Suraj Kumar Tripathy

Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles via Biological Entities

Nanotechnology is the creation, manipulation and use of materials at the nanometre size scale (1 to 100 nm). At this size scale there are significant differences in many material properties that are normally not seen in the same materials at larger scales. Although nanoscale materials can be produced using a variety of traditional physical and chemical processes, it is now possible to biologically synthesize materials via environment-friendly green chemistry based techniques. In recent years, the convergence between nanotechnology and biology has created the new field of nanobiotechnology that incorporates the use of biological entities such as actinomycetes algae, bacteria, fungi, viruses, yeasts, and plants in a number of biochemical and biophysical processes. The biological synthesis via nanobiotechnology processes have a significant potential to boost nanoparticles production without the use of harsh, toxic, and expensive chemicals commonly used in conventional physical and chemical processes. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of recent trends in synthesizing nanoparticles via biological entities and their potential applications.

Synthesis of Au/TiO2 Core–Shell Nanoparticles from Titanium Isopropoxide and Thermal Resistance Effect of TiO2 Shell

On the synthesis of Au/TiO2 core–shell structure nanoparticles, the effect of the concentration of Ti4+ on the morphology and optical property of Au/TiO2 core–shell nanoparticles was examined. A gold colloid was prepared by mixing HAuCl44H2O and C6H5Na32H2O. Titanium stock solution was prepared by mixing solutions of titanium(IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) and triethanolamine (TEOA). The concentration of the Ti4+ stock solution was adjusted to 0.01–0.3 mM, and then the gold colloid was added to the Ti4+ stock solution. Au/TiO2 core–shell structure nanoparticles could be prepared by the hydrolysis of the Ti4+ stock solution at 80 °C. The size of the as-prepared Au nanoparticles was 15 nm. The thickness of the TiO2 shell on the surface of gold particles was about 10 nm. The absorption peak of the Au/TiO2 core–shell nanoparticles shifted towards the red end of the spectrum by about 3 nm because of the formation of the TiO2 shell on the surface of the gold particles. The crystal structure of the TiO2 shell showed an anatase phase. The increase in the Au crystallite size of the Au/TiO2 nanoparticles with increasing heat treatment temperature is smaller than that in the pure Au nanoparticles. This may be due to the encapsulation of Au particles with the TiO2 shell that prevents the growth of the nanoparticle nucleation.

Spectroscopic investigation of S–Ag interaction in ω-mercaptoundecanoic acid capped silver nanoparticles

This paper deals with the synthesis of omega-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) capped silver nanoparticles (NPs) with an average size of 15nm by citrate reduction technique and spectroscopic investigation of S-Ag interaction. We have studied the interaction of thiol with silver NPs in aqueous medium by employing UV-vis, Raman, FT-IR, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The shifting of silver surface plasmon band in the UV-vis spectra shows the stabilization of the silver nanoparticles by MUA. The disappearance of S-H stretching in both the FT-IR and Raman spectra and the shifting of the NMR signals of the protons in close proximity to the metal center supported the existence of the S-Ag interaction in MUA capped silver NPs. The morphology of the thiol protected silver NPs was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and was found to be distinct and spherical entities.

Nanophotothermolysis of Poly-(vinyl) Alcohol Capped Silver Particles

Laser-induced thermal fusion and fragmentation of poly-(vinyl) alcohol (PVA)-capped silver nanoparticles in aqueous medium have been reported. PVA-capped silver nanoparticles with an average size of 15 nm were prepared by chemical reduction technique. The laser-induced photo-fragmentation of these particles has been monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The morphological changes induced by thermal and photochemical effects were found to influence the optical properties of these nanoparticles.

Understanding the Antifungal Mechanism of Ag@ZnO Core-shell Nanocomposites against Candida krusei

In the present paper, facile synthesis of Ag@ZnO core-shell nanocomposites is reported where zinc oxide is coated on biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using Andrographis paniculata and Aloe vera leaf extract. Structural features of as synthesized nanocomposites are characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, and FTIR. Morphology of the above core-shell nanocomposites is investigated by electron microscopy. As synthesized nanocomposite material has shown antimicrobial activity against Candida krusei, which is an opportunistic pathogen known to cause candidemia. The possible mode of activity of the above material has been studied by in-vitro molecular techniques. Our investigations have shown that surface coating of biogenic silver nanoparticles by zinc oxide has increased its antimicrobial efficiency against Candida krusei, while decreasing its toxicity towards A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cell lines.

Biogenic Au@ZnO core–shell nanocomposites kill Staphylococcus aureus without provoking nuclear damage and cytotoxicity in mouse fibroblasts cells under hyperglycemic condition with enhanced wound healing proficiency

The aim of the present study is focused on the synthesis of Au@ZnO core–shell nanocomposites, where zinc oxide is overlaid on biogenic gold nanoparticles obtained from Hibiscus Sabdariffa plant extract. Optical property of nanocomposites is investigated using UV–visible spectroscopy and crystal structure has been determined using X-ray crystallography (XRD) technique. The presence of functional groups on the surface of Au@ZnO core–shell nanocomposites has been observed by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Electron microscopy studies revealed the morphology of the above core–shell nanocomposites. The synthesized nanocomposite material has shown antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus (MRSH). The microbes are notorious cross contaminant and are known to cause infection in open wounds. The possible antimicrobial mechanism of as synthesized nanomaterials has been investigated against Staphylococcus aureus and obtained data suggests that the antimicrobial activity could be due to release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Present study has revealed that surface varnishing of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles through zinc oxide has improved its antibacterial proficiency against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas reducing its toxic effect towards mouse fibroblast cells under normal and hyperglycaemic condition. Further studies have been performed in mice model to understand the wound healing efficiency of Au@ZnO nanocomposites. The results obtained suggest the possible and effective use of as synthesized core shell nanocomposites in wound healing.

Hydrothermal Synthesis, Characterization and Optical Property of Single Crystal ZnO Nanorods

ZnO nanorods of 100±10 nm in diameter and 900±100 nm in length were synthesized by cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) assisted hydrothermal technique from a single molecular precursor. The influence of pH on morphology and PL property of ZnO nanorods were investigated. The phase and structural analysis were carried out by X‐ray diffraction. Morphology of the nanorods was investigated by electron microscopy techniques. Optical properties were investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy. As prepared ZnO nanorods have been single crystalline without defect and shown intense room temperature photoluminescence peak in the ultraviolet region.