Simple Method For Preparation Research Articles

An overview on cubic liquid crystalline nanoparticles-trig lipid drug delivery system

This type of complex structure allows them greater drug loading ability, because of increased surface area and cuboidal structures, they have simple method of preparation and have ability to encapsulate hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphiphilic substances. Cubosomes increases the solubility of poorly soluble drugs. Cubosomal dispersions are bioadhesive and biocompatible in nature. These are versatile systems, administered by different ways such as oral, perctuneous and parental routes. Cubosomes have broad vast applications in many areas and are characterized by various parameters consequently cubosomes are in move forward of awareness by pharmaceutical development division. Cubosomes, sometimes referred to as bicontinuous cubic phase liquid crystals, are spherical, quadruple nanoparticles with an interior cubic lattice mostly composed of certain amphiphilic lipids in a particular proportion. Cubosomes often arise when a solid-like phase is dispersed into smaller particles after a surfactant or polar lipid is hydrated to form a cubic phase. With distinct qualities of practical interest, they exhibit solid like rheology. They are thermodynamically stable, self-assembling drug delivery devices. Water and lipid bicontinuous domains give cubosomes their carvenous structure. Three-dimensional bilayers are formed by tightly twisted honeycomb arrangements.

Ultra-Sensitive Simultaneous Detection of Dopamine and Acetaminophen over Hollow Porous AuAg Alloy Nanospheres.

Hollow porous AuAg nanospheres (AuAg HPNSs) were obtained through a simple solvothermal synthesis, complemented by a dealloying strategy. The hollow interior, open pore voids, and integral interconnected skeleton shell in AuAg HPNSs are beneficial for providing sufficient electrolyte diffusion and contacts, abundant active sites, and efficient electron transport. This specific structure and the favorable alloy synergism contribute to the superior electrocatalytic activity toward dopamine (DA) and acetaminophen (AC). AuAg HPNSs show high sensitivity, good selectivity, excellent sensing durability, and outstanding repeatability for amperometric assays of AC and DA. In particular, the AuAg-based sensors achieve effective ultrasensitive simultaneous analyses of AC and DA, exhibiting the characteristics of the wide linear range and low detection limit. With their prominent electrocatalytic activity and simple preparation methods, AuAg HPNSs present broad application prospects for constructing a highly responsive electrochemical sensing system.

Adsorption performance and mechanism of pectin modified with β-cyclodextrin for Zn2+ and Cu2+

Removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions has drawn more and more attentions these years because of their serious global health challenge to human society. To develop an adsorbent with green, stable and high-efficiency for adsorption of heavy metals, pectin β-cyclodextrin composite was successfully prepared and used for Zn2+ and Cu2+ adsorption for the first time. Various variables that influence the adsorption performance were explored, and the optimal adsorption conditions were determined. According to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, the adsorption process of Zn2+ and Cu2+ by the adsorbent was mainly chemical adsorption. The adsorbent adsorption process was an exothermic and non-spontaneous process. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacity was 12.51 ± 0.33 and 24.98 ± 0.23 mg/g for Zn2+ and Cu2+, respectively. The FTIR, EDX and XPS results revealed that the main mechanisms of removing pollutants by adsorbent were ion exchange and coordination. In addition, electrostatic attraction and chelation were present in the adsorption process. After five adsorption desorption cycles, the pectin β-cyclodextrin composite adsorbent still exhibited adsorption and regeneration capabilities. This study provides a low-cost, effective and simple method for preparation of modified pectin, which has excellent application potential in the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater.

One-step facile fabrication of PDA@MCE for high efficiency seawater desalination

A variety of photothermal materials have been developed and applied in photothermal seawater desalination. As a conjugated polymer, Polydopamine (PDA) has excellent light absorption properties in the UV–visible region, and is widely used as a solar energy material. In this work, Polydopamine-mixed cellulose membrane (PDA@MCE) with Janus structure was prepared by a one-step method for water evaporation at the interface between PDA and mixed cellulose membrane (MCE). PDA@MCE has good thermal stability. When the reaction time is 6 h, the evaporation rate of the composite is twice that of MCE, and the photothermal conversion efficiency is about 62 %. PDA@MCE, as a kind of photothermal material with simple preparation method and friendly to the environment, has excellent application potential in solar driven interfacial water evaporation.

Sn-doped PdAg/Al2O3 catalysts: Efficient catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene under industrial conditions

PdAg/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared using a simple and scalable preparation method. A systematic approach established a preparation-performance relationship which revealed that the Pd:Ag ratio and Pd reduction method affects the overall performance for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene under industrially relevant tail-end reaction conditions. The addition of Sn improved selectivity with the optimum system achieving 97% selectivity towards ethylene, outperforming two industrial references. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations and electron microscopy analysis revealed that Sn integrates into the Pd lattice and increases the energy barrier for ethylene adsorption. This work demonstrates that Sn can be used to tailor catalyst performance for industrially relevant PdAg/Al2O3 catalysts.

Preparing Retinal Organoid Samples for Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Retinal organoids (ROs) are a three-dimensional culture system mimicking human retinal features that have differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) under specific conditions. Synapse development and maturation in ROs have been studied immunocytochemically and functionally. However, the direct evidence of the synaptic contact ultrastructure is limited, containing both special ribbon synapses and conventional chemical synapses. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is characterized by high resolution and a respectable history elucidating retinal development and synapse maturation in humans and various species. It is a powerful tool to explore synaptic structure in ROs and is widely used in the research field of ROs. Therefore, to better explore the structure of RO synaptic contacts at the nanoscale and obtain high-quality microscopic evidence, we developed a simple and repeatable method of RO TEM sample preparation. This paper describes the protocol, reagents used, and detailed steps, including RO fixation preparation, post fixation, embedding, and visualization.

A simple and robust method for laboratory-scale preparation of butter

The aim of this study was to develop a small-scale model system resembling the micro- and meso-structure of butter, namely having a water-droplet size distribution and water content close to that of commercially produced butter. Although it is possible to churn cream on a small scale, matching the microstructure of butter is a challenge. A 2-step churning process was introduced with the application of a kitchen mixer. The resulting microstructure was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy. In addition, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance was used to determine the water-droplet size distribution. Results demonstrated that a water content of 16–19% could be obtained with the proposed procedure, close to the standard water content of 16%. Average water droplet size ranged between 2.5 to 4.3 µm and did not depend on batch-to-batch variations, nor storage-induced differences in the cream. In conclusion, the proposed method could be employed to prepare water-in-oil emulsions with a microstructure similar to that of butter and opens new opportunities for studying microbial growth, flavor release, and texture formation.

High-performance hydrophobic aerogel based on nanocellulose, graphene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane: Structure, properties, and applicability

The most prevalent kinds of contaminants found in water sources are oil and organic substances, which are often present in either spilled or emulsified states. Due to the vast surface area and porous structure, nanocellulose aerogel is an environmentally benign material widely employed for its efficacy in adsorbing oils and organic pollutants. In this study, an aerogel composed of nanocellulose (CNF), graphene oxide (GO), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), subsequently modified with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS), exhibited a well-defined structure and demonstrated proficient removal of waste oil and certain organic solvents from water at high speed. By a simple and cheap preparation method from solution mixing and freeze-drying, the resultant aerogel has a high porosity of 97.26 %, a light density of 0.0036 g/cm3, a mesoporous structure with a mean pore diameter of 3.5 nm, and a surface area of 15.717 m2/g. Aerogel exhibits pronounced superhydrophobic behavior, achieving a contact angle of up to 152°, thereby substantially impeding water permeation through its structure in experimental assessments of selectivity and efficacy in separating oil-water mixtures. According to Langmuir isotherm model, DO adsorption occurred in a monolayer. CNF/GO/PVA/HDTMS aerogel exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 322.58 mg/g, with the pseudo-second-order model effectively representing this adsorption process. Furthermore, the CNF/GO/PVA/HDTMS aerogel displays a strong adsorption capability towards oils and organic solvents, with a range of 10–25 times the original volume of the aerogel. Another feature of the resultant aerogel is its good deemulsion ability on both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions. The pump extraction method is more effective than the extraction method in oil recovery and reuse of the aerogel. The results obtained in the study show a potential environmentally friendly material for the treatment of oily and organic solvent wastewater from industries.

Transport behavior of pathogenic microorganisms in porous media and remediation capability of biochar: A review

ABSTRACT The reuse of reclaimed water is a cost-effective way to alleviate water resource scarcity, but the residual pathogenic microorganisms inevitably influence the safety of its reuse. The transport behavior of pathogenic microorganisms in receiving porous media varies under different environmental factors and could be harmful to the natural ecology and even human health if not well treated. Biochar is expected to be an effective, environmentally-friendly functional material to inhibit the transport of pathogenic microorganisms, with unreplaceable advantages of low price, simple preparation method, and strong adsorption capacity. In the present paper, we start from identifying the transport behavior of typical pathogenic microorganisms in porous media, including protozoa, bacteria, and viruses, and then analyzing the primary factors affecting the transport of pathogenic microorganisms from the aspects of biology, physics, and chemistry. Furthermore, the effects of types of raw materials, pyrolysis temperature, particle size, and functional modification methods on the remediation performance of biochar for the transport of pathogenic microorganisms are clearly reviewed. Finally, we aim to clarify the transport rules of pathogenic microorganisms in porous media and provide biochar-based technical means for effectively inhibiting the transport of pathogenic microorganisms, thereby improving the ecological and health safety of reclaimed water reuse.

A Systematical Study on Bands and Defects of CsBX3 (B = Pb, Sn, Ge, X = Cl, Br, I) Perovskite Based on First Principles.

Metal halide perovskites have attracted considerable attention as novel optoelectronic materials for their excellent optical and electrical properties. Inorganic perovskites (CsPbX3, X = Cl, Br, I) are now viable alternative candidates for third-generation photovoltaic technology because of their high photoelectric conversion efficiency, high carrier mobility, good defect tolerance, simple preparation method and many other advantages. However, the toxicity of lead is problematic for practical implementation. Thus, the fabrication of lead-free perovskite materials and devices has been actively conducted. In this work, the energy band and photoelectric properties of inorganic perovskites CsBX3 (B = Pb, Sn, Ge, X = Cl, Br, I) have been investigated with the first principles calculation, and the possible defect energy levels and their formation energies in different components, in particular, have been systematically studied. The advantages and disadvantages of Sn and Ge as replacement elements for Pb have been demonstrated from the perspective of defects. This study provides an important basis for the study of the properties and applications of lead-free perovskites.

Adsorption behavior of MB dye on alginate-sepiolite biocomposite beads: Adsorption, kinetics, and modeling

This work is based on the preparation of biocomposite beads Alginate-Sepiolite using a simple preparation method. A series of materials was prepared by varying only the mass of the sepiolite in the biocomposite beads (mass of the sepiolite is varied between 0.5–1.5 g in the reaction mixture). The obtained biocomposites were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TGA, XRF, SEM, and EDX and then tested as adsorbents for the removal of Methylene Blue MB dye in an aqueous solution. To study the adsorption behavior of MB dye on biocomposites, several parameters affecting MB adsorption were investigated and discussed. The results obtained showed that the ALG-Sep composite hydrogels were well formed, and their properties were improved depending on the sepiolite content used. The kinetics and modeling results show that the adsorption process follows first-order kinetics, and the Langmuir model. It was found that the adsorption capacity of MB dye increased with the increase of sepiolite in the composite beads, and adsorption was carried out in the following order ALG-Sep(1.5) > ALG-Sep(1) > ALG-Sep(0.5). The maximum absorption capacity of MB dye on ALG-Sep(1.5) was qmax = 55.49 mg.g−1. Among the advantages of this biocomposite is that it is prepared from natural and non-toxic sources, and it is easily separable after adsorption, which makes it an excellent candidate for the elimination of organic pollutants in polluted waters.

Fabrication of porous materials using quinoa husk and attapulgite co-stabilized foam templates for dye adsorption and post-treatment of soil remediation

Water-based foam has great potential in the preparation of porous materials, but there is still a lack of green and simple preparation methods. In this study, a stable water-based foam that co-stabilized with saponin leached from agricultural waste quinoa husk (QH) and nano-clay attapulgite (APT). The thickening effect and interface stability of modified APT played a crucial role in the formation and stabilization of Pickering foam. The free radical polymerization occurred in the continuous phase without affecting the foam stability, and the obtained pore-rich adsorbent displayed high-performance adsorption for methylene blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV), with the adsorption capacities reaching up to 291.95 mg/g and 430.01 mg/g, respectively. In keeping with the idea of sustainable development, the spent adsorbent was pyrolyzed and converted into mineral biochar. The pot experiments showed that the mineral biochar could improve the soil properties and promoted the plant growth. This work provided a new approach to the production of green and stable Pickering foam and also an alternative to realize the sustainable high value utilization of waste QH.

Pulsed Electro Decoration of Carbon Nanotubes with FexZn1−xS

Pulsed Electro Decoration of Carbon Nanotubes with FexZn1−xS

Readily Available Oral Prebiotic Protein Reactive Oxygen Species Nanoscavengers for Synergistic Therapy of Inflammation and Fibrosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

A significant gap exists in the demand for safe and effective drugs for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and its associated intestinal fibrosis. As oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of IBD, astaxanthin (AST), a good antioxidant with high safety, holds promise for treating IBD. However, the application of AST is restricted by its poor solubility and easy oxidation. Herein, different protein-based nanoparticles (NPs) are fabricated for AST loading to identify an oral nanovehicle with potential clinical applicability. Through systematic validation via molecular dynamics simulation and in vitro characterization of properties, whey protein isolate (WPI)-driven NPs using a simple preparation method without the need for cross-linking agents or emulsifiers were identified as the optimal carrier for oral AST delivery. Upon oral administration, the WPI-driven NPs, benefiting from the intrinsic pH sensitivity and mucoadhesive properties, effectively shielded AST from degradation by gastric juices and targeted release of AST at intestinal lesion sites. Additionally, the AST NPs displayed potent therapeutic efficacy in both dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis and chronic colitis-associated intestinal fibrosis by ameliorating inflammation, oxidative damage, and intestinal microecology. In conclusion, the AST WPI NPs hold a potential therapeutic value in treating inflammation and fibrosis in IBD.

Study on uniformity of multi‐needle electrostatic spinning by auxiliary flow field

AbstractMulti‐needle electrospinning is a simple and general method for mass preparation of nanofiber membrane, which has great industrial potential. However, the bending instability produced in the electrospinning process makes that the deposition uniformity of the nanofiber is still a big concern, resulting in non‐uniform nanofiber membrane, which seriously affects the application of electrospun membrane in environmental filtration, new energy and medical fields. In order to improve the uniformity of nanofiber deposition in multi‐needle electrospinning, an auxiliary flow field system (AFF) is proposed, which can effectively improve the uniformity of nanofiber deposition. After image processing, the uniformity of nanofiber deposition is quantified with the index of grey distribution, and the effectiveness of this method is verified. Combined with the multi‐physical field analysis, the influence mechanism of cross‐wind field on the uniformity of fibre deposition was revealed. By optimizing the experimental parameters, the non‐uniformity of nanofiber deposition was reduced by 49.19%. Based on multi‐needle electrospinning technology, a reliable idea (AFF) and experimental basis are provided for the uniform preparation of nanofiber membrane.

Pyrrole-substituted difluoroboron β-diketonate dyes: Facile synthesis and multi-state optical properties

Difluoroboron β-diketonate complexes (BF2bdks) are classic fluorescent molecules that have been applied in luminescent materials, oxygen and mechanical sensors, and most investigations concentrate on BF2bdks with varying aromatic groups without heteroatoms. In this work, a new molecular platform BF2bdks with heterocycle-substituted is prepared in one pot, and six unsymmetric π-expanded BF2bdks are synthesized via condensation reaction. B-1∼6 exhibit comparable fluorescence properties in solution, aggregated and solid states. B-3 (683 nm, Φf = 13.1 %) and B-5 (700 nm, Φf = 2.1 %) show near infra-red (NIR) emission with moderate fluorescence intensity in solution state. Solid emission of B, B-1-3 and B-5 are detected with fluorescence quantum yield from 12.8 % to 25.6 %, and B-2, B-3 and B-5 show AIE phenomenon in aggregated state. The results are supported by crystal analysis and DFT calculation in some extent. In a word, this work enriches the heterocycle-substituted BF2bdks system. B-3 and B-5 with moderate intensity NIR emission in solution, aggregated and solid states at the same time, providing a simple preparation method for multi-states luminescent dyes.

Chemiresistive n-butanol gas sensors based on Co3O4@ZnO hollow-sphere-array thin films prepared by template-assisted magnetron sputtering

Rapid and accurate detection of n-butanol in the environment is crucial owing to its negative effects on human health. Herein, gas sensors based on Co3O4@ZnO hollow-sphere-array thin films modified using Au particles are successfully prepared via template-assisted magnetron sputtering for detecting n-butanol. The best sensor performances are achieved when the thicknesses of the sputtered ZnO and Co3O4 films are 60 and 1.2 nm, respectively, and the sputtering time of the Au particles is 10 s. Furthermore, the best sensor exhibits an exceptionally high response to an n-butanol concentration of 100 pm at 275 °C (Ra/Rg = 260), a short response/recovery time (1 s/92 s), a considerably lower limit of detection (Ra/Rg = 5.8 at n-butanol concentration = 100 ppb) as well as high selectivity and repeatability. The remarkable sensing performance of the proposed sensors can be mainly attributed to the charge transfer induced by the Co3O4–ZnO heterojunction formation and the catalytic and spillover effects of the Au particles. This study is important because it provides a simple preparation method for high-performance semiconductor gas sensors using magnetron sputtering, which would enable future large-scale and integrated preparation of high-performance gas sensors.

MXene/Ag3PO4 modified PVDF composite membranes for efficient interfacial evaporation and photodegradation

Solar-powered interface evaporation is considered a promising technology to obtain freshwater from non-potable water by using sustainable solar energy. However, research on combining the photocatalytic effect with solar interfacial evaporation technology to go for photothermal conversion materials with full solar spectrum utilization for photothermal and photodegradation capabilities is still scarce. Due to the unique optical properties of MXene, a novel MXene/Ag3PO4-based membrane with synergistic photothermal and photocatalytic effects was developed from the perspective of practical applications such as water purification, photodegradation of organic dyes and antibacterial properties. In this paper, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and carbon black (CB) were used as the substrate, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) were selected as the pore-forming agent for hydrophilic modification, and MXene/Ag3PO4 serves as the photocatalyst. The prepared composite polyvinylidene fluoride membrane (PCC-MXene/Ag3PO4) with Schottky junction, possesses a rich pore structure, abundant water molecule transport channels, high light absorption ability, and low thermal conductivity, which lead to a good performance in solar interface evaporation, photodegradation and antibacterial. The superhydrophobicity and floatability of the nanosponges in water enable them to continuously pump water, which greatly promotes the dissolution of salt accumulation. With the help of porous nanosponges, PCC-MXene/Ag3PO4 exhibits excellent evaporation stability and salt resistance under 1 kW m−2 solar irradiation, as well as photodegradation of organic dyes. In addition, the PCC-MXene/Ag3PO4 membrane has the properties of self-buoyancy, electrical conductivity, and superior flexibility. Therefore, considering the simple preparation method and fine performances, the PCC-MXene/Ag3PO4 mixed membrane has great application potential in the study of interface evaporation, photodegradation of organic dyes, and antibacterial properties.

In Situ Reduction of Silver Nanoparticles/Urushiol-Based Polybenzoxazine Composite Coatings with Enhanced Antimicrobial and Antifouling Performances.

Marine anti-fouling coatings represent an efficient approach to prevent and control the marine biofouling. However, a significant amount of antifouling agent is added to improve the static antifouling performance of the coatings, which leads to an issue whereby static antifouling performance conflicts with eco-friendly traits. Herein, this work reports an in situ reduction synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) within polymers to produce composite coatings, aiming to solve the aforementioned issue. Firstly, urushiol-based benzoxazine monomers were synthesized by the Mannich reaction, using an eco-friendly natural product urushiol and n-octylamine and paraformaldehyde as the reactants. Additionally, AgNPs were obtained through the employment of free radicals formed by phenolic hydroxyl groups in the urushiol-based benzoxazine monomers, achieved by the in situ reduction of silver nitrate in benzoxazine. Then, the urushiol-based benzoxazine/AgNPs composite coatings were prepared by the thermosetting method. AgNPs exhibit broad-spectrum and highly efficient antimicrobial properties, with a low risk to human health and a minimal environmental impact. The composite coating containing a small amount of AgNPs (≤1 wt%) exhibits effective inhibition against various types of bacteria and marine microalgae in static immersion, thereby displaying outstanding antifouling properties. This organic polymer and inorganic nanoparticle composite marine antifouling coating, with its simple preparation method and eco-friendliness, presents an effective solution to the conflict between static antifouling effectiveness and environmental sustainability in marine antifouling coatings.

Recyclable multifunctional ion conductive elastomers for strain/temperature sensors and bioelectrodes

Ionic conductive elastomers based on polymerizable deep eutectic solvents (PDES) have shown great application prospects in research fields such as lithium-ion batteries, smart soft materials, and wearable devices. However, most of these materials currently face the challenge of difficult recycling and reuse, resulting in environmental pollution and resource waste. In this work, we introduced PDES made of acrylic acid (AA) and choline chloride (ChCl) into polymerizable ionic liquid monomers [ATAC][TFSI] and prepared a physically crosslinked multifunctional ionic conductive elastomer PIL-PDES through a simple and rapid “one-step” photopolymerization strategy. This elastomer not only has satisfactory mechanical properties (tensile strength: 3.93 MPa, elongation at break: 760 %), high transparency (80 %), strong adhesion (iron: 135 kPa) and rapid self-healing but can also be recycled and reused. Based on the good conductivity of the elastomer (conductivity: 2.49 × 10−3 S/m), it can be used not only as a sensor to monitor human activities and changes in environmental temperature but also as a biological electrode to record human electrocardiogram signals. We believe that due to its superior overall performance and simple preparation method, PIL-PDES has broad potential for practical application in flexible wearable electronic devices.