Influence of MgO/CuO Nanoparticles Dispersion Methodology on the Electrospun Fiber’s Properties

Abstract

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Advanced Face Mask Filters Based on PCL Electrospun Meshes Dopped with Antimicrobial MgO and CuO Nanoparticles

“…Other studies corroborate the influence that dispersion of the nanoparticles had in the improvement of the mechanical properties, especially Young's modulus and tensile strength. In fact, in another work, we previously tested the influence of two different methods of CuO/MgO nanoparticles dispersion on the properties of electrospun meshes [28]. Only the EB displays similar values, 36.80 ± 8.49 and 36.79 ± 6.37% for PCL and PCL/MgO/CuO, respectively (p > 0.05).…”

“…The solution was kept stirring overnight at 37 • C. After PCL dissolution, the solution was placed into the ultrasound bath (ArgoLab, DU-45, Carpi Mo, Italy) for 90 min at room temperature. Subsequently a sonication probe (UP200 Ht-Handheld Ultrasonic Homogenizer, 200 W, 26 kHz, Hielscher Ultrasonics GmbH, Oderstr, Teltow, Germany) was used according to the methodology defined previously [28]; briefly, during 40 min sonication cycles of on/off (45 s/10 s) were applied, with an amplitude of 80% and a power of 50 W to achieve full NPs dispersion. The electrospun meshes dopped with MgO/CuO NPs were obtained using an electrospinning homemade apparatus, applying the same processing parameters as the control condition (PCL meshes), namely: a high voltage of 15 kV, a flow rate of 0.8 mL•h −1 and 15 cm of distance from tip-to-collector.…”