Studies on physico-chemical and antibacterial properties of grafted pullulans solutions

The physico-chemical properties of three grafted pullulans (P) having linked poly(3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride (pAPTAC) as side chains (P-g-pAPTAC1, P-g-pAPTAC2 and P-g-pAPTAC3 with 22.53, 29.05, and 34.51 (wt.%) of pAPTAC content in polymer, respectively) and possessing polyelectrolyte character were determined by light scattering analysis. All grafted pullulan aqueous solutions were tested in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl, KCl, NaNO₃ or KNO₃. The biggest associations were recorded in 0.5 M NaCl aqueous solutions for P-g-pAPTAC1, P-g-pAPTAC2 and P-g-pAPTAC3 according to the maximum values for R_g extracted from MALLS (multiangle laser light scattering) measurements. Also, the dominant conformation in salted solution of these polyelectrolytes was random coil as Debye plot analysis revealed. Antibacterial activity was tested by Kirby–Bauer diffusion method and all grafted pullulans dissolved in aqueous solutions of 0.5 M NaCl have developed inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923).     

Apoferritin Modified Magnetic Particles as Doxorubicin Carriers for Anticancer Drug Delivery

Magnetic particle mediated transport in combination with nanomaterial based drug carrier has a great potential for targeted cancer therapy. In this study, doxorubicin encapsulation into the apoferritin and its conjugation with magnetic particles was investigated by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF). The quantification of encapsulated doxorubicin was performed by fluorescence spectroscopy and compared to CE-LIF. Moreover, the significant enhancement of the doxorubicin signal was observed by addition of methanol into the sample solution.     

Syndiotactic Polystyrene/Organoclay Nanocomposites: Synthesis via In Situ Coordination‐Insertion Polymerization and Preliminary Characterization

Summary: Syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS)/organophilic clay nanocomposites were obtained by in situ coordination‐insertion polymerization of styrene. Two cationic surfactants (alkylammonium and alkylphosphonium) were used for the intercalation of montmorillonite (MMT). For each organically modified clay, three protocols were performed using an MAO‐activated hemi‐metallocene catalyst, in order to compare the influence of experimental conditions on the composite microstructure and on its thermal stability. The microstructures of nanocomposites were investigated by wide angle X‐ray scattering and DSC. Partially exfoliated or intercalated materials were obtained in all cases and a decrease of crystallinity is observed. Thermal properties were also studied by DSC and thermogravimetric analysis. The presence of clay does not have a strong influence on the sPS thermal transitions but the thermal decomposition process of the material was slowed down in the presence of few organoclay percents, particularly in the degradation beginning. The influence of these two organically modified clays on the thermal stability of the material is discussed.

Gel and suspension formed from the combination of cloisite with toluene (left) and styrene (right), respectively.     

Effect of P2O5 on the Structural and Magnetic Properties of Magnetite‐Based Glass‐Ceramics

The specific morphology and magnetic properties of magnetite‐based glass‐ceramics obtained by crystallization of Fe‐containing borosilicate glassmelts in the presence of P₂O₅ as nucleating agent are investigated. We found that the distribution of the tiny nanoparticles of magnetite determines the low temperature response to magnetic field. The observed effects are discussed with respect to the following factors: (1) the existence of a multimodal size distribution of the tiny grains as revealed by Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetometry, and high‐resolution electron microscopy; (2) the existence of a disordered layer at the grain surface which is driven by field in a magnetically ordered state; and (3) the interplay between the relaxation mechanisms in different temperature ranges.     

Advances on methane steam reforming to produce hydrogen through membrane reactors technology: A review

Methane steam reforming is the most common industrial process used for almost the 50% of the world’s hydrogen production. Commonly, this reaction is performed in fixed bed reactors and several stages are needed for separating hydrogen with the desired purity. The membrane reactors represent a valid alternative to the fixed bed reactors, by combining the reforming reaction for producing hydrogen and its separation in only one stage. This article deals with the recent progress on methane steam reforming reaction, giving a short overview on catalysts utilization as well as on the fundamentals of membrane reactors, also summarizing the relevant advancements in this field.     

Preparation of nanocomposites based on PP and PA6 by direct injection molding

Nanocomposites based on polyamide 6 (PA6) and polypropylene (PP) have been prepared by melt compounding the above polymer matrices with two montmorillonite(MMT)‐type commercial organoclays which, from previous studies of ours and from some results reported in literature, resulted to be the most proper layered silicates to be dispersed in PP and PA6, respectively. The preparation of nanocomposites has followed two different approaches. In the first, melt blending was carried out by twin screw extrusion whereas, direct injection molding was used in the second method. X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) characterizations have evidenced that independently of the preparation approach, nanostructured material were obtained, which are intercalated in the case of PP and exfoliated in that of PA6. Also mechanical properties have demonstrated that nanocomposites prepared by applying the two methods were characterized by similar features. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of direct injection molding in the preparation of nanocomposites, whose features are similar to those prepared by compounding. Indeed, the elongational deformation, applied in the former technique, might favor the clay dispersion in the polymer matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Highly bright and photostable cyanine dye-doped silica nanoparticles for optical imaging: Photophysical characterization and cell tests

Spherical silica nanoparticles containing fluorescent trimethine indocyanine dyes (λ_abs = 547 nm, λ_em = 570 nm) were prepared using a water-in-oil microemulsion method. The nanoparticles were of 50 nm diameter and were almost monodispersed in aqueous solution at pH 5.5. Entrapment of dye molecules in the silica matrix stabilised photoemission over several hours of continuous irradiation. The photoemission intensity of the indocyanine was increased 13-fold over that recorded in solution. As each nanoparticle contained 110 dye molecules, the photoemission brightness of each particle was enhanced by three orders of magnitude. The fluorescent nanoparticles have been tested as imaging tools in in vitro tests. As an example of non-macrophagic cells, a highly differentiated neuronal cell line (GT1-7) was used and the results showed that the prepared nanoparticles can be incorporated into these cells with no apparent toxicity for up to three days.