1
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Sagnelli D, D’Avino A, Rippa M, Vestri A, Marchesano V, Nenna G, Villani F, Ardila G, Centi S, Ratto F, Petti L. Photomobile Polymer-Piezoelectric Composite for Enhanced Actuation and Energy Generation. ACS APPLIED OPTICAL MATERIALS 2023; 1:1651-1660. [PMID: 37915969 PMCID: PMC10616835 DOI: 10.1021/acsaom.3c00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we present an innovative approach to increase the quantum yield and wavelength sensitivity of photomobile polymer (PMP) films based on azobenzene by doping the polymer matrix with noble metal nanoparticles. These doped PMP films showed faster and more significant bending under both UV as well as visible and near-infrared light regardless of whether it was coherent, incoherent, polarized, or unpolarized irradiation, expanding the potential of PMP-based actuators. To illustrate their practical implications, we created a proof-of-concept model of power generation by coupling it to flexible piezoelectric materials under simulated sunlight. This model has been tested under real operating conditions, thus demonstrating the possibility of generating electricity with variable light exposure. Additionally, our synthetic protocol is solvent-free, which is another benefit of environmental relevance. Our research lays the groundwork for the development of sunlight-sensitive devices, such as photomechanical actuators and advanced photovoltaic modules, which may break ground in the thriving field of smart materials. We are confident that the presented findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse in the field and inspire additional advances in renewable energy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Sagnelli
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
| | - Amalia D’Avino
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
| | - Massimo Rippa
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
| | - Ambra Vestri
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
| | - Valentina Marchesano
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nenna
- Energy
and Sustainable Economic Development, ENEA,
Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Portici Research Centre, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Fulvia Villani
- Energy
and Sustainable Economic Development, ENEA,
Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Portici Research Centre, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Gustavo Ardila
- CNRS,
Grenoble INP, IMEP-LaHC, Univ. Grenoble
Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, Grenoble F-38000, France
| | - Sonia Centi
- Nello
Carrara Institute of Applied Physics of CNR, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Fulvio Ratto
- Nello
Carrara Institute of Applied Physics of CNR, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Lucia Petti
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
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2
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Cuzzucoli Crucitti V, Ilchev A, Moore JC, Fowler HR, Dubern JF, Sanni O, Xue X, Husband BK, Dundas AA, Smith S, Wildman JL, Taresco V, Williams P, Alexander MR, Howdle SM, Wildman RD, Stockman RA, Irvine DJ. Predictive Molecular Design and Structure-Property Validation of Novel Terpene-Based, Sustainably Sourced Bacterial Biofilm-Resistant Materials. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:576-591. [PMID: 36599074 PMCID: PMC9930090 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Presented in this work is the use of a molecular descriptor, termed the α parameter, to aid in the design of a series of novel, terpene-based, and sustainable polymers that were resistant to biofilm formation by the model bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To achieve this, the potential of a range of recently reported, terpene-derived monomers to deliver biofilm resistance when polymerized was both predicted and ranked by the application of the α parameter to key features in their molecular structures. These monomers were derived from commercially available terpenes (i.e., α-pinene, β-pinene, and carvone), and the prediction of the biofilm resistance properties of the resultant novel (meth)acrylate polymers was confirmed using a combination of high-throughput polymerization screening (in a microarray format) and in vitro testing. Furthermore, monomers, which both exhibited the highest predicted biofilm anti-biofilm behavior and required less than two synthetic stages to be generated, were scaled-up and successfully printed using an inkjet "valve-based" 3D printer. Also, these materials were used to produce polymeric surfactants that were successfully used in microfluidic processing to create microparticles that possessed bio-instructive surfaces. As part of the up-scaling process, a novel rearrangement was observed in a proposed single-step synthesis of α-terpinyl methacrylate via methacryloxylation, which resulted in isolation of an isobornyl-bornyl methacrylate monomer mixture, and the resultant copolymer was also shown to be bacterial attachment-resistant. As there has been great interest in the current literature upon the adoption of these novel terpene-based polymers as green replacements for petrochemical-derived plastics, these observations have significant potential to produce new bio-resistant coatings, packaging materials, fibers, medical devices, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cuzzucoli Crucitti
- Centre of Additive Manufacturing, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Aleksandar Ilchev
- Centre of Additive Manufacturing, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Jonathan C Moore
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Harriet R Fowler
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Jean-Frédéric Dubern
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Olutoba Sanni
- Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Xuan Xue
- Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Bethany K Husband
- Centre of Additive Manufacturing, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Adam A Dundas
- Centre of Additive Manufacturing, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Sean Smith
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Joni L Wildman
- Centre of Additive Manufacturing, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Vincenzo Taresco
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Paul Williams
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Morgan R Alexander
- Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Steven M Howdle
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Ricky D Wildman
- Centre of Additive Manufacturing, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Robert A Stockman
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Derek J Irvine
- Centre of Additive Manufacturing, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, NottinghamNG7 2RD, U.K
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Maccaferri E, Mazzocchetti L, Benelli T, Ortolani J, Brugo TM, Zucchelli A, Giorgini L. Is Graphene Always Effective in Reinforcing Composites? The Case of Highly Graphene-Modified Thermoplastic Nanofibers and Their Unfortunate Application in CFRP Laminates. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14245565. [PMID: 36559932 PMCID: PMC9781409 DOI: 10.3390/polym14245565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Graphene (G) can effectively enhance polymers' and polymer composites' electric, thermal, and mechanical properties. Nanofibrous mats have been demonstrated to significantly increase the interlaminar fracture toughness of composite laminates, hindering delamination and, consequently, making such materials safer and more sustainable thanks to increased service life. In the present paper, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), polycaprolactone (PCL), and Nylon 66 nanofibers, plain or reinforced with G, were integrated into epoxy-matrix Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) to evaluate the effect of polymers and polymers + G on the laminate mechanical properties. The main aim of this work is to compare the reinforcing action of the different nanofibers (polyether, polyester, and polyamide) and to disclose the effect of G addition. The polymers were chosen considering their thermal properties and, consequently, their mechanism of action against delamination. PEO and PCL, displaying a low melting temperature, melt, and mix during the curing cycle, act via matrix toughening; in this context, they are also used as tools to deploy G specifically in the interlaminar region when melting and mixing with epoxy resin. The high extent of modification stems from an attempt to deploy it in the interlaminar layer, thus diluting further in the resin. In contrast, Nylon 66 does not melt and maintain the nanostructure, allowing laminate toughening via nanofiber bridging. The flexural properties of the nanomodifed CFRPs were determined via a three-point bending (3PB) test, while delamination behavior in Mode I and Mode II was carried out using Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) and End-Notched Flexture (ENF) tests, respectively. The lack of a positive contribution of G in this context is an interesting point to raise in the field of nanoreinforced CFRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Maccaferri
- Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), 50121 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence: (E.M.); (L.M.)
| | - Laura Mazzocchetti
- Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), 50121 Florence, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (CIRI-MAM), University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (E.M.); (L.M.)
| | - Tiziana Benelli
- Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), 50121 Florence, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (CIRI-MAM), University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jacopo Ortolani
- Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (CIRI-MAM), University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Tommaso Maria Brugo
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (CIRI-MAM), University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Zucchelli
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (CIRI-MAM), University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Loris Giorgini
- Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), 50121 Florence, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (CIRI-MAM), University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
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4
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Maccaferri E, Dalle Donne M, Mazzocchetti L, Benelli T, Brugo TM, Zucchelli A, Giorgini L. Rubber-enhanced polyamide nanofibers for a significant improvement of CFRP interlaminar fracture toughness. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21426. [PMID: 36504116 PMCID: PMC9742143 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25287-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanofibrous mats provide substantial delamination hindering in composite laminates, especially if the polymer (as rubbers) can directly toughen the composite resin. Here, the well-known Nylon 66 nanofibers were impregnated with Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) for producing rubber/thermoplastic membranes for hampering the delamination of epoxy Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs). The starting polyamide mats were electrospun using two different solvent systems, and their effect on the mat's thermal and mechanical properties was investigated, as well as the laminate Mode I delamination resistance via Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) tests. Plain Nylon 66 mats electrospun from formic acid/chloroform perform better than the ones obtained from a solvent system containing trifluoroacetic acid, showing up to + 64% vs + 53% in interlaminar fracture toughness (GI), respectively. The effect of NBR coating benefits both nanofiber types, significantly raising the GI. The best results are obtained when interleaving medium-thickness and lightweight mats (20 µm, 9-10 g/m2) with 70-80 wt% of loaded rubber, achieving up to + 180% in GI. The work demonstrates the ability of NBR at improving the delamination hindering of common polyamide nonwovens, paving the way to the use of NBR-coated Nylon 66 nanofibers as effective interleaves for GI enhancement and overall composite safety improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Maccaferri
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Matteo Dalle Donne
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Mazzocchetti
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136, Bologna, Italy.
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology, CIRI-MAM, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Benelli
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136, Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology, CIRI-MAM, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Tommaso Maria Brugo
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology, CIRI-MAM, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Zucchelli
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology, CIRI-MAM, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Loris Giorgini
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136, Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research on Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology, CIRI-MAM, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, Italy
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5
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Narváez‐Muñoz C, Zamora‐Ledezma C, Ryzhakov P, Pons‐Prats J, Elango J, Mena C, Navarrete F, Morales‐Flórez V, Cano‐Crespo R, Segura LJ. Improving
glass‐fiber
epoxy composites via interlayer toughening with polyacrylonitrile/multiwalled carbon nanotubes electrospun fibers. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.53400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Narváez‐Muñoz
- Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyers de Camins, Canals i Ports, C/Jordi Girona 1, Campus Nord UPC Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—Barcelonatech (UPC) Barcelona Spain
- Centre Internacional de Mètodes Numérics en Enginyeria (CIMNE), C/Gran Capitán s/n, Campus Nord UPC ‐ Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Barcelona Spain
| | | | - Pavel Ryzhakov
- Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyers de Camins, Canals i Ports, C/Jordi Girona 1, Campus Nord UPC Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—Barcelonatech (UPC) Barcelona Spain
- Centre Internacional de Mètodes Numérics en Enginyeria (CIMNE), C/Gran Capitán s/n, Campus Nord UPC ‐ Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Barcelona Spain
| | - Jordi Pons‐Prats
- Centre Internacional de Mètodes Numérics en Enginyeria (CIMNE), C/Gran Capitán s/n, Campus Nord UPC ‐ Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Barcelona Spain
- Department of Physics, Aeronautics Division Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona Tech (UPC) Castelldefels Spain
| | - Jeevithan Elango
- Department of Biomaterials Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences UCAM‐Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia Murcia Spain
| | - Carlos Mena
- Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas (ESPE) Sangolquí Ecuador
| | | | - Víctor Morales‐Flórez
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada Universidad de Sevilla Seville Spain
| | - Rafael Cano‐Crespo
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada Universidad de Sevilla Seville Spain
| | - Luis Javier Segura
- Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas (ESPE) Sangolquí Ecuador
- Industrial Engineering Department University of Louisville Louisville Kentucky USA
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6
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PVDF/BaTiO3 composite foams with high content of β phase by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10965-022-03133-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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7
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Monaghan OR, Skowron ST, Moore JC, Pin-Nó M, Kortsen K, Atkinson RL, Krumins E, Lentz JC, Machado F, Onat Z, Brookfield A, Collison D, Khlobystov AN, De Focatiis D, Irvine DJ, Taresco V, Stockman RA, Howdle SM. A self-crosslinking monomer, α-pinene methacrylate: understanding and exploiting hydrogen abstraction. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py00878e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A combined computational/experimental approach has been applied to investigate the self-crosslinking of α-pinene methacrylate via chain transfer through hydrogen abstraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia R. Monaghan
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Stephen T. Skowron
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jonathan C. Moore
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - María Pin-Nó
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Kristoffer Kortsen
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rachel L. Atkinson
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Eduards Krumins
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Joachim C. Lentz
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Fabricio Machado
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Zeynep Onat
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Adam Brookfield
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - David Collison
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Andrei N. Khlobystov
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Davide De Focatiis
- Faculty of Engineering, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Derek J. Irvine
- Faculty of Engineering, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Vincenzo Taresco
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Robert A. Stockman
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Steven M. Howdle
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
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8
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Amorini M, Riboni N, Pesenti L, Dini VA, Pedrini A, Massera C, Gualandi C, Bianchi F, Pinalli R, Dalcanale E. Reusable Cavitand-Based Electrospun Membranes for the Removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Water. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2104946. [PMID: 34755446 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202104946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The removal of toxic and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from water is one of the most intractable environmental problems nowadays, because of their resistance to remediation. This work introduces a highly efficient, regenerable membrane for the removal of PAHs from water, featuring excellent filter performance and pH-driven release, thanks to the integration of a cavitand receptor in electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. The role of the cavitand receptor is to act as molecular gripper for the uptake/release of PAHs. To this purpose, the deep cavity cavitand BenzoQxCav is designed and synthetized and its molecular structure is elucidated via X-Ray diffraction. The removal efficiency of the new adsorbent material toward the 16 priority PAHs is demonstrated via GC-MS analyses at ng L-1 concentration. A removal efficiency in the 32%, to 99% range is obtained. The regeneration of the membrane is performed by exploiting the pH-driven conformational switching of the cavitand between the vase form, where the PAHs uptake takes place, to the kite one, where the PAHs release occurs. The absorbance and regeneration capability of the membrane are successfully tested in four uptake/release cycles and the morphological stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Amorini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale and INSTM UdR Parma, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, Parma, 43123, Italy
| | - Nicolò Riboni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale and INSTM UdR Parma, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, Parma, 43123, Italy
| | - Lucia Pesenti
- Dipartimento di Chimica "G. Ciamician" and INSTM UdR Bologna, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Valentina Antonia Dini
- Dipartimento di Chimica "G. Ciamician" and INSTM UdR Bologna, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pedrini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale and INSTM UdR Parma, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, Parma, 43123, Italy
| | - Chiara Massera
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale and INSTM UdR Parma, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, Parma, 43123, Italy
| | - Chiara Gualandi
- Dipartimento di Chimica "G. Ciamician" and INSTM UdR Bologna, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Federica Bianchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale and INSTM UdR Parma, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, Parma, 43123, Italy
| | - Roberta Pinalli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale and INSTM UdR Parma, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, Parma, 43123, Italy
| | - Enrico Dalcanale
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale and INSTM UdR Parma, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, Parma, 43123, Italy
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9
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Sagnelli D, Vestri A, Curia S, Taresco V, Santagata G, Johansson MK, Howdle SM. Green enzymatic synthesis and processing of poly (cis-9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid) in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). Eur Polym J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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10
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Efficient Improvement in Fracture Toughness of Laminated Composite by Interleaving Functionalized Nanofibers. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13152509. [PMID: 34372112 PMCID: PMC8347688 DOI: 10.3390/polym13152509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Functionalized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were used in the present investigation to enhance the fracture behavior of carbon epoxy composite in order to prevent delamination if any crack propagates in the resin rich area. The main intent of this investigation was to analyze the efficiency of PAN nanofiber as a reinforcing agent for the carbon fiber-based epoxy structural composite. The composites were fabricated with stacked unidirectional carbon fibers and the PAN powder was functionalized with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and then used as reinforcement. The fabricated composites’ fracture behavior was analyzed through a double cantilever beam test and the energy release rate of the composites was investigated. The neat PAN and functionalized PAN-reinforced samples had an 18% and a 50% increase in fracture energy, respectively, compared to the control composite. In addition, the samples reinforced with functionalized PAN nanofibers had 27% higher interlaminar strength compared to neat PAN-reinforced composite, implying more efficient stress transformation as well as stress distribution from the matrix phase (resin-rich area) to the reinforcement phase (carbon/phase) of the composites. The enhancement of fracture toughness provides an opportunity to alleviate the prevalent issues in laminated composites for structural operations and facilitate their adoption in industries for critical applications.
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