Magnetic and pH responsive composite hydrogel-based on poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)/chitosan for fipronil removal from aqueous medium

Separation and enrichment of Cd and Pb from food and water samples based on a graphene oxide-decorated poly 2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate nanocomposite by dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (d-μ-SPE)

In this study, a graphene oxide combined with poly(2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (GO@PDEAEMA) nanocomposite was synthesized for the separation and enrichment of Cd and Pb from food and water samples using the dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (d-μ-SPE) technique. The GO@PDEAEMA nanocomposite was synthesized using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) and characterized using various analytical techniques, such as FTIR, FE-SEM, TGA, BET, and XRD. The optimal experimental conditions were pH 8, 0.5 M HNO₃ as eluent, 5 mg of sorbent, and adsorption/desorption times of 0.5 and 1 min, respectively, with a recovery range of 89-101 %. The suggested method showed low limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 0.11 μg L-1 and 0.37 μg L-1 for Cd and 0.28 μg L-1 and 0.93 μg L-1 for Pb, respectively. The optimal procedure was successfully applied to real water and food samples. The study demonstrates the possibility of using GO@PDEAEMA nanocomposite as an effective sorbent for toxic metal extraction.

Unlocking Micro-Origami Energy Storage

Transforming thin films into high-order stacks has proven effective for robust energy storage in macroscopic configurations like cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch cells. However, the lack of tools at the submillimeter scales has hindered the creation of similar high-order stacks for micro- and nanoscale energy storage devices, a critical step toward autonomous intelligent microsystems. This Spotlight on Applications article presents recent advancements in micro-origami technology, focusing on shaping nano/micrometer-thick films into three-dimensional architectures to achieve folded or rolled structures for microscale energy storage devices. Micro-Swiss-rolls, created through a roll-up process actuated by inherent strain in multiple layer stacks, have been employed to develop on-chip microbatteries and microsupercapacitors with superior performance compared to their planar counterparts. The technology allows additional functionalities to be integrated into the same device using multifunctional materials. Despite significant progress, the key challenge for micro-origami technology in creating microscale energy storage devices lies in diversifying shape-morphing mechanisms to expand material choices, improve process reliability, and enhance reproducibility. Additionally, developing a universal microscale energy storage device that can cater to various tiny devices is intricate. Therefore, considering the integration of energy storage into final applications during the development phase is crucial. Micro-origami energy storage systems are poised to significantly impact the future of autonomous tiny devices, such as smart dust and microrobots.

Recent advances and applications of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials for water treatment: A comprehensive review

The development of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials holds immense promise for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of water treatment processes. These smart materials exhibit a remarkable ability to respond to specific external stimuli, such as light, pH, or magnetic fields, and trigger the controlled release of encapsulated pollutants. By precisely regulating the release kinetics, these nanomaterials can effectively target and eliminate contaminants without compromising the integrity of the water system. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in light-activated and pH-sensitive nanomaterials for controlled pollutant release in water treatment. It delves into the fundamental principles underlying these materials' stimuli-responsive behaviour, exploring the design strategies and applications in various water treatment scenarios. In particular, the article indicates how integrating stimuli-responsive nanomaterials into existing water treatment technologies can significantly enhance their performance, leading to more sustainable and cost-effective solutions. The synergy between these advanced materials and traditional treatment methods could pave the way for innovative approaches to water purification, offering enhanced selectivity and efficiency. Furthermore, the review highlights the critical challenges and future directions in this rapidly evolving field, emphasizing the need for further research and development to fully realize the potential of these materials in addressing the pressing challenges of water purification.

Facile preparation of interpenetrating network hydrogel adsorbent from starch- chitosan for effective removal of methylene blue in water

Hydrogels based on biopolymers have attracted considerable interest in the last decades. Herein, an interpenetrating network hydrogel (IPN-Gel) adsorbent from starch-chitosan was fabricated facilely in one-pot through tandem Schiff base reaction and photopolymerization. First, aldehyde starch (DAS) was synthesized by the reaction of soluble starch with sodium periodate. Afterward, acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA), photoinitiator, chitosan and DAS were dissolved in water to obtain a clear solution. Schiff base reaction between chitosan and DAS took place quickly to form the first network, and then photopolymerization of AM, AMPS, and PEGDMA occurred under ultraviolet radiation to form the second network. The preparation conditions of the as-prepared IPN-Gel were optimized with two indexes of gel mass fraction and swelling ratio. Its swelling behavior with pH and temperature change was explored. Finally, its adsorption performance was characterized with methylene blue (MB) as a model contaminant. The maximum adsorption capacity of IPN-Gel can reach 2039 mg·g-1 at pH =10. Its adsorption performance accords with Langmuir isothermal model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model and it was mainly controlled by chemisorption. This strategy is expected to found broad application prospects in the preparation of hydrogel adsorbents.

Linear Polyethyleneimine-Based and Metal Organic Frameworks (DUT-67) Composite Hydrogels as Efficient Sorbents for the Removal of Methyl Orange, Copper Ions, and Penicillin V

This research explores the integration of DUT-67 metal organic frameworks into polyethyleneimine-based hydrogels to assemble a composite system with enough mechanical strength, pore structure and chemical affinity to work as a sorbent for water remediation. By varying the solvent-to-modulator ratio in a water-based synthesis path, the particle size of DUT-67 was successfully modulated from 1 μm to 200 nm. Once DUT-67 particles were integrated into the polymeric hydrogel, the composite hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical properties after the incorporation of the MOF filler. XPS, NMR, TGA, FTIR, and FT Raman studies confirmed the presence and interaction of the DUT-67 particles with the polymeric chains within the hydrogel network. Adsorption studies of methyl orange, copper(II) ions, and penicillin V on the composite hydrogel revealed a rapid adsorption kinetics and monolayer adsorption according to the Langmuir's model. The composite hydrogel demonstrated higher adsorption capacities, as compared to the pristine hydrogel, showcasing a synergistic effect, with maximum adsorption capacities of 473 ± 21 mg L-1, 86 ± 6 mg L-1, and 127 ± 4 mg L-1, for methyl orange, copper(II) ions, and penicillin V, respectively. This study highlights the potential of MOF-based composite hydrogels as efficient adsorbents for environmental pollutants and pharmaceuticals.

Magnetic Nanoparticles: Current Advances in Nanomedicine, Drug Delivery and MRI

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have evolved tremendously during recent years, in part due to the rapid expansion of nanotechnology and to their active magnetic core with a high surface-to-volume ratio, while their surface functionalization opened the door to a plethora of drug, gene and bioactive molecule immobilization. Taming the high reactivity of the magnetic core was achieved by various functionalization techniques, producing MNPs tailored for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular or neurological disease, tumors and cancer. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are established at the core of drug-delivery systems and could act as efficient agents for MFH (magnetic fluid hyperthermia). Depending on the functionalization molecule and intrinsic morphological features, MNPs now cover a broad scope which the current review aims to overview. Considering the exponential expansion of the field, the current review will be limited to roughly the past three years.