An unsaturated room-temperature ionic liquid (IL), 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium chloride [VBIM][Cl], has been grafted onto poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) by electron beam irradiation at room temperature. The structure and physical properties of IL grafted PVDF (PVDF-g-IL) were investigated. Both the extraction experiments and 1H NMR results indicated the successful grafting of IL onto PVDF molecular chains. It was calculated that IL grafting yield was approximately 3.9 per 100 repeating units of PVDF, suggesting very short IL grafting sequences. The melting temperatures (Tm) of the PVDF-g-IL films decreased with absorbed dose, suggesting the occurrence of crystal defects of PVDF caused by the irradiation. However, the morphologies, crystal forms and crystal long periods (L) of PVDF-g-IL films were not significantly influenced by the irradiation. Moreover, the effects of IL grafting and absorbed dose on physical properties of PVDF-g-IL films were investigated. It was found that the irradiation could immobilize IL molecules onto PVDF chains and thus suppressed their migration in electric filed. Therefore, the grafted samples showed lower dielectric loss, electrical conductivity as well as dielectric permittivity compared with the unirradiated blends. Moreover, the elongation at break of the grafted PVDF decreased with the applied irradiation dose, but the Young’s modulus increased. The as-prepared PVDF-g-IL composites exhibited large dielectric permittivity, low dielectric loss and, in particular, excellent toughness, which is promising for use in dielectric capacitor applications.

We report here a rapid and cost-effective approach to synthesize few-layer reduced graphene oxide (FL-RGO) in graphene oxide solution using EDA as a reducing agent and a cross-linker, and where the resulting FL-RGO was characterized by means of AFM, TEM, XPS, UV–vis, and XRD spectroscopies. A mechanism for forming the FL-RGO via removal of epoxide and hydroxyl groups from GO and stitching of the GO sheets by EDA in a water solution was proposed. FL-RGO was also tested as the electrolyte for a Li+-ion battery and showed advantages with a 346 mAh g–1 capacity at a charge/discharge current density of 1C even after 60 cycles, which is comparable to the theoretical capacity of the graphite (372 mAh g–1).

Multidrug-resistant superbugs are currently a severe threat to public health. Here, we report a novel kind of antisuperbug material prepared by irradiation induced graft polymerization of 1-butyl-3-vinyl imidazole chloride onto cotton fabric. The reduction of superbugs on this fabric is higher than 99.9%. Attributed to the strong covalent bonding between the graft chains and the cellulose macromolecules, the antisuperbug performance did not decrease even after 150 equiv of domestic laundering cycles. Covalent bonding also prevented the release of the antibacterial groups during application and guarantees the safety of the material, which was proved by animal skin irritation and acute oral toxicity tests.Keywords: antibiotic resistance; antisuperbug cotton fabric; covalent bonding; laundering durability; radiation induced graft polymerization

Reduced graphene oxide aerogel (RGO aerogel) is successfully synthesized via simultaneous reduction and self-assembly of graphene oxide (GO) sheets under γ-ray irradiation. As the resulting RGO aerogel possesses an interconnected macroporous structure with strong hydrophobicity and oleophilicity, it has great potential in oil–water separation. Adsorption–distillation and adsorption–combustion are both utilized to treat oil floating on water or oil sinking below the water surface. More importantly, a simple device has been developed to adsorb continuously and collect floating oil, and it has shown great promise for practical application.

Herein, water-soluble polyethylenimine (PEI) was turned into a water-resistant composite nanofibrous adsorbent via methacrylation and electrospinning. The PEI-based nanofibrous adsorbent possesses an excellent adsorption capacity of chromate and arsenate in aqueous solution and it also can remove them at a sub-ppm level effectively, which would be promising for drinking water purification.

Making superhydrophobic structures on the surface of materials is always an intricate and various subject, which always requires special facilities and techniques. Herein, a “lotus-effect” tape (LET) was designed to impart solid materials with superhydrophobicity using a technique as simple as taping. The so-called LET was prepared with a Janus structure using dual-nozzle electrospinning, and consisted of a lotus-effect upper layer and a thermo-cohesive bottom layer. The LET can be pasted tightly onto the surface of various substrates via an ironing treatment with a household flatiron. The lotus-effect property was then endowed to the substrates. It is worth noting that the LET can also be detached easily from the substrate involved, but without any damage to the original surface of the substrate. This work provides a novel strategy to impart lotus-effect properties onto various materials without the limitations of special facilities and techniques.

•Graphene aerogel has been prepared via gamma-ray irradiation-induced reduction and self-assembly.•Graphene aerogel shows uniform 3D honeycomb-like porous structure.•Graphene aerogel has high C/O ratio.Three-dimensional (3D) graphene aerogel (GA) with honeycomb-like porous structure and high C/O ratio was successfully prepared from graphene oxide (GO) dispersions in isopropanol/water solution by simple γ-ray irradiation and freeze-drying processes. Under irradiation, GO sheets suspending in the mixture were reduced and self-assembled mainly due to the restoration of π-π conjugated structure. The microstructure of GA was observed under different magnifications and the pores are quite uniform with pore size around 10 µm. The reduction effect of GO was confirmed comprehensively by different characterizations. Briefly, γ-ray irradiation is an effective and green method for the reduction and self-assembly of GO sheets.

We prepared a nanofibrous adsorbent for anionic dye removal from aqueous solution by electrospinning a modified polyethylenimine (m-PEI) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blend. The electrospun nanofibrous adsorbent was confirmed to be a nanoscale, porous material with a positively charged surface; these characteristics are quite beneficial for anionic contaminant adsorption. Experimental adsorption of an anionic dye, methyl orange (MO), demonstrates that this adsorbent can rapidly remove MO from aqueous solution; its maximum adsorption capacity was 633.3 mg g−1, which is much higher than that of previously reported adsorbents. After immersion in a basic solution, the adsorbent was well regenerated and showed good recyclability. The adsorption performance of the nanofibrous adsorbent is greatly influenced by the temperature, initial MO concentration, and pH of the solution. We further found that MO adsorption onto the adsorbent can be described well by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model. Weber-Morris plots suggested that the adsorption of MO onto the nanofibrous mat was affected by at least film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. This study indicates that nanofibrous PEI composite mats could be promising for treatment of wastewater containing anionic dye.本文通过静电纺丝法将聚甲基丙酸缩水甘油酯(GMA)修饰的支化聚乙烯亚胺(b-PEI), 即改性PEI(m-PEI)与聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)混合溶液 制成m-PEI/PVDF纳米复合纤维毡, 并用于吸附去除水溶液中阴离子型染料. 通过SEM、ζ-电位等表征手段证明该纳米纤维毡的纤维直径在百纳 米级, 且纤维毡为多孔状, 表面带正电荷, 具有吸附阴离子型污染物的性能特征. 通过研究其对阴离子染料—甲基橙(MO)的吸附性能, 我们发现 该吸附剂可快速从水溶液中去除甲基橙且最大吸附容量达633.3 mg g−1, 大大优于已报道的相关吸附剂. 而且, 该吸附剂在NaOH溶液中浸泡可 快速再生, 表现出良好的重复利用性. 本文进一步研究了温度、初始浓度和溶液pH值对甲基橙在该吸附剂上的吸附行为的影响, 并证明该吸附 剂吸附甲基橙的行为符合准二级动力学模型和Langmuir吸附等温模型. Weber-Morris模型则表明甲基橙吸附到m-PEI/PVDF纳米纤维毡的过 程, 受液膜扩散和颗粒内扩散的控制. 此研究结果表明, m-PEI/PVDF纳米纤维毡有望应用于处理含阴离子染料或污染物的废水.

Nanostructured polymeric dielectric composites, based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), conductive carbon black (CB), and an unsaturated ionic liquid (IL), 1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([VEIM][BF4]), were fabricated by melt blending and electron beam irradiation (EBI) methods. Our strategy forms simultaneous double nanophases in the PVDF matrix, that is, homogeneously dispersed CB nanoparticles and organic PVDF-g-IL nanodomains. The organic nanodomains were produced by microphase separation of the PVDF-g-IL chains from the PVDF matrix at melt state in the electron beam (EB) irradiated PVDF/IL-CB nanocomposites. Furthermore, the CB nanoparticles were fully adhered with these nanodomains, and novel structures with nanodomains@CB nanoparticle were achieved. Such nanodomains@CB nanoparticle structures showed a synergetic nucleating effect on the PVDF crystallization and led to the formation of dominant nonpolar α phases in the nano-PVDF/IL-CB composites. Because of the nanodomains adhesion of the CB nanoparticles, the nano-PVDF/IL-CB composites displayed a drastic reduction in dc conductivity compared with that of PVDF/CB and PVDF/IL-CB composites, respectively. Importantly, the resultant nano-PVDF/IL-CB composites exhibited significantly decreased losses relative to that of PVDF/CB, PVDF/IL, and PVDF/IL-CB composites. The structures of nanodomains@CB nanoparticle can be well responsible for this improvement of dielectric performance due to the fact that nanodomains confined the ion movements of IL in electric field and that their adhesion to the CB nanoparticle surfaces largely hindered the direct CB–CB nanoparticle contacts, thus decreasing their leakage currents. Our strategy not only fabricates PVDF/CB dielectric materials with good CB dispersion, higher dielectric permittivity, lower conductivity, and lower loss but also paves a new strategy for fabricating nanocomposites with double nanophases in polymer matrix.

Highly soluble multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by radiation-induced free radical graft polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) onto pristine MWNT surfaces. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy were used to confirm that poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) had been successfully grafted onto the surface of the MWNTs. The effects of experimental parameters on the degree of grafting (DG) of PVAc were also investigated, including adsorbed dose, dose rate, initial monomer concentration, and solvents. The grafted MWNTs (MWNTs-g-PVAc) exhibited good solubility in common organic solvents at high mass fraction. In addition, a superhydrophobic composite membrane could be readily fabricated by vacuum filtration of MWNTs-g-PVAc onto a supporting membrane, as was confirmed by water contact angle testing and visualization by scanning electron microscopy.

Here we report a nanoadsorbent design, which integrates the high affinity of amidoxime (AO) groups and size effect of nanomaterials in nanofibrous composite mats prepared by a two-nozzle electrospinning process, for the adsorption of uranium in simulated seawater with an uptake capacity of 1.6 mg U g−1 adsorbent in the presence of massive amounts of interference ions.

Herein, we first reported a facile strategy to prepare functional Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hybrid film with well ultraviolet (UV) shielding property and visible light transmittance using graphene oxide nanosheets as UV-absorber. The absorbance of ultraviolet light at 300 nm can be up to 97.5%, while the transmittance of visible light at 500 nm keeps 40% plus. This hybrid film can protect protein from UVA light induced photosensitive damage, remarkably.Keywords: graphene oxide; photosensitive damage; ultraviolet shielding; visible light transparency

In this study, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/gas-phase silica (GS) nanocomposites were prepared by the melt extrusion method. Scanning electron microscopy images of the cross-sectional morphology of the nanocomposites showed that the GS was dispersed uniformly in the UHMWPE matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the addition of GS resulted in an increase in the decomposition temperature of the UHMWPE matrix. X-ray diffraction showed that the GS had an obstructive effect on the crystallization of the UHMWPE. However, the thermal diffusivity of nanocomposites decreased with increasing the GS content, which confirmed that the thermal insulation properties of UHMWPE/GS nanocomposites were improved. Mechanical tests in tensile strength and elongation demonstrated that the strength of nanocomposites increased by the addition of an increased amount of GS.

Superhydrophobic cotton fabrics were prepared through radiation induced graft polymerization by applying a series of alkyl methacrylates as the functional monomers. We found that the superhydrophobic cotton fabrics exhibited considerable resistance to air permeability whereas the water vapour transport is almost the same as pristine cotton. The mechanism is that the air permeability is mainly determined by the thickness and pore size of the fabric, while the lower degree of interaction between the grafted cotton fabrics and water molecules along with an enhanced capillary effect are the key factors responsible for the high water vapour transmission rate. The combination of opposing properties – a decreased air permeability and ideal water vapour transmission rate, creates a breathable and comfortable fabric as a dressing material.

Nanostructured polymeric composites, based on a homopolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and a small molecule, 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium chloride [VBIM][Cl], an unsaturated room-temperature ionic liquid (IL) have been fabricated. Our strategy forms organic conductive nanodomains with diameters of 20–30 nm dispersed homogeneously in the PVDF matrix. It is demonstrated that these conductive nanodomains are induced from microphase separation of the IL grafted PVDF (PVDF-g-IL) segments from the neat PVDF, which were produced by using electron-beam irradiation, leading IL molecules to graft onto the amorphous PVDF chains. It is also found that such microphase separation of PVDF-g-IL segments from PVDF matrix occurs only when the grafted IL content exceeds 3 wt %. Furthermore, the formed nanodomains enhance the crystallization rate of the matrix PVDF. The obtained nanostructured PVDF composites show dominant nonpolar α-phase of PVDF crystals and increased crystal long period (L) compared with neat PVDF. Additionally, the resulting nanostructured PVDF composites exhibit enhanced electrical properties, better Young’s modulus and ductility, and improved dielectric performance compared with neat PVDF, making the composites promising for potential use in superthin dielectric capacitors. The intriguing synthesis route will open up new opportunities for fabricating nanostructured polymer composites.

Flexible graphene fibers (GFs) with an ultimate elongation of 20% and a tensile strength up to 150 MPa were prepared by a facile low temperature chemical reduction-induced self-assembly method using graphene oxide (GO) suspensions reacted with vitamin C and then dried at room temperature.

Compressive graphene aerogels were obtained by the one-step reduction and self-assembly of graphene oxide with ethylenediamine and then freeze-drying. The aerogels hold good compressibility, variable electrical resistance and fire-resistance. The high porosity with a hydrophobic nature, allows the aerogels to absorb different organic liquids, and the absorption–squeezing process has been demonstrated for oil collection.

Novel anti-static nanofibers based on blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and a room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF6], were fabricated using an electrospinning approach. The effects of the RTIL on the morphology, crystal structure, and physical properties of the PVDF nanofibers were investigated. Incorporation of RTIL leads to an increase in the mean fiber diameter and the rough fiber surface of the PVDF/RTIL composite nanofibers compared with the neat PVDF nanofibers. The PVDF in the PVDF/RTIL nanofibers exhibits an extremely high content (almost 100%) of β crystals, in contrast to the dominance of PVDF γ crystals in bulk melt-blended PVDF/RTIL blends. Nonwoven fabrics produced from the electrospun PVDF/RTIL composite nanofibers show better stretchability and higher electrical conductivity than those made from neat PVDF without RTIL, and are thus excellent antielectrostatic fibrous materials. In addition, RTIL greatly improved the hydrophobicity of the PVDF fibers, enabling them to effectively separate a mixture of tetrachloromethane (CCl4) and water. The extremely high β content, excellent antielectrostatic properties, better stretchability, and hydrophobicity of the present PVDF/RTIL nanofibers make them a promising candidate for micro- and nanoscale electronic device applications.Keywords: conductivity; crystals; electrospinning; ionic liquid; nanofibers; poly(vinylidene fluoride);

Superhydrophobic porous composite membranes are successfully prepared by using poly(vinyl acetate) functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes and tested for water desalination under a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) method. The permeate flux of the composite membranes remains greater than 20 kg m−2 h−1 and the salt rejection greater than 99.5% when tested with 3.5% NaCl solution at 70 °C. The water contact angle of the composite membranes remains greater than 150° after DCMD testing for 2 hours.

Photocatalyzed self-cleaning cotton fabrics with TiO2 nanoparticles covalently immobilized are obtained by cograft polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) together with the surface functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles under γ-ray irradiation. The covalent bonds between the TiO2 nanoparticles and cotton fabrics bridged by poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) graft chains is strong enough to survive 30 accelerated laundering circles, equivalent to 150 commercial or domestic launderings.Keywords: laundering durability; radiation induced graft polymerization; self-cleaning; TiO2 nanoparticles;

Gold nanostructured microtubes (AuNMTs) are prepared using a tertiary amine group-functionalized polyethylene (PE)-coated polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric as a ligand, a reductant, and a template, which takes advantage of the different radiation effects of PE and PP. The Au(III) ions are absorbed and reduced only in the PE layer to form the aggregation of gold nanoparticles; thus, AuNMTs are obtained after the calcination.Keywords: gold nanostructured microtubes; ligand; radiation-induced graft polymerization; reductant; template;

High permeability and antifouling property are important performance of filtration membranes for reaching the requirement of real application. In this work, poly(acrylic acid) grafted PVDF (G-PVDF)/TiO2 nanocomposite hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes were fabricated by combining tetrabutyl titanate in-situ sol–gel process with liquid-induced phase separation. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and EDX mapping scanning spectra confirmed the formation of TiO2 component and uniformly dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles in nanocomposite membranes with ultrafine size when the TiO2 content was less than 3 wt%. The effect of TiO2 on the membrane performance was systematically investigated. The G-PVDF/TiO2 nanocomposite membranes exhibited extremely high water permeation, improved antifouling property and rejection efficiency as compared to PVDF and G-PVDF membranes. In case of ∼1 wt% TiO2 content, the water flux of G-PVDF/TiO2 nanocomposite membranes reached 974 L/m2 h under 0.1 MPa, which was more than four times of that of PVDF membranes. Simultaneously, G-PVDF/TiO2 nanocomposite membranes displayed greatly reduced amount of protein adsorption to be 24 μg/cm2, which is a seventh of that of PVDF membranes. Two cycles of flux recovery test also indicated that G-PVDF/TiO2 nanocomposite membranes possessed better antifouling property and stability. More important is that the incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles did not weaken the mechanical strength of the membranes. The superior performance of our G-PVDF/TiO2 nanocomposite hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes offers a great potential for practical application.Highlights► Nanocomposite hollow fiber membranes were fabricated by in-situ sol–gel process. ► Poly(acrylic acid) grafted PVDF is used as the polymer matrix. ► SEM and EDX showed the well distribution of TiO2 nanoparticles in the membrane. ► The resulted nanocomposite membranes had extremely high water flux.

Herein, we demonstrate that reduction of graphene oxide (GO) could be implemented by γ-ray irradiation in alcohol/water in the absence of oxygen. The resultant reduced GO (RGO) appears highly reduced and possesses high purity through UV-Vis, XPS, FT-IR spectra and elemental analysis. We speculate that production of reductive radicals from γ-radiolysis of solvents is the main mechanism for oxygen reducing and graphite restructuring of GO sheets. The control experiments show oxygen absence and alcoholic addition are the essential factors for reduction process, which correlated the production of reductive radicals with GO's reduction. Additionally, the investigation of resultant RGO papers' solution-dispersibility and electrical conductivity indicates this method is favourable to build up graphene-based nanocomposites in solution.

Herein, we report a facile approach to decorate graphene oxide (GO) sheets with poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) by γ-ray irradiation-induced graft polymerization. The content of PVAc in the obtained sample, i.e., PVAc grafted GO (GO-g-PVAc) is calculated by the loss weight in thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves. A GO-g-PVAc sample with a degree of grafting (DG) of 28.5% was well dispersed in common organic solvents and the dispersions obtained were extremely stable at room temperature without any aggregation, even after standing for 2 months. The excellent dispersibility and stability of GO-g-PVAc in common organic solvents are readily rationalized in terms of the full coverage of PVAc chains and solvated layer formation on graphene oxide sheets surface, which weakens the interlaminar attraction of GO sheets. This approach presents a facile route for the preparation of dispersible GO and shows great potential in the preparation of graphene-based composites by solution-processes.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) powder is graft polymerized with N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) by a pre-irradiation induced graft polymerization technique. The existence of the graft chains in grafted PVDF (PVDF-g-PDMAA) powder has been proven by FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Then, the microfiltration (MF) membranes are prepared by isothermal immersion precipitation from PVDF-g-PDMAA powder in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solution from a water bath. The hydrophilicity of the MF membranes is determined by measuring the contact angles. The asymmetric morphology of the grafted membranes is studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water filtration properties are tested. The interaction between the membranes and proteins is studied by comparing the fluorescence microscopy images of these MF membranes cast from pristine PVDF and PVDF-g-PDMAA with a degree of grafting (DG) of 17.1% after surface fouling by Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Human Albumin solution. The antifouling property is determined by measuring the recovery percentage of pure water flux after the MF membranes have been fouled by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme aqueous solution, separately. The results confirm that the existence of PDMAA graft chains improves the hydrophilicity and reduces protein adsorption of these MF membranes cast from PVDF-g-PDMAA powder.

Acryl amide (AAm) was grafted onto poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) powder by a pre-irradiation induced graft polymerization technique. The chemical structure of AAm grafted PVDF powder (denoted as PVDF-g-PAM powder) was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Then, the microfiltration (MF) membranes were cast from PVDF-g-PAM powder with different degrees of grafting (DG) using a phase inversion method. The contact angle of those modified MF membranes decreased with increased DG, indicating the enhanced hydrophilicity of modified MF membranes due to the existence of PAM side chains. The morphology of MF membranes was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pore size and distribution was determined by mercury porosimetry analysis, and water filtration properties was tested at different pH values. The results showed that MF membranes made from PVDF-g-PAM powder have better water flux performance than that of the pristine one due to the enhanced hydrophilicity. Moreover, modified MF membranes showed certain pH sensitivity behaviour with high DG, where the flux changes with the pH value of fed aqueous solution and it is reproducible during the 12 times cyclic test.Research highlights▶ Acrylic amide grafted PVDF powder. ▶ pH sensitive microfiltration membranes. ▶ Reproducible in pH sensitivity.

A novel approach was developed to overcome the non-uniform distribution of grafted polystyrene (PS) chains across proton exchange membranes (PEMs) manufactured using radiation induced graft polymerization of commercialized fluoropolymer films. This process involves the three key steps of grafting of styrene into fluoropolymer powder, processing the grafted powder into membranes, and then obtaining the PEM by sulfonation of these membranes. The structure of the membranes and the PEMs were analyzed by means of infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) to demonstrate the uniform distribution of poly(styrene-sulfonic acid) (denoted as PSSA) graft-chains across the PEM. The properties of the resulting PEMs, such as their ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake (WU), proton conductivity, dimensional stability, oxidative stability and thermal stability, were also investigated.

A fluoride acrylate monomer, 1H,1H,2H,2H-nonafluorohexyl-1-acrylate (denoted as F4), was grafted onto cotton fabric through a simultaneous irradiation induced graft polymerization technique. The grafted cotton fabric (denoted as cotton–F4) is superhydrophobic (SCF) when the degree of grafting (DG) exceeded 10%. The morphology of the cotton fabric was unchanged. In addition, the mechanical properties of the cotton fabric and SCF samples were also studied. The results showed that the decrease in mechanical properties was less than 20%, indicating that the SCF retained good mechanical strength.

Acrylonitrile has been widely used in the modification of polymers by graft polymerization. In the present work, pre-irradiation induced emulsion graft polymerization method is used to introduce acrylonitrile onto PE nonwoven fabric instead of the traditional reaction in organic solvents system. The degree of grafting (DG) is measured by gravimetric method and the kinetics of the graft polymerization is studied. The existence of the graft chains is proven by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. Thermal stability of the grafted polymer is measured by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).Highlights► Acrylonitrile is grafted onto pre-irradiated polyethylene (PE) nonwoven fabrics. ► Emulsion system is applied, for the graft polymerization avoids organic solvent. ► Kinetic of the pre-irradiation induced graft polymerization is studied. ► Optimal condition is determined at the temperature below the b.p. of acrylonitrile.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) powder is graft polymerized with N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) by a pre-irradiation induced graft polymerization technique. The existence of the graft chains in grafted PVDF (PVDF-g-PDMAA) powder has been proven by FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Then, the microfiltration (MF) membranes are prepared by isothermal immersion precipitation from PVDF-g-PDMAA powder in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solution from a water bath. The hydrophilicity of the MF membranes is determined by measuring the contact angles. The asymmetric morphology of the grafted membranes is studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water filtration properties are tested. The interaction between the membranes and proteins is studied by comparing the fluorescence microscopy images of these MF membranes cast from pristine PVDF and PVDF-g-PDMAA with a degree of grafting (DG) of 17.1% after surface fouling by Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Human Albumin solution. The antifouling property is determined by measuring the recovery percentage of pure water flux after the MF membranes have been fouled by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme aqueous solution, separately. The results confirm that the existence of PDMAA graft chains improves the hydrophilicity and reduces protein adsorption of these MF membranes cast from PVDF-g-PDMAA powder.

Flexible graphene fibers (GFs) with an ultimate elongation of 20% and a tensile strength up to 150 MPa were prepared by a facile low temperature chemical reduction-induced self-assembly method using graphene oxide (GO) suspensions reacted with vitamin C and then dried at room temperature.

Compressive graphene aerogels were obtained by the one-step reduction and self-assembly of graphene oxide with ethylenediamine and then freeze-drying. The aerogels hold good compressibility, variable electrical resistance and fire-resistance. The high porosity with a hydrophobic nature, allows the aerogels to absorb different organic liquids, and the absorption–squeezing process has been demonstrated for oil collection.

Here we report a nanoadsorbent design, which integrates the high affinity of amidoxime (AO) groups and size effect of nanomaterials in nanofibrous composite mats prepared by a two-nozzle electrospinning process, for the adsorption of uranium in simulated seawater with an uptake capacity of 1.6 mg U g−1 adsorbent in the presence of massive amounts of interference ions.