Multifunctional sustainable quercetin polyphenol/functionalized carbon nanotubes; semi‐transparent conductive films and <scp>3D</scp> printing inks
Mohammad M. Fares, Samah K. Radaydeh
Abstract
Abstract Semi‐transparent conductive films (semi‐TCFs) were fabricated from sustainable onion quercetin polyphenol and functionalized carbon nanotubes (F‐CNTs) in presence of different metal ion crosslinking agents via layer‐by‐layer technique. Layer‐by‐layer semi‐TCFs were fabricated in presence of metal ion crosslinking agents of Ca 2+ , Ti 2+ , Sn 2+ , and Fe 3+ ions. Optical transmittance values was in the range of 41%–67%, sheet resistance in 17–1567 kΩ/sq, and σ dc / σ op in 0.0005–0.02 range, which confirm their semi‐TCFs characteristics. Optimum performance of single‐layer F‐CNTs semi‐TCFs was as follows; transmittance = 46.6%, sheet resistance = 6.5 kΩ/sq, and σ dc / σ op = 0.06. 3D printing inks and injectable hydrogels were also fabricated from multifunctional sustainable onion/F‐CNTs in presence gelatin. Proposed mechanism of gelation was established for the 3D printing ink, and the semi‐Interpenetrating network hydrogel was verified using spectroscopic ATR‐FTIR technique. The injectable hydrogel showed promising characteristics of robustness, elasticity, anti‐microbial activity, biocompatibility, and stretchable low cost multifunctional materials that adapt them to be successfully employed in biomedical and surgical applications. Characteristic peaks that demonstrate chemical structure of quercetin and successful functionalization of F‐CNTs were observed in 1 H‐NMR and ATR‐FTIR spectra. High thermal stability of F‐CNTs was observed (694°C) in TGA and DTG thermograms, and two C(002) and C(100) crystal structures of F‐CNTs were result. Topologic nanostructure of F‐CNTs and spherical shape clusters of quercetin were demonstrated using optical and scanning electron microscope images.