Papers by Keyword: Nanospider

Abstract: In this study the needle-less electrospinning by means of “Nanospider^TM“ (ELMARCO) as technology for the preparation of fine α-Al₂O₃ fibers with diameters of 0.5 - 1.5 µm is presented. The fabrication consists of three steps: i) preparation of spinning solution, ii) electrospinning of the prepared solution and collection of the composite fibers, iii) calcination of the composite precursor fibers. The electrospun fibers were prepared from polyacrylonitrile/N,N-dimethylformamide (PAN/DMF) polymer solution and Al(NO₃)₃.9H₂O in ratio 1/10/1. Thereafter, the precursor fibers were calcined in the furnace at 900, 1100 and 1200 °C with a rate of 5 °C/min in air. The formation of crystalline phases, surface morphology and diameters of metastable and final alumina fibers were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, the scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The precursor PAN/Al(NO₃)₃ fibers were amorphous. The thermal treatment leads to the phase transition from γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃ accompanied by removing of polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The fine porous microfibers composed of pure α-Al₂O₃ phase were prepared after calcinations at 1200 °C.

Abstract: Nanofibers are very promising new type of material with a broad range of possible applications. The new NANOSPIDER technology opens a possibility to produce nanofabrics in an amount large enough for them to start being interesting as a construction material. There are many so-called passive applications of nanotextiles (including different types of filters and protective layers), and active applications, when the active chemical agent is incorporated in their structure. In the present paper, however, the new possible application of nanofabrics is proposed: as a base material on which technically interesting nanoclusters are heterogeneously nucleated. The basic thermodynamics of heterogeneous nucleation on nanofibers is considered. The extreme curvature of nanofibers manifests itself in an energetic barrier of nucleation, which is quite different from a case of nucleation on a flat surface. The expression for Gibbs energy of cluster formation is derived, taking into account the elastic strain resulting from a volume (or shape) changes during nucleation.

Abstract: Recent advances in the preparation of nanofibre layers, especially using the Nanospider™ technology, allow prepare a sufficiently large area of nanofibrous layer of reproducible thickness and structure. Subsequently, it is possible to employ these layers as cell carriers and evaluate their efficiency in laboratory bioreactors. The construction of the functional hepatal bioreactor is particularly given by the positive response of hepatocyte cells to the used carrier layer as well as by the cell morphology, their viability and biological activity in certain period of time. We compared cell growth on collagen with nanofibres electrospun from selected copolymers of methacrylic esters (HEMA/EOEMA) and from differently prepared polycaprolactone (PCL) layers. The morphology was evaluated using Phaloidin/DAPI staining. On the nanofibres based on methacrylates, the cells survived and showed a common morphology comparing with cells grown on collagen (controls). On the PCL nanofibres, the cells attached well and showed a better growth than cells grown on collagen (controls). The results obtained in laboratory bioreactor proved the biochemical functionality of the studied system.