Carbon nanomaterials sensitize prostate cancer cells to docetaxel and mitomycin C via induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation

• Kati Erdmann,
• Jessica Ringel,
• Silke Hampel,
• Manfred P. Wirth and
• Susanne Fuessel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1307–1317, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.132

• various therapeutic drugs and to be internalized by cells. Furthermore, the functionalization with targeting ligands against cancer cell-specific molecules such as antibodies, peptides or aptamers represents another advantage of carbon nanomaterials [9][10][11][12]. We and others have previously shown

• for functionalization and combination with other therapy approaches. CNFs or CNTs as drug delivery systems would also permit a more precise and minimal invasive application to the tumor site such as PCa foci. Ultimately, the local co-administration of chemotherapeutics with carbon nanomaterials could

Characterization of ferrite nanoparticles for preparation of biocomposites

• Urszula Klekotka,
• Magdalena Rogowska,
• Dariusz Satuła and
• Beata Kalska-Szostko

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1257–1265, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.127

• ; magnetic nanoparticles; surface immobilization; trypsin; X-ray diffraction; Introduction Nanoparticles are important ingredients in the fabrication of biocomposites, and therefore, the surface functionalization of nanoparticles attracts great interest among scientists [1][2]. Tests that aim at the

• functionalization of nanoparticles with organic compounds are becoming the most popular due to the wide potential applications of such hierarchical structures. On demand surface characteristics allow further immobilization of proper biological structures [3], and as a result, biocomposites are obtained. Metallic

• .). Functionalization can ensure connection of the nanoparticle surface self-assembled layers with free active bonds [8]. The integration of nanostructures with biomolecules leads to the fabrication of a novel hybrid system that couples recognition or catalytic properties of biomaterials with attractive electronic

Nano-engineered skin mesenchymal stem cells: potential vehicles for tumour-targeted quantum-dot delivery

• Liga Saulite,
• Dominyka Dapkute,
• Karlis Pleiko,
• Ineta Popena,
• Simona Steponkiene,
• Ricardas Rotomskis and
• Una Riekstina

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1218–1230, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.123

• QD uptake in skin MSCs. The composition of the protein corona could either enhance or decrease the cellular uptake of polystyrene-based NPs, depending on nanoparticle functionalization [47]. We have showed that NP uptake in skin MSCs is an active process and does not occur passively. For the

Hierarchically structured nanoporous carbon tubes for high pressure carbon dioxide adsorption

• Julia Patzsch,
• Deepu J. Babu and
• Jörg J. Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1135–1144, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.115

• functionalization was carried out on a radio frequency (13.56 MHz) parallel plate plasma setup (Femto, Diener electronic GmbH, Germany) with a maximum power rating of 300 W. After the chamber was evacuated to low-pressure residual air (0.3 mbar), the PS fibre samples (1) were treated with an oxygen plasma generated

Fully scalable one-pot method for the production of phosphonic graphene derivatives

• Kamila Żelechowska,
• Marta Prześniak-Welenc,
• Marcin Łapiński,
• Izabela Kondratowicz and
• Tadeusz Miruszewski

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1094–1103, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.111

• studied extensively. Many comprehensive reviews concerning GO chemistry can be found in the literature [1][2][3]. Several models of the structure of GO were proposed and different chemical pathways for its functionalization were established. According to the widely accepted Lerf–Klinowski model, epoxy and

• . Some other known approaches for GO functionalization via carboxylic groups are based on isocyanate or diisocyanate compounds. Many functionalization protocols of GO were described, but only few papers reported the introduction of phosphorous-containing groups into GO planes. Recently, Kim and Jeon

• convenient route for the functionalization of graphene with phosphonate groups. This one-pot approach requires inexpensive, readily available reagents (only PCl3 and water), which coupled with its simplicity makes it attractive for syntheses. Here, GO was functionalized with a simultaneous reduction to

The integration of graphene into microelectronic devices

• Guenther Ruhl,
• Sebastian Wittmann,
• Matthias Koenig and
• Daniel Neumaier

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1056–1064, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.107

• 25,000–140,000 cm2·V−1·s−1 for h-BN [44]. Besides the formation of chemical bonds, mainly two mechanisms describe the graphene–substrate interactions, charge-transfer doping and the introduction of strain on the nanoscale. Also, the surface functionalization, e.g., of SiO2 with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS

Needs and challenges for assessing the environmental impacts of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs)

• Michelle Romero-Franco,
• Hilary A. Godwin,
• Muhammad Bilal and
• Yoram Cohen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 989–1014, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.101

• opinions were elicited, via a web-based tool (“CEAWeb”) [43] to prioritize the range of needed studies on MWCNT release across the product life cycle and human exposure or health impacts, which included, for example, defining/quantifying exposure scenarios, effects of MWCNT functionalization, developing

Triptycene-terminated thiolate and selenolate monolayers on Au(111)

• Jinxuan Liu,
• Martin Kind,
• Björn Schüpbach,
• Daniel Käfer,
• Stefanie Winkler,
• Wenhua Zhang,
• Andreas Terfort and
• Christof Wöll

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 892–905, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.91

• . Keywords: organic thin films; selenolates; self-assembled monolayers; thiolates; triptycene; Introduction For more than three decades now, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have enjoyed ever-increasing popularity in the modification and functionalization of surfaces. Numerous applications of SAMs have been

Selective detection of Mg²⁺ ions via enhanced fluorescence emission using Au–DNA nanocomposites

• Tanushree Basu,
• Khyati Rana,
• Niranjan Das and
• Bonamali Pal

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 762–771, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.79

• . Here, MPA helps both in the stabilization as well as thiol functionalization. MPA can easily stabilize the AuNPs due to the strong affinity of sulphur groups for gold. Also, the thiolated-DNA can directly bind to the surface of AuNPs by thiol–Au interactions [39][40]. Before use, DTT (0.1 M DTT, 10 mM

Silicon microgrooves for contact guidance of human aortic endothelial cells

• Sara Fernández-Castillejo,
• Pilar Formentín,
• Úrsula Catalán,
• Josep Pallarès,
• Lluís F. Marsal and
• Rosa Solà

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 675–681, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.72

• environmental scanning electron microscope (Hillsboro, OR, USA) operating at accelerating voltages between 15 and 25 keV. Surface functionalization Surface functionalization was carried out in a similar manner as described before [38]. The grooved silicon substrates were oxidized at 600 °C for 15 min. Then, the

Dispersion of single-wall carbon nanotubes with supramolecular Congo red – properties of the complexes and mechanism of the interaction

• Anna Jagusiak,
• Barbara Piekarska,
• Tomasz Pańczyk,
• Małgorzata Jemioła-Rzemińska,
• Elżbieta Bielańska,
• Barbara Stopa,
• Grzegorz Zemanek,
• Janina Rybarska,
• Irena Roterman and
• Leszek Konieczny

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 636–648, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.68

• engineering [10][11][12]. Pristine CNTs exist in form of bundles composed of hundreds of single tubes bound by van der Waals interactions. Most applications of carbon nanotubes require their dispersion (solubilization) which can be achieved by either covalent or noncovalent functionalization [8][13][14

• ]. Covalent functionalization modifies CNT walls through introduction of different atoms or groups (e.g., fluoride, carboxyl, hydroxyl) to the carbon lattice. Noncovalent functionalization leaves the nanotube walls intact, but allows for separation of the bundles due to their interaction with different

• amphiphilic molecules that cover the hydrophobic CNT surface with hydrophilic groups [15]. Functionalization leads not only to the increased water dispersibility of CNTs but also improves their biocompatibility due to enhanced penetration through biological membranes and reduced cytotoxicity [16][17

Gas sensing properties of MWCNT layers electrochemically decorated with Au and Pd nanoparticles

• Elena Dilonardo,
• Michele Penza,
• Marco Alvisi,
• Riccardo Rossi,
• Gennaro Cassano,
• Cinzia Di Franco,
• Francesco Palmisano,
• Luisa Torsi and
• Nicola Cioffi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 592–603, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.64

• operating temperature range of 45–200 °C. The gas sensing results were related to the presence, type and loading of metal NPs used in the MWCNT functionalization. Compared to pristine MWCNTs, metal-decorated MWCNTs revealed a higher gas sensitivity, a faster response, a better stability, reversibility and

• approach, not requiring any post-treatment for the removal of dispersants or any CNT functionalization, has been developed to reduce the production costs and, at the same time, to obtain CNTs with improved sensing performance thanks to the use of continuous in situ UV irradiation to accelerate the gas

• decoration, probably due to the generation of defects during the metal functionalization [40][41]. However, although the total oxygen content in the MWCNT films increased upon metal inclusion, the oxygen/gold elemental ratio decreased, while the oxygen/palladium ratio remained constant. The chemical

Nanostructured carbon materials decorated with organophosphorus moieties: synthesis and application

• Giacomo Biagiotti,
• Vittoria Langè,
• Cristina Ligi,
• Stefano Caporali,
• Maurizio Muniz-Miranda,
• Anna Flis,
• K. Michał Pietrusiewicz,
• Giacomo Ghini,
• Alberto Brandi and
• Stefano Cicchi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 485–493, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.52

• , and their nanometric dimensions that prompted their application in chemistry of materials [4]. Furthermore, their functionalization with an increasing number of molecular moieties [5][6] has extended their use in new fields ranging from biology [7] to catalysis. Despite such variability, the classes

• of reactions most used for their functionalization are the same and limited in number. The Tour reaction [8] is one of the most used synthetic approach for the functionalization of CNTs and GPs. In this reaction, an aniline derivative is transformed into a diazonium ion that, upon decomposition and

• reduction, affords a radical species, responsible for the functionalization of the graphitic surface [9]. A useful alternative to this approach is the reaction of azido derivative with CNMs: the high temperature required for the process decomposes the azido group to a reactive nitrene species that react

Advances in the fabrication of graphene transistors on flexible substrates

• Gabriele Fisichella,
• Stella Lo Verso,
• Silvestra Di Marco,
• Vincenzo Vinciguerra,
• Emanuela Schilirò,
• Salvatore Di Franco,
• Raffaella Lo Nigro,
• Fabrizio Roccaforte,
• Amaia Zurutuza,
• Alba Centeno,
• Sebastiano Ravesi and
• Filippo Giannazzo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 467–474, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.50

• chemical residues on graphene [22]. The field effect modulation of the channel conductivity obtained so far using the thin Al2O3 back-gate dielectric make the fabricated Gr-FETs interesting as a platform for chemical sensing applications. In this sense, a key step will be proper functionalization of

Methods for preparing polymer-decorated single exchange-biased magnetic nanoparticles for application in flexible polymer-based films

• Laurence Ourry,
• Delphine Toulemon,
• Souad Ammar and
• Fayna Mammeri

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 408–417, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.43

• . Dipolar interactions between NPs too close to each other favour a collective magnetic glass state with lower magnetization and coercivity because of inhomogeneous and frustrated macrospin cluster freezing. Consequently, tailoring chemically (through surface functionalization) and magnetically stable NPs

• resulting nanohybrids can be considered as valuable building blocks for flexible, magnetic polymer-based devices. Keywords: assembly; ATRP; magnetic nanoparticle; exchange-bias; films; functionalization; polymerization; poly(methyl methacrylate); polystyrene; seed-mediated growth; surface; Introduction

• and aggregation as far as possible in the first stage of polymer grafting, mechanical stirring and dilute suspensions of reactants were used, even if the functionalization of large amounts of particles becomes difficult. We specifically graft poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS

Comparison of four methods for the biofunctionalization of gold nanorods by the introduction of sulfhydryl groups to antibodies

• Xuefeng Wang,
• Zhong Mei,
• Yanyan Wang and
• Liang Tang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 372–380, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.39

• functionalize GNRs and simplify the functionalization procedures. The formed GNR-bioconjugates showed superior stability without compromising the biological activity. The GNR nanochip prepared with these four thiolated antibodies can detect human IgG targets with specificity. However, SH-PEG-NH2 combined with

• , GNR applications should be functionalized to link biomolecules. The common GNR functionalization strategies are surface coverage and ligand replacement. The conventional surface modification of GNRs is coating anionic polyelectrolytes through electrostatic absorption, such as poly(acrylic acid) and

• functionalization strategy is through the reaction of amino groups of thiol-poly(ethylene glycol)amine (SH-PEG-NH2) with carboxyl groups in the anti-IgG by using EDC. The thiol moiety of SH-PEG-NH2 can be directly conjugated to GNRs through the Au–S bond. In the current work, we compared the four abovementioned

Tailoring bifunctional hybrid organic–inorganic nanoadsorbents by the choice of functional layer composition probed by adsorption of Cu²⁺ ions

• Veronika V. Tomina,
• Inna V. Melnyk,
• Yuriy L. Zub,
• Aivaras Kareiva,
• Miroslava Vaclavikova,
• Gulaim A. Seisenbaeva and
• Vadim G. Kessler

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 334–347, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.36

• functionalization of amino modified silica. The introduction of perfluoroalkyl co-functions even at low fraction leads to the formation of “island” structures. Increase in the content of the perfluoroalkyl co-ligands leads to huddling and inactivation of amino functions. As a consequence the amino functions become

Selective photodissociation of tailored molecular tags as a tool for quantum optics

• Ugur Sezer,
• Philipp Geyer,
• Moritz Kriegleder,
• Maxime Debiossac,
• Armin Shayeghi,
• Markus Arndt,
• Lukas Felix and
• Marcel Mayor

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 325–333, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.35

• order to increase the molecular weight while keeping the molecular polarizability low. Former experiments have shown that the perfluoroalkyl-functionalization of complex molecules can reduce the intermolecular adhesion, facilitate the volatilization and thus also facilitate the formation of a molecular

Functionalized TiO₂ nanoparticles by single-step hydrothermal synthesis: the role of the silane coupling agents

• Antoine R. M. Dalod,
• Lars Henriksen,
• Tor Grande and
• Mari-Ann Einarsrud

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 304–312, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.33

• -functionalization process [9][10][13]. Post-functionalization of TiO2 nanoparticles with silane coupling agents was obtained via reflux in aqueous solution [14][15]. Chen et al. investigated interactions of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) and phenyltrimethoxysilane with commercially available TiO2

• surface functionalization of commercial TiO2 nanoparticles in ethanol using n-(6-aminohexyl)aminopropyltrimethoxysilane [18]. Nanoparticle synthesis with in situ surface functionalization has the advantage to reduce the number of reaction steps and is thus of greater interest for potential industrial

• average size of 40 nm and they determined a maximum surface coverage of about 2.6 OTES molecules per square nanometer. Niederberger et al. developed a room-temperature non-aqueous in situ functionalization process of TiO2 nanoparticles with 4-tert-butylcatechol and dopamine [20]. A brittle brown solid and

Comparison of four functionalization methods of gold nanoparticles for enhancing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

• Paula Ciaurriz,
• Fátima Fernández,
• Edurne Tellechea,
• Jose F. Moran and
• Aaron C. Asensio

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 244–253, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.27

• offered a significant number of proposed solutions, mainly based on the functionalization of nanoparticles from gold to carbon which could be used as antibody carriers as well as reporter enzymes like peroxidase. However, few works have focused on the study of best practices for nanoparticle

• functionalization for ELISA enhancement. In this work, we use 20 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a vehicle for secondary antibodies and peroxidase (HRP). The design of experiments technique (DOE) and four different methods for biomolecule loading were compared using a rabbit IgG/goat anti-rabbit IgG ELISA model

• approach, our data showed a sensitivity increase of at least five times and a lower detection limit with respect to a standard ELISA of at least three times. Additionally, the assay time was remarkably decreased. Keywords: allergen; ELISA enhancement; functionalization; gliadin; gold nanoparticle

Colorimetric gas detection by the varying thickness of a thin film of ultrasmall PTSA-coated TiO₂ nanoparticles on a Si substrate

• Urmas Joost,
• Andris Šutka,
• Meeri Visnapuu,
• Aile Tamm,
• Meeri Lembinen,
• Mikk Antsov,
• Kathriin Utt,
• Krisjanis Smits,
• Ergo Nõmmiste and
• Vambola Kisand

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 229–236, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.25

• from 1.87 to 1.81, i.e., also 3% measured at 633 nm. A decrease of the refractive index during swelling is understandable, taking into account the refractive index of ethanol (1.36 at 633 nm). The selectivity to different gases can be achieved by surface functionalization of the nanoparticles, which

Sensitive detection of hydrocarbon gases using electrochemically Pd-modified ZnO chemiresistors

• Elena Dilonardo,
• Michele Penza,
• Marco Alvisi,
• Gennaro Cassano,
• Cinzia Di Franco,
• Francesco Palmisano,
• Luisa Torsi and
• Nicola Cioffi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 82–90, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.9

• consumption, and poor stability over the time [38]. These limits can be overcome by functionalization of ZnO nanostructures with noble metal nanoparticles. Specifically, Pt and Pd are widely applied for monitoring explosive and toxic gases. The catalytic metals do not change the free energy of the reactions

• components of the O 1s spectrum, O–Zn and O–C, remains unchanged after the surface functionalization. Therefore, the atomic ratio O–Zn/Zn (the percentage of oxygen bound to metal divided by the total metal percentage) remained stoichiometric, i.e. equal to 1, also after the metal decoration, as reported in

• rod-like shape with an average diameter of about 30 nm and length of about 500 nm. In the case of modified ZnO, single Pd NPs of about 15 nm in diameter are evident on the NR surface, as reported also in the TEM inset of Figure 3B, confirming the successful electrochemical functionalization of ZnO NRs

Streptavidin-coated gold nanoparticles: critical role of oligonucleotides on stability and fractal aggregation

• Roberta D'Agata,
• Pasquale Palladino and
• Giuseppe Spoto

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1–11, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.1

• Andrea Doria 6, I-95125, Catania, Italy 10.3762/bjnano.8.1 Abstract Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit unique properties that can be modulated through a tailored surface functionalization, enabling their targeted use in biochemical sensing and medical diagnostics. In particular, streptavidin-modified

• colloids have been the focus of research for many decades because of their intriguing electronic and optical properties, depending on the size and shape of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) [1], which support several biomedical and pharmaceutical applications [2]. The functionalization of AuNPs with biologically

• local aggregation of AuNPs that could be exploited to increase the sensitivity of AuNP-enhanced nucleic acid detection assays. Results and Discussion Functionalization of nanoparticles The adsorption of proteins on nanoparticles has been widely investigated over the last decade [26]. In particular, it

A novel electrochemical nanobiosensor for the ultrasensitive and specific detection of femtomolar-level gastric cancer biomarker miRNA-106a

• Maryam Daneshpour,
• Kobra Omidfar and
• Hossein Ghanbarian

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 2023–2036, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.193

• strategies such as using the thiol group, particle functionalization, and streptavidin–biotin interaction. Streptavidin has an extraordinary high affinity for biotin and the streptavidin–biotin bond is one of the strongest non-covalent interactions known in nature (with a dissociation constant in the order

• interactions in the product formulation especially during covering the magnetic core with TMC polymer. Preparation of gold–magnetic nanoprobes The biotin-labeled probe P1 was attached onto the gold–magnetic NPs via a three step process: (1) functionalization of gold–magnetic NPs; (2) coating the functionalized

Organoclay hybrid materials as precursors of porous ZnO/silica-clay heterostructures for photocatalytic applications

• Marwa Akkari,
• Pilar Aranda,
• Abdessalem Ben Haj Amara and
• Eduardo Ruiz-Hitzky

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 1971–1982, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.188

• silicates assembled to diverse inorganic NP [10][14]. Moreover, those containing silica-clay entities appear as very attractive materials in view of their elevated specific surface area and the possibility of further functionalization. The more common silica sources used to prepare them are