Article
Chemistry, Physical
Iosif Sorin Fazakas-Anca, Arina Modrea, Sorin Vlase
Summary: This paper describes an improved method for calculating reactivity ratios using the neuronal networks optimization algorithm, gradient descent. The new calculation method shows better results compared to existing methods when evaluating reactivity ratios at different levels of conversion.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hiroaki Taniwaki, Hiromasa Kaneko
Summary: In this study, the dielectric constant and glass transition temperature properties were used for polymer designing via quantitative structure-property relationship models. By constructing regression models with appropriate methods and descriptors, accurate prediction models for DC and Tg were developed. The proposed method successfully selected promising monomer structures and composition ratios for the desired properties of polymers.
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Poovathungal Abdulrahman Jeemol, Suresh Mathew, Chethrappilly Padmanabhan Reghunadhan Nair
Summary: The free radical copolymerization of nadic anhydride and styrene was investigated for the first time, revealing a good copolymerizability between the two monomers. Based on the reactivity ratio, the probability for formation of sequences of nadic anhydride in its copolymer with styrene was computed for a few compositions.
POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jun Hu, Kunyan Lu, Chuan Gu, Xingyu Heng, Fangjian Shan, Gaojian Chen
Summary: The search for novel fluorescent materials has attracted the attention of many researchers. In recent years, nonconventional fluorescence emitters have been developed as promising bioimaging candidates due to their enhanced biodegradability and relatively low cost, and their luminescent mechanism is similar to clustering-triggered emission (CTE). Our contribution involves the preparation of a series of glycopolymers with designed components using nonaromatic sugar as a monomer through sunlight-induced reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, which can be utilized in bioimaging fields due to their bioactivity and CTE capacity.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Masanori Nagao, Hikaru Matsumoto, Yoshiko Miura
Summary: Carbohydrates interact with corresponding lectins to participate in life activities. The binding between lectins and glycoconjugates on cell surfaces controls pathogen infection and cell activity regulation. Understanding the interactions of glycoconjugates has led to the development of therapeutic and preventive methods for infectious diseases. Glycopolymer, a class of materials containing multiple carbohydrates, allows for tuning of properties through molecular design. This review focuses on the design of glycopolymers over the past decade, aiming to develop inhibitors against pathogens and manipulators of cellular functions.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Iosif Sorin Fazakas-Anca, Arina Modrea, Sorin Vlase
Summary: This paper introduces a new method for calculating monomer reactivity ratios for binary copolymerization, which has been tested and shown to yield good results at different conversion rates, as well as the possibility to estimate experimental errors from a single experimental data set.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lourdes Monica Bravo Anaya, Rosine Petitdemange, Marie Rosselin, Emmanuel Ibarboure, Bertrand Garbay, Elisabeth Garanger, Timothy J. Deming, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: Selective lectin binding and sorting was achieved using designer biopolymer ELP glycoconjugates through post-synthetic modification, enabling specific recognition, binding and separation of certain lectins in complex protein mixtures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fabian Uebel, Wei Wei, Moritz Remmers, Heloise Therien-Aubin
Summary: Inclusion of sulfur in polymer materials is a promising strategy to utilize waste elemental sulfur from the oil industry. However, processability of resulting polymers is limited. In this study, we leverage polymerization in dispersed media to produce sulfur-rich polymer latex suspensions that are water processable.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Carolina Ventura-Hunter, Victor D. Lechuga-Islas, Jens Ulbrich, Carolin Kellner, Ulrich S. Schubert, Enrique Saldivar-Guerra, Miguel Rosales-Guzman, Carlos Guerrero-Sanchez
Summary: Understanding the chemical composition of biocompatible copolymers is essential for diverse biomedical applications. This study focused on Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) copolymerizations and reactivity ratios of copolymers based on glycerol mono-methacrylate (GMMA) monomer. The study investigated the copolymerization of GMMA with different comonomers and analyzed their thermal and solution properties. The results highlighted the potential applications of these copolymer systems in biomedical fields.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Laia Leon-Boigues, Rodrigo Navarro, Carmen Mijangos
Summary: Free radical (FR) copolymerization of butyl methacrylate (BMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) monomers in lab-made Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) nanoreactors has been successfully explored to synthesize P(BMA/HEA) copolymer with 100% conversion degree at relatively low temperatures. The reaction in confinement showed faster polymerization rates compared to bulk copolymerization, with reactivity ratios of BMA and HEA monomers determined at conversion degrees <20%. SEM images of P(BMA/HEA) copolymer nanofibers extracted from the AAO nanoreactor exhibited a homogeneous and ordered nanostructured morphology that could be of interest for surface science studies and coatings applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuseppe Porpora, Francesco Rusciano, Raffaele Pastore, Francesco Greco
Summary: Glass transition is an intriguing open issue in molecular liquids, and recent research has found that the relationship between macroscopic timescales and cage-jump quantities changes on approaching the glass transition.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Min Seok Ki, Myungsun Sim, Ohyun Kwon, Kyuhyun Im, Byoungki Choi, Byeong Jun Cha, Young Dok Kim, Tae Young Jin, Keewook Paeng
Summary: The thermal stability and operational lifetime of blue-fluorescent OLEDs have been significantly improved by using a mixed electron transporting layer (mETL) of 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BPhen) and hydroxyquinolinolato-lithium (Liq). The introduction of Liq in the mETL enhances the thermal and morphological stabilities, leading to better device performance. The device with mETL containing 50% Liq shows a 60 degrees C increase in thermal stability and a 67 times longer operational lifetime compared to the reference device using pristine BPhen film as an ETL.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Amir Sepehrianazar, Olgun Guven
Summary: In this study, polyelectrolyte copolymers with different mole ratios were synthesized using free radical polymerization method, and their compositions and structural behaviors were investigated by FT-IR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopy methods.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chen Zhang, Zenglin Ouyang, Yang Yang, Xia Long, Lei Qin, Wenjun Wang, Yin Zhou, Deyu Qin, Fanzhi Qin, Cui Lai
Summary: In this study, a novel CN photocatalyst with improved photocatalytic degradation efficiency was prepared for the degradation of oxytetracycline, providing a promising approach for the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yang Lin, Lulu Zhou, Yuxuan Fan, Guo Chen, Xuyong Yang, Wei Shi, Bin Wei
Summary: The thermal stability of the organic/metal interface in OLEDs can be enhanced by increasing the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the organic material. Using a bulk heterojunction of 4,6-bis(3,5-di(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-2-methylpyrimidine:8-quinolin-olato lithium (B3PYMPM:Liq) as the electron transporting layer (ETL) with good electron transport ability and high Tg, highly thermally stable OLEDs can be achieved.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Carolina Munoz-Nunez, Marta Fernandez-Garcia, Alexandra Munoz-Bonilla
Summary: Biobased nanomaterials, such as chitin and cellulose nanocrystals, are promising options for sustainable reinforcing materials due to their rod shape, dispersibility, outstanding surface properties, mechanical and barrier properties. Of particular interest, chitin nanocrystals have gained attention in the biomedical field for their biological properties and have been used in the development of bioactive composite films in biomedical and packaging systems.
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
A. Chiloeches, R. Cuervo-Rodriguez, F. Lopez-Fabal, M. Fernandez-Garcia, C. Echeverria, A. Munoz-Bonilla
Summary: In this study, a series of antibacterial cationic copolymers derived from bio-sourced itaconic acid were investigated for potential applications in biodegradable packaging formulations based on poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The antibacterial properties of these copolymers were tested against resistant bacterial strains and they showed potent activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The copolymers also exhibited fast biodegradability and could be processed at relatively low temperatures. The resulting biopolymeric films demonstrated strong antibacterial activity, confirming the potential use of these antibacterial biobased polymers for active food packaging and biomedical devices.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lucia Garcia-Abad, Lorenzo Lopez-Rosales, Maria del Carmen Ceron-Garcia, Marta Fernandez-Garcia, Francisco Garcia-Camacho, Emilio Molina-Grima
Summary: This study investigates the adhesion of flagellated microalgae to surfaces with different water adhesion tension characteristics. The results show that Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has stronger cell adhesion and higher biomass concentration compared to Isochrysis galbana. The adhesion of cells and exopolymeric substances is inversely correlated with biomass generation. The protein adhesion data coincide with the minimum values predicted by Baier's theory and Vogler, with displacements observed in the curves as a function of irradiance level.
Article
Polymer Science
Victor Hevilla, Agueda Sonseca, Enrique Gimenez, Coro Echeverria, Alexandra Munoz-Bonilla, Marta Fernandez-Garcia
Summary: This report presents the synthesis of low-molecular weight biobased poly(mannitol sebacate) (PMS) and its functionalization with acrylate groups (PMSAc), followed by the preparation of aligned fibers by blending these polyesters with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and electrospinning. The addition of PMS slightly affected the fiber diameter and alignment, and also resulted in modifications to the crystallinity and thermal properties of the blend. Notably, the incorporation of PMS led to improved ductility of the fibers, with higher elongation at break and tensile strengths, and a smaller Young modulus compared to PLA fibers. The acrylated PMS offered additional functional groups at the surface for further chemical reactions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
A. Chiloeches, R. Fernandez-Garcia, M. Fernandez-Garcia, A. Mariano, I Bigioni, A. Scotto d'Abusco, C. Echeverria, A. Munoz-Bonilla
Summary: In this study, antimicrobial fibers based on biodegradable polymers, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) were prepared by electrospinning. A biodegradable/bio-based polyitaconate containing azoles groups (PTTI) was incorporated into the electrospinning formulations at 10 wt.%. The resulting fibers were functionalized with cationic azolium groups through N-alkylation for antibacterial activity. The efficacy of the fibers against bacteria was evaluated, showing a 4-Log reduction against S. aureus and 1.7-Log reduction against MRSA for quaternized PLA/PTTI fibers. The biocompatibility and bioactivity of the fibers were also assessed, indicating no cytotoxic effect but a cytostatic effect attributed to electrostatic interactions.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zeineb Chorfi, Djouhra Aggoun, Selma Houchi, Zakia Messasma, Mostafa S. Abd El-Maksoud, Marta Fernandez-Garcia, Daniel Lopez, Chawki Bensouici, Ali Ourari, Yasmina Ouennoughi
Summary: The Ni(II) complex was successfully synthesized and characterized using various techniques such as elemental analysis, spectroscopic studies, thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and morphological measurements. The redox properties of the complex were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, and the structure was determined using density functional theory calculations. The complex exhibited a strong tyrosinase inhibitory activity in vitro.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Maria Dolores Martin-Alonso, Valentina Salaris, Adrian Leones, Victor Hevilla, Alexandra Munoz-Bonilla, Coro Echeverria, Marta Fernandez-Garcia, Laura Peponi, Daniel Lopez
Summary: Functionalized silver nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into PLA solutions to produce multifunctional polymeric fibers using centrifugal force-spinning. The effects of nanoparticle incorporation and fiber preparation method on morphology, thermomechanical properties, biodisintegration, and antimicrobial behavior were investigated. The results showed that the best thermomechanical behavior was achieved with 1 wt% of nanoparticles, and the fibers exhibited antibacterial activity with a killing percentage between 65 and 90%. All samples were disintegrable under composting conditions. Additionally, a good thermally activated shape-memory effect was observed in fiber mats with 2 wt% of nanoparticles.
Article
Polymer Science
Tamara M. Diez-Rodriguez, Enrique Blazquez-Blazquez, Marta Fernandez-Garcia, Alexandra Munoz-Bonilla, Ernesto Perez, Maria L. Cerrada
Summary: Composites based on PLLA and MCM-41, either neat or modified with Ag, are prepared and show antimicrobial properties. The thermal stability, nucleation efficiency, and mechanical response of PLLA are influenced by MCM-41 nature and content. WAXS measurements reveal the formation of ordered ff crystals in the composites containing MCM-41@Ag. The composites with higher silica content exhibit higher MH values and remarkable antimicrobial features.
Article
Polymer Science
Victor Hevilla, Agueda Sonseca, Coro Echeverria, Alexandra Munoz-Bonilla, Marta Fernandez-Garcia
Summary: In this study, the formation of polymeric networks with potential antimicrobial character was described. The networks were based on an acrylate oligomer, poly(mannitol sebacate) (PMS), and an enzymatically synthesized methacrylic monomer with thiazole groups (MTA). Physicochemical characterization revealed that the incorporation of MTA into the networks and subsequent quaternization affected their mechanical behavior and surface wettability. The introduction of permanent cationic charges in the network surface gave antimicrobial activity to them, as confirmed by the analysis against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and red blood cells for antibacterial behavior and hemotoxicity, respectively.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pedro Canamero, Marta Fernandez-Garcia, Jose Luis de la Fuente
Summary: In this study, the adhesion properties of poly(GMA-co-BA) copolymers were investigated on different metal surfaces using three different curing agents. The optimal curing conditions were determined using DSC analysis, and the adhesion performance was evaluated through single-lap shear tests. The results showed that the choice of curing agent influenced the adhesion strength and the optimal curing temperature, with the best performance observed using 2-CA as the curing agent with aluminum and iron substrates.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Victor Hevilla, Agueda Sonseca, Marta Fernandez-Garcia
Summary: In this study, one-pot enzymatic synthesis procedures were developed to obtain poly(glycerol adipate) macromers with methacrylate end-functional groups. The obtained macromers showed a high fraction of methacrylate end groups and could be crosslinked under UV irradiation in a simple one-step procedure. This research provides a new approach to obtain methacrylate-functional linear macromers without the need for complex acrylation/methacrylation procedures.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Alberto Chiloeches, Jakub Zagora, Daniela Placha, Marcelo D. T. Torres, Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez, Fatima Lopez-Fabal, Yolanda Gil-Romero, Raquel Fernandez-Garcia, Marta Fernandez-Garcia, Coro Echeverria, Alexandra Munoz-Bonilla
Summary: This study investigated the synergistic antimicrobial effect of a cationic biobased polymer and the antimicrobial peptide temporin L. The results showed that the covalently conjugated polymer-peptide displayed an antagonistic effect, but incorporating both antimicrobial compounds into fibers improved antibacterial performance.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
