Inspired by the structural coloring in nature, especially the crystalline ordering and responsive characteristics of those found in chameleon skins, artificial photonic materials for sensor applications were fabricated. Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) were employed in the templated synthesis of polymeric particles with periodic structures that allow visible light to undergo Bragg reflection and their response was tested against volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We demonstrate that the particles were responsive against toluene with detection limits on the order of 100 ppm. Such sensitivity was shown to be achieved due to the critical steps followed during the CLC-templated synthesis of particles that resulted in the storage of elastic energy in the anisotropic glassy polymer network. In addition, the design of particle-assisted sensor chips that allow easy integration into wearable optical devices for reliable, continuous and online tracking of VOC concentrations is presented. These results proved that sensors developed from the CLC-templated particles can be used multiple times without a significant loss of sensitivity and offered rapid, sensitive and battery-free detection.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d0sm01289k | DOI Listing |
Phys Chem Chem Phys
January 2025
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
Silicon (Si) is regarded as a promising anode material owing to its high specific capacity and low lithiation potential. The large volume change and the pulverization of silicon during the lithiation/delithiation process hinder its direct energy storage application. This review focuses on the electrospun silicon/carbon (Si/C) nanofiber anode materials for lithium-ion batteries for long-term stable energy storage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Rhinol
November 2024
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background And Objectives: Microplastics, which originate from the breakdown of larger plastic fragments or are intentionally produced for industrial applications, pose significant human and ecological risks through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact. Our study examined the release of microplastics during the preparation of homemade saline solutions, specifically when tearing open powder packets and mixing the powder with water.
Methods: We used commercially available polypropylene nasal irrigation bottles from the Korean market and collected six samples of nasal irrigation fluids.
Small Methods
January 2025
Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.
Rolling circle amplification (RCA)-derived ultra-long DNA is highly attractive and versatile because of its diverse functionalities conferred by repeated DNA nanostructures. However, magnesium pyrophosphate (MgPPi) crystals, as byproducts of RCA, electrostatically interact with the DNA to form DNA microhybrids and hamper its broad bioapplications, as its large size is unfavorable for cellular uptake and decreases the density of functional DNA nanostructures. In this study, finely tuned synthesis strategies are developed to condense the microhybrids and replace non-functional MgPPi crystals with various functional metal nanostructures by reducing metal ions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
December 2024
Yıldız Technical University, Department of Bioengineering, Davutpasa Campus, 34210 Esenler, İstanbul, Turkey.
The development of hybrid materials that integrate bioactive and antimicrobial properties within a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer matrix is a key focus in current biomedical research and applications. A significant research gap exists in the field of PHBV nanocomposites, particularly concerning those that simultaneously incorporate both ZnO and HAP particles. This study focuses on the fabrication and characterization of innovative hybrid bionanocomposites composed of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) combined with zinc oxide (ZnO) and silicon-doped hydroxyapatite (SiHAP) nanocrystals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
December 2024
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China. Electronic address:
In this paper, Mg/Al-layered double hydroxide (Mg/Al-LDH) was modified with the natural polymers sodium alginate and guar gum, and the prepared GG/SA/Mg-Al-LDH composite microsphere adsorbent (G-LDH) showed better adsorption performance for Congo red and hexavalent chromium in aqueous solution than the Mg/Al-LDH. The adsorption and surface properties of G-LDH in terms of functional groups, basic constituent elements and structural properties were obtained by different techniques. SEM shows that the average particle size of G-LDH is between 400 and 900 nm and exhibits a distinct microsphere morphology.
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