Sharif Digital Repository

A fluorometric method was developed for simultaneous determination of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) ions using graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C3N4 NS) as a nanosized fluorescent indicator probe. The g-C3N4 NS were prepared using high-temperature carbonization of melamine followed by ultrasonication-assisted liquid exfoliation. The g-C3N4 NS display fluorescence with excitation/emission peaks located at 320 and 450 nm. The chromium speciation is based on the quenching of g-C3N4 NS fluorescence. The total concentration of chromium is determined after oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The Cr(III) content was then calculated by subtracting the concentration of Cr(VI) from that of total chromium. The... 

Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has attracted great interest for photo(electro)chemical applications such as sensing, solar energy exploitation, photocatalysis, and hydrogen generation. This paper presents the potential application and benefits of g-C3N4 nanolayers as a green and highly efficient electrode modifier for the detection of trace lead ions in drinking water and urban dust samples. Carbon nitride nanosheets with a thickness of ∼6 A° and lateral of 100–150 nm were prepared through high-temperature polymerization of melamine followed by sonication-assisted liquid exfoliation. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by a thin layer of g-C3N4 through drop casting and... 

In this work, a porous and flexible three-dimensional (3D) nickel/gold nanoparticle electrode (NiF/AuNPs) is presented as an efficient electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. The 3D nanocomposite electrode consists of interconnected porous nickel foam (NiF) with large pores (500±200 μm diameter) surrounded by interconnected struts (∼100 μm) that are decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, 37±8 nm) through in-situ electrochemical deposition. The catalytic performance of the 3D electrode was evaluated by different electrochemical methods. An enhancement in the performance (about 253 %) and a remarkable decline in onset potential (about ∼0.63 V) in comparison with pristine... 

This work presents a novel melatonin sensor based on unfunctionalized macroporous graphene networks decorated with gold nanoparticles for the differential pulse voltammetric detection of melatonin in pharmaceutical products. Highly porous graphene structures were prepared by metallic template-assisted chemical vapor deposition, and their active surface area and electrocatalytic activity were improved by electrochemical deposition of gold nanoparticles (50-250 nm) on their struts. The graphene-gold electrodes present a highly sensitive performance toward electro-oxidation of melatonin with a wide linear range of 0.05-50 μM, a low detection limit of 0.0082 μM (3σ/m), and a significant... 

In this manuscript, synthesis of cobalt/poly vinyl alcohol (PVA)/gamma alumina nanocomposite via a simple room temperature, as well as its catalyst performance were explored. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were conducted. The surface area of the polymeric composite was obtained to be 280 m2/g. The cobalt loading on the nanocomposite was measured using inductivity couple plasma. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the size of cobalt crystalline encapsulate inside the polymer was confined to 5 nm. Magnetic property analysis, using vibrating sample magnetometer, confirmed... 

Electrochemical sensing performance of two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (2D h-BN) has traditionally been suppressed by their intrinsic electrical insulation and deficient electron transportation mechanism. However, the excellent electrocatalytic activity, high specific surface area, N- and B-active edges, structural defects, adjustable band gap through interaction with other nanomaterials, and chemical functionalization, makes 2D h-BN ideal for many sensing applications. Therefore, finding a pathway to modulate the electronic properties of 2D h-BN while the intrinsic characteristics are well preserved, will evolve a new generation of highly sensitive and selective electrochemical... 

In the present work we report an approach to resistive hydrogen sensing based on graphene quantum dots(GQDs)/WO3 thin films that work reproducibly at low temperatures. GQDs were chemically synthesized and evenly dispersed in WO3 solution with 1:1 molar ratio. The structural evaluation and crystallization of the prepared films was studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The SEM images showed uniform distribution of the GQDs in WO3 films with sizes around 50 nm. Raman experiment showed the GQDs are partially reduced with high edge defects as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups which involve both in bridging between WO3 grains via bindings as well as... 

Recently, three-dimensional carbon nanostructures have attracted significant attention for biosensing applications. We have prepared highly porous three-dimensional graphene (3DG) structures (90% porosity) by template-assisted chemical vapor deposition technique and enhanced their electrocatalytic activity through in situ electrochemical deposition of rose-like yttrium hexacyanoferrate particles on their struts. The 3DG structure has an average channel size of ∼500 μm, and the microflowers have lateral sizes in the range of 2-10 μm. The performance of the 3DG-based electrode in efficient detection of ascorbic acid was investigated after transferring on a gold screen printed electrode (SPE).... 

Highly sensitive flexible humidity sensors based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were developed. The GQDs were prepared using a facile hydrothermal method and characterized considering morphological, structural, and compositional experiments. Then, their humidity sensing properties in correlation with flexibility characteristics were investigated. Good selectivity and response (∼390 for a RH change of 99%), broad detection range (1-100% RH), rather short response and recovery times (12 and 43 s, respectively) as well as flexibility were obtained, demonstrating that the GQD sensors have potential for application in wearable electronics and RH monitoring. Detection of hydrogen (H2) gas by the... 

This paper reports on a novel low-temperature method for preparing curcumin-reduced graphene oxide (Cur-rGO) from graphene oxide (GO) and investigates their cyclic voltammetry (CV) and photoluminescence (PL) properties. GO sheets were synthesized using modified Hummers’ method and then were chemically reduced using polyphenol curcumin into graphene sheets. Atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to confirm the formation of Cur-rGO and revealed their functionalization with polyphenol curcumin. The electrochemical and optical properties of the Cur-rGO sheets were investigated using CV and PL spectroscopy. According to the PL and... 

Moving from two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (2D h-BN) flatlands towards their quantum sized zero-dimensional (0D) islands, as the newest member of the h-BN family, has recently opened up novel research areas due to the emergence of unique optical and physicochemical properties, excellent thermal and chemical stability, and desirable biocompatibility. This review elaborates on the fundamental properties of 2D and 0D h-BN nanomaterials and covers the latest progress in the fabrication and applications of BN nanosheets (BNNSs) and quantum dots (BNQDs). Initially, the transformation of properties in h-BN nanomaterials is discussed when moving from the 2D realm towards the 0D quantum... 

In this work, graphene oxide (GO) aqueous suspensions prepared by a chemical exfoliation method showed a fluorescence peak at ∼615 nm. Photoluminescence spectroscopy determined that functionalization of the GO sheets by 3-(2-Aminoethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane molecules significantly quench the fluorescence property of the GO sheets. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed proper functionalization of the GO sheets. Curcumin was applied as a fluorescent natural material with an emission peak at ∼550 nm wavelength for green fluorescent labeling of the functionalized-GO sheets. The curcumin-labeled functionalized-GO sheets showed an intense emission band fluorescent property with... 

Graphene/cobalt nanocomposites are promising materials for theranostic nanomedicine applications, which are defined as the ability to diagnose, provide targeted therapy and monitor the response to the therapy. In this study, the composites were synthesized via chemical method, using graphene oxide as the source material and assembling cobalt nanoparticles of 15 nm over the surface of graphene sheets. Various characterization techniques were then employed to reveal the morphology, size and structure of the nanocomposites, such as X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and... 

Designing suitable nano-carriers for simultaneous gene delivery and tracking is in the research priorities of the molecular medicine. Non-toxic graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with two different (green and red) emission colors are synthesized by Hummer's method and characterized by UV-Vis, Photoluminescence (PL), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The GQDs are conjugated with MPG-2H1 chimeric peptide and plasmid DNA (pDNA) by non-covalent interactions. Following conjugation, the average diameter of the prepared GQDs increased from 80 nm to 280 nm in complex... 

Three-dimensional graphenic adsorbents have been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal reduction and applied for deep removal of dibenzothiophene (DBT) from model fuel. The nanoporous spongelike structure of the graphenic compounds was confirmed using various characterization techniques. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO), carbon black-graphene composite (CB-G), and nickel-impregnated graphene (Ni-G) showed adsorption capacities of 41.8, 46.9, and 43.3 mg of DBT g-1, respectively, and the DBT concentration in the model fuel was diminished to less than 10 ppm. Thermodynamic parameters for the adsorption process evidenced feasible and exothermic adsorption on rGO and CB-G with negative enthalpy... 

The emergence of textile-based wearable sensors as light-weight portable devices to monitor desired parameters, has recently gained much interest and has led to the development of flexible electronics on non-rigid substrates. The flexible biosensors may result in improved sports performance, to monitor the desired bodies for injuries, improved clinical diagnostics and monitor biological molecules and ions in biological fluids such as saliva, sweat. In addition, they could help users with different types of disorders such as blindness. In this context, new composite and nanomaterials have been found to be promising candidates to obtain improved performance of the textile based wearable... 

Asian red ginseng was used for green reduction of chemically exfoliated graphene oxide (GO) into reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The reduction level and electrical conductivity of the ginseng-rGO sheets were comparable to those of hydrazine-rGO ones. Reduction by ginseng resulted in repairing the sp 2 graphitic structure of the rGO, while hydrazine-rGO showed more defects and/or smaller aromatic domains. The ginseng-rGO sheets presented a better stability against aggregation than the hydrazine-rGO ones in an aqueous suspension. Whilst the hydrophobic hydrazine-rGO films exhibited no toxicity against human neural stem cells (hNSCs), the hydrophilic GO and ginseng-rGO films (as more... 

While the differentiation factors have been widely used to differentiate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into various cell types, they can cause harm at the same time. Therefore, it is beneficial to propose methods to differentiate MSCs without factors. Herein, magnetoelectric (ME) nanofibers were synthesized as the scaffold for the growth of MSCs and their differentiation into neural cells without factors. This nanocomposite takes the advantage of the synergies of the magnetostrictive filler, CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles (CFO), and piezoelectric polymer, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). Graphene oxide nanosheets were decorated with CFO nanoparticles for a proper dispersion in the polymer through... 

Hyperthermia generally means as increasing the temperature of particular region of body to rise 5 °C above the body's physiological temperature. Here, we investigate the thermal therapy of PEGylated cobalt ferrite nanoparticles prepared by hydrothermal approach on cancerous cell line in the alternative current magnetic field. To characterize of the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer were used. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the spinel phase formation of the MNPs. Cytotoxicity of MNPs using MTT assay on L929 cell lines showed the PEGylated... 

Metal-organic framework (MOF) based graphene oxide (GO) recently merits of attention because of the relative correspondence of GO with metal ions and organic binding linkers. Furthermore, introducing the GO to the Co-MOF to make a new nanoporous hybrid have are improved the selectivity and stability of the Co-MOF. Here the graphene oxide/cobalt metal organic framework (GO/Co-MOF) was synthesized by a solvothermal process using cobalt salt and terephthalic acid and used for biocidal activity, against the growth of the Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were confirmed...