Self-propelled cellulose nanocrystal based catalytic nanomotors for targeted hyperthermia and pollutant remediation applications.

Inspired from biological motors, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are strategically modified to induce self-propulsion behavior with the capabilities to catalytically degrade pollutants along with magnetic hyperthermia to clean arterial plaques during its course of propulsion. CNCs derived from renewable biomass, are decorated with catalytically active, magneto-responsive nanomaterials (FeO/Pd nanoparticles) through sustainable routes. CNC nanomotors show improved propulsion at lowered peroxide concentrations with remotely controlled trajectory through chemo-magnetic field gradients and ideal surface-wettability characteristics, overcoming the requirement of surfactants, as with traditional nanomotors.

Silk nano-discs: A natural material for cancer therapy.

The article demonstrates the crystalline silk nano-discs (CSNs), with well-controlled morphology, which upon magnetization, yields magnetic crystalline silk nano-discs, making both prominent alternatives for replacing metal templates such as gold, silver, and so on in therapeutics and implants. The isolated β-sheet-rich discotic CSNs have ~50 nm diameter, high crystallinity (> 90%), and are insoluble but provide good dispersibility and stability in aqueous solutions. The melt blending-cum-electrospinning of functionalized CSN with poly(lactic acid) results in biocompatible nanofiber-based scaffolds having in vitro cell cytocompatibility with improved cell adhesion and proliferation.