Aseptic loosening due to periprosthetic osteolysis has been accepted as one of the leading causes of revision procedures in patients with previous joint arthroplasty. Recently, several strategies for suppression of osteolysis were proposed, mostly based on biological treatment such as mitigation of chronic inflammatory reactions. However, these biological treatments do not stop the debris migration but only reduce the inflammatory reaction. To address this shortcoming, we propose the concept of ultrahigh molecular weighted polyethylene particles filtration storage by electrospun membranes. Firstly, the surface tension of synovial fluid (SF) is obtained by use of a pendant droplet. Secondly, the contact angle of the electrospun membranes wetted by two different liquids is measured to obtain the free surface energy using of the Owens-Wendt model. Additionally, the wettability of electrospun membranes by SF as a function of technology parameters is studied.

• Keywords
• electron spun membranes, periprosthetic osteolysis, surface energy, synovial fluid, wettability,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

In order to protect the environment, it is important that oily industrial wastewater is degreased before discharging. Membrane filtration is generally preferred for separation of oily wastewater as it does not require any specialised chemical knowledge, and also for its ease of processing, energy efficiency and low maintenance costs. In the present work, hybrid polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous membranes were developed for oily wastewater filtration. Membrane surface modification changed nitrile groups on the surface into carboxylic groups, which improve membrane wettability. Subsequently, TiO2 nanoparticles were grafted onto the modified membranes to increase flux and permeability. Following alkaline treatment (NaOH, KOH) of the hydrolysed PAN nanofibres, membrane water permeability increased two- to eight-fold, while TiO2 grafted membrane permeability increase two- to thirteen-fold, compared to unmodified membranes. TiO2 grafted membranes also displayed amphiphilic properties and a decrease in water contact angle from 78.86° to 0°. Our results indicate that modified PAN nanofibrous membranes represent a promising alternative for oily wastewater filtration.

• Keywords
• PAN, TiO2, membrane filtration, nanofibre, nanoparticle, oily wastewater, separation,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

A natural polymer of carboxymethyl starch (CMS) was used in combination with the inorganic mineral of β-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP) and Poly l-lactide (PLLA) to prepare composite nanofibers with the potential to be used as a biomedical membrane. β-TCP contents varied in the range of 0.25% to 1% in the composition of PLLA and CMS. A mixed composition of these organic and inorganic materials was electro-spun to produce composite nanofibers. Morphological investigation indicated that smooth and uniform nanofibers could be produced via this technique. The average of the nanofiber diameters was slightly increased from 190 to 265 nm with the β-TCP content but some agglomeration of particles began to impede in the fiber at a higher content of β-TCP. It was observed that the fibers were damaged at a higher content of β-TCP nanoparticles. With the presence of higher β-TCP, the wettability of the PLLA was also improved, as indicated by the water contact angle measurement from 127.3° to 118°. The crystallization in the composite decreased, as shown in the changes in glass transition (Tg) and melting temperature (Tm) by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and X-ray diffraction analysis. Increases in β-TCP contributed to weaker mechanical strength, from 8.5 to 5.7 MPa, due to imperfect fiber structure.

• Keywords
• carboxymethyl starch (CMS), electrospinning, nanofibers, poly l-lactide (PLLA), β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP),
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

In this study, nanoparticle-incorporated nanofiber-covered yarns were prepared using a custom-made needle-free electrospinning system. The ultimate goal of this work was to prepare functional nanofibrous surfaces with antibacterial properties and realize high-speed production. As antibacterial agents, we used various amounts of copper oxide (CuO) and vanadium (V) oxide (V2O5) nanoparticles (NPs). Three yarn preparation speeds (100 m/min, 150 m/min, and 200 m/min) were used for the nanofiber-covered yarn. The results indicate a relationship between the yarn speed, quantity of NPs, and antibacterial efficiency of the material. We found a higher yarn speed to be associated with a lower reduction in bacteria. NP-loaded nanofiber yarns were proven to have excellent antibacterial properties against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli). CuO exhibited a greater inhibition and bactericidal effect against E. coli than V2O5. In brief, the studied samples are good candidates for use in antibacterial textile surface applications, such as wastewater filtration. As greater attention is being drawn to this field, this work provides new insights regarding the antibacterial textile surfaces of nanofiber-covered yarns.

• Keywords
• PVB, antibacterial, copper, electrospinning, nanoyarn, vanadium,
• MeSH
• Anti-Bacterial Agents chemistry   MeSH
• Copper chemistry   MeSH
• Nanofibers chemistry   MeSH
• Polyvinyls chemistry   MeSH
• Vanadium chemistry   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Anti-Bacterial Agents MeSH
• Copper MeSH
• polyvinylbutyral MeSH Browser
• Polyvinyls MeSH
• Vanadium MeSH

Preparing easily scaled up, cost-effective, and recyclable membranes for separation technology is challenging. In the present study, a unique and new type of modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibrous membrane was prepared for the separation of oil-water emulsions. Surface modification was done in two steps. In the first step, dehydrofluorination of PVDF membranes was done using an alkaline solution. After the first step, oil removal and permeability of the membranes were dramatically improved. In the second step, TiO2 nanoparticles were grafted onto the surface of the membranes. After adding TiO2 nanoparticles, membranes exhibited outstanding anti-fouling and self-cleaning performance. The as-prepared membranes can be of great use in new green separation technology and have great potential to deal with the separation of oil-water emulsions in the near future.

• Keywords
• PVDF, electrospinning, filtration, membrane, nanofiber, surface modification,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Novel electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous membranes were prepared by using heat-press lamination under various conditions. The air permeability and the burst-pressure tests were run to select the membranes for point-of-use air and water cleaning. Membrane characterization was performed by using scanning electron microscopy, contact angle, and average pore size measurements. Selected membranes were used for both air dust filtration and cross-flow water filtration tests. Air dust filter results indicated that electrospun PAN nanofibrous membranes showed very high air-dust filtration efficiency of more than 99.99 % in between PM0.3 and PM2.5, whereas cross-flow filtration test showed very high water permeability over 600 L/(m2hbar) after 6 h of operation. Combining their excellent efficiency and water permeability, these membranes offer an ideal solution to filter both air and water pollutants.

• Keywords
• air filtration, lamination, nanofiber, polyacrylonitrile, water filtration,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Membranes are considered as a promising technology for separation and filtration processes. Here, novel polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibrous multilayer membranes were fabricated by wire-based industrial electrospinning equipment following by a lamination process. The lamination process was optimised under various applied temperature, force of lamination, and lamination time. Air permeability and burst-pressure tests were run to determine the optimum membranes for filtration application. The structures of the prepared membranes were characterised by scanning electron microscopy and pore-size analysis. The hydrophilic properties of the membranes were evaluated using water contact angle measurement, and the mechanical strength of the membranes was analysed. Air and water filtration tests were run to find the possible application of prepared membranes. The air filtration results showed that membranes had high filtration efficiencies: Over 99.00% for PM2.5, and PM0.1. The water filtration results indicated that permeability of the membranes changed from 288 to 3275 L/m²hbar. The successful preparation of such an interesting material may provide a new approach for the design and development of electrospun filter membranes.

• Keywords
• HEPA filter, PVDF, electrospinning, nanofiber, wastewater,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH