Current Methods for Synthesis and Potential Applications of Cobalt Nanoparticles: A Review

Cobalt nanoparticles (CoNPs) are promising nanomaterials with exceptional catalytic magnetic, electronic, and chemical properties. The nano size and developed surface open a wide range of applications of cobalt nanoparticles in biomedicine along with those properties. The present review assessed the current environmentally friendly synthesis methods used to synthesize CoNPs with various properties, such as size, zeta potential, surface area, and magnetic properties. We systematized several methods and provided some examples to illustrate the synthetic process of CoNPs, along with the properties, the chemical formula of obtained CoNPs, and their method of analysis. In addition, we also looked at the potential application of CoNPs from water purification cytostatic agents against cancer to theranostic and diagnostic agents. Moreover, CoNPs also can be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging and photoacoustic methods. This review features a comprehensive understanding of the synthesis methods and applications of CoNPs, which will help guide future studies on CoNPs

Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)—A Universal Material for Biomedicine

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a very promising platform for applications in various industries. In recent years, a variety of methods have been developed for the preparation and modification of MOFs, providing a wide range of materials for different applications in life science. Despite the wide range of different MOFs in terms of properties/sizes/chemical nature, they have not found wide application in biomedical practices at present. In this review, we look at the main methods for the preparation of MOFs that can ensure biomedical applications. In addition, we also review the available options for tuning the key parameters, such as size, morphology, and porosity, which are crucial for the use of MOFs in biomedical systems. This review also analyses possible applications for MOFs of different natures. Their high porosity allows the use of MOFs as universal carriers for different therapeutic molecules in the human body. The wide range of chemical species involved in the synthesis of MOFs makes it possible to enhance targeting and prolongation, as well as to create delivery systems that are sensitive to various factors. In addition, we also highlight how injectable, oral, and even ocular delivery systems based on MOFs can be used. The possibility of using MOFs as therapeutic agents and sensitizers in photodynamic, photothermal, and sonodynamic therapy was also reviewed. MOFs have demonstrated high selectivity in various diagnostic systems, making them promising for future applications. The present review aims to systematize the main ways of modifying MOFs, as well as the biomedical applications of various systems based on MOFs

Biopolymeric Nanoparticles–Multifunctional Materials of the Future

Nanotechnology plays an important role in biological research, especially in the development of delivery systems with lower toxicity and greater efficiency. These include not only metallic nanoparticles, but also biopolymeric nanoparticles. Biopolymeric nanoparticles (BPNs) are mainly developed for their provision of several advantages, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and minimal toxicity, in addition to the general advantages of nanoparticles. Therefore, given that biopolymers are biodegradable, natural, and environmentally friendly, they have attracted great attention due to their multiple applications in biomedicine, such as drug delivery, antibacterial activity, etc. This review on biopolymeric nanoparticles highlights their various synthesis methods, such as the ionic gelation method, nanoprecipitation method, and microemulsion method. In addition, the review also covers the applications of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles in different areas—especially in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and agricultural domains. In conclusion, the present review highlights recent advances in the synthesis and applications of biopolymeric nanoparticles and presents both fundamental and applied aspects that can be used for further development in the field of biopolymeric nanoparticles

Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)—A Universal Material for Biomedicine

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a very promising platform for applications in various industries. In recent years, a variety of methods have been developed for the preparation and modification of MOFs, providing a wide range of materials for different applications in life science. Despite the wide range of different MOFs in terms of properties/sizes/chemical nature, they have not found wide application in biomedical practices at present. In this review, we look at the main methods for the preparation of MOFs that can ensure biomedical applications. In addition, we also review the available options for tuning the key parameters, such as size, morphology, and porosity, which are crucial for the use of MOFs in biomedical systems. This review also analyses possible applications for MOFs of different natures. Their high porosity allows the use of MOFs as universal carriers for different therapeutic molecules in the human body. The wide range of chemical species involved in the synthesis of MOFs makes it possible to enhance targeting and prolongation, as well as to create delivery systems that are sensitive to various factors. In addition, we also highlight how injectable, oral, and even ocular delivery systems based on MOFs can be used. The possibility of using MOFs as therapeutic agents and sensitizers in photodynamic, photothermal, and sonodynamic therapy was also reviewed. MOFs have demonstrated high selectivity in various diagnostic systems, making them promising for future applications. The present review aims to systematize the main ways of modifying MOFs, as well as the biomedical applications of various systems based on MOFs

Current Methods for Synthesis and Potential Applications of Cobalt Nanoparticles: A Review

Cobalt nanoparticles (CoNPs) are promising nanomaterials with exceptional catalytic magnetic, electronic, and chemical properties. The nano size and developed surface open a wide range of applications of cobalt nanoparticles in biomedicine along with those properties. The present review assessed the current environmentally friendly synthesis methods used to synthesize CoNPs with various properties, such as size, zeta potential, surface area, and magnetic properties. We systematized several methods and provided some examples to illustrate the synthetic process of CoNPs, along with the properties, the chemical formula of obtained CoNPs, and their method of analysis. In addition, we also looked at the potential application of CoNPs from water purification cytostatic agents against cancer to theranostic and diagnostic agents. Moreover, CoNPs also can be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging and photoacoustic methods. This review features a comprehensive understanding of the synthesis methods and applications of CoNPs, which will help guide future studies on CoNPs

Changes in the Electrophysical Parameters of Nanomodified Elastomers Caused by Electric Current’s Passage

The development of reliable and effective functional materials that can be used in various technological fields and environmental conditions is one of the goals of modern nanotechnology. Heating elements’ manufacturing requires understanding the laws of heat transfer under conditions of different supply voltages, as this expands the possibilities of such materials’ application. Elastomers based on silicon-organic compounds and polyurethane modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were studied at various concentrations of Ni/MgO or Co-Mo/MgO and voltages (220, 250, and 300 V). It was found that an increase in voltage from 220 to 300 V leads to an initial increase in specific power on one-third followed by a subsequent decrease in a specific power when switched on again to 220 V (for −40 °C) of up to ~44%. In turn, for a polyurethane matrix, an increase in voltage to 300 V leads to an initial peak power value of ~15% and a decrease in power when switched on again by 220 V (for −40 °C) to ~36% (Ni/MgO -MWCNT). The conducted studies have shown that the use of a polyurethane matrix reduces power degradation (associated with voltage surges above 220 V) by 2.59% for Ni/MgO–based MWCNT and by 10.42% for Co-Mo/MgO. This is due to the better heat resistance of polyurethane and the structural features of the polymer and the MWCNT. The current studies allow us to take the next step in the development of functional materials for electric heating and demonstrate the safety of using heaters at a higher voltage of up to 300 V, which does not lead to their ignition, but only causes changes in electrophysical parameters

Properties of Organosilicon Elastomers Modified with Multilayer Carbon Nanotubes and Metallic (Cu or Ni) Microparticles

The structural and electro-thermophysical characteristics of organosilicon elastomers modified with multilayer carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) synthesized on Co-Mo/Al2O3-MgO and metallic (Cu or Ni) microparticles have been studied. The structures were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The main focus of this study was the influence of metallic dispersed fillers on the resistance of a modified elastomer with Cu and Ni to the degradation of electrophysical parameters under the action of applied electrical voltage. The distribution of the temperature field on the surface of a modified polymer composite with metallic micro-dimensional structures has been recorded. The collected data demonstrate the possibility of controlling the degradation caused by electrical voltage. It has been found that repeated on/off turns of the elastomer with an MWCNTs on 50 and 100 cycles leads to a deterioration in the properties of the conductive elastomer from the available power of 1.1 kW/m2 (−40 °C) and, as a consequence, a decrease in the power to 0.3 kW/m2 (−40 °C) after 100 on/off cycles. At the same time, the Ni additive allows increasing the power by 1.4 kW/m2 (−40 °C) and reducing the intensity of the degradation of the conductive structures (after 100 on/off cycles up to 1.2 kW/m2 (−40 °C). When Ni is replaced by Cu, the power of the modified composite in the heating mode increases to 1.6 kW/m2 (−40 °C) and, at the same time, the degradation of the conductive structures in the composite decreases in the mode of cyclic offensives (50 and 100 cycles) (1.5 kW/m2 (−40 °C)). It was found that the best result in terms of heat removal is typical for an elastomer sample with an MWCNTs and Cu (temperature reaches 93.9 °C), which indicates an intensification of the heat removal from the most overheated places of the composite structure. At the same time, the maximum temperature for the Ni additives reaches 86.7 °C. A sample without the addition of a micro-sized metal is characterized by the local unevenness of the temperature field distribution, which causes undesirable internal overheating and destruction of the current-conducting structures based on the MWCNTs. The maximum temperature at the same time reaches a value of 49.8 °C. The conducted studies of the distribution of the micro-sizes of Ni and Cu show that Cu, due to its larger particles, improves internal heat exchange and intensifies heat release to the surface of the heater sample, which improves the temperature regime of the MWCNTs and, accordingly, increases resistance to electrophysical degradation

Small, Long Blood Half-Life Iodine Nanoparticle for Vascular and Tumor Imaging

Abstract Standard clinical X-ray contrast agents are small iodine-containing molecules that are rapidly cleared by the kidneys and provide robust imaging for only a few seconds, thereby limiting more extensive vascular and tissue biodistribution imaging as well as optimal tumor uptake. They are also not generally useful for preclinical microCT imaging where longer scan times are required for high resolution image acquisition. We here describe a new iodine nanoparticle contrast agent that has a unique combination of properties: 20 nm hydrodynamic diameter, covalent PEG coating, 40 hour blood half-life, 50% liver clearance after six months, accumulation in tumors, and well-tolerated to at least 4 g iodine/kg body weight after intravenous administration in mice. These characteristics are unique among the other iodine nanoparticles that have been previously reported and provide extended-time high contrast vascular imaging and tumor loading. As such, it is useful for preclinical MicroCT animal studies. Potential human applications might include X-ray radiation dose enhancement for cancer therapy and vascular imaging for life-threatening situations where high levels of contrast are needed for extended periods of time

Recent Advantages on Waste Management in Hydrogen Industry

The turn to hydrogen as an energy source is a fundamentally important task facing the global energetics, aviation and automotive industries. This step would reduce the negative man-made impact on the environment on the one hand, and provide previously inaccessible power modes and increased resources for technical systems, predetermining the development of an absolutely new life cycle for important areas of technology, on the other. The most important aspect in this case is the development of next-generation technologies for hydrogen industry waste management that will definitely reduce the negative impact of technology on the environment. We consider the approaches and methods related to new technologies in the area of hydrogen storage (HS), which requires the use of specialized equipment equipped with efficient and controlled temperature control systems, as well as the involvement of innovative materials that allow HS in solid form. Technologies for controlling hydrogen production and storage systems are of great importance, and can be implemented using neural networks, making it possible to significantly improve all technological stages according to the criteria of energy efficiency reliability, safety, and eco-friendliness. The recent advantages in these directions are also reviewed