Contactless Stimulation and Control of Biomimetic Nanotubes by Calcium Ion Gradients

Membrane tubular structures are important communication pathways between cells and cellular compartments. Studying these structures in their native environment is challenging, due to the complexity of membranes and varying chemical conditions within and outside of the cells. This work demonstrates that a calcium ion gradient, applied to a synthetic lipid nanotube, triggers lipid flow directed toward the application site, resulting in the formation of a bulge aggregate. This bulge can be translated in a contactless manner by moving a calcium ion source along the lipid nanotube. Furthermore, entrapment of polystyrene nanobeads within the bulge does not tamper the bulge movement and allows transporting of the nanoparticle cargo along the lipid nanotube. In addition to the synthetic lipid nanotubes, the response of cell plasma membrane tethers to local calcium ion stimulation is investigated. The directed membrane transport in these tethers is observed, but with slower kinetics in comparison to the synthetic lipid nanotubes. The findings of this work demonstrate a novel and contactless mode of transport in lipid nanotubes, guided by local exposure to calcium ions. The observed lipid nanotube behavior can advance the current understanding of the cell membrane tubular structures, which are constantly reshaped during dynamic cellular processes.     

Nanotubes

The field of nanotubes is undergoing an explosive growth, fueled by brakethroughs in synthesis and the promise of unique applications. Highly unusual properties and devices have been predicted and/or observed, including extremely high strength and flexibility, nanoscale electronic devices consisting entirely of carbon, and strong capillary effects leading to the production of exceptionally thin wires, cold cathode field emission and other effects.     

碳纳米管

概述了碳纳米材料的发展及它们的性能和应用,同时介绍了一些比较成熟的制备纳米材料的技术。在此基础上分析了碳纳米管的形成过程和碳纳米管的微观结构,以及碳纳米管制备工艺对微观结构的影响。     

Inorganic Nanotubes

Since the first report on the synthesis of inorganic WS₂ nanotubes in 1992, the number of articles on the successful growth of different inorganic nanotubes has increased rapidly, emphasizing the importance of this field for nanotechnology. Although there are some geometrical similarities to carbon nanotubes, inorganic nanotubes are distinguished by important peculiarities, from their growth mechanisms to the physical and chemical properties that are attractive for potential applications. Their structural properties, which are important for such applications, are discussed in this review.     

Boron Nitride Nanotubes

The current status of research on boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs)—carbon nanotube structural analogues—is discussed. Latest achievements in BNNT synthesis, morphology, and atomic structure analysis as well as physical, chemical, and functional property evaluations are reviewed. Similarities and differences between structural parameters and properties of BNNTs in comparison with conventional carbon nanotubes are particularly highlighted. Recent breakthroughs in BNNT filling, doping and functionalization, morphology, and electronic structure engineering are examined. Finally, prospective BNNT applications for fabricating field‐effect transistors, gas accumulators, and reinforcing polymer films are presented.     

碳纳米管和镓掺杂碳纳米管场发射性能研究

采用催化热解方法分别 制备出碳纳米管和镓掺杂碳纳米管, 并利用丝网印刷工艺将其制备成纳米管薄膜. 对此薄膜进行低场致电子发射测试表明, 碳纳米管和镓掺杂纳米管开启电场分别为2.22和1.0V/μm, 当外加电场为2.4V/μm, 碳纳米管发射电流密度为400μA/cm², 镓掺杂纳米管发射电流密度为4000μA/cm². 可见镓掺杂碳纳米管的场发射性能优于同样条件下未掺杂时的碳纳米管. 对镓掺杂纳米管场发射机理进行了探讨.     

钴/碳纳米管催化剂CVD法制备碳纳米管

以乙烯为碳源、多壁碳纳米管为载体负载钴作为催化剂,利用CVD法制备出了高质量的多壁碳纳米管.利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对催化剂的形貌进行了表征,利用透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)以及差热-热重(TG-DTA)方法对产物进行了表征.发现在最佳裂解温度770℃下制备的多壁碳纳米管直径分布均匀、曲率小、纯净、产率高,更重要的是不具有难处理的氧化物(如Al2O3)载体,充分体现了碳纳米管作为载体的优越性.     

Fluorination of CNx Nanotubes

Multiwall CN_x nanotubes have been prepared by thermal decomposition of acetonitrile over Co/Ni catalytic particles. The fluorination of nanotubes was performed at room temperature by using a gaseous mixture of BrF₃ and Br₂. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that only the outer shells of CN_x nanotubes were fluorinated, whereas the inner shells remained intact. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed an oxidation of pyridinic-type nitrogen with tube fluorination.     

Synthesis of Inorganic Nanotubes

Nanotubes constitute an exciting class of one‐dimensional nanomaterials of which carbon nanotubes are recognized widely as materials of importance. The possibility of having inorganic nanotubes was recognized early in the 1990s, accompanied by the report of nanotubes of MoS₂ and WS₂. Since then, nanotubes of several inorganic materials have been prepared and characterized. While nanotubes of metal chalcogenides and oxides form a high proportion of the inorganic nanotubes investigated hither to, nanotubes of many other materials have also been prepared and characterized. Several synthetic strategies including both physical and chemical methods have been employed, of which the use of templates, precursors, and hydro‐ or solvothermal methods are prominent. In this article, we shall present a brief account of the present status of the synthesis of nanotubes of elemental materials as well as binary and complex metal oxides, chalcogenides, pnictides and carbides.     

纳米碳管的纯化

纳米碳管是一种新型的纳米材料和碳分子 ,其独特的分子结构和性能引起了人们的广泛关注。纳米碳管的纯化是纳米碳管研究领域的一个重要课题。本文综述了纳米碳管的几种纯化方法及其相关机理。     

纳米碳管的研究发展概况

从材料学的角度简要地介绍了新型纳米材料──纳米碳等的发现、结构、制各方法、性能以及在物理学、化学、材料学等领域的可能应用。