Nanofiber
membranes via electrospinning with layered structures
are frequently used for oil/water separation, thanks to their unique
properties. However, challenges that involve nanofibrous membranes
still remain, such as high energy consumption and unfavorable transport
properties because of the densely compact structure. In this study,
superelastic and robust nanofiber-based aerogels (NFAs) with a three-dimensional
(3D) structure as well as tunable porosity were prepared using polyimide
(PI) nanofibers via a freeze-drying process followed by the solvent–vapor
treatment. The porous NFAs were further modified using trichloromethylsilane
(TCMS) to generate silicone nanofilaments (SiNFs) on the surface of
the PI nanofibers, which could enhance the hydrophobicity (water contact
angle 151.7°) of the NFAs. The corresponding superhydrophobic
NFAs exhibited ultralow density (<10.0 mg m–3), high porosity (>99.0%), and rapid recovery under 80% compression
strain. SiNFs-coated NFAs (SiNFs/NFAs) could also collect a wide range
of oily solvents with high absorption capacities up to 159 times to
their own weight. Moreover, surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil emulsions
could also be efficiently separated (up to 100%) under the driving
force of gravity, making it a promising energy-efficient technology.
Additionally, SiNFs/NFAs maintained high separation efficiency throughout
five separation–recovery cycles, indicating the potential of
SiNFs/NFAs in the field of oil/water separation, sewage treatment,
as well as oily fume purification.
Antibacterial hydrogel wound dressings with adhesive
and antioxidant
activity are desirable for treating skin injuries in clinical care.
Hereby, a series of multifunctional hydrogel wound dressings with
high adhesive, self-healing, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity
were designed and fabricated using dopamine (DA) and quercetin (QT).
The multifunctional hydrogels were constructed by the interpenetrated
quaternized chitosan chain segments and polyacrylamide network. The
catechol groups on DA, QT, and the quaternary ammonium groups in the
hydrogel system endow hydrogels with high strength, excellent adhesion,
and self-healing ability. The results confirmed the admirable hemocompatibility
and remarkable antibacterial activity of the multifunction hydrogels
against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia
coli. Consequently, multifunction hydrogels with satisfactory
adhesive and antibacterial activity are appropriate alternative materials
in the fields of tissue adhesive and wound dressing applications.
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