Fabrication of nano-graphene oxide assisted hydrotalcite/chitosan biocomposite: An efficient adsorbent for chromium removal from water.

Recently, nanomaterials based adsorbents play a prominent role in the removal of toxic ions from aqueous solution. Hence in the present study, nano-graphene oxide (n-GO) fabricated hydrotalcite (n-GO@HT) composite was prepared by hydrothermal method for chromium removal. To improve the mechanical strength and chromium removal capacity, GO@HT composite was reinforced with chitosan (CS) to form hybrid composite namely n-GO@HTCS biocomposite. The synthesized biocomposite was characterized using various instrumental techniques like FTIR, SEM, TEM and EDAX with mapping analysis. To get the maximum chromium retention, the various sorption experiments like agitation time, dosage, pH, competing ions and temperature were optimized. The sorption capacity (SC) of n-GO@HTCS biocomposite was found to be 42.64 mg/g within 50 min. The obtained equilibrium data was explained with Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms wherein the chromium sorption process was best fitted with Langmuir isotherm. The thermodynamic results prove that the chromium sorption of n-GO@HTCS biocomposite was endothermic and spontaneous. The chromium sorbed n-GO@HTCS biocomposite could be easily regenerated with 0.1 M NaOH. The synthesized n-GO@HTCS biocomposite was also utilized in the field conditions.

Influence of ball milling on the particle size and antimicrobial properties of Tridax procumbens leaf nanoparticles.

The herbal nanoparticles were prepared from shade dried Tridax procumbens plant leaves employing ball milling technique using different process parameters, like ball ratio/size and milling time. The obtained nanoparticles were comprehensively characterised using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and antimicrobial analysis techniques. The crystallinity of the nanoparticles was retained without altering even though the particle size changes due to milling periods. The antibacterial activities of the prepared herbal nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were explored to understand the influence of particle size on antimicrobial activities and their functional properties. The increase in ball ratio and milling time periods leads to a decrease in nanoparticle size from 114 to 45 nm which in turn increases the antimicrobial activities. The above study confirms that antimicrobial activity relies on nanoparticle size. The observed knowledge on influence of particle size on antimicrobial activities will help to optimise the production of potential herbal nanoparticles for different biomedical applications.

Use of urchin-like Ni(x)Co(3-x)O4 hierarchical nanostructures based on non-precious metals as bifunctional electrocatalysts for anion-exchange membrane alkaline alcohol fuel cells.

Bifunctional electrocatalysts based on non-precious metals were developed for the dioxygen reduction and methanol oxidation reactions. These electrocatalysts can be considered as candidate cathode and anode materials for anion-exchange membrane (AEM) alkaline alcohol fuel cells. A series of Ni-doped cobalt oxide (NixCo3-xO4) hierarchical nanostructures composed of one-dimensional nanorods was prepared by an inexpensive hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the NixCo3-xO4 crystallized in a cubic spinel phase. The electrochemical performance of the catalysts was investigated using a conventional cyclic voltammetry technique. The electrocatalytic behaviour of the NixCo3-xO4 hierarchical nanostructures was compared with the behaviour of Co3O4 and Co0.33Ni0.67O. The synergistic behaviour of the Ni in the NixCo3-xO4 nanostructures was established with respect to the Ni content. NixCo3-xO4 hierarchical nanostructures show a better catalytic behaviour than Co3O4 and Co0.33Ni0.67O. Although the NixCo3-xO4 compositions all showed good catalytic behaviour, Ni1Co2O4 was identified as a superior bifunctional electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation reactions in alkaline media. The effect of the Ni content on the electrocatalytic properties of the NixCo3-xO4 hierarchical nanostructures was clearly shown. The use of these electrocatalysts based on non-precious metals could have a commercial impact on the development of non-platinum electrocatalysts for application in AEM alkaline alcohol fuel cells.

Effect of nanosilica and silicon sources on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, soil nutrients and maize seed germination.

The study was aimed at evaluating the effect of nanosilica and different sources of silicon on soil properties, total bacterial population and maize seed germination. Nanosilica was synthesised using rice husk and characterised. Silica powder was amorphous (50 nm) with >99.9% purity. Sodium silicate treated soil inhibited plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in contrast to nanosilica and other bulk sources. Surface property and effect of soil nutrient content of nanosilica treatment were improved. Colony forming unit (CFU) was doubled in the presence of nanosilica from 4 × 105 CFU (control) to 8 × 105 CFU per gram of soil. The silica and protein content of bacterial biomass clearly showed an increase in uptake of silica with an increase in nanosilica concentration. Nanosilica promoted seed germination percentage (100%) in maize than conventional Si sources. These studies show that nanosilica has favourable effect on beneficial bacterial population and nutrient value of soil.

Preparation and characterization of silver-doped nanobioactive glass particles and their in vitro behaviour for biomedical applications.

In this study, silver-doped silica- and phosphate-based nanobioactive glass compositions (58SiO2-(33- x)CaO-9P2O5-xAg2O) (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 mol%) were synthesised by a simple and cost-effective sol-gel method. The prepared samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer studies. All the compositions of the glass samples revealed amorphous phase with spherical morphology and a particle size less than 100 nm. The prepared glass samples reveal the specific surface area in the range of 55.31-90.69 m2 g(-1). The bioactivity of glass samples was confirmed through the formation of the hydroxyapatite layer on glass surfaces during in vitro studies in which silver doped glasses (2 and 3 mol%) showed better bioactivity. A better biocompatibility was achieved in human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line in case of silver-free glass sample while comparing the biological behaviour of Ag2O-doped glasses. Further, the Ag2O-doped nanobioactive glasses revealed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Ag2O substitutions showed better in vitro bioactivity and remained slightly toxic to human cells at a concentration of 100 microg mL(-1). Silver-doped nanobioactive glass shows good antimicrobial property as well as no significant toxic for implant applications.

Impact of nano and bulk ZrO2, TiO2 particles on soil nutrient contents and PGPR.

Currently, nanometal oxides are used extensively in different industries such as medicine, cosmetics and food. The increased consumption of nanoparticles (NPs) leads the necessity to understand the fate of the nanoparticles in the environment. The present study focused on the ecotoxicological behaviour of bulk and nano ZrO2 (Zirconia) and TiO2 (Titania) particles on PGPR (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria), soil and its nutrient contents. The microbial susceptibility study showed that nano TiO2 had 13 +/- 0.9 mm (B. megaterium), 15 +/- 0.2 mm (P. fluorescens), 16 +/- 0.2 mm (A. vinelandii) and 12 +/- 0.3 mm (B. brevis) zones of inhibition. However, nano and bulk ZrO2 particles were non-toxic to PGPR. In addition, it was found that toxicity varied depends on the medium of reaction. The soil study showed that nano TiO2 was found to be highly toxic, whereas bulk TiO2 was less toxic towards soil bacterial populations at 1000 mg L(-1). In contrast, nano and bulk ZrO2 were found to be inert at 1000 mg L(-1). The observed zeta potential and hydrophobicity of TiO2 particles causes more toxic than ZrO2 in parallel with particle size. However, nano TiO2 decreases the microbial population as well as nutrient level of the soil but not zirconia. Our finding shows that the mechanism of toxicity depends on size, hydrophobic potential and zeta potential of the metal oxide particles. Thus, it is necessary to take safety measures during the disposal and use of such toxic nanoparticles in the soil to prevent their hazardous effects.

Screening of in vitro cytotoxicity, antioxidant potential and bioactivity of nano- and micro-ZrO2 and -TiO2 particles.

Nanometal oxides are used in tissue engineering and implants. The increased use of nanoparticles suggests the need to study their adverse effects on biological systems. The present investigation explores in vitro cytotoxicity, antioxidant potential, and bioactivity of nano- and micro-particles such as zirconia (ZrO2) and titania (TiO2) on biological systems such as National Institute of Health (NIH) 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts cell line, di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) iminoazanium (DPPH) and simulated body fluid (SBF). The cell line viability % indicated that nano ZrO2 and TiO2 were less toxic than microparticles up to 200µgml(-1). DPPH assay revealed that the free radical scavenging potential of tested particles were higher for nano ZrO2 (76.9%) and nano TiO2 (73.3%) at 100mg than that for micron size particles. Calcium deposition percentage of micro- and nano-ZrO2 particles, after SBF study, showed 0.066% and 0.094% respectively, whereas for micro- and nano-TiO2, it was 0.251% and 0.615% respectively. FTIR results showed a good bioactivity through hydroxyapatite formation. The present investigation clearly shows that nanoparticles possess good antioxidant potential and better biocompatibility under in vitro conditions which are dose and size dependent. Hence, cytotoxicity itself is not promising evaluation method for toxicity rather than particles individual characterisation using antioxidant and bioactivity analysis.