Towards Environment Friendly Hydrothermally Synthesized Li, Rb, In Intercalated Phosphotungstate (PWO) Thin Films.

In the present investigation, a one-step hydrothermal approach is proposed to synthesize Li, Rb, and Inintercalated PWO (PTA) thin films. The photoelectrochemical performance of the deposited LiPWO (Li-PTA), RbPWO (Rb-PTA), and InPWO (In-PTA) photocathodes were investigated using a two-electrode cell configuration of FTO/LiPWO/(0.1 M I/I)/Graphite.

l-Histidine-Derived Smart Antifouling Biohybrid with Multistimuli Responsivity.

A novel dual pH/thermoresponsive amphiphilic poly(histidine methacrylamide)--hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene--poly(histidine methacrylamide) (PHisMAM--PB--PHisMAM) triblock copolymer biohybrid, composed of hydrophobic PB and ampholytic PHisMAM segments, is developed via direct switching from living anionic polymerization to recyclable nanoparticle catalyst-mediated reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP). The transformation involved in situ postpolymerization modification of living polybutadiene-based carbanionic species, end-capped with ethylene oxide, into dihydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene and a subsequent reaction with 2-bromo-2-methylpropionyl bromide resulting in a telechelic ATRP macroinitiator (Br-PB-Br). Br-PB-Br was used to mediate RDRP of an l-histidine-derived monomer, HisMAM, yielding a series of PHisMAM--PB--PHisMAM triblock copolymers.

Hetero-Diels-Alder Cycloaddition with RAFT Polymers as Bioconjugation Platform.

We introduce the bioconjugation of polymers synthesized by RAFT polymerization, bearing no specific functional end group, by means of hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition through their inherent terminal thiocarbonylthio moiety with a diene-modified model protein. Quantitative conjugation occurs over the course of a few hours, at ambient temperature and neutral pH, and in the absence of any catalyst. Our technology platform affords thermoresponsive bioconjugates, whose aggregation is solely controlled by the polymer chains.

Barbiturate derived amphiphilic homopolymers: synthesis, characterization, self-assembly and anticancer drug delivery.

Our aim was to synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic norbornene-derived thiobarbiturate homopolymers () for drug delivery. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization technique was used to prepare a series of homopolymers. The hydrophobicity is introduced by increasing the number of carbon chains ([-CH-]; n = 1, 2, 3 & 4) in between norbornene backbone and thiobarbiturate species.

Intrinsically Fluorescent, Stealth Polypyrazoline Nanoparticles with Large Stokes Shift for In Vivo Imaging.

Recent advances in super-resolution microscopy and fluorescence bioimaging allow exploring previously inaccessible biological processes. To this end, there is a need for novel fluorescent probes with specific features in size, photophysical properties, colloidal and optical stabilities, as well as biocompatibility and ability to evade the reticuloendothelial system. Herein, novel fluorescent nanoparticles are introduced based on an inherently fluorescent polypyrazoline (PPy) core and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) shell, which address all aforementioned challenges.

Enhancing antimycobacterial activity of isoniazid and rifampicin incorporated norbornene nanoparticles.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) has been identified in skeletons over 6000 years old and still remains as the most prevalent infectious disease in the world; thus, there is a need for development of new drugs or tuning of old drugs. Nanotechnology, an advanced technology, plays a vital role in research for the diagnosis and treatment of TB, thus preventing adverse effects and drug resistance. The objective of this study was to enhance the antimycobacterial activity of isoniazid- (INH) and rifampicin (RIF)-incorporated norbornene (NOR) nanoparticles in comparison with plain INH and RIF without nanoparticles.

Responsive Hybrid (Poly)peptide-Polymer Conjugates.

(Poly)peptide-polymer conjugates continue to garner significant interest in the production of functional materials given their composition of natural and synthetic building blocks that confer select and synergistic properties. Owing to opportunities to design predefined architectures and structures with different morphologies, these hybrid conjugates enable new approaches for producing micro- or nanomaterials. Their modular design enables the incorporation of multiple responsive properties into a single conjugate.

Synthesis of Norbornene Derived Helical Copolymer by Simple Molecular Marriage Approach to Produce Smart Nanocarrier.

A novel library of norbornene derived helical copolymer has been synthesized through the coupling of two homopolymers via Molecular Marriage Approach. The helicity is governed by the non-covalent interactions like hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking and the influence of hydrophobic and hydrophilic motifs. The detailed characterization of the copolymer (Copoly 1) has been provided and the super structures are confirmed through dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Increased bioavailability of rifampicin from stimuli-responsive smart nano carrier.

Stimuli responsive polymeric nanocarrier (RCOP-2) functionalized with frontline antituberculosis drug (Rifampicin) is demonstrated for sustained release. Bioavailability of Rifampicin is taken care of by conjugating this drug through a acylhydrazine linker to the polymeric backbone. The poly(ethylene glycol) structural motif is introduced in the copolymer architecture for water solubility.

Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Homopolymer into Unique Superstructures.

Supramolecular forces influence the morphologies of self-assemblies. Herein, self-assembled structures of an amphiphilic, norbornene-derived thiobarbiturate homopolymers () are discussed. The newly designed hompolymer shows self-assembled rod-like structures in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent.

Reversible pH- and Lipid-Sensitive Vesicles from Amphiphilic Norbornene-Derived Thiobarbiturate Homopolymers.

Synthesis of a new molecular architecture, an amphiphilic, norbornene-derived thiobarbiturate homopolymer (), by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and its characterization is discussed. The newly designed hompolymer shows a self-assembled vesicle formation in aqueous solution. Dynamic light scattering and critical aggregation concentration studies confirm the aggregate formation in solution while atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of the dried sample on the silicon substrate further confirm the vesicular morphologies of these amphiphilic homopolymers.

Norbornene derived doxorubicin copolymers as drug carriers with pH responsive hydrazone linker.

The synthesis and complete characterization of both norbornene-derived doxorubicin (mono 1) and polyethylene glycol (mono 2) monomers are clearly described, and their copolymerization by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) to get the block copolymer (COPY-DOX) is vividly elaborated. The careful design of these conjugates exhibits properties like well-shielded drug moieties and well-defined nanostructures; additionally, they show solubility in both water and biological medium and also have the important tendency of rendering acid-triggered drug release. The drug release profile suggests the importance of having the hydrazone linker that helps to release the drug exactly at the mild acidic conditions resembling the pH of the cancerous cells.