[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1080/15685551.2025.2464132.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1080/15685551.2025.2464132.].
Herein we report a one-pot strategy for the synthesis and functionalization of hyperbranched polytriazoles by means of the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an AB2-type monomer containing an alkyne and two azide groups. The AB2 monomer is synthesized starting from dimethyl 5-hydroxyisophthalate in four steps with an overall yield of 58%, and the synthesis and purification are straightforward. The synthesis of end-capped hyperbranched polytriazoles (HBPTs) can be achieved via the Huisgen cycloaddition of the AB2 monomer using only heat, followed by functionalization with either sulfonic acid (-SO3H) or pentafluorophenyl (-Ph-F5) end groups. The resulting functional hyperbranched polytriazoles, HBPT-Ph-SO3H and HBPT-Ph-F5, are characterized by 1H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies as well as gel-permeation chromatography. The film is fabricated simply by blending the two polymers, and the ion exchange capacity and ion conductivity are measured.
The agricultural sector faces significant challenges from weed-induced crop losses, driving increased herbicide use and associated environmental and health risks. Controlled-release formulations (CRFs) of herbicides offer a promising solution by employing advanced materials such as synthetic and natural polymers, clay minerals, siliceous materials, and nanoparticles to optimize the release and efficacy of active ingredients (AIs). This review explores the mechanisms of controlled release - desorption, diffusion, osmosis, and matrix dissolution - and examines the role of carrier properties in modulating AI release kinetics. Advances in smart nanocarriers and encapsulation technologies demonstrate improved precision, reduced herbicide usage, and minimal impact on soil microbiomes, fostering sustainable agriculture. Despite these innovations, challenges remain in standardizing processes, enhancing cost-effectiveness, and scaling up field applications. This study emphasizes the critical balance between improving agricultural productivity and minimizing ecological harm, highlighting the potential of CRFs to revolutionize weed management practices while preserving soil health and ecosystem integrity.
Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders are the leading cause of illness and affect the everyday lives of people all around the globe and are predicted to increase tremendously in the upcoming decades. Traditional methods of delivering drugs to the CNS face considerable limitations. Nose-to-brain targeting offers a promising alternative that bypasses the blood-brain barrier (BBB), enabling targeted drug administration to the central nervous system (CNS). Nanotechnology has brought forward innovative solutions to the challenges of drug delivery in CNS disorders. Nanocarriers such as liposomes, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and dendrimers can enhance drug stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery to the brain. These nanocarriers are designed to overcome physiological barriers and provide controlled and sustained drug release directly to the CNS. Nanocarrier technology has made significant strides in recent years, enabling more effective and targeted delivery of drugs to the brain. With recent advancements, intranasal delivery coupled with nanocarriers seems to be a promising combination that can provide better clinical profiles, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics for neurodegenerative disorders. This study focuses on exploring the nose-to-brain drug delivery system, emphasizing the use of various nanocarriers designed for this purpose. Additionally, the study encompasses recent advancements in nanocarrier technology tailored specifically to improve the efficiency of drug administration through the nasal route to the brain.
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a polymer that can be used as a vitreous substitute. To fulfill the need for PDMS on a large scale, synthesis of PDMS in a large number is also needed. Therefore, intensive research is needed to produce PDMS in large quantities. This study reported that the result of the synthesis of PDMS on a scale three and five times larger than the lab-scale using a ring-opening polymerization method with octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) as a monomer and hexamethyldisiloxane as a chain terminator by increasing the volume of raw materials and reactors. The viscosity of PDMS obtained is in the ranges of 1000-3700 mPa.s for lab-scale, 1130-3590 mPa.s for three times scale-up, and 1270-4320 for five times scale-up. The obtained refractive index ranges from 1.3982 to 1.4008 and the surface tension ranges from 20 to 21 mN/m. From FTIR measurements, the synthesized PDMS from lab-scale and scale-up had structural and functional groups similar to commercial PDMS, showing that PDMS has been successfully synthesized.
Enhancing both ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness remains a major challenge in designing solid-state electrolytes for lithium batteries. This work presents a novel approach in designing mechanically robust and highly conductive solid-state electrolytes, which involves ionic liquid-based cross-linked polymer networks incorporating polymeric ionic liquids (PILs). First, linear PILs with different side groups were synthesized for optimizing the structure. Molecular weights of the PIL samples, ranging from 30 to 40 kDa, were determined using a complimentary combination of thermal field-flow fractionation (ThFFF) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. The aimed for networks were synthesized through the photo-initiated polymerization of a network-forming monomer and a cross-linker, in the presence of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and a PIL bearing quaternized imidazolium groups. The resulting cross-linked membranes - semi-interpenetrating networks - exhibit substantial mechanical strength, with a Young's modulus of 40-50 MPa, surpassing the threshold for solid-state battery separators, while maintaining high ionic conductivity in the range of 4 × 10-4 S·cm-1 at 60°C. Notably, the introduction of oligo(ethylene glycol) moieties into the PIL structure significantly enhances ionic conductivity and allows for incorporation of a larger amount of the lithium salt compared to the alkyl-substituted analogs. Moreover, although cross-linking often impairs ionic transport as a result of restricted segmental mobility of the polymer chains, incorporation into the network of highly conductive linear PILs circumvents this issue. This unique combination of properties positions the developed membranes as promising candidates for application in solid-state lithium batteries, effectively addressing the traditional trade-off in electrolyte design.
This review paper analyzes recent advancements in bio-polymer coatings for probiotic microencapsulation, with a particular emphasis on chitosan and its synergistic combinations with other materials. Probiotic microencapsulation is essential for protecting probiotics from environmental stresses, enhancing their stability, and ensuring effective delivery to the gut. The review begins with an overview of probiotic microencapsulation, highlighting its significance in safeguarding probiotics through processing, storage, and gastrointestinal transit. Advances in chitosan-based encapsulation are explored, including the integration of chitosan with other bio-polymers such as alginate, gelatin, and pectin, as well as the application of nanotechnology and innovative encapsulation techniques like spray drying and layer-by-layer assembly. Detailed mechanistic insights are integrated, illustrating how chitosan influences gut microbiota by promoting beneficial bacteria and suppressing pathogens, thus enhancing its role as a prebiotic or synbiotic. Furthermore, the review delves into chitosan's immunomodulatory effects, particularly in the context of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and autoimmune diseases, describing the immune signaling pathways influenced by chitosan and linking gut microbiota changes to improvements in systemic immunity. Recent clinical trials and human studies assessing the efficacy of chitosan-coated probiotics are presented, alongside a discussion of practical applications and a comparison of in vitro and in vivo findings to highlight real-world relevance. The sustainability of chitosan sources and their environmental impact are addressed, along with the novel concept of chitosan's role in the gut-brain axis. Finally, the review emphasizes future research needs, including the development of personalized probiotic therapies and the exploration of novel bio-polymers and encapsulation techniques.
Ibuprofen sodium (IBP) is a commonly used NSAID for multiple pain conditions. However, despite its extensive use, it is associated with multiple GIT adverse effects after oral administration. In the present study, we have fabricated thermoresponsive gel depot using Poly (N-vinylcaprolactam) and sodium alginate as polymers. The designed formulations are intended to be used as IBP depot after being administered subcutaneously. The sol-gel phase transition temperature and gelation time of gel samples were optimized by tube inversion, rheological exploration and optical transmittances. Temperature sweep experiments confirmed that optimized gel samples have sol-gel transition between 32°C and 37°C. Swelling and in vitro drug release displayed that optimized gels have maximum swelling and IBP release at pH 7.4 and at 35°C confirming their pH/thermo sensitivity. The degradation profile of hydrogels displayed controlled degradation for 6 days that with increasing contents. MTT assay showed L929 cells displayed more than 90% cell viability against blank and IBP-loaded PNVCL/NaAlg hydrogels at optimized concentrations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the polymer blend hydrogels structure formation. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the presence of thermoresponsive moieties and thermal stability of polymer blend hydrogel sample. While scanning electron microscopy showed that hydrogel has channels in structure that might facilitate the diffusion of solvent. Results concluded that PNVCL/NaAlg hydrogels can be utilized as IBP sustained depot following subcutaneous application invivo and GIT adverse effects could be avoided associated with its oral administration.
Herein, poly(pentanediamine terephthalamide) (PA5T) homopolymer was synthesized via a salt-forming reaction+solid state polycondensation method using bio-based 1,5-pentanediamine and terephthalic acid as the primary raw materials. To address the issue of its narrower processing window, poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide)(PA6T), which also cannot be melt processed due to the processing window is negative, was introduced into its molecular chain to synthesize poly (pentanediamine/hexanediamine terephthaloyl) (PA5T-co-6T) copolymers. The structures were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance carbon spectroscopy (13C-NMR). Furthermore, the melting temperature, crystallization temperature, thermal stability, and crystal growth mode of the polymer were tested and analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD), respectively. The results demonstrate that the crystal growth mode gradually changes from three-dimensional spherical growth to two-dimensional disk-like or three-dimensional spherical growth with the increase of 6T chain segment content. Simultaneously, the crystallization temperature, melting temperature, and crystallization rate of the polymer all showed a trend of decreasing first and then increasing, which was due to the combined effects of the increase in the content of 6T chain segments on the molecular-chain structure and crystal structure of the polymer. Bio-based PA5T-co-6T has excellent heat resistance and a wider processing window than PA5T and PA6T, which possesses great application prospects in the fields of automotive, electronic appliances, and LED optics.
Hyperbranched polyphosphate polyesters (HPPs) as a special class of hyperbranched polymers have attracted increased interest and have been intensively studied, because of peculiar structures, excellent biocompatibility, flexibility in physicochemical properties, biodegradability, water soluble, thermal stability, and mechanical properties. HPPs can be divided into phosphates as monomers and phosphates as end groups. In this article, the classification, general synthesis, modifications, and applications of HPP are reviewed. In addition, recent developments in the application of HPP are described, such as modified or functionalized by end capping and hypergrafting to improve the performances in polymer blends, coatings, flame retardant, leather. Furthermore, the modifications and application of HPPs in biomedical materials, such as drug delivery and bone regeneration were discussed. In summary, the hyperbranched polymer enlarges its application range and improves its application performance compared with conventional polymer. In the future, more new HPPs composite materials will be developed through hyperbranched technique. This review of HPPs will provide useful theoretical basis and technical support for the development of new hyperbranched polymer material.

