Organic Inorganic Nanohybrid Research Articles

Versatile synthesis of uniform mesoporous superparticles from stable monomicelle units.

Superstructures with architectural complexity and unique functionalities are promising for a variety of practical applications in many fields, including mechanics, sensing, photonics, catalysis, drug delivery and energy storage/conversion. In the past five years, a number of attempts have been made to build superparticles based on amphiphilic polymeric micelle units, but most have failed owing to their inherent poor stability. Determining how to stabilize micelles and control their superassembly is critical to obtaining the desired mesoporous superparticles. Here we provide a detailed procedure for the preparation of ultrastable polymeric monomicelle building units, the creation of a library of ultrasmall organic-inorganic nanohybrids, the modular superassembly of monomicelles into hierarchical superstructures and creation of novel multilevel mesoporous superstructures. The protocol enables precise control of the number of monomicelle units and the derived mesopores for superparticles. We show that ultrafine nanohybrids display enhanced mechanical antipressure performance compared with pristine polymeric micelles, and describe the functional characterization of mesoporous superstructures that exhibit excellent oxygen reduction reactivity. Except for the time (4.5 d) needed for the preparation of the triblock polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) PS-PVP-PEO or the polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-PAA-PEO) copolymer, the synthesis of the ultrastable monomicelle, ultrafine organic-inorganic nanohybrids, hierarchical superstructures and mesoporous superparticles require ~6, 30, 8 and 24 h, respectively. The time needed for all characterizations and applications are 18 and 10 h, respectively.

Enhanced nonlinear optical properties of MXene (Ti3C2Tx) via surface-covalent functionalization with porphyrin

The surface terminations (=O, -OH, and -F) play a key role in determining the physical and chemical properties of MXenes, which have been demonstrated with significant potential in field-effect transistors, humidity sensors, energy storage, and photocatalysis, etc. It is therefore crucial to modify these active functional groups on the surface of MXenes in order to optimize the applicability of these materials. In this study, we introduce a covalent modification strategy to successfully construct a porphyrin-functionalized Ti3C2Tx organic-inorganic nanohybrid (TPP-Ti3C2Tx) by covalently attaching porphyrin molecules to the surface groups on Ti3C2Tx nanosheets for the first time. As revealed by steady-state fluorescence spectra, transient fluorescence spectra, and DFT calculations, the robust covalent bonds between TPP and Ti3C2Tx can effectively promote the photon-induced electron and/or energy transfer within the TPP-Ti3C2Tx nanohybrid. The investigation on the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of TPP-Ti3C2Tx nanohybrid as well as its precursors, reveals that the TPP-Ti3C2Tx nanohybrid exhibits the highest nonlinear absorption coefficient and the lowest optical limiting threshold among the tested samples at both 532 and 1064 nm, indicating its great potential as a broadband optical limiter for visible and near-infrared wavelengths. This work not only demonstrates the significant promise of covalently-linked TPP-Ti3C2Tx nanohybrid in optical limiting applications but also provides a paradigm for engineering high-performance NLO MXenes-based materials through the covalent modification strategy.

Se-vacancy porous ultrathin ZnSe nanosheet/carbon composite for sodium storage via electron beam irradiation strategy

Zinc selenide (ZnSe) is a next-generation anode material due to its high sodium storage capacity. However, the poor conductivity and volume expansion lead to its capacity attenuation and short cycle life. Herein, Se-vacancy porous ultrathin ZnSe nanosheet/carbon composite (ZnSe@NC/N-GQD) is reported as a high-performance anode material for sodium-ion batteries. Organic-inorganic hybrid ZnSe(en)0.5 ultrathin nanosheets with abundant Se vacancies are rapidly prepared by electron beam irradiation for the first time. Using it as a precursor, Se-vacancy carbon-coated porous ultrathin ZnSe nanosheets loaded with nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) are synthesized via carbonization and electrodeposition process. Through the design of ZnSe@NC/N-GQD, the sodium storage performance can be effectively improved by implementing nanostructure engineering (porous ultrathin nanosheet) via organic–inorganic hybrid, defect engineering (Se vacancy) via electron beam irradiation, and carbon composite (amorphous carbon and N-GQD). Consequently, ZnSe@NC/N-GQD delivers a high capacity of 483 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g−1, shows an outstanding rate capability of 381 mA h g−1 at 10.0 A g−1, and exhibits an excellent cycling stability of 86 % retention after 2800 cycles at 5.0 A g−1. This work develops a new method to rapidly prepare organic–inorganic nanohybrids, and proposes an innovative design of high-performance ZnSe-based anodes.

Wintersweet-like Nanohybrids of Titanium-doped Cerium Vanadate Loaded with Polypyrrole for Tumor Theranostic.

Compromises between enhanced on-targeting reactivity and precise real-time monitoring in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are the main roadblocks for catalytic cancer therapy. The hallmark of a high level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and acidic extracellular environment of the hypoxia solid tumor can underpin therapeutic and tracking performance. Herein, this work provides an activatable wintersweet-like nanohybrid consisting of titanium (Ti) doped cerium vanadate nanorods with the modification of polypyrrole (PPy)nanoparticles (CeVO4-Ti@PPy) for combinatorial therapies of breast carcinoma. The Ti dopants in the size-controllable CeVO4 nanorods lower the energy barrier (0.5eV) of the rate-determining steps and elaborate peroxidase-like (POD-like)activities to improve the generation of toxic hydroxyl radical (·OH) according to the density functional theory (DFT) calculation. The multiple enzyme-like activities, including the intrinsic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), achieve a record-high therapeutic efficiency. Coupling this oxidative stress with the photothermal effects of PPy enables enhanced catalytic tumor necrosis. The exterior PPy heterogeneous structure can be further doped with protons in the local acidic environment to intensify photoacoustic signals, allowing the non-invasive accurate tracking of tumors. The theranostic performance displayed negligible attenuated signals in near-infrared (NIR) windows. This organic-inorganic nanohybrid with a heterogeneous structure provides the potential to improve the overall outcomes of catalytic therapy.

Adaptable Self-Assembly of a PEG Dendrimer-Coiled Coil Conjugate.

Self-assembly of designed molecules has enabled the construction of a variety of functional nanostructures. Specifically, adaptable self-assembly has demonstrated several advantageous features for smart materials. Here, we demonstrate that an α-helical coiled coil conjugated with a dendrimer can adapt to spatial restriction due to the strong steric repulsion between dendrimer chains. The adaptable transformation of a tetrameric coiled coil to a trimeric coiled coil can be confirmed using analytical ultracentrifugation upon conjugation of the dendrimer to the coiled coil-forming building block. Interestingly, circular dichroism spectroscopy analysis of the dendrimer conjugate revealed an unconventional trend: the multimerization of the coiled coil is inversely dependent on concentration. This result implies that the spatial crowding between the bulky dendritic chains is significantly stronger than that between linear chains, thereby affecting the overall assembly process. We further illustrated the application potential by decorating the surface of gold nanorods (AuNRs) with the adaptable coiled coil. The dendrimer-coiled coil peptide conjugate can be utilized to fabricate organic-inorganic nanohybrids with enhanced colloidal and thermal stabilities. This study demonstrates that the coiled coil can engage in the adaptable mode of self-assembly with the potential to form dynamic peptide-based materials.

Self-assembled dipeptide grafted nanohybrid material strips for reliable spectroscopic and electrochemical recognition of tryptamine

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), foods high in tryptamine may cause foodborne diseases and abnormal activity in the central nervous system (CNS). The real-time monitoring of tryptamine levels is an emphasized topic among scientific community. In the present work, we report a cost-effective fluorescent paper strips-based methodology impregnated with self-assembled dipeptide-modified (DM1) zinc oxide (ZnO) i.e.DM1@ZnO for the real-time monitoring of tryptamine levels. It is based on an organic-inorganic nanohybrid material of self-assembled N-functionalised dipeptide molecule coated over the surface of ZnO thus tailoring its properties for the detection of tryptamine employing spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. The designed material exhibited a noteworthy response towards tryptamine irrespective of the presence of other biogenic amines (BAs). It selectively displayed blue fluorescence under the 365 nm UV light. On top of that, the detection of tryptamine was also corroborated by its transition to 2-oxytryptamine, as deduced from its electrochemical route. Thus, the proposed paper strip-based methodology unbolts a realistic platform for the efficient recognition of varying levels of tryptamine thus tackling the prima facie reasons for foodborne diseases.

PH-sensitive release of nitric oxide gas using peptide-graphene co-assembled hybrid nanosheets

Nitric oxide (NO) donating drugs such as organic nitrates have been used to treat cardiovascular diseases for more than a century. These donors primarily produce NO systemically. It is however sometimes desirable to control the amount, location, and time of NO delivery. We present the design of a novel pH-sensitive NO release system that is achieved by the synthesis of dipeptide diphenylalanine (FF) and graphene oxide (GO) co-assembled hybrid nanosheets (termed as FF@GO) through weak molecular interactions. These hybrid nanosheets were characterised by using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The weak molecular interactions, which include electrostatic, hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking, are pH sensitive due to the presence of carboxylic acid and amine functionalities on GO and the dipeptide building blocks. Herein, we demonstrate that this formulation can be loaded with NO gas with the dipeptide acting as an arresting agent to inhibit NO burst release at neutral pH; however, at acidic pH it is capable of releasing NO at the rate of up to 0.6 μM per minute, comparable to the amount of NO produced by healthy endothelium. In conclusion, the innovative conjugation of dipeptide with graphene can store and release NO gas under physiologically relevant concentrations in a pH-responsive manner. pH responsive NO-releasing organic-inorganic nanohybrids may prove useful for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and other pathologies.

Load-carrying capacity and tribomechanism of DDA/MADE modified MoO3 nanoparticle as an additive for alkylated naphthalene base oil

Metal oxide nanoparticles as lubricant additives have attracted much attention, thanks to their excellent anti-wear ability and load-carrying capacity. Unfortunately, organic molybdenum, a small molecule auxiliary of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) with high reactivity, exhibits poor load-bearing capacity. Therefore, molybdenum oxide nanoparticle (denoted as MONP) was surface-capped by dodecylamine (DDA) and maleic anhydride dodecyl ester (MADE) to obtain DDA/MADE-MONP, an organic-inorganic nanohybrid as a potential replacement of sulfur- and phosphorus-free commercial organic molybdenum additive (Organic-Mo). The as-prepared DDA/MADE-MONP nanohybrid was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; and its effect on the load-bearing capacity of an alkylated naphthalene base oil (AN30), as used alone and combined with ZDDP, was investigated. Results show that, whether used alone or combined with ZDDP, the as-prepared DDA/MADE-MONP has better load-bearing capacity than the commercial organic molybdenum additive. The reason lies in that DDA/MADE-MONP can release MoO3 nanocores during the friction process to fill up the pits on the worn steel surface and form a dense protective tribofilm.

Quaternized chitosan-based organic-inorganic nanohybrid nanoparticles loaded with prothioconazole for efficient management of fungal diseases with minimal environmental impact

Poor foliar deposition and retention of pesticides results in serious pesticide residues and environmental pollution. Organic-inorganic hybridized nanoparticles (OIHN), combining the advantages of organic and inorganic materials, can be used as carriers to load pesticides for efficient and safe application. Herein, a novel multifunctional OIHN composed of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and cationic chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (HACC) was constructed and used as a delivery system for prothioconazole (PTC). The resultant PTC@MSNs-HACC exhibited a remarkable loading capacity of 39.07 wt% and demonstrated enhanced PTC release (31.47 %) under alkaline conditions. The UV-shielding properties of MSNs efficiently shielded PTC from photodegradation, increasing its photostability by over threefold. The strong positive charge of HACC conferred excellent adhesion of PTC@MSNs-HACC to fungal cell membranes, leading to high deposition on wheat leaves with improved rain-wash resistance (increased by 30 %). Consequently, PTC@MSNs-HACC (EC50: 12.48 mg/L) exhibited superior wheat scab control compared to PTC emulsifiable concentrate (EC50: 28.49 mg/L). Additionally, PTC@MSNs-HACC displayed excellent uptake and transport in plants, ensuring plant safety and reducing toxicity to zebrafish by >1-fold. The potential application of the developed PTC@MSNs-HACC in agricultural production holds significant promise and is anticipated to find widespread use in the future.

Perovskite photoinitiated RAFT-mediated polymerization-induced self-assembly for organic–inorganic hybrid nanomaterials

An efficient strategy is proposed to construct PQD/polymer organic–inorganic nanohybrids by PET-RAFT polymerization-mediated PISA and the nanohybrid assemblies can maintain excellent luminescence originating from PQDs with enhanced stability.

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-silicon/carbon quantum dots nanocomposites for cell imaging.

Silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are renowned for their outstanding applications in fluorescence imaging and biosensing. However, their small size poses significant challenges in terms of preparation, collection, and purification. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), an organic-inorganic nanohybrid with a cage-like structure, has recently attracted considerable attention due to its excellent biocompatibility. In this research, we utilize the encapsulating properties of POSS to improve the optical property of SiQDs/CQDs through an in situ synthesis strategy, resulting in the production of blue-emitting POSS-SiQDs, green-emitting POSS-G-CNDs, and red-emitting POSS-R-CNDs. By examining their structural and optical characteristics, it is found that these hybrid materials exhibit excellent luminescent properties, biocompatibility and cell membrane permeability. This facilitates multicolor intracellular imaging and underscores their successful application in biological imaging. Our study presents a novel approach to synthesize POSS-QDs composite nanomaterials with new perspectives in biological imaging and medical diagnostics.

Low viscosity and low temperature curing reactive POSS/epoxy hybrid resin with enhanced toughness and comprehensive thermal performance.

The mechanical and high-temperature resistance properties of epoxy resins cured at low temperatures (Tcuring ≤ 100 °C) are often inferior, and the most toughening modification methods for epoxy resins tend to compromise thermal resistance, which significantly limit the practical applications of it. Therefore, this work reported a low viscosity and low-temperature curing epoxy hybrid resin system (OPEP), adopting E-51 as a resin matrix, liquid anhydride (MHHPA) as a curing agent, tertiary amine (DMBA) as a curing accelerator, and reactive octa-epoxy terminated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OG-POSS) as a toughening modifier. Results demonstrated that the OPEP system has excellent processability with low viscosity and long processing window period and satisfies the practical requirements of low-temperature curing. The OG-POSS exhibits superior compatibility and reactivity with the resin matrix, and its addition slightly reduces the Eα of the curing reaction and has a certain promotive effect on the curing of epoxy resin. In addition, the curing reaction rate of the OPEP resin complies with the Šesták-Berggren autocatalytic kinetics model. The impact strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break of the OPEP resin reached a maximum of 15.55 kJ m-2, 121.65 MPa, 90.36 MPa, and 2.48%, representing increases of 55.97%, 3.1%, 64.68%, and 26.51% compared to those of the pure resin, respectively. Notably, due to the heat-resistant inorganic silicon cage structure of OG-POSS, the thermal decomposition temperature (Td5), glass transition temperature (Tg), and heat distortion temperature (THDT) of the OPEP0.02 resin were 313.2 °C, 123.7 °C, and 102.0 °C, showing increases of 13.0 °C, 2.3 °C, and 6.8 °C compared to the pure resin, respectively, which is difficult to achieve for the general thermosetting resin toughening modification method. This research utilized organic-inorganic nanohybrid materials (POSS) to optimize the toughness and thermal stability of the resin in a coordinated manner, providing guidance for the preparation of high-performance epoxy resins that cure at low temperatures.

Nanolayered Structures and Nanohybrids Based on a Ternary System Co/Ti/Zn for Production of Photo-Active Nanocomposites and Purification of Water Using Light.

Water pollution has emerged as a major challenge for the scientific community because of the rapid expansion of the population and the industrial sector in the world. The current study focuses on introducing a new track for designing new optical nanocomposites for purifying water in addition to providing a new additive for building new nanohybrids. These targets were achieved through building a ternary system of Co/Ti/Zn nanocomposites and nanolayered structures. The Co/Ti/Zn nanolayered structures were prepared and intercalated by different kinds of organic acids: monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids. Long chains of organic acids were used to construct series of organic-inorganic nanohybrids. X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of nanolayered structures and nanohybrids. The optical properties of the nanolayered structure showed that the Co/Ti/Zn LDH became photo-active compared with the usual Al/Zn LDH because of the reduction in the band gap energy from 5.3 eV to 3.3 eV. After thermal treatment, a highly photo-active nanocomposite was produced through observing more reduction for the band gap energy to become 2.8 eV. In addition, the dye of Acid Green 1 completely decomposed and converted to water and carbon dioxide during 17 min of UV radiation by the dual Co/Ti-doped zinc oxide nanocomposite. In addition, the kinetic study confirmed that the high optical activity of the dual Co/Ti-doped zinc oxide nanocomposite accelerated the degradation of the green dyes. Finally, from these results it could be concluded that designing effective nanocomposite for purification of water was accomplished through converting 2D nanolayered structures to a 3D porous structure of Ni/Ti/Zn nanocomposites. In addition, a new additive was achieved for heterostructured hybrids through building new Co/Ti/Zn/organic nanohybrids.

Facile Synthesis of an Organic–Inorganic Nanohybrid Composite of Salicylaldehyde-Based Chitosan Schiff Base/SiO2 for Acid Red 88 Dye Removal: Characterization and Adsorption Modeling

Facile Synthesis of an Organic–Inorganic Nanohybrid Composite of Salicylaldehyde-Based Chitosan Schiff Base/SiO2 for Acid Red 88 Dye Removal: Characterization and Adsorption Modeling

Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Application of Inorganic–Organic Nanohybrids Consisting of Sandwich-Type Polyoxometalates and Diethylenetriamine

Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Application of Inorganic–Organic Nanohybrids Consisting of Sandwich-Type Polyoxometalates and Diethylenetriamine

Hydrazide–pillar[5]arene-mediated silver nanoparticles for highly efficient reductive degradation of organic dyes

A new supramolecular approach toward the reductive degradation of organic dyes by hybridizing hydrophilic hydrazide-pillar[5]arene (HP5A) as surface-modifiers with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been demonstrated. The fabricated supramolecular hybrid nanomaterial (denoted as HP5A-AgNPs) with ideal mono-dispersity, improved stability, and smaller size, show high catalytic activity in boosting organic dyes degradation, as delivered by a broad spectrum of organic dyes, including rhodamine B, rhodamine 6G, methylene blue, and methyl orange. This work expands the application scope of macrocycles-derived organic-inorganic nanohybrids into catalytic degradation and environmental protection areas.

Up‐ and Down‐Shifting Nanomaterials with Chiroptical Responses: Origin of their Chiroptical Activity and Applications

AbstractArtificial chiral nanoparticles exhibit unique optical and (photo)physical properties. They can be all‐inorganic or organic–inorganic materials that are usually confined to the nanoscale by anchoring organic ligands to their surface. The ligands can also possess distinctive optical and/or (photo)physical properties, thereby adding functionality to the whole nanosystem and constituting an organic–inorganic nanohybrid. Development of luminescent chiral nanoparticles and nanohybrids is pertinent to many applications, such as (bio)sensing, therapeutics, photocatalysis, and optoelectronics, among others. This review deals with different photoactive nanomaterials, displaying either up‐shifting emission (nanoparticles consisting of a photoactive or inert matrix doped with lanthanides, Ln3+, upconversion nanoparticles, UCNPs) or down‐shifting emission, such as coinage metal nanoclusters (e.g., gold nanoclusters, AuNCs) and lead halide perovskite nanoparticles (HP NPs), as well as very low emissive nanoparticles, such as plasmonic nanoparticles (such as gold nanoparticles, AuNPs). Special attention is paid to the origin of the chiroptical response of these materials, showing that it is varied and can be alike for some of them.

Synthesis, and control release properties of Zirconium –AA7075 - beta naphtha oxy acetate nanocomposites

In this research, Beta naphtha oxy acetate (BNOA) was used as the guest anion, and Zirconium-aluminum 7075 layered double hydroxide (Zr-AA7075-LDH) was employed as the inorganic host, to create an organic–inorganic nanohybrid nanocomposite using the co-precipitation process. At a BNOA concentration of 0.08 M and a Zr/AA7075, R = 2 M ratio, a stable nanohybrid nanocomposite was produced. The formation of a Zr-AA7075-BNOA nanocomposite, wherein the nitrate ion interlayer gap in layered double hydroxide grew from 8.8 to 19.6 Å, demonstrates the successful intercalation of Beta naphtha oxy acetate into these spaces. Moreover, it was discovered that the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area for Zr-AA7075-LDH and Zr-AA7075-BNOA nanocomposites rose from 4.23 to 45.84 m2 g−1. The generated nanocomposite is a mesoporous material with a BJH mean pore diameter of199 Å. CHNS analysis of the sample revealed that the Zr-AA7075- Beta naphtha oxy acetate nanocomposite material is 37.4% (w/w) depend on the carbon content. Pseudo-second order kinetics took over after 200 min of BNOA deintercalation from the Zr-AA7075 lamella being driven by zeroth and first order kinetics. It appears that the organic acid herbicide BNOA can be manufactured using layered double hydroxide as a carrier, as shown by the study's findings.

A Novel Powerful γ-Fe2O3 @ CPTMS - Diethylene Triamine (DETA) @SO3H as a Heterogeneous Nanocatalyst, Recyclable and Efficient via Microwave-assisted for the Synthesis of Benzoxazinone- 4(3H)-one Derivatives in Green Media

Background: In order to synthesize benzoxazin-4 (3H) -one derivatives, a new inorganic- organic super-magnetic nano-hybrid (γ‐Fe2O3@ CPTMS-DETA @SO3H) nanocatalyst of the modified sulfuric acid represents a green and efficient catalyst to perform a three-component condensation reaction between various acyl chlorides, anthranilic acid and acetic anhydride (as cyclization agent), in one-pot and solvent-free conditions under microwave irradiation (4a-q). Introduction: In recent years, one of the most important subjects in synthetic organic chemistry has been green synthesis, which has applied environmentally friendly and efficient methods to synthesize biological derivatives. The use of catalysts has significant advantages, including simple separation and preparation, chemical and thermal stability, and eco-friendly nature and their features such as reusability, low cost, high efficiency and easy operation. Therefore, the mechanism is performed by a non-toxic organic catalyst that uses the chemical reactants and the least energy in accordance based on the least waste and green chemistry. Methods: Sequential addition and one-pot methods were applied to produce benzoxazinone derivatives. In the sequential addition approach, the reaction was begun by adding anthranilic acid and acetic anhydride to the reaction vessel under microwave irradiation and continued by adding γ‐ Fe2O3@ CPTMS-DETA @SO3H as super-magnetic nano-hybrid recyclable green catalysts and the desired acyl chlorides. Results: The main objective of this project was to synthesize benzoxazin-4 (3H) -one derivatives in the presence of super-paramagnetic organic-inorganic nanohybrid particles based on improved sulfonic acid (γ- Fe2O3 @ SiO2 - DETA @ SO3H) as an efficient recyclable heterogeneous catalyst. Conclusion: This paramagnetic nano-organocatalyst was characterized by EDX, VSM, TGA, FESEM, FT-IR, and XRD. Advantages of this catalyst include easy preparation, clear and easy operation, short reaction time (15–30 min), as well as without the use of toxic catalysts. In addition, the catalyst can be separated from the reaction solution using an external magnet by magnetic decantation; it can be recycled up to six times without reducing its activity.

Role of silk nanocrystal (SNC)-ZnO as an antibacterial nucleating nanohybrid for a patterned mimic poly(lactic acid) based nanofabric

This new investigation deals with the synthesis of an organic-inorganic nanohybrid using SNC with magnificent flower bud-shaped ZnO, termed SNC-ZnO by precipitation method. The nanohybrid (with concentrations 1 wt%, 3 wt%, and 5 wt%) was in situ incorporated into the PLA matrix to prepare the electrospun solution. The functionalized PLA composite nanofibres produced by electrospinning with SNC-ZnO nanohybrid were systematically studied using different structural and morphological analyses to meet the challenging processing requirements. The FESEM analysis gives an average diameter of nanofibres 246 ± 10.2 nm where nanohybrid tends to adhere on the surface of the PLA nanofabric increasing hydrophobicity up to water contact angle 135.3 ± 0.25 °C with 5 wt% nanohybrid incorporation. The nanofabric has significant antibacterial activity against E.Coli and S.Aureus bacteria. Further, an extensive study has been made on thermally stipulated processes using DSC on non-isothermal crystallization kinetics using different models: Avrami, Ozawa, Mo, and Tobin. The results revealed sites for heterogeneous nucleation and improvement in crystallinity, t1/2, and nucleation effects due to the incorporation of crystalline nanohybrid in PLA nanofibres. Further, the Avrami plot has confirmed both primary and secondary crystallization processes thereby considering its potential to utilize functionalized PLA nanofabric for applications in protective textile.