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This is a first comparison of the sequential design of experiments strategy and global sensitivity analysis for nanomaterials, thus enabling sustainable product and process design in future.

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of nanospheres of a biodegradable zinc-imidazolate polymers (ZIPs) as a proof-of-concept delivery vehicle into human brain endothelial cells, the main component of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The ZIP particles can readily encapsulate functional molecules such as fluorophores and inorganic nanoparticles at the point of synthesis producing stable colloidal dispersions.Our results show that these biodegradable particles are not cytotoxic, and are able to penetrate and release cargo species to human brain capillary endothelial cells in vitro thus exhibiting significant potential as a novel platform for brain targeting treatments.

Three new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are formed from the reaction of zinc with 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (H 3 -5-hip) with a range of additives in dimethylformamide (DMF). The additives include water, pyridine, and [Me n NH 4−n ]Cl (n = 0−4) and, through hydrogen bonding, have a marked effect on the formation and phase of any resultant MOF, often in a narrow range of sub-stoichiometric concentrations. The three MOFs, [Me 2 NH 2 ][Zn 2 (5-hip)(H-5-hip)(H 2 O)].3.25DMF (1), α-[Me 2 NH 2 ] 2 [Zn 2 (5-hip) 2 ]·2DMF (2) and [Me 2 NH 2 ][Me 4 N] 2 [Zn 4 (5-hip) 2 (H-5-hip 2.5 )]·3DMF (3) have solvent-accessible pores and the flexibility of the MOFs allows relaxation from a porous state to minimise the void space on desolvation. Topological analysis of the frameworks reveals two previously unrecorded MOF topologies. Compounds 2 and 3 are fluorescent while this property is absent in compound 1. We also present a revised structure for the closely-related β-[Me 2 NH 2 ] 2 [Zn 2 (5-hip) 2 ]·2DMF (4).

Bioinspired silica (BIS) has received unmatched attention in recent times owing to its green synthesis, which offers a scalable, sustainable, and economical method to produce high-value silica for a wide range of applications, including catalysis, environmental remediation, biomedical, and energy storage. To scale-up BIS synthesis, it is critically important to understand how mixing affects the reaction at different scales. In particular, successful scale-up can be achieved if mixing time is measured, modeled, and kept constant across different production scales. To this end, a new image analysis technique was developed using pH, as one of the key parameters, to monitor the reaction and the mixing. Specifically, the technique involved image analysis of color (pH) change using a custom-written algorithm to produce a detailed pH map. The degree of mixing and mixing time were determined from this analysis for different impeller speeds and feed injection locations. Cross validation of the mean pH of selected frames with measurements using a pH calibration demonstrated the reliability of the image processing technique. The results suggest that the bioinspired silica formation is controlled by meso-and, to a lesser extent, micromixing. Based on the new data from this investigation, a mixing time correlation is developed as a function of Reynolds number�the first of a kind for green nanomaterials. Further, we correlated the effects of mixing conditions on the reaction and the product. These results provide valuable insights into the scale-up to enable sustainable manufacturing of BIS and other nanomaterials.