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Tiihonen LV, Weir MP, Parnell AJ, Boothroyd SC, Johnson DW, Dalgliesh RM, Bleuel M, Duif CP, Bouwman WG, Thompson RL, Coleman KS, Clarke N, Hamilton WA, Washington AL, Parnell SR. Revealing microscale bulk structures in polymer-carbon nanocomposites using spin-echo SANS. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:8663-8674. [PMID: 39439299 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00578c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2024]
Abstract
We have used spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering (SESANS) to probe the hierarchy of structures present in polymer-carbon nanocomposites, with length scales spanning over three orders of magnitude, from 10 nm to 16 μm. The data processing and reduction show a unified approach across two SESANS instruments (TU Delft and Larmor at the ISIS neutron source) and yield consistent data that are able to be modelled using well-established hierarchical models in freely available software such as SasView. Using this approach, we are able to extend the measured length scales by over an order of magnitude compared to traditional scattering methods. This yields information about the structure in the bulk that is inaccessible with conventional scattering techniques (SANS/SAXS) and points to a way for interrogating and investigating polymer nanocomposites routinely across multiple length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- L V Tiihonen
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - M P Weir
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - A J Parnell
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, UK
| | - S C Boothroyd
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - D W Johnson
- Centre for Process Innovation, TS21 3FE, Durham, UK
| | - R M Dalgliesh
- ISIS, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, UK.
| | - M Bleuel
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - C P Duif
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - W G Bouwman
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - R L Thompson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - K S Coleman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - N Clarke
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, UK
| | - W A Hamilton
- (Retired) Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, 37831, USA
| | - A L Washington
- ISIS, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, UK.
| | - S R Parnell
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, The Netherlands.
- ISIS, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, UK.
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Graphene in Polymeric Nanocomposite Membranes—Current State and Progress. Processes (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/pr11030927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
One important application of polymer/graphene nanocomposites is in membrane technology. In this context, promising polymer/graphene nanocomposites have been developed and applied in the production of high-performance membranes. This review basically highlights the designs, properties, and use of polymer/graphene nanocomposite membranes in the field of gas separation and purification. Various polymer matrices (polysulfone, poly(dimethylsiloxane), poly(methyl methacrylate), polyimide, etc.), have been reinforced with graphene to develop nanocomposite membranes. Various facile strategies, such as solution casting, phase separation, infiltration, self-assembly, etc., have been employed in the design of gas separation polymer/graphene nanocomposite membranes. The inclusion of graphene in polymeric membranes affects their morphology, physical properties, gas permeability, selectivity, and separation processes. Furthermore, the final membrane properties are affected by the nanofiller content, modification, dispersion, and processing conditions. Moreover, the development of polymer/graphene nanofibrous membranes has introduced novelty in the field of gas separation membranes. These high-performance membranes have the potential to overcome challenges arising from gas separation conditions. Hence, this overview provides up-to-date coverage of advances in polymer/graphene nanocomposite membranes, especially for gas separation applications. The separation processes of polymer/graphene nanocomposite membranes (in parting gases) are dependent upon variations in the structural design and processing techniques used. Current challenges and future opportunities related to polymer/graphene nanocomposite membranes are also discussed.
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Kausar A, Ahmad I, Maaza M, Eisa MH. State-of-the-Art of Polymer/Fullerene C 60 Nanocomposite Membranes for Water Treatment: Conceptions, Structural Diversity and Topographies. MEMBRANES 2022; 13:27. [PMID: 36676834 PMCID: PMC9864887 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
To secure existing water resources is one of the imposing challenges to attain sustainability and ecofriendly world. Subsequently, several advanced technologies have been developed for water treatment. The most successful methodology considered so far is the development of water filtration membranes for desalination, ion permeation, and microbes handling. Various types of membranes have been industrialized including nanofiltration, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultrafiltration membranes. Among polymeric nanocomposites, nanocarbon (fullerene, graphene, and carbon nanotubes)-reinforced nanomaterials have gained research attention owing to notable properties/applications. Here, fullerene has gained important stance amid carbonaceous nanofillers due to zero dimensionality, high surface areas, and exceptional physical properties such as optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, and other characteristics. Accordingly, a very important application of polymer/fullerene C60 nanocomposites has been observed in the membrane sector. This review is basically focused on talented applications of polymer/fullerene nanocomposite membranes in water treatment. The polymer/fullerene nanostructures bring about numerous revolutions in the field of high-performance membranes because of better permeation, water flux, selectivity, and separation performance. The purpose of this pioneering review is to highlight and summarize current advances in the field of water purification/treatment using polymer and fullerene-based nanocomposite membranes. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of fullerene embedded into a variety of polymer membranes (Nafion, polysulfone, polyamide, polystyrene, etc.) and effects on the enhanced properties and performance of the resulting water treatment membranes. Polymer/fullerene nanocomposite membranes have been developed using solution casting, phase inversion, electrospinning, solid phase synthesis, and other facile methods. The structural diversity of polymer/fullerene nanocomposites facilitates membrane separation processes, especially for valuable or toxic metal ions, salts, and microorganisms. Current challenges and opportunities for future research have also been discussed. Future research on these innovative membrane materials may overwhelm design and performance-related challenging factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Kausar
- NPU-NCP Joint International Research Center on Advanced Nanomaterials and Defects Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology, iThemba LABS, Somerset West 7129, South Africa
- NPU-NCP Joint International Research Center on Advanced Nanomaterials and Defects Engineering, National Centre for Physics, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Ishaq Ahmad
- NPU-NCP Joint International Research Center on Advanced Nanomaterials and Defects Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology, iThemba LABS, Somerset West 7129, South Africa
- NPU-NCP Joint International Research Center on Advanced Nanomaterials and Defects Engineering, National Centre for Physics, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Malik Maaza
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology, iThemba LABS, Somerset West 7129, South Africa
| | - M. H. Eisa
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13318, Saudi Arabia
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Kanjwal MA, Ghaferi AA. Graphene Incorporated Electrospun Nanofiber for Electrochemical Sensing and Biomedical Applications: A Critical Review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:8661. [PMID: 36433257 PMCID: PMC9697565 DOI: 10.3390/s22228661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The extraordinary material graphene arrived in the fields of engineering and science to instigate a material revolution in 2004. Graphene has promptly risen as the super star due to its outstanding properties. Graphene is an allotrope of carbon and is made up of sp2-bonded carbon atoms placed in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. Graphite consists of stacked layers of graphene. Due to the distinctive structural features as well as excellent physico-chemical and electrical conductivity, graphene allows remarkable improvement in the performance of electrospun nanofibers (NFs), which results in the enhancement of promising applications in NF-based sensor and biomedical technologies. Electrospinning is an easy, economical, and versatile technology depending on electrostatic repulsion between the surface charges to generate fibers from the extensive list of polymeric and ceramic materials with diameters down to a few nanometers. NFs have emerged as important and attractive platform with outstanding properties for biosensing and biomedical applications, because of their excellent functional features, that include high porosity, high surface area to volume ratio, high catalytic and charge transfer, much better electrical conductivity, controllable nanofiber mat configuration, biocompatibility, and bioresorbability. The inclusion of graphene nanomaterials (GNMs) into NFs is highly desirable. Pre-processing techniques and post-processing techniques to incorporate GNMs into electrospun polymer NFs are precisely discussed. The accomplishment and the utilization of NFs containing GNMs in the electrochemical biosensing pathway for the detection of a broad range biological analytes are discussed. Graphene oxide (GO) has great importance and potential in the biomedical field and can imitate the composition of the extracellular matrix. The oxygen-rich GO is hydrophilic in nature and easily disperses in water, and assists in cell growth, drug delivery, and antimicrobial properties of electrospun nanofiber matrices. NFs containing GO for tissue engineering, drug and gene delivery, wound healing applications, and medical equipment are discussed. NFs containing GO have importance in biomedical applications, which include engineered cardiac patches, instrument coatings, and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for motion sensing applications. This review deals with graphene-based nanomaterials (GNMs) such as GO incorporated electrospun polymeric NFs for biosensing and biomedical applications, that can bridge the gap between the laboratory facility and industry.
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