Textile materials with fluorescent, repellent, or antimicrobial properties are increasingly used in common applications. Obtaining multi-functional coatings is of wide interest, especially for applications related to signaling or to the medical field. In order to increase the performance (color properties, fluorescence lifetime, self-cleaning or antimicrobial properties) of textile materials with special uses, a series of research was carried out regarding the modification of surfaces with nanosols. In this study, coatings with multiple properties were obtained by depositing nanosols on cotton fabrics generated through sol–gel reactions. These multifunctional coatings are hybrid materials in which the host matrix is generated using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and network modifying organosilanes:dimethoxydimethylsilane (DMDMS) or dimethoxydiphenylsilane (DMDPS) in a 1:1 mass ratio. Two curcumin derivatives were embedded in siloxane matrices, a yellow one (CY) that is identical to bis-demethoxycurcumin (one of the natural constituents in turmeric) and a red dye (CR) that has a N,N-dimethylamino group grafted in position 4 of the dicinnamoylmethane skeleton of curcumin. The nanocomposites obtained by embedding curcumin derivatives in siloxane matrices were deposited on cotton fabric and studied in relation to the dye and the type of host matrix. Fabrics coated with such systems provide a hydrophobic surface, have fluorescent and antimicrobial properties, change color depending on the pH, and therefore can be used in various fields where textiles provide signaling properties, self-cleaning, or antibacterial protection. The coated fabrics maintained their good multifunctional properties even after several washing cycles.

In the textile, medical, and food industries, many of the applications have targeted the use of textile fabrics with antimicrobial properties. Obtaining eco-friendly coatings is of wide interest, especially for applications related to wound dressing or to food packaging. In order to obtain coatings with antimicrobial properties through environmentally friendly methods, a series of experiments were carried out on the use of natural polymers loaded with silver nanoparticles. In this study, coatings with antimicrobial properties were obtained by depositing natural composites based on rice flour, carob flour, or alginate on cotton fabrics. These antimicrobial coatings were multicomponent systems, in which the host matrix was generated via hydration of natural polymers. The nanocomposite obtained from the phytosynthesis of silver particles in ginger extract was embedded in hydrogel matrices. The multicomponent gels obtained by embedding silver nanoparticles in natural polymer matrices were deposited on cotton fabric and were studied in relation to nanoparticles and the type of host matrix, and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated. Fabrics coated with such systems provide a hydrophilic surface with antimicrobial properties and can therefore be used in various areas where textiles provide antibacterial protection.

This work aims to evaluate the potential use of natural wastes (in particular, clam shells) to synthesize one of the most well-known and versatile materials from the phosphate mineral group, hydroxyapatite (HAP). The obtained material was characterized in terms of morphology and composition using several analytical methods (scanning electron microscopy—SEM, X-ray diffraction—XRD, X-ray fluorescence—XRF, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy—FTIR, thermal analysis—TGA, and evaluation of the porosity and specific surface characteristics by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller—BET method) in order to confirm the successful synthesis of the material and to evaluate the presence of potential secondary phases. The developed material was further doped with iron oxide (HAP-Fe) using a microwave-assisted method, and both materials were evaluated in terms of photocatalytic activity determined by the photodecomposition of methylene blue (MB) which served as a contaminant model. The best results (approx. 33% MB degradation efficiency, after 120 min. of exposure) were obtained for the hydroxyapatite material, superior to the HAP-Fe composite (approx. 27%). The utilization of hydroxyapatite obtained from clam shells underscores the importance of sustainable and eco-friendly practices in materials syntheses. By repurposing waste materials from the seafood industry, we not only reduce environmental impact, but also create a valuable resource with diverse applications, contributing to advancements in both healthcare and environmental protection.

The therapeutic effects of curcumin and its derivatives, based on research in recent years, are limited by their low bioavailability. To improve bioavailability and develop the medical field of application, different delivery systems have been developed that are adapted to certain environments or the proposed target type. This study presents some half-curcuminoids prepared by the condensation of acetylacetone with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (C1), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (C2), 4-acetamidobenzaldehyde (C3), or 4-diethylaminobenzaldehyde (C4), at microwaves as a simple, solvent-free, and eco-friendly method. The four compounds obtained were characterized in terms of morphostructural and photophysical properties. Following the predictions of theoretical studies on the biological activities related to the molecular structure, in vitro tests were performed for compounds C1–C3 to evaluate the antitumor properties and for C4’s possible applications in the treatment of neurological diseases. The four compounds were encapsulated in two types of hydrogel matrices. First, the alginate–glucosamine network was generated and then the curcumin analogs were loaded (G1, G3, G5–G7, and G9). The second type of hydrogels was obtained by loading the active compound together with the generation of the hydrogel carrier matrices, by simply dissolving (G4 and G10) or by chemically binding half-curcuminoid derivatives to glucosamine (G2 and G8). Thus, two types of curcumin analog delivery systems were obtained, which could be applied in various types of medical treatments.

One of the most researched minerals in terms of how to produce it and the range of uses for it is calcium carbonate. This work describes how to generate hybrid materials by co-precipitating calcium carbonate loaded with either bis-dehydroxycurcumin (CCOH) or the calcium complex of bis-dehydroxycurcumin (Ca(CCOH)₂). Composite materials with various morphologies were produced when calcium carbonate and different amounts of curcumin derivatives were precipitated in alcoholic media. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for structural and morphologic characterization of the materials, while thermal stability was verified by thermal-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and porosity analysis was performed to evaluate surfaces and pore sizes. The hybrid materials were embedded in a cosmetic matrix lacking a sun protective effect in order to assess the UV-shielding properties. The transmittance spectra were subsequently measured in the 290–400 nm region, and the sun protection factor (SPF) was calculated. Thus, the co-precipitation approach produced hybrid materials loaded with curcumin derivatives, which were further evaluated for possible applications in the medical field for the delivery of drugs or in skincare products.

Photocatalytic coatings are difficult to obtain on textile materials because of the sometimes contradictory properties that must be achieved. In order to obtain a high efficiency of a photocatalytic effect, the metal–oxide semiconductor must be found in the vicinity of the coating–air interface in order to come into direct contact with the contaminant species and allow light radiation access to its surface. Another necessary condition is related to the properties of the covering textile material as well as to the stability of the xerogel films to light and wet treatments. In this sense, we proposed a solution based on hybrid silica films generated by sol–gel processes, coatings that contain as a photocatalyst TiO₂ sensitized with tetracarboxylic acid of iron (III) phthalocyanine (FeTCPc). The coatings were made by the pad–dry–cure process, using in the composition a bifunctional anchoring agent (3-glycidoxipropyltrimethoxysilane, GLYMO), a crosslinking agent (sodium tetraborate, BORAX), and a catalyst (N-methylimidazole, MIM) for the polymerization of epoxy groups. The photodegradation experiments performed on methylene blue (MB), utilized as a model contaminant, using LED or xenon arc as light sources, showed that the treatment with BORAX improves the resistance of the coatings to wet treatments but worsens their photocatalytic performances.