Nano Montmorillonite Research Articles

Synergetic effect of bioglass and nano montmorillonite on 3D printed nanocomposite of polycaprolactone/gelatin in the fabrication of bone scaffolds

Nowadays, bone injuries and disorders have increased all over the world and can reduce the quality of human life. Bone tissue engineering repair approaches require new biomaterials and methods to construct scaffolds with the required structural properties as well as improved performance. As potential therapeutic strategies in bone tissue engineering, 3D printed scaffolds have been developed. Polycaprolactone/Ceramic composites have attracted considerable attention due to their cytocompatibility, biodegradability, and physical properties. In this study, a 3D printing process was used to create polycaprolactone (PCL)-Gelatin (GEL) scaffolds containing varying concentrations of Bioglass (BG) and Nano Montmorillonite (MMT). This mixture was then loaded into a 3D printer, and the scaffolds were printed layer by layer. After constructing the scaffolds, they were then examined for their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Surface appearance was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), which revealed that NC increased the diameter of pores from 465 to 480 μm. The elements in the scaffolds were evaluated by EDX analysis, and a uniform dispersion of nano montmorillonite particles was observed. The compressive strength reached 76.43 MPa for PCL/G/35 %MMT/15 %BG scaffold. Also, the rate of water absorption, biodegradability and bioactivity of PCL-GEL scaffolds increased significantly in the presence of NC. According to the MTT cell test results, adding BG and NC increased cell proliferation, adhesion and cell viability to 127.7 %. These findings indicated that the 3D printed PCL/G/35 %MMT/15 %BG scaffold has promising strategies for bone repair applications. Also, polynomial curve fitting shows that scaffold degradability after soaking in PBS can be predicted using the initial weight and soaking time. Adding more variables and data could improve prediction accuracy, reducing the need for experiments and conserving resources.

Investigation of lightweight gypsum based on montmorillonite nanoclay with enhanced insulation properties

PurposeNowadays, thermal comfort plays a prominent role in contemporary construction practices. Appropriate thermal insulation not only offers energy efficiency benefits in buildings but also enhances occupant well-being, comfort, and productivity. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the thermal properties of building materials is essential. This research aims to prepare and investigate a lightweight gypsum-based composite incorporating nano montmorillonite with advanced thermal insulation properties, considering both quality and cost-effectiveness while ensuring environmental compatibility.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a laboratory experimental approach. A gypsum sample (without additives) and seven samples of gypsum combined with varying percentages of sodium and calcium montmorillonite nanoclays undergo extensive testing and analysis. Subsequently, the properties of these samples are compared.FindingsThe results indicate that adding montmorillonite nanoclays to gypsum composites reduces the density of the tested samples and increases their porosity. Moreover, the thermal conductivity coefficient decreases in these samples, significantly improving the thermal insulation properties of the lightweight gypsum plaster. This improvement is more pronounced in samples containing sodium montmorillonite nanoclay compared to calcium-based samples. Additionally, the investigations reveal that compressive strength decreases with the addition of montmorillonite to the samples.Originality/valueIn this research, laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of gypsum plaster with varying percentages of sodium and calcium montmorillonite nanoclays. The studied properties include density, porosity, thermal conductivity coefficient, and compressive strength. Additionally, stress-strain diagrams, elastic modulus, and initial and secondary critical stresses were analyzed for each specimen.

Preparation and characterization of pectin-alginate-based microbeads reinforced by nano montmorillonite filler for probiotics encapsulation: Improving viability and colonic colonization

Hydrogel microbeads can be used to enhance the stability of probiotics during gastrointestinal delivery and storage. In this study, the pectin-alginate hydrogel was enhanced by adding montmorillonite filler to produce microbeads for encapsulating Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens (LK). Results showed that the viscosity of biopolymer solutions with 1 % (PAMT1) and 3 % (PAMT3) montmorillonite addition was suitable for producing regular-shaped microbeads. A layered cross-linked network was formed on the surface of PAMT3 microbeads through electrostatic interaction between pectin-alginate and montmorillonite filler, and the surrounding LK with adsorbed montmorillonite was encapsulated inside the microbeads. PAMT3 microbeads reduced the loss of viability of LK when passing through the gastric acid environment, and facilitated the slow release of LK in the intestine and colonic colonization. The maximum decrease in viability among all filler groups was 1.21 log CFU/g after two weeks of storage, while PAMT3 freeze-drying microbeads only decreased by 0.46 log CFU/g, indicating that the gel layer synergized with the adsorbed layer to provide dual protection for probiotics. Therefore, filler-reinforced microbeads are a promising bulk encapsulation carrier with great potential for the protection and delivery of probiotics and can be developed as food additives for dairy products.

Performance improvement of poly(butylene adipate-butylene terephthalate) based nanocomposites modified by the cooperation of nano montmorillonite and ionic liquid

Performance improvement of poly(butylene adipate-butylene terephthalate) based nanocomposites modified by the cooperation of nano montmorillonite and ionic liquid

Improvement effect of different modifiers on storage stability of high content SBS modified asphalt

High content Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt binder is commonly used for permeable pavements attribute to reasonable adhesion ability, deformation resistance and toughness. However, due to the large difference in molecular weight between styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer and asphalt, the compatibility between SBS and asphalt has always been a key issue restricting its development. To improve the compatibility of high content SBS modified asphalt, the preparation process of high content SBS modified asphalt (shear time, temperature, rate, modifier content) was investigated by orthogonal experimental design method. The effects of modifiers (polyphosphoric acid, montmorillonite, and sulfur) on the physical properties and compatibility of high content SBS modified asphalt were investigated by physical property tests, storage stability tests and dynamic shear rheology tests. The results shows that all three additives have improved the storage stability of high content SBS-modified asphalt, among which, nano montmorillonite has the best comprehensive improvement effect. In addition, the preparation process of high content SBS modified asphalt will also affect its physical properties and compatibility. When the content of MMT and SBS is 2% and 8% respectively, the shear temperature is 170 °C, the shear rate is 4000 rpm, and the shear time is 150 min, the high and low temperature performance of high content SBS modified asphalt is good and the compatibility is the best.

Relative Characteristics of Various Nano-Cement Composite

A comparative study between two nano cementitious materials, i.e., Graphene Nanoplatelet (GNP) and Montmorillonite Nano Clay (MNC) cement matrix are considered in this paper. Nanofibers are introduced as an alternative to macro reinforcement to enhance the mechanical property and reduce the crack growth in the cement matrix at the nanoscale. Various analytical simulation has been carried out by ANSYS 15.0 to know the optimum percentage of water. A 3D Represent Volume Element (RVE) is used to simulate nano cementitious material as the material sizes differ. RVE is the minimum volume upon which a measurement can make, yielding an expected value of the entire. The GNPs and MNCs are added to the cement matrix with various percentages (0.02%, 0.08%, 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.17%, 0.22%, and 0.3%) by the weight of cement. After simulating the pullout models with proper boundary conditions, the behavior of nano-cementitious material is observed. A comparative study of all percentage variations revealed that the mechanical property increases up to 0.17% and 0.22% for GNPs and MNCs. It also observed that GNPs cementitious material performs better than MNCs cement matrix.

Enhancing asphaltic mixtures with Calcined Nano Montmorillonite: A performance assessment

There are increasing interest in using nanoclay particles to improve asphalt binder and the produced concrete in pavement engineering. However so far most of the study was to directly use the nanoclays in natural material conditions, which come with some inefficient factors affecting the final effectiveness of the modified asphalt binder and the made concrete. This paper reports extensive experimental research on using preprocessed nanoclay, the Calcined Nano Montmorillonite (CNMM), to modify asphalt binder, compared with using natural Nano Montmorillonite (NMM). The nanoclays were added in asphalt as additive at different content rates ranging from 0% to 10% by the weight of asphalt binder. Experimental tests were performed on both of the modified asphalt binders and the concrete mixes using them. The study showed that at a 10% content CNMM demonstrated 32% improvement on Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), and 5.25% less permanent deformation after exposed 10,000 load repetitions; at 6% CNMM presented 57.5% improvement on the CTindex for fatigue resistance. Meanwhile, the SEM analysis proved a distinctive morphological difference between NMM and CNMM, which indicates the optimized microscopic structure of the CNMM for the improvement on the interlock and adhesion with asphalt binder. In comparison, the optimum dosage for NMM is identified at 4%, while CNMM is at around 6%. The economic viability of the use of CNMM against the use of NMM has also been discussed in reference to the local material prices. In consideration of a balance between cost and performance, 6% content is recommended for the use of CNMM.

The synergistic flame retardant effect of biobased phytic acid arginine salt and hydroxylated montmorillonite in polybutylenes succinate

In this research, hydroxylated nano montmorillonite (DK2) was used as a synergistic agent in combination with phytic acid arginine salt (PaArg). The flame retardancy and mechanical properties of PBS with different amounts of PaArg and DK2 were studied. Furthermore, the synergistic effect and mechanism of PaArg and DK2 in PBS were explored. The results showed that adding 23.5 % PaArg and 1.5 % DK2 increased the limiting oxygen index value (LOI) of the composite to 31.4 %, passing the UL 94 V-0 rating. By adding 25 % PaArg alone, the LOI value of the composite is 26.2 %, and the vertical burning test result is only V-2 rating. The cone calorimetry test results show that the peak heat release rate, total heat release rate, and total smoke production of PBS/23.5 % PaArg/1.5 % DK2 composite are 55.8 %, 17.1 %, and 44.7 % lower than those of PBS/25 % PaArg composite, respectively. All the results showed that PaArg and DK2 exhibited good synergistic flame retardancy in PBS. In addition, the impact strength and bending strength test results show that the impact strength and bending strength of PBS/23.5 %PaArg/1.5 %DK2 composite are higher than those of PBS/25%PaArg composite. This work improved the flame retardant efficiency of biobased flame retardants in PBS.

Effect Of Montmorillonite Incorporation on Shear Bond Strength And Surface Hardness Of Acrylic Base Soft Lining Material (In Vitro Study)

Abstract Objective: One problem with the soft lining material is that it detaches from the acrylic base of dentures after a particular time period. So, the aim of this work was to evaluate how adding Montmorillonite nano clay would affect the soft lining material's shear bond strength and surface hardness. Materials and Methods: The heat-cured acrylic denture material for the control group, polymer reinforced with (0.25%,0.5% by wt.) of montmorillonite nanoparticles for experimental groups was used in this study. For the shear bond strength test 60 blocks of acrylic-based material were constructed, each pair connected with soft lining material, the other 30 specimens for the surface hardness tests were carried out. to be tested with a shore A durometer. The data were statistically examined using the One-Way ANOVA test and Bonferroni multiple comparisons test. Result: 0.5% by weight MMTNPS should significantly increase in both shear bonding strength and surface hardness . Conclusion: MMTNPs were remarkably successful in improving the the strength of the shear connection between acrylic and soft liners.

Improvement of the corrosion resistance of acrylic electrocoating in the presence of acid-modified montmorillonite nano clay

This study presents a novel approach to enhance the corrosion resistance of acrylic electrocoating by incorporating acid-modified montmorillonite nano clay particles at varying concentrations (0.0–0.5 wt%) into the coating matrix. The nanostructure and laminar shape of the nano clay particles were confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). XRD and FE-SEM/EDS analyses revealed successful modification of the nano clay and its uniform dispersion in the electrocoating film. The effect of the nano clay on the rheology of the coating was also investigated using rheometric methods. The anti-corrosion properties of the nanocomposite coatings were evaluated using salt spray and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The EIS results showed that the nanocomposite electrocoating containing 0.3 wt% of acid-modified montmorillonite nano clay exhibited remarkable improvement in anti-corrosion properties and corrosion resistance, with an impedance value of up to 10 Gohm after 21 days of immersion in NaCl 3.5 wt%.

Fe3O4@SiO2‐APTES@Isophthaloyl Dichloride/Montmorillonite Magnetic Nanoparticles for Efficient Removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+

AbstractA novel magnetic nanocomposite for removing Cd2+ and Pb2+ was prepared by surface coating of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), followed by functionalization with isophthaloyl dichloride and hybridization with nano montmorillonite (MMT). The structure of the resulting nanocomposite was determined. The Fe3O4@SiO2‐APTES@isophthaloyl dichloride/MMT nanocomposite was successfully used to remove Cd2+ and Pb2+ from aqueous solutions. Several tests were designed using response surface methodology and the variables were predicted by the reduced quartic model. Absorption parameters such as time, pH, and initial cation concentration were considered as independent variables. The effects of each on the removal of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions were examined. The efficiency of the model was evaluated by analysis of variance.

Red mud waste/nanoclay/polystyrene‐modified epoxy hybrid composites: Mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties

AbstractIn this study, bisphenol A‐type epoxy (ER) and epoxy phenol novolac resins (EPN) with two amine‐type curing agents (KH 816 and IPOX EH 2041) having different total amine values were selected. The mechanical properties and density of the EPN resin were found higher in the case of both curing agents. EPN was modified with polystyrene (EPN‐PS) and used as a matrix using an IPOX hardener. Nano‐ and hybrid composites were prepared with pristine and modified with tetramethylammonium chloride nano montmorillonite (NC and MNC), and red mud waste (RMW). The chemical structure was elucidated by the Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR). The composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and x‐ray diffraction. Appropriate PS and NC ratio was accepted as 4% and 2% by weight, respectively. Curing degrees calculated from the FT‐IR spectra of ER, EPN, and EPN‐PS were 99.3%, 99.9%, and 86.5%, respectively. A comparative study of the two binary systems; (i) 2 wt% NC‐(15–35) wt% RMW; and (ii) 2 wt% of MNC‐(15–35) wt% of RMW on the mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties of EPN‐PS matrix was carried out. The appropriate RMW ratio was 30 wt%. Hybrid composites with 25–30 wt% RMW can be considered self‐extinguishing materials.

Potential of montmorillonite modified by an organosulfur surfactant for reducing aflatoxin B1 toxicity and ruminal methanogenesis in vitro

BackgroundMontmorillonite clay modified by organosulfur surfactants possesses high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and adsorption capacity than their unmodified form (UM), therefore they may elevate the adverse impact of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on ruminal fermentation and methanogenesis. Chemical and mechanical modifications were used to innovate the organically modified nano montmorillonite (MNM). The UM was modified using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and grounded to obtain the nanoscale particle size form. The dose-response effects of the MNM supplementation to a basal diet contaminated or not with AFB1 (20 ppb) were evaluated in vitro using the gas production (GP) system. The following treatments were tested: control (basal diet without supplementations), UM diet [UM supplemented at 5000 mg /kg dry matter (DM)], and MNM diets at low (500 mg/ kg DM) and high doses (1000 mg/ kg DM).ResultsResults of the Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy analysis showed shifts of bands of the OH-group occurred from lower frequencies to higher frequencies in MNM, also an extra band at the lower frequency range only appeared in MNM compared to UM. Increasing the dose of the MNM resulted in linear and quadratic decreasing effects (P < 0.05) on GP and pH values. Diets supplemented with the low dose of MNM either with or without AFB1 supplementation resulted in lower (P = 0.015) methane (CH4) production, ruminal pH (P = 0.002), and ammonia concentration (P = 0.002) compared to the control with AFB1. Neither the treatments nor the AFB1 addition affected the organic matter or natural detergent fiber degradability. Contamination of AFB1 reduced (P = 0.032) CH4 production, while increased (P < 0.05) the ruminal pH and ammonia concentrations. Quadratic increases (P = 0.012) in total short-chain fatty acids and propionate by MNM supplementations were observed.ConclusionThese results highlighted the positive effects of MNM on reducing the adverse effects of AFB1 contaminated diets with a recommended dose of 500 mg/ kg DM under the conditions of this study.

Electrostatic complexes of ethyl lauroyl arginate/nano-montmorillonite as a food-grade pickering stabiliser: Emulsification performance and mechanism

Compared with traditional surfactant-stabilised emulsions, Pickering emulsions, stabilised by clay nanoparticles, have the advantages of strong interface stability, strong versatility, and low toxicity. Moreover, they have excellent application potential in the fields of food and medicine. In this study, a food-grade Pickering emulsion stabiliser was prepared by physically adsorbing the cationic surfactant ethyl lauroyl arginate (LAE) on the surface of nano-montmorillonite (NMMT). Different LAE/NMMT combinations were assessed for their capacity to stabilise an oil-in-water emulsion at a low solid concentration (0.5%, w/v). The controllability of the droplet diameter and stability of the Pickering emulsions can be realised by changing the content of LAE. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and laser confocal microscopy (CLSM) confirmed the successful preparation of sunflower oil Pickering emulsion droplets stabilised by LAE/NMMT (0.0075%/1%). Additionally, the LAE/NMMT studied in this work could be used as a highly effective antibacterial surfactant with inorganic nanoparticles to efficiently stabilise Pickering emulsions, thus expanding the potential of preparing edible Pickering emulsion formulae.

The removal of remazol brilliant blue dyes from liquid waste using nano montmorillonite from bentonite of Bener Meriah Aceh

Research on the potential of nano montmorillonite as an adsorbent for Remazol Brilliant Blue dye waste has been carried out. Nano montmorillonite was isolated from Bener Meriah bentonite, Aceh, to be used as an adsorbent. The optimum conditions for adsorption of Remazol Brilliant Blue dye using nano montmorillonite occurred at a contact time of 60 minutes, pH 4, and adsorbent mass of 2 grams. The results showed that the adsorption of Remazol Brilliant Blue dye by nano montmorillonite followed the Freundlich isotherm model with R2 = 0.9858. The results of the regeneration test show that the montmorillonite nano adsorbent can be used repeatedly

Performance evaluation of surface-treated montmorillonite nanoclay-modified bitumen binder at high- and intermediate-temperature conditions

The present study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of surface treated Montmorillonite Nano Clay (NC) on performance of bitumen. The modification of bitumen was prepared using VG-30 grade bitumen with different percentages of NC by weight of bitumen (3% to 6%). Prior to mixing, surface of NC modified with Octadecyl amine and Aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Temperature susceptibility was evaluated using activation energy parameter. Rutting behavior was characterized using temperature sweep and multiple stress creep recovery tests. Fatigue performance was assessed using temperature sweep and linear amplitude sweep tests. Results inferred the potential benefit of NC in lowering the degree of temperature susceptibility. The trend of performance parameters indicate significant improvement in rutting and fatigue cracking resistance. Moreover, optimum dosage of surface treated NC was found to be 4.5% at which the binder showed significant improvement in resistance to rutting, fatigue and high temperature aging without affecting the storage stability property.

Electrostatic Complexes of Nano-Montmorillonite/Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Stabilized Sunflower Oil Pickering Emulsions

Compared with traditional surfactant-stabilised emulsions, Pickering emulsions, stabilised by clay nanoparticles, have the advantages of strong interface stability, strong versatility, and low toxicity. Moreover, they have excellent application potential in the fields of food and medicine. In this study, a food-grade Pickering emulsion stabiliser was prepared by physically adsorbing the cationic surfactant ethyl lauroyl arginate (LAE) on the surface of nano-montmorillonite (NMMT). Different LAE/NMMT combinations were assessed for their capacity to stabilise an oil-in-water emulsion at a low solid concentration (0.5%, w/v). The controllability of the droplet diameter and stability of the Pickering emulsions can be realised by changing the content of LAE. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and laser confocal microscopy (CLSM) confirmed the successful preparation of sunflower oil Pickering emulsion droplets stabilised by LAE/NMMT (0.0075%/1%). Additionally, the LAE/NMMT studied in this work could be used as a highly effective antibacterial surfactant with inorganic nanoparticles to efficiently stabilise Pickering emulsions, thus expanding the potential of preparing edible Pickering emulsion formulae.

Fullerenol@nano-montmorillonite nanocomposite as an efficient radioprotective agent for ameliorating radioactive duodenal injury

Duodenal injury caused by radiotherapy of upper tumor is a serious and inescapable complication due to the special anatomical structure and complex intestinal microenvironment of duodenum. However, the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced damage of duodenum are still a challenge in clinic. In this study, fullerenol@nano-montmorillonite (FNMT) nanocomposite was obtained by mechanical synthesis which processes good chemical stability, long retention time in duodenum and high free radical scavenging activity. And for the first time we explore its role in protecting duodenum damage caused by X-ray irradiation. On the one hand, fullerenol, with good water solubility, chemical stability, and extensive free radical scavenging ability, can effectively alleviate mitochondrial and DNA damage caused by radiation-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the other hand, nano-montmorillonite (NMMT) is used as a drug carrier, which enables the long residence time of fullerenol in duodenum because of its strong intestinal adhesion ability. By taking advantage of both fullerenol and NMMT, the FNMT nanocomposite significantly reduces radiation-induced diarrhea, weight loss, and duodenum tissue pathological damage of mice. This study not only establishes a new platform for duodenal radioprotective agent based on nanomaterials but also has a potential for clinical transformation.

Self-healing properties of nano-montmorillonite-enhanced asphalt binders from the perspective of energetics and morphology

Nano montmorillonite (MMT) is widely used as a modifier to improve asphalt pavements' performance. This paper's main objective was to investigate the effect of nano-montmorillonite on the self-healing properties of asphalt, which was analysed in terms of energy theory, molecular content composition, and microstructure. The healing index based on time-scan tests was used to characterise the base asphalt and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) asphalt binders. The healing master curve was constructed considering the influence of healing time and damage level, and the composite healing index was calculated. The asphalt binder and aggregate's contact angles were measured using the solid drop method, and thermodynamic parameters were calculated based on surface free energy theory. The effects of MMT on healing properties were investigated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in terms of changes in molecular weight composition and microstructure. The results showed that MMT enhanced the asphalt binder's cohesive energy and increased the adhesion energy to the aggregate, which in turn improved the self-healing ability of microcracks. The intercalation structure restricted small molecules' movement and promoted the aggregation of large molecules, thus forming a micron-scale laminar rough structure that enhanced the intermolecular forces and improved the healing ability. In addition, MMT had a more significant healing effect on the base asphalt binder but formed a more stable system with the SBS asphalt binder, giving it better healing potential.

Experimentally Investigation of Nano Clay Effects on Leaching and Self-healing Process of Cracked Clayey Soils

Compacted clay layers are known as one of the common low impermeable layers used in geotechnical structures. Due to geotechnical properties, these layers damaged through cracks in their lifespan. This research has attempted to improve the workability by using self-healing features of clays. By conducting numerous experimental tests, it has been shown that, by increasing the plasticity index of clays, the pace of crack healing process will be enhanced. Experiments have shown that percentages of Montmorillonite Nano Clay (MNC) are quite effective and reduce the flow rate in the samples, which is a sign of self-healing of the cracks by an NC additive. On this basis, NC can be perfectly used to repairing cracks in clayey soils. The results of this study show that in the sample with 1 mm crack, about 500 milliliters of water pass through the crack in 60 minutes under no pressuring conditions. While, if the sample contains 2 and 5 percent NC, the amount of water passing through the cracks within 60 minutes, will be 40 and 5 ml, respectively. This dramatic reduction for passing water reflects the positive effect of Nano sized grains on the closure of the created cracks. Therefore, it can be concluded that the self-healing process occurs earlier in smaller cracks, because the NC and soil particles can easily touch each other after swelling. Five percent of MNC can insure the cracks closure at 100% density. I