Commercial Resin Research Articles

Highly selective removal of Technetium-99 using imidazolium-based macroporous anion exchange resins

Technetium-99 (99Tc), as a β-emitting radionuclide, is one of the main components of nuclear waste. The fast environmental mobility of 99TcO4- makes it a great threat to the environment and human beings. Although some adsorption materials have been developed to remove 99TcO4- from the nuclear wastewater, the low selectivity and poor stability under acid and radiation conditions limit their actual application. In this work, an N-methylimidazolium modified macroporous anion exchange resin (PMiMCl) was developed for the highly selective removal of 99TcO4-. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that the PMiMCl resin exhibited high adsorption capacity (Re(VII), 677.21 mg g−1) in a wide pH range (3–7). The resin showed high stability after acid (5 mol L-1 HCl), alkali (5 mol L-1 NaOH) and radiation (1000 KGy 60Co γ) treatment and the remove ability was little influenced. More importantly, in the presence of high concentration of competing anions, the removal efficiency of 99TcO4- with PMiMCl resin can also reach to 97.64%, which was much higher than those treated by commercial resins (93.02% for ZGANR170 and 93.10% for IRN78), demonstrating its good selectivity. The density functional theory calculations revealed that the high selectivity was attributed to the strongest interaction of imidazole cation in PMiMCl resin with 99TcO4- anion compared with NO3−, SO42− and Cl− anions. These superior features coupled with low cost and feasible for large scale production and application make PMiMCl resin great potential for 99Tc removal in nuclear wastewater.

Continuous adsorption of ammonium from primary and digester effluents using biosolids-derived biochar and cation exchange resin

Conventional biological treatment of wastewater can remove ammonium in the form of nitrogen gas, thus the opportunity of recovering the nutrient is lost. This study explored the continuous adsorption of ammonium from wastewater (primary and digester effluents) using biochar and cation exchange resin. The biochar was produced via the pyrolysis of biosolids (stabilised sewage sludge), and its ammonium adsorption performance was compared with a commercial cation exchange resin. Adsorption studies suggested that ammonium removal from synthetic wastewater was higher than from real effluents due to the competitive uptake of other components in the stream. Biochar with 100–500 μm particle size gave an ammonium adsorption capacity of 0.17 and 0.53 mg g−1 for primary and digester effluents, respectively. However, resin outperformed biochar with an estimated adsorption capacity of 17.96 and 28.38 mg g−1 for primary and digester effluents, respectively. Furthermore, the biochar bed was saturated in a few seconds, while the resin bed had a breakthrough time of 3 and 21 h, depending on the conditions applied. Therefore, it was proposed to treat the wastewater with biochar to obtain N-laden biochar and then send the resulting effluent to a series of resin columns for complete ammonium removal. The economic analysis of the process generated a net present value of $6 M and $0.6 M and a payback period of 6 and 10 years using primary and digester effluents, respectively. The profitability result is highly sensitive to the products sale price, the number of regeneration cycles of resin, and biosolids management cost.

Preparation of Hydrophobic Low-k Epoxy Resins with High Adhesion Using a Benzocyclobutene-Rosin Modifier

With the development of high-frequency communication, the miniaturization of integrated circuits (ICs) has led to interconnected signal delays and losses. The dielectric properties of epoxy resins are no longer satisfactory, because of the presence of polar groups. Herein, a benzocyclobutene-rosin modifier was designed and synthesized to reduce the dielectric constant of epoxy resins. The recross-linking network of benzocyclobutene inhibits the polarizability of the polar groups, and rosin skeletons increase the free volume of epoxy resins. Consequently, the dielectric constant of epoxy resins decreased from 3.12 to 2.72 and their water absorption decreased from 1.06% to 0.861%. The dielectric constant and water absorption are lower than those of most commercial dielectric materials. Additionally, the adhesion of epoxy resins was improved, which broke the contradiction between the dielectric properties and the adhesion of traditional epoxy resins. The modified epoxy resin was finally applied to printed circuit boards. At 15 GHz, its signal loss was 28.8 dB, which was lower than that of a commercial epoxy resin (FR-4), demonstrating that the modified epoxy resin can better meet the miniaturization needs of ICs.

Biocompatibility and Mineralization Potential of Myrrh (Commiphora molmol) on Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Background and objectives: Myrrh (Commiphora molmol) is a natural resinous substance derived from the bark of the Commiphora molmol tree, which is native to Eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine for its well-known antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, it has gained attention for its potential regenerative medicine applications. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the biocompatibility and mineralization potential of myrrh on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). Methods: Myrrh solution (MS) was prepared from commercial organic myrrh resin. The hMSC cell line were exposed to nine different concentrations of MS and viability was assessed using the Alamar Blue assay. The mineralization potential of myrrh was evaluated using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining. Results: At concentrations lower than 15.6 ug/ml after 7 and 14 days of treatment, cell viability levels were not markedly different from the control indicating low cytotoxic effect of the MS on hMSC. ALP levels were higher in the MS experimental groups compared to the control group. The AZR results were consistent with the ALP levels and confirmed that MS promoted hMSC mineralization. Conclusions: These findings confirm the cellular biocompatibility and the mineralization potential of myrrh in hMSC cell lines in vitro.

Commercial Gel-Type Ion Exchange Resin Enables Large-Scale Production of Ultrasmall Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Water Decontamination

• Gel-type anion exchange resin enables large-scale production of sub-5 nm particles. • The nanocomposites are millimetric beads applicable in flow-through systems. • Sub-5 nm HFO exhibit >3 times As(III/V) adsorption capacities than 17 nm HFO. • Adsorption capability is fully refreshed for cyclic use by using NaOH-NaCl solution. • The nanocomposite column produces 4800 BV clean water from simulated groundwater. Nanotechnology presents innovative solutions in advanced water treatment; however, its application is limited by the challenging large-scale production of ultrasmall (< 5 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) with extraordinary decontamination reactivity and the difficulty of handling such tiny NPs in engineering. To address these challenges, we propose a straightforward route for synthesizing ultrasmall NPs using the commercial gel-type anion exchange resin N201 as the host. N201 is a millimeter-scale poly(styrene- co -divinylbenzene) bead modified with quaternary ammonium groups. Nanoparticles of hydrated ferric oxide (HFO), hydrated manganese oxide (HMO), cadmium sulfide (CdS), and zero-valent iron (ZVI) were obtained through simple impregnation-precipitation in N201, and all of the NPs possessed an ultrasmall size of sub-5 nm. A pilot-scale production assay indicated that the synthetic system could be enlarged proportionally to prepare massive sub-5 nm HFO. Regarding the underlying mechanism, each N201 bead contained a continuous water phase, allowing the rapid diffusion of the reactants (7 s for diffusion from the bead surface to the center), resulting in burst nucleation to produce ultrasmall NPs with a narrow size distribution. Moreover, the crosslinked polymer chains provided a confined space (< 5 nm diameter) to prevent the excessive growth of the formed NPs. Owing to the millimetric N201 host, the resultant nanocomposite can be applied in flow-through systems. The batch and column adsorption assays demonstrate the dramatically enhanced adsorption performance of the ultrasmall HFO toward As(III/V) than the ∼17 nm analogs. This study can advance the widespread use of nanotechnology in practical water treatment.

Using commercial resin for ion exchange to remove hardness from domestic water supply

The commercially available resins, Amberlite (A) and NuoSep (B), were used as ion exchange softeners for domestic water supply. The image, particle size, swelling, and bulk density of both resins were studied. The functional group of resins was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Batch and continuous experiments were carried out at time 0–180 min and flow rate 10–40 cm3/min, respectively. An increase in contact time increased the percentage of the resins’ ion exchange. In contrast, a higher water supply flow rate decreased the percentage of the resins’ ion exchange. The efficiencies of both resins were slightly reduced after three cycles of regeneration. The equation from the Yoon–Nelson model could also be used to predict the breakthrough curve of ion exchange.

Antibacterial and fluorescent clear aligner attachment resin modified with chlorhexidine loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles and zinc oxide quantum dots

ObjectivesTo develop an antibacterial and fluorescent clear aligner attachment resin via the incorporation of chlorhexidine loaded pore-expanded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CHX@pMSN) and amino-silane functionalized zinc oxide quantum dots (aZnOQDs), and to evaluate its antibacterial activity, fluorescence capability, esthetic properties, mechanical performance and biocompatibility. MethodsCHX@pMSN and aZnOQDs were incorporated into the commercial resin composites (Filtek Z350 XT, 3M) at different mass fractions, control group: Filtek; fluorescent attachment resin (FAR): Filtek + 3 wt% aZnOQDs; antibacterial and fluorescent attachment resin (AFAR)-1: Filtek + 3 wt% aZnOQDs + 1 wt% CHX@pMSN; AFAR-2: Filtek + 3 wt% aZnOQDs + 3 wt% CHX@pMSN; AFAR-3: Filtek + 3 wt% aZnOQDs + 5 wt% CHX@pMSN. CHX release, antibacterial activity, fluorescence capability, color change, stain resistance, degree of conversion, depth of cure, polymerization shrinkage, water sorption and solubility, softening in solvent, flexural strength, flexural modulus, shear bond strength, and cytotoxicity were evaluated comprehensively. ResultsCHX could be continuously released from the AFAR groups for up to 30 days. CFU, MTT, lactic acid production, SEM and CLSM evaluation showed AFAR-2 and AFAR-3 could effectively inhibit S. mutans biofilms even after 1-month aging. Only AFAR-3 showed clinically perceptible color change and all the experimental groups were not more susceptible to staining. AFAR-1 and AFAR-2 could suppress polymerization shrinkage and enhance the resistance to degradation without compromising other properties, including degree of conversion, water sorption and solubility, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and shear bond strength. Depth of cure of all the four experimental groups was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) but still within the ISO standard. CCK-8 assay and live/dead cell staining denied the cytotoxicity of experimental resins. Fluorescence intensity tests showed that FAR and AFAR-2 could emit strong yellowish fluorescence under the excitation of ultraviolet for up to six months. ConclusionsAFRA-2 possessed long-term antibiofilm activity, strong fluorescence capability and satisfying biocompatibility without compromising esthetic and mechanical properties. This study proposed a new strategy for reducing bacteria accumulation around the attachment, which is also promising in helping orthodontists to remove the attachment thoroughly and precisely.

Paper-Based Laminates Impregnated with a Hybrid Lignin-Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin

In this study, high-pressure laminates (HPL) impregnated with phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins enriched with kraft lignin were developed. Pulverised kraft lignin was added to the commercial PF resin in the amounts of 1% and 5% (solid to solid). Laminates were manufactured using pressure impregnation of the resins into the papers and using hot pressing of HPL in a laboratory press. Laminates with a lignin content of 1% (L-LPF-1) showed the highest bending strength (72.42 MPa) and Brinell hardness (9.41); they also exhibited the best moisture uptake (9.61) and thickness swelling after immersion in water (3.32%). Except for impact bending, laminates with a lignin content of 5% (L-LPF-5) had worse properties. However, the differences between the variants are mostly not statistically significant and are comparable with the results of commercial PF resin. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the homogenous structure of produced laminates and the occurrence of cohesive failures in ruptured L-LPF-1 laminates, whereas in ruptured L-LPF-5 laminates adhesive failures were also observed. Based on the conducted research it can be said that the utilisation of kraft lignin as an additive to PF resin (in the amount of 1%) has a positive effect on the produced HPL.

Polarization encryption system using commercial LCDs for additive manufacturing

Polarization encryption has long been shown to allow simultaneous encryption of 2D images, but with scarce practical implementations or commercial applications to date. Nevertheless, a possible vector for its use in market products may be additive manufacturing (AM). As more complex and diversified technologies use AM in their production chains, intellectual property (IP) protection of shared data is becoming increasingly crucial. Many AM techniques rely on optical systems, therefore, it is essential to analyze the prospects of safeguarding AM processes using advances in optical secrecy. This work demonstrates the use of polarization encoding by employing liquid crystals for physical layer security. We examine the encoding of the information in a signal’s polarization state and show that linear transformations of polarization can be used to encrypt and decrypt data. We further demonstrate the use of off-the-shelf liquid crystal displays (LCD) in a low-cost commercial resin 3D printer to build a "polarization decryptor". The proposed system does not require any software modification and in hardware only the replacement of the printer’s LCD masking screen. This technique provides a promising methodology to secure part of the supply chain for AM operations.

Effects of powder properties on the 3D printing of BaTiO3 ceramic resins by stereolithography

Stereolithography is a layer-by-layer building fabrication technique enabling production of advanced ceramic 3D shapes that are not achievable by other methods. Critical parameters of stereolithography are associated with the preparation of a ceramic resin exhibiting suitable rheological and optical properties, as well as tunable curing property to achieve the desired level of resolution of complex 3D parts. However, tailoring the cure depth for each layer is challenging for functional ceramics due to their high refractive index giving increased light scattering. Here, the stereolithography 3D printing of BaTiO3 ceramic resins is investigated by employing a desktop 3D printer (λ = 405 nm) and a commercial base resin. The effects of two BaTiO3 powders with different size distributions (one micro-sized powder with grains in the range 1–20 µm, and one agglomerated nano-sized powder in the range 60–100 nm), on the viscosity and curing characteristics of the ceramic resins were investigated. It is shown that the nano-sized powder resulted in increased viscosity, increased scattering, and reduced cure depth compared to the micro-sized BaTiO3 ceramic resin. In general, the cure depth decreased with increasing ceramic loading. Successful prints were obtained for an overcuring of at least 40% between layers to assure good adherence between the layers. The printing properties of the ceramic resins from both powders were suitable for printing green parts with 50 µm layer thickness.

Additive Manufacturing by Heating at a Patterned Photothermal Interface

Direct additive manufacturing (AM) of commercial silicones is an unmet need with high demand. We report a new technology, heating at a patterned photothermal interface (HAPPI), which achieves AM of commercial thermoset resins without any chemical modifications. HAPPI integrates desirable aspects of stereolithography with the thermally driven chemical modalities of commercial silicone formulations. In this way, HAPPI combines the geometric advantages of vat photopolymerization with the materials properties of, for example, injection molded silicones. We describe the realization of the new technology, HAPPI printing using a commercial Sylgard 184 polydimethylsiloxane resin, comparative analyses of material properties, and demonstration of HAPPI in targeted applications.

Magnetically purification/immobilization of poly histidine-tagged proteins by PEGylated magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposites

Carbon-based nanomaterials have many applications in biomedicine due to their unique mechanical, chemical, and biological properties. Among them, graphene has received special attention due to its very high specific surface area, high flexibility, and chemical stability. In this study, graphene oxide was first functionalized with amine groups (GO-NH2) and then Fe3O4 nanoparticles were deposited on it using the hydrothermal method. In addition, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was attached to the magnetic graphene nanoparticles to increase their stability and solubility. Finally, PEGylated magnetic graphene nanocomposites were functionalized with nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA-Ni+2) to bind to the poly-histidine tag in recombinant proteins. The resulting nanocomposites (MG-PEG-NTA-Ni+2) were then used for magnetic immobilization and purification of recombinant β-NGF as a protein with his-tag sequence. Binding and purification were confirmed by FTIR and SDS-PAGE techniques, respectively. Importantly, differentiation of the PC12 cell line into neurons demonstrated that the purified β-NGF was fully functional. Our results suggest that MG-PEG-NTA-Ni+2 nanocomposites may be a suitable alternative to commercial resins for rapid and specific protein immobilization and purification.

Design, Synthesis, and Application of a Water‐soluble Photocage for Aqueous Cyclopentadiene‐based Diels‐Alder Photoclick Chemistry in Hydrogels

AbstractSpatiotemporally functionalized hydrogels have exciting applications in tissue engineering, but their preparation often relies on radical‐based strategies that can be deleterious in biological settings. Herein, the computationally guided design, synthesis, and application of a water‐soluble cyclopentadienone‐norbornadiene (CPD‐NBD) adduct is disclosed as a diene photocage for radical‐free Diels‐Alder photopatterning. We show that this scalable CPD‐NBD derivative is readily incorporated into hydrogel formulations, providing gels that can be patterned with dienophiles upon 365 nm uncaging of cyclopentadiene. Patterning is first visualized through conjugation of cyanine dyes, then biological utility is highlighted by patterning peptides to direct cellular adhesion. Finally, the ease of use and versatility of this CPD‐NBD derivative is demonstrated by direct incorporation into a commercial 3D printing resin to enable the photopatterning of structurally complex, printed hydrogels.

Recovery of Ammonium from Biomass-Drying Condensate Via Ion Exchange and Its Valorization as a Fertilizer

In this study, an industrial biomass-drying wastewater condensate containing &gt; 3200 mg/L NH4+ and &gt;8900 mg/L CH3COO− was treated in ion-exchange columns for the recovery of NH4+. Two commercial resins (CS12GC and CS16GC) were studied on laboratory and pilot scales. CS16GC outperformed CS12GC by achieving better separation at the condensate temperature (60 °C), which was energy-efficient regarding NH4+ removal. K3PO4 was used for regeneration to produce a liquid compound fertilizer containing nutrient elements (N, K, and P) as a byproduct. The N/K ratio in the byproduct was found to be adjustable by varying the operating parameters. Regeneration with 2 mol/L K3PO4 gave a higher regeneration efficiency (97.67% at 3 BV and ~100% at 4 BV). The stability tests performed on a laboratory scale showed that the cyclic runs of the column separation process were steady and repeatable. Based on the outcomes of the laboratory-scale tests, the pilot-scale tests applied a loading volume of 7 BV. The pilot column purified the feed and achieved the target NH4+ level in the treated effluent within the seven tested cycles, revealing that the industrial application of the cation ion-exchange resin CS16GC is worth further study.

Thermal and Electrical Characterization of Polyester Resins Suitable for Electric Motor Insulation

This paper undertakes the thermal and electrical characterization of three commercial unsaturated polyester imide resins (UPIR) to identify which among them could better perform the insulation function of electric motors (high-power induction motors fed by pulse-wide modulation (PWM) inverters). The process foreseen for the motor insulation using these resins is Vacuum Pressure Impregnation (VPI). The resin formulations were specially selected because they are one-component systems; hence, before the VPI process, they do not require mixing steps with external hardeners to activate the curing process. Furthermore, they are characterized by low viscosity and a thermal class higher than 180 °C and are Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)-free. Thermal investigations using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) techniques prove their excellent thermal resistance up to 320 °C. Moreover, impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range of 100 Hz-1 MHz was analyzed to compare the electromagnetic performance of the considered formulations. They manifest an electrical conductivity starting from 10-10 S/m, a relative permittivity around 3, and a loss tangent value lower than 0.02, which appears almost stable in the analyzed frequency range. These values confirm their usefulness as impregnating resins in secondary insulation material applications.

Amine-functionalized biochar: Highly re-useable and green alternative for heparin recovery from porcine intestinal mucosa

Heparin is an invaluable pharmaceutical ingredient typically recovered from bovine lung or porcine intestinal mucosa by a complex and costly multi-step process. The design of an efficient environmentally improved adsorbent that has high adsorption capacity and high thermal and chemical stability to withstand the harsh steps of the heparin recovery process is essential. In addition, the importance of having the right functional groups on the surface of the material when designing an adsorbent is highlighted. Herein we describe the use of APTES-functionalized biochar (N-Char) as an efficient and sustainable adsorbent to recover heparin from a porcine intestinal mucosa sample. Results demonstrate that the N-Char can recover as much as 60% (∼31 mg g−1) of heparin from a real sample solution (Porcine intestinal mucosa) under optimized conditions with anticoagulant potency of 59 ± 3 U per gram of mucosa, compared to 51 ± 2 U per gram for the heparin recovered via the commercial resin Amberlite FPA98 Cl. Functionalized biochar demonstrates high stability throughout five recycling adsorption/desorption rounds, indicating excellent re-usability.

Tailoring TiO2-lignin hybrid materials as a bio-filler for the synthesis of composites based on epoxy resin

In this publication, the functional TiO2-lignin hybrid materials were designed and characterized. Based on elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the efficiency of the mechanical method used to obtain systems was confirmed. Hybrid materials were also characterized by good electrokinetic stability, in particular in the inert and alkaline environments. The addition of TiO2 improves thermal stability in the entire analyzed range of temperatures. Similarly, as the content of inorganic component increases, the homogeneity of the system and the occurrence of smaller nanometric particles increase. In addition, a novel synthesis method of cross-linked polymer composites based on a commercial epoxy resin and an amine cross-linker was described as a part of the article, where additionally newly designed hybrids were also used. Subsequently, the obtained composites were subjected to simulated tests of accelerated UV-aging, and then their properties were studied, including changes in wettability (using water, ethylene glycol, and diiodomethane as measurement liquids) and surface free energy by the Owens-Wendt-Eabel-Kealble method. Changes in the chemical structure of the composites were monitored by FTIR spectroscopy due to aging. Microscopic studies of surfaces were also carried out as well as measurements in the field of changes in color parameters in the CIE-Lab system.

Fabrication of Fe3O4@SiO2@PDA-Ni2+ nanoparticles for one-step affinity immobilization and purification of His-tagged glucose dehydrogenase

To avoid the additional purification procedures required before immobilization, the Fe3O4@SiO2 @ polydopamine (PDA)-Ni2+ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared to achieve the selective purification and immobilization of the His-tagged glucose dehydrogenase (GluDH) from the crude cell lysate. The size and morphology of the prepared nanoparticles were ascertained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The processes of His-tagged GluDH purification and immobilization on Fe3O4@SiO2@PDA-Ni2+ were investigated. The results indicated that the optimal immobilization circumstances were achieved. After mixing at a protein-carrier ratio of 0.13 in Tris-HCl (0.2 M pH 8.0) and incubating for 60 min at 30 °C, the activity recovery and protein loading were 44.27 % and 26.33 μg mg−1, respectively. The immobilized GluDH had better tolerance to thermal and pH than the free enzyme, and only 43.58 % of the initial catalytic activity was lost after 10 cycles. Though the Vmax decreased after immobilization, the Km value for immobilized GluDH was 1.38-fold higher than the free GluDH. Therefore, compared with the commercial Ni-NTA resin, Fe3O4@SiO2@PDA-Ni2+ MNPs displayed greater specific affinity to His-tagged GluDH.

Fabrication and characterization of photosensitive non-isocyanate polyurethane acrylate resin for 3D printing of customized biocompatible orthopedic surgical guides.

Three-dimensional (3D)-printed orthopedic surgical guides have the potential to provide personalized precision treatment. Non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) is commonly used in the 3D printing of biomedical materials but its application in the orthopedic surgical guide is limited by poor mechanical properties and biocompatibility. In this study, we fabricated non-isocyanate polyurethane acrylate (NIPUA) photosensitive resin with superior biocompatibility and mechanical properties required for 3D-printed orthopedic surgical guides. NIPU prepolymer was synthesized by a ring-opening reaction and a ring acrylation reaction. NIPUA was further synthesized using polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) as a modified material based on sustainable synthesis with reduced synthesis time. NIPUA showed the best tensile and flexural strengths when the PEGDA content reached 12 wt.%. NIPUA exhibited higher thermal stability, hemocompatibility, superior biocompatibility to ME3T3-E1 bone cells and C1C12 muscle cells, and non-immunogenic effect toward macrophages compared with commercial photosensitive resins. Commercial resins triggered a severe inflammatory response during in vivo implantation, but this effect was not observed during NIPUA implantation. Transcriptome analysis showed downregulation of cell death and cell cycle disruption-related genes, such as CDK2, CDKN1a, and GADD45a, and upregulation of autophagy and anti-tumor activity-related genes, such as MYC, PLK1, and BUB1b, in NIPUA-treated MC3T3-E1 cells compared with commercial resin-treated MC3T3-E1 cells. In conclusion, NIPUA resin showed excellent mechanical and thermal properties as well as good biocompatibility toward bone cells, muscle cells, and macrophages, suggesting its possible application in the 3D printing of customized orthopedic surgical guides.

One-Pot Synthesis of Melamine Formaldehyde Resin-Derived N-Doped Porous Carbon for CO2 Capture Application

The design and synthesis of porous carbons for CO2 adsorption have attracted tremendous interest owing to the ever-soaring concerns regarding climate change and global warming. Herein, for the first time, nitrogen-rich porous carbon was prepared with chemical activation (KOH) of commercial melamine formaldehyde resin (MF) in a single step. It has been shown that the porosity parameters of the as-prepared carbons were successfully tuned by controlling the activating temperature and adjusting the amount of KOH. Thus, as-prepared N-rich porous carbon shows a large surface area of 1658 m2/g and a high N content of 16.07 wt%. Benefiting from the unique physical and textural features, the optimal sample depicted a CO2 uptake of up to 4.95 and 3.30 mmol/g at 0 and 25 °C under 1 bar of pressure. More importantly, as-prepared adsorbents show great CO2 selectivity over N2 and outstanding recyclability, which was prominently important for CO2 capture from the flue gases in practical application. An in-depth analysis illustrated that the synergetic effect of textural properties and surface nitrogen decoration mainly determined the CO2 capture performance. However, the textural properties of carbons play a more important role than surface functionalities in deciding CO2 uptake. In view of cost-effective synthesis, outstanding textural activity, and the high adsorption capacity together with good selectivity, this advanced approach becomes valid and convenient in fabricating a unique highly efficient N-rich carbon adsorbent for CO2 uptake and separation from flue gases.