Synthesis of Multishell Carbon Nanotube Composites via Template Method

Multishell nanotubes of polyaniline and carbon were synthesized via a template approach. A thin layer of MnO2 coated on carbon nanotubes acts as a reactive template for the consequent formation of the polyaniline coating. The polyaniline-carbon nanotubes show enhanced dispersibility in water and can be possibly used as a functional material of electrochemical capacitors with improved performance. The general method operates by coating carbon nanotubes on functional materials such as poly （3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene）, polypyrrole, silica, and carbon.

Translocation of Polymer Through a Nanopore Studied by Langevin Dynamics:Effect of the Friction Coefficient

The driven polymer translocation through a nanopore with unbiased initial configuration has been studied by using Langevin dynamics(LD) simulations.It is found that the scaling relationship between translocation time and the polymer chain length is strongly affected by the friction coefficient in LD and the driving force.However,there is no scaling relationship between the translocation time and the friction coefficient.The translocation time is almost inversely proportional to the driving force,which is in agreement with those obtained in biased translocation.The scaling relationship between gyration radius(R g) of subchain at the trans side with the subchain length(L) is R g ～L 0.33 that is in good agreement with the limiting value for molten globule state,while the curve of R g of subchain at the cis side has two distinct stages.During translocation,the subchain at the cis side is being stretched gradually,and the structure of the subchain transforms from sphere-like to rod-like.When the effect of stretching reaches the tail end,the subchain is at the most stretched state.Finally the subchain will rapidly restore to coil structure.According to the results of force analysis,the retarding force at the trans side is more crucial during the practical translocation.

Entrapment and Sustained Release of Hydrophobic Drugs with Different Molecular Weights from PHBHHx-PEG Nanoparticles

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles are more and more frequently used in drug delivery systems, which represent one of the most rapidly developing areas. In our previous study, a novel natural hybrid polyester, polyethylene glycol 200 （PEG200） end-capped poly （3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhcxanoate） （PHBHHx-PEG） was directly produced by Aeromonas hydrophila fermentation. In this study, the performance of the novel biodegradable PHBHHx-PEG copolyester as a sustained release carrier for hydrophobic drugs with different molecular weights and the in vitro sustained release profile were investigated. 5-Fluorouracil （5-Fu, Mw=130.1）, TGX221 （Mw=364.4）, and Rapamycin （RAP, Mw=914.2） were used as the model drugs. PHBHHx-PEG nanoparticles entrapped with 5-Fu, TGX221 and RAP were fabricated by a modified emulsification/solvent evaporation method, respectively. The average diameter of 5-Fu, TGX221, and RAP loaded PHBHHx-PEG nanoparticles was between 198.2-217.4 nm, and the entrapment efficiency of the three drugs was 62.5%, 93.4% and 91.9%, respectively. The in vitro release profiles of 5-Fu, TGX221 and RAP from PHBHHx-PEG nanoparticles were different. 5-Fu showed faster release rate and an obvious initial burst release phase. TGX221 and RAP were demonstrated to be released more slowly and steadily. The release percentages of 5-Fu, TGX221 and RAP were 97.7%, 85.1% and 74.7% after releasing for 72 h. PHBHHx-PEG is a kind of promising material as a carrier for the entrapment and delivery of hydrophobic drugs especially for those drugs with high molecular weight.