Azeman Mustafa

Bio: Azeman Mustafa is an academic researcher from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Membrane & Gas separation. The author has an hindex of 23, co-authored 79 publications receiving 2762 citations. Previous affiliations of Azeman Mustafa include Virginia–Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine & International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh.

Aqueous room temperature synthesis of zeolitic imidazole framework 8 (ZIF-8) with various concentrations of triethylamine

Abstract: In this study, a zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF-8) was prepared, and physico-chemical characterizations were performed to investigate the influences of triethylamine (TEA) on the crystallinity, particle size, morphology, and defects of ZIF-8 synthesized via an aqueous room temperature approach with a relatively low molar ratio of ligands to metal salts. Increasing the concentration of TEA by raising the TEA/total molar ratio from 0.004 to 0.007 prompted the formation of pure phase ZIF-8, whereas a TEA/total molar ratio below 0.004 did not result in a yield of ZIF-8. The particle size of ZIF-8 decreased from approximately 288 to 133 nm with increasing TEA/total molar ratio, except at a TEA/total molar ratio of 0.007. However, an excessive TEA/total molar ratio alters the 2-MeIM chemistry, and partially forms hydroxylated 2-MeIM. Thus, this study shows that at relatively low molar ratios of ligands to metal salts, up to a maximum TEA/total molar ratio of 0.006, the TEA concentration plays an important role in assisting crystal formation and in controlling the particle size of ZIF-8. The proposed procedure enables pure phase nanoscale ZIF-8 to be synthesized with a high product yield and with minimal chemical usage.

Electrospinning and Electrospun Nanofibers: Methods, Materials, and Applications

Abstract: Electrospinning is a versatile and viable technique for generating ultrathin fibers. Remarkable progress has been made with regard to the development of electrospinning methods and engineering of electrospun nanofibers to suit or enable various applications. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of electrospinning, including the principle, methods, materials, and applications. We begin with a brief introduction to the early history of electrospinning, followed by discussion of its principle and typical apparatus. We then discuss its renaissance over the past two decades as a powerful technology for the production of nanofibers with diversified compositions, structures, and properties. Afterward, we discuss the applications of electrospun nanofibers, including their use as "smart" mats, filtration membranes, catalytic supports, energy harvesting/conversion/storage components, and photonic and electronic devices, as well as biomedical scaffolds. We highlight the most relevant and recent advances related to the applications of electrospun nanofibers by focusing on the most representative examples. We also offer perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and new directions for future development. At the end, we discuss approaches to the scale-up production of electrospun nanofibers and briefly discuss various types of commercial products based on electrospun nanofibers that have found widespread use in our everyday life.

Hyaluronan as an Immune Regulator in Human Diseases

Abstract: Accumulation and turnover of extracellular matrix components are the hallmarks of tissue injury. Fragmented hyaluronan stimulates the expression of inflammatory genes by a variety of immune cells at the injury site. Hyaluronan binds to a number of cell surface proteins on various cell types. Hyaluronan fragments signal through both Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and TLR2 as well as CD44 to stimulate inflammatory genes in inflammatory cells. Hyaluronan is also present on the cell surface of epithelial cells and provides protection against tissue damage from the environment by interacting with TLR2 and TLR4. Hyaluronan and hyaluronan-binding proteins regulate inflammation, tissue injury, and repair through regulating inflammatory cell recruitment, release of inflammatory cytokines, and cell migration. This review focuses on the role of hyaluronan as an immune regulator in human diseases.