Polymer Science

Article Polymer Science

Material Properties of Functional Polyethylenes from Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Ethylene-Polar Monomer Copolymerization

Chen Tan, Chen Zou, Changle Chen

Summary: Polyethylenes have wide applications due to their superior properties, and incorporating polar functional groups into their backbone can greatly enhance important properties and broaden their applications. However, the research on material properties of transition-metal-catalyzed ethylene-polar monomer copolymers has only recently started to receive attention. This Perspective summarizes recent advances in surface and compatibility properties, as well as custom-made properties, resulting from the incorporation of polar groups.

MACROMOLECULES (2022)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Sustainable lignin precursors for tailored porous carbon-based supercapacitor electrodes

Anne Beaucamp, Muhammad Muddasar, Tara Crawford, Maurice N. Collins, Mario Culebras

Summary: In this study, hydrogels were synthesized using lignin, a non-valorized biopolymer from the paper industry. The influence of different crosslinker ratios on the structural and chemical properties of the hydrogels was investigated.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES (2022)

Article Chemistry, Applied

A biodegradable chitosan-based composite film reinforced by ramie fibre and lignin for food packaging

Maocheng Ji, Jianyong Li, Fangyi Li, Xiaojie Wang, Jia Man, Jianfeng Li, Chuanwei Zhang, Sixian Peng

Summary: By adding ramie fibre and lignin to the chitosan-based film, significant improvements in mechanical, water resistance, thermal, and antioxidant properties were observed. The composite films showed better food preservation effects, indicating the great potential of chitosan-based films in food packaging.

CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Applied

Facile synthesis of pH-responsive sodium alginate/carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel beads promoted by hydrogen bond

Huijuan Jing, Xin Huang, Xiaojing Du, Ling Mo, Chaoyang Ma, Hongxin Wang

Summary: In this study, a novel synthesis strategy utilizing hydrogen bonds was used to prepare sodium alginate/carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel beads. The beads demonstrated excellent pH sensitivity, reversibility, and protein loading capacity, making them a potential carrier for oral delivery of proteins.

CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS (2022)

Review Chemistry, Applied

The potential roles of natural plant polysaccharides in inflammatory bowel disease: A review

Wenna Yang, Ping Zhao, Xia Li, Lanping Guo, Wenyuan Gao

Summary: This review discusses the alleviating effect of natural plant polysaccharides on inflammatory bowel disease both in vitro and in vivo, focusing on regulating intestinal flora, repairing intestinal barriers, and improving immunity. It highlights the relationship between the chemical structure of plant polysaccharides and their therapeutic effects, as well as the synergistic role of polysaccharides as carriers for drugs or active molecules. Furthermore, the potential of developing natural plant polysaccharides as functional food or health products to alleviate IBD is emphasized.

CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS (2022)

Review Polymer Science

Chitosan: Sources, Processing and Modification Techniques

Alessandro Pellis, Georg M. Guebitz, Gibson Stephen Nyanhongo

Summary: This review provides an overview of chitosan as an important raw material for various applications and discusses different sources, extraction and conversion techniques, inherent characteristics, and customization methods of chitosan. The review also explores the effects of degree of acetylation, degree of deacetylation, and molecular weight on the properties of chitosan.
Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

A review of the biological role of miRNAs in prostate cancer suppression and progression

Ahmed S. Doghish, Ahmed Ismail, Hesham A. El-Mahdy, Mohamed A. Elkady, Mahmoud A. Elrebehy, Al-Aliaa M. Sallam

Summary: Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths, and miRNA plays a key role in its initiation and progression, serving as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and personalized treatment.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES (2022)

Review Polymer Science

Application of Gelatin in Food Packaging: A Review

Yanan Lu, Qijun Luo, Yuchan Chu, Ningping Tao, Shanggui Deng, Li Wang, Li Li

Summary: Edible films and coatings, based on proteins, polysaccharides, and natural phenolic active substances, are being developed as effective alternatives to traditional plastic packaging due to increasing environmental concerns and the demand for high-quality foods. Gelatin, extracted from collagen, is an ideal material for food packaging, but its poor waterproof and mechanical properties restrict its application. Previous studies have shown that modifying gelatin with active ingredients and other bio-polymers can improve its properties and achieve desirable preservation effects. This review focuses on the preparation and applications of gelatin-based edible films, as well as the latest advances in gelatin-based biodegradable packaging and food preservation.

POLYMERS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Applied

Chitosan-based hydrogels with injectable, self-healing and antibacterial properties for wound healing

Pengpeng Deng, Lichao Yao, Juanjuan Chen, Zhigang Tang, Jinping Zhou

Summary: AC hydrogels can accelerate wound healing, with self-healing, low swelling rate, biocompatibility, and excellent hemostatic effect. They also show outstanding antibacterial activity and can be used for designing multifunctional dressings.

CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS (2022)

Review Chemistry, Applied

Cellulose nanocrystals: Fundamentals and biomedical applications

Prajakta Mali, Atul P. Sherje

Summary: Cellulose nanocrystals, a type of bio-based nanomaterial, have garnered attention for their excellent properties and diverse applications. Research has shown their potential in various biomedical applications due to their high strength, surface area, and rigidity.

CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS (2022)

Review Chemistry, Applied

Polysaccharide hydrogels: Functionalization, construction and served as scaffold for tissue engineering

Qian Yang, Jinrong Peng, Haitao Xiao, Xuewen Xu, Zhiyong Qian

Summary: This review provides a comprehensive framework about the potential and challenges that polysaccharide hydrogels face in tissue engineering. It introduces the strategies for modifying polysaccharides and the techniques for inducing hydrogel formation. It also highlights the applications of polysaccharide hydrogels in vivo and addresses future research prospects and challenges.

CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Applied

An environmentally tolerant, highly stable, cellulose nanofiber-reinforced, conductive hydrogel multifunctional sensor

Miao Li, Dong Chen, Xia Sun, Zesheng Xu, Yutong Yang, Yongming Song, Feng Jiang

Summary: A one-pot method for preparing ionic conductive hydrogels with high stretchability, fast response, wide operating temperature range, and long-term stability has been proposed. The resulting hydrogel sensor shows excellent signal sensing capability and cycling stability under extreme conditions, with high sensitivity to compressive deformation and temperature, demonstrating multifunctional sensing performance. This work provides a feasible approach for the long-term use of hydrogels as wearable devices in extreme environments and daily life.

CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS (2022)

Article Polymer Science

Versatility of Hydrogels: From Synthetic Strategies, Classification, and Properties to Biomedical Applications

Zubair Ahmad, Saad Salman, Shahid Ali Khan, Abdul Amin, Zia Ur Rahman, Youssef O. Al-Ghamdi, Kalsoom Akhtar, Esraa M. Bakhsh, Sher Bahadar Khan

Summary: This review discusses the importance and applications of hydrogels in the field of biomedicine, including synthetic strategies, characterization, and various application areas. It provides guidance for tracking, designing, and using hydrogels.
Article Polymer Science

Poly-l-Lactic Acid (PLLA)-Based Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine: A Review on Processing and Applications

Elisa Capuana, Francesco Lopresti, Manuela Ceraulo, Vincenzo La Carrubba

Summary: This review focuses on the properties and applications of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) as a biomaterial in the field of tissue engineering. The structure and main properties of PLLA are discussed, along with the recent advances in overcoming its hydrophobic and synthetic nature. Additionally, various fabrication technologies and the in vitro and in vivo applications of PLLA in tissue repair strategies are reviewed.

POLYMERS (2022)

Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Nanotechnology-based approaches for effective detection of tumor markers: A comprehensive state-of-the-art review

Ushna Laraib, Saman Sargazi, Abbas Rahdar, Mehrdad Khatami, Sadanand Pandey

Summary: Tumor markers are important tools for predicting tumor behavior, and nanotechnology has enhanced sensitivity and selectivity in detecting these markers. However, obstacles such as low sample concentration still limit their application.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES (2022)

Article Materials Science, Characterization & Testing

Synthesis and properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels with high strength and toughness

Ying Chen, Jie Li, Jiawei Lu, Meng Ding, Yi Chen

Summary: PVA hydrogels with high strength and toughness can be fabricated through dual physical and chemical cross-linking. The best mechanical properties are achieved by reacting at room temperature and subsequently undergoing freeze-thaw and annealing treatment. Additionally, the mechanical properties of PVA hydrogel increase and then decrease with the increase of molecular weight or mass fraction. By changing the reaction solvent, the mechanical properties of PVA hydrogel can be effectively adjusted.

POLYMER TESTING (2022)

Article Polymer Science

Synthesis of Silver Nanocomposite Based on Carboxymethyl Cellulose: Antibacterial, Antifungal and Anticancer Activities

Salem S. Salem, Amr H. Hashem, Al-Aliaa M. Sallam, Ahmed S. Doghish, Abdulaziz A. Al-Askar, Amr A. Arishi, Amr M. Shehabeldine

Summary: This study fabricated a nanocomposite based on carboxymethyl cellulose and silver nanoparticles (CMC-AgNPs) and evaluated their antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. The results showed that CMC-AgNPs exhibited promising antibacterial and antifungal effects against various bacteria and fungi, and strong cytotoxicity against liver cancer cells. Therefore, CMC-AgNPs have potential applications in the pharmaceutical and medical fields.

POLYMERS (2022)

Review Polymer Science

A Review on Green Synthesis of TiO2 NPs: Photocatalysis and Antimicrobial Applications

Vishal Verma, Mawaheb Al-Dossari, Jagpreet Singh, Mohit Rawat, Mohamed G. M. Kordy, Mohamed Shaban

Summary: This article introduces the rapidly expanding field of nanotechnology and focuses on the green/sustainable synthesis methods for titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The article also discusses the mechanisms and different synthesis methods for biogenic synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles, and thoroughly discusses their physics in antibacterial and photocatalysis applications.

POLYMERS (2022)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Synergistic sorption performance of karaya gum crosslink poly (acrylamide-co-acrylonitrile) @ metal nanoparticle for organic pollutants

Sadanand Pandey, Namgyu Son, Misook Kang

Summary: In this study, facile hydrogels nanocomposite (HNC) based on sustainable karaya gum were prepared for water treatment. The HNC exhibited high adsorption capacity for crystal violet (CV) dye removal and could be regenerated for multiple reuse. The loading of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into the polymeric matrix significantly enhanced the removal percentage of CV dye.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES (2022)

Review Chemistry, Applied

A review of nanocellulose adsorptive membrane as multifunctional wastewater treatment

A. S. Norfarhana, R. A. Ilyas, N. Ngadi

Summary: Dyes, solvents, heavy metals, and oils pose a significant threat to water supplies globally. Advanced research has led to the development of green-adsorptive membranes that offer simple operation, high separation efficiency, low energy consumption, eco-friendliness, and affordability for water treatment. Nanocellulose, with its exceptional properties such as large specific surface area, anti-fouling behavior, high aspect ratio, and biodegradability, has been extensively studied as an excellent biomaterial in membrane filtration. The modification of nanocellulose has also shown promise in enhancing the performance of filtration membranes for heavy metal removal, oily water separation, and dye extraction.

CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS (2022)