An active packaging film prepared from aqueous two-phase Pickering emulsion and chitosan for fruit preservation.

Aqueous two-phase Pickering emulsions (ATPPEs) are advantageous because they are biocompatible and environmentally friendly. Developing active packaging films using ATPPE with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and sustained-release properties is an effective strategy to extend food shelf life. In this study, an ATPPE stabilized by cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) was prepared using a polyethylene glycol (PEG)/dextran (Dex) aqueous two-phase system (ATPS), encapsulating epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as a bioactive component.

Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent-based eutectogels for long-term humidity resistance and multifunctional sensing.

Eutectogels based on deep eutectic solvents (DESs) hold significant potential for application in flexible sensors. However, their hygroscopic nature limits their use in humid environments. In this study, a eutectogel with excellent long-term humidity resistance was developed radical copolymerization of acrylic acid monomers in a hydrophobic DES (HES).

Electric-Field Regulation of Adhesion/De-Adhesion/Release Capacity of Transparent and Electrochromic Adhesive.

Removing adhesive nondestructively and intact from the adhered surface is a difficult challenge for advanced adhesive materials. Compared with the commonly used thermal or chemical release, the controlled adhesive release via electric-field offers practical application advantages. However, a noninvasive release mode such as this has not been available for the de-bonding of supramolecular adhesives that originate from small organic molecules.

CO-responsive ionic liquid for the sustainable extraction and separation of Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides.

The extraction of Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides using conventional methods suffers from low extraction efficiency and poor selectivity. Recently, green and efficient methods of polysaccharide extraction have received increasing attention. In this study, a CO-responsive ionic liquid (IL) was developed for the extraction of Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides.

A review of green solvents for the extraction and separation of bioactive ingredients from natural products.

Bioactive substances from natural products are good resources from the pharmaceutical and food industries. Conventional organic solvents are widely used for extracting and separating bioactive substances. Recently, various environmentally friendly solvents have been developed and applied in the separation field to replace conventional organic solvents.

Selective separation of tanshinone homologs by biocomposite membranes based on poly(ionic liquids) and natural fibers.

Membranes have been used as versatile tools for the separation of various natural products; however, the selective separation of structural analogs of natural products using membranes remains challenging. In this study, biocomposite membranes based on poly(ionic liquids) and different natural fibers (jute, cotton, or wool) were successfully prepared. Natural fibers can regulate the microstructure and improve the mechanical properties of membranes.

Supramolecular transparent plastic engineering covalent-and-supramolecular polymerization.

Supramolecular glass and plastic are a new generation of artificial transparent materials that exhibit excellent optical behavior and processability. However, owing to inherent deficiencies in their mechanical toughness and long-term stability, supramolecular materials lack the potential for functionalization and application. Inspired by the toughening phenomena in biological systems, a synergistic covalent-and-supramolecular polymerization strategy was applied to construct plastic-like supramolecular materials with high transmittance the solvent-free one-pot amidation of thioctic acid and (poly)amines.

Optically transparent and mechanically tough glass with impact resistance and flame retardancy enabled by covalent/supramolecular interactions.

Exploring glass materials beyond inorganic components represents a new direction in the development of artificial transparent materials. Inspired by the successes of polymeric and supramolecular glasses, we shifted our attention to the preparation of a transparent glass through the polymerization of low-molecular-weight monomers that are naturally tailored with noncovalent recognition motifs. In this work, an imidazolium unit bearing a vinyl group and a tetrafluoroborate counter anion was selected to construct an artificial glass.

Supramolecular control over the variability of color and fluorescence in low-molecular-weight glass.

Colorful and fluorescent transparent materials have been extensively used in industrial and scientific activities, with inorganic and polymeric glasses being the most typical representatives. Recently, artificial glass originating from low-molecular-weight monomers has attracted considerable attention. Compared with the deep understanding of the building blocks and driving forces of supramolecular glass, related studies on its optical properties are insufficient in terms of systematicness and pertinence.

Bulk transparent supramolecular glass enabled by host-guest molecular recognition.

Supramolecular glass is a non-covalently cross-linked amorphous material that exhibits excellent optical properties and unique intrinsic structural features. Compared with artificial inorganic/organic glass, which has been extensively developed, supramolecular glass is still in the infancy stage, and itself is rarely recognized and studied thus far. Herein, we present the development of the host-guest molecular recognition motifs between methyl-β-cyclodextrin and para-hydroxybenzoic acid as the building blocks of supramolecular glass.

A supramolecular approach for converting renewable biomass into functional materials.

The rational transformation and utilization of biomass have attracted increasing attention because of its high importance in sustainable development and green economy. In this study, we used a supramolecular approach to convert biomass into functional materials. Six biomass raw materials with distinct chemical structures and physical properties were copolymerized with thioctic acid (TA) to afford poly[TA-biomass]s.

Bulk and transparent supramolecular glass from evaporation-induced noncovalent polymerization of nucleosides.

Understanding the nature of glass is one of the most important challenges in chemistry, physics, and materials science. In this study, transparent bulk supramolecular glasses with excellent optical behaviors and good mechanical properties were fabricated the non-covalent polymerization of nucleosides. Hydrogen bonding is the main driving force in the formation of bulk supramolecular glasses.

Aqueous two-phase system based on pH-responsive polymeric deep eutectic solvent for efficient extraction of aromatic amino acids.

Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the construction of stimulus-responsive aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) for the extraction and separation of various bioactive compounds. In this work, an ATPS based on a pH-responsive polymeric deep eutectic solvent (PDES) and phosphate salt was constructed for the first time. The pH-response properties of the PDES were studied through a series of experiments.

Supramolecular Soft Material Enabled by Metal Coordination and Hydrogen Bonding: Stretchability, Self-Healing, Impact Resistance, 3D Printing, and Motion Monitoring.

Metal coordination can significantly improve the macroscopic performance of many materials by enhancing their dynamic features. In this study, two supramolecular interactions, Fe -carboxylic acid coordination, and structural water-induced hydrogen bonding, into an artificial polymer were introduced. Various attractive features, including flexibility and stretchability, are achieved because of the bulk state and dynamic hydrogen bonds of poly(thioctic acid-water) (poly[TA-H]).

Poly(thioctic acid): From Bottom-Up Self-Assembly to 3D-Fused Deposition Modeling Printing.

Inspired by the bottom-up assembly in nature, an artificial self-assembly pattern is introduced into 3D-fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing to achieve additive manufacturing on the macroscopic scale. Thermally activated polymerization of thioctic acid (TA) enabled the bulk construction of poly(TA), and yielded unique time-dependent self-assembly. Freshly prepared poly(TA) can spontaneously and continuously transfer into higher-molecular-weight species and low-molecular-weight TA monomers.

Deep eutectic solvents-based three-phase partitioning for tomato peroxidase purification: A promising method for substituting t-butanol.

T-butanol is widely used in three-phase partitioning (TPP). This study used deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to substitute t-butanol for tomato peroxidase (POD) purification. DES-5 (menthol and octanoic acid) was screened as the optimal solvent.

Underwater luminescent labeling materials constructed from a supramolecular approach.

Underwater labeling under complicated conditions is challenging for modern adhesive materials. In this work, a series of supramolecular polymer adhesives were successfully prepared the non-covalent copolymerization of low-molecular-weight monomers (thioctic acid (TA) and tetraphenylethene derivatives (TPEs)). Strong adhesion effects were observed under various conditions.

On-Site Supramolecular Adhesion to Wet and Soft Surfaces via Solvent Exchange.

A series of poly(thioctic acid-catechol)s was prepared by supramolecular copolymerization of two low-molecular-weight monomers, thioctic acid (TA) and catechol (CA). The addition of a small amount of CA molecules significantly improved the adhesion ability of poly(TA) and transformed it into an applicable supramolecular polymer adhesive material. The robust adhesion of poly(TA-CA)s to soft surfaces was achieved by employing a hot-melt method.

Two birds with one stone: Porous poly(ionic liquids) membrane with high efficiency for the separation of amino acids mixture and its antibacterial properties.

Poly(ionic liquid) membranes (PILMs) can be potentially applied as polyelectrolyte materials in the separation of ampholytes such as amino acids. Therefore, poly(amino acid ionic liquid) membranes (PAAILMs) were prepared by blending poly(amino acid ionic liquids) (PAAILs) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) in this study. These PAAILMs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).

Deep Eutectic Supramolecular Polymers: Bulk Supramolecular Materials.

Application of new strategies for supramolecular self-assembly can significantly impact the properties and/or functions of supramolecular polymers. To realize a facial strategy for the development of solvent-free supramolecular polymers in bulk, "deep eutectic solvents" were employed. Cyclodextrins and natural acids were used to prepare deep eutectic supramolecular polymers (DESPs).

Extraction and preliminary purification of polysaccharides from Camellia oleifera Abel. seed cake using a thermoseparating aqueous two-phase system based on EOPO copolymer and deep eutectic solvents.

A thermoseparating aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) based on ethylene oxide-propylene oxide (EOPO) copolymer and deep eutectic solvents (DES) was developed for the extraction and preliminary purification of polysaccharides in Camellia oleifera Abel. seed cake. DESs were used as the extraction media for obtaining the crude extract.