A new-fangled horizon in leather process to sidestep toxic chrome and formaldehyde using hyperbranched polymer.

A novel chrome-free tanning and formaldehyde-free post tanning process with PEG-melamine base hyperbranched polymer by complexing aluminum (Al3+) present in aluminum sulfate for eco-friendly tanning applications. The hyperbranched polymers PEGM-400-C-Al and PEGM-600-C-Al were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, NMR, UV, and XRD. The molecular weight of polymers was assessed by GPC and subjected to the leather process. The processed crust leathers were analyzed for physical characteristics by tensile strength, tear strength, elongation, and quality assessments by hand evaluation by experts. FE-SEM analyzed collagen fibers and fiber splitting of goat skin, and COD, BOD, and total solid in spent liquor were analyzed and compared. The highlighting feature of hyperbranched polymers is (a) Improved shrinkage temperature (Ts) (85 ± 1 °C), (b) Improved physical-mechanical properties (c) Better BOD, COD, and total solids over the aluminum sulfate tanning process. This study confirmed that hyperbranched polymer is effective for tanning and post-tanning leather, which obviates the need to use toxic chromium and formaldehyde for tanning leathers.

Catechin tuned magnetism of Gd-doped orthovanadate through morphology as T1-T2 MRI contrast agents.

Tetragonal (t)-LaVO4 has turned out to be a potential host for luminescent materials. Synthesis of t-LaVO4 till date has been based on chelating effect of EDTA making it not ideal for bioimaging applications. An alternative was proposed by us through the use of catechin. In recent times there is interest for new MRI contrast agents that can through appropriate doping function both as MRI contrast and optical/upconversion materials. It is generally believed that under appropriate doping, t-LaVO4 would be a better upconversion material than monoclinic (m)-LaVO4. Based on these postulations, this work explores the use of gadolinium doped t-LaVO4 as an MRI contrast agent. From literature, gadolinium oxide is a good T1 contrast agent. Through this work, using catechin as a template for the synthesis of Gd doped t-LaVO4, we demonstrate the possible use as a T1 contrast agent. Interestingly, as the catechin concentration changes, morphology changes from nanorods to square nanoplates and spheres. In this process, a switch from T1 to T2 contrast agent was also observed. Under optimal concentration of catechin, with a rod shaped Gd doped t-LaVO4 an r2/r1 value of 21.30 was observed. Similarly, with a spherical shape had an r2/r1 value of 1.48 was observed.

Architectonics of phage-liposome nanowebs as optimized photosensitizer vehicles for photodynamic cancer therapy.

Filamentous M13 phage can be engineered to display cancer cell-targeting or tumor-homing peptides through phage display. It would be highly desirable if the tumor-targeting phage can also carry anticancer drugs to deliver them to the cancer cells. We studied the evolution of structures of the complexes between anionic filamentous M13 phage and cationic serum-stable liposomes that encapsulate the monomeric photosensitizer zinc naphthalocyanine. At specific phage-liposome ratios, multiple phage nanofibers and liposomes are interwoven into a "nanoweb." The chemical and biological properties of the phage-liposome nanoweb were evaluated for possible application in drug delivery. This study highlights the ability of phage-liposome nanowebs to serve as efficient carriers in the transport of photosensitizers to cancer cells.