antibacterial coating nano silver – Silver Nanoparticles Antimicrobial,Copper Oxide Nanoparticles,Gold Nanopowder

February 18, 2016

Silver or Silver Nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles have good stability, small size effect, surface effect, an optical effect and unique biological affinity, in many areas show a potential application, aroused great interest in science and technology workers, scientists have synthesized a silver (Ag) nanocluster that is virtually identical to a gold (Au) nanocluster. On the outside, the silver nanocluster has a golden yellow color, and on the inside, its chemical structure and properties also closely mimic those of its gold counterpart. The work shows that it may be possible to create silver nanoparticles that look and behave like gold despite underlying differences between the two elements, and could lead to creating similar analogues between other pairs of elements.

The researchers, led by Osman Bakr, Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, have published the paper in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

“In some aspects, this is very similar to alchemy, but we call it ‘nano-alchemy,'” Bakr told Phys.org. “When we first encountered the optical spectrum of the silver nanocluster, we thought that we may have inadvertently switched the chemical reagents for silver with gold, and ended up with gold nanoparticles instead. But repeated synthesis and measurements proved that the clusters were indeed silver and yet show properties akin to gold. It was really surprising to us as scientists to find not only similarities in the color and optical properties, but also the X-ray structure.”

Like all chemical elements, silver and gold are defined by their number of protons: silver has 47, and gold has 79. The work here doesn’t change the number of protons in an atom of silver; otherwise it would no longer be considered silver. Instead, the researchers synthesized a nanocluster of 25 silver atoms, along with 18 other molecules called “ligands” that surround the silver atoms. The entire negatively charged, silver-based complex ion has the chemical formula [Ag25(SPhMe2)18]-.

Although a few other silver nanoparticle have been synthesized in recent years, this is the first silver nanocluster that has a matching analogue in gold: [Au25(SPhMe2)18]- has previously been reported. Besides both nanoclusters having 25 metal atoms and 18 ligands, they also both have all of their atoms and electrons arranged in almost exactly the same way.

In their study, the researchers performed tests demonstrating that the silver and gold nanoclusters have very similar optical properties. Typically, silver nanoclusters are brown or red in color, but this one looks just like gold because it emits light at almost the same wavelength (around 675 nm) as gold. The golden color can be explained by the fact that both nanoclusters have virtually identical crystal structures.

February 2, 2016

Excellent Quality Nano Diamond Powder

Excellent quality nano diamond powder for grinding and polishing. Outstanding wearability,anti-causticity and thermal conductivity,stable high dispersibility,superhigh purity. Our nano diamond is achieved from the dissociative carbon in super high pressure and temperature during the detonation by the oxygen-negative explosive. The nano diamonds, with 5 – 20 nanometer basic sizes, have sphere shape and functional group of oxygen and nitrogen on the surface. It possesses characteristics of both diamond and nano functional made of, super finish polishing property.

Outstanding wearability, anti-causticity and thermal conductivity.

Stable high dispersibility.

Superhigh purity, main element impurity below 30 ppm.

Various dispersible products.

Super polishing effect with minus 0.8 nm surface roughness. Product classification:. Black powder slurry series in different cluster size distributions. Black powder series with different nanodiamond contents. Grey and superfine powder series of nanodiamonds. Black powder slurry series in different cluster size distributions. Accurate nano powders at different cluster size distributions. Available sizes of nano diamond.

Leveraging on our vast industry experience, we offer an extensive range of Nano Diamond Powder that has excellent wear resistance corrosion resistance. In order to suit the various need of customers, the offered diamond powder is in polishing and grinding hard drive glass, magnetic head & can significantly improve friction performance extend life. Besides this, our offered diamond powder is available from us in diverse packaging options. Features: Good thermal conductivity,Super- smooth polishing effective.

January 28, 2016

Applications In Chemistry of Copper Nanowires

Copper nanowire, which can greatly reduce the potential display manufacturing cost of mobile phones, electronic readers and iPad, and can help scientists build foldable electronic products and improve the performance of solar cells, has entered the commercial stage of manufacture.

In an ingenious application of food chemistry more commonly associated with the searing of steak or baking of bread, scientists in Singapore have developed a green synthesis for well-defined copper nanowires (CuNWs).

Films made from silver or copper nanowires are promising candidates, exhibiting high conductivity and optical transparency in addition to being flexible. Food chemistry is a much talked about topic nowadays and an interesting field to venture into for young aspirants. The applications of food chemistry are ingenious and widespread. Interestingly many chemical compounds have a wide application in the field of food chemistry that scientists are never tired experimenting with different chemical compounds.

Scientists in Singapore have developed a green synthesis for well-defined Copper Nanowires. They are attractive as copper is 100 times cheaper than silver and 1000 times more abundant. Copper Nanowires can be synthesized in electric pressure cooker and they have a wide application in Conductive Networks. Copper Nanowires hold a great promise for the fabrication of low-cost transparent electrodes.

However, their current synthesis is mainly performed in aqueous media with poor nanowire dispersibility. We report herein the novel synthesis of ultralong single-crystalline Copper nanowires with excellent dispersibility, providing an excellent candidate material for high-performance transparent electrode fabrication.
Applications of Copper nanowires

Most printed electronics applications rely on some kind of ink formulated with conductive materials. Silver nanowires, due to their superior conductivity and intrinsic flexibility, have become a popular choice for fabricating the required flexible and stretchable electrodes.

The use of copper which is much cheaper and more abundant as an alternative electrode material to silver would dramatically reduce the cost of these nanowire materials. Despite these advantages, Copper Nanowires face a serious bottleneck for future practical use in flexible and stretchable optoelectronics, although they are nearly as conductive as silver, this conductivity is not stable.

Researchers have successfully shown how conductive Copper Nanowires elastomer fuses with superior performance stability even under conditions of stretching, twisting, oxidation and bending. These nanoproducts have made the applications of science very interesting and hold a major significance in day to day lives.

October 29, 2015

Antimicrobial Features of Nano Silver

Nanometer (nm) is the second smallest micron unit of measurement, a nanometer is a millionth millimeter, namely nanometer, which is one billionth of a meter. Nano-silver, nano-technology is the use of cutting-edge nano silver, nano technology appears, the silver in the nano state sterilization ability to produce a qualitative leap, little nano silver may have a strong bactericidal effect, can kill in minutes Death 650 kinds of bacteria, broad-spectrum bactericidal without any resistance, can promote wound healing, cell growth and repair of damaged cells without any toxicity, skin irritation also did not find any, which gives wide Application to antibacterial nano silver has opened up broad prospects, is the latest generation of natural antibacterial agent, nano-silver sterilization has the following characteristics:
Broad-spectrum antibiotic

Silver nanoparticles directly into the cell and oxygen metabolizing enzymes (-SH) combine to make a unique cell suffocated mechanism of action, can kill most bacteria in contact with, fungi, mold spores and other microorganisms. After eight domestic authorities found: their drug-resistant pathogens, such as E. coli, resistant Staphylococcus aureus, resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes resistant enterococci, anaerobic bacteria, which are full of antibacterial activity; surface burns and trauma of common bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and other G +, G- pathogens have a bactericidal effect; Chlamydia trachomatis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae also has a strong bactericidal effect.

An antibiotic can kill about six kinds of pathogens, and antibacterial coating nano silver can kill hundreds of pathogenic microorganisms. Kill bacteria, fungi, trichomonas, branch / chlamydia, gonorrhea, strong bactericidal effect of antibiotic resistant bacteria have the same role in the killing!
Potent bactericidal

It found, Ag 650 kinds of bacteria can kill within minutes. Nano silver particles and pathogens in the cell wall / membrane-bound, directly into the cell and quickly combine with oxygen metabolizing enzyme sulfhydryl (-SH), inactivating the enzyme, blocking the respiratory metabolism to suffocate it. Unique sterilization mechanism, making silver nanoparticles at low concentrations can rapidly kill pathogens.
Permeable

Silver nanoparticles with superior permeability, can rapidly penetrate the subcutaneous 2mm sterilization, for common bacteria, stubborn bacteria, resistant bacteria as well as the deeper tissue infections caused by fungi have a good bactericidal effect.
Repair and regeneration

Nano-silver can promote wound healing, promoting repair and regeneration of damaged cells, to rot myogenic, anti-bacterial anti-inflammatory improve microcirculation trauma to surrounding tissue, effectively activate and promote the growth of tissue cells, accelerate wound healing and reduce scarring generated.

Antibacterial lasting

Silver nanoparticles utilizing patented technology, outer layer of protective film can be gradually released in the human body, so the antibacterial effect.
No drug resistance

Nano-silver is a non-antibiotic agents: nano-silver can kill a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, stronger than antibiotics, antibacterial mechanism of silver nanoparticles unique 10nm size can quickly kill bacteria directly to the loss of reproductive capacity, and therefore, can not produce the next generation of drug resistance, and can effectively avoid drug resistance and cause recurrent permanently.

Silver applications in modern medicine

In 1884, the German obstetrician F. Crede (Claude), the concentration of 1% silver nitrate solution was dropped in the eyes of newborns to prevent blindness caused by neonatal conjunctivitis, the incidence of infant blindness dropped from 10% 0.2 percent, until today, many countries still using Crede prophylaxis.

In 1893, C. Von Nageli (Nag column) through a systematic study, first reported in the metal (especially silver) bacteria and other lower organisms lethal effect, so there may be a silver disinfectant. Since then, the use of silver into the modern era.

Silver in various forms used in modern medicine, comprising:

(1)silver: 0.5% silver nitrate standard solution for treating burns and wounds; 10-20% silver nitrate solution applied, it can be used for the treatment of cervical erosion.

(2)Silver sulfadiazine: Columbia University Charles L. Fox (Fox) professor and sulfadiazine silver compound, silver sulfadiazine produced its activity than the individual sulfa strong activity at least 50 times. 1968, silver sulfadiazine (Sulfadiazine Silver) introduced to the market, because of its variety of bacteria, fungi and efficient role in the killing has, naturally, painless way to completely repair the wound site without skin grafting, has become the treatment of trauma ( such as burns) important drugs. It has now been included in the national basic medical insurance drug list.

(3)colloidal silver or silver protein: an effective topical anti-infective substances, colloidal silver can be used for gynecological sterilization.

(4) silver plated materials: silver, founder of the research, AB Flick (Fleck), Dr. Silver has developed a product that is coated with a layer of silver on a bandage, used as a dressing. Inspired by him, people use silver antimicrobial resistance, have developed a silver-plated sutures, silver catheter. Currently the United States has a dozen silver-containing products, listed as a medical device to obtain FDA approval, including silver dressings, silver gelatin, silver powder and other types of medical products.

October 23, 2015

History of Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes

1985 British scientist spectrum professor at the University of Sussex American Kroto and Smalley and Curl at Rice University professor in two collaborative research, we found a high degree of symmetry of the carbon element may be formed by a cage-like 60 or 70 carbon atoms in the C60 and C70 molecular structure, known as buckyballs (Buckyballs).

In 1991, Japanese scientists Iijima at NEC preparing cathode scarring C60 for the first time by high resolution tunneling electron microscopy revealed an outer diameter of 515nm, an inner diameter of 213nm, stacked by only two coaxial cylindrical surface made of graphite-like carbon nanotubes. Then in 1993, Iijima and Bethune research group also reported the structure is very simple synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes, which is theoretically predicted properties of carbon nanotubes offer the possibility of experiments on carbon clusters to further broaden the scope of the material, also greatly contributed to the theoretical and experimental study of carbon nanotubes so that the field is now becoming a hot global research. Carbon nanotubes are following the discovery of C60 carbon allotropes with another, smaller radial dimension, the tube diameter is generally a few nanometers to several tens of nanometers, smaller diameter of the tube, some only about 1nm; and Its length is generally in the micron level, length and diameter ratio is very large, up to 103 to 106. Thus, carbon nanotubes are considered to be a typical one-dimensional nanomaterials. Since carbon nanotubes were found to mankind, has been hailed as the future of the material, it is one of the frontiers of international science in recent years. Professor Alex Zettl Berkeley University of California think, on prospects for C60 and carbon nanotubes to conduct a comprehensive comparison, C60 can be summarized with a sheet of paper, and carbon nanotubes need to complete a book.

The unique structure of multi walled carbon nanotubes determines that it has many special physical and chemical properties. Composed of carbon nanotubes C = C covalent bond is nature’s most stable chemical bond, it makes the carbon nanotube has a very excellent mechanical properties. Theoretical calculations show that carbon nanotubes have high strength and great toughness. Its theoretical value estimate Young’s modulus up 5TPa, strength is about 100 times stronger than steel, but weight density is only 1/6 of steel. Treacy and so for the first time use of the TEM measurements of the temperature within the range from room temperature to 800 degrees change MWCNTs mean square amplitude, to derive the average Young’s modulus is about multi-walled carbon nanotubes 1.8Tpa. The Salvetat and other measurements of Young’s modulus of single-walled small-diameter carbon nanotubes, and export its shear modulus 1Tpa. Wong et AFM measured bending strength multi-walled carbon nanotubes with an average of 14.2 ± 10.8GPa, and bending strength of the carbon fibers but only 1GPa. Whether it is the strength or toughness of carbon nanotubes, they are far superior to any fiber, is considered the future of the “super fiber.” It predicted that carbon nanotubes could become a new kind of high-strength carbon fiber material, both inherent nature of the carbon material, and a conductive metallic material and thermal conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials, textile fibers can be woven , as well as lightweight polymer materials, ease of processing. The carbon nanotubes as composite reinforcement, is expected to show good strength, elasticity, fatigue resistance and isotropic carbon nanotube-reinforced composites can be expected to bring composites may leap. Research produced by nanotube composite material is first carried out on a metal base, such as: Fe / carbon nanotube, Al / carbon nanotube, Ni / carbon nanotube, Cu / carbon nanotube. In recent years, the focus has shifted to the carbon nanotube polymer composites / carbon nanotube composite material aspects, such as high-strength lightweight materials, the use of carbon fiber as a reinforcing material, the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes and small diameter and a large aspect ratio will bring better enhancement.

September 10, 2015

All About Silver Nanoparticles Antimicrobial

Nano-silver antibacterial agent is to achieve nanoscale metal particle elemental silver, about 25 nanometers in diameter mostly. Then the use of special technology, nano-silver into a carrier to form a solution.

Origin
Silver Nanoparticles Antimicrobial originated from the ancient times people began to use, it was found that silver and copper vessels retained water should not deteriorate, and later the palace of your time and get used to eat the rich silver chopsticks, folk and wear jewelry made of silver, Chinese folk very early recognized the silver has antibacterial effect.

Definitions
Refers to the ability of nano-silver antibacterial agent within a certain time, so that certain microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae and viruses, etc.) necessary to maintain growth or reproduction below the level of chemicals. Nano-silver antibacterial agent is a substance or product has bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties.

Antibacterial principle
Contact reaction antibacterial mechanism: silver ions contact reaction, resulting in the destruction of microorganisms common components or produce dysfunction. When a small amount of silver ions to reach the microbial cell membranes, because the latter with a negative charge, relying on Coulomb attraction, so that the two strongly adsorbed silver ions penetrate the cell wall into the cell, and react with SH groups, so that protein coagulation, damage cells synthase activity, cell death and loss of the ability to proliferate. Silver ions can damage microbial electron transport system, respiratory system and mass transport systems.

Feature
Potent bactericidal, repair and regeneration, broad-spectrum bactericidal, permeability, durability, no drug resistance.

August 24, 2015

Outstanding Nano Diamond Powder

Nano Diamond Powder 5-20nm
1.High purity.
2.Low price.
3.Excellent quality. Nano diamond powder for grinding and polishing. Specifications:. Nano diamond. Powder for grinding and polishing. :. Outstanding wearability,anti-causticity and thermal conductivity,stable high dispersibility,superhigh purity. Our nano diamond is achieved from the dissociative carbon in super high pressure and temperature during the detonation by the oxygen-negative explosive. The nano diamonds, with 5 – 20 nanometer basic sizes, have sphere shape and functional group of oxygen and nitrogen on the surface. It possesses characteristics of both diamond and nano functional made of … . Characteristics:. Super finish polishing property.
1.Outstanding wearability, anti-causticity and thermal conductivity.
2.Stable high dispersibility.
3.Superhigh purity, main element impurity below 30 ppm.
4.Various dispersible products.
5.Super polishing effect with minus 0.8 nm surface roughness. Product classification:. Black powder slurry series in different cluster size distributions. Black powder series with different nanodiamond contents. Grey and superfine powder series of nanodiamonds. Black powder slurry series in different cluster size distributions.

The reaction of nanoscale diamond (ND) powder with an elemental fluorine/hydrogen mixture at temperatures varying from 150 to 470 °C resulted in the high degree of ND surface fluorination yielding a fluoro-nanodiamond with up to 8.6 at. % fluorine content. The fluoro-nanodiamond was used as a precursor for preparation of the series of functionalized nanodiamonds by subsequent reactions with alkyllithium reagents, diamines, and amino acids. The fluoro-nanodiamond and corresponding alkyl-, amino-, and amino acid-nanodiamond derivatives were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermal gravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS) measurements. In comparison with the pristine nanodiamond, all functionalized nanodiamonds show an improved solubility in polar organic solvents, e.g., alcohols and THF, and a reduced particle agglomeration. The developed methodology provides an efficient method for the chemical modification of nanodiamond powder, which enables a variety of engineering and biomedical applications of ND derivatives.

July 14, 2015

The Antimicrobial Features of Nano Silver

Antibacterial coating nano silver is regarded as a new generation of antibacterial agents and has great potential to be utilized in antibacterial surface coatings for medical devices, food package and industrial pipes. However, disadvantages such as easy aggregation, uncontrollable release of silver ions and potential cytotoxicity greatly hinder its uses. Recently, polymers possessing unique functions have been employed to fabricate nanocomposite coatings with nanosilver for better biocompatibility and enhanced antibacterial activity. This review starts with progress on antibacterial mechanism and cytotoxic effects of nanosilver. Antibacterial functions of polymers are subsequently discussed. Advances of fabrication of polymer/nanosilver composite coatings for antibacterial applications are surveyed. Finally, conclusions and perspectives, in particular future directions of polymer/nanosilver composite coatings for antibacterial applications are proposed. It is expected that this review is able to provide the updated accomplishments of the polymer/nanosilver composite coatings for antibacterial applications while attracting great interest of research and development in this area.

Nanometer (nm) is the second smallest micron unit of measurement, a nanometer is a millionth millimeter, namely nanometer, which is one billionth of a meter. Nano-silver is the use of cutting-edge nanotechnology silver nano, nanotechnology have enabled the state of nano silver sterilization ability to produce a qualitative leap, little nanosilver can have a strong bactericidal effect, can kill in minutes Death 650 kinds of bacteria, broad-spectrum bactericidal without any resistance, to promote wound healing, cell growth and repair of damaged cells without any toxicity, skin irritation also did not find any, which gives wide Application to antibacterial nano silver has opened up broad prospects, is the latest generation of natural antibacterial agent, nano-silver sterilization has the following characteristics:
Broad-spectrum antibiotic

Silver nanoparticles directly into the cell and oxygen metabolizing enzymes (-SH) combine to make cell suffocated unique mechanism of action, can kill most bacteria in contact with, fungi, mold spores and other microorganisms. After eight domestic authorities found: their drug-resistant pathogens, such as E. coli, resistant Staphylococcus aureus resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes resistant enterococci, anaerobic bacteria, which are full of antibacterial activity; surface burns and trauma of common bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and other G +, G- pathogens have a bactericidal effect; Chlamydia trachomatis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae also has a strong bactericidal effect.

An antibiotic can kill about six kinds of pathogens, and nano-silver can kill hundreds of pathogenic microorganisms. Kill bacteria, fungi, trichomoniasis, branch / chlamydia, gonorrhea, strong bactericidal effect of antibiotic resistant bacteria have the same role in the killing!
Potent bactericidal

It found, Ag 650 kinds of bacteria can kill within minutes. Nano silver particles and pathogens in the cell wall / membrane-bound, directly into the cell and quickly combine with oxygen metabolizing enzyme thiol group (-SH), inactivating the enzyme, blocking the respiratory metabolism to suffocate it. Unique sterilization mechanism, making silver nanoparticles at low concentrations can rapidly kill pathogens.
Permeable

Silver nanoparticles with superior permeability, can rapidly penetrate the subcutaneous 2mm sterilization, common bacteria, stubborn bacteria, resistant bacteria as well as the deeper tissue infections caused by fungi have a good bactericidal effect.
Repair and regeneration

Nano-silver can promote wound healing, promoting repair and regeneration of damaged cells, to rot myogenic, anti-inflammatory improve microcirculation trauma to surrounding tissue, effectively activate and promote the growth of tissue cells, accelerate wound healing and reduce scarring generated.
Antibacterial lasting

Silver nanoparticles use patented technology, outer layer of protective film can be gradually released in the human body, so anti-bacterial effect.
No drug resistance

Nano-silver is a non-antibiotic agents: nano-silver can kill a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, more than antibiotics, antibacterial mechanism of silver nanoparticles unique 10nm size can quickly kill bacteria directly to the loss of reproductive ability, therefore, can not produce the next generation of drug resistance, can effectively avoid drug resistance and cause recurrent permanently.

Silver used in modern medicine
In 1884, the German obstetrician F. Crede (Claude), the concentration of 1% silver nitrate solution was dropped in the eyes of newborns to prevent blindness caused by neonatal conjunctivitis, infant blindness prevalence dropped from 10% 0.2 percent, until today, many countries still using Crede prophylaxis.

Silver used in modern medicine in many forms, including:
(1) silver: 0.5% silver nitrate standard solution for treating burns and wounds; 10-20% of the silver nitrate solution applied, can be used for the treatment of cervical erosion.
(2) Silver sulfadiazine: Columbia University Charles L. Fox (Fox) professor and sulfadiazine silver compound, silver sulfadiazine generated activity than the individual sulfa strong activity at least 50 times. 1968, silver sulfadiazine (Sulfadiazine Silver) introduced to the market, because of its variety of bacteria, fungi and efficient role in the killing has, naturally, painless way to fully repair the wound site without skin grafting, has become the treatment of trauma ( such as burn) important drugs. It has now been included in the national basic medical insurance drug list.
(3) colloidal silver or silver protein: an effective topical anti-infective substances, colloidal silver can be used for gynecological sterilization.
(4) silver plated materials: silver, founder of the research, AB Flick (Fleck), Dr. Silver has developed a product that is coated with a layer of silver on the bandage, used as a dressing. Inspired by him, people use silver antimicrobial resistance, have developed a silver-plated sutures, silver catheter. Currently the United States has a dozen silver-containing products, as a medical device received FDA marketing approval, including silver dressings, silver gelatin, silver powder and other types of medical products.

June 30, 2015

Do You Know Gold Nanoparticles?

Ultrasmall, crystalline, and dispersible NiO nanoparticles are prepared for the first time, and it is shown that they are promising candidates as catalysts for electrochemical water oxidation. Using a solvothermal reaction in tert-butanol, very small nickel oxide nanocrystals can be made with sizes tunable from 2.5 to 5 nm and a narrow particle size distribution. The crystals are perfectly dispersible in ethanol even after drying, giving stable transparent colloidal dispersions. The structure of the nanocrystals corresponds to phase-pure stoichiometric nickel(ii) oxide with a partially oxidized surface exhibiting Ni(iii) states. The 3.3 nm nanoparticles demonstrate a remarkably high turn-over frequency of 0.29 s–1 at an overpotential of g = 300 mV for electrochemical water oxidation, outperforming even expensive rare earth iridium oxide catalysts. The unique features of these NiO nanocrystals provide great potential for the preparation of novel composite materials with applications in the field of (photo)electrochemical water splitting. The dispersed colloidal solutions may also find other applications, such as the preparation of uniform hole-conducting layers for organic solar cells.

Gold has always been the one precious material people like best. Due to its intrinsic value, buying the yellow metal has been seen as a good way of securing one’s money. Big players on the market prefer it in the form of bullion, whereas small investors settle themselves with purchasing fine pieces of gold jewelry. In modern times though, gold has ceased to be merely a safe investment opportunity or exchange currency. As a result of extensive research and continuous development, it has been discovered that gold can be used successfully for scientific purposes as well.

One of these special uses of gold refers to what is called ‘nanogold’, ‘colloidal gold’ or ‘gold nanoparticles’, i.e. sub-micrometer-sized particles of gold dispersed in a fluid, usually water. The existence of these special gold particles has been known to people since ancient times, yet it was in 1850s that scientists focused their full attention on them. The main reasons behind this interest for gold nanoparticles are their extraordinary optical, electronic and molecular-recognition properties. These properties allow for the gold nanoparticles to have applications in various fields, including electron microscopy, electronics,Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles,nanotechnology and materials science.

Biological electronic microscopy is one of the areas where gold nanoparticles have been extensively used as contrast agents. They can be associated with many traditional biological probes such as antibodies, lectins, superantigens, glycans, nucleic acids and receptors. Because gold particles having various sizes can be easily spotted in electron micrographs, it is possible for multiple experiments to be conducted simultaneously.

In what concerns the domain of health and medical applications, gold nanoparticles have been successfully used as part of the treatment for some diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis was among the first conditions where use of gold was part of the therapy since it has been found that gold particles implanted near the arthritic hip joints relieve pain. There have also been some in vitro experiments which have proved that gold nanoparticles combined with microwave radiation can destroy the beta-amyloid fibrils and plaque which are characteristic for Alzheimer’s disease. But perhaps the most important medical purpose for which gold nanoparticles can be used is the localization and treatment of cancer. It has already been shown that by directing gold nanoparticles into the nuclei of cancer cells, they can only not hinder them from multiplying, but also kill them.

As we can see, for the modern society of today gold has become more than just merchandise and by buying it we do not just secure our investments, but our health as well. With the help of science, researchers have been able to explore the great latent potential gold has. Just like the professionals in the business whose opinion is of great value for the buyers, specialists in important areas such as medicine can testify about gold’s benefits too.