Dual drug-loaded nanotherapeutics can play an important role against the drug resistance and side effects of the single drugs. Doxorubicin and sorafenib were efficiently co-encapsulated by tailor-made poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) using an emulsion–solvent evaporation method. Subsequent poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) conjugation onto nanoparticles was applied to make the nanocarriers stealth and to improve their drug release characteristics. Monodisperse PHB–sorafenib–doxorubicin nanoparticles had an average size of 199.3 nm, which was increased to 250.5 nm after PEGylation. The nanoparticle yield and encapsulation efficiencies of drugs decreased slightly in consequence of PEG conjugation. The drug release of the doxorubicin was beneficial, since it was liberated faster in a tumor-specific acidic environment than in blood plasma. The PEG attachment decelerated the release of both the doxorubicin and the sorafenib, however, the release of the latter drug remained still significantly faster with increased initial burst compared to doxorubicin. Nevertheless, the PEG–PHB copolymer showed more beneficial drug release kinetics in vitro in comparison with our recently developed PEGylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles loaded with the same drugs.

In this work, the synthesis of ordered mesoporous silica of MCM-41 type was investigated aimed at improving its morphology by varying the synthesis conditions in a one-pot process, employing different temperatures and solvent conditions. 2-methoxyethanol was used as co-solvent to ethanol. The co-solvent ratio and the synthesis temperature were varied. The pore morphology of the materials was characterized by nitrogen porosimetry and small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and the particle morphology by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultra-small angle neutron scattering (USANS). The thermal behavior was investigated by simultaneous thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) measurements. The SANS and N₂ sorption results demonstrated that a well-ordered mesoporous structure was obtained at all conditions in the synthesis at room temperature. Addition of methoxyethanol led to an increase of the pore wall thickness. Simultaneously, an increase of methoxyethanol content led to lowering of the mean particle size from 300 to 230 nm, according to the ultra-small angle scattering data. The ordered porosity and high specific surfaces make these materials suitable for applications such as adsorbents in environmental remediation. Batch adsorption measurements of metal ion removal from aqueous solutions of Cu(II) and Pb(II) showed that the materials exhibit dominantly monolayer surface adsorption characteristics. The adsorption capacities were 9.7 mg/g for Cu(II) and 18.8 mg/g for Pb(II) at pH 5, making these materials competitive in performance to various composite materials.

In this study, relationships between preparation conditions, structure, and activity of Pt-containing TiO₂ photocatalysts in photoinduced reforming of glycerol for H₂ production were explored. Commercial Aerolyst^® TiO₂ (P25) and homemade TiO₂ prepared by precipitation-aging method were used as semiconductors. Pt co-catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation from aqueous solution of Pt(NH₃)₄(NO₃)₂ and activated by calcination, high temperature hydrogen, or nitrogen treatments. The chemico-physical and structural properties were evaluated by XRD, ¹H MAS NMR, ESR, XPS, TG-MS and TEM. The highest H₂ evolution rate was observed over P25 based samples and the H₂ treatment resulted in more active samples than the other co-catalyst formation methods. In all calcined samples, reduction of Pt occurred during the photocatalytic reaction. Platinum was more easily reducible in all of the P25 supported samples compared to those obtained from the more water-retentive homemade TiO₂. This result was related to the negative effect of the adsorbed water content of the homemade TiO₂ on Pt reduction and on particle growth during co-catalyst formation.

Ikaite formation and its transformation to calcite occurs via distinct amorphous calcium carbonates (referred to as I and II) that differ in their morphology, particle size, water content and stability.

The adsorption of surfaces exposed to sunlight results in increased temperatures that can cause physical damage and an increase in energy consumption. Infrared reflective coatings can keep objects cooler and have significant benefits in a wide variety of application by reflecting infrared light and decreasing heat, reducing operating costs, improving energy efficiency in buildings and vehicles, and extending an objects’ lifespan. The main aim of our research was to develop coatings in a RAL7016 Anthracite grey color with minimum heat adsorption in the infrared wavelength range. This was achieved using a combination of infrared transparent and infrared reflective pigment built-in coatings applied on two primers: white and black. Infrared reflectivity or transparency, as well as surface temperature, was investigated as a function of the composition and concentration of pigments. These coatings were characterized by chromatic parameters, by total solar and infrared solar reflectance in the UV, visible, and infrared wavelength range, and by heat reflection. Among the coatings developed, two produced very effective controls for infrared reflectance and transparency, and they could control heat reflectance, resulting in a significant decrease in surface temperature.

Valsartan is an antihypertensive drug used primarily orally, however, due to its hydrophobic nature it has got low bio-availability thus requiring higher dosage/frequency and causing more side effects. The aim of our work was to prepare valsartan-loaded nanoparticles by using ethyl cellulose and poly(methyl methacrylate) polymers which can be administered orally and to investigate the preparation conditions and their significance as potential drug carriers for valsartan delivery by in vitro release studies. Ethyl cellulose and poly(methyl methacrylate) polymers were used for the preparation of nanoparticles by single emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. The formation of drug-loaded nanoparticles was designed by experimental design for size and encapsulation efficiency, in addition the prepared nanosuspensions were nano spray dried in order to gain a powder form that is easy to handle and store. Both of the nano spray dried formulations had an amorphous structure in contrast to the pure drug according to differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis, which can be advantageous in drug absorption. The originally processed ethyl cellulose-valsartan nanoparticles increased the solubility of the drug in the model intestinal medium, while poly(methyl methacrylate)-valsartan nanoparticles enabled substantially prolonged drug release. The release kinetics of both types of nanoparticles could be described by the Weibull model.