Nanozymes for Environmental Engineering

International audienceProtection of the environment is essential because pollution has become a global problem with many adverse effects on life and ecosystems. For that, remediation strategies and techniques have been designed, yet they are limited. Here, the recent development of nanotechnology opens a new vista for environmental remediation. In particular, nanomaterials displaying enzyme-like activities, named ‘nanozymes’, appear very promising for environmental monitoring, contaminant detection, microbial management, and degradation of organic pollutants. Nanomaterials including metallic, metal oxides and carbon-based nanoparticles with nanozymes activities have been synthesized. These nanozymes have similar activities as natural peroxidase, oxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes. Nanozymes have several advantages, yet they suffer from several limitations such as low catalytic efficiency, less substrate selectivity, biocompatibility, and lack of engineering of the active sites. This book reviews the latest developments and applications of nanozymes in environmental science

Nanoscience in Medicine Vol. 1

International audienceThis book conveys essential concepts of nanomedicine and how they can be employed to develop advanced nanomaterials for a range of bio-medical applications. Unique contributions from global leaders. Presents the important principles and applications of nanotechnology. This book takes a systematic approach to address the gaps relating to nanomedicine and bring together fragmented knowledge on the advances on nanomaterials and their biomedical applicability. In particular, it demonstrates an exclusive compilation of state of the art research with a focus on fundamental concepts, current trends, limitations, and future directions of nanomedicine

Functional carbon nanoparticles modified poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanocomposites with enhanced dielectric and antibacterial properties

The importance of nanocomposites with tailored properties is growing due to their applications in various fields. In the present study, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and functionalized carbon nanoparticles (f-CNPs) are synthesized by in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization and pyrolysis methods, respectively. The f-CNPs-PEDOT nanocomposites are prepared by varying the concentration of PEDOT (i.e., 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 wt%), and the thermal stability, dielectric properties and antibacterial activities of f-CNPs-PEDOT nanocomposites were evaluated. The dielectric studies indicated that the addition of PEDOT has enhanced the dielectric properties due to interfacial polarization effect, whereas decreased the thermal stability due to degradation of PEDOT in the nanocomposite, however, it is higher than the pure PEDOT. The antimicrobial potential of synthesized f-CNPs-PEDOT nanocomposites was studied against two different bacterial strains, namely Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli. The findings of this research have potential to open new opportunities for employing f-CNPs-PEDOT nanocomposites in physical sciences and antimicrobial applications

c-Phycocyanin primed silver nano conjugates: Studies on red blood cell stress resilience mechanism

In this study, we have synthesized cPC functionalized hybrid Ag nanoparticles (AgcPCNPs) by employing a green chemistry approach. This study also entails an in-depth understanding of different biochemical interaction between synthesized AgcPCNPs with whole blood and hemoglobin (Hbc). The cPC primed on the surface of the AgNPs reduced the hemolysis and lipid oxidation. A variation in the K+ concentrations and were observed. Additionally, molecular docking technique did not indicate significant changes in the protein structures. Finally, the AgcPCNPS enhanced the cellular migration of fibroblast. [Display omitted] •Synthesis and characterization of silver core CPC capped nanoparticles.•cPC conjugation reverses blood cell stress phenomenon by AgNPs.•AgcPC nanoparticles enhanced migration of fibroblasts. Green synthesis of metal-encased nutraceutical nano-hybrids has been a target for research over the last few years. In the present investigation, we have reported temperature dependent facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles using FDA approved c phycocyanin (cPC). The cPC conjugated silver nanoparticles (AgcPCNPs) were characterized by TEM, Zeta Potential, UV–vis, XPS, FTIR, and CD Spectroscopy. The temperature optimization studies suggested the synthesis of stable AgcPCNPs at 40 °C while at higher temperature system shows aggregated appearance. Molecular docking studies predicted the exclusive interaction of C, D, I, and J chains of cPC with the surface of AgNPs. Moreover, AgcPCNPs significantly (p < 0.1 %) counteract the toxic nature of AgNPs on red blood cell by measuring parameters like total RBC count, % hemolysis, % hematocrit, coagulation time, pH, electrolyte concentrations and degree of blood cell lipid peroxidation by the anti-oxidation mechanism. Skin fibroblast in vitro cell migration result suggeststhat AgcPCNPs enhanced the degree of cell movement towards the wound area. Data obtained collectively demonstrate that AgcPCNPs can be a better agent in the dermal wound healing with reduced toxicity with the bi-phasic advantage of cPC as a wound healer and Ag nano-metal as an anti-bacterial agent