In-situ Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Hydroxyapatite Composite Hydrogel by Freezing-thawing Method

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/hydroxyapatite(PVA/HA) composite hydrogel was successfully in-situ synthesized via three cycles of freezing-thawing. The composition and structure of products were investigated by X-ray diffraction( XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The influence of different preparation methods and contents of material on the mechanical properties of PVA/HA composite hydrogel was discussed through tensile and compressive tests. The template of PVA could avoid the agglomeration of HA particles, which improves the mechanical properties of the composite hydrogel effectively. The tensile strength, modulus and compressive performances of the PVA/HA composite hydrogel prepared by the in-situ synthesis method were better than those of hydrogel obtained by the simple blend metliod. In addition, the effect of the content of PVA, HA, and the pH value on tlie properties of tlie PVA/HA composite hydrogel has been discussed in detail.     

Microgel particles containing methacrylic acid: pH-triggered swelling behaviour and potential for biomaterial application

pH-responsive microgels are crosslinked polymer particles that swell when the pH approaches the pK(a) of the ionic monomer incorporated within the particles. In recent work from our group it was demonstrated that the mechanical properties of degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) could be restored to normal values by injection of poly(EA/MAA/BDDA) (ethylacrylate, methacrylic acid and butanediol diacrylate) microgel dispersions [J.M. Saunders, T. Tong, C.L. Le Maitre, T.J. Freemont, B.R. Saunders, Soft Matter 3 (2007) 486]. In this work we report the pH dependent swelling and rheological properties of poly(MMA/MAA/EGDMA) (methylmethacrylate and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) microgel dispersions. This system was investigated because it contains monomers that are already used as biomaterials. The poly(MMA/MAA/EGDMA) particles exhibit pH-triggered volume swelling ratios of up to ca. 250. The swelling onset for these particles occurs at pH values greater than ca. 6.0. A pK(a) for these particles of ca. 6.7 is consistent with titration and swelling data. Fluid-to-gel phase diagrams for concentrated poly(MMA/MAA/EGDMA) dispersions were determined as a function of polymer volume fraction and pH using tube-inversion measurements. The rheological properties for the gelled microgel dispersions were investigated using dynamic rheology measurements. The elastic modulus data for the poly(MMA/MAA/EGDMA) gelled dispersions were compared to data for poly(EA/MAA/BDDA) microgels. A similar pH-dependence for the elastic modulus was apparent. The maximum elastic modulus was achieved at a pH of about 7.0. The elastic modulus is an exponentially increasing function of polymer volume fraction at pH 7.0. Preliminary cell challenge experimental data are reported that indicate that gelled poly(MMA/MAA/EGDMA) microgel dispersions are biocompatible with cells from human intervertebral discs. However, the duration over which these experiments could be performed was limited by gradual redispersion of the gelled microgel dispersions. Based on the results presented it is suggested that poly(MMA/MAA/EGDMA) microgel would be a good candidate as a biomaterial for structural support of soft connective tissues.     

On the rotational temperature and structure dependence of electric field deflection experiments: a case study of germanium clusters

Molecular beam electric field deflection experiments offer a probe to the structural and dielectric properties of isolated particles in the gas phase. However, their quantitative interpretation is still a formidable task. Despite the benefits of this method, the analysis of the deflection behavior is often complicated by various experimental and theoretical problems, including the amount of energy stored in internal and rotational modes of the deflected particle and the amount of structural asymmetry. In this contribution, we address these issues by discussing the experimentally observed field-induced deflection of Ge(9), Ge(10), and Ge(15) clusters in comparison to quantum mechanical and classical deflection models. Additionally, we derive simple formulas to describe how the molecular beam deflection depends on the rotational temperature and the symmetry of the particle. Based on these results, we discuss to what extend molecular beam electric field deflection experiments can be used as a tool for structure determination of isolated clusters in the gas phase.     

Viscoelastic properties of poly(ε‐caprolactone) – hydroxyapatite micro‐ and nano‐composites

Various composites have been proposed in the literature for the fabrication of bioscaffolds for bone tissue engineering. These materials include poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) with hydroxyapatite (HA). Since the biomaterial acts as the medium that transfers mechanical signals from the body to the cells, the fundamental properties of the biomaterials should be characterized. Furthermore, in order to control the processing of these materials into scaffolds, the characterization of the fundamental properties is also necessary. In this study, the physical, thermal, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties of the PCL‐HA micro‐ and nano‐composites were characterized. Although the addition of filler particles increased the compressive modulus by up to 450%, the thermal and viscoelastic properties were unaffected. Furthermore, although the presence of water plasticized the polymer, the viscoelastic behavior was only minimally affected. Testing the composites under various conditions showed that the addition of HA can strengthen PCL without changing its viscoelastic response. The results found in this study can be used to further understand and approximate the time‐dependent behavior of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interfacial and rheological properties of humic acid/hematite suspensions

This work deals with the effect of humic acid (HA) adsorption on the interfacial properties, the stability, and the rheology of aqueous iron oxide (hematite) suspensions. It is first of all demonstrated that HA effectively adsorbs onto hematite, mainly at acid pH. Since the charge of the HA chains is negative, it will be electrostatically attracted to the hematite surface below the point of zero charge of the particles, when they are positively charged. Electrophoresis measurements of hematite suspensions as a function of pH in the presence and absence of HA clearly demonstrate the adsorption of negatively charged entities on the oxide. Since the HA-covered particles can be thought of as "soft" colloids, Ohshima's theory was used to gain information on the surface potential and the charge density of the HA layer (H. Ohshima, in: A.V. Delgado (Ed.), Interfacial Electrokinetics and Electrophoresis, Dekker, New York, 2002, p. 123). A different procedure was also used to ascertain the degree of modification experienced by the hematite surface when placed in contact with HA solutions. The contact angles of selected liquids on pretreated hematite layers lead to the conclusion that the humic acid molecules impart to the particles a significant electron-donor character, in turn increasing their hydrophilicity. All this amount of information is used in the work for the interpretation of the rheological properties of hematite suspensions; the results are consistent with a stabilizing effect of HA adsorption on the suspensions, mainly as a consequence of the increased electrostatic repulsion between particles.     

Mechanical and dynamic viscoelastic properties of hydroxyapatite reinforced poly(ε-caprolactone)

Poly(ε-caprolactone)/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) composites as potential bone substitutes were prepared by melt-blending. The melting, crystallization and glass transition temperatures deduced from differential scanning calorimetery and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) were all changed by the addition of HA, suggesting an interaction at the interface of these two phases. Quasi-static mechanical testing shows that the yield strength and Young's modulus of PCL were increased by the addition of the reinforcement filler, HA. Dynamic viscoelastic properties were investigated using DMTA and an advanced rheometric expansion system. The results show that both the storage modulus and viscous modulus are enhanced by HA, and the PCL composite melts still behave like pseudo-plastic liquid.     

Surface‐modified hydroxyapatite linked by L‐lactic acid oligomer in the absence of catalyst

A new surface modification method of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n‐HA) by surface grafting reaction of L ‐lactic acid oligomer with carboxyl terminal (LAc oligomer) in the absence of any catalyst was developed. The LAc oligomer with a certain molecular weight was directly synthesized by condensation of L ‐lactic acid. Surface‐modified HA nanoparticles (p‐HA) were attested by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, ³¹P MAS‐NMR, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that LAc oligomer could be grafted onto the n‐HA surface by forming a Ca carboxylate bond. The grafting amount of LAc oligomer was about 13.3 wt %. The p‐HA/PLLA composites showed good mechanical properties and uniform microstructure. The tensile strength and modulus of the p‐HA/PLLA composite containing 15 wt % of p‐HA were 68.7 MPa and 2.1 GPa, respectively, while those of the n‐HA/PLLA composites were 43 MPa and 1.6 GPa, respectively. The p‐HA/PLLA composites had better thermal stability than n‐HA/PLLA composites and neat PLLA had, as determined by isothermal TGA. The hydrolytic degradation behavior of the composites in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) was investigated. The p‐HA/PLLA composites lost their mechanical properties more slowly than did n‐HA/PLLA composites in PBS because of their reinforced adhesion between the HA filler and PLLA matrix. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 5177–5185, 2005     

Strain‐rate dependence of the microstructure and mechanical properties for hot‐air‐drawn nylon 6 fibers

A hot‐air (HA) drawing method was applied to nylon 6 fibers to improve their mechanical properties and to study the effect of the strain rate in the HA drawing on their mechanical properties and microstructure. The HA drawing was carried out by the HA, controlled at a constant temperature, being blown against an original nylon 6 fiber connected to a weight. As the HA blew against the fiber at a flow rate of 90 liter/min, the fiber elongated instantaneously at strain rates ranging from 9.1 to 17.4 s⁻¹. The strain rate in the HA drawing increased with increasing drawing temperature and applied tension. When the HA drawing was carried out at a drawing temperature of 240 °C under an applied tension of 34.6 MPa, the strain rate was at its highest value, 17.4 s⁻¹. The draw ratio, birefringence, crystallite orientation factor, and mechanical properties increased as the strain rate increased. The fiber drawn at the highest strain rate had a birefringence of 0.063, a degree of crystallinity of 47%, and a dynamic storage modulus of 20 GPa at 25 °C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1137–1145, 2000     

原位复合法制备层状结构的壳聚糖/羟基磷灰石纳米材料

用原位复合法制备了高性能的壳聚糖/羟基磷灰石(CS/HA)纳米复合材料.用预先沉积的壳聚糖膜将含有羟基磷灰石前驱体的壳聚糖溶液与凝固液隔离,同时控制壳聚糖沉积与羟基磷灰石前驱体转化为羟基磷灰石的过程,使其缓慢且有序地进行.当pH值改变时,质子化的壳聚糖分子链在负电层诱导下有序沉积并形成层状结构与羟基磷灰石原位生成CS/HA,并实现二者分子级复合.XRD和TEM测试证实原位生成的磷酸盐是羟基磷灰石,且其颗粒长约为100nm,宽30～50nm.SEM结果表明,用原位复合法制备的材料具有层状结构,CS/HA(质量比100/5)纳米复合材料弯曲强度高达86MPa,比松质骨的高3～4倍,相当于密质骨的1/2,有望用于可承重部位的组织修复材料.     

Hyaluronic acid‐poly(vinyl alcohol) composite cryo‐gel for biofunctional material application

Recently, applications of hyaluronic acid (HA) as a biomaterial were investigated. However, the weak structure of HA gel and the effects of using cross‐linker raised concerns during in vivo resolution. In this study, we investigated the method to solve these two problems using physical cross‐linking and compositing with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Various weight ratios of HA and PVA solutions were mixed, adjustment of pH to 1.8 using HCl then used to fabricate HA‐PVA cryo‐gel by freezing‐thawing. Young's modulus of the prepared gel rose with the increase of both HA and PVA concentrations or either one of them. We estimated that HA and PVA have exhibited these mechanical properties due to forming a double network. HA‐PVA gel showed kinetic friction force of approximately 10 times of PVA gel, while water contact angle and protein adsorption of HA‐PVA gels were remarkably decreased. The properties of the prepared gel suggest that it can be used for postoperative adhesion prevention applications.     

Structural, electronic, bonding, and elastic properties of NH3BH3: a density functional study

The structural, electronic, bonding, and elastic properties of the low-temperature orthorhombic phase of NH(3)BH(3) are studied by means of first-principles total energy calculations based on the pseudopotential method. The calculated structural parameters of NH(3)BH(3) are found to be in good agreement with the experimental values. From the band structure calculations, the compound is found to be an indirect bandgap insulator with the bandgap of 5.65 eV (5.90 eV) with LDA(GGA) along the Γ-Z direction. The Mulliken bond population and the charge density distributions are used to analyze the chemical bonding in NH(3)BH(3) . The study reveals that B-H bonds are more covalent than N-H bonds. The elastic constants are predicted for ambient as well as pressures up to 6 GPa, from which theoretical values of all the related mechanical properties such as bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and anisotropy factors are calculated. It is found that NH(3)BH(3) is mechanically stable at ambient and also external pressures up to 6 GPa. As pressure increases all the calculated elastic moduli of NH(3)BH(3) increase, indicating that the compound becomes more stiffer and hard under pressure. From the ratio of shear modulus to bulk modulus (G/B), we conclude NH(3)BH(3) to be ductile in nature, and the ductility increases with pressure. The present results confirm the experimentally observed less plastic nature of the low-temperature phase of NH(3)BH(3) .     

Adsorption of humic acids onto goethite: effects of molar mass, pH and ionic strength

In this paper, the LCD (ligand charge distribution) model is applied to describe the adsorption of (Tongbersven) humic acid (HA) to goethite. The model considers both electrostatic interactions and chemical binding between HA and goethite. The large size of HA particles limits their close access to the surface. Part of the adsorbed HA particles is located in the compact part at the goethite surface (Stern layers) and the rest in the less structured diffuse double layer (DDL). The model can describe the effects of pH, ionic strength, and loading on the adsorption. Compared to fulvic acid (FA), adsorption of HA is stronger and more pH- and ionic-strength-dependent. The larger number of reactive groups on each HA particle than on a FA particle results in the stronger HA adsorption observed. The stronger pH dependency in HA adsorption is related to the larger number of protons that are coadsorbed with HA due to the higher charge carried by a HA particle than by a FA particle. The positive ionic-strength dependency of HA adsorption can be explained by the conformational change of HA particles with ionic strength. At a higher ionic strength, the decrease of the particle size favors closer contact between the particles and the surface, leading to stronger competition with electrolyte ions for surface charge neutralization and therefore leading to more HA adsorption.     

Mechanical properties of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) foils in use for neutrino detector project

The use of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) foils as engineering materials for aerospace, solar thermal collector and neutrino detector applications has attracted considerable attention in recent decades. Mechanical properties are indispensable for analyzing corresponding structural behavior to meet the demands of safety and serviceability. In this paper, uniaxial tensile tests taking into account loading speeds, uniaxial tensile cyclic tests in terms of stress amplitude and loading cycles and creep tests considering loading stress and time were carried out to characterize mechanical properties. For uniaxial tensile properties, elastic modulus, yield stress, breaking strength and elongation were analyzed in detail. It is found that these mechanical properties except breaking elongation increased with loading speeds and that mechanical properties obtained in transverse direction were more sensitive than those obtained in machine direction. For cyclic properties, elastic modulus and ratcheting strain tended to be stable after certain cycles, demonstrating that cyclic elastic moduli were more suitable for analyzing structural behavior than those obtained in uniaxial tensile experiments. For creep properties, apparent strain at 6 MPa suggested that special attention was necessary for analyzing structural behavior if maximum stress was larger than 6 MPa. In general, this study could provide useful observations and values for understanding mechanical properties of FEP foils.     

聚富马酸丙二醇酯/羟基磷灰石复合多孔水凝胶的制备及其矿化性能研究

采用二步法合成了可降解的聚富马酸丙二醇酯(poly(propylene fumarate),PPF),并和N-乙烯基吡咯烷酮(N-vinyl pyrrolidone,NVP)共聚,以1,4-二氧六环为溶剂,通过改变溶剂的量制备了溶胀性能不同的PPF水凝胶.采用万能力学测试仪和扫描电子显微镜分别表征了水凝胶的压缩模量和形貌结构.选择20％ PPF和10％ NVP的聚合体系,预掺3％的纳米羟基磷灰石(hydroxyapatite,HA),以氯化钠粒子为致孔剂,制备了孔径在280～450 μm的纳米复合多孔水凝胶,使其压缩模量提高了61％.模拟体液矿化10天的结果显示,磷灰石成核位点的存在和良好的与外界液体环境物质交换的能力,促进了多孔水凝胶表面磷灰石的沉积,说明HA的复合可以有效提高PPF多孔水凝胶的成骨活性.     

原位沉析法制备可吸收壳聚糖/羟基磷灰石棒材

利用原位沉析法制备出一种以壳聚糖 (Chitosan ,CS)为基体 ,羟基磷灰石 (Hydroxyapatite,HA)为填料的新颖的复合材料 ,系统研究了HA含量对复合材料的力学性能和吸水率的影响 .CS HA的弯曲强度为 6 7 8(MPa) ,弯曲模量为 3 3(GPa) ,剪切强度为 2 1 2 (MPa) ,压缩强度为 4 7 8(MPa) ,均比人的自然骨高 2～ 3倍 ,基本满足了作为骨折内固定材料的力学性能的要求 .HA加入到CS使CS HA复合材料的吸水率下降 ,有助于延缓其力学强度在湿态环境下的衰减     

静态法和X射线吸收精细结构光谱技术研究腐殖酸对Eu(III)在高庙子膨润土上的吸附影响

膨润土由于其高吸附性和低渗透性而受到广泛的研究. 在本文中, 利用XRD、FTIR和酸碱滴定对我国内蒙古高庙子膨润土进行了详细的表征和分析. 用静态法研究在温度为25± 2 ℃和0.01 mol/L NaClO4溶液中, pH值、腐殖酸、接触时间和Eu(III)初始浓度对Eu(III)在钠基膨润土上的吸附影响. 研究结果表明Eu(III)的吸附受pH值影响明显. 在低pH值条件下, 腐殖酸对Eu(III)的吸附影响微弱, 而在高pH值条件下腐殖酸降低Eu(III)的吸附. X射线吸收精细结构光谱(XAFS)技术对吸附在膨润土上的Eu(III)局域微观结构研究结果表明, 在pH为4.15条件下, Eu在膨润土上与其周围的氧原子间的距离大约为2.39 Å. 本文中的研究结果对于评估其他三价镧系和锕系元素在作为填充材料的膨润土上的吸附和迁移具有重要的意义.     

Epoxy shape memory polymer (SMP): Material preparation,uniaxial tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analysis

The utilization of epoxy shape memory polymers (SMPs) as engineering materials for deployable structures has attracted considerable attention due to their excellent thermo-mechanical endurance and satisfactory processability. Knowledge of static and dynamic mechanical properties is essential for analyzing structural behavior and recovery, especially for new epoxy SMPs. In this paper, a new epoxy SMP was prepared with epoxy and aromatic amine curing agent. Uniaxial tensile tests and digital image correlation were used to obtain static mechanical properties. Dynamic mechanical analysis was carried out to evaluate glass transition temperatures that corresponded to the heat in the recovery process.It was found that elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio and shear modulus are 1413 MPa, 0.35 and 591 MPa, respectively. The beginning of glass transition temperature of 37.4 °C could be effectively achieved by electrical heaters, validating the shape memory properties of epoxy SMPs. In general, this study could provide useful observations and basic mechanical properties of epoxy SMPs.     

带相反电荷胶体颗粒混和悬浮体的流变学性能

研究了带相反电荷的粘土颗粒和MMH(铝、镁混合金属氢氧化物)颗粒形成的混和悬浮体的流变学性能,考察了盐对混合体系流变学性能的影响.结果表明,当粘土质量分数为1%时,悬浮体为牛顿型流体;当质量分数升至2%时,悬浮体表现出固体的弹性响应;特定粘土含量的悬浮体中,随着MMH量的增加,混合体系的屈服值和弹性模量亦增加,表明凝胶结构增强.向混合体系中加入NaCl,弹性模量、屈服值和粘度等流变参数均降低.与单组分粘土悬浮体或MMH悬浮体相比,双组分混合体系的结构恢复很快.     

Preparation, characterization and adhesive properties of di- and tri-hydroxy benzoyl chitosan nanoparticles

Modified chitosans with 3,4-di-hydroxy benzoyl groups (CS-DHBA) and 3,4,5-tri-hydroxy benzoyl groups (CS-THBA) were synthesized and their nanoparticles were prepared via ionic crosslinking by tripolyphosphate (TPP). The chemical structure and degree of substitution (DS) of di-and tri-hydroxy benzoyl chitosans are determined by FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The morphology of particles, size distribution and zeta potential of nanoparticles were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. The mean diameters of particles of CS-DHBA and CS-THBA nanoparticles were 144 nm and 112 nm, respectively. It was found that the particles size decreased slightly with decreasing the degree of substitution and increasing degree of deacetylation (DD), due to increasing of ionic crosslinking of ammonium ions and polyanions of tripolyphosphate. The TEM photographs of CS-DHBA show that these particles are spherical in shape, but the particles of CS-THBA show some aggregation. In addition, the solubility and the mechanical properties of the prepared modified chitosans and their nanoparticles were evaluated for bio-adhesive and biomedical application. The results of solubility tests indicated that, the CS-DHBA and CS-THBA have higher solubility at pH > 7 comparing to CS. Also the CS-DHBA, CS-THBA and their nanoparticles showed a significant adhesive capacity and enhanced tensile strength and tensile modulus.     

Deposition from dopamine solutions at Ge substrates: an in situ ATR-FTIR study

Deposition from dopamine (DA) solutions at germanium (Ge) model substrates was monitored under stationary conditions using surface sensitive in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. ATR-FTIR spectra of the interfacial organic layer formed upon contact of TRIS buffered aqueous DA solutions to a Ge internal reflection element (IRE) showed conveniently strong diagnostic IR absorption bands, which were increasing with deposition time up to at least 6 h. Comparison of IR spectra of unreacted pristine DA, surface reacted, and bulk reacted material confirmed chemical reactions of DA to a polymerizate according to the literature. The found IR bands could be assigned to aromatic as well as C-O single bond moieties. The kinetic courses of the diagnostic band integrals showed an initial increase and saturation of the deposition after around 300 min, which could be empirically represented by an exponential damping function revealing a rather small kinetic constant. Highest deposition levels were found at pH = 8.5 (TRIS buffer or NaOH) in contrast to pH = 6.2, where no deposition occurred. Minor deposition was found in the presence of salt or at ZnSe instead of Ge due to the absence of reactive hydroxyl groups. The concentration dependence of DA deposition showed an initial increase and a saturation beginning at around 0.4 mg/mL (0.0022 M), where around 50 nm thick films featuring granular surface morphologies are formed. The adsorbed species are suggested to be smaller bulk reacted DA polymerizate particles with reactive end groups. Rinsing the formed films by pure TRIS buffer resulted in a time dependent release of deposited organic material by ≈23%, which could be represented by an exponential decay function. A saturation of the release after around 100 min and a larger kinetic constant compared to deposition could be determined. The released material is suggested to be larger aggregated bulk reacted DA polymerizate particles loosely bound to the surface by weak interaction forces.