Ionic Crosslinking of Linear Polyethyleneimine Hydrogels with Tripolyphosphate.

In this work, the mechanical properties of hydrogels based on linear polyethyleneimine (PEI) chemically crosslinked with ethyleneglycoldiglycidyl ether (EGDE) were improved by the ionic crosslinking with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). To this end, the quaternization of the nitrogen atoms present in the PEI structure was conducted to render a network with a permanent positive charge to interact with the negative charges of TPP. The co-crosslinking process was studied by H high-resolution magic angle spinning (H HRMAS) NMR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in combination with organic elemental analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Development of smart films based on soy protein and cow horn dissolved in a deep eutectic solvent: Physicochemical and environmental assessment.

With the urge to reduce the use of petroleum-based materials, the aim of this work is to valorize biowaste to develop smart films through a sustainable fabrication way. In this regard, choline chloride/urea (1:2) deep eutectic solvent (DES) at different concentrations (25, 40, 50 and 75 wt%) was used to dissolve cow horn, used as reinforcement agent in soy protein films. The film fabrication was carried out by compression molding, a fast and cost-effective.

Linear Polyethyleneimine-Based and Metal Organic Frameworks (DUT-67) Composite Hydrogels as Efficient Sorbents for the Removal of Methyl Orange, Copper Ions, and Penicillin V.

This research explores the integration of DUT-67 metal organic frameworks into polyethyleneimine-based hydrogels to assemble a composite system with enough mechanical strength, pore structure and chemical affinity to work as a sorbent for water remediation. By varying the solvent-to-modulator ratio in a water-based synthesis path, the particle size of DUT-67 was successfully modulated from 1 μm to 200 nm. Once DUT-67 particles were integrated into the polymeric hydrogel, the composite hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical properties after the incorporation of the MOF filler.

Films of Poly(Hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and Copper with Antibacterial Activity.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, is a hydrophobic biopolymer with good mechanical and barrier properties. However, neat PHB is a semicrystalline polymer with a relative high degree of crystallinity and poor film properties. In this work, this biopolymer was plasticized with glycerol tributyrate and functionalized with copper (II) sulfate, allowing us to obtain biodegradable antimicrobial flexible films.

Recycling of hyoscyamine 6β-hydroxylase for the in vitro production of anisodamine and scopolamine.

The tropane alkaloids hyoscyamine, anisodamine, and scopolamine are extensively used medicines. In particular, scopolamine has the greatest value in the market. Hence, strategies to enhance its production have been explored as an alternative to traditional field-plant cultivation.