Tatyana I. Shabatina

By Tatyana I. Shabatina

This chapter reviews the methods of supramolecular chemistry and cryochemistry to study the formation, morphological and structural properties, and possible applications of hybrid nanostructures and nanosized aggregates comprising plasmonic metals (silver and copper) and several mesogenic compounds, which exhibit different liquid crystalline mesophases—nematics, smectics, and cholesterics. Low-temperature vacuum co-condensation of reagent vapors on cooled surfaces of quartz, KBr, CaF2, or polished copper was used to synthesize hybrid nanosystems including silver and copper and long-chain mesogenic derivatives of alkylcyanobiphenyls under molecular beam conditions. Controlled thermal treatment of the samples allowed the directed formation of metal nanoparticles of definite size from 2 up to 100 nm. It was shown that the procedures of temperature treatments and molecular self-organization of different liquid crystalline phases controlled the size and morphology of nanoparticles and their aggregates, which were formed in the system. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) data of the samples show the formation of orientationally ordered structures in nematic mesophases. Formation of flat 2D aggregates was found in layered smectic mesophases. Optical absorbance spectra of silver/4-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (Ag/5СВ) and copper/4-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (Cu/5CB) samples encapsulated in polymer poly-para-xylylene at 300 K contained characteristic bands of plasmonic absorbance of metal nanoparticles at 420–440 nm and 560–600 nm. Rising metal concentration in the sample led to the performable growth of rod-like metal particles with anisometric ratio l/d > 20 and intensive absorbance at higher wavelengths (λ ≥ 650 nm). New hybrid nanosystems based on biomolecules of cholesterol or its heteroatomic analog thiocholesterol including nanosized silver particles of d = 5.0 ± 0.5 and d = 2.5 ± 0.5 nm, respectively, were obtained. Highly ordered 1D-, 2D-, and 3D structures containing silver nanoparticles were formed from concentrated organic sols at different support surfaces by removing the inert solvent from triple metal/ligand/solvent system and by cooling the binary metal/ligand system from isotropic state to the cholesteric liquid crystalline mesophase. The microstructure and composition of the hybrid nanosystems were characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM, and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). It was shown that hybrid nanosystems based on silver nanoparticles covered by a stabilizing layer of mesogenic molecules of thiocholesterol display selectivity in adsorption of optical isomers of the selected compounds.

Part of the book: Nanostructures in Energy Generation, Transmission and Storage

By Vladimir E. Bochenkov and Tatyana I. Shabatina

The presented chapter is devoted to chiral biosensing using various metal nanostructures and their hybrid nanosystems with optically active bio- and organic molecules. Plasmonic nanosystems and nanostructures provide an excellent platform for label-free detection of molecular adsorption by detecting tiny changes in the local refractive index or amplification of light-induced processes in biomolecules. Based on recent theoretical and experimental developments in plasmon-enhanced local electric fields, we consider the main types of molecular-plasmonic hybrid systems capable of generating an amplified chiroptical signal for such applications as detecting the presence of certain biomolecules and (in some cases) determination of their orientation and higher-order structure.

Part of the book: Smart Nanosystems for Biomedicine, Optoelectronics and Catalysis

By Yana A. Gromova and Tatyana I. Shabatina

Investigation of nanoparticles is a priority direction of modern science. The application of nanoparticles is widely incorporated into many spheres of human activity. The ability of nanoparticles to penetrate deeply into tissues, cells, and nuclei can be used in medicine. The possibilities of molecular diagnosis and identification of biomarkers unique for every patient create preconditions for improving therapy by addressing the delivery of medicines. In recent years research in the field of formation and investigation of physicochemical properties of supramolecular aggregates based on functional metal nanoparticles has been actively pursued. Due to the wide availability of stabilizing ligands, it’s possible now to obtain various systems that differ in their properties and the final purposes of their use. In this chapter, the authors will present a brief review of classical and modern methods of the production of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and their application in diagnostics and transport drug delivery as particles with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Part of the book: Biotechnology - Biosensors, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Annual Volume 2026 [Working title]

By Yana Andreevna Gromova and Tatyana I. Shabatina

In recent years, the selective adsorption of chiral substances has attracted considerable research attention due to its potential applications in biomedicine. This process involves the use of materials capable of selectively adsorbing one of the chiral isomers, which opens the possibility to improve drugs and create new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Current scientific research is generally focused on the development and improvement of materials capable of selective adsorption of chiral substances, which can facilitate more precise delivery of drugs into the body, minimizing side effects and improving treatment efficacy. Thus, selective adsorption of chiral molecules represents a promising direction for the future of biomedical technology and medicinal chemistry. In this overview, chapter examples of efficient selective adsorbents for chiral substances, adsorption mechanisms and current biomedical applications of such materials will be discussed.

Part of the book: Adsorption

By Yana A. Gromova, Tatyana I. Shabatina

In recent years, the integration of functionalized metal nanoparticles (MNPs) into chromatographic systems has emerged as a promising and powerful strategy for improving the selectivity, sensitivity, and overall efficiency of separation processes involving pharmaceuticals and biologically active compounds. Owing to their exceptionally high surface-to-volume ratio, tunable surface chemistry, and unique electronic and optical properties, MNPs have demonstrated remarkable potential as both stationary phases and modifiers of conventional chromatographic adsorbents. Nanoparticles based on gold (AuNPs), silver (AgNPs), platinum (PtNPs), copper or copper oxide (CuNPs/CuONPs), and magnetic iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) have shown enhanced chromatographic performance when incorporated into traditional matrices such as silica gel. A key aspect governing the performance of MNPs in chromatographic applications is surface functionalization, which enables the creation of nanomaterials with tailored physicochemical properties. These modifications provide tunable surface characteristics that directly influence the interaction mechanisms between the stationary phase and analytes, thereby enhancing separation selectivity. The surface functionalization process can occur through several mechanisms, most commonly covalent bonding, ionic interactions, and physical adsorption. In addition, more advanced strategies – such as encapsulation and dendronization – have recently gained increasing attention, offering improved stability and functional versatility. The selection of an appropriate functionalization method depends largely on the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticle core, the nature of the organic matrix, and the intended chromatographic application. This review summarizes the latest progress in the synthesis and functionalization of MNPs, discusses various immobilization strategies, and highlights their practical applications in the modern chromatographic separation of drugs and biological active compounds.

Part of the book: Sorption