| 1. |
- Aarstad, Olav, et al.
(författare)
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Mechanical properties of composite hydrogels of alginate and cellulose nanofibrils
- 2017
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4360. ; 9:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Alginate and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) are attractive materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. CNF gels are generally weaker and more brittle than alginate gels, while alginate gels are elastic and have high rupture strength. Alginate properties depend on their guluronan and mannuronan content and their sequence pattern and molecular weight. Likewise, CNF exists in various qualities with properties depending on, e.g., morphology and charge density. In this study combinations of three types of alginate with different composition and two types of CNF with different charge and degree of fibrillation have been studied. Assessments of the composite gels revealed that attractive properties like high rupture strength, high compressibility, high gel rigidity at small deformations (Young’s modulus), and low syneresis was obtained compared to the pure gels. The effects varied with relative amounts of CNF and alginate, alginate type, and CNF quality. The largest effects were obtained by combining oxidized CNF with the alginates. Hence, by combining the two biopolymers in composite gels, it is possible to tune the rupture strength, Young’s modulus, syneresis, as well as stability in physiological saline solution, which are all important properties for the use as scaffolds in tissue engineering.
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| 2. |
- Adnan, Mohammed Mostafa, et al.
(författare)
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The Structure, Morphology, and Complex Permittivity of Epoxy Nanodielectrics with In Situ Synthesized Surface-Functionalized SiO2
- 2021
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4360. ; 13:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Epoxy nanocomposites have demonstrated promising properties for high-voltage insulation applications. An in situ approach to the synthesis of epoxy-SiO2 nanocomposites was employed, where surface-functionalized SiO2 (up to 5 wt.%) is synthesized directly in the epoxy. The dispersion of SiO2 was found to be affected by both the pH and the coupling agent used in the synthesis. Hierarchical clusters of SiO2 (10–60 nm) formed with free-space lengths of 53–105 nm (increasing with pH or SiO2 content), exhibiting both mass and surface-fractal structures. Reducing the amount of coupling agent resulted in an increase in the cluster size (~110 nm) and the free-space length (205 nm). At room temperature, nanocomposites prepared at pH 7 exhibited up to a 4% increase in the real relative permittivity with increasing SiO2 content, whereas those prepared at pH 11 showed up to a 5% decrease with increasing SiO2 content. Above the glass transition, all the materials exhibited low-frequency dispersion effect resulting in electrode polarization, which was amplified in the nanocomposites. Improvements in the dielectric properties were found to be not only dependent on the state of dispersion, but also the structure and morphology of the inorganic nanoparticles.
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| 3. |
- Al-Rudainy, Basel, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of lignin content on the properties of hemicellulose hydrogels
- 2019
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4360. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hemicellulose is a promising renewable raw material for the production of hydrogels. This polysaccharide exists in large amounts in various waste streams, in which they are usually impure and heavily diluted. Several downstream processing methods can be combined to concentrate and purify the hemicellulose. However, such an approach can be costly; hence, the effect of impurities on the formation and properties of hydrogels must be determined. Lignin usually exists in these waste streams as a major impurity that is also difficult to separate. This compound can darken hydrogels and decrease their swellability and reactivity, as shown in many studies. Other properties and effects of lignin impurities are equally important for the end application of hydrogels and the overall process economy. In this work, we examined the feasibility of producing hydrogels from hemicelluloses that originated from sodium-based spent sulfite liquor. A combination of membrane filtration and anti-solvent precipitation was used to extract and purify various components. The influence of the purity of hemicellulose and the addition of lignosulfonates (emulated impurities in the downstream processing) to the crosslinking reaction mixture on the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of hydrogels was determined.
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| 4. |
- Alagumalai, Vasudevan, et al.
(författare)
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Impact response and damage tolerance of hybrid glass/kevlar-fibre epoxy structural composites
- 2021
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI. - 2073-4360. ; 13:16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study is aimed at investigating the effect of hybridisation on Kevlar/E-Glass based epoxy composite laminate structures. Composites with 4 mm thickness and 16 layers of fibre (14 layers of E-glass centred and 2 outer layers of Kevlar) were fabricated using compression moulding technique. The fibre orientation of the Kevlar layers had 3 variations (0, 45 and 60°), whereas the E-glass fibre layers were maintained at 0° orientation. Tensile, flexural, impact (Charpy and Izod), interlaminar shear strength and ballistic impact tests were conducted. The ballistic test was performed using a gas gun with spherical hard body projectiles at the projectile velocity of 170 m/s. The pre-and post-impact velocities of the projectiles were measured using a high-speed camera. The energy absorbed by the composite laminates was further reported during the ballistic test, and a computerised tomographic scan was used to analyse the impact damage. The composites with 45° fibre orientation of Kevlar fibres showed better tensile strength, flexural strength, Charpy impact strength, and energy absorption. The energy absorbed by the composites with 45° fibre orientation was 58.68 J, which was 14% and 22% higher than the 0° and 60° oriented composites. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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| 5. |
- Alinejad, M., et al.
(författare)
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Lignin-based polyurethanes : Opportunities for bio-based foams, elastomers, coatings and adhesives
- 2019
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI. - 2073-4360. ; 11:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polyurethane chemistry can yield diverse sets of polymeric materials exhibiting a widerange of properties for various applications and market segments. Utilizing lignin as a polyol presentsan opportunity to incorporate a currently underutilized renewable aromatic polymer into theseproducts. In this work, we will review the current state of technology for utilizing lignin as a polyolreplacement in different polyurethane products. This will include a discussion of lignin structure,diversity, and modification during chemical pulping and cellulosic biofuels processes, approachesfor lignin extraction, recovery, fractionation, and modification/functionalization. We will discussthe potential of incorporation of lignins into polyurethane products that include rigid and flexiblefoams, adhesives, coatings, and elastomers. Finally, we will discuss challenges in incorporating ligninin polyurethane formulations, potential solutions and approaches that have been taken to resolvethose issues.
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| 6. |
- Alipour, Nazanin, et al.
(författare)
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A Protein-Based Material from a New Approach Using Whole Defatted Larvae, and Its Interaction with Moisture
- 2019
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI. - 2073-4360. ; 11:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A protein-based material created from a new approach using whole defatted larvae of the Black Soldier fly is presented. The larvae turn organic waste into their own biomass with high content of protein and lipids, which can be used as animal feed or for material production. After removing the larva lipid and adding a plasticizer, the ground material was compression molded into plates/films. The lipid, rich in saturated fatty acids, can be used in applications such as lubricants. The amino acids present in the greatest amounts were the essential amino acids aspartic acid/asparagine and glutamic acid/glutamine. Infrared spectroscopy revealed that the protein material had a high amount of strongly hydrogen-bonded beta-sheets, indicative of a highly aggregated protein. To assess the moisture-protein material interactions, the moisture uptake was investigated. The moisture uptake followed a BET type III moisture sorption isotherm, which could be fitted to the Guggenheim, Anderson and de Boer (GAB) equation. GAB, in combination with cluster size analysis, revealed that the water clustered in the material already at a low moisture content and the cluster increased in size with increasing relative humidity. The clustering also led to a peak in moisture diffusivity at an intermediate moisture uptake.
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| 7. |
- Alqahtani, Fulwah Y, et al.
(författare)
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Capsule Independent Antimicrobial Activity Induced by Nanochitosan against Streptococcus pneumoniae
- 2021
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4360. ; 13:17, s. 1-13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia, meningitis, and other diseases, contributing significantly to high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although it responds to antibiotics, their use is becoming limited due to the rise in antibiotic resistance, which necessitates the development of new therapeutics. Nanotechnology is used to counteract antimicrobial resistance. In this regard, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) made of natural, biodegradable, biocompatible, and cationic polymers such as Chitosan (CNPs) exhibit wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study aimed to prepare CNPs, characterize their physiochemical characteristics: particle size (PZ), polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP), and investigate their antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae TIGR4 (virulent serotype 4) and its capsular mutant (∆cps).METHODS: CNPs were prepared at 1, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL concentrations using the ion gelation method. Then, PZ, PDI, and ZP were characterized using a Zetasizer. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to visualize the CNP's morphology. Broth and agar dilution methods were used to assess their antimicrobial activity. Cytotoxicity of prepared NPs on A549 cells and their effect on pneumococcal hemolysis were also investigated.RESULTS: Spherical CNPs were produced with PZ ranging from 133.3 nm ± 0.57 to 423 nm ± 12.93 PDI < 0.35, and ZP from 19 ± 0.115 to 27 ± 0.819. The prepared CNPs exhibited antibacterial activity against TIGR4 and its capsule mutant with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of 0.5 to 2.5 mg/mL in a non-acidic environment. The hemolysis assay results revealed that CNPs reduced bacterial hemolysis in a concentration-dependent manner. Their mammalian cytotoxicity results indicated that CNPs formed from low concentrations of Chitosan (Cs) were cytocompatible.CONCLUSION: Nanochitosan particles showed anti-pneumococcal activity regardless of the presence of capsules. They resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in bacterial hemolysis and were cytocompatible at a lower concentration of Cs. These findings highlight the potential of CNPs in the treatment of pneumococcal diseases.
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| 8. |
- Alrifaiy, Ahmed, et al.
(författare)
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Polymer-based microfluidic devices for pharmacy, biology and tissue engineering
- 2012
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4360. ; 4:3, s. 1349-1398
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper reviews microfluidic technologies with emphasis on applications in the fields of pharmacy, biology, and tissue engineering. Design and fabrication of microfluidic systems are discussed with respect to specific biological concerns, such as biocompatibility and cell viability. Recent applications and developments on genetic analysis, cell culture, cell manipulation, biosensors, pathogen detection systems, diagnostic devices, high-throughput screening and biomaterial synthesis for tissue engineering are presented. The pros and cons of materials like polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), glass, and silicon are discussed in terms of biocompatibility and fabrication aspects. Microfluidic devices are widely used in life sciences. Here, commercialization and research trends of microfluidics as new, easy to use, and cost-effective measurement tools at the cell/tissue level are critically reviewed.
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| 9. |
- Aqrawe, Zaid, et al.
(författare)
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Stretchable Electronics Based on Laser Structured, Vapor Phase Polymerized PEDOT/Tosylate
- 2020
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI. - 2073-4360. ; 12:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The fabrication of stretchable conductive material through vapor phase polymerization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is presented alongside a method to easily pattern these materials with nanosecond laser structuring. The devices were constructed from sheets of vapor phase polymerized PEDOT doped with tosylate on pre-stretched elastomeric substrates followed by laser structuring to achieve the desired geometrical shape. Devices were characterized for electrical conductivity, morphology, and electrical integrity in response to externally applied strain. Fabricated PEDOT sheets displayed a conductivity of 53.1 ± 1.2 S cm−1; clear buckling in the PEDOT microstructure was observed as a result of pre-stretching the underlying elastomeric substrate; and the final stretchable electronic devices were able to remain electrically conductive with up to 100% of externally applied strain. The described polymerization and fabrication steps achieve highly processable and patternable functional conductive polymer films, which are suitable for stretchable electronics due to their ability to withstand externally applied strains of up to 100%.
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| 10. |
- Ashour, Radwa M., et al.
(författare)
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Green Synthesis of Metal-Organic Framework Bacterial Cellulose Nanocomposites for Separation Applications
- 2020
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4360. ; 12:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials that can be designed to act as selective adsorbents. Due to their high porosity they can possess very high adsorption capacities. However, overcoming the brittleness of these crystalline materials is a challenge for many industrial applications. In order to make use of MOFs for large-scale liquid phase separation processes they can be immobilized on solid supports. For this purpose, nanocellulose can be considered as a promising supporting material due to its high flexibility and biocompatibility. In this study a novel flexible nanocellulose MOF composite material was synthesised in aqueous media by a novel and straightforward in situ one-pot green method. The material consisted of MOF particles of the type MIL-100(Fe) (from Material Institute de Lavoisier, containing Fe(III) 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) immobilized onto bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers. The novel nanocomposite material was applied to efficiently separate arsenic and Rhodamine B from aqueous solution, achieving adsorption capacities of 4.81, and 2.77 mg g‒1, respectively. The adsorption process could be well modelled by the nonlinear pseudo-second-order fitting.
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