Use Of Fibers Research Articles

Progress in Biomass-Based Electrospun Nanofibers in Bio-Medical Application

Traditional biomedical applications in wound dressing and tissue engineering materials frequently lack the appropriate balance of environmental friendliness, antibacterial effectiveness, and mechanical strength. A growing number of medical applications are focusing on electrospun nanofibers because of their special qualities, which include a high surface area-to-volume ratio, tailor-made mechanical strength and more eco-friendly. The goal of this review paper is to thoroughly examine the corpus of research that is currently available about electrospun, nanofibers especially made from aloe vera and pineapple leaf fibers for use in biomedical applications. This review's goals include optimizing electrospinning conditions, assessing biocompatibility, researching antibacterial activity, and its current challenge.

Advancing bamboo fiber reinforcement: A novel approach using eco-friendly plant ash alkali treatment

This study aimed to enhance the engineering performance of bamboo fibers for use in composite materials by employing a sustainable plant ash alkali treatment. The primary objective was to improve the tensile strength, crystallinity, and thermal stability of bamboo fibers, which are known for their high specific strength, low density, and biodegradability but suffer from poor compatibility with hydrophobic matrices. The study involved treating bamboo fibers with varying concentrations of plant ash solutions (5 %, 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % by mass fraction) and comparing the results with those from conventional NaOH treatment (5 % and 10 %). The results showed that plant ash treatment at a 20 % concentration significantly improved tensile strength by 14.16 % compared to untreated fibers, increased the crystallinity index to 74.31 %, and enhanced thermal stability, retaining more residual mass at high temperatures than NaOH-treated fibers. These improvements are attributed to the reduction in fiber polarity and better preservation of fiber structure. The findings suggest that plant ash, as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to NaOH, can significantly enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of bamboo fibers, making them suitable for use in environmentally sustainable composite materials in construction, and other industries.

Low dielectric properties of alkali-free aluminoborosilicate fiber glasses for PCB applications at 10 GHz

Alkali-free aluminoborosilicate glasses without (GDMC-Si) and with La2O3 addition (GDMC-La) were fabricated with an aim to develop low dielectric glass fibers for use in printed circuit boards (PCBs) as a reinforcing material in high-speed 5G/6G telecommunications application. This study presents the structural, thermo-physical, and dielectric properties of the glasses. The decrease in glass transition temperature (Tg) and the increase in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) were found by the addition of SiO2 and La2O3 in the present glass system, which are due to the depolymerization of the glass networks confirmed by the FTIR analysis. The dielectric constants (Dk) and the dissipation factors (Df) of the glasses were investigated at a high frequency of 10 GHz. The Dk values of the GDMC-Si and GDMC-La glass systems reached a minimum of 4.50 and 4.75, while their Df values reached a minimum of 2.86 × 10−3 and 3.01 × 10−3, respectively. Notably, the Dk and Df values of the present glasses were lower than the commercial E-glass (Dk: 6.9, Df: 7.0 × 10−3 at 10 GHz) and L-glass (Dk: 4.8, Df: 3.0 × 10−3 at 10 GHz). Glass fibers with a diameter of 10 μm were successfully drawn by the continuous melt-spinning process and their mechanical properties were investigated.

Synthesis and characterization of Er2O3-doped Y2O3 nanoparticle incorporated optical fiber for use as optical amplifier

Erbium oxide (Er2O3)-doped optical fibers (EDF) are well-known for their applications in optical amplification at 1550 nm. In this study, we present the synthesis of Er2O3-doped yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) using a homogeneous coprecipitation technique and their integration into optical fibers for enhanced optical amplification. A series of NP samples with varying Y/Er molar ratios were synthesized to identify the optimal composition for incorporation into optical fibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the nanoparticles crystallize in a cubic geometry (space group Ia3) with crystallite sizes ranging from 20 to 41 nm. These sizes increased approximately to 90 nm as the calcination temperature was raised from 1000°C to 1400°C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) corroborated the XRD results, while high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) confirmed the crystalline structure and an average particle size of approximately 100 nm. Photoluminescence studies showed that emission and excitation intensities were functions of the Y/Er molar concentration ratio and calcination temperature, with the lifetime extending up to 6.86 ms for a sample with a 0.25:0.01 Y2O3:Er2O3 ratio calcined at 1400°C. To assess the performance of the synthesized NPs, an optical preform was prepared using the Vapor Phase Delivery (VPD) method combined with the Solution Doping (SD) technique. The preform was then drawn into fiber, and its amplification performance was evaluated. The resulting fiber demonstrated efficient amplification with a gain of 14.9 dB with respect to 0 dBm input signal at 1550 nm under 150 mW pump power from 9 m active fiber, indicating its potential as a gain medium for constructing erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs).

Extraction and characterization of novel Prosopis Juliflora bark and Boehmeria nivea fibre for use as reinforcement in the hybrid composites with the effect of curing temperature, fibre length and weight percentages

The hybrid composite sample based on Prosopis Juliflora (PJ) bark and ramie fibre with different length, weight percentage, and curing temperature were created for the first time in this work. Totally, 120 hybrid composite samples were tested in this study. There were five different fibre lengths: 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, and 30 mm, weight percentages 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, and 50 %, and different curing temperatures 80 °C, 90 °C, 100 °C, 110 °C, and 120 °C used to produce the hybrid composite samples. Due to the cross-linking ability with the epoxy matrix, the hybrid composite specimen shows high resistance up to 98 Shore D hardness. The high polarity of the epoxy matrix and the hydrogen bond strengthening effect, increased the composite sample flexural strength by 12 %. The curing temperature of 100 °C, 20 mm fibre length, and 30 % of the hybrid composite sample achieved the highest tensile strength (28.76 MPa), flexural strength (46.54 MPa), impact strength (4.5 J), and hardness strength properties (98 shore D). Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed the composite samples initial decomposition temperature (Ti) at 98 °C, maximum decomposition temperature (Tmax) at 320 °C, and the final decomposition temperature (Tf) at 466 °C.

A Straightforward Approach of Wet‐Spinning Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):Polystyrene Sulfate Fibers for Use in All Conducting Polymer‐Based Textile Actuators

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), an inherently electrically conductive or conjugated polymer (CP), exhibits the potential to play a significant role in the development of innovative fiber materials for use in smart textiles, such as wearables. Furthermore, these fibers can function as artificial muscles in the emerging field of interactive fiber rubber composites. This study introduces a straightforward and efficient method for creating PEDOT‐based, biomimetic, fiber‐shaped, linearly contracting ionic electroactive polymer actuators. To achieve this, a wet‐spinning technique is presented, which enables a continuous production of PEDOT:polystyrene sulfate (PSS) fibers at high production rates of 34 m h−1, an additional fiber washing step and a sulfuric acid posttreatment step to increase the fibers conductivity. The fibers provide a high conductivity of 1028 S cm−1, maximum tensile strength reaching 182 MPa, and a maximum elongation of 24%. When utilized as CP actuators in an aqueous sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate electrolyte medium, the fibers demonstrate a repeatable maximum isometric contractile force of 1.64 mN and repeatable linear contractile strain up to 0.56%. Furthermore, a high level of cyclic long‐term actuation stability can be demonstrated. Notably, these contractile strains are, to the best of knowledge, the highest reported values for pristine PEDOT:PSS fibers.

Freeze-Dried Soluble Polypyrrole-Loaded Electrospun Fibers for Use as Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Agents

Freeze-Dried Soluble Polypyrrole-Loaded Electrospun Fibers for Use as Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Agents

Variations in the physical and mechanical behavior of basalt fiber reinforced NHL mortars exposed to different curing conditions

This paper investigates experimentally the short-term behavior of natural hydraulic lime (NHL) mortars reinforced with ballast fiber for use as structural repair mortars in historic and contemporary buildings. The physical and mechanical properties of mortar mixes reinforced with 0.143–0.215 mm equivalent thick and 12 mm long fibers in volumetric percentages of 1 %, as well as of unreinforced mortars, produced with different compaction methods and cured under different environmental conditions, have been evaluated. A cost-effectiveness analysis has also been carried out to determine the economic impact of these factors in their practical application. It is found that basalt fiber reinforcement provides lower water absorption coefficients and significantly improves the shore hardness, compressive strength, and post-critical flexural behavior of NHL mortars at early ages. Furthermore, it is observed that the compaction procedure can improve the packing density of the mortars providing higher densities, lower water absorption coefficients and higher mechanical strength values. Finally, it is verified that the curing parameters affect unevenly the basalt fiber reinforced NHL mortars and unreinforced NHL mortars, with greater deterioration being observed in the former when sufficient moisture is not ensured. Decreases in hardness, flexural and compressive strength, as well as increases in the water absorption coefficient are important. Consequently, the economic profitability of basalt fiber reinforcement depends on ensuring optimal moisture conditions during curing, especially when the mixes have already lost excess water after the first 2–3 days. The study provides quantitative and qualitative data to determine the appropriate curing parameters for basalt fiber reinforced NHL mortars that are viable in practice for their industrial performance.

Reuse of Hollow Concrete Blocks Waste in the Formulation of an Eco-Mortar Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Use in Filling Materials

Reuse of Hollow Concrete Blocks Waste in the Formulation of an Eco-Mortar Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Use in Filling Materials

Comparison of mechanical stability and morphology study between tree fibres and shrub fibres reinforced epoxy bio-composites

The material properties of bio-composites reinforced with natural fibers from shrubs (Tinospora cordifolia and Ipomoea staphylina) and trees (Morinda citrifolia and Tamarindus indica) are investigated in this study. Evaluation of these bio-composites’ mechanical characteristics and microscopic structure was the main goal, with a comparison of the efficacy of shrub and tree fibers for use in future automobile structural parts, airplane interiors, and consumer goods in mind. Because of their unequal distribution within the polymer matrix, the characteristics of natural fibers and composite fibers made of epoxy resin were found to be insufficient. Utilizing an unprocessed natural fiber ratio of 50 % fiber-to-resin, the composites were fabricated by hand layup technique. The findings showed that the epoxy composite enhanced with Tamarindus indica fibers (TIF) demonstrated outstanding mechanical properties, achieving a tensile strength of 8.15 MPa and compression strength of up to 5.89 kN. The compositions of the composites were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods.

Transformation of waste carbon fiber prepreg into sustainable composites: Application in the automotive industry components

AbstractCarbon fiber (CF) prepregs are employed in the manufacture of many different aeronautical structural and non‐structural components. Following the cure of the prepregs in molds, trimming is generally used to give the final shape to the components. Considering the aircraft's vast surface area and the use of multiple prepreg layers in each component, an extensive amount of carbon fiber prepreg is discarded. The unique characteristics of carbon fibers render this CF waste highly valuable and requires its efficient recycling. Cured waste CF prepregs were milled and processed in this research to produce chopped carbon fibers for use in the novel composite development. The matrix material used in the composites was selected as recycled polypropylene sourced from old surgical masks, which highlighted the sustainability of the developed composites. To enhance the quality of the fiber‐matrix interface and improve the impact resistance of the composites an anhydride‐grafted polyethylene (Fusabond) was employed in small quantities. From mechanical characterizations, synergistic effects of the fillers were observed. Besides, compositions containing CF and Fusabond are found more impact resistant than neat matrix. In addition, the use of carbon fibers increased fracture toughness of the matrix through various mechanisms including fiber bridging, fiber pullout, and matrix plastic deformation identified by scanning electron microscopy fractography. Thermomechanical characterizations using dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that carbon fiber raises the neat matrix's glass transition temperature. The developed materials are intended to be employed in the automotive industry to produce inner fender liners, with an optimal composition determined by an optimization research.Highlights Carbon fiber (CF) derived from aerospace fresh scraps significantly improved the mechanical properties of the polymer matrix. Anhydride‐grafted polyethylene incorporation remarkably enhanced the impact resistance of the polymer. CF demonstrated a bridge effect and improved the fracture toughness of the composites. The use of recycled CF presents encouraging prospects in the automotive industry for the production of inner fender liners.

Modifying cellulose fibres with carbon dots: a promising approach for the development of antimicrobial fibres.

This study focuses on the development of antimicrobial fibres for use in medical and healthcare textile industries. Carbon dots (CDs) were designed with boronic acid groups for the attachment to cellulose fibres found in cotton textiles and to enhance their attachment to glycogens on bacterial surfaces. Boronic acid-based and curcumin-based CDs were prepared and characterized using various techniques, showing a nanoscale size and zeta potential values. The CDs inhibited the growth of both Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli bacteria, with UV-activated CDs demonstrating improved antibacterial activity. The antimicrobial activity of the CDs was then tested, revealing strong adherence to cellulose paper fibres with no CD diffusion and potent inhibition of bacterial growth. Cytotoxicity assays on human cell lines showed no toxicity towards cells at concentrations of up to 100 µg ml-1 but exhibited increased toxicity at concentrations exceeding 1000 µg ml-1. However, CD-modified cellulose paper fibres showed no toxicity against human cell lines, highlighting the antimicrobial properties of the CD-modified cellulose fibres are safe for human use. These findings show promising potential for applications in both industrial and clinical settings.

“Manufacturing and underwater cyclic behavior of different types of twisted and coiled artificial muscles (TCAMs)”

Twisted and Coiled Artificial Muscles (TCAMs) are a recently developed class of artificial muscles manufactured from inexpensive polymer fibers that possess the characteristic of anisotropic volume expansion. Supercoiling these fibers produces a helical geometry which can be altered electrothermally to produce an axial contraction. In this work we demonstrate a manufacturing process using off-the-shelf components to automate the process of manufacturing and produce TCAMs with repeatable performance characteristics utilizing two methods of production: self-coiling and mandrel-coiling. This manufacturing system also facilitates the production of TCAMs in a wide range of sizes and greatly improves the success rate for producing useable samples when compared to current methods. In addition, we investigate the suitability of various polymer fibers for use in manufacturing of TCAMs through cyclic testing in simulated environments and find that nylon 6 and polyvinyl difluoride offer an attractive blend of repeatable performance and suitability in a variety of simulated environmental conditions.

Initial study on natural fibers for use in concrete mixes as a sustainable materials alternative

Natural fibers are becoming a key point for the development of new concrete mixes because these fibers are recovered from residual biomass. In this paper, we focus on the natural fib‘ers found in the Metropolitan District of Quito, Ecuador. For this purpose, we searched for materials (fibers) available in the Chemical Engineering laboratory at Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ. In this paper, we analyze different literature on how the use of fibers influences the mechanical properties of concrete. Based on this analysis and the materials at the laboratory, we have developed recommendations on which natural fibers are of interest for further experimental research. Furthermore, this paper provides an understanding of how natural fibers influence the mechanical properties of concrete. It also proposes a process for the selection and study of any type of natural fiber for further replicability in mix analysis.

Bio-based treatment of hemp fiber for use as reinforcement of a composite: An effort towards development of green and sustainable polybenzoxazine brake pad

This study established a novel bio-based treatment that will ensure robust utilization of natural fiber as reinforcement in a brake pad composite (BPC). Cardanol-based monomer was synthesized and used in the treatment. Upon the application of the treatment to hemp fiber (HF), significant improvements in the thermal stability and surface morphology of the HF were achieved. Furthermore, the utilization of the treated HF in the reinforcement of the BPC has positively affected the fundamental properties, specific wear rate, and worn surface morphology of the BPC. This efficacy showcased by the bio-based treatment will no doubt support the utilization of natural fiber in the reinforcement of the BPC, thereby consolidating efforts towards achieving a sustainable and eco-friendly BPC.

Thermal and physiochemical characterization of bricks incorporating date palm fiber for use as insulation materials in buildings

This work presents a new compound to improve thermal comfort and decrease energy usage. The compound is composed of palm fiber, clay, and sand. The purpose of the paper is to assess the impact of combining sustainable and bio-sourced materials into bricks as heat-insulating materials, in addition to embedding the use of biocomposites in buildings. The composites were prepared by adding date palm fibers (size of 0.4 mm) with varying weight concentrations (from 0 wt% to 5 wt%). On the other hand, this biocomposite has been experimentally verified in terms of thermal and physicochemical characterization and energy economy. The TGA and DSC analyses revealed that including DPF impacted the matrix’s thermal properties. The results of FTIR and XRD indicate that fiber inclusion does not influence the chemical structure of the matrix and the non-emergence of new chemicals. This means chemical stability. SEM microscopy images also showed that palm fiber mergins do not affect the matrix. This is due to the excellent blend between palm fiber and clay, which increases the vacuum volume and porosity. Furthermore, the results showed a noticeable decrease in thermal conductivity as the palm fiber weight increased. As well as the energy economy. Hence, DPF has an excellent impact on the thermal and physicochemical properties of the biocomposite. Therefore, adding palm fiber to biocomposites enhances thermal insulation in construction.

Electrospun Fibers for Use in Implantable Materials to Support Cell Therapy.

Hydrogels are a class of biomaterials that can provide a three-dimensional (3D) environment capable of mimicking the extracellular matrix of native tissues. In this chapter, we present a method to generate electrospun nanofibers for the purpose of reinforcing hydrogels. The addition of electrospun fibers can be used to improve the mechanical properties of hydrogels and broaden their range of applications. First, the polymer for making the electrospun fibers is formulated using chloroform/ethanol, polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). Second, the polymer is used to generate thin electrospun nanofibers by an electrospinning technique using aluminum foil as a collector, which acts as the conductive substrate that collects the charged fibers. Third, the resulting electrospun fibers undergo a filtration process using nylon membrane filters, followed by lyophilization, ensuring complete removal of water from the sample.

Synergistic integration of MXene nanostructures into electrospun fibers for advanced biomedical engineering applications.

MXene-based architectures have paved the way in various fields, particularly in healthcare area, owing to their remarkable physiochemical and electromagnetic characteristics. Moreover, the modification of MXene structures and their combination with polymeric networks have gained considerable prominence to further develop their features. The combination of electrospun fibers with MXenes would be promising in this regard since electrospinning is a well-established technique that is now being directed toward commercial biomedical applications. The introduction of MXenes into electrospun fibrous frameworks has highlighted outcomes in various biomedical applications, including cancer therapy, controlled drug delivery, antimicrobial targets, sensors, and tissue engineering. Correspondingly, this review describes the employed strategies for the preparation of electrospun configurations in tandem with MXene nanostructures with remarkable characteristics. Next, the advantages of MXene-decorated electrospun fibers for use in biomedical applications are comprehensively discussed. According to the investigations, rich surface functional groups, hydrophilicity, large surface area, photothermal features, and antimicrobial and antibacterial activities of MXenes could synergize the performance of electrospun layers to engineer versatile biomedical targets. Moreover, the future of this path is clarified to combat the challenges related to the electrospun fibers decorated with MXene nanosheets.

Effects of NaOH treatment and NaOH treatment conditions on the mechanical properties of coir fibres for use in composites manufacture

Effects of NaOH treatment and NaOH treatment conditions on the mechanical properties of coir fibres for use in composites manufacture

Comparative study on the dynamic tensile properties of polypropylene and polyethylene fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composites under low to high strain rates

In this paper, by adopting the hydraulic direct tensile machine and the Split Hopkinson Tensile Bar (SHTB) apparatus, the direct tensile performances of the fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composites (FRECC) under low to high strain rates (0.0001 s−1 to 135 s−1) were examined with the consideration of different fiber types (polyethylene [PE] and polypropylene [PP] fibers) and fiber contents (1.0 %, 1.5 %, and 2.0 % by volume). The comparison of the direct tensile properties between PP-ECC and PE-ECC was discussed in terms of the failure mode, tensile strength, ultimate strain, and energy absorption. The cost-effective evaluation model was then proposed to assess the feasibility of PP-ECC and PE-ECC in structural application. The comparison revealed that: (1) At low fiber contents, the failure mode of PP-ECC was splitting along the main crack, while PE-ECC exhibited multiple cracks. At high fiber contents, both PP-ECC and PE-ECC performed multiple cracks. (2) Under low strain rates, PP-ECC exhibited a comparable tensile strength to the PE-ECC, and however, PP-ECC performed lower tensile strength than PE-ECC for the same fiber contents at high strain rates. (3) As the strain rates increasing, the ultimate strain of PP-ECC became closer to that of PE-ECC. (4) As fiber contents increased, the difference in the energy absorption between the PP-ECC and PE-ECC got smaller. (5) Based on the cost-effective evaluation, when the fiber content was 1 %, the PE fiber showed better mechanical and economic benefits than the PP fiber for use in structural applications under varied strain rates. However, when the fiber content was beyond 1 % (i.e. 1.5 % and 2 %), adopting the PP fiber in the FRECC performed a better cost-effective solution for structural application under high strain rates.