Biomaterial strategies for regulating the neuroinflammatory response

Injury and disease in the central nervous system (CNS) can result in a dysregulated inflammatory environment that inhibits the repair of functional tissue. Biomaterials present a promising approach to tackle this complex inhibitory environment and modulate the mechanisms involved in neuroinflammation to halt the progression of secondary injury and promote the repair of functional tissue. In this review, we will cover recent advances in biomaterial strategies, including nanoparticles, hydrogels, implantable scaffolds, and neural probe coatings, that have been used to modulate the innate immune response to injury and disease within the CNS. The stages of inflammation following CNS injury and the main inflammatory contributors involved in common neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed, as understanding the inflammatory response to injury and disease is critical for identifying therapeutic targets and designing effective biomaterial-based treatment strategies. Biomaterials and novel composites will then be discussed with an emphasis on strategies that deliver immunomodulatory agents or utilize cell-material interactions to modulate inflammation and promote functional tissue repair. We will explore the application of these biomaterial-based strategies in the context of nanoparticle- and hydrogel-mediated delivery of small molecule drugs and therapeutic proteins to inflamed nervous tissue, implantation of hydrogels and scaffolds to modulate immune cell behavior and guide axon elongation, and neural probe coatings to mitigate glial scarring and enhance signaling at the tissue-device interface. Finally, we will present a future outlook on the growing role of biomaterial-based strategies for immunomodulation in regenerative medicine and neuroengineering applications in the CNS.

A simple, fast, portable and selective system using carbon nanotubes films and a 3D-printed device for monitoring hydroxychloroquine in environmental samples

In this work, an electrochemical method was developed for rapid and sensitive detection of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an ineffective candidate drug for COVID-19 treatment however widely consumed during the pandemic, in aqueous samples using a multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) film produced through the interfacial method on the indium tin oxide electrode (ITO). According to Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, the interfacial method produces homogeneous thin films of carbon nanotubes on the substrate surface, which keep connected to the surface forming a three-dimensional microporous structure. The electrochemical behavior and oxidation kinetics of HCQ were also investigated in the MWCNT film. The sensor showed a 7 times higher oxidation current for (69.88 μA) for HCQ than the ITO electrode (9.33 μA) due to the electrocatalytic properties MWCNTs. The ITO-modified electrode was assembled on a portable 3D-printed batch-injection cell for the amperometric detection of HCQ. The oxidation peak current of HCQ is linearly proportional to the concentrations of HCQ ranging from 1.0 to 100.0 μmol L^-1, with a limit of detection of 0.27 μmol L^-1. Water samples (river and tap water) were spiked with HCQ, without the need for dispendious pretreatment (except filtration), and analyzed by the portable system, revealing the detection of HCQ with the recovery of 92.0%-99.8%, which suggested the great potential for real environmental monitoring application.

Binder-free cupric-ion containing zinc sulfide nanoplates-like structure for flexible energy storage devices

Researchers have been enthusiastic about developing high-performance electrode materials based on metal chalcogenides for energy storage applications. Herein, we developed cupric ion-containing zinc sulfide (ZnS:Cu) nanoplates by using a solvothermal approach. The as-synthesized ZnS:Cu nanoplates electrode was characterized and analyzed by using XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, and XPS. The binder-free flexible ZnS:Cu nanoplates exhibited excellent specific capacitance of 545 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1. The CV and GCD measurements revealed that the specific capacitance was mainly attributed to the Faradaic redox mechanism. Further, the binder-free flexible ZnS:Cu nanoplates electrode retained 87.4% along with excellent Coulombic efficiency (99%) after 5000 cycles. The binder-free flexible ZnS:Cu nanoplates exhibited excellent conductivity, specific capacitance, and stability which are beneficial in energy storage systems. These findings will also open new horizons amongst material scientists toward the new direction of electrode development.

Hybrid Nanobioengineered Nanomaterial-Based Electrochemical Biosensors

Nanoengineering biosensors have become more precise and sophisticated, raising the demand for highly sensitive architectures to monitor target analytes at extremely low concentrations often required, for example, for biomedical applications. We review recent advances in functional nanomaterials, mainly based on novel organic-inorganic hybrids with enhanced electro-physicochemical properties toward fulfilling this need. In this context, this review classifies some recently engineered organic-inorganic metallic-, silicon-, carbonaceous-, and polymeric-nanomaterials and describes their structural properties and features when incorporated into biosensing systems. It further shows the latest advances in ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors engineered from such innovative nanomaterials highlighting their advantages concerning the concomitant constituents acting alone, fulfilling the gap from other reviews in the literature. Finally, it mentioned the limitations and opportunities of hybrid nanomaterials from the point of view of current nanotechnology and future considerations for advancing their use in enhanced electrochemical platforms.

Efficient Preconstruction of Three-Dimensional Graphene Networks for Thermally Conductive Polymer Composites

Electronic devices generate heat during operation and require efficient thermal management to extend the lifetime and prevent performance degradation. Featured by its exceptional thermal conductivity, graphene is an ideal functional filler for fabricating thermally conductive polymer composites to provide efficient thermal management. Extensive studies have been focusing on constructing graphene networks in polymer composites to achieve high thermal conductivities. Compared with conventional composite fabrications by directly mixing graphene with polymers, preconstruction of three-dimensional graphene networks followed by backfilling polymers represents a promising way to produce composites with higher performances, enabling high manufacturing flexibility and controllability. In this review, we first summarize the factors that affect thermal conductivity of graphene composites and strategies for fabricating highly thermally conductive graphene/polymer composites. Subsequently, we give the reasoning behind using preconstructed three-dimensional graphene networks for fabricating thermally conductive polymer composites and highlight their potential applications. Finally, our insight into the existing bottlenecks and opportunities is provided for developing preconstructed porous architectures of graphene and their thermally conductive composites.

Physical and mechanical properties of hybridized elastomeric foam based on ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer, multiwall carbon nanotube, and barium titanate

The use of hybrid fillers in rubbers can provide additional benefits to rubber foams compared to individual micro- or nano-scale particles due to an optimum packaging and synergic effects. The present work reports the development of vulcanized ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer nanocomposite hybrid foams filled with barium titanate and multiwall carbon nanotube (BT/MWCNT), prepared via a scalable protocol. The developed foams presented a high shear-thinning behavior, suggesting the formation of a 3D interconnected physical network of MWCNT within the polymer matrix. This network resulted in a notable improvement of the mechanical properties under tension and compression with increasing of MWCNT content. Also, the incorporation of MWCNT and BT enhanced thermal stability and thermal conductivity. Meanwhile, BT did not show any influence on the measured physical properties, due to the lack of interaction between BT and the EPDM matrix.

Fabrication of nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets anchored with carbon nanotubes for the degradation of tetracycline in saline water

The treatment of wastewater with high salinity is still a challenge because of the quenching effect of various anions on radical processes. The nonradical process may be a more promising pathway. Herein, a 3D structured nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheet anchored with carbon nanotubes (N-GS-CNTs) was prepared by direct pyrolysis of K₃Fe(CN)₆. The as-prepared catalyst can effectively activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for mineralization of tetracycline (TC) over a wide pH range (from 3 to 11) and even in high saline water (500 mM Cl^-, HCO₃^-, etc.). The degradation mechanism was elucidated by both experimental characterizations and DFT calculations. The high catalytic efficiency was attributed to accelerated electron transfer from donor (TC) to acceptor (PMS) in the presence of the catalyst, which acts as electron shuttle mediators to promote a nonradical process. At the same time, the catalyst also enhances the production of singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hence further increasing the degradation rate. This study not only provides a simple method for synthesizing N-GS-CNT catalysts but also provides new insights into the electron transfer pathway for the removal of organic pollutants under high salinity conditions.

Synergistic photocatalytic activity of a combination of carbon nanotubes-graphene-nickel foam nanocomposites enhanced by dielectric barrier discharge plasma technology for water purification

Degradation activity of plasma catalysis between dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and carbon nanotubes-graphene-nickel foam (CNTs-G-Ni_f) has been studied in treatment of dye wastewater. CNTs-G-Ni_f was prepared through a two-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach. The composite has been characterized by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. SEM results showed that the Ni_f as the growth substrate was evenly wrapped by G and then CNTs were successfully grown on G as the support. The growth mechanism of composite was proposed. The possible coupled catalytic mechanism between DBD and CNTs-G-Ni_f were addressed. In addition, the modification on G-Ni_f was found by SEM during the discharge process in liquid phase. And the modification mechanism of DBD plasma (DBDP) acting on composites was discussed. Finally, by means of analyses of ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), the general degradation pathway and stepwise degradation pathways of alizarin green (AG) were proposed in detail.

A novel electrochemical sensor based on double-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene hybrid thin film for arsenic(V) detection

In this work, we demonstrate the preparation of hybrid thin films based on double-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene for electrochemical sensing applications. The hybrid films were synthesized on polycrystalline copper foil by thermal chemical vapor deposition under low pressure. This carbonaceous hybrid film has exhibited high transparency with a transmittance of 94.3 %. The occurrence of this hybrid material on the electrode surface of screen-printed electrodes was found to increase electroactive surface area by 1.4 times, whereas electrochemical current was enhanced by 2.4 times. Such a highly transparent and conductive hybrid film was utilized as a transducing platform of enzymatic electrochemical arsenic(V) sensor. The as-prepared sensor shows the linear detection of arsenic(V) in the range from 1 to 10 ppb, with a limit of detection as low as 0.287 ppb. These findings provide a promising approach to develop new multifunctional electrochemical sensing systems for environmental monitoring and biomedical diagnostics.

Holey nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel for simultaneously electrochemical determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid

In this paper, holey nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel (HNGA) was synthesized and applied to the concurrently electrochemical determination of small biological molecules including ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). Firstly, holey graphene hydrogel was synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction in the presence of H₂O₂, which subsequently was lyophilized and further annealed in the mixed gas of ammonia and argon to obtain HNGA. Electron microscopy characterization exhibited a great number of nanopores formed on the basal surface of graphene sheets, and HNGA possessed a hierarchically porous structure. The unique structure and composition of HNGA make it an ideal material for electroanalytical application through accelerating mass and electron transfer. HNGA modified glassy carbon electrode (HNGA/GCE) displayed significantly enhanced electrochemical response to AA, DA, and UA, namely reducing overpotential, increasing current density, and improving the reversibility. The oxidation peaks of these three biomolecules can be entirely separated with evident peak potential differences which are 0.216 V (AA-DA), 0.120 V (DA-UA), and 0.336 V (AA-UA), which it allowed the determination of the three substances at the same time. This sensor shows high sensitivity for the determination of AA, DA, and UA with the detection limit of 16.7 μM, 0.22 μM, and 0.12 μM (S/N = 3), respectively. The proposed sensor was applicable for the practical sample analysis as well and desirable recovery was obtained.

Transforming Waste Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) into Nitrogen Doped Carbon Nanotubes and Its Utility in Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Bisphenol-A Removal from Contaminated Water

Till date, waste plastics are either down-cycled to cheap products like fibers or burnt in incinerators to generate heat. In this manuscript, we report a simple and effective technique for microwave induced transformation of waste polyethylene terephthalate (wPET) to carbon nano-tubes (CNT). Iron nano-particles dispersed on graphene substrate acted as catalyst for CNT growth whereas urea served the dual role of de-polymerisation of wPET and also as nitrogen doping agent. Application of our newly synthesized 3-D meso-porous graphene-nitrogen doped carbon nanotube- iron electrode (Fe@NCNT-rGO) as electro-catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) shows a positive half-wave potential (E_1/2) of 0.75 V vs. RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode), nearly ideal four-electron pathway and excellent methanol tolerance when compared to commercial 20% Pt/C. The utility of Fe@NCNT-rGO for removal of bisphenol A from contaminated waters is also reported.

Recent Advances on Self-Supported Arrayed Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts for Flexible Solid-State Zn-Air Batteries

Flexible solid-state Zn-air batteries have been rapidly developed benefiting from the uprising demand for wearable electronic devices, wherein the air electrode integrated with efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts plays an important role to achieve high performance. Binder-free self-supported bifunctional catalysts can provide large active surface area, fast electron transport path, easy ion diffusion, and excellent structural stability and flexibility, thus acting as promising flexible air cathodes. In this review, recent advances on the application of nanoarrayed electrocatalysts as air cathodes in flexible Zn-air batteries are reviewed. Especially, various types of bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts, including carbonaceous material arrays, transition metal compound arrays, transition metal/carbon arrays, transition metal compound/carbon arrays, and other hybrid arrays, are discussed. The applications of flexible Zn-air batteries with two configurations (i.e., planar stacks and cable fibers) are also introduced. Finally, perspectives on the optimization of arrayed air cathodes for future development to achieve high-performance flexible Zn-air batteries are shared.

Rational and wide-range tuning of CNT aerogel conductors with multifunctionalities

Different from conventional conductors, elastic 3D nanoarchitectured conductors have shown promise in developing various flexible devices. However, rational design and control of their microstructures to achieve desired physicochemical properties is challenging and lacks comprehensive and profound investigation. In this study, we report an interesting quantitative correlation between density and physical properties when highly porous CNT aerogels are densified, enabling a wide-range tuning of CNT 3D networked structures with different functions. Upon densification by compressing the original thickness of a CNT aerogel by 100 fold, a linear double-logarithmic structure-property relationship in terms of both thickness and density is witnessed, with the resultant density increased by a factor of 100 from 3 to 286 mg cm-3, Young's modulus by 20 times (5.0-105 kPa), electrical conductivity by 400 times (0.4-163 s cm-1), and thermal conductivity by 140 times (0.048-6.7 W m-1 K-1). It can be thus inferred that the CNT aerogel can be regulated with desired mechanical, electrical and thermal properties in a quantitative manner over a wide range, making it promising as a multifunctional aerogel conductor. As a proof, two pieces of CNT aerogel conductors tailored with high conductivity and low thermal conductivity are employed to fabricate a flexible TE device using a simple all-carbon design, which yields a typical power density of 27.5 μW cm-2 and stable outputs under various deformations, demonstrating a potential strategy for design and fabrication of low-cost, flexible and portable power-generation devices.

Recent Advances in Electrochemical and Optical Sensing of Dopamine

Nowadays, several neurological disorders and neurocrine tumours are associated with dopamine (DA) concentrations in various biological fluids. Highly accurate and ultrasensitive detection of DA levels in different biological samples in real-time can change and improve the quality of a patient's life in addition to reducing the treatment cost. Therefore, the design and development of diagnostic tool for in vivo and in vitro monitoring of DA is of considerable clinical and pharmacological importance. In recent decades, a large number of techniques have been established for DA detection, including chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, spectroscopic approaches, and electrochemical (EC) methods. These methods are effective, but most of them still have some drawbacks such as consuming time, effort, and money. Added to that, sometimes they need complex procedures to obtain good sensitivity and suffer from low selectivity due to interference from other biological species such as uric acid (UA) and ascorbic acid (AA). Advanced materials can offer remarkable opportunities to overcome drawbacks in conventional DA sensors. This review aims to explain challenges related to DA detection using different techniques, and to summarize and highlight recent advancements in materials used and approaches applied for several sensor surface modification for the monitoring of DA. Also, it focuses on the analytical features of the EC and optical-based sensing techniques available.

Nanoscopic and Macro-Porous Carbon Nano-foam Electrodes with Improved Mass Transport for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

Although free-standing sheets of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) can provide interesting electrochemical and physical properties as electrodes for redox flow batteries, the full potential of this class of materials has not been accessible as of yet. The conventional fabrication methods produce sheets with micro-porous and meso-porous structures, which significantly resist mass transport of the electrolyte during high-current flow-cell operation. Herein, we developed a method to fabricate high performance macro-porous carbon nano-foam free standing sheets (Puffy Fibers, PF), by implementing a freeze-drying step into our low cost and scalable surface-engineered tape-casting (SETC) fabrication method, and we show the improvement in the performance attained as compared with a MWCNT sheet lacking any macro pores (Tape-cast, TC). We attribute the higher performance attained by our in-lab fabricated PF papers to the presence of macro pores which provided channels that acted as pathways for electrolytic transport within the bulk of the electrode. Moreover, we propose an electrolytic transport mechanism to relate ion diffusivity to different pore sizes to explain the different modes of charge transfer in the negative and the positive electrolytes. Overall, the PF papers had a high wettability, high porosity, and a large surface area, resulting in improved electrochemical and flow-cell performances.

Scalable synthesis of gyroid-inspired freestanding three-dimensional graphene architectures

Three-dimensional porous architectures of graphene are desirable for energy storage, catalysis, and sensing applications. Yet it has proven challenging to devise scalable methods capable of producing co-continuous architectures and well-defined, uniform pore and ligament sizes at length scales relevant to applications. This is further complicated by processing temperatures necessary for high quality graphene. Here, bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels) are formed and processed into sacrificial porous Ni scaffolds for chemical vapor deposition to produce freestanding three-dimensional turbostratic graphene (bi-3DG) monoliths with high specific surface area. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that the bi-3DG monoliths inherit the unique microstructural characteristics of their bijel parents. Processing of the Ni templates strongly influences the resultant bi-3DG structures, enabling the formation of stacked graphene flakes or fewer-layer continuous films. Despite the multilayer nature, Raman spectra exhibit no discernable defect peak and large relative intensity for the Raman 2D mode, which is a characteristic of turbostratic graphene. Moiré patterns, observed in scanning tunneling microscopy images, further confirm the presence of turbostratic graphene. Nanoindentation of macroscopic pillars reveals a Young's modulus of 30 MPa, one of the highest recorded for sp² carbon in a porous structure. Overall, this work highlights the utility of a scalable self-assembly method towards porous high quality graphene constructs with tunable, uniform, and co-continuous microstructure.

Novel Porous Nitrogen Doped Graphene/Carbon Black Composites as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalyst for Power Generation in Microbial Fuel Cell

To improve the power generation of a microbial fuel cell (MFC), a porous nitrogen-doped graphene/carbon black (NG/CB) composite as efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst was successfully synthesized by pyrolyzing graphene oxide (GO) encapsulated CB with cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide as a bridge. This concept-to-proof synthesis can be considered as a template-like method. Based on this method, one composite named as NG/CB-10 was acquired using the optimized GO-to-CB mass ratio of 10:1. Electrochemical tests demonstrate that NG/CB-10 can catalyze ORR in neutral-pH medium through a four-electron pathway with positively shifted the onset potential, the enhanced current density and reduced charge transfer resistance. CB addition also prolongs the stability of NG/CB-10. The enhancement in electrochemical performance of NG/CB-10 was attributed to the enlarged surface area, abundant mesopores and high content of pyridinic nitrogen. The maximum power density of MFC equipping NG/CB-10 as cathode electrocatalyst reached 936 mW·m⁻², which was 26% higher than that of NG and equal to that of platinum/carbon. The cost of NG/CB-10 was reduced by 25% compared with that of NG. This work provides a novel method to synthesize promising ORR electrocatalyst for MFC in the future.

Preparation of Few-Layer Graphene/Carbon Nanotube Hybrids Using Oxide Spinel Catalysts

Functional 3D materials can be developed from graphene-based hybrids by introducing other nanomaterials, with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) being the most studied additive. For large-scale applications, few-layer graphene (FLG)-CNT hybrids are produced by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (c-CVD) starting from a mixture of catalysts (one for FLG and one for CNTs) in the required proportions. Due to the difference in growth kinetics between CNTs and FLG, the composition of such hybrids is not well controlled. In this study, we report the single-step preparation of FLG-CNT hybrid materials by a fixed-bed c-CVD process using a single catalyst with the formula AlxCo1−xFe2O4 (x = 0.025–0.10). Different catalysts (with varying x) were prepared by the citrate–nitrate gel combustion method. Then, c-CVD synthesis was carried out at 650 °C in a horizontal fixed-bed reactor using ethylene as the carbon source. Only FLG was obtained when using CoFe2O4. However, the introduction of small amounts of Al (x < 0.05) induced the simultaneous production of CNTs, leading to the formation of uniform FLG-CNT hybrids. For catalysts with higher Al content (e.g., AlCoFeO4), CNTs were selectively produced. Thus, we observed the existence of a narrow Al-doping window, where CNTs and FLG can be obtained simultaneously. Our results can pave the way to developing high-yield single catalyst-based CVD synthesis of FLG-CNT hybrid materials.

3D Heteroatom-Doped Carbon Nanomaterials as Multifunctional Metal-Free Catalysts for Integrated Energy Devices

Sustainable and cost-effective energy generation has become crucial for fulfilling present energy requirements. For this purpose, the development of cheap, scalable, efficient, and reliable catalysts is essential. Carbon-based heteroatom-doped, 3D, and mesoporous electrodes are very promising as catalysts for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Various carbon allotropes doped with a variety of heteroatoms can be utilized for cost-effective mass production of electrode materials. 3D porous carbon electrodes provide multiple advantages, such as large surface area, maximized exposure to active sites, 3D conductive pathways for efficient electron transport, and porous channels to facilitate electrolyte diffusion. However, it is challenging to synthesize and functionalize isotropic 3D carbon structures. Here, various synthesis processes of 3D porous carbon materials are summarized to understand how their physical and chemical properties together with heteroatom doping dictate the electrochemical catalytic performance. Prospects of attractive 3D carbon structural materials for energy conversion and efficient integrated energy systems are also discussed.

A review on graphene-based nanocomposites for electrochemical and fluorescent biosensors

Biosensors with high sensitivity, selectivity and a low limit of detection, reaching nano/picomolar concentrations of biomolecules, are important to the medical sciences and healthcare industry for evaluating physiological and metabolic parameters.

Simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid by a novel electrochemical sensor based on N2/Ar RF plasma assisted graphene nanosheets/graphene nanoribbons

A novel nitrogen/argon (N₂/Ar) radio frequency (RF) plasma functionalized graphene nanosheet/graphene nanoribbon (GS/GNR) hybrid material (N₂/Ar/GS/GNR) was developed for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). Various nitrogen mites introduced into GS/GNR hybrid structure was evidenced by a detailed microscopic, spectroscopic and surface area analysis. Owing to the unique structure and properties originating from the enhanced surface area, nitrogen functional groups and defects introduced on both the basal and edges, N₂/Ar/GS/GNR/GCE showed high electrocatalytic activity for the electrochemical oxidations of AA, DA, and UA with the respective lowest detection limits of 5.3, 2.5 and 5.7 nM and peak-to-peak separation potential (ΔE_P) (vs Ag/AgCl) in DPV of 220, 152 and 372 mV for AA/DA, DA/UA and AA/UA respectively. Moreover, the selectivity, stability, repeatability and excellent performance in real time application of the fabricated N₂/Ar/GS/GNR/GCE electrode suggests that it can be considered as a potential electrode material for simultaneous detection of AA, DA, and UA.

Inner Surface-Functionalized Graphene Aerogel Microgranules with Static Microwave Attenuation and Dynamic Infrared Shielding

Bulk graphene aerogels with high electrical conductivity, ultralow density, and high specific surface area have attracted significant attention because of their fascinating performances in energy storage, catalysis, absorption, sensor, electromagnetic shielding, etc. However, graphene aerogel microgranules (i.e., reducing the size of the bulk aerogels into microscale) and their performances in the electromagnetic field have been ignored. Herein, we report a new strategy to make floatable graphene aerogel microgranules with high hydrophobicity (137°), low density (13.5 mg/cm³), and high specific surface area (516 m²/g). These microgranules were synthesized initially from reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hydrogel microparticles and then in situ-modified by silica nanoparticles. Further investigations have demonstrated that the resulting silica-modified rGO aerogel microgranules possess highly efficient static electromagnetic screening (average 30.3 dB in 8-18 GHz) and dynamic infrared shielding (higher than 10 dB during floatation in air for 15 min) properties. The work reported here should give much inspiration to make more functional aerogel microgranules used in various emerging fields.

Three-Dimensional Graphene-Carbon Nanotube-Ni Hierarchical Architecture as a Polysulfide Trap for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Despite their high energy density and affordable cost compared to lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries still endure from slow reaction kinetics and capacity loss induced by the insulating sulfur and severe polysulfide diffusion. To address these issues, we report here nickel nanoparticles filled in vertically grown carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on graphene sheets (graphene-CNT-nickel composite (Gr-CNT-Ni)) that are coated onto a polypropylene separator as a polysulfide trap for the construction of high-loading sulfur cathodes. The hierarchical porous framework of Gr-CNT physically entraps and immobilizes the active material sulfur, while the strong chemical interaction with Ni nanoparticles in Gr-CNT-Ni inhibits polysulfide diffusion. The covalently interconnected electron conduction channels and carbon shell-confined metal active sites provide feasible paths for the continual regeneration of active material during the charge-discharge process. Benefitting from these novel morphological and structural features, the Li-S cell with the Gr-CNT-Ni as a polysulfide trap demonstrates high specific capacity and good cycle life. This work provides new avenues for synergistically combining the advantages of hierarchical porous carbon architectures and metal active sites for the development of high-performance cathodes for Li-S batteries.

Development of an Fe3O4@Cu silicate based sensing platform for the electrochemical sensing of dopamine

Abnormal levels of dopamine (DA) in body fluids is an indication of serious health issues, hence development of highly sensitive platforms for the precise detection of DA is highly essential. Herein, we demonstrate an Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate based electrochemical sensing platform for the detection of DA. Morphology and BET analysis shows the formation of ∼320 nm sized sea urchin-like Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate core–shell nanostructures with a 174.5 m² g⁻¹ surface area. Compared to Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, the Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate urchins delivered enhanced performance towards the electrochemical sensing of DA in neutral pH. The Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate sensor has a 1.37 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² sensitivity, 100–700 μM linear range and 3.2 μM limit of detection (LOD). In addition, the proposed Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate DA sensor also has good stability, selectivity, reproducibility and repeatability. The presence of Cu in Fe₃O₄@Cu silicate and the negatively charged surface of the Cu silicate shell play a vital role in achieving high selectivity and sensitivity during DA sensing. The current investigation not only represents the development of a highly selective DA sensor but also directs towards the possibility for the fabrication of other Cu silicate based core–shell nanostructures for the precise detection of DA.

Abnormal levels of dopamine (DA) in body fluids is an indication of serious health issues, hence development of highly sensitive platforms for the precise detection of DA is highly essential.

Tracing the Bioavailability of Three-Dimensional Graphene Foam in Biological Tissues

Graphene-based materials with a three-dimensional (3D) framework have been investigated for a variety of biomedical applications because of their 3D morphology, excellent physiochemical properties, volume stability, and their controllable degradation rate. Current knowledge on the toxicological implications and bioavailability of graphene foam (GF) has major uncertainties surrounding the fate and behavior of GF in exposed environments. Bioavailability, uptake, and partitioning could have potential effects on the behavior of GF in living organisms, which has not yet been investigated. Here, we report a pilot toxicology study on 3D GF in common carps. Our results showed that GF did not show any noticeable toxicity in common carps, and the antioxidant enzymatic activities, biochemical and blood parameters persisted within the standard series. Further histological imaging revealed that GF remained within liver and kidney macrophages for 7 days without showing obvious toxicity. An in vivo study also demonstrated a direct interaction between GF and biological systems, verifying its eco-friendly nature and high biocompatibility.

Enhanced Electronic Communication and Electrochemical Sensitivity Benefiting from the Cooperation of Quadruple Hydrogen Bonding and π-π Interactions in Graphene/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Hybrids

By designing a molecule labeled as UPPY with both ureidopyrimidinone (UP) and pyrene (PY) units, the supramolecular self-assembly of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was driven by the UP quadruple hydrogen-bonding and PY-based π-π interactions to form a novel hybrid of rGO-UPPY-MWNT in which the morphology of rGO-wrapped MWNT was found. Bridged by the two kinds of noncovalent bonding, enhanced electronic communication occurred in rGO-UPPY-MWNT. Also, under the cooperation of UP quadruple hydrogen-bonding and PY-based π-π interactions, higher electrical conductivity and better charge transfer were observed for rGO-UPPY-MWNT, compared with the rGO-MWNT composite without such noncovalent bonds, and that with just single PY-based π-π interaction (rGO-PY-MWNT) or UP quadruple hydrogen bond (rGO-UP-MWNT). Specifically, the electrical conductivity of rGO-PY-MWNT hybrids was increased approximately sevenfold, and the interfacial charge transfer resistance was nearly decreased by 1 order of magnitude compared with rGO-MWNT, rGO-UP-MWNT, and rGO-PY-MWNT. Resulting from its excellent electrical conductivity and charge transfer properties, the rGO-UPPY-MWNT modified electrode exhibited enhanced electrochemical activity toward dopamine with detection limit as low as 20 nM.

Ag Nanoparticles-Modified 3D Graphene Foam for Binder-Free Electrodes of Electrochemical Sensors

Ag nanoparticles-modified 3D graphene foam was synthesized through a one-step in-situ approach and then directly applied as the electrode of an electrochemical sensor. The composite foam electrode exhibited electrocatalytic activity towards Hg(II) oxidation with high limit of detection and sensitivity of 0.11 μM and 8.0 μA/μM, respectively. Moreover, the composite foam electrode for the sensor exhibited high cycling stability, long-term durability and reproducibility. These results were attributed to the unique porous structure of the composite foam electrode, which enabled the surface of Ag nanoparticles modified reduced graphene oxide (Ag NPs modified rGO) foam to become highly accessible to the metal ion and provided more void volume for the reaction with metal ion. This work not only proved that the composite foam has great potential application in heavy metal ions sensors, but also provided a facile method of gram scale synthesis 3D electrode materials based on rGO foam and other electrical active materials for various applications.

Acetylcholinesterase biosensor based on electrochemically inducing 3D graphene oxide network/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites for detection of pesticides

A sensitive electrochemical biosensor for determining organophosphates and carbamate pesticides has been achieved by immobilizing acetylcholinesterase on electrochemically inducing 3D graphene oxide network/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composites.

A simple and efficient approach to fabricate graphene/CNT hybrid transparent conductive films

In this paper, a novel and scalable method to fabricate graphene/carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid transparent conductive films on Cu substrates, which combines electroplating and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is proposed and demonstrated.

Graphene-wrapped CNT@MoS2hierarchical structure: synthesis, characterization and electrochemical application in supercapacitors

A hierarchical, tubular “sandwich” structure composed of graphene-wrapped CNT@MoS₂has been fabricated and applied as an electrode material for supercapacitors.

D-mannitol sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer on electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide decorated with gold nanoparticles

An electrochemical sensor for D-mannitol based on molecularly imprinted polymer on electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide decorated with gold nanoparticles was developed in this present work. The sensor was constructed for the first time via the electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine (o-PD) over a surface containing reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNP) in the presence of D-mannitol molecules. The surface modification with AuNP/RGO-GCE facilitated the charge transfer processes of [Fe(CN)₆]^3-/4-, which was used as an electrochemical probe. It also contributed meaningfully towards the increase in the surface/volume ratio, creating more locations for imprinting, and providing greater sensitivity to the sensor. The MIP/AuNP/RGO-GCE sensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Important parameters that exert control over the performance of the molecularly imprinted sensor (such as number of cycles, pH, monomer and template concentration and extraction and rebinding conditions) were investigated and optimized. The imprinting factor was 4.9, showing greater response to the D-mannitol molecule compared to the interfering molecules. The limit of detection, limit of quantification and amperometric sensitivity were 7.7×10^-13molL^-1, 2.6×10^-12molL^-1 and 3.9×10¹⁰µALmol^-1 (n=3) respectively. The MIP/AuNP/RGO-GCE sensor was successfully applied towards the selective determination of D-mannitol in sugarcane vinasse, thus making it, in essence, a valuable tool for the accurate and reliable determination of this molecule.

Ruthenium nanoparticles decorated curl-like porous carbons for high performance supercapacitors

The synthesis of highly dispersed and stable ruthenium nanoparticles (RuNPs; ca. 2–3 nm) on porous activated carbons derived from Moringa Oleifera fruit shells (MOC) is reported and were exploited for supercapacitor applications. The Ru/MOC composites so fabricated using the biowaste carbon source and ruthenium acetylacetonate as the co-feeding metal precursors were activated at elevated temperatures (600–900 ^oC) in the presence of ZnCl₂ as the pore generating and chemical activating agent. The as-prepared MOC carbonized at 900 ^oC was found to possess a high specific surface area (2522 m² g⁻¹) and co-existing micro- and mesoporosities. Upon incorporating RuNPs, the Ru/MOC nanocomposites loaded with modest amount of metallic Ru (1.0–1.5 wt%) exhibit remarkable electrochemical and capacitive properties, achiving a maximum capacitance of 291 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹ in 1.0 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte. These highly stable and durable Ru/MOC electrodes, which can be facily fabricated by the eco-friendly and cost-effective route, should have great potentials for practical applications in energy storage, biosensing, and catalysis.

3D graphene–carbon nanotube–nickel ensembles as anodes in sodium-ion batteries

3D graphene–carbon nanotube–nickel nano-architectures were synthesized from isocyanate treated 2D graphene oxide and applied as anodes in sodium ion batteries.

NiO nanowall-assisted growth of thick carbon nanofiber layers on metal wires for fiber supercapacitors

Carbon nanofibers were grown on Kovar metal wires to construct fiber electrodes, which were assembled to a high capacitive fiber supercapacitor by pairing two of them with the assistance of polymer solid electrolyte.

Solution-stable anisotropic carbon nanotube/graphene hybrids based on slanted columnar thin films for chemical sensing

Because of their structural anisotropy and stability in liquids, carbon nanotube/graphene hybrid structures are promising for biosensing applications, as shown in a proof-of-concept experiment on in situ ellipsometry monitoring of pyrene-functionalized DNA attachment.