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Flexible metal-organic materials (FMOMs) with stepped isotherms can offer enhanced working capacity in storage applications such as adsorbed natural gas (ANG) storage. Unfortunately, whereas >1000 FMOMs are known, only a handful exhibit methane uptake of >150 cm 3 /cm 3 at 65 atm and 298 K, conditions relevant to ANG. Here, we report a double-walled 2-fold interpenetrated diamondoid ( dia ) network, X-dia-6-Ni, [Ni 2 L 4 (μ-H 2 O)] n , comprising a new azo linker ligand, L - ( L - = ( E )-3-(pyridin-4-yldiazenyl)benzoate) and 8-connected dinuclear molecular building blocks. X-dia-6-Ni exhibited gas (CO 2 , N 2 , CH 4 ) and liquid (C8 hydrocarbons)-induced reversible transformations between its activated narrow-pore β phase and γ , a large-pore phase with ca . 33% increase in unit cell volume. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) studies of the as-synthesized phase α , β , and γ revealed that structural transformations were enabled by twisting of the azo moiety and/or deformation of the MBB. Further insight into these transformations was gained from variable temperature powder XRD and in situ variable pressure powder XRD. Low-temperature N 2 and CO 2 sorption revealed stepped Type F-II isotherms with saturation uptakes of 422 and 401 cm 3 /g, respectively. X-dia-6-Ni exhibited uptake of 200 cm 3 /cm 3 (65 atm, 298 K) and a high CH 4 working capacity of 166 cm 3 /cm 3 (5-65 bar, 298 K, 33 cycles), the third highest value yet reported for an FMOM and the highest value for an FMOM with a Type F-II isotherm.

Hybrid ultramicroporous materials (HUMs), metal-organic platforms that incorporate inorganic pillars, are a promising class of porous solids. A key area of interest for such materials is gas separation, where HUMs have already established benchmark performances. Thanks to their ready compositional modularity, we report the design and synthesis of a new HUM, GEFSIX-21-Cu , incorporating the ligand pypz (4-(3,5-dimethyl-1 H -pyrazol-4-yl)pyridine, 21 ) and GeF 6 2- pillaring anions. GEFSIX-21-Cu delivers on two fronts: first, it displays an exceptionally high C 2 H 2 adsorption capacity (≥5 mmol g -1 ) which is paired with low uptake of CO 2 (<2 mmol g -1 ), and, second, a low enthalpy of adsorption for C 2 H 2 ( ca . 32 kJ mol -1 ). This combination is rarely seen in the C 2 H 2 selective physisorbents reported thus far, and not observed in related isostructural HUMs featuring pypz and other pillaring anions. Dynamic column breakthrough experiments for 1:1 and 2:1 C 2 H 2 /CO 2 mixtures revealed GEFSIX-21-Cu to selectively separate C 2 H 2 from CO 2 , yielding ≥99.99% CO 2 effluent purities. Temperature-programmed desorption experiments revealed full sorbent regeneration in <35 min at 60 °C, reinforcing HUMs as potentially technologically relevant materials for strategic gas separations.

Currently, clear guidance is not available for determining the minimum practical chain lengths needed for achieving reasonable convergence when performing atomistic simulations of common synthetic polymers. Here, we analyze a collection of polymers, including polypropylene (PP), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene glycol (PEG), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), with chain lengths varying from 5 to 240 repeat units. We exclusively focus on solvated polymer systems, and we report the convergence of several characteristic properties, such as radial distribution functions (RDFs), surface area per repeat unit (SASA/N), ratio of mean squared end-to-end distance to mean squared radius of gyration ($\displaystyle{{\left\langle {R^2} \right\rangle } \over {\left\langle {R_g^2 } \right\rangle }}$ 〈 R 2 〉 〈 R g 2 〉 ), and surface electrostatic potential distributions. Based on these data, we propose a general relationship for identifying minimum practical chain lengths for performing atomistic simulations of solvated linear synthetic polymers, which is based on the SASA/N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) have been increasing in incidence in recent years and are now widespread worldwide. Neuronal death is defined as the progressive loss of neuronal structure or function which is closely associated with NDDs and represents the intrinsic features of such disorders. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases (AD, PD, and HD, respectively) are considered neurodegenerative diseases that affect a large number of people worldwide. Despite the testing of various drugs, there is currently no available therapy that can remedy or effectively slow the progression of these diseases. Nanomedicine has the potential to revolutionize drug delivery for the management of NDDs. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) has recently been developed to improve drug delivery efficiency and is currently subjected to extensive studies. Nanoengineered particles, known as nanodrugs, can cross the blood-brain barrier while also being less invasive compared to the most treatment strategies in use. Polymeric, magnetic, carbonic, and inorganic NPs are examples of NPs that have been developed to improve drug delivery efficiency. Primary research studies using NPs to cure AD are promising, but thorough research is needed to introduce these approaches to clinical use. In the present review, we discussed the role of metal-based NPs, polymeric nanogels, nanocarrier systems such as liposomes, solid lipid NPs, polymeric NPs, exosomes, quantum dots, dendrimers, polymersomes, carbon nanotubes, and nanofibers and surfactant-based systems for the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, we highlighted nanoformulations such as N-butyl cyanoacrylate, poly(butyl cyanoacrylate), D-penicillamine, citrate-coated peptide, magnetic iron oxide, chitosan (CS), lipoprotein, ceria, silica, metallic nanoparticles, cholinesterase inhibitors, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, metal chelators, anti-amyloid, protein, and peptide-loaded NPs for the treatment of AD., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Nanoscale preparations, such as nanoparticles, micelles, and liposomes, are increasingly recognized in pharmaceutical technology for their high capability in tailoring the pharmacokinetics of the encapsulated drug within the body. These preparations have great potential in extending drug half-life, reducing dosing frequency, mitigating drug side effects, and enhancing drug efficacy. Consequently, nanoscale preparations offer promising prospects for the treatment of metabolic disorders, malignant tumors, and various chronic diseases. Nevertheless, the complete clinical potential of nanoscale preparations remains untapped due to the challenges associated with low drug loading degrees and insufficient control over drug release. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the vital role of intermolecular interactions in enhancing encapsulation and controlling drug release within nanoscale delivery systems. Our analysis critically evaluates the characteristics of common intermolecular interactions and elucidates the techniques employed to assess them. Moreover, we highlight the significant potential of intermolecular interactions in clinical translation, particularly in the screening and optimization of preparation prescriptions. By attaining a deeper understanding of intermolecular interaction properties and mechanisms, we can adopt a more rational approach to designing drug carriers, leading to substantial advancements in the application and clinical transformation of nanoscale preparations. Moving forward, continued research in this field offers exciting prospects for unlocking the full clinical potential of nanoscale preparations and revolutionizing the field of drug delivery., (© 2024. Controlled Release Society.)