Front Cover: Synthesis of an Amphiphilic Polymer With Adjustable Surface Charge and Polarity and its Use for Obtaining Water‐Soluble Nanoparticles (Adv. Synth. Catal. 24/2025)

Amphiphilic copolymers can be effectively used to encapsulate a broad range of nanomaterials. Since the surface charge and charge distribution can strongly affect relevant effects like protein adsorption, effective routes are required to tune it. Herein, a straightforward strategy is presented to tune the formal charge of poly (isobutylene‐ alt ‐maleic anhydride), converting it into an amphiphilic polymer with negative charge, zwitterionic character, or positive charge. This is a route of surface modification in which impact on other colloidal parameters apart for surface charge is minimized. The encapsulation of quantum dots are tested with the resulting polymers and confirm their robust stabilization over a range of pH values and ionic strengths.

The zeta potential of nanoparticles impacts their distribution and metabolism in the body as well as their interaction with medications of varying charges, hence altering therapeutic efficacy and safety. In this paper, the external charges of liposomes were regulated by utilizing a simple and economical method based on competition for protons of cationic chitosan (CS) and anion hyaluronic acid (HA). The charge regulation of a liposomal membrane is generally accomplished by adjusting the ratio of charged lipids within a liposome (e.g., cationic DOTAP or anionic DOPS), the stability of which was maintained by the coating materials of cationic chitosan (CS) or anion hyaluronic acid (HA). A series of nanoparticles could respond to pH-stimulation with adjustable surface charge. Moreover, the sizes of liposomes coated with CS and HA remain within a narrow range. In vitro cytotoxicity tests revealed that the nanocarriers were safe, and the nanoparticles containing antitumor medicines were efficient in tumor therapy. Considering liposomes with different external surface charges could be aimed at diverse therapy purposes. The strategies for regulating liposomal surface charges with high encapsulation rates and certain release cycles reported here could provide a versatile platform as carriers for the delivery of drugs and other macromolecules into human bodies.

Chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles for DNA/RNA delivery: effect of the formulation parameters on complexation and transfection of antisense oligonucleotides

Functionalized graphite carbon nitride nanofluid membranes for enhanced osmotic energy harvesting

Adhesion between simple single-component membranes is both theoretically and experimentally well understood. We report on a combined theoretical and experimental study of the adhesion between well-characterized multicomponent membranes. In particular, we examined the statics and dynamics of the adhesion between a cationic vesicle and an anionic supported membrane on a substrate with a $p\mathrm{H}$ adjustable surface charge. Through interferometric methods, we measured the adhesion-induced membrane tension. We find a dramatic breakdown of the classical Young-Dupr\'e law at higher surface charge densities. The failure of the Young-Dupr\'e law is associated with the formation of blisters. These results are in agreement with a thermodynamic analysis of anion-cation adhesion which predicts that adhesion-induced phase separation leads to reorganization of the adhesion disk and to a failure of the Young-Dupr\'e law. Our study demonstrates that adhesion of multicomponent membranes is fundamentally different from that of single-component membranes.

ABSTRACTThis study presents a novel gamma irradiation‐based synthesis of CoFe2O4‐integrated CAR/PNIPAm nanogels, offering distinct advantages over conventional nanogel systems. The unique incorporation of magnetic cobalt ferrite nanoparticles into a κ‐carrageenan/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) matrix yields nanogels with uniform nanoparticle distribution, tunable size, and adjustable surface charge, which collectively enhance targeted drug delivery. Comprehensive characterization by XRD, SEM, AFM, and TEM revealed a crystalline size of 50.63 nm and particle sizes ranging from 30 to 116 nm, confirming effective nanoparticle distribution within the nanogels. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential analyses confirmed stable dispersion, with tunable size and surface charge beneficial for drug delivery applications. Antibacterial studies demonstrated the efficacy of these nanogels against Klebsiella and Enterococci strains, with inhibition zones of 17 ± 1 mm and 12.3 ± 1.57 mm at 1.5 wt% CoFe2O4, suggesting potential use as antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed selective anticancer activity against HepG‐2 and MCF‐7 cell lines, with low IC50 values indicating potent anticancer effects. Importantly, the nanogels showed minimal toxicity toward normal WI‐38 fibroblast cells, with a CC50 value of 115.27 ± 3.72 μg/mL, underscoring a favorable safety profile.

Interpolyelectrolyte complexes of in vivo produced dsRNA with chitosan and alginate for enhanced plant protection against tobacco mosaic virus.

Green synthesis, characterization and medicinal uses of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and their mechanism of action: A review

The feature of invisibility is vital in drug nanocarriers for prolonging blood transportation, with this generating excellent resistance to protein adsorption and clearance from the body. In this work, we report a well-designed molecular and supramolecular strategy for precisely developing mixed-charged nanoparticles with resistance to protein adsorption. We constructed anionic dendritic lipopeptides (ADLs) and cationic dendritic lipopeptides (CDLs) with eight carboxyl or amino groups as terminal groups. By regulating the molar ratio between ADLs and CDLs, amphiphilic dendritic lipopeptides were assembled into nanoparticles (NPs) with adjustable surface charge. Notably, the co-assembly of equivalent amounts of ADLs and CDLs generated neutral mixed-charged NPs as invisible capsid-like NPs (ICNPs). ICNPs were able to resist protein adsorption and serve as stealth nanocarriers for harboring guest molecules.

We present a detailed comparison between the low frequency behavior of the electric birefringence (as measured by the Kerr constant, B) and of the real part of the dielectric increment Δε′, in aqueous colloidal dispersions of nearly monodisperse, elongated, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles with adjustable surface charge. The electric charge and, consequently, the ζ-potential of the particles, is modified by adding a nonionic surfactant to the dispersion, as discussed in the first paper of this series [J. Chem. Phys. 103, 8228 (1995)]. We find that both B and Δε′ decrease upon decreasing the absolute value of the ζ-potential. Upon increasing the ionic strength, B and Δε′ display opposite behavior: B decreases while Δε′ increases. We propose an expression which connects B to the standard electrokinetic model and compare the experimental data to a calculation based on spheroids with thin double layers. If we calculate B and Δε′ using the particle ζ-potential obtained from electrophoretic mobility measurements, the theory qualitatively reproduces the experimental results, but systematically underestimates the values of both B and Δε′. If, instead, we take the ζ-potential as an adjustable parameter, we can reconcile both B and Δε′, although the values of ζ are larger than those derived from electrophoretic mobility measurements.

Calcium phosphate precipitation in catanionic templates

Innovative approaches to cationic and anionic (catanionic) amphiphiles self-assemblies: Synthesis, properties, and industrial applications.

Membrane-based processes have found wide acceptance and are used as powerful alternatives for conventional techniques such as distillation, extraction, or energy production. Frequently, membranes prepared from commodity polymers do not have the desired properties for the various applications. For example, fouling is still an unsolved problem in membrane applications, which is closely related to surface properties of both the membrane and the foulant. To meet the requirements for the various tasks, membranes with tailor-made properties are needed. In this contribution on the one hand surface modification techniques are described, which are used to (a) obtain microfiltration membranes with low-fouling tendency and (b) to prepare membranes with required properties in pervaporation separation applications. On the other hand modification/functionalization of polymers for use as ion-exchange membranes in energy-producing systems (fuel cells) are discussed. The focus is set on surface modification with polyelectrolytes and polyelectrolyte multilayer systems. This versatile technique enables the preparation of porous membranes with adjustable surface charge and low-fouling tendency without interference of permeate quality. Dense pervaporation membranes based on polyelectrolyte multilayer systems, with high selectivities and moderately high flux were obtained. The performance of such membranes can be controlled by the polyelectrolytes used (charge density) and the preparation conditions (e.g. temperature). Finally, a short introduction of new membrane materials based on fully aromatic polymers as alternatives to perfluoroalkylsulfonic acids, such as Nafion, is given.

Membrane-based carbon dioxide (CO2 ) capture and separation technologies have aroused great interest in industry and academia due to their great potential to combat current global warming, reduce energy consumption in chemical separation of raw materials, and achieve carbon neutrality. The emerging covalent organic frameworks (COFs) composed of organic linkers via reversible covalent bonds are a class of porous crystalline polymers with regular and extended structures. The inherent structure and customizable organic linkers give COFs high and permanent porosity, short transport channel, tunable functionality, and excellent stability, thereby enabling them rising-star alternatives for developing advanced CO2 separation membranes. Therefore, the promising research areas ranging from development of COF membranes to their separation applications have emerged. Herein, this review first introduces the main advantages of COFs as the state-of-the-art membranes in CO2 separation, including tunable pore size, modifiable surfaces property, adjustable surface charge, excellent stability. Then, the preparation approaches of COF-based membranes are systematically summarized, including in situ growth, layer-by-layer stacking, blending, and interface engineering. Subsequently, the key advances of COF-based membranes in separating various CO2 mixed gases, such as CO2 /CH4 , CO2 /H2 , CO2 /N2 , and CO2 /He, are comprehensively discussed. Finally, the current issues and further research expectations in this field are proposed.

The natural layered clay known as vermiculite exhibits a range of distinctive properties that make it suitable for use in a variety of applications. This review elucidates the multifunctional applications of vermiculite in ion sieving, molecular separation, energy harvesting, gas treatment, fire retardancy, and the biomedical field. The potential of vermiculite membranes for selective ion transport and Li extraction is enhanced because of their adjustable interlayer distances and surface charge. Owing to the thermal stability of vermiculite, its use as proton exchange membranes enhances proton conduction, rendering it as a suitable material for use in fuel cells. Vermiculite-based adsorbents were demonstrated to be highly effective in the capture of CO2 emissions, thereby contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Moreover, the membranes derived from this material can generate electricity and serve as effective fire-retardant coatings. Furthermore, vermiculite nanosheets have been identified as a promising material for the development of cancer therapies, with the potential to combine photothermal, photodynamic, and chemodynamic treatments. These applications underscore the significance of vermiculite in propelling advancements in environmental, energy, and biomedical technologies.