Development of Variable Charge Cationic Hydrogel Particles with Potential Application in the Removal of Amoxicillin and Sulfamethoxazole from Water.

Cationic hydrogel particles (CHPs) crosslinked with glutaraldehyde were synthesized and characterized to evaluate their removal capacity for two globally consumed antibiotics: amoxicillin and sulfamethoxazole. The obtained material was characterized by FTIR, SEM, and TGA, confirming effective crosslinking. The optimal working pH was determined to be 6.

Sensors Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in the Field of Cancer Biomarker Detection: A Review.

Biomarkers play a pivotal role in the screening, diagnosis, prevention, and post-treatment follow-up of various malignant tumors. In certain instances, identifying these markers necessitates prior treatment due to the complex nature of the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, advancing techniques that exhibit selectivity, specificity, and enable streamlined analysis hold significant importance.

Innovative Approach to Accelerate Wound Healing: Synthesis and Validation of Enzymatically Cross-Linked COL-rGO Biocomposite Hydrogels.

In this study, an innovative conductive hybrid biomaterial was synthetized using collagen (COL) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in order for it to be used as a wound dressing. The hydrogels were plasticized with glycerol and enzymatically cross-linked with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). A successful interaction among the components was demonstrated by FTIR, XRD, and XPS.

Synthesis of silver-palladium Janus nanoparticles using co-sputtering of independent sources: experimental and theorical study.

Janus-type nanoparticles are important because of their ability to combine distinct properties and functionalities in a single particle, making them extremely versatile and valuable in various scientific, technological, and industrial applications. In this work, bimetallic silver-palladium Janus nanoparticles were obtained for the first time using the inert gas condensation technique. In order to achieve this, an original synthesis equipment built by Mantis Ltd.

Polyelectrolytes for Environmental, Agricultural, and Medical Applications.

In recent decades, polyelectrolytes (PELs) have attracted significant interest owing to a surge in research dedicated to the development of new technologies and applications at the biological level. Polyelectrolytes are macromolecules of which a substantial portion of the constituent units contains ionizable or ionic groups. These macromolecules demonstrate varied behaviors across different pH ranges, ionic strengths, and concentrations, making them fascinating subjects within the scientific community.

Study of the Efficiency of a Polycation Using the Diafiltration Technique in the Removal of the Antibiotic Oxytetracycline Used in Aquaculture.

The presence of antibiotics in aquatic systems in recent years has become a global environmental and public health concern due to the appearance of strains resistant to these antibiotics. Oxytetracycline (OXT) is a high-impact antibiotic used for both human and veterinary consumption, and it is the second most used antibiotic in aquaculture in Chile. Based on the above, this problem is addressed using a linear polymer whose structure is composed of aromatic rings and quaternary ammonium groups, which will help enhance the removal capacity of this antibiotic.

Comparative Study of the Removal Efficiency of Nalidixic Acid by Poly[(4-vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium Chloride] and N-Alkylated Chitosan through the Ultrafiltration Technique and Its Approximation through Theoretical Calculations.

Emerging antibiotic contaminants in water is a global problem because bacterial strains resistant to these antibiotics arise, risking human health. This study describes the use of poly[(4-vinylbenzyl) trimethylammonium chloride] and N-alkylated chitosan, two cationic polymers with different natures and structures to remove nalidixic acid. Both contain ammonium salt as a functional group.

Bio-Based Polymeric Membranes: Development and Environmental Applications.

Nowadays, membrane technology is an efficient process for separating compounds with minimal structural abrasion; however, the manufacture of membranes still has several drawbacks to being profitable and competitive commercially under an environmentally friendly approach. In this sense, this review focuses on bio-based polymeric membranes as an alternative to solve the environmental concern caused by the use of polymeric materials of fossil origin. The fabrication of bio-based polymeric membranes is explained through a general description of elements such as the selection of bio-based polymers, the preparation methods, the usefulness of additives, the search for green solvents, and the characterization of the membranes.

In-Situ Modification of Nanofiltration Membranes Using Carbon Nanotubes for Water Treatment.

Modification of thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes to increase permeability and improve separation performance remains a significant challenge for water scarcity. This study aimed to enhance the permeability and selectivity of two commercial polyamide (PA) NF membranes, NF90 and NF270, by modifying them with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using microwave (MW)-assisted in-situ growth. The conducting polymer, polypyrrole (Ppy), and a ferrocene catalyst were used to facilitate the growth process.

Novel and effective hemostats based on graphene oxide-polymer aerogels: In vitro and in vivo evaluation.

In this study, graphene oxide (GO)-based aerogels cross-linked with chitosan (CS), gelatin (GEL), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were characterized and their hemostatic efficiencies both in vitro and in vivo were investigated and compared to commercial materials (ChitoGauze®XR and Spongostan™). All aerogels exhibited highly porous structures and a negative surface charge density favorable to their interaction with blood cells. The in vitro studies showed that all aerogels coagulated >60 % of the blood contained in their structures after 240 s of the whole-blood clotting assay, the GO-CS aerogel being the one with the highest blood clotting.

Hybrid Materials Based on Nanoparticles Functionalized with Alkylsilanes Covalently Anchored to Epoxy Matrices.

In this work, the surface modification of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) with 3-glycidyloxy-propyl-trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) was investigated. The ZnO-NPs were synthesized using the physical method of continuous arc discharge in controlled atmosphere (DARC-AC). The surface modification was carried out using a chemical method with constant agitation for 24 h at room temperature.

An study on the inhibition and ultrastructural alterations of biofilm by zinc oxide nanowires in a PMMA matrix.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was (i) to investigate whether nanocomposite poly(methyl-methacrylate)-zinc oxide nanowires (PMMA-ZnO-NWs) have antibiofilm activity; (ii) to evaluate the interaction between components of the nanocomposites based on PMMA-ZnO-NWs by Raman spectroscopy; and (iii) to assess ultrastructural alterations.

Design: Sixty-eight rectangles (17 PMMA (control) and 51 PMMA-ZnO-NWs (250, 500, 1000 ppm ZnO nanowires) were fabricated. ATCC 10231 and a clinical strain were tested.

Laves Phase in a 12% Cr Martensitic/Ferritic Steel: Evolution and Characterization of Nanoparticles at 650 °C.

A 12% Cr martensitic/ferritic with tailor-made microstructure was characterized by HRTEM after tempering (780 °C/2 h) and isothermal aging at 650 °C during 2 months and 1 year. The investigation was focused on the precipitation behavior of Laves phase nanoparticles and its contribution to creep response at 650 °C. Although, dense precipitation of Laves phase occurs during the heat treatment (196 nm), addition of 3.

Solvothermal Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of BiOBr Microspheres with Hierarchical Morphologies.

BiOBr microspheres with hierarchical morphologies (BiOBr-MicSphe) has potential application in heterogeneous photocatalysis for decontamination of water and air. For this reason, the synthesis, characterization an evaluation of photocatalytic activity of these materials become important. In this article, BiOBr-MicSphe were synthesized using different ranges of reaction temperature (120-200 °C) and reaction time (12 h - 24 h).

Development of Graphene Oxide Composite Aerogel with Proanthocyanidins with Hemostatic Properties As a Delivery System.

The graphene aerogels' potential for use as both a hemostatic agent and dermal delivery system has scarcely been investigated. In this study, we used a sol-gel process for generating dry and stable composite aerogels based on graphene oxide (GO) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Furthermore, we incorporated natural extract of País grape seed (SD) and skin (SK), rich in proanthocyanidins (PAs or condensed tannins).

Quality and high yield synthesis of Ag nanowires by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method.

Silver nanowires (Ag-NWs) were obtained using microwave-assisted hydrothermal method (MAH). The main advantage of the method is its high NWs production which is greater than 90%. It is also easy, fast, and highly reproducible process.

Growth of vertically aligned ZnO nanorods using textured ZnO films.

A hydrothermal method to grow vertical-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays on ZnO films obtained by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is presented. The growth of ZnO nanorods is studied as function of the crystallographic orientation of the ZnO films deposited on silicon (100) substrates. Different thicknesses of ZnO films around 40 to 180 nm were obtained and characterized before carrying out the growth process by hydrothermal methods.