Bamboo leaf derived ultrafine Si nanoparticles and Si/C nanocomposites for high-performance Li-ion battery anodes

Silicon-based nanomaterials are promising anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity of 4200 mA h g(-1), more than 10 times that of commercial graphite. Si nanoparticles (NPs) with a diameter of or below 10 nm generally exhibit enhanced lithium storage properties due to their small size and large surface area. However, it is challenging to generate such ultrafine Si NPs by a facile and scalable method. This paper reports a scalable method to fabricate ultrafine Si NPs 5-8 nm in size from dead bamboo leaves (BLs) by thermally decomposing the organic matter, followed by magnesiothermic reduction in the presence of NaCl as a heat scavenger. The ultrafine Si NPs show a high capacity of 1800 mA h g(-1) at a 0.2 C (1 C = 4200 mA g(-1)) rate and are thus promising anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. To achieve better rate capability, the BLs-derived ultrafine Si NPs are coated with a thin amorphous carbon layer (Si@C) and then dispersed and embedded in a reduced graphene oxide (RGO) network to produce Si@C/RGO nanocomposites by a layer-by-layer assembly method. The double protection rendered by the carbon shell and RGO network synergistically yield structural stability, high electrical conductivity and a stable solid electrolyte interface during Li insertion/extraction. The Si@C/RGO nanocomposites show excellent battery properties with a high capacity of 1400 mA h g(-1) at a high current density of 2 C and remarkable rate performance with a capacity retention of 60% when the current density is increased 20 times from 0.2 to 4 C. This work provides a simple, low cost, and scalable approach enabling the use of BL waste as a sustainable source for the production of ultrafine Si NPs towards high-performance LIBs.

The Dimension of Titania Nanotubes Influences Implant Success for Osteoclastogenesis and Osteogenesis Patients

Implants that can inhibit osteoclastogenesis and enhance osteogenesis are desirable for osteoporosis patients. In this study, titania nanotube (Ti-NT) materials, having nanotube diameters of 30, 80, and 120 nm, were produced separately by anodization at 10, 40, and 60 V, respectively. The introduction of Ti-NTs to titanium substrates significantly reduced the formation and activity of osteoclasts on samples. With the enlargement of the nanotube diameter, the osteoclasts number, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and activity, and related gene expressions of osteoclasts were further reduced. Osteogenic ability was enhanced by increasing the nanotube diameter. Thus, larger-diameter nanotube implants, such as NT60, were better able to inhibit bone absorption and enhance bone formation to prevent implant loss and failure, especially for osteoporosis patients.

Robust electrodes based on coaxial TiC/C-MnO2 core/shell nanofiber arrays with excellent cycling stability for high-performance supercapacitors

A coaxial electrode structure composed of manganese oxide-decorated TiC/C core/shell nanofiber arrays is produced hydrothermally in a KMnO4 solution. The pristine TiC/C core/shell structure prepared on the Ti alloy substrate provides the self-sacrificing carbon shell and highly conductive TiC core, thus greatly simplifying the fabrication process without requiring an additional reduction source and conductive additive. The as-prepared electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 645 F g(-1) at a discharging current density of 1 A g(-1) attributable to the highly conductive TiC/C and amorphous MnO2 shell with fast ion diffusion. In the charging/discharging cycling test, the as-prepared electrode shows high stability and 99% capacity retention after 5000 cycles. Although the thermal treatment conducted on the as-prepared electrode decreases the initial capacitance, the electrode undergoes capacitance recovery through structural transformation from the crystalline cluster to layered birnessite type MnO2 nanosheets as a result of dissolution and further electrodeposition in the cycling. 96.5% of the initial capacitance is retained after 1000 cycles at high charging/discharging current density of 25 A g(-1). This study demonstrates a novel scaffold to construct MnO2 based SCs with high specific capacitance as well as excellent mechanical and cycling stability boding well for future design of high-performance MnO2-based SCs.

Fabrication, modification, and biomedical applications of anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays

Recent research activities on the surface modification and biomedical applications of TiO₂ NTAs are reviewed.

Long-lasting in vivo and in vitro antibacterial ability of nanostructured titania coating incorporated with silver nanoparticles

Although titanium (Ti) implants are widely used clinically, implant-associated bacterial infection is still one of the most serious complications in orthopedic surgery. Long-term antibacterial properties and the ability to inhibit biofilm formation are highly desirable to prevent implant associated infection. In this study, a controllable amount of silver (Ag) nanoparticles was incorporated into titanium oxide; or titanium, nanotubes (TiO₂ -NTs). The reliable release and long-term antibacterial function of Ag, in vivo and in vitro, and influence normal bone-implant integration from the Ag released from Ag-incorporated NTs in vivo have been studied to make them useable in clinical practice. In the current study, TiO₂ -NTs loaded with Ag (NT-Ag) exhibited strong antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC43300) in vitro for 30 days, and the ability to penetrate the protein layer well. In addition, X-ray examination and 2-[(18)F]-fiuoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography indicates that NT-Ag show extremely long antibacterial activity in vivo in a rat model. Furthermore, histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that satisfactory bio-integration can be expected. Our results indicate that NT-Ag has both simultaneous antimicrobial and excellent bio-integration properties, make it a promising therapeutic material for orthopedic application.

Freestanding mesoporous VN/CNT hybrid electrodes for flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors

High-performance all-solid-state supercapacitors (SCs) are fabricated based on thin, lightweight, and flexible freestanding MVNN/CNT hybrid electrodes. The device shows a high volume capacitance of 7.9 F/cm(3) , volume energy and power density of 0.54 mWh/cm(3) and 0.4 W/cm(3) at a current density of 0.025 A/cm(3) . By being highly flexible, environmentally friendly, and easily connectable in series and parallel, the all-solid-state SCs promise potential applications in portable/wearable electronics.

Fiber-based all-solid-state flexible supercapacitors for self-powered systems

All-solid-state flexible supercapacitors based on a carbon/MnO(2) (C/M) core-shell fiber structure were fabricated with high electrochemical performance such as high rate capability with a scan rate up to 20 V s(-1), high volume capacitance of 2.5 F cm(-3), and an energy density of 2.2 × 10(-4) Wh cm(-3). By integrating with a triboelectric generator, supercapacitors could be charged and power commercial electronic devices, such as a liquid crystal display or a light-emitting-diode, demonstrating feasibility as an efficient storage component and self-powered micro/nanosystems.

Controlled fabrication of core-shell TiO2/C and TiC/C nanofibers on Ti foils and their field-emission properties

Core-shell TiO(2)/C and TiC/C nanofibers are fabricated in situ on Ti and Al ion-implanted Ti substrates by a thermochemical reaction in acetone and the growth mechanism is described. Implantation of Al into Ti leads to in situ growth of TiC/C in lieu of TiO(2)/C nanofibers. This is because Al has a higher affinity to oxygen than Ti and Ti reacts preferentially with C to form TiC. The Ti foil serves as both the Ti source and substrate for the core-shell TiO(2)/C and TiC/C NFs to ensure strong bonding and small contact resistance between the Ti substrate and the core-shell field emitters. The core-shell TiC/C and TiO(2)/C nanofibers have similar morphology and structure, but the TiC/C nanofibers possess better field emission properties with a turn on field (E(to)) of 2.2 V/μm compared to an E(to) of 3.2 V/μm measured from the TiO(2)/C nanofibers. The enhanced field-emission property of the TiC/C nanofibers is attributed to the high electrical and thermal conductivity of the TiC inner core, which provides a more effective electron transfer pathway between the cathode and C shell emitters.

Influence of structure parameters and crystalline phase on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanotube arrays

Titanium oxide nanotube arrays (TiO2-NTAs) with different diameters and lengths are prepared by anodization of titanium foils in a water/ethylene glycol solution (5:95 V/V) containing 0.3 wt% NH4F. The effects of the diameters, lengths and crystalline phases of the NTAs on the photocatalytic (PC) activity are systematically evaluated. Larger pore diameter results in higher PC activity. The PC activity increases initially and then decreases with lengths for TiO2-NTAs and the optimal length that yields the highest PC activity is observed to be 6.2 microm. The crystalline phase and corresponding PC activity depend on the calcination temperature and their relationship is also investigated. The amorphous-to-anatase and anatase-to-rutile phase transitions initially occur at 300 and 500 degrees C, respectively. The PC activity of TiO2-NTAs initially increases with calcination temperature from 250 to 500 degrees C and then decreases at higher calcination temperature. The enhanced PC activity observed from the samples annealed at 250-450 degrees C is attributed to the better anatase crystalline structure at higher calcination temperature. The highest PC activity with regard to photodecomposition of methyl orange is observed from TiO2-NTAs calcined at 500 degrees C, which coincides with the anatse-to-rutile phase transformation. The synergistic effect of the anatase TiO2-NTAs and rutile barrier layers facilitate interfacial electron transfer consequently enhancing the PC activity. Further elevation of the calcination temperatures to 550 and 600 degrees C exhibits diminished PC activity because the NTs become shorter due to conversion of the bottom of anatase NTs into rutile film.

Highly conductive, mechanically robust, and electrochemically inactive TiC/C nanofiber scaffold for high-performance silicon anode batteries

Silicon has a high specific capacity of 4200 mAh/g as lithium-ion battery anodes, but its rapid capacity fading due to >300% volume expansion and pulverization presents a significant challenge for practical applications. Here we report a core-shell TiC/C/Si inactive/active nanocomposite for Si anodes demonstrating high specific capacity and excellent electrochemical cycling. The amorphous silicon layer serves as the active material to store Li(+), while the inactive TiC/C nanofibers act as a conductive and mechanically robust scaffold for electron transport during the Li-Si alloying process. The core-shell TiC/C/Si nanocomposite anode shows ∼3000 mAh g(-1) discharge capacity and 92% capacity retention after 100 charge/discharge cycles. The excellent cycling stability and high rate performance could be attributed to the tapering of the nanofibers and the open structure that allows facile Li ion transport and the high conductivity and mechanical stability of the TiC/C scaffold.

Antibacterial nano-structured titania coating incorporated with silver nanoparticles

Titanium (Ti) implants are widely used clinically but post-operation infection remains one of the most common and serious complications. A surface boasting long-term antibacterial ability is highly desirable in order to prevent implant associated infection. In this study, titania nanotubes (TiO(2)-NTs) incorporated with silver (Ag) nanoparticles are fabricated on Ti implants to achieve this purpose. The Ag nanoparticles adhere tightly to the wall of the TiO(2)-NTs prepared by immersion in a silver nitrate solution followed by ultraviolet light radiation. The amount of Ag introduced to the NTs can be varied by changing processing parameters such as the AgNO(3) concentration and immersion time. The TiO(2)-NTs loaded with Ag nanoparticles (NT-Ag) can kill all the planktonic bacteria in the suspension during the first several days, and the ability of the NT-Ag to prevent bacterial adhesion is maintained without obvious decline for 30 days, which are normally long enough to prevent post-operation infection in the early and intermediate stages and perhaps even late infection around the implant. Although the NT-Ag structure shows some cytotoxicity, it can be reduced by controlling the Ag release rate. The NT-Ag materials are also expected to possess satisfactory osteoconductivity in addition to the good biological performance expected of TiO(2)-NTs. This controllable NT-Ag structure which provides relatively long-term antibacterial ability and good tissue integration has promising applications in orthopedics, dentistry, and other biomedical devices.