Interdisciplinary Materials最新文献

TiO₂ has attracted much attention in the field of photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics due to its good photostability, nontoxicity, and low cost. However, the rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers limits the further improvement of its photocatalytic activity. Here, a facile microwave-assisted hydrothermal method has been developed to prepare Pt clusters decorated TiO₂ nanoparticles. Pt clusters ranging in size from 1 to 2 nm are uniformly distributed across the surface of the TiO₂ matrix. A pronounced charge transfer phenomenon is discernible between the Pt and TiO₂ components. It is revealed that the charge transfer enables faster transfer and separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, which are beneficial for the improvement of photocatalytic degradation of both ofloxacin and levofloxacin. The degradation capability can be attributed to the efficient generation of •OH or •O₂⁻ species within the solution. The parallel adsorption model of TiO₂ on antibiotic molecules is verified, and the degradation reaction pathway has been elucidated. This work provides a facile method for optimizing the performance of TiO₂ photocatalysts, which can be extended to other oxide photocatalysts.

Fluorene-containing branched poly(aryl-ether-ketone) (BFPAEK) with terminal hydroxyl groups is synthesized by random copolycondensation reaction; then, the CF@BFPAEK/PEEK laminated composite is prepared by the “powder impregnation-high temperature compression molding” method with poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) as the matrix and BFPAEK-modified carbon fiber (CF@BFPAEK) as the reinforcement. When the content of branched units in BFPAEK is 10% and the coating amount of BFPAEK on the carbon fiber (CF) surface is 3 wt%, the CF@BFPAEK/PEEK laminated composite has outstanding mechanical properties, with an interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of 57.3 MPa and flexural strength of 589.4 MPa, which are 80.2% and 44.3% higher than those of the pure CF/PEEK laminated composite (31.8 and 408.4 MPa), respectively. After 288 h of hydrothermal aging and high/low-temperature alternating aging, the corresponding retention rate of ILSS and flexural strength are respectively 87.9% and 84.7%, higher than those of pure CF/PEEK laminated composites (74.5% and 70.4%). The thermal conductivity coefficient and temperature for 5% weight loss of CF@BFPAEK/PEEK laminated composite are 1.85 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ and 538.0°C, respectively.

The functional concept of using synthetic entities to supplement or replace certain functions or structures of biological cells is realized by the development of atypical artificial cells using a bottom-up approach. Tremendous progress has been achieved over the past 5 years that focuses on the therapeutic applications of atypical artificial cells, especially in the anticancer arena. Artificial cell-based anticancer strategies have demonstrated eminent advantages over conventional anticancer tactics, with excellent biocompatibility and targeting capability. The present review commences with introducing the constructing principles and classification of artificial cells. Artificial cell-based applications in cancer prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment are subsequently highlighted. These stimulating outcomes may inspire the development of next-generation anticancer therapeutic strategies.

Lithium (Li)-metal batteries with polymer electrolytes are promising for high-energy-density and safe energy storage applications. However, current polymer electrolytes suffer either low ionic conductivity or inadequate ability to suppress Li dendrite growth at high current densities. This study addresses both issues by incorporating two-dimensional oxygenated carbon nitride (2D OCN) into a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based composite polymer electrolyte and modifying the Li anode with OCN. The OCN nanosheets incorporated PVDF electrolyte exhibits a high ionic conductivity (1.6 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 25°C) and Li⁺ transference number (0.62), wide electrochemical window (5.3), and excellent fire resistance. Furthermore, the OCN-modified Li anode in situ generates a protective layer of Li₃N during cycling, preventing undesirable reactions with PVDF electrolyte and effectively suppressing Li dendrite growth. Symmetric cells using the upgraded PVDF polymer electrolyte and modified Li anode demonstrate long cycling stability over 2500 h at 0.1 mA cm⁻². Full cells with a high-voltage LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ cathode exhibit high energy density and long-term cycling stability, even at a high loading of 8.2 mg cm⁻². Incorporating 2D OCN nanosheets into the PVDF-based electrolyte and Li-metal anode provides an effective strategy for achieving safe and high-energy-density Li-metal batteries.

Our feet are often subjected to moist and warm environments, which can promote the growth of harmful bacteria and the development of severe infection in wounds located in the foot. As a result, there is a need for new and innovative strategies to safely sterilize feet, when shoes are worn, to prevent any potential foot-related diseases. In this paper, we have produced a non-destructive, biocompatible and convenient-to-use insole by embedding a BaTiO₃ (BT) ferroelectric material into a conventional polydimethylsilane (PDMS) insole material to exploit a ferroelectric catalytic effect to promote the antibacterial and healing of infected wounds via the ferroelectric charges generated during walking. The formation of reactive oxygen species generated through a ferroelectric catalytic effect in the PDMS-BT composite is shown to increase the oxidative stress on bacteria and decrease both the activity of bacteria and the rate of formation of bacterial biofilms. In addition, the ferroelectric field generated by the PDMS-BT insole can enhance the level of transforming growth factor-beta and CD31 by influencing the endogenous electric field of a wound, thereby promoting the proliferation, differentiation of fibroblasts and angiogenesis. This work therefore provides a new route for antimicrobial and tissue reconstruction by integrating a ferroelectric biomaterial into a shoe insole, with significant potential for health-related applications.

Long-term biopotential monitoring requires high-performance biocompatible wearable dry electrodes. But currently, it is challenging to establish a form-preserving fit with the skin, resulting in high interface impedance and motion artifacts. This research aims to present an innovative solution using an all-green organic dry electrode that eliminates the aforementioned challenges. The dry electrode is prepared by introducing biocompatible maltitol into the chosen conductive polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate). Thanks to the secondary doping and plasticizer effect of maltitol, the dry electrode exhibits good stretchability (62%), strong self-adhesion (0.46 N/cm), high conductivity (102 S/cm), and low Young's modulus (7 MPa). It can always form a conformal contact with the skin even during body movements. Together with good electrical properties, the electrode enables a lower skin contact impedance compared to the current standard Ag/AgCl gel electrode. Consequently, the application of this dry electrode in bioelectrical signal measurement (electromyography, electrocardiography, electroencephalography) and long-term biopotential monitoring was successfully demonstrated.

Due to tissue lineage variances and the anisotropic physiological characteristics, regenerating complex osteochondral tissues (cartilage and subchondral bone) remains a great challenge, which is primarily due to the distinct requirements for cartilage and subchondral bone regeneration. For cartilage regeneration, a significant amount of newly generated chondrocytes is required while maintaining their phenotype. Conversely, bone regeneration necessitates inducing stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts. Additionally, the construction of the osteochondral interface is crucial. In this study, we fabricated a biphasic multicellular bioprinted scaffold mimicking natural osteochondral tissue employing three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology. Briefly, gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) loaded with articular chondrocytes and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (ACs/BMSCs), serving as the cartilage layer, preserved the phenotype of ACs and promoted the differentiation of BMSCs into chondrocytes through the interaction between ACs and BMSCs, thereby facilitating cartilage regeneration. GelMA/strontium-substituted xonotlite (Sr-CSH) loaded with BMSCs, serving as the subchondral bone layer, regulated the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts and enhanced the secretion of cartilage matrix by ACs in the cartilage layer through the slow release of bioactive ions from Sr-CSH. Additionally, GelMA, serving as the matrix material, contributed to the reconstruction of the osteochondral interface. Ultimately, this biphasic multicellular bioprinted scaffold demonstrated satisfactory simultaneous regeneration of osteochondral defects. In this study, a promising strategy for the application of 3D bioprinting technology in complex tissue regeneration was proposed.

Symbolic regression (SR), exploring mathematical expressions from a given data set to construct an interpretable model, emerges as a powerful computational technique with the potential to transform the “black box” machining learning methods into physical and chemistry interpretable expressions in material science research. In this review, the current advancements in SR are investigated, focusing on the underlying theories, fundamental flowcharts, various techniques, implemented codes, and application fields. More predominantly, the challenging issues and future opportunities in SR that should be overcome to unlock the full potential of SR in material design and research, including graphics processing unit acceleration and transfer learning algorithms, the trade-off between expression accuracy and complexity, physical or chemistry interpretable SR with generative large language models, and multimodal SR methods, are discussed.

Room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) batteries are a promising next-generation energy storage device due to their low cost, high energy density (1274 Wh kg⁻¹), and environmental friendliness. However, RT Na-S batteries face a series of vital challenges from sulfur cathode and sodium anode: (i) sluggish reaction kinetics of S and Na₂S/Na₂S₂; (ii) severe shuttle effect from the dissolved intermediate sodium polysulfides (NaPSs); (iii) huge volume expansion induced by the change from S to Na₂S; (iv) continuous growth of sodium metal dendrites, leading to short-circuiting of the battery; (v) huge volume expansion/contraction of sodium anode upon sodium plating/stripping, causing uncontrollable solid-state electrolyte interphase growth and “dead sodium” formation. Various strategies have been proposed to address these issues, including physical/chemical adsorption of NaPSs, catalysts to facilitate the rapid conversion of NaPSs, high-conductive materials to promote ion/electron transfer, good sodiophilic Na anode hetero-interface homogenized Na ions flux and three-dimensional porous anode host to buffer the volume expansion of sodium. Heterostructure materials can combine these merits into one material to realize multifunctionality. Herein, the recent development of heterostructure as the host for sulfur cathode and Na anode has been reviewed. First of all, the electrochemical mechanisms of sulfur cathode/sodium anode and principles of heterostructures reinforced Na-S batteries are described. Then, the application of heterostructures in Na-S batteries is comprehensively examined. Finally, the current primary avenues of employing heterostructures in Na-S batteries are summarized. Opinions and prospects are put forward regarding the existing problems in current research, aiming to inspire the design of advanced and improved next-generation Na-S batteries.

The shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and their sluggish kinetic processes lead to rapid capacity fading and poor cycling stability in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, limiting their commercial viability. This study proposes a functionalized separator with adsorption and synergistic catalysis ability for Li–S batteries. The modified separator comprises Ti₃C₂T_x sheets, CoO, and MoO₃. Experimental and theoretical calculations demonstrate that Ti₃C₂T_x/CoO/MoO₃ composite not only effectively inhibits the shuttle effect of LiPSs, ensuring efficient utilization of active materials, but also enhances reversibility and reaction kinetics among LiPSs. The full exposure of active sites in the Ti₃C₂T_x/CoO/MoO₃ composite and the synergistic action of different catalysts enable efficient capture and conversion of LiPSs molecules at the material surface. Besides, the lithium–sulfur batteries with Ti₃C₂T_x/CoO/MoO₃@PP separator exhibited only a 0.042% capacity decay per cycle at 0.5 C (800 cycles). Moreover, a high areal capacity of 6.85 mAh cm⁻² was achieved at high sulfur loading (7.9 mg cm⁻²) and low electrolyte-to-sulfur ratio (10 μL mg⁻¹).