Poly(4-methylpentene-1)/hydrogenated oligo (cyclopentadiene) blends: Miscibility,tensile stress–strain,and dynamic mechanical behaviors

This article discusses the influence of the oligomeric resin, hydrogenated oligo(cyclopentadiene) (HOCP), on the morphology, and thermal and tensile mechanical properties of its blends with isotactic poly(4-methylpentene-1) (P4MP1). The P4MP1 and HOCP are found not miscible in the melt state. P4MP1/HOCP blends after solidification contain three phases: the crystalline phase of P4MP1, an amorphous phase of P4MP1, and an amorphous phase of HOCP. From optical micrographs obtained at 150°C, it is found that the solidified blends show a morphology constituted by P4MP1 microspherulites and small HOCP domains homogeneously distributed in intraspherulitic regions. DSC and DMTA results show that the blends present two glass transition temperatures (T_g) equal to the T_gs of the pure components. The tensile mechanical properties have been investigated at 20, 60, and 120°C. At 20°C both the HOCP oligomer and the amorphous P4MP1 are glassy, and it is found that all the blends are brittle and the stress–strain curves have equal trends. At 60°C the HOCP oligomer is glassy, whereas the amorphous P4MP1 is rubbery. The tensile mechanical properties at 60°C are found to depend on blend composition. It is found that the Young's modulus, the stresses at yielding and break points slightly decrease with HOCP content in the blends and these results are related to the decrease of blend crystallinity. The decrease of the elongation at break is accounted for by the presence of glassy HOCP domains that act as defects in the P4MP1 matrix, hampering the drawing. At 120°C both the amorphous phases are rubbery. It is found decreases of Young's modulus, stresses at yielding and break points. These results have been related to the decrease of blend crystallinity and to the increase of the total rubbery amorphous phase. Moreover, it is found that the blends present elongations at break equal to that of pure P4MP1. This constancy is attributed to: (a) at 120°C the HOCP domains are rubbery and their presence seems not to disturb the drawing of the samples; (b) a sufficient number of the tie-molecules and entanglements of P4MP1 present in the blends. In fact, although the numbers of tie-molecules and entanglements decrease in the blends, increasing the HOCP oligomer, they seem to be enough to keep the material interlaced and avoid earlier rupture. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 1269–1277, 1997     

Complex phase behavior and state of miscibility in Poly(ethylene glycol)/Poly(l‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) Blends

A miscibility and phase behavior study was conducted on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/poly(l ‐lactide‐ε‐caprolactone) (PLA‐co‐CL) blends. A single glass transition evolution was determined by differential scanning calorimetry initially suggesting a miscible system; however, the unusual T_g bias and subsequent morphological study conducted by polarized light optical microscopy (PLOM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) evidenced a phase separated system for the whole range of blend compositions. PEG spherulites were found in all blends except for the PEG/PLA‐co‐CL 20/80 composition, with no interference of the comonomer in the melting point of PEG (T_m = 64 °C) and only a small one in crystallinity fraction (X_c = 80% vs. 70%). However, a clear continuous decrease in PEG spherulites growth rate (G) with increasing PLA‐co‐CL content was determined in the blends isothermally crystallized at 37 °C, G being 37 µm/min for the neat PEG and 12 µm/min for the 20 wt % PLA‐co‐CL blend. The kinetics interference in crystal growth rate of PEG suggests a diluting effect of the PLA‐co‐CL in the blends; further, PLOM and AFM provided unequivocal evidence of the interfering effect of PLA‐co‐CL on PEG crystal morphology, demonstrating imperfect crystallization in blends with interfibrillar location of the diluting amorphous component. Significantly, AFM images provided also evidence of amorphous phase separation between PEG and PLA‐co‐CL. A true T_g vs. composition diagram is proposed on the basis of the AFM analysis for phase separated PEG/PLA‐co‐CL blends revealing the existence of a second PLA‐co‐CL rich phase. According to the partial miscibility established by AFM analysis, PEG and PLA‐co‐CL rich phases, depending on blend composition, contain respectively an amount of the minority component leading to a system presenting, for every composition, two T_g's that are different of those of pure components. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 111–121     

Preparation and properties of luffa fiber- and kenaf fiber-filled poly(butylene succinate-co-lactate)/starch blend-based biocomposites

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-lactate) (PBSL)/starch blends that contain various amounts of starch were prepared. In addition, luffa fiber (LF) and kenaf fiber (KF) were incorporated, individually, into PBSL/starch (70/30) blend to achieve biocomposites. The LF and KF were treated with NaOH_(aq) prior to their addition to the blend. The Young's modulus and flexural modulus of PBSL increased with the addition of starch and increased further after the formation of the biocomposites. The highest Young's modulus increment, which was found in the KF-added system, was up to a 2.2-fold increase compared with neat PBSL. The tensile/flexural/impact strength of PBSL declined after the formation of the blends. With the further addition of LF/KF, the said properties leveled off. The blends exhibited higher complex viscosity and dynamic storage modulus in the melt state than the neat PBSL, and the values further increased in the biocomposites. The crystallization temperature of PBSL slightly decreased in the blends. By contrast, the biocomposites showed an increment in PBSL crystallization temperature, from 73.0 °C (PBSL) to 75.3 °C (KF-added composite), thereby confirming the surface nucleation effect of LF/KF. The blends showed a higher degree of water absorption than PBSL. The formation of biocomposites led to an even higher degree of water absorption. The current approach of including LF/KF in the PBSL/starch blend to enhance the rigidity and biodegradability was advantageous in expanding the applications of PBSL.     

Thermoplastic elastomers based on poly(l‐Lysine)‐Poly(ε‐Caprolactone) multi‐block copolymers

Novel thermoplastic elastomers based on multi‐block copolymers of poly(l ‐lysine) (PLL), poly(N‐ε‐carbobenzyloxyl‐l ‐lysine) (PZLL), poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were synthesized by combination of ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and chain extension via l ‐lysine diisocyanate (LDI). SEC and ¹H NMR were used to characterize the multi‐block copolymers, with number‐average molecular weights between 38,900 and 73,400 g/mol. Multi‐block copolymers were proved to be good thermoplastic elastomers with Young's modulus between 5 and 60 MPa and tensile strain up to 1300%. The PLL‐containing multi‐block copolymers were electrospun into non‐woven mats that exhibited high surface hydrophilicity and wettability. The polypeptide–polyester materials were biocompatible, bio‐based and environment‐friendly for promising wide applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3012–3018     

High-Toughness Poly(lactic Acid)/Starch Blends Prepared through Reactive Blending Plasticization and Compatibilization

In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/starch blends were prepared through reactive melt blending by using PLA and starch as raw materials and vegetable oil polyols, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and citric acid (CA) as additives. The effects of CA and PEG on the toughness of PLA/starch blends were analyzed using a mechanical performance test, scanning electron microscope analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, rheological analysis, and hydrophilicity test. Results showed that the elongation at break and impact strength of the PLA/premixed starch (PSt)/PEG/CA blend were 140.51% and 3.56 kJ·m⁻², which were 13.4 and 1.8 times higher than those of pure PLA, respectively. The essence of the improvement in the toughness of the PLA/PSt/PEG/CA blend was the esterification reaction among CA, PEG, and starch. During the melt-blending process, the CA with abundant carboxyl groups reacted in the amorphous region of the starch. The shape and crystal form of the starch did not change, but the surface activity of the starch improved and consequently increased the adhesion between starch and PLA. As a plasticizer for PLA and starch, PEG effectively enhanced the mobility of the molecular chains. After PEG was dispersed, it participated in the esterification reaction of CA and starch at the interface and formed a branched/crosslinked copolymer that was embedded in the interface of PLA and starch. This copolymer further improved the compatibility of the PLA/starch blends. PEGs with small molecules and CA were used as compatibilizers to reduce the effect on PLA biodegradability. The esterification reaction on the starch surface improved the compatibilization and toughness of the PLA/starch blend materials and broadens their application prospects in the fields of medicine and high-fill packaging.     

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-t-butylacrylamide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-t-butylacrylamide) triblock copolymers: synthesis and thermogelation properties of aqueous solutions

Novel triblock copolymers with PEG middle blocks of 1–10 kDa and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-t-butylacrylamide) statistical copolymer side arms with DP_n?≈?88 and different compositions, were synthesized by SET-LRP. The thermogelation properties of their aqueous solutions depended on both hydrophobic monomer content of the side blocks and molecular weight (MW) of the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) middle block, as proven by dynamic rheometry, DSC, and tube inversion method measurements. At constant PEG chain length, increasing TBAM proportions led to a gelation process occurring at progressively lower temperatures, as well as to a lower stability of the forming hydrogels in the case of shorter-PEG-chain block copolymers. By employing longer PEG blocks (M_PEG ≥6,000 Da), stable hydrogels with the gelation temperature below 37 °C could be obtained. For a constant composition of the copolyacrylamide blocks, the dependence of the phase transition temperature (T_ph) on M_PEG displayed a different shape at different polymer solution concentrations, because of the stronger variation of T_ph with polymer concentration as M_PEG increased. Also, the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels resulting from 20 wt.% polymer aqueous solutions at 37 °C were stronger affected by the MW of the PEG middle block than by the hydrophobic character of the thermosensitive side blocks.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel degradable photocrosslinked poly(ether‐anhydride) networks

New degradable poly(ether‐anhydride) networks were synthesized by UV photopolymerization. Dicarboxylated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG) was reacted with an excess of methacrylic anhydride to form dimethacrylated macromers containing anhydride linkages. The percent of conversion for the macromer formation was more than 80% at 60 °C after 24 h. ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopies show the presence of anhydride linkages in the macromer. In vitro degradation studies were carried out at 37 °C in PBS with crosslinked polymer networks formed by UV irradiation. All PEG‐based polymers degraded within 2 days, while PTMG‐based polymers degraded by 50% of the initial weight after 14 days. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1277–1282, 2000     

Novel tricomponent membranes containing poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(pentamethylcyclopentasiloxane)/poly(dimethylsiloxane) domains

The synthesis and characterization of novel tricomponent networks consisting of well‐defined poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) strands crosslinked and reinforced by poly(pentamethylcyclopentasiloxane) (PD₅) domains are described. Network synthesis occurred by dissolving α,ω‐diallyl PEG and α,ω‐divinyl PDMS prepolymers in a common solvent (toluene), introducing a stoichiometric excess of pentamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D₅H) to the charge, inducing the cohydrosilation of the prepolymers by Karstedt's catalyst and completing network formation by the addition of water. Water in the presence of the Pt‐based catalyst oxidizes the SiH groups of D₅H to SiOH functions that immediately polycondense and bring about crosslinking. The progress of cohydrosilation and polycondensation was followed by monitoring the disappearance of the SiH and SiOH functions by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Because cohydrosilation and polycondensation are essentially quantitative, overall network composition can be controlled by calculating the stoichiometry of the three network constituents. The very low quantities of extractable (sol) fractions corroborate efficient crosslinking. The networks swell in both water and hexanes. Differential scanning calorimetry showed three thermal transitions assigned, respectively, to PEG (melting temperature: 46–60 °C depending on composition), PDMS [glass‐transition temperature (T_g) = ～?121 °C], and PD₅ (T_g = ～?159 °C) and indicated a phase‐separated tricomponent nanoarchitecture. The low T_g of the PD₅ phase is unprecedented. The strength and elongation of PEG/PD₅/PDMS networks can be controlled by overall network composition. The synthesis of networks exhibiting sufficient mechanical properties (tensile stress: 2–5 MPa, elongation: 100–800%) for various possible applications has been demonstrated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3093–3102, 2002     

Super-Toughened Heat-Resistant Poly(lactic acid) Alloys By Tailoring the Phase Morphology and the Crystallization Behaviors

The interfacial grafting copolymerization and the compatibility between poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and ethylene-vinyl acetate-glycidyl methacrylate elastomer (EVM-GMA) are adjusted by varying the blending temperatures. High temperature is favored to the grafting reaction between epoxy groups of the EVM-GMA and terminal groups of the PLA, resulting in better compatibility between the two components. Taking PLA/EVM-GMA (80/20) blend as an example, an increase in blending temperature from 175 to 230 °C led to a 42.8% reduction in EVM-GMA particle size, and consequently 137.8% and 52.6% increases in elongation at break (Eb) and notched impact strength (NIS), respectively. In comparison, the Eb and NIS of PLA/EVM blends without any interfacial reaction deteriorated dramatically due to thermal degradation of the PLA at high(er) temperatures. Furthermore, the PLA/EVM-GMA blend prepared at 230 °C possesses both excellent toughness (Eb > 60%, NIS > 60 kJ m⁻²) and high heat deflection temperature (>90 °C) after annealing at 100 °C. This work provides a new approach in designing high-performance biobased materials which may broaden the application range of PLA in engineering areas. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 58, 500–509     

Synthesis and properties of biodegradable copolymers based on 4,4′‐(adipoyldioxy)dicinnamic acid, 1,6‐hexanediol,and poly(ethylene glycol)s

4,4′‐(Adipoyldioxy)dicinnamic acid (CAC) was synthesized by a condensation of adipoyl chloride and 4‐hydroxycinnamic acid. The CAC6 copolymers were prepared by a high‐temperature solution polycondensation of a diacyl chloride of CAC, 1,6‐hexanediol (6), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in which the molecular weights of PEG are 1000, 2000, and 8300. Differential scanning calorimetric curves of the copolymers exhibited a glass‐transition temperature because of PEG moiety and two melting endotherms (T_m's); the one at the higher T_m was due to CAC6 moiety, and the other at the lower T_m was due to PEG moiety, suggesting that these copolymers are the block type. The incorporation of the PEG component decreased the tensile strength and initial modulus, but increased the elongation extremely. The enzymatic degradation was performed in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2) with Ps. cepacia lipase at 37 °C. The degradation rate of the copolymers increased significantly with an increasing content of PEG, which was correlated to the water absorption of the copolymers. All copolymers could undergo photocuring by ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation (λ > 280 nm) at ambient temperature, as examined by UV spectroscopy and solubility. The CAC6/E2000(50/50) film photocured for 3 min exhibited a good elastic property with a maximum tensile strength of 3.7 MPa and maximum elongation of 640%. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2930–2938, 2003     

Side‐chain crystallization behavior of graft copolymers consisting of amorphous main chain and crystalline side chains: Poly(methyl methacrylate)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(methyl acrylate)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol)

Graft copolymers consisting of amorphous main chain, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), or poly(methyl acrylate) (PMAc), and crystalline side chains, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), have been prepared by copolymerization of PEG macromonomers with methyl methacrylate or methyl acrylate (MMAx or MACx, respectively). Because of the compatibility of PMMA/PEG and PMAc/PEG, from small‐angle X‐ray scattering results, the main and side chains in graft copolymers were suggested to be homogeneous in the molten state. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) cooling scans revealed that PEG side chains for graft copolymers with large PEG fractions were crystallized when the sample was cooled, with a cooling rate of 10 °C/min. The spherulite pattern observed by a polarized optical microscope suggested the growth of PEG crystalline lamellae. Crystallization of PEG in MMAx was more restrained than in MACx. From these results, we have concluded that the crystallization behavior of the grafted side chains is strongly influenced by the glass transition of a homogeneously molten sample as well as dilution of the crystallizable chains. Domain spacings for isothermally crystallized graft copolymers were described by interdigitating chain packing in crystalline–amorphous lamellar structure. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 79–86, 2005     

Poly(Urethane)-Crosslinked Poly(HEMA) Hydrogels

Abstract

Hydrogels have been prepared from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymerized in the presence of isocyanate-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) crosslinking agents. PEGS of molecular weights 200, 400, and 1000 were investigated. The crosslinked nature of the hydrogels was demonstrated by their insolubility in solvents which normally dissolve poly(HEMA). Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) was mainly used as the isocyanate. The molecular weight of the PEG and the crosslinker content significantly influenced the equilibrium water sorption and mechanical properties of the saturated networks. It was observed that as the molecular weight of the PEG increased, the water sorption increased and the nominal modulus decreased. However, for higher levels of cross-linker, water sorption decreased and modulus increased at low molecular weight PEG; for PEG 1000, water absorption increased as crosslinker content increased. These results are explained by the competing effects of flexibility, crosslink density, and hydrophobicity contributed by the various constituents of the hydrogels.     

Synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol)/polypeptide/poly(D,L‐lactide) copolymers and their nanoparticles

Core‐shell structured nanoparticles of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/polypeptide/poly(D ,L ‐lactide) (PLA) copolymers were prepared and their properties were investigated. The copolymers had a poly(L ‐serine) or poly(L ‐phenylalanine) block as a linker between a hydrophilic PEG and a hydrophobic PLA unit. They formed core‐shell structured nanoparticles, where the polypeptide block resided at the interface between a hydrophilic PEG shell and a hydrophobic PLA core. In the synthesis, poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(L ‐serine) (PEG‐PSER) was prepared by ring opening polymerization of N‐carboxyanhydride of O‐(tert‐butyl)‐L ‐serine and subsequent removal of tert‐butyl groups. Poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(L ‐phenylalanine) (PEG‐PPA) was obtained by ring opening polymerization of N‐carboxyanhydride of L ‐phenylalanine. Methoxy‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐amine with a MW of 5000 was used as an initiator for both polymerizations. The polymerization of D ,L ‐lactide by initiation with PEG‐PSER and PEG‐PPA produced a comb‐like copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐[poly(L ‐serine)‐g‐poly(D ,L ‐lactide)] (PEG‐PSER‐PLA) and a linear copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(L ‐phenylalanine)‐b‐poly(D ,L ‐lactide) (PEG‐PPA‐PLA), respectively. The nanoparticles obtained from PEG‐PPA‐PLA showed a negative zeta potential value of ?16.6 mV, while those of PEG‐PSER‐PLA exhibited a positive value of about 19.3 mV. In pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution at 36 °C, the nanoparticles of PEG/polypeptide/PLA copolymers showed much better stability than those of a linear PEG‐PLA copolymer having a comparable molecular weight. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis and dynamic mechanical properties of heterogeneous network polymers from poly(L-glutamic acid) and poly(oxyethylene glycol)

Heterogeneous network polymers composed of rigid polypeptide chains and flexible polyether chains were synthesized. That is, poly(L -glutamic acid) (PLGA) was crosslinked with poly(oxyethylene glycol) (PEG) at various carboxy/hydroxyl mole ratios K. The solubility tests and hydrolysis of heterogeneous network polymers suggest that the crosslinking reaction proceeds by esterification. The dynamic mechanical properties of these polymers(100 Hz, ?100–200°C) are greatly influenced by the presence of a trace of water and the weight per cent of PLGA. In addition, some of these polymers show only one maximum in the temperature dispersion of dynamic loss modulus E″ and tan δ, although their shape is rather broad. The x-ray photographs of these polymers show an amorphous halo or weak Debye-Sherrer rings. These findings suggest that these polymers are not simple adducts; neverthless PLGA and/or PEG domains exist.     

Modification of poly(vinyl chloride). X. Crosslinking of poly(vinyl chloride) with a soft segment of an elastomer containing thiol groups

To obtain poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) of excellent toughness, a new method of crosslinking PVC is proposed in which PVC is crosslinked with the soft segment in an elastomer such as liquid Thiokol. The reaction can be accomplished by immersing PVC–Thiokol blends in liquid ammonia at 20–30°C. A similar reaction occurs in aqueous ammonia when hexamethylphosphoramide is used as an activator. Characteristics of the crosslinked PVC thus obtained and of the controls of a similar uncrosslinked composition (PVC–Thiokol LP-8, 100:5 by weight) were as follows: tensile strength, 7.3 and 4.8 kg/mm²; elongation at break, 30 and 2.5%; Young's modulus, 3.5 × 10⁴ and 2.9 × 10⁴ kg/cm²; tensile impact, 88 and 15 kg-cm/cm³, respectively. The crosslinked PVC as plasticized with dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and the control blend (PVC–Thiokol LP-8–DOP, 100:10:10 by weight), respectively, showed tensile strengths of 5.9 and 4.8 kg/mm², elongations at break of 44 and 24%, Young's moduli of 2.5 × 10⁴ and 1.6 × 10⁴ kg/cm², and tensile impact strengths of 62 and 120 kg-cm/cm³. As the crosslinkage through the soft segments increases up to about 5%, the elongation at break, Young's modulus, and tensile impact, in addition to the tensile strength, are improved. This is different from the results so far observed with the crosslinked amorphous polymers and is characteristic of the products of crosslinking through the soft segment. The experimental results are discussed in this paper.     

Preparation and physical properties of poly(4,4′‐diamino‐3′‐carbamoylbenzanilide terephthalamide) and poly(4,4′‐diamino‐3′‐carbamoylbenzanilide isophthalamide) films

To prepare thermally stable and high‐performance polymeric films, new solvent‐soluble aromatic polyamides with a carbamoyl pendant group, namely poly(4,4′‐diamino‐3′‐carbamoylbenzanilide terephthalamide) (p‐PDCBTA) and poly(4,4′‐diamino‐3′‐carbamoylbenzanilide isophthalamide) (m‐PDCBTA), were synthesized. The polymers were cyclized at around 200 to 350 °C to form quinazolone and benzoxazinone units along the polymer backbone. The decomposition onset temperatures of the cyclized m‐ and p‐PDCBTAs were 457 and 524 °C, respectively, lower than that of poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide) (566 °C). For the p‐PDCBTA film drawn by 40% and heat‐treated, the tensile strength and Young's modulus were 421 MPa and 16.4 GPa, respectively. The film cyclized at 350 °C showed a storage modulus (E′) of 1 × 10¹¹ dyne/cm² (10 GPa) over the temperature range of room temperature to 400 °C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 775–780, 2000     

Temperature‐sensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐grafted surfaces modulate blood platelet interactions

Interactions between a temperature‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐grafted surface and blood platelets have been analyzed with computerized image analysis. Platelet behavior on this surface is dramatically dependent upon temperature in contrast to that on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐grafted surfaces or polystyrene. The poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐grafted surface interacts with platelets similarly as the poly(ethylene glycol)‐rafted surface at 18°C. At 37°C, platelets readily adhere onto the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐grafted surface similarly as to that of polystyrene.     

Soy Protein Isolate Based Films: Influence of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Polycaprolactone-triol on Their Properties

Summary: We report on the preparation and properties of soy protein isolate (SPI)-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polycaprolactone-triol (PCL-T) films obtained by solvent casting from solutions containing variable amounts of SDS or SDS/PCL-T. It is shown that the mechanical and thermal properties, and the morphology of SPI-based biofilms can be easily controlled by changing SDS, PCL-T, and moisture contents, enabling the fabrication of rigid and flexible materials as pure SPI films [Young's modulus ∼ 1 400 MPa, elongation at break (E) ∼ 2%, and glass transition temperature (T_g) ∼ 150 °C] and SPI/SDS/PCL-T films with [PCL-T] ≥ 18% (Young's modulus ∼ 50 MPa, E ∼ 90%, and T_g ∼ 135 °C), respectively. Micrographs taken at the cross-section of biofilms whose [PCL-T] ≥ 18% revealed the occurrence of a porous matrix, whereas a dense bulk phase was otherwise observed (pure SPI, SPI/SDS, and SPI/SDS/PCL-T films with [PCL-T] < 18%).     

Morphology and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) and starch blends prepared by gelation/crystallization from solutions

 In an attempt to produce biodegradation materials, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–starch (ST) blends were prepared by gelation/crystallization from semidilute solutions in dimethyl sulfoxide (Me₂SO) and water mixtures and elongated up to 8 times. The content of mixed solvent represented as Me₂SO/H₂O (volume percent) was set to be 60/40 assuring the greatest drawability of PVA homopolymer films. The PVA/ST compositions chosen were 1/1, 1/3, and 1/5. The elongation up to 8 times could be done for the 1/1 blend but any elongation was impossible for blends whose ST content was beyond 50%. When the blends were immersed in water at 20 or 83 °C, the solubility became considerable for an undrawn blend with 1/5 composition and a drawn 1/1 blend with λ=8. To avoid this phenomenon, cross-linking of PVA chains was carried out by formalization under formaldehyde vapor. Significant improvement could be established by the cross-linking of PVA chains. For the 1/1 blend, the amount of ST dissolved in water at 23 °C was less than 3% for the undrawn state and 25% for the drawn film. The decrease in the ST content was enough for use as biodegradation materials. Namely, the water content relating to the biodegradation in soil is obviously different from such a serious experimental condition that a piece of blend film was immersed in a water bath. At temperatures above 0 °C, the storage modulus of the formalization blends became slightly higher than those of the nonformalization blends. The Young's modulus of the drawn films with a draw ratio of 8 times was 2 GPa at 20 °C. Received: 23 June 2000 Accepted: 30 October 2000     

Poly(ethylene glycol)-based shape-memory polymers

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blends photo-curable and thermal activated shape-memory polymers (SMPs), with different activation temperature (T_switch), have been synthesized and characterized. PEG blends with different molecular weights were chain-end functionalized with isocyanate ethyl methacrylate and photo-cured with UV lamp. Degree of cross-linking of the blend network, determined by gel content measurement, resulted as higher than 95%. The thermal and thermomechanical properties of these SMPs PEG blends were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. The shape-memory properties of the networks were quantified using thermomechanical three-point bending experiments and showed strain fixity rates higher than 99% and a minimum strain recovery ratio of 82%.