Polymeric Nanomaterials Research Articles

Phenylboronic acid modified carbon dots for improved protein delivery

It is a great challenge to establish a universal nanocarrier for delivering different proteins, due to the differences of proteins in molecular weights, isoelectric points and spatial structures. Even though some carriers including polymer, liposomes and inorganic nanomaterials have been utilized to deliver proteins, most of them are only suitable for specific proteins. In the present work, amine-riched carbon dots (CDs) were introduced phenyl boronic acid to form CD-B, which could load various proteins with considerable contents. Hemoglobin (Hb) and glucose oxidase (GOX) were used as models to form Hb@CD-B and GOX@CD-B nanohybrids, and their loading content and efficiency were improved significantly. Most importantly, these protein hybrids could be internalized by the living cells, and the protein activities were maintained effectively. This work developed a versatile platform for efficacious loading proteins with compromising activity.

Surface functionalization – The way for advanced applications of smart materials

• Performance of a functionalization strategy fosters strategy of materials improve. • Applications of modified inorganic NPs are suited for biomedicine and technology. • Superior characteristics of hybrid coatings improve materials multimodal properties. This review presents the latest innovations and trends in the field of surface functionalization of various nanomaterials. The most recent protocols of smart materials fabrication as well as the main challenges which should be overcome in order to improve their final performance are discussed here. Particular attention has been paid to the properties improvement of polymer, silica, inorganic and hybrid nanomaterials and their potential for application in many fields, from industry, materials science, environmental protection to advanced biomedicine.

3D Conformal Surface Engineering of Continuous Fibers with Porous Microstructures for 1D Advanced Functional Materials

AbstractOne‐dimensional (1D) continuous advanced functional materials and devices with inherent flexibility for complex deformations facilitate a broad range of applications in wearable technology. This communication presents a new electrostatic self‐assembly strategy for controllable assembly of nanomaterials to fabricate 1D continuous materials with customizable functions based on a kind of continuous fiber fully surface‐engineered with 3D conformal porous microstructures (F@3CPMs) by a unique self‐assembly approach of breath figure using water microdroplet arrays. Through gently rubbing the modified fibers with suitable triboelectric materials, either positively or negatively charged F@3CPMs can be rationally prepared with adjustable triboelectric charge intensity. Besides showing superiority in incorporating desired components, such kind of F@3CPMs are demonstrated to have general applicability and enhanced performance in controllable self‐assembly of polymeric, metal, and carbon nanomaterials for customizable functionalizations. Moreover, taking advantages of continuous fibers that can deform largely, functional F@3CPMs are further applied for development of 1D flexible motion sensing devices by twisting directly, which can be either used as 1D freestanding devices for straightforward integration with conventional fabrics or woven as a fabric structure integrity for a kind of self‐powered interactive textiles without additional battery as power resources to detect and monitor the body motions of human beings.

Engineered Polymer Nanoplatforms for Targeted Tumor Cells and Controlled Release Cargos to Enhance Cancer Treatment.

Cancer is composed of a series of uncontrollable cells, which finally form tumors to negatively impact the functions of the body and induce other serious diseases, even leading to death. During the last decades, scientists have devoted great efforts to study cancer; however, there are no effective diagnoses and treatments. Nanomaterials have attracted great attention in the biomedical field in recent years, which are widely used as optical imaging probes and delivery systems for cancer therapy. Among the numerous nanomaterials, polymeric nanoparticles occupy a prominent position because of their tunable micro-size, multifunctional surface, prominent biocompatibility and high drug-carrying capacity. These significant advantages of polymeric nanomaterials have significance over the traditional nanomaterials and have become a potential therapy for cancer. In this review, we focus on the applications of polymeric nanoparticles in cancer theranostics, especially as the drug delivery systems for cancer treatment. This review provides an overview on the advancement of synthesis, application of polymeric nanoparticles- based drug delivery systems and highlights the evaluation for cancer therapy.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIPs) Nanomaterials Modified as Absorbing Cholesterol

Nanomaterial Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIPs) from Methacrylic acid (MAA), Ethylene glycolmethacrylate (EGDMA), 2,2-Dimetoksi-2-Phenyliacetonephenon (DMPP) and cholesterol have been successfully synthesized by using the photopolymerization method. MIPs has been characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to see the physical shape and size of his fingers, while FTIR was used to analysis of the cholesterol extraction and re-extraction in MIPs. The absorption capacity of MIPs against cholesterol in solution was analyzed by the calorimetry method using Liebermann-Burchard reagent. MIPs absorption of cholesterol in the blood was analyzed by using Easy Touch GCU. The results of SEM analysis showed that MIPs were spherical with a diameter of 1,038µm to 2.702µm. While FTIR analysis shows that MIPs cholesterol can be extracted and re-extracted in MIPs. MIPs absorption against cholesterol in solution is 84.49% for 0.30 grams of MIPs and time of absorbance is 30 minutes. While the absorption of MIPs against cholesterol in the human blood is 41.19%, it shows that pores and active groups of MIPs are able to absorb and selectively to cholesterol molecules.

Strong and flaw-insensitive two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks

<h2>Summary</h2> Two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising polymeric crystalline nanomaterials with broad applications. However, the understanding of their mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms remains elusive. Here, we report a quantitative <i>in situ</i> tensile study of ultrathin COF_TAPB-DHTA films. The fracture strength was measured to be 0.75 ± 0.34 GPa, and the tensile modulus was measured to be 10.38 ± 3.42 GPa, with a nominal density of 0.393 g/cc, thus having specific strength equivalent to Kevlar (2 GPa·cc/g), and specific modulus comparable with titanium alloys (23 GPa·cc/g). In addition, the fracture toughness was measured to be 0.55 ± 0.09 MPa√m, and it was found that the crack propagation could be insensitive to the pre-crack when the size of pre-crack is below a critical value, leading to intriguing flaw insensitivity in such ultrathin nanomaterials. This work provides in-depth insights into the fracture properties of 2D COF films and lays a foundation for their future applications.

Degradable Spirocyclic Polyacetal-Based Core-Amphiphilic Assemblies for Encapsulation and Release of Hydrophobic Cargo.

Polymeric nanomaterials that degrade in acidic environments have gained considerable attention in nanomedicine for intracellular drug delivery and cancer therapy. Among various acid-degradable linkages, spirocyclic acetals have rarely been used to fabricate such vehicles. In addition to acid sensitivity, they benefit from conformational rigidity that is otherwise not attainable by their non-spirocyclic analogs. Herein, amphiphilic spirocyclic polyacetals are synthesized by Cu-catalyzed alkyne–azide “click” polymerization. Unlike conventional block copolymers, which often form core–shell structures, these polymers self-assemble to form core amphiphilic assemblies capable of encapsulating Nile red as a hydrophobic model drug. In vitro experiments show that while release from these materials can occur at neutral pH with preservation of their integrity, acidic pH accelerates efficient cargo release and leads to the complete degradation of assemblies. Moreover, cellular assays reveal that these materials are fully cytocompatible, interact with the plasma membrane, and can be internalized by cells, rendering them as potential candidates for cancer therapy and/or drug delivery.

Aggregation induced emission (AIE) molecules for measurement of intracellular temperature, pH, and viscosity sensing.

This book chapter presents insightful growth and progress in the field of sensing especially, temperature, pH, and viscosity sensing. We focus more on aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active materials for measuring intracellular pH, viscosity, and temperature by means of fluorescence and absorption study. A special emphasis is given on AIE active fluorescent molecules, molecular rotors, polymeric nanomaterials which are considered as the important aspects of sense. It also gives the fundamental and brief understanding between these different AIE active material and its application in biological systems.

Benzoperylene-grafted and Cu2+chelated polymeric nanoparticles for GSH depletion and chemodynamic therapy

A novel benzoperylene based water-soluble and excimer-emissive polymeric nanomaterial was obtainedviaATRP and used as a Cu2+chelated polymeric nanomaterial for effective GSH depletion and chemodynamic therapy.

Materials for Hydrogen Mobile Storage Applications

There are several attempts to achieve efficient hydrogen storage. In this article, we introduce four main methods: conventional tank storage, metal and alloys hydrides storage, polymeric materials storage and carbon nanomaterials storage. We illustrate the advantages, disadvantages and current research process of each methods.

Recent progress of redox-responsive polymeric nanomaterials for controlled release

Redox-responsive polymeric nanomaterials (PNMs) have been attractive research targets for drug delivery systems because disturbed levels of redox molecules are associated with the progression of various diseases. To enable PNMs to target biorelevant redox molecules, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), appropriate responsive moieties have to be installed within the polymer structure. Upon application of redox stimuli, redox-responsive PNMs undergo structural changes to release encapsulated payloads. Chalcogen ether, thioketal and arylboronic ester have been widely incorporated into the structure of ROS-responsive PNMs. While disulfide is commonly utilized in GSH-responsive PNMs, azide is a newly explored responsive motif targeting H2S selectively. Diselenide, on the other hand, is a group susceptible to both oxidative and reducing conditions and therefore it has been exploited in dual redox-responsive PNMs. Here, we review PNMs, mainly reported in the last four years, that contain these redox-responsive moieties for controlled payload release.

Engineering of hybrid anticancer drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles delivery system for the treatment and care of lung cancer therapy

Chemotherapy with combination drugs has become one of the most commonly used cancer prevention treatments, with positive clinical results. The goal of this study was to develop compostable polymeric nanomaterials (NMs) for the delivery of puerarin (PRN) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU), as well as to investigate the anticancer activity of the drug delivery system (PRN-5FU NMs) against in vitro and in vivo lung cancer cells. Since double antitumor drugs PRN and 5FU are insufficiently compressed in polymer-based bio-degradable nanoparticles, encapsulation of PRN and 5FU antitumor drugs were co-encapsulated with polyethylene glycol and polylactidecoglycolide nanoparticles (NMs) is efficient. The arrangement of PRN NMs, 5FU NMs, and PRN-5FU NMs, as well as the nanoparticles shape and scale, were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). 5FU-PRN NMs triggered apoptosis in lung carcinoma cell lines such as HEL-299 and A549 in vitro. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) and nuclear damaging staining techniques were used to observe morphologies and cell death. The mechanistic analysis of apoptosis was also confirmed by flow cytometry analysis using dual staining. When compared to free anticancer products, the hemolysis analysis findings of the 5FU-PRN NMs showed excellent biocompatibility. Taken together the advantages, this combination drug conveyance strategy exposed that 5FU-PRN NMs could have a significant promising to improve the effectiveness of lung cancer cells.

Preparation of Polymeric Nanomaterials Using Emulsion Polymerization

Nanoparticles are said to be active particles which are entrapped in the surface of the polymeric core. Since nanoparticles were used in medical and biotechnological fields, there is a great demand in the preparation of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are prepared from different substances; mainly, polymer material is used in the field of preparing nanomaterials. There are different methods involved in the preparation of nanoparticles from the polymer. Various experiments and research studies were carried out on the basic preparation of nanoparticles. Emulsion polymerization could be used to make polymeric nanoparticles with a high solid concentration without the need of surfactants. To make carboxylate polystyrene beads or amidine polystyrene nanoparticles, polymeric nanocolloids containing surface functional groups were produced. In this research, the preparation of nanoparticles from emulsion polymerization is represented along with the size and distribution material.

Magnetic polymer nanomaterials for sample pretreatment in proteomics

Design and preparation of magnetic polymer nanomaterials and their application in bioseparation.

Design of functional polymer nanomaterials for antimicrobial therapy and combatting resistance

Human health is facing a severe threat from pathogenic infections. Polymer materials display unprecedented advantages as effective antimicrobial materials.

Probing Thermoresponsive Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly with Variable-Temperature Liquid-Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy

Summary We directly initiate and visualize the formation of polymeric nanomaterials via variable-temperature liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (VT-LCTEM). With temperature control in the liquid cell, reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization was thermally initiated, leading to the formation of amphiphilic block copolymers that assemble upon dispersion polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). In combination with traditional ex situ analyses, VT-LCTEM enabled not only the characterization of the nanoparticles in situ but also the observation of a thermal phase transition. Critically, because these assemblies form from thermoresponsive components, any temperature changes during sample preparation and analysis can alter morphologies, necessitating direct in situ characterization of reaction progression. We believe that the findings and the technique described herein will lead to unprecedented possibilities for the development and characterization of self-organizing soft matter.

Design and Application of Conjugated Polymer Nanomaterials for Detection and Inactivation of Pathogenic Microbes.

Infectious deaths due to drug resistance of pathogens caused by the abuse of antibiotics have seriously endangered public health in the world. Therefore, it is urgent to develop diversified methods for rapid detection of pathogens and antimicrobial drugs that are not prone to develop resistance. Conjugated polymers (CPs) are macromolecular compounds composed of many luminescent units through covalent bond. They have high molar extinction coefficient and strong light absorption capacity. In addition, they have good photo stability and excellent biocompatibility. In recent years, conjugated polymer nanomaterials (CPNs) have stimulated the research enthusiasm of many researchers because of the materials' small size, high fluorescence intensity, and easy modification. This article reviews the recent research progress of conjugated polymer nanomaterials in the detection and killing of pathogenic microbes.

Nano vaccines and nano materials for vaccines

<p indent=0mm>Vaccines are important biological treatment strategies for effectively preventing or curing a variety of diseases, and are key means to curb the spread of new diseases such as the new coronavirus pneumonia. Compared with conventional vaccines, nano materials-based vaccines have obvious advantages such as high antigen loading and targeting efficiency, low toxicity, and diverse administration methods. In the past decade, research on nanovaccines has received increasing attention, especially more and more nanovaccines with potential applications are emerging. Nano vaccines can be classified into anti-viral nano vaccines, anti-tumor nano vaccines, anti-bacterial nano vaccines and so on. Recently, more and more nanomaterials have been reported to be applicable in preparation of nano vaccines, including organic polymer nanomaterials, lipid nanomaterials, natural nanomaterials, inorganic nanomaterials, etc. Some of these nanomaterials exhibit excellent functions, not only as a carrier for antigens, but also as immune adjuvants. In this review, we have summarized the research status of nano vaccines, focusing on analyzing different design schemes and effects of nano vaccines. In addition, we summarized the characteristics of commonly used nano materials for vaccines is summarized and perspective for the development of novel nano vaccines is prospected. This article will provide a basis for using nano vaccines to prevent or treat various new infectious diseases, including new coronaviruses, and help accelerate the discovery of new vaccines.

Development of an ultrasensitive electrochemical genosensor for detection of HIV-1 pol gene using a gold nanoparticles coated carbon paste electrode impregnated with lead ion-imprinted polymer nanomaterials as a novel electrochemical probe

In this work, we developed a simple and label-free voltammetric genosensor to determine the HIV-1 pole gene by using lead ion-imprinted polymer (Pb-IIP) nanoparticles as a novel electrochemical probe. For this purpose, a carbon paste electrode (CPE) was impregnated with lead ion-imprinted polymer nanoparticles. Lead ions were reduced and accumulated onto the surface of CPE at − 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl and, then, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) were electrochemically deposited on the surface of Pb-IIP-CPE. The modified AuNPs/Pb-IIP-CPE electrode showed a well-defined lead oxidation peak with excellent stability and reproducibility. Finally, the thiol-DNA probe of HIV-1 pole gene was immobilized on the surface of the modified electrode through a self-assembly method. Due to the blocking of lead electron transfer at the electrode surface with the probe DNA immobilization, the Pb oxidation peak current was decreased. In the end, upon the hybridization of probe DNA with the target DNA, the response current of the electrochemical probe was further decreased. Under optimum conditions, the developed genosensor showed a linear detection range from 1 fM to 0.1 nM, with a detection limit of 0.3 fM (S/N = 3).

Biomedical Applications of Multifunctional Polymeric Nanocarriers: A Review of Current Literature.

Polymeric nanomaterials have become a prominent area of research in the field of drug delivery. Their application in nanomedicine can improve bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and, therefore, the effectiveness of various therapeutics or contrast agents. There are many studies for developing new polymeric nanocarriers; however, their clinical application is somewhat limited. In this review, we present new complex and multifunctional polymeric nanocarriers as promising and innovative diagnostic or therapeutic systems. Their multifunctionality, resulting from the unique chemical and biological properties of the polymers used, ensures better delivery, and a controlled, sequential release of many different therapeutics to the diseased tissue. We present a brief introduction of the classical formulation techniques and describe examples of multifunctional nanocarriers, whose biological assessment has been carried out at least in vitro. Most of them, however, also underwent evaluation in vivo on animal models. Selected polymeric nanocarriers were grouped depending on their medical application: anti-cancer drug nanocarriers, nanomaterials delivering compounds for cancer immunotherapy or regenerative medicine, components of vaccines nanomaterials used for topical application, and lifestyle diseases, ie, diabetes.