The Effect of UV-Irradiation on Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composites with Bacterial Cellulose

The development of biodegradable packaging materials, especially from renewable resources is a constant preoccupation of nowadays, because of the environmental problems caused by synthetic polymers. The combination of cellulose with other polymeric materials could be an ecologic alternative and a way to use renewable resources for food packaging. Bacterial cellulose which is produced by microbial fermentation is also a promising material which can be used not only in biomedical application, but also as food packaging material. In this research different composite films between poly(vinyl alcohol)-bacterial cellulose (PVA-BC) were obtained by casting method. The obtained films were UV irradiated for different periods of times from 1 to 10 hours, using a mercury lamp, Philips TUV-30, emitting light mainly at 254 nm. Changes in FT-IR spectra before and after UV irradiation and the modification of transparency and of the swelling characteristics of the films were observed. As it was expected the composites materials are sensitive at UV exposure.     

A convenient synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine‐4,6‐dione and pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine‐5,7‐dione derivatives

Pyrazolo‐[3,4‐d]pyrimidine‐4,6‐diones 5 and pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine‐5,7‐diones 7 were synthesized by Curtius rearrangement of pyrazolic mono‐esters 2 and 3 followed by hetero‐cyclization via the ureas derivatives 4 and 6 under alkaline conditions.     

Gold layers on untreated and plasma-treated substrates of quaternized polysulfones

Thin gold layers were sputtered on the quaternized polysulfones (containing different tertiary amines—N,N-dimethylethylamine and N,N-dimethyloctylamine, respectively) surfaces unmodified and modified by low-pressure and high-frequency plasma treatment. Adhesion and morphological aspects of complex structures were studied for different gold sputtering and plasma treatment times. Water contact angle, atomic force microscopy, and surface properties reveal that adhesion increases with gold sputtering and plasma treatment times. Values of the mean adhesion force between cantilever and the studied surfaces, measured from AFM investigation, were correlated with quaternized polysulfone structures, modification of hydrophobicity after plasma treatment, and gold deposition on polymer surfaces.     

Wastes from Wood Extraction Used in Composite Materials: Behavior after Accelerated Weathering

New materials were obtained by incorporating in polypropylene (PP) matrix 60% wood wastes resulting after extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide, water, and ethanol. Structural, mechanical, thermal, and rheological characterizations, as well as moisture uptake of the composites, were evaluated before and after accelerated weathering. It was found that the extraction method influenced the composite properties due to the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance. The addition of extracted fibers results in an increase in hardness and tensile properties and a decrease of impact strength as compared to PP.     

Affinity capillary electrophoresis to evaluate the complex formation between poliovirus and nanobodies

It was demonstrated that nanobodies with an in vitro neutralizing activity against poliovirus type 1 interact with native virions. Here, the use of capillary electrophoresis was investigated as an alternative technique for the evaluation of the formation of nanobody–poliovirus complexes, and therefore predicting the in vitro neutralizing activity of the nanobodies. The macromolecules are preincubated offline in a specific nanobody‐to‐virus ratio and analyzed by capillary electrophoresis with UV detection. At low nanobody‐to‐virus ratios, a clear shift in migration time of the viral peak was observed. A broad peak was obtained, indicating the presence of a heterogeneous population of nanobody–virion complexes, caused by the binding of different numbers of nanobodies to the virus particle. At elevated nanobody‐to‐virus ratios, a cluster of peaks appeared, showing an additional increase in migration times. It was shown that, at these high molar excesses, aggregates were formed. The developed capillary electrophoresis method can be used as a rapid, qualitative screening for the affinity between poliovirus and nanobodies, based on a clearly visible and measurable shift in migration time. The advantages of this technique include that there is no need for antigen immobilization as in enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays or surface plasmon resonance for the use of radiolabeled virus or for the performance of labor‐ and time‐intensive plaque‐forming neutralization assays.     

New PP/PLA/cellulose composites: effect of cellulose functionalization on accelerated weathering behavior (accelerated weathering behavior of new PP/PLA/cellulose composites)

Polylactic acid (PLA) was used as partial replacement for conventional thermoplastic matrix, new composites comprising cellulose, polypropylene (PP), and PLA being realized. In order to obtain a compatible interface between cellulosic pulp and polymeric matrix, two chemical modifications of cellulose with stearoyl chloride and toluene di‐isocyanate (TDI) were performed, structural changes being evidenced by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The composite materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic scanning calorimetry, impact, tensile and melt rheological tests, surface tension, and dynamic vapor sorption. Because promising results for impact strength and Young modulus were recorded when replacing 15% of PP with PLA in blends of PP with the same cellulosic pulp load, the aim of our study was to assess the behavior to accelerate weathering of composites comprising PP, cellulosic pulp, and PLA. Although the slight decrease in the mechanical properties was recorded after accelerated weathering, the use of functionalized cellulose successfully prevented the deterioration of surface materials, especially for composite comprising stearoyl chloride treated cellulose pulp. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Behavior of biodegradable composites based on starch reinforced with modified cellulosic fibers

The aims of this study were to develop composite films based on potato starch and cellulose modified with toluenediisocyanate, to investigate their morphology and structure, and to evaluate their behavior to enzymatic hydrolysis and their potential use to manufacture of biodegradable seedling pots. The effects of modified cellulosic fibers upon mechanical properties and biodegradability of composite materials based on starch matrix were investigated by tensile strength tests, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and dynamic vapor sorption. The behavior of the films to enzymatic hydrolysis with amylase and cellulase was studied; the kinetic of enzymatic hydrolysis and characterization of materials are reported. Chemical modification of cellulose improves tensile strength with about 47%, and decreases the biodegradability of composites making them more resistant to microbial attack, thus prolonging their shelf life. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polytriphenylamines synthesized by interfacial and microemulsion oxidative polymerization

Two triphenylamine-based polymers were successfully prepared by the interfacial and microemulsion oxidative polymerization of triphenylamine and 4-(diphenylamino)benzyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate. Ammonium peroxodisulfate ((NH₄)₂S₂O₈) was used as a chemical oxidant and dichloromethane/water was used as a solvent. Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate was employed as a surfactant in the microemulsion system. Polytriphenylamines were characterized via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and ¹H-NMR and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. Molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography and redox properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The surface morphology of thin polymer films was determined by atomic force microscopy.