Macromolecular Materials and Engineering最新文献

Front Cover: A detailed analysis of PEO-PPO based block copolymers revealed the presence of diblock copolymers, which modify their HLB values. By analyzing the copolymers, the authors mapped the composition-property relationships then an artificial neural network was created providing the properties of polymer solutions for any estimated copolymer composition. More details can be found in article 2400297 by Sándor Kéki and co-workers.

Back Cover: In article 2400242, Saied Nouri Khorasani and co-workers discuss the development of a IPN hydrogel of GelMA and alginate, reinforced with nano silica. The resulted hydrogel exhibits enhanced physical, rheological and mechanical properties, and biocompatibility, making it a promising candidate for cartilage tissue engineering. The incorporation of nano silica improves the structural integrity, injectability, and functionality of the hydrogel, facilitating better integration with biological tissues.

Front Cover: In article 2400213, Davood Abbaszadeh, Ali-Reza Moradi, and co-workers demonstrate the innovative approach of speckle pattern statistical analysis for memristor devices characterization while they are in operation. The method is non-invasive, remote, and probeless. Analyzing the speckle patterns of PVK:rGO memristors in their ON/OFF states provides insights into resistance mechanism and information on the distribution of charge carriers.

Recently, research all over the world is being carried out to develop eco-friendly supercapacitors (SCs) using biopolymeric materials like proteins or polysaccharides. These polymers offer these innovative energy storage devices' sustainability and recyclability, flexibility, lightweight, and steady cycling performance—all crucial for utilizations involving wearable electronics and others. Given its abundance and extensive recycling behavior, cellulose is one of the most sustainable natural polymers requiring special attention. The paper discusses the various types of cellulose-based materials (CBMs), including nanocellulose, cellulose derivatives, and composites, as well as their synthesis methods and electrochemical properties. The review also highlights the performance of CBMs in SC applications, including their capacitance, cycling stability, and rate capability, along with recent advances in modifying the materials, such as surface modification and hybrid materials. Finally, the proposed topic is concluded with the current challenges and future prospects of CBMs for SC applications.

A composite polymeric scaffold of gelatin/alginate /graphene is fabricated through freeze-drying technique. Initially, a hydrogel system comprised of gelatin/alginate (1:1) is prepared, and then the effect of different amounts of graphene carboxyl nanosheets (1,1.5, 2, and 2.5 wt.%) on the resultant structural properties are thoroughly evaluated. The swelling ratio, biodegradability, electrical and mechanical properties of bio-composite hydrogels are controlled by manipulating the concentration of graphene-COOH. The significant increase in the electrical conductivity is observed with the addition of 2.5% graphene-COOH, and the electrical conductivity increased from 8.525 × 10⁻⁷ ± 0.01 S cm⁻¹ to 7.644 × 10⁻⁴ ± 0.04 S cm⁻¹. Also, the biocomposite hydrogels exhibited compressive and tensile strength ranging from 25 to 382 KPa and 11.4 to 148 KPa with an increase in the concentration of graphene-COOH. The simplicity, low cost, tunable mechanical properties, and optimal electrical conductivity of the hydrogel system presented in this study highlight its potential as nerve tissue replacement.

In spite of greater efforts to address antibiotic resistance, Ciprofloxacin (CIP) buildup in the aqueous medium continues to rise. The negative effects of CIP on the environment can be minimized through a comprehensive understanding of the technological advancements in removal techniques. The exploration of adsorbents like metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), activated carbon, porous organic polymers, etc., have found major usage in the adsorptive removal of antibiotics to tackle contamination. This study aims to compare the MOF-based adsorbents and provide a guide to developing such materials for the successful removal of CIP. The isotherm models of the adsorbents are studied using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Sips isotherms. Furthermore, pseudo-second-order, pseudo-first order, intra-particle diffusion, and Elovich models are used to study the kinetic models. The major mechanisms of adsorption, such as π–π interactions, H-bonding, electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, and pore filling, are also analyzed. This study contributes to the future scope for the development of these MOFs for further exploration and applications in environmental remediation.

Development of smart drug delivery systems (DDSs) for effective delivering drugs to targeted areas and achieving controlled drug release (CDR) is critical for cancer chemotherapy. The purpose of this study is synthesis of polydopamine (PDA) nanocapsules and analyze the adsorption and release properties of doxorubicin (DOX). PDA nanocapsules are manufactured using hard template approach. The influence of various parameters such as pH, adsorption time, and initial DOX content on the adsorption and release process is investigated. The resulting adsorption isotherm is consistent with the Langmuir isotherm, indicating that DOX adsorption on PDA nanocapsules is homogenous, uniform, and monolayer. PDA nanocapsules have an adsorption capacity of 689.6 mg g⁻¹ under alkaline conditions, which is attributed to phenol group deprotonation mechanism and electrostatic repulsion. The adsorption kinetics are more consistent with the pseudo-second-order model. Furthermore, raising initial concentration of DOX results in a greatly increased adsorption capacity due to a larger driving force. Among the several parameters that can influence the pace and degree of DOX loading and release, local pH is regarded as a significant environmental component in the processes. Thus, pH-responsive PDA nanocapsules have a significant potential for usage in locations with aberrant pH level, such as cancer tissue.