Article
Biophysics
Xiuqiong Chen, Lili Sun, Hongcai Wang, Shanshan Cao, Ting Shang, Huiqiong Yan, Qiang Lin
Summary: This study integrated alginate hydrogels with nano-silica to produce nano-silica reinforced alginate-chitosan-gelatin nanocomposite hydrogels for biomedical purposes. The experimental findings show that the physicochemical properties and biological activities of the hydrogels were influenced by the content of nano-silica. This research provides a foundation for overcoming the limitations of alginate hydrogels and expanding their potential applications in tissue engineering.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Jenani Sutharsan, Jian Zhao
Summary: Bioactive edible packaging films have gained increasing attention as a result of concerns over the excessive use of petroleum-based synthetic packaging materials for food. Among various materials, chitosan stands out as the most suitable polysaccharide due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, its poor barrier and mechanical properties limit its application as a food packaging material. Numerous studies have been conducted to enhance the characteristics of chitosan films by modifying preparation techniques and incorporating other natural substances to create composite films. This paper provides an overview of these modifications and their impact on the physicochemical and biological properties of chitosan-composite edible films.
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Mohamed Gouda, Hairul-Islam Mohamed Ibrahim, Amr Negm
Summary: A biologically active agent, named Zn-BTC@CS, based on a Zn-1,3,5-benzen tricarboxylic acid (Zn-BTC) framework incorporated into a chitosan (CS) biopolymer was successfully synthesized using a microwave irradiation technique. The synthesized Zn-BTC@CS showed a smooth surface morphology and a particle size diameter ranging from 20 to 40 nm. It exhibited anticancer efficacy against lung and colon cancer cell lines by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting migration.
Article
Acoustics
Zhijun Wu, Yang Li, Jing Tang, Derong Lin, Wen Qin, Douglas A. Loy, Qing Zhang, Hong Chen, Suqing Li
Summary: In this study, chitosan, nano-silicon aerogels, and tea polyphenols were used to form films through ultrasonication. The effects of ultrasonication parameters on the properties of the film were investigated. The results showed that ultrasonication improved the tensile strength, elongation at break, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of the film.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liliana Woszczak, Karen Khachatryan, Magdalena Krystyjan, Teresa Witczak, Mariusz Witczak, Dorota Galkowska, Malgorzata Makarewicz, Gohar Khachatryan
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop two types of films based on chitosan and starch with nanostructures containing extracts from turmeric rhizomes and hibiscus flowers. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of spherical nanostructures in the films. The structural and optical properties of the films were characterized using spectroscopy techniques. The presence of nano-/microstructures affected the mechanical properties of the films and improved their hydrophilic properties. Preliminary storage tests showed that the films are sensitive to changes occurring during the storage of food products and have the potential to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. The findings suggest that these bionanocomposites can be used as active and/or intelligent food packaging materials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lenise Deon Pompeu, Pamela Cristine Ladwig Muraro, Gabriela Chuy, Bruno Stefanello Vizzotto, Giovani Pavoski, Denise Crocce Romano Espinosa, Liana da Silva Fernandes, William Leonardo da Silva
Summary: The present study aims to evaluate the removal capacity of Rhodamine B dye using nano-porous chitosan from shrimp shells. The nano-porous chitosan was characterized and its ideal conditions for dye removal were determined. The study found that the nano-porous chitosan exhibited potential for dye removal and antimicrobial activity.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Rong Guo, Xinghui Hou, Dakui Zhao, Huili Wang, Caixin Shi, Ying Zhou
Summary: In this study, a freeze-drying method was used to synthesize a biologically active magnesium and strontium co-doped bioactive glass/chitosan composite scaffold. The as-prepared scaffold exhibited a three-dimensional honeycombed porous structure, and the porosity, pore size, swelling, and degradation rate could be controlled by adjusting the content of MSBG powders. The compressive modulus of the composite scaffold reached its maximum value when the mass ratio of MSBG to CS was 2:4. In vitro experiments demonstrated that MSBG greatly improved the generation capacity of hydroxyapatite in the composite scaffold, making it a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering.
JOURNAL OF NON-CRYSTALLINE SOLIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Bingren Tian, Dan Xu, Jianhua Cheng, Yumei Liu
Summary: This study improved the properties of chitosan films by adding silica and beta-acids, resulting in significant tensile strength, antimicrobial effects, and antioxidant activity. The release mechanism of beta-acids from the films exhibited Fickian diffusion, effectively controlling changes in soybean oil and prolonging food storage time.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Adina Maria Dobos, Alexandra Bargan, Simona Dunca, Cristina Mihaela Rimbu, Anca Filimon
Summary: This study analyzed the mechanical strength, water vapor sorption properties, and antimicrobial activity of cellulose acetate/silica composite films prepared with different mixing ratios of cellulose acetate and tetraethyl orthosilicate. The results showed that films with low silica content had higher mechanical strength, and the microstructural characteristics affected the moisture sorption capacity. Additionally, the films exhibited antimicrobial activity. Therefore, these cellulose acetate/silica films have potential applications in the biomedical field.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Salita Demeyer, Anan Athipornchai, Pariya Pabunrueang, Thanida Trakulsujaritchok
Summary: The development of hybrid materials with organic-inorganic co-network molecular structure is a promising method to enhance the stability and mechanical properties of biopolymers. By incorporating plant-derived active compounds into the scaffolds, properties such as physicochemical characteristics and mechanical strength can be improved and tailored for bone tissue engineering applications. Furthermore, the inclusion of bioactive components has been shown to further promote the potential use of the scaffolds in guided bone regeneration applications.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Liyan Wang, Liang Lei, Kang Wan, Yuan Fu, Hewen Hu
Summary: Active films based on carboxymethyl chitosan incorporated corn peptide were developed, with increased antioxidant and antibacterial activities but decreased elongation, vapor permeability, and oil resistance compared to the control. The inclusion of corn peptide caused interactions between carboxymethyl chitosan and corn peptide in Maillard reaction, resulting in light yellow appearance of the films. These films have potential applications in food packaging.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Saara Sirkia, Minna Siekkinen, Syeda Qudsia, Jan-Henrik Smatt, Jouko Peltonen, Leena Hupa, Terhi J. Heino, Pekka K. Vallittu
Summary: This article introduces a tribochemical silica-coating method to improve the adhesion of dental resin composites. The silica-modified alumina particles were characterized, and it was found that the modification did not significantly affect cell viability.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Abdulnaser M. Al-Sabaeei, Madzlan Napiah, Muslich Sutanto, Wesam Alaloul, Nur Izzi Md Yusoff, Muhammad Imran Khan, Saeed Modibbo Saeed
Summary: By using hydrophobic nanosilica (NS) particles as a physical modifier for bio-asphalt, the high-temperature performance and rheological properties of the bio-asphalt can be improved. The addition of NS enhanced the rutting resistance and reduced the permanent strain of the bio-asphalt, while also increasing the recovery percentage.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Silva, Ana Isabel Oliveira, Agostinho Cruz, Rita Ferraz Oliveira, Rubim Almeida, Claudia Pinho
Summary: Craft beer is gaining popularity in Portugal. This research assessed the physicochemical parameters, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity of Portuguese craft beers and raw materials used in beer production. The study found that craft beers had higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Raw materials may influence the antioxidant activity of the resulting beer.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sizhao Zhang, Yanrong Liao, Kunming Lu, Zhao Wang, Jing Wang, Linzhe Lai, Wangwang Xin, Yunyun Xiao, Shixian Xiong, Feng Ding
Summary: This study successfully prepared chitosan/silica hybrid aerogels with a silica-phase hybriding method, which exhibited favorable hydrophobicity and superior mechanical strength. The aerogels showed low drying shrinkage, lightweight, high-efficient thermal insulation, exceptional fire-retardancy, and environmentally friendly characteristic. The high hydrophobic property of the aerogels was achieved by vapor deposition of 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane, which led to a substantial improvement in mechanical properties.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Mustafa Kalay, Abidin Esidir, Mahmut Ruzi, N. Burak Kiremitler, Mustafa Serdar Onses
Summary: This study proposes stable and addressable polymer PUFs, utilizing a cross-linkable polymer system, which demonstrates high stochastic characteristics and low-cost production. The performance of the polymer features is evaluated through various analyses, and direct image authentication is achieved using feature matching algorithms.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Jingyu Jin, Guoqiang Lu, Jun Nie, Xiaoqun Zhu
Summary: Photopolymerization technology is limited in the fields of food packaging and biomedicine due to the high migration of small molecules from photoinitiators. In this study, a polymerizable 2-vinyl thioxanthone (ETX) was synthesized to improve the migration stability of photoinitiators. Macromolecular photoinitiators (PPI1, PPI2) were also prepared to further reduce migration. The results showed that the ETX/TEOA system had higher initiation performance and PPI2 displayed favorable initiation ability. Additionally, the migration of ETX, PPI1, and PPI2 in photocured film was significantly reduced. These low-migration photoinitiators have potential applications in the fields of food packaging and biological materials.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Weijie Li, Jun Nie, Yingying Zhao, Xiaoqun Zhu
Summary: This study focuses on the development of high-performance, low-migration photoinitiators. A polymerizable photoinitiator (VBP) was synthesized by introducing an ethylene group into benzophenone, and three different molecular weight single-component photoinitiators (PVBN1-3) were synthesized based on VBP. The results show that these new photoinitiators have stronger absorption ability compared to benzophenone and significantly reduce the migration of initiators and co-initiators, addressing the safety concerns caused by migration.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Seira Morimune-Moriya, Yuki Iwahashi, Mitsuru Nakamura, Daisuke Ogawa, Keiji Nakamura
Summary: This study investigates the effect of plasma treatment on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the structure/properties of polyimide (PI) nanocomposites with ultra-low content of CNTs. The results show that plasma treatment introduces isocyanate groups on the surface of CNTs and enhances the interfacial interaction between PI and treated CNTs. This leads to a significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites, with even a small addition of treated CNTs showing a substantial increase in Young's modulus, tensile strength and toughness.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuanlong Li, Chaojie Chen, Guoqing Cui, Li Liu, Chao Zhou, Guangfeng Wu
Summary: In this study, a novel ion-conducting hydrogel was fabricated using a straightforward approach. The hydrogel showed excellent tensile properties and high toughness due to physical interactions and covalent binding. Additionally, the introduction of hydroxyethyl cellulose and lithium chloride improved the biocompatibility, mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and frost resistance of the hydrogel, demonstrating its potential for cold climate applications.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Dengwei Yan, Jinxian Yang, Xuejun Pan, Xiaozheng Duan, Lianwei Li, Mo Zhu
Summary: The influence of backbone length on grafting efficiency during the graft-onto reaction process was investigated. It was found that the polydispersity effect of backbone length does not affect the final grafting efficiency, indicating that the local dynamics of chain segments dominate the graft-onto process.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Zhaoyi Luo, Xianjie Pan, Fanqi Liu, Quanxi Yi, Yanning Zeng, Yunhua Chen, Chaoyang Wang
Summary: This study provides a method to prepare high-performance epoxy materials with good malleability and thermal stability. The materials have self-healing and welding capabilities, thanks to the addition of specific chemical bonds and network structures. They exhibit mechanical properties comparable to commercial epoxy resins and show great potential for sustainable industrial development.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Chaoji Xiong, Hao Wang, Lihua Deng, Kun Liang, Chunhua Wu, Wei Wu, Qian Chen
Summary: In this study, four polyamides were synthesized and their adsorption performances for Hg2+ in aqueous systems were investigated. The polyamides exhibited high adsorption capacities and excellent reusability, with the involvement of sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen in the chemical adsorption process of Hg2+.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Siim Laanesoo, Olivier Bonjour, Rauno Sedrik, Iris Tamsalu, Patric Jannasch, Lauri Vares
Summary: The insertion of rigid aliphatic or aromatic building blocks in polymer structures is an effective way to synthesize high -Tg polymer materials. In this study, a series of isosorbide-2-aryl carboxylate-5-methacrylate monomers (ArIMAs) were synthesized by functionalizing isosorbide 5-methacrylate with various aromatic lignin-inspired esters. These monomers were polymerized to obtain high molecular-weight poly(aryl carboxylate isosorbide methacrylates) (PArIMAs). The resulting polymers showed high glass transition temperatures and thermal stability, making them suitable for use as high-performance plastics and coatings.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuqian Wu, Weijie Xu, Jianliang Li, Zhangfeng Zhong, Liqing Huang, Shengke Li, Huaping Tan
Summary: This study investigates the improvement of degradation and drug release characteristics of dynamic Schiff base-mediated natural polysaccharide hydrogels using tannic acid (TA), leading to enhanced stability and functionality.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Xi Zhang, Xiangli Kong, Xin Zhou, Yiyan Gao, Yibo Sun, Guanghui Gao, Wei Liu, Kai Shi
Summary: Conductive hydrogels have great development prospects in flexible strain sensors, but long-term direct contact with human skin can cause bacterial infection. A hydrogel with antibacterial, biocompatibility, and toughness was designed and manufactured using a freeze-thaw method. The hydrogel maintains tensile properties and fatigue resistance at low temperatures and is resistant to bacteria. Therefore, hydrogel sensors can be used to monitor human movements.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Wei Zhang, Jiangang Yu, Mingyang Wu, Rui Li, Anqiang Zhang, Yaling Lin
Summary: In this study, polyacrylamide containing quaternary ammonium salts (PAM-X) were synthesized and found to effectively inhibit soil-borne pathogenic fungi while maintaining the balance of microbial population in soil. PAM-X also showed low toxicity to earthworms and fish, providing a new method for the prevention and control of soil-borne fungal diseases.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Jiawen He, Haojie Yu, Li Wang, Jian Yang, Yanhui Zhang, Wenbing Huang, Chenguang Ouyang
Summary: This review discusses the use of polymeric hydrogels for atmospheric water harvesting (AWH), including the mechanism of water sorption, fabrication methods, and strategies for optimizing the structure of hydrogels. The extended applications of hygroscopic photothermal hydrogels, such as agricultural irrigation and dehumidification, are also explored. The challenges and prospects of using polymeric hydrogels for AWH are summarized.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Ying Du, Shuaishuai Lu, Yuanna Sun, Qingshan Li, Xinhai He
Summary: This study introduces a method to improve the performance of hydrogels by incorporating proline, resulting in hydrogels with excellent stretchability, high conductivity, and long-term stability. The hydrogel remains flexible and conductive even at ultra-low temperatures.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2024)