Dataset Information

Liquid Crystalline Network Composites Reinforced by Silica Nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT: Liquid crystalline networks (LCNs) are a class of polymers, which are able to produce mechanical actuation in response to external stimuli. Recent creation of LCNs with exchangeable links (xLCNs) makes LCNs easy moldable. As the xLCNs need to be shaped at a high temperature, it is important to enhance their thermal and mechanical properties. In this paper, a series of xLCNs/SiO? composites containing 1%-7% SiO? nanoparitcles (SNP) were prepared and their thermal and mechanical properties were examined. The results show that xLCNs/SNP composites have lower liquid crystalline-isotropic phase transition temperature and higher decomposition temperature than pure LCN. The tensile strength and the elongation at break of xLCNs at high temperatures were also enhanced due to the addition of SNPs.

SUBMITTER: Li Z

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5455816 | biostudies-other | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Liquid Crystalline Network Composites Reinforced by Silica Nanoparticles.

Li Zhen Z Yang Yang Y Qin Benye B Zhang Xiaoyong X Tao Lei L Wei Yen Y Ji Yan Y

Materials (Basel, Switzerland) 20140722 7

Liquid crystalline networks (LCNs) are a class of polymers, which are able to produce mechanical actuation in response to external stimuli. Recent creation of LCNs with exchangeable links (xLCNs) makes LCNs easy moldable. As the xLCNs need to be shaped at a high temperature, it is important to enhance their thermal and mechanical properties. In this paper, a series of xLCNs/SiO₂ composites containing 1%-7% SiO₂ nanoparitcles (SNP) were prepared and their thermal and mechanical properties were ex ...[more]

PMID: 28788132

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Project description:BackgroundRespirable crystalline silica (silicon dioxide; SiO?, quartz) particles are known to induce chronic inflammation and lung disease upon long-term inhalation, whereas non-crystalline (amorphous) SiO? particles in the submicrometre range are regarded as less harmful. Several reports have demonstrated that crystalline, but also non-crystalline silica particles induce IL-1? release from macrophages via the NALP3-inflammasome complex (caspase-1, ASC and NALP3) in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from bacteria. Our aim was to study the potential of different non-crystalline SiO? particles from the nano- to submicro-sized range to activate IL-1? responses in LPS-primed RAW264.7 macrophages and primary rat lung macrophages. The role of the NALP3-inflammasome and up-stream mechanisms was further explored in RAW264.7 cells.ResultsIn the present study, we have shown that 6 h exposure to non-crystalline SiO? particles in nano- (SiNPs, 5-20 nm, 50 nm) and submicro-sizes induced strong IL-1? responses in LPS-primed mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) and primary rat lung macrophages. The primary lung macrophages were more sensitive to Si-exposure than the RAW-macrophages, and responded more strongly. In the lung macrophages, crystalline silica (MinUsil 5) induced IL-1? release more potently than the non-crystalline Si50 and Si500, when adjusted to surface area. This difference was much less pronounced versus fumed SiNPs. The caspase-1 inhibitor zYVAD and RNA silencing of the NALP3 receptor reduced the particle-induced IL-1? release in the RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, inhibitors of phagocytosis, endosomal acidification, and cathepsin B activity reduced the IL-1? responses to the different particles to a similar extent.ConclusionsIn conclusion, non-crystalline silica particles in the nano- and submicro-size ranges seemed to induce IL-1? release from LPS-primed RAW264.7 macrophages via similar mechanisms as crystalline silica, involving particle uptake, phagosomal leakage and activation of the NALP3 inflammasome. Notably, rat primary lung macrophages were more sensitive with respect to silica-induced IL-1? release. The differential response patterns obtained suggest that silica-induced IL-1? responses not only depend on the particle surface area, but on factors and/or mechanisms such as particle reactivity or particle uptake. These findings may suggest that bacterial infection via LPS may augment acute inflammatory effects of non-crystalline as well as crystalline silica particles.

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Liquid Crystalline Network Composites Reinforced by Silica Nanoparticles.

Publications

Liquid Crystalline Network Composites Reinforced by Silica Nanoparticles.

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