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Gels
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Advances in Gel Films
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Advances in Gel Films

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2024) | Viewed by 6612

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Cristina Maria Vladut

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Physical Chemistry Ilie Murgulescu of the Romanian Academy, 202 Splaiul Independenţei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: ZnO; gels; films; oxides; chemical synthesis
Dr. Crina Anastasescu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
“Ilie Murgulescu” Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Romanian Academy, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: hybrid materials; light absorption properties; reactive oxygen species; catalysis; enzyme immobilization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are thrilled to present this Special Issue on "Advances in Gel Films", delving into the intricate world of gel film science, with a particular focus on the versatile sol-gel deposition process. This technique stands out as one of the most adaptable and straightforward methods for crafting thin films with tailored properties.

Extensively explored by the scientific community, sol-gel reactions from alkoxide solutions can produce a diverse range of inorganic networks. The resulting materials find applications across various fields, including optics, electronics, sensing, biomedicine, and material science. Notably, the sol-gel process allows for the incorporation of other elements or substances into the precursor solution, enabling the fabrication of gel films with different properties.

The sol-gel deposition process allows for precise control over the particle size, orientation, crystal structure, and morphology. The process involves the preparation of a sol, subsequent gelation, and solvent removal to produce a gel. The ease with which doping agents can be entrapped into thin films has given rise to numerous applications over the last two decades.

In this issue, we explore the theoretical foundations, synthesis methodologies, and characterization techniques associated with gel films, with a special emphasis on the significant contributions of the sol-gel deposition process. We invite you to delve into the nuanced world of gel film science and discover the innovative strides being made in this dynamic field.

We extend our sincere appreciation for your invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication to advancing our understanding of gel film science.

Dr. Cristina Maria Vladut
Dr. Crina Anastasescu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gel films
  • sol-gel synthesis
  • film deposition
  • film characterization
  • film applications

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3659 KiB  
Article
pH-Responsive Alginate/Chitosan Gel Films: An Alternative for Removing Cadmium and Lead from Water
by Silvia Carolina Moreno-Rivas, María José Ibarra-Gutiérrez, Daniel Fernández-Quiroz, Armando Lucero-Acuña, Alexel J. Burgara-Estrella and Paul Zavala-Rivera
Gels 2024, 10(10), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10100669 - 19 Oct 2024
Viewed by 840
Abstract
Biosorption, a non-expensive and easy method for removing potentially toxic metal ions from water, has been the subject of extensive research. In this context, this study introduces a novel approach using sodium alginate and chitosan, versatile biopolymers that have shown excellent results as [...] Read more.
Biosorption, a non-expensive and easy method for removing potentially toxic metal ions from water, has been the subject of extensive research. In this context, this study introduces a novel approach using sodium alginate and chitosan, versatile biopolymers that have shown excellent results as biosorbents. The challenge of maintaining high efficiencies and reuse is addressed by developing alginate/chitosan-based films. These films, prepared using solvent casting and crosslinking methods, form a hydrogel network. The alginate/chitosan-based films, obtained using the eco-friendly polyelectrolyte complex method, were characterized by FTIR, SEM, TGA, and DSC. The study of their swelling pH response, adsorption, and desorption behavior revealed promising results. The adsorption of Pb was significantly enhanced by the presence of both biopolymers (98%) in a shorter time (15 min) at pH = 6.5. The adsorption of both ions followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic and the Langmuir isotherm model. The desorption efficiencies for Cd and Pb were 98.8% and 77.6% after five adsorption/desorption cycles, respectively. In conclusion, the alginate/chitosan-based films present a highly effective and novel approach for removing Cd and Pb from water, with a promising potential for reuse, demonstrating their strong potential in potentially toxic metal removal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Gel Films)
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19 pages, 5596 KiB  
Article
Chiral Nanostructured Glycerohydrogel Sol–Gel Plates of Chitosan L- and D-Aspartate: Supramolecular Ordering and Optical Properties
by Anna B. Shipovskaya, Olga S. Ushakova, Sergei S. Volchkov, Xenia M. Shipenok, Sergei L. Shmakov, Natalia O. Gegel and Andrey M. Burov
Gels 2024, 10(7), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10070427 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 729
Abstract
A comprehensive study was performed on the supramolecular ordering and optical properties of thin nanostructured glycerohydrogel sol-gel plates based on chitosan L- and D-aspartate and their individual components in the X-ray, UV, visible, and IR ranges. Our comparative analysis of chiroptical characteristics, optical [...] Read more.
A comprehensive study was performed on the supramolecular ordering and optical properties of thin nanostructured glycerohydrogel sol-gel plates based on chitosan L- and D-aspartate and their individual components in the X-ray, UV, visible, and IR ranges. Our comparative analysis of chiroptical characteristics, optical collimated transmittance, the average cosine of the scattering angle, microrelief and surface asymmetry, and the level of structuring shows a significant influence of the wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation and the enantiomeric form of aspartic acid on the functional characteristics of the sol-gel materials. At the macrolevel of the supramolecular organization, a complex topography of the surface layer and a dense amorphous–crystalline ordering of polymeric substances were revealed, while at the nanolevel, there were two forms of voluminous scattering domains: nanospheres with diameters of 60–120 nm (L-) and 45–55 nm (D-), anisometric particles of lengths within ~100–160 (L-) and ~85–125 nm (D-), and widths within ~10–20 (L-) and ~20–30 nm (D-). The effect of optical clearing on glass coated with a thin layer of chitosan L-(D-)aspartate in the near-UV region was discovered (observed for the first time for chitosan-based materials). The resulting nanocomposite shape-stable glycerohydrogels seem promising for sensorics and photonics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Gel Films)
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15 pages, 41943 KiB  
Article
Post-Irradiation Behavior of Colored PVA-Based Films Containing Ag Nanoparticles as Radiation Detectors/Exposure Indicators
by Linas Kudrevicius, Evelina Jaselskė, Gabrielius Stankus, Shirin Arslonova and Diana Adliene
Gels 2024, 10(5), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10050290 - 24 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1167
Abstract
Ionizing radiation covers a broad spectrum of applications. Since radioactive/radiation pollution is directly related to radiation risk, radiation levels should be strictly controlled. Different detection methods can be applied for radiation registration and monitoring. In this paper, radiation-induced variations in the optical properties [...] Read more.
Ionizing radiation covers a broad spectrum of applications. Since radioactive/radiation pollution is directly related to radiation risk, radiation levels should be strictly controlled. Different detection methods can be applied for radiation registration and monitoring. In this paper, radiation-induced variations in the optical properties of silver-enriched PVA-based hydrogel films with and without azo dye (Toluidine blue O, TBO, and Methyl red, MR) additives were investigated, and the feasibility of these free-standing films to serve as radiation detectors/exposure indicators was assessed. AgNO3 admixed with PVA gel was used as a source for the radiation-induced synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in irradiated gel films. Three types of sensors were prepared: silver-enriched PVA films containing a small amount of glycerol (AgPVAGly); silver-enriched PVA films with toluidine blue adducts (AgPVAGlyTBO); and silver-enriched PVA films with methyl red additives (AgPVAGlyMR). The selection of TBO and MR was based on their sensitivity to irradiation. The irradiation of the samples was performed in TrueBeam2.1 (VARIAN) using 6 MeV photons. Different doses up to 10 Gy were delivered to the films. The sensitivity of the films was assessed by analyzing the characteristic UV-Vis absorbance peaks on the same day as irradiation and 7, 30, 45, 90, and 180 days after irradiation. It was found that the addition of azo dyes led to an enhanced radiation sensitivity of the AgNPs containing films (0.6 Gy−1 for AgPVAGlyTBO and 0.4 Gy−1 for AgPVAGlyMR) irradiated with <2 Gy doses, indicating their applicability as low-dose exposure indicators. The irradiated films were less sensitive to higher doses. Almost no dose fading was detected between the 7th and 45th day after irradiation. Based on the obtained results, competing AgNP formation and color-bleaching effects in the AgPVAGly films with dye additives are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Gel Films)
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16 pages, 1549 KiB  
Article
Hypromellose-, Gelatin- and Gellan Gum-Based Gel Films with Chlorhexidine for Potential Application in Oral Inflammatory Diseases
by Monika Wojtyłko, Anna Froelich and Barbara Jadach
Gels 2024, 10(4), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10040265 - 15 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1725
Abstract
The oral cavity is constantly exposed to contact with an external environment. Pathogens can easily access and colonize it, causing a number of medical conditions that are usually accompanied by inflammation, which in turn require medical intervention and cause the deterioration of wellbeing. [...] Read more.
The oral cavity is constantly exposed to contact with an external environment. Pathogens can easily access and colonize it, causing a number of medical conditions that are usually accompanied by inflammation, which in turn require medical intervention and cause the deterioration of wellbeing. The aim of this study was to obtain polymer films that could be a carrier for chlorhexidine, an active substance used in the treatment of inflammation in the oral cavity, and at the same time act as a dressing for the application on the mucous membrane. Combinations of three biocompatible and biodegradable polymers were used to prepare the films. The obtained samples were characterized by assessing their water loss after drying, swelling ability, hygroscopicity and tensile strength. It was shown that the mixture of HPMC and gellan gum or gelatin could be used to prepare transparent, flexible polymer films with chlorhexidine. All tested films showed high hygroscopicity and swelling ability. However, it was observed that the composition containing gellan gum was more suitable for obtaining films with prolonged stay at the site of administration, which predisposes it to the role of a local dressing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Gel Films)
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15 pages, 2957 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Ink Composition and 3D Printing Process to Develop Soy Protein-Based Scaffolds
by Teresa Carranza, Aitor Tejo-Otero, Carlos Bengoechea, Pedro Guerrero and Koro de la Caba
Gels 2024, 10(4), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10040223 - 25 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1580
Abstract
Inks based on soybean protein isolate (SPI) were developed and their formulations were optimized as a function of the ink heat treatment and the content of other biopolymers to assess the effects of protein–polysaccharides and protein–protein interactions. First, the rheological behavior of the [...] Read more.
Inks based on soybean protein isolate (SPI) were developed and their formulations were optimized as a function of the ink heat treatment and the content of other biopolymers to assess the effects of protein–polysaccharides and protein–protein interactions. First, the rheological behavior of the inks was analyzed in relation to the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentration employed (20, 25, and 30 wt%) and, as a result of the analysis, the ink with 25 wt% PVA was selected. Additionally, sodium alginate (SA) and gelatin (GEL) were added to the formulations to improve the viscoelastic properties of the inks and the effect of the SA or GEL concentrations (1, 2, and 3 wt%) was studied. All inks showed shear thinning behavior and self-supporting abilities. Among all the 3D printed scaffolds, those with higher SA (3 wt%) or GEL (2 and 3 wt%) content showed higher shape fidelity and were selected for further characterization. Texture profile analysis demonstrated that the scaffolds prepared with previously heat-treated inks containing 3 wt% GEL showed the highest strength. Additionally, these scaffolds showed a higher water-uptake capacity profile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Gel Films)
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