Incorporation of carboxylation multiwalled carbon nanotubes into biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) for bone tissue engineering

Biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (c-MWCNT) nanocomposites were successfully prepared via solvent casting technique. Rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were employed to assess the biocompatibility of the nanocomposites in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed that c-MWCNTs gave a better dispersion than unmodified MWCNTs in the PLGA matrix. Surface properties were determined by means of static contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis. The presence of c-MWCNTs increased the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Seven-week period in vitro degradation test showed the addition of c-MWCNTs accelerated the hydrolytic degradation of PLGA. In addition, SEM proved that the cells could adhere to and spread on films via cytoplasmic processes. Compared with control groups, MSCs cultured onto PLGA/c-MWCNT nanocomposites exhibited better adhesion and viability and also displayed significantly higher production levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) over 21 days culture. These results demonstrated that c-MWCNTs modified PLGA films were beneficial for promoting cell growth and inducing MSCs to differentiate into osteoblasts. This work presented here had potential applications in the development of 3-D scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.     

Geometric Phase of Quantum Dots in the Time-Dependent Isotropic Magnetic Field

By using of the invariant theory, we have studied the geometric phase of quantum dots in the time-dependent isotropic magnetic field, the dynamical and geometric phases are given, respectively.     

Improved electrochemical performances of polyaniline nanotubes-poly-L-lysine composite for label-free impedance detection of DNA hybridization

A sensitive label-free DNA hybridization biosensing platform was fabricated based on the synergistic effect of polyaniline nanotubes (PANI_nt) and poly-L-lysine (pLys). The composite of pLys and PANI_nt was coated onto the carbon paste electrode (CPE) to form a uniform and very stable nanocomposite membrane. The pLys in the composite film not only acts as a membrane to retain good electron transfer capability of PANI_nt even at physiological pH, but also possesses fine biocompatibility for bio-analytes. DNA probes with negatively charged phosphate groups were readily linked to the positively charged pLys surface due to the strong electrostatic affinity. The synergistic effect of PANI_nt and pLys could significantly enhance the sensitivity of DNA hybridization recognition. The phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) gene fragment from transgenic corn and the polymerase chain reaction amplification of the terminator of nopaline synthase gene from the real sample of a kind of transgenic soybean were detected by this DNA electrochemical biosensor via label-free impedance method. This stable composite gives convenient permselectivity properties as a transducer material for the design of modern electrochemical impedance biosensor using [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? as an indicator.     

ZIF-67/石墨烯复合物衍生的氮掺杂碳限域Co纳米颗粒用于高效电催化氧还原

燃料电池阴极氧还原(ORR)催化剂目前主要以商业Pt/C为主, 其高成本和稀缺性极大地限制了燃料电池的广泛应用. 为了替代Pt/C催化剂, 廉价高效的非贵金属催化剂目前受到了广泛的研究和关注. 利用氧化石墨烯(GO)为诱导模板, 借助表面丰富的含氧官能团, 实现了Co基金属有机框架材料(MOF) (ZIF-67)在GO表面的原位生长, 构筑了ZIF-67/GO层状复合材料. 热解过程中, 石墨烯的存在有效抑制了Co纳米颗粒的团聚, 并且很好地维持了原始的层状结构. 最终获得的Co@N-C/rGO复合催化剂材料实现了活性位的高度分散, 并且具有丰富的孔结构和优异的导电性能. 在电化学性能测试中Co@N-C/rGO表现出优异的ORR性能, 其起始电位为0.96 V, 半波电位0.83 V, 远优于ZIF-67直接热解得到的Co@N-C材料, 且性能与商业Pt/C催化剂相当. 此外, Co@N-C/rGO复合催化剂还表现出良好的催化稳定性和甲醇耐受性, 显示出该材料作为燃料电池氧还原催化剂的重要潜力.     

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 as a dispersive solid phase extraction sorbent for simultaneous determination of 145 pesticide residues in polyphenol-rich plants

Many plants have a high polyphenol content, which causes the matrix effect and makes the analysis of trace pesticide residues highly challenging. A common approach to improving matrix effects is to purify pesticides through the use of sorbents, but this requires a combination of multiple sorbents and extensive use. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 is widely used for pesticide analysis due to its high porosity, large specific surface area, and versatility. Here, we established and validated a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method based on a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 that was used to test the removal ability for polyphenols. To this end, 145 pesticide residues in peppermint, perilla, fennel, and mulberry leaves were analyzed by the modified method coupled with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The mean recoveries of all pesticide residues were in the range of 74.3–103.7%, with mean relative standard deviations ≤9.1% at spiked concentrations of 1, 10, 50, and 100 μg/kg for mulberry leaves. The limits of quantitation of the method ranged from 1 to 50 μg/kg. This study offers a reliable approach for the accurate quantitative analysis of various trace substances in the polyphenol-rich plants.     

超分子组装体激发态手性的响应性

圆偏振发光主要是指手性发光体系激发态的性质。由于其在信息加密、高分辨3D显示和智能传感器等领域的潜在应用而备受关注。圆偏振光除了可以通过物理方法获得,即使用线偏振片和四分之一波片的组合,还可以直接从具有光致发光或电致发光性质的手性材料中获得。目前研究者们已经开发了多种圆偏振发光材料,主要包括手性有机分子、手性金属配合物等小分子发光体系以及手性超分子组装体等复合体系。通过将手性组分与响应性功能基团结合而构筑的响应性自组装发光体系对实现智能圆偏振发光材料的发展起着重要作用。在这篇文章里,我们对手性超分子自组装发光体系对各种外界刺激的响应性能进行了总结和归纳,如光照、pH值、溶剂、温度、金属离子等。本综述通过对各种外部刺激对手性组装体激发态性能影响的总结和讨论,旨在进一步推动智能圆偏振发光材料在多学科领域的应用。     

Ultra-high Tg and ultra-low coefficient of thermal expansion polyimide films based on hydrogen bond interaction

To tolerate high processing temperature during the fabrication of low-temperature polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors (LTPS–TFT) in flexible OLED devices, the polyimide (PI) films, which are used as substrate, should have ultra-high glass transition temperature (T_g > 450°C) and ultra-low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE at 0–5 ppm K⁻¹). In this paper, two novel heterocyclic monomers, namely, N,N'-(xanthone-2,7-diyl)bis(4-aminobenzamide) (p-DAXBA) and N,N'-(xanthone-2,7-diyl)bis(3-aminobenzamide) (m-DAXBA), which contain a xanthone moiety, are prepared and polycondensed with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), respectively. PI films (PIa and PIb) with intrinsic high T_g and low CTE are designed from the perspective of rigid conjugate xanthone structure and hydrogen bonding interaction. It is found that the PIa films prepared by p-DAXBA have better linear structure of molecular chains and show relatively higher T_g and lower CTE. The T_g of PIa-40 is greater than 450°C, and CTE can reach as low as 2.7 ppm K⁻¹, tensile strength of 179 MPa, modulus of 5.67 GPa, indicating potential application prospect as a flexible OLED substrate.     

Chitosan and Whey Protein Bio-Inks for 3D and 4D Printing Applications with Particular Focus on Food Industry

The application of chitosan (CS) and whey protein (WP) alone or in combination in 3D/4D printing has been well considered in previous studies. Although several excellent reviews on additive manufacturing discussed the properties and biomedical applications of CS and WP, there is a lack of a systemic review about CS and WP bio-inks for 3D/4D printing applications. Easily modified bio-ink with optimal printability is a key for additive manufacturing. CS, WP, and WP–CS complex hydrogel possess great potential in making bio-ink that can be broadly used for future 3D/4D printing, because CS is a functional polysaccharide with good biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-immunogenicity, and non-carcinogenicity, while CS–WP complex hydrogel has better printability and drug-delivery effectivity than WP hydrogel. The review summarizes the current advances of bio-ink preparation employing CS and/or WP to satisfy the requirements of 3D/4D printing and post-treatment of materials. The applications of CS/WP bio-ink mainly focus on 3D food printing with a few applications in cosmetics. The review also highlights the trends of CS/WP bio-inks as potential candidates in 4D printing. Some promising strategies for developing novel bio-inks based on CS and/or WP are introduced, aiming to provide new insights into the value-added development and commercial CS and WP utilization.     

中美无机化学课程比较与探讨*——以美国康奈尔大学与河北工业大学无机化学课程为例

以河北工业大学和美国康奈尔大学的无机化学课程为例,从教材设置、教学方法和课程考核评价方式等方面对该课程教学进行了对比探讨,以期构建一套符合我国国情且具有国际视野的无机化学新的课程体系,能为国内高校本科无机化学课程的教学改革提供参考,提高其教育教学质量,促进本科人才培养。