Robust Magnetic/Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles Designed for Crude Oil Entrapment and Recovery in Aqueous Environments

Well-defined, magnetic shell cross-linked knedel-like nanoparticles (MSCKs) with hydrodynamic diameters <i>ca.</i> 70 nm were constructed through the co-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers of PAA₂₀-<i>b</i>-PS₂₈₀ and oleic acid-stabilized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles using tetrahydrofuran, <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylformamide, and water, ultimately transitioning to a fully aqueous system. These hybrid nanomaterials were designed for application as sequestering agents for hydrocarbons present in crude oil, based upon their combination of amphiphilic organic domains, for aqueous solution dispersibility and capture of hydrophobic guest molecules, with inorganic core particles for magnetic responsivity. The employment of these MSCKs in a contaminated aqueous environment resulted in the successful removal of the hydrophobic contaminants at a ratio of 10 mg of oil per 1 mg of MSCK. Once loaded, the crude oil-sorbed nanoparticles were easily isolated <i>via</i> the introduction of an external magnetic field. The recovery and reusability of these MSCKs were also investigated. These results suggest that deployment of hybrid nanocomposites, such as these, could aid in environmental remediation efforts, including at oil spill sites, in particular, following the bulk recovery phase

Holistic Assessment of Covalently Labeled Core–Shell Polymeric Nanoparticles with Fluorescent Contrast Agents for Theranostic Applications

The successful development of degradable polymeric nanostructures as optical probes for use in nanotheranostic applications requires the intelligent design of materials such that their surface response, degradation, drug delivery, and imaging properties are all optimized. In the case of imaging, optimization must result in materials that allow differentiation between unbound optical contrast agents and labeled polymeric materials as they undergo degradation. In this study, we have shown that use of traditional electrophoretic gel-plate assays for the determination of the purity of dye-conjugated degradable nanoparticles is limited by polymer degradation characteristics. To overcome these limitations, we have outlined a holistic approach to evaluating dye and peptide–polymer nanoparticle conjugation by utilizing steady-state fluorescence, anisotropy, and emission and anisotropy lifetime decay profiles, through which nanoparticle–dye binding can be assessed independently of perturbations, such as those presented during the execution of electrolyte gel-based assays. This approach has been demonstrated to provide an overall understanding of the spectral signature–structure–function relationship, ascertaining key information on interactions between the fluorophore, polymer, and solvent components that have a direct and measurable impact on the emissive properties of the optical probe. The use of these powerful techniques provides feedback that can be utilized to improve nanotheranostics by evaluating dye emissivity in degradable nanotheranostic systems, which has become increasingly important as modern platforms transition to architectures intentionally reliant on degradation and built-in environmental responses