1. Contaminants in the soil and typical crops of the Pannonian region of SloveniaŽiga Jelen, Milan Svetec, Peter Majerič, Stanko Kapun, Lara Resman, Tatjana Čeh, Granit Hajra, Rebeka Rudolf, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Soil contamination and the uptake of pollutants by food crops are widespread issues that vary greatly by region and are influenced by the mineral composition of the soil and local human activities. The Pannonian region, where agriculture has played a key role since Roman times, has been particularly impacted by the long-standing agricultural and industrial practices. While soil contamination with heavy metals is monitored by the Slovenian government, microplastic contamination and the uptake of pollutants into food crops have yet to become a regular component of monitoring efforts. In this study, we conducted a preliminary investigation into soil and crop contamination across the Pannonian region, focusing on identifying harmful contaminants and their potential uptake into food crops. Both soil and crop samples were analyzed for the presence of heavy metals with proven methods such as atomic absorption spectrometry (FASS), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS), atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was found to be a potentially faster method of obtaining data on soil composition. Special attention was also given to the potential presence of microplastics in the region’s soils.
Ključne besede: soil contamination, Pannonia, soil, food crops, heavy metals, microplastics
Objavljeno v DKUM: 28.11.2024; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 0
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2. Optical characteristics of directly deposited gold nanoparticle filmsJordi Sancho-Parramon, Tilen Švarc, Peter Majerič, Žiga Jelen, Rebeka Rudolf, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The manuscript presents the optical properties of directly deposited films of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared by the Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP) technology. Four samples were produced, with AuNP deposition times on the glass substrate of 15 min, 30 min, 1 h and 4 h. The morphological characterisation of the deposited films showed that the size of the first deposited AuNPs was between 10 and 30 nm, while, with a longer duration of the deposition process, larger clusters of AuNPs grew by coalescence and aggregation. The prepared layers were characterised optically with Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis) and ellipsometry. The ellipsometric measurements showed an increasingly denser and thicker effective thickness of the AuNP layers. The extinction spectra displayed a clear local surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) signature (peak 520–540 nm), indicating the presence of isolated particles in all the samples. For all AuNP layers, the imaginary part of the parallel and perpendicular components of the anisotropic dielectric function was dominated by a central peak at around 2.2 eV, corresponding to the LSPR of isolated particles, and a high-energy shoulder due to Au interband transitions. It was shown that, as the density of particles increased, the extinction cross-section grew over the whole spectral range where measurements are taken. Thus, the response can be explained with an enhanced electromagnetic response between the AuNPs that can be connected to the increase in particle density, but also by the formation of clusters and irregular structures.
Ključne besede: optical characteristics, gold nanoparticles’ films, UV–vis, ellipsometry measurements
Objavljeno v DKUM: 28.05.2024; Ogledov: 124; Prenosov: 0 |
3. Study of ▫$Ni/Y_2O_3/polylactic$▫ acid compositeTilen Švarc, Matej Zadravec, Žiga Jelen, Peter Majerič, Blaž Kamenik, Rebeka Rudolf, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study demonstrates the successful synthesis of Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particles through the application of ultrasound-assisted precipitation using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. They were collected in a water suspension with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the stabiliser. The presence of the Y2O3 core and Ni shell was confirmed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and with electron diffraction. The TEM observations revealed the formation of round particles with an average diameter of 466 nm, while the lattice parameter on the Ni particle’s surface was measured to be 0.343 nm. The Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particle suspensions were lyophilized, to obtain a dried material that was suitable for embedding into a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. The resulting PLA/Ni/Y2O3 composite material was extruded, and the injection was moulded successfully. Flexural testing of PLA/Ni/Y2O3 showed a slight average decrease (8.55%) in flexural strength and a small decrease from 3.7 to 3.3% strain at the break, when compared to the base PLA. These findings demonstrate the potential for utilising Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particles in injection moulding applications and warrant further exploration of their properties and new applications in various fields.
Ključne besede: ultrasound spray pyrolysis, Ni/Y2O3, lyophilization, PLA, extrusion, injection moulding
Objavljeno v DKUM: 05.04.2024; Ogledov: 199; Prenosov: 20
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4. Razvoj au nanodelcev z metodo ultrazvočne razpršilne pirolize za detekcijo protiteles proti SARS-CoV-2 : doktorska disertacijaŽiga Jelen, 2023, doktorska disertacija Opis: V doktorskem delu so predstavljene študije, eksperimentalno delo, tehnike karakterizacije, rezultati in analize, s pomočjo katerih smo potrdili hipotezo, da je možno Au nanodelce (AuND) pripravljene z metodo ultrazvočne razpršilne pirolize (USP), konjugirati s ciljnimi antigeni SARS-CoV-2 in rekombinantnim IgG, da bodo delovali v imunoserološkem hitrem testu na lateralni tok (LFIA), za potrditev potencialne prisotnosti protiteles proti virusu SARS-CoV-2. S ciljno izbranimi parametri (0,5 g/l Au, 5 l/min N2, 2,5 l/min H2) smo z USP sintetizirali AuND iz prekurzorja na osnovi zlatovega (III) klorida. AuND smo zbirali v steklenicah z demineralizirano vodo. Določili smo optimalne stabilizatorje in njihove koncentracije: 2,5 g/L PVP 40K ((C6H9NO)n) ter naknadno dodani 1 g/L trinatrijevega citrata (Na3C6H5O7) in saharoze (C12H22O11), da bi preprečili AuND aglomeracijo. Presevna elektronska mikroskopija AuND je pokazala, da so okrogli, s povprečno velikostjo okoli 50 nm in ozko velikostno porazdelitvijo, brez defektov in nizkim ZETA potencialom, 2,4 mV, pri pH 7,5. Za odstranitev vode iz suspenzije z AuND in stabilizatorji je bila uporabljena liofiliazcija, ki je bila izvedena pri naslednjih pogojih: zamrzovanje pri –40 °C, 4 h, atmosferski tlak; primarno sušenje pri +20 °C, 12 h, 1–4 Pa; sekundarno sušenje pri +30 °C, 33 h, 1–4 Pa. Nastali posušeni AuND so ohranili vse lastnosti, ki so potrebne za funkcijo oznak v hitrih LFIA testih: visoka površinska energija, površinska plazmonska resonanca in proste karboksilne skupine za konjugacijo.
V nadaljevanju izvajanja eksperimentov smo, da bi potrdili doktorske hipoteze, izvedli raziskavo in optimizacijo konjugacije AuND z antigenom SARS-CoV-2, ki je bodičasti protein S1 (ak 1-681), in s protitelesi na zajčji IgG (RMG03). Za določitev poteka konjugacije AuND smo uporabili posredne (gelske elektroforeze, UV-Vis, preizkus delovanja) in direktne (XPS, SIMS) metode. Rezultati so pokazali, da se med našim postopkom konjugacije, v fazah čiščenja odstranimo večinski delež PVP in saharoze, ter s tem sprostimo proste karboksilne funkcionalne skupine citratnih ionov, ki so vezani na povšini AuND. Na teh prostih mestih lahko poteče konjugacija prek prostih -NH2 skupin na proteinih. Njihovo funkcionalnost smo ovrednotili z eksperimentalnimi testiranji lastno razvitega LFIA testa. Na osnovi tega smo postavili model in mehanizem konjugacije AuND, ki predpostavlja, da poteka konjugacija z antigeni oziroma protitelesi prek tvorbe peptidnih vezi med N-koncem proteina in prostimi karboksilnimi skupinami citratnega iona, ki je vezan na površino AuND prek svojih karboksilnih skupin.
Za dodatno potrditev funkcionalizacije AuND z izbranimi biomolekulami smo v sklepnem delu doktorskega dela izvedli klinično študijo na pacientih UKC MB, ki je bila odobrena s sklepom KME RS št. 0120-148/2021/3. Rezultati študije so pokazali, da testi dosegajo visoko občutljivost (83 %) tako na vzorcih nosnega sluza kot na vzorcih seruma, slabšo specifičnost (66 % sluz, 74 % serum), visoko negativno napovedno vrednost (94 %) in slabšo pozitivno napovedno vrednost (38 % sluz, 45 % serum). S študijo smo potrdili delovanje AuND v funkciji oznak, saj so se testne in kontrolne linije v lastno razvitem LFIA hitrem testu obarvale.
Ključne besede: Nanodelci zlata, SARS-CoV-2 virus, stabilizacija, konjugacija, LFIA testi, karakterizacija
Objavljeno v DKUM: 28.03.2024; Ogledov: 347; Prenosov: 47
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5. Study of the application of recycled gold nanoparticles in coatings for eyewear lensesPeter Majerič, Djuro Koruga, Zorana Njegovan, Žiga Jelen, Tilen Švarc, Andrej Horvat, Rebeka Rudolf, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Ključne besede: gold nanoparticles, fullerene C60, lens, coatings, characterisation
Objavljeno v DKUM: 28.03.2024; Ogledov: 183; Prenosov: 20
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6. Development of the recycling procedure for rapid antigen testsRebeka Rudolf, Darja Feizpour, Žiga Jelen, Peter Majerič, Tilen Švarc, Matej Zadravec, Timi Gomboc, Aleksandra Kocijan, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Ključne besede: rapid antigen tests, recycling, characterization, nanogold, plastic
Objavljeno v DKUM: 12.02.2024; Ogledov: 383; Prenosov: 6 |
7. Recovery study of gold nanoparticle markers from lateral flow immunoassaysTilen Švarc, Peter Majerič, Darja Feizpour, Žiga Jelen, Matej Zadravec, Timi Gomboc, Rebeka Rudolf, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) are a simple diagnostic device used to detect targeted analytes. Wasted and unused rapid antigen lateral flow immunoassays represent mass waste that needs to be broken down and recycled into new material components. The aim of this study was to recover gold nanoparticles that are used as markers in lateral flow immunoassays. For this purpose, a dissolution process with aqua regia was utilised, where gold nanoparticles were released from the lateral flow immunoassay conjugate pads. The obtained solution was then concentrated further with gold chloride salt (HAuCl4) so that it could be used for the synthesis of new gold nanoparticles in the process of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP). Various characterisation methods including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma were used during this study. The results of this study showed that the recovery of gold nanoparticles from lateral flow immunoassays is possible, and the newly synthesised gold nanoparticles represent the possibility for incorporation into new products.
Ključne besede: gold nanoparticles, recovery, LFIA, ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, characterisation
Objavljeno v DKUM: 09.02.2024; Ogledov: 358; Prenosov: 20
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8. Melting point of dried gold nanoparticles prepared with ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and lyophilisationŽiga Jelen, Marcin Krajewski, Franc Zupanič, Peter Majerič, Tilen Švarc, Ivan Anžel, Jernej Ekar, Sz-Chian Liou, Jerzy Kubacki, Mateusz Tokarczyk, Rebeka Rudolf, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: A coupled process of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and lyophilisation was used for the synthesis of dried gold nanoparticles. Two methods were applied for determining their melting temperature: uniaxial microcompression and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Uniaxial microcompression resulted in sintering of the dried gold nanoparticles at room temperature with an activation energy of 26–32.5 J/g, which made it impossible to evaluate their melting point. Using DSC, the melting point of the dried gold nanoparticles was measured to be around 1064.3°C, which is close to pure gold. The reason for the absence of a melting point depression in dried gold nanoparticles was their exothermic sintering between 712 and 908.1°C.
Ključne besede: gold nanoparticles, melting point, ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, characterisation
Objavljeno v DKUM: 08.12.2023; Ogledov: 448; Prenosov: 30
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9. Study of gold nanoparticles conjugated with SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike protein fragmentsŽiga Jelen, Janez Kovač, Rebeka Rudolf, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study reports on the successful conjugation of SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike protein fragments with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that were synthesised with Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP). This method enables the continuous synthesis of AuNPs with a high degree of purity, round shapes, and the formation of a surface that allows various modifications. The conjugation mechanism of USP synthesized AuNPs with SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike protein fragments was investigated. A gel electrophoresis experiment confirmed the successful conjugation of AuNPs with SARS-CoV-2 S1 fragments indirectly. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic O1s and N1s peaks, which indicated that specific binding between AuNPs and SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike protein fragments takes place via a peptide bond formed with the citrate stabiliser. This bond is coordinated to the AuNP’s surface and the N-terminals of the protein, with the conjugate displaying the expected response within a prototype LFIA test. This study will help in better understanding the behaviour of AuNPs synthesised with USP and their potential use as sensors in colorimetric or electrochemical sensors and LFIA tests.
Ključne besede: gold nanoparticles, ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, conjugation, SARS-CoV-2 S1, characterisation
Objavljeno v DKUM: 07.12.2023; Ogledov: 416; Prenosov: 22
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10. Physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles for skin care creamsPeter Majerič, Zorana Jović, Tilen Švarc, Žiga Jelen, Andrej Horvat, Djuro Koruga, Rebeka Rudolf, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have now been used in skin care creams for several years, with marketed anti-aging, moisturizing, and regenerative properties. Information on the harmful effects of these nanoparticles is lacking, a concern for the use of AuNPs as cosmetic ingredients. Testing AuNPs without the medium of a cosmetic product is a typical method for obtaining this information, which is mainly dependent on their size, shape, surface charge, and dose. As these properties depend on the surrounding medium, nanoparticles should be characterized in a skin cream without extraction from the cream’s complex medium as it may alter their physicochemical properties. The current study compares the sizes, morphology, and surface changes of produced dried AuNPs with a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) stabilizer and AuNPs embedded in a cosmetic cream using a variety of characterization techniques (TEM, SEM, DLS, zeta potential, BET, UV–vis). The results show no observable differences in their shapes and sizes (spherical and irregular, average size of 28 nm) while their surface charges changed in the cream, indicating no major modification of their primary sizes, morphology, and the corresponding functional properties. They were present as individually dispersed nanoparticles and as groups or clusters of physically separated primary nanoparticles in both dry form and cream medium, showing suitable stability. Examination of AuNPs in a cosmetic cream is challenging due to the required conditions of various characterization techniques but necessary for obtaining a clear understanding of the AuNPs’ properties in cosmetic products as the surrounding medium is a critical factor for determining their beneficial or harmful effects in cosmetic products.
Ključne besede: gold nanoparticles, ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, freeze drying, characterization, creams
Objavljeno v DKUM: 19.04.2023; Ogledov: 769; Prenosov: 79
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