Rapid biological synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ocimum sanctum</Emphasis> for water electrolysis applications

The leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum was used as a reducing agent for the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles from an aqueous chloroplatinic acid (H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O). A greater conversion of platinum ions to nanoparticles was achieved by employing a tulsi leaf broth with a reaction temperature of 100 °C. Energy-dispersive absorption X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the platinum particles as major constituent in the reduction process. It is evident from scanning electron microscopy that the reduced platinum particles were found as aggregates with irregular shape. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the compounds such as ascorbic acid, gallic acid, terpenoids, certain proteins and amino acids act as reducing agents for platinum ions reduction. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy suggested the associated forms of platinum with other molecules and the average particle size of platinum nanoparticle was 23 nm, calculated using Scherer equation. The reduced platinum showed similar hydrogen evolution potential and catalytic activity like pure platinum using linear scan voltammetry. This environmentally friendly method of biological platinum nanoparticles production increases the rates of synthesis faster which can potentially be used in water electrolysis applications.     

Biofabrication of platinum nanoparticles using Fumariae herba extract and their catalytic properties

Due to the increasing popularity of using plant extract in the synthesis of nanoparticles, this study presented the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using Fumariae herba extract. The formation of platinum nanoparticles was confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS profile. Transmission electron micrograph presented the hexagonal and pentagonal shape of the synthesized nanoparticles sized about 30 nm. Moreover, platinum nanoparticles presented good catalytic properties in the reduction of methylene blue and crystal violet.     

Biological synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using Diopyros kaki leaf extract

The leaf extract of Diopyros kaki was used as a reducing agent in the ecofriendly extracellular synthesis of platinum nanoparticles from an aqueous H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O solution. A greater than 90% conversion of platinum ions to nanoparticles was achieved with a reaction temperature of 95°C and a leaf broth concentration of >10%. A variety of methods was used to characterize the platinum nanoparticles synthesized: inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The average particle size ranged from 2 to 12 nm depending on the reaction temperature and concentrations of the leaf broth and PtCl₆ ²⁻. FTIR analysis suggests that platinum nanoparticle synthesis using Diopyros kaki is not an enzyme-mediated process. This is the first report of platinum nanoparticle synthesis using a plant extract.     

Mycocrystallization of gold ions by the fungus Cylindrocladium floridanum

The size and morphology determines the thermodynamic, physical and electronic properties of metal nanoparticles. The extracellular synthesis of gold nanoparticles by fungus, Cylindrocladium floridanum, which acts as a source of reducing and stabilizing agent has been described. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using techniques such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Based on the evidence of HR-TEM, the synthesized particles were found to be spherical with an average size of 19.05 nm. Powder XRD pattern proved the formation of (111)-oriented face-centered cubic crystals of metallic gold. This microbial approach by fungus for the green synthesis of spherical gold nanoparticles has many advantages such as economic viability, scaling up and environment friendliness.     

Synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles by using polyol chemistry for their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity

The present investigation deals with facile polyol mediated synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles and their antimicrobial activities against pathogenic microorganisms. The synthesis process was carried out by refluxing zinc acetate precursor in diethylene glycol(DEG) and triethylene glycol(TEG) in the presence and in the absence of sodium acetate for 2 h and 3 h. All synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV visible spectroscopy (UV), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) technique. All nanoparticles showed different degree of antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (NCIM 2654)and Gram-negative Proteus vulgaris (NCIM 2613). The antibacterial and antibiofilm activity was inversely proportional to the size of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. Among all prepared particles, ZnO nanoparticles with least size (~ 15 nm) prepared by refluxing zinc acetate dihydrate in diethylene glycol for 3 h exhibited remarkable antibacterial and antibiofilm activity which may serve as potential alternatives in biomedical application.     

D-mannose-modified iron oxide nanoparticles for stem cell labeling

New surface-modified iron oxide nanoparticles were developed by precipitation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts with ammonium hydroxide according to two methods. In the first method, precipitation was done in the presence of D-mannose solution (in situ coating); the second method involved oxidation of precipitated magnetite with sodium hypochlorite followed by addition of D-mannose solution (postsynthesis coating). Selected nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), elemental analysis, dynamic light scattering, infrared (IR), X-ray powder analysis, and ultrasonic spectrometry. While the first preparation method produced very fine nanoparticles ca. 2 nm in diameter, the second one yielded ca. 6 nm particles. Addition of D-mannose after synthesis did not affect the iron oxide particle size. UV-vis spectroscopy suggested that D-mannose suppresses the nonspecific sorption of serum proteins from DMEM culture medium on magnetic nanoparticles. Rat bone marrow stromal cells (rMSCs) were labeled with uncoated and d-mannose-modified iron oxide nanoparticles and with Endorem (Guerbet, France; control). Optical and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of D-mannose-modified iron oxide nanoparticles inside the cells. D-mannose-modified nanoparticles crossed the cell membranes and were internalized well by the cells. Relaxivity measurements of labeled cells in gelatin revealed very high relaxivities only for postsynthesis D-mannose-coated iron oxide nanoparticles.     

Structural and optical properties of Cu‐doped ZnS nanoparticles formed in chitosan/sodium alginate multilayer films

Chitosan/alginate multilayers were fabricated using a spin‐coating method, and ZnS:Cu nanoparticles were generated within the network of two natural polysaccharides, chitosan and sodium alginate. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using an X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results showed that cubic zinc blende‐structured ZnS:Cu nanoparticles with an average crystal size of ~ 3 nm were uniformly distributed. UV–vis spectra indicate a large quantum size effect and the absorption edge for the ZnS:Cu nanoparticles slightly shifted to longer wavelengths with increasing Cu ion concentrations. The photoluminescence of the Cu‐doped ZnS nanoparticles reached a maximum at a 1% doping level. The ZnS:Cu nanoparticles form and are distributed uniformly in the composite multilayer films with a surface average height of 25 nm. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antioxidant,Antimicrobial, and Neurotoxicity (in Sh-Sy5y Cell Lines) Properties of Mg Nanoparticle System (BP@MgNPs) Prepared by Green Synthesis with Bee Pollen

Due to their distinct characteristics and possible uses in a variety of disciplines, nanoparticles have attracted a lot of attention recently. One area of interest is the synthesis of nanoparticles using natural sources such as bee pollen. The research aims to evaluate the usability of bee pollen extract-based magnesium nanoparticles (MgNPs). First, a palynological study was used to determine the plant source of bee pollen. The nanoparticle was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed cubic-shaped MgNPs with an average size range of 36–40 nm. Afterward, nanoparticles were evaluated for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neurotoxic properties. It was determined that the total antioxidant capacity, phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC) content, DPPH radical scavenging, and antimicrobial activity of the nanoparticles were lower than pollen extract. At the same time, nanoparticles have less toxicity than bee pollen.     

Green synthesis of lead sulfide nanoparticles by the lead resistant marine yeast, Rhodosporidium diobovatum

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles using microorganisms has attracted a lot of attention in recent years as this route has the potential to lead to synthesis of monodisperse nanoparticles. Here, we report the intracellular synthesis of stable lead sulfide nanoparticles by a marine yeast, Rhodosporidium diobovatum. The PbS nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive atomic spectroscopy (EDAX). UV-visible absorption scan revealed a peak at 320 nm, a characteristic of the nanosize range. XRD confirmed the presence of PbS nanoparticles of cubic structure. Crystallite size as determined from transmission electron microscopy was found to be in the range of 2-5 nm. Elemental analysis by EDAX revealed the presence of particles composed of lead and sulfur in a 1:2 ratio indicating that PbS nanoparticles were capped by a sulfur-rich peptide. A quantitative study of lead uptake through atomic absorption spectrometry revealed that 55% of lead in the medium was accumulated in the exponential phase, whereas a further 35% was accumulated in the stationary phase; thus, the overall recovery of PbS nanoparticles was 90%. The lead-exposed yeast displayed a marked increase (280% over the control) in nonprotein thiols in the stationary phase.     

Mycogenesis of gold nanoparticles using a phytopathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria alternata</Emphasis>

The development of an eco-friendly and reliable process for the synthesis of gold nanomaterials (AuNPs) using microorganisms is gaining importance in the field of nanotechnology. In the present study, AuNPs have been synthesized by bio-reduction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl₄) using the fungal culture filtrate (FCF) of Alternaria alternata. The synthesis of the AuNPs was monitored by UV–visible spectroscopy. The particles thereby obtained were characterized by UV, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray study revealed the presence of gold in the nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of a protein shell outside the nanoparticles which in turn also support their stabilization. Treatment of the fungal culture filtrate with aqueous Au⁺ ions produced AuNPs with an average particle size of 12 ± 5 nm. This proposed mechanistic principal might serve as a set of design rule for the synthesis of nanostructures with desired architecture and can be amenable for the large scale commercial production and technical applications.     

The Tunable and Well-Controlled Surface Plasmon Resonances of Au Hollow Nanostructures by a Chemical Route

Au plasmonic hollow spherical nanostructures were synthesized by electrochemical reduction (GRR, the Galvanic Replacement Reaction) using Ag nanoparticles as templates. From UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, it was found that the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of gold hollow spherical nanostructures first showed red shift and then blue shift. However, further addition of gold precursor (HAuCl₄) resulted into a red shift of SPR peak. The morphological changes from Ag nanoparticles to Au hollow nanostructures were assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)analysis. The Mie Scattering theory based simulations of SPR of Au hollow nanostructures were performed which are in good agreement with the experimental observations. Based on the experimental observations and theoretical calculations, a complete growth mechanism for Au hollow nanostructures is proposed.     

Biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Magnolia kobus and Diopyros kaki leaf extracts

Leaf extracts of two plants, Magnolia kobus and Diopyros kaki, were used for ecofriendly extracellular synthesis of metallic gold nanoparticles. Stable gold nanoparticles were formed by treating an aqueous HAuCl₄ solution using the plant leaf extracts as reducing agents. UV–visible spectroscopy was used for quantification of gold nanoparticle synthesis. Only a few minutes were required for >90% conversion to gold nanoparticles at a reaction temperature of 95 °C, suggesting reaction rates higher or comparable to those of nanoparticle synthesis by chemical methods. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were characterized with inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and particle analysis using a particle analyzer. SEM and TEM images showed that a mixture of plate (triangles, pentagons, and hexagons) and spherical structures (size, 5–300 nm) were formed at lower temperatures and leaf broth concentrations, while smaller spherical shapes were obtained at higher temperatures and leaf broth concentrations.     

Synthesis of gold nanotriangles and silver nanoparticles using Aloe vera plant extract

Biogenic gold nanotriangles and spherical silver nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple procedure using Aloe vera leaf extract as the reducing agent. This procedure offers control over the size of the gold nanotriangle and thereby a handle to tune their optical properties, particularly the position of the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance. The kinetics of gold nanotriangle formation was followed by UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of reducing agent concentration in the reaction mixture on the yield and size of the gold nanotriangles was studied using transmission electron microscopy. Monitoring the formation of gold nanotriangles as a function of time using TEM reveals that multiply twinned particles (MTPs) play an important role in the formation of gold nanotriangles. It is observed that the slow rate of the reaction along with the shape directing effect of the constituents of the extract are responsible for the formation of single crystalline gold nanotriangles. Reduction of silver ions by Aloe vera extract however, led to the formation of spherical silver nanoparticles of 15.2 nm +/- 4.2 nm size.     

Plasmonic Properties of β-Sn Nanoparticles in Ordered and Disordered Arrangements

This work investigates the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of β-Sn also known as white tin. Recently, studies on arrays of β-Sn nanoparticles have shown that these arrays possess strong optical features caused by diffractive effects in the particle grating (Johansen et al., Phys Rev B 84:113405–113408, 2011). In the presence of the grating, the LSPR could not clearly be distinguished in the spectra. To get a better understanding of the plasmonic properties of the particles, we have now eliminated the diffractive effects by placing the particles in a random distribution. The particles were fabricated by electron beam lithography on a fused silica substrate and investigated by optical transmission measurements. In the random configuration, a clear LSPR is observed at 530 nm for particles with a diameter of 155 nm and a height of 50 nm.     

Rapid biosynthesis of PVP coated silver nanoparticles by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kocuria rosea</Emphasis> and their antimicrobial activity

The need for more effective antimicrobial agent and propitious application of nanotechnology in therapeutics and diagnostics has prompted the research on ecofriendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The objective of present study was to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles were synthesized by extracellular method, using soil bacteria Kocuria rosea. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). On the basis of TEM analysis, the synthesized nanoparticles were found to be spherical with an average size of 30–50 nm. The biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles showed significant antimicrobial activity against pathogens.     

Green synthesis and characterization of Carica papaya leaf extract coated silver nanoparticles through X-ray diffraction,electron microscopy and evaluation of bactericidal properties

The evolution of nanotechnology and the production of nanomedicine from various sources had proven to be of intense value in the field of biomedicine. The smaller size of nanoparticles is gaining importance in research for the treatment of various diseases. Moreover the production of nanoparticles is eco-friendly and cost effective. In the present study silver nanoparticles were synthesized from Carica papaya leaf extract (CPL) and characterized for their size and shape using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS/EDX) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) were conducted to determine the concentration of metal ions, the shape of molecules. The bactericidal activity was evaluated using Luria Bertani broth cultures and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were estimated using turbidimetry. The data analysis showed size of 50–250 nm spherical shaped nanoparticles. The turbidimetry analysis showed MIC and MBC was >25 μg/mL against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria in Luria Bertani broth cultures. In summary the synthesized silver nanoparticles from CPL showed acceptable size and shape of nanoparticles and effective bactericidal activity.     

Application of the analytical transmission electron microscopy techniques for detection,identification and visualization of localization of nanoparticles of titanium and cerium oxides in mammalian cells

This work represents the results of the study on applicability of the modern methods of analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for detection, identification and visualization of localization of nanoparticles of titanium and cerium oxides in A549, human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. Comparative analysis was performed for images of the nanoparticles in cells obtained in the bright-field mode of TEM, bright-field scanning TEM, and high-angle annular dark field scanning TEM. For identification of nanoparticles in the cells, the analytical techniques, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy, were compared when used in the modes of obtaining energy spectra from different particles and of element mapping. It was shown that electron tomography is applicable to confirm that nanoparticles are localized in the sample rather than brought in by contamination. The possibilities and fields of using different techniques of analytical TEM for detection, visualization and identification of nanoparticles in biological samples are discussed.     

Analysis of the cell surface layer ultrastructure of the oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia

The Gram-negative oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia is decorated with a 2D crystalline surface (S-) layer, with two different S-layer glycoprotein species being present. Prompted by the predicted virulence potential of the S-layer, this study focused on the analysis of the arrangement of the individual S-layer glycoproteins by a combination of microscopic, genetic, and biochemical analyses. The two S-layer genes are transcribed into mRNA and expressed into protein in equal amounts. The S-layer was investigated on intact bacterial cells by transmission electron microscopy, by immune fluorescence microscopy, and by atomic force microscopy. The analyses of wild-type cells revealed a distinct square S-layer lattice with an overall lattice constant of 10.1?±?0.7?nm. In contrast, a blurred lattice with a lattice constant of 9.0?nm was found on S-layer single-mutant cells. This together with in vitro self-assembly studies using purified (glyco)protein species indicated their increased structural flexibility after self-assembly and/or impaired self-assembly capability. In conjunction with TEM analyses of thin-sectioned cells, this study demonstrates the unusual case that two S-layer glycoproteins are co-assembled into a single S-layer. Additionally, flagella and pilus-like structures were observed on T. forsythia cells, which might impact the pathogenicity of this bacterium.     

Starch vermicelli template-assisted synthesis of size/shape-controlled nanoparticles

Size- and shape-controlled syntheses of silver and gold nanoparticles have been successfully developed using partially hydrolyzed starch vermicelli templates as green nanoreactors for the growth of nanoparticles. Mung bean vermicelli is of interest due to the higher amylose content and its transparency, allowing the formation of coloured particles on the vermicelli to be observed. The as-prepared silver and gold nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The carbonization of as-prepared vermicelli at 200 °C, 300 °C, and 500 °C was carried out to investigate nanoparticles embedded in the starch vermicelli templates. TEM of carbonized samples revealed the interesting patterns of gold nanorods and silver nanowire-liked assemblies along with carbon nanotubes. The carbonization of silver nanoparticles at 500 °C resulted to the loss of starch vermicelli capping nanoparticles and this led to the higher diffusion rate of nanoparticles to generate silver nanodendrites on TEM images. XRD data of carbonized yellow and purple silver nanoparticles revealed the presence of silver nanoparticles and a mixture of silver and silver chloride nanoparticles, respectively. This approach offers a great potential to design new fine structures of vermicelli and utilize its structure as a template for the large-scale synthesis of size- and shape-controlled silver and gold nanoparticles for chemical and biological applications.     

Structural and optical properties of dysprosium-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and the use as a bioimaging probe in human cells

In this work, the hydroxyapatite nanoparticles doped with trivalent dysprosium ions were synthesized by a co-precipitation method. The characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were carried out to determine the crystalline and structural properties. The Rietveld structural refinement of the XRD patterns confirmed the purity of the phase formation of the synthesized nanoparticles. The photoluminescence emission spectra exhibited intense emissions in the blue region at 450 nm and 476 nm along with less intense yellow emission at 573 nm which can be attributed to the magnetic dipole and electric dipole transitions of dysprosium respectively. In order to evaluate the colour tunability of the emitted light CIE chromaticity coordinate values were calculated. The intense blue emissions from the synthesized sample were found to be favourable for bioimaging. The images obtained from the fluorescence microscopy revealed that the dysprosium-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles are potential bioimaging probes in human cells.