work
synthesis of nanomaterials // polymer nanocomposites // air quality measurements
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Polymer nanocomposites based on high performance polymers and inorganic nanofillers are in interesting due to increasing industrial demands for multi-functional and durable materials. Embedding of nanoparticles into a polymer improves the physical and chemical properties of the polymer matrix through interactions between the two components. There are numerous applications of polymer nanocomposites which are not limited only to improved physical and chemical properties with respect to pure polymers; mixing can lead to completely novel type of functionality, for example: organic-inorganic electronics, antimicrobial contact coatings, polymer sensors, ...
In LSINR we study polymer nanocomposites with addition of MoO3 nanowires. The nanocomposites consist of some technologically important polymers such as poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) - PVDF-HFP (thermoplastic, high strength and resistance to solvents, piezoelectric), polyetyhylene oxide - PEO (biocompatible, water-soluble, hydrophilic, used in cosmetics and drug delivery sistems) and polyvinylpyrrolidone - PVP (biocompatible, water-soluble, low chemical toxicity, act as a dispersantacts and stabilizer, good grif on different substrates, good electrical properties). We prepare nanocomposites in a form of thick films via film applicator or thin films by spin coating.
The characterization of the first polymer nanocomposites PVDF-HFP/PEO/MoO3 was presented in a research article entitled “Polymer Blend Containing MoO3 Nanowires with Antibacterial Activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228”, published in Journal of Nanomaterials (2020, article ID 9754024, https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9754024). The second very interesting nanocomposite PVDF-HFP/PVP/MoO3 with nanostructured surface was presented as a featured article with the title “Novel nanostructured and antimicrobial PVDF-HFP/PVP/MoO3 composite”, published in Surface Innovations (2021, 9(5), https://doi.org/10.1680/jsuin.20.00073). The polymer nanocomposite PVDF-HFP/PVP/MoO3 is shown in the SEM picture (scale bar: 5 μm).
All pictures are copyrighted. For any further use please contact us to receive a permission. (maja.remskar@ijs.si)
In addition, we can also prepare sub-micron thin fibers via electrospinning. In the SEM picture you can see the PVDF-HFP fibers (scale bar: 5 μm).
All pictures are copyrighted. For any further use please contact us to receive a permission. (maja.remskar@ijs.si)
