Collagen-templated sol–gel fabrication, microstructure, in vitro apatite deposition, and osteoblastic cell MC3T3-E1 compatibility of novel silica nanotube compacts. Ca-containing silica nanotube compacts that could help bone regeneration have been created by a team from National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, and Okayama University, Japan. The compacts supported the attachment and proliferation of cells when soaked in the Kokubo’s simulated body fluid. The presence of Ca(II) promoted proliferation and differentiation, and led to formation of apatite and collagen fibrils. The team claims compacts could have a potential application for bone generation. J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C0JM03823G (Advance Article)
Ultrabroad near-infrared photoluminescence from Bi5(AlCl4)3 crystal. A team from Japan has reported the first demonstration of a photoluminescence Bi5(AlCl4)3 crystal containing homonuclear polycation of Bi53+. This crystal, synthesized by an environmental friendly room-temperature method, displays extremely broad near-infrared photoluminescence. The team behind the research claim that this could help the design of other photonic materials containing a wide array of p-block elements. J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM10164A (Advance Article)
Manganite perovskite nanoparticles for self-controlled magnetic fluid hyperthermia: about the suitability of an aqueous combustion synthesis route. A team from France and the Czech Republic have developed a smart reproducible procedure for the preparation of well-separated core@shell perovskite nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized through an aqueous combustion process to take advantage of exothermic, fast and self-sustaining chemical reactions between metal nitrates and glycine as a suitable organic reducing agent. Fast calcination enhanced crystallinity of the nanoparticles and subsequent milling step was performed to favour their desaggregation before being coated with a 5 nm thick silica shell. J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C0JM03963B (Advance Article)
