Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Haseeb Iqbal, Faratiana Jeanne Rosine Revana, Emeline Pradel, Varvara Gribova, Kamel Mamchaoui, Catherine Coirault, Florent Meyer, Fouzia Boulmedais
Summary: The engineering of skeletal muscle tissue is a promising approach for the treatment of muscle injuries and diseases. In this study, a hydrogen-bonded nanofilm was developed using a brushing method to promote muscle tissue development. The nanofilm successfully guided the alignment and differentiation of muscle cells, resulting in the formation of aligned myofibers.
Article
Polymer Science
Carolin Naas, Ulrich Scheler, Uwe Lappan
Summary: The growth and mobility of polyelectrolyte multilayers can be influenced by adjusting the pH value during preparation. Changes in pH lead to non-linear growth behavior and affect the formation and properties of the multilayers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gregorio Laucirica, Yamili Toum Terrones, Michael F. P. Wagner, Vanina M. Cayon, Maria Lorena Cortez, Maria Eugenia Toimil-Molares, Christina Trautmann, Waldemar Marmisolle, Omar Azzaroni
Summary: Nanofluidic channels, called nanofluidic field effect transistors (nFETs), can modulate ionic transport by using an external voltage. In this study, the actuation range of nFETs was extended by using the supporting electrolyte as a chemical effector. By changing the electrolyte nature, different ion transport regimes were set, and the rectification efficiency was controlled by the gate voltage.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Moritz A. Junker, Esra te Brinke, Clara M. Vall Compte, Rob G. H. Lammertink, Joris de Grooth, Wiebe M. de Vos
Summary: Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) show promise as selective layers in nanofiltration (NF) due to their simplicity, controlled layer thickness, and versatility. Combining two different PEMs in an asymmetric structure allows further optimization. This study combines experimental filtration and theoretical models to describe the effective structure of an asymmetric PEM made of PAH/PSS and PAH/PAA. The obtained membrane properties suggest a distinct layer structure, and there is a fundamental difference in the retention of salt and polyethylene glycol molecules, attributed to different exclusion mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Charlotte Roupie, Beatrice Labat, Sandrine Morin-Grognet, Pascal Thebault, Guy Ladam
Summary: In order to prevent infections and alterations of medical devices, coatings with antiadhesive properties and antibacterial activity were developed. These coatings, composed of biocompatible polyelectrolytes and crosslinked with a natural agent, showed enhanced stability and strong antibacterial effects through immobilizing antimicrobial peptides.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Raul Cazorla-Luna, Araceli Martin-Illana, Fernando Notario-Perez, Roberto Ruiz-Caro, Maria-Dolores Veiga
Summary: Biopolymers have advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and adhesion to biological tissues. Polyelectrolytes formed by combining with opposite charges can be used to develop mucoadhesive dosage forms with the potential to enhance drug delivery.
Article
Polymer Science
Biswa P. Das, Marina Tsianou
Summary: Multilayer thin film assembly by the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique is an inexpensive and versatile route for the synthesis of functional nanomaterials. This study achieves exponential growth in clay-containing polyelectrolyte films with high clay loading and tailored properties by incorporating a weak polyelectrolyte and a clay with high charge density and small particle size. The findings include novel pathways to manipulate film characteristics. The presented strategy can lead to novel approaches to fabricate tailor-made nanomaterials for distinct applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhifei Yan, Jeremy L. Hitt, Zichen Zeng, Michael A. Hickner, Thomas E. Mallouk
Summary: This study investigates the effects of local environments on ionic flows in membrane electrolysers, and demonstrates the measurement and manipulation of local pH to improve CO₂ reduction efficiency.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Florian Billing, Bernadette Walter, Simon Fink, Elsa Arefaine, Luisa Pickarski, Sandra Maier, Robin Kretz, Meike Jakobi, Nora Feuerer, Nicole Schneiderhan-Marra, Claus Burkhardt, Markus Templin, Anne Zeck, Rumen Krastev, Hanna Hartmann, Christopher Shipp
Summary: This study investigated the impact of changes in surface wettability on protein adsorption and immune response by developing polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings with different surface properties. The results showed that a more hydrophobic coating led to a stronger inflammatory response, while a more hydrophilic coating resulted in a milder immune response. Analysis of protein adsorption patterns and cytokine production provided insights into the interplay between material properties and immune responses, which could guide the rational design of biomaterials.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Konstantinos T. Kotoulas, Jack Campbell, Andre G. Skirtach, Dmitry Volodkin, Anna Vikulina
Summary: The coating of particles or decomposable cores with polyelectrolytes via Layer-by-Layer assembly creates free-standing functional particles. However, previous literature lacks discussion on how these particles immobilize onto solid surfaces. This review evaluates examples of immobilized LbL-assembled particles, examining the forces and factors that influence immobilization and proposing a fundamental theory for immobilization pathways.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Swagata Mondal, Jacob J. Lessard, Chhuttan L. Meena, Gangadhar J. Sanjayan, Brent S. Sumerlin
Summary: This study demonstrates the construction of supramolecular polymer networks with cooperative hydrogen bonding cross-links to address the reprocessability and recyclability issues of thermoset materials. The cooperative interactions of multiple hydrogen bonding faces provide excellent network stability and predictable flow behavior.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Elif Nur Durmaz, Sevil Sahin, Ettore Virga, Sissi de Beer, Louis C. P. M. de Smet, Wiebe M. de Vos
Summary: Advanced membranes with functionalities beyond standard separation properties, such as stimuli-responsiveness, fouling control, stability, specific selectivity, sustainability, and antimicrobial activity, can play a key role in addressing global challenges such as climate change and water scarcity. Polyelectrolytes and their complexes show great promise in providing advanced membrane properties, offering a sustainable and versatile approach to membrane fabrication. This review highlights the potential of polyelectrolytes and their complexes for next-generation membranes with advanced properties, providing insight into the future of this field.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Daniel F. Kienle, Daniel K. Schwartz
Summary: In this study, the diffusion of small charged molecules in anisotropic polyelectrolyte multilayers was tracked in three dimensions using single-molecule fluorescence localization and Forster resonance energy transfer. The results showed a significantly slower diffusion in the surface-normal direction compared to lateral diffusion, which was hypothesized to be related to the periodic distribution of charge in the multilayer.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
K. Singh, S. Sahin, J. G. Gamaethiralalage, Rafael L. Zornitta, L. C. P. M. de Smet
Summary: Selective ion separation using capacitive deionization (CDI) has significant environmental and industrial applications in water purification, heavy metal removal, and resource recovery. This study presents a novel approach using specific electrode and membrane materials for the simultaneous and selective separation of monovalent and divalent ions. Experimental results demonstrate the preferential adsorption and rejection of different ions by the modified membrane and electrodes, respectively, providing a new avenue for efficient separation of complex ion mixtures.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wen Zhang, Lingxiang Lu, Wendy Zhang, Yi Wang, Skyler D. Ware, Jose Mondragon, Jonas Rein, Neil Strotman, Dan Lehnherr, Kimberly A. See, Song Lin
Summary: Recent research in medicinal chemistry has found a correlation between an increase in sp(3) carbons in drug candidates and their improved success rate in clinical trials. This study focuses on the development of robust and selective methods for constructing carbon(sp(3))-carbon(sp(3)) bonds. By using electrochemistry, the researchers achieve the selective activation of alkyl halides based on their electronic and steric properties, allowing for high selectivity in carbon(sp(3))-carbon(sp(3)) cross-electrophile coupling. This new protocol shows improved chemoselectivity and does not require a transition metal catalyst.
