Radiochemical synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is an eco-friendly method allowing the obtaining of controlled size, well dispersed and highly stable particles at very mild conditions. Colloidal silver nanoparticles were synthesized in a one-step process, in an aqueous system consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Ag+/isopropyl alcohol (IPA), irradiated at various doses by using high energy ionizing radiations (g-rays). The UV-Vis spectra have shown a maximum absorption peak in the range of 390-450 nm, specific for silver nanoparticles. The size of the obtained spherical shape nanoparticles was below 50 nm and decreased with increasing of the irradiation dose.
It was carried out a study on the properties of polymer modified concrete (PCM) in fresh and hardened state. It was used three types of polymers: epoxy resins, polyurethane and methylcellulose in different percentages and different water cement ratio. The main objectives was to improve workability and rheological behavior of these mixtures in fresh state and mechanical strength tests on hard concrete. Has been investigated the polymer influence on compression strength and flexural strength and analyzing the time evolution of these strengths and participation of polymer in the microstructure formation.
Three types of dry polarizable electric bioimpedance sensor for skin bioimpedance monitoring without skin preparation have been developed. The sensitive materials as a component of these sensors are the conductive polypyrrole and hybrid nanocomposite polypyrrole-Ag, with 10% and 20% Ag incorporated in the polypyrrole matrix. The hybrid nanocomposites Ag nanoparticles (NPs)/polypyrrole were obtained by introducing the colloid solution of Ag NPs in pyrrole solution, followed by polymerisation, and calculated for 10% and 20% of monomer’s mass. The structural characterisation and morphological analysis of these sensitive materials were carried-out by Raman spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In making the electrodes, the technique of pressing powders of polypyrrole and hybrid composites Ag NPs/polypyrrole in a hydraulic press was used in the form of a disk. The electric bioimpedance performance of sensors was investigated using a two-point method in the frequency range of 1–300 kHz, at a voltage of 2 Vpeak-peak, on six human subjects, three men and three women. For these three bioimpedance sensors, it was found that the electric bioimpedance of the skin decreases across the frequency range and shows good linearity of the impedance-frequency curve on the range frequency of interest in bioimpedance measurements.
This study focuses on the development and characterization of biodegradable polymer composites consisting of a polypropylene (PP) matrix, carbon black pigment, and hybrid fillers. The fillers incorporated into these composites consisted of a blend of fibers and particles derived from natural, biodegradable materials, such as flax fibers (FFs) and wood flour (WF) particles. The compositions of polymer material were expressed as PP/FF/WF weight ratios of 100/0/0, 70/5/25, and 70/10/20. The polymer materials were prepared using conventional plastic processing methods like extrusion to produce composite mixtures, followed by melt injection to manufacture the samples needed for characterization. The structural characterization of the polymer materials was conducted using optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, while thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties were also evaluated. Additionally, their biodegradation behavior under mold exposure was assessed over six months. The results were analyzed comparatively, and the optimal composition was identified as the polymer composite containing the highest flax fiber content, namely PP + 10 wt.% flax fiber + 20 wt.% wood flour.