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Topic Review
Weak Polyelectrolytes for Nanoarchitectonic Design Tools
The ionization degree, charge density, and conformation of weak polyelectrolytes can be adjusted through adjusting the pH and ionic strength stimuli. Such polymers thus offer a range of reversible interactions, including electrostatic complexation, H-bonding, and hydrophobic interactions, which position weak polyelectrolytes as key nano-units for the design of dynamic systems with precise structures, compositions, and responses to stimuli. From surface platforms to colloids and gels, weak polyelectrolytes have enabled the development of a wide range of functional materials owing to their intrinsic response to stimuli, including solvents, temperature, pH, and salt.
  • 654
  • 30 May 2022
Topic Review
Selected Polymers - Structure, Properties and Food-Related Applications
Every application of a substance results from the macroscopic property of the substance that is related to the substance’s microscopic structure. For example, the forged park gate in your city was produced thanks to the malleability and ductility of metals, which are related to the ability of shifting of layers of metal cations, while fire extinguishing powders use the high boiling point of compounds related to their regular ionic and covalent structures. This also applies to polymers.
  • 331
  • 27 May 2022
Topic Review
Self-Healing Elastomers
It is impossible to describe the recent progress of our society without considering the role of polymers; however, for a broad audience, “polymer” is usually related to environmental pollution. The poor disposal and management of polymeric waste has led to an important environmental crisis, and, within polymers, plastics have attracted bad press despite being easily reprocessable. Nonetheless, there is a group of polymeric materials that is particularly more complex to reprocess, rubbers. These macromolecules are formed by irreversible crosslinked networks that give them their characteristic elastic behavior, but at the same time avoid their reprocessing. Conferring them a self-healing capacity stands out as a decisive approach for overcoming this limitation. By this mean, rubbers would be able to repair or restore their damage automatically, autonomously, or by applying an external stimulus, increasing their lifetime, and making them compatible with the circular economy model.
  • 758
  • 26 May 2022
Topic Review
Interaction-Induced Structural Transformations in Polysaccharide and Protein-Polysaccharide Gels
Polysaccharides are biocompatible nontoxic natural polymer compounds. They are widely used as functional soft-matter for exploration in the food industry, drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and other biomedical research and applications. The tunable macroscopic properties of gels should meet case-dependent requirements. The admixture of proteins to polysaccharides and their coupling in more sophisticated structures opens an avenue for gel property tuning via physical cross-linking of components and the modification of gel network structure.
  • 763
  • 24 May 2022
Topic Review
Polymers in High-Efficiency Solar Cells
Third-generation solar cells, including dye-sensitized solar cells, bulk-heterojunction solar cells, and perovskite solar cells, are being intensively researched to obtain high efficiencies in converting solar energy into electricity. However, it is also important to note their stability over time and the devices’ thermal or operating temperature range. Today’s widely used polymeric materials are also used at various stages of the preparation of the complete device—it is worth mentioning that in dye-sensitized solar cells, suitable polymers can be used as flexible substrates counter-electrodes, gel electrolytes, and even dyes. In the case of bulk-heterojunction solar cells, they are used primarily as donor materials; however, there are reports in the literature of their use as acceptors. In perovskite devices, they are used as additives to improve the morphology of the perovskite, mainly as hole transport materials and also as additives to electron transport layers. Polymers, thanks to their numerous advantages, such as the possibility of practically any modification of their chemical structure and thus their physical and chemical properties, are increasingly used in devices that convert solar radiation into electrical energy.
  • 970
  • 17 May 2022
Topic Review
pH Responsive Polyurethane for Biomedical and Drug Delivery
pH-responsive polymers are polymers that respond to changes in environmental pH. They can be classified into: (A) polymers with ionizable moieties; and (B) polymers that contain acid-labile linkages. pH-responsive polyurethanes demonstrated good biological response and sustainability in biomedical applications and drug delivery. They have been used as controlled drug delivery systems for oral administration, intravaginal administration, and targeted drug delivery systems for chemotherapy treatment. 
  • 1.2K
  • 12 May 2022
Topic Review
Synthesis of Polypeptides with Activated Amino Acid Monomers
Commonly, three different synthetic pathways are used to prepare peptides in the laboratory: via the polymerization of amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), amino acid N-thiocarboxyanhydrides (NTAs), and N-phenoxycarbonyl amino acids (NPCs); via various stepwise coupling reactions of α-amino acids, such as during solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS); or via recombinant DNA techniques for expressing peptides in microorganisms. Polypeptides that are synthesized through SPPS have controlled primary sequences and can fulfill certain functionalities, but it is difficult to create high molecular weight polypeptides above 100 residues, due to the inevitable side reactions. Recombinant DNA techniques can create polypeptides with specific sequences and high molecular weights. Moreover, they allow for peptide production on a very large scale. However, specialized equipment, which is not readily available in most synthetic laboratories, is needed for this method. The polymerization of activated amino acid monomers enables the formation of bioactive and high molecular weight polypeptides in a facile and expedient manner. The process begins with the conversion of amino acids into the corresponding activated monomers; afterwards, polymerization is initiated in the presence of certain initiators. Although polypeptides that are synthesized in this way lack precise sequence control, their synthetic advantages make this method attractive and economical for synthesizing polypeptides in large quantities.
  • 631
  • 12 May 2022
Topic Review
Polylactic Acid for Single-Use Laboratory Components
Sustainability needs have driven interest in polymers which are degradable, recyclable, and/or derived from eco-friendly input materials. Biomass-based polymers are one option with many benefits to sustainability: reducing dependence on fossil fuel extraction; produced from renewable resources; may make use of waste materials; and better biodegradability. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is one of the most commonly used bioplastics, in 2021 it was reported to hold the largest market share worldwidefor biodegradable bioplastics manufacturing capacity.
  • 1.9K
  • 06 May 2022
Topic Review
Red Cabbage Anthocyanins in Smart Food Packaging, Sensors
Anthocyanins, as one of the water-soluble phenolic compounds, are able to generate a wide range of colors (for example, blue, purple, orange, and red) that are widely isolated from flowers, cereals, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, based on the pH values of the solution, anthocyanins can be found in different colors and chemical forms that can monitor food quality parameters, and eventually, keep track of food products over the shelf life period. The reversible color attributes of anthocyanins-rich solutions are associated with the source, composition, and configuration of anthocyanins.
  • 831
  • 28 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Smart Bioinks for Printing Human Tissue Models
A bioink is a mixture of materials and biological molecules or cells to be used for bioprinting. Most bioinks are hydrogels, highly hydrated polymeric networks used to homogenously encapsulate cells by mimicking the natural extracellular matrix found in vivo. Hydrogels must meet certain characteristics to ensure they can support cell survival and function.
  • 973
  • 25 Apr 2022
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