Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marcel Rey, Jannis Kolker, James A. Richards, Isha Malhotra, Thomas S. Glen, N. Y. Denise Li, Fraser H. J. Laidlaw, Damian Renggli, Jan Vermant, Andrew B. Schofield, Syuji Fujii, Hartmut Loewen, Paul S. Clegg
Summary: This study investigates the effect of individual microgel morphology on the destabilization of responsive emulsions. The polymeric properties of microgels enable stimuli-responsive behavior while the colloidal properties provide long-term stability to the emulsions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Brandon Becher-Nienhaus, Guojun Liu, Jasmine Buddingh, Haili Zheng
Summary: This paper presents a method to achieve ice shedding by creating a heavily cross-linked bulk and lightly cross-linked surface coating. The coating is made by synthesizing two methacrylate polyols, stratifying them on the surface, and curing them thermally. The resulting LICROS coating exhibits low ice adhesion and high wear resistance. This approach offers a cost-effective way to produce coatings with desirable properties.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sheilan Sinjari, Yuqing Zhao, Jingwen Li, Marta Skreta, Heather Sweny, Chen Hong, Harald D. H. Stover
Summary: This study investigates the synthesis and properties of micron-sized particles obtained by precipitation polymerization. The diameter of the particles is found to vary depending on the reaction solvent, cross-linker type and loading, and the composition of the comonomers. The results provide insights into controlling the size and swelling properties of the particles.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Kun Song, Lin-Feng Wu, Dong Liu, Zhe Wang
Summary: This study investigates the effect of free chain conformation on flow-induced shish nucleation in lightly cross-linked high-density polyethylene melts. The results show that the conformation of free chains significantly influences the length and radius of the shish fibers.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shaoxiong Zhu, Shunni Dong, Wei Fan, Jingjing Nie, Liping Zhu, Binyang Du
Summary: High-performance nanofiltration (NF) membranes were developed using hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (HPAN) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes as substrates, quaternized crosslinked microgels (PNI6) as intermediate layers, and piperazine (PIP) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) for polyamide selective layer formation. The incorporation of positively charged PNI6 microgels enhanced the hydrophilicity and surface charge of the NF membranes. The resulting MG-NF membranes exhibited excellent water flux and rejection of salts. Increasing the deposition time of PNI6 microgels on the UF membranes improved water flux and MgCl2 rejection of the MG-NF series membranes. The thermo-responsive and long-term stable MG-NF-6 membrane showed a water flux of 10.1 L.m(-2).h(-1).bar(-1) and a MgCl2 rejection of 93.4% at 25 degrees C, which increased to 13.4 L.m(-2).h(-1).bar(-1) and 90% at 45 degrees C.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Biswajit Mishra, Swayamprakash Biswal, Nidhi C. Dubey, Bijay P. Tripathi
Summary: This study presents the development of a thermoresponsive nanostructured antifouling membrane based on cross-linkable zwitterionic microgels. The membrane shows tunable water filtration and molecular separation capabilities, with temperature-switchable water flux and excellent anti(bio)fouling properties. It has significant potential in water purification and molecular separation applications.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Iris G. Mercer, Angelina N. Italiano, Irina G. Gazaryan, Aaron B. Steiner, Sergey V. Kazakov
Summary: This study investigates the kinetics of degradation and drug release of biodegradable microgels. The results show that degradation occurs through the cleavage of disulfide bonds, leading to swelling and erosion processes. The kinetics of swelling and erosion are dependent on the concentration of the reducing agent glutathione. These findings suggest that drug release profiles can be different in cancer cells compared to normal cells.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuichiro Kobayashi, Daiki Kitano, Ryuto Nishimura, Yuki Yamagishi, Akiyoshi Horiguchi, Hiroyasu Yamaguchi
Summary: We have successfully synthesized a supramolecular cross-linked polysulfide polymer containing bipyridine (poly(LS-bpy)) through metal-ligand interactions. The complexation of bipyridine and a metal ion in poly(LS-bpy) leads to the formation of a supramolecular cross-linked polysulfide polymer. The molecular weight of this polymer is 29 times higher than that of a traditional polysulfide polymer. Furthermore, the addition of chelating agents and a metal ion allows for the disassembly and assembly of the supramolecular cross-linked polysulfide polymer, respectively. This polymer also exhibits improved thermal stability, making it a promising material for various applications.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Muhammad Afzaal, Farhan Saeed, Huda Ateeq, Muhammad Nadeem Akhtar, Ali Imran, Aftab Ahmed, Muhammad Aamir, Fakhar Islam, Iqra Yasmin, Yasir Abbas Shah, Muzzamal Hussain, Adnan Hameed, Roshan Kumar, Chinaza Godswill Awuchi
Summary: In this study, Lactobacillus acidophilus was encapsulated in sodium alginate and whey protein isolate with the addition of antacids CaCO3 or Mg(OH)(2), effectively prolonging the viability of probiotics under stressed conditions.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Prachi Bhol, Madhuchhanda Mohanty, Priti S. Mohanty
Summary: This study successfully synthesized hybrid particles of gold, silver, and iron using microgels as micro-reactors, showing narrow size distribution and smaller swollen size compared to pure microgels in solution. UV-VIS spectroscopy confirmed the presence of plasmon peaks in the hybrids, and magnetic response was observed in the iron-based hybrids when exposed to an external magnet. Molecular docking studies indicated that electrostatic attraction plays a dominant role in holding the nanoparticles within the polymer matrices of microgels.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Arif
Summary: The unique combination of cobalt nanoparticles and smart polymer microgels has attracted great interest in the production of hydrogen gas and removal of toxic dyes from water. The responsive behavior of microgels makes cobalt nanoparticle-loaded microgels most suitable for these applications. Various types of cobalt nanoparticle microgels have been reported in the literature, with hybrid microgel formations playing an important role. This report provides a comprehensive review of the synthesis, classification, characterization, and applications of cobalt nanoparticle microgels, with a focus on their catalytic generation of hydrogen and reduction of pollutants.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinyao Liu, Xiao He, Bo Yang, Lu Lai, Ningxin Chen, Jinguang Hu, Qingye Lu
Summary: In this study, novel dual physically cross-linked (DPC) hydrogels were developed by incorporating cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) or hydrophobized CNC (CNC-C8) into polymers physically cross-linked by hydrophobic forces. The CNC-C8 DPC hydrogels demonstrated stronger tensile strength and excellent elongation compared to the optimum CNC DPC hydrogels, showcasing the enhanced mechanical properties achieved through introduced hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, these DPC hydrogels could be easily repaired with tetrahydrofuran (THF) while maintaining good tensile stress and elongation behaviors.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hung-Pang Lee, Ryan Davis, Ting-Ching Wang, Kaivalya A. Deo, Kathy Xiao Cai, Daniel L. Alge, Tanmay P. Lele, Akhilesh K. Gaharwar
Summary: Granular hydrogels with reversible interparticle cross-linking were developed, providing injectable and 3D printable properties. The interparticle cross-linking was achieved through weak hydrazone bonds, enabling high mechanical stability without the need for secondary cross-linking. These granular hydrogels also exhibited enhanced cell recruitment due to their porosity and sustained release of growth factors.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Alfred Ngenge Tamfu, Gokhan Kocak, Ozgur Ceylan, Funda Citak, Vural Butun, Huseyin Cicek
Summary: In this study, antimicrobial polymers with greater applications than traditional antibiotics were developed. The modified polymeric microparticles showed good antibiofilm activity and can be used to reduce the spread of microbial infections and resistance.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ondrej Maxian, Raul P Pelaez, Alex Mogilner, Aleksandar Donev
Summary: This study focused on the behavior of cross-linked non-Brownian actin networks through detailed simulations, revealing the principal timescales involved and demonstrating the elastic-viscous behavior of the network at different scales. The findings show that the network is predominantly elastic on short timescales and primarily viscous on long timescales, with the influence of nonlocal hydrodynamic interactions depending on the network morphology.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)