Triiodide-in-Iodine Networks Stabilized by Quaternary Ammonium Cations as Accelerants for Electrode Kinetics of Iodide Oxidation in Aqueous Media.

The Zn-polyiodide redox flow battery is considered to be a promising aqueous energy storage system. However, in its charging process, the electrode kinetics of I oxidation often suffer from an intrinsically generated iodine film (I-F) on the cathode of the battery. Therefore, it is critical to both understand and enhance the observed slow electrode kinetics of I oxidation by an electrochemically generated I-F.

Biocompatible and functional inorganic magnesium ceramic particles for biomedical applications.

Magnesium ceramics hold promise for numerous biological applications. This review covers the synthesis of magnesium ceramic particles with specific morphologies and potential modification techniques. Magnesium ceramic particles possess multiple characteristics directly applicable to human biology; they are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and offer anti-cancer effects.

Network structure and enzymatic degradation of chitosan hydrogels determined by crosslinking methods.

Polysaccharides can be modified by reactive functional groups to enable chemical crosslinking. We studied how different methods of crosslinking methacrylate-functionalized chitosan affected the network structures and various properties relevant for utilization of the chemically crosslinked hydrogels in biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and delivery of therapeutic agents. Four chitosan hydrogels were made by either the free radical polymerization with varying initiation kinetics and an addition of chain transfer agents or the based-catalyzed Michael-type addition reaction.

Preparation of an imogolite/poly(acrylic acid) hybrid gel.

Many efforts in the field of hydrogels have been focused toward increasing the mechanical strength of the gel using inorganic materials. In this study, we synthesized a hydrogel that has excellent mechanical properties using surface-modified inorganic nanofibers composed of imogolite (Al2SiO3(OH)4), which is a hydrated aluminum silicate that has a hollow tube structure. Gamma ray radiation generates peroxide radicals on the nanofibers (imogolite), resulting in an additive free hybrid hydrogel.