Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 as pH-Sensitive Nanocarrier for “Arsenic Trioxide” Drug Delivery

Previous results revealed that arsenic trioxide might be used as promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of some solid tumours as atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumours (ATRT). However, in order to become an approved drug for solid tumour treatment, the active formulation has to get more efficient and feasible—but at the same time less toxic. One of the possibilities to achieve this dichotomy is to use nanomedicine tools. Herein, we report on the Zn-based metal–organic framework ZIF-8 (Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8) which turned out to be a promising candidate for the delivery of As^III species. It conjointly features a high drug loading capacity and a prominent pH-triggered release behaviour. As^III-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles coated and non-coated with polyethylene glycol were studied by XRPD, IR, Raman, TGA, TEM, EDX, CHN-elemental analysis, sorption analysis and ICP-OES, and their cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro.     

Influence of Nanoparticle Processing on the Thermoelectric Properties of (BixSb1−X)2Te3 Ternary Alloys

The synthesis of phase-pure ternary solutions of tetradymite-type materials (Bi_xSb_1−x)₂Te₃ (x=0.25; 0.50; 0.75) in an ionic liquid approach has been carried out. The nanoparticles are characterized by means of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the role of different processing approaches on the thermoelectric properties - Seebeck coefficient as well as electrical and thermal conductivity - is demonstrated.     

A novel synthesis of ultrathin CoPt3 nanowires by dealloying larger diameter Co99Pt1 nanowires and subsequent stress-induced crack propagation

A novel approach to the fabrication of ultrathin CoPt₃ nanowires with a diameter of a few nanometers has been developed, by taking advantage of the volume shrinkage and formation of nanoporous structures upon dealloying electrodeposited Co₉₉Pt₁ nanowires (28 nm in diameter), followed by an ultrasonication treatment. The as-produced ultrathin CoPt₃ nanowires have an average diameter of 5 nm and lengths of up to 10 μm, and are found to be ferromagnetic at room temperature.     

Enhancement of weak anti-localization signatures in the magneto-resistance of bismuth anti-dot thin films

Anti-dot array thin films of bismuth were prepared by the e-beam deposition of this semi-metal on nano-porous substrates. The magneto-resistance measurements of bismuth thin films deposited under identical conditions on various substrates displayed signatures from both classical magneto-resistance and weak anti-localization effects. The relative intensity of the two effects could be altered by the choice of the substrate, with the anti-dot array morphology suppressing the classical magneto-resistance, and enhancing the weak anti-localization contribution to the measured magneto-resistance. As a result, the weak anti-localization effect can be traced to higher magnetic field strengths and higher temperatures than is possible in non-patterned films, improving the accuracy of the parameters extracted from the data. PACS 73.20.Fz; 73.23-b; 73.61.At     

Domain wall propagation in Permalloy nanowires with a thickness gradient

The magnetization reversal behavior of Permalloy nanowires has been investigated using a magneto-optic Kerr effect setup. Nanowires with various widths, w=250$w=250$ nm to 3 μm and a thickness of t=10$t=10$ nm were fabricated by electron-beam lithography and subsequent lift-off. Furthermore, similar nanowires but with a thickness gradient along the nanowire axis have been prepared to investigate the influence of the gradient on the magnetic domain wall propagation. Magnetization hysteresis loops recorded on individual nanowires without a gradient are compared to corresponding wires with a thickness gradient. The dependence of the coercive field, _Hc$H_c$ vs. t/w$t/w$ shows a linear behavior for wires without a gradient. However, wires with a gradient display a more complex crossover behavior. We find a plateau in the _Hc$H_c$ vs. t/w$t/w$ curve at values of w$w$, where a transformation from transverse to vortex domain wall type is expected.     

Spin-wave quantization in ferromagnetic nickel nanowires

The dynamical properties of uniform two-dimensional arrays of nickel nanowires have been investigated by inelastic light scattering. Multiple spin waves are observed that are in accordance with dipole-exchange theory predictions for the quantization of bulk spin waves. This first study of the spin-wave dynamics in ferromagnetic nanowire arrays reveals strong mode quantization effects and indications of a subtle magnetic interplay between nanowires. The results show that it is important to take proper account of these effects for the fundamental physics and future technological developments of magnetic nanowires.