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Functional Nanomaterials in Industrial Applications: Academic-Industry Meet

(29th to 31st March 2016), UCLan, Preston, UK

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Conference Abstract Proceedings

Copyright by University of Central Lancashire, UK

Collated and Edited by Dr. Tapas Sen & Dr. Yogita Patil-Sen, UCLan, UK

1st International Symposium

Functional nanomaterials in industrial applications:

Academic-Industry meet

29th to 31st March 2016

University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

(http://www.uclan.ac.uk/campuses/index.php)

Theme 1: Nano-Energy/Environmental

Theme 2: Nanomedicine in Health & Diagnostics

Theme 3: Nano-Catalysis and Green Technology

http://www.uclan.ac.uk/campuses/index.php



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Symbols Page Numbers

Plenary PL-1 to PL-4 ………………………………………………………. 3-6

Keynotes KN-1-01 to KN-1-02 ……………………………………………...

KN-2-01 to KN-2-04……………………………………………....

KN-3-01 to KN-3-03……………………………………………....

7-8

9-12

13-15

Guest lectures GL-1-01 to GL-1-03……………………………………………....

GL-2-01 to GL-2-06……………………………………………....

GL-3-01…………………………………………….......................

16-18

19-24

25

Special lectures SL-01 to SL-04……………………………………………............. 26-29

Oral presentations O-1-01 to O-1-04 ……………………………………………........

O-2-01 to O-2-09 ……………………………………………........

O-3-01 to O-3-07 ……………………………………………........

30-33

34-42

43-49

Poster presentations P-01 to P-38 ……………………………………………............... 50-87

List of Delegates A to Z …………………………………………….......................... 88-91

Sponsorship Full page: £200 …………………………………………………...

1/2 page: £100 ……………………...……………………………..

92-95

96

Notes Notes for delegates………………………………………………... 97-109



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Plenary (PL-1): Challenges in Nano-science using Computation and Synchrotron Radiation

Prof. Richard Catlow, FRS

Jointly with University College London & Cardiff University, UK

Charles “Richard” Arthur Catlow FRS is a British chemist, and professor at

University College London. Previously, he was Director of the Davy Faraday

Research Laboratory, and Wolfson Professor of Natural Philosophy at the

Royal Institution

Optimising the performance of nano-particulate based materials requires a detailed understanding of their

structures, dynamics and reactivities at the atomic and molecular level. The methods of contemporary

computational chemistry and physics are proving exceptionally powerful in this quest for an atomic level

understanding in nano-science. Their power is even greater when they are used in conjunction with advanced

experimental techniques, especially those employing synchrotron radiation (SR). This lecture will review briefly

the range and scope of current modelling techniques in catalytic science and will illustrate their applications

emphasising those where they have been used in tandem with SR based experiment. We will describe recent work

which has illuminated knowledge of structural and dynamic properties of nano-particle systems as well as their

reactivity, where we will describe recent studies of supported nano-particulate catalysts.



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Plenary (PL-2): Creation and Application of Advanced Functional Materials in Industry

Mr. Iain Crosley, Managing Director, Hosokawa Micron Ltd., UK

(http://www.hosokawa.co.uk/) which is a part of Hosokawa Micron Group

(http://www.hosokawamicron.co.jp/en/global.html).

Hosokawa Micron is well known as a leader in the design and supply of powder processing equipment and systems. In order to

develop the next generations of equipment and understand the future needs of the processing industries, Hosokawa engage closely

with academic and industrial partners. These partnerships enable Hosokawa to understand the challenges that are faced in

producing these new materials. These challenges include how these materials can be handled as their physical properties change

rapidly as the particle size of the material decreases, from the micron to the nanometre scale.

At the centre of this R&D work is the Hosokawa Powder Technology Research Institute and this paper will look at some of their

areas of activity in terms of materials being produced and the technologies they are utilizing. Established fifty years ago, the

original aim of the Institute was to further develop powder and particle technology. This initiative continues today. The market

needs higher quality for powder processing in fields such as secondary battery, materials for electronic devices, toner, medicine

and functional foods. Solutions for materials in the environment and energy as well as powder characterisation techniques are also

important.

Other challenges include the HS&E issues in dealing with nanomaterials on a production scale as well as the process control and

understanding of the complex processes used to produce functional nanomaterials and how these are to be scaled up, plus the

application of the Internet-of-Things (I-o-T) to these processes.

The program of research work is conducted on a global basis and discussed at International R&D Meetings where members of the

R&D teams from Japan, Germany, Holland, USA and UK decide upon the research topics and strategy to meet the challenges of

the future technologies.

Keywords Mechano Chemical Bonding (MCB) Flash Creation Method (FCM) Drug Delivery Systems (DDS), Poly Lactic-co-

Glycolic Acid (PGLA)

Acknowledgements Dr Y. Yokoyama, Dr Y.Inoue, Dr H.Tsujimoto Hosokawa Micron Corporation

Prof. M.Naito, Prof. K.Nogi, Prof Y.Tsugi Osaka University

http://www.hosokawa.co.uk/

http://www.hosokawamicron.co.jp/en/global.html



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Plenary (PL-3): Nano materials in Green Technology

Prof. James Clark, Director of the Green Chemistry Centre, York

University, United Kingdom

Increasing demand for consumer goods from an increasing world population is placing enormous strain on the resources needed by

the worlds manufacturing industries. Traditional resources have often been from non-renewable sources located in relatively

accessible regions but these are finite, their exploitation non-sustainable and they are becoming scarce. At the same time, the

wastes generated in manufacturing and in use of the articles of today’s society have been allowed to accumulate in rapidly filling

landfill sites or disposed of in other environmentally harmful ways. The Circular Economy uses an industrial symbiosis approach

to the twin problems of resource and waste by making the latter the solution to the former – waste is the future resource.

Interesting large volume wastes wastes streams include municipal solid waste, food supply chain by-products, and WEEE and

other waste sources of minerals. To fully exploit the chemical potential of these wastes while maintaining environmental

advantage, we need to apply the principles of green chemistry and green engineering and in particular use green chemical

technologies.

New, energy efficient conversion technologies that can convert a wide variety of waste streams into valuable chemicals and energy

include low-temperature microwave processing and benign solvent extraction. Catalysis can also play a powerful role in these

clean technologies, offering a wider range of products obtainable from biomass and other wastes through in- and ex-situ

conversions.

Under carefully controlled conditions microwave processing can be used to capture some of the chemical value from biomass

while valorizing the bulk of the waste into energy products including liquid fuel precursors and high calorific bio-chars. This is a

very versatile biomass conversion technology; it can be preceded by extraction of valuable surface chemicals using supercritical

fluid technology or chemicals can be extracted during the processing such as terpenes from citrus. We have successfully up-scaled

some of our microwave processes to multi-Kg level and are now working with industry to move these technologies towards

commercial scale manufacturing.

Our waste-derived mesoporous materials Starbons® can be used for a variety of purposes in the bio-refinery including catalysis and

separations. They utilize the natural ability of polysaccharides to retain their organized structure on pyrolysis giving a continuum

of materials ranging from starch-like to porous graphitic carbons. Starbons® can be used as heterogeneous catalysis and in

particularly the ability to catalyze the downstream chemistry of bio-derived molecules within fermentation broths, thus reducing

separation costs. In a recent development we have shown that by using the natural ability of some plants to capture and hold metals

at nano-particle levels, we can directly convert plant-waste materials into useful catalysts.

See for examples: Clark, J.H. et al: The potential of microwave technology for the recovery, synthesis and manufacturing of

chemicals from bio-wastes. Catalysis Today, 2015, 239, 80-89; Applications of nanoparticles in biomass conversion to chemicals

and fuels. Green Chemistry, 2014,16, 573-584; Direct microwave assisted hydrothermal depolymerisation of cellulose,

J.Am.Chem.Soc., 2013, 135, 11728-11731.



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Plenary (PL-4): Catalysis using supported gold and bimetallic gold containing nanoalloy catalysts

Dr Simon Freakley, Cardiff Catalysis Institute School of Chemistry Cardiff

University Cardiff, UK CF10 3AT

Catalysis is of crucial importance for the manufacture of the goods and infrastructure necessary for the effective wellbeing of

society. Catalysis, and in particular selective redox catalysis, continues to play a key role in the manufacture of chemical

intermediates and there is a continuing requirement to design new effective redox catalysts. The identification that gold in

nanoparticulate form is an exceptionally effective redox catalyst has paved the way for a new class of active catalysts. Alloying

gold with other metals can enhance the activity and these catalysts are effective for reactions such as the oxidation of alcohols and

hydrocarbons as well as the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide.

In this presentation the use of Au as a replacement for the current Hg based catalyst for the large-scale industrial acetylene

hydrochlorination process will be presented. The nature of the active species will be discussed with current research implicating

cationic Au species to be especially relevant in this reaction. The use of Au as a component in bimetallic catalysts has been shown

to greatly enhance reaction rates and selectivity however controlling the composition and size of these bimetallic particles has

remained a key challenge in the synthesis of these materials. Using the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide as a test reaction the

development and design of AuPd nanoalloy catalysts will be discussed. The challenge of controlling the selectivity and suppressing

the over hydrogenation of hydrogen peroxide is a problem that is sensitive to both catalyst composition and particle size. Recently

published results on the replacement of Au in this catalyst system with base metals while maintaining high selectivity towards the

desired product will be discussed.



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Keynote (KN-1-01): Porous and Nanostructured Electrodes for Lithium Ion Batteries

Prof. Andreas Stein, Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, USA

This presentation will be divided into two sections, one focusing on the architecture of electrode materials for

lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and the other on potential LIB electrode materials in which charge compensation

involves oxygen ions rather than redox-active transition metal ions.

Electrode materials containing well-defined pores offer interesting features for electrical energy storage

applications. Pores provide good access of electrolyte to the electrode surface; large surface areas facilitate charge

transfer across the electrode/electrolyte interface; nanometer-sized walls reduce path lengths for ion diffusion and

increase utilization of active material.1 The first part of this talk will focus on methods of synthesizing porous

electrode materials for LIBs, using hard and soft templating methods to control the electrode architecture and

distribution of phases in multi-component electrode systems.2 These methods produce bicontinuous structures with

continuous transport paths through the active phase (walls) and the electrolyte phase (pores), yielding improved rate

capabilities for lithiation and delithiation. Furthermore, they allow the preparation of composites of a conductive

scaffold with poorly conducting but otherwise desirable electrode materials to overcome limitations in electrical

conductivity of those materials, increasing the choice of feasible electrode materials. Templating methods can also

provide discrete nanoparticles of active material with uniform size distribution and control placement of active

components in specific regions of a conductive matrix to optimize the performance of porous nanocomposites. 3

The second part will consider LisZrOJC composite materials and doped derivatives of these as potential LIB cathode

materials with high lithium content.• This is a layered material with high lithium ion content. Similar to LiFePO., it

has low electronic and ionic conductivities, but becomes more viable as a cathode material when synthesized in

nanoparticle form in intimate contact with a conducting carbon phase. On the basis of computational and

experimental data we show that delithiation can proceed in topotactic fashion up to 2 Li+ and that grain size and

band gaps can be controlled through doping, which produces isostructural materials. Importantly, charge

compensation during delithiation involves oxygen ions, rather than transition metal atoms, providing an interesting

avenue for charge storage. Hurdles that need to be overcome to improve the practicality of these materials will

also be discussed.

Keywords: lithium ion battery, cathode, anode, porous, nanoparticle

REFERENCES

[1] A. Vu, Y. Qian and A. Stein, "Porous Electrode Materials for Lithium-ion Batteries-How to Prepare

Them and What Makes them Special," Adv. Energy Mater.,2, 1056, 2012.

[2] A. Stein, S. G. Rudisill and N. D. Petkovich, "Perspective on the Influence of Interactions Between

Hard and Soft Templates and Precursors on Morphology of Hierarchically Structured Porous Materials,"

Chem. Mater., 26, 259, 2014.

[3] N.D. Petkovich, B. E. Wilson, S. G. Rudisill and A. Stein, "Titania-Carbon Nanocomposite Anodes

for Lithium Ion Batteries-Effects of Confined Growth and Phase Synergism, " ACS Appl. Mater.

Interfaces, 6, 18215, 2014.

[4] S.Huang, B. Wilson, B.Wang, Y. Fang, K. Buffington, A. Stein and D. G. Truhlar, "Y-doped LisZr06: A

Li-ion Battery Cathode Material with High Capacity," J. Am. Chem. Soc., 137, 10992, 2015.



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Keynote (KN-1-02): Harnessing nanomaterials for clean water and energy generation

Dr. Armin Volkel, Senior Scientist, Palo Alto Research Centre, USA,

Nanomaterials and nano-structured materials play an important role in industry, from enabling new material properties, enhancing

processes, or permit novel technologies. Besides their functionality, cost and scalability are main constraints for industry, as these

factors limit the acceptance and availability of the resulting products in the marketplace. The Palo Alto Research Center, which

started as a corporate research center for Xerox, has a long history to deliver novel technologies to potential customers and to

bridge the gap between cool proof-of-concept designs to working and scalable proto-types.

In this presentation I will talk about several examples where the careful design and/or selection of nano materials and nano-

structured materials is a key enabler.

1) In Xerography small plastic particles are delivered in a very controlled way to a substrate and fixed with heat and pressure

to create the final image. These plastic particles are manufactured from nanoparticles and grown (with other nano

particles) into the functional toner material. This process not only reduces the waste of materials as compared to earlier

manufacturing processes, but also allows, through the careful control of the bulk and surface properties of the nano

particles, the optimization of the toner particle for desired image quality at minimized energy and materials cost.

2) Clean water and energy generation are closely linked, as generating either is dependent on the availability of the other.

This is especially visible in desalination, where >3kWh of energy is needed to produce 1 m3 of clean water. PARC has

developed a desalination battery concept that stores electric energy during the desalination process for later re-use. The

ion transport in this process is regulated through membranes, and a careful selection of their properties (pore size,

functional groups) is essential to ensure a high electrical efficiency of this battery.

3) Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, and can be released at oil and gas wells or pipelines through leaks or faulty seals.

PARC is creating novel printed sensor arrays and integrate them into a system that can quantify and locate methane leaks.

A variety of modified carbon nanotube (CNT) sensors are built into a sensor array that provides a unique methane

“fingerprint” resulting from the responses of each sensor in the array. When employed as a full methane detection system,

this technology will enable significant reductions in the cost associated with identifying, quantifying, and locating

methane leaks compared to currently available technologies.



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Keynote (KN-2-01): Evolution of nanoparticle based radiopharmaceuticals for radionuclide imaging

Prof. Phil Blower, Head of Dept. of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, Kings College

London, UK

Radiolabelled particulate materials have been used in clinical radionuclide imaging for almost half a century, dating from before

modern “nanotechnology” became a major discipline.[1] Clinical uses have been largely confined to those in which the particulate

nature of the tracers was key to their role. These included, for example, large biodegradable particles (albumin) for imaging lung

perfusion by physical trapping in capillaries. Smaller particles can be taken up in tumours by the enhanced permeability and

retention (EPR) effect and in cells by phagocytosis[2] for imaging the reticuloendothelial system in liver, spleen and bone

marrow,[3] or transported in lymph vessels for sentinel lymph node imaging prior to cancer surgery.[4,5] These applications all

require incorporation of gamma emitting radionuclides (e.g. Tc-99m) into biocompatible particulate materials. While recent

decades have brought greater control of nanoparticle synthesis, dimensions and properties and greater variety of nanoparticle

composition, clinical applications currently remain confined to these same niche areas. Nevertheless, advances in imaging

instrumentation such as the growth of positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/CT as an additional radionuclide imaging

modality alongside gamma camera imaging have placed new demands on nanoparticle chemistry in nuclear medicine, such as the

need for chemistry to incorporate new positron emitting radionuclides (e.g. F-18,[6,7,8,9] Ga-68, Cu-64,[4] Zr-89). The last decade

has seen the development of new combinations of imaging modalities, creating opportunities for new benefits from nanoparticle

chemistry, by combining radionuclides with MRI contrast (e.g. superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles) and fluorescence to

exploit the complementary advantages of each modality simultaneously.[3,4,7,9,10] This presentation will describe recent

developments from the medical imaging groups at King’s College London, including biocompatible nanoparticulate inorganic

materials with intrinsic affinity for medical radionuclides, combinations of magnetic contrast agents with radionuclides, novel

chemistry for surface incorporation of radionuclides and molecular targeting motifs into inorganic materials, modification to

control blood clearance, and internal radiolabelling of liposome drug delivery vehicles. These innovations support potential clinical

applications in combined modality sentinel lymph node imaging, tracking of cell migration and tumour drug delivery and

radionuclide therapy.

Keywords: radionuclide imaging, PET, radiopharmaceuticals, radioisotopes, SPECT

REFERENCES [1] Williamson P, Chan P-S, Southworth R. Particulate radiopharmaceuticals. In: Sampson’s Textbook of Radiochemistry. Fourth

edn. A. Theobald, Ed. Pharmaceutical Press (London). 2010. Ch. 25, pp. 447-464. [2] McClelland CM, Onuegbulem E, Carter NJ,

Leahy M, O'Doherty MJ, Pooley FD, O'Doherty T, Newsam RJ, Ensing GJ, Blower PJ. Nucl Med Commun 2003;24:191-202. [3]

Torres Martin de Rosales R, Tavaré R, Glaria A, Varma G, Protti A, Blower PJ. Bioconjugate Chem 2011;22:455-465. [4] Torres

Martin de Rosales R, Tavaré R, Paul RL, Jauregui-Osoro M, Protti A, Glaria A, Varma G, Szanda I, Blower PJ. Angew Chem Int

Ed, 2011;123:5623-5627. [5] Brown K, Badar A, Sunassee K, Fernandes MA, Shariff H, Jurcevic S, Blower PJ, Sacks SH, Mullen

GED, Wong W. Amer J Transplantation 2011; 11: 225–234. [6] Cui X, Belo S, Krüger D, Yan Y, Torres Martin De Rosales R,

Jauregui-Osoro M, Ye H, Su S, Mathe D, Kovács N, Horváth I, Semjeni N, SunasseeK, Szigeti K, Green MA, Blower PJ.

Biomaterials 2014;35:5840-5846. [7] Cui X, Green MA, Blower PJ, Zhou D, Yan Y, Zhang W, Djanashvili K, Mathe D, Veres

DS, Szigeti K. Chem Commun 2015;51:9332-9335. [8] Jauregui-Osoro M, Williamson PA, Glaria A, Sunassee K, Charoenphun P,

Green MA, Blower PJ. Dalton Trans. 2011;40:6226-6237. [9] Cui X, Mathe D, Kovács N, Horvath I, Jauregui-Osoro M, Torres

Martin de Rosales R, Mullen GED, Wong W, Yan Y, Krueger D, Khlobystov A, Gimenez-Lopez M, Semjeni M, Szigeti K, Veres

D, Lu H, Hernandez I, Gillin W, Protti A, Petik K, Green MA, Blower PJ. Bioconjugate Chem 2015; in press.

[10] Sandiford L, Phinikaridou A, Protti A, Meszaros LK, Cui X, Yan Y, Frodsham G, Williamson PA, Gaddum N, Botnar RM,

Blower PJ, Green MA, de Rosales RTM. ACSNano 2013; 7:500-512.



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Keynote (KN-2-02): Plasmonic and Magnetic NPs for Biomedical Applications

Prof Nguyen TK Thanh, Professor of Nanomaterials

Biophysics Group, Department of Physics and Astronomy and UCL Healthcare

Biomagnetic and Nanomaterials Laboratory, University College London, London, UK

http://www.ntk-thanh.co.uk, Email: [email protected]

In this presentation I will the most recent results of our group on synthesis and functionalisation of nanoparticles for biomedical

applications.

References:

1. R. Hachani, M. Lowdell, M. Birchall, A. Hervault, D. Merts, S. Begin-Colin, N.T.K. Thanh*. (2016) Polyol synthesis,

functionalisation, and biocompatibility studies of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for potential MRI contrast agents.

Nanoscale. DOI: 10.1039/c5nr03867g. Open Access

2. R. M. Pallares, X. Su, S. H. Lim, N. T. K Thanh* (2016) Fine-Tuning Gold Nanorods Dimensions and Plasmonic Properties

Using the Hofmeister Salt Effects. Journal of Material Chemistry C. 4: 53-61. Open access. Front Cover

3. C. Blanco-Andujar, P. Southern, D. Ortega, S.A. Nesbitt, Q.A., Pankhurst and Thanh, N. T. K*. (2016) Real -time tracking of

delayed-onset cellular apoptosis induce d by intracellular magnetic hyperthermia. Nanomedicine. 11: 121-136. Open Access.

4. R. M. Pallares, S. L. Kong, H. R. Tan, Thanh, N.T.K, Y. Lu and X. Su (2015) A plasmonic nanosensor with inverse sensitivity

for circulating cell-free DNA quantification. Chemical Communications. 51, 14524 - 14527

5. L. T. Lu, N. T. Dung, L. D. Tung, C. T. Thanh, O. K Quy, N. V. Chuc and N. T. K. Thanh* (2015) Synthesis of magnetic cobalt

ferrite nanoparticles with controlled morphology, monodispersity and composition: the influence of solvent, surfactant, reductant

and synthetic condition. Nanoscale. 7: 19596-19610. Open Access. Front Cover

6. R. Baber, L. Mazzei, N. T. K. Thanh, A. Gavriilidis (2015) Synthesis of silver nanoparticles in microfluidic coaxial flow

reactors. RSC Advances. 5: 95585-95591. Open Acess



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Keynote (KN-2-03): New biomimetic constructs to prolong in vivo the life span of iron-based MRI/MPI

contrasting agents

Prof. Mauro Magnani, Chief Scientific officer of Erydel Spa, European Society of

Translational Medicine

Antonella Antonelli, Carla Sfara, and Mauro Magnani*

Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Saffi 2, 61029

Urbino (PU), Italy

*Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +390722305211

In the field of nanotechnology, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)

nanoparticles have been developed as novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic particles imaging (MPI)contrasting

agents. Iron oxide nanoparticles, that become superparamagnetic if the core particle diameter is less than 30nm, present R1 and R2

relaxivities much higher than those of conventional paramagnetic gadolinium chelates. Generally, these magnetic particles are

coated with certain biocompatible polymers, such as dextran, which improve their blood distribution profile. In spite of their

potential as blood contrast agents, the biomedical application of iron oxide nanoparticles is still limited because of their short

intravascular half-life since they are rapidly cleared from the bloodstream by macrophages of reticulo-endothelial system (RES).

We have developed and patented a procedure (Fig. 1) for the encapsulation of SPIO nanoparticles into red blood cells (RBCs) as

biomimetic constructs able to prolong the life span of these contrasting agents in the vascular system. By investigating different

SPIO nanoparticles with different chemico-physical characteristics the procedure was optimized and further evaluate in vivo in the

mouse. The results have showed that by the use of biomimetic SPIOs-RBC carriers we are able to prolong the survival of iron-

based contrast agents and that higher Fe concentrations in animal blood circulation are reached when human RBCs are used as

more capable SPIO nanoparticle containers. MPI have confirmed the feasibility of this approach for imaging of the cardiovascular

system [1-3].

Fig.1 Encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles into red blood cells. Key steps in the procedure: 1Red blood cell (RBC); 2

Addition of superparamagnetic nanoparticles; 3 Hypotonic swelling of RBCs; 4 Resealing; 5 Washing.

Keywords: iron oxide-based nanoparticles, red blood cells (RBCs), in vivo imaging

REFERENCES [1] Antonelli A, Magnani M. Red blood cells as carriers of iron oxide-based contrast agents for diagnostic applications.

J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2014 Sep;10(9):1732-50

[2] Boni A, Ceratti D, Antonelli A, Sfara C, Magnani M, Manuali E, Salamida S, Gozzi A, Bifone A. USPIO-loaded red blood

cells as a biomimetic MR contrast agent: a relaxometric study. Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2014 May-Jun;9(3):229-36.

[3] Antonelli A, Sfara C, Battistelli S, Canonico B, Arcangeletti M, Manuali E, Salamida S, Papa S, Magnani M.

New strategies to prolong the in vivo life span of iron-based contrast agents for MRI. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 25;8(10):e78542.



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Keynote (KN-2-04): Safe and Sustainable Nanotechnology – using toxicology to benefit innovation and

development

Prof. Vicki Stone, Deputy Head of School / Director of Nanosafety / Prof of

Toxicology, School of Life Sciences, Heriot Watt University, Scotland, UK

Nanomaterials are highly diverse. Exploitation of their highly interesting physicochemical characteristics has allowed the

development of a wide range of new and exciting commercial products. When designing a new nanomaterial or nanostructured

material scientists have a wide range of substances to choose from and so what strategy should be employed to allow effective and

efficient development. Obviously assessing the effectiveness of the material relative to the application being developed is key, but

once a short list has been identified, how do you prioritise further?

The physicochemical characteristics that influence how nanomaterials behave also influence how they enter the human body,

interact with cells and molecules, ultimately influencing their potential safety or toxicity (Johnston et al., 2013). Toxicology

studies have revealed that a range of properties such as composition, size, shape and charge can all influence toxicity

(Kermanizadeh et al., In press). This toxicity includes local effects at the point entry into the body (e.g. lungs following

inhalation)(Gosens et al., 2015) as well as at distal sites (e.g. the liver and immune system)(Kermanizadeh et al., 2014). This

presentation will discuss how this information can be used by industry, chemists and material scientists to inform the design

choices for nanomaterials and nanostructured materials as well as the safe handling of nanomaterials.

References:

GOSENS, I., KERMANIZADEH, A., JACOBSEN, N. R., LENZ, A. G., BOKKERS, B., DE JONG, W. H., KRYSTEK,

P., TRAN, L., STONE, V., WALLIN, H., STOEGER, T. & CASSEE, F. R. 2015. Comparative hazard identification by a

single dose lung exposure of zinc oxide and silver nanomaterials in mice. PLoS ONE, 10.

JOHNSTON, H., POJANA, G., ZUIN, S., JACOBSEN, N. R., MOLLER, P., LOFT, S., SEMMLER-BEHNKE, M.,

MCGUINESS, C., BALHARRY, D., MARCOMINI, A., WALLIN, H., KREYLING, W., DONALDSON, K., TRAN, L.

& STONE, V. 2013. Engineered nanomaterial risk. Lessons learnt from completed nanotoxicology studies: potential

solutions to current and future challenges. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 43, 1-20.

KERMANIZADEH, A., CHAUCHE, C., BALHARRY, D., BROWN, D. M., KANASE, N., BOCZKOWSKI, J.,

LANONE, S. & STONE, V. 2014. The role of Kupffer cells in the hepatic response to silver nanoparticles.

Nanotoxicology, 8, 149-154.

KERMANIZADEH, A., GOSENS, I., JOHNSTON, H., DANIELSON, P. H., JACOBSEN, N. R., LENZ, A. G.,

FERNANDES, T., SCHINS, R. P. F., CASSEE, F. R., WALLIN, H., KREYLING, W., STOEGER, T., LOFT, S.,

MOLLER, P., TRAN, C. L. & STONE, V. In press. A multi-laboratory toxicological assessment of a panel of ten

engineered nanomaterials to human health - ENPRA project - the highlights, the limitations and the current and future

challenges. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health - Part B: Critical Reviews.



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Keynote (KN-3-01): How does your Nanoporous Crystal Grow?

Prof. Micheal Anderson, Director of Centre for Nanoporous Materials

Centre for Nanoporous Materials, School of Chemistry, The University of

Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK

[email protected]

The framework structures of nanoporous crystals are varied and complex and the solutions from which the crystals grow a soup of

hundreds of pre-nucleation species each competing for supremacy. Yet conditions can normally be found under which it is

possible to prepare a pure phase where there is one clear winner. Just as with “click chemistry” where a reaction outcome is highly

predictable based on usually just one parameter the rules for selection of a nanoporous material must similarly be few and simple.

Extracting simple rules is achieved through Monte Carlo modelling of experimental observables, such as atomic force

micrographs, and shows that the closed-cage structures inherent in many nanoporous materials, whether zeolites, metal-organic

frameworks, aluminophosphates etc., act as the rate-determining entities for crystal growth and probably, by inference, for

nucleation. These simple rules are transferrable to all crystal systems whether framework materials, molecular crystals or ionic

crystals.

Key words: Nanoporous; crystal growth; AFM; Monte Carlo



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Keynote (KN-3-02): Nano Applications & its Industrialization: Nano Product Development &

Research Overview of Tata Chemicals Innovation Center, Pune, India

Dr Debabrata Rautaray, Senior Scientist -Advance Materials & Green Chemistry

Division at Tata Innovation Centre, Tata Chemicals Ltd., Pune, India

Email: [email protected]

Abstract

My presentation will focus on nanotechnology based commercialisation efforts at the Tata Chemicals Innovation Centre. Over the past 5 years, our efforts have resulted in the development of distinctive nano-enabled product variants. Our research group focuses on wet chemistry and biological routes for the nanomaterial synthesis, surface functionalization of the same and customization of these nanomaterials for structural and functional applications. Additionally, we have developed a versatile capability to use multiple raw materials and produce customised nano-enabled products for a wide range of specialized applications such as water purification, tyre reinforcement, paints, construction, auto composites, tooth pastes, cosmetics, and as a carrier for vitamins and minerals for food application. Company Information A part of the over US$ 100 billion Tata Group, TATA Chemicals Limited in its 77th year, is a global company with interests in businesses focus on LIFE - Living, Industrial and Farm Essentials. TCL has been rated by Superbrands as one of the top 10% in business and consumer brands across all industry and consumer brand categories in India. TCL is the pioneer and market leader in India's branded iodised salt segment. Extending its portfolio from salt to other essential foods, TCL unveiled India's first national brand of pulses in 2010. With the introduction of innovative cost-effective nanotechnology based water purifiers; it is providing affordable, safe drinking water to the masses. More information about the company can be found on www.tatachemicals.com

http://www.tata.com/article/inside/tata-chemicals-innovation-centre

http://www.tatachemicals.com/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.tatachemicals.com/



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Keynote (KN-3-03): Metal-Carbon framework: through a control of catalyst synthesis at the molecular

level

Prof. Philippe Serp, CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination, Toulouse,

France

Faqieng Leng,1 Rosa Axet,1 Iann Gerber,2 Philippe Serp1,* 1Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination, composante ENSIACET, 4 allée Emile Monso,

BP 44099, F-31030 Toulouse Cedex 4, France 2Université de Toulouse; INSA, UPS, CNRS; LPCNO (IRSAMC), 135 avenue de Rangueil,

F-31077 Toulouse, France *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +33(0)534323572

A plethora of reports exists on the functionalization of nanostructured carbon materials with metal particles. Metallic NPs have

been associated to CNTs,[1] graphene,[2] fullerenes,[3] and even nanodiamonds.[4] However, the main limitation of these assemblies,

such as for all metal supported heterogeneous catalysts, is the complete absence of a control of their organization, i.e. the metallic

NPs are randomly distributed on the surface of the nanocarbons. Consequently, it is often extremely difficult to achieve a high

metal loading with small metal NP size, which is detrimental to many applications such as fuel cells, sensors or gas storage.

Additionally, the distance between NPs being not controlled, their properties are far from being optimized. Indeed, it has for

example been shown that the proximity of NPs may affect their catalytic performances and their stability. [5] Inspired by Metal-

Organic Frameworks (MOFs), and Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), we have developed a totally original family of hybrid

materials, named metal-carbon frameworks (MECAF), associating in a controlled manner and through covalent bonds, sp2–C

nanostructured carbon materials with metallic NPs. Such a groundbreaking material assembly is very innovative, and the potential

for scientific and technological progresses is enormous. Specifically for catalysis, this material should combine: i) a controlled NP

size, ii) an atomically-defined environment for the NPs, iii) a covalent interaction with the support, and iv) a high porosity and a

highly dense surface area availability of the catalytic centers.

Keywords: fullerene, nanoparticles, ruthenium, nanocatalyst

REFERENCES [1] V. Georgakilas, D. Gournis, et al, J. Mater. Chem. 2007, 17, 2679.

[2] P. T. Yin, T.-H. Kim, et al, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2013, 15, 12785.

[3] a) I. I. S. Lim, J. Ouyang, et al, Chem. Mater. 2005, 17, 6528; b) A. V. Talyzin, A. Dzwilewski, et al, Carbon 2007, 45,

2564.

[4] P. Subramanian, Y. Coffinier, et al, Electrochimica Acta 2013, 110, 4.

[5] a) P. Munnik, P. E. de Jongh, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 7333; b) G. Prieto, J. D. Meeldijk, et al, J. Catal. 2013,

303, 31; c) G. Prieto, M. Shakeri, et al, ACS Nano 2014, 8, 2522; d) G. Prieto, J. Zečević, et al, Nat. Mater. 2013, 12, 34.



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GL-1-01 (Ref: abstract 1-018)

CO2 Capture and Fixation over Organic and Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Porous Nanomaterials

Asim Bhaumik

Department of Materials Science, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur

Kolkata 700 032, India

Wide scale research efforts have been focused over last one decade for developing high performance CO2 sequestrating material

which can control the anthropogenic emission of CO2 in atmosphere as its progressive increase in concentration causing global

warming.1 A wide range of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have been synthesized from either zinc(II) or cobalt(II) and

imidazolate/imidazolate- type linkers and these materials have showed exceptionally high CO2 uptakes at 273 K.2 In this context

we have designed an iron containing porous organic polymers (Fe-POPs) by a facile one-pot bottom-up approach to porphyrin

chemistry involving extended aromatic substitution reaction between pyrrole and aromatic dialdehydes in the presence of small

amount of Fe(III). The Fe-POPs possess very high BET surface area, large micropores and showed excellent CO2 capture (ca. 19

wt%) at 273 K and 1 bar pressure. We have also designed a new triazine functionalized hexagonally ordered covalent organic

polymer (TRITER-1) via Schiff-base condensation reaction between a tailor made triamine 1,3,5-tris-(4-aminophenyl) triazine

(TAPT) and terephthaldehyde and this ordered porous polymer showed excellent CO2 uptake capacity of ca. 58.9 wt% at 273 K

under 5 bar pressure.3 Very recently, we have designed a zinc-salen functionalized porous polymer (Zn@SBMMP) with high zinc

content (15.3 wt%) by an easy one-step process, which showed unprecedented catalytic efficiency in the CO2 fixation reaction via

cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides.4 We proposed that the high density of Zn-Schiff base/salen units present in the porous

polymer network is responsible for the exceptionally high catalytic performance of Zn@SBMMP in the CO2 fixation reactions.

References

(1) D'Alessandro, D. M.; Smit, B.; Long, J. R. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2010, 49, 6058.

(2) Banerjee, R.; Phan, A; Wang, B.; Knobler, C.; Furukawa, H.; O'Keeffe, M.; Yaghi, O. M. Science, 2008, 319, 939.

(3) Modak, A; Nandi, M.; Mondal, J.; Bhaumik, A. Chem. Commun. 2012, 48, 248.

(4) Gomes, R.; Bhanja, P.; Bhaumik, A. Chem. Commun. 2015, 51, 10050.

(5) Bhunia, S.; Molla, R. A.; Kumari, V.; Islam, S. M.; Bhaumik, A. Chem. Commun. 2015, 51, 15732.



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NanoMaterials - Separation Science and the Nuclear Industry

Professor Harry Eccles

School of Physical Sciences & Computing, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom

The majority of the nuclear reactors (~450) operating worldwide is based on the uranium fuel cycle; this cycle is essentially a

sequence of uranium separation processes. This presentation will describe the processes involved and how nano-materials could

contribute to the development of new processes/products.

Uranium occurs naturally in the earth’s crust; in fact it is as common as tin/zinc (~3ppm). Its occurrence is associated with oxides,

phosphates, carbonate, and complexes with cations such as titanium and vanadium (proven reserves about 6million te). The two

most important uranium isotopes that occur naturally are U-238 (99.2%) and U-235 (0.71%).To satisfy today’s reactors requires

some 66,000 te/a of uranium to be mined, which based on an uranium ore composition of 10,000ppm (medium grade ore body)

requires 6.6 x 106 te of uranium ore to be mined and the uranium to be extracted. The extraction processes is based on leaching

uranium from the ore body with dilute sulphuric acid and recovering the uranium as uranyl sulphate complex from the acid

leachate using either a liquid-liquid extraction or an ion exchange process or a combination of the two. The product from the

mining/milling operations is uranium ore concentrate (UOC) in which uranium is about 99% pure, but not sufficient to

manufacture reactor fuel. This UOC is further purified at the refinery (such BNFL Springfields pre-1990s) to remove neutron

poisons such as Cd, B, Hf, rare earths (Gd, Eu) and other metals (Cr, V, W) that behave similar to U prior to its conversion to

uranium hexafluoride (UF6).

UF6 is key to the enrichment of U-235 from its natural composition (0.71%) to about 3.5% necessary for today’s light water

reactors (LWRs). This enrichment is achieved by either gaseous diffusion or centrifugation at the enrichment plant. The enriched

U-235 uranium hexafluoride is converted to a ceramic oxide (UO2) and pressed into pellets before insertion into fuel pins and the

pins into fuel assemblies. A 1100MWe PWR will have 193 assemblies containing 50,000 fuel pins holding about 126 UO2te and

approximately 25-30 UO2te is removed/replaced each year/reactor.

In a nuclear reactor U-235 undergoes nuclear fission producing heat, more neutrons and fission products whilst U-238 undergoes

neutron capture producing actinides such as neptunium, plutonium and americium. Reprocessing of nuclear fuel requires the

separation of U and Pu from the fission products and these other actinide elements. The PUREX process which has been used for

reprocessing of nuclear fuel for more than 50 years and is based on a liquid-liquid extraction process which achieves a process

separation efficiency of >99.99%.

Process wastes and residues are produced at all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle (NFC) and a variety of separation processes are

used to ensure these wastes can be stored and /or disposed of safely.

The next fleet of nuclear reactors to be built in the UK and worldwide are GEN III reactors which will operate for 60 years or more

and under higher reactor conditions (higher burn up). Consequently nano-materials are being evaluated as these conditions will

require fuel and processes to meet more stringent conditions.



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Microbial challenges in water supply - maintaining sage water in buildings

Mr. Gary Hogben,

Technical Manager, Feedwater Ltd., Wirral, United Kingdom

Public water supplies in the developed world are normally required to meet one microbiological standard - the absence of faecal

contamination. This is normally measured testing for so-called indicator organisms - E. coli (and other coliforms) and enterococci.

This approach has been highly successful in preventing enteric disease, but treated water may still contain many thousands of other

micro-organisms per ml.

Some of these very common waterborne micro-organisms have been implicated in causing or exacerbating other diseases and are

causing increasing concern, especially in healthcare settings. This presentation will discuss the importance of these pathogens,

together with current UK and European guidelines for prevention of infection. The organisms include:

Legionella - The causative agent of Legionnaires disease

Pseudomonas aeruginosa – a potentially devastating opportunistic infection

Burkholderia cepacia complex and Stenotrophomonas maltophila – causing serious infections in the immuno-

compromised patient

Mycobacterium avium complex – an emerging tuberculosis-like pathogen

We will also consider the possible use and application of new nanomaterial composites to aid control and reduce infection, and

discuss the concept of control vs elimination.



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Approaches towards high-throughput production of cell-targeting magnetic nanostructures

R. H. C. López,1,2 T. W. Fallows,1,2 J. E. Gough3 and S. J. Webb1,2*

1 University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, UK. 2 School of Chemistry, University of Manchester,

Oxford Road, Manchester, UK. 3 School of Materials, The University of Manchester, MSS Tower

Manchester M13 9PL, UK. *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)1613064524

ABSTRACT

Nano-structured self-assembled biomaterials that are able to provide chemical cues for cells upon demand will have enormous

potential in cell culture and tissue engineering. One key area for development is spatiotemporal control over the remotely induced

release of chemical signals entrapped in these materials, which will induce cultured cells to form structures reminiscent of tissue.

To this end, we have developed a magnetically-triggered drug delivery system, magnetic nanoparticle-vesicle assemblies

(MNPVs),1,2,3 and incorporated these assemblies into hydrogel biomaterials. MNPVs consist of nanocontainers (~0.8 µm diameter

phospholipid vesicles) with stored drugs, which are cross-linked by iron oxide nanoparticles to create functional supramolecular

constructs. The unique properties of nanosized magnetite fulfil two critical roles: (a) they allow magnetic manipulation of MNPVs

and objects linked to them; (b) they allow non-destructive release of vesicle contents by an alternating magnetic field (AMF). As

oscillating or permanent magnetic fields do not affect most cells, such remote control over release has exciting applications both in

vitro and in vivo.

We have incorporated MNPVs into hydrogels to generate “smart” biomaterials able to translate magnetic signals into biological

responses, providing spatiotemporal control within a three-dimensional in vitro cell culture environment.4,5 However a key

challenge is to provide these nanosystems with the capability to selectively bind to particular cell types, especially providing this

cell-targeting functionality in a versatile and high-throughput manner. Our recent approaches to adding cell targeting capability to

vesicles, nanoparticles and MNPVs will be described.

Keywords: magnetic nanoparticles, phospholipid vesicles, cell targeting.

REFERENCES [1] Mart, R. J.; Liem, K. P.; Webb, S. J. Chem. Commun. 2009, 2287-2289.

[2] Mart, R. J.; Liem, K. P.; Webb, S. J. Pharm. Res. 2009, 26, 1701-1710.

[3] de Cogan, F.; Booth, A.; Gough, J. E.; Webb, S. J. Soft Matter 2013, 9, 2245-2253.

[4] de Cogan, F.; Booth, A.; Gough, J. E.; Webb, S. J. Angew. Chem. Intl. Ed. Engl. 2011, 50, 12290-12293.

[5] Booth, A.; Pintre, I. C.; Lin, Y.; Gough, J.; Webb, S. J. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2015, 17, 15579-15588.




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Smart Materials: Advances in Protein-based Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

S.M. Reddy1,2*, H.F. EL-Sharif1, D. Stevenson1, S. Kalluru3 and H. Yapati3

1University of Surrey, Guildford, UK; 2University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK; 3Sri Venkateswara Univeristy *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)1483686396

ABSTRACT

We have developed hydrogel-based molecularly imprinted polymers (HydroMIPs) for the memory imprinting of proteins and for

protein biosensor development [1]. The molecular imprint remains as a memory effect in the gel after the protein is removed, and

the remaining cavity exhibits selective rebinding of said protein. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have become an

important tool in the preparation of artificial and robust recognition materials that are capable of mimicking natural systems.

Hydrogel-based molecularly imprinted polymers (HydroMIPs) were prepared for several proteins using a family of acrylamide-

based monomers. Protein affinity towards the HydroMIPs was investigated under equilibrium conditions and over a range of

concentrations using specific binding with Hill slope saturation profiles. We report HydroMIP binding affinities, in terms of

equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) within the micro-molar range (25±4 µM, 44±3 µM and 17 ±2 µM for haemoglobin,

myoglobin and catalase respectively within a polyacrylamide-based MIP) [2]. The extent of non-specific binding or cross-

selectivity for non-target proteins has also been assessed. We have used atomic force spectroscopy to characterize molecular

interactions in the MIP cavities using protein-modified AFM tips. Attractive and repulsive force curves were obtained for the MIP

and NIP (non-imprinted polymer) surfaces (under protein loaded or unloaded states). Our force data suggest that we have produced

selective cavities for the template protein in the MIPs and we have been able to quantify the extent of non-specific protein binding

on, for example, a NIP control surface. For the first time, we have also coded the MIPs with a covalently-bound redox tag [3] in

order to elicit a direct electrochemical signal in the event of selective protein binding. GC and SPE probes were used for signal

transduction and imprinting determination. Co(II)-complex-based MIPs exhibited 92±1% specific binding with protein binding

capacities of 5.7±0.45 mg BSA/g polymer and imprinting factors (IF) of 14.8±1.9 (MIP/ non-imprinted (NIP) control). The

selectivity of our Co(II)-coded BSA MIPs were also tested using bovine haemoglobin (BHb), lysozyme (Lyz), and trypsin (Tryp).

By evaluating imprinting factors (K), each of the latter proteins was found to have lower affinities in comparison to cognate BSA

template. In summary, MIP technologies could provide an inexpensive, fast, and efficient diagnostic sensor platform highly

sensitive, in-situ analysis of biologicals for both environmental and biomedical applications. The authors acknowledge UKIERI

(IND/CONT/R/12-13/779), the British Council and DST (India) and NERC and RSC_ACTF (NE/J01/7671) for funding this

project.

Keywords: MIP, molecularly imprinted polymers, protein, biosensors, force spectroscopy, plastic antibodies

REFERENCES [1] D. Hawkins, D Stevenson and S. Reddy, Anal. Chim. Acta, 542, 61, 2005.

[2] H. EL-Sharif, D. Hawkins, D. Stevenson and S. Reddy, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys, 16(29), 15483, 2014.

[3] H. EL-Sharif, H. Yapati, S. Kalluru and S. Reddy, Acta Biomat., 28, 121, 2015.




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A New GMP-compatible Radiolabelling Method Enables Long Term in vivo PET Tracking of

Preformed Liposomal Nanomedicines

S. Edmonds1, A. Volpe 1, H. Shmeeda2, A.C. Parente-Pereira3, L.K. Meszaros1, J. Bagunya-Torres1, I. Szanda1, P.J.

Blower1, J. Maher3, G. Fruhwirth1, A. Gabizon1,2, R. T. M. de Rosales1*

1 King's College London, Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, London, United Kingdom 2 Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hebrew University, Oncology Institute, Jerusalem, Israel 3 King's College London, Department of Research Oncology, London, United Kingdom

* Email: [email protected]

Introduction. Quantitative imaging methods for tracking liposomal drug nanocarriers in vivo are of high interest in nanomedicine.

In this context, PET imaging, with its excellent quantification properties, could be used to predict treatment efficacy and the

stratification of patients into different treatment regimes [1,2]. To date, however, methods to radiolabel liposomal drugs with

metallic PET isotopes have relied in the introduction of chelators to the lipid bilayer or by co-encapsulation with the drug. Both

methods represent a significant barrier for clinical translation of preformed liposomal drugs.

We hypothesised that it should be possible to radiolabel preformed liposomal drugs, without modification of their components, if

the encapsulated drug has metal-chelating properties. Here we demonstrate this method based on metastable cell labelling

agents and its application for monitoring and quantifying drug biodistribution using PET in two murine cancer models.

Methods. Preformed liposomal nanocarriers (liposomal alendronate (PLA) and liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil/Caelyx)) where

labelled with 89Zr (t1/2 = 3.2 d, 23% +) and 64Cu (t1/2 = 13 h, 17% +) using cell membrane metal ionophores (hydroxyquinolines).

Radiolabelling yields and in vitro stabilities were calculated using size exclusion chromatography. PET/SPECT-CT imaging was

performed in murine models of breast cancer (MTLn3E-hNIS) and ovarian cancer (SKOV3). Ex vivo biodistribution studies were

performed at the end of the imaging studies.

Results. Radiolabelling yields of up to >98% with specific activities in ranges as high as 100 GBq/mol of encapsulated

drug (89Zr) were achieved. Empty liposomes, with the same phospholipid composition and hydrodynamic size as PLA/Doxil, did

not radiolabel. In vitro stabilities in human serum were >85-95% after 48 h at 37°C. 89Zr/64Cu-PLA were imaged in murine tumour

models of breast (MTLn3E-hNIS) and ovarian cancer (SKOV-3) for up to 7 days (89Zr-PLA) or 2 days (64Cu-PLA). Radioactivity

at the end of the studies was mainly found in the spleen, liver, primary tumour (5-10% ID/g) and blood (8-10% ID/g). Interestingly,

in the MTLn3E-hNIS model, uptake in metastatic organs such as the sentinel lymph nodes, ascertained by SPECT reporter gene

imaging, was significantly higher (16% ID/g) than in non-metastatic and control lymph nodes (6% ID/g).

Conclusions. A new, highly efficient and stable method to radiolabel preformed liposomes with PET radiometals has been

developed. Liposomes radiolabelled using this method can be tracked in vivo using PET imaging for at least 7 days allowing

quantification and biodistribution measurements of liposomal drugs. Our technology is GMP-compatible and we are working

towards translating it for human use in conjunction with clinically approved liposomal anti-cancer drugs.

References: [1] S. Kunjachan, J. Ehling, et al., Noninvasive Imaging of Nanomedicines and Nanotheranostics: Principles,

Progress, and Prospects. Chem. Rev., 115, 10907, 2015.; [2] Laverman, P.; Boerman, O. C., et al., Radiolabeling of liposomes for

scintigraphic imaging. Methods in Enzymology, 373, 234. 2003.

Acknowledgement This project was funded by the King’s College London and UCL Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Centre funded by the CRUK and

EPSRC in association with the MRC and DoH (England).




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Liposome Delivery to the Lung: Four Decades of Research

A. Elhissi1, W. Ahmed2, D.A. Phoenix3 and K.M.G. Taylor4

1Pharmaceutical Sciences Section, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar; 2School of

Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK; 3Office of the Vice Chancellor, London South

Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom; 4UCL-College of Pharmacy, University

College London, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected] or [email protected]; Tel No. +974 4403 5632

ABSTRACT

Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), cholesterol and cholesteryl esters are major constituents in mammalian pulmonary

surfactants, justifying the interest in delivering liposomes for the treatment or protection against respiratory distress syndrome

(RDS) [1, 2]. However, later on, it was found that inhalation of liposomes can localize the action of entrapped drug in the lung,

resulting in reduced potential of systemic adverse effects. Amongst inhalation devices, nebulizers have shown to be the most

successful at delivering therapeutic quantities of liposome-entrapped drug in “respirable” fractions [3-7]. Unfortunately, the

shearing provided during nebulization to convert liposome dispersions into aerosol is deleterious to the physical stability of

liposomes, causing fragmentation of the vesicles with concomitant leakage of the entrapped hydrophilic material [8, 9]. It has been

found that reducing the size of liposomes prior to nebulization, enriching the liposome formulation with cholesterol [8] or using

phospholipids with high phase transition temperature (e.g. DPPC) [6] may minimize the instability of liposomes, resulting in

enhanced pulmonary retention of the entrapped drug. Whilst this is the case for entrapped hydrophilic materials, the detrimental

effect of nebulization on the retained entrapment of hydrophobic drugs is limited, despite fragmentation of the liposomes during

aerosolization [4]. Finally, vibrating-mesh nebulizers have shown advantages over conventional jet and ultrasonic devices in terms

of stability of liposomes and ability to customize the devices to deliver doses to certain regions in the respiratory tract [9]. This

presentation will involve the experience of four decades of research in this field and two inhalable liposome formulations in

advanced development stage, namely Arikace® and Pulmaquin® will be discussed, and their potential will be evaluated taking into

account the research conducted within our research group and by other research investigators.

Keywords: Inhalation, Liposome, Nebulizer, Phospholipid, Stability

REFERENCES [1] H. Ivey, S. Roth, J. Kattwinkel. Paed Res, 11, 573, 1977.

[2] Y. Morimoto, Y. Adachi. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 30, 2248-2251, 1982.

[3] K.M.G. Taylor, G. Taylor, I.W. Kellaway, J. Stevens. Pharm Res, 6, 633-636, 1989.

[4] M. Saari, M.T. Vidgren, M.O. Koskinen, V.M.H. Turjanmaa, M.M. Nieminen. Int J Pharm, 181, 1-9, 1999.

[5] A.M.A. Elhissi, K.M.G. Taylor. J Drug Del Sci Tech, 15, 261-265, 2005.

[6] J.P. Clancy, L. Dupont, M.W. Konstan, J. Billings, S. Fustik, C.H. Goss, J. Lymp, P. Minic, A.L. Quittner, R.C. Rubenstein,

K.R. Young, L. Saiman, J.L. Burns, J.R. Govan, B. Ramsey, R. Gupta. Thorax, 68, 818-825, 2013.

[7] Z. Ehsan, J.D. Wetzel, J.P. Clancy. Expert Opin Investig Drugs, 23, 743-749, 2014.

[8] K.M.G. Taylor, G. Taylor, I.W. Kellaway, J. Stevens, Int J Pharm, 58, 57-61, 1990.

[9] A.M.A. Elhissi, M. Faizi, W.F. Naji, H.S. Gill, K.M.G. Taylor. Int J Pharm, 334, 62-70, 2007





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Bacterial viability on multi-scaled functional silicon nanotopographies

A. Susarrey-Arce, I. Sorzabal-Bellido, A. Oknianska, A. J. Beckett, J. G. E. Gardeniers, R. M. Tiggelaar, Y.

A. Diaz Fernandez*, R. Raval

1Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces at the Surface Science Research Centre and Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool,

Oxford Street, UK L69 3BX, Liverpool, 2Biomedical EM Unit, School of Biomedical Sciences, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, L69 3BX,

Liverpool, 3Mesoscale Chemical Systems, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE Enschede, The

Netherlands, 4NanoLab Cleanroom, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE Enschede, The

Netherlands *Presenting author e-mail: [email protected]; Tel No. +44 (0) 1517 943 884

ABSTRACT Bacteria are one of the most abundant forms of life on our planet, and display a natural tendency to adhere onto surfaces as a self-defense and

proliferation mechanism [1]. After initial colonization of the surface, bacterial colonies experience a change of the metabolic activity that

ultimately leads to the formation of complex multicellular structures, known as biofilms, featuring a high level of defense against antimicrobial

agents. Preventing bacterial adhesion on surfaces is a powerful strategy to control biofilm formation, reducing contamination of indwelling

medical devices [2]. A number of strategies show promising antibacterial properties with both chemical and physical functionalities at surfaces.

In this work we fabricate and characterize multi-scaled functional nanotopographies with three levels of functionalization (see scheme 1): (I)

topographical functionality in the form of silicon nanowires (SiNWs), (II) covalent chemical modification with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane

(APTES), and (III) incorporation of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHD). We studied cell viability of two model microorganisms (S. aureus and E.

coli) on SiNWs, and on SiNWs functionalized with APTES. We identified two different growth modes producing distinctively 2D and 3D

multicellular structures for the tested bacterial strains [3, 4]. We also show that SiNWs can be used as carriers for the effective release of CHD to

reduce the number of planktonic cells and the surface-attached microorganisms.

APTES CHD

Planktonic cell viability(CFU/mL)

Surface cell viability (Live/Dead)

Surface morphology (SEM)

On surface

In solution

SiNWs

I II III

Scheme 1. Side-view SEM-images of SiNWs (grey) functionalized with APTES (blue) and APTES loaded with CHD (orange). In

the dashed open-black box: CFU/mL colony counting of planktonic viable cells cultured over SiNWs samples. Analysis of

bacterial cell viability on surfaces (dashed open-purple box) was performed by Live/Dead staining followed by confocal

microscopy. Morphology of attached cells attached to surfaces was examined by SEM.

Keywords: antimicrobial surfaces, silicon nanowires, topographical functionalities and biocide release

REFERENCES [1] M. Wilkins, L. Hall-Stoodley, R. N. Allan, and S. N. Faust, Journal of Infection 69(S1), S47, 2014

[2] Biofilms, medical devices, and antibiofilm technology: Key messages from a recent public workshop, American Journal of

Infection Control 43, 2, 2015

[3] T. A. Cameron, J. R. Zupan, and P. C. Zambryski, Trends in Microbiology 23(6), 347, 2015

[4] P. J. B. Brown, D. T. Kysela, and Y. V. Brun, Semin. Cell. Dev. Biol. 22(8), 790, 2011




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NANOMEDICINE IN ANTIMALARIAL CHEMOTHERAPY

Kamalinder K Singh Professor of Pharmaceutical technology and drug delivery

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire,

Preston, PR1 2HE, United Kingdom

E-mail: [email protected]

Malaria is a global health priority with more than 3 billion people at risk of acquiring the disease. Treating malaria has become

greatest challenge despite of all the advances in technology and innovations. The main reason for failure of the current

conventional chemotherapy is development of multiple-drug resistance and non-specific targeting to intracellular parasite, which

result in high doses of therapeutic agents and their related toxicities. Targeting approach for malaria-infected erythrocytes using

nanosystems open new doors for the treatment of the disease. The goal of the malaria therapy is targeting the infected RBCs to

achieve high intra cellular drug concentration. In order to reach the set goal the carrier system should be able to cross multiple

membrane barriers to access the intraparasitic target. We have developed nanoparticles, which show selective entry into infected

RBCs but not into normal RBCs. This presentation will discuss development and optimization of biodegradable artemether

nanoparticles using Quality by Design (QbD) approach for targeting parasitized RBCs. The nanoparticles have shown enhanced

antimalarial efficacy using P. falciparum and P. berghei species in-vitro and in-vivo respectively with potential use in treatment of

severe malaria.

References:

1. D. A. Fidock, R. T. Eastman, S. A. Ward; Recent highlights in antimalarial drug resistance and chemotherapy research;

Trends Parasitol; 24; 2008; 537-544.

2. G. A. Biagini, S. A. Ward, P. G. Bray; Malaria parasite transporters as a drug-delivery strategy; Trends Parasitol; Vol. 21;

2005; 299-301.



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Methanol photocatalytic oxidation in water with Fe/SBA-15 catalysts

N. Tabaja1, S. Casale1, D. Brouri1, A. Davidson1, J. Toufaily3, T. Hamieh3, R. Cole4 and S. Sladkevich4

1Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface, UMR CNRS 7197, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 3 rue Galilée, 94200 Ivry/Seine, France ; 2,3 Faculté

de Génie Agronomique et de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université Libanaise, Dekwaneh, Beyrouth, Liban ; 3Laboratoire des Matériaux, Catalyse,

Environnement et Méthodes Analytiques (MCEMA), École doctorale des sciences et technologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libanaise,

Hadath, Beyrouth, Liban ; 4Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, Sorbonne Université, UMR 8232; 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Paris cedex 05,

France *Presenting author’s details: Anne Davidson, UPMC Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +33(1)44274296

ABSTRACT. We have prepared iron oxide quantum dots dispersed on SBA-15 silica grains to help in the design of efficient

photocatalysts under visible excitation. The obtained results could be of importance in photocatalysis and also in other fields, in

particular for photo-polymerization in a confined environment.

Keywords: photocatalysis, oxidation, alcohol, visible light

MAIN TEXT. Selected conditions (initial pH; with and without a long maturation at 35°C; with or without a condensation

treatment at 130°C, 33h) are used to obtain 6 distinct and well-ordered mesoporous SBA-15 silicas grains with several sizes and

shapes and differing mainly by the connections existing between their main mesopores (as characterized by N2 sorption, SAXS,

TEM). A given amount of Fe-salt (12 wt of iron %; Fe (NO3)3.9H2O or FeCl3.6H2O) is dispersed using the two-solvent technique

and converted into oxide by a calcination performed in air and at 700°C (2°C/min and quenching) [2]. The distribution of Fe-oxide

quantum dots is heterogeneous but it is possible to distinguish Fe-loaded calcined silica samples enriched in: 1) external iron oxide

nanoparticles (Figure 1A) formed by diffusion through silica walls, 2) internal (replicated) iron oxide particles. Among internal

nanoparticles, experimental conditions can be adapted to obtain more bundles of attached nanoparticles (Figure 1B) or more

dispersed nanoparticles grown in a single mesopore (Figure 1C).

Figure 1. A) MEB micrographs of 2M_Fe(12)_HEX_Cl, external QD; B) and C) ultrathin sections of 2M_Fe(12)_CYC_NO3 and

0.3M_Fe(12)_CYC_NO3, internal QD, bundles or isolated. On the micrograph (B) the silica grain is cut parallel to the main axis

of mesopores. On the micrograph (C), the silica grain is cut perpendicularly.

With the obtained Fe/SBA-15 catalysts, photo-oxidation of methanol is studied under visible light excitation (with H2O2, at pH

2.3). Formaldehyde is the main product of the reaction but this product detected amount is by far lower than the value of carbon

remaining in solution detected by TOC measurements. Other products have then to be considered. Traces of formic acid are

detected by GC-MS in the gas phase in equilibrium with a solid after test and indicate that this carboxylic acid and /or the parent

formate cation remains trapped on the catalyst surface. Three additional observations are made:

Large internal replicated bundles of attached quantum-dots formed inside silica grains have enhanced photocatalytic

properties compared to more dispersed nanoparticles.

Similar catalytic properties are evidenced with bundles of attached nanoparticles occluded inside silica grains and after

silica dissolution in a basic aqueous solution and this suggests that the silica walls are transparent to visible light.

In the used experimental conditions, iron-leaching is important.

REFERENCES [1] Zhao. D.; Feng. J.; Huo. Q.; Melosh. N.; Fredrickson. G. H.; Chmelka, B. F.; Stucky. G. D.;”Triblock copolymer syntheses of

mesoporous silica with periodic 50 to 300 angstrom pores” Science, 279, 548-552, 1998.

[2] Cornu. C.; Bonardet. J.L.; Casale. S.; Davidson. A.; Andre. G.; Porcher. F.; Gric. I.; Tomasic. V.; Vujevic. D.; Koprivanac. N.;”Identification and Location of Iron Species in Fe/SBA-15 Catalysts: Interest for Catalytic Fenton Reactions”; J. Phys. Chem. C., 2012, 116, 3437-3448.



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SL-01

Nanotechnology funding under Horizon 2020

Mr. Ian Devine

European Advisor for UKRO, United Kingdom

An overview of nanotechnology funding opportunity under EU Horizon 2020 programme will be presented.

More information about the Horizon 2020 programme can be found in the following links:

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/nanotechnologies-advanced-materials-

advanced-manufacturing-and-processing-and

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/nanotechnologies-advanced-materials-advanced-manufacturing-and-processing-and

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/nanotechnologies-advanced-materials-advanced-manufacturing-and-processing-and

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/



P a g e | 27

SL-02

An overview of nano and nano-biotechnology research at UCLan, Preston

Dr. Tapas Sen

Lead, Nano-biomaterials Research Group, www.senlabs.org

School of Physical Sciences and Computing

University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, United Kingdom

Tel: +44(0)1772894371, Fax: +44(0)1772894981, Email: [email protected]

The fabrication of nanoporous / nanoparticulate composites and their applications via surface patterning with chemicals and bio-

chemicals has a direct impact in bio-sensing and bio-separation. Surface patterning on nanoparticles in suspension can be a

complex process due to the aggregation of the particles and their Brownian motion in the suspension. An overview of group’s

research on nanomaterials and their applications in the separation of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) from the biological cells will

be presented in connection with an industrial collaboration with Q-Bioanalytic, Germany. The possibility of affinity interaction of

biomolecules i.e. nucleic acid, protein, antibody, microorganisms etc. through hybrid capture will also be discussed in the context

of food quality and hygiene in Bio-sensing which has recently been published in Nature publishing group

(http://www.nature.com/srep/2012/120807/srep00564/full/srep00564.html?WT.ec_id=SREP-639-20120903). Separation of toxic

and microbial contaminants from water and soil using nanotechnology tool will be discussed in the context of on-going

multinational projects (http://senlabs.org/international-projects/ & http://nanowateratuclan.org/) in collaboration with top academic

and industrial researchers from Europe, India and China. Recent development (UK Patent: 2013: GB1315407.5. &

PCT/GB2014/052,630) on sensing antimicrobial nanocomposites will be discussed in connection with water technology. The

following figure present various applications and our activity on pie diagram.

http://www.senlabs.org/

http://www.nature.com/srep/2012/120807/srep00564/full/srep00564.html?WT.ec_id=SREP-639-20120903

http://senlabs.org/international-projects/

http://nanowateratuclan.org/



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SL-03 (Ref: 3-017)

Regulatory Frameworks for Nanotechnology: Can we meet the needs of Industry, Society and

Regulators without slowing the pace of innovation?

S. Kelly1*, D. Carlander1, G. Flament1,

1Nanotechnology Industries Association aisbl, Brussels, Belgium *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0) 7554 713 394

ABSTRACT

Without doubt, nanotechnology has delivered new innovations to the market. Yet questions still remain about what regulations

should govern its use. Internationally different approaches are being taken as to how to tackle the potential risks aspects presented

by nanomaterials. The changing regulatory framework presents an additional set of challenge to academia and industry seeking to

exploit new functionalities presented by nanomaterials. So while nanotechnology promises real societal benefit in the shape of new

products that can have a real impact on consumer life, uncertainty over current and future regulations may have a negative impact

on the speed at which innovation can be delivered to the market. This talk will examine the existing regulatory framework that

governs nanotechnology and will look at recent developments in grouping, read-across and safe-by-design that look to address the

needs of industry and regulators to deliver safe and innovative new products to society.

Keywords: nanotechnology risk, nanomaterials regulations, REACH, TCSA, nanotechnology governance

Over the last decade nanotechnology has moved forward with great rapidity, with new scientific developments reaching the market

as products in a short space of time. Different from previous technological innovations, however, is the short gap between

invention and the introduction of regulations. This talk will look at the current regulatory landscape that governs nanoscale

materials and will highlight what academia and industry need to aware of to bring new innovations to market.

There are several ongoing international discussions on how to best address nanomaterials and nano-enabled products in a

regulatory context. These include the publication by the US EPA on new proposals under the Toxic Substances Control Act

(TCSA); a proposed similar approach in Canada under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) and the proposals by

the EU to modify REACH Annexes regarding nanomaterials. Within the EU, the definition of what constitutes a nanomaterial is

under review, with the EC Joint Research Centre publishing its recommendations on the functionality of the definition.

These ongoing discussions have an impact on manufacturers and users of nanotechnologies and nanoscale materials, with

regulatory uncertainties hampering the development of innovative materials into useable products. The impact on innovation and

delivering societal benefit from nanotechnology must be balanced by asking the right regulatory questions to assess the potential

risks of nanoscale materials. The application of grouping and read across concepts and the use of safe-by-design methodology are

being examined to optimize resources for both industry and those that assess risk. However, these concepts will need to be

understood by regulators as well as industry and accepted for use in meeting regulatory demands.

This talk will provide an overview of the regulatory framework that is in place for nanomaterials and highlight its relevance to

academia and industry It will provide some initial results from a number of projects that have been established to address the

regulatory issues in nanomaterials, including NANOREG [1], NanoReg2 [2] and PROSAFE [3]. Finally, the need to provide a

balance between addressing societal concerns through regulations, whilst benefitting from innovative new products will be shown.

REFERENCES [1] www.nanoreg.eu

[2] www.nanoreg2.eu/

[3] www.h2020-prosafe.eu/




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SL-04

Activity of World Nano Foundation and Future Vision

Mr Paul Stannard,

Chairman, World Nano innovation, UK

The World Nano Foundation aim including maximising support and funding to bring the science of the ultra-small to the world and

commerce alike.

Aimed at aiding entrepreneurs, inventors, professors and professionals from a business-up perspective, the Foundation is a medium

for nurturing, developing and commercialising ground-breaking new nanotechnologies to revolutionise the world and how we

interact with it.

The Foundation has been supported by a number of illustrious figures who aim to create a legacy for not only the nanotechnology

industry, but for the international community. Our philosophy is simple, every product or innovation must come with a true point

of difference and it is simple for the world at large to understand the benefits it can bring.

More information about our activity can be found via the following websites:

http://www.worldnanofoundation.com/tablet/about.html

http://www.worldnanofoundation.com/tablet/about.html



P a g e | 30

O-1-01 (Ref: abstract 1-010)

Photoluminescence Nanofibers for Solid State Lighting Applications

Chi Ho Kwok*, Hui Luo, Ning TU, Anita Hsu, Puixin Du, Chenmin Liu, Peter WM Lee

The Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited (NAMI), Hong Kong

Units 608-609, 6/F, Lakeside 2, No. 10 Science Park West Avenue,

Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; Tel: (+852) 3511-3424

ABSTRACT

Photoluminescence nanofibers can be developed by combining electrospinning technologies and luminescent materials such as

quantum dots, organic/inorganic light emitting materials. The photoluminescence properties of the nanofibers can be optimized by

controlling the spinning parameters, the choice of luminescence materials and their material interactions. By a clear understanding

and manipulation of these properties, the performance of the optical structure can be tailored for desired applications, such as

growth light and indoor light which can provide a high quality white light or a warmer, redder light source with more attractive

shade.

In this study, we will demonstrate the use of QD based nanofibers/ polymer composite to modify the color spectrum of LED

technology. The performance of the QD-LED depends on several parameters, including the choice of QDs and their corresponding

quantum efficiencies, the polymer matrix in electrospinning process and the QDs dispersion, the method of developing polymer-

QD composites to prevent the aggregation induced quenching. With a proper control of these parameters, highly luminescence

polymer fiber can be developed. The light absorbing/ emitting properties of the fiber will be characterized by UV-Vis absorption

spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) will be used to characterize the

nanofiber morphology while the size and uniformity of the quantum dots will be characterized by Transmission Electronic

Microscopy (TEM), respectively. The color spectrum and other data of the QD lighting will be characterized by spectroradiometer

together with integrated sphere. Methods of optimizing the performance of polymer fibers through nanoscale manipulation will

also be discussed.

Keywords: led lighting, nanofibers, electrospinning, quantum dots, grow light

Figure 1. (a) SEM image for the QD-added electrospun nanofibers MAT, (insert) red emissive QD added nanofiber MAT

(b) TEM image for as synthesized QDs

(a) (b)




P a g e | 31

O-1-02: (Abstract ref: 1-024)

Development of Carbon Nanotube Based Organic Solar Cells

B. Tabatabaei Mohseni*, F. Colak, R. Atlibatur, M. Laki, E. Arici, U. Colak and N. Karatepe Yavuz

Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey

*Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +90 534 525 5963

ABSTRACT

Increasing energy demand and the limited natural energy resources raise interest and investment in renewable energy sources.

Among the renewable energy sources, solar energy has an important place. Solar cells or photovoltaic cells produce electrical

energy from sunlight. Depending on the system, solar cells can generate electricity in kW to MW range. While mass production of

inorganic based solar cells reduces gradually the costs, in the near future, organic solar cells can compete with them because they

can be produced with cost effective technologies [1]. The most critical factor in organic solar cells is increasing the energy

efficiency and absorption of IR region of light [2].

In the develpement of solar cells CNTs may have three different roles:

- Transparent electrode [3-6]

- Hole transport layer (HTL) [6, 7]

- Charge collection material [8]

In this work, single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) films have been used as anode material instead of industrial standard

transparent anode coatings such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), etc. Additionally, intrinsic p-type

semiconducting carbon nanotubes (sc-SWNT) have been added to polymeric heterojunction matrix of the active layer which is

poly (3-hexylthiophene) and high resolution buckminsterfullerene derivatives (P3HT:PCBM) to function as a photon absorber.

Furthermore, this type of CNTs are applicable as a hole transport layer when coated upon an ITO film.

These developments are motivation for the adaptation of CNTs to organic solar cells and new product designs that are composed of

pure carbon, having low cost and longer lifetime.

Keywords: Organic solar cells, Carbon nanotubes

REFERENCES [1] J. Nunzi, "Organic photovoltaic materials and devices" Comptes Rendus Physique, Elsevier, 523-542, 2002.

[2] M. Write, A. Uddin, "Organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells: A comparative review" Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells,

87-111, 2012.

[3] M. Kaempgen, G.S. Duesberg, S. Roth, "Transparent carbon nanotube coatings" Applied Surface Science, 252, 425–429,

2005.

[4] A. Falco, L. Cinà, G. Scarpa, P. Lugli, A. Abdellah, "Fully-sprayed and flexible organic photodiodes with transparent

carbon nanotube electrodes." ACS applied materials & interfaces, 6.13, 10593-10601, 2014.

[5] R. Ulbricht, S.B. Lee, X. Jiang, K. Inoue, M. Zhang, S. Fang, et al., "Transparent carbon nanotube sheets as 3-D charge

collectors in organic solar cells." Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 91.5, 416-419, 2007.

[6] MM. Stylianakis, E. Kymakis, "Efficiency enhancement of organic photovoltaics by addition of carbon nanotubes into both

active and hole transport layer", Applied Physics Letters 100, 093301, 2012.

[7] SJ. Tans, AR. Verschueren, C. Dekker, "Room-temperature transistor based on a single carbon nanotube." Nature,

393.6680, 49-52, 1998.

[8] M. Gong, TA. Shastry, Y. Xie, M. Bernardi, D. Jasion, KA. Luck, TJ. Marks, JC. Grossman, S. Ren, MC. Hersam,

"Polychiral Semiconducting Carbon Nanotube-Fullerene Solar Cells" Nano letters, 2014.



P a g e | 32

O-1-03 (Ref: abstract 1-017)

Sustainable Carbon Nanomaterials for Renewable Energy

Magdalena Titirici, Kathrin Preuss, Mo Qiao, Servann Herou

School of Engineering and Materials Science & Materials Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Mile

End Road, E14NS, London, UK *Presenting author’s details: Email:[email protected] ; Tel No. +44(0)20 7882 6272

ABSTRACT

Keywords: carbon nanomaterials, bioinspired materials, biomass conversion, fuel cells, energy storage, heterogeneous catalysis

The creation of new and very importantly greener industries and new sustainable pathways are crucial to create a world in which

energy use needs not be limited and where usable energy can be produced and stored wherever it is needed.

New materials based on carbon, ideally produced via inexpensive, low energy consumption methods, using renewable resources as

precursors, with flexible morphologies, pore structures and functionalities, are increasingly viewed as ideal candidates to fulfill

these goals. The resulting materials should be a feasible solution for the efficient storage of energy and gases.

Hydrothermal carbonization [1] is an ideal technology for the production of such low-cost but highly performing materials out of

the most abundant renewable resource on the planet, i.e. lignocellulosic biomass. The practical approach is very simple and

consists in placing a biomass precursor inside an autoclave, in water, followed by hydrothermal treatment overnight at 160-200°C.

Since the production of carbon materials in general implies harsher and multi-step methodologies along with fossil –based

precursors, this process has clear advantages in terms of sustainability and cost.

Here, I wish to present some of our latest results on the production and characterization of nanostructured hydrothermal carbons

(HTC) and their use in renewable energy related applications, [2-4].

I will also present some results on the use of HTC as well as heterogeneous catalysts to convert levulinic acid obtained in the liquid

phase after biomass hydrothermal treatment into other platform chemicals such as levulinate esters or gamma-valerolactone [5].

[1] Titirici MM, White RJ, Brun N, Budarin VL, Su DS, del Monte F, Clark JH and MacLachlan MJ, Chem Soc

Rev, 2015, vol. 44, (1) 250-290

[2] Briscoe J, Marinovic A, Sevilla M, Dunn S and Titirici M M Angewandte Chemie - International

Edition, 2015 qvol. 54, (15) 4463-4468

[3] K. Tang , L. Fu , R J. White , L. Yu , M. Antonietti , J. Maier, M. M. Titirici , Adv. Energy Materials, 2012, 2,

873–877

[4] N. Brun, S. A. Wohlgemuth, P. Osiceanu, M. M. Titirici, Green Chem., 2013, 15, 2514-2524

[5] F. Pileidis, M. Tabassum, S. Coutts, M. M. Ttitirici, Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2014, 35, 929–936



P a g e | 33

O-1-04 (Ref: 1-009)

Diagnose Pathogens in Drinking Water via Magnetic Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)

Assay

H. Li1, L. Cui2, F. L. Martin1, D. Zhang1

1Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK; 2Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)7588858333

ABSTRACT

Millions of cases of diseases are caused by pathogens in drinking water [1]. Many diagnosis methods have been developed to

rapidly detect these pathogens, as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and colony forming, but most of the methods are time-

consuming and not suitable for worldwide application in practice. Here, we developed a novel high-sensitive screening method for

rapid detection of pathogens in drinking water with Ag@MNPs nanocomposites by magnetic capturing and surface-enhanced

Raman scattering (SERS). The synthesis of MNPs followed chemical co-precipitation [2] and Ag@MNPs nanocomposites were

synthesized by glucose reduction [3]. By adding the Ag@MNPs suspension (2 µL) into drinking water or R6G samples (1 mL), the

mixture was cultivated for 10 min and the magnetic pellets were harvested by permanent magnet. The pellet was washed by

deionized water and ethanol five times for Raman spectral analysis, which was obtained by InVia Raman microscopy with 785-nm

excitation laser (100% and 0.5% power for normal Raman and SERS spectrum respectively) and 10 second acquisition time. The

Raman spectral mapping was carried out randomly in 10×10 µm2 area. Ag@MNPs have high pathogen capture efficiency

(>99.9%), easy to be magnetically captured and enriched. Strong and stable SERS signal was obtained for R6G with Ag@MNPs

and the detection limit is 1 nM, proving the SERS enhancement by Ag@MNPs. The direct detection limit of pathogenic bacteria in

aqueous phase is 106 cell/mL. The Raman signal was enhanced 104 times when the pathogens were harvested and enriched by

Ag@MNPs, and the detection limit significantly improved to 103 cell/mL. The magnetic SERS assay for the first time proves that

the magnetic-controllable Ag@MNPs can achieve high sensitivity and rapid screening (<15 min) of pathogens diagnosis in

drinking water. With further fabrication and instrumentation, this technique provides opportunities in diagnosing pathogens in

other environmental or clinical samples.

Keywords: magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), Raman spectrum, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

Figure 1. Diagram of pathogens diagnosis in drinking water via magnetic SERS assay.

REFERENCES [1] Szewzyk U, Szewzyk R, Manz W, Schleifer KH. Annu Rev Microbiol, 54, 81-127, 2000.

[2] Zhang D, Fakhrullin RF, Ozmen M, Wang H, Wang J, Paunov VN, et al. Microbial Biotechnology, 4, 89-97, 2011.

[3] Sau TK, Murphy CJ. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 126, 8648-8649, 2004.




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Magnetic Nanoarchitectures for Targeted Tumour Therapy

Nikola Knezevic,* Erzsebet Illes, Ana Mrakovic, Vladan Kusigerski, Vojislav Spasojevic, Bratislav

Antic, Sanja Vranjes-Djuric, Davide Peddis

Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, POB 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +381(0)649401808

ABSTRACT

Efficient synthesis approaches to produce stable, biocompatible and monodispersed magnetic nanoparticles for extensive

application possibilities have been recently described.[1-4] Potential application of complex magnetite-mesoporous silica-based

core-shell nanosystems in cancer therapy[5] can overcome some of the major limitations of conventional chemotherapy such as

adverse effects on healthy tissues, solubility issues associated with the frequently hydrophobic nature of cytotoxic drugs and short

circulation lifetimes. The morphology of the nanoarchitectures can be controlled by the syntheses conditions, while the presence of

organic functional groups can differently affect the loading and delivery capacities of applied drugs.[6] Surface functionalized

silica-based nanomaterials posses the ability to target tumour tissues by specific interaction with tumour-overexpressed

biomolecules, enabling a more selective approach than traditional systemic chemotherapy.[7] Their drug releasing efficacy, i.e.

therapeutic activity, is possible to be regulated using externally applicable targeting stimuli, such as exposure to light or magnetic

field.[5-8] Hence, more complex systems are being developed where the anticancer drugs are loaded inside the porous silica

framework of the magnetic nanosystems, and their retention and on-desire release can be achieved through different linkage

strategies with mesopore-capping agents. CdS quantum dots are demonstrated as effective caps for the core-shell magnetic

mesoporous silica materials through UV light-cleavable nitrobenzyl-linker, to entrap the anticancer drug camptothecin.[8] The

efficient synergistic anticancer effect of the capping quantum dots and the released camptothecin is demonstrated upon UV

exposure of the treated cancer cells. Further possibilities for the development of nanosystems for targeted therapy and diagnostics

will be also discussed, including the ongoing research studies regarding radiolabeled magnetic nanoarchitectures for combined

radio-hyperthermia tumour therapy.[9]

Keywords: magnetic nanoparticles, core shell, mesoporous nanomaterials, tumour targeting, light responsive drug delivery

REFERENCES [1] B.H. McDonagh, G. Singh, S. Hak, S. Bandyopadhyay, I.L. Augestad, D. Peddis, I. Sandvig, A. Sandvig and W.R.

Glomm, Small, 12, 301, 2016.

[2] G. Muscas, G. Singh, W.R. Glomm, R. Mathieu, P.A. Kumar, G. Concas, E. Agostinelli and D. Peddis, Chem. Mater. 27,

1982, 2015.

[3] E. Illés, M. Szekeres, E. Kupcsik, I.Y. Tóth, K. Farkas, A. Jedlovszky-Hajdú and E. Tombácz, Colloids Surf., A, 460, 429,

2014.

[4] M. Radovic, S. Vranjes-Djuric, N. Nikolic, D. Jankovic, G.F. Goya, T.E. Torres, M.P. Calatayud, I.J. Bruvera, M.R.

Ibarra, V. Spasojevic, B. Jancar and B. Antic, J. Mater. Chem. 22, 24017, 2012.

[5] N.Z. Knezevic, E. Ruiz-Hernandez, W.E. Hennink and M. Vallet-Regi, RSC Adv. 3, 9584, 2013.

[6] N.Z. Knezevic, I.I. Slowing and V.S.Y. Lin, ChemPlusChem, 77, 48, 2012.

[7] N.Z. Knezevic and J.-O. Durand, ChemPlusChem, 80, 26, 2015.

[8] N.Z. Knezevic and V.S.Y. Lin, Nanoscale, 5, 1544, 2013.

[9] M. Radovic, M.P. Calatayud,, G.F. Goya, M.R. Ibarra, B. Antić, V. Spasojević, N. Nikolić, D. Janković, M. Mirković and

S. Vranješ-Đurić, J. Biomed. Mater. Res., Part A, 103, 126, 2015.



P a g e | 35


Hybrid Core-Shell Particles in Diagnostic Applications - a versatile platform for multiplexed bead-

based flow cytometry

D. Sarma1*, K. Rurack1

Chemical and Optical Sensing Division, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing

Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489 Berlin 1 *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +49(0)30 8104-5976

ABSTRACT

Multiplexed bead-based array formats play an increasingly important role in analytical laboratories. Due to the high surface-to-

volume ratio, fast reaction kinetics and modular assay design, these sensor formats are applied in clinical diagnostics, drug

development and classical biosensors with great success.

As the spherical platform, researchers utilize micron-sized particles made from polymeric or silica material. Such beads are

commercially available from vendors such as BD or Luminex. However, we have encountered several problematic issues which

accompany these platforms: first, beads with diameters of several microns, which are required for particle handling reasons, are

difficult to prepare with high monodispersity, a key requirement for cytometric application. Second, plain beads, made from either

polymer or silica, both have several disadvantages such as inferior scattering properties in case of silica or limited flexibility for

coupling strategies in the case of latex beads.

In order to overcome this problem, we have developed a versatile core-shell (CS) platform which consists of a polymeric core with

a structurally controlled silica shell. In our approach, the core building block can be easily prepared with high yields and high

monodispersity in a dispersion polymerization from approximately 500 nm to 1.3 µm. Then, silica is coated in a classical sol-gel

process to protect the core with a stable yet modifiable surface (Figure 1, left). Here, we combine ideal scattering properties and

easy preparation of the polymeric core with the chemical flexibility of a silica surface. Moreover, the additional shell domain adds

density to the composite which makes particle handling feasible also for nanometer sized beads.

In this contribution, we present proof-of-principle results of fluorescence competitive immunoassays, each performed in mix-and-

read fashion without washing steps, using our CS beads. All sizes are applicable in cytometric read-out and can be used for size

encoding (Figure 1, middle). Further multiplexing for a set of at least 20 parameters can be achieved by swelling hydrophobic dyes

into the core. At the same time, precise tuning of the surface with mixed silane layers allowed us to significantly improve the

selectivity towards target molecules in the assay (Figure 1, right).

Figure 1: Left – SEM image of CS bead; middle – correlation plot of forward and sideward scattering in flow cytometry using

different sized CS beads; right – comparison of mean signal intensity using cytometry for beads (code 2) with tuned silica surface.

We believe that our CS particles allow researchers to gain access to superior bead-based assay performances in combination with a

low-threshold approach for the synthesis of the spherical platform.

Keywords: core-shell, bead-based, cytometry, multiplexed, silane chemistry

400 nm

code 1

code 2

code 3




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A Novel Synthesis Method of Cationic Lipid Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs);

Characterization and Magnetofection

H. Akbaba1*, Y. Selamet2, A.G. Kantarcı1 1IEge University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Izmir, Turkey; 2Izmir Institute

of Technology, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, Izmir, Turkey *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected] Tel No. +90 535 402 6155

ABSTRACT Magnetofection is defined as the nucleic acids delivery to cells, site-specifically guided by the attractive forces of magnetic fields

acting on nucleic acid vectors, which are associated with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) [1]. Such delivery systems need to be

biocompatible and non-toxic. Also, surface coating is required for loading drugs or to form complexes with nucleic acids [2]. For

this purpose, a novel iron oxide nanoparticle synthesis method with in-situ surface coating was developed. With this method

multiple emulsions were used as microreactors and magnetic iron oxide particles synthesized in the core of cationic solid lipid

nanoparticles for the first time.

1M Fe+2 and 2M Fe+3 solutions were incorporated into the inner water phase of multiple emulsion (w1/o/w2) and 2N NH4OH was

added in the outer phase of the multiple emulsion (w1/o/w2). [OH-] ions leaked to the interior water phase of the multiple emulsion

and reacted with Fe solutions [3,4]. Therefore, magnetic iron oxide particles formed in the core of cationic solid lipid nanoparticles.

DLS, SEM, TEM, VSM, XRD and Raman Spectrometer techniques were performed for characterization of the MNPs. Obtained

MNPs are nano-sized with narrow particle size distribution, and superparamagnetic. They are positively charged due to cationic

lipid coating during synthesis process. MNPs were than complexed with green fluorescent encoding plasmid DNA (pEGFP-C1).

Cytotoxicity and transfection studies were carried out in mammalian cell culture.

Consequently, a well-defined targetable MNPs with highly effective magnetofection ability were developed.

Keywords: magnetic nanoparticle, multiple emulsion, gene delivery, magnetofection, superparamagnetic

Figure 1. TEM images of obtained MNPs Figure 2. GFP expression after magnetofection

REFERENCES

[1] Schillinger U, Brill T, Rudolph C, Huth S, Gersting S, Krötz F, et al., J Magn Magn Mater, 293, 501–8, 2005.

[2] Gubin SP, Koksharov YA, Khomutov GB, Yurkov GY., Usp Khim, 74, 539–74, 2005.

[3] Schmidts T, Dobler D, Guldan A, Paulus N, Runkel F., Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem Eng Asp, 372, 48–54, 2010.

[4] Kumar A, Jena PK, Behera S, Lockey RF, Mohapatra S, Mohapatra S., Nanomedicine Nanotechnology, Biol Med, 6, 64–

9, 2010.




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Betulonic Acid Solubilized and Permeation-Enhanced by A Natural Compound Reduces Tumor

Growth In Mice

J. Zhang1,2*, G. Chou1*, Z. Liu3, M. Liu3

1Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,

Shanghai,201203,People’s Republic of China;2School of Perfume and Aroma Technology, Shanghai Institute

of Technology, Shanghai, 201418, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Renewable Natural Resources,

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.

*Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +86-13916101381

ABSTRACT

Many active natural compounds including betulonic acid (BEA) are poorly soluble. This property makes efficacy studies,

especially in animals, substantially difficult. The primary objective of this study was to examine if a natural food compound can act

as a solubilizer to overcome the insolubility of BEA so it can be accurately evaluated for its intrinsic activity against cancer in cell

culture and in tumor animal models. Capitalized on the discovery and encouraged by the effectiveness of rubusoside (RUB) in

solubilizing a number of chemotherapeutic agents, RUB was used to solubilize BEA. By processing the two together using a

solvent evaporation method, BEA and RUB formed a joint nanoparticulate structure, designated as BEA-NP, which was

subsequently dried to powder. The BEA-NP powder displayed rapid dissolution in water, which maintained BEA in the transparent

water solution with a homogenous distribution. In such a BEA-NP nanoparticulate format, BEA was found over three times more

permeable than that solubilized by DMSO in Caco-2 cell monocultures. In the in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation, BEA in the BEA-

NP formulation showed IC50 of 69.3 µM, 67.4 µM, and 58.0 µM against HT-29, MDA-MB-231, and DU145 human cancer cell

lines, respectively, after 72 h of incubation. These IC50 values were similarly observed for DMSO-solubilized BEA, indicating the

cytotoxic property of BEA was fully maintained and that RUB did not contribute additional cytotoxicity. In an in vivo efficacy

study, the tumor growth in the S180 berry mice orally dosed with BEA-NP at 20, 40, and 75 mg/kg was inhibited by 27%, 30%

and 50%, respectively, whereas with the unformulated BEA at 40 mg/kg was inhibited by 15%. The positive control

cyclophosphamide achieved the same level of tumor growth inhibition as did the high BEA-NP dose. However, cyclophosphamide

significantly lowered the thymus index to 1.14 versus the 3.19 of BEA-NP, an indication of achieving efficacy at the cost of

weakened immune function. We found the use of RUB was effective in solubilizing BEA, maintaining its cytotoxicity, enhancing

its permeability, and reducing tumor growth when orally administered. The efficacy demonstrated at cellular and tumor-bearing

animal models and the non-toxicity using a food ingredient as the solubilizer are encouraging and the results warrant further

investigations in pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and efficacy related to human cancers.

Keywords: betulonic acid, nanoparticle, permeability enhancement, solubilization, tumor mice

REFERENCES [1] B B. Saxena, L Zhu, M Hao, etal, Bioorg. Med. Chem., 14, 6349–6358,2006.

[2] SM Lee, BS Min, CG Lee, KS Kim, YH Kho, Planta Med., 69, 1051–1054, 2003.

[3] A Sarnes ,M Kovalainen, MR. Häkkinen, etal, Journal of Controlled Release, 180, 109–116, 2014.

[4] Y Kawabata, K Wada, M Nakatani, S Yamada, S Onoue, Int. J. Pharm., 420,1–10, 2011.

[5] TG Pretlow, C M Delmoro, G G Dilley, C G Spadafora, T P Pretlow, Cancer Res. 1991, 51, 3814–3817

[6] Z Liu, F Zhang, GY Koh, et al, Anti-Cancer Drugs. 26(2), 167-179, 2014,

[7] B Press, D D Grandi, Current Drug Metabolism, 9, 893-900. 2008.

[8] F Zhang, GY Koh, Z Liu, et al. J Pharm Sci. 100(7), 2778-2789, 2011.

[9] ZG Gao, AN Lukyanov, A Singhal, VP Torchilin, Nano Letters, 2 (9), 979–982, 2002

[10] D Xia, F Cui, H Piao, D Cun, H Piao, Y Jiang, M Ouyang, Pharm. Res., 27, 1965–1976, 2010.



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Development of Paclitaxel Loaded Ethanol-Based Proliposome Delivery Systems

For The Treatment of Brain Tumour

M. Najlah1*, M. Jain2, K-W. Wan2, W. Ahmed2, A. Elhissi3

1Faculty of Medical Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK; 2Institute of Nanotechnology and Bioengineering, School

of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK; 3College of Pharmacy, Qatar University,

Doha, Qatar. *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected] Tel No. +44(0)8451964682

ABSTRACT Proliposomes are phospholipid formulations that generate liposomes upon addition of aqueous phase [1,2]. Paclitaxel (PTX) is

an anticancer drug with wide activity against many types of cancer such as ovarian carcinoma, prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast

cancer, head and neck cancers and AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma [3]. Taxol is a commercially available formulation of PTX

consisting of the drug dissolved in ethanol and Cremophor EL (polyoxyethylated castor oil) (50:50v/v). However, the serious toxic

effects caused by Cremophor EL means that finding alternative vehicles is highly in need [3]. The aim of this study is to design and

characterize alcohol-based PTX proliposomes as potential solubilizers and vehicles that can generate anticancer liposomes.

Proliposomes were prepared by dissolving lipids consisting of soya phosphatidylcholine (SPC), hydrogenated soya

phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) or dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) with cholesterol (Chol; 1:1) in ethanol. PTX was

dissolved in the alcoholic solution and deionized water was added to have drug concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 or 0.5 mg/ml,

followed by probe-sonication. Size analysis, zeta potential measurements and liposome morphology studies were performed using

dynamic light scattering, laser Doppler velocimetry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) respectively. Cytotoxicity was

evaluated in vitro by MTT assay using normal glial (SVG-P12) and glioma (U87-MG) cell lines. The anticancer effect of

proliposome formulations were compared to PTX alone without liposomes. Small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) were generated

from the proliposomes, as confirmed by TEM and size analysis (Fig. 1). Zeta potential of the vesicles was neutral or slightly

negative, and the surface charge tended to increase slightly by increasing the drug concentration (fig. 2). DPPC liposomes offered

the highest drug entrapment (67-78%), followed by SPC (48-64%) and HSPC liposomes (31-53%). Cell viability was dependent on

formulation; thus, PTX-DPPC liposomes had higher cytotoxicity against U87-MG cells compared to PTX-SPC and PTX-HSPC

formulations. Moreover, the viability of the malignant cells was much lower than that of normal cells, indicating cancer targeting

properties of the formulations. Proliposomes provided a promising approach to solubilize PTX and generate anticancer liposomes

which were able to kill malignant cells selectively. DPPC liposomes provided the highest drug entrapment and better ability to kill

cancer cells compared to SPC and HSPC liposomes.

Keywords: Proliposomes, liposomes, Paclitaxel.

Fig. 1. Size (Zaverage) of liposomes after probe sonication (n=3

± SD).

Fig. 2. Zeta potential of liposomes after probe sonication

with a range of paclitaxel concentrations (n=3 ± SD).

REFERENCES [1] S. Perrett, M. Golding, W.P. Williams, J Pharm Pharmacol, 43,154-161, 1991.

[2] M. Elhissi, K.K. Karnam, M.R. Danesh-Azari, H.S. Gill, K.M. Taylor, J Pharm Pharmacol, 58, 887-894, 2006.

[3] A.K. Singla, A. Garg, D. Aggarwal, Int J Pharm, 235,179-192, 2002.




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Mesoporous nanoparticle supported liposomes for hyperthermia triggered drug delivery

M. Eizadi Sharifbad1*, T. Mercer1, T. Sen1

University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK *Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Despite advances in diagnostic procedures and treatments, the overall survival rate from cancer has not improved substantially

over the past 30 years [1]. One promising development is the encapsulation of toxic cancer chemotherapeutic reagents within

biocompatible nanocomposite materials. With stimuli triggering drug release, drugs can be restricted to the tumor site – thereby

reducing the effects of “free drug” on healthy tissues.

Here the synthesis of novel magnetic mesoporous nanoparticles capped with lipid bilayers (protocells) is reported. These

combine the properties of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), mesopores silica nanoparticles (MSN), and

liposomes - realizing the synergistic effects of hyperthermia and chemotherapy.

SPIONs have shown great potential as theranostic systems in nanomedicine since they can be used as both magnetic resonance

imaging (MRI) contrast agents [2], and hyperthermia agents [3]. MSN’s are widely studied for drug delivery applications due to

their biocompatibility and high surface area, tunable mesopore structure, and modifiable surface [4]. These properties of MSN’s

enable high drug loading, although without proper pore capping, premature drug release is inevitable [5]. Liposomes are one of the

most broadly studied nanocarriers due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability [6]. Capping mesoporous nanoparticles with

liposomes should reduce the premature drug release and improve the circulation time of mesoporous nanoparticles. Furthermore

the MSN supports improve the bilayer stability and provide higher drug loading content than same size liposomes [7]. When drug-

loaded nanoparticles are placed in magnetic fields, vibrations of the magnetic core of the nanoparticles generates localized heating

which affects the thermosensitive liposomes layer releasing the encapsulated drug.

Doxorubicin (DOX) was encapsulated in liposome-capped mesoporous silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles. Drug loading

and release profile were studied in vitro at 37°C, and hyperthermia induced elevated temperature of 43°C. A magnetic field with

frequency of 406kHz with variable field up to 200G was used to keep the temperature within hyperthermia treatment range.

Cytotoxicity of the drug loaded nanoparticles and the free drug were compared in vitro against MCF7 and U87 cell lines under

normal body temperature and hyperthermia condition. The DOX-loaded nanoparticles demonstrated high drug loading content and

increased drug release at hyperthermia. Cells treated with the DOX-loaded nanoparticles and subjected to hyperthermic heating

showed lower survival rates than cells treated with free DOX by approximately 20%. These results indicate the great potential of

synthesized protocell nanoparticles in drug delivery applications.

Keywords: protocells, hyperthermia, cancer, doxorubicin, mesoporous nanoparticles.

REFERENCES

1. Yu, M., et al., Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2012. 376(1): p. 67-75.

2. Mornet, S., et al., Journal of Materials Chemistry, 2004. 14(14): p. 2161-2175.

3. Di Corato, R., et al.,Biomaterials, 2014. 35(24): p. 6400-6411.

4. Wang, X., et al., International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, 2014. 7(4): p. 1337-1347.

5. Liu, J., et al.,Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2009. 131(4): p. 1354-1355.

6. Li, J., et al., Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015. 10(2): p. 81-98.

7. Ashley, C.E., et al., Nat Mater, 2011. 10(5): p. 389-397.




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Synthesis of nanosponges from animal red blood cells and their application in treating bacterial

infections

V. Chhabria and S. Beeton

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK ; Tel No. +44(0)1772893592

ABSTRACT

Pore forming exotoxins (PFTs) are proteins released by bacteria that are systemic in the blood and form lesions in host cellular

membranes. PFTs are responsible for sepsis, which kills hundreds of thousands of people per year. Haemolysis assay studies have

demonstrated that α-haemolysin and streptolysin-O are potent PFTs against mammalian erythrocytes 1. Studies here show that

2000 ng/ml of streptolysin-O can release 1.14 g/dl (±0.02) ovine Hb in 30 minutes of incubation. Comparatively, at the same toxin

concentration streptolysin-O has released 0.604 g/dl (±0.02) of porcine haemoglobin (Hb). In comparison, ovine red blood cells

(RBCs) show lower sensitivity to α-haemolysin as they released 0.46 g/dl (±0.01) at 5000 ng/ml. Previous studies do show that α-

haemolysin possesses 100% sensitivity towards rabbit erythrocytes. This study shows that 5000 ng/ml α-haemolysin released 1.105

g/dl (±0.02) rabbit Hb, which shows that α-haemolysin has a high specificity towards rabbit RBCs. Nanosponges were synthesized

from animal ghost erythrocytes which were sonicated into vesicles (200-400 nm) and a mixed with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)

(PLGA) as a polymeric core via extrusion through a poly carbonate membrane 2.

Initial toxin adsorption studies used erythrocyte ghosts and these were challenged with streptolysin-O. A 2% (v/v) lysed

suspension, containing erythrocyte ghosts, was most efficient at adsorbing toxin. These RBC ghosts are the first step towards

synthesizing the nanosponge as they can be developed into smaller vesicles with higher surface area to volume ratio 3.

Measurement of surface area to volume ratio of erythrocytes and ghosts showed the ghosts has a higher ratio, which increases

adsorption. The surface area to volume ratio is further enhanced as the erythrocyte ghosts are sonicated and extruded into vesicles.

Dynamic light scattering studies show that after a 100 nm extrusion of a mixed suspension containing 1mg/ml PLGA and sheep

RBC vesicles, the size of the nanosponge were 185 nm (±5.98). 1 mg/ml of the nanosponges showed that it had absorbed 100% of

the 1230 ng/ml streptolysion-O (lethal dose), when incubated at 40°C (temperature of a patient with sepsis). These results were

obtained using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, haemolysis assays, toxin absorption studies, dynamic light

scattering, and haemoanalysis of blood parameters using a haemoanalyser.

Keywords: Nanosponges, sepsis, pore forming toxins, erythrocyte ghosts and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid).

References

[1] Gilbert, R.J. 2002, 'Pore-forming toxins', Cell Mol Life Sci, vol. 59, no. 5, pp. 832-44. [2] Hu, C.-M.J., Zhang, L., Aryal, S., Cheung, C., Fang, R.H. & Zhang, L. 2011, 'Erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged

polymeric nanoparticles as a biomimetic delivery platform', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 108, no. 27, pp. 10980-5.

[3] Weed, R.I., Reed, C.F. & Berg, G. 1963, 'Is hemoglobin an essential structural component of human

erythrocyte membranes?*', The Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 581-8.



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Controlled nanoparticles sizes & compositions from efficient ischemic MRI contrast agent towards

persistent luminescence imaging

Y. Lalatonne 1,2*, S. Richard1, C. Journé1, N. Pinna3 , V. Eder1,2 , L. Motte1

1 LVTS, INSERM U1148, Universités Paris7, Paris 13, France; 2 Avicenne Hospital, APHP, Nuclear Medicine Department,

France ; 3 Humboldt-Université, Berlin Chemistry institute, Germany *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +33(0)148387621

ABSTRACT Each of medical imaging modalities has its own unique advantages along with intrinsic limitations, such as insufficient

sensitivity (MRI) or spatial resolution (PET), which make it difficult to obtain accurate and reliable information at the disease

location. MRI provides excellent spatial resolution, but exhibits a relative low sensitivity to contrast agent concentration. The need

to overcome this disadvantage is driving the ongoing efforts to develop targeted magnetic probes capable of achieving a high

specificity and sensitivity by in vivo.

Otherwise new Luminescent Persistent Nanoprobes emerges as very promising for sensitive optical imaging. Recently, the

synthesis of persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) was described, allowing very sensitive optical detection in vivo

(Scheme 1) by avoiding the autofluorescence of tissues [1]. However, because of their large hydrodynamic size (> 100 nm) PLNPs

are quickly taken up and sequestered by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Hence, it remains a challenge to produce

appropriately sized biocompatible luminescent nanoparticles with long blood circulation times. [2]

To achieve these goals, USPIO (Ultra Small Particle Iron Oxide) and USPLNP (Ultra Small Persistent Luminescence

NanoParticles) have been designed by a non aqueous sol–gel method under microwave treatment. The synthesis is carried out

using benzyl alcohol, which acts as a reagent and growth controlling agent particles. This compound occurs naturally in many

plants and foods and is used as a food additive or preservative for pharmaceutical or cosmetic products. Herein it appears as a

compound of choice in the context of the synthesis of nanoparticles for biological applications.

We observe that the MRI contrast is very dependent on the nanoparticles size. Herein the extremely small nanoparticles (<

4nm) are positive T1 MRI contrast agent whereas larger particles exhibit a very strong T2 contrast. The in-vivo experiments have

been performed on an ischemic rat model using a 7T MRI. These new

nanoplatforms demonstrated a very good contrasting efficiency and allow

a strong enhancement of the neo-vasculature (Figure a).

Concerning optical imaging USPLNP (6 nm) nanoparticles with high

crystallinity and purity are obtained. The NIR emission (700 nm) is

particularly suitable for in vivo imaging and in vivo study paves the way

for the use of USPLNPs as optical nanotools that emit without the need for

continuous in situ excitation and that avoid tissue autofluorescence (Figure

b). Their ultra-small size reduce the RES clearance, enhance the blood

circulation time, and allow widespread organ distribution.

Figure a) Neo-vascularisation targeting and MRI vizualisation through

size particles optimization; b) Schematic representation of USPLNPs used for in vivo imaging without the need for in situ

excitation

Keywords: Nanoparticles, MRI, persistent luminescence, ischemia

REFERENCES [1] T. Maldiney, A. Bessière, J. Seguin, E. Teston, S. K. Sharma, B. Viana, A. J. J. Bos, P. Dorenbos, M. Bessodes, D. Gourier,

D. Scherman and C. Richard, Nature Mat. 13, 418, 2014.

[2] E. Teston, S. Richard, T. Maldiney, N. Lièvre, G. Y. Wang, L. Motte, C. Richard and Y. Lalatonne, Chem. Eur. J. 21,1,

2015.




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A general method to synthesize highly-stable nanoclusters

Wei Zou1, Rongwen Lu1 *

State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China


ABSTRACT Nanoclusters are extremely unstable as a result of their highly-reduced size. An ability to control their formation and maintain

stability is of paramount importance to further understand and utilize this unique species. Here, a new synthetic protocol to prepare

and stabilize different kinds of nanoclusters from different metals to even metal salts is reported by this report. By means of proper

design, an interesting Pickering stabilization effect is accomplished inside a microemulsion system. We prove that the emulsion

interface plays a critical role on the formation of nanoclusters, which will be encapsulated in situ into a silica matrix, forming a

special structure of nano-capsules characterized by a central cavity and a composite shell composed of both nanoclusters and silica.

In this way, nanoclusters are endowed with an attractive set of features including high thermal stability, good biocompatibility, and

excellent photo stability, which are highly favorable for their practical applications. As nanoclusters are highly attractive in

different areas including catalysis, optics, and bio-sensing. We expect that our findings offer new perspectives in different areas

ranging from materials chemistry, catalytic conversion, optical physics, and bioimaging.

Figure 1 Characterizations of the Au-SiO2 HHNs sample. a, SEM image. b, TEM image. c, XPS spectrum. d, XRD pattern. XRD

patterns are for the fresh Au-SiO2 HHNs (curve I), Au nanoclusters alone (curve II), and heated Au-SiO2 HHNs (curve III)

samples.

Keywords: nanocluster, microemulsion, silica matrix




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Alternative Metallic Nanoceramics for Advanced Applications

C. Defilippi and C. Giordano*

1School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK *Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44 (0)20 7882 6605

ABSTRACT

Potentiality of nanomaterials has been largely proved and they are nowadays present in our everyday life in many different fields,

from electronics, to cosmetics, medicine, and more. However, a closer look at the inorganic realm, shows that a significant

percentage of used nanomaterials are based on oxides and metals, while the number drastically drops for metallic ceramics. This

apparent lack of interest does not reflect their potential but rather the difficulties related to their synthesis, especially as functional

nanostructures. This is unfortunate because metallic ceramics, as suggested by their name, possess an intriguing combination of

properties that place them between classical ceramics and pure metals (e.g. good mechanical properties and conductivity, thermal

resistance and catalytic activity). The number of envisaged applications is thus very broad and even broader going to the nanoscale

(e.g. as photo-optic materials, magneto-fluids, biomedicine, and more) [1].

In our group we design synthetic processes for the production of functional metallic ceramics with the demanded features, starting

from non-toxic and readily available materials (such as metal salts but also leafs [2], filter paper etc.), keeping sustainability but

also easy processing (including printing, coating, casting, films and thin layers preparation) and scalability of the process.

Furthermore, it is possible to control chemical composition (from simple binary systems to quaternary ones), size and morphology

(from mere spherical nanoparticles to rod-like shapes, fibers, mesoporous and hierarchical structures). Cellulose for instance

(namely paper, e.g. in form of an origami “crane”) and iron salt were used for the production of original Fe3C@graphite magnetic

nanocomposites [3], where iron, during the carbide formation, promotes graphitization of carbon from cellulose. This catalytic

starting ink can be used, via ink-jet printing, to design pattern of nanoparticles in a controlled fashion. Furthermore, Fe3C@graphite

was successfully tested in green chemistry for pollutants recovery, with the unique advantage of being easily retrievable after usage

due to its magnetic properties.

Alongside, other systems have been tested in many different fields, e.g. battery (MnN0.43@C with high capacity and coulombic

efficiencies close to 100% [4]), as alternative magnetic materials (Fe3C is more magnetic than commonly used iron oxide and yet

less toxic than iron, thus being ideal in biomedicine [1]), as catalysts, leading to high turnover rate and, more interesting, to tunable

selectivity.

Keywords: metal nitrides, metal carbides, nanostructures, hybrids

REFERENCES [1] C. Giordano and M. Antonietti, Nano Today. 6, 366, 2011.

[2] Z. Schnepp, W. Yang, M. Antonietti and C. Giordano, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 49, 6564, 2010.

[3] S. Glatzel, Z. Schnepp and C. Giordano, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 52, 2355-2358, 2013.

[4] B. Milke, C. Wall, S. Metzke, G. Clavel, M. Fichtner and C. Giordano, JNR. 16, 2795, 2015.




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Atomic-scale computational design of functional nanomaterials

D. Thompson1*

1Department of Physics and Energy, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +353(0)61-237734

ABSTRACT

In this talk I will discuss the difficulties in controlling nanoscale physics and describe how atomic scale computer

simulations can aid experiments in the design of functional organic -inorganic interfaces. I will present recent results on

experimental/simulation co-design of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) films on coinage metals; these films exhibit an

atom-level sensitivity in their electrical properties.1 I will also describe combined experiments and simulations of the

synthesis and interlinking of dendrimer-wrapped gold nanoparticles,2 and controlled placement of peptide-functionalised

dendrimers on carbohydrate-functionalised SAMs.3

Figure 1. (left) Ferrocenyl-alkanethiolate molecules with an odd number of alkyl carbon atoms stand tall on silver and form

close-packed SAMs that block leakage currents in molecular diodes. [1] (right) Gold clusters stabilised by thioether

dendrimer molecules provide interconnects for future molecular electronic devices. [2]

Keywords: molecular electronics, single-molecule nanoparticles, molecular dynamics, electronic structure, computational materials

design

REFERENCES [1] (a) N. Nerngchamnong, Y. Li, D. Qi, L. Jian, D. Thompson and C.A. Nijhuis, Nature Nanotechnology, 2013, 8, 113. (b)

L. Yuan, N Nerngchamnong, L. Cao, H. Hamoudi, E. del Barco, M. Roemer, R.K. Sriramula, D. Thompson, C.A. Nijhuis,

2015, Nature Communications, 6, 6324. (c) P. Nirmalraj, D. Thompson, A. Molina-Ontoria, M. Sousa, N. Martín, B.

Gotsmann, and H. Riel, Nature Materials, 2014, 13, 947. (d) L. Jiang, C.S.S. Sangeeth, L. Yuan, D. Thompson, and C.A.

Nijhuis, Nano Letters, DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b02481.

[2] D. Thompson, J.P. Hermes, A.J. Quinn, and M. Mayor, ACS Nano, 2012, 6, 3007.

[3] A. Perl, A. Gomez-Casado, D. Thompson, H. Dam, P. Jonkheijm, D. Reinhoudt, and J. Huskens, Nature Chemistry, 2011,

3, 317.



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Surface plasmons in synergy with the spin crossover phenomena at the nanometric scale

J. Sanchez Costa,1,2 S. Rat, 1, G. Felix, 1 W. Nicolazzi, 1 L. Salmon, 1 G. Molnar1 and A. Bousseksou1*

1University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK LCC, CNRS, and Universite de Toulouse (UPS, INP), 205 route de Narbonne, F-

31077 Toulouse, France; 2 IMDEA Nanoscience, Campus Cantoblanco (Madrid) *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

A number of pseudo-octahedral 3d4-3d7 transition metal complexes have been reported to display a molecular bistability of

their high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) electron configurations, which can be reversibly interconverted under external stimuli, such

as temperature, pressure, magnetic field, or light irradiation. This spin crossover (SCO) phenomenon is accompanied by a

spectacular change of magnetic, optical, dielectric, and mechanical properties.1

In the past years, the SCO field has found a strong renewed interest mainly inspired by the emergence of nanosized SCO

materials such as coordination nanoparticles and nanopatterned thin films2. The lowest size limit at which these cooperative effects

are maintained turns into one of the key fundamental questions in this field. Beside the intriguing size-related properties,

synthesizing thin films and other nanoscale assemblies of SCO complexes also represents a key step toward their technological

applications in photonic and electronic devices2.

Conventional macroscopic techniques as magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements, X-ray diffraction, and

Mossbauer, vibrational, and electronic spectroscopies has become very limited for the investigation of SCO at the nanometer scale,

and the development of new experimental approaches becomes indispensible.

In this presentation, we describe different approaches for the elaboration of thin films of SCO materials and we show that the

use of the surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy can be a very powerful tool to detect the variation on the refractive index that

accompanies the SCO phenomenon at the nanometric scale ( see figure below).3-4

Keywords: spin crossover phenomena, switchable molecular-based materials, surface plasmons, size reduction effect.

REFERENCES [1] Gutlich, P., Goodwin, H., Eds. Topics in Current Chemistry, Vols. 233-235; 2004.

[2] Bousseksou, A.; Molnar, G.; Salmon, L.; Nicolazzi, W. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2011, 40, 3313–3335.

[3] Felix G.; Abdul-Kader K.; Mahfoud, T.; Gural’skiy, I.; Nicolazzi, W.; Salmon, L.; Molnar G.; Bousseksou, A.; JACS, 2011,

133, 15342.

[4] Abdul-Kader, K.; Lopes, M. ; Bartual-Murgui, C. ; Kraieva, O. ; Hernandez, E. M.; Salmon, L. ; Nicolazzi, W. ; Carcenac,

F. ; Thibault, C. ; Molnar G. ; Bousseksou A. Nanoscale, 2013, 5, 5288




P a g e | 46


CuNi Bimetallic Nanoparticles Prepared by Co-reduction of Metal Oxide Clusters for Efficient

Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol with Extremely Low Activation Energy

Yuzhen Ge1, Tianyu Gao1, Rongwen Lu1 *

State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China


ABSTRACT Small sized silica coated CuNi bimetallic nanoparticles (CuNi@SiO2) were prepared by a new method based on the decreased

melting point and increased surface energy of metals in the sub-nanometer range (the melting point of metals with the size of sub-

nanometers drop significantly because of the large percentage of surface atoms and easy mobility with increasing temperatures1).

Typically, Cu(II) and Ni(II) complex were encapsulated inside silica by the method of reverse microemulsion. Then, ultra small

CuO and NiO clusters were in-situ formed after calcination under air. CuNi bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared by the co-

reduction of CuO and NiO clusters under H2 at high temperature. The reverse microemulsion was adopted to plays an effective role

acting as nano-reactors generating better distributed metal ions through the whole reaction system. CuNi bimetallic nanoparticles

with different compositions and sizes can be synthesized with the same method by changing the volume or concentration of

precursors. The removal of organic compounds during calcination ensured the total exposure of active sites of bimetallic

nanoparticles. More importantly, SiO2 coating enhanced the chemical, thermal and mechanical stabilities of CuNi bimetallic

nanoparticles including increased stability against temperature induced aggregation and shape changes of nanoparticles inside. The

reduction of p-nitrophenol by NaBH4 was chosen as model reaction for the catalytic activity investigation, the results indicate that

CuNi bimetallic nanoparticles prepared by our method show size and composition dependent catalytic activity, more interestingly,

the activation energy of CuNi@SiO2 was found to be much lower than those reported for most of the noble metals. Finally, this

CuNi bimetallic nanoparticles was found highly stable for 10 consecutive recycling experiments for the reduction of p-nitrophenol.

The rate constants of CuNi@SiO2 for catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol with sodium borohydride.

Keywords: bimetal, catalyst, microemulsion, p-nitrophenol

REFERENCES [1] Castro, T.; Reifenberger, R.; Choi, E.; Andres, R. P. Size-Dependent Melting Temperature of Individual Nanometer-Sized

Metallic Clusters. Phys. Rev. B, 42 (13), 8548-8556, 1990.




P a g e | 47


Potassium modified nano Silicalite-1 as Heterogeneous Catalyst for Transesterification of

Triglycerides

Rajib Bandyopadhyay*, Sunita Barot

School of Technology, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

*Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected] Tel No. +91-9909991602

ABSTRACT

The ever increasing demand of energy against the flat rate of energy production necessitates the research in the field of renewable

energy sources. Transportation sector is the biggest consumer of fossil fuels and is day by day expanding with more and more

energy needs. Biofuels derived from the natural biomass such as veg. oils and fats are potential substitutes to the transportation fuel

such as diesel. In addition, biodiesel offers advantages such as biodegradable, sustainable, non-toxic and low pollutant emissions,

being more environmental benign. Generally, Biodiesel is synthesized in presence of alcohols and by using homogeneous basic

catalysts (NaOH/KOH). However, these processes suffer from the drawbacks such as difficulty in recovery of product, soap

formation and use of excess of solvents etc. The use of heterogeneous catalyst is practiced in order to overcome these problems.

Considering heterogeneous catalysts, literature studies show that there are fewer reports on solid base catalyst as compared to solid

acid catalyst. Basic catalysts are more active and found to react faster as compared to acid catalyst. In addition to that if catalyst is

in nano size it offers additional advantages due to its increased surface area and more number of active sites which accelerates rate

of reaction in many folds as compared to conventional micron sized catalyst. By considering these aspects we explored the

synthesis of KNO3 loaded nano Silicalite-1 as solid base catalyst and its application in transesterification of model triglyceride

triacetin with methanol.

In current studies, nano Silicalite-1 was synthesized via hydrothermal method and characterized by XRD, SEM, BET and FTIR

analysis. Synthesized nano Silicalite-1 was transformed into efficient heterogeneous base catalyst by impregnating with potassium

nitrate. The modified catalyst shows excellent reactivity in transesterification of triacetin. It showed maximum triacetin conversion

94 wt% at 1:15 triacetin/methanol molar ratio, 65 oC reaction temperature, 8 wt % catalyst loading and at 60 minutes of reaction

time.

Keywords: transesterification, biodiesel, nano Silicalite-1, catalyst

References

[1] M. Di Serio, R. Tesser, A. Ferrara, E. Santacesaria, Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, 212, 251–257, 2004

[2] M. J. Ramos, A. Casas, L. Rodriguez, R. Romero, A. Perez, Applied Catalysis A: General, 346, 79-85, 2008

[3] V. Brahmkhatri, A. Patel, Industrial Engineering Chemistry Research, 50, 6620-6628, 2011



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Emissions reduction and performance enhancement of nanoCeria dispersed Biofuel

P. Pimenidou1*, P. Natesan2, N. Shah1, C M Somayaji2, S. Kanagaraj2, N. Hewitt1

1Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, UK; 2Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam,

India *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)2890 368247

ABSTRACT Use of diesel for a large number of passenger cars has influenced researchers to introduce new technologies to regulated emissions

such as unburned hydrocarbons (HC), CO2 and NOx from engine exhaust. Such new technologies are the exhaust gas treatment [1],

engine design modification [2], fuel added with additives [3] and alternative fuels. In this study, an attempt was made to reduce the

specific fuel consumption and engine exhaust emissions using dispersed ceria (high oxygen storage capacity (OSC)) nanoparticles

in diesel only and waste origin biodiesel- diesel blends (B10, B20, B30). The performance tests were carried out in an indirect

injection diesel engine. The ceria nanoparticles used [4, 5] in this study were approximately in the range of 25 nm in size. From the

experimental results the engine performance with OSC nanoparticles dispersed in all fuels was found to be increased, except for

B30. Emissions in terms of CO2, NOx and unconsumed hydrocarbons (HC) were observed to decrease considerably. The decrease

in unburned HC and NOx resulted from the effective utilization of oxygen carried by the nanoparticles. Despite higher oxygen

content of biodiesel blends compared to diesel, the presence of oxygen did not enhance NOx emissions but reduced them, i.e. the

more competitive hydrocarbons catalytic combustion reactions did not allow enough oxygen to react with nitrogen and produced a

cooling effect that did not promote the formation of NOx. This is supported by the reduced unburned HC when high OSC

nanoparticles were used. The redox property of ceria enables the release of oxygen in the fuel rich zone and absorbs oxygen from

the full lean zone, in order to combust the fuel completely. It was concluded that the ceria nanoparticles dispersed in the biodiesel

blends, aka the Biofuel, makes this fuel environmentally friendly and take a definite rule to reduce the internal combustion engine’s

emissions.

Keywords: nano, ceria, redox, biodiesel, emissions

Figure 1 Effect of high OSC nanoparticles on diesel Figure 2 Effect of high OSC nanoparticles on B30

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

UKIERI- DST is gratefully acknowledged for grant DST/INT/UK/P-117/2014 which supported this study. Authors gratefully

acknowledge GBI (Green Biofuels Ireland) for supplying us their waste oils derived biodiesel.

References [1] Alkemade, U.G., Schumann, B., 2006. Engines and exhaust after treatment systems for future automotive applications. Solid

State Ionics, 177, pp.2291–6.

[2] Ishikawa, N., Uekusa, T., Nakada, T., 2004. DI diesel emission control by optimized fuel injection, SAE Technical Paper Series

2004 No. 2004-01-0117.

[3] Venkatesan, S.P. and Kadiresh, P.N., 2016. Influence of an aqueous cerium oxide nanofluid fuel additive on performance and

emission characteristics of a compression ignition engine. International Journal of Ambient Energy, 37(1), pp.64-7.

[4] Shanmugapriya, N., Somayaji, C., Kanagaraj, S., 2014. Characterization and optimization of Ce0.6Zr0.4-xMnxO2 (x≤0.4), Journal

of Nanoparticle Research, 16, p. 2661.

[5] Shanmugapriya, N., Somayaji, C., Kanagaraj, S., 2014. Optimization of Ce0.6Zr0.4-xAl1.3xO2 solid solution based on oxygen

storage capacity, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 16(2), pp.1-10.




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Magnetic nanocatalysts bearing Pd for C-C coupling reactions

E. Nehlig1, L. Motte1, E. Guénin1*

1Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratoire LVTS, INSERM U 1148, 74 rue Marcel Cachin, Bobigny, 93017, FRANCE

(e-mail:) *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +33(0)148387621

Keywords: provide up to five comma separated, keywords for indexing, don’t capitalize

In the past decades, interest for new catalysts and new catalytic reactions increases greatly due to their large applications in

several domains such as pharmaceutical and chemical industries. New catalysts were described for an increasing number of

organics reactions. Nevertheless, most of the homogenous catalysts are difficult to adapt to industrial process due to separation and

regeneration problems. Moreover, though highly efficient, most of the catalysts are containing noble or toxic metals and so new

protocols more economically and environmentally friendly need to be developed. Recently, more attention has been paid to the use

of nanomaterials as support. In fact, due to their unique properties and their enhanced surface volume ratio putting them at the

frontier between heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis,[1] nanomaterials are quickly becoming the support of choice for

catalysis applications. Among them, magnetic nanoparticles appear as an ultimate nano-support due to their easiness of recovery

owing to their magnetic properties. The simple use of an external magnet could afford the rapid recovery of the catalyst without the

need of filtration or centrifugation. The interest in catalysis using magnetic nanoparticles as a support is increasing dramatically

and several nanomagnetic catalysts were described recently.[2]

In this context, we proposed to prepare several nanocatalysts based on iron oxide nanoparticles of 10 nm mean diameter bearing

two different types of catalysts at their surface: organocatalyst that are small molecules (amino acids, peptides,...) allowing metal

free catalysis or Pd catalyst for C-C coupling reactions that played a very important role in a wide range of chemistries. We will

first present results obtain with nano-organocatylists on enantioselective Michael addition. We will be showing in these reactions

the important role of controlled functionalization of nanoparticles [3-4] and the role played by the nano-support and the chosen

surface chemistry used to prepare such nano-organocatalyst.[5] Then we will present a new simple Pd supported magnetic

nanocatalyst which turns out to be extremely efficient for Suzuki-Miyaura reaction under microwave, in aqueous media and under

aerobic conditions (Figure 1). This very stable catalyst (> 12 months in water under aerobic conditions) is moreover reusable up to

7 times with total conversion and small amount of palladium leaching. This green nano-catalyst prepared with cheap reactant and

working under eco-friendly conditions with Pd quantity down to 100 ppm appears to be one of the most efficient up to date for

Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling.[5] Finally preliminary results on its exemplification on other C-C coupling and reduction reactions

will be presented.

Scheme. Figure illustrating the magnetically recoverable Pd supported nanocatalyst

References

[1] S. Shylesh, V. Schünemann, W. R. Thiel, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2011, 49, 3428.

[2] M. B. Gawande, P. S. Branco, R. S. Varma, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 3371.

[3] P. Demay Drouhard, E. Nehlig, J. Hardouin, L. Motte, E. Guénin, Chem. Eur. J., 2013, 19, 8388-8392.

[4] E .Nehlig, L. Motte, E. Guénin, Catal. Today,2013 90.

[5] E. Nehlig, L.Motte, E. Guenin, RSC Adv. 2015, 5, 104688.

[6] E. Nehlig, B. Waggeh, N. Millot, Y. Lalatonne, L. Motte, E Guénin, Dalton Trans., 2015, 44, 2, 501.



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P-01: (Abstract ref: 3-012)

Collective Behaviour of Self-propelled Particles in the Presence of Moving Obstacles

Israr Ahmed1*, Waqar Ahmed2, Dung Q. Ly1,3

1School of Physical Sciences and Computing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston,United Kingdom. 2School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.

3School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University London, London, United Kingdom.

*Presenting author’s detail: [email protected]; Tel No. +447404376416

ABSTRACT

Self-propelled particles are very important in exploiting the naturally occurring behaviours of biomolecules. These particles have

ability to be utilised as invitro system to understand particles behaviour in heterogeneous medium. Furthermore concept of self-

propelled particles are widely used to various applications of bio nanotechnology, thus by exploiting this strategy they can be

further designed as a strategy to enhance target specific drug delivery. There are many nanoparticles and micro particles have been

developed that show individual or collective motion, self-propulsion, which has been utilized in blood or in vivo to transport

therapeutics. Self-propelled particles can show important non equilibrium behaviour, and how they interact with moving obstacles

has remained an open problem. The presence of the moving obstacles has huge impact on the collective motion of the self-

propelled particles. In this work we introduce a new model which investigates the collective behaviour of the self-propelled

particles in the presence of moving obstacles in heterogeneous medium. Effect of particle density, avoidance radius, and interaction

radius on the collective motion of the self-propelled particles is investigated. The findings of this study suggests that, with the

smaller particle density there is loss of cohesion, there is no any alignment exists, whereas in the higher particle density, there

appears increased coordination in the system, particles show alignment in their direction. Variations in the avoidance radius

brought non-monotonic behaviour in the system whereas variations in the interaction radius showed higher collective motion of the

particles. There exist first order phase transitions in the system when smaller particle density is provided. In large particle densities

there appear continuous second order phase transitions in the system.

Keywords: Self-propelled articles, collective motion, obstacles




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Nanocomposite Films as a Gas Sensor for Organic Compounds

S.B. Ali1*, B.R. Horrocks1 and A. Houlton1

1Bedson Building, Chemical Nanoscience Laboratories, Chemistry School, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)7721135123

ABSTRACT

This research concerns the physical and structural properties of carbon nanotube /conductive polymer composites and their use in

gas sensors. A good sensor should be sensitive, reliable and low cost, with fast response and a short recovery time. Carbon

nanotubes (CNTs) are well-suited because of their unique properties; their small size, hollow centre, large surface area and good

electric conductivity [1]. However, it has been shown that pristine carbon nanotubes have a low response for volatile organic

compounds – our target analyse - therefore we attempted to improve this property of CNTs by templating pyrrole on CNTs[2].

Polypyrrole is simple to prepare by oxidation of the monomer and its resistance is very sensitive to organic vapours, although much

larger than that of CNTs. TEM and AFM of polypyrrole/CNT composites prepared from single-walled carbon nanotubes

(SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) show polypyrrole coated the CNTs successfully. There are significant

changes in the range of diameters of nano tubes for SWCNTs from (7-10) nm to (8-35) nm and from (2-10) to (21-50) nm for

MWCNTs. The composites were tested for the variation in their resistance upon exposure to a range of organic vapours (acetone,

chloroform) and to water. The sensing devices comprised simple two-terminal devices over which a layer of the composite was

applied by drop-coating. We investigated the effect of the CNT: polypyrrole ratio on the sensor response, S= (R-R0)/R0) where R0

is the resistance in an air atmosphere and R is the resistance at steady-state after exposure to an air/analyte mixture. In general, pure

CNTs show a rapid response time, but very low response (typically S < 0.1) at room temperature. As the amount of polypyrrole in

the composite is increased, S increases, the response time deteriorates. Interestingly, the response of the composites may even

change sign as a function of target analyse concentration; this suggests that a simple mechanism based on swelling and its effect on

the percolation behaviour of CNTs in the polypyrrole matrix is insufficient to explain the data.

Keywords: Gas sensors, conductive polymers, CNTs/Ppy, nanocomposite sensors.

REFERENCES [1] King, V.B. (2007) Nanotechnology research advances. New York: Nova Science Publishers.

[2] Matei, R., Alina, P. and Luisa, P. (2013) 'Supercapacitance of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Polypyrrole Composites',

Chemistry, 2013.

Figure2: (a&b) The sensitivity of the electrical resistance R of

SWCNTs/Ppy films to chloroform (0-100) % exposure at

17oC;(c) The device sensitivity S=(R-R0)/R0 as a function of

chloroform concentration.

(b

)

(a

)

(c)

Figure1: TEM images of (a) hybrid MWCNTs

(Mag11x), (b) SWCNTs after tamplated by Ppy.

(a) (b)




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Development of novel multifunctional carbon nanotube nanocomposites containing silver

and iron oxide nanoparticles for antimicrobial efficiency in water treatment

Q.Ali1, W. Ahmed2, S.Lal2* and T. Sen1*

1 School of Physical Sciences and Computing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK,

2 School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK,

Corresponding author’s details: Email: [email protected] Tel No. +44(0)1772894371

Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected];

ABSTRACT

Water pollution is a significant concern throughout the world. For communities to survive and thus thrive a supply of clean water

free from contamination is of paramount importance [1]. Primary sources of disease arise from the contamination of water and

presence of unwanted bacteria in the water [2]. Some waterborne pathogens in drinking water like Escherichia coli (E.Coli) cause

several diseases such as diarrhea, urinary tract infections, septicaemia, peritonitis, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, Gram-negative

pneumonia, neonatal meningitis, respiratory illnesses, mastitis and gastroenteritis [3]. The presence of the E.Coli in fresh drinking

water is the threat to the health of the human around the world [4]. Multifunctional nanocomposite composed of commercial multi-

walled carbon nanotubes based materials modified with silver and iron oxide nanoparticles to enhance antimicrobial and

superparamagnetic properties have been investigated against the pathogen in this project. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes with

embedded iron oxide and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been developed using one pot synthesis. The synthesised composite

materials were found to have a large surface area. The embedded nanoparticles (iron oxide and silver) were also stable in the

matrix during the water treatment. Furthermore, modified composite material was characterized by several analyzing techniques

which includes Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF),

Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX), Nitrogen gas adsorption (BET surface area analysis), Mercury porosimetry, Powder

X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and FTIR spectroscopy were operated for characterisation the samples synthesised. The nanocomposite

prepared in this investigation was tested against standard E.coli (NCTC 10418) at the various concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 300,

400, 500 and 625µg/ml). The nanocomposite material exhibited significant antibacterial activity against the bacterium tested and

minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 200µg/ml was obtained. The minimum inhibition time for the growth of bacteria in

200µg/ml was found to be 8-hours.

Keywords: Silver and iron oxide nanocomposite, antimicrobial activity, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, water purification

REFERENCES

[1] R. P. Schwarzenbach, T. Egli, T. B. Hofstetter, U. Von Gunten and B. Wehrli, "Global water pollution and human health,"

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, vol. 35, pp. 109-136, 2010.

[2] H. Bridle, D. Balharry, B. Gaiser and H. Johnston, "Exploitation of Nanotechnology for the Monitoring of Waterborne

Pathogens: State-of-the-Art and Future Research Priorities," Environ. Sci. Technol., vol. 49, pp. 10762-10777, 2015.

[3] K. Todar, Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology. University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Bacteriology, 2006.

[4] W. Huang, B. Hsu, P. Kao, C. Tao, Y. Ho, C. Kuo and Y. Huang, "Seasonal distribution and prevalence of diarrheagenic

Escherichia coli in different aquatic environments in Taiwan," Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf., vol. 124, pp. 37-41, 2016.





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Continuous Synthesis of Biocompatible Gold Nanoparticles using a Co-flow Glass Capillary

Microfluidic Device

M.V.Bandulasena, O. G. Odunmbaku, G. T. Vladisavljevic, B. Benyahia

Loughborough University, Department of Chemical Engineering. Epinal Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. ++44 1509 222528

ABSTRACT

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) attract the interest of the researchers and industry alike for many reasons among which their

biocompatibility, versatility and relatively easier synthesis methods and detection. The biocompatibility of AuNPs makes them

good candidates for drug and gene delivery applications [1] while Surface Plasmon Resonance makes them a good candidate for

imaging and diagnostic applications [2], [3]. Currently, the most common method to synthesise AuNPs is a batch-wise reduction

reaction between a gold salt and a reducing agent. The main limitation of this method is a poor control of both particle size and

polydispersity. The objective of this research is to develop a reliable method for a continuous production of well controlled AuNPs

using glass capillary microfluidics. To achieve this objective, single phase co-flow glass capillary microfluidic device was used to

synthesise the particles via the chemical reduction of tetrachloroaurate trihydrate salt (gold salt) by the ascorbic acid. The effect of

the injection capillary orifice size, ascorbic acid flow rate, pH and different capping agents on the size and the polydispersity of the

synthesised AuNPs were investigated to determine the optimum conditions under which AuNPs could be produced in a perfectly

controlled way. As result, AuNPs with an average diameter of 32 to 338 nm were obtained. It was observed that decreasing the

injection orifice diameter, increasing the ascorbic acid flow rate and its pH resulted in smaller AuNPs. PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone)

with an average molecular weight (Mw) of 40000 g/mol turned out to be the best capping agent to synthesise smaller particles.

However, the polydispersity index was not sensitive to changes in the ascorbic acid flow rate and worsens by increasing the pH of

ascorbic acid stream to approximately 10. The dynamic light scattering method (DLS) was used to measure the particle size and the

polydispersity. The TEM images were also used to compare and confirm the DLS results. UV-Vis Spectroscopy was used to

measure the absorbance spectra and proved that absorbance peak wavelength shows a blue shift due to the decrease of AuNPs size

[4].

The most common limitations of the method were reactor fouling and poor control of the pH of ascorbic acid. Due to the

reactor fouling, a microfluidic device can only be used once. To minimise reactor fouling, three main methods were investigated.

Applying hydrophobic surface treatment on reactor/capillary walls was not successful enough to minimise reactor fouling.

However, the use of PVP in the gold salt stream and increase of pH of ascorbic acid showed a significant minimisation of reactor

fouling. To prevent the fouling effect furthermore, a droplet generating microfluidic device is also investigated [5].

Keywords: gold nanoparticles, glass capillary microfluidics, continuous production, ascorbic acid,

REFERENCES [1] M. Das, K. H. Shim, S. S. a An, and D. K. Yi, “Review on gold nanoparticles and their applications,” Toxicol. Environ.

Health Sci., vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 193–205, 2011.

[2] J. Conde, G. Doria, and P. Baptista, “Noble metal nanoparticles applications in cancer,” J. Drug Deliv., vol. 2012, p. 12,

Jan. 2012.

[3] S. K. Sivaraman, S. Kumar, and V. Santhanam, “Room-temperature synthesis of gold nanoparticles — Size-control by

slow addition,” Gold Bull., vol. 43, no. 4, pp. 275–286, Dec. 2010.

[4] J. Wagner, T. Kirner, G. Mayer, J. Albert, and J. . Köhler, “Generation of metal nanoparticles in a microchannel reactor,”

Chem. Eng. J., vol. 101, no. 1–3, pp. 251–260, Aug. 2004.

[5] A. J. deMello, “Control and detection of chemical reactions in microfluidic systems.,” Nature, vol. 442, no. 7101, pp. 394–

402, Jul. 2006.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinylpyrrolidone



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Superparamagnetic Fe3O4-grafted functionalized mesoporous silica for the synthesis of biodiesels

Piyali Bhanja,a Tapas Senb and Asim Bhaumik*,a

aDepartment of Materials Science, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700 032, India, *E-mail:

[email protected]

bNano-biomaterials Research Group, Centre for Materials Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK

Discovery of M41S1 using the surfactant templating pathway has made a great impact in materials science. Since then a

variety of mesoporous materials with diverse range of nanoscale porosity, frameworks and characteristics have been derived.2

Mesoporous materials with different functionalised groups have been employed in various fields of chemical science like catalysis,

sensing, adsorption light harvesting materials and many more.3 2D-hexagonal mesoporous material with high surface area and pore

volume, such as MCM-41, has a wide scope for grafting transition-metals like Fe, Co, Cu and so on to obtain highly dispersed and

isolated active sites.4 Here we have synthesized the magnetically separable 2D-hexagonally ordered thiol functionalized

mesoporous silica (Fe@TFMS) through co-condensation reaction of 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (MPTES) and

tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a cationic structure directing agent (SDA)

followed by immobilization of Fe3O4 nanocrystallies in presence of absolute ethanol at the functionalized mesopore surface. To

characterize the materials powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), N2 adsorption/desorption analysis, FT-IR, UHR-TEM, FE-SEM,

TGA/DTA, CHN, XPS and NH3-TPD tools are employed in this context. This functionalized mesoporous heterogeneous material

exhibited high catalytic performance in biodiesel synthesis from a wide range of long chain fatty acids and soybean oil as it shows

high Lewis acidity of 1.02 mmolg-1 with a good Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 411 m2g-1. The catalyst exhibits

excellent catalytic efficiency for this esterification as well as transesterification reaction using methanol as a solvent cum reactant

under eco-friendly and mild reaction conditions (room temperature, 25 ºC) and also it can be reused up to fifth reaction cycle

without any significant change in the catalytic efficiency. The catalyst could be easily separated from the product due to

superparamagnetic behaviour of grafted Fe3O4 nanoparticles.5 Lastly, leaching of metal was not observed throughout the reaction.

Thus, Fe3O4 grafted functionalized hybrid mesoporous catalyst is a very efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the

synthesis of biodiesels at room temperature.

References 1. Kresge, C.T.; Leonowicz, M.E.; Roth, W.J.; Vartuli, J.C.; Beck, J.S. Nature 1992, 359, 710.

2. Chandra, D.; Mridha, S.; Basak, D.; Bhaumik, A. Chem. Commun. 2009, 2384.

3. Chandra, D.; Yokoi, T.; Tatsumi, T.; Bhaumik, A. Chem. Mater. 2007, 19, 5347.

4. Carvalho, W.A.; Wallau, M.; Schuchardt, U. J. Mol. Catal. A, 1999, 144, 91.

5. Mondal, J.; Sen, T.; Bhaumik, A. Dalton Trans., 2012, 41, 6173.


https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDsQFjAEahUKEwiS4PT3w4fGAhXYt7wKHTX6AIA&url=http%3A%2F%2Facronyms.thefreedictionary.com%2FBrunauer-Emmett-Teller&ei=HXB5VdLdGtjv8gW19IOACA&usg=AFQjCNEx9PDUeTH2y7zWqT7eu7twMLD0ng&sig2=_JuseZh6Bksq-Lf63lz0SA



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Earthworms as Biological Indicators of Silver Nanoparticle Impact in the Soil Environment

C. Brami1*, A.R. Glover1, K.R. Butt1 T. Sen1and C.N. Lowe1

1University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)1772893960

ABSTRACT The anti-microbial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are well established and has led to their incorporation in a growing

range of medical and consumer products including sports clothing, children’s toys, eating utensils, food packaging materials and

refrigerators. However, concerns have been raised regarding the health and environmental risks associated with widespread use of

AgNP. The European Commission Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks [1] has suggested that

AgNP may be particularly effective in delivering sources of ionic silver to organisms living in soils or sediments. The presence of

nanomaterials is difficult to quantify and it is necessary to improve assessment methods, even if currently predicted concentrations

of AgNP in aquatic and terrestrial environments range from ng.l-1 to mg.kg-1 [2].

The selection of organisms to assess pollution is based on critical factors including ecological relevance, ecological importance and

sensitivity of the species [3]. In a soil context, earthworms are considered particularly relevant test organisms as they form a

significant part of soil biomass, are in intimate contact with the soil medium and due to their influence on soil physical, chemical

and biological properties are considered ecosystem engineers [4]. These factors have led to the adoption of earthworms as sentinel

test species in eco-toxicological tests and initial studies utilising the earthworm species Eisenia fetida have demonstrated a

measurable toxic effect of AgNP [5]. However, E. fetida is a surface dwelling (epigeic) species and is not present within the soil

profile and so results have restricted ecological relevance.

Current ongoing research is using laboratory-based experiments to investigate the potential of soil dwelling earthworm species

(endogeic and anecic) as relevant bio-indicators of AgNP in the soil environment. The study is initially focusing on tests measuring

earthworm avoidance behavior in linear pollution gradients [6] with OECD artificial soil and Kettering Loam spiked with either 20

nm or 80 nm uncoated AgNP powder.

It is anticipated that this research will contribute to the debate around safety of nanomaterials in the environment, advance

understanding of how nanomaterials interact with soil / soil fauna and assess the value of earthworms as biological indicators of

AgNP pollution.

Keywords: earthworms, avoidance behaviour, silver nanoparticles, biomonitoring

REFERENCES [1] Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (2014), Nanosilver: safety, health and environmental

effects and role in antimicrobial resistance. European Union, ISBN: 978-92-79-30132-2.

[2] Reidy, B., Haase, A., Luch, A., Dawson, K.A., Lynch, I. (2013). Mechanisms of Silver Nanoparticle Release,

Transformation and Toxicity: A Critical Review of Current Knowledge and Recommendations for Future Studies and

Applications. Materials 6, 2295-2350.

[3] Smith, R., Pollard, S.J.T., Weeks, J.M., Nathanail, C.P. (2006) Assessing significant harm to terrestrial ecosystems from

contaminated land. Soil Use Manage., 21, 527-540.

[4] Lavelle, P., D. Bignell, M. Lepage, V. Wolters, P. Roger, P. Ineson, O.W. Heal, and S. Dhillion. 1997. Soil function in a

changing world: the role of invertebrate ecosystem engineers. Eur. J. Soil Biol. 33: 159-193.

[5] Shoults-Wilson, W.A., Zhurbich, O.I., McNear, D.H., Tsyusko, O.V., Bertsch, P.M., Unrine, J.M. (2011). Evidence for

avoidance of Ag nanoparticles by earthworms (Eisenia fetida). Ecotoxicology 20, 385-396.

[6] Lowe, C.N., Butt, K.R., Cheynier, K, Y-M (2016) Assessment of avoidance behaviour by earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus

and Octolasion cyaneum) in laboratory-based, linear pollution gradients. Ecotox. Environ. Safe. 124, 324-328.




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Improved DNA Vaccination using Cationic Polymeric Nanoparticles for Transcutaneous

Immunization

G.Büyükköroğlu1, B.Şene1, A.Öztürk1 and R.B. Karabacak2

1Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey ;2Department of

Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected] ; Tel No. +905326338225

ABSTRACT

Transcutaneous route is a promising alternative to vaccine delivery via the subcutaneous and intramuscular routes, due to

highly accessible and the unique immunological characteristics of the skin. The skin is involved in both innate and adaptive

immunity. The increasing knowledge of the skin immune system and improved DNA delivery systems that have become available

have boosted research on new vaccination strategies [1]. DNA vaccines provide DNA for protein expression in a variety of cells,

including keratinocytes, Langerhans cells (LHC), and dendritic cells (DC), which are located in the two main areas of the skin, the

epidermis and the dermis [2]. The advantages of DNA vaccines over conventional vaccines are; the higher stability of pDNA,

lower costs, decreasing the risks of infections due to weakened viral vaccines, to stimulate immunization against many pathogens

or multi antigens via the application of multiple epitopes on a plasmid and to generate humoral and cellular immune response [3].

In general, cationic and especially polymeric and lipidic delivery systems have been used as DNA carrying systems. The

adsorption of the DNA to the surface has been attained by the electrostatic interaction of negative charged DNA [4].

The objective of this study is to develop a DNA vaccine that will be applied with polymeric nanoparticles developed in our

previous studies [5] to adsorb the DNA thus providing transcutaneous immunization. For this purpose the Hepatitis B surface

antigen encoding Plasmid DNA has been selected. Particle size, zeta potential, morphological characterization, pDNA binding

abilities and cytotoxic properties of the nanoparticles were evaluated and transfection assay was performed. Horizontal diffusion

chamber system was used for determination of in vitro DNA release profile from polymeric systems.

Keywords: Polymeric nanoparticle, transcutaneous vaccination, Hepatitis B, DNA vaccine

REFERENCES [1] K.K. Peachman, M. Rao, and C.R. Alving, ‘Immunization with DNA through the skin’ Methods, 31, 232–242, 2003.

[2] B. Combadie`re, B. MaheSnow, ‘Particle-based vaccines for transcutaneous Vaccination’, Comparative Immunology,

Microbiology & Infectious Diseases 31, 293–315, 2008.

[3] L. A. Babiuk, S. L. Babiuk, B. I. Loehr, S.D. L. Hurk, ‘Nucleic acid vaccines: research tool or commercial reality’

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 76, 1-23, 2000.

[4] E. Vighia, M. Montanaria, M. Hanuskovab, V. Iannuccellia, G. Coppia, E. Leoa, ‘Design flexibility influencing the in vitro

behavior of cationic SLN as a nonviral gene vector’ International Journal of Pharmaceutic, 440,161-169, 2013.

[5] R.B. Karabacak, ‘Emulsifier-free poly[2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] microgels with cationic quaternary ammonium

monomers’, Journal of Applied Polymer, DOI: 10.1002/app.43196.




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Removal of As (III) and As (V) Ions from Water by single step magnetic separation using Magnetized

Resin

A. Kaur1*, A. Bhaumik2 and T. Sen1

University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK1; Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, India2

*Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +447440582122

ABSTRACT

Water contamination is one of the most challenging problems around the globe which calls for special attention and improved

research in the area of water purification and decontamination. Many countries around the world faces water contamination

problems due to some naturally occurring ground water impurities like arsenic. Therefore, an idea was originated from the

necessity of the project to contribute towards the major concern for arsenic removal in West Bengal regions of India1. In this

context, Bhaumik and his co-workers2 have reported a method of arsenic removal from water using mesoporous

nanocomposites. A commercially available resin named Amberjet 4200 was used in order to fabricate multifunctional micro /

nano-composites for this application. The resin was first magnetized by introducing superparamagnetic iron oxide

nanoparticles. The nanocomposites have been characterized using multiple physico-chemical techniques such Powder XRD,

SEM, EDAX, FT-IR, VSM and TEM. The magnetized resin was then used to incorporate titanium dioxide in it. The final

product obtained was expected to have multifunctional properties such as i) ion-exchange due to the presence of anions in

commercial resin ii) magnetic separation due to the coating of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on resin and iii)

decomposition of organic pollutants from water due to the incorporation of titanium dioxide.

The removal of As (V) and As (III) ions were aimed using a variable concentrations (100 to 500 ppb) of arsenic ions in water.

The collected samples were analyzed using Atomic absorption following pre-calibrated standard curves. Concentrations of As

(V) and As (III) ions on the composites were further verified using EDAX. Ion-exchange method was repeated several times in

subsequent 5 cycles without reactivating the composites for testing the performance of the materials’ reusability.

Figure 1: SEM image of Fabricated Resin Figure 2: TEM image of Fabricated Resin

REFERENCES [1] A. Basu, P. Sen and A. Jha, “Environmental arsenic toxicity in West Bengal, India: A brief policy review,” Indian Journal

of Public Health Vol. 59 (2015) 295-298.

[2] A.K. Patra, A. Dutta and A. Bhaumik, "Self-assembled mesoporous γ-Al2O3 spherical nanoparticles and their efficiency for

the removal of arsenic from water," Journal of Hazardous Materials 201-202 (2012) 170-177.




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Atomic-scale Simulation for the Analysis, Optimization and Accelerated Materials Development:

Organic Semiconductors

Jacob Gavartin1, Mathew D. Halls2, Daisuke Yoshidome, David J. Giesen, Thomas Mustard, Thomas F.

Hughes, Alexander Goldberg, Yixiang Cao, H. Shaun Kwak

1Schrödinger Inc., Cambridge, CB1 2JD, United Kingdom

2Schrödinger Inc., San Diego, California, 92122, U.S.A. 3 Schrödinger K.K., 7F Marunouchi Trust Tower North, 1-8-1 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan

Rapid advancements in quantum theory, computer science and computational power brought about tremendous developments in

materials research. Yet the impact of modelling in industrial R&D is somewhat hindered by unclear connection between calculated

and experimental parameters, complexity of the calculations and tedious analysis. Towards the resolution of these problems we

discuss how a combination of combinatorial chemistry, quantum chemistry and automated calculation workflows provide the basis

for rational materials design via virtual screening of molecular materials. The multiscale simulation approach implemented in

Schrödinger’s Materials Science Suite© streamlines efficient generation and screening of structure libraries of molecular

semiconductors. We demonstrate how the virtual screening is used to optimize organic light emission diode (OLED) and

photovoltaic (OPV) materials with respect to the key intrinsic properties such as oxidation and reduction potentials, reorganization

energies, adsorption and emission spectra onsets as well as materials morphology, density, solubility, glass transitions and melting

temperature, carrier mobility and triplet exciton harvesting. We also consider how the issues of materials stability and degradation

are addressed by atomistic modelling. The results of the calculations are accumulated in the form supporting easy analysis, data

sharing and decision making. The proposed approach allows to examine huge chemical space of materials and to uncover the

structure property relations unattainable by experiment alone. It provides guidance to the synthetic chemists and engineers and

narrows down the list of materials candidates for synthesis and analytical testing.



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Malvern Instruments

Dr. Hanna Jankevics Jones

Malvern Instruments, Grovewood road, WR14 1XZ, United Kingdom



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Structural improvements to highly Cs+ selective AMP-PAN composite for nuclear waste management

H. Eccles, G. Bond, and P. Kavi*

Centre of Material Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK


Abstract

Structural improvements to ammonium phosphomolybdate polyacrylonitrile (AMP-PAN) a composite known for several years for

its very high selectivity for removal of Cs ions from highly active nuclear waste is being evaluated at UCLan. In addition to its Cs

selectivity the composite has very good acid and radiation stability (up to 8 M HNO3 and 1M Gy respectively) [1, 2] and can be

made in consistent sphere sizes by manipulation of the starting materials in a one pot synthesis. A Cs capacity of 22mg/g in 2M

HNO3 has been previously reported [1].

This presentation addresses the improvement of the Cs ions capacity by enhancing surface area and porosity of the composite

structure.

Keywords: AMPPAN composite, Cs+ removal, highly selective, sol-gel, stability

Synthesis and characterisation

AMP-PAN composite was synthesised by adding AMP to a solution of Tween 80 (surfactant) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at

500C and stirred at 250 rpm for 1 hour. PAN powder was added and stirring at 500C continued for a further 6 hours. The mixture

was added drop-wise into 400 ml of d.w at room temperature. The resultant spheres were left overnight in d.w and washed 3 times

with fresh d.w. The washed beads were separated and dried in an air oven at 60°C for 24 hours. Table 1 represents the quantity of

various reagents used. The prepared composites were characterised by surface area, pore volume, SEM and Cs ion

uptake/selectivity were measured in single and mixed ion in up to 3M HNO3 solutions.

Table 1 Amount of reagents used AMP-PAN composite preparation

wt% AMP Sample PAN (g)

AMP (g)

TWEEN 80 (g)

DMSO (ml)

70 AMPPAN70 4 10 0.4 100

50 AMPPAN50 20 20 0.8 200-225

25 AMPPAN25 18.75 6.25 1.6 200-250

12.5 AMPPAN12.5 20 2.5 1.6 200-250

Results and Discussion

The AMP-PAN50 composite had highest Cs+ capacity of 26.8 mg/g compared to 21.7 mg/g for AMP-PAN70. This difference in

uptake value was likely due to opening pore structure resulting from the addition of extra surfactant. The change in the morphology

can be seen in figure 1 where the isotherm of the gas sorption studies clearly shows adsorbed gas variation. The inset picture of

bisected composite spheres clearly show expansion of the pores.

Conclusion

Composite synthesised with higher amount of surfactant have shown higher

Cs capacity; research to further improve Cs capacity by structural

modification of the AMP-PAN composite is on-going.

References

[1] Smit, J. Van R., W. Robb, and W. Robb, Journal of Inorganic and

Nuclear Chemistry, 12 (1–2): p. 95-103, 1959.

[2] Murthy, T.S., K.R. Balasubramanian, and K.L. Narasimha Rao,

Department of Atomic Energy, 1981 Figure 1 Gas sorption isotherm and

SEM image of AMPPAN composite




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Development of Novel Approaches for Tumour Therapy based on Nanostructured Materials -

MagBioVin Project

Nikola Knezevic,* Erzsebet Illes, Ana Mrakovic, Bratislav Antic, Marija Perovic, Marko Boskovic,

Vladan Kusigerski, Sanja Vranjes-Djuric, Davide Peddis, Vojislav Spasojevic, Andrzej Szytula

The Vinca Institute, University of Belgrade, POB 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +381(0)649401808

ABSTRACT

Research advancements and opportunities by the FP7-ERA Chairs project MagBioVin are spotlighted.[1] Topic of the project is

the design of different novel magnetic nanoarchitectures (e.g. bimagnetic and polymeric core-shell systems, nanoparticles

embedded in mesoporous silica structures, and radiolabeled nanostructures)[2–4] for application in targeted treatment and

diagnostics of cancer. These nanomaterials posses the ability for selective treatment of tumor tissues by the targeting with magnetic

field.[5,6] Alternating magnetic field also provides the means for hyperthermia-induced cancer treatment.[7]Attachment of

radionuclides to the synthesized nanoparticles is explored for the purpose of imaging and internal radiotherapy.[8,9] Magnetic

characteristics of the prepared nanomaterials is done by SQUID magnetometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Structural

characterization of the investigated nanomaterials is performed by XRD, TEM imaging, DRIFT spectroscopy, and nitrogen

sorption analysis. Magnetic hyperthermia effects are monitored by using commercial setup (nB nanoScale Biomagnetics) which

includes applicators for cell cultures and small animals.

In vitro and in vivo (animal model) applicability of the synthesized nanomaterials regarding toxicity, biodistribution and anti-

cancer efficacy is explored for targeted cancer treatment.

Keywords: MagBioVin, magnetic hyperthermia, radiolabeling, magnetic nanoparticles, core shell.

REFERENCES [1] http://www.vincent.org.rs/en/project/magbiovin-fp7-erachairs-pilot-call-2013

[2] G. Muscas, G. Singh, W.R. Glomm, R. Mathieu, P.A. Kumar, G. Concas, E. Agostinelli, and D. Peddis, Chem. Mater. 27,

1982, 2015.

[3] G. Muscas, N. Yaacoub, G. Concas, F. Sayed, R.S. Hassan, J.M. Greneche, C. Cannas, A. Musinu, V. Foglietti, S.

Casciardi, C. Sangregorio and D. Peddis, Nanoscale, 7, 13576, 2015.

[4] G. Singh, H. Chan, T. Udayabhaskararao, E. Gelman, D. Peddis, A. Baskin, G. Leitus, P. Kral and R. Klajn, Faraday

Discuss. 181, 403, 2015.

[5] N.Z. Knezevic, I.I. Slowing and V.S.Y. Lin, ChemPlusChem, 77, 48, 2012.

[6] N.Z. Knezevic and V.S.Y. Lin, Nanoscale, 5, 1544, 2013.

[7] M. Boskovic, G.F. Goya, S. Vranjes-Djuric, N. Jovic, B. Jancar and B. Antic, J. Appl. Phys. 117, 103903, 2015.

[8] M. Radović, S. Vranješ-Đurić, N. Nikolić, D. Janković, G.F. Goya, T.E. Torres, M.P. Calatayud, I.J. Bruvera, M.R. Ibarra,

V. Spasojević, B. Jančar and B. Antić, J. Mater. Chem. 22, 24017, 2012.

[9] M. Radović, M.P. Calatayud, G.F. Goya, M.R. Ibarra, B. Antić, V. Spasojević, N. Nikolić,, D. Janković, M. Mirković and

S. Vranješ-Urić, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. A, 103, 126, 2015.

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Self-Assembling Peptide Tunnable Structure: A Novel Approach for Designing of Dual

Biologically Active Agent

A. Majid1, W. Ahmed2 and T. Sen1*

1 School of Physical Sciences and Computing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK, 2 School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK,

Corresponding author’s details: Email: [email protected] Tel No. +44(0)1772894371

Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected];

ABSTRACT

Micro/nanostructures based naturally occurring building blocks attracted as potential materials in the field of bio-nanotechnology.

The synthetic nanomaterials of metals, semiconductors, organic polymers and carbon usually need surface modifications with

certain biocompatible materials such as, peptides, lipid and ligand exchange for the drug delivery and therapeutic applications. This

surface modifications facilitate the control of physico-chemical, immunogenic and pharmacokinetic properties of nanomaterials

[1]. Moreover, peptides are biocompatible within different mammalian cell cultures and have minimal detectable immune

responses when systematically administered in animal models. Hence, peptides are ideal materials for tissue regeneration,

scaffolding and drug delivery [2]. This work focuses on synthetic analogue of naturally occurring diphenylalanine based peptide

for the study of self-assembly patterns and the preparation of core-shell bio-compatible nanocomposites for hyperthermia triggered

in vitro drug delivery. Initially, studies have been performed on the fabrication of spherical and tubular structures of self-assembled

peptides in the presence and absence of superparamagnetic iron oxide core. These materials have been characterized using

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS),

Magnetic Hyperthermia and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The peptide based microstructures into spherical and tubular

morphologies have been engineered by changing the solvents and conditions and characterized successfully using multiple

techniques. This work has provided the essential information for the formation of novel core-shell superparamagnetic iron oxide

nanoparticle with iron oxide core and tert-butoxycarbonal (Boc)-diphenylalanine as a shell of tubular and spherical morphologies.

These prepared materials will provide the remarkable promise to nanomedicine in order to achieve improved treatment of cancer.

Keywords: Self-assembling peptides, Superparamagnetic iron oxide, core-shell nanoparticles

REFERENCES

1. Patil, S., et al., Role of Nanotechnology in Delivery of Protein and Peptide Drugs. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2015. 21(29): p. 4155-4173.

2. Sun, T., et al., Thermal stability of self-assembled peptide vaccine materials. Acta Biomaterialia, 2016. 30: p. 62-71.





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Oxidation of limonene in the presence of molybdenum containing nanoporous carbon catalysts in

direction of products exhibit antitumor activity

E. Makuch*, A. Wróblewska, B. Michalkiewicz and J. Młodzik

West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland

Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +48914494185

ABSTRACT

This work presents the studies on limonene oxidation. This oxidation allows to obtain very valuable semi-products which

are applied in medicine (antitumor drugs used in cancer therapy), agriculture (production of pesticides), food industry (cooking

essences and additives) and cosmetic industry (perfume and anti-age cosmetics production) [1-4]. The oxidation of limonene was

carried out with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and t-butyl hydroperoxide (WNTB) as the oxidants and in the presence of nanoporous

carbon catalysts containing molybdenum in the form of MoO3 as the active phase. These catalysts were prepared from

(NH4)6Mo7O24 ∙ 4H2O and activated carbon EuroPh. Finally active phases MoO3 on EuroPh were obtained. The catalysts were

characterized by XRD, nitrogen sorption at 77K, FESEM with EDX, and ICP-AES methods. The concentration of Mo in the

catalysts was equal to 0.68, 1.32, and 2.64 wt% [5].

The oxidation of limonene was carried out at the temperature 70oC, at the molar ratio of limonene/oxidant (hydrogen

peroxide or TBHP) = 1:2, for the methanol concentration 95 wt%, the catalyst content 2.45 wt%, the reaction time 0.5-72h, and at

the intensity of stirring 500 rpm. The reaction mixtures were analysed by the gas chromatography method. The unreacted hydrogen

peroxide was calculated with help of the iodometric titration method. For the detailed description the process of limonene oxidation

the following functions were calculated: the selectivities of the products of limonene oxidation and the products of their

transformation, the conversion of limonene and the efficiency of hydrogen peroxide conversion (in case when hydrogen peroxide

was used as the oxidant).

The obtained in this work results show that the nanoporous carbon catalysts containing molybdenum in the form of MoO3

as the active phase were very effective catalysts for the oxidation of limonene with H2O2 and WNTB as oxidants and in methanol

as the solvent. For this process the formation of carveol, carvone, perillyl alcohol, 1,2-epoxylimonene (only in the oxidation with

TBHP) and 1,2-epoxylimonene diol (only in the oxidation with hydrogen peroxide) was observed. Especially, the formation of

perillyl alcohol and carveol is important because the possibility of the utilization of these two compounds in the anti-cancerous

combination therapy of various kinds of cancer.

Keywords: limonene oxidation, carveol, perillyl alcohol, Mo containing nanoporous carbon catalysts

REFERENCES [1] Ch.M. Byrne, S.D. Allen, E.B. Lobkovsky and G.W. Coates, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126, 11404, 2004.

[2] P.A. Wilborn, F. Chu and Ch. Tang, Macrom. Rap. Commun. 34, 8, 2013.

[3] A. Gupta, S.P. Stratton and P.B. Myrdal, J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 37, 447, 2005.

[4] A. Gupta and P.B. Myrdal, Int. J. Pharm. 269, 373, 2004.

[5] A. Wróblewska, B. Michalkiewicz, E. Makuch and J. Młodzik, "The way of limonene oxidation (Sposób utleniania

limonenu)", Polish Patent Application P 413464, 2015.

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Implementation of Crank Nicolson Scheme in Cell Dynamics Simulation of Diblock Copolymers

Sohail Ahmed1*, Waqar Ahmed2, Dung Ly1,3

1School of Physical Sciences and Computing, University of Central Lancashire Preston, United Kingdom. 2School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Central Lancashire Preston, United Kingdom.

3Brunel University London, United Kingdom. *Presenting author’s detail: [email protected]; Tel No. +447456977977

Abstract

Block copolymers are long chain molecules composed of several different polymer blocks covalently bonded into one

macromolecule. The studies for the block copolymers have been done theoretically and experimentally for many years because

they are materials that due to their intrinsic property of microphase separation can self–assembly into different nanostructures.

Experimental study of these materials is very time consuming and therefore computer simulations have been performed in a

computer–aided design of new block copolymer materials. Experimental studies are quite challenging because of the natural

complexity of the block copolymers molecules. In this context, the computer simulations have been beneficial to understand

numerical results of experiments for the useful inferences. Many computational techniques were designed to study block

copolymer systems. Cell dynamics simulation (CDS) technique is based on solving partial differential equations (PDEs) and is

computationally very fast compared to other simulation methods. This technique is employed to obtain numerical results of

lamellae copolymer morphology for one order parameter evolution. In this contribution the focus is made on finite difference

schemes and their use in computer simulation of PDEs involved in diblock copolymers (two blocks per molecule). The Crank

Nicolson (CN) scheme of finite difference method is implemented targeting CDS equations. The CN scheme is unconditionally

stable but slow in comparison with Forward Euler’s method which is fast but not very stable.


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Preparation and Characterisation of Lipid – Fullerene (C60) systems

Z. Moinuddin1, Y. Agarwal2, C. V. Kulkarni*

1University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK; 2Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)1772894339

Keywords: Lipids, Fullerene, Nanoparticles, Self assembly, Interactions

Due to their hydrophobic nature, small size and many more exciting characteristics, fullerenes have gained much

attention throughout varying areas of science [1]. These properties allow such molecules to be used for drug delivery

purposes, however, when used in large quantities, toxic effects may be posed to the human system. Lipids consist of

unique self assemblies when in their bulk phase (such as cubosomes and hexosomes) which interact nicely with

fullerene, C60 to yield novel matrices for drug delivery. Lipids are biodegradable materials, are easy to handle and have

been used in the past with nanomaterials such as Carbon nanotubes and hydrogels for the preparation of successful

drug delivery systems [2, 3]

This work looks into the preparation of Lipid – Fullerene C60 systems by simply combining certain amounts of molten

lipid and Fulleren, C60. The characterisation of the interactions taking place between the two counterparts has been

confirmed using Raman Spectroscopy. Such technique has shown how the addition of Fullerene, C60, to lipid yields

interactions and shifts in the spectra, the interactions have also been observed by visible colour changes (with varying

concentration of Fullerene) in the Lipid- Fullerene mixtures.

The work highlights the potential use for such unique systems for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications by the

combination of two unique nanomaterials.

References:

[1] F. Cataldo, Chemistry and Physics of Lipids, 163, 524-529, 2010.

[2] C. V. Kulkarni et al, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 479, 416-422.

[3] N. P. Gaunt et al, Nanoscale, 7, 1090 – 1095.



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Development Of Prototype Carbon Based Magnetic Nanocomposites For Removal Of Organic

Pollutants Present In Water

E.Jones*, N.Costa and T. Sen University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

Email:[email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)7772991413

ABSTRACT The development of hybrid superparamagnetic nanocomposites using inorganic and organic oxides, including the composition of

imidazolium based ionic liquids. This project is in co-operation with Hebei University and Dr. Xiaoqiang Qiao. Dr. Xiaoqiang

Qiao most recent work entitled “Imidazolium embedded C8 based stationary phase for simultaneous reversed-phase/hydrophilic

interaction mixed-mode chromatography” has produced a very powerful separation Ionic Liquid technology [1]. This research

involves the functionalisation of Superparamagnetic Silica Core Shell Magnetite with an Ionic Liquid.

This work aims to assess the ability of absorption/photo-degradation of several organic compounds as model experiments with

these novel nanocomposites. The multifunctionality of these composites comprise of desirable physical and chemical properties to

interact with organic pollutants i.e. the incorporation of activated carbons high surface area allows for adsorption [2]; imidazolium-

based ionic liquids consist of a π conjugated system and an imidazole cation which allows for multi-interactions, such as

electrostatic, dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions. The presence of the core shell superparamagnetic iron allows

for easy one step magnetic separation [1].

Keywords: superparamagnetic, nanocomposite, ionic liquid, imidazolium, separation.

Using his technology this project intends to create; Fe3O4-SIL-MPS-VOL.

This nanocomposite will be tested against several common dye pollutants found in waste waters; such as methylene blue, congo-

red and allure red. Its efficiency will be measured by monitoring various controls of polluted water samples with a UV-Vis

spectrophotometer. The concentrations of the dyes will then be calculated and plotted by a time vs absorbance graph, in

conjunction with the appropriate calibration graph. The composites can then be simply removed from these controls by a simple

magnet, ready to be tested again.

REFERENCES [1] Qiao, X, 2014. Imidazolium embedded C8 based stationary phase for simultaneous reversed-phase/hydrophilic interaction

mixed-mode chromatography. [Manuscript] At: China: Hebei University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences. [2] Eizadi-sharifabad, F. Hodgson, B. Jellite, M. Mercer, T and Sen, T. “Enantioselective formation of 4-(R)-hydroxycyclopent-2-

en-1-(S)-acetate by chiral catalysis using enzymes immobilized magnetic core-shell nanocomposites.”, Chemical Communications,

Issue 76, 2014 pp. 2-3.

Figure 1. Synthesis of Fe3O4-SIL-MPS-VOL [1]

http://pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/journal/cc

http://pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/journal/cc?issueid=cc050076&type=current&issnprint=1359-7345



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Microwave Induced Heterogeneous Catalysis Using Transition Metal Containing Hierarchically

Ordered Porous Catalysts

I. Nwafor1 and T. Sen1, 2

1School of Physical Sciences and Computing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK, [email protected] [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)1772894371

ABSTRACT

With its combination of chemical characteristics and physical characteristics, hierarchically ordered porous catalysts have shown

great possibilities in research and practical applications. [1] Applications include adsorption, catalysis and hydrogen storage. [2] The

catalysts have been synthesized using a colloidal template to create macroporosity in the structure from polystyrene latex. The

meso and microporosity is generated using a non-ionic surfactant pluoronic F127 (EO107PO70EO107). This was done in an acidic

medium and use of TEOS as the silica source. [3] The calcined template was soaked in a vanadium containing solution and then

calcined. The catalytic performance was investigated under microwave reactions compared with Sen et al. conventional reaction

methods. Various bulky molecules such as cis-cyclooctene and toluene were epoxidised and oxidized respectively in the presence

of H2O2. The characteristics of the catalyst were analysed using N2 adsorption, Hg microporosimetry, TEM, SEM and other

techniques.

Keywords: nanoparticles, catalysis, hierarchical, mesoporous, macroporous

REFERENCES [1] Sen, T.; Whittle, J.; Howard, M. “A hierarchically ordered porous novel vanado-silicate catalyst for highly efficient

oxidation of bulky organic molecules” Chemical Communications, 48, 4232 – 4234, 2012.

[2] Howard, M.; Whittle, J.; Zhang, F.; Zhao, D.; T Sen. “Novel Hierarchically Ordered Porous Vanado-Silicate

Nanocomposites for the Application in Industrial Catalysis” Nanotechnology 2010: Advanced Materials, CNTs, Particles,

Films and Composites, 1, 495-498, 2012.

[3] Sen, T. “Novel Nanocomposites: Hierarchically Ordered Porous Silica for the Immobilisation of Enzyme as Bio-catalyst”

Nanotechnology 2010: Advanced Materials, CNTs, Particles, Films and Composites, 1, 784–787, 2010.





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Synthesis of zinc ferrite nanoparticles and evaluation of their photocatalytic properties with visible

light irradiation

I. Nwafor1, A. Davidson 2 T. Sen1

1School of Physical Sciences and Computing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK, [email protected] 2 Université Pierre et Marie CURIE, Laboratoire de Reactivite de Surface, Paris, France, [email protected]

[email protected]; tel no. +44(0)1772894371

ABSTRACT

Ferrite nanoparticles have generated a wide range of interest due to their strong structural, optical and magnetic properties.[1][2][3]

Zinc ferrites nanoparticles were synthesized through 3 different methods; precipitation, replication using a silica source and the use

of a polymer. The crystal sizes and structure of the synthesized nanoparticles were studied using a particle size analyser, X-ray

diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption. XRD results showed quenched and non-

quenched precipitation methods produced larger crystallites sizes than replication with SBA. Furthermore XRD analysis resulted in

the franklinite and hematite structures being present in the crystals. The zinc ferrite nanoparticles synthesized crystallite sizes were

confirmed by TEM as seen in figures below. The photocatalytic effect was also studied with the use of UV analysis. Ferrite

nanocrystals have great chemical and thermal stability; additionally they demonstrate good photocatalytic activity. Zinc ferrites

have potential future applications in the field of industrial photo-degradation.

Keywords: zinc ferrites, nanoparticles, photocatalysis, oxidation

REFERENCES [1] E. Casbeer, V.K. Sharma, X.-Z. Li, Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of ferrites under visible light: A review, Sep. Purif.

Technol. 87 (2012) 1–14.

[2] J.-F. Guo, B. Ma, A. Yin, K. Fan, W.-L. Dai, Photodegradation of rhodamine B and 4-chlorophenol using plasmonic

photocatalyst of Ag–AgI/Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticle under visible light irradiation, Appl. Catal. B Environ. 101

(2011) 580–586.

[3] D. Mishra, K. Senapati, C. Borgohain, A. Perumal, CoFe2O4−Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanocomposites as Photocatalyst for the

Degradation of Methyl Orange Dye, J. Nanotechnol. 2012 (2012).

Figure 1: (Left) Zn ferrite method 3 solvothermal-30000X, (Right) Zn ferrite method 2 precipitation quenched-20000X






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Reliable and Versatile Preparation of Biocompatible Gold Nanorods for Hyperthermia Study

Francesco Rossi and Nguyen TK Thanh*

Biophysics Group, Department of Physics & Astronomy University College London Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK & UCL

Healthcare Biomagnetic and Nanomaterials Laboratory 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS &

*Email: [email protected] Tel No: +44 (0) 2074916509

ABSTRACT

The plasmon resonance of gold nanorods (GNR) is able to convert absorbed light in heat, making them promising candidate for

hyperthermia study in biological samples [1]. The use of these particles have been limited by the difficulty of obtaining a precise

control on the length of the rods and by the necessity of using toxic surfactants as template during the formation of the particles.

GNRs have been synthetized using CTAB micelles as template and they have been tuned to desired aspect ratio by varying the

concentration and the affinity for gold of the salts in solution [2]. In order to increase the biocompatibility of the nanorods the

presence of CTAB on the surface have to be removed. Our procedure offers a reliable and versatile preparation route in order to

obtain high control on the aspect ratio of the rods and an efficient method to remove the presence of surfactant from the surface of

the rods.

The results have been obtained using cycles of ultracentrifugation and redispersion in presence of a polymeric agent. This polymer

is able to lightly bind the surface of the nanorods offering a weak stabilization and it can be easily displaced by a stabilizing agent

with greater affinity for the surface of the rods [3].

The procedure have been used to prepare GNRs stabilized with citrate and PEG-SH (5000).

Keywords: gold nanorods, aspect ratio, biocompatibility, stabilization

[1] Terry B. Huff and Alexander Wei, “Hyperthermic effects of gold nanorods on tumor cells,” Nanomedicine (Lond.), 125 – 132,

2007.

[2] Roger M. Pallares and N. K. T. Thanh, “Fine-tuning gold nanorod dimensions and plasmonic properties using the Hofmeister

effects, J. Mater. Chem. C, 53 – 61, 4, 2016.

[3] Jonathan G. Methala and Alexander Wei, “Citrate-stabilized gold nanorods”, Langmuir, 13727 – 13730, 30, 2014




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Figure 1: Average number of cells over 12 days

against number of cells


Toxicological Study of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

S. Siddique*, Y.Sen and T.Sen,

Nano-biomaterials Research Group, School of Physical Sciences and Computing,

University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)7921026219

ABSTRACT

Toxicity of two different Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), R2MC: core nanoparticles (NPs)) and QBLSSM:

silica-coated NPs with and without Mitomycin C (MMC) has been tested. Toxicity was measured using two different assays such

as MTT and an MTS, enabling the chance to compare two assay techniques.

Transmission Electron microscope (TEM) was used to visualize the NPs and further characterized by FT-IR and Variable sample

magnetometry (VSM).

A cell growth curve was then established to understand when cells

reached maximum confluence, see figure 1. NPs cell toxicity was

tested in three different concentrations, with and without MMC using

MTT and MTS assays via the fluorescence measurement of cells.

The values were used to calculate percentage cell viability. The

amount of MMC loaded onto NPs was calculated by measuring the

absorbance of a series of known MMC concentration in solution,

establishing a standard MMC curve which helped us to calculate the

unknown concentration.

It was found that NPs were non-toxic, as there was not a significant

difference in the fluorescence. Although both assays helped us to

understand that NPs were non-toxic, however MTS assay was

significantly quicker to use for routine analysis.

Keywords: nanoparticles, toxicity, SPIONs, cell culture, Mitomycin

REFERENCES [1] Albrecht, M. A.; Evans, C. W.; Raston, C. L. Green Chemistry and the Health Implications of Nanoparticles. Green Chem.

2006, 8, 417-432.

[2] Alivisatos. (1996). Semiconductor Clusters, Nanocrystals and Quantom Dots. J Stor. 271 (1), p933-937.

[3] Bao, S; Darell, DB; Dewhirst, MW; Hao, Y; Hjemeland, AB; McLendon, RE; Rich JN; Shi, Q; Wu, Q. (2006). Glioma stem

cells promote radioresistance by preferential activation of the DNA damage response.nature. 444 (1), p756-760.

[4] Sen, T.; Magdassi, S.; Nizri, G.; Bruce, I. J. Dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles in suspension. Micro & Nano Letters

2006, 1 (1), 39-42.

.




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Studies on the Au-S Bond and the Ag-S Bond in the Gold-Specific Protein GolB

Wei Wei, Yang Sun, Yi Cao, Jing Zhao

1 State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University,.

2State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry and BioMedical Sciences, School of Chemistry and

Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 3National

Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University

Nanjing , 210093, P. R. China


ABSTRACT

A gold-specific binding protein, GolB, was recently identified, providing a unique opportunity for the study of the Au-S bond at

the molecular level. First, we probed the mechanical strength of the gold-sulfur bond in GolB using single molecule force

spectroscopy. We measured the rupture force of the Au-S bond to be 165 pN, much lower than Au-S bonds measured on different

gold surfaces (~1000 pN). We further solved the structures of apo-GolB and Au(I)-GolB complex using X-ray crystallography.

These structures showed that the average Au-S bond length in GolB is much longer than the reported average value of Au-S bonds.

Our results highlight the dramatic influence of the unique biological environment on the stability and strength of metal

coordination bonds in proteins.

Second, we explored the relationship between silver ions and the CXXC copper-binding motif. We have determined two crystal

structures of Atx1 copper chaperone and GolB bound to silver ions. The structures revealed that the conserved CXXC copper-

binding motif coordinates a tetrasilver cluster, exhibiting a unique Ag-Ag metal bond. Combining with the silver tolerance results,

the formation of the silver clusters might represent the molecular basis for bacterial silver resistance mediated by copper transport

pathways.

Keywords: Au-S bond, gold binding protein, low mechanical stability

REFERENCES 1. Wei, W.; Sun, Y.; Liu, X.; Sun, P.; Wang, F.; Gui, Q.; Meng, W.; Cao, Y.*; Zhao, J.*, “Structural Insights and the

Surprisingly Low Mechanical Stability of the Au-S Bond in the Gold-specific Protein GolB”. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015,

15358–15361..



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Optimising Nanocarrier Drug Delivery System for Antimalarial Chemotherapy

S. Zwayen1*, N. Nirmalan2, P.C. Seville1 and K.K. Singh1

1School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences,

University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE, United Kingdom 2School of Environment and life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester

*Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)7482211452

ABSTRACT

Malaria is a global health priority with more than three billion people at risk of acquiring the disease transmitted to humans by the

bite of female mosquitoes “Anopheles gambiae”, one of the most widespread and difficult to control vector [1] Malaria still falls in

the category of neglected disease as it suffers from insufficient research and development in therapy and vaccines worldwide,

costing millions of lives, despite the efforts of several non-profit partnership initiatives and the Tropical Diseases Research

Programme of the World Health Organization TDR/WHO [2]. Nanoparticles (NPs) have the ability to remain in the blood stream

for a long period of time. Hence they could prove useful for improving the interaction with the red blood cells (RBCs), especially

in the case of antimalarial drugs. Nanoparticles protect unstable drugs against extracellular degradation that will reduce the

frequency of administration and duration of treatment. Furthermore, nanoparticles can be surface modified by conjugation with

specific ligands to improve active targeting to parasitized RBCs, increase selectivity and improve bioavailability of antimalarial

drugs [3].

The aim of the present work was to investigate polymer based nanoparticles as carriers for antimalarial chemotherapy. A

macromolecular polymer carrier that has been known to be biodegradable, nontoxic, metabolized in-vivo to produce innocuous

degradation products, non-immunogenic, and allowing ease of delivery by injection was used to design the nanocarrier system.

One of artemisinin derivatives was used as a model drug for the preparation of the nanoparticles. A physical mixture of the drug

and polymeric solution was prepared containing an optimised drug: polymer ratio with suitable surfactant for stabilization. Organic

phase was used for desolvation followed by high-pressure homogenization. Stirring speed, process temperature, homogenization

pressure and number of cycles were found be critical parameters that affect the formation of nanoparticles. The formulated NPs

were characterized for mean particle size and particle size distribution (Polydispersity) using photon correlation spectroscopy.

Robust nanoparticles with mean particle size of 123.8 nm with a Polydispersity index of 0.28 0.01 was obtained

successfully. For future work the characterized nanoparticles will be optimized and surface modified with specific ligands to

improve targeting, circulation and enhance bioavailability.

REFERENCES

[1] WHO. (2003) The Africa Malaria Report.

http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/amd2003/amr2003/pdf/amr2003.pdf, accessed on 15th April 2009.

[2] WHO. (2015) World Malaria Report.

http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/world-malaria-report-2015/report/en/

[3] Aditya, N.P., Vathsala, P.G., Vieira, V., Murthy, R.S.R. & Souto, E.B. 2013, "Advances in nanomedicines for malaria

treatment", Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 201–202, no. 0, pp. 1-17.


http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/amd2003/amr2003/pdf/amr2003.pdf



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Nanoporous solids: Pore size determination by a combination of Electron Microscope and adsorption

using Nitrogen gas and Mercury porosimety

P. Suwal1 and T. Sen2*

1University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK, 2University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

*Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)1772894371

ABSTRACT The aim of the experiment was to use electron microscope and porosity measurement by gas adsorption and mercury porosimetry

for the identification of Nanoporous solids. Porous materials are widely used in different fields of modern technology like

heterogeneous catalysis; bone mimicking, water purification, liquid or gas chromatography etc. The shape and size of the pores are

of main concern for the practical application of these materials [3]. Hence, it is important to find out an easy, reliable and effective

method for the characterisation of porous materials. Nitrogen gas adsorption and mercury porosimetry are complementary

technique because nitrogen gas adsorption can determine pore diameter range of 0.3-300nm whereas mercury porosimetry can

determine pore diameter range of 3nm-200µm [1]. Packed Silica nanoparticles and hierarchically ordered porous silica

nanocomposites were analysed in this experiment for the determination of pore size distribution. For this purpose, firstly we used

nitrogen gas adsorption technique using Micromeritics ASAP 2010 instrument for the measurement of BET surface area and got

the value 16.73m2/g for silica nanoparticle and 39.82m2/g. Then we measured pore size distribution using Micromeritics AutoPore

IV instrument and found two types of pores in packed silica nanoparticles with pore diameters 0.126 µm and 63 µm. Finally, we

analysed particle sizes, pore sizes, morphology and elemental composition of these two nanoparticles with scanning electron

microscope (FEI quanta 200).

By pairing gas adsorption technique with mercury porosimetry, range or pore diameter measurement can be increased but there

may be slight variation in the results obtained by these two techniques which may be due to the sample compression in mercury

porosimeter [2]. Finally, the pore size distribution determined by porosity measurement can be correlated with the morphology of

the porous material with the help of Scanning Electron Microscope.

Figure 2: Isotherm for packed silica nanoparticles (from

nitrogen gas adsorption)

Figure 3: Pore size distribution for packed silica nanoparticles

(from mercury porosimetry)

Keywords: nanoparticles, nitrogen adsorption, mercury porosimetry, porosity measurement

REFERENCES [1] S. Westermarck, Use of Mercury Porosimetry and Nitrogen Adsorption in Characterization of the Pore Structure of

Mannitol and Microcrystalline Cellulose Powders, Granules and Tablets, Academic Dissertation, Department of Pharmacy,

University of Helsinki,2000

[2] P. A. Webb, “An Introduction To The Physical Characterization of Materials by Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry with

Emphasis On Reduction And Presentation of Experimental Data”, Micromeritics Instrument Corp, Norcross, Georgia, 2001

[3] J. Rouquerol, D. Anvir, W.C. Fairbridge, D.H. Everett, J.H. Haynes, N. Pernicone, et al. “Recommendations for the

characterization of porous solids”, Pure Appl Chem, 66, 1739–1758, 1994.




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Aqueous Phase

Aqueous Phase

Dispersed

Phase

Jetting Length

No

zzle

dia

me

ter

10

0µ

m


Nanoparticles Production from Microfluidics and Membrane Devices

David Odetade*, Goran T. Vladisavljevic, Chris Rielly

Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom* [email protected]

The control at micro- and nano-levels of particles for unique final products has been a subject of intense research for major part of

past decades. The use of conventional methods to achieve the level of control became inadequate and novel techniques were

discovered to further enhance the production of microparticles, and latterly, nanoparticles. The synthesis of nanoparticles moved to

the forefront of researches in different industries such as food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and lots more, to develop products such

as the controlled-drug delivery in nanomedicine [1]–[3]

The importance of particle size in nanoparticles, in pharmaceutical industry has encouraged the variation and modification of

techniques, to obtain products such as in the encapsulation of active ingredients, in a safe, controlled-release of poor water-soluble

drugs[4] [5] during production of the nanoparticles in microfluidic devices. Other challenges such uniformly-sized droplets and

products on a micro- and nano-scale also led to novel methods being developed for production of these products. Nanoparticles

offer improved performance of active ingredients, as well as stability, controlled-delivery, increased comfort and reduction in

overall drug content in other industries such as food, cosmetics and other nanotechnology applications.

Drugs such as Hydrocortisone and Rapamycin poses problems, such

as the exact amount of the active ingredient to be delivered to the cells in

most need of these drugs in the body [6]. Novel microfluidic

techniques were developed with existing models to encapsulate

these drugs using the fabricated microfluidic devices [7]. Liposomes and

Niosomes were produced to encapsulate these drug

nanosuspensions, and various parameters were studied to observe changes

in these nanoparticles.

Figure 1 Production of nanosuspension in the microfluidic device as

captured by the high speed camera.

The release rates of the drugs, encapsulation efficiency, morphology,

nanoparticles diameter and stability were among the parameters

observed.

Keywords: nanoparticles, microfluidics, liposomes, niosomes, encapsulation.

REFERENCES

[1] T. Ward, M. Faivre, M. Abkarian, and H. a Stone, “Microfluidic flow focusing: drop size and scaling in pressure versus

flow-rate-driven pumping.,” Electrophoresis, vol. 26, no. 19, pp. 3716–24, Oct. 2005.

[2] R. a. Zangmeister and M. J. Tarlov, “DNA Displacement Assay Integrated into Microfluidic Channels,” Anal. Chem., vol.

76, no. 13, pp. 3655–3659, Jul. 2004.

[3] C.-H. Yang, K.-S. Huang, Y.-S. Lin, K. Lu, C.-C. Tzeng, E.-C. Wang, C.-H. Lin, W.-Y. Hsu, and J.-Y. Chang,

“Microfluidic assisted synthesis of multi-functional polycaprolactone microcapsules: incorporation of CdTe quantum dots,

Fe 3 O 4 superparamagnetic nanoparticles and tamoxifen anticancer drugs,” Lab Chip, vol. 9, no. 7, pp. 961–965, 2009.

[4] C.-X. Zhao, L. He, S. Z. Qiao, and A. P. J. Middelberg, “Nanoparticle synthesis in microreactors,” Chem. Eng. Sci., vol.

66, no. 7, pp. 1463–1479, Apr. 2011.

[5] J. Zhang, L. Wu, H.-K. Chan, and W. Watanabe, “Formation, characterization, and fate of inhaled drug nanoparticles.,”

Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev., vol. 63, no. 6, pp. 441–55, May 2011.

[6] H. S. M. Ali, P. York, and N. Blagden, “Preparation of hydrocortisone nanosuspension through a bottom-up

nanoprecipitation technique using microfluidic reactors,” Int. J. Pharm., vol. 375, no. 1–2, pp. 107–113, Jun. 2009.

[7] G. Vladisavljević, I. Kobayashi, and M. Nakajima, “Production of uniform droplets using membrane, microchannel and

microfluidic emulsification devices,” Microfluid. Nanofluidics, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 151–178, 2012.




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Surface Energetics Measured by igc to Determine the Interaction of Nanofillers with Polymer Matrices

Nektaria Servi MBA – UK Sales Manager

Office: +44 (0) 208 795 9400

Mobile: +44 (0) 781 388 6478


Web: www.surfacemeasurementsystems.com

Unit 5, Wharfside, Rosemont Road, Alperton, London. HA0 4PE, UK

Abstract

Ultimate composite strength is highly dependent on interfacial interactions between the filler material and matrix. Nanomaterials

are getting continued interest as reinforcement materials in composite systems [1-5]. Both carbon nanotubes and clay nanoparticles

have been studied as a means to improve composite properties. The quality and performance of nanocomposites depend strongly

on the interaction of the components at their interface. To enhance the adhesion properties at the interface, nanomaterials are often

exposed to various surface functionalisation processes. Filler-matrix interactions are commonly described by adhesion and

cohesion phenomena. Both properties depend on the surface energetic situation of the materials commonly expressed by the

surface energy. In this study, surface energies of different multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and nanoclays with different

surface treatments were determined by Inverse Gas Chromatography Surface Energy Analyzer (iGC SEA). Nanofiller-matrix

interactions have been calculated by means of the thermodynamic work of adhesion from the surface energy values and correlated

with composite mechanical properties.


http://www.surfacemeasurementsystems.com/

http://ow.ly/zrbrr



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Saccharide-Coated Nanoparticles for Cell-Specific Targeting

T. W. Fallows1*, T. P. Coxon1, T. Bond1, J. E. Gough2, and S. J. Webb1

1Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

2School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0)7940273204

ABSTRACT

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have found a wide variety of uses in vivo such as magnetic resonance imaging, drug delivery,

cancer hyperthermia therapy and magnetophoresis [1]. In order to enhance the biomedical value of these MNPs they are often

functionalised with ligands such as peptides, antibodies and other small molecules [2] which can actively target certain cells.

Hydrazones are an easy to form functional group synthesised by the condensation of a hydrazide with an aldehyde. Condensing

3,4-dihydroxybenzhydrazide with aldehydes bearing recognition groups that target cell surface receptors might allow MNPs to

bind specific cell types. Previous work has shown that biotin-catechol hydrazones are effective at rapidly coating magnetite (Fe3O4)

nanoparticles, giving functionalised MNPs that target the surface receptors of 3T3 cells [3]. Similarly, condensing 3,4-

dihydroxybenzhydrazide with a reducing sugar, a process often followed by cyclisation, provides sugar-hydrazides with catechol

functionality, a class of compound of particular interest. A range of saccharides, such as glucose and galactose have also been

shown to effectively form sugar-hydrazides with good yield and anomeric purity upon condensation with 3,4-

dihydroxybenzhydrazide.

The stability of the resulting catechol-nanoparticle coating has been analysed and compares favourably to resorcinol analogues.

The ability of sugar-coated nanoparticles to interact with a specific cell line was investigated by incubating the coated MNPs with

either 3T3 fibroblasts or HepG2 carcinoma cells. A significant increase in interactions was observed for one sugar coating versus

other types [4].

Recent work has looked at the synthesis of saccharide-terminated lipids using the same chemistry. It is hoped that these lipids can

be used to form vesicles for encapsulation and targeted drug delivery.

Figure 1: General scheme for formation of saccharide coated MNPs, using glucose-hydrazide adduct as an example.

Keywords: carbohydrates, cells, magnetic nanoparticles, targeting, saccharides

REFERENCES [1] S. Laurent, D. Forge, M. Port, A. Roch, C. Robic, L. V. Elst and R. N. Muller, Chem. Rev., 2008, 108, 2064-2110.

[2] D. N. Ho, N. Kohler, A. Sigdel, R. Kalluri, J. R. Morgan, C. Xu and S. Sun, Theranostics, 2012, 2,66-75.

[3] T. Coxon, A. Almond and S. J. Webb, MRS Proceedings, 2014, 1688.

[4] T. P. Coxon, T. W. Fallows, J. E. Gough, S. J. Webb, Org. Biomol. Chem., 2015, 13, 10751-10761.




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The toxicity of nanomaterials to the freshwater microalga

Raphidocelis subcapitata

F. Alqahtani1, H. Johnston1, V. Stone1 and T. F. Fernandes1

1Nanosafety Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Heriot-Watt University,

EH14 4AS, United Kingdom


ABSTRACT

This presentation reports the results of a study assessing the effects of different nanomaterials on the microalga Raphidocelis

subcapitata. The increased use of nanomaterials in a wide range of products has led to their potential release into the environment.

In this study the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata was exposed to different concentrations of a range of nanomaterials widely

used in consumer applications. Algal growth was assessed at different time points (0, 24h, 48h, and 72h) using different methods,

namely optical density (OD) and fluorescence of the culture, as well as chlorophyll a, after extraction (OECD guideline 201).

Results indicate a dose response effect, with increased inhibition observed with increased nanomaterial concentration. A

comparison of the different nanomaterials studied was made in regards to their toxicity to the microalga and results indicated that

the physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials are able to influence their toxicity as well as the approach used to suspend the

nanomaterials.

Keywords: toxicity, nanomaterials, sonication and Raphidocelis subcapitata




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Resveratrol-Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: Effect of Liquid Lipids and Surfactants on Particle Size

and Stability

C. Houacine, J. Alder, P. Roberts and K. K. Singh

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, United Kingdom

[email protected], Tel No: +447825334769

Second generation drug delivery systems, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have been developed for their several advantages

over the first generation solid lipid nanoparticles, by modifying the lipid matrix with liquid lipid oil. In order to overcome the

physicochemical and pharmacokinetic limitations of the Resveratrol (a potent anti-cancer drug), it has been commonly

encapsulated in solid lipid carriers. These, however, suffer significantly from stability issues and poor drug loading. The purpose of

the present work was to develop NLCs, loaded with Resveratrol (RES); by mixing three different carrier liquid oils with solid lipid

to formulate stable nanoparticles. The effect of addition of three different type of liquid lipids was studied on the particle size,

polydispersity index, zeta potential and short term stability of the developed NLC formulations.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were prepared using hot melt homogenization technique. Briefly, a hot aqueous surfactant

solution (preheated to 80ºC; 10ºC above the lipid’s melting point), was added to the melted lipid phase comprising of Trimyristin

utilized as the solid lipid and the following three liquid lipids; PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric, Tricaprylin and Decyl 9-octadecenoate .

Glycerides were employed to modify the lipid matrix. Combination of hydrohhilic and hydrophobic surfactant was added to the

water phase to stabilise the nanoparticles. The pre-emulsion was obtained using T25 basic Ultra-Turrax (IKA, Staufen, Germany)

followed by high-pressure homogenization (Nano DeBEE. BEE International. Inc. Easton). Particle size, Polydispersity index and

zeta potential were measured via a Malvern Zetasizer. Transmission Electron Microscopy was used to check the sphericity of the

formulated nanoparticles.

Initially, the same concentration of liquid lipids (0.75%) was examined for its impact upon particle size, polydispersity index (PDI)

and zeta potential values of the formulated NLCs. The lowest observed particle size (47.81±4.110 nm) of NLC was obtained when

using Tricaprylin as liquid oil, with a PDI of (0.237 ±0.012) .However, upon addition of PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides,

particle size was found to increase (63.39±5.997nm), though PDI (0.216±0.004) was low indicating high particle size uniformity

when this oil was employed; when compared directly with Decyl 9-octadecenoate containing NLCs having the size of

(52.67±5.670nm) and PDI of (0.227±0.002).The zeta potential of the optimized NLCs is known to effect electrochemical stability

of the final product. Thus, zeta potential values were found to range between (-21.8± 0.251 to -25±1.171 mV), indicating enhanced

electrochemical stability. Furthermore, Tricaprylin was observed to yield stable NLCs with minimal increase in particle size and

PDI over the period of three months when compared to the other liquid lipids.

The study findings indicate that NLCs stability was strongly affected by the type of liquid oils. Moreover, a small change in the

particle size and PDI was observed over the period of three months indicating the good stability of the formulated nanoparticles.

In conclusion, Resveratrol-NLCs have been developed with robust mean particle size (47.81-52.67nm) and PDI. NLCs exhibited a

spherical shape and were found to retain sphericity over a three months period, indicating good stability of the formulations.

REFERENCES

1. Delmas, D., Lancon, A., Colin, D., Jannin, B. & Latruffe, N. (2006). Resveratrol as a chemopreventive agent: A

promising molecule for fighting cancer. Curr Drug Targets, 7, 423-442.

2. ICH, 2009. ICH Guideline Q8 (R2): Pharmaceutical Development.

3. Pople, P. V. & Singh, K. K. (2011). Development and Evaluation of Colloidal Modified Nanolipid Carrier: Application to

topical delivery of tacrolimus. Eur J Pharm Biopharm, 79, 82-94.




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Nanomedicine

Prof. Robert Thomas Forbes

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Cental Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK



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Preparation of the Novel NHC-Sulphur Ligands as Precursors for Fe-NHC-Sulphur Complexes to be

Used for Hydrogenases Modelling and Materials for Hydrogen Storage

S. McDougall, D. Britton, N. Bramah, L. Penfold, R. Masshadi, and S. Zlatogorsky

School of Physical Sciences and Computing, UCLan, Preston, UK, [email protected]

The aim of this project is to synthesise metal-NHC (NHC = N-Heterocyclic Carbene) complexes, where the metal is either silver or

iron. It is hoped that the Fe-NHCs will be able to achieve reversible heterolytic splitting of hydrogen across the Fe-carbene bond

similar to what is shown in Scheme 1.1 This would create prerequisites for the use of these compounds as hydrogenase models and

hydrogen storage materials.

Scheme 1

In all natural hydrogenase enzymes Fe is ligated by CO, CN- and a S-(cysteine) motifs.2 This means that the synthetic models

designed by us need to contain ligands with similar electronic properties to the ones above. The electronic properties of NHCs (σ-

donors capable of backbonding) are similar to those of CN- and CO and the NHCs are known to support iron in a range of

oxidation states (Fe0-Fev).3 Also, NHCs were not tried as ligands for hydrogenase models before, unlike CN- and CO.2 In addition

to the above, the basicity of a free carbene coupled with its lability when coordinated to Fe4,5 makes Fe-NHCs ideal unexplored

candidates for probing hydrogenase-like behaviour (e.g. heterolytic H2 cleavage across the Fe-NHC bond).1 However, due to their

lability, Fe-NHC complexes lack stability.4,5 To address this, we intend to introduce sulphur-based “Fe-anchoring” function(s) into

an NHC ligand. Metallation of these sulphur-based Fe-anchored complexe will give stable Fe-S-NHC complexes; this idea is based

on the known stability of sulphur-bridged Fe clusters.6 The suggested sulphur-containing functional groups will include

thioketone(s), thiolate(s), thiocarboxylate(s), thiazole(s), etc. (Scheme 2)

N

N

HC/N

CH/N

N

N

N/CH

CH/N

EH HE

N

N

HC/N

CH/N

N

N

N/CH

CH/N

EH HE

N/CH

R

RR

R

R

RR

R

E = S, R = HE = O, R = Me

N

N/

N

N/ R

E

R

E+

CH CH

X-

Scheme 2

In this contribution, the preparation of imidazolium and triazolium pro-ligands along with the initial attempts at their metallation,

will be reported.

[1] Runyon. J.W, Steinhof. O, Rasika Dias. H.V, Calabrese. J.C, Marshall. W.J, Arduengo. A.J,. Australian journal of chemistry,

2011, Vol. 64.

[2] Tard, C.; Pickett, C. J. Chem. Rev. 2009, 109, 2245.

[3] Hou. J, Peng. X, Zhou. Z, Sun. S, Zhao. X, Gao. S. J. Organometallic Chemistry, 2006, 691. 4633

[4] Zlatogorsky, S.; Muryn, C. A.; Tuna, F.; Evans, D. J.; Ingleson, M. J. Organometallics 2011, 30, 4974.

[5] Zlatogorsky, S.; Ingleson, M. J. Dalton Trans. 2012, 41, 2685.

[6] Riener. K, Haslinger. S, Raba. A, Hogerl. M.P, Cokoja. M, Herrmann. W.A, and Kuhn. F.E. Chem Rev, 2014, 114. 5215



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Wet Chemical Synthesis of Copper Nanowires for Transparent Conductive Electrodes

Q. Lonne*, R. D’Addario, L. Wang, A. Karcz, L. Rubio-Garcia, K. Ansab, Z. Huang, J. Endrino

Armenteros

Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]; Tel No. +44(0) 1234 752583

ABSTRACT

Transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) play an essential role in the efficiency of devices such as touchscreens, light emitting

diodes (LEDs) and photovoltaic solar cells [1]. Currently, indium tin oxide (ITO) is the most used material for TCEs but presents

drawbacks such as high price due to scarcity and expensive process to form the TCEs, and brittleness. Hence, copper nanowires-

based TCEs represent a very good alternative because copper is very abundant and cheap, and nanowires can be produced and

processed at a large scale for a lower price than ITO [2]. However, efforts have to be made to reach a good compromise between

transparency and conductivity.

In our work, high aspect ratio copper nanowires (Cu NWs) were obtained through wet chemical syntheses, using copper chloride

dehydrate as precursor and two different alkylamine as capping agents, oleylamine (OM) [3] and hexadecylamine (HDA) [4] . In

the first case, OM is the solvent, the reducing and the capping agent and necessitates the presence of catalytic nickel. In the second

case, the HDA is only the capping agent and requires the presence of water and glucose as solvent and reducing agent,

respectively. In both cases, the ratio between the different reactants has a very important impact on the morphology and purity of

the obtained NWs.

Inks containing various solvents, a dispersing agent (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and the Cu NWs were spread over polyethylene

terephthalate substrates with a Meyer rod to form thin films (i.e. the TCEs) [4-6]. The diameter of the coil wound around the Meyer

rod defines the thickness of the ink wet film. Moreover, the combination of the different solvents influences the spreading and

leveling of the wet film and hence the homogeneity of the final dry thin film. Finally, the dispersing agent has the crucial role to

ensure the good dispersion of the NWs through the TCE, which allow a low percolation threshold. Post treatments with acetic acid

were necessary in order to remove organic residues and oxide traces and to obtain an electrical conductivity through the Cu NWs

thin films.

The morphology of the nanowires and the thin films were investigated by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy

(SEM). The resistivity and the transmittance of the TCEs were measured using a 4-point probe apparatus and a spectrometer,

respectively.

Keywords: copper nanowires, transparent conductive electrodes, Meyer rod

REFERENCES [1] S. Ye , A. R. Rathmell , Z. Chen , I. E. Stewart and B. J. Wiley, Adv. Mater., 26, 6670–6687, 2014.

[2] D. V. R. Kumar, K. Woo and J. Moon, Nanoscale, 7, 17195-17210, 2015.

[3] H. Guo, N. Lin, Y. Chen, Z. Wang, Q. Xie, T. Zheng, N. Gao, S. Li, J. Kang, D. Cai and D.-L. Peng, Sci. Rep., 3,

2323, 2013.

[4] M. Kevin, G. Y. R. Limb and G. W. Ho, Green Chem., 17, 1120-1126, 2015.

[5] Y. Ahn, Y. Jeong, D. Lee and Y. Lee, ACS Nano, 9, 3125–3133, 2015.

[6] A. R. Rathmell and B. J. Wiley, Adv. Mater., 23, 4798-4803, 2011.



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In a Search of a Non-Linear Optical Material for Laser Light Harvesting: Nano-Carbon Aqueous

Suspensions Doped by a Polymer

A.Nikolaeva1*, A.Vlasov1 and I. Kislyakov2

1Institute of Chemistry, St.Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskiy pr., 198504, St.Petersburg, Russia; 2ITMO University, 49

Kronverksky pr., 197101, St.Petersburg, Russia *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The use of aqueous suspensions of nano-carbon particles stabilized by amphiphiles or polymers for nonlinear optical (NLO) filters

is promising for switching or limiting of laser radiation. NLO phenomena in such systems, in a substantial part, result from photo-

induced scattering: optical energy converts into heat on nano-particles providing inhomogenuities in the medium – whereupon light

scatters. The issues in the design of fluid water-based nano-sized carbon NLO materials are: 1) fluid phase state is not universally

relevant for practical use (however, in solid-like material incurable disruptions in the focus of high-intensity laser impinging will

show up); 2) fluid materials manifest low stability regarding a bleaching effect due to the depletion of the nano-carbon in the focal

volume around the laser light optical path in a pulse-periodic mode.

1) To figure out the first issue we employed a common stabilizer of nano-carbon (CBS or single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT))

suspensions, Pluronic F127, not solely as such, but also as a solvent modifier, at higher concentrations (above ca. 13 % wt.), when

it forms a rigid thermo-reversible hydrogel in water in a broad temperature interval (phase diagram was examined by DSC,

rheology and vibrational viscometry). In the gel state material exhibits good NLO characteristics, whilst upon disruption by high-

intensity laser light it can be rejuvenated by a thermo-reversible phase transition into a micellar solution with successive reverting

to a solid state gel. This provides a scenario for a design of a self-healing solid-like NLO material.

2) With regard to the second problem we doped suspensions of SWCNTs and CBS stabilized by sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate

(SDBS) by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This additive provides suppression of the bleaching effect in a pulse-periodic regime of laser

light at polymer concentrations ca. 0.2-0.4 % wt. (z-scan technique), which is below the overlap PVA concentration. We give a

phenomenological account of the phenomenon by investigation into size distribution of supramolecular particles (DLS) in

premicellar and micellar polymer-aqueous solutions of SDBS, the system making appearance as a prototype of an NLO material

with high bleaching resistivity.

This study was supported by a research grant of St.Petersburg State University #12.38.199.2014.

Keywords: nano-carbon composites, polymers, hydrogels, non-linear optical properties



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Fabrication of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Thin Films

F. Çolak*, A. T. Mohseni, Ü. Çolak, N. K. Yavuz

1Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected] ; Tel No. +90(0)5076455156

ABSTRACT The need for transparent conductive films is growing rapidly as electronic devices, such as touch screens, displays, and

photovoltaics become essential in our lives. Doped metal oxides, in particular industry standard indium tin oxide, are the most

widely used materials for transparent conductors. However, these materials have several drawbacks, including a high refractive

index and haze, spectrally nonuniform optical transmission, limited flexibility, and a depleted raw material supply and exploration

of alternative materials has become inevitable [1].

Because of their high intrinsic carrier mobility, conductivity, and mechanical stability carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising

materials for electronics, as transparent electrodes. There are two commonly used methods for depositing SWNTs on substrates-

transferring CVD-grown SWNTs or deposition of solution processed SWNTs. Since CVD grown SWNTs can be highly aligned,

they often outperform solution-processed SWNT films that are typically in the form of randomly construcred networks. On the

other hand, solution-based SWNTs can be printed at a large-scale and at low-cost, rendering them more appropriate for

manufacturing [2].

In this study, transparent and conductive SWNT electrodes were fabricated on glass substrates. Vacuum filtration and spray coating

techniques were utilized for the deposition of SWNTs. Effects of deposition method, dispersing media, CNT type and post-

deposition acid treatments were investigated. Fabricated SWCNT thin films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy

(SEM) and UV-vis spectrophotometer. Four point probe measurements were also performed for determination of the sheet

resistance values of SWCNT thin films and the final properties were compared.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes, transparent conductive thin films, coatings

REFERENCES [1] L. Ke, R. S. Kumar, S. J. Chua, A. P. Burden, "Degradation study in flexible substrate organic light-emitting diodes," Appl.

Phys. A, 81, 969–974, 2005.

[2] S. Park, M. Vosguerichian, Z. Bao, "A review of fabrication and applications of carbon nanotube film-based flexible

electronics", Nanoscale, 5(5), 1727-52, 2013.




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P-37: (Abstract ref: SL-02)



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Proniosomes: A Drug Delivery System for Letrozole

N. Khudair, H. Younes, *A. Elhissi

Pharmaceutical Sciences Section, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qata *Presenting author’s details: Email: [email protected] or [email protected]; Tel No. +974 4403 5632

ABSTRACT

Niosomes are vesicle delivery systems that can encapsulate therapeutic agents, and are prepared using safe materials such as non-

ionic surfactants and cholesterol that can self-assemble into closed bilayer structures in presence of aqueous medium [1].

Proniosomes are stable powdered noisome formulations made by coating non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol onto carbohydrate

carrier particles. The addition of aqueous phase and shaking can generate niosomes [2]. In this study, we have prepared niosomes

using the proniosome technology and compared the characteristics of the vesicles with niosomes prepared using the traditional

thin-film hydration method, using a range of concentrations of Letrozole (LTZ) as model drug. Tween 60, cholesterol and water-

soluble carriers such as sucrose were used as proniosome carriers. The morphology of the prepared proniosomes were

characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and, following hydration the morphology of the formed vesicles was

assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dynamic light scattering was used to analyze the size of niosomes by

employing the Malvern’s Zeta Sizer instrument, and zeta potential was measured using laser Doppler velocimetry. The

hydrodynamic size of the conventional niosomes and vesicles generated from proniosomes were 283.5 ±14.3 nm (PdI: 0.282

±0.01) and 397.8 ±37.9 nm (PdI: 0.392 ±0.05), respectively. Both formulations were comparable morphologically; and had nano-

sized spherical vesicles, agreeing with dynamic light scattering size analysis. The absence of crystals for niosomes observed under

light microscope and upon size measurements using dynamic light scattering indicate that most of the drug was incorporated into

the noisome bilayers. This study has shown that proniosomal formulations were successfully prepared and were comparable in

their properties to conventional niosomes prepared using thin-film hydration. The use of proniosomes as drug delivery systems for

entrapment of the hydrophobic agents is expected to improve the efficacy and minimize the toxic side effects. Further

investigations are currently being carried out in our lab to explore the potential of this drug using proniosome formulations.

Keywords: Formulation, Letrozole, Niosome, Proniosome, Surfactant

REFERENCES [1] H. Vila, Dispersions of lamellar phases of non ionic lipids in cosmetic products. Int J Cos Sci, 1, 303-314, 1979.

[2] C. Hu, D.G. Rhodes, Proniosomes: a novel drug carrier preparation. Int J Pharm, 185, 23-35, 1999.

[3] A. Elhissi, K. Hidayat, D.A. Phoenix, E. Mwesigwa, S. Crean, W. Ahmed, A. Faheem, K.M.G. Taylor, Air-jet and

vibrating-mesh nebulization of niosomes generated using a particulate-based proniosome technology. Int J Pharm, 444,

193-199, 2013.





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