Size-controlled synthesis of Au nanoparticles and nanowires and their application as SERS substrates

Re-designing nano-silver technology exploiting one-pot hydroxyethyl cellulose-driven green synthesis

Re-designing existing nano-silver technologies to optimize efficacy and sustainability has a tangible impact on preventing infections and limiting the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. Advancements in manufacturing processes could lead to more cost-effective and scalable production methods, making nano-silver-based antimicrobial products more accessible in various applications, such as medical devices, textiles, and water purification systems. In this paper, we present a new, versatile, and eco-friendly one-pot process for preparing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at room temperature by using a quaternary ammonium salt of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), a green ingredient, acting as a capping and reducing agent. The resulting nano-hybrid phase, AgHEC, consists of AgNPs embedded into a hydrogel matrix with a tunable viscosity depending on the conversion grade, from ions to nanoparticles, and on the pH. To investigate the synthesis kinetics, we monitored the reaction progress within the first 24 h by analyzing the obtained NPs in terms of particle size (dynamic light scattering (DLS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM)), Z-potential (ELS), surface plasmon resonance (UV-VIS), crystallographic phase (XRD), viscosity, and reaction yield (inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES)). To explore the design space associated with AgHEC synthesis, we prepared a set of sample variants by changing two independent key parameters that affect nucleation and growth steps, thereby impacting the physicochemical properties and the investigated antimicrobial activity. One of the identified design alternatives pointed out an improved antimicrobial activity in the suspension, which was confirmed after application as a coating on nonwoven cellulose fabrics. This enhancement was attributed to a lower particle size distribution and a positive synergistic effect with the HEC matrix.

Water-phase synthesis of Au and Au-Ag nanowires and their SERS activity

Metal nanowires (NWs) with a diameter of a few nanometers have attracted considerable attention as a promising one-dimensional nanomaterial due to their inherent flexibility and conductive properties and their weak plasmon absorption in the visible region. In a previous paper, we reported the synthesis of ultrathin 1.8 nm-diameter Au NWs using toluene-solubilized aqueous solutions of a long-chain amidoamine derivative (C18AA). This study investigates the effect of different organic solvents solubilized in C18AA aqueous solutions on the morphology of the Au products and demonstrates that solubilizing methylcyclohexane yields thick 2.7 nm-diameter Au NWs and 3.3 nm-diameter Au-Ag alloy NWs. Further, the surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensitivity of ultrathin Au NWs, thick Au NWs, and thick Au-Ag alloy NWs were assessed using 4-mercaptopyridine and found that their enhancement factors are 10⁴-10⁵ and the order is Au-Ag NWs > thick Au NWs > ultrathin Au NWs.

Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewaters: A Challenge from Current Treatment Methods to Nanotechnology Applications

Removing heavy metals from wastewaters is a challenging process that requires constant attention and monitoring, as heavy metals are major wastewater pollutants that are not biodegradable and thus accumulate in the ecosystem. In addition, the persistent nature, toxicity and accumulation of heavy metal ions in the human body have become the driving force for searching new and more efficient water treatment technologies to reduce the concentration of heavy metal in waters. Because the conventional techniques will not be able to keep up with the growing demand for lower heavy metals levels in drinking water and wastewaters, it is becoming increasingly challenging to implement technologically advanced alternative water treatments. Nanotechnology offers a number of advantages compared to other methods. Nanomaterials are more efficient in terms of cost and volume, and many process mechanisms are better and faster at nanoscale. Although nanomaterials have already proved themselves in water technology, there are specific challenges related to their stability, toxicity and recovery, which led to innovations to counteract them. Taking into account the multidisciplinary research of water treatment for the removal of heavy metals, the present review provides an updated report on the main technologies and materials used for the removal of heavy metals with an emphasis on nanoscale materials and processes involved in the heavy metals removal and detection.

Au@Cu Nanoarrays with Uniform Long-Range Ordered Structure: Synthesis and SERS Applications

The nanostructures with uniform long-range ordered structure are of crucial importance for performance standardization of high-quality surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra. In this paper, we described the fabrication and SERS properties of Au decorated Cu (Au@Cu) nanoarrays. The Cu nanoarrays with uniform long-range ordered structure were first synthesized by in-situ electrochemistry assembly on insulated substrate. The Cu nanoarrays can reach a size of centimeters with strictly periodic nano-microstructure, which is beneficial for the production and performance standardization of SERS substrates. Then Au nanoparticals were decorated on the Cu nanoarrays by galvanic reaction without any capping agent. The obtained Au@Cu nanoarrays exhibit excellent SERS activity for 4-Mercaptopyridine, and the sensitivity limit is as low as 10⁻⁸ M. Therefore, this facile route provides a useful platform for the fabrication of SERS substrates based on nano ordered arrays.

Bimetallic Nanoparticles as Efficient Catalysts: Facile and Green Microwave Synthesis

This work deals with the development of a green and versatile synthesis of stable mono- and bi-metallic colloids by means of microwave heating and exploiting ecofriendly reagents: water as the solvent, glucose as a mild and non-toxic reducer and polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP) as the chelating agent. Particle size-control, total reaction yield and long-term stability of colloids were achieved with this method of preparation. All of the materials were tested as effective catalysts in the reduction of p-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH₄ as the probe reaction. A synergistic positive effect of the bimetallic phase was assessed for Au/Cu and Pd/Au alloy nanoparticles, the latter showing the highest catalytic performance. Moreover, monoand bi-metallic colloids were used to prepare TiO₂- and CeO₂-supported catalysts for the liquid phase oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfufural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The use of Au/Cu and Au/Pd bimetallic catalysts led to an increase in FDCA selectivity. Finally, preformed Pd/Cu nanoparticles were incorporated into the structure of MCM-41-silica. The resulting Pd/Cu MCM-41 catalysts were tested in the hydrodechlorination of CF₃OCFClCF₂Cl to CF₃OCF=CF₂. The effect of Cu on the hydrogenating properties of Pd was demonstrated.

Qualitative analysis of some alkanethiols on Au nanoparticles during SERS

The surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy enhancement factors (SERS EFs) for different AuNP–surfactant systems are measured and the observed trend is theoretically and qualitatively investigated.

Bipolar electrochemical method for dynamic in situ control of single metal nanowire growth

Fabrication plays a key role in determining the unique electrical, optical, and catalytic properties of metal nanowires. Here we present a bipolar electrochemical method for dynamically monitoring and controlling the rate of single metal nanowire growth in situ without a direct electrical connection. Solutions of a metal precursor and a reducing agent are placed on either side of a silica nanochannel, and a pair of electrodes is used to apply a tunable electric potential across the channel. Metal nanowire growth is initiated by chemical reduction when the two solutions meet and continues until the nanochannel is blocked by the formation of a short metal wire segment. Further growth is driven by a bipolar electrochemical mechanism which enables the reduction of metal precursor ions at one end of the nanowire and the oxidation of the reducing agent at the other. The growth rate is monitored in real time by simultaneously recording both the faradaic current and optical microscope video and can be adjusted accordingly by changing the applied electric potential. The resulting nanowire is solid, electrically insulated, and can be used as a bipolar nanoelectrode. This technique can be extended to other electrochemical systems, as well, and provides a confined reaction space for studying the dynamics of any process that can be optically or electrically monitored.

Cu(ii)–alkyl amine complex mediated hydrothermal synthesis of Cu nanowires: exploring the dual role of alkyl amines

The complex formation of Cu²⁺ ions with alkyl amines is a prerequisite for Cu nanowire synthesis. Slow reduction of this complex allows for the generation of twinned seeds, which are later grown into nanowires.

Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Studies of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Prepared by Laser Ablation

Gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared in water, acetonitrile and isopropanol by laser ablation methodologies. The average characteristic (longer) size of the NPs obtained ranged from 3 to 70 nm. 4-Aminobenzebethiol (4-ABT) was chosen as the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probe molecule to determine the optimum irradiation time and the pH of aqueous synthesis of the laser ablation-based synthesis of metallic NPs. The synthesized NPs were used to evaluate their capacity as substrates for developing more analytical applications based on SERS measurements. A highly energetic material, TNT, was used as the target compound in the SERS experiments. The Raman spectra were measured with a Raman microspectrometer. The results demonstrate that gold and silver NP substrates fabricated by the methods developed show promising results for SERS-based studies and could lead to the development of micro sensors.

Theoretical analysis of the optical excitation spectra of silver and gold nanowires

The excitation spectra of linear atomic chains of silver and gold with various sizes have been calculated using time-dependent density functional theory. Silver chains show longitudinal and transverse peaks as well as a low-intensity d-band. The longitudinal peak, corresponding to the HOMO-LUMO transition (along the main axis of the chain), shifts linearly to the red as the length of the system increases, consistent with the particle-in-a-box model. The transverse peak remains at approximately constant energy for all systems studied and corresponds to ∑(m)→Π(m) transitions in the xy plane perpendicular to the chain. As the chain grows, transitions arising from d orbitals contribute to the transverse peak, which affects its oscillator strength. Contrary to silver, gold chains display a strong d-band that converges to a distinct pattern at a chain length of about twelve atoms. The transitions involved in the d-band originate from localized d-orbitals with a d(z(2)) character since they have the right symmetry to give transitions into the LUMO, LUMO + 1, …, which have ∑ symmetry. Transitions arising from these localized d-orbitals also affect the position of the longitudinal peak and generate a wide transverse band. Although the majority of the transitions involved in the transverse band have a d∑→Π or dΠ→∑ character, they are hidden by much stronger excitations of dΠ→Π character in gold nanowires.