Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100749
Tengteng Yi , Peng Li , Yidi Wu , Lulu Chen , Sen Lin
The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol on reverse ZnO/Cu catalysts holds great promise for effectively mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while enabling sustainable synthesis of fuels and chemicals. However, the dynamic structural evolution of ZnO clusters under reaction conditions poses significant challenges for identifying and regulating active sites. This study systematically investigates the reconstruction of ZnxOx clusters (Zn1O1, Zn3O3, Zn5O5) supported on the Cu(111) crystal plane and its impact on CO2 and H adsorption and HCOO formation. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the smaller Zn1O1/Cu system readily forms a CuZn alloy structure, while larger clusters (Zn3O3/Cu and Zn5O5/Cu) generate stable ZnO3 unit with exposed O sites, forming Cu-ZnO3 interfaces. On the reconstructed surfaces, the weakened adsorption of CO2 and H promotes their effective coupling, thus lowering the barrier for HCOO formation. Microkinetic simulations further demonstrate that this reconstruction reshapes surface coverage of reactants and accelerates HCOO formation by 2-6 orders of magnitude, underscoring the crucial role of thermal-induced structural dynamics in governing catalytic performance. This work provides molecular-level insights into how dynamic reconstruction governs the CO2 hydrogenation mechanism on oxide-metal interfaces.
{"title":"Reconstruction-driven active site modulation in ZnxOx/Cu catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation","authors":"Tengteng Yi , Peng Li , Yidi Wu , Lulu Chen , Sen Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100749","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100749","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol on reverse ZnO/Cu catalysts holds great promise for effectively mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while enabling sustainable synthesis of fuels and chemicals. However, the dynamic structural evolution of ZnO clusters under reaction conditions poses significant challenges for identifying and regulating active sites. This study systematically investigates the reconstruction of Zn<sub>x</sub>O<sub>x</sub> clusters (Zn<sub>1</sub>O<sub>1</sub>, Zn<sub>3</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, Zn<sub>5</sub>O<sub>5</sub>) supported on the Cu(111) crystal plane and its impact on CO<sub>2</sub> and H adsorption and HCOO formation. <em>Ab initio</em> molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the smaller Zn<sub>1</sub>O<sub>1</sub>/Cu system readily forms a CuZn alloy structure, while larger clusters (Zn<sub>3</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Cu and Zn<sub>5</sub>O<sub>5</sub>/Cu) generate stable ZnO<sub>3</sub> unit with exposed O sites, forming Cu-ZnO<sub>3</sub> interfaces. On the reconstructed surfaces, the weakened adsorption of CO<sub>2</sub> and H promotes their effective coupling, thus lowering the barrier for HCOO formation. Microkinetic simulations further demonstrate that this reconstruction reshapes surface coverage of reactants and accelerates HCOO formation by 2-6 orders of magnitude, underscoring the crucial role of thermal-induced structural dynamics in governing catalytic performance. This work provides molecular-level insights into how dynamic reconstruction governs the CO<sub>2</sub> hydrogenation mechanism on oxide-metal interfaces.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100749"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100750
Keristina Wagdi K. Amin , Ágota Deák , Médi Sándor , Diána Szabó , László Rovó , László Janovák
Thiolated aliphatic polyesters have received considerable attention owing to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and mucoadhesive properties. These attributes make them suitable for developing mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. However, polyester synthesis has traditionally required metallic or mineral acid catalysts, raising concerns about residual toxicity and purification challenges. To address these limitations, recent research has focused on catalyst-free synthesis of polyesters, thereby avoiding toxicity. This study introduces, for the first time, the catalyst-free synthesis of polyethylene thiomalate (PET) polyesters and the development of PET-based NPs, offering a novel mucoadhesive nanocarrier free from toxic catalyst residues and suitable for encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs such as methylprednisolone acetate (MPA). By adjusting polycondensation time, PET polyesters with relatively low molecular weights ( 908–1652 Da) and moderate hydrophilicity (Θ = 38–75°) were synthesized, ensuring compatibility with aqueous environments and hydrophobic drugs. Given the limited literature on PET solubility and precipitation behaviour, a detailed investigation was conducted, enabling the development of an optimized MPA encapsulation technique within the synthesized PET particles. The MPA-loaded particles exhibited small sizes (198–275 nm), high ζ-potential (∼- 40 mV), and reduced drug crystallinity, contributing to improved aqueous dispersibility and stability compared to unencapsulated MPA. Furthermore, molecular weight tunability enabled both enhanced and sustained drug release. The NPs also exhibited strong mucoadhesive properties, expected to prolong residence time at the absorption site and facilitate higher drug flux through intimate mucosal contact, thereby supporting improved bioavailability. These findings establish catalyst-free PET NPs as safe and promising carriers for hydrophobic drugs such as MPA.
{"title":"Novel catalyst-free mucoadhesive polyester nanoparticles enabling enhanced dissolution and controlled release of methylprednisolone acetate","authors":"Keristina Wagdi K. Amin , Ágota Deák , Médi Sándor , Diána Szabó , László Rovó , László Janovák","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100750","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100750","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thiolated aliphatic polyesters have received considerable attention owing to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and mucoadhesive properties. These attributes make them suitable for developing mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. However, polyester synthesis has traditionally required metallic or mineral acid catalysts, raising concerns about residual toxicity and purification challenges. To address these limitations, recent research has focused on catalyst-free synthesis of polyesters, thereby avoiding toxicity. This study introduces, for the first time, the catalyst-free synthesis of polyethylene thiomalate (PET) polyesters and the development of PET-based NPs, offering a novel mucoadhesive nanocarrier free from toxic catalyst residues and suitable for encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs such as methylprednisolone acetate (MPA). By adjusting polycondensation time, PET polyesters with relatively low molecular weights (<span><math><mrow><msub><mi>M</mi><mi>W</mi></msub></mrow></math></span> 908–1652 Da) and moderate hydrophilicity (Θ = 38–75°) were synthesized, ensuring compatibility with aqueous environments and hydrophobic drugs. Given the limited literature on PET solubility and precipitation behaviour, a detailed investigation was conducted, enabling the development of an optimized MPA encapsulation technique within the synthesized PET particles. The MPA-loaded particles exhibited small sizes (198–275 nm), high ζ-potential (∼- 40 mV), and reduced drug crystallinity, contributing to improved aqueous dispersibility and stability compared to unencapsulated MPA. Furthermore, molecular weight tunability enabled both enhanced and sustained drug release. The NPs also exhibited strong mucoadhesive properties, expected to prolong residence time at the absorption site and facilitate higher drug flux through intimate mucosal contact, thereby supporting improved bioavailability. These findings establish catalyst-free PET NPs as safe and promising carriers for hydrophobic drugs such as MPA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100750"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100751
Yuwen Xu , Chia-En Huang , Richard F. Webster , Dawei Zhang , Joanna Biazik , Jan Seidel , Shery L.Y. Chang
Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials exhibit unique functionalities that attract a great deal of interest. However, difficulties remain in preparing high-quality ultra-thin samples in various orientations for scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) measurements owing to their anisotropic layered construction, soft mechanical nature, and sensitivity to ion damage. Here we use an ultramicrotome as an alternative S/TEM sample preparation method for multi-orientational investigation of 2D van der Waals materials. By adjusting ultramicrotomy conditions, we demonstrate its suitability on transition metal dichalcogenides (WTe2) and demonstrate the high structural quality of both top-view and side view samples using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Thickness measurements using low-loss electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) show an ideal thickness can be achieved by ultramicrotomy preparation. Our findings reveal the potential of ultramicrotome preparation for fundamental characterization of 2D van der Waals materials in multiple orientations that may support a wide range of applications.
{"title":"Multi-orientational sample preparation of 2D van der Waals materials by ultramicrotome for atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy","authors":"Yuwen Xu , Chia-En Huang , Richard F. Webster , Dawei Zhang , Joanna Biazik , Jan Seidel , Shery L.Y. Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100751","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100751","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials exhibit unique functionalities that attract a great deal of interest. However, difficulties remain in preparing high-quality ultra-thin samples in various orientations for scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) measurements owing to their anisotropic layered construction, soft mechanical nature, and sensitivity to ion damage. Here we use an ultramicrotome as an alternative S/TEM sample preparation method for multi-orientational investigation of 2D van der Waals materials. By adjusting ultramicrotomy conditions, we demonstrate its suitability on transition metal dichalcogenides (WTe<sub>2</sub>) and demonstrate the high structural quality of both top-view and side view samples using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Thickness measurements using low-loss electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) show an ideal thickness can be achieved by ultramicrotomy preparation. Our findings reveal the potential of ultramicrotome preparation for fundamental characterization of 2D van der Waals materials in multiple orientations that may support a wide range of applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100751"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-27DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100745
Yanan Zhang , Yijia Wang , Yujie Gao , Yangxi Cheng , Danfeng Jian , Yifan Sun , Xiaotong He , Dan Yu , Jindan Wu
Personal protective equipment (PPE) can significantly reduce the negative impact of emerging infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria on public health and the global economy. However, conventional PPE without self-disinfection properties cannot kill the attached microorganisms efficiently, and may cause cross-contamination and environmental damage. Herein, an efficient aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer (AIE PS), (E)-2-(3-cyano-5,5-dimethyl- 4-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)-styryl)furan-2(5H)-ylidene)malononitrile (TPE-TCF), was in-situ packaged within hollow nanospheres of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) by the assistance of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), to prepare TPE-TCF/SDS@ZIF-8 nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs exhibited both high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production efficiency and good stability. Then, they were assembled onto a polyacrylonitrile/polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PPP) electrospun nanofiber mats to form composite nanofiber mats TZ-PPP via a visible light-induced dopamine (DA)-assisted co-deposition method. The electrospun nanofiber mats serve as an efficient antibacterial nano-platform, providing more adsorption sites for the composite NPs, enabling the exposed composite NPs to interact with oxygen sufficiently, and maximizing their antibacterial efficacy substantially. Importantly, the TZ-PPP composite nanofiber mats retained the initial ultra-high ROS production efficiency and superior antibacterial performance of TPE-TCF/SDS@ZIF-8 NPs. Under the irradiation of low-power white light (400–830 nm, 50 mW cm−2), TZ-PPP nanofiber mats were able to remove more than 99.9% (10 min) and 99.0% (40 min) of bacteria and fungi, respectively, with significant photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms. This study is an exploration of the combination of AIE PS with nanofibers, whose outstanding photodynamic antibacterial properties provide new perspectives for the development of novel medical protective materials.
{"title":"In-situ encapsulated aggregation induced emission photosensitizer in electrospun nanofiber mats for light-triggered self-disinfection","authors":"Yanan Zhang , Yijia Wang , Yujie Gao , Yangxi Cheng , Danfeng Jian , Yifan Sun , Xiaotong He , Dan Yu , Jindan Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Personal protective equipment (PPE) can significantly reduce the negative impact of emerging infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria on public health and the global economy. However, conventional PPE without self-disinfection properties cannot kill the attached microorganisms efficiently, and may cause cross-contamination and environmental damage. Herein, an efficient aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer (AIE PS), (<em>E</em>)-2-(3-cyano-5,5-dimethyl- 4-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)-styryl)furan-2(5H)-ylidene)malononitrile (TPE-TCF), was in-situ packaged within hollow nanospheres of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) by the assistance of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), to prepare TPE-TCF/SDS@ZIF-8 nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs exhibited both high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production efficiency and good stability. Then, they were assembled onto a polyacrylonitrile/polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PPP) electrospun nanofiber mats to form composite nanofiber mats TZ-PPP via a visible light-induced dopamine (DA)-assisted co-deposition method. The electrospun nanofiber mats serve as an efficient antibacterial nano-platform, providing more adsorption sites for the composite NPs, enabling the exposed composite NPs to interact with oxygen sufficiently, and maximizing their antibacterial efficacy substantially. Importantly, the TZ-PPP composite nanofiber mats retained the initial ultra-high ROS production efficiency and superior antibacterial performance of TPE-TCF/SDS@ZIF-8 NPs. Under the irradiation of low-power white light (400–830 nm, 50 mW cm<sup>−2</sup>), TZ-PPP nanofiber mats were able to remove more than 99.9% (10 min) and 99.0% (40 min) of bacteria and fungi, respectively, with significant photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms. This study is an exploration of the combination of AIE PS with nanofibers, whose outstanding photodynamic antibacterial properties provide new perspectives for the development of novel medical protective materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100745"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-27DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100748
Benyou Li , Mingdong Dong , Qiang Li
Superlubricity offers a pathway to dramatically extend the service life of mechanical components and reduce energy consumption. However, achieving macroscale superlubricity with liquid lubricants on metals remains a major challenge. In this study, we address this by synthesizing partially oxidized Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets (O-MXene) via a facile aqueous oxidation process and dispersing them in squalane as a lubricant additive. Tribological tests demonstrate that the O-MXene-squalane oil can trigger macroscale superlubricity (μ ≈ 0.003) for a steel-steel tribopair under high contact pressure (>500 MPa) and sliding speed (>0.7 m/s), with minimal wear. Analysis of the friction interface using scanning electron microscopy, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that a force-thermal coupling effect promotes the decomposition of both O-MXene and squalane. This process facilitates the in-situ formation of a robust tribofilm, primarily composed of titanium oxides, amorphous carbon and residual hydrocarbon fragments, which separates surface asperities and provides ultralow shear strength. These findings offer new insights into tribochemical mechanisms and a promising strategy for implementing superlubricity in steel-based systems.
{"title":"Macroscale superlubricity under high pressure enabled by partially oxidized MXene nanosheets","authors":"Benyou Li , Mingdong Dong , Qiang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100748","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100748","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Superlubricity offers a pathway to dramatically extend the service life of mechanical components and reduce energy consumption. However, achieving macroscale superlubricity with liquid lubricants on metals remains a major challenge. In this study, we address this by synthesizing partially oxidized Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><em>x</em></sub> MXene nanosheets (O-MXene) via a facile aqueous oxidation process and dispersing them in squalane as a lubricant additive. Tribological tests demonstrate that the O-MXene-squalane oil can trigger macroscale superlubricity (μ ≈ 0.003) for a steel-steel tribopair under high contact pressure (>500 MPa) and sliding speed (>0.7 m/s), with minimal wear. Analysis of the friction interface using scanning electron microscopy, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that a force-thermal coupling effect promotes the decomposition of both O-MXene and squalane. This process facilitates the <em>in-situ</em> formation of a robust tribofilm, primarily composed of titanium oxides, amorphous carbon and residual hydrocarbon fragments, which separates surface asperities and provides ultralow shear strength. These findings offer new insights into tribochemical mechanisms and a promising strategy for implementing superlubricity in steel-based systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100748"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-26DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100747
Ramya Ravichandran, Sundaravadivel Elumalai
In trend, water purification and energy demands are the major global crises impacting the world today. To address these challenges, many researchers are developing new materials; as a result the potential of nanocomposites has captured the attention of scientists. In this study, we take a step forward by developing a green synthesis approach for producing a trimetallic nano-core shell composite (TMNC) through an environmentally friendly method, a solid-state manual grinding technique, which eliminates the need for toxic solvents in the synthesis process. CAD/OP anchors the nanoparticles (NPs) formation and for the reduction of the metallic ions. The as-crafted TMNC had been characterized via several analytical instruments such as, XRD, UV–vis, HR-TEM, FE-SEM, VSM, XPS and NMR analysis. The large number of available vacant sites in the TMNC, it can adsorb the molecules on the surface helps in forming the C-C bond making reactions. In addition, this also helpful in the photo-degradation of pharma-wastes as Doxycycline (DY), Paracetamol (PT) hikes up to 91 % and 88 % correspondingly. Using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as a hydrogen source, the synthesized TMNC is efficient in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. This catalyst could be readily scaled up to produce gram-scale material which was prepared with energy-efficient method. Overall, the as-crafted TMNC flagged a promising material for versatile applications and it provokes a way for the advancement in the heterogenous catalysis and other organic conversion reactions.
{"title":"Solid-state Tri-nano Spheres: An adsorbate for coupling reactions and pharma-waste treatment","authors":"Ramya Ravichandran, Sundaravadivel Elumalai","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100747","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100747","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In trend, water purification and energy demands are the major global crises impacting the world today. To address these challenges, many researchers are developing new materials; as a result the potential of nanocomposites has captured the attention of scientists. In this study, we take a step forward by developing a green synthesis approach for producing a trimetallic nano-core shell composite (TMNC) through an environmentally friendly method, a solid-state manual grinding technique, which eliminates the need for toxic solvents in the synthesis process. CAD/OP anchors the nanoparticles (NPs) formation and for the reduction of the metallic ions. The as-crafted TMNC had been characterized via several analytical instruments such as, XRD, UV–vis, HR-TEM, FE-SEM, VSM, XPS and NMR analysis. The large number of available vacant sites in the TMNC, it can adsorb the molecules on the surface helps in forming the C-C bond making reactions. In addition, this also helpful in the photo-degradation of pharma-wastes as Doxycycline (DY), Paracetamol (PT) hikes up to 91 % and 88 % correspondingly. Using sodium borohydride (NaBH<sub>4</sub>) as a hydrogen source, the synthesized TMNC is efficient in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. This catalyst could be readily scaled up to produce gram-scale material which was prepared with energy-efficient method. Overall, the as-crafted TMNC flagged a promising material for versatile applications and it provokes a way for the advancement in the heterogenous catalysis and other organic conversion reactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100747"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100746
Shivtej M. Mane , Amit A. Bagade , Kasturi A. Rokade , Sumedh S. Mahajan , Pooja D. Halagale , Sharmili A. Surve , Pooja P. Sonawane , Kiran A. Nirmal , A. Anto Jeffery , Young-Ho Ahn , Tae Geun Kim , Tukaram D. Dongale
Collagen is a biocompatible and biodegradable biopolymer with potential applications in bioelectronics; however, its poor electrical conductivity limits its use in electronic devices. To overcome this, we have composited the collagen with highly conducting 2D graphene and synthesized one-dimensional (1D) collagen-graphene nanofibers (Col-Gr NFs) by the electrospinning technique. These 1D NFs were utilized to emulate comprehensive neuroplasticity for neuromorphic computing applications, owing to their structural and functional similarities to biological neurons and synapses. The Ag/Col-Gr NFs/FTO device shows good bipolar resistive switching within ±1 V. Moreover, the Ag/Col-Gr NFs/FTO device shows excellent cycle stability (15,000 cycles) and memory retention (30,000 s) by switching between two memory states. The charge-flux analysis confirmed the device’s non-ideal memristive behaviour. The switching variability was assessed using different statistical techniques. The device emulates key synaptic behaviours, including potentiation, depression, excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic currents (EPSC/IPSC), paired-pulse facilitation and depression (PPF/PPD), and two types of spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) rules. Importantly, the Ag/Col-Gr NFs/FTO device exhibited complete degradation in aqueous conditions, confirming its physically transient nature. This work demonstrates the promising potential of Col-Gr composite NFs as a novel material for sustainable artificial synaptic devices.
{"title":"Bio-organic collagen–graphene nanofiber synaptic device emulating neuroplasticity and spike-timing-dependent plasticity","authors":"Shivtej M. Mane , Amit A. Bagade , Kasturi A. Rokade , Sumedh S. Mahajan , Pooja D. Halagale , Sharmili A. Surve , Pooja P. Sonawane , Kiran A. Nirmal , A. Anto Jeffery , Young-Ho Ahn , Tae Geun Kim , Tukaram D. Dongale","doi":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100746","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100746","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Collagen is a biocompatible and biodegradable biopolymer with potential applications in bioelectronics; however, its poor electrical conductivity limits its use in electronic devices. To overcome this, we have composited the collagen with highly conducting 2D graphene and synthesized one-dimensional (1D) collagen-graphene nanofibers (Col-Gr NFs) by the electrospinning technique. These 1D NFs were utilized to emulate comprehensive neuroplasticity for neuromorphic computing applications, owing to their structural and functional similarities to biological neurons and synapses. The Ag/Col-Gr NFs/FTO device shows good bipolar resistive switching within ±1 V. Moreover, the Ag/Col-Gr NFs/FTO device shows excellent cycle stability (15,000 cycles) and memory retention (30,000 s) by switching between two memory states. The charge-flux analysis confirmed the device’s non-ideal memristive behaviour. The switching variability was assessed using different statistical techniques. The device emulates key synaptic behaviours, including potentiation, depression, excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic currents (EPSC/IPSC), paired-pulse facilitation and depression (PPF/PPD), and two types of spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) rules. Importantly, the Ag/Col-Gr NFs/FTO device exhibited complete degradation in aqueous conditions, confirming its physically transient nature. This work demonstrates the promising potential of Col-Gr composite NFs as a novel material for sustainable artificial synaptic devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48517,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Nano","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100746"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2025.100743
Xinyu Mao , Shiwei Liu , Xinhao Li , Menghui Zhang , Peng Shen , Yaning Zhu , Xiaozhong Yang
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent malignancy globally. Its tumor microenvironment (TME) heterogeneity and chemotherapy resistance compromise the efficacy of conventional treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy. This study developed a multifunctional nanotherapeutic platform by synthesizing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) via a modified Stöber method. The carboxylated MSN surface was sequentially loaded with metformin (Me), chlorin e6 (Ce6), and glucose oxidase (GOX), constructing an Me/Ce6@MSN-GOX (MCMG) nanosystem. The synthesized MSNs demonstrated excellent porosity, pore volume, and high loading capacity. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that MCMG reversed the Warburg effect via the AMPK/ACC/mTOR axis, reprogrammed tumor energy metabolism, and enhanced GOX-induced starvation therapy and Ce6-based photodynamic therapy (PDT). MCMG also alleviated TME hypoxia by suppressing HIF-1α expression, inducing an approximately 2-fold increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and culminating in a 71 % tumor inhibition rate in vivo. This platform integrated Me's metabolic regulation with Ce6-mediated PDT and GOX-driven starvation therapy to achieve synergistic CRC eradication. MCMG enables multifunctional theranostics through synergistic mechanisms (metabolic modulation, oxidative damage, and nutrient deprivation) coupled with fluorescence imaging capabilities, presenting a novel strategy for CRC treatment.
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