Calcium hydroxylapatite/methylcellulose nanocomposite: Synthesis and properties

Organomineral nanocomposites (OMCs) of calcium hydroxylapatite Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂ (HA) and natural methylcellulose biopolymer [C₆H₇O₂(OH)_{3 ? x} (OCH₃) _x ] _n (MC) were prepared by coprecipitation from aqueous solution in the Ca(OH)₂-H₃PO₄-[C₆H₇O₂(OH)_3?x (OCH₃) _x ] _n -H₂O system under biomimetic conditions (37°C). Synthesis products were identified by X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, scanning and transmission microscopy, and electron diffraction. The compositions and structural features of the OMCs and the crystallographic parameters, sizes, and morphology of HA nanoparticles in the OMCs were determined. The HA nanoparticles in the OMCs were found to interact with MC molecules to form agglomerates with sizes on the order of 150–200 nm.     

Preparation and properties of negative ion/polyurethane flexible foam composites

Abstract

In this study, negative ionpowder was modified with a silane coupling agent and then added to the polyurethane flexible foam to prepare NI/PU flexible foam composites by the one-step foaming method. The effects of the amount of negative ion powder on the mechanical properties, thermal properties and release of negative ions were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and negative ion detectors. The SEM results showed that modified negative ion powder could be more uniformly distributed around the cell walls of the polyurethane flexible foam. The thermal stability, tensile strength and resilience of the NI/PU flexible foam composite were improved with the increase of the amount of modified negative ion powder. Increasing the amount of modified negative ion powder could also result in an increase in the release of negative ions, and it reached 5500/cm³ or higher at a negative ion content of 3%.     

Thermal properties of polyurethanes synthesized using waste polyurethane foam glycolysates

In this work thermal transitions and thermal stability of polyurethane intermediates and polyurethanes were investigated. The intermediates were obtained by glycolysis of waste polyurethane (PUR) in the reaction with hexamethylene glycol (HDO). The excess of HDO was not separated from the product after the glycolysis process was finished. The effects of different mass ratio of HDO to PUR foam on selected physicochemical properties (hydroxyl number, Brookfield viscosity and density) were also determined. The polyurethanes were synthesized from the obtained intermediates by the prepolymer method using diisocyanate (MDI) and glycolysis product of molecular mass in range 700/1000 g mol^–1. Hexamethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol and ethylene glycol were used as chain extender agents. Influence of NCO groups concentration in prepolymer on glass transition temperature (T _g) and storage and loss modulus (E’, E’’) of polyurethanes were investigated by the DMTA method. Thermal decomposition of obtained glycolysates and polyurethanes was followed by thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Main products of thermal decomposition were identified.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of antimony doped tin oxide/waterborne polyurethane nanocomposite films as heat insulating materials

The waterborne polyurethane (WPU) was synthesized from the polycondensation between isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and polyoxypropylene glycol (N‐210) and then dispersed into water. Subsequently, the WPU emulsion was modified with antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticle by ultrasonic dispersion. The ATO/WPU emulsion was cast onto Teflon molds. After being dried, ATO/WPU films were prepared. TEM indicated that the ATO nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix at the nanometer scale. DSC showed that the ATO/WPU nanocomposites displayed increased glass transition temperatures compared to the control WPU. The mechanical properties of the films were characterized by dynamic‐mechanical analysis (DMA). The higher glass transition temperature and storage modulus indicates the superior mechanical properties of WPU modified by ATO nanoparticles over the conventional unmodified WPU. The thermal behaviors of the films were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It could be found that the incorporation of ATO into WPU can improve the thermal stability dramatically. The results from UV–visible–near infrared spectra indicated that the ATO/WPU films could decrease the infrared transmission effectively. The heat‐insulation measurements showed that glass coated with ATO/WPU films possessed better heat‐insulating effect than empty glass. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and properties of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane functionalized graphene/polyurethane nanocomposite coatings

Silicone-modified graphene was successfully synthesized by treating graphene oxide with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (AMEO) and then reduced by hydrazine hydrate. Subsequently, the AMEO-functionalized graphene was incorporated into polyurethane (PU) matrix to prepare AMEO-functionalized graphene/PU nanocomposite coatings. The functionalized graphene could disperse homogenously by means of a covalent connection with PU. AMEO-functionalized graphene (AFG)-reinforced PU nanocomposite coatings showed more excellent mechanical and thermal properties than those of pure PU. A 227 % increase in tensile strength and a 71.7 % improvement of elongation at break were obtained by addition 0.2 wt% of AFG. Meanwhile, thermogravimetric analysis reveals that thermal degradation temperature was enhanced almost 50 °C higher than that of neat PU, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis demonstrates that glass transition temperature decreased by around 9 °C. The thermal conductivity of AFG/PU nanocomposite coatings also increased by 40 % at low AFG loadings of 0.2 wt%.     

Nanodiamond tethered epoxy/polyurethane interpenetrating network nanocomposite: Physical properties and thermoresponsive shape-memory behavior

In this study, a novel blend of polyurethane and diglycidyl 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate epoxy was prepared and reinforced with various content of functional nanodiamond (0.1–5 wt%). According to morphological analysis, diglycidyl 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate/polyurethane/nanodiamond nanocomposite revealed beaded-twine network structure due to entrapment of nanodiamond aggregates into epoxy/polyurethane interpenetrating networks. Exclusive self-assembled nanodiamond-tethered interpenetrating network was due to physical inter-linking of nanodiamond with blend components. There was a 47% rise in tensile strength and an 80% increase in Young’s modulus of diglycidyl 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate/polyurethane/nanodiamond 5 nanocomposite relative to neat polymer. The original shape of diglycidyl 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate/polyurethane/nanodiamond 5 was 95% recovered using heat-induced shape-memory effect.     

Preparation and characterization of nanocomposite polyurethane

Polyurethane/nanosilica composites were prepared using polyester polyol/nanosilica composite resins obtained from in situ polymerization or blending methods and investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA), transmittance electron microscopy (TEM), contact angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. It was found that more polyester segments had chemically bonded with silica particles during in situ polymerization than during blending, introducing nanosilica increased the Tgs of polyurethanes, and different preparation methods and different particle sizes caused various impact on Tg. Contact angle measurement and XPS analyses indicated that nanosilica tended to move towards the surfaces and interfaces of polyurethane coats, decreasing the free energies of the surfaces and interfaces, but the nanosilica particles were just observed at interfaces not surfaces by AFM.     

Synthesis and properties of fluorinated thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer

A series of fluorinated thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (FTPU) based on self-synthesized fluorinate polyether diol (PFGE) were prepared by two-step polymerization. For the purpose of improving the molecular weight and mechanical property of FTPU, polybutylene adipate (PBA) was used to be compounded with PFGE as the soft-segment of FTPU. Effects of the mass ratio of PFGE/PBA and the mass fraction of hard-segment on the mechanical property of FTPU were investigated. The structure and morphology of FTPU were characterized by FTIR, GPC, DMA, surface tension and AFM analysis.     

Synthesis and properties of room-temperature self-healing polyurethane elastomers

Two kinds of polyurethane elastomers were synthesized. One containing acylhydrazone bonds was named TPIA. The other containing both acylhydrazone and disulfide bonds was named TPID. Self-repairable ability and reprocessability of these two elastomers were studied. The results show that: The polyurethane elastomer TPIA can automatically repair damage to it under acidic conditions. After self-healing for 24 h, the strength and the elongation value at break recovered to 32% and 55% of the originality, respectively. The polyurethane elastomer TPID can automatically repair damage to it under visible light at room temperature. After 24 h of self-healing time, 75% of the original strength and 100% of the original elongation values at break were obtained. These two polyurethane elastomers can be reprocessed in their cured state by just applying temperature and pressure.     

The POSS side chain epoxy nanocomposite: Synthesis and thermal properties

The IPI‐POSS‐modified epoxy resin (IPEP) was prepared from isocyanato‐propyldinethylsilyl‐isobutyl‐POSS (IPI‐POSS) and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy resin. The steric hindrance of the IPEP bulky POSS side chain improved the curing activation energies. The POSS particles sizes were about 2–3 nm and dispersed uniformly. At lower IPEP concentration (POSS < 12 wt %), the glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of the IPEP nanocomposites increased from 118 to 170 °C. The char yield increased from 15 to 20 wt %, and the LOI values increased from 22 to 28. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 643–652, 2010     

A study on phase morphology and surface properties of polyurethane/organoclay nanocomposite

In this study, polyurethane/organically modified layered silicate (organoclay) nanocomposites were prepared through in situ polymerization in the presence of organoclay. Phase morphology of the polyurethane/organoclay nanocomposite was investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results suggest that the inter-domain repeat distance decreased with the introduction of organoclay. The organoclay has a more significant effect on the inter-domain repeat distance at a low hard segment content. Also with the increase of the hard segment, the inter-domain repeat distance and domain size increased markedly. The size of hard domain of the polyurethane was found to be in the range of 12-32 nm in this case, and it keeps nearly unchanged with the clay content. It is suggested by AFM phase imaging technique that the hard domain can self-organize further to form spherical aggregates. The introduction of clay into the polyurethane matrix resulted in the decrease in the size of the spherical aggregates from ∼800 nm to ∼500 nm, indicating clay has an important effect on the aggregation behavior of hard domains. The effect of clay on the surface energy was examined by means of AFM and goniometry techniques. The results obtained by two methods are consistent, i.e., with the increase of clay content, the surface energy decreased due to the effect of organic modifier.     

Rigid polyurethane foams reinforced with disilanolisobutyl POSS: Synthesis and properties

This work reports the synthesis of rigid polyurethane (PU) foams modified by disilanolisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (DSIPOSS). This open‐cage nanostructure silsesquioxane has 2 hydroxyl groups and therefore can be chemically built directly in the PU backbone to form hybrid polyurethane‐POSS foam. Synthesis procedure using polymeric 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polyetherol, and DSIPOSS has been elaborated, and the influence of POSS on the cell structure, closed cell content, apparent density, thermal conductivity, and compression strength of the rigid polyurethane composites has been evaluated. The hybrid composite foams containing 1.5 and 2.0 wt% DSIPOSS showed a reduced number of cells and an increased average area of foam cells in comparison with the unmodified PU, while the addition of 0.5wt% of DSIPOSS causes an increase in the number of cells of the foam as compared with the reference and thus a reduction in the average area of cells. X‐ray microtomography provided data on the porous structure of polyurethane hybrid materials, including reduction of the pore surface area. Scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis revealed a good homogenization of DSIPOSS in polyurethane matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis results have shown that incorporation of POSS nanoparticles into PU foam does not significantly change the degradation process. The compressive strength of PUF‐POSS hybrids in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the direction of foam rise is greater than the strength of the reference foam already for the lowest DSIPOSS content.     

Synthesis and surface properties of polyurethane modified by polysiloxane

A series of polyurethanes modified by polysiloxane (Si-PU) were synthesized based on 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), dihydroxybutyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (DHPDMS), polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that DHPDMS had been incorporated into the polyurethane chains. With the increase of DHPDMS content, the water contact angle increased while the surface tension decreased. As the DHPDMS content increases above 5%, both the contact angle and the surface tension tend to approach a constant. The contact angle increases with increasing temperature, and it tends to approach a constant when the temperature is higher than 50°C. The result indicates that Si-PU exhibits good surface and mechanical properties when the DHPDMS content is 5%. __________ Translated from Polymer Materials Science and Engineering, 2007, 23(3): 47–50 [译自: 高分子科学与工程]     

空心玻璃微珠对聚氨酯泡沫燃烧和力学性能的影响

通过向聚氨酯发泡体系中添加空心玻璃微珠,制备出空心玻璃微珠聚氨酯三相泡沫.研究了空心玻璃微珠添加量、聚磷酸铵(APP)用量、膨胀阻燃体系(IFR)浓度等因素对聚氨酯泡沫燃烧和力学性能的影响.结果表明,单独添加空心玻璃微珠对聚氨酯泡沫的氧指数和水平燃烧速度影响不大.添加APP或IFR后,空心玻璃微珠聚氨酯三相泡沫的阻燃效...     

Immobilization of cellulase using polyurethane foam

Cellulase was covalently immobilized using a hydrophilic polyurethane foam (Hypol®FHP 2002). Compared to the free enzyme, immobilized cellulase showed a dramatic decrease (7.5-fold) in the Michaelis constant for carboxymethylcellulose. The immobilized enzyme also had a broader and more basic pH optimum (pH 5.5–6.0), a greater stability under heat-denaturing or liquid nitrogen-freezing conditions, and was relatively more efficient in utilizing insoluble cellulose substrates. High molecular weight compounds (Blue Dextran) could move throughout the foam matrix, indicating permeability to insoluble celluloses; activity could be further improved 2.4-fold after powdering, foams under liquid nitrogen. The improved kinetic and stability features of the immobilized cellulase combined with advantageous properties of the polyurethane foam (resistance to enzymatic degradation, plasticity of shape and size) suggest that this mechanism of cellulase immobilization has high potential for application in the industrial degradation of celluloses.     

Evaluation of a beta-diketone-imbedded polyurethane foam

A beta-diketone-imbedded polyurethane foam was made for the sorption of uranium from aqueous solutions. The incorporation of the beta-diketone functional group into the polyurethane foam was simple, and relatively inexpensive. The beta-diketone foam was ground to facilitate the evaluation of its ability to extract uranium from aqueous solutions with a wide range of temperature and pH values. The beta-diketone material showed superior extractability of uranium from solutions with pH 7 +/- 3. In general, the beta-diketone material showed greater extractability of uranium at all temperatures and pH values tested when compared to a blank polyurethane foam without the beta-diketone functional group.     

Physicomechanical properties of polyurethane foam filled with pyrolytic chromium coated aluminosilicate ash microspheres

Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry - The possibility of depositing pyrolytic chromium on the surface of aluminosilicate ash microspheres and preparing rigid polyurethane foam filled with...     

Effect of aluminum diethylphosphinate on flame retardant and thermal properties of rigid polyurethane foam composites

Rigid polyurethane foam/aluminum diethylphosphinate (RUPF/ADP) composites were prepared by one-step water-blown method. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal conductivity meter, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index, Underwriters Laboratories vertical burning test (UL-94) and microsacle combustion calorimetry were applied to investigate thermal conductivity, thermal stability, flame retardancy and combustion behavior of RPUF/ADP composites. Thermogravimetric analysis–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–FTIR) was introduced to investigate gaseous products in degradation process of RPUF/ADP composites, while SEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to research char residue of the composites. It was confirmed that RPUF/ADP composites presented well cell structure with density of 53.1–59.0 kg m^?3 and thermal conductivity of 0.0425–0.0468 W m^?1 K^?1, indicating excellent insulation performance of the composites. Flame retardant test showed that ADP significantly enhanced flame retardancy of RPUF/ADP composites, RPUF/ADP30 passed UL-94 V-1 rating with LOI of 23.0 vol%. MCC test showed that ADP could significantly decrease peak of heat release rate (PHPR) of RPUF/ADP composites. PHPR value of RPUF/ADP20 was decreased to 158 W g^?1, which was 21.8% reduced compared with that of pure RPUF. TG–FTIR test revealed that the addition of ADP promoted the release of CO₂, hydrocarbons and isocyanate compound in first-step degradation of RPUF matrix while inhibited the release of CO in second step degradation. Char residue analysis showed that the addition of ADP promoted polyurethane molecular chain to form aromatic and aromatic heterocyclic structure, enhancing strength and compactness of the char. This work associated a gas–solid flame retardancy mechanism with the incorporation of ADP, which presented an effective strategy for preparation of flame retardant RPUF composites.