Melt processing of maleic anhydride grafted poly(lactic acid) and its compatibilizing effect on poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-terephthalate) blend and their composite

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends were prepared using melt processing. The effects of maleic anhydride grafted PLA (PLA-g-MA) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) content on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the blends were investigated. PLA-g-MA was synthesized by varying monomer and initiator contents using a reactive melt-grafting process. Tensile properties of PLA/PBAT blend were enhanced with adding 2 phr of PLA-g-MA. SEM micrographs exhibited the improvement of interfacial adhesion between PLA and PBAT in the compatibilized blend. Moreover, thermal stability of the blends improved with presence of PLA-g-MA. With increasing CaCO₃ content, Young’s modulus of the composites increased.     

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-butylene dimerized fatty acid)s: Synthesis,crystallization, mechanical properties,and rheology

Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene dimerized fatty acid) (P(BS-co-BDFA)) copolyesters were synthesized from succinic acid (SA) and dimerized fatty acid (DFA) with 1,4-butanediol (BDO) through a two-step process of esterification and polycondensation. The polyester compositions and physical properties of copolyesters were investigated by GPC, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, DSC, WAXD, DMA, TGA, tensile and rheology test. The melting temperature (T_m), and crystallization temperature (T_c) decreased gradually as the content of DFA monomer increased. P(BS-co-BDFA) copolyesters showed the same crystal structure as the PBS homopolyester. Besides, TGA results indicated that P(BS-co-BDFA)s were of higher thermal stabilities. Moreover, it was found that the synthesized P(BS-co-BDFA)s showed the maximum elongation at break (591%) as the DFA contents were 10 mol%. Rheology analysis indicated that the viscoelastic behavior of the polyesters greatly depended on the molecular weight of polyesters.     

Correlation of Morphology Evolution with Superior Mechanical Properties in PA6/PS/PP/SEBS Blends Compatibilized by Multi-phase Compatibilizers

In this study,the maleic anhydride(MAH)and styrene(St)dual monomers grafted polypropylene(PP)and poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene](SEBS),i.e.PP-g-(MAH-co-St)and SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St)are prepared as multi-phase compatibilizers and used to compatibilize the PA6/PS/PP/SEBS(70/10/10/10)model quaternary blends.Both PS and SEBS are encapsulated by the hard shell of PP-g-(MAH-co-St)in the dispersed domains(about 2μm)of the PA6/PS/PP-g-(MAH-co-St)/SEBS(70/10/10/10)quaternary blend.In contrast,inside the dispersed domains(about 1μm)of the PA6/PS/PP/SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St)(70/10/10/10)quaternary blend,the soft SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St)encapsulates both the hard PS and PP phases and separates them.With increasing the content of the compatibilizers equally,the morphology of the PA6/PS/(PP+PP-g-(MAH-co-St))/(SEBS+SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St))(70/10/10/10)quaternary blends evolves from the soft(SEBS+SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St))encapsulating PS and partially encapsulating PP(about 1μm),then to PS exclusively encapsulated by the soft SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St)and then separated by PP-g-(MAH-co-St)inside the smaller domains(about 0.6μm).This morphology evolution has been well predicted by spreading coefficients and explained by the reaction between the matrix PA6 and the compatibilizers.The quaternary blends compatibilized by more compatibilizers exhibit stronger hierarchical interfacial adhesions and smaller dispersed domain,which results in the further improved mechanical properties.Compared to the uncompatibilized blend,the blend with both 10 wt%PP-g-(MAH-co-St)and 10 wt%SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St)has the best mechanical properties with the stress at break,strain at break and impact failure energy improved significantly by 97%,71%and 261%,respectively.There is a strong correlation between the structure and property in the blends.     

Synergistic effect of nucleation and compatibilization on the polylactide and poly(butylene adipate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-terephthalate) blend films

Polylactide (PLA) films blended with 10 wt% poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) were prepared by using a twin screw extruder in the presence of the nucleating agent of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and the compatibilizers of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and PLA-grafted-maleic anhydride (PLA-g-MA). The synergistic effect of the nucleation and compatibilization on the properties and crystallization behavior of the PLA/PBAT (PLB) films was explored. The results showed that the addition of TiO₂ significantly enhanced the tensile strength and the impact tensile resistance of the PLB films while slightly decreased its thermal stability. In addition, the compatibilizers of TDI and PLA-g-MA in the system not only affected the crystallinity and cold crystallization process of the PLB films, but also increased the mechanical properties of them due to the improvement of the interfacial interaction between PLA and PBAT revealed by the morphological measurement. The synergistic effects of the nucleating agent and the compatibilizer afforded the blend films with increased tensile strength and impact tensile toughness, improved cold crystallization property and χ _c.     

Simultaneously improving the tensile and impact properties of isotactic polypropylene with the cooperation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-PP and <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-nucleating agent through pressure vibration injection molding

In this article, crystalline morphology and molecular orientation of isotactic polypropylene (iPP), random copolymerized polypropylene (co-PP) and β-nucleating agent (β-NA) composites prepared by pressure vibration injection molding (PVIM) have been investigated via polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Results demonstrated that the interaction between co-PP and iPP molecular chains was beneficial for the mechanical improvement and the introduction of β-NA further improved the toughness of iPP. In addition, after applying the pressure vibration injection molding (PVIM) technology, the shear layer thickness increased remarkably and the tensile strength improved consequently. Thus, the strength and toughness of iPP/co-PP/β-NA composites prepared by PVIM were simultaneously improved compared to those of the pure iPP prepared by conventional injection molding (CIM): the impact toughness was increased by five times and tensile strength was increased by 9 MPa. This work provided a new method to further enhance the properties of iPP/co-PP composites through dynamic processing strategy.     

Toughening Poly(lactic acid) with Imidazolium-based Elastomeric Ionomers

Imidazolium-based elastomeric ionomers (i-BIIR) were facilely synthesized by ionically modified brominated poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene) (BIIR) with different alkyl chain imidazole and thoroughly explored as novel toughening agents for poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The miscibility, thermal behavior, phase morphology and mechanical property of ionomers and blends were investigated through dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile and impact testing. DMA and SEM results showed that better compatibility between the PLA and i-BIIR was achieved compared to the PLA/unmodified BIIR elastomer. A remarkable improvement in ductility with an optimum elongation at break up to 235% was achieved for the PLA/i-BIIR blends with 1-dodecylimidazole alkyl chain (i-BIIR-12), more than 10 times higher than that of pure PLA. The impact strengths of PLA were enhanced from 1.9 kJ/m² to 4.1 kJ/m² for the PLA/10 wt% i-BIIR-12 blend. Toughening mechanism had been established by systematical analysis of the compatibility, intermolecular interaction and phase structures of the blends. Interfacial cavitations initiated massive shear yielding of the PLA matrix owing to a suitable interfacial adhesion which played a key role in the enormous toughening effect in these blends. We believed that introducing imidazolium group into the BIIR elastomer was vital for the formation of a suitable interfacial adhesion.     

Thermal behavior of flax and jute reinforced in matrix acrylic composite

Natural fabric such as flax and jute was considered in biaxial plain reinforcement in matrix of acrylic resin, and the composite is prepared in hand layup techniques. Fabric mass fraction of 7% was used in the matrix of composite. The samples were treated at r.t and 60 °C for the final fabrication. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to support the microstructure effect of composite in terms of thermal change. Thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analysis and residual compositional analysis with FTIR were carried out for the composite and matrix samples. The mechanical and viscoelastic properties, as well as the influence of frequency and fibers types, were evaluated, in flexural mode, by means of dynamical mechanical analysis. Glass transition (T _g) and initial decomposition (T _i) temperatures increase with incorporation of fibers into the matrix. While T _i of flax and jute composite was similar, T _g in case of flax improves than jute fabric-reinforced composite. This type of composites can be used in the automotive sector, in exterior and exterior components.     

Glass-forming ability and thermal stability of Se<Subscript>100−x</Subscript>(Ge<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te<Subscript>5</Subscript>)<Subscript>x</Subscript> glassy alloys

Glassy Se_100?x(Ge₂Sb₂Te₅)_x (x?=?5, 10, 15 and 20) bulk alloys were prepared by melt-quenched technique and studied by using differential scanning calorimetry at different heating rates under non-isothermal condition. The detailed thermal analysis shows that the glass transition temperature (T_g) depends on heating rates and x content. In particular, it is found that the glass-forming ability, thermal stability (T_c???T_g) and crystallization activation energy (E_c) increase with increased x content in amorphous Se, whereas glass transition activation energy (E_g) and fragility index (F) decrease with increased x contents. Variation in these parameters can be explained on the basis of network-forming ability of Se and bonding arrangement among the constituent atoms of alloys.     

Phase transition temperature controllable poly(acrylamide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-acrylic acid) nanocomposite physical hydrogels with high strength

Poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) nanocomposite physical (P(AAm-co-AAc)NCP) hydrogels have been prepared through the in situ free radical solution polymerization based on a “single network, dual cross-linkings” strategy. The P(AAm-co-AAc) NCP hydrogels are composed of nanobrushes of P(AAm-co-AAc) chains grafted on the surface of vinylhybrid silica nanoparticles (VSNPs). In the hydrogel system, the VSNPs act as the “analogous chemical cross-linking points” once the hydrogen bonds formed between the P(AAm-co-AAc) chains of the nanobrushes, thus leading to the fabrication of high-strength P(AAm-co-AAc) NCP hydrogels. Compared with conventional thermosensitive P(AAm-co-AAc) hydrogels, the P(AAm-co-AAc) NCP hydrogels have a broader range of phase transition temperature, which can be adjusted by altering the monomer ratio, the VSNPs concentration, the addition of urea and N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm). At the same time, the mechanical properties of the P(AAm-co-AAc) NCP hydrogels have been improved significantly by the introduction of VSNPs. Furthermore, both the phase transition and the tensile strength of the P(AAm-co-AAc) NCP hydrogels are largely influenced when Fe³⁺ ions are introduced as the ionic crosslinkers into the hydrogel networks.     

A Search for a Direct Relationship Between Chromatographic and Adsorption Data

Shifts of chromatographic peak maxima and centres of gravity have been investigated for different amounts of propane injected on to a chromatographic column in ideal, non-linear chromatography. Specific retention volumes (V _{g (273)}, corrected to the standard temperature, 273.15 K), propane adsorption isotherms, and the first and second derivatives of the isotherms, (da/dp) _T and (d²a/dp²) _T , were determined for samples of active carbon and for different amounts of propane injected on column. Relationships between specific retention volume and the molar differential work of adsorption, A, were calculated on the basis of the propane isotherms and using the retention times of the peak maxima and the centres of gravity of the peaks. The equations obtained, ln V _{g (273)}=f₁(A) and(dW/dA) _{T, F c} = f₂(ln V _{g (273)}), have been used to explain the relationships between (i) chromatographic peak profiles and (ii) the distribution function of pore volumes filled with propane and the molar differential work of adsorption at different column temperatures (303–318 K).     

Structure and dynamics of a free aquaporin (AQP1) by a coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulation

Structure and dynamics of a free aquaporin (AQP1) are studied by a coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulation as a function of temperature using a phenomenological potential with the input of a knowledge-based residue–residue interaction. Response of the radius of gyration (R _g) of the protein to the temperature (T) is found to be nonlinear: Decay of R _g at T ≤ T _c is followed by a continuous increase at T ≥ T _c before reaching its saturation. In thermo-responsive regime, the protein exhibits segmental globularization with the persistence of three regions along its sequence involving residues ¹M–²⁵V and ²⁵⁰V–²⁶⁹K toward the beginning and end segments with a narrow intermediate region around ¹⁵⁵A–¹⁶³D. A detail analysis of the structure factor S(q) shows a global random coil conformation at high temperatures with an effective dimension D _e ~ 1.74 and a globular structure (D _e ~ 3) at low temperatures. In thermo-responsive regime, the variation of S(q) with the wave vector q reveals a systematic redistribution of self-organizing residues (in globular and fibrous sections) that depends on the length scale and the temperature.     

Micellization and gelation of the double thermoresponsive ABC-type triblock copolymer synthesized by RAFT

A double thermoresponsive ABC-type triblock copolymer(poly(ethyleneglycol)-block-poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(2-(2-methoxy ethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, PEG-b-PMEO_2MA-b-P(MEO_2MA-co-OEGMA)) was designed and synthesized by reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer polymerization(RAFT). The ABC-type triblock copolymer endowed a thermal-induced twostep phase transition at 29 and 39 °C, corresponding to the thermosensitive properties of PMEO_2 MA and P(MEO_2MA-coOEGMA) segments, respectively. The two-step self-assembly of copolymer solutions was studied by UV transmittance measurement, dynamic light scattering(DLS), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and so on. The triblock copolymers showed the distinct thermosensitive behavior with respect to transition temperatures, aggregate type and size, which was correlated to the degree of polymerization of thermosensitive blocks and the molar fraction of OEGMA in the P(MEO_2MAco-OEGMA) segments. In addition, micelles could further aggregate to form the hydrogel by the self-associate of PEG chains under the abduction of the concentration and temperature. The transition from sol to gel was investigated by a test tube inverting method and dynamic rheological measurement.     

Apparent Molar Volumes of Aqueous Solutions of Magnesium Tetraborate from 283.15 to 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa

Densities for aqueous solutions of magnesium tetraborate MgB₄O₇(aq) at the molalities of (0.00556–0.03341) mol·kg^?1 were measured with an Anton Paar Digital vibrating-tube densimeter at temperature intervals of 5 K from 283.15 to 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa. Apparent molar volumes were obtained based on the experimental density data, and the 3D diagrams of the apparent molar volume (V _? ) of MgB₄O₇(aq) against temperature (T) and molality (m) were plotted. On the basis of the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher equation, the coefficients of the correlation equation for densities of MgB₄O₇(aq) against temperature and molality were parameterized. According to the Pitzer ion-interaction model of the apparent molar volume, the temperature correlation equations of Pitzer single-salt parameters F(i,p,T)?=?a₀?+?a₁?×?T?+?a₂?×?T ²?+?a₃/T?+?a₄?×?ln(T)?+?a₅?×?T ³ (where T is temperature in Kelvin, a _i are model parameters) for MgB₄O₇ were obtained for the first time.     

An AEE-active polymer containing tetraphenylethene and 9,10-distyrylanthracene moieties with remarkable mechanochromism

A polymer(poly(9,10-anthracenevinylene-alt-4,4'-(9,9-bis(4-(4'-(1,2,2'-triphenylvinyl)phenoxy)butyl)-9Hfluorene-2,7-diyl) dibenzaldehyde), P1) was successfully synthesized through the Wittig-Horner reaction by employing fluorene and 9,10-distyrylanthracene moieties as building blocks for backbone and tetraphenylethenes as pendant groups. Photophysical and thermal properties of the resulting polymeric emitter were fully characterized by ultraviolet-visible(UVVis) absorption and photoluminescence(PL) spectra, thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). While P1 emits an orange-light centered at 567 nm in dilute tetrahydrofuran(THF) solution, the solid powder of the polymer exhibits strong yellow emission peaked at 541 nm. It is also found that the as-synthesized polymer shows unique property of aggregation-enhanced emission(AEE). In addition, P1 possesses high thermal stability with a decomposition temperature(T_(d,5%)) of 430 °C and high morphological stability with a glass transition temperature(T_g) of 171 °C. Under the stimulus of mechanical force, the emission of P1 can be changed from yellow to red(Δλ_(max)=61 nm), showing a remarkable mechanochromism. The results from XRD analysis suggest that such mechanochromic phenomenonof P1 is probably caused by the destruction of crystalline structure, which leads to the conformational planarization of the distyrylanthracene moieties forming by the polymerization and the increase of molecular conjugation of the backbone.     

Synthesis and characterization of crystallizable aliphatic thermoplastic poly(ester urethane) elastomers through a non-isocyanate route

A simple non-isocyanate route is developed for synthesizing crystallizable aliphatic thermoplastic poly(ester urethane) elastomers(TPEURs) with good thermal and mechanical properties. Three prepolymers of1,6-bis(hydroxyethyloxycarbonylamino) hexane(BHCH), i.e. Pre PBHCHs, were prepared through the self-transurethane polycondensation of BHCH. A poly(butylene adipate) prepolymer(Pre PBA) with terminal HO― groups was prepared and used as a polyester glycol. A series of TPEURs were prepared by the co-polycondensation of the Pre PBHCHs with Pre PBA at 170 ℃ under a reduced pressure of 399 Pa. The TPEURs were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, FTIR,1H-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and tensile test. The TPEURs exhibited M_n up to 23300 g/mol, M_w up to 51100 g/mol, Tg ranging from-33.8 ℃ to-3.1 ℃, T_m from 94.3 ℃ to 111.9 ℃, initial decomposition temperature over 274.7 ℃, tensile strength up to18.8 MPa with a strain at break of 450.0%, and resilience up to 77.5%. TPU elastomers with good crystallization and mechanical properties were obtained through a non-isocyanate route.     

Poly(imide ether sulphone) as new soluble high performance polymer

Poly(imide ether sulphone) as novel high-performance polymer has been obtained by the condensation polymerization of 4,4'-bis(4-fluorophthalimido) diphenyl ether with 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol via aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction. Its structure was confirmed by means of FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermal analysis measurements showed that synthesized polymer possessed high glass transition temperature (T_g = 210°C) and good thermal stability with high decomposition temperatures (T_d > 480°C). Prepared polymer film showed good light transmittance and mechanical strength.     

Synthesis and characterization of serial random and block-copolymers based on lactide and glycolide

The objective of this study is to investigate the properties of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) with different composition ratios and PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymers synthesized by ring-opening polymerization method. Their compositions, crystallization properties, thermal and degradation behaviors, hydrophilicity and biocompatibility were studied. Our results demonstrate that poly(lactide-co-glycolide) with a 90% lactide and PLGA-PEG-PLGA show some crystallization properties. While as the decrease of lactide content in polymers, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) become amorphous, whereas, their hydrophilicity have been improved on the contrary. Compared to poly(lactide-co-glycolide), the PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer has a better hydrophilicity for the existence of polyethylene glycol block. Furthermore, both these polymers display easy controlled degradation properties and good cell compatibility.     

Synthesis and heat capacity study of stannates Dy<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and Ho<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> in the range 370–1000 K

Stannates Dy₂Sn₂O₇ and Ho₂Sn₂O₇ are produced by solid-phase synthesis from Dy₂O₃ (Ho₂O₃)–SnO₂ stoichiometric mixtures by calcining at 1473 K. The molar heat capacity of holmium and dysprosium stannates is measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the temperature range 370–1000 K. The experimental data are used to calculate thermodynamic properties (enthalpy change H°(T)–H°(370 K), entropy change S°(T)–S°(370 K), and the reduced Gibbs free energy Φ°(T)) of the synthesized compound.     

Characterization of neutron spectrum at Es-Salam Research Reactor using Høgdahl convention and Westcott formalism for the k<Subscript>0</Subscript>-based neutron activation analysis

For the general applicability of the k ₀-NAA method two formalisms were carried out to deal with “1/ν and non-l/ν ((n,γ)” reaction nuclides, respectively. In the Høgdahl-formalism the reactor neutron spectrum parameters, such as α and f were measured using three methods: Cd-ratio, Cdcovered and bare triple monitors. In addition, bare bi-isotopic method using Zr is also utilized for the calculation of f. According to the Westcottformalism the modified spectral index r(α)√T _n /T ₀ and g(T _n ) factor for monitoring neutron temperature T _n , were measured employing Lu as non “1/v” monitor and ¹⁹⁷Au, ⁹⁶Zr and ⁹⁴Zr as “1/v” monitors. The reduced resonance integral of lutetium s _0,Lu was also calculated. To evaluate the applicability of k ₀-NAA in our analytical system, the analysis of two kinds of SRMs was executed. The analytical results showed that the relative error of most of the elements was less than 10%.     

Analysis and characterization of the transition from the Arrhenius to non-Arrhenius structural relaxation in fragile glass-forming liquids

We have studied the transition from an Arrhenius-like to a non-Arrhenius-like structural relaxation behavior in fragile glass-forming liquids. This transition is denoted by the temperature T_A that usually occurs above the melting point T_m and the dynamic crossover temperature T_B. Recent studies reveal that T_A is a characteristic temperature related with the dynamical properties of the system. However, its unambiguous determination is not easy. In this work, a method to obtain the temperature T_A from the experimental data of α-relaxation time is presented. The obtained T_A is compared with the cooperativity onset temperature T_x extracted from the bond strength–coordination number fluctuation model. The result reveals that T_A is close to T_x for fragile liquids. From the result of the present analyses combined with the linear relation T_x \(\propto\) T₀, where T₀ is the Vogel temperature, the Arrhenius crossover phenomenon in fragile liquids is linked to the low-temperature structural relaxation dynamics.