Amit L. Sharma

Comparative study of carbon nanotube dispersion using surfactants.

Dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a challenging task for their utilization in nanoscale device applications. This account reports a comparative analysis on dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with four surfactants-Triton X-100, Tween 20, Tween 80, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Among the four surfactants, Triton X-100 and SDS provide maximum and minimum dispersion, respectively. Dispersion of MWNTs has been characterized with UV-vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM results are in agreement with the UV-vis measurements. The experimentally observed trend of dispersing power of surfactants is consistent with their chemical structures. An optimum CNT-to-surfactant ratio has been determined for each surfactant. This parameter is shown to affect the nanotube dispersion significantly. Surfactant concentration above or below this ratio is shown to deteriorate the quality of nanotube dispersion. TEM analysis of a high-surfactant-concentration sample enables us to construct a plausible mechanism for decrease in CNT dispersion at high surfactant concentration, consistent with the UV-vis observations. Temperature stability of the surfactant is another important factor affecting the quality of CNT dispersion.

Immunosensing of Atrazine with Antibody-Functionalized Cu-MOF Conducting Thin Films.

This work reports the assembly of thin films of a silica (SiO2)-modified copper-metal organic framework, Cu3(BTC)2 [Cu3(BTC)2@SiO2, BTC = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid] on a conducting substrate of NH2-BDC [NH2-BDC = 2-aminobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid] doped polyaniline (PANI). Assembled Cu3(BTC)2@SiO2/BDC-PANI thin films displayed electrical conductivity in the range of 35 μA. These thin films were conjugated with antiatrazine antibodies to create a novel immunosensing platform. Various structural and spectral characteristics of the synthesized material and its bioconjugate were investigated. The developed immunosensor was used for the conductometric sensing of atrazine. The detection of atrazine was achieved with a high sensor sensitivity (limit of detection = 0.01 nM) and specificity in the presence of diverse pesticides (e.g., endosulfan, parathion, paraoxon, malathion, and monochrotophos).

Recovery of Pure ZnO Nanoparticles from Spent Zn-Mno2 Alkaline Batteries

The recovery of pure ZnO (zinc oxide) nanoparticles from spent Zn-Mn dry alkaline batteries is reported. Spent batteries were dismantled to separate the contained valuable metals of the cell electrodes in the form of black powder. Treatment of this black powder with 5 mol L(-1) HCl produced leach liquor, primarily containing 2.90 g L(-1) Zn and 2.02 g L(-1) Mn. Selective and quantitative liquid-liquid extraction of Zn(II) was then carried out in three counter current steps by using Cyanex 923 (0.10 mol L(-1) in n-hexane). Zn(II) distributed in the organic phase as complex ZnCl(2)·2R (R = Cyanex 923 molecule). The metal loaded organic phase was subjected to combust at 600 °C to yield pure ZnO nanoparticles (40-50 nm). Important characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Highly Sensitive Glucose Sensing With Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes – Polyaniline Composite

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been carboxylated and then immobilized with glucose oxidase (GOx) by amine coupling through EDC-NHS chemistry. These functionalized MWCNTs have been introduced into polyaniline matrix by electrochemical method. The different involved steps have been characterized with molecular and electronic spectroscopy. Prepared thin films preserved the enzymatic activity of GOx and their average electrical conductivity was measured as 3.78 × 10−1 S cm−1. Observed response time was 5 s and a linear pattern of current vs. concentration was recorded for 0.5–22 mM glucose.

A facile chemical route for recovery of high quality zinc oxide nanoparticles from spent alkaline batteries

Recycling of spent domestic batteries has gained a great environmental significance. In the present research, we propose a new and simple technique for the recovery of high-purity zinc oxide nanoparticles from the electrode waste of spent alkaline Zn-MnO2 batteries. The electrode material was collected by the manual dismantling and mixed with 5M HCl for reaction with a phosphine oxide reagent Cyanex 923® at 250°C for 30min. The desired ZnO nanoparticles were restored from the Zn-Cyanex 923 complex through an ethanolic precipitation step. The recovered particle product with about 5nm diameter exhibited fluorescent properties (emission peak at 400nm) when excited by UV radiation (excitation energy of 300nm). Thus, the proposed technique offered a simple and efficient route for recovering high purity ZnO nanoparticles from spent alkaline batteries.

A New Electrolytic Synthesis Method for Few-Layered MoS2 Nanosheets and Their Robust Biointerfacing with Reduced Antibodies

We report an efficient method for the synthesis of few-layered MoS2 nanosheets and demonstrate their application in the label-free detection of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) cancer marker. As a novel strategy, the electro-dissolution of molybdenum metal sheets in the presence of Na(+) and S(2-) ions led to the formation of Na(+) intercalated MoS2. Further exfoliation by ultrasonication yielded the desired formation of few-layered MoS2 nanosheets. After comprehensive characterization, the synthesized MoS2 nanosheets were channeled in a field-effect transistor (FET) microdevice. Chemically reduced anti-PSA antibodies were immobilized on the MoS2 channel above the FET microdevice to construct a specific PSA immunosensor. The antibodies were deliberately reduced to expose the hinge-region disulfide bonds. This approach offered a robust and site-directed immunosensing device through biointerfacing of the sulfhydryl groups (-SH) in the reduced antibody with the surface S atoms of MoS2. This device was validated as an effective immunosensor with a low detection limit (10(-5) ng/mL) over a wide linear detection range (10(-5) to 75 ng/mL).

Formation of High-Purity Indium Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Application to Sensitive Detection of Ammonia

High-purity In2O3 nanoparticles were recovered from scrap indium tin oxide substrates in a stepwise process involving acidic leaching, liquid-liquid extraction with a phosphine oxide extractant, and combustion of the organic phase. The morphological and structural parameters of the recovered nanoparticles were investigated to support the formation of the desired products. These In2O3 nanoparticles were used for sensitive sensing of ammonia gas using a four-probe electrode device. The proposed sensor offered very quick response time (around 10 s) and highly sensitive detection of ammonia (at a detection limit of 1 ppm).

Thermally Evaporated Poly(Aniline-co-Fluoroaniline) Films for Ammonia Sensing

Chemically synthesized poly(aniline-co-fluoroaniline) [poly(An-FAn)] powder were deposited on platinum substrates using thermal evaporation technique [poly(An-FAn)/vac]. These films were characterized using spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Electrical conductivity and molecular weight of copolymer have been measured. Results revealed that the structure of poly(An-FAn) is maintained during thermal evaporation. The response of poly(An-FAn)/vac films in terms of change in resistance with different concentration of ammonia shows its utility as a sensor material. The films show good response for ammonia. The sensing of 50 ppm of ammonia was achieved with response and recovery time of 13 and 80 seconds, respectively.

Broadband antireflection coatings for multifunctional avionic displays

Broadband Multilayer Antireflection (AR) coatings markedly improve the transmission efficiency of any optical component such as lens, prism, beam-splitter, beam combiner or a window. By reducing surface reflections over a wide wavelength range, broadband antireflection coatings improve transmission and enhance contrast which is desired in avionic displays. The broadband antireflection coating consisting of MgF2, ZrO2 and Al2O3 were designed to cover the whole visible spectrum and fabricated on optical grade glass substrate. The optical characterization of these coatings indicates reduction of the reflection to 2.28% as compared to 8.5 % at 545 nm (i.e. design wavelength of most avionic displays) for bare substrate making them useful in optical displays for avionic applications.

A Fluorescent Cy7-Mercaptopyridine for the Selective Detection of Glutathione over Homocysteine and Cysteine

We describe a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe 1 for the selective detection of GSH over Hcy and Cys under physiological conditions. Probe 1 was composed of Cy7 as a NIR dye and 2-mercaptopyridine as a GSH-reactive site and fluorescence quencher. In the presence of GSH, the 2-mercaptopyridine functionality of probe 1 was replaced by the thiolate group of GSH through a nucleophilic substitution reaction with a fluorescence increase at 818 nm. The probe was found to be highly selective for GSH over Hcy, Cys, and other tested potential interferants, including ROS and metal ions. In addition, probe 1 successfully displayed fluorescence changes in response to changing the GSH concentrations in MDA-MB-231 cells in the presence of external agents i.e., N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC; as GSH inducer) or buthionine sulfoximine (BSO; as GSH inhibitor). We envision that probe 1 will serve as a promising sensing tool for monitoring the changes of the GSH level and the understanding of the roles of GSH under physiological and pathological conditions.