Recent Updates on Supramolecular-Based Drug Delivery - Macrocycles and Supramolecular Gels.

Supramolecules-based drug delivery has attracted significant recent research attention as it could enhance drug solubility, retention time, targeting, and stimuli responsiveness. Among the different supramolecules and assemblies, the macrocycles and the supramolecular hydrogels are the two important categories investigated to a greater extent. Here, we provide the most recent advancements in these categories. Under macrocycles, reports on drug delivery by cyclodextrins, cucurbiturils, calixarenes/pillararenes, crown ethers and porphyrins are detailed. The second category discusses the supramolecular hydrogels of macrocycles/polymers and low molecular weight gelators. The updated information provided could be helpful to advance R & D in this vital area.

A facile approach for oil-water separation using superhydrophobic polystyrene-silica coated stainless steel mesh bucket.

Inspired by traditional shaduf technology in the irrigation field, we fabricated a superhydrophobic stainless steel mesh bucket by layering polystyrene and SiO2 nanoparticles through a facile dip coating technique for effective oil-water separation. The superhydrophobic steel mesh bucket could effectively lift oil as well as microplastic pollutants from the water surface. The water contact angle of a two-layered polystyrene-silica coating was 158.5° ± 2°, while the oil contact angle was nearly 0°. The oil-water separation performance of superhydrophobic mesh was tested using several kinds of oil. The separation efficiency achieved for low viscous oil was 99.33 %, while 86.66 % efficiency was recorded for high viscous oil. The superhydrophobic mesh showed high durability against mechanical tests including bending, folding, twisting, adhesive tape tearing (25 cycles), and sandpaper abrasion (20 cycles). The mesh presented admirable thermal and chemical durability. The present superhydrophobic steel mesh bucket is a suitable candidate for large-scale application.

Nanotube morphology and corrosion resistance of a low rigidity quaternary titanium alloy for biomedical applications.

Highly ordered nanotube oxide layers were developed on low rigidity quaternary beta-type Ti-35Nb-5Ta-7Zr alloy by controlled anodic oxidation in electrolyte containing 1 M H3PO4 and 0.5 wt% NaF at room temperature. The diameters of the nanotubes formed were in the range of 30 to 80 nm. Electrochemical corrosion behavior of the nanotubular alloy was studied in Ringer's solution at 37 +/- 1 degrees C using potentiodynamic polarization and AC Impedance. The result of the study showed that nanotube formation on the surface affect the passivation behavior of the quaternary alloy significantly. However the corrosion current density was considerably higher for the nanotubular alloy.

An electrochemical study on self-ordered nanoporous and nanotubular oxide on Ti-35Nb-5Ta-7Zr alloy for biomedical applications.

Highly ordered nanoporous and nanotubular oxide layers were developed on low-rigidity beta Ti-35Nb-5Ta-7Zr alloy by controlled DC anodization in electrolyte containing 1M H(3)PO(4) and 0.5wt.% NaF at room temperature. The as-formed and crystallized nanotubes were characterized by electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical passivation behavior of the nanoporous and nanotubular oxide surfaces were investigated in Ringer's solution at 37+/-1 degrees C employing a potentiodynamic polarization technique and impedance spectroscopy. The diameters of the as-formed nanotubes were in the range of 30-80nm. The nanotubular surface exhibited passivation behavior similar to that of the nanoporous surface. However, the corrosion current density was considerably higher for the nanotubular alloy. The surface after nanotube formation seemed to favor an immediate and effective passivation. Electrochemical impedance spectra were simulated by equivalent circuits and the results were discussed with regard to biomedical applications.