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Diseases affecting the retina, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and retinal vein occlusions, are currently treated by the intravitreal injection of drug formulations. These disease pathologies are driven by oxidative damage due to chronic high concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the retina. Intravitreal injections often induce retinal detachment, intraocular hemorrhage, and endophthalmitis. Furthermore, the severe eye pain associated with these injections lead to patient noncompliance and treatment discontinuation. Hence, there is a critical need for the development of a noninvasive therapy that is effective for a prolonged period for treating retinal diseases. In this study, we developed a noninvasive cerium oxide nanoparticle (CNP) delivery wafer (Cerawafer) for the modulation of ROS in the retina. We fabricated Cerawafer loaded with CNP and determined its SOD-like enzyme-mimetic activity and ability to neutralize ROS generated in vitro. We demonstrated Cerawafer's ability to deliver CNP in a noninvasive fashion to the retina in healthy mouse eyes and the CNP retention in the retina for more than a week. Our studies have demonstrated the in vivo efficacy of the Cerawafer to modulate ROS and associated down-regulation of VEGF expression in the retinas of very-low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (vldlr-/-) mouse model. The development of a Cerawafer nanotherapeutic will fulfill a hitherto unmet need. Currently, there is no such therapeutic available, and the development of a Cerawafer nanotherapeutic will be a major advancement in the treatment of retinal diseases.

The aim of this study was to develop a novel biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloy for bone implant applications. We used scandium (Sc; 2 wt %) and strontium (Sr; 2 wt %) as alloying elements due to their high biocompatibility, antibacterial efficacy, osteogenesis, and protective effects against corrosion. In the present work, we also examined the effect of a heat treatment process on the properties of the Mg-Sc-Sr alloy. Alloys were manufactured using a metal casting process followed by heat treatment. The microstructure, corrosion, mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and osteogenic activity of the alloy were assessed in vitro. The results showed that the incorporation of Sc and Sr elements controlled the corrosion, reduced the hydrogen generation, and enhanced mechanical properties. Furthermore, alloying with Sc and Sr demonstrated a significantly enhanced antibacterial activity and decreased biofilm formation compared to control Mg. Also, culturing Mg-Sc-Sr alloy with human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells showed a high degree of biocompatibility (90% live cells) and a significant increase in osteoblastic differentiation in vitro shown by Alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase activity. Based on these results, the Mg-Sc-Sr alloy heat-treated at 400°C displayed optimal mechanical properties, corrosion rate, antibacterial efficacy, and osteoinductivity. These characteristics make the Mg-Sc-Sr alloy a promising candidate for biodegradable orthopedic implants in the fixation of bone fractures such as bone plate-screws or intramedullary nails.

Porosity in functional oxide nanorods is a recently discovered new type of microstructure, which is not yet fully understood and still under evaluation for its impact on applications in catalysis and gas/ion storage. Here we explore the shape and distribution of pores in ceria in three dimensions using a modified algorithm of geometric tomography as a reliable tool for reconstructing defective and strained nanoobjects. The pores are confirmed as “negative-particle” or “inverse-particle” cuboctahedral shapes located exclusively beneath the flat surface of the rods separated via a sub-5 nm thin ceria wall from the outside. New findings also comprise elongated “negative-rod” defects, seen as embryonic nanotubes, and pores in cube-shaped ceria. Furthermore, we report near-sintering secondary heat treatment of nanorods and cubes, confirming persistence of pores beyond external surface rounding. We support our experiments with molecular modeling and predict that the growth history of voids is via diffusion and aggregation of atomic point defects. In addition, we use density functional theory to show that the relative stability of pore (shape) increases in the order “cuboidal” < “hexagonal-prismatic” < “octahedral”. The results indicate that by engineering voids into nanorods, via a high-temperature postsynthetic heat treatment, a potential future alternative route of tuning catalytic activities might become possible.

Many studies have linked reactive oxygen species (ROS) to various diseases. Biomedical research has therefore sought a way to control and regulate ROS produced in biological systems. In recent years, cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria, CNPs) have been pursued due to their ability to act as regenerative ROS scavengers. In particular, they are shown to have either superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase mimetic (CAT) potential depending on the ratio of Ce3+/Ce4+ valence states. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that SOD mimetic activity can be diminished by the presence of phosphate, which can be a problem given that many biological systems operate in a phosphate-rich environment. Herein, we report a CNP formulation with both SOD and catalase mimetic activity that is preserved in a phosphate-rich media. Characterization demonstrated a highly dispersed, stable solution of uniform-sized, spherical-elliptical shaped CNP of 12 ± 2 nm, as determined through dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy. Mixed valence states of Ce ions were observed via UV/Visible spectroscopy and XPS (Ce3+/Ce4+ > 1) (Ce3+∼ 62%). X-ray diffraction and XPS confirmed the presence of oxygen-deficient cerium oxide (CeO2-x) particles. Finally, the CNP demonstrated very good biocompatibility and efficient reduction of hydrogen peroxide under in-vitro conditions.

Wound healing is of major clinical concern and is constantly being explored for early restoration and enhanced recovery. While the etiology of the wound healing is multifactorial, high inflammation and increased oxidative stress which results in chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and collagen degradation, delay the overall healing process. Thus, visual sensing of the oxidative stress would be highly informative in the successful implementation of wound healing therapies based on specific requirements. In this study, electrospinning was used to fabricate silk fibroin nanofibrous mats infused with Amplex red capable of detecting hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen molecule. These mats produced a visible change in color with the limit of detection at 1 μM H2O2 concentration. In vivo studies carried out in diabetic mice with impaired wounds also displayed a visible change in color of the mats infused with Amplex red within 24 hours. These electrospun silk fibroin nanofibrous Amplex infused mats has the potential to enable a futuristic platform where decisions can be made for enhanced wound healing therapy.

Diabetic wounds represent a significant healthcare burden and are characterized by impaired wound healing due to increased oxidative stress and persistent inflammation. We have shown that CNP-miR146a synthesized by the conjugation of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNP) to microRNA (miR)-146a, improves diabetic wound healing. CNP are divalent metal oxides that act as free radical scavenger, while miR146a inhibits the pro-inflammatory NFκB pathway, so CNP-miR146a has a synergistic role in modulating both oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, we define the mechanism(s) by which CNP-miR146a improves diabetic wound healing by examining immunohistochemical and gene expression analysis of markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and angiogenesis. We have found that intradermal injection of CNP-miR146a increases wound collagen, enhances angiogenesis, and lowers inflammation and oxidative stress, ultimately promoting faster closure of diabetic wounds.

The COVID19 pandemic has brought global attention to the threat of emerging viruses and to antiviral therapies, in general. In particular, the high transmissibility and infectivity of respiratory viruses have been brought to the general public's attention, along with the need for highly effective antiviral and disinfectant materials/products. This study has developed two distinct silver-modified formulations of redox-active nanoscale cerium oxide (AgCNP1 and AgCNP2). The formulations show specific antiviral activities toward tested OC43 coronavirus and RV14 rhinovirus pathogens, with materials characterization demonstrating a chemically stable character for silver nanophases on ceria particles and significant differences in Ce3+/Ce4+ redox state ratio (25.8 and 53.7% Ce3+ for AgCNP1 & 2, respectively). In situ electrochemical studies further highlight differences in formulation-specific viral inactivation and suggest specific modes of action. Altogether, the results from this study support the utility of AgCNP formulations as high stability, high efficacy materials for use against clinically relevant virus species.

Designing hybrid conductive polymer structures that can effectively mitigate capacitance fade and improve cycle life is critical to developing viable conductive polymer-based supercapacitors. Low cost and high yield synthesis methods that can be easily scaled-up are also crucial for industry-scale production. Herein, we report a highly scalable porous hierarchical microspheres composed of polyaniline nanofibers (PANI), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and cerium oxide nanorods (CNRs) synthesized through a spray drying method. The functional and structural synergistic effect of the three components assembled as a 3D porous hierarchical structure which maximizes ion and charge transport while mitigating restacking and agglomeration of the nanostructures results in a composite supercapacitor material with superior electrochemical properties. The optimized ternary hierarchical microspheres exhibit a high specific capacitance (684 F g−1), good rate capability, excellent cycle life (92% capacitance retention after 6000 cycles at 4 A g−1). Furthermore, an asymmetric device fabricated with the ternary composite exhibits a high specific energy density (46.27 W h kg−1) at a power density of 850 W kg−1 with a very stable cyclic performance and high coulombic efficiency. Thus, we demonstrate, for the first time, a highly scalable method to produce PANI/rGO/CNR based hierarchical microspheres as high-performance supercapacitor material.

Ferrosilicon is a primary metallic alloy produced during the reduction of metal oxides contained in lunar and Martian regolith by a variety of techniques. This study examines the usefulness of ferrosilicon as a candidate feedstock material for wire-based 3D printers designed for in-space manufacturing. Alloys of composition ranging from pure iron to 12 wt% Si were synthesized and their electrical and mechanical properties characterized. The melts were cast into rods for mechanical testing to determine ultimate strength and ductility. It was determined that the samples above 3 wt% Si were too brittle to be pulled into wire and ruptured at low strain values. The 3 wt% Si sample and iron had comparable mechanical properties relative to samples of higher silicon content but with differences in ductility and ultimate strength. Microstructure and compositional studies revealed the differences between the ductile and brittle samples as being the complete ferrite phase presence on the iron and low-Si content samples. This study establishes an upper limit on the Si content at 3 wt% in ferrosilicon materials to be used in wire feedstock in additive manufacturing for in-space applications.

Herein, we provide the first account of a method to control cerium oxide's mixed valence states (as Ce3+ to Ce4+ ratio) in ultra-thin films formed via atomic layer deposition (ALD). It is determined that modulation of Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio occurs with respect to film thickness and is analogous to the change in surface chemistry observed for cerium oxide nanoparticles with varying particle diameter. The influence of film thickness on enzyme-mimetic radical scavenging is also characterized. Higher film thicknesses show 9-fold increase in catalytic activity. In vitro biocompatibility (apoptosis < 4%) and electrochemical biosensing (lowest concentration: 18 ppt) studies were performed to demonstrate the potential of ALD-grown nanoceria films for biomedical applications.

Herceptin-resistant tumor relapse remains a major clinical issue responsible for the poor prognosis of HER2(+) breast cancer. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and finding a therapeutic solution are of paramount urgency to improve the patient management. Here we report that anticancer redox active cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) can potently sensitize the cancer cells to the cytotoxicity of Herceptin. By comparing between Herceptin-sensitive and Herceptin-resistant human breast cancer cell lines under normoxic as well as hypoxic culture conditions, we found that in the presence of CONPs, Herceptin can kill the Herceptin-resistant cells equally effectively as it kills the Herceptin-sensitive cells under the hypoxic, but not normoxic, culture conditions by inhibiting the cell viability, survival and proliferation. Signaling analysis reveals that under the normoxic conditions, the levels of hypoxia induced factor 1α as well as vascular endothelial growth factor are higher in the Herceptin-resistant cells than that in the Herceptin-sensitive cells and are strongly induced once the culture is switched to the hypoxic conditions, which can be potently suppressed by CONPs. Treatment with CONPs plus Herceptin significantly slows down the primary tumor growth and lung metastasis of the Herceptin-resistant cells in a xenograft mouse model of orthotopic breast cancer through inhibiting the cell proliferation and survival as well as tumor angiogenesis. These results shed new lights on the mechanisms underlying the Herceptin resistance of the HER2(+) breast cancer and provide insights into introducing CONPs-like agents to Herceptin-based therapy to improve treatment outcomes.

Degradation due to acetic acid in photovoltaic modules has been a commonly observed phenomenon for both damp-heat exposure and outdoor operations. Acetic acid is formed as a decomposition product of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), a common module encapsulation material. It interacts with the front metallization, causing degradation in the glass layer/metal-silicon interface. This results in the loss of cell performance, contact adhesion, increased resistance, dark areas seen in electroluminescence (EL) imaging, etc. It has been reported that lead oxide (PbO) contained in the glass layer is dissolved by acetic acid causing significant performance losses. To address this issue, robust metallic pastes and new metallization techniques are being developed. However, it is important to assess how these technologies perform in acetic acid environment and withstand degradation before they are implemented in the solar market. In this work, we investigate the impact of acetic acid exposure on novel screen-printable pastes, including a lead-tellurite (Pb-Te-O) based paste and a lead-free tellurite (Te-O) based paste. Solar cells fabricated using these pastes were exposed to acetic acid for different amounts of time. A subset of the cells were also exposed to water to monitor and compare the impact. We measure the change in contact resistivity for the samples by a non-destructive circular transmission line method (cTLM). The contact recombination characteristics are extracted by intensity-dependent photoluminescence imaging and multivariate regression analysis with Griddler AI. Additionally, Suns-V OC measurement was performed to further characterize the cells. Finally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were performed to understand the change in materials properties. Our study suggests that both the contact recombination and contact resistivity is affected by exposure to acetic acid. The lead-based paste performs better overall compared to lead-free paste even after different stages of exposure.

We demonstrate a high figure-of-merit UV–C solar-blind photodetectors fabricated from polycrystalline beta-gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3) grown on n-Si substrates by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE). We developed film growth sequences for nucleation of Ga2O3 on (100) and (111) oriented Si substrates, and systematically investigate the influence of crucial growth parameters, namely substrate temperature, oxygen flow rate and plasma power on the functional properties of the photodetectors. The photodetectors show ultra-high responsivity of 837 A/W and fast ON/OFF time below 4ms observed under 248 nm illumination at –5V. In addition, they display strong rectifying properties and sharp cut-off below 280 nm with average responsivities between 10-80 A/W, detectivity on the order of 1010 Jones, and rise/fall times between 4 to 500 ms at –5V. High photoconductive gain is shown to likely be due to the mid-bandgap donor/acceptor defect levels, including oxygen vacancies in the form of self-trapped holes. We demonstrate that these defect levels can be modified by controlling the growth conditions, thereby, allowing for tailoring of the photodetector characteristics for specific applications. Our methodology represents a cost-effective solution over homoepitaxial approaches, with characteristics that meet or exceed those reported previously, offering new possibilities for on-wafer integration with Si electronics.

The presence of excess fluoride (F- > 1.5 mg/L) in drinking water affects more than 260 million people globally and leads to dental and skeletal fluorosis among other health problems. This study investigated fluoride removal by graphene oxide-ceria nanohybrid (GO-CeO2) and elucidated the mechanisms involved. The nanohybrid exhibited ultra-rapid kinetics for fluoride removal and the equilibrium (85% removal, 10 mg F-/L initial concentration) was achieved within 1 min which is one of the fastest kinetics for fluoride removal reported so far. Fluoride removal by the nanohybrid followed Langmuir isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity of 8.61 mg/g at pH 6.5 and that increased to 16.07 mg/g when the pH was lowered to 4.0. Based on the experimental results and characterization data, we have postulated that both electrostatic interaction and surface complexation participated in the fluoride removal process. The O2- ions present in the CeO2 lattice were replaced by F- ions to make a coordination compound (complex). While both Ce4+ and Ce3+ were present in ceria nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs), Ce3+ participated in fluoride complexation. During fluoride removal by GO-CeO2, the GO sheets acted as electron mediators and help to reduce Ce4+ to Ce3+ at the CeO2 NPs-GO interface, and the additional Ce3+ enhanced fluoride removal by the nanohybrid.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating pulmonary disease with significant in-hospital mortality and is the leading cause of death in COVID-19 patients. Excessive leukocyte recruitment, unregulated inflammation, and resultant fibrosis contribute to poor ARDS outcomes. Nanoparticle technology with cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNP) offers a mechanism by which unstable therapeutics such as the anti-inflammatory microRNA-146a can be locally delivered to the injured lung without systemic uptake. In this study, we evaluated the potential of the radical scavenging CNP conjugated to microRNA-146a (termed CNP-miR146a) in preventing acute lung injury (ALI) following exposure to bleomycin. We have found that intratracheal delivery of CNP-miR146a increases pulmonary levels of miR146a without systemic increases, and prevents ALI by altering leukocyte recruitment, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and decreasing collagen deposition, ultimately improving pulmonary biomechanics., Graphical Abstract Bleomycin-induced lung injury produces a robust inflammatory response with increases in oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory markers such as IL-6. This leads to later remodeling with fibrosis and decreased lung function. Intratracheal delivery of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNP) conjugated to microRNA-146a mitigates this initial inflammatory response, lowering later fibrosis and improving lung function.Unlabelled Image

Arsenic (As), one of the highest harmful pollutants found in drinking/groundwater, is owing to have unfavourable impacts, for example, skin disease, on human health. The new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assigned the maximum contaminations of arsenic in groundwater is 10μg/L, and several drinking water plants are needing extra treatment to accomplish this standard. In recent years, several researchers have been attempting to discover practical and expendable adsorbents for some water filtration systems that are utilized in many arsenic endemic territories. Metal oxide-based adsorbents had been proved to be the best strategies for arsenic expulsion/removal. This chapter reviews the removal of both arsenite (As III) and arsenate (As V) species from drinking/groundwater. Also, we give an overview of traditionally applied strategies to expel both arsenic species to incorporate coagulation-flocculation, oxidation, and membrane techniques. More focus has been given to adsorption methods, type of adsorption and factors affecting adsorption. Moreover, brief summary has been given for an advancement on the efficacy of different nanomaterials and composites for the polluted water treatment. A basic examination of the most generally explored nanomaterials is highlighted.

Oxidative stress increases bone loss and limits repair, in part, through immunoregulation and the formation and maintenance of low-grade chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) on (i) macrophage phenotype and cytokine expression under normal and simulated acute and chronic inflammatory conditions and, (ii) human mesenchymal stem cell (hBMSCs) proliferation, osteoinduction and osteogenic differentiation. Spherical particles composed of 60% Ce3+ with a hydrodynamic size of ~35 nm and surface charge of 25.4 mV were internalized within cells. Under both acute and chronic conditions, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity decreased with a significant reduction seen in the 1 and 10 μg/mL groups (p

Hypothesis Broad-spectrum antimicrobials are needed to mitigate the complicated nature of antibiotic-resistant infections. It is imperative to formulate new antimicrobials by combining agents with different mechanisms and broader microbial targets. A combined antimicrobial solution could be a highly critical step towards developing a strategy to prevent polymicrobial infections. Herein, we have investigated the interaction and antimicrobial potential of a solution that contains cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNP) and a nitric oxide (NO) donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). It is hypothesized that these two agents induce synergistic effects and would provide broad antimicrobial effects since CNP is known to be an effective antifungal agent while NO released by SNAP is known to be a potent bactericidal agent. Experiments Different concentrations of SNAP and CNP were combined in a solution and tested for colloidal stability, NO release, mammalian cell cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, accounting for Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi, respectively. Findings SNAP and CNP combined in equimolar solution of 3 mM were found to be highly virulent for all microbes tested compared to higher amounts of the treatments required individually. These results hold a promising outlook toward the development of broad-spectrum antimicrobial coatings and films with the potential to prevent polymicrobial infections and further enhance biomedical device usage and applications.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating pulmonary disease with significant inhospital mortality and is the leading cause of death in COVID-19 patients. Potential therapies remain limited despite advancements in understanding ARDS pathophysiology. Excessive leukocyte recruitment, unregulated inflammation, and resultant fibrosis contribute to poor ARDS outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the potential of the radical scavenging cerium oxide nanoparticle (CNP) conjugated to the anti-inflammatory microRNA-146a (CNP-miR146a) to prevent acute lung injury (ALI) following exposure to bleomycin. We have found that CNP-miR146a can prevent ALI by altering leukocyte recruitment, reducing inflammation, and decreasing collagen deposition, ultimately improving pulmonary biomechanics.

Nanocrystalline cerium oxide (nanoceria) is a rare earth oxide with a complex surface chemistry. This material has seen substantial investigation in recent years in both fundamental and applied studies due largely to more precise characterization of the unique surface structures, which mediate its pronounced redox activity. In particular, oxygen storage/buffering capacities have been thoroughly correlated with synthesis and processing condition effects on other material features such as surface (micro-) faceting, reconstruction, and (extent of) hydration. Key material features such as these modulate nanoceria redox performance by changing the crystal microenvironment. In this review, we present nanoengineering methods, which have produced increased nanoceria performance in biomedical, energy, and catalysis applications. The impact of combined/cooperative theoretical and experimental studies are highlighted throughout.

A room temperature amorphous ferromagnetic oxide semiconductor can substantially reduce the cost and complexity associated with utilizing crystalline materials for spintronic devices. We report a new material (Fe0.66Dy0.24Tb0.1)3O7-x (FDTO), which shows semiconducting behavior with reasonable electrical conductivity (~500 mOhm-cm), an optical band-gap (2.4 eV), and a large enough magnetic moment (~200 emu/cc), all of which can be tuned by varying the oxygen content during deposition. Magnetoelectric devices were made by integrating ultrathin FDTO with multiferroic BiFeO3. A strong enhancement in the magnetic coercive field of FDTO grown on BiFeO3 validated a large exchange coupling between them. Additionally, FDTO served as an excellent top electrode for ferroelectric switching in BiFeO3 with no sign of degradation after ~1010 switching cycles. RT magneto-electric coupling was demonstrated by modulating the resistance states of spin-valve structures using electric fields.

Reliability and durability tests play a key role in the photovoltaic (PV) industry by minimizing potential failure risks for both existing and new cell and module technologies. In this work, a detailed study of contact degradation in monocrystalline and multicrystalline PV modules is performed. The modules are subjected to a sequence of damp heat (DH) exposures followed by electrical characterization after each step. Electroluminescence (EL) imaging shows different darkening patterns for monocrystalline modules compared to multicrystalline modules; the former shows darkening near the busbars and the latter shows it across virtually the entire cell surface. The primary loss mechanism is confirmed to be resistive after comparing the current-voltage (I–V) characteristics at each DH exposure step. Representative samples have been cored out from both the degraded modules and controls for materials characterization to gain further insights into the degradation mechanism. Top-down and cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and top-down high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis performed on the cored samples confirm the degradation is due to metallization corrosion. Our study suggests that the difference in the darkening pattern can most likely be attributed to the different silver paste composition used for contacting each cell technology, particularly the composition of the glass frit.

The authors investigated the role of different size and morphology of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) in cellular uptake and internalization at the nano-bio interface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been utilized to record changes in the membrane elasticity as a function of ceria particle morphology and concentration. Young's Modulus was estimated in presence and absence of CNPs of different sizes by gauging the membrane elasticity of CCL30 (squamous cell carcinoma) cells. Significant change in Young's Modulus was observed for CNP treatments at higher concentrations, while minimum membrane disruption was observed at lower concentrations. Studies using blocking agents specific to energy-dependent cellular internalization pathways indicated passive cellular uptake for smaller CNPs (3-5 nm). Other observations showed that larger CNPs were unable to permeate the cell membrane, which indicates an active uptake mechanism by the cell membrane. The ability of smaller CNPs (3-5 nm) to permeate the cell membrane without energy consumption by uptake pathways suggests potential for use as nanovectors for the delivery of bioactive molecules. Specifically, the passive uptake mechanism allows for the delivery of surface-bound molecules directly to the cytoplasm, avoiding the extreme chemical conditions of endosomal pathways.

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels are the most promising candidate materials for advanced fast breeder reactors of future. They exhibit excellent swelling, corrosion resistance and superior high temperature strength. Fe-18Cr-2W-0.2Ti-(0.3-0.5)Y2O3 (all in wt.%) alloys were prepared by mechanical alloying of elemental powders in Zoz Simoloyer attritor. The mechanical alloyed powders were heated in hydrogen atmosphere at 1423K in a steel can. The can was hot forged in a 100ton friction screw forging press. Increase in yttria content from 0.3 to 0.5wt.% causes a decrease in ultimate tensile strength and ductility. Reasons for this are discussed. Observed properties are related with the microstructure.

The gradual increase of arsenic in aquatic layers over the last decades has necessitated the early detection of low levels of arsenic on real time due to its hazardous impact on health. Here, the mercapto-submicron scavenger was synthesized and utilized for solid-phase dispersion extraction technique for real-time extraction and preconcentration of arsenite As(III). Because of particle size, they naturally dispersed without the need for any additional power. The formation of particles and the achievement of the modification of the particles were confirmed by SEM, TEM, size distributions, CHN analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), zeta potential, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and (EDX) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), which confirmed the formation of particles in the size of 253 ± 34 nm, the chemical implantation of the mercapto groups on the surface was successfully accomplished with a loading of 0.281 mmol g−1. The particles showed proper dispersion and stability in the aqueous phase before and after being associated with As(III). The chelating process between As(III) and mercapto groups was assessed by XPS which confirmed that the mercapto-submicron scavenger can sequestrate As(III) from water with maximum efficiency. Several factors that could optimize the process were assessed such as the effect of sorbent dose, pH, contact time, sample volumes, eluents, and matrix interference. The As(III) calibration curve showed a positive linear correlation in the range of 0–100 μg L−1 and coefficient of determination (r2 = 0.9981). Optimum recovery was obtained with an equilibrium time of 30 min at pH = 8.5. It was found that the release of As(III) from the mercapto-submicron scavenger was eluent dependent and the maximum recovery at the optimum conditions was 98 ± 3%. The average recovery of As(III) from three different ground water locations was 97.15%.

Process development in atomic layer deposition (ALD) is often time-consuming, requiring optimization of saturation curves and temperature windows for controlled deposition rates. Any ALD process should be self-limiting in nature, exhibiting a temperature window of nominal deposition and a linear deposition rate. Meeting these criteria usually requires several ALD experiments, followed by film characterization, which are generally time, cost, and labor-intensive. Against this backdrop, we report a methodology using in situ ellipsometry to rapidly develop the ALD process for cerium oxide using Ce(iPrCp)2(N-iPr-amd) and water. The entire optimized process was realized in ten experiments of sequential pulsing as a function of temperature, requiring less than a day. In the traditional approach, tens of experiments and ex situ characterization may be required. The approach reported here generated a contour visualization of the time-temperature-thickness parameter space delineating the optimal deposition conditions. The cerium oxide deposition rate deposited in the ALD temperature window was ∼0.15 nm/cycle; the deposited film was further characterized using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy to probe the film composition and quality further.

Laboratory and experimental scale manufacturing processes are limited by human error (e.g., poor control over motion and personal subjectivity), especially under fatiguing conditions involving precise, repetitive operations, incurring compounding errors. Commercial layer-by-layer (LbL) automation devices are prohibitively high-priced (especially for academic institutions) with limited flexibility in form factor and potentially software-associated constraints/limitations. In this work, a novel automated multi-beaker dip coater was fabricated to facilitate nano cerium oxide/polymer coatings via an LbL dip coating process and the synthesis of nano ceria films via a novel successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method on a glass substrate. Automation of tasks, such as those mediating the detailed procedures, is essential in producing highly reproducible, consistent products/materials as well as in reducing the time commitments for laboratory researchers. Herein, we detail the construction of a relatively large, yet inexpensive, LbL coating instrument that can operate over 90 cm in the horizontal axis, allowing, for example, up to eight 200 ml beakers with accompanying stir plates. The instrument is operated by simple "off-the-shelf" electronics to control the path and timing of the samples with open-source software while providing precision at ±0.01 mm. Furthermore, 3D-printed components were used to maximize the number of substrates that could be coated simultaneously, further improving the sample production rate and reducing waste. Further possibilities for automation beyond the detailed device are provided and discussed, including software interfaces, physical control methods, and sensors for data collection/analysis or for triggers of automated tasks.

Increased bone loss and risk of fracture are two of the main challenges for cancer patients who undergo ionizing radiation (IR) therapy. This decline in bone quality is in part, caused by the excessive and sustained release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) have proven antioxidant and regenerative properties and the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CeONPs in reducing IR-induced functional damage in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs). hBMSCs were supplemented with CeONPs at a concentration of either 1 or 10 μg/mL 24 h prior to exposure to a single 7 Gy irradiation dose. ROS levels, cellular proliferation, morphology, senescence, DNA damage, p53 expression and autophagy were evaluated as well as alkaline phosphatase, osteogenic protein gene expression and bone matrix deposition following osteogenic differentiation. Results showed that supplementation of CeONPs at a concentration of 1 μg/mL reduced cell senescence and significantly augmented cell autophagy (p = 0.01), osteogenesis and bone matrix deposition2-fold (p = 0.0001) while under normal, non-irradiated culture conditions. Following irradiation, functional damage was attenuated and CeONPs at both 1 or 10 μg/mL significantly reduced ROS levels (p = 0.05 and 0.001 respectively), DNA damage by4-fold (p 0.05) while increasing autophagy3.5-fold and bone matrix deposition 5-fold (p = 0.0001 in both groups). When supplemented with 10 μg/mL, p53 expression increased 3.5-fold (p 0.05). We conclude that cellular uptake of CeONPs offered a significant, multifunctional and protective effect against IR-induced cellular damage while also augmenting osteogenic differentiation and subsequent new bone deposition. The use of CeONPs holds promise as a novel multifunctional therapeutic strategy for irradiation-induced bone loss.

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels are candidates for cladding tubes in fast breeder nuclear reactors. In this study, an 18%Cr ODS ferritic steel was prepared through powder forging route. Elemental powders with a nominal composition of Fe-18Cr-2 W-0.2Ti (composition in wt.%) with 0 and 0.35% yttria were prepared by mechanical alloying in a Simoloyer attritor under argon atmosphere. The alloyed powders were heated in a mild steel can to 1473 K under flowing hydrogen atmosphere. The can was then hot forged. Steps of sealing, degassing and evacuation are eliminated by using powder forging. Heating ODS powder in hydrogen atmosphere ensures good bonding between alloy powders. A dense ODS alloy with an attractive combination of strength and ductility was obtained after re-forging. On testing at 973 K, a loss in ductility was observed in yttria-containing alloy. The strength and ductility increased with increase in strain rate at 973 K. Reasons for this are discussed. The ODS alloy exhibited a recrystallized microstructure which is difficult to achieve by extrusion. No prior particle boundaries were observed after forging. The forged compacts exhibited isotropic mechanical properties. It is suggested that powder forging may offer several advantages over the traditional extrusion/HIP routes for fabrication of ODS alloys.

Arsenic contamination has posed a health risk to millions of people around the world. In this study, we describe a simple and facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis of a ceria-graphene oxide (ceria-GO) composite for the efficient removal of arsenic species. The prepared ceria-GO composite materials exhibited almost complete (over 99.99%) and quick removal of both arsenic species within 0.1 mg L-1 of the initial concentration. The calculated adsorption capacities were 185 mg g-1 for As(iii) and 212 mg g-1 for As(v). It was found that Ce3+ is an active site and continuously adsorbs arsenic species; there is a concomitant change from Ce4+ to Ce3+ due to the solution redox environment. This increase in the Ce3+ concentration further facilitates the complete removal of arsenic species in solution. Thus our approach offers a promising potential for the treatment of arsenic-contaminated drinking water.

The Ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) might induce cellular redox imbalance which plays an important role in the development of skin disorders. Thus, the search for photochemoprotective alternatives with antioxidant efficacy would be a safe aspect towards prevention of skin diseases. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) have antioxidant properties, that are mostly related to CNPs catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like antioxidative mimetic activity. Considering that, we investigated whether CNPs induce photochemoprotection against UVB-induced cellular damages on L929 fibroblasts. Our results showed that CNPs prevented UVB mediated L929 cell oxidative damage by reestablishing the oxidative balance through ameliorating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities.

Diabetics are prone to chronic wounds that have slower healing, and methods of accelerating the wound closure and to ensure protection from infections are critically needed. MicroRNA-146a gets dysregulated in diabetic wounds and injection of this microRNA combined with reactive oxygen species-scavenging cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) can reduce inflammation and improve wound healing; however, a better delivery method than intradermal injections is needed. Here we demonstrate a biomaterial system of zwitterionic cryogels (gels formed below freezing temperatures) laden with CNP-miR146a that are topically applicable, injectable, self-healable, and provide sustained release of the therapeutic molecules. These cryogels are comprised of CBMA or SBMA and HEMA, and do not contain chemical crosslinkers. Properties of the gels can be manipulated by changing monomer type and ratio. These materials have demonstrated efficacy and viability in vivo with a diabetic mouse wound healing model. Overall, these materials have a high potential for application in wound treatments due to their ease of production, antifouling characteristics, durability, topical application, and sustained release mechanics. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work presents the development of zwitterionic cryogels with unique physical properties including injectability and self-healing, that also offer highly sustained release of nanoparticles over time to improve wound healing in a diabetic mouse model. The nanoparticles are made of cerium oxide, which is known to scavenge reactive oxygen species and reduce oxidative stress, and these particles have been further tagged with a microRNA146a that has been shown to reduce inflammation. Zwitterionic materials are known for their superior antifouling properties and good biocompatibility and ability to incorporate bioactive factors. Given these properties, the use of these materials as wound healing dressings would be exciting, yet to date it has been difficult to prolong the release of bioactive factors from them due to their hydrophilicity. Previously we developed zwitterionic cyrogels with very sustained protein release over time, but those materials were quite brittle and difficult to handle. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that by removing the crosslinker molecule from our reaction and polymerizing gels under cryo-conditions, we are able to form zwitterionic cryogels that are injectable, self-healing, and with sustained release profiles. The sustained release of miRNA146a-tagged cerium oxide nanoparticles from these gels is demonstrated to speed up diabetic wound healing time and significantly reduce inflammation.

Nanoceria, typically used for "clean-air" catalytic converter technologies because of its ability to capture, store, and release oxygen, is the same material that has the potential to be used in nanomedicine. Specifically, nanoceria can be used to control oxygen content in cellular environments; as a "nanozyme", nanoceria mimics enzymes by acting as an antioxidant agent. The computational design procedures for predicting active materials for catalytic converters can therefore be used to design active ceria nanozymes. Crucially, the ceria nanomedicine is not a molecule; rather, it is a crystal and exploits its unique crystal properties. Here, we use ab initio and classical computer modeling, together with the experiment, to design structures for nanoceria that maximize its nanozymetic activity. We predict that the optimum nanoparticle shape is either a (truncated) polyhedral or a nanocube to expose (active) CeO 2{100} surfaces. It should also contain oxygen vacancies and surface hydroxyl species. We also show that the surface structures strongly affect the biological activity of nanoceria. Analogous to catalyst poisoning, phosphorus "poisoning", the interaction of nanoceria with phosphate, a common bodily electrolyte, emanates from phosphate ions binding strongly to CeO 2{100} surfaces, inhibiting oxygen capture and release and hence its ability to act as a nanozyme. Conversely, the phosphate interaction with {111} surfaces is weak, and therefore, these surfaces protect the nanozyme against poisoning. The atom-level understanding presented here also illuminates catalytic processes and poisoning in "clean-air" or fuel-cell technologies because the mechanism underpinning and exploited in each technology, oxygen capture, storage, and release, is identical.

Metallic plasma sprayed coatings are widely used in the aerospace industry to repair engine components. However, the inherent defects in coatings limit such repairs and reduce the service life of the parts. In this study, to improve the serviceability and mechanical properties of plasma sprayed coatings, multi-layered graphene oxide (GO) have been introduced as a reinforcement. The novelty of this work lies in the processing of the plasma sprayed, GO-reinforced metallic composite coatings. Commercially available Ni Al powders were used with GO reinforcement, resulting in an increase in the mechanical properties. Retention of the GO was made successful by installing a customized inert argon shroud to prevent the combustion of GO. The HRTEM image confirms a homogenous distribution of GO within the metallic matrix. We report an improvement in hardness and tensile adhesion strength, and a reduction in residual strain and the coefficient of friction. The results presented in this article prove that GO can successfully be retained as an additive in thermal spray coatings and provide opportunities for low-cost manufacturing or repair.

Rare earth oxide (REO) materials are found naturally in earth's crust and at the nanoscale these REO nanoparticles exhibit unique thermal, electrical, and physicochemical properties. REO nanoparticles are widely used in different industrial sectors for ceramics, glass polishing, metallurgy, lasers, and magnets. Recently, some of these REO nanoparticles have been identified for their potential application in medicine, including therapy, imaging, and diagnostics. Concurrent research into the REO nanomaterials' toxicities has also raised concern for their environmental impacts. The correlation of REO nanoparticles mediated toxicity with their physiochemical properties can help to design nanoparticles with minimal effect on the environment and living organisms. In vitro assay revealed toxicity toward Human squamous epithelial cell line (CCL30) and Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) at a concentration of 100 µM and higher. In vivo results showed, with the exception of CeO2 and Gd2 O3 , most of the naoparticles did not clear or had minimum clearance (10-20%) from the system. Elevated levels of alanine transferase were seen for animals given each different nanoparticle, however the increases were not significant for CeO2 and Dy2 O3 . Nephrotoxicity was only seen in case of Dy2 O3 and Gd2 O3 . Lastly, histological examination revealed presence of swollen hepatocytes which further confirms toxicity of the commercial REO nanomaterials. The in vivo toxicity is mainly due to excessive tissue deposition (70-90%) due to the commercial REO nanoparticles' poor physical properties (shape, stability, and extent of agglomeration). Therefore, optimization of nanoparticles physical properties is very important. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 904-917, 2017.

Protecting biological systems and organic materials from high ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a significant issue for engineering materials in both terrestrial and space applications. In this study, the synthesized composites of polystyrene butyl acrylate (PSBA) encapsulated lignin based nanohybrid were evaluated as UV resistant cladding materials for both applications. The UV transmittance of the composite films and their physical, thermal, and chemical degradation after prolonged exposure to high UV radiation (10 Earth days and 30 Mars equivalent days) at low temperatures of 3.4 °C were examined. The results showed that the composite films blocked the UV radiation and there was no significant effect of UV radiation on film integrity, mechanical and thermal properties of the composite films when they were exposed to high intensity UV radiation (132 W/m2) within 24 h. Further, FTIR spectra of the composite films before and after UV radiation demonstrated that the films did not have notable oxidation degradation, although the glass transition temperature was slightly decreased with increased exposure time. Keywords: UV resistance, Lignin nanohybrid, Polystyrene-butyl acrylate, Physical properties, Degradation

Solid propellant is an important material in space exploration. It is also used in the automobile and demolition industries as well as in ejection seats and airbags where precise control of burning rate is crucial. In the present work, a novel multiphase boron nitride (BN) material containing NH2 was synthesized and found to have a large impact on energetic materials. The reaction of the BN material with solid oxidizer ammonium perchlorate (AP) was characterized using DSC/TGA, SEM, XPS, and a high-pressure propellant strand burner. Primary amine groups on the BN material participates in a chemical reaction with the AP crystals causing a dramatic weight loss during low-temperature decomposition which is important for high-precision applications. While the burning rates of propellants containing 0.5% of the micron- and nano-sized BN materials increased by about 30% over the baseline formulation with no BN, similar propellants containing the synthesized BN material decreased the burning rate by as much 25%.

Molybdenum oxide thin films are successfully deposited using spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD), a tool designed for high‐throughput industrial film growth. The structural and optical properties of the film are evaluated using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. To demonstrate the applicability of molybdenum oxide in industrial settings the films are applied as hole‐selective silicon heterojunction contacts for solar cells. When paired with intrinsic amorphous silicon passivation layers, implied open‐circuit voltages of 699 mV are achieved. The carrier transport is unaffected by low‐temperature contact anneals up to 300 °C with contact resistivities of ≈ 10 mO cm2. Finally, the optical performance of silicon solar cells featuring different front hole‐selective heterojunction structures are simulated. It is shown that the generation current density of heterojunction solar cells can be significantly increased with the addition of SALD molybdenum oxide contacts.

Effectively controlling vector mosquito populations while avoiding the development of resistance remains a prevalent and increasing obstacle to integrated vector management. Although, metallic nanoparticles have previously shown promise in controlling larval populations via mechanisms which are less likely to spur resistance, the impacts of such particles on life history traits and fecundity of mosquitoes are understudied. Herein, we investigate the chemically well-defined cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) and silver-doped nanoceria (AgCNPs) for larvicidal potential and effects on life history traits and fecundity of Aedes (Ae.) aegypti mosquitoes. When 3rd instar larvae were exposed to nanoceria in absence of larval food, the mortality count disclosed significant activity of AgCNPs over CNPs (57.8±3.68% and 17.2±2.81% lethality, respectively) and a comparable activity to Ag+ controls (62.8±3.60% lethality). The surviving larvae showed altered life history traits (e.g., reduced egg hatch proportion and varied sex ratios), indicating activities of these nanoceria beyond just that of a larvicide. In a separate set of experiments, impacts on oocyte growth and egg generation resulting from nanoceria-laced blood meals were studied using confocal fluorescence microscopy revealing oocytes growth-arrest at 16-24h after feeding with AgCNP-blood meals in some mosquitoes, thereby significantly reducing average egg clutch. AgCNPs caused ~60% mortality in 3rd instar larvae when larval food was absent, while CNPs yielded only ~20% mortality which contrasts with a previous report on green-synthesized nanoceria and highlights the level of detail required to accurately report and interpret such studies. Additionally, AgCNPs are estimated to contain much less silver (0.22 parts per billion, ppb) than the amount of Ag+ needed to achieve comparable larvicidal activity (2.7 parts per million, ppm), potentially making these nanoceria ecofriendly. Finally, this work is the first study to demonstrate the until-now-unappreciated impacts of nanoceria on life history traits and interference with mosquito egg development., Author summary Viral diseases like Zika and dengue fevers that are vectored by mosquitoes cause illness and death in populations worldwide. Chemical pesticides are the frontline tools used to control mosquitoes, however, development of resistance by the vectors to these agents overtime ultimately reduces effectiveness. Hence, the development of new pesticides that do not spur the development of resistance is of paramount importance. We therefore developed and characterized various types of well-defined cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) and studied the impacts on Aedes (Ae.) aegypti mosquitoes resulting from exposure to these novel agents. We found that nanoceria not only have larvicidal potential, but also alter the life history traits (e.g., reduced egg hatch proportion and altered sex ratio) of the subsequent adult mosquitoes exposed to these nanoparticles during the larval stage. One of the most interesting and important findings of our study is that exposure of female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to nanoceria via blood meals significantly reduced egg clutches apparently via arresting oocyte growth, thereby interfering with the ultimate development and production of eggs. Thus, this study reveals until-now-unappreciated impacts of nanoceria exposure on Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and helps inform how these kinds of agents can be potentially deployed in control strategies.

This work provides an alternate unique simple methodology to design and synthesize chemically modified nanophotocatalyst based on high surface area TiO2 nanoparticles that can be used efficiently for the photodegradation of organic pollutants under normal visible light rather than complicated UV irradiation. In this study, dual visible light and UV-driven nanophotocatalysts were synthesized via wet chemistry procedures using high surface area TiO2 nanoparticles functionalized with (3-Aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane and attached chemically to the CuXO to improve the charge separation and maintain the non-charge recombination. The successful modification of the TiO2 nanoparticles and the formation of the TiO2-NH2-CuxO nanophotocatalyst were confirmed using different characterization techniques, and the results revealed the synthesis of high surface area TiO2 nanoparticles, and their chemical modification with an amino group and further decoration with copper to produce TiO2-NH2-CuxO nanophotocatalyst. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and TiO2-NH2-CuxO nanophotocatalyst were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) dye, as an example of organic pollutants. The resulting TiO2-NH2-CuxO nanophotocatalyst exhibited superior photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB dye under visible light irradiation, due to the reduction in the energy bandgap. The degradation of the MB dye using the TiO2-NH2-CuxO nanophotocatalyst was investigated using LC-MS, and the results revealed that the hydroxyl free radical is mainly responsible for the cleavage and the degradation of the MB dye.

Output facet temperatures of an uncoated high power continuous-wave quantum cascade laser (QCL) emitting at 8.5 μm were measured by using micro-Raman thermometry. The rate of the measured temperature changes with the injected electrical power increased from 6.5 K/W below the laser threshold to 12.3 K/W above the threshold. In addition, the measured temperature rise exceeded 220 K at an optical power of 0.9 W, well above the model projections based only on Joule heating. Facet oxidation was characterized via x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements at incremental etch depths. While the oxidation reactions of InP and Ga were observed only at the surface level, the measured penetration of native Al2O3 was ∼24 nm. COMSOL thermal modeling demonstrated that light reabsorption by the native Al2O3 layer could well explain the additional temperature rise above the threshold. These results suggest that facet oxidation must be addressed to ensure the reliability of high-power long wave infrared QCLs.

Nanoscale cerium oxide surface chemistry has been studied intensively due to its pronounced activity in various catalytic applications. The material’s surface reactivity is generally attributed to oxygen vacancy density and the facile inter-conversion between Ce3+ and Ce4+ redox states. However, experimental and theoretical investigations suggest a more intricate surface chemistry. In this study, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) were modified with high-valence oxo-anions to modulate surface electronic structure and chemical interactions with medically-relevant analytes. Changes to the surface chemical environment were assessed via x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) (e.g. binding energy shifts; peak number and character), while charge transfer properties were characterized through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and circuit fitting (following ligand@particle electrophoretic deposition in dH2O onto glassy carbon electrodes, GCE). Further, the influence of vacancy density and ligand interaction was characterized via doping Sm3+ into CNPs in varying dopant fractions (0-15 mol%; oxygen vacancy concentration increases linearly with Sm3+ concentration). From here, ligand@CNP-modified GCEs were assessed for amperometric (via chronoamperometry) and voltametric (via square-wave voltammetry) sensitivity towards catechols, ascorbic acid, and glucose in phosphate buffered saline. Time of response and selectivity (in presence of structural chemical analogues) were also assessed in similar conditions. Relative sensitivities/performances were analyzed and compared in relation to XPS and electroanalysis trends/characters for future design of optimized biosensor platforms.

Nano cerium oxide (CeO2) is a promising supercapacitor material, but the effect of morphology on charge storage capacity remains elusive. To determine this effect, three different morphologies, nanorods, cubes, and particles are synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal process. Electrochemical evaluation through cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge techniques reveals specific capacitance to be strongly dependent on the nanostructure morphology. The highest specific capacitance in nanorods (162.47 F g?1) is due to the substantially larger surface area relative to the other two morphologies and the predominant exposure of the highly reactive {110} and {100} planes. At comparable surface areas, exposed crystal planes exhibit a profound effect on charge storage. The exposure of highly reactive {100} planes in nanocubes induce a greater specific capacitance compared to nanoparticles, which are dominated by the less reactive {111} facets. The experimental findings are supported by reactivity maps of the nanostructures generated by molecular dynamics simulations. This study indicates that supercapacitors with higher charge storage can be designed through a nanostructure morphology selection strategy.