Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles with Monosaccharide Mannose

Gold nanoparticles have found a wide range of application in biomedical sciences. Unique properties of these metal nanoparticles include surface plasmon resonance and size dependent colour change. Various molecules have been functionalized on the gold nanoparticles surface but carbohydrates have garnered attention due to their properties and their role in living systems. However certain challenges make carbohydrate-gold nanoparticles association difficult to obtain and stabilize. This study was carried out to chemically remodel gold nanoparticles by adding a monosaccharide mannose to its surface. A modified phase transfer method was used to synthesize gold nanoparticles. The surface of the nanoparticles was fixed with cyanuric chloride to serve as a linker. Mannose was then linked to the linker molecule. All three stages of the process, gold nanoparticles, and gold nanoparticles with linker and gold nanoparticles with the carbohydrate were analyzed for size and stability. Zeta potential and UV-vis data exhibited stable gold nanoparticles dispersion, successful binding of linker molecule as well as the carbohydrate. This study shows a simple, cost-effective and robust method of glycomodification of gold nanoparticles surface which can further find use in wide ranging applications.

Formulation and Invitro Characterization of Fluvoxamine Loaded Nanoparticles

Fluvoxamine is an antidepressant that functions pharmacologically as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Though it is in the same class as other SSRI drugs, it is most often used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. As the biological half-life of the drug is 15.6 hrs and belongs to BCS class II. To overcome these problems, Nanoparticles of Fluvoxamine were formulated by using Ethyl Cellulose, Eudragit RS 100 & Eudragit Rl 100 as a polymer by emulsification method. Among all the 9 formulations F6 formulation is optimized, as it shows maximum drug release at the end of 12hrs which suits the controlled release drug delivery system criteria as per our studies, having acceptable particle size, SEM, and Zeta potential value. From the drug release kinetics of the F8 formulation of Losartan Nanoparticles dispersion, it was concluded that the F8 formulation follows Zero-order drug release with super case II transport mechanism.

Enhancement of Cu Nanoparticles Dispersion in Nanolubricants by Magnetron Sputtering Deposition and Its Influence on the Tribological Behavior

We investigated the chemical, physical, and tribological properties of nanolubricants consisting of epoxidized sunflower oil with Cu nanoparticles as additive. These latter are produced by magnetron sputtering at distinct current levels in the deposition, to improve the development of nanolubricants by enhancing the nanoparticles dispersion. The nanolubricants are here characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential, ultraviolet–visible absorbance spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. After all, the tribological properties of the bionanolubricants are investigated using a high-frequency reciprocating rig equipment, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Our results disclose the nanolubricants produced using the magnetron sputtering technique have excellent nanoparticle dispersion, as well as good tribological performance.