Functionalized environmentally benign nanoparticles

Abstract

This invention is directed to the preparation and applications of internally and/or externally functionalized environmentally benign nanoparticles (EbNPs), which are produced by a three step procedure: (1) synthesis of native EbNPs, (2) functionalization with active agents, and (3) additional surface property customization via one or more modifier(s).

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         29 . A cytotoxic particle comprising:
 (a) a discrete, solid, nanoparticle core wherein said nanoparticle core is comprised of a biodegradable biopolymer   (b) a cytotoxic agent reversibly bound to the discrete nanoparticle core; and   (c) a bioadhesive adsorption layer coating the discrete nanoparticle core and the biocidal agent.   
     
     
         30 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29 , wherein the biodegradable biopolymer core is a plant derived biopolymer selected from the group consisting of: lignin, a cellulose, a hemicellulose, a lignocellulose, a modified cellulose, humic acid, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29 , wherein the biodegradable biopolymer core is a synthetic polyphenol, a natural phenolic polymer, chitosan or chitin, a linear, branched, or cross-linked polysaccharide, or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29 , wherein the reversibly bound biocidal agent is a cationic metal ion. 
     
     
         33 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29 , wherein the reversibly bound biocidal agent is a biocide, a fumigant, a herbicide, a fungicide, an algaecide, a pesticide, a photoactive agent, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29  wherein the reversibly bound biocidal agent is antiviral. 
     
     
         35 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29  wherein the reversibly bound biocidal agent is antimicrobial 
     
     
         36 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29  wherein the cytotoxic particle is applied to agricultural products. 
     
     
         37 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 33  wherein the reversibly bound biocidal agent is an algaecide, or a fungicide. 
     
     
         38 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 33  wherein the reversibly bound biocidal agent is a fungicide and wherein the fungicide is a captan, chlorothalonil, or a lavender essential oil. 
     
     
         39 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 32  wherein the cationic metal is Ag + , Ag 2+ , Ag 3+ , Co 2+ , Cu + , Cu 2+ , Fe 2+ , Ni 2+ , or Zn 2+   
     
     
         40 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 33  wherein the reversibly bound reactive agent is a fumigant and wherein the fumigant is 1,3 dichloropropene, chloropicrin, formaldehyde, iodoform, methyl-isocyanate, phosphine, or methyl sulfonyl fluoride. 
     
     
         41 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 33 , wherein the reversibly bound reactive agent is a pesticide and the pesticide is an avicide, an insecticide, a miticide, a molluscicide, a nematicide, or a rodenticide. 
     
     
         42 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29 , wherein the bioadhesive adsorption layer is a cationic polymer or polyelectrolyte. 
     
     
         43 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29 , wherein the bioadhesive adsorption layer comprises primary, secondary, tertiary, or quaternized amine function groups. 
     
     
         44 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29 , wherein the bioadhesive adsorption layer comprises carbohydrates, polypeptides, lectins, proteins, chitosan, chitin derivatives, or antibodies or other molecules or materials with affinity to microbes, fungi, viruses or seeds. 
     
     
         45 . A coated article comprising a surface wherein at least a portion of the surface is coated with the cytotoxic particle of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         46 . The coated article of  claim 45 , wherein the coated article is an air filter, an article of clothing, an article of hygiene, a building material, a face mask, a food stuff package, a medical device, or a seed. 
     
     
         47 . The coated article of  claim 45 , wherein the coated article is a bandage, a biological implant, a dressing, a medical scaffold, a surgical instrument, or a wound covering. 
     
     
         48 . The cytotoxic particle of  claim 29 , wherein the reversibly bound cytotoxic agent is dialdehyde starch, chitosan, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, nisin, lysozyme, N-N-Dodecyl methyl-polyethylenimine, organic acid, triclosan, povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine, phenol, quaternary ammonium, L-Lactic Acid, polycations, pyridinium, cupric oxide, cuprous oxide, oregano essential oil, chlorine, chlorine compounds, bromine, tannic acid, pyrithione, isatin-thio semicabazones, isatin-thio-semicabazone metal complexes, or ellagic acid.