Acetone Sensing with In2O3-Coated Nb2O5 Nanorod Sensors.

Nb2O5-core/In2O3-shell nanorods were synthesized by thermal oxidation of Nb foil followed by sputter deposition of In2O3. The 1D nanostructures exhibited a rod-like morphology with widths and lengths ranging from 20 to 70 nm and 10 to 20 /jm, respectively. The sensing properties of Nb2O5-core/In2O3-shell nanorod sensors toward acetone gas were examined. The pristine Nb2O5 nanorods showed responses ranging from -121 to -253% to CH3COCH3 concentrations of 200-1,000 ppm. In contrast, Nb2O5-core/In2O3-shell nanorods showed responses ranging from -167 to -563% over the same concentration range. These responses are comparable or superior to other metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors in the literature. The underlying mechanism of the enhanced sensing properties of Nb2O5-core/In2O3-shell nanorods toward CH3COCH3 is also discussed.

Enhanced near-band edge emission from ZnO nanorods by V2Os coating and subsequent thermal annealing.

V2O5-coated ZnO 1D nanostructures were prepared by using a two step process: thermal evaporation of a mixture of ZnO and graphite powders (ZnO:C = 1:1) in an oxidative atmosphere and sputter-deposition of V2O5. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the nanostructures had a rod-like morphology with the thickness diminishing gradually from an end to the other. The thicknesses and lengths of the nanorods range from a few tens to a few hundreds of nanometers and from a few to a few tens of micrometers, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that the ZnO cores and V2O5 shells of the core-shell nanorods were wurtzite-type hexagonal close-packed structured single crystal and amorphous, respectively. The intensity ratio of the near-band edge (NBE) emission to the deep-level emission was increased about three times by coating the ZnO nanorods with a V2o5 thin film about 10 nm thick. The NBE emission enhancement may be mainly attributed to two sources: the effects of suppression of capturing of carriers by surface states and suppression of visible emission and nonradiative recombination by depletion regions formed in the ZnO cores. In addition, it was found that postannealing of V2O5-coated ZnO nanorods is not desirable, whereas post annealing makes a positive effect on the NBE emission enhancement in uncoated ZnO nanorods.

In vitro cell tests of pancreatic malignant tumor cells by photothermotherapy based on DMSO porous silicon colloids.

Dimethyl sulfoxide porous silicon (DMSO-PSi) colloid in which DMSO was used as a surfactant suitable for inhibiting the agglomeration of PSi nanoparticles was prepared for use in cancer photothermotherapy. The photothermal effect of the DMSO-PSi colloid was found to be high enough to destroy cancer cells (T = ∼52 °C). The mean particle size of the PSi nanoparticles in the DMSO-PSi colloid was 67 nm, which is low enough to flow through blood vessels without causing a blockage. The DMSO-PSi colloid in combination with an NIR laser resulted in a cell viability of 5.70%, which is a sufficiently high cytotoxic effect.

Effects of functionalization of TiO2 nanotube array sensors with Pd nanoparticles on their selectivity.

This study compared the responses of Pd-functionalized and pristine titanate (TiO2) nanotube arrays to ethanol with those to acetone to determine the effects of functionalization of TiO2 nanotubes with Pd nanoparticles on the sensitivity and selectivity. The responses of pristine and Pd-functionalized TiO2 nanotube arrays to ethanol gas at 200 °C were ~2877% and ~21,253%, respectively. On the other hand, the responses of pristine and Pd-functionalized TiO2 nanotube arrays to acetone gas at 250 °C were ~1636% and 8746% respectively. In the case of ethanol sensing, the response and recovery times of Pd-functionalized TiO2 nanotubes (10.2 and 7.1 s) were obviously shorter than those of pristine TiO2 nanotubes (14.3 and 8.8 s), respectively. In contrast, in the case of acetone sensing the response and recovery times of Pd-functionalized TiO2 nanotubes (42.5 and 19.7 s) were almost the same as those of pristine TiO2 nanotubes (47.2 and 17.9 s). TiO2 nanotube arrays showed the strongest response to ethanol and Pd functionalization was the most effective in improving the response of TiO2 nanotubes to ethanol among six different types of gases: ethanol, acetone, CO, H2, NH3 and NO2. The origin of the superior sensing properties of Pd-functionalized TiO2 nanotubes toward ethanol to acetone is also discussed.

Enhanced gas sensing properties of multiple networked In2O3-core/ZnO-shell nanorod sensors.

The influence of the encapsulation of In2O3 nanorods with ZnO on the H2S gas sensing properties was studied. In2O3-core/ZnO-shell nanorods were fabricated by a two step process comprising the thermal evaporation of an 1:1 mixture of In2O3 and graphite powders and the atomic layer deposition of ZnO. The core-shell nanorods ranged from 100 to 200 nm in diameter and were up to a few hundreds of micrometers in length. The thickness of the ZnO shell layer in the core-shell nanorod ranged from 5 to 10 nm. Multiple networked In2O3-core/ZnO-shell nanorod sensors showed the response of more or less 4 times higher than bare In2O3 nanorod sensors to H2S in a concentration range of 10-100 ppm at 300 degrees C. The substantial improvement in the response of In2O3 nanorods to H2S gas by the encapsulation with ZnO can be accounted for based on the space-charge model. Besides the enhanced sensor response, both the response and recovery times of the core-shell nanorods were shorter than those of the bare-In2O3 nanorods for any H2S concentration, respectively.

Synthesis, structure and gas-sensing properties of Pd-functionalized ZnSnO3 rods.

ZnSnO3 one-dimensional (1D) strutures were synthesized by using an evaporation technique. The morphology, crystal structure, and enhanced sensing properties of the ZnSnO3 structures functionalized with Pd to CO gas at 300 degrees C were investigated. The diameters of the 1D structures ranged from a few hundreds to a few thousands of nanometers and that the lengths were up to a few hundreds of micrometers. The gas sensors fabricated from multiple networked ZnSnO3 rods functionalized with Pd showed the enhanced electrical responses to CO gas. The responses of the rods were improved 10.7, 13.7, 13.4, and 12.5 fold at the CO concentrations of 10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm, respectively. In addition, the mechanism for the enhancement in the gas sensing properties of ZnSnO3 rods by Pd functionalization is discussed.

Drastic improvement of sensing characteristics in SnO2 nanowires by functionalizing with Pt.

We fabricated SnO2/Pt core-shell nanowires by means of a two-step process, in which Pt layers were sputtered onto the surface of networked SnO2 nanowires. For Pt-functionalization, we have synthesized the SnO2-Pt core-shell nanowires by depositing Pt layers using a sputtering method on bare SnO2 nanowires, subsequently annealing and thus transforming the continuous Pt shell layers into Pt nanoparticles. The NO2 gas sensing test demonstrated the ability of the Pt functionalization to attain the higher sensitivity and faster response than bare SnO2 nanowires. The possible mechanisms for improvment of the sensing properties by Pt-functionalization were discussed.

In-vitro cell tests using doxorubicin-loaded polymeric TiO2 nanotubes used for cancer photothermotherapy.

To determine the appropriate surfactant to be added to TiO(2) nanotubes (TNTs) for use in cancer photothermotherapy, this study measured the increase in temperature and examined the size distribution of TNT particles loaded with different surfactants during near-infrared irradiation. In addition, in-vitro cell (fluorescein isothiocyanate and MTT assay) tests were carried out to examine the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin-loaded and polyvinyl alcohol-added TNTs (pTNTs). The mean particle size of the pTNTs was 151.8 nm with a particle size variation of less than 3 nm, which is low enough to flow through blood vessels without causing a blockage. The temperature of the pTNTs was ∼47°C, which is high enough to destroy cancer cells. Doxorubicin-loaded TNTs and pTNTs in combination with a near-infrared laser showed a cell viability of 4.5% - a sufficiently high cytotoxic effect.

Preparation and characterization of MgO nanorods coated with SnO2.

MgO nanorods have been grown by thermal evaporation of Mg3N2 powders on Si (100) substrates coated with gold (Au) thin films. The MgO nanorods grown on Al2O3 (0001) were 0.1-0.2 microm in diameter and up to a few tens of micrometers in length. MgO/SnO2 coaxial nanorods have also been prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of SnO2 onto the nanorods. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results indicate that the MgO-cores and the SnO2 shells of the annealed coaxial nanorods are of a single crystalline nature with cubic and orthorhombic structures, respectively. The photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy analysis results show that SnO2 coating slightly increases the PL emission intensity of MgO nanorods. The PL emission of the SnO2-coated MgO nanorods is found to be considerably enhanced by thermal annealing and to strongly depend on the annealing atmosphere. The PL emission intensity of the MgO/SnO2 coaxial nanorods has been significantly increased by annealing in a reducing atmosphere. The origin of the PL enhancement by annealing in a reducing atmosphere is discussed on the basis of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses.

Photothermal properties of inorganic nanomaterials as therapeutic agents for cancer thermotherapy.

In recent years, gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have attracted significant attention as potent therapeutic agents for cancer thermotherapy. In this paper the photothermal properties of inorganic nanomaterials including porous silicon (PSi), titania (TiO2) nanotubes (NTs), TiO2 NPs, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), Au NPs and SWCNTs have been systematically investigated. PSi shows by far the largest temperature rise (deltaT), TiO2 NTs the second largest deltaT, and MWCNTs the smallest deltaT upon exposure to near-infrared (NIR) laser. The high photothermal effect of PSi has been found to be attributed to the high absorbance and the high surface-to-volume ratio due to the numerous micropores in PSi In addition, the factors affecting the photothermal effects of nanomaterials have been discussed. Our results suggest that PSi and TiO2 NTs are also potential therapeutic agents for cancer thermotherapy with excellent photothermal properties as well as high biocompatibility.

Fabrication and optical emission of TiO2-sheathed ZnO nanowires.

The ZnO nanowires were synthesized by using vapor-liquid-solid mechanism and then the ZnO nanowires were sheathed with TiO2 by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The coaxial nanowires were 30-200 nm in diameter and up to 0.2 microm in length. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis results showed that the ZnO cores and TiO2 shells of the core-shell nanowires had wurtzite and amorphous structures, respectively. Photoluminescence measurement showed that TiO2 coating increased and decreased the near-band edge (NBE) and deep-level emissions of the ZnO nanowires in intensity, respectively. However, it appeared that subsequent annealing was undesirable since it decreased the NBE emission in intensity.

Comparison of oxidized porous silicon with bare porous silicon as a photothermal agent for cancer cell destruction based on in vitro cell test results.

In the systematic administration of cancer, cancer markers are normally used to help the therapeutic agents access the cancer cells spontaneously. Therefore, it is essential to functionalize the surface of porous silicon (pSi) for cancer markers to attach well to pSi in systematic administration because most cancer markers does not attach easily to pSi. The thermal oxidation of pSi is adopted most widely as a surface functionalization technique for pSi. This study examined the photothermal properties and cancer cell-killing ability of oxidized pSi (pSiO). The temperature measurement and in vitro cell tests including the annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) apoptosis assay tests, MTT assay tests, and Trypan blue cell death assay tests were performed to compare the photothermal properties and the cytotoxic effect of pSiO with those of pSi in combination with an 808-nm NIR laser. pSiO showed lower photothermal properties and a lower cell-death rate than bare pSi. On the other hand, the pSiO treatment used in combination with an NIR laser treatment showed a cytotoxic effect high enough to kill a considerable portion of the cancer cells.

In-vivo cancer cell destruction using porous silicon nanoparticles.

In-vivo animal tests were performed to investigate the feasibility of photothermal therapy based on porous silicon nanoparticles (PSiNPs) in combination with a near-infrared (NIR) laser. The in-vivo animal test results showed that the murine colon carcinoma (CT-26) tumors were completely resorbed with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue within 5 days after PSiNPs and NIR laser treatments. In contrast, tumors in the groups treated only with PSiNPs or NIR and a control group continued to grow until the mice died. All of the mice treated with both PSiNPs and NIR remained healthy and free of tumors even 90 days after the treatment. In-vivo fluorescence imaging and the urine and feces tests revealed that PSiNPs injected intratumorally into mice were cleared mainly through the urine. The in-vivo animal test results suggest that thermotherapy based on porous silicon in combination with NIR laser irradiation can efficiently destroy cancer cells selectively without damaging the surrounding healthy cells.

Suppression by fucoidan of liver fibrogenesis via the TGF-ß/Smad pathway in protecting against oxidative stress.

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from various types of brown seaweed, possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties. We investigated the protective effect of fucoidan on dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrogenesis in rats and its mechanism. Liver fibrosis was induced by injecting DMN (10 mg/kg, 3 times per week, I.P.) for 4 weeks, and fucoidan was simultaneously administered (100 mg/kg, 3 times per week, P.O.). The anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of fucoidan were observed by relative mediators. Fucoidan improved liver fibrosis by inhibiting the expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß(1))/Smad3 and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), and increasing the expression of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Fucoidan also significantly decreased the accumulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and collagen. These results suggest that fucoidan had an anti-fibrotic effect, which was exerted by inhibiting the TGF-ß/Smad pathway, as well as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.

Characterization of luminescence properties of V2O5-capped ZnSe nanowires.

ZnSe-core/V2O5-shell nanowires were synthesized by the thermal evaporation of ZnSe powders on gold-coated Si (100) substrates followed by the sputter depositon of V2O5. Scanning electron microscopic images showed that the core-shell nanowires were a few tens to a few hundreds of nanometers in diameter and a few hundreds of micrometers in length. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that the core and shell of the core-shell nanowires were single crystal wurtzite-structured ZnSe and amorphous V2O5, respectively. Photoluminescence measurement showed that the core-shell nanowires as-synthesized or annealed in an oxidative atmosphere had a green emission band centered at around 520 nm whereas the as-synthesized ZnSe nanowires and the ZnSe-core/V2O5-shell nanowires annealed in a reducing atmosphere had a yellow emission band centered at around 590 nm. Our results also showed that V2O5 capping with an optimal thickness and subsequent annealing in a reducing atmosphere could significantly enhance the emission intensity of the ZnSe nanowires. In addition, the origins of the enhancement in intensity and the blue shift of the major emission by V2O5 capping are discussed.

The structure and photoluminescence properties of Bi2O3-core/SnO2-shell nanowires.

Bi2O3-core/SnO2-shell nanowires have been prepared by using a two-step process: thermal evaporation of Bi2O3 powders and sputtering of SnO2. The crystalline nature of the Bi2O3-core/SnO2-shell nanowires has been revealed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). TEM analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that the Bi2O3-core/SnO2-shell nanowires consist of pure tetragonal alpha-Bi2O3-phase momocrystalline cores and tetragonal SnO2-phase polycrystalline shells. The photoluminescence (PL) measurements show that Bi2O3 nanowires have a broad emission band centered at around 560 nm in the yellow-green region. On the other hand, the Bi2O3-core/SnO2-shell coaxial nanowires with the sputtering times of 4 and 8 min have a blue emission band centered at around 450 nm. In contrast, those with a sputtering time of 10 min have a broad emission band centered at approximately 550 nm again. The origin of this yellow-green emission from the core/shell nanowires, however, quite differs from that from Bi2O3 nanowires, i.e., it is not from the Bi2O3 cores but from the SnO2 shells.

Effect of calcination temperature on the textural properties and photocatalytic activities of highly ordered cubic mesoporous WO3/TiO2 films.

Highly organized cubic mesoporous WO3/TiO2 films were successfully prepared by evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) process, employing triblock copolymer as template. The characterization results by XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis. spectrophotometry, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms reveal that the mesoporous films are made up of well-defined 3-D cubic (lm3m space group) mesoporous structure and nanocrystalline anatase frameworks with high surface area, uniform pore sizes and excellent optical transparency. Photocatalytic properties of the mesoporous WO3/TiO2 films in decomposing gaseous 2-propanol to CO2 were analyzed as a function of calcinations temperature. The highest photocatalytic activity was obtained for the films calcined at 450 degrees C, which possess an appropriate crystallinity and relevant ordering of mesoporous structure. It was found that that long-range ordering of mesopores is one of the important factors in determining the photocatalytic degradation of gaseous organics.

Improvement of photovoltaic efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell by introducing highly transparent nanoporous TiO2 buffer layer.

13 nm-sized highly-dispersible TiO2 nanoparticle was synthesized by solvothermal reaction of titanium isopropoxide in a basic condition with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH). The prepared TiO2 nanoparticle was applied to fabrication of the transparent nanoporous TiO2 layer with 1.2 microm-thickness. By introducing this buffer layer between FTO and main TiO2 layer in the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the photovoltaic conversion efficiency was improved from 5.92% to 7.13%. Due to the excellent antireflective role of nanoporous TiO2 buffer layer, the transmittance of FTO glass was increased by 9.2%, and this seemed to be one of the major factors in enhancing photovoltaic conversion efficiency. Moreover, the presence of nanoporous TiO2 buffer layer induces excellent adhesion between FTO and main TiO2 layer, as well as it suppresses the back reaction by blocking direct contact between I3- and FTO electrode.

CO Sensing Properties of Chemiresistive In2O3/SnO2 Composite Nanoparticle Sensors.

In2O3/SnO2 composite nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Fringes and spotty patterns were observed in high-resolution TEM images and corresponding selected area electron diffraction pattern, respectively, suggesting the nanoparticles were single crystals. X-ray diffraction results revealed that the In2O3/SnO2 composite NP sensor consisted of three phases: In2O3, SnO2 and In2Sn2O7-x (indium tin oxide: ITO). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum of the 9:1 In2O3/SnO2 composite NPs showed the atomic ratio of In2O3 to SnO2 was close to 9:1. The response of the chemiresistive sensor to CO was 9.2, which is within the highest 15% among the response values reported for the past 10 years. The ITO NP-based gas sensor is selective toward CO against other reducing gases such as toluene, acetone and benzene. The enhanced response of the 9:1 In2O3/SnO2 composite NP sensor to CO compared to the pure In2O3 NP sensor can be explained mainly by the stronger resistance modulation at the In2O3/SnO2 junctions.

Effects of thermal annealing on Pt-shell/MgO-core nanowires.

We have reported the preparation of Pt-coated MgO nanowires and investigated changes in the structural and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics resulting from application of a thermal annealing process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) have been used to characterize the samples. The shell layer was transformed to Pt nanoparticles by thermal annealing at 800 degrees C. We have studied the effects of Pt-coating and thermal annealing on the PL emission of the products. This approach will offer a potentially useful and novel route for the fabrication of a variety of metal nanoparticles on core nanowires.