Synthesis of MnCO3/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composite as Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

A MnCO3 /Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MnCO3/MWCNT) composite has been successfully fabricated by an in-suit hydrothermal method. When the MnCO3/MWCNT composite is applied as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the electrodes exhibit a reversible capacity of 645 mA h g-1 at 100 mA g-1 after 80 cycles, reaching an initial coulombic efficiency (CE) of up to 60.6%. Furthermore, the as-prepared MnCO3/MWCNT composite displays more excellent rate performances than the pure multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and pure MnCO3 particles. The reason is that the MnCO3 particles can be effectively connected by the MWCNT, thus enhancing the electrochemical performance of the MnCO3/MWCNT composite.

Theoretical design of a new family of two-dimensional topological insulators.

A new family of two-dimensional topological insulator, hydrogenated monolayer Pb2XY (X = Ga/In, Y = Sb/Bi), has been predicted using first-principles density functional theory. The electronic bulk band gap of the proposed systems can be induced in the presence of a spin-orbit coupling effect and its highest value (0.25 eV) was observed in the hydrogenated monolayer Pb2GaBi, which is suitable for practical application. Our simulation study points out that the nanoribbons derived from this new family harbor gapless edge channels. The non-trivial topological nature was further confirmed by calculating the Z2 topological invariant. These novel systems provide a new platform for topological phenomena observation and spintronic applications.

Magnetic field assisted α-Fe2O3/Zn1-xFexO heterojunctions for accelerating antiviral agents degradation under visible-light.

Reducing the recombination efficiency of photo-induced carriers has been found as an effective means to improve the degradation of antiviral agents. Given that the Lorentz forces can cause the abnormal charge to move in the opposite direction, external magnetic field improved α-Fe2O3/Zn1-xFexO heterojunctions (FZHx) were developed to remove increasing antiviral agents that were attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic under visible light. The characterization of the mentioned FZHx in the external magnetic field indicated that FZHx had perfect photocatalytic activity for degrading antiviral agents. In the external magnetic field, the quantities of photo-generated carriers and free radicals (•OH and •O2 -) derived from FZHx increased significantly, which improved antiviral agent removal by 30.0%. Though the band structure (α-Fe2O3) is unlikely to change due to some orders of magnitude weaker of Zeeman energy in magnetic fields, which insignificantly impacts photocatalytic performance. However, this study proposed a strategy of negative magnetoresistance effects and heterojunctions to facilitate the separation and transfer of photo-induced carriers in magnetic fields. Based on the proposed strategy, spin oriented electrons were selected and accumulated on the conduction band, which contributed to the degradation of antiviral agents. Overall, this study presented novel insights into the improved degradation performance of antiviral agents by applying Fe-based heterojunctions in an external magnetic field.

Effects of Low-Concentration Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots on Improving the Proliferation and Differentiation Ability of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells through the Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) are considered to be a new method for regulating the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). However, there are few reports on such regulation with different concentrations of GOQDs, and the molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The purposes of this study were, first, to explore the effects of GOQDs on the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs in vitro and in vivo, and, second, to provide a theoretical basis for the repair of bone defects. Live/Dead staining, EdU staining, immunofluorescence staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), western blotting, and qT-PCR were used for detecting the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs after coculture with GOQDs of different concentrations. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Van Gieson (VG) staining were used to detect new bone regeneration in vivo. The results showed that low-concentration GOQDs (0.1 and 1 µg/mL) promoted the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs. Compared with the 1 µg/mL GOQD group, the 0.1 µg/mL GOQD group had better ability to promote the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs. HE and VG staining results showed the greatest proportion of new bone area on sandblasted, large-grit, and acid-etched (SLA)/GOQD scaffolds. Furthermore, the ratio of active ß-catenin and the phosphorylation level of GSK-3ß (p-GSK-3ß) increased after BMSCs treatment with 0.1 µg/mL GOQDs. Low concentrations of GOQDs improved the osteogenic differentiation ability of BMSCs by activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Carbon-coated SnO2 riveted on a reduced graphene oxide composite (C@SnO2/RGO) as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

The research on graphene-based anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has been prevalent in recent years. In the present work, carbon-coated SnO2 riveted on a reduced graphene oxide sheet composite (C@SnO2/RGO) was fabricated using GO solution, SnCl4, and glucose via a hydrothermal method after heat treatment. When the composite was exploited as an anode material for LIBs, the electrodes were found to exhibit a stable reversible discharge capacity of 843 mA h g-1 at 100 mA g-1 after 100 cycles with 99.5% coulombic efficiency (CE), and a specific capacity of 485 mA h g-1 at 1000 mA g-1 after 200 cycles; these values were higher than those for a sample without glucose (SnO2/RGO) and a pure SnO2 sample. The favourable electrochemical performances of the C@SnO2/RGO electrodes may be attributed to the special double-carbon structure of the composite, which can effectively suppress the volume expansion of SnO2 nanoparticles and facilitate the transfer rates of Li+ and electrons during the charge/discharge process.

Effects of graphene oxide and graphene oxide quantum dots on the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth.

Graphene and its derivatives, graphene oxide (GO) and graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs), have recently attracted much attention as bioactive factors in differentiating stem cells towards osteoblastic lineage. The stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) possess the properties of self-renewal, extensive proliferation, and multiple differentiation potential, and have gradually become one of the most promising mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in bone tissue engineering. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of GO and GOQDs on the osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs. In this study, GO and GOQDs facilitated SHED proliferation up to 7 days in vitro at the concentration of 1 µg/ml. Because of their excellent fluorescent properties, GOQD uptake by SHEDs was confirmed and distributed in the SHED cytoplasm. Calcium nodules formation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and RNA and protein expression increased significantly in SHEDs treated with osteogenic induction medium containing GOQDs but decreased with osteogenic induction medium containing GO. Interestingly, the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway appeared to be involved in osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs induced with GOQDs. In summary, GO and GOQDs at the concentration of 1 µg/ml promoted SHED proliferation. GOQDs induced the osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs, whilst GO slightly inhibited it.

Inhibitory effect of reduced graphene oxide-silver nanocomposite on progression of artificial enamel caries.

OBJECTIVES: The use of antimicrobial agents is an efficient method to prevent dental caries. Also, nanometric antibacterial agents with wide antibacterial spectrum and strong antibacterial effects can be applied for prevention of dental caries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of reduced graphene oxide-silver nanoparticles (rGO/Ag) composite on the progression of artificial enamel caries in a Streptococcus mutans biofilm model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Enamel specimens from bovine incisors were divided into eight treatment groups (n = 13), as follows: group 1 was inoculated with S. mutans grown in Brain Heart Infusion containing 1% sucrose (1% BHIS), as negative control; groups 2-4 were inoculated with S. mutans grown in the presence of different rGO/Ag concentrations (0.08, 0.12, 0.16 mg/mL) + 1% BHIS; group 5-7 were inoculated with S. mutans grown in the presence of different agents (0.16 mg/mL reduced graphene oxide, 0.16 mg/mL silver nanoparticles, 10 ppm NaF) + 1% BHIS; group 8 was mixed with 1% BHIS, without inoculation. Artificial enamel carious lesions were produced by S. mutans biofilm model for 7 days. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to analyze roughness and morphology of the enamel surface. Polarized light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were employed to measure the lesion depth and the relative optical density (ROD) of the demineralized layer. RESULTS: Compared with the control groups, the rGO/Ag groups showed: (a) reduced enamel surface roughness; (b) much smoother and less eroded surfaces; (c) shallower lesion depth and less mineral loss. CONCLUSION: As a novel composite material, rGO/Ag can be a promising antibacterial agent for caries prevention.

Preparation of novel two-stage structure MnO micrometer particles as lithium-ion battery anode materials.

MnO micrometer particles with a two-stage structure (composed of mass nanoparticles) were produced via a one-step hydrothermal method using histidine and potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as reagents, with subsequent calcination in a nitrogen (N2) atmosphere. When the MnO micrometer particles were utilized in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as anode materials, the electrode showed a high reversible specific capacity of 747 mA h g-1 at 100 mA g-1 after 100 cycles, meanwhile, the electrode presented excellent rate capability at various current densities from 100 to 2000 mA g-1 (∼203 mA h g-1 at 2000 mA g-1). This study developed a new approach to prepare two-stage structure micrometer MnO particles and the sample can be a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Enhanced antimicrobial activities of silver-nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene nanocomposites against oral pathogens.

As a means of capitalizing on the synergistic properties between reduced graphene nanosheets (R-GNs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), an efficient and convenient chemical reduction method was used to prepare silver-nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene nanocomposites (R-GNs/Ag). The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed the loading of well-dispersed silver nanoparticles on reduced graphene sheets. Their antimicrobial activities against oral pathogens such as Candida albicans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus mutans, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were investigated by MIC determination, the counting of colony-forming units (CFU), agar diffusion tests, and growth curve observation. Compared with pure R-GNs and AgNPs, R-GNs/Ag composites exhibited enhanced antimicrobial properties owing to highly dispersed AgNPs on R-GNs.

Inhibitory effect of reduced graphene oxide-silver nanocomposite on progression of artificial enamel caries

Abstract The use of antimicrobial agents is an efficient method to prevent dental caries. Also, nanometric antibacterial agents with wide antibacterial spectrum and strong antibacterial effects can be applied for prevention of dental caries. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of reduced graphene oxide-silver nanoparticles (rGO/Ag) composite on the progression of artificial enamel caries in a Streptococcus mutans biofilm model. Material and Methods: Enamel specimens from bovine incisors were divided into eight treatment groups (n = 13), as follows: group 1 was inoculated with S. mutans grown in Brain Heart Infusion containing 1% sucrose (1% BHIS), as negative control; groups 2-4 were inoculated with S. mutans grown in the presence of different rGO/Ag concentrations (0.08, 0.12, 0.16 mg/mL) + 1% BHIS; group 5-7 were inoculated with S. mutans grown in the presence of different agents (0.16 mg/mL reduced graphene oxide, 0.16 mg/mL silver nanoparticles, 10 ppm NaF) + 1% BHIS; group 8 was mixed with 1% BHIS, without inoculation. Artificial enamel carious lesions were produced by S. mutans biofilm model for 7 days. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to analyze roughness and morphology of the enamel surface. Polarized light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were employed to measure the lesion depth and the relative optical density (ROD) of the demineralized layer. Results: Compared with the control groups, the rGO/Ag groups showed: (a) reduced enamel surface roughness; (b) much smoother and less eroded surfaces; (c) shallower lesion depth and less mineral loss. Conclusion: As a novel composite material, rGO/Ag can be a promising antibacterial agent for caries prevention.