Journal of Materials Chemistry Blog

A method of creating antimicrobial coatings on catheters using a solvent-free hybrid grafting technique has been developed by scientists at Oklahoma State University, USA. The team demonstrate that vapor-based hybrid grafting enables a one-step surface modification and creates a durable antimicrobial effect. Interested to know more? Read the full article for free until 20th October (free registration required)

Yumin Ye, Qing Song and Yu Mao, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13188-13194  

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Synthesis, structures and electrical transport properties of the La_2−xSr_xNiTiO_6−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) perovskite series: In this hot article French and Spanish scientists investigate the synthesis, structures and electrical transport properties of double perovskites. The La_2−xSr_xNiTiO_6−δ series shows a p–n transition in the pO₂ range 10⁻¹⁸–10⁻¹⁹ atm. In air, the conductivity increases with increasing acceptor–dopant concentration. In reducing atmospheres, the Sr-free material is the most conductive. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13195-13204)

Production of monoclonal antibodies from hybridoma cells immobilized in 3D sol–gel silica matrices: Hybridoma cells immobilized in sol–gel silica matrices can be used for in vitro production of monoclonal antibodies say Argentinean scientists. The team evaluated different matrices looking at cell viability and antibody diffusion to surrounding media as well as the physicochemical properties of the polymeric material. Hybridoma cells immobilized in THEOS matrices were able to produce monoclonal antibodies to the same extent as free cells, which the team claim could allow them to be used in the design of bioreactors for large-scale production of antibodies. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 13865-13872)

Monolayer and multilayer assemblies of spherically and cubic-shaped iron oxide nanoparticles: Nanoparticle thin films form surfaces with properties that make them attractive for many electronic, optical and magnetic devices. The assembly spherically shaped iron oxide nanoparticles and cubic-shaped nanoparticles is investigated in this hot paper using the Langmuir–Blodgett technique. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM12012C, Advance Article)

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In this Hot Communication, the team from Chubu University, Japan, demonstrate a simple synthesis of an iodine-doped graphene film using a mixture of camphor and iodine. Experiments confirm the presence of atomic iodine in the form of triiodide (I⁻₃) and pentaiodide (I⁻₅) through charge transfer reactions. The sp² hybridized carbon in graphene is not disturbed by the presence of atomic iodine. The team say that the atomic iodine could be situated on the surface or as an intercalation in the form of polyiodides without disturbing the hexagonal lattice structure of the few-layers graphene film. Interested to know more? Read the full article for free until 12th October (free registration required): 

Golap Kalita, Koichi Wakita, Makoto Takahashi and Masayoshi Umeno, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM13268G (Advance Article)

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