Magnetically driven preparation of 1-D nano-necklaces capable of MRI relaxation enhancement

We report a novel magnetically-facilitated approach to produce 1-D 'nano-necklace' arrays composed of 0-D magnetic nanoparticles, which are assembled and coated with an oxide layer to produce semi-flexible core@shell type structures. These 'nano-necklaces' demonstrate good MRI relaxation properties despite their coating and permanent alignment, with low field enhancement due to structural and magnetocrystalline anisotropy.

Bifunctional Magnetic Fe3O4@Cu2O@TiO2 Nanosphere-Mediated Dual-Mode Assay of PTP1B Activity Based on Photocurrent Polarity Switching and Nanozyme-Engineered Biocatalytic Precipitation Strategies

Dysregulation of protein phosphatases is associated with the progression of various human diseases and cancers. Herein, a photoelectrochemical (PEC)-quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) dual-mode sensing platform was developed for protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) activity assay based on bifunctional magnetic Fe₃O₄@Cu₂O@TiO₂ nanosphere-mediated PEC photocurrent polarity switching and QCM signal amplification strategies. The PTP1B-specific phosphopeptide (P-peptide) with a cysteine end was designed and immobilized onto the QCM Au chip via the Au-S bond. Subsequently, the Fe₃O₄@Cu₂O@TiO₂ nanosphere was connected to the P-peptide via the specific interaction between the phosphate group on the P-peptide and TiO₂. After incubation with PTP1B, the dephosphorylation of the P-peptide occurred, causing some Fe₃O₄@Cu₂O@TiO₂ nanospheres to be released from the chip surface. The released magnetic Fe₃O₄@Cu₂O@TiO₂ nanospheres (labeled as R-Fe₃O₄@Cu₂O@TiO₂) were quickly separated via magnetic separation technology and attached to the Bi₂S₃-decorated magnetic indium-tin oxide (Bi₂S₃/MITO) electrode by magnetic force, inducing the switch of the photocurrent polarity of the electrode from anodic current (the Bi₂S₃/MITO electrode) to cathodic current (the R-Fe₃O₄@Cu₂O@TiO₂/Bi₂S₃/MITO electrode). Also, the nondephosphorylated P-peptide linked Fe₃O₄@Cu₂O@TiO₂ nanospheres as nanozymes with horseradish peroxidase activity to catalyze the formation of precipitation on the surface of the Au chip, leading to a frequency change of the QCM. Thus, the proposed PEC-QCM dual-mode sensing platform achieved accurate and reliable assay of PTP1B activity because of the different mechanisms and independent signal transductions. In addition, this dual-mode sensing platform can be easily extended for other protein phosphatase activity analysis and shows great potential in the early diagnosis of the protein phosphatase-related diseases and the protein phosphatase-targeted drug discovery.

1D Colloidal chains: recent progress from formation to emergent properties and applications

Integrating nanoscale building blocks of low dimensionality (0D; i.e., spheres) into higher dimensional structures endows them and their corresponding materials with emergent properties non-existent or only weakly existent in the individual building blocks. Constructing 1D chains, 2D arrays and 3D superlattices using nanoparticles and colloids therefore continues to be one of the grand goals in colloid and nanomaterial science. Amongst these higher order structures, 1D colloidal chains are of particular interest, as they possess unique anisotropic properties. In recent years, the most relevant advances in 1D colloidal chain research have been made in novel synthetic methodologies and applications. In this review, we first address a comprehensive description of the research progress concerning various synthetic strategies developed to construct 1D colloidal chains. Following this, we highlight the amplified and emergent properties of the resulting materials, originating from the assembly of the individual building blocks and their collective behavior, and discuss relevant applications in advanced materials. In the discussion of synthetic strategies, properties, and applications, particular attention will be paid to overarching concepts, fresh trends, and potential areas of future research. We believe that this comprehensive review will be a driver to guide the interdisciplinary field of 1D colloidal chains, where nanomaterial synthesis, self-assembly, physical property studies, and material applications meet, to a higher level, and open up new research opportunities at the interface of classical disciplines.

Green Fabrication of Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor Using Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Decorated with Copper (II) Oxide Nanoparticles for Tear Fluid Analysis

In this report, a green, simple, inexpensive, and effective nonenzymatic electrochemical glucose sensor was fabricated using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) decorated with copper (II) oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs). Basil seed mucilage (BSM) was served as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents in the synthesis of CuO NPs.The prepared MWCNT/CuO nanocomposite was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical methods. The FTIR results indicated that the nanocomposite surface was covered by BSM. The FESEM results show that the CuO NPs with an average particle size lower than 10 nm have been well distributed on the walls of the MWCNT. The electrochemical behavior of the nanocomposite was explored by studying the electrocatalytic behavior of the screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified by the nanocomposite (SPCE-MWCNT/CuO) toward the glucose oxidation. In the optimum conditions, the electrode indicated a wide linear response from 5.0 to 620.0 μM with regression coefficients of 0.992, the sensitivity of 1050 μA mM^-1 cm^-2, a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.7 μM, and a reproducibility with relative standard deviation (RSD) variations from 3.5 to 11% for three measurements at each point. The obtained results also showed good selectivity to glucose against interfering species such as lactate (LA), L-ascorbic acid (AA), and urea (U) due to the use of the negatively charged BSM in the form of a coating on the nanocomposite surface. The applicability of the sensor was successfully verified by the determination of glucose concentration in artificial tears with a certain amount of glucose.

Synthesis of DABCO-based ionic liquid functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as a novel sorbent for the determination of cephalosporins in milk samples by dispersive solid-phase extraction followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, DABCO-based ionic liquid-functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized for the first time by the quaternization reaction with 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octanylium chloride and chloro-functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles.

Decellularized Hydrogels in Bone Tissue Engineering: A Topical Review

Nowadays, autograft and allograft techniques represent the main solution to improve bone repair. Unfortunately, autograft technique is expensive, invasive and subject to infections and hematoma, frequently affecting both donor sites and surgical sites. A recent advance in tissue engineering is the fabrication of cell-laden hydrogels with custom-made geometry, depending on the clinical case. The use of ECM (Extra-Cellular Matrix)-derived Hydrogels from bone tissue is the new opportunity to obtain good results in bone regeneration. Several micro-engineering techniques and approaches are available to fabricate different cell gradients and zonal structures in hydrogels design, in combination with the advancement in biomaterials selection. In this review, we analyse the stereolithografy, the Bio-patterning, the 3D bioprinting and 3D assembly, the Laser-Induced Forward Transfer Bioprinting (LIFT), the Micro-extrusion bioprinting, the promising Electrospinning technology, the Microfluidics and the Micromolding. Several mechanical properties are taken into account for bone regeneration scaffolds. However, each typology of scaffold presents some advantages and some concerns. The research on biomaterials is the most promising for bone tissue engineering: the new biomimetic materials will allow us to obtain optimal results in the next clinical application of basic research.

Contractile actuation and dynamical gel assembly of paramagnetic filaments in fast precessing fields

Flexible superparamagnetic filaments are studied under the influence of fast precessing magnetic fields using simulations and a continuum approximation analysis. We find that individual filaments can be made to exert controllable tensile forces along the precession axis. These forces are exploited for microscopic actuation. In bulk, the filaments can be rapidly assembled into different configurations whose material properties depend on the field parameters. The precession frequency affects filament aggregation and conformation by changing the net torques on the filament ends. Using a time-dependent precession angle allows considerable freedom in choosing properties for filament aggregates. As an example, we design a field that twists chains together to dynamically assemble a self-healing gel.

Enhancing the Catalytic Activity of Zn-Containing Magnetic Oxides in a Methanol Synthesis: Identifying the Key Factors

A new family of Ni-, Co-, and Cr-doped Zn-containing magnetic oxide nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized by polyphenylquinoxaline (PPQ) and hyperbranched pyridylphenylene polymer (PPP) has been developed. These NPs have been synthesized by thermal decomposition of Zn and doping metal acetylacetonates in the reaction solution of preformed magnetite NPs, resulting in single-crystal NPs with spinel structure. For the PPQ-capped NPs, it was demonstrated that all three types of metal species (Fe, Zn, and a doping metal) reside within the same NPs, the surface of which is enriched with Zn and a doping metal, while the deeper layers are enriched with Fe. The Cr-doped NPs at the high Cr loading are an exception due to favored deposition of Cr on magnetite located in the NP depth. The PPP-capped NPs exhibit similar morphology and crystallinity; however, the detailed study of the NP composition was barred due to the high PPP amount retained on the NP surface. The catalyst testing in syngas conversion to methanol demonstrated outstanding catalytic properties of doped Zn-containing magnetic oxides, whose activities are dependent on the doping metal content and on the stabilizing polymer. The PPP stabilization allows for better access to the catalytic species due to the open and rigid polymer architecture and most likely optimized distribution of doping species. Repeat experiments carried out after magnetic separation of catalysts from the reaction mixture showed excellent catalyst stability even after five consecutive catalytic runs.

Manipulating the dimensional assembly pattern and crystalline structures of iron oxide nanostructures with a functional polyolefin

Controlled crystalline structures (α- and γ-phase) and assembly patterns (1-D, 2-D and 3-D) were achieved in the synthesized iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) using polymeric surfactant-polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) with different concentrations. In addition, the change of the crystalline structure from the α- and γ-phase also led to the significantly increased saturation magnetization and coercivity.

Chain-like Fe3O4@resorcinol-formaldehyde resins–Ag composite microstructures: facile construction and applications in antibacterial and catalytic fields

Chain-like Fe₃O₄@RF–Ag microstructures with excellent antibacterial and catalytic activities were constructed by a simple two-step route.

Improved electrochemical performance of onion-like carbon coated magnetite nanocapsules as electromagnetic absorptive anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

The synthesis of magnetite (Fe₃O₄)@C nanocapsules with Fe₃O₄nanoparticles as the core and onion-like carbon as the shell has been reported.

Selective detection of ferric ions by blue-green photoluminescent nitrogen-doped phenol formaldehyde resin polymer

The smaller, the more fluorescent: The hydrothermal reaction of phenol with hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) leads to two morphologies of phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR), namely, bigger nanoparticles with feeble green fluorescence and smaller amorphous polymers with strong blue-green fluorescence. It reveals that both of them are doped with nitrogen, and the blue-green photoluminescent polymer is confirmed to sense ferric ion (Fe(3+) ) with high selectivity.

One-pot magnetic field induced formation of Fe3O4/C composite microrods with enhanced lithium storage capability

One-dimensional Fe3O4/C composite microrods are synthesized via a facile one-pot solvothermal reaction in the presence of an external magnetic field. When evaluated as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, these Fe3O4/C microrods manifest high specific capacity and excellent cycling performance.

One-pot synthesis of size- and morphology-controlled 1-D iron oxide nanochains with manipulated magnetic properties

Polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-MA, 2500 g mole(-1)) has demonstrated its unique capability to synthesize 1-D ferromagnetic hard (292.7 Oe) γ-Fe2O3 nanochains made of ~24 nm nanoparticles vs. PP-MA with 8000 g mole(-1) for the synthesis of 1-D ferromagnetic soft (70.5 Oe) γ-Fe2O3 nanochains (30 nm) made of flowerlike nanoparticles.

Tailored Parallel Graphene Stripes in Plastic Film with Conductive Anisotropy by Shear-Induced Self-Assembly

We present a simple but efficient route to prepare a highly anisotropic conductive plastic thin film from the polypropylene/(styrene-ethylene/butadiene-styrene) triblock copolymer/graphene blend via shear-induced self-assembly. Under the shear-flow induction, GE nanosheets dispersed in the polymer matrix can spontaneously assemble into ordered parallel stripes, which endow the materials significantly conductive anisotropy. The electrical resistivity in the direction parallel to the graphene stripes is almost four orders of magnitude lower than that which is perpendicular to the stripes. This study provides a new method for the precise control of the organization of functional nano-objects in polymer matrix, which can be widely extended to the fabrication of other multifunctional anisotropic materials of interest in various fields.

Fe3O4 nanobelts: one-pot and template-free synthesis, magnetic property, and application for lithium storage

We report on the synthesis of Fe(3)O(4) nanobelts with good magnetic properties and lithium storage performances by using a one-pot and template-free hydrothermal method with Na(2)CO(3) and FeCl(2) as the reactants. By controlling the amount of Na(2)CO(3), we obtained pure Fe(3)O(4) nanobelts with widths of 0.1-2 μm, thicknesses of about 10 nm and lengths of 20-30 μm, showing a high aspect ratio. XRD and SAED patterns of the obtained sample demonstrated that the Fe(3)O(4) nanobelts were well crystallized. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements showed that Fe(3)O(4) nanobelts manifested a BET surface area of 25.04 m(2) g(-1). Further experiments demonstrated that the amount of Na(2)CO(3) played an important role in controlling both the morphologies and crystal structures of the products. The formation mechanism of Fe(3)O(4) nanobelts was also studied. More importantly, we found that the Fe(3)O(4) nanobelts showed magnetic properties with a magnetic saturation value of 77.0 emu g(-1) and lithium storage performances with a high initial discharge capacity of 1090 mAh g(-1) at a current rate of 500 mA g(-1), and a reversible capacity of 404 mAh g(-1) retained after 60 charge/discharge cycles. These results suggest that the Fe(3)O(4) nanobelts might be promising for magnetic and lithium battery applications.

Ultrafast hydrothermal synthesis of high quality magnetic core phenol-formaldehyde shell composite microspheres using the microwave method

An ultrafast, facile, and efficient microwave hydrothermal approach was designed to fabricate magnetic Fe(3)O(4)/phenol-formaldehyde (PF) core-shell microspheres for the first time. The structure of the Fe(3)O(4)/PF core-shell microspheres could be well controlled by the in situ polycondensation of phenol and formaldehyde with magnetic Fe(3)O(4) clusters as the seeds in an aqueous solution without any surfactants. The effect of synthetic parameters, such as the feeding amounts of phenol, the dosages of formaldehyde, the reaction temperatures, and the microwave heating time, on the morphologies and sizes of the Fe(3)O(4)/PF microspheres were investigated in details. The phenol-formaldehyde shell is found to be evenly coated on Fe(3)O(4) clusters within 10 min of the irradiation. The as-prepared microspheres were highly uniform in morphology, and the method was found to allow the shell thickness to be finely controlled in the range of 10-200 nm. The properties of the composite microspheres were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetic analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The as-prepared Fe(3)O(4)/PF microspheres were monodisperse and highly dispersible in water, ethanol, N,N-dimethyformamide, and acetone, a beneficial quality for the further functionalization and applications of the Fe(3)O(4)/PF microspheres.

One-pot synthesis of biocompatible Te@phenol formaldehyde resin core-shell nanowires with uniform size and unique fluorescent properties by a synergized soft-hard template process

One-pot hydrothermal process has been developed to synthesize uniform Te@phenol formaldehyde resin core-shell nanowires with unique fluorescent properties. A synergistic soft-hard template mechanism has been proposed to explain the formation of the core-shell nanowires. The Te@phenol formaldehyde resin core-shell nanowires display unique fluorescent properties, which give strong luminescent emission in the blue-violet and green regions with excitation wavelengths of 270 nm and 402 nm, respectively.