Sharif Digital Repository

Chitosan is a natural polymer with acceptable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical stability; hence, it has been widely appraised for drug and gene delivery applications. However, there has been no comprehensive assessment to tailor-make chitosan cross-linkers of various types and functionalities as well as complex chitosan-based semi- and full-interpenetrating networks for drug delivery systems (DDSs). Herein, various fabrication methods developed for chitosan hydrogels are deliberated, including chitosan crosslinking with and without diverse cross-linkers. Tripolyphosphate, genipin and multi-functional aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and epoxides are common cross-linkers used in... 

The creation of surfaces with various super nonwetting properties is an ongoing challenge. We report diverse modifications of novel synthesized zirconia-ceria nanocomposites by different low surface energy agents to fabricate nanofluids capable of regulating surface wettability of mineral substrates to achieve selective superhydrophobic, superoleophobic-superhydrophilic, and superamphiphobic conditions. Surfaces treated with these nanofluids offer self-cleaning properties and effortless rolling-off behavior with sliding angles ≤7° for several liquids with surface tensions between 26 and 72.1 mN/m. The superamphiphobic nanofluid coating imparts nonstick properties to a solid surface whereby... 

Introducing suitable electrode materials and electrolytes for supercapacitors and next-generation batteries should be considered for the industrial application of these devices. Among the proposed materials for them, transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs), are attractive and efficient options due to their unique properties such as appropriate layered structure, good oxidation state of transition metals, high thermal and mechanical stabilities, etc. However, applying other layered materials with high electrical conductivity e.g. carbon-based materials can lead to producing remarkable results for the mentioned applications. However, an interesting point is how making TMCs composite with... 

Objective: This study aimed to employ nonlinear dynamic approaches to assess trunk dynamic stability with speed, symmetry, and load during repetitive flexion-extension (FE) movements for individuals with and without nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). Background: Repetitive trunk FE movement is a typical work-related LBP risk factor contingent on speed, symmetry, and load. Improper settings/adjustments of these control parameters could undermine the dynamic stability of the trunk, hence leading to low back injuries. The underlying stability mechanisms and associated control impairments during such dynamic movements remain elusive. Method: Thirty-eight male volunteers (19 healthy, 19 NSLBP)... 

The most common reasons for hard-tissue implant failure are structural loosening and prosthetic infections. Hence, in this study, to overcome the first problem, different bioinspired coatings, including dual acid-etched, anodic TiO2 nanotubes array, anodic hierarchical titanium oxide (HO), micro- and nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) layers, and HA/chitosan (HA/CS) nanocomposite, were applied to the titanium alloy surfaces. X-ray diffraction and FTIR analysis demonstrated that the in situ HA/CS nanocomposite formed successfully. The MTT assay showed that all samples had excellent cell viability, with cell proliferation rates ranging from 120% to 150% after 10 days. The HO coating... 

The increasing energy demand for next-generation portable and miniaturized electronics has drawn tremendous attention to develop microscale energy storage and conversion devices with light weight and flexible characteristics. Herein, we report the preparation of flower-like cobalt vanadium selenide/nickel copper selenide (CoVSe/NiCuSe) microspheres with three-dimensional hierarchical structure of micropore growth on copper wire for a flexible fiber microsupercapacitor (microSC) and overall water splitting. The CoV-LDH microspheres are anchored on the dendrite-like NiCu nanostructured Cu wire using a hydrothermal method (CoV-LDH/NiCu@CW). The sulfidation and selenization of CoV-LDH/NiCu was... 

Surfaces with special wettability have aroused lots of attention due to their broad applications in many fields. In this work, we systematically report selective and various fabrications of nanofluids based on readily available materials such as SiO2 nanoparticles and polydimethylsiloxane to create superhydrophobic, superoleophobic, superhydrophilic/superoleophobic, and underwater superoleophobic coatings. The efficiency of prepared coatings is investigated on mineral rock plates as porous substrates via the straightforward and cost-effective solution-immersion technique. The static water contact angle of 170°, effortless bouncing of water droplets, and self-cleaning property with a near... 

Structural, half-metallic, magneto-optic, and thermoelectric properties of CrTiZ (Z = As, P) half-Heusleres compounds are investigated based on density functional theory. These compounds have mechanical stability in the ferromagnetic state with a high bulk modulus. They are often half-metallic with a large and integer magnetic moment and are very attractive in spintronics, magneto-optics applications. The magnetic moments of CrTiAs and CrTiP were 2.9865 μB and 3.00 μB, respectively, which were attributed to their ferromagnetic phase. Additionally, the positive sign of the phonon branches indicates the dynamic stability of these compounds. Applying both GGA and mBJ approximations, CrTiAs and... 

Promising properties of boron nitride nanomaterials such as their chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability have made them suitable materials in a various range of applications. However, their low electrical conductivity and wide bandgap, particularly in the case of boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs), have given rise to severe limitations. Efforts on bandgap engineering through doping and surface functionalization have gained little success due to their high thermodynamic stability and inertness. Herein, we present a novel approach to functionalize BNQDs by hydroxyl, methyl, and amine functional groups aiming to adjust the electronic structure. The successful exfoliation is demonstrated by... 

Objective: This study aimed to employ nonlinear dynamic approaches to assess trunk dynamic stability with speed, symmetry, and load during repetitive flexion-extension (FE) movements for individuals with and without nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). Background: Repetitive trunk FE movement is a typical work-related LBP risk factor contingent on speed, symmetry, and load. Improper settings/adjustments of these control parameters could undermine the dynamic stability of the trunk, hence leading to low back injuries. The underlying stability mechanisms and associated control impairments during such dynamic movements remain elusive. Method: Thirty-eight male volunteers (19 healthy, 19 NSLBP)... 

Herein, some (modified) paper–based substrates were prepared and utilized as extractive phases in a microfluidic device and their extraction performances examined for analytes with different polarities. Reagents including hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS), phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTES), (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and 3–(2,3–epoxypropoxy) propyltrimethoxysilane (EPPTMOS) were implemented for the modification process. Due to the induction of different silane functional groups, it was anticipated to have various interactions for the tested analytes. Eventually, the prepared paper sheets were used as extractive phases for solid–phase extraction within a microfluidic system. The... 

The development of asymmetric supercapacitors requires the design of electrode construction and the utilization of new electroactive materials. In this regard, an effective strategy is the loading of active materials on an integrated 3D porous graphene-based substrate such as graphene foam (GF). Herein, we successfully designed and fabricated a novel ternary binder-free nanocomposite consisting of polypyrrole, Fe-Co sulfide, and reduced graphene oxide on a nickel foam electrode (PPy/FeCoS-rGO/NF) via a facile, cost-effective, and powerful electrodeposition method for application in high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors. The monolithic 3D porous graphene foam (GF) obtained by the facile... 

Growing demands for clean and renewable energy technologies have sparked broad research on the development of highly efficient and stable non-noble metal electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this regard, in the present work a three-dimensional Fe2TiO5/nitrogen-doped graphene (denoted as 3D FTO/NG) hybrid electrocatalyst was synthesized via a facile in-situ process using a hydrothermal method. Structural characterization of the prepared nanocomposite is performed by various techniques e.g. field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra (XPS),... 

Herein, we have successfully fabricated NiVS/NiCuP nanostructures on Cu wire as a fiber electrode for high performance FSMSCs applications. The 3D NiCuP dendritic film was firstly deposited on Cu wire through the electrodeposition method, which not only act as a scaffold for deposition of the electroactive materials (NiV-LDH and NiV-S), but also served as a micro-porous current collector, supplied extra capacitances. Then, NiV-LDH nanosheets grown on 3D NiCuP film were obtained using a hydrothermal method. The sulfidation of NiV-LDH is carried out through an ion-exchange reaction of OH– with S2– to obtain NiVS, which maintains an ultrathin and porous structure, improves the electrical... 

In order to regenerate bone defects, bioactive hierarchically scaffolds play a key role due to their multilevel porous structure, high surface area, enhanced nutrient transport and diffusion. In this study, novel hierarchically porous silk fibroin (SF) and silk fibroin-bioactive glass (SF-BG) composite were fabricated with controlled architecture and interconnected structure, by combining indirect three-dimensional (3D) inkjet printing and freeze-drying methods. Further, the effect of 45S5 Bioactive glass particles of different sizes (<100 nm and 6 μm) on mechanical strength and cell behavior was investigated. The results demonstrated that the hierarchical structure in this scaffold was... 

In this study, firstly, a double-reservoir and switchable prototype of a micro-chip along with the respective holders were fabricated. A cyclic desorption process using microliter volume of organic solvent was adopted to prevent any outdoor contamination. As extractive phases, two identical sheets of electrospun polyamide/polypyrrole/titania nanofibers were synthesized using core–shell electro-spinning technique and utilized for determination of memantine in plasma samples. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images showed a high degree of porosity and homogeneity throughout the sheet structure. Also, energy dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the presence of titania, while the... 

Demand increasing for next generation portable and miniaturized electronics has aroused much interest to explore microscale and lightweight energy storage devices. Herein, we demonstrate successful development of flexible wire-shaped micro-supercapacitors (micro-SCs) based on novel CoNi2S4/E-NZP film@Cu wire electrode. The etched Ni-Zn-P (E-NZP) film was synthesized by directly deposition of NZP film on Cu wire, followed by a chemical etching process. Alkaline etching treatment provides a micro- and mesoporous structure with high surface area and facilitates the penetration of electrolyte ions into the electrode matrix. Then, CoNi2S4 nanosheets as electroactive material are electrochemically... 

Wire-shaped micro-supercapacitors attracted extensive attentions in next-generation portable and wearable electronics, due to advantages of miniature size, lightweight and flexibility. Herein, NiMoO 4 nanorods supported on Ni film coated Cu wire are successfully fabricated thorough direct deposition of Ni film onto Cu wire as the conductive substrate, followed by growth of the NiMoO 4 nanorods on Ni film coated Cu wire substrate by means a hydrothermal annealing process. The prepared 3D, porous electrode demonstrates extremely high areal specific capacitance of 12.03F cm −2 at the current density of 4 mA cm −2 and retained capacitance of 8.23 F cm −2 at a much higher current density of 80... 

A high-performing, lightweight, and flexible asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) using NiCo-layered double hydroxide (NiCo LDH) supported on 3D nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) as a positive electrode and NG as a negative electrode is demonstrated. Highly conductive NG provides fast electron transfer and facilitates (dis)charging of NiCo LDH deposited on it. The composite electrode of NiCo LDH@NG exhibits a high specific capacitance of 1421 F g −1 at 2 A g −1 . Moreover, the as-obtained hybrid electrode shows an excellent rate capability with a specific capacitance of 1397 F g −1 at a high current density of 10 A g −1 , which is about 98% of the capacitance obtained at 2 A g −1 . The flexible ASC... 

In this paper, size-dependent vibration analysis of axially functionally graded (AFG) supported nanotubes conveying nanoflow under longitudinal magnetic fields are performed, aiming at performance improvement of fluid-interaction nanosystems. Either the density or the elastic modulus of the AFG nanotube varies linearly or exponentially along the axial direction. Based on the nonlocal continuum theory, the higher-order dynamical equation of motion of the system is derived considering no-slip boundary condition. Galerkin discretization technique and eigenvalue analysis are implemented to solve the modeled equation. The validity of the simplified model is justified by comparing the results with...