Biodegradation of poly(lactic acid)/starch/coir biocomposites under controlled composting conditions

The aim of this work was to investigate the aerobic biodegradation of a composite under controlled composting conditions using standard test methods. Composite was formed by poly(lactic acid) (PLA), with and without the addition of maleic anhydride (MA), acting as coupling agent, thermoplastic starch (TPS) and short natural fibre (coir). For comparison its starting materials, such as TPS and matrix (containing 75 wt% of PLA and 25 wt% of TPS), were also tested.At the end of the incubation period, TPS appeared to be the most bio-susceptible material being totally biodegraded and the matrix showed a higher level of biodegradation (higher amounts of evolved CO₂) than PLA, probably due to the TPS domains preferentially attacked by microorganisms and increasing the percentage of carbon dioxide produced. Fibres seemed to play a secondary role in the process as confirmed by the slight differences in carbon dioxide produced. The compatibilised composite revealed a lower percentage of evolved CO₂ than the uncompatibilised one. Finally, the degradation results were confirmed by thermal properties' changes of tested materials at different incubation times, as monitored by thermal analysis, and by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses of the compost aged samples. SEM micrographs showed the formation of patterns and cracks on the surface of the materials aged in the compost evidencing a profound loss of structure. Moreover, an extended biofilm (evident also with optical microscopy observation) was detected on the biodegraded materials, thus indicating the growth of a large number of bacteria and fungi on their surfaces.     

Preparation and characterization of hybrid cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose/sodium alginate polyelectrolyte antimicrobial films

This study aimed to develop polyelectrolyte‐structured antimicrobial food packaging materials that do not contain any antimicrobial agents. Cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose was synthesized and characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Its nitrogen content was determined by Kjeldahl method. Polyelectrolyte‐structured antimicrobial food packaging materials were prepared using hydroxyethyl cellulose, cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose, and sodium alginate. Antimicrobial activity of materials was defined by inhibition zone method (disc diffusion method). Thermal stability of samples was evaluated by thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Surface morphology of samples was investigated by SEM. The obtained results prove that produced food packaging materials have good thermal and antimicrobial properties, and they can be used as food packaging material in many industries.     

Preparation of novel fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers/silica hybrid nanoparticles-encapsulation of a variety of guest molecules into fluorinated nanoparticles

Fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers reacted with tetraethoxysilane and silica/nanoparticles under alkaline conditions to afford fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers/silica nanoparticles (mean diameters: 31–54 nm) with a good dispersibility and stability in organic media. Interestingly, the isolated fluorinated particle powders were found to afford nanometer size-controlled colloidal particles with a good redispersibility and stability in these media. In addition, fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers/silica nanoparticles-encapsulated guest molecules such as stable organic radicals and ionic liquids were prepared under similar conditions. These fluorinated nanoparticles-encapsulated guest molecules were applied to a new type of surface-modification agent, and these particles were able to disperse well above the poly (methyl methacrylate) films.     

海藻酸酮膜表面的配位结构及催化MMA聚合的性能

将海藻酸钠(SA)与CuCl2.2H2反应得到一种配位聚合物海藻酸酮(Cu-An)。以ESR、电导率、IR和SPS方法对此配位聚合物进行表征,确定了组成与结构：同时研究了甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)在该配位聚合物膜、HSO3^-和水体系催化引发作用下的聚合反应历程。结果表明,配位聚合物的中心离子Cu^2^+与两个海藻酸(An)链节单元上的两个羧羟基氧原子和两个离解氢原子的羧羟基氧原子以共价型配位,配位数为4.MMA在上述的催化引发体系中是按照自由基加聚反应历程进行聚合的,PMMA呈无规结构。Cu-An在催化引发体系中起着催化剂的配位催化作用。     

Adsorption kinetics,isotherms and mechanisms of three-component covalent organic polymer/sodium alginate beads for ciprofloxacin removal from aqueous solution

Ciprofloxacin (CIP), an important representative fluoroquinolone antibiotic, has been frequently detected in water sources, thus threatening aquatic organisms and human health. In this work, a porous three-component covalent organic polymer (SLEL-6) was synthesized through multi-component (MC) reaction systems for adsorptive removal of CIP from aqueous solution, followed by an encapsulation process to achieve SLEL-6/sodium alginate (SA) beads with boosted adsorption ability, reusability and recyclability. By virtue of the hierarchical porous natures, functional groups as well as π-rich skeletons, SLEL-6 and SLEL-6/SA beads could deal with CIP contamination effectively. Moreover, the adsorption isotherms of CIP by SLEL-6 and SLEL-6/SA beads follow the Langmuir model showing high theoretical maximum adsorption capacities of 57.47 and 163.93 mg g⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, the plausible mechanisms are proposed according to experimental studies of influencing factors, coupled with characterizations before and after adsorption. This work therefore highlighting the immense potential of COP-based SA composite beads as new-type globular adsorbents for eliminating fluoroquinolones from aqueous solution.     

Preparation and property of a novel soluble electron transport POSS-based hybrid material

A novel POSS-based organic/inorganic hybrid covalently attached at molecular level, 2-（4-（allyloxy）phenyl）-5-（4-（octyloxy）phenyl）-1,3,4-oxadiazole-POSS （6） （abbreviated as oxadiazole-POSS） was synthesized by Pt（dcp） catalyst. The hybrid was soluble in common organic solvents such as CHCl3, toluene, C2H4Cl2, and THF. Its structures and properties were characterized and evaluated with FTIR, 1^H NMR, 13^C NMR,29^Si NMR, EA, TGA, DSC, GPC, and CV, respectively. The results show that the novel hybrid possesses high thermal stability and good electron injection ability.     

Concise synthesis of two trisaccharide analogs related to the glycone constituent of phanoside, a novel insulin releasing natural product

Two trisaccharides (2 and 3) related to the glycone part of phanoside, an insulin release stimulator, have been synthesized in excellent yield.     

Synthesis of a novel antimicrobial-modified starch and its adsorption on cellulose fibers: part II––adsorption behaviors of cationic starch on cellulose fibers

The adsorption of guanidine polymer modified starches on cellulose fibers was investigated along with the systematic studies on various influencing factors including temperature, pH, ionic strength and charge density of the starches. The AFM results revealed the relationship between the adhesion force and adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity is not necessarily proportional to the adhesion force. The conditions for achieving the maximum adsorption were: temperature, 40 °C; pH, 6; C_NaCl, 0 mM and charge density, 0.4 meq/g. The corresponding the normalized adhesion force is approximate 1 mN/m. In terms of the surface roughness determined by AFM, it has been proved that adsorbed starches of high charge density tend to form train structure, whereas those of low charge density tend to form tails and loops. Due the comb molecular structure, the adsorption capacity of the novel cationic starch reaches 124.3 mg/g, which is much greater than those reported previously.     

Studies on the mechanism for the sudden mechanical property drops of graphene/polymer nanocomposites

Graphene/polymer nanocomposites (GPNCs) have gained intense research interest in recent years. Graphene can improve the properties of the nanocomposites at low loadings, but usually causes sudden drops in the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites at similarly low loadings, risking the performance, reproducibility, and batch stability of the nanocomposites. This problem has been troubling the GPNCs field for years, but it is difficult to solve mainly because the mechanism of the sudden mechanical property drops has not been well documented yet. Here, we present a systematic study on this problem. At first, a statistical study was made to provide an overview of the sudden mechanical property drops. It was found that the sudden mechanical property drops were almost independent of the surface modification of graphene, and the in situ polymerization method sometimes leads to lower critical concentration than the solvent blending and melt blending methods. Then, we demonstrated a cutting‐off mechanism which unveiled that the formation of a continuous or semicontinuous network of graphene throughout the polymeric matrix was the main cause of the sudden mechanical property drops, and the low critical concentration of the sudden mechanical property drops was mainly due to the large aspect ratio of graphene. Finally, future research prospects were proposed. Overall, our work has provided new understandings and insights to the mechanical properties of GPNCs.     

Rapid deswelling of sodium alginate/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) semi-interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels in response to temperature and pH changes

In this study, temperature-/pH-responsive semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels based on linear sodium alginate (SA) and cross-linked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) were prepared. The semi-IPN hydrogels reached an equilibrium deswelling state within 6 h in response to temperature or pH stimuli. Compared with the conventional PNIPAAm hydrogel, their dewelling rate in response to temperature was improved significantly, owing to the formation of a porous structure within the hydrogels in the presence of ionized SA during the polymerization process. Moreover, the deswelling process could be well described with a first-order kinetics equation and it is possible to design any hydrogel with the desired deswelling behavior through the control of the SA content in the semi-IPN hydrogels.     

Bilayer matrix composed of polycation/DNA complex and sodium alginate gel as a tumor cell catcher

A bilayer matrix consisting of TABP-SS/DNA complexes and sodium alginate gel is formed via electrostatic interaction. In vitro cell adhesion, proliferation and transfection of the bilayer matrix are investigated in HepG2, HeLa and COS7 cells. Results show that this matrix can only promote tumor cell attachment and growth. Compared with normal cells, the bilayer matrix exhibits significantly higher transfection efficacy in tumor cells. Cell co-culture competitive transfection assay shows that the cell uptake of TABP-SS/DNA complexes is significantly enhanced in tumor cells rather than normal cells under the co-culture competitive condition, which confirms that TABP-SS/DNA complexes have strong tumor cell selectivity and tumor targeting transfection ability.     

Synthesis, characterization and degradation of a novel class of fluorescent poly[1,3-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) propane: p-(carboxyethylformamido)benzoic anhydride] (P(CPP:CEFB))

One class of fluorescent copolyanhydrides were synthesized by melt copolycondensation of the fluorophoric diacid, p-(carboxyethylformamido)benzoic acid (CEFB), with 1,3-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) propane (CPP). ¹H NMR spectra of the copolymers confirm their chemical structures. All the copolymers can give off fluorescence with the excitation of both UV (356 nm) and visible light (470 nm). The fluorescence intensity increases with an increase in CEFB fraction. The degradation rate of the copolyanhydrides can be modulated by the polymer components, increasing with a decrease in CPP content. In addition, CEFB segments in the copolymers degraded rapider than CPP segments, resulting in an increase in CPP fraction in the degraded copolyanhydrides. Morphology change of the copolyanhydrides during degradation was also examined by SEM. It was found that the outer layers of the degraded samples erode faster than the inner layers. Fluorescence intensity of the degraded copolyanhydrides diminished with time.     

Fabrication of zirconium(IV) cross-linked alginate/kaolin hybrid beads for nitrate and phosphate retention

The extreme nitrate (NO₃⁻) species in drinking water leads to methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) disease in new born toddlers whereas the excess phosphate (PO₄³⁻) and NO₃⁻ contents lead to the eutrophication (algae growth) problem of water sources. Upto date, the environmental researchers have developing the suitable adsorbent materials for providing NO₃⁻ and PO₄³⁻ free water system. In present study, a low-cost alginate (Alg) assisted kaolin (KN) (AlgKN) composite beads were prepared and utilized for the removal of NO₃⁻ and PO₄³⁻. To improve the sorption capacity (SC) and stability, Zr⁴⁺ ions were coated onto AlgKN to get Zr@AlgKN composite beads which were prepared via., hydrothermal (Hydro) and in situ precipitation (In situ) methods. The hydro assisted Zr@AlgKN composite beads possess an enhanced SC than the in situ assisted adsorbents. In batch scale, the parameters responsible for the adsorption process such as contact time, co-ions, adsorbent dosage, pH, initial ions concentration and temperature were optimized. The adsorbents were characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET, EDAX and SEM analysis. The adsorption experimental data was fitted with isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamic parameters. The regeneration and field applicability study of the Zr@AlgKN composite beads were also investigated.     

Oxidation of natural rubber using a sodium tungstate/acetic acid/hydrogen peroxide catalytic system

A catalytic system based on Na₂WO₄/CH₃COOH/H₂O₂ effectively oxidizes natural rubber (NR) to prepare telechelic epoxidised liquid natural rubber (TELNR). The Na₂WO₄/CH₃COOH/H₂O₂ catalytic system possesses a much higher epoxidation efficiency than the traditional CH₃COOH/H₂O₂ system: the epoxidation degree (X_epoxy) of products increases from merely 5.6% (CH₃COOH/H₂O₂) to values as high as 52.1% (Na₂WO₄/CH₃COOH/H₂O₂) by reacting for 24 h at 60 °C. Moreover, this catalytic system also induces hydrolytic degradation so that the weight average molecular weight of NR decreases, e.g., from 14.10 × 10⁵ Da (NR) to 0.57 × 10⁵ Da (TELNR) after reacting for 30 h.The catalytic process probably proceeds via a mononuclear tungsten peroxo-species with coordinated peracetyl/acetyl group, as suggested by ESI-MS measurements. During oxidation, the tungstic anion [W(CH₃COOO)(O)(O₂)₂]⁻ not only catalyzes NR epoxidation, but also induces a further oxidation of epoxy groups to form ketones and aldehydes.     

Controlled release formulation of zinc hydroxide nitrate intercalated with sodium dodecylsulphate and bispyribac anions: A novel herbicide nanocomposite for paddy cultivation

Bispyribac (BP) anions have been successfully intercalated in the interlayer region of zinc hydroxide nitrate (ZHN) in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) surfactant. The physicochemical properties of the intercalation compound ZHN–SDS–BP have been characterised herein with different instrumental techniques. The intercalation of BP and SDS is clearly reflected in the PXRD analysis, based on the appearance of symmetrical, sharp and intense intercalation peaks at lower 2θ with a basal spacing of 28.2–28.6 Å. The thermal studies show that the ZHN–SDS–BP nanocomposite has better thermal stability than the pristine BP. The intercalation of BP leads to significant changes in the surface area, porosity, and morphology. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms reveal that both ZHN–SDS and ZHN–SDS–BP are of Type IV. The release and kinetic studies were also carried out on the ZHN–SDS–BP, in aqueous solution of Na₃PO₄, Na₂SO₄ and NaCl as the release media. The releases of BP in both aqueous solutions of Na₃PO₄ and NaCl were found to follow the pseudo second order kinetic model, whereas the releases of BP in the aqueous solution of Na₂SO₄ obey the parabolic diffusion kinetic model. This study shows that ZHN has the potential to be used as a host material in slowing the release of BP herbicides in the paddy cultivation sector.     

槲皮素分子印迹聚合物的制备及固相萃取性能研究

采用分子印迹技术, 以槲皮素为模板分子, 丙烯酰胺为功能单体, 乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸脂为交联剂, 通过热引发聚合, 制备了槲皮素分子印迹聚合物, 并通过装入固相萃取柱试验了聚合物对槲皮素的选择性能. 结果表明, 该分子印迹聚合物对槲皮素具有高度选择性, 为从天然产物中高效分离富集黄酮活性成分槲皮素提供了一种新材料.     

Synthesis of aliphatic amidediol and used as a novel mixed plasticizer for thermoplastic starch

In this paper,aliphatic amidediol was synthesized and mixed with glycerol used as a plasticizer for preparing thermoplastic starch（AGPTPS）.The yield of aliphatic amidediol was 91%.FF-IR expressed that the mixture of aliphatic amidediol and glycerol formed stronger and stable hydrogen bond with starch molecules compared to the native cornstarch.By scanning electron microscope（SEM）native cornstarch granules were proved to transfer to a homogeneous continuous system.After being stored for a period time at room temperature,the mechanical properties of AGPTPS were also studied.As a mixed plasticizer,aliphatic amidediol and glycerol would be practical to extend TPS application scopes.     

Controllable deposition of a platinum nanoparticle ensemble on a polyaniline/graphene hybrid as a novel electrode material for electrochemical sensing

We demonstrate for the first time an interfacial polymerization method for the synthesis of high-quality polyaniline-modified graphene nanosheets (PANI/GNs), which represents a novel type of graphene/polymer heterostructure. The interfacial polymerization at a liquid-liquid interface allows PANI to grow uniformly on the surface of the GNs. An ultra-high loading of Pt nanoparticles was then controllably deposited on the surface of the PANI/GNs to form a Pt/PANI/GNs hybrid. The obtained composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The Pt/PANI/GNs hybrid shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction. H(2)O(2) and glucose were used as two representative analytes to demonstrate the sensing performance of a Pt/PANI/GNs-modified electrode. It is found that this sensing element shows high sensitivity and a low detection limit for H(2)O(2) and glucose. The results demonstrate that the Pt/PANI/GNs hybrid may be an attractive and advanced electrode material with potential applications in the construction of electrochemical sensors and biosensors.     

A novel synthetic route for LiFePO_4/C cathode materials by addition of starch for lithium-ion batteries

LiFePO4/Carbon composite cathode material was prepared using starch as carbon source by spray-pelleting and subsequent pyrolysis in N2. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, Raman, and their electrochemical performance was investigated in terms of cycling behavior. There has a special micro-morphology via the process, which is favorable to electrochemical properties. The discharge capacity of the LiFePO4.C composite was 170 mAh g-1, equal to the theoretical specific capacity at 0.1 C rate. At 4 C current density, the specific capacity was about 80 mAh g-1, which can satisfy for transportation applications if having a more flat discharge flat.     

Synthesis of a novel hybrid synergistic flame retardant and its application in PP/IFR

A novel inorganic-organic hybrid synergistic flame retardant was prepared by sol-gel reaction and characterized by NMR and FT-IR. It showed that the fire resistance of polypropylene/intumescent flame retardant (PP/IFR) composites could be improved with the combination of hybrid synergistic flame retardant. The char morphology and structure of PP composites were characterized by SEM and Raman spectra. The influence of the hybrid flame retardant on the thermal degradation process of PP composites was analyzed by FT-IR and the rheological behavior of the PP composites was also evaluated. The thermal stability of PP composites was characterized by TGA, weight loss difference and integral procedural decomposition temperature (IPDT). It indicated that the hybrid synergistic flame retardant had good synergistic effect with IFR.