Maria Ignat

New SnO2/MgAl-layered double hydroxide composites as photocatalysts for cationic dyes bleaching

A new type of nanocomposite containing SnO(2) has been obtained by wet impregnation of dehydrated Mg/Al-hydrotalcite-type compounds with ethanolic solutions of SnCl(4).2H(2)O. Tin chloride hydrolysis was achieved using NaOH or NH(4)OH aqueous solutions, at pH around 9, followed by the conversion into corresponding hydroxides through calcinations. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance (UV-DR) methods confirmed the structure of as-synthesized solids. The chemical composition and morphology of the synthesized materials were investigated by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as-synthesized materials were used for photocatalytic studies showing a good activity for methylene blue decolourization, which varies with SnO(2) content and used as a hydrolysing agent. The proposed mechanism is based on the shifting of flat band potential of SnO(2) due to the interaction with Mg/Al-LDH, this being energetically favourable to the formation of hydroxyl radicals responsible for methylene blue degradation.

In vitro controlled release of antihypertensive drugs intercalated into unmodified SBA-15 and MgO modified SBA-15 matrices

The use of nanotechnology in medicine and more specifically in drug delivery systems is set to spread rapidly. In order to broaden the range of matrices and implicitly to develop the class of drug delivery systems based on diffusion mechanism, in this study the starting materials, SBA-15 powder matrices, were engineered by MgO modification for antihypertensive drugs intercalation. Captopril and aliskiren were used as drug models. All powders, unmodified and MgO-modified silica matrices, and their corresponding drug-loaded samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N(2) adsorption and desorption, FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The studied drug carriers were tested in the controlled drug release process and the influence of the silica pore morphology and geometry on drug release profiles was extensively studied. In order to analyze the data obtained from the in vitro release studies and to evaluate the kinetic release mechanism, the Korsmeyer and Peppas equation was used. The obtained drug delivery system based on MgO-SBA-15 matrix exhibits exciting structural features and is therefore promising for its use as antihypertensive drug delivery system, having potential therapeutic benefits resulting in safe and effective management of captopril and aliskiren adsorption and in vitro release.

TiO2-coated mesoporous carbon: Conventional vs. microwave-annealing process

The study of coating mesoporous carbon materials with titanium oxide nanoparticles is now becoming a promising and challenging area of research. To optimize the use of carbon materials in various applications, it is necessary to attach functional groups or other nanostructures to their surface. The combination of the distinctive properties of mesoporous carbon materials and titanium oxide is expected to be applied in field emission displays, nanoelectronic devices, novel catalysts, and polymer or ceramic reinforcement. But, their synthesis is still largely based on conventional techniques, such as wet impregnation followed by chemical reduction of the metal nanoparticle precursors, which takes time and money. The thermal heating based techniques are time consuming and often lack control of particle size and morphology. Hence, since there is a growing interest in microwave technology, an alternative way of power input into chemical reactions through dielectric heating is the use of microwaves. This work is focused on the advantages of microwave-assisted synthesis of TiO2-coated mesoporous carbon over conventional thermal heating method. The reviewed studies showed that the microwave-assisted synthesis of such composites allows processes to be completed within a shorter reaction time allowing the nanoparticles formation with superior properties than that obtained by conventional method.

A comparative study on long-term MTX controlled release from intercalated nanocomposites for nanomedicine applications.

The feasibility of some mesoporous materials such as SBA-15 and MCM-41 silica, LDH (layered double hydroxide) (Mg3Al-NO3) and MC (mesoporous carbon) have been comparatively evaluated for oral drug delivery applications, in order to broaden the range of matrices and implicitly to develop the class of drug delivery systems based on diffusion mechanism. As well known, methotrexate (MTX) is used widely to treat various neoplastic diseases such as acute lymphoblast leukemia, lymphoma and solid cancers and autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. The commercially available formulations of this drug have disadvantages due to the traditional release process that occurs in the body. Thus, this work is focused on the long-term controlled MTX delivery because this one could eliminate over or underdosing, could maintain drug levels in desired range, could increase patient compliance and prevent the side effects. Therefore, the mesoporous materials are used and efficient MTX-delivery systems, based on above-mentioned mesoporous materials, are successfully prepared by intercalation. The obtained drug carriers were tested in the controlled MTX-drug release process and the influence of the pore morphology and geometry on MTX release profiles was extensively studied comparatively. The prepared MTX delivery systems were characterized by FTIR and UV-vis spectroscopy, N2 sorption measurements. Then, the data obtained from the in vitro release studies have been analyzed, and in order to evaluate the MTX-release mechanism and kinetics, the Korsmeyer-Peppas equation has been applied.

Goethite nanorods as a cheap and effective filler for siloxane nanocomposite elastomers

Iron oxide (goethite) with a nanorod morphology was prepared by a chemical precipitation method and characterized by FTIR, EDX, TEM, WAXD. This was used as an active filler to prepare dielectric elastomer nanocomposites by its incorporation, besides silica, in a silicone matrix consisting in a high molecular weight polydimethylsiloxane-α,ω-diol (PDMS). The nanocomposites were processed as films, stabilized by peroxidic crosslinking at high temperature, and their properties of interest for potential use in the structure of electromechanical devices were studied. It is for the first time that such composites, based on PDMS and iron oxide in a well-defined type (goethite) and shape (nanorods) are approached from the perspective of dielectric elastomers. The introduction of iron oxide nanoparticles into the polymer matrix resulted in improvements in both mechanical and dielectric properties. Thus the breaking strain and the dielectric constant values increased in comparison with those of the pure polymer sample, while the dielectric loss preserved low values specific for dielectrics.

Iron–chromium oxide nanoparticles self-assembling into smectic mesophases

Organic-coated iron–chromium oxide (chromite) nanoparticles have been prepared by using the thermal decomposition procedure. For this purpose, the substrate – bimetallic acetate – was treated with oleic acid and dodecylamine as co-ligands in trichloroacetic acid solvent at high temperature (320 °C). The main characteristics and behaviors of the obtained nanoparticles were investigated by combined techniques. The size of the obtained nanoparticles was around 11 nm, as estimated by TEM, WAXD and SAXS, which were in good agreement. The bimetallic nature of the nanoparticles was emphasized by X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EDX) and their structure was confirmed by WAXD. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum revealed the bands characteristic to metal oxides as well as to the organic components and confirmed the replacement of the acetate with long chain ligands. The co-existence of the organic coatings and metallic core induced a special behavior that was studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. The coated bimetallic nanoparticles proved to be thermostable up to 252 °C and thermotropic showing a highly organized crystalline smectic mesophase (3D plastic mesophase). The organic part alone, in the absence of the inorganic component, did not develop this self-assembly. The results of the magnetic measurements suggest superparamagnetic behavior of the iron–chromium oxide nanoparticles and a weak ferromagnetic behavior.

Novel Synthesis Route for Chitosan-Coated Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles as Potential Sorbents for Wastewater Treatment

Magnetic chitosan–zinc ferrite (ChZnF) composites were proposed as potential adsorbents due to their appropriate physical characteristics and facile separation under external magnetic fields. The magnetic component (ZnFe2O4) was prepared by the sol–gel autocombustion method that yields nanometric spinel compounds with narrow size distribution and with low energy consumption. A certain amount of magnetic powder was dispersed consecutively by ultrasonication in a chitosan-PEG (polyethylene glycol) mixture, in order to obtain the desired nanocomposite. The as-obtained materials were characterized by FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), small-angle X-ray scattering, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller test measurements. Finally, the chitosan-ferrite nanomaterial was successfully tested in simulated wastewater treatments. Different kinetic and equilibrium models have been fitted by nonlinear regression to analyze the adsorption data.

Semiconducting spinel ferrite powders prepared by self-combustion method for catalyst applications

Eight kinds of simple semiconducting spinel ferrites, MeFe2O4, were prepared by self-combustion method. To determine the material characteristics were performed X-ray diffraction, SEM observations, EDAX spectroscopy and BET analysis. The ferrites have tested catalytically in combustion reaction of three diluted gases: acetone, ethanol and methanol. The results revealed a pronounced decrease in the combustion temperature when Mg-, Cu- and Ni-ferrites are used as catalysts.

Calixarene-modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes

In order to improve the properties of carbon nanotubes, novel calixarene-modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes were prepared by using carbon nanotubes with carboxylic groups and various novel calixarene derivatives. This self-assembling process has allowed us to fabricate carbon nanotubes with functional organic molecules. The properties of the functionalized materials containing carbon nanotubes and calixarene derivatives were studied by using XRD, SEM, FTIR, DRS UV-VIS, and nitrogen adsorption isotherm at 77K.

Improved Physico-chemical Properties of Mesoporous Carbon by Functionalization with Aminopropyl-polydimethylsiloxane (AP-PDMS)

The present research reports on the synthesis and properties of mesoporous carbon (MC) surface with functionalized aminopropyl-polydimethylsiloxane (AP-PDMS). The aim of MC surface modification was focused on the improvement of its electrical properties (EC electric conductivity), as well as its sorption capacity for cesium ions. In order to anchor AP-PDMS molecules, an intermediate functionalization step of the MC surface with carboxylic groups was carried out. In this respect, two different methods, namely: (i) sonication in the presence of the hydrogen peroxide (MC-COOH) and (ii) gas-plasma activation (MCA) have been considered for carbon surface oxidation. Further, AP-PDMS component was crosslinked to the COOH-reached carbon surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX) were used to confirm the presence of AP-PDMS molecules on MC surface. Morphological and textural properties of the obtained composites have been investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements, as well as their electrical properties (EC). The obtained results reveal the grafting of silane-containing component onto MC surface, an improved electrical conductivity of the synthesized composites toward MC sample. Also, the functionalization proved to be efficient in the sorption process of the cesium ions from aqueous solutions, despite the fact that the materials surface became hydrophobic.