Reproducibility and comparability of photocatalytic experiments are still challenging, owing to the large number of experimental parameters and their comprehensive documentation. To overcome this limitation, a modular, adaptable, and extensible photoreactor platform is reported, which enables experiments under well‐characterized, reproducible conditions. Comparability is ensured by comprehensive photonic characterization with chemical actinometry, radiometry and open documentation of the incident photon fluxes in the reaction vessels for different setups as well as the homogeneity of irradiation in multi‐reactor setups. Comprehensive documentation minimizes the need for repeated photonic characterization when modifying the setups. Experimental reproducibility within and across experiments was evaluated with studies of photocatalytic systems for hydrogen evolution, emphasizing the validity of the concept.

Three triggers result in two measurable outputs from polymeric sensors: multiresponsive polyampholytic graft copolymers respond to pH‐value and temperature, as well as the type and concentration of metal cations and therefore, allow the transformation of external triggers into simply measurable outputs (cloud point temperature (TCP) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of encapsulated silver nanoparticles). The synthesis relies on poly(dehydroalanine) (PDha) as the reactive backbone and gives straightforward access to materials with tunable composition and output. In particular, a rather high sensitivity toward the presence of Cu2+, Co2+, and Pb2+ metal cations is found.

We herein report the fabrication of core-crosslinked, fluorescent, and surface-functionalized worm-like block copolymer micelles as drug delivery vehicles. The polyether-based diblock terpolymer [allyl-poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether-co-furfuryl glycidyl ether)] was synthesized via anionic ring opening polymerization, and self-assembly in water as a selective solvent led to the formation of long filomicelles. Subsequent cross-linking was realized using hydrophobic bismaleimides as well as a designed fluorescent cross-linker for thermally induced Diels−Alder reactions with the furfuryl units incorporated in the hydrophobic block of the diblock terpolymer. As a fluorescent cross-linker, we synthesized and incorporated a cyanine 5-based bismaleimide in the cross-linking process, which can be used for fluorescence tracking of the particles. Furthermore, we covalently attached glucose to the allyl end groups present on the surface of the micelles to investigate active glucose-mediated transport into suitable cell lines. First studies in 2D as well as 3D cell culture models suggest a glucose-dependent uptake of the particles into cells despite their unusually large size compared to other nanoparticle systems used in drug delivery.

Melanins are a class of biopolymers that are widespread in nature, with diverse origins, compositions, and functions, and their chemical and optoelectronic properties render them potentially useful for application in materials science for various biotechnological applications. For patients with alkaptonuria, the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) in their bodies is associated with the concomitant deposition of pyomelanin, which is a pigment that contains significant amounts of polymerized HGA (polyHGA) in the bodily tissues of the patients. The polymerization of HGA under various different conditions in vitro is investigated using a selection of different analytical chemistry techniques to understand if there may be a correlation between the conditions and pigment deposition in vivo, and their potential for application as green/sustainable and components of electronic devices.

No abstract