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Search results for: CONJUGATED POLYMERS COMPOSITES
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Cellulosic bionanocomposites based on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and Cuscuta reflexa: adjusting structure-properties balance for higher performance
PublicationDesign and manufacture of cellulosic nanocomposites with acceptable performance is in the period of a transition from fantasy to reality. Typically, cellulosic nanofillers reveal poor compatibility with polymer matrices. Thus, adjusting the balance between structure and properties of cellulosic bionanocomposites by careful selection of parent ingredients is the first priority. Herein, we incorporated Cuscuta reflexa derived cellulose...
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Morphology, Thermo-Mechanical Properties and Biodegradibility of PCL/PLA Blends Reactively Compatibilized by Different Organic Peroxides
PublicationReactive blending is a promising approach for the sustainable development of bio-based polymer blends and composites, which currently is gaining more and more attention. In this paper, biodegradable blends based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were prepared via reactive blending performed in an internal mixer. The PCL and PLA content varied in a ratio of 70/30 and 55/45. Reactive modification of PCL/PLA...
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Fabrication of Durable Ordered Ta2O5 Nanotube Arrays Decorated with Bi2S3 Quantum Dots
PublicationOne of the most important challenges in the fabrication of ordered tantalum pentaoxide (Ta2O5) nanotube arrays (NTs) via the electrochemical method is the formation of nanotubes that adhere well to the Ta substrate. In this paper, we propose a new protocol that allows tight-fitting Ta2O5 nanotubes to be obtained through the anodic oxidation of tantalum foil. Moreover, to enhance their activity in the photocatalytic reaction, in...
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Transparent nanocomposite coatings based on epoxy and layered double hydroxide: Nonisothermal cure kinetics and viscoelastic behavior assessments
PublicationLayered double hydroxide (LDH) has a particular place in clay family because of its flame retardant action. The nanoplatelet-like structure of LDH makes possible development of polymer composites with cationic or anionic nature structures in which macromolecules are positioned in between nanoplatelet galleries. In this work, neat epoxy and its transparent nanocomposite coatings with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS)-modified...
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Fabrication and characterization of composite TiO2 nanotubes/ boron-doped diamond electrodes towards enhanced supercapacitors
PublicationThe composite TiO2 nanotubes / boron-doped diamond electrodes were deposited using Microwave Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition resulting in the improved electrochemical performance. This composite electrode can deliver high specific capacitance of 7.46 mF cm‐− 2 comparing to boron-doped diamond (BDD) deposited onto flat Ti plate (0.11 mF cm‐− 2).The morphology and composition of composite electrode were characterized...
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Dependence between Ionic Liquid Structure and Mechanism of Visible-Light-Induced Activity of TiO2 Obtained by Ionic-Liquid-Assisted Solvothermal Synthesis
PublicationBecause of the tremendous structural diversityof ionic liquids (ILs), simple transfer of observations performed for one IL used for IL-TiO2 preparation on different samples is not possible. Therefore, four ionic liquids, all containing distinct nitrogen-bearing organic cations (pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, ammonium, imidazolium), were used for the first time for the preparation of IL-TiO2 composites. The role of the individual IL...
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Mechanism of Reduced Sintering Temperature of Al2O3–ZrO2 Nanocomposites Obtained by Microwave Hydrothermal Synthesis
PublicationA novel method to obtain Al2O3–ZrO2 nanocomposites is presented. It consists of the co-precipitation step of boehmite (AlO(OH)) and ZrO2, followed by microwave hydrothermal treatment at 270 ◦ C and 60 MPa, and by calcination at 600 ◦ C. Using this method, we obtained two nanocomposites: Al2O3–20 wt % ZrO2 and Al2O3–40 wt % ZrO2. Nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy,...
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Sustainable Chemically Modified Mater-Bi/Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Cellulose Biocomposites: Looking at the Bulk through the Surface
PublicationSustainable polymer composites are progressively under development in a technological paradigm shift from "just use more and more" to "convert into value-added products". The bio-based blends based on Mater-Bi bio-plastic (A) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (B), at a weight ratio of 70:30 (A:B) were developed, followed by the addition of UFC100 cellulose (C) filler to yield 70/30 (w/w) (A:B)/C sustainable biocomposites. The effects of...
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Status report on high temperature fuel cells in Poland – Recent advances and achievements
PublicationThe paper presents recent advances in Poland in the field of high temperature fuel cells. The achievements in the materials development, manufacturing of advanced cells, new fabrication techniques, modified electrodes and electrolytes and applications are presented. The work of the Polish teams active in the field of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) is presented and discussed. The review is oriented...
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Sustainable upcycling of brewers’ spent grain by thermo-mechanical treatment in twin-screw extruder
PublicationThermo-mechanical treatment of brewers’ spent grain (a by-product of beer manufacturing) was successfully performed via the extrusion process. The impact of temperature (from 30 to 180 °C), throughput (from 1 to 5 kg/h) and screw speed (from 75 to 375 rpm) on particle size, color, chemical structure, antioxidant activity and thermal stability of resulting material, as well as correlations between particular properties, were investigated....
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Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Tensile and Flexural Behavior of Nanoclay Wood-Plastic Composite
PublicationIn this study, the effect of wood powder and nanoclay particle content on composites’ mechanical behavior made with polyethylene matrix has been investigated. The wood flour as a reinforcer made of wood powder was at levels of 30, 40, and 50 wt.%, and additional reinforcement with nanoclay at 0, 1, 3, and 5 wt.%. Furthermore, to make a composite matrix, high-density polyethylene was used at levels of 70, 60, and 50% by weight....
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Linear viscoelastic transversely isotropic model based on the spectral decomposition of elasticity tensors
PublicationThe linear viscoelasticity is still a useful model in the engineering for studying the behavior of materials loaded with different loading rates (frequencies). Certain types of materials reveal also an anisotropic behavior: fiber reinforced composites, asphalt concrete mixtures, or wood, to name a few. In general, researchers try to identify experimentally the dependence of engineering constants like: directional Young’s moduli...
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Nickel-based catalysts for electrolytic decomposition of ammonia towards hydrogen production
PublicationNickel is an attractive metal for electrochemical applications because it is abundant, cheap, chemically resilient, and catalytically active towards many reactions. Nickel-based materials (metallic nickel, its alloys, oxides, hydroxides, and composites) have been also considered as promising electrocatalysts for ammonia oxidation. The electrolysis of ammonia aqueous solution results in evolution of gaseous hydrogen and nitrogen....
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Time-frequency analysis in optical coherence tomography for technical objects examination
PublicationOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is one of the most advanced optical measurement techniques for complex structure visualization. The advantages of OCT have been used for surface and subsurface defect detection in composite materials, polymers, ceramics, non-metallic protective coatings, and many more. Our research activity has been focused on timefrequency spectroscopic analysis in OCT. It is based on time resolved spectral analysis...
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Fabrication methods of smart composite coatings - review
PublicationPostoperative bacterial infections are one of the main reasons for unsuccessful implantation of long-term implants. The development of bacterial infection requires antibiotic therapy, in extreme cases a reimplantation procedure is necessary. In order to provide materials for implants with antibacterial properties, they are subjected to modifications to create a coating that will release the drug substance, when the inflammation...
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Recycling of Industrial Waste as Soil Binding Additives—Effects on Soil Mechanical and Hydraulic Properties during Its Stabilisation before Road Construction
PublicationTo improve the in situ soil stabilization, different chemical additives are used (ion exchange compounds, additives based on H2SO4 or vinyl polymers, and organic additives using lignosul- fonates). One interesting alternative is the production of additives from various waste materials. The extensive testing of waste-based blends with soil was performed; the mechanical (unconfined compressive strength (UCS)) and hydraulic (capillary...
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Processing of Biomass Prior to Hydrogen Fermentation and Post-Fermentative Broth Management
PublicationUsing bioconversion and simultaneous value-added product generation requires purifica- tion of the gaseous and the liquid streams before, during, and after the bioconversion process. The effect of diversified process parameters on the efficiency of biohydrogen generation via biological pro- cesses is a broad object of research. Biomass-based raw materials are often applied in investigations regarding biohydrogen generation using...
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Effect of Polymerization Statistics on the Electronic Properties of Copolymers for Organic Photovoltaics
PublicationStatistical block copolymers, composed of donor (D) and acceptor (A) blocks, are a novel type of material for organic photovoltaics (OPVs) devices. In particular a new series of polymers based on PBTZT-stat-BDTT-8, recently developed by Merck, offers high solubility in different solvents, and a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) in different device architectures. Although it is known that the electronic properties of these...
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Real-time monitoring of volatiles and particles emitted from thermoplastic filaments during 3D printing
PublicationThe proliferation of consumer-grade three-dimensional (3D) printers using fused deposition, also known as fused filament fabrication, has given rise to concerns over the exposure of users to potentially harmful substances. Thermoplastic filaments made of different polymers are extruded through a heated printer nozzle and deposited layer by layer on a build platform to form the printed object. This process leads to the emission...
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Electrically Conductive Carbon‐based (Bio)‐nanomaterials for Cardiac Tissue Engineering
PublicationA proper self-regenerating capability is lacking in human cardiac tissue which along with the alarming rate of deaths associated with cardiovascular disorders makes tissue engineering critical. Novel approaches are now being investigated in order to speedily overcome the challenges in this path. Tissue engineering has been revolutionized by the advent of nanomaterials, and later by the application of carbon-based nanomaterials...
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Non-Isocyanate-Based Waterborne Polyurethanes
PublicationNon-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) are a greener alternative for the conventional polyurethanes synthesized using toxic and moisture-sensitive di- or polyisocyanates. The most often described method of NIPU synthesis involves the reaction of five-membered cyclic carbonates with amines, and resulting polymers containing primary and secondary hydroxyl groups (so they are also known as polyhydroxyurethanes), which can be further...
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Emissions of selected monoaromatic hydrocarbons as a factor affecting the removal of single-use polymer barbecue and kitchen utensils from everyday use
PublicationThe main focus of this study is the emission of monoaromatic hydrocarbons because these are the preliminary factors of potential solvent and monomer residues present in single-use plastic barbecue and kitchen utensils comprising polystyrene, polypropylene, natural cellulose, and biodegradable polymers intended for use with hot meal or beverages. Herein, the emissions of monoaromatic hydrocarbons (styrene, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene,...
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Structural, mechanical and thermal behavior assessments of PCL/PHB blends reactively compatibilized with organic peroxides
PublicationThe efficiency of two commercially available organic peroxides, dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and di-(2-tert-butyl-peroxyisopropyl)-benzene (BIB), during reactive processing of poly (ε-caprolactone)/poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PCL/PHB) blends was investigated. The changes in chemical structure of PCL/PHB blends, as a function of organic peroxide type (DCP/BIB) and content (in range: 0–1.0 parts by weight - pbw), were characterized by Fourier...
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Advanced polarization sensitive analysis in optical coherence tomography
PublicationThe optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical imaging method, which is widely applied in variety applications. This technology is used to cross-sectional or surface imaging with high resolution in non-contact and non-destructive way. OCT is very useful in medical applications like ophthalmology, dermatology or dentistry, as well as beyond biomedical fields like stress mapping in polymers or protective coatings defects detection....
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Molecularly targeted nanoparticles: an emerging tool for evaluation of expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products in a murine model of peripheral artery disease
PublicationAbstract Background: Molecular imaging with molecularly targeted probes is a powerful tool for studying the spatio-temporal interactions between complex biological processes. The pivotal role of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in numerous pathological processes, aroused the demand for RAGE targeted imaging in various diseases. In the study, we evaluated the use of a diagnostic imaging agent for RAGE quantification...
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Chitosan, Collagen and Gelatin in the design of novel materials with antimicrobial acticity
PublicationMedical devices containing and releasing antiinfective agents directly on the site of injury are a common group of materials available and widely used in treating difficult to heal wounds. Sustained contact of the active agent to the damaged tissue, needed to inhibit infection and preservation of microbiological purity of the wound, is provided by the immobilization antimicrobial agents on the surface of the matrix material or...
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Structural, spectral and magnetic properties of Ni(II), Co(II) and Cd(II) compounds with imidazole derivatives and silanethiolate ligands
PublicationA series of new metal heteroleptic complexes have been obtained in simple reactions of 1-(3-aminopropyl)-imidazole (api) and 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)-butane (bbi) ligands with metal silanethiolates or acetylacetonates. The obtained complexes are the coordination polymers [Ni{SSi(tBuO)3}2(μ-api)]n1, [Co{SSi(tBuO)3}2(μ-api)]n2, [Cd{SSi(tBuO)3}2(μ-api)·2CH3OH]n3, [Cd{SSi(tBuO)3}2(μ-bbi)·CHCl3]n4 and the dimer [Co{SSi(tBuO)3}2(μ-bbi)·3CH3OH]25....
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Tensile and Fatigue Behavior of Additive Manufactured Polylactide
PublicationThis article presents the results of monotonic tensile and fatigue tests conducted on commercial polylactide or polylactic acid (PLA). The results of fatigue tests for this material present in the literature are limited, especially for additive manufactured elements. The specimens were manufactured using the injection molding and the fused filament fabrication (FFF) method. The FFF specimens were divided into five subgroups, depending...
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Polyurethane based hybrid ciprofloxacin-releasing wound dressings designed for skin engineering purpose
PublicationPurpose Even in the 21st century, chronic wounds still pose a major challenge due to potentially inappropriate treatment options, so the latest wound dressings are hybrid systems that enable clinical management, such as a hybrid of hydrogels, antibiotics and polymers. These wound dressings are mainly used for chronic and complex wounds, which can easily be infected by bacteria. Materials and methods Six Composite Porous Matrices...
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Rheological, Mechanical, Microstructural and Radiation Shielding Properties of Cement Pastes Containing Magnetite (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles
PublicationThis work examines the influence of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) on neutron and gamma-ray radiation shielding characteristics of Portland cement paste. Experimental evaluations were supplemented with theoretical studies using NXCom program. Portland cement pastes with 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 wt% of nanomagnetite cement replacement were produced. Moreover, rheological, early strength development, compressive strength, and...
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Collagen type II–hyaluronan interactions – the effect of proline hydroxylation: a molecular dynamics study
PublicationHyaluronan–collagen composites have been employed in numerous biomedical applications. Understanding the interactions between hyaluronan and collagen is particularly important in the context of joint cartilage function and the treatment of joint diseases. Many factors affect the affinity of collagen for hyaluronan. One of the important factors is the ratio of 3- or 4-hydroxy proline to proline residues. This article presents...
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SILICA AEROGEL TOWARDS ANODES FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
PublicationAn increasing demand for electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices stimulates progress in research on electrode and electrolyte materials. In the field of electrodes materials, silicon is the one of the most promising anode materials for Li-ion batteries. However silicon has the drastic volume variation (around 3 times lower on extraction) during insertion and extraction of lithium ions. As an alternative, nanocomposites...
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Studies on Silver Ions Releasing Processes and Mechanical Properties of Surface-Modified Titanium Alloy Implants
PublicationDispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the surface of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) and titanium alloy modified by titania nanotube layer (Ti6Al4V/TNT) substrates were produced by the chemical vapor deposition method (CVD) using a novel precursor of the formula [Ag5(O2CC2F5)5(H2O)3]. The structure and volatile properties of this compound were determined using single crystal X-ray diffractometry, variable temperature IR spectrophotometry...
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Novel composite of Zn/Ti-layered double hydroxide coupled with MXene for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceuticals
PublicationIn the present study, a hybrid photocatalyst of Zn/Ti layered double hydroxide (LDH) coupled with MXene – Ti3C2 was synthesized for the first time and applied in photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen and ibuprofen, two commonly present in the natural environment and prone to accumulate in the aquatic ecosystem pharmaceuticals. The effect of MXene content (0.5 wt%, 2.5 wt%, and 5 wt%) on the photocatalytic activity of LDH/MXene...
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Modelling and optimisation of MXene-derived TiO2/Ti3C2 synthesis parameters using Response Surface Methodology based on the Box–Behnken factorial design. Enhanced carbamazepine degradation by the Cu-modified TiO2/Ti3C2 photocatalyst
PublicationIn the present study, a hydrothermal method in a water/ethanol environment was used for the first time to obtain novel Cu/TiO2/Ti3C2 composites with high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of carbamazepine (CBZ) under simulated solar light. The Box–Behnken factorial design was coupled with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for synthesis parameter optimisation. The effect of different synthesis parameters, including temperature, time...
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The Effect of AgInS2, SnS, CuS2, Bi2S3 Quantum Dots on the Surface Properties and Photocatalytic Activity of QDs-Sensitized TiO2 Composite
PublicationThe eect of type (AgInS2, SnS, CuS2, Bi2S3) and amount (5, 10, 15 wt%) of quantum dots (QDs) on the surface properties and photocatalytic activity of QDs-sensitized TiO2 composite, was investigated. AgInS2, SnS, CuS2, Bi2S3 QDs were obtained by hot-injection, sonochemical, microwave, and hot-injection method, respectively. To characterize of as-prepared samples high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning...
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Enhanced photocatalytic activity of accordion-like layered Ti3C2 (MXene) coupled with Fe-modified decahedral anatase particles exposing {1 0 1} and {0 0 1} facets
PublicationNew composites consisting of decahedral anatase particles exposing {001} and {101} facets coupled with accordion-like layered Ti3C2 with boosted photocatalytic activity towards phenol and carbamazepine degradation were investigated. The photocatalysts were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DR/UV–Vis), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron...
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Highly Dissipative Materials for Damage Protection against Earthquake-Induced Structural Pounding
PublicationIt is a common situation that seismic excitations may lead to collisions between adjacent civil engineering structures. This phenomenon, called earthquake-induced structural pounding, may result in serious damage or even the total collapse of the colliding structures. Filling the gap between two buildings erected close to one another by using visco-elastic materials can be considered to be one of the most effective methods to avoid...
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Systematic Assessment of Product Quality
PublicationThe article describes an innovative metrizable idea for systemic assessments of product quality within the baking industry. Complex product quality analysis requires the employment of metrizability criteria for factors that impact the quality of the product, and these are called determinants. Therefore, such analysis is only possible with the use of systems engineering. A system represents the potential of a manufacturing process,...
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How thermal stability of ionic liquids leads to more efficient TiO2-based nanophotocatalysts: Theoretical and experimental studies
PublicationIonic liquids (ILs) containing distinct nitrogen-bearing organic cations (pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, imidazolium, ammonium, morpholinium) were first used for the preparation of 23 IL-TiO2 types of composites by ionic liquid assisted solvothermal synthesis. These 23 optimal ILs structures (i.e. compounds exhibiting an optimal combination of specific properties, functionality, and safety) for synthesis and experimental validation...
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The effect of microemulsion composition on the morphology of Pd nanoparticles deposited at the surface of TiO2 and photoactivity of Pd-TiO2
PublicationA series of microemulsion (ME) system, constituted by different water to surfactant molar ratios (Wo) and oil to surfactant mass ratios (S), have been applied for Pd-TiO2 preparation. The effect of ME properties on the morphology of Pd nanoparticles formed at TiO2 surface and an effect of Pd size and distribution on the surface and photocatalytic properties of Pd-TiO2 were investigated. Microemulsion systems were characterized...
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Processing and structure–property relationships of natural rubber/wheat bran biocomposites
PublicationIn this work, wheat bran was used as cellulosic filler in biocomposites based on natural rubber. The impact of wheat bran content [ranging from 10 to 50 parts per hundred rubber (phr)] on processing, structure, dynamic mechanical properties, thermal properties, physico-mechanical properties and morphology of resulting biocomposites was investigated. For better characterization of interfacial interactions between natural rubber...
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Fabrication of polyurethane and polyurethane based composite fibers by the electrospinning technique for soft tissue engineering of cardiovascular system
PublicationElectrospinning is the unique technique, which provides forming of polymeric scaffolds for soft tissue engineering, which include tissue scaffolds for soft tissues of cardiovascular system. Such artificial soft tissues of cardiovascular system may possess mechanical properties comparable to native vascular tissues. Electrospinning technique gives the opportu nity to form fibres with nm- to μm-scale in diameter. The arrangement...
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Electrophoretic deposition and characterization of composite chitosan/Eudragit E 100 or poly(4-vinylpyridine)/mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles coatings on pre-treated titanium for implant applications
PublicationTitanium implants are surface-modified to achieve bioactivity and often antibacterial properties. Such surface coatings may increase corrosion degradation and be weakly attached to the substrate. In the present research, biodegradable composite coatings, investigated so far as smart environment-sensitive, slowly releasing silver to the implant neighborhood, were produced as a combination of chitosan (CS) with Eudragit E 100 (EE100)...
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The effect of boron concentration on the electrical, morphological and optical properties of boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond sheets: Tuning the diamond-on-graphene vertical junction
PublicationIn this paper, the effect of boron doping on the electrical, morphological and structural properties of free-standing nanocrystalline diamond sheets (thickness ~ 1 μm) was investigated. For this purpose, we used diamond films delaminated from a mirror-polished tantalum substrate following a microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition process, each grown with a different [B]/[C] ratio (up to 20,000 ppm) in the gas phase....
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Functional Bi2O3/Gd2O3 Silica-Coated Structures for Improvement of Early Age and Radiation Shielding Performance of Cement Pastes
PublicationThis study presents a new approach towards the production of sol-gel silica-coated Bi2O3/Gd2O3 cement additives towards the improvement of early mechanical performance and radiation attenuation. Two types of silica coatings, which varied in synthesis method and morphology, were used to coat Bi2O3/Gd2O3 structures and evaluated...
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Fracture in Asymmetric Bonded Joints
PublicationAdhesion was studied in asymmetric bonded joints using fracture mechanics tests. The asymmetric bonded joints consist of two different type and/or thickness materials bonded by an adhesive. Mentions of asymmetric bonded joint tests employed so far are rare in the literature. They are imperfect and therefore are not standardized. Accordingly three new tests were introduced in this work to study bonded joints. The new metrological...
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Advancements in the Additive Manufacturing of Magnesium and Aluminum Alloys through Laser-Based Approach
PublicationComplex structures can now be manufactured easily utilizing AM technologies to meet the pre-requisite objectives such as reduced part numbers, greater functionality, and lightweight, among others. Polymers, metals, and ceramics are the few materials that can be used in AM technology, but metallic materials (Magnesium and Aluminum) are attracting more attention from the research and industrial point of view. Understanding the role...
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Pilicides effectively hinder chaperone-usher interactions in all Gram-negative bacteria
PublicationThe chaperone-usher pathway of adhesive structures biogenesis is highly conserved in all Gram-negative bacteria. Pili are polymers of thousands protein subunits that possess conserved immunoglobuline-like structure denoted by lack of the seventh G strand. The effect of this structural defect is a hydrophobic acceptor cleft. The folding of protein subunits is strictly dependent on the action of specific periplasmic chaperone protein...
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Plastic Debris in the Stomach of the Invasive Signal Crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus from a Baltic Coastal River
PublicationPollution by plastic debris, widely recognized as a growing global problem [1-3] is caused by the production of synthetic polymers. Over recent years, the production of plastics has increased, while in Europe, fossil-based plastics production has decreased, and recycled plastics production has increased [4]. There are different types of plastics. Some types of plastic ingredients, applied in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal...