Article
Polymer Science
Bhumin Than-ardna, Hiroshi Tamura, Tetsuya Furuike
Summary: In this study, semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) based on chitosan and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (CS/PHEMA) were successfully fabricated and their structure properties were studied. The CS/PHEMA structure showed the presence of both polymers and exhibited high porosity, crosslinking structure, and excellent degree of swelling. These CS/PHEMA semi-IPNs materials can be suitable for use as biodegradable polymers and engineering scaffold materials.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Konstans Ruseva, Katerina Todorova, Tanya Zhivkova, Rositsa Milcheva, Dimitar Ivanov, Petar Dimitrov, Radostina Alexandrova, Elena Vassileva
Summary: The study presents the synthesis and characterization of a novel triple stimuli responsive interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) based on two polyzwitterionic networks. The IPN hydrogel can expand or shrink in response to changes in temperature, pH, and salt concentration. It has good mechanical stability and exhibits non-cytotoxicity and antibiofouling activity against various bacteria. The in vivo behavior suggests that this smart material has great potential as a biomaterial.
Article
Polymer Science
Aftab Ahmed Khan, Leila Perea-Lowery, Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Khureif, Nawaf Abdulrahman AlMufareh, ElZahraa Eldwakhly, Eija Sailynoja, Pekka Kalevi Vallittu
Summary: This study aimed to determine the tensile bond strength between intact and ground fiber-reinforced composite surfaces, finding significant differences in TBS based on treatment time of agents. The highest TBS was recorded for intact FRC surfaces treated with G-Multi PRIMER for 2 minutes, showing a time-dependent relationship between treatment time and TBS.
Article
Polymer Science
Marija M. Babic Radic, Vuk V. Filipovic, Jovana S. Vukovic, Marija Vukomanovic, Marina Rubert, Sandra Hofmann, Ralph Muller, Simonida Lj Tomic
Summary: The study aims to develop bioimitated scaffolding materials based on the structural hierarchy of natural extracellular matrix for tissue regeneration. Experimentation assessed the properties of the hydrogel scaffolds, including structural, mechanical, and biological features, to study the effects of preparation methods and alginate loading. The results demonstrate that cryogelated scaffolds with apatite exhibit superior functionalities and potential applications in biomedical engineering.
Article
Polymer Science
Mahinur Tuncel, Deniz Ceylan Tuncaboylu
Summary: In this study, a semi-interpenetrating network of SF and PAAm was successfully prepared using an inverse microemulsion method and photo-polymerization reactions, resulting in stable nanogels. Characterization techniques such as FT-IR, DLS, TEM, and XRD were used to analyze the samples, demonstrating the suitability of optimized conditions for the development of SF nanogels.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Andreia S. L. Gouveia, Edwin Bumenn, Katlin Rohtlaid, Alexandre Michaud, Tiago M. Vieira, Vitor D. Alves, Liliana C. Tome, Cedric Plesse, Isabel M. Marrucho
Summary: This work explores the preparation of ionic liquid (IL)-based semi-interpenetrating polymer network (sIPN) membranes composed of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) network and linear nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). The incorporation of different ILs improved the thermal stability of the membranes and affected mechanical properties while maintaining high elongation properties, ultimately enhancing CO2/N-2 and CO2/H-2 separation performances.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marin Simeonov, Bistra Kostova, Elena Vassileva
Summary: In this study, novel interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were synthesized and studied as potential drug delivery systems for dermal application. The addition of a highly hydrophilic polymer increased the swelling ability of the IPNs, resulting in improved drug entrapment efficiency and drug loading capacity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Young Jun Kim, Junhong Min
Summary: By hybridizing alginate and PVA to form a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN), the properties of the hydrogel were successfully modulated, retaining the advantages of alginate-based hydrogels while covering their disadvantages. The hydrogel exhibited good performance in stimuli-responsive behavior, degradability, mechanical stability, and physicochemical stability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiao Yan, Li Wang, Chunxia Zhao, Dong Xiang, Hui Li, Jingjuan Lai, Bin Wang, Zhenyu Li, Hongsheng Lu, Hongwei Zhou, Yuanpeng Wu
Summary: Wearable strain sensors with conductive hydrogels have great potential in electronic skins and human-machine interfaces. However, the signal transmission of conductive hydrogels is unstable due to environmental humidity and inherent material shortcomings. In this study, a novel moisture-proof conductive hydrogel was developed by incorporating dopamine-functionalized gold nanoparticles into carboxymethyl guar gum and acrylamide, showing high toughness (2.89 MJ m-3), mechanical strength (1.00 MPa), and moisture-proof sensing performance. The hydrogel-based strain sensor can accurately monitor major and subtle human movements, demonstrating good sensitivity and repeatability. Moreover, the sensor exhibits stable sensing signals even after being left for 1 hour, with no noticeable noise signal under different strains (25-300%) at 99% relative humidity. Importantly, this wearable strain sensing technology is suitable for wearable sensor devices in high humidity environments.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xiaowei Fu, Anqian Yuan, Yuan Lei, Zhengkai Wei, Hualiang Xu, Jingxin Lei
Summary: Thermosetting SIPCMs were synthesized via esterification reaction to achieve heat-triggered bulk network self-dissociation. The materials exhibited high thermal reliability and stability, with self-dissociation occurring at specific temperatures. The NSD technique has the potential to promote sustainability and recyclability of materials.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Kamol Dey, Silvia Agnelli, Elisa Borsani, Luciana Sartore
Summary: This study reported the preparation of degradation-mediated stress relaxing semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks and detailed the mechanical properties, water absorption capacity, and performance during hydrolytic degradation of the hydrogel. The results demonstrated good mechanical properties and biostability of the hydrogel, making it a promising scaffolding material for tissue engineering.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiaojiao Yu, Yunli Xia, Haonan Zhang, Ximing Pu, Tao Gong, Zhirong Zhang, Li Deng
Summary: A semi-interpenetrating network was developed using covalently crosslinked methacrylated chondroitin sulfate (CS-MA) in combination with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K29/32) to improve the mechanical strength of dissolvable microneedles. The microneedles loaded with lidocaine hydrochloride (LIDH) showed enhanced mechanical strength and reduced moisture absorption rate compared to microneedles without CS-MA. The CS-MA/PVP microneedles achieved a rapid onset of action for local anesthesia.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ehsan Shahrousvand, Mohsen Shahrousvand
Summary: This study aimed to prepare biocompatible and hydrophilic polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cross-linked poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), and examined their properties through various experiments. The results showed that these materials exhibited good biocompatibility and suitable mechanical properties, making them potential candidates for biomedical applications.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhaoyang Jin, Hongwei Zhou, Jialiang Lai, Xilang Jin, Hanbin Liu, Ping Wu, Weixing Chen, Aijie Ma
Summary: This study successfully developed hydrogel sensors with self-recoverability, stretchability, and sensitivity by introducing a ternary semi-interpenetrating network structure. The improved performance of the hydrogels was achieved through the introduction of the ternary semi-interpenetrating structure, leading to the fabrication of high-performance strain sensors and pressure sensors. Furthermore, the potential of wireless sensors was demonstrated through the integration of sensors into a Bluetooth signal transmission and reception system.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kathryn E. O'Harra, George M. Timmermann, Jason E. Bara, Kevin M. Miller
Summary: This study introduces the exploration of using ionic liquids (ILs) as solvents for ionenes-charged polymers, leading to the formation of poly(IL)-ionene semi-interpenetrating networks (semi-IPNs). The resulting poly(IL)-ionene semi-IPNs show enhanced elasticity and ionic conductivity compared to neat poly(IL). This unique type of ionic composite presents vast opportunities for material design due to the limitless possibilities for IL and ionene structures.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stefania Racovita, Ana-Lavinia Vasiliu, Adrian Bele, Dana Schwarz, Christine Steinbach, Regine Boldt, Simona Schwarz, Marcela Mihai
Article
Polymer Science
Silvia Vasiliu, Maria-Andreea Lungan, Stefania Racovita, Marcel Popa
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Silvia Vasiliu, Maria-Andreea Lungan, Ionela Gugoasa, Mioara Drobota, Marcel Popa, Marcela Mihai, Stefania Racovita
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania Racovita, Nicolae Baranov, Ana Maria Macsim, Catalina Lionte, Corina Cheptea, Valeriu Sunel, Marcel Popa, Silvia Vasiliu, Jacques Desbrieres
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvia Vasiliu, Stefania Racovita, Ionela Aurica Gugoasa, Maria-Andreea Lungan, Marcel Popa, Jacques Desbrieres
Summary: The field of dentistry is continuously evolving, with a focus on developing smart nanoparticles for various dental applications, including drug delivery systems and restoration materials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania Racovita, Marin-Aurel Trofin, Diana Felicia Loghin, Marius-Mihai Zaharia, Florin Bucatariu, Marcela Mihai, Silvia Vasiliu
Summary: Polybetaines are a type of smart polymers with cationic and anionic moieties, which have diverse structures and unique properties, and are widely used in nanotechnology, biomedicine, water remediation, etc.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicolae Baranov, Stefania Racovita, Silvia Vasiliu, Ana Maria Macsim, Catalina Lionte, Valeriu Sunel, Marcel Popa, Jacques Desbrieres, Corina Cheptea
Summary: The study focuses on obtaining new polymer-bioactive compound systems by immobilization of triazole derivatives onto grafted copolymers. Two different heterocyclic thio-derivatives were combined in a single molecule to increase the selectivity of the biological action. The antimicrobial activity of the new bioactive compounds on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was confirmed. In vitro release studies showed that the release mechanism of triazole from the copolymers is characteristic of an anomalous transport mechanism.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Marius-Mihai Zaharia, Ana-Lavinia Vasiliu, Marin-Aurel Trofin, Daniela Pamfil, Florin Bucatariu, Stefania Racovita, Marcela Mihai
Summary: This study focused on the synthesis and characterization of ion exchange resins based on acrylic co-polymers, and the formation of composites with CaCO3. The resins and composites showed excellent sorption capacities for small organic molecules, with significantly higher values observed for antibiotics, indicating potential for drug delivery applications.
REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stefania Racovita, Maria-Andreea Lungan, Ana-Lavinia Vasiliu, Silvia Vasiliu, Marcela Mihai
Summary: This study investigated the sorption properties of grafted porous microparticles for Copper(II) and Nickel(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The microparticles with chitosan grafting showed higher loading capacities than those with gellan grafting. Various isotherm and kinetic models were used to analyze the equilibrium data and sorption mechanisms. Overall, the grafted microparticles based on glycidyl methacrylate and chitosan/gellan gum are effective sorbents for removing Copper(II)/Nickel(II) ions from water.
Article
Polymer Science
Aurica Ionela Gugoasa, Stefania Racovita, Silvia Vasiliu, Marcel Popa
Summary: This study prepared three types of precursor microparticles and hybrid microparticles using the suspension polymerization technique. The hybrid microparticles showed higher specific surface areas, swelling capacities, and adsorption capacities of antimicrobial drugs. Adsorption equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies were conducted to examine the interactions between metronidazole and the microparticles, revealing a complex release mechanism.
Article
Polymer Science
Marin-Aurel Trofin, Stefania Racovita, Silvia Vasiliu, Alexandra Bargan, Florin Bucatariu, Ana-Lavinia Vasiliu, Marcela Mihai
Summary: In this study, suspension polymerization technique was used to prepare 3D porous networks based on two monofunctional monomers (glycidyl methacrylate and N-vinylimidazole) and one of the following difunctional monomers known as crosslinking agents. The influence of various operational parameters on the reaction yield, surface morphologies, particle size distribution, and porous characteristics were investigated. The crosslinked porous microparticles exhibited different surface morphologies and specific surface area values depending on the operational parameters.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marin-Aurel Trofin, Stefania Racovita, Silvia Vasiliu, Ana-Lavinia Vasiliu, Marcela Mihai
Summary: Crosslinked porous microparticles have gained significant attention as drug delivery systems due to their unique properties. In this study, novel porous zwitterionic microparticles with antifouling, antimicrobial and hydration properties were successfully prepared. The microparticles showed high drug loading and release capacities, and demonstrated antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Diana Felicia Loghin, Melinda Maria Bazarghideanu, Silvia Vasiliu, Stefania Racovita, Marius-Mihai Zaharia, Tudor Vasiliu, Marcela Mihai
Summary: The synthesis and application of hydrogel beads involving natural polymers were investigated in this study. The characteristics and structural changes of hydrogel beads made from chitosan and different types of starch were studied to explore their potential as sorbents. The experimental results demonstrated that the hydrogel beads exhibited good adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions and dyes.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Stefania Racovita, Ion Bunia, Ioan Plesca, Silvia Vasiliu, Lenuta Profire, Liliana Foia, Vasilica Toma