Fabrication, thermal analysis, and heavy ion irradiation resistance of epoxy matrix nanocomposites loaded with silane-functionalized ceria nanoparticles.

This paper describes a detailed understanding of how nanofillers function as radiation barriers within the polymer matrix, and how their effectiveness is impacted by factors such as composition, size, loading, surface chemistry, and dispersion. We designed a comprehensive investigation of heavy ion irradiation resistance in epoxy matrix composites loaded with surface-modified ceria nanofillers, utilizing tandem computational and experimental methods to elucidate radiolytic damage processes and relate them to chemical and structural changes observed through thermal analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. A detailed mechanistic examination supported by FTIR spectroscopy data identified the bisphenol A moiety as a primary target for degradation reactions.

Microwave Synthetic Routes for Shape-Controlled Catalyst Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites.

The use of microwave irradiation for the synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials has recently become a widespread area of research that continues to expand in scope and specialization. The growing demand for nanoscale materials with composition and morphology tailored to specific applications requires the development of facile, repeatable, and scalable synthetic routes that offer a high degree of control over the reaction environment. Microwave irradiation provides unique advantages for developing such routes through its direct interaction with active reaction species, which promotes homogeneous heat distribution, increased reaction rates, greater product quality and yield, and use of mild reaction conditions.

Liquid crystalline behavior and photoluminescence of lanthanide decanoate nanoparticles synthesized by microwave radiation.

Luminescent lanthanide decanoate nanoparticles (LnC10 NPs; Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Er) with spherical morphology (<100 nm) have been synthesized via a facile microwave (MWV) method using Ln(NO3)3·xH2O, ethanol/water, and decanoic acid. These hybrid nanomaterials adopt a lamellar structure consisting of inorganic Ln3+ layers separated by a decanoate anion bilayer and exhibit liquid crystalline (LC) phases during melting. The particle size, crystalline structure, and LC behavior were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction (ambient and heated).

Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysts Derived from Iron Salt and Benzimidazole and Aminobenzimidazole Precursors and Their Application in Microbial Fuel Cell Cathodes.

In this work, benzimidazole (BZIM) and aminobenzimidazole (ABZIM) were used as organic-rich in nitrogen precursors during the synthesis of iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) based catalysts by sacrificial support method (SSM) technique. The catalysts obtained, denoted Fe-ABZIM and Fe-BZIM, were characterized morphologically and chemically through SEM, TEM, and XPS. Moreover, these catalysts were initially tested in rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) configuration, resulting in similar high electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) having low hydrogen peroxide generated (<3%).

Iron-Nicarbazin derived platinum group metal-free electrocatalyst in scalable-size air-breathing cathodes for microbial fuel cells.

In this work, a platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalyst based on iron as transitional metal and Nicarbazin (NCB) as low cost organic precursor was synthesized using Sacrificial Support Method (SSM). The catalyst was then incorporated into a large area air-breathing cathode fabricated by pressing with a large diameter pellet die. The electrochemical tests in abiotic conditions revealed that after a couple of weeks of successful operation, the electrode experienced drop in performances in reason of electrolyte leakage, which was not an issue with the smaller electrodes.

Two-Photon-Excited Silica and Organosilica Nanoparticles for Spatiotemporal Cancer Treatment.

Coherent two-photon-excited (TPE) therapy in the near-infrared (NIR) provides safer cancer treatments than current therapies lacking spatial and temporal selectivities because it is characterized by a 3D spatial resolution of 1 µm and very low scattering. In this review, the principle of TPE and its significance in combination with organosilica nanoparticles (NPs) are introduced and then studies involving the design of pioneering TPE-NIR organosilica nanomaterials are discussed for bioimaging, drug delivery, and photodynamic therapy. Organosilica nanoparticles and their rich and well-established chemistry, tunable composition, porosity, size, and morphology provide ideal platforms for minimal side-effect therapies via TPE-NIR.

Mesoporous Silica and Organosilica Nanoparticles: Physical Chemistry, Biosafety, Delivery Strategies, and Biomedical Applications.

Predetermining the physico-chemical properties, biosafety, and stimuli-responsiveness of nanomaterials in biological environments is essential for safe and effective biomedical applications. At the forefront of biomedical research, mesoporous silica nanoparticles and mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles are increasingly investigated to predict their biological outcome by materials design. In this review, it is first chronicled that how the nanomaterial design of pure silica, partially hybridized organosilica, and fully hybridized organosilica (periodic mesoporous organosilicas) governs not only the physico-chemical properties but also the biosafety of the nanoparticles.

Design of Iron(II) Phthalocyanine-Derived Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts for High-Power-Density Microbial Fuel Cells.

Iron(II) phthalocyanine (FePc) deposited onto two different carbonaceous supports was synthesized through an unconventional pyrolysis-free method. The obtained materials were studied in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral media through incorporation in an air-breathing cathode structure and tested in an operating microbial fuel cell (MFC) configuration. Rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) analysis revealed high performances of the Fe-based catalysts compared with that of activated carbon (AC).

Integration of Platinum Group Metal-Free Catalysts and Bilirubin Oxidase into a Hybrid Material for Oxygen Reduction: Interplay of Chemistry and Morphology.

Catalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) electrocatalysts integrated with an enzyme (bilirubin oxidase, BOx) in neutral media was studied. The effects of chemical and morphological characteristics of PGM-free materials on the enzyme enhancement of the overall ORR kinetics was investigated. The surface chemistry of the PGM-free catalyst was studied using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

Solution Synthesis, Structure, and CO Reduction Reactivity of a Scandium(II) Complex, {Sc[N(SiMe ) ] }.

The first crystallographically characterizable complex of Sc , [Sc(NR ) ] (R=SiMe ), has been obtained by LnA /M reactions (Ln=rare earth metal; A=anionic ligand; M=alkali metal) involving reduction of Sc(NR ) with K in the presence of 2.2.2-cryptand (crypt) and 18-crown-6 (18-c-6) and with Cs in the presence of crypt.

Crystal structure of -poly[di-ammonium [di-μ-oxalato-cuprate(II)]].

The structure of the title compound, {(NH)[Cu(CO)]} , at 100 K has monoclinic (2/) symmetry with the Cu atom on an inversion center. The compound has a polymeric structure due to long Cu⋯O inter-actions which create [Cu(CO)] chains along the axis. The structure also displays inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding, which links these chains into a three-dimensional network.

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle-Supported Lipid Bilayers (Protocells) for Active Targeting and Delivery to Individual Leukemia Cells.

Many nanocarrier cancer therapeutics currently under development, as well as those used in the clinical setting, rely upon the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect to passively accumulate in the tumor microenvironment and kill cancer cells. In leukemia, where leukemogenic stem cells and their progeny circulate within the peripheral blood or bone marrow, the EPR effect may not be operative. Thus, for leukemia therapeutics, it is essential to target and bind individual circulating cells.

Pressure-Tuned Structure and Property of Optically Active Nanocrystals.

Investigations through high-pressure X-ray scattering and spectroscopy in combination with theoretical computations shows that high-pressure compression can systematically tune the optical properties and mechanical stability of the molecular nanocrystals.

A Hybrid DNA-Templated Gold Nanocluster For Enhanced Enzymatic Reduction of Oxygen.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a new DNA-templated gold nanocluster (AuNC) of ∼1 nm in diameter and possessing ∼7 Au atoms. When integrated with bilirubin oxidase (BOD) and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), the AuNC acts as an enhancer of electron transfer (ET) and lowers the overpotential of electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by ∼15 mV as compared to the enzyme alone. In addition, the presence of AuNC causes significant enhancements in the electrocatalytic current densities at the electrode.

National hardware removal rate associated with internal fixation of facial fractures.

Purpose: There has not been a broad national examination of complications and demographics of facial trauma reduction procedures. The literature has reported acceptable and unacceptable hardware removal rates in localized populations.

Materials And Methods: The 2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to determine all plate removal procedures associated with common complications from facial reductions.

Self-assembled porphyrin nanostructures.

Porphyrins and related tetrapyrroles have been extensively studied because of their importance in biological processes and they are often used in the development of artificial photosynthesis, catalysis, and sensor systems. Challenges in the development of functional nanoscale porphyrin systems are many, including the need to organize the porphyrins (e.g.

Nanocrystal-micelle: synthesis, self-assembly and application.

Nanocrystals (NCs) are one of the important building blocks for fabrication of nanostructured arrays for wide range of optical, electronic, magnetic, catalytic and biosensing applications. Here, our recent advances in the synthesis, self-assembly and application of NC-micelles are highlighted. The NCs are encapsulated inside the core of surfactant micelles in a rapid, interfacially driven micro-emulsion process.

Modulus-density scaling behaviour and framework architecture of nanoporous self-assembled silicas.

Natural porous materials such as bone, wood and pith evolved to maximize modulus for a given density. For these three-dimensional cellular solids, modulus scales quadratically with relative density. But can nanostructuring improve on Nature's designs? Here, we report modulus-density scaling relationships for cubic (C), hexagonal (H) and worm-like disordered (D) nanoporous silicas prepared by surfactant-directed self-assembly.