Colloid and Interface Science Communications最新文献

This study was aiming at enhancing the stain resistance and durability of varnish on wood surfaces, a super hydrophobic solution was created by blending the synthetic ZIF-8/paraffin with Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) at a specified mass ratio. This superhydrophobic mixture was then directly applied onto the wood varnish coating using a one-step method. The microscopic characterization, transmittance, wear resistance, and water contact angle (WCA) tests of hydrophobic coatings indicated that the mass ratio of ZIF-8 to HDTMS affected the surface microstructure and roughness of wood coatings. When the ratio reached 10:1, 5:1, and 2:1, the nanoparticles were dispersed at the interface of the varnish, and the film forming effect was uniform. The transmittance of the varnish coating was about 90%, and the transmittance of the superhydrophobic coating was about 80%. The water absorption rate of the treated sample was much lower than that of the untreated sample. After 10 cycles of abrasion tests, while the WCA decreased, it remained above 150°. Water droplets on the coating surface can remove pollutants through “rolling washing”, demonstrating good self-cleaning performance. The one-step method enables the rapid creation of superhydrophobic films on the surface of wood varnish coating.

TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) have been modified with β-cyclodextrin (βCD)-food preservative complexes. The susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to TiO₂ NPs, sorbic acid (SA), benzoic acid (BA), and β-Cyclodextrin-TiO₂ NPs including SA or BA, was studied. At 0.5 mg mL⁻¹, TiO₂ NPs were more effective in the inhibition of bacterial growth than modified-TiO₂ NPs, achieving 71% inhibition rate. At the higher concentration of 3 mg mL⁻¹ there were no significant differences between treatments, being all of them highly effective reaching 90% inhibition. Higher treatment-doses were related to slower growth rates. Flow cytometry findings suggested efficient NPs interaction with bacteria, being more noticeable in the case of TiO₂ NPs. Regarding the photocatalytic activity, under 0.600 mW cm⁻² irradiation, TiO₂ NPs reached 95% methylene-blue dye degradation after 150 min, while βCD-TiO₂ NPs showed 3-times lower kinetic constant. Overall results suggest potential application of the new systems in active packages to protect food from microbial spoilage.

Superhydrophobic surfaces have proven effective in mitigating ice formation on substrates. This study aimed to experimentally investigate the effects of the surface structure of selected metal substrates on the anti-icing performance. Superhydrophobic surfaces were fabricated on aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and titanium substrates using a spray coating technique with superhydrophobic tridecafluorooctyl triethoxy silane (FAS)-functionalized colloidal silica nanoparticles. The surface wettability, surface morphology, and chemical analysis of the coated surfaces were reported. The results demonstrated successful deposition of silica nanoparticles on all substrates, significantly improving the anti-icing property of the coated surfaces. When compared with uncoated surfaces, the droplet icing times of the coated aluminum plate (C-Al), of the coated copper plate (C-Cu), of the coated stainless steel plate (C-SS), and of the coated titanium plate (C-Ti) significantly enhanced by 751%, 795%, 830% and 1320%, respectively. Also, a heat transfer model was also developed to explain the anti-icing phenomenon.

A silicone containing one cationic quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) and three N-halamine sites in the repeating unit was developed on SiO₂ submicron spheres for better antibacterial performance, larger bactericidal area and easier recyclability. Briefly, a precursor (NDAM) with high content of N-halamine was prepared by the amidation reaction. Then, a SiO₂@NDA nanocomposite was synthesized. Chlorination of the three imide NH bonds in the repeat unit finalized the synthesis of the bactericidal silicone (SiO₂@NDA-Cl). The synthetic steps and products were characterized and the effect of the contents of NDAM in copolymer on antibacterial activity were systematically assayed. The SiO₂@NDA-Cl showed higher deactivation abilities against both E. coli and S. aureus compared with their counterparts that contained only one cationic center or one N-halamine. This study has theoretical and practical application value for the development of new antibacterial materials.

Currently, the demand for valuable solid wood furniture has significantly increased. However, repeated friction can cause scratches and microcracks on its surface coating, thereby reducing its service life. Inspired by biological self-healing, shell-core structures, where the wall material provides toughness to protect the core material. When the wall material experiences external force, it cracks and releases the core material to repair microcracks. This method can prolong the life cycle of the cured paint film, enhancing its aesthetic, anti-corrosion, and protective effects on wood. In this review, we discussed the repair mechanism of self-healing microcapsules, preparation methods, and the scope of applications of the microcapsules. And the main factors affecting the performance of microcapsules were summarized. In addition, we give an overview of the application of microcapsules in wood and give an outlook on their future functional applications.

Stem cell therapy holds immense potential for regenerative medicine, but its applications are limited due to the loss of pluripotency during in vitro expansion. One promising approach to regulate stem cells is through nanotopographies, such as nanofibers. This study reveals that the arrangement of electrospun fibers aligns with the distribution and strength of the electric field through both experimentation and simulation. An electrospinning collector is thus designed to produce nanofibrous membranes with defined alignment and pore size. The cell study shows that randomly oriented nanofibers with small pores promote self-renewal and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. Conversely, aligned mesh membrane, particularly those with medium pores, decreases cell proliferation, stemness, and differentiation potential by elongating the cells. Furthermore, our study suggests that stem cell behavior is sensitive to the nanofiber structure, which offers a potential direction in promoting stem cell expansion efficacy.

Graphene has attracted much attention because of its excellent physical properties and great potential applications in electronic devices. However, traditional lithography process using photoresist masks will inevitably leave some organic matter on the graphene surface, which will reduce the performance and yield of graphene-based devices. In this paper, a new lithography process for the separation of graphene and photoresist using Al sacrificial layer is proposed. ToF-SIMS demonstrated that the process not only avoids photoresist residues, but also significantly reduces PMMA contamination without introducing Al atomic residues. The morphology also shows that the graphene pattern prepared by this process is flatter and cleaner. More importantly, electrical tests show that Al sacrificial layer process can significantly improve the consistency of the resistance (standard deviation reduced by 41.9%) and the sensitivity of the device (temperature sensor sensitivity increased by 54.41%). This work provides a way for the commercial application of graphene electronic devices.

Bacterial infections remain a significant challenge in clinical medicine, and pervasive bacterial contamination addressed is based on the rational use of biomedical antibacterial materials in the clinic. While antibiotics have been instrumental in mitigating the threat of bacterial infections, the overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, thus, there is an urgent need to explore alternative antimicrobial strategies. Gallium (Ga)-based materials hold tremendous potential due to their exceptional antimicrobial properties, which combine physical and chemical sterilization. Herein, we review the main antimicrobial mechanisms of Ga-based materials, including Fe metabolism inhibition, reactive oxygen species induced generation, and physical disruption. Additionally, we summarize the various functional applications of Ga-based antimicrobial materials. Finally, we present the future challenge and development of Ga-based antimicrobial materials.

Sessile droplets containing dispersed colloids evaporate on substrates leaving distinct deposition patterns. Applications using the droplets technique require a critical understanding of the complex particle dynamics that affect the deposition pattern. The fingering-like pattern formed when surfactant-laden droplets containing dispersed colloids evaporate is not yet well understood. The lateral imbalanced capillary meniscus forces (CMFs) between particles moving along the Marangoni vortex (MV) cluster particles into bands that deposit to form the fingering-like pattern. This work investigates the effect of particle shape, particle, and surfactant concentration on the phenomenon. Further, the importance of the contact angle and contact line (CL) dynamics of the droplet is also discussed. The results demonstrate that manipulating these parameters can control the band formation and the resulting deposition pattern. The findings of this work would be pivotal for a critical understanding of particle self-assembly and pattern morphologies of evaporating surfactant-laden droplets.

The functionalization of the surface of silica-based nanoparticles with targeting ligands has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in enhancing their activity. In this study, the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) was functionalized with the phosphonate group (-PO₃) to facilitate the adsorption and targeted delivery of curcumin to cancer cells, concurrently significantly enhancing the stability of the nanomaterial. Methodologies including scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption isotherms, and thermal gravimetric analysis were systematically employed to characterize the features of the nanomaterials. The assessment of curcumin loading efficiency within both MSN and phosphonate-functionalized MSN (MSN-PO₃) was conducted, predicated upon interactions with the loading solvent and the material's stability. Notably, stability assays revealed that unmodified particles exhibited agglomeration within a 96-h period, while their modified counterparts maintained their structural integrity. Moreover, discerning outcomes from in vitro cytotoxicity assays unveiled the potent efficacy of curcumin-loaded materials against colorectal cancer cells (C-26), with minimal impact on fibroblast cells (L929). These collective results substantiate the role of these materials as efficacious nanocarriers for delivering anticancer drugs.