Fabrication of polymeric micelles with core–shell–corona structure for applications in controlled drug release

Thermo-responsive polymeric micelles of poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-g-lactide)-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PEG-P(HEMA-PLA)-PNIPAM) with core–shell–corona structure were fabricated for applications in controlled drug release. The graft copolymer of PEG-P(HEMA-PLA)-PNIPAM was self-assembled into core–shell micelles with a densely PLA core and mixed PEG/PNIPAM shells at 25 °C in aqueous media. By increasing the temperature above the lower critical solution temperature of PNIPAM, these core–shell micelles could be converted into core–shell–corona micelles because of the collapse of PNIPAM block on the PLA core as the inner shell and the soluble PEG block stretching outside as the outer corona. Anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded in the polymeric micelles as a model drug. Compared with polymeric micelles formed by liner PEG-b-PLA-b-PNIPAM triblock copolymer, these polymeric micelles exhibited higher loading capacity, and release of DOX from the polymeric micelles with core–shell–corona structure was well-controlled.     

Luminescent core–shell Fe3O4@Gd2O3:Er3+, Li+ composite particles with enhanced optical properties

Bifunctional magneto-optical nanocomposites with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a core and erbium and lithium codoped gadolinium (Gd₂O₃:Er³⁺, Li⁺) as the shell were synthesized successfully using a simple urea homogeneous precipitation method. The fabricated Fe₃O₄@Gd₂O₃:Er³⁺, Li⁺ particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and quantum design vibrating sample magnetometry. The upconversion emission intensity was enhanced significantly comparing to that without Li⁺ ions. These bifunctional composites are expected to be potentially applied for drug delivery, cell separation and bioimaging.     

Characterization and preparation of core–shell type nanoparticle for encapsulation of anticancer drug

The aim of this study is to prepare delivery vehicles of paclitaxel using low molecular weight water-soluble chitosan (LMWSC) and evaluate them as an anticancer drug delivery system. LMWSC was modified with methoxy polyethylene glycol (LMWSC-MPEG, ChitoPEG), and then it was conjugated with cholesterol (LMWSC-MPEG-Chol). Core–shell type LMWSC-MPEG-Chol nanoparticles (LMWSC-NPs) were prepared by the dialysis method, and the core–shell structure was confirmed by ¹H NMR analysis. To this polymer, paclitaxel was encapsulated and core–shell type nanoparticles were prepared. The release tests indicated that release of paclitaxel from the core–shell type nanoparticles and its transport across the dialysis membrane was slower than dialysis of free paclitaxel. In a cytotoxicity study using CT26 cell, the paclitaxel-encapsulated core–shell type nanoparticles (LMWSC-NPs) showed a toxicity against tumor cells similar to paclitaxel itself. The results of a tumor inhibition test with CT26 implanted upon mouse tumor models in vivo indicated that the application of a dose of 10 mg/kg of LMWSC-NPT showed a superior survival rate, and a slower tumor growth than when paclitaxel alone was administered, although the tumor growth and survival rate were not significantly changed at a dose of 2 mg/kg. The LMWSC-NPT dose above 10 mg/kg showed a superior antitumor activity.     

Luminescent core–shell nanoparticles with crosslinked aggregation-induced emission core structures: Emission both in solution and solid states

Luminescent core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) with crosslinked aggregation-induced emission (AIE) core structures, which exhibited excellent emission independent of the dispersion state of the NPs, have been developed by a facile one-pot method based on the self-assembly of an amphiphilic block copolymer poly(PEGMA)-b-poly(DB3VT). Core–shell micelles with a poly(DB3VT) core were formed from poly(PEGMA)-b-poly(DB3VT) in tetrahydrofuran (THF)/H₂O condition, and the crosslinked AIE-based structure was selectively incorporated into the core by the Suzuki coupling reaction between poly(DB3VT) blocks and tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based coupling monomers at the same time. This method afforded a uniform NP with a crosslinked TPE-based AIE core structure. The obtained NP exhibited excellent emission both in diluted solution and solid states. This result indicated that the formed TPE-based AIE core structure was always aggregated regardless of NP dispersion owing to the crosslinking as we expected. The crosslinked TPE-based AIE core structure, which was related to the emission property, was readily tuned by the selection and combination of coupling monomers in the Suzuki coupling reaction. By incorporating electron-deficient units into the core, the emission color could be successfully tuned from yellow-green to orange and red while maintaining the emission property independent of the state of the NP dispersion. These results demonstrated that NPs with the crosslinked AIE core structures are a promising luminescent material design motif to realize emission independent on molecular dispersion.     

Ag@C core–shell structure composites-decorated Ag nanoparticles: zero current potentiometry for detection of hydrogen peroxide

Ag@C core–shell structure composites were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method, and then Ag nanoparticles were decorated on the surface of Ag@C by reduction of AgNO₃. The morphology, composition and structure of the Ag@C@Ag composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry were used to evaluate the electrocatalytic performance of the Ag@C@Ag/GCE for detection of H₂O₂. Meanwhile, a new electrochemical method of zero current potentiometry was used for electrochemical detection of H₂O₂. The linear range and the detection limit were from 0.2 to 10, and 0.07 μM, respectively.     

Novel core–shell SDC/amorphous Na2CO3 nanocomposite electrolyte for low-temperature SOFCs

Novel core–shell SDC (Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9)/amorphous Na₂CO₃ nanocomposite was prepared for the first time. The core–shell nanocomposite particles are smaller than 100 nm with amorphous Na₂CO₃ shell of 4–6 nm in thickness. The nanocomposite electrolyte shows superionic conductivity above 300 °C, where the conductivity reaches over 0.1 S cm⁻¹. Such high conductive nanocomposite has been applied in low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LTSOFCs) with an excellent performance of 0.8 W cm⁻² at 550 °C. A new potential approach of designing and developing superionic conductors for LTSOFCs was presented to develop interface as ‘superionic highway’ in two-phase materials based on coated SDC.     

Preparation of Mn2O3 catalyst with core–shell structure via spray pyrolysis assisted with glucose

A novel core–shell Mn₂O₃ catalyst is obtained by facile spray pyrolysis assisted with glucose acting as a structure-directing agent. The detail characterizations include X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, and the thermogravimetric method (TG/DTA). In the probe test of the aqueous degradation of methylene blue (MB), the high catalytic peroxidization activity of core–shell Mn₂O₃ catalyst, compared to the commercial Mn₂O₃, is attributed to the high crystallization of α-Mn₂O₃, the large surface area that resulted from the core–shell structure with porous architecture, and the special core–shell structure that acted as a micro-reactor.     

Ca2+、La3+及Eu3+对NaDC胶团的作用

在水溶液中将脱氧胆酸钠（ＮａＤＣ）分别与ＣａＣＬ２、ＥｕＣｌ３及ＬａＣｌ３反应,改变反应物浓度和配比,合成了系列脱氧胆酸络全物。利用红外光谱（ＦＴＩＲ）、元素分析、ＩＣＰ分析及Ｘ身材线粉末衍射谱,对它们的组成和结构进行了研究。结果表明：水溶液中ＣａＣｌ２与ＮａＤＣ的反应不是简单离子间的反应,改变其反应物浓度和配比,生成组成和结构不同的络合物;而ＬｎＣｌ３与ＮａＤＣ反应时,反应物浓度和配比的改变不影     

Gd3+掺杂对NaY(MoO4)2:Eu3+荧光粉发光性能影响的研究

采用微乳液-水热法制备了NaY(MoO4)2∶Eu3+和Na(Y,Gd)(MoO4)2∶Eu3+荧光粉.利用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)和荧光光谱手段对样品进行了表征.所制样品的X射线衍射峰与标准卡片PDF# 82-2369基本吻合.SEM图谱显示所制备的纳米粒子直径为0.5～0.8μm.激发-发射光谱显示...     

Luminescence and dielectric properties of nano-structured Eu3+:K2O–Nb2O5–SiO2 glass-ceramics

In the present study, results concerning luminescence and dielectric properties of Eu₂O₃ (0.5 wt% in excess) doped nano-crystallized KNbO₃ containing transparent glass-ceramics obtained from glass of composition 25K₂O–25Nb₂O₅–50SiO₂ (mol%) by varied heat-treatment duration at 800 °C have been analyzed and reported. The formed crystallization phase, crystallite size and morphology have been examined through XRD, FESEM, TEM and FTIRRS measurements. The observed steep increase in the dielectric constant (?) of glass-ceramics over the as-prepared glass is attributed to the formation of ferroelectric nano-crystalline KNbO₃ in glass matrix. The absorption spectra of all the samples have revealed the characteristic 4f–4f intraband absorption transitions of Eu³⁺ ions. The measured photoluminescence spectra have exhibited emission transitions ⁵D_{0, 1} → ⁷F_j (j = 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) of Eu³⁺ ions. The excited level lifetimes have been determined from measured fluorescence decay curves. The rare earth ion site symmetry (nearly C_v) has been understood based on the nature of the Stark splittings of emission bands detected in both Eu³⁺: glass and Eu³⁺: glass-ceramics.     

Radioluminescence of Europium(III) in POCl3–SnCl4–235UO2+ 2–Eu3+, and D2O–235UO2+ 2–Eu3+ Solutions

Results of studying the spectral and luminescent properties of Eu³⁺ ions upon homogeneous excitation of POCl₃–SnCl₄–^-UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺ and D₂O–²³⁵UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺ solutions by -particles are presented. It was found that the radioluminescence intensity of Eu³⁺ ions in both solvents increases proportionally to the energy input by -particles. The yield of radioluminescence photons from europium ions in the POCl₃–SnCl₄–UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺ solutions is more than nine times as high as that in D₂O–UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺. The radiation-chemical yields of excited ⁵ D ₀ states of Eu³⁺ ions are 0.74 ± 0.07 and 0.18 ± 0.02 ions/100 eV in POCl₃–SnCl₄–UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺ and D₂O–UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺ solutions, respectively.     

Magnetic core–shell Fe3O4@C-SO3H nanoparticle catalyst for hydrolysis of cellulose

Catalytic hydrolysis of cellulose over solid acid catalysts is one of efficient pathways for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals. High catalytic activity and easy separation from reaction media are two important factors for evaluating the performance of the solid acid catalysts for the cellulose hydrolysis. In this study, we report a core–shell Fe₃O₄@C-SO₃H nanoparticle with a magnetic Fe₃O₄ core encapsulated in a sulfonated carbon shell, as recyclable catalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulose. The sulfonated carbon shell shows a good activity, presenting 48.6 % cellulose conversion with 52.1 % glucose selectivity under the moderate conditions of 140 °C after 12 h reaction. Importantly, the magnetic Fe₃O₄ core makes the catalysts easily separated from reaction mixtures by using the externally applied magnetic field. In addition, the Fe₃O₄@C-SO₃H nanoparticle catalyst shows a high stability in the activity and magnetization during recycling tests, suggesting it a promising solid acid catalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulose.     

Tio2@Sn core–shell nanotubes for fast and high density Li-ion storage material

TiO₂@Sn core–shell nanotube material prepared by thermal decomposition of SnCl₄ on TiO₂ nanotubes at 300 °C has been demonstrated superior Li-ion storage capability of 176 mA h/g even at high current rate of 4000 mA/g (charge and discharge of all TiO₂ within 5 min) in spite of using low carbon content (5 wt%). This value corresponds to volumetric energy densities of 317 mA h/cm³, and its value was 3.5-fold larger than that of the bare TiO₂ nanotubes.     

α-Fe2O3@carbon core–shell nanostructure for luminescent upconversion and photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The unique characteristics of metal–organic frameworks such as structural tunability, high surface area, low density, and tailored porosity have made this...     

白光LED用红色发射荧光粉Gd2(MoO4)3:Eu3+制备与表征

以NH4F为助熔剂采用固相反应法合成了Eu^3＋掺杂的α—Gd2（MoO4）3荧光粉。研究了引入不同含量助熔剂时对材料的结晶、荧光粉颗粒粒径、表面形貌及光谱性质的影响。实验结果表明,引入重量比为3％时样品具有好的结晶和优良的光谱性质;同时,随着助熔剂量的增加Eu^3＋离子在晶体中所处的格位对称性发生了变化;另外,通过Eu^3＋掺杂浓度变化的结果讨论了Eu^3＋的浓度猝灭行为。光谱测量的结果表明,该荧光粉与其他商品荧光粉不同,其最有效的激发波长不在电荷迁移带范围,而是465和395nm跃迁,该荧光粉可作为近紫外LED和三基色荧光粉组合型自光器件的红色荧光粉的候选材料。     

红色发光长余辉材料Ca2SnO4:Eu3+的性能研究

利用高温固相法合成了Ca2nO4:Eu3+色发射长余辉发光材料,对样品进行了X射线衍射分析、荧光光谱分析、形貌分析以及发光寿命测量.分析结果表明,在1350℃下烧结3 h的Ca2SnO4:Eu3+为单相产物,所得Ca2SnO4:Eu3+发光材料具有良好的发光性能,在267 nm紫外线激发下发出最强发射位于617 nm的锐线发射,并且具有明显的长余辉发光性能.     

Development of core–shell structure Fe3O4@Ta2O5 microspheres for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides for mass spectrometry analysis

Protein phosphorylation is one of the most important post-translational modifications. Due to the dynamic nature and low stoichiometry of the protein phosphorylation, enrichment of phosphopeptides from proteolytic mixtures is often necessary prior to their characterization by mass spectrometry. Many metal oxides such as titanium dioxide and zirconium dioxide have been successfully applied to isolation and enrichment of phosphopeptides. Recently, niobium pentoxide was proved to have the ability for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides. Considering the proximity of tantalum to niobium, we supposed that Ta₂O₅ can be used as affinity probes for phosphopeptide enrichment. In the work, we synthesized Fe₃O₄@Ta₂O₅ magnetic microspheres with core–shell structure for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides. To demonstrate its ability for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides, we applied Fe₃O₄@Ta₂O₅ magnetic microspheres to isolation and enrichment of the phosphopeptides from tryptic digestion of standard proteins and real samples, and then the enriched peptides were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry analysis (MALDI-MS) or liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-MS). Experiment results demonstrate that Ta₂O₅ coated-magnetic microspheres show the excellent potential for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides.     

Raman microscopic investigations of BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> precursors with core–shell structure

Due to their outstanding dielectric and ferroelectric properties, barium titanate (BaTiO₃)-based ceramics have found many applications in electronic devices. To optimise the final quality of such ceramics, a detailed knowledge of the complex processes involved in the formation of BaTiO₃ is required. The phase formation process in ordered structures of the BaCO₃/TiO₂ system was analysed by X-ray diffraction and by Raman spectral imaging (RSI) as a function of the annealing temperature. RSI was used for the first time as a locally resolving method for phase analysis, and proved to be a useful tool in examining the formation process of BaTiO₃ starting from spherical, core–shell structured precursors of the type TiO₂ core/BaCO₃ shell. The Raman spectra of different BaO–TiO₂ phases appearing as intermediate phases during the formation of BaTiO₃ were recorded for separately-prepared pure substances. Using these spectra as fingerprints, and choosing phase filters by setting wave number windows, phase landscape pictures of the samples at different temperatures during the genesis of BaTiO₃ could be created with a lateral resolution of up to 200 nm. These pictures confirm shell-like formation of the different barium titanate phases according to the diffusion of barium and oxygen ions from the Ba-rich shell into the TiO₂ core. At an intermediate state of the phase formation process, the phase sequence Ba₂TiO₄, BaTiO₃, BaTi₂O₅, BaTi₄O₉ and BaTi₅O₁₁ to TiO₂ was detected from the outer to the inner parts of the core–shell structures.