Dai Lam Tran

Chitosan and O-carboxymethyl chitosan modified Fe3O4 for hyperthermic treatment

In this study magnetic fluids were manufactured by the adsorption of chitosan (CS) and O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMCS) on Fe3O4 nanoparticles to be used as hyperthermic thermoseeds. Fe3O4 particles were characterized by physico-chemical methods such as: thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The SEM images and XRD patterns showed that the synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles were of single phase and spherical shape with 10–15 nm in diameter. The VSM measurements showed that Fe3O4 particles were superparamagnetic with saturation magnetization of 70 emu g−1. The adsorbed layers of CS and OCMCS on the magnetite surface (Fe3O4/CS) and (Fe3O4/OCMCS) were confirmed by FTIR, Raman spectra and SEM. In the ac magnetic field of 80 Oe and 236 kHz, the saturation heating temperatures of the sample Fe3O4/CS and Fe3O4/OCMCS were 100 and 98 °C, respectively. At the same concentration of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in suspension, the two magnetic fluids exhibited quite high heating capacity, with different behaviors of concentration dependence. The Fe3O4/CS and Fe3O4/OCMCS nanoparticles would serve as good thermoseeds for localized hyperthermia treatment of cancers.

Preparation and anti-cancer activity of polymer-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles

Curcumin (Cur) is a yellow compound isolated from rhizome of the herb curcuma longa. Curcumin possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antimicrobial properties, and suppresses proliferation of many tumor cells. However, the clinical application of curcumin in cancer treatment is considerably limited due to its serious poor delivery characteristics. In order to increase the hydrophilicity and drug delivery capability, we encapsulated curcumin into copolymer PLA-TPGS, 1,3-beta-glucan (Glu), O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMCs) and folate-conjugated OCMCs (OCMCs-Fol). These polymer-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles (Cur-PLA-TPGS, Cur-Glu, Cur-OCMCs and Cur-OCMCs-Fol) were characterized by infrared (IR), fluorescence (FL), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and found to be spherical particles with an average size of 50‐100nm, being suitable for drug delivery applications. They were much more soluble in water than not only free curcumin but also other biodegradable polymer-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles. The anti-tumor promoting assay was carried out, showing the positive effects of Cur-Glu and Cur-PLA-TPGS on tumor promotion of Hep-G2 cell line in vitro. Confocal microscopy revealed that the nano-sized curcumin encapsulated by polymers OCMCs and OCMCs-Fol significantly enhanced the cellular uptake (cancer cell HT29 and HeLa).

Graphene patterned polyaniline-based biosensor for glucose detection

This paper describes a glucose electrochemical biosensor, layer-by-layer fabricated from graphene and polyaniline films. Graphene sheets (0.5?0.5?cm2) with the thickness of 5?nm (15 layers) were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) under ambient pressure on copper tapes. Then they were transferred into integrated Fe3O4-doped polyaniline (PANi) based microelectrodes. The properties of the nanocomposite films were thoroughly characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electrochemical methods, such as square wave voltametry (SWV) and chronoamperometry. The above graphene patterned sensor (denoted as Graphene/Fe3O4/PANi/GOx) shows much improved glucose sensitivity (as high as 47??A?mM?1?cm?2) compared to a non-graphene one (10?30??A?mM?1?cm?2, as previously reported in the literature). It can be expected that this proof-of-concept biosensor could be extended for other highly sensitive biodetection.

Development of the layer-by-layer biosensor using graphene films: application for cholesterol determination

The preparation and characterization of graphene films for cholesterol determination are described. The graphene films were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Methane gas (CH4) and copper tape were used as carbon source and catalyst in the graphene growth process, respectively. The intergrated array was fabricated by using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology in which Fe3O4-doped polyaniline (PANi) film was electropolymerized on Pt/Gr electrodes. The properties of the Pt/Gr/PANi/Fe3O4 films were investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques. Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) has been immobilized onto the working electrode with glutaraldehyde agent. The cholesterol electrochemical biosensor shows high sensitivity (74 μA mM−1 cm−2) and fast response time (<5 s). A linear calibration plot was obtained in the wide cholesterol concentration range from 2 to 20 mM and correlation coefficient square (R2) of 0.9986. This new layer-by-layer biosensor based on graphene films promises many practical applications.

A novel nanofiber Cur-loaded polylactic acid constructed by electrospinning

Curcumin (Cur), extracted from the Curcuma longa L. plant, is well known for its anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Nanofiber mats of polylactic acid (PLA) loading Cur (5?wt%) were fabricated by electrospinning (e-spinning). Morphology and structure of the fibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, respectively. The diameters of the obtained fibers varied from 200 to 300?nm. The release capacity of curcumin from curcumin-loaded PLA fibers was investigated in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) containing ethanol. After 24?h, 50% of the curcumin was released from curcumin-loaded PLA fibers. These results of electrospun (e-spun) fibers exhibit the potential for biomedical application.

Facile and solvent-free routes for the synthesis of size-controllable Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles

Magnetite nanoparticles are one of the most important materials that are widely used in both medically diagnostic and therapeutic research. In this paper, we present some facile and non-toxic synthetic approaches for size-controllable preparations of magnetite nanoparticles, which are appropriate for biomedical applications, namely (i) co-precipitation; (ii) reduction‐precipitation and (iii) oxidation‐precipitation. Magnetic characterizations of the obtained nanoparticles have been studied and discussed. The oxidation precipitation route was chosen for investigation of the dependence of kinetic driven activation energy and that of coercive force on particle size (and temperature) during the course of the reaction. The structural‐magnetic behavior was also correlated. Being solvent and surfactant-free, these methods are advantageous for synthesis and further functionalization towards biomedical applications.

Portable cholesterol detection with polyaniline-carbon nanotube film based interdigitated electrodes

Polyaniline-carboxylic multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite film (PANi-MWCNT) has been polymerized on the surface of interdigitated platinum electrode (fabricated by MEMS technology) which was compatibly connected to Autolab interface via universal serial bus (USB). An amperometric biosensor based on covalent immobilization of cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) on PANi?MWCNT film with potassium ferricyanide (FeCN) as the redox mediator was developed. The mediator helps to shuttle the electrons between the immobilized ChOx and the PANi-MWCNT electrode, therefore operating at a low potential of ?0.3?V compared to the saturated calomel electrode (SCE). This potential precludes the interfering compounds from oxidization. The bio-electrode exhibits good linearity from 0.02 to 1.2?mM cholesterol concentration with a correlation coefficient of 0.9985.

Recent trends in preparation and application of carbon nanotube–graphene hybrid thin films

The combination of one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and two-dimensional (2D) graphene materials to generate three-dimensional (3D) carbon nanotube–graphene hybrid thin films (CNGHTFs) has attracted great attention owing to their intriguing properties via the synergistic effects of these two materials on their electrical, optical, and electrochemical properties in comparison with their individual components. This review aims to provide a brief introduction of recent trends in preparation methodologies and some outstanding applications of CNGHTFs. It contains two main scientific subjects. The first of these is the research on preparation techniques of CNGHTFs, including reduction agent-assisted mechanical blending of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and CNTs, hybridization methods for layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly of CNTs and rGO sheets, multi-step methods using combinations of a solution and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processing, one-step growth of CNGHTFs by the CVD method, and modified CVD methods via thermal deposition of carbon source on catalyst surfaces. The advantages and disadvantages of the preparation methods of CNGHTFs are presented and discussed in detail. The second scientific subject of the review is the research on some outstanding applications of CNGHTFs in various research fields, including transparent conductors, electron field emitters, field-effect transistors, biosensors and supercapacitors. In most cases, the CNGHTFs showed superior performances than those of the pristine GO/graphene or CNT materials. Therefore, the CNGHTFs exhibit as high-potential materials for various practical applications. Opportunites and challenges in the fields are also presented.

Some biomedical applications of chitosan-based hybrid nanomaterials

Being naturally abundant resources and having many interesting physicochemical and biological properties, chitin/chitosan have been found to be useful in many fields, especially biomedical ones. This paper describes the strategy to design multifunctional, hybrid chitosan-based nanomaterials and test them in some typical biomedical applications.

Biomedical and environmental applications of magnetic nanoparticles

This paper presents an overview of syntheses and applications of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) at the Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Three families of oxide MNPs, magnetite, manganite and spinel ferrite materials, were prepared in various ways: coprecipitation, sol?gel and high energy mechanical milling. Basic properties of MNPs were characterized by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and Physical Properties Measurement Systems (PPMS). As for biomedical application, the aim was to design a novel multifunctional, nanosized magnetofluorescent water-dispersible Fe3O4-curcumin conjugate, and its ability to label, target and treat tumor cells was described. The conjugate possesses a magnetic nano Fe3O4 core, chitosan (CS) or Oleic acid (OL) as an outer shell and entrapped curcumin (Cur), serving the dual function of naturally autofluorescent dye as well as antitumor model drug. Fe3O4-Cur conjugate exhibited a high loading cellular uptake with the help of a macrophage, which was clearly visualized dually by Fluorescence Microscope and Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM), as well as by magnetization measurement (PPMS). A preliminary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study also showed a clear contrast enhancement by using the conjugate. As for the environmental aspect, the use of magnetite MNPs for the removal of heavy toxic metals, such as Arsenic (As) and Lead (Pb), from contaminated water was studied.