Effects of solar UV irradiation on the tensile properties and structure of PPTA fiber

This paper comprehensively studied the effects of simulated solar ultraviolet irradiation on the mechanical and structural properties of the Twaron2000 para-aramid fiber by use of mechanical test, SEM, XRD, DSC, DMA and ATR-IR measurements. The results showed that after UV irradiation, the mechanical properties of the fiber were decreased obviously, and UV irradiation deteriorated the surface and defect areas of the fiber severely by photo-induced chain scission and end group oxidation in air with the crystalline structure remained almost unchanged although some local rearrangement of the crystalline area might occur. It was found that surface etching and shortening of the crystalline correlation length along the fiber axis were the main causes of the mechanical loss induced by UV irradiation.     

纳米TiO2表面接枝聚苯乙烯及其抗紫外老化研究

利用偶联剂γ-甲基丙烯酰氧基丙基三甲氧基硅烷(KH570)对纳米TiO₂进行表面预处理, 在此基础上通过分散聚合工艺制备聚苯乙烯(PSt)接枝包覆纳米TiO₂. 运用红外光谱、热重分析及透射电镜对处理前后纳米TiO₂进行了表征, 并通过紫外人工加速老化试验比较了表面处理前后纳米TiO₂对聚丙烯/聚苯乙烯(PP/PSt)体系的抗紫外老化性能. 结果显示: KH570与纳米TiO₂表面羟基进行了缩合, PSt在粒子表面实现了接枝聚合, 接枝率约为60% (w); PSt接枝包覆纳米TiO₂呈均匀的微球形, 纳米TiO₂被包覆于微球内部; PSt接枝包覆后纳米TiO₂在PP/PSt中的分散效果较改性前有显著的改进, 其抗紫外老化性能明显优于改性前体系.     

Effects of Sericite Modified by Macromolecular Dispersant on the Thermal,Mechanical and Electrical Properties of the NR/SBR Composites

A new hydrosoluble macromolecular dispersant and modifier, poly(ethylene glycol)-maleic anhydride-acrylic acid (PEG-MA-AA) terpolymer was synthesized via ring-opening reaction and free radical polymerization. The chemical structure of the PEG-MA-AA terpolymer was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and its average molecular weight was determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Modified sericite (MSE) was synthesized from sericite (SE) by the surface modification with PEG-MA-AA. The NR/SBR/MSE composites were prepared via the blending of the modified sericite and NR/SBR rubber. The thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of the composites were investigated by TGA, tensile test machine and high-insulation resistance meter. The results showed that the thermal stability and the mechanical and electrical insulation properties of NR/SBR/MSE composites were improved significantly. SEM also revealed that modified sericite possessed good dispersibility.     

铈对Zn-22%Al减振合金组织和力学性能的影响

借助于光学显微镜、透射电镜及扫描电镜,采用自然时效、人工时效等热处理工艺,研究了微量Ｃｅ对Ｚｎ－２２％Ａｌ减振合金显微组织和力学性能的影响,Ｃｅ具有细化Ｚｎ－２２％Ａｌ合金组织并障碍时效时晶粒长大和等轴程度降低的作用,在低于８０℃的温轧温度下效时,加Ｃｅ和不加Ｃｅ的Ｚｎ－２２％Ａｌ合金的强度不随时间的推移而变化。Ｃｅ还提高了Ｚｎ－２２％Ａｌ合金的强度和时效时力学性能的稳定性。     

Effects of Water and Chemical Solutions Ageing on the Physical,Mechanical, Thermal and Flammability Properties of Natural Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites

Biocomposites comprising a combination of natural fibres and bio-based polymers are good alternatives to those produced from synthetic components in terms of sustainability and environmental issues. However, it is well known that water or aqueous chemical solutions affect natural polymers/fibres more than the respective synthetic components. In this study the effects of water, salt water, acidic and alkali solutions ageing on water uptake, mechanical properties and flammability of natural fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were compared. Jute, sisal and wool fibre- reinforced PP and PLA composites were prepared using a novel, patented nonwoven technology followed by the hot press method. The prepared composites were aged in water and chemical solutions for up to 3 week periods. Water absorption, flexural properties and the thermal and flammability performances of the composites were investigated before and after ageing each process. The effect of post-ageing drying on the retention of mechanical and flammability properties has also been studied. A linear relationship between irreversible flexural modulus reduction and water adsorption/desorption was observed. The aqueous chemical solutions caused further but minor effects in terms of moisture sorption and flexural modulus changes. PLA composites were affected more than the respective PP composites, because of their hydrolytic sensitivity. From thermal analytical results, these changes in PP composites could be attributed to ageing effects on fibres, whereas in PLA composite changes related to both those of fibres present and of the polymer. Ageing however, had no adverse effect on the flammability of the composites.     

Understanding the Effects of Crosslinking and Reinforcement Agents on the Performance and Durability of Biopolymer Films for Cultural Heritage Protection

In the last two decades, the naturally occurring polysaccharides, such as chitosan and pectin, have gained great attention having potential applications in different sectors, from biomedical to new generation packaging. Currently, the chitosan and pectic have been proposed as suitable materials also for the formulation of films and coatings for cultural heritage protection, as well as packaging films. Therefore, the formulation of biopolymer films, considering only naturally occurring polymers and additives, is a current challenging trend. This work reports on the formulation of chitosan (CS), pectin (PC), and chitosan:pectin (CS:PC) films, also containing natural crosslinking and reinforcement agents, such as citric acid (CA) and halloysite nanotubes (HNT), through the solvent casting technique. The produced films are characterized through water contact angle measurements, infrared and UV–visible spectroscopy and tensile test, while the durability of the CS:PC films is evaluated subjecting the film to accelerated UVB exposure and monitoring the photo-oxidation degradation in time though infrared spectroscopy. All obtained results suggest that both crosslinking and reinforcement agents have beneficial effects on the wettability, rigidity, and photo-oxidation resistance of biopolymer films. Therefore, these biopolymer films, also containing naturally occurring additives, have good properties and performance and they are suitable as coverage films for cultural heritage protection.     

The Effects of Natural Products and Environmental Conditions on Antimicrobial Resistance

Due to the extensive application of antibiotics in medical and farming practices, the continued diversification and development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has attracted serious public concern. With the emergence of AMR and the failure to treat bacterial infections, it has led to an increased interest in searching for novel antibacterial substances such as natural antimicrobial substances, including microbial volatile compounds (MVCs), plant-derived compounds, and antimicrobial peptides. However, increasing observations have revealed that AMR is associated not only with the use of antibacterial substances but also with tolerance to heavy metals existing in nature and being used in agriculture practice. Additionally, bacteria respond to environmental stresses, e.g., nutrients, oxidative stress, envelope stress, by employing various adaptive strategies that contribute to the development of AMR and the survival of bacteria. Therefore, we need to elucidate thoroughly the factors and conditions affecting AMR to take comprehensive measures to control the development of AMR.     

添加Si3N4对烧结NdFeB的磁性能及抗腐蚀性能的影响

针对在提高NdFeB永磁材料耐蚀性时出现磁性能下降的问题,研究了通过混粉的方式添加Si3N4对烧结NdFeB磁体磁性能和耐腐蚀性的影响。研究结果表明,添加适量Si3N4可实现在磁体剩磁和最大磁能积提高的基础上,提高材料的腐蚀电位,并且在极化曲线的阳极部分相同电位条件下,具有较小的极化电流密度,从而达到改善NdFeB磁体耐腐蚀性的目的。     

Zr(IV)‐Crosslinked Polyacrylamide/Polyanionic Cellulose Composite Hydrogels with High Strength and Unique Acid Resistance

Recently, metal coordination has been widely utilized to fabricate high‐performance hydrogels, but conventional metal‐based hydrogels face some drawbacks, such as staining or acid lability. In the present study, a novel kind of colorless Zr(IV)‐crosslinked polyacrylamide/polyanionic cellulose (PAM/PAC) composite hydrogel with unique acid resistance was constructed via acrylamide polymerization in a PAC solution, followed by posttreatment in a zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl₂) solution. The prepared gels were characterized in terms of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile and compressive mechanics, as well as acid resistance. Inside the gels, the synergistic action of hydrogen bonding and Zr(IV) coordination is responsible for their improved mechanical properties and good energy dissipation ability. One hydrogel with nearly 90 wt % of water content can sustain approximately 5 MPa of compression stress at 90% strain without damage. Both microscopic network structures and macroscopic mechanics demonstrate facile adjustability via changing the PAC dosages in polymerization and/or ZrOCl₂ concentrations in posttreatment. Moreover, the gels present unexpected acid resistance due to the strong Zr(IV) coordination with PAC, demonstrating their potential application as hydrogel electrolytes in supercapacitors. The current work provides a new approach to fabricate metal coordination‐based high strength, colorless hydrogels with acid resistance. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 981–991     

表面电荷及外电场对液固界面热阻的影响

采用非平衡分子动力学方法模拟了外电场及固体表面电荷对水与固体间界面热阻的影响. 结果表明,外加电场平行于界面时, 其对界面热阻几乎没有影响, 而垂直于界面时, 界面热阻将随着电场强度的增大而减小. 壁面带正电荷或负电荷都将使得界面热阻减小. 界面热阻与表面电荷密度及电场强度均满足二次函数关系. 模拟结果表明施加外电场和表面电荷是控制液固界面热阻的有效方法.     

过渡金属改性MCM-41的结构及对苯催化氧化的研究

制备了Ti,Fe,Cr,Ni改性的MCM-41,采用XRD、低温N₂吸附及TPD手段研究了改性MCM-41的结构特征和表面性质.过渡金属可同品取代骨架Si,同品取代的能力与过渡金属离子半径有关.过渡金属改性MCM-41均具有较好的长程有序结构、均一的孔径分布和较高的比表面积.引入不同的过渡金属可以改变MCM-41表面酸性和亲水/憎水性.考察了改性MCM-41对苯氧化的催化性能.     

On the Effects of UV‐C and pH on the Mechanical Behavior,Molecular Conformation and Cell Viability of Collagen‐Based Scaffold for Vascular Tissue Engineering

Collagen‐based vascular substitutes represent in VTE a valid alternative for the replacement of diseased small‐calibre blood vessels. In this study, collagen gel‐based scaffolds were crosslinked combining modulation of pH and UV‐C radiation. The effects on the mechanical properties, on the molecular structure and on cell viability and morphology were investigated. The mechanical response increased as a function of pH or UV‐C dose and strongly depended on the test speed. Collagen molecular conformation resulted only slightly modified. While cell adhesion was not significantly altered, cell proliferation partially decreased in function of pH and UV‐C. These findings suggest that UV‐C treated collagen gels can represent an adequate substrate for VTE applications.

     

Solvent Effects on the UV (n → π*) and NMR (17O) Spectra of Acetone in Aqueous Solution: Development and Validation of a Modified AMBER Force Field for an Integrated MD/DFT/PCM Approach

A modified AMBER force field has been developed and used to compute UV and NMR spectra of acetone in aqueous solution by an integrated computational tool rooted in the density functional theory, the polarizable continuum model, and classical molecular dynamics. The results show that, provided that classical force fields are carefully reparameterized and validated, they can be part of a robust and effective approach, which can be used also by non-specialists and provides a general and powerful complement to experimental techniques.     

Effects of Mechanical Stretching on the Properties of Conjugated Polymers: Case Study for MEH-PPV and P3HT Oligomers

Nowadays, the development of new materials for applications in flexible optoelectronic devices is one of the main frontiers of science. However, in order to improve the applicability and durability of such devices, a deeper understanding of the effects induced by mechanical deformations on the properties of their components is still necessary. In this sense, in the present study, it is evaluated the effect of mechanical stretching in the structural, electronic, and optical responses of two widely investigated organic polymers with great technological interest: poly(2-methoxy,5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene) and poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl). Hartree–Fock and density functional theory electronic structure calculation methods were employed for the study of oligomeric structures subjected to increasing stretch levels along the polymerization axis. The results show a dependence of the polymer properties with the mechanical deformation, allowing to identify distinct response regimes according to the main chain stretching. In particular, it is noticed that large stretches lead to nonfunctional devices, mainly due to the localization of the frontier orbitals and degradation of optoelectronic properties. In addition, it was also identified that very small deformations can lead to some interesting optoelectronic responses, which could indicate an alternative route for the design of organic devices via mechanical processes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 1413–1426