This study presents the fabrication and performance analysis of multilayer membranes produced by electrospinning using polyacrylonitrile (PAN), chitosan (CS), and Nylon 6 (N6) for the removal of chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) from water. The electrospun membranes were configured in six different multilayer structures. The morphological and mechanical properties of the membranes were evaluated using SEM and tensile testing. Adsorption experiments were performed using synthetic and real water samples from the Cutuchi River. The multilayer membranes demonstrated metal ion removal efficiencies up to 80.81% for Cr6+ and 78.98% for Cd2+ in synthetic water, and similar performance in real samples. These results validate the use of multilayer electrospun membranes as an effective, environmentally friendly method for water purification applications.

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a noteworthy environmental concern due to their pervasive presence and potential ecological impact. This study investigates the degradation of three commonly used plastics—polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and Nylon-6 (N6) under artificial aging conditions mimicking natural sunlight exposure and chemical oxidation in seawater. MP pellets were exposed to varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in artificially simulated seawater with controlled temperature at 60 °C, 300 RPM agitation, and UV irradiation. The chemical, morphological, and physical changes in the MP pellets over a 160-h period was characterized with Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Stereomicroscopy, and Particle size analysis (PSA). The results indicate that the degradation patterns and mechanical stability of the plastics varied based on the polymer type and exposure conditions. The PE exhibited significant degradation characterized by the formation of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups along with surface roughening and mechanical instability. The PP showed less degradation compared to PE attributed to its higher melting point and UV stability. The N6 displayed intermediate degradation influenced by amide linkages and mechanical strength. Additionally, this study investigated the formation and characterization of biofilms on MP fragments under simulated marine conditions over a 305-day period. FE-SEM analysis revealed distinct morphologies of biofilm development and Crystal Violet staining quantified the biofilm biomass on the aged PE, PP, N6 pellets. Confocal microscopic analyses using Hoechst-33342 and AO/PI staining further elucidated biofilm composition, highlighting varied microbial densities and cell viability on MP surfaces. These observations contribute to the understanding of the complex processes governing microplastic degradation and emphasize the importance of considering environmental factors in evaluating plastic pollution.

High-efficiency capture, release, and reculture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can significantly advance individualized cancer treatments. To achieve efficient CTC release without compromising their viability for subsequent reculture, an effective CTC capture/release system was developed. Nylon-6 (N6) and a cross-linked alginate hydrogel with Ca(II) were used as the shell and core, respectively, to prepare N6/Ca-Alg immunofiber mats using coaxial electrospinning. A 3 wt% concentration of Ca(II) was used to increase the viscosity of the alginate solution and generate a degradable coating on the N6 fiber. After modification with streptavidin and anti-EpCAM, the N6/Ca-Alg immunofiber mat was embedded within a disposable microfluidic chip to investigate the capture capacity of CTCs. The maximum adsorption capacity of CTCs was approximately 34 cells per mm2, while the viability of the captured cells was 95.1% after being released from the fibrous mats. The outer Ca-alginate hydrogel coating effectively enhanced the viability of the released cells for reculture. In spiked blood samples, our microfluidic system was able to specifically identify DLD1 cells from 10 mL of human whole blood at a concentration of 65.6 cells per mL with 67.9% efficiency within 30 minutes. Under the flow of alginate lyase solution at 0.4 mg mL-1, the reculture efficiency of the released cells after 7 days reached 274.5%. Our proposed method provides an ideal fibrous mat to be embedded within a microfluidic chip for capturing and releasing CTCs for precision medicine applications, using recultured CTCs in individualized anti-tumor therapies.

We achieve high‐framerate (< 100 μs) high‐contrast‐ratio ferroelectric liquid crystal displays (FLCD) on Gen 4.5. Innovatively, a new polyimide (PI) that is suitable for ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) alignment is synthesized and tested on the production line. It replaces Nylon 6 (N6), which was the barrier to the commercialization of FLCD. Moreover, a new FLC is synthesized to match requirements in mass production. Additionally, various materials were studied to investigate the surface energy and relative performance. It is not only proof of the feasibility on the production line, but also a significant step towards the commercialization of field‐sequential‐color high‐resolution FLCDs.

A successful test of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Displays (FLCD) on Gen 4.5 is realized in this paper. A new polyimide (PI) that can replace Nylon 6 (N6) is synthesized and tested on the production line. This used to be the barrier in the commercialization of FLCD. Apart from that, a new FLC for mass production is synthesized. To investigate the surface energy and relative performance, various materials are compared. This proof of the feasibility on the production line is a significant step towards the commercialization of field‐sequential‐color high‐resolution FLCDs.

Accessing chemically recyclable polyamides via geminal dimethyl substitution

Triboelectric touch sensor array system for energy generation and self-powered human-machine interfaces based on chemically functionalized, electrospun rGO/Nylon-12 and micro-patterned Ecoflex/MoS2 films

Hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan (CS), as natural biomaterials, display excellent biocompatibility and stimulate the growth and proliferation of fibroblasts. Furthermore, nylon 6 (N6) is a low-cost polymer with good compatibility with human tissues and high mechanical stability. In this study, HA and CS were applied to modify N6 nanofibrous mat (N6/HA/CS) for potential wound dressing. N6/HA/CS nanofibrous composite mats were developed using a simple one-step electrospinning technique at different CS concentrations of 1, 2, and 3 wt%. The results demonstrated that incorporating HA and CS into N6 resulted in increased hydrophilicity, as well as favorable physical and mechanical properties. In addition, the minimum inhibitory concentration and (MIC) optical density techniques were used to determine the antibacterial properties of N6/HA/CS nanofibrous composite mats, and the results demonstrated that the composites could markedly inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. Because of its superior mechanical properties, substantial antimicrobial effects, and hydrophilic surface, N6/HA/CS at 2 wt% of CS (N6/HA/CS2) was chosen as the most suitable nanofibrous mat. The swelling, porosity, gel content, and in vitro degradation studies imply that N6/HA/CS2 nanofibrous composite mat has proper moisture retention and biodegradability. Furthermore, the N6/HA/CS2 nanofibrous composite mat was discovered to be nontoxic to L929 fibroblast cells and to even improve cell proliferation. Based on the findings, this research offers a simple and rapid method for creating material that could be utilized as prospective wound dressings in clinical environments.

Development of high performance thin-film (nano) composite membranes for forward osmosis desalination applications- a review

Microplastics contamination in fish feeds: Characterization and potential exposure risk assessment for cultivated fish of Bangladesh

Enhancing biodegradation of PBAT through bio-stimulation using Pseudozyma jejuensis for effective plastic waste reduction

This study focused on the design and fabrication of a hybrid electrospun scaffold of nylon 6 (N6)/Zn-doped hydroxyapatite (ZH) nanoparticles for the absorption of lysozyme (LYZ) protein. The effects of electrospinning parameters were investigated by the central composite design method to introduce a roadmap to synthesize a promising hybrid electrospun polymer/ceramic scaffold for protein absorption. A quadratic model based on the coded factors indicated that the concentration of the electrospinning solution was the most effective parameter on the morphology and microstructure of the electrospun scaffold among the other parameters namely distance of needle to the collector, high voltage, and flow rate. The results of the suggested model were evaluated by SEM and TEM microscopies, and it was found that the model was also valid in the actual conditions. The practical hybrid scaffold was electrospun via 16.58 kV high voltage, 0.34 mL.h−1 flow rate, 12.44 cm distance, 17.21 wt.% of N6, and 2.13 wt.% of ZH. Furthermore, the kinetics of LYZ protein adsorption by pristine and hybrid electrospun scaffolds was studied. The results showed that the incorporation of Zn-doped HAp into N6 scaffolds could enhance the ability of protein adsorption 1.5 times more than the pristine N6 scaffold.

Microplastic quantification of nylon and polyethylene terephthalate by chromic acid wet oxidation and ultraviolet spectrometry

Microplastic (MP) contamination is a public issue for the environment and for human health. Plastic-based food filter bags, including polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, nylon 6 (NY6), and polyethylene, are widely used for soft drink sub-packaging, increasing the risk of MPs in foods and the environment. Three types of commercially available filter bags, including non-woven and woven bags, were collected, and MPs released after soaking were mapped using Raman imaging combined with chemometrics. Compared with peak area imaging at a single characteristic peak, Raman imaging combined with direct classical least squares calculation was more efficient and reliable for identifying MP features. Up to 94% of the bags released MPs after soaking, and there was no significant correlation with soaking conditions. Most MPs were tiny fragments and particles, and a few were fibrous MPs 620–840 μm in size. Woven NY6 filter bags had the lowest risk of releasing MPs. Source exploration revealed that most MPs originated from fragments and particles adsorbed on the surface of bags and strings. The results of this study are applicable to filter bag risk assessment and provide scientific guidance for regulating MPs in food.

Separation of used automobile oil/water mixture by Nylon 6/ZnO nanoparticles electrospun membrane

Chitosan/collagen layer-by-layer deposition for improving the esophageal regeneration ability of nanofibrous mats

BackgroundThere is growing potential for nanocarrier-based drug delivery in cancer. However, an incomplete understanding of nano–bio interactions and the challenges regarding processing and fabrication in scale-up engineering techniques, controls over drug release, efficacy, and cytotoxicity to the human cell are the major challenges for its clinical success. The purpose of the study was to develop an electrospraying processing of injectable nanonized encapsulated chemotherapeutics to target primary and metastatic breast cancer tumor microenvironment for precise and controlled delivery.ResultsA novel coaxial electrospraying of multiple cancer drugs (paclitaxel and GW2580) as core and polycaprolactam (PCL) as the shell has been developed to produce multi-cancer drug nanocapsules. Using electrospraying process, we have successfully made nanocapsules containing paclitaxel to target breast cancer cells and GW2580, a colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor to target CSF1R+ myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironments (TME). The UV–vis drug release test for 14 days shows a prolonged and sustained release pattern of both the drugs. In vitro and in vivo results showed the effects of nanocapsules containing multiple drugs in controlling the growth of tumor cells and increased survival of the animal bearing breast cancers.ConclusionNanonized multi-cancer drugs were encapsulated in a PCL shell. The drug doses ratio and the polymer-to-drug ratio were controlled by engineered process parameters. The studies showed the importance of making nanocapsules containing nanocrystals of multiple drugs, which will pave the way of making multiple drug combinations in a controlled manner and capsules can be designed for sustained release of the drugs after accumulation into the TME. TME-directed therapy can be a norm in future cancer treatment strategies. These injectable nanocapsules will allow cancer site-specific precision and controlled delivery to cure primary and metastatic breast cancer and to overcome the chemotherapy resistance.

Selective solvent extraction and quantification of synthetic microfibers in textile laundry wastewater using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Exploration of tribological estimation on alumina reinforced polymer mixtures evaluated by ANOVA approach

The study is based on the selective binding ability of the drug compound procaine (PRO) on a surface imprinted with nylon 6 (N6) polymer. Physical characterization of the polymer template was performed by X-ray diffraction and DSC thermal analysis. The imprinted polymer showed a high adsorption capacity to trap procaine (237 µg/g) and excellent recognition ability with an imprinted factor equal to 3.2. The method was applied to an extraction column simulating a solid-phase extraction to separate the drug compound in the presence of tinoxicam and nucleosimide separately and in a mixture of them with a recovery rate more than the presence of tinoxicam and nucleosimide separately and in a mixture of them with a recovery rate of more than 82%. Separation efficiency and excellent selectivity for procaine were ensured using a mixed solution injected into an HPLC technique consisting of a C18 column with a mobile phase mixture of water-acetonitrile (75:25) at pH 3.3. The study of drug control using an imprinted polymer with procaine compound showed that the complete drug release process is faster at pH1 in a maximum period of 80 min. The proposed method was successfully applied on some of the available pharmaceuticals, and it showed high selectivity for the separation of PRO, RE % was < 1.18, and RSD was less than 0.447.