Research

13 pages, 11654 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Electrospinning Network Instead of Polymer Network on the Properties of PDLCs

by Yuzhen Zhao, Tingting Lang, Chaonian Li, Wenbo Yin, Yitian Sun, Ruijuan Yao, Cheng Ma, Zuhui Shi, Dong Wang and Zongcheng Miao

Molecules 2023, 28(8), 3372; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28083372 - 11 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1156

Abstract

In this study, polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) membranes were prepared by combining prepolymer, liquid crystal, and nanofiber mesh membranes under UV irradiation. EM, POM, and electro-optic curves were then used to examine the modified polymer network structure and the electro-optical properties of these [...] Read more.

In this study, polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) membranes were prepared by combining prepolymer, liquid crystal, and nanofiber mesh membranes under UV irradiation. EM, POM, and electro-optic curves were then used to examine the modified polymer network structure and the electro-optical properties of these samples. As a result, the PDLCs with a specific amount of reticular nanofiber films had considerably improved electro-optical characteristics and antiaging capabilities. The advancement of PDLC incorporated with reticulated nanofiber films, which exhibited a faster response time and superior electro-optical properties, would greatly enhance the technological application prospects of PDLC-based smart windows, displays, power storage, and flexible gadgets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrospinning Technology and Electrospun Nanofibers)

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15 pages, 5875 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrospun Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-Co-3-Hydroxyvalerate)/Olive Leaf Extract Fiber Mesh as Prospective Bio-Based Scaffold for Wound Healing

by Jose Gustavo De la Ossa, Serena Danti, Jasmine Esposito Salsano, Bahareh Azimi, Veronika Tempesti, Niccoletta Barbani, Maria Digiacomo, Marco Macchia, Mohammed Jasim Uddin, Caterina Cristallini, Rossella Di Stefano and Andrea Lazzeri

Molecules 2022, 27(19), 6208; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27196208 - 21 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1560

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a family of biopolyesters synthesized by various microorganisms. Due to their biocompatibility and biodegradation, PHAs have been proposed for biomedical applications, including tissue engineering scaffolds. Olive leaf extract (OLE) can be obtained from agri-food biowaste and is a source of [...] Read more.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a family of biopolyesters synthesized by various microorganisms. Due to their biocompatibility and biodegradation, PHAs have been proposed for biomedical applications, including tissue engineering scaffolds. Olive leaf extract (OLE) can be obtained from agri-food biowaste and is a source of polyphenols with remarkable antioxidant properties. This study aimed at incorporating OLE inside poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBHV) fibers via electrospinning to obtain bioactive bio-based blends that are useful in wound healing. PHBHV/OLE electrospun fibers with a size of 1.29 ± 0.34 µm were obtained. Fourier transform infrared chemical analysis showed a uniform surface distribution of hydrophilic -OH groups, confirming the presence of OLE in the electrospun fibers. The main OLE phenols were released from the fibers within 6 days. The biodegradation of the scaffolds in phosphate buffered saline was investigated, demonstrating an adequate stability in the presence of metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), an enzyme produced in chronic wounds. The scaffolds were preliminarily tested in vitro with HFFF2 fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes, suggesting adequate cytocompatibility. PHBHV/OLE fiber meshes hold promising features for wound healing, including the treatment of ulcers, due to the long period of durability in an inflamed tissue environment and adequate cytocompatibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrospinning Technology and Electrospun Nanofibers)

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16 pages, 4117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrospun Silk Fibroin/Polylactic-co-glycolic Acid/Black Phosphorus Nanosheets Nanofibrous Membrane with Photothermal Therapy Potential for Cancer

by Xia Li, Jiale Zhou, Haiyan Wu, Fangyin Dai, Jiashen Li and Zhi Li

Molecules 2022, 27(14), 4563; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27144563 - 18 Jul 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1593

Abstract

Photothermal therapy is a promising treating method for cancers since it is safe and easily controllable. Black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets have drawn tremendous attention as a novel biodegradable thermotherapy material, owing to their excellent biocompatibility and photothermal properties. In this study, silk fibroin [...] Read more.

Photothermal therapy is a promising treating method for cancers since it is safe and easily controllable. Black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets have drawn tremendous attention as a novel biodegradable thermotherapy material, owing to their excellent biocompatibility and photothermal properties. In this study, silk fibroin (SF) was used to exfoliate BP with long-term stability and good solution-processability. Then, the prepared BP@SF was introduced into fibrous membranes by electrospinning, together with SF and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA). The SF/PLGA/BP@SF membranes had relatively smooth and even fibers and the maximum stress was 2.92 MPa. Most importantly, the SF/PLGA/BP@SF membranes exhibited excellent photothermal properties, which could be controlled by the BP@SF content and near infrared (NIR) light power. The temperature of SF/PLGA/BP@SF composite membrane was increased by 15.26 °C under NIR (808 nm, 2.5 W/cm²) irradiation for 10 min. The photothermal property of SF/PLGA/BP@SF membranes significantly killed the HepG2 cancer cells in vitro, indicating its good potential for application in local treatment of cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrospinning Technology and Electrospun Nanofibers)

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15 pages, 4405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mesoporous Carbon Fibers with Tunable Mesoporosity for Electrode Materials in Energy Devices

by Ting-Wei Huang, Mayumi Nagayama, Junko Matsuda, Kazunari Sasaki and Akari Hayashi

Molecules 2021, 26(3), 724; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26030724 - 30 Jan 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2192

Abstract

To improve the properties of mesoporous carbon (MC), used as a catalyst support within electrodes, MC fibers (MCFs) were successfully synthesized by combining organic–organic self-assembly and electrospinning deposition and optimizing heat treatment conditions. The pore structure was controlled by varying the experimental conditions. [...] Read more.

To improve the properties of mesoporous carbon (MC), used as a catalyst support within electrodes, MC fibers (MCFs) were successfully synthesized by combining organic–organic self-assembly and electrospinning deposition and optimizing heat treatment conditions. The pore structure was controlled by varying the experimental conditions. Among MCFs, MCF-A, which was made in the most acidic condition, resulted in the largest pore diameter (4–5 nm), and the porous structure and carbonization degree were further optimized by adjusting heat treatment conditions. Then, since the fiber structure is expected to have an advantage when MCFs are applied to devices, MCF-A layers were prepared by spray printing. For the resistance to compression, MCF-A layers showed higher resistance (5.5% change in thickness) than the bulk MC layer (12.8% change in thickness). The through-plane resistance was lower when the fiber structure remained more within the thin layer, for example, +8 mΩ for 450 rpm milled MCF-A and +12 mΩ for 800 rpm milled MCF-A against the gas diffusion layer (GDL) 25BC carbon paper without a carbon layer coating. The additional advantages of MCF-A compared with bulk MC demonstrate that MCF-A has the potential to be used as a catalyst support within electrodes in energy devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrospinning Technology and Electrospun Nanofibers)

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21 pages, 5353 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effective Removal of Pb(II) Ions by Electrospun PAN/Sago Lignin-Based Activated Carbon Nanofibers

by Nurul Aida Nordin, Norizah Abdul Rahman and Abdul Halim Abdullah

Molecules 2020, 25(13), 3081; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25133081 - 06 Jul 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 3445

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution, such as lead, can cause contamination of water resources and harm human life. Many techniques have been explored and utilized to overcome this problem, with adsorption technology being the most common strategies for water treatment. In this study, carbon nanofibers, [...] Read more.

Heavy metal pollution, such as lead, can cause contamination of water resources and harm human life. Many techniques have been explored and utilized to overcome this problem, with adsorption technology being the most common strategies for water treatment. In this study, carbon nanofibers, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/sago lignin (SL) carbon nanofibers (PAN/SL CNF) and PAN/SL activated carbon nanofibers (PAN/SL ACNF), with a diameter approximately 300 nm, were produced by electrospinning blends of polyacrylonitrile and sago lignin followed by thermal and acid treatments and used as adsorbents for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The incorporation of biodegradable and renewable SL in PAN/SL blends fibers produces the CNF with a smaller diameter than PAN only but preserves the structure of CNF. The adsorption of Pb(II) ions on PAN/SL ACNF was three times higher than that of PAN/SL CNF. The enhanced removal was due to the nitric acid treatment that resulted in the formation of surface oxygenated functional groups that promoted the Pb(II) ions adsorption. The best-suited adsorption conditions that gave the highest percentage removal of 67%, with an adsorption capacity of 524 mg/g, were 40 mg of adsorbent dosage, 125 ppm of Pb(II) solution, pH 5, and a contact time of 240 min. The adsorption data fitted the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic models, indicating that the adsorption is a monolayer, and is governed by the availability of the adsorption sites. With the adsorption capacity of 588 mg/g, determined via the Langmuir isotherm model, the study demonstrated the potential of PAN/SL ACNFs as the adsorbent for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrospinning Technology and Electrospun Nanofibers)

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13 pages, 2794 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of ZnO Nanorods Growth on Polyetheresulfone Electrospun Mats to Promote Antibacterial Properties

by Mario Salmeri, Giulia Ognibene, Lorena Saitta, Cinzia Lombardo, Carlo Genovese, Matteo Barcellona, Alessandro D’Urso, Luca Spitaleri, Ignazio Blanco, Gianluca Cicala, Antonino Gulino and Maria Elena Fragalà

Molecules 2020, 25(7), 1696; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25071696 - 07 Apr 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3065

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods grown by chemical bath deposition (CBD) on the surface of polyetheresulfone (PES) electrospun fibers confer antimicrobial properties to the obtained hybrid inorganic–polymeric PES/ZnO mats. In particular, a decrement of bacteria colony forming units (CFU) is observed for both negative [...] Read more.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods grown by chemical bath deposition (CBD) on the surface of polyetheresulfone (PES) electrospun fibers confer antimicrobial properties to the obtained hybrid inorganic–polymeric PES/ZnO mats. In particular, a decrement of bacteria colony forming units (CFU) is observed for both negative (Escherichia coli) and positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) Grams. Since antimicrobial action is strictly related to the quantity of ZnO present on surface, a CBD process optimization is performed to achieve the best results in terms of coverage uniformity and reproducibility. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) provide morphological and compositional analysis of PES/ZnO mats while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is useful to assess the best process conditions to guarantee the higher amount of ZnO with respect to PES scaffold. Biocidal action is associated to Zn²⁺ ion leaching in solution, easily indicated by UV–Vis measurement of metallation of free porphyrin layers deposited on glass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrospinning Technology and Electrospun Nanofibers)

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13 pages, 6310 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Antibacterial Property of Sulfate-Doped Ag₃PO₄ Nanoparticles Supported on PAN Electrospun Nanofibers

by Gopal Panthi, Md. Mehedi Hassan, Yun-Su Kuk, Ji Yeon Kim, Hea-Jong Chung, Seong-Tshool Hong and Mira Park

Molecules 2020, 25(6), 1411; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25061411 - 19 Mar 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3366

Abstract

Heterojunction nanofibers of PAN decorated with sulfate doped Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles (SO₄²⁻-Ag₃PO₄/PAN electrospun nanofibers) were successfully fabricated by combining simple and versatile electrospinning technique with ion exchange reaction. The novel material possessing good flexibility [...] Read more.

Heterojunction nanofibers of PAN decorated with sulfate doped Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles (SO₄²⁻-Ag₃PO₄/PAN electrospun nanofibers) were successfully fabricated by combining simple and versatile electrospinning technique with ion exchange reaction. The novel material possessing good flexibility could exhibit superior antibacterial property over sulfate undoped species (Ag₃PO₄/PAN electrospun nanofibers). FESEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS and DRS were applied to characterize the morphology, phase structure, bonding configuration, elemental composition, and optical properties of the as fabricated samples. FESEM characterization confirmed the successful incorporation of SO₄²⁻-Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles on PAN electrospun nanofibers. The doping of SO₄²⁻ ions into Ag₃PO₄ crystal lattice by replacing PO₄³⁻ ions can provide sufficient electron-hole separation capability to the SO₄²⁻-Ag₃PO₄/PAN heterojunction to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under visible light irradiation and enhances its antibacterial performance. Finally, we hope this work may offer a new paradigm to design and fabricate other types of flexible self-supporting negative-ions-doped heterojunction nanofibers using electrospinning technique for bactericidal applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrospinning Technology and Electrospun Nanofibers)

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10 pages, 2017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surface Treatment of Acetabular Cups with a Direct Deposition of a Composite Nanostructured Layer Using a High Electrostatic Field

by Marek Pokorný, Tomáš Suchý, Adéla Kotzianová, Jan Klemeš, František Denk, Monika Šupová, Zbyněk Sucharda, Radek Sedláček, Lukáš Horný, Vlastimil Králík, Vladimír Velebný and Zdeněk Čejka

Molecules 2020, 25(5), 1173; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25051173 - 05 Mar 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2429

Abstract

A composite nanofibrous layer containing collagen and hydroxyapatite was deposited on selected surface areas of titanium acetabular cups. The layer was deposited on the irregular surface of these 3D objects using a specially developed electrospinning system designed to ensure the stability of the [...] Read more.

A composite nanofibrous layer containing collagen and hydroxyapatite was deposited on selected surface areas of titanium acetabular cups. The layer was deposited on the irregular surface of these 3D objects using a specially developed electrospinning system designed to ensure the stability of the spinning process and to produce a layer approximately 100 micrometers thick with an adequate thickness uniformity. It was verified that the layer had the intended nanostructured morphology throughout its entire thickness and that the prepared layer sufficiently adhered to the smooth surface of the model titanium implants even after all the post-deposition sterilization and stabilization treatments were performed. The resulting layers had an average thickness of (110 ± 30) micrometers and an average fiber diameter of (170 ± 49) nanometers. They were produced using a relatively simple and cost-effective technology and yet they were verifiably biocompatible and structurally stable. Collagen- and hydroxyapatite-based composite nanostructured surface modifications represent promising surface treatment options for metal implants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrospinning Technology and Electrospun Nanofibers)

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