Mechanical Transfer of Black Phosphorus on a Silk Fibroin Substrate: A Viable Method for Photoresponsive and Printable Biomaterials.

Despite the technological importance of semiconductor black phosphorus (BP) in materials science, maintaining the stability of BP crystals in organic media and protecting them from environmental oxidation remains challenging. In this study, we present the synthesis of bulk BP and the exploitation of the viscoelastic properties of a regenerated silk fibroin (SF) film as a biocompatible substrate to transfer BP flakes, thereby preventing oxidation. A model based on the flow of polymers revealed that the applied flow-induced stresses exceed the yield stress of the BP aggregate. Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the exfoliation efficiency as well as the environmental stability of BP transferred on the SF substrate. Notably, BP flakes transferred to the SF substrate demonstrated improved stability when SF was dissolved in a phosphate-buffered saline medium, and in vitro cancer cell viability experiments demonstrate the tumor ablation efficiency under visible to near-infrared (Vis-nIR) radiation. Moreover, the SF and BP-enriched SF (SF/BP) solution was shown to be processable via extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing. Therefore, this work paves the way for a general method for the transferring of BP on natural biodegradable polymers and processing them via 3D printing toward novel functionalities and complex shapes for biomedical purposes.

Industrial by-products-derived binders for in-situ remediation of high Pb content pyrite ash: Synergistic use of ground granulated blast furnace slag and steel slag to achieve efficient Pb retention and CO2 mitigation.

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is a cost-effective and conventional binder that is widely adopted in brownfield site remediation and redevelopment. However, the substantial carbon dioxide emission during OPC production and the concerns about its undesirable retention capacity for potentially toxic elements strain this strategy. To tackle this objective, we herein tailored four alternative binders (calcium aluminate cement, OPC-activated ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), white-steel-slag activated GGBFS, and alkaline-activated GGBFS) for facilitating immobilization of high Pb content pyrite ash, with the perspectives of enhancing Pb retention and mitigating anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. The characterizations revealed that the incorporation of white steel slag efficiently benefits the activity of GGBFS, herein facilitating the hydration products (mainly ettringite and calcium silicate hydrates) precipitation and Pb immobilization. Further, we quantified the cradle-to-gate carbon footprint and cost analysis attributed to each binder-Pb contaminants system, finding that the application of these alternative binders could be pivotal in the envisaged carbon-neutral world if the growth of the OPC-free roadmap continues. The findings suggest that the synergistic use of recycled white steel slag and GGBFS can be proposed as a profitable and sustainable OPC-free candidate to facilitate the management of lead-contaminated brownfield sites. The overall results underscore the potential immobilization mechanisms of Pb in multiple OPC-free/substitution binder systems and highlight the urgent need to bridge the zero-emission insights to sustainable in-situ solidification/stabilization technologies.

Correction to "Electrospun Nanofibrous UV Filters with Bidirectional Actuation Properties Based on Salmon Sperm DNA/Silk Fibroin for Biomedical Applications".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04563.].

Electrospun Nanofibrous UV Filters with Bidirectional Actuation Properties Based on Salmon Sperm DNA/Silk Fibroin for Biomedical Applications.

In this study, we dissolved Bombyx mori degummed silk [i.e., silk fibroin (SF)] and salmon sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in water and used a bioinspired spinning process to obtain an electrospun nanofibrous SF-based patch (ESF). We investigated the bidirectional macroscale actuation behavior of ESF in response to water vapor and its UV-blocking properties as well as those of ESF/DNA films. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results suggest that the formation of ß-sheet-rich structures promotes the actuation effect. ESF/DNA film with high-ordered and ß-sheet-rich structures exhibits higher electrical conductivity and is water-insoluble. Given the intrinsic ability of both SF and DNA to absorb UV radiation, we performed biological experiments on the viability of keratinocyte HaCaT cells after exposure to solar spectrum components. Our findings indicate that the ESF/DNA patch is photoprotective and can increase the cellular viability of keratinocytes after UV exposure. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ESF/DNA patches treated with water vapor can serve as suitable scaffolds for tissue engineering and can improve tissue regeneration when cellularized with HaCaT cells. The 3D shape morphing capability of these patches, along with their potential as UV filters, could offer significant practical advantages in tissue engineering.

4D Printing Shape-Morphing Hybrid Biomaterials for Advanced Bioengineering Applications.

Four-dimensional (4D) printing is an innovative additive manufacturing technology used to fabricate structures that can evolve over time when exposed to a predefined environmental stimulus. 4D printed objects are no longer static objects but programmable active structures that accomplish their functions thanks to a change over time in their physical/chemical properties that usually displays macroscopically as a shapeshifting in response to an external stimulus. 4D printing is characterized by several entangled features (e.g., involved material(s), structure geometry, and applied stimulus entities) that need to be carefully coupled to obtain a favorable fabrication and a functioning structure. Overall, the integration of micro-/nanofabrication methods of biomaterials with nanomaterials represents a promising approach for the development of advanced materials. The ability to construct complex and multifunctional triggerable structures capable of being activated allows for the control of biomedical device activity, reducing the need for invasive interventions. Such advancements provide new tools to biomedical engineers and clinicians to design dynamically actuated implantable devices. In this context, the aim of this review is to demonstrate the potential of 4D printing as an enabling manufacturing technology to code the environmentally triggered physical evolution of structures and devices of biomedical interest.

Mechanistic insights into Pb and sulfates retention in ordinary Portland cement and aluminous cement: Assessing the contributions from binders and solid waste.

Identifying immobilization mechanisms of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is of paramount importance in the field application of solidification/stabilization. Traditionally, demanding and extensive experiments are required to better access the underlying retention mechanisms, which are usually challenging to quantify and clarify precisely. Herein, we present a geochemical model with parametric fitting techniques to reveal the solidification/stabilization of Pb-rich pyrite ash through conventional (ordinary Portland cement) and alternative (calcium aluminate cement) binders. We found that ettringite and calcium silicate hydrates exhibit strong affinities for Pb at alkaline conditions. When the hydration products are unable to stabilize all the soluble Pb in the system, part of the soluble Pb may be immobilized as Pb(OH)2. At acidic and neutral conditions, hematite from pyrite ash and newly-formed ferrihydrite are the main controlling factors of Pb, coupled with anglesite and cerussite precipitation. Thus, this work provides a much-needed complement to this widely-applied solid waste remediation technique for the development of more sustainable mixture formulations.

Development of Salmon Sperm DNA/Regenerated Silk Bio-Based Films for Biomedical Studies on Human Keratinocyte HaCaT Cells under Solar Spectrum.

In this study, we fabricated adhesive patches from silkworm-regenerated silk and DNA to safeguard human skin from the sun's rays. The patches are realized by exploiting the dissolution of silk fibers (e.g., silk fibroin (SF)) and salmon sperm DNA in formic acid and CaCl2 solutions. Infrared spectroscopy is used to investigate the conformational transition of SF when combined with DNA; the results indicated that the addition of DNA provides an increase in the SF crystallinity. UV-Visible absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy showed strong absorption in the UV region and the presence of B-form of DNA once dispersed in the SF matrix, respectively. Water absorption measurements as well as thermal dependence of water sorption and thermal analysis, suggested the stability of the fabricated patches. Biological results on cellular viability (MTT assay) of keratinocyte HaCaT cells after exposures to the solar spectrum showed that both SF and SF/DNA patches are photo-protective by increasing the cellular viability of keratinocytes after UV component exposure. Overall, these SF/DNA patches promise applications in wound dressing for practical biomedical purposes.

Biomaterial Inks from Peptide-Functionalized Silk Fibers for 3D Printing of Futuristic Wound-Healing and Sensing Materials.

This study illustrates the sensing and wound healing properties of silk fibroin in combination with peptide patterns, with an emphasis on the printability of multilayered grids, and envisions possible applications of these next-generation silk-based materials. Functionalized silk fibers covalently linked to an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide create a platform for preparing a biomaterial ink for 3D printing of grid-like piezoresistors with wound-healing and sensing properties. The culture medium obtained from 3D-printed silk fibroin enriched with RGD peptide improves cell adhesion, accelerating skin repair. Specifically, RGD peptide-modified silk fibroin demonstrated biocompatibility, enhanced cell adhesion, and higher wound closure rates at lower concentration than the neat peptide. It was also shown that the printing of peptide-modified silk fibroin produces a piezoresistive transducer that is the active component of a sensor based on a Schottky diode harmonic transponder encoding information about pressure. We discovered that such biomaterial ink printed in a multilayered grid can be used as a humidity sensor. Furthermore, humidity activates a transition between low and high conductivity states in this medium that is retained unless a negative voltage is applied, paving the way for utilization in non-volatile organic memory devices. Globally, these results pave the way for promising applications, such as monitoring parameters such as human wound care and being integrated in bio-implantable processors.

Biocompatible and Printable Ionotronic Sensing Materials Based on Silk Fibroin and Soluble Plant-Derived Polyphenols.

The emergence of ionotronic materials has been recently exploited for interfacing electronics and biological tissues, improving sensing with the surrounding environment. In this paper, we investigated the synergistic effect of regenerated silk fibroin (RS) with a plant-derived polyphenol (i.e., chestnut tannin) on ionic conductivity and how water molecules play critical roles in regulating ion mobility in these materials. In particular, we observed that adding tannin to RS increases the ionic conductivity, and this phenomenon is accentuated by increasing the hydration. We also demonstrated how silk-based hybrids could be used as building materials for scaffolds where human fibroblast and neural progenitor cells can highly proliferate. Finally, after proving their biocompatibility, RS hybrids demonstrate excellent three-dimensional (3D) printability via extrusion-based 3D printing to fabricate a soft sensor that can detect charged objects by sensing the electric fields that originate from them. These findings pave the way for a viable option for cell culture and novel sensors, with the potential base for tissue engineering and health monitoring.

Engineering Auxetic Cylinders and Intestine to Improve Longitudinal Intestinal Lengthening and Tailoring Procedure.

Auxetic materials can be exploited for coupling different types of tissues. Herein, we designed a material where the microorganism metabolic activity yields the formation of buckled/collapsed bubbles within gelling silicone cylinders thus providing auxetic properties. The finite element model of such hollow auxetic cylinders demonstrated the tubular structure to promote worm-like peristalsis. In this scenario, the described hybrid auxetic structures may be applied to the longitudinal intestinal lengthening and tailoring procedure to promote enteral autonomy in short bowel syndrome. The presented material and analytical design synergistic approach offer a pioneering step for the clinical translation of hybrid auxetic materials.

Peptide-Functionalized Silk Fibers as a Platform to Stabilize Gelatin for Use in Ingestible Devices.

The combination of pharmacologic and endoscopic therapies is the gold standard for treating intestinal failures. The possibility of chemical solubility in water is mandatory for intelligent capsules. Functionalised silk fibroin with peptides and covalently linking different molecular entities to its structure make this protein a platform for preparing gels dissolving in the small and large intestine for drug delivery. In the present study, we linked a peptide containing the cell-adhesive motif Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid (RGD) to degummed silk fibres (DSF). Regenerated silk fibroin (RS) films obtained by dissolving functionalised DSF in formic acid were used to prepare composite gelatin. We show that such composite gelatin remains stable and elastic in the simulated gastric fluid (SGF) but can dissolve in the small and large intestines' neutral-pH simulated intestine fluid (SIF). These findings open up the possibility of designing microfabricated and physically programmable scaffolds that locally promote tissue regeneration, thanks to bio-enabled materials based on functionalised regenerated silk.

Retention of phosphorus and fluorine in phosphogypsum for cemented paste backfill: Experimental and numerical simulation studies.

The solidification/stabilization of phosphogypsum using cemented paste backfill (OCPB) provides a low-cost and alternative in-situ technique for recycling phosphogypsum stockpiles. But the OCPB is far from obtaining steady states in which the pollutants would redistribute as a response to dynamic environmental conditions. Further, the associated chemical interactions and the mineralogy information of the solubility-controlling phases of contaminants (fluorine and phosphorus) have not been thoroughly studied or fully understood. In this study, a framework coupling the chemical, mineralogical, and morphological analyses is used to determine the fluoride and phosphate retention mechanisms of immobilized OCPB. Then the pH-dependent leaching tests and numerical simulation is applied as a useful tool to identify the minerals controlling stabilized OCPB leaching behavior. The overall findings proved that aluminate-rich calcium silicate hydrates play an essential role in fluoride and phosphate retention. Both experimental and simulational acid neutralization and leaching curves indicate that the cementitious matrix works as a strong buffering material ensuring high pH conditions that are necessary for fluorine and phosphorus retention. Although discrepancies were observed in absolute fluorine and phosphorus leaching values at highly acidic conditions, the simulations are able to describe highly amphoteric leaching behavior. The simulation suggests that the aluminum species and calcium phosphates governed the solubility of fluorine and phosphorus, respectively. The results of this work would have implications for predicting the leaching behavior of OCPB in detrimental and multiple environments.

3D Printing Silk-Based Bioresorbable Piezoelectric Self-Adhesive Holey Structures for In Vivo Monitoring on Soft Tissues.

Flexible and biocompatible adhesives with sensing capabilities can be integrated onto human body and organ surfaces, characterized by complex geometries, thus having the potential to sense their physiological stimuli offering monitoring and diagnosis of a wide spectrum of diseases. The challenges in this innovative field are the following: (i) the coupling method between the smart adhesive and the soft human substrates, (ii) the bioresorbable behavior of the material, and (iii) the electrical exchange with the substrate. Here, we introduce a multifunctional composite by mixing silk fibroin, featuring piezoelectric properties, with a soluble plant-derived polyphenol (i.e., chestnut tannin) modified with graphene nanoplatelets. This material behaves as a glue on different substrates and gives rise to high elongation at break, conformability, and adhesive performances to gastrointestinal tissues in a rat model and favors the printability via extrusion-based 3D printing. Exploiting these properties, we designed a bioresorbable 3D printed flexible and self-adhesive piezoelectric device that senses the motility once applied onto a phantom intestine and the hand gesture by signal translation. Experimental results also include the biocompatibility study using gastrointestinal cells. These findings could have applicability in animal model studies, and, thanks to the bioresorbable behavior of the materials, such an adhesive device could be used for monitoring the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and for the diagnosis of motility disorders.

An Atomistic Model Describing the Structure and Morphology of Cu-Doped C-S-H Hardening Accelerator Nanoparticles.

Calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) is the main binding phase in Portland cement. The addition of C-S-H nanoparticles as nucleation seeds has successfully been used to accelerate the hydration process and the precipitation of binding phases either in conventional Portland cement or in alternative binders. Indeed, the modulation of the hydration kinetics during the early-stage dissolution-precipitation reactions, by acting on the nucleation and growth of binding phases, improves the early strength development. The fine-tuning of concrete properties in terms of compressive strength and durability by designed structural modifications can be achieved through the detailed description of the reaction products at the atomic scale. The nano-sized, chemically complex and structurally disordered nature of these phases hamper their thorough structural characterization. To this aim, we implement a novel multi-scale approach by combining forefront small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and synchrotron wide-angle X-ray total scattering (WAXTS) analyses for the characterization of Cu-doped C-S-H nanoparticles dispersed in a colloidal suspension, used as hardening accelerator. SAXS and WAXTS data were analyzed under a unified modeling approach by developing suitable atomistic models for C-S-H nanoparticles to be used to simulate the experimental X-ray scattering pattern through the Debye scattering equation. The optimization of atomistic models against the experimental pattern, together with complementary information on the structural local order from 29Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, provided a comprehensive description of the structure, size and morphology of C-S-H nanoparticles from the atomic to the nanometer scale. C-S-H nanoparticles were modeled as an assembly of layers composed of 7-fold coordinated Ca atoms and decorated by silicate dimers and chains. The structural layers are a few tens of nanometers in length and width, with a crystal structure resembling that of a defective tobermorite, but lacking any ordering between stacking layers.

Stretchable, Bio-Compatible, Antioxidant and Self-Powering Adhesives from Soluble Silk Fibroin and Vegetal Polyphenols Exfoliated Graphite.

The development of bio-glues is still a challenging task, regarding adhesion on wet surfaces; often, high performance and adaption to complex geometries need to be combined in one material. Here, we report biocompatible adhesives obtained by blending regenerated silk (RS) with a soluble plant-derived polyphenol (i.e., chestnut tannin) that was also used to exfoliate graphite to obtain graphene-based RS/tannin (G-RS/T) composites. The resultant G-RS/T hybrid material exhibited outstanding stretchability (i.e., 400%) and high shear strength (i.e., 180 kPa), superior to that of commercial bio-glues, and showed sealant properties for tissue approximation. Moreover, we showed how such nanocomposites exhibit electromechanical properties that could potentially be used for the realization of green and eco-friendly piezoelectric devices. Finally, we demonstrate the in vitro glue's biocompatibility and anti-oxidant properties that enable their utilization in clinical applications.

A Fresh View on Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) Pastes.

In this work, the factors controlling the fresh state properties of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) are assessed and compared to Portland and binary cements, extending the scope of previous research by combining rheological measurements with setting time determination and the evaluation of plastic shrinkage by a novel method. Yield stress and elastic modulus are considered indicators for the structural build-up/breakdown process when stress is applied to the system. On the other hand, plastic shrinkage occurs from the mixing to the setting of fresh paste and plays an important role in governing microstructural changes due to settlement and evaporation. Evaluation of the rheological properties with time was appropriate to give an overview of the influence and behavior of different added materials. The elastic modulus of all binders (clinker, LC3, clinker-limestone, and clinker-calcined clay) was increased from mixing to 60 min of curing as follows: 5.27 × 103 to 9.50 × 105 Pa, 5.94 × 103 to 9.87 × 105 Pa, 6.89 × 103 to 5.62 × 105 Pa and 7.85 × 103 to 1.27 × 106 Pa, respectively. Moreover, during the first three hours of curing, LC3 exhibited a reduction of plastic shrinkage by more than a factor of 2 compared to clinker cement. The use of calcined clay with clinker increases the elastic modulus of the system due to the flocculation effect and increased water absorption, while a dilution effect is contributed due to deflocculation and a free-water increase in the system when a high fraction of limestone is present in the binary cement. The combination of limestone and calcined clay with clinker can induce additional chemical reactions, which control the early age properties, such as plastic shrinkage. The obtained results can contribute to optimizing the fresh state properties of ternary blends of OPC, calcined clay, and limestone through a knowledge-based approach.

Carbon Nanotubes/Regenerated Silk Composite as a Three-Dimensional Printable Bio-Adhesive Ink with Self-Powering Properties.

In this study, regenerated silk (RS) obtained from Bombyx Mori cocoons is compounded with carboxyl-functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) in an aqueous environment for the fabrication of functional bio-adhesives. Molecular interactions between RS and carboxyl groups of CNTs result in structural increase of the ß-sheet formation, obtaining a resistant adhesive suitable for a wet biological substrate. Moreover, the functionalization of CNTs promotes their dispersion in RS, thus enabling the production of films with controlled electrical conductivity. The practical utility of such a property is demonstrated through the fabrication of a piezoelectric device implanted in a rat to monitor the breathing in vivo and to be used as a self-powered system. Finally, RS/f-CNTs were used as a printable biomaterial ink to three dimensionally print bilayer hollow tubular structures composed of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and RS. Initial tests carried out by seeding and growing human skin fibroblasts demonstrated that the 3D printed bilayer hollow cylindrical structures offer a suitable surface for the seeded cells to attach and proliferate. In general, the herein proposed RS/f-CNT composite serves as a versatile material for solvent-free dispersion processing and 3D printing, thus paving a new approach to prepare multifunctional materials with potential applications of great interest in sealing biological substrates and implantable devices for regenerative medicine.

Free-Standing Graphene Oxide and Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Papers with Enhanced Electrical and Mechanical Performance and Their Synergy in Polymer Laminates.

Hybrid nanomaterials fabricated by the heterogeneous integration of 1D (carbon nanotubes) and 2D (graphene oxide) nanomaterials showed synergy in electrical and mechanical properties. Here, we reported the infiltration of carboxylic functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (C-SWNT) into free-standing graphene oxide (GO) paper for better electrical and mechanical properties than native GO. The stacking arrangement of GO sheets and its alteration in the presence of C-SWNT were comprehensively explored through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction. The C-SWNTs bridges between different GO sheets produce a pathway for the flow of electrical charges and provide a tougher hybrid system. The nanoscopic surface potential map reveals a higher work function of the individual functionalised SWNTs than surrounded GO sheets showing efficient charge exchange. We observed the enhanced conductivity up to 50 times and capacitance up to 3.5 times of the hybrid structure than the GO-paper. The laminate of polystyrene composites provided higher elastic modulus and mechanical strength when hybrid paper is used, thus paving the way for the exploitation of hybrid filler formulation in designing polymer composites.

Engineering Graphene Oxide/Water Interface from First Principles to Experiments for Electrostatic Protective Composites.

From the global spread of COVID-19 we learned that SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transmitted via respiratory liquid droplets. In this study, we performed first-principles calculations suggesting that water molecules once in contact with the graphene oxide (GO) layer interact with its functional groups, therefore, developing an electric field induced by the heterostructure formation. Experiments on GO polymer composite film supports the theoretical findings, showing that the interaction with water aerosol generates a voltage output signal of up to -2 V. We then developed an electrostatic composite fiber by the coagulation method mixing GO with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These findings could be used to design protective fabrics with antiviral activity against negatively charged spike proteins of airborne viruses.