Fluorescent cellular biomarkers play a prominent role in biosciences. Most of the available biomarkers have some drawbacks due to either physical and optical or cytotoxic properties. In view of this, we investigated the potential of green fluorescent nanodiamonds as biomarkers in living cells. Nanodiamonds were functionalized by attaching antibodies that target intracellular structures such as actin filaments and mitochondria. Then, the nanodiamond conjugates were transfected into HeLa cells. Transfections were mediated by 4(th)-generation dendrimers, cationic liposomes and protamine sulfate. Using fluorescence microscopy, we confirmed successful transfections of the nanodiamonds into HeLa cells. Nanodiamond fluorescence could be easily differentiated from cellular autofluorescence. Furthermore, nanodiamonds could be targeted selectively to intracellular structures. Therefore, nanodiamonds are a promising tool for intracellular assays.

The heat capacity of ionic nanofluids (INF) of stacked-cup multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and [C4mim]BF4 and [C4mim]PF6 ionic liquids (IL) as well as their components was measured over the temperature range of 80–370 K. The specific heat capacity of INF was found be an additive quantity of specific heat capacities of the components. The temperatures of glass transition and fusion of IL in INF did not observably change compared to pure IL. The enthalpy of formation of ([C4mim]BF4+MWCNT) INF from its components was found to be negligible compared to the uncertainty of the measurements. All these facts confirm liophobic nature of the studied INF and provide the opportunity to predict thermodynamic properties of similar INF from the data on individual components. The apparent density of the studied MWCNT in INF is lower than those in their unstable dispersions with ionic and molecular liquids due to the high viscosity of INF not allowing penetration of ions into MWCNT and removal of gases from inner parts of MWCNT. The structural parameters of the studied MWCNT were estimated from the obtained density data.

The adsorption of benzene and water vapors on the surface of detonation nanodiamond powders that differed in particle size, degree of their strong aggregation, and chemical state of their surface was studied. Specific features of the processes of adsorption of polar and nonpolar molecules on chemically modified surfaces of nanodiamonds are analyzed

The optical characteristics (the diffuse reflection and transmission coefficients, direct transmission coefficient) of the aqueous suspensions of various ultra-disperse diamonds (UDD) modifications have been ivestigated at the single light scattering conditions coefficient at the range of 300 -700nm. The spectra of the absorption and scattering coefficients were calculated.Analysis of the obtained spectra of the absorption coefficients permits to identify the absorption bands because of presence of the different carbon forms (graphite, soot), haematite, etc. and to determine their quantitative contents. The sizes of UDD aggregates in aqueous suspensions were estimated by the using ofthe scattering coefficient spectra. Obtained results are evident on efficiency of the optical methods of application for assesment of the surface chemistry ofthe UDD.

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