Effect of the Concentration and the Type of Dispersant on the Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Potential Antimicrobial Applications.

The bactericidal properties of copper oxide nanoparticles have growing interest due to potential application in the medical area. The present research investigates the influence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) on the production of copper oxide nanoparticles prepared from copper sulfate (CuSO4) and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) solutions. Different analytical techniques were used to determine the crystal nature, mean size diameter, and surface morphology of the copper oxide nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed formation of nanoparticles of cuprite (Cu2O) and tenorite (CuO) when PVP and SDS were added at the beginning of the reaction. In fact, when the Cu/PVP ratio was 1.62, Cu2O nanoparticles were obtained. In addition, nanoparticles of CuO were synthesized when the Cu/PVP ratios were 0.54 and 0.81. On the other hand, a mixture of copper oxides (CuO and Cu2O) and cuprite (Cu2O) was obtained when PVP (Cu/PVP = 0.81 and 1.62) and SDS (Cu/SDS = 0.90) were added 30 min after the beginning of the reaction. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show agglomerated nanoparticles with a size distribution ranging from 2 to 60 nm, while individual particles have sizes between 4.1 ± 1.9 and 41.6 ± 12.8 nm. The Kirby-Bauer method for the determination of antibacterial activity shows that small CuO (4.1 ± 1.9 nm) and Cu2O (8.5 ± 5.3 nm) nanoparticles inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus MRSA, S. aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The antibacterial test of cotton fabric impregnated with nanoparticles shows positive results. The determination of the optimal ratio of copper oxide nanoparticles per cm2 of fabric that are able to exhibit a good antibacterial activity is ongoing.

Maximisation of the ratio of microhardness to the Young's modulus of Ti-12Mo-13Nb alloy through microstructure changes.

Alloys for orthopaedic and dentistry applications require high mechanical strength and a low Young's modulus to avoid stress shielding. Metastable ß titanium alloys appear to fulfil these requirements. This study investigated the correlation of phases precipitated in a Ti-12Mo-13Nb alloy with changes in hardness and the Young's modulus. The alloy was produced by arc melting under an argon atmosphere, after which, it was heat treated and cold forged. Two different routes of heat treatment were employed. Phase transformations were studied by employing X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Property characterisation was based on Vickers microhardness tests and Young's modulus measurements. The highest ratio of microhardness to the Young's modulus was obtained using thermomechanical treatment, which consists of heating at 1000°C for 24h, water quenching, cold forging to reduce 80% of the area, and ageing at 500°C for 24h, where the final microstructure consisted of an α phase dispersed in a ß matrix. The α phase appeared in two different forms: as fine lamellas (with 240±100 nm length) and massive particles of 200-500 nm size.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Synthesis of nanosized particles with antibacterial properties is of great interest in the development of new pharmaceutical products. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are known to have inhibitory and bactericidal effects. In this article we present the synthesis of Ag NPs prepared by chemical reduction from aqueous solutions of silver nitrate, containing a mixture of hydrazine hydrate and sodium citrate as reductants and sodium dodecyl sulfate as a stabilizer. The results of the characterization of the Ag NPs show agglomerates of grains with a narrow size distribution (from 40 to 60 nm), whereas the radii of the individual particles are between 10 and 20 nm. Finally, the antibacterial activity was measured by the Kirby-Bauer method. The results showed reasonable bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The standard dilution micromethod, determining the minimum inhibitory concentration leading to inhibition of bacterial growth, is still under way. Preliminary results have been obtained. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: In this paper the synthesis of Ag NPs via chemical reduction from aqueous solutions is discussed. Reasonable bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus was demonstrated.

Sono and electrochemical synthesis and characterization of copper core-silver shell nanoparticles.

Cu-Ag core-shell nanopowders have been prepared by ultrasound-assisted electrochemistry followed by a displacement reaction. The composition of the particles has been determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The XRD patterns versus time displacement show that higher are the silver peaks intensities, weaker are the copper ones. That exhibits the progressive recovering of copper by silver. EDX results and quartz crystal microbalance results indicate that various reaction mechanisms are implied in this process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) points out variable nanometric diameter grain and some small agglomerates. Elemental mapping obtained by electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) underlines the core-shell structure.