Electrospinning preparation and electrical and biological properties of ferrocene/poly(vinylpyrrolidone) composite nanofibers

Abstract

SummaryNanofibers containing ferrocene (Fc) have been prepared for the first time by electrospinning. In this paper, Fc was dispersed uniformly throughout the poly(vinypyrrolidone) (PVP) matrix for the purpose of combining the properties of PVP and Fc. The effects of solvents and Fc concentration on the morphologies and diameters of nanofibers were investigated. In the DMF/ethanol solvent, the morphologies of the obtained nanofibers significantly changed with the increase of Fc concentration. The results demonstrated that the morphologies of the nanofibers could be controlled through adjusting solvents and Fc concentration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the diameters of the obtained composite fibers were about 30–200 nm at different Fc concentrations. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results confirmed the presence of ferrocene within the PVP nanofibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the crystalline structure of Fc in the fibers was amorphous after the electrospinning process. A biological evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of Fc/PVP nanofibers was carried out by using Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) as model organisms. The nanofibers fabricated by this method showed obvious antibacterial activity. Electrochemical properties were characterized based on cyclic voltammetry measurements. The CV results showed redox peaks corresponding to the Fc+/Fc couple, which suggested that Fc molecules encapsulated inside PVP nanofibers retian their electrochemical activity. The properties and facile preparation method make the Fc/PVP nanofibers promising for antibacterial and sensing applications.

Thermal degradation of some ferrocene-containing poly(aryleneethynylene)s

“…Among other studies reported in the literature, there are some examples which provide information on the thermal stability of the ferrocene-containing polymers both in the inert atmosphere and in air. These reports contain the temperatures at which the thermal decomposition of the polymers started [5][6][7][8][9]. In addition, de Souza et al proposed the degradation mechanism of ferrocene-containing polyamides in air from the FTIR spectra of the residues at various temperatures: 150, 210, and 350 C [10].…”

Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial properties of novel double layer nanocomposite electrospun fibers for wound dressing applications

“…Thermal degradation of the sample shows a behavior that resembles that of PVP found in literature. 44 PVP could be dominant as it has the highest thermal stability in comparison to other constituents in the sample. The major weight loss between 380°C and 460°C can be assigned to normal thermal decomposition of PVP.…”

Electrospun plasma‐modified chitosan/poly(ethylene terephthalate)/ferrocenyl‐substituted N‐acetyl‐2‐pyrazoline fibers for phosphate anion sensing

“…As shown in Figure , the degradation process of the PMCh/PET, PMCh/PET/Fc‐1, and PMCh/PET/Fc‐2 electrospun fibers were investigated with TGA from 25 to 900°C in nitrogen gas. Because of the evaporation of adsorbed water or moisture, the TGA results of all of the samples showed a first weight loss of 5–10% before approximately 100°C . The TGA curves of Fc‐1 and Fc‐2 each showed one decomposition stage between approximately 130 and 400°C, as shown in Figure .…”

“…Recent scientific research has focused on the study of both ferrocene‐derived nanofibers and chitosan nanofibers via electrospinning technology . To the best of our knowledge, chitosan nanofibers containing ferrocenyl‐substituted N ‐acetyl‐2‐pyrazoline derivatives prepared via electrospinning have not been reported up to this point.…”