Physiochemical and Biological Properties of Modified Collagen Sponge from Porcine Skin

The aim of the present study was to compare one-step method to EDC/NHS crosslinking （EDC/NHS group） and one-step simultaneous method to EDC/NHS crosslinking and heparin immobilization （EDC/NHS- Heparin group） in improving physiochemical and biological properties of native collagen sponge （Control group）. Modified collagen sponge overcome the disadvantages of native collagen sponge. IR spectra suggest the change of the functional groups. DSC data indicate that the stability of caloric transformation in EDC/NHS group is slightly higher than that of EDC/NHS-Heparin group. The crosslinking degree, stability against enzymes, stability in morphologically and biomechanical properties of EDC/NHS-Heparin group are higher than those of EDC/NHS group, whereas, the water-binding capacity in EDC/NHS-Heparin group is lower than that of EDC/NHS group. HUVECs in EDC/NHS-Heparin group scaffold proliferate fast, migrate well and distribute uniformly. One-step simultaneous method gains the better effects in above aspects, heparinized collagen matrices increase in angiogenic potential and suit for defect repairing and tissue engineering.

Recent progress in research and design concepts for the characterization,testing,and photocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction

The reduction of molecular nitrogen(N_(2))to ammonia(NH_(3))under mild conditions is one of the most promising studies in the energy field due to the important role of NH_(3)in modern industry,production,and life.The photocatalytic reduction of N_(2)is expected to achieve clean and sustainable NH_(3)production by using clean solar energy.To date,the new photocatalysts for photocatalytic reduction of N_(2)to NH_(3)at room temperature and atmospheric pressure have not been fully developed.The major challenge is to achieve high light-absorption efficiency,conversion efficiency,and stability of photocatalysts.Herein,the methods for measuring produced NH_(3)are compared,and the problems related to possible NH_(3)pollution in photocatalytic systems are mentioned to provide accurate ideas for measuring photocatalytic efficiency.The recent progress of nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR)photocatalysts at ambient temperature and pressure is summarized by introducing charge transfer,migration,and separation in photocatalytic NRR,which provides a guidance for the selection of future photocatalyst.More importantly,we introduce the latest research strategies of photocatalysts in detail,which can guide the preparation and design of photocatalysts with high NRR activity.

Influence of ammonium sulfate on YAG nanopowders and Yb：YAG ceramics synthesized by a novel homogeneous co-precipitation method

Homogeneous and dispersed Y3 Al5 O12（yttrium aluminum garnet,YAG） nanopowders were synthesized via a homogeneous co-precipitation method from the mixed solutions of yttrium nitrate,aluminum nitrate and a small amount of ammonium sulfate using hot urea as the precipitant.The method has the superiorities that co-precipitation of cations is ensured and continuous decomposition of the hot urea is achieved to obtain the narrow size distribution particles.The addition of small amount of ammonium sulfate surfactant,although has no influence on YAG garnet phase formation,has significant effect on dispersion,particles distribution and sinterability of the resultant YAG and Yb：YAG powders.Compared with the undoped sample,the green body of Yb：YAG doped with ammonium sulfate has higher total shrinkage,linear shrinkage rate and relative density through sintering at 1600 ℃.The resultant Yb：YAG powders can be sintered into transparent ceramics at 1700 ℃ through vacuum sintering.The influence of the sulfate ions on characteristics of the resultant powders was thoroughly studied.