@article { ISI:000315306200009, title = {Effect of clay and of electrospinning on the polymorphism, structure and morphology of poly(vinylidene fluoride)}, journal = {European Polymer Journal}, volume = {49}, number = {1}, year = {2013}, month = {JAN}, pages = {90-99}, publisher = {PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD}, address = {THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

Electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) fibers, containing different amounts of montmorillonite clay were produced, in order to study the effect of clay and of the electrospinning process on the polymorphism, structure and morphology of the PVDF matrix, Clay acted as a processing aid agent, avoiding the formation of beads and improving the quality of the fibers. Clay and the electrospinning process acted synergically on the chain mobility, favoring the formation of beta phase of PVDF, the most valuable for its piezoelectric properties, and shaping its semicrystalline morphology. Electrospinning did not significantly aid the dispersion of clay within the matrix. The interplay of formulation and processing in these composites allowed to obtain PVDF-based materials with varying polymorphism, structure and morphology, offering the possibility to ultimately control their functional properties. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Composite, electrospinning, Poly(vinylidene fluoride), Polymer, polymorphism, SAXS}, issn = {0014-3057}, doi = {10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2012.09.023}, author = {Neppalli, Ramesh and Wanjale, Santosh and Birajdar, Mallinath S. and Causin, Valerio} } @article { ISI:000329153300077, title = {Morphology, polymorphism, and metal ion adsorption studies of electrospun nanofibers based on pvdf and organically modified layered double hydroxide}, journal = {Journal of Applied Polymer Science}, volume = {130}, number = {6}, year = {2013}, month = {DEC}, pages = {4508-4515}, publisher = {WILEY-BLACKWELL}, address = {111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA}, abstract = {

Nonwoven nanofiber mats of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with modified layered double hydroxide (MLDH) were prepared by electrospinning. The fiber morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy was used to characterize the polymorphism in electrospun mats. Fibers of diameter in the range 80-800 nm with beads of about 2-3 mu m size were observed for pure PVDF, while in case of PVDF/MLDH nanocomposites the number and size of beads were found to be significantly reduced. Uniform and fine nanofibers were obtained at lower content of MLDH, but slightly rough surface was seen for higher content. FTIR and X-ray diffraction patterns signify various crystalline forms of electrospun PVDF. The content of polar -crystalline phase of PVDF, which exhibit piezo and ferroelectric properties was found to be enhanced significantly due to reinforcement of MLDH. Use of these nanofiber mats for heavy metal Cu (II) removal was explored. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4508-4515, 2013

}, keywords = {Adsorption, electrospinning, fibers}, issn = {0021-8995}, doi = {10.1002/app.39729}, author = {Birajdar, Mallinath S. and Wanjale, Santosh D. and Lonkar, Sunil P.} } @article { ISI:000330822000009, title = {Polystyrene/TiO2 composite electrospun fibers as fillers for poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate): Structure, morphology and properties}, journal = {European Polymer Journal}, volume = {50}, year = {2014}, month = {JAN}, pages = {78-86}, publisher = {PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD}, address = {THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

In this work, composite polystyrene/titanium dioxide (PS/TiO2) electrospun fibers were used as a reinforcement for a poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) matrix. The structure, morphology, mechanical properties and degradation behavior of such materials were investigated, finding that, as a function of their TiO2 content, the fibers exerted different effects. The main mechanism through which the fibers modified the structure and morphology of the polymer matrix is by altering its crystallization kinetics. The presence of TiO2 modified the roughness of the fibers and therefore affected the interfacial adhesion between the filler and the matrix. The modulus of PBSA was improved, even though the brittleness of the materials was increased by the presence of the fibers. Different amounts of TiO2 within the fibers allowed to tune the hydrolytic degradation rate of the composites. This paper shows the potential of using composite electrospun fibers as effective fillers for the preparation of polymer-based composites. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Biodegradable polymers, Degradation, electrospinning, Morphology, Nanocomposites, Polycaprolactone}, issn = {0014-3057}, doi = {10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2013.11.002}, author = {Neppalli, Ramesh and Causin, Valerio and Benetti, Edmondo Maria and Ray, Suprakas Sinha and Esposito, Antonella and Wanjale, Santosh and Birajdar, Mallinath S. and Saiter, Jean-Marc and Marigo, Antonio} } @article { ISI:000372766400005, title = {Surface tailored PS/TiO2 composite nanofiber membrane for copper removal from water}, journal = {Journal of Colloid and Interface Science}, volume = {469}, year = {2016}, month = {MAY}, pages = {31-37}, publisher = {ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE}, address = {525 B ST, STE 1900, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101-4495 USA}, abstract = {

Polystyrene (PS)/TiO2 composite nanofiber membranes have been fabricated by electrospinning process for Cu2+ ions removal from water. The surface properties of the polystyrene nanofibers were modulated by introducing TiO2 nanoparticles. The contact angle of the PS nanofiber membrane was found to be decreased with increasing concentration of TiO2, depicted enhanced hydrophilicity. These membranes were highly effective in adsorbing Cu2+ ions from water. The adsorption capacity of these membranes was found to be 522 mg/g, which is significantly higher than the results reported by other researchers. This was attributed to enhanced hydrophilicity of the PS/TiO2 composite nanofiber membranes and effective adsorption property of TiO2 nanoparticles. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {electrospinning, Metal ion adsorption, Nanofiber, TiO2, Water treatment/purification}, issn = {0021-9797}, doi = {10.1016/j.jcis.2016.01.054}, author = {Wanjale, Santosh and Birajdar, Mallinath S. and Jog, Jyoti Prakash and Neppalli, Ramesh and Causin, Valerio and Karger-Kocsis, Jozsef and Lee, Jonghwi and Panzade, Prasad} }