Project's information
| Project's title | Developing an excellent research group of grade I in research on manufacturing nanomaterials based on graphene, some metal oxides and biological polymers for applications in biology, agriculture and environment |
| Project’s code | NCXS01.01/22-24 |
| Research hosting institution | Institute of Materials Science |
| Project leader’s name | Prof. Dr. Tran Dai Lam |
| Project duration | 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2025 |
| Project’s budget | 6,000 million VND |
| Classify | Grade A |
| Goal and objectives of the project | - Become an excellent interdisciplinary research group (physics, nanotechnology, chemistry, biology, etc.) at the international level, with strong publication capacity in the field of nano-material applications in biology, agriculture, and the environment. |
| Main results | - Theoretical results The project has successfully researched and fabricated the following material systems: Ag nanomaterials, Ag nanoparticles hybridized with various inorganic nano-oxides, nanomaterials with nanostructures derived from GO and MXene, and nanocomposite materials based on biopolymers, specifically as follows: + Successfully synthesized hybrid Ag nanoparticles with various inorganic nano-oxides for application in advanced multifunctional coatings, such as: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized at [Ag⁺] = 1.5 mmol/L, 100°C for 90 minutes, yielding spherical particles of 10–30 nm with high stability (stable for 6 months), ~85.5% Ag content, and strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Oxide-Ag nano-hybrids were successfully synthesized by reducing AgNO⁺ on commercial nano-oxides. AgNPs (10–30 nm) were anchored onto the surface of metal oxide nanoparticles, resulting in a reduction of the band gap (Eg) that enables visible light absorption. Various agricultural raw materials and by-products were exploited for different purposes: rutin extracted from Sophora japonica flowers was purified (achieving 98.83% purity using 40% acetic acid); pomegranate peel extract rich in polyphenols exhibited strong antioxidant capacity (IC₅₀ = 3.2 µg/mL, nearly equivalent to vitamin C); Limonia acidissima bud extract was employed in the synthesis of AgNPs; and papaya seed powder was utilized for activated carbon production. Subsequently, rutin was complexed with β-CD and HP-β-CD to enhance its solubility and biological activity. The results demonstrated that the use of cyclodextrins (CDs) represents a viable approach to improve the pharmacological efficacy of rutin. Acrylic polyurethane (APU) coatings containing nano-hybrid particles were successfully fabricated by ultrasonic dispersion method. At the optimal loading of 2 wt%, the nano-hybrid particles were uniformly dispersed within the polymer matrix, resulting in significant enhancement of mechanical properties (impact resistance, abrasion resistance, and adhesion). + Nanomaterials based on GO and MXene: The optimal conditions for oxidizing Ni metal to NiO oxide on the PANi surface were established as follows: linear sweep voltammetry method in 1M NaOH solution; oxidation potential range of 0 to 0.8 V; scan rate of 50 mV/s for 5 cycles. The fabricated electrodes demonstrated good detection capability for methanol (MeOH) with detection limits in the linear range of 200–500 mM for PANi-CNTs/NiO electrodes and 20–100 mM for PANi-graphene/NiO electrodes. MXene-Ti₃C₂ was successfully synthesized from MAX-Ti₃AlC₂ precursors by HF (40%) etching at 35 °C for 36 h. The MXene had a 2D layered structure with interlayer spacing of 10–20 nm, specific surface area of 103.1 m²/g, and Al content reduced from 28.78% to 2.5 wt% (~91% reduction). An AC/MXene composite electrode was prepared by film-casting with AC/MXene/PVA-GA ratio of 89.5/0.5/10. The composite showed a surface area of 665.5 m²/g, water contact angle 88° ± 2, bulk resistivity 15.4 mΩ·cm (conductivity 6493 S/m), and specific capacitance 98.3 F/g. + Biopolymer-based nanocomposite materials were successfully fabricated as protective coatings for postharvest fruits. The CS/rutin-CD complex formulation exhibited the best preservation efficacy with uniform coating, thickness of 20–25 µm, effectively preventing peel browning and maintaining quality during storage of avocados and mangoes. + Biopolymer-based nanocomposite materials were successfully fabricated for environmental remediation applications: Alg/GO/SLS composite material in porous bead form (size ~3 mm, surface area 121 m²/g) for heavy metal treatment; HEMA-grafted natural rubber material with nanostructure for Fe³⁺ adsorption; ZnO-Ag/Alg system for microbial treatment and antibacterial applications; Alg/CMC/SLS composite for dye removal; Z-scheme photocatalytic systems including CQD-integrated TiO₂/CuInS₂/OCN and oxygen-doped ZnO–TiO₂/OCN for organic dye degradation. - Applied results: The fabricated nanomaterials, when integrated into functional coatings, self-cleaning coatings, anti-fouling coatings, fruit preservation coatings, or catalytic and adsorbent materials for environmental treatment, have demonstrated significant application potential. + Ag nanoparticles and Ag nano-hybrids with inorganic nano-oxides were dispersed into acrylic polyurethane (APU) coatings, enabling the coatings to exhibit strong antibacterial efficacy against E. coli, while simultaneously demonstrating self-cleaning capability under UV irradiation with removal efficiency exceeding 65% for methylene blue and artificial contaminants. These results demonstrate the application potential of nanocomposite coatings in antibacterial and anti-fouling fields. + AC/MXene composite electrodes fabricated by the doctor blade coating method demonstrated promising application potential in desalination and brackish water treatment with salt adsorption capacity reaching 12.3–12.84 mg/g. + Biopolymer-based nanocomposite films of CS/rutin-CD complex effectively preserved avocado quality for up to 8 days (a 50% extension in storage time compared to control samples) and mango quality for up to 15 days (a 66.7% extension in storage time compared to control samples). + Several biopolymer-based nanocomposites demonstrated remarkable performance: Alg/GO/SLS composite in porous bead form exhibited high adsorption efficiency for Cu²⁺ (130 mg/g) and Ni²⁺ (79 mg/g); HEMA-grafted natural rubber material with nanostructure demonstrated good Fe³⁺ adsorption capability, excellent reusability over 5 cycles, and biological safety; ZnO-Ag/Alg system showed strong activity against E. coli and S. aureus (inhibition zones of 26–30 mm), while AC/Fe₃O₄/AgNPs nanocomposite derived from papaya seeds exhibited both sensitive detection of ascorbic acid (LOD 0.056 µM) and good stability with reusability; Alg/CMC/SLS composite adsorbed methylene blue with a capacity of 289 mg/g and effective reusability; CQD-integrated Z-scheme photocatalytic system TiO₂/CuInS₂/OCN enhanced RY145 degradation efficiency to 98.2% with stability over 5 cycles; oxygen-doped ZnO–TiO₂/OCN was demonstrated to possess an improved electronic structure, enhanced visible light absorption, and reduced charge recombination.
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| Novelty and actuality and scientific meaningfulness of the results | - Ag nanoparticles, several inorganic oxide nanoparticles, and hybrid nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using plant extracts as eco-friendly reducing agents. The nanomaterials had particle sizes ≤ 50 nm, high stability, and excellent antibacterial activity. |
| Products of the project | 15 papers published in international SCIE journals with an impact factor (IF) ≥ 2; 01 paper accepted for publication in an international SCIE journal; 01 paper published in a national journal; 01 paper accepted for publication in a national journal; 03 presentations at scientific conferences (list below) [1] ZnO- Ag Hybrid Nanoparticles Used in the Antimicrobial Solvent-Based Coatings: Antibacterial Studies in the Darkness and Under Visible-Light Irradiation, Vy Do Truc, Thien Vuong Nguyen,* Tien Viet Vu, Tuan Anh Nguyen,* Thanh Dung Ngo, The Tam Le, Trong Lu Le, Lan Thi Pham, and Lam Dai Tran*, ChemistrySelect 2023, 8, e202204966 (1 of 10), doi.org/10.1002/slct.202204966. SCIE, IF = 2,23 (2022). [2] Photocurable acrylate epoxy/ZnO–Ag nanocomposite coating: fabrication, mechanical and antibacterial properties, Thien Vuong Nguyen,* Truc Vy Do, Thanh Dung Ngo, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Le Trong Lu, Quoc Trung Vu, Lan Pham Thia and Dai Lam Tran*, RSC Adv., 2022, 12, 23346–23355, DOI: 10.1039/d2ra03546d. SCIE, IF = 4,08 (2022). [3] PANI CNTs Microstructure with Interconnected NiO–NiOOH Particles as Selective Sensing Interface for Methanol Electrochemical Sensor; Thom Thi Nguyen, Nam Thi Pham, Dien Thi Nguyen, Phuc Xuan Nguyen, Kim Ngan Thi Nguyen, Thu Trang Thi Nguyen, Viet Van Pham, Thanh Nguyen Le Huynh, Hoang Thai Nguyen, Anh Tuan Nguyen, Bang Nghia Duong, Hai Viet Le, Lam Dai Tran, Journal of Cluster Science 34(4):1-9, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10876-022-02297-4. SCIE, IF= 3,8 (2022). [4] A Self Cleaning UV Cured Organic Coating with ZnO–Ag Hybrid Nanoparticles, Thien Vuong Nguyen, Vy Do Truc, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Thi Lan Pham, Dai Lam Tran, Journal of Cluster Science 34(6):1-14, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10876-023-02448-1 SCIE, IF = 3,4 (2023). [5] Stable biogenic silver nanoparticles from Syzygium nervosum bud extract for enhanced catalytic, antibacterial and antifungal properties, Thi Lan Pham, Van Dat Doan, Quang Le Dang, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Thi Lan Huong Nguyen, Thi Dieu Thuy Tran, Thi Phuong Lan Nguyen, Thi Kieu Anh Vo, Trung Huy Nguyen and Dai Lam Tran*, RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 20994–21007, DOI: 10.1039/d3ra02754f. SCIE, IF = 3,95 (2023). [6] Zerumbone delivery to tumor cells via pH-sensitive polymeric micelles; Nguyen Thanh Duong, Tran Dinh Thiet, Tran Thi Phuong Anh, Pham Thi Lan, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Tran Dai Lam*, Colloid and Polymer Science (2024) 302:237–251, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-023-05191-1 SCIE, IF = 2,2 (2023). [7] Self cleaning and antibacterial polyurethane coatings with ZrO2 Ag hybrid nanoparticles; Thien Vuong Nguyen, Vy Do Truc, Lan Pham Thi, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Dai Lam Tran*, Colloid and Polymer Science 302(2):1-12, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-023-05193-z SCIE, IF = 2,2 (2023). [8] Biocompatible membrane from the natural rubber grafted (2 hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and its metal removal application; Thu Ha Nguyen, Thi Lan Pham, Anh Quan Cao, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Xuan Minh Vu, Thi My Hanh Le, Van Thuan Le, Seiichi Kawahara, Dai Lam Tran*, Macromolecular Research, 32(5), 313–324, (2024), https://doi.org/10.1007/s13233-023-00232-8 SCIE, IF = 2,8 (2023). [9] Ternary heterogeneous Z-scheme photocatalyst TiO2/CuInS2/OCN incorporated with carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for enhanced photocatalytic degradation efficiency of reactive yellow 145 dye in water; Manh B. Nguyen,‡ Pham Thi Lan, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Nguyen Ngoc Tung, Shaoliang Guan, Valeska P. Ting, T.-Thanh-Bao Nguyen, Huan V. Doan, Mai Thanh Tung and Tran Dai Lam*, RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 35339, DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07546j SCIE, IF = 3,95 (2023). [10] Fabrication and characterization of a NiO–ZnO/PANI-CNTs composite for sensing of methanol in an aqueous environment; Pham Thi Nam, Nguyen Thi Thom, Vo Thi Kieu Anh, Huynh Le Thanh Nguyen, Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, Nguyen Thai Hoang, Nguyen Van-Anh, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Le Viet Hai* and Tran Dai Lam*, RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 36060, DOI: 10.1039/d3ra06850a SCIE, IF = 3,95 (2023). [11] Study on the production of edible coatings based on chitosan and inclusion complex of rutin with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin for avocado preservation; Thi Lan Pham, Van Cuong Bui, Hai Khoa Le, Thi My Hanh Le, Xuan Minh Vu, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Thi Thu Hoai Pham, Thanh Tung Mai, T. A. Savitskaya, Dai Lam Tran*, Journal of Coatings Technology and Research 21(10), https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-024-00919-2 SCIE, IF = 2,3 (2023). [12] Activated Carbon/Fe3O4/AgNPs Nanocomposites: In situ Synthesis from Papaya Seeds and Application for Ascorbic acid Detection; Van Dat Doan, Thi Lan Pham, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Van Cuong Bui, Xuan Minh Vu, Thi Lan Huong Nguyen, Thi My Hanh Le, Hai Khoa Le, Thanh Tung Mai, Dai Lam Tran*, Journal of Cluster Science (2024) 35:1329–1343, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10876-024-02589-x SCIE, IF = 2,7 (2023). [13] Antioxidant activity of an inclusion complex between rutin and β-cyclodextrin: experimental and quantum chemical studies; Thi Lan Pham*, Thi Thu Ha Nguyen, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Irina Le-Deygen, Thi My Hanh Le, Xuan Minh Vu, Hai Khoa Le, Cuong Bui Van, T. R. Usacheva, Thanh Tung Mai and Dai Lam Tran*, RSC Adv., 2024, 14, 18330, DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02307b SCIE, IF = 4,73 (2024). [14] Robust interaction of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles with layered graphitic carbon nitride for enhanced photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of fuel oil: mechanism, performance and stability; Manh B. Nguyen*, Pham Thi Lan, Xuan Nui Pham, Thi Hai Yen Pham, Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, T.-Thanh-Bao Nguyen, Huan V. Doan, Nguyen Tuan Anh and Tran Dai Lam*, RSC Adv., 2024, 14, 25586, DOI: 10.1039/d4ra04357j SCIE, IF = 4,73 (2024). [15] Producing an antibacterial acrylic polyurethane coating with acylated mimosa tannins. Tuan Anh Nguyen, Thu Ha Hoang, Truc Vy Do, Thien Vuong Nguyen*, Thi My Hanh Trinh, Minh Nguyet Ha, Khanh Linh Duong, Le Trong Lu, Raa Khimi Shuib and Dai Lam Tran*, Pure Appl. Chem. 2024; 96(8): 1193–1202, https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2024-0018. SCIE, IF = 2,0 (2024). The papers published and accepted for publication in a national journal [16] Fabrication of edible chitosan/pomegranate peel extract coating for mango preservation; Thi Xuyen Nguyen, Van Cuong Bui, Thi Kim Chinh Tran, Thi Lam Nguyen, Xuan Minh Vu, Thi My Hanh Le, Trieu Huy Le, Irina Le-Deygen, Hoang Trang Nguyen, Thi Minh Nguyet Hoang, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Thi Lan Pham*, Polymer Science, Series A, 2025. SCIE, IF = 1,1 (Chấp nhận đăng). [17] Nghiên cứu tạo dịch chiết mang hoạt tính chống oxi hóa từ vỏ quả lựu; Nguyễn Thị Xuyên, Phạm Hà Vinh Khánh, Lê Triệu Huy, Bùi Thị Thu Trang, Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Trần Văn Dũng, Phạm Thị Lan*, Tạp chí Công thương, 24, 342-347. [18] Nghiên cứu chế tạo nanocomposite ZnO-Ag/alginate ứng dụng làm vật liệu kháng khuẩn, Vũ Xuân Minh, Bùi Văn Cường, Nguyễn Thị Lam, Trần Thị Kim Chính, Phan Thị Minh Huyền, Nguyễn Trần Hà Anh, Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Lê Thị Mỹ Hạnh, Phạm Thị Lan, Tạp chí Khoa học và Công nghệ, Trường ĐH Kinh tế - Kỹ thuật Công nghiệp, 2025 (Chấp nhận đăng). The presentations at scientific conferences [19] CeO2-Ag hybrid nanoparticles for photocatalytic remedication of wastewater; Vy Do Truc, Thien Vuong Nguyen, Thi Mat Le, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Thi Lan Pham, Dai Lam Tran*, Visnevskii K.V., Petrogas Chemistry 2024, VII International Scientific and Technical Forum on Chemical Technologies and Oil and Gas Processing, November 13-15, 2025, Minsk, the Republic of Belarus, p.184. [20] Synthesis of ZnO/Ag/Alginate nanocomposite and evaluation of its antibacterial activity. Pham Thi Lan, Vu Xuan Minh, Bui Van Cuong, Nguyen Thi Lam, Tran Thi Kim Chinh, Le Thi My Hanh, Tran Dai Lam. “Complex Compounds and Aspects of Their Application,” September 17, 2025, Tajik National University, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. [21] Công nghệ nano trong bảo quản nông sản và bảo vệ thực vật: một số kết quả nổi bật của Viện Khoa học vật liệu, GS.TS. Trần Đại Lâm, Kỷ yếu Hội nghị Khoa học toàn quốc năm 2025: Công nghệ bảo quản, chế biến nông lâm thủy sản và cơ giới hóa nông nghiệp, trang 67-102. - Specific products • 100,5 g of ZnO–Ag hybrid nanomaterial with particle medium size 32.9 nm; specific surface area 54.4 m²/g. • 101,6 g of TiO₂–Ag hybrid nanomaterial with particle medium size 38.8 nm; specific surface area 66.2 m²/g. • 100 g of ZrO₂–Ag hybrid nanomaterial with particle medium size 30.0 nm; specific surface area 20.5 m²/g. • 100,8 g of CeO₂–Ag hybrid nanomaterial with particle medium size 51.7 nm; specific surface area 27.87 m²/g. • 100 g of GO-based nanomaterial with layered structure; interlayer spacing ~10–20 nm; specific surface area 380.6 m²/g. • 100 g of MXene-based nanomaterial with 2D layered structure; interlayer spacing ~10–20 nm; specific surface area 103.1 m²/g. • 5 liters of liquid mixture for fruit preservation coating; composition CS/[Rut–HP-β-CD]; antibacterial activity against E. coli ~100%; stability ≥ 4 months (zeta potential remained stable after 4 months); storage life extended by 66.67% for mango and 60% for avocado compared to control. - Other products: Training of 01 master’s student (successfully defended the thesis) and support for training of 01 PhD candidate (carrying out the doctoral dissertation within the framework of the project). |
| Recommendations | The project has been carried out on schedule and has successfully achieved the proposed objectives. Several outcomes have even exceeded the targets stated in the project proposal. The Principal Investigator respectfully requests the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) to approve the acceptance of this project. |
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