Metal nanoshells consists of a dielectric core surrounded by a thin noble metal shell, possess unique optical properties, which render nanoshells attractive for use in different technologies. This paper reports a facile method for growth of small gold nanoparticles on the functionalized surface of larger silica nanoparticles. Mono-dispersed silica particles and gold nanoparticles were prepared ...

Novel photochromic hybrid nanomaterials were prepared through the immobilization of the lacunary Keggin-type phosphomolybdate (TBA4H3[PMo11O39]·xH2O, denoted as PMo11) and sandwich-type lanthano phosphomolybdates (K11[Ln(III)(PMo11O39)2]·xH2O, denoted as Ln(PMo11)2, where Ln(III) = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb and Dy) onto positively-charged functionalized silica nanoparticles. The functionalized silica nano...

Multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) have attracted substantial attention with regard to their high potential for targeted drug delivery. For future clinical applications it is crucial to address safety concerns and understand the potential immunotoxicity of these nanoparticles. In this study, we assess the biocompatibility and functionality of multifunctional MSN in freshly is...

A hierarchical zeolite CaA with microporous, mesoporous and macroporous structure was hydrothermally synthesized by a ”Bond-Blocking” method using organo-functionalized mesoporous silica (MS) as a silica source. The characterization by XRD, SEM/TEM and N2 adsorption/desorption techniques showed that the prepared material had well-crystalline zeolite Linde Type A (LTA) topological structure, mic...

A novel electrochemical assay to quantify transglutaminase activity is reported. The assay is based on the enzyme-controlled diffusion of Fe(CN)6(3-/4-) through amino-functionalized nanochannels of a mesoporous silica thin film on a Au surface in the presence of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-glutaminylglycine.

A series of Fe3O4 supported on mesoporous FDU-12 silica systems were prepared by the hydrothermal conditions. The surface properties of the functionalized catalyst were analyzed by a series of characterization techniques like FTIR, XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption and TEM. XRD and adsorption–desorption analysis shows that the mesostructure of FDU silica remains intact after Fe3O4 modifications, wh...

Fe3O4-containing cotton-like mesoporous silica system (Fe3O4@NCSM) was studied with regard to its performance towards the photodecolorization of bromothymol blue (BTB) aqueous solution. The surface properties of the functionalized catalyst were analyzed by a series of characterization techniques like FTIR, XRD, BET, SEM and TEM. The N2 Adso...

Fe3O4-containing cotton-like mesoporous silica system (Fe3O4@NCSM) was studied with regard to its performance towards the photodecolorization of bromothymol blue (BTB) aqueous solution. The surface properties of the functionalized catalyst were analyzed by a series of characterization techniques like FTIR, XRD, BET, SEM and TEM. The N2 Adso...

Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins which can be found in food based on cereal-crops, due to a contamination of plants by fungi of the genus Claviceps. The ingestion of ergot contaminated cereal crops can lead to a severe poisoning known as ergotism. For food and feed safety purposes, the extraction of ergot alkaloids from ergot contaminated flour was investigated. For the specific recognition of er...

To enhance diagnostic or therapeutic efficacy, novel nanomaterials must be engineered to function in biologically relevant environments, be visible by conventional fluorescent microscopy, and have multivalent loading capacity for easy detection or effective drug delivery. Here we report the fabrication of silica nanoparticles doped with quantum dots and superficially functionalized with amino a...