Mohd Amil Usmani

Nanomaterials in the Pharmaceuticals: Occurrence, Behaviour and Applications

Nanoparticles are an emerging class of multi-functional materials defined by size-dependent properties. The ever-growing interest in nanotechnology research has been attributed to the significant properties and parameters of the nanoparticles that make them more versatile than their bulk counter parts that are expected to have large spectrum impact on existing technologies such as drug delivery, biomedical, therapeutics, healthcare and pharmaceutical. The main objectives of this review are to study the impact, occurrence and behaviour of nanomaterials and their applications in pharmaceuticals. Nano-approaches are being explored globally to enhance bioavailability of drugs and diagnostics. This is due to the extremely small size and large specific surface areas of the nanoparticles that may interact directly with cellular system. Biomacromolecule surface recognition by nanoparticles acts as artificial receptors, which provide a potential tool for controlling cellular and extracellular processes for numerous biological applications such as diagnostics, therapy, drug delivery and biosensing. This review article is expected to broaden our understanding towards the development of nanoparticles based diagnostics, combination therapies in treating different diseases and other pharmaceutical applications.

Mechanism of Heat Transfer with Nanofluids for the Application in Oil Wells

Nanofluid plays an important role in a drilling process which includes the removal of cuttings, lubricating, and cooling the drill bits. Nonetheless, production increases from the reservoirs which are non-conventional, and the stability and performance of conventional drilling fluids under high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) environment have apprehensiveness. Both water- and oil-based drilling fluids are likely to experience a number of degenerations such as degradation of weighting materials, gelation, and disintegration of polymeric additives under HTHP conditions. Lately, nanotechnology has shown a lot of promise in the oil and gas sectors, including nanoparticle-based drilling fluids. This chapter is focused on to explore the influence of nanoparticles on the heat transfer efficiency of drilling fluids to make the drilling phenomena smooth and cost effective. The chapter begins with explaining the importance of drilling fluid during the drilling process with a historical assessment of drilling fluid industry development. It is followed by definitions, uses, and types of drilling fluid as well as the additives that are appended to enhance drilling fluid performance. Moreover, the progress of the oil production industry from unconventional wells has been discussed after which the limitations and degradation of the traditional drilling fluid have been taken up. Finally, this chapter discusses the great potential of nanotechnology in solving drilling problems in addition to the technical and the economic benefits of using nanomaterials in drilling fluids before offering a brief conclusion.

Fabrication of composites reinforced with lignocellulosic materials from agricultural biomass

Biomass is the abundant resources for the production of materials and commodity chemicals. However, sustainability of such bioresources for long-term utilization is restricted if only food-crop-based biomass and woody biomass are focused on. Thus, the nonfood waste biomass, such as agricultural residue, can be considered as potential raw materials for the production of different lignocellulosic functional composites. Thus, agricultural residue-based composites are an excellent candidate for the safe and green future. The agricultural component, that is, lignocellulosic materials, can be utilized in the best manner by preparing their composite. Basically, agricultural residues are being produced in very large amount (billions of tons) each year around the world. However, an only minor portion of these generated waste materials is used in the form of fodder, household fuel, etc. The rest of the residue is either discarded or burned, which eventually causes air pollution. Therefore, this chapter deals with the importance of utilizing agricultural residue and method of preparation.

Recent Progress on Rubber Based Biocomposites: From Carbon Nanotubes to Ionic Liquids

Currently, reinforcement of a polymer matrix via the integration of fillers is a common industrial exercise which improves the properties of the composite material. Rubber nanocomposites (NCs) demonstrated remarkable properties due to the interaction between the polymer and filler and the homogeneous dispersion of the filler within the polymer matrix. These improved properties included increased stiffness, high strength, reduced elongation to failure, improved resistance to crack growth and tearing and finally various modifications of abrasion, dynamic and fatigue properties, due to their high surface area and significant aspect ratios. Different reinforcing fillers have been incorporated in the rubber to develop elastomeric composites having improved properties. This current chapter focus on development, properties and applications of various elastomeric composites. Secondly, this chapter also emphasis on ionic liquids (ILs) role as additives in elastomer composites as well as effects of nanofillers on elastomer composites.

Rubber-based nanocomposites and significance of ionic liquids in packaging applications

Rubber nanocomposites have currently fascinated vast attention owing to their flexibility and modulus, superior chemical and thermal stabilities. These enhanced properties compose rubber nanocomposites striking in different applications such as space industry, agriculture, medical, and packaging. This chapter focuses on diverse aspects of rubber nanocomposites with their filler properties. Nanofillers are introduced into rubber in accumulation to conventional fillers to increase the presentation plus different efficient properties of the rubber matrix depending on the applications. In the recent year, Ionic liquids (ILs) have gained much interest in research and development because of various dominating physical properties and that may be useful solvent for processing rubber for packaging.

Interplay of polymer bionanocomposites and significance of ionic liquids for heavy metal removal

Abstract Numerous adsorbents have been tried to eliminate various hazardous material like dyes and heavy metal ions from contaminated water exclusively that are not fit for humans. It includes plant or lignocellulosic wastes, activated carbons, biopolymers, and clays. Bionanocomposites have also been good adsorbent to eliminate different kinds of heavy metal ions and anionic and cationic dyes. Chemical alterations that lead to the development of composites, grafting, and derivatives have attracted huge attention, comprehensively studied and broadly reported in the literatures. This chapter provides fully bio-based nanocomposites processing and its application together with a slight approach for ionic liquids as sorbent in the elimination of heavy metal ions effluents from mirror industry, demonstrating the potential use of these composites in domestic and water purification entities that are cost-effective, biodegradable, and operative.

Biomass-based composites from different sources: Properties, characterization, and transforming biomass with ionic liquids

The use of biomass as an energy source has considerably even increased in the current scenario. However, biomass availability is crucial for the implementation of any strategy that focuses on bioresources for fuel, chemicals, and biomaterials. Mostly, lignocellulosic biomass such as wasted bioresources has been employed extensively toward its valorization. Besides consideration of wasted bioresources, it would be essential to intensify the overall agricultural productivity and, at the same time, identify the potential of relatively unexplored bioresources. Due to the diverse natures of biomass materials, their properties widely range and exhibit different behaviors. This chapter shows the properties of biomass in its wide diversity, that is, both physical, chemical, mechanical properties and its characterization. However, the scope of this area is broad; attempts have been made to delineate the property and characterization of biomass and their composites from different bioresources. A brief overview has been shown focusing on current challenges in the development of biomass-based composite from the problem of judicious selection of sustainable biomass to availability and biodegradability and issues. Lastly, an attempt has been made to show an overview of using a green solvent such as ionic liquid in the processing of biomass to different product portfolios.

Biomass nanofibrillar cellulose in nanocomposites

Abstract Macro- and nanocellulose fibers have attracted research attention due to their remarkable properties like biodegradability, high strength, and stiffness, as well as their synthesis and application for development of composites. Macro- and nanocellulose fibers can be employed as a reinforcement agent in composite materials due to their outstanding biodegradation, thermal, and mechanical properties. Due to the hydrophilic nature of cellulose fibers, it is essential to enhance their surface irregularity for the production of composites with improved properties. In this chapter, we have discussed the surface alteration of cellulose nanofibers by various processes. Different synthesis techniques, followed by ionic liquids, properties, categories, and different applications of nanocellulose and their composites, have been examined in this chapter.

Bioplastics and Bionanocomposites Based on Nanoclays and Other Nanofillers

This chapter provides an overall review on the latest progress in the research and development of bionanocomposites that are utilized in various applications such as packaging, durable goods, electronics and biomedical applications. The rise of biobased materials is guided by its renewability, low carbon footprint and biodegradability issues and by virtue of which vast applications of these materials are already available. The bionanocomposites provides a better alternative for the various drawbacks which can be found in the biobased polymer matrix materials. Some of the issues of low strength, poor barrier properties, hydrophilicity, low thermal stability and conductivity can be addressed by the development of bionanocomposites. The chapter will begin with the introduction and recent advances in the development of biobased materials from renewable resources and their usefulness. In the very next part, many types of bionanocomposites based on these fillers i.e. nanocellulose, carbon nanotubes and nanoclays, are discussed. This review also presents up-to-date progress in this area in terms of processing technologies, product development and applications.

Modification of Nanoclay Systems: An Approach to Explore Various Applications

Nanoclay has a great potential in various fields. Small amount of nanoclay can change the whole physical and chemical properties of polymers, paints, inks and lubricants by dispersing nanoclay layers into the polymer matrices. The flexibility of interlayer gallery of nanoclay helps in the release of drugs to the targeted place. The controlled release of drugs takes place on account of the drug incorporated within the nanoclay galleries. This makes these nanomaterials as potential materials with its application in pharmaceutical field. Organoclays, a type of nanoclay are also being utilized for waste water treatment in junction with other sorbents viz. activated carbon and alum. Organoclays have been found to be the finest material for water treatment especially when the water contains enough amounts of oil and grease or humic acid. The use of nanoclays as reinforcing agent or additives in polymers for various properties is exploited for various applications. This chapter provides an overview of nanoclays or types of nanoclays with significance on the utilization of nanoclays as the filler in polymer matrices for the synthesis/fabrication of polymer nanocomposites, drug delivery agents, viscosity modifier for coatings, inks and lubricants and nanoclays for industrial effluent as well as potable water treatment.