Ce-Co/KIT-6介孔材料的制备及其脱汞性能的研究

以P123表面活性剂为模板,采用硬模板法制备了有序介孔材料KIT-6,以KIT-6为载体,Ce(NO_3)_2·6H_2O和Co(NO_3)_2·6H_2O为Ce和Co源,采用溶液浸渍法制备了负载型Ce-Co/KIT-6介孔材料。在模拟烟气条件下,利用固定床实验台架研究了Ce-Co/KIT-6材料对烟气中的单质汞(Hg0)的脱除性能。采用扫描电镜(SEM)、N_2吸附-脱附(BET)、X射线衍射分析(XRD)、傅里叶红外光谱分析(FT-IR)、氢气程序升温还原(H_2-TPR)以及热重分析(TGA)等方法对材料进行表征。结果表明,Ce和Co在KIT-6孔道内部高度分散,同时材料保持高度有序的孔道结构、比表面积高达495.2 m~2/g,孔径4.6 nm。脱汞实验结果表明,Ce-Co/KIT-6对Hg0的氧化吸附去除效率很高,250℃下对Hg0的氧化吸附去除效率高达95%以上,在这个过程中,O_2的存在明显促进了催化剂的脱汞能力。氧通过Ce-Co价态的变化进入金属结构中,再与汞发生反应是这个过程的主要机理。     

不同金属改性Ni/KIT-6催化剂的制备及其甲烷化性能研究

采用共浸渍法分别制备了用Mg、Ce、V、La金属改性的Ni/KIT-6催化剂,用于CO₂甲烷化反应的研究。利用N₂吸附-脱附、X射线衍射、H₂程序升温还原、H₂程序升温脱附、透射电镜手段对催化剂进行了表征,考查了不同金属助剂对Ni/KIT-6的影响。结果表明,在KIT-6载体上活性金属和助剂的分散度都非常高,Ni粒子的分散度主要取决于KIT-6载体高度有序的介孔结构的限域作用,不受助剂金属添加的影响。各助剂金属的加入几乎不影响Ni/KIT-6催化剂的表面形貌,但对Ni金属还原的难易程度和还原度有影响。在研究的几种金属中,V金属使催化剂中Ni金属的还原最容易,还原度更高,且V金属的氧化物具有改变CO₂反应机理的作用,使得甲烷化反应进行的最好。用V改性后的催化剂与未改性的催化剂相比,CO₂的转化率提高了3.7%,CH₄的选择性提高了11.6%,CH₄的选择性达到了100%。     

不同KIT-6老化温度制备的介孔MnO2孔径对其催化氧化乙醇的影响

乙醇既是一种被广泛使用的溶剂, 也大量存在于乙醇燃料车尾气中. 它是一种挥发性有机化合物(VOCs), 能直接参与光化学反应影响空气质量, 因此去除乙醇很有必要. 催化氧化法消除VOCs 是很有前景的技术, 其关键是催化剂的制备和筛选. 目前, 用于乙醇催化氧化的催化剂主要是贵金属催化剂(Pt, Pd, Rh, Au, Ag)和金属氧化物催化剂(Cu, Mn, Co, Fe),此外, 还有一些钙钛矿型催化剂. MnO2具有多种结构(α, β, γ和δ)和形貌(管状, 棒状, 球状和孔状等). 不同形貌和结构的MnO2具有不同的VOCs 催化氧化性能. 我们已经报道了介孔MnO2, 特别是三维有序介孔MnO2, 具有良好的乙醇催化氧化活性, 有一定的应用前景. 然而, KIT-6老化温度对介孔MnO2孔径的影响, 以及MnO2孔径对催化氧化乙醇活性的影响尚不清楚. 如果通过调整KIT-6老化温度改变介孔MnO2的孔径, 很有可能改善催化剂低温还原性, 氧物种和活性位等, 进而提高其催化性能. 本文以40, 100和150 ℃ 老化合成的KIT-6介孔硅为硬模板, 制备出不同的介孔MnO2催化剂, 分别记作Mn-40, Mn-100和Mn-150, 用于乙醇氧化反应中, 讨论了催化剂孔径对其活性的影响. 采用X 射线粉末衍射(XRD), 氮气吸附-脱附(BET), 扫描电子显微镜(SEM), 氢气程序升温还原(H2-TPR), 氧气程序升温脱附(O2-TPD), X 射线光电子能谱(XPS)等技术对催化剂进行了表征. XRD 广角结果表明, 各催化剂均具有软锰矿型MnO2晶相, 其中Mn-40催化剂存在少量Mn2O3晶相. XRD 小角和SEM结果表明, 各催化剂均为介孔材料, Mn-100催化剂的有序度和对称性最好, KIT-6老化温度的改变使Mn-40和Mn-150的有序度和对称性降低. BET 结果表明, Mn-40, Mn-100和Mn-150分别具有三孔, 双孔和单孔体系. 随着KIT-6老化温度的降低, KIT-6的孔径降低, 而介孔MnO2催化剂的孔径增加. XPS 结果表明, Mn-40因少量Mn2O3晶相的存在而具有较多的Mn3+阳离子和表面晶格氧物种, 能增加催化剂氧空位的数量, 有利于氧物种的吸附, 活化和迁移, 从而增强催化活性. TPR 和TPD表明, Mn-40催化剂具有良好的低温还原性, 它的氧物种容易在低温下脱附并参与氧化反应. 催化剂活性测试结果表明, 随着介孔MnO2催化剂的孔径增加, 其活性增加. 催化剂孔径和活性从大到小的顺序为Mn-40>Mn-100>Mn-150. 以老化温度为40 ℃的KIT-6模板制备的Mn-40催化剂, 具有较高的乙醇转化频率 (TOF), 120 ℃的TOF 为0.11 s-1. Mn-40催化剂具有良好的乙醇氧化催化活性归因于较大孔径, 其孔径呈三孔体系分布, 最大孔径分布在1.9, 3.4和6.6 nm 处, 三孔体系的形成是因为催化剂孔道的对称性和有序度降低. 此外, Mn-40催化剂具有良好的乙醇氧化催化活性也归因于由较多Mn3+阳离子引起的较多表面晶格氧物种和氧空位以及较好的低温还原性.     

氨基功能化KIT-6两步后嫁接制备及其吸附Pb2+性能

以正硅酸乙酯作为硅源,三嵌段共聚物P123作为模板剂制备介孔材料KIT-6。再采用后嫁接法,先将3-氯丙基三甲氧基硅烷嫁接到KIT-6上,再用聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)进一步嫁接,合成出PEI功能化的PEI/KIT-6。用傅立叶变换红外光谱分析(FTIR)、X射线衍射(XRD)、热重分析(TGA)、元素分析、N_2吸附-脱附、扫描电镜等手段进行结构的表征。用电感耦合等离子体光谱(ICP)测定材料的Pb~(2+)吸附性能。结果表明氨基的表面平均负载量为0.374 mmol·g~(-1),并且改性后KIT-6仍具有高度有序性,并未出现孔道堵塞的现象。PEI/KIT-6在投加量为1 g·L~(-1),室温条件下,吸附100 mg·L~(-1) Pb~(2+)的最佳p H值为6.0;吸附容量伴随温度的提高先增加后减小,最佳反应温度为35℃;材料在120 min内可以达到吸附平衡,吸附过程符合拟二级动力学方程;Langmuir和Freundlich模型均能较好地描述该吸附过程。吸附倾向于发生单分子层的化学吸附。     

Efficient and Ecofriendly Route for the Solvent-Free Synthesis of 4-Alkoxy-5H-chromen[2,3-d]pyrimidines Using Phosphonic Acid Functionalized KIT-6 Confined Ionic Liquid as Recoverable Catalyst

Phosphonic acid functionalized KIT-6 confined ionic liquid (IL, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIm][BF₄]) catalyzed the one-pot condensation reaction of iminochromenes and salicylaldehydes with different primary alcohols to achieve the corresponding 4-alkoxy-5H-chromen[2,3-d]pyrimidines under solvent-free conditions and in good yields. This efficient nanocatalyst can be recovered for at least five reaction runs without significant loss of either activity or confined IL.     

Effect of starch content on the biodegradation of polycaprolactone/starch composite for fabricating in situ pore-forming scaffolds

Bone tissue engineering is an efficient approach to regenerating bone-related defects. The optimal scaffold used for bone tissue engineering must possess adequate porosity and suitable mechanical properties. This work described the development of a biodegradable polymeric composite based on polycaprolactone (PCL) and starch that can form a porous structure in situ. The scaffold exhibited the required mechanical properties at the initial stage of implantation by controlling in situ degradation and subsequent pore formation. PCL/starch (SPCL) scaffolds with 100/0, 70/30, and 50/50 ratios were developed. Degradation studies were performed in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) containing α-amylase or lipase at 37 °C for 4 weeks. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze chemical bonds and their changes after degradation. Differential scanning calorimetry was applied to determine the crystallinity and recrystallization of samples before and after degradation. Mass loss and starch release were observed during degradation, and the porosity of samples was measured by the ethanol replacement method. Morphology was further determined using scanning electron microscopy. Finally, variations in compressive strength and modulus during degradation and pore formation were also measured. The porosity of samples reached 45% after 1 month of degradation, and mechanical properties were still appropriate for human bone tissue. Reduction in mechanical property after mass loss, starch release and pore formation was controlled by the hydrogen bonding and recrystallization effect of PCL after degradation. Results suggested that SPCL composite had potential to form porous scaffold with adequate mechanical properties in situ and is promising for bone tissue engineering applications.     

Recent progress in electrospun nanofibers: Reinforcement effect and mechanical performance

Composite materials are becoming increasingly important as structural materials for aeronautical and space engineering, naval, automotive, and civil engineering, sporting goods, and other consumer products. Fiber‐based reinforcement represents one of the most effective manufacturing strategies for enhancing the mechanical strength and other properties of composite materials. Electrospinning has gained widespread interest in the last two decades because of its ability to fabricate continuous ultrafine nanofibers with unique characteristics. The impact of electrospinning on fiber synthesis and processing, characterization, and applications in drug delivery, nanofiltration, tissue scaffolding, and electronics has been extensively studied in the past. In this article, the authors have focused on a comprehensive review of the mechanical performance and properties of electrospun nanofibers as potential reinforcements as well as their advanced nanocomposites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 1171–1212     

Characterization of biodegradable and cytocompatible nano-hydroxyapatite/polycaprolactone porous scaffolds in degradation in vitro

Porous nano-hydroxyapatite/polycaprolactone (nHA/PCL) scaffolds with different composition ratios of nHA/PCL were fabricated via a melt-molding/porogen leaching technique. All scaffolds were characterized before and after degradation in vitro for six months. The original scaffolds had high porosity at around 70% and showed decreasing compressive modulus (from 24.48 to 2.69 MPa for hydrated scaffolds) with the introduction of nHA. It was noted that the scaffolds could retain relatively stable architecture and mechanical properties for at least six months, although some slight changes happened with the nHA/PCL scaffolds in the mass, the nHA content, the PCL molecular weight and the crystallinity. Moreover, during the 7 days culture of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on scaffolds, the cell adhesion and proliferation of BMSCs were presented well on both the surface and the cross-section of the scaffolds. All of these results suggested the nHA/PCL scaffolds to be promising in bone tissue engineering.     

Fabrication and characterization of low-cost freeze-gelated chitosan/collagen/hydroxyapatite hydrogel nanocomposite scaffold

In the present research, chitosan/collagen and chitosan/collagen/nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) hydrogel nanocomposites were prepared using naturally extracted chitosan from Persian Gulf shrimp wastes and rat tail-tendon collagen. Freeze-gelation method was used to prepare highly porous scaffolds. The morphology, chemical structure, water retainability, and thermal properties were characterized using SEM, FTIR, water content experiment, simultaneous thermal analysis (STA), respectively. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation and unconfined compression test were used to assess different feature of the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. The obtained results were so promising that the prepared nanocomposites can be considered as a potential candidate for cartilage tissue engineering.     

Controllable synthesis of composites of ZSM-5 and KIT-1 using an ionic liquid as template

ZSM-5/KIT-1 composites were synthesized using an ionic liquid as a template. The structures and morphologies of as-obtained products were characterized using an infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, N₂ adsorption/desorption, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The resultant zeolites show a fully crystalline microporous MFI zeolite framework and a three-dimensional network of short worm-like channels. Mesopores and microspores of 4.2 and 0.8 nm in diameter coexist in the zeolite composites. Moreover, the ratio of ZSM-5 and KIT-1 could be simply adjusted by controlling the pre-crystalline time. We believe that the strategy for fabricating ZSM-5/KIT-1 through a simple method could potentially promote the large-scale production of zeolite composites.     

Biofabrication of a flexible and conductive 3D polymeric scaffold for neural tissue engineering applications; physical,chemical, mechanical,and biological evaluations

Tissue engineering approach aims to overcome the transplant drawbacks and facilitate tissue repair and regeneration. Here, a new conductive, highly porous, and flexible polycaprolactone/gelatin/polypyrrole/graphene 3D scaffolds for nerve tissue repair is presented. A simple and efficient porogen leaching fabrication method is applied to create a 3D network with a pore radius of 3.8 ± 0.7 to 4.2 ± 0.8 μm with an exceptional uniform circular porous structure. The conductivity of the polymeric scaffold without graphene, in wet conditions, was found to be 0.78 ± 0.1 S.m⁻¹ and it increased to 3.3 ± 0.2 S.m⁻¹ for the optimized sample containing 3wt% graphene (G3). Tensile strength was measured at 163 KPa for the base sample (without graphene) and improved to 526 KPa for G3 sample. Following 42 days of incubation in PBS, 32.5% degradation for the base sample (without graphene) was observed. The cell study demonstrated a non-cytotoxic nature of all scaffolds tested and the cells had mostly stretched and covered the surface. Overall, the sum of results presented in this study demonstrate a simple fabrication platform with extraordinary aspects that can be utilized to mimic the native conductive tissue properties, and also because of its flexibility it can easily be rolled into a nerve conduit to fill gaps in nerve tissue regeneration.     

KIT-6负载CeO2催化CO2和甲醇合成碳酸二甲酯

采用不同老化温度(80、100、120和150℃)合成了一系列KIT-6载体,并通过浸渍法制备了相应的CeO_2/KIT-6催化剂。结合X射线衍射、N_2物理吸附、NH_3程序升温脱附、CO_2程序升温脱附、透射电子显微镜、傅里叶变换红外光谱和X射线光电子能谱等表征结果,详细考察了老化温度对KIT-6结构以及CeO_2/KIT-6催化剂直接催化CO_2和甲醇合成碳酸二甲酯(DMC)反应活性的影响。结果表明,不同老化温度下制备的KIT-6均保持其独特的三维孔道结构。随着老化温度升高,KIT-6比表面积先增大后减小,当老化温度为100℃时,KIT-6比表面积达到最大(683 m~2·g~(-1))。KIT-6较高的比表面积有利于提高CeO_2分散度,进而提高暴露的活性位点数量,催化活性随催化剂表面中等碱/酸性吸附位数量和Ce~(3+)含量的增加而逐渐提高。其中,CeO_2/100-KIT-6催化剂中CeO_2颗粒尺寸最小(5.9 nm),暴露的活性位数量最高,催化活性最佳。随后,考察了反应温度和压力对CeO_2/100-KIT-6催化活性的影响。随着反应温度提高,催化活性先升高后降低,当反应温度为140℃时,催化活性最高;且催化活性随反应压力的提高而逐渐增加。在反应温度为140℃、压力为6.8 MPa条件下,催化剂经6次循环后,DMC收率由15 mmol·g_(CeO_2)~(-1)逐渐降低至2.8 mmol·g_(CeO_2)~(-1),原因归结为反应过程中CeO_2纳米颗粒发生团聚,使暴露出的活性位数量减少。     

The effect of 3D printing on the morphological and mechanical properties of polycaprolactone filament and scaffold

Three‐dimensional (3D) printing becomes an attractive technique to fabricate tissue engineering scaffolds through its high control on fabrication and repeatability using the printing parameters. This technique can be combined by the finite element method (FEM), and tissue‐specific scaffolds with desirable morphological and mechanical properties can be designed and manufactured. In this study, the influential 3D printing parameters on the morphological and mechanical properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) filament and scaffold were studied experimentally and numerically. First, the effects of printing parameters and process on the properties of extruded PCL filament were investigated. Then, using FEM, the effects of filament specifications on the overall characteristics of the scaffold were evaluated. Results showed that both the printing process in terms of resting time and remaining time and the printing parameters like pressure, printing speed, and printing path length have influenced the filament properties. In addition, both the filament diameter and elastic modulus had significant effects on the properties of scaffold especially, a 20% increase in the filament diameter caused the scaffold compressive elastic modulus to rise by around 72%. It is concluded that the printing parameters and process must be tuned very well in fabricating scaffolds with the desired morphology and mechanical property.     

Influence of SEBS-g-MA on morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties of PA6/PP/organoclay nanocomposites

Polyamide 6/polypropylene (PA6/PP = 70/30 parts) blends containing 4 phr (parts per hundred resin) of organically modified clay (organoclay) toughened with maleated styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS-g-MA) were prepared by melt compounding using co-rotating twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to characterize the structure of the nanocomposites. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were determined by tensile, flexural, and notched Izod impact tests. The single edge notch three point bending test was used to evaluate the fracture toughness of SEBS-g-MA toughened PA6/PP nanocomposites. Thermal properties were studied by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). XRD and TEM results indicated the formation of the exfoliated structure for the PA6/PP/organoclay nanocomposites with and without SEBS-g-MA. With the exception of stiffness and strength, the addition of SEBS-g-MA into the PA6/PP/organoclay nanocomposites increased ductility, impact strength and fracture toughness. The elongation at break and fracture toughness of PA6/PP blends and nanocomposites were increased with increasing the testing speed, whereas tensile strength was decreased. The increase in ductility and fracture toughness at high testing speed could be attributed to the thermal blunting mechanism in front of crack tip. DSC results revealed that the presence of SEBS-g-MA had negligible effect on the melting and crystallization behavior of the PA6/PP/organoclay nanocomposites. TGA results showed that the incorporation of SEBS-g-MA increased the thermal stability of the nanocomposite.     

含铜有序介孔Cu-KIT-6的合成及其苯乙烯环氧化催化性能:pH值的影响

苯乙烯侧链C=C的选择性氧化一直是烯烃环氧化研究领域关注的热点之一.近几十年来,苯乙烯环氧化研究主要集中于多相过渡金属催化剂的开发与应用;以铜为主要活性物种的催化剂因具有较高的环氧苯乙烷选择性而备受瞩目.然而,采用pH调节法将铜离子引入三维六方介孔材料KIT-6阵列尚未见报道,尤其是pH值对合成材料的形貌、结构以及催化活性的影响尚未可知.基于此,本文采用pH调节法合成了铜嵌入KIT-6介孔材料Cu-KIT-6x(x代表初始溶胶的pH值,x=1.43,2.27,3.78,3.97,4.24,6.62),并将其应用于苯乙烯环氧化反应.采用X射线粉末衍射、氮气吸附脱附、透射电子显微镜以及X射线光电子能谱等手段对Cu-KIT-6x的表面结构及形貌进行了细致表征.结果表明,随着pH的变化,Cu-KIT-6x催化剂的物理特性、表面结构尤其是铜物种种类和含量均变化较大.较低的pH导致铜物种主要以Cu2+形式存在,难以引入到KIT-6骨架中,且不利于介孔材料的合成,最终导致产生无序介孔结构.当pH增大到3.78时,约有4.6 wt%的Cu(II)以?Cu?O?Si?形式成功引入KIT-6骨架中,获得了具有较高比表面积且有序的孔结构.此外,由于Cu2+的引入,骨架内部分Si4+被取代,促使Cu-KIT-63.78拥有可与载体KIT-6相媲美的大孔径.然而,当pH继续增大时,过量的Cu2+从KIT-6骨架中析出,以CuO形式存在于载体表面,从而导致Cu-KIT-6的孔径逐渐增大;同时NaOH对三维立方介孔结构的破坏,使得介孔结构坍塌及比表面积显著降低.以苯乙烯环氧化反应评价了Cu-KIT-6x系列催化剂的催化活性.当以叔丁基过氧化氢为氧化剂,乙腈为溶剂,在70 oC反应6 h后,Cu-KIT-63.78表现出最优的苯乙烯转化率(43.5%)及环氧苯乙烷选择性(86.6%).使用4次后,Cu-KIT-63.78展示了稳定的苯乙烯转化率、环氧苯乙烷选择性及有序的孔结构,充分表明其具有出色的稳定性.各表征结果揭示了在适宜pH下合成的Cu-KIT-63.78催化剂具有较高的铜含量、有序的立方Ia3d介孔结构及合适的结构参数,因而在苯乙烯环氧化反应中表现优异活性和良好稳定性.     

Non-cytotoxic and bioactive nanocomposite film of natural Arabic gum incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles for bone tissue regeneration

Biomaterials with exceptional biocompatibility and bioactivity are now pushing the boundaries of bone tissue engineering. In this study, natural Arabic gum biopolymer incorporating titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NAG + TiO₂NP) nanocomposite film was fabricated. The FTIR and XRD analysis show the presence of functional groups assigned to NAG biopolymers and highly crystalline anatase TiO₂NP. Well dispersed TiO₂NP can be seen from SEM micrograph suggesting good interaction between TiO₂NP filler and NAG biopolymer matrix to enhance the mechanical characteristics of nanocomposite film. The NAG + TiO₂NP nanocomposite film exhibited strong bioactivity to form bone-like apatite and promoted the proliferation of MG-63 cells attributed to their excellent biocompatibility and non-toxicity. The NAG + TiO₂NP nanocomposite film also displays high antibacterial activity with (36.33 ± 1.53) mm and (27.00 ± 2.00) mm inhibition zone were recorded against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The findings indicate that the NAG + TiO₂NP nanocomposite film, with its improved mechanical properties, high swelling capacity, biodegradability, and non-toxicity, shows promise as a viable option for bone tissue regeneration materials.     

高分散Mn-KIT-6催化剂的制备及催化性能研究

以介孔分子筛KIT-6为载体, 采用溶液浸渍法将乙酰丙酮锰(III)的糠醇溶液灌注到KIT-6的孔道内, 一定条件下将糠醇碳化后再焙烧脱除碳, 制得Mn-KIT-6催化剂. 通过X射线衍射(XRD)|氮气物理吸附-脱附|紫外-可见吸收光谱(UV-Vis)|傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)|电感耦合等离子发射光谱(ICP-AES)|透射电镜(TEM)|氨气-程序升温脱附(NH₃-TPD)及X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等方法对样品进行了表征. 结果表明锰在KIT-6孔道内部高度分散, 同时催化剂保持高度有序的孔道结构、较大的比表面积和孔容. 正丁醇和乙酸的催化酯化反应结果表明, 该催化剂具有很高的催化活性, 反应4 h后乙酸正丁酯的产率高达97.3%, 使用5次后催化剂依然具有较高的活性.     

Effect of electrospun polyamide 6 nanofibres on the mechanical properties of a glass fibre/epoxy composite

Recently, several types of nanoparticles are frequently incorporated in reinforced epoxy resin composites. A homogeneous dispersion of these nanoparticles is still a problem. Thermoplastic nanofibrous structures can tackle this dispersion issue. Therefore, this paper investigated the effect of electrospun polyamide 6 nanofibrous structures on the mechanical properties of a glass fibre/epoxy composite. The nanofibres were incorporated in the glass fibre/epoxy composite as stand-alone interlayered structures and directly spun on the glass fibre reinforcement. Both ways of nanofibre incorporation have no negative effect on the impregnation of the epoxy. Moreover, the nanofibres remain well dispersed within the matrix. Incorporation of nanofibres increases the stress at failure in the 0°-direction, the best results are obtained when the nanofibres are directly electrospun onto the glass fibres. Optical microscopic images also demonstrate that nanofibres prevent delamination when a 90° crack reaches a neighbouring 0° ply. Furthermore, mode I tests showed a small improvement when a thin nanofibrous structure is deposited directly onto the glass fibres. When the composites are loaded under 45°, it is proven that, for an identical stress, the glass fibre composite with deposited nanofibres has less cracks than when interlayered nanofibrous structures are incorporated. Generally, it can be concluded that the addition of polyamide 6 nanofibres improves some mechanical characteristics of a glass fibre/epoxy composite.     

Systematically engineered electrospun conduit based on PGA/collagen/bioglass nanocomposites: The evaluation of morphological,mechanical, and bio‐properties

Peripheral nerve injury can considerably affect the daily life of affected people through reduced function and permanent deformation of the nerve. One of the conventional treatments used for the management of the disease is the application of autograft, which is recognized as a golden standard method; however, the process of gaining access to autograft has posed a significant challenge to its use. Nerve guidance channels (conduits), which are made in different methods, can act as an alternative therapy for patients that have undergone nerve injury; but, achieving these conduits has always been a major dilemma to be applied for patients with nerve injury. In this study, a novel conduit based on polymer blend nanocomposites of polyglycolic acid (PGA), collagen, and nanobioglass (NBG) were prepared by electrospinning technique and then compared with PGA/collagen and PGA conduits that were made in previous studies. Additionally, their various properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), tensile strength, Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), and the porosity and degradation. The results showed that the mechanical, chemical, biocompatibility, and biodegradability properties of PGA/collagen/NBG conduits were more favorable in comparison with other materials. According to 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) staining technique, nanofibrous electrospun PGA/collagen/NBG conduits are more suitable for cell adhesion and proliferation in comparison with either PGA or PGA/collagen conduits and can have potential for nerve regeneration.     

Structure, morphology, thermal stability and carbonization mechanism studies of electrospun PA6/Fe-OMT nanocomposite fibers

In the present work, Fe-montmorillonite (Fe-MMT) was synthesized by hydrothermal method, and then was modified by cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The polyamide 6 (PA6)/organic-modified Fe-montmorillonite (Fe-OMT) nanocomposite fibers were prepared by a facile compounding and electrospinning. The catalyzing carbonization studies of the Fe-OMT based on PA6 nanocomposite fibers were performed. It was found from High-resolution electron microscopic (HREM) observations that the silicate clay layers were well dispersed within the nanocomposite fibers and was oriented along the fiber axis. The Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images indicated that the nanofibers were randomly distributed to form the fibrous web and the Fe-OMT additives decreased the diameters of nanocomposite fibers. The Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) revealed that the loading of the Fe-OMT led to the crosslinking of the PA6, promoted the charred residue yield and catalytic graphitization effect. The structure and morphology of the purified charred residue, characterized by XRD, HREM, Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and Laser Raman spectroscopic (LR), approved further the presence of graphite sheets. The possible catalyzing carbonization mechanisms included: (1) catalyzing effect of the Fe³⁺, which promoted the crosslinking of polymer, (2) Hofmann degradation of the Fe-OMT, whose degraded products had also positive role in promoting crosslinking reactions, (3) gas barrier properties of the nano-dispersed silicate clay layers stopped or reduced the releases of the pyrolytic products, which was dehydrogenated and aromatized to form graphite.