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Unveiling the genuine active sites of carbonate hydroxide (CH) under realistic operating conditions holds the key to its practical applications. Here, we reveal that the irreversible redox of Co cations in CH at the early stage of cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycling generates oxygen vacancies-enriched NiCo layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets. Theoretical calculations validate the optimal redox reaction energy barrier of the unsaturated 5-coordinated Co sites. Such an electrochemical coordination-engineering strategy greatly inspires the rational design of high-performance electrode materials.

This review highlights recent research on the preparation of functional polymeric nanomaterials (nanoparticles, microcapsules, nanofibers, carbon nanotubes) by combined 'click chemistry' and controlled radical polymerization (CRP) techniques. In particular, it focuses primarily on combined atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), reversible addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization (RAFT), nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP), copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) and thiol-ene chemistry. These versatile techniques of polymer synthesis allow the preparation of functional polymeric nanomaterials with well-defined nanostructures and desired functionalities.

Abstract:The aim of this research was to prepare a novel sponge-like porous hydrogel scaffold based on human-like collagen (HLC) that could be applied in cartilage tissue regeneration. In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a porogen to prepare the porous hydrogel, which had not been previously reported. Glutamine transaminase (TGase) was used as the cross-linker of the hydrogel, because it could catalyze the cross-linking of BSA. During the crosslinking process, BSA and HLC were mixed together, which affected the cross-linking of HLC. When the cross-linking was completed, the non-crosslinked section formed pores. The microstructure, porosity, swelling properties, and compressive properties of the hydrogel were studied. The results showed that the pore size of the hydrogel was between 100 and 300 µm, the porosity reached up to 93.43%, and the hydrogel had rapid water absorption and suitable mechanical properties. Finally, we applied the hydrogel to cartilage tissue engineering through in vitro and in vivo research. The in vitro cell experiments suggested that the hydrogel could promote the proliferation and adhesion of chondrocytes, and in vivo transplantation of the hydrogel could enhance the repair of cartilage. In general, the hydrogel is promising as a tissue engineering scaffold for cartilage.