Swelling Ratio Research Articles

Super-Flexible Water-Proof Actuators.

Humidity-responsive materials hold broad application prospects in sensing, energy production, and other fields. Particularly, humidity-sensitive, flexibility, and water resistance are pivotal factors in the development of optimized humidity-responsive materials. In this study, hydrophobic linear polyurethane and hydrophilic 4-vinylphenylboronic acid (4-VPBA) form a semi-intercross cross-linking network. This copolymer of polyurethane exhibits excellent humidity-sensitive, mechanical properties, and water resistance. Its maximum tensile strength and maximum elongation can reach 40.56MPa and 543.47%, respectively. After being immersed in water at various temperatures for 15 days, it exhibited a swelling ratio of only 3.28% in water at 5°C and 9.58% in water at 70°C. While the presence of 4-VPBA network imparts humidity-sensitive, reversible, and multidirectional bending abilities, under the stimulus of water vapor, it can bend 43° within 1.4s. The demonstrated material surpasses current bidirectional humidity actuators in actuating ability. Based on these characteristics, automatically opening waterproof umbrellas and windows, as well as bionic-arms, crawling robots, and self-propelled boats, are successfully developed.

From common biomass materials to high-performance tissue engineering scaffold: Biomimetic preparation, properties characterization, in vitro and in vivo evaluations

Converting common biomass materials to high-performance biomedical products could not only reduce the environmental pressure associated with the large-scale use of synthetic materials, but also increase the economic value. Chitosan as a very promising candidate has drawn considerable attention owing to its abundant sources and remarkable bioactivities. However, pure chitosan materials usually exhibit insufficient mechanical properties and excessive swelling ratio, which seriously affected their in vivo stability and integrity when applied as tissue engineering scaffolds. Thus, simultaneously improving the mechanical strength and biological compatibility of pure chitosan (CS) scaffolds becomes very important. Here, inspired by the fiber-reinforced construction of natural extracellular matrix and the porous structure of cancellous bone, we built silk microfibers/chitosan composite scaffolds via ice-templating technique. This biomimetic strategy achieved 500% of mechanical improvement to pure chitosan, and meanwhile still maintaining high porosity (> 87%). In addition, the increased roughness of chitosan pore walls by embedded silk microfibers significantly promoted cell adhesion and proliferation. More importantly, after subcutaneous implantation in mice for four weeks, the composite scaffold showed greater structural integrity, as well as better collagenation, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis abilities, suggesting its great potential in biomedicine.

Synthesis and characterization of a magnetic bacterial cellulose-chitosan nanocomposite and evaluation of its applicability for osteogenesis.

Natural biopolymers are used for various purposes in healthcare, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. Bacterial cellulose and chitosan were preferred in this study due to their non-cytotoxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-inflammatory properties. The study reports the development of a magnetic bacterial cellulose-chitosan (BC-CS-Fe3O4) nanocomposite that can be used as a biocompatible scaffold for tissue engineering. Iron oxide nanoparticles were included in the composite to provide superparamagnetic properties that are useful in a variety of applications, including osteogenic differentiation, magnetic imaging, drug delivery, and thermal induction for cancer treatment. The magnetic nanocomposite was prepared by immersing Fe3O4 in a mixture of bacterial cellulose-chitosan scaffold and then freeze-drying it. The resulting nanocomposite was characterized using FE-SEM and FTIR techniques. The swelling ratio and mechanical strength of the scaffolds were evaluated experimentally. The biodegradability of the scaffolds was assessed using PBS for 8 weeks at 37°C. The cytotoxicity and osteogenic differentiation of the nanocomposite were studied using human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and alizarin red staining. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's multiple comparisons test was used for statistical analysis. The FTIR spectra demonstrated the formation of bonds between functional groups of nanoparticles. FE-SEM images showed the integrity of the fibrillar network. The magnetic nanocomposite has the highest swelling ratio (2445% ± 23.34) and tensile strength (5.08 MPa). After 8 weeks, the biodegradation ratios of BC, BC-CS, and BC-CS-Fe3O4 scaffolds were 0.75% ± 0.35, 2.5% ± 0.1, and 9.5% ± 0.7, respectively. Magnetic nanocomposites have low toxicity (P < 0.0001) and higher osteogenic potential compared to other scaffolds. Based on its high tensile strength, low water absorption, suitable degradability, low cytotoxicity, and high ability to induce an increase in calcium deposits by stem cells, the magnetic BC-CS-Fe3O4 nanocomposite scaffold can be a suitable candidate as a biomaterial for osteogenic differentiation.

Light- and Solvent-Responsive Bilayer Hydrogel Actuators with Reversible Bending Behaviors.

Light-responsive hydrogel systems have gained significant attention due to their unique ability to undergo controlled and reversible swelling behavior in response to light stimuli. Combining light-responsive hydrogels with nonresponsive polymers offers a unique self-folding feature that can be used in soft robotic actuator designs. However, simple formulation of such systems with rapid response time is still a challenging task. Herein, we demonstrate a simple but versatile bilayer polymeric design combining light-responsive spiropyran-polyacrylamide (SP-PAAm) with polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels. The photochromic spiropyran in our polymer design is a closed-ring, hydrophobic compound and turns into an open-ring, hydrophilic merocyanine isomer under light irradiation. The swelling degree of SP-PAAm and PAAm hydrogels was evaluated using LED lights with different wavelengths and solvent media (e.g., water, ethanol, DMF, and DMSO). We observed that SP-PAAm hydrogels reached a swelling ratio of ∼370% with the illumination of the blue LED in the DMF medium. By combining light-responsive SP-PAAm hydrogels with nonresponsive PAAm, a proof-of-concept demonstration was performed to demonstrate the applicability of our fabricated platforms. Although fabricated one-armed bilayer hydrogels possessed self-folding ability with a folding angle of ∼40° in 30 min, the four-armed bilayer platforms demonstrated more efficient and rapid folding behavior and reached a folding angle of ∼75° in ∼15 min. Given their simplicity and efficiency, we believe that such polymeric designs may offer new avenues for the fields of polymeric actuators and soft robotic systems.

A Review of Recent Developments in Nanomaterial Agents for Water Shutoff in Hydrocarbon Wells.

Reducing water production from hydrocarbon wells is one of the major requirements to prolong the life span of production wells. Gel treatment is commonly regarded as one of the traditional cost-effective methods for water shut-off applications. Different gel systems have been developed to overcome the challenges of performing a successful water shut-off treatment. Each gel system has its advantages and disadvantages. A new proposed technology is to enhance the gel performance by utilizing nanomaterials in its composition. Nanomaterials such as nanosilica, nanoclay, and graphene can significantly modify gel properties to improve plugging efficiency. This paper provides a brief review of the added value of using nanomaterials in the structure of polymer in situ gel, preformed particle-gel, and nanosilica-based fluid. Nanomaterials such as nanoclay, nanosilica, and nanographene are capable of adjusting the properties of in situ gel, such as control of gelation time (9-10) hours and enhancing gel strength up to 4.5 times. Nanomaterials also improved the swelling ratio of the preformed particle-gel by up to 400%, accompanied by increased gel strength. Notably, nanosilica-based gels exhibit an exceptional plugging efficiency (100%). Additionally, the paper discusses how modeling can be used to overcome operational challenges in terms of placement and plugging performance.

Swelling behavior of calcium ion-crosslinked sodium alginate in an in vitro hemostatic tamponade model

Various types of hemostatic agents are used to manage bleeding in surgery. Many such agents are animal products, which carry the risk of secondary infection. The aim of this study is to develop a novel hemostatic agent from a non-animal source that quickly stops bleeding, is easy to use, and has no risk of infection.In this study, we synthesized calcium ion-crosslinked sodium alginate (Alg-Na/Ca) by partial substitution of Ca ions for Na ions in sodium alginate. We prepared 12 kinds of Alg-Na/Ca powders with different Ca mass ratios, molecular weights, M/G ratios and particle size distributions and measured their swelling ratio and the burst pressure generated. We found that Alg-Na/Ca began to swell immediately after contact with saline, especially Alg-Na/Ca at Ca mass ratios of 74.1–77.0 % showed a high swelling ratio after 2 min and a high burst pressure, over 200 % and 500 mmHg respectively. Also, there is a correlation between the swelling ratio after 2 min and the burst pressure. Our results suggest that, by optimizing the composition conditions, Alg-Na/Ca may be an effective hemostatic agent that could act as a tamponade by absorbing and swelling at a bleeding site to quickly achieve primary hemostasis.

Paintable Decellularized-ECM Hydrogel for Preventing Cardiac Tissue Damage.

The tissue-specific heart decellularized extracellular matrix (hdECM) demonstrates a variety of therapeutic advantages, including fibrosis reduction and angiogenesis. Consequently, recent research for myocardial infarction (MI) therapy has utilized hdECM with various delivery techniques, such as injection or patch implantation. In this study, a novel approach for hdECM delivery using a wet adhesive paintable hydrogel is proposed. The hdECM-containing paintable hydrogel (pdHA_t) is simply applied, with no theoretical limit to the size or shape, making it highly beneficial for scale-up. Additionally, pdHA_t exhibits robust adhesion to the epicardium, with a minimal swelling ratio and sufficient adhesion strength for MI treatment when applied to the rat MI model. Moreover, the adhesiveness of pdHA_t can be easily washed off to prevent undesired adhesion with nearby organs, such as the rib cages and lungs, which can result in stenosis. During the 28 days of in vivo analysis, the pdHA_t not only facilitates functional regeneration by reducing ventricular wall thinning but also promotes neo-vascularization in the MI region. In conclusion, the pdHA_t presents a promising strategy for MI treatment and cardiac tissue regeneration, offering the potential for improved patient outcomes and enhanced cardiac function post-MI.

Synthesis and Characterisation of 4D-Printed NVCL-co-DEGDA Resin Using Stereolithography 3D Printing

The design and manufacturing of objects in various industries have been fundamentally altered by the introduction of D-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) printing technologies. Four-dimensional printing, a relatively new technique, has emerged as a result of the ongoing development and advancements in 3D printing. In this study, a stimulus-responsive material, N-Vinylcaprolactam-co-DEGDA (NVCL-co-DEGDA) resin, was synthesised by Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing technique. The N-Vinylcaprolactam-co-DEGDA resins were initiated by the Diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (TPO) photoinitiator. A range of Di(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (DEGDA) concentrations in the NVCL-co-DEGDA resin was explored, ranging from 5 wt% to 40 wt%. The structural properties of the 3D printed objects were investigated by conducting Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Additionally, the 3D printed samples underwent further characterisation through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and swelling analysis. The results revealed an inverse relationship between DEGDA concentration and Tg values, indicating that higher concentrations of DEGDA resulted in lower Tg values. Additionally, the pulsatile swelling studies demonstrated that increasing DEGDA concentration prolonged the time required to reach the maximum swelling ratio. These findings highlight the influence of DEGDA concentration on both the thermal properties and swelling behaviour of 3D printed samples.

Fabrication and evaluation of cross-linked nanogels of Dexibuprofen

The objective of this study was to design and develop an Agarose-based polymeric nanogel network system for solubility enhancement of a lipophilic drug, Dexibuprofen. Polymeric nanogels were synthesized through free radical polymerization where Agarose was cross-linked with 2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and N, N’-Methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as crosslinking agent. The resulting polymeric nanogels underwent a comprehensive characterization process including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and swelling studies to confirm the preparation of a stable polymeric nanogel system. FTIR spectral findings revealed that Agarose was chemically cross-linked with AMPS and confirmed the successful insertion of AMPS chains on the Agarose backbone. Particle size analysis revealed a diameter of 168 nm with a zeta potential of −9.91 mV, providing assurance of a stable polymeric nanogel system. SEM images depicted a highly porous surface. DSC and TGA results showed a more thermally stable network system than individual ingredients. Swelling studies revealed an increased swelling ratio of polymeric nanogels at phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 than acidic buffer of pH 1.2. Dexibuprofen was efficiently loaded into a polymeric nanogel system with a high entrapment efficiency of up to 80%. The solubility of the drug was enhanced when introduced to a polymeric nanogel formulation when compared to pure drug. The system reproducibility was evaluated through in vitro drug release and kinetic modeling of drug release. Toxicity studies confirmed the formulation’s effectiveness, showcasing the developed polymeric nanogels as a promising option for delivering lipophilic drugs, with outstanding physicochemical properties, improved solubility, and minimal oral toxicity.

Multifunctional hydrogel based on silk fibroin/thermosensitive polymers supporting implant biomaterials in osteomyelitis

Abstract The search for novel antibiotic-loaded biomaterials that support the management of osteomyelitis has been extensive in current years. This study developed multifunctional hydrogel to enhance the performance of osteo-conduction and antimicrobial as supporting implant materials for osteomyelitis treatment and prevention. Ciprofloxacin-loaded thermosensitive hydrogels composed of silk fibroin and poloxamers were prepared using the cold method. F1, F2, and F3 formulations resulted in gelation time of within 3 min under 37°C. Physical evaluation showed that the formulations, especially F3, had a proper swelling ratio and 82.34% biodegradability within 14 days. Ciprofloxacin from formulations exhibited an initial burst release within 24 h and continuous delivery, with more than 84% release over 14 days. Released antibiotics showed efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 and eradicating activity against biofilms. Moreover, hydrogels had no cytotoxic effect on MC3T3-E1 cells with 93–106% cell viability. This multifunctional hydrogel showed a promising approach for supporting osteomyelitis treatment and prevention.

Synergistic adsorption of methylene blue with carrageenan/hydrochar-derived activated carbon hydrogel composites: Insights and optimization strategies

The study explores the use of hydrochar-derived activated carbon (AC) to improve the adsorption capacity and mechanical properties of carrageenan (CAR) hydrogel beads. Four distinct samples, with carrageenan to activated carbon ratios of 1:0 (CAR), 2:1 (CAC2), 4:1 (CAC4), and 10:1 (CAC10), were prepared. These polymeric beads underwent comprehensive evaluation for their methylene blue (MB) adsorption capacity, gel content (GC), and swelling ratio (SR). Increasing activated carbon content up to 50 % of carrageenan mass significantly enhanced GC and SR by 20.57 % and 429.24 %, respectively. Various analytical techniques were employed to characterize the composites, including FTIR, XRD, Raman Spectroscopy, BET, SEM, and EDS-Mapping. Batch adsorption tests investigated the effects of pH, contact time, dye concentration, and temperature on MB adsorption. Maximum adsorption capacities for CAR, CAC10, CAC4, and CAC2 were 475.48, 558.54, 635.93, and 552.35 mg/g, respectively, under optimal conditions. Kinetic models (Elovich and pseudo-second-order) and isotherm models (Temkin for CAR and Freundlich for CAC10, CAC4, and CAC2) fitted well with the experimental data. Thermodynamic analysis showed spontaneous, exothermic MB adsorption. Primary mechanisms include electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, n-π, and π-π stacking. The study highlights enhanced adsorption capacity of carrageenan hydrogel via carrageenan/activated carbon composites, providing cost-effective wastewater treatment.

Development of Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Chitosan Composite Nanofibers for Dual Drug Therapy of Wounds.

Current trends in localized drug delivery are emphasizing the development of dual drug-loaded electrospun nanofibers (NFs) for an improved therapeutic effect on wounds, especially infected skin wounds. The objective of this study was to formulate a new healing therapy for an infected skin wound. To achieve this goal, this study involved the development and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/chitosan nanofibers loaded with ciprofloxacin and rutin hydrate. Polymers and drugs were used in different ratios. Nanofiber morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy, thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis, structural determination by the X-ray diffraction method, and integrity by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Dissolution studies were performed to check the drug release behavior of the formulations. Antibacterial studies were performed against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The wound healing efficiency of dual drug-loaded nanofibers was measured by a full-thickness excisional wound model of rabbits. The fabricated nanofibers were smooth in morphology. According to FTIR findings, the drugs remained intact in the nanofibers. The results of swelling ratio and porosity revealed that the pore size was increased as the amount of chitosan was increased up to 30% but a further increase in chitosan concentration reduced the swelling ratio and porosity. Drug release studies of nanofibers depicted an initial burst effect and afterward controlled drug release behavior. Drug-loaded nanofibers showed better activity against S. aureus than P. aeruginosa. The antibacterial efficacy of rutin hydrate with ciprofloxacin was improved compared to that of the formulation having rutin hydrate only, likely due to the additive effect in activity. Based on wound healing studies, nanofibrous membranes acted as a promising wound dressing material as compared to the commercial wound healing formulation. Drug-loaded polymeric nanofibers were successfully fabricated by using an electrospinning method. These nanofibers showed an efficient ability to deliver drugs and treat infected wounds.

Facile process of Hibiscus mucilage polymer formulation using Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves to treat second-degree burn and excision wounds

Mucilage is a sticky substance found in various plants and microorganisms and is made up of proteins and polysaccharides. Mucilage from Hibiscus rosa sinensisis is a complex polysaccharide traditionally used to treat different skin diseases. In our study, we fabricated mucilage polymer from Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves and evaluated its potential application in second-degree burns and excision wounds. The physical properties of Hibiscus mucilage (HM) polymer were demonstrated by using Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, Scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Tellerand, Swelling ratio. The human cell lines WI-38, and HaCaT have been used for in-vitro experiments like MTT, scratch wound, BrdU, ROS scavenging assays, and western blot analysis. The results of the MTT, scratch-wound, and BrdU assay indicated that the HM polymer is nontoxic in nature and also enhances both the properties of cellular migration and proliferation, respectively. On the other hand, the result of the ROS scavenging assay suggested that HM polymer enhances the antioxidant activity of cells while the western blot analysis designated that the HM polymer treatment caused downregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ and upregulation of the pAkt (Serine 473) protein, and TGF-β1 signaling pathway. Therefore, all in-vitro experimental studies recommended that HM polymer is biocompatible and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In the in vivo experiment, second-degree burns and excision wounds were created on the dorsal surface of male BALB/c mice. After the sixth day of HM polymer treatment have developed new tissue, hair follicles, blood vessels, α-SMA, and Collagen type-1 fiber on the burn and excision wound area while the 11th day of HM polymer treatment cured the wound area significantly. Therefore, it could be contemplated that HM polymer is a potential agent for treating different wounds in the near future.

COMPARISON OF BRACKET WATER DESALINATION TESTS IN THE FORM OF POWDER, GRANULES AND GREEN ALGAE HYDROGEL

This research was motivated by the problem of lack of clean water around the coast of Rainbow Beach in Karawang because the water quality is poor and still brackish. Untreated brackish water poses a risk to human health if drunk for a long time and can trigger skin diseases if used for bathing. The well water taken is located in the Pelangi Coastal Area, Pedes Karawang. This research aims to test the ability of brackish water desalination using powder, granules, and three variations of green algae hydrogel. This research uses a quasi-experimental method by comparing it with zeolite as a standard for brackish water desalination. The research results show that the resulting hydrogel preparation has a solid, brittle shape, a dark green color, and a distinctive odor of green algae. The best viscosity value is in the H4 formula. All green algae hydrogel formulas have good pH values, while the best swelling ratio value is in the H2 formula, and the best gel fraction value is in the H4 formula. From the results of the research that has been carried out, it can be concluded that the hydrogel, granule, and green algae powder preparations can desalinate brackish water based on the results of pH, temperature, salinity, sodium ion, and magnesium ion tests compared with zeolite, where the 6 g hydrogel preparation shows the best desalination capability of brackish water at the three well sample points

Turmeric-Derived Nanoparticles Functionalized Aerogel Regulates Multicellular Networks to Promote Diabetic Wound Healing.

Regulation of excessive inflammation and impaired cell proliferation is crucial for healing diabetic wounds. Although plant-to-mammalian regulation offers effective approaches for chronic wound management, the development of a potent plant-based therapeutic presents challenges. This study aims to validate the efficacy of turmeric-derived nanoparticles (TDNPs) loaded with natural bioactive compounds. TDNPs can alleviate oxidative stress, promote fibroblast proliferation and migration, and reprogram macrophage polarization. Restoration of the fibroblast-macrophage communication network by TDNPs stimulates cellular regeneration, in turn enhancing diabetic wound healing. To address diabetic wound management, TDNPs are loaded in an ultralight-weight, high swelling ratio, breathable aerogel (AG) constructed with cellulose nanofibers and sodium alginate backbones to obtain TDNPs@AG (TAG). TAG features wound shape-customized accessibility, water-adaptable tissue adhesiveness, and capacity for sustained release of TDNPs, exhibiting outstanding performance in facilitating in vivo diabetic wound healing. This study highlights the potential of TDNPs in regenerative medicine and their applicability as a promising solution for wound healing in clinical settings.

A New Lotus-Leaf-Inspired Beaded Nanofiber Strategy for the Development of Cryogel/Nanofiber Hybrid Structures

In this study, a cryogel/nanofiber hybrid material was developed using a new lotus-leaf-inspired strategy. The lotus effect was generated via beaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers produced from the 9 wt% PCL solution with low viscosity and high surface tension via electrospinning. A poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) cryogel layer was constructed through polymerization onto the beaded PCL nanofibrous mat. The thickness of the PHEMA cryogel/beaded PCL nanofiber hybrid material was 3.19 ± 0.07 mm. Morphological characterization studies of the hybrid material were conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mean diameter of the beaded PCL nanofibers was 97.22 ± 21.18 nm. The lotus effect created by the beaded PCL nanofibers was investigated by water contact angle (WCA) measurements. The WCA of beadless and beaded PCL nanofibers was 93.42° ± 1.4° and 117.97° ± 5.04°, respectively. The PHEMA cryogel layer was chemically characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and the specific groups belonging to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was observed. The porosity of the PHEMA cryogel layer was determined via mercury porosimetry. The total porosity of the PHEMA cryogel was 64.42%, and the pore sizes were in the range of 5–200 µm. Swelling kinetics of the PHEMA cryogel/beaded PCL nanofiber hybrid material were also investigated and compared to those of PHEMA cryogel and beaded PCL nanofibers. The maximum swelling ratio of the hybrid material was 509.69% and reached after 180 min. The developed PHEMA cryogel/beaded PCL nanofiber hybrid material met the criteria required for layered structures and biomedical applications whereby its eligible stability, morphology, porosity, and swelling capacity. Consequently, the lotus-leaf-inspired strategy was successful in constructing the cryogel/nanofiber hybrid materials.

COMPOSITIONAL AND WEATHERABILITY INDICES OF GETSO KAOLIN DEPOSITS FOR POZZOLANA PRODUCTION

Kaolin is an aluminio-silicate mineral naturally distributed within the earth’s crust formed from the weathering of rich feldspartic rocks. The compositional requirements of Getso kaolin deposits for pozzolana production have been carried out. The kaolin deposits were hosted by the rhyolitic rocks of the basement complex of North-Western Nigeria. Three samples from each five locations at different depths were collected and analysed using Free Swelling Ratio (FSR), Free Swelling Index (FSI), X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF) and Scanning Electron Microscopy/Electron Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The FSI and FSR ranged between 0-6-0.9 and 16-36 revealing non-swelling and non-expansive Kaolinitic material. The XRF results showed the average concentration of SiO2+ Al2O3+Fe2O3: point 1 (78.99 wt.%); point 2 (78.62 wt.%); point 3 (79.14 wt.%); point 4 (80.10 wt.%) and point 5 (80.0 wt.%) suggested to be classified as N pozzolana (ASTMC 618). The Fe2O3/MgO versus SiO3 indicated the samples were products of the calc-alkaline series which is an indication of light colour kaolin deposits. The computed Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA: 91.34), Chemical Index of Weatheribility (CIW: 98.13), Index of compositional variability (CIV: 0.29), Silica Modulus Ratio (SM: 1.77), Lime Silica Ratio (LSR: 0.14) and Aluminum Iron Ratio (AIR: 30.0) indicated very strong weathering intensity high matured, high silica moderate aluminum and less ferrite. The studied kaolin could be utilized for the production of pozzolana after its being beneficiated to remove the TiO2.

Curdlan/sodium carboxymethylcellulose composite adsorbents: A biodegradable solution for organic dye removal from water

Composite adsorbent comprised of curdlan (CURD) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were fabricated through a single-step heating process, targeting the removal of methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. The CURD/CMC composite adsorbents had a honeycomb porous structure. The integration of CMC not only increased the storage modulus of the CURD/CMC composite hydrogels but also affected the thermal stability and swelling behavior of the composite adsorbents in different pH solutions. Specifically, the addition of 1.2 % CMC increased the peak temperature (184.73 °C) of CURD/CMC composite adsorbent melting by 5.99 °C compared to CURD adsorbent. The addition of CMC improved the swelling ratio of the composite adsorbent at pH 3,7, and 12 with swelling ratio up to 918.07 %. The synergistic interaction between CURD and CMC led to an enhanced adsorption capacity of the aerogel for MB, achieving a maximum adsorption capability of 385.85 mg/g. Adsorption isotherm assessments further demonstrated that the Langmuir isotherm model well fitted the adsorption data of the composite adsorbent on MB. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of the developed biodegradable adsorbents as promising adsorbents for efficiently eliminating organic dyes from water.

Design and Self-Assembly of Peptide-Copolymer Conjugates into Nanoparticle Hydrogel for Wound Healing in Diabetes.

Delayed wound healing in skin injuries has become a significant problem in clinics, seriously affecting and even threatening life and health. Recently, research interest has increased in developing wound dressings containing bioactive compounds capable of improving outcomes for complex healing needs. In this study, Puerarin-loaded nanoparticles (Pue-NPs) were prepared using the cell-penetrating peptide-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (CPP-PLGA) as a drug carrier by the emulsified solvent evaporation method. Then, they were added into poly (acrylic acid) to obtain a self-assembled nanocomposite hydrogels (SANHs) drug delivery system using the co-polymerization method. The particle size, zeta potential, and micromorphology of Pue-NPs were measured; the appearance, mechanical properties, adhesive strength, and biological activity of SANHs were performed. Finally, the potential of SANHs for wound healing was further evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Pue-NPs were regularly spherical, with an average particle size of 134.57 ± 1.42 nm and a zeta potential of 2.14 ± 0.78 mV. SANHs was colorless and transparent with a honeycomb-like porous structure and had an excellent swelling ratio (917%), water vapor transmission rate (3077 g·m-2·day-1), mechanical properties (Young's modulus of 18 kPa, elongation at break of 307%), and adhesive strength (15.5 kPa). SANHs exhibited sustained release of Pue over 48h, with a cumulative release of 55.60 ± 6.01%. In vitro tests revealed that the SANHs presented a 92.22% antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli after 4h, and a 61.91% scavenging rate of 1.1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) radical. In vivo experiments showed that SANHs accelerated wound repair by reducing the inflammatory response at the wound site, promoting angiogenesis, and facilitating epidermal regeneration and collagen deposition. In conclusion, we successfully prepared SANHs. Our results show that SANHs have excellent performance and improves wound healing in diabetic mice model, indicating that it can be used to develop an effective strategy for the treatment of diabetic wounds.

Functionalized graphene oxide-modified sulfonated poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) based thermal-resistance anti-fouling bi-functional cation exchange membrane for electrodialytic desalination

We report a sustainable strategy for fabricating thermal-resistance anti-fouling cation exchange membrane (CEM), using sulfonated poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (SPPO), and phosphorylated graphene oxide (FGO). The GO was phosphorylated, and different CEMs (3.0–7.0 % weight ratio of FGO) were prepared to investigate their electrodialysis (ED) performance. Structural features of SPPO-FGO composite CEMs such as ̴ 21.51 % degree of sulphonation (SPPO), bi-functional (-SO3H, and -PO3H2) nature, and balanced hydrophobic-hydrophilic segments, etc., were attributed for thermal-resistance and anti-fouling membrane nature of the membrane. The presence of FGO in the SPPO polymer matrix significantly improved mechanical, thermal, oxidative stabilities, ionic conductivity (κm), and counter-ion transport number (tm+). Suitable optimized SPPO-FGO/7 % (7.0 % of FGO) showed excellent physicochemical properties (14.1 % water uptake, 3.2 % swelling ratio, and 1.76 m eq./g ion exchange capacity), along with 10.92 × 10−2 S cm−1 conductivity, and 0.95 counter-ion transport number at 30 °C. Improved i-V curves and ED performance at 60 °C, showed relatively low energy consumption (0.72 k W hr/kg of NaCl removed), and high current efficiency (99.0 %) for SPPO-FGO/7 % CEM revealed, its potential candidature for electrodialytic water desalination. Further, CEM also avoids any significant deterioration in ED performance due to the presence of cationic, anionic and zwitterionic foulants.