Advances in colloid and interface science最新文献

Meeting the contemporary demand for the development of functional, biocompatible, and environment friendly self-assembled structures using efficient, cost-effective, and energy-saving methods, the field of colloids has witnessed a surge in interest. Research into cationic and anionic (catanionic) surfactant combinations has gained momentum due to their distinct advantages and synergistic properties in this context. Catanionic self-assemblies have emerged as promising contenders for addressing these requirements. Catanionic self-assemblies possess high stability, adjustable surface charge, and low critical aggregation concentration. This comprehensive review article distinguishes between cationic/anionic non-equimolar and equimolar ratio mixing formation of high-salt catanionic self-assemblies known as catanionic mixture and salt-free counterparts, termed ion-pair amphiphiles, respectively. It explores diverse synthesis techniques, emphasizing the roles of solvents, salts, and pH conditions and covers both experimental and theoretical aspects of state-of-the-art catanionic self-assemblies. Additionally, the review investigates the development of multi-responsive catanionic self-assemblies using light, pH, temperature, and redox, responsive cationic/anionic amphiphiles. It provides an in-depth exploration of potential synergistic interactions and properties, underscoring their practical importance in a wide range of industrial applications. The review explores challenges like precipitation, stability and identifies knowledge gaps, creating opportunities in the dynamic catanionic self-assembly field. It aims to offer insights into the journey of catanionic self-assemblies, from inception to current status, appealing to a broad audience invested in their scientific and industrial potential.

Chitosan, a biocompatible polysaccharide, finds a wide range of applications, inter alia as an antimicrobial agent, stabilizer of food products, cosmetics, and in the targeted delivery of drugs and stem cells. This work represents a comprehensive review of the properties of chitosan molecule and its aqueous solutions uniquely combining theoretical modeling and experimental results. The emphasis is on physicochemical aspects which were sparsely considered in previous reviews. Accordingly, in the first part, the explicit solvent molecular dynamics (MD) modeling results characterizing the conformations of chitosan molecule, the contour length, the chain diameter and the density are discussed. These MD data are used to calculate several parameters for larger chitosan molecules using a hybrid approach based on continuous hydrodynamics. The dependencies of hydrodynamic diameter, frictional ratio, radius of gyration, and intrinsic viscosity on the molar mass of molecules are presented and discussed. These theoretical predictions, comprising useful analytical solutions, are used to interpret and rationalize the extensive experimental data acquired by advanced experimental techniques. In the final part, the molecule charge, acid-base, and electrokinetic properties, comprising the electrophoretic mobility and the zeta potential, are reviewed. Future research directions are defined and discussed.

The key step in the entire molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) preparation process is the formation of the complementary cavities in the polymer matrix through the template removal process. The template is removed using chemical treatments, leaving behind selective binding sites for target molecules within the polymer matrix. Other MIP preparation steps include mixing monomers and template molecules in the appropriate solvent(s), monomer-template complex equilibration, and polymerisation of the monomers around the template. However, template removal is the most important among all the preparation steps because the final structure, which can be accepted and recognised as the MIP, is obtained only after the template removal. A thorough analysis of the studies dedicated to MIP applications demonstrates that this MIP preparation step, namely the template removal, is relatively understudied. MIP template removal is especially challenging in the synthesis, where the molecular template is a macromolecule such as a protein. This review aims to provide a deliberate, systematic, and consistent overview of protein removal as the MIP template molecules. The most prevalent template removal methods are outlined for removing protein templates from electrochemically synthesised MIPs, particularly thin layers on electrodes used in electrochemical sensors. Five protein template removal approaches involving chemical treatment are highlighted, which include the utilisation of (i) chaotropic agents, (ii) salt, (iii) acidic cleavage, (iv) alkaline, and finally, (v) proteolytic treatment focusing on studies conducted over the past decade. In addition, we discuss the interactions driving the removal of protein templates in each approach and associated challenges. This review provides insights into MIPs protein template removal strategies while highlighting the prevalent issue of this understudied step of template removal.

Heightened levels of electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted by electronic devices, communication equipment, and information processing technologies have become a significant concern recently. So, substantial efforts have been devoted for developing novel materials having high EM absorption properties. This critical review article provides an overview of the advancements in understanding and developing such materials. It delves into the interaction between EM radiation and absorbing materials, focusing on phenomena like multiple reflections, scattering, and polarization. Additionally, the study discusses various types of losses that impact microwave absorber performance, like magnetic loss, and dielectric loss. Each of these losses has distinct implications for microwave absorbers' effectiveness. Furthermore, the review offers detailed insights into different microwave-absorbing materials, such as metal composites, magnetic materials, conducting polymers, and carbonaceous materials (composites with carbon fiber, porous carbon, carbon nanotube, graphene oxide, etc.). Overall, it highlights the progress achieved in microwave-absorbing materials and emphasizes optimizing various loss mechanisms for enhanced performance.

New antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapeutics are needed because of antibiotic resistance development and resulting complications such as inflammation, ultimately leading to septic shock. The antimicrobial effects of various nanoparticles (NPs) are currently attracting intensive research interest. Although various NPs display potent antimicrobial effects against strains resistant to conventional antibiotics, the therapeutic use of such materials is restricted by poor selectivity between bacteria and human cells, leading to adverse side effects. As a result, increasing research efforts during the last few years have focused on targeting NPs against bacteria and other components in the infection micro-environment. Examples of approaches explored include peptide-, protein- and nucleic acid-based NP coatings for bacterial membrane recognition, as well as NP conjugation with enzyme substrates or other moieties that respond to bacterial or other enzymes present in the infection micro-environment. In general, this study aims to add to the literature on the antimicrobial effects of nanomaterials by discussing surface modification strategies for targeting bacterial membranes and membrane components, as well as how such surface modifications can improve the antimicrobial effects of nanomaterials and simultaneously decrease toxicity towards human cells and tissues. In doing so, the biological effects observed are related throughout to the physico-chemical modes of action underlying such effects.

Adsorption of rhamnolipid (RL) and surfactin (SF) as well as their mixtures with Triton X-100 (TX100) and Triton X-165 (TX165) at the solution-air (S-A), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)-S, PMMA (poly (methyl methacrylate))-S, Q (quartz)-S, PMMA-A, and Q-A as well as their wetting properties regarding the surface tension of the PTFE, PMMA and quartz and its components and parameters were discussed using the literature data. The mutual influence of biosurfactants and Tritons on the S-A, PMMA(quartz)-A and PTFE(PMMA, quartz)-S interfaces tensions was considered in terms of their adsorption at these interfaces for both aqueous and water-ethanol solutions of the biosurfactant mixtures with Tritons. For this purpose there were used different methods on the basis of which the S-A, PMMA(quartz)-A and PTFE(PMMA, quartz)-S interface tensions can be predicted and/or described in the function of concentration and composition of the mixtures. Changes of these interface tensions as a function of concentration and composition of the mixtures were compared to those affected by individual mixture components. In turn, these changes of the interface tension were considered as regards properties of the biosurfactants, Tritons and ethanol layers adsorbed at the S-A, PMMA(quartz)-A and PTFE(PMMA, quartz)-S interfaces. Based on the changes of the contact angle of the aqueous and water-ethanol solutions of the biosurfactants and Tritons as well as biosurfactants mixtures with Tritons on PMMA and quartz as a function of mixture concentration and composition, the changes of the PMMA and quartz surface tension were analyzed using various approaches to the surface and interface tension. The thermodynamic functions change as a results of RL, SF, TX100, TX165, ET as well as the mixtures of RL and SF with Tritons adsorption at different interfaces were also analyzed based on the literature data. These considerations allow to describe and/or predict changes of the interface tension, contact angle of the mixtures as a function of their composition based on these properties of individual mixture components.

Catalytic species such as molecular catalysts and metal catalysts are commonly attached to varieties of supports to simplify their separation and recovery and accommodate various reaction conditions. The physicochemical microenvironments surrounding catalytic species play an important role in catalytic performance, and the rational design and engineering of microenvironments can achieve more efficient chemical synthesis, leading to greener and more sustainable catalysis. In this review, we highlight recent works addressing the topic of the design and engineering of microenvironments of supported catalysts, including supported molecular catalysts and supported metal catalysts. Six types of materials, including oxide nano/microparticle, mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN), polymer nanomaterial, reticular material, zeolite, and carbon-based nanomaterial, are widely used as supports for the immobilization of catalytic species. We summarize and discuss the synthesis and modification of supports and the positive effects of microenvironments on catalytic properties such as metal-support interaction, molecular recognition, pseudo-solvent effect, regulating mass transfer, steric effect, etc. These design principles and engineering strategies allow access to a better understanding of structure-property relationships and advance the development of more efficient catalytic processes.

The development of electroactive polymers (EAPs) affords novel integrated actuation and sensing technologies for intelligent flexible systems, enabling them to achieve remarkable flexibility and intelligence. Among EAPs, plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel stands out as an ideal candidate for next-generation intelligent flexible applications due to its combination of exceptional actuation and sensing properties. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of recent advances in PVC gel actuators and sensors, including fabrication, properties, modeling, and applications. In particular, the outstanding actuation and sensing properties of PVC gel are thoroughly analyzed to exhibit its immense potential for application in smart flexible devices. Furthermore, the inherent relationships between the properties and materials of PVC gel are further revealed. Moreover, recent modification techniques to enhance the actuation and sensing properties of PVC gel are summarized, offering guidance for improving its properties. The current challenges and promising perspectives for enhancing performance and facilitating applications are finally discussed. We believe this paper will inspire the development of high-performance flexible devices employing PVC gel, as well as other EAPs, thereby paving the way for their practical applications.

Biosurfactants are biodegradable, non-toxic, and environmentally beneficial substances that are produced by microorganisms. Due to their chemical characteristics and stability in various environmental circumstances, biosurfactants are low-molecular-weight, surface-active molecules of great industrial importance. The choice of the producer microbe, kind of substrate, and purification technique determine the chemistry of a biosurfactant and its production cost. Biosurfactants' amphiphilic nature has proven to be quite advantageous, allowing them to disperse onto two immiscible surfaces while lowering the interfacial surface tension and boosting the solubility of hydrophobic substances. Microbial surfactants are replacing their chemical counterparts in research and usage because of their low or non-toxic nature, durability at higher temperatures, capacity to endure wide range of pH variations and degrade naturally. Biosurfactants are often used as anti-adhesives, emulsifying/de-emulsifying agents, spreading agents, foaming agents, and detergents that have significance in a range of industries such as agriculture, biomedical, bioremediation, the manufacturing industry, and cosmetic. Recent advancements in biosurfactant production have enhanced its usefulness and research interest in a circular economy framework. These advancements include the use of alternative substrates, including various forms of organic waste and solid-state fermentation. Here, we attempted a comprehensive review of biosurfactants, their usage, latest research, limitations, and future aspects.

Photothermal conversion materials (PCMs) are crucial component in solar-thermal energy technologies. Although various PCMs with excellent sunlight harvesting have been developed for colorful solar-thermal applications, uniform and large-scale production of PCMs remains a challenge, and the PCMs prepared through the conventional methods are often non-site specific. Laser processing technology (LPT), as an efficient, convenient, green and sustainable technology, can directly create micro/nano structures and patterns at specific locations on materials surface, attracting widespread attention in photo-to-thermal applications. Here, we summarize the laser processing of preparing PCMs through laser sintering, laser modification, laser ablation in liquid, laser induced carbonization, and laser etching. We also introduce the working mechanism of LPT, and analyze the thermal conductivity, heat storage performance and hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of the substrate after LPT treatment. Furthermore, the application of LPT in solar anti-icing/deicing, seawater desalination, heat exchange system, energy storage and transfer, and other related fields are introduced. Additionally, we provide a prospect for the development of LPT and offer directions for future research. We hope that this review can provide meaningful reference value for scholars in this field.