Publication: Nanomaterials. 2022 Mar 11;12(6):929. Publication Date: March 11, 2022.

Abstract:
Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have been proposed to promote stem cell differentiation in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined a particular type of AuNR in supporting the differentiation of rat fetal neural stem cells (NSCs) into oligodendrocytes (ODCs). AuNRs were synthesized according to the seed-mediated method resulting in nanorods with an aspect ratio of around 3 (~12 nm diameter, 36 nm length) and plasmon resonance at 520 and 780 nm, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis spectroscopy, respectively. A layer-by-layer approach was used to fabricate the AuNR substrate on the functionalized glass coverslips. NSCs were propagated for 10 days using fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth-factor-supplemented culture media, and differentiated on an AuNR or poly-D-lysine (PDL)-coated surface using differentiation media containing triiodothyronine for three weeks. Results showed that NSCs survived better and differentiated faster on the AuNRs compared to the PDL surface. By week 1, almost all cells had differentiated on the AuNR substrate, whereas only ~60% differentiated on the PDL surface, with similar percentages of ODCs and astrocytes. This study indicates that functionalized AuNR substrate does promote NSC differentiation and could be a viable tool for tissue engineering to support the differentiation of stem cells.

The post Gold Nanorod Substrate for Rat Fetal Neural Stem Cell Differentiation into Oligodendrocytes appeared first on Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences.

Publication: Nanomaterials. 2022 Mar 12;12(6):937. Publication Date: March 12, 2022.

Abstract:

Nanosized materials have been proposed for a wide range of biomedical applications, given their unique characteristics. However, how these nanomaterials interact with cells and tissues, as well as how they bio-distribute in organisms, is still under investigation. Differences such as the nanoparticle size, shape, and surface chemistry affect the basic mechanisms of cellular uptake and responses, which, in turn, affects the nanoparticles’ applicability for biomedical applications. Thus, it is vital to determine how a specific nanoparticle interacts with cells of interest before extensive in vivo applications are performed. Here, we delineate the uptake mechanism and localization of gold nanorods in SKBR-3 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Our results show both differences and similarities in the nanorod-cell interactions of the two cell lines. We accurately quantified the cellular uptake of gold nanorods in SKBR-3 and MCF-7 using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We found that both cell types use macropinocytosis to internalize bare nanorods that aggregate and associate with the cell membrane. In addition, we were able to qualitatively track and show intracellular nanoparticle localization using transmission electron microscopy. The results of this study will be invaluable for the successful development of novel and “smart” nanodrugs based on gold nano-structural delivery vehicles, which heavily depend on their complex interactions with single cells.

The post Cellular Uptake of Gold Nanorods in Breast Cancer Cell Lines appeared first on Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences.

Publication: ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2021, XXXX, XXX, XXX-XXX, Publication Date: March 22, 2021.

Abstract: Cesium formadinium methylammonium triple-cation (CsFAMA) lead mixed-halide perovskites have been reported to promote unique photovoltaic properties with high efficiency and minimal hysteresis effects. Perovskite film quality is a vital parameter for improving the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we report the growth of CsFAMA perovskites with microscale grains passivation grain boundaries by mixing HC(NH₂)₂I (FAI) and CH₃NH₃Br (MABr) in isopropanol (IPA) as a post-treatment step to cause controlled Ostwald ripening, leading to secondary grain growth. Compared to the conventional preparation of perovskite films with a free organic halide antisolvent, this mixed-cation mixed-halide post-treatment created higher quality perovskite films in terms of morphology, electronic properties, energy level alignment, and carrier recombination, with the band gap adjusted at the optimal concentration. Treatment with the single cation and single halide presented by FAI and/or MABr in IPA treatment was also investigated, and the results showed that multiple band gap perovskite structures were obtained, which could be beneficial for band gap engineering. This method of perovskite preparation was tested in an inverted planar configuration with a hole transport layer (HTL) based on sulfonated poly(thiophene-3-[2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)ethoxy]-2,5-diyl) (SP3MEET). The efficiency of the PSCs was dramatically boosted from 13.80% with the organic halide-free antisolvent to 17.62% when the mixed-cation mixed-halide approach was used. In addition, the PSCs treated with the mixed-cation mixed-halide solution exhibited excellent reproducibility, with a high fill factor and eliminated hysteresis. The CsFAMA photovoltaic device based on the single organic cation and single halide treatment approach showed power conversion efficiency of 15.82 and 15.90% for the FAI and MABr-treated films, respectively. Characterization of the S-P3MEET as HTLs found that good optoelectronic and morphological properties lead to improve the performance of the inverted PSC. However, with further research to align the energy levels at the S-P3MEET/perovskite interface, greater improvements in the PSCs are expected.

The post Surface Passivation of Triple-Cation Perovskite via Organic Halide-Saturated Antisolvent for Inverted Planar Solar Cells appeared first on Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences.

Publication: J Appl Toxicol. 2021 Jan 8. doi: 10.1002/jat.4136. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33417269.

Abstract: The use of synthetic materials for biomedical applications is ever expanding. One of the major requirements for these materials is biocompatibility, which includes prevention of immune system responses. Due to the inherent complexity of their structural composition, the polyurethane (PU) family of polymers is being used in a variety of medical applications, from soft and hard tissue scaffolds to intricate coatings on implantable devices. Herein, we investigated whether two polymer materials, D3 and D7, induced an immune response, measured by their effects on a dendritic cell (DC) line, JAWS II. Using a lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay and Annexin V/PI staining, we found that the PU materials did not induce cytotoxicity in DC cells. Using confocal microscopy, we also showed that the materials did not induce activation or maturation, as compared to positive controls. This was confirmed by looking at various markers, CD80, CD86, MHC class I, and MHC class II, via flow cytometry. Overall, the results indicated that the investigated PU films are biocompatible in terms of immunotoxicology and immunogenicity and show great promise for use in regenerative medicine.

The post Dendritic cell biocompatibility of ether-based urethane films appeared first on Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences.

Publication: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2020 Jun 20. doi: 10.1007/s11356-020-09400-0. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32564317

Abstract: Nanocomposites containing mixed metal oxides show excellent phosphate removal results and are better compared to individual metal oxides. In this research, cerium/manganese oxide nanocomposites, embedded on the surface of modified cellulose pine wood shaving, were synthesized by a simple technique that is both eco-friendly and economically feasible. No toxic or petroleum chemicals were employed during preparation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), surface area analysis, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy were performed to study the shape and size of nanocomposites as well as composition of elements present on the surface of the nanocomposites. Adsorption isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich) and kinetic studies (pseudo first and second-order, Elovich and Weber-Morris) were carried out to determine the adsorption mechanism for phosphate removal from contaminated water. The maximum adsorption capacity of nanocomposites was found to be 204.09 mg/g, 174.42 mg/g, and 249.33 mg/g for 100 mg, 300 mg, and 500 mg, respectively. The results indicate that the nanocomposites were able to decrease the phosphorus concentration from 10 to 0.01 ppm, below the threshold limit required by EPA guidelines in the USA. We also demonstrated that the media could be regenerated and reused five times without loss of performance.

The post Phosphate removal from wastewater using novel renewable resource-based, cerium/manganese oxide-based nanocomposites appeared first on Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences.

Publication: PLoS One. 2020;15(5):e0232670. Published 2020 May 18. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0232670

Abstract: Complex skin wounds have always been a significant health and economic problem worldwide due to their elusive and sometimes poor or non-healing conditions. If not well-treated,
such wounds may lead to amputation, infections, cancer, or even death. Thus, there is a need to efficiently generate multifunctional skin grafts that address a wide range of skin conditions, including non-healing wounds, and enable the regeneration of new skin tissue. Here, we propose studying pristine graphene and two of its oxygen-functionalized derivatives—high and low-oxygen graphene films—as potential substrates for skin cell proliferation and differentiation. Using BJ cells (human foreskin-derived fibroblasts) to represent basic skin cells, we show that the changes in surface properties of pristine graphene due to oxygen functionalization do not seem to statistically impact the normal proliferation and maturation of skin cells. Our results indicate that the pristine and oxidized graphenes presented relatively low cytotoxicity to BJ fibroblasts and, in fact, support their growth and bioactivity. Therefore, these graphene films could potentially be integrated into more complex skin regenerative systems to support skin regeneration. Because graphene’s surface can be relatively easily functionalized with various chemical groups, this finding presents a major opportunity for the development of various composite materials that can act as active components in regenerative applications such as skin regeneration.

The post Graphene-based 2D constructs for enhanced fibroblast support appeared first on Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences.

Publication: Scientific Reports, Volume 10, Issue 1, 2020

Abstract: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most complex types of cancers to detect, diagnose, and treat. However, the field of nanomedicine has strong potential to address such challenges. When evaluating the diffusion and penetration of theranostic nanoparticles, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is of crucial importance because it acts as a barrier to the tumor microenvironment. In the present study, the penetration of functionalized, fluorescent gold nanorods into large (>500 ÎĽm) multicellular 3D tissue spheroids was studied using a multimodal imaging approach. The spheroids were generated by co-culturing pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells in multiple ratios to mimic variable tumor-stromal compositions and to investigate nanoparticle penetration. Fluorescence live imaging, photothermal, and photoacoustic analysis were utilized to examine nanoparticle behavior in the spheroids. Uniquely, the nanorods are intrinsically photoacoustic and photothermal, enabling multi-imaging detection even when fluorescence tracking is not possible or ideal.

The post Tracking gold nanorods’ interaction with large 3D pancreatic-stromal tumor spheroids by multimodal imaging: Fluorescence, photoacoustic, and photothermal microscopies appeared first on Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences.

Publication: ACS Omega 2020, Publication Date: January 21, 2020,

Abstract: A conducting polymer of lignosulfonic acid-grafted, polyaniline-doped camphorsulfonic acid (LS-PANI-CSA), created via a low-temperature solution process, has been explored as an efficient hole-transport layer (HTL) for inverted single cation–anion CH₃NH₃PbI₃ perovskite solar cells. The performance of the solar cell was optimized in this study by tuning the morphology and work function of LS-PANI-CSA films using dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as a solvent in treatment. Results showed that DMSO washing enhanced the electronic properties of the LS-PANI-CSA film and increased its hydrophobicity, which is very important for perovskite growth. The perovskite active layer deposited onto the DMSO-treated LS-PANI-CSA layer had higher crystallinity with large grain sizes (>5 ÎĽm), more uniform and complete surface coverage, and very low pinhole density and PbI₂ residues compared to untreated LS-PANI-CSA. These enhancements result in higher device performance and stability. Using DMSO-treated LS-PANI-CSA as an HTL at 15 nm of thickness, a maximum 10.8% power conversion efficiency was obtained in ITO/LS-PANI-CSA/MAPbI₃/PCBM/BCP/Ag inverted-device configurations. This was a significant improvement compared to 5.18% for devices based on untreated LS-PANI-CSA and a slight improvement over PEDOT:PSS-based devices with 9.48%. Furthermore, the perovskite based on treated LS-PANI-CSA showed the higher stability compared to both untreated LS-PANI-CSA and PEDOT:PSS HTL-based devices.

The post Optimizing Lignosulfonic Acid-Grafted Polyaniline as a Hole-Transport Layer for Inverted CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells appeared first on Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences.

Publication: Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, Volume 21, October 2019, 102048

Abstract:

Neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain injuries can destroy neurons, resulting in sensory and motor function loss. Transplantation of differentiated neurons from stem cells could help restore such lost functions. Plasmonic gold nanorods (AuNR) were integrated in growth surfaces to stimulate and modulate neural cells in order to tune cell physiology. An AuNR nanocomposite system was fabricated, characterized, and then utilized to study the differentiation of embryonic rat neural stem cells (NSCs). Results demonstrated that this plasmonic surface 1) accelerated differentiation, yielding almost twice as many differentiated neural cells as a traditional NSC culture surface coated with poly-D-lysine and laminin for the same time period; and 2) promoted differentiation of NSCs into neurons and astrocytes in a 2:1 ratio, as evidenced by the expression of relevant marker proteins. These results indicate that the design and properties of this AuNR plasmonic surface would be advantageous for tissue engineering to address neural degeneration.

The post Plasmonic Nano Surface for Neuronal Differentiation and Manipulation appeared first on Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences.

Publication: Scientific Reports, Volume 9, Article 5650, pp. 1-13, 2019

Abstract: Supercapacitors are beneficial as energy storage devices and can obtain high capacitance values greater than conventional capacitors and high power densities compared to batteries. However, in order to improve upon the overall cost, energy density, and charge-discharge rates, the electrode material of supercapacitors needs to be fine-tuned with an inexpensive, high conducting source. We prepared a Co(III) complex and polypyrrole (PPy) composite thin films (CoN₄–PPy) that was electrochemically deposited on the surface of a glassy carbon working electrode. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicate the superior performance of CoN₄-PPy in charge storage in acidic electrolyte compared to alkaline and organic solutions. The CoN₄-PPy material generated the highest amount of specific capacitance (up to 721.9 F/g) followed by Co salt and PPy (Co-PPy) material and PPy alone. Cyclic performance studies showed the excellent electrochemical stability of the CoN₄-PPy film in the acidic medium. Simply electrochemically depositing an inexpensive Co(III) complex with a high electrically conducting polymer of PPy delivered a superior electrode material for supercapacitor applications. Therefore, the results indicate that novel thin films derived from Co(III) metal complex and PPy can store a large amount of energy and maintain high stability over many cycles, revealing its excellent potential in supercapacitor devices.

The post Simultaneous Electrochemical Deposition of Cobalt Complex and Poly(pyrrole) Thin Films for Supercapacitor Electrodes appeared first on Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences.