The aim of this study was the preparation of novel polyester nanoparticles based on folic acid (FA)-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(propylene succinate) (PEG-PPSu) copolymer and loaded with the new anticancer drug ixabepilone (IXA). These nanoparticles may serve as a more selective (targeted) treatment of breast cancer tumors overexpressing the folate receptor. The synthesized materials were characterized by 1 H-NMR, FTIR, XRD and DSC. The nanoparticles were prepared by a double emulsification and solvent evaporation method and characterized with regard to their morphology by scanning electron microscopy, drug loading with HPLC-UV and size by dynamic light scattering. An average size of 195 nm and satisfactory drug loading efficiency (3.5 %) were observed. XRD data indicated that IXA was incorporated into nanoparticles in amorphous form. The nanoparticles exhibited sustained drug release properties in vitro. Based on in vitro cytotoxicity studies, the blank FA-PEG-PPSu nanoparticles were found to be non-toxic to the cells. Fluorescent nanoparticles were prepared by conjugating Rhodanine B to PEG-PPSu, and live cell, fluorescence, confocal microscopy was applied in order to demonstrate the ability of FA-PEG-PPSu nanoparticles to enter into human breast cancer cells expressing the folate receptor. Graphical Abstract 1 Introduction

Polyhedral magnetic iron oxide nanocrystals with multiple facets have been embedded in biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric matrices in order to study their structural, magnetic features and alternating-current (AC) magnetic heating efficiency. The encapsulation of iron oxide nanoparticles into a polymer matrix was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and further corroborated by high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). HAADF-STEM tomography proved that the iron oxide nanocrystals consist of well-defined polyhedral structures with multiple facets. The magnetic features were found to be in good agreement with the structural and morphological features and are maintained even after encapsulation. Furthermore, the magnetic nanoparticles inside these matrices may be considered as good candidates for biomedical applications in hyperthermia treatments because of their high heating capacity exhibited under an alternating magnetic field. The anticancer Taxol drug was encapsulated in these nanoparticles and its physical state and release rate at 37 and 42 C was studied.

Three bentonite samples (B1, B2, B3) from Milos Island, Greece, were investigated by XRD, AAS, DTA-TG, FTIR and specific surface area measurement techniques. A laboratory batch study has been performed to investigate the adsorption characteristics of lead ions (Pb2+) onto natural bentonite samples. The effect of various physicochemical factors that influence adsorption, such as solution pH (2–6), adsorbent dosage (1–10 g L–1), contact time (20–360 min), and initial metal ion concentration (5–150 mg L–1) was studied. A number of available models like the Lagergren pseudo first-order kinetic model, the pseudo second-order kinetic model and intra-particle diffusion were utilized to evaluate the adsorption kinetics. The adsorption of Pb2+ was modelled with the Langmuir, Freundlich and D-R isotherms. The maximum Pb2+ adsorption capacities for B1, B2 and B3 were 85.47 mg g–1, 73.42 mg g–1 and 48.66 mg g–1, respectively.

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