Synthesis of Nylon 6/Modified Carbon Black Nanocomposites for Application in Uric Acid Adsorption

High uric acid levels cause different clinic conditions. One of them is hyperuricemia, which leads to kidney damage. A solution for eliminating uric acid in the blood is by hemodialysis, which is performed using nanocomposite membranes. In this work, Nylon 6 nanocomposites were synthesized with modified carbon black (MCB), which were considered candidate materials for hemodialysis membranes. The modification of carbon black was made with citric acid using the variable-frequency ultrasound method. The new MCB was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dispersion tests. Nylon 6/MCB nanocomposites were processed using the ultrasound-assisted melt-extrusion method to improve the dispersion procedure of the nanoparticles. The Nylon 6/MCB nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, TGA, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These were assessed for the absorption of toxins and hemocompatibility. MBC and nanocomposites showed excellent uric acid removal (78–82%) and hemocompatibility (1.6–1.8%). These results suggest that Nylon 6/MCB nanocomposites with low loading percentages can be used on a large scale without compatibility problems with blood

Antistatic films based on polymer nanocomposites

Accumulation of electric charge on a surface is known as static electricity, a common phenomenon in plastics due to its isolating nature. This phenomenon represents a problem in packaging films since the charge can be released in a violent manner or dust particles can be attached to the film decreasing its appearance. Different carbon nanoparticles can be used to solve this problem without affecting the film characteristics. In this sense, after a through a revision of journal papers, research and analysis, we propose new materials based in carbon nanoparticles that can be used to solve this problem without affecting the film characteristics including damage due to electrostatic discharges.La electricidad estática es la acumulación de carga eléctrica y es un fenómeno que continuamente se presenta en los plásticos debido a su naturaleza aislante, por lo que en las películas de plástico para empaques en general, surge la necesidad de buscar opciones y brindar solución a esta problemática. Debido a la necesidad de evitar las cargas eléctricas depositadas en la diversidad de empaques que existen, se analizaron las opciones más utilizadas. De esta manera, mediante una revisión bibliográfica, investigación y análisis, fue propuesto un nuevo nanomaterial para cumplir con los requisitos necesarios y para que el producto que se empaque no sufra ningún tipo de daño debido a las descargas eléctrica

Non-Woven Fabrics Based on Nanocomposite Nylon 6/ZnO Obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Extrusion for Improved Antimicrobial and Adsorption Methylene Blue Dye Properties

Approximately 200,000 tons of water contaminated with dyes are discharged into effluents annually, which in addition to infectious diseases constitute problems that afflict the population worldwide. This study evaluated the mechanical properties, surface structure, antimicrobial performance, and methylene blue dye-contaminant adsorption using the non-woven fabrics manufactured by melt-blowing. The non-woven fabrics are composed of nylon 6 (Ny 6) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The polymer nanocomposites were previously fabricated using variable frequency ultrasound assisted-melt-extrusion to be used in melt-blowing. Energy dispersion spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) images showed a homogeneous dispersion of the ZnO nanoparticles in nylon 6. The mechanical properties of the composites increased by adding ZnO compared to the nylon 6 matrix, and sample Ny/ZnO 0.5 showed the best mechanical performance. All fabric samples exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and fungus C. albicans, and the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles significantly improved this property compared to pure nylon 6. The absorption efficiency of methylene blue (MB), during 60 min, for the samples Ny/ZnO 0.05 and Ny/ZnO 0.25 wt%, were 93% and 65%, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium data obeyed the Langmuir isotherm