Optimization of mesoporous alumina sol-gel synthesis by Taguchi and response surface methodology

Taguchi method (TM) and response surface methodology (RSM) have been employed to optimize three parameters, including the amounts of P123, the amounts of nitric acid and calcination temperature, in order to define an optimal setting for sol-gel synthesis of high surface area mesoporous alumina powder (MA). Herein, the comparison of the both statistical approaches has been examined and discussed considering the nitrogen adsorption as the response variable because this important character for mesoporous materials is exceedingly sensitive to the synthesis parameters. The BET surface area (S_BET) and pore volume of MA under Taguchi optimal condition were 323.5 m² g⁻¹ and 0.551 cm³ g⁻¹, respectively, by conducting confirmation test. Furthermore, the confirmation test showed high S_BET of MA (363.4 m² g⁻¹), which was in a good agreement with calculated S_BET result (431.25 m² g⁻¹) by a quadratic model under RSM optimal condition. Moreover, 3D response surface plots and 2D contour plots of desirability have been discussed to visualize the influence of input factors on response variable. It is also concluded that RSM shows more appropriate (12.33% higher S_BET than TM) and efficient optimal condition with determining a quadratic function as the relationship between S_BET and synthesis parameters.     

Controlled Preparation and Characterization of Nigella Sativa Electrospun Pad for Controlled Release

Silicon - Nigella sativa (NS) oil is an anti-inflammatory agent in the traditional medicine. In the present study, novel electrospun mats contained NS oil/polyacrylonitrile as a sustained release...     

Investigation of thermal comfort in nanofibrous three‐layer fabric for cold weather protective clothing

The development of functional nanofiber materials with high specific surface area and porosity has been a highly interesting field of research in recent years due to its versatile properties for diverse applications. The combination of nanofibers into material clothes can open up new opportunities to improve comfort performance and thermal management properties. In this work, we demonstrated that the porous lightweight nanofibrous membrane could be coated on the fabric and laminated to improve its thermal comfort. The polyacrylonitrile was electrospun onto the surface of the polyester fabric with three different fineness and laminated with a warp knitted interlining in a controlled condition by sewing/fusing. The effect of the nanofibers diameter, sewing and fusing process on thermal insulation, air permeability, breathability, and water resistance of the obtained three‐layer samples were studied. The results showed that the presence of the nanofibers thin layer could improve the thermal comfort by controlling the studied parameters compared to the external face fabric as control. It was obtained that the fusing technique is more efficient than sewing for this purpose. The fused samples are waterproof and windproof, while instantly venting moisture and had good thermal insulation to protect the body from cold. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2032–2040, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Microwave absorption characterization and wettability of magnetic nano iron oxide/recycled PET nanofibers web

This paper describes the microwave characterization and wettability of a uniform and light magnetic nanofibers web. Iron oxide nanoparticles/recycled poly (ethylene terephthalate) nanofibers web (Fe₃O₄ NPs/RPET NFs web) were fabricated from bath-sonication solution via electrospinning method. For environmental conservation and economic reasons, RPET instead of virgin material was used. After synthesizing magnetic Fe₃O₄ NPs with an average diameter of 35?nm by precipitation method using iron sulfate and sodium hydroxide, Fe₃O₄ NPs/RPET NFs web was made. The main objective of this work is to show how Fe₃O₄ NPs are able to significantly modify electromagnetic properties at X-band frequencies. Microwave characterization is based on the microwave scattering parameters measured in the X-band (8–12?GHz). Various characterization methods, including field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), have been used to study morphologies, crystalline structure, magnetic, and wettability properties of NFs web. The saturation magnetization of the Fe₃O₄ NPs/RPET NFs web at a concentration of 5% was 2.79?emu/g. The mathematical model was estimated for magnetization, diameter and concentration by MathWorks Model Predictive Control Toolbax Software. The wettability, reflection coefficient, absorption coefficient, and EMI shielding of Fe₃O₄ NPs/RPET NFs web have been improved compared to RPET NFs web.     

PEG-PLA-PCL based electrospun yarns with curcumin control release property as suture

This work presents an interesting method using an electrospinning process to fabricate suture yarns loaded with curcumin to achieve reasonable mechanical properties as well as tunable drug release behavior. Different structures including different yarn counts and twists as well as core-sheath structures were used to adjust drug release properties along with improving the yarn's mechanical properties. The core parts were made of polycaprolactone and the sheath parts were made of polyethylene glycol, polylactic acid, and polycaprolactone. Drugs can be incorporated in both parts based on the required condition and application. Electrospun yarns were compared using both structural properties and their drug release profiles as metrics. The results of comparing drug release profiles of six electrospun yarns with different yarn counts and twists showed that yarns with finer fiber diameters in the core part have more drug release as well as more initial release. Overall evaluations showed that core-sheath drugloaded yarn with appropriate physical and mechanical properties can be a useful material as a drug delivery system to the site of damaged tissue. It can also be concluded that the amount and duration of drug release can be controlled using the structural parameters of electrospun yarns as an engineering tool for designing suture yarns with required properties.     

Prolonged drug release using PCL–TMZ nanofibers induce the apoptotic behavior of U87 glioma cells

In situ prolonged delivery of drugs at the site of tumor can be satisfactorily accelerated patient recovery. We compared the effect of temozolomide while incorporated by polycaprolactone nanofibers on the apoptotic behavior of U87 glioma cells. After biocompatibility evaluation of nanofibers by scanning electron microscope and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis, the apoptosis of U87 cells was evaluated using p53, Bcl2 and Bax genes expression. It was found that nanofiber-temozolomide group showed a greater ability to induce apoptosis as well as have a significantly diminished initial burst release of drug compared with other groups and have promising potential in treating cancer.     

Evaluation of Fracture Mechanisms in Al-Si Metal Matrix Nanocomposites Produced by Three Methods of Gravity Sand Casting,Squeeze Casting and Compo Casting in Semi-Solid State

Silicon - Magnetic stirring is considered to be the most useful stirring method in semi-solid casting processes which doesn’t have the restrictions of the mechanical stirring. In this...     

A systematic study on the effects of synthesis conditions of polyamide selective layer on the CO2/N2 separation of thin film composite polyamide membranes

Different top layer fabrication methods (amine-first, acid-first, spin coating), organic phase solvents (hexane, heptane, mixed hexane/heptane), acid acceptors (triethylamine, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide), and surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate concentrations (0, 0.05, and 0.1 wt%) were utilized to fabricate thin film composite polyamide membranes for CO₂/N₂ separation. The results, according to an L9 orthogonal array of Taguchi approach, showed that employing acid-first method increases both CO₂ permeance and CO₂/N₂ selectivity of the membranes at a feed gas pressure of 3 bars. On the other hand, sodium hydroxide, and triethylamine should be used, as acid acceptors, to maximize CO₂ permeance and CO₂/N₂ selectivity, respectively. Moreover, the use of hexane solvent and 0 wt% surfactant led to maximum permeance, while, hexane solvent and 0.1 wt% surfactant were needed to reach the highest selectivity. The above level setting of synthesis parameters also resulted in the minimum sensitivity of the fabrication process to the noise factors effects. As shown by the analysis of variance, acid acceptor, and organic solvent types were the most influential parameters on CO₂ permeance and CO₂/N₂ selectivity, respectively. The effects of fabrication method and surfactant concentration, as single factors, on permeation/selectivity responses were also investigated.     

Preparation and Characterization of Nanosized Pomegranate Peel-Based Activated Carbon for Application in Pyridine Removal from Aqueous Solution

Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering - Effect of activating procedure on the physic-chemical properties and adsorption performance of activated carbon was investigated. For this,...