Table of Content

  

20 October 2025
Volume 60 Issue 10

Interfacial tension of biomolecular condensates

LI Guangle, YAN Xuehai

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  1-12.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.251

Abstract ( 40 )   PDF (8626KB) ( 16 )   Save

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Biomolecular condensates, as membraneless organelles formed through liquid-liquid phase separation, play critical roles in cellular spatiotemporal organization and functional regulation. This review focuses on their interfacial tension, a core physicochemical parameter, and systematically elucidates its thermodynamic foundations, measurement methods, and regulatory mechanisms on condensate stability. Based on the Flory-Huggins model, it reveals the driving role of interfacial tension in condensate formation, coarsening, multiphase assembly, and interactions with cellular structures. Various in vitro and in situ measurement techniques, including optical tweezers-induced fusion, micropipette aspiration, and condensate shape analysis, are reviewed, along with comparisons of interfacial properties between biomolecular condensates and traditional oil-water systems. Additionally, recent advances in modulating interfacial tension to enhance condensate stability using intrinsically disordered protein as Pickering stabilizers and amphiphilic block copolymers are discussed. These studies not only deepen the understanding of the physicochemical mechanisms underlying cellular compartmentalization but also provide potential new strategies for treating diseases associated with aberrant phase separation, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancers.

Synthesis and application of biosurfactants

HAN Xinxin, LI Mengqi, ZHANG Peiyu, CUI Jiwei

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  13-22.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.168

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In the intersection of chemistry and biotechnology, biosurfactants have emerged as key candidates to replace traditional chemical surfactants due to their inherent advantages, including biodegradability, low toxicity and environmental friendliness. Derived from microorganisms, plants, and animals, these natural molecules possess unique structural characteristics that confer superior physicochemical properties. This paper systematically reviews the classification of biosurfactants and focuses on a comparative analysis of their manufacturing processes. Furthermore, integrating recent research advances, it discusses the application prospects of biosurfactants in fields such as petroleum extraction, food and medicine, and environmental remediation. The insights presented herein aims to provide a theoretical foundation for advancing biosurfactant technology innovation.

Application of SERS collaborative machine learning in biomedical detection

CHEN Yunfan, WANG Yechen, WANG Long, AN Qi, FENG Zeguo

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  23-41.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.116

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Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy(SERS)enables highly sensitive and specific label-free detection by capturing the vibrational signatures of molecular chemical bonds. It offers significant advantages and broad application potential in the analysis of biological samples. However, its clinical translation remains limited due to challenges such as spectral complexity, variability, limited reproducibility, and overlapping characteristic peaks. Machine learning(ML), which allows computational models to learn patterns from data and make informed predictions or decisions, has shown great promise in deciphering complex SERS spectra and advancing their biomedical applications. This review highlights recent advances in the integration of ML with SERS, detailing how ML algorithms enhanced analytical performance. It also outlines common data preprocessing techniques for SERS, describes core ML workflows, and examines their roles in classification, quantitative analysis, and disease diagnosis. Furthermore, the review explores emerging applications such as molecular structure prediction, Raman spectral database development, and discrimination between DNA and RNA. Finally, the current challenges and future directions of ML-assisted SERS are discussed, with an emphasis on improving robustness, interpretability, and clinical applicability.

Application of coagulation/flocculation technology in oilfield wastewater treatment

WANG Hongbo, ZHANG Juan, YANG Zihao, ZHANG Fengfan, XU Kunyu, LIN Meiqin, DONG Zhaoxia

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  42-58.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.124

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Petroleum is one of the irreplaceable energy resources worldwide. During its extraction, processing, and transport, high volumes of oily wastewater are inevitably generated. Oily wastewater is characterized by complex composition and large treatment volumes, which will endanger the ecological environment and human health if not treated properly. Consequently, how to efficiently treat oily wastewater has become an urgent problem in the petroleum industry. Currently, coagulation/flocculation, as a kind of oilfield wastewater treatment technology, has received extensive attention from researchers because of its relative maturity, high efficiency, economy, and environmental protection. This review comprehensively examines the application of coagulation/flocculation technology in oilfield wastewater treatment. Initially, considering the complex composition and treatment difficulty of oily wastewater, we systematically compare various coagulants/flocculants used in oily wastewater treatment, including inorganic coagulants, organic flocculants, and composite coagulants/flocculants. Particularly, it emphasizes the influence of their molecular structures on oil removal performance. Furthermore, we thoroughly discuss key operational factors affecting treatment efficiency, such as dosage, pH, and temperature. The review also summarizes the distinct coagulation/flocculation mechanisms employed by different agents in oily wastewater treatment. By providing a theoretical foundation for the selection of coagulants/flocculants in oily wastewater treatment, this review aims to offer practical guidance for field applications and propose viable directions for future research.

Research progress on fabrication and application of self-healing superhydrophobic materials

WANG Yutao, LIAN Yuechang, ZHAO Shengyuan, LIU Wendong

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  59-78.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.155

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Superhydrophobic materials have been widely applied in anti-fouling, oil-water separation, and fluid manipulation due to their excellent liquid repellency. As a result of the synergistic effect between surface micro/nano structures and low surface energy substances, the surface wettability of superhydrophobic materials is highly susceptible to physical damage, UV irradiation, chemical corrosion, etc., which significantly limits their practical applications. Therefore, developing durable superhydrophobic materials is desirable. In the past decade, researchers have extended the service life of superhydrophobic materials by endowing them with self-healing properties, which not only enhances their practical performance but also broadens the application fields. In this review, an overview of the recent development of self-healing superhydrophobic materials focusing on fabrication strategies and possible applications is provided. Finally, an outlook on the future fabrication direction and application of self-healing superhydrophobic materials is presented.

Self-powered hydrogel sensors and their applications

ZHOU Song, NING Hualong, CHEN Xiangyan, FENG Yujiao, XU Wenlong

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  79-104.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.087

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Self-powered hydrogel sensors integrate hydrogel material properties with energy capture technology, solving the bottlenecks of traditional sensors, such as poor comfort and biocompatibility, as well as bulky size and lack of range due to reliance on external power sources. With its high water content, tunable mechanical properties, self-adhesion and conductivity, the hydrogel seamlessly adheres to heterogeneous surfaces and captures sensing signals with sensitivity and precision. The self-powered mechanism can convert mechanical deformation, thermal, optical or biochemical energy into electrical energy, realizing energy supply and lightweight design of the device. Therefore, self-powered hydrogel sensors, which combine comfort, sensitivity and energy self-sufficiency, have significant potential applications in the fields of health monitoring, dynamic interaction and environment sensing. In this paper, we systematically summarize the classification, properties, and self-powered mechanism of polymer hydrogel materials, and introduce the application frontiers of self-powered hydrogel sensors, which will provide references for future device design and cross-field applications.

Surface tension and adsorption behavior of liquid homogeneous mixtures

MA Wenchao, DU Na, HOU Wanguo

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  105-116.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.140

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The surface tension and adsorption of liquid mixtures have been widely studied, but there is still a lack of universal thermodynamic prediction models. Recently, we proposed a predictive model, called the “surface aggregation adsorption(SAA)” model, which has two parameters with definite physical meaning, i.e., the adsorption equilibrium constant(K)and the average surface aggregation number(n). The SAA model can predict the surface tension and composition of multicomponent liquid mixtures using the model parameters of corresponding binary systems. However, its applicability needs to be examined, especially for the systems with four or more components. In the current work, the surface tensions of ternary, quaternary, and quinary mixtures composed of iso-propanol(iPrOH), water, n-decane(DA), ethanol(EtOH), and n-butanol(nBuOH)were determined under different bulk compositions. A good agreement between the model prediction and experimental results was observed, confirming the rationality and universality of the SAA model. Based on the SAA model, the surface adsorption behavior of liquid mixtures was investigated. For a given liquid mixture, adding another liquid will weaken the relative adsorption tendency of the component with the highest n value in the original system, while enhance that of the component with the lowest n value. This work has deepened our understanding of the surface adsorption behavior of liquid mixtures.

Preparation of silk fibroin enhanced peptide self-assembled hydrogel and its application in the construction of tumor organoids

LIU Xinyi, LI Jieling, WANG Anhe, LI Qi, BAI Shuo

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  117-126.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.167

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Cancer is a major disease threatening human health. Traditional tumor research models such as cell lines and animal models have significant limitations, making the development of new research models an urgent need. Tumor organoid technology can accurately simulate tumor characteristics, but it relies on Matrigel with complex components, resulting in poor stability and reproducibility of the model. Peptide self-assembled hydrogels have become ideal alternatives to Matrigel due to their advantages such as good biocompatibility, clear components, and the ability to mimic the microstructures of natural extracellular matrices. However, their mechanical properties and biological stability are weak, making it difficult to meet the long-term culture requirements of organoids. This work innovatively introduced silk fibroin into the peptide self-assembled hydrogel system to optimize its performance and meet the matrix property requirements for organoid culture. Silk fibroin doping could enhance the interactions between short peptide molecules, improve the mechanical strength and biological stability of the hydrogel, and did not damage its biomimetic nanofibrous microstructure. Using this hydrogel to culture glioma organoids could form hundred-micron-level organoids within one week, and the cell viability within the organoids was as high as 90%. This study provided a new solution to the matrix material problem in traditional tumor organoid culture, was expected to improve the quality and stability of tumor organoid culture, and provided a more reliable model for tumor research and precision medicine.

pH-responsive mechanism of cuttlefish melanin nanospheres and their effect on photoprotection of hair scales

ZHU Yuanyu, ZHAO Hongde, ZHAO Zhiqing, WANG Xinhao, WANG Jiqian, WANG Dong

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  127-140.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.109

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The inherent structural heterogeneity and pronounced insolubility of natural cuttlefish melanin, a biomacromolecule, pose critical bottlenecks in material characterization and functional regulation, severely limiting its advanced applications in cosmetics. To overcome these technical limitations, this study innovatively employed a pH-modulated structural remodeling strategy to systematically elucidate the structure-function relationships governing its solubility evolution and functional enhancement. Multi-scale structural analyzed(SEM/TEM)reveal that alkaline treatment induced a phase transition from native compact spherical particles(neutral pH)to fibrous-amorphous composited with elevated surface activity. This structural reconfiguration enhanced aqueous solubility and interfacial binding capacity compared to native melanin. Using human hair fibers as a photodamage protection model, FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed stable keratin-melanin complex formation through reconstructed hydrogen-bond networks following alkaline treatment. UV-Vis spectroscopy demonstrated an improvement in UVA/UVB absorption efficiency(280-400 nm wavelength range). Notably, confocal microscopy revealed that modified melanin forms continuous photoprotective films within cuticle interstices, achieved lower UV reflectivity compared to the discrete distribution pattern of native melanin. This research established a dual theoretical-technical framework for developing marine biomass-derived advanced photoprotective cosmeceuticals, offering insights into biomacromolecule functionalization through supramolecular restructuring.

Double emulsion gels stabilized by surfactants and nanoparticles

JIANG Xiaoqian, SUN Xiuping, SONG Aixin

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  141-149.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.062

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In order to obtain the stable emulsion structures to further improve the performance in encapsulation and transport for active substances, a water-in-oil-in-water(W₁/O/W₂)type double emulsion was successfully constructed by a two-step emulsification method, and the emulsion gel was obtained through a gelation process. The polyglycerol polyricinoleate(PGPR)and silica nanoparticles modified with hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(CTAB)were respectively used as stabilizers for W₁/O and O/W₂ emulsions, andoctyl and decyl glycerate(ODO)was used as the oil phase. The effect of emulsifier dosage and oil-water ratio on the emulsion type, droplet microstructure and emulsion stability were investigated to obtain the optimal conditions for preparing stable W₁/O and O/W₂ emulsions.On this basis, the W₁/O emulsion from single-step emulsification was used as the dispersed phase with W₂ as the continuous phase for the preparation of stable water-in-oil-in-water(W₁/O/W₂)double emulsions.The emulsion gels with excellent stability were obtained by introducing Gellan gum(GG)into the outer water phase, with no observed microstructural change after kept for 60 days at room temperature. In this study, the stable double emulsion gel system formed by gelation of the external aqueous phasewere hopefully helpful for the applications in encapsulation and release of active substances using emulsions as carriers.

Preparation of metal-coordinated sugar-based surfactant ionogels as epidermal electrodes

SU Yuanteng, WANG Jiayi, LI Ruijing, LI Minglu, HUANG Shengdi, GUO Menglu, WANG Xiaolin

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  150-162.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.121

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The method of surfactant self-assembly to construct supramolecular gel materials is an important way to obtain functional soft matter materials. Driven mainly by the metal coordination of zinc ions, supplemented by other intermolecular non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic solvents, an anionic glycosylated surfactant self-assembled in a protic ionic liquid of ethylammonium nitrate(EAN)to form a fibrous three-dimensional network structure. The formation mechanism, microscopic morphology and macroscopic properties of ionogels were deeply explored. It was confirmed that the ionogels, as epidermal electrodes, possessed the ability to monitor human electrophysiological signals with high quality, which expanding the application scope of supramolecular gel materials.

Anti-freezing hydrogel flexible strain sensor for human motion detection

YAN Xiangrui, ZHAO Rongrong, FANG Yuanyuan, DONG Rui, ZHAO Zengdian, SONG Shasha

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  163-172.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.114

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Conductive hydrogel have emerged as a promising candidate for the development of flexible sensors due to their highly compatible elastic modulus with human skin, distinct ionic conductivity, and mechanical flexibility. However, the high water content within hydrogels inevitably freeze at subzero temperature, causing a degradation or loss of functionality, which severely prevent their practical application. Herein, inspired by the antifreeze properties of natural organisms, an anti-freezing conductive hydrogel was fabricated by compositing and cross-linking multifunctional monomers(ACMO and AMPS)in phytic acid(PA)solution in the presence of collagen. The well-balanced combination of P(ACMO-co-AMPS)and collagen, along with dynamically revisable noncovalent interactions inside the hydrogel network, lead to significant enhancements in interfacial toughness, fatigue resistance, and self-adhesion. Profiting from the high conductivity and rapid response to strain, the hydrogel was assembled as strain sensor to precisely detect human activities with high strain sensitivity and wide strain range. Moreover, the strong hydrogen bonds between PA and water greatly reduced the freezing point of water, endowing hydrogel sensor with excellent frost resistance and allowing real-time detection human motion under extreme conditions. This research provides a general and scalable strategy for the development of anti-freezing conductive hydrogel flexible strain sensor to satisfy diverse wearable requirements.

Construction, mechanism and strain sensing application of low-molecular-weight supramolecular-polymer double-network eutectogels

YANG Junkang, WANG Longfei, SONG Ziyu, ZHANG Tao, WU Wenna

JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY(NATURAL SCIENCE). 2025, 60(10):  173-180.  doi:10.6040/j.issn.1671-9352.0.2025.105

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Eutectogels as a novel material that can replace traditional temperature-sensitive hydrogels and expensive ionic liquid gels, have attracted significant attention in the construction of flexible electronic devices. Currently, eutectogels prepared by polymer crosslinking or low-molecular-weight gelators suffer from the limited stretchability and low conductivity. Herein, we successfully constructed a supramolecular-polymer double-network(SP-DN)eutectogel by introducing a low-molecular-weight supramolecular network(sodium taurodeoxycholate, NaTDC)into the covalent polymer network(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, HEA). Due to the unique energy dissipation mechanism of the supramolecular-polymer double network, the tensile performance of the eutectogel was significantly enhanced. Under the optimal preparation conditions, the double-network eutectogel exhibited a fracture elongation of up to 650% and a fracture tensile strength of 0.37 MPa. Benefiting from the advantages of the supramolecular gelator and DES(deep eutectic solvent), the eutectogel exhibited excellent conductivity over a wide temperature range(60-100 ℃), and showed high sensing sensitivity(gauge factor, GF=0.01)and stability within different strain ranges. They are expected to be further applied in wearable strain sensors. This design strategy provides a reference for the development of other novel flexible conductive materials.