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Shmool TA, Martin LK, Jirkas A, Matthews RP, Constantinou AP, Vadukul DM, Georgiou TK, Aprile FA, Hallett JP. Unveiling the Rational Development of Stimuli-Responsive Silk Fibroin-Based Ionogel Formulations. CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS : A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2023; 35:5798-5808. [PMID: 37576585 PMCID: PMC10413859 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c00303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
We present an approach for the rational development of stimuli-responsive ionogels which can be formulated for precise control of multiple unique ionogel features and fill niche pharmaceutical applications. Ionogels are captivating materials, exhibiting self-healing characteristics, tunable mechanical and structural properties, high thermal stability, and electroconductivity. However, the majority of ionogels developed require complex chemistry, exhibit high viscosity, poor biocompatibility, and low biodegradability. In our work, we overcome these limitations. We employ a facile production process and strategically integrate silk fibroin, the biocompatible ionic liquids (ILs) choline acetate ([Cho][OAc]), choline dihydrogen phosphate ([Cho][DHP]), and choline chloride ([Cho][Cl]), traditional pharmaceutical excipients, and the model antiepileptic drug phenobarbital. In the absence of ILs, we failed to observe gel formation; yet in the presence of ILs, thermoresponsive ionogels formed. Systems were assessed via visual tests, transmission electron microscopy, confocal reflection microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential and rheology measurements. We formed diverse ionogels of strengths ranging between 18 and 642 Pa. Under 25 °C storage, formulations containing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) showed an ionogel formation period ranging over 14 days, increasing in the order of [Cho][DHP], [Cho][OAc], and [Cho][Cl]. Formulations lacking PVP showed an ionogel formation period ranging over 32 days, increasing in the order of [Cho][OAc], [Cho][DHP] and [Cho][Cl]. By heating from 25 to 60 °C, immediately following preparation, thermoresponsive ionogels formed below 41 °C in the absence of PVP. Based on our experimental results and density functional theory calculations, we attribute ionogel formation to macromolecular crowding and confinement effects, further enhanced upon PVP inclusion. Holistically, applying our rational development strategy enables the production of ionogels of tunable physicochemical and rheological properties, enhanced drug solubility, and structural and energetic stability. We believe our rational development approach will advance the design of biomaterials and smart platforms for diverse drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia A. Shmool
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Laura K. Martin
- Department
of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, U.K.
| | - Andreas Jirkas
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Richard P. Matthews
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- Department
of Bioscience, School of Health, Sports and Bioscience, University of East London, Stratford, London E15 4LZ, U.K.
| | - Anna P. Constantinou
- Department
of Materials, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Devkee M. Vadukul
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Theoni K. Georgiou
- Department
of Materials, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Francesco A. Aprile
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Jason P. Hallett
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
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Wang J, Li P, Wang Y, Liu Z, Wang D, Liang J, Fan Q. New Strategy for the Persistent Photocatalytic Reduction of U(VI): Utilization and Storage of Solar Energy in K + and Cyano Co-Decorated Poly(Heptazine Imide). ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205542. [PMID: 36511158 PMCID: PMC9929247 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The photocatalytic conversion of soluble U(VI) into insoluble U(IV) is a robust strategy to harvest aqueous uranium, but remains challenging owing to the intermittent availability of solar influx and reoxidation of U(IV) without illumination. Herein, a dual platform based on K+ and cyano group co-decorated poly(heptazine imide) (K-CN-PHI) is reported that can drive persistent U(VI) extraction upon/beyond light. K-CN-PHI achieves the photocatalytic reduction of U(VI) with a reaction rate of 0.89 min-1 , being 47 times greater than that over pristine carbon nitride (PCN). This system can further be triggered by light to form long-living radicals, driving the reduction of U(VI) in the dark for over 3 d. The flexible structural K+ as counterions stabilize the electrons trapped by cyanamide groups, enabling the long lifetime of the generated radicals. The results collectively prove K-CN-PHI to be a novel and efficient photocatalyst enabling persistent U(VI) extraction around the clock, and broadening the practical applications of the photocatalytic extraction of U(VI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Wang
- Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment ResourcesChinese Academy of SciencesLanzhou730000P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Petroleum ResourcesGansu ProvinceLanhzou730000China
| | - Ping Li
- Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment ResourcesChinese Academy of SciencesLanzhou730000P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Petroleum ResourcesGansu ProvinceLanhzou730000China
| | - Yun Wang
- Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment ResourcesChinese Academy of SciencesLanzhou730000P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Petroleum ResourcesGansu ProvinceLanhzou730000China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsLiaoning Key Laboratory for Catalytic Conversion of Carbon ResourcesSchool of Chemical EngineeringDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024P. R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory Nuclear Radiation & Nuclear Energy Technologyand Multidisciplinary Initiative CenterInstitute of High Energy PhysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049P. R. China
| | - Dongqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsLiaoning Key Laboratory for Catalytic Conversion of Carbon ResourcesSchool of Chemical EngineeringDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024P. R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory Nuclear Radiation & Nuclear Energy Technologyand Multidisciplinary Initiative CenterInstitute of High Energy PhysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049P. R. China
| | - Jianjun Liang
- Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment ResourcesChinese Academy of SciencesLanzhou730000P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Petroleum ResourcesGansu ProvinceLanhzou730000China
| | - Qiaohui Fan
- Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment ResourcesChinese Academy of SciencesLanzhou730000P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Petroleum ResourcesGansu ProvinceLanhzou730000China
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