Rapid Exfoliation Research Articles

Engineering monolayer poration for rapid exfoliation of microbial membranes.

The spread of bacterial resistance to traditional antibiotics continues to stimulate the search for alternative antimicrobial strategies. All forms of life, from bacteria to humans, are postulated to rely on a fundamental host defense mechanism, which exploits the formation of open pores in microbial phospholipid bilayers. Here we predict that transmembrane poration is not necessary for antimicrobial activity and reveal a distinct poration mechanism that targets the outer leaflet of phospholipid bilayers. Using a combination of molecular-scale and real-time imaging, spectroscopy and spectrometry approaches, we introduce a structural motif with a universal insertion mode in reconstituted membranes and live bacteria. We demonstrate that this motif rapidly assembles into monolayer pits that coalesce during progressive membrane exfoliation, leading to bacterial cell death within minutes. The findings offer a new physical basis for designing effective antibiotics.

Wound Healing Effects of Prunus yedoensis Matsumura Bark in Scalded Rats.

Pruni Cortex has been used to treat asthma, measles, cough, urticaria, pruritus, and dermatitis in traditional Korean medicine. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Prunus yedoensis Matsumura bark methanol extract (PYE) on scald-induced dorsal skin wounds in rats. Scalds were produced in Sprague-Dawley rats with 100°C water and treated with 5% and 20% PYE (using Vaseline as a base), silver sulfadiazine (SSD), and Vaseline once a day for 21 days, beginning 24 hours after scald by treatment group allocation. The PYE-treated groups showed accelerated healing from 12 days after scald, demonstrated by rapid eschar exfoliation compared to the control and SSD groups. PYE-treated groups showed higher wound contraction rates and better tissue regeneration in comparison with the control group. Serum analysis showed that transforming growth factor beta 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor levels remained high or gradually increased up to day 14 in both PYE groups and then showed a sharp decline by day 21, implying successful completion of the inflammatory phase and initiation of tissue regeneration. These findings suggested that PYE is effective in promoting scald wound healing in the inflammation and tissue proliferation stages.

Rapid exfoliation of layered covalent triazine-based frameworks into N-doped quantum dots for the selective detection of Hg2+ions

A layered covalent triazine-based framework was rapidly cut into N-doped quantum dots by using piranha solution and was used to detect Hg2+ions.

Enhanced Exfoliation Effect of Solid Auxiliary Agent On the Synthesis of Biofunctionalized MoS2Using Grindstone Chemistry

Mass production and commercial availability are prerequisites for the viability and wide application of MoS2. Here, we demonstrate enhanced grindstone chemistry for a one-step synthesis of biofunctionalized MoS2. By adding a SiO2 auxiliary agent the exfoliation efficiency increases from 16.23% to 58.59% and a rapid and high-yield exfoliation of MoS2 is seen. SiO2 exhibits a fragmentation effect, which reduces the lateral size and facilitates the exfoliation of MoS2, thus inducing a high-efficient paradigm in the top-down fabrication of biofunctionalized MoS2 nanosheets. The as-prepared MoS2-chitosan (MoS2-CS) nanosheets display complete disaggregation and homogeneous dispersion, as well as a high content of chitosan (ca. 20 wt%). As a proof-of-concept application, the MoS2-CS nanosheets act as a biosorbent for PbII removal, exhibiting a good adsorption capacity and recyclability. This green and facile enhanced grindstone chemistry with minimal use of organic solvents and high-throughput efficiency can be extended to the fabrication of other biocompatible inorganic 2D analogues for a variety of applications.

Lepidocrocite-like ferrititanate nanosheets and their full exfoliation with quaternary ammonium compounds

Abstract Efficient methods for the synthesis of layered structure nanomaterials (nanosheets), their complete exfoliation (delamination) into the layers of atomic thickness and design of organic–inorganic nanohybrids present important stages toward development of improved polymer-based nanocomposites and pillared heterostructures with potential application in purification technologies such as photocatalysis. A rapid and efficient exfoliation process of protonated layered ferrititanates with lepidocrocite-like structure and formation of organic–inorganic nanohybrids is performed starting from the nanosheets composed of only a few host layers and nanometric lateral dimensions using quaternary ammonium compounds. These nanosheets are initially synthesized from a highly abundant precursor through an alkaline hydrothermal route. We demonstrated that dimethyldioctadecylammonium cations strongly interact with the exfoliated single host layers (0.75 nm thick) providing thermal stability (~ 500 °C) to the as-prepared organic–inorganic nanohybrid over the temperature range commonly applied for the processing of thermoplastic nanocomposites.

The Rapid Exfoliation and Subsequent Restacking of Layered Titanates Driven by an Acid–Base Reaction

AbstractTwo‐dimensional (2D) (hydro)oxide materials, that is, nanosheets, enable the preparation of advanced 2D materials and devices. The general synthesis route of nanosheets involves exfoliating layered metal (hydro)oxide crystals. This exfoliation process is considered to be time‐consuming, hindering their industrial‐scale production. Based on in situ exfoliation studies on the protonated layered titanate H1.07Ti1.73O4⋅H2O (HTO), it is now shown that ion intercalation‐assisted exfoliation driven by chemical reaction provides a viable and fast route to isolated nanosheets. Contrary to the general expectation, data indicate that direct exfoliation of HTO occurs within seconds after mixing of the reactants, instead of proceeding via a swollen state as previously thought. These findings reveal that ion intercalation‐assisted exfoliation driven by chemical reaction is a promising exfoliation route for large‐scale synthesis.

The Rapid Exfoliation and Subsequent Restacking of Layered Titanates Driven by an Acid-Base Reaction.

Two-dimensional (2D) (hydro)oxide materials, that is, nanosheets, enable the preparation of advanced 2D materials and devices. The general synthesis route of nanosheets involves exfoliating layered metal (hydro)oxide crystals. This exfoliation process is considered to be time-consuming, hindering their industrial-scale production. Based on in situ exfoliation studies on the protonated layered titanate H(1.07)Ti(1.73)O4⋅H2O (HTO), it is now shown that ion intercalation-assisted exfoliation driven by chemical reaction provides a viable and fast route to isolated nanosheets. Contrary to the general expectation, data indicate that direct exfoliation of HTO occurs within seconds after mixing of the reactants, instead of proceeding via a swollen state as previously thought. These findings reveal that ion intercalation-assisted exfoliation driven by chemical reaction is a promising exfoliation route for large-scale synthesis.

The use of murine-derived fundic organoids in studies of gastric physiology.

An in vitro approach to study gastric development is primary mouse-derived epithelium cultured as three-dimensional spheroids known as organoids. We have devised two unique gastric fundic-derived organoid cultures: model 1 for the expansion of gastric fundic stem cells, and model 2 for the maintenance of mature cell lineages. Organoids maintained in co-culture with immortalized stomach mesenchymal cells express robust numbers of surface pit, mucous neck, chief, endocrine and parietal cells. Histamine induced a significant decrease in intraluminal pH that was reversed by omeprazole in fundic organoids and indicated functional activity and regulation of parietal cells. Localized photodamage resulted in rapid cell exfoliation coincident with migration of neighbouring cells to the damaged area, sustaining epithelial continuity. We report the use of these models for studies of epithelial cell biology and cell damage and repair. Studies of gastric function and disease have been limited by the lack of extended primary cultures of the epithelium. An in vitro approach to study gastric development is primary mouse-derived antral epithelium cultured as three-dimensional spheroids known as organoids. There have been no reports on the use of organoids for gastric function. We have devised two unique gastric fundic-derived organoid cultures: model 1 for the expansion of gastric fundic stem cells, and model 2 for the maintenance of mature cell lineages. Both models were generated from single glands dissociated from whole fundic tissue and grown in basement membrane matrix (Matrigel) and organoid growth medium. Model 1 enriches for a stem cell-like niche via simple passage of the organoids. Maintained in Matrigel and growth medium, proliferating organoids expressed high levels of stem cell markers CD44 and Lgr5. Model 2 is a system of gastric organoids co-cultured with immortalized stomach mesenchymal cells (ISMCs). Organoids maintained in co-culture with ISMCs express robust numbers of surface pit, mucous neck, chief, endocrine and parietal cells. Histamine induced a significant decrease in intraluminal pH that was reversed by omeprazole in fundic organoids and indicated functional activity and regulation of parietal cells. Localized photodamage resulted in rapid cell exfoliation coincident with migration of neighbouring cells to the damaged area, sustaining epithelial continuity. Thus, we report the use of these models for studies of epithelial cell biology and cell damage and repair.

Hydrogen storage in bulk graphene-related materials

Hydrogen sorption properties of graphene-related materials were studied by gravimetric and volumetric methods at 293 K and 77 K. Rapid thermal exfoliation of different types of graphite oxide (GO) precursors yielded samples with maximal surface areas up to 850 m2/g, whereas surface areas up to 2300 m2/g were achieved by post-exfoliation activation treatments. Therefore, hydrogen storage parameters of graphene materials could be evaluated in a broad range of surface areas. The H2 uptake vs surface area trend revealed in this study shows that hydrogen storage by graphene materials do not exceed 1 Wt% at 120 Bar H2 at ambient temperatures. Linear increase of hydrogen adsorption vs surface area was observed at 77 K with maximal observed value of ∼5 Wt% for 2300 m2/g sample. It can be concluded that bulk graphene samples obtained using graphite oxide exfoliation and activation follow standard for other nanostructured carbons hydrogen uptake trends and do not demonstrate superior hydrogen storage parameters reported in several earlier studies. Nevertheless, graphene remains to be one of the best materials for physisorption of hydrogen, especially at low temperatures.

Microwave assisted synthesis and characterization of graphene nanoplatelets

Graphene Nanoplatelets were fabricated from expandable graphite by rapid microwave exfoliation. Expandable graphite was irradiated in microwave in full power for 3 min, then was soaked in mixed nitric acid and sulphuric acid at volume ratio of 1:1 for 24 h and re-irradiated, thus graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were obtained. Extensive characterization techniques showed that GNPs synthesized using this technique are highly pure with traces of oxide groups and without serious unrecoverable oxidation damage. GNPs synthesized by microwave technique have high crystallinity, with variable size and little layer thickness.

Dysregulation of Escherichia coli α-hemolysin expression alters the course of acute and persistent urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections, causing considerable morbidity in females. Infection is highly recurrent despite appropriate antibiotic treatment. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the most common causative agent of UTIs, invades bladder epithelial cells (BECs) and develops into clonal intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs). Upon maturation, IBCs disperse, with bacteria spreading to neighboring BECs to repeat this cycle. This process allows UPEC to gain a foothold in the face of innate defense mechanisms, including micturition, epithelial exfoliation, and the influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Here, we investigated the mechanism and dynamics of urothelial exfoliation in the early acute stages of infection. We show that UPEC α-hemolysin (HlyA) induces Caspase-1/Caspase-4-dependent inflammatory cell death in human urothelial cells, and we demonstrate that the response regulator (CpxR)-sensor kinase (CpxA) two-component system (CpxRA), which regulates virulence gene expression in response to environmental signals, is critical for fine-tuning HlyA cytotoxicity. Deletion of the cpxR transcriptional response regulator derepresses hlyA expression, leading to enhanced Caspase-1/Caspase-4- and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3-dependent inflammatory cell death in human urothelial cells. In vivo, overexpression of HlyA during acute bladder infection induces more rapid and extensive exfoliation and reduced bladder bacterial burdens. Bladder fitness is restored fully by inhibition of Caspase-1 and Caspase-11, the murine homolog of Caspase-4. Thus, we have discovered that fine-tuning of HlyA expression by the CpxRA system is critical for enhancing UPEC fitness in the urinary bladder. These results have significant implications for our understanding of how UPEC establishes persistent colonization.

Polysaccharide-assisted rapid exfoliation of graphite platelets into high quality water-dispersible graphene sheets

High quality graphene has been obtained by polysaccharide-assisted ultrasonication in aqueous medium. This approach provides an economical, solvent-free, high-yield, and industrially scalable route for new applications of graphene-based nanocomposites.

Electrode properties of defect-introduced graphene sheets for electrochemical capacitors using aqueous electrolyte

Electrode properties of defect-introduced graphene sheets (GSs) in an acid aqueous electrolyte as an electrode material for electrochemical capacitors were investigated. Defects were successfully introduced into graphene structures through repeated oxidation of graphite followed by rapid thermal exfoliation. The specific surface area was increased up to 991 m2g−1 by the defect introduction process. A GS electrode with a high amount of defects maintained a stable specific capacitance of 136 F g−1 at a current density of 500 mA g−1 for 1000 cycles, which is larger than that of GSs with a low amount of defects. A large specific capacitance of 115 F g−1 was also exhibited at a high current density of 5000mAg−1. These capacitances were almost maintained even after the specific surface area was reduced by the sheet-restacking process, indicating that the large capacitance is derived from the defects introduced in the graphene structure.

Water Electrolysis with a Conducting Carbon Cloth: Subthreshold Hydrogen Generation and Superthreshold Carbon Quantum Dot Formation

A conducting carbon cloth, which has an interesting turbostratic microstructure and functional groups that are distinctly different from other ordered forms of carbon, such as graphite, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, was synthesized by a simple one-step pyrolysis of cellulose fabric. This turbostratic disorder and surface chemical functionalities had interesting consequences for water splitting and hydrogen generation when such a cloth was used as an electrode in the alkaline electrolysis process. Importantly, this work also gives a new twist to carbon-assisted electrolysis. During electrolysis, the active sites in the carbon cloth allow slow oxidation of its surface to transform the surface groups from COH to COOH and so forth at a voltage as low as 0.2 V in a two-electrode system, along with platinum as the cathode, instead of 1.23 V (plus overpotential), which is required for platinum, steel, or even graphite anodes. The quantity of subthreshold hydrogen evolved was 24 mL cm(-2) h(-1) at 1 V. Interestingly, at a superthreshold potential (>1.23 V+overpotential), another remarkable phenomenon was found. At such voltages, along with the high rate and quantity of hydrogen evolution, rapid exfoliation of the tiny nanoscale (5-7 nm) units of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are found in copious amounts due to an enhanced oxidation rate. These CQDs show bright-blue fluorescence under UV light.

Synergic Exfoliation of Graphene with Organic Molecules and Inorganic Ions for the Electrochemical Production of Flexible Electrodes.

A facile and efficient method based on electrochemistry for the production of graphene-based materials for electronics is demonstrated. Uncharged acetonitrile molecules are intercalated in graphite by electrochemical treatment, owing to the synergic action of perchlorate ions dissolved in acetonitrile. Then, acetonitrile molecules are decomposed with microwave irradiation, which causes gas production and rapid graphite exfoliation, with an increase in the graphite volume of up to 600 %. Upon further processing and purification, highly dispersible nanosheets are obtained that can be processed into thin layers by roll-to-roll transfer or into thicker electrodes with excellent capacitance stability upon extensive charging/discharging cycles. The good exfoliation yield (>50 % of monolayers), minimal oxidation damage and good electrochemical stability of the nanosheets obtained were confirmed by scanning force and electron microscopy, as well as Raman spectroscopy and galvanostatic analyses.

Rapid microwave irradiation fast preparation and characterization of few-layer graphenes

Few-layer graphenes were fabricated from expandable graphite by rapid microwave exfoliation. Expandable graphite was irradiated in a domestic microwave in full power for 3 min, then soaked in mixed strong hydrogen nitrate and sulfuric acid with volume ratio of 1:1 for 24 h and re-irradiated, thus few-layer graphene sheets were obtained. Specimens gained from every step were selectively characterized by different techniques, such as SEM, XRD, Raman, AFM, XPS, FTIR and combustion elemental analysis. The results show that expandable graphite with loose, porous and worm-like morphology forms instantaneously in microwave irradiation with crackling sound and sparkles, which manifests physical exfoliation of graphene sheets. Few-layer graphene sheets with a dozen or more layers and average thickness of about 4.7 nm are obtained eventually after sequential treatment of microwave irradiation, mixed acid soaking and second microwave irradiation. The as-prepared few-layer graphenes still have high crystallinity and high purity with traces of oxide groups and without serious unrecoverable oxidation damage.

One-Step Preparation of Fluorographene: A Highly Efficient, Low-Cost, and Large-Scale Approach of Exfoliating Fluorographite

Fluorographene, a cousin of graphene, not only inherits the excellent mechanical properties of graphene but also has great unique application potential in high-performance devices and materials, such as lubricating agents, digital transistors, nanocomposites, and energy-storage devices. However, large-scale preparation of fluorographene remains a great challenge. Herein, an easy-operating, highly scalable, and low-cost approach was reported for the preparation of fluorographene using commercially available fluorographite as the starting material. In this procedure, fluorographite turned into few-layer fluorographene through a rapid exfoliation process with Na2O2 and HSO3Cl as exfoliating agents. The whole preparation process was performed in air and without heating, sonication, and protective gas. The obtained fluorographene was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, (19)F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, and it possesses a hexagonal polycrystalline structure. Fluorographene and fluorographite were employed as cathode materials of the primary lithium battery, and it was found that the specific discharge capacity of the battery using fluorographene was improved remarkably compared to that using fluorographite. Cyclic voltammetry results also showed that specific capacitances of fluorographene were dozens of times higher than that of fluorographite. It is clear that electrochemical properties of fluorographene are significantly improved against fluorographite.

Sulfuric Acid Intercalated Graphite Oxide for Graphene Preparation

Graphene has shown enormous potential for innovation in various research fields. The current chemical approaches based on exfoliation of graphite via graphite oxide (GO) are potential for large-scale synthesis of graphene but suffer from high cost, great operation difficulties, and serious waste discharge. We report a facile preparation of graphene by rapid reduction and expansion exfoliation of sulfuric acid intercalated graphite oxide (SIGO) at temperature just above 100°C in ambient atmosphere, noting that SIGO is easily available as the immediate oxidation descendent of graphite in sulfuric acid. The oxygenic and hydric groups in SIGO are mainly removed through dehydration as catalyzed by the intercalated sulfuric acid (ISA). The resultant consists of mostly single layer graphene sheets with a mean diameter of 1.07 μm after dispersion in DMF. This SIGO process is reductant free, easy operation, low-energy, environmental friendly and generates graphene with low oxygen content, less defect and high conductivity. The provided synthesis route from graphite to graphene via SIGO is compact and readily scalable.

Electrode Properties of Defect-Introduced Graphenes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Electrochemical properties of defect-introduces graphenes for lithium ion batteries were investigated. Graphene sheets (GSs) were prepared from graphite through treating with oxidizing agent followed by rapid thermal exfoliation. Defect concentration was controlled by selecting the number of times of oxidation of graphite. GSs electrodes derived from 1, 2 and 3 times-oxidized graphite oxides exhibited a high charge capacity of 1250, 1790 and 2310 mAh g1, respectively, at the 20th cycle at a current density of 100 mA g1. The enhanced capacity is assumed to be due to additional lithium storage sites such as defects and edges.

Better grade of tumor differentiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma arising in background of oral submucous fibrosis

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder of the oral cavity. Most of the people affected by OSMF are betel quid chewers. It is characterized by epithelial atrophy and progressive accumulation of collagen fibers in lamina propria and submucosa of the oral mucosa. 7.6% of OSMF cases undergo oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) transformation of which majority display low grade of tumor differentiation. In the present paper, a hypothesis has been proposed to correlate atrophy, turnover rate and surface keratization in OSMF with degree of tumor differentiation in OSCC. A novel hypothesis for epithelial atrophy in OSMF has also been emphasized.High proliferative activity and basal cell hyperplasia in conjunction with rapid exfoliation of superficial cells and epithelial atrophy suggest that epithelial turnover rate is very high in OSMF. Presence of surface keratinized layer in this situation suggests faster maturation or differentiation of epithelium in OSMF. Thus, the epithelial cells are genetically programmed for high turnover rate and faster differentiation or maturation to form keratin. During malignant transformation of OSMF, the transformed epithelial cells may retain the genetic memory of faster differentiation and maturation resulting in better grade of tumor differentiation. The well differentiated OSCC has good prognosis, better survival rate and less chances of recurrence of regional and distant metastasis. Studies are needed to explore the biomarkers or molecular markers associated with carcinogenesis like genetic instability, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and angiogenesis in OSCC associated with OSMF. If investigated in the suggested direction, it might provide some important clues about the pathogenesis of OSCC arising in background of OSMF and for the future development of treatment strategies.