Advanced Materials Interfaces最新文献

Adherent cells are highly sensitive to the physical and biochemical properties of their microenvironment, particularly the extracellular matrix (ECM), which regulates cell adhesion, signaling, and overall behavior. Cells also actively modify and remodel the ECM, creating a continuous interaction comparable to a dialogue. Consequently, artificial cell microenvironments are used to influence adherent cell behavior. However, these environments must be carefully modulated to enhance communication with cells. To this end, bio-functionalization of cell culture substrates has been developed to improve interactions between adherent cells and their microenvironment. To optimize cell–biomaterial surface interactions, various protein grafting techniques can be employed, including random grafting via amine groups, semi-oriented grafting via thiol groups, and glycosylation-based grafting. This study specifically focuses on the glycosylation-based grafting method, which creates a natural spacer between the substrate and the immobilized protein. We introduce a novel glycan-based surface functionalization approach using two ECM adhesion proteins commonly used in biomaterials: fibronectin (Fn), a fibrillar protein with low glycosylation (5% w/w), and vitronectin (Vn), a globular protein with high glycosylation (30% w/w). Both proteins are highly purified from human blood plasma to preserve their native state and bioactivity. We analyzed the effects of glycan-based grafting on the conformation and bioactivity of these proteins. Given their essential roles in ECM, human pre-osteoblastic STRO-1⁺A cells are cultured on the bio-functionalized surfaces, and their early-stage behavior is compared for both Fn and Vn. Our results demonstrate that glycosylation-based grafting significantly influences the conformation and bioactivity of Fn and Vn. Cell adhesion, viability, and morphology are assessed, revealing that this grafting method enhances cell–material interactions, making it a promising strategy for improving the performance of biomaterials in biomedical applications.

In-Situ Spectroscopy

This work introduces in situ Raman spectroscopy to monitor the synthesis of phthalocyanine based 2D conjugated MOFs at the air–water interface. Distinct marker bands are identified that reveal linker aggregation versus MOF formation, which are further correlated with crystalline domain size of the MOF using TEM, enabling rapid, non invasive, and reliable quality control throughout the MOF synthesis process. More details can be found in the Research Article by Inez M. Weidinger and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/admi.202500686).

Local surface potential modification by defect structures in 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (2D-TMDC) is of particular interest for engineering of their optoelectronic and surface chemical properties. Optical irradiation on 2D-TMDC provides facile methodology for the defect structure patterning, however, its effect in surface potential modification has remained largely unexplored. Here, we investigate the changes in surface potential of optical soldering induced defect structures in few-layer MoS₂ by using a Kelvin probe force microscope (KPFM). Measured contact potential difference (CPD) of the defect structures shows Fermi level shift toward conduction band indicating n-doping effect. By correlating CPD with optical soldering laser power and photoluminescence (PL) emission efficiency, we identified two distinct mechanisms governing PL enhancement in two optical soldering laser power regimes. With lower optical soldering powers (<3 mW), defect formation from pristine MoS₂ introduces new edge sites leading to significant PL enhancement with increased CPD. Further increases in optical soldering power show a monotonic rise in CPD accompanied by PL quenching as a result of increased n-doping level. Our results suggest a methodology for optical doping of 2D-TMDC which is relevant to the development of Defect Engineering, Kelvin probe force microscope, optical doping, optical soldering, transition metal dichalcogenidepractical applications such as ultrasensitive chemicals and biosensors.

Self-organized neuromorphic nanogranular networks that mimic the switching dynamics of biological neural networks are promising for next-generation brain-inspired computing architectures. Despite recent advances, strategies to lower their switching threshold, and understanding of the influence of light on their switching dynamics, which are key aspects for energy-efficient and multifunctional device operation, remains limited. Here, a strategy is introduced to lower the switching threshold, and the optical sensitivity of the nanoparticle networks (NPNs) is explored. Silver (Ag) NPNs are fabricated via surfactant-free deposition from a gas aggregation cluster source. One network is coated with poly(1,3,5-trivinyl-1,3,5-trimethyl-cyclosiloxane) (pV3D3) using initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD), producing Ag/pV3D3 NPN with enhanced morphological stability and a significantly reduced switching threshold of 0.5 V compared to uncoated Ag NPNs (3 V). Time-series measurements showed indications that the switching activity of Ag/pV3D3 NPNs can be modulated by visible light, with blue light irradiation showing the largest enhancement in switching events compared to the dark, unilluminated state. These findings establish a pathway toward low-power, light-tunable, self-organized nanogranular networks for neuromorphic computing applications.

A sol–gel-based soft-templating strategy for the synthesis of a hexagonal rare-earth orthoferrite and characterization of its structural, optical, electronic, and magnetic properties are reported. Specifically, the work aims to show that amphiphilic block copolymers as structure-directing agents (SDAs) are suitable for the production of metastable h-LuFeO₃, a phase that is not observed without SDA. The ability of the polymer SDA used herein to self-organize into superstructures while remaining compatible with inorganic building blocks, known as the evaporation-induced self-assembly process (EISA), resulted in a honeycomb-like network of open pores. In contrast to conventional epitaxy, it is demonstrated that the h-LuFeO₃ can be readily deposited as polycrystalline thin films on both silicon and quartz substrates by facile dip coating. The formation mechanism of the mesoporous material during calcination in air is investigated using various physicochemical characterization techniques. This revealed that certain reaction intermediates are produced that promote the formation of the hexagonal phase. Density functional theory calculations support the experimentally derived properties and further provide information on the electronic band structure. Overall, this study demonstrates a novel synthetic approach for producing ordered mesoporous and ferromagnetic LuFeO₃ thin films in the hexagonal rather than the orthorhombic phase due to the presence of a polymer SDA during synthesis.

Ion migration-based voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) is a promising mechanism for energy-efficient spintronic devices. However, no established methods currently correlate dielectric properties with VCMA efficiency. Here, we demonstrate that VCMA efficiency can be predicted prior to full device implementation by detecting redox activity at the ferromagnet/oxide interface using conventional capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements. We compare two HfO₂ with different chemical properties, one grown by thermal ALD (T-HfO₂) and the other by plasma-enhanced ALD (P-HfO₂), integrated as the gate dielectric on Ta/CoFeB/MgO/AlO_x structure. Results show that P-HfO₂ exhibits strong frequency dispersion and capacitance enhancement characteristic of redox-active electrochemical capacitors, along with significantly enhanced VCMA, whereas T-HfO₂ does not. These findings establish a direct correlation between dielectric C–V behavior and VCMA efficiency. We propose that standard C–V analysis can serve as a practical and predictive tool for evaluating and optimizing dielectric materials in VCMA-based spintronic applications.

Decellularized small intestinal submucosa (SIS) mesh used for the treatment of abdominal wall defects often suffers from a high risk of recurrence due to early degradation and poor neovascularization. Currently, improving the functionality of SIS meshes remains a huge challenge. Herein, a multifunctional SIS mesh is designed by modifying it with protocatechualdehyde (PCA), a polyphenolic molecule, combining with magnesium ion (Mg²⁺) for full-thickness abdominal wall defect repair in a rat model. The prepared SIS/PCA/Mg meshes exhibit significantly prolonged degradation cycle, excellent biocompatibility, and antioxidant property and effectively promote the M2 polarization of macrophages. In addition, this mesh can remarkably inhibit the growth of bacteria, which is beneficial for preventing postoperative infections. More importantly, in vivo experiments also confirm that the SIS/PCA/Mg mesh can significantly enhance the repair of full-thickness abdominal wall defects in rats by reducing inflammation, promoting macrophage M2 polarization, and collagen deposition and neovascularization. As a result, the newly developed multifunctional SIS/PCA/Mg mesh shows an attractive prospect for scarless abdominal wall defect reconstruction.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has been widely used in various applications, including water treatment, and its surface properties, including wetting and micro/nano structure, are factors that influence its antifouling properties. Superhydrophilic surfaces minimize interactions with hydrophobic pollutants, and changing fabrication parameters can modify the wetting properties of LIG. Fabrication of nanoparticle-LIG composites increases the functionality of the material and enhances catalytic or antibacterial activities of related surfaces; however, less is known for nanoparticle-LIG composites that modulate fouling. Here, we show SiO₂-doped LIG by lasing polyethersulfone-diatomaceous earth membrane composites, which resulted in superhydrophilic surfaces with enhanced anti-adhesion and anti-bio-adhesion performance. The diatomaceous earth converted to crystalline SiO₂ that is uniformly coated on the LIG surface during the laser treatment. Increased surface oxygen-containing functional groups are also observed, which enhanced the hydrophilicity of the LIG composite. Anti-adhesion properties of the hydrophilic SiO₂-LIG are exemplified by a reduced binding of methylene blue and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, representing an organic pollutant and bacterial adhesion, respectively. The variable surface properties of silica nanocomposite surfaces might be useful in water treatment membranes, but silica-doped LIG might also lead to uses in other applications, such as sensing or semiconductors, if the electronic properties of the material can be altered.

Preselection of cancer-specific hypermethylated DNA (hmDNA) from a background of total DNA is important for developing urine-based cancer diagnostics. The challenge relates to the low concentration of hmDNA in absolute measures and compared to normal DNA derived from healthy cells. Here, a micropillar-structured microfluidic chip is developed for the selective enrichment of hmDNA from DNA isolated from cultured cervical cancer cells. During hmDNA enrichment, hmDNA binds at the surface-immobilized methyl binding domain 2 protein receptors, which is the capture coating for hmDNA, followed by the elution of surface-bound DNA. The ratio of hmDNA to non-methylated DNA in the enriched DNA mixtures is assessed using synthetic DNA by applying a digest with methyl-sensitive restriction enzymes to the enriched DNA mixtures, followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The hmDNA level in the enriched DNA mixture increased from 1% prior to enrichment to 30% afterward. The enrichment method enables selective enrichment of DNA isolated from the cervical cancer cell line, as confirmed by qPCR, which targets a hypermethylated gene associated with cervical cancer. Upon further development, this platform for selective hmDNA enrichment could be applied to urine samples to allow for simple and accurate methylation-based cancer detection.

In this work, we examine ways to advance sustainability in material packaging by applying scalable, dual-layer coating techniques for generating thin biopolymer barrier films on paper substrates. Unbleached kraft paper and supercalendered glassine paper are used as substrates, and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and chitosan (CS) are used for coatings. CNC and CS are applied on the substrates using single-layer (multi-pass) or dual-layer slot die coating on a roll-to-roll (R2R), with similar grammage coated under the same conditions. The effect of CNC suspension pH is also examined. Coated papers are characterized to determine oxygen permeability (OP) and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) at 50% and 80% RH as well as mechanical properties. Single-layer multi-pass coated paper exhibits improved OP and WVTR compared to coated kraft paper. Glassine paper coated with a coat weight of 20.6 ± 1.0 g/m² of CNC at a suspension pH of 3 has the lowest OP value of 3.9 ± 1.0 cm³·µm/m²/d/kPa. The use of dual-layer slot die coating produces similar OP values at a large coat weight as single-layer multi-pass coating. We demonstrate the viability of scalable fabrication of multilayer renewable bioproducts for packaging by using processes amenable to sequential or simultaneous coating on a R2R.