@article{ebrahim_rahmanian_abdelmigeed_pirzada_khan_2024, title={Designing a MOF-functionalized Nanofibrous Aerogel via Vapor-Phase Synthesis}, volume={5}, ISSN={["2366-9608"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202400596}, DOI={10.1002/smtd.202400596}, abstractNote={Abstract Designing 3D mechanically robust and high‐surface‐area substrates for uniform and high‐density deposition of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) provide a promising strategy to enhance surface accessibility and application of these highly functional materials. Nanofibrous aerogel (NFA) with its highly porous self‐supported structure composed of interconnected nanofibrous network offers an ideal platform in this regard. Herein, a facile one‐pot strategy is introduced, which utilizes direct deposition of MOF on the nanofibrous surface of the NFAs. NFAs are synthesized using electrospun polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PAN/PVP) polymer nanofibers containing zinc acetate (Zn(Ac) 2 ), which are subjected to freeze drying and thermal treatment. The latter converts Zn(Ac) 2 to zinc oxide (ZnO), providing the sites for MOF growth while also adding mechanical integrity to the NFAs through cyclization of the PAN. Exposure of the NFA to the vapor‐phase of organic ligand, 2‐methylimidazole (2‐MeIm) enables in situ growth of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) MOF on the NFA. ZIF‐8 loading on the NFAs is further improved by more than tenfold by synthesizing ZnO nanorods/protrusions on the nanofibers, which enables more sites for MOF growth. These findings underscore a significant advancement in designing MOF‐based hybrid aerogels, offering a streamlined approach for their use in diverse applications, from catalysis to sensing and water purification.}, journal={SMALL METHODS}, author={Ebrahim, Muhammed Ziauddin Ahmad and Rahmanian, Vahid and Abdelmigeed, Mai and Pirzada, Tahira and Khan, Saad A.}, year={2024}, month={May} }
 @article{rahmanian_ebrahim_razavi_abdelmigeed_barbieri_menegatti_parsons_li_pirzada_khan_2023, title={Vapor phase synthesis of metal-organic frameworks on a nanofibrous aerogel creates enhanced functionality}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2050-7496"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TA05299K}, DOI={10.1039/d3ta05299k}, abstractNote={Vapor-phase synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) on nanofibrous aerogels provides a hierarchically porous and mechanically robust material platform for use in a multitude of applications, from carbon dioxide capture to heavy metal removal.}, journal={JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A}, author={Rahmanian, Vahid and Ebrahim, Muhammed Ziauddin Ahmad and Razavi, Seyedamin and Abdelmigeed, Mai and Barbieri, Eduardo and Menegatti, Stefano and Parsons, Gregory N. and Li, Fanxing and Pirzada, Tahira and Khan, Saad A.}, year={2023}, month={Nov} }
 @article{rahmanian_pirzada_barbieri_iftikhar_li_khan_2023, title={Mechanically robust, thermally insulating and photo-responsive aerogels designed from sol-gel electrospun PVP-TiO2 nanofibers}, volume={32}, ISSN={["2352-9407"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmt.2023.101784}, DOI={10.1016/j.apmt.2023.101784}, abstractNote={We present a robust approach for fabricating polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-titania (TiO2) nanofibrous aerogels (NFA) with multifunctional and triggered performances. These low density (∼ 10 mg cm−3) 3D self-supported aerogels having an intrinsically lamellar porous structure (> 99% porosity) are created via solid templating of sol-gel electrospun PVP-TiO2 hybrid nanofibers. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 allows for on-demand application wherein the aerogel exhibits antibacterial properties upon UV exposure to bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. Significantly, while the aerogel sorbs common volatile organic components (VOCs) or oil due to its innate porosity, exposure of the aerogel to ultraviolet (UV) radiation leads to their decomposition. The PVP-TiO2 NFA exhibits a low thermal conductivity (0.062 W m−1 K−1) together with considerable mechanical flexibility up to strains of 50% with >90% recovery, without the need for post-processing. The photo-responsive attributes combined with mechanical resilience, oleophilicity and thermal insulation properties render these aerogels viable candidates for a diverse range of applications. We discuss such property enhancements in terms of the interaction between PVP and TiO2 and aerogel microstructure.}, journal={APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY}, author={Rahmanian, Vahid and Pirzada, Tahira and Barbieri, Eduardo and Iftikhar, Sherafghan and Li, Fanxing and Khan, Saad A.}, year={2023}, month={Jun} }
 @article{hosseini_rahmanian_pirzada_frick_krissanaprasit_khan_labean_2022, title={DNA aerogels and DNA-wrapped CNT aerogels for neuromorphic applications}, volume={16}, ISSN={["2590-0064"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100440}, DOI={10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100440}, abstractNote={Nucleic acids are programmable materials that can self-assemble into defined or stochastic three-dimensional network architectures. Various attributes of self-assembled, cross-linked Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hydrogels have recently been investigated, including their mechanical properties and potential biomedical functions. Herein, for the first time, we describe the successful construction of pure DNA aerogels and DNA-wrapped carbon nanotube (CNT) composite (DNA-CNT) aerogels via a single-step freeze-drying of the respective hydrogels. These aerogels reveal highly porous and randomly branched structures with low density. The electrical properties of pure DNA aerogel mimic that of a simple capacitor; in contrast, the DNA-CNT aerogel displays a fascinating resistive switching behavior in response to an applied bias voltage sweep reminiscent of a volatile memristor. We believe these novel aerogels can serve as a platform for developing complex biomimetic devices for a wide range of applications, including real-time computation, neuromorphic computing, biochemical sensing, and biodegradable functional implants. More importantly, insight obtained here on self-assembling DNA to create aerogels will pave the way to construct novel aerogel-based material platforms from DNA coated or wrapped functional entities.}, journal={MATERIALS TODAY BIO}, author={Hosseini, Mahshid and Rahmanian, Vahid and Pirzada, Tahira and Frick, Nikolay and Krissanaprasit, Abhichart and Khan, Saad A. and LaBean, Thomas H.}, year={2022}, month={Dec} }
 @article{rahmanian_pirzada_wang_khan_2021, title={Cellulose-Based Hybrid Aerogels: Strategies toward Design and Functionality}, volume={33}, ISSN={["1521-4095"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202102892}, DOI={10.1002/adma.202102892}, abstractNote={AbstractThe brittle nature of early aerogels developed from inorganic precursors fueled the discovery of their organic counterparts. Prominent among these organics are cellulose aerogels because of their natural abundance, biocompatibility, sustainable precursors, and tunable properties. The hierarchical structure of cellulose, from polymers to nano/microfibers, further facilitates fabrication of materials across multiple length scales with added applicability. However, the inherent flammability, structural fragility, and low thermal stability have limited their use. Recently developed cellulose‐based hybrid aerogels offer strong potential owing to their tunability and enhanced functionality brought about by combining the inherent properties of cellulose with organic and inorganic components. A survey of the historical background and scientific achievements in the design and development of cellulose‐based hybrid aerogel materials is encompassed here. The impacts of incorporating organic and inorganic ingredients with cellulose and the corresponding synergistic effects are discussed in terms of their design and functionality. The underlying principles governing the structural integration and functionality enhancement are also analyzed. The latest developments of cellulose‐based hybrid aerogels fabricated from nontraditional incipient aerogels, such as fibrous webs, are also explored. Finally, future opportunities that could make these materials achieve even greater impacts through improved scalability, rationally designed synthesis, and multifunctional properties are discussed.}, number={51}, journal={ADVANCED MATERIALS}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Rahmanian, Vahid and Pirzada, Tahira and Wang, Siyao and Khan, Saad A.}, year={2021}, month={Oct} }