Gels, Volume 10, Issue 6 (June 2024) – 51 articles

This review explores the recent progress on carbon xerogels (CXs) and highlights their development and use as efficient electrodes in organic electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs). In addition, this work examines how the adjustment of synthesis parameters, such as pH, polymerization duration, and the reactant-to-catalyst ratio, crucially affects the structure and electrochemical properties of xerogels. The adaptability of xerogels in terms of modification of their porosity and structure plays a vital role in the improvement of EDLC applications as it directly influences the interaction between electrolyte ions and the electrode surface, which is a key factor in determining EDLC performance. The review further discusses the substantial effects of chemical activation with KOH on the improvement of the porous structure and specific surface area, which leads to notable electrochemical enhancements. This structural control facilitates improvement in ion transport and storage, which are essential for efficient EDLC charge–discharge (C–D) cycles. Compared with commercial activated carbons for EDLC electrodes, CXs attract interest for their superior surface area, lower electrical resistance, and stable performance across diverse C–D rates, which underscore their promising potential in EDLC applications. This in-depth review not only summarizes the advancements in CX research but also highlights their potential to expand and improve EDLC applications and demonstrate the critical role of their tunable porosity and structure in the evolution of next-generation energy storage systems. Full article

The aim of this study was to produce Bologna sausages rich in unsaturated fatty acids and to evaluate this replacement on the structural characteristics. For the purpose of a comparative analysis, three different types of sausages were produced, distinct only in the type of fat used: I. sausages obtained with pork backfat (PBF), II. sausages produced with oleogel formed from refined sunflower oil and glycerol monostearate (GM_OG), and III. with candelilla wax oleogel (CW_OG). The meat composition was also analyzed to better understand the process in the dynamics and the finished products were analyzed both uncooked and cooked. The enhanced oil-binding capacity of oleogels suggests their potential value as substitutes for saturated fats (>99%). In terms of meat composition textural analysis, the highest hardness value was registered for PBF_C of 25.23 N, followed by a CW_OG_C of 13.08 N and a GM_OG_C of 12.27 N. However, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, springiness index, and gumminess showed similar values between samples. Reformulation of products with oleogels as a fat source abundant in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids resulted in uncooked products exhibiting reduced hardness values of 49.01 N (CW_OG_US) and 40.51 N (GM_OG_US), compared to 65.03 N (PBF_US). Color results of the cross-section color can indicate the potential for consumer acceptance due to the reduced color differences between the conventional and oleogel samples. Full article

Hospital-acquired infections are considered a priority for public health systems since they pose a significant burden for society. High-touch surfaces of healthcare centers, including textiles, provide a suitable environment for pathogenic bacteria to grow, necessitating incorporating effective antibacterial agents into textiles. This paper introduces a highly durable antibacterial gel-like solution, Silver Shell™ finish, which contains chitosan-bound silver chloride microparticles. The study investigates the coating’s environmental impact, health risks, and durability during repeated washing. The structure of the Silver Shell™ finish was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The TEM images showed a core–shell structure, with chitosan forming a protective shell around groupings of silver microparticles. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) demonstrated the uniform deposition of Silver Shell™ on the surfaces of the fabrics. AATCC Test Method 100 was employed to quantitatively analyze the antibacterial properties of the fabrics coated with silver microparticles. Two types of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), were used in this study. The antibacterial results showed that after 75 wash cycles, a 100% reduction for both S. aureus and E. coli in the coated samples using crosslinking agents was observed. The coated samples without a crosslinking agent exhibited 99.88% and 99.81% reductions for S. aureus and E. coli after 50 washing cycles. To compare the antibacterial properties toward non-pathogenic and pathogenic strains of the same species, MG1655 model E. coli strain (ATCC 29213) and a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate were used. The results showed the antibacterial efficiency of the Silver Shell^TM solution (up to 99.99% reduction) coated on cotton fabric. AATCC-147 was performed to investigate the coated samples’ leaching properties and the crosslinking agent’s effects against S. aureus and E. coli. All coated samples demonstrated remarkable antibacterial efficacy, even after 75 wash cycles. The crosslinking agent facilitated durable attachment between the silver microparticles and cotton substrate, minimizing the release of particles from the fabrics. Color measurements were conducted to assess the color differences resulting from the coating process. The results indicated fixation values of 44%, 32%, and 28% following 25, 50, and 75 washing cycles, respectively. Full article

The objective of this study was to develop candelilla wax oleogels with hemp seed oil and olive oil and use them as a fat source in the development of new plant-based ice cream assortments. Oleogels were structured with 3 and 9% candelilla wax and characterized by oil-binding capacity, peroxide value and color parameters. The oil-binding capacities of 9% wax oleogels were significantly higher than those of 3% wax oleogels, while peroxide values of oleogels decrease with increasing wax dosage. All oleogel samples are yellow-green due to the pigments present in the oils and candelilla wax. Physicochemical (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, fat, protein) and rheological (viscosity and viscoelastic modulus) parameters of plant-based ice cream mixes with oleogels were determined. Also, sensory attributes and texture parameters were investigated. The results showed that titratable acidity and fat content of plant-based ice cream samples increased with increasing wax percentage, while pH, soluble solids and protein values are more influenced by the type of plant milk used. The plant-based ice cream sample with spelt milk, hemp oil and 9% candelilla wax received the highest overall acceptability score. The hardness of the plant-based ice cream samples increased as the percentage of candelilla wax added increased. Full article

(1) Background: There is a lack of knowledge about how a single dose of COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might affect the release of growth factors (GFs) and cytokines from canine platelet-rich gels (PRGs) and other hemocomponents. (2) Methods: A crossover study was conducted in six adult mongrel dogs. Animals were randomized to receive a single dose of either carprofen or firocoxib. PRG, temperature-induced platelet lysate (TIPL), chemically induced PL (CIPL), and plasma hemocomponents were obtained from each dog before (1 h) and after (6 h) the treatments. Platelet and leukocyte counts and determination of the concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor-BB, (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β₁), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and IL-10 concentrations were assayed by ELISA in all hemocomponents. (3) Results: Both platelet and leukocyte counts and PDGF-BB concentrations were not affected by NSAIDs and time. Total TGF-β₁ concentrations were not affected by NSAIDs; however, the release of this GF was increased in PRG supernatants (PRGS) at 6 h. IL-1β and TNF-α concentrations were significantly (p < 0.001) lower in both firocoxib PRGS and plasma at 6 h, respectively. IL-10 concentrations were significantly (p < 0.001) lower at 6 h in all hemocomponents treated with both NSAIDs. (4) Conclusions: The clinical implications of our findings could indicate that these drugs should be withdrawn from patients to allow their clearance before the clinical use of PRP/PRG. On the other hand, the prophylactic use of NSAIDs to avoid the inflammatory reactions that some patients might have after PRP/PRG treatment should be performed only in those animals with severe reactive inflammation to the treatment. Full article

It is shown that a more than significant amount of experimental data obtained in the field of studying systems based on thermosensitive hydrophilic polymers and reflected in the literature over the past decades makes the issue of their systematization and classification relevant. This, in turn, makes relevant the question of choosing the appropriate classification criteria. It is shown that the basic classification feature can be the number of phase transition stages, which can vary from one to four or more depending on the nature of the temperature-sensitive system. In this work, the method of inverse phase portraits is proposed for the first time. It was intended, among other things, to identify the number of phase transition stages. Moreover, the accuracy of this method significantly exceeds the accuracy of the previously used method of direct phase portraits since, for the first time, the operation of numerical differentiation is replaced by the operation of numerical integration. A specific example of the application of the proposed method for the analysis of a previously studied temperature-sensitive system is presented. It is shown that this method also allows for a quantitative comparison between the results obtained by the differential calorimetry method and the turbidimetry method. Issues related to increasing the resolution of the method of direct phase portraits are discussed. Full article

Aerogels have emerged as appealing materials for various applications due to their unique features, such as low density, high porosity, high surface area, and low thermal conductivity. Aiming to bring the advantages of these materials to the environmental field, this study focuses on synthesizing magnetic silica aerogel-based films suitable for water decontamination. In this respect, a novel microfluidic platform was created to obtain core-shell iron oxide nanoparticles that were further incorporated into gel-forming precursor solutions. Afterward, dip-coating deposition was utilized to create thin layers of silica-based gels, which were further processed by 15-hour gelation time, solvent transfer, and further CO₂ desiccation. A series of physicochemical analyses (XRD, HR-MS FT-ICR, FT-IR, TEM, SEM, and EDS) were performed to characterize the final films and intermediate products. The proposed advanced imaging experimental model for film homogeneity and adsorption characteristics confirmed uniform aerogel film deposition, nanostructured surface, and ability to remove pesticides from contaminated water samples. Based on thorough investigations, it was concluded that the fabricated magnetic aerogel-based thin films are promising candidates for water decontamination and novel solid-phase extraction sample preparation. Full article

The behavior of polyzwitterions, constituted by dipole-like zwitterionic monomers, is significantly different from that of uniformly charged polyelectrolytes. The origin of this difference lies in the intrinsic capacity of polyzwitterions to self-associate intramolecularly and associate with interpenetrating chains driven by dominant dipolar interactions. Earlier attempts to treat polyzwitterions implicitly assume that the dipoles of zwitterion monomers are randomly oriented. At ambient temperatures, the dipolar zwitterion monomers can readily align with each other generating quadrupoles and other multipoles and thus generating heterogeneous structures even in homogeneous solutions. Towards an attempt to understand the role of such dipolar associations, we present a mean field theory of solutions of polyzwitterions. Generally, we delineate a high-temperature regime where the zwitterion dipoles are randomly oriented from a low-temperature regime where quadrupole formation is significantly prevalent. We present closed-form formulas for: (1) Coil-globule transition in the low-temperature regime, the anti-polyelectrolyte effect of chain expansion upon addition of low molar mass salt, and chain relaxation times in dilute solutions. (2) Spontaneous formation of a mesomorphic state at the borderline between the high-temperature and low-temperature regimes and its characteristics. A universal law is presented for the radius of gyration of the microgel, as a proportionality to one-sixth power of the polymer concentration. (3) Swelling equilibrium of chemically cross-linked polyzwitterion gels in both the high temperature and low-temperature regimes. Addressing the hierarchical internal dynamics of polyzwitterion gels, we present a general stretched exponential law for the time-correlation function of gel displacement vector, that can be measured in dynamic light scattering experiments. The present theory is of direct experimental relevance and additional theoretical developments to all polyzwitterion systems, and generally to biological macromolecular systems such as intrinsically disordered proteins. Full article

Fly ash was used as raw material to prepare zeolites through silicate gels, assisted bythe hydrothermal method. The silicate gels could be effectively formed in a few minutes in a molten alkali environment. The zeolites could be prepared by using these silicate gels through the hydrothermal method, which realizes the transformation from useless materials to highly valuable materials. The obtained zeoliteswere applied to the removal of ammonium in water, achieving the highvalue utilization of fly ash. The synthesized zeolites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), thermogravimetric (TG),and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The study on the adsorption and removal of ammonium in water shows that the adsorption of ammonium is more in line with pseudo first-order kinetics, and the adsorption mainly occurs in the first 20 min. The adsorption can reach equilibrium in 30 minutes, and the maximum adsorption capacity can reach 49.1 mg/g. The adsorption capacity of ammonium has the best performance at pH = 5. Furthermore, within a certain range, an increase in temperature is beneficial for the removal of ammonium. Full article

Acute and chronic wounds present a significant healthcare challenge, requiring innovative solutions for effective treatment. The exploitation of natural by-products with advanced cell regeneration potential and plant-based materials, which possess bioactive properties, is an innovative topic in wound management. This study investigates the potential of donkey gelatin and keratin for blending with natural bioactive extracts such as sumac, curcumin, and oak acorn to fabricate antioxidant and antimicrobial nanofibers with accelerated wound healing processes. The fabricated nanofibers possess good in vitro biocompatibility, except for the sumac-based donkey nanofibers, where cell viability significantly dropped to 56.25% (p < 0.05 compared to non-treated cells). The nanofiber dimensions showed structural similarities to human extracellular matrix components, providing an ideal microenvironment for tissue regeneration. The donkey nanofiber-based sumac and curcumin extracts presented a higher dissolution in the first 10 min (74% and 72%). Curcumin extract showed similar antimicrobial and antifungal performances to rivanol, while acorn and sumac extracts demonstrated similar values to each other. In vitro tests performed on murine fibroblast cells demonstrated high migration rates of 89% and 85% after 24 h in the case of acorn and curcumin nanofibers, respectively, underscoring the potential of these nanofibers as versatile platforms for advanced wound care applications. Full article

Effective forest fire suppression remains a critical challenge, necessitating innovative solutions. Temperature-sensitive hydrogels represent a promising avenue in this endeavor. Traditional firefighting methods often struggle to address forest fires efficiently while mitigating ecological harm and optimizing resource utilization. In this study, a novel intelligent temperature-sensitive hydrogel was prepared specially for forest fire extinguishment. Utilizing a one-pot synthesis approach, this material demonstrates exceptional fluidity at ambient temperatures, facilitating convenient application and transport. Upon exposure to elevated temperatures, it undergoes a phase transition to form a solid, barrier-like structure essential for containing forest fires. The incorporation of environmentally friendly phosphorus salts into the chitosan/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gel system enhances the formation of temperature-sensitive hydrogels, thereby enhancing their structural integrity and firefighting efficacy. Morphological and thermal stability analyses elucidate the outstanding performance, with the hydrogel forming a dense carbonized layer that acts as a robust barrier against the spread of forest fires. Additionally, comprehensive evaluations employing rheological tests, cone calorimeter tests, a swelling test, and infrared thermography reveal the multifaceted roles of temperature-sensitive hydrogels in forest fire prevention and suppression strategies. Full article

In energy applications, the use of materials with hierarchical porous structures and large surface areas is essential for efficient charge storage. These structures facilitate rapid electron and ion transport, resulting in high power density and quick charge/discharge capabilities. Carbon-based materials are extensively utilized due to their tunable properties, including pore sizes ranging from ultra- to macropores and surface polarity. Incorporating heteroatoms such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, and boron modifies the carbon structure, enhancing electrocatalytic properties and overall performance. A hierarchical pore structure is necessary for optimal performance, as it ensures efficient access to the material’s core. The microstructure of carbon materials significantly impacts energy storage, with factors like polyaromatic condensation, crystallite structure, and interlayer distance playing crucial roles. Carbon aerogels, derived from the carbonization of organic gels, feature a sponge-like structure with large surface area and high porosity, making them suitable for energy storage. Their open pore structure supports fast ion transfer, leading to high energy and power densities. Challenges include maintaining mechanical or structural integrity, multifunctional features, and scalability. This review provides an overview of the current progress in carbon-based aerogels for energy applications, discussing their properties, development strategies, and limitations, and offering significant guidance for future research requirements. Full article

Contamination with cadmium (Cd) is a prominent issue in agricultural non-point source pollution in China. With the deposition and activation of numerous Cd metal elements in farmland, the problem of excessive pollution of agricultural produce can no longer be disregarded. Considering the issue of Cd pollution in farmland, this study proposes the utilization of cross-linked modified biochar (prepared from pine wood) and calcium alginate hydrogels to fabricate a composite material which is called MB-CA for short. The aim is to investigate the adsorption and passivation mechanism of soil Cd by this innovative composite. The MB-CA exhibits a higher heavy metal adsorption capacity compared to traditional biochar and hydrogel due to its increased oxygen-containing functional groups and heavy metal adsorption sites. In the Cd solution adsorption experiment, the highest Cd²⁺ removal rate reached 85.48%. In addition, it was found that the material also has an excellent pH improvement effect. Through the adsorption kinetics experiment and the soil culture experiments, it was determined that MB-CA adheres to the quasi-second-order kinetic model and is capable of adsorbing 35.94% of Cd²⁺ in soil. This study validates the efficacy of MB-CA in the adsorption and passivation of Cd in soil, offering a novel approach for managing Cd-contaminated cultivated land. Full article

Bacterial cellulose is a biocompatible biomaterial with a unique macromolecular structure. Unlike plant-derived cellulose, bacterial cellulose is produced by certain bacteria, resulting in a sustainable material consisting of self-assembled nanostructured fibers with high crystallinity. Due to its purity, bacterial cellulose is appealing for biomedical applications and has raised increasing interest, particularly in the context of 3D printing for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Bacterial cellulose can serve as an excellent bioink in 3D printing, due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to mimic the collagen fibrils from the extracellular matrix (ECM) of connective tissues. Its nanofibrillar structure provides a suitable scaffold for cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation, crucial for tissue regeneration. Moreover, its mechanical strength and flexibility allow for the precise printing of complex tissue structures. Bacterial cellulose itself has no antimicrobial activity, but due to its ideal structure, it serves as matrix for other bioactive molecules, resulting in a hybrid product with antimicrobial properties, particularly advantageous in the management of chronic wounds healing process. Overall, this unique combination of properties makes bacterial cellulose a promising material for manufacturing hydrogels and 3D-printed scaffolds, advancing the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Full article

In this research, we explore the potential of employing density functional theory (DFT) for the design of biodegradable hydrogels aimed at capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. We employed biodegradable hydrogel models, including polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, chitosan, and poly-2-hydroxymethacrylate. The complexation process between the hydrogel and CO₂ was thoroughly investigated at the ωB97X-D/6-311G(2d,p) theoretical level. Our findings reveal a strong affinity between the hydrogel models and CO₂, with binding energies ranging from −4.5 to −6.5 kcal/mol, indicative of physisorption processes. The absorption order observed was as follows: chitosan > PVP > HEAC > PEG. Additionally, thermodynamic parameters substantiated this sequence and even suggested that these complexes remain stable up to 160 °C. Consequently, these polymers present a promising avenue for crafting novel materials for CO₂ capture applications. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to optimize the design of these materials and assess their performance across various environmental conditions. Full article

A combination of Poloxamer 407 (P407) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) hydrosols is proposed as an in situ thermo-gelling vehicle for the nasal drug delivery of chlorhexidine–silver nanoparticles conjugates (SN-CX). Optimization of the formulation was carried out by applying varying ratios of P407 and HPMC in the presence and absence of SN-CX so that gelation would occur in the temperature range of the nasal cavity (30–34 °C). Mechanisms for the observed gelation phenomena were suggested based on viscosimetry, texture analysis, and dynamic light scattering. Tests were carried out for sprayability, washout time, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation, and antimicrobial activity. When applied separately, HPMC was found to lower the P407 gelation temperature (T_g), whereas SN-CX increased it. However, in the presence of HPMC, SN-CX interfered with the P407 micellar organization in a principally contrasting way while leading to an even further decrease in T_g. SN-CX-loaded nasal formulations composed of P407 16% and HPMC 0.1% demonstrated a desired gelation at 31.9 °C, good sprayability (52.95% coverage of the anterior nasal cavity), mucoadhesion for 70 min under simulated nasal clearance, expedient release and permeation, and preserved anti-infective activity against seasonal Influenza virus and beta-coronavirus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogens. Our findings suggest that the current development could be considered a potential formulation of a protective nasal spray against respiratory infections. Full article

In contrast to rapeseed oil, pumpkin seed oil has yet to be well investigated in terms of oleogelation, and, to the best of our knowledge, no study related to the use of ethylcellulose (EC) in the structuring of this oil has been identified in the current scientific literature. Therefore, the present study evaluated several oleogels formulated with EC as the oleogelator in different concentrations of 7% (OG7) and 9% (OG9), based on cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil (PO) and refined rapeseed oil (RO), as well as on mixtures of the two oils in different combinations: PO:RO (3:1) (PRO) and PO:RO (1:1) (RPO). Physicochemical properties such as visual appearance, gel formation time (GFT), oil-binding capacity (OBC), oxidative and thermal stability, and textural characteristics were analyzed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) were used in the statistical analysis of the data, with a significance level of p < 0.05. EC proved to be an effective structuring agent of the mentioned edible oils; the type of oils and the concentration of oleogelator significantly influenced the characteristics of the obtained oleogels. The 9% EC oleogels exhibited a more rigid structure, with a higher OBC and a reduced GFT. Pumpkin seed oil led to more stable oleogels, while the mixture of pumpkin seed oil with rapeseed oil caused a significant reduction in their mechanical properties and decreased the OBC. After 14 days of storage, all oleogels demonstrated proper oxidative stability within the bounds set by international regulations for edible fats, regardless of the kind of oil and EC concentration. All of the oleogels showed a higher oxidative stability than the oils utilized in their formulation; however, those prepared with cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil indicated a lower level of lipid oxidation among all oleogels. The P-OG9 and PR-OG9 oleogels, which mainly included PO and contained 9% EC, demonstrated the optimum levels of quality in texture, GFT, OBC, and oxidative stability. Full article

This study centers on the development and characterization of an innovative electrochemical sensing probe composed of a sensing mesoporous functional sol–gel coating integrated onto a glassy carbon electrode (sol–gel/GCE) for the detection of NH₃ and/or NH₄⁺ in water. The main interest for integrating a functional sol–gel coating onto a GCE is to increase the selective and sensing properties of the GCE probe towards NH₃ and/or NH₄⁺ ions. The structure and surface morphology of the newly developed sol–gel/GCE probe were characterized employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), while the electrochemical sensing properties were evaluated by Berthelot’s reaction, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and adsorptive square wave–anodic striping voltammetry (Ads SW–ASV). It is shown that the newly developed sol–gel coating is homogeneously deposited on the GCE with a sub-micron and uniform thickness close to 630 nm and a surface roughness of 25 nm. The sensing testing of the sol–gel/GCE probe showed limits of detection and limits of quantitation of 1.7 and 5.56 nM of NH₄⁺, respectively, as well as a probe sensitivity of 5.74 × 10⁻¹ μA/μM cm⁻². The developed probe was fruitfully validated for the selective detection of NH₃/NH₄⁺ in fresh and sea water samples. Computed Student t_exp (0.45–1.25) and F_exp (1.69–1.78) (n = 5) tests were less than the theoretical t_tab (2.78) and F_tab (6.39) at 95% probability. Full article

At the forefront of advanced material technology, radiation-induced hydrogels present a promising avenue for innovation across various sectors, utilizing gamma radiation, electron beam radiation, and UV radiation. Through the unique synthesis process involving radiation exposure, these hydrogels exhibit exceptional properties that make them highly versatile and valuable for a multitude of applications. This paper focuses on the intricacies of the synthesis methods employed in creating these radiation-induced hydrogels, shedding light on their structural characteristics and functional benefits. In particular, the paper analyzes the diverse utility of these hydrogels in biomedicine and agriculture, showcasing their potential for applications such as targeted drug delivery, injury recovery, and even environmental engineering solutions. By analyzing current research trends and highlighting potential future directions, this review aims to underscore the transformative impact that radiation-induced hydrogels could have on various industries and the advancement of biomedical and agricultural practices. Full article

Due to their high surface area and low weight, silica aerogels are ideally suited for several uses, including drug delivery, catalysis, and insulation. Oil–water–oil (OWO) double emulsion is a simple and regulated technique for encasing a volatile oil phase in a silica shell to produce hollow silica (SiO₂) aerogel particles by using hydrophilic and hydrophobic emulsifiers. In this study, the oil–water–oil (OWO) double emulsion method was implemented to synthesize surface-modified hollow silica (SiO₂) aerogel particles in a facile and effective way. This investigation mainly focused on the influence of the N-hexane-to-water glass (OW) ratio (r) in the first emulsion, silica (water glass) content concentration (x), and surfactant concentration (s) variations. Furthermore, surface modification techniques were utilized to customize the aerogel’s characteristics. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed no imprints of impurities except SiO₂. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images highlight the hollow microstructure of silica particles. Zeta potential was used to determine particle size analysis of hollow silica aerogel particles. The oil–water–oil (OWO) double emulsion approach was successfully employed to synthesize surface-modified hollow silica (SiO₂) aerogel particles, providing precise control over the particle characteristics. By the influence of the optimization condition, this approach improves the aerogel’s potential applications in drug delivery, catalysis, and insulation by enabling surface modifications. Full article

The aim of this study was to obtain films based on sodium alginate (SA) for disintegration in the oral cavity. The films were prepared with a solvent-casting method, and meloxicam (MLX) as the active ingredient was suspended in a 3% sodium alginate solution. Two different solid-dosage-form additives containing different disintegrating agents, i.e., VIVAPUR 112^® (MCC; JRS Pharma, Rosenberg, Germany) and Prosolve EASYtabs SP^® (MIX; JRS Pharma, Rosenberg, Germany), were used, and four different combinations of drying time and temperature were tested. The influence of the used disintegrant on the properties of the ODFs (orodispersible films) was investigated. The obtained films were studied for their appearance, elasticity, mass uniformity, water content, meloxicam content and, finally, disintegration time, which was studied using two different methods. The films obtained with the solvent-casting method were flexible and homogeneous in terms of MLX content. Elasticity was slightly better when MIX was used as a disintegrating agent. However, these samples also revealed worse uniformity and mechanical durability. It was concluded that the best properties of the films were achieved using the mildest drying conditions. The type of the disintegrating agent had no effect on the amount of water remaining in the film after drying. The water content depended on the drying conditions. The disintegration time was not affected by the disintegrant type, but some differences were observed when various drying conditions were applied. However, regardless of the formulation type and manufacturing conditions, the analyzed films could not be classified as fast disintegrating films, as the disintegration time exceeded 30 s in all of the tested formulations. Full article

Given the increasingly severe environmental problems caused by water pollution, the degradation of organic dyes can be effectively achieved through the utilization of photocatalysis. In this work, metal alkoxides and a combination of alcohol/hydrophobic solvents are employed to prepare BaTiO₃ aerogels via a liquid-phase and template-free synthetic route. The preparation process of the aerogels solely entails facile agitation and supercritical drying, eliminating the need for additional heat treatment. The binary solvent of ethanol and toluene is identified as the optimal choice, resulting in a significantly enhanced surface area (up to 223 m²/g) and an abundant pore structure of BaTiO₃ aerogels compared to that of the BaTiO₃ nanoparticles. Thus, the removal efficiency of the BaTiO₃ aerogel sample for MO is nearly twice as high as that of the BaTiO₃ nanoparticles sample. Noble metal Ag nanoparticles’ deposition onto the BaTiO₃ aerogel surface is further achieved via the photochemical deposition method, which enhances the capture of photogenerated electrons, thereby ensuring an elevated level of photocatalytic efficiency. As a result, Ag nanoparticles deposited on BaTiO₃ aerogel can degrade MO completely after 40 min of illumination, while the corresponding aerogel before modification can only remove 80% of MO after 60 min. The present work not only complements the preparatory investigation of intricate aerogels but also offers a fresh perspective for the development of diverse perovskite aerogels with broad applications. Full article

Osteoclast stimulatory transmembrane protein (OC-STAMP) plays a pivotal role in the promotion of cell fusion during osteoclast differentiation (osteoclastogenesis) in the context of pathogenic bone resorption. Thus, it is plausible that the suppression of OC-STAMP through a bioengineering approach could lead to the development of an effective treatment for inflammatory bone resorptive diseases with minimum side effects. Here, we synthesized two types of spermine-bearing (Spe) cationic glucan dendrimer (GD) gels (with or without C12) as carriers of short interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence OC-STAMP. The results showed that amphiphilic C12-GD-Spe gel was more efficient in silencing OC-STAMP than GD-Spe gel and that the mixture of anti-OC-STAMP siRNA/C12-GD-Spe significantly downregulated RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Also, local injection of anti-OC-STAMP-siRNA/C12-GD-Spe could attenuate bone resorption induced in a mouse model of periodontitis. These results suggest that OC-STAMP is a promising target for the development of a novel bone regenerative therapy and that C12-GD-Spe gel provides a new nanocarrier platform of gene therapies for osteolytic disease. Full article

The therapeutic effects of curcumin and its derivatives, based on research in recent years, are limited by their low bioavailability. To improve bioavailability and develop the medical field of application, different delivery systems have been developed that are adapted to certain environments or the proposed target type. This study presents some half-curcuminoids prepared by the condensation of acetylacetone with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (C1), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (C2), 4-acetamidobenzaldehyde (C3), or 4-diethylaminobenzaldehyde (C4), at microwaves as a simple, solvent-free, and eco-friendly method. The four compounds obtained were characterized in terms of morphostructural and photophysical properties. Following the predictions of theoretical studies on the biological activities related to the molecular structure, in vitro tests were performed for compounds C1–C3 to evaluate the antitumor properties and for C4’s possible applications in the treatment of neurological diseases. The four compounds were encapsulated in two types of hydrogel matrices. First, the alginate–glucosamine network was generated and then the curcumin analogs were loaded (G1, G3, G5–G7, and G9). The second type of hydrogels was obtained by loading the active compound together with the generation of the hydrogel carrier matrices, by simply dissolving (G4 and G10) or by chemically binding half-curcuminoid derivatives to glucosamine (G2 and G8). Thus, two types of curcumin analog delivery systems were obtained, which could be applied in various types of medical treatments. Full article

Along with serving as drug delivery sensors and flexible devices, hydrogels are playing pioneering roles in water purification. Both chemical and radiation methods can produce hydrogels, with the latter method gaining preference for its pure adducts. The water treatment process entails the removal of heavy and toxic metals (above the threshold amount), dyes, and solid wastes from industrial effluents, seawater, and groundwater, as well as sterilization for microorganism destruction. This review analyzed the different types of hydrogels produced by applying various radiations for water treatment. Particularly, we examined the hydrogels created through the application of varying levels of gamma and electron beam radiation from the electron gun and Co-60 sources. Moreover, we discuss the optimized radiation doses, the compositions (monomers and polymers) of raw materials required for hydrogel preparation, and their performance in water purification. We present and predict the current state and future possibilities of radiation-induced hydrogels. We explain and compare the superiority of one radiation method over other radiation methods (UV-visible, X-ray, microwave, etc.) based on water treatment. Full article

Silver Carp (SC) is an under-utilized, invasive species in North American river systems. In this study, the synergistic effects of manufactured Microfiber (MMF), Transglutaminase (TG), and chicken skin collagen (CLG)) to enhance surimi gel quality from frozen SC were studied. The gel strength, textural properties, rheological properties, water-holding capacity (WHC), water mobility, microstructure, and protein composition of the gel samples were determined to assess the impact of the additives individually and synergistically. The results suggested that TG had the most pronounced effect on the surimi gel properties by promoting protein cross-linking. Synergistic effects between TG, MMF, and CLG can bring effective gel property enhancement larger than the individual effect of each additive alone. With the established response-surface models, the combination of CLG and MMF can be optimized to produce surimi gels with less TG but comparable in properties to that of the optimal result with high TG usage. The findings of this study provided a technical foundation for making high-quality surimi gel products out of frozen-stored SC with synergistic utilization of additives, which could serve as guidelines for the industrial development of new surimi products. Full article

Calcareous sands often display wide ring grain configurations, high intragranular porosity, a complex structure, and low grain hardness. These attributes typically do not meet the strength criteria necessary to sustain overlying infrastructure in civil engineering applications. This study investigates gel stabilization techniques, blending gel material with calcareous sand at concentrations ranging from 5% to 22%, followed by curing periods of 3 to 28 days to evaluate the load-bearing capacity. Subsequently, an unconfined compressive test is performed to determine the gel material content in stabilized specimens and investigate the influence of gel material types. The gel material-to-sand ratios employed are set at 5%, 10%, and 16% for Portland cement and 13%, 16%, and 22% for gypsum. After that, a triaxial consolidated undrained test is conducted to assess mechanical behavior, pore water pressure, and mechanical properties. The findings reveal increased dilation, stress–strain hardening, and softening post-yield, regardless of gel material type. Principal stress ratios, secant modulus, and cohesion show a positive correlation with maintenance duration and binder content, with implications for improved load-bearing capacity. The study also elucidates the qualitative relationship between secant modulus E₅₀ and confining pressure. Full article

Gel treatment is an economical and efficient method of controlling excessive water production. The gelation of in situ gels is prone to being affected by the dilution of formation water, chromatographic during the transportation process, and thus controlling the gelation time and penetration depth is a challenging task. Therefore, a novel gel system termed preformed particle gels (PPGs) has been developed to overcome the drawbacks of in situ gels. PPGs are superabsorbent polymer gels which can swell but not dissolve in brines. Typically, PPGs are a granular gels formed based on the crosslinking of polyacrylamide, characterized by controllable particle size and strength. This work summarizes the application scenarios of PPGs and elucidates their plugging mechanisms. Additionally, several newly developed PPG systems such as high-temperature-resistant PPGs, re-crosslinkable PPGs, and delayed-swelling PPGs are also covered. This research indicates that PPGs can selectively block the formation of fractures or high-permeability channels. The performance of the novel modified PPGs was superior to in situ gels in harsh environments. Lastly, we outlined recommended improvements for the novel PPGs and suggested future research directions. Full article

Hydrogel-based interfacial solar-driven evaporation (ISDE) gives full play to the highly adjustable physical and chemical properties of hydrogel, which endows ISDE systems with excellent evaporation performance, anti-pollution properties, and mechanical behavior, making it more promising for applications in seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. This review systematically introduces the latest advances in hydrogel-based ISDE systems from three aspects: the required properties, the preparation methods, and the role played in application scenarios of hydrogels used in ISDE. Additionally, we also discuss the remaining challenges and potential opportunities in hydrogel-based ISDE systems. By summarizing the latest research progress, we hope that researchers in related fields have some insight into the unique advantages of hydrogels in the ISDE field and contribute our efforts so that ISDE technology reaches the finishing line of practical application on the hydrogel track. Full article