A Real Time Analysis of the Self-Assembly Process Using Thermal Analysis Inside the Differential Scanning Calorimeter Instrument

The supramolecular assembly of the regioregular poly-3-hexylthiophene (rr-P3HT) in solution has been investigated thoroughly in the past. In the current study, our focus is on the enthalpy of nanofiber formation using thermal analysis techniques by performing the self-assembly process inside the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) instrument. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out to check the concentration of the solvent during the self-assembly process of P3HT in <i>p</i>-xylene. Ultraviolet visible (UV–vis) spectophotometric technique, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiment, atomic force microscopic (AFM), and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images were used to characterize the different experimental yields generated by cooling the reaction mixture at desired temperatures. Comparison of the morphologies of self-assembled products at different fiber formation temperatures gives us an idea about the possible crystallization parameters which could affect the P3HT nanofiber morphology

Coherent Loading–Deloading Mechanism in Polymeric Nanohybrid Network Structures

Physically cross-linked gels have unique advantages of repeated swelling and shrinking of network structures, where the stability of gels at the swelled phase, particularly under ionic conditions, is extremely critical. In this study, it has been shown that functionalized nanofillers and polar solvents can increase the network densities of physically cross-linked gels with higher dimensional stability by increasing the polar and electrostatic interactions. The characteristic nonbonded interactions of CNTs with ionic solvents have been utilized for the controlled swelling of toughened double-network gels as the function of pH and time. The swelling of the overall gel morphology is found to be important for the release of analytes; however, the functional cross-sectional sites in the nanohybrids hold the key for desorption kinetics. The selection of interactive functional moieties in the nanohybrids and analytes has led to the development of highly efficient and controlled release media. The electrostatic interaction of analytes with functionally and dimensionally stable gels with controlled porosity indicates a clear structure–property correlation, which could be exploited to design and fabricate efficient drug delivery vehicles and rapid surface decontaminants

Insight into the Mechanism of Decontamination and Disinfection at the Functionalized Carbon Nanotube–Polymer Interfaces

The role of different functional groups and the nature of the functional group on multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) surface were thoroughly studied for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) loading and on the mechanism of decontamination and disinfection. The surfactant free method for grafting of AgNPs on MWCNT surface followed by vacuum annealing was adapted to enhance the interfacial interactions of nanomaterials with bacteria. The best performing functionalized MWCNT was selected for the fabrication of functional composite membrane for further insight into the interfacial interaction of polymer–nanomaterials. It has been shown that at an optimized weight percentage loading of functionalized MWCNTs, nanotube scaffolds were generated inside the pores of polysulfone membrane to sieve out toxic metal ions and bacteria by physical and chemical elimination without compromising the flux rate of filtration. The structure property relationship of the nanocomposite membrane has been thoroughly evaluated by the morphological, surface area, and contact angle measurement studies. The modified surface of MWCNTs by Ag nanoparticles and polar functional groups placed on the pores of the membrane was thus further exposed for interfacial interaction with the decontaminated and disinfected water, which in turn enhances the efficiency of filtration

Effect of Reinforcement at Length Scale for Polyurethane Cellular Scaffolds by Supramolecular Assemblies

This study is aimed to represent the role of carbonaceous nanofillers to reinforce the commercially available polyurethane porous structure. The effect of dimensionality of fillers to anchor the construction of stable three-dimensional (3D) cellular architectures has been highlighted. The cellular frameworks of commercially available thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) have been fabricated through the thermoreversible supramolecular self-assembly route. It was established that the minimum shrinkage of TPU lattice structures occurred when the solid-state network is strengthened by the topologically engineered 3D hierarchical nanofillers, where the amount of reinforcement was found to play a critical role. It has been established by series of structure–property correlations that reinforcing the cellular structure to endure the capillary stress is equally effective as supercritical drying for producing low-density porous morphologies. The removal of liquid phase from gel is as important as the presence of 3D fillers in the matrix for reinforcing the cellular structures when replacing the solvent phase with air to generate a two-phase solid–gas engineered morphology. The insight into the polyurethane network structure revealed that the dimensionality, amount, and distribution of fillers in the matrix are critical for reinforcing the cellular scaffolds in solid gel without any cross-linking

Sustainable Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Using 3D Printing with Chicken Bone Extract

Animal waste, if not disposed of carefully, is a threat to the environment, as it may cause fouling and microorganism growth and can be a home for many diseases. Hence, proper waste management is required. One such abundantly found biowaste product is chicken bones, which are thrown into nature after the meat is consumed. However, this biowaste (chicken bone extract, CBE) can be utilized to make bioceramics in an efficient way without much labor and cost. Bioceramics made from natural sources such as chicken bones have chemical, physical, and biological similarities to the inorganic content of human bones and hence do not create any toxicity or harmful effects when used inside the human body. Bone, being a piezoelectric material, makes the healing of fractures faster (osteoconduction and osteoinduction) due to the electric field it generates. Hence, a piezoelectric device fabricated from natural CBE could be utilized for generating piezoelectricity to heal bones. The piezoelectric behavior of a CBE bioceramic material is studied for the first time by developing a device made via 3D printing. Piezoelectric studies were performed at various loads and tapping frequencies, and a maximum piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of ∼68.7 pC/N and electromechanical coupling of 0.17 were obtained, which are suitable for piezoelectric energy-harvesting applications. Normally, the lifetime of piezoelectric devices is low, and their disposal and recycling may also create health hazards. However, the current device made out of degradable natural CBE poses no environmental threat after disposal. This novel process opens up new opportunities and directions to rethink alternatives for piezoelectric materials that are used for sustainable energy harvesting