Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized by a co-precipitation method using sodium citrate and oleic acid as modifiers. Phase composition and microstructure analysis indicate that the sodium citrate and oleic acid have been successfully grafted onto the surface of Fe 3 O 4 MNPs. The magnetic behaviors reveal that the modification can decrease the saturation magnetization of Fe 3 O 4 MNPs due to the surface effect. Fe 3 O 4 MNPs modified by sodiumcitrate and oleic acid show excellent dispersion capability, which should be ascribed to the great reduction of high surface energy and dipolar attraction of the nanoparticles.

We describe the one-pot synthesis, unique geometries and intriguing host–guest properties of a new class of supramolecular macrocycles – biphen[n]arenes (n = 3, 4).

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) hybrid membranes were fabricated via electrospinning of the PLLA/HA dispersion for use in bone tissue regeneration. The structural properties and morphologies of PLLA and PLLA/HA hybrid membrane were investigated by measuring the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area, observations of SEM, and TEM. The dispersion and integrating of HA nanoparticles in the hybrid membrane were studied by energy dispersion X-ray analysis and FTIR. The mechanical properties of PLLA/HA membrane were also measured by tensile tests. For exploring biological behaviors of the hybrid membrane, in vitro degradation tests were carried out. The osteoblast cell (MG-63) was cultured in PLLA/HA hybrid membrane extract containing medium; the cell adhesion and growth capability were investigated by SEM observation and MTT assay. HA nanoparticles were not only dispersed in the PLLA but also reacted with the functional group of PLLA, resulting in strong surface bonding and high tensile strength of hybrid membrane. The cell adhesion and growth on the PLLA/HA hybrid membrane were far better than those on the pure PLLA membrane, which proves that the PLLA/HA hybrid membrane can be one of the promising biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration.

We report the designed synthesis of Co 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate coordination polymers (CPs) via a straightforward hydrothermal method, in which three kinds of reaction solvents are selected to form CPs with various morphologies and dimensions. When tested as anode materials in Li-ion battery, the cycling stabilities of the three CoBTC CPs at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) have not evident difference; however, the reversible capacities are widely divergent when the current density is increased to 2 A g(-1). The optimized product CoBTC-EtOH maintains a reversible capacity of 473 mAh g(-1) at a rate of 2 A g(-1) after 500 galvanostatic charging/discharging cycles while retaining a nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency. The hollow microspherical morphology, accessible specific area, and the absence of coordination solvent of CoBTC-EtOH might be responsible for such difference. Furthermore, the ex situ soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies of CoBTC-EtOH under different states-of-charge suggest that the Co ions remain in the Co(2+) state during the charging/discharging process. Therefore, Li ions are inserted to the organic moiety (including the carboxylate groups and the benzene ring) of CoBTC without the direct engagement of Co ions during electrochemical cycling.

Significant effort has been devoted to fabricating various biomaterials to satisfy specific clinical requirements. In this study, we developed a new type of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane by electrospinning a suspension consisting of poly( l-lactic acid), multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and hydroxyapatite (PLLA/MWNTs/HA). MWNTs/HA nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in the membranes, and the degradation characteristics were far improved. Cytologic research revealed that the PLLA/MWNTs/HA membrane enhanced the adhesion and proliferation of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) by 30% and inhibited the adhesion and proliferation of gingival epithelial cells by 30% also, compared with the control group. After PDLCs were seeded into the PLLA/MWNTs/HA membrane, cell/membrane composites were implanted into the leg muscle pouches of immunodeficient mice. Histologic examinations showed that PDLCs attached on the membranes functioned well in vivo. This new type of membrane shows excellent dual biological functions and satisfied the requirement of the GTR technique successfully in spite of a monolayer structure. Compared with other GTR membranes on sale or in research, the membrane can simplify the manufacturing process, reduce the fabrication cost, and avoid possible mistakes in clinical application. Moreover, it does not need to be taken out after surgery. PLLA/MWNTs/HA membranes have shown great potential for GTR and tissue engineering.

Mn-1,4-BDC@200 was synthesized, with a capacity of 974 mA h g−1after 100 cycles at a rate of 100 mA g−1.

A seashell-like Co-MOF employing an organic-moiety-dominated intercalation/deintercalation mechanism demonstrates unprecedented long-term cyclic stability in LIBs.

We herein demonstrate the fabrication of Mn- and Ni-based ultrathin metal-organic framework nanosheets with the same coordination mode (termed "Mn-UMOFNs" and "Ni-UMOFNs", respectively) through an expedient and versatile ultrasonic approach and scrutinize their electrochemical properties as anode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries for the first time. The obtained Mn-UMOFNs with structure advantages over Ni-UMOFNs (thinner nanosheets, smaller metal-ion radius, higher specific surface area) exhibit high reversible capacity (1187 mAh g at 100 mA g for 100 cycles), excellent rate capability (701 mAh g even at 2 A g), rapid Li diffusion coefficient (2.48 × 10 cm s), and a reasonable charge-discharge profile with low average operating potential at 0.4 V. On the grounds of the low-cost and environmental benignity of Mn metals and terephthalic acid linkers, our Mn-UMOFNs show alluring promise as a low-cost high-energy anode material for future LIBs. Furthermore, the lithiation-delithiation chemistry of Mn-UMOFNs was unequivocally studied by a combination of magnetic measurements, electron paramagnetic resonance, and synchrotron-based soft X-ray spectroscopy (O K-edge and Mn L-edge) experiments, the results of which substantiate that both the aromatic chelating ligands and the Mn centers participate in lithium storage.