Nanoparticles/nanostructures inorganic

For technical purposes, triblock copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) are frequently used (often called poloxamers) [5]. Since approximately 1950, these polymers have been produced on large scale as Pluronics (BASF), Synperonics (ICI), or Genapol, and the self-assembly of these systems is already the subject of a large number of investigations (see e.g., [6-10]). More recently, BCPs have been used as templates for the preparation of ordered nanostructured inorganic materials such as SBA-15 [11-13], or in the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles [14-23]. 

The possibility to combine different reinforcement phases in a polymer matrix was also recently considered in order to obtain multifunctional systems with increased mechanical and thermal properties providing also an antimicrobial response. In a recently accepted paper [160] Fortunati et al. demonstrated the high potential benefits offered by nanotechnology in the development of tailor-made nanobiocomposites with specific applications by the combination of two different synthesized nanostructures inorganic nanoparticles and cellulose nanocrystals in a biodegradable polymer matrix. 

The synthesis of nanostructured inorganic materials by sonochemical had already been synthesized a large number of nanostructures of different compositions with comparable or better than the properties of the same when summed with other preparation methods. The versatility of this method also extends to the relative flexibility of reaction conditions such as the nature of the precursors and their solutions, the possibility of addition of auxiliaries, and the presence of traps (species immobilized) to the nanoparticles. All types of metallic nanostructured materials synthesized by sonochemical described (powders, colloids, or nanoparticles supported) can also be obtained for other classes of compounds such as oxides [58-60], sulfides [61], Suslick [20, 62], and more recently selenides [63, 64] and tellurides [65]. 

Ultrasonic irradiation of a liquid leads to the generation of cavitation phenomenon which comprised of unique reaction fields in addition to physical and mechanical effects the formation of micro-meter sized bubbles, formation of bubbles with high temperature and high pressure conditions, formation of shock waves, and strong micro-stirring effects are produced. Table 5.1 shows representative ultrasound techniques to synthesize inorganic and metal nanoparticles and nanostructured materials. 

Table 5.1 Representative ultrasound techniques to synthesize inorganic and metal nanoparticles and nanostructured materials...

Sonochemical synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles Ashokkumar M (2008) In Cozzoli PD (ed) Chapter 4 Advanced we-chemical synthetic approaches to inorganic nanostructures, Transworld Research Network, pp 107-131... 

The above sections should clearly demonstrate that the study of graphene and its hybrids, especially the latter, has only just begun. Hybrids of graphene with various inorganic nanostructures (nanoparticles, nanowires and nanosheets) are likely to possess many novel properties with potential applications. Graphene-MOF hybrids are yet to be explored extensively and they are found to reveal many useful properties. 

The utilization of large surface areas and, to a certain extent, controllable surface properties make carbon materials an ideal support for finely dispersed catalyst nanoparticles, as discussed in Section 15.2. The special features of nanocarbons for this purpose will be highlighted in the following section. Starting with the controlled synthesis of a variety of nanocarbon-inorganic hybrids, some examples will be discussed, where the superior catalytic performance arises from the unique properties of the nanostructured support. 

The nanostructured surfaces resemble, at least to a certain degree, the architecture of physiological adhesion substrates, such as extracellular matrix, which is composed from nanoscale proteins, and in the case of bone, also hydroxyapatite and other inorganic nanocrystals [16,17,24-27]. From this point of view, carbon nanoparticles, such as fullerenes, nanotubes and nanodiamonds, may serve as important novel building blocks for creating artificial bioinspired nanostructured surfaces for bone tissue engineering. 

The development of assemblies of inorganic materials with biomolecules has emerged as a novel approach to the controlled fabrication of functionalized nanostructures and networks.5 The practice of DNA sequence detection is especially relevant for forensic sciences, food safety, genetics and other fields.6 The immobilization of single strand DNA probes onto solid materials such as noble metal nanoparticles has proved to be the basis for a multitude of quite different nanobiotech-nological and biomedical applications, including the DNA driven assembly of nanoparticles and biosensors.5-11... 

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