Temperature-controlled electrochemical switch based on layered double hydroxide/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) ultrathin films fabricated via layer-by-layer assembly

Rational Design of Stimuli-Responsive Inorganic 2D Materials via Molecular Engineering: Toward Molecule-Programmable Nanoelectronics

The ability of electronic devices to act as switches makes digital information processing possible. Succeeding graphene, emerging inorganic 2D materials (i2DMs) have been identified as alternative 2D materials to harbor a variety of active molecular components to move the current silicon-based semiconductor technology forward to a post-Moore era focused on molecule-based information processing components. In this regard, i2DMs benefits are not only for their prominent physiochemical properties (e.g., the existence of bandgap), but also for their high surface-to-volume ratio rich in reactive sites. Nonetheless, since this field is still in an early stage, having knowledge of both i) the different strategies for molecularly functionalizing the current library of i2DMs, and ii) the different types of active molecular components is a sine qua non condition for a rational design of stimuli-responsive i2DMs capable of performing logical operations at the molecular level. Consequently, this Review provides a comprehensive tutorial for covalently anchoring ad hoc molecular components-as active units triggered by different external inputs-onto pivotal i2DMs to assess their role in the expanding field of molecule-programmable nanoelectronics for electrically monitoring bistable molecular switches. Limitations, challenges, and future perspectives of this emerging field which crosses materials chemistry with computation are critically discussed.

Insights into the Design and Electrocatalytic Activity of Magnesium Aluminum Layered Double Hydroxides: Application to Nonenzymatic Catechol Sensor

The design of an efficient electrocatalyst for effective trace level determinations of noxious synthetic and or biological compounds is the unceasingly noteworthy conceptual approach for rapid technology. In this work, we designed a magnesium-aluminum layered double hydroxides (Mg-Al LDHs) nanocatalyst and applied it to the electrocatalytic determination of an extremely carcinogenic catechol sensor. A coprecipitation method was employed for synthesizing the nanocatalyst, and the structure, porous nature, and morphology were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The elemental composition was observed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The electrochemical studies were investigated with the help of cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry techniques. The Mg-Al LDHs-based electrocatalyst was used to detect catechol by electrochemical measurements with different parameters. The proposed catechol sensor shows a wide dynamic range (0.007-200 μM) with a lower level of detection (2.3 nm) and sensitivity (3.57 μA μM^-1 cm^-2). The excellent sensor performance is attributed to the high surface area, fast electron transfer, more active sites, and excellent flexibility. This study depicts the proposed sensor as probable to practical in a scientific investigation. In addition, the modified electrode showed greater selectivity and was used in the detection of fatal contaminants in instant treatment strategies. Moreover, the Mg-Al LDHs confirmed auspicious real sample scrutiny with noteworthy retrieval outcomes in lake water samples which exposed improved consequences.

Controlled Release of Insulin Based on Temperature and Glucose Dual Responsive Biomicrocapsules

The treatment of diabetes lies in developing novel functional carriers, which are expected to have the unique capability of monitoring blood glucose levels continuously and dispensing insulin correctly and timely. Hence, this study is proposing to create a smart self-regulated insulin delivery system according to changes in glucose concentration. Temperature and glucose dual responsive copolymer microcapsules bearing N-isopropylacrylamide and 3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid as main components were developed by bottom-spray coating technology and template method. The insulinoma β-TC6 cells were trapped in the copolymer microcapsules by use of temperature sensitivity, and then growth, proliferation, and glucose-responsive insulin secretion of microencapsulated cells were successively monitored. The copolymer microcapsules showed favorable structural stability and good biocompatibility against β-TC6 cells. Compared with free cells, the biomicrocapsules presented a more effective and safer glucose-dependent insulin release behavior. The bioactivity of secreted and released insulin did not differ between free and encapsulated β-TC6 cells. The results demonstrated that the copolymer microcapsules had a positive effect on real-time sensing of glucose and precise controlled release of insulin. The intelligent drug delivery system is supposed to mimic insulin secretion in a physiological manner, and further provide new perspectives and technical support for the development of artificial pancreas.

Temperature-induced amperometric glucose biosensor based on a poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)/graphene oxide composite film

A temperature-induced sensing film consisting of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL), graphene oxide (GO) and glucose oxidase (GOD) was fabricated and used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The PVCL/GO/GOD/GCE composite film was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The morphological properties of the composite were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The direct electron transfer (DET) of GOD was achieved. GOD at PVCL/GO/GOD/GCE exhibited a couple of well-defined redox peaks with a formal potential of -0.432 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The composite film showed temperature-induced catalytic activity towards glucose. Large peak currents were observed by amperometry at -0.39 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) when the temperature was above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PVCL, and then disappeared when it was below the LCST. The modified electrode displayed an excellent electrocatalytic response to glucose. The detection of glucose with the composite film ranged from 0.1 to 1.7 mmol L-1 above 35 °C. The constructed biosensor also possesses good stability, reproducibility and anti-interference ability.

Cargo shuttling by electrochemical switching of core-shell microgels obtained by a facile one-shot polymerization

Controlling and understanding the electrochemical properties of electroactive polymeric colloids is a highly topical but still a rather unexplored field of research. This is especially true when considering more complex particle architectures like stimuli-responsive microgels, which would entail different kinetic constraints for charge transport within one particle. We synthesize and electrochemically address dual stimuli responsive core-shell microgels, where the temperature-responsiveness modulates not only the internal structure, but also the microgel electroactivity both on an internal and on a global scale. In detail, a facile one-step precipitation polymerization results in architecturally advanced poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-vinylferrocene) P(NIPAM-co-VFc) microgels with a ferrocene (Fc)-enriched (collapsed/hard) core and a NIPAM-rich shell. While the remaining Fc units in the shell are electrochemically accessible, the electrochemical activity of Fc in the core is limited due to the restricted mobility of redox active sites and therefore restricted electron transfer in the compact core domain. Still, prolonged electrochemical action and/or chemical oxidation enable a reversible adjustment of the internal microgel structure from core-shell microgels with a dense core to completely oxidized microgels with a highly swollen core and a denser corona. The combination of thermo-sensitive and redox-responsive units being part of the network allows for efficient amplification of the redox response on the overall microgel dimension, which is mainly governed by the shell. Further, it allows for an electrochemical switching of polarity (hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity) of the microgel, enabling an electrochemically triggered uptake and release of active guest molecules. Hence, bactericidal drugs can be released to effectively kill bacteria. In addition, good biocompatibility of the microgels in cell tests suggests suitability of the new microgel system for future biomedical applications.

Fabrication of step-by-step drug release system both sensitive to magnetic field and temperature based on layered double hydroxides and PNIPAM

Fabrication of environmental sensitive and controllable drug release systems is urgently needed. In this paper, thermosensitive and magnetic response drug release systems were fabricated via layer-by-layer technique using acetylsalicylic acid (AA) intercalated ZnAl-LDH as core, poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and AA micelles as well as small size ZnAl-LDH sheets as building blocks of the shell. By forming anionic micelles, cationic PNIPAM macromolecules were sandwiched in the LDH sheets with cationic charges which provided a novel way of fabrication of drug release systems. The characteristics of the building blocks, the fabrication process and the release behaviors of the as-prepared drug release systems were characterized in detail. Due to the micro-environmental difference of AA in the core and shell of the systems, step-by-step release behaviors were observed. Also the drug release systems showed obvious temperature and magnetic field dependent responsibility. The obtained assembly is a potential drug release system.

Preparation of Microparticles Capable of Glucose-Induced Insulin Release under Physiological Conditions

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-sensitive layer-by-layer films were prepared based on combining phenyl boronic acid (PBA)-modified poly(allylamine) (PAH) with shikimic acid (SA)-modified-PAH through boronate ester bonds. These PBA-PAH/SA-PAH multilayer films could be prepared in aqueous solutions at pH 7.4 and 9.0 in the presence of NaCl. It is believed that the electrostatic repulsion between the SA-PAH and PBA-PAH was diminished and the formation of ester bonds between the SA and PBA was promoted in the presence of NaCl. These films readily decomposed in the presence of H₂O₂ because the boronate ester bonds were cleaved by an oxidation reaction. In addition, SA-PAH/PBA-PAH multilayer films combined with glucose oxidase (GOx) were decomposed in the presence of glucose because GOx catalyzes the oxidation of D-glucose to generate H₂O₂. The surfaces of CaCO₃ microparticles were coated with PAH/GOx/(SA-PAH/PBA-PAH)₅ films that absorbed insulin. A 1 mg quantity of these particles released up to 10 μg insulin in the presence 10 mM glucose under physiological conditions.

Antigen detection with thermosensitive hydrophilicity of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted poly(vinyl chloride) fibrous mats

The static water contact angle of stimuli-responsive fibrous mats is used as a convenient index for rapid antigen detection.

Hybrid films with excellent oxygen and water vapor barrier properties as efficient anticorrosive coatings

A hydrophobic film is fabricated by spin-coating of Tween 80 modified layered double hydroxide and polydimethylsiloxane alternately, which displays enhanced oxygen/water vapor barrier properties and anti-corrosion behavior toward metal substrates.

Development of Functional Thin Polymer Films Using a Layer-by-Layer Deposition Technique

Functional thin films containing insulin were prepared using layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of insulin and negatively- or positively-charged polymers on the surface of solid substrates. LbL films composed of insulin and negatively-charged polymers such as poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(vinylsulfate) (PVS), and dextran sulfate (DS) were prepared through electrostatic affinity between the materials. The insulin/PAA, insulin/PVS, and insulin/DS films were stable in acidic solutions, whereas they decomposed under physiological conditions as a result of a change in the net electric charge of insulin from positive to negative. Interestingly, the insulin-containing LbL films were stable even in the presence of a digestive-enzyme (pepcin) at pH 1.4 (stomach pH). In contrast, LbL films consisting of insulin and positively-charged polymers such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) decomposed in acidic solutions due to the positive charges of insulin generated in acidic media. The insulin-containing LbL films can be prepared not only on the surface of flat substrates, such as quartz slides, but also on the surface of microparticles, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) microbeads. Thus, insulin-containing LbL film-coated PLA microbeads can be handled as a powder. In addition, insulin-containing microcapsules were prepared by coating LbL films on the surface of insulin-doped calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) microparticles, followed by dissolution of the CaCO₃ core. The release of insulin from the microcapsules was accelerated at pH 7.4, whereas it was suppressed in acidic solutions. These results suggest the potential use of insulin-containing microcapsules in the development of oral formulations of insulin.

High-stress study of bioinspired multifunctional PEDOT:PSS/nanoclay nanocomposites using AFM, SEM and numerical simulation

Bioinspired design has been central in the development of hierarchical nanocomposites. Particularly, the nacre-mimetic brick-and-mortar structure has shown excellent mechanical properties, as well as gas-barrier properties and optical transparency. Along with these intrinsic properties, the layered structure has also been utilized in sensing devices. Here we extend the multifunctionality of nacre-mimetics by designing an optically transparent and electron conductive coating based on PEDOT:PSS and nanoclays Laponite RD and Cloisite Na+. We carry out extensive characterization of the nanocomposite using transmittance spectra (transparency), conductive atomic force microscopy (conductivity), contact-resonance force microscopy (mechanical properties), and SEM combined with a variety of stress-strain AFM experiments and AFM numerical simulations (internal structure). We further study the nanoclay's response to the application of pressure with multifrequency AFM and conductive AFM, whereby increases and decreases in conductivity can occur for the Laponite RD composites. We offer a possible mechanism to explain the changes in conductivity by modeling the coating as a 1-dimensional multibarrier potential for electron transport, and show that conductivity can change when the separation between the barriers changes under the application of pressure, and that the direction of the change depends on the energy of the electrons. We did not observe changes in conductivity under the application of pressure with AFM for the Cloisite Na+ nanocomposite, which has a large platelet size compared with the AFM probe diameter. No pressure-induced changes in conductivity were observed in the clay-free polymer either.

Film Thickness Determines Cell Growth and Cell Sheet Detachment from Spin-Coated Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Substrates

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm) is widely used to fabricate thermoresponsive surfaces for cell sheet detachment. Many complex and expensive techniques have been employed to produce pNIPAm substrates for cell culture. The spin-coating technique allows rapid fabrication of pNIPAm substrates with high reproducibility and uniformity. In this study, the dynamics of cell attachment, proliferation, and function on non-cross-linked spin-coated pNIPAm films of different thicknesses were investigated. The measurements of advancing contact angle revealed increasing contact angles with increasing film thickness. Results suggest that more hydrophilic 50 and 80 nm thin pNIPAm films are more preferable for cell sheet fabrication, whereas more hydrophobic 300 and 900 nm thick spin-coated pNIPAm films impede cell attachment. These changes in cell behavior were correlated with changes in thickness and hydration of pNIPAm films. The control of pNIPAm film thickness using the spin-coating technique offers an effective tool for cell sheet-based tissue engineering.

Layered double hydroxides as effective carrier for anticancer drugs and tailoring of release rate through interlayer anions

Hydrophobic anticancer drug, raloxifene hydrochloride (RH) is intercalated into a series of magnesium aluminum layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with various charge density anions through ion exchange technique for controlled drug delivery. The particle nature of the LDH in presence of drug is determined through electron microscopy and surface morphology. The release of drug from the RH intercalated LDHs was made very fast or sustained by altering the exchangeable anions followed by the modified Freundlich and parabolic diffusion models. The drug release rate is explained from the interactions between the drug and LDHs along with order-disorder structure of drug intercalated LDHs. Nitrate bound LDH exhibits greater interaction with drug and sustained drug delivery against the loosely interacted phosphate bound LDH-drug, which shows fast release. Cell viability through MTT assay suggests drug intercalated LDHs as better drug delivery vehicle for cancer cell line against poor bioavailability of the pure drug. In vivo study with mice indicates the differential tumor healing which becomes fast for greater drug release system but the body weight index clearly hints at damaged organ in the case of fast release system. Histopathological experiment confirms the damaged liver of the mice treated either with pure drug or phosphate bound LDH-drug, fast release system, vis-à-vis normal liver cell morphology for sluggish drug release system with steady healing rate of tumor. These observations clearly demonstrate that nitrate bound LDH nanoparticle is a potential drug delivery vehicle for anticancer drugs without any side effect.

Triple-Stimuli-Responsive Ferrocene-Containing PEGs in Water and on the Surface

Triple-stimuli-responsive PEG-based materials are prepared by living anionic ring-opening copolymerization of ethylene oxide and vinyl ferrocenyl glycidyl ether and subsequent thiol-ene postpolymerization modification with cysteamine. The hydrophilicity of these materials can be tuned by three stimuli: (i) temperature (depending on the comonomer ratio), (ii) oxidation state of iron centers in the ferrocene moieties, and (iii) pH-value (through amino groups), both in aqueous solution and at the interface after covalent attachment to a glass surface. In such materials, the cloud point temperatures are adjustable in solution by changing oxidation state and/or pH. On the surface, the contact angle increases with increasing pH and temperature and after oxidation, making these smart surfaces interesting for catalytic applications. Also, their redox response can be switched by temperature and pH, making this material useful for catalysis and electrochemistry applications. Exemplarily, the temperature-dependent catalysis of the chemiluminescence of luminol (a typical blood analysis tool in forensics) was investigated with these polymers.

Layered Double Hydroxide Assemblies with Controllable Drug Loading Capacity and Release Behavior as well as Stabilized Layer-by-Layer Polymer Multilayers

A stable drug release system with magnetic targeting is essential in a drug delivery system. In the present work, layered double hydroxide assemblies stabilized by layer-by-layer polymer multilayers were prepared by alternative deposition of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(acrylic acid) species on composite particles of Fe3O4 and ZnAl-LDH and then covalent cross-linkage of the polymer multilayers by photosensitive cross-linker. The successful fabrication was recorded by Zeta potential and Fourier transform infrared spectrum measurements. The formed assemblies were stable in high pH solutions (pH > 7). The drug loading capacity and release behavior of the assemblies could be controlled by treatment with appropriate acidic solution, and were confirmed by loading and release of a simulated drug, methylene blue. The formed assemblies possessed enough saturated magnetic strength and were sensitive to external magnetic field which was essential for targeting drug delivery. The formed assemblies were multifunctional assemblies with great potential as drug delivery system.

H2O2-induced decomposition of layer-by-layer films consisting of phenylboronic acid-bearing poly(allylamine) and poly(vinyl alcohol)

Layer-by-layer (LbL) films were prepared by an alternate deposition of phenylboronic acid-bearing poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PBA-PAH) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) on the surface of a quartz slide to develop thin films that can be decomposed in response to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The PBA-PAH/PVA films decomposed in the presence of H2O2; the degree and kinetics of decomposition depend on the concentration of H2O2 and on the pH of the solution. For example, the film decomposition completely occurred in 30 min in 1.0 mM H2O2 solution at pH 7.4, while it took 180 min in 0.1 mM H2O2 solution. The H2O2-induced decomposition of the film can be explained in terms of the oxidative scission of the carbon-boron bond in PBA residues in the PBA-PAH chains. A potential use of the PBA-PAH/PVA films in developing H2O2-sensitive delivery systems was suggested.

25th anniversary article: Artificial carbonate nanocrystals and layered structural nanocomposites inspired by nacre: synthesis, fabrication and applications

Rigid biological systems are increasingly becoming a source of inspiration for the fabrication of next generation advanced functional materials due to their diverse hierarchical structures and remarkable engineering properties. Among these rigid biomaterials, nacre, as the main constituent of the armor system of seashells, exhibiting a well-defined 'brick-and-mortar' architecture, excellent mechanical properties, and interesting iridescence, has become one of the most attractive models for novel artificial materials design. In this review, recent advances in nacre-inspired artificial carbonate nanocrystals and layered structural nanocomposites are presented. To clearly illustrate the inspiration of nacre, the basic principles relating to plate-like aragonite single-crystal growth and the contribution of hierarchical structure to outstanding properties in nacre are discussed. The inspiration of nacre for the synthesis of carbonate nanocrystals and the fabrication of layered structural nanocomposites is also discussed. Furthermore, the broad applications of these nacre inspired materials are emphasized. Finally, a brief summary of present nacre-inspired materials and challenges for the next generation of nacre-inspired materials is given.