• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2021

Microtubules (MTs) are the main part of the cytoskeleton in living eukaryotic cells. In this article, a mechanical model of MT buckling, considering the modified strain gradient theory, is analytically examined. The MT is assumed as a cylindrical beam and a new single variable trigonometric beam theory is developed in conjunction with a modified strain gradient model. The main benefit of the present formulation is shown in its new kinematic where we found only one unknown as the Euler-Bernoulli beam model, which is even less than the Timoshenko beam model. The governing equations are deduced by considering virtual work principle. The effectiveness of the present method is checked by comparing the obtained results with those reported by other higher shear deformation beam theory involving a higher number of unknowns. It is shown that microstructure-dependent response is more important when material length scale parameters are closer to the outer diameter of MTs. Also, it can be confirmed that influences of shear deformation become more considerable for smaller shear modulus and aspect ratios.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.97-111
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• 2022

In the present article, silica nanoparticles (SNPs) were exploited to improve the tribological and mechanical properties of vinyl ester/glass fiber composites. To the best of our knowledge, there hasn't been any prior study on the wear properties of glass fiber reinforced vinyl ester SiO₂ nanocomposites. The wear resistance is a critical concern in many industries which needs to be managed effectively to reduce high costs. To examine the influence of SNPs on the mechanical properties, seven different weight percentages of vinyl ester/nano-silica composites were initially fabricated. Afterward, based on the tensile testing results of the silica nanocomposites, four wt% of SNPs were selected to fabricate a ternary composite composed of vinyl ester/glass fiber/nano-silica using vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. At the next stage, the tensile, three-point flexural, Charpy impact, and pin-on-disk wear tests were performed on the ternary composites. The fractured surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images after conducting previous tests. The most important and interesting result of this study was the development of a nanocomposite that exhibited a 52.2% decrease in the mean coefficient of friction (COF) by augmenting the SNPs, which is beneficial for the fabrication/repair of composite/steel energy pipelines as well as hydraulic and pneumatic pipe systems conveying abrasive materials. Moreover, the weight loss due to wearing the ternary composite containing one wt% of SNPs was significantly reduced by 70%. Such enhanced property of the fabricated nanocomposite may also be an important design factor for marine structures, bridges, and transportation of wind turbine blades.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.461-470
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• 2021

Infection is one of the major mortality causes throughout the globe. Nuclear medicine plays an important role in diagnosis of deep infections such as osteomyelitis, arthritis infection, heart valve and heart prosthesis infections. Techniques such as labeled leukocytes are sensitive and selective for tracking the inflammations but they are not suitable for differentiating infection from inflammation. Anionic linear-globular dendrimer-G₂ was synthesized then conjugation to gemifloxacin antibiotic. The structures were identified by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, C-NMR, LC-MS and DLS. The toxicity of gemifloxacin and dendrimer-gemifloxacin complex was compared by MTT test. Dendrimer-G₂-gemifloxacin was labeled by Technetium-99m and its in-vitro stability and radiochemical purity were investigated. In-vivo biodistribution and SPECT imaging were studied in a rabbit model. Identify and verify the structure of the each object was confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, C-NMR and LC-MS, also, the size and charge of this compound were 128 nm and -3/68 mv respectively. MTT test showed less toxicity of the dendrimer-G₂-gemifloxacin than free gemifluxacin (P < 0.001). Radiochemical yield was > %98. Human serum stability was 84% up to 24 h. Biodistribution study at 50 min, 24 and 48 h showed that the complex is significantly absorbed by the intestine and accumulation in the lungs and affects them, finally excreted through the kidneys, biodistribution results are consistent with results from full image means of SPECT/CT technique.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.457-465
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• 2022

The potentials of Ni_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) nanoadsorbents were investigated for removal of Cd and Cr from contaminated water from an electroplating industry in Himachal Pradesh, India. Optimal values were recorded under batch adsorption experiments performed to remove dissolved heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater. The specific surface area (SSA) of nanoadsorbents perceived to vary in a range 35.75-45.29 cm²/g and was calculated from the XRD data. The influence of two operating parameters, contact time and dopant (Ni) concentration was also investigated at pH ~7 with optimum dosage. Kinetic studies were conducted within a time range of 2-10 min with rapid adsorption of cadmium and chromium ions onto Ni_0.2Zn_0.8Fe₂O₄ nanoadsorbents. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model was observed to be well fitted with the adsorption data that confirmed the only existence of chemisorption throughout the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption efficiency values observed for Cd and Cr were 51.4 mg/g and 40.12 mg/g, respectively for different compositions of prepared series of nanoadsorbents. The removal percentage of Cd and Cr was found to vary in a range of 47.7%-95.25% and 21%-50% respectively. The prepared series of nanoferrite found to be suitable enough for adsorption of both heavy metal ions.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.81-99
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• 2022

The aim of current work is to evaluate thermo-electrical characteristics of graphene nanoplatelets Reinforced Composite (GNPRC) coupled with magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) face sheet. In this regard, a cylindrical smart nanocomposite made of GNPRC with an external MEE layer is considered. The bonding between the layers are assumed to be perfect. Because of the layer nature of the structure, the material characteristics of the whole structure is regarded as graded. Both mechanical and thermal boundary conditions are applied to this structure. The main objective of this work is to determine critical temperature and critical voltage as a function of thermal condition, support type, GNP weight fraction, and MEE thickness. The governing equation of the multilayer nanocomposites cylindrical shell is derived. The generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) is employed to numerically solve the differential equations. This method is integrated with Deep Learning Network (DNN) with ADADELTA optimizer to determine the critical conditions of the current sandwich structure. This the first time that effects of several conditions including surrounding temperature, MEE layer thickness, and pattern of the layers of the GNPRC is investigated on two main parameters critical temperature and critical voltage of the nanostructure. Furthermore, Maxwell equation is derived for modeling of the MEE. The outcome reveals that MEE layer, temperature change, GNP weight function, and GNP distribution patterns GNP weight function have significant influence on the critical temperature and voltage of cylindrical shell made from GNP nanocomposites core with MEE face sheet on outer of the shell.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.363-373
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• 2023

A novel type of steel fiber with a rounded-end shape is presented to improve the bonding behavior of fibers with Carbon Nanotubes (CNT)-reinforced Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) matrix. For this purpose, by performing a parametric study and using the nonlinear finite element method, the impact of geometric characteristics of the fiber end on its bonding behavior with UHPC has been studied. The cohesive zone model investigates the interface between the fibers and the cement matrix. The mechanical properties of the cohesive zone model are determined by calibrating the finite element results and the experimental fiber pull-out test. Also, the results are evaluated with the straight steel fibers outcomes. Using the novel presented fibers, the bond strength has significantly improved compared to the straight steel fibers. The new proposed fibers increase bond strength by 1.1 times for the same diameter of fibers. By creating fillet at the contact area between the rounded end and the fiber, bond strength is significantly improved, the maximum fiber capacity is reachable, and the pull-out occurs in the form of fracture and tearing of the fibers, which is the most desirable bonding mode for fibers. This also improves the energy absorbed by the fibers and is 4.4 times more than the corresponding straight fibers.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.35-48
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• 2023

Nanoparticles are known for their outstanding properties such as particle size, surface area, optical and electrical properties. These properties have significantly boasted their applications in various surface phenomena. In this work, calcium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized from periwinkle shells as an approach towards waste management through resource recovery. The sol gel method was used for the synthesis. The nanoparticles were characterized using X-Ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infra-Red Spectrophotometer (FTIR), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultra violet visible spectrophotometer (UV-visible). While DLS and SEM underestimate the particle diameter, the BET analysis reveals surface area of 138.998 m²/g, pore volume = 0.167 m³/g and pore diameter of 2.47 nm. The nanoparticles were also employed as an adsorbent for the purification of dye (methyl orange) contaminated water. The adsorbent showed excellent removal efficiency (up to 97 %) for the dye through the mechanism of physical adsorption. The adsorption of the dye fitted the Langmuir and Temkin models. Analysis of FTIR spectrum after adsorption complemented with computational chemistry modelling to reveal the imine nitrogen group as the site for the adsorption of the dye unto the nanomaterials. The synthesized nanomaterials have an average particle size of 24 nm, showed a unique XRD peak and is thermally and mechanically stable within the investigated temperature range (30 to 70 ℃).

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2022

Within the framework of the density functional theory combined with the method of non-equilibrium Green's functions (DFT + NEGF), the features of electron transport in fullerene nanojunctions, which are «core-shell» nanoobjects made of a combination of fullerenes of different diameters C₂₀, C₈₀, C₁₈₀, placed between gold electrodes (in a nanogap), are studied. Their transmission spectra, the density of state, current-voltage characteristics and differential conductivity are determined. It was shown that in the energy range of -0.45-0.45 eV in the transmission spectrum of the "Au-C₁₈₀-Au" nanojunction appears a HOMO-LUMO gap with a width of 0.9 eV; when small-sized fullerenes C₂₀, C₈₀ are intercalation into the cavity C₁₈₀ the gap disappears, and a series of resonant structures are observed on their spectra. It has been established that distinct Coulomb steps appear on the current-voltage characteristics of the "Au-C₁₈₀-Au" nanojunction, but on the current-voltage characteristics "Au-C₈₀@C₁₈₀-Au", "Au-(C₂₀@C₈₀)@C₁₈₀-Au" these step structures are blurred due to a decrease in Coulomb energy. An increase in the number of Coulomb features on the dI/dV spectra of core-shell fullerene nanojunctions was revealed in comparison with nanojunctions based on fullerene C₆₀, which makes it possible to create high-speed single-electron devices on their basis. Models of single-electron transistors (SET) based on fullerene nanojunctions "Au-C₁₈₀-Au", "Au-C₈₀@C₁₈₀-Au" and "Au-(C₂₀@C₈₀)@C₁₈₀-Au" are considered. Their charge stability diagrams are analyzed and it is shown that SET based on C₈₀@C₁₈₀-, (C₂₀@C₈₀)@C₁₈₀- nanojunctions is output from the Coulomb blockade mode with the lowest drain-to-source voltage.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.193-201
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• 2017

ZnO, ZnO: Cu, Ga, and ZnO: Cu, Ga, Ag thin films were obtained by oxidization of ZnS and ZnS: Cu, Ga films deposited onto glass substrates by electron-beam evaporation from ZnS and ZnS: Cu, Ga targets and from ZnS: Cu, Ga film additionally doped with Ag by the closed space sublimation technique at atmospheric pressure. The film thickness was about $1{\mu}m$. The oxidation was carried out at $600-650^{\circ}C$ in air or in an atmosphere containing water vapor. Structural characteristics were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the films were measured at 30-300 K using the excitation wavelengths of 337, 405 and 457.9 nm. As-deposited ZnS and ZnS: Cu, Ga films had cubic structure. The oxidation of the doped films in air or in water vapors led to complete ZnO phase transition. XRD and AFM studies showed that the grain sizes of oxidized films at wet annealing were larger than of the films after dry annealing. As-deposited doped and undoped ZnS thin films did not emit PL. Shape and intensity of the PL emission depended on doping and oxidation conditions. Emission intensity of the films annealed in water vapors was higher than of the films annealed in the air. PL of ZnO: Cu, Ga films excited by 337 nm wavelength exhibits UV (380 nm) and green emission (500 nm). PL spectra at 300 and 30 K excited by 457.9 and 405 nm wavelengths consisted of two bands - the green band at 500 nm and the red band at 650 nm. Location and intensities ratio depended on the preparation conditions.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.215-230
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• 2017

The development of hybrid systems comprising nanoparticles and polymers is an opening pathway for engineering nanocomposites exhibiting outstanding mechanical, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties. Among inorganic counterpart, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) exhibit high magnetization, controllable surface chemistry, spintronic properties, and biological compatibility. These characteristics enable them as a platform for biomedical applications and building blocks for bottom-up approaches, such as the layer-by-layer (LbL). In this regard, the present study is addressed to investigate IONP synthesised through co-precipitation route (average diameter around 7 nm), with either positive or negative surface charges, LbL assembled with sodium sulfonated polystyrene (PSS) or polyaniline (PANI). The surface and internal morphologies, and electrochemical properties of these nanocomposites were probed with atomic force microscopy, UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical measurements. The nanocomposites display a globular morphology with IONP densely packed while surface dressed by polyelectrolytes. The investigation of the effect of thermal annealing (300 up to $600^{\circ}C$) on the oxidation process of IONP assembled with PSS was performed using Raman spectroscopy. Our findings showed that PSS protects IONP from oxidation/phase transformation to hematite up to $400^{\circ}C$. The electrochemical performance of nanocomposite comprising IONP and PANI were investigated in $0.5mol{\times}L^{-1}$ $Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte solution by cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. Our findings indicate this structure as promising candidate for potential application as electrodes for supercapacitors.