Biotemplated hierarchical porous material: the positively charged leaf

Intelligent micro/nanorobots based on biotemplates

Intelligent micro/nanorobots based on natural materials as biotemplates are considered to be some of the most promising robots in the future in the microscopic field. Due to the advantages of biotemplates such as unique structure, abundant resources, environmental friendliness, easy removal, low price, easy access, and renewability, intelligent micro/nanorobots based on biotemplates can be endowed with both excellent biomaterial activity and unique structural morphology through biotemplates themselves and specific functions through artificial micro/nanotechnology. Thus, intelligent micro/nanorobots show excellent application potential in various fields from biomedical applications to environmental remediation. In this review, we introduce the advantages of using natural biological materials as biotemplates to build intelligent micro/nanorobots, and then, classify the micro/nanorobots according to different types of biotemplates, systematically detail their preparation strategies and summarize their application prospects. Finally, in order to further advance the development of intelligent micro/nanorobots, we discuss the current challenges and future prospects of biotemplates. Intelligent micro/nanorobots based on biotemplates are a perfect combination of natural biotemplates and micro/nanotechnology, which is an important trend for the future development of micro/nanorobots. We hope this review can provide useful references for developing more intelligent, efficient and safe micro/nanorobots in the future.

Recent advances and progress in biotemplate catalysts for electrochemical energy storage and conversion

Complex structures and morphologies in nature endow materials with unexpected properties and extraordinary functions. Biotemplating is an emerging strategy for replicating nature structures to obtain materials with unique morphologies and improved properties. Recently, efforts have been made to use bio-inspired species as a template for producing morphology-controllable catalysts. Fundamental information, along with recent advances in biotemplate metal-based catalysts are presented in this review through discussions of various structures and biotemplates employed for catalyst preparation. This review also outlines the recent progress on preparation routes of biotemplate catalysts and discusses how the properties and structures of these templates play a crucial role in the final performance of metal-based catalysts. Additionally, the application of bio-based metal and metal oxide catalysts is highlighted for various key energy and environmental technologies, including photocatalysis, fuel cells, and lithium batteries. Biotemplate metal-based catalysts display high efficiency in several energy and environmental systems. Note that this review provides guidance for further research in this direction.

Green Treatment of Phosphate from Wastewater Using a Porous Bio-Templated Graphene Oxide/MgMn-Layered Double Hydroxide Composite

Excessive phosphorus in water is the primary culprit for eutrophication, which causes approximately $2.2 billion annual economic loss in the United States. This study demonstrates a phosphate-selective sustainable method by adopting Garcinia subelliptica leaves as a natural bio-template, where MgMn-layered double hydroxide (MgMn-LDH) and graphene oxide (GO) can be grown in situ to obtain L-GO/MgMn-LDH. After calcination, the composite shows a hierarchical porous structure and selective recognition of phosphate, which achieves significantly high and recyclable selective phosphate adsorption capacity and desorption rate of 244.08 mg-P g-1 and 85.8%, respectively. The detail variation of LDHs during calcination has been observed via in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM). Moreover, the roles in facilitating phosphate adsorption and antimicrobial ability of chemical constituents in Garcinia subelliptica leaves, biflavonoids, and triterpenoids have been investigated. These results indicate the proposed bio-templated adsorbent is practical and eco-friendly for phosphorus sustainability in commercial wastewater treatment.

Hierarchically structured magnesium based oxides: synthesis strategies and applications in organic pollutant remediation

In this highlight, we review the design and formation of MgO based hierarchical structures and cover some selected examples on their applications in adsorption of organic contaminants.

Hierarchically porous materials: synthesis strategies and structure design

This review addresses recent advances in synthesis strategies of hierarchically porous materials and their structural design from micro-, meso- to macro-length scale.

Bio-ingredient assisted formation of porous TiO2 for Li-ion battery electrodes

Macroporous anatase TiO₂ with mesopores was generated using instant yeast and glucose as the templates. The oxide functioned as the electrode material for Li-ion battery with excellent capacity and cycling stability.

Leaf-templated synthesis of 3D hierarchical porous cobalt oxide nanostructure as direct electrochemical biosensing interface with enhanced electrocatalysis

A novel three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous cobalt oxide (Co3O4) architecture was first synthesized through a simple, cost-effective and environmentally friendly leaf-templated strategy. The Co3O4 nanoparticles (30-100 nm) with irregular shapes were interconnected with each other to form a 3D multilayer porous network structure, which provided high specific surface area and numerous electrocatalytic active sites. Subsequently, Co3O4 was successfully utilized as direct electrochemical sensing interface for non-enzymatic detection of H2O2 and glucose. By using chronoamperometry, the current response of the sensor at +0.31 V was linear with H2O2 concentration within 0.4-200 μM with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.24 μM (S/N=3) and a high sensitivity of 389.7 μA mM(-1) cm(-2). Two linear ranges of 1-300 μM (with LOD of 0.1 μM and sensitivity of 471.5 μA mM(-1) cm(-2)) and 4-12.5 mM were found at +0.59 V for glucose. In addition, the as-prepared sensor showed excellent stability and anti-interference performance for possible interferents such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine, acetaminophen and especially 0.15 M chloride ions. Similarly, other various metal oxide nanostructures may be also prepared using this similar strategy for possible applications in catalysis, electrochemical sensors, and fuel cells.

Rice-husk-templated hierarchical porous TiO(2)/SiO(2) for enhanced bacterial removal

To further enhance the bacterial removal capability, we synthesize a biotemplated hierarchical porous material coupling chemical components and hierarchical microstructure, which is derived from rice husk. The results show that the chemical components and hierarchical microstructure of the prepared material could both be factors in enhancing the bacterial removal capability. On the basis of the experimental results, we propose a hypothetical enhanced bacterial removal mechanism model of the prepared material. Furthermore, we propose a hypothetical method of inferring bacterial physical removal effects of samples by their dye adsorption results. Also, the hypothetical method has been proven to be reasonable by the experimental results. This work provides a new paradigm for bacterial removal and can contribute to the development of new functional materials for enhanced bacterial removal in the future.

Porous inorganic materials from living porogens: channel-like TiO2 from yeast-assisted sol-gel process

Vitality of yeast cells maintained in an aqueous sol-gel solution containing titanium tetraisopropoxide and glucose. The living cells and their metabolites acted as the porogens for a channel-like TiO2 precursor. Further processing of the precursor offered a channel-like meso/macroporous TiO2, a potential anode material for Li-ion battery.