Layer-by-Layer (LbL) Surface Augmented Modification of Poly(Styrene/Divinylbenzene)High Internal Phase Emulsion for Carbon Dioxide Capture

The use of supramolecular systems in biomedical applications for antimicrobial properties, biocompatibility, and drug delivery

Supramolecular chemistry is versatile for developing stimuli-responsive, dynamic and multifunctional structures. In the context of biomedical engineering applications, supramolecular assemblies are particularly useful as coatings for they can closely mimic the natural structure and organisation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), they can also fabricate other complex systems like drug delivery systems and bioinks. In the current context of growing medical device-associated complications and the developments in the controlled drug delivery and regenerative medicine fields, supramolecular assemblies are becoming an indispensable part of the biomedical engineering arsenal. This review covers the different supramolecular assemblies in different biomedical applications with a specific focus on antimicrobial coatings, coatings that enhance biocompatibility, surface modifications on implantable medical devices, systems that promote therapeutic efficiency in cancer therapy, and the development of bioinks. The introduced supramolecular systems include multilayer coating by polyelectrolytes, polymers incorporated with nanoparticles, coating simulation of ECM, and drug delivery systems. A perspective on the application of supramolecular systems is also included.

Facile Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Graphene/Polystyrene Foams for Efficient and Continuous Separation of Immiscible and Emulsified Oil/Water Mixtures

Three-dimensional superhydrophobic/superlipophilic porous materials have attracted widespread attention for use in the separation of oil/water mixtures. However, a simple strategy to prepare superhydrophobic porous materials capable of efficient and continuous separation of immiscible and emulsified oil/water mixtures has not yet been realized. Herein, a superhydrophobic graphene/polystyrene composite material with a micro-nanopore structure was prepared by a single-step reaction through high internal phase emulsion polymerization. Graphene was introduced into the polystyrene-based porous materials to not only enhance the flexibility of the matrix, but also increase the overall hydrophobicity of the composite materials. The resulting as-prepared monoliths had excellent mechanical properties, were superhydrophobic/superoleophilic (water/oil contact angles were 151° and 0°, respectively), and could be used to continuously separate immiscible oil/water mixtures with a separation efficiency that exceeded 99.6%. Due to the size-dependent filtration and the tortuous and lengthy micro-nano permeation paths, our foams were also able to separate surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil microemulsions. This work demonstrates a facile strategy for preparing superhydrophobic foams for the efficient and continuous separation of immiscible and emulsified oil/water mixtures, and the resulting materials have highly promising application potentials in large-scale oily wastewater treatment.