[en] Bifunctional nanoprobes with both magnetic and optical contrast have been developed for ultra-sensitive brain tumor imaging at the cellular level. The nanoprobes were synthesized by simultaneously incorporating a magnetite nanoparticle cluster and fluorescence dyes into silica encapsulation by a sol-gel approach under ultrasonic treatment. The nanoprobes maintain superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature and possess enhanced transverse relaxivity and good photostability. As a glioma targeting ligand, chlorotoxin was covalently bonded to the surface of the nanoprobes. In vitro cellular uptake assays demonstrated that the nanoprobes were highly specific, taken up by human U251-MG glioma cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis. The labeled glioma cells were readily detectable by both MR imager and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

[en] Fe₃O₄-ZnO core-shell structured nanoparticles have been synthesized by a simple one-pot sequential polyol process. The nanoparticles have been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and physical properties measurement system (PPMS) of Quantum Design

[en] The composites based on poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and two kinds of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs and MWCNTs) were prepared by solution casting. The molecular level interactions, thermal, magnetic, mechanical properties and dispersion of MWCNTs in polymer matrix were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), magnetic property measure system (MPMS), tensile test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of Raman spectra revealed the doping-type molecular interaction between filler and polymer matrix. Compared to the pure PLLA, the glass transition temperature (T_g) of MWCNTs/PLLA and Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs/PLLA composites increased from 50 to 51 deg. C and from 50 to 58 deg. C, respectively. The Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs/PLLA composite was supermagnetic at room temperature. The Young's modulus, elongation rate at break and tensile strength of Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs/PLLA composite were improved compared to the neat PLLA and MWCNTs/PLLA composite. Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs were finely dispersed in the PLLA matrix. The results present potential applications for the biodegradable Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs/PLLA composite in tissue engineer, biomedicine and bone fixation

[en] Aqueous static zinc-iodine batteries attract tremendous attention because of their abundant reserves of iodine, nonflammable electrolyte, and facile assembly. Currently, scientific challenges for static zinc-iodine batteries include self-discharge and sluggish kinetics. Herein, a lithiation approach for the iodine host to suppress the shuttle effect and catalyze iodine conversion is reported. Through regulating the d- and p-band center and lowering the I${}^{-<!--\; ???\; -->}$/I${}^0$ conversion barrier, Li${}^{+}$ intercalation into VS${}_2$ reinforces interaction with I${}_3$${}^{-<!--\; ???\; -->}$ and achieves catalytic conversion of iodine, ameliorating self-discharge, and accelerating kinetics. Zinc-iodine batteries featuring LiVS${}_2$ as the iodine host reach a high iodine utilization, high Coulombic efficiencies, and a long cyclic lifespan. Notably, the performance enhancement mechanism is the thermodynamically favorable iodine conversion reaction, inhibition of the I${}_3$${}^{-<!--\; ???\; -->}$ appearance, and promotion of I${}_3$${}^{-<!--\; ???\; -->}$ consumption due to the Li${}^{+}$ insertion. The findings provide fundamental insights into tackling issues of static zinc-iodine batteries. (© 2023 Wiley‐VCH GmbH)