Incorporation Of Carbon Nanotubes Research Articles

Ameliorating carbon capture efficiency of polysulfone membranes via collegial incorporation of zeolite imidazole frameworks and carbon nanotubes

AbstractContinuously exacerbating situation of global warming can be effectively mitigated by controlling carbon emissions from combustion processes through economically attractive membrane technology. Carbon capture efficiency of prospective membranes can be significantly improved via synergistically incorporating CO2‐selective ZIF‐300 nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into polysulfone (PSF) matrix. Solution‐casting coupled with phase‐inversion processes were employed to concoct hybrid membranes containing varying loadings of both nanofillers. Manufactured composite membranes showed improved matrix structure, uniform nanofillers scattering, enhanced thermal resistance, and ameliorated nanofillers‐polysulfone interfacial adhesion as evidenced by morphological and thermal analysis. Both sorption and permeation measurements for CO2 and N2 gases performed on created membranes indicated upgraded CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 permselectivity on account of collegial impact of added nanofillers. In contrast to pristine polysulfone membrane rendering CO2 intake of 4.1 and CO2/N2 sorption selectivity of 12, hybrid membrane containing 15% ZIF‐300 and 3% CNTs uplifted corresponding values to 12 and 22, respectively. As compared to unadulterated polysulfone membrane, CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 permselectivity of hybrid membrane doped with optimized nanofillers loading of were, respectively, elevated by five‐ and three‐folds. Unique features of manufactured membranes can best be manifested in terms of their ability to maintain gas separation performance from post‐combustion effluents.

Enhancing Performance and Stability of High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes through Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Incorporation into Self-Cross-Linked Fluorenone-Containing Polybenzimidazole.

Addressing critical challenges in enhancing the oxidative stability and proton conductivity of high-temperature proton exchange membranes (HT-PEMs) is pivotal for their commercial viability. This study uncovers the significant capacity of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to absorb a substantial amount of phosphoric acid (PA). The investigation focuses on incorporating long-range ordered hollow MWNTs into self-cross-linked fluorenone-containing polybenzimidazole (FPBI) membranes. The absorbed PA within MWNTs and FPBI forms dense PA networks within the membrane, effectively enhancing the proton conductivity. Moreover, the exceptional inertness of MWNTs plays a vital role in reinforcing the oxidation resistance of the composite membranes. The proton conductivity of the 1.5% CNT-FPBI membrane is measured at 0.0817 S cm-1 at 160 °C. Under anhydrous conditions at the same temperature, the power density of the 1.5% CNT-FPBI membrane reaches 831.3 mW cm-2. Notably, the power density remains stable even after 200 h of oxidation testing and 250 h of operational stability in a single cell. The achieved power density and long-term stability of the 1.5% CNT-FPBI membrane surpass the recently reported results. This study introduces a straightforward approach for the systematic design of high-performance and robust composite HT-PEMs for fuel cells.

A Solvent-Templated Porous Liquid Crystal Elastomer with Tactile Sensation beyond Reversible Actuation toward Versatile Artificial Muscles.

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), as a classical two-way shape-memory material, are good candidates for developing artificial muscles that mimic the contraction, expansion, or rotational behavior of natural muscles. However, biomimicry is currently focused more on the actuation functions of natural muscles dominated by muscle fibers, whereas the tactile sensing functions that are dominated by neuronal receptors and synapses have not been well captured. Very few studies have reported the sensing concept for LCEs, but the signals were still donated by macroscopic actuation, that is, variations in angle or length. Herein, we develop a conductive porous LCE (CPLCE) using a solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO))-templated photo-cross-linking strategy, followed by carbon nanotube (CNT) incorporation. The CPLCE has excellent reversible contraction/elongation behavior in a manner similar to the actuation functions of skeletal muscles. Moreover, the CPLCE shows excellent pressure-sensing performance by providing real-time electrical signals and is capable of microtouch sensing, which is very similar to natural tactile sensing. Furthermore, macroscopic actuation and tactile sensation can be integrated into a single system. Proof-of-concept studies reveal that the CPLCE-based artificial muscle is sensitive to external touch while maintaining its excellent actuation performance. The CPLCE with tactile sensation beyond reversible actuation is expected to benefit the development of versatile artificial muscles and intelligent robots.

Nanomaterials in concrete: Enhancing strength and durability

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received great attention for their applications in concrete due to their unique properties such as high strength, flexibility, and electrical conductivity. This study aims to investigate the effect of adding carbon nanotubes on the energy combination of the material. Concrete samples were prepared with different concentrations of carbon nanotubes and their mechanical properties were measured and compared with control samples without carbon nanotubes. The results show that the addition of carbon nanotubes increases the compressive and flexural strength of concrete. The findings suggest that incorporating carbon nanotubes into concrete could be a good way to improve concrete's mechanical properties and improve its performance in construction. Compared with white cement M20 samples aged 7, 14 and 28 days. The 28day maximum strength is stated below for 0.0045 wt.% SWCNT and MWCNT and 0.0030 wt.% SWCNT and MWCNT. It was determined that nanocomposites containing a lower proportion of long MWCNTs had properties comparable to nanocomposites containing a higher proportion of short MWCNTs. Many of the walls of the carbon nanotubes reach microcracks, indicating that the carbon nanotubes are cracked and pulled out. Besides the compression test, we also calculated the slit tensile strength by adding different percentages of carbon nanotubes. The usage percentage increased for 0.0015% MWCNTs and 0.0030% and 0.0045% SWNTs.

Hybrid nanofluids flow over a Riga plate surrounded by a variable porous medium for heat transfer optimization

Enhancing the heat transfer rate in hybrid nanofluids is significantly aided by a porous medium. The nanofluid’s heat transfer to the surrounding medium is more efficient due to the presence of a porous medium. The porous space also provides additional surface contact points for heat exchange and an intricate network of interconnected pores. This article elaborates on the incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into water to perform hybrid nanofluids. The flow is considered over a Riga plate surrounded by a variable porous space. Various applications, including thermal management systems, microelectronics cooling, and energy conversion devices, benefit greatly from the study of hybrid nanofluid flow on a Riga plate. The similarity equations of the flow problem are easily tackled with the homotopy analysis method (HAM) built on fundamental homotopy mapping. Furthermore, with the increments in paramount parameters, the skin friction coefficient and heat transfer rate are remarkably meliorated under a higher modified Hartmann number. All reverberations are illustrated in graphs and Tables. From the obtained results it is observed that flow control capabilities are enabled by the variations in permeability in the case of hybrid nanofluids. It is also observed that hybrid nanofluids are more capable to enhance the thermal capabilities of the traditional fluids as compared to the mano nanofluids.

Confined Water Dynamics in the Scaffolds of Polylactic Acid.

Resorbable polylactic acid (PLA) ultrathin fibers have been applied as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications due to their micro- and nanoporous structure that favor cell adhesion, besides inducing cell proliferation and upregulating gene expression related to tissue regeneration. Incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes into PLA fibers has been reported to increase the mechanical properties of the scaffold, making them even more suitable for tissue engineering applications. Ideally, scaffolds should be degraded simultaneously with tissue growth. Hydration and swelling are factors related to scaffold degradation. Hydration would negatively impact the mechanical properties since PLA shows hydrolytic degradation. Water absorption critically affects the catalysis and allowance of the hydrolysis reactions. Moreover, either mass transport and chemical reactions are influenced by confined water, which is an unexplored subject for PLA micro- and nanoporous fibers. Here, we probe and investigate confined water onto highly porous PLA microfibers containing few amounts of incorporated carbon nanotubes by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A hydrostatic pressure was applied to the fibers to enhance the intermolecular interactions between water molecules and C=O groups from polyester bonds, which were evaluated over the wavenumber between 1600 and 2000 cm-1. The analysis of temperature dependence of FTIR spectra indicated the presence of confined water which is characterized by a non-Arrhenius to Arrhenius crossover at T0 = 190 K for 1716 and 1817 cm-1 carbonyl bands of PLA. These bands are sensitive to a hydrogen bond network of confined water. The relevance of our finding relies on the challenge detecting confined water in hydrophobic cavities as in the PLA one. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first report referring the presence of confined water in a hydrophobic scaffold as PLA for tissue engineering. Our findings can provide new opportunities to understand the role of confined water in tissue engineering applications. For instance, we argue that PLA degradation may be affected the most by confined water. PLA degradation involves hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation reactions, which can both be sensitive to changes in water properties.

Inspection of microwave self‐healing efficiency in carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites for aerospace applications

AbstractThe aerospace industry is evolving very rapidly every day, and due to the low operational and maintenance costs, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are utilized for many duties, including imaging, patrol, surveillance, and delivery. Flying platforms prioritize effective load‐carrying capacity and light weight. To achieve this, lightweight materials with sufficient strength are utilized, and design optimizations are implemented. This study investigates material development for a UAV propeller, taking into account the possible consequences of a bird strike or hard landing such as micro damage occurrence. In this study, a twin‐screw extruder was used to produce hybrid composites by blending a thermoplastic, polyamide‐6 (PA6) with olefin block copolymers (OBC) and carbon nanotubes (CNT). After manufacturing test specimens by injection molding, tensile and Charpy impact tests were performed. OBC increased the elongation capacity and impact resistance of the PA6 through maleic anhydride (MAH) grafting while reducing the tensile strength. CNT incorporation compensated for this drop, but it rendered the composites more brittle. More importantly, due to the CNT's microwave (MW) absorption capacity, the hybrid composites have gained self‐healing properties. Extended MW exposure time and high MW powers may cause localized burning of the material, resulting in a decrease in its self‐healing efficiency. Following the failure of the examined composites, SEM microscopy revealed various toughening mechanisms in the composites. The use of a modified Halpin‐Tsai model to estimate the elastic characteristics of CNT‐reinforced composites revealed promising results, with minimal discrepancies when compared to experimental data.Highlights CNTs were found efficient for the self‐healing behavior which is critical for improving the lifetime and planning maintenance for UAV propellers. CNT content, MW power & exposure time all impact the self‐healing efficiency. Extended MW exposure time and high MW powers can cause localized burning of the material, resulting in a decrease in its self‐healing efficiency. CNTs created bridge effects, ultimately leading to an enhancement in the strength of the composites. The use of a modified Halpin‐Tsai model yielded good accuracy with experimental data.

Recent Advances in Carbon Nanotube Utilization in Perovskite Solar Cells: A Review.

Due to their exceptional optoelectronic properties, halide perovskites have emerged as prominent materials for the light-absorbing layer in various optoelectronic devices. However, to increase device performance for wider adoption, it is essential to find innovative solutions. One promising solution is incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which have shown remarkable versatility and efficacy. In these devices, CNTs serve multiple functions, including providing conducting substrates and electrodes and improving charge extraction and transport. The next iteration of photovoltaic devices, metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs), holds immense promise. Despite significant progress, achieving optimal efficiency, stability, and affordability simultaneously remains a challenge, and overcoming these obstacles requires the development of novel materials known as CNTs, which, owing to their remarkable electrical, optical, and mechanical properties, have garnered considerable attention as potential materials for highly efficient PSCs. Incorporating CNTs into perovskite solar cells offers versatility, enabling improvements in device performance and longevity while catering to diverse applications. This article provides an in-depth exploration of recent advancements in carbon nanotube technology and its integration into perovskite solar cells, serving as transparent conductive electrodes, charge transporters, interlayers, hole-transporting materials, and back electrodes. Additionally, we highlighted key challenges and offered insights for future enhancements in perovskite solar cells leveraging CNTs.

Enhancing H2O2 production with a self-breathing gas diffusion electrode fabricated via ultrasonic impregnation and vacuum filtration

In this study, an electro-Fenton gas diffusion electrode featuring air self-respiration was fabricated by incorporating carbon nanotubes, carbon nitride, and polytetrafluoroethylene onto graphite felt. The fabrication process involved a synergistic approach of ultrasonic impregnation and vacuum filtration, establishing a gas–liquid-solid tri-phase interface both on the surface and within the electrode. This preparation method facilitates autonomous air intake, diffusing it to the tri-phase reaction interface, thereby eliminating the necessity for aeration and reducing operational costs. The optimal electrode preparation conditions were determined through Box-Behnken Design response surface experiments, leading to the enhancement of H2O2 production conditions. Under the optimized conditions, H2O2 accumulation reached 45.83 mg L−1 cm−2h−1, surpassing the performance achieved with conventional ultrasonic impregnation and vacuum filtration methods. Furthermore, the performance of self-breathing and the impact factors are explored. Finally, the electrode’s efficacy was demonstrated through the degradation of phenol and bisphenol A with concentrations of 100 mg L−1 exhibiting degradation rates of 92 % and 95 %, respectively, within 60 min.

Optical and UV Shielding Properties of Inorganic Nanoparticles Embedded in Polymethyl Methacrylate Nanocomposite Freestanding Films.

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is an interesting polymer employed in various applications due to its outstanding properties. However, its electrical and mechanical properties can be further improved by incorporating nanoparticles, and in particular, PMMA nanocomposite with nanoparticles provides various multifunctional properties. This work reports PMMA nanocomposite preparation and structural and optical characterizations incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs), TiO2 nanoparticles, and carbon quantum dots (CQDs). CNT/PMMA, TiO2/PMMA, and CQD/PMMA nanocomposite freestanding films were prepared using a simple solution method. Various properties of the prepared composite films were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, Fourier transform infrared, and UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy. Optical parameters and photocatalytic dye degradation for the films are reported, focusing on the properties of the materials. The CNT/PMMA, TiO2/PMMA, and CQD/PMMA films achieved, respectively, good electrical conductivity, photodegradation, and fluorescence compared with other composite films.

Inherent resonance of carbon and graphene-based nanocomposite coupled single-span arch beams

In recent decades, there has been a significant rise in the utilization of composite materials for various engineering applications. These advanced materials offer the potential to improve the mechanical properties and vibration characteristics of structural components. This particular study is dedicated to enhancing the vibration performance of coupled curved-curved beams that feature a linear elastic mid-layer, achieved through the incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene nanoplates (GNPs), and graphene oxide powder (GOPs). The governing equations of the system are solved using the generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method. While previous research primarily focused on the use of CNTs to enhance the vibration behavior of coupled-curved beams, this study delves into the utilization of multiple nanofillers for this purpose. An essential aspect of modeling composite materials lies in determining their equivalent mechanical properties. This research undertakes a comparison between the rule of mixture (RoM) and Halpin-Tsai methods for calculating these properties, revealing that frequencies derived from the RoM method are higher than those obtained through the Halpin-Tsai approach. Additionally, the study highlights that systems incorporating GNPs demonstrate higher frequencies at lower nanofiller volumes, with CNTs and GOPs following in ranking. However, this hierarchy shifts at higher nanofiller volumes. The arrangement of nanofillers within the system is influenced by its boundary conditions, with the curvature of the bottom beam playing a significant role in affecting vibration behavior. Increasing the radius of the bottom beam (R2) leads to higher system frequencies, which subsequently decrease with higher R2 values.

Phase composition, surface chemistry and electrochemical studies of electrodeposited AlMnFeCuNi high entropy alloy composite coatings incorporated with carbon nanotubes

AlMnFeCuNi high entropy alloy (HEA) coatings were electrodeposited onto mild steel substrate with and without incorporation of carbon nano tubes (CNT). This paper focused on the morphology, hardness, wear and corrosion behaviour for as deposited HEA and HEA-CNT coatings. Both the coatings constituted simple solid solution with face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. The addition of carbon nano tubes in the HEA coatings as revealed by scanning electron microscopy showed more smaller granules and compact morphology with least coating thickness value (5 ± 0.35 μm). Enhanced Anti-wear performance results in higher hardness and lower coefficient of friction. The presence of CNTs resulted improvised corrosion resistant properties in 3.5% NaCl corrosive media. The formation of more protective oxides such as Alox +3, Mnox +2 and Feox +3 on passive oxide layer in HEA-CNT coatings acted as a barrier, protected it from corrosion.

Review on Use of Nanomaterials in Concrete

Abstract: Various studies have highlighted the benefits of incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in concrete. They enhance compressive and flexural strength, prevent cracking, and improve durability. Different methods like sonication ensure uniform dispersion of CNTs in concrete. Additionally, research focuses on optimizing CNT concentrations to avoid adverse effects on properties like shrinkage and thermal conductivity. Overall, CNTs offer a promising solution to reinforce concrete and improve its mechanical properties effectively

Influence of carbon nanotubes on printing quality and mechanical properties of 3D printed cementitious materials

This paper presents the impact of incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the 3D printing of cementitious materials, along with the effective dispersion of CNTs. Compared to the control mix, adding CNTs with superplasticizer significantly enhanced the printing quality by reducing the error in height of two-layers from 38% to 30% and an 81% enhancement in the buildability. Moreover, rheology properties revealed shear-thinning behaviour with lower viscosity, resulting in improved flowability. The progressive increase in CNT concentrations up to 0.2% yielded a noteworthy improvement in the mechanical properties. At 28 days, the incorporation of 0.2% CNTs resulted in a significant increase in the flexural strength, compressive strength, and Young's modulus by 99%, 72%, and 43%, respectively, compared to the mix containing silica fume. Microstructural investigation of the CNT-cement matrix revealed nanoscale crack bridges formed by CNTs, reinforcing the cementitious material and improving its mechanical properties.

Effect of carbon nanotubes content on compressive properties and deformation behaviors of aluminum matrix composite foams

The incorporation of nano carbon reinforcement is a useful strategy to broaden the engineering applications of metal foams. In this work, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composite foams (CNTs/Al composite foams) with different CNTs content are prepared by combining ball-milling technique with powder metallurgy method. The result shows that the appropriate content of CNTs can reduce the pore size, improve the circularity, and enhance the compressive properties. Especially, the 1.0 wt% CNTs/Al composite foams possess the optimal compressive properties of yield stress (7.90 MPa), plateau stress (8.75 MPa) and energy absorption capacity (5.19 MJ/m3), which have an enhancement of 23.24%, 98.41% and 84.70%, respectively. Composite foams undergo shear deformation throughout the quasi-static compression process, and the failure mode performs as the brittle mode combined with ductile mode. Meanwhile, the incorporation of CNTs can contribute to the inhomogeneous distribution of the Si phase, provide more nucleation sites, and significantly refine the pore size. It is confirmed that the CNTs in composite foams contribute the grain refinement and the formation of micro stacking faults, making the mechanical properties of CNTs/Al composite foams outperform the counterpart of Al-Si foams. Moreover, due to the weak interfacial reaction, the low content of aluminum carbide is formed, which can promote the load transfer between CNTs and Al. The present finding provides a theoretical and practical design strategy to the future preparation of CNTs/Al composite foams.

Evaluation of mechanical and erosive wear properties of hybrid nano composites basalt/E-glass fiber + MWCNTs/SiO2

The extensive study conducted has revealed that the mechanical and other characteristics of hybrid composites are greatly influenced by several aspects, such as the kind of fibre reinforcement, nanofillers, matrix materials, and the manufacturing methods employed. In the context of structural applications, the incorporation of Multi-wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) as fillers in E-Glass fibres had a significant impact on the rapid alteration of mechanical properties, particularly strength, in the composites. This study aimed to create hybrid nanocomposites by including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) as filler materials, Basalt/E-glass as fibres, and epoxy with hardener as the matrix. This study utilises statistical methods, specifically the Taguchi L16 Orthogonal Array (OA), to analyse the impact of various operating factors. The parameters selected for this study include MWCNTs/SiO2 fillers at varying weight percentages (0 %, 1 %, 2.9 %, and 3 %), an epoxy matrix with decreasing weight percentages (40 %, 39 %, 38 %, and 37 %), compression pressures ranging from 5 MPa to 35 MPa, and moulding temperatures ranging from 40 °C to 100 °C. The mechanical parameters being examined are the tensile strength and erosive wear. The utilisation of the hand layup and compression moulding technique achieved the development of these composites. By optimising the moulding temperature, significant improvements were achieved in the tensile strength, which reached 184.38 MPa. Similarly, reducing the percentage of fillers resulted in a substantial decrease in erosive wear, with a value of 95.06 mg/kg.

Carbon nanotubes used to enhance the wear properties of AlSi10Mg/CNTs nanocomposites prepared through additive manufacturing

In this work, varying weight percentages of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were reinforced in the AlSi10Mg alloy, and prepared nanocomposites through additive manufacturing. The distribution of CNTs in the metal matrix were achieved through functionalization and ball milling. The dispersion of CNTs were investigated through FESEM, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy. To study the wear properties, the prepared samples underwent wear tests at various loads and speeds. The wear properties, worn surfaces, and microhardness were thoroughly investigated. The results unveiled that the incorporation of CNTs led to a decrease in the wear rate and a reduction in the coefficient of friction. It was observed that CNTs functioned as a solid lubricant, resulting in a significant reduction in both the coefficient of friction and wear rate. The microstructures of the worn surfaces and wear channels became smaller and smoother after the addition of CNTs, and smaller-sized debris was produced.

Constructing heterostructure by co-doping of Ta5+ and F− with carbon nanotubes to improve kinetic properties of Na3V2(PO4)3

The advancement of Na3V2(PO4)3 has been impeded by its subpar kinetic characteristics, resulting in suboptimal electrochemical performance. In this case, a dual modification strategy involving Ta and F co-doping is employed, along with the incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), is introduced. Notably, the substitution of high-valence Ta5+ for V3+ ions induces an n-type doping effect, thereby increasing the density of free electrons and enhancing electrochemical performance. Moreover, Ta5+ possesses a comparatively larger ionic radius than V3+, which enhances the ease of Na+ transport, leading to an increased rate of ionic diffusion. Furthermore, Ta5+ ions play a crucial role in reinforcing the crystal structure, thereby strengthening the stability of the NVP system. Importantly, during the high-temperature calcination process, the reduction of carbon results in the conversion of Ta5+ to Ta3+, forming a novel conductive TaN phase through its reaction with N2. This TaN phase, known for its high conductivity, intercalates into the NVP bulk as interlayers, forming beneficial grain boundaries. Thanks to this unique TaN//NVP heterojunction, the migration of Na+ ions is notably accelerated along the grain boundaries rather than within the NVP bulk. The introduction of F contributes to reducing the grain size of active particles, consequently shortening the pathways for Na+ migration and improving kinetic properties. Moreover, the presence of carbon layers and the encapsulation of CNTs collaboratively construct a highly conductive cross-linking network, elevating both electronic conductivity and mitigating NVP particle aggregation during high-temperature sintering. Consequently, the modified NVTPF0.07/@CNTs sample exhibits outstanding performance in both half and full cells, underscoring its substantial potential for application in the field of sodium-ion batteries.

Interaction of Carbon Nanotubes, Capped Carbon Nanotubes, CNT2–5, C60, C70, HO-C60, [C60]2, and [C60]3 Fullerenes with Virulence Factors of Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria: Potential Applications for 3D-Printed Scaffolds

The antimicrobial application of carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), capped CNTs, CNT2–5, C60, C70, HO-C60, [C60]2, and [C60]3 fullerenes, is increasing, owing to their low cytotoxicity properties compared to other nanomaterials such as metallic nanoparticles. Enhanced mechanical properties and antibacterial activity can be caused by the incorporation of CNTs in 3-dimensional (3D) printed nanocomposites (NCs). The interruption of the bacterial membrane resulting from the cylindrical shape and high aspect ratio properties has been found to be the most prominent antibacterial mechanism of CNTs. However, the unraveling interaction of CNTs, capped CNTs, CNT2–5, C60, C70, HO-C60, [C60]2, and [C60]3 fullerenes with virulence factors of the main bacterial pathogenesis has not yet been understood. Therefore, in the present study, interactions of these carbon-based nanomaterials with the eight virulence factors, including protein kinase A and (ESX)-secreted protein B of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, pseudomonas elastase and exotoxin A of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, alpha-hemolysin and penicillin-binding protein 2a of Staphylococcus aureus, and shiga toxin 2a and heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli, were evaluated with the molecular docking method of AutoDock Vina. This study disclosed that the binding affinity was highest for CNT2–5 and [C60]3 toward alpha-hemolysin, with binding energies of −32.7 and −26.6 kcal/mol, respectively. The stability of the CNT2–5–alpha-hemolysin complex at different times was obtained according to the normal mode analysis of ElNémo and iMOD servers.

Electrically conductive and flexible filaments of hot melt adhesive for the fused filament fabrication process

Fused filament fabrication technique is the most popular additive manufacturing that has received extensive attention, revolutionizing industrial production processes. In addition to the standard thermoplastic polymers, much emphasis is placed on developing electrically conductive functional filaments being the most interesting. While there are conductive filaments that are commercially available, the market lacks a wide range of flexible options. Hence, this paper presents innovative filaments based on the combination of thermoplastic hot melt copolyester adhesive (HMA) with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The incorporation of carbon nanotubes into the HMA was carried out through a two-step process. First, a masterbatch of 10 wt. % MWCNT was diluted with pure polymer using a half-industrial twin-screw extruder to obtain concentrations in the range of 1–9 wt. %. Consequently, the nanocomposite pellets were extruded again into the form of filaments. The rheological analysis demonstrates that adding MWCNT to the HMA increases both the viscous and elastic behavior of the composites. The homogenously dispersed nanotubes in the polymer matrix led to electrical conductivity of 1.39 S/m for the filaments containing 10 wt. % MWCNT. They are also characterized by the stiffness and tensile strength of about 300 and 13 MPa, respectively. With high thermal stability up to 360 °C, low porosity, and high flexibility, the developed filaments are suitable for 3D printing. The printability of all filaments was confirmed, exhibiting lack of breakage during printing and visibly better quality of the parts with the higher nanotube content.