The Feasibility of Using the MFC Concept to Upcycle Mixed Recycled Plastics

Several mixed recycled plastics, namely, mixed bilayer polypropylene/poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PP/PET) film, mixed polyolefins (MPO) and talc-filled PP were selected for this study and used as matrices for the preparation of microfibrillar composites (MFCs) with PET as reinforcement fibres. MFCs with recycled matrices were successfully prepared by a three-step processing (extrusion—cold drawing—injection moulding), although significant difficulties in processing were observed. Contrary to previous results with virgin PP, no outstanding mechanical properties were achieved; they showed little or almost no improvement compared to the properties of unreinforced recycled plastics. SEM characterisation showed a high level of PET fibre coalescence present in the MFC made from recycled PP/PET film, while in the other MFCs, a large heterogeneity of the microstructure was identified. Despite these disappointing results, the MFC concept remains an interesting approach for the upcycling of mixed polymer waste. However, the current study shows that the approach requires further in-depth investigations which consider various factors such as viscosity, heterogeneity, the presence of different additives and levels of degradation.

Hydrophobic Biomimetic Nanoparticles drives Size-dependent Remodelling in Asymmetric Bilayers

The interactions between heterogeneous components in a biomimetic bilayer can control its physical properties such as its rigidity, local and bulk curvature and propensity towards phenomena such as membrane fission and fusion. In particular, nanoparticles (NPs) have been subjects of intense interest due to their similar scale to the bilayer width and its ability to affect local membrane structure. Generally, it is understood that hydrophobic components are energetically favoured to adsorb within the hydrophobic interior of a biomimetic bilayer. However, how such NPs interact in the presence of heterogeneous aggregates in the bilayer has been the subject of much debate. To better understand the effects of the integration of nanoscale components on heterogeneous mixed bilayer, we have simulated a series of generic hydrophobic NPs interacting with a phase-separating two-component surfactant bilayer. We find that the hydrophobic NP tends to aggregate at the phase interface, acting as a line tension relaxant i.e. a lineactant on the phase separated interface, which results in a variety of demixing behavior. We demonstrate that depending on the size of the NP, the localized softening of surfactants and the formation of a mixing gradient of surfactants can drive the a cap/bud formation around the NP, as well as the formation of a NP-micelle structure<br>

Hydrophobic Biomimetic Nanoparticles drives Size-dependent Remodelling in Asymmetric Bilayers

The interactions between heterogeneous components in a biomimetic bilayer can control its physical properties such as its rigidity, local and bulk curvature and propensity towards phenomena such as membrane fission and fusion. In particular, nanoparticles (NPs) have been subjects of intense interest due to their similar scale to the bilayer width and its ability to affect local membrane structure. Generally, it is understood that hydrophobic components are energetically favoured to adsorb within the hydrophobic interior of a biomimetic bilayer. However, how such NPs interact in the presence of heterogeneous aggregates in the bilayer has been the subject of much debate. To better understand the effects of the integration of nanoscale components on heterogeneous mixed bilayer, we have simulated a series of generic hydrophobic NPs interacting with a phase-separating two-component surfactant bilayer. We find that the hydrophobic NP tends to aggregate at the phase interface, acting as a line tension relaxant i.e. a lineactant on the phase separated interface, which results in a variety of demixing behavior. We demonstrate that depending on the size of the NP, the localized softening of surfactants and the formation of a mixing gradient of surfactants can drive the a cap/bud formation around the NP, as well as the formation of a NP-micelle structure<br>

Interactions of the Antimicrobial Peptide Maculatin 1.1 and Analogues with Phospholipid Bilayers

The interactions of the antimicrobial peptide, maculatin 1.1 (GLFGVLAKVAAHVVPAIAEHF-NH2) and two analogues, with model phospholipid membranes have been studied using solid-state NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Maculatin 1.1 and the P15G and P15A analogues displayed minimal secondary structure in water, but with zwitterionic dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles displayed a significant increase in α-helical content. In mixed phospholipid vesicles of DMPC and anionic dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG), each peptide was highly structured with ~80% α-helical content. In DMPC vesicles, the native peptide displayed moderate head group interaction and significant perturbation of the lipid acyl chains. In DMPC/DMPG vesicles, maculatin 1.1 promoted formation of a DMPG-enriched phase and moderately increased disorder towards acyl chain ends of DMPC in the mixed bilayer. Both analogues showed reduced phospholipid head group interactions with DMPC but displayed significant interactions with the mixed lipid system. These effects support the preferential activity of these antimicrobial peptides for bacterial membranes.