Co-reporter:Fei-Fei Chen, Ying-Jie Zhu, Zhi-Chao Xiong, Tuan-Wei Sun, Yue-Qin Shen, and Ri-Long Yang
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces March 29, 2017 Volume 9(Issue 12) pp:11045-11045
Publication Date(Web):March 15, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acsami.7b01326
Layered materials with open interlayer channels enable various applications such as tissue engineering, ionic and molecular sieving, and electrochemical devices. However, most reports focus on the two-dimensional nanosheets-assembled layered materials, whose interlayer spacing is limited at the nanometer scale. Herein, we demonstrate that one-dimensional inorganic nanowires are the ideal building blocks for the construction of layered materials with open interlayer channels as well, which has not aroused much attention before. It is found that the relatively long inorganic nanowires are capable of assembling into free-standing layered paper with open interlayer channels during the filtration process. The spacings of interlayer channels between adjacent layers are up to tens of micrometers, which are much larger than those of the two-dimensional nanosheets-assembled layered materials. But the closed interlayer channels are observed when the relatively short inorganic nanowires are used as building blocks. The mechanism based on the relationship between the structural variation and the nanowires used is proposed, including the surface charge amplified effect, surface charge superimposed effect, and pillarlike supporting effect. According to the proposed mechanism, we have successfully fabricated a series of layered paper sheets whose architectures (including interlayer channels of cross section and pores on the surface) show gradient changes. The as-prepared layered paper sheets are employed as the valves for controlling water transportation. Tunable water transportation is achieved by the synergistic effect between in-plane interlayer channels (horizontal transportation) from the open to the closed states, and through-layer pores (vertical transportation) without surface modification or intercalation of any guest species.Keywords: inorganic nanowires; interlayer channels; layered paper; nanostructured materials; water transportation;
Co-reporter:Ri-Long Yang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Fei-Fei Chen, Li-Ying Dong, and Zhi-Chao Xiong
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces August 2, 2017 Volume 9(Issue 30) pp:25455-25455
Publication Date(Web):July 21, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acsami.7b06835
Counterfeiting of valuable certificates, documents, and banknotes is a serious issue worldwide. As a result, the need for developing novel anticounterfeiting materials is greatly increasing. Herein, we report a new kind of ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowire (HAPNW)-based paper with luminescence, fire resistance, and waterproofness properties that may be exploited for anticounterfeiting applications. In this work, lanthanide-ion-doped HAPNWs (HAPNW:Ln3+) with lengths over 100 μm have been synthesized and used as a raw material to fabricating a free-standing luminescent, fire-resistant, water-proof paper through a simple vacuum filtration process. It is interesting to find that the luminescence intensity, structure, and morphology of HAPNW:Ln3+ highly depend on the experimental conditions. The as-prepared HAPNW:Ln3+ paper has a unique combination of properties, such as high flexibility, good processability, writing and printing abilities, luminescence, tunable emission color, waterproofness, and fire resistance. In addition, a well-designed pattern can be embedded in the paper that is invisible under ambient light but viewable as a luminescent color under ultraviolet light. Moreover, the HAPNW:Ln3+ paper can be well-preserved without any damage after being burned by fire or soaked in water. The unique combination of luminescence, fire resistance, and waterproofness properties and the nanowire structure of the as-prepared HAPNW:Ln3+ paper may be exploited toward developing a new kind of multimode anticounterfeiting technology for various high-level security antiforgery applications, such as in making forgery-proof documents, certificates, labels, and tags and in packaging.Keywords: anticounterfeiting; fire-resistant; hydroxyapatite; luminescent; nanowires; paper; water-proof;
Co-reporter:Tuan-Wei Sun;Feng Chen
Chemistry - A European Journal 2017 Volume 23(Issue 16) pp:3796-3796
Publication Date(Web):2017/03/17
DOI:10.1002/chem.201700130
AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue are Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen et al. at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The image depicts the highly flexible multifunctional biopaper comprising ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires and chitosan for biomedical applications such as wound dressing, bone-fracture fixation and bone-defect repair. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201605165.
Co-reporter:Tuan-Wei Sun; Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Dr. Feng Chen
Chemistry - A European Journal 2017 Volume 23(Issue 16) pp:3794-3794
Publication Date(Web):2017/03/17
DOI:10.1002/chem.201700129
The highly flexible multifunctional biopaper comprising ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires and chitosan (UHANWs/CS) is shown in the cover picture. The reported biopaper has high flexibility, high biocompatibility, superior mechanical properties, and can be used for color printing. Moreover, the surface wettability, swelling ratio, and water-vapor transmission rate of the biopaper are adjustable by changing the added amount of UHANWs. The as-prepared biopaper is promising for various biomedical applications such as wound dressing, bone-fracture fixation, and bone-defect repair. More information can be found in the Full Paper by Y.-J. Zhu, F. Chen, and T.-W. Sun on page 3850 ff.
Co-reporter:Heng Li;Dabei Wu;Jin Wu;Li-Ying Dong;Xianluo Hu
Advanced Materials 2017 Volume 29(Issue 44) pp:
Publication Date(Web):2017/11/01
DOI:10.1002/adma.201703548
AbstractSeparators play a pivotal role in the electrochemical performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The commercial microporous polyolefin-based separators often suffer from inferior electrolyte wettability, low thermal stability, and severe safety concerns. Herein, a novel kind of highly flexible and porous separator based on hydroxyapatite nanowires (HAP NWs) with excellent thermal stability, fire resistance, and superior electrolyte wettability is reported. A hierarchical cross-linked network structure forms between HAP NWs and cellulose fibers (CFs) via hybridization, which endows the separator with high flexibility and robust mechanical strength. The high thermal stability of HAP NW networks enables the separator to preserve its structural integrity at temperatures as high as 700 °C, and the fire-resistant property of HAP NWs ensures high safety of the battery. In particular, benefiting from its unique composition and highly porous structure, the as-prepared HAP/CF separator exhibits near zero contact angle with the liquid electrolyte and high electrolyte uptake of 253%, indicating superior electrolyte wettability compared with the commercial polyolefin separator. The as-prepared HAP/CF separator has unique advantages of superior electrolyte wettability, mechanical robustness, high thermal stability, and fire resistance, thus, is promising as a new kind of separator for advanced LIBs with enhanced performance and high safety.
Co-reporter:Ying-Jie Zhu
Chinese Journal of Chemistry 2017 Volume 35(Issue 6) pp:769-790
Publication Date(Web):2017/06/01
DOI:10.1002/cjoc.201600696
Calcium phosphates are a family of compounds with different chemical compositions, structures and properties containing calcium ions and functional groups of orthophosphate (), metaphosphate () or pyrophosphate () and sometimes hydrogen or hydroxide ions. Calcium phosphates can be widely found in nature as well as in hard tissues (bone and tooth) of the vertebrate. Owing to similar chemical composition and structure to the main inorganic constituents of bone and tooth, calcium phosphate-based materials are promising biomaterials with high biocompatibility, and have been investigated for applications in various biomedical areas. Calcium silicate-based materials have attracted much attention on their potential applications in various biomedical fields such as bone defect repair and drug delivery. In recent years, this research group has been focusing on the research in this exciting and rapidly evolving research field, and has published many papers. This article will provide a brief review on our main research work on the synthesis, characterization, properties and applications of nanostructured materials of calcium phosphates and calcium silicates. Finally, future perspectives and challenges for the research and applications of nanostructured materials of calcium phosphates and calcium silicates are discussed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Co-reporter:Ying-Jie Zhu
Chinese Journal of Chemistry 2017 Volume 35(Issue 6) pp:745-745
Publication Date(Web):2017/06/01
DOI:10.1002/cjoc.201770061
The cover picture shows the promising applications of two important kinds of nanostructured materials of calcium phosphates and calcium silicates. Calcium phosphates and calcium silicate-based materials have high biocompatibility, and have been investigated for various biomedical applications such as bone defect repair and drug delivery. Furthermore, calcium phosphates and calcium silicates have many crystal phases and polymorphs; they are very rich and diverse in structure and morphology, which provide many possibilities for various applications. In recent years, this research group has been focusing on the research in this exciting and rapidly evolving research field. This article will provide a brief review on our main research work on the synthesis, characterization, properties and applications of nanostructured materials of calcium phosphates and calcium silicates. In addition, future perspectives and challenges for the research and applications of the related materials are discussed. We expect that with the development of new synthetic methods, delicate control over the chemical composition, structure, size, morphology, surface modification and functionalization, these materials will provide promising opportunities for the future clinical treatment and other applications. More details are discussed in the article by Ying-Jie Zhu on page 769–790.
Co-reporter:Yong-Gang Zhang, Ying-Jie ZhuFeng Chen, Tuan-Wei Sun
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2017 Volume 9(Issue 9) pp:
Publication Date(Web):February 27, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acsami.6b13328
In the past decade, ultralight materials such as aerogels have become one of the hottest research topics owing to their unique properties. However, most reported ultralight materials are bioinert. In this work, by using biocompatible, monodisperse, single-crystalline hydroxyapatite (HAP) microtubes as the building blocks, ultralight, strong, highly porous, three-dimensional (3-D) HAP networks have been successfully fabricated through a facile freeze-drying method and subsequent sintering at 1300 °C for 2 h. The as-prepared ultralight, strong, highly porous 3-D HAP microtube networks exhibit superior properties, such as ultrahigh porosity (89% to 96%), low density (94.1 to 347.1 mg/cm3), high compressive strength that can withstand more than 6400 times of their own weight without any fracture and is higher than aerogels with similar densities, and ultralow thermal conductivity (0.05 W/mK). Owing to their high porosity, ultralight, and good mechanical properties and high biocompatibility, the HAP microtube networks reported herein are promising for applications in various fields.Keywords: hydroxyapatite; microtubes; networks; porous; ultralight;
Co-reporter:Weilin Yu, Tuan-Wei Sun, Chao Qi, Zhenyu Ding, Huakun Zhao, Feng Chen, Daoyun Chen, Ying-Jie ZhuZhongmin Shi, Yaohua He
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2017 Volume 9(Issue 4) pp:
Publication Date(Web):January 10, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acsami.6b12325
Nanostructured calcium phosphate porous microspheres are of great potential in drug delivery and bone regeneration due to their large specific surface area, biocompatibility, and similarity to inorganic component of osseous tissue. In this work, strontium (Sr)-doped amorphous calcium phosphate porous microspheres (SrAPMs) were synthesized through a microwave-hydrothermal method using fructose 1,6-bisphosphate trisodium salt as the source of phosphate ions. The SrAPMs showed a mesoporous structure and a relatively high specific area. Compared with the hydroxyapatite nanorods prepared by using Na2HPO4·12H2O as the phosphorus source, the SrAPMs with a higher specific surface area were more effective in drug loading using vancomycin as the antiobiotics of choice and consequently having a higher antibacterial efficiency both on agar plates and in broths. Furthermore, to assess the potential application of SrAPMs in bone defect repair, a novel biomimetic bone tissue-engineering scaffold consisting of collagen (Coll) and SrAPMs was constructed using a freeze-drying fabrication process. Incorporation of the SrAPMs not only improved the mechanical properties, but also enhanced the osteogenesis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The in vivo experiments demonstrated that the SrAPMs/Coll scaffolds remarkably enhanced new bone formation compared with the Coll and APMs/Coll scaffolds in a rat critical-sized calvarial defect model at 8 weeks postimplantation. In summary, SrAPMs developed in this work are promising as antibiotic carriers and may encourage bone formation when combined with collagen.Keywords: biomimetic; bone regeneration; calcium phosphate; drug delivery; scaffold;
Co-reporter:Ya-Dong Yu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Jin Wu
Materials Letters 2017 Volume 205(Volume 205) pp:
Publication Date(Web):15 October 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2017.06.071
•Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 microspheres are prepared by a facile one-step solvothermal method.•The as-prepared Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 microspheres have good biocompatibility.•The as-prepared Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 microspheres are promising for various applications.Iron hydroxyl phosphate (Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2) microspheres with diameters of several micrometers have been successfully prepared using Fe(NO3)3·9H2O and NaH2PO4·2H2O in a mixed solvent of deionized water and glycerin by a facile one-step solvothermal method. The crystal phase of the product changes from poorly crystallized FePO4·2H2O nanoparticles into well-crystallized Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 microspheres as the amount of glycerin increases. The as-prepared Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 microspheres can transform into FePO4 through thermal treatment at 800 °C in air. The cytotoxicity tests show that the as-prepared Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 microspheres have good biocompatibility. We expect that the as-prepared Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 microspheres are promising for the applications in various fields.
Co-reporter:Ya-Dong Yu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Chao Qi, Jin Wu
Ceramics International 2017 Volume 43, Issue 8(Volume 43, Issue 8) pp:
Publication Date(Web):1 June 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.02.073
Hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanostructured materials have attracted much attention due to their excellent biocompatibility and promising applications in various biomedical fields. In this study, a facile method has been developed to synthesize HAP with flower-like hierarchical nanostructures. The flower-like CaHPO4 precursor is firstly synthesized using triethyl phosphate (TEP) as the organic phosphorus source by the solvothermal method. The HAP hierarchical microflowers constructed with nanorods are then fabricated through rapid microwave hydrothermal transformation of the CaHPO4 precursor in NaOH aqueous solution. The as-prepared HAP nanorod-assembled hierarchical microflowers are explored to study the protein/drug loading and release properties using hemoglobin (Hb) and ibuprofen (IBU) as a model protein and drug, respectively. The experimental results indicate that the as-prepared HAP nanorod-assembled hierarchical microflowers have relatively large specific surface area, high biocompatibility, high protein/drug loading capacity and pH-dependent sustained release properties. Thus, the as-prepared HAP nanorod-assembled hierarchical microflowers are promising for the applications in protein/drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Yong-Gang Zhang;Feng Chen;Tuan-Wei Sun
Journal of Materials Chemistry B 2017 vol. 5(Issue 21) pp:3898-3906
Publication Date(Web):2017/05/31
DOI:10.1039/C6TB02576E
In this work, a novel ultralong hydroxyapatite microtube (HMT)–chitosan (CHS) composite scaffold has been successfully prepared. The mechanical properties of the HMT–CHS composite scaffold is greatly improved compared with the CHS–hydroxyapatite nanorod scaffold and the pure chitosan scaffold. By using gentamicin sulfate (GS) as the model drug, the GS-loaded HMT–CHS composite scaffold has a high drug loading capacity, sustained drug release behavior and high antibacterial activity. The as-prepared HMT–CHS composite scaffold has promising applications in various fields such as drug delivery and bone defect repair.
Co-reporter:Zhi-Chao Xiong;Ri-Long Yang;Fei-Fei Chen;Li-Ying Dong
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2017 vol. 5(Issue 33) pp:17482-17491
Publication Date(Web):2017/08/22
DOI:10.1039/C7TA03870D
Fine particulate matter (PM) air pollution has been attracting much attention due to its great threat to human health. Herein, we report a new kind of air filter paper with high removal efficiencies for PM2.5 and PM10 prepared using ultralong hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanowires and cotton (CT) fibers as building blocks through a simple vacuum filtration process. Flexible and biocompatible ultralong HAP nanowires with lengths over 200 μm and diameters of approximately 20 nm are employed for significant improvement of the air filtration performance of commercial CT fibers. The ultralong HAP nanowires intertwine with CT fibers and form the highly porous HAP/CT air filter paper. In addition, by optimizing the proportion of HAP and CT, the as-prepared HAP/CT air filter paper exhibits high removal efficiencies of over 95% for PM2.5 and PM10; more importantly, it shows a lower pressure drop and a smaller thickness than a commercial breathing mask. Moreover, the fabrication of a large-sized HAP/CT air filter paper with desirable properties through a commercial sheet former is demonstrated. As a proof-of-concept, a homemade breathing mask is fabricated by imbedding the HAP/CT air filter paper into a commercial breathing mask. Furthermore, benefiting from the unique characteristics of ultralong HAP nanowires, other functions such as antibacterial activity can be achieved by the immobilization of silver nanoparticles as the representative bactericide, enabling the fabrication of multifunctional air filter paper. The experimental results suggest that the ultralong HAP nanowire-based air filter paper is promising for various applications in the environmental field.
Co-reporter:Yong-Gang Zhang;Feng Chen;Tuan-Wei Sun;Ying-Ying Jiang
CrystEngComm (1999-Present) 2017 vol. 19(Issue 14) pp:1965-1973
Publication Date(Web):2017/04/03
DOI:10.1039/C6CE02394K
In this work, monodisperse single-crystalline ultralong hydroxyapatite (HAP) microtubes have been successfully synthesized using a reaction system containing CaCl2, NaOH, (NaPO3)6, oleic acid, water and ethanol by a solvothermal method. The formation mechanism of HAP microtubes and the effects of solvothermal temperature, pH value, Ca/P molar ratio, and volume ratio of solvents on the product have been investigated. Due to the unique tubular structure, the as-prepared ultralong HAP microtubes exhibit high biocompatibility and superior properties in drug loading and sustained drug release. The as-prepared HAP microtubes are promising for applications in various biomedical fields such as drug/gene delivery and bone defect repair.
Co-reporter:Weilin Yu;Tuan-Wei Sun;Zhenyu Ding;Chao Qi;Huakun Zhao;Feng Chen;Zhongmin Shi;Daoyun Chen;Yaohua He
Journal of Materials Chemistry B 2017 vol. 5(Issue 5) pp:1039-1052
Publication Date(Web):2017/02/01
DOI:10.1039/C6TB02747D
The development of multifunctional biomaterials with drug delivery ability, and pro-osteogenic and pro-angiogenic activities has garnered increasing interest in the field of regenerative medicine. In the present study, hypoxia-mimicking copper (Cu)-doped mesoporous hydroxyapatite (HAP) microspheres (Cu-MHMs) were successfully synthesized through a microwave-hydrothermal method by using creatine phosphate as an organic phosphorus source. The Cu-MHMs doped with 0.2, 0.5 and 1 mol% Cu were prepared. The Cu-MHMs consisting of HAP nanorods or nanosheets exhibited a hierarchically mesoporous hollow structure and a high specific surface area. Then the Cu-MHMs were investigated as a drug nanocarrier using doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) as a model drug. The Cu-MHMs showed a relatively high drug-loading capacity and a pH-responsive drug release behavior. Furthermore, the Cu-MHMs were incorporated into a chitosan (CS) matrix to construct a biomimetic scaffold optimized for bone regeneration. The Cu-MHM/CS composite scaffolds maintained high degrees of porosity and showed a sustained release of Cu ions. More importantly, the Cu-MHM/CS scaffolds not only enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) but also promoted the migration and tube formation of EA.hy926 cells. When implanted in rat critical-sized calvarial defects, the Cu-MHM/CS scaffolds significantly enhanced bone regeneration accompanied by more new blood vessel formation at 8 weeks post-operation compared with the MHM/CS scaffolds. These results suggest that the hypoxia-mimicking Cu-MHM/CS scaffolds could encourage bone regeneration by enhancing osteogenesis and angiogenesis simultaneously, which bodes well for the reconstruction of vascularized tissue-engineered bone.
Co-reporter:Yong-Gang Zhang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen, Bing-Qiang Lu
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2017 Volume 159(Volume 159) pp:
Publication Date(Web):1 November 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2017.07.093
•Dopamine-modified hydroxyapatite microtube network is synthesized.•The as-prepared network is highly porous with interconnected pore structure.•The network has high protein adsorption capacity and good biomineralization.•The network has excellent near-infrared photothermal effect.In the last decade, the porous hydroxyapatite (HAP) scaffold has been investigated for the application in tissue engineering owing to its good bioactivity and high biocompatibility. In this work, the dopamine-modified highly porous hydroxyapatite microtube three-dimensional (3-D) networks with efficient near-infrared photothermal effect, enhanced protein adsorption and mineralization performance have been prepared through a facile method. The dopamine-modified highly porous HAP networks exhibit ultrahigh porosity (90.6%), uniform pore distribution, interconnected pore structure and outstanding mechanical properties. After being modified with dopamine, the protein adsorption amount, cell attachment performance, and mineralization ability of the dopamine-modified highly porous HAP network can be greatly improved. In addition, the as-prepared dopamine-modified highly porous HAP networks exhibit good biocompatibility, excellent near-infrared photothermal effect, and good mechanical properties. The experimental results indicate that the dopamine-modified highly porous HAP networks are promising for various applications.Download high-res image (279KB)Download full-size image
Co-reporter:Tuan-Wei Sun; Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Dr. Feng Chen
Chemistry - A European Journal 2017 Volume 23(Issue 16) pp:3850-3862
Publication Date(Web):2017/03/17
DOI:10.1002/chem.201605165
AbstractHighly flexible multifunctional biopaper comprising ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires and chitosan (UHANWs/CS), with high weight fractions of ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires (UHANWs) up to 100 wt. %, is reported. The as-prepared UHANWs/CS composite biopaper has high flexibility and superior mechanical properties even when the weight fraction of UHANWs is as high as 90 wt. %. In contrast, the control samples consisting of hydroxyapatite nanorods and chitosan (HANRs/CS) with weight fractions of HANRs higher than 66.7 wt.% cannot be obtained in the form of the flexible membrane. The ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus of the UHANWs/CS composite biopaper are about 3.2 times and 4.3 times those of the HANRs/CS membrane with the same weight fraction of HAP, respectively. In addition, the UHANWs/CS composite biopaper (90 wt. % UHANWs) can be used for color printing using a commercial ink-jet printer. The surface wettability, swelling ratio, and water vapor transmission rate of the UHANWs/CS composite biopaper are adjustable by changing the addition amount of UHANWs. In vitro experiments indicate that the UHANWs/CS composite biopaper has good degradability, high acellular bioactivity and high biocompatibility. The as-prepared UHANWs/CS composite biopaper is therefore promising for various biomedical applications such as wound dressing, bone-fracture fixation, and bone-defect repair.
Co-reporter:Tuan-Wei Sun, Ying-Jie Zhu, Chao Qi, Feng Chen, Ying-Ying Jiang, Yong-Gang Zhang, Jin Wu and Chengtie Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2016 vol. 4(Issue 19) pp:3257-3268
Publication Date(Web):20 Apr 2016
DOI:10.1039/C5TB02632F
Magnesium silicate nanostructured biomaterials with good biocompatibility and high adsorption capacity for drugs and proteins are promising for applications in various biomedical fields. However, the applications of magnesium silicate nanostructured biomaterials in anticancer drug delivery and protein adsorption have rarely been reported so far. Herein, we report a facile strategy for the synthesis of magnesium silicate hollow nanospheres (MSHNSs) by a classical Stöber method and a template based solvothermal process. The as-prepared MSHNSs have an ultrahigh specific surface area of 585.6 m2 g−1, ultrahigh hemoglobin (Hb) protein adsorption capacity (1262 mg g−1) and high doxorubicin (DOX) drug loading capacity (559 mg g−1). Moreover, the as-prepared MSHNS/DOX drug delivery system exhibits sustained and pH-responsive drug release performance. Compared with free DOX, the MSHNS/DOX drug delivery system exhibits higher anticancer activity in vitro, and thus it is promising for applications in anticancer treatment.
Co-reporter:Xi Chen, Bin Yang, Chao Qi, Tuan-Wei Sun, Feng Chen, Jin Wu, Xi-Ping Feng and Ying-Jie Zhu
Dalton Transactions 2016 vol. 45(Issue 4) pp:1648-1656
Publication Date(Web):23 Dec 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5DT03357H
Hydroxyapatite (HA) is promising in various biomedical applications owing to its similar chemical composition, structure and properties to the inorganic component in natural hard tissues. Herein, we report a DNA-templated microwave-assisted hydrothermal strategy for the preparation of HA nanostructured materials. As a kind of natural biomacromolecule, DNA molecules open up a new way to the synthesis of HA nanostructured materials with well-defined structures and morphologies. The HA nanostructured materials with a nanosheet-assembled hierarchical structure and a HA nanorod ordered structure are successfully prepared. The important roles of DNA molecules and pH values in the formation of HA nanostructured materials are investigated, and a possible formation mechanism is proposed. The as-prepared HA nanostructured materials exhibit a relatively high adsorption ability for chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) protein and a sustained protein release behavior. The as-prepared HA nanostructured materials after loading the IgY protein show a high antimicrobial activity. Thus, the HA nanostructured materials prepared by the DNA-templated microwave hydrothermal method are promising for the applications in various areas such as the prevention and treatment of dental caries.
Co-reporter:Tuan-Wei Sun, Ying-Jie Zhu, Chao Qi, Guan-Jun Ding, Feng Chen, Jin Wu
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2016 Volume 463() pp:107-117
Publication Date(Web):1 February 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2015.10.038
α-Fe2O3 nanosheet-assembled hierarchical hollow mesoporous microspheres (HHMSs) were prepared by thermal transformation of nanosheet-assembled hierarchical hollow mesoporous microspheres of a precursor. The precursor was rapidly synthesized using FeCl3·6H2O as the iron source, ethanolamine (EA) as the alkali source, and ethylene glycol (EG) as the solvent by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm. The effects of the microwave solvothermal temperature and EA amount on the morphology of the precursor were investigated. The as-prepared α-Fe2O3 HHMSs exhibit a good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of salicylic acid, and are promising for the application in wastewater treatment.α-Fe2O3 nanosheet-assembled hierarchical hollow mesoporous microspheres (HHMSs) are prepared by thermal transformation of nanosheet-assembled HHMSs of a ferrous iron precursor synthesized by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method. The as-prepared α-Fe2O3 HHMSs exhibit a relatively good photocatalytic activity over salicylic acid, and thus are promising for the application in wastewater treatment.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Cheng-Tie Wu, Tuan-Wei Sun, Feng Chen, Jin Wu
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2016 Volume 462() pp:297-306
Publication Date(Web):15 January 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2015.10.015
Magnesium phosphate materials have aroused interest of researchers in recent years and are promising for biomedical applications due to their good biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this work, we report the microwave-hydrothermal rapid synthesis of magnesium phosphate pentahydrate nanosheets (MPHSs) using biocompatible creatine phosphate as an organic phosphorus source. This method is facile, rapid, surfactant-free and environmentally friendly. The as-prepared MPHSs have an obvious pH-dependent dissolution performance which can be used as an ideal pH-responsive nanocarrier for drug and gene delivery. Moreover, the MPHSs have a good cytocompatibility and a high ability to promote osteoblast MC-3T3 adhesion and spreading, as well as a relatively high protein adsorption ability using hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein. Thus, the MPHSs are promising for the applications in biomedical fields such as protein adsorption and bone regeneration.Magnesium phosphate pentahydrate nanosheets (MPHSs) have been synthesized using creatine phosphate as a biocompatible organic phosphorus source by the simple, low-cost and rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The MPHSs have a good cytocompatibility and a high ability to promote osteoblast MC-3T3 cell adhesion and spreading, as well as a relatively high protein adsorption ability, thus, are promising for applications in biomedical fields.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Cheng-Tie Wu, Tuan-Wei Sun, Ying-Ying Jiang, Yong-Gang Zhang, Jin Wu and Feng Chen
RSC Advances 2016 vol. 6(Issue 12) pp:9686-9692
Publication Date(Web):25 Jan 2016
DOI:10.1039/C5RA26231C
In this paper, the one-step rapid synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanoflowers (HAFs) using creatine phosphate disodium salt as an organic phosphorus source by the sonochemical method is reported. The HAFs with diameters of about 300 nm are formed by self-assembly of hydroxyapatite nanosheets with thicknesses of less than 10 nm. The as-prepared samples are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen sorptometry, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectroscopy. The MTT tests show that the as-prepared HAFs exhibit essentially inappreciable toxicity to MC-3T3 osteoblast cells, indicating that the HAFs have an excellent cytocompatibility. Moreover, the as-prepared HAFs show a relatively high protein adsorption ability when using hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein. Thus, the as-prepared HAFs are promising for applications in various biomedical fields such as protein/drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Dr. Zhi-Chao Xiong;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Fei-Fei Chen;Tuan-Wei Sun ;Yue-Qin Shen
Chemistry - A European Journal 2016 Volume 22( Issue 32) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201602799
Abstract
Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Ying-Jie Zhu at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The image depicts a highly flexible and free-standing paper with high antibacterial activity made from silver nanoparticle-decorated ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201601438.
Co-reporter:Dr. Zhi-Chao Xiong;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Fei-Fei Chen;Tuan-Wei Sun ;Yue-Qin Shen
Chemistry - A European Journal 2016 Volume 22( Issue 32) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201602798
Co-reporter:Dr. Zhi-Chao Xiong;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Fei-Fei Chen;Tuan-Wei Sun ;Yue-Qin Shen
Chemistry - A European Journal 2016 Volume 22( Issue 32) pp:11224-11231
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201601438
Abstract
A highly flexible and free-standing paper with high antibacterial activity made from silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-decorated ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires (HAPNWs) is reported. The HAPNWs@AgNPs nanocomposites were obtained from a facile one-step solvothermal process and utilized for the construction of highly flexible and free-standing inorganic paper through a simple vacuum-filtration procedure. The structure and properties of the HAPNWs@AgNPs paper were characterized in detail. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs show that AgNPs are highly dispersed and stabilized in the nanocomposite and exhibit a narrow particle size distribution. The effects of the concentration of silver nitrate, solvothermal temperature and time on the product were systematically investigated. This method is simple, convenient and reproducible. The as-prepared HAPNWs@AgNPs paper shows long-time sustained silver-ion release, high antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and good biocompatibility. Overall, this work provides a novel pathway for the preparation of a new type of highly flexible, free-standing and antibacterial inorganic paper made from silver nanoparticle-decorated hydroxyapatite nanowires for various applications, as a promising functional biomaterial.
Co-reporter:Fei-Fei Chen, Ying-Jie ZhuZhi-Chao Xiong, Tuan-Wei Sun, Yue-Qin Shen
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2016 Volume 8(Issue 50) pp:
Publication Date(Web):December 6, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acsami.6b12838
Traditional paper made from plant cellulose fibers is easily destroyed by either liquid or fire. In addition, the paper making industry consumes a large amount of natural trees and thus causes serious environmental problems including excessive deforestation and pollution. In consideration of the intrinsic flammability of organics and minimizing the effects on the environment and creatures, biocompatible ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires are an ideal building material for inorganic fire-resistant paper. Herein, a new kind of free-standing, highly flexible, superhydrophobic, and fire-resistant layered inorganic paper has been successfully prepared using ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires as building blocks after the surface modification with sodium oleate. During the vacuum filtration, ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires assemble into self-roughened setalike microfibers, avoiding the tedious fabrication process to construct the hierarchical structure; the self-roughened microfibers further form the inorganic paper with a nacrelike layered structure. We have demonstrated that the layered structure can significantly improve the resistance to mechanical destruction of the as-prepared superhydrophobic paper. The as-prepared superhydrophobic and fire-resistant inorganic paper shows excellent nonflammability, liquid repellency to various commercial drinks, high thermal stability, and self-cleaning property. Moreover, we have explored the potential applications of the superhydrophobic and fire-resistant inorganic paper as a highly effective adsorbent for oil/water separation, fire-shielding protector, and writing paper.Keywords: fire-resistant; hydroxyapatite; nanowires; paper; superhydrophobic;
Co-reporter:Feng Chen and Ying-Jie Zhu
ACS Nano 2016 Volume 10(Issue 12) pp:
Publication Date(Web):December 6, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acsnano.6b07239
Practical applications of nanostructured materials have been largely limited by the difficulties in controllable and scaled-up synthesis, large-sized highly ordered self-assembly, and macroscopic processing of nanostructures. Hydroxyapatite (HAP), the major inorganic component of human bone and tooth, is an important biomaterial with high biocompatibility, bioactivity, and high thermal stability. Large-sized highly ordered HAP nanostructures are of great significance for applications in various fields and for understanding the formation mechanisms of bone and tooth. However, the synthesis of large-sized highly ordered HAP nanostructures remains a great challenge, especially for the preparation of large-sized highly ordered ultralong HAP nanowires because ultralong HAP nanowires are easily tangled and aggregated. Herein, we report our three main research findings: (1) the large-scale synthesis of highly flexible ultralong HAP nanowires with lengths up to >100 μm and aspect ratios up to >10000; (2) the demonstration of a strategy for the rapid automated production of highly flexible, fire-resistant, large-sized, self-assembled highly ordered ultralong HAP nanowires (SHOUHNs) at room temperature; and (3) the successful construction of various flexible fire-resistant HAP ordered architectures using the SHOUHNs, such as high-strength highly flexible nanostructured ropes (nanoropes), highly flexible textiles, and 3-D printed well-defined highly ordered patterns. The SHOUHNs are successively formed from the nanoscale to the microscale then to the macroscale, and the ordering direction of the ordered HAP structure is controllable. These ordered HAP architectures made from the SHOUHNs, such as highly flexible textiles, may be engineered into advanced functional products for applications in various fields, for example, fireproof clothing.Keywords: biomineralization; fire-resistant; hydroxyapatite; nanowires; ordered structure; self-assembly;
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen and Jin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 39) pp:7775-7786
Publication Date(Web):14 Sep 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5TB01106J
Magnesium whitlockite (WH: Ca18Mg2(HPO4)2(PO4)12), as an abundant and biologically important biomineral in living bone, is unfortunately difficult to synthesize. Herein, we report a microwave-assisted rapid synthesis of single-phase WH hollow porous microspheres and highly stable amorphous calcium magnesium phosphate (ACMP) porous microspheres by using creatine phosphate (CP) biomolecules as a biocompatible organic phosphorus source. The crystal phase and morphology of the product can be adjusted by the Ca/Mg molar ratio in the initial reaction solution, and CP biomolecules play an important role in the synthesis of the product. The as-synthesized WH hollow porous microspheres and ACMP porous microspheres have high biocompatibility and excellent ability to promote the adhesion and spreading of MC-3T3 osteoblasts. Moreover, WH hollow porous microspheres and ACMP porous microspheres are efficient at the loading and release of the anticancer drug doxorubicin, and exhibit slow, sustainable and pH-responsive drug release behavior. The high drug loading capacity (753 mg g−1) and drug encapsulation efficiency (more than 94%) render the ACMP porous microspheres an appealing carrier for anticancer drug delivery to enhance long-term chemotherapeutic efficacy.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Yong-Gang Zhang, Ying-Ying Jiang, Jin Wu and Feng Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 37) pp:7347-7354
Publication Date(Web):02 Sep 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5TB01340B
A rapid and simple strategy is reported for the synthesis of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) vesicle-like nanospheres using the adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) disodium salt as a biocompatible phosphorus source and stabilizer by the sonochemical method in mixed solvents of water and ethylene glycol (EG). The ACP vesicle-like nanospheres are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption. The ACP vesicle-like nanospheres exhibit essentially inappreciable toxicity to the cells in vitro. Furthermore, the as-prepared ACP vesicle-like nanospheres can be used as anticancer drug nanocarriers and show a pH-responsive drug release behaviour using doxorubicin (Dox) as a model drug. The ACP vesicle-like nanosphere drug delivery system exhibits a high ability to damage cancer cells, thus, it is promising for application in pH-responsive drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Guan-Jun Ding, Ying-Jie Zhu, Chao Qi, Bing-Qiang Lu, Feng Chen and Jin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 9) pp:1823-1830
Publication Date(Web):27 Jan 2015
DOI:10.1039/C4TB01862A
Calcium phosphate biomaterials are very promising for various biomedical applications owing to their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. Calcium phosphate nanostructured materials with a porous and hollow structure are excellent drug carriers due to their advantages such as high biocompatibility, large specific surface area, nanosized channels for drug loading and release, high drug loading capacity and pH-responsive drug release behavior. In this work, porous hollow microspheres of amorphous calcium phosphate have been successfully prepared by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method using adenosine triphosphate disodium salt, CaCl2 and soybean lecithin in aqueous solution. This preparation method is facile, rapid, energy-saving and environment friendly. The effects of microwave hydrothermal temperature and concentrations of the reactants on the morphology and structure of the product were investigated. The as-prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The as-prepared porous hollow microspheres of amorphous calcium phosphate are efficient for drug loading and release, and the drug delivery system shows a pH-responsive drug release behavior and high ability to damage tumor cells. Thus, the as-prepared porous hollow microspheres of amorphous calcium phosphate are promising for the applications in various biomedical fields.
Co-reporter:Feng Chen, Bin Yang, Chao Qi, Tuan-Wei Sun, Ying-Ying Jiang, Jin Wu, Xi Chen and Ying-Jie Zhu
RSC Advances 2015 vol. 5(Issue 122) pp:100682-100688
Publication Date(Web):24 Nov 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5RA19065G
The synthesis of multifunctional biomaterials with antibacterial activity and remineralization effect on demineralized enamel remains a great challenge in the dental research field. Herein, we use chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanospheres to prepare a nanocomposite with the multifunctional properties of antibacterial activity and remineralized effect. ACP nanospheres and La-ACP nanospheres with an amorphous structure are prepared by a simple coprecipitation method. Then, the as-prepared ACP nanospheres and La-ACP nanospheres which have high protein adsorption capacity are functionalized by adsorbing IgY molecules. After loading IgY, the ACP nanospheres and La-ACP nanospheres exhibit significant antibacterial activity against Sreptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Through the sustained release of IgY molecules and the mineralization of ACP nanospheres in simulated saliva fluid (SSF), the IgY-loaded ACP nanospheres have potential application in simultaneous inhibition of harmful oral bacteria and remineralization of demineralized tooth enamel. Due to the high biocompatibility, the as-prepared IgY-loaded ACP nanospheres and IgY-loaded La-ACP nanospheres are promising for prophylaxis and treatment of dental caries.
Co-reporter:Guan-Jun Ding, Ying-Jie Zhu, Chao Qi, Tuan-Wei Sun, Jin Wu and Feng Chen
RSC Advances 2015 vol. 5(Issue 50) pp:40154-40162
Publication Date(Web):05 May 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5RA04624F
Amorphous calcium phosphate nanowires (ACPNWs) were prepared using calcium chloride as the calcium source and β-glycerophosphate disodium salt (BGP) as the phosphate source by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The effects of the hydrothermal temperature and concentrations of BGP and CaCl2 on the morphology and crystalline phase of the product were investigated. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The possible formation mechanism of the ACPNWs is proposed. The experimental results indicate that the as-prepared ACPNWs exhibit large adsorption capacities for heavy metal ions (Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) and a highly selective adsorption activity for Pb2+ ions in an aqueous solution in the pH range from 4.5 to 8.5, implying that ACPNWs are a promising adsorbent for applications in water treatment.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Bing-Qiang Lu, Jin Wu and Feng Chen
RSC Advances 2015 vol. 5(Issue 19) pp:14906-14915
Publication Date(Web):02 Feb 2015
DOI:10.1039/C4RA15842C
Magnesium phosphate, as an alternative to well-known calcium phosphate biomaterials and an excellent candidate for biomedical applications, has aroused interest in recent years due to its outstanding biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, to the best of our knowledge, the microwave-assisted hydrothermal rapid synthesis of amorphous magnesium phosphate hierarchical nanostructures using fructose 1,6-bisphosphate trisodium salt as an organic phosphorus source has not been reported. Herein, we report a simple, one-step and low-cost microwave-assisted hydrothermal rapid synthesis of amorphous magnesium phosphate flower-like hierarchical nanostructures (AMPFHNs) by using fructose 1,6-bisphosphate trisodium salt (FBP) as an organic phosphorus source. The as-prepared AMPFHNs are formed by self-assembly with amorphous magnesium phosphate nanosheets with a thickness of about 10 nm. The use of FBP as an organic phosphorus source and the microwave hydrothermal time as well as microwave hydrothermal temperature are important factors in the synthesis of AMPFHNs. The AMPFHNs have a high cytocompatibility, and exhibit an excellent ability to promote the adhesion and spreading of the MC-3T3 osteoblasts, and have a relatively high protein adsorption ability using hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein. The as-prepared AMPFHNs are promising for application in various biomedical fields.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Guan-Jun Ding, Jin Wu and Feng Chen
RSC Advances 2015 vol. 5(Issue 5) pp:3792-3798
Publication Date(Web):12 Dec 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4RA13151G
In this paper, we report a simple and green strategy for the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanostructures with various morphologies (including nanoparticles, microtubes, nanorods and nanorod-assembled flower-like hierarchical structures) using adenosine 5′-monophosphate sodium salt (AMP) as an organic phosphorus source by solvothermal treatment in different solvents. The effects of the solvents and the reaction time on the morphology of the product as well as the formation mechanism of HAP nanostructures are investigated. In this strategy, the AMP biomolecules act as an organic phosphorus source for the formation of HAP nanostructures, and the solvents have effects on the morphology of the product. This strategy is environmentally friendly and surfactant-free. The as-prepared products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG).
Co-reporter:Yong-Gang Zhang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen, Jin Wu
Materials Letters 2015 Volume 144() pp:135-137
Publication Date(Web):1 April 2015
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2015.01.031
•A solvothermal method using calcium oleate and a series of phosphates is reported.•Ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires are obtained.•The reported method is facile, surfactant-free and environmentally friendly.Ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires have been successfully synthesized using calcium oleate as the calcium source and precursor and different kinds of phosphate sodium salts as the phosphorus sources in mixed solvent of ethanol and water by the solvothermal method. The effect of different kinds of phosphate sodium salts on the crystal phase and morphology of the product is investigated. One striking advantage of this method is that ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires can be obtained by using a variety of phosphate sodium salts including Na2HPO4·12H2O, NaH2PO4·2H2O, Na3PO4·12H2O, Na5P3O10 and Na4P2O7·10H2O as the phosphorus source, indicating wide applicability and promising applications of this novel method. The products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Co-reporter:Hao Zhang, Qi-Wei Fu, Tuan-Wei Sun, Feng Chen, Chao Qi, Jin Wu, Zhu-Yun Cai, Qi-Rong Qian, Ying-Jie Zhu
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2015 Volume 136() pp:27-36
Publication Date(Web):1 December 2015
DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2015.08.015
•Amorphous calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite and PLA composite nanofibers are prepared.•The composite nanofibers show enhanced in-situ mineralization.•This composite nanofibers have good surface properties and high biocompatibility.•This composite nanofibers can be used in bone defect repair.Due to the outstanding bioactivity and biocompatibility, calcium phosphate (CaP) based materials have been widely investigated for applications in the biomedical fields. In this study, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanospheres and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanorods have been prepared and hybridized with poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PLA) to fabricate the composite nanofibers through electrospinning. The as-prepared ACP-PLA and HA-PLA composite nanofibers exhibit favorable mineralization behaviors in simulated body fluid (SBF). In the mineralization process, the ACP nanospheres and HA nanorods play an important role in the formation of HA nanosheets on the surface of composite nanofibers. The ACP-PLA and HA-PLA composite nanofibers show a high biocompatibility. The in vivo bone defect repair properties of the ACP-PLA and HA-PLA composite nanofibers are preliminarily investigated. The as-prepared ACP-PLA and HA-PLA composite nanofibers have promising applications in the biomedical fields.
Co-reporter:Xiaoxuan Guo, Zhiqiang Wang, Jin Wu, Yun-Mui Yiu, Yongfeng Hu, Ying-Jie Zhu, and Tsun-Kong Sham
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2015 Volume 119(Issue 31) pp:10052-10059
Publication Date(Web):July 10, 2015
DOI:10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b04115
Mesoporous spheres of calcium silicate hydrate (MS-CSH) have been prepared by an ultrasonic method. Following an earlier work in which we have revealed the interactions between ibuprofen (IBU) and CSH carriers with different morphologies by X-ray absorption near edge structures (XANES) analysis. In the present investigation, two new drug molecules, alendronate sodium (ALN) and gentamicin sulfate (GS), were incorporated into MS-CSH, and their drug loading capacities (DLCs) were measured using thermogravimetric analysis to establish the relationship between drug-carrier interactions and DLCs. The XANES spectra clearly indicate that acidic functional groups of the drug molecules linked to the active sites (Ca–OH and Si–OH groups) of MS-CSH on the surface by electrostatic interactions. In addition, it is found that the stoichiometric ratio of Ca2+ ions of CSH carriers and the functional groups of drug molecules may significantly influence the DLCs.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yin-Jie Ruan, Guan-Jun Ding, Tuan-Wei Sun, Feng Chen, Jin Wu
Materials Letters 2015 140() pp: 79-82
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2014.10.152
Co-reporter:Guan-Jun Ding;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Chao Qi;Tuan-Wei Sun;Dr. Jin Wu ;Dr. Feng Chen
Chemistry - A European Journal 2015 Volume 21( Issue 27) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201406547
Abstract
A facile and environmentally friendly approach has been developed to prepare yolk-shell porous microspheres of calcium phosphate by using calcium L-lactate pentahydrate (CL) as the calcium source and adenosine 5′-triphosphate disodium salt (ATP) as the phosphate source through the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The effects of the concentration of CL, the microwave hydrothermal temperature, and the time on the morphology and crystal phase of the product are investigated. The possible formation mechanism of yolk-shell porous microspheres of calcium phosphate is proposed. Hemoglobin from bovine red cells (Hb) and ibuprofen (IBU) are used to explore the application potential of yolk-shell porous microspheres of calcium phosphate in protein/drug loading and delivery. The experimental results indicate that the as-prepared yolk-shell porous microspheres of calcium phosphate have relatively high protein/drug loading capacity, sustained protein/drug release, favorable pH-responsive release behavior, and a high biocompatibility in the cytotoxicity test. Therefore, the yolk-shell porous microspheres of calcium phosphate have promising applications in various biomedical fields such as protein/drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Feng Chen
Chemistry – An Asian Journal 2015 Volume 10( Issue 2) pp:284-305
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/asia.201402715
Abstract
In many biomedical applications, drugs need to be delivered in response to the pH value in the body. In fact, it is desirable if the drugs can be administered in a controlled manner that precisely matches physiological needs at targeted sites and at predetermined release rates for predefined periods of time. Different organs, tissues, and cellular compartments have different pH values, which makes the pH value a suitable stimulus for controlled drug release. pH-Responsive drug-delivery systems have attracted more and more interest as “smart” drug-delivery systems for overcoming the shortcomings of conventional drug formulations because they are able to deliver drugs in a controlled manner at a specific site and time, which results in high therapeutic efficacy. This focus review is not intended to offer a comprehensive review on the research devoted to pH-responsive drug-delivery systems; instead, it presents some recent progress obtained for pH-responsive drug-delivery systems and future perspectives. There are a large number of publications available on this topic, but only a selection of examples will be discussed.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Tuan-Wei Sun;Dr. Jin Wu ;Dr. Feng Chen
Chemistry – An Asian Journal 2015 Volume 10( Issue 11) pp:2503-2511
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/asia.201500667
Abstract
Herein we report a rapid and green strategy for the preparation of amorphous calcium phosphate mesoporous microspheres (ACP-MSs) using adenosine 5′-diphosphate disodium salt (ADP) as an organic phosphorus source by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The effects of the pH value, the reaction time, and temperature on the crystal phase and morphology of the product are investigated. The ADP biomolecules used in this strategy play an important role in the formation of ACP-MSs. The as-prepared ACP-MSs are efficient for anticancer drug delivery by using doxorubicin (Dox) as a model drug, and the Dox-loaded ACP-MSs show a high ability to damage cancer cells. Moreover, the ACP-MSs drug delivery system exhibits a pH-responsive drug-release behavior due to the degradation of ACP-MSs at a low pH value, thus, it is promising for applications in pH-responsive drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Ying-Jie Zhu and Feng Chen
Chemical Reviews 2014 Volume 114(Issue 12) pp:6462
Publication Date(Web):June 4, 2014
DOI:10.1021/cr400366s
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Jing-Juan Huang, Feng Chen, Jin Wu, Chang-Ning Hao, Yi-Qin Shi, Jun-Li Duan and Ying-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 47) pp:8378-8389
Publication Date(Web):27 Oct 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4TB01342E
In this work, we first investigated the effect of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, which is fructose sugar phosphorylated on carbons 1 and 6, on the biomineralization of calcium carbonate, and prepared calcium carbonate/fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (CC/FBP) composite nanospheres. Then, we investigated the transformation of CC/FBP composite nanospheres under microwave-assisted hydrothermal conditions and prepared carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) porous nanospheres. We found that FBP has a unique effect on the morphology and crystallization of calcium carbonate. FBP can control the morphology of calcium carbonate and provide the phosphorus source for the formation of CHA. The morphology and size of CC/FBP composite nanospheres can be preserved after transformation to CHA porous nanospheres under microwave-assisted hydrothermal conditions. The CC/FBP composite nanospheres and CHA porous nanospheres are efficient for anticancer drug (docetaxel) loading and release, and the drug delivery system shows a high ability to damage tumor cells, and thus is promising for application in drug delivery. The as-prepared CC/FBP composite nanospheres and CHA porous nanospheres have excellent biocompatibility and high protein adsorption capacity, as well as high efficiency for gene transfection.
Co-reporter:Feng Chen, Peng Huang, Chao Qi, Bing-Qiang Lu, Xin-Yu Zhao, Chao Li, Jin Wu, Da-Xiang Cui and Ying-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 41) pp:7132-7140
Publication Date(Web):27 Aug 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4TB01193G
Biodegradable inorganic mesoporous materials hold promise for various biomedical applications such as drug/gene delivery, bioimaging, and photodynamic/photothermal and ultrasound therapy. Herein, multifunctional mesoporous microspheres of europium-doped amorphous calcium phosphate (Eu3+-doped ACP) have been prepared using a natural biomolecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by the rapid microwave-assisted solvothermal method. This method has advantages such as surfactant-free, rapid and energy-saving. The ATP molecule plays key roles as a phosphate source and a structure mediator. Furthermore, the Eu3+-doped ACP mesoporous microspheres exhibit advantages such as high specific surface area (from 253 to 315 m2 g−1), high biocompatibility, pH-responsive drug release, and in vitro/in vivo fluorescence imaging properties. The mechanism of pH-responsive drug release can be explained by the degradation of ACP mesoporous microspheres at low pH. The docetaxel-loaded Eu3+-doped ACP mesoporous microspheres showed good anticancer performance in vitro. The as-prepared Eu3+-doped ACP mesoporous microspheres are promising for applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, bioimaging, etc.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Bing-Qiang Lu, Guan-Jun Ding, Tuan-Wei Sun, Feng Chen and Jin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 48) pp:8576-8586
Publication Date(Web):31 Oct 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4TB01473A
Magnesium phosphate biomaterial, as an alternative to well-known calcium phosphate biomaterials, is an excellent candidate for biomedical applications, owing to its outstanding biocompatibility and biodegradability. Herein, we report a simple strategy for the rapid synthesis of magnesium phosphate hydrate nanosheets (MPHSs) using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. This method is facile, rapid, surfactant-free and environmentally friendly. The product shows an excellent ability to promote osteoblast MC-3T3 adhesion and spreading, which indicates high biocompatibility. Moreover, the as-prepared MPHSs are explored for potential applications in the loading and release of the anticancer drug and protein adsorption, using docetaxel as a model anticancer drug and hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein. The experiments indicate that the as-prepared MPHSs have a relatively high protein adsorption capacity and a high ability to damage tumor cells after loading docetaxel. Thus, the as-prepared MPHSs are promising for applications in various biomedical fields such as drug delivery and protein adsorption.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, and Feng Chen
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2014 Volume 6(Issue 6) pp:4310
Publication Date(Web):February 25, 2014
DOI:10.1021/am4060645
Calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate are the main components of biominerals. Among all of the forms of biominerals, amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) are the most important forms because they play a pivotal role in the process of biomineralization and are the precursors to the crystalline polymorphs. In this work, we first synthesized ACC in vitro using adenosine 5′-triphosphate disodium salt (ATP) as the stabilizer and investigated the transformation of the ACC under microwave hydrothermal conditions, and ACC/ACP composite nanospheres and carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) nanospheres were successfully prepared. In this novel strategy, ATP has two main functions: it serves as the stabilizer for ACC and the phosphorus source for ACP and CHA. Most importantly, the morphology and the size of the ACC precursor can be well-preserved after microwave heating, so it provides a new method for the preparation of calcium phosphate nanostructured materials using phosphorus-containing biomolecule-stabilized ACC as the precursor. Furthermore, the as-prepared ACC/ACP composite nanospheres have excellent biocompatibility and high protein adsorption capacity, indicating that they are promising for applications in biomedical fields such as drug delivery and protein adsorption.Keywords: calcium carbonate; calcium phosphate; hydroxyapatite; microwave; nanospheres; protein adsorption;
Co-reporter:Han-Bing Shang, Feng Chen, Jin Wu, Chao Qi, Bing-Qiang Lu, Xi Chen and Ying-Jie Zhu
RSC Advances 2014 vol. 4(Issue 95) pp:53122-53129
Publication Date(Web):22 Oct 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4RA09902H
A facile room-temperature solution method for the preparation of biodegradable terbium (Tb)-doped calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles is reported. The morphology, chemical composition, photoluminescence (PL), drug loading/release, cell viability and in vitro bioimaging of as-prepared Tb-CaP nanoparticles are investigated. The Tb-CaP nanoparticles consist of an amorphous phase. The PL of Tb-CaP nanoparticles with a strong emission at 544 nm is realized by doping Tb3+ ions. The Tb-CaP nanoparticles exhibit a good docetaxel (Dtxl) drug loading capacity and pH-responsive drug release. The mechanism of pH-responsive drug release can be explained by the gradual dissolution of CaP nanoparticles in a lower pH solution. The Tb-CaP nanoparticles have a high biocompatibility. The Dtxl-loaded Tb-CaP nanoparticles exhibit an inhibition for the cell viability of human Glioma Cell Line (U87) in vitro. Furthermore, there is a distinguished imaging signal when the U87 cells are co-cultured with the Tb-CaP nanoparticles in vitro. It is significant to develop Tb-CaP nanoparticles which are promising for applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, bioimaging, etc.
Co-reporter:Jing Zhao, Ying-Jie Zhu, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yin-Jie Ruan, Tuan-Wei Sun, Feng Chen, Jin Wu, Xin-Yu Zhao, Guan-Jun Ding
Materials Letters 2014 Volume 124() pp:208-211
Publication Date(Web):1 June 2014
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2014.03.054
•Amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles are synthesized.•Hierarchically nanostructured hydroxyapatite solid/hollow microspheres are prepared.•Rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal method is adopted.•Biocompatible cytidine 5′-triphosphate disodium salt is used as a phosphate source.Calcium phosphates are important biomaterials for biomedical applications. Herein, we report microwave-assisted hydrothermal rapid synthesis of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanoparticles and hydroxyapatite (HAP) microspheres using cytidine 5′-triphosphate disodium salt as a phosphate source. This synthesis method does not need any surfactant and is very rapid (1 min at 150 °C). The pH value has a significant effect on the morphology and crystallinity of the product. Aggregated ACP nanoparticles, hierarchically nanostructured solid HAP microspheres and hollow HAP microspheres are obtained at pH 7.0, 5.0 and 4.3, respectively. The as-prepared products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis.
Co-reporter:Rong Zhou, Wei Xu, Feng Chen, Chao Qi, Bing-Qiang Lu, Hao Zhang, Jin Wu, Qi-Rong Qian, Ying-Jie Zhu
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2014 Volume 123() pp:236-245
Publication Date(Web):1 November 2014
DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2014.09.021
•Calcium phosphate nanospheres are prepared for modifying tantalum scaffolds.•This system shows enhanced in-situ biomineralization and growth factors delivery.•This system has improved the surface properties of tantalum scaffolds.•This modified tantalum scaffolds show advantages in bone defect repair.Calcium phosphate (CaP) materials are widely used in various biomedical areas such as drug/gene delivery and bone repair/tissue engineering. In this study, amorphous CaP nanospheres synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method are used to prepare the CaP-polylactide (CaP-PLA) composite. Then, the as-prepared CaP-PLA composite is used to coat tantalum (Ta) plates and porous scaffolds. Compared with bare Ta plate, CaP-PLA coated Ta plates show a high performance of surface biomineralization in simulated body fluid (SBF). In addition, the hydrophilicity of the CaP-PLA coated Ta plates is significantly improved. CaP-PLA coated Ta plates with bovine serum albumin (BSA) are prepared and used for the investigation of BSA release in vitro. The experimental results indicate a sustained BSA release property and simultaneous biomineralization of the as-prepared BSA-containing CaP-PLA coated Ta plates. Furthermore, CaP-PLA coated Ta scaffolds are favorable for the human osteoblast-like MG63 cells adhesion and spreading. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-containing CaP-PLA coated porous Ta scaffolds are used for the study of rabbit subchondral bone defect repair, covering with autogeneic periosteums. The as-prepared CaP-PLA composite coated Ta scaffolds are useful to guide the bone regeneration in vivo.
Co-reporter:Xin-Yu Zhao, Ying-Jie Zhu, Bing-Qiang Lu, Feng Chen, Chao Qi, Jing Zhao, Jin Wu
Materials Research Bulletin 2014 55() pp: 67-70
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.materresbull.2014.04.008
Co-reporter:Dr. Bing-Qiang Lu;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Feng Chen
Chemistry - A European Journal 2014 Volume 20( Issue 5) pp:1242-1246
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201304439
Abstract
A highly flexible and nonflammable inorganic hydroxyapatite (HAP) paper made from HAP ultralong nanowires is reported. The paper can be used for printing and writing and is promising for the permanent and safe storage of information, such as archives and important documents. The HAP paper is also an excellent and recyclable adsorbent for organic pollutants.
Co-reporter:Dr. Bing-Qiang Lu;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Feng Chen;Chao Qi;Xin-Yu Zhao ;Jing Zhao
Chemistry - A European Journal 2014 Volume 20( Issue 23) pp:7116-7121
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201400252
Abstract
Hydroxyapatite (HAP), a well-known member of the calcium phosphate family, is the major inorganic component of bones and teeth in vertebrates. The highly ordered arrays of HAP structures are of great significance for hard tissue repair and for understanding the formation mechanisms of bones and teeth. However, the synthesis of highly ordered HAP structure arrays remains a great challenge. In this work, inspired by the ordered structure of tooth enamel, we have successfully synthesized three-dimensional bulk materials with large sizes (millimeter scale) that are made of highly ordered arrays of ultralong HAP microtubes (HOAUHMs) by solvothermal transformation of calcium oleate precursor. The core–shell-structured oblate sphere consists of a core that is composed of HAP nanorods and a shell that consists of highly ordered HAP microtube arrays. The prepared HOAUHMs are large: 6.0 mm in diameter and up to 1.4 mm in thickness. With increasing solvothermal reaction time, the HOAUHMs grow larger; the microtubes become more uniform and more ordered. This work provides a new synthetic method for synthesizing highly ordered arrays of uniform HAP ultralong microtubes that are promising for biomedical applications.
Co-reporter:Dr. Bing-Qiang Lu;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Feng Chen;Chao Qi;Xin-Yu Zhao ;Jing Zhao
Chemistry – An Asian Journal 2014 Volume 9( Issue 10) pp:2908-2914
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/asia.201402319
Abstract
Drug nanocarriers with magnetic targeting and pH-responsive drug-release behavior are promising for applications in controlled drug delivery. Magnetic iron oxides show excellent magnetism, but their application in drug delivery is limited by low drug-loading capacity and poor control over drug release. Herein, core–shell hollow microspheres of magnetic iron oxide@amorphous calcium phosphate (MIO@ACP) were prepared and investigated as magnetic, pH-responsive drug nanocarriers. Hollow microspheres of magnetic iron oxide (HMIOs) were prepared by etching solid MIO microspheres in hydrochloric acid/ethanol solution. After loading a drug into the HMIOs, the drug-loaded HMIOs were coated with a protective layer of ACP by using adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) disodium salt (Na2ATP) as stabilizer, and drug-loaded core–shell hollow microspheres of MIO@ACP (HMIOs/drug/ACP) were obtained. The as-prepared HMIOs/drug/ACP drug-delivery system exhibits superparamagnetism and pH-responsive drug-release behavior. In a medium with pH 7.4, drug release was slow, but it was significantly accelerated at pH 4.5 due to dissolution of the ACP shell. Docetaxel-loaded core–shell hollow microspheres of MIO@ACP exhibited high anticancer activity.
Co-reporter:Xin-Yu Zhao, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen, Bing-Qiang Lu, Chao Qi, Jing Zhao and Jin Wu
CrystEngComm 2013 vol. 15(Issue 39) pp:7926-7935
Publication Date(Web):28 Aug 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3CE41255E
Hydroxyapatite (HA), as the main inorganic constituent in vertebrate hard tissues, is an important biomaterial for the application in drug delivery and protein adsorption. Herein, we report a simple and green hydrothermal synthesis of HA nanorods and nanowires by using the biocompatible biomolecule riboflavin-5′-phosphate monosodium salt (RP) as a new phosphorus source. In this method, the RP molecules hydrolyze to form inorganic phosphate ions under hydrothermal conditions, and these phosphate ions react with calcium ions to form HA nanorods or nanowires after nucleation and crystal growth. The effects of experimental conditions including hydrothermal temperature, heating time and pH value of the initial solution on the hydrolysis process of RP molecules are investigated. A possible formation mechanism of HA nanorods and nanowires is proposed. The as-prepared HA nanorods and nanowires are explored for the potential application in protein adsorption. The hemoglobin (Hb) loading capacities of HA nanowires and HA nanorods increase with increasing initial Hb concentration. The Hb loading capacities of HA nanowires and HA nanorods are determined to be as high as 289 mg g−1 and 298 mg g−1, respectively, at an initial Hb concentration of 2000 mg mL−1. The pH-dependent Hb release property of Hb-loaded HA nanowires and HA nanorods has been found. The experimental results indicate that the products are promising for applications in protein adsorption.
Co-reporter:Feng Chen, Ying-Jie Zhu, Xin-Yu Zhao, Bing-Qiang Lu and Jin Wu
CrystEngComm 2013 vol. 15(Issue 22) pp:4527-4531
Publication Date(Web):27 Mar 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3CE40115D
Synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) oriented arrays is difficult but significant in biomineralization research for biomaterials. Herein, a novel strategy for the synthesis of HAp nanorod/nanosheet oriented arrays has been developed in the presence of biomolecules of creatine phosphate (CP) using solvothermal treatment in mixed solvents of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and water. In this reaction system, CP biomolecules act as an organic phosphorus source and a soft template for the formation of HAp oriented arrays. This method does not need any hard template or surfactant, avoiding the procedures and cost for their removal from the product. The products are characterized with X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The formation mechanism of HAp nanorod/nanosheet oriented arrays is discussed.
Co-reporter:Xin-Yu Zhao, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen, Bing-Qiang Lu and Jin Wu
CrystEngComm 2013 vol. 15(Issue 1) pp:206-212
Publication Date(Web):24 Oct 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2CE26315G
In this paper, a surfactant-free rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanosheet-assembled flower-like hierarchical nanostructures (NFHNs) is reported. The effects of the experimental conditions on the morphology and crystal phase of the product are investigated. A possible formation mechanism of hydroxyapatite NFHNs is proposed. The morphology of the product can vary from flower-like to polyhedra by adjusting the microwave heating temperature. The protein and DNA adsorption properties of the as-prepared hydroxyapatite NFHNs are studied. The loading capacities of the as-prepared hydroxyapatite NFHNs for bovine serum albumin (BSA), hemoglobin (Hb) and fish sperm DNA are determined to be 165, 164 and 112 mg g−1, respectively. The protein release process is conducted at different pH values (pH 7.2, 5.5 and 4.8) in phosphate buffer saline (PBS), and the pH-controlled protein release behavior has been found. Thus, the as-prepared hydroxyapatite NFHNs are promising for protein drug delivery applications.
Co-reporter:Jin Wu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen, Xin-Yu Zhao, Jing Zhao and Chao Qi
Dalton Transactions 2013 vol. 42(Issue 19) pp:7032-7040
Publication Date(Web):26 Feb 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3DT50143D
Amorphous calcium silicate hydrate (CSH)/block copolymer monomethoxy(polyethyleneglycol)-block-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (mPEG-PLGA) (CSHP) hybrid nanoparticles have been prepared in aqueous solution via a facile coprecipitation route at room temperature. The block copolymer mPEG-PLGA micelles in aqueous solution serve as the templates, and the CSH links to the micelles by hydrogen bonding between the silanol groups and the hydrophilic mPEG segments. The obtained core/shell hybrid nanoparticles can be transformed to solid hybrid nanoparticles by washing with water. The drug ibuprofen (IBU) loading capacity of the CSHP hybrid nanoparticles is ultrahigh (∼1.9 g drug per g carrier), and the IBU loading efficiency can reach as high as ∼100%. The drug release of loaded IBU in the CSHP hybrid nanoparticles has been investigated in simulated body fluid (SBF). The loaded IBU drug in CSHP hybrid nanoparticles can release in SBF for a long period of time (about 300 h), during which the CSHP nanocarrier is completely transformed to hydroxyapatite, exhibiting a good bioactivity. The IBU drug release profile can be interpreted by the Higuchi model. The loading capacity for the anticancer drug docetaxel (DTX) in the CSHP hybrid nanoparticles is about 82 mg g−1. More importantly, the release of the loaded DTX in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at pH 5.5 is obviously faster than that at pH 7.4, which is promising for the application in cancer therapy. Human gastric carcinoma (SGC-7901) cells can be effectively killed in the presence of the DTX-loaded CSHP hybrid nanoparticles at appropriate concentrations. Thus, the CSHP hybrid nanoparticles are promising nanocarriers in drug delivery. Furthermore, the hemoglobin (Hb) loading capacity of CSHP hybrid nanoparticles can achieve an utrahigh value of 995 mg g−1, suggesting that the as-prepared CSHP hybrid nanoparticles are excellent protein adsorbents.
Co-reporter:Feng Chen, Chao Li, Ying-Jie Zhu, Xin-Yu Zhao, Bing-Qiang Lu and Jin Wu
Biomaterials Science 2013 vol. 1(Issue 10) pp:1074-1081
Publication Date(Web):15 Jul 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3BM60086F
Synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanostructured materials have been considered as promising biomaterials due to their excellent biocompatibility. In this study, a magnetic nanocomposite consisting of HAP ultrathin nanosheets (UNs) and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNs) has been prepared using a rapid microwave-assisted route. The Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles are hybridized with HAP ultrathin nanosheets, which self-assemble to form a hierarchically nanostructured magnetic nanocomposite (HAPUN/MNs). The as-prepared HAPUN/MNs nanocomposite is characterized and investigated as a drug nanocarrier using hemoglobin (Hb) and docetaxel (Dtxl) as model drugs. The adsorption amount of Hb on the HAPUN/MNs nanocomposite increases with the increasing initial Hb concentration. The release of Hb from the HAPUN/MNs nanocomposite is essentially governed by a diffusion process. The HAPUN/MNs nanocomposite has a good sustained release profile for Dtxl, and shows good pH-responsive drug release properties, which can be explained by the gradual dissolution of HAP in a low pH value environment. The HAPUN/MNs nanocomposite has a high biocompatibility and also a high in vitro anticancer effect after loading Dtxl.
Co-reporter:Xiaoxuan Guo, Jin Wu, Yun-Mui Yiu, Yongfeng Hu, Ying-Jie Zhu and Tsun-Kong Sham
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2013 vol. 15(Issue 36) pp:15033-15040
Publication Date(Web):10 Jul 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3CP50699A
The interaction between drug carrier and drug molecules is fundamental for the study of drug delivery, drug targeting, and drug release. Until now, little has been known about the interaction at the molecular level. X-Ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy is a sensitive tool for identifying this interaction. Herein, we report the use of calcium and silicon K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to investigate how drug molecules interact with different functional groups in calcium silicate hydrate and anhydrous calcium silicate nanocarriers with different morphologies. Significant changes are observed in the XANES spectra after drug loading; ibuprofen (IBU) loading leads to the ordering of silicates locally and there is loss of hydrates during the IBU loading processes.
Co-reporter:Bing-Qiang Lu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yin-Jie Ruan
Materials Letters 2013 Volume 104() pp:53-56
Publication Date(Web):1 August 2013
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2013.04.005
•The hollow-core-double-shell magnetic nanocomposite has been synthesized.•The nanocomposite is composed of iron oxide/silica/calcium silicate.•The nanocomposite is superparamagnetic and has a good drug delivery behavior.•The nanocomposite is promising for the application in targeted drug delivery.Nanocomposites with magnetic iron oxide as the hollow core, silica as the middle shell and calcium silicate as the outer shell are the ideal agent for application in medical diagnosis and therapy. In this paper, by sol–gel coating the self-assembled nanoparticles of magnetic iron oxide with silica, then reacting with Ca(NO3)2·4H2O at 600 °C in inert N2 atmosphere, the nanocomposite consisting of hollow-core-double-shell magnetic iron oxide/silica/calcium silicate has been successfully synthesized. The components of the hollow core, middle layer and outer layer are Fe3O4, SiO2, CaSiO4, respectively. The nanocomposite has a superparamagnetic behavior and good drug delivery performance, which are promising for the application in targeted drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Jing-San Xu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen
Materials Letters 2013 Volume 94() pp:104-107
Publication Date(Web):1 March 2013
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2012.12.043
Co-reporter:Jing-San Xu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen
Journal of Solid State Chemistry 2013 Volume 199() pp:204-211
Publication Date(Web):March 2013
DOI:10.1016/j.jssc.2012.12.027
The flower-like hollow microspheres of α-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 have been prepared by a solvothermal combined with heat treatment method. A solvothermal method is adopted to synthesize flower-like hollow microspheres of the ferrous alkoxide precursor. N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide and CH3COONa play important roles in the formation of the flower-like hollow microspheres of the ferrous alkoxide precursor. The powder of flower-like hollow microspheres of ferrous alkoxide precursor can be transformed to flower-like hollow microspheres of α-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 by heat treatment at 400 °C for 1 h in air and flowing nitrogen gas, respectively. During the heat treatment process, the morphology and size of the precursor can be preserved. The growth mechanism of the precursor is studied by time-dependent experiments, and the results show that the Ostwald ripening is responsible for the formation of hollow microspheres. α-Fe2O3 hollow microspheres exhibit a high coercivity value of 2738 Oe, and Fe3O4 hollow microspheres have a saturation magnetization of 58.3 emu g−1.Graphical abstractFlower-like hollow microspheres of α-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 have been prepared by a solvothermal combined with precursor heat treatment method. α-Fe2O3 hollow microspheres exhibit a high coercivity value of 2738 Oe, and Fe3O4 hollow microspheres have a saturation magnetization of 58.3 emu g−1.Highlights► Flower-like hollow microspheres of α-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 are prepared. ► A solvothermal combined with heat treatment method has been demonstrated. ► The growth mechanism of the product is investigated. ► α-Fe2O3 hollow microspheres exhibit a high coercivity value.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Xin-Yu Zhao, Jing Zhao, Feng Chen, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yin-Jie Ruan
Materials Research Bulletin 2013 48(4) pp: 1536-1540
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.materresbull.2012.12.052
Co-reporter:Chao Qi;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Xin-Yu Zhao;Bing-Qiang Lu;Dr. Qi-Li Tang;Jing Zhao ;Feng Chen
Chemistry - A European Journal 2013 Volume 19( Issue 3) pp:981-987
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201202829
Abstract
Highly stable amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) porous nanospheres with a relatively uniform size and an average pore diameter of about 10 nm have been synthesized by using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method with adenosine 5′-triphosphate disodium salt (ATP) as the phosphorus source and stabilizer. The as-prepared ACP porous nanospheres have a high stability in the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution for more than 150 h without phase transformation to hydroxyapatite, and the morphology and size were essentially not changed. The important role of ATP and effects of experimental conditions on the formation of ACP porous nanospheres were also investigated. The ACP porous nanospheres were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This method is facile, rapid, surfactant-free and environmentally friendly. The as-prepared ACP porous nanospheres are efficient for anticancer drug (docetaxel) loading and release. The ACP porous nanosphere drug-delivery system with docetaxel shows a high ability to damage tumor cells, thus, is promising for the application in anticancer treatment.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Bing-Qiang Lu;Xin-Yu Zhao;Jing Zhao;Feng Chen ;Dr. Jin Wu
Chemistry - A European Journal 2013 Volume 19( Issue 17) pp:5332-5341
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201203886
Abstract
Hierarchically nanostructured porous hollow microspheres of hydroxyapatite (HAP) are a promising biomaterial, owing to their excellent biocompatibility and porous hollow structure. Traditionally, synthetic hydroxyapatite is prepared by using an inorganic phosphorus source. Herein, we report a new strategy for the rapid, sustainable synthesis of HAP hierarchically nanostructured porous hollow microspheres by using creatine phosphate disodium salt as an organic phosphorus source in aqueous solution through a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The as-obtained products are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform IR (FTIR) spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen sorptometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). SEM and TEM micrographs show that HAP hierarchically nanostructured porous hollow microspheres consist of HAP nanosheets or nanorods as the building blocks and DLS measurements show that the diameters of HAP hollow microspheres are within the range 0.8–1.5 μm. The specific surface area and average pore size of the HAP porous hollow microspheres are 87.3 m2g−1 and 20.6 nm, respectively. The important role of creatine phosphate disodium salt and the influence of the experimental conditions on the products were systematically investigated. This method is facile, rapid, surfactant-free and environmentally friendly. The as-prepared HAP porous hollow microspheres show a relatively high drug-loading capacity and protein-adsorption ability, as well as sustained drug and protein release, by using ibuprofen as a model drug and hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein, respectively. These experiments indicate that the as-prepared HAP porous hollow microspheres are promising for applications in biomedical fields, such as drug delivery and protein adsorption.
Co-reporter:Jian-Qiang Zheng, Ying-Jie Zhu, Jing-San Xu, Bing-Qiang Lu, Chao Qi, Feng Chen, Jin Wu
Materials Letters 2013 100() pp: 62-65
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2013.02.107
Co-reporter:Jing Zhao, Ying-Jie Zhu, Jian-Qiang Zheng, Feng Chen, Jin Wu
Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 2013 180() pp: 79-85
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.micromeso.2013.06.020
Co-reporter:Xin-Yu Zhao;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Chao Qi;Feng Chen;Bing-Qiang Lu;Jing Zhao ;Dr. Jin Wu
Chemistry – An Asian Journal 2013 Volume 8( Issue 6) pp:1313-1320
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/asia.201300142
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) hydroxyapatite (HAP) hierarchical nanostructures, in particular hollow nanostructures, have attracted much attention owing to their potential applications in many biomedical fields. Herein, we report a rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of a variety of hydroxyapatite hierarchical nanostructures that are constructed by the self-assembly of nanorods or nanosheets as the building blocks, including HAP nanorod-assembled hierarchical hollow microspheres (HA-NRHMs), HAP nanorod-assembled hierarchical microspheres (HA-NRMs), and HAP nanosheet-assembled hierarchical microspheres (HA-NSMs) by using biocompatible biomolecule pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) as a new organic phosphorus source. The PLP molecules hydrolyze to produce phosphate ions under microwave-hydrothermal conditions, and the phosphate ions react with calcium ions to form HAP nanorods or nanosheets; then, these nanorods or nanosheets self-assemble to form 3D HAP hierarchical nanostructures. The preparation method reported herein is time-saving, with microwave heating times as short as 5 min. The HA-NRHMs consist of HAP nanorods as the building units, with an average diameter of about 50 nm. The effects of the experimental conditions on the morphology and crystal phase of the products are investigated. The hydrolysis of PLP under microwave-hydrothermal conditions and the important role of PLP in the formation of 3D HAP hierarchical nanostructures are investigated and a possible formation mechanism is proposed. The products are explored for potential applications in protein adsorption and drug delivery. Our experimental results indicate that the HA-NRHMs have high drug/protein-loading capacity and sustained drug-release behavior. Thus, the as-prepared HA-NRHMs are promising for applications in drug delivery and protein adsorption.
Co-reporter:Xin-Yu Zhao;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Feng Chen;Bing-Qiang Lu;Chao Qi;Jing Zhao ;Dr. Jin Wu
Chemistry – An Asian Journal 2013 Volume 8( Issue 6) pp:1306-1312
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/asia.201300083
Abstract
Calcium phosphate hybrid nanoparticles (CaP-HNPs) have been synthesized in aqueous solution through self-assembly by using two oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and poly(acrylate sodium) (PAS)) as dual templates. First, the PAS/Ca2+ and PDADMAC/PO43− complexes form through electrostatic interactions and then two complexes self-assemble into CaP-HNPs after mixing them together. The as-prepared CaP-HNPs exhibit a spherical morphology with a narrow size distribution, good dispersibility, and high colloidal stability in water. The CaP-HNPs are explored as a nanocarrier for the anticancer drug docetaxel (Dtxl). The CaP-HNPs show excellent biocompatibility, high drug-loading capacity, pH-sensitive drug-release behavior, and high anticancer effect after being loaded with Dtxl. Therefore, the as-prepared CaP-HNPs are promising drug nanocarriers for cancer therapy.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Feng Chen
Chemistry – An Asian Journal 2013 Volume 8( Issue 1) pp:88-94
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/asia.201200901
Abstract
Calcium phosphates (CPs), as the major inorganic component of biological hard tissues, have been investigated for applications as biomaterials owing to their excellent biocompatibility. However, the traditional synthetic CPs are usually prepared from inorganic phosphorus and calcium sources. Herein, we report a new strategy for the synthesis of a variety of calcium–phosphate nanostructures, including porous amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) microspheres, hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanorods, and ACP/HAP composite microspheres, by using fructose 1,6-bisphosphate trisodium salt (FBP) as an organic phosphorus source in aqueous solution in a rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction. The important role of FBP and the effect of the experimental conditions on the formation and evolution of the CPs nanostructures were investigated. The crystal phase and composition of the as-prepared products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis and the morphologies of the products were characterized by SEM and TEM. This method is facile, rapid, surfactant-free, and environmentally friendly. The as-prepared porous ACP microspheres have a relatively high drug-loading capacity and good sustained drug-release behavior; thus, they are promising for applications in drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Bing-Qiang Lu, Xin-Yu Zhao, Jing Zhao and Feng Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 vol. 22(Issue 42) pp:22642-22650
Publication Date(Web):07 Sep 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2JM35280J
Porous hollow microspheres of hydroxyapatite (HAP) are an ideal biomaterial due to their excellent biocompatibility and hollow structure. Herein, we report a novel DNA-templated hydrothermal strategy for the synthesis of HAP nanosheet-assembled hollow microspheres with a nanoporous structure. The as-prepared HAP porous hollow microspheres consist of HAP nanosheets as the building blocks with an average thickness of about 20 nm, and the diameters of the HAP porous hollow microspheres are in the range 2.5–4.5 μm, with an average pore size of about 21.8 nm. The as-prepared HAP porous hollow microspheres are explored for potential applications in drug delivery, and protein adsorption and release. The as-prepared HAP porous hollow microspheres show a relatively high drug loading capacity and protein adsorption ability, and sustained drug and protein release, using ibuprofen as a model drug and hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein. The experiments indicate that the as-prepared HAP porous hollow microspheres are promising for applications in biomedical fields such as drug delivery and protein adsorption.
Co-reporter:Bing-Qiang Lu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Hai-Yong Ao, Chao Qi, and Feng Chen
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2012 Volume 4(Issue 12) pp:6969
Publication Date(Web):December 4, 2012
DOI:10.1021/am3021284
The synthesis of the mesoporous nanocomposites consisting of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and calcium silicate with uniform size has been a challenge, although they are the ideal potential agent for medical diagnosis and therapy. In this work, the core/shell structured mesoporous nanocomposites consisting of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as the core and calcium silicate as the shell have been successfully synthesized using a two liquid phase system by ultrasound irradiation, in which the hydrophobic phase is composed of hydrophobic Fe3O4 nanoparticles and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and the water phase consists of Ca(NO3)2, NaOH, and water. The hollow mesoporous nanocomposites consisting of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and calcium silicate are obtained by adding a certain amount of the inert hydrophobic solvent isooctane in the reaction system before ultrasound irradiation. The nanocomposites have a superparamagnetic behavior, high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area (474 m2 g–1), and high Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) pore volume (2.75 cm3 g–1). The nanocomposites have high drug loading capacities for bovine hemoglobin, docetaxel, and ibuprofen. The docetaxel-loaded nanocomposites have the anticancer ability and, thus, are promising for applications in biomedical fields.Keywords: calcium silicate; core−shell; drug delivery; iron oxide; magnetic; mesoporous materials; nanocomposites;
Co-reporter:Jing-San Xu and Ying-Jie Zhu
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2012 Volume 4(Issue 9) pp:4752
Publication Date(Web):August 18, 2012
DOI:10.1021/am301123f
Monodisperse Fe3O4 and γ-Fe2O3 magnetic mesoporous microspheres are prepared via a surfactant-free solvothermal combined with precursor thermal transformation method. The as-prepared Fe3O4 and γ-Fe2O3 magnetic mesoporous microspheres have a relatively high specific surface area of 122.3 and 138.6 m2/g, respectively. The Fe3O4 and γ-Fe2O3 magnetic mesoporous microspheres are explored as the anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, and they have a high initial discharge capacity of 1307 and 1453 mA h/g, respectively, and a good reversible performance (450 mA h/g for Fe3O4 and 697 mA h/g for γ-Fe2O3 after 110 cycles) at the current density of 0.2C.Keywords: Fe3O4; iron oxide; lithium-ion battery; magnetic; mesoporous; microsphere; γ-Fe2O3;
Co-reporter:Jing-San Xu and Ying-Jie Zhu
CrystEngComm 2012 vol. 14(Issue 8) pp:2702-2710
Publication Date(Web):01 Feb 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2CE06473A
A surfactant-free solvothermal combined with heat treatment method is reported to prepare α-Fe2O3 hierarchically nanostructured mesoporous microspheres. Firstly, a surfactant-free solvothermal method is adopted to prepare the precursors of ferrous tartrate (C4H4O6Fe) hierarchical microspheres using Fe(NO3)3 and tartaric acid in dimethylformamide (DMF) or in mixed solvents of water and DMF at 180 °C for 18 h. The morphology and size of the precursors of ferrous tartrate can be controlled through adjusting the experimental conditions. Secondly, by means of heat treatment of the precursors at 400 or 500 °C for 3 h, the precursors are transformed to α-Fe2O3 hierarchically nanostructured mesoporous microspheres. The α-Fe2O3 hierarchically nanostructured mesoporous microspheres exhibit high photocatalytic activities over salicylic acid. Relatively high coercivity values are obtained for α-Fe2O3 hierarchically nanostructured mesoporous microspheres. The α-Fe2O3 hierarchically nanostructured mesoporous microspheres reported herein have a potential application in a variety of areas such as catalysis.
Co-reporter:Jing-San Xu and Ying-Jie Zhu
CrystEngComm 2012 vol. 14(Issue 8) pp:2630-2634
Publication Date(Web):16 Feb 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2CE06619J
A microwave-assisted ionic liquid solvothermal method is demonstrated to synthesize CaF2 double-shelled hollow microspheres. This method is simple and time-saving and can also be extended to prepare hollow microspheres of MgF2 and SrF2.
Co-reporter:Guo-Hui Dong and Ying-Jie Zhu
CrystEngComm 2012 vol. 14(Issue 5) pp:1805-1811
Publication Date(Web):06 Jan 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2CE06280A
Ag2Te hollow microspheres and dendritic nanostructures were synthesized by a simple room-temperature solution method using AgNO3, TeO2, hydrazine hydrate and ethylenediamine. The as-prepared Ag2Te hollow microspheres and dendritic nanostructures were formed by the self-assembly of nano-building blocks of nanoparticles and nanosheets, respectively. The chemical reaction and formation mechanism of Ag2Te nanostructures were proposed. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrical conductivity (σ), Seebeck coefficient (S) and power factor (S2σ) of the as-prepared Ag2Te nanostructures were measured and were found to be strongly dependent on the morphology of Ag2Te nanostructures. The S and σ of Ag2Te hollow microspheres were higher than those of Ag2Te dendritic nanostructures, and S2σ of Ag2Te hollow microspheres (9.01 × 10−4 W m−1K−2) was 5 times that of dendritic nanostructures (1.80 × 10−4 W m−1K−2). The observed thermoelectric properties of Ag2Te nanostructures may be due to the strong quantum confinement effect introduced by decreasing the dimensionality and size of nano-building blocks from dendritic nanostructures to hollow microspheres.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Qi-Li Tang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Xin-Yu Zhao, Feng Chen
Materials Letters 2012 Volume 85() pp:71-73
Publication Date(Web):15 October 2012
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2012.06.106
Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is the most important inorganic constituent of biological hard tissues such as bone and tooth. However, the simple and controllable fabrication of HAP one-dimensional nanostructures remains a challenge. Herein, we report a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for the rapid preparation of HAP nanowires using CaCl2·2H2O and adenosine 5'-triphosphate disodium salt hydrate (Na2ATP) in aqueous solution without any surfactant. The effects of the reaction temperature and time on the morphology of the product are investigated. This method does not need any hard template or surfactant, avoiding the procedures and cost for their removal in the product. The as-prepared products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Highlights► A simple surfactant-free microwave-assisted hydrothermal method is demonstrated. ► Hydroxyapatite nanowires with lengths up to several microns are obtained. ► Effects of experimental parameters on the product are investigated.
Co-reporter:Xi Chen, Qi-Li Tang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Cai-Lian Zhu, Xi-Ping Feng
Materials Letters 2012 Volume 89() pp:233-235
Publication Date(Web):15 December 2012
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2012.08.115
In this work, hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanorods and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanoparticles have been prepared using CaCl2·2H2O and Na2HPO4·12H2O in aqueous solution and they are used as the nanocarriers for zinc loading. The “extraction” method is adopted for zinc loading, which is conducted in ethanol, the poor solvent for zinc acetate. Zinc loaded HAP nanorods and ACP nanoparticles are investigated for oral antibacterial application. The zinc loaded hydroxyapatite (Zn/HAP) nanorods has a favorable Zn2+ ion release property. While for zinc loaded ACP (Zn/ACP) nanoparticles, the Zn2+ ions can hardly be released. Antibacterial experiments show that Zn/HAP nanorods has the best performance to inhibit oral cavity bacteria Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus mutans. The present method provides a new perspective to the preparation of antibacterial nanomaterials for oral care application.Highlights► Zinc loaded hydroxyapatite (Zn/HAP) nanorods have been prepared. ► Zn/HAP nanorods have a favorable Zn2+ ion release property. ► Zn/HAP nanorods have a good performance to inhibit oral cavity bacteria.
Co-reporter:Guo-Hui Dong, Ying-Jie Zhu, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yin-Jie Ruan
Materials Letters 2012 Volume 76() pp:69-72
Publication Date(Web):1 June 2012
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2012.02.077
A commonly used method for the synthesis of one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructures of metal tellurides is to employ 1-D nanostructured elemental tellurium as a reactive and self-sacrificial (RSS) template which can participate in the reaction, convert into the designed products and disappear eventually without the additional steps to remove the template. Herein, we report a rapid microwave-assisted solvothermal method by employing Te nanotubes as the RSS template to prepare Cu(2 − X)Te single-crystalline nanowires with diameters of 100–200 nm and lengths of several micrometers. The products are characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, SAED and FTIR. The electrical conductivity of the Cu(2 − X)Te nanowire tablet sample prepared by a room-temperature pressurized method is also investigated.Highlights► We report a microwave-assisted solvothermal rapid synthesis of Cu(2 − X)Te nanowires. ► Elemental Te nanotubes are adopted as a reactive and self-sacrificial template. ► The electrical conductivity of Cu(2 − X)Te nanowires is investigated.
Co-reporter:Xin-Yu Zhao;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Feng Chen ;Dr. Jin Wu
Chemistry – An Asian Journal 2012 Volume 7( Issue 7) pp:1610-1615
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/asia.201100954
Abstract
A simple and green strategy is reported for the preparation, drug loading, and release properties of a drug delivery system consisting of calcium phosphate (CP) nanocarriers dual-loaded with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and hydrophobic drug ibuprofen (IBU). The sequential loading of BSA and IBU in calcium phosphate nanocarriers and in vitro simultaneous release of BSA and IBU are realized and investigated. In this method, BSA, which is used as a model protein drug, is encapsulated in situ in calcium phosphate nanocarriers. Subsequently, the typical hydrophobic drug IBU is loaded in the BSA/CP drug delivery system, forming the IBU/BSA/CP dual drug delivery system. The experiments reveal that the preloaded BSA not only reduces the cytotoxicity of calcium phosphate nanocarriers but also significantly improves the IBU drug loading capacity in calcium phosphate nanocarriers and greatly extends the duration of drug release. Thus, the as-prepared IBU/BSA/CP dual drug delivery system is promising for drug delivery applications.
Co-reporter:Feng Chen, Peng Huang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Jin Wu, Da-Xiang Cui
Biomaterials 2012 33(27) pp: 6447-6455
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.05.059
Co-reporter:Jing-San Xu and Ying-Jie Zhu
CrystEngComm 2011 vol. 13(Issue 16) pp:5162-5169
Publication Date(Web):24 Jun 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1CE05252G
A surfactant-free solvothermal combined with precursor thermal transformation method has been developed for the preparation of α-Fe2O3 hierarchically hollow microspheres assembled with nanosheets. First, a solvothermal treatment is employed to prepare the precursor consisting of hierarchically hollow microspheres assembled with nanosheets using Fe(NO3)3 as the only inorganic reactant without any other additive in mixed solvents of dimethylformamide and ethylene glycol, and α-Fe2O3 hierarchically hollow microspheres assembled with nanosheets are subsequently obtained by thermal treatment of the precursor powder in air at 450 °C for 2 h. The morphology of the precursor can be well preserved during thermal transformation from the precursor to α-Fe2O3 hierarchically hollow microspheres. The samples are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen absorption-desorption isotherm, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The effect of the solvent on the morphology of precursors as well as the formation process of the hierarchically hollow microspheres are investigated. The magnetic properties and photocatalytic activity of α-Fe2O3 hierarchically hollow microspheres assembled with nanosheets are discussed.
Co-reporter:Feng Chen, Ying-Jie Zhu, Ke-Wei Wang and Kuai-Le Zhao
CrystEngComm 2011 vol. 13(Issue 6) pp:1858-1863
Publication Date(Web):13 Dec 2010
DOI:10.1039/C0CE00574F
Hydroxyapatite (HAp), as the main inorganic constituent in vertebrate bones, is an important biomaterial. However, fabricating biomimetic HAp ordered arrays of one-dimensional nanostructures remains a challenge. Herein, we report a solvothermal method for the preparation of HAp nanowire/nanotube ordered arrays with biomimetic structures using CaCl2 and NaH2PO4·H2O in ternary solvents of water, ethylene glycol (EG) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) without using any surfactant. The effects of the solvents on the morphology and crystal phase of the product as well as the formation mechanism of HAp nanowire/nanotube ordered arrays are investigated. This method does not need any hard template or surfactant, avoiding the procedures and cost for their removal in the product. The products are characterized with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The cytotoxicity of the as-prepared HAp samples with different morphologies are also tested.
Co-reporter:Guo-Hui Dong, Ying-Jie Zhu and Li-Dong Chen
CrystEngComm 2011 vol. 13(Issue 22) pp:6811-6816
Publication Date(Web):14 Sep 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1CE05591G
In this article, a rapid microwave-assisted solvothermal method is reported for the preparation of Sb2Te3 nanostructures with a variety of morphologies including single-crystalline nanorods, individual nanosheets, nanorods with branched ultrathin nanosheets, and half-nanotubes constructed by the self-assembly of nanocrystals. The morphology of Sb2Te3 nanostructures can be controlled by simply altering the amount of hydrazine hydrate and polyethylene glycol. The tablets of Sb2Te3 nanostructured powders with different morphologies are prepared by a room-temperature pressurized method, and they exhibit high Seebeck coefficients, which are much higher than those of Sb2Te3 bulk crystals reported.
Co-reporter:Zhao Ma, Feng Chen, Ying-Jie Zhu, Ting Cui, Xuan-Yong Liu
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2011 Volume 359(Issue 2) pp:371-379
Publication Date(Web):15 July 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2011.04.023
Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) has been recognized as an attractive biomaterial due to its bioactivity and biocompatibility. Electrospinning is a simple and low-cost way to fabricate polymer fibers. In this study, ACP nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 20 to 80 nm were synthesized using a simple precipitation method. ACP nanoparticles were hybridized with poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PDLLA) to form ACP/PDLLA composite nanofibers by electrospinning, and different architectures including the nanofibrous mesh and tube consisting of ACP/PDLLA composite nanofibers were obtained and characterized. The biomineralization and cytocompatibility of as-prepared ACP/PDLLA composite nanofibers were evaluated in vitro. Osteoblast-like MG63 cells were seeded on the ACP/PDLLA composite nanofiber meshes to perform the cytocompatibility evaluation. The ACP/PDLLA composite nanofibers exhibited a fast mineralization behavior in the simulated body fluid. The attachment of MG63 cells and cytotoxicity of ACP/PDLLA composite nanofibers were also evaluated, and the experiments indicated good biocompatibility and bioactivity of ACP/PDLLA composite nanofibers.Graphical abstractThe composite nanofibers consisting of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanoparticles and poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PDLLA) have been prepared by electrospinning, which exhibit a fast mineralization behavior in the simulated body fluid, and a good biocompatibility and bioactivity.Highlights► An electrospinning preparation of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)/poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PDLLA) composite nanofibers is presented. ► Different architectures including the nanofibrous mesh and tube consisting of ACP/PDLLA composite nanofibers were obtained. ► ACP/PDLLA composite nanofibers showed fast mineralization in simulated body fluid, good biocompatibility and bioactivity. ► ACP/PDLLA composite nanofibers have the potential for applications in tissue engineering and other biomedical fields.
Co-reporter:Xiao-Lin Liu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yue-Hong Huang
Materials Letters 2011 Volume 65(Issue 2) pp:343-345
Publication Date(Web):31 January 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2010.10.051
Silica/cadmium hydroxide (SiO2/Cd(OH)2) composite nanotubes have been successfully synthesized by a microwave-assisted solvothermal method at 100 °C using water-dissolvable KCdCl3 nanowires as the precursor and template. The KCdCl3 nanowires are prepared by adding an aqueous solution containing CdCl2 and KI into anhydrous ethanol at room temperature. The KCdCl3 nanowires, which are water-dissolvable and can be easily removed by washing with water, act as both the precursor and template for the preparation of SiO2/Cd(OH)2 composite nanotubes in an alkaline solution. One of the advantages of this method is that the preparation of SiO2/Cd(OH)2 composite nanotubes can well duplicate the shape of the nanowire precursor, and the simplicity and low cost can be achieved. The samples are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Co-reporter:Jing-San Xu, Ying-Jie Zhu
Materials Letters 2011 Volume 65(17–18) pp:2793-2796
Publication Date(Web):September 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2010.12.045
We have developed a microwave-solvothermal synthesis combined with thermal treatment method for the preparation of Y4Al2O9 hierarchically nanostructured microspheres assembled with nanosheets. First, a simple microwave-assisted solvothermal method is used to prepare the precursor using Y(NO3)3 and Al(NO3)3 at 200 °C in mixed solvents of water and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) without any surfactant. Then, thermal treatment of the precursor at 900 °C in air for 2 h is performed to obtain Y4Al2O9 hierarchically nanostructured microspheres, during which the morphology of the precursor can be well preserved. The samples are characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared Y4Al2O9 hierarchical microspheres over phenol is investigated and the degradation rate of phenol is up to 91.2% in a period of 240 min.
Co-reporter:Xiao-Lin Liu, Ying-Jie Zhu
Materials Letters 2011 Volume 65(Issue 7) pp:1089-1091
Publication Date(Web):15 April 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2011.01.017
Copper sulfide (CuS) nanotubes assembled with nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by microwave-assisted solvothermal method at 80 °C using Cu(OH)2 nanowires in the solvent of ethylene glycol. Cu(OH)2 nanowires act as both the precursor and template for the preparation of CuS nanotubes assembled with nanoparticles. Cu(OH)2 nanowires are prepared by adding an aqueous solution containing CuCl2 into an alkaline solution at room temperature and by ultrasonication for 30 min. This method has the advantages of the simplicity and low cost. The samples are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The method reported herein may be extended to the synthesis of nanotubes of other copper-containing compounds.
Co-reporter:Ke-Wei Wang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yue-Hong Huang
Materials Letters 2011 Volume 65(15–16) pp:2361-2363
Publication Date(Web):August 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2011.04.104
We report a template-free microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for the preparation of hydroxyapatite hollow microspheres constructed by the self-assembly of nanosheets using Ca(CH3COO)2, Na2HPO4, NaH2PO4 and sodium citrate in aqueous solution. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated that the as-prepared samples consisted of hydroxyapatite. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed that the as-prepared products were composed of hollow microspheres assembled with nanosheets and had three-dimensional nanoporous nanostructured networks. The experimental parameters were varied to investigate their effects on the product, and a possible formation mechanism was proposed. The as-prepared hydroxyapatite hollow microspheres have a potential application in drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Qi-Li Tang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Jin Wu, Feng Chen, Shao-Wen Cao
Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine 2011 Volume 7(Issue 4) pp:428-434
Publication Date(Web):August 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.nano.2010.12.005
Calcium phosphates (CPs) are regarded as the most biocompatible inorganic biomaterials; however, they are limited in the drug-delivery applications, especially for hydrophobic drugs. Achieving high drug-loading capacity and a controllable drug-release property are two main challenges. In this study we report a strategy for the preparation of novel drug delivery systems based on a concerted process in which the formation of the CP nanocarriers and the drug storage are accomplished in one step in mixed solvents of water and ethanol. The key advantage of this strategy is that the formation of CP nanocarriers and in situ loading of the drug occur simultaneously in the same reaction system, which makes it possible to achieve ultrahigh drug-loading capacity and prolonged drug release due to ultrahigh specific surface area and numerous binding sites of the CP nanocarriers. A series of hydrophobic drug-delivery systems with adjustable drug-loading capacities and drug-release rates have been successfully synthesized. In addition, the drug-release kinetics of the as-prepared drug-delivery systems have been found in which the cumulative amount of drug release has a linear relationship with the natural logarithm of release time.From the Clinical EditorCalcium phosphates (CPs) are highly biocompatible inorganic biomaterials with thus far limited drug-delivery applications. This study reports the preparation of a novel drug delivery system where the formation of CP nanocarriers and in situ loading of the drug occur simultaneously in the same reaction, enabling ultra-high drug-loading.This article illustrates a novel strategy for the preparation of the drug delivery systems based on a concerted process in which the formation of the calcium phosphate nanocarriers and drug loading is accomplished in one single step in mixed solvents of water and ethanol, leading to ultrahigh drug loading capacity and prolonged drug release with a release kinetics in which the cumulative amount of drug release has a linear relationship with the natural logarithm of release time.
Co-reporter:Feng Chen, Peng Huang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Jin Wu, Chun-Lei Zhang, Da-Xiang Cui
Biomaterials 2011 32(34) pp: 9031-9039
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.08.032
Co-reporter:Jin Wu;Shao-Wen Cao ;Feng Chen
Advanced Materials 2010 Volume 22( Issue 6) pp:749-753
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adma.200903020
Co-reporter:Guo-Hui Dong, Ying-Jie Zhu and Li-Dong Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2010 vol. 20(Issue 10) pp:1976-1981
Publication Date(Web):21 Jan 2010
DOI:10.1039/B915107A
Sb2Te3 single-crystalline nanosheets having edge lengths of 300–500 nm and thicknesses of 50–70 nm were rapidly synthesized by a microwave-assisted method using SbCl3, Na2TeO3 and hydrazine hydrate in ethylene glycol at 200 °C for 15 min, and the reaction mechanism was proposed. The bulk sample of Sb2Te3 nanosheets was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS), and it still consisted of Sb2Te3 nanosheets after SPS and thermoelectric property measurements. High electrical conductivity σ (2.49 × 104 Ω−1 m−1), high Seebeck coefficient S (210 μV K−1) and low thermal conductivity κ (0.76 W m−1 K−1) at 420 K were achieved. The ZT value was reported for the first time for the Sb2Te3 sintered bulk sample prepared from nanosheet powder, and a relatively high ZT of 0.58 at 420 K was obtained. It is very difficult to achieve high electrical conductivity σ without obvious growth of nanocrystals after sintering, and herein we have made a successful attempt.
Co-reporter:Ke-Wei Wang, Lin-Zhu Zhou, Ying Sun, Guo-Jun Wu, Hong-Chen Gu, You-Rong Duan, Feng Chen and Ying-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2010 vol. 20(Issue 6) pp:1161-1166
Publication Date(Web):15 Dec 2009
DOI:10.1039/B917441A
A facile room-temperature method for the fabrication of calcium phosphate (CaP)/PLGA-mPEG hybrid porous nanospheres has been developed. The hybrid CaP/PLGA-mPEG nanospheres obtained were 20∼60 nm in diameter and exhibited porous structure, and they were applied as DNA vectors for DNA loading and in vitro transfection. The results showed that the DNA binding capacity and transfection efficiency of the as-prepared hybrid porous nanospheres were much higher than those of the CaP precipitates prepared according to the standard CaP transfection procedure and mesoporous silica reported before. MTT assays confirmed that the CaP/PLGA-mPEG hybrid porous nanospheres were quite safe. In addition, both CaP and PLGA-mPEG are biocompatible and biodegradable, thus the as-prepared CaP/PLGA-mPEG hybrid porous nanospheres are promising in gene delivery.
Co-reporter:Feng Chen, Qi-Li Tang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Ke-Wei Wang, Mei-Li Zhang, Wan-Yin Zhai, Jiang Chang
Acta Biomaterialia 2010 Volume 6(Issue 8) pp:3013-3020
Publication Date(Web):August 2010
DOI:10.1016/j.actbio.2010.02.015
Abstract
Electrospinning has been recognized as an efficient technique for fabricating polymer nanofibrous biomaterials. However, the study of electrospun inorganic biomaterials with well-designed three-dimensional (3-D) structures is still limited and little reported. In this study hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanorods with an average diameter of ∼7 nm and length of ∼27 nm were synthesized through a simple precipitation method and used for the fabrication of inorganic/organic [poly(vinyl pyrolidone) (PVP)] composite nanofibers by electrospinning in ethanol solution. 3-D fabrics and aligned nanofiber arrays of the HAp nanorods/PVP composite were obtained as precursors. Thereafter, 3-D single phase HAp fabrics, tubular structures and aligned nanofiber arrays were obtained after thermal treatment of the corresponding composite precursors. Cytotoxicity experiments indicated that the HAp fabric scaffold had good biocompatibility. In vitro experiments showed that mesenchymal stem cells could attach to the HAp fabric scaffold after culture for 24 h.
Co-reporter:Qi-Li Tang, Ying-Jie Zhu, You-Rong Duan, Qi Wang, Ke-Wei Wang, Shao-Wen Cao, Feng Chen and Jin Wu
Dalton Transactions 2010 vol. 39(Issue 18) pp:4435-4439
Publication Date(Web):24 Mar 2010
DOI:10.1039/B925779A
We report room-temperature preparation of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polylactide (PEG-PLA)/calcium phosphate (CP) nanocomposites with a porous morphology. The reaction time and concentration of the inorganic ingredients play an important role in the morphology and chemical composition of the nanocomposite. Thermogravimetry analysis shows that there is approximately 8.5 wt.% of PEG-PLA block copolymer in the nanocomposite. A typical anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen, is used to evaluate the drug loading ability and the release behavior of the porous PEG-PLA/CP nanocomposite. The experiments reveal that the nanocomposite has a higher drug loading capacity and favorable drug release property. The drug release kinetics of the porous PEG-PLA/CP nanocomposite is discussed as a three-stage process. The as-prepared porous PEG-PLA/CP nanocomposite is promising for application in drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Guo-Jun Wu, Lin-Zhu Zhou, Ke-Wei Wang, Feng Chen, Ying Sun, You-Rong Duan, Ying-Jie Zhu, Hong-Chen Gu
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2010 Volume 345(Issue 2) pp:427-432
Publication Date(Web):15 May 2010
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2010.01.048
Calcium phosphate (CaP) has been used as the vector for gene transfection in the past three decades with the characteristics of excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, clinical application of calcium phosphate is still not popular due to poor-controlling of DNA/CaP complex preparation and its low transfection efficiency. In this study, block copolymer (PLGA–mPEG) assisted synthesis of hydroxylapatite (HAP) nanorods and DNA post-adsorbing method for transfection in vitro have been reported. By hydrothermal treatment, HAP nanorods with relatively uniform sizes of ∼100 nm in length and ∼25 nm in diameter and high crystallinity were prepared, which were characterized by TEM, XRD and FTIR measurements. In the presence of Ca2+ (0.2 mol/L), HAP nanorods showed ultra-high DNA loading capacity, which was significantly enhanced by one or two magnitude compared with the recently reported high loading capacity mesoporous silica vectors. HAP nanorods, therefore, have a great potential as the gene vector to deliver DNA into the cells effectively and safely.TEM micrographs of HAP nanorods which were synthesized with polymers template-based technique and showed high DNA adsorption capability in the presence of Ca2+.
Co-reporter:Ling Jiang
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 2010 Volume 2010( Issue 8) pp:1238-1243
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/ejic.200900960
Abstract
A general and facile surfactant-assisted solvothermal route was developed for the synthesis of CoTe, Ag2Te/Ag, and CdTe nanostructures using the corresponding metal salt,Na2TeO3, ascorbic acid, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in mixed solvents of ethanolamine and water. It was also found that the morphology of the product varied dramatically when using different surfactants such as PVP and CTAB. A formation mechanism of telluride nanostructures was proposed. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetry (TG), and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis.
Co-reporter:Ling Jiang;Jing-Biao Cui
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 2010 Volume 2010( Issue 19) pp:3005-3011
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/ejic.201000251
Abstract
A general surfactant-assisted solvothermal route was developed for the synthesis of a variety of metal telluride nanostructures. In this method, a corresponding metal salt,Na2TeO3, ascorbic acid, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were used as reagents and a mixture of ethylene glycol (EG) and water was used as the solvent. The synthesis of nanostructures including PbTe, CdTe, CoTe2, Bi2Te3, and Cu7Te4 with varied morphologies was demonstrated by using this general approach. The mechanisms of formation of thesetelluride nanostructures are discussed. The optical properties including UV/Vis absorption of Cu7Te4 and CdTe and photoluminescence of CoTe2 nanostructures are investigated.
Co-reporter:Xiao-Lin Liu, Iraklis Pappas, Michael Fitzgerald, Ying-Jie Zhu, Matthew Eibling, Long Pan
Materials Letters 2010 Volume 64(Issue 14) pp:1591-1594
Publication Date(Web):31 July 2010
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2010.04.044
Zirconia (ZrO2) is an important metal oxide owing to its applications in a variety of fields. Herein, we report the solvothermal synthesis of ZrO2 nanostructures including nanorods, linked nanorods, and nanosheets. Aqueous solutions of [Zr6O4(OH)4(H2O)8(Gly)8]·12Cl·8H2O (CP-2) or a mixture of CP-2 and ZrOCl2·8H2O containing NaOH were employed as the zirconium sources while Triton X-100, Tween-80 and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) were included to modify the morphology of the final product. Single-phase monoclinic ZrO2 nanostructures could be obtained by the solvothermal method at 200 °C for 24 h independent of the presence or absence of Triton X-100, Tween-80 and SDS. However, the addition of Triton X-100, Tween-80 and SDS influenced the morphology of the resulting ZrO2 nanostructures without affecting the crystal phase of the product.
Co-reporter:Ling Jiang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Jing-Biao Cui
Journal of Solid State Chemistry 2010 Volume 183(Issue 10) pp:2358-2364
Publication Date(Web):October 2010
DOI:10.1016/j.jssc.2010.08.004
NiTe2 nanoflakes and their self-assembled nanoflake arrays (one-dimensional nanostructures) have been prepared by a single-step hydrothermal method using Ni(CH3COO)2·4H2O, Na2TeO3, glucose, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). CTAB was found to strongly influence the structure and morphology of the resultant NiTe2. Morphological transformations from nanoflakes to self-assembled nanoflake arrays and then to solid smooth nanowires were observed as CTAB concentration was increased in the growth solution. Photoluminescence of the NiTe2 self-assembled nanoflake arrays was investigated for the first time and the formation mechanism of the NiTe2 nanostructures is also discussed.Graphical abstractNiTe2 nanoflakes and their self-assembled nanoflake arrays have been prepared by a single-step hydrothermal method using Ni(CH3COO)2·4H2O, Na2TeO3, glucose, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB).
Co-reporter:Ke-Wei Wang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen, Shao-Wen Cao
Materials Letters 2010 Volume 64(Issue 21) pp:2299-2301
Publication Date(Web):15 November 2010
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2010.07.060
Calcium phosphate (CaP)/block copolymer hybrid porous nanospheres were synthesized by a simple solution method using CaCl2 and (NH4)2HPO4 in the presence of a block copolymer at room temperature. X-ray diffraction showed that the sample consisted of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). The BET specific surface area and the pore size distribution of the CaP/PLLA-mPEG hybrid porous nanospheres were also characterized. The as-prepared CaP/PLLA-mPEG hybrid porous nanospheres were explored as drug carriers, and showed a high ibuprofen loading capacity and in vitro prolonged drug release behavior in a simulated body fluid. These CaP/block copolymer hybrid porous nanospheres exhibit a great potential for application in drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Shao-Wen Cao, Ying-Jie Zhu, Jing-Biao Cui
Journal of Solid State Chemistry 2010 Volume 183(Issue 7) pp:1704-1709
Publication Date(Web):July 2010
DOI:10.1016/j.jssc.2010.05.024
A variety of iron hydroxyl phosphate (NH4Fe2(PO4)2OH·2H2O) nanostructures such as solid microspheres, microspheres with the core in the hollow shell, and double-shelled hollow microspheres were synthesized by a simple one-step microwave-solvothermal ionic liquid method. The effects of the experimental parameters on the morphology and crystal phase of the resultant materials were investigated. Structural dependent photoluminescence was observed from the double-shelled hollow microspheres and the underlying mechanisms were discussed.Graphical abstractA variety of iron hydroxyl phosphate (NH4Fe2(PO4)2OH·2H2O) nanostructures were synthesized by a simple one-step microwave-solvothermal ionic liquid method. Structural dependent photoluminescence was observed from the double-shelled hollow microspheres.
Co-reporter:Shao-Wen Cao, Ying-Jie Zhu, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yue-Hong Huang
Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 2010 Volume 71(Issue 12) pp:1680-1683
Publication Date(Web):December 2010
DOI:10.1016/j.jpcs.2010.09.006
We report the preparation of a novel kind of α-Fe2O3 hollow core/shell hierarchical nanostructures self-assembled by nanosheets. A green precursor powder is first prepared using nontoxic and inexpensive FeCl3 and urea in ethylene glycol by a surfactant-free solvothermal method at 160 °C for 15 h. The α-Fe2O3 hollow core/shell hierarchical nanostructures are obtained by the thermal treatment of the green precursor powder. The as-prepared α-Fe2O3 hollow core/shell hierarchical nanostructures are porous, and exhibit a good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of phenol. The samples are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Co-reporter:Shao-Wen Cao;Jin Wu;Ke-Wei Wang;Qi-Li Tang
Nanoscale Research Letters 2010 Volume 5( Issue 4) pp:
Publication Date(Web):2010 April
DOI:10.1007/s11671-010-9558-5
The P123/ACP nanocomposite with sizes less than 100 nm consisting of triblock copolymer P123 and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) has been prepared by using an aqueous solution containing CaCl2, (NH4)3PO4, and P123 at room temperature. The P123/ACP nanocomposite is used as the nanocarrier for hydrophobic drug ibuprofen, based on the combined advantages of both amphiphilic block copolymer and calcium phosphate delivery system. The P123/ACP nanocomposite has a much higher ibuprofen loading capacity (148 mg/g) than the single-phase calcium phosphate nanostructures. The drug release percentage of the P123/ACP nanocomposite in simulated body fluid reaches about 100% in a period of 156 h, which is much slower than that of single-phase calcium phosphate nanostructures. It is expected that the P123/ACP nanocomposite is promising for the application in the controlled delivery of hydrophobic drugs.
Co-reporter:Jin Wu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yue-Hong Huang
Materials Research Bulletin 2010 45(4) pp: 509-512
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.materresbull.2009.10.006
Co-reporter:Ke-Wei Wang;Dr. Ying-Jie Zhu;Xiao-Yan Chen;Wan-Yin Zhai;Qi Wang;Feng Chen;Dr. Jiang Chang;Dr. You-Rong Duan
Chemistry – An Asian Journal 2010 Volume 5( Issue 12) pp:2477-2482
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/asia.201000463
Abstract
Flower-like nanostructured hydroxyapatite hollow spheres (NHHS) assembled with nanosheets with a hierarchical morphology are fabricated by a rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal route. The presence and concentration of block copolymer poly(lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA–PEG) are important parameters for the formation of the hollow structure. The possible formation mechanism of NHHS is proposed. The NHHS are explored as anticancer drug carriers for cellular delivery of mitoxantrone (MIT). The MIT-loaded NHHS exhibit sustained-drug-release behavior in vitro and the intracellular drug-distribution tests indicate that the MIT loaded in NHHS carriers can enter the cells efficiently. The experiments also show that the NHHS have a good biocompatibility, and therefore, they are promising anticancer drug carriers in cancer chemotherapy.
Co-reporter:Shao-Wen Cao, Ying-Jie Zhu
Acta Materialia 2009 Volume 57(Issue 7) pp:2154-2165
Publication Date(Web):April 2009
DOI:10.1016/j.actamat.2009.01.009
Abstract
This paper reports on the microwave–hydrothermal ionic liquid method for the synthesis of a variety of iron oxide nanostructures such as α-FeOOH hollow spheres, β-FeOOH architectures and α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The formation mechanism for α-FeOOH hollow spheres is discussed. The effects of the reaction parameters on the morphology and crystal phase of the final product are studied. The relationship between the morphology and crystal phase of the product is discussed. A general thermal transformation strategy is designed to prepare α-Fe2O3 hollow spheres using α-FeOOH hollow spheres as the precursor and template. By thermal treatment of the as-prepared α-FeOOH hollow spheres, α-Fe2O3 hollow spheres showing good photocatalytic activity are obtained. And by autocatalysis of the adsorbed available Fe(II) on the α-FeOOH surfaces, Fe3O4 hollow spheres are also obtained.
Co-reporter:Qi-Li Tang, Ke-Wei Wang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen
Materials Letters 2009 Volume 63(Issue 15) pp:1332-1334
Publication Date(Web):15 June 2009
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2009.03.003
Organic–inorganic polyacrylamide–calcium phosphate (PAM–CP) nanocomposites with calcium phosphate (CP) nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix have been successfully synthesized using calcium salt, phosphate and acrylamide monomer in aqueous solution by a single-step microwave-assisted method. When the experiment is conducted in a basic medium, the CP phase obtained consists of hexagonal hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanorods, and HAP nanorods are homogeneously dispersed in the polyacrylamide (PAM) matrix. While the preparation is in a weak acidic medium, the amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanoparticles are formed and dispersed in the PAM matrix. The reported method has advantages of being simple, rapid, low-cost, and environmentally friendly. The products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TG).
Co-reporter:Ling Jiang, Ying-Jie Zhu
Materials Letters 2009 Volume 63(Issue 22) pp:1935-1938
Publication Date(Web):15 September 2009
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2009.06.005
A facile Cu-cysteine precursor templated route for the synthesis of Cu2S nanowires, dendritic-like and flowerlike nanostructures is reported. The Cu-cysteine precursors are prepared through the reaction between Cu2+, l-cysteine and ethanolamine at room temperature, and the morphologies of Cu-cysteine precursors can be controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of l-cysteine to Cu2+. The Cu-cysteine precursors are used as both templates and source materials for the subsequent preparation of polycrystalline Cu2S nanostructures by thermal treatment, and the morphologies of the precursors can be well preserved after the thermal transformation to Cu2S nanostructures. The samples are characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Co-reporter:Xiao-Lin Liu, Ying-Jie Zhu
Materials Letters 2009 Volume 63(Issue 12) pp:1085-1088
Publication Date(Web):15 May 2009
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2009.02.016
We report the synthesis of the Cd-cysteine precursor nanowires using CdCl2·2.5H2O, L-cysteine and ethanolamine in the solvent of water at room temperature. The average diameter and lengths of Cd-cysteine precursor nanowires are 200 nm and several hundred microns, respectively. The precursor nanowires are used as the source materials for cadmium and sulfur and the template for the subsequent preparation of CdS nanowires using ethylene glycol as the solvent by a solvothermal method at 200 °C. The formation process of CdS nanowires is discussed. The samples are characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Co-reporter:Jin Wu, Ying-Jie Zhu
Materials Letters 2009 Volume 63(9–10) pp:761-763
Publication Date(Web):15 April 2009
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2008.12.044
Calcium silicates possess potential applications in biomedical fields such as drug delivery and bone tissue regeneration owing to their comparatively good bioactivity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this paper, we report the preparation of monoclinic β-Ca2SiO4 microbelts by microwave thermal transformation of Ca2(SiO3)(OH)2 microbelts at 670 °C for 2 h. Ca2(SiO3)(OH)2 microbelts are successfully used as both the precursor source material and the template for the preparation of β-Ca2SiO4 microbelts. The morphology and size of Ca2(SiO3)(OH)2 microbelts can be well preserved during the microwave thermal transformation process. Ca2(SiO3)(OH)2 microbelts are synthesized using Na2SiO3∙9H2O, NaOH and Ca(NO3)2∙4H2O in the solvent of water by a hydrothermal method at 200 °C for 24 h. The products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Co-reporter:Ming-Guo Ma, Ying-Jie Zhu, Shu-Hong Li
Materials Research Bulletin 2009 44(2) pp: 288-293
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.materresbull.2008.06.003
Co-reporter:Ming-Yan Ma, Ying-Jie Zhu, Liang Li and Shao-Wen Cao
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2008 vol. 18(Issue 23) pp:2722-2727
Publication Date(Web):08 Apr 2008
DOI:10.1039/B800389K
We have successfully prepared for the first time hydroxyapatite (HAp) and calcium silicate (CaSiO3) nanostructured porous hollow ellipsoidal capsules which are constructed by nanoplate networks using the inorganic CaCO3 template. CaCO3 ellipsoids are synthesized via the reaction between Ca(CH3COO)2 and NaHCO3 in water and ethylene glycol mixed solvent at room temperature and they are used as the Ca2+ source and cores. Then a PO43− or SiO32− source is added to react with CaCO3 to form a HAp or CaSiO3 shell on the surface of CaCO3 ellipsoids. Dilute acetic acid is used to remove remaining CaCO3 cores. The size and shape of the HAp and CaSiO3 hollow capsules are determined by those of the cores. The thickness of the capsule shell can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of PO43− or SiO32− source. A number of PO43− sources such as dilute H3PO4, Na3PO4 and Na2HPO4 can be used to form HAp hollow capsules with similar morphologies. The drug loading and release behavior of HAp hollow capsules is also investigated. A typical anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen, is used for drug loading. The result indicates that HAp hollow capsules have a high specific surface area and high storage capacity, and favorable drug release behavior.
Co-reporter:Shao-Wen Cao, Ying-Jie Zhu and Jiang Chang
New Journal of Chemistry 2008 vol. 32(Issue 9) pp:1526-1530
Publication Date(Web):07 May 2008
DOI:10.1039/B719436F
We report a solvothermal approach for the synthesis of high-magnetization Fe3O4 polyhedral nanoparticles in the ethylene glycol (EG)–H2O system. In this approach, ferric chloride (FeCl3·6H2O) is used as the iron source, and EG acts as both the solvent and reductant in the presence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and dodecylamine (DDA). The presence of deionized water plays an important role in the control over the size of Fe3O4 particles. The Fe3O4 particles prepared are well dispersed with single-crystal-like features, showing superparamagnetism with a high saturation magnetization close to that of bulk Fe3O4 (92 emu g−1). The stability of the Fe3O4nanoparticles in deionized water is also investigated.
Co-reporter:Ming-Guo Ma, Ying-Jie Zhu
Journal of Alloys and Compounds 2008 Volume 455(1–2) pp:L15-L18
Publication Date(Web):8 May 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.jallcom.2007.01.142
Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) has been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method at 200 °C for 2 h using Cu(CH3COO)2·H2O, glycine (C2H5NO2) and NaOH. The morphology of Cu2O is significantly influenced by the concentration of glycine or NaOH.
Co-reporter:Ming-Guo Ma, Ying-Jie Zhu, Jiang Chang
Materials Letters 2008 Volume 62(10–11) pp:1642-1645
Publication Date(Web):15 April 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2007.09.050
Hydroxyapatite microtubes have been successfully prepared using CaCl2 and NaH2PO4 in mixed solvents of water/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) by a solvothermal method at 160 °C for 24 h. The effects of the solvothermal time and concentration of DMF on the product were investigated. When the solvothermal time was 2 h, the sample consisted of monetite with a triclinic structure. When the solvothermal time was increased to 5 h, the mixed phases of monetite and HA were obtained. A single phase of crystalline HA with a hexagonal structure was obtained for 12 h. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fourier transform infrared (FTIR).
Co-reporter:Liang Li, Ying-Jie Zhu, Ming-Guo Ma
Materials Letters 2008 Volume 62(Issue 30) pp:4552-4554
Publication Date(Web):15 December 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2008.08.040
We have successfully developed a new synthetic route for the rapid preparation of calcium sulfate nanowires by thermal transformation of calcium dodecyl sulfate (CDS) in organic solvents of ethylene glycol (EG) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and determined to be single-phase CaSO4·0.5H2O consisting of single-crystalline nanowires with aspect ratio up to about 62. In this method, the different types of organic solvents used have no obvious influences on the morphology, phase, and formation time of the product. The microwave heating can remarkably shorten the reaction time compared with conventional heating methods.
Co-reporter:Ming-Guo Ma, Ying-Jie Zhu
Materials Letters 2008 Volume 62(Issue 16) pp:2512-2515
Publication Date(Web):15 June 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2007.12.034
One-dimensional SrCO3 nanostructures assembled from nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized by a microwave-assisted aqueous solution method at 90 °C using Sr(NO3)2, (NH4)2CO3 and ethylenediamine (C2H8N2). Our experiments show that the microwave heating time plays an important role in the size and morphology of SrCO3. A rational mechanism based on the oriented attachment self-assembly is proposed for the formation of SrCO3 nanostructures. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). This method is simple, fast, low-cost and suitable for large-scale production of SrCO3 nanostructures with different morphologies. We expect that this method may be extended to the preparation of nanostructures of other kinds of carbonates.
Co-reporter:Ming-Guo Ma, Ying-Jie Zhu, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yue-Hong Huang
Materials Letters 2008 Volume 62(Issue 3) pp:507-510
Publication Date(Web):15 February 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2007.05.072
ZnO micro- and nanostructures with a variety of morphologies have been synthesized using Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and pyridine by a microwave-assisted aqueous solution method at 90 °C for 10 min. The pyridine has a significant influence on the morphology of ZnO. Various morphologies of ZnO (hexagonal columns, linked hexagonal needles, hollow structures, and hexagonal nanorings) were obtained by adjusting the concentration of pyridine. The effect of the type of other alkaline additive (aniline and triethanolamine) on the morphology of ZnO was also investigated. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).
Co-reporter:Li-Xia Yang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Hua Tong, Liang Li, Ling Zhang
Materials Chemistry and Physics 2008 Volume 112(Issue 2) pp:442-447
Publication Date(Web):1 December 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.matchemphys.2008.05.071
CuO nanorod bundles and interconnected nanosheets are prepared via a three-step synthesis method starting from the Cu2(OH)3Cl precursor. Cu(OH)2 nanorod bundles are obtained by the reaction of the Cu2(OH)3Cl precursor with NaOH in aqueous solution at room temperature. CuO interconnected nanosheets are obtained by hydrothermal treatment of Cu(OH)2 nanorod bundles, and CuO nanorod bundles consisting of nanoparticles with certain orientation are obtained by the solid-state thermal transformation of Cu(OH)2 nanorod bundles. The influences of the temperature and NaOH concentration on the synthesis of CuO nanostructures are investigated.
Co-reporter:Ling Zhang
The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2008 Volume 112(Issue 43) pp:16764-16768
Publication Date(Web):October 8, 2008
DOI:10.1021/jp805751t
We report a microwave-assisted solvothermal method for the preparation of AlOOH hierarchically nanostructured microspheres constructed by nanosheets. The formation mechanism of AlOOH hierarchically nanostructured microspheres is discussed. γ-Al2O3 hierarchically nanostructured microspheres are obtained by heating AlOOH hierarchically nanostructured microspheres to 500 °C in air, and the morphology is well preserved during the thermal transformation process. The products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.
Co-reporter:Shao-Wen Cao
The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2008 Volume 112(Issue 32) pp:12149-12156
Publication Date(Web):July 16, 2008
DOI:10.1021/jp803131u
We report the preparation of a novel kind of nanoporous hollow core/shell hierarchical nanostructures of iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3 or Fe3O4) with a high specific surface area, whose morphological feature is characterized as hierarchically nanostructured complex architectures self-assembled by nanosheets of the same kind of iron oxide with the spherical core inside the hollow sphere and circular empty space in between the core and hollow sphere. The precursor with the similar hollow core/shell hierarchical morphology is synthesized using FeCl3 and urea in ethylene glycol in the absence of any surfactant by a solvothermal method at 160 °C for 15 h. The precursor is used to prepare γ-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 with well-preserved morphological architectures by a thermal transformation strategy. The formation mechanism of the precursor and the effects of the reactant concentration and reaction temperature are discussed. The BET surface areas and the magnetic properties of as-prepared iron oxides are investigated. The drug storage and in vitro release property of the PEG-modified Fe3O4 sample are studied. The PEG-modified Fe3O4 sample has a high drug loading capacity and favorable drug release property.
Co-reporter:W.-W. Wang;Y.-J. Zhu;L.-X. Yang
Advanced Functional Materials 2007 Volume 17(Issue 1) pp:
Publication Date(Web):29 NOV 2006
DOI:10.1002/adfm.200600431
ZnO–SnO2 hollow spheres and hierarchical nanosheets are successfully synthesized using an aqueous solution containing ZnO rods, SnCl4, and NaOH by using a simple hydrothermal method. The effects of hydrothermal temperature and time on the morphology of ZnO–SnO2 are investigated. The formation process of ZnO–SnO2 hollow spheres and nanosheets is discussed. The samples are characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Both hollow spheres and hierarchical nanosheets show higher photocatalytic activities in the degradation of methyl orange than that of ZnO rods or SnO2.
Co-reporter:Li-Xia Yang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Hua Tong, Wei-Wei Wang
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 2007 Volume 14(Issue 2) pp:259-265
Publication Date(Web):February 2007
DOI:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2006.05.006
MnCO3 submicrocubes and highly oriented MnCO3 nanocrystal assemblies with an ellipsoidal morphology have been successfully prepared by an ultrasonic solution approach. The effect of surfactants of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and aerosol OT (AOT) on the morphology of MnCO3 was investigated. Highly oriented ellipsoidal assemblies composed of ∼5 nm MnCO3 nanocrystals with porous nanostructures were prepared in the presence of SDS. Both sonochemical irradiation and surfactant play an important role in the formation of these highly oriented assemblies. Nanoporous Mn2O3 was obtained by thermal treatment of MnCO3 at 600 °C in air. The shape of MnCO3 was sustained after thermal transformation to form nanoporous Mn2O3. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric analysis.
Co-reporter:Li-Xia Yang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Hua Tong, Zhen-Hua Liang and Wei-Wei Wang
Crystal Growth & Design 2007 Volume 7(Issue 12) pp:2716
Publication Date(Web):October 18, 2007
DOI:10.1021/cg060530s
β-Ni(OH)2 carnationlike structures assembled from nanosheet building blocks were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method through the hydrolysis of nickel acetate in mixed solvents of water and glycerol. NiO carnations assembled from nanosheets with nanopores were obtained by thermal decomposition of the as-synthesized carnationlike β-Ni(OH)2 at 400 °C for 2 h in air. The as-obtained β-Ni(OH)2 carnations showed a different cyclic voltammogram (CV) curve from that of β-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets.
Co-reporter:Ming-Guo Ma, Ying-Jie Zhu, Zi-Li Xu
Materials Letters 2007 Volume 61(8–9) pp:1812-1815
Publication Date(Web):April 2007
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2006.07.138
γ-Alumina single-crystalline nanorods have been successfully synthesized by thermal decomposition of boehmite precursor which was prepared by solvothermally treating AlCl3 ⁎ 6H2O, NaOH, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate in water and dimethylbenzene mixed solvents. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Our experiments show that the surfactant plays an important role in the morphology and assembly of boehmite. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the boehmite nanorods was also investigated.
Co-reporter:Li-Xia Yang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Hua Tong, Zhen-Hua Liang, Liang Li, Ling Zhang
Journal of Solid State Chemistry 2007 Volume 180(Issue 7) pp:2095-2101
Publication Date(Web):July 2007
DOI:10.1016/j.jssc.2007.05.009
Nickel hydroxide nanosheets and flowers have been hydrothermally synthesized using Ni(CH3COO)2·4H2O in mixed solvents of ethylene glycol (EG) or ethanol and deionized water at 200 °C for different time. The phase and morphology of the obtained products can be controlled by adjusting the experimental parameters, including the hydrothermal time and the volume ratio of water to EG or ethanol. The possible reaction mechanism and growth of the nanosheets and nanoflowers are discussed based on the experimental results. Porous nickel oxide nanosheets are obtained by heating nickel hydroxide nanosheets in air at 400 °C. The products were characterized by using various methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The electrochemical property of β-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets was investigated through the cyclic voltammogram (CV) measurement.Nickel hydroxide nanosheets and flowers have been hydrothermally synthesized using Ni(CH3COO)2·4H2O in mixed solvents of ethylene glycol (EG) or ethanol and deionized water at 200 °C for different reaction time. Porous nickel oxide nanosheets are obtained by heating nickel hydroxide nanosheets in air at 400 °C.
Co-reporter:Ming-Guo Ma, Ying-Jie Zhu, Jie-Fang Zhu, Zi-Li Xu
Materials Letters 2007 Volume 61(Issue 29) pp:5133-5136
Publication Date(Web):December 2007
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2007.04.018
Barium carbonate (BaCO3) nanostructures with different morphologies were synthesized using Ba(NO3)2 and (NH4)2CO3 in the water/ethylene glycol (EG) mixed solvents by oil bath heating at 80 °C for 30 min. The molar ratio of water to EG had an effect on the morphology of BaCO3. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).
Co-reporter:Wei-Wei Wang;Mei-Ling Ruan
Journal of Nanoparticle Research 2007 Volume 9( Issue 3) pp:419-426
Publication Date(Web):2007 June
DOI:10.1007/s11051-005-9051-8
Nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite (α-Fe2O3) have been prepared by a simple microwave heating method using FeCl3, polyethylene glycol and N2H4·H2O. The amount of N2H4·H2O has an effect on the final phase of Fe3O4. The morphology of α-Fe2O3 was affected by the heating method. Crystalline α-Fe2O3 agglomerates were formed immediately at room temperature and most of these nanoparticles within agglomerates show the same orientation along [110] direction. After microwave heating, ellipsoidal α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were formed following an oriented attachment mechanism. Both Fe3O4 and α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibit a small hysteresis loop at room temperature.
Co-reporter:Zhen-Hua Liang;Guo-Feng Cheng
Journal of Materials Science 2007 Volume 42( Issue 2) pp:477-482
Publication Date(Web):2007 January
DOI:10.1007/s10853-006-1069-5
ZnO nanosheets with the wurtzite structure have been successfully synthesized via a microwave-assisted solution method. The thicknesses of ZnO nanosheets are in the range of 5–10 nm and lateral sizes up to 1 μm. The surfaces of ZnO nanosheets are
\( \pm (1\overline 2 10) \) planes of wurtzite structure. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The optical and thermal properties were investigated with UV–Visible absorption spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC).
Co-reporter:Liang Li, Ying-Jie Zhu
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2006 Volume 303(Issue 2) pp:415-418
Publication Date(Web):15 November 2006
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2006.07.059
High chemical reactivity of Ag nanoparticles was observed in the reaction with hydrochloric acid: Ag (nanoparticles)+HCl→AgCl+H2Ag (nanoparticles)+HCl→AgCl+H2; the reaction product silver chloride was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction to give a direct evidence for the reaction which has been proved impossible for the bulk Ag.High chemical reactivity of Ag nanoparticles was observed in the reaction with hydrochloric acid: Ag (nanoparticles)+HCl→AgCl+H2Ag (nanoparticles)+HCl→AgCl+H2; the reaction product silver chloride was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction to give a direct evidence for the reaction which has been proved impossible for the bulk Ag.
Co-reporter:Li-Xia Yang;Liang Li;Ling Zhang;Hua Tong;Wei-Wei Wang;Guo-Feng Cheng;Jie-Fang Zhu
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 2006 Volume 2006(Issue 23) pp:
Publication Date(Web):10 OCT 2006
DOI:10.1002/ejic.200600553
Flower-like cobalt hydroxide [β-Co(OH)2] consisting of nanosheet networks has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method from Co(CH3COO)2·4H2O in mixtures of water and glycerol/ethylene glycol at 200 °C. The morphology and phase of the cobalt hydroxide can be controlled by adjusting the experimental parameters that include cobalt acetate concentration and the volume ratio of water to glycerol/ethylene glycol. The possible formation mechanism of flower-like cobalt hydroxide is discussed on the basis of experimental results. Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) flowers have also been obtained by thermal decomposition of cobalt hydroxide flowers in air at 400 °C. The products were characterized by powder XRD, TEM, selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), and field-emission SEM (FESEM). (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Co-reporter:Li-Xia Yang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Hua Tong, Wei-Wei Wang, Guo-Feng Cheng
Journal of Solid State Chemistry 2006 Volume 179(Issue 4) pp:1225-1229
Publication Date(Web):April 2006
DOI:10.1016/j.jssc.2006.01.033
Manganese oxide (hausmannite) polyhedral nanocrystals were prepared by a microwave-assisted solution-based method using Mn(CH3COO)2 and (CH2)6N4 at 80 °C. The as-prepared Mn3O4 nanocrystals were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, field-emission transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectrum. Mn3O4 polyhedral nanocrystals prepared by microwave heating at 80 °C for 60 min were of cubic and rhombohedral shapes with the edge lengths in the range of 15–40 nm. Mn3O4 nanocrystals grew following the Ostwald ripening mechanism with increasing reaction time. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction confirm that the as-obtained polyhedral nanocrystals were single-crystalline. The magnetic behavior of Mn3O4 nanocrystals was studied. Mn3O4 nanocrystals show an obvious ferromagnetic behavior at low temperatures. The magnetic behavior of Mn3O4 nanocrystals was sensitive to crystal size. Ferromagnetic onset temperatures (Tc) of samples 1 and 3 are 40.6 and 41.1 K, respectively, lower than that observed for bulk Mn3O4 (42 K).Manganese oxide (hausmannite) polyhedral nanocrystals were prepared by a microwave-assisted solution-based method using Mn(CH3COO)2 and (CH2)6N4 at 80 °C. Mn3O4 polyhedral nanocrystals prepared by microwave heating at 80 °C for 60 min were of cubic and rhombohedral shapes with the edge lengths in the range of 15–40 nm. The magnetic behavior of Mn3O4 nanocrystals was studied.
Co-reporter:Ya Jiang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Zi-Li Xu
Materials Letters 2006 Volume 60(17–18) pp:2294-2298
Publication Date(Web):August 2006
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2005.12.127
Single-crystalline Bi2S3 nanocrystals with urchinlike and rod-like morphologies have been successfully synthesized using Bi2O3, HCl, Na2S2O3 and ethylene glycol (EG) by a simple and fast microwave heating method. Both urchinlike and rod-like Bi2S3 nanostructures could be formed under microwave heating at 190 °C for 30 s. Urchin-like Bi2S3 nanostructures were prepared using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or in the absence of any surfactant. However, Bi2S3 nanorods were obtained in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectra.
Co-reporter:Wei-Wei Wang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Guo-Feng Cheng, Yue-Hong Huang
Materials Letters 2006 Volume 60(Issue 5) pp:609-612
Publication Date(Web):March 2006
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2005.09.056
Cupric oxide (CuO) nanosheets and nanowhiskers have been successfully synthesized by a simple microwave-assisted solution approach using CuCl2 and NaOH. The ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]) has a significant influence on the morphology of CuO. The products were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC).
Co-reporter:Hua Tong ;Li-Xia Yang;Liang Li;Ling Zhang
Angewandte Chemie 2006 Volume 118(Issue 46) pp:
Publication Date(Web):24 OCT 2006
DOI:10.1002/ange.200602952
Natürlicher Helfer: PbE-Nanoröhren (E=S, Se, Te; siehe Bild) wurden mit einer neuartigen Biomolekül-unterstützten Methode bei Raumtemperatur erhalten. Die als Vorstufen fungierenden Nanodrähte, die sich aus in Gegenwart von Cystein synthetisierten Nanokristallen selbstorganisierten, spielen eine entscheidende Rolle als Bleiquelle wie als Templat für die Bildung der Nanoröhren, die einen offensichtlichen Größenquantisierungseffekt zeigen.
Co-reporter:Hua Tong ;Li-Xia Yang;Liang Li;Ling Zhang
Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2006 Volume 45(Issue 46) pp:
Publication Date(Web):24 OCT 2006
DOI:10.1002/anie.200602952
Natural help: PbE nanotubes (E=S, Se, Te; see picture) have been synthesized by a novel biomolecule-assisted method at room temperature. The precursor nanowires self-assembled from nanocrystals synthesized in the presence of cysteine play crucial roles as both the lead source and template in the formation of the nanotubes, which exhibit an obvious quantum confinement effect.
Co-reporter:Zhen-Hua Liang, Ying-Jie Zhu
Materials Letters 2005 Volume 59(19–20) pp:2423-2425
Publication Date(Web):August 2005
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2005.02.086
Uniformly sized single-crystalline Cu2O crystals with star-like and flower-like morphologies have been successfully prepared via the reaction of d-glucose, copper (II) chloride and sodium hydroxide in aqueous solution. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction (ED).
Co-reporter:Wei-Wei Wang, Ying-Jie Zhu
Materials Research Bulletin 2005 Volume 40(Issue 11) pp:1929-1935
Publication Date(Web):3 November 2005
DOI:10.1016/j.materresbull.2005.06.004
Cobalt oxalate nanorods have been successfully synthesized by a simple microwave-assisted solution approach using an ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate. Upon thermal decomposition at 400 °C, cobalt oxalate nanorods could be converted to Co3O4 rods consisting of nanoparticles. The products were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric analysis.
Co-reporter:Xian-Luo Hu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Shi-Wei Wang
Materials Chemistry and Physics 2004 Volume 88(2–3) pp:421-426
Publication Date(Web):15 December 2004
DOI:10.1016/j.matchemphys.2004.08.010
Both sonochemical and microwave-assisted solution-phase routes to the fabrication of linked ZnO rods have been developed. The two methods do not need templates, seeds or surfactants and are suitable for large-scale production. Linked ZnO rods with various morphologies such as bipods, tripods, tetrapods have been prepared. ZnO rods grow along [0 0 0 1] direction and the formation of linked ZnO rods may be controlled by the oriented attachment mechanism. The influence of the irradiation time, reactant concentration and reactant molar ratio on the formation of linked ZnO rods were investigated. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SEAD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used for the characterization of the as-prepared products. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of linked ZnO rods was also investigated at room temperature.
Co-reporter:Ying-Jie Zhu ;Wei-Wei Wang;Rui-Juan Qi;Xian-Luo Hu
Angewandte Chemie 2004 Volume 116(Issue 11) pp:
Publication Date(Web):2 MAR 2004
DOI:10.1002/ange.200353101
Sie haben MAIL! Die Abkürzung MAIL (microwave-assisted ionic-liquid) steht hier für eine Methode zur gezielten Herstellung von Tellur-Nanostäbchen oder -Nanodrähten (siehe Bild). Der MAIL-Prozess ist schnell, ergibt hohe Ausbeuten und kann möglicherweise auf die Synthese einer Vielzahl von elementaren und gemischten Nanostrukturen ausgeweitet werden.
Co-reporter:Ying-Jie Zhu ;Wei-Wei Wang;Rui-Juan Qi;Xian-Luo Hu
Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2004 Volume 43(Issue 11) pp:
Publication Date(Web):2 MAR 2004
DOI:10.1002/anie.200353101
HotMAIL! A microwave-assisted ionic-liquid (MAIL) method has been developed for controlled production of tellurium nanorods or nanowires (see pictures). The MAIL method is a fast, high-yield, and may be extended to synthesize a variety of other elemental and compound nanostructures.
Co-reporter:Yong-Gang Zhang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen
Ceramics International (May 2017) Volume 43(Issue 7) pp:
Publication Date(Web):May 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.12.113
Uniform interconnected micro/nanoporous ceramics with good mechanical properties hold universal applications in biomedical and engineering fields. Herein, using hydroxyapatite (HAP) microtubes as the raw material instead of traditional particles, a novel interconnected nanochannel hydroxyapatite ceramic was fabricated successfully through one-step microwave sintering method without the addition of pore generators. The tubular structure of the HAP microtubes remains even after microwave sintering, which endows the ceramic with uniform interconnected nanochannels and 3-D porous structure. The HAP microtube nanochannel ceramic has a narrow pore size distribution from 400 nm to 600 nm, and exhibits well permeability, high adsorption/desorption ability. The porosity is about 30%, the HAP microtube nanochannel ceramic can be totally dyed by methylene blue within several minutes, and the blue dye can be desorbed completely in 45 min by ultrasonic vibration. In addition, due to the one-dimensional structure of the HAP microtubes, the HAP microtube nanochannel ceramic has smaller shrinkage, bigger porosity, and better toughness than the control sample fabricated by nanoparticles. Base on the uniform interconnected nanochannel structure, well permeability, high adsorption/desorption ability, the HAP microtube nanochannel ceramic fabricated here may be a promising candidate for many applications in biomedical engineering, environmental engineering, and energy engineering.
Co-reporter:Ya-Dong Yu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Chao Qi, Ying-Ying Jiang, Heng Li, Jin Wu
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (15 June 2017) Volume 496() pp:
Publication Date(Web):15 June 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2017.02.041
Hydroxyapatite (HAP) with a porous hollow structure is an ideal biomaterial owing to its excellent biocompatibility and unique architecture. In this study, HAP nanorod-assembled porous hollow polyhedra, consisting of nanorod building blocks, have been successfully prepared at room temperature or under hydrothermal circumstances using a self-sacrificing Ca(OH)2 template strategy. The hydrothermal treatment (at 180 °C for 1 h) can promote the HAP nanorods to be arranged with their axial direction normal to the polyhedron surface. The HAP nanorod-assembled porous hollow polyhedra have been explored for the potential application in drug/protein delivery, using ibuprofen (IBU) as a model drug and hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein. The experimental results indicate that the HAP nanorod-assembled porous hollow polyhedra have a relatively high drug loading capacity and protein adsorption ability, and sustained drug and protein release. The HAP nanorod-assembled porous hollow polyhedra have promising applications in various biomedical fields such as the drug and protein delivery.HAP nanorod-assembled porous hollow polyhedra prepared at room temperature or under hydrothermal conditions using a self-sacrificing Ca(OH)2 template strategy and their application in drug/protein delivery are investigated.
Co-reporter:Ya-Dong Yu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Chao Qi, Jin Wu
Materials Letters (15 April 2017) Volume 193() pp:
Publication Date(Web):15 April 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2017.01.124
•Hydroxyapatite (HAP) materials with various morphologies are synthesized.•Trimethyl phosphate is used as an organic phosphorus source.•The morphology of HAP can be varied by adjusting experimental conditions.Hydroxyapatite (HAP) materials with various morphologies including microrods, nanoparticle-assembled microflowers (NAMs), nanoparticle-assembled dendritic superstructures (NADSs), and microrod-assembled ordered arrays (MAOAs) are prepared by a facile solvothermal synthesis strategy using trimethyl phosphate as an organic phosphorus source. The morphologies of the as-prepared HAP products vary significantly with the change of the solvothermal temperature and amount of NaOH. The present study provides a new platform for the synthesis of HAP materials with various morphologies. Among the as-prepared HAP products, the HAP MAOAs show similar structures to those of apatite in the hard tissues of vertebrates. The as-prepared products show excellent biocompatibility, and thus are potentially useful in biomedical fields.
Co-reporter:Ying-Ying Jiang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Heng Li, Yong-Gang Zhang, Yue-Qin Shen, Tuan-Wei Sun, Feng Chen
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (1 July 2017) Volume 497() pp:
Publication Date(Web):1 July 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2017.03.032
Hydrogels with 3-dimentional cross-linked structures are widely used in various biomedical fields such as bone repair scaffolds, drug carriers and biosensors. However, the applications of hydrogels are usually restricted because of their poor mechanical properties. Currently, nanocomposites, double network systems, hydrophobic association, macromolecules, and nanoparticles are commonly adopted as cross-linking agents to enhance mechanical properties of hydrogels. In this work, ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires (HANWs) with lengths of several hundred microns are prepared and used to enhance the mechanical properties of sodium alginate (SA)-based hydrogels. Using divalent calcium ions as the cross-linking agent, the hybrid HANWs/SA hydrogels containing various percentages of HANWs are obtained. The as-prepared HANWs/SA hybrid hydrogels have a porous structure with pore sizes ranging from about 200 to 500 μm. The mechanical properties of SA hydrogels can be significantly improved by incorporating HANWs. The maximum compressive modulus (E50%) and tensile Young’s modulus of the hybrid hydrogel (HANWs/SA = 2:1) are as high as 0.123 MPa and 0.994 MPa, which are about 162% and 614% those of the pure SA hydrogel, respectively. Due to the enhanced mechanical properties and high biocompatibility, the as-prepared HANWs/SA hybrid hydrogels have promising applications in various biomedical fields such as bone defect repair.Porous hybrid hydrogels comprising ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires and sodium alginate with enhanced mechanical properties have been prepared, which have promising applications in various biomedical fields such as bone defect repair.
Co-reporter:Ke-Wei Wang, Lin-Zhu Zhou, Ying Sun, Guo-Jun Wu, Hong-Chen Gu, You-Rong Duan, Feng Chen and Ying-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2010 - vol. 20(Issue 6) pp:NaN1166-1166
Publication Date(Web):2009/12/15
DOI:10.1039/B917441A
A facile room-temperature method for the fabrication of calcium phosphate (CaP)/PLGA-mPEG hybrid porous nanospheres has been developed. The hybrid CaP/PLGA-mPEG nanospheres obtained were 20∼60 nm in diameter and exhibited porous structure, and they were applied as DNA vectors for DNA loading and in vitro transfection. The results showed that the DNA binding capacity and transfection efficiency of the as-prepared hybrid porous nanospheres were much higher than those of the CaP precipitates prepared according to the standard CaP transfection procedure and mesoporous silica reported before. MTT assays confirmed that the CaP/PLGA-mPEG hybrid porous nanospheres were quite safe. In addition, both CaP and PLGA-mPEG are biocompatible and biodegradable, thus the as-prepared CaP/PLGA-mPEG hybrid porous nanospheres are promising in gene delivery.
Co-reporter:Yong-Gang Zhang, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen and Tuan-Wei Sun
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2017 - vol. 5(Issue 21) pp:NaN3906-3906
Publication Date(Web):2017/05/10
DOI:10.1039/C6TB02576E
In this work, a novel ultralong hydroxyapatite microtube (HMT)–chitosan (CHS) composite scaffold has been successfully prepared. The mechanical properties of the HMT–CHS composite scaffold is greatly improved compared with the CHS–hydroxyapatite nanorod scaffold and the pure chitosan scaffold. By using gentamicin sulfate (GS) as the model drug, the GS-loaded HMT–CHS composite scaffold has a high drug loading capacity, sustained drug release behavior and high antibacterial activity. The as-prepared HMT–CHS composite scaffold has promising applications in various fields such as drug delivery and bone defect repair.
Co-reporter:Weilin Yu, Tuan-Wei Sun, Zhenyu Ding, Chao Qi, Huakun Zhao, Feng Chen, Zhongmin Shi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Daoyun Chen and Yaohua He
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2017 - vol. 5(Issue 5) pp:NaN1052-1052
Publication Date(Web):2017/01/02
DOI:10.1039/C6TB02747D
The development of multifunctional biomaterials with drug delivery ability, and pro-osteogenic and pro-angiogenic activities has garnered increasing interest in the field of regenerative medicine. In the present study, hypoxia-mimicking copper (Cu)-doped mesoporous hydroxyapatite (HAP) microspheres (Cu-MHMs) were successfully synthesized through a microwave-hydrothermal method by using creatine phosphate as an organic phosphorus source. The Cu-MHMs doped with 0.2, 0.5 and 1 mol% Cu were prepared. The Cu-MHMs consisting of HAP nanorods or nanosheets exhibited a hierarchically mesoporous hollow structure and a high specific surface area. Then the Cu-MHMs were investigated as a drug nanocarrier using doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) as a model drug. The Cu-MHMs showed a relatively high drug-loading capacity and a pH-responsive drug release behavior. Furthermore, the Cu-MHMs were incorporated into a chitosan (CS) matrix to construct a biomimetic scaffold optimized for bone regeneration. The Cu-MHM/CS composite scaffolds maintained high degrees of porosity and showed a sustained release of Cu ions. More importantly, the Cu-MHM/CS scaffolds not only enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) but also promoted the migration and tube formation of EA.hy926 cells. When implanted in rat critical-sized calvarial defects, the Cu-MHM/CS scaffolds significantly enhanced bone regeneration accompanied by more new blood vessel formation at 8 weeks post-operation compared with the MHM/CS scaffolds. These results suggest that the hypoxia-mimicking Cu-MHM/CS scaffolds could encourage bone regeneration by enhancing osteogenesis and angiogenesis simultaneously, which bodes well for the reconstruction of vascularized tissue-engineered bone.
Co-reporter:Xiaoxuan Guo, Jin Wu, Yun-Mui Yiu, Yongfeng Hu, Ying-Jie Zhu and Tsun-Kong Sham
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2013 - vol. 15(Issue 36) pp:NaN15040-15040
Publication Date(Web):2013/07/10
DOI:10.1039/C3CP50699A
The interaction between drug carrier and drug molecules is fundamental for the study of drug delivery, drug targeting, and drug release. Until now, little has been known about the interaction at the molecular level. X-Ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy is a sensitive tool for identifying this interaction. Herein, we report the use of calcium and silicon K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to investigate how drug molecules interact with different functional groups in calcium silicate hydrate and anhydrous calcium silicate nanocarriers with different morphologies. Significant changes are observed in the XANES spectra after drug loading; ibuprofen (IBU) loading leads to the ordering of silicates locally and there is loss of hydrates during the IBU loading processes.
Co-reporter:Ming-Yan Ma, Ying-Jie Zhu, Liang Li and Shao-Wen Cao
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2008 - vol. 18(Issue 23) pp:NaN2727-2727
Publication Date(Web):2008/04/08
DOI:10.1039/B800389K
We have successfully prepared for the first time hydroxyapatite (HAp) and calcium silicate (CaSiO3) nanostructured porous hollow ellipsoidal capsules which are constructed by nanoplate networks using the inorganic CaCO3 template. CaCO3 ellipsoids are synthesized via the reaction between Ca(CH3COO)2 and NaHCO3 in water and ethylene glycol mixed solvent at room temperature and they are used as the Ca2+ source and cores. Then a PO43− or SiO32− source is added to react with CaCO3 to form a HAp or CaSiO3 shell on the surface of CaCO3 ellipsoids. Dilute acetic acid is used to remove remaining CaCO3 cores. The size and shape of the HAp and CaSiO3 hollow capsules are determined by those of the cores. The thickness of the capsule shell can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of PO43− or SiO32− source. A number of PO43− sources such as dilute H3PO4, Na3PO4 and Na2HPO4 can be used to form HAp hollow capsules with similar morphologies. The drug loading and release behavior of HAp hollow capsules is also investigated. A typical anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen, is used for drug loading. The result indicates that HAp hollow capsules have a high specific surface area and high storage capacity, and favorable drug release behavior.
Co-reporter:Guo-Hui Dong, Ying-Jie Zhu and Li-Dong Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2010 - vol. 20(Issue 10) pp:NaN1981-1981
Publication Date(Web):2010/01/21
DOI:10.1039/B915107A
Sb2Te3 single-crystalline nanosheets having edge lengths of 300–500 nm and thicknesses of 50–70 nm were rapidly synthesized by a microwave-assisted method using SbCl3, Na2TeO3 and hydrazine hydrate in ethylene glycol at 200 °C for 15 min, and the reaction mechanism was proposed. The bulk sample of Sb2Te3 nanosheets was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS), and it still consisted of Sb2Te3 nanosheets after SPS and thermoelectric property measurements. High electrical conductivity σ (2.49 × 104 Ω−1 m−1), high Seebeck coefficient S (210 μV K−1) and low thermal conductivity κ (0.76 W m−1 K−1) at 420 K were achieved. The ZT value was reported for the first time for the Sb2Te3 sintered bulk sample prepared from nanosheet powder, and a relatively high ZT of 0.58 at 420 K was obtained. It is very difficult to achieve high electrical conductivity σ without obvious growth of nanocrystals after sintering, and herein we have made a successful attempt.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Bing-Qiang Lu, Xin-Yu Zhao, Jing Zhao and Feng Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 - vol. 22(Issue 42) pp:NaN22650-22650
Publication Date(Web):2012/09/07
DOI:10.1039/C2JM35280J
Porous hollow microspheres of hydroxyapatite (HAP) are an ideal biomaterial due to their excellent biocompatibility and hollow structure. Herein, we report a novel DNA-templated hydrothermal strategy for the synthesis of HAP nanosheet-assembled hollow microspheres with a nanoporous structure. The as-prepared HAP porous hollow microspheres consist of HAP nanosheets as the building blocks with an average thickness of about 20 nm, and the diameters of the HAP porous hollow microspheres are in the range 2.5–4.5 μm, with an average pore size of about 21.8 nm. The as-prepared HAP porous hollow microspheres are explored for potential applications in drug delivery, and protein adsorption and release. The as-prepared HAP porous hollow microspheres show a relatively high drug loading capacity and protein adsorption ability, and sustained drug and protein release, using ibuprofen as a model drug and hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein. The experiments indicate that the as-prepared HAP porous hollow microspheres are promising for applications in biomedical fields such as drug delivery and protein adsorption.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Bing-Qiang Lu, Guan-Jun Ding, Tuan-Wei Sun, Feng Chen and Jin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 48) pp:NaN8586-8586
Publication Date(Web):2014/10/31
DOI:10.1039/C4TB01473A
Magnesium phosphate biomaterial, as an alternative to well-known calcium phosphate biomaterials, is an excellent candidate for biomedical applications, owing to its outstanding biocompatibility and biodegradability. Herein, we report a simple strategy for the rapid synthesis of magnesium phosphate hydrate nanosheets (MPHSs) using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. This method is facile, rapid, surfactant-free and environmentally friendly. The product shows an excellent ability to promote osteoblast MC-3T3 adhesion and spreading, which indicates high biocompatibility. Moreover, the as-prepared MPHSs are explored for potential applications in the loading and release of the anticancer drug and protein adsorption, using docetaxel as a model anticancer drug and hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein. The experiments indicate that the as-prepared MPHSs have a relatively high protein adsorption capacity and a high ability to damage tumor cells after loading docetaxel. Thus, the as-prepared MPHSs are promising for applications in various biomedical fields such as drug delivery and protein adsorption.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen and Jin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 39) pp:NaN7786-7786
Publication Date(Web):2015/09/14
DOI:10.1039/C5TB01106J
Magnesium whitlockite (WH: Ca18Mg2(HPO4)2(PO4)12), as an abundant and biologically important biomineral in living bone, is unfortunately difficult to synthesize. Herein, we report a microwave-assisted rapid synthesis of single-phase WH hollow porous microspheres and highly stable amorphous calcium magnesium phosphate (ACMP) porous microspheres by using creatine phosphate (CP) biomolecules as a biocompatible organic phosphorus source. The crystal phase and morphology of the product can be adjusted by the Ca/Mg molar ratio in the initial reaction solution, and CP biomolecules play an important role in the synthesis of the product. The as-synthesized WH hollow porous microspheres and ACMP porous microspheres have high biocompatibility and excellent ability to promote the adhesion and spreading of MC-3T3 osteoblasts. Moreover, WH hollow porous microspheres and ACMP porous microspheres are efficient at the loading and release of the anticancer drug doxorubicin, and exhibit slow, sustainable and pH-responsive drug release behavior. The high drug loading capacity (753 mg g−1) and drug encapsulation efficiency (more than 94%) render the ACMP porous microspheres an appealing carrier for anticancer drug delivery to enhance long-term chemotherapeutic efficacy.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Ying-Jie Zhu, Yong-Gang Zhang, Ying-Ying Jiang, Jin Wu and Feng Chen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 37) pp:NaN7354-7354
Publication Date(Web):2015/09/02
DOI:10.1039/C5TB01340B
A rapid and simple strategy is reported for the synthesis of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) vesicle-like nanospheres using the adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) disodium salt as a biocompatible phosphorus source and stabilizer by the sonochemical method in mixed solvents of water and ethylene glycol (EG). The ACP vesicle-like nanospheres are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption. The ACP vesicle-like nanospheres exhibit essentially inappreciable toxicity to the cells in vitro. Furthermore, the as-prepared ACP vesicle-like nanospheres can be used as anticancer drug nanocarriers and show a pH-responsive drug release behaviour using doxorubicin (Dox) as a model drug. The ACP vesicle-like nanosphere drug delivery system exhibits a high ability to damage cancer cells, thus, it is promising for application in pH-responsive drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Tuan-Wei Sun, Ying-Jie Zhu, Chao Qi, Feng Chen, Ying-Ying Jiang, Yong-Gang Zhang, Jin Wu and Chengtie Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2016 - vol. 4(Issue 19) pp:NaN3268-3268
Publication Date(Web):2016/04/20
DOI:10.1039/C5TB02632F
Magnesium silicate nanostructured biomaterials with good biocompatibility and high adsorption capacity for drugs and proteins are promising for applications in various biomedical fields. However, the applications of magnesium silicate nanostructured biomaterials in anticancer drug delivery and protein adsorption have rarely been reported so far. Herein, we report a facile strategy for the synthesis of magnesium silicate hollow nanospheres (MSHNSs) by a classical Stöber method and a template based solvothermal process. The as-prepared MSHNSs have an ultrahigh specific surface area of 585.6 m2 g−1, ultrahigh hemoglobin (Hb) protein adsorption capacity (1262 mg g−1) and high doxorubicin (DOX) drug loading capacity (559 mg g−1). Moreover, the as-prepared MSHNS/DOX drug delivery system exhibits sustained and pH-responsive drug release performance. Compared with free DOX, the MSHNS/DOX drug delivery system exhibits higher anticancer activity in vitro, and thus it is promising for applications in anticancer treatment.
Co-reporter:Guan-Jun Ding, Ying-Jie Zhu, Chao Qi, Bing-Qiang Lu, Feng Chen and Jin Wu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 9) pp:NaN1830-1830
Publication Date(Web):2015/01/27
DOI:10.1039/C4TB01862A
Calcium phosphate biomaterials are very promising for various biomedical applications owing to their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. Calcium phosphate nanostructured materials with a porous and hollow structure are excellent drug carriers due to their advantages such as high biocompatibility, large specific surface area, nanosized channels for drug loading and release, high drug loading capacity and pH-responsive drug release behavior. In this work, porous hollow microspheres of amorphous calcium phosphate have been successfully prepared by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method using adenosine triphosphate disodium salt, CaCl2 and soybean lecithin in aqueous solution. This preparation method is facile, rapid, energy-saving and environment friendly. The effects of microwave hydrothermal temperature and concentrations of the reactants on the morphology and structure of the product were investigated. The as-prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The as-prepared porous hollow microspheres of amorphous calcium phosphate are efficient for drug loading and release, and the drug delivery system shows a pH-responsive drug release behavior and high ability to damage tumor cells. Thus, the as-prepared porous hollow microspheres of amorphous calcium phosphate are promising for the applications in various biomedical fields.
Co-reporter:Jin Wu, Ying-Jie Zhu, Feng Chen, Xin-Yu Zhao, Jing Zhao and Chao Qi
Dalton Transactions 2013 - vol. 42(Issue 19) pp:NaN7040-7040
Publication Date(Web):2013/02/26
DOI:10.1039/C3DT50143D
Amorphous calcium silicate hydrate (CSH)/block copolymer monomethoxy(polyethyleneglycol)-block-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (mPEG-PLGA) (CSHP) hybrid nanoparticles have been prepared in aqueous solution via a facile coprecipitation route at room temperature. The block copolymer mPEG-PLGA micelles in aqueous solution serve as the templates, and the CSH links to the micelles by hydrogen bonding between the silanol groups and the hydrophilic mPEG segments. The obtained core/shell hybrid nanoparticles can be transformed to solid hybrid nanoparticles by washing with water. The drug ibuprofen (IBU) loading capacity of the CSHP hybrid nanoparticles is ultrahigh (∼1.9 g drug per g carrier), and the IBU loading efficiency can reach as high as ∼100%. The drug release of loaded IBU in the CSHP hybrid nanoparticles has been investigated in simulated body fluid (SBF). The loaded IBU drug in CSHP hybrid nanoparticles can release in SBF for a long period of time (about 300 h), during which the CSHP nanocarrier is completely transformed to hydroxyapatite, exhibiting a good bioactivity. The IBU drug release profile can be interpreted by the Higuchi model. The loading capacity for the anticancer drug docetaxel (DTX) in the CSHP hybrid nanoparticles is about 82 mg g−1. More importantly, the release of the loaded DTX in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at pH 5.5 is obviously faster than that at pH 7.4, which is promising for the application in cancer therapy. Human gastric carcinoma (SGC-7901) cells can be effectively killed in the presence of the DTX-loaded CSHP hybrid nanoparticles at appropriate concentrations. Thus, the CSHP hybrid nanoparticles are promising nanocarriers in drug delivery. Furthermore, the hemoglobin (Hb) loading capacity of CSHP hybrid nanoparticles can achieve an utrahigh value of 995 mg g−1, suggesting that the as-prepared CSHP hybrid nanoparticles are excellent protein adsorbents.
Co-reporter:Xi Chen, Bin Yang, Chao Qi, Tuan-Wei Sun, Feng Chen, Jin Wu, Xi-Ping Feng and Ying-Jie Zhu
Dalton Transactions 2016 - vol. 45(Issue 4) pp:NaN1656-1656
Publication Date(Web):2015/12/23
DOI:10.1039/C5DT03357H
Hydroxyapatite (HA) is promising in various biomedical applications owing to its similar chemical composition, structure and properties to the inorganic component in natural hard tissues. Herein, we report a DNA-templated microwave-assisted hydrothermal strategy for the preparation of HA nanostructured materials. As a kind of natural biomacromolecule, DNA molecules open up a new way to the synthesis of HA nanostructured materials with well-defined structures and morphologies. The HA nanostructured materials with a nanosheet-assembled hierarchical structure and a HA nanorod ordered structure are successfully prepared. The important roles of DNA molecules and pH values in the formation of HA nanostructured materials are investigated, and a possible formation mechanism is proposed. The as-prepared HA nanostructured materials exhibit a relatively high adsorption ability for chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) protein and a sustained protein release behavior. The as-prepared HA nanostructured materials after loading the IgY protein show a high antimicrobial activity. Thus, the HA nanostructured materials prepared by the DNA-templated microwave hydrothermal method are promising for the applications in various areas such as the prevention and treatment of dental caries.
Co-reporter:Feng Chen, Chao Li, Ying-Jie Zhu, Xin-Yu Zhao, Bing-Qiang Lu and Jin Wu
Biomaterials Science (2013-Present) 2013 - vol. 1(Issue 10) pp:NaN1081-1081
Publication Date(Web):2013/07/15
DOI:10.1039/C3BM60086F
Synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanostructured materials have been considered as promising biomaterials due to their excellent biocompatibility. In this study, a magnetic nanocomposite consisting of HAP ultrathin nanosheets (UNs) and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNs) has been prepared using a rapid microwave-assisted route. The Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles are hybridized with HAP ultrathin nanosheets, which self-assemble to form a hierarchically nanostructured magnetic nanocomposite (HAPUN/MNs). The as-prepared HAPUN/MNs nanocomposite is characterized and investigated as a drug nanocarrier using hemoglobin (Hb) and docetaxel (Dtxl) as model drugs. The adsorption amount of Hb on the HAPUN/MNs nanocomposite increases with the increasing initial Hb concentration. The release of Hb from the HAPUN/MNs nanocomposite is essentially governed by a diffusion process. The HAPUN/MNs nanocomposite has a good sustained release profile for Dtxl, and shows good pH-responsive drug release properties, which can be explained by the gradual dissolution of HAP in a low pH value environment. The HAPUN/MNs nanocomposite has a high biocompatibility and also a high in vitro anticancer effect after loading Dtxl.
Co-reporter:Qi-Li Tang, Ying-Jie Zhu, You-Rong Duan, Qi Wang, Ke-Wei Wang, Shao-Wen Cao, Feng Chen and Jin Wu
Dalton Transactions 2010 - vol. 39(Issue 18) pp:NaN4439-4439
Publication Date(Web):2010/03/24
DOI:10.1039/B925779A
We report room-temperature preparation of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polylactide (PEG-PLA)/calcium phosphate (CP) nanocomposites with a porous morphology. The reaction time and concentration of the inorganic ingredients play an important role in the morphology and chemical composition of the nanocomposite. Thermogravimetry analysis shows that there is approximately 8.5 wt.% of PEG-PLA block copolymer in the nanocomposite. A typical anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen, is used to evaluate the drug loading ability and the release behavior of the porous PEG-PLA/CP nanocomposite. The experiments reveal that the nanocomposite has a higher drug loading capacity and favorable drug release property. The drug release kinetics of the porous PEG-PLA/CP nanocomposite is discussed as a three-stage process. The as-prepared porous PEG-PLA/CP nanocomposite is promising for application in drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Feng Chen, Peng Huang, Chao Qi, Bing-Qiang Lu, Xin-Yu Zhao, Chao Li, Jin Wu, Da-Xiang Cui and Ying-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 41) pp:NaN7140-7140
Publication Date(Web):2014/08/27
DOI:10.1039/C4TB01193G
Biodegradable inorganic mesoporous materials hold promise for various biomedical applications such as drug/gene delivery, bioimaging, and photodynamic/photothermal and ultrasound therapy. Herein, multifunctional mesoporous microspheres of europium-doped amorphous calcium phosphate (Eu3+-doped ACP) have been prepared using a natural biomolecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by the rapid microwave-assisted solvothermal method. This method has advantages such as surfactant-free, rapid and energy-saving. The ATP molecule plays key roles as a phosphate source and a structure mediator. Furthermore, the Eu3+-doped ACP mesoporous microspheres exhibit advantages such as high specific surface area (from 253 to 315 m2 g−1), high biocompatibility, pH-responsive drug release, and in vitro/in vivo fluorescence imaging properties. The mechanism of pH-responsive drug release can be explained by the degradation of ACP mesoporous microspheres at low pH. The docetaxel-loaded Eu3+-doped ACP mesoporous microspheres showed good anticancer performance in vitro. The as-prepared Eu3+-doped ACP mesoporous microspheres are promising for applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, bioimaging, etc.
Co-reporter:Chao Qi, Jing-Juan Huang, Feng Chen, Jin Wu, Chang-Ning Hao, Yi-Qin Shi, Jun-Li Duan and Ying-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 47) pp:NaN8389-8389
Publication Date(Web):2014/10/27
DOI:10.1039/C4TB01342E
In this work, we first investigated the effect of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, which is fructose sugar phosphorylated on carbons 1 and 6, on the biomineralization of calcium carbonate, and prepared calcium carbonate/fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (CC/FBP) composite nanospheres. Then, we investigated the transformation of CC/FBP composite nanospheres under microwave-assisted hydrothermal conditions and prepared carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) porous nanospheres. We found that FBP has a unique effect on the morphology and crystallization of calcium carbonate. FBP can control the morphology of calcium carbonate and provide the phosphorus source for the formation of CHA. The morphology and size of CC/FBP composite nanospheres can be preserved after transformation to CHA porous nanospheres under microwave-assisted hydrothermal conditions. The CC/FBP composite nanospheres and CHA porous nanospheres are efficient for anticancer drug (docetaxel) loading and release, and the drug delivery system shows a high ability to damage tumor cells, and thus is promising for application in drug delivery. The as-prepared CC/FBP composite nanospheres and CHA porous nanospheres have excellent biocompatibility and high protein adsorption capacity, as well as high efficiency for gene transfection.
![Poly[oxy(1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-ethanediyl)], α-hydro-ω-hydroxy-, ester with α-methyl-ω-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), diblock](http://img.cochemist.com/ccimg/188400/188360-48-7.png)
![Poly[oxy(1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-ethanediyl)], α-hydro-ω-hydroxy-, ester with α-methyl-ω-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), diblock](http://img.cochemist.com/ccimg/188400/188360-48-7_b.png)
