Carla J. S. M. Silva

Preparation and characterization of polysaccharides/PVA blend nanofibrous membranes by electrospinning method

A series of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), PVA/chitosan (CS) and PVA/cyanobacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) blended nanofibrous membranes were produced by electrospinning using a microfiltration poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) basal membrane, for potential applications in water filtration. Nanofibres were obtained from solutions of 20% (w/w) PVA with 1% (w/w) CS or EPS, using a weight ratio of 60/40. Blended nanofibres have shown a smooth morphology, no beads formation and diameters between 50 and 130 nm. Thermo-mechanical analysis demonstrated that there were inter and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the molecules of PVA/CS and PVA/EPS in the blends. The electrospun blended PVA/EPS membrane showed better tensile mechanical properties when compared with PVA and PVA/CS, and resisted more against disintegration in the temperature range between 10 and 50 °C. Finally, the blended membranes have shown an increase in chromium binding capacity of 5%. This is the first successful report of a blended membrane of electrospinned cyanobacterial polysaccharide with PVA.

Effect of some process parameters in enzymatic dyeing of wool

This article reports on the dyeing of wool using an enzymatic system comprising laccase; dye precursor, 2,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid; and dye modifiers, catechol and resorcinol. Enzymatic dyeing was performed as a batchwise process at the temperature and pH of maximum enzyme activity. The effects of the process variables reaction time, enzyme, and modifier concentration on fabric color were studied, according to an appropriate experimental design. Different hues and depths of shades could be achieved by varying the concentration of the modifiers and the time of laccase treatment. The duration of the enzymatic reaction appeared to be the most important factor in the dyeing process. Thus, the dyeing process, performed at low temperature and mild pH, was advantageous in terms of reduced enzyme and chemical dosage.

Production and characterization of extracellular carbohydrate polymer from Cyanothece sp. CCY 0110

Cyanobacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are heteropolysaccharides that possess characteristics suitable for industrial applications, notably a high number of different monomers, strong anionic nature and high hydrophobicity. However, systematic studies that unveil the conditions influencing EPS synthesis and/or its characteristics are mandatory. In this work, Cyanothece sp. CCY 0110 was used as model organism. Our results revealed that this strain is among the most efficient EPS producers, and that the amount of RPS (released polysaccharides) is mainly related to the number of cells, rather than to the amount produced by each cell. Light was the key parameter, with high light intensity enhancing significantly RPS production (reaching 1.8 g L(-1)), especially in the presence of combined nitrogen. The data showed that RPS are composed by nine different monosaccharides (including two uronic acids), the presence of sulfate groups and peptides, and that the polymer is remarkably thermostable and amorphous in nature.

Screen-Printed Photochromic Textiles through New Inks Based on SiO2@naphthopyran Nanoparticles

Photochromic silica nanoparticles (SiO2@NPT), fabricated through the covalent immobilization of silylated naphthopyrans (NPTs) based on 2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran (S1, S2) and 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran (S3, S4) or through the direct adsorption of the parent naphthopyrans (1, 3) onto silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs), were successfully incorporated onto cotton fabrics by a screen-printing process. Two aqueous acrylic- (AC-) and polyurethane- (PU-) based inks were used as dispersing media. All textiles exhibited reversible photochromism under UV and solar irradiation, developing fast responses and intense coloration. The fabrics coated with SiO2@S1 and SiO2@S2 showed rapid color changes and high contrasts (ΔE*ab = 39-52), despite presenting slower bleaching kinetics (2-3 h to fade to the original color), whereas the textiles coated with SiO2@S3 and SiO2@S4 exhibited excellent engagement between coloration and decoloration rates (coloration and fading times of 1 and 2 min, respectively; ΔE*ab = 27-53). The PU-based fabrics showed excellent results during the washing fastness tests, whereas the AC-based textiles evidenced good results only when a protective transfer film was applied over the printed design.

Antibacterial Electrospun Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Enzymatic Synthesized Poly(catechol) Nanofibrous Midlayer Membrane for Ultrafiltration

Two different nanofibrous antibacterial membranes containing enzymatically synthesized poly(catechol) (PC) or silver nitrate (AgNO3, positive control) blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and electrospun onto a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) basal disc to generate thin-film composite midlayers were produced for water ultrafiltration applications. The developed membranes were thoroughly characterized in terms of morphology, chemical composition, and general mechanical and thermal features, antimicrobial activity, and ultrafiltration capabilities. The electrospun blends were recognized as homogeneous. Data revealed relevant conformational changes in the PVA side groups, attributed to hydrogen bonding, high thermal stability, and residual mass. PVDF+PVA/AgNO3 membrane displayed 100% growth inhibition of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains, despite the wide range of fiber diameters generated, from 24 to 125 nm, formation of numerous beads, and irregular morphology. The PVDF+PVA/PC membrane showed a good growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus (92%) and revealed a smooth morphology with no relevant bead formations and diameters ranging from 68 to 131 nm. The ultrafiltration abilities of the membrane containing PVA/PC were tested in a dead-end high-pressure cell (4 bar) using a reactive dye in distilled water and seawater. After 5 cycles, a maximum rejection of ≈85% with an average flux rate of 70 L m-2 h-1 for distilled water and ≈64% with an average flux rate of 62 L m-2 h-1 for seawater were determined with an overall salt rejection of ≈5%.