Colloid and Interface Science Communications最新文献

In this work, we present a ligand modification strategy that allows for the regulation of the valence and dispersion state of Cu clusters in the final obtained Cu@C/SiO₂ catalyst. Specifically, the phthalic acid (PA) ligand promotes the uniform anchoring of zero-valence Cu nanoclusters on Cu@C/SiO₂, resulting in excellent catalytic activity in the selective reduction of toxic 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) with a rate constant (k) of 19.06×10^-3 s^-1. This value was approximately 2.4- and 31.2-fold higher than that of the CuO/SiO₂ and bare CuO catalysts, respectively. Additionally, no significant decline in activity was detected during six successful cycles. Through systematic analysis of structural and electronic properties of the catalyst, we confirmed that the coordination effect of the PA ligand and the carbothermic effect of its carbon derivatives effectively prevent particle aggregation and modulate the valence state of copper species in Cu@C/SiO₂, resulting in superior catalytic performance.

Both pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages play vital roles in the immune response during bone tissue regeneration. Current biomaterials are designed to promote M2 macrophage polarization by manipulating various physical properties. However, this approach lacks precision in controlling the initiation of immunomodulation, potentially leading to premature immune suppression. In this study, the photothermal effect of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheets under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation was employed to achieve remote regulation of macrophage M2 polarization. Ti₃C₂T_x exhibited excellent photothermal properties and biocompatibility. The mild thermal stimulation produced by photothermal conversion of Ti₃C₂T_x under NIR irradiation promoted macrophage M2 polarization in vitro. Subsequently, these photothermal-polarized macrophages increased the secretion of IL-10 and facilitated the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The synergistic application of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheets and NIR presents an innovative strategy for remotely modulating macrophage polarization in a temporally controlled manner, thereby paving the way for the development of advanced osteoimmunomodulatory biomaterials.

With the rapid advancements in science and technology, smart wearable devices have garnered increasing attention. It is expected that flexible smart fabrics, blending the comfort of textiles with the functions of electronic devices, will play a crucial role in health monitoring, intelligent medical care, and human-computer interaction. However, the direct application of traditional textile materials to smart wearable devices is impractical, necessitating the inclusion of sensing materials in the fibers. By employing electrospinning technology, nanofibers with sensing functionalities can be produced and converted into nano-yarns to create innovative forms of smart textiles. This paper present summary of the process for fabricating nano-yarns through electrospinning, and discussion on the commonly used materials for these nano-yarns in flexible fabric electronic devices. Furthermore, the utilization of electrospinning nano-yarns in flexible smart fabrics is elaborated upon. Lastly, the future requirements and challenges pertaining to electrospinning nano-yarns in flexible fabric electronic devices are emphasized.

Development of efficient and specialized anti-cancer agent is highly desirable for both basic and clinical research. Herein, a multifunctional organosilica nanoagent (MOCL-DOX) loaded with copper ion, arginine, and doxorubicin was designed and prepared. Copper ion (Cu²⁺) and arginine (LA) were doped into the S-S bond-containing degradable organosilica nanocarrier as functional components. S-S bonds were broken under excessive glutathione (GSH) conditions when the nanoagent reached the tumor sites. Simultaneously Cu²⁺ was released, reduced by GSH to Cu⁺, and Cu⁺ selectively converted hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to hydroxyl radical (•OH) by Fenton-like reaction which caused extensive cellular oxidation and even apoptosis. Tumor cell viability and growth were inhibited to a great extent by the combination of CDT and chemotherapy with minimal normal cells toxicity. Thus, the MOCL-DOX nanoagent demonstrates as a novel paradigm for the fabrication of Fenton's nanoagent for efficient cancer therapy with minimal side effects.

Boron nitride (BN)-based nanomaterials have immense potential in nano-biomedicine, such as drug carriers and anti-bacterial agents. However, their biocompatibility remains a crucial concern. Here, we investigated the cytotoxicity of hexagonal BN (h-BN) nanodots (BNNDs) on HUVEC cells, assessing their effects on viability, morphology, proliferation, cell cycle, genes, and protein expression. BNNDs had limited impact on HUVECs viability, even at high concentrations (200 μg/mL, 48 h). Yet, they hindered cell proliferation and caused cell cycle arrest in the S phase in a dose−/time-dependent manner. Cytotoxicity primarily resulted from disturbances in cell proliferation and DNA replication-related genes (e.g., GADD45A) and proteins (e.g., GADD45A). BNNDs also induced oxidative stress, enhancing cytotoxic effects. Therefore, cautious evaluation of long-term cytotoxicity is crucial before employing BNNDs in biological systems. Additionally, certain dye-based cytotoxicity assessment methods may not accurately reflect the cytotoxicity of BNNDs. Understanding these new cytotoxic mechanisms can aid in designing safer BN-based nano-medicines/devices.

We herein report, for the first time, the activity of copper indium selenide/zinc sulphide core-shell quantum dots (CISe/ZnS QDs) as an inhibitor against recombinant human furin, an enzyme that has been implicated in the aetiology of many diseases, including Covid-19. The cell viability of the as-synthesised CISe/ZnS QDs was tested against mouse colon carcinoma cells (C26), while the Furin activity was measured by hydrolysis of peptide substrate Pyr-RTKR-AMC liberating the fluorogenic 7-amino-4-methyl coumarin. The result showed that the as-synthesised stable near-infrared emitting (840 nm) CISe-ZnS QDs is biocompatible against C26 and can inhibit furin with an inhibition constant, K_i, of 15.66 μM. The IC₅₀ was 11.29 ± 0.54 μM, while the enzymatic activity was abolished at about 23 μM of the inhibitor concentration. The results indicate the chemotherapeutic potential of CISe-ZnS QDs as an enzyme inhibitor, which may find application in managing diseases whose pathogenesis involves hyperactivity of furin.

Wetting is a common natural phenomenon with many useful applications. However, some fundamental aspects of wetting theory, such as determining the contact angle, remain unresolved. Two mainstream options are debated: whether the contact angle depends on the contact area or the contact line. To understand this, the present work used many-body dissipative particle dynamics to simulate wetting on chemically heterogeneous substrates. The simulations show that there is a ratio that separates contact angles into two regimes: a stable regime where the contact angles follow the contact-area-based Cassie-Baxter equation, and a fluctuating regime where contact angles are mainly determined by the contact line. The ring/droplet ratio, initial impact velocity, and wettability pair all play a role in the formation of the contact angle. This brief communication provides clear and sound observations to shed light on the determinations of the contact angle.

A recyclable and magnetic nanocomposite was fabricated from biochar of potato peel (BPP), MnFe₂O₄, and ZIF-8 (BET area: 174.92m²/g). The Cd²⁺ removal using BPP/MnFe₂O₄@ZIF-8 was maximized at pH 6, a temperature of 45 °C, and a time of 100 min. The capacity of Cd adsorption using BPP, BPP/MnFe₂O_4, and BPP/MnFe₂O₄@ZIF-8 was computed to be 33.76, 45.02, and 80.52 mg/g, respectively. The influence of coexistence ions on cadmium elimination by BPP/MnFe₂O₄@ZIF-8 was explored. Shipbuilding wastewater was treated to an acceptable level using the nanocomposite. The Cd adsorption was endothermic and followed the pseudo-second-order (R² > 0.98). Therefore, BPP/MnFe₂O₄@ZIF-8 is an affordable material for treating cadmium.

Polysilsesquioxane (PSQ) hollow spheres show great potential in various fields, including catalysts, environmental protection, and drug delivery, owing to their high stability, large interior cavity, and adjustable surface chemistry. However, the fabrication of amino-functionalized PSQ hollow spheres (AHPSQ) with inherent amine groups on the surface still remains a challenge partly due to the hydrophilicity of the silane precursor. In this study, for the first time AHPSQ was fabricated via a facile sol-gel process utilizing aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and methyltrimethoxysilane as co-precursor in an ice bath. The pH-sensitive release behavior of AHPSQ was demonstrated using avermectin as a pesticide model and the release kinetics were analyzed. The artificial ultraviolet accelerated experiment confirmed that the carrier has an ultraviolet protective effect on the pesticide and can reduce the ultraviolet degradation rate.