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AgBr microparticles decorated by CuO nanoparticles were prepared by a facile direct precipitation method. The composite exhibited enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance for methyl orange (MO) degradation, about 4.3 times that of pure AgBr. The phases of CuO and AgBr were demonstrated by X-ray diffraction analysis as well as XPS. The SEM images and the cycle experiment revealed that the stability of AgBr was improved significantly by combining with CuO during visible-light illumination. The pH values and the trapping experiments of active species provided good evidences that p-n heterojunction was formed. The high performance and stability of composite were attributed to the crucial role of inner field in p-CuO/n-AgBr, which may transfer holes out of AgBr. The charge transfer mechanism of CuO/AgBr was proposed and discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-targeted microbubble (MB) destruction (UTMD)-enhanced delivery of monomethoxypoly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-poly- l-lysine (mPEG-PLGA-PLL) nanoparticles (NPs) loading Cy3-labelled platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) siRNA to rat retina in vivo. Eighty Wistar rats were divided into five groups (G). The right eyes, respectively, received an intravitreal injection as follows: normal saline (NS) (G1), NPs and NS (G2), NPs and MBs (G3), NPs and NS (G4) and NPs and MBs (G5). In G4 and G5, the eyes were exposed to US for 5 mins. Twenty-four hours after transfection, the uptake and distribution of Cy3-labelled siRNA in rat retina were observed by fluorescent microscope. The percentage of Cy3-labelled siRNA-positive cells was evaluated by flow cytometer. The levels of PDGF-BB mRNA in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and secreted PDGF-BB proteins were also measured. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and frozen sections were used to observe tissue damage. Our results showed that the number of Cy3-labelled siRNA-positive cells in G5 was significantly higher than those of the other groups ( P<0.05 for all comparisons). The maximum efficiency of siRNA uptake in neural retina was 18.22±1.67%. In G4 and G5, a small number of Cy3-labelled siRNA-positive cells were also detected in the pigmented cell layer of the retina. NPs loading siRNA delivered with UTMD could more effectively down-regulate the mRNA and protein expression of PDGF-BB than NPs plus US ( P=0.014 and P=0.007, respectively). Histology showed no evident tissue damage after UTMD-mediated NPs loading siRNA transfection. UTMD could be used safely to enhance the delivery of mPEG-PLGA-PLL NPs loading siRNA into rat retina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uniform Pd nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of spinel-type ZnAlO support for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions. High-surface-area ZnAlO support with microporous framework was successfully synthesized utilizing concurrent hexamethylenetetramine hydrolysis and homogeneous coprecipitation induced spontaneously under solvothermal conditions. The obtained support Pd catalyst was used as heterogeneous and recyclable catalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction in an environmentally friendly ethanol solvent under ligand-free ambient conditions, and exhibited excellent catalytic activity. The remarkable catalytic activity is attributed to the homogeneous distribution of small Pd nanoparticles on the ZnAlO matrix as well as the strong metal-support interaction. Furthermore, the catalytic activity did not deteriorate after recycling for five times, suggestive of the good stability of the catalyst. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterned surfaces with special wettability and adhesion (sliding, sticky or patterned superoleophobic surface) can be found on many living creatures. They offer a versatile platform for microfluidic management and other biological functions. Inspired by their precise arrangement of structure and chemical component, we described a facile one-step approach to construct large scale pinecone-like anatase TiO2 particles (ATP) film. The as-prepared ATP film exhibits excellent superamphiphilic property in air, changes to underwater superoleophobicity with good dynamical stability. In addition, erasable and rewritable patterned superamphiphobic ATP films or three-dimensional (3D) Janus surfaces were constructed for a versatile platform for microfluidic management and biomedical applications. In a proof-of-concept study, robust super-antiwetting feet for artificial anti-oil strider at the oil/water interface, novel superamphiphobic surface for repeatable oil/water separation, and multifunctional patterned superamphiphobic ATP template for cell, fluorecent probe and inorganic nanoparticles site-selective immobilization were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterned surfaces with special wettability and adhesion (sliding, sticky or patterned superoleophobic surface) can be found on many living creatures. They offer a versatile platform for microfluidic management and other biological functions. Inspired by their precise arrangement of structure and chemical component, we described a facile one-step approach to construct large scale pinecone-like anatase TiO2 particles (ATP) film. The as-prepared ATP film exhibits excellent superamphiphilic property in air, changes to underwater superoleophobicity with good dynamical stability. In addition, erasable and rewritable patterned superamphiphobic ATP films or three-dimensional (3D) Janus surfaces were constructed for a versatile platform for microfluidic management and biomedical applications. In a proof-of-concept study, robust super-antiwetting feet for artificial anti-oil strider at the oil/water interface, novel superamphiphobic surface for repeatable oil/water separation, and multifunctional patterned superamphiphobic ATP template for cell, fluorecent probe and inorganic nanoparticles site-selective immobilization were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FeO/CNTs nanocomposites, which were prepared by polyol-medium in situ high-temperature decomposition of Fe( acac) using PVP as stabilizing agent and modified with SDS, were further decorated with high-quality ZnS nanocrystal via a wet technique in glycol solution. The obtained ZnS/FeO/CNTs nanohybrids were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, Raman microscope, TEM, EDS, XPS, VSM and fluorophotometers. Results indicated that magnetic FeO nanoparticles and fluorescent ZnS nanocrystal were uniformly dispersed on the surface of CNTs layer-by-layer with PVP and SDS as stabilizing agent and ion-capture agent, respectively. The novel multi-functional nanohybrids exhibit super-paramagnetic properties with a saturation magnetization about 6·795 emu g at room temperature and show a strong emission band at 367 nm with a broad shoulder around 342-483 nm due to the interactions and/or background emissions of FeO and CNTs. The superparamagnetic and fluorescent properties of obtained products are promising for potential applications in magnetically guided and fluorescence tracing drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]