Cotton fabrics modified with tannic acid/1-eicosanamine grafting layer for oil/water separation

The wettability of the surface of hydrophilic cotton fabrics was modified using a one-step protocol with tannic acid (TA) to provide its excess catechol groups to be grafted with 1-eicosanamine at pH 8.5 and room temperature with catalysts CuSO4/H2O2. The modification over the synthesis conditions revised the contact angles of water and diiodomethane droplets from 132.68 ± 0.49° to 143.95 ± 0.80° and from 100.08°±1.42° to 82.96 ± 1.38°, respectively. The corresponding dispersive of the so-yielded cotton surface ranged from 8.6 to 16.0 mJ/m2, and the polar components ranged from 0.08 to 2.7 mJ/m2, much lower than polytetrafluoroethylene. The modified cotton fabrics are omniphobic and can repel water and commercial oil products. The absorption tests revealed that the modified cotton fabrics absorbed 1.10 g hexane/g cotton by contacting hexane (top)-water (bottom) layers and absorbed 1.26 g hexane/g cotton by contacting water first for 30 s, then hexane for another 30 s. The modified fabrics reveal good absorption reusability as hexane absorbent is even pre-saturated with water. This conclusion is also valid for commercial unleaded gasoline #95 and diesel. A parametric study revealed that the added catalysts and prolonged reaction time would enhance the hydrophobicity of the surface. These modified cotton fabrics can absorb oil from water and oil spills. Mechanisms corresponding to this observation are discussed.

Tannic Acid-Modified Decellularized Tendon Scaffold with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities for Tendon Regeneration

Tendon regeneration is greatly influenced by the oxidant and the inflammatory microenvironment. Persistent inflammation during the tendon repair can cause matrix degradation, tendon adhesion, and excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), while excessive ROS affect extracellular matrix remodeling and tendon integration. Herein, we used tannic acid (TA) to modify a decellularized tendon slice (DTS) to fabricate a functional scaffold (DTS-TA) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for tendon repair. The characterizations and cytocompatibility of the scaffolds were examined in vitro. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the scaffold were evaluated in vitro and further studied in vivo using a subcutaneous implantation model. It was found that the modified DTS combined with TA via hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds, and the hydrophilicity, thermal stability, biodegradability, and mechanical characteristics of the scaffold were significantly improved. Afterward, the results demonstrated that DTS-TA could effectively reduce inflammation by increasing the M2/M1 macrophage ratio and interleukin-4 (IL-4) expression, decreasing the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), as well as scavenging excessive ROS in vitro and in vivo. In summary, DTS modified with TA provides a potential versatile scaffold for tendon regeneration.

Suppression of pyrite oxidation by co-depositing bio-inspired PropS-SH-tannic acid coatings for the source control acid mine drainage

In previous works, both tannic acid (TA) and organosilane-based passivators have been proven to possess good inhibition effects on pyrite oxidation, which could effectively prevent acid mine drainage (AMD) generation at the source. However, the hydrophilicity of TA passivation film and the complex coating process of organosilane-based passivators (high temperature conditions were required during the process carried out) may limit their further practical use. Therefore, to achieve the purpose of better coating treatment of pyrite under mild conditions, TA and γ-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (PropS-SH) were introduced to synergistically passivate pyrite in this work. Electrochemistry tests and chemical leaching experiments both confirmed that PropS-SH-TA coated pyrite had better oxidation resistance than raw pyrite and single PropS-SH or TA coated pyrite. Additionally, the analyses of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements and static water contact angle tests demonstrated that a scaly coating was formed on PropS-SH-TA coated pyrite surface, which may be the reason for the significant improvement of its surface hydrophobicity. Finally, the study on the film-forming mechanism of PropS-SH-TA composite passivator displayed that the benzoquinone derivatives formed by TA could copolymerize with PropS-SH through Michael addition or Schiff base reaction, which constructed a dense hydrophobic film on pyrite surface. The newly formed composite film could provide a better oxidation barrier for pyrite based on TA passivation film.

Effects of semiquinone-rich surface on the behaviors of vascular cells

Dopamine has been widely used for surface modification of cardiovascular medical devices as it forms films on most substrates that provide functional groups for surface chemical modification. However, under oxidative stress, the phenolic hydroxyl group on dopamine can undergo reversible transformation into phenol-semiquinone-quinone, which can cause cytotoxicity and immunotoxicity. In this study, we measured the effects of semiquinone on the behavior of vascular wall cells and inflammatory cells under oxidative stress via ultraviolet irradiation with a hydrogen peroxide diluent. Na₂S₂O₃ was used as a stabilizer to obtain a semiquinone-rich poly-dopamine film, then phenol-semiquinone-quinone ratio on its surface was evaluated at three irradiation-oxidation time points. We found that the poly-dopamine film with ultraviolet irradiation in hydrogen peroxide solution for 15 min had the highest semiquinone occupancy of 19.18%. In the experimental group irradiated for 15 min, endothelial cells were cultured statically for 3 days and the number of surface adherent endothelial cells in the group with added semiquinone stabilizer was reduced to 73% of that in the group without stabilizer, indicating that semiquinone rich surface inhibits adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells; Smooth muscle cells were cultured statically for 3 days, and the number of adherent smooth muscle on surfaces without stabilizer was reduced to 75% of that on surfaces with stabilizer added, indicating that semiquinone rich surfaces promote smooth muscle proliferation. These results demonstrate that semiquinone can adversely affect the repair effect after implantation of cardiovascular materials. Therefore, our study provides a reference for the application and optimization of dopamine in cardiovascular implant materials.

Collagen-based hydrogels cross-linked via laccase - mediated system incorporated with Fe3+ for wound dressing

Pure fish skin collagen hydrogels as a wound dressing have lower thermodynamic stability than mammalian collagen and usually suffer from poor mechanical properties, weak degradation resistance and insufficient functionalities such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to meet clinical needs that limit its further application. Here, a silver carp skin collagen hydrogel is successfully constructed via the cross-linking of the laccase-protocatechuic aldehyde (LAC-PAL) and the structure of the hydrogel is further consolidated and strengthened by the interaction of PAL and Fe3+. In this collagen hydrogel system, Fe3+, acting as a second cross-linker, consolidates and enhances the stability of the hydrogel after LAC-PAL cross-linking. This cross-linking method improves the resistance to degradation with a reduction in its degradation rate from 89.45% to 38.66% and endows the hydrogel with antioxidant activity. The in vitro data show that the hydrogel promotes cell proliferation and adhesion exhibiting good biocompatibility. Animal experiments show that the hydrogel contributes to angiogenesis and improves inflammatory response in the early stages of wound healing, resulting in promoting wound healing. Altogether, this newly developed collagen hydrogel is expected to be applied in wound repair as a wound dressing.

Versatile polyphenolic platforms in regulating cell biology

Polyphenolic materials are a class of fascinating and versatile bioinspired materials for biointerfacial engineering. In particular, due to the presence of active chemical groups, a series of unique physicochemical properties become accessible and tunable of the as-prepared polyphenolic platforms, which could delicately regulate the cell activities via cell-material contact-dependent interactions. More interestingly, polyphenols could also affect the cell behaviors via cell-material contact-independent manner, which arise due to their intrinsically functional characteristics (e.g., antioxidant and photothermal behaviors). As such, a comprehensive understanding on the relationship between material properties and desired biomedical applications, as well as the underlying mechanism at the cellular and molecular level would provide material design principles and accelerate the lab-to-clinic translation of polyphenolic platforms. In this review, we firstly give a brief overview of cell hallmarks governed by surrounding cues, followed by the introduction of polyphenolic material engineering strategies. Subsequently, a detailed discussion on cell-polyphenols contact-dependent interfacial interaction and contact-independent interaction was also carefully provided. Lastly, their biomedical applications were elaborated. We believe that this review could provide guidances for the rational material design of multifunctional polyphenols and extend their application window.

Heparinized anticoagulant coatings based on polyphenol-amine inspired chemistry for blood-contacting catheters

Blood-contacting catheters occupy a vital position in modern clinical treatment including but not limited to cardiovascular diseases, but catheter-related thrombosis associated with high morbidity and mortality remains a major health concern. Hence, there is an urgent need for functionalized catheter surfaces with superior hemocompatibility that prevent protein adsorption and thrombus formation. In this work, we developed a strategy for constructing a kind of polyphenol-amine coating on the TPU surface (TLA) with tannic acid and lysine via simple dip-coating, inspired by dopamine adhesion. Based on the long-term stability and modifiable properties of TLA coatings, heparin was introduced by an amide reaction to provide anticoagulant activity (TLH). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface zeta potential measurements fully indicated the successful immobilization of heparin. Water contact angle measurements demonstrated good hydrophilicity and stability for 15 days of TLH coatings. Furthermore, the TLH coatings exhibited significant hemocompatibility and no cytotoxicity. The good antithrombotic properties of the functionalized surfaces were confirmed by an ex vivo blood circulation model. The present work is supposed to find potential clinical applications for preventing surface-induced thrombosis of blood-contacting catheters.

Fabrication of an injectable hydrogel with inherent photothermal effects from tannic acid for synergistic photothermal-chemotherapy

Developing injectable hydrogels with near-infrared (NIR)-responsive photothermal effects has increasingly become a promising strategy for local cancer treatment via combinational photothermal-chemotherapy. Herein, a biocompatible hydrogel with a remarkable shear-thinning and recovery capability for injection application was fabricated from 4-arm-PEG-SH and tannic acid through chemical crosslinking and multiple physical interactions. Benefiting from the formation of dynamic TA/Fe3+ complexes within gel networks, the obtained hydrogel exhibited an intrinsic NIR absorption property for photothermal ablation of tumor cells, and enhanced cellular uptake of chemotherapeutic drugs. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that the injectable hydrogel exhibited an excellent biocompatibility and a synergistic therapeutic effect on tumor growth via combinational photothermal-chemotherapy. Therefore, this work provides a promising attempt to develop an injectable and NIR-responsive hydrogel from TA/Fe3+ complexes, which could work as a localized drug delivery platform for synergistic photothermal-chemotherapy.

A one-step tannic acid coating to improve cell adhesion and proliferation on polydimethylsiloxane

A green and straightforward tannic acid functionalization can enhance cell adhesion and proliferation on PDMS, and thus, can be potentially used for microfluidic cell assay devices for cellular physiological study or drug screening.

Polydopamine Surface Chemistry: A Decade of Discovery

Polydopamine is one of the simplest and most versatile approaches to functionalizing material surfaces, having been inspired by the adhesive nature of catechols and amines in mussel adhesive proteins. Since its first report in 2007, a decade of studies on polydopamine molecular structure, deposition conditions, and physicochemical properties have ensued. During this time, potential uses of polydopamine coatings have expanded in many unforeseen directions, seemingly only limited by the creativity of researchers seeking simple solutions to manipulating surface chemistry. In this review, we describe the current state of the art in polydopamine coating methods, describe efforts underway to uncover and tailor the complex structure and chemical properties of polydopamine, and identify emerging trends and needs in polydopamine research, including the use of dopamine analogs, nitrogen-free polyphenolic precursors, and improvement of coating mechanical properties.

Plasma Surface Modification of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsequioxane-Poly(carbonate-urea) Urethane with Allylamine Enhances the Response and Osteogenic Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

This study present amino functionalization of biocompatible polymer polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane-poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (POSS-PCU) using plasma polymerization process to induce osteogenic differentiation of adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs). Optimization of plasma polymerization process was carried out keeping cell culture application in mind. Thus, samples were rigorously tested for retention of amino groups under both dry and wet conditions. Physio-chemical characterization was carried out using ninhydrin test, X-ray photon spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and static water contact analysis. Results from physio chemical characterization shows that functionalization of the amino group is not stable under wet conditions and optimization of plasma process is required for stable bonding of amino groups to the POSS-PCU polymer. Optimized samples were later tested in vitro in short and long-term culture to study differentiation of ADSCs on amino modified samples. Short-term cell culture shows that initial cell attachment was significantly (p < 0.001) improved on amine modified samples (NH2-POSS-PCU) compared to unmodified POSS-PCU. NH2-POSS-PCU samples also facilitates osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs as confirmed by immunological staining of cells for extracellular markers such as collagen Type I and osteopontin. Quantification of total collagen and ALP activity also shows significant (p < 0.001) increase on NH2-POSS-PCU samples compared to unmodified POSS-PCU. A pilot study also confirms that these optimized amino modified POSS-PCU samples can further be functionalized using bone inducing peptide such as KRSR using conventional wet chemistry. This further provides an opportunity for biofunctionalization of the polymer for various tissue specific applications.