In this work, 1H NMR relaxometry and diffusometry as well as viscometry experiments were carried out as a means to study the molecular dynamics of magnetic and non-magnetic ionic liquid-based systems. In order to evaluate the effect of a co-solvent on the super-paramagnetic properties observed for Aliquat-iron-based magnetic ionic liquids, mixtures comprising different concentrations, 1% and 10% (v/v), of DMSO-d6 were prepared and analyzed. The results suggest that, when at low concentrations, DMSO-d6 promotes more structured ionic arrangements, thus enhancing these super-paramagnetic properties. Furthermore, the analysis of temperature and water concentration effects allowed to conclude that neither one of these variables sufficiently affected the super-paramagnetic properties of the studied magnetic ionic liquids.

The discovery of microorganisms with the ability of Extracellular Electron Transfer (EET), nearly three decades ago, sparked interest due to their ability to be used in diverse applications that can range from bioremediation to electricity production in Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC). Microbial respiration is based on electron transfer from a donor to an electron acceptor, through a series of stepwise electron transfer events that generate the necessary metabolic energy. Some microorganisms, such as Pseudomonas species, Shewanella putrefaciens or Geothrix fermentans are able to produce electrochemical mediators to increase the EET. The mechanical stability of the biofilm is provided by the biofilm matrix, a hydrated extracellular polymeric matrix that encases the biofilm cells. The biofilm matrix could potentially offer a resistance pathway to EET unless bacteria develop strategies to increase its conductivity. MFC devices currently being used and studied do not generate sufficient power to support widespread and cost-effective applications.

Inspired by chitin based hierarchical structures observed in arthropods exoskeleton, this work reports the capturing of chitin nanowhiskers’ chiral nematic order into a chitosan matrix. For this purpose, highly crystalline chitin nanowhiskers (CTNW) with spindle-like morphology and average aspect ratio of 24.9 were produced by acid hydrolysis of chitin. CTNW were uniformly dispersed at different concentrations in aqueous suspensions. The suspensions liquid crystalline phase domain was determined by rheological measurements and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Chitosan (CS) was added to the CTNW isotropic, biphasic and anisotropic suspensions and the solvent was evaporated to allow films formation. The Films’ morphologies as well as the mechanical properties were explored. A correlation between experimental results and a theoretical model, for layered matrix’ structures with fibers acting as a reinforcement agent, was established. The results evidence the existence of two different layered structures, one formed by chitosan layers induced by the presence of chitin and another formed by chitin nanowhiskers layers. By playing on the ratio chitin/chitosan one layered structure or the other can be obtained allowing the tunning of materials’ mechanical properties.

Confined water in aqueous solutions of imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) associated with acetate and imidazolate anions react reversibly with CO2 to yield bicarbonate. Three types of CO2 sorption in these “IL aqueous solutions” were observed: physical, CO2-imidazolium adduct generation, and bicarbonate formation (up to 1.9 molbicarbonate mol−1 of IL), resulting in a 10:1 (molar ratio) total absorption of CO2 relative to imidazolate anions in the presence of water 1:1000 (IL/water). These sorption values are higher than the classical alkanol amines or even alkaline aqueous solutions under similar experimental conditions.

Chromonic liquid crystals (CLC) are lyotropic phases formed by discotic mesogens in water. Simple chiral dopants such as amino acids have been reported to turn chromonic liquid crystals into their cholesteric counterparts. Here we report a chirality amplification effect in the nematic phase of a 9 wt% disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) upon doping with a water-soluble codeine derivative. The transition on cooling the isotropic to the nematic phase showed the presence of homochiral spindle-shaped droplets (tactoids). NMR DOSY experiments on a triple gradient probe revealed a small degree of diffusion anisotropy for the alkaloid embedded in the liquid crystal structure. These results in combination with XRD, CD and POM experiments agree with a supramolecular aggregation model based on simple columnar stacks.

Chitosan with three different molecular weights (538 ± 48, 229 ± 45 and 13 ± 3 kDa) was used to develop biodegradable Inverted Colloidal Crystal (ICC) scaffolds with uniform pore size and interconnected pore network. Mass loss and compression modulus were analyzed after hydrolytic degradation in order to understand the influence of molecular weight on structural and mechanical degradation of chitosan ICC structures. Results show that medium molecular weight chitosan (229 ± 45 kDa) retains ICC structure and compression modulus for an extended period (4 weeks) and is therefore the preferred one for the production of ICC for soft tissue engineering.