Szewczyk, Piotr K.
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inżynieria materiałowa
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Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Thermally insulating mats based on electrospun fibers with bioinspired nano-groove surface structure(2025) Ura, Daniel Paweł; Szewczyk, Piotr K.; Parisi, Gregory; Osak, Andrzej; Puzio, Bartosz; Wrona, Jan; Kim, Il-Doo; Stachewicz, Urszula
Wydział Inżynierii Metali i Informatyki PrzemysłowejHeating and heat retention in buildings account for over 50 % of total energy costs, emphasizing the urgent need not only for advanced thermal insulation materials but also for nature-inspired design strategies to enhance energy efficiency and address the global energy crisis. In this study, we present a one-step fabrication method that improves both thermal insulation efficiency and the mechanical performance of polymer fiber mats. By leveraging bioinspired design, we successfully fabricate nanogroove fibers by precisely controlling humidity during in-situ electrospinning. This approach mimics the nanogroove topography of Old Man Cactus hair, enabling a simple yet effective method to regulate the nanoscale morphology of fibers. The resulting nanogroove fibers exhibit a substantial ~10 % reduction in surface temperature compared to conventional insulation coatings when applied to hot water pipes. Remarkably, our nanogroove fibrous coatings achieve 25 % higher energy savings per unit area and approximately 29 times higher per gram of material mass than commercial rubber insulation materials. This study highlights the critical role of nanoscale surface morphology engineering, particularly in the facile fabrication of nanogroove structures, in mitigating energy and heat loss during thermal transport processes. Based on the unique advantages of humidity-controlled polymer fiber architectures, this approach enables the development of flexible, high-performance thermal insulation materials, opening new avenues for versatile applications across various fields.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Modulating Surface Properties and Osteoblast Responses in Bone Regeneration via Positive and Negative Charges during Electrospinning of Poly(L‑lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) Scaffolds(2026) Marszalik, Katarzyna; Polak, Martyna; Berniak, Krzysztof; Knapczyk-Korczak, Joanna; Szewczyk, Piotr K.; Marzec, Mateusz M.; Stachewicz, Urszula
Wydział Inżynierii Metali i Informatyki PrzemysłowejThe global demand for faster and more effective bone regeneration calls for biomimetic scaffolds that actively guide cell behavior beyond providing structural support. Electrospinning offers unique opportunities to tailor scaffold properties, yet the influence of positive and negative voltage polarities during fabrication on cell−material interactions remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigate poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) scaffolds, a statistical copolymer combining strength and elasticity, produced under positive (PLCL+) and negative (PLCL−) polarity. Both scaffold types display comparable morphologies and bulk chemistry. However, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals charge dependent surface chemistry, with PLCL− enriched in O C and O−C groups. Zeta potential results highlight pronounced voltage polarity effects under aqueous conditions at pH 7.5, showing −29.19 mV for PLCL+ and −34.77 mV for PLCL−. Biologically, both scaffolds support rapid osteoblast attachment, with robust filopodia and collagen type I deposition by day 14. Strikingly, PLCL+ scaffolds promote deeper cellular infiltration and broader cytoskeletal distribution, whereas PLCL− scaffolds enhance proliferation, but with a flatter cell morphology. These findings reveal that subtle, charge-driven surface chemical differences in random copolymer scaffolds profoundly modulate osteoblast behavior. This work identifies electrospinning voltage polarity as a powerful yet underutilized design parameter for engineering next-generation scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Modulating cell adhesion and infiltration in advanced scaffold designs based on PLLA fibers with rGO and MXene (Ti3C2Tx)(2025) Polak, Martyna; Berniak, Krzysztof; Szewczyk, Piotr K.; Knapczyk-Korczak, Joanna; Marzec, Mateusz M.; Purbayanto, Muhammad Abiyyu Kenichi; Jastrzębska, Agnieszka M.; Stachewicz, Urszula
Wydział Inżynierii Metali i Informatyki PrzemysłowejThe development of electrospun scaffolds that support cell adhesion and infiltration remains a critical challenge in tissue engineering. In this study, we investigate the influence of two-dimensional (2D) fillers—reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and MXene (Ti3C2Tx)—incorporated into poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) electrospun fibers on their properties and osteoblast responses. The presence of fillers modified fiber arrangement and created varying inter-fiber spacing due to surface charge repulsion and agglomeration. Importantly, surface potential measurements via Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) of PLLA fibers show a significant shift caused by the incorporation of Ti3C2Tx to ∼400 mV compared to ∼50 mV for rGO. In vitro tests indicate that rGO-modified scaffolds support osteoblast infiltration up to ∼100 μm, unlike PLLA fibers, which limit cell infiltration to a maximum of ∼70 μm. However, Ti3C2Tx promotes even deeper (∼120 μm) and more uniform cell's infiltration due to changes in scaffold architecture. High-resolution confocal imaging confirmed that PLLA-Ti3C2Tx fosters larger, elongated adhesion site clusters of cells, whereas rGO increases cell's adhesion site density in relation to PLLA scaffolds without any filler. Our findings highlight the distinct roles of rGO and Ti3C2Tx in modulating scaffold geometry, mechanical behavior, and cellular interactions. Tailoring the composition and distribution of conductive fillers in fibers offers a promising strategy for optimizing scaffold performance in tissue engineering applications.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Interfacial blending in co-axially electrospun polymer core-shell fibers and their interaction with cells via focal adhesion point analysis(2024) Polak, Martyna; Ura, Daniel Paweł; Berniak, Krzysztof; Szewczyk, Piotr K.; Marzec, Mateusz M.; Stachewicz, Urszula
Wydział Inżynierii Metali i Informatyki PrzemysłowejElectrospun polymer scaffolds have gained prominence in biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound dressings, due to their customizable properties. As the interplay between cells and materials assumes fundamental significance in biomaterials research, understanding the relationship between fiber properties and cell behaviour is imperative. Nevertheless, altering fiber properties introduces complexity by intertwining mechanical and surface chemistry effects, challenging the differentiation of their individual impacts on cell behaviour. Core-shell fibers present an appealing solution, enabling the control of mechanical properties of scaffolds, flexibility in material and drug selection, efficient encapsulation, strong protection of bioactive drugs against harsh environments, and controlled, prolonged drug release. This study addresses a key challenge in core-shell fiber design related to the blending effect between core and shell polymers. Two types of fibers, PMMA and core-shell PC-PMMA, were electrospun, and thorough analyses confirmed the desired core-shell structure in PC-PMMA fibers. Surface chemistry analysis revealed PC diffusion to the PMMA shell of the core-shell fiber during electrospinning, subsequently prompting an investigation of the fiber’s surface potential. Conducting cellular studies on osteoblasts by super-resolution confocal microscopy provided insights into the direct influence of interfacial polymer blending and, consequently, altered fiber surface and mechanical properties on cell focal adhesion points, bridging the gap between material attributes and cell responses in core-shell fibers.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Steering triboelectric and mechanical properties of polymer fibers with carbon black(2023) Szewczyk, Piotr K.; Taşlı, Ali Emre; Knapczyk-Korczak, Joanna; Stachewicz, Urszula
Wydział Inżynierii Metali i Informatyki PrzemysłowejThe development of wearable electronics has spurred an increased interest in self-powered systems and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). To enhance the output performance of TENGs, researchers have dedicated significant efforts toward finding effective ways to increase triboelectric and mechanical performance. This study examined how conductive carbon black (CB) affects the mechanical and triboelectric properties of electrospun fibers made of polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), and polycarbonate (PC). The addition of CB affected their mechanical properties, including increased tensile strength and decreased elongation at break. Importantly, triboelectric testing revealed that incorporating CB decreased the triboelectric output of PU and PS by over 90%, while it increased the output of PC by 260%. These findings indicate that CB's effects on triboelectric properties depend on the material and its content, underscoring the importance of selecting CB content carefully for optimal mechanical and triboelectric performance in electrospun fibers and composites. This research validates the development of advanced composite materials for electrostatic discharge protection and energy harvesting applications.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Wettability gradient of photoresponsive electrospun yarns for harp-based fog water harvesting(2024) Parisi, Gregory; Szewczyk, Piotr K.; Narayan, Shankar; Stachewicz, Urszula
WIMiIPFog water harvesting offers a solution to water scarcity. Here, we introduce a method to enhance fog water harvesting systems utilizing electrospun yarns featuring a wettability gradient. These yarns, made from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and titanium dioxide (TiO2), gain photoinduced hydrophilicity under UV light due to TiO2 photocatalytic properties, allowing dynamic shifts from hydrophobic to hydrophilic states. Experiments show that an alternating PVDF-TiO2 harp with a wettability gradient surpasses purely hydrophobic or hydrophilic versions in fog collection. The strategic mix of hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections enhances droplet movement and water capture, achieving a 16% increase in collection rate up to 400 mg cm−2 h−1. This approach introduces a novel method for creating wettability gradients in electrospun yarns via UV irradiation and represents a significant advancement in adaptable fog water harvesting systems.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Optimizing Piezoelectric Coefficient in PVDF Fibers: Key Strategies for Energy Harvesting and Smart Textiles(2023) Sukumaran, Sunija; Szewczyk, Piotr K.; Knapczyk-Korczak, Joanna; Stachewicz, Urszula
Wydział Inżynierii Metali i Informatyki PrzemysłowejWith the advancement in smart electronic devices and self-powered devices, the demand for piezoelectric polymers found potential research interest. Among these, electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fibers have gained attention for energy harvesting due to their flexibility and higher piezoelectric coefficient. We compare various methods to enhance PVDF's piezoelectric properties, including different solvents (DMAc, DMF), conductive filler (rGO), and annealing as post-treatment. Our results indicate that PVDF/rGO fibers in DMAc solvent exhibit the highest β phase fraction and crystallinity. Moreover, for the first time, we present the piezoelectric properties of PVDF/rGO electrospun single fiber using high voltage switching spectroscopy piezoelectric force microscopy (HVSS-PFM). The highest piezoelectric coefficient (d33) was measured for PVDF/DMAc-rGO composite fibers. Notably, PVDF/rGO in DMAc solvent significantly improves the piezoelectric coefficient, leading to a remarkable fourfold increase in power density compared to pure PVDF, making it a promising material for energy harvesting applications.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Thermoresponsive nanofiber yarns for water harvesting enhanced by harp system(2024) Parisi, Gregory; Szewczyk, Piotr K.; Narayan, Shankar; Stachewicz, Urszula
WIMiIPThe escalating global water crisis necessitates innovative approaches to developing sustainable water resources. Fog water collectors with variable surface wettability offer controlled fog harvesting in water-scarce regions. This study develops thermoresponsive fog collecting materials by electrospinning poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-polyvinylidene fluoride (PNIPAm-PVDF) into yarns that are transformed into harp-like structures for enhanced water harvesting rate. Both meshes and harps using electrospun membranes exhibit the remarkable ability to transition between hydrophilic and hydrophobic wetting states at temperatures below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces play distinct roles in fog water collection. Hydrophilic surfaces have a high affinity for water and enables droplet capture. Hydrophobic surfaces help the removal of aggregated water droplet and fog water collection. The highest water collection rate obtained with the electrospun PNIPAm-PVDF harp was 1415 ± 7.0 mg·cm−2 h−1. The water harvesting system based on the electrospun PNIPAm-PVDF harps exhibits a 485 % increase in water collection compared to the standard meshes made from the same material, emphasizing their potential for significantly improving the overall rate in fog water harvesting applications.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Comparative Analysis of Electrophoretic Deposition and Dip Coating for Enhancing Electrical Properties of Electrospun PVDF Mats Through Carbon Nanotube Deposition(2025) Kopacz, Michał; Szewczyk, Piotr K.; Długoń, Elżbieta; Stachewicz, Urszula
Wydział Inżynierii Metali i Informatyki PrzemysłowejIntegrating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fibers is a promising approach for developing conductive and multifunctional materials. This study systematically compared two CNT deposition techniques, electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and dip coating (DC), in terms of their effectiveness in modifying the surface of aligned electrospun PVDF mats. Morphological characterization revealed that EPD produced more homogeneous and compact CNT coatings. In contrast, DC resulted in discontinuous and irregular layers regardless of deposition time. A key distinction between the two methods was the tunability of the coating: EPD allowed for precise control over CNT layer thickness and mass accumulation by adjusting the deposition time. In contrast, DC showed no significant changes in thickness with longer immersion. These structural differences translated into distinct electrical behaviors. Resistance measurements showed that EPD samples exhibited a substantial decrease in resistance with increasing deposition time, from 5.9 ± 2.5 kΩ to 0.2 ± 0.1 kΩ, indicating the formation of well-connected conductive pathways. On the other hand, DC samples maintained relatively constant, higher resistance values across all conditions. Additionally, EPD-coated mats demonstrated enhanced touch sensitivity, generating higher and more stable current responses compared to DC-deposited samples. These results confirm that EPD is a more effective, tunable method for fabricating conductive CNT coatings on electrospun PVDF mats, particularly for applications in flexible electronics and wearable sensors.Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access , Steering triboelectric and mechanical properties of polymer fibers with carbon black(2023) Szewczyk, Piotr K.; Taşlı, Ali Emre; Knapczyk-Korczak, Joanna; Stachewicz, Urszula
Wydział Inżynierii Metali i Informatyki PrzemysłowejThe development of wearable electronics has spurred an increased interest in self-powered systems and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). To enhance the output performance of TENGs, researchers have dedicated significant efforts toward finding effective ways to increase triboelectric and mechanical performance. This study examined how conductive carbon black (CB) affects the mechanical and triboelectric properties of electrospun fibers made of polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), and polycarbonate (PC). The addition of CB affected their mechanical properties, including increased tensile strength and decreased elongation at break. Importantly, triboelectric testing revealed that incorporating CB decreased the triboelectric output of PU and PS by over 90%, while it increased the output of PC by 260%. These findings indicate that CB's effects on triboelectric properties depend on the material and its content, underscoring the importance of selecting CB content carefully for optimal mechanical and triboelectric performance in electrospun fibers and composites. This research validates the development of advanced composite materials for electrostatic discharge protection and energy harvesting applications.
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