Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Design, Synthesis and Application Properties

Abstract

The immense scope of variation in dendritic molecules (hyper-branching, nano-sized, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, rigidity/flexibility balance, etc.) and their versatile functionalization, with the possibility of multivalent binding, permit the design of highly improved, novel materials. Dendritic-based materials are therefore viable alternatives to conventional polymers. The overall aim of this work is to show the advantages of dendronization processes by presenting the synthesis and characterization of three different dendronized systems: (I) microbeads of functionalized chitosan; (II) nanostructuration of polypropylene surfaces; and (III) smart dendritic nanogels. The particular properties yielded by these systems could only be achieved thanks to the dendronization process.

The disulfide bond as a key motif for the construction of multivalent glycoclusters

“…Terminal functional groups can induce multivalency, leading to an exponential increase in binding affinities. 59,60…”

“…Terminal functional groups can induce multivalency, leading to an exponential increase in binding affinities. 59,60 The syntony of the generation (number of repeated branches) allows the regulation of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the dendron and the covalent union of specific molecules, as in this case of sugars, allows the increase of the binding affinity towards certain guest molecules, such as small molecules, proteins, or polymers. 10 The introduction of the hexanoyl linker followed by the installation of the thioacetate group was performed using the same sequence described before with excellent yields.…”

A novel magnetic fluid for ultra-fast and highly efficient extraction of N1-methylnicotinamide in urine samples

“…25 Moreover, nanomaterials are the most widely used, both for each biological composition and for various separation methods, [26][27][28][29][30][31] which should be attributed to their great flexibility in preparation and manipulation. 32 Among them, MSPE is an interesting method of sample pre-treatment that utilizes a magnetic sorbent to pre-concentrate the target analytes in bulk samples. 33 This is due to the fact that the solidliquid phase is separated by means of an external magnet.…”