Soil and Microbial Degradation Study of Poly(ϵ-caprolactone) – Poly(vinyl butyral) Blends

Biodegradation of blends of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) [PCL] with poly(vinyl butyral) [PVB] was studied in the soil and by bacterial strains of Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia Coli isolated from the soil. Miscibility of the blends was also analyzed using FT-IR and optical microscopy at room temperature. Biodegradation of the blends was followed by weight loss, visual observations and scanning electron microscopy [SEM]. Blends with low polyester concentration, i.e., 30 wt% PCL and less, were clear and transparent and no spherulite formation was observed. Above 30 wt% PCL spherulites appeared, the size of which increased with increasing PCL concentration. Infra-red studies of the blends with less than 30 wt% PCL showed that only the amorphous phase of PCL was present. Above 30 wt% PCL indicated the presence of both crystalline and blended PCL. The second derivative of the carbonyl peak of PCL also supported the presence of two phases in blends with more than 30 wt% PCL and only one peak for blends with 30 wt% or less PCL. Weight loss was observed in all the blends. PCL rich blends showed more degradation, which was faster in the natural environment than in the laboratory. Physical appearance and microscopic examination showed the films deteriorated in soil. Blends in the Bacillus subtilis strain showed more degradation as compared to the E. Coli. strain.     

Phase Behavior and Morphology of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)/Poly(α‐Methyl Styrene‐co‐Acrylonitrile) Blends Under Quiescent and Shear Flow

The kinetics of spinodal decomposition (SD) for the binary blend poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, and Poly(α‐methylstyrene‐co‐acrylonitrile), PαMSAN, with 31 wt% AN content (LCST‐type phase diagram) has been thoroughly studied using a time‐resolved light scattering technique. The early stage SD was dominated by a diffusion process and can be well described within the framework of the linearized Cahn‐Hilliard theory. The spinodal temperature could be evaluated from the analysis of the early stage SD based on the Cahn theory. In addition, viscoelastic properties of this system have been systematically investigated at temperatures below and above the LCST phase diagram. The linear viscoelastic properties of the blends were found to be greatly changed by phase separation in the two‐phase regime. This change in the linear viscoelastic properties attributed to an additional contribution of concentration fluctuations to the material functions at the phase separation temperatures. The phase diagram of the blends was also estimated rheologically through the dynamic temperature ramps of G′, G″ and η*. Furthermore, the phase behavior and morphology of this system has been studied under different shear rates using simple shear apparatus and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively.     

Characterization of Poly(ethyleneoxyethylene terephthalate‐co‐adipate) using NMR Spectroscopy

Comonomer sequence distribution and ¹H‐NMR chemical shifts were determined for poly(ethyleneoxyethylene terephthalate‐co‐adipate) (PEOETA) copolyester. The sequence distribution of terephthalate (T) and adipate (A) residues was found to be random, which is typical for copolyesters synthesized via bulk polycondensation. The inner methylene protons of EOE residues appeared as a pair of doublets due to chemical shift differences among the EOE‐centered dyad sequences TT, TA, AT, and AA. The four equivalent phenylene protons of T residues appeared as a triplet due to chemical shift differences among the T‐centered triad sequences TTT, TTA (?ATA), and ATA. Higher‐order tetrad and pentad sensitivity were also observed for the inner methylene and phenylene protons, respectively, especially for TT‐ and TTT‐centered sequences. The sequence sensitivity of the phenylene protons was attributed to unique spatial interactions between themselves and protons within adjacent adipate and EOE units. These spatial interactions were confirmed using Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement Spectroscopy (NOESY).     

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(N‐Vinylpyrrolidone‐co‐Methacrylic Acid) Hydrogels

In this study, N‐vinylpyrrolidone (VP)/methacrylic acid (MAA) copolymers have been prepared at three different mole percents, the methacrylic acid composition being around 5, 10, 15%. MAA and VP monomer mixtures have been irradiated in ⁶⁰Co‐γ source at different irradiation doses and percent conversions have been determined gravimetrically. ～80% conversion of monomers into hydrogels were performed at 3.4 kGy irradiation dose. These hydrogels were swollen in distilled water at pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0. P(VP/MAA) hydrogel which contains 5% methacrylic acid showed the maximum % swelling at pH 9.0 in water. Diffusion of water was found to be of non‐Fickian character. Diffusion coefficients of water in P(VP/MAA) hydrogels were calculated. Initial swelling rates of P(VP/MAA) hydrogels increased with increasing pH and MAA content in hydrogels. Swelling kinetics of P(VP/MAA) hydrogels was found to be of second order. Thermal behavior of PMAA, PVP and P(VP/MAA) hydrogel were investigated by thermal analysis. P(VP/MAA) hydrogel gained new thermal properties and the temperature for maximum weight loss and temperature for half‐life of P(VP/MAA) hydrogel were determined.     

Studies on the Miscibility of Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and Poly(ethylene oxide) Blends

Miscibility characteristics of poly[2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate] (PHEMA) and poly[ethylene oxide] (PEO) have been investigated by solution viscometry, ultrasonic and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) methods. The interaction parameters were obtained using the viscosity data. Ultrasonic velocity and adiabatic compressibility vs. blend composition have been plotted and are found to be linear. A single glass transition temperature was observed by differential scanning calorimetry. Variation of glass transition temperature (T_g) with composition follows Garden‐Taylor equation. T_g values have also been calculated from the Fox equation. The results obtained reveal that PHEMA forms a miscible blend with PEO in the entire composition range.     

Development of a Sustainable Resource Based Conducting Composite of Polyaniline‐Poly(esteramideurethane)

Polymers synthesized from coconut oil as a precursor find scarce applications. Polyesteramide urethane synthesized from coconut oil, a natural resource, is a dough‐like material, unusable in our study. Upon loading with polyaniline it becomes tough and flexible. Composites of ClO₄ ^? doped polyaniline with coconut oil based poly(esteramide urethane) (CPEAU) were prepared by a solution blending technique, using different ratios of polyaniline(2 wt%, 4 wt% and 8 wt%). The composites were further characterized by FT‐IR, DSC, TGA, XRD, and SEM. Conductivity was found to be in the range 2.5×10^?5?5.7×10^?4 S cm^?1. The composite was found to show weak hydrogen bonding interactions between PANI and CPEAU at 8 wt% loading.     

Biomimetic Synthesis of Water Soluble Conductive Polypyrrole and Poly(3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene)

Abstract

A novel biomimetic method for the synthesis of conducting molecular complexes of polypyrrole (PPYR) and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) in the presence of a polyelectrolyte, such as polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) is presented. A poly(ethylene glycol) modified hematin (PEG‐Hematin) was used to catalyze the polymerization of pyrrole (PYR) and 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in the presence of SPS to form PPYR/SPS and PEDOT/SPS complexes. UV‐VIS, FT‐IR, and electrical conductivity studies for all complexes indicated the presence of a stable and electrically conductive form of these polymers. Furthermore, the presence of SPS in this complex provides a unique combination of properties such as processability and water‐solubility.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐b‐polyisobutylene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Triblock Copolymers

The synthesis of poly[(methyl methacrylate‐co‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐(methyl methacrylate‐co‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)] P(MMA‐co‐HEMA)‐b‐PIB‐b‐P(MMA‐co‐HEMA) triblock copolymers with different HEMA/MMA ratios has been accomplished by the combination of living cationic and anionic polymerizations. P(MMA‐co‐HEMA)‐b‐PIB‐b‐P(MMA‐co‐HEMA) triblock copolymers with different compositions were prepared by a synthetic methodology involving the transformation from living cationic to anionic polymerization. First, 1,1‐diphenylethylene end‐functionalized PIB (DPE‐PIB‐DPE) was prepared by the reaction of living difunctional PIB and 1,4‐bis(1‐phenylethenyl)benzene (PDDPE), followed by the methylation of the resulting diphenyl carbenium ion with dimethylzinc (Zn(CH₃)₂). The DPE ends were quantitatively metalated with n‐butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran, and the resulting macroanion initiated the polymerization of methacrylates yielding triblock copolymers with high blocking efficiency. Microphase separation of the thus prepared triblock copolymers was evidenced by the two glass transitions at ?64 and +120°C observed by differential scanning calorimetry. These new block copolymers exhibit typical stress‐strain behavior of thermoplastic elastomers. Surface characterization of the samples was accomplished by angle‐resolved X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which revealed that the surface is richer in PIB compared to the bulk. However, a substantial amount of P(MMA‐co‐HEMA) remains at the surface. The presence of hydroxyl functionality at the surface provides an opportunity for further modification.     

Synthesis of Poly(IB‐co‐VBDC)‐g‐PMMA via Photo‐initiated Free Radical Graft Polymerization

Abstract

Photoinitiated free radical graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with poly[isobutene‐co‐(4‐vinyl benzyl N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate)] [poly(IB‐co‐VBDC)] as macromolecular iniferter was investigated. The polymerization proceeds to give a high yield graft copolymer, however it was observed that even in the early stage of the polymerization there formed an insoluble polymer. In the presence of tetraethylthiuram disulfide (TETD) the gel fraction of the yield graft copolymer was drastically reduced and the polymerization was retarded as well. When the [TETD]/[VBDC] increased from 0 to 1.0, the gel fraction of the graft copolymer decreased from 33.2% to 1.6% (wt) while the fraction of the homopolymer of the MMA increased from 4.5% to 10.5% (wt). With the increasing of the UV irradiation time, both the MMA conversion and the molecular weight of the graft copolymer increased readily.     

Crystallizability of Poly(ε-caprolactone) Blends with Poly(vinylphenol) under Different Conditions

The intermolecular interaction between poly（vinylphenol） （PVPh） and polycaprolactone （PCL） and the crystallization behavior of PCL in PCL/PVPh blends with different compositions and under different conditions were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectra （FTIR） and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）. It has been shown that the PCL in the blends with different blend ratios all exists in crystalline state after solution casting, even though the crystallinity decreases with increasing PVPh content. For the melt crystallized samples, PCL in its 80/20 PCL/PVPh sample can still crystallize. The crystallinity is, however, lower than that of the solution cast sample. For blends containing 50% or 20% PCL, the as-cast samples are semicrystalline and can change to compatible amorphous state after heat treatment process. FTIR analysis shows the existence of hydrogen bonding between PCL and PVPh and the fraction of hydrogen bonds increases remarkably after heat treatment process.     

Controlled Nanofiber Composed of Multi‐Wall Carbon Nanotube/Poly(Ethylene Oxide)

We have successfully fabricated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) nanofibers containing embedded multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). An initial dispersion of the MWCNTs in distilled water was achieved using sodium dodecyl sulfate. Subsequently, the dispersion was decanted into a PEO solution, which enabled separation of the MWCNTs and their individual incorporation into the PEO nanofibers on subsequent electrospinning. Initially, the carbon nanotube (CNT) rods were randomly oriented, but owing to the sink‐like flow in the electrospinning wedge, they became gradually oriented along the streaming direction, in order that oriented CNTs were obtained on entering the electrospun jet. Individual MWCNTs became embedded in the nanofibers, and were mostly aligned along the fiber axis. Evidence of load transfer to the nanotubes in the composite nanofiber was observed from the field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and conductivity data.     

Synthesis,Electrical, Electronic and Charge Transport Properties of Poly(aniline‐co‐p‐toluidine)

Copolymers of aniline with p‐toluidine were synthesized for different molar ratios of the respective monomers in acid medium. The electrical conductivity, charge transport and spectral characteristics upon incorporation of p‐toluidine units into the polyaniline backbone were investigated. The electrical conductivity of the copolymers showed frequency dependence which became more prominent with an increase in the number of p‐toluidine units in the polyaniline backbone. A direct relationship between the frequency dependence and electron localization was observed in the copolymers. Electronic spectra showed blue shifts in the π→π*and benzenoid→quinoid transitions revealing a decrease in the extent of conjugation in the copolymers. The protonated forms of the copolymers were soluble in DMSO giving polaron band around 400 nm. The decrease in electrical conductivity was attributed to the greater electron localizations as revealed from the broader ESR signals. Temperature dependence of electrical conductivity showed that charge transport was mainly through variable range hopping though a mixed conduction behavior was observed at higher temperature range.     

Preparation of Macroporous Aluminium Oxide using Template of Poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐glycidylmethacrylate) Crosslinked with Methylenebisacrylamide

Poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐glycidylmethacrylate), poly(MA‐co‐GMA) samples were prepared by exposure to γ–irradiation, at fixed concentration of methylenebisacrylamide MBA, 0.5% wt/wt as crosslinker while the MA/GMA ratio was varied. FTIR spectra showed bands refer to MA, as well as GMA, indicating the involvement of both in the copolymerization. Al(NO₃)₃.9H₂O as a precursor for the preparation of aluminium oxide was templated as a guest into the crosslinked gels by soaking the gels in a methanol solution. The perturbation of the bands at 3439, 2926, 1635, 1476, 1394, and 1166 cm^?1 after the templation of the guest, provides evidence for the loading of the guest species into the gel. The swelling behavior of the prepared samples found to be dependent on the composition of the gel and the pH. The templation of the aluminium nitrate into the gel was further proved by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for investigating the produced oxide particles, which revealed macropores with maximum diameter at MA/GMA, 40∶60 wt/wt (H3) and complete disappearance at 80 wt% of methacrylic acid (H5). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) showed an amorphous structure of the aluminium oxide. Increasing the hydrophilicity of the template leads to an increase in the Lewis acidic sites on the surface of the produced aluminium oxide up to 60 wt% of methacrylic acid (H4) while a further increase was met by a redecrease in the surface acidity (H5).     

Novel Traceless Liquid‐Phase Synthesis of Coumarin Derivatives on Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Support

Coumarin derivatives were prepared by the von Pechmann reaction of PEG‐bound acetoacetate reagent with phenols in the presence of TiCl₄ in excellent yield and purity with a facile workup procedure. The polymer reagent could be recycled two to four times without diminishing the yield or purity.     

Adsorption of Uranyl Ions into Poly(Acrylamide‐co‐Acrylic Acid) Hydrogels Prepared by Gamma Irradiation

Acrylamide (AAm)/Acrylic Acid (AAc) copolymers have been prepared by gamma irradiation of binary mixtures at three different compositions where the acrylamide/acrylic acid mole ratios varied around 15, 20, and 30%. Threshold dose for 100% conversion of monomers into hydrogels was found to be 8.0 kGy. Poly(Acrylamide‐co‐Acrylic Acid) (poly(AAm‐co‐AAc)) hydrogels have been considered for the removal of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions. Swelling behavior of these hydrogels was determined in distilled water at different pH values and in aqueous solutions of uranyl ions. The results of swelling tests at pH 8.0 indicated that poly(AAm‐co‐AAc) hydrogel, containing 15% acrylamide showed maximum % swelling. Diffusion of water and aqueous solutions of uranyl ion into hydrogels was found to be non‐Fickian in character and their diffusion coefficients were calculated. The effect of pH, composition of hydrogel, and concentration of uranyl ions on the adsorption process were studied at room temperature. It was found that one gram of dry poly(AAm‐co‐AAc) hydrogel adsorbed 70–320 mg and 70–400 mg uranyl ions from aqueous solutions of uranyl nitrate and uranyl acetate in the initial concentration range of 50–1500 mg UO₂ ²⁺L^?, depending on the amount of AAc in the hydrogels, respectively. Adsorption isotherms were constructed for poly(AAm‐co‐AAc)–uranyl ion system indicating an S type of adsorption in the Giles classification system. It is concluded that crosslinked poly(AAm‐co‐AAc) hydrogels can be successfully used for the removal of uranyl ions from their aqueous solutions.     

Rheological Behavior of Dope Solutions of Poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐itaconic acid) in N,N‐dimethylformamide: Effect of Polymer Molar Mass

The rheological behavior of dope solutions of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐itaconic acid) or poly(AN‐co‐IA) is important from the point of view of deriving the spinning conditions for good quality special acrylic fibers. The viscosity of the resin dope is dictated by the polymer concentration, molar mass, temperature and shear force. The dynamic shear rheology of concentrated poly(AN‐co‐IA) polymer dope solutions in N, N‐dimethylformamide, in the molar mass (M¯_v) range of 1×10⁵ to 1×10⁶ g/mol, was investigated in the shear rate (γ′) range of 1×10¹ to 5×10⁴ min^?1. An empirical relation between η and M¯_v was found to exist at constant shear rate. The dope viscosity was dependent on the molar mass and the shear rate at a given temperature (T) and concentration. The polymer molar mass index of dope viscosity (m) was calculated as functions of concentration (c), shear rate and temperature. The m values increased with shear rate and temperature. A master equation relating m, with shear rate and temperature was derived for a given dope concentration. At higher shear rates, m tends to the value of 3.4, which is close to the molar mass index of viscosity reported for molten thermoplastics. m increased significantly with shear rate and nominally with temperature, while an increase in concentration decreased it. The onset of shear thinning of the dope shifted to a lower shear rate regime with an increase in polymer concentration and the molar mass. For a given value of molar mass, the increase in viscosity of the dope solution with polymer concentration was dependent on the shear rate.     

Nanoporous Crosslinked Copolymers Prepared by Thermal Degradation of Poly(Methacryl‐N,N′‐diisopropylurea‐co‐ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate)

Abstract

Copolymers of methacryl‐N,N′‐diisopropylurea (MA‐DiPrU) with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) at monomer‐to‐monomer ratios in the feed: 0.3/0.7; 0.5/0.5; 0.7/0.3; 0.8/0.2 were prepared in butanone in the presence of 2% of dibenzoyl peroxide (Bz₂O₂) at 70°C for 48?hr. Copolymers regardless of the ratio of comonomers in the feed decompose thermally at 200–250°C under the separation of isopropylisocyanate (iPrNCO). Residues after the removal of iPrNCO are thermally stable nanoporous crosslinked copolymers of methacryl‐isopropylamide (MA‐iPrA) with EDMA which decompose by a one‐step mechanism between 280°C and 450°C. Nonporous model copolymers poly(MA‐iPrA‐co‐EDMA) of similar composition, prepared by copolymerization of MA‐iPrA with EDMA, also decomposed by a one‐step mechanism as shown by TGA measurements.     

Relaxation Processes in Poly(vinyl alcohol)–Iodine–Potassium Iodide Supramolecular Structure

Colloid Journal - The dissipative α-relaxation process in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films and in a supramolecular composite structure resulting from the formation of ordered regions in a...     

The Preparation and Biodegradable Properties of Poly(L‐lactic acid)‐Poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) Multiblock Copolymers

Multi‐block copolymers of PLLA and PCL were prepared by a coupling reaction between PLLA and PCL prepolymers with –NCO end groups. FTIR proved that the products were PLLA‐PCL copolymers. The weight‐average molecular weight of the copolymers was up to 180,000 at a composition of 60% PLLA and 40% PCL. The degradation properties of PLLA and PLLA‐PCL copolymers were studied by a soil burial test and a hydrolysis test in a phosphate‐buffer solution. The degradation rate was estimated by the mass loss, molecular weight reduction, pH value changes and swelling index; the degradation rates of the copolymers were a function of the composition of PLLA and PCL. Increasing PCL content in the copolymers resulted in lower degradation rate.