Journal of Materials Chemistry Blog

It is widely accepted that biomimetic culture systems should replicate natural tissues as closely as possible to promote optimal cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival. These systems are important for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, biosensors and the development of cellular models of disease. There are many techniques (e.g. microcontact printing, photo- and nanolithography, inkjet printing and photoimmobilisation) that can spatially deposit bioactive molecules for the patterning and guidance of cells. These techniques can suffer from poor cytocompatibility and spatial resolution.

Work by De Bank’s group at the University of Bath reported in this hot paper describes the patterning of biomaterial matrices with multiple bioactive molecules using a caged aldehyde linker. This approach removes any possible unwanted reactivity with functional groups commonly found in biological systems. The authors report that the caged linker can be coupled to many different biomaterials and readily undergoes photolysis in aqueous media. It is suggested that this general approach will have applications in advancing many areas – tissue modelling, tissue engineering, biosensors and regenerative medicine.

A photocleavable linker for the chemoselective functionalization of biomaterials
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 21878. DOI: 10.1039/c2jm35173k
(free to read for a short time)

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Fabrication of ZnO nanodisc arrays is reported using nanoimprint lithography (NIL) mold obtained sub-100 nm pattern resolution by Srinivasan, Krishnamoorthy and co-workers.

ZnO nanostructures have many applications such as use in LEDs, gas sensors and semiconducting devices. Controlling the densities, geometric attributes and batch to batch reproducibility of nanostructured ZnO can be a challenge. In this hot paper, a generic process is described, using block copolymer assisted NIL, to produce high-resolution NIL molds for the production of ZnO nanodiscs. The authors also investigate the charge storage properties of the produced ZnO nanodiscs.

Macroscopic high density nanodisc arrays of zinc oxide fabricated by block copolymer self-assembly assisted nanoimprint lithography
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 21871. DOI: 10.1039/c2jm33444e

(free to read for a short time)

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A thin film nanocomposite dielectric that can be prepared by deposition of Bi-doped BaTiO₃ nanocrystals on to a polymer is reported by O’Brien and colleagues.

In this hot paper, the authors use a novel approach to synthesise bismuth acceptor doped nanocrystals, Ba(Ti_xBi_1-x)O₃. The nanocrystals can be synthesised at low temperatures via a solvothermal method and are highly crystalline. The nanocomposite containing these nanocrystals, showed improved dielectric performance over BaTiO₃ and in particular highly desirable capacitor characteristics.

Comprehensive dielectric performance of bismuth acceptor doped BaTiO₃ based nanocrystal thin film capacitors
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 21862
DOI: 10.1039/c2jm34044e (free to read for a short time)

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A simple yet powerful computational method of generating models that link microscopic or molecular properties of polymers to their biological effects has been reported by Winkler and co-workers.

At present the synthesis and characterisation of novel materials for tissue engineering is a time-consuming and costly process. In this hot paper, the adhesion of human embryonic stem cell embryoid bodies (hEB) to a large library of polymers is studied. Using a mathematical description of the molecular properties of the polymers, a novel method was employed to predict experimental hEB adhesion of the polymer library. This method was found to produce models that could accurately describe stem cell hEB adhesion on polymeric surfaces. The method could be used to predict polymers with improved properties for tissue engineering and other biomedical areas.

Modelling human embryoid body cell adhesion to a combinatorial library of polymer surfaces
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 20902
DOI: 10.1039/c2jm34782b (free to read for a short time)

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Electronic structure engineering of lanthanide activated materials

This Highlight article by Pieter Dorenbos reviews new approaches to design novel lanthanide-based materials. He discusses methods and models to construct electron binding energy schemes which can be used to predict the properties, and therefore engineer, new materials.

J. Mater. Chem., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2JM34252A, Advance Article

Crystal structure of blue–white–yellow color-tunable Ca₄Si₂O₇F₂:Eu²⁺,Mn²⁺ phosphor and investigation of color tenability through energy transfer for single-phase white-light near-ultraviolet LEDs

Phosphor-converted LEDs that use a combination of blue InGaN chip and a yellow emitting Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ phosphors have low color rendering indices and high correlated color temperatures which are disadvantageous. In this hot paper, Huang, Chen and co-workers, synthesis a series of single-composition Ca₄Si₂O₇F₂:Eu²⁺,Mn²⁺ phosphors and investigate their crystal structures and luminescence properties. They find that the phosphors generate white-light and are emission-tunable by using a sensitizer Eu³⁺. The critical distance between Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ is investigated in relation to the energy transfer mechanism. The phosphor has potential uses as a phosphor-converted white-light near-UV LED.

J. Mater. Chem., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2JM33160H, Advance Article

High rate performance of a Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode prepared by pyro-synthesis for sodium-ion batteries

In this hot paper, Jaekook Kim’s group at Chonam National University, Korea report the synthesis of a Na-ion cathode as a high performing alternative to the Li-ion cathodes currently popular in the field. The carbon-coated Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode is synthesised via a polyol-assisted pyro-synthetic reaction which reduces the sintering time and temperature. The resulting nanoparticles showed greatly improved electrochemical performances in a Na-ion cell.

J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 20857-20860

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Capacitive deionization (CDI) is the primary runner-up technology to challenge the well-established traditional technologies such as the reverse osmosis and the electrodialysis for producing fresh water from sea water. The performance of CDI is mainly governed by the carbon electrode properties such as the electric conductivity and the pore size distribution, and this remains a bottle-neck challenge for the CDI technique up to now, and needs to be addressed urgently. In this paper, Gang Wang, Jieshan Qiu and co-workers at Dalian University of Technology in China report a new strategy for fabricating hierarchical carbon electrodes with tuned structure for CDI by electrospinning, which shows a high desalination performance in an order as high as 10 mg salt/g carbon. The novel approach may pay a new way for a new technology for producing fresh water from salted water.

(Text supplied by author)

(J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 21819-21823). Free to read for a short time.

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Hydrophobic cellulose nanocrystals modified with quaternary ammonium salts

Cellulose nanocrystals or CNCs are environmentally friendly biomaterials whose surface functionality can be tailored in order to improve their performance.  In this hot paper, Zhou and co-workers describe a simple and flexible route to produce CNCs bearing high carboxylate content.  A new environmentally friendly method for the surface modification of the produced CNCs is reported.  Modifying the surface of the CNCs using a range of quaternary ammonium salts via ionic exchange in aqueous solution, gives a series of CNCs that can be redispersed and individualised in organic solvents.  These CNCs can be dried from solvent to form well-disperesed nanocomposites.

(J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 19798–19805)

A green-yellow emitting oxyfluoride solid solution phosphor Sr₂Ba(AlO₄F)_1-x(SiO₅)_x:Ce³⁺ for thermally stable, high color rendition solid state white lighting

LEDs are increasing in use over traditional incandescent or fluorescent light sources because of their reduced energy demands.  Solid state white lighting devices offer many advantages compared to these conventional sources such as longer lifetimes and no need for mercury.  Most common white lighting phosphors strongly absorb blue light, in this hot paper, Seshadri et al. report a green-to-yellow emitting phosphor solid solution.  The composition (x) of the phosphor can be altered to easily tune the colour of the phosphor between near-UV excitation and green/yellow emission wavelengths which are optimal for white lighting applications.

(J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 18204–18213)

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Atomic layer deposition of anatase TiO₂ coating on silica particles: growth, characterization and evaluation as photocatalysts for methyl orange degradation and hydrogen production

Photocatalysis using various forms of titanium dioxide is well known, but many of these forms, such as TiO₂ thin films or the commercially available Degussa P25 powder, have small particle sizes which makes recovery and handling a challenge. In this hot paper, Rosseinsky and co-workers utilise TiO₂–SiO₂ core-shell particles to produce an efficient photcatalyst which can be easily separated from aqueous solution. They use atomic layer deposition to deposit anatase TiO₂ layers onto SiO₂ support particles. The particles can photocatlyse methyl orange with nearly ten times greater efficiency compared to P25 when normalised for TiO₂ content.

(J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 2, 20203–20209). Read for free until October 26th!

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High throughput theory and simulation of nanomaterials: exploring the stability and electronic properties of nanographene

Computational modelling of structure-activity relationships in nanomaterials can be challenging.  Snook and co-workers have developed a high throughput method by using a combinational approach with electronic structure simulations to give a general method for predicating and understanding the properties of graphene.  They describe the calculation for a predictive property matrix of graphene quantum dots using SCC-DFTB. Alternative graphene structures with AC- and ZZ-edges are able to be modelled without increasing the methodological complexity.  This hot paper shows that a database of electronic properties of graphene can be built up, and when a particular property is desired it can be readily obtained.

(J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 18119–18123)

Living materials from sol–gel chemistry: current challenges and perspectives

In this Highlight article, Marine Blondeau and Thibaud Coradin discuss the use of sol–gel encapsulation technology for biomedical and environmental applications.  They discuss the topic from a materials point-of-view, outlining the key points of the encapsulation process and the formation of gels from sols.  The challenges, possibilities and advances in the field are also discussed.

(J. Mater. Chem., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2JM33647B, Advanced Article)

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Quiescent water-in-oil Pickering emulsions as a route toward healthier fruit juice infused chocolate confectionary

Finding alternatives to the calorie-rich triglyceride fats found in chocolate are a high priority for chocolate manufacturers. In this hot paper, Bon and co-workers introduced fruit juice into chocolate by forming stable water-in-oil emulsions. The infused fruit juice replaces up to 50 % by weight of the total fat content in the chocolate. The approach uses a quiescent Pickering emulsion fabrication strategy to infuse the fruit juice in the form of emulsion droplets. White, milk and dark chocolate is produced using this method, which can also be applied in other systems such as aqueous acetic acid dispersed in sunflower oil.

(J. Mater. Chem., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2JM34233B, Advanced Article)

Electrospinning of in situ crosslinked collagen nanofibers

The high porosity and large surface area of non-woven collagen fibers makes them excellent scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. When collagen is regenerated by electrospinning the fibers are not resistance to water, thus undergo dissolution and have poor mechanical firmness. In this hot paper, Wnek and co-workers report a single-step method of electrospinning crosslinked collagen fibers in situ. The crosslinked fibers exhibited swelling when placed in water, in contrast to the dimensional shrinking often seen in post-crosslinked electrospun collagen. Importantly, the porosity of the fibers was also maintained during water treatment. The team suggest the crosslinking technique could also be applied to other biomaterials for tissue engineering.

(J. Mater. Chem., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2JM31618H, Advanced Article)

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