Improving CO Removal Efficiency with Bio-Cellulose Acetate: A Multi-Stage Membrane Separation Approach.

In this comprehensive investigation, the sustainable production and utilization of gas separation membranes derived from coconut water (CW) waste was investigated. The research focuses on the synthesis of bacterial cellulose (BC) and cellulose acetate (CA) membranes from CW, followed by a thorough analysis of their characteristics, including morphology, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, tensile strength, and chemical composition. The study rigorously evaluates membrane performance, with particular emphasis on CO/CH selectivity under various operational conditions, including pressure, membrane thickness, and number of stages.

Antioxidant Particleboards Produced from Forest By-Products with Application in the Food Packaging Industry.

The food packaging industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy, with a large contribution to environmental concerns due to the extensive use of fossil-derived materials. Combining wood-based materials, such as particleboards, with bio-adhesives may offer a great opportunity to develop sustainable packaging solutions with active antioxidant properties. In the present work, a phenolic extract of poplar bark was produced and bio-adhesives were formulated using citric acid as a cross-linker.

Thermosetting Resin for Plug and Abandonment of Oil Wells with Reduced Environmental Impact.

Plug and abandonment of offshore oil wells is a costly and time-consuming process, yet it is necessary for the ever-increasing number of mature fields in the region of the Danish North Sea, as well as globally. Current practices ensuring durable solutions for the complete zonal isolation of oil wells have a large environmental impact. This paper proposes a novel resin that could be mixed on the platform and pumped into the tubing in a liquid state.

Improved Biomineralization Using Cellulose Acetate/Magnetic Nanoparticles Composite Membranes.

Following implantation, infections, inflammatory reactions, corrosion, mismatches in the elastic modulus, stress shielding and excessive wear are the most frequent reasons for orthopedic implant failure. Natural polymer-based coatings showed especially good results in achieving better cell attachment, growth and tissue-implant integration, and it was found that the inclusions of nanosized fillers in the coating structure improves biomineralization and consequently implant osseointegration, as the nanoparticles represent calcium phosphate nucleation centers and lead to the deposition of highly organized hydroxyapatite crystallites on the implant surface. In this study, magnetic nanoparticles synthesized by the co-precipitation method were used for the preparation of cellulose acetate composite coatings through the phase-inversion method.

Novel Co-Polyamides Containing Pendant Phenyl/Pyridinyl Groups with Potential Application in Water Desalination Processes.

This study explores the development and evaluation of a novel series of aromatic co-polyamides featuring diverse pendant groups, including phenyl and pyridinyl derivatives, designed for water desalination membrane applications. These co-polyamides, synthesized with a combination of hexafluoroisopropyl, oxyether, phenyl, and amide groups, exhibited excellent solubility in polar aprotic solvents, thermal stability exceeding 350 °C, and the ability to form robust, flexible films. Membranes prepared via phase inversion demonstrated variable water permeability and NaCl rejection rates, significantly influenced by the pendant group chemistry.

Electrochemical Performance of Guanidinium Salt-Added PVP/PEO Solid Polymer Electrolyte with Superior Power Density.

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) for symmetrical supercapacitors are proposed herein with activated carbon as electrodes and optimized solid polymer electrolyte membranes, which serve as the separators and electrolytes. We propose the design of a low-cost solid polymer electrolyte consisting of guanidinium nitrate (GuN) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). Using the solution casting approach, blended polymer electrolytes with varying GuN weight percentage ratios of PVP and PEO are prepared.

Active Polylactide-poly(ethylene glycol) Films Loaded with Olive Leaf Extract for Food Packaging-Antibacterial Activity, Surface, Thermal and Mechanical Evaluation.

As the demand for sustainable and innovative solutions in food packaging continues to grow, this study endeavors to introduce a comprehensive exploration of novel active materials. Specifically, we focus on characterizing polylactide-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA/PEG) films filled with olive leaf extract (OLE; ) obtained via solvent evaporation. Examined properties include surface structure, thermal degradation and mechanical attributes, as well as antibacterial activity.

High-Yield Production of Polyhydroxybutyrate and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyhexanoate) from Crude Glycerol by a Newly Isolated Species Oh_219.

Crude glycerol (CG), a major biodiesel production by-product, is the focus of ongoing research to convert it into polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). However, few bacterial strains are capable of efficiently achieving this conversion. Here, 10 PHA-producing strains were isolated from various media.

Synergistic Effect of Strontium Doping and Surfactant Addition in Mesoporous Bioactive Glass for Enhanced Osteogenic Bioactivity and Advanced Bone Regeneration.

Mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) is an advanced biomaterial widely recognized for its application in bone regenerative engineering. This study synthesized an MBG powder (80 mol% SiO, 5 mol% PO, and 15 mol% CaO) using a facile sol-gel method with the non-ionic surfactant Pluronic P123, which acted as a pore-forming agent. MBGs form bioactive surfaces that facilitate HA formation, and the presence of Pluronic P123 increases the surface area and promotes HA nucleation.

Sterically Induced Enhancement in the Electrochemical Stability of Salen-Type Cathode Materials.

This study investigates the electrochemical degradation mechanisms of nickel-salen (NiSalen) polymers, with a focus on improving the material's stability in supercapacitor applications. We analyzed the effects of steric hindrance near the nickel center by incorporating different bulky substituents into NiSalen complexes, aiming to mitigate water-induced degradation. Electrochemical performance was assessed using cyclic voltammetry, operando conductance, and impedance measurements, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) provided insights into molecular degradation pathways.

Microbial-Derived Biopolymers: A Pathway to Sustainable Civil Engineering.

Modern innovations increasingly prioritize eco-friendliness, aiming to pave the way for a sustainable future. The field of civil engineering is no exception to this approach, and, in fact, it is associated with almost every sustainable development goal framed by the United Nations. Therefore, the sector has a pivotal role in achieving these goals.

Changes in the Antibacterial Performance of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites Induced by Additive Manufacturing Processing.

The idea supporting the investigation of the current manuscript was to develop customized filters for air conditioners with different pore percentages and geometry with the additional advantage of presenting antibacterial performance. This property was expected due to the reinforcement of Cu nanoparticles in the polymeric matrix of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polyurethane (TPU). The filaments were characterized by their chemical composition, thermal and mechanical properties, and antibacterial behavior before and after processing by fused filament fabrication.

Plasma Treatment of Metal Surfaces for Enhanced Bonding Strength of Metal-Polymer Hybrid Structures.

The adhesion between metals and polymers plays a pivotal role in numerous industrial applications, especially within the automotive and aerospace sectors, where there is a growing demand for materials that are both lightweight and durable. This study introduces an innovative technique to improve the adhesion between a metal and a polymer in hybrid structures through the synergistic use of anodization and plasma treatment. By forming a nanoporous oxide layer on aluminum surfaces, anodization enhances the interface for polymer binding.

Comparing Hydrolysable and Condensed Tannins for Tannin Protein-Based Foams.

Tannin-based foams have gained attention as a potential bio-based alternative to conventional synthetic foams. Traditionally, namely condensed tannins (CT) have been used, leaving the potential of hydrolysable tannins (HT) largely unexplored. This study compared the performance of chestnut (HT) and quebracho (CT) in tannin-protein-based foams at different tannin ratios.

Optimizing Soil Stabilization with Chitosan: Investigating Acid Concentration, Temperature, and Long-Term Strength.

Civil and geotechnical researchers are searching for economical alternatives to replace traditional soil stabilizers such as cement, which have negative impacts on the environment. Chitosan biopolymer has shown its capacity to efficiently minimize soil erosion, reduce hydraulic conductivity, and adsorb heavy metals in soil that is contaminated. This research used unconfined compression strength (UCS) to investigate the impact of chitosan content, long-term strength assessment, acid concentration, and temperature on the improvement of soil strength.

The Effectiveness of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Extraction Methods in Gram-Negative U.

Bioplastics are emerging as a promising solution to reduce pollution caused by petroleum-based plastics. Among them, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) stand out as viable biotechnological alternatives, though their commercialization is limited by expensive downstream processes. Traditional PHA extraction methods often involve toxic solvents and high energy consumption, underscoring the need for more sustainable approaches.

Bio-Microcapsules of Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) and Isocyanates: Towards Sustainable, Safer, and Efficient Adhesives.

This work describes the encapsulation of three different aliphatic isocyanates to reduce the risks associated with isocyanates' direct handling. The use of bio-based polybutylene succinate (bio-PBS) increases the sustainability factor as it allows for the use of microcapsules (MCs) from renewable sources with biodegradable features. The three different MCs (MCs-Monomer, MCs-Trimer, and MCs-Polymer) are spherical, crack-free, and matrix-type, containing an isocyanate payload between 67 wt% and 70 wt%.

Enhancing Thermal Insulation Property and Flexibility of Starch/Poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT) Blend Foam by Improving Rheological Properties.

Starch foam has attracted significant attention as an alternative to expanded styrene (EPS) foam owing to its abundance and biodegradability. Despite these merits, its limited thermal insulation and flexibility compared to EPS have hindered its utilization in packaging. Herein, we report the effect of blending with starch/PBAT on foaming behavior and physical properties during foaming processing.

X-Ray Shielding Polymer Based on Sequential Polycondensation of BiPh and Carboxylic Acids and Radical Polymerization.

Transparent X-ray shielding polymer films were developed by bulk photo copolymerization of in situ prepared bismuth carboxylate prepolymers with polymerizable exomethylene moieties and ,-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA). The bismuth-containing prepolymers were prepared via the polycondensation of BiPh, 2-octenylsuccinic acid (OSA), and itaconic acid (IA) bearing an exomethylene group for polymerization. OSA was a chain extender by intermolecular condensation and a stopper by intramolecular cyclization to inhibit cross-linkage.

Aerogels Based on Chitosan and Collagen Modified with FeO and FeO Nanoparticles: Fabrication and Characterization.

The necessity to mitigate the intrinsic issues associated with tissue or organ transplants, in order to address the rising prevalence of diseases attributable to increased life expectancy, provides a rationale for the pursuit of innovation in the field of biomaterials. Specifically, biopolymeric aerogels represent a significant advancement in the field of tissue engineering, offering a promising solution for the formation of temporary porous matrices that can replace damaged tissues. However, the functional characteristics of these materials are inadequate, necessitating the implementation of matrix reinforcement methods to enhance their performance.

Porosity Tunable Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Composites for Energy Storage Applications: Recent Progress.

To solve the energy crisis and environmental issues, it is essential to create effective and sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies. Traditional materials for energy conversion and storage however have several drawbacks, such as poor energy density and inadequate efficiency. The advantages of MOF-based materials, such as pristine MOFs, also known as porous coordination polymers, MOF composites, and their derivatives, over traditional materials, have been thoroughly investigated.

Synthesis of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs' Chalcone Derivatives and a Study of Their Conformational Properties Through a Combination of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Molecular Modeling.

Background: In this study, two chalcone analogs were synthesized through in silico and experimental methods, and their potential to inhibit the lipoxygenase enzyme, which plays a role in the inflammation pathway, was assessed. Specifically, this study is a continuation of previous research in which chalcone derivatives were synthesized and characterized.

Objectives/methods: In the current work, we present the re-synthesis of two chalcones, with a focus on their docking studies, NMR analysis, and dynamic simulations.

Targeting the Heart of Mycobacterium: Advances in Anti-Tubercular Agents Disrupting Cell Wall Biosynthesis.

infections continue to pose a significant global health challenge, particularly due to the rise of multidrug-resistant strains, random mycobacterial mutations, and the complications associated with short-term antibiotic regimens. Currently, five approved drugs target cell wall biosynthesis in . This review provides a comprehensive analysis of these drugs and their molecular mechanisms.

In Vivo Assessment of Healing Potential of Ointments Containing Bee Products, Vegetal Extracts, and Polymers on Skin Lesions.

The present experiment aimed to formulate four ointments that included mixtures of plant extracts (, , , and ), apitherapy products (honey, propolis, and apilarnil) and natural polymers (collagen, chitosan, and the lyophilisate of egg white) in an ointment base. : In order to investigate the therapeutic properties of the ointments, experimental in vivo injury models (linear incision, circular excision, and thermal burns) were performed on laboratory animals, namely Wistar rats. The treatment was applied topically, once a day, for 21 days.

Facilitation of Tumor Stroma-Targeted Therapy: Model Difficulty and Co-Culture Organoid Method.

Tumors, as intricate ecosystems, comprise oncocytes and the highly dynamic tumor stroma. Tumor stroma, representing the non-cancerous and non-cellular composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME), plays a crucial role in oncogenesis and progression, through its interactions with biological, chemical, and mechanical signals. This review aims to analyze the challenges of stroma mimicry models, and highlight advanced personalized co-culture approaches for recapitulating tumor stroma using patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTOs).