Nanomaterials

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2 pages, 182 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Preparation and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites

by Teresa Cuberes

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(4), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13040657 - 08 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1201

Abstract

The incorporation of nanomaterials into polymer matrices opens new avenues for the development of advanced materials with unique novel properties and impact in many different fields [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites)

Research

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14 pages, 2386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Triboelectric Response of Electrospun Stratified PVDF and PA Structures

by Pavel Tofel, Klára Částková, David Říha, Dinara Sobola, Nikola Papež, Jaroslav Kaštyl, Ştefan Ţălu and Zdeněk Hadaš

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12030349 - 22 Jan 2022

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3202

Abstract

Utilizing the triboelectric effect of the fibrous structure, a very low cost and straightforward sensor or an energy harvester can be obtained. A device of this kind can be flexible and, moreover, it can exhibit a better output performance than a device based [...] Read more.

Utilizing the triboelectric effect of the fibrous structure, a very low cost and straightforward sensor or an energy harvester can be obtained. A device of this kind can be flexible and, moreover, it can exhibit a better output performance than a device based on the piezoelectric effect. This study is concerned with comparing the properties of triboelectric devices prepared from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fibers, polyamide 6 (PA) fibers, and fibrous structures consisting of a combination of these two materials. Four types of fibrous structures were prepared, and then their potential for use in triboelectric devices was tested. Namely, individual fibrous mats of (i) PVDF and (ii) PA fibers, and their combination—(iii) PVDF and PA fibers intertwined together. Finally, the fourth kind was (iv), a stratified three-layer structure, where the middle layer from PVDF and PA intertwined fibers was covered by PVDF fibrous layer on one side and by PA fibrous layer on the opposite side. Dielectric properties were examined and the triboelectric response was investigated in a simple triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) of individual or combined (i–iv) fibrous structures. The highest triboelectric output voltage was observed for the stratified three-layer structure (the structure of iv type) consisting of PVDF and PA individual and intertwined fibrous layers. This TENG generated 3.5 V at peak of amplitude at 6 Hz of excitation frequency and was most sensitive at the excitation signal. The second highest triboelectric response was observed for the individual PVDF fibrous mat, generating 2.8 V at peak at the same excitation frequency. The uniqueness of this work lies in the dielectric and triboelectric evaluation of the fibrous structures, where the materials PA and PVDF were electrospun simultaneously with two needles and thus created a fibrous composite. The structures showed a more effective triboelectric response compared to the fibrous structure electrospun by one needle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites)

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13 pages, 2767 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Porous Polydimethylsiloxane Elastomer Hybrid with Zinc Oxide Nanowire for Wearable, Wide-Range, and Low Detection Limit Capacitive Pressure Sensor

by Gen-Wen Hsieh, Liang-Cheng Shih and Pei-Yuan Chen

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(2), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12020256 - 14 Jan 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3017

Abstract

We propose a flexible capacitive pressure sensor that utilizes porous polydimethylsiloxane elastomer with zinc oxide nanowire as nanocomposite dielectric layer via a simple porogen-assisted process. With the incorporation of nanowires into the porous elastomer, our capacitive pressure sensor is not only highly responsive [...] Read more.

We propose a flexible capacitive pressure sensor that utilizes porous polydimethylsiloxane elastomer with zinc oxide nanowire as nanocomposite dielectric layer via a simple porogen-assisted process. With the incorporation of nanowires into the porous elastomer, our capacitive pressure sensor is not only highly responsive to subtle stimuli but vigorously so to gentle touch and verbal stimulation from 0 to 50 kPa. The fabricated zinc oxide nanowire–porous polydimethylsiloxane sensor exhibits superior sensitivity of 0.717 kPa⁻¹, 0.360 kPa⁻¹, and 0.200 kPa⁻¹ at the pressure regimes of 0–50 Pa, 50–1000 Pa, and 1000–3000 Pa, respectively, presenting an approximate enhancement by 21−100 times when compared to that of a flat polydimethylsiloxane device. The nanocomposite dielectric layer also reveals an ultralow detection limit of 1.0 Pa, good stability, and durability after 4000 loading–unloading cycles, making it capable of perception of various human motions, such as finger bending, calligraphy writing, throat vibration, and airflow blowing. A proof-of-concept trial in hydrostatic water pressure sensing has been demonstrated with the proposed sensors, which can detect tiny changes in water pressure and may be helpful for underwater sensing research. This work brings out the efficacy of constructing wearable capacitive pressure sensors based on a porous dielectric hybrid with stress-sensitive nanostructures, providing wide prospective applications in wearable electronics, health monitoring, and smart artificial robotics/prosthetics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites)

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17 pages, 4237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Borpolymer on Mechanical and Structural Parameters of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

by Sakhayana N. Danilova, Afanasy A. Dyakonov, Andrey P. Vasilev, Aitalina A. Okhlopkova, Aleksei G. Tuisov, Anatoly K. Kychkin and Aisen A. Kychkin

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(12), 3398; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11123398 - 15 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1904

Abstract

The paper presents the results of studying the effect of borpolymer (BP) on the mechanical properties, structure, and thermodynamic parameters of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Changes in the mechanical characteristics of polymer composites material (PCM) are confirmed and complemented by structural studies. [...] Read more.

The paper presents the results of studying the effect of borpolymer (BP) on the mechanical properties, structure, and thermodynamic parameters of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Changes in the mechanical characteristics of polymer composites material (PCM) are confirmed and complemented by structural studies. X-ray crystallography (XRC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and infrared spectroscopy (IR) were used to study the melting point, morphology and composition of the filler, which corresponds to the composition and data of the certificate of the synthesized BP. Tensile and compressive mechanical tests were carried out in accordance with generally accepted standards (ASTM). It is shown that BP is an effective modifier for UHMWPE, contributing to a significant increase in the deformation and strength characteristics of the composite: tensile strength of PCM by 56%, elongation at break by 28% and compressive strength at 10% strain by 65% compared to the initial UHMWPE, due to intensive changes in the supramolecular structure of the matrix. Structural studies revealed that BP does not chemically interact with UHMWPE, but due to its high adhesion to the polymer, it acts as a reinforcing filler. SEM was used to establish the formation of a spherulite supramolecular structure of polymer composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites)

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18 pages, 5784 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Early Recognition of the PCL/Fibrous Carbon Nanocomposites Interaction with Osteoblast-like Cells by Raman Spectroscopy

by Aleksandra Wesełucha-Birczyńska, Anna Kołodziej, Małgorzata Świętek, Łukasz Skalniak, Elżbieta Długoń, Maria Pajda and Marta Błażewicz

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 2890; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11112890 - 28 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1901

Abstract

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a biocompatible resorbable material, but its use is limited due to the fact that it is characterized by the lack of cell adhesion to its surface. Various chemical and physical methods are described in the literature, as well as modifications [...] Read more.

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a biocompatible resorbable material, but its use is limited due to the fact that it is characterized by the lack of cell adhesion to its surface. Various chemical and physical methods are described in the literature, as well as modifications with various nanoparticles aimed at giving it such surface properties that would positively affect cell adhesion. Nanomaterials, in the form of membranes, were obtained by the introduction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs and functionalized nanotubes, MWCNTs-f) as well as electro-spun carbon nanofibers (ESCNFs, and functionalized nanofibers, ESCNFs-f) into a PCL matrix. Their properties were compared with that of reference, unmodified PCL membrane. Human osteoblast-like cell line, U-2 OS (expressing green fluorescent protein, GFP) was seeded on the evaluated nanomaterial membranes at relatively low confluency and cultured in the standard cell culture conditions. The attachment and the growth of the cell populations on the polymer and nanocomposite samples were monitored throughout the first week of culture with fluorescence microscopy. Simultaneously, Raman microspectroscopy was also used to track the dependence of U-2 OS cell development on the type of nanomaterial, and it has proven to be the best method for the early detection of nanomaterial/cell interactions. The differentiation of interactions depending on the type of nanoadditive is indicated by the ν(COC) vibration range, which indicates the interaction with PCL membranes with carbon nanotubes, while it is irrelevant for PCL with carbon nanofibers, for which no changes are observed. The vibration range ω(CH₂) indicates the interaction for PCL with carbon nanofibers with seeded cells. The crystallinity of the area ν(C=O) increases for PCL/MWCNTs and for PCL/MWCNTs-f, while it decreases for PCL/ESCNFs and for PCL/ESCNFs-f with seeded cells. The crystallinity of the membranes, which is determined by Raman microspectroscopy, allows for the assessment of polymer structure changes and their degradability caused by the secretion of cell products into the ECM and the differentiation of interactions depending on the carbon nanostructure. The obtained nanocomposite membranes are promising bioactive materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites)

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19 pages, 6899 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Nanostructural Arrangements and Surface Morphology on Ureasil-Polyether Films Loaded with Dexamethasone Acetate

by João Augusto Oshiro-Junior, Angelo Lusuardi, Elena M. Beamud, Leila Aparecida Chiavacci and M. Teresa Cuberes

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1362; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061362 - 21 May 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2689

Abstract

Ureasil-Poly(ethylene oxide) (u-PEO500) and ureasil-Poly(propylene oxide) (u-PPO400) films, unloaded and loaded with dexamethasone acetate (DMA), have been investigated by carrying out atomic force microscopy (AFM), ultrasonic force microscopy (UFM), contact-angle, and drug release experiments. In addition, X-ray diffraction, small angle X-ray scattering, and [...] Read more.

Ureasil-Poly(ethylene oxide) (u-PEO500) and ureasil-Poly(propylene oxide) (u-PPO400) films, unloaded and loaded with dexamethasone acetate (DMA), have been investigated by carrying out atomic force microscopy (AFM), ultrasonic force microscopy (UFM), contact-angle, and drug release experiments. In addition, X-ray diffraction, small angle X-ray scattering, and infrared spectroscopy have provided essential information to understand the films’ structural organization. Our results reveal that while in u-PEO500 DMA occupies sites near the ether oxygen and remains absent from the film surface, in u-PPO400 new crystalline phases are formed when DMA is loaded, which show up as ~30–100 nm in diameter rounded clusters aligned along a well-defined direction, presumably related to the one defined by the characteristic polymer ropes distinguished on the surface of the unloaded u-PPO film; occasionally, larger needle-shaped DMA crystals are also observed. UFM reveals that in the unloaded u-PPO matrix the polymer ropes are made up of strands, which in turn consist of aligned ~180 nm in diameter stiffer rounded clusters possibly formed by siloxane-node aggregates; the new crystalline phases may grow in-between the strands when the drug is loaded. The results illustrate the potential of AFM-based procedures, in combination with additional physico-chemical techniques, to picture the nanostructural arrangements in polymer matrices intended for drug delivery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites)

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22 pages, 2851 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CuO/PMMA Polymer Nanocomposites as Novel Resist Materials for E-Beam Lithography

by Georgia Geka, George Papageorgiou, Margarita Chatzichristidi, Andreas Germanos Karydas, Vassilis Psycharis and Eleni Makarona

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(3), 762; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11030762 - 17 Mar 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2304

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites have emerged as a new powerful class of materials because of their versatility, adaptability and wide applicability to a variety of fields. In this work, a facile and cost-effective method to develop poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based polymer nanocomposites with copper oxide (CuO) [...] Read more.

Polymer nanocomposites have emerged as a new powerful class of materials because of their versatility, adaptability and wide applicability to a variety of fields. In this work, a facile and cost-effective method to develop poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based polymer nanocomposites with copper oxide (CuO) nanofillers is presented. The study concentrates on finding an appropriate methodology to realize CuO/PMMA nanocomposites that could be used as resist materials for e-beam lithography (EBL) with the intention of being integrated into nanodevices. The CuO nanofillers were synthesized via a low-cost chemical synthesis, while several loadings, spin coating conditions and two solvents (acetone and methyl ethyl ketone) were explored and assessed with regards to their effect on producing CuO/PMMA nanocomposites. The nanocomposite films were patterned with EBL and contrast curve data and resolution analysis were used to evaluate their performance and suitability as a resist material. Micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ-XRF) complemented with XRF measurements via a handheld instrument (hh-XRF) was additionally employed as an alternative rapid and non-destructive technique in order to investigate the uniform dispersion of the nanofillers within the polymer matrix and to assist in the selection of the optimum preparation conditions. This study revealed that it is possible to produce low-cost CuO/PMMA nanocomposites as a novel resist material without resorting to complicated preparation techniques. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites)

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17 pages, 4995 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Storage Stability of Different Polymer Modified Asphalt Binders through Nano-Montmorillonite Modification

by Zhibin Ren, Yongqiang Zhu, Qi Wu, Minye Zhu, Feng Guo, Huayang Yu and Jiangmiao Yu

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(4), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10040641 - 30 Mar 2020

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 3440

Abstract

The storage stability concern, caused by phase separation for the density difference between polymers and asphalt fractions, has limited the widespread application of polymer modified asphalt (PMA). Therefore, this study aims to improve the storage concern of PMA by incorporating nano-montmorillonite. To this [...] Read more.

The storage stability concern, caused by phase separation for the density difference between polymers and asphalt fractions, has limited the widespread application of polymer modified asphalt (PMA). Therefore, this study aims to improve the storage concern of PMA by incorporating nano-montmorillonite. To this end, different nano-montmorillonites were incorporated to three PMAs modified with three typical asphalt modifiers, i.e., crumb rubber (CRM), styrene–butadiene-rubber (SBR) and styrene–butadiene-styrene (SBS). A series of laboratory tests were performed to evaluate the storage stability and rheological properties of PMA binders with nano-montmorillonite. As a consequence, the incorporation of nano-montmorillonite exhibited a remarkable effect on enhancing the storage stability of the CRM modified binder, but limited positive effects for the SBR and SBS modified binders. The layered nano-montmorillonite transformed to intercalated or exfoliated structures after interaction with asphalt fractions, providing superior storage stability. Among selected nano-montmorillonites, the pure montmorillonite with Hydroxyl organic ammonium performed the best on enhancing storage stability of PMA. This paper suggests that nano-montmorillonite is a promising modifier to alleviate the storage stability concern for asphalt with polymer modifiers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites)

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23 pages, 4580 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review and Mechanism of the Thickness Effect of Solid Dielectrics

by Liang Zhao and Chun Liang Liu

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2473; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122473 - 10 Dec 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 1780

Abstract

The thickness effect of solid dielectrics means the relation between the electric breakdown strength (E_BD) and the dielectric thickness (d). By reviewing different types of expressions of E_BD on d, it is found that the minus [...] Read more.

The thickness effect of solid dielectrics means the relation between the electric breakdown strength (E_BD) and the dielectric thickness (d). By reviewing different types of expressions of E_BD on d, it is found that the minus power relation (E_BD = E₁d^−a) is supported by plenty of experimental results. The physical mechanism responsible for the minus power relation of the thickness effect is reviewed and improved. In addition, it is found that the physical meaning of the power exponent a is approximately the relative standard error of the E_BD distributions in perspective of the Weibull distribution. In the end, the factors influencing the power exponent a are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites)

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