Fire performance of cotton fabrics coated with 10-(2,5- Dihydroxyphenyl)-9,10-dihydro-9-xa-10-phosphaphenanthrene10-oxide (DOPO-HQ) Zr-based metal-organic fr

We investigated the performance of cotton fabrics coated with DOPO-HQ and Zr-based Metal–organic Frameworks when exposed to fire. The chemical structure of the cotton fabrics before and after the coating was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, and the surface morphology of cotton and their combustion residues was probed via scanning electron microscopy. In our experiments, we used flammability tests and thermogravimetric methods to understand the burning behavior of the coated fibers, as well as their thermal stability. The cotton fabrics coated with DOPOHQ and Zr MOFs exhibited shorter combustion times, had better thermal degradation properties, promoted the creation of heat-insulating layers, and exhibited improved smoke suppression behaviorPostprint (published version

Conformal functionalization of cotton fibers via isoreticular expansion of UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks

We report on the growing of metal-organic frameworks that are isoreticular and isostructural to UiO-66, onto cotton fabrics via a solvothermal method. Four different metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (UiO-66, UiO-66-NH2, UiO-66-NDC, and UiO-67) were chosen as a case study. The presence of the UiO-based MOFs was confirmed through X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. We used thermogravimetric analysis to quantify the amount of the MOF loading, which ranged from 0.8% to 2.6% m/m. We also explored the role of ligand size, growth time, and reaction temperature on the conformal coating of cotton fibers with these Zr-based MOFs. Cotton fabrics coated with Zr-based MOFs can find applications as selective filters in aggressive environments due to their enhanced chemical and thermal stabilities.Fil: Schelling, Marion. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Otal, Eugenio Hernan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; Argentina. Shinshu University. Faculty of Textile Science and Technology. Department of Chemistry and Materials; JapónFil: Kim, Manuela Leticia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; Argentina. Shinshu University. Faculty of Textile Science and Technology. Department of Chemistry and Materials; JapónFil: Hinestroza, Juan P.. Cornell University; Estados Unido

Impact of Vegetable Oil Type on the Rheological and Tribological Behavior of Montmorillonite-Based Oleogels

We formulated and characterized oleogels based on montmorillonite clay and vegetable oils that could serve as eco-friendly semi-solid lubricants. In particular, we studied the influence of the physical-chemical properties of olive, castor, soybean, linseed, and sunflower oils on the rheological, chemical, thermal, and tribological properties of the semi-solid lubricants. We prepared the oleogels via the highly intensive mixing of vegetable oils with clay at a concentration of 30 wt.%. The oleogels exhibited shear-thinning, thixotropy, structural recovery, and gel-like behavior commonly related to that of a three-dimensional network. The results were corroborated via XRD measurements showing the presence of intercalated nanoclay structures well-dispersed in the vegetable oil. Empirical correlations between the content of saturated (SFAs), unsaturated (UFAs), mono-unsaturated (MUFAs) and poly-unsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids and the plateau modulus of the aerogels were found. From these experimental results, we can conclude that the fatty acid profile of the vegetable oils exerts an important influence on the rheological and tribological properties of resulting clay and vegetable oil oleogelsThis research was supported by FEDER European Programme and Junta de Andalucía, grant number PY20_00751. The authors acknowledge the X-ray Diffraction Service (Universidad de Huelva) for providing full access and assistance in X-ray Diffraction measurement

A Cell-based Computational Modeling Approach for Developing Site-Directed Molecular Probes

Modeling the local absorption and retention patterns of membrane-permeant small molecules in a cellular context could facilitate development of site-directed chemical agents for bioimaging or therapeutic applications. Here, we present an integrative approach to this problem, combining in silico computational models, in vitro cell based assays and in vivo biodistribution studies. To target small molecule probes to the epithelial cells of the upper airways, a multiscale computational model of the lung was first used as a screening tool, in silico. Following virtual screening, cell monolayers differentiated on microfabricated pore arrays and multilayer cultures of primary human bronchial epithelial cells differentiated in an air-liquid interface were used to test the local absorption and intracellular retention patterns of selected probes, in vitro. Lastly, experiments involving visualization of bioimaging probe distribution in the lungs after local and systemic administration were used to test the relevance of computational models and cell-based assays, in vivo. The results of in vivo experiments were consistent with the results of in silico simulations, indicating that mitochondrial accumulation of membrane permeant, hydrophilic cations can be used to maximize local exposure and retention, specifically in the upper airways after intratracheal administration

"Pequeñas" modificaciones del algodón. Nanotecnología aplicada en textiles

A pesar de tratarse de ámbitos, a priori muy distintos, las capacidades de modificación de las estructuras textiles mediante la aplicación de la Nanotecnología presentan unas posibilidades muy prometedoras. En este artículo, se va a realizar una descripción de diversos experimentos que se han realizado en algodón. Aún tratándose de una fibra natural, con características muy peculiares, la modificación que permite la aplicación de modificaciones a escala más pequeña, permite ofrecer diversas opciones como retardante de llama, hidrofobicidad controlada, o hacerla actuar como sustrato de tipo activoPostprint (published version

Revolutionary textiles: A philosophical inquiry on electronic and reactive textiles

Often qualified as “revolutionary,” electronic and reactive textiles are promising to bring wide-reaching changes to our existence: from the way we dress to the way we communicate, from the way we sense and are sensed to the way we build and use textiles as substrates for new applications. From a philosophical perspective, this article explores the revolutionary character of electronic and reactive textiles—in other words, what about them is “revolutionary?” Corollary questions include, “What do electronic and reactive textiles revolutionize?” and “What is it to revolutionize?” or more precisely, “What exactly is expected to be revolutionized when it comes to textiles?” The article emphasizes that with electronic and reactive textiles we are confronted with a new understanding of matter (and implicitly with new ways to manipulate and use it). The article also addresses the ways digitization not only affects the constitution of new objects (interactive objects/devices) but also produces changes in the industrial forms of production. Last but not least, we argue that the innovation aspects related to the development of new materials and their forms of production have to be addressed on different scales, by following trans-disciplinary approaches within a deliberate framework of philosophical questioning

Charge Characterization Of An Electrically Charged Fiber Via Electrostatic Force Microscopy

The charge of a corona charged electret fiber as well as an uncharged glass fiber was characterized via Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM). Electrostatic force gradient images were obtained by monitoring the shifts in phase between the oscillations of the biased EFM cantilever and those of a piezoelectric driver. EFM measurements were performed using noncontact scans at a constant tip-sample separation of 75 nm with varied bias voltages applied to the cantilever. A mathematical expression, based on the Coulombic and induced polarization effects, were used to model the EFM phase shifts as a function of the applied tip bias voltages. There was quantitative agreement between the experimental data and the mathematical expression, and the quantitative interpretation for charges on the fiber was made