The use of biodegradable polyesters derived from green sources and their combination with natural abundantly layered aluminosilicate clay, e.g., natural montmorillonite, meets the requirements for the development of new sustainable, disposable, and biodegradable organic dye sorbent materials. In this regard, novel electrospun composite fibers, based on poly β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and in situ synthesized poly(vinyl formate) (PVF), loaded with protonated montmorillonite (MMT-H) were prepared via electrospinning in the presence of formic acid, a volatile solvent for polymers and a protonating agent for the pristine MMT-Na. The morphology and structure of electrospun composite fibers were investigated through SEM, TEM, AFM, FT-IR, and XRD analyses. The contact angle (CA) measurements showed increased hydrophilicity of the composite fibers incorporated with MMT-H. The electrospun fibrous mats were evaluated as membranes for removing cationic (methylene blue) and anionic (Congo red) dyes. PHB/MMT 20% and PVF/MMT 30% showed significant performance in dye removal compared with the other matrices. PHB/MMT 20% was the best electrospun mat for adsorbing Congo red. The PVF/MMT 30% fibrous membrane exhibited the optimum activity for the adsorption of methylene blue and Congo red dyes.

The hepatoprotective properties of silibinin, as well its therapeutic potential as an anticancer and chemo-preventive agent, have failed to progress towards clinical development and commercialization due to this material’s unfavorable pharmacokinetics and physicochemical properties, low aqueous solubility, and chemical instability. The present contribution is focused on the feasibility of using PEGylated calixarene, in particular polyoxyethylene-derivatized tert-octylcalix[8]arene, to prepare various platforms for the delivery of silibinin, such as inclusion complexes and supramolecular aggregates thereof. The inclusion complex is characterized by various instrumental methods. At concentrations exceeding the critical micellization concentration of PEGylated calixarene, the tremendous solubility increment of silibinin is attributed to the additional solubilization and hydrophobic non-covalent interactions of the drug with supramolecular aggregates. PEG-modified tert-octylcalix[8]arenes, used as drug delivery carriers for silibinin, were additionally investigated for cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines.

Solid-state supercapacitors with gel electrolytes have emerged as a promising field for various energy storage applications, including electronic devices, electric vehicles, and mobile phones. In this study, nanocomposite gel membranes were fabricated using the solution casting method with perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer dispersion, both with and without the incorporation of 10 wt.% montmorillonite (MMT). MMT, a natural clay known for its high surface area and layered structure, is expected to enhance the properties of supercapacitor systems. Manganese oxide, selected for its pseudocapacitive behavior in a neutral electrolyte, was synthesized via direct co-precipitation. The materials underwent structural and morphological characterization. For electrochemical evaluation, a two-electrode Swagelok cell was employed, featuring a carbon xerogel negative electrode, a manganese dioxide positive electrode, and a PFSA polymer membrane serving as both the electrolyte and separator. The membrane was immersed in a 1 M Na₂SO₄ solution before testing. A comprehensive electrochemical analysis of the hybrid cells was conducted and compared with a symmetric carbon/carbon supercapacitor. Cyclic voltammetric curves were recorded, and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests were conducted at various temperatures (20, 40, 60 °C). The hybrid cell with the PFSA/MMT 10 wt.% exhibited the highest specific capacitance and maintained its hybrid profile after prolonged cycling at elevated temperatures, highlighting the potential of the newly developed membrane.

Supercapacitors are advanced energy storage devices renowned for their rapid energy delivery and long operational lifespan, making them indispensable across various industries. Their relevance has grown in recent years due to the adoption of environmentally friendly materials. One such material is bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), produced entirely from microbial sources, offering sustainability and a bioprocess-driven synthesis. In this study, BNC was synthesized using a symbiotic microbial community. After production and purification, pristine BNC membranes, with an average thickness of 80 microns, were impregnated with an alkali-alcohol meta-polybenzimidazole (PBI) solution. This process yielded hybrid BNC/PBI membranes with improved ion-transport properties. The BNC membranes were then doped with a 6 M KOH solution, to enhance OH− conductivity, and characterized using optical microscopy, ATR FT-IR, XRD, CVT, BET analysis, and impedance spectroscopy. Both BNC and BNC/PBI membranes were tested as separators in laboratory-scale symmetric supercapacitor cells, with performance compared to a commercial Viledon® separator. The supercapacitors employing BNC membranes exhibited high specific capacitance and excellent cycling stability, retaining performance over 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. These findings underscore the potential of BNC/KOH membranes for next-generation supercapacitor applications.

Viruses cause a great number of infectious diseases with medical, veterinary, agricultural, social and economic impact. Their unique mechanisms to spread, overcome and resist the existing countermeasures require innovative and smart antiviral strategies such as the effective disinfection of enclosed environments with ensured broad-spectrum efficacy and minimized risks associated with handling liquid biocides. Formic acid (FA) is a well-established natural acaricide used in beehives with an antiviral potential; however, its application in a liquid form is hindered by severe corrosiveness and rapid, uncontrolled evaporation. This study describes a novel formulation of FA, using a cryogel carrier for achieving a vapor-phase inactivation of viruses, thus eliminating the need for direct contact between the disinfectant and the pathogen. Firstly, a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) cryogel was synthesized by a procedure involving cryogenic treatment, photochemical crosslinking, and freeze-drying, and then the cryogel was swollen with 65% FA or _ddH₂O as a control. After an exposure of a panel of animal and human viruses to FA, evaporated by the polymer carrier for time intervals between 15 min and 12 h, they were neutralized completely as follows: Poliovirus (PV) as a surrogate for major bee viral pathogens for 60 min by 5.1 ∆lg; Feline calicivirus (FCV) for 60 min by 5.3 ∆lg; Adenovirus 5 (AdV5) for 12 h by 4.0 ∆lg; and Influenza virus A (IAV) for 15 min by 5.1 ∆lg. Results were recorded after titration, 48–72 h incubation, cytopathic effect estimation and NR uptake assay. Our results suggest that 65% FA, when delivered via the PNIPAm cryogel matrix, acts as a powerful agent for fumigation-like disinfection. This “dry” delivery strategy offers significant practical advantages: it eliminates the need for open liquid containers, prevents spill-related hazards, and provides an alternative for controlled, long-term release of active vapors.