Engineering porous organic polymers for carbon dioxide capture

As atmospheric CO₂ levels rise, the development of physical or chemical adsorbents for CO₂ capture and separation is of great importance on the way towards a sustainable low-carbon future. Porous organic polymers are promising candidates for CO₂ capture materials owing to their structural flexibility, high surface area, and high stability. In this review, we highlight high-performance porous organic polymers for CO₂ capture and summarize the strategies to enhance CO₂ uptake and selectivity, such as increasing surface area, increasing interaction between porous organic polymers and CO₂, and pore surface functionalization.     

Multifunctional nanoprobes for pathogen-selective capture and detection

The synthesis of magnetic and fluorescent particles is described. The particles are biofunctionalized by binding pathogen-specific proteins to the particles via interactions between His-tags of proteins and zinc of the quantum dots. Detection of Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by these particles is demonstrated.     

Synthetic polymers in biology and medicine

Synthetic organic polymers have gained great importance as supports and separation materials in biochemical laboratory techniques, medical diagnostics and biotechnological procedures. Furthermore they are used as carriers for drugs and biologically active substances in pharmacy, medicine and agriculture. Classifying their biocompatibility it has to be distinguished between in vitro application of polymers interacting on the one hand with molecular biosystems such as proteins and on the other hand with living cells, and in vivo administration in higher organisms, especially in the human organism.     

A microfluidic device for continuous capture and concentration of microorganisms from potable water

A microfluidic device based on electrophoretic transport and electrostatic trapping of charged particles has been developed for continuous capture and concentration of microorganisms from water. Reclaimed and bottled water samples at pH values ranging from 5.2-6.5 were seeded with bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas) and viruses (MS-2 and Echovirus). Negative control and capture experiments were performed simultaneously using two identical devices. Culture based methods were utilized to characterize the capture efficiency as a function of the species type, time, flow rate, and applied electric field. Based on differences between the capture and negative control data, capture efficiencies of 90% to 99% are reported for E. coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas, and MS-2, while the capture efficiency for Echovirus was between 70% and 80%. Overall, the device exhibits a 16.67 fold sample volume reduction within an hour at 6 mL h(-1) flow rate, resulting in a concentration factor of 14.2 at 85.2% capture efficiency. The device can function either as a filter or a sample concentrator without using any chemical additives. It can function as an integral component of a continuous, microbial capture and concentration system from large volumes of potable water.     

Synthetic approaches to new polymers

A plenary lecture should be an introduction into the main topic of the symposium and a review about the state of art. Therefore, in the first part of this presentation different possibilities for the preparation of new polymers are briefly discussed from a chemical point of view. Some selected examples from the literature show how methods of organic chemistry can be utilized for polymer science: new catalytic systems, new monomers, modification of polymers, new poly-reactions. In the second part, several polyelectrolytes are described: polymers with sec., tert. and quart. N-atoms in the main chain, block copolymers and block polyampholytes. The third part deals with the problems of rod-like macromolecules for instance oligo- and poly(p-phenylene)s, poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s, aromatic polyimides and a new spiroionene.     

AIE-active polymers for explosive detection

Super-sensitive and ultra-selective detection of explosives plays a crucial role in anti-terrorism operations, homeland security, civilian safety and environment protection. Among the developed fluorescent probes, the polymers with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics have drawn much attention due to their bright emission in the aggregate and solid states. However, no review has summarized the development of AIE-active polymers for explosive detection. Herein, we reviewed the recent progress on using AIE-active polymers to detect explosives with super-amplification quenching effect. Moreover, the challenges and opportunities in this area were also briefly discussed.     

Synthetic polymers for simultaneous bacterial sequestration and quorum sense interference

Double agents: Dual-action polymers are able to sequester rapidly the marine organism Vibrio harveyi from suspension, while at the same time quenching bacterial quorum sense (QS) signals. The potency of the polymers is assessed by cell aggregation experiments and competitive binding assays against a QS signal precursor, and their effect on bacterial behavior is shown by means of bioluminescence.     

Synthetic and natural polymers as drug carriers for tuberculosis treatment

Drug forms based polymer carriers of prolong action were created for toxicologic effect of drug to be reduced in spite of long treatment of diseases. In present work a number of synthesis and natural polymers have been studied as carriers of antituberculous drugs for controlled delivery application. Following as drugs as isoniazid and ethionamide were incorporated into polymeric matrix (segmented polyurethanes, polyvinyl alcohol) and chemically bound with the polymer chain by covalent or electrostatic forces (aldehyde- and carboxymethylderivatives of polysaccharides). Biodegradation of polymeric systems and the release of drugs were studied by various physico-chemical methods. It was shown that the drug release depends of method of the immobilization, type of the drug/polymer bonding, drug loading. The bacteriostatic activity of obtained systems was determined. The possibility of tuberculosis treatment was proved in experiments of animals.     

Postsynthetic amine modification of porous organic polymers for CO2 capture and separation

Porous organic polymers (POPs) constitute an important class of sorbents studied in various adsorption and separation processes. Their unique properties, including high surface areas, adjustable pore sizes, and surface chemistries make them ideal candidates for CO₂ capture. To achieve a high CO₂ adsorption capacity and selectivity, particularly at the low partition pressures required for post-combustion CO₂ capture or direct capture of CO₂ from the atmosphere, incorporating amines onto the polymer frameworks or within the pores has shown much promise. This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent studies on the synthesis and CO₂ capture performance of amine-functionalized POPs. The review also provides a detailed discussion of structure-performance relationships, focusing on how the loading amount and amine type influence CO₂ capture capacity, CO₂/N₂ selectivity, heat of adsorption, sorption kinetics, and recyclability of POPs. Additionally, the authors offer their perspective on the challenges associated with the practical implementation of amine-modified POPs for CO₂ capture.     

Triptycene-based porous photoluminescent polymers with dual role: efficient capture of carbon dioxide and sensitive detection of picric acid

Design and synthesis of unique photoluminescent triptycene-based porous polymers (TBP-OH and TBP-NH₂) bearing active functional groups is described herein. Pd catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction was utilized to obtain these polymeric networks that are nanoporous and strongly fluorescent in THF. In solid state, these polymers demonstrated CO₂ uptake up to 92 mg g^?1 at 273 K/1bar and H₂ up to 16 mg g^?1 at 77 K/1bar which may be attributed to the presence of 3D robust triptycene and CO₂-philic groups –OH and –NH₂ in their polymeric framework. TBP-OH and TBP-NH₂ also selectively capture CO₂ over nitrogen and methane. CO₂ capture by TBP-OH and TBP-NH₂ is a physisorption process and hence reversible in nature. Suspensions of TBP-OH and TBP-NH₂ in THF are strongly fluorescent and are also capable of detecting picric acid (an environmental pollutant and explosive) in trace amounts. The Stern–Volmer quenching constants (K_sv) for detection of picric acid (PA) are in the order of 10⁵ M^?1.     

Synthetic application of photoactive porous monolithic polymers

The oxidation of 2-furoic acid to 5-hydroxy-5H-furan-2-one has been accomplished in quantitative yield in chloroform using a novel supported photocatalyst. This material comprises Rose Bengal grafted to the surface of a highly crosslinked polystyrene-divinylbenzene polymer, which was synthesized in a porous monolithic format.     

Controlling capture and release of guests from cross-linked supramolecular polymers

[reaction: see text]. Formation of a cross-linked, porous supramolecular polymer leads to instant entrapment of organic guest species. These can be stored and then released upon changing solvent polarity, temperature, pH, and concentration.     

Cyclic polymers: Synthetic strategies and physical properties

Syntheses of cyclic polymers including cyclic homopolymers, cyclic block copolymers, sun‐shaped polymers, and tadpole polymers are discussed on the basis of a differentiation between synthetic methods and synthetic strategies (e.g., polycondensation, ring–ring equilibration, or ring‐expansion polymerization). Furthermore, all synthetic methods are classified as kinetically or thermodynamically controlled reactions. Characteristic properties of cyclic polymers such as smaller hydrodynamic volume, lower melt viscosities, and higher thermostabilities are compared to the properties of their linear counterparts. Furthermore, the nanophase separation of cyclic diblock copolymers is discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 251–284, 2010     

Cationic conjugated polymers for detection and inactivation of pathogens

Conjugated polymers(CPs) are referred to a kind of fluorescent polymer materials with delocalized π-conjugated backbones.For the last decades, cationic CPs(CCPs) have been widely used in biosensor, imaging and biomedical fields due to their good photophysical properties and solubility in water medium resulting from side chain modification with ionized moieties. In this mini-review, we mainly introduced the applications of CCPs in detection and inactivation of pathogen with typical examples, and also briefly discussed the relevant mechanisms. We hold the expectation that this mini-review can offer researchers a general reference and inspire them to construct new systems with high performances of pathogen detection and antimicrobial activity.     

Synthetic polymers today and in the future of pharmacy

Synthetic polymers have since a long time played a relatively important role in present-day medicinal practice. Many devices in medicine and even some artificial organs are constructed with success from synthetic polymers. It is possible that synthetic polymers may play an important role in future pharmacy, too. This lecture should but scratch the surface of several directions in this particular field.     

Selective gas-phase capture of explosives on metal beta-diketonate polymers

A variety of metal beta-diketonate polymers were assessed for gas-phase selective retention of nitro aromatic, nitrate ester, and peroxide explosives. The La(III) complex of p-di(4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluoro-1,3-hexanedionyl)benzene [La(dihed)] showed 13-42 times the retention for the nitro aromatic compounds compared to a control column (identical column but lacking the 5% loading of the metal beta-diketonate polymer). Nitrate esters, the peroxide explosive triacetone triperoxide, and the taggant 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-dinitrobutane were too strongly retained to elute from the La(dihed) column; however, these compounds could be eluted from the less retentive Cu(dihed) or Zn(dihed) columns. A Kováts index of 2124 for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) on the La(dihed) column compared to 1662 on the control illustrates the excellent discrimination against nonpolar hydrocarbons, the principal matrix interference expected in air samples. A proof-of-principle experiment demonstrated analysis of an extrapolated 47 part-per-trillion (ppt) (v/v) of TNT in an air extract concentrate.     

Synthetic biodegradable functional polymers for tissue engineering: a brief review

Scaffolds play a crucial role in tissue engineering. Biodegradable polymers with great processing flexibility are the predominant scaffolding materials. Synthetic biodegradable polymers with well-defined structure and without immunological concerns associated with naturally derived polymers are widely used in tissue engineering. The synthetic biodegradable polymers that are widely used in tissue engineering, including polyesters, polyanhydrides, polyphosphazenes, polyurethane, and poly (glycerol sebacate) are summarized in this article. New developments in conducting polymers, photoresponsive polymers, amino-acid-based polymers, enzymatically degradable polymers, and peptide-activated polymers are also discussed. In addition to chemical functionalization, the scaffold designs that mimic the nano and micro features of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are presented as well, and composite and nanocomposite scaffolds are also reviewed.     

Synthetic strategies to well-defined polymers by ionic polymerization

The living cationic polymerization and sequential copolymerization of isobutylene and styrene has been achieved. Polymethylmethacrylate-g-polyisobutylene graft copolymers have been prepared by the combination of living cationic and group transfer polymerization.     

Noninvasive functionalization of polymers of intrinsic microporosity for enhanced CO(2) capture

Modifying sorbents for the purpose of improving carbon dioxide capture often results in the loss of surface area or accessible pores, or both. We report the first noninvasive functionalization of the polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) where inclusion of the amidoxime functionality in PIM-1 increases carbon dioxide capacity up to 17% and micropore surface area by 20% without losing its film forming ability.