Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized and used as a coagulant of rare earth elements (REEs) from aqueous solution. Stability and adsorption capacities were exhibited for target REEs such as La(III), Nd(III), Gd(III), and Y(III). The parameters influencing the adsorption capacity of the target species including contact time, pH, initial concentration, and temperature were optimized. The adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics were studied. The method showed quantitative recovery (99%) upon desorption using HNO3 acid (0.1 M) after a short contact time (15 min).

Analysis of quinidine for fish tissues using single drop microextraction (SDME) coupled with atmospheric pressure matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (AP-MALDI-MS) are reported. Optimization conditions; such as extraction solvent, extraction time, pH of the aqueous solution, salt additions (NaCl), stirring rate, matrix type and concentration are investigated. Linear dynamic range (µM), limit of detection, relative recovery%, and enrichment factor are 0.08-9.2, 0.05, 94.8±3.1-98.5±3.3%, 4.34±0.28-4.40±0.30, respectively. SDME-AP-MALDI-MS shows good intraday and interday reproducibility.

The applications of organic matrices for matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) are reviewed. Recent advances of MALDI-MS using organic matrices, including the applications of ionic liquids matrices (ILMs) and organic matrices modified/conjugated nanoparticles, are covered. Organic matrices are applied for many other applications such as derivatization or capping agents of nanoparticles, eluent for chromatography, internal standard for quantitative analysis and as reagents for the synthesis of eco-friendly solvents (ILMs). Within the field of nanotechnology, organic matrices@nanoparticles have a dominant position, and the last decade has seen remarkable growth for these hybrid materials. Selection of the optimum organic matrices is paramount important and critical for the analysis using MALDI-MS. Factors such as additives, instrument set up and sample preparation affect …

Laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) is used to determine Hg(II) ions by using thymine-modified chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles (TCTS). TCTS nanoparticles are characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis absorption, infrared spectroscopy and LDI-MS. TCTS acts as a preconcentration probe, supports surface enhanced LDI-MS (SELDI-MS) and acts as a capping agent for Hg(II). The separation of Hg(II) via this method combined with SELDI-MS provides a sensitive and selective tool for inexpensive and fast (5 min) detection of Hg(II) with limit of detection down to 0.05 nmol for environmental samples such as tap and sea water.

A trimethylamine (TEA)-assisted synthesis approach that combines the preparation of hierarchical porous zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8 nanoparticles and one-pot encapsulation of target molecules is presented. Two dye molecules, rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB), and one protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) were tested as the target molecules. The addition of TEA into the solution of zinc nitrate promoted the formation of ZnO nanocrystals, which rapidly transformed to ZIF-8 nanoparticles after the addition of the linker 2-methylimidazole (Hmim). Hierarchical porous dye@ZIF-8 nanoparticles with high crystallinity, large BET surface areas (1300–2500 m2/g), and large pore volumes (0.5–1.0 cm3/g) could be synthesized. The synthesis procedure was fast (down to 2 min) and scalable. The Hmim/Zn ratio could be greatly reduced (down to 2:1) compared to previously reported ones. The surface …

In most applications of quantum dots (QDs) for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS), one side of QDs is supported by a solid substrate (stainless - steel plate), whereas the other side is in contact with the target analytes. Therefore, the surface capping agent of QDs is a key parameter for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). Cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) modified with different capping agents are synthesized, characterized, and applied for surface tuning laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (STLDI-MS). Data shows that CdTe quantum dot modified cysteine (cys@CdTe QDs) has an absorption that matches with the wavelength of the N2 laser (337 nm). The synergistic effect of large surface area and absorption of the laser irradiation of cys@CdTe QDs enhances the LDI-MS process for small - molecule analysis, including α-, β …

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs, Fe 3 O 4) incorporated into the complexes of cell penetrating peptides (CPPs)-oligonucleotides (ONs) promoted the cell transfection for plasmid transfection, splice correction, and gene silencing efficiencies. Six types of cell penetrating peptides (CPPs; PeptFect220 (denoted PF220), PF221, PF222, PF223, PF224 and PF14) and three types of gene therapeutic agents (plasmid (pGL3), splicing correcting oligonucleotides (SCO), and small interfering RNA (siRNA) were investigated. Magnetic nanoparticles incorporated into the complexes of CPPs-pGL3, CPPs-SCO, and CPPs-siRNA showed high cell biocompatibility and efficiently transfected the investigated cells with pGL3, SCO, and siRNA, respectively. Gene transfer vectors formed among PF14, SCO, and MNPs (PF14-SCO-MNPs) showed a superior transfection efficiency (up to 4-fold) compared to the noncovalent PF14-SCO …

A new strategy for gene transfection using the nanocarrier of cell penetrating peptides (CPPs; PepFect14 (PF14) or PepFect14 (PF14) (PF221)) in complex with graphene oxide (GO) is reported. GO complexed with CPPs and plasmid (pGL3), splice correction oligonucleotides (SCO) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) are performed. Data show adsorption of CPPs and oligonucleotides on the top of the graphenic lamellar without any observed change of the particle size of GO. GO mitigates the cytotoxicity of CPPs and improves the material biocompatibility. Complexes of GO-pGL3-CPPs (CPPs; PF14 or PF221) offer 2.1–2.5 fold increase of the cell transfection compared to pGL3-CPPs (CPPs; PF14 or PF221). GO-SCO-PF14 assemblies effectively transfect the cells with an increase of > 10–25 fold compared to the transfection using PF14. The concentration of GO plays a significant role in the material nanotoxicity and …

The preparation of a highly water stable and porous lanthanide metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles (denoted SUMOF-7II; SU refers to Stockholm University) is described. SUMOF-7II was synthesized starting from the tritopic linker of 2,4,6-tri-p-carboxyphenyl pyridine (H3L2) and La(III) as metal clusters. SUMOF-7II forms a stable dispersion and displays high fluorescence emission with small variation over the pH range of 6 to 12. Its fluorescence is selectively quenched by Fe(III) ions compared to other metal ions. The intensity of the fluorescene emission drops drops linearly in 16.6–167 μM Fe(III) concentration range, and Stern-Volmer plots are linear. The limit of detection (LOD) is 16.6 μM (at an S/N ratio of >3). This indicator probe can also be used for selective detection of tryptophan among several amino acids. Compared to the free linker H3L2, SUMOF-7II offers improved sensitivity and …

Herein we report the synthesis of mesoporous ruthenium oxide (MP-RuO2) using a template-based approach. The catalytic efficiency of the prepared MP-RuO2 was compared to commercially available ruthenium oxide nanoparticles (C-RuO2) as heterogeneous catalysts for water oxidation. The results demonstrated superior performance of MP-RuO2 for oxygen evolution compared to the C-RuO2 with respect to recyclability, amount of generated oxygen, and stability over several catalytic runs.