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We reported a facile method for the preparation of POM–polymer hybrids in one-pot via polymerization-induced self-assembly. Polyoxometalate macroanions were complexed with cations to prepare cross-linking agents. RAFT dispersion polymerization was conducted in the presence of the cross-linking agent. The hybrid nanoparticles can be used as nanoreactors for the photocatalytic synthesis of Au nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the central organ of the human body, once the heart is damaged, it will cause devastating damage to the circulation system of the whole body, often leading to rapid death. Currently, the only treatment option to stop bleeding in penetrating cardiac injuries is surgical suturing, which is extremely complex and risky. In addition, it is difficult to implement this kind of treatment in battlefields with poor medical conditions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an effective cardiac hemostasis strategy. In this work, we propose a two-step hemostasis strategy that can effectively stop bleeding for penetrating heart injuries. That is, cardiac hemostatic plug (CHP) is made from the nanocomposite (polylactic acid/gelatin/absorbable hemostatic particles, PLA/GEL/AHP) with high biosafety, excellent hemostatic performance, and degradability which is used to block cardiac bleeding, and then wound surface is sealed by in-situ electrospun medical glue fibers (N-octyl-2-cyanoacrylate, interfacial toughness: 221 ± 23 J·m−2), thus completing cardiac hemostasis (porcine heart with 1 cm diameter penetrating wound). The hemostasis process is simple and quick (< 2 min). In addition, it is worth mentioning that we have also proposed a new composite method based on solution blow spinning that is suitable for doping various functional particles, and the PLA/GEL/AHP composite nanofiber membrane prepared by this method is also a promising hemostatic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2-D) CuBDC nanosheets (ns-CuBDC) with high-aspect-ratios were deliberately paired with polymers possessing high free volumes to fabricate high performance gas separation membranes. Owing to the molecular sieving effect of the filler, a small ns-CuBDC loading (2–4 wt%) could significantly improve the CO2/CH4 selectivities of membranes, resulting in performances that surpass the upper bound limit for polymer membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A superior Na3V2(PO4)3-based nanocomposite (NVP/C/rGO) has been successfully developed by a facile carbothermal reduction method using one most-common chelator, disodium ethylenediamintetraacetate [Na2(C10H16N2O8)], as both sodium and nitrogen-doped carbon sources for the first time. 2D-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets are also employed as highly conductive additives to facilitate the electrical conductivity and limit the growth of NVP nanoparticles. When used as the cathode material for sodium-ion batteries, the NVP/C/rGO nanocomposite exhibits the highest discharge capacity, the best high-rate capabilities and prolonged cycling life compared to the pristine NVP and single-carbon-modified NVP/C. Specifically, the 0.1 C discharge capacity delivered by the NVP/C/rGO is 116.8 mAh g−1, which is obviously higher than 106 and 112.3 mAh g−1 for the NVP/C and pristine NVP respectively; it can still deliver a specific capacity of about 80 mAh g−1 even at a high rate up to 30 C; and its capacity decay is as low as 0.0355 % per cycle when cycled at 0.2 C. Furthermore, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also implemented to compare the electrode kinetics of all three NVP-based cathodes including the apparent Na diffusion coefficients and charge-transfer resistances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel composite structure of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)–Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) nanocomposite, which was integrated on the indium tin oxide (ITO) glass by a facile and rapid two-step chronoamperometry electrodeposition route, was proposed and developed in this paper. SERS-activity of the rGO/Ag NPs nanocomposite was mainly affected by the structure and size of the fabricated rGO/Ag NPs nanocomposite. In the experiments, the operational conditions of electrodeposition process were studied in details. The electrodeposited time was the important controllable factor, which decided the particle size and surface coverage of the deposited Ag NPs on ITO glass. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limit for rhodamine6G (R6G) was as low as 10 −11 M and the Raman enhancement factor was as large as 5.9 × 10 8 , which was 24 times higher than that for the ITO–Ag NPs substrate. Apart from this higher enhancement effect, it was also illustrated that extremely good uniformity and reproducibility with low standard deviation could be obtained by the prepared ITO-rGO/Ag NPs nanocomposite for SRES detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) process is a novel technology which generates green electrical energy via semi-permeable membranes. However, a major challenge in the PRO system is the lack of suitable membranes with satisfactory power density (i.e., the power output per unit membrane area). In this study, we have successfully fabricated a novel thin-film composite (TFC) PRO membrane consisting of a tiered structure of polyetherimide (PEI) nanofibrous support reinforced by functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) and an ultrathin polyamide-based selective top skin layer. The tiered support was made by a fine and a coarse PEI nanofiber layers. The thin finer fiber reinforced with well dispersed f-CNTs has been found to increase mechanical stability of the polyamide selective layer, allowing the support to withstand high hydraulic pressure in the PRO system. Our optimized membrane can endure a trans-membrane pressure up to 24 bar and generate a peak power density as high as 17.3 W/m 2 at 16.9 bar using synthetic seawater brine (1.0 M NaCl) as the draw solution against deionized (DI) water. In addition, the long term PRO result shows that this membrane can generate a stable power density of 15.0±0.5 W/m 2 for a test period of 10 h. This demonstrates that our membrane holds great potential to be used in the PRO process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-principles calculations based on density functional theory were carried out to investigate the electronic and optical properties of the hybrid MoS 2 /anatase TiO 2 (0 0 1) nanocomposite. The influence of MoS 2 hybridization on energy gap, interfacial charge transfer, and visible light response of the MoS 2 /TiO 2 (0 0 1) complex was analyzed. The hybridization of MoS 2 showed an obvious red shift in the optical absorption edge and an enhanced absorption in the visible and UV light region. The efficient photosensitization of MoS 2 and the stable interface between MoS 2 and TiO 2 (0 0 1) slab could facilitate the electrons transferred from MoS 2 to TiO 2 (0 0 1) slab, resulting in the enhanced visible light response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four-component of double-layer infinite coordination polymer (ICP) nanocomposites were formulated. Lot of high efficiency synergies among four components have been identified, revealing combinations with remarkably low combination index (CI) values, forming a powerful electrothermal-thermodynamic-multi-chemo trimodal synergistic therapy for large tumors.This approach has an tumor inhibition rate of 100 % in 16 days and no tumor recurrence within 60 days. [Display omitted] Multimodal /components tumors synergistic therapy is a crucial approach for enhancing comprehensive efficacy. Our research has identified lots of high efficiency synergies among four suitable components, revealing combinations with remarkably low combination index (CI) values (10-3-10-8). These combinations hold promise for large tumor powerful electrothermal-thermodynamic-multi-chemo trimodal therapy. To implement this approach, we developed four-component of double-layer infinite coordination polymer (ICP) nanocomposites, in which hypoxia-activated AQ4N and thermodynamic agent AIPH coordinated with Cu(Ⅱ) to form initial layer of positively charged ICPs-l NPs, chemotherapeutic agents gossypol-hyaluronic acid (G-HA) and CA4 coordinated with Fe(Ⅲ) to form out layer of negatively charged ICPs-2 NPs, then double-layer infinite coordination polymer nanocomposites (ICPs-1@ICPs-2 CNPs) were fabricated by electrostatic adsorption using ICPs-l NPs and ICPs-2 NPs. Cell experiments have extensively optimized the coordination combinations of the four components and the composition of the two layers. A programmable three-stage therapeutic procedure, assisted by a micro-electrothermal needle (MEN), was developed. Under this procedure the resulting nanocomposites demonstrate the powerful trimodal comprehensive therapeutic outcomes for large tumors using lower components dosage, achieving a tumor inhibition rate nearly reaching 100 % and no recurrence for 60 days. This study offers remarkable potential for tumor multimodal /components synergistic therapy in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Bi 2 O 3 and carbonized UIO-66-NH 2 nanocomposite modified carbon electrode was used to efficiently detect Pb(Ⅱ) in water. [Display omitted] • A highly sensitive Pb(Ⅱ) electrochemical sensor was developed. • Bi 2 O 3 and carbonized UIO-66- NH 2 were firstly used to modify carbon electrode. • The synergistic effect of two modification compositions promoted Pb(Ⅱ) detection. • DFT calculation confirmed the enhanced adsorption energy and electron transfer. • The developed sensor was successfully applied to detect real water samples. Development of an efficient monitoring technology for rapid detection of toxic Pb(Ⅱ) ion in water environments is extremely important. Here, a novel and highly sensitive sensor was prepared using one-step calcination technique, based on Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles and carbonized metal–organic framework (MOF) nanocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, contact angle and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization methods were used to analyze the morphology and structure of the prepared materials. Based on the electrical double-layer capacitance theory and Raman spectroscopy, changes to the active sites of different modified materials were investigated. Besides, differential charge densities and adsorption energies of the different modified materials in Zr-O clusters were calculated using density functional theory (DFT). A Bi 2 O 3 and carbonized UIO-66-NH 2 (Bi 2 O 3 /C-UIO-66-NH 2) -modified glassy carbon electrode was used to detect Pb(Ⅱ) by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. Under optimal experimental parameters, the developed electrochemical sensor has a wide linear range (2–130 μg/L) and a low detection limit (0.05 μg/L). Meanwhile, the sensor has excellent stability, repeatability, and anti-interference properties and has been successfully applied to detect Pb(Ⅱ) in actual water samples. The results of this paper show that our developed sensor an efficient and rapid sensor technology for monitoring lead in water environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ab-oriented amorphous Zn-based nanocomposites are produced for nanolabels. • A powerful CAbD strategy is raised by innovatively integrating three elements. • A mLFIA mediated by CAbD strategy was constructed for monitoring of SEMI and AOZ. • The CAbD strategy can be a universal and scatheless mAb 1 orientation approach. • The CAbD strategy reduces mAb 1 consumption and enhances the sensitivity of mLFIA. The quantity and orientation of antibodies are key elements affecting the bioactivity of immunoprobes, which have important influences on the sensitivity and specificity of immuno-biosensors. In this work, a multiplex lateral flow immunoassay (mLFIA) mediated by a powerful cascaded antibody directionality (CAbD) strategy was constructed for the simultaneous monitoring of nitrofurazone and furazolidone metabolites in food samples. Here the CAbD strategy innovatively integrated three elements: antibody staining by Coomassie brilliant blue R-250, directional anchoring of second antibodies (Ab 2) by the amorphous ZnO-based nanocomposites (ZnO-CBB-Ab 2 , ZnO-NCMs), and orientation of detection antibodies (mAb 1) by the Ab 2. The ZnO-NCMs play a double role in antibody orientation and signaling to exhibit. Thanks to the difference in surface electrical properties of Fc and Fab segments in immunoglobulin G, the excessive R-250 stained Ab 2 was anchored in ZnO-NCMs to form a multi-detection signal tag with colorimetric signal brightness. Compared with immobilization strategies of directly directional anchor-hold or post-adsorption of mAb 1 , this strategy can reduce the mAb 1 consumption, better ensure the activity and utilization efficiency of mAb 1 , and shorten the construction time of the mLFIA system. As expected, the mLFIA is given satisfactory performances with a calculated sensitivity of 0.106 and 0.060 ng mL−1 for nitrofurazone and furazolidone metabolites, respectively. The developed multiplex immunosensor ultimately shows its application potential for point-of-care testing by performing well in fish and honey samples with accredited recoveries. It's worth emphasizing that the CAbD strategy can be a universal and scatheless antibody-directed approach, especially in multiplex immunoassays for ultrasensitive food safety monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride/titanium dioxide (mpg-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 ) nanocomposite was successfully synthesized and incorporated into polysulfone (PSf) matrix to fabricate photocatalytic membranes. This study aimed to explore the photocatalytic ability of the novel nanomaterial membrane in degrading the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) under solar light. The structural and morphological properties of the mpg-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 nanocomposite and membrane were characterized using various techniques. The SMX photocatalytic degradation performance, pathway and mechanism by mpg-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) were systematically investigated using HPLC and LC-MS/MS. As a pharmaceutically active compound, SMX was transformed into 7 kinds of non-toxic and pharmaceutically inactive byproducts by the innovative PMR technology. SMX removal efficiency of the membrane PSf-3 (with 1% mpg-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 loading) was the highest over the 30 h consecutive irradiation. Meantime, the membrane didn’t affect the SMX photodegradation, and the structure was able to provide stable support with high integrity and flexibility after solar irradiation. The developed membrane has a great potential to be applied in water treatment industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Biomimetic injectable hydrogel embedded with Au/MOF composites was synthesized. • Au nanoparticles could improve visible light-driven photocatalysis of ZIF-8. • The hydrogel kills bacteria under visible light while promoting wound healing. Antibiotic resistance of bacteria is one of the greatest threats to wound healing, which necessitates the need for alternative strategies to eradicate bacteria in the wound site. Taking advantage of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating capability of photocatalytic semiconductor nanomaterials under light irradiation, here we report a biomimetic injectable double-network hydrogel using oxidized sodium alginate and carbohydrazide-modified methacrylated gelatin that mimics the extracellular matrix, which was further embedded with semiconductor-like metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) encapsulating noble metal nanoparticles (Au@ZIF-8). This composite design substantially improved the ROS generation under visible light actuation (>400 nm) compared with pristine ZIF-8, owing to its reinforced light absorption and charge carrier separation by the Au-mediated surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and Schottky junction. The composite hydrogels not only showed remarkable bactericidal activity against both E. coli and S. aureus , but also significantly accelerated wound healing at optimal safety. Altogether, this injectable double-network hydrogel could simultaneously provide antibacterial and pro-healing capabilities, which may have translational potential as wound dressing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]