In this study, we have fabricated polyacrylonitrile/montmorillonite (PAN/Mt) nanofibrous nanocomposites with variation in concentration of Mt from 0.25% to 1.00%. The electrospinning process developed PAN/Mt nanofibrous nanocomposites having reduced fiber diameters and high surface roughness as observed in Field emission scanning electron microscopy. The nanocomposite nanofibers were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analyzer for intercalation and thermal stability respectively. PAN/Mt nanofibrous nanocomposites were tested for their water vapor transmission rate, air permeability, burst strength, and tensile strength. The filtration efficiency of 0.75% PAN/Mt nanofibrous nanocomposite was found to be 98.7% for PM2.5 particles present in air with a pressure drop of 46.8 Pa. The adsorption of copper (II) (Cu (II)) ions using 0.75% PAN/Mt nanofibrous nanocomposites has also been studied. The effect of contact time and initial concentration of adsorbent on the adsorption of Cu (II) ions have been analyzed. It was found that the PAN/Mt nanofibrous membranes follows pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm for the adsorption of Cu (II) ions from aqueous solutions. This study suggests the potential implication of PAN/Mt nanofibrous nanocomposites for filtration of PM2.5 and adsorption of metal ions.
In this study, regenerated Antheraea mylitta silk fibroin (ASF) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) dissolved in formic acid were blended together in variable ratios to prepare blend films. The blend films presented homogeneous morphology with no visible phase separation as observed in scanning electron microscope (SEM). The structural analysis of blend films through fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction indicated the formation of co-crystals due to interaction of fibroin with PVA molecular chains. The thermal properties assessed using thermogravimetric analyzer and differential scanning calorimeter supported the molecular interactions with altered thermal stability of blend films. Incorporation of PVA into ASF enhanced the mechanical properties of blend films. The water uptake capacity, biocompatibility and biodegradability were analyzed. The L929 fibroblast skin cells seeded on blend films were found to have attached the film surface and started attaining their conventional morphology after 48 h, as observed under SEM. Alamar blue assay confirmed the cytocompatibility of blend films with more than 95% cells being viable. Based on the aforementioned encouraging results, we can assert the utility of these blend films in biomedical field for tissue regeneration applications.
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