Photodegradation of Brilliant Green Dye by a Zinc bioMOF and Crystallographic Visualization of Resulting CO2

Modulation of the biocompatibility of collagen/polyelectrolyte semi-IPN hydrogels with Zn-bioMOFs

Background and purpose

In this study, we examined the impact of Zn-bioMOF structures on the physical and chemical characteristics as well as the in vitro biocompatibility of a matrix composed of semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks (semi-IPN) made from collagen and L-tyrosine-based polyelectrolytes.

Experimental approach

We hydrothermally synthesized L-1, ZIF-8H Zn-bioMOFs, and the Zn-(L-His)2 complex, utilizing L-histidine, a bioactive amino acid, as a ligand. These metal-organic compounds primarily enhance the mechanical properties of the novel composite hydrogels through physical interactions such as hydrogen bonds and dipolar interactions. They also accelerate the gelation process. Composites containing Zn-bioMOFs exhibited greater biocompatibility than the collagen/polyelectrolyte matrix alone, as evidenced by cytotoxicity assays conducted with porcine fibroblasts, human monocytes, and RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, the evaluated materials did not exhibit hemolysis. We investigated the influence of Zn-bioMOFs on cell signaling by measuring the levels of crucial cytokines involved in the healing process, such as MCP-1, TGF-β, IL-10, and TNF-α secreted by human monocytes.

Key results

The composite with Zn(L-His)2 promoted the secretion of MCP-1, TGF-β, and IL-10, while a decrease in TNF-α secretion was observed with the composite containing ZIF-8H. Zn-bioMOFs enhanced certain aspects of the biomedical and physicochemical properties of the composite hydrogels.

Conclusion

Although the overall performance of the tested materials did not differ significantly, it is worth noting that the presence of Zn-bioMOFs in biopolymeric hydrogels modulated the metabolic activity of cells important for healing and their cytokine signaling, leading to improved biomedical performance.

Selective cycloaddition of ethylene oxide to CO2 within the confined space of an amino acid-based metal-organic framework

Host-guest chemistry within the confined space of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offers an almost unlimited myriad of possibilities, hardly accessible with other materials. Here we report the synthesis and physical characterization, with atomic resolution by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, of a novel water-stable tridimensional MOF, derived from the amino acid S-methyl-L-cysteine, {SrZn6[(S,S)-Mecysmox]3(OH)2(H2O)}·9H2O (1), and its application as a robust and efficient solid catalyst for the cycloaddition reaction of ethylene/propylene oxide with CO2 to afford ethylene/propylene carbonate with yields of up to 95% and selectivity of up to 100%. These results nicely illustrate the great potential of MOFs to be game changers for the selective synthesis of industrially relevant products, representing a powerful alternative to the current heterogeneous catalysts.

Process optimization of adsorptive phytoremediation of mutagenic brilliant green dye for health risk management using chemically activated Symplocos racemosa agro-waste

Textile industries use large amounts of water as well as dyes. These dyes containing water are then discharged into the water bodies causing a significant role in water pollution. Brilliant Green dye contributes to many harmful diseases related to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. In this study, Symplocos racemosa (SR) agro-waste was chemically treated with acid (SR-HCl) and base (SR-NaOH) and then used for removing Brilliant Green Dye (BGD) on the batch scale. They were characterized by SEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD, TGA and DSC. Optimized conditions were 30 °C temperature, pH 6, adsorbent dose of 0.10 g/25 ml dye solution, shaking speed of 100 revolutions per minute, initial dye concentration of 50 ppm and 35 min time for shaking adsorbent and dye solution. Adsorption data obtained were analyzed using isotherms. The experimental data was found to fit well with the Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of BGD on the SR, SR-HCl, and SR-NaOH was revealed to be 62.90, 65.40, and 71 mg/g respectively. Kinetic data (pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order) were evaluated and adsorption tends to follow the pseudo-2nd-order, which indicated the chemisorption mechanism. The results revealed that Symplocos racemosa agro-waste can be considered as the potential biosorbent.

Present and Perspectives of Photoactive Porous Composites Based on Semiconductor Nanocrystals and Metal-Organic Frameworks

This review focuses on the recent developments in synthesis, properties, and applications of a relatively new family of photoactive porous composites, integrated by metal halide perovskite (MHP) nanocrystals and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The synergy between the two systems has led to materials (MHP@MOF composites) with new functionalities along with improved properties and phase stability, thus broadening their applications in multiple areas of research such as sensing, light-harvesting solar cells, light-emitting device technology, encryption, and photocatalysis. The state of the art, recent progress, and most promising routes for future research on these photoactive porous composites are presented in the end.