We review scale-bridging simulation studies for the exploration of atomic-to-meso scale processes that account for the unique structure and mechanic properties of apatite–protein composites. As the atomic structure and composition of such complex biocomposites only partially is known, the first part (i) of our modelling studies is dedicated to realistic crystal nucleation scenarios of inorganic–organic composites. Starting from the association of single ions, recent insights range from the mechanisms of motif formation, ripening reactions and the self-organization of nanocrystals, including their interplay with growth-controlling molecular moieties. On this basis, (ii) reliable building rules for unprejudiced scale-up models can be derived to model bulk materials. This is exemplified for (enamel-like) apatite–protein composites, encompassing up to 106 atom models to provide a realistic account of the 10 nm length scale, whilst model coarsening is used to reach µm length scales. On this basis, a series of deformation and fracture simulation studies were performed and helped to rationalize biocomposite hardness, plasticity, toughness, self-healing and fracture mechanisms. Complementing experimental work, these modelling studies provide particularly detailed insights into the relation of hierarchical composite structure and favorable mechanical properties.
A clear understanding on cell migration behaviors contributes to designing novel biomaterials in tissue engineering and elucidating related tissue regeneration processes. Many traditional evaluation methods on cell migration including scratch assay and transwell migration assay possess all kinds of limitations. In this study, a novel honeycomb cell assay kit was designed and made of photosensitive resin by 3D printing. This kit has seven hexagonal culture chambers so that it can evaluate the horizontal cell migration behavior in response to six surrounding environments simultaneously, eliminating the effect of gravity on cells. Here this cell assay kit was successfully applied to evaluate endothelial cell migration cultured on self-assembling peptide (SAP) RADA (AcN-RADARADARADARADA-CONH2) nanofiber hydrogel toward different functionalized SAP hydrogels. Our results indicated that the functionalized RADA hydrogels with different concentration of bioactive motifs of KLT or PRG could induce cell migration in a dose-dependent manner. The total number and migration distance of endothelial cells on functionalized SAP hydrogels significantly increased with increasing concentration of bioactive motif PRG or KLT. Therefore, the honeycomb cell assay kit provides a simple, efficient and convenient tool to investigate cell migration behavior in response to multi-environments simultaneously.
Electrospun nanofibers have gained widespreading interest for tissue engineering application. In the present study, ApF/P(LLA-CL) nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated via electrospinning. The feasibility of the material as tissue engineering nerve scaffold was investigated in vitro. The average diameter increased with decreasing the blend ratio of ApF to P(LLA-CL). Characterization of 13C NMR and FTIR clarified that there is no obvious chemical bond reaction between ApF and P(LLA-CL). The tensile strength and elongation at break increased with the content increase of P(LLA-CL). The surface hydrophilic property of nanofibrous scaffolds enhanced with the increased content of ApF. Cell viability studies with Schwann cells demonstrated that ApF/P(LLA-CL) blended nanofibrous scaffolds significantly promoted cell growth as compare to P(LLA-CL), especially when the weight ratio of ApF to P(LLA-CL) was 25:75. The present work provides a basis for further studies of this novel nanofibrous material (ApF/P(LLA-CL)) in peripheral nerve tissue repair or regeneration.
Hollow silica spheres possessing excellent mechanical properties were successfully prepared through a layer-by-layer process using uniform polystyrene (PS) latex fabricated by dispersion polymerization as template. The formation of hollow SiO2 micro-spheres, structures and properties were observed in detail by zeta potential, SEM, TEM, FTIR, TGA and nitrogen sorption porosimetry. The results indicated that the hollow spheres were uniform with particle diameter of 1.6 μm and shell thickness of 150 nm. The surface area was 511 m2/g and the pore diameter was 8.36 nm. A new stationary phase for HPLC was obtained by using C18-derivatized hollow SiO2 micro-spheres as packing materials and the chromatographic properties were evaluated for the separation of some regular small molecules. The packed column showed low column pressure, high values of efficiency (up to about 43 000 plates/m) and appropriate asymmetry factors.
A method of in-situ reduction to prepare Au@Pt core–satellite nanoparticles (NPs) is described by using Au NPs coating poly[1-methyl 3-(2-methacryloyloxy propylimidazolium bromine)] (PMMPImB-@-Au NPs) as the template. After electrostatic complex chloroplatinic acid with PMMPImB shell, the composite NP was directly reduced with N2H4 to produce Au@Pt core–satellite NPs. The characterization of composite and core–satellite NPs under different amounts of chloroplatinic acid were studied by DLS, UV-vis absorption spectrum and TEM. The satellite Pt NPs with a small size (~2 nm) dotted around Au core, and the resulting Au@Pt core–satellite NPs showed a red-shift surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and a good dispersion due to effectively electrostatic repulsion providing by the polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) shell. Finally, Au@Pt core–satellite NPs exhibit an enhanced catalytic activity and cycled catalytic capability for the reduction of p-nitrophenol with NaBH4.
Upconversion (UC) and electrical properties of Na0.5Bi8.5−xErxTi7O27 (NBT–BIT–xEr, 0.00≤x≤0.25) ceramics were studied. Structural analysis revealed that a single inter-growth structured phase exists in all samples and the Er3+ ion substituting for Bi3+ at the A-site increases the orthorhombic distortion. Under the 980 nm laser excitation, two characteristic green emission bands and one red emission band were situated at 527, 548 and 670 nm, corresponding to the transitions 2H11/2 → 4I15/2, 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2, respectively. The optimal photoluminescence (PL) were found in the NBT–BIT–0.20Er sample, and the emission color transforms from green to yellowish green. Temperature dependence of fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) for NBT–BIT–0.20Er was measured ranging from 290 to 440 K and its maximum sensitivity was calculated to be about 0.0020 K−1 at 290 K. Dielectric measurements indicated that TC slightly increased simultaneously with the decrease of tanδ. Therefore, this ceramic has potential applications for high-temperature multifunctional devices.
Lead-free (K0.5Na0.5)(Nb1−xGex)O3 (KNN-xGe, where x = 0–0.01) piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by conventional ceramic processing. The effects of Ge4+ cation doping on the phase compositions, microstructure and electrical properties of KNN ceramics were studied. SEM images show that Ge4+ cation doping improved the sintering and promoted the grain growth of the KNN ceramics. Dielectric and ferroelectric measurements proved that Ge4+ cations substituted Nb5+ ions as acceptors, and the Curie temperature (TC) shows an almost linear decrease with increasing the Ge4+ content. Combining this result with microstructure observations and electrical measurements, it is concluded that the optimal sintering temperature for KNN-xGe ceramics was 1020°C. Ge4+ doping less than 0.4 mol.% can improve the compositional homogeneity and piezoelectric properties of KNN ceramics. The KNN-xGe ceramics with x = 0.2% exhibited the best piezoelectric properties: piezoelectric constant d33 = 120 pC/N, planar electromechanical coupling coefficient kp = 34.7%, mechanical quality factor Qm = 130, and tanδ = 3.6%.
The objective of this study was to isolate fucoxanthin from Sargassum thunbergii and develop microcapsules with palm stearin as the solid lipid core for stability and efficient oral delivery of fucoxanthin. The microcapsules had smooth surfaces with the volume weighted mean diameter (d4.3) of 19.19 µm. Encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of microcapsules with fucoxanthin were 98.3% and 0.04%, respectively. Moreover, the fucoxanthin in microcapsules presented higher stability than free fucoxanthin against light, humidity and temperature. Especially, the retention rates of fucoxanthin encapsulated in microcapsules reached 97.20% at 4°C, 92.60% at 25°C, 92.32% with the relative humidity of 33% and 92.60% in the dark. The cumulative amount of fucoxanthin released from microcapsules was 22.92% in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and 56.55% in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF).
A novel micro-vibration sensitive-type high-damping Al matrix composites reinforced with Li7−xLa3Zr2−xNbxO12 (LLZNO, x = 0.25) was designed and prepared using an advanced spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The damping capacity and mechanical properties of LLZNO/Al composites (LLZNO content: 0–40 wt.%) were found to be greatly improved by the LLZNO addition. The maximum damping capacity and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of LLZNO/Al composite can be respectively up to 0.033 and 101.2 MPa in the case of 20 wt.% LLZNO addition. The enhancement of damping and mechanical properties of the composites was ascribed to the intrinsic high-damping capacity and strengthening effects of hard LLZNO particulate. This investigation provides a new insight to sensitively suppress micro-vibration of payloads in the aerospace environment.
A novel two-phase composite film is prepared by the solvent casting method employing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as polymer matrix and bismuth ferrite (BFO) as ceramic filler. The surfaces of BFO are functionalized by proper hydroxylating agents to activate their chemical nature. The structural analysis of the composite films confirms that the composites made up of functionalized BFO (BFO-OH) have a distorted rhombohedral structure. The morphological analysis shows that BFO-OH particles are equally distributed over the polymer matrix. The −OH functionality of BFO-OH is confirmed by FTIR. The dielectric and electrical studies at a frequency range from 100 Hz to 1 MHz reveal that PMMA–(BFO-OH) composites have enhanced dielectric constant as well as electrical conductivities, much higher than that of unmodified composites. According to the ferroelectric measurement result, the hydroxylated composite film shows a superior ferroelectric behavior than that of the unmodified one, with a remanent polarization (2Pr) of 2.764 μC/cm2.