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Research progress of p-type Fe-based skutterudite thermoelectric materials
Xin TONG, Zhiyuan LIU, Jianglong ZHU, Ting YANG, Yonggui WANG, Ailin XIA
Front. Mater. Sci.. 2021, 15 (3): 317-333.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-021-0563-7
Filled skutterudite is currently one of the most promising intermediate-temperature thermoelectric (TE) materials, having good thermoelectric transport performance and excellent mechanical properties. For the preparation of high-efficiency filled skutterudite TE devices, it is important to have p- and n-type filled skutterudite TE materials with matching performance. However, the current TE properties of p-type Fe-based filled skutterudite materials are worse than n-type filled skutterudite materials. Therefore, how to obtain high-performance p-type Fe-based filled skutterudite materials is the key to preparation of high-efficiency skutterudite-based TE devices. This review summarizes some methods for optimizing the thermal transport performance of p-type filled skutterudite materials at the atomic-molecular and nano-mesoscopic scale that have been used in recent years. These methods include doping, multi-atom filling, and use of low-dimensional structure and of nanocomposite. In addition, the synergistic optimization methods of the electrical and thermal transport parameters and advanced preparation technologies of p-type filled skutterudite materials in recent years are also briefly summarized. These optimizational methods and advanced preparation technologies can significantly improve the TE properties of p-type Fe-based filled skutterudite materials.
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Nanodiamonds as nanomaterial for biomedical field
Sarah GARIFO, Dimitri STANICKI, Gamze AYATA, Robert N. MULLER, Sophie LAURENT
Front. Mater. Sci.. 2021, 15 (3): 334-351.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-021-0567-3
Recent advances in nanotechnology have attracted significant attention to nanodiamonds (NDs) in both industrial and research areas thanks to their remarkable intrinsic properties: large specific area, poor cytotoxicity, chemical resistance, magnetic and optical properties, ease of large-scale production, and surface reactivity make them suitable for numerous applications, including electronics, optics, sensors, polishing materials, and more recently, biological purposes. Growing interest in diamond platforms for bioimaging and chemotherapy is observed. Given the outstanding features of these particles and their ease of tuning, current and future applications in medicine have the potential to display innovative imaging applications and to be used as tools for monitoring and tracking drug delivery in vivo.
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Porosity parameters in biomaterial science: Definition, impact, and challenges in tissue engineering
Mehdi EBRAHIMI
Front. Mater. Sci.. 2021, 15 (3): 352-373.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-021-0558-4
Porosity parameters are one of the structural properties of the extracellular microenvironment that have been shown to have a great impact on the cellular phenotype and various biological activities such as diffusion of fluid, initial protein adsorption, permeability, cell penetration and migration, ECM deposition, angiogenesis, and rate and pattern of new tissue formation. The heterogeneity of the study protocols and research methodologies do not allow reliable meta-analysis for definite findings. As such, despite the huge available literature, no generally accepted consensus is defined for the porosity requirements of specific tissue engineering applications. However, based on the biomimetic approach, the biological substitutes should replicate the 3D local microenvironment of the recipient site with matching porosity parameters to best support local cells during tissue regeneration. Ideally, the porosity of biomaterials should mimic the porosity of the substituting natural tissue and match the clinical requirements. Careful analysis of the impact of architectures (i.e., porosity) on biophysical, biochemical, and biological behaviors will support designing smart biomaterials with customized architectural and functional properties that are patient and defect site-specific.
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Metal-organic framework-based intelligent drug delivery systems for cancer theranostic: A review
Qingni XU, Chaohua LI, Yuqi CHEN, Yueli ZHANG, Bo LU
Front. Mater. Sci.. 2021, 15 (3): 374-390.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-021-0568-2
The design and development of multifunctional nano-drug delivery systems (NDDSs) is a solution that is expected to solve some intractable problems in traditional cancer treatment. In particular, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are novel hybrid porous nanomaterials which are constructed by the coordination of metal cations or clusters and organic bridging ligands. Benefiting from their intrinsic superior properties, MOFs have captivated intensive attentions in drug release and cancer theranostic. Based on what has been achieved about MOF-based DDSs in recent years, this review introduces different stimuli-responsive mechanisms of them and their applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment systematically. Moreover, the existing challenges and future opportunities in this field are summarized. By realizing industrial production and paying attention to biosafety, their clinical applications will be enriched.
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Corrosion resistance of Ca-P coating induced by layer-by-layer assembled polyvinylpyrrolidone/DNA multilayer on magnesium AZ31 alloy
Zhen-Yu ZHANG, Duo WANG, Lu-Xian LIANG, Shen-Cong CHENG, Lan-Yue CUI, Shuo-Qi LI, Zhen-Lin WANG, Rong-Chang ZENG
Front. Mater. Sci.. 2021, 15 (3): 391-405.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-021-0560-x
A hydrothermal deposition method was utilized to fabricate Ca-P composite coating induced by the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled polyvinylpyrrolidone/deoxyribonucleic acid (PVP/DNA)20 multilayer on AZ31 alloy. The surface morphology and compositions were characterized by SEM, EDS, FTIR and XRD. Besides, the corrosion resistance and degradation behavior of the coating were tested via electrochemical polarization, impedance spectroscopy and immersion measurements. Results show that the main components of Ca-P coatings are hydroxyapatite, Ca3(PO4)2 and Mg3(PO4)2·nH2O. The LbL-assembled DNA and PVP promote the adsorption of Ca-P deposits on the sample surface, and structures and functional groups of the polyelectrolyte in the outermost layer are the primary influencing factor for the induction of the Ca-P coating. Carboxyl groups have the best biomineralization effect among all related functional groups. The enhanced corrosion resistance and adhesion highlight a promising use of (PVP/DNA)20-induced Ca-P coatings in the field of biomedical magnesium alloys.
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Graphene oxide-silver/cotton fiber fabric with anti-bacterial and anti-UV properties for wearable gas sensors
Xia HE, Qingchun LIU, Ying ZHOU, Zhan CHEN, Chenlu ZHU, Wanhui JIN
Front. Mater. Sci.. 2021, 15 (3): 406-415.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-021-0564-6
Wearable gas sensors can improve early warning provision for workers in special worksites and can also be used as flexible electronic platforms. Here, the flexible multifunctional gas sensor was prepared by grafting graphene oxide (GO)-Ag onto cotton fabric after swelling. The maximum bacterial inhibition rate of GO-150/cotton fabric was 95.6% for E. coli and 87.6% for S. aureus, while retaining the original high moisture permeability of cotton fabric. So GO/cotton fabric can resist the multiplication of bacteria. At the same time, GO can greatly improve the UV protection performance of cotton fabric used in garments. With increase of the GO concentration, the UV protection ability of composite fabric is enhanced. Finally, GO-Ag/cotton fabric sensors had stable NH3 gas-sensitive properties and good washing stability. In conclusion, these cotton fabric sensors with antibacterial properties, UV resistance and highly sensitive gas-sensitive properties have potential applications in wearable early warning devices and textile products.
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