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Composite photocatalysts based on metal nanoparticles and functional polymers attract much attention compared to inorganic photocatalysts. In this study, a reusable magnetite/anion exchanger (Fe 3 O 4 /PPE-2) functional material is synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and its photocatalytic activity is evaluated for the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The results from materials characterization confirm a well-defined morphology of magnetic Fe 3 O 4 /PPE-2 functional material and the formation of Fe 3 O 4 nanocrystals with different shapes and sizes on the surface of anion exchange material (PPE-2). The optimized Fe 3 O 4 /PPE-2 in 180 °C (FM180) photocatalyst exhibited a band gap energy of 1.90 eV, demonstrating significant photocatalytic potential. Using RhB as a model pollutant, magnetic Fe 3 O 4 /PPE-2 (FM180) functional material achieved 98.2% degradation efficiency after 160 min of visible light irradiation (rate constant k = 0.03496 min -1 ). Efficiency of the photocatalytic materials, of photocatalytic degradation of RhB is 28.4% for pure anion exchanger (PPE-2), 56.5%, 64.7% and 98.2% for magnetic functional Fe 3 O 4 /PPE-2 materials, synthesized under conditions of 140 °C (FM140), 160 °C (FM160) and 180 °C (FM180), respectively. Compared to individual PPE-2 anion exchange material and Fe 3 O 4 , the magnetic functional FM180 material exhibits a remarkable photocatalytic reaction rate as high as four times that of PPE-2, with superior reusability over 10 cycles. The computational study and Mott-Schottky plots verify the formation of the internal electric field. Possible reaction pathways for the photocatalytic degradation of RhB are presented. In addition, the results demonstrate that the Fe 3 O 4 /PPE-2 functional material very efficiently removed Rhodamine B from textile wastewater. This work offers a simple route for the preparation of magnetic and reusable Fe 3 O 4 /PPE-2 magnetic functional material that can be used in the water purification process., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Superamphiphobic surfaces, combining both superhydrophobic and superoleophobic properties, show tremendous potential applications in various fields. However, the complicated procedures, expensive equipment, and poor mechanical robustness and durability seriously limit their commercialization. In this study, superamphiphobic surfaces have been fabricated by a simple spraying method using two different nanostructures of silicon dioxide. The nanosheet silica (about 80 nm) constructed a large-scale layer structure, and the nanospherical silica (about 30 nm) interweaved with nanosheet silica to form a double-scale "reentrant" micronano structure. The contact angle (CA) and sliding angle (SA) were estimated to be 158° and 1° for a water droplet, while the CA and SA were measured to be 154° and 3° for olive oil, meeting the superamphiphobic requirement. On the other hand, control surfaces that only adopted nanosheet or nanospherical silica just satisfy the superhydrophobic requirement. Owing to the similar chemical components of nanosheet and nanospherical silica, the two mixed very well and were uniformly dispersed, endowing the whole surface with the same superamphiphobic behavior. More importantly, the mixture of nanosheet and nanospherical silica was sprayed on the wet poly(amide-imide) (PAI) substrate, making them easily enter into the PAI film. This unique structure is helpful for improving mechanical robustness and durability. Thus, the surface wettability was nearly unaffected even though it underwent lots of tests, including sandpaper abrasion, ultrasonic treatment, acid-base immersion, UV irradiation, and boiling water jet impact. As expected, the superamphiphobic surfaces show antifouling, self-cleaning, and icing delay performances, and the icing time was prolonged from 55 to 342 s. It is believed that robust superamphiphobic surfaces with multifunctions of antiliquid-adhesion, self-cleaning, anticorrosion, and anti-icing have enormous potential applications in the industrial environment.

Herein, we report water-intercalated and humidity-responsive lamellar materials obtained from the self-assembly of sodium acrylate (ANa)/alkyl or oleyl acrylate (RA) random copolymers. The random copolymers efficiently absorbed water into the hydrophilic ANa/main chain phase from the outer environment to form lamellar structures consisting of the water-intercalated hydrophilic segments and the hydrophobic side chains. The lamellar formation involves controlling the weight fraction of hydrophilic segments containing water to 40-70 wt % by the RA content, hydrophobic side chains, and the amount of absorbed water. The domain spacing can be controlled in the range of 2-6 nm. More interestingly, the lamellar materials reversibly afford expansion and contraction of the domain spacing in the sub-1 nm level via the absorption and release of water, in response to relative humidity. The multilayered lamellar formation process via the intercalation of water was analyzed in situ by neutron reflectometry and atomic force microscopy measurements under humid conditions. The polymer film further served as a moisture-sensitive actuator that macroscopically induces deformation responsive to humidity.

We report synthesis and optical properties of the dimers of boron β-dialdiminate (DAI) complexes with different connection manners. The series of dimers, o-, m-, p- and d-BisDAI, were prepared, and their photophysical properties were compared with the single unit, DAI. It was found that the dimers show characteristic optical properties: o-BisDAI showed bathochromic shifts in absorption and emission spectra and emission quenching because of the through-space interactions, while the photophysical properties of m-BisDAI and DAI were almost identical. The extension of π-conjugation in p-BisDAI could induce not only the bathochromic shifts of its absorption and emission bands but also the solvatochromism originating from the symmetry-breaking charge transfer character. d-BisDAI showed the weak low-energy emission in solution and the mechanochromic luminescence which might stem from the rotational degree of freedom between the adjacent two DAI units., (© 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The present study aimed to investigate the stability of a novel complex formed from β-carotene and xylan. The stability of the CX complex was analyzed in various environments, including long-term exposure to darkness at 4 °C and 25 °C across different pH ranges, colour changes, UV irradiation and temperature. The antioxidant activity of the complex was evaluated using DPPH and FRAP methods. The results showed that the complex maintained over 80 % relative stability under long-term conditions. After one month of storage, its relative stability remained above 70 %. The temperature stability demonstrated excellent results up to 60 °C. The colour index of the complex at 4 °C showed a colour change of 77 %, while at 25 °C, it decreased to 44 %. The antioxidant activity of the complex after 120 days of storage was over 60 %. Therefore, the complex has potential as a β-carotene delivery system in water-based functional foods., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Polyethers are versatile materials extensively used in advanced as well as everyday applications. The incorporation of primary amine functionality into polyethers is particularly attractive due to its well-established coupling chemistries. However, the inherent nucleophilicity of amine group poses a challenge in the anionic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epoxides and requires the use of robust protecting groups that can withstand the harsh conditions of ROP without triggering undesirable side reactions. In this work, we present streamlined synthesis of amino-functionalized polyethers using classic N -carbamate-protected aminoalcohols as initiators for the ROP of epoxides. A Lewis acid-excess two-component organocatalytic system is found to trigger efficient anionic ROP of epoxides while preserving the integrity of the carbamate protection. Despite the higher intrinsic acidity of the carbamate group compared to the hydroxyl group, it is noncompetitive in both the deprotonation and ring-opening steps. This is due to an intriguing acidity-reversing effect of the catalyst, which allows site-specific ethoxylation to proceed exclusively from the hydroxyl group. The resulting poly(propylene oxide) and poly(ethylene oxide) exhibit the targeted molar mass, low dispersity, and well-defined end groups. The fidelity of the amino functionalities is further corroborated and utilized in construction of polypeptoide-based hybrid block copolymers using the synthesized polyethers as macroinitiators.

This work introduces the semi-finished product FOIM, a neologism from FOIl and foaM, a phase segregated polyester urethane urea (PEUU) foam, which is synthesized from poly(1,6-hexylene adipate) diol, 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, polyethylene glycol and water as blowing agent. The PEUU is obtained by following a one-shot synthesis and is characterized by a hard/soft segment ratio of 1.06 and an open pore content of 78%. Differential scanning calorimetry reveals a melting peak at 45 °C and a crystallization signal at 14 °C, both of which are associated with the phase transitions of the soft segment. The glass transition temperature, which is determined as a local maximum within the tan δ using dynamic mechanical analysis, is 1 °C. During programming, the foam is heavily compressed at 60 °C. Once unloaded at 23 °C, a translucent foil, the FOIM, is obtained. When reheated to 60 °C, the foil switches back to the foam due to its pronounced shape memory properties. Intriguingly, the structure remains largely unaffected by the drastic deformation as indicated by buoyancy and heat transmission measurements. The ease of manufacture and functionality makes the technology attractive for applications, in which both low transport volumes and drastic shape changes are desired., (© 2025 The Author(s). Macromolecular Rapid Communications published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

We report on the synthesis, characterization, and properties of dextran polymers, which are covalently bridged/cross-linked by azobenzene moieties. The reversible photoactivity of the azo moiety is retained in the polymers, and the kinetics of the E / Z isomerization depend on the dextran/azobenzene ratio. Together with the simple preparation, our approach provides convenient access to photoresponsive sustainable materials. Moreover, based on the water-soluble polymers, we have prepared photoresponsive hydrogels, which soften upon UV irradiation. Our findings are based on spectroscopy (UV/vis, IR, and NMR/DOSY), size exclusion chromatography, and rheology.

Chemotherapy using anticancer agents and radiotherapy of cancers frequently induce the development of stomatitis as a side effect. In the present study, hydrogels for effective stomatitis healing under anticancer drug administration were developed using three components, namely proline, carboxyvinyl polymer, and water (denoted proline gels). Characterization including tilting, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and viscoelasticity measurements indicated that proline gels with proline concentrations over 300 μmol/g could retain water on the tongue of mice. The degradation and release behavior of proline gels in serological environments were evaluated, revealing that proline gels were degraded by serological salt concentrations, and the cumulative amount of proline released from proline gels depended on the concentration of proline in the gel. Proline gels were applied to the stomatitis area on the tongue of mice under anticancer drug administration, with subsequent reduction in the stomatitis area and regeneration of the mucosal epithelium layer, demonstrating effective stomatitis healing by proline gels with proline concentrations over 500 μmol/g. Other control samples including the carboxyvinyl polymer or proline alone did not reduce the stomatitis area in model mice. These results suggested that the proline gel is promising for the mucosa regeneration of anticancer drug-induced stomatitis.

Luminescent materials that respond to changes in microscopic chemical conditions are essential for visualizing and evaluating molecular environments. Boron complexes are often employed as robust scaffolds for constructing such responsive systems because of their inherent stimuli-responsive properties. However, in the case of nonresponsive luminophores, the absence of these intrinsic features limits their range of applications. In this study, environment-responsive luminescent homopolymers based on the boron β-dialdiminate complex are developed, which is intrinsically less responsive, by introducing optimized side chains. As a key finding, the triethylene glycol-decorated polymer exhibits more intense luminescence in chloroform but weaker luminescence in N,N-dimethylformamide. Structural analyses using NMR and size-exclusion chromatography suggest that this polymer forms larger aggregates in polar solvents because of the solvophobicity of its main chain, while the polar side chains assist in maintaining adequate dispersibility of these aggregates. Photophysical measurements indicate that interchromophore interactions within the aggregates should be responsible for the reduced luminescence in polar solvents. These findings suggest that side-chain engineering should be an effective strategy for creating stimuli-responsive polymers from otherwise nonresponsive luminophores., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Photoactive hydrogels facilitate light-triggered photochemical processes, positioning them as innovative solutions in biomedical applications, especially in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. This study presents a novel methylene blue-based photoactive hydrogel designed as a topical gel solution to overcome the limitations of traditional pad-based systems by offering enhanced adaptability to irregular wound surfaces, uniform photosensitizer distribution, and deeper therapeutic light penetration. This study investigated the development of hydrogels by cross-linking gelatin with glutaraldehyde (GA) and incorporating methylene blue (MB) to investigate the effects of cross-linking density, network structure, and small molecule inclusion on hydrogel properties. The results showed that while glutaraldehyde concentration influenced swelling behavior and network structure, the inclusion of MB altered these properties, particularly reducing swelling and MB retention at higher GA concentrations. Rheological and thermal analyses confirmed that higher GA concentrations made the hydrogels more rigid, with MB influencing both mechanical and thermal properties. Additionally, the hydrogels exhibited enhanced antimicrobial properties through increased reactive oxygen species production, particularly in light-activated conditions, demonstrating the potential of MB-based photoactive hydrogels for improving antimicrobial efficacy, especially against S. aureus , E. coli , and C. albicans , offering as a possible alternative to traditional antimicrobial treatments.

This study investigates the enhancement of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) performance through the integration of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanocomposites within a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT/PSS) matrix. The nanocomposite films were prepared using a controlled dispersion of TiO 2 belts into the PEDOT/PSS solution, followed by their incorporation into the OLED hole-injection layer (HIL). Our results demonstrate a significant improvement in device efficiency, attributed to the optimized charge carrier mobility and reduced recombination losses, which were achieved by the presence of TiO 2 . The nanocomposite hybrid layer enhances light emission efficiency due to its role in modifying surface roughness, promoting better film uniformity, and improving hole injection. The incorporation of TiO 2 nanobelts into PEDOT/PSS led to significant efficiency enhancements, yielding a 39% increase in PE max , a 37% improvement in CE max , and a remarkable 72% rise in EQE max compared to the undoped counterpart. This research provides insight into the potential of TiO 2 nanocomposites in advancing OLED technology for next-generation display and lighting applications.

The creation of heat-resistant polymers represents one of the most significant challenges and priorities in contemporary scientific research. The incorporation of a filler of analogous nature and content into disparate types of resins will facilitate the identification of the relationship between properties and the structure of macromolecular chains in synthetic resins that function as composite matrices. The objective of this study was to ascertain the impact of lignin at 5 and 15% by weight on the thermal degradation of two resin-based composites with disparate structural compositions. The thermal decomposition products of the composites were determined by the method of temperature-programmed desorption mass spectroscopy (TPD MS). The thermal oxidative degradation patterns of polymer composites were investigated through derivatography (Q-1500D). It was demonstrated that the incorporation of lignin in modest quantities has a negligible impact on the thermal stability of the composites. Notably, the temperature at which the composites undergo thermal decomposition during thermal oxidation degradation exhibits a variation of over 10 °C, suggesting that the utilisation of lignin holds promise for the development of environmentally benign and cost-effective materials for diverse industrial applications.

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, are complex and challenging due to their intricate pathophysiology and limited treatment options., Methods: This review systematically sourced articles related to neurodegenerative diseases, neurodegeneration, quercetin, and clinical studies from primary medical databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science., Results: Recent studies have included quercetin to impact the cellular and molecular pathways involved in neurodegeneration. Quercetin, a flavonoid abundant in vegetables and fruits, is gaining attention for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. It regulates signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), sirtuins, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt). These pathways are essential for cellular survival, inflammation regulation, and apoptosis. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that quercetin improves symptoms and pathology in neurodegenerative models, indicating promising outcomes., Conclusions: The study explores the potential of incorporating laboratory research into practical medical treatment, focusing on quercetin's neuroprotective effects on NDs and its optimal dosage., (© 2025 The Author(s). Animal Models and Experimental Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences.)

A new photopolymerizable organic-inorganic (O-I) hybrid sol-gel material, AUP@SiO x -184, has been synthesized and utilized as a gate dielectric in flexible organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). The previously reported three-arm alkoxy-functionalized silane amphiphilic polymer has yielded stable O-I hybrid materials comprising uniformly dispersed nanoparticles in the sol state. In this study, a photosensitizer was introduced, facilitating curing effects under ultraviolet light. Photo-crosslinking enhances the stability of hydroxyl radicals within inorganic nanoparticles, thereby minimizing device hysteresis. This approach also contributes to achieving a low leakage current and a high dielectric constant (high- k ) while maintaining reduced thickness. Moreover, AUP@SiO x -184 films are amenable to patterning through UV photopolymerization and can be successfully produced using printing techniques. Compared to other materials, they exhibit outstanding flexibility and improved insulating capabilities. Additionally, OTFTs incorporating AUP@SiO x -184 layers demonstrate extremely stable driving features on flexible substrates. Selective printing and specific patterning play crucial roles in the fabrication of logic circuits. This synthesis strategy has resulted in integrated logic devices that have successfully demonstrated their functionality, highlighting its value for producing functional O-I hybrid materials. Utilizing AUP@SiO x -184 as a gate dielectric in OTFTs showcases its potential to advance electronic technologies that are both flexible and high-performing.

The properties of starch graft poly(cinnamyl methacrylate) copolymers were presented. The "grafting from" method and different ratios of starch to methacrylic monomer were used. The copolymers with the maximum grafting percent (G: 55.3% ± 0.4) using a ratio of starch to methacrylic monomer of 1:3 were obtained. The heterogeneous, non-porous structure materials were prepared. They were characterized by significant lower swelling in polar solvents and moisture absorption but higher swelling in non-polar solvents compared to unmodified potato starch. The chemical resistance in acidic, alkaline and neutral environments for all the tested copolymers was significantly higher compared to the chemical resistance of potato starch. The tested copolymers decomposed in at least three main stages in inert conditions and in at least four main stages in oxidative conditions. Their pyrolysis with the emission of the mixture of volatiles such as aldehyde, acid, ester, alcohol, aromatic, alkene, alkane, H 2 O, CO 2 and CO based on the TG/FTIR studies was proved. The oxidative decomposition included pyrolysis processes combined with oxidation and combustion reactions of volatiles and the formed residues. As a result, the emission of the unsaturated and saturated compounds with carbonyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl and/or ester groups, alkane, alkene, aromatics and its oxidized forms, H 2 O, CO 2 and CO, was observed.

In this work, new sorbents for the purification of anthocyanin-rich extracts were evaluated. Copolymers of 4-vinylpyridine crosslinked with trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (poly(4VP-co-TRIM)) or 1,4-dimethacryloyloxybenzene (poly(4VP-co-14DMB)) were tested for their potential to capture polyphenols. Copolymers were obtained by seed swelling polymerization in the form of microspheres with permanent porous structure - attractive features of sorbents used for sample purification by dispersive solid phase extraction. The microspheres were characterized by AFM, elemental analysis, SEM, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption method. Their capacity to remove polyphenols was evaluated using spectrophotometry, HPLC-DAD, and LC-MS/MS. For proof-of-concept, the aqueous extracts of berries classified into three different groups regarding their anthocyanin composition (strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants) were selected. It was found that studied microspheres adsorbed flavonoids more effectively compared to primary secondary amine and graphitized carbon black. Copolymers of 4-vinylpyridine also capture anthocyanins and might be used for the purification of extracts of fruits before LC-MS/MS analysis to reduce the matrix effect., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Ilona Sadok, Agnieszka Krzyszczak-Turczyn, Marta Grochowicz have patent “Method of obtaining purified berry fruit extracts and the use of microspheres based on 4-vinylpyridine for the purification of berry fruit extracts”, P.448492 pending to The Patent Office of the Republic of Poland., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Analysis of emission enhancement in an aggregated state has been developed by focusing on the suppression of nonradiative processes by intermolecular interactions. On the other hand, it is difficult to evaluate the contribution of radiative processes despite its significant role in improving emission. Herein, the contribution of radiative processes to crystallization-induced emission enhancement (CIEE) is evaluated. By comparing optical properties between isolated and crystalline states at 77 K to minimize the structural relaxation, acceleration phenomena of the radiative process originating from the intermolecular interactions in crystal are clarified. Consequently, it is experimentally proved that a large refractive index in an organic crystal mainly promotes the radiative processes in CIEE even without significant intermolecular electronic interactions.

The present article focuses on the characterization of the new biocomposites of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) with fillers of plant origin such as onion peels (OP) and durum wheat bran WB ( Triricum durum ) subjected to composting and artificial aging. The susceptibility to fungal growth, cytotoxicity and antibacterial properties were also examined. The biodegradation of the samples was investigated under normalized conditions simulating an intensive aerobic composting process. It was shown that the tested natural fillers significantly accelerate the biodegradation process of the composition (after 90 days mass loss of PBS 7%) and that the samples with WB degrade much faster (corresponding mass loss 86%) than those containing OP (corresponding mass loss 21%). The remains of the samples after composting were subjected to chemical structure analysis (FTIR), and their thermal properties were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was shown that the degree of crystallinity of PBS and composites increased with the increasing time of composting. In the case of pure PBS, this increase was a maximum of 31.5%, for biocomposite with OP 31.1% and for those containing WB 21.2%. FTIR results showed that cleavage of polymer chains by hydrolysis took place during composting. The tested samples were also subjected to artificial aging under conditions simulating solar radiation and were sprayed with water. After artificial aging, the significant changes in the color of the samples as well as the porosity of their surface was noted, which was mainly due to the effect of photodegradation of both the used OP and WB fillers. Additionally, FTIR analysis indicated that samples were degraded by photooxidation processes. The ability of fungi to grow on the surface of the samples was also tested. The results demonstrate the possibility of using the developed biocomposite materials as a carbon source for the growth of fungi. The antibacterial tests showed that samples containing OP exhibited strong antibacterial properties regardless of their wt.% content. Additionally, a cytotoxicity test was performed on a BJ cell line, demonstrating that none of the tested biocomposites were cytotoxic. Moreover, those with the addition of WB statistically significantly supported the viability of both fibroblast and bacteria cells, showing their biological safety but lack of antibacterial activity.

The biological and thermal properties of a class of synthetic dihydroimidazotriazinones were disclosed in this article for the first time. Molecules 1 - 6 -as potential innovative antimetabolites mimicking bicyclic aza-analogues of isocytosine-were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity. Moreover, in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo toxicity profiles of all the compounds were established in zebrafish, non-tumour cell, and erythrocyte models, respectively. Their antihaemolytic activity was also evaluated. Additionally, the thermal decomposition mechanism, path, and key thermal properties of heterocycles 1 - 6 were analysed. It was found that all the studied compounds revealed significant antiproliferative activities against tumour cells of the lung, cervix, ovary, and breast, as well as acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells, superior or comparable to that of an anticancer agent gemcitabine. Most of them were less toxic to non-tumour cells than this standard drug, and none had a haemolytic effect on red blood cells. All the tested heterocycles proved to be safer for zebrafish than a standard drug pemetrexed. Some exhibited the ability to inhibit oxidative haemolysis, suggesting their protective action on erythrocytes. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses confirmed that all molecules melted within one narrow temperature range, proving their purity. The melting points depended solely on the type of substituent and increased as follows: 4 (R = 3-ClPh) < 2 (R = 4-CH 3 Ph) = 3 (R = 4-OCH 3 Ph) < 5 (R = 4-ClPh) = 1 (R = Ph) < 6 (R = 3,4-Cl 2 Ph). The thermogravimetry/differential thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) studies confirmed high thermal stability of all the investigated heterocycles in inert (>230 °C) and oxidising (>260 °C) atmospheres, which depended directly on the R. The pyrolysis process included one main decomposition stage and was connected with the emission of NH 3 , HCN, CH 3 CN, HNCO, alkane, alkene, aromatic fragments, CO 2 (for all the compounds), and HCl (for the molecule with 3,4-Cl 2 Ph), which was confirmed by FTIR and QMS analyses. In turn, the oxidative decomposition process of the tested polyazaheterocycles took place in two main stages connected with the formation of the same volatiles as those observed in an inert atmosphere and additionally with the release of N 2 , NO, CO, and H 2 O. These results proved that the pyrolysis and oxidative decomposition run through the radical mechanism connected with the additional reactions between radicals and oxygen in synthetic air. The favourable biological and thermal properties of this class of dihydroimidazotriazinones imply their usefulness as potential pharmaceutics.

Biomass ash (BA) contains alkaline cations such as K, Ca, and Mg. Due to its high pH, direct application to the soil may result in soil salinization. Composting of BA with organic matter is an effective strategy, but the composting cycle is long and there is a large amount of insoluble residue in the product. Therefore, this research proposed for the first time using the hydrothermal method to rapidly convert BA and bamboo powder (BP) into water - soluble fertilizer (WSF) within 4 h. The insoluble hydrothermal residue was further converted into calcium - rich biochar phosphorus adsorption material by a simple pyrolysis process. WSF was neutral and contained humic acid and elements like K, Ca, Mg, and Si. A 14 - day wheat hydroponic experiment showed that the addition of 0.0125% WSF increased the fresh weight of wheat by 18.77% compared with deionized water. The calcium - based biochar adsorbent produced by pyrolysis had an ideal adsorption capacity of up to 113.6 mg P g -1 for phosphate in water, higher than many existing reports. The adsorption mechanisms mainly included surface precipitation, ion exchange, and electrostatic attraction. Moreover, the calcium - rich biochar sample slowly released phosphorus into water after adsorbing phosphate. When the pH was 3 or 4, the removal rate of Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Cu 2+ at 15 - 20 mg L -1 was as high as 99%. This indicated its potential as a slow - release fertilizer and heavy metal remediation agent. This research provided a new way of thinking for the treatment and disposal of BA., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Regenerated fibrous cellulose possesses a unique set of properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high surface area potential, but its applications in the biomedical sector have not been sufficiently explored. In this study, nanofibrous cellulose matrices were fabricated via a wet-electrospinning process using a binary system of the solvent ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (BMIMAc) and co-solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The morphology of the matrices was controlled by varying the ratio of BMIMAc versus DMSO in the solvent system. The most effective ratio of 1:1 produced smooth fibers with diameters ranging from 200 to 400 nm. The nanofibrous cellulose matrix showed no cytotoxicity when tested on mouse fibroblast L929 cells whose viability remained above 95%. Human triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells also exhibited high viability even after 7 days of seeding and were able to penetrate deeper layers of the matrix, indicating high biocompatibility. These properties of nanofibrous cellulose demonstrate its potential for tissue engineering and cell culture applications., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

We introduce a donors-acceptor-based molecular design strategy of organic heteroaromatic compounds with enhanced photosensitivity in the ultraviolet (UV)/visible/near-infrared (NIR) regions. Three organic dyes are meticulously designed and synthesized, involving various donor (D) moieties and the anthraquinone acceptor (A) unit, following the so-called quasi-orthogonal A-D-D' architecture. The target compounds are synthesized via the Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling reactions, with the yields of up to 54 %. The molecular structure of the synthesized compounds is confirmed by a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed for geometry optimization and analysis of the vibrational normal modes. The time-dependent calculations (TD-DFT) reveal a manifold of intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) states with various degrees of the central D donor involvement and the local excitation (LE) admixtures. The lowest S1 state of the ICT nature (D' → A) provides the weak absorption in the near IR region. The TD-DFT calculation affords interpretation of the UV-visible-NIR absorption spectra as well as photoconductivity of the fabricated diodes, which includes ICT complexes of the studied compounds with the known triphenylamine derivative (TCTA). Implementation of the semiconductor monolayer of the molecular mixture of A-D-D' type compound and TCTA allows to obtain the high-performance near-infrared organic photodetectors., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Juozas Vidas Grazulevicius reports financial support and administrative support were provided by Research Council of Lithuania. Dmytro Volyniuk reports a relationship with Kaunas University of Technology that includes: employment. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Low-color-temperature candlelight organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) offer a healthier lighting alternative by minimizing blue light exposure, which is known to disrupt circadian rhythms, suppress melatonin, and potentially harm the retina with prolonged use. In this study, we explore the integration of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), specifically molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) and tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ), into the hole injection layers (HILs) of OLEDs to enhance their performance. The TMDs, which are known for their superior carrier mobility, optical properties, and 2D layered structure, were doped at levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% in PEDOT:PSS-based HILs. Our findings reveal that OLEDs doped with 10% MoS 2 exhibit notable enhancements in power efficacy (PE), current efficacy (CE), and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of approximately 39%, 21%, and 40%, respectively. In comparison, OLEDs incorporating 10% of WS 2 achieve a PE of 28%, a CE of 20%, and an EQE of 35%. The enhanced performance of the MoS 2 -doped devices is attributed to their superior hole injection and balanced carrier transport properties, resulting in more efficient operation. These results highlight the potential of incorporating 2D TMDs, especially MoS 2 , into OLED technology as a promising strategy to enhance energy efficiency. This approach aligns with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals by emphasizing reduced environmental impact and promoting ethical practices in technology development. The improved performance metrics of these TMD-doped OLEDs suggest a viable path towards creating more energy-efficient and health-conscious lighting solutions.

Conjugates of the biocompatible polysaccharide pullulan with a cell membrane permeabilizing peptide L17E (PL-L17Es) were prepared with the aim of producing complex coacervates with pronounced intracellular antibody (IgG) delivery activity and stable structures. Coacervates with diameters of a few μm were formed simply by mixing PL-L17Es with IgG labeled with negatively charged fluorescent moieties of Alexa Fluor 488 [IgG(AF488)]. The coacervate resulted in a pronounced cytosolic infusion of IgG(AF488) and IgG binding to the target proteins inside the cell. The droplet structures were maintained even under high salt conditions, and the fluorescence in the droplet was not recovered after photobleaching, suggesting the formation of complex coacervate microgels. Dynamic changes in cell membrane structure to entrap the coacervate microgels were captured by confocal and electron microscopy, resulting in cytosolic IgG infusion. The use of M-lycotoxin instead of L17E resulted in a coacervate microgel with marked IgG delivery activity even in the presence of serum. Successful IgG delivery to primary hepatocytes, undifferentiated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and iPS cell-derived intestinal epithelial cells was also achieved. The construction of complex coacervate microgels with design flexibility and the validity of intracellular IgG delivery with high salt stability were thus demonstrated.

Organic dyes are widely used in many applications. However, the leakage of organic dyes into the natural environment has become a severe and worldwide problem owing to their high toxicity and nonbiodegradability. Therefore, the development of effective removal technologies for organic dyes is required. In this article, we report the synthesis and adsorption properties of highly fluorinated conjugated microporous polymers based on pillar[ n ]arenes. The polymers exhibited large Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface areas of up to 1063 m 2 g -1 and selective adsorptive removal of cationic organic dyes from aqueous solutions. Comparison with the nonfluorinated polymers indicated that the adsorption mechanism mainly relies on the fluorine-cation electrostatic interaction. The maximum adsorption capacity reached 313 mg g -1 for crystal violet, which is higher than those of conventional adsorbents. Additionally, the fluorinated polymers could function as proton channels when they were embedded into lipid membranes.

Although many researchers have devoted their much effort to establish the strategy for developing a stimuli-responsive molecule and tuning of their properties according to the preprogrammed design, it is still challenging to create desired molecules from the scratch. We recently demonstrated that the molecules with a large structural difference between the theoretically optimized structures in the ground and excited states have a potential to exhibit stimuli-responsive luminescent properties. We defined these molecules as an excitation-driven molecule and have shown that they are a versatile platform for designing stimuli-responsive luminescent molecules. Herein, based on the concept of excitation-driven molecules, we show that the hypervalent tin-fused azomethine (TAm) compounds possessing aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties can be obtained by simple chemical modification with a methyl group although conventional TAm derivatives are well known to be highly luminescent compounds in solution. Furthermore, by combining the solid-state luminescence property of AIE and the coordination number shifts of the hypervalent tin atom, the thermoresponsive films operating below the freezing point are fabricated with the polymer. In this study, we apply the concept of excitation-driven molecules to the hypervalent compounds and demonstrate to obtain the novel functional materials., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

In this study, for the first time, biobased photopolymers were synthesized from phloroglucinol tris epoxy with and without different comonomers, phloroglucinol, 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-D-sorbitol, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. The rheological, thermal, mechanical, shape-memory, and antimicrobial properties of photopolymers were investigated. The addition of comonomers reduced the photocuring rate (gel time increased from 325 s to 434-861 s) and rigidity (storage modulus decreased from 330.76 to 15.42-85.77 MPa), reduced their brittleness, and increased the flexibility (elongation at break increased from 0.9 to 1.89-4.51%), although the tensile strength of the polymers remained sufficiently high (tensile strength was reduced from 292.00 to 132.62-234.54 MPa). All polymers exhibited a thermoresponsive shape-memory behavior as they could maintain a temporary shape below their glass-transition temperature and return to the permanent shape when the temperature was raised again above the glass-transition temperature. All polymers showed high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (90.3-96.4%) and Escherichia coli (97.8-99.6%) even after 1 h of contact with bacteria. The photoresins were tested in microimprint lithography and confirmed to accurately reproduce the shape features of the 3D printed target. Compositions prepared with 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol were the most promising due to fast photocuring and the highest flexibility. Synthesized biobased photopolymers have a wide range of properties, making them potential candidates for the production of functional coatings, biomedical devices, or flexible electronics., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of exogenous mitochondria (Mt) internalization on the Mt membrane potential of cells. Cationized gelatin nanospheres (cGNS) were prepared to mix Mt at different ratios to prepare Mt associated with cGNS (Mt-cGNS). The Mt internalization depended on the Mt/cGNS mixing ratio to achieve the maximum at the ratio of 3/1. Rho 0 cells of a Mt function-deficient line were prepared to evaluate the enhancement of Mt membrane potential of rho 0 cells after the internalization of Mt-cGNS. When evaluated by using tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester reagent, the mitochondrial membrane potential of rho 0 cells after incubation with Mt-cGNS enhanced compared with that incubated with Mt only and maintained at a significantly higher level even for 6 days. The Mt-cGNS were internalized into rho 0 cells by an actin-dependent pathway, followed by fused with endogenous Mt. It is concluded that association with the cGNS enabled Mt to enhance the cellular internalization, followed by the fusion with endogenous Mt to maintain an enhanced Mt membrane potential.

We herein report a microwave-assisted Buchwald-Hartwig double amination reaction to synthesize potential thermally activated delayed fluorescence compounds, forming C(sp 2 )-N bonds between donor and acceptor units. Our approach reduces reaction times from 24 h to 10-30 min and achieves moderate to excellent yields, outperforming conventional heating methods. The method is compatible with various aryl bromides and secondary amines, including phenoxazine, phenothiazine, acridine, and carbazole. Density functional theory calculations have attributed the lack of reactivity with high energy barriers in the reductive elimination (RE) steps. Electron-withdrawing groups such as CF 3 increase the RE barrier, resulting in a 0% yield, while substituting carbazole with acridine lowers the barriers and enhances higher yields. Distortion-interaction analysis highlights steric hindrance as a key factor affecting the reaction outcome when the RE barrier is low and steric hindrance is minimal. This microwave-assisted method not only demonstrates a superior performance in terms of higher yields and shorter reaction times but also offers significant potential for reducing production costs of these materials., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Sterically distorted donor-acceptor π-systems, termed DA springs, can be progressively planarized under mechanical load causing a bathochromic shift of the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. By combining theory and experiment, we here use a simple linear force calibration for two different conformational mechanochromophores to determine molecular forces in polymers from the mechanochromic shift in PL wavelength during multiple uniaxial tensile tests. Two systems are used, i) a highly entangled linear glassy polyphenylene and ii) a covalent elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane network. The mean forces estimated by this method are validated using known threshold forces for the mechanochemical ring-opening reactions of two different spiropyran force probes. The agreement between both approaches underlines that these DA springs provide the unique opportunity for the online monitoring of local molecular forces present in diverse polymer matrices., (© 2024 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The implementation of stricter water protection legislation requires the development of novel environmentally friendly water treatment materials. A new method for the preparation of water soluble cationic starch flocculants using potato starch, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride and CaO additive was developed and surface response methodology was successfully utilized for the optimization of degree of substitution in the cationization of potato starch with and without CaO additive. Based on the results of destabilization studies of model kaolin, wastewater sludge, and microalgae dispersion systems, optimized conditions ware proposed for obtaining an efficient, soluble, and biodegradable cationic starch flocculant with optimal structure. The duration of starch etherification reaction was reduced to <12 h to obtain soluble cationic starch derivatives with a degree of substitution of quaternary ammonium groups of 0.25, which retained the granular structure during synthesis. An efficient flocculation technology using anionic polymer and high content of biodegradable cationic flocculant was proposed. The highly efficient flocculation of microalgae suspensions using developed cationic starch derivative with the degree of substitution of cationic groups of 0.25 has been also achieved. The developed environmentally friendly cationic starches with tailored flocculation properties proofed to have a great potential in various water cleaning and separation technologies with prospects in wastewater treatment, agriculture or energy sectors., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have seemed to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Supramolecular polymerization using two-dimensional π-conjugated chiral monomers has been mainly demonstrated because the supramolecular polymerization can be controlled by stereocommunication through π-π stacking between the two-dimensional chiral monomers. We herein report supramolecular copolymerization utilizing three-dimensional pentahedrons with twisted helical chirality through different combinations of helical-chiral acidic and basic pillar[5]arenes as comonomers. In this case, helical-sense matching is key to facilitating the supramolecular copolymerization. Based on the unique helical chirality of the three-dimensional pillared structure of the pillar[5]arenes and alternate ion-pairing interactions between acidic and basic groups on their bilateral rims, the homochiral helical-sense matching system forms kinetically stable nanowire-shaped supramolecular copolymers, generating the supramolecular gel in high concentrations. At elevated temperatures, the nanowire structure undergoes a transformation into thermodynamically stable nanoparticles, resulting in a gel-to-sol transition. This process can be hindered by introducing linear guest molecules, which prohibit the unit swing of pillar[5]arenes and stabilize the nanowires and supramolecular gel. By tailoring the enantiomeric ratio (e.r.) values of the chiral combinations, the helical-sense-dependent gel-to-sol transition was realized, specifically by decreasing the e.r. values. Because of helical-sense mismatching, the heterochiral system generates short, branched nanowires and presents as a turbid solution. These distinct differences reveal that the helical-sense matching between three-dimensional chiral pillar[5]arene comonomers is important for supramolecular copolymerization.

Background/Objectives : Camptothecin (CPT) is a well-known chemical compound recognized for its significant anticancer properties. However, its clinical application remains limited due to challenges related to CPT's high hydrophobicity and the instability of its active form. To address these difficulties, our research focused on the development of four novel nanoparticulate systems intended for either oral or intravenous administration. Methods : These nanosystems were based on a poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer/CPT complex, which had been coated with biodegradable homo- and copolymers, designed with appropriate physicochemical properties and chain microstructures. Results : The resulting nanomaterials, with diameters ranging from 110 to 406 nm and dispersity values between 0.10 and 0.67, exhibited a positive surface charge and were synthesized using biodegradable poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), poly(L-lactide- co - ε -caprolactone) (PLACL), and poly(glycolide- co - ε -caprolactone) (PGACL). Biological assessments, including cell viability and hemolysis tests, indicated that all polymers demonstrated less than 5% hemolysis, confirming their hemocompatibility for potential intravenous use. Furthermore, fibroblasts exposed to these matrices showed concentration-dependent viability. The entrapment efficiency ( EE ) of CPT reached up to 27%, with drug loading ( DL ) values as high as 17%. The in vitro drug release studies lasted over 400 h with the use of phosphate buffer solutions at two different pH levels, demonstrating that time-dependent processes allowed for a gradual and controlled release of CPT from the developed nanosystems. The release kinetics of the active compound at pH 7.4 ± 0.05 and 6.5 ± 0.05 followed near-first-order or first-order models, with diffusion and Fickian/non-Fickian transport mechanisms. Importantly, the nanoparticulate systems enabled the stabilization of the pharmacologically active form of CPT, while providing protection against hydrolysis, even in physiological environments. Conclusions : In our opinion, these results underscore the promising future of biodegradable nanosystems as effective drug delivery systems (DDSs) for targeted cancer treatment, offering stability and efficacy over short, medium, and long-term applications.

The development of building units for π-conjugated polymers is a driving force in advancing the field of organic electronics. In this study, we designed and synthesized dithienonaphthobisthiadiazole (TNT) as a thiophene-fused acceptor (A) building unit and two TNT-based π-conjugated polymers named PTNT2T and PTNT1-F. We found that the microwave-assisted thiophene annulation reaction (thienannulation) of arylethynylated naphthobisthiadiazole (NTz) via C-H functionalization effectively produced TNT moieties. With the π-extended structure of TNT, the polymers had rigid backbones that benefited in-plane and out-of-plane charge carrier transport. Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) based on PTNT2T exhibited hole mobilities as high as 1.10 cm 2 V -1 s -1 . Furthermore, organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) based on PTNT1-F showed high power conversion efficiencies of up to 17.4% when combined with a nonfullerene acceptor. This work provides an efficient method for the thienannulation of electron-deficient rings to access thiophene-fused A building units and shows the great promise of TNT as a building unit for high-performance π-conjugated polymers for organic electronic devices., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)