Synthesis and morphology of an iron oxide/polystyrene/poly(isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) thermosensitive magnetic composite latex with potassium persulfate as the initiator

In this work, an iron oxide (Fe₃O₄)/polystyrene (PS)/poly(N‐isopropylacryl amide‐co‐methacrylic acid) [P(NIPAAM–MAA)] thermosensitive magnetic composite latex was synthesized by the method of two‐stage emulsion polymerization. The Fe₃O₄ particles were prepared by a traditional coprecipitation method and then surface‐treated with either a PAA oligomer or lauric acid to form a stable ferrofluid. The first stage for the synthesis of the thermosensitive magnetic composite latex was to synthesize PS in the presence of a ferrofluid by emulsion polymerization to form Fe₃O₄/PS composite latex particles. Following the first stage of reaction, the second stage of polymerization was carried out with N‐isopropylacryl amide and methacrylic acid as monomers and with Fe₃O₄/PS latex as seeds. The Fe₃O₄/PS/[P(NIPAAM–MAA)] thermosensitive magnetic particles were thus obtained. The effects of the ferrofluids on the reaction kinetics, morphology, and particle size of the latex were discussed. A reaction mechanism was proposed in accordance with the morphology observation of the latex particles. The thermosensitive property of the thermosensitive magnetic composite latex was also studied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3062–3072, 2007     

Easy Synthesis of Magnetite Nanocrystals via Coprecipitation Method

In this study, magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanocrystals with a size range of 25 nm were prepared by the facile chemical coprecipitation method by a surfactant-assisted from the solution of FeCl₃.6H₂O salt-solution. In the process, we used octanoic acid as surfactant. In addition, the magnetic hysteresis measured shows that the rods obtained display ferromagnetic properties at room temperature. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The magnetic property was studied with vibrating sample magnetometer.     

Preparation and Performance of Dual-functional Magnetic Phase-change Microcapsules

The fabrication of desired anti-magnetic materials for irradiation shielding remains a challenge to date. In this work, a new type of dual-functional magnetic shielding phase change microcapsules with paraffin as the core, melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin as the shell and doped with magnetic particles in the shell were successfully prepared by in situ polymerization. The magnetic particles were dispersed in the shell layer by coating a hydrophilic emulsifier on the surface. These microcapsules were specifically applied to the field of magnetic shielding by the screen printing method. The effect of magnetic particles on the performance of phase-change microcapsules was examined by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses. The magnetic type and magnetic strength of the microcapsules were studied by the vibrating sample magnetometer. Moreover, the effects of different magnetic particles (Fe₃O₄, CrO₂) on the performance of phase change microcapsules and the magnetic strength of microcapsules were compared. The results showed that these two kinds of magnetic particles can greatly improve the phase change latent heat, thermal stability, and thermal conductivity of the microcapsules. Finally, the great magnetic shielding role of these microcapsules was demonstrated in both static and pulsed magnetic fields through the screen printing of magnetic shielding ink on wallpaper. Incorporating 0.5 g Fe₃O₄ inside of microcapsules, specifically, the magnetic intensity was effectively reduced by ∼250 Oe within a short distance in the static field. We expect that these magnetic microcapsules hold great potential for the shielding of irradiations via the screen printing on various substrates.     

Characterization of mechanical properties of jute/PLA composites containing nano SiO2 modified by coupling agents

Although jute fiber-reinforced PLA composites show strong application prospects, their low mechanical properties limit their applications to some extent. In this paper, nano-SiO₂ particles as well as nano SiO₂ modified by coupling agents which can efficiently improve the strength and toughness of composite materials are introduced into the PLA matrix. The bending, stretching and thermal properties of designed jute/PLA nonwoven composites were studied. The study shows that the nano-SiO₂ particles are beneficial to the interface performance between the PLA matrix and jute leading to improvement in the mechanical properties and thermal stability. Moreover, thermomechanical properties indicate that the addition of SiO₂ can improve the jute/PLA interfacial adhesion and increase the glass transition temperature of the material. Finally, toughening mechanism of nano-SiO₂ particles in the jute/PLA composite was analyzed.

     

One-Step Synthesis of Magnetic Nanocomposite with Embedded Biologically Active Substance

Magnetic nanocomposites based on hydroxyapatite were prepared by a one-step process using the hydrothermal coprecipitation method to sinter iron oxides (Fe₃O₄ and γ-Fe₂O₃). The possibility of expanding the proposed technique for the synthesis of magnetic composite with embedded biologically active substance (BAS) of the 2-arylaminopyrimidine group was shown. The composition, morphology, structural features, and magnetic characteristics of the nanocomposites synthesized with and without BAS were studied. The introduction of BAS into the composite synthesis resulted in minor changes in the structural and physical properties. The specificity of the chemical bonds between BAS and the hydroxyapatite-magnetite core was revealed. The kinetics of the BAS release in a solution simulating the stomach environment was studied. The cytotoxicity of (HAP)FexOy and (HAP)FexOy + BAS composites was studied in vitro using the primary culture of human liver carcinoma cells HepG2. The synthesized magnetic composites with BAS have a high potential for use in the biomedical field, for example, as carriers for magnetically controlled drug delivery and materials for bone tissue engineering.     

叶酸对磁性Fe_3O_4纳米粒子的表面修饰

以FeCl3·6H2O作为单一铁源,1,6-己二胺作为胺化试剂,利用无模板的溶剂热方法制备了胺基功能化的磁性Fe3O4纳米粒子,并利用其键合叶酸分子,制备出表面修饰了叶酸的磁性Fe3O4复合纳米粒子。利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、X-射线衍射仪、透射电镜、差热-热重分析仪和振动样品磁强计对所得纳米粒子的形貌、粒径、化学组成和磁性能进行了表征。结果表明,叶酸分子通过化学键牢固键合在磁性纳米Fe3O4粒子表面,叶酸修饰的复合纳米粒子仍然具有良好的磁性能。     

Exploring the structure–property relationships of ultrasonic/MRI dual imaging magnetite/PLA microbubbles: magnetite@Cavity versus magnetite@Shell systems

Two types of magnetite/PLA composite microbubbles with different magnetite loading sites (magnetite nanoparticles [MNPs] were loaded in shell or core part), named as Fe₃O₄@Shell and Fe₃O₄@Cavity microbubbles, were respectively fabricated by an improved W₁/O/W₂ double emulsification approach and by an interfacial coprecipitation joint double emulsification approach. The preparation parameters were crucial factors for controlling the morphologies and structures of the microbubbles. To clarify the relationship between their structural characteristics and their properties, the T ₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities as well as the sound attenuation behavior of the microbubbles were investigated. The results demonstrate that the encapsulation of MNPs in either the inner cavity or the shell provides improved sound attenuation, the two types of microbubbles provide comparable sound attenuation enhancement properties, whereas Fe₃O₄@Shell microbubbles exhibit better T ₂-weighted MRI capabilities. The T ₂ relaxation time decreased from 219.5 to 62.1?ms for the Fe₃O₄@Cavity microbubbles and from 163.8 to 45.7?ms for the Fe₃O₄@Shell microbubbles, as the iron concentration increased from 0.05 to 1?mM. In addition, both types of microbubbles exhibit no cytotoxicity to either NRK or BRL-3A metabolic cell cultures. These results suggest that these magnetite-containing microbubbles have great potential as ultrasonic/MR dual contrast imaging agents.     

Size effect of complexing microcapsules on copper ion extraction

In a previous work [J. Microencapsulation, in press], polyamide microcapsules containing a poly(acrylic acid) gel as a macromolecular ligand (PAA-CAPS) with a mean diameter of 210 μm were prepared using an original two-step polymerization process combining interfacial polycondensation and radical polymerization in a water in oil inverse emulsion system. Extractions of many divalent cations were examined. In this work, we proposed to synthesise by the same process, smaller microcapsules with a mean diameter of 10 μm (PAA-μCAPS). Reference polyamide microcapsules, i.e. without ligand were also synthesized (μCAPS) and (CAPS) [J. Microencapsulation, in press]. Microcapsule wall thickness was evaluated by SEM and TEM observations of microcapsule cross-section cuts, microcapsule water content was determined by thermogravimetric experiments. Specific surface area and total volume of the pore of microcapsules were determined by BET method based on N₂ adsorption/desorption. The comparison of the extractabilities and the stripping of Cu(II) into the various kind of microcapsules were examined.     

仿生制备有机-无机复合微囊固定化葡萄糖氧化酶

将层层自组装技术与仿生矿化技术相结合,由聚苯乙烯磺酸钠、聚二甲基二烯丙基氯化铵和二氧化硅成功制备(聚苯乙烯磺酸钠-聚二甲基二烯丙基氯化铵)₂-二氧化硅复合微囊.采用扫描电子显微镜、红外光谱和热重对微囊的形貌和化学结构进行了表征.以该复合微囊作为理想载体固定化葡萄糖氧化酶.结果表明,固定于复合微囊中的葡萄糖氧化酶的热稳定性、pH稳定性、操作稳定性得到了提高;在最适条件下,复合微囊固定化葡萄糖氧化酶的酶活回收率为72.85%,米氏常数是游离葡萄糖氧化酶的2.21倍.复合微囊在化学/生物催化、药物/基因传递系统和生物传感器应用方面具有一定的潜能.     

Synthesis and morphology of Fe3O4/polystyrene/poly(isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methyl acrylate acid) magnetic composite latex – 2,2′‐azobis (2‐methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride as initiator

In this work, Fe₃O₄/polystyrene/poly(N‐isopropylacryl amide‐co‐methylacrylate acid) (Fe₃O₄/PS/P(NIPAAM‐co‐MAA)) magnetic composite latex was synthesized by the method of two stage emulsion polymerization. In this reaction system, 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methyl propionamidine) dihydrochloride (AIBA) was used as initiator to initiate the first stage reaction and second stage reaction. The Fe₃O₄ particles were prepared by a traditional coprecipitation method. Fe₃O₄ particles were surface treated by either PAA oligomer or lauric acid to form the stable ferrofluid. The first stage for the synthesis of magnetic composite latex was to synthesize PS in the presence of ferrofluid by soapless emulsion polymerization to form the Fe₃O₄/PS composite latex particles. Following the first stage of reaction, the second stage of polymerization was carried out by the method of soapless emulsion polymerization with NIPAAM and MAA as monomers and Fe₃O₄/PS latex as seeds. The magnetic composite particles, Fe₃O₄/PS/P(NIPAAM‐co‐MAA), were thus obtained. The mechanism of the first stage reaction and second stage reaction were investigated. Moreover, the effects of PAA and lauric acid on the reaction kinetics, morphology, and particle size distribution were studied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3912–3921, 2007     

Viscoelastic interfacial properties of compatibilized poly(ε‐caprolactone)/polylactide blend

Poly(ε‐caprolactone)/polylactide blend (PCL/PLA) is an interesting biomaterial because the two component polymers show good complementarity in their physical properties. However, PCL and PLA are incompatible thermodynamically and hence the interfacial properties act as the important roles controlling the final properties of their blends. Thus, in this work, the PCL/PLA blends were prepared by melt mixing using the block copolymers as compatibilizer for the studies of interfacial properties. Several rheological methods and viscoelastic models were used to establish the relations between improved phase morphologies and interfacial properties. The results show that the interfacial behaviors of the PCL/PLA blends highly depend on the interface‐located copolymers. The presence of copolymers reduces the interfacial tension and emulsified the phase interface, leading to stabilization of the interface and retarding both the shape relaxation and the elastic interface relaxation. As a result, besides the relaxation of matrices (τ_m) and the shape relaxation of the dispersed PLA phase (τ_F), a new relaxation behavior (τ_β), which is attribute to the relaxation of Marangoni stresses tangential to the interface between dispersed PLA phase and matrix PCL, is observed on the compatibilized blends. In contrast to that of the diblock copolymers, the triblock copolymers show higher emulsifying level. However, both can improve the overall interfacial properties and enhance the mechanical strength of the PCL/PLA blends as a result. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 756–765, 2010     

Preparation and clinical application of immunomagnetic latex

Magnetic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid) [P(MMA–MAA)] composite polymer latices were synthesized by two‐stage soapless emulsion polymerization in the presence of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) ferrofluids. Different types and concentrations of fatty acids were reacted with the Fe₃O₄ particles, which were prepared by the coprecipitation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts to obtain stable Fe₃O₄ ferrofluids. The Fe₃O₄/polymer particles were monodisperse, and the composite polymer particle size was approximately 100 nm. The morphology of the magnetic composite polymer latex particles was a core–shell structure. The core was PMMA encapsulating Fe₃O₄ particles, and the shell was the P(MMA–MAA) copolymer. The carboxylic acid functional groups (COOH) of methacrylic acid (MAA) were mostly distributed on the surface of the composite polymer latex particles. Antibodies (anti‐human immunoglobulin G) were then chemically bound with COOH groups onto the surface of the magnetic core–shell composite latices through the medium of carbodiimide to form the antibody‐coated magnetic latices (magnetic immunolatices). The MAA shell composition of the composite latex could be adjusted to control the number of COOH groups and thus the number of antibody molecules on the magnetic composite latex particles. With a magnetic sorting device, the magnetic immunolatices derived from the magnetic PMMA/P(MMA–MAA) core–shell composite polymer latex performed well in cell‐separation experiments based on the antigen–antibody reaction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1342–1356, 2005     

Magnetic loading of carbon nanotube/nano-Fe3O4 composite for electrochemical sensing

An electrochemical sensing platform was developed based on the magnetic loading of carbon nanotube (CNT)/nano-Fe₃O₄ composite on electrodes. To demonstrate the concept, nano-Fe₃O₄ was deposited by the chemical coprecipitation of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in the presence of CNTs in an alkaline solution. The resulting magnetic nanocomposite brings new capabilities for electrochemical devices by combining the advantages of CNT and nano-Fe₃O₄ and provides an alternative way for loading CNT on electrodes. The fabrication and the performances of the magnetic nanocomposite modified electrodes have been described. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and constant potential measurement indicated that the incorporated CNT exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity toward the redox processes of hydrogen peroxide. In addition, chitosan (CTS) has also been introduced into the bulk of the CNT/nano-Fe₃O₄ composite by coprecipitation to immobilize glucose oxidase (GOx) for sensing glucose. The marked electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen peroxide permits effective low-potential amperometric biosensing of glucose, in connection with the incorporation of GOx into CNT/Fe₃O₄/CTS composite. The accelerated electron transfer is coupled with surface renewability. TEM images and XRDs offer insights into the nature of the magnetic composites. The concept of the magnetic loading of CNT nanocomposites indicates great promise for creating CNT-based biosensing devices and expands the scope of CNT-based electrochemical devices.     

Novel Magnetic Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Methylene Blue Composite Amperometric Biosensor for DNA Determination

Abstract

A single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/nano-Fe₃O₄/methylene blue (MB) magnetic composite was developed to fabricate the DNA biosensor. The magnetic SWNTs/nano-Fe₃O₄ and SWNTs/nano-Fe₃O₄/MB composites were prepared by chemical coprecipitation and adsorption, respectively. The morphology, infrared, and magnetic properties of different composites were characterized. The behavior of MB adsorbed in the composite matrix as indicator for the detection of DNA was studied via MB reductive current changes between after and before combination with DNA. Owing to the high electrical conduction of SWNTs and superparamagnetism of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, the biosensor exhibited simple operation, high sensitivity, and easy renewal. The biosensor was successfully applied to detect the hybridization of DNA.     

Preparation of magnetic separable CoFe2O4/PAC composite and the adsorption of bisphenol A from aqueous solution

CoFe₂O₄/PAC composite adsorbent has been prepared via an immersing-calcination process, using ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid (CIT) ligands containing sol as the CoFe₂O₄ precursor. The microstructure characterization and magnetic property of as-prepared sample were performed by means of XRD and VSM measurements. The adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamic process toward Bisphenol A molecules (BPA, which is considered as one of the typical endocrine disrupting chemicals) occurred on as-prepared magnetic adsorbent which were investigated by the pseudo-second order kinetic/intraparticle models, the Langmuir/Freundlich adsorption isothermal models and basic chemical thermodynamics principles, respectively.     

A gas–liquid chemical reaction treatment and phase inversion technique for formation of high permeability PAN UF membranes

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were prepared by the pretreatment (gas–liquid interfacial chemical reaction) and the phase inversion process from a casting solution containing dimethylacetamide (DMAC) as a solvent and CaCl₂/NH₃·H₂O/H₂O as a composite additive. Deionized (DI) water was used as a coagulant. The membranes were characterized in terms of the pure water fluxes, protein retention and direct field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) observations. The effects of gas–liquid interfacial chemical reaction on the membrane performance were investigated by changing the pretreatment time, CO₂ contacting method (static or flowing) and Partial pressure of CO₂. The gas–liquid interfacial chemical reaction had great influence on reducing pore size and increasing porosity of PAN membrane.     

Development of Fe3O4-poly(l-lactide) magnetic microparticles in supercritical CO2

The Fe₃O₄-poly(l-lactide) (Fe₃O₄-PLLA) magnetic microparticles were successfully prepared in a process of solution-enhanced dispersion by supercritical CO₂ (SEDS), and their morphology, particle size, magnetic mass content, surface atom distribution and magnetic properties were characterized. Indomethacin (Indo) was used as a drug model to produce drug-polymer magnetic composite microparticles. The resulting Fe₃O₄-PLLA microparticles with mean size of 803 nm had good magnetic property and a saturation magnetization of 24.99 emu/g. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) test indicated that most of the Fe₃O₄ were encapsulated by PLLA, which indicated that the Fe₃O₄-PLLA magnetic microparticles had a core–shell structure. After further loading with drug, the Indo-Fe₃O₄-PLLA microparticles had a bigger mean size of 901 nm, and the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) analysis demonstrated that the SEDS process was a typical physical coating process to produce drug-polymer magnetic composite microparticles, which is favorable for drugs since there is no change in chemistry. The in vitro cytotoxicity test showed that the Fe₃O₄-PLLA magnetic microparticles had no cytotoxicity and were biocompatible, which means there is potential for biomedical application.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4 particle-chain microwires in applied magnetic field

Fe₃O₄ particle-chain microwires are firstly synthesized under magnetic field by a simple coprecipitation method. The increase of magnetic field caused the lengthening of the wires, and doubled densities of starting solution lead to a halved diameter. It was supposed that the magnetic field gradient and the particular growing process of particles are the main factors of the formation of these microwires. Magnetic hysteresis curves of Fe₃O₄ microwires were also measured.     

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.     

3D printed polylactic acid nanocomposite scaffolds for tissue engineering applications

In this study, biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and PLA nanocomposite scaffolds reinforced with magnetic and conductive fillers, were processed via fused filament fabrication additive manufacturing and their bioactivity and biodegradation characteristics were examined. Porous 3D architectures with 50% bulk porosity were 3D printed, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated. Thermal analysis confirmed the presence of ~18 wt% of carbon nanostructures (CNF and GNP; nowonwards CNF) and ~37 wt% of magnetic iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) particles in the filaments. The in vitro degradation tests of scaffolds showed porous and fractured struts after 2 and 4 weeks of immersion in DMEM respectively, although a negligible weight loss is observed. Greater extent of degradation is observed in PLA with magnetic fillers followed by PLA with conductive fillers and neat PLA. In vitro bioactivity study of scaffolds indicate enhancement from ~2.9% (PLA) to ~5.32% (PLA/CNF) and ~ 3.12% (PLA/Fe₂O₃). Stiffness calculated from the compression tests showed decrease from ~680 MPa (PLA) to 533 MPa and 425 MPa for PLA/CNF and PLA/Fe₂O₃ respectively. Enhanced bioactivity and faster biodegradation response of PLA nanocomposites with conductive fillers make them a potential candidate for tissue engineering applications such as scaffold bone replacement and regeneration.