Water-alcohol-TiO2 dispersions as sustainable ink.

Nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a widespread multifunctional and environmentally friendly material that has numerous applications requiring micro-/nanofabrication or thin film deposition. In most cases, the fabrication of titania films can be achieved using cost-efficient solution chemistry combined with various coating or printing techniques. The practical implementation of these methods requires the preparation of a suitable ink with properly adjusted rheological properties. Conventionally, such adjustments are achieved based on TiO2 hydrosols containing various organic surfactants and stabilizing agents. However, the use of such additives may affect the properties of the deposited functional layer, which can be crucial for electronic and optical applications. In this work, we address a comprehensive study of simple surfactant-free TiO2 dispersion systems based on various water-alcohol solvents and demonstrate the possibility of controlling the rheological properties of the titania ink in a wide range that is suitable for several printing applications. As a particular example, we demonstrate the application of a water-i-propanol-TiO2 dispersion as a functional ink for the offset printing of interference images.

Degradation kinetic study of ZIF-8 microcrystals with and without the presence of lactic acid.

The zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8 (Zn(mim)2, mim = 2-methylimidazolate) has recently been proposed as a drug delivery platform for anticancer therapy based on its capability of decomposing in acidic media. The concept presumes a targeted release of encapsulated drug molecules in the vicinity of tumor tissues that typically produce secretions with elevated acidity. Due to challenges of in vivo and in vitro examination, many studies have addressed the kinetics of ZIF-8 decomposition and subsequent drug release in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with adjusted acidity. However, the presence of hydrogen phosphate anions [HPO4]2- in PBS may also affect the stability of ZIF-8. As yet, no separate analysis has been performed comparing the dissolving capabilities of PBS and various acidification agents used for regulating pH. Here, we provide a systematic study addressing the effects of phosphate anions with and without lactic acid on the degradation rate of ZIF-8 microcrystals. Lactic acid has been chosen as an experimental acidification agent, since it is particularly secreted by tumor cells. Interestingly, the effect of a lactic acid solution with pH 5.0 on ZIF-8 degradation is shown to be weaker compared to a PBS solution with pH 7.4. However, as an additive, lactic acid is able to enhance the decomposition efficacy of other solutions by 10 to 40 percent at the initial stage, depending on the presence of other ions. Additionally, we report mild toxicity of ZIF-8 and its decomposition products, as examined on HDF and A549 cell lines.

Memristive TiO2: Synthesis, Technologies, and Applications.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most widely used materials in resistive switching applications, including random-access memory, neuromorphic computing, biohybrid interfaces, and sensors. Most of these applications are still at an early stage of development and have technological challenges and a lack of fundamental comprehension. Furthermore, the functional memristive properties of TiO2 thin films are heavily dependent on their processing methods, including the synthesis, fabrication, and post-fabrication treatment. Here, we outline and summarize the key milestone achievements, recent advances, and challenges related to the synthesis, technology, and applications of memristive TiO2. Following a brief introduction, we provide an overview of the major areas of application of TiO2-based memristive devices and discuss their synthesis, fabrication, and post-fabrication processing, as well as their functional properties.

Correction: Inkjet assisted fabrication of planar biocompatible memristors.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C9RA08114C.].

Light-controllable systems based on TiO2-ZIF-8 composites for targeted drug release: communicating with tumour cells.

Drug delivery systems based on the zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8 have recently attracted viable research interest owing to their capability of decomposing in acidic media and thus performing targeted drug delivery. In vivo realization of this mechanism faces a challenge of relatively slow decomposition rates, even at elevated acidic conditions that are barely achievable in diseased tissues. In this study we propose to combine drug delivery nanocomposites with a semiconductor photocatalytic agent that would be capable of inducing a local pH gradient in response to external electromagnetic radiation. In order to test this principle, a model drug-releasing nanocomposite comprising photocatalytic titania nanotubes, ZIF-8, and the antitumor drug doxorubicin has been investigated. This system was demonstrated to release the drug in a quantity sufficient for effectively suppressing IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells that were used as a model diseased tissue. With locally applied UV irradiation, this result was achieved within 40 minutes, which is a relatively short time compared to the release duration in systems without photocatalyst, typically taking from several hours to several days.

Inkjet assisted fabrication of planar biocompatible memristors.

In this study we address a novel design of a planar memristor and investigate its biocompatibility. An experimental prototype of the proposed memristor assembly has been manufactured using a hybrid nanofabrication method, combining sputtering of electrodes, patterning the insulating trenches, and filling them with a memristive substance. To pattern the insulating trenches, we have examined two nanofabrication techniques employing either a focused ion beam or a cantilever tip of an atomic force microscope. Inkjet printing has been used to fill the trenches with the functional titania ink. The experimental prototypes have qualitatively demonstrated memristive current-voltage behavior, as well as high biocompatibility.