pH‐ and temperature‐induced release of doxorubicin from multilayers of poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline) and tannic acid

We present a simple strategy to prepare doxorubicin (DOX) containing hydrogen‐bonded films of poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PIPOX) and tannic acid (TA) which release DOX in acidic conditions while releasing a minimal amount of DOX at physiological pH. Water soluble complexes of TA and DOX (TA ? DOX) were prepared prior to film construction. PIPOX and TA ? DOX were deposited at the surface at pH 6.5 using the layer‐by‐layer (LbL) technique. We found that multilayers released a minimal amount of DOX at physiological pH due to further ionization of TA with increasing pH and enhanced electrostatic interactions between TA and DOX. In contrast, pH‐induced release of DOX was observed in moderately acidic conditions due to protonation of TA as the acidity increased and electrostatic interactions between TA and DOX decreased. Moreover, we found that raising the temperature from 25 °C to 37.5 °C increased the amount of DOX released from the surface. This can be rationalized with the conformational changes within the multilayers correlated with the lower critical solution temperature behaviour of PIPOX and increased kinetic energy of DOX molecules. Considering the acidic nature of tumour tissues and important biological properties of PIPOX and TA, these multilayers are promising for pH‐ and temperature‐triggered release of DOX from surfaces. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Formation and Dehydration Enthalpy of Potassium Hexaniobate

The formation energetics of hydrous and dehydrated potassium hexaniobates are investigated using high‐temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. The enthalpies of formation of K₄Nb₆O₁₇ and K₄Nb₆O₁₇·3H₂O from oxides are (?864.42 ± 10.63) and (?899.32 ± 11.48) kJ/mol, respectively. The formation enthalpy of K₄Nb₆O₁₇ from elements is (?7289.64 ± 12.50) kJ/mol, and of K₄Nb₆O₁₇·3H₂O is (?8181.94 ± 13.24) kJ/mol. The enthalpy of dehydration (ΔH_dehy) for the reaction K₄Nb₆O₁₇·3H₂O (xl, 25°C) = K₄Nb₆O₁₇ (xl, 25°C) + 3H₂O (l, 25°C) is endothermic and is 34.60 ± 7.56 kJ/mol. The ΔH_dehy per mole of water, 11.53 ± 2.52 kJ/mol, indicates the water molecules in K₄Nb₆O₁₇·3H₂O are not just physically adsorbed, but loosely bonded in the K₄Nb₆O₁₇ phase, presumably in specific interlayer sites. The loss of this water near 100°C on heating is consistent with the weak bonding of water.     

Influences of surface chemistry and swelling of salt-treated polyelectrolyte multilayers on migration of smooth muscle cells

The cell migration plays a crucial role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes and can be regulated by the cell–substrate interactions. We found previously that the poly(sodium 4-styrenesulphonate) (PSS)/poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDADMAC) multilayers post-treated in 1–5 M NaCl solutions result in continuous changes of their physico-chemical properties such as thickness, chemical composition, surface charge, swelling ratio and wettability. In this study, the responses of human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) on these salt-treated multilayers, particularly the governing factors of cellular migration that offer principles for designing therapeutics and implants, were disclosed. The cell migration rate was slowest on the 3 M NaCl-treated multilayers, which was comparable with that on tissue culture plates, but it was highest on 5 M NaCl-treated multilayers. To elucidate the intrinsic mechanisms, cell adhesion, proliferation, adhesion and related gene expressions were further investigated. The SMCs preferred to attach, spread and proliferate on the PSS-dominated surfaces with well-organized focal adhesion and actin fibres, especially on the 3 M NaCl-treated multilayers, while were kept round and showed low viability on the PDADMAC-dominated surfaces. The relative mRNA expression levels of adhesion-related genes such as fibronectin, laminin and focal adhesion kinase, and migration-related genes such as myosin IIA and Cdc42 were compared to explain the different cellular behaviours. These results reveal that the surface chemistry and the swelling of the salt-treated multilayers govern the cell migration behaviours.     

Improving the formation and protective properties of La-conversion coatings on brass by use of La2O3 nanoparticle incorporation with electrodeposition

The La₂O₃ nanoparticles incorporation and electrodeposition were used together to prepare the La-conversion coatings on brass surface in a basal solution containing rare earth salt and benzotriazole. The results showed that both of these techniques can improve the coatings formation and their protectiveness. A critical nanoparticulate La₂O₃ content and a critical deposition potential were observed, under which the conversion coatings had the highest protective properties. The composite La-conversion coatings could provide important protection against brass corrosion for considerable immersion periods in 3.5% NaCl solution because it ennobled the corrosion potential and decreased the anodic current.     

Interface defects and formation of non-collinear magnetic ordering in Fe/Cr multilayers

Non-collinear magnetic structure of Fe/Cr multilayers was investigated within the framework of Periodic Anderson model (PAM) in mean field approximation for Coulomb repulsion on sites. Self-consistent calculations were performed for the superlattices with different step width at the interface. It is shown that due to frustration in the interface region the ground state corresponds to non-collinear orientation of magnetic moments near steps. This non-collinear ordering penetrates on a large distance from the interface both in Fe and Cr layers and leads to the non-collinear magnetic coupling between Fe layers through the Cr spacer. Angle between magnetic moments of Fe slabs depends strongly not only on the thickness of the Cr spacer but also on the interface structure at atomic scale. It is found that only very specific types of the interface defects with plural frustrations can give out-of-plane orientation of magnetic moments.     

Investigation of the role of electrokinetic effects in corrosion deposit formation

Electrokinetic effects associated with corrosion deposit formation in simulated high temperature primary water have been investigated. A miniature flow cell was designed for the purpose of creating regions of accelerated flow to produce areas of net anodic and cathodic activity which may be characterised by determination of electrode polarisations. Post-test XRD and GDOES examination of so polarised electrodes showed that the rate of oxide deposition and the oxide structure was strongly dependent on the electrochemical corrosion potential. This work underlines the importance of anodic processes generated by streaming potentials which can lead to enhanced oxide deposition.     

聚合物含量对锆钛酸铅多层膜光学特性的影响

利用溶胶-凝胶法,由添加高分子聚合物聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP)的化学溶液制备了锆钛酸铅(Pb Zr0.4Ti0.6O3,PZT)多层膜,研究了溶液中聚合物PVP的含量对多层膜光学性能的影响.测试表明,PZT多层膜呈现出由致密层和多孔层交替排布的层状结构,在可见光区具有单一的高反射率带,且反射带中心波长在一定范围内随着溶液中PVP浓度的升高向长波方向移动.在PVP的相对摩尔比为x=1.0时,多层膜反射性能达到最优,室温绝对反射率高达89%,反射带宽为44 nm.     

NiFe/Cu多层膜的结构与层间耦合效应

用直流磁控溅射方法在玻璃基片上制备了[Ni_(80)Fe_(20)/Cu]_(20)多层膜,其中采用了靶表磁场强度不同的靶腔沉积铜层,利用X射线衍射和振动样品磁强计对Cu(100nm)/[Ni_(80)Fe_(20)(0.9nm)/Cu(tCu)]_(20)两个系列样品的结构和磁性进行了表征。靶表磁场较弱时沉积的多层膜具有良好的层间耦合振荡行为,而靶表磁场较强时制备的多层膜没有出现反铁磁耦合。依据上述事实,我们推测靶表磁场强度的不同会影响Ni Fe/Cu界面扩散,进而对多层膜样品的磁性产生影响。用靶表磁场较弱的靶腔沉积中间层铜能够有效减小界面互溶程度,改善镍铁与铜的成层质量。而靶表磁场较强的靶腔溅射出的铜原子具有较高能量,在界面处扩散并与镍铁层互溶,破坏了层状结构。     

Force‐Free Patterning of Polyelectrolyte Multilayers under Solvent Assistance

Physical patterns were created on hydrated PSS/PDADMAC multilayers without using external force. A typical process was to put a PDMS stamp onto the wet and swollen multilayers, which were then put into an oven and maintained for a period of time to micromold the multilayers. The influence of molding temperature and time, multilayer thickness, solvent quality, and multilayer compositions on pattern formation were elucidated. Evolution of the patterns from double lines, double strips, and meniscus‐shaped ridges to high ridges was observed under all conditions, revealing that this is a universal principle for this process. Finally, patterns on PAA/PAH and PSS/PAH multilayers were also prepared at the optimal conditions, highlighting its wide generality on the multilayer patterning.