血管内皮生长因子受体在鼠横纹肌的表达与羟基磷灰石/碳纳米管复合材料毒性研究

目的 从观察鼠骨骼肌组织形态学改变和VEGF表达的角度研究CNTs/HAP纳微米复合材料对鼠骨骼肌的细胞毒性。方法 将CNTs/HAP纳米复合材料植入实验鼠臀大肌。按不同时间取材，做组织学观察和RT-PCR分析。结果 1d、3d显微镜下观察，炎细胞和淋巴细胞浸润伴轻度水肿、间质疏松；5d、7d显微镜下观察血管壁增厚，单核巨噬细胞和纤维组织增生，少量肌纤维出现变性，VEGF表达呈上升趋势；14天显微镜下观察周围组织间质血管扩张，仅有少量炎细胞浸润，水肿不明显，VEGF表达呈下降趋势。结论 CNTs/HAP对鼠骨骼肌细胞无毒性，有利于血管的再生，具有良好的生物相容性。     

Terahertz Wave Propagation in a Nanotube Conveying Fluid Taking into Account Surface Effect

In nanoscale structure sizes, the surface-to-bulk energy ratio is high and the surface effects must be taken into account. Surface effect plays a key role in accurately predicting the vibration behavior of nanostructures. In this paper, the wave behaviors of a single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) conveying fluid are studied. The nonlocal Timoshenko beam theory is used and the surface effect is taken into account. It is found that the fluid can flow at a very high flow velocity and the wave propagates in the terahertz frequency range. The surface effects can significantly enhance the propagating frequency. This finding is different from the classical model where the surface effect is neglected.     

Films of Carbon Nanomaterials for Transparent Conductors

The demand for transparent conductors is expected to grow rapidly as electronic devices, such as touch screens, displays, solid state lighting and photovoltaics become ubiquitous in our lives. Doped metal oxides, especially indium tin oxide, are the commonly used materials for transparent conductors. As there are some drawbacks to this class of materials, exploration of alternative materials has been conducted. There is an interest in films of carbon nanomaterials such as, carbon nanotubes and graphene as they exhibit outstanding properties. This article reviews the synthesis and assembly of these films and their post-treatment. These processes determine the film performance and understanding of this platform will be useful for future work to improve the film performance.     

碳纳米管的性能及其在口腔医学领域中的应用

碳纳米管(CNT)是一种具有特殊结构和性质的新型一维纳米材料。CNT具有优异的力学性能,良好的导热性能和极好的场致电子发射效应等优点,引起各国研究者的广泛关注。近年来,CNT在口腔医学领域的使用也逐渐增多,显示出良好的应用前景。本文就CNT的主要性能及其在口腔领域中应用作一综述。     

Nanotubes in the human respiratory tract – Deposition modeling

Deposition of inhaled single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in the respiratory tract was theoretically investigated for various age groups (infants, children, adolescents, and adults). Additionally, possible effects of the inhalative flow rate on nanotube deposition were simulated for adult lungs. Theoretical computations were based on the aerodynamic diameter concept and the assumption of particles being randomly transported through a stochastic (close-to-realistic) lung structure. Deposition of nanotubes was calculated by application of well validated empirical deposition formulae, thereby considering Browian motion, inertial impaction, interception, and sedimentation as main deposition mechanisms acting on the particles. Results of the simulations clearly show that for a given inhalation scenario (sitting breathing) total, bronchial, and acinar nanotube deposition increase with subject's age, whereas extrathoracic deposition is characterized by a decrease from younger to older subjects. According to the data provided by the model, MWCNT, whose aerodynamic diameters exceed those of SWCNT by one order of magnitude, are deposited in specific respiratory compartments to a lower extent than SWCNT. A change of the physical state from sitting to heavy work results in a common decline of bronchial and extrathoracic deposition of nanotubes. Total deposition is slightly increased for SWCNT and moderately decreased for MWCNT, whereas acinar deposition is significantly increased for SWCNT and decreased for MWCNT. Based on the results of this contribution it may be concluded that SWCNT bear a higher potential as health hazards than MWCNT, because they are accumulated in sensitive lung regions with higher doses than MWCNT.     

Controlling Morphological Parameters of Anodized Titania Nanotubes for Optimized Solar Energy Applications

Anodized TiO₂ nanotubes have received much attention for their use in solar energy applications including water oxidation cells and hybrid solar cells [dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and bulk heterojuntion solar cells (BHJs)]. High surface area allows for increased dye-adsorption and photon absorption. Titania nanotubes grown by anodization of titanium in fluoride-containing electrolytes are aligned perpendicular to the substrate surface, reducing the electron diffusion path to the external circuit in solar cells. The nanotube morphology can be optimized for the various applications by adjusting the anodization parameters but the optimum crystallinity of the nanotube arrays remains to be realized. In addition to morphology and crystallinity, the method of device fabrication significantly affects photon and electron dynamics and its energy conversion efficiency. This paper provides the state-of-the-art knowledge to achieve experimental tailoring of morphological parameters including nanotube diameter, length, wall thickness, array surface smoothness, and annealing of nanotube arrays.     

Effect of BSA on carbon nanotube dispersion for in vivo and in vitro studies

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are one of the most promising nanomaterials because of their intrinsic properties. So, it becomes urgent to assess their toxicity. However, CNT are insoluble in aqueous media required for toxicological studies. Thus, we propose a simple method to disperse CNT for toxicological studies using a biomolecule: The albumin. To evaluate this method, several nanotubes were suspended in saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) without or with albumin at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml or equal as CNT concentration. These suspensions were visually compared to suspensions obtained with classical dispersing methods using Tween 80 or serum. Homogeneity of the suspensions with or without BSA and CNT structure were analyzed by TEM, agglomerates quantification and total carbon dosage. The effect of coupled albumin-CNT was then tested on A549 and U937 cells in vitro and on rats in vivo. Total carbon dosage, agglomerates quantification and TEM revealed that, in the presence of albumin, the tested nanotubes were better dispersed without any modification of their structure. The CNT suspension was tested in vitro and in vivo in rats. Albumin solution alone induced no modification of the biological responses studied (i.e., cell viability in vitro and inflammatory response and histopathology in vivo) compared to the saline. CNT in NaCl or BSA altered cellular viability in vitro in a similar way but results obtained with CNT suspension in the presence of albumin showed a better reproducibility that can be explained by the better homogeneity of the suspensions. CNT in BSA but not in NaCl significantly increased the cell number in BAL and also the number of apparent CNT-containing cells. Taken together, these results highlight the potential importance of CNT dispersion (and thus of the vehicle) for the toxicological studies.     

Comparison of Carbon Supports in Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are attractive alternatives to proton exchange membrane fuel cells due to their ability to employ nonprecious metals as catalysts, reducing the cost of AEMFC devices. This paper presents an experimental exploration of the carbon support material effects on AEMFC performance. The silver (Ag) nanoparticles supported on three types of carbon materials including acetylene carbon (AC), carbon black (CB), and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)—Ag/AC, Ag/CB, and Ag/MWCNT, respectively—were prepared using the wet impregnation method. The silver loading in the catalysts was designed as 60 wt.% during the synthesizing process, which was examined using thermogravimetric analysis. The elemental composition of the prepared Ag/AC, Ag/CB, and Ag/MWCNT catalysts was confirmed using X-ray diffraction analysis. The nanoparticle size of Ag attached on carbon particles or carbon nanotubes, as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), was around 50 nm. For the performance tests of a single AEMFC, the obtained results indicate that the maximum power density using Ag/MWCNT as the cathode catalyst (356.5 mW·cm⁻²) was higher than that using Ag/AC (329.3 mW·cm⁻²) and Ag/CB (256.6 mW·cm⁻²). The better cell performance obtained using a MWCNT support can be ascribed to the higher electrical conductivity and the larger electrochemical active surface area calculated from cyclic voltammetry measurements.     

All-Carbon Electrode Consisting of Carbon Nanotubes on Graphite Foil for Flexible Electrochemical Applications

We demonstrate the fabrication of an all-carbon electrode by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition for use in flexible electrochemical applications. The electrode is composed of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes that are grown directly on a flexible graphite foil. Being all-carbon, the simple fabrication process and the excellent electrochemical characteristics present an approach through which high-performance, highly-stable and cost-effective electrochemical applications can be achieved.     

Characteristics of the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using TiO2 Nanotubes Treated with TiCl4

The replacement of oxide semiconducting TiO₂ nano particles with one dimensional TiO₂ nanotubes (TNTs) has been used for improving the electron transport in the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Although use of one dimensional structure provides the enhanced photoelectrical performance, it tends to reduce the adsorption of dye on the TiO₂ surface due to decrease of surface area. To overcome this problem, we investigate the effects of TiCl₄ treatment on DSSCs which were constructed with composite films made of TiO₂ nanoparticles and TNTs. To find optimum condition of TNTs concentration in TiO₂ composites film, series of DSSCs with different TNTs concentration were made. In this optimum condition (DSSCs with 10 wt% of TNT), the effects of post treatment are compared for different TiCl₄ concentrations. The results show that the DSSCs using a TiCl₄ (90 mM) post treatment shows a maximum conversion efficiency of 7.83% due to effective electron transport and enhanced adsorption of dye on TiO₂ surface.