The Catalytic Effect of Vanadium on Sorption Properties of MgH2-Based Nanocomposites Obtained Using Low Milling Time.

The effects of catalysis using vanadium as an additive (2 and 5 wt.%) in a high-energy ball mill on composite desorption properties were examined. The influence of microstructure on the dehydration temperature and hydrogen desorption kinetics was monitored. Morphological and microstructural studies of the synthesized sample were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser particle size distribution (PSD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) determined thermal properties. To further access amorph species in the milling blend, the absorption spectra were obtained by FTIR-ATR analysis (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy attenuated total reflection). The results show lower apparent activation energy (Eapp) and H2 desorption temperature are obtained for milling bland with 5 wt.% added vanadium. The best explanation of hydrogen desorption reaction shows the Avrami-Erofeev model for parameter n = 4. Since the obtained value of apparent activation energy is close to the Mg-H bond-breaking energy, one can conclude that breaking this bond would be the rate-limiting step of the process.

Nano/Microcarriers in Drug Delivery: Moving the Timeline to Contemporary.

Treatment of various diseases, especially cancer treatment, includes the potential use of different types of nanoparticles and nanostructures as drug carriers. However, searching for less toxic and more efficient therapy requires further progress, wherein recent developments in medicine increasingly include the use of various advanced nanostructures. Their more successful application might be achieved by leveling imbalances between the potentiality of different nanostructures and the demands required for their safe use. Biocompatibility, biodegradability, prolonged circulation time and enhanced accumulation and uptake by cells are some of the key preconditions for their usage in efficient drug delivery. Thanks to their greatly tunable functions, they are major building blocks for manufacturing novel materials. Nevertheless, given that their toxicity is questionable, their practical application is challenging. Hereof, before entering the sphere of human consumption, it is of critical importance to perform more studies regarding their toxicity and drug distribution. This review emphasizes recent advances in nanomedicine, employing different kinds of conventionally used nanoparticles as well as novel nanoparticles and nanostructures. Special emphasis is placed on micro/nanomotors (MNMs), discussing their opportunities, limitations, challenges and possible applications in drug delivery and outlining some perspectives in the nanomedicine area.

In-Situ and Real-time Monitoring of Mechanochemical Preparation of Li2 Mg(NH2 BH3 )4 and Na2 Mg(NH2 BH3 )4 and Their Thermal Dehydrogenation.

For the first time, in situ monitoring of uninterrupted mechanochemical synthesis of two bimetallic amidoboranes, M2 Mg(NH2 BH3 )4 (M=Li, Na), by means of Raman spectroscopy, has been applied. This approach allowed real-time observation of key intermediate phases, and a straightforward follow-up of the reaction course. Detailed analysis of time-dependent spectra revealed a two-step mechanism through MNH2 BH3 ⋅NH3 BH3 adducts as key intermediate phases which further reacted with MgH2 , giving M2 Mg(NH2 BH3 )4 as final products. The intermediates partially take a competitive pathway toward the oligomeric M(BH3 NH2 BH2 NH2 BH3 ) phases. The crystal structure of the novel bimetallic amidoborane Li2 Mg(NH2 BH3 )4 was solved from high-resolution powder diffraction data and showed an analogous metal coordination to Na2 Mg(NH2 BH3 )4 , but a significantly different crystal packing. Li2 Mg(NH2 BH3 )4 thermally dehydrogenates releasing highly pure H2 in the amount of 7 wt.%, and at a lower temperature then its sodium analogue, making it significantly more viable for practical applications.