Tumor‐Microenvironment‐Induced Degradation of Ultrathin Gadolinium Oxide Nanoscrolls for Magnetic‐Resonance‐Imaging‐Monitored,Activatable Cancer Chemotherapy

The development of biodegradable inorganic nanoparticles with a tumor microenvironment‐activated therapeutic mode of action is urgently needed for precision cancer medicine. Herein, the synthesis of ultrathin lanthanide nanoscrolls (Gd₂O₃ NSs) is reported, which biodegrade upon encountering the tumor microenvironment. The Gd₂O₃ NSs showed highly controlled magnetic properties, which enabled their high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Importantly, Gd₂O₃ NSs degrade in a pH‐responsive manner and selectively penetrate tumor tissue, enabling the targeted release of anti‐cancer drugs. Gd₂O₃ NSs can be efficiently loaded with an anti‐cancer drug (DOX, 80 %) and significantly inhibit tumor growth with negligible cellular and tissue toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. This study may provide a novel strategy to design tumor microenvironment‐responsive inorganic nanomaterials for biocompatible bioimaging and biodegradation‐enhanced cancer therapy.     

Sm2O3Ga2O3 and Gd2O3Ga2O3 phase diagrams

Four definite compounds exist in the Sm₂O₃Ga₂O₃ binary phase diagram, namely: Sm₃GaO₆, Sm₄Ga₂O₉, SmGaO₃, and Sm₃Ga₅O₁₂. The $\text{3}\text{1}$ compound is orthorhombic (space group Pnna - Z.4) with the cell parameters: a = 11.40₀Å, b = 5.51₅Å, c = 9.07Å and belongs to the oxysel family. Sm₃GaO₆ and SmGaO₃ melt incongruently at 1715 and 1565°C; Sm₄Ga₂O₉ and Sm₃Ga₅O₁₂ have a congruent melting point at 1710 and 1655°C. With regard to the Gd₂O₃Ga₂O₃ system three definite compounds have been identified: Gd₃GaO₆, Gd₄Ga₂O₉, and Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂. Only the garnet melts congruently at 1740°C with the following composition: Gd_3.12Ga_4.88O₁₂. Gd₃GaO₆, and Gd₄Ga₂O₉ melt incongruently at 1760 and 1700°C. GdGaO₃ is only obtained by melt overheating which may yield an equilibrium or a metastable phase diagram.     

Generalized Low‐Temperature Fabrication of Scalable Multi‐Type Two‐Dimensional Nanosheets with a Green Soft Template

Two‐dimensional nanosheets with high specific surface areas and fascinating physical and chemical properties have attracted tremendous interests because of their promising potentials in both fundamental research and practical applications. However, the problem of developing a universal strategy with a facile and cost‐effective synthesis process for multi‐type ultrathin 2 D nanostructures remains unresolved. Herein, we report a generalized low‐temperature fabrication of scalable multi‐type 2 D nanosheets including metal hydroxides (such as Ni(OH)₂, Co(OH)₂, Cd(OH)₂, and Mg(OH)₂), metal oxides (such as ZnO and Mn₃O₄), and layered mixed transition‐metal hydroxides (Ni‐Co LDH, Ni‐Fe LDH, Co‐Fe LDH, and Ni‐Co‐Fe layered ternary hydroxides) through the rational employment of a green soft‐template. The synthesized crystalline inorganic nanosheets possess confined thickness, resulting in ultrahigh surface atom ratios and chemically reactive facets. Upon evaluation as electrode materials for pseudocapacitors, the Ni‐Co LDH nanosheets exhibit a high specific capacitance of 1087 F g^?1 at a current density of 1 A g^?1, and excellent stability, with 103 % retention after 500 cycles. This strategy is facile and scalable for the production of high‐quality ultrathin crystalline inorganic nanosheets, with the possibility of extension to the preparation of other complex nanosheets.     

Tumor‐Microenvironment‐Induced Degradation of Ultrathin Gadolinium Oxide Nanoscrolls for Magnetic‐Resonance‐Imaging‐Monitored,Activatable Cancer Chemotherapy

The development of biodegradable inorganic nanoparticles with a tumor microenvironment‐activated therapeutic mode of action is urgently needed for precision cancer medicine. Herein, the synthesis of ultrathin lanthanide nanoscrolls (Gd₂O₃ NSs) is reported, which biodegrade upon encountering the tumor microenvironment. The Gd₂O₃ NSs showed highly controlled magnetic properties, which enabled their high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Importantly, Gd₂O₃ NSs degrade in a pH‐responsive manner and selectively penetrate tumor tissue, enabling the targeted release of anti‐cancer drugs. Gd₂O₃ NSs can be efficiently loaded with an anti‐cancer drug (DOX, 80 %) and significantly inhibit tumor growth with negligible cellular and tissue toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. This study may provide a novel strategy to design tumor microenvironment‐responsive inorganic nanomaterials for biocompatible bioimaging and biodegradation‐enhanced cancer therapy.     

Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework/Graphene Oxide Hybrid Nanosheets as Seeds for the Growth of Ultrathin Molecular Sieving Membranes

A defect‐free zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8)/graphene oxide (GO) membrane with a thickness of 100 nm was prepared using two‐dimensional (2D) ZIF‐8/GO hybrid nanosheets as seeds. Hybrid nanosheets with a suitable amount of ZIF‐8 nanocrystals were essential for producing a uniform seeding layer that facilitates fast crystal intergrowth during membrane formation. Moreover, the seeding layer acts as a barrier between two different synthesis solutions, and self‐limits crystal growth and effectively eliminates defects during the contra‐diffusion process. The resulting ultrathin membranes show excellent molecular sieving gas separation properties, such as with a high CO₂/N₂ selectivity of 7.0. This 2D nano‐hybrid seeding strategy can be readily extended to the fabrication of other defect‐free and ultrathin MOF or zeolite molecular sieving membranes for a wide range of separation applications.     

Ultrathin FeSe2 Nanosheets: Controlled Synthesis and Application as a Heterogeneous Catalyst in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Two‐dimensional (2D) semiconducting nanosheets have emerged as an important field of materials, owing to their unique properties and potential applications in areas ranging from electronics to catalysis. However, the controlled synthesis of ultrathin 2D nanosheets remains a great challenge, due to the lack of an intrinsic driving force for anisotropic growth. High‐quality ultrathin 2D FeSe₂ nanosheets with average thickness below 7 nm have been synthesized on large scale by a facile solution method, and a formation mechanism has been proposed. Due to their favorable structural features, the as‐synthesized ultrathin FeSe₂ nanosheets exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of triiodide to iodide and low charge‐transfer resistance at the electrolyte–electrode interface in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The DSSCs with FeSe₂ nanosheets as counter electrode material achieve a high power conversion efficiency of 7.53 % under a simulated solar illumination of 100 mW cm^?2 (AM 1.5), which is comparable with that of Pt‐based devices (7.47 %).     

Selective extraction of gadolinium from Sm2O3 and Gd2O3 mixtures in a single step assisted by MgCl2 in LiCl–KCl melts

The chloration of MgCl₂ was studied in the LiCl–KCl–MgCl₂–Gd₂O₃–Sm₂O₃ melts. Gd(III) and Sm(III) ions were observed by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry assisted by MgCl₂ in melts. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of melts indicated Gd₂O₃ and Sm₂O₃ were chlorinated by MgCl₂ and formed GdCl₃ and SmCl₃. XRD patterns of non-dissolved residues, which were left after the melts were washed with water to remove the soluble salt, showed that the new compounds (i.e., GdOCl, SmOCl, MgO, Gd(OH)₃, and Sm(OH)₃) were produced. Potentiostatic electrolysis experiments were performed to extract Gd from Gd₂O₃ and Sm₂O₃ mixtures assisted by MgCl₂. Separation between Gd₂O₃ and Sm₂O₃ was also achieved in a single step with the formation of Mg–Li–Gd alloys. XRD patterns of alloys indicated that Mg₃Gd phase was formed. Scanning electron microscope images with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed Gd elements were mainly distributed in the grain boundary.     

Synthesis of SiO2/Y2O3:Eu core-shell materials and hollow spheres

The SiO₂/Y₂O₃:Eu core-shell materials and hollow spheres were first synthesized by a template-mediated method. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that the broadened diffraction peaks result from nanocrystals of Y₂O₃:Eu shells and hollow spheres. X-ray photoelectron spectra showed that the Y₂O₃:Eu shells are linked with silica cores by Si-O-Y chemical bond. SEM and TEM observations showed that the size of SiO₂/Y₂O₃:Eu core-shell structure is in the range of 140-180 nm, and the thickness of Y₂O₃:Eu hollow spherical shell is about 20-40 nm. The photoluminescence spectra of SiO₂/Y₂O₃:Eu core-shell materials and Y₂O₃:Eu hollow spheres have better red luminescent properties, and the broadened emission bands came from the size effects of nanocrystals composed of Y₂O₃:Eu shell.     

Combinatorial Approach to Synthesize and Optimize Gd2O3:Tb Nanocrystals

Combinatorial approach was first used to synthesize and optimize luminescent Gd2O3:Tb nanocrystals. Orthogonal Design was used to investigate their properties comprehensively. The megascopic photoluminescence properties have been observed under ultraviolet light by a 254 nm laser. The structural properties of Gd2O3:Tb were further studied and optimized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The visible luminescence spectra were investigated under excitation by a 284 nm laser. Glutin reaction process was discussed as the possible mechanisms. Finally, the optimized sample was obtained with the best properties in some scope.     

Optimizing the mechanical and surface topography of hydroxyapatite/Gd2O3/graphene oxide nanocomposites for medical applications

A ternary nanocomposite (TNC) was fabricated for introducing multifunctional properties for various biomedical applications. The nanocomposites consist of hydroxyapatite (HAP) combined with/without graphene oxide (GO) and gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃). The lattice constants of HAP were around 9.4285 and 6.7476 Å, while for Gd₂O₃ was around 10.8441 Å. The morphological investigation detected the nanosheets of GO, and nanorods of HAP/Gd₂O₃ with length of 27 nm. Moreover, the topological study based on a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) showed that HAP/GO had average roughness (R_a) of 4.8 nm, and the root mean square value (R_q) with a value of 7 nm. Furthermore, the average pore size reached 7.99 nm for the NC of HAP/GO. In addition, the cumulative surface area using the density functional theory (DFT) method was calculated at around 44.61 m²/g for TNC. The cell viability in vitro of osteoblast cell line improved from 95.6 ± 0.6% to 96.7 ± 0.5% which indicates the biocompatibility of the implants to be used in biomedical applications.     

Darstellung,Kristallstruktur und Eigenschaften von Ln3AuO6 (Ln = Sm,Eu, Gd)

Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Properties of Ln₃AuO₆ (Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd) The title compounds have been prepared from amorphous Au₂O₃ · x H₂O (x = 1–3) and Ln₂O₃ (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu) via solid state reaction under elevated oxygen pressure adding KOH as mineralizing agent. They crystallize in a new structure type (triclinic, P1, Z = 1, Sm₃AuO₆: a = 3.7272(2) Å, b = 5.6311(2) Å, c = 7.0734(3) Å, α = 90.32(2)°, β = 103.983(3)°, γ = 90.822(2)°, 125 powder intensities, R_p = 2.57%, Eu₃AuO₆: a = 3.7012(2) Å, b = 5.6134(2) Å, c = 7.0652(4) Å, α = 90.838(3)°, β = 102.956(3)°, γ = 90.909(2)°, 122 powder intensities, R_p = 3.16%, Gd₃AuO₆: a = 3.6720(2) Å, b = 5.5977(2) Å, c = 7.0636(2) Å, α = 90.509(2)°, β = 102.889(3)°, γ = 91.068(2)°, 3424 reflections, R₁ = 12.90%). The crystal structure was solved and refined from single crystal data of Gd₃AuO₆. The structures of Sm₃AuO₆ and Eu₃AuO₆ were refined from powder diffraction data. The isolated square planar AuO₄ units are stacked along the a‐axis and are linked by LnO₆‐ and LnO₆₊₁‐polyhedra. One of the oxygen atoms is exclusively coordinated by trivalent lanthanides, in tetrahedral geometry. The lanthanoid aurates decompose between 700 and 900 °C into Ln₂O₃, Au and O₂. The magnetic moments μ_eff(Gd₃AuO₆) = 7.9 μ_B and, at 20 °C respectively, μ_eff(Sm₃AuO₆) = 1.55 μ_B as well as μ_eff(Eu₃AuO₆) = 3.5 μ_B confirm that the lanthanides are trivalent. The UV/VIS absorption spectra can be interpreted at assuming free ions.     

Bi2O3 Nanosheets Grown on Multi‐Channel Carbon Matrix to Catalyze Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to HCOOH

Bi₂O₃ nanosheets were grown on a conductive multiple channel carbon matrix (MCCM) for CO₂RR. The obtained electrocatalyst shows a desirable partial current density of ca. 17.7 mA cm^?2 at a moderate overpotential, and it is highly selective towards HCOOH formation with Faradaic efficiency approaching 90 % in a wide potential window and its maximum value of 93.8 % at ?1.256 V. It also exhibits a maximum energy efficiency of 55.3 % at an overpotential of 0.846 V and long‐term stability of 12 h with negligible degradation. The superior performance is attributed to the synergistic contribution of the interwoven MCCM and the hierarchical Bi₂O₃ nanosheets, where the MCCM provides an accelerated electron transfer, increased CO₂ adsorption, and a high ratio of pyrrolic‐N and pyridinic‐N, while ultrathin Bi₂O₃ nanosheets offer abundant active sites, lowered contact resistance and work function as well as a shortened diffusion pathway for electrolyte.     

Gas-filled radioluminescent light sources and prospects for their further development

Luminescence of various inorganic compounds of rare earth elements as radioluminophores was studied with the aim of fabricating weak permanent light sources. Under the action of UV and tritium radiation, all the luminophores tested emit light of different colors. In the tritium gas medium, six luminophores showed emission, and for three of them (Y₂O₃:Eu, Y₂O₃:Eu, Bi, Gd₂O₃:Eu) the emission brightness was acceptable for practical use. Attempt to prepare permanent light sources with new types of luminophores using a phosphoric acid solution as a binder demonstrated the need for searching for a new binder firmly fixing the luminophore on the glass surface.     

Controlled Synthesis of Fe3O4/ZIF‐8 Nanoparticles for Magnetically Separable Nanocatalysts

Fe₃O₄/ZIF‐8 nanoparticles were synthesized through a room‐temperature reaction between 2‐methylimidazolate and zinc nitrate in the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanocrystals. The particle size, surface charge, and magnetic loading can be conveniently controlled by the dosage of Zn(NO₃)₂ and Fe₃O₄ nanocrystals. The as‐prepared particles show both good thermal stability (stable to 550 °C) and large surface area (1174 m²g^?1). The nanoparticles also have a superparamagnetic response, so that they can strongly respond to an external field during magnetic separation and disperse back into the solution after withdrawal of the magnetic field. For the Knoevenagel reaction, which is catalyzed by alkaline active sites on external surface of catalyst, small Fe₃O₄/ZIF‐8 nanoparticles show a higher catalytic activity. At the same time, the nanocatalysts can be continuously used in multiple catalytic reactions through magnetic separation, activation, and redispersion with little loss of activity.     

Liquid‐Phase Epitaxial Growth of Two‐Dimensional Semiconductor Hetero‐nanostructures

Although many two‐dimensional (2D) hybrid nanostructures are being prepared, the engineering of epitaxial 2D semiconductor hetero‐nanostructures in the liquid phase still remains a challenge. The preparation of 2D semiconductor hetero‐nanostructures by epitaxial growth of metal sulfide nanocrystals, including CuS, ZnS and Ni₃S₂, is achieved on ultrathin TiS₂ nanosheets by a simple electrochemical approach by using the TiS₂ crystal and metal foils. Ultrathin CuS nanoplates that are 50–120 nm in size and have a triangular/hexagonal shape are epitaxially grown on TiS₂ nanosheets with perfect epitaxial alignment. ZnS and Ni₃S₂ nanoplates can be also epitaxially grown on TiS₂ nanosheets. As a proof‐of‐concept application, the obtained 2D CuS–TiS₂ composite is used as the anode in a lithium ion battery, which exhibits a high capacity and excellent cycling stability.     

Photoresponsive Nanosheets of Polyoxometalates Formed by Controlled Self‐Assembly Pathways

Anionic Keggin polyoxometalates (POMs) and ether linkage‐enriched ammonium ions spontaneously self‐assemble into rectangular ultrathin nanosheets in aqueous media. The structural flexibility of the cation is essential to form oriented nanosheets; as demonstrated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements. The difference in initial conditions exerts significant influence on selecting for self‐assembly pathways in the energy landscape. Photoillumination of the POM sheets in pure water causes dissolution of reduced POMs, which allowed site‐specific etching of nanosheets using laser scanning microscopy. By contrast, photoetching was suppressed in aqueous AgNO₃ and site‐selective deposition of silver nanoparticles occurred as a consequence of electron transfer from the photoreduced POMs to Ag⁺ ions on the nanosheet surface.     

Craig-Verteilung von Seltenerdnitraten im System Tri-n-Butylphosphat-Salpetersäure, 4. Mitt.: Gemischtrennungen mit Apparaturen von 120 und 160 Elementen; Reindarstellung von Samarium und Gadolinium

Zusammenfassung In einer Apparatur mit 120 bzw. 160 Elementen wurde der Verlauf der präparativenCraig-Verteilung von Yttererdgemischen unter Entnahme der Oberphase bei systematischer Veränderung der Bedingungen untersucht und durch die wirksamen Stufenzahlen und die effektiven Trennfaktoren charakterisiert, für die sich der Tetradeneffekt nachweisen ließ. Die Trennung wurde vor allem im Gebiet Sm-Eu-Gd wesentlich verbessert, bis zu 80% des Einsatzes (60 g) ließen sich reiner als 90 bzw. 99% erhalten; ein großer Teil des La-, Nd- und Sm-oxids fiel bereits reiner als 99,9% an.Aus etwa 99proz. Produkten wurde Sm₂O₃ in einer Reinheit von 99,9 bis 99,99% und Gd₂O₃ reiner als 99,9% erhalten (Ausb. 70 bzw. 58%).

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Craig-distribution of rare earth nitrates in the system tri-n-butyl phosphate-nitric acid, IV: Separation of mixtures using apparatus with 120 and 160 elements, resp. Preparation of pure samarium and gadolinium

Using an apparatus with 120 and 160 elements, resp., the preparativeCraig-distribution of yttrium-earth mixtures by withdrawal of the upper phase was examined on systematic variation of experimental conditions; these were characterized by the number of effective stages and the effective separation factors, which were demonstrated to show the tetrad effect. A much better separation could be achieved especially in the neighborhood of Sm, Eu and Gd; up to 80% of the input (60 g) were collected in a purity better than 90 or 99%, a significant part of La-, Nd- and Sm-oxides was already better than 99.9%.Starting with products of a purity near 99%, Sm₂O₃ resulted in a purity of 99.9–99.99% and Gd₂O₃ better than 99.9% (yield 70 and 58%, resp.).

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Mit 2 Abbildungen     

Eu3+-doped Gd2O3 nanoparticles as reporters for optical detection and visualization of antibodies patterned by microcontact printing

Lanthanide oxide nanoparticles are promising luminescent probes in bioanalysis, because of their unique spectral properties, photostability, and low-cost synthesis. We report for the first time the application of europium-doped gadolinium oxide (Eu:Gd₂O₃) nanoparticles to the optical imaging of antibody micropatterns. The nanoparticles were synthesized by spray pyrolysis and coated with antibody (IgG) molecules by physical adsorption. Our experiments showed that the Eu:Gd₂O₃ is a good biocompatible solid support for antibody immobilization. The antibodies (anti-rabbit IgG) immobilized on the nanoparticles had excellent biological activity in the specific recognition reaction with rabbit IgG patterned in line strips (10 μm×10 μm) on a glass substrate by use of a micro-contact printing technique. The specific immunoreaction was confirmed by two independent microscopic techniques—fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both microscopic images revealed that the nanoparticles were organized into designated structures as defined by the microcontact printing process with negligible non-specific binding. The nanoparticles can be used as fluorescent markers in a variety of immunosensing applications in a microscale format.     

Effect of rare earth oxides on the thermal decomposition of barium oxalate

Catalytic activity of rare earth oxides (REO); La₂O₃, Sm₂O₃, Gd₂O₃ and Ce₂O₃ on the isothermal decomposition of barium oxalate has been studied at 723 K. The α?t plots for pure salt as well as mixtures indicate that the process follows: initial gas evolution, a short acceleratory and a long decay stages. The results of the kinetic analysis show that Prout-Tompkins relationship and two-dimensional phase boundary reaction give best fit of the data for both pure salt as well as mixtures. The rate constants of acceleratory and decay periods are enhanced remarkably by adding REO admixtures and their catalytical activity is in the order La₂O₃>Sm₂O₃>Gd₂O₃ >Ce₂O₃. The plausible mechanism of decomposition and the role of admixture there on has been discussed in the light of electron transfer process.     

Oriented Monolayer Film of Gd2O3:0.05 Eu Crystallites: Quasi‐Topotactic Transformation of the Hydroxide Film and Drastic Enhancement of Photoluminescence Properties

Caught on film : A semitransparent and intensely luminescent monolayer film of oriented Gd₂O₃:0.05 Eu platelet crystallites is fabricated by annealing the precursor hydroxide film (see scheme). The photoluminescence properties of the as‐transformed film are greatly improved over those of the hydroxide film, and are much more pronounced than those of the corresponding Gd₂O₃:0.05 Eu powder.