Ceramics are usually composed of randomly oriented grains and intergranular phases, so their properties are the statistical average along each direction and show isotropy corresponding to the uniform microstructures. Some methods have been developed to achieve directional grain arrangement and preferred orientation growth during ceramic preparation, and then textured ceramics with anisotropic properties are obtained. Texture microstructures give particular properties to ceramics along specific directions, which can effectively expand their application fields. In this review, typical texturing techniques suitable for ceramic materials, such as hot working, magnetic alignment, and templated grain growth (TGG), are discussed. Several typical textured structural ceramics including α-Al 2 O 3 and related nacre bioinspired ceramics, Si 3 N 4 and SiAlON, h-BN, MB 2 matrix ultra-high temperature ceramics, MAX phases and their anisotropic properties are presented.

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MAX phases are a family of ternary carbide or nitride ceramics possessing a layered crystal structure and, due to their chemical bonds having a mixed covalent-ionic-metallic nature, have unique properties combining those of metals and ceramics. In this review, the formation mechanisms of MAX phases from elemental and compound powders are reviewed in detail, as the formation mechanisms are closely related to the unique properties of wellsynthesized MAX phases. The stability of MAX phases in some harsh external environments is significantly influenced by the defect population, allowing the mechanisms of defect formation and migration to strongly influence their self-healing performance and radiation tolerance. The properties of MAX phases can be tailored by creating solid solutions, which have lattice distortions, and texturing which results in the preferential orientation of plate-like grains.

Context: Doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded folate-targeted poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyoctanoate) [P(HB-HO)] nanoparticles [DOX/FA-PEG-P(HB-HO) NPs] have potential application in clinical treatments for cervical cancer due to specific affinity of folate and folate receptor in HeLa cells. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop an optimized formulation for DOX/FA-PEG-P(HB-HO) NPs, and investigate the targeting and efficacies of the nanoparticles. Materials and methods: DOX/FA-PEG-P(HB-HO) NPs were prepared by W 1 /O/W 2 solvent extraction/evaporation method, and an orthogonal experimental design [L 9 ( 3 4 )] was applied to establish the optimum conditions. The physico-chemical characteristics, microscopic observation and in vivo antitumor study of the nanoparticles were evaluated. Results: The optimum formulation was obtained with DOX 10% (w/v), FA-PEG-P(HB-HO) 6.5% (w/v), PVA 3%(w/v) and oil phase/internal water phase volume ratio of 3/1. The size distribution, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of the optimized nanoparticles were 150-350 nm, 29.6 ± 2.9% and 83.5 ± 5.7%, respectively. In vitro release study demonstrated that 80% of the drug could release from the nanoparticles within 11 days. Furthermore, in vitro microscopic observation and in vivo antitumor study showed that DOX/FA-PEG-P(HB-HO) NPs could inhibit HeLa cells effectively, and the tumor inhibition rate (TIR) in vivo was 76.91%. Discussion and conclusions: DOX/FA-PEG-P(HB-HO) NPs have been successfully developed and optimized. In vitro drug release study suggested a sustained release profile. Moreover, DOX/FA-PEG-P(HB-HO) NPs could effectively inhibit HeLa cells with satisfying targeting, and reduce side effects and toxicity to normal tissues. DOX/FA-PEG-P(HB-HO) NPs were superior in terms of inhibiting HeLa tumor over non-targeted formulations therapy. KeywordsDoxorubicin, folate-targeted nanoparticles, in vivo antitumor activity, orthogonal design, poly(3-hydroxybutyrateco-3-hydroxyoctanoate)History