Abstract The formation of well‐defined, functional surfaces that incorporate the unique properties of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) requires robust and scalable fabrication strategies. Herein, we report a methodology for the decoration of polymer molds with plasmonic (gold) nanoparticle arrays. Wrinkled soft templates were used to assemble gold NPs (74 nm) into line arrays. These pre‐formed nanoparticle arrays were transferred in a subsequent step onto polycarbonate molds via an injection molding process. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the structural fidelity of the pattern structure upon transfer. The preservation of the optical functionality of the gold nanoparticle line arrays was proven by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) experiments. The reported strategy of nanoparticle pattern transfer to polymer bodies by this robust process is expected to prove useful for the fabrication of polymer surfaces with tailored optical functionality.

Abstract This paper is dedicated to improve the conversion efficiency of carboxylation for polymers of intrinsic microporous (PIM‐1). According to stable thermal properties of PIM‐1, a hydrothermal method is used for the first time to achieve the carboxylation conversion of PIM‐1 (C‐PIM), achieving a conversion rate of more than 90% at a reaction time of 10 hours, which is nearly five times more efficient than the most efficient conversion process currently available, preserving the film‐forming properties. The completion of the carboxylation conversion is verified using 1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR, FT‐IR, and organic elemental analysis. It is found that the change in molecular weight affected the film‐forming properties of the membrane material, and the hydrophobicity of the C‐PIM membrane did not decrease compared with C‐PIM membrane reported in previous studies. The effect of C‐PIM on the selectivity of CO2 gas is explained from the microscopic to the macroscopic level by using physical characterization such as molecular structure analysis, XRD, cross‐linkage calculation, pore size and volume distribution, and fractional free volume (FFV) calculation. It verifies that the efficiency of CO2 adsorption and diffusion selectivity for PIM‐1 membranes has been improved by carboxylation, preserving excellent separation, and capture capacity of CO2.

Abstract Macrophage targeting and researches centered on immunological responses have received interest thanks to studies unveiling the significant role of macrophages in inflammatory diseases and cancer. In this regard, we have selected four types of nanoparticles (NPs), including acetalated dextran‐based nano‐carrier functionalized with atrial natriuretic peptide and linTT1(AcDEX‐PEG‐TT1‐ANP), PEGylated acetalated dextran (AcDEX‐PEG), acetalated dextran (AcDEX), and hyaluronic acid (HA) to investigate their interactions with macrophage membrane. Using microsecond coarse‐grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we studied the interactions between the NPs and the macrophage membrane and subsequent immunological reactions that occur after the penetration of the NPs within the macrophage cell. Different parameters that determine the strength and amount of macrophage membrane interaction were measured and compared for all four types of NPs. The results showed that AcDEX‐PEG‐TT1‐ANP has the most favorable interaction with the macrophage membrane while HA has the least favorable results by comparison. Moreover, drug encapsulation and release in different pH conditions showed the pH‐responsivity of the considered NPs for drug delivery in acidic environments. On the other hand, evaluations with human serum albumin (HSA), fibrinogen (Fib), and transferrin (Tf) declared that peptide modified AcDEX polymers are the most probable NPs to absorb a layer of the protein corona.

Abstract Macrocyclic drugs are promising agents for treating a variety of diseases. However, these compounds usually present delivery limitations, such as low tissue selectivity and poor cellular uptake, which may impair efficacy and clinical translation. Here, we propose a molecular machine approach for delivering macrocyclic drugs based on their assembly into bioactive rotaxanes. To prove this concept, we use the extremely toxic macrocycle valinomycin (Val) as the host molecule, and identify dihydralazine (Dihyd) as a guest molecule after screening several guest compounds. The Val‐Dihyd complex is mechanically interlocked by capping one hydrazide group in Dihyd with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and the other with a Y‐shape branched poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) via a pH‐sensitive hydrazone bond. Thus, the Val‐loaded rotaxanes (Vrot) are stable at physiological pH, but release Val at mild acidic conditions mimicking intratumoral and endosomal environments. In vitro studies revealed Vrot is less cytotoxic than free Val in pancreatic cancer cells, while modifying Vrot with cyclic arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (cRGD) peptides promotes the cytotoxicity by enhancing cellular uptake. These results indicate the potential of rotaxanes of macrocyclic drugs for generating cancer targeted prodrugs.

Abstract The deposition of nanomaterials (NMs) on substrate is a pertinent for a variety of applications in nanometer‐sized electronics, mechanics, or catalysis. This paper establishes a universal and simple approach for assembly of functionalized metal oxide core nanoparticles (NPs) and nanorods (NRs) on a substrate with uniformity, area‐selectivity, and full order control. Particularly, the aluminium oxide (AlOx) NPs, titanium dioxide (TiO2) NRs, and TiO2 NPs functionalized by self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) molecules are deposited on substrate alternatively layer‐by‐layer. This assembling is performed in solution on the pre‐patterned surface with SAM molecules via amide coupling reactions in order to achieve the reaction‐orthogonality. Moreover, this stacking of inorganic NPs/NRs in a terminated implementation is progressed into latter layer of TiO2 NPs functionalized by 1‐aminopyrene molecules representing an example of hybrid organic‐inorganic formation with fluorescence emission. The deposited layers are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and total internal reflection fluorescence microscope (TIRFM). The significant versatility of stacked metal oxide core‐shell NPs/NRs via based‐solution method represents excellent and efficient applicability in manufacture of hybrid organic–inorganic nanostructure.

Abstract MXenes have been employed as two‐dimensional (2D) nanostructured fillers in polymers matrix to design composites, which have tailored multi‐functional properties with great potential applications in catalysis, sensor, energy storage, membrane and biomedicine areas. Analogous to 2D materials such as graphene and hexagonal boron nitrides, MXenes serve as robust support to expand a significant pathway to prepare composites. This paper outlines an overview of the recent development of MXenes and MXenes‐based composites decorated by functional properties that potentially hold a promise on the packaging applications. A particular emphasis is to illustrate the essential properties of MXenes/polymer membrane intended food packaging such as barrier and antibacterial properties, biocompatibility and thermal stability. Furthermore, the progress and emergent values are presented in the perspective of instrumentation packaging that broadens prospects for antistatic, electromagnetic shielding and invisibility purposes. As a whole, this review promotes an emerging field to formulate the good ingredient of food packaging and safety to produce green and versatile membranes with high barrier performance. Finally, challenges and insightful perspectives for the application of MXenes in the packaging area are elucidated.