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Nanomaterials
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Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Nanomaterials
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Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Nanomaterials

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposite Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 21005

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Massimiliano Perduca

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biocrystallography and Nanostructure Lab., Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Interests: polymer nanotechnology; nanobiotechnology; biodegradable nanocompounds; biocompatible polymer nanoparticles; nanomedicine; nanopharmacology; nanoparticle-cell interaction; green nanotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymeric nanomaterials is a common term used for all polymer-based nanomaterials but it is mainly applied to nanospheres and nanocapsules. Generally defined as colloidal systems, polymeric nanoparticles have attracted considerable interest all over the world due to their unique properties and their extensive applications in various fields such as drug delivery systems, biosensors, catalysts, nanocomposites, agriculture, environment, etc. They are obtained both from synthetic polymers or natural polymers and based on their in vivo behavior, they can be classified as biodegradable or non-biodegradable. They are used to encapsulate a wide variety of compounds, ranging from hydrophobic drugs, water-insoluble chemicals, metals, nutraceutics, bioactive compounds, proteins, and nucleic acids to change their physicochemical properties and their mechanism of interaction with living cells.

The Special Issue, focused on polymeric nanomaterials, will report the latest advancements on synthesis, properties, and applications of this useful and versatile class of nanocomposites.

Dr. Massimiliano Perduca
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 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

  • nanotechnology
  • polymeric nanoparticles
  • biopolymers
  • drug delivery
  • targeted delivery
  • biosensors
  • synthesis methods
  • characterization methods
  • nanoparticle functionalization
  • green nanotechnology

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 173 KiB  
Editorial
Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Nanomaterials
by Massimiliano Perduca
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(24), 4385; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12244385 - 9 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1077
Abstract
The term “polymeric nanomaterials” is commonly used for all polymer-based nanomaterials, but it is mainly applied to nanospheres and nanocapsules [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Nanomaterials)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

18 pages, 4376 KiB  
Article
Amphiphilic Cationic Peptide-Coated PHA Nanosphere as an Efficient Vector for Multiple-Drug Delivery
by Fanghua Zhang, Chao Zhang, Shuangqing Fu, Huandi Liu, Mengnan Han, Xueyu Fan, Honglei Zhang and Wei Li
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(17), 3024; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12173024 - 31 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2174
Abstract
Amphiphilic core–shell (ACS) nanoparticles are gaining increasing research interest for multi-drug delivery in cancer therapy. In this work, a new cationic peptide-coated PHA nanosphere was prepared by self-assembly of a hydrophobic core of biodegradable poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) and a hydrophilic shell of fusion [...] Read more.
Amphiphilic core–shell (ACS) nanoparticles are gaining increasing research interest for multi-drug delivery in cancer therapy. In this work, a new cationic peptide-coated PHA nanosphere was prepared by self-assembly of a hydrophobic core of biodegradable poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) and a hydrophilic shell of fusion proteins of PHA granule-associated protein (PhaP) and cationic peptide RALA through a strong hydrophobic effect. The hydrophobic drug curcumin (Cur) was encapsulated in PHBHHx nanoparticles. The chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was administered in the form of its metabolite oligomeric 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR). Fifteen consecutive FUdR (FUdR15S) were adsorbed on the surface of PHBHHx nanoparticles by electrostatic interaction with RALA to form Cur@PHBX-PR/FUdR15S. Such amphiphilic cationic nanospheres had 88.3% EE of Cur and the drug loading of Cur and FUdR were 7.8% and 12.1%. The dual-drug-loaded nanospheres showed a time-differential release of Cur and FUdR. In addition, Cur@PHBX-PR/FUdR15S exhibited excellent anticancer activity and played a vital role in promoting the synergistic effect of FUdR and Cur in gastric cancer cells. The exploration of antitumor mechanisms demonstrated that Cur improved the activity of apoptosis-related proteins and cancer cells sensitized to FUdR. This amphiphilic core–shell system can serve as a general platform for sequential delivery of multiple drugs to treat several cancer cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Nanomaterials)
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15 pages, 3016 KiB  
Article
Tailoring of Optical Properties of Methacrylate Resins Enriched by HPHT Microdiamond Particles
by Ewelina Kowalewska, Mateusz Ficek, Krzysztof Formela, Artur Zieliński, Srinivasu Kunuku, Miroslaw Sawczak and Robert Bogdanowicz
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(15), 2604; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12152604 - 28 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1992
Abstract
Diamond particles have great potential to enhance the mechanical, optical, and thermal properties of diamond–polymer composites. However, the improved properties of diamond–polymer composites depend on the size, dispersibility, and concentration of diamond particles. In the present study, diamond–polymer composites were prepared by adding [...] Read more.
Diamond particles have great potential to enhance the mechanical, optical, and thermal properties of diamond–polymer composites. However, the improved properties of diamond–polymer composites depend on the size, dispersibility, and concentration of diamond particles. In the present study, diamond–polymer composites were prepared by adding the microdiamond particles (MDPs) with different concentrations (0.2–1 wt.%) into polymers (acrylate resins) and then subjected to a photocuring process. The surface morphology and topography of the MDPs–polymer composites demonstrated a uniform high-density distribution of MDPs for one wt.% MPDs. Thermogravimetric analysis was employed to investigate the thermal stability of the MDPs–polymer composites. The addition of MDPs has significantly influenced the polymers’ thermal degradation. Absorption and emission spectra of thin layers were recorded through UV/Vis spectrophotometry and spectrofluorimetry. The obtained results revealed a significant increase in the fluorescence intensity of MDPs–polymer composites (at 1 wt.% of MDPs, a 1.5×, 2×, and 5× increase in fluorescence was observed for MDPs–green, MDPs–amber daylight, and MDPs–red resin, respectively) compared with the reference polymer resins. The obtained results of this work show the new pathways in producing effective and active 3D-printed optical elements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Nanomaterials)
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15 pages, 13355 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial Activity of Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Copper Nanoparticle Nanofibers on Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
by William B. Wang and Jude C. Clapper
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(13), 2139; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12132139 - 22 Jun 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3276
Abstract
Bacteria induced diseases such as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are easily transmitted through respiratory droplets expelled from a person’s nose or mouth. It has become increasingly important for researchers to discover materials that can be implemented in in vitro surface contact settings which disrupt [...] Read more.
Bacteria induced diseases such as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are easily transmitted through respiratory droplets expelled from a person’s nose or mouth. It has become increasingly important for researchers to discover materials that can be implemented in in vitro surface contact settings which disrupt bacterial growth and transmission. Copper (Cu) is known to have antibacterial properties and have been used in medical applications. This study investigates the antibacterial properties of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based nanofibers coated with different concentrations of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). Different concentrations of copper sulfate (CuSO4) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were mixed with dimethylformamide (DMF) solution, an electrospinning solvent that also acts as a reducing agent for CuSO4, which forms CuNPs and Cu ions. The resulting colloidal solutions were electrospun into nanofibers, which were then characterized using various analysis techniques. Methicillin-Resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, an infective strain that induces pneumonia, were incubated with cutouts of various nanocomposites using disk diffusion methods on Luria-Bertani (LB) agar to test for the polymers’ antibacterial properties. Herein, we disclose that PAN-CuNP nanofibers have successfully demonstrated antibacterial activity against bacteria that were otherwise resistant to highly effective antibiotics. Our findings reveal that PAN-CuNP nanofibers have the potential to be used on contact surfaces that are at risk of contracting bacterial infections, such as masks, in vivo implants, or surgical intubation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Nanomaterials)
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17 pages, 4735 KiB  
Article
Strong Polyamide-6 Nanocomposites with Cellulose Nanofibers Mediated by Green Solvent Mixtures
by Pruthvi K. Sridhara, Ferran Masso, Peter Olsén and Fabiola Vilaseca
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 2127; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11082127 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3406
Abstract
Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) as a bio-based reinforcement has attracted tremendous interests in engineering polymer composites. This study developed a sustainable approach to reinforce polyamide-6 or nylon-6 (PA6) with CNFs through solvent casting in formic acid/water mixtures. The methodology provides an energy-efficient pathway towards [...] Read more.
Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) as a bio-based reinforcement has attracted tremendous interests in engineering polymer composites. This study developed a sustainable approach to reinforce polyamide-6 or nylon-6 (PA6) with CNFs through solvent casting in formic acid/water mixtures. The methodology provides an energy-efficient pathway towards well-dispersed high-CNF content PA6 biocomposites. Nanocomposite formulations up to 50 wt.% of CNFs were prepared, and excellent improvements in the tensile properties were observed, with an increase in the elastic modulus from 1.5 to 4.2 GPa, and in the tensile strength from 46.3 to 124 MPa. The experimental tensile values were compared with the analytical values obtained by micromechanical models. Fractured surfaces were observed using scanning electron microscopy to examine the interface morphology. FTIR revealed strong hydrogen bonding at the interface, and the thermal parameters were determined using TGA and DSC, where the nanocomposites’ crystallinity tended to reduce with the increase in the CNF content. In addition, nanocomposites showed good thermomechanical stability for all formulations. Overall, this work provides a facile fabrication pathway for high-CNF content nanocomposites of PA6 for high-performance and advanced material applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Nanomaterials)
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16 pages, 3322 KiB  
Article
Improving the Cellular Uptake of Biomimetic Magnetic Nanoparticles
by Federica Vurro, Ylenia Jabalera, Silvia Mannucci, Giulia Glorani, Alberto Sola-Leyva, Marco Gerosa, Alessandro Romeo, Maria Grazia Romanelli, Manuela Malatesta, Laura Calderan, Guillermo R. Iglesias, María P. Carrasco-Jiménez, Concepcion Jimenez-Lopez and Massimiliano Perduca
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(3), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11030766 - 18 Mar 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4669
Abstract
Magnetococcus marinus magnetosome-associated protein MamC, expressed as recombinant, has been proven to mediate the formation of novel biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles (BMNPs) that are successful drug nanocarriers for targeted chemotherapy and hyperthermia agents. These BMNPs present several advantages over inorganic magnetic nanoparticles, such as [...] Read more.
Magnetococcus marinus magnetosome-associated protein MamC, expressed as recombinant, has been proven to mediate the formation of novel biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles (BMNPs) that are successful drug nanocarriers for targeted chemotherapy and hyperthermia agents. These BMNPs present several advantages over inorganic magnetic nanoparticles, such as larger sizes that allow the former to have larger magnetic moment per particle, and an isoelectric point at acidic pH values, which allows both the stable functionalization of BMNPs at physiological pH value and the molecule release at acidic (tumor) environments, simply based on electrostatic interactions. However, difficulties for BMNPs cell internalization still hold back the efficiency of these nanoparticles as drug nanocarriers and hyperthermia agents. In the present study we explore the enhanced BMNPs internalization following upon their encapsulation by poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA), a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved molecule. Internalization is further optimized by the functionalization of the nanoformulation with the cell-penetrating TAT peptide (TATp). Our results evidence that cells treated with the nanoformulation [TAT-PLGA(BMNPs)] show up to 80% more iron internalized (after 72 h) compared to that of cells treated with BMNPs (40%), without any significant decrease in cell viability. This nanoformulation showing optimal internalization is further characterized. In particular, the present manuscript demonstrates that neither its magnetic properties nor its performance as a hyperthermia agent are significantly altered due to the encapsulation. In vitro experiments demonstrate that, following upon the application of an alternating magnetic field on U87MG cells treated with BMNPs and TAT-PLGA(BMNPs), the cytotoxic effect of BMNPs was not affected by the TAT-PLGA enveloping. Based on that, difficulties shown in previous studies related to poor cell uptake of BMNPs can be overcome by the novel nanoassembly described here. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Nanomaterials)
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22 pages, 12445 KiB  
Article
Bone Regeneration Capacity of Newly Developed Uncalcined/Unsintered Hydroxyapatite and Poly-l-lactide-co-glycolide Sheet in Maxillofacial Surgery: An In Vivo Study
by Huy Xuan Ngo, Quang Ngoc Dong, Yunpeng Bai, Jingjing Sha, Shinji Ishizuka, Tatsuo Okui, Shintaro Sukegawa and Takahiro Kanno
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11010022 - 24 Dec 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2904
Abstract
Uncalcined/unsintered hydroxyapatite and poly-l-lactide-co-glycolide (u-HA/PLLA/PGA) is a new bioresorbable nanomaterial with superior characteristics compared with current bioresorbable materials, including appropriate mechanical properties, outstanding bioactive/osteoconductive features, and remarkably shorter resorption time. Nevertheless, the bone regeneration characteristics of this nanomaterial have not been [...] Read more.
Uncalcined/unsintered hydroxyapatite and poly-l-lactide-co-glycolide (u-HA/PLLA/PGA) is a new bioresorbable nanomaterial with superior characteristics compared with current bioresorbable materials, including appropriate mechanical properties, outstanding bioactive/osteoconductive features, and remarkably shorter resorption time. Nevertheless, the bone regeneration characteristics of this nanomaterial have not been evaluated in maxillofacial reconstructive surgery. In this study, we used a rat mandible model to assess the bone regeneration ability of u-HA/PLLA/PGA material, compared with uncalcined/unsintered hydroxyapatite and poly-l-lactide acid (u-HA/PLLA) material, which has demonstrated excellent bone regenerative ability. A 4-mm-diameter defect was created at the mandibular angle area in 28 Sprague Dawley male rats. The rats were divided into three groups: u-HA/PLLA/PGA (u-HA/PLLA/PGA graft + defect), u-HA/PLLA (u-HA/PLLA graft + defect), and sham control (defect alone). At 1, 3, 8, and 16 weeks after surgeries, the rats were sacrificed and assessed by micro-computed tomography, histological analysis with hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemical analyses. The results confirmed that the accelerated bone bioactive/regenerative osteoconduction of u-HA/PLLA/PGA was comparable with that of u-HA/PLLA in the rat mandible model. Furthermore, this new regenerative nanomaterial was able to more rapidly induce bone formation in the early stage and had great potential for further clinical applications in maxillofacial reconstructive surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Nanomaterials)
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