Preparation of an (inorganic/organic) hybrid hydrogel from a peptide oligomer and a tubular aluminosilicate nanofiber

Effect of Polymer Length on the Adsorption onto Aluminogermanate Imogolite Nanotubes

This study evidences the adsorption of model nonionic polymers onto aluminogermanate imogolite nanotubes, attractive porous nanofillers with potential molecular loading and release applications. We resolve the underlying mechanisms between nanotubes and polyethylene glycols with different molecular weights by means of nanoisothermal titration calorimetry. The analysis of the results provides a direct thermodynamic characterization, allowing us to propose a detailed description of the energetics involved in the formation of polymer/imogolite complexes. The affinity toward the nanotube surface is enthalpy-driven and strongly depends on the polymer chain length, which significantly affects the polymer configuration and the flow properties of the resulting complexes, probed by small-angle neutron scattering and rheology, respectively. These findings open new avenues for the rational design of these hybrid mixtures for advanced applications.

Preparation and characterization of an imogolite/chitosan hybrid with pyridoxal-5′-phosphate as an interfacial modifier

Imogolite/chitosan hybrid films were prepared using pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) as an interfacial modifier. Thermogravimetric analysis and spectroscopic measurements revealed that the phosphate group of PLP was adsorbed on the imogolite. Furthermore, rheological measurements suggested that the PLP-modified imogolites (PLP–imogolite) had strong interactions with chitosan in solution. Moreover, UV absorption of the hybrid film showed that PLP and chitosan formed Schiff base linkages. Therefore, the hybrid films exhibited a significant improvement in their mechanical properties compared to those of pristine chitosan/imogolite hybrid films.

An eco-friendly hybrid film of chitosan and imogolite was prepared using pyridoxal-5′-phosphate as a surface modifier.