Constructing Lanthanide-Organic Complexes for X-ray Scintillation and Imaging.

The photoluminescent properties of lanthanide complexes have been thoroughly investigated; however, there have been much fewer studies showcasing their potential use in ionizing radiation detection. In this work, we delve into the photo- and radio-induced luminescence of a series of lanthanide-bearing organic-inorganic hybrids and their potential as a platform for X-ray scintillation and imaging. The judicious synergy between lanthanide cations and 2,6-di(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)isonicotinate (bppCOO) ligands affords six new materials with three distinct structures.

A ratiometric radio-photoluminescence dosimeter based on a radical excimer for X-ray detection.

A novel radio-photoluminescence material featuring fluorochromic responses toward UV or X-ray irradiation has been obtained. Such a unique monomer- to excimer-based luminescence transition allows for dosimetry of ionizing radiation in a ratiometric manner. Rather than quenching the luminescence, the radiation-induced radical species of Th-105 boost the excimer emission, rendering it as a rare material possessing radical-excimers.

Micron-sized SiO /N-doped carbon composite spheres fabricated with biomass chitosan for high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes.

To achieve superior lithium storage performance, SiO is usually designed into nanostructured SiO /C composites by complex or expensive methods. Here, micron-sized interconnected SiO /N-doped carbon (NC) microspheres composed of evenly dispersed SiO nano-domains and NC have been fabricated by a scalable microemulsion method and following pyrolysis, using vinyltriethoxysilane and chitosan as precursors. The unique structure of the micron-sized SiO /NC spheres leads to enhanced structural integrity and enables stable long-term cycling (800 cycles at 2 A g).

The long-term behaviors and differences in bone reconstruction of three polymer-based scaffolds with different degradability.

Scaffolds composed of polymers and nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) have received extensive attention in bone reconstructive repair; however there is a lack of in-depth and long-term comparative study on the effect of scaffold degradability on bone reconstruction. In this study, the osteogenic behaviors of three polymeric composite scaffolds based on fast degradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), slowly degradable polycaprolactone (PCL) and non-degradable polyamide 66 (PA66) were investigated and compared via implanting the scaffolds into rabbit femoral defects for 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The in vivo results demonstrated that although the n-HA/PLGA scaffold could obtain higher new bone volume at 3 months, its fast degradation caused the loss of scaffold structural integrity and led to reduction of bone volume after 3 months.

2D ultrathin carbon nanosheets with rich N/O content constructed by stripping bulk chitin for high-performance sodium ion batteries.

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials hold considerable potential in reforming the energy storage performance, and the efficient production of high-performance 2D energy storage materials through facile and sustainable approaches is highly desirable. Herein, for the first time, large-area and ultrathin carbon nanosheets doped with N/O were constructed by stripping bulk chitin via a "top-down" method. On the basis of the specific layered structure composed of nanofibers, chitin samples after removing the protein and CaCO could be efficiently exfoliated into nanosheets (CNs) via the hydrothermal method, which were then carbonized into N/O co-doped porous carbon nanosheets (CCNs).

Modification of 3D printed PCL scaffolds by PVAc and HA to enhance cytocompatibility and osteogenesis.

In the study, a specific material system that contains poly-(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and hydroxyapatite (HA) was used to fabricate porous scaffolds employing a 3D printing technique for bone regeneration. Four groups of 3D printing scaffolds were fabricated: PCL, PCL/PVAc, PCL/HA and PCL/PVAc/HA for comparision. The morphologies, mechanical properties and biological characteristics of these scaffolds were analyzed using SEM, a material testing machine, cell culture and animal experiments.

Three-Dimensional Printing of Drug-Loaded Scaffolds for Antibacterial and Analgesic Applications.

Pneumatic extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing can be used to fabricate custom-made scaffolds to restore irregular bone defects. During the 3D printing process, therapeutic agents can be added to the scaffolds. This study aimed to develop a polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold loaded with AgPO to prevent infections and lidocaine for pain relief by one-step 3D printing.

Elastomeric Polyurethane Foams Incorporated with Nanosized Hydroxyapatite Fillers for Plastic Reconstruction.

Plastic surgeons have long searched for the ideal materials to use in craniomaxillofacial reconstruction. The aim of this study was to obtain a novel porous elastomer based on designed aliphatic polyurethane (PU) and nanosized hydroxyapatite (n-HA) fillers for plastic reconstruction. The physicochemical properties of the prepared composite elastomer were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal analysis, mechanical tests, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Study on Chemical Constituents in Polygoni Cuspidati Folium and its Preparation by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS.

A rapid and credible analytical method was developed using online UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS to identify chemical constituents in Polygoni cuspidati folium and its preparation. By accurate mass measurements within 6.5 ppm error for [M-H]- ion in routine analysis, 26 chemical constituents, including tannin, derivatives of phenylpropionic acid, stilbene, flavonoid, anthraquinone, torachryson and its derivatives, were identified or tentatively characterized.