Nasicon-Type Surface Functional Modification in Core–Shell LiNi_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2O₂@NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ Cathode Enhances Its High-Voltage Cycling Stability and Rate Capacity toward Li-Ion Batteries

Surface modifications are established well as efficient methodologies to enhance comprehensive Li-storage behaviors of the cathodes and play a significant role in cutting edge innovations toward lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, we first logically devised a pilot-scale coating strategy to integrate solid-state electrolyte NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ (NTP) and layered LiNi_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2O₂ (NMC) for smart construction of core–shell NMC@NTP cathodes. The Nasicon-type NTP nanoshell with exceptional ion conductivity effectively suppressed gradual encroachment and/or loss of electroactive NMC, guaranteed stable phase interfaces, and meanwhile rendered small sur-/interfacial electron/ion-diffusion resistance. By benefiting from immanently promoting contributions of the nano-NTP coating, the as-fabricated core–shell NMC@NTP architectures were competitively endowed with superior high-voltage cyclic stabilities and rate capacities within larger electrochemical window from 3.0 to 4.6 V when utilized as advanced cathodes for advanced LIBs. More meaningfully, the appealing electrode design concept proposed here will exert significant impact upon further constructing other high-voltage Ni-based cathodes for high-energy/power LIBs

Primer sets of RT-PCR that used in this experiment.

<p>Primer sets of RT-PCR that used in this experiment.</p

Immuno-phenotyping of EPCs, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs.

<p>A, Typical FACS results of MHC-I, MHC-II, CD40, CD80 and CD86 expression of three kinds of cells, with or without IFN-γ-treatment. B, Statistical analysis of FACS results of MHC-I, MHC-II and CD40 expression of the three kinds of cells, with or without IFN-γ-treatment. EPCs and AD-MSCs expressed significantly higher levels of MHC I and CD40 when compared with UC-MSCs. All three kinds of cells were negative for MHC II, CD80 and CD86. After stimulated with IFN-γ, the expression of MHC I, MHC II and CD40 were up-regulated in all the three kinds of cells, while the induced expression level in UC-MSCs was relatively low compared to AD-MSCs and EPCs (n = 3, P<0.01). C, mRNA levels of IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2 gene were compared within three kinds of cells. The expression levels of both IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2 were highest in EPCs, lowest in UC-MSCs (n = 3, P<0.01). D, Protein level of IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2 were tested by Western blot, and compared within three kinds of cells with Quantity One software. The expression levels of both IFN-γR1 (EPC <i>vs</i> UC-MSC, P = 0.03) and IFN-γR2 (EPC <i>vs</i> UC-MSC, P = 0.016) were highest in EPCs, lowest in UC-MSCs (n = 3).</p

AD-MSCs can promote vessel formation <i>in vivo</i>.

<p>After EPCs were implanted with/without UC-MSCs or AD-MSCs into SCID mice for 2 weeks, formed vessels in matrigel were subjected to immune-rejection by allo-PBMCs. The results were demonstrated by gross observation of the matrigel grafts (A) or by pathological section observation after H&E staining (B) or immunofluorescence staining (green: CD31; red: SMAα; blue: DAPI. 400×)(C). Implanted cells in matrigel formed vessels that inosculated with host vasculature and were perfused with mouse blood. EPCs implanted with AD-MSCs formed more vessels than EPCs implanted alone or EPCs implanted with UC-MSCs (D). The vessels in EPC+AD-MSC grafts also had significantly larger lumen than other groups (D). After allo-PBMC injection, red blood cell leakage was very obvious in EPC grafts or EPC+UC-MSC grafts (indicated by red arrows). In EPC+AD-MSC grafts, the vessels remained stable, and the red blood cell infiltration could hardly be observed.</p

Characterization of EPCs, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs.

<p>A, Expression patterns of endothelial makers on EPCs were analyzed by FACS. EPCs highly expressed CD31, vWF, CD144 and CD105, partly positive expressed VEGFR-2 and CD34, negative for CD90, CD45, CD14 and CD19. B, Biological function of EPCs was identified. a, Representative phase contrast images of cobblestone-like EPCs. b, EPCs bound with UEA-1 (red). c, EPCs incorporated DiI-Ac-LDL (green). d, EPCs formed vascular-like tubes on matrigel. C, Phenotype analysis of AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs by FACS. Both AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs were positive for CD29, CD90, CD73 and CD105, negative for VEGFR-2, CD14, CD31, CD34 and CD45. D, After 14 days of induction, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs were differentiated into adipocytes and osteocytes. a, Adipogenic induction of AD-MSCs. b, Adipogenic induction of UC-MSCs. c, Osteogenic induction of AD-MSCs. d, Osteogenic induction of UC-MSCs. Adipogenesis was detected by the formation of neutral lipid vacuoles stainable with oil red O (red-orange). Osteogenesis was demonstrated by detection of alkaline phosphatase activity (brown).</p

The stimulating effect of EPCs, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs on the proliferation of T cell subsets and the cytokine secretion of the three kinds of cells when co-cultured with allo-PBMCs.

<p>The stimulating effect of EPCs, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs on the proliferation of T cell subsets was further analyzed. After one week of co-culture, CEDA-SE labeled T cells were stained with anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 antibody and subjected to FACS analysis. A and B, Typical results of 5 independent tests with similar trends. AD-MSCs, UC-MSCs or EPCs alone could hardly stimulate CD4+T or CD8+T proliferation, though the stimulating effect of EPCs was slightly higher. After pre-treatment by IFN-γ, EPCs could strongly stimulate CD4+T and CD8+T proliferation. However, this effect could be significantly inhibited by both AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs (n = 5, P<0.05). C, Cytokine secretion was analyzed after a 7-day co-culture of allo-PBMCs with different stimulators. EPCs can stimulate the production of IFN-γ and IL-10. AD-MSCs can down-regulate the secretion of IFN-γ (EPCs + IFN-γ group vs EPCs + IFN-γ + AD-MSCs group) and up-regulate the secretion of IL-10 (blank vs ADMSCs group, EPCs group vs EPCs + AD-MSCs group) (n = 3, P<0.05).</p

AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs could inhibit the proliferation of allo-PBMCs <i>in vitro</i>.

<p>Proliferation of allo-PBMCs co-cultured with different stimulating cells was analyzed by CFDA-SE-based proliferation assay. A, Typical results of the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay. a-l show allo-PBMC proliferation after co-culture with different stimulators: a, blank as negative control; b, AD-MSCs; c, UC-MSCs; d, PHA as positive control; e, AD-MSCs + PHA; f: UC-MSCs + PHA; g, EPCs; h, EPCs + AD-MSCs; i, EPCs + UC-MSCs; j, IFN-γ-treated EPCs; k, IFN-γ-treated EPCs + AD-MSCs; l, IFN-γ-treated EPCs + UC-MSCs. B and C, The statistical results of MLR assay. B, AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs could slightly stimulate allo-PBMC proliferation. EPCs displayed a significantly stronger stimulating effect than AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs (n = 5, P<0.05). C, IFN-γ-treated EPCs showed a higher stimulating effect than EPCs. AD-MSCs and UC-MSCs could strongly down-regulate the stimulating effect of EPC and IFN-γ-treated EPCs. UC-MSCs have a more remarkable immune-inhibiting effect on IFN-γ-treated EPCs when compared with AD-MSCs (n = 5, P<0.05).</p

Neutrophil and endothelial cell membranes coassembled roflumilast nanoparticles attenuate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Aim: This study aimed to develop biomimetic nanoparticles (NPs) of roflumilast (ROF) for attenuating myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Materials & methods: We synthesized biomimetic ROF NPs and assembled ROF NPs in neutrophil and endothelial cell membranes (NE/ROF NPs). The physical properties of NE/ROF NPs were characterized and biological functions of NE/ROF NPs were tested in vitro. Targeting characteristics, therapeutic efficacy and safety of NE/ROF NPs were examined in mice model of MI/R. Results: NE/ROF NPs exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and antiadhesion effects. Meanwhile, they was effective in reducingMI/R injury in mice. Furthermore, NE/ROF NPs exhibited stronger targeting capabilities and demonstrated good safety. Conclusion: NE/ROF NPs may be a versatile biomimetic drugdelivery system for attenuating MI/R injury.</p

Self-Assembled Switching Gels with Multiresponsivity and Chirality

A multiresponsive hydrogel material consisting of a commercial cationic surfactant and an azobenzene derivative functionalized with four carboxylic acid groups was constructed. The achiral azobenzene molecule as a gelator produces chirality at the supramolecular level in the presence of H⁺. The acid-induced gelation and morphology change of supramolecular gels were investigated in detail by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), rheological measurements, circular dichroism (CD), and ¹H NMR spectra. Based on the results, a mechanism of the intermolecular H-bond-directed gelation and supramolecular chirality was proposed. Other than the pH sensitivity, the microstructure and the chirality of the hydrogel demonstrate reversible switching behavior in response to photoirradiation, on account of the photoisomerization of the azobenzene derivative. Accordingly, a chiroptical switch comprising four different states in response to pH and light stimuli is strategically constructed. Not only does the present system provide a good opportunity for investigating the gelation-induced supramolecular chirality by symmetry breaking totally based on achiral molecules, but it also proposes a new strategy to build multiresponsive supramolecular switches as particularly attractive for the future development of functional materials

An Emerging and Consummate Photocatalysis-Assisted Strategy for Efficient Recycling of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries

Imperfect recycling technology and inconsistent decommissioning levels hinder the joint development of social and economic benefits in the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Formulating a more consummate strategy to recover cathodes with different degradation levels is critical for optimizing the recycling of the spent LIBs. This paper presents an advanced approach for photocatalytic-assisted recovery of spent LIBs based on the decommissioning degree of cathode materials. UV-assisted Li and Co leaching efficiency reached 99.56% and 98.25%, over 35% higher than non-UV assistance, with a lower recovery cost than ultrasound (68.94%) and stirring (81.25%). Additionally, we realized the high-value reuse of photocatalytic-assisted leached lithium solution, and the repaired-LiCoO2 exhibited a high capacity, 179.4 mAh g–1, at 0.1 C. The recovery process generates more than three times the economic benefits of traditional methods. This environmentally friendly and energy-efficient recycling method is well-suited for efficiently recovering Ni-enriched anodes, offering new insights into recovering spent LIBs