Hydrogenation of p-Nitrobenzoic Acid by Gold and Palladium Nanoparticles Immobilized Within Macroporous Amphoteric Cryogels in Aqueous Solution

Exploring new avenues in physical chemistry of hydrophilic polymers: to the 70th anniversary of Professor Sarkyt Elekenovich Kudaibergenov

This paper is dedicated to 70th anniversary of the prominent Kazakh chemist – professor Sarkyt Elekenovich Kudaibergenov. The information of biographical nature, showing the development of S.E. Kudaibergenov as a scientist, as well as his main research contributions to the field of physical chemistry of hydrophilic polymers and colloidal systems are presented in this paper. This is written in the form of a review of the most important and prominent publications of Prof S.E. Kudaibergenov, published in the journals indexed by Web of Knowledge. Professor S.E. Kudaibergenov has made a substantial contribution to the studies of synthetic and natural polyelectrolytes, their complexes with different compounds, polymeric hydrogels, stimuli-responsive materials, nanoparticles and nanocomposites, as well as applications of different polymeric materials and colloidal systems as catalysts, specialty chemicals, and drug delivery systems. This paper also includes information about the research conducted by Professor S.E. Kudaibergenov on various projects, funded by different organisations, his membership in different journals’ editorial boards, his role in the establishment of the Institute of Polymer Materials and Technologies, his participation in research councils and committees, as well as supervision of numerous students and researchers. The paper includes some photographs of Professor S.E. Kudaibergenov with several international collaborators.

Flow-Through Catalytic Reactors Based on Metal Nanoparticles Immobilized within Porous Polymeric Gels and Surfaces/Hollows of Polymeric Membranes

State-of-the-art of flow-through catalytic reactors based on metal nanoparticles immobilized within the pores of nano-, micro- and macrosized polymeric gels and in the surface or hollow of polymeric membranes is discussed in this mini-review. The unique advantages of continuous flow-through nanocatalysis over the traditional batch-type analog are high activity, selectivity, productivity, recyclability, continuous operation, and purity of reaction products etc. The methods of fabrication of polymeric carriers and immobilization technique for metal nanoparticles on the surface of porous or hollow structures are considered. Several catalytic model reactions comprising of hydrolysis, decomposition, hydrogenation, oxidation, Suzuki coupling and enzymatic reactions in the flow system are exemplified. Realization of “on-off” switching mechanism for regulation of the rate of catalytic process through controlling the mass transfers of reactants in liquid media with the help of stimuli-responsive polymers is demonstrated. Comparative analysis of the efficiency of different flow-through catalytic reactors for various reactions is also surveyed.

Macromolecular complexes of polyampholytes

The macromolecular complexes of random, regular, graft, block and dendritic polyampholytes with respect to transition metal ions, surfactants, dyes, polyelectrolytes, and proteins are discussed in this review. Application aspects of macromolecular complexes of polyampholytes in biotechnology, medicine, nanotechnology, catalysis are demonstrated.

Physicochemical, Complexation and Catalytic Properties of Polyampholyte Cryogels

Polyampholyte cryogels are a less considered subject in comparison with cryogels based on nonionic, anionic and cationic precursors. This review is devoted to physicochemical behavior, complexation ability and catalytic properties of cryogels based on amphoteric macromolecules. Polyampholyte cryogels are able to exhibit the stimuli-responsive behavior and change the structure and morphology in response to temperature, pH of the medium, ionic strength and water–organic solvents. Moreover, they can uptake transition metal ions, anionic and cationic dyes, ionic surfactants, polyelectrolytes, proteins, and enzymes through formation of coordination bonds, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic forces. The catalytic properties of polyampholyte cryogels themselves and with immobilized metal nanoparticles suspended are outlined following hydrolysis, transesterification, hydrogenation and oxidation reactions of various substrates. Application of polyampholyte cryogels as a protein-imprinted matrix for separation and purification of biomacromolecules and for sustained release of proteins is demonstrated. Comparative analysis of the behavior of polyampholyte cryogels with nonionic, anionic and cationic precursors is given together with concluding remarks.