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Streszczenie:
As microplastics in water continue to pose a growing environmental challenge, it becomes more important to develop cost-effective and efficient methods for their capture. While separation techniques such as membranes and fibrous filters are highly effective, the majority of them are typically produced using fossil-based resources, contributing to plastic waste. The goal of this research is to develop an effective filter for microplastics filtration utilising exclusively sustainable materials while addressing known limitations of cellulose acetate electrospinning. Specifically, the feasibility and effects of electrospinning cellulose acetate non-wovens from an ethyl lactate-acetone solvent system were investigated. Both the polymeric solutions and the resulting materials were thoroughly characterised using SEM, porosimetry, tensile testing, rheometry, contact angles and conductometry. The obtained non-woven materials were tested as filters for PVC microplastic removal in a dead-end filtration setup. Different morphologies and parameters were observed with the changes in composition. Nonetheless, most of the filters showed great potential in the filtration of commercially available microplastics, effectively removing particles as small as 0.2 µm with over 90% efficiency overall. While the process requires further optimisation, solvent systems based on ethyl lactate emerges as a promising green alternative to acetone in electrospinning, offering a more sustainable approach to microplastic filtration.

Słowa kluczowe:
electrospinning, ethyl lactate, cellulose acetate nonwoven, microplastics removal, microfiltration

Streszczenie:
Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are classified as smart materials whose viscoplastic characteristics change under the magnetic field. They are widely applied for dynamic energy dissipation due to their rapid thickening under the external magnetic field. In this work, the core–shell suspension of superparamagnetic iron oxide-based nanoparticles was synthesized and dispersed in silicone oil. Much effort has been made to prepare suspension meeting requirements of MR fluid. The experimental squeezing flow response was studied using a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) with various shear rates. Tests with modified SHPB show that MR fluid rapidly responds to the compression thickening and forming chain-like structures. MR fluid dissipates the energy generated during compression stress tests. This study presents a simple and cost-effective synthesis way suitable for MR fluid formation for its dynamic energy dissipation application.

Słowa kluczowe:
SPION, magnetorheological fluid, split Hopkinson pressure bar, high strain rate, dynamic behaviour