Pokročilé polymerní materiály a kompozit
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- ItemChemFET gas nanosensor arrays with alignment windows for assembly of single nanowires(Springer, 2023-04-13) Chmela, Ondřej; Gablech, Imrich; Sadílek, Jakub; Brodský, Jan; Vallejos Vargas, StellaThis work focuses on the fabrication and characterization of ChemFET (Chemical Field-Effect Transistor) gas nanosensor arrays based on single nanowire (SNW). The fabrication processes include micro and nanofabrication techniques enabled by a combination of ultraviolet (UV) and e-beam lithography to build the ChemFET structure. Results show the integration and connection of SNWs across the multiple pairs of nanoelectrodes in the ChemFET by dielectrophoresis process (DEP) thanks to the incorporation of alignment windows (200-300 nm) adapted to the diameter of the NWs. Measurements of the SNW ChemFET array's output and transfer characteristics prove the influence of gate bias on the drain current regulation. Tests upon hydrogen (H-2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as analyte models of reducing and oxidizing gases show the ChemFET sensing functionality. Moreover, results demonstrate better response characteristics to H-2 when the ChemFET operates in the subthreshold regime. The design concepts and methods proposed for fabricating the SNW-based ChemFET arrays are versatile, reproducible, and most likely adaptable to other systems where SNW arrays are required.
- ItemLiposomes Affect Protein Release and Stability of ITA-Modified PLGA-PEG-PLGA Hydrogel Carriers for Controlled Drug Delivery(AMER CHEMICAL SOC, 2023-12-22) Kadlecová, Zuzana; Sevriugina, Veronika; Lysáková, Klára; Rychetský, Matěj; Chamradová, Ivana; Vojtová, LucyFat grafting, a key regenerative medicine technique, often requires repeat procedures due to high-fat reabsorption and volume loss. Addressing this, a novel drug delivery system uniquely combines a thermosensitive, FDA-approved hydrogel (itaconic acid-modified PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer) with FGF2-STAB, a stable fibroblast growth factor 2 with a 21-day stability, far exceeding a few hours of wild-type FGF2's stability. Additionally, the growth factor was encapsulated in "green" liposomes prepared via the Mozafari method, ensuring pH protection. The system, characterized by first-order FGF2-STAB release, employs green chemistry for biocompatibility, bioactivity, and eco-friendliness. The liposomes, with diameters of 85.73 +/- 3.85 nm and 68.6 +/- 2.2% encapsulation efficiency, allowed controlled FGF2-STAB release from the hydrogel compared to the unencapsulated FGF2-STAB. Yet, the protein compromised the carrier's hydrolytic stability. Prior tests were conducted on model proteins human albumin (efficiency 80.8 +/- 3.2%) and lysozyme (efficiency 81.0 +/- 2.7%). This injectable thermosensitive system could advance reconstructive medicine and cosmetic procedures.
- ItemCarboxymethyl starch as a reducing and capping agent in the hydrothermal synthesis of selenium nanostructures for use with three-dimensional-printed hydrogel carriers(ROYAL SOC, 2023-10-11) Vishakha, Vishakha; Abdellatif, Abdelmohsen Moustafa; Michalička, Jan; White, Paul B.; Lepcio, Petr; Tinoco Navarro, Lizeth Katherine; Jančář, JosefThe hydrothermal method is a cost-effective and eco-friendly route for preparing various nanomaterials. It can use a capping agent, such as a polysaccharide, to govern and define the nanoparticle morphology. Elemental selenium nanostructures (spheres and rods) were synthesized and stabilized using a tailor-made carboxymethyl starch (CMS, degree of substitution = 0.3) under hydrothermal conditions. CMS is particularly convenient because it acts simultaneously as the capping and reducing agent, as verified by several analytical techniques, while the reaction relies entirely on green solvents. Furthermore, the effect of sodium selenite concentration, reaction time and temperature on the nanoparticle size, morphology, microstructure and chemical composition was investigated to identify the ideal synthesis conditions. A pilot experiment demonstrated the feasibility of implementing the synthesized nanoparticles into vat photopolymerization three-dimensional-printed hydrogel carriers based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). When submersed into the water, the subsequent particle release was confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), promising great potential for use in bio-three-dimensional printing and other biomedical applications.
- ItemMaximizing the electrochemical performance of supercapacitor electrodes from plastic waste(Elsevier, 2023-08-07) Dědek, Ivan; Bartusek, Stanislav; Dvořáček, Josef Jan; Nečas, Jan; Petruš, Josef; Jakubec, Petr; Kupka, Vojtěch; Otyepka, MichalThe management of the increasing volume of plastic waste has become a key challenge for society. A promising strategy now consists in the transformation of plastic waste into high-value materials that can be utilized in energy storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors. In this study, we demonstrate a two-step procedure, involving pyrolysis, followed by chemical activation that will convert common plastic waste into activated carbons (ACs). This technique makes ACs suitable for supercapacitor electrode materials. Further, the electrochemical performance of ACs is outstanding in terms of capacitance, energy density, and cycling stability. Besides the well-established parameters, including a specific surface area and micropore volume, we found that other critical factors such as polymer glass transition temperature, polymer-activating agent miscibility, activating agent (K2CO3):AC ratio, and AC water dispersion stability also play a crucial role in determining the supercapacitors performance. Controlling these parameters, we obtained ACs as supercapacitor electrodes from a range of plastic waste materials with a competitive electrochemical performance. Specifically, the ACs exhibited a specific capacitance of 220 F g1 (at a current density of 1 A g1), energy and power densities of 61.1 Wh kg1 and 36.9 kW kg1, respectively, and excellent cycling stability (95 % retention after 30,000 cycles). Our findings provide a pathway towards transforming plastic waste into valuable electrode materials for supercapacitors.
- ItemFrontally polymerized foams: thermodynamic and kinetical aspects of front hindrance by particles(ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY, 2023-07-31) Lepcio, Petr; Daguerre-Bradford, John; Cristadoro, Anna Maria; Schuette, Markus; Lesser, Alan J.Frontal polymerization (FP) is a solvent-free, energy-efficient process where a self-propagating polymerization reaction with a characteristic sharp temperature gradient at the front head propagates through the resin to provide the curing conditions. It relies on the enthalpic balance, which spreads the reaction to unreacted resin in the neighborhood. Therefore, the FP is sensitive to the presence of non-reactive volumes, such as boundaries, fillers, or other additives, that retain heat from the front but produce no enthalpy in return. On the other hand, the front's high temperature could be used to initiate other processes, such as foaming, incorporating them into a simple single-step fabrication procedure. This study used silica particles of two different sizes (14 nm and 200-300 nm) in an epoxy-based FP foam as a representative filler to probe the constraints imposed by non-reactive additives. The presence of particles visibly hindered the front propagation, increased the foam density and even corrupted the frontal regime in some cases. We show that preheating or chemical composition changes are viable approaches to address the fillers' adverse effects. Furthermore, we present evidence that the reduced reaction enthalpy caused by silica nanoparticles, was balanced by the lower heat capacity of our model system. At the same time, the front hindrance was attributed to changes in reaction kinetics and the heat distribution around the front. These results set up essential narratives for the design and practical applications of frontally polymerized foams with non-reactive fillers.