Materials Chemistry Horizons
Volume:2 Issue: 4, Dec 2023

This short review provides an overview of the applications of polysaccharides in food packaging and their pivotal role in addressing sustainability and food preservation challenges. Polysaccharides such as chitosan, cellulose, and starch have emerged as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional synthetic packaging materials. They offer various advantages including biodegradability, renewability, and the ability to tailor their properties to meet specific packaging requirements. These polysaccharide-based materials serve as essential components in food packaging applications such as wraps, coatings, and sachets. They not only contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of the food packaging industry but also aid in preserving the freshness and safety of food products. Furthermore, polysaccharides can be modified to enhance their moisture resistance, barrier properties, or controlled-release capabilities making them adaptable to diverse packaging requirements. Overall, polysaccharide-based materials have gained significant attention and the growing importance of polysaccharide-based materials in food packaging is underscored by their versatile nature, biodegradability, eco-friendly attributes, and positive impact on sustainability. The adoption of polysaccharide-based materials represents a promising step towards sustainable and effective solutions in the dynamic field of food packaging.

This project highlights the significance of oxazolidin-2-ones, a vital class of five-membered heterocyclic compounds renowned for their medicinal properties and uses as chiral auxiliary compounds. To facilitate the synthesis of oxazolidin-2-one derivatives, a novel approach employing acidic nanoparticles was employed. Specifically, a magnetic solid acid catalyst comprising sulfonic acid, stabilized on manganese ferrite nanoparticles with a chitosan coating (MnFe2O4@CS@SO3H), was meticulously developed and characterized through various techniques. These nanoparticles exhibit remarkable thermal stability and can be effortlessly isolated from the reaction medium using a magnetic field owing to their inherent magnetic properties. Notably, analysis of FE-SEM images reveals the nanoparticles' uniform and spherical morphology, with a size scale in the nanometer range. This innovative catalyst promises to significantly enhance the efficiency of oxazolidin-2-one derivatives synthesis in chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

A poly(m-phenylene diamine) (PmPDA)/sulfonated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT-SO3H) nanocomposite was synthesized via in situ polymerization. Successful incorporation of SWCNT-SO3H into the PmPDA matrix was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The nanocomposite exhibited a red shift of 6 nm in the UV-visible spectrum compared to the pristine polymer, attributed to the conductivity of the incorporated nanotubes. The thermogravimetric analysis also showed improved thermal stability for the nanocomposite over the polymer. Importantly, the nonlinear optical properties were studied via Z-scan measurements. The nanocomposite displayed a nonlinear refractive index on the order of 10−3 m2/W and a nonlinear absorption coefficient on the order of 10−5 m/W, demonstrating self-defocusing behavior. Varying the concentration from 0.3 to 0.7 mg/mL and input laser intensity from 6.2 to 164.5 mW/cm2 tuned the optical nonlinearity. Overall, the easy integration of carbon nanotubes makes the PmPDA nanocomposite a useful self-defocusing material for optical limiting and switching applications.

In various researches, the effect of different types of semiconductor materials on the performance of light diodes has been investigated. Gallium arsenide and aluminum gallium arsenide are among the materials used for light diodes. The use of multilayer structures in light-emitting diodes can help improve their performance; Because these structures can improve interactions and light radiation and convert more optimal energy into light. Researchers are optimizing and designing light-emitting diodes to increase light intensity with less energy consumption as light-emitting diodes gradually replace incandescent bulbs. In this study, multilayer photodiode structures using gallium arsenide/gallium aluminum arsenide semiconductors are investigated and simulated, and the results of the article show that multilayer photodiode structures with gallium arsenide/gallium aluminum arsenide semiconductors, by simulating and examining electric fields, potential, radiation intensity And the consumption power of light diodes helps to optimize and achieve optimal performance. This research can be a guide for the development and improvement of light diodes with less energy consumption and better performance.

Metallic nanoparticles, especially silver and gold, have promising applications in biomedicine due to their unique optical, electronic, and chemical properties. Conventionally, physical and chemical methods have been used to synthesize these nanoparticles; however, bacterial synthesis has recently emerged as an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and facile alternative. In this review, we summarize recent progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying microbial nanoparticle biosynthesis and highlight key bacterial strains that have been exploited for efficient, controlled nanoparticle fabrication, including Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Geobacillus sp. We discuss current genetic and process engineering strategies to improve the quality, yield, and mono-dispersity of bacterially synthesized metallic nanoparticles. Furthermore, we overview promising biomedical uses of these nanoparticles being actively explored, ranging from drug delivery vehicles, bioimaging tracers, diagnostics, and biosensors, to antibacterial agents and materials with accelerated wound healing capacity. Finally, we outline prospects and challenges toward scale-up, regulation, and adoption of green, biosynthesized metallic nanomaterials for various healthcare applications.

This comprehensive review delves into the intricate challenges and recent advancements in drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), with a primary focus on overcoming the formidable blood-brain barrier (BBB). The manuscript explores the protective barriers of crucial organs such as the skin, brain, and eyes, shedding light on the complexity of drug delivery systems. By emphasizing the significance of nanotechnology, particularly lipid nanoparticles, the study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of their unique properties and applications in CNS drug delivery. Various types of nanoparticles, including liposomes, cationic liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, polymer nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, and mesoporous silica nanoparticles, are discussed in detail. The review further outlines strategies to enhance BBB permeation, such as transiently increasing permeability, diffusion of lipophilic molecules, and transcytosis pathways, offering a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of CNS drug delivery.