Synthesis,Growth Mechanism,and Applications of Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials

This article reviews recent progresses in growth mechanism, synthesis, and applications of zinc oxide nano-materials （mainly focusing on one-dimensional （1D） nanomaterials）. In the first part of this article, we briefly introduce the importance, the synthesis methods and growth mechanisms, the properties and applications of ZnO 1D nanomaterials. In the second part of this article, the growth mechanisms of ZnO 1D nanomaterials will be discussed in detail in the framework of vapor-liquid-solid （VLS）, vapor-solid （VS）, and aqueous solution growth （ASG） approaches. Both qualitative and quantitative information will be provided to show how a controlled synthesis of ZnO 1D nanomaterials can be achieved. In the third part of this article, we present recent progresses in our group for the synthesis of ZnO 1D nanomaterials, and the results from other groups will only be mentioned briefly. Especially, experiment designing according to theories will be elaborated to demonstrate the concept of controlled synthesis. In the fourth part of this article, the properties and potential applications of ZnO 1D nanomaterials will be treated. Finally, a summary part will be presented in the fifth section. The future trend of research for ZnO 1D nanomaterials will be pointed out and key issues to be solved will be proposed.

Advanced electron microscopy characterization of nanomaterials for catalysis

Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) has become one of the most powerful techniques in the fields of material science, inorganic chemistry and nanotechnology. In terms of resolutions, advanced TEM may reach a high spatial resolution of 0.05 nm, a high energy-resolution of 7 meV. In addition, in situ TEM can help researchers to image the process happened within 1 ms. This paper reviews the recent technical progresses of applying advanced TEM characterization on nanomaterials for catalysis. The text is organized based on the perspective of application: for example, size, composition, phase, strain, and morphology. The electron beam induced effect and in situ TEM are also introduced. I hope this review can help the scientists in related fields to take advantage of advanced TEM to their own researches.

Gold-based nanomaterials for the treatment of brain cancer

Brain cancer,also known as intracranial cancer,is one of the most invasive and fatal cancers affecting people of all ages.Despite the great advances in medical technology,improvements in transporting drugs into brain tissue have been limited by the challenge of crossing the blood-brain barrier(BBB).Fortunately,recent endeavors using gold-based nanomaterials(GBNs)have indicated the potential of these materials to cross the BBB.Therefore,GBNs might be an attractive therapeutic strategy against brain cancer.Herein,we aim to present a comprehensive summary of current understanding of the critical effects of the physicochemical properties and surface modifications of GBNs on BBB penetration for applications in brain cancer treatment.Furthermore,the most recent GBNs and their impressive performance in precise bioimaging and efficient inhibition of brain tumors are also summarized,with an emphasis on the mechanism of their effective BBB penetration.Finally,the challenges and future outlook in using GBNs for brain cancer treatment are discussed.We hope that this review will spark researchers'interest in constructing more powerful nanoplatforms for brain disease treatment.

Electrochemical Bioencapsulation of Nanomaterials into Collagen for Biomedical Applications

Here we reported a novel electrochemical encapsulation method to encapsulate various nanomaterials and bimolecules into collagen. The electrochemical encapsulation process involves assembling of collagen along with Nano/bio materials using an isoelectric focusing mechanism. We have showed that a wide range of Nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, polymeric nanoparticles, magnetic calcium phosphate nanoparticles?and biomolecules can be encapsulated into collagen. These novel collagen-based composite materials possess improved electric, mechanical, antimicrobial, magnetic, bioactive properties. Thus, this novel electrochemical encapsulation process offers a means to fabricate novel biomaterials for various biomedical applications such as tendon/ligament, nerve, skin tissue engineering, tendon/ligament to bone grafts, and sutures, etc.

Nanomaterials for Drugs Delivery

As expected for years, nanotechnology has revolutionized engineering, biology, chemistry, physics and medicine of today. These disciplines are evolving thanks to the ongoing development of new materials and applications. Nanomedicine, as application of nanotechnology in the field of health care, has undergone unprecedented development. Some of these changes have real applications as, for example, the use of nanoparticles in MRI imaging, in hyperthermia, in immunotherapy, or to improve the bioavailability of drugs, among others [1]-[3]. When a drug is administered to a patient, the blood distributes it throughout the body. In the case of very localized diseases (i.e. tumors), only a small fraction of the drug reaches the target. Chemotherapy is one of the most aggressive treatment options used in some types of cancer, and is usually administered intravenously. In this type of therapy, the drug circulates throughout the body, reaching and destroying healthy and cancerous tissues, producing side effects throughout the body, sometimes with serious consequences for the health of the patient (nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, anemia, etc.). Among the many applications of nanotechnology, the fabrication of nanostructures capable of safely transporting these drugs is seen as a strategy for reducing these side effects. Nanoparticles are able to carry and release the drug in the right place and with the required dose, greatly reducing the problems associated with direct treatment with these drugs. In recent years, there have been continuous improvements in the design and development of new tailor-made drug delivery systems [4], including hollow magnetic nanoparticles, liposomal structures, dendrimers, nanoporous silicon, etc. These structures can be obtained with different molecular weights (in the case of polymers), structures, shapes, and even with the appropriate functional groups for interaction at the desired positions. However, a great effort is still required to solve many of the current problems [5], including toxicity, aggregation, solubility and stability in the human body, physiological processes of elimination, identification of targets by highly specific receptors, controlled drug release over time, etc.

Nanomaterials in Biomedicine

Nowadays, nanomaterials have become an emerging field that has shown great promise in the development of novel diagnostic, imaging and therapeutic agents for a variety of diseases, including cancer, due to their nanoscale size effects and increased surface area. In comparison to their larger counterparts, nanomaterials have unique physicochemical and biological properties including size, shape, chemical composition, surface structure and charge, aggregation and agglomeration, and solubility which can affect their interactions with biomolecules and cells. Nanoparticles (NPs) with size-tunable light emission have demonstrated an impressive potential as high-efficiency delivery transporters for biomolecules into cells, being used to produce exceptional images of tumor sites. Moreover, NPs delivery system has been widely applied in pharmaceutical field to enhance absorption of bioactive compounds since they can interact with several phytochemicals by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions to encapsulate these phytochemicals in NPs and thus enhance aqueous solubility of the chemicals. Moreover, NPs also can prevent against oxidation/degradation of the phytochemicals encapsulated in the gastrointestinal tract and can be taken directly up by epithelial cells in the small intestine resulting in the increase of absorption and bioavailability of phytochemicals. In general, there are two specific fields of utilization of intrinsically active NPs as pharmacologic agents including oxidative-related pathologies and cancer. On the other hand, Redox active NPs have been shown to ameliorate many clinically relevant pathological disorders that implicate oxidative stress, reducing the oxidative burden and alleviating many important symptoms. Such NPs act either in a catalytic way resembling the action of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase, or as activating surfaces to facilitate reactions between the aqueous environment and the reactive oxygen species present at high level in the pathological tissues.

Progress in oncolytic viruses modified with nanomaterials for intravenous application

In oncolytic virus(OV)therapy,a critical component of tumor immunotherapy,viruses selectively infect,replicate within,and eventually destroy tumor cells.Simultaneously,this therapy activates immune responses and mobilizes immune cells,thereby eliminating residual or distant cancer cells.However,because of OVs’high immunogenicity and immune clearance during circulation,their clinical applications are currently limited to intratumoral injections,and their use is severely restricted.In recent years,numerous studies have used nanomaterials to modify OVs to decrease virulence and increase safety for intravenous injection.The most commonly used nanomaterials for modifying OVs are liposomes,polymers,and albumin,because of their biosafety,practicability,and effectiveness.The aim of this review is to summarize progress in the use of these nanomaterials in preclinical experiments to modify OVs and to discuss the challenges encountered from basic research to clinical application.

Recent Progress on Asymmetric Carbon- and Silica-Based Nanomaterials: From Synthetic Strategies to Their Applications

Carbon-and silica-based nanomaterials possess a set of merits including large surface area,good structural stability,diversified morphology,adjustable structure,and biocompatibility.These outstanding features make them widely applied in different fields.However,limited by the surface free energy effect,the current studies mainly focus on the symmetric structures,such as nanospheres,nanoflowers,nanowires,nanosheets,and core-shell structured composites.By comparison,the asymmetric structure with ingenious adjustability not only exhibits a larger effective surface area accompanied with more active sites,but also enables each component to work independently or corporately to harness their own merits,thus showing the unusual performances in some specific applications.The current review mainly focuses on the recent progress of design principles and synthesis methods of asymmetric carbon-and silica-based nanomaterials,and their applications in energy storage,catalysis,and biomedicine.Particularly,we provide some deep insights into their unique advantages in related fields from the perspective of materials’structure-performance relationship.Furthermore,the challenges and development prospects on the synthesis and applications of asymmetric carbon-and silica-based nanomaterials are also presented and highlighted.

Advances in biodegradable nanomaterials for photothermal therapy of cancer

Photothermal cancer therapy is an alternative to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. With the development of nanophotothermal agents, this therapy holds immense potential in clinical translation. However, the toxicity issues derived from the fact that nanomaterials are trapped and retained in the reticuloendothelial systems limit their biomedical application.Developing biodegradable photothermal agents is the most practical route to address these concerns. In addition to the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials, various internal and external stimuli play key roles on nanomaterials uptake,transport, and clearance. In this review, we summarized novel nanoplatforms for photothermal therapy; these nanoplatforms can elicit stimuli-triggered degradation. We focused on the recent innovative designs endowed with biodegradable photothermal agents under different stimuli, including enzyme, p H, and near-infrared(NIR) laser.

Computational studies on the interactions of nanomaterials with proteins and their impacts

The intensive concern over the biosafety of nanomaterials demands the systematic study of the mechanisms underlying their biological effects. Many of the effects of nanomaterials can be attributed to their interactions with proteins and their impacts on protein function. On the other hand, nanomaterials show potential for a variety of biomedical applications,many of which also involve direct interactions with proteins. In this paper, we review some recent computational studies on this subject, especially those investigating the interactions of carbon and gold nanomaterials. Beside hydrophobic andπ-stacking interactions, the mode of interaction of carbon nanomaterials can also be regulated by their functional groups.The coatings of gold nanomaterials similarly adjust their mode of interaction, in addition to coordination interactions with the sulfur groups of cysteine residues and the imidazole groups of histidine residues. Nanomaterials can interact with multiple proteins and their impacts on protein activity are attributed to a wide spectrum of mechanisms. These findings on the mechanisms of nanomaterial–protein interactions can further guide the design and development of nanomaterials to realize their application in disease diagnosis and treatment.

The magnetic properties of diluted CoFe_2O_4 nanomaterials

The magnetic properties of （Cox Fe1-x）A （Zn1-x Fe1＋x）B O4 are studied using mean-field theory and the probability distribution law to obtain the saturation magnetization, the coercive field, the critical temperature, and the exchange interactions with different values of D （nm） and x. High-temperature series expansions （HTSEs） combined with the Pade approximant are used to calculate the critical temperature of （CoxFe1-x）A（Znl-xFe1＋x）BO4, and the critical exponent associated with magnetic susceptibility is obtained.

Research progresses of nanomaterials as lubricant additives

Friction and wear are unavoidable in mechanical movement.The use of lubricants with nano-additives can effectively reduce friction and wear,which is of great significance to saving energy and protecting the environment.At present,great progress has been made in the scientific research and industrial application of nano-additives for lubricants.This paper mainly introduces the types of nano-additives for lubricants(such as carbon nanomaterials,nano-metals,nano-oxides,sulfides,complexes,polymers,etc.),the tribological properties of lubricants with different components of nano-additives,and the lubrication mechanisms of the nano-additives(including tribofilm formation,rolling ball bearing effect,repairing effect,polishing effect,and synergistic effect).It also deals with the dispersion of nano-additives in lubricants and the influences of their particle size and microstructure on the tribological properties of lubricants.This review outlines the performance requirements of nano-additives in different lubrication states,discusses the use of nano-additives in challenging working conditions,and identifies various industrial oil nano-additives with reference to the appropriate options in diverse working environments.Furthermore,the existing problems of nano-additives and their application prospects are summarized.This review,hopefully,would help to shed light on the design and synthesis of novel high-performance nano-additives and promote their application in engineering.

A bibliometric analysis of molybdenum-based nanomaterials in the biomedical field

Molybdenum(Mo)-based nanomaterials have been widely used in biomedical fields due to their various nanostructures and unique physical/chemical properties.Although various reviews have described the development of Mo-based materials in the biomedical field,an objective and comprehensive summary and analysis of research trends in this field is still rare.Therefore,we used the bibliometric analysis method to analyze all relevant literature on the biological application of Mobased nanomaterials in recent years.First,we use bibliometric tools to analyze the dataset by year,country/region,institution and research hotspot to obtain the research trends.Next,based on objectively identified research hotspots,the biomedical applications of Mo-based nanomaterials are reviewed comprehensively,mainly including sensors,cancer imaging/therapy and antibacterial applications.Finally,we discussed the application prospects and challenges of Mo-based materials.This article provides a new perspective to understand the current research progress and further promote the development of Mobased nanomaterials in biomedical research.

“Smart”nanomaterials for cancer therapy

Recent development in nanotechnology has provided new tools for cancer therapy and diagnostics.Because of their small size,nanoscale devices readily interact with biomolecules both on the cell surface and inside the cell.Nanomaterials,such as fullerenes and their derivatives,are effective in terms of interactions with the immune system and have great potential as anticancer drugs.Comparatively,other nanomaterials are able to load active drugs to cancer cells by selectively using the unique tumor environment,such as their enhanced permeability,retention effect and the specific acidic microenvironment.Multifunctional and multiplexed nanoparticles,as the next generation of nanoparticles,are now being extensively investigated and are promising tools to achieve personalized and tailored cancer treatments.

Nano-bio interactions: the implication of size-dependent biological effects of nanomaterials

Due to their many advantageous properties,nanomaterials(NMs)have been utilized in diverse consumer goods,industrial products,and for therapeutic purposes.This situation leads to a constant risk of exposure and uptake by the human body,which are highly dependent on nanomaterial size.Consequently,an improved understanding of the interactions between different sizes of nanomaterials and biological systems is needed to design safer and more clinically relevant nano systems.We discuss the sizedependent effects of nanomaterials in living organisms.Upon entry into biological systems,nanomaterials can translocate biological barriers,distribute to various tissues and elicit different toxic effects on organs,based on their size and location.The association of nanomaterial size with physiological structures within organs determines the site of accumulation of nanoparticles.In general,nanomaterials smaller than 20 nm tend to accumulate in the kidney while nanomaterials between 20 and 100 nm preferentially deposit in the liver.After accumulating in organs,nanomaterials can induce inflammation,damage structural integrity and ultimately result in organ dysfunction,which helps better understand the size-dependent dynamic processes and toxicity of nanomaterials in organisms.The enhanced permeability and retention effect of nanomaterials and the utility of this phenomenon in tumor therapy are also highlighted.

Understanding of the major reactions in solution synthesis of functional nanomaterials

This review covers the major reactions involved in the solution synthesis of nanomaterials.It was designed to classify the traditional strategies such as precipitation,reduction,seed growth,etching,and so on into two basic processes which are termed as bottom-up and top-down routines.The discussion is focused on the basic mechanism and principles during the nudeation and growth of nanocrystals,especially in the solution system.This review also presents a prediction for how to utilize these intrinsic processes to artificially construct the desired specific and functional nanostructures.We try to describe the most directive and effective way to control the structures of nanocrystals for researchers who can master the major reaction mechanism and grasp the basic technologies in synthetic nanoscience.

Biomedical Effects and Nanomaterials： Nanosafety of Engineered Recent Progress

With the development of nanotechnology, there are growing concerns about biological effects and biosafety of engineered nanomaterials. On the other hand, nanoparticles are widely used in medical fields based on their novel interactions with biological entities. However, there are still a lot of challenges to establish systematic knowledge about nanotoxicology and develop biologically safer biomedical materials due to the variety of factors determining their biomedical effects and nanotoxicity. Understanding the interactions of engineered nanomaterials with the bio- logical entities becomes crucial to the further development of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In the past decade, colleagues in our laboratory intensively studied the toxic properties of various kinds of nanomaterials and their chemical mechanisms. In this paper we review the recent advance in the research on the biological effects of engi- neered nanomaterials and nanosafety issue, by focusing on the studies about representative nanomaterials in our la- boratory.

Stable isotope labeling of nanomaterials for biosafety evaluation and drug development

Quantitative information,such as environmental migration,absorption,biodistribution,biotransformation,and elimination,is fundamental and essential for the nanosafety evaluations of nanomaterials.Due to the complexity of biological and environmental systems,it is challenging to develop quantitative approaches and tools that could characterize intrinsic behaviors of nanomaterials in the organisms.The isotopic tracers are ideal candidates to tune the physical properties of nanomaterials while preserving their chemical properties.In this review article,we summarized the stable isotope labeling methods of nanomaterials for evaluating their environmental and biological effects.The skeleton labeling protocols of carbon nanomaterials and metal/metal oxide nanoparticles were introduced.The advantages and disadvantages of stable isotope labeling were discussed in comparison with other quantitative methods for nanomaterials.The quantitative information of nanomaterials in environmental and biological systems was summarized along with the biosafety data.The benefits for drug development of nanomedicine were analyzed based on the targeting effects,persistent accumulation,and safety.Finally,the challenges and future perspectives of stable isotope labeling in nanoscience and nanotechnology were discussed.

Nanosurface chemistry and dose govern the bioaccumulation and toxicity of carbon nanotubes, metal nanomaterials and quantum dots in vivo

The chemical and biological mechanisms of life processes mostly consist of multistep and programmed processes at nanoscale levels. Interestingly enough, cell, the basic functional unit and platform that maintains life processes, is composed of various organelles fulfilling sophisticated functions through the precise control on the biomolecules （e.g., proteins, phospholipid, nucleic acid and ions） in a spatial dimension of nanoscale sizes. Thus, understanding of the activities of manufactured nanoscale materials including their interaction with biological sys- tems is of great significance in chemistry, materials sci- ence, life science, medicine, environmental science and toxicology. In this brief review, we summarized the recent advances in nanotoxicological chemistry through the dis- section of pivotal factors （primarily focusing on dose and nanosurface chemistry） in determining nanomaterial- induced biological/toxic responses with particular empha- sis on the nanomaterial bioaccumulation （and interaction organs or target organs） at intact animal level. Due to the volume of manufacture and material application, we deliberately discussed carbon nanotubes, metal/metal oxide nanomaterials and quantum dots, severing as representativematerial types to illustrate the impact of dose and nanosurface chemistry in these toxicological scenarios. Finally, we have also delineated the grand challenges in this field in a conceptual framework of nanotoxicological chemistry. It is noted that this review is a part of our persistent endeavor of building the systematic knowledge framework for toxicological properties of engineered nanomaterials.

Emerging trends in self-healable nanomaterials for triboelectric nanogenerators:A comprehensive review and roadmap

A thorough analysis of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) that make use of self-healable nanomaterials is presented in this review. These TENGs have shown promise as independent energy sources that do not require an external power source to function. TENGs are developing into a viable choice for powering numerous applications as low-power electronics technology advances. Despite having less power than conventional energy sources, TENGs do not directly compete with these. TENGs, on the other hand, provide unique opportunities for future self-powered systems and might encourage advancements in energy and sensor technologies. Examining the many approaches used to improve nanogenerators by employing materials with shape memory and self-healable characteristics is the main goal of this review. The findings of this comprehensive review provide valuable information on the advancements and possibilities of TENGs, which opens the way for further research and advancement in this field. The discussion of life cycle evaluations of TENGs provides details on how well they perform in terms of the environment and identifies potential improvement areas. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness, social acceptability, and regulatory implications of self-healing TENGs are examined, as well as their economic and societal ramifications.