A Simple Colorimetric Assay for Sensitive Cu2+ Detection Based on the Glutathione-Mediated Etching of MnO2 Nanosheets

In this paper, we developed a quick, economical and sensitive colorimetric strategy for copper ions (Cu2+) quantification via the redox response of MnO2 nanosheets with glutathione (GSH). This reaction consumed MnO2 nanosheets, which acted as a catalyst for the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to a blue product (oxTMB). In the presence of Cu2+, the GSH was catalyzed to GSSG (oxidized glutathione), and the solution changed from colorless to deep blue. Under the optimum conditions, the absorption signal of the oxidized product (oxTMB) became proportional to Cu2+ concentration in the range from 10 to 300 nM with a detection limit of 6.9 nM. This detection system showed high specificity for Cu2+. Moreover, the system has been efficaciously implemented for Cu2+ detection in actual tap water samples. The layered-nanostructures of MnO2 nanosheets make it possess high chemical and thermal stability. TMB can be quickly oxidized within 10 min by the catalyzing of MnO2 nanosheets with high oxidase-like activity. There is no need of expensive reagents, additional H2O2 and complicated modification processes during the colorimetric assay. Therefore, the strategy primarily based on MnO2 nanosheets is promising for real-time, rapid and highly sensitive detection of Cu2+ under practical conditions.

Mechanical and Magnetic Properties of Double Layered Nanostructures of Tin and Zirconium Oxides Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition

Double layered stacks of ZrO2 and SnO2 films, aiming at the synthesis of thin magnetic and elastic material layers, were grown by atomic layer deposition to thicknesses in the range of 20–25 nm at 300 °C from ZrCl4, SnI4, H2O, and O3 as precursors. The as-deposited nanostructures consisted of a metastable tetragonal polymorph of ZrO2, and a stable tetragonal phase of SnO2, with complementary minor reflections from the orthorhombic polymorph of SnO2. The hardness and elastic modulus of the stacks depended on the order of the constituent oxide films, reaching 15 and 171 GPa, respectively, in the case of top SnO2 layers. Nonlinear saturative magnetization could be induced in the stacks with coercive fields up to 130 Oe.

Designing Biomimetic Triple-Layered Nanofibrous Vascular Grafts via Combinatorial Electrospinning Approach

Biomimetic vascular grafts with multi-layered nanostructures can mimic structure and function of native blood vessels, but it is often challenging. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using combinatorial electrospinning approach for designing triple-layered nanofibrous tubular scaffold with inner and outer layer made up of co-axial poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/gelatin nanofibers (PLGA-core/gelatin-shell) and the intermediate layer with PLGA nanofibers that mimics native vascular structure. The assessment of biomechanical and biological analysis showed enhanced mechanical strength, suture strength and biocompatibility when cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Altogether, the results suggest that the combinatorial electrospinning approach is potentially useful for the fabrication of biomimetic vascular grafts suitable for cardiovascular tissue engineering applications.

Mo-Based Layered Nanostructures for the Electrochemical Sensing of Biomolecules

Mo-based layered nanostructures are two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with outstanding characteristics and very promising electrochemical properties. These materials comprise nanosheets of molybdenum (Mo) oxides (MoO2 and MoO3), dichalcogenides (MoS2, MoSe2, MoTe2), and carbides (MoC2), which find application in electrochemical devices for energy storage and generation. In this feature paper, we present the most relevant characteristics of such Mo-based layered compounds and their use as electrode materials in electrochemical sensors. In particular, the aspects related to synthesis methods, structural and electronic characteristics, and the relevant electrochemical properties, together with applications in the specific field of electrochemical biomolecule sensing, are reviewed. The main features, along with the current status, trends, and potentialities for biomedical sensing applications, are described, highlighting the peculiar properties of Mo-based 2D-nanomaterials in this field.