UiO-66 Inspired Superhydrophobic Coatings Fabricated from Discarded Polyester/Spandex Textiles.

We report on a method for synthesizing superhydrophobic coatings using a UiO-66 metal-organic framework (MOF) with discarded polyester/Spandex fabrics as raw materials. Unlike traditional recycling techniques that involve separating non-poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) components, our approach directly uses blended polyester/Spandex fibers. Discarded polyester/Spandex fabrics were exposed to an alkaline depolymerization process to produce disodium terephthalate (NaBDC), which is a known linker for UiO-66 synthesis.

Surface-engineered natural fibers: Emerging alternative substrates for chemical sensor applications: A review.

Natural fiber has become one of the most widely used alternative materials for chemical sensor fabrication due to its advantages, such as biocompatibility, flexibility, and self-microfluidic properties. Enhanced natural fiber surface has been used as a substrate in colorimetric and electrochemical sensors. This review focuses on improving the natural fiber properties for preparation as a substrate for chemical sensors.

Fire Performance of Cotton Fabrics Coated with 10-(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)-9,10-dihydro-9-xa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO-HQ) Zr-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks.

We investigated the performance of cotton fabrics coated with DOPO-HQ and Zr-based Metal-organic Frameworks when exposed to fire. The chemical structure of the cotton fabrics before and after the coating was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, and the surface morphology of cotton and their combustion residues was probed via scanning electron microscopy. In our experiments, we used flammability tests and thermogravimetric methods to understand the burning behavior of the coated fibers, as well as their thermal stability.

Impact of Vegetable Oil Type on the Rheological and Tribological Behavior of Montmorillonite-Based Oleogels.

We formulated and characterized oleogels based on montmorillonite clay and vegetable oils that could serve as eco-friendly semi-solid lubricants. In particular, we studied the influence of the physical-chemical properties of olive, castor, soybean, linseed, and sunflower oils on the rheological, chemical, thermal, and tribological properties of the semi-solid lubricants. We prepared the oleogels via the highly intensive mixing of vegetable oils with clay at a concentration of 30 wt.

Planar or Biaxial Stretching of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Fiber Webs Prepared by Laser-Electrospinning.

In this work, laser-heated electrospinning (LES) process using carbon dioxide laser was explored as an eco-friendly method for producing ultrafine fibers. To enhance the thinning of fibers and the formation of fiber structure, planar or equibiaxial stretching and subsequent annealing processes were applied to poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fiber webs prepared by LES. The structure and properties of the obtained webs were investigated.

Versatile Covalent Postsynthetic Modification of Metal Organic Frameworks via Thermal Condensation for Fluoride Sensing in Waters.

Having access to safe drinking water is one of the 17 sustainable development goals defined by the United Nations (UN). However, many settlements around the globe have limited access to drinkable water due to non-anthropogenic pollution of the water sources. One of those pollutants is fluoride, which can induce major health problems.

[Complicaciones relacionadas con el cateterismo cardíaco pediátrico y cardiopatías congénitas].

Introduction: Congenital heart diseases are the most common congenital abnormalities in newborns with a prevalence of 1%. Therapeutic and diagnostic cardiac catheterization has revolutionized the treatment of these diseases; however, it can be associated with complications.

Objective: To describe the incidence and type of complications associated with pediatric cardiac catheterization in a reference center for congenital heart defects.

A Solid-State Pathway towards the Tunable Carboxylation of Cellulosic Fabrics: Controlling the Surface's Acidity.

We report on a tunable solid-state approach to modify the acidity of cotton substrates using citric, oxalic, and fumaric acids. The first stage of the method involves soaking the cotton swatches in an ethanolic saturated solution of the corresponding acid. After drying, the carboxylation reaction proceeds at high temperature (T > 100 °C) and in solid state.

Surface Modification of Polyester Fabrics by Ozone and Its Effect on Coloration Using Disperse Dyes.

Polyester fibers (PES) are the most consumed textile fibers due to their low water absorption; non-ionic character and high crystallinity. However, due to their chemical structure, the chemical interactions between polyester, finishing products, and dyes are quite challenging. We report on the use of ozone to modify the surface of polyester fibers with the goal of improving the interaction of the modified surface with finishing compounds and dyes.

Effect of the Ethanol/BTC Ratio on the Methane Uptake of Mechanochemically Synthesized MOF-199.

We report on a detailed textural analysis of mechanochemically synthesized MOF-199 including N adsorption-desorption and CO adsorption isotherms data at 77 K and 273 K (up to atmospheric pressure), respectively, and CH adsorption data at 298 K (up to 35 bar). We used the isotherm adsorption data to determine the micropore volume of the MOF-199 structures, to establish their methane uptake capacity and to understand how these properties depended on the Ethanol/BTC ratio used during the synthesis. The maximum methane uptake capacity for our specimens was recorded at 130 v/v at 35 bars.

The Long and Bright Path of a Lanthanide MOF: From Basics towards the Application.

The development of portable, reliable, and low-cost sensors for assessing the quality of natural water sources is of high relevance in developing countries as they can serve as an intermediate solution prior to the building of permanent potable water distribution infrastructure. These sensors should be simple to operate by non-trained operators and easy to manufacture locally. Lanthanide-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a trustable platform due to their intense emission in regions of the visible spectra and their high sensitivity to fluorides in water.

Structure and Properties of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Fiber Webs Prepared via Laser-Electrospinning and Subsequent Annealing Processes.

Melt-electrospinning is an eco-friendly method for producing ultra-fine fibers without using any solvent. We prepared webs of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) through melt-electrospinning using CO laser irradiation for heating. The PET webs comprised ultra-fine fibers of uniform diameter (average fiber diameter = 1.

Transparent Ultraviolet (UV)-Shielding Films Made from Waste Hemp Hurd and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA).

This work proposes a new approach to fabricate highly transparent and flexible composite films that exhibit enhanced UV-shielding properties. Lignin has innate UV-shielding properties. However, when purified lignin, which is conventionally extracted through chemical treatment, is mixed with polymeric materials, its presence negatively influences the transparency of the resulting composite.

Non-invasive textile based colorimetric sensor for the simultaneous detection of sweat pH and lactate.

A non-invasive textile-based colorimetric sensor for the simultaneous detection of sweat pH and lactate was created by depositing of three different layers onto a cotton fabric: 1.) chitosan, 2.) sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and 3.

Enhanced biosorption of Cr(VI) using cotton fibers coated with chitosan - role of ester bonds.

We report on the role of ester bonds in the enhanced removal of hexavalent chromium from water using cotton fibers coated with chitosan. Adsorption capacities up to five times higher than those of the unmodified fibers were observed when the cotton fibers were exposed to an NaOH, followed by citric acid (0.97 M), and a chitosan solution (2%).

In Situ and Real-Time Studies, via Synchrotron X-ray Scattering, of the Orientational Order of Cellulose Nanocrystals during Solution Shearing.

In this manuscript, we report on the ordering of the cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as they experience shear forces during the casting process. To achieve these measurements, in situ and in real time, we used synchrotron-based grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAX). We believe that the GIWAX technique, although not commonly used to probe these types of phenomena, can open new avenues to gain deeper insights into film formation processes and surface-driven phenomena.

Decoration of Cotton Fibers with a Water-Stable Metal-Organic Framework (UiO-66) for the Decomposition and Enhanced Adsorption of Micropollutants in Water.

We report on the successful functionalization of cotton fabrics with a water-stable metal-organic framework (MOF), UiO-66, under mild solvothermal conditions (80 °C) and its ability to adsorb and degrade water micropollutants. The functionalized cotton samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). UiO-66 crystals grew in a uniform and conformal manner over the surface of the cotton fibers.

Acid-Base Polymeric Foams for the Adsorption of Micro-oil Droplets from Industrial Effluents.

Separation of toxic organic pollutants from industrial effluents is a great environmental challenge. Herein, an acid-base engineered foam is employed for separation of micro-oil droplets from an aqueous solution. In acidic or basic environments, acid-base polymers acquire surface charge due to protonation or dissociation of surface active functional groups.

Oriented Growth of α-MnO₂ Nanorods Using Natural Extracts from Grape Stems and Apple Peels.

We report on the synthesis of alpha manganese dioxide (α-MnO₂) nanorods using natural extracts from grape stems and 'Cortland' apple peels. We used a two-step method to produce highly crystalline α-MnO₂ nanorods: (1) reduction of KMnO₄ in the presence of natural extracts to initiate the nucleation process; and (2) a thermal treatment to enable further solid-state growth of the nuclei. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images provided direct evidence of the morphology of the nanorods and these images were used to propose nucleation and growth mechanisms.

Grafting collagen on poly (lactic acid) by a simple route to produce electrospun scaffolds, and their cell adhesion evaluation.

Increasing bioactivity and mechanical properties of polymers to produce more suitable scaffold for tissue engineering is a recurrent goal in the development of new biomedical materials. In this study, collagen-functionalized poly (lactic acid), PLA, was obtained by means of a simple grafting route, and electrospun scaffolds were produced to grow cells ; their bioactivity was compared with scaffolds made of physical blends of PLA and collagen. Grafting was verified via nuclear magnetic resonance, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Removal of sodium and chloride ions from aqueous solutions using fique fibers (Furcraea spp.).

Fique fibers obtained from the leaves of Furcraea spp., a highly abundant plant in the mountains of South America, may offer an alternative as biosorbents in desalination processes as they exhibit high removal capacities (13.26 meq/g for chloride ions and 15.

Nanotechnology in Textiles.

Increasing customer demand for durable and functional apparel manufactured in a sustainable manner has created an opportunity for nanomaterials to be integrated into textile substrates. Nanomoieties can induce stain repellence, wrinkle-freeness, static elimination, and electrical conductivity to fibers without compromising their comfort and flexibility. Nanomaterials also offer a wider application potential to create connected garments that can sense and respond to external stimuli via electrical, color, or physiological signals.

Soybean agglutinin-conjugated silver nanoparticles nanocarriers in the treatment of breast cancer cells.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) induce diverse cell-death mechanisms, similar to those promoted by anticancer chemotherapeutics; however, they have not been tested in vivo because their action is not limited to cancer cells. Therefore, in vivo evaluations of their effectiveness should be developed with targeting systems. Breast cancer shows changes in the sugar expression patterns on cell surfaces, related to cancer progression and metastases; those changes have been identified previously by the specific binding of soybean agglutinin (SBA).

Versatile Molding Process for Tough Cellulose Hydrogel Materials.

Shape-persistent and tough cellulose hydrogels were fabricated by a stepwise solvent exchange from a homogeneous ionic liquid solution of cellulose exposure to methanol vapor. The cellulose hydrogels maintain their shapes under changing temperature, pH, and solvents. The micrometer-scale patterns on the mold were precisely transferred onto the surface of cellulose hydrogels.