Topic Review
Copper-Based Conductive Inks
Silver (Ag), gold (Au), and copper (Cu) have been utilized as metals for fabricating metal-based inks/pastes for printed/flexible electronics. Among them, Cu is the most promising candidate for metal-based inks/pastes. Cu has high intrinsic electrical/thermal conductivity, which is more cost-effective and abundant, as compared to Ag. Moreover, the migration tendency of Cu is less than that of Ag. Thus, recently, Cu-based inks/pastes have gained increasing attention as conductive inks/pastes for printed/flexible electronics. We can divide Cu-based inks/pastes into four categories from the viewpoints of Cu sources: (i) traditional micron-sized flake/powder type, (ii) nanoparticle type, (iii) nanowire type, and (iv) precursor ion type. However, the disadvantages of Cu-based inks/pastes are their instability against oxidation under an ambient condition and tendency to form insulating layers of Cu oxide, such as cuprous oxide (Cu2O) and cupric oxide (CuO). The formation of the Cu oxidation causes a low conductivity in sintered Cu films and interferes with the sintering of Cu particles. The surface and interface designs for Cu-based conductive inks/pastes are important strategies for the oxidation resistance of Cu and low-temperature sintering to produce highly conductive Cu patterns/electrodes on flexible substrates. The surface control approaches include surface designs by polymers, small ligands, core-shell structures, and surface activation. The Cu-based mixed inks/pastes offer improved performances compared with the single use of each component.
  • 2.8K
  • 07 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Microemulsion Design for Acne Therapy
Acne represents a dermatologic condition with a high prevalence, being characterized by a complex pathogenesis. Its high recurrence frequently encountered in clinical practice will affect the patient’s quality of life. Most of the treatment algorithms require at least one topical formulation, being recommended to be applied on affected areas for a long period. To treat such a versatile skin condition, smart topical vehicles capable of entrap anti-acne compounds can be considered a good option, compared with conventional systems generally used at the moment. In this direction, microemulsions are appreciated for their superior profile in matters of drug delivery, especially for challenging substances with hydrophilic or lipophilic patterns. Designed as transparent and thermodynamically stable systems, with a small number of key ingredients, microemulsion-based formulations were characterized in the present review as unique structures able to pass the skin barrier and sustain a targeted therapy in acne pathology.
  • 2.6K
  • 30 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Electrical Conductivity of Nanoparticle-Enhanced Fluids
Research on nanoparticle-enhanced fluids’ electrical conductivity is at its beginning at this moment and the augmentation mechanisms are not fully understood. Basically, the mechanisms for increasing the electrical conductivity are described as electric double layer influence and increased particles’ conductance. Another idea that has resulted from state of the art is that the stability of nanofluids can be described with the help of electrical conductivity tests, but more coordinated research is needed. Concluding, this analysis has shown that a lot of research work is needed in the field of nanofluids’ electrical characterization and specific applications.
  • 2.6K
  • 23 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis
In the field of synthesis and processing of noble metal nanoparticles, the study of the bottom-up method, called Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP), is becoming increasingly important. This review analyses briefly the features of USP, to underline the physical, chemical and technological characteristics for producing nanoparticles and nanoparticle composites with Au and Ag. The main aim is to understand USP parameters, which are responsible for nanoparticle formation. There are two nanoparticle formation mechanisms in USP: Droplet-To-Particle (DTP) and Gas-To-Particle (GTP). This review shows how the USP process is able to produce Au, Ag/TiO2, Au/TiO2, Au/Fe2O3 and Ag/(Y0.95 Eu0.05)2O3 nanoparticles, and presents the mechanisms of formation for a particular type of nanoparticle. Namely, the presented Au and Ag nanoparticles are intended for use in nanomedicine, sensing applications, electrochemical devices, and catalysis, in order to benefit from their properties, which cannot be achieved with identical bulk materials. The development of new noble metal nanoparticles with USP is a constant goal in Nanotechnology, with the objective to obtain increasingly predictable final properties of nanoparticles.
  • 2.6K
  • 14 Aug 2020
Topic Review
MXene
The MXenes are a kind of 2D metal carbide/nitride with an alternative atomic arrangement of Mn+1Xn (M = transition metals; X = C, N; n = 1, 2, 3, 4).
  • 2.5K
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Detection of Beta-Glucan
This entry provides a comprehensive review of the current literature about biological properties and available methods for the detection of beta-glucans. It shares the experience of the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory with the detection of beta-glucans in nanotechnology-based drug products. This entry summarizes and discusses five different approaches currently applied for the data interpretation of beta-glucan tests with respect to the acceptability (or lack thereof) of the beta-glucan levels in pharmaceutical products.
  • 2.5K
  • 03 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles
Silver nanoparticles, also known as AgNPs, have been extensively researched due to their one-of-a-kind characteristics, including their optical, antibacterial, and electrical capabilities. In the era of the antibiotics crisis, with an increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and a decrease in newly developed drugs, AgNPs are potential candidates because of their substantial antimicrobial activity, limited resistance development, and extensive synergistic effect when combined with other drugs.
  • 2.5K
  • 13 Sep 2023
Topic Review
CO2 Activation on Catalyst Surfaces
Utilizing CO2 as a sustainable carbon source to form valuable products requires activating it by active sites on catalyst surfaces. These active sites are usually in or below the nanometer scale. Some metals and metal oxides in this scale dimension can catalyze the CO2 transformation reactions. Herein, CO2 activation on metal-based catalyst surfaces and how their structures impact the activation process are highlighted.
  • 2.4K
  • 13 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Cost-Effective Water Purification Method
Water scarcity is occurring due to the rapid increase in the global population, intense industrialization, stringent water quality standards, and negative climate change. Contamination with heavy metals (arsenic, iron, lead, mercury, chromium), microbes (Escherichia coli, Staphylococus), biological compounds, and other components (fluoride, cadmium) is widely encountered. Carbon based materials, including activated carbon, MWCNT. graphene, r-graphene, cabon dot and fullerene provides cost effective option for water purification. The specific surface area, strong sorption, fast kinetics and like, are properties of these carbon based materials responsible potential water treatment application. 
  • 2.4K
  • 12 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Seed Priming
Seed nano-priming is an efficient process that can change seed metabolism and signaling pathways, affecting not only germination and seedling establishment but also the entire plant lifecycle.
  • 2.3K
  • 13 Jan 2022
  • Page
  • of
  • 84