Donghua University

About: Donghua University is a education organization based out in Shanghai, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Fiber & Nanofiber. The organization has 21155 authors who have published 21841 publications receiving 393091 citations. The organization is also known as: Dōnghuá Dàxué & China Textile University.

Free-Standing Functionalized Graphene Oxide Solid Electrolytes in Electrochemical Gas Sensors

Abstract: A free-standing sulfonic acid functionalized graphene oxide (fSGO)-based electrolyte film is prepared and used in an electrochemical gas sensor, an alcohol fuel cell sensor (AFCS), for the detection of alcohol. The fSGO electrolyte film-based AFCS detects ethanol vapor with excellent response, linearity, and sensitivity, since it possesses a high proton conductivity (58 mS cm−1 at 55 °C). An ethanol detection limit level as low as 25 ppm is achieved and high selectivity for ethanol over acetone is demonstrated. These results do not only show the promising potential of fSGO films in an electrochemical gas sensors, specifically a portable breathalyzer, but also open an alternative pathway to investigate the application of graphene derivatives in the field of gas sensors.

UTMD-Promoted Co-Delivery of Gemcitabine and miR-21 Inhibitor by Dendrimer-Entrapped Gold Nanoparticles for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy.

Abstract: Conventional chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer (PaCa) suffers the problems of low drug permeability and inherent or acquired drug resistance. Development of new strategies for enhanced therapy still remains a great challenge. Herein, we report a new ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD)-promoted delivery system based on dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles (Au DENPs) for co-delivery of gemcitabine (Gem) and miR-21 inhibitor (miR-21i). Methods: In this study, Gem-Au DENPs/miR-21i was designed and synthesized. The designed polyplexes were characterized via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Gel retardation assay and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Then, the optimum exposure parameters were examined by an ultrasound exposure platform. The cellular uptake, cytotoxicity and anticancer effects in vitro were analyzed by confocal laser microscopy, spectra microplate reader, flow cytometry and a chemiluminescence imaging system. Lastly, the anticancer effects in vivo were evaluated by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, TUNEL staining and comparison of tumor volume. Results: The results showed that the Gem-Au DENPs/miR-21i can be uptake by cancer cells and the cellular uptake was further facilitated by UTMD with an ultrasound power of 0.4 W/cm2 to enhance the cell permeability. Further, the co-delivery of Gem and miR-21i with or without UTMD treatment displayed 82-fold and 13-fold lower IC50 values than the free Gem, respectively. The UTMD-promoted co-delivery of Gem and miR-21i was further validated by in vivo treatment and showed a significant tumor volume reduction and an increase in blood perfusion of xenografted pancreatic tumors. Conclusion: The co-delivery of Gem and miR-21i using Au DENPs can be significantly promoted by UTMD technology, hence providing a promising strategy for effective pancreatic cancer treatments.

Preparation of superhydrophobic cotton fabrics based on SiO2 nanoparticles and ZnO nanorod arrays with subsequent hydrophobic modification

Abstract: Superhydrophobic cotton fabrics were prepared by fabricating rough surfaces using SiO2 nanoparticles and ZnO nanorod arrays together with subsequent n-dodecyltrimethoxysilane (DTMS) modification. The as-obtained products were characterized by particle size analyzer, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning probe microscope (SPM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) respectively. The prepared SiO2 nanoparticle and ZnO nanorod show a similar diameter while the ZnO nanorod has a much higher aspect ratio. The wettability of the cotton fabric samples was investigated by water contact angle (WCA) and roll-off angle measurements. Both treated cotton fabrics exhibit superhydrophobicity with static WCAs of more than 150° for a 5 mL water droplet. The lower roll-off angle of a ZnO treated cotton fabric, which is attributed to the discontinuous three-phase contact line, shows better water-repellent properties.