We demonstrate a facile route for the scalable synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles with controlled carbon nanocoating for use as high-capacity anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. SnO2 nanoparticles with size in the range of 6 −10 nm are produced via a simple hydrothermal method with high yield, which are then encapsulated by a carbon layer through a modified method. The weight fraction of carbon present in the final product can be readily tuned by varying the concentration of glucose used during the hydrothermal coating process. A systematic study has been carried out to examine the effect of carbon content upon lithium-ion battery performance. It is found that the optimized SnO2@carbon nanoparticles manifest excellent lithium storage properties. As an example, SnO2@carbon with 8 wt % carbon can deliver a capacity as high as 631 mA h g−1 even after 100 charge/discharge cycles at a current drain of 400 mA g−1.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, behind only cardiovascular diseases, and is one of the most serious diseases threatening human health nowadays. Cancer patients’ lives are being extended by the use of contemporary medical technologies, such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, these treatments are not always effective in extending cancer patients’ lives. Simultaneously, these approaches are often accompanied with a series of negative consequences, such as the occurrence of adverse effects and an increased risk of relapse. As a result, the development of a novel cancer-eradication strategy is still required. The emergence of nanomedicine as a promising technology brings a new avenue for the circumvention of limitations of conventional cancer therapies. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), in particular, have garnered extensive attention due to their many specific advantages, including customizable size and shape, multiple and useful physicochemical properties, and ease of functionalization. Based on these characteristics, many therapeutic and diagnostic applications of AuNPs have been exploited, particularly for malignant tumors, such as drug and nucleic acid delivery, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and X-ray-based computed tomography imaging. To leverage the potential of AuNPs, these applications demand a comprehensive and in-depth overview. As a result, we discussed current achievements in AuNPs in anticancer applications in a more methodical manner in this review. Also addressed in depth are the present status of clinical trials, as well as the difficulties that may be encountered when translating some basic findings into the clinic, in order to serve as a reference for future studies.

Herein we reported a green synthetic route for the preparation of Au-Pt core-shell nanoparticle chains in a two-step route without the use of any surfactants. In the synthesis, compressed hydrogen was used as a reducing reagent, which also promoted the assembly of particle chains. The as-prepared monodispersed gold nanoparticles were manipulated by dipoles to form chain-like nanostructures under high pressure;meanwhile, in situ epitaxial growth of Pt shell on gold nanochains occurred, leading to the formation of Au-Pt core-shell nanoparticle chains. The resulting bimetallic Au-Pt core-shell chains showed excellent catalytic activity as cathodes in lithium oxygen batteries with a low charge-discharge over potential and outstanding cycle performance because of its clean catalytic surface, interconnected nanostructure, which provided a good electron path and innate synergistic effect.

Host-guest drug delivery systems (HGDDSs) have been studied in an effort to modify the characteristics of therapeutic agents by noncovalent interactions, reduce toxic side effects and improve therapeutic effects. However,...

Three perylene bisimide-glycopeptide conjugates (PBI-AFF-Man, PBI-AFF-Glu and PBI-AFF-Gal) were synthesized, which showed moderately active in the control of ice crystal growth. Furthermore, the cellular cryopreservation effects of PBI-AFF-Man, PBI-AFF-Glu and...