Hydrogel dressings for biomedical application were obtained by γ-irradiation of poly-N-vinipirrolidon (PVP), agar-agar, polyethylene glycol and silver nitrate solution. Influence of irradiation doses (range from 25 kGy to 75 kGy), silver nitrate concentration and PVP concentration in initial monomer mixture on properties of obtained material were investigated. Presence and distribution of silver nanoparticles in obtained bandages is confirmed by optical microscopy and atomic force spectroscopy. Antimicrobial activity study in vitro showed antimicrobial activity, flexibility, high sorption capacity to water and biological fluids.

Mixtures containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and methylcellulose (MC) were obtained and used to synthesize hydrogels in various ratios of components. The swelling kinetics of the resulting hydrogels were studied, revealing that the equilibrium swelling degree in artificial saliva is nearly twice as high as in water. It was found that increasing the volumetric content of PVA in the mixture leads to a higher swelling degree. The kinetics of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) sorption and release from the hydrogels were also investigated. It was demonstrated that hydrogels with a higher PVA content exhibit greater sorption capacity; however, the release of the API from such samples occurs at a slower rate. For the first time, the mucoadhesive properties of PVA-MC-based hydrogels were studied. It was established that the PVA-MC hydrogel with a ratio of 6:4 vol.% remained on the surface of the porcine cheek mucosa for two days, the 5.5:4.5 vol.% sample detached after 24 h, and the 5:5 vol.% sample adhered for approximately 10 h. These findings confirm the mucoadhesive potential of the hydrogels and their suitability for buccal drug delivery forms. The synthesized PVA-MC hydrogels are promising for applications in medicine and pharmacology.

Zeolite-based composite nanomaterials represent a versatile and mechanistically rich platform for the removal of organic micropollutants (OMPs)—including pharmaceuticals, endocrine-disrupting compounds, pesticides, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—from contaminated water systems. Although pristine zeolite frameworks provide well-defined microporous architectures, tunable Si/Al ratios, and ion-exchange capacity, their intrinsic hydrophilicity restricts interaction diversity and limits performance toward the structurally heterogeneous OMPs prevalent in real aquatic environments. Composite integration with carbonaceous nanophases, functional polymers and surfactants, and catalytically active metal oxide nanoparticles substantially extends this interaction repertoire, yielding multifunctional materials whose adsorption performance exceeds that of the individual components. Drawing on a systematic survey of peer-reviewed literature published between 2016 and 2026, this review develops a mechanism-oriented, structure–property–performance framework examining five dominant adsorption mechanisms—electrostatic attraction, π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic partitioning, and micropore confinement—in relation to composite nanoarchitecture, surface chemistry, and structural parameters. The modulating influence of realistic water matrix conditions on adsorption efficiency is critically assessed, alongside challenges of regeneration, long-term stability, metal leaching, and the persistent gap between laboratory-scale synthesis and scalable deployment. Priority research directions are identified, including standardized performance evaluation under environmentally representative conditions and rational design of hierarchical multifunctional nanocomposites from earth-abundant and waste-derived precursors.

This study reports the solvent-free synthesis, structural characterization, and performance evaluation of poly (methyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) [P(MMA-AA)] copolymers intended for use as sustainable concrete primers and industrial coatings. A series of copolymers with varying MMA-AA molar ratios were synthesized via bulk radical polymerization and characterized using ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The resulting materials were evaluated for their physical mechanical properties, including viscosity, tensile strength, surface hardness, and wettability. The findings revealed that higher MMA content improved the thermal stability, tensile strength, and hardness of the coatings, whereas increasing the AA content enhanced crosslinking density, hydrophilicity, and chemical resistance. These results demonstrate the potential of solvent-free P(MMA-AA) copolymers as environmentally friendly, high-performance alternatives to conventional solvent-based systems in protective coating applications.

In this study, polymer films based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), modified starch, and acrylic acid (AA) were synthesized and characterized. For the first time, this work investigates the synergistic effect of incorporating AA into films based on PVA and preirradiated starch. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on simple blending of PVA and starch, the use of AA as a functional monomer enables the formation of a chemically cross‐linked structure, where the carboxyl groups of AA establish additional hydrogen and covalent bonds with the hydroxyl groups of PVA and starch, as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, this study employs starch that has been pretreated with electron beam irradiation, which enhances component compatibility and improves the mechanical and thermal properties of the films. A comprehensive analysis of the main physicochemical properties of the films showed that increasing the AA content led to a rise in gel fraction yield from 67.4% to 86.2%, indicating a denser cross‐linked polymer network. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated improved thermal stability with increasing AA content, with the decomposition temperature reaching up to 450°C and total mass loss reduced to 50%. Mechanical testing revealed a significant enhancement in strength and elasticity: The tensile strength increased from 300 to 500 kPa, and the Young’s modulus increased from 0.3897 to 0.5514 kPa. The obtained results suggest that PVA/starch/AA films hold great potential as a promising material for biodegradable packaging applications.