Organic-inorganic vesicular hybrids driven by assembly of dendritic amphiphiles: site-selective encapsulation of nanoparticles.

The amphiphilic block codendrimer self-assembled into supramolecular vesicles with a bilayer membrane in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvents. Surface-modified quantum dots (QDs) were successfully entrapped within the wall of vesicles through a simple self-assembly process without any structural disruption.

The synthesis of poly(vinylphosphonic acid-co-methacrylic acid) microbeads by suspension polymerization and the characterization of their indium adsorption properties.

Poly(vinylphosphonic acid-co-methacrylic acid) microbeads were synthesized by suspension polymerization, and their indium adsorption properties were investigated. The obtained microbeads were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microbeads were wrinkled spheres, irrespective of the components, and their sizes ranged from 100 to 200 µm. The microbeads were thermally stable up to 260°C. As the vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) content was increased, the synthetic yields and ion-exchange capacities decreased and the water uptakes increased. The optimum synthetic yield, ion-exchange capacity and water uptake were obtained at a 0.5 mol ratio of VPA. In addition, the maximum adsorption predicted by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model was greatest at a 0.5 mol ratio of VPA.

A new hybrid ion exchanger: effect of system parameters on the adsorption of vanadium (V).

The hybrid ion exchanger consisted of PONF-g-GMA anion fibrous exchanger and IRA-96 bead-type anion exchanger was developed by combining different types of layers with hot-melt adhesive. Its ion exchange capacity and the pressure drop with flow rate of water were measured and the adsorption of vanadium (V) ions on the hybrid ion exchanger was evaluated with various process parameters such as pH, initial concentration, and temperature. It was observed that the adsorption kinetics of vanadium (V) ions on the hybrid ion exchanger could be analyzed with pseudo-second-order model.

Patterning of proteins and cells on functionalized surfaces prepared by polyelectrolyte multilayers and micromolding in capillaries.

A method for protein and cell patterning on polyelectrolyte-coated surfaces using simple micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC) is described. MIMIC produced two distinctive regions. One contained polyethylene glycol (PEG) microstructures fabricated using photopolymerization that provided physical, chemical, and biological barriers to the nonspecific binding of proteins, bacteria, and fibroblast cells. The second region was the polyelectrolyte (PEL) coated surface that promoted protein and cell immobilization. The difference in surface functionality between the PEL region and background PEG microstructures resulted in simple patterning of biomolecules. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-tagged bovine serum albumin, E. coli expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP), and fibroblast cells were successfully bound to the exposed PEL surfaces at micron scale. Compared with the simple adsorption of protein, fluorescence intensity was dramatically improved (by about six-fold) on the PEL-modified surfaces. Although animal cell patterning is prerequisite for adhesive protein layer to survive on desired area, the PEL surface without adhesive proteins provides affordable microenvironment for cells. The simple preparation of functionalized surface but universal platform can be applied to various biomolecules such as proteins, bacteria, and cells.