Publications by authors named "Rui D V Fernandes"
Iridescence Mimicking in Fabrics: A Ultraviolet/Visible Spectroscopy Study.
Biomimetics (Basel)
January 2024
Poly(styrene-methyl methacrylate-acrylic acid) photonic crystals (PCs), with five different sizes (170, 190, 210, 230 and 250 nm), were applied onto three plain fabrics, namely polyamide, polyester and cotton. The PC-coated fabrics were analyzed using scanning electronic microscopy and two UV/Vis reflectance spectrophotometric techniques (integrating sphere and scatterometry) to evaluate the PCs' self-assembly along with the obtained spectral and colors characteristics. Results showed that surface roughness of the fabrics had a major influence on the color produced by PCs.
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- Laboratories and industries are vulnerable to chemical leakages, particularly from corrosive materials, which can lead to significant damage and injuries.
- Most existing neutralizing mats on the market can only target either acid or alkali solutions, but not both simultaneously.
- The study presents a dual component active mat (DCAM) that uses microencapsulated food-grade ingredients to effectively neutralize both acid and alkali leakages simultaneously, achieving over 70% reduction in conductivity for hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.
Polysaccharides and Metal Nanoparticles for Functional Textiles: A Review.
Nanomaterials (Basel)
March 2022
Nanotechnology is a powerful tool for engineering functional materials that has the potential to transform textiles into high-performance, value-added products. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the development of functional textiles using metal nanoparticles (MNPs). The incorporation of MNPs in textiles allows for the obtention of multifunctional properties, such as ultraviolet (UV) protection, self-cleaning, and electrical conductivity, as well as antimicrobial, antistatic, antiwrinkle, and flame retardant properties, without compromising the inherent characteristics of the textile.
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- - The study aims to enhance face masks by incorporating antiviral essential oils (EOs) into electrospun fibrous mats made of polycaprolactone (PCL), which can actively affect the viability of viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
- - Three effective EOs—lemongrass, Niaouli, and eucalyptus—were identified and tested, showing significant virucidal concentrations against the MS2 virus, a potential analog for SARS-CoV-2.
- - The modified mats demonstrated superhydrophobic properties, good mechanical resilience, and effective virus retention, making them potentially superior protective elements in masks compared to traditional options.
A new triethylbenzene-derived tetraazamacrocycle containing pyridyl spacers, L, was prepared and its dinuclear copper(ii) complex was used as a receptor for the recognition of phosphorylated peptides in aqueous solution. A detailed study of the acid-base behaviour of L and its copper(ii) complexation properties as well as of the cascade species with phosphorylated anions including two peptidic substrates was carried out in a HO/MeOH (50 : 50 v/v) solution using different techniques, such as potentiometry, X-band EPR and DFT calculations. The association constants of the dinuclear receptor with the phosphorylated peptides and other anionic species revealed a clear preference towards phenylic phosphorylated substrates, with values ranging 3.
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