Nanjing Tech University

About: Nanjing Tech University is a education organization based out in Nanjing, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Membrane. The organization has 21827 authors who have published 21794 publications receiving 364050 citations. The organization is also known as: Nangongda & Nánjīng Gōngyè Dàxúe.

Tumor Microenvironment-Mediated Construction and Deconstruction of Extracellular Drug-Delivery Depots

Abstract: Protein therapy has been considered the most direct and safe approach to treat cancer. Targeting delivery of extracellularly active protein without internalization barriers, such as membrane permeation and endosome escape, is efficient and holds vast promise for anticancer treatment. Herein, we describe a “transformable” core–shell based nanocarrier (designated CS-NG), which can enzymatically assemble into microsized extracellular depots at the tumor site with assistance of hyaluronidase (HAase), an overexpressed enzyme at the tumor microenvironment. Equipped with an acid-degradable modality, the resulting CS-NG can substantially release combinational anticancer drugs—tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) and antiangiogenic cilengitide toward the membrane of cancer cells and endothelial cells at the acidic tumor microenvironment, respectively. Enhanced cytotoxicity on MDA-MB-231 cells and improved antitumor efficacy were observed using CS-NG, which was attributed to the inh...

Toward Reducing the Operation Temperature of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Our Past 15 Years of Efforts in Cathode Development

Abstract: The development of clean and efficient energy conversion and storage systems is becoming increasingly vital as a result of accelerated global energy consumption. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as one key class of fuel cells have attracted much attention, owing to their high energy conversion efficiency and low emissions. However, some serious problems appeared because of the scorching operating temperatures of SOFCs (800–1000 °C), such as poor thermomechanical stability and difficult sealing, resulting in a short lifespan and high cost of SOFCs. Therefore, lowering the operating temperature of SOFCs to mid-range and even low range has become one of the main goals for SOFC development in the recent years. Looking for new cathode materials with high electrocatalytic activity and robust stability at relatively low temperatures is one of the essential requirements for intermediate-to-low-temperature SOFCs (ILT-SOFCs). During the past 15 years, we put considerable efforts into the development of alternative cathode materials for ILT-SOFCs. In this review, we give a summary of our progress from such efforts. We first summarize several strategies that have been adopted for developing cathode materials with high activity and durability toward reducing operating temperatures of SOFCs. Then, our new ideas and progress on cathode development with respect to activity and stability are provided. Both the cathodes of oxygen-ion-conducting SOFCs and protonic-conducting SOFCs are discussed. In the end, we outline the opportunities, challenges, and future approaches for the development of cathodes for ILT-SOFCs.

Effects of carbon blacks with various structures on vulcanization and reinforcement of filled ethylene-propylene-diene rubber

Abstract: The effects of carbon blacks on vulcanization and mechanical properties of filled ethylene-propylene-diene rub- ber (EPDM) are investigated, by comparing with five types of rubber-grade carbon blacks. Curing kinetics is studied by rheometer and the results indicate that the curing characteristics are influenced by combination of surface area of carbon black and sulphur content on the filler surface, because the former one enhances the physical cross-linking and the latter one introduces the additional chemical cross-linking. Both the degree of cross-linking and cure rate increase with increas- ing surface area and sulphur content, whereas the optimum cure time and scorch time decrease. The reinforcing nature of the carbon black is assessed from mechanical measurements. It is suggested that the surface area of carbon blacks strongly affects the physical properties of EPDM/carbon black composites. Conductive carbon black (N472) can be used as desir- able reinforcing filler due to the higher degree of cross-linking of EPDM with N472 than other EPDM/carbon black com- posites. The morphology and distribution of particles are studied by using scanning electron microscope. The sound reinforcing ability of N472 is also supported by scanning electron microscope due to the notable dispersibility of N472 within EPDM matrix. N472 ensures the EPDM/N472 composite the most conductive sample among the five composites.