Preparation, biological activity and antibacterial properties of tantalum surface-doped Ca2+/Zn2+nanorods.

In this research, we utilize porous tantalum, known for its outstanding elastic modulus and biological properties, as a base material in biomedical applications. The human skeletal system is rich in elements like Ca and Zn. The role of Zn is crucial for achieving a spectrum of sterilizing effects, while Ca is known to effectively enhance cell differentiation and boost cellular activity. The focus of this study is the modification of porous tantalum using a hydrothermal method to synthesize Ca2+/Zn2+-doped Ta2O5nanorods. These nanorods are subjected to extensive characterization techniques to confirm their structure and composition. Additionally, their biological performance is evaluated through a range of tests, including antibacterial assessments, MTT assays, and bacteria/cell scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The objective is to determine the most effective method of surface modification for porous tantalum, thereby laying a foundational theoretical framework for its surface enhancement.

Terahertz Electric Field-Induced Membrane Electroporation by Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

In this paper, the membrane electroporation induced by the terahertz electric field is simulated by means of the molecular dynamics method. The influences of the waveform and frequency of the applied terahertz electric field on the electroporation and the unique features of the process of the electroporation with the applied terahertz electric field are given. It shows that whether the electroporation can happen depends on the waveform of the applied terahertz electric field when the magnitude is not large enough. No pore appears if the terahertz electric field direction periodically reverses, and dipole moments of the interfacial water and the bulk water keep reversing. The nm-scale single pore forms with the applied terahertz trapezoidal electric field. It is found that the average pore formation time is strongly influenced by the terahertz electric field frequency. An abnormal variation region that shows decline exists on the correlation curve of the average pore formation time and the trapezoidal electric field frequency, whereas the overall trend of the curve is increasing. The decrease of the water oriented polarization degree results in the increase of the electroporation time, and the abnormal variation region appearance may be related to the drastic change of average water hydrogen bond number that is resulted from the resonance of water hydrogen bond network and the applied electric field. Compared to the nanosecond electric pulse and constant electric field, the numbers of the water protrusions and the water bridges are smaller and the pore formation time is relatively longer with the applied terahertz electric field.

MXene/Cellulose Hydrogel Composites: Preparation and Adsorption Properties of Pb2.

In this work, acrylic cellulose hydrogel, a typical natural polymer adsorbent, was modified using MXene through in situ polymerization to create a synthetic inorganic-polymer composite known as MXene/cellulose hydrogel. FTIR, XRD, SEM, and thermogravimetric analyses were applied to characterize the chemical structure and micromorphology. The MXene/cellulose hydrogel was utilized for the removal of Pb2+ from wastewater. Under optimal experimental conditions (initial Pb2+ concentration of 0.04 mol/L, adsorption time of 150 min, pH = 5.5, and MXene doping content of 50% at 30 °C), a maximum adsorption capacity of 410.57 mg/g was achieved. The MXene/cellulose hydrogel corresponded with the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation model and exhibited a better fit with the Freundlich isotherm model.

Bioactivity and antibacterial properties of zinc-doped Ta2O5nanorods on porous tantalum surface.

This paper focuses on the preparation of Zn2+-doped Ta2O5nanorods on porous tantalum using the hydrothermal method. Porous tantalum is widely used in biomedical materials due to its excellent elastic modulus and biological activity. Porous tantalum has an elastic modulus close to that of human bone, and its large specific surface area is conducive to promoting cell adhesion. Zinc is an important component of human bone, which not only has spectral bactericidal properties, but also has no cytotoxicity. The purpose of this study is to provide a theoretical basis for the surface modification of porous tantalum and to determine the best surface modification method. The surface structure of the sample was characterized by x-ray diffractometer, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and the Zn-doped Ta2O5nanorods are characterized by antibacterial test, MTT test, ICP and other methods. The sample has good antibacterial properties and no cytotoxicity. The results of this study have potential implications for the development of new and improved biomedical materials.