To investigate the influence of spinel structure and sintering temperature on the functional properties of BaTiO3/NixZn1−xFe2O4 (x = 0, 0.5, 1), NiFe2O4, ZnFe2O4, and Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 were in situ ...prepared by thermal decomposition onto BaTiO3 surface from acetylacetonate precursors. As-prepared powders were additionally sintered at 1150 °C and 1300 °C. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used for the detailed examination of phase composition and morphology. The magnetic, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties were investigated. The optimal phase composition in the BaTiO3/NiFe2O4 composite, sintered at 1150 °C, resulted in a wide frequency range stability. Additionally, particular phase composition indicates favorable properties such as low conductivity and ideal-like hysteresis loop behavior. The favorable properties of BaTiO3/NiFe2O4 make this particular composite an ideal material choice for further studies on applications of multi-ferroic devices.
In this paper, the properties of organic-inorganic hybrid polymer materials, which were synthesized from an aluminosilicate inorganic matrix with the addition of brushite and aminosilane grafted on ...one side and PEI covalently bonded composites on the other side, were examined. The synthesized organic-inorganic hybrid polymers were examined in terms of a structural, morphological, thermo-gravimetric, and adsorption-desorption analysis and also as potential CO2 capturers. The structural and phase properties as well as the percentage contents of the crystalline and amorphous phase were determined by the X-ray diffraction method. The higher content of the amorphous phase in the structure of hybrid polymers was proven in metakaolin and metakaolin-brushite hybrid samples with the addition of amino silane and with 1,000,000 PEI in a structure. The DRIFT method showed the main band changes with the addition of an organic phase and inorganic matrix. Microstructural studies with the EDS analysis showed a uniform distribution of organic and inorganic phases in the hybrid geopolymers. The thermo-gravimetric analysis showed that organic compounds are successfully bonded to inorganic polymer matrix, while adsorption-desorption analysis confirmed that the organic phase completely covered the surface of the inorganic matrix. The CO2 adsorption experiments showed that the amine-modified composites have the higher capture capacity, which is 0.685 mmol·g−1 for the GM10 sample and 0.581 mmol·g−1 for the BGM10 sample, with 1,000,000 PEI in the structure.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a highly pure polysaccharide biopolymer that can be produced by various bacterial genera. Even though BC lacks functional properties, its porosity, three-dimensional ...network, and high specific surface area make it a suitable carrier for functional composite materials. In the present study, BC-producing bacteria were isolated from kombucha beverage and identified using a molecular method. Two sets of the BC hydrogels were produced in static conditions after four and seven days. Afterwards, two different synthesis pathways were applied for BC functionalization. The first method implied the incorporation of previously synthesized HAp/TiO
nanocomposite using an immersion technique, while the second method included the functionalization of BC during the synthesis of HAp/TiO
nanocomposite in the reaction mixture. The primary goal was to find the best method to obtain the functionalized material. Physicochemical and microstructural properties were analyzed by SEM, EDS, FTIR, and XRD methods. Further properties were examined by tensile test and thermogravimetric analysis, and antimicrobial activity was assessed by a total plate count assay. The results showed that HAp/TiO
was successfully incorporated into the produced BC hydrogels using both methods. The applied methods of incorporation influenced the differences in morphology, phase distribution, mechanical and thermal properties, and antimicrobial activity against
(ATCC 25923),
(ATCC 25922),
(ATCC 12453), and
(ATCC 10231). Composite material can be recommended for further development and application in environments that are suitable for diseases spreading.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
It is well known that geopolymers are a new group of binder materials of alumosilicate origin. Geopolymers are made by the reaction of precursor aluminosilicate materials with alkaline activator ...solutions. The current research relates to a low-cost and eco-friendly procedure, suitable of being implemented in two easy steps. The first step is the production of a solid phase based on fly ash (Obrenovac, Serbia) and eggshell ash as waste materials rich in calcium. The second step is alkali activating the solid phase using an alkaline activator (a mixture of NaOH and Na2SiO3) and procedures in proper laboratory conditions. Four samples with different eggshell ash content were synthesized. The concentration of used NaOH was 12 mol dm−3. The structural properties of all investigated samples were analyzed by XRD (X-ray diffraction), DRIFT (diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform), SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and UV/Vis spectroscopy analysis. XRD determined the amorphous halo with the presence of quartz as the crystal phase in all of the investigated samples. These results were confirmed by DRIFT analysis. The morphology of the samples was determined by SEM analysis. UV/Vis showed that the material could be a potential adsorbent.
The study of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions using the adsorption process on synthetically modified geopolymers was performed under static conditions. Three geopolymers (based on metaphase of Serbian ...clay, metaphase of German clay and metaphase of German clay plus 10% of carbon cloth) were used. The geopolymers were made by condensing a mixture of metaphases and alkali activator solution at a fixed ratio at room temperature and then at a temperature of 60 °C in a dry oven. Then, the geopolymer samples were pre-crashed to a fixed-radius size. Their properties were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Adsorption experiments were carried out under batch process as a function of the dose, concentration of metal, and contact time. The uptake of Cu(II) was rapid, and it increased with increasing metal concentration. The sorption percentage decreased with increasing concentration of Cu(II). The equilibrium adsorption capacity of geopolymers was measured and extrapolated using more isotherms. The data fit very well the linear Langmuir isotherm model. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model can well describe the adsorption behavior of Cu(II) ions with geopolymers samples. These results show that used geopolymers hold great potential to remove Cu(II) from industrial wastewater.
In the search for environmentally friendly materials with a wide range of properties, polymer composites have emerged as a promising alternative due to their multifunctional properties. This study ...focuses on the synthesis of composite materials consisting of four components: bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) modified with magnetic Fe3O4, and a mixture of BaTiO3 (BT) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The BT powder was mechanically activated prior to mixing with PVDF. The influence of BT mechanical activation and BNC with magnetic particles on the PVDF matrix was investigated. The obtained composite films’ structural characteristics, morphology, and dielectric properties are presented. This research provides insights into the relationship between mechanical activation of the filler and structural and dielectric properties in the PVDF/BT/BNC/Fe3O4 system, creating the way for the development of materials with a wide range of diverse properties that support the concept of green technologies.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Due to the growing number of people infected with the new coronavirus globally, which weakens immunity, there has been an increase in bacterial infections. Hence, knowledge about simple and low-cost ...synthesis methods of materials with good structural and antimicrobial properties is of great importance. A material obtained through the combination of a nanoscale hydroxyapatite material (with good biocompatibility) and titanium dioxide (with good degradation properties of organic molecules) can absorb and decompose bacteria. In this investigation, three different synthesis routes used to prepare hydroxyapatite/titanium dioxide nanomaterials are examined. The morphology and semiquantitative chemical composition are characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). The obtained materials’ phase and structural characterization are determined using the X-ray powder diffraction method (XRD). The crystallite sizes of the obtained materials are in the range of 8 nm to 15 nm. Based on XRD peak positions, the hexagonal hydroxyapatite phases are formed in all samples along with TiO2 anatase and rutile phases. According to SEM and TEM analyses, the morphology of the prepared samples differs depending on the synthesis route. The EDX analysis confirmed the presence of Ti, Ca, P, and O in the obtained materials. The IR spectroscopy verified the vibration bands characteristic for HAp and titanium. The investigated materials show excellent antimicrobial and photocatalytic properties.
To investigate the effect of synthesis procedure and sintering temperature on the functional properties of perovskite/spinel ceramics, BaTiO3/CoFe2O4 composites were prepared by thermal ...decomposition, coprecipitation, and microemulsion method, and sintered at 1150?C and 1300?C. The phase composition and morphology of as-prepared powders as well as sintered ceramics were thoroughly examined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The dielectric and ferroelectric measurements were performed in detail. Generally, the samples sintered at 1300?C had better performances than those sintered at 1150?C. The composite synthesized by thermal decomposition and sintered at 1300?C stands out among other prepared BaTiO3/CoFe2O4 ceramics, owing to high stability in the wide frequency range and low leakage currents. The obtained results indicate that such composite might be successfully applied as a functional multiferroic.
In this paper, the properties of organic-inorganic hybrid polymer materials, which were synthesized from an aluminosilicate inorganic matrix with the addition of brushite and aminosilane grafted on ...one side and PEI covalently bonded composites on the other side, were examined. The synthesized organic-inorganic hybrid polymers were examined in terms of a structural, morphological, thermo-gravimetric, and adsorption-desorption analysis and also as potential COsub.2 capturers. The structural and phase properties as well as the percentage contents of the crystalline and amorphous phase were determined by the X-ray diffraction method. The higher content of the amorphous phase in the structure of hybrid polymers was proven in metakaolin and metakaolin-brushite hybrid samples with the addition of amino silane and with 1,000,000 PEI in a structure. The DRIFT method showed the main band changes with the addition of an organic phase and inorganic matrix. Microstructural studies with the EDS analysis showed a uniform distribution of organic and inorganic phases in the hybrid geopolymers. The thermo-gravimetric analysis showed that organic compounds are successfully bonded to inorganic polymer matrix, while adsorption-desorption analysis confirmed that the organic phase completely covered the surface of the inorganic matrix. The COsub.2 adsorption experiments showed that the amine-modified composites have the higher capture capacity, which is 0.685 mmol·gsup.−1 for the GM10 sample and 0.581 mmol·gsup.−1 for the BGM10 sample, with 1,000,000 PEI in the structure.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Metals and metal oxides have subpar antibacterial activities compared to those of small-molecule antibiotics, yet there are hopes that with proper compositional and structural adjustments this gap ...might be bridged. In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were mechanically activated and combined with particulate silver through simple reduction process elicited by UV irradiation and assisted with the ultrasound. The resulting powders in various combinations (Ag vs. no Ag, activated vs. non-activated) were characterized using a range of experimental techniques and assessed for their antibacterial activities. The preparation procedure presented in this work prevails over the disadvantages of many chemical routes, most critically by avoiding the use of toxic substances. The mechanical activation did not reduce the particle size or crystallinity of TiO2 nor did it consistently alter the bandgap, yet it enabled the doubling of the amount of silver incorporable into the material. Further, while both mechanical activation and the addition of silver in the amount not exceeding 0.5 wt% produced barely detectable structural changes in the material, they both augmented its antibacterial activity. The precursor TiO2 powder produced no inhibition zone against any of the four bacterial species tested, while the mechanical activation of TiO2 led to the formation of distinct inhibition zones against each of the four bacterial species tested. The addition of silver to activated TiO2 further widened the inhibition zones and it also imparted the antibacterial activity to non-activated TiO2. The boost in the antibacterial activity achieved by the short mechanical activation was of a similar magnitude as the boost obtained after the addition of silver. The antibacterial activity was not different for different species when no silver was added to the system. However, with the addition of silver, species selectivity was obtained, as the composites were more effective against the two Gram-negative species (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) than against the two Gram-positive ones (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). The antibacterial activity increased with the addition of silver in the broth assay, but it was mediocre compared to that detected in the agar assay, attesting to the poor dispersability of the powders and their best performance when the bacterial cells migrate to the composite surface than vice versa. The findings of this study give hope that with appropriate microstructural or compositional alterations, the antibacterial activity of metal oxide powders and inorganic materials in general can be made comparable to that of small-molecule antibiotics.
Display omitted
•The mechanical activation of TiO2 as an prerequisite for antibacterial activity•Ag distribution over TiO2 surface by ultrasonically-assisted chemical precipitation•Homogeneous Ag deposition onto TiO2 at a low net concentration•The mechanical activation doubled the amount of Ag incorporable into TiO2•The mechanical activation and addition of Ag augmented TiO2 antibacterial effect.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
