Stable Core-shell Structure Research Articles

Composites of NiMoO4@Ni-Co LDH@NiCo2O4 on Ni foam with a rational microscopic morphology for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors

The structural stability and high capacity of material enable a wide range of applications for asymmetric supercapacitors. In this work, we design a simple route to synthesize NiMoO4@Ni-Co LDH@NiCo2O4 composites on Ni foam. The NiMoO4@Ni-Co LDH@NiCo2O4 has a stable nanorod/nanosheet core-shell structure. In addition, the NiMoO4@Ni-Co LDH150@NiCo2O4 exhibits a high specific capacity of 1035 C g−1 and retained 80.6% of the original capacity after 5000 cycles. Moreover, the asymmetric supercapacitor is assembled by activated carbon and NiMoO4@Ni-Co LDH150@NiCo2O4 as two electrodes respectively, which shows a high energy density of 66.8 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 900 W kg−1. In the meantime, the asymmetric supercapacitor achieved a high voltage window of 1.8 V. The stable core-shell structure of NiMoO4@Ni-Co LDH@NiCo2O4 achieved a high energy density, which shows great potential for energy storage.

Au12@Au30: Core-Shell Molecule Constituted of an Icosahedron and an Icosidodecahedron

A stable core-shell structure with Ih symmetry, Au12@Au30, has been investigated by first-principles calculations. It is composed of an icosahedron core and an icosidodecahedron shell. The stability of the core-shell Au42 structure is verified by vibrational frequency analysis and molecular dynamics NVT simulations. Both the frontier molecular orbitals and the spin density of states show obvious s-d hybridization characteristics. The adaptive natural density partitioning analysis demonstrate multi-center bonds, twenty 6-center {\sigma} bonds ,and one 12-center {\sigma} bond, which are of great importance for the core-shell structural stability. In this core-shell nanostructure, there are also a large number of one-center valence lone electron pairs with the characteristics of d-like orbitals, so that the proposed Au12@Au30 could be used in medicine and catalysis fields.

Synthesis of MnO–Sn cubes embedding in nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers with high lithium-ion storage performance

In this paper, a carbon nanofiber (CNF) hybrid nanomaterial composed of MnO–Sn cubes embedding in nitrogen-doped CNF (MnO–Sn@CNF) is synthesized through electrospinning and post-thermal reduction processes. It exhibits good electrochemical lithium-ion storage performance as the anode, such as high reversible capacity, outstanding cycle performance (754 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles), and good rate capability (447 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1). The excellent electrochemical properties are derived from a unique nanostructure design. MnO–Sn@CNF has a three-dimensional conductive network with a stable core–shell structure, which improves the electrical conductivity and mechanical stability of the materials. In addition, the mesopores on the surface of carbon fibers can shorten the diffusion distance of lithium ions and promote the combination of active sites of the material with lithium ions. The internal MnO and Sn form a heterostructure, which enhances the stability of the physical structure of the electrode material. This material design method provides a reference strategy for the development of high-performance lithium-ion batteries anode.

Preparation of Ceria-Coated Silica Nanoparticles and Their Chemical Mechanical Planarization Performance on Si-Face 6H-SiC Substrates

Ceria-coated silica (SiO2/CeO2) composite abrasives were prepared through a novel homogeneous precipitation method using commercial silica (SiO2) sol as the silicon resource and cerium nitrate (Ce(NO3)3) and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) aqueous mixtures as coating precursors. The phase composition, nano-topography, size distribution, and chemical structure of as-prepared particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Zetasizer Nano ZS90 and Fourier infrared spectra. In addition, the possible coating mechanism was discussed. Then, chemical mechanical planarization behaviors of SiO2 sol, ceria (CeO2) sol, and the novel abrasives and on Si-face (0001) 6H-SiC were investigated by atomic force microscopy. The results indicated that the composite particles were mono-dispersed nano-spheres composed of amorphous SiO2 core and cubic fluorite CeO2 shell, possessing complete core–shell structure and particle size of about 110 nm. CeO2 shell (10 nm) grew on the surface of SiO2 core by formation of Ce–O–Si chemical bonds, forming stable core–shell structure. SiO2/CeO2 composite abrasives provided an exponentially high material remove rate (MRR) of 1207 nm h−1 and an impressive surface finish with roughness average (Ra) 0.216 nm due to its active chemical property and unique structure.

Core-shell lipoplexes inducing active macropinocytosis promote intranasal delivery of c-Myc siRNA for treatment of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, whose malignancy is closely correlated with elevated proto-oncogene c-myc. Intranasal administration emerges as a potential approach to deliver gene into the brain and interfere c-Myc expression. However, powerful permeability in nasal mucosa, selective delivery to glioma and avoidance of premature release during remote transport are imperative to ensure the therapeutic effectiveness. To address the above concerns, herein we constructed a lipoplex based on pre-compression of c-Myc-targeting siRNA (sic-Myc) by octaarginine and subsequent encapsulation by liposome modified with a selected peptide derived from penetratin, named 89WP. It was found that the lipoplex exhibited a stable core-shell structure and could be preferentially internalized along with cell debris by glioma cells via active macropinocytosis. Through this cellular uptake pathway, the lipoplex avoided being entrapped by lysosome and released siRNA in cytoplasm within 4 h, inducing substantial downregulation of c-Myc mRNA and protein expression of glioma cells. Furthermore, due to significantly enhanced permeability in tumor spheroids and nasal mucosa, the lipoplex was competent to deliver more siRNA to orthotopic glioma after intranasal administration, and therefore prolonged the survival time of glioma-bearing mice by inducing apoptosis. Statement of significanceIn the present work, a lipoplex was designed to address the unmet demands on intranasal siRNA delivery to the brain for treatment of glioma. First, a powerful peptide was selected to enable the lipoplex to penetrate nasal mucosa. Second, we found the lipoplex could be selectively internalized along with cell debris by glioma cells via active macropinocytosis, and recorded the entire process. This cellular uptake pathway not only prevented the lipoplex being entrapped by lysosome, but also increased distribution of the lipoplex in orthotopic glioma. Third, this lipoplex provided additional protection for siRNA to avoid premature release during transport from nasal to brain. Overall, this lipoplex improved the gene delivery efficiency of intranasal administration and was promising in the perspective of selectively silencing disease-related genes in intracranial tumor.

Core-Shell Lipoplexes Inducing Active Macropinocytosis Promote Intranasal Delivery of c-Myc siRNA for Treatment of Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, whose malignancy is closely correlated with elevated proto-oncogene c-myc. Intranasal administration emerges as a potential approach to deliver gene into the brain and interfere c-Myc expression, however, powerful permeability in nasal mucosa, selective delivery to glioma and avoidance of premature release during remote transport are imperative to ensure the therapeutic effectiveness. In this study, we constructed a novel lipoplex to address above concerns, based on pre-compression of c-Myc-targeting siRNA (sic-Myc) by octaarginine and subsequent encapsulation by liposome modified with a selected peptide derived from penetratin, named 89WP. The lipoplex exhibited a stable core-shell structure and could be preferentially internalized along with cell debris by glioma cells via active macropinocytosis. By this cellular uptake pathway, the lipoplex avoided being entrapped by lysosome and released siRNA in cytoplasm within 4 h, inducing substantial downregulation of c-Myc mRNA and protein expression of glioma cells. Due to significantly enhanced permeability in tumor spheroids and nasal mucosa, the lipoplex was competent to deliver more siRNA to orthotopic glioma after intranasal administration, and therefore prolonged the survival time of glioma-bearing mice by inducing apoptosis.

Strength, plasticity, thermal stability and strain rate sensitivity of nanograined nickel with amorphous ceramic grain boundaries

A large fraction of grain boundaries imparts high strength to nanocrystalline (NC) metals but causes the poor thermal stability of microstructures and a significant reduction of strength with increasing deformation temperature. Stabilizing the microstructure is thus desired. In this work, we self-patterned 1–2 nm thick amorphous ceramic SiOC as grain boundaries in NC Ni with grain size of 13 nm through co-sputtering 75 at.%-Ni and 25 at.%-SiOC, producing Ni-SiOC amorphous ceramic reinforced metals (Ni-SiOC ACRMs) with a core-shell structure. Microscopic characterizations of Ni-SiOC ACRMs before and after 400 °C annealing and after compression deformation confirmed the thermally and mechanically stable core-shell structure. Mechanical properties, such as stress-strain responses and strain rate sensitivity of Ni-SiOC ACRMs over a range of temperatures from room temperature (RT) to 400 °C were measured using in situ micropillar testing in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). We demonstrated that amorphous ceramic SiOC grain boundaries impart a high strength (2.5 GPa at RT and 1.6 GPa at 400 °C), large compressive plasticity (uniform compression strain greater than 35% without shear instability) and thermal stability to Ni-SiOC ACRMs. High strain rate sensitivity (0.015 at RT to 0.042 at 400 °C), small activation volume (about 13b3) and no obvious strain hardening/softening behavior suggest that plastic deformation is accommodated by dislocation slips in Ni grains. Amorphous ceramic grain boundaries act as strong barriers and sinks for impeding and trapping dislocations, strengthening the ACRMs and promoting plastic co-deformation between Ni nanograins and amorphous ceramic grain boundaries; the accumulated dislocations are smeared along the amorphous-crystal interfaces, preventing formation of localized shear bands across multiple nanograins.

Optimized pseudocapacitance of CoMn2O4@MoO3 nano–microspheres for advanced lithium storage properties

This manuscript introduces the ball-milling and subsequent heat treatment to gain CoMn2O4@MoO3 nano–microsphere composite with optimized pseudocapacitance behavior. The prepared ternary composite material forms the stable core–shell structure as well as realizes fined nanoparticles of the microsphere surface from the slowly thermal decomposition of molybdate. The CoMn2O4@MoO3 hybrid as electrode of the half-cell showing high capacity 1410 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 500 cycles and excellent rate capability (1028 mA h g−1 at 2 A g−1). The experiment results further confirm that b values of CoMn2O4@MoO3 (i = a vb, scan rate v and current i) are over 0.9 in LIBs, indicating an obvious pseudo-capacitive process. Insights into the pathways of this pseudo-capacitive process indicate that Faradaic pseudocapacitance and strong interactions at the two-phase interface of the composite electrode, contributing to optimized electronic environment for enhancing the charge-transfer kinetics and energetics and Li+ storage. Additionally, the core–shell structure relieves volume expansion of nano–microspheres from ion intercalation, benefiting to improve stable cycle. Advanced specific surface area would benefit the penetrated electrolyte with nano–microspheres and expedite electrons/ions transformation, effectively reducing concentration polarization in anode electrode. Specially, the full cell including anode CoMn2O4@MoO3 and cathode LiFePO4 also own excellent electrochemical performance, reflecting the practical application value of the hybrid material for lithium ion battery.

Inhibition of glioblastoma and macrophage phagocytosis using sialic acid-grafted tamoxifen-carmustine-polyethyleneimine-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles

Management of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a cerebral glioma with highest-grade malignancy, is a crucial challenge to current anticancer treatment because the lack of GBM-targeting capability of antitumor drug, such as carmustine (BCNU) with a short half-life, along with low blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability to achieve the clinical efficacy. Hence, polyethyleneimine-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles comprising stable core-shell structure with tamoxifen were crosslinked with sialic acid (SA-TAM-PEI-PLGA NPs) as nanocarriers to improve bioavailability of BCNU for pharmacotherapy. The brain-targeted experiments revealed that an increasing SA level improved BBB permeability for BCNU, and was associated with a reduction in transendothelial electrical resistance and an increase in propidium iodide penetration of endothelial monolayer. Immunocytochemical staining images evidenced that surface SA was critical in triggering transcytosis through N-acetylglucosamine on human cerebral microvessel endothelia, and surface crosslinking restrained macrophage phagocytosis. A high TAM level on the carrier surface reduced the survival rate of human U87, and western blots showed that conjugated TAM induced apoptosis of the cancer cells. The use of SA-TAM-PEI-PLGA NPs carrying BCNU as a pharmaceutical preparation is an effective strategy to overcome the BBB restriction and activate apoptosis of tumor cells to prevent the proliferation of GBM.

Controlled release of bFGF loaded into electrospun core–shell fibrous membranes for use in guided tissue regeneration

In this study, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was loaded into a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/wool keratin composite membrane by emulsion electrospinning to prepare a composite membrane with a core–shell structure for guided tissue regeneration (GTR). The physicochemical properties, drug release performance in vitro and cytotoxicity of the composite membrane were evaluated to select the optimum concentration of bFGF. The fibers in the six groups of composite membranes were uniform in thickness, had a smooth surface, and did not exhibit a string bead structure. In addition, the fibers in the six groups of composite membranes had a stable core–shell structure, in which the core layer of the fibers was wrapped around bFGF and the shell layer of the fibers comprised the PLGA/wool keratin oil-phase component. Compared with the PLGA/wool keratin composite membrane prepared by traditional electrospinning, the composite membranes prepared by emulsion electrospinning had a higher water absorption rate and superior hydrophilicity. The bFGF encapsulation rate of the 10 μg bFGF composite membrane was the highest (97.3% ± 11.3%). Stable and sustained release of bFGF from the five groups of bFGF-loaded PLGA/wool keratin composite membranes can be maintained over 28 d. The five groups of PLGA/wool keratin composite membranes loaded with bFGF could promote the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPLDFs) to varying degrees. Among the five groups, the cell morphology, proliferation ability and osteogenic differentiation ability of the 10 μg bFGF composite membrane group were the best. This study will serve as a foundation for further research on bFGF-loaded composite membranes for GTR applications.

Pyraclostrobin loaded lignin-modified nanocapsules: Delivery efficiency enhancement in soil improved control efficacy on tomato Fusarium crown and root rot

Fusarium crown and root rot is among the world's major agricultural diseases caused by Fusarium. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, which always resulted in serious damage to vegetable production worldwide. Pyraclostrobin is a broad-spectrum and highly effective fungicide with strong activity against F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici. However, the limited distribution of pyraclostrobin in the soil compromises its field fungicidal performance due to the difficulty in providing a large protection zone surrounding the growing root system of the plant. Nanotechnology offers a great opportunity to develop new strategies for functionalized pesticide loading systems. In this study, the physicochemical properties of pyraclostrobin in the soil were manipulated by encapsulating the active ingredients in a lignin-modified polymer nanocapsule (NCS) to produce a nanoscale delivery system with excellent soil mobility. These nanocapsules exhibited a stable core-shell structure and rapid release performance. In addition, they also increased the distribution of particles on the surface of target organisms and enhanced the soil mobility of pyraclostrobin, mainly benefitting from the nanocapsule's negatively charged polymer shell and nanoscale size. Pot experiments showed that, compared to treatment with nanosized emulsion in water (NEW) and micron-grade microcapsule suspension (CS) of pyraclostrobin, the NCS provided improved control efficacy on tomato crown and root rot. They also showed lower pesticide residue in the soil than CS treatment.

Core-shell structured carbon nanotubes/N-doped carbon layer nanocomposites for supercapacitor electrodes

N-Doped carbon layer–coated carbon nanotube (N-C/CNT) nanocomposites with stable core-shell structures were synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal reaction. After high-temperature carbonization and KOH activation, the resultant N-C/CNT materials used as supercapacitor electrodes show high specific capacitance, good rate capability, and long cycle stability. The specific capacitance exhibits a high value of 322.1 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, and still maintains 200.7 F g−1, 168.7 F g−1, and 120.0 F g−1 at 5 A g−1, 10 A g−1, and 20 A g−1, respectively. During the 10,000-cycle testing at 5 A g−1, the specific capacitance was kept stable. The high performance of the supercapacitor electrodes could be attributed to the synergistic effect of the high specific surface area with fine pore structure, high electronic conductivity, and mechanical strength of CNT support and pseudocapacitance provided by doping N atoms in the carbon layer.

FeC2O4@Fe2O3/rGO composites with a novel interfacial characteristic and enhanced ultrastable lithium storage performance

Iron oxalate (FeC2O4) is considered as a potential new energy storage material because of its high reversible capacity and attractive cost performance platform. However, the slow chemical reaction kinetics and unstable structures of FeC2O4 make it difficult to achieve high-rate and long-cycling lithium storage performance. Herein, a facile and scalable approach is developed to synthesize multilayer FeC2O4 coated with Fe2O3 nanodots and adsorbed on flexible conductive rGO matrix (FeC2O4@Fe2O3/rGO), which exhibits great potential as an anode material for high-rate and stable-cycling performance. Furthermore, encapsulation of Fe2O3 nanodots on surface of FeC2O4 particle promotes the formation of a stable core-shell structure with an irreversible “organic” layer as the shell, and inhibits the disintegration of repeated volume expansion of FeC2O4 particles at high current density. The improvement of cycling performance is attributed to the existence of flexible rGO which can work like a spider web and anchor of the FeC2O4@Fe2O3 composites onto its one-dimensional scaffold, providing an enhanced electrical pathway of high conductivity for the electrochemical reaction between Li and Fe. This work offers a promising material architecture for obtaining the stable and reliable anode materials with high energy density.

The design of scorodite@FeOOH core-shell materials and its stability treatment for arsenide

Arsenic as a highly toxic substance must be stabilized and immobilized to avoid environmental pollution. The natural scorodite ore (FeAsO4·2H2O) is stable that originated from the arsenic oxide are encapsulated by iron oxide layer in the crystal structure of scorodite, form the similar core-shell structure. The special core-shell structure can successfully improve the stability of arsenide. In this study, the scorodite@FeOOH materials with core-shell structure were designed and synthesized by soaking the scorodite in alkaline solution. The core-shell structure was formed in 6 h with the pH range of 10.00–13.00. By analyzing the formation pathway, the arsenical ferrihydrite was formed in soaking process, meanwhile the Fe(OH)3 particles were produced, then both of them continue to grow, thus form the core-shell structure. After ageing treatment, the scorodite@FeOOH core-shell structures were formed. Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure measurements were performed to evaluate the safety of this scorodite@FeOOH material in acid or alkaline solutions. The results indicated that the scorodite@FeOOH material had high stability under acid and alkaline condition. Within 10 days, the concentrations of arsenic in leaching liquid were below 0.01 mg·L−1. This stabilization result indicates the treatment way from arsenide to the stable core-shell structure is an effective strategy for arsenic immobilization.

The core-shell mesoporous titanium dioxide with in-situ nitrogen doped carbon as the anode for high performance lithium-ion battery

The core-shell hierarchical mesoporous titanium dioxides with situ nitrogen dopen carbon and the stable architecture are synthesized by a feasible route, basing on the sol-gel, freeze-drying and calcination process. Nitrogen doped carbon is synergistically compounded with nano-TiO2 to fabricate the hybrid composite (C-N@MP-TiO2), which has high surface area of 318 m2 g−1 and large average pore size of 6.8 nm. This corresponding anode consisted of the hybrid composite exhibits superior specific capacity, rate capability, and long cycling stability. Also, the initial discharge capacity is up to 360 mAh g−1 at the current density of 0.1 A g−1 with the good capacity retention of 97% after 350 circles. The excellent rate performance presents the capacity of 173.6 mAh g−1 at the current density of 5 A g−1. Moreover, the large current reversible capacity (20 A g−1) can reach 172.2 mAh g−1 with long-term cycling stability over 500 cycles. Therefore, the superior electrochemical performances are attributed to the stable core-shell mesoporous structure and in-situ nitrogen doped carbon, which is not only improve the electron transport and lithium ion diffusion, but also facilitate the immersion of electrolyte.

Highly flexible, core-shell heterostructured, and visible-light-driven titania-based nanofibrous membranes for antibiotic removal and E. coil inactivation

Functional semiconductor nanomaterials modified TiO2 fibrous membranes with desirable heterostructures, good mechanical properties, and superior visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity would have broad applications in environmental remediation; however, constructing such fantastic fibrous membranes still remains an enormous challenge. Herein, we fabricated a soft and heterostructured g-C3N4@Co-TiO2 (CNCT) nanofibrous membranes by a facile electrospinning approach and subsequent thermal polymerization process. The ultrathin g-C3N4 nanoshell was in situ synthesized and uniformly wrapped onto Co-TiO2 nanofiber to form core-shell quantum heterojunction, and the thickness and loading amount of g-C3N4 nanoshell can be precisely controlled through simply regulating the content of precursor (melamine). Benefiting from the three-dimensional porous networks, enhanced visible-light response, and the effective charge transfer induced by uniform and compact heterojunction, the as-synthesized CNCT membranes exhibited a prominent photodegradation efficiency of 90.8% within 60 min towards tetracycline hydrochloride, and also displayed excellent antibacterial performance with a 6 log inactivation of E. coil after 90 min visible light exposure. Moreover, the stable core-shell structures and robust mechanical strength also endow the membranes with favorable reversibility and easy-recycling ability. This study may open up new avenues for designing and constructing flexible high-performance photocatalytic membranes for water purification.

In situ synthesis of a multifunctional polymer with a stable core-shell structure for effective dewatering

A multifunctional polymer that was magnetic and had a high water absorption ability was prepared via synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles followed by surface modification and polymerization. The structure and morphology of the multifunctional polymer were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS). The magnetite content and the magnetic property of the multifunctional polymer were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer (SQUID), respectively. The results suggested that the multifunctional polymer had a stable core-shell structure, a striking temperature-responsive property, and stable magnetic property. Further work was carried out to assess the performance of this multifunctional polymer at a particle size of 0.3–0.45 mm for dewatering of fine coal (<0.25 mm in size). It was found that the multifunctional polymer could give fast kinetics of dewatering and after each cycle, the polymer could be readily separated by simple magnetic separation and then regenerated and reused in next cycle while maintaining the same dewatering performance.

Diversity in the species and fate of chlorine during TCE reduction by two nZVI with non-identical anaerobic corrosion mechanism

There have been many studies on TCE degradation by synthesized nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVIB) and commercial nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVIH), but the effect of anaerobic corrosion on the dechlorination pathways and speciation distribution of chlorine is still unclear. Compared with nZVIH, nZVIB has a faster degradation rate of TCE and formation rate of Cl−(aq) (kSA, TCE = 3.67 ± 0.85 × 10−4 & 2.17 ± 0.13 × 10−4 L·h−1·m−2 and kobs, Cl− = 0.344 ± 0.027 & 0.166 ± 0.010 μM·h−1 for nZVIB & nZVIH, respectively). Based on the characterization of XRD, XPS and TEM during the anaerobic corrosion, the corrosion of nZVIB was dramatic under the dissolution-reprecipitation mechanism; but that of nZVIH was moderate and inward by maintaining the core-shell structure and shaping slightly rough and lumpy surface. Due to the different corrosion products (FeOOH for nZVIB and Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 for nZVIH) and the catalysis of boron on the nZVIB surface, the preferential dechlorination pathway of TCE was not identical by hydrogenolysis (nZVIB) vs. reductive β-elimination (nZVIH). Meanwhile, the dechlorination pathway of nZVIH was similar to that of ZVI and the reductive pathway to acetylene bypassed the formation of more toxic VC. This study shows that the high reactivity of nZVIB results in rapid corrosion with the side effect of enhanced adsorption of VC while nZVIH has a stable core-shell structure and less sorbed chlorine, which provides a new sight to access the ecological risk of nZVI due to the overlooked effect of non-identical corrosion.

Polypyrrole-coated iron oxychloride cathode material with improved cycling stability for chloride ion batteries

Iron oxychloride has been regarded as a promising cathode material for chloride ion batteries (CIBs). However, it suffers a severe capacity decay during repeated conversion reactions based on chloride ion transfer. Herein, we report an iron oxychloride composite material with a polypyrrole coating (FeOCl@PPy), which is prepared by a facile and efficient chemical vapor phase polymerization method, as cathode for CIB. The as-prepared FeOCl@PPy cathode material with drastically enhanced charge transfer and chloride ion diffusion shows a stable core-shell structure, which can prevent the FeOCl particles from pulverization during cycling. As a result, a maximum capacity of 187 mA h g−1 and significantly improved cycling stability with 82.9% capacity retention after 30 cycles are obtained. In contrast, the neat FeOCl cathode fades fast and shows only 13.2% capacity retention.

Development of an Oral Compound Pickering Emulsion Composed of Nanocrystals of Poorly Soluble Ingredient and Volatile Oils from Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In this study, an oral drug nanocrystals self-stabilized Pickering emulsion (NSSPE), which used nanocrystals of a poorly soluble ingredient from Puerariae Radix called puerarin as solid particle stabilizers and Ligusticum chuanxiong essential oil since the main oil phase had been developed to improve the oral bioavailability of puerarin. The appearance of emulsions, size and zeta potential of droplets, and content of puerarin in emulsified layer during a storage of six months at 4, 25, and 40 °C were investigated. The centrifugation stability at 4000× g was also studied. The micro-structure of emulsion droplets was characterized by a scanning electron micrograph (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), a fluorescence microscope (FM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The in vivo oral bioavailability of puerarin NSSPE was investigated in rats. Results showed that appearances of puerarin NSSPE kept stable after centrifugation at 4000× g for 15 min or storage for six months at 4, 25, and 40 °C. SEM, CLSM, FM, and DSC showed that the puerarin NSSPE had a stable core-shell structure of emulsion droplets formed by the adsorption of puerarin nanocrystals on the surface of oil droplets of mixed oil of Ligusticum chuanxiong essential oil and Labrafil M 1944 CS (9:1, v/v). The relative bioavailability of puerarin NSSPE to puerarin coarse powder suspension, nanocrystal suspension, and surfactant emulsion were 262.43%, 155.92%, and 223.65%, respectively. All these results indicated that puerarin nanocrystals could stabilize Pickering emulsion of Ligusticum chuanxiong essential oil without any other stabilizers and Pickering emulsion could improve the oral bioavailability of puerarin, which suggests that the drug nanocrystal self-stabilized Pickering emulsion as a promising oral drug delivery system for Traditional Chinese Medicine containing poorly soluble ingredients and volatile oils.