The aim of the study was to prepare SnO₂ nanowires via a combination of electrospinning and the sol–gel method from a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/dimetylformamide (DMF)/ethanol(EtOH)/tin(IV) chloride pentahydrate (SnCl₄·5H₂O) solution. The morphology, structure and chemical composition of the obtained PVP/SnO₂ nanofibers and SnO₂ nanowires were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDX). The optical property analysis was performed on the basis of UV–Vis spectra of absorbance as a function of the wavelength, based on which the rated values of band gaps of the fabricated 1D nanostructures were determined. The morphology analysis showed that the obtained amorphous SnO₂ nanowires with crystalline protuberances were characterized by a diameter of 50 to 120 nm. Results demonstrated that nanowires with a ratio of 1:1 precursor to polymer in the spinning solution were characterized by the smallest diameter after calcination and the smallest energy gap of 3.3 eV among all investigated samples. The rest of the studied materials were characterized by a larger energy gap (3.8 and 3.9 eV).

The recycling of Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) is becoming increasingly crucial due to the growing demand for sustainability in high-performance industries such as automotive and aerospace. This study investigates the impact of two chemical recycling techniques, chemically assisted solvolysis and plasma-enhanced solvolysis, on the morphology and properties of carbon fibres (CFs) recovered from end-of-life automotive parts. In addition, the effects of fibre sizing are explored to enhance the performance of the recycled carbon fibres (rCFs). The surface morphology of the fibres was characterised using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and their structural integrity was assessed through Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy. An automatic analysis method based on optical microscopy images was also developed to quantify filament loss during the recycling process. Mechanical testing of single fibres and yarns showed that although rCFs from both recycling methods exhibited a ~20% reduction in tensile strength compared to reference fibres, the application of sizing significantly mitigated these effects (~10% reduction). X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) further confirmed the introduction of functional oxygen-containing groups on the fibre surface, which improved fibre-matrix adhesion. Overall, the results demonstrate that plasma-enhanced solvolysis was more effective at fully decomposing the resin, while the subsequent application of sizing enhanced the mechanical performance of rCFs, restoring their properties closer to those of virgin fibres.

Titanium-based materials are the most widely used materials in biomedical applications. However, according to literature findings, the degradation products of titanium have been associated with potential allergic reactions, inflammation, and bone resorption. The corrosion process of Ti-6Al-4V in the human body environment may be exacerbated by factors such as reduced pH levels and elevated concentrations of chloride compounds. Coatings made of biopolymers are gaining attention as they offer numerous advantages for enhancing implant functionality, including improved biocompatibility, bioactivity, wettability, drug release, and antibacterial activity. This study analyzes the physicochemical and electrochemical behavior of the Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy subjected to PCL and PCL/TiO₂ deposition by the electrospinning method. To characterize the polymer-based layer, tests of chemical and phase composition, as well as surface morphology investigations, were performed. Wetting angle tests were conducted as part of assessing the physicochemical properties. The samples were subjected to corrosion behavior analysis, which included open circuit potential measurements, potentiodynamic tests, and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method. Additionally, the quantification of released ions post the potentiodynamic test was carried out using the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES) method. Cytotoxicity tests were also performed. It was found that surface modification by depositing a polymer-based layer on the titanium substrate material using the electrospinning method provides improved corrosion behavior, and the samples exhibit non-toxic properties.

The growing scientific interest in one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures based on metal-oxide semiconductors (MOS) resulted in the analysis of their structure, properties and fabrication methods being the subject of many research projects and publications all over the world, including in Poland. The application of the method of electrospinning with subsequent calcination for the production of these materials is currently very popular, which results from its simplicity and the possibility to control the properties of the obtained materials. The growing trend of industrial application of electrospun 1D MOS and the progress in modern technologies of nanomaterials properties investigations indicate the necessity to maintain the high level of research and development activities related to the structure and properties analysis of low-dimensional nanomaterials. Therefore, this review perfectly fits both the global trends and is a summary of many years of research work in the field of electrospinning carried out in many research units, especially in the Department of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Technology of Silesian University of Technology, as well as an announcement of further activities in this field.

The growing interest in one-dimensional tin oxide-based nanomaterials boosts research on both high-quality nanomaterials as well as production methods. This is due to the fact that they present unique electrical and optical properties that enable their application in various (opto)electronic devices. Thus, the aim of the paper was to produce ceramic SnO₂ nanowires using electrospinning with the calcination method, and to investigate the influence of the calcination temperature on the morphology, structure and optical properties of the obtained material. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to examine the morphology and chemical structure of obtained nanomaterials. The optical properties of manufactured one-dimensional nanostructures were investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Moreover, based on the UV-Vis spectra, the energy band gap of the prepared nanowires was determined. The analysis of the morphology of the obtained nanowires showed that both the concentration of the precursor in the spinning solution and the calcination temperature have a significant impact on the diameter of the nanowires and, consequently, on their optical properties.