Water Dispersion Research Articles

Fe3O4@HA-Cu(OAc)2 nanocomposite as a nanomagnetic water-compatible catalyst for efficient synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles in water

A new humic acid-based nanomagnetic copper(II) composite was prepared and used as an eco-friendly recoverable catalyst for synthesizing 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles. The synthesis was done via the three-component click reaction of alkyl halide, sodium azide, and terminal alkyne with good to excellent yield. A simple magnetic copper acetate composite, Fe3O4@HA-Cu(OAc)2, was prepared using humic acid and characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, EDX, EDS-mapping, VSM, TGA, AAS, and FT-IR. The catalyst showed high catalytic potential in a one-pot three-component click reaction in the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles. The nanomagnetic Fe3O4@HA-Cu(OAc)2 catalyst demonstrated high efficiency, stability, compatibility with oxygen/water and recyclable copper(II), with cost-effectiveness. The catalyst was easily recovered with an external magnetic field, and therefore, time and energy were saved as no filtration or decantation technique was needed. Due to the high dispersibility in water, nanomagnetic Fe3O4@HA-Cu(OAc)2 was utilized as a highly efficient catalyst for the click synthesis of triazoles.

Development of natural sporopollenin microcapsules: from bee pollen to versatile biomaterials

Abstract The outer layer of the pollen grain, which plays a crucial role in the continuity of terrestrial plant life, has received significant attention due to its robustness, chemical inertness, and biocompatible structure made of sporopollenin. Herein, we present a straightforward method for producing high-purity (up to 97%) polymeric sporopollenin biocapsules (S-BioCaps) from bee pollen, exploring new plant sources for S-BioCaps, and diversifying the available morphologies to broaden the applications of pollen-based microcapsules. Following a purification process involving defatting, acidolysis, and several washing steps, we removed the inner components of the pollen grains and reduced the protein content to 2%. Confocal laser scanning and scanning electron microscopy images showed that the hollow and 3D S-BioCaps microstructure were preserved, while laser diffraction particle size analysis validated their monodisperse distribution across each pollen type within the size range of 15 to 24 μm. S-BioCaps tended to exhibit hydrophobic behavior when assessed through water dispersion and water marble analysis. Moreover, we sought to figure out the chemical changes occurring in specimens through Fourier-transform infrared analysis, and findings were consistent with simultaneous thermal analysis, where the thermal decomposition of sporopollenin biopolymer reached up to 457 °C. Overall, this work demonstrates a straightforward approach for utilizing pollen grains from Echium sp., Jasione sp., Papaver sp., Amaranthaceae, and Helianthemum sp., collected with the assistance of honeybees, to produce stable S-BioCaps with diverse morphologies, thereby broadening their potential applications as drug delivery microcarriers. Graphical abstract

The Effects of the Addition of Secondary Phyllosilicate Minerals on the Decomposition Process and Products of Maize Straw in Black Soil

The interaction between secondary phyllosilicate minerals and straw is crucial for preserving soil organic carbon (SOC) and fertility. However, the specific mechanism through which these minerals affect straw decomposition and its products in northeast China’s black soil remains unclear. In this study, montmorillonite, illite, and vermiculite were mixed with quartz sand and maize straw, inoculated with microbes, and incubated to analyze the effects of different secondary phyllosilicate minerals on the degradation of organic components in maize straw and the formation of soil humus. The results showed that montmorillonite significantly facilitated the decomposition of maize straw hemicellulose and lignin, which decreased by 95.85% and 76.38%, respectively. Conversely, vermiculite decelerated hemicellulose and lignin degradation. Regarding soil organic acids, lactic acid and malic acid were predominant, with the highest content being found after the montmorillonite treatment. Montmorillonite was the most effective in enhancing extractable humic-like substances, which increased by 71.68%. Montmorillonite increased the content of G0 (water dispersion group), G1 (sodium ion dispersion group), and G2 (sodium grinding dispersion group) complexes. The addition of secondary phyllosilicate minerals increased the organic carbon (OC) content in the G0, G1, and G2 samples, with montmorillonite demonstrating the most pronounced effect. Secondary phyllosilicate minerals increased the abundance of fungi, particularly Ascomycota, with the highest abundance being found after the montmorillonite treatment. In conclusion, our results indicated that montmorillonite facilitated the decomposition of lignocellulose in maize straw, enhanced the accumulation of humus, and promoted the formation of organic–mineral complexes. These findings provide valuable insights into the interaction between secondary phyllosilicate minerals and maize straw and have important implications for improving the quality of black soil in northeast China.

Evaluating point source pesticide contamination via sprayer washing water dispersal: A northern Italian vineyard area case study.

Wastewater contaminated by plant protection products (PPP) from sprayer cleaning operations must be properly managed and disposed of, as it could represent a point source of environmental PPP pollution and pose risks to non-target organisms. Three conventionally and two organically managed farms in hilly vineyards of North-West Italy engaged in a participatory activity for sampling sprayer washing and resultant water. In total 52 samples of wash water (internal and external) were collected during two agricultural seasons and analyzed for six organic pesticides and metallic Cu. PPP concentrations in water collected after internal washing were up to 37.9 times higher than in water collected after external washing. Concentrations in water after external washing were surprisingly high. This may be explained by the characteristics of the sprayers, but also by farmers failing to comply with good practices during PPP use. To evaluate the possible impact on the aquatic environment of dispersal of wash water into a water body, the FOCUS "Stream" approach was followed. The concentrations thus estimated were almost always higher than the environmental quality standard for surface waters but below the toxicological endpoints for fish and Daphnia magna. With reference to the Italian guidelines for waste classification, only one sample would be classified as ecotoxicological hazardous waste and need to be properly managed. In conclusion, due to the nature of contamination, which is point source but diffuse in the territory, analytical data confirms the need for additional joint efforts to improve awareness in managing wastewater containing PPP and to decrease the impact of the agricultural sector.

Effects of two wet exfoliation strategies on the yield and colloidal behavior of 2D hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets

Abstract We report the exfoliation process optimization, physicochemical characterizations, and comparative aggregation behavior of the inorganic 2D nanomaterial hexagonal Boron Nitride (h-BN) produced from two repetitive sonication-centrifugation processes with varying centrifugation speeds and recycle frequency: Continuous and Segmented protocols. Enhancing exfoliation efficiency and understanding aqueous stability are essential for sustainable design and environmental applications. Results showed that the Segmented protocol outperformed the Continuous protocol by having a six-fold increase in the exfoliated h-BN nanosheet yield by reusing the unexfoliated bulk h-BN and decreasing centrifugation speeds. Centrifugation speeds of 1880 and 950 rpm produced nanosheets of similar sizes due to the slight difference in the centrifugal force generated in both protocols. Moreover, nanosheets from both protocols had enhanced polarity due to the higher amounts of −OH bonds attached to the exposed edges of the nanosheets. However, the hydroxylation percentage decreased with centrifugation speed. Both protocols produced h-BN nanosheets that were stable in DI water dispersion. The comparatively lower initial aggregation rate at all centrifugation speeds supported the fact that the Segmented protocol nanosheets were more stable than the Continuous ones. The Segmented protocol h-BN nanosheets showed better overall stability at lower speeds than the other centrifugation speeds. Segmented protocol nanosheets from 3750 rpm had the lowest aggregation rate than the other centrifugation speed. These findings assist in finding the balance between exfoliation protocol, environmental application, and implication of h-BN nanosheets.

Evaluation of Water Dispersibility and Cell Accumulation of β-Cryptoxanthin Formulations Prepared Using Membrane Emulsification Method

Evaluation of Water Dispersibility and Cell Accumulation of β-Cryptoxanthin Formulations Prepared Using Membrane Emulsification Method

Effect of different addition orders of petrochemical by-product-based mixed collectors on coal flotation

ABSTRACT An effective collector is crucial for enhancing coal flotation efficiency. The effect of a mixed collector based on petrochemical by-products on coal flotation was investigated. The investigation included various addition orders and was conducted using flotation tests, particle size distribution analysis, GC-MS, FTIR and contact angle measurements. The Mixed addition order exhibited superior performance in flotation compared to the K+Y and Y+K orders at all tested dosages. Particle size distribution analyses revealed that the mixed collector offered better dispersion in water than individual the Y-oil and K-oil, with droplet sizes below 100 µm. FTIR and contact angle measurements indicated that coal treated with the Mixed addition order demonstrated optimal reagent adsorption and the highest level of surface hydrophobicity. Aromatic compounds in the collector interacted with the hydrophobic areas of the coal surface, while partially covering some of the hydrophilic regions between these hydrophobic sites. Conversely, heteropolar components engaged with the hydrophilic regions on the coal surface to enhance adsorption. Despite these improvements, some hydrophilic sites remained after treatments with the Y+K and K+Y orders, which continued to affect the coal flotation properties.

Experimental investigation of the effects of dispersed nanoalumina additive on plastic viscosity and yield stress values of cement-based grouts with fly ash

The effects of nanoalumina (n-Al2O3) additions at various proportions by mass (0.0%, 0.3%, %0.6, 0.9%, 1.2%, and 1.5%) on plastic viscosity and yield stress values of cement-based grout replacement with fly ash at different contents (0% for control purposes, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) were experimentally studied in this work. To minimize nanoalumina precipitation in free water and to provide homogeneous dispersion in water by removing these adhering nanopowders from each other, the ultrasonication method was applied in this study. Test results showed that shear thickening (dilatant) behavior was observed in all grout samples. The flowability of cement-based grouts containing fly ash considerably increases with the amount of nanoalumina added to the grout samples. The addition of nanoalumina and fly ash together in the grout mixes caused a considerable decrease in the yield stress value of these mixtures. Moreover, using all the experimental data obtained, an artificial neural network has been developed to predict the plastic viscosity and yield stress values. The developed model has been able to predict plastic viscosity with an average error rate of -0.17% and yield stress with an average error rate of 0.24%.

Effect of microemulsion system on water dispersibility and bioavailability of γ-oryzanol.

This study developed water-dispersible γ-oryzanol (WD-OZ) using microemulsion system and assessed their absorption in rats. While γ-oryzanol itself is hardly soluble in water, WD-OZ exhibited high water dispersibility, and γ-oryzanol, along with its metabolites, was detected in rat plasma. These findings provide a solid basis for future application of the microemulsion-based approach to enhance the bioavailability of γ-oryzanol in food.

Toxicological problems of tattoo removal: characterization of femtosecond laser-induced fragments of Pigment Green 7 and Green Concentrate tattoo ink.

Femtosecond lasers represent a novel tool for tattoo removal as sources that can be operated at high power, potentially leading to different removal pathways and products. Consequently, the potential toxicity of its application also needs to be evaluated. In this framework, we present a comparative study of Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser irradiation, as a function of laser power and exposure time, on water dispersions of Pigment Green 7 (PG7) and the green tattoo ink Green Concentrate (GC), which contains PG7 as its coloring agent. The treated samples were subsequently analyzed via UV‒Vis spectroscopy, gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC‒MS), SEM imaging and associated statistical analysis. We found that, on average, the discoloration efficacy of femtosecond laser treatment was comparable to that of nanosecond lasers as were the decomposition products. In fact, two primary types of fragments are produced, both of which are potentially harmful, resulting either from the decomposition of chlorinated phthalocyanine (i.e., PG7) or from the active chlorination of naphthalene impurities. However, the outcomes for the PG7 and GC treatments differed significantly from each other from several points of view. The spectral intensity patterns of GC and PG7 were distinct, depending on the treatment conditions, and showed linearity with power only in the case of GC. Additionally, the relative ratios of the fragment products differed significantly, with the production rate showing a linear dependence on power only in the case of GC and no discernible trend for PG7. Shape and size distribution of the generated particles were highly dependent on the type of sample. Femtosecond laser irradiation of GCs primarily produces nanoparticles with a homogeneous size distribution, which are typically considered nontoxic. Large aggregates also formed, exhibiting a regular shape. In contrast, PG7 yielded rods and needles with aspect ratios similar to those of toxic fibers.

Structure and phase dynamics in electrospray deposited amorphous MoO3 via thermal treatment

Abstract The molybdenum oxides with distinct structure and phases have shown unique properties that are of interest in many scientific and technological applications. However, the scalability to large area deposition and in particular the deposition on the surfaces with specific topology, with a uniform and controlled structure still remains a challenge. In this work a uniform MoO$_3$ film with amorphous structure was achieved via electrospray deposition from fine particles dispersion in water.
A high vapor pressure of solvent was utilized for the progress of the deposition. As-deposited films with large thicknesses ($< 1 \mu$m) show amorphous structures with mean roughness lower than $\sim$ 32 nm. The deposited film subsequently was subject to the thermal treatment with optimal thermodynamic parameters in order to modify the structure, the phase, the defect density and subsequently the electronic properties of the final structure. It is shown that a uniform coating layer with controlled structure and defect density can be achieved. This method facilitates the deposition of the oxide layer on variety of the unconventional surfaces with large area as well as curved geometry.

Modulation of Donor in Purely Organic Triplet Harvesting AIE-TADF Photosensitizer for Image-guided Photodynamic Therapy.

Image-guided photodynamic therapy is acknowledged as one of the most demonstrative therapeutic modalities for cancer treatment because of its high precision, non-invasiveness, and improved imaging ability. A series of purely organic photosensitizers denoted as BTMCz, BTMPTZ, and BTMPXZ, have been designed and synthesized and are found to exhibit both thermally activated delayed fluorescence and aggregation-induced emission simultaneously. Experimental and theoretical studies are combined to reveal that modulation of the donor of the photosensitizer enables distinct thermally activated delayed fluorescence via a second-order spin-orbit perturbation mechanism involving lowest singlet charge-transfer and higher-lying triplet locally excited states, respectively. Further, different donor strengths and unique aggregations (H-, J- and X-type packings) greatly influence their color-tunable up-converted luminescence and endow them with superb dispersibility in water. The confocal microscopy-based cellular uptake study confirms the successful internalization of the nano-probes, while BTMCz enables the generation of reactive oxygen species (singlet oxygen) under white-light irradiation, enabling the efficient killing of cancer cells.

Dendrimer-Mediated Generation of a Metal-Phenolic Network for Antibody Delivery to Elicit Improved Tumor Chemo/Chemodynamic/Immune Therapy.

To simplify the composition and improve the efficacy of metal-phenolic network (MPN)-based nanomedicine, herein, we designed an MPN platform to deliver programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibody (anti-PD-L1) for combined tumor chemo/chemodynamic/immune therapy. Here, generation 5 poly(amidoamine) dendrimers conjugated with gossypol (Gos) through boronic ester bonds were used as a synthetic polyphenol to coordinate Mn2+, and then complexed with anti-PD-L1 to obtain the nanocomplexes (for short, DPGMA). The prepared DPGMA exhibited good water dispersibility with a hydrodynamic size of 166.3 nm and tumor-microenvironment-responsive drug release behavior. The integration of Gos and Mn2+ within the DPGMA resulted in significant tumor inhibition and immunogenic cell death activation through Gos-mediated chemotherapy and Mn2+-catalyzed chemodynamic therapy, respectively, thereby leading to significant dendritic cell maturation due to the role of Mn2+ played to mediate the activation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. Moreover, the complexed anti-PD-L1 promoted the recognition and uptake of nanocomplexes by PD-L1-overexpressed tumors through antibody targeting, thereby achieving combinational chemo/chemodynamic/immune therapy in a mouse melanoma model, where the immunotherapy modes combined three parts of activation via chemotherapy/CDT-mediated ICD, Mn2+-mediated STING activation, and antibody-mediated immune checkpoint blockade. With the Mn2+-endowed r1 relaxivity (1.38 mM-1 s-1), the DPGMA nanocomplexes can also be used for tumor MR imaging. The designed dendrimer-mediated MPN platform may be developed as an advanced nanomedicine to tackle other cancer types.

Evaluation of 2,3-butanediol derived from whey fermentation as an effective bio-based monomer for waterborne polyurethane dispersions.

Within the context of the circular economy, the transformation of agri-food waste or by-products into valuable products is essential to promoting a transition towards more sustainable and efficient utilisation of resources. Whey is a very abundant by-product of dairy manufacturing. Apart from partial reutilisation in animal feed or some food supplements, the sustainable management and disposal of whey still represent significant environmental challenges. In this work, whey is considered a valuable resource for producing high-value products, specifically 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), which was produced through fermentation using the bacterial strain Lactococcus lactis 43103. The described process yielded a >90% purity of 2,3-BDO, which was evaluated as a potential chain extender in the synthesis of bio-based waterborne polyurethane dispersions (PUDs). The incorporation of whey-derived 2,3-BDO led to the development of PUDs with up to 90% bio-based content without detrimental effects on the process or liquid-phase properties. The combination of 100% bio-based polyether polyols with partially renewable L-lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate and whey-derived 2,3-BDO as a chain extender generated totally stable, low-particle-size water dispersions of amorphous polymers characterised by similar structure and molecular weight compared to those of alternative petroleum-based PUDs. These results open up the possibility of incorporating fermentation-derived 2,3-BDO as a totally renewable component in bio-based PUDs as potential sustainable resinous systems for further formulation of water-based coatings or adhesives.

Self-assembled nano delivery system of fenugreek polysaccharides: Effects on curcumin bioavailability and molecular mechanisms

Self-assembly of fenugreek polysaccharides FS60 (a natural macromolecular material) with curcuminoid has been proved to improve curcumin (Cur) water dispersion in preliminary studies. This study further explored the effect of FS60 on Cur bioavailability in vivo to assess the significance of this delivery method. In this study, we optimized the formulation parameters of FS60–curcuminoid aggregates (FC) and studied their effects on Cur pharmacokinetics in rats. Results showed that the optimized aggregates had an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 88.22 % and hydrodynamic diameter (DH) of 231.48 nm. Additionally, administering FC significantly increased curcumin glucuronide (Cur-O-Glu) levels. The Cmax was 51 times higher and AUC0–12h was 19 times higher than curcuminoid alone. Moreover, FS60 intervention for seven days increased the absorption speed of Cur-O-Glu into the bloodstream. Further mechanistic studies indicated that FS60 promoted Cur ingestion, increased UGT expression, and inhibited enterocyte transporters, allowing large amounts of Cur-O-Glu to enter the bloodstream. Moreover, the gut microbiota modulated by FS60 accelerated the mutual conversion of pentose and gluconate to provide sufficient glucuronic acid for the glucuronidation of Cur in enterocytes. Consequently, the nano delivery system composed by FS60 and curcuminoid facilitated gastrointestinal Cur glucuronidation and Cur-O-Glu absorption.

Loading curcumin on hyperbranched polymers functionalized Zein via the phenol-yne click reaction as pH-responsive drug delivery system for chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy.

Zein and its complexes have been considered as promising carriers for encapsulating and delivering various biological active ingredients, however, there still have some issues about Zein-based drug delivery systems should be considered, including poor colloidal stability, low drug encapsulation efficiency as well as rapid initial drug release, and uncontrollable release. In this work, we reported for the first time that hyperbranched polymers (HPG) functionalized Zein with terminal alkyne (Zein-HPG-PA) can be used for loading anticancer agent curcumin (CUR) via a facile phenol-yne click reaction. The resultant product (Zein-HPG-PA@CUR) displays high drug loading capacity, small particle size and excellent water dispersibility. More importantly, almost no CUR was released from Zein-HPG-PA@CUR under pH7.4 and the cargo will be gradually released under acidic environment. As compared with free CUR, Zein-HPG-PA@CUR shows considerable cytotoxicity towards MDA-MB-231 cells under dark environment, while the cytotoxicity was significantly enhanced upon light-irradiation, implying great potential of Zein-HPG-PA@CUR for cancer treatment. Considered the above aspects, we believe that this work should be of significant impact on the biomedical applications of Zein, especially for fabrication of Zein-based responsive drug delivery systems.

Self-assembled water soluble and bone-targeting phosphorylated quercetin ameliorates postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomy mice.

Natural compounds have shown promising application prospects in preventing or treating various diseases, including osteoporosis on account of their abundant sources, low price, multi-targeting and multiple biological effects. As a bioactive natural product, quercetin (Que) has previously demonstrated to ameliorate osteoporosis (OP), however, its poor bioavailability resulting from low water solubility, poor stability and lack of bone-targeting largely restricted its efficacy and clinical applications. Inspired by the bone-targeting capability of phosphate compounds, we reported a one-step procedure for synthesis of phosphorylated Que (p-Que) by direct phosphorylating phenol groups of Que for the first time. The phosphate groups on p-Que could not only improve the water dispersibility of Que, but also endow p-Que desirable bioavailability and bone-targeting feature. The results from biological assays suggested that p-Que could inhibit osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption and alleviate trabeculae loss in osteoporotic mice. In conclusion, this work demonstrated that phosphorylation strategy can effectively solve low water solubility, lack of bone-targeting capability and poor bioavailability of natural compounds, providing a novel and efficient approach for development of OP nanomedicines.

Rapid on-site colorimetric detection of Arsenic(V) by NH2-MIL-88(Fe) nanozymes-based Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic and smartphone-assisted sensing platforms

BackgroundBecause arsenate (As(V)) is a highly toxic pollutant, timely on-site monitoring of its concentration is crucial for mitigating potential environmental and health hazards. Traditional on-site detection methods for As(V) often face limitations of long response time and low sensitivity. Nanozymes are nanomaterials that exhibit enzyme-like catalytic activity. Nanozyme-based colorimetric detection can amplify signals and improve detection sensitivity by catalytically converting a minimal substrate quantity into a substantial amount. However, current nanozymes-based As(V) detection methods still suffer from prolonged response time and the lack of convenient detection tools. ResultsWe develop a rapid and sensitive strategy for on-site colorimetric As(V) detection using a metal-organic framework (MOF) nanozyme, NH2-MIL-88(Fe). NH2-MIL-88(Fe) featured abundant Fe unsaturated metal centers (UMCs) and ordered porous structure, exhibiting excellent peroxidase-like activity, rapid As(V) adsorption, and high water dispersity. Fe UMCs efficiently catalyzed the oxidization of colorless tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to blue oxTMB in the presence of H2O2. As(V) selectively inhibited this activity, reducing Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption at 650 nm and fading the solution color. Mechanistically, As(V) interacted with Fe UMCs through As-O-Fe bonds, impeding Fe3+ reduction and Fe2+ catalytic ability, reducing •OH production. Under optimized conditions, As(V) was detected within 15 minutes, with detection limits of 2.78 μg•L-1 via UV-vis and 13.56 μg•L-1 via smartphone-assisted platform, covering a linear range of 5.00 - 600.00 μg•L-1. Additionally, NH2-MIL-88(Fe) was incorporated into an agarose hydrogel to create a portable composite for smartphone-based colorimetric analysis As(V). Significance and noveltyThis study addresses the existing issues of nanozyme-based As(V) sensors, elucidates the molecular mechanism by which As(V) affects NH2-MIL-88(Fe) nanozymes activity, and confirms the precision and accuracy of the established method in spiked river samples. Our rapid, sensitive, and facile approach offers a practical and efficient solution for on-site As(V) detection, facilitating swift intelligent risk identification and effective pollution prevention and remediation.

A colorimetric strategy and smartphone-based test strip for the detection of glucose based on the peroxidase activity of a hemin-derived nanozyme.

Nanozymes are nanomaterials with catalytic properties similar to enzymes and offer advantages over natural enzymes such as lower cost, ease of storage, and convenience for large-scale preparation. Thus, they have received increasing attention and are extensively applied in fields such as chemistry, sensing, food, environment, and medicine. Herein, a hemin-derived nanozyme (Hemin-CDs) was prepared using hemin as the precursor and used to substitute the natural horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for colorimetric detection. The prepared Hemin-CDs exhibit excellent water dispersibility, stability and superior peroxidase-like activity. They catalyze the oxidative coupling of colorless 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AAP) with N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)-3-methylaniline sodium salt (TOOS) in the presence of H2O2, forming a purple quinone diimine dye with an absorption peak at 554 nm, which enables the quantification of H2O2 by measuring the absorbance. Quantitative detection of glucose was further demonstrated under physiological conditions. The detection of H2O2 and glucose takes only 10 minutes, with linear ranges of 1-150 μM and 2.5-300 μM, and LODs of 0.867 μM and 1.026 μM, respectively. Glucose in human serum was successfully detected with satisfactory recoveries (87.5-104.0%). Furthermore, a test strip was developed, and a smartphone was utilized to recognize the color of the test position, enabling rapid and accurate quantification of glucose concentrations within 5 minutes, which promises to enhance the accessibility and convenience of glucose testing.

Polymer Brush-Functionalized MoS2 as a Water-Based Lubricant Additive.

Water-based lubricants have the advantages of low cost, easy cleaning, and environmental friendliness, and are suitable for various lubrication applications. However, the limited tribological properties of pure water-based lubricants restrict their use. To improve these properties, water-based lubrication additives can be employed. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is widely used in tribology because of its stability, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance, but it has poor dispersion in water. To address this, MoS2 functionalized with poly(3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt) (MoS2+PSPMA) is successfully prepared by grafting polymer brushes onto MoS2 using ultraviolet light. The results show that MoS2+PSPMA exhibits significantly better dispersion stability in water compared to unmodified MoS2. Additionally, MoS2+PSPMA demonstrates superior tribological properties as a water-based lubrication additive. During reciprocating friction, MoS2+PSPMA disperses effectively in water, forming a protective film on the wear surface that reduces friction. As an additive, MoS2+PSPMA indicates good dispersion and a low friction coefficient in water, positioning it as a promising candidate for future water-based lubricants.