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Influência da configuração de bobinagem no comportamento mecânico de cilindros de compósito polimérico / Influence of the stacking sequence of layers on the mechanical behavior of polymeric composite cylindersOsni de Carvalho 17 February 2006 (has links)
Neste trabalho avaliou-se experimentalmente a influência da onfiguração de bobinagem no comportamento mecânico de cilindros de compósito polimérico com bobinagem simétrica e assimétrica. Para tanto, foram fabricados pelo processo de bobinamento filamentar (filament winding) dois grupos de cilindros com extremidades abertas, que apresentaram alteração no posicionamento das camadas em relação ao plano médio, caracterizando laminados simétrico e assimétrico. No compósito deste estudo, utilizou-se uma matriz com sistema tricomponente com resina epoxídica e reforço de fibra de carbono. Para avaliação da resistência mecânica, os cilindros foram submetidos a ensaio hidrostático que consistiu da pressurização interna em dispositivo apropriado mediante a utilização de um fluido até que ocorresse o colapso. Adicionalmente, as deformações e os modos de falha dos dois grupos de cilindros foram analisados e comparados. A utilização de um programa de cálculo de elementos finitos permitiu concluir que esta ferramenta, muito usada em projeto, não consegue identificar tensões na orientação da fibra em cada uma das camadas do compósito, bem como tensões de cisalhamento interlaminares que surgem nos cilindros com configuração assimétrica. Os resultados dos ensaios mostraram que as configurações de bobinagem exercem influência no comportamento mecânico dos cilindros de material compósito, favorecendo a construção do tipo simétrica. / This work evaluated experimentally the influence of the stacking sequence of layers symmetrical and asymmetrical on the mechanical behavior of polymeric composite cylinders. For so much, two open-ended cylinders groups were manufactured by filament winding process, which had different stacking sequence related to the laminate midplane, characterizing symmetrical and asymmetrical laminates. The composite cylinders were made with epoxy matrix and carbon fiber as reinforcement. For evaluation of the mechanical strength, the cylinders were tested hydrostatically, which consisted of internal pressurization in a hydrostatic device through the utilization of a fluid until the cylinders burst. Additionally, were compared the strains and failure modes between the cylinders groups. The utilization of a finite element program allowed to conclude that this tool, very used in design, does not get to identify tensions in the fiber direction in each composite layer, as well as interlaminar shear stress, that appears in the cylinders with asymmetrical stacking sequence. The tests results showed that the stacking sequence had influence in the mechanical behavior of the composite cylinders, favoring the symmetrical construction.
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Influência da configuração de bobinagem no comportamento mecânico de cilindros de compósito polimérico / Influence of the stacking sequence of layers on the mechanical behavior of polymeric composite cylindersCarvalho, Osni de 17 February 2006 (has links)
Neste trabalho avaliou-se experimentalmente a influência da onfiguração de bobinagem no comportamento mecânico de cilindros de compósito polimérico com bobinagem simétrica e assimétrica. Para tanto, foram fabricados pelo processo de bobinamento filamentar (filament winding) dois grupos de cilindros com extremidades abertas, que apresentaram alteração no posicionamento das camadas em relação ao plano médio, caracterizando laminados simétrico e assimétrico. No compósito deste estudo, utilizou-se uma matriz com sistema tricomponente com resina epoxídica e reforço de fibra de carbono. Para avaliação da resistência mecânica, os cilindros foram submetidos a ensaio hidrostático que consistiu da pressurização interna em dispositivo apropriado mediante a utilização de um fluido até que ocorresse o colapso. Adicionalmente, as deformações e os modos de falha dos dois grupos de cilindros foram analisados e comparados. A utilização de um programa de cálculo de elementos finitos permitiu concluir que esta ferramenta, muito usada em projeto, não consegue identificar tensões na orientação da fibra em cada uma das camadas do compósito, bem como tensões de cisalhamento interlaminares que surgem nos cilindros com configuração assimétrica. Os resultados dos ensaios mostraram que as configurações de bobinagem exercem influência no comportamento mecânico dos cilindros de material compósito, favorecendo a construção do tipo simétrica. / This work evaluated experimentally the influence of the stacking sequence of layers symmetrical and asymmetrical on the mechanical behavior of polymeric composite cylinders. For so much, two open-ended cylinders groups were manufactured by filament winding process, which had different stacking sequence related to the laminate midplane, characterizing symmetrical and asymmetrical laminates. The composite cylinders were made with epoxy matrix and carbon fiber as reinforcement. For evaluation of the mechanical strength, the cylinders were tested hydrostatically, which consisted of internal pressurization in a hydrostatic device through the utilization of a fluid until the cylinders burst. Additionally, were compared the strains and failure modes between the cylinders groups. The utilization of a finite element program allowed to conclude that this tool, very used in design, does not get to identify tensions in the fiber direction in each composite layer, as well as interlaminar shear stress, that appears in the cylinders with asymmetrical stacking sequence. The tests results showed that the stacking sequence had influence in the mechanical behavior of the composite cylinders, favoring the symmetrical construction.
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Design and development of a novel lightweight long-reach composite robotic armWillis, Darrin 01 August 2009 (has links)
Metallic robotic arms, or manipulators, currently dominate automated industrial operations, but
due to their intrinsic weight, have limited usefulness for large-scale applications in terms of
precision, speed, and repeatability. This thesis focuses on exploring the feasibility of using
polymeric composite materials for the construction of long-reach robotic arms. Different
manipulator layouts were investigated and an ideal design was selected for a robotic arm that has
a 5 [m] reach, 50 [kg] payload, and is intended to operate on large objects with complex
curvature.
The cross-sectional geometry of the links of the arm were analyzed for optimal stiffness- and
strength-to-weight ratios that are capable of preserving high precision and repeatability under
time-dependent external excitations. The results lead to a novel multi-segment link design and
method of production.
A proof-of-concept prototype of a two degrees-of-freedom (2-DOF) robotic arm with a reach of
1.75 [m] was developed. Both static and repeatability testing were performed for verification.
The results indicated that the prototype robot main-arm constructed of carbon fiber-epoxy
composite material provides good stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios. Finite
element analysis (FEA) was performed on a 3-D computer model of the arm. Successful
verification led to the use of the 3-D model to define the dimensions of an industrial-sized robotic
arm. The results obtained indicate high stiffness and minimal deflection while achieving a
significant weight reduction when compared to commercial arms of the same size and capability.
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Polyacrylonitrile / carbon nanotube composite fibers: effect of various processing parameters on fiber structure and propertiesChoi, Young Ho 15 November 2010 (has links)
This study elucidates the effect of various processing parameters on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) /carbon nanotube (CNT) composite fiber structure and properties. Interaction between PAN and MWNT enabled the gel-spun PAN/MWNT composite fiber to be drawn to a higher draw ratio, than the control PAN fiber, resulting in the composite fiber tensile strength value as high as 1.3 GPa. PAN/MWNT composite fibers were stabilized and carbonized, and the resulting fibers have been characterized for their structure and properties. The effect of precursor fiber shelf-time on the mechanical properties of the gel-spun PAN/MWNT composite fibers is also reported. A rheological study of PAN-co-MAA/few wall nanotube (FWNT) composite solution has been conducted. At low shear rates, the network of FWNTs contributes to elastic response, resulting in higher viscosity and storage modulus for the composite solution as compared to the control solution. On the other hand, at high shear rates, the network of FWNTs can be broken, resulting in lower viscosity for the composite solution than that for the control solution. Larger PAN crystal size (~16.2 nm) and enhanced mechanical properties are observed when the fiber was drawn at room temperature (cold-drawing) prior to being drawn at elevated temperature (~ 165 °C; hot-drawing). Azimuthal scan of wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and Raman G-band intensities were used for the evaluation of Herman's orientation factor for PAN crystal (fPAN) and FWNT (fFWNT), respectively. Significantly higher nanotube orientation was observed than PAN orientation at an early stage of fiber processing (i.e during spinning, cold-drawing). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that PAN-co-MAA fiber can be converted into cyclic structure at milder conditions than those for PAN. Continuous in-line stabilization, carbonization, and characterization of the resulting carbon fibers were carried out. Rheological and fiber spinning studies have also been carried out on PAN-co-MAA/VGCNF (vapor grown carbon nano fiber). The diameter of PAN-co-MAA/VGCNF composite fiber is smaller than that of the PAN-co-MAA control fiber with same draw ratio due to the suppressed die-swell in the presence of VGCNF. The mechanical properties of PAN-co-MAA control and PAN-co-MAA/VGCNF composite fibers were characterized. Crystalline structure and morphology of the solution-spun PAN-co-MAA/VGCNF fibers are characterized using WAXD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The volume fraction of PAN-CNT interphase in PAN matrix has been calculated to illustrate the impact of CNTs on structural change in PAN matrix, when ordered PAN molecules are developed in the vicinity of CNTs during fiber processing. The effect of PAN-CNT interphase thickness, CNT diameter, and mass density of CNT on volume fraction of PAN-CNT interphase has been explored.
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Recuperação de fibras de carbono presentes em descarte industrial de compósito polimérico. / Recovering of carbon fibers present in industrial polimeric composite waste.Abdou, Thiago Ribeiro 21 December 2015 (has links)
O uso e produção de fibra de carbono têm crescido nas últimas três décadas em diversas aplicações como aeroespacial, automotiva, nuclear, naval e construção civil. Isto é devido ao desempenho que este material possui quando comparado com os tradicionais componentes metálicos. A geração de resíduo de fibra de carbono tem aumentado a cada ano e isto tem impulsionado estudos e aprimoramento dos métodos de recuperação de fibras de carbono. Dentre os mais usuais métodos existentes, pode-se destacar a pirólise. O objetivo do presente trabalho consiste em recuperar fibras de carbono determinando e avaliando os parâmetros do processo de pirólise visando o potencial de reutilização destas fibras em novos compósitos. O compósito utilizado foi doado a partir de um descarte industrial. Para caracterizar o compósito, foram empregadas as técnicas de análise térmica (TGA), espectrometria de massa (QMS), análise estrutural em MEV juntamente com a análise pela energia dispersiva de espectroscopia de raio-X (EDS). Durante o aquecimento em atmosfera inerte, ocorre a liberação de compostos orgânicos proveniente da matriz polimérica, e as fibras de carbono permanecem intactas. As fibras de carbono recuperadas foram analisadas em MEV e EDS a fim de verificar a ocorrência de defeitos superficiais, como, resíduos da matriz polimérica, carbonização, rompimento da fibra entre outros. Os resultados obtidos mostram que pela pirolise feita a 550°C por 1h é possível de se obter fibras de carbono livres da matriz polimérica. Após o processo de pirólise nesta condição as fibras não apresentam poros, fratura do material e carbonização. / The last three decades were marked by the expansion of production and research of carbon fiber in several applications such as automotive, nuclear, navy and construction. This is a result of the extraordinary performance that this material presents when compared with the traditional metallic materials. Each year, there has been an increase of the generation of carbon fiber composite waste which has motivated studies and improvement of the current recovering processes of carbon fiber. Among the most usual methods of recovering, there is the pyrolysis method. The present study aims to recover carbon fiber from polymeric composite while evaluating parameters of the pyrolysis process focusing on the potential of reusing the recovered carbon fiber in new composites. The composite material used in this work had been acquired by donation of an industrial disposal. In order to characterize the composite, thermogravimetric analysis was done (TGA), mass spectrometry (QMS), structural analysis by SEM and analysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). During heating in an inert atmosphere, there were release of organic compounds from the polymeric matrix and the carbon fibers remain untouched. Carbon fibers recovered were analyzed by SEM and EDS to verify the occurrence of superficial defects such as, traces of residual polymer matrix, carbonization, fiber breakage among others. The results show that through pyrolysis held at 550°C for 1 hour it is possible to obtain carbon fibers free of the polymeric matrix. After the pyrolysis process in this condition fibers did not presented pores, carbonization or rupture of the material.
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Recuperação de fibras de carbono presentes em descarte industrial de compósito polimérico. / Recovering of carbon fibers present in industrial polimeric composite waste.Thiago Ribeiro Abdou 21 December 2015 (has links)
O uso e produção de fibra de carbono têm crescido nas últimas três décadas em diversas aplicações como aeroespacial, automotiva, nuclear, naval e construção civil. Isto é devido ao desempenho que este material possui quando comparado com os tradicionais componentes metálicos. A geração de resíduo de fibra de carbono tem aumentado a cada ano e isto tem impulsionado estudos e aprimoramento dos métodos de recuperação de fibras de carbono. Dentre os mais usuais métodos existentes, pode-se destacar a pirólise. O objetivo do presente trabalho consiste em recuperar fibras de carbono determinando e avaliando os parâmetros do processo de pirólise visando o potencial de reutilização destas fibras em novos compósitos. O compósito utilizado foi doado a partir de um descarte industrial. Para caracterizar o compósito, foram empregadas as técnicas de análise térmica (TGA), espectrometria de massa (QMS), análise estrutural em MEV juntamente com a análise pela energia dispersiva de espectroscopia de raio-X (EDS). Durante o aquecimento em atmosfera inerte, ocorre a liberação de compostos orgânicos proveniente da matriz polimérica, e as fibras de carbono permanecem intactas. As fibras de carbono recuperadas foram analisadas em MEV e EDS a fim de verificar a ocorrência de defeitos superficiais, como, resíduos da matriz polimérica, carbonização, rompimento da fibra entre outros. Os resultados obtidos mostram que pela pirolise feita a 550°C por 1h é possível de se obter fibras de carbono livres da matriz polimérica. Após o processo de pirólise nesta condição as fibras não apresentam poros, fratura do material e carbonização. / The last three decades were marked by the expansion of production and research of carbon fiber in several applications such as automotive, nuclear, navy and construction. This is a result of the extraordinary performance that this material presents when compared with the traditional metallic materials. Each year, there has been an increase of the generation of carbon fiber composite waste which has motivated studies and improvement of the current recovering processes of carbon fiber. Among the most usual methods of recovering, there is the pyrolysis method. The present study aims to recover carbon fiber from polymeric composite while evaluating parameters of the pyrolysis process focusing on the potential of reusing the recovered carbon fiber in new composites. The composite material used in this work had been acquired by donation of an industrial disposal. In order to characterize the composite, thermogravimetric analysis was done (TGA), mass spectrometry (QMS), structural analysis by SEM and analysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). During heating in an inert atmosphere, there were release of organic compounds from the polymeric matrix and the carbon fibers remain untouched. Carbon fibers recovered were analyzed by SEM and EDS to verify the occurrence of superficial defects such as, traces of residual polymer matrix, carbonization, fiber breakage among others. The results show that through pyrolysis held at 550°C for 1 hour it is possible to obtain carbon fibers free of the polymeric matrix. After the pyrolysis process in this condition fibers did not presented pores, carbonization or rupture of the material.
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Modelagem de tubos de materiais compósitos laminados considerando efeitos de temperatura e falhas / Modeling of laminated composite tubes considering temperature effects and failureSantos, Roésio Oliveira 04 November 2016 (has links)
In last decades, there has been a relevant growth in the application of composite materials reinforced by fibers in the several industries, especially the aeronautical, automotive, construction and offshore structures segments. How the composites exhibit relationships stiffness/weight and resistance/high weight, and other interesting features compared with other materials, they have been increasingly used to replace conventional materials. The present work has as objective to develop a study about laminated polymeric composite tubes subjected to thermomechanical loads. The laminae are composed of polymeric matrix involving unidirectional long fiber reinforcement. The walls of the studied tubes present various lamination schemes and different constituent materials. The analyses are set by analytical formulations that permits obtaining the displacements, stresses and strains, as well as verification failures in the laminae. Different empirical and semi-empirical analytical models are used for failure analyses. Effects of thermomechanical loads, such as internal pressure, bending, and temperature changes are considered. The analyzed cases consist of tubes with walls comprised of several layers with different directions of fibers, some including laminae sand impregnated with resin. The results are also compared with other available in the literature. It is verified that the Tsai-Wu criterion provides superior results to the other two failure models used in the work, especially for angles greater than 50°. Moreover, this criterion obtained an inconsistent result in the analysis of the temperature effects for the laminae [+55°/−55°]2. / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas / Nas últimas décadas, houve um grande crescimento na aplicação de materiais compósitos reforçados por fibras em diversos setores, com destaque para os segmentos aeronáutico, automotivo, construção civil e de estruturas offshore. Como os referidos compósitos apresentam relações rigidez/peso e resistência/peso elevadas, além de outras características interessantes, em comparação com outros materiais, eles têm sido cada vez mais utilizados em substituição aos materiais convencionais. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um estudo sobre tubos de materiais compósitos poliméricos laminados submetidos a cargas termomecânicas. As lâminas são constituídas por uma matriz polimérica envolvendo fibras unidirecionais longas de reforço. As paredes dos tubos estudadas apresentam diferentes esquemas de laminação, podendo ser constituídas por diferentes materiais. As análises são feitas através de formulações analíticas que permitem a obtenção dos deslocamentos, tensões e deformações, assim como a verificação de falhas nas lâminas. Para a análise de falhas são empregados diferentes modelos analíticos empíricos e semiempíricos. Efeitos de cargas termomecânicas, tais como pressão interna, flexão e de variação de temperatura são considerados. Os casos analisados consistem de tubos com paredes constituídas por várias camadas com diferentes direções de fibras, alguns incluindo lâminas de areia impregnada com resina. Os resultados encontrados também são comparados com outros disponíveis na literatura. Verifica-se que o critério de Tsai-Wu fornece resultados superiores aos dos outros dois modelos de falha utilizados no trabalho, principalmente para ângulos superiores a 50°. Além disso, esse critério obteve resultado inconsistente na análise dos efeitos de temperatura para o laminado [+55°/−55°]2.
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Projeto e análise estrutural de haste femoral de implante de quadril em material compósito polimérico / Design and structural analysis of hip implant femoral stem in polymeric composite materialsSilvestre Filho, Geraldo Dantas 06 October 2006 (has links)
Neste trabalho propõe-se o projeto e a análise estrutural de uma haste femoral de implante de quadril em material compósito polimérico. No trabalho, realizaram-se algumas etapas com a finalidade de obter parâmetros confiáveis de comportamento do material, visando à consistência dos resultados numéricos e experimentais. Primeiramente, faz-se um levantamento bibliográfico sobre o comportamento mecânico dos materiais compósitos poliméricos reforçados, como também dos critérios de falha existentes para este tipo de material. Em seguida, apresentam-se as etapas experimentais com a descrição dos procedimentos de fabricação dos corpos-de-prova e os resultados obtidos a partir dos ensaios quase-estáticos de tração do poliuretano derivado de óleo de mamona. A etapa seguinte foi desenvolver um dispositivo de ensaio monotônico quase-estático para a haste femoral em poliuretano com o objetivo de levantar a curva força-deslocamento seguindo as especificações das normas ISO 7206-3 e ISO 7206-4. Com base nos resultados experimentais obtidos, foi possível propor um reforço estrutural, na forma de tubo, na haste femoral em poliuretano e adotar uma análise de falha progressiva para determinar o seu comportamento mecânico. Para esta finalidade foi implementado um modelo de material em sub-rotina FORTRAN, compilada em conjunto com um programa de elementos finitos (ABAQUS). Concluiu-se, que o modelo de material implementado e o reforço estrutural proposto para a haste femoral traz contribuições inovadoras, visto que se pode prever com mais precisão o comportamento mecânico da haste femoral reforçada com o tubo em material compósito polimérico. / A design and structural analysis of a femoral stem using a polymeric composite material is proposed in this work. The work had some steps in order to achieve trusty parameters for the material behavior aiming the consistence of numerical and experimental results. In the first step, a bibliographic review of mechanical behavior of reinforced polymeric composite materials as well as failure criterion was done. Following experimental steps are presented with specimen manufacturing procedure description and the results obtained from quasi-statics tension tests of polyurethane derivated from castor oil. The next step was the development of a monotonic quasistatic test device for the polyurethane femoral stem aiming to determine the forcedisplacement curve according to ISO 7206-3 and ISO 7206-4 standards. Considering the experimental results obtained it was possible to propose a structural reinforcement, which consists on a tube, in the polyurethane femoral stem and to adopt a progressive failure analysis in order to determine its mechanical behavior. A material model using FORTRAN sub-routine was developed and compiled joint with a finite element program (ABAQUS). The conclusion is that the model developed and the structural proposed reinforcement for the femoral stem bring innovation for this contribution once it is possible to preview accurately the mechanical behavior of the reinforced femoral stem with tube in polymeric composite material.
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Projeto e análise estrutural de haste femoral de implante de quadril em material compósito polimérico / Design and structural analysis of hip implant femoral stem in polymeric composite materialsGeraldo Dantas Silvestre Filho 06 October 2006 (has links)
Neste trabalho propõe-se o projeto e a análise estrutural de uma haste femoral de implante de quadril em material compósito polimérico. No trabalho, realizaram-se algumas etapas com a finalidade de obter parâmetros confiáveis de comportamento do material, visando à consistência dos resultados numéricos e experimentais. Primeiramente, faz-se um levantamento bibliográfico sobre o comportamento mecânico dos materiais compósitos poliméricos reforçados, como também dos critérios de falha existentes para este tipo de material. Em seguida, apresentam-se as etapas experimentais com a descrição dos procedimentos de fabricação dos corpos-de-prova e os resultados obtidos a partir dos ensaios quase-estáticos de tração do poliuretano derivado de óleo de mamona. A etapa seguinte foi desenvolver um dispositivo de ensaio monotônico quase-estático para a haste femoral em poliuretano com o objetivo de levantar a curva força-deslocamento seguindo as especificações das normas ISO 7206-3 e ISO 7206-4. Com base nos resultados experimentais obtidos, foi possível propor um reforço estrutural, na forma de tubo, na haste femoral em poliuretano e adotar uma análise de falha progressiva para determinar o seu comportamento mecânico. Para esta finalidade foi implementado um modelo de material em sub-rotina FORTRAN, compilada em conjunto com um programa de elementos finitos (ABAQUS). Concluiu-se, que o modelo de material implementado e o reforço estrutural proposto para a haste femoral traz contribuições inovadoras, visto que se pode prever com mais precisão o comportamento mecânico da haste femoral reforçada com o tubo em material compósito polimérico. / A design and structural analysis of a femoral stem using a polymeric composite material is proposed in this work. The work had some steps in order to achieve trusty parameters for the material behavior aiming the consistence of numerical and experimental results. In the first step, a bibliographic review of mechanical behavior of reinforced polymeric composite materials as well as failure criterion was done. Following experimental steps are presented with specimen manufacturing procedure description and the results obtained from quasi-statics tension tests of polyurethane derivated from castor oil. The next step was the development of a monotonic quasistatic test device for the polyurethane femoral stem aiming to determine the forcedisplacement curve according to ISO 7206-3 and ISO 7206-4 standards. Considering the experimental results obtained it was possible to propose a structural reinforcement, which consists on a tube, in the polyurethane femoral stem and to adopt a progressive failure analysis in order to determine its mechanical behavior. A material model using FORTRAN sub-routine was developed and compiled joint with a finite element program (ABAQUS). The conclusion is that the model developed and the structural proposed reinforcement for the femoral stem bring innovation for this contribution once it is possible to preview accurately the mechanical behavior of the reinforced femoral stem with tube in polymeric composite material.
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Fabrication of polymeric composite nanofiber materials and their antibacterial activity for effective wound healingMore, Dikeledi Selinah January 2023 (has links)
D. Tech. (Department of Biotechnology and Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / The synthesis of Ag and Cu nanoparticles was carried out using the thermal decomposition method in the presence of oleylamine as a capping agent. This method was used because it can produce uniform and monodisperse nanoparticles with controlled size distribution. The nanoparticles synthesized under various conditions were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV/Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of precursor concentration on the morphology and size of the nanoparticles was investigated. It was observed that an increase in the precursor concentration resulted in an increase in particle sizes with different morphologies for both Ag and Cu nanoparticles. The increase in particle sizes for Ag nanoparticles was due to Ostwald ripening, while for Cu nanoparticles it was due to agglomeration, as Cu tends to oxidize in the atmosphere, leading to a change in particle size and shape. However, the ability to control and manipulate their physical and chemical properties depends on tuning their size and shape. Therefore, varying the precursor concentration helped in selecting the optimal concentration for this study. The nanoparticles produced were used in another study as fillers or additives for the production of nanofiber composites.
The development of nanofibers by electrospinning process has led to potential applications in filtration, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery, wound dressing and etc. The current study is an attempt to fabricate composite nanofibers that can be used as wound dressing material for effective wound healing. The approach involves the blending of two different polymers both being biocompatible and biodegradable were one is a natural polymer and the other is a synthetic polymer. In this study, different weight ratios of CS/PVA blends, Ag/Cu/CS/PVA, Ag/CS/PVA and Cu/CS/PVA composite fibers have been successfully prepared by the electrospinning process. The tip-to-collector distance was kept at 15 cm and the applied voltage was varied from 15 to 25 kV. The effects of the weight ratios applied voltage and the nanoparticles loading on the morphology and diameter of the fibers were investigated. The resultant fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), XRD, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The SEM results showed that an increase the amount of chitosan in the CS/PVA blend resulted in a decrease in the fiber diameters while an increase in the voltage from 15 to 25 kV led to a decrease in the fiber diameters. Furthermore, an increase in fiber diameters was observed with irregular morphologies upon addition of Ag/Cu nanoparticles into the blend. The latter changes are perceived to be as a result of an increased conductivity and a higher charge density. The XRD results showed peaks which correspond to Ag in the face centred cubic. Ag peaks are more dominant than Cu peaks in the XRD of the mixed nanoparticles. The FTIR spectra of the Ag/Cu/CS/PVA composite fibers gave almost identical features as the blend. This proves that there was an interaction between CS and PVA polymer due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The TGA curves showed no significant effect on the thermal stability of the composite fibers upon addition of different nanoparticles loadings. The absorption spectra of the composite fibers showed an improved optical properties compared to the blend. For Ag and Cu nanoparticles composite fibers it was observed that addition of Ag nanoparticles in the blend resulted in an increase in fiber diameters with uniform morphology whereas for Cu resulted in a decrease in fiber diameters. Both Ag and Cu composite fibers showed an improved optical properties. The effect of CS/PVA, Ag/Cu, Ag, and Cu nanofibers on the selected microorganism (K.pneumoniae, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E.coli) was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. It was observed that Ag/Cu/CS/PVA composite fibers showed greater activity against all microorganisms compared to Ag and Cu composite fibers. The alamar blue and Pierce Lactase dehydrogenase (LDH) assay were used to assess the effect of the blend and the composite fibers on cell viability and cytotoxicity, respectively. The results show that the prepared blend and the composite fibers did not have any toxic effect on human adipose derived stem cells (hADSC). The results also showed that as the concentration of Ag/Cu nanoparticles was increased the viability of the cells also increased after 24 hour incubation. More proliferation was observed in day 1 compared to day 3. The 30/70 blend showed more viable cell compared to the negative control. For Ag and Cu composite fibers the 30/70 CS/PVA blend increased cell proliferation after 3 days with 17% more viable cells compared to the negative control. These results show that the prepared blend with its composite fibers are biocompatible with human (ADSC) and may be suitable for use in biomedical application such as wound dressing.
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