Solvent Immersion Research Articles

Exploring Volatiles and Biological Effects of Commiphora africana and Boswellia papyrifera Incense

The resin of Commiphora africana and the resin and bark of Boswellia papyrifera play versatile roles in traditional Sudanese culture, including use in inhalation therapy, liquid remedies, and as chewing gum. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the volatile compounds in these materials using various extraction methods and assess their biological activities. Extraction methods included MonoTrap solid-phase microextraction, smoke solvent trapping, and acetone immersion. Gas chromatography−mass spectrometry analysis of MonoTrap extracts identified highly volatile compounds, while smoke extracts contained compounds with lower volatility. Solvent immersion captured a broader range of compounds. The resin of C. africana was rich in limonene, verbenone, and β-selinene, whereas B. papyrifera extracts contained octyl acetate, trans-nerolidol, and nerolidol isobutyrate as major compounds. Biological assays showed C. africana smoke extract inhibited tyrosinase activity, with p-cymene and S-limonene acting as competitive inhibitors. It also inhibited the growth of cancer cells, A549 and MIA Paca-2, while solvent extracts from both resins inhibited all tested cell lines. Further, the acetone extracts exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans. These results highlight the differences in chemical composition between the two species, the impact of extraction methods, and the therapeutic potential of C. africana and B. papyrifera as sources of bioactive compounds.

Ring-Opening Polymerization of Surface Ligands Enables Versatile Optical Patterning and Form Factor Flexibility in Quantum Dot Assemblies.

The evolution of display technologies is rapidly transitioning from traditional screens to advanced augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) and wearable devices, where quantum dots (QDs) serve as crucial pure-color emitters. While solution processing efficiently forms QD solids, challenges emerge in subsequent stages, such as layer deposition, etching, and solvent immersion. These issues become especially pronounced when developing diverse form factors, necessitating innovative patterning methods that are both reversible and sustainable. Herein, a novel approach utilizing lipoic acid (LA) as a ligand is presented, featuring a carboxylic acid group for QD surface attachment and a reversible disulfide ring structure. Upon i-line UV exposure, the LA ligand initiates ring-opening polymerization (ROP), crosslinking the QDs and enhances their solvent resistance. This method enables precise full-color QD patterns with feature sizes as small as 3µm and pixel densities exceeding 3788 ppi. Additionally, it supports the fabrication of stretchable QD composites using LA-derived monomers. The reversible ROP process allows for flexibility, self-healing, and QD recovery, promoting sustainability and expanding QD applications for ultra-fine patterning and on-silicon displays.

High‐Performance Polyurethane Coatings From Cardanol‐Derived Polyols: A Sustainable Approach for Mild Steel Protection

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a study of the ring‐opening process for production of polyols, including diols (two hydroxyl groups), triols (three hydroxyl groups), and tetra‐ols (four hydroxyl groups). These cardanol‐based polyols were subsequently used as important precursors in the formulation of PU coatings, which were cured on mild steel substrates using a polyisocyanate hardener. The synthesized PU coatings had exceptional mechanical qualities, including maximum pencil hardness (6H), high flexibility with minimal breaking during conical mandrel bending, and superb impact resistance. The coatings were also highly chemically resistant, withstanding immersion in acid (0.5 N HCl), alkali (0.5 N NaOH), and organic solvents (xylene, MEK) without degradation. Notably, the PU coating made from tetra‐ol polyol had the maximum thermal stability (T50% = 445°C), gel content (96%), and water resistance (1.4% absorption). This enhanced performance is due to the increased cross‐linking density caused by the four reactive hydroxyl groups of tetra‐ol. The salt spray analysis demonstrated that the tetra‐ol‐based PU coating outperformed its diol and triol counterparts, with negligible pitting and blistering after 500 h of exposure to a 3.5% NaCl solution. This indicates its superior barrier qualities and tolerance to corrosive conditions.

Supramolecular Assembly, Solvent-Induced, and Mechanochromic Luminescence of Au(I) Quinoline-8-thiolates.

AuCl(PMe3) and AuCl(PEt3) were used to react with quinoline-8-thiolate (8-QNS) to give three Au(I) complexes, i.e., [8-QNS(AuPMe3)2]ClO4 (1), [(8-QNS)2Ag(AuPMe3)2]ClO4 (2), and [8-QNS(AuPEt3)2]ClO4 (3), which have been structurally determined by X-ray diffraction to show various intra- and intermolecular metal···metal contacts (i.e., metal = Au(I) or Ag(I)). All complexes displayed solid-state luminescence at 535-568 nm, which is most likely attributed to an intraligand transition of 8-QNS and/or a S → Au(I) charge-transfer transition, possibly modified by Au(I)···Au(I) interactions. Notably, complex 1·CH2Cl2 exhibited remarkable mechanochromic luminescence from 535 to 601 nm upon grinding. While immersed in various solvents for the ground powder samples of complex 1·CH2Cl2, the luminescence at 601 nm mostly reverted to the original luminescence. Powder X-ray diffraction measurements indicated that complex 1·CH2Cl2 underwent structural transformation from a crystalline to an amorphous phase upon grinding, and it can be restored to the original crystalline phase upon immersion in various solvents. Additionally, the reversible experiments of complex 1·CH2Cl2 for the grinding and immersion actions were performed for up to five cycles. Moreover, the time-dependent luminescence spectra for the crystalline samples of complex 1·CH2Cl2 were measured, and they showed a significant luminescence change from 535 to 590 nm within 2 days.

Ultra-Antifouling Liquid-Like Surfaces for Sustainable Viscous Water-in-Oil Emulsions Separation and Oil Recovery.

The demand for efficient separation techniques in industries dealing with high viscosity emulsions has surged due to their widespread applications in various scenarios, including emulsion-based drug delivery systems, the removal of emulsified impurities in formulations and oil spill remediation. However, membrane fouling is a major challenge for conventional separation methods, leading to decreased efficiency and increased maintenance costs. Herein, a novel approach is reported by constructing liquid-like surfaces with double anti-fouling structure, incorporating soft nanomicelles within a rigid, chemically cross-linked network for both anti-membrane-fouling and effective viscous water-in-oil emulsion separation. The coating significantly outperforms perfluorinated and commercial polytetrafluoroethylene (PVDF) membranes, effectively preventing the adhesion of viscous oils like crude oil and pump oil, and alleviating severe membrane fouling. For high-viscosity emulsions (97.3 cP and 52.8 cP), it maintains over 99% separation efficiency after 3h continuous use. Even after 15h immersion in strong acids, alkalis, salts, or organic solvents, its separation efficiency remains above 95%. In addition, thanks to the anti-membrane-fouling ability, this work achieved 6h continuous emulsion separation performance for the first time, demonstrating unparalleled long-term stability. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the development of innovative coatings for efficient and eco-friendly separation of high-viscosity emulsions.

Preserving High Porosity of Covalent Organic Frameworks via Functional Polymer Guest Introduction.

Due to their high structural tunability, remarkable internal surface areas, readily accessible pore space, and host of possible applications, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) remain at the forefront of materials science research. Unfortunately, many COFs suffer from structural distortions or pore collapse during activation, which can lead to a substantial loss of crystallinity and functionality. Thus, herein, we demonstrate a facile method to address this issue by introducing polymer guests. The polymer adheres to the COF internal pore wall, acting as a supporting pillar during activation and effectively preserving the COF porosity and crystallinity. In fact, the surface area of one COF/polymer composite, known as TAPB-TA/PDA, was boosted by a factor of 16 when compared to the parent COF, TAPB-TA. More importantly, the now robust COF structure was able to resist layer shifting and order loss during both solvent immersion and removal. The introduction of functional polymer guests not only solidifies the COF structure and preserves its high porosity but is also shown to enhance the transport and separation of photogenerated charge carriers, thereby facilitating hydrogen evolution during photocatalytic water splitting. Molecular dynamics simulations further support experimental observations that the incorporation of PDA within the COF pores reinforces the walls, preventing its collapse. The proposed mechanism is based on the adsorption of PDA oligomers along the c direction of the unit cell, fastening the COF layers in place via van der Waals interactions. This kind of interaction locks -N═CH-Ph-CH═N- units in a trans-configuration in the COF pores.

Porous silica based controllable reversible freestanding Bragg structures: From omnidirectional mirrors to transparency

Porous silica based controllable reversible freestanding Bragg structures: From omnidirectional mirrors to transparency

Flexible SERS chips for rapid on-site detection of tricyclazole pesticide in agricultural products.

A flexible, ultrasensitive, and practical SERS chip is presented based on a paper/f-TiO2/Ag structure. The chip enhances the self-assembly of Ag nanoparticles on a cellulose fiber matrix, facilitated by smart functionalized TiO2 nanomaterials (f-TiO2). This design enables superior detection of the hazardous pesticide tricyclazole (TCZ) on crops using an advanced, simple, and efficient analytical method.Despite its straightforward fabrication process via a solvent immersion method, the intrinsic smart surface properties of the TiO2 bridging material -both hydrophilic and hydrophobic-enable the uniform and dense self-assembly of hydrophilic Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on the cellulose fiber paper substrate. This innovative design provides superior sensing efficiency for TCZ molecules with a detection limit reaching 2.1 × 10-9M, a remarkable improvement compared to Paper/Ag substrates lacking f-TiO2 nanomaterials, which register at 10-5M. This flexible SERS substrate also exhibits very high reliability as indicated by its excellent reproducibility and repeatability with relative standard deviations (RSD) of only 5.93% and 4.73%, respectively. Characterized by flexibility and a water-attractive yet non-soluble surface, the flexible Paper/f-TiO2/Ag chips offer the convenience of direct immersion into the analytical sample, facilitating seamless target molecule collection while circumventing interference signals. Termed the "dip and dry" technique, its advantages in field analysis are indisputable, boasting in situ deployment, simplicity, and high efficiency, while minimizing interference signals to negligible levels. Through the application of this advanced technique, we have successfully detected TCZ in two high-value crops, ST25 rice and dragon fruit, achieving excellent recovery values ranging from 90 to 128%. This underscores its immense potential in ensuring food quality and safety. As a proof of concept, flexible Paper/f-TiO2/Ag SERS chips, with a simple fabrication process, advanced analytical technique, and superior sensing efficiency, bring SERS one step closer to field applications beyond the laboratory.

Mechanochromic and Solvent-Induced Luminescence of a Supramolecular Pt(II)-Bipyridine Complex with Di(4-pyridylmethyl)aminedithiocarbamate.

[Pt(bpy)(DPMACS2)]2Cl2•3H2O (1•3H2O) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, DPMACS2 = di(4-pyridylmethyl)aminedithiocarbamate) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction studies, and its crystal structure displayed intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contacts of 3.471 and 5.065 Å. Upon excitation, 1•3H2O showed broad luminescence at 538 nm, which was red-shifted and enhanced to 560 nm while cooling to 77 K. To this end, the B3LYP/LanL2DZ calculation results were performed to clearly explain their excited-state origin. Moreover, complex 1•3H2O displayed a dramatic mechanochromic shift from 538 to 608 nm while grinding, and the above red-shift was also observed while exposed to air within 1 day, suggestive of the simultaneous mechanochromic and solvent-induced luminescence. It is noted that the luminescence almost reverted to the original luminescence at 535-542 nm upon immersion in various solvents for the ground samples of complex 1•3H2O. In addition, the luminescence for the acetone-immersed ground samples returned to 608 nm in 1 min. The possible interactions between halogenated solvents and the free pyridyl groups in DPMACS2, which were not expected for acetone, have been proposed to be responsible for such a dramatic difference in this study.

Theoretical Investigation of the structure and Raman scattering properties of Hoogsteen- and Watson-Crick-type Adenine-Thymine base pair

Theoretical Investigation of the structure and Raman scattering properties of Hoogsteen- and Watson-Crick-type Adenine-Thymine base pair

Wetting mechanism and alteration of nano-sized shale pores: Insights from contrast variation small angle neutron scattering

Wetting mechanism and alteration of nano-sized shale pores: Insights from contrast variation small angle neutron scattering

Coordination-driven in-situ controlled synthesis of cellulose-based fluorescent composite with tunable color for decoration, anti-counterfeiting, and accurate color recognition

Fluorescent composites have widespread applications in many aspects. Wood-derived cellulose is a renewable, easily processed and biodegradable, and cellulose-based fluorescent composites are highly favored for in different fields. However, the existing cellulose-based fluorescent composites still have many urgent problems to be solved, such as unstable luminescence properties and easy shedding of luminescent substances, and the development of their practical applications is still a formidable challenge. Herein, a green and mild strategy for the in-situ controllable synthesis of cellulose-based fluorescent composites membrane (CFM) was developed. Firstly, delignified wood (DW) was modified with citric acid, and then lanthanide ions were introduced on modified DW through coordinated covalent bonds. Additionally, the luminescence mechanism of CFM is proposed. CFMs show adjustable color for decorative and light conversion and can be accurately identified for data protection, which increases the high value-added of cellulose-based composites. The stable luminescent properties were maintained after sonication for 30min or solvent immersion for three months. Therefore, this work presents a new approach for the synthesis of CFM, which provides an environment-friendly strategy for manufacturing cellulose-based fluorescent materials, which is significant for the subsequent development of environment-friendly composites for anti-counterfeiting and decorative applications.

Enhancing flexibility and durability of PVC with liquid epoxidized natural rubber: Innovative UV treatment to mitigate plasticizer migration

AbstractThis manuscript elucidates the preparation and utilization of liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR) with 50 mol% epoxidation level (LENR50) as a polymeric plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and further immobilization of the plasticizer in the plastic matrix through subsequent ultraviolet (UV)‐curing treatment. The plasticizing effect induced by LENR50 at 50 wt% loading was evident with a reduction of Tg from a high of 72.0 to 11.4°C. Positive enhancements were also documented in the mechanical properties of the LENR50‐plasticized PVC, specifically the big improvement in elongation at break and elastic modulus, from 106% to 430%, and from 646 to 7 MPa, respectively. The UV‐treated PVC/LENR film also exhibited superior resistance to migration compared with formulations with conventional plasticizers such as di‐2‐ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and triethyl‐2‐acetyl citrate (ATEC). A similar outcome was recorded in the leaching resistance test, where LENR50 had the best resistance to leaching in four different solvents (water, soap solution, ethanol, and toluene). The LENR50‐plasticized PVC film recorded the lowest weight loss following 24 h immersion in both hydrophilic and lipophilic solvents. The findings from this study suggest that LENR50 could serve as an efficient bio‐based polymeric plasticizer for PVC.Highlights LENR as bio‐based polymeric plasticizer for PVC. Significant reduction in Tg and elastic modulus of PVC plasticized with LENR. UV treatment improved tensile strength and elongation at break of LENR/PVC film. UV‐treated PVC/LENR has superior plasticizer migration and leaching resistance.

Candesartan Cilexetil Formulations in Mesoporous Silica: Preparation, Enhanced Dissolution In Vitro, and Oral Bioavailability In Vivo

Candesartan cilexetil (CC) is one of well-tolerated antihypertensive drugs, while its poor solubility and low bioavailability limit its use. Herein, two mesoporous silica (Syloid XDP 3150 and Syloid AL-1 FP) and the corresponding amino-modified products (N-XDP 3150 and N-AL-1 FP) have been selected as the carriers of Candesartan cilexetil to prepare solid dispersion through solvent immersion, and characterized through using powder X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, etc. The state of CC changed from crystalline to amorphous after loading onto the silica carriers, in which no interactions between CC and silica existed. Then, the dissolution behaviors in vitro were studied through using flow-through cell dissolution method. CC-XDP 3150 sample exhibited the most extensive dissolution, and the cumulative release of CC from it was 1.88-fold larger than that of CC. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic results in rats revealed that the relative bioavailability of CC-XDP 3150 and CC-N-XDP 3150 solid dispersions were estimated to be 326 % % and 238 % % in comparison with CC, respectively. Clearly, pore size, pore volume, and surface properties of silica carrier have remarkable effect on loading, dissolution and bioavailability of CC. In brief, this work will provide valuable information in construction of mesoporous silica-based delivery system toward poorly water-soluble drugs.

Amorphous stabilization of BCS II drugs using mesoporous silica

This study aimed to investigate the amorphous stabilization of BCS Class II drugs using mesoporous silica as a carrier to produce amorphous solid dispersions. Ibuprofen, fenofibrate, and budesonide were selected as model drugs to evaluate the impact of molecular weight and partition coefficient on the solid state of drug-loaded mesoporous silica (MS) particles. The model drugs were loaded into three grades of MS, SYLYSIA SY730, SYLYSIA SY430, and SYLYSIA SY350, with pore diameters of 2.5nm, 17nm, and 21nm, respectively, at 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1, carrier to drug ratios, and three different loading concentrations using solvent immersion and spray drying techniques. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms of SY430 and SY350 samples exhibited melting point depressions indicating constricted crystallization inside the pores, whereas SY730 samples with melting points matching the pure API may be a result of surface crystallization. Powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) diffractograms showed all crystalline samples matched the diffraction patterns of the pure API indicating no polymorphic transitions and all 3:1 ratio samples exhibited amorphous halo profiles. Response surface regression analysis and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis suggest carrier to drug ratios, followed by molecular weight, have the most significant impact on the crystallinity of a drug loaded into MS particles.

Flexible, breathable, and durable superhydrophobic cotton fabric modified by behenic acid, tung oil, and ZIF-8 with anti-icing and self-cleaning properties

Textiles with self-cleaning and anti-icing capabilities in cold climates are essential for outdoor workers and enthusiasts. Superhydrophobic modification of textile surfaces is effective in imparting these characteristics. Although there are numerous methods available for manufacturing superhydrophobic textiles, careful consideration is warranted for environmental concerns over fluorochemicals, stability of superhydrophobic coatings, and fabric breathability. In this work, we utilized biomass resources such as tung oil and behenic acid, along with zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8), to modify cotton fabrics, thereby creating an innovative behenic acid/tung oil/ZIF-8 modified cotton (BTZC) fabric with anti-icing and self-cleaning features. This material manifests a unique nanoflower-shaped surface morphology, demonstrating exceptional superhydrophobicity with a static water contact angle (CA) of 162° and a sliding angle (SA) of 2°. Moreover, BTZC excels in its thermal stability, breathability, and resistance to icing. Equally impressive is its robust stability, as evidenced through rigorous testing under continuous washing and abrasion, sustained high and low temperatures, extreme pH environments, and immersion in various chemical solvents. BTZC presents as a fluorine-free, durable, economically viable alternative for outdoor textile applications, marking substantial progress in the utilization of biomass and metal-organic framework materials in the textile industry and promising implications for value enhancement.

Resveratrol/epoxidized soybean oil bio-based non-isocyanate polyurethane: High strength, recyclability and adhesive applications

Resveratrol/epoxidized soybean oil bio-based non-isocyanate polyurethane: High strength, recyclability and adhesive applications

Boosting solvent resistance and structure stability of degradable polyester through extended-chain crystal structure: A preliminary case of oil/water separation membrane

Boosting solvent resistance and structure stability of degradable polyester through extended-chain crystal structure: A preliminary case of oil/water separation membrane

Preparation of melamine-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles for delivery of anticancer drugs

Preparation of melamine-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles for delivery of anticancer drugs

Near-Infrared Circularly Polarized Luminescent Physical Unclonable Functions.

Distinguished from traditional physical unclonable functions (PUFs), optical PUFs derive their encoded information from the optical properties of materials, offering distinct advantages, including solution processability, material versatility, and tunable luminescence performance. However, existing research on optical PUFs has predominantly centered on visible photoluminescence, while advanced optical PUFs based on higher-level covert light remain unexplored. In this study, we present optical PUFs based on the utilization of the covert light of near-infrared circularly polarized luminescence (NIR-CPL). This interesting property is achieved by incorporating Yb-doped metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (Yb-PeNCs) possessing NIR emission property into chiral imprinted photonic (CIP) films. By employing a solvent immersion method, we successfully integrated Yb-PeNCs into these CIP films, thereby creating an optically unclonable surface. The resulting NIR-CPL emission adds a layer of advanced security to the optical PUF systems. These findings underscore the potential of solution-processable chiral films to play a pivotal role in advancing the next generation of PUFs.