Dendritic silica nanomaterials (KCC-1) with fibrous pore structure possess high DNA adsorption capacity and effectively deliver genes in vitro.

The pore size and pore structure of nanoporous materials can affect the materials' physical properties, as well as potential applications in different areas, including catalysis, drug delivery, and biomolecular therapeutics. KCC-1, one of the newest members of silica nanomaterials, possesses fibrous, large pore, dendritic pore networks with wide pore entrances, large pore size distribution, spacious pore volume and large surface area--structural features that are conducive for adsorption and release of large guest molecules and biomacromolecules (e.g., proteins and DNAs). Here, we report the results of our comparative studies of adsorption of salmon DNA in a series of KCC-1-based nanomaterials that are functionalized with different organoamine groups on different parts of their surfaces (channel walls, external surfaces or both). For comparison the results of our studies of adsorption of salmon DNA in similarly functionalized, MCM-41 mesoporous silica nanomaterials with cylindrical pores, some of the most studied silica nanomaterials for drug/gene delivery, are also included. Our results indicate that, despite their relatively lower specific surface area, the KCC-1-based nanomaterials show high adsorption capacity for DNA than the corresponding MCM-41-based nanomaterials, most likely because of KCC-1's large pores, wide pore mouths, fibrous pore network, and thereby more accessible and amenable structure for DNA molecules to diffuse through. Conversely, the MCM-41-based nanomaterials adsorb much less DNA, presumably because their outer surfaces/cylindrical channel pore entrances can get blocked by the DNA molecules, making the inner parts of the materials inaccessible. Moreover, experiments involving fluorescent dye-tagged DNAs suggest that the amine-grafted KCC-1 materials are better suited for delivering the DNAs adsorbed on their surfaces into cellular environments than their MCM-41 counterparts. Finally, cellular toxicity tests show that the KCC-1-based materials are biocompatible. On the basis of these results, the fibrous and porous KCC-1-based nanomaterials can be said to be more suitable to carry, transport, and deliver DNAs and genes than cylindrical porous nanomaterials such as MCM-41.

Combined flame and electrodeposition synthesis of energetic coaxial tungsten-oxide/aluminum nanowire arrays.

A nanostructured thermite composite comprising an array of tungsten-oxide (WO2.9) nanowires (diameters of 20-50 nm and lengths of >10 µm) coated with single-crystal aluminum (thickness of ~16 nm) has been fabricated. The method involves combined flame synthesis of tungsten-oxide nanowires and ionic-liquid electrodeposition of aluminum. The geometry not only presents an avenue to tailor heat-release characteristics due to anisotropic arrangement of fuel and oxidizer but also eliminates or minimizes the presence of an interfacial Al2O3 passivation layer. Upon ignition, the energetic nanocomposite exhibits strong exothermicity, thereby being useful for fundamental study of aluminothermic reactions as well as enhancing combustion characteristics.

A polyaniline based ultrasensitive potentiometric immunosensor for cardiac troponin complex detection.

An ultrasensitive immunosensor based on potentiometric ELISA for the detection of a cardiac biomarker, troponin I-T-C (Tn I-T-C) complex, was developed. The sensor fabrication involves typical sandwich ELISA procedures, while the final signal readout was achieved using open circuit potentiometry (OCP). Glassy carbon (GC) working electrodes were first coated with emulsion-polymerized polyaniline/dinonylnaphthalenesulfonic acid (PANI/DNNSA) and the coated surface was utilized as a transducer layer on which sandwich ELISA incubation steps were performed. An enzymatic reaction between o-phenylenediamine (OPD) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled on the secondary antibodies. The polymer transducer charged state was mediated through electron (e(-)) and charge transfers between the transducer and charged species generated by the same enzymatic reaction. Such a change in the polymer transducer led to potential variations against an Ag/AgCl reference electrode as a function of Tn I-T-C complex concentration during incubations. The sequence of OPD and H2O2 additions, electrochemical properties of the PANI/DNNSA layer and non-specific binding prevention were all crucial factors for the assay performance. Under optimized conditions, the assay has a low limit of detection (LOD) (< 5 pg/mL or 56 fM), a wide dynamic range (> 6 orders of magnitude), high repeatability (coefficient of variance < 8% for all concentrations higher than 5 pg/mL) and a short detection time (< 10 min).

A self-cleaning porous TiO2-Ag core-shell nanocomposite material for surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

A porous TiO(2)-Ag core-shell nanocomposite material with a large surface area was synthesized by in situ hydrolyzation of Sn(2+)-grafted titanium glycolate microspheres in the presence of Ag(+) ions. The as-prepared nanocomposite material was shown to serve as an efficient self-cleaning surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate.

EELS spectroscopy of iron fluorides and FeFx/C nanocomposite electrodes used in Li-ion batteries.

A new type of positive electrode for Li-ion batteries has been developed recently based on FeF3/C and FeF2/C nanocomposites. The microstructural and redox evolution during discharge and recharge processes was followed by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to determine the valence state of Fe by measuring the Fe L3 line energy shift and from Fe L3/L2 line intensity ratios. In addition, transition metal fluorides were found to be electron beam sensitive, and the effect of beam exposure on EELS spectra was also investigated. The EELS results indicate that for both FeF3/C and FeF2/C nanocomposite systems, a complete reduction of iron to FeO is observed upon discharge to 1.5 V with the formation of a finer FeO/LiF subnanocomposite ( approximately 7 nm). Upon complete recharging to 4.5 V, EELS data reveal a reoxidation process to a Fe2+ state with the formation of a carbon metal fluoride nanocomposite related to the FeF2 structure.