Ionic liquid mediated green synthesis of Ag-Au/Y2O3 nanoparticles using leaves extracts of Justicia adhatoda: Structural characterization and its biological applications

Internalization of Pegylated Er:Y2O3 Nanoparticles inside HCT-116 Cancer Cells: Implications for Imaging and Drug Delivery

Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles, featuring sharp emission peaks with narrow bandwidth, exhibit high downconversion luminescence intensity, making them highly valuable in the fields of bioimaging and drug delivery. High-crystallinity Y2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) doped with Er3+ ions were functionalized by using a pegylation procedure to confer water solubility and biocompatibility. The NPs were thoroughly characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and photoluminescence measurements. The pegylated nanoparticles were studied both from a toxicological perspective and to demonstrate their internalization within HCT-116 cancer cells. Cell viability tests allowed for the identification of the "optimal" concentration, which yields a detectable fluorescence signal without being toxic to the cells. The internalization process was investigated using a combined approach involving confocal microscopy and ICP-MS. The obtained data clearly indicate the efficient internalization of NPs into the cells with emission intensity showing a strong correlation with the concentrations of nanoparticles delivered to the cells. Overall, this research contributes significantly to the fields of nanotechnology and biomedical research, with noteworthy implications for imaging and drug delivery applications.

Cu2O Nanoparticles Deposited on Y2O3 and CuO: Synthesis and Antimicrobial Properties

This paper reports the preparation of copper(I) oxide nanoparticles deposited on yttrium oxide and copper(II) oxide in the presence of acerola and white willow extracts. Through the use of natural compounds, it was possible to modify the surface of the Y2O3 and CuO carriers allowing Cu2O to be deposited to a greater extent, thus improving the antibacterial properties of the materials. Cu2O nanoparticles, by being deposited on a carrier, enable an increase in the contact surface of the nanoparticles with microorganisms, which react to form reactive oxygen species. Cu2O nanoparticles with sizes of about 38 nm and 76 nm were obtained for Y2O3- and CuO-deposited nanoparticles, respectively. The Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli shown a greater sensitivity to the degree of inhibition compared to Staphylococcus Aureus already at a concentration of 250 mg/L. For almost all materials, the inhibition level remained above 50% after 48 h. Analysis of the effect of the antimicrobial properties of the materials against Candida albicans fungus shown high activity which was obtained only at the highest concentrations of 8000 mg/L, for which the degree of growth inhibition was 100% also after 48 h for both Y2O3–Cu2O and CuO–Cu2O.

Green approaches in synthesising nanomaterials for environmental nanobioremediation: Technological advancements, applications, benefits and challenges

Green synthesis approaches of nanomaterials (NMs) have received considerable attention in recent years as it addresses the sustainability issues posed by conventional synthesis methods. However, recent works of literature do not present the complete picture of biogenic NMs. This paper addresses the previous gaps by providing insights into the stability and toxicity of NMs, critically reviewing the various biological agents and solvents required for synthesis, sheds light on the factors that affect biosynthesis, and outlines the applications of NMs across various sectors. Despite the advantages of green synthesis, current methods face challenges with safe and appropriate solvent selection, process parameters that affect the synthesis process, nanomaterial cytotoxicity, bulk production and NM morphology control, tedious maintenance, and knowledge deficiencies. Consequently, the green synthesis of NMs is largely trapped in the laboratory phase. Nevertheless, the environmental friendliness, biocompatibility, and sensitivities of the resulting NMs have wider applications in biomedical science, environmental remediation, and consumer industries. To the scale-up application of biogenic NMs, future research should be focused on understanding the mechanisms of the synthesis processes, identifying more biological and chemical agents that can be used in synthesis, and developing the practicality of green synthesis at the industrial scale, and optimizing the factors affecting the synthesis process.