Zinc Nano Particles for a Sustainable, Healthy Society

 

Introduction –

In todays' times the balance between humans and nature is completely out, it is up to us to ensure that our future generations have an earth to live in. it's high time we recognise the fact that 'SUSTAINABILITY IS THE NEW NORMAL'. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the world’s bid to race towards a sustainable future, we have researched on developing zinc nano particle technology as a new means of safeguarding against microbes, both in school as well as beyond. We have ideated an economically feasible and eco-friendly solution to both – infections arising from communicable diseases(spread by physical contact) and reducing the use of potentially toxic synthetics. We undertook an analysis of the current situation, where the pandemic has necessitated the pre-emption of the problems plaguing modern hygiene and theorized possible solutions to the same. That’s where our idea, PRO VEST, comes in. It is a vest, designed to prevent diseases and reduce dependence on alternatives that prove harmful to the environment. Even masks to some extent have a short lifespan, and to that end, re-usability was a key factor in our study to make our solution as carbon neutral as possible.

Detailed Breakdown of Ideas and Research conducted –

Procedure –

 

We synthesized the nanoparticles at Shivaji College, University of Delhi, North Campus. The following is a stepwise account of synthesis of the nanoparticles using the direct precipitation method.

• Prepare a standard solution of 0.5M zinc acetate (ZnC₄H₆O₄) in 100 ml ethanol
• Prepare a secondary solution of 0.9M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in 500 ml ethanol
• Mix them in the ratio of 1:6 by adding sodium hydroxide to zinc acetate, by using a dropper, along the walls of the beaker.
• Stir it constantly, by using the magnetic stirrer, for 2 hours
• Leave it overnight for the nanoparticles to settle down at the bottom of the beaker.
• Using a pipet, transfer the solution in equal amounts into 6 falcon tubes (or centrifuge tubes)
• Decant it after centrifugation at 4 degrees and 5000 rpm for 5 minutes
• Centrifuge it with distilled water 2-3 times to remove sodium acetate and ethanol.
• Take out the nanoparticles from the falcon tube using a spatula and spread it out on the Whatman filter paper so that all the moisture gets absorbed. Then grind the Nanoparticles into a fine powder.

After concluding the purity of the synthesized particles(attached later), we proceeded to layer the nanoparticles with giloy(tinospora cordifolia) extract, which was chosen specially because of its well documented anti-microbial properties, and suitability to our needs.

The extract was prepared by the following procedure –

• Measure 10g of giloy stems accurately using the weight box
• Sterilize the stems thoroughly with 70% ethanol and distilled water for at least 40 seconds
• Using the mortar and pestle, make a smooth paste using the giloy stems and 30mL distilled water.
• Transfer the paste to a beaker and adding 80mL to it, heat it over a gas stove for 10 minutes (Taking 10mL of distilled water as the amount that could get evaporated on heating)
•  Filter the mixture using Whatman filter paper and a conical flask

Layering process – .

• Put 10g of zinc oxide nanoparticles in 3 micro falcon tubes each in a laminar air flow to avoid contamination.
• Add 1ml distilled water to each tube and heat them for 10 minutes to dissolve as much content as possible.
• Divide the extract into 3 volumes, i.e., 0.5ml, 1ml and 2ml and add these to the three tubes.
• Leave them on a shaker incubator for 4 hours and then centrifuge at 1000rpm for 20 minutes.
•  Dry the obtained pellet at room temperature. The supernatant was used in the subsequent stages of our research

 

 

Attached Observations- https://www.canva.com/design/DAFTVD5vvxQ/SG7GEvM1pZKcAOTISDNMAg/view?utm_content=DAFTVD5vvxQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

 

Conclusion –

 

We concluded that our proposed solution indeed had the scientific capability to achieve what we  envisioned, following which we conducted a feasibility study. We weighed the smallest vest in the market - 4grams. According to a study,

only 88mg of silver nanoparticles were required per kg of fabric, hence deducing the same for Giloy-Zinc oxide nanoparticles. Silver, however, poses

threats to human life, such as being the sole reason for the conditions of Argyria and Argyrosis. A pair of antimicrobial silver nanoparticle socks sold by a Czech company costs Rs 800 alone! However, our vest is aimed to be cost efficient and safe. Nanoparticles of sizes greater than 50nm will be used so as to not harm us in any shape or form. The anti-pathogenic properties of our vest is aimed to last for 70-80 washes post research - almost 210 days! A very minimal amount of Giloy-Zinc oxide nanoparticles will be required to fabricate the smallest vest in the market. We will be using cotton as the material for Pro-vest - affordable and best suited for summers! The estimated production cost for the smallest size of Pro-vest is Rs. 150 only. How about a combo offer? To prevent air borne diseases and infections, we have also planned to produce a Pro-mask using cotton lycra. Cotton lycra is a mixture of cotton and elastane, and the latter is known for being resistant to deterioration through sweat and detergent, which adds to the durability of the final product.

Our plan also includes citric acid treatment, which leads to better adhesion of the Giloy-zinc oxide nanoparticles onto the fabric.

 

 

List of Sources –

 

We would also like to express our gratitude to Dept. Of Biochemistry, Shivaji College, IIT-Delhi, Dept. of Microbiology, Ram Lal Anand College and AIIMS Delhi, for allowing us to utilize their resources to conduct our research.