Peptide-metal nanohybrids (PMN): Promising entities for combating neurological maladies.

Nanotherapeutics are gaining traction in the modern scenario because of their unique and distinct properties which separate them from macro materials. Among the nanoparticles, metal NPs (MNPs) have gained importance due to their distinct physicochemical and biological characteristics. Peptides also exhibit several important functions in humans. Different peptides have received approval as pharmaceuticals, and clinical trials have been commenced for several peptides. Peptides are also used as targeting ligands. Considering all the advantages offered by these two entities, the conjugation of MNPs with peptides has emerged as a potential strategy for achieving successful targeting, diagnosis, and therapy of various neurological pathologies.

Observation of morphology resembling Hydrangea macrophylla flower in SILAR-deposited MFe2O4 (M=Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+) nanocrystallites: synergetic effect on electrochemical performance.

The successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) experimental process has been used to develop a high-efficiency electrode of MFe2O4 (M = Ni, Co and Mn) on substrates at ambient temperature. Structural, morphological and electrochemical properties have been investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an electrochemical test station, respectively. A morphology resembling the Hydrangea macrophylla flower has been observed and tuned with varying Fe concentration. The formation of MFe2O4 demonstrates the efficient electrochemical behavior and the specific capacitance has been evaluated as ∼1380, ∼972 and ∼815 Fg-1 for CoFe2O4 (CF), NiFe2O4 (NF) and MnFe2O4 (MF), respectively, at a current density of 1 Ag-1. Also, the developed electrodes maintain excellent cyclic retention of ∼92%, ∼89% and ∼86% for CF, NF, and MF, respectively, up to 5000 cycles. Further, asymmetric solid-state supercapacitor (ASC) devices have been fabricated using the best compositions of MFe2O4 as a positive electrode and carbon black (CB) as a negative electrode, and successfully illuminate a 1.8 V commercial LED.

Ice-templated synthesis of multifunctional three dimensional graphene/noble metal nanocomposites and their mechanical, electrical, catalytic, and electromagnetic shielding properties.

In-situ homogeneous dispersion of noble metals in three-dimensional graphene sheets is a key tactic for producing macroscopic architecture, which is desirable for practical applications, such as electromagnetic interference shielding and catalyst. We report a one-step greener approach for developing porous architecture of 3D-graphene/noble metal (Pt and Ag) nanocomposite monoliths. The resulting graphene/noble metal nanocomposites exhibit a combination of ultralow density, excellent elasticity, and good electrical conductivity. Moreover, in order to illuminate the advantages of the 3D-graphene/noble metal nanocomposites, their electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and electrocatalytic performance are further investigated. The as-synthesized 3D-graphene/noble metal nanocomposites exhibit excellent EMI shielding effectiveness when compared to bare graphene; the effectiveness has an average of 28 dB in the 8.2-12.4 GHz X-band range. In the electro-oxidation of methanol, the 3D-graphene/Pt nanocomposite also exhibits significantly enhanced electrocatalytic performance and stability than compared to reduced graphene oxide/Pt and commercial Pt/C.