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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2020In recent years, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have become an excellent solution to the selective and sensitive determination of target molecules in complex... (Review)
Review
In recent years, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have become an excellent solution to the selective and sensitive determination of target molecules in complex matrices where other similar and relative structural compounds could coexist. Although MIPs show the inherent properties of the polymers, including stability, robustness, and easy/cheap synthesis, some of their characteristics can be enhanced, or new functionalities can be obtained when nanoparticles are incorporated in their polymeric structure. The great variety of nanoparticles available significantly increase the possibility of finding the adequate design of nanostructured MIP for each analytical problem. Moreover, different structures (i.e., monolithic solids or MIPs micro/nanoparticles) can be produced depending on the used synthesis approach. This review aims to summarize and describe the most recent and innovative strategies since 2015, based on the combination of MIPs with nanoparticles. The role of the nanoparticles in the polymerization, as well as in the imprinting and adsorption efficiency, is also discussed through the review.
Topics: Adsorption; Molecular Imprinting; Molecularly Imprinted Polymers; Nanoparticles; Polymerization; Polymers
PubMed: 33076552
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204740 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have gained significant attention as artificial receptors due to their low cost, mild operating conditions, and excellent... (Review)
Review
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have gained significant attention as artificial receptors due to their low cost, mild operating conditions, and excellent selectivity. To optimize the synthesis process and enhance the recognition performance, various support materials for molecular imprinting have been explored as a crucial research direction. Yeast, a biological material, offers advantages such as being green and environmentally friendly, low cost, and easy availability, making it a promising supporting substrate in the molecular imprinting process. We focus on the preparation of different types of MIPs involving yeast and elaborate on the specific roles it plays in each case. Additionally, we discuss the advantages and limitations of yeast in the preparation of MIPs and conclude with the challenges and future development trends of yeast in molecular imprinting research.
Topics: Molecularly Imprinted Polymers; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Polymers; Polymerization; Molecular Imprinting
PubMed: 37894582
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207103 -
ACS Macro Letters Aug 2022Living organisms can synthesize a wide range of macromolecules from a small set of natural building blocks, yet there is potential for even greater materials diversity...
Living organisms can synthesize a wide range of macromolecules from a small set of natural building blocks, yet there is potential for even greater materials diversity by exploiting biochemical processes to convert unnatural feedstocks into new abiotic polymers. Ultimately, the synthesis of these polymers in situ might aid the coupling of organisms with synthetic matrices, and the generation of biohybrids or engineered living materials. The key step in biohybrid materials preparation is to harness the relevant biological pathways to produce synthetic polymers with predictable molar masses and defined architectures under ambient conditions. Accordingly, we report an aqueous, oxygen-tolerant RAFT polymerization platform based on a modified Fenton reaction, which is initiated by CH34, a bacterial species with iron-reducing capabilities. We show the synthesis of a range of water-soluble polymers under normoxic conditions, with control over the molar mass distribution, and also the production of block copolymer nanoparticles via polymerization-induced self-assembly. Finally, we highlight the benefits of using a bacterial initiation system by recycling the cells for multiple polymerizations. Overall, our method represents a highly versatile approach to producing well-defined polymeric materials within a hybrid natural-synthetic polymerization platform and in engineered living materials with properties beyond those of biotic macromolecules.
Topics: Bacteria; Macromolecular Substances; Nanoparticles; Oxygen; Polymerization; Polymers; Water
PubMed: 35819106
DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00372 -
Polimery W Medycynie 2022Resin composites have various applications. At the same time, they have some drawbacks, such as polymerization shrinkage. Conventional composites are polymerized in 2-mm...
BACKGROUND
Resin composites have various applications. At the same time, they have some drawbacks, such as polymerization shrinkage. Conventional composites are polymerized in 2-mm thick layers. However, in posterior restoration, the 2-mm depth of cure is not satisfactory. To find a solution, resin composites have been vastly improved in terms of fillers, matrix and initiators.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate polymerization properties and physical characteristics of fiber-reinforced composites and compare them with bulk-fill composites that are designed for large posterior restorations.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Samples were prepared from each resin composite. The 3-point bending test was performed to evaluate the flexural strength of all composites. The depth of cure of the composite from 1 mm to 4 mm of depth was analyzed using Vickers hardness test (VHN). To analyze the degree of conversion, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the top and bottom surfaces of the samples with 4-mm thickness was calculated. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test followed by post hoc test (95% confidence interval (95% CI)).
RESULTS
The Filtek showed the highest flexural strength followed by everX and X-tra fil. At 1-mm depth, X-tra fil had the highest and Gradia had the lowest microhardness. At the 4-mm depth, the microhardness trend was as follows: everX > Filtek > X-tra fil > Gradia > Beautifil. The everX composite had the lowest reduction of the degree of conversion at 4-mm thickness, which showed a significant difference in comparison with Filtek, Gradia and X-tra fil composites.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of our study, it can be concluded that the fiber-reinforced composite everX showed more favorable results regarding polymerization properties, such as the degree of conversion and the depth of cure. However, the flexural strength results in Filtek were better than those in everX.
Topics: Composite Resins; Dental Materials; Hardness; Hardness Tests; Materials Testing; Polymerization; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Surface Properties
PubMed: 35801996
DOI: 10.17219/pim/151857 -
ACS Macro Letters Apr 2022Bottlebrush polymers are characterized by an expansive parameter space, including graft length and spacing along the backbone, and these features impact various...
Bottlebrush polymers are characterized by an expansive parameter space, including graft length and spacing along the backbone, and these features impact various structural and physical properties such as molecular diffusion and bulk viscosity. In this work, we report a synthetic strategy for making grafted block polymers with poly(propylene oxide) and poly(ethylene oxide) side chains, bottlebrush analogues of poloxamers. Combined anionic and sequential ring-opening metathesis polymerization yielded low dispersity polymers, at full conversion of the macromonomers, with control over graft length, graft end-groups, and overall molecular weight. A set of bottlebrush poloxamers (BBPs), with identical graft lengths and composition, was synthesized over a range of molecular weights. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize micelle formation in aqueous buffer. The critical micelle concentration scales exponentially with overall molecular weight for both linear and bottlebrush poloxamers; however, the bottlebrush architecture shifts micelle formation to a much higher concentration at a comparable molecular weight. Consequently, BBPs can exist in solution as unimers at significantly higher molecular weights and concentrations than the linear analogues.
Topics: Micelles; Molecular Weight; Poloxamer; Polymerization; Polymers
PubMed: 35575325
DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00053 -
Nature Communications Sep 2022Unbleached wood fibers and nanofibers are environmentally friendly bio-based candidates for material production, in particular, as reinforcements in polymer matrix...
Unbleached wood fibers and nanofibers are environmentally friendly bio-based candidates for material production, in particular, as reinforcements in polymer matrix biocomposites due to their low density and potential as carbon sink during the materials production phase. However, producing high reinforcement content biocomposites with degradable or chemically recyclable matrices is troublesome. Here, we address this issue with a new concept for facile and scalable in-situ polymerization of polyester matrices based on functionally balanced oligomers in pre-formed lignocellulosic networks. The idea enabled us to create high reinforcement biocomposites with well-dispersed mechanically undamaged fibers or nanocellulose. These degradable biocomposites have much higher mechanical properties than analogs in the literature. Reinforcement geometry (fibers at 30 µm or fibrils at 10-1000 nm diameter) influenced the polymerization and degradation of the polyester matrix. Overall, this work opens up new pathways toward environmentally benign materials in the context of a circular bioeconomy.
Topics: Lignin; Polyesters; Polymerization; Polymers
PubMed: 36167843
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33283-z -
Materials Horizons Oct 2022Post-polymerisation functionalisation provides a facile and efficient way for the introduction of functional groups on the backbone of conjugated polymers. Using... (Review)
Review
Post-polymerisation functionalisation provides a facile and efficient way for the introduction of functional groups on the backbone of conjugated polymers. Using post-polymerisation functionalisation approaches, the polymer chain length is usually not affected, meaning that the resulting polymers only differ in their attached functional groups or side chains, which makes them particularly interesting for investigating the influence of the different groups on the polymer properties. For such functionalisations, highly efficient and selective reactions are needed to avoid the formation of complex mixtures or permanent defects in the polymer backbone. A variety of suitable synthetic approaches and reactions that fulfil these criteria have been identified and reported. In this review, a thorough overview is given of the post-polymerisation functionalisations reported to date, with the methods grouped based on the type of reaction used: cycloaddition, oxidation/reduction, nucleophilic aromatic substitution, or halogenation and subsequent cross-coupling reaction. Instead of modifications on the aliphatic side chains of the conjugated polymers, we focus on modifications directly on the conjugated backbones, as these have the most pronounced effect on the optical and electronic properties. Some of the discussed materials have been used in applications, ranging from solar cells to bioelectronics. By providing an overview of this versatile and expanding field for the first time, we showcase post-polymerisation functionalisation as an exciting pathway for the creation of new conjugated materials for a range of applications.
Topics: Polymers; Polymerization; Electronics
PubMed: 35983884
DOI: 10.1039/d2mh00519k -
Nature Communications Apr 2022Macroscale additive manufacturing has seen significant advances recently, but these advances are not yet realized for the bottom-up formation of nanoscale polymeric...
Macroscale additive manufacturing has seen significant advances recently, but these advances are not yet realized for the bottom-up formation of nanoscale polymeric features. We describe a platform technology for creating crosslinked polymer features using rapid surface-initiated crosslinking and versatile macrocrosslinkers, delivered by a microfluidic-coupled atomic force microscope known as FluidFM. A crosslinkable polymer containing norbornene moieties is delivered to a catalyzed substrate where polymerization occurs, resulting in extremely rapid chemical curing of the delivered material. Due to the living crosslinking reaction, construction of lines and patterns with multiple layers is possible, showing quantitative material addition from each deposition in a method analogous to fused filament fabrication, but at the nanoscale. Print parameters influenced printed line dimensions, with the smallest lines being 450 nm across with a vertical layer resolution of 2 nm. This nanoscale 3D printing platform of reactive polymer materials has applications for device fabrication, optical systems and biotechnology.
Topics: Polymerization; Polymers; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Technology
PubMed: 35410416
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29432-z -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2018Precise structure-property relation of a biodegradable polymer (e.g., aliphatic polyester) is anticipated only if monomer units and chiral centers are arranged in a... (Review)
Review
Precise structure-property relation of a biodegradable polymer (e.g., aliphatic polyester) is anticipated only if monomer units and chiral centers are arranged in a defined primary sequence as a biomacromolecule. An emerging synthetic methodology, namely segmer assembly polymerization (SAP), is introduced in this paper to reveal the latest progress in polyester synthesis. Almost any periodic polyester envisioned can be synthesized via SAP using a programed linear or cyclic monomer. In this context, the macroscopic properties of a biodegradable polymer are fundamentally determined by microstructural information through a bottom-up approach. It can be highlighted that SAP ideally combines the precision of organic synthesis and the high efficiency of a polymerization reaction. Previously reported strategies including nucleophilic displacement, polyesterification, cross-metathesis polymerization (CMP), ring-opening polymerization (ROP), ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and entropy-driven ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ED-ROMP) are critically reviewed in this paper to shed light on precision synthesis of aliphatic polyesters via SAP. Emerging yet challenging, SAP is a paradigm which reflects the convergence of organic and polymer chemistries and is also an efficient pathway to microstructural control. The current status, future challenges and promising trends in this realm are analyzed and discussed in this overview of the state-of-the-art.
Topics: Biodegradable Plastics; Catalysis; Lactones; Polyesters; Polymerization; Polymers; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 29463013
DOI: 10.3390/molecules23020452 -
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Jun 2022The purpose of this in vivo study was to investigate the effect of translucent adhesive resin cement on the final color of ceramic laminate veneer restoration before and...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
The purpose of this in vivo study was to investigate the effect of translucent adhesive resin cement on the final color of ceramic laminate veneer restoration before and after polymerization in intraoral conditions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was conducted in 92 ceramic laminate veneer restorations of 27 patients. The ceramic laminate veneer restorations in standard thickness lithium disilicate ceramic structure (IPS e.max Press HT, Ivoclar Vivadent) were cemented to the tooth with translucent light-polymerized resin cement (Choice 2 Starter Kit, Bisco).
RESULTS
It was observed a clinically noticeable color change between ΔE values before and after polymerization (ΔE >3.3). There was a statistically significant difference in b* values, ΔL value, and Δb value.
CONCLUSION
Within the limitations of this in vivo study, the results suggest that light polymerization of the translucent resin cement (Choice 2, Bisco) used is an important factor for the final color of the restoration and should be considered during shade selection and fabrication.
Topics: Ceramics; Color; Dental Veneers; Humans; Materials Testing; Polymerization; Resin Cements
PubMed: 35708426
DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_1814_21