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In this research,nanocomposite coatings based on epoxy containing pristine graphene oxide and starch-modified graphene oxide are prepared and characterized by Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, andtheir crosslinking behavior is studied using nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry.These nanocomposites, because of having platelet-like nanomaterials inside and their organic origin, can be applied as coating on metal surface in diverse industries.The reason behind using starch was its natural basis and abundance of hydroxyl groups in its structure which can take part in crosslinking reaction with epoxide. Neat epoxy systems having amine curing agent, and nanocomposites containing epoxy, amine curing agent, andpristine or starch-modified graphene oxide nanosheets were cure at different heating rates to assess their curing behavior. Change in hearing rate of test caused change in onset and peak temperature of the exotherm curves and consequently heat of reaction changed. It was observed that the presence of the graphene oxide nanosheets hindered the crosslinking reactions, while surface modification of them with starch natural polymer compensated for such a hindrance via catalytic role of starch, and increased crosslink density of system. 

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Oil resistant o-rings on the basis of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) reinforced by nanoclay were produced via a traditional industrial method in accordance with aviation standard, AMS 7272. The production of nanocomposites comprised the compounding of nanocomposite with optimum mechanical properties and minimum contents of used carbon black and nanoclay, design and manufacturing of the required mold and finally compression molding of the oring. Mechanical and morphological properties of NBR/nanoclay compounds were optimized by introduction of proper contents of a compatibilizer containing a mixture of resorcinol and hexamethylene tetramine through using a master batch production method. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, curing measurements and tensile test analysis. The XRD analysis showed that the compatibilizer facilitates the intercalation of nanoclay silicate layers with the rubber chains which leads to the increase of their basal spacing. The cure characteristics of the nanocomposites showed a decrease of scorch time and increase the cure rate index with the nanoclay loadings. Furthermore, the minimum scorch time and maximum cure rate index could be achieved through using the appropriate content of compatibilizer. The results exhibit that the nanocomposites containing the compatibilizer have higher mechanical properties especially at higher deformations compared to the corresponding uncompatibilized nanocomposites

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is one of the most common improved oil recovery method in the world. High residual oil saturation at the end of this method is due to low macroscopic sweep efficiency and viscous fingering. It can be improved by the mobility control during polymer solution injection. In this study, by of silica/ the effect of it on IFT, viscosity, and was investigated. In addition, the performance of in high salinity water was studied by using nano particles. The zeta potential results show that the stability of polymer solution was enhanced in of nano particles in high salinity water condition. Also, the lowest IFT was obtained for contained 1 percent nano silica (18.34 ), and the most tendency to water wet conditions was provided for this concentration. In addition to, 1 percent nano silica/ has the best performance on formation water viscosity and improved the mobility ratio to 1.07, which it can increase the oil recovery.

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Research Subject: Poor mechanical strengths and lack of thermal stabilities of hydrogels confine their extensive practical applications in many areas. The growing scientific need for solving this problem and achievement to the hydrogels with improved properties has led to the design and production of the nanocomposite hydrogels.
Research Approach: The polymeric networks of nanocomposite hydrogels compared to the ordinary hydrogels have improved elasticity and rheological properties. Other points that increase the importance of structural studies of nanocomposite hydrogels are the high strength of these materials versus the application of external forces, as well as maintaining its structure against increasing of temperatures. In this regard, the type and amounts of nanomaterial, the preparation method and formation of hydrogel network have a significant role in improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of hydrogels, and, it must be noted that these parameters will depend on the application of nanocomposite hydrogels. This also highlights the need for the production of nanocomposite tailored hydrogels. Therefore, orientation of the range of nanomaterials, the preparation method and product identification, along with sufficient information on the application of these materials, might have an important role in ensuring the success of these materials, requiring comprehensive library research and studies on polymerization processes, morphology and rheology.
Main Results: In this review article, the scientific advances in the field of nanocomposite hydrogels, focusing on its types based on the type of nanoparticles, its properties, preparation methods, identification methods with a new perspective on rheology, thermal analysis and morphology is investigated. Finally, the applicability of these materials is collected in a comprehensive table in various fields such as tissue engineering, enhanced oil recovery, agriculture, and etc…

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Abstract
Research Subject: In recent years, the use of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) in polymer nanocomposites has attracted considerable attention. Dispersion state of GnPs in the polymer matrix has a great importance which can affect microstructure and final properties of nanocomposite. Therefore, in the present work, the effect of compatibilizer on the dispersion state of GnPs and also on internal structure, orientation, and tensile properties of polypropylene (PP)/GnPs nanocomposite fibers are investigated.
Research Approach: PP/GnPs nanocomposite fibers containing 0.1% and 0.5% GnPs with and without maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) were melt spun. Dispersion state and location of GnPs in the nanocomposite fibers were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Fiber orientation and crystallinity were studied by polarized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. Moreover, fracture behaviour of PP/GnPs nanocomposite fibers was investigated by cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of tensile fractured samples. Using Halpin-Tsai model, experimental tensile moduli of fibers were compared with the predicted values. 
Main Results: TEM images show that in the compatibilized PP/MA/GnPs nanocomposite fibers, GnPs aggregates decrease and their size also reduces, suggesting that GnPs dispersion improved. An increase in L_p of the compatibilized sample recorded from SAXS analysis indicates that the more GnPs are located in the intrafibrillar region. Based on polarized FTIR and DSC results, orientation and crystallinity of PP/G0.5 nanocomposite fiber are found to significantly increase after inclusion of PP-g-MA. Moreover, reinforcing effect of GnPs in PP/MA/GnPs nanocomposite fibers could be explained by better GnPs dispersion and changes in internal structure of fiber. Furthermore, the tensile fracture behavior of PP/GnPs nanocomposite fiber changes from ductile to brittle in the presence of PP-g-MA.

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In order to improve the properties of myofibrillar protein-based film from silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) at 3 levels (1, 3 and 5%) was used. Optimum treatment was determined by evaluating the mechanical, physical and optical properties as well as scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM). Cellulose nanoparticles had no effect on tensile strength but reduced the elasticity of film (p≤0.05). Water vapor barrier property (WVP) and other physical properties of the films were improved by addition of nanofibrillated cellulose at 1%, but decreased at higher concentrations (p≤0.05. Based on SEM, low concentrations of nanoparticles showed more homogeneous dispersion and films had a smoother and better cross-sectional area compared to the higher levels of nanoparticles. Generally, low levels of nanoparticles could be effective to improve the mechanical and physical properties of myofibrillar protein - nanofibrillated cellulose films.  

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Metformin enhances insulin's effect and increases cells’ sensitivity to insulin. In this paper, nanocomposite was designed and used in the metformin release system, which was able to release the required drug in a controlled manner. In this research, nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO) were prepared via the sol-gel method. The experimental design central composite response surface method was applied for the optimization of the nanoparticles based on varied variables such as the weight of zinc acetate (gr) (X ₁) and the volume of triethanolamine (ml) (X₂). The particle size of the optimized nanoparticle was reported to be 28 ± 21.27 nm; zeta potential and PdI were 25.54 ± 1.64 mV, 0.168 ± 0.05 respectively. The chitosan polymer was used to improve environmental compatibility and increase drug release control; finally, metformin was loaded on the optimized nanocomposite. Structural properties were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The SEM images showed that the average nanocomposite size was 40 nm. The results of XRD patterns and SEM images were also consistent with each other and the average particle size was the same. Infrared spectrophotometry showed the presence of chitosan used to coat nanoparticles on their surfaces and confirmed the loading of metformin. An in-vitro metformin release from the nanocomposite was conducted in PBS (pH=7.4) and analyzed by a spectrophotometer at 233 nm. Metformin has a high solubility in water, and since it is difficult to prepare a slow release form of high-solubility drugs, the aim of this study was to design a slow-release formulation of metformin with a suitable profile that could control release without explosive release for up to 120 hours.

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Research subject: Nanomaterials are substances that, because of their size, can easily penetrate small pores and apply their impact. Nanofluids can allow appropriate wettability change in the reservoir rock, therefore, an accurate understanding of the behavioral mechanisms of these nanofluids is important in changing the wettability. This is because if there is no proper understanding of these mechanisms, they may exhibit the opposite behavior and cause damage to the reservoir. In previous research, CuO / TiO2 / PAM nanocomposite was synthesized and mechanistically introduced.
Research approach: In this study, in continuation of the previous study, the behavioral and mechanism study has been investigated in a more accurate and documented manner, and spectral absorption tests, chemical flooding, and relative permeability diagrams confirm the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery results of this nanocomposite. In carbonate rocks due to the positive surface charge of the rock and the negative charge of the nanocomposite, adsorption of nanomaterials in a double electrode layer state has been suggested as the dominant mechanism of wettability change. In sandstone rocks due to the charge coincidence of rock surface and nanomaterials which are both negative, the mechanism of disjoining pressure was the dominant mechanism of wettability change. To prove the abovementioned behaviors 200 ppm concentration of nanofluid was analyzed by spectroscopy method of adsorption analysis to validate the attraction forces of the nanocomposite with carbonate rocks and repulsion forces with sandstones.
Main results: Dynamic chemical flood tests were performed to confirm the effectiveness of this material in increasing oil production and showed 8.5% and 6.35% increase in oil production for carbonate and sandstone lithologies, respectively. Relative permeability diagrams showed an intersection point in the carbonate system with a 10% increase in water saturation and an intersection point in the sandstone system with a 12% increase in water saturation and the behavioral effect of the material at the studied concentrations.

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Research subject:Well-designed plastic foams, with respect to their cell density and cell size, open-or-close cells, and the cell uniformity, compared to their counterpart unfoamed plastic parts, beside of having the advantages of less material consumption, dimensional stability, better processability, and a higher surface quality, they can have superior mechanical and physical properties, including strength to weight, impact strength, thermal and dielectric properties. The temperature distribution in the different zones of the extruder, the qualities and quantities of the nanoparticle additives and their dispersion in the polymer matrix can have significant effect on the mechanical properties of the produced foams by the extruder.
Research approach: In this study, using an extruder, MA-g-polypropylene microcellular foams, containing 3, 7 and 9 wt% of nano-clay particles, were produced under three temperature arrangements on the extruder and the material and the processing effects on the mechanical properties were investigated.  
Main results: The result of this investigation shows that adding of nanoclay improves the mechanical properties of MA-g-PP.s foams. As an example, the results show that the sample with 7 wt% of surface modified nanoclay, owns about 10% higher impact toughness compared to the samples produced without nanoclay. Also for the same samples a rise of about 5% was recorded in Young's modulus. The microstructural studies of the produced foams by scanning electron microscope (SEM) show that adding of nanoclay can result on more foam uniformity and smaller cell size. In this study, the smallest average cell size (87.5 μm) and the lowest density (0.3 g/cm³) were recorded for a sample with 7wt% nanoclay.

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The rise of bacterial infections has become a serious problem in human societies. As a result, the development of nanocomposite materials based on biocompatible and non-hazardous materials, besides having antimicrobial and biocompatibility or non-cytotoxicity, associated with unique structural properties, possesses a great importance. Research approach: In this study, bacterial cellulose (BC)/polypyrrole (PPy) and zinc nanoparticles (ZnO), which simultaneously have antimicrobial properties and cell proliferation, were introduced as a new generation of nanocomposite scaffolds produced by freeze-drying. To begin with, ZnO with different weight percentages of 1%, 3% and 5% was added to BC and then PPy in the amount of 2 mmol was embedded in the structure by in situ polymerization. FESEM images proved that the nanofibrous and porous structure of BC was also preserved in the presence of PPy and ZnO. However, after adding PPy and ZnO, they formed a dense structure and microstructure of grape clusters. By adding 2 mmol PPy into BC and upon in situ synthesizing, the tensile strength and Young modulus of BC were significantly reduced to 71 MPa and 2.5 GPa, respectively. On the other hand, with the addition of ZnO nanoparticles, the mechanical properties significantly increased (both of Young modulus and tensile strength compared to BC/PPy samples) due to the compaction of the nanocomposite aerogel’s structure and the formation of the interface of ZnO nanoparticles with both polymers of BC and PPy. The observation of the inhibition zone in the culture medium containing two gram-positive and negative bacteria, well proved the antibacterial ability of ternary nanocomposite scaffolds. The results of MT9 related to L929 on aerogels showed that by adding 3% of ZnO nanoparticles, adhesion and cell proliferation increased significantly during different days of 1 day, 5 days and 7 days of culture.

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Research subject: In this study, EDTA-functionalized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ magnetic nanocomposites with core-shell structure were synthesized to remove divalent cadmium ions from aqueous solutions.
Research approach: During the first step, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanosphere core-shell is synthesized using nano Fe₃O₄ as the core, TEOS as the silica source and PVA as the surfactant. This strategy relies on the covalently bonding of ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid to bis(3-aminopropyl)amine and cyanuric chloride functionalized magnetic nanoparticles. In the next step, characteristics of surface functional groups, crystal structure, magnetic properties, size and surface morphology of these nanoparticles were investigated, identified and analyzed using physico-chemical characterization techniques including fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), vibration sample magnetometry (VSM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analyzer.  The adsorbent, due to its magnetic property, could be simply separated from the reaction mixture by a permanent magnet and reused in five consecutive cycles without considerable loss in its activity.
Main results: To probe the nature of the adsorbent, various experiments were investigated like adsorbent dose and contact time were optimized. Kinetic studies and the effect of different amounts of adsorbent to remove divalent cadmium ions from aqueous solutions show a maximum adsorption of 94% at ambient temperature. Moreover, the recyclability of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-EDTA was investigated in order to remove the divalent cation for successive adsorption-desorption cycles. All the results of studies show that the synthetic nanocomposite Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-EDTA is an effective, recyclable adsorbent with excellent performance for the removal of divalent cadmium.

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Research subject: In the present study, titanium dioxide/silver nanocomposites (TiO₂/Ag) were synthesized by sol-gel method and their performance for photocatalytic removal of metribuzin was compared with commercial TiO₂ catalysts P25 Degussa.
Research approach: The synthesized nanocomposites were evaluated using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The effect of operating parameters including reaction time (0-240 minutes), pH (9-4), catalyst dose (0.005-0.015 g), temperature (10-60 ºC), visible light and UV light radiation, concentration Initial metribuzin (10-25 mg/L), the catalyst effect in the dark, and the amount of silver in TiO₂/Ag nanocomposites (0.10-7% by weight) were investigated on the photocatalytic removal of metribuzin from artificial and real aqueous solutions.
Main results: Laboratory investigations showed that TiO₂/Ag nanocomposite containing 10% by weight of silver, reaction time of 120 minutes, pH equal to 6, catalyst mass of 0.013 g, and initial concentration of 10 mg/L metribuzin are the best properties to maximize the removal of metribuzin in the presence of UV light. The obtained results showed that the synthesized TiO₂/Ag nanocomposite has a higher potential in the degradation of herbicides compared to the commercial TiO₂ nano-catalyst. In addition, the proposed method was used to remove metribuzin injected into the water of the Karun and Zohreh rivers and the wastewater of the sugarcane factory under optimal conditions, and successful results were obtained. Also, the results of using and regenerating the titanium dioxide/silver catalyst three times to remove metribuzin show the high efficiency of this photocatalyst in removing metribuzin from water samples. Comparing the methods available in the literature for the removal of metribuzin with the present method showed that the proposed method is better or comparable to the reported methods.

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Research subject: Osmosis membrane bioreactor is one of the best industrial wastewater treatment methods. The main advantage of using osmosis process is its operation at low hydraulic pressures which has a better performance in removing pollutants and low energy consumption than other methods                        
Research approach: In this research, Nano porous Titanium dioxide powder with a specific surface area and anatase wall was synthesized through a thermal process using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant directing agent and a pore-creating agent.Ultrafiltration nanocomposite membranes were made using modified titanium dioxide (TiO₂) (MT) and polysulfone (PSf) by phase the inversion method. The morphology and structure of the prepared membranes and nanoparticles were investigated using by atomic fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy(FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In this research, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as simulated wastewater for the feed solution. The fabricated ultrafiltration membranes were tested in osmosis membrane bioreactor (OMBR) system due to lower energy and fouling. 0.6 % solution of poly (sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) was used as an osmotic solution. Comparative separation performance and antifouling properties of both nanocomposites in several analyzes such as water contact angle measurement, pure water flux and filtration of different concentrations of bovine serum albumin solution. BSA and fouling resistance have been investigated


Main results:  TThe results that Due to the addition of MT nanoparticles to the polymer matrix, the hydrophilicity and surface energy of the membrane increased, which led to the improvement of the membrane performance. The membrane containing 1% titanium oxide nanoparticles showed the best result. For example, for feeding with a concentration of 200 ppm, the water flux increased from 20 to 38.5 L/ m² h, and the percentage of returning lethal solution decreased from 19.6 to 30 g/ m² h. The flux recovery in this membrane was 96%, which indicates the antifouling property of the modified nanocomposite membrane.                                                                
              

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Research subject: Polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene alloy is one of the most widely used polymer alloys in the world, which has become very widespread due to the excellent properties and characteristics of these alloys as well as other advantages. However, it seems that strengthening the properties and efficiency of these alloys can increase their scope of application. Typically, polymers have a high resistance to the passage of electricity. In recent years, increasing the electrical conductivity or reducing the electrical resistance of polymers by using conductive nanoparticles has received much attention.
Research approach: For this purpose, first, alloys of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene were prepared by melt mixing method and were tested and evaluated in terms of physical and mechanical properties, thermal properties and behavior of the melt. Next, by adding nanographene to the best alloy, the electrical, mechanical and morphological properties of nanocomposites were investigated. In order to increase the electrical conductivity of nanocomposites, different amounts of nanographene (1, 2 and 3%) were used.
Main results: By increasing the amount of polycarbonate, tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus, and HDT of the alloys increased. The results showed that the alloy with 68% polycarbonate generally has better properties than other alloys, so this alloy was considered as the polymer base of nanocomposites. The results of the mechanical test show an increase in the tensile strength and tensile modulus of the samples with an increase in the percentage of nanoparticles. Also, the examination of the electrical resistance of nanocomposites showed that in all samples, nanographene has been able to reduce the electrical resistance of the polymer to a very significant extent. By examining the mechanical and electrical properties of the samples, it was determined that the Percolation threshold of nanoparticles is equal to 2%. The FE-SEM images of the nanocomposites showed that the graphene nanoparticles were well dispersed in the polymer matrix and no traces of clumps or clusters resulting from the accumulation of nanoparticles were observed.
 

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Aim: The removal of heavy metals from drinking water is one of the highest impact challenges in the water and wastewater industry. For this purpose, the use of methods such as solid phase extraction followed by the use of selective adsorbents is considered as one of the most important issues in the water and wastewater industry.
Method: In this research, in order to remove the polluting and toxic heavy metal cadmium from water in the water treatment industry, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a diameter of 10 nm have been synthesized. In order to make these nanoparticles resistant to corrosion and erosive factors of the environment, they are covered with a silica shell and afterwards with the aim of removing cadmium ions from aqueous solutions, the surface of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles is modified with 1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone molecules. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized in order to evaluate the efficiency of these nanoparticles in separating cadmium ions soluble in water has.
Results: The synthesized and functionalized magnetic nanoparticles have an effective surface area of 378 m²/g with black color and spherical morphology. The effects of the parameters of the amount of nano adsorbent, pH of the solution, various concentrations of the solution and test time in the removal of divalent cadmium ions are investigated. According to the experimental data, the optimal values for the absorption process at pH 7 by using 18 mg of adsorbent in 50 ml of cadmium solution with an initial concentration of 0.35 mmol/L lead to the removal of cadmium ions with a maximum absorption of 92% at ambient temperature in a period of 35 minutes. Moreover, the recyclability and reusability of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-DAQ in the adsorption-desorption process of cadmium ion is investigated using a magnetic magnet, and the results confirm that this synthetic nanocomposite is an effective adsorbent with excellent performance in order to remove divalent cadmium ion from aqueous solutions.
 

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  Three coatings, Carnoba wax, Chitosan and naocomposite, were used to prevent postharvest losses of Golden Delicious apple. The effect of three coatings was compared with uncoated samples on quality and physical properties of apples during storage. These properties were pH, soluble solids (TSS), color intensity (a, b, L and E coefficients) and density. The variations of quality properties of apples during six months at two conditions of cold storage (2 °C and 95% RH) and environmental storage (20 °C and 45% RH) were evaluated. The results showed that pH, brix and color intensity for three coatings had an ascending trend but density and L had a descending trend in environmental condition. In the environmental condition, the highest color intensity losses were found for the without coating samples and the lowest losses for the wax coating samples. In opposite, color intensity for the wax coating samples had lowest losses. There was no more change in brix trend for nanocomposite coating.