MacromolPub Date : 2021-06-23DOI: 10.3390/macromol1030013
A. Díez-Pascual
{"title":"Hot Topics in Macromolecular Science","authors":"A. Díez-Pascual","doi":"10.3390/macromol1030013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol1030013","url":null,"abstract":"In these first two issues of the new open access Journal Macromol [...]","PeriodicalId":18139,"journal":{"name":"Macromol","volume":"118 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80664736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MacromolPub Date : 2021-05-11DOI: 10.3390/MACROMOL1020011
Efstathios V Liakos, Maria-Filothei Lazaridou, G. Michailidou, I. Koumentakou, D. Lambropoulou, D. Bikiaris, G. Kyzas
{"title":"Chitosan Adsorbent Derivatives for Pharmaceuticals Removal from Effluents: A Review","authors":"Efstathios V Liakos, Maria-Filothei Lazaridou, G. Michailidou, I. Koumentakou, D. Lambropoulou, D. Bikiaris, G. Kyzas","doi":"10.3390/MACROMOL1020011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/MACROMOL1020011","url":null,"abstract":"Chitin is mentioned as the second most abundant and important natural biopolymer in worldwide scale. The main sources for the extraction and exploitation of this natural polysaccharide polymer are crabs and shrimps. Chitosan (poly-β-(1 → 4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose) is the most important derivative of chitin and can be used in a wide variety of applications including cosmetics, pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, food, etc., giving this substance high value-added applications. Moreover, chitosan has applications in adsorption because it contains amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules, and can thus contribute to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (pharmaceuticals/drugs, metals, phenols, pesticides, etc.). However, it must be noted that one of the most important techniques of decontamination is considered to be adsorption because it is simple, low-cost, and fast. This review emphasizes on recently published research papers (2013–2021) and briefly describes the chemical modifications of chitosan (grafting, cross-linking, etc.), for the adsorption of a variety of emerging contaminants from aqueous solutions, and characterization results. Finally, tables are depicted from selected chitosan synthetic routes and the pH effects are discussed, along with the best-fitting isotherm and kinetic models.","PeriodicalId":18139,"journal":{"name":"Macromol","volume":"90 1","pages":"130-154"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74480462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MacromolPub Date : 2021-04-06DOI: 10.3390/MACROMOL1020008
Anita Oliveira Brito Pereira Bezerra Martins, Maria Rayane Correia de Oliveira, I. S. Alcântara, Lindaiane Bezerra Rodrigues, Francisco Rafael Alves Santana Cesário, Maria Sanádia Alexandre da Silva, F. Castro, E. P. Nascimento, T. R. Albuquerque, L. Q. Quintans Júnior, A. Araújo, H. Coutinho, I. A. Menezes, A. Wanderley
{"title":"Effect of the Croton rhamnifolioides Essential Oil and the Inclusion Complex (OEFC/β-CD) in Antinociceptive Animal Models","authors":"Anita Oliveira Brito Pereira Bezerra Martins, Maria Rayane Correia de Oliveira, I. S. Alcântara, Lindaiane Bezerra Rodrigues, Francisco Rafael Alves Santana Cesário, Maria Sanádia Alexandre da Silva, F. Castro, E. P. Nascimento, T. R. Albuquerque, L. Q. Quintans Júnior, A. Araújo, H. Coutinho, I. A. Menezes, A. Wanderley","doi":"10.3390/MACROMOL1020008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/MACROMOL1020008","url":null,"abstract":"This study aims to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of the C. rhamnifolioides leaf essential oil (OEFC) and the β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (COEFC) and investigate the pain signaling pathways involved in the antinociceptive response. The effects of the OEFC and COEFC on the central nervous system (CNS) were determined by open field and rota-rod assays, and the antinociceptive effect was evaluated via the acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions, formalin, and hot plate models. Swiss (Mus musculus) male mice (20–30 g) were used in both trials. The OEFC (200 mg/kg/v.o-orally) and COEFC (83.5 mg/kg/v.o.) did not present alterations in the CNS. The OEFC (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/vo.) and COEFC (8.35, 41.75, and 83.5 mg/kg/v.o.) demonstrated antinociceptive effects in the abdominal contortions, formalin, and hot plate tests. The OEFC (25 mg/kg/v.o.) and COEFC (8.35 mg/kg/v.o.) doses showed that the antinociceptive effect involves the activation of the opioid, cholinergic, and vanilloid systems, as well as the L-arginine/NO and α-2 adrenergic receptor pathways. The antinociceptive potential the OEFC and COEFC demonstrate possible alternatives for the therapy of pain. However, the COEFC presented more significant effects at lower doses than the isolated OEFC, where this action may be justified by the properties and advantages of the complexation.","PeriodicalId":18139,"journal":{"name":"Macromol","volume":"1 1","pages":"94-111"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82952397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MacromolPub Date : 2021-04-02DOI: 10.3390/MACROMOL1020007
Xiaoyan Yu, Ting Zheng, S. Pilla
{"title":"Polymer-Derived Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanosheet Cluster and Its Application for Water Purification","authors":"Xiaoyan Yu, Ting Zheng, S. Pilla","doi":"10.3390/MACROMOL1020007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/MACROMOL1020007","url":null,"abstract":"A series of nitrogen-doped carbons (NCs) were prepared by the pyrolysis (300–900 °C) of crystalline polyazomethine (PAM) synthesized via a facile condensation reaction in methanol solvent. The controlled solvent evaporation resulted in PAM crystals in the form of nanosheet clusters with a sheet thickness of ~50 nm. Such architecture was maintained after pyrolysis, obtaining porous CNs of high specific surface areas of up to 700 m2/g. The resulting NCs were used as absorbents to remove aromatic Rhodamine B from water. The NC that pyrolyzed at 750 °C exhibited the highest adsorption capacity (0.025 mg/mg), which is attributed to its high surface area and surface condition.","PeriodicalId":18139,"journal":{"name":"Macromol","volume":"57 1","pages":"84-93"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73317356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MacromolPub Date : 2021-03-24DOI: 10.3390/MACROMOL1020010
I. D’Auria, Z. Saki, C. Pellecchia
{"title":"Iminopyridine Ni(II) Catalysts Affording Oily Hyperbranched Ethylene Oligomers and/or Crystalline Polyethylenes Depending on the Reaction Conditions: Possible Role of In Situ Catalyst Structure Modifications","authors":"I. D’Auria, Z. Saki, C. Pellecchia","doi":"10.3390/MACROMOL1020010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/MACROMOL1020010","url":null,"abstract":"Nickel-based ethylene polymerization catalysts have unique features, being able to produce macromolecules with a variable content of branches, resulting in polymers ranging from semicrystalline plastics to elastomers to hyperbranched amorphous waxes and oils. In addition to Brookhart’s α-diimine catalysts, iminopyridine Ni(II) complexes are among the most investigated systems. We report that Ni(II) complexes bearing aryliminopyridine ligands with bulky substituents both at the imino moiety and in the 6-position of pyridine afford either hyperbranched low molecular weight polyethylene oils or prevailingly linear crystalline polyethylenes or both, depending on the ligand structure and the reaction conditions. The formation of multiple active species in situ is suggested by analysis of the post-polymerization catalyst residues, showing the partial reduction of the imino function. Some related arylaminopyridine Ni(II) complexes were also synthesized and tested, showing a peculiar behavior, i.e., the number of branches of the produced polyethylenes increases while ethylene pressure increases.","PeriodicalId":18139,"journal":{"name":"Macromol","volume":"35 1","pages":"121-129"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76485512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MacromolPub Date : 2021-03-11DOI: 10.3390/MACROMOL1010005
Eleni Psochia, L. Papadopoulos, Dimitrios Gkiliopoulos, A. Francone, Maria-Eirini Grigora, D. Tzetzis, J. V. de Castro, N. Neves, K. Triantafyllidis, C. Torres, N. Kehagias, D. Bikiaris
{"title":"Bottom-Up Development of Nanoimprinted PLLA Composite Films with Enhanced Antibacterial Properties for Smart Packaging Applications","authors":"Eleni Psochia, L. Papadopoulos, Dimitrios Gkiliopoulos, A. Francone, Maria-Eirini Grigora, D. Tzetzis, J. V. de Castro, N. Neves, K. Triantafyllidis, C. Torres, N. Kehagias, D. Bikiaris","doi":"10.3390/MACROMOL1010005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/MACROMOL1010005","url":null,"abstract":"In this work, polymer nanocomposite films based on poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) were reinforced with mesoporous silica nanoparticles, mesoporous cellular foam (MCF) and Santa Barbara amorphous-15 (SBA). PLLA is a biobased aliphatic polyester, that possesses excellent thermomechanical properties, and has already been commercialized for packaging applications. The aim was to utilize nanoparticles that have already been established as nanocarriers to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of PLLA. Since the introduction of antibacterial properties has become an emerging trend in packaging applications, to achieve an effective antimicrobial activity, micro/nano 3D micropillars decorated with cone- and needle-shaped nanostructures were implemented on the surface of the films by means of thermal nanoimprint lithography (t-NIL), a novel and feasible fabrication technique with multiple industrial applications. The materials were characterized regarding their composition and crystallinity using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively, and their thermal properties using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Their mechanical properties were examined by the nanoindentation technique, while the films’ antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains was tested in vitro. The results demonstrated the successful production of nanocomposite PLLA films, which exhibited improved mechanical and thermal properties compared to the pristine material, as well as notable antibacterial activity, setting new groundwork for the potential development of biobased smart packaging materials.","PeriodicalId":18139,"journal":{"name":"Macromol","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83112685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MacromolPub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.3390/macromol1030016
Inhwan Cha, Seohyun Baek, Sun Gu Song, Junggong Kim, H. Lee, Jongman Lee, Kyung-su Kim, Changsik Song
{"title":"Inter- and Intra-Hydrogen Bonding Strategy to Control the Fluorescence of Acylhydrazone-Based Conjugated Microporous Polymers and Their Application to Nitroaromatics Detection","authors":"Inhwan Cha, Seohyun Baek, Sun Gu Song, Junggong Kim, H. Lee, Jongman Lee, Kyung-su Kim, Changsik Song","doi":"10.3390/macromol1030016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol1030016","url":null,"abstract":"Acylhydrazone-based fluorescent conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) with inter-and intra-hydrogen bonding-controlled emissive properties were prepared. The synthesized CMPs (BH-CMP and ABH-CMP) were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, solid-state 13C cross polarization/magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Interestingly, BH-CMP exhibited emission enhancement via adsorption of water molecules, whereas the emission of ABH-CMP, which possesses free amine groups, decreased upon the addition of water molecules. The differences in the emission trends of BH-CMP and ABH-CMP in the presence of water molecules originate from the formation of different hydrogen-bonding networks in each CMP. The acylhydrazone-based CMPs were applied to the detection of nitroaromatic compounds. As a result, ABH-CMP in DMF exhibited high selectivity for 1,3,5-trinitrotoluene (TNT) over other nitroaromatic compounds nitrobenzene, 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene, 2,3-dichloronitrobenzene, and 2,4-dinitrotoluene.","PeriodicalId":18139,"journal":{"name":"Macromol","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77024234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MacromolPub Date : 2020-12-22DOI: 10.3390/macromol1010004
A. Papagiannopoulos, E. Vlassi, S. Pispas, C. Tsitsilianis, A. Radulescu
{"title":"Polyethylene Oxide Hydrogels Crosslinked by Peroxide for the Controlled Release of Proteins","authors":"A. Papagiannopoulos, E. Vlassi, S. Pispas, C. Tsitsilianis, A. Radulescu","doi":"10.3390/macromol1010004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol1010004","url":null,"abstract":"Crosslinking of polyethylene oxide (PEO) using a peroxide in the melt is employed to synthesize soft hydrogels with the ability of controlled release of proteins. The viscoelastic properties of the swollen networks confirm the elastic nature of the synthesized material and they are in agreement with swelling characteristics. The hydrogels have mesh sizes at the nm scale as it is estimated by swelling measurements and measured by small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Diffusion of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LYZ) out of the hydrogels is restricted by the presence of the network. The diffusion coefficient in the hydrogels is lower for BSA in comparison to LYZ, while in both cases it drops as the mesh size of the network becomes smaller. This study introduces the use of peroxide-crosslinked PEO networks in the investigation of protein transport within hydrogels, the development of hydrogel-based protein delivery patches and polymeric constructs.","PeriodicalId":18139,"journal":{"name":"Macromol","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84202960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MacromolPub Date : 2020-12-22DOI: 10.3390/macromol1010003
Ikhlas Gadwal
{"title":"A Brief Overview on Preparation of Self-Healing Polymers and Coatings via Hydrogen Bonding Interactions","authors":"Ikhlas Gadwal","doi":"10.3390/macromol1010003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol1010003","url":null,"abstract":"Self-healing coatings or materials have received significant importance in paint, coating, and other industries, as well as in academia, because of their capability to extend materials service life, improving protection, and ensuring sustainability. This review article emphasizes significant advances accomplished in the preparation and properties of intrinsic self-healing materials exclusively based on hydrogen bonding interactions, with possible applications in coatings and adhesives. The main topic of discussion in this review article is the preparation, healing conditions, healing efficiency, and mechanical property recovery after healing. The last part of the review discusses the conclusions and outlook of self-healing materials.","PeriodicalId":18139,"journal":{"name":"Macromol","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76417433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MacromolPub Date : 2020-12-21DOI: 10.3390/macromol1010002
L. Poon, Jacob R. Hum, R. Weiss
{"title":"Neat Linear Polysiloxane-Based Ionic Polymers: Insights into Structure-Based Property Modifications and Applications","authors":"L. Poon, Jacob R. Hum, R. Weiss","doi":"10.3390/macromol1010002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol1010002","url":null,"abstract":"A diverse range of linear polysiloxane-based ionic polymers that are hydrophobic and highly flexible can be obtained by substituting the polymers with varying amounts of ionic centers. The materials can be highly crystalline solids, amorphous soft solids, poly(ionic) liquids or viscous polymer liquids. A key to understanding how structural variations can lead to these different materials is the establishment of correlations between the physical (dynamic and static) properties and the structures of the polymers at different distance scales. This short review provides such correlations by examining the influence of structural properties (such as molecular weights, ion pair contents, and ion types) on key bulk properties of the materials.","PeriodicalId":18139,"journal":{"name":"Macromol","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85882813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}