Assembly of magnetic nanospheres into one-dimensional nanostructured carbon hybrid materials

Nanozymatic magnetic nanomixers for enzyme immobilization and multiplexed detection of metabolic disease biomarkers

Nanozymes with enzyme-mimicking catalytic activity and unique functions have stimulated increasing interest in the biosensing field. Herein, we report a magnetic nanozyme (MNE) with integrated superior peroxidase-like activity and efficient mixing ability. This nanozymatic magnetic nanomixer is synthesized by depositing a Fe2+-doped polydopamine coating on the surface of well-aligned magnetic nanoparticles to form a rigid chain-like nanostructure. Polydopamine coating of the nanozymatic MNE allows for efficient immobilization of natural enzymes such as glucose oxidase, cholesterol oxidase or urate oxidase to produce a series of enzymes-immobilized MNE (MNE@enzymes) with intrinsic multienzyme cascade properties. These MNE@enzymes show synchronously rotating capability in spinning magnetic fields, which leads to an 80∼100% improvement in their overall catalytic efficiencies. In the on-chip detection of small molecular metabolites (i.e., glucose, cholesterol, and uric acid), the rotating MNE@enzymes lead to detection sensitivities 2.1∼4.3 times higher than those of the static ones. Importantly, the consistent performance of the rotating MNE@enzymes offers the possibility of integrating the detection of glucose, free cholesterol and uric acid into a single multiplexing microchip assay with smartphone readout, affording an improved sensitivity, good selectivity and reliability. The designed enzymes-loaded MNEs holds great promise in developing rapid and ultrasensitive measurements of diverse targets of healthcare concerns using portable devices.

The role of Fe3O4@biochar as electron shuttle in enhancing the biodegradation of gaseous para-xylene by aerobic surfactant secreted strains

To study the role of electron shuttles in accelerating the biodegradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and provide theoretical support for purification of waste gas containing PX, two self-producing biosurfactant strains were used to improve solubility, and the magnetic Fe₃O₄@biochar composites were prepared as electron shuttles to accelerate extracellular electron transfer during the process of para-xylene (PX) biodegradation. The composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The biodegradation time of PX by Enterobacter sp. HN01 and Klebsiella sp. HN02 decreased from 192 h to 12 h and 120 to 12 h, and approximately 93.75% and 90.00% of the removal times were saved after the addition of the composites. Furthermore, the effects of Fe₃O₄@biochar on the bacterial biosurfactant secretion, self-enzyme activity, and bacterial growth inhibition by PX were explored. The electron transport capacity of Fe₃O₄@biochar was 4.583 mmol·e^-/g detected by mediated electrochemical reduction and mediated electrochemical oxidation, and possible electron transport pathways were revealed. The possible products of PX biodegradation by HN01 and HN02 were determined through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The molecular structure of PX was deduced through density functional theory calculation to validate the key product. Results indicated that Fe₃O₄@biochar can be used as an electronic shuttle to accelerate extracellular electron transfer and significantly improve VOCs removal rate.

Nano-Fe3O4@walnut shell/Cu(ii) as a highly effective environmentally friendly catalyst for the one-pot pseudo three-component synthesis of 1,3-oxazine derivatives under solvent-free conditions

Fe3O4@walnut shell/Cu(ii) as an eco-friendly bio-based magnetic nano-catalyst was prepared by adding CuCl2 to Fe3O4@walnut shell in alkaline medium. A series of 2-aryl/alkyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-naphtho[1,2-e][1,3]oxazines were synthesized by the one-pot pseudo three-component reaction of β-naphthol, formaldehyde and various amines using nano-Fe3O4@walnut shell/Cu(ii) at 60 °C under solvent-free conditions. The catalyst was removed from the reaction mixture by an external magnet and was reusable several times without any considerable loss of its activity. This protocol has several advantages such as excellent yields, short reaction times, clean and convenient procedure, easy work-up and use of an eco-friendly catalyst.

Magnetically recoverable magnetite-reduced graphene oxide as a demulsifier for surfactant stabilized crude oil-in-water emulsion

Oily wastewater, especially water-oil emulsion has become serious environmental issue and received global attention. Chemical demulsifiers are widely used to treat oil-water emulsion, but the toxicity, non-recyclable and non-environmental friendly characteristic of chemical demulsifiers had limited their practical application in oil-water separation. Therefore, it is imperative to develop an efficient, simple, eco-friendly and recyclable demulsifiers for breaking up the emulsions from the oily wastewater. In this study, a magnetic demulsifier, magnetite-reduced graphene oxide (M-rGO) nanocomposites were proposed as a recyclable demulsifier to break up the surfactant stabilized crude oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. M-rGO nanocomposites were prepared via in situ chemical synthesis by using only one type Fe salt and GO solid as precursor at room temperature. The prepared composites were fully characterized by various techniques. The effect of demulsifier dosage and pH of emulsion on demulsification efficiency (ED) has been studied in detailed. The demulsification mechanism was also proposed in this study. Results showed that M-rGO nanocomposites were able to demulsify crude O/W emulsion. The ED reaches 99.48% when 0.050 wt.% of M-rGO nanocomposites were added to crude O/W emulsion (pH = 4). Besides, M-rGO nanocomposites can be recycled up to 7 cycles without showing a significant change in terms of ED. Thus, M-rGO nanocomposite is a promising demulsifier for surfactant stabilized crude O/W emulsion.

Fe3O4@nano-cellulose/Cu(ii): a bio-based and magnetically recoverable nano-catalyst for the synthesis of 4H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazole derivatives

Fe₃O₄@nano-cellulose/Cu(ii) as a green bio-based magnetic catalyst was prepared through in situ co-precipitation of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in an aqueous suspension of nano-cellulose. The mentioned magnetically heterogeneous catalyst was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, VSM, FESEM, TEM, XRF, EDS and TGA. In this research, the synthesis of 4H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazole derivatives was developed via a three component reaction of aromatic aldehyde, 2-aminobenzothiazole and ethyl acetoacetate using Fe₃O₄@nano-cellulose/Cu(ii) under solvent-free condition at 80 °C. Some advantages of this protocol are good yields, environmentally benign, easy work-up and moderate reusability of the catalyst. The product structures were confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra.

Fe₃O₄@nano-cellulose/Cu(ii) as a green bio-based magnetic catalyst are prepared, characterized and applied for synthesis of 4H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazoles with good to excellent yields.

A Magnetic-Field Guided Interface Coassembly Approach to Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanochains for Osteoclast-Targeted Inhibition and Heterogeneous Nanocatalysis

1D core-shell magnetic materials with mesopores in shell are highly desired for biocatalysis, magnetic bioseparation, and bioenrichment and biosensing because of their unique microstructure and morphology. In this study, 1D magnetic mesoporous silica nanochains (Fe₃ O₄ @nSiO₂ @mSiO₂ nanochain, Magn-MSNCs named as FDUcs-17C) are facilely synthesized via a novel magnetic-field-guided interface coassembly approach in two steps. Fe₃ O₄ particles are coated with nonporous silica in a magnetic field to form 1D Fe₃ O₄ @nSiO₂ nanochains. A further interface coassembly of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and silica source in water/n-hexane biliquid system leads to 1D Magn-MSNCs with core-shell-shell structure, uniform diameter (≈310 nm), large and perpendicular mesopores (7.3 nm), high surface area (317 m² g^-1 ), and high magnetization (34.9 emu g^-1 ). Under a rotating magnetic field, the nanochains with loaded zoledronate (a medication for treating bone diseases) in the mesopores, show an interesting suppression effect of osteoclasts differentiation, due to their 1D nanostructure that provides a shearing force in dynamic magnetic field to induce sufficient and effective reactions in cells. Moreover, by loading Au nanoparticles in the mesopores, the 1D Fe₃ O₄ @nSiO₂ @mSiO₂ -Au nanochains can service as a catalytically active magnetic nanostirrer for hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol with high catalytic performance and good magnetic recyclability.

Synchronous, efficient and fast removal of phosphate and organic matter by carbon-coated lanthanum nanorods

Both phosphate and organic carbon can serve as nutrients for microorganism growth. Simultaneous removal of both nutrients would realize the antibacterial strategy of nutrient starvation better to ensure water quality safety. In addition, a short treatment time is the premise for the application of a material in water treatment. Herein, carbon-coated lanthanum nanorods with a uniform distribution of La and C (C–La-MOF) were rationally prepared through glucose and La-MOF hydrothermal treatment and further carbonization to synchronously and rapidly remove phosphate and organic matter. The carbon layer thickness was tuned by varying the hydrothermal time to find the optimal balance between excellent phosphate intake and low lanthanum leakage. C–La-MOF had a strong anti-interference ability and high phosphate capture capacity over a wide pH range of 2–12. Impressively, when phosphate and organic carbon coexisted in solution, their removal performances remained relatively unchanged compared with that when the two nutrients existed independently, and their adsorption equilibriums could be easily reached within 10 min. All of the above results prove that C–La-MOF is a promising material for practical drinking water treatment.

The carbon-coated lanthanum nanorods with uniform distribution of La and C can synchronously remove phosphate and organic matter, efficiently and rapidly.

Magnetic-propelled Fe3O4–chitosan carriers enhancel-asparaginase catalytic activity: a promising strategy for enzyme immobilization

Magnetic-propelled carriers comprising magnetic Fe₃O₄–chitosan nanoparticles were immobilized with l-asparaginase (l-ASNase). The enzyme displayed enhanced catalytic activity in a weak magnetic field, and thermal and pH stabilities. The conjugated l-ASNase presented higher thermostability and wider range of pH stability in comparison with those of free l-ASNase. Moreover, the reusability of conjugated l-ASNase significantly improved after immobilization and it retained 60.5% of its initial activity after undergoing 16 cycles. The conjugated l-ASNase maintained more than 50% and 48% initial activity after 4 weeks of storage at 4 °C and room temperature, respectively. Furthermore, we reveal that the activity of conjugated l-ASNase onto magnetic Fe₃O₄–chitosan particles increased by about 3-fold in the weak magnetic field at certain frequencies and flux density compared with that of free l-ASNase. Considering these excellent attributes, the magnetic-propelled mechanism in the transporting and activation of l-ASNase can be used by enhancing the catalytic activity, stability, and efficiency in vital implications for medicinal biotechnology.

A magnetic-propelled carrier comprising chitosan-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was prepared to enhance the catalytic activity of immobilized l-asparaginase in a weak magnetic field.

Fe3O4/SiO2/C nanocomposite as a high-performance Fenton-like catalyst in a neutral environment

Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/C nanocomposite could be used as high-performance Fenton-like catalyst in neutral environment with fast kinetics.

Chain-like Fe3O4@resorcinol-formaldehyde resins–Ag composite microstructures: facile construction and applications in antibacterial and catalytic fields

Chain-like Fe₃O₄@RF–Ag microstructures with excellent antibacterial and catalytic activities were constructed by a simple two-step route.

Fe3O4@nano-cellulose/TiCl: a bio-based and magnetically recoverable nano-catalyst for the synthesis of pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazole derivatives

We have demonstrated the preparation and characterization of Fe₃O₄@NCs/TiCl as highly efficient, magnetically recyclable, cheap and novel bio-based heterogeneous catalyst.

NH2-functionalized carbon-coated Fe3O4 core–shell nanoparticles for in situ preparation of robust polyimide composite films with high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and high breakdown strength

Thermostable amine-functionalized carbon-coated Fe₃O₄/polyimide composites with high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss were created at a low percolation threshold.

Fabrication of Pd Nanoparticles Embedded C@Fe3O4 Core-Shell Hybrid Nanospheres: An Efficient Catalyst for Cyanation in Aryl Halides

Isolated chemical reactors were fabricated by integrating catalytically active sites (Pd) with magnetic functionality (Fe3O4) along with carbon while preserving the constituents functional properties to realize the structure-property relationship of Pd by comparing the catalytic activity of spherical Pd NPs with cubical Pd NPs for cyanation in aryl halides using K4[Fe(CN)6] as a green cyanating agent to yield corresponding nitriles. The superior catalytic reactivity of the cubical Pd NPs is attributed to the larger number of {100} surface facets. The TEM images of reused catalyst shows the change in structure from cubical to spherical nanoparticles, attributed to the efficient leaching susceptibility of Pd {100} surface facets. The cubical Pd NPs on carbon@Fe3O4 is attractive in view of its high catalytic efficiency, easy synthesis, magnetic separability, environmental friendliness, high stability, gram scale applicability, and reusability.

The triathlon of magnetic actuation: rolling, propelling, swimming with a single magnetic material

Magnetic actuation of microscopic devices in a liquid environment has been achieved in various ways, which can be grouped into rolling, propelling and swimming. Previous actuators were designed with a focus on one particular type of magnetic actuation. We have shown earlier that efficient magnetic propellers can be selected from randomly shaped magnetic nanostructures synthesized in solution. Here we show that these synthesized nanostructures can be used for all three types of magnetic actuation. Whereas it might not be surprising that single structures can roll in addition to propelling, swimming is unexpectedly also observed using the same material. In this case, however, the magnetically guided self-assembly of several individual particles into chain-like structures is necessary to obtain swimmers, since individual rigid nanostructures cannot swim. Interestingly, the direction of the swimming motion is not necessarily parallel to the long axis of the chain-like assembly, a finding that had been theoretically expected but experimentally not observed so far. Our findings show that the range of structures that can be effectively actuated by external magnetic fields is much broader than assumed until now. This could open up new opportunities for the design of magnetically actuated devices.

Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles as a high-performance Fenton-like catalyst in a neutral environment

Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ could be used as high-performance Fenton-like catalyst for dye decoloration in neutral environment.

Fast magnetic-field-induced formation of one-dimensional structured chain-like materials via sintering of Fe3O4/poly(styrene-co-n-butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) hybrid microspheres

The facile and fast preparation of 1D hybrid microchains via magnetic-field-induced assembly assisted by sintering of Fe₃O₄/P(St-co-nBA-co-AA) hybrid microspheres is reported.

Fabrication of electromagnetic Fe3O4@polyaniline nanofibers with high aspect ratio

High aspect ratio Fe₃O₄@polyaniline nanofibers prepared show better magnetization saturation and conductivity value compared to Fe₃O₄@polyaniline microspheres.

Highly efficient antibacterial iron oxide@carbon nanochains from wüstite precursor nanoparticles

A new hydrothermal synthesis approach involving the carbonization of glucose in the presence of wüstite (FeO) nanoparticles is presented, which leads to the fabrication of rapidly acting and potent antibacterial agents based on iron oxide@carbon (IO@C) nanochains. By using nonmagnetic FeO precursor nanoparticles that slowly oxidize into the magnetic Fe3O4 crystal structure under hydrothermal conditions, we were able to prepare well-defined and short-length IO@C nanochains that are highly dispersed in aqueous media and readily interact with bacterial cells, leading to a complete loss in bacterial cell viability within short incubation times at minimal dosage. The smaller IO@C nanochains synthesized using the FeO precursor nanoparticles can reach above 2-fold enhancement in microbe-killing activity when compared to the larger nanochains fabricated directly from Fe3O4 nanoparticles. In addition, the synthesized IO@C nanochains can be easily isolated using an external magnet and be subsequently recycled to effectively eradicate Escherichia coli cells even after five separate treatment cycles.

Multifunctional 1D magnetic and fluorescent nanoparticle chains for enhanced MRI, fluorescent cell imaging, and combined photothermal/chemotherapy

While the assembled 1D magnetic nanoparticle (NP) chains have demonstrated synergistic magnetic effects from the individual NPs, it is essential to prepare new 1D NP chains that can combine the magnetism with other important material properties for multifunctional applications. This paper reports the fabrication and multifunctional investigation of a new type of 1D NP chains that combine the magnetic properties with fluorescent properties, photothermal conversion ability, and drug carrier function. The building block NPs are composed of magnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanocrystals clustered in the core and fluorescent carbon dots embedded in the mesoporous carbon shell with hydroxyl/carboxyl groups anchored on their surface. These NPs can assemble under the induction of external magnetic field and form stable 1D NP chains of diameter ∼ 90 nm and length ∼ 3 μm via the hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking linkage of the carbon shell. The resulted 1D hybrid NP chains not only demonstrate much higher magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrasting ability than the dispersed building block NPs, but also enter into intracellular region and light up the B16F10 cells under a laser excitation with strong and stable fluorescence. While the mesoporous carbon shell provides high drug loading capacity, the embedded fluorescent carbon dots convert near-infrared (NIR) light to heat, and hence kill the tumor cells efficiently and enhance the drug release rate to further improve the therapeutic efficacy under NIR irradiation. Such designed 1D magnetic-fluorescent hybrid NP chains with enhanced MRI contrast, fluorescent imaging ability, and combined chemo-/photothermal therapeutic ability have great potential for various biomedical applications.

Efficient removal of Eriochrome black-T from aqueous solution using NiFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles

The magnetic NiFe2O4 nanoparticles have been synthesized and used as adsorbents for removal of an azo dye, Eriochrome black-T (EBT) from aqueous solution. The NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The adsorption studies were carried out under various parameters, such as pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time and initial dye concentration. The experimental results show that the percentage of adsorption increases with an increase in the adsorbent dosage. The maximum adsorption occurred at the pH value of 6.0. The equilibrium uptake was increased with an increase in the initial dye concentration in solution. Adsorption kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The experimental isotherms data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations. The best fit was obtained by the Langmuir model with high correlation coefficients (R(2) = 0.9733) with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 47.0 m g/g.

Selecting for function: solution synthesis of magnetic nanopropellers

We show that we can select magnetically steerable nanopropellers from a set of carbon coated aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles using weak homogeneous rotating magnetic fields. The carbon coating can be functionalized, enabling a wide range of applications. Despite their arbitrary shape, all nanostructures propel parallel to the vector of rotation of the magnetic field. We use a simple theoretical model to find experimental conditions to select nanopropellers which are predominantly smaller than previously published ones.

One-step solvothermal synthesis of Fe3O4@C core-shell nanoparticles with tunable sizes

We report the synthesis of Fe3O4@C core-shell nanoparticles (FCNPs) by using a facile one-step solvothermal method. The FCNPs consisted of Fe3O4 particles as the cores and amorphous uniform carbon shells. The content of Fe3O4 is up to 81.6 wt%. These core-shell nanoparticles are aggregated by primary nanocrystals with a size of 10-12 nm. The FCNPs possess a hollow interior, high magnetization, excellent absorption properties and abundant surface hydroxyl groups. A possible growth mechanism of the FCNPs is proposed. The role of glucose in regulating the grain size and morphology of the particles is discussed. The absorption properties of the FCNPs towards Cr(VI) in aqueous solution is investigated. We demonstrate that the FCNPs can effectively remove more than 90 wt% of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution.

Novel magnetic Fe3O4@C nanoparticles as adsorbents for removal of organic dyes from aqueous solution

The magnetic Fe(3)O(4)/C core-shell nanoparticles have been synthesized by a simple strategy and used as adsorbents for removal of organic dyes from aqueous solution. The resulting products are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). Adsorption performances of the nanomaterial adsorbents are tested with removal of methylene blue (MB) and cresol red (CR) from aqueous solution. The effects of solution pH value, adsorption time and capacity of the nanocomposites have been fully investigated. The results reveal that the nanospheres can be easily manipulated by an external magnetic field with high separation efficiency. In addition, the process is clean and safe for purifying water pollution. The prepared Fe(3)O(4)/C complex nanomaterials could thus be used as promising adsorbents for the remove organic dyes, especially, cationic dye, from polluted water.