Article
Polymer Science
Weinan Gu, Ranran Fan, Jingnan Quan, Yi Cheng, Shanshan Wang, Hui Zhang, Aiping Zheng, Shenghan Song
Summary: In this research, a thermosensitive polymer was used as a drug delivery system to form a drug-gel depot inside the resection cavity after surgical excision, effectively suppressing glioblastoma recurrence. The study successfully adjusted the gelation point by blending polymers and demonstrated excellent therapeutic efficacy in in vitro and in vivo experiments.
Article
Polymer Science
Maryam S. Sadeghi, Mohammad Reza Moghbeli, William A. Goddard
Summary: This study utilizes molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the self-assembly of high-molecular weight diblock and triblock polymers in water. The longer systems undergo a morphological transition while the shorter systems form slightly prolate-spheres. Structural features are quantified using chain radius of gyration, shape anisotropy, and hydration, with final structures analyzed through local density components.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Qianyu Lin, Chen Chuan Lim, Cally Owh, Joey Hui Min Wong, Valerie Ow, Belynn Sim, Yi Jian Boo, Michelle P. Y. Yew, Yi Hao Leow, Liangfeng Guo, Jason Y. C. Lim, Xian Jun Loh
Summary: Thermogels are a type of supramolecular hydrogels that undergo reversible sol-gel phase transitions and their unique properties depend on the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of the constituent polymers. Most thermogelling polymers use polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the hydrophilic segment, but this study introduces PEG-free amphiphilic polymers comprising only polyethylenimine (PEI) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) as the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, respectively. These polymers can self-assemble into micelles and supramolecular gel matrices. By modifying the PEI-PPG copolymers with benzyl groups, the resulting thermogel properties can be conveniently modulated. The hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance of the copolymers can also be adjusted to tune the critical gelation concentrations, gelation temperatures, and gel viscoelastic properties. In addition, the PEI segment exhibits pH-responsiveness, allowing for further alteration of thermogel viscoelasticity through pH adjustment. The convenience of postsynthetic functionalization, new material properties, and dual stimuli-responsiveness of these polycationic PEI-PPG thermogels can potentially offer a vast material design space for many unique applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Xuan Feng, Nan Yan, Jing Jin, Wei Jiang
Summary: The disassembly process of amphiphilic AB block copolymers in selective solvents was investigated using molecular dynamic simulation. The disassembly is controlled by thermodynamic processes that depend on the instability of the system. Bx can be converted to Ax in A2BxB18-x diblock copolymers by external stimuli, and the instability induced by Bx conversion is a function of x. Increasing x leads to the disassembly of the initial vesicles into various structures. In addition, the Bx conversion rate and the amount of converted polymer chains also affect the disassembly process.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Krishan Kumar, Pannuru Venkatesu
Summary: This study investigates the impact of proteins on the critical micellization temperature (CMT) and molecular interactions with a triblock copolymer PEG-PPG-PEG. Experimental findings show that proteins can modulate CMT and lead to anomalous behavior at specific concentrations, resulting in the formation of protein-copolymer assemblies with distinct biophysical properties. The use of multiple advanced techniques including molecular docking studies provides insights into the mechanism of CMT variation and the potential applications of the results in biosensors and targeted drug delivery systems.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Thi Ha My Phan, Xiu-Hao Chen, Shiang-Ting Huang, Jeng-Shiung Jan
Summary: This study investigated the hydrogelation of amphiphilic triblock copolymers based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and sheet-like polypeptides. The triblock copolymers were synthesized using PEG-diamine and two L-cysteine derivatives as hydrophilic initiators and hydrophobic segments, respectively. The results showed that the chain length, block ratio, and functional group on the side chain played important roles in determining the amphiphilic balance and non-covalent interactions, which affected the hydrogelation and mechanical properties of the triblock copolymers. In particular, the sheet-like poly(S-benzyl-L-cysteine) was found to be a good hydrogelator. This study highlighted the potential of using amphiphilic triblock copolymers with sheet-like polypeptide segments for preparing hydrogels with tunable properties.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Qiuchen Huang, Zhiqiang Cai, Ruonan Chen, Wei Zhang, Donatella Nardiello, Maurizio Quinto, Xianming Liu, Shaoqiang Hu, Tao Sun
Summary: In this study, a novel compound TCP-Bim was designed, synthesized, and used as the stationary phase for capillary gas chromatography. It showed moderate polarity and high efficiency, resulting in high resolutions and excellent separation capabilities compared to other columns.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Pei Huang, Meiwei Qi, Chuanshuang Chen, Fugui Xu, Shanlong Li, Qingsong Xu, Hui Pan, Yuling Wang, Chunyang Yu, Shaodong Zhang, Yongfeng Zhou
Summary: The asymmetric distribution of lipids on the inner and outer membranes of a cell is crucial for physiological and immunological activities. Synthetic asymmetric vesicles are prepared using amphiphilic block copolymers, or self-assembled by two hydrophilic segments. Effective fluorescence titration methods can be developed to determine the uneven distribution of segments in the vesicles. This work demonstrates the potential of sequence-controlled polymers for creating challenging self-assembled structures with important functions and properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Jing Yan, Jianghao Yao, Yinghui Hu, Diping Huang, Dongdong Yao, Fangzhou Wu, Qiuyu Zhang, Yi Yan
Summary: By introducing functioned inorganic polyoxometalate clusters into a triblock copolymer system, the building block and function of metallopolymer system can be enriched. The multiple interactions between the POMs clusters and the triblock copolymers improve the selective oxidation activity of the catalyst and enable the recycling of the catalyst.
Article
Polymer Science
Lucas Polo Fonseca, Maria Isabel Felisberti
Summary: Amphiphilic nanogels based on a thermoresponsive anthracene end-capped hyperbranched polyurethane were successfully prepared and their size was controlled by varying conditions. The nanogels exhibited reversible volume regulation capability, and could be disaggregated under UV light at a specific wavelength.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Lei Wu, Xujian Li, Pengpeng Li, Luqi Pan, Zhixiao Ji, Yakai Feng, Changcan Shi
Summary: In this study, biodegradable tissue-compliant intestinal anastomosis scaffolds were developed using triblock copolymers. Experimental results show that these scaffolds loaded with triclosan effectively promote intestinal wound healing and reduce the occurrence of complications, making them a promising candidate for clinical intestinal implants.
POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Rikuto Kanno, Makoto Ouchi, Takaya Terashima
Summary: In this study, amphiphilic random terpolymers consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), quaternary ammonium cations, and dodecyl groups were reported to undergo self-assembly and salt-induced thermoresponsive behavior in water. The micelle size of these terpolymers increased with the content of cationic groups and was larger in the presence of NaCl. Moreover, the polymer micelles exhibited lower critical solution temperature-type solubility in NaCl-containing water compared to pure water.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Binny A. Rudani, Jayant Sarolia, Ragini Rai, Vinod K. Aswal, Pratap Bahadur, Sanjay Tiwari
Summary: We conducted a comprehensive study on the interaction of tetronics (T1304 and T1307) with important physiological salts (NaH2PO4, KH2PO4, Na2CO3, NaCl, and KI). We investigated the thermodynamic and microstructural aspects of these interactions, considering factors such as solution temperature, pH, and salt concentration. Our findings reveal that T1304 molecules form aggregated core-shell structures at ambient temperature, while T1307 exhibits the dominance of unimers and large clusters. The presence of salts promotes micellization, with NaCl < KH2PO4 < NaH2PO4 MUCH LESS THAN Na2CO3 in terms of their effectiveness. The interaction is characterized by endothermic aggregation and prevailing hydrophobic interactions. KI induces demicellization by facilitating the buildup of water structures around the copolymer chains.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Omer Yasin Thayee Al-Janabi, Hiba A. Abdulkareem, Ibrahim F. Waheed, Peter J. S. Foot
Summary: In this study, a novel magnetic nanodemulsifier (MND) has been successfully synthesized, which can effectively demulsify water-in-crude oil emulsions and exhibits good reusability under different conditions.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Mehmet Onur Arican, Tugba Koldankaya, Serap Mert, Handan coban, Sezgi Erdogan, Olcay Mert
Summary: With the rise in cancer incidence-mortality and limitations of conventional PEG-based PLA, PLGA, or PCL injectable thermoresponsive hydrogel platforms, it has become crucial to develop novel biomaterials using sustainable resources for local drug release purposes.