Abstract: Polymeric particles (e.g., charged polymeric particles or brush polymeric particles), methods of making polymeric particles, and uses thereof. The brush polymeric particles include polymeric brushes disposed at an exterior surface. The polymeric particles can be nanoparticles or microparticles. The polymeric particles can be capsules or solid particles. A capsule includes a polymeric shell. A solid particle or a polymeric shell may include polymeric materials and surfactants and/or surfactant precursors. A polymeric particle may include a positive charge on at least a portion of an exterior surface of the polymeric particle. At least a portion of the surfactant(s) and/or the surfactant precursor(s) can diffuse out of and/or can be released by the hydrolysis of at least a portion of the polymeric material(s). The polymeric particles can be used in oil recovery applications to deliver surfactant(s) and/or surfactant precursor(s) to oil reservoirs.

Abstract: A periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) nanoparticle functionalized nanocomposite membrane (NCM) for membrane distillation, the NCM including: polymer fibers such as polyetherimide fibers aggregated into a matrix; and hydrophobic PMO nanoparticles disposed on the polymer fibers. The PMO nanoparticles include a framework connected by organic groups and pentafluorophenyl groups. Good membrane flux and anti-fouling was demonstrated. Membranes can be prepared by electrospinning.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a conjugate comprising a mesoporous nanoparticle having a plurality of pores, wherein the mesoporous nanoparticle is positively charged, wherein an active agent is disposed in the pore; and a plurality of metal nanoclusters, wherein the metal nanocluster has a negative charge, wherein a gate agent is attached to the metal nanocluster. Embodiments of the present disclosure also describe a method of using a conjugate comprising exposing a conjugate to microbes sufficient to release an active agent and treating the microbes with the released active agent. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of using a conjugate comprising exposing a conjugate to microbes and detecting a presence of the microbes.

Abstract: A periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) nanoparticle functionalized nanocomposite membrane (NCM) for membrane distillation, the NCM including: polymer fibers such as polyetherimide fibers aggregated into a matrix; and hydrophobic PMO nanoparticles disposed on the polymer fibers. The PMO nanoparticles include a framework connected by organic groups and pentafluorophenyl groups. Good membrane flux and anti-fouling was demonstrated. Membranes can be prepared by electrospinning.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a conjugate comprising a mesoporous nanoparticle having a plurality of pores, wherein the mesoporous nanoparticle is positively charged, wherein an active agent is disposed in the pore; and a plurality of metal nanoclusters, wherein the metal nanocluster has a negative charge, wherein a gate agent is attached to the metal nanocluster. Embodiments of the present disclosure also describe a method of using a conjugate comprising exposing a conjugate to microbes sufficient to release an active agent and treating the microbes with the released active agent. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of using a conjugate comprising exposing a conjugate to microbes and detecting a presence of the microbes.