The surface modification of the silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles and their application in molecular diagnostics of virus infection.

The study presents a series of examples of magnetic nanoparticle systems designed for the diagnosis of viral diseases. In this interdisciplinary work, we describe one of the most comprehensive synthetic approaches for the preparation and functionalization of smart nanoparticle systems for rapid and effective RT-PCR diagnostics and isolation of viral RNA. Twelve different organic ligands and inorganic porous silica were used for surface functionalization of the Fe3O4 magnetic core to increase the number of active centres for efficient RNA binding from human swab samples. Different nanoparticle systems with common beads were characterized by HRTEM, SEM, FT-IR, XRD, XPS and magnetic measurements. We demonstrate the application of the fundamental models modified to fit the experimental zero-field cooling magnetization data. We discuss the influence of the nanoparticle shell parameters (morphology, thickness, ligands) on the overall magnetic performance of the systems. The prepared nanoparticles were tested for the isolation of viral RNA from tissue samples infected with hepatitis E virus-HEV and from biofluid samples of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. The efficiency of RNA isolation was quantified by RT-qPCR method.

Gadolinium-oxide nanoparticles for cryogenic magnetocaloric applications.

The series of advanced nanocomposites consisting of Gd2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) embedded into periodic porous SiO2 matrix have been investigated with respect to their structural and magnetocaloric properties. By means of small angle neutron scattering and transmission electron microscopy, regular nanopores organized in the cubic or hexagonal superlattice have been documented. The pores are occupied by the NPs of progressive concentration within the nanocomposite series. All of the examined systems have exhibited extraordinarily high values of magnetic entropy change (up to 70 J kg-1 K-1) at low temperatures with the absence of thermal hysteresis, indicating their perspective utilization in cryogenic refrigeration. Profound analysis of magnetic entropy change data via scaling laws has been applied to the nanocomposite materials for the very first time. With the aid of scaling analysis, conclusions on magnetic properties and phase transition type have been made, even for the conditions unavailable in the laboratory.

Application of small-angle neutron diffraction to the localization of general anesthetics in model membranes.

We set out to explore the applicability of small-angle neutron diffraction (SAND) to the localization of biomembrane components by studying the general anesthetic n-decane in a model lipid bilayer system composed of dioleoyl-phosphocholine (DOPC). Samples in the form of planar membrane multilayers were hydrated by varied mixtures of deuterated and protonated water, and examined by the means of SAND. Neutron scattering length density (NSLD) profiles of the system were then reconstructed from the experimental data. We exploited the significantly different neutron scattering properties of hydrogen and deuterium atoms via labeling in addition to water contrast variation. Enhancing the signals from particular components of bilayer system led to a set of characteristic membrane profiles and from their comparison we localized n-decane molecules unequivocally in the bilayer's hydrocarbon chain region.

Fe2O3 and Gd2O3 nanoparticles loaded in mesoporous silica: insights into influence of NPs concentration and silica dimensionality.

Fine Fe2O3 and Gd2O3 magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) with sizes 7 nm and 10 nm embedded into mesoporous silica have been prepared using a wet-impregnation method. A comparative study of the reactant concentration along with the hosting matrix symmetry on mesostructuring and the magnetic properties of the nanocomposites have been investigated. Reactants with four different concentrations of Fe3+ and Gd3+ ions and silica matrices with two different kinds of symmetry (hexagonal and cubic) have been utilized for the study. The structural characterization of the samples has been carried out by the N2 adsorption/desorption method, high-energy X-ray diffraction (HE-XRD), TG/DTA, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The magnetic properties of the nanocomposites have been examined by means of SQUID magnetometry. It has been found that a range of different magnetic states (diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, superparamagnetic) can be induced by the feasible tailoring of the particle concentration, the porous matrix symmetry and the composition. Furthermore, the existence of a "critical concentration limit" for embedding the particles within the body of the matrix has been confirmed. Exceeding the limit results in the expulsion of nanoparticles on the outer surface of the mesoporous matrix. Revelation of the relationships between particle concentration, matrix symmetry and magnetic properties of the particular composite reported in this study may facilitate the design and construction of advanced intelligent nanodevices.