Surface Restructuring of Nanoparticles: An Efficient Route for Ligand−Metal Oxide Crosstalk

β-Cyclodextrin–TiO2: Green Nest for reduction of nitroaromatic compounds

A highly efficient, eco-friendly and selective photocatalytic reduction of the nitro group into amines and one-pot N-acylation and N-formylation are reported through the ‘Green Nest’ system.

Optimized multimodal nanoplatforms for targeting α(v)β3 integrins

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) using contrast agents is a very powerful technique for diagnosis in clinical medicine and biomedical research. The synthesis of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles targeting αvβ3 integrins and acting as new MRI contrast agents seems to be a promising way for cancer diagnosis. Indeed, it is well established that αvβ3 integrin plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis acting like a receptor for the extracellular matrix proteins like vitronectin, fibronectin through the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence. Up-regulation of αvβ3 has been found to be associated with a wide range of cancers, making it a broad-spectrum tumor-marker. In this study, USPIO nanocrystals were synthesized and surface passivated with caffeic acid. The large number of the carboxylic acid functions at the outer surface of the nanoplatforms was used for the covalent coupling of Rhodamine123, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cyclic RGD. Soluble carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) were used to crosslink carboxylic acid with the amino group of the ligands. We examined the design of the nanoplatforms with each individual entity and then the combination of two and three of them. Several methods were used to characterize the nanoparticle surface functionalization and the magnetic properties of these contrast agents were studied using a 1.5 T clinical MRI scanner. The affinity towards integrins was evidenced by surface plasmon resonance and solid-phase receptor-binding assay.

Surface modification of anatase nanoparticles with fused ring salicylate-type ligands (3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acids): a combined DFT and experimental study of optical properties

The surface modification of nanocrystalline TiO2 particles (45 Å) with salicylate-type ligands consisting of an extended aromatic ring system, specifically 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid and 3,7-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, was found to alter the optical properties of nanoparticles in a similar way to salicylic acid. The formation of the inner-sphere charge-transfer (CT) complexes results in a red shift of the semiconductor absorption compared to unmodified nanocrystallites and a reduction in the band gap upon the increase in the electron delocalization when including an additional ring. The investigated ligands have the optimal geometry for binding to surface Ti atoms, resulting in ring coordination complexes of a salicylate-type (binuclear bidentate binding-bridging) thus restoring the six-coordinated octahedral geometry of surface Ti atoms. From both absorption measurements in methanol/water = 90/10 solutions and steady-state quenching measurements of modifier fluorescence upon binding to TiO2 in aqueous solutions, stability constants in the order of 10(3) M(-1) have been determined at pH 2 and pH 3. Fluorescence lifetime measurements, in the presence and absence of colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles, indicated that the fluorescence quenching process is primarily static quenching, thus proving the formation of a nonfluorescent CT complex. The binding structures were investigated by using FTIR spectroscopy. Quantum chemical calculations on model systems using density functional theory (DFT) were performed to obtain the vibrational frequencies of charge transfer complexes, and the calculated values were then compared with the experimental data.

Anatase nanoparticle surface reactivity in NaCl media: a CD-MUSIC model interpretation of combined experimental and density functional theory studies

The effect of particle size on the primary charging behavior of a suite of monodisperse nanometer diameter (4, 20, and 40 nm) anatase samples has been quantitatively examined with macroscopic experimental studies. The experimental results were evaluated using surface complexation modeling, which explicitly incorporated corresponding molecular-scale information from density functional theory (DFT) simulation studies. Potentiometric titrations were completed in NaCl media, at five ionic strengths (from 0.005 to 0.3 m), and over a wide pH range (3-11), at a temperature of 25 °C. From the experimental results, the pH of zero net proton charge (pHznpc) for the 4 and 20 nm diameter samples was 6.42, whereas the pHznpc was 6.22 for the 40 nm sample. The slopes of the net proton charge curves increased with an increase in particle size. Multisite surface complexation and charge distribution (CD) models, with a Basic Stern layer description of the electric double layer, were developed to describe all experimental data. Fits to the experimental data included an inner-sphere Na-bidentate species, an outer-sphere Na-monodentate species, and outer-sphere Cl-monodentate species. DFT simulations found the Na-bidentate species to be the most stable species on the (101) anatase surface (the predominant crystal face). The CD value for the Na-bidentate species was calculated using a bond valence interpretation of the DFT-optimized geometry. The Stern layer capacitance value varied systematically with particle size. The collective experimental and modeling studies show that subtle differences exist in the interface reactivity of nanometer diameter anatase samples. These results should help to further elucidate an understanding of the solid-aqueous solution interface reactivity of nanosized particles.

[Composites of peptide nucleic acids with titanium dioxide nanoparticles. I. Construction of nanocomposites containing DNA/PNA duplexes and their delivery into HeLa cells]

In order to investigate the possibility of using titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles to transport peptide nucleic acids (PNA) in eukaryotic cells, a PNA oligomer has been synthesized, and method of PNA immobilization in the form of hybrid DNA/PNA duplexes on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles covered with polylysine (PL) has been designed. Attaching of DNA/PNA duplex on TiO2 x PL nanoparticles occurred due to electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged DNA chain and the positively charged amino groups of PL. Binding of the PNA with the nanocomposite achieved through noncovalent Watson-Crick interactions between the PNA and complementary DNA. The capacity of obtained TiO2 x PL x DNA/PNA nanocomposites depending on immobilization conditions was 10-30 nmol PNA per 1 mg of TiO2 particles, which corresponds to -1-3 PNA molecules per one TiO2 particle with size of 4-6 nm. By method ofconfocal laser scanning microscopy on the example of the fluorescein labeled PNA oligomer (Flu)PNA it has been shown that the PNA molecules in composition of TiO2 x PL x DNA/(Flu)PNA nanocomposites effectively penetrate and accumulate in HeLa cells without the use oftransfection agents, electroporation, or other auxiliary procedures has been shown.

Enhanced triboelectric nanogenerators and triboelectric nanosensor using chemically modified TiO2 nanomaterials

Mechanical energy harvesting based on triboelectric effect has been proven to be a simple, cost-effective, and robust method for electricity generation. In this study, we developed a rationally designed triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) by utilizing the contact electrification between a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thin film and a layer of TiO2 nanomaterial (nanowire and nanosheet) array. The as-developed TENG was systematically studied and demonstrated as a self-powered nanosensor toward catechin detection. The high sensitivity (detection limit of 5 μM) and selectivity are achieved through a strong interaction between Ti atoms of TiO2 nanomaterial and enediol group of catechin. The output voltage and current density were increased by a factor of 5.0 and 2.9, respectively, when adsorbed with catechin of a saturated concentration, because of the charge transfer from catechin to TiO2. This study demonstrates the possibility of improving the electrical output of TENG through chemical modification.

Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles with versatile surface functions based on dopamine anchors

The synthesis of multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles (MF-MPs) is one of the most active research areas in advanced materials as their multifunctional surfaces allow conjugation of biological and chemical molecules, thus making it possible to achieve target-specific diagnostic in parallel to therapeutics. We report here a simple strategy to integrate in a one-step reaction several reactive sites onto the particles. The preparation of MF-MPs is based on their simultaneous modification with differently functionalized dopamine derivatives using simple solution chemistry. The formed MF-MPs show comparable magnetic properties to those of naked nanoparticles with almost unaltered particle size of around 25 nm. The different termini, amine, azide and maleimide functions, enable further functionalization of MF-MPs by the grafting-on approach. Michael addition, Cu(i) catalyzed « click » chemistry and amidation reactions are performed on the MF-MPs integrating subsequently 6-(ferrocenyl)-hexanethiol, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and mannose.

Surface properties of anatase TiO2 nanowire films grown from a fluoride-containing solution

Controlling the surface chemistry of nucleating seeds during wet-chemical synthesis allows for the preparation of morphologically well-defined nanostructures. Synthesis conditions play a key role in the surface properties, which directly affect the functional properties of the material. Therefore, it is important to establish post-synthesis treatments to facilitate the optimization of surface properties with respect to a specific application, without losing the morphological peculiarity of the nanostructure. We studied the surface properties of highly crystalline and porous anatase TiO2 nanowire (NW) electrodes, grown by chemical-bath deposition in fluoride-containing solutions, using a combined electrochemical and spectroscopic approach. As-deposited films showed low capacity for catechol adsorption and a poor photoelectrocatalytic activity for water oxidation. Mild thermal annealing at 200 °C resulted in a significant improvement of the electrode photoelectrocatalytic activity, whereas the bulk properties of the NWs (crystal structure, band-gap energy) remained unchanged. Enhancement of the functional properties of the material is discussed on the basis of adsorption capacity and electronic properties. The temperature-induced decrease of recombination centers, along with the concomitant increase of adsorption and reaction sites upon thermal annealing are called to be responsible for such improved performance.

Catechol-based biomimetic functional materials

Catechols are found in nature taking part in a remarkably broad scope of biochemical processes and functions. Though not exclusively, such versatility may be traced back to several properties uniquely found together in the o-dihydroxyaryl chemical function; namely, its ability to establish reversible equilibria at moderate redox potentials and pHs and to irreversibly cross-link through complex oxidation mechanisms; its excellent chelating properties, greatly exemplified by, but by no means exclusive, to the binding of Fe(3+); and the diverse modes of interaction of the vicinal hydroxyl groups with all kinds of surfaces of remarkably different chemical and physical nature. Thanks to this diversity, catechols can be found either as simple molecular systems, forming part of supramolacular structures, coordinated to different metal ions or as macromolecules mostly arising from polymerization mechanisms through covalent bonds. Such versatility has allowed catechols to participate in several natural processes and functions that range from the adhesive properties of marine organisms to the storage of some transition metal ions. As a result of such an astonishing range of functionalities, catechol-based systems have in recent years been subject to intense research, aimed at mimicking these natural systems in order to develop new functional materials and coatings. A comprehensive review of these studies is discussed in this paper.

Mapping the subcellular localization of Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles by X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy

The targeted delivery of Fe₃O₄@TiO2 nanoparticles to cancer cells is an important step in their development as nanomedicines. We have synthesized nanoparticles that can bind the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, a cell surface protein that is overexpressed in many epithelial type cancers. In order to study the subcellular distribution of these nanoparticles, we have utilized the sub-micron resolution of X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy to map the locationof Fe₃O4@TiO₂ NPs and other trace metal elements within HeLa cervical cancer cells. Here we demonstrate how the higher resolution of the newly installed Bionanoprobe at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory can greatly improve our ability to distinguish intracellular nanoparticles and their spatial relationship with subcellular compartments.

Speciation of L-DOPA on nanorutile as a function of pH and surface coverage using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)

The adsorption configuration of organic molecules on mineral surfaces is of great interest because it can provide fundamental information for both engineered and natural systems. Here we have conducted surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) measurements to probe the attachment configurations of DOPA on nanorutile particles under different pH and surface coverage conditions. The Raman signal enhancement arises when a charge transfer (CT) complex forms between the nanoparticles and adsorbed DOPA. This Raman signal is exclusively from the surface-bound complexes with great sensitivity to the binding and orientation of the DOPA attached to the TiO(2) surface. Our SERS spectra show peaks that progressively change with pH and surface coverage, indicating changing surface speciation. At low pH and surface coverage, DOPA adsorbs on the surface lying down, with probably three points of attachment, whereas at higher pH and surface coverage DOPA stands up on the surface as a species involving two attachment points via the two phenolic oxygens. Our results demonstrate experimentally the varying proportions of the two surface species as a function of environmental conditions consistent with published surface complexation modeling. This observation opens up the possibility to manipulate organic molecule attachment in engineered systems such as biodetection devices. Furthermore, it provides a perspective on the possible role of mineral surfaces in the chemical evolution of biomolecules on the early Earth. Adsorbed biomolecules on mineral surface in certain configurations may have had an advantage for subsequent condensation reactions, facilitating the formation of peptides.

Efficient phyto-synthesis and structural characterization of rutile TiO2 nanoparticles using Annona squamosa peel extract

In the present study, the biosynthesis of rutile TiO(2) nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs) was achieved by a novel, biodegradable and convenient procedure using fruit peel Annona squamosa aqueous extract. This is the first report on the new, simple, rapid, eco-friendly and cheaper methods for the synthesis of rutile TiO(2) NPs at lower temperature using agricultural waste. Rutile TiO(2) NPs were characterized by UV, XRD, SEM, TEM and EDS studies. The UV-Vis spectrophotometer results were promising and showed a rapid production of TiO(2) NPs with a surface plasmon resonance occurring at 284 nm. The formation of the TiO(2) NPs as observed from the XRD spectrum is confirmed to be TiO(2) particles in the rutile form as evidenced by the peaks at 2θ=27.42°, 36.10°, 41.30° and 54.33° when compared with the literature. The TEM images showed polydisperse nanoparticles with spherical shapes and size 23±2 nm ranges.

Hydrogen Production by Photoreforming of Renewable Substrates

This paper focuses on the application of photocatalysis to hydrogen production from organic substrates. This process, usually called photoreforming, makes use of semiconductors to promote redox reactions, namely, the oxidation of organic molecules and the reduction of H+ to H2. This may be an interesting and fully sustainable way to produce this interesting fuel, provided that materials efficiency becomes sufficient and solar light can be effectively harvested. After a first introduction to the key features of the photoreforming process, the attention will be directed to the needs for materials development correlated to the existing knowledge on reaction mechanisms. Examples are then given on the photoreforming of alcohols, the most studied topic, especially in the case of methanol and carbohydrates. Finally, some examples of more complex but more interesting substrates, such as waste solutions, are proposed.

Avidin functionalized maghemite nanoparticles and their application for recombinant human biotinyl-SERCA purification

We report on the surface characterization, functionalization, and application of stable water suspensions of novel surface active maghemite nanoparticles (SAMNs), characterized by a diameter of 11 ± 2 nm and possessing peculiar colloidal properties and surface interactions. These features permitted the acquisition of titration curves and aqueous UV-vis spectra and suggested a role played by surface under-coordinated iron atoms. This new class of nanoparticles was obtained through an easy, inexpensive, one-step, green procedure and functionalized with ligands of high biotechnological interest, such as biotin and avidin, by simple incubation in aqueous solution. Bound avidin was determined by measuring the disappearance of free avidin absorbance at 280 nm, as a function of increasing nanoparticle concentration, showing the presence of 10 ± 3 avidin molecules per nanoparticle. The biological activity of the SAMN@avidin complex was evaluated and the number of available biotin binding sites was determined, using biotinyl-fluorescein as a probe, showing that each bound avidin molecule is able to bind 2.8 ± 0.8 biotin molecules, confirming the maintenance of biological activity and excellent binding capacity of the SAMN@avidin complex. Furthermore a Langmuir isotherm model was used to describe the biomolecule specific monolayer adsorption onto the particle surface, and in the case of avidin, the maximum adsorption capacity was 100 ± 27 μg avidin/mg SAMN, whereas the binding constant is 45.18 μL μg(-1). The SAMN@avidin complex was characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, quartz crystal microbalance, FTIR spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Finally, SAMN@avidin was applied for the large scale purification of recombinant biotinylated human sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (hSERCA-2a), expressed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The protein was magnetically purified, and about 500 μg of a 70% pure hSERCA-2a were recovered from 4 L of yeast culture, with a purification yield of 64%.

A new mussel-inspired polydopamine sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells: controlled synthesis and charge transfer

The efficient electron injection by direct dye-to-TiO(2) charge transfer and strong adhesion of mussel-inspired synthetic polydopamine (PDA) dyes with TiO(2) electrode is demonstrated. Spontaneous self-polymerization of dopamine using dip-coating (DC) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) in basic buffer solution were applied to TiO(2) layers under a nitrogen atmosphere, which offers a facile and reliable synthetic pathway to make the PDA dyes, PDA-DC and PDA-CV, with conformal surface and perform an efficient dye-to-TiO(2) charge transfer. Both synthetic methods led to excellent photovoltaic results and the PDA-DC dye exhibited larger current density and efficiency values than those in the PDA-CV dye. Under simulated AM 1.5 G solar light (100 mW cm(-2)), a PDA-DC dye exhibited a short circuit current density of 5.50 mW cm(-2), corresponding to an overall power conversion efficiency of 1.2 %, which is almost 10 times that of the dopamine dye-sensitized solar cell. The PDA dyes showed strong adhesion with the nanocrystalline TiO(2) electrodes and the interface engineering of a dye-adsorbed TiO(2) surface through the control of the coating methods, reaction times and solution concentration maximized the overall conversion efficiency, resulting in a remarkably high efficiency.

Colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles as substrates for M(S)ALDI mass spectrometry of transition metal complexes

RATIONALE

Nanoparticles as substrates for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) have advantages over organic matrices, since they enable acquisition of spectra in the low-mass range. It has been previously shown that TiO(2) nanoparticles can be used as substrate for MALDI-TOF MS analysis of phospholipids and for other types of molecules, but none of them was applied to the analysis of transition metal complexes.

METHODS

The MALDI-TOF mass spectra of potential anti-tumor drugs [AuCl(2)(bipy)]Cl, [PtCl(4)(bipy)], and [RuCl(2)(bipy)(2) ]Cl acquired with organic matrices have been compared with spectra acquired with colloidal titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Colloidal TiO(2) nanoparticles (NPs) with average diameter of 5 nm were synthesized and characterized by microscopy. For some experiments, the TiO(2) NPs were treated at 60 °C. Suspensions of matrix and the analyte were premixed, applied to the MALDI target and left at room temperature. Mass spectra were acquired with a 50-Hz pulsed nitrogen laser emitting at a wavelength of 337 nm.

RESULTS

The MALDI spectra of transition metal complexes acquired with TiO(2) NPs exhibited somewhat lower sensitivity than those with organic matrices; on the other hand, they are characterized by significantly lower number of signals arising from the tested complexes than the organic matrices. Whereas adducts between organic matrices and the analytes were detectable in the spectra, this was not the case for the TiO(2)-assisted mass spectra.

CONCLUSIONS

We have shown that colloidal TiO(2) NPs can be used as substrates for MALDI-TOF MS of transition metal complexes. Although the sensitivity of this approach in comparison with the use of organic matrices might still be a problem, the potential of the applications of NPs for the mass spectrometric characterization of transition metal complexes is clearly demonstrated.

PEGylation of nanosubstrates (titania) with multifunctional reagents: at the crossroads between nanoparticles and nanocomposites

Titania (anatase) nanoparticles were successfully PEGylated through the use of catechol (dopamine)-terminated PEG derivatives. The resulting materials were characterized by excellent stability at neutral pH and extremely low toxicity (phagocytic and nonphagocytic cell lines). In particular, we focused on the comparison between mono- and bis-catechol PEGs. Due to the double terminal anchorage on the titania surface, bis-catechol ligands can produce chains differing from classical monoanchored PEG in conformation (horseshoe-shaped vs brush) and thus the possibility of interactions with biomolecules. At the same time, less than quantitative catechol binding may lead to the presence of dangling chains with unbound catechols which can polymerize and eventually produce PEG/titania nanocomposite colloids. Our results on double-functional PEG2000 show the latter to be the case. Pluronic F127 was also used as a bifunctional ligand, leading to nanocomposite aggregates with an even larger organic content.

Enhanced Raman spectroscopy of molecules adsorbed on carbon-doped TiO₂ obtained from titanium carbide: a visible-light-assisted renewable substrate

Titanium carbide (TiC) is an electrically conducting material with favorable electrochemical properties. In the present studies, carbon-doped TiO(2) (C-TiO(2)) has been synthesized from TiC particles, as well as TiC films coated on stainless steel substrate via thermal annealing under various conditions. Several C-TiO(2) substrates are synthesized by varying experimental conditions and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic techniques. C-TiO(2) in the dry state (in powder form as well as in film form) is subsequently used as a substrate for enhancing Raman signals corresponding to 4-mercaptobenzoic acid and 4-nitrothiophenol by utilizing chemical enhancement based on charge-transfer interactions. Carbon, a nonmetal dopant in TiO(2), improves the intensities of Raman signals, compared to undoped TiO(2). Significant dependence of Raman intensity on carbon doping is observed. Ameliorated performance obtained using C-TiO(2) is attributed to the presence of surface defects that originate due to carbon as a dopant, which, in turn, triggers charge transfer between TiO(2) and analyte. The C-TiO(2) substrates are subsequently regenerated for repetitive use by illuminating an analyte-adsorbed substrate with visible light for a period of 5 h.

Photophysical and electrochemical properties, and molecular structures of organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on organic dyes adsorbed on oxide semiconductor electrodes, such as TiO(2), ZnO, or NiO, which have emerged as a new generation of sustainable photovoltaic devices, have attracted much attention from chemists, physicists, and engineers because of enormous scientific interest in not only their construction and operational principles, but also in their high incident-solar-light-to-electricity conversion efficiency and low cost of production. To develop high-performance DSSCs, it is important to create efficient organic dye sensitizers, which should be optimized for the photophysical and electrochemical properties of the dyes themselves, with molecular structures that provide good light-harvesting features, good electron communication between the dye and semiconductor electrode and between the dye and electrolyte, and to control the molecular orientation and arrangement of the dyes on a semiconductor surface. The aim of this Review is not to make a list of a number of organic dye sensitizers developed so far, but to provide a new direction in the epoch-making molecular design of organic dyes for high photovoltaic performance and long-term stability of DSSCs, based on the accumulated knowledge of their photophysical and electrochemical properties, and molecular structures of the organic dye sensitizers developed so far.

MULTIFUNCTIONAL NANO-BIO MATERIALS WITHIN CELLULAR MACHINERY

Functional nanoscale materials that possess specific physical or chemical properties can leverage energy transduction in vivo. Once these materials integrate with biomolecules they combine physical properties of inorganic material and the biorecognition capabilities of bio-organic moieties. Such nano-bio hybrids can be interfaced with living cells, the elementary functional units of life. These nano-bio systems are capable of bio-manipulation or actuation via altering intracellular biochemical pathways. Thus, nano-bio conjugates are appealing for a wide range of applications from the life sciences and nanomedicine to catalysis and clean energy production. Here we highlight recent progress in our efforts to develop smart nano-bio hybrid materials, and to study their performance within cellular machinery under application of external stimuli, such as light or magnetic fields.

Surface modification of anatase nanoparticles with fused ring catecholate type ligands: a combined DFT and experimental study of optical properties

Surface modification of nanocrystalline TiO(2) particles (45 Å) with catecholate-type ligands consisting of an extended aromatic ring system, i.e., 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene and anthrarobin, was found to alter the optical properties of the nanoparticles in a similar way to modification with catechol. The formation of inner-sphere charge-transfer (CT) complexes results in a red shift of the semiconductor absorption compared to unmodified nanocrystallites and the reduction of the band gap upon the increase of the electron delocalization on the inclusion of additional rings. The binding structures were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. The investigated ligands have the optimal geometry for binding to surface Ti atoms, resulting in ring coordination complexes of catecholate type (binuclear bidentate binding-bridging) thus restoring the six-coordinated octahedral geometry of surface Ti atoms. From the Benesi-Hildebrand plot, stability constants in methanol/water = 90/10 solutions at pH 2 of the order 10(3) M(-1) have been determined. Quantum chemical calculations on model systems using density functional theory (DFT) were performed to obtain vibrational frequencies of charge transfer complexes, and the calculated values were compared with the experimental data.

Oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction by TiO2 nanofibers in HeLa cells

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are increasingly being used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The high aspect ratio of fibrous nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and TiO(2) nanofibers (TiO(2)NFs), similar to the one used in this study makes them an attractive structural material and has attracted a lot of attention due to their possible negative health effects as suggested by their morphological similarities with asbestos. In the present study, therefore, toxicity of TiO(2)NFs was evaluated in human cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells. The TEM and XRD analyses showed that TiO(2)NFs used in this study are pure with uniform diameter of around 200 nm, and their length to width aspect ratio ranged between 5 and 15. Exposure of HeLa cells to TiO(2)NFs induced significant cytotoxicity even at doses as low as 2 μg/ml. The intracellular uptake of TiO(2)NFs in cells was shown by Alizarin Red S (ARS) labeled nanofibers. The mechanism of toxicity is mainly due to the induction of cellular oxidative stress, as revealed by elevated ROS levels, reduced antioxidant levels, and increased lipid peroxidation leading to apoptosis. The cell cycle analysis indicated G(2)/M cell cycle arrest in the cells exposed to TiO(2)NF. TiO(2)NFs treatment to HeLa cells resulted in increased expression of proapoptotic proteins Bax with an increase in cytosolic Cytochrome-C and inhibition of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Our results revealed the potential mechanism of cellular effects of TiO(2)NFs.

Dye surface coating enables visible light activation of TiO2 nanoparticles leading to degradation of neighboring biological structures

Biologically and chemically modified nanoparticles are gaining much attention as a new tool in cancer detection and treatment. Herein, we demonstrate that an alizarin red S (ARS) dye coating on TiO2 nanoparticles enables visible light activation of the nanoparticles leading to degradation of neighboring biological structures through localized production of reactive oxygen species. Successful coating of nanoparticles with dye is demonstrated through sedimentation, spectrophotometry, and gel electrophoresis techniques. Using gel electrophoresis, we demonstrate that visible light activation of dye-TiO2 nanoparticles leads to degradation of plasmid DNA in vitro. Alterations in integrity and distribution of nuclear membrane associated proteins were detected via fluorescence confocal microscopy in HeLa cells exposed to perinuclear localized ARS-TiO2 nanoparticles that were photoactivated with visible light. This study expands upon previous studies that indicated dye coatings on TiO2 nanoparticles can serve to enhance imaging, by clearly showing that dye coatings on TiO2 nanoparticles can also enhance the photoreactivity of TiO2 nanoparticles by allowing visible light activation. The findings of our study suggest a therapeutic application of dye-coated TiO2 nanoparticles in cancer research; however, at the same time they may reveal limitations on the use of dye assisted visualization of TiO2 nanoparticles in live-cell imaging.