high dispersion of the gold nanoclusters [24]. In this work, we synthesized Au25(SG)18@ZrO2 (A), a composite material, and studied the calcination effect to control the defunctionalization of the clusters on the

• activity and selectivity of the heterogeneously catalyzed benzyl alcohol oxidation. Results and Discussion Catalyst characterization A Au25(SG)18@ZrO2 composite material (A), with a theoretical gold loading of 1 wt % Au, was prepared by depositing Au25(SG)18 gold clusters on ZrO2 nanoparticles. Zirconium

Mechanism of silica–lysozyme composite formation unravelled by in situ fast SAXS

• Tomasz M. Stawski,
• Daniela B. van den Heuvel,
• Rogier Besselink,
• Dominique J. Tobler and
• Liane G. Benning

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 182–197, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.17

• originating from the presence of LZM. We developed a scattering model and applied it to analyse this structure function, which allowed us to extract structural information on the deformation of lysozyme molecules during aggregation, as well as to derive the mechanisms of composite formation. Keywords

• : composite; lysozyme; scattering; silica; small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS); Introduction A mechanistic understanding of aggregation in aqueous media leading to the formation of composites of inorganic nanoparticles and proteins is of paramount interest for colloid chemistry, Earth sciences, or the design

• bridge between silica NPs, leading to aggregation and flocculation and thus to large silica NP–LZM composites. In the SiO2–LZM model system, a number of studies investigating the relationship between silica NP sizes, and adsorption modes of lysozyme revealed a correlation between composite properties and

Nanoporous water oxidation electrodes with a low loading of laser-deposited Ru/C exhibit enhanced corrosion stability

• Sandra Haschke,
• Dmitrii Pankin,
• Vladimir Mikhailovskii,
• Maïssa K. S. Barr,
• Adriana Both-Engel,
• Alina Manshina and
• Julien Bachmann

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 157–167, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.15

• composite onto a novel nanoporous electrode surface with low noble metal loading and improved stability. The Ru/C is coated on the pore walls of anodic alumina templates in a one-step laser-induced deposition method from Ru3(CO)12 solutions. Scanning electron microscopy proves the presence of a continuous

• high activity (current per mass of noble metal) for electrocatalytic water oxidation. Results and Discussion Laser-induced deposition of planar hybrid Ru/C films According to previous studies on the one-step laser-induced deposition method of AuAg/C composite, the choice of organometallic precursor

• reaction [69][70][71]. Conclusion With this, we have established a novel type of nanostructured Ru/C composite electrode for the oxygen evolution reaction at pH 4 by laser-induced deposition. Laser irradiation of Ru3(CO)12 in 1,2-dichloroethane at 325 nm provides the first laser-induced coatings of hybrid

New micro/mesoporous nanocomposite material from low-cost sources for the efficient removal of aromatic and pathogenic pollutants from water

• Emmanuel I. Unuabonah,
• Robert Nöske,
• Jens Weber,
• Christina Günter and
• Andreas Taubert

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 119–131, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.11

• matter. The new composite is stable up to 900 °C and is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of a water micropollutant, 4-nitrophenol, and a pathogen, E. coli, from an aqueous medium, suggesting applications in water remediation are feasible. Keywords: 4-nitrophenol; Carica papaya seeds; clay; E. coli

• with a much lower efficiency. This finding suggests that the presence of Zn2+ in the composite material directly affects E. coli removal from solution, likely because zinc has antibacterial properties. Although the precise functional mechanism is unknown, it has been suggested that Zn-doped materials

• deactivate bacteria by damaging its cell membrane and DNA [50]. It is known that electrostatic adsorbent–adsorbate interactions do occur in solution at pH values either above or below the pHpzc of the adsorbent [51]. Based on the latter, it is believed that the composite adsorbent material in this study does

Wet chemistry route for the decoration of carbon nanotubes with iron oxide nanoparticles for gas sensing

• Hussam M. Elnabawy,
• Juan Casanova-Chafer,
• Badawi Anis,
• Mostafa Fedawy,
• Mattia Scardamaglia,
• Carla Bittencourt,
• Ahmed S. G. Khalil,
• Eduard Llobet and
• Xavier Vilanova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 105–118, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.10

• optimum decoration density is reached and afterwards the response decreases [6][19][28]. In fact, the obtained results are better regarding the intensity of the sensor response, as compared to those obtained by Chuanfei Hua et al. [23] using a composite of SWCNT–Fe2O3, although their sensors show faster

Graphene–graphite hybrid epoxy composites with controllable workability for thermal management

• Idan Levy,
• Eyal Merary Wormser,
• Maxim Varenik,
• Matat Buzaglo,
• Roey Nadiv and
• Oren Regev

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 95–104, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.9

• , these additives enhance the thermal conductivity of the composite, but on the other hand, they increase the viscosity of the composite and hence impair its workability. This in turn could negatively affect the device–matrix interface. To address this problem, we suggest a tunable composite material

• comprising a combination of two different carbon-based fillers, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and graphite. By adjusting the GNP:graphite concentration ratio and the total concentration of the fillers, we were able to fine tune the thermal conductivity and the workability of the hybrid polymer composite. To

• facilitate the optimal design of materials for thermal management, we constructed a ‘concentration–thermal conductivity–viscosity phase diagram’. This hybrid approach thus offers solutions for thermal management applications, providing both finely tuned composite thermal properties and workability. We

Threshold voltage decrease in a thermotropic nematic liquid crystal doped with graphene oxide flakes

• Mateusz Mrukiewicz,
• Krystian Kowiorski,
• Paweł Perkowski,
• Rafał Mazur and
• Małgorzata Djas

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 71–78, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.7

• starts to be less uniform than in pure 5CB and a large number of defects makes this composite easier to reorient. Moreover, the director field is disturbed by aggregation of GO flakes. At high voltages (U > Uth), the change of the director reorientation (U > Uth) from planar to homeotropic alignment and

• nematic order in a planar oriented cell at (a) low, (b) medium, and (c) high concentrations of GO flakes and an electric-field-induced homeotropic alignment in the NLC-GO composite of (d) low, (e) medium, and (f) high concentration. Values of the electric anisotropy Δε in the 5CB-GO composites as a

Surface plasmon resonance enhancement of photoluminescence intensity and bioimaging application of gold nanorod@CdSe/ZnS quantum dots

• Siyi Hu,
• Yu Ren,
• Yue Wang,
• Jinhua Li,
• Junle Qu,
• Liwei Liu,
• Hanbin Ma and
• Yuguo Tang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 22–31, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.3

• formed with metals and semiconductors, i.e., plasmonic, composite QD nanostructures, provides another efficient way to tune the unique optical properties. In the past decades, much attention has been given to the development of metal-enhanced optical properties. Some researchers have noted that certain

• distance using the combined strong electrostatic adsorption. Secondly, FA was conjugated with this composite nanoparticle for biological applications, where the FA renders the nanoparticle useful for the specific targeting of cancer cells [28][29]. According to current knowledge, when bulk semiconductor

• OD/mL. Subsequently, 1 mL of the CdSe/ZnS (1 OD/mL) mixture was added to 10 mL of the GNR solution, and the mixture was left under stirring overnight to obtain the GNR@CdSe/ZnS composite nanoparticles. Synthesis of GNR@CdSe/ZnS@FA nanoparticles From the stock solution, 2 mL of 4 mg/mL aqueous GNR

Characterization and influence of hydroxyapatite nanopowders on living cells

• Przemyslaw Oberbek,
• Tomasz Bolek,
• Adrian Chlanda,
• Seishiro Hirano,
• Sylwia Kusnieruk,
• Julia Rogowska-Tylman,
• Ganna Nechyporenko,
• Viktor Zinchenko,
• Wojciech Swieszkowski and
• Tomasz Puzyn

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 3079–3094, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.286

• (composite of weakly or medium strongly bound particles), in which for 50% or more of the particles in the number size distribution one or more external dimensions is at the nanoscale [3]. According to the current state of knowledge, aggregates and agglomerates of the nanoobjects (NOAA) that are bigger than

• /ST8/07559: „Three-dimensional composite scaffold based on biodegradable polymers and bioceramic with incorporated growth factors for bone tissue engineering. Research on the manufacturing process and the material influence on living cells function“. We sincerely thank Katarzyna Czarnecka for

Electrostatic force microscopy for the accurate characterization of interphases in nanocomposites

• Diana El Khoury,
• Richard Arinero,
• Jean-Charles Laurentie,
• Mikhaël Bechelany,
• Michel Ramonda and
• Jérôme Castellon

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2999–3012, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.279

• ; Introduction Composite nanomaterials (often referred to as “nanodielectrics” by the dielectrics community) can be synthesized by including dielectric nanoparticles in a polymeric matrix and are often used as insulating material [1][2][3]. Although the mechanical and thermal behavior of the base insulating

Co-intercalated layered double hydroxides as thermal and photo-oxidation stabilizers for polypropylene

• Qian Zhang,
• Qiyu Gu,
• Fabrice Leroux,
• Pinggui Tang,
• Dianqing Li and
• Yongjun Feng

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2980–2988, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.277

• successively dispersed in polypropylene to form HnMn′-Ca2Al/PP composite films (with H = HALS and M = MP) through a solvent casting method. The corresponding crystalline structure, chemical composition, morphology as well as the resistance against thermal aging and photo-oxidation are carefully investigated by

• in the composite. Figure 7a depicts the FTIR spectra of HnMn′-Ca2Al/PP composites in absorbance mode. Here, all composites present the characteristic bands of PP: 2950, 2915, 2868, 2837, 1454, and 1375 cm−1. Some additional bands assigned to LDHs and guest anions are also observed after addition of

• HnMn′-Ca2Al-LDHs. Figure 7b demonstrates the visible-light transmittance of HnMn′-Ca2Al-LDH/PP composite films, which is one of crucial properties of the PP products. All the samples show a similar trend demonstrating that there is a good dispersion of Ca2Al-LDHs in the PP matrix without affecting its

The nanoscaled metal-organic framework ICR-2 as a carrier of porphyrins for photodynamic therapy

• Jan Hynek,
• Sebastian Jurík,
• Martina Koncošová,
• Jaroslav Zelenka,
• Ivana Křížová,
• Tomáš Ruml,
• Kaplan Kirakci,
• Ivo Jakubec,
• František Kovanda,
• Kamil Lang and
• Jan Demel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2960–2967, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.275

• identical conditions (e.g., irradiation wavelength, time, dose). We can compare the activity of nanoICR-2/TPPPi(Ph) with the activity of previously studied PCN-222 nanoparticles where both systems display comparable activity [22]. Conclusion In the context of photodynamic therapy, we present composite

• composite nanoparticles. Unfortunately, the elucidation of the structure–activity relationship is rendered difficult due to the instability of the nanoICR-2/porphyrin nanoparticles in PBS media, as also observed for Zr-based MOFs. Experimental Materials: N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF, Lach-Ner, Czech Republic

Layered calcium phenylphosphonate: a hybrid material for a new generation of nanofillers

• Kateřina Kopecká,
• Ludvík Beneš,
• Klára Melánová,
• Vítězslav Zima,
• Petr Knotek and
• Kateřina Zetková

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2906–2915, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.269

• . The addition of the nanofiller was found to influence the composite properties – the exfoliated particles were found to have a higher impact on the properties of the prepared composites than the unexfoliated particles of the same loading Keywords: exfoliation; layered phenylphosphonate; nanomaterial

• ; nanofiller; polymer filler; Introduction The idea to combine materials with different properties to create a composite that benefits from a synergistic effect and to gain better and novel materials by this way is a very old concept. The reinforcement of a polymer matrix with inorganic fillers with the aim

• phenylphosphonate dihydrate with formula CaC6H5PO3∙2H2O (CaPhP) was used both in exfoliated and unexfoliated forms to prepare a polymer composite with the intention to move towards applied science and find possible applications. The CaPhP layer can be imagined as a sheet consisting of three plies. The central ply

The effect of flexible joint-like elements on the adhesive performance of nature-inspired bent mushroom-like fibers

• Elliot Geikowsky,
• Serdar Gorumlu and
• Burak Aksak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2893–2905, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.268

• carbon nanotubes [24][25][26] and stiff thermoplastic materials [27]. On the other hand, micrometer-scale fibers (i.e., fibers with diameter larger than 5 µm) do not adhere even to smooth surfaces as they lack the necessary contact compliance [28]. Composite fibers where the tip is softer than the stalk

• compliance. In composite fibers, tip articulation could be critical for performance. In some biological attachment systems, such as the male ladybird beetle (Coccinella septempunctata), a joint of soft material between the setal stalk and the tip of an individual fiber has been discovered [31]. This feature

• compliance and facilitates the use of such a stiff polymer. The joint stiffness was controlled using three polyurethane materials of elastic moduli Ej = 0.45, 8.89 and 126 MPa as the joint material. The final array of the composite fibers consisted of a stiff stalk and tip linked by a soft joint as shown in

Nanostructure-induced performance degradation of WO₃·nH₂O for energy conversion and storage devices

• Zhenyin Hai,
• Mohammad Karbalaei Akbari,
• Zihan Wei,
• Danfeng Cui,
• Chenyang Xue,
• Hongyan Xu,
• Philippe M. Heynderickx,
• Francis Verpoort and
• Serge Zhuiykov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2845–2854, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.265

• to fabricate WO3·2H2O electrochemical energy storage electrodes with a higher rate capability than annealed WO3 [38]. The investigation of 2D sheets of WO3 and a rGO–WO3 composite prepared via a one-pot hydrothermal method suggested that the rGO–WO3 composite could be a promising material for

Graphene-enhanced metal oxide gas sensors at room temperature: a review

• Dongjin Sun,
• Yifan Luo,
• Marc Debliquy and
• Chao Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2832–2844, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.264

• higher sensitivity than that of the pure SnO2 sensor at 120 °C. The composite sensor was able to detect 500 ppb HCHO. The unique sensing properties of SnO2–GO sensor was interpreted by the large specific surface area, the high number of oxygen functional groups and electric regulation effects provided

• , meaning that electrons transfer from rGO to SnO2 in the heterojunctions. The Schottky barrier is only 0.2 eV due to the changed Fermi level of the composite structure after achieving a dynamic balance of the electron flow, indicating that the electrons are able to pass through the energy barrier. In

• that the resistance of composite sensor decreases dramatically, leading to high sensitivity and rapid response. Isotypical p–p homojunctions are formed when rGO forms composites with most p-type metal-oxide semiconductors. The enhancement mechanism of p–p homojunctions is similar to that of p–n

Accurate control of the covalent functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes for the electro-enzymatically controlled oxidation of biomolecules

• Naoual Allali,
• Veronika Urbanova,
• Mathieu Etienne,
• Xavier Devaux,
• Martine Mallet,
• Brigitte Vigolo,
• Jean-Joseph Adjizian,
• Chris P. Ewels,
• Sven Oberg,
• Alexander V. Soldatov,
• Edward McRae,
• Yves Fort,
• Manuel Dossot and
• Victor Mamane

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2750–2762, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.257

• functionalization with Fc, was tested first. The electrode was prepared by dispersing the carbon material in a 0.5 wt % chitosan solution. A layer of this chitosan composite was deposited on the GCE and a second layer of chitosan containing diaphorase was additionally deposited on the top. The GCE was used as the

Oriented zinc oxide nanorods: A novel saturable absorber for lasers in the near-infrared

• Pavel Loiko,
• Tanujjal Bora,
• Josep Maria Serres,
• Haohai Yu,
• Magdalena Aguiló,
• Francesc Díaz,
• Uwe Griebner,
• Valentin Petrov,
• Xavier Mateos and
• Joydeep Dutta

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2730–2740, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.255

• excellent sensing properties of the ZnO NRs, such composite structures can be of interest for the development of bio-molecule and gas sensors based on pulsed waveguide lasers. Experimental Growth of ZnO NRs ZnO NRs were directly grown on microscope glass slides (thickness: 1 mm, double-side polished) using

Size-selected Fe₃O₄–Au hybrid nanoparticles for improved magnetism-based theranostics

• Maria V. Efremova,
• Yulia A. Nalench,
• Eirini Myrovali,
• Anastasiia S. Garanina,
• Ivan S. Grebennikov,
• Polina K. Gifer,
• Maxim A. Abakumov,
• Marina Spasova,
• Makis Angelakeris,
• Alexander G. Savchenko,
• Michael Farle,
• Natalia L. Klyachko,
• Alexander G. Majouga and
• Ulf Wiedwald

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2684–2699, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.251

• that small particles (<10–15 nm) crystallize as a composite of magnetite and maghemite, and the anisotropy constant increases with decreasing size. Martinez et al. [52], for example, determined K1 ≈ 70 kJ·m−3 for about 15 nm maghemite NPs, which is strongly enhanced as compared to the bulk value of K1

Nanostructured liquid crystal systems and applications

• Alexei R. Khokhlov and
• Alexander V. Emelyanenko

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2644–2645, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.245

• . There have also been reports of some very interesting experiments with nanocomposites where the solid nanoparticles are dissolved in liquid crystals. Composite materials and mixtures of liquid crystals usually possess better properties than their pure liquid crystal counterparts. Many challenges could

Nanocellulose: Recent advances and its prospects in environmental remediation

• Katrina Pui Yee Shak,
• Yean Ling Pang and
• Shee Keat Mah

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2479–2498, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.232

• –OH of CNC. This modified nanocellulose adsorbent was used for the removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solution by forming a bidentate arrangement between the dye and the adsorbent’s carboxy groups. Meanwhile, Anirudhan et al. [92][93] modified a nanocellulose/nanobentonite composite adsorbent with

• hydroxyapatite nanostructures can interact with cellulose structures effectively, resulting in the enhancement of nanocomposites properties due to their strong hydrogen bond, divalent character, and relatively small ionic radius. Anirudhan et al. [92] chemically modified a composite polymer to produce a poly

• (itaconic acid)–poly(methacrylic acid)-grafted-nanocellulose/nanobentonite composite as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of cobalt (Co(II)) from aqueous solution. This could increase the availability of the multi-carboxy functional moiety, which is covalently bonded to the inorganic matrix, to

High-temperature magnetism and microstructure of a semiconducting ferromagnetic (GaSb)_1−x(MnSb)_x alloy

• Leonid N. Oveshnikov,
• Elena I. Nekhaeva,
• Alexey V. Kochura,
• Alexander B. Davydov,
• Mikhail A. Shakhov,
• Sergey F. Marenkin,
• Oleg A. Novodvorskii,
• Alexander P. Kuzmenko,
• Alexander L. Vasiliev,
• Boris A. Aronzon and
• Erkki Lahderanta

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2457–2465, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.230

• , Russian Federation 10.3762/bjnano.9.230 Abstract We have studied the properties of relatively thick (about 120 nm) magnetic composite films grown by pulsed laser deposition using the eutectic compound (GaSb)0.59(MnSb)0.41 as target for sputtering. For the studied films we have observed ferromagnetism and

• is a GaSb matrix with incorporated MnSb nanograins [8][9][10][14]. However, the best results were obtained not for a composite system but for (GaSb)1−x(MnSb)x alloys with x = 0.41. In annealed samples the mobility of holes was about 100 cm2/(V·s) and Tc was above room temperature [11][12]. Earlier it

Evidence of friction reduction in laterally graded materials

• Roberto Guarino,
• Gianluca Costagliola,
• Federico Bosia and
• Nicola Maria Pugno

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2443–2456, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.229

• analytically, by reducing the equation describing the contact of a rigid flat punch to a singular integral equation, and numerically, through the finite-element method [28][29]. In this paper, we extend the previous work on 1D composite surfaces [30] to 2D geometries to show how it is possible to tune the

Droplet-based synthesis of homogeneous magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

• Christian D. Ahrberg,
• Ji Wook Choi and
• Bong Geun Chung

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2413–2420, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.226

• healthcare significantly [5]. For example, a composite nanomaterial has been developed as a photosensitizer in photothermal therapy (PTT), while also acting as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [6]. Magnetic materials are of particular interest here, as they can be used for targeting [7

Hydrothermal-derived carbon as a stabilizing matrix for improved cycling performance of silicon-based anodes for lithium-ion full cells

• Mirco Ruttert,
• Florian Holtstiege,
• Jessica Hüsker,
• Markus Börner,
• Martin Winter and
• Tobias Placke

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2381–2395, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.223

• morphology and structure of the composite materials, as well as the resilience of the hydrothermal carbon against the volumetric changes of Si, in order to examine the opportunities and limitations of the applied matrix approach. Compared to a physical mixture of Si-NPs and the pure carbon matrix, the

• synthesized composites show a strong improvement in long-term cycling performance (capacity retention after 103 cycles: ≈55% (20 wt % Si composite) and ≈75% (10 wt % Si composite)), indicating that a homogeneous embedding of Si into the amorphous carbon matrix has a highly beneficial effect. The most

• promising Si/C composite is also studied in a LIB full cell vs a NMC-111 cathode; such a configuration is very seldom reported in the literature. More specifically, the influence of electrochemical prelithiation on the cycling performance in this full cell set-up is studied and compared to non-prelithiated