Deposition of Ni-based cyanide bridged coordination polymer (NiCNNi) flakes onto the surfaces of graphene oxide (GO) sheets, which allows precise control of the resulting lamellar nanoarchitecture by in situ crystallization, is reported. GO sheets are utilized as nucleation sites that promote the optimized crystal growth of NiCNNi flakes. The NiCNNicoated GO sheets then self-assemble and are stabilized as ordered lamellar nanomaterials. Regulated thermal treatment under nitrogen results in a Ni 3 C-GO composite with a similar morphology to the starting material, and the Ni 3 C-GO composite exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic activity and excellent durability for the oxygen reduction reaction.For the further development of functional materials, a smart approach to the assembly of functional 2D materials into well-defined 3D structures is critical. The best strategy for this purpose is layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly that can provide well-designed alternating layered structures with nanoscale precision from a variety of functional components.[1] For example, methodologies to create artificial layered structures often lead to materials with high-level functions that cannot be predicted based on the identity of the original components.[2] However, most of the previous strategies have several disadvantages: 1) in many cases, interlayer materials are nonfunctional polymers and often degrade the functionality of the main components; 2) step-by-step layering processes could be disadvantageous for construction of substantially thicker materials. Although pioneering approaches for noninterlayer-polymer LbL processes have been recently proposed, [3] these disadvantages have not yet been properly addressed.In the novel strategy presented here, we have exploited the layering capabilities of coordination polymers [4] as an interlayer adhesive in a spontaneous self-constructive process implemented in one pot. Typically, nickel-based cyanobridged coordination polymers (NiCNNi) are deposited on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) sheets. During this reaction (Figure 1), GO sheets spontaneously assemble through binding of NiCNNi flakes in the one-step construction of heterogeneous layered structures whose components all have some potentially useful functionality. In addition, the GO sheets serve not only as building units but also as nucleation sites for the growth of the NiCNNi flakes. Thermal treatment of the layered assembly causes successful conversion of the NiCNNi components to Ni 3 C with retention of the original LbL structure, since the inserted GO layers prevent random fusion of the metal source.

The urgent need of safe, therapeutically and patient-compliant drug delivery systems (DDSs) continuously stimulates researchers to explore novel tools and strategies to monitor the loading and release of drugs. In this context, this study demonstrates that montmorillonite clay (MMT) is an appropriate material for changing the release behavior of Tobramycin and Norfloxacin drugs into medium. The DDSs were prepared by the intercalation of Tobramycin or Norfloxacin between MMT layers. The MMT-drug systems were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR). After insertion of the drugs between the layers of MMT, the periodicity in c-axis changed because of the formation of layered hybrid structures. The release of drugs was investigated using UV-spectrophotometer. The release rates are found to be dependent on pH of the medium. Moreover, we found that the percentage of release increases as the pH increases, however the release rate is low. These findings would be beneficial for controlled release of drugs for prolonged time in the future.

This work demonstrates the fabrication of a nanoporous iron carbide-iron oxide/reduced graphene oxide (IC-IO/ rGO) hybrid via a controlled one-step thermal treatment of Prussian blue (PB)/GO hybrid at 450 °C under N 2 flow. The PB/GO hybrid is initially prepared through the in-situ deposition of PB nanoparticles on the GO sheets through electrostatic interactions. The morphological analysis of the hybrid reveals the uniform coverage of the rGO sheets by IC-IO nanoparticles and the even distribution of carbon (C), oxygen (O), and iron (Fe) on the rGO nanosheets. As a result of the hybrid composition and controlled morphology, the surface area of the obtained IC-IO/rGO hybrid (~40 m 2 /g) is significantly enhanced compared to those of the calcined GO sheets and PB nanoparticles (without GO).