Glycol Research Articles

Ethylene Glycol Poisoning Complicated by Cardiac Arrest and a Raised Lactate Gap: A Case Report

Ethylene Glycol Poisoning Complicated by Cardiac Arrest and a Raised Lactate Gap: A Case Report

Challenges in elucidating ethylene glycol metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most used polymers in the packaging industry; enzymatic recycling is emerging as a sustainable strategy to deal with waste PET, producing the virgin monomers terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol (EG). These monomers can be feedstocks for further microbial transformations. While EG metabolism has been uncovered in bacteria, in yeast the pathway for the oxidation to glycolic acid (GA) has only been proposed, but never experimentally elucidated. In this work, we investigated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae the potential contribution to this metabolism of two endogenous genes, YLL056C (a putative alcohol dehydrogenase) and GOR1 (glyoxylate reductase). Secondly, the possible role of alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) was considered, too. Finally, two heterologous genes (gox0313 from Gluconobacter oxydans and AOX1 from Komagataella phaffii) were expressed with the intent to push EG oxidation towards GA. Our main findings revealed that i) Gor1, Yll056c and ADHs are not involved in EG oxidation, ii) the bottleneck of the catabolism is the first step in the pathway, due to the endogenous mechanisms for aldehyde detoxification. Multiomics studies are required to completely elucidate the pathway for EG catabolism, while further engineering directed towards relieving the bottleneck is needed to fully unleash the potential of yeasts for the upcycling of EG to GA.

Multiple Levels of Organization in Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymers Based on Poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) Produced by Aqueous ROPISA.

A recent method for producing amphiphilic block copolymers and nano-objects based on the ring-opening polymerization-induced self-assembly (ROPISA) in aqueous buffer is explored with respect to the tunability toward nanostructures. ROPISA gives rise to polypeptide copolymers with unprecedented levels of organization. By employing amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with the synthetic polypeptide poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) (PBLG) and a combination of static (13C NMR, X-ray scattering, polarizing optical microscopy), thermodynamic (differential scanning calorimetry), and dynamic (dielectric spectroscopy) probes, we demonstrate a record of six levels of organization only found before in natural materials. These levels of organization could not be obtained in earlier morphology investigations of copolymers based on PEG and PBLG prepared by different methods. Furthermore, the type of NCA monomer (BLG-NCA vs Leu-NCA) and the solvent treatment method had an influence on the degree of segregation, the α-helical content, and the order-to-disorder transition temperature in the PEG-b-PBLG and PEG-b-PLeu copolymers.

A Zwitterion Coupled All-Solid-State Single Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolyte via Photoinitiated Thiol-Ene Click Polymerization.

The all-solid-state single ion conducting polymer electrolyte has a bottleneck in ionic conductivity even though it can prevent concentration polarization. Here, lithium 3,3'-(diallylammonio)bis(propane-1-sulfonyl(trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)imide) (LiDAA(PSI)2) with a symmetrical "one positive, two negative" structure and unsaturated double bonds for propagation, is synthesized. LiDAA(PSI)2 is copolymerized with 1,2-ethanedithiol and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate via photoinitiated thiol-ene click polymerization and forms a random copolymer, SPZ for short. For comparison, lithium 3-(diallylamino)propane-1-sulfonyl(trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)imide) (LiDAAPSI) and corresponding copolymer SP are synthesized. The 7Li resonance peak position of LiDAA(PSI)2 shifts to a low-field compared to that of LiDAAPSI, indicating a weaker electrostatic attraction. The symmetrical "one positive, two negative" structure is responsible for the low-field shift, taking effect of charge conjugation. Unsurprisingly, the ionic conductivity of SPZ is 1.69e-5Scm-1 at 60°C, which is 1.9 times that of SP. Lithium electroplating and stripping at 0.0125mAcm-2@0.05mAhcm-2 at 60°C are performed. An all-solid-state single ion conducting lithium metal secondary battery is demonstrated. Zwitterion coupled LiDAA(PSI)2 possesses a symmetrical "one positive, two negative" structure, charge conjugation to weaken electrostatic interaction, and unsaturated double bonds for propagation, which inspires the design and synthesis of single ion conducting polymer electrolytes with zwitterion effect.

Accurate evaluation of diffusion coefficient for electroactive analytes in human serum samples using nitrogen-terminated sputtered carbon film electrode.

We have developed an N-terminated carbon film electrode that allows accurate determination of the diffusion coefficient of electroactive molecules dissolved in a highly concentrated serum protein solution. The carbon film electrode was formed by the unbalanced magnetron sputtering (UBM) method. Then, nitrogen functional groups were introduced by employing NH3 or H2O plasma treatment. Cyclic voltammetry measurements with ferricyanide ion ([Fe(CN)6]3-) showed that the N-terminated carbon film electrode exhibited great anti-fouling property against simulated serum proteins (50mg/mL human serum albumin and 15mg/mL γ-globulin dissolved in 1M KCl solution). In contrast, glassy carbon, H2O plasma-treated, and especially untreated carbon film electrodes were subject to severe electrode fouling, making it difficult to electrochemically determine the diffusion coefficient of the [Fe(CN)6]3- ion. The control experiment using less adsorptive ethylene glycol as a viscosity modifier showed that the increase in viscosity is a main factor of the decrease in diffusion coefficient for nitrogen plasma treated electrode, which is not significantly affected by the possible interaction between [Fe(CN)6]3- ions and serum proteins. Finally, we applied the electrode for the electrochemical analysis of acetaminophen dissolved in phosphate buffer (0.1M, pH = 7.0), which suggests that NH3 plasma-treated carbon film exhibits the lowest ΔE increase when we compare ΔE with and without proteins and also a more stable peak current in continuous voltametric measurements compared with other carbon electrodes.

Preparation of Anisotropic Trimeric Poly(Ionic Liquid) Microspheres via Microwave-Assisted Dual-Crosslinked Seed Emulsion Polymerization.

A microwave-assisted dual-crosslinked seed emulsion polymerization method is reported to prepare anisotropic trimeric poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) microspheres. First, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA)-crosslinked PIL (CPIL) seed microspheres are prepared. Then, the CPIL microspheres are swollen with ionic liquid (IL) emulsion containing divinylbenzene (DVB) and polymerized to form dual-crosslinked PIL (D-CPIL) microspheres under microwave irradiation. Finally, the D-CPIL microspheres are swollen with IL monomer emulsion to form trimeric morphology and polymerized to obtain trimeric PIL microspheres under microwave irradiation. The formation process of trimeric PIL microspheres is tracked using an optical microscope and their morphology is observed using scanning electron microscopy. Different from the repeat-swelling seed emulsion polymerization that needs dumbbell-like seed microspheres having gradient crosslinking or gradient surface wettability, this method depends on multiple local contraction forces in D-CPIL microspheres containing lowly crosslinked core and highlycrosslinked shell during swelling to form trimeric PIL microspheres. It is found that microwave polymerization is important because it can well retain trimeric morphology compared to conventional heating polymerization in oil or water baths. The morphology of trimeric PIL microspheres can be adjusted by changing the type and amount of crosslinkers, monomer/seed microsphere ratio, initiator dosage, temperature, etc.

Stress-Free Two-Way Shape Memory Polymers with Dual-Crystalline Phase Based on Poly(Tetramethylene Ether Glycol) and Poly(ε-Caprolactone).

Two-way shape memory polymers (2W-SMPs) are a class of smart materials and can undergo spontaneously reversible deformation after specific stimuli. It is crucial to develop 2W-SMPs to achieve precise control of two-way shape memory behavior without external forces and reveal their structure-property relationships. In this study, dual-crystalline phase crosslinked polymer networks based on poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) (PTMEG) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) are fabricated via thiol-ene click reactions. The networks with two independent melting temperatures are gained by adjusting the ratio of the two segments and the two-way shape memory is enabled using the temperature difference between the two phases. The effects of network composition, pre-tensile strain, and actuation temperature on the two-way shape memory properties are investigated and the two-way shape memory mechanism of dual-crystalline phase polymers is further elucidated. Among the various compositions of networks, PTMEG8-PCL2 exhibits the optimal two-way shape memory properties, with the actuation strain of 24.25% and reversible strain of up to 10.35% at the actuation temperature and pre-stretch strain of 45°C and 15%, respectively, which is potential for soft robotics applications. It is believed that this work guides the design of semicrystalline networks with two-way shape memory properties.

Amphiphilic Poly(ethylene glycol)-Cholesterol Conjugate: Stable Micellar Formulation for Efficient Loading and Effective Intracellular Delivery of Curcumin.

A biodegradable and biocompatible micellar-based drug delivery system was developed using amphiphilic methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-cholesterol (C1) and poly(ethylene glycol)-S-S-cholesterol (C2) conjugates and applied to the tumoral release of the water-insoluble drug curcumin. These synthesized surfactants C1 and C2 were found to form stable micelles (CMC ∼ 6 μM) and an average hydrodynamic size of around 20-25 nm. The curcumin-encapsulated C1 micelle was formulated by a solvent evaporation method. A very high drug encapsulation efficiency (EE) of ∼88% and a drug loading (DL) capacity of ∼9% were determined for both the micelles. From the reduced rate of curcumin degradation and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, the stability of the curcumin-loaded C1 micelle was found to be higher than that of the unloaded micelle, which confirmed a more compact structural arrangement in the presence of hydrophobic curcumin. A pH-sensitive release of curcumin (faster release with decrease in pH) was observed for the curcumin-loaded C1 micelle, attributed to the diffusion and relaxation/erosion of micellar aggregates. To achieve reduction environment-sensitive drug release, a disulfide (S-S) chemical linkage-incorporated mPEG-cholesterol conjugate (C2) was synthesized, which was found to show glutathione-responsive faster release of curcumin. The in vitro experiments carried out in SCC9 oral cancer cell lines showed that the blank C1 and C2 micelles were noncytotoxic at lower concentrations (<50 μM), while curcumin-loaded C1 and C2 micelles inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis. An increased in vitro cytotoxicity was observed for curcumin-loaded micelles compared to that of curcumin itself, demonstrating a better cell penetration efficacy of the micelle. These results were further supplemented by the in vivo anticancer analysis of the curcumin-loaded C1 and C2 micellar formulations using the mice xenograft model. Notably, curcumin-loaded C2 micelles showed a significantly stronger apoptotic effect in xenograft mice compared to curcumin-loaded C1 micelles, indicating the GSH environment-sensitive drug release and improved bioavailability. In conclusion, the mPEG-cholesterol C1 and C2 micellar system with the advantages of small size, high encapsulation efficiency, high drug loading, simple preparing technique, biocompatibility, and good in vitro and in vivo performance may have the potential to be used as a drug carrier for sustained and stimuli-responsive release of the hydrophobic drug curcumin.

GSH-Responsive Pt-based Nanomotor with Improved Doxorubicin Delivery for Synergistic Osteosarcoma Chemotherapy.

Osteosarcoma (OS), a highly malignant primary tumor, poses significant threats. Chemotherapy remains the main treatment approach but is limited by low drug bioavailability, poor permeability, and notable side effects. Herein, a near-infrared light (NIR)-driven and GSH-responsive poly(ethylene glycol)-SS-polystyrene-doxorubicin and platinum nanoparticles (PSPDP) nanomotor, wherein disulfide bonds served as GSH sponsors and platinum nanoparticles as producers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce cell apoptosis, combined with NIR-driven propulsion to enhance the inhibitory effect of encapsulated doxorubicin (DOX). The results demonstrated that the PSPDP nanomotor can be effectively driven due to its good photothermal properties, with its movement speed increased 2.10 times under NIR laser exposure. Additionally, the efficiency of DOX release increased with the increase in GSH concentration, demonstrating favorable GSH responsiveness. Pt-NPs also exhibited good photothermal properties, enabling self-thermophoresis to drive. Minimal cytotoxic effects of PSPDP were observed on a series of cell lines compared with DOX solution and Pt-NPs. Notably, the Pt-NPs generated a significant amount of ROS, synergistically enhancing the therapeutic effect of DOX, as evidenced by a 5.53-fold increase in OS cell growth inhibition and evident osteosarcoma growth inhibition in the nude mice model. Thus, the NIR-driven, localized, and low-toxic nanomotor may offer a promising therapeutic strategy for OS intervention. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Enhancing drug penetration efficiency and developing delivery systems that respond to the tumor microenvironment to release drugs are effective strategies for treating osteosarcoma (OS). Here, a near-infrared (NIR) light-driven and glutathione (GSH)-responsive nanomotor, integrating poly(ethylene glycol)-SS-polystyrene-doxorubicin and platinum nanoparticles (PSPDP), was produced and used for OS treatment. This PSPDP nanomotor exhibits significant advancements in photothermal activation and self-thermophoresis, enabling a 2.10-fold increase in movement speed under NIR exposure. Such enhanced motility improves the localized delivery and controlled release of doxorubicin, thus increasing drug bioavailability and minimizing systemic toxicity. Additionally, the nanomotor's ability to generate reactive oxygen species significantly amplifies its therapeutic impact, evidenced by a remarkable 5.53-fold increase in tumor growth inhibition. These features make the PSPDP nanomotor a promising candidate for effective and targeted OS treatment strategies.

Pyridylboronic Acid- and Poly(ethylene glycol)-Functionalized PEDOT Copolymers for Electrochemical Detection of Sialic Acid-Rich Cancer Biomarkers in Serum.

The detection of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA199), a critical biomarker for pancreatic, colorectal, and gastric cancers, is essential for early diagnosis and disease monitoring. Traditional antibody-based assays for CA199 detection are limited by high costs, time-consuming procedures, and susceptibility to nonspecific interference. This study presents an electrochemical biosensor based on a multifunctional poly(EDOT-PyBA-co-EDOT-PEG) copolymer designed to overcome these limitations. The biosensor integrates pyridylboronic acid (PyBA) moieties for specific recognition of sialic acid residues and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains for antifouling properties within a conductive PEDOT framework. By eliminating antibody dependency, the biosensor reduces costs, enhances stability, and simplifies the diagnostic process. Surface characterization confirmed the successful incorporation of PyBA and PEG units, while electrochemical impedance spectroscopy enabled sensitive detection of CA199 with a limit of detection of 0.05 U·mL-1 and a linear response range from 0.05 to 40 U·mL-1. Recovery tests in spiked human serum samples demonstrated excellent accuracy (97-109% recovery), validating the biosensor's reliability in complex biological matrices. The rationally designed copolymer provides both high sensitivity and specificity while maintaining resistance to biofouling in serum samples. This work establishes a scalable, cost-effective platform for glycoprotein biomarker detection, advancing the field of clinical diagnostics and cancer monitoring.

Dimethyl sulfoxide-induced DNA demethylation during vitrification of early cleavage-stage embryos and possible countermeasures.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) alters DNA methylation in vitrified-warmed embryos and potentially affects subsequent development. This study aimed to examine possible countermeasures against DMSO-induced demethylation. In vitro-produced bovine embryos (8-cell stage) were vitrified using a combination of DMSO and ethylene glycol (EG) or propylene glycol (PG) + EG. After warming, the lipid content and expression levels of 5-methylcytosine (5mC), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), DNMTs, and TETs were examined. In addition, RNA-sequencing was performed on blastocysts derived from the vitrified embryos. Furthermore, the effect of supplementation with a vitrification medium containing DMSO and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, 5mM) on the levels of 5mC in embryos was examined. Vitrification decreased the levels of 5mC and increased the levels of 5hmC in 8-cell stage embryos. Low levels of 5mC persisted until the blastocyst stage in the DMSO group but increased in the PG group. The expression level of TET3A was higher in the DMSO group than in the fresh group, but not in the PG group. Both cryoprotectants reduced the lipid levels in post-warmed 8-cell stage embryos. The addition of NAC ameliorated DMSO-induced demethylation at both the 8-cell and blastocyst stages. RNA-seq analysis revealed that PG-specific pathways included ribosomes and mitochondria and that both DMSO and PG affected cGMP-PGK, MAPK, Wnt, and insulin secretion-related signaling. The K-medoids method predicted that DMSO affected cell adhesion molecules and that MAPK signaling was affected the most. PG and NAC may antagonize DMSO-induced demethylation; however, PG exerts adverse effects on embryos.

Myocardia-Injected Synergistically Anti-Apoptotic and Anti-Inflammatory Poly(amino acid) Hydrogel Relieves Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Reperfusion therapy is the most effective treatment for acute myocardial infarction, but its efficacy is frequently limited by ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). While antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapies have shown significant potential in alleviating IRI, these strategies have not yielded satisfactory clinical outcomes. For that, a thermo-sensitive myocardial-injectable poly(amino acid) hydrogel of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)45-poly(L-methionine20-co-L-alanine10) (mPEG45-P(Met20-co-Ala10), PMA) loaded with FTY720 (PMA/FTY720) is developed to address IRI through synergistic anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. Upon injection into the ischemic myocardium, the PMA aqueous solution undergoes a sol-to-gel phase transition and gradually degrades in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS), releasing FTY720 on demand. PMA acts synergistically with FTY720 to inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and modulate pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage polarization toward anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages by clearing ROS, thereby mitigating the inflammatory response and promoting vascular regeneration. In a rat IRI model, PMA/FTY720 reduces the apoptotic cell ratio by 81.8%, increases vascular density by 34.0%, and enhances left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by 12.8%. In a rabbit IRI model, the gel-based sustained release of FTY720 enhanced LVEF by an additional 7.2% compared to individual treatment. In summary, the engineered PMA hydrogel effectively alleviates IRI through synergistic anti-apoptosis and anti-inflammation actions, offering valuable clinical potential for treating myocardial IRI.

Can Synergistic Solvation Increase Polarity Beyond Water? An Intriguing Case Study of Aqueous Binary Mixtures of 1,2-Dimethoxyethane, 2-Methoxyethanol, and Ethylene Glycol.

In this study, the synergistic behavior of aqueous binary mixtures of 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME), 2-methoxyethanol (2ME), and ethylene glycol (EG) was investigated using three solvatochromic dyes: coumarin 461 (C461), 4-aminophthalimide (4AP), and para-nitroaniline (pNA) through steady-state UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The absorption maxima of the dyes exhibited extensive bathochromic shifts with varying solvent mixture compositions. In the water-rich region of the mixtures, the absorption maxima displayed significantly larger bathochromic shifts compared with those in pure water. A clear case of synergistic solvation was observed, indicating that the polarity of mixtures exceeds that of pure water. The synergistic effect was pronounced in the water-DME and water-2ME mixtures, while it was weaker in the water-EG mixture. This "hyper-polarity" was analyzed from the molar transition energy variation using a generalized Bosch solvation model. In the water-DME and water-2ME mixtures, the equilibrium constant for synergistic solvation was significantly greater than that for preferential solvation, whereas in the water-EG mixture, the values were comparable. This behavior stemmed from the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between water and cosolvents. The mole fraction of synergistic solvation suggested microheterogeneity around the solute within the mixtures. Notably, the variation in emission maxima of the probes showed no synergistic behavior, implying that solvent reorientation in the excited state disrupts the synergistic effect. IR spectroscopy was also employed to investigate the hydrogen-bonded structures in the binary mixtures. Analytical modeling of -OH and -CH stretching frequency was established, and it revealed that the formation of water-DME and water-2ME hydrogen-bonded aggregates is responsible for the observed synergistic "hyper-polarity" effect.

Cholesterol Functionalized Nanoparticles Are Effective against Helicobacter pylori, the Gastric Bug: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Helicobacter pylori chronic infection is the highest risk factor for the development of gastric cancer, being this Gram-negative bacterium classified as carcinogenic. The mounting resistance of H. pylori to antibiotics calls for innovative therapeutic strategies. Here, the proof-of-concept studies that support the development of a "trojan horse" therapeutic strategy based on cholesterol-grafted nanoparticles (Chol-NP) to counteract H. pylori infection are depicted. The bacterium ability to specifically recognize and bind to surface grafted cholesterol is demonstrated by its adhesion to cholesterol(Chol)-functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold substrates (2D Chol-SAMs) in a concentration dependent manner, with optimal Chol-SAMs prepared with 25% Chol-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-thiol in solution (75% tetra(ethylene glycol)-thiol). These results further show that cholesterol functionalized gold nanoparticles (3D Chol-SAMs, Chol-NP) eradicate H. pylori at a minimum bactericidal concentration of 125 µg mL-1. Chol-NP kill H. pylori through internalization and membrane rupture, as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Chol-NP are cytocompatible (human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line), non-hemolytic and innocuous to bacteria representative of the gut microbiota (Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus acidophilus). This study supports the further development of cholesterol functionalized biomaterials as an advanced and targeted treatment for H. pylori infection.

Improving ice plant efficiency with Al2O3 nanoparticles and evaporative cooling techniques

This study focuses on reducing energy consumption in vapor compression refrigeration-based ice plants by incorporating nanoparticle in secondary refrigerants and evaporative cooling technique. Experimental evaluations were performed on a test rig using brine and ethylene glycol as secondary refrigerants. Results showed that brine outperformed glycol, reducing ice formation time by 15% when combined with evaporative cooling. Further enhancement was achieved by incorporating Al2O3 nanoparticles into the brine, which, combined with direct evaporative cooling, reduced ice formation time by 20% compared to glycol. The improved system demonstrated significant performance gains, lowering energy costs and enhancing the Coefficient of Performance (COP).

Ternary PdIrNi Telluride Amorphous Mesoporous Nanocatalyst for Efficient Electro-Oxidation of Ethylene Glycol

The development of efficient electrocatalysts for the complete oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) is crucial for enhancing the practicality of direct EG fuel cells (DEGFCs). However, significant challenges persist in developing highly active Pd-based catalytic electrodes. In this work, PdIrNi ternary telluride nanospheres (PdIrNiTe-MNSPs) with mesoporous morphology and an amorphous structure were successfully synthesized and applied in electrocatalytic EG oxidation reaction. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis revealed typical mesoporous characteristics, with a surface area of 8.33 m2·g−1 and a total pore volume of 0.055 cm3·g−1, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy characterization showed that the outer layer of PdIrNiTe-MNSPs is entirely amorphous in structure. Electrochemical tests demonstrated that PdIrNiTe-MNSPs exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic specific activity (16.75 mA·cm−2) and mass activity (1372.22 mA·mg−1) for EG oxidation reaction (EGOR), achieving 3.17 and 2.09 times higher than commercial Pd/C, which can be attributed to its unique nanoarchitecture and optimized electron configuration. In situ spectroscopy revealed that with the incorporation of IrNi, PdIrNiTe-MNSPs facilitate C-C bond cleavage of EG, achieving a higher selectivity (≈93%) in oxidizing EG to C1 products, while PdTe-MNSPs demonstrated higher selectivity for glycolic acid in EGOR. Taken together, this work provides new insights into the application of Pd-based telluride nanomaterials in electrocatalysis for EGOR.

Enhancement of Antibacterial and Hydrophilic Properties of LDPE Surfaces by Benzoxazine‐Chitosan Coatings: Structure and Performances

ABSTRACTAlthough low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) proved its efficacy in alleviating biliary obstruction stemming from biliopancreatic conditions as biliary stents, the problem of stent occlusion resulting from insufficient antibacterial and hydrophilic properties remains worth investigating. In this study, polydopamine (PDA) and poly(ethylene glycol) bis(carboxymethyl) ether (PEGb) were used as anchors on the LDPE surface, and then chitosan‐benzoxazine (CSxBzy) coatings were grafted with PEGb to obtain an innovative surface to enhance the antimicrobial and hydrophilic features of LDPE. The antimicrobial abilities of PE‐CSxBzy were evaluated by co‐culture and plate coating techniques, demonstrating a remarkable inhibitory effect of up to 99.3% against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the laser confocal scanning microscope further demonstrated that the PE‐CSxBzy has excellent anti‐bacterial adhesion properties. Compared to pristine LDPE, the amount of adherent bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the number of bile proteins on the PE‐CSxBzy surface were reduced by up to 64.56% and 80.26%, respectively. PE‐CSxBzy exhibited excellent and stable hydrophilicity, with a water contact angle of approximately 50°, which only increased by 18.84% even after 30 days of immersion. PE‐CSxBzy also showed complete biocompatibility with human biliary epithelial cells (BECs) and anticipation for biliary stent materials considering its exceptional hydrophilicity and antibacterial abilities. Moreover, the molecular dynamics simulations further demonstrated that the antibacterial properties and hydrophilic capabilities arise from the synergistic effect of chitosan‐benzoxazine coating structures. This study, we suggest, presents recommendations for regulating the antimicrobial and hydrophilic properties associated with LDPE materials utilized in biliary stent applications.

Upcycling of industrial by‐product gypsum for the synthesis of short columnar α‐hemihydrate gypsum using erythritol

AbstractAlcohol–water systems, extensively used for converting waste gypsum into alpha‐calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α‐HH), typically take over 2 h to yield high‐quality α‐HH. This work developed an innovative erythritol–water medium, supplemented with trace mixed organic acids, which expedited the conversion of industrial by‐product gypsum into high‐quality α‐HH within just 1 h, outpacing the majority of documented alcohol–water systems. The resultant α‐HH exhibited a large‐size and short columnar form with an aspect ratio of 2.32, marking a significant advancement for the industrial‐scale production of α‐HH. Importantly, α‐HH synthesized using erythritol showcased higher crystallinity compared to commonly employed medium such as glycerol and ethylene glycol, due to the fact that the hydroxyl groups of erythritol adhered to facets of α‐HH, occupying the vacancies at Ca sites and thereby inhibiting the active growth sites. Further investigations revealed that erythritol fostered favorable thermodynamic conditions for the dissolution of dihydrate gypsum, and established a homogeneous supersaturated surrounding for the nucleation and growth of α‐HH, thereby resulting in the formation of α‐HH with reduced aspect ratio and improved dispersibility. This study provides a cost‐effective alternative to the common glycerol–water system and chloride salt solution for waste gypsum conversion to α‐HH.

LiClO4/EG as an Environmentally Benign Lewis Acidic Catalytic System for the Expeditious Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones and NH-1,2,3-Triazoles

An environmentally benign protocol has been developed for the synthesis of two biologically important N-heterocycles i.e. 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones and NH-1,2,3-triazoles. These two N-heterocyclic compounds are synthesized by readily available and inexpensive LiClO4 in ethylene glycol (EG) and PEG-400 with good to excellent product yield and providing an important benchmark for the rapid synthesis of these two heterocycles under operational simplicity. Sc-XRD of one of the products gives structural information and DFT calculations provide important information on mechanistic pathway.

A Lightweight Hydrogel System for Passive Cooling of Solar Cells

AbstractThe power conversion efficiency (PCE) of photovoltaics (PVs) or solar cells is significantly affected by the temperature. Under 1‐sun solar irradiance, the PV temperature can reach up to 65–70 °C; consequently, the PCE and power output can be reduced by as much as 18%. Herein, highly efficient PV passive cooling based on thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) containing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), or polyacrylamide (PAM), is demonstrated. Crucially, the measurements of water release ratio and differential thermal analysis (DTA) reveal that the cooling performance of hydrogels not only depends on how much water they absorb but also on how fast they can release water. The DTA experiments allow the quantification of specific cooling power (SCP). The optimal composition of PNIPAM/PAM hydrogels with 15 wt.% PAM shows the largest swelling ratio of 30 and highest SCP of 1.86 W g−1. Employed in the cooling application of silicon PV cells, a large temperature reduction of 23 °C is achieved (from 70 to 47 °C), resulting in a relative increase in PCE by 12.3%. Remarkably, only 5.1 kg m−2 of the hydrogels is required, 90% lower than what is typically required of phase change materials for passive PV cooling.