Long-cycling and High-voltage Solid State Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Fluorinated and Crosslinked Polyether Electrolytes

Solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs), constructed through the in situ fabrication of polymer electrolytes, are considered a critical strategy for the next-generation battery systems with high energy density and enhanced safety. However, the constrained oxidation stability of polymers, such as the extensively utilized polyethers, limits their applications in high-voltage batteries and further energy density improvements. Herein, an in situ fabricated fluorinated and crosslinked polyether-based gel polymer electrolyte, FGPE, is presented, exhibiting a high oxidation potential (5.1 V). The fluorinated polyether significantly improves compatibility with both lithium metal and high-voltage cathode, attributed to the electron-withdrawing -CF3 group and the generated LiF-rich electrolyte/electrode interphase. Consequently, the solid-state Li||LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 batteries employing FGPE demonstrate exceptional cycling performances of 1000 cycles with 78 % retention, representing one of the best results ever reported for polymer electrolytes. Moreover, FGPE enables batteries to operate at 4.7 V, realizing the highest operating voltage of polyether-based batteries to date. Notably, our designed in situ FGPE provides the solid-state batteries with exceptional cycling stability even at practical conditions, including high cathode loading (21 mg cm-2) and industry-level 18650-type cylindrical cells (1.3 Ah, 500 cycles). This work provides critical insights into the development of oxidation-stable polymer electrolytes and the advancement of practical high-voltage LMBs.

Overview of Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery Applications of Reactive Electrospinning and Crosslinking Techniques of Polymeric Nanofibers with Highlights on Their Biocompatibility Testing and Regulatory Aspects

Traditional electrospinning is a promising technique for fabricating nanofibers for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. The method is highly efficient in producing nanofibers with morphology and porosity similar to the extracellular matrix. Nonetheless, and in many instances, the process has faced several limitations, including weak mechanical strength, large diameter distributions, and scaling-up difficulties of its fabricated electrospun nanofibers. The constraints of the polymer solution's intrinsic properties are primarily responsible for these limitations. Reactive electrospinning constitutes a novel and modified electrospinning techniques developed to overcome those challenges and improve the properties of the fabricated fibers intended for various biomedical applications. This review mainly addresses reactive electrospinning techniques, a relatively new approach for making in situ or post-crosslinked nanofibers. It provides an overview of and discusses the recent literature about chemical and photoreactive electrospinning, their various techniques, their biomedical applications, and FDA regulatory aspects related to their approval and marketing. Another aspect highlighted in this review is the use of crosslinking and reactive electrospinning techniques to enhance the fabricated nanofibers' physicochemical and mechanical properties and make them more biocompatible and tailored for advanced intelligent drug delivery and tissue engineering applications.

Injectable In Situ Crosslinking Hydrogel for Autologous Fat Grafting

Autologous fat grafting is hampered by unpredictable outcomes due to high tissue resorption. Hydrogels based on enzymatically pretreated tunicate nanocellulose (ETC) and alginate (ALG) are biocompatible, safe, and present physiochemical properties capable of promoting cell survival. Here, we compared in situ and ex situ crosslinking of ETC/ALG hydrogels combined with lipoaspirate human adipose tissue (LAT) to generate an injectable formulation capable of retaining dimensional stability in vivo. We performed in situ crosslinking using two different approaches; inducing Ca2+ release from CaCO3 microparticles (CMPs) and physiologically available Ca2+ in vivo. Additionally, we generated ex situ-crosslinked, 3D-bioprinted hydrogel-fat grafts. We found that in vitro optimization generated a CMP-crosslinking system with comparable stiffness to ex situ-crosslinked gels. Comparison of outcomes following in vivo injection of each respective crosslinked hydrogel revealed that after 30 days, in situ crosslinking generated fat grafts with less shape retention than 3D-bioprinted constructs that had undergone ex situ crosslinking. However, CMP addition improved fat-cell distribution and cell survival relative to grafts dependent on physiological Ca2+ alone. These findings suggested that in situ crosslinking using CMP might promote the dimensional stability of injectable fat-hydrogel grafts, although 3D bioprinting with ex situ crosslinking more effectively ensured proper shape stability in vivo.

3D bioprinting of tyramine modified hydrogels under visible light for osteochondral interface

Recent advancements in tissue engineering have demonstrated a great potential for the fabrication of three-dimensional tissue structures such as cartilage and bone. However, achieving structural integrity between different tissues and fabricating tissue interfaces are still great challenges. In this study, an in situ crosslinked hybrid, multi-material three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting approach was used for the fabrication of hydrogel structures based on an aspiration-extrusion microcapillary method. Different cell-laden hydrogels were aspirated in the same microcapillary glass and deposited in the desired geometrical and volumetric arrangement directly from a computer model. Alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were modified with tyramine to enhance cell bioactivity and mechanical properties of human bone marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hBMSC)-laden bioinks. Hydrogels were prepared for extrusion by gelling in microcapillary glass utilizing an in situ crosslink approach with ruthenium (Ru) and sodium persulfate (SPS) photo-initiating mechanisms under visible light. The developed bioinks were then bioprinted in precise gradient composition for cartilage-bone tissue interface using microcapillary bioprinting technique. The biofabricated constructs were co-cultured in chondrogenic/osteogenic culture media for three weeks. After cell viability and morphology evaluations of the bioprinted structures, biochemical and histological analyses, and a gene expression analysis for the bioprinted structure were carried out. Analysis of cartilage and bone formation based on cell alignment and histological evaluation indicated that mechanical cues in conjunction with chemical cues successfully induced MSC differentiation into chondrogenic and osteogenic tissues with a controlled interface.

Characterization and Optimization of Injectable in situ Crosslinked Chitosan-Genipin Hydrogels

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in injectable, in situ crosslinking hydrogels due to their minimally invasive application and ability to conform to their environment. Current in situ crosslinking chitosan hydrogels are either mechanically robust with poor biocompatibility and limited biodegradation due to toxic crosslinking agents or the hydrogels are mechanically weak and undergo biodegradation too rapidly due to insufficient crosslinking. Herein, we developed and characterized a thermally-driven, injectable chitosan-genipin hydrogel capable of in situ crosslinking at 37°C that is mechanically robust, biodegradable, and maintained high biocompatibility. The natural crosslinker genipin was utilized as a thermally-driven, non-toxic crosslinking agent. The chitosan-genipin hydrogel's crosslinking kinetics, injectability, viscoelasticity, swelling and pH response, and biocompatibility against human keratinocyte cells were characterized. The developed chitosan-genipin hydrogels were successfully crosslinked at 37°C, demonstrating temperature sensitivity. The hydrogels maintained a high percentage of swelling over several weeks before degrading in biologically relevant environments, demonstrating mechanical stability while remaining biodegradable. Long-term cell viability studies demonstrated the chitosan-genipin hydrogels have excellent biocompatibility over 7-days, including during the hydrogel crosslinking phase. Overall, our findings support the development of an injectable, in situ crosslinking chitosan-genipin hydrogel for minimally invasive biomedical applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Crosslinkable and Chelatable Organic Ligand Enables Interfaces and Grains Collaborative Passivation for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

The organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cell (PerSC) is the state-of-the-art emerging photovoltaic technology. However, the environmental water/moisture and temperature-induced intrinsic degradation and phase transition of perovskite greatly retard the commercialization process. Herein, a dual-functional organic ligand, 4,7-bis((4-vinylbenzyl)oxy)-1,10-phenanthroline (namely, C1), with crosslinkable styrene side-chains and chelatable phenanthroline backbone, synthesized via a cost-effective Williamson reaction, is introduced for collaborative electrode interface and perovskite grain boundaries (GBs) engineering. C1 can chemically chelate with Sn⁴⁺ in the SnO₂ electron transport layer and Pb²⁺ in the perovskite layer via coordination bonds, suppressing nonradiative recombination caused by traps/defects existing at the interface and GBs. Meanwhile, C1 enables in situ crosslinking via thermal-initiated polymerization to form a hydrophobic and stable polymer network, freezing perovskite morphology, and resisting moisture degradation. Consequently, through collaborative interface-grain engineering, the resulting PerSCs demonstrate high power conversion efficiency of 24.31% with excellent water/moisture and thermal stability. The findings provide new insights of collaborative interface-grain engineering via a crosslinkable and chelatable organic ligand for achieving efficient and stable PerSCs.

The effect of modifying the nanostructure of gelatin fiber scaffolds on early angiogenesisin vitroandin vivo

Early angiogenesis is one of the key challenges in tissue regeneration. Crosslinking mode and fiber diameter are critical factors to affect the adhesion and proliferation of cells. However, whether and how these two factors affect early angiogenesis remain largely unknown. To address the issue, the optimal crosslinking mode and fiber diameter of gelatin fiber membrane for early angiogenesisin vivoandin vitrowere explored in this work. Compared with the post crosslinked gelatin fiber membrane with the same fiber diameter, the 700 nm diameterin situcrosslinked gelatin fiber membrane was found to have smaller roughness (230.67 ± 19 nm) and stronger hydrophilicity (54.77° ± 1.2°), which were suitable for cell growth and adhesion. Moreover, thein situcrosslinked gelatin fiber membrane with a fiber diameter of 1000 nm had significant advantages in early angiogenesis over the two with fiber diameters of 500 and 700 nm by up-regulating the expression of Ang1, VEGF, and integrin-β1. Our findings indicated that thein situcrosslinked gelatin fiber membrane with a diameter of 1000 nm might solve the problem of insufficient blood supply in the early stage of soft tissue regeneration and has broad clinical application prospects in promoting tissue regeneration.

Zn2+-Imidazole Coordination Crosslinks for Elastic Polymeric Binders in High-Capacity Silicon Electrodes

Recent research has built a consensus that the binder plays a key role in the performance of high-capacity silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries. These anodes necessitate the use of a binder to maintain the electrode integrity during the immense volume change of silicon during cycling. Here, Zn2+-imidazole coordination crosslinks that are formed to carboxymethyl cellulose backbones in situ during electrode fabrication are reported. The recoverable nature of Zn2+-imidazole coordination bonds and the flexibility of the poly(ethylene glycol) chains are jointly responsible for the high elasticity of the binder network. The high elasticity tightens interparticle contacts and sustains the electrode integrity, both of which are beneficial for long-term cyclability. These electrodes, with their commercial levels of areal capacities, exhibit superior cycle life in full-cells paired with LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 cathodes. The present study underlines the importance of highly reversible metal ion-ligand coordination chemistries for binders intended for high capacity alloying-based electrodes.

In Situ Crosslinkable Gelatin Hydrogels for Vasculogenic Induction and Delivery of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Clinical trials utilizing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for severe vascular diseases have highlighted the need to effectively engraft cells and promote pro-angiogenic activity. A functional material accomplishing these two goals is an ideal solution as spatiotemporal and batch-to-batch variability in classical therapeutic delivery can be minimized, and tissue regeneration would begin rapidly at the implantation site. Gelatin may serve as a promising biomaterial due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-immuno/antigenicity. However, the dissolution of gelatin at body temperature and quick enzymatic degradation in vivo have limited its use thus far. To overcome these challenges, an injectable, in situ crosslinkable gelatin was developed by conjugating enzymatically-crosslinkable hydroxyphenyl propionic acid (GHPA). When MSCs are cultured in 3D in vitro or injected in vivo in GHPA, spontaneous endothelial differentiation occurs, as evidenced by marked increases in endothlelial cell marker expressions (Flk1, Tie2, ANGPT1, vWF) in addition to forming an extensive perfusable vascular network after 2-week subcutaneous implantation. Additionally, favorable host macrophage response is achieved with GHPA as shown by decreased iNOS and increased MRC1 expression. These results indicate GHPA as a promising soluble factor-free cell delivery template which induces endothelial differentiation of MSCs with robust neovasculature formation and favorable host response.

An in situ crosslinked compression coat comprised of pectin and calcium chloride for colon-specific delivery of indomethacin

The use of pectin for colon-specific drug delivery has been extensively investigated; however, when used alone, pectin is often compromised due to its high solubility. This study explored the feasibility of using an in situ compression-coated crosslinking system, composed of pectin and calcium chloride, for colon-specific drug delivery. A pectin/calcium chloride (P/Ca) coating was compressed onto a core tablet. The colon specificity of the compression-coated tablet was verified by dissolution, pharmacokinetics and scintigraphy with (99m)Tc labeling. The in situ pectin and calcium chloride gel slowed the release of indomethacin. The lag time varied between 3 h and 7 h depending on the amount of calcium chloride and the coating weight. Pectinase triggered the release of indomethacin from the compression-coated tablet, which was then accelerated by the calcium chloride in the coating layer. The compression-coated tablet had a prolonged tmax and apparent t1/2, as well as a decreased Cmax and AUC0-t, compared with the core tablet counterpart. Evaluation with γ-scintigraphy verified colon-specific delivery of the compression-coated tablet. In conclusion, the P/Ca in situ crosslinking system worked well for colon-specific drug delivery.

Superporous hybrid hydrogels based on polyacrylamide and chitosan: Characterization and in vitro drug release

OBJECTIVE

Current research was aimed at the development of the drug delivery systems based on the superporous hydrogels (SPH) with the desired swelling and the mechanical properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Superporous hydrogel composites (SPHCs) and superporous hybrid hydrogels (SPHHs) based on the chitosan and the polyacrylamide were synthesized using the gas blowing technique. The prepared hydrogels were evaluated for swelling studies, mechanical strength and scanning electron microscopy. The selected hydrogels were loaded with the drug (verapamil hydrochloride) by aqueous loading method. Drug integrity with in polymeric network was evaluated via fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (X-RD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)HNMR) studies. In vitro drug release studies were carried out using the united state pharmacopoeial (USP) dissolution apparatus (type II).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The mechanical strength was observed to be higher in SPH hybrids in comparison to that in SPHCs while no significant difference was observed in swelling behavior. In situ crosslinking of chitosan with glutaraldehyde (GA) may be responsible for high mechanical strength. The equilibrium swelling time was slight higher in SPHH than in SPHCs. The integrity of pores was maintained in ethanol treated hydrogels as observed in scanning electron micrographs. Whereas, freeze dried SPH samples showed non-uniform pores. No drug polymer interaction was observed as indicated by DSC, FTIR, X-RD and NMR studies. However, the crosslinking of chitosan with GA was clearly indicated by these studies. The in vitro drug release studies from SPH hybrids indicated initial fast release (65%) with in first 2 h and then sustained release at the end of 24 h (95%). The addition of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose with drug; however, leads to a significant decrease in drug release (56% at the end of 24 h).

CONCLUSION

Superporous hybrid hydrogels can be promising devices for the sustained delivery of drug candidates to the gastrointestinal region.

Prevention of peritendinous adhesions using a hyaluronan-derived hydrogel film following partial-thickness flexor tendon injury

Peritendinous adhesions are an important complication of flexor tendon injury. Three hyaluronan (HA)-derived biomaterials were evaluated for the reduction of peritendinous adhesions following partial-thickness tendon injury in rabbits. Rabbits (n = 24) were divided into three groups (n = 8 per group), which were used for gross evaluation, histologic assessment, or biomechanical testing. The fourth and third toes from both hindpaws of each rabbit were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (i) untreated control, (ii) Seprafilm, (iii) Carbylan-SX in situ crosslinked hydrogel, and (iv) preformed Carbylan-SX film. Rabbits were sacrificed at 3 weeks postsurgery and evaluated anatomically, histologically, and mechanically. All materials used reduced adhesions relative to untreated controls for all three evaluations. Both the gross anatomic and histologic results revealed that Carbylan-SX film was statistically superior to Seprafilm and Carbylan-SX gel in preventing tendon adhesion formation. In biomechanical tests, the Carbylan-SX film-treated hindpaws required the least force to pull the tendon from the sheath. This force was statistically indistinguishable from that required to extrude an unoperated tendon (n = 8). Carbylan-SX gel was less effective than Carbylan-SX film but superior to Seprafilm for all evaluations. A crosslinked HA-derived film promoted healing of a flexor tendon injury without the formation of fibrosis at 3 weeks postoperatively.