Curved Fragmented Graphenic Hierarchical Architectures for Extraordinary Charging Capacities.

An approach to assemble hierarchically ordered 3D arrangements of curved graphenic nanofragments for energy storage devices is described. Assembling them into well-defined interconnected macroporous networks, followed by removal of the template, results in spherical macroporous, mesoporous, and microporous carbon microball (3MCM) architectures with controllable features spanning nanometer to micrometer length scales. These structures are ideal porous electrodes and can serve as lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes as well as capacitive deionization (CDI) devices. The LIBs exhibit high reversible capacity (up to 1335 mAh g-1 ), with great rate capability (248 mAh g-1 at 20 C) and a long cycle life (60 cycles). For CDI, the curved graphenic networks have superior electrosorption capacity (i.e., 5.17 mg g-1 in 0.5 × 10-3 m NaCl) over conventional carbon materials. The performance of these materials is attributed to the hierarchical structure of the graphenic electrode, which enables faster ion diffusion and low transport resistance.

Synthesis of magnetic mesoporous titania colloidal crystals through evaporation induced self-assembly in emulsion as effective and recyclable photocatalysts.

This study illustrates the directed self-assembly of mesoporous TiO2 with magnetic properties due to its colloidal crystal structure with Fe3O4. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized using co-precipitation techniques to a size of 28.2 nm and a magnetic saturation of 66.9 emu g(-1). Meanwhile, mesoporous titania nanoparticles (MTNs) with a particle diameter of 373 nm, a specific surface area of 236.3 m(2) g(-1), and a pore size of 2.8 nm were prepared by controlling the rate of hydrolysis. Magnetic colloidal crystals (a diameter of 10.2 µm) were formed by the aggregation of Fe3O4 and MTNs caused by the interface phenomena during solvent evaporation in emulsion. Even the anatase octahedrite produced from the colloidal crystal after a hydrothermal reaction retained a magnetic saturation of 2.8 emu g(-1). This study also investigates the photodegradation activity of our synthesized material as a photocatalyst, while utilizing its capability for magnetic separation to prove its usefulness in catalyst recycling.

Self-assembled mesoporous silica nanoparticles in controlled patterns produced by soft-lithography and ink-jet printing.

This study demonstrate assembly of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) into various patterns by soft-lithography and ink-jet printing techniques. A clear suspension containing MSNs with a particle size around 58 nm is firstly synthesized. Then, soft-lithographic techniques (i.e., MIMIC, impression with PDMS) and an ink-jet printing technique are applied to create various patterns assembled by MSNs. The MIMIC method results in a high density of MSNs, but is limited to linear patterns due to the capillary principle. The impression method led to MSN colloids in various patterns, but the MSNs assembled in low density due to the lack of the colloidal supplements. The ink-jet technique can create various patterns more conveniently, and the final patterns are generated after a de-wetting process. During the de-wetting process, the MSN concentrations and the jetted times are related only to the final number of particles dispersed in patterns. Comparison of different patterning techniques will be helpful towards creation of patterned assembly with MSNs.

Highly biocompatible, hollow coordination polymer nanoparticles as cisplatin carriers for efficient intracellular drug delivery.

Highly biocompatible coordination polymer (Prussian Blue) nanoparticles (LC(50) > 1000 µg mL(-1)) with a hollow interior and a microporous framework (denoted as HPB) are utilized as an anticancer drug (i.e. cisplatin) capsule for chemotherapy of bladder cancer T24 cells.