Colloid and Interface Science Communications最新文献

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology with the advantages of ultra-high sensitivity, non-destructive analysis, and quick measurement for molecular detection applications is receiving increasing attention. However, traditional rigid SERS substrates face challenges in in-suit conformal detection and weak structure coupling effect for real-life applications. Here we report a flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate loaded with plasmonic nanoparticle-on-a-mirror (NPOM) metasurface for SERS detection that featured outstanding sensitivity, uniformity, repeatability, and excellent mechanical flexibility. The upper multilayered NPOM metasurface can be fabricated in a single-step process by ion beam sputtering of various targets. This NPOM configuration consists of dense silver nanoparticles over a silver mirror, separated by a SiO₂ spacer layer, which can realize near-total power absorption and exhibits superior SERS ability. The bottom PDMS layer for support can provide excellent mechanical properties. In the test, the as-prepared NPOM/PDMS substrates show high SERS performance in detecting crystal violet and chlorpyrifos molecules. This flexible metasurface SERS substrate promises to provide an in-suit and efficient approach for trace substance detection.

Adhesive interface stiffness is capable of modulating cellular behavior and gene expression, yet the underlying mechanobiological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of interface stiffness on gene expression pathways by hydrogels with divergent stiffness. Our results reveal that adhesive interface stiffness affects cytoplasmic mechanotranduction as well as nuclear mechanics, and ultimately regulating the subcellular localization of HDAC3. Further investigation unfolds that HDAC3 directly affects global acetylation levels within nucleus. And HDAC3-induced acetylation changes are regulated by myosin contraction, thereby portraying downstream gene expression. Additionally, our study indicates that the interface stiffness-mediated regulation of HDAC3 nuclear-cytoplasmic redistribution is dependent on CRM1, and inhibition of CRM1 impedes the nuclear export of HDAC3. In summary, our work provides an overview of how the subcellular localization of HDAC3 can be manipulated through the regulation of cell adhesion interface stiffness, thereby altering upstream RNA polymerase II activity and gene expression.

In this study, a double-network hydrogel coating with silver loading was developed for antibacterial catheters using an in-situ photoinitiation method, a stepwise immersion process, and ion exchange. The silver-loading capacity, release kinetics, and in vitro antibacterial performance of the coatings were assessed. Furthermore, a silver-loaded coating was prepared on commercially available endotracheal tubes and its anti-infection capabilities were investigated using a rabbit tracheal intubation model. The results showed that Coating@Ag⁺ exhibited a uniform and stable dispersion of silver ions (Ag⁺), controllable silver loading capacity, and effective Ag⁺ release. The coating also exhibited excellent in vitro antibacterial performance against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). In vivo studies demonstrated a significant reduction in tracheal intubation-related pulmonary infections. Silver-loaded hydrogel coatings have potential applications in the development of antibacterial catheters for preventing healthcare-associated infections.

The unique characteristics of zirconium have made it susceptible to use in the pollutants purification. Although various zirconium-adsorbents have been used to remove fluoride, but no review article examines their perspective of the practical application. This article reviewed defluoridation papers using Zr-adsorbents. The modification of adsorbents with zirconium was found a useful technique to increase the fluoride adsorption capacity. Researchers have modified many materials like activated carbon, zeolite, and activated alumina by zirconium for efficient fluoride removal and among them Zr-doped polypyrrole/Zr iodate composite (183.5 mg/g) and CeO₂-ZrO₂ nanocages (175 mg/g) have a great capacity. Zirconium improves the chemistry and morphology of materials for fluoride adsorption. The Zr-materials were reusable and their mechanisms in fluoride removal were mostly electrostatic and ion exchange. Due to the excellent feature of zirconium, explorations can be continued to provide adsorbents with a higher ability to eliminate fluoride or similar pollutants.

Nanocarriers receive tremendous attention in nanomedicine and precision biomedicine, especially cardiovascular diseases. However, the ideal carriers for multiple agents are still got a long way to come. In this work, one REDOX dual responsive nanoparticle was designed and constructed by epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and cystamine (Cys). The particles presented uniform sphere, and its diameter was around 200 nm. The drug loading ability of the particles was evaluated using rhodamine 6G (Rh6G), rapamycin (Rapa) and bovine serum albumin as model drugs. The EGCG/Cys particles could intelligently release drugs based on the REDOX level of local environment. The morphology and cell viability results of endothelial cells (ECs) and macrophage cells verified the good biocompatibility of the particles. The biosecurity of the particles was further confirmed by injections in vivo. Moreover, the EGCG/Cys particles could effectively target the injured vascular. These results confirmed that the EGCG/Cys particles could be used as one universal carrier to build nano delivery system for drugs, biological agent and vaccines for targeted treatment of atherosclerosis. The work provides one novel promising universal nanocarrier with good bio-safety for multiple drugs and bio-agents for atherosclerosis treatment.

Bacterial fouling is a multiscale, multistage process responsible for surface contamination and bacterial-related infections and illnesses. The formation of biofilms leading to infections has a significant global impact, afflicting millions of patients and resulting in an approximate 1.6 million fatalities each year. Furthermore, the economic ramifications of such infections are considerable, with industries incurring billions of dollars in costs on an annual basis. Given that bacteria tend to proliferate in a community-based and surface-bound fashion, many studies have recently focused on the development of coatings that inhibit bacterial adhesion. Earlier designs were primarily monofunctional and relied on either antibacterial effect that inactivates bacteria; antifouling effect that repels bacteria; or anticontact effect that restricts the wetting of planktonic bacteria. However, these strategies can individually suffer from some drawbacks that restrict their broader utility. To advance the state-of-art of coatings against bacterial contamination and fouling, emerging trends have focused on synergistic combination of antibacterial, antifouling, and anticontact effect in the form of multifunctional coatings or interfacial materials. Herein, we critically review the recent developments in this area within the past half a decade, discuss their materials and surfaces chemistry, mode and mechanism of actions, and performance against bacterial adhesion and growth.

In recent years, with the development of molecular biology, the exploration and development of targeted drugs for cancer has gradually attracted widespread attention. Here, tumor-targeted astaxanthin nanoparticle, cRGD-PEG2000-DSPE encapsulated astaxanthin (cRGD@AST) was designed and applied for tumor therapy. Firstly, cRGD@AST can improve the water solubility of astaxanthin. Secondly, cRGD@AST can achieve tumor-targeted ability after cRGD modification and can be highly absorbed by HepG2 cells. Finally, cRGD@AST can scavenge excess ROS in tumor cells, restore the redox balance in cells, and inhibit tumor cell proliferation. It provides theoretical basis and experimental basis for the development and utilization of natural product antioxidants for cancer prevention and treatment.

Electrocatalysts comprising MoO₃ coated by Co₂P₂O₇ nanocrystals were grown on a nickel foam (NF) substrate. The applicability of the nanocomposite material (Co₂P₂O₇@MoO₃/NF) as an electrode for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and overall water splitting was verified. The as-synthesized product showed the overpotentials of 227 and 377 mV to drive the OER at current densities of 50 and 100 mA cm⁻², respectively. Furthermore, the voltage of Co₂P₂O₇@MoO₃/NF as a bifunctional overall water splitting catalyst was 1.55 V at 10 mA cm⁻². Co₂P₂O₇@MoO₃/NF@NF (+)//Co₂P₂O₇@MoO₃/NF (−) can maintain >80% of its initial current density after 30 h at 15 mA cm⁻². The Co₂P₂O₇@MoO₃/NF electrode also showed a low hydrogen evolution reaction overpotential of 58.7 mV at 10 mA cm⁻². The excellent oxygen evolution and electrochemical water decomposition stability of the catalyst have broad application prospects.

The design of efficient, low-cost non-noble metal oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts has attracted considerable attention. Fe₃C sites have excellent catalytic effects arising from their high electrical conductivity and numerous active sites. Moreover, the high–valence state of molybdenum significantly enhances the electrochemical performance of electrocatalysts. Herein, we propose a design strategy through which hexagonal Fe₃C/NC microsheets can be successfully synthesised using a self-template. This strategy also demonstrates how the surfaces of hexagonal microsheets can be covered with FeMo₂S₄ nanosheets with active sites via hydrothermal and secondary calcination. FeMo₂S₄–Fe₃C/NC exhibits outstanding catalytic performance, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² with an overpotential of only 243 mV, Tafel slope of 32 mV dec⁻¹, and excellent stability for up to 50 h. The number of active sites on the catalyst surface can be increased by introducing Mo and S, which effectively change the structure of the electronic environment. This study presents a new method of designing simple and efficient non-precious-metal catalysts with excellent performance for use in OER.

Peptide-mediated nanoparticle synthesis has been shown as an environmentally friendly way to synthesize highly reactive nanocatalysts. Previous studies have shown that peptides are capable of controlling the size and shape of metal nanoparticles made from Pd, Au, Pt, and Ag. These studies revealed that the sequence of the amino acids is critically important to optimize the performance as nanocatalysts. However, these peptide-mediated formations of nanoparticles are limited to aqueous solvents. There is a need for such optimized catalysts in organic solvents. For this, a palladium-binding peptide was modified to contain hydrophobic sequences to improve the stability and reactivity in organic solvents. Palladium nanoparticles were synthesized using the modified peptides in ethanol and used as catalysts in Suzuki and Heck coupling at a catalytic loading of 0.05 mol% at room temperature or 80 °C. The location of the hydrophobic region was found to be pivotal for increased reactivity.