Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
SungGyu Chun, Jie Feng
Summary: The study introduces the formulation of abamectin nanopesticides using Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP) technology for extended photostability and sustained release. The use of cost-effective stabilizers led to optimized nanoparticles while achieving improved performance of abamectin. The results demonstrate the potential of FNP for mass production of low-cost abamectin nanopesticides, essential for large-scale application in food and agriculture.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ning Zhao, Li Zhu, Meichen Liu, Liangheng He, Hanhong Xu, Jinliang Jia
Summary: Intelligently responsive nanoparticles enhance insecticidal activity and reduce pesticide use in agriculture.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Junfeng Wang, Jiawei Li, Yining Wang, Zhen Li, Jun Zhang
Summary: The study shows that comb-like copolymers can self-assemble into onion-like vesicles via PISA, improving preparation efficiency and structural stability, and suitable for drug and gene delivery applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sandrine Lteif, Neda A. Nosratabad, Sisi Wang, Yan Xin, Steven J. Weigand, Hedi Mattoussi, Joseph B. Schlenoff
Summary: To stabilize and transport nanoparticles, polymeric nanocarriers are often used. This study encapsulates hydrophobic metal and metal oxide nanoparticles within PDMS nanodroplets using flash nanoprecipitation, resulting in stable nanocomposite nanodroplets in aqueous salt solutions without the use of surfactants.
Article
Biology
Amr M. El-Marzoky, Shams H. Abdel-Hafez, Samy Sayed, Heba M. Salem, Amira M. El-Tahan, Mohamed T. El-Saadony
Summary: This study examined the effects of different concentrations of abamectin suspension on cucumber seeds to control nematode reproduction and enhance plant growth. The results showed that abamectin treatment did not affect seed germination, and the concentration of 500 ppm was the most effective in reducing nematode parameters. Therefore, using abamectin at a concentration of 500 ppm is recommended for controlling Meloidogyne incognita in cucumber plants under greenhouse conditions to minimize its environmental toxicity.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Voitto Kankanen, Micaela Fernandes, Zehua Liu, Jani Seitsonen, Sami-Pekka Hirvonen, Janne Ruokolainen, Joao F. Pinto, Jouni Hirvonen, Vimalkumar Balasubramanian, Helder A. Santos
Summary: This study reports the development of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-(e-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) nanoparticles using a microfluidic technique for intravenous drug delivery. The optimized formulation achieved spherical morphology, small particle size (dH < 80 nm), uniform size distribution (PDI < 0.2), high drug loading degree (16%), and encapsulation efficiency of 54%. Furthermore, the nanoparticles exhibited stability and sustained release of sorafenib in vitro over several days. Overall, this research demonstrates the use of microfluidic approach in optimizing drug delivery systems.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Takaya Ikami, Yuki Watanabe, Hiroki Ogawa, Mikihito Takenaka, Norifumi L. Yamada, Makoto Ouchi, Hiroyuki Aoki, Takaya Terashima
Summary: By controlling the composition of the copolymers with octadecyl groups and hydroxyethyl groups in solution, ordered lamellar structures can be formed in the solid state, while spin-coating the polymer solutions onto silicon substrates allows the copolymers to autonomously form multilayered lamellar thin films.
Article
Polymer Science
Huiying Wang, Qiang Chen, Zhen Geng, Jingyi Rao, Bijin Xiong, Frederic Lortie, Julien Bernard, Wolfgang H. Binder, Senbin Chen, Jintao Zhu
Summary: By introducing 2,6-diaminopyridine moieties and H-bonding amphiphilic interactions, a simple and effective self-assembly strategy was designed to form giant vesicles with a diameter of approximately 3 μm, providing a new opportunity for the design of supramolecular polymers.
Article
Polymer Science
Qianyu Lin, Chen Chuan Lim, Cally Owh, Joey Hui Min Wong, Valerie Ow, Belynn Sim, Yi Jian Boo, Michelle P. Y. Yew, Yi Hao Leow, Liangfeng Guo, Jason Y. C. Lim, Xian Jun Loh
Summary: Thermogels are a type of supramolecular hydrogels that undergo reversible sol-gel phase transitions and their unique properties depend on the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of the constituent polymers. Most thermogelling polymers use polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the hydrophilic segment, but this study introduces PEG-free amphiphilic polymers comprising only polyethylenimine (PEI) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) as the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, respectively. These polymers can self-assemble into micelles and supramolecular gel matrices. By modifying the PEI-PPG copolymers with benzyl groups, the resulting thermogel properties can be conveniently modulated. The hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance of the copolymers can also be adjusted to tune the critical gelation concentrations, gelation temperatures, and gel viscoelastic properties. In addition, the PEI segment exhibits pH-responsiveness, allowing for further alteration of thermogel viscoelasticity through pH adjustment. The convenience of postsynthetic functionalization, new material properties, and dual stimuli-responsiveness of these polycationic PEI-PPG thermogels can potentially offer a vast material design space for many unique applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Xiao-Hui Guo, Ge-Ge Gu, Tian-Jun Yue, Wei-Min Ren
Summary: In this study, a new method for synthesizing amphiphilic block copolymers comprised of acidified polyamine and polycarbonate segments was developed through the orthogonal polymerization of aziridine and cyclic carbonates. Controlled experiments demonstrated that the cationic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of aziridine and the anionic ROP of cyclic carbonates occurred simultaneously, resulting in chain propagation. This approach enables the construction of amphiphilic block copolymers and the formation of polysomes through acidification.
Article
Polymer Science
Yanyao Zhang, Yusheng Tang, Junliang Zhang, Simon Harrisson
Summary: The fluorescence properties of the copolymer can be adjusted by rationally designing the copolymer structure. The asymmetric diblock copolymer shows a gradual increase in fluorescent intensity as the environmental pH decreases, in contrast to the limited and stepwise change of its symmetric block counterpart.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kurt D. Ristroph, Jenna A. Ott, Luqman A. Issah, Brian K. Wilson, Amila Kujovic, Madeleine Armstrong, Sujit S. Datta, Robert K. Prud'homme
Summary: This study presents a reversible pH-driven flocculation technique for concentrating nanoparticles stabilized with a carboxylic acid-bearing cellulose polymer, which significantly reduces the drying time and improves particle retention efficiency. The flocculation process is found to be effective in separating amphiphilic polyelectrolyte-coated nanoparticles from suspension for advanced processing, demonstrating a potential method for nanoparticle concentration and drying.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Deniz Coban, Olga Gridina, Matthias Karg, Andre H. Groeschel
Summary: This study describes design rules for controlling the morphology of multicompartment micelles (MCMs) in water and proposes a method to predict the final MCM shape based on the molar ratio of PEO to PMA.
Article
Polymer Science
Vladislav Y. Shevtsov, Ting-Yi Hsin, Yeong-Tarng Shieh
Summary: The multi-stimuli-responsiveness of tertiary amine-containing polyacrylates makes them highly attractive for use in a wide range of applications. The quaternization of PDMAEMA has been widely established due to its effective antibacterial activity. However, information about the hydrolysis of qPDMAEMA has been lacking. In this study, well-defined PDMAEMA was prepared and partially or completely quaternized. The hydrolysis of qPDMAEMA was studied, showing that it can be easily hydrolyzed in an alkaline solution, providing an alternative way of preparing PMAA with precise control.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fernando A. de Oliveira, Carin C. S. Batista, Lindomar J. C. Albuquerque, Peter Cernoch, Milos Steinhart, Vladimir Sincari, Alessandro Jager, Eliezer Jager, Fernando C. Giacomelli
Summary: The size and morphology of self-assemblies can be tuned for the development of delivery systems. The morphology of pH-triggered nanoplatforms based on block copolymers is influenced by the molecular weight of the copolymer and the method of self-assembly. The formation of core-shell nanoparticles or vesicular structures can be achieved by adjusting the molecular weight and using different self-assembly methods.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiahao Zhang, Shengyu Bai, Zhongqi Li, Guanyao Gu, Hucheng Wang, Lai Wei, Xun Sun, Fuzhen Xuan, Xuhong Guo, Yiming Wang
Summary: In this study, we demonstrate a reversible phase transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) in response to light instead of temperature through a simple signal transformation strategy. By using a photoacid and PNIPAm-based copolymers, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the copolymers can be reversibly changed upon switching on/off light, resulting in a fast (<0.5 min) and reversible phase transition without changing the ambient temperature. This concept enables the fabrication of light-controlled dynamic patterns and conceptually smart soft actuators composed of the copolymers, offering potential for the development of new non-contact smart objects with adaptive responsiveness.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yinglin Zhang, Long Chen, Bo Yan, Fuping Zhang, Yulin Shi, Xuhong Guo
Summary: The utilization of hazardous textile sludge as a precursor for energy production has significant practical implications for sustainable economic and environmental development. In this study, a novel Cu8S5/NSC catalyst with abundant mass transfer channel was successfully designed through direct pyrolysis of textile sludge waste. The catalyst exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability, outperforming the benchmark Pt/C||RuO2 in water splitting for energy production.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Kedong Zhang, Zhihao Li, Shanshan Wang, Peng Wang, Yuping Zhang, Xuhong Guo
Summary: In this study, a new nanofluid (Fe3O4@CNTs nanofluid) was prepared and its coupling effect with micro-texture on the cutting performance of TiC ceramic tools under the action of a magnetic field was revealed. The results showed that TTC + FC-0.5 exhibited lower cutting forces and surface roughness compared to TC + F-0.5, with further improvements at higher magnetic field strengths.
JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jiaxiong Li, Changhao Yan, Hucheng Wang, Erfu Lu, Yiming Wang, Xuhong Guo, Jie Wang
Summary: Chemically fueled smart supramolecular gels with dynamic gel-sol-gel transition behavior driven by the consumption of biocompatible cyclodextrin (CD) were developed. The gel-sol-gel transition process is highly dynamic and tunable, and the gel state can be maintained after the depletion of the fuel. This research may contribute to the development of biocompatible non-equilibrium materials for high-tech applications, especially in the field of biomedicine.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yangzhou Zhai, Guiyao Song, Qisheng Jiang, Zihao Wang, Chonghao Chen, Dianhua Liu
Summary: The mesoporous structure of HZSM-5 zeolite facilitates the diffusion and distribution of aromatics, and can enhance the selectivity of aromatics due to adjustable acidity. Catalytic performance testing shows that mesoporous HZSM-5 has high aromatics selectivity and a significant amount of light aromatics.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xiaoping Wang, Lin Xu, Jianhua Song, Muhammad Asif Nawaz, Dianhua Liu
Summary: Polystyrene-based hybrid solid acids with tunable hydrophobicity and high acid density were prepared by post-synthesis grafting method. The results showed that the catalyst surface property could change from hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity by increasing the organic chain length, which effectively improved the methanol conversion and PODE3-6 selectivity. Moreover, the improvement of hydrophobicity promoted the decrease of local water concentration in the catalyst, facilitating the stabilization of carbocations.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qisheng Jiang, Guiyao Song, Yangzhou Zhai, Chonghao Chen, Zihao Wang, Huimin Yuan, Zhixiang Zhang, Dianhua Liu
Summary: Here, we report a composite catalyst composed of Na- and Zn-promoted Fe catalyst (NaZnFe) and highly stable hierarchical nanocrystalline HZSM-5 modified by PEG for CO2 hydrogenation to aromatics. The subtle synergy between Na and Zn in NaZnFe promotes the formation and exposure of active iron species and the conversion of CO2 and intermediates. Additionally, PEG modification of HZSM-5 improves mesoporosity and provides appropriate acidity, resulting in high aromatic selectivity and catalytic stability. The composite catalyst shows high efficiency in the diffusion on hierarchical HZSM-5, intensifying the synergistic effect in the catalytic system. At a CO2 conversion of 42.08%, the composite catalyst suppresses the total selectivity of CO and CH4 to less than 15%, with an aromatic selectivity of up to 63.68% and BTX selectivity in aromatics of up to 56.35%.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liang Sun, Zhinan Fu, Enguang Ma, Li Li, Zhiyong Liu, Xuhong Guo
Summary: We report on the design and synthesis of hollow silica-supported gold nanocatalysts via an in-situ colloidal polyelectrolyte template strategy. The resulting hollow SNPs@AuNPs exhibited superior catalytic activity and reusability for the reduction of p-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride in aqueous solution. This synthetic strategy can potentially be extended to fabricate multifunctional nanomaterials with diverse compositions for applications in catalysis, energy, and other important domains.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhinan Fu, Enguang Ma, Zheng Yang, Li Li, Xuhong Guo
Summary: This study reports a novel continuous-flow nanoprecipitation strategy for synthesizing hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MONPs) with highly uniform and tailored properties. The synthesized hollow nanoparticles possess a large surface area, narrow size distribution, large hollow cavity, and thin shell, and exhibit degradability through the incorporation of organic moieties. Furthermore, the potential of these hollow nanoparticles as drug carriers is demonstrated.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shengyu Bai, Hucheng Wang, Guanyao Gu, Jiahao Zhang, Lai Wei, Yuliang Gao, Zhongqi Li, Xuhong Guo, Yiming Wang
Summary: We demonstrate the transient assembly of macroscopically structured supramolecular hydrogels by using shaped chemical fuels. The shaped fuels are loaded in solid gels with defined shapes, which generate gradients and drive the assembly of hydrogels. This strategy can be used for dynamic information encryption.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhinan Fu, Lizhen Wang, Weijun Zhang, Xuan Tang, Wenxin Xia, Jinxia Li, Kuanwen Wang, Lihui Zhou, Xuhong Guo, Sheng Dai
Summary: ZIF-8-derived single atom catalysts with different hollow carbon nanoarchitectures are synthesized using a polyelectrolyte brush-templated-growth approach. Fe, Co, Cu, and Pd single-atom catalysts are successfully synthesized, with Fe catalysts showing superior oxygen reduction reaction performance. The study explores the morphology and structure of the derived materials, revealing the exposure of high-quality single-atom active sites and the promotion of mass transfer in the electrochemical process.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xuexue Liang, Ge Bai, Chun Hua Niu, Zhong Wei, Zhi Gang Lei, Kai Chen, Xuhong Guo
Summary: Plant diseases caused by fungi and bacteria are a major threat to crop production and food security. In this study, CMCS/PA/Zn2+ nanoparticles were developed using carboxymethyl chitosan, phytic acid, and metal ions via flash nanoprecipitation. These nanoparticles showed outstanding antibacterial and antifungal activities and can release Zn2+ in an acidic environment, making them environmentally-friendly and safe agricultural antimicrobials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chuanlu Ding, Hao Xing, Xuhong Guo, Huihui Yuan, Cuihua Li, Xiulan Zhang, Xin Jia
Summary: Multifunctional label-free N-doped ratiometric fluorescence carbon dots (N-CDs) are developed from tea leaves extract and o-phenylenediamine by a mild solvothermal method. The N-CDs have nitrogen- and oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface, providing excellent hydrophilia. The N-CDs exhibit two completely independent ratiometric fluorescence channels for detecting Hg2+ and H2O, showing potential in multifunctional detection.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xin Liu, Xuhong Guo, Qi Liao
Summary: In this study, an algorithm for accurately estimating viscosity is developed using molecular dynamics simulations and the Green-Kubo formula. This algorithm can be applied to complex systems with long correlations, such as macromolecular and biological simulation systems.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zihao Wang, Minzhe Li, Muhammad Asif Nawaz, Dianhua Liu
Summary: By integrating a Mn-ZnAlOx catalyst with HZSM-5 zeolite, syngas can be efficiently converted to the high value-added product 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene. The study provides deep analysis of the catalyst through various characterization approaches, revealing the synergistic effect of Mn-ZnAlOx and HZSM-5 in promoting the selective synthesis of tetramethylbenzene. Experimental results show that the catalyst exhibits high CO conversion and tetramethylbenzene selectivity, with good stability. Additionally, a trace methanol co-feeding experiment demonstrates the importance of matching between the synthesized zeolite and methyl intermediates for achieving maximum selectivity to tetramethylbenzene.
