Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) from wood is an interesting material constituent of high strength and high aspect ratio, which easily forms networks through interfibril secondary bonding including hydrogen bonds. This has been exploited in preparation of new materials, which extend the range of properties for existing cellulosic materials. The objective is to explore processing-structure and structure-property relationships in NFC materials. Dense networks of NFC, referred to as “nanopaper” having a random-in-the-plane orientation of the fibrils have been successfully prepared by a papermaking-like process involving vacuum filtration and water evaporation using laboratory papermaking equipment. Large, flat and transparent nanopaper sheets have thus been prepared in a relatively short time. Using the same preparation route, NFC was used to reinforce pulped wood fibers in dense network structures. NFC networks formed in the pore space of the wood fiber network give an interesting hierarchical structure of reduced porosity. These NFC/wood fiber biocomposites have greater strength, greater stiffness and greater strain-to-failure than reference networks of wood fibers only. In particular, the work to fracture (area under the stress-strain curve) is doubled with an NFC content of only 2%. The papermaking preparation route was extended to prepare nanocomposites of high NFC content with a cellulose derivative matrix (hydroxyethyl cellulose, HEC) strongly associated to the NFC. Little HEC was lost during filtration. The NFC/HEC composites have high work to fracture, higher than that of any reported cellulose composite. This is related to NFC network characteristics, and HEC properties and its nanoscale distribution and association with NFC. Higher porosity NFC nanopaper networks of high specific surface area were prepared by new routes including supercritical drying, tert-butanol freeze-drying and CO2 evaporation. Light-weight porous nanopaper materials resulted with mechanical properties similar to thermoplastics but with a much lower density and a specific surface area of up to 480 m2/g. Freeze-drying of hydrocolloidal NFC dispersions was used to prepare ultra-high porosity foam structures. The NFC foams have a cellular foam structure of mixed open/closed cells and “nanopaper” cell wall. Control of density and mechanical properties was possible by variation of NFC concentration in the dispersion. A cellulose I foam of the highest porosity ever reported (99.5%) was prepared. The NFC foams have high ductility and toughness and may be of interest for applications involving mechanical energy absorption. Freeze-drying of NFC suspended in tert-butanol gave highly porous NFC network aerogels with a large surface area. The mechanical behavior was significantly different from NFC foams of similar density due to differences in deformation mechanisms for NFC nanofiber networks. / QC 20110406

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:02:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5710.pdf: 9081274 bytes, checksum: 235a22e72d32a0486237aee2952f268e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-11-27 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Brazil is a major producer of fruit, but the losses related to postharvest handling are considerable high, and it is important to develop methods to reduce them. Analysis techniques were used is the application of edible coatings in order to increase the shelf life of the fruit. This study evaluated the use of zein based films, storage proteins from corn, with the addition of plasticizers and cellulose nanofibers, for covering pears and apples. The zein are hydrophobic proteins and can form a barrier against moisture loss and gas exchange, thus reducing the rate of fruit respiration and consequently increasing it`s shelf life. The filmogenic solutions tested were obtained using 4% zein with addition of different concentrations of cellulose nanofibers and plasticizers. The solutions were applied on apples and pears by immersion. Fruits were evaluated for weight loss, appearance and texture, where it was shown that the optimal concentration was 4% + 0.1% zein cellulose nanofibers + 0.5% oleic acid, as obtained an increase of about 30 days the shelf life of fruit in addition there was better preservation of fruits in natural color and texture compared to other concentrations. For this we use techniques: colorimetry, texturometer and monitoring of mass loss. For characterization of the films were used analysis techniques and contact angle atomic force microscopy, where we also observe that the best result for these two parameters was the movie 4% zein + 0.1% cellulose nanofibers and 0.5% oleic acid, because the films were less hydrophilic and more homogeneous. To evaluate the toxicity of produced film an experiment was conducted with male Wistar rats that were divided into two groups: the first group was fed with feed coated with filmogenic solution, and the second group received a diet without coating. During the experiment they documented the intake of food and water, and collected all excrement. After the experiment various organs were collected for analysis. The results of this experiment indicated that the solution filmogenic showed no toxic effect on the mice. The results of the experiments with the fruit specified the solutions were more efficient for the preservation of fruit quality in the study. / O Brasil é um grande produtor de frutas, porém as perdas relacionadas ao manuseio póscolheita são consideráveis, sendo importante o desenvolvimento de metodologias que as reduzam. Uma técnica que tem sido usada é aplicação de revestimentos comestíveis com o objetivo aumentar o tempo de prateleira do fruto. O presente trabalho avaliou o uso de filmes a base de zeína, proteínas de reserva do milho, com a adição de plastificantes e nanofibras de celulose, para recobrimento de peras e maçãs. As zeína são proteínas hidrofóbicas e podem formar uma barreira contra a perda de umidade e as trocas gasosas, reduzindo assim a taxa de respiração dos frutos e consequentemente aumentando o seu tempo de prateleira. As soluções filmogênicas testadas foram obtidas utilizando-se 4% de zeína com adição de diversas concentrações de nanofibras de celulose e plastificantes. As soluções foram aplicadas sobre peras e maçãs por imersão. As frutas foram avaliadas quanto a perda de massa, aparência e textura. Para isso utilizamos as técnicas de: colorimetria, texturômetro e acompanhamento da perda de massa, onde foi mostrado que a melhor concentração foi a de 4% de zeína + 0,1% de nanofibras de celulose + 0,5% de ácido oleico, pois obtivemos um aumento de cerca de 30 dias no tempo de prateleira das frutas, além disso, houve uma melhor conservação na coloração natural das frutas e na textura em relação as outras concentrações. Para caracterização dos filmes foram utilizadas as técnicas de análise de ângulo de contato e microscopia de força atômica, onde também podemos observar que o melhor resultado para esses dois parâmetros foi o filme de 4% de zeína + 0,1% de nanofibras de celulose e 0,5% de ácido oleico, pois os filmes ficaram menos hidrofílicos e mais homogêneos. Para avaliar a toxicidade do filme produzido foi feito um experimento com ratos machos da linhagem Wistar, divididos em dois grupos, sendo que o primeiro grupo foi alimentado com ração revestida com solução filmogênica, e o segundo grupo recebeu a ração sem revestimento. Durante o experimento foram compilados o consumo de ração e água e coletadas todas as excreções. Após o experimento foram coletados vários órgãos para análise.

abstract: ABSTRACT Electronics especially mobile electronics such as smart phones, tablet PCs, notebooks and digital cameras are undergoing rapid development nowadays and have thoroughly changed our lives. With the requirement of more transistors, higher power, smaller size, lighter weight and even bendability, thermal management of these devices became one of the key challenges. Compared to active heat management system, heat pipe, which is a passive fluidic system, is considered promising to solve this problem. However, traditional heat pipes have size, weight and capillary limitation. Thus new type of heat pipe with smaller size, lighter weight and higher capillary pressure is needed. Nanofiber has been proved with superior properties and has been applied in multiple areas. This study discussed the possibility of applying nanofiber in heat pipe as new wick structure. In this study, a needleless electrospinning device with high productivity rate was built onsite to systematically investigate the effect of processing parameters on fiber properties as well as to generate nanofiber mat to evaluate its capability in electronics cooling. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) nanofibers were generated. Tensiometer was used for wettability measurement. The results show that independent parameters including spinneret type, working distance, solution concentration and polymer type are strongly correlated with fiber morphology compared to other parameters. The results also show that the fabricated nanofiber mat has high capillary pressure. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Mechanical Engineering 2014

The aim of this research is to fabricate an electrically conducting, smooth, continuous and sensitive nanofiber using tri-block copolymer PS-b-PDMS-b-PS and SWCNTs by electrospinning. The electronic nanofibers may be utilized for effective biosensing applications. The SWCNTs have been of great interest to researchers because of their exceptional electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. The nanoscale diameter, high aspect ratio, and low density make them an ideal reinforcing candidate for novel nanocomposite material. Electrically conducting fibers are prepared by electrospinning a solution of PS, PS-b- PDMS-b-PS and functionalized SWCNTs using solvent DMF. The fibers formed have an average diameter and height of 5 and 4 μm respectively. These fibers are characterized by SEM, AFM, and optical microscopy. The electrical characterization of a single fiber shows an almost linear graph of current vs. voltage using the Kelvin Sensing method. This linear graph exemplifies the conducting nature of the fiber. Future work includes preparing nanofibers decorated with functional groups and binding with specific type of enzyme or protein to study their I-V behavior. This approach or method can be utilized for bio-sensing activities, especially for the detection of various antibodies and protein molecules.

Over the last 100 years there has been an increase of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4 and N2O) in the atmosphere. These gases cause several problems with the climate on Earth, such as increasing problems with extreme weather. One way to decrease the outlet of carbon dioxide is by adsorption and capture of CO2. Biobased aerogels are one way to adsorb CO2. In this project the goal is to increase the CO2 adsorption capacity of a biobased carbon aerogel with zeolite nanoplates. The biobased carbon aerogel is prepared via freeze-casting a suspension made of LignoBoost lignin and (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical)-mediated oxidized cellulose nanofibers, also called TEMPO-cellulose nanofibers (TOCNF). The freeze-casted structure is, after freeze-drying and carbonization, decorated with zeolite nanoplates. To find the optimal decorating method, three different decoration methods were tested. Thesemethods are called “decoration assisted by cationic polymer solution” (DC), “direct decoration” (DD) and “decoration incorporated directly in lignin suspension” (DS). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) together with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), showed that the highest concentration of zeolite nanoplates in the samples, was achieved by the “decoration incorporated directly in lignin suspension” method. CO2 adsorption capacity test was performed at temperatures of 273.150K, 298.150K and 323.150K. The DS-sample did not perform better than the reference sample at low pressures (10kPa). At higher pressure (100kPa) the DS-sample had the highest adsorption capacity at test temperatures 273.150K and 323.150K.

The diploma thesis if focused on the study of bioactive hydrogél and nanofiber wound dressings composed of natural biopolymers, which were functionalized by active compounds in the form of analgesic, antibiotics and enzymes. Hydrogél wound dressings were constituted from alginate and chitosan and nanofibers were created from polyhydroxybutyrate. The following 7 active compounds were selected to be added to the wound dressings: ampicillin, streptomycin, ibuprofen, papain, bromelain, collagenase and trypsin. In the theoretical part the structure of the skin and types of wound injuries were described. This part also talks about types of wound dressing and their applications, as well as treatment of skin wounds using enzymes and compounds with analgesic and antimicrobial properties. In addition, this section describes safety assays, in particular cytotoxicity assays on human cells. At the beginning of the experimental part, the process of preparation of hydrogél wound dressing was optimised. Subsequently, the dressings were enriched with active compounds and the rate of gradual releasing of the substances into model environment was monitored. In the case of enzymes, their proteolytic activity was also tested after their incorporation to the wound dressings. Furthermore, the prepared bioactive wound dressings were analyzed for possible cytotoxic effect on human keratinocytes. Finally, the wound dressing with combined content of active substances was created and also characterized for the rate of substance release, proteolytic activity and cytotoxicity. Antimicrobial activity of this wound dressings, against two selected strains of microorganisms: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis, was also evaluated.

Electrospinning is a useful technique that can generate micro- and nano-meter sized fibers from polymer materials. Modification of the electrospinning parameters and apparatus can generate nanofibers for use in diverse applications ranging from tissue engineering to nanocomposite fabrication; however, electrospun fibers are typically collected in a random orientation and over large areas limiting their applications.  Here we present several methods to control the deposition of electrospun nanofibers, such as the use of a single auxiliary electrode ring and a negatively charged collector substrate to control the deposition area and the construction of a parallel electrode collector known as the triple electrode setup to control the uniaxial alignment of nanofibers. The numerous constructed setups were advanced by the use of electric field computations to assess the distribution of the electric field and its effect on the deposition behavior and morphology of the electrospun nanofibers. The electrostatic force imposed by the auxiliary electrodes provides converged electric fields that direct the nanofibers to their desired deposition targets. Here it is shown that the use of the auxiliary electrode ring dramatically decreased the deposition area of nanofibers, the negatively charged substrate yielded more uniform nanofibers and the triple electrode setup is a viable method to achieve uniaxially aligned nanofiber mats.    The electrospinning of copolymers appears as an attractive option for enhancing the overall properties of nanofibers as it offers possibility of an intrinsic control of the polymeric material itself. The poly(methyl methacrylate)-graft-poly(dimethylsiloxane) graft copolymer  (PMMA-g-PDMS) is considered to be an organic-inorganic hybrid material with much potential in its use in nanocomposites, and in this work has been successfully synthesized and electrospun via the various constructed electrospinning setups.   In the final elements of this work, the triple electrode setup is used in combination with a dynamic rotating collector to yield a novel collector and has been successfully used to produce PMMA-g-PDMS nanofiber sheets that were further incorporated in a PDMS matrix to yield nanocomposite sheets. A variant of the triple electrode setup with partially insulated electrodes is devised in combination with a methodology to remove the nanofibers from the collector. The nanofibers once removed and dried were incorporated in a PDMS matrix to yield nanocomposites. The preferential dissolution of the fibers from the matrix rendered the fibers to templates and a final porous material with uniaxial nanochannels could be obtained.   This work is believed to be able to lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of nanofiber deposition and alignment, and should be of help to the design of more practical collecting structures, hence promoting the applications of the electrospinning technique.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / This study represents a cost-effective method to advance the physical and mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) prepreg composite materials, where electrospun multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/epoxy nanofibers fabricated and deposited in between the layers of traditional CFRP prepreg composite. CNT-aligned epoxy nanofibers were uniformly formed by an optimized electrospinning method. Electrospinning is considered one of the most flexible, low-cost, and globally recognized methods for generating continuous filaments from submicron to tens of nanometer diameter. Nanofilaments were incorporated precisely on the layers of prepreg to accomplish increased adhesion and interfacial bonding, leading to increased strength and enhancements in more mechanical properties. As a result, the modulus of the epoxy and CNT/epoxy nanofibers were revealed to be 3.24 GPa and 4.84 GPa, leading to 49% enhancement. Furthermore, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and fatigue performance at high-stress regimes improved by 29% and 27%, respectively. Barely visible impact damage (BVID) energy improved considerably by up to 45%. The thermal and electrical conductivities were also increased considerably because of the highly conductive CNT networks present in between the CFRP layers. The newly introduced approach was able to deposit high content uniform CNTs at the ply interface of prepregs to enhance the CFRP properties, that has not been achieved in the past because of the randomly oriented high viscosity CNTs in epoxy resins.

This study represents a cost-effective method to advance the physical and mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) prepreg composite materials, where electrospun multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/epoxy nanofibers fabricated and deposited in between the layers of traditional CFRP prepreg composite. CNT-aligned epoxy nanofibers were uniformly formed by an optimized electrospinning method. Electrospinning is considered one of the most flexible, low-cost, and globally recognized methods for generating continuous filaments from submicron to tens of nanometer diameter. Nanofilaments were incorporated precisely on the layers of prepreg to accomplish increased adhesion and interfacial bonding, leading to increased strength and enhancements in more mechanical properties. As a result, the modulus of the epoxy and CNT/epoxy nanofibers were revealed to be 3.24 GPa and 4.84 GPa, leading to 49% enhancement. Furthermore, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and fatigue performance at high-stress regimes improved by 29% and 27%, respectively. Barely visible impact damage (BVID) energy improved considerably by up to 45%. The thermal and electrical conductivities were also increased considerably because of the highly conductive CNT networks present in between the CFRP layers. The newly introduced approach was able to deposit high content uniform CNTs at the ply interface of prepregs to enhance the CFRP properties, that has not been achieved in the past because of the randomly oriented high viscosity CNTs in epoxy resins.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(エネルギー科学) / 甲第17911号 / エネ博第283号 / 新制||エネ||59(附属図書館) / 30731 / 京都大学大学院エネルギー科学研究科エネルギー基礎科学専攻 / (主査)教授 佐川 尚, 教授 八尾 健, 教授 石原 慶一 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Energy Science / Kyoto University / DGAM