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By introducing Brønsted acidic ionic liquids (ILs), two dual-emitting lanthanide metal-organic complexes (Ln-MOCs) of {[Ln(imdc)(CH

The rapid growth of the abalone industry has brought a great burden to the environment because of their inedible shells. Aiming at environmental and resource sustainability, porous microspheres of carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite (HAP) were prepared by a hydrothermal method using abalone shells; then, they were further used as a carrier for doxorubicin (DOX) in a drug delivery system. The porous HAP microspheres were approximately 6 μm in size with a considerable specific surface area and average pore size (128.6659 cm2/g and 9.064 nm, respectively), which ensured excellent drug-handling capacity (95.542%). In addition, the pH responsiveness of the drug release system was favorable for effective in vivo drug release in an acidic tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the drug-loaded microspheres could effectively induce apoptosis of MCF-7 cells but were less cytotoxic to MC3T3-E1 cells. Because of its good biocompatibility, high drug loading capacity and controlled drug release property, the porous microspheres prepared in this experiment have potential application value in drug delivery and tumor therapy; furthermore, they make full use of abalone shells, providing environmental sustainability.

Two rare earth coordination polymers named {[La6(C9H11N2O4)11(H2O)2(OH)2]⋅Br5}n (1) and [Gd(C9H11N2O4)(C2O4)(H2O)]n (2) (C9H11N2O42‒ = 1,3-bis(1-carboxylatoethyl) imidazolium ion, C2O42- = oxalate) were solvothermally synthesized using zwitterionic 1,3-bis(1-carboxylatoethyl)imidazolium bromide as ligand. 1 and 2 were both structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and their thermodynamic properties and magnetic properties of 2 were studied. In the 3D structure of 1, La3+ ions are all ten-coordinated and exhibit three different coordination environments. This 3D structure of 1 is formed by La−O coordination bonds with Br− located in the cavities through H-bond and electrostatic attraction. Different from 1, all Gd3+ ions in 2 have the same eight-coordinated environment. These two coordination polymers both have good thermostability until 323 °C for 1 and 375 °C for 2, and then decompose giving rise to La2O3 and Gd2O3, respectively. The magnetic behaviors of 2 are measured in the temperature range 2–300 K.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) has been widely used for repairing or substituting human hard tissues. In this paper, two typical ionic surfactants, cation hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and anion sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), were used for rapid conversion of HAP from abalone shell. From field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), the prepared HAP is flake-like structure. From X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal analysis, these samples contain a small amount of calcium carbonate whose content gradually increases by increasing the surfactants. The results showed that the HAP formed fast on the layer of abalone shell powder with the assistance of CTAB and SDS.

Spherical hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals with hierarchical structure and controllable size has been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method. The polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a template united with Ca2+ chelating agent is used to regulate the nucleation and crystal growth. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrograph (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicate that the obtained particles are uniform spherical crystals with hierarchical structure. Furthermore, the process of PVP template united with Ca2+ chelating agent is discussed.

Scorias spongiosa is an edible fungus. The fruiting bodies of Scorias spongiosa contain variouss chemical composition such as polysaccharides, steroids which have many pharmacological effects, such as anti-oxidation, antitumor and bacteriostatic. In this review, the distribution, growth environment and nutrient composition of Scorias spongiosa were summarized systematically, and the development prospect of Scorias spongiosa (Bamboo Bird’s Nest) was prospected.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) has been widely applied as a biomaterial for repairing or substituting human hard tissues. In this paper, HAP nanorods were successfully produced from abalone shell powders via hydrothermal solid-state conversion without surfactants or complex agents. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed that the produced HAP exhibited the typical rod-like structure. Based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)), these samples contain a small amount of aragonite and calcite crystals, and their content gradually decreases by prolonging the hydrothermal time. However, this decrease only slightly changes for the longer times. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that organic matter was detected in the samples without adding surfactants or complex agents. This study provides a solution to the resource waste and environmental pollution caused by abandoned abalone shells, and we also synthesized HAP for potential bone repair materials. Keywords: Hydroxyapatite nanorods, Abalone shell, Solid-state conversion, Hydrothermal

In this work, we encapsulated icariin (ICA) into chitosan (CS)/nano hydroxyapatite (nHAP) composite microspheres to form organic-inorganic hybrid microspheres for drug delivery carrier. The composition and morphology of composite microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry- thermogravimetric analysis (DSC-TGA). Moreover, we further studied the performance of swelling properties, degradation properties and drug release behavior of the microspheres. ICA, the extract of traditional Chinese medicine-epimedium, was combined to study drug release properties of the microspheres. ICA loaded microspheres take on a sustained release behavior, which can be not only ascribed to electrostatic interaction between reactive negative hydroxyl (OH) of ICA and positive amine groups (NH₂) of CS, but also depended on the homogeneous dispersion of HAP nanoparticles inside CS organic matrix. In addition, the adhesion and morphology of osteoblasts were detected by inverted fluorescence microscopy. The biocompatibility of CS/nHAP/ICA microspheres was evaluated by the MTT cytotoxicity assay, Hoechst 33258 and PI fluorescence staining. These studies demonstrate that composite microspheres provide a suitable microenvironment for osteoblast attachment and proliferation. It can be speculated that the ICA loaded CS-based organic-inorganic hybrid microspheres might have potential applications in drug delivery systems.

Enamel cannot heal by itself if damaged. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is main component of human enamel. Formation of enamel-like materials for healing enamel defects remains a challenge. In this paper, we successfully isolated the abalone water-soluble matrix (AWSM) with 1.53wt% the abalone water-soluble protein (AWSPro) and 2.04wt% the abalone water-soluble polysaccharide (AWSPs) from abandoned abalone shell, and self-healing biomineralization of tooth defects was successfully achieved in vitro. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), hot field emission scanning electron microscopy (HFESEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analysis, the results showed that the AWSM can efficiently induce remineralization of HAP. The enamel-like HAP was successfully achieved onto etched enamel's surface due to the presence of the AWSM. Moreover, the remineralized effect of eroded enamel was growing with the increase of the AWSM. This study provides a solution to the resource waste and environmental pollution caused by abandoned abalone shell, and we provides a new method for self-healing remineralization of enamel defects by AWSM and develops a novel dental material for potential clinical dentistry application.

The application of hydroxyapatite (HAP) in different fields depends greatly on its morphology, composition and structure. Besides, the main inorganic building blocks of human bones and teeth are also HAP. Therefore, accurate shape and aggregation control and of hydroxyapatite particles will be of great interest. Herein, oriented bundles of flowerlike HAP nanorods were successfully prepared through hydrothermal treatment without acid-base regulation, with the mono-alkyl phosphate (MAP) and sodium citrate as surfactant and chelating agent, respectively. The prepared samples were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and zeta potential, the pH value and conductivity value of suspension were characterized by pH meter and conductivity measurement. The results showed that the MAP and citrate play an important role in assembly of HAP nanorods without acid-base regulation. Citrate calcium complex could decompose slowly and release citrate ions at hydrothermal conditions. Besides, the further decomposition of citrate ions could release aconitic acid as the reaction time prolongs. Moreover, the possible scheme for the formation process was discussed in detail.