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Polymers
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Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials
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Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 31729

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Iole Venditti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome via della Vasca navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy
Interests: nanomaterials; inorganic chemistry; drug delivery; sensing; optical materials; photonics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite you to submit your papers about hybrid materials, based on metal nanoparticles and polymers, to this Special Issue of Polymers.

Metal nanoparticles/polymers hybrid materials have significantly contributed to the develop of nanotechnology. Moreover, these hybrid materials can respond to stimuli (e.g., pH, temperature, light, magnetic field) or self-degrade in a controlled manner to release metal nanoparticles or therapeutics encapsulated. Functional and structural hybrid materials provide opportunities for creative fields, remarkable properties, and future advanced applications.

This Special Issue focuses on highlighting the progress of new hybrid materials, based on metal nanoparticles and polymers, their design, preparation, functionalization, characterization, and advanced applications.

We invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

The focuses of this Special Issue are (but not limited) as follows:

  • Design of new metal nanoparticles/polymers hybrid materials
  • Development and preparation methods of metal nanoparticles/polymers hybrid materials
  • Properties of nanoparticles–reinforced polymers (mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, chemical, magnetic, etc.)
  • Structure–property relationships in metal nanoparticles/polymers hybrid materials
  • Metal nanoparticles/polymers hybrid materials in plasmonics and photonics applications
  • Functional metal nanoparticles/polymers hybrid materials for energy conversion and storage
  • Low dimensional metal nanoparticles/polymers hybrid materials in biotechnology
  • Multi-functional smart metal nanoparticles/polymers hybrid materials.

Prof. Iole Venditti
Guest Editor

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. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • design
  • development and preparation methods
  • properties of nanoparticles–reinforced polymers
  • structure–property relationships
  • plasmonics and photonics applications
  • energy conversion and storage
  • biotechnology
  • smart hybrid materials

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 211 KiB  
Editorial
Metal Nanoparticles–Polymers Hybrid Materials I
by Iole Venditti
Polymers 2022, 14(15), 3117; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14153117 - 30 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1133
Abstract
Important discoveries have characterized the last decade, highlighting the importance of investment in research in fields such as medicine, biology, computer science, and physics [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials)

Research

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22 pages, 6774 KiB  
Article
Size-Controlled Transformation of Cu2O into Zero Valent Copper within the Matrix of Anion Exchangers via Green Chemical Reduction
by Irena Jacukowicz-Sobala, Ewa Stanisławska, Agnieszka Baszczuk, Marek Jasiorski and Elżbieta Kociołek-Balawejder
Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2629; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12112629 - 09 Nov 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1656
Abstract
Composite materials containing zero valent copper (ZVC) dispersed in the matrix of two commercially available strongly basic anion exchangers with a macroreticular (Amberlite IRA 900Cl) and gel-like (Amberlite IRA 402OH) structure were obtained. Cu0 particles appeared in the resin phase as the [...] Read more.
Composite materials containing zero valent copper (ZVC) dispersed in the matrix of two commercially available strongly basic anion exchangers with a macroreticular (Amberlite IRA 900Cl) and gel-like (Amberlite IRA 402OH) structure were obtained. Cu0 particles appeared in the resin phase as the product of the reduction of the precursor, i.e., copper oxide(I) particles previously deposited in the two supporting materials. As a result of a one-step transformation of preformed Cu2O particles as templates conducted using green reductant ascorbic acid and under mild conditions, macroporous and gel-type hybrid products containing ZVC were obtained with a total copper content of 7.7 and 5.3 wt%, respectively. X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the successful transformation of the starting oxide particles into a metallic deposit. A scanning electron microscopy study showed that the morphology of the deposit is mainly influenced by the type of matrix exchanger. In turn, the drying steps were crucial to its porosity and mechanical resistance. Because both the shape and size of copper particles and the internal structure of the supporting solid materials can have a decisive impact on the potential applications of the obtained materials, the results presented here reveal a great possibility for the design and synthesis of functional nanocrystalline solids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials)
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14 pages, 3749 KiB  
Article
Polymersome Poration and Rupture Mediated by Plasmonic Nanoparticles in Response to Single-Pulse Irradiation
by Gina M. DiSalvo, Abby R. Robinson, Mohamed S. Aly, Eric R. Hoglund, Sean M. O’Malley and Julianne C. Griepenburg
Polymers 2020, 12(10), 2381; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12102381 - 16 Oct 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2713
Abstract
The self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymers into polymeric vesicles, commonly known as polymersomes, results in a versatile system for a variety of applications including drug delivery and microreactors. In this study, we show that the incorporation of hydrophobic plasmonic nanoparticles within the polymersome [...] Read more.
The self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymers into polymeric vesicles, commonly known as polymersomes, results in a versatile system for a variety of applications including drug delivery and microreactors. In this study, we show that the incorporation of hydrophobic plasmonic nanoparticles within the polymersome membrane facilitates light-stimulated release of vesicle encapsulants. This work seeks to achieve tunable, triggered release with non-invasive, spatiotemporal control using single-pulse irradiation. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are incorporated as photosensitizers into the hydrophobic membrane of micron-scale polymersomes and the cargo release profile is controlled by varying the pulse energy and nanoparticle concentration. We have demonstrated the ability to achieve immediate vesicle rupture as well as vesicle poration resulting in temporal cargo diffusion. Additionally, changing the pulse duration, from femtosecond to nanosecond, provides mechanistic insight into the photothermal and photomechanical contributors that govern membrane disruption in this polymer–nanoparticle hybrid system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials)
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Graphical abstract

9 pages, 2561 KiB  
Article
Effect of Ionic Radius in Metal Nitrate on Pore Generation of Cellulose Acetate in Polymer Nanocomposite
by Woong Gi Lee, Younghyun Cho and Sang Wook Kang
Polymers 2020, 12(4), 981; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12040981 - 23 Apr 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2726
Abstract
To prepare a porous cellulose acetate (CA) for application as a battery separator, Cd(NO3)2·4H2O was utilized with water-pressure as an external physical force. When the CA was complexed with Cd(NO3)2·4H2O and [...] Read more.
To prepare a porous cellulose acetate (CA) for application as a battery separator, Cd(NO3)2·4H2O was utilized with water-pressure as an external physical force. When the CA was complexed with Cd(NO3)2·4H2O and exposed to external water-pressure, the water-flux through the CA was observed, indicating the generation of pores in the polymer. Furthermore, as the hydraulic pressure increased, the water-flux increased proportionally, indicating the possibility of control for the porosity and pore size. Surprisingly, the value above 250 LMH (L/m2h) observed at the ratio of 1:0.35 (mole ratio of CA: Cd(NO3)2·4H2O) was of higher flux than those of CA/other metal nitrate salts (Ni(NO3)2 and Mg(NO3)2) complexes. The higher value indicated that the larger and abundant pores were generated in the cellulose acetate at the same water-pressure. Thus, it could be thought that the Cd(NO3)2·4H2O salt played a role as a stronger plasticizer than the other metal nitrate salts such as Ni(NO3)2 and Mg(NO3)2. These results were attributable to the fact that the atomic radius and ionic radius of the Cd were largest among the three elements, resulting in the relatively larger Cd of the Cd(NO3)2 that could easily be dissociated into cations and NO3− ions. As a result, the free NO3− ions could be readily hydrated with water molecules, causing the plasticization effect on the chains of cellulose acetate. The coordinative interactions between the CA and Cd(NO3)2·4H2O were investigated by IR spectroscopy. The change of ionic species in Cd(NO3)2·4H2O was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials)
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16 pages, 5649 KiB  
Article
3D Hierarchical, Nanostructured Chitosan/PLA/HA Scaffolds Doped with TiO2/Au/Pt NPs with Tunable Properties for Guided Bone Tissue Engineering
by Julia Radwan-Pragłowska, Łukasz Janus, Marek Piątkowski, Dariusz Bogdał and Dalibor Matysek
Polymers 2020, 12(4), 792; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12040792 - 02 Apr 2020
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 3888
Abstract
Bone tissue is the second tissue to be replaced. Annually, over four million surgical treatments are performed. Tissue engineering constitutes an alternative to autologous grafts. Its application requires three-dimensional scaffolds, which mimic human body environment. Bone tissue has a highly organized structure and [...] Read more.
Bone tissue is the second tissue to be replaced. Annually, over four million surgical treatments are performed. Tissue engineering constitutes an alternative to autologous grafts. Its application requires three-dimensional scaffolds, which mimic human body environment. Bone tissue has a highly organized structure and contains mostly inorganic components. The scaffolds of the latest generation should not only be biocompatible but also promote osteoconduction. Poly (lactic acid) nanofibers are commonly used for this purpose; however, they lack bioactivity and do not provide good cell adhesion. Chitosan is a commonly used biopolymer which positively affects osteoblasts’ behavior. The aim of this article was to prepare novel hybrid 3D scaffolds containing nanohydroxyapatite capable of cell-response stimulation. The matrixes were successfully obtained by PLA electrospinning and microwave-assisted chitosan crosslinking, followed by doping with three types of metallic nanoparticles (Au, Pt, and TiO2). The products and semi-components were characterized over their physicochemical properties, such as chemical structure, crystallinity, and swelling degree. Nanoparticles’ and ready biomaterials’ morphologies were investigated by SEM and TEM methods. Finally, the scaffolds were studied over bioactivity on MG-63 and effect on current-stimulated biomineralization. Obtained results confirmed preparation of tunable biomimicking matrixes which may be used as a promising tool for bone-tissue engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials)
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13 pages, 4066 KiB  
Article
3D Ultrasensitive Polymers-Plasmonic Hybrid Flexible Platform for In-Situ Detection
by Meimei Wu, Chao Zhang, Yihan Ji, Yuan Tian, Haonan Wei, Chonghui Li, Zhen Li, Tiying Zhu, Qianqian Sun, Baoyuan Man and Mei Liu
Polymers 2020, 12(2), 392; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12020392 - 09 Feb 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2943
Abstract
This paper introduces a three-dimensional (3D) pyramid to the polymers-plasmonic hybrid structure of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composite silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) as a higher quality flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. Benefiting from the effective oscillation of light inside the pyramid valley could provide [...] Read more.
This paper introduces a three-dimensional (3D) pyramid to the polymers-plasmonic hybrid structure of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composite silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) as a higher quality flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. Benefiting from the effective oscillation of light inside the pyramid valley could provide wide distributions of 3D “hot spots” in a large space. The inclined surface design of the pyramid structure could facilitate the aggregation of probe molecules, which achieves highly sensitive detection of rhodamine 6G (R6G) and crystal violet (CV). In addition, the AgNPs and PMMA composite structures provide uniform space distribution for analyte detection in a designated hot spot zone. The incident light can penetrate the external PMMA film to trigger the localized plasmon resonance of the encapsulated AgNPs, achieving enormous enhancement factor (~ 6.24 × 10 8 ). After undergoes mechanical deformation, the flexible SERS substrate still maintains high mechanical stability, which was proved by experiment and theory. For practical applications, the prepared flexible SERS substrate is adapted to the in-situ Raman detection of adenosine aqueous solution and the methylene-blue (MB) molecule detection of the skin of a fish, providing a direct and nondestructive active-platform for the detecting on the surfaces with any arbitrary morphology and aqueous solution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials)
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14 pages, 3210 KiB  
Article
Magnetite Nanoparticles Coated with PEG 3350-Tween 80: In Vitro Characterization Using Primary Cell Cultures
by Jorge A Roacho-Pérez, Fernando G Ruiz-Hernandez, Christian Chapa-Gonzalez, Herminia G Martínez-Rodríguez, Israel A Flores-Urquizo, Florencia E Pedroza-Montoya, Elsa N Garza-Treviño, Minerva Bautista-Villareal, Perla E García-Casillas and Celia N Sánchez-Domínguez
Polymers 2020, 12(2), 300; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12020300 - 02 Feb 2020
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5073
Abstract
Some medical applications of magnetic nanoparticles require direct contact with healthy tissues and blood. If nanoparticles are not designed properly, they can cause several problems, such as cytotoxicity or hemolysis. A strategy for improvement the biological proprieties of magnetic nanoparticles is their functionalization [...] Read more.
Some medical applications of magnetic nanoparticles require direct contact with healthy tissues and blood. If nanoparticles are not designed properly, they can cause several problems, such as cytotoxicity or hemolysis. A strategy for improvement the biological proprieties of magnetic nanoparticles is their functionalization with biocompatible polymers and nonionic surfactants. In this study we compared bare magnetite nanoparticles against magnetite nanoparticles coated with a combination of polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350) and polysorbate 80 (Tween 80). Physical characteristics of nanoparticles were evaluated. A primary culture of sheep adipose mesenchymal stem cells was developed to measure nanoparticle cytotoxicity. A sample of erythrocytes from a healthy donor was used for the hemolysis assay. Results showed the successful obtention of magnetite nanoparticles coated with PEG 3350-Tween 80, with a spherical shape, average size of 119.2 nm and a zeta potential of +5.61 mV. Interaction with mesenchymal stem cells showed a non-cytotoxic propriety at doses lower than 1000 µg/mL. Interaction with erythrocytes showed a non-hemolytic propriety at doses lower than 100 µg/mL. In vitro information obtained from this work concludes that the use of magnetite nanoparticles coated with PEG 3350-Tween 80 is safe for a biological system at low doses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials)
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13 pages, 4197 KiB  
Article
Non-Chloride in Situ Preparation of Nano-Cuprous Oxide and Its Effect on Heat Resistance and Combustion Properties of Calcium Alginate
by Peiyuan Shao, Peng Xu, Lei Zhang, Yun Xue, Xihui Zhao, Zichao Li and Qun Li
Polymers 2019, 11(11), 1760; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym11111760 - 27 Oct 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2865
Abstract
With Cu2+ complexes as precursors, nano-cuprous oxide was prepared on a sodium alginate template excluded of Cl− and based on which the calcium alginate/nano-cuprous oxide hybrid materials were prepared by a Ca2+ crosslinking and freeze-drying process. The thermal degradation and [...] Read more.
With Cu2+ complexes as precursors, nano-cuprous oxide was prepared on a sodium alginate template excluded of Cl− and based on which the calcium alginate/nano-cuprous oxide hybrid materials were prepared by a Ca2+ crosslinking and freeze-drying process. The thermal degradation and combustion behavior of the materials were studied by related characterization techniques using pure calcium alginate as a comparison. The results show that the weight loss rate, heat release rate, peak heat release rate, total heat release rate and specific extinction area of the hybrid materials were remarkably lower than pure calcium alginate, and the flame-retardant performance was significantly improved. The experimental data indicates that nano-cuprous oxide formed a dense protective layer of copper oxide, calcium carbonate and carbon by lowering the initial degradation temperature of the polysaccharide chain during thermal degradation and catalytically dehydrating to char in the combustion process, and thereby can isolate combustible gases, increase carbon residual rates, and notably reduce heat release and smoke evacuation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials)
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Review

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24 pages, 2735 KiB  
Review
Silver Nanoparticles for Water Pollution Monitoring and Treatments: Ecosafety Challenge and Cellulose-Based Hybrids Solution
by Andrea Fiorati, Arianna Bellingeri, Carlo Punta, Ilaria Corsi and Iole Venditti
Polymers 2020, 12(8), 1635; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12081635 - 23 Jul 2020
Cited by 70 | Viewed by 7844
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used as engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in many advanced nanotechnologies, due to their versatile, easy and cheap preparations combined with peculiar chemical-physical properties. Their increased production and integration in environmental applications including water treatment raise concerns for their impact [...] Read more.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used as engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in many advanced nanotechnologies, due to their versatile, easy and cheap preparations combined with peculiar chemical-physical properties. Their increased production and integration in environmental applications including water treatment raise concerns for their impact on humans and the environment. An eco-design strategy that makes it possible to combine the best material performances with no risk for the natural ecosystems and living beings has been recently proposed. This review envisages potential hybrid solutions of AgNPs for water pollution monitoring and remediation to satisfy their successful, environmentally safe (ecosafe) application. Being extremely efficient in pollutants sensing and degradation, their ecosafe application can be achieved in combination with polymeric-based materials, especially with cellulose, by following an eco-design approach. In fact, (AgNPs)–cellulose hybrids have the double advantage of being easily produced using recycled material, with low costs and possible reuse, and of being ecosafe, if properly designed. An updated view of the use and prospects of these advanced hybrids AgNP-based materials is provided, which will surely speed their environmental application with consequent significant economic and environmental impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Nanoparticles-Polymer Hybrid Materials)
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