Membrane Emulsification Process as a Method for Obtaining Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

A novel green molecularly imprinted polymers synthesized in an aqueous medium as S-metolachlor sensitive materials

A new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensitive and selective for S-metolachlor herbicide was synthesized by bulk polymerization with the use of N-isopropylacrylamide, acrylamide, and acrylic acid as functional monomers, and N,N'- methylenebis(acrylamide) as a cross-linker. A novel method for obtaining MIP toward S-metolachlor in an aqueous medium and at room temperature, according to the principles of green chemistry, has been discovered, in comparison to synthesis methods at high temperatures and using organic solvents. Under selected experimental conditions, the batch mode type of sorption was carried out efficiently, with S-metolachlor absorption of 2.4 mg per 1 g of MIP and 0.5 mg per 1 g of NIP. The selectivity of the sorbent towards other herbicides and pesticides was also tested, obtaining an ability to recognize S-metolachlor molecules 3.2 times better than atrazine, 6 times better than glyphosate, and 6.2 times better than fenoxaprop-P-ethyl. The FT-IR and SEM analyses were performed to characterize the structure of the synthesized polymers.

The potential of microbubbles as a cancer eradication theranostic agent

Microbubbles are a new kind of delivery system that may be used to treat a variety of illnesses, including cancer. Microbubble is a non-invasive technology that uses microscopic gas-filled colloidal particle bubbles with a size range of less than 100 micrometres. This unique carrier has been used in a variety of applications in the last decade, ranging from basic targeting to ultrasound-mediated drug delivery. The oxygen in the microbubble lasts longer in the water. The drug release mechanism is highly regulated, since it releases the medication only in the appropriate areas, increasing the local impact while reducing drug toxicity. This carrier is exceptional in cancer medication delivery because of its sustained stability, encapsulation efficiency, and drug targeting. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive analysis of microbubble technology, including its manufacturing techniques and use in cancer medication delivery.

Molecularly Imprinting Microfiltration Membranes Able to Absorb Diethyl Phthalate from Water

In this study, polypropylene porous membranes with an average pore size of 1.25 µm were modified by barrier discharge plasma. Next, molecularly imprinted layers with an imprint of diethyl phthalate (DEP) ware grafted of their surface. In order to optimize the composition of the modifying mixture various solvents, the ratios of functional monomers and the cross-linking monomer as well as various amounts of phthalate were verified. It was shown that the most effective membranes were obtained during polymerization in n-octane with the participation of functional monomers in the ratio 3:7 and the amount of phthalate 7 wt.%. The membranes were tested in the filtration process as well as static and dynamic sorption. In all of these processes, the imprinted membranes showed better properties than those without the imprint. The diethyl phthalate retention coefficient was 36.12% for membranes with a grafting yield of 1.916 mg/cm². On the other hand, DEP static sorption for the imprinted membranes was 3.87 µmol/g higher than for non-imprinted membranes. Also, in the process of dynamic sorption higher values were observed for membranes with the imprint (DS_MIM, 4.12 µmol/g; DS_NIM, 1.18 µmol/g). The membranes were also tested under real conditions. In the process of filtration of tap water contaminated with phthalate, the presence of imprints in the membrane structure resulted in more than three times higher sorption values (3.09 µmol/g) than in the case of non-imprinted membranes (1.12 µmol/g).