Size-controlled synthesis and characterization of fluorapatite nanocrystals in the presence of gelatin

Natural vs. Synthetic Phosphate as Efficient Heterogeneous Compounds for Synthesis of Quinoxalines

Natural phosphate (NP) and synthetic fluorapatite phosphate (SFAP) were proposed as stable, inexpensive, readily available and recyclable catalysts for the condensation of 1,2-diamines with 1,2-dicarbonyls in methanol to afford quinoxaline at room temperature. NP provided as high as 92-99% yield for quinoxalines in short reaction times (i.e., 1-45 min), while SFAP created quinoxalines with 87-97% yield in 60-120 min. From the chemical analyses, X-ray fluoresecency, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy methods, two main phases (CaO, P2O5) appeared in NP together with other low content phases (SiO2, Fe2O3). Compared to other phases, apatite (CaO and P2O5 as Ca10(PO4)6) played a major role in the catalytic activity of NP. SFAP with similar Ca/P atomic ratio showed a relatively lower catalytic activity than NP for the condensation of 1,2-diamine with 1,2-dicarbonyl in methanol at ambient temperature. To investigate the recyclability of catalysts, the surface properties of NP and 6-recycled NP were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda methods. Some differences were observed in NP and 6-recycled NP's particle size, surface area, the volume and size of pores, and the content of elements; nevertheless, the use-reuse process did not noticeably change the catalytic property of NP.

Effect of Yttrium Oxide in Hydroxyapatite Biocomposite Materials: Electrical and Antimicrobial Evaluation

Synthesis and characterization of biocomposite materials of hydroxyapatite (HA) and yttrium oxide (Y2O3) were investigated. HA nanoparticles powder was obtained from mussel shells via a wet chemical precipitation routine. HA powder was doped with 1 and 2 wt% of Y2O3. For microstructural examination, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) were used. In addition, the dielectric and electrical properties and antimicrobial activities were investigated. XRD patterns reveal the crystallization of the oxyapatite. The peak intensities of pristine HA are inferior compared to the yttrium containing HA composites, thus suggesting that the addition of yttrium promotes the crystallization of HA due to the variance in their ionic radii. FT-IR shows a variation in the phosphate wavenumber, indicating the integration of yttrium into the HA matrix. SEM reveals nanorod- or worm-like crystals arose in clusters. With increasing Y2O3, from 1 to 2 wt%, the DC conductivity reduces from 16 to 9.3 nS/cm, which confirms that high amounts of Y3+ substitute Ca2+ in the HA matrix. In the high-frequency range, the AC conductivity linearly increases with increasing frequency following the universal power law. Further, antimicrobial activity results showed that the addition of yttrium in HA improves the antimicrobial effects against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Additional research is needed to investigate the doping concentration of yttrium ions, and an anticipated property could be comprehended for several forthcoming biomedical applications.

Light mediated drug delivery systems: a review

Achieving a novel drug delivery system needs site-specificity along with dosage control. Many physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological signals are used for developing these systems, out of which light has been used predominantly in the past decade. Light responsive drug delivery systems have tremendous potential, and their exploration is crucial in developing a precise and controlled delivery system. Spatio-temporal and intensity control of light allows better manipulation of drug delivery vehicles than mechanical, chemical, and biological signals. The use of ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) light has helped in upgrading therapeutic functionalities, while the use of up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) has delivered an extension into theranostic tools. Biomaterials incorporated with photosensitizers can readily respond to changes in light and are vital in achieving clinical success via translational research. Further, the inclusion of biological macromolecules for the transportation of drugs, genes, and proteins has seen a broader application of light-controlled systems. The key objective of this review paper is to summarise the evolution of light-activated targeted drug delivery systems and the importance of biomaterials in developing one.

In Vitro Studies concerning Selected Properties of a Composite Material Blended with Nanofluoroapatite Crystals

The aim of the paper was to determine the potential for fluorine release from an original composite material blended with nanofluoroapatite (FAp). The level of fluoride ion emission into deionized water and saline was studied over a period of 12 weeks. Values were recorded after 1, 3, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h and then weekly for a period of 12 weeks. There were statistically significant differences in the periods of fluoride ion release from 5%FAp and 2%FAp materials into saline solution as well as into deionized water. The highest fluorine release from 5%FAp + polymer was observed in the 10th and 11th week of incubation (for saline solution) and in the 9th, 10th, and 11th week (for deionized water). The highest fluorine release from 2%FAp + polymer was observed in the 9th, 11th, and 12th week of incubation for both environments. Total fluoride ion release from 5%FAp + polymer and mean fluoride release levels were similar in 5%FAp and 2%FAp in both environments. Both tested materials (5%FAp and 2%FAp) show the ability to release fluoride ions over a long time in the experimental environment.

Mechanism of Nanostructured Fluorapatite Formation from CaO, CaF2 and P2O5 Precursors by Mechanochemical Synthesis

We determined the mechanism of mechanochemical synthesis of fluorapatite from CaO, CaF2 and P2O5 by characterisation of the intermediate compounds. We used atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy to find the transitional compounds. Investigation of the binary and ternary powder mixtures revealed the appearance of H3PO4, Ca(OH)2, Ca2P2O7 and CaCO3 as the intermediate compounds. At early stages of the milling, conversions of P2O5 to H3PO4 and CaO to Ca(OH)2 occurred in the wet atmosphere. Later, a combination of Ca(OH)2 and H3PO4 formed C a2P2O7 while the unreacted CaO was converted to CaCO3 by CO2 of the ambient atmosphere. Spherical crystalline Ca10 (PO4)6F2 particles formed after 48 hours of milling due to the reaction between Ca2P2O7, CaCO3 and CaF2.

Effective Construction of High-quality Iron Oxy-hydroxides and Co-doped Iron Oxy-hydroxides Nanostructures: Towards the Promising Oxygen Evolution Reaction Application

Rational design of high efficient and low cost electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays an important role in water splitting. Herein, a general gelatin-assisted wet chemistry method is employed to fabricate well-defined iron oxy-hydroxides and transitional metal doped iron oxy-hydroxides nanomaterials, which show good catalytic performances for OER. Specifically, the Co-doped iron oxy-hydroxides (Co_0.54Fe_0.46OOH) show the excellent electrocatalytic performance for OER with an onset potential of 1.52 V, tafel slope of 47 mV/dec and outstanding stability. The ultrahigh oxygen evolution activity and strong durability, with superior performance in comparison to the pure iron oxy-hydroxide (FeOOH) catalysts, originate from the branch structure of Co_0.54Fe_0.46OOH on its surface so as to provide many active edge sites, enhanced mass/charge transport capability, easy release oxygen gas bubbles, and strong structural stability, which are advantageous for OER. Meanwhile, Co-doping in FeOOH nanostructures constitutes a desirable four-electron pathway for reversible oxygen evolution and reduction, which is potentially useful for rechargeable metal−air batteries, regenerative fuel cells, and other important clean energy devices. This work may provide a new insight into constructing the promising water oxidation catalysts for practical clean energy application.

Effects of crystalline growth on structural and luminescence properties of Ca(10−3x)Eu2x(PO4)6F2 nanoparticles fabricated by using a microwave driven hydrothermal process

The structural and luminescence properties of Eu³⁺ doped nanofluorapatites obtained by hydrothermal method were investigated.

The effect of simulating body fluid on the structural properties of hydroxyapatite synthesized in the presence of citric acid

In present work, the effect of citric acid (CA) addition in different amounts (0, 1, 5 and 10 ml) on the structure of hydroxyapatite (HAp) was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy techniques. The crystallite dimensions, lattice parameters, unit cell volume, crystallinity percentage and Ca/P molar ratio were found to be affected by the CA content. To investigate the influence of CA on the bioactive properties of the HAp samples and to determine the optimum amount of CA, in vitro soaking tests in simulated body fluid (SBF) were performed. Although the samples' morphology was found to be affected by neither the amount of CA nor the soaking time in SBF, the soaking results revealed that the maximum changes in the Ca/P ratio were found for the HAp samples prepared in the presence of the highest amounts of CA, which pointed out to the highest bioactivity of these samples.

Decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes with Sm doped fluorapatites: synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity

Novel and sustainable heterogeneous catalysts, namely, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) decorated with Sm doped fluorapatite nanocomposites (MWCNT/Sm-FAp) were prepared with different loadings of Sm (1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, and 7%).