Cellulose Acetate/ Sodium-Activated Natural Bentonite Clay Nanofibres Produced by Free Surface Electrospinning

Incorporating activated bentonite clay (BC) into electrospun nanofibres is an established strategy for modulating adsorption behaviour. In the present study, naturally occurring calcium BC was completely activated to sodium BC with a 4 wt.% sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)/BC ratio. Composite nanofibre webs were produced from cellulose acetate (CA)/BC spinning solutions using free surface electrospinning and the effect of BC loadings on viscosity, surface tension and electrical conductivity prior to spinning were studied. Chemical and thermal analyses were conducted on as-spun fibres, and SEM and TEM revealed a nanofibrous morphology consisting of an inter-penetrating network of fibres and semi-spherical features resembling jellyfish with an internal core of BC

Self-directed learning and absorptive capacity: the mediating role of trust and human capital

This chapter aims to provide a better understanding of how self-directed learning effects absorptive capacity by examining the influence of two mediators: specifically, affective trust in colleagues and human capital development climate. By using a sample of 181 participants from the creative industries sector, a sequential mediation via a three-step causal chain was conducted. This chapter contributes to human resource development and strategic management literature in showing that self-directed learning does not only have a strong effect on the organisational capability, but it also has an impact at the group-level dynamics involving trust and organisational-level climate. These findings show that organisations need to design jobs that allow discretion and autonomy from staff to shape their own learning and to cultivate an environment that recognises and rewards learning