Joint Capsule Research Articles

Preparation of fibrous ceramic-based catalytic membranes by microwave heating and their structural properties and dust and NO removal characteristics

Different drying methods were used to prepare catalytic membranes for the simultaneous removal of dust and NO to explore their effect on the distribution of active components, with the structural properties, filtration performance, catalytic performance, and working mechanism of the preferred prepared catalytic membrane systematically investigated. The results indicated that microwave drying, in contrast to traditional electric drying with blasting, effectively inhibited the migration of the precursor solution to achieve uniform loading of active components, thus endowing the catalytic membrane with excellent catalytic activity. Meanwhile, the pore structure of the fibrous ceramic substrate was not almost affected by the loaded catalyst and still exhibited high porosity. These characteristics contributed to the development of a catalytic membrane with good filtration and catalytic performance, as well as superior adaptable NO concentration and filtration velocity properties. Therefore, fibrous ceramic-based catalytic membranes prepared using microwave assistance offer considerable application prospects for integrated purification of high-temperature flue gases. Furthermore, the removal of dust and NO was determined to follow the Eley–Rideal reaction mechanism and surface filtration mechanism of the residual dust cake, respectively.

Hip Capsulolabral Complex: Anatomy, Disease, MRI Features, and Postoperative Appearance.

The hip is a uniquely constrained joint with critical static stability provided by the labrum, capsule and capsular ligaments, and ligamentum teres. The labrum is a fibrocartilaginous structure along the acetabular rim that encircles most of the femoral head. Labral tears are localized based on the clock-face method, which determines the extent of the tear while providing consistent terminology for reporting. Normal labral variants can mimic labral disease and can be differentiated by assessment of thickness or width, shape, borders, location, and associated abnormalities. The Lage and Czerny classification systems are currently the most well-known arthroscopic and imaging systems, respectively. Femoroacetabular impingement is a risk factor for development of labral tears and is classified according to bone dysmorphisms of the femur ("cam") or acetabulum ("pincer") or combinations of both (mixed). The capsule consists of longitudinal fibers reinforced by ligaments (iliofemoral, pubofemoral, ischiofemoral) and circular fibers. Capsular injuries occur secondary to hip dislocation or iatrogenically after capsulotomy. Capsular repair improves hip stability at the expense of capsular overtightening and inadvertent chondral injury. The ligamentum teres is situated between the acetabular notch and the fovea of the femoral head. Initially considered to be inconsequential, recent studies have recognized its role in hip rotational stability. Existing classification systems of ligamentum teres tears account for injury mechanism, arthroscopic findings, and treatment options. Injuries to the labrum, capsule, and ligamentum teres are implicated in symptoms of hip instability. The authors discuss the labrum, capsule, and ligamentum teres, highlighting their anatomy, pathologic conditions, MRI features, and postoperative appearance. ©RSNA, 2024 Test Your Knowledge questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

Biomechanical study of 3D-printed titanium alloy pad for repairing glenoid bone defect.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 3D-printed technology to repair glenoid bone defect on shoulder joint stability. Methods: The shoulder joints of 25 male cadavers were tested. The 3D-printed glenoid pad was designed and fabricated. The specimens were divided into 5 groups. Group A: no bone defect and the structure of the glenoid labrum and joint capsule was intact; Group B: Anterior inferior bone defect of the shoulder glenoid; Group C: a pad with a width of 2mm was installed; Group D: a pad with a width of 4mm was installed; Group E: a pad with a width of 6mm was installed. This study measured the distance the humeral head moved forward at the time of glenohumeral dislocation and the maximum load required to dislocate the shoulder. Results: The shoulder joint stability and humerus displacement was significantly lower in groups B and C compared with group A (p < .05). Compared with group A, the stability of the shoulder joint of group D was significantly improved (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in humerus displacement between groups D and A (p > .05). In addition, compared with group A, shoulder joint stability was significantly increased and humerus displacement was significantly decreased in group E (p < .05). Conclusion: The 3D-printed technology can be used to make the shoulder glenoid pad to perfectly restore the geometric shape of the shoulder glenoid articular surface. Moreover, the 3D-printed pad is 2mm larger than the normal glenoid width to restore the initial stability of the shoulder joint.

Suspension electrospinning of SBR latex combined with photo-induced crosslinking: control of nanofiber composition, morphology, and properties

Suspension electrospinning of a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex coupled with photo-induced crosslinking in ambient conditions is proposed as a rapid method to prepare ultrafine shape-stable rubber fibrous membranes. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) is used as template polymer and can eventually be removed from the nanostructured membrane by a simple water treatment. A multifunctional thiol crosslinker and an appropriate photo-initiating system are added to the latex to allow the fast and efficient photo-induced crosslinking of the nanofibers, based on thiol addition to the SBR double bonds, as demonstrated by real-time Infrared spectroscopy analyses. It is proved that by varying the PEO template polymer and the thiol crosslinker content, a fine control of the chemical composition, morphology, water solubility, and thermal properties of the nanofibrous membranes is ensured. Moreover, comparable mechanical properties to those of fibrous membranes produced by conventional electrospinning of organic solvent-based solutions are obtained, clearly showing the attractiveness of the present method, especially in terms of process sustainability.Graphical abstract

Preparation and characterization of novel lightweight Y2Si2O7 fibrous porous ceramics for high temperature thermal insulation

Fibrous porous ceramics play a vital role in the field of thermal protection systems. In this work, novel lightweight Y2Si2O7 fibrous porous ceramics were successfully prepared based on Y2Si2O7 fibrous membranes by molding method. The effects of mechanical dispersion speed and heat treatment temperature on the properties of Y2Si2O7 fibrous porous ceramics were characterized. The results revealed that benefiting from the appropriate fiber length, the ceramics had a better performance at a mechanical dispersion speed of 4000 revolutions per minute. The density, shrinkage, and compressive strength of the ceramics increased, but the porosity decreased slightly with the increasing heat treatment temperature. The prepared Y2Si2O7 fibrous porous ceramics exhibited favorable properties like low density (0.37 g/cm3), high porosity (90.56%), good high-temperature resistance (∼1350 °C), and low thermal conductivity (∼0.12 W m−1 K−1 at 27 °C, ∼0.566 W m−1 K−1 at 1000 °C). These properties indicate that Y2Si2O7 fibrous porous ceramics could be a promising candidate as thermal insulation materials in high-temperature environments.

The Value of Ultrasound Diagnostic Imaging of Anterior Crucial Ligament Tears Verified Using Experimental and Arthroscopic Investigations

This study investigates the potential of the ultrasound imaging technique in the assessment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) pathologies by standardizing the examination process. We focused on four key ultrasound parameters: the inclination of the ACL; swelling or scarring at the ACL’s proximal attachment to the lateral femoral condyle; swelling or scarring of the ACL/posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) compartment complex with accompanying morphological changes in the posterior joint capsule; and dynamic instability, categorized into three ranges—0–2 mm, 3–4 mm, and ≥5 mm. The study group consisted of 25 patients with an ACL injury and 25 controls. All four tested parameters were found more frequently in the study group compared to the control (p &lt; 0.0001). Our findings suggest that this standardized approach significantly augments the diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound, complementing clinical evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The meticulous assessment of these parameters proved crucial in identifying subtle ACL pathologies, which might otherwise be missed in conventional imaging modalities. Notably, the quantification of dynamic instability and the evaluation of morphological changes were instrumental in early detection of ACL injuries, thereby facilitating more precise and effective treatment planning. This study underscores the importance of a standardized ultrasound protocol in the accurate diagnosis and management of ACL injuries, proposing a more comprehensive diagnostic tool for clinicians in the field of sports medicine and orthopedics.

PCL/Fucoidan nanofiber membrane loaded HP-β-CD/EGC inclusion complexes for food packaging based on self-assembly strategy

In this study, 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD)/Epigallocatechin (EGC) inclusion complexes were prepared by ultrasound-guided, and Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Fucoidan (FD) nanofiber membranes were rapidly prepared by electrospinning technology. The test results showed that the average diameter of the nanofiber film increased from 1429.11 to 1728.12 nm, the water vapor permeability was enhanced, the crystallinity was reduced, and the surface was hydrophilic. Infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis showed that hydrogen bonds were formed between the inclusion complexes and PCL/FD nanofibrous membranes, which improved the thermal stability of the fibrous membrane. The membrane exhibited the sustained release characteristics of EGC within 240 h and exhibited excellent antibacterial properties in vitro and in vivo. These results indicated that the developed nanofibrous membranes have promising applications in food packaging.

Ultrasound had high accuracy in measuring hip joint capsule thickness

BackgroundThe hip joint capsule is an essential component of hip joint function and stability, and its thickness is closely associated with certain medical conditions, surgical outcomes, and rehabilitation treatments. Currently, in clinical practice, hip joint capsule thickness is predominantly measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with limited utilization of ultrasound examinations for this purpose.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated patients who visited our Sports Medicine Department between February 2017 and March 2023 and underwent both hip joint MRI and ultrasound imaging on the same side. All patients had undergone preoperative hip joint MRI and ultrasound examinations, with the time gap between the two examinations not exceeding three months. Measurements of hip joint capsule thickness were taken on both MRI and ultrasound images for the same patients to analyze their consistency. Additionally, we measured the alpha angle, lateral center-edge angle, acetabular anteversion angle, and femoral anteversion angle of the patients’ hip joints and analyzed their correlation with hip joint capsule thickness measure by ultrasound.ResultsA total of 307 patients were included in this study, with hip joint capsule thickness measured by MRI and ultrasound being 5.0 ± 1.2 mm and 5.0 ± 1.5 mm, respectively. The Bland-Altman analysis demonstrates good agreement or consistency. The paired t-test resulted in a p-value of 0.708, indicating no significant statistical difference between the two methods. The correlation analysis between acetabular anteversion angle and ultrasound-measured capsule thickness yielded a p-value of 0.043, indicating acetabular anteversion angle and capsular thickness may have negative correlation.ConclusionsThe measurements of joint capsule thickness obtained through ultrasound and MRI showed good consistency, suggesting that ultrasound can be used in clinical practice as a replacement for MRI in measuring hip joint capsule thickness. There was a significant correlation between acetabular anteversion angle and hip joint capsule thickness, indicating potential for further research in this area.

Abnormal lesion that can be confused with medial meniscal tears, medial meniscocapsular band: a rare presentation

This case report describes a medial meniscocapsular band, a structure extending from the medial capsule of the knee joint to the corpus of the medial meniscus, observed during arthroscopy in a 48-year-old woman. Preoperative physical examination findings were compatible with medial meniscal pathology only; magnetic resonance imaging showed an abnormal medial meniscus and was interpreted in favor of a tear. Arthroscopic examination showed an abnormal band inside the knee. This anatomical lesion is quite rare and similar lesions have been reported in the literature, but the extension of the band in our case is different from the extension in the cases seen in the literature. We believe that the identification of abnormal meniscal types or intra-articular bands is necessary to provide greater accuracy in MR imaging reporting.

Cryoanalgesia of the ankle joint: clinical cases in the practice of a doctor of interventional pain treatment

BACKGROUND: Currently, with the advent of the cryoablation device, much attention is paid to cryoanalgesia of large joints, however, the pathology of smaller structures can also bring discomfort and reduce the patient’s quality of life. The article presents 3 cases of successful treatment of ankle arthrosis at the Multi-Specialty Center for Pain Treatment and Rehabilitation «Anesta» (Arkhangelsk), presenting the author’s method of joint denervation and its detailed description.&#x0D; CLINICAL CASES DESCRIPTION: Three patients were presented. The first with arthrosis of the knee and ankle joint, the second patient — after an accident with purulent-septic complications and violation of the anatomical integrity of the ankle joint, the third — with extensive concomitant pathology and severe arthrosis. All patients were satisfied with the procedure and its impact on the quality of life in the postoperative period. An anatomical rationale and a detailed description of the relevance of the ankle joint cryoanalgesia method are provided. Cryoanalgesia of the ankle joint was tested on cadaver by introducing liquid silicone into the places where the cryoprobe was installed, which confirmed the interest of the sensory branches going to the joint capsule. Due to the fact that the method is proprietary, and the use of cryoanalgesia is limited on the territory of the Russian Federation, there is very little literature data regarding the procedure for performing cryoanalgesia of the ankle joint, however, as experience is gained, we assume that this procedure will become a good alternative to surgery for arthrosis ankle joint.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: The presence of pain has an extremely negative impact on the general condition of patients. The presented author’s technique can significantly improve the quality of life of many patients, minimizing pain in both large and small joints.

In vivo interrelationships between the gluteus minimus and hip joint capsule in the hip internal rotation position with flexion

BackgroundThe flexion adduction internal rotation (FADIR) test is performed by the combined motions of hip flexion (with knee flexion), adduction, and internal rotation, and can often reproduce anterior hip pain consistent with an individual’s presenting pain. Since it has high sensitivity for intraarticular pathology diagnosis but low specificity, understanding the extraarticular pathology that can induce anterior hip pain in the FADIR test may also be essential. This study hypothesized that the interrelationships between the joint capsule and gluteus minimus differ in individuals with and without FADIR-positive pain and aimed to elucidate the in vivo interrelationships at hip internal rotation in 90°-flexion, which is also often restricted in individuals with FADIR-positive pain.MethodsTen hips were included in the FADIR-positive group, and ten hips without hip pain in the FADIR test were included in a control group. Based on the ultrasound images at the four hip rotation conditions (20° and 10° external rotations, 0° external/internal rotation, and 10° internal rotation), orientation measurements of the gluteus minimus (muscle belly portion) and joint capsule were performed and quantitatively compared between the FADIR-positive and control groups. Additionally, 3 hips of 3 participants were randomly selected from each of the control and FADIR-positive groups for magnetic resonance imaging analysis.ResultsAt 0°-external/internal and 10°-internal rotation, on ultrasound images, fibers of the gluteus minimus and joint capsule in the FADIR-positive group were significantly more oriented in the same direction than those in the control group. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the loose connective tissue between the gluteus minimus and joint capsule was prominent at 10°-internal rotation in the control group, although this was not apparent in the FADIR-positive group.ConclusionsAt hip internal rotation in 90° flexion, the muscular belly portion of the gluteus minimus and joint capsule were oriented in the same direction to a greater extent in the FADIR-positive group than in the control group owing to a morphological change in the loose connective tissue between them. The pathological changes in the loose connective tissue may inhibit smooth movement of the gluteus minimus relative to the joint capsule in individuals with FADIR-positive pain.

Efficacy of Modified Progressive Resistance Training on Knee Strength in Women with Early Onset of Knee Osteoarthritis

Background: The synovial joint capsule, subchondral bone, and joint cartilage are all impacted by the gradualdegenerative condition known as OA. This research work is designed to check the efficacy of modified progressiveresistance training for OA knee patients.Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of modified progressive resistance training and conventional treatment onknee strength in early onset knee OA.Materials and Methods: 370 subjects were screened for study from GNK physiotherapy clinic according toinclusion and exclusion criteria from november 2022 to june 2023. Patient’s authorization was acquired afterthe procedure was completely clarified to them. They were divided into two categories: Group A (n=185) andGroup B (n=185). The pre and post-test values measured by WOMAC questionnaire and MMT. Group A receivedconventional treatment that is strengthening and stretching exercises and Group B received modified progressiveresistance training using Thera band along with conventional treatment. Both training programs were given for 4weeks, weekly 5 daysResults: A statistically important distinction &lt;0.0001 between groups A and B was found via statistical analysis ofinformation that was quantitative.Conclusion: Modified progressive resistance training using Thera band of group A were proven to be moresuccessful than group A Traditional therapy.

Efficacy of Cervical Spinal Stabilization Exercise on Reducing Pain for People with Cervical Spondylosis

Background: The synovial joint capsule, subchondral bone, and joint cartilage are all impacted by the gradualdegenerative condition known as OA. This research work is designed to check the efficacy of modified progressiveresistance training for OA knee patients.Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of cervical stabilization exercises and conventional physiotherapy exercisein reducing pain for patients with cervical spondylosis.Materials and Methods: The study took place in Eyan Physiotherapy Centre, Sriperumbudur, A total no of 40subjects were recruited for this study through the purposeful sampling method. All subjects were recruited basedon the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The recruited subjects were assigned to two groups (Group A: 20 Subjects)underwent Cervical Stabilization Exercise and (Group B: 20 Subjects) underwent Conventional Exercise. Allindividuals are assessed for pain using Algometer as a pre-test prior to the intervention and again after 6 weeks ofintervention. The entire study process was performed from November 2022 to April 2023.Results: This study states that cervical stabilization exercises are found to be more significant and more effectivein reducing pain compared to conventional therapy. The comparison of post mean value of Algometer of both thegroups. Group-A(Cervical Stabilization Exercise) was 4.30 and Group B(Conventional Exercise) was 3.65 whichshows gradual increase with p value &lt;0.0001 statistically significant.Conclusion: This study recommended that clinicians consider incorporating cervical stabilization exercises intothe treatment plan for individuals with cervical spondylosis. The evidence supporting the efficacy of cervicalstabilization exercise in reducing pain in individuals with cervical spondylosis.

A facile fabrication of PU/rGO/MoS2 self-cleaning fibrous membrane for oil-water separation

Electrospun membranes have unique properties to treat water containing various pollutants such as oils, dyes, bacteria, heavy metal ions, etc. The present work comprises the facile fabrication of the functionalized polyurethane (PU) fibrous membrane by doping reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and molybdenum sulfide (MoS2). Complete optimization of the fabricated PU/rGO/MoS2 fibrous membrane was performed to evaluate its ability in oil sorption, dye adsorption, and heavy metal ion removal. The increment in hydrophobicity of PU with functionalization paved the way for oil sorption studies. The improved porous nature and pronounced decrease in average fiber diameter on adding the fillers make the PU membrane potentially viable for adsorption applications. The self-cleaning ability, oil sorption capacity, and UV resistance nature of the functionalized membranes are experimented. Excellent self-cleaning nature, durability and good adsorption of water in oil emulsion were observed. The PU/rGO/MoS2 fibrous membrane showed a high-water permeation flux (˷1800 L/m2/hr) and 20 times recyclability in a continuous separation process. Tuning the wettability by decreasing the polymer concentration and increasing the filler quantity resulted in an improved hydrophilic nature. Additionally, these membranes showed excellent methylene blue removal ability and metal ion adsorption which proved its ability to act as a multi-functional membrane.

Description of the lateral fibulotalocalcaneal ligament in fetal specimens and its potential clinical implications.

The increase in ankle sprains in children is a reflection of the greater inclusion of this population in sports. This places the calcaneofibular (CFL) and the anterior talofibular (ATFL) ligaments in focus for study. In adults, the presence of arcuate fibers extending between these two ligaments suggests the existence of a new anatomical and functional complex called the lateral fibulotalocalcaneal ligament of the ankle (LFTCL), which can be associated with the persistence of instability of the talocrural joint in ankle sprains. This study aimed to verify the presence of arciform fibers between the CFL and ATFL in human fetuses and to study the topography of the lateral ankle region. Forty matched fetal ankles aged between 28 and 38weeks, fixed in 4% formalin, were macroscopically, chemically and mesoscopically dissected and analyzed in stereoscope. The ATFL was characterized as a capsular ligament consisting of two fascicles (proximal and distal). The CFL was characterized as an extracapsular ligament. The LFTCL complex was verified in all specimens, characterized by the arcuate fibers between the ATFL and the CFL. Such results suggest that this functional unit is congenital and that it should be taken into consideration in the treatment of persistent ankle instabilities in the pediatric population.

Strain Sensors for Human Movement Detection Based on Fibrous Membranes Comprising Thermoplastic Polyurethane, Ag Nanoparticles, and Carbon Nanotubes

Strain Sensors for Human Movement Detection Based on Fibrous Membranes Comprising Thermoplastic Polyurethane, Ag Nanoparticles, and Carbon Nanotubes

Morphological and ultrastructural investigation of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane: Comparing children with Chiari malformation type I and controls.

The fibrous posterior atlanto-occipital membrane (PAOM) at the craniocervical junction is typically removed during decompression surgery for Chiari malformation type I (CM-I); however, its importance and ultrastructural architecture have not been investigated in children. We hypothesized that there are structural differences in the PAOM of patients with CM-I and those without. In this prospective study, blinded pathological analysis was performed on PAOM specimens from children who had surgery for CM-I and children who had surgery for posterior fossa tumors (controls). Clinical and radiographic data were collected. Statistical analysis included comparisons between the CM-I and control cohorts and correlations with imaging measures. A total of 35 children (mean age at surgery 10.7 years; 94.3% white) with viable specimens for evaluation were enrolled: 24 with CM-I and 11 controls. There were no statistical demographic differences between the two cohorts. Four children had a family history of CM-I and five had a syndromic condition. The cohorts had similar measurements of tonsillar descent, syringomyelia, basion to C2, and condylar-to-C2 vertical axis (all p>0.05). The clival-axial angle was lower in patients with CM-I (138.1 vs. 149.3 degrees, p = 0.016). Morphologically, the PAOM demonstrated statistically higher proportions of disorganized architecture in patients with CM-I (75.0% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.012). There were no differences in PAOM fat, elastin, or collagen percentages overall and no differences in imaging or ultrastructural findings between male and female patients. Posterior fossa volume was lower in children with CM-I (163,234 mm3 vs. 218,305 mm3, p<0.001), a difference that persisted after normalizing for patient height (129.9 vs. 160.9, p = 0.028). In patients with CM-I, the PAOM demonstrates disorganized architecture compared with that of control patients. This likely represents an anatomic adaptation in the presence of CM-I rather than a pathologic contribution.

Mechanical response of human thoracic spine ligaments under quasi-static loading: An experimental study

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the geometrical and mechanical properties of human thoracic spine ligaments subjected to uniaxial quasi-static tensile test. MethodsFour human thoracic spines, obtained through a body donation program, were utilized for the study. The anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL), posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL), capsular ligament (CL), ligamenta flava (LF), and the interspinous ligament and supraspinous ligament complex (ISL + SSL), were investigated. The samples underwent specimen preparation, including dissection, cleaning, and reinforcement, before being immersed in epoxy resin. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed using a custom-designed mechanical testing machine equipped with an environmental chamber (T = 36.6 °C; humidity 95%). Then, the obtained tensile curves were averaged preserving the characteristic regions of typical ligaments response. ResultsGeometrical and mechanical properties, such as initial length and width, failure load, and failure elongation, were measured. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences among the ligaments for all investigated parameters. Pairwise comparisons using Tukey's post-hoc test indicated differences in initial length and width. ALL and PLL exhibited higher failure forces compared to CL and LF. ALL and ISL + SSL demonstrated biggest failure elongation. Comparisons with other studies showed variations in initial length, failure force, and failure elongation across different ligaments. The subsystem (Th1 – Th6 and Th7 – Th12) analysis revealed increases in initial length, width, failure force, and elongation for certain ligaments. ConclusionsVariations of both the geometric and mechanical properties of the ligaments were noticed, highlighting their unique characteristics and response to tensile force. Presented results extend very limited experimental data base of thoracic spine ligaments existing in the literature. The obtained geometrical and mechanical properties can help in the development of more precise human body models (HBMs).

Rational nanoarchitectonics of polypyrrole/graphene/polyimide composite fibrous membranes with enhanced electrochemical performance as self-supporting flexible electrodes for supercapacitors

Constructing self-supporting electrodes with the combination of excellent flexibility and superior electrochemical properties is essential to the development of high-performance supercapacitors for flexible electronics and wearable devices. Herein, a highly flexible polypyrrole/reduced graphene oxide/modified-polyimide composite fibrous membranes (PPy/RGO/M-PI CFMs) are prepared via electrostatic self-assembly of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and in-situ deposition of polypyrrole onto SnCl2-modified polyimide electrospun fibrous membranes (M-PI FMs). M-PI FMs ensure rich pore structure and remarkable flexible properties, the electronic conductivity of the sample is greatly promoted by RGO, and polypyrrole (PPy) provide the capability of high redox pseudo capacitive charge storage for the electrode. Benefiting from the compact assembly of RGO and the uniform deposition of polypyrrole on the fiber surface of the M-PI FMs, the synthesized PPy/RGO/M-PI CFMs have a remarkable area capacitance of 1437.1 mF cm−2, a long cycle life of 84.9 % retention over 5000 cycles, and outstanding mechanical stability. And the assembled symmetric supercapacitor with PPy/RGO/M-PI CFMs deliver an exceptional area capacitance of 363.1 mF cm−2, superior energy density of 32.3 μWh cm−2 and 77.6 % capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. Therefore, this flexible and free-standing PPy/RGO/M-PI CFMs can be regarded as a promising candidate for flexible supercapacitor electrodes.

UV-activated superwetting ability of electrospun polysulfone/titanium dioxide membranes toward highly efficient methylene blue removal and oil/water separation

Enhancing the hydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity of fibrous membranes not only boosts their anti-contaminant property during oil/water separation, but also enhances their removal ability toward water-soluble pollutants. Here, a novel kind of electrospun polysulfone/titanium dioxide (PSF/TiO2) composite membranes with UV-activated superwetting ability were fabricated by depositing spherical TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of PSF electrospun fibers through hydrothermal reaction. After activated by UV irradiation, the PSF/TiO2 composite membranes (FPT-A-UV) exhibited amphiphilic features with water contact angle (WCA) and oil contact angle (OCA) approaching 0° in air while under-water oil contact angle (UWOCA) and under-oil water contact angle (UOWCA) exceeding 150°, respectively. The composite membranes showed high removal ability toward methylene blue (MB). Under the complex condition in purifying the emulsion containing MB, the removal ratio of MB achieved 90.8 % with water flux of 780.3 (L m−2 h−1). The FPT-A-UV composite membranes also exhibited good demulsification effects on various emulsified solutions. It is reasonable to expect that the composite membrane has satisfactory application prospects in wastewater purification, especially in harsh environments.