This article reports the reduction of methylene blue (MB) by thiocyanate ions (SCN(-)) in aqueous and micellar solutions. Thiocyanate ions are found to be an effective reducing agent for the decolorization of methylene blue under ambient condition. Effects of salting-in and salting-out agents have been investigated for real-time application in the reduction process. The salting-in agent urea has been found to uniquely enhance the rate of the reduction of MB by thiocyanate ion in the presence of micelles. Again, the catalytic activity of nanoparticles in the reduction of MB has also been studied. Detailed kinetic and thermodynamic aspects have been considered to realize the interaction between methylene blue and thiocyanate. Kinetic studies revealed that the reaction is reversible and follows first-order reaction kinetics.

Bimetallic nanoshells on functionalized polystyrene beads have been fabricated through a layer-by-layer deposition technique exploiting electrostatic interaction. The synthesis has been achieved through the immobilization and successive reduction of the corresponding precursor ions. It has been shown that the thickness of the shell can be controlled by a number of cyclic depositions of respective metals onto the surface of the polystyrene beads.

Gold nanoparticles of variable sizes have been prepared by reducing HAuCl(4) with trisodium citrate by Frens' method. It has been found that the gold particles under consideration produce well-ordered aggregates upon interaction with a biomolecule, glutathione in variable acidic pH condition and exhibit pronounced changes in their optical properties arising due to electromagnetic interaction in the close-packed assembly. The effect of nanoparticle size on the nature of aggregation as well as the variation in the optical response due to variable degree of interparticle coupling effects amongst the gold particles have been investigated. The optical properties of the gold aggregates have been accounted in the light of Maxwell-Garnett effective medium theory considering the changes in the filling factor in different aggregates produced by variable sizes of gold colloids. The aggregates have been characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, Raman, XRD and TEM studies. It has been observed that a new peak appearing at a longer wavelength intensifies and shifts further to the red from the original peak position depends on the particle size, concentration of glutathione and pH of the solution. On the basis of the first appearance of a clearly defined new peak at longer wavelength, a higher sensitivity of glutathione detection has been achieved with gold nanoparticles of larger dimension.

Thiazine dye, methylene blue (MB), oxazine dye, nile blue (NB), and phenazine-based dye, neutral red (NR), bear a similar basic dye skeleton with a distinctively different central heteroatom. All of them are extracted into nonpolar organic solvent from alkaline solution. The role of the heteroatom on the respective dye skeletons and redox potentials of the dyes has been examined to signature the stability of the species in organic solvent and the results have been substantiated through geometry optimization and wave function analysis at the density functional theory level. The effect of solvent polarity on the electronic absorption spectra of the three nonionic benzenoid species has been investigated with an intention to investigate the solvatochromic behavior of these compounds.

A green chemistry approach has been furnished for photochemical deposition of alpha-MnO2 nanorods onto the surface of functionalized polystyrene beads through immobilization of MnO4- in alkaline condition under visible light. Then the composite material was exploited as a fruitful and novel solid-phase catalyst for the one-step and facile synthesis of amide compounds from nitriles under visible light in weakly basic medium.

A new solid-phase catalyst has been designed and reported here for the catalytic reduction of o-nitrobenzoic acid to anthranilic acid. Electrostatic field force helps immobilization, in turn deposition of silver nanoparticles onto solid resin surfaces and reduction of o-nitrobenzoic acid through effective catalysis. While characterization of catalyst particles has been performed by different physical methods (XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and EDX) in a worthwhile fashion, selective reduction of o-nitrobenzoic acid has also been achieved conveniently ( approximately 95%). Different thermodynamic parameters for the reduction reaction have been presented from varied experimental conditions. Novelty of this work lies with the catalytic efficiency of nanometer size silver particles immobilized solid-phase matrix for one step synthesis of anthranilic acid over bulk silver.

Gold nanoparticles of variable sizes have been synthesized in toluene employing two-phase (water-toluene) extraction of AuCl(4)(-) followed by its reduction with sodium borohydride in the presence of a series of cationic surfactants of a homologous series having the general formula C(n)()TAC. The solubility features of the gold particles in the organic solvent have been accounted qualitatively by calculating the van der Waals interaction potential between the particles. The effect of thermal energy and medium dielectric constant on the stability of metal particles has been studied by measuring the surface plasmon resonance. The stabilization of surfactant-mediated gold particles as hydrosol or organosol has been elucidated by considering the double-layer interaction as a function of the dielectric constant of the solvent medium. The influence of the counterion of the phase transfer reagent and stabilizing ligand on the photochemical stability of the gold colloids has been investigated. The fluorescence probe 1-methylaminopyrene (MAP) was considered for the surface functionalization of the gold particles, and it has been found that there is an enhancement of molecular fluorescence from the gold-probe assembly.

Silver nanoparticle aggregates were synthesized in large scale using resorcinol under alkaline condition to obtain an assembly of silver clusters. Stable dispersion of the cluster in aqueous medium has been examined out of resorcinol-capped silver nanoparticle assemblies. The UV-vis spectroscopy during the particle evolution has been studied in detail. From the high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) image and XRD pattern it was confirmed that the particles are made of pure silver only. The capping action of resorcinol has been authenticated from the FTIR spectra. UV-vis spectroscopy and TEM images reveal that the temperature, effect of vibrational energy, heat shock, and time-dependent particle evolution have unique bearing on the stability and surface properties of the clusters. The concentrations of silver nitrate, resorcinol, and NaOH have important influence on the particle evolution and its size. TEM images incite us to examine the aggregates to capitulate surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to the single molecular level using crystal violet (CV) and cresyl fast violet (CFV) as molecular probes. The SERS intensity of CV increases with increasing the size of the silver aggregate.

In this paper a convenient route for synthesizing Au(core)-Pd(shell) bimetallic nanoparticles in toluene has been reported as a result of co-reduction of gold(III) and palladium(II) precursors in toluene. N,N-Dimethyldodecylamine was used as a capping agent for the core-shell particles, which not only imparts stability to the organosol but also controls morphology of the evolved particles. The particles were characterized using UV-visible, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction measurements. All results substantiate the formation of core-shell structure of the synthesized particles.

A solution phase approach to synthesize a new metal-semiconductor nanocomposite, AuSe nanoalloy has been reported. The synthesis has been achieved through UV-photoactivation of preformed Au and Se nanoparticles in micelle. Non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 was exploited as a micellar medium for effective fusion of gold and selenium particles under UV. Both physical and chemical studies have been performed to characterize the composition and morphology of the particles. UV-visible, TEM, SEM, XPS and AFM analyses were done for characterization purpose. The optical properties of nanocomposites have been substantiated through their interaction with a fluorescent probe, eosin in aqueous solution. The spectroscopic investigation of dye-metal-semiconductor assembly has been examined critically. It has been found that the dye experiences J and H types of aggregation on the surfaces of gold and selenium nanoparticles respectively. Again, the composition dependent change of the emission profile of the probe on different nanocomposite surfaces has been rationalized in accordance with the molecular dimerization of the dye.

The paper reports the pH controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles using honey as reducing and stabilizing agents. By adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution containing metal ions and honey, nanoparticles of various size could be obtained at room temperature. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible, high-resolution TEM, XRD and FTIR measurements. The colloid obtained at a pH of 8.5 is found to consist of monodispersed and nearly spherical silver nanoparticles of size approximately 4nm which is a significant advancement in biosynthesis. The high crystallinity with fcc phase is evidenced by clear lattice fringes in the high-resolution TEM image and peaks in the XRD pattern corresponding to (111),(200),(220),(311) and (222) planes. FTIR spectrum indicates that the nanoparticles are bound to protein through the carboxylate ion group.

A novel method was proposed to prepare a series of functionalized Ag(2)S nanoparticles capped with various aminopolycarboxylic acids. The as-prepared Ag(2)S nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis, FTIR, resonance light scattering spectra (RLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on the RLS intensities enhanced by BSA-induced Ag(2)S nanoparticles aggregation, a sensitive RLS method for the detection BSA at nanogram levels was established. The detection limits for BSA are between 8.6 and 112.6ngmL(-1), depending on the different capping agents. The effects of various capping agents on the detection limits of BSA have been investigated. The detection limit is found to be dependent on the stability constant (logK(MY)) of the silver-aminopolycarboxyl complexes.

Gold-silver alloy nanoparticles with a homogeneous size distribution and good stability were synthesized in aqueous solution by one-step reduction with gallic acid as reductant in the absence of other stabilizers for the first time. The absorption spectra of as prepared gold-silver alloy nanoparticles under different reaction temperatures and with various gold-silver mole ratios were studied. The absorption spectra exhibit only one single peak with the maximum wavelength located between the absorption peaks of Au nanoparticles and Ag nanoparticles, however, the absorption spectrum of the physical mixtures of Au nanoparticles and Ag nanoparticles exhibits two absorption peaks coming from their corresponding monometallic metal nanoparticles, suggesting primarily the formation of the alloy nanoparticles. The maximal absorption peaks of alloy nanoparticles showed gradually a blue-shift with the rising of reaction temperature companying with the increase in absorbance and the narrowing of peak shape. The maximum absorption wavelengths of alloy nanoparticles showed a red-shift with increasing Au/Ag molar ratio in a linear fashion, further indicating the formation of alloy nanoparticles. HRTEM images showed that the as-prepared alloy nanoparticles with Ag/Au molar ratio of 1:1 are close to sphere in shape, homogeneous in size distribution and without capping phenomenon. EDX analysis suggested the present of Au and Ag in individual nanoparticles, and the Au/Ag mole ratio value of a sample with a nominal element composition was found to be close to the nominal value.

Capped boron nanoparticles have been synthesized at room temperature by a simple route that does not involve the use of flammable boranes.

Black single crystals of the two nonstoichiometric cerium coinage-metal oxysulfide compounds CeCu(x)OS and CeAg(x)OS (x approximately 0.8) have been prepared by the reactions of Ce2S3 and CuO or Ag2O at 1223 or 1173 K, respectively. A black powder sample of CeAgOS has been prepared by the stoichiometric reaction of Ce2S3, CeO2, Ag2S, and Ag at 1073 K. These isostructural materials crystallize in the ZrSiCuAs structure type with two formula units in the tetragonal space group P4/nmm. Refined crystal structure results and chemical analyses provide evidence that the previously known anomalously small unit-cell volume of LnCuOS for Ln = Ce (Ln = rare-earth metal) is the result of Cu vacancies and the concomitant presence of both Ce3+ and Ce4+. Both CeCu(0.8)OS and CeAgOS are paramagnetic with mu(eff) values of 2.13(6) and 2.10(1) mu(B), respectively. CeCu(0.8)OS is a p-type semiconductor with a thermal activation energy Ea = 0.22 eV, sigma(electrical)= 9.8(1) 10(-3) S/cm at 298 K, and an optical band gap Eg < 0.73 eV. CeAgOS has conductivity sigma(conductivity)= 0.16(4) S/cm and an optical band gap Eg = 0.71 eV at 298 K. Theoretical calculations with an on-site Coulomb repulsion parameter indicate that the Ce 4f states are fully spin-polarized and are not localized in CeCuOS, CeCu(0.75)OS, or CeAgOS. Calculated band gaps for CeCu(0.75)OS and CeAgOS are 0.6 and 0.8 eV, respectively.

Coinage metal chalcogenides in their nanoregime have been synthesized in aqueous medium at room temperature by mixing the nanoparticles of silver or copper with selenium nanoparticles which are authenticated by UV-vis, XRD and TEM analyses.

Extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles by a white rot fungus, Phaenerochaete chrysosporium is reported in this paper. Incubation of P. chrysosporium mycelium with silver nitrate solution produced silver nanoparticles in 24h. These silver nanoparticles were characterized by means of UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The synthesized silver nanoparticles absorbed maximum at 470nm in the visible region. XRD spectrum of the silver nanoparticles confirmed the formation of metallic silver. The SEM characterization of the fungus reacted on the Ag(+) indicated that the protein might be responsible for the stabilization of silver nanoparticles. This result was further supported by the TEM examination. Though shape variation was noticed, majority of the nanoparticles were found to be of pyramidal shape as seen under TEM. Photoluminescence spectrum showed a broad emission peak of silver nanoparticles at 423nm when excited at 350nm. Apart from eco-friendliness, fungus as bio-manufacturing unit will give us an added advantage in ease of handling when compared to other classes of microorganisms.

A novel sonoelectrochemical method for the size-controlled synthesis of spherical copper nanoparticles in an aqueous phase was developed. In this study, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)(PVP) was used as the stabilizer for the copper clusters. The copper nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, UV-vis, IR, DLS, TEM, and HRTEM. The PVP was found to greatly promote the formation rate of copper particles and to significantly reduce the copper deposition rate, thereby making monodispersed copper nanoparticles. We could control the particle size by adjusting various parameters such as current density, deposition, temperature, and sonic power, and improve the homogeneity of the copper particles. The results also showed that the transfer rate of PVP-stabilized copper clusters from the cathodic vicinity to the bulk solution played an important role in the preparation of the monodispersed nanoparticles.

Colloidal silver nanoparticles were synthesized in AOT microemulsions. The effects of the precursors' concentration and the molar ratios of water to AOT on the particle size and size distribution were investigated. UV-vis spectra showed that the Ag(+)(4) intermediates formed at low N(2)H(4) concentration. TEM micrographs confirmed that the silver nanoparticles are all spherical with mean diameters in the range 2-5 nm and have a narrow size distribution. Not only the particle size but also the size distribution was increasing with the W value. The silver colloid has favorable stability and can be preserved for a long time without precipitation.