Mechanical and thermal properties of poly-ether ether ketone reinforced with CaCO3

CaCO₃/PEEK (poly-ether ether ketone) composites were prepared on a twin-screw extruder with different mass ratio of CaCO₃/PEEK from 0% to 30%. Four types of particles were used as filler in PEEK matrix. The influence of surface treatment with sulfonated PEEK (SPEEK) of the particles on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites was studied. The experiments included tensile tests, flexural tests, notched Izod impact tests, TGA, DSC and SEM. The modulus and yield stress of the composites increased with CaCO₃ particles loadings. This increase was attributed to the bonding between the particles and the PEEK matrix, as can be proved by the SEM pictures of tensile fracture surface of the composites. The impact strength of the composites was modified by the SPEEK coated on the CaCO₃ particle surface. DSC experiments showed that the particle content and surface properties influenced the glass transition temperature (T_g) and melting temperature (T_m) of the composites. The T_g increased with the content of fillers while T_m decreased. In this study the fillers treated were found to give better combination properties, which indicated that SPEEK played a constructive role in the CaCO₃/PEEK composites.     

Percolation behaviour of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composites

The electrical conductivity of polymer/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites in a powder and in a hot-pressed compacted state, prepared by mechanical mixing, was studied. The semicrystalline ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was used as a polymer matrix. The data clearly evidence the presence of a percolation threshold φ_c at a very small volume fraction of the MWCNTs φ in a polymer matrix, φ_c ≈ 0.0004-0.0007. The ultralow percolation threshold in UHMWPE/MWCNTs thermoplastic composites was explained by high aspect ratio of the nanotubes and their segregated distribution inside the polymer matrix. The method of composite preparation effects the values of percolation threshold concentration φ_c and critical exponent t. A noticeable positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC effect) was observed in the region of temperatures higher than melting point. It was explained by influence of thermal expansion of the polymer matrix and independence from the melting process that is a result of specific structure of conductive phase.     

Reversible anion exchanges between the layered organic-inorganic hybridized architectures: syntheses and structures of manganese(II) and copper(II) complexes containing novel tripodal ligands

Six noninterpenetrating organic-inorganic hybridized coordination complexes, [Mn(3)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2).2 H(2)O (5), [Mn(3)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(2) (6), [Mn(3)(2)(N(3))(2)].2 H(2)O (7), [Cu(3)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (8), [Mn(4)(2)(H(2)O)(SO(4))].CH(3)OH.5 H(2)O (9) and [Mn(4)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (10) were obtained through self-assembly of novel tripodal ligands, 1,3,5-tris(1-imidazolyl)benzene (3) and 1,3-bis(1-imidazolyl)-5-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (4) with the corresponding metal salts, respectively. Their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. The results of structural analysis of complexes 5, 6, 7, and 8 with rigid ligand 3 indicate that their structures are mainly dependant on the nature of the organic ligand and geometric need of the metal ions, but not influenced greatly by the anions and metal ions. While in complexes 9 and 10, which contain the flexible ligand 4, the counteranion plays an important role in the formation of the frameworks. Entirely different structures of complexes 5 and 10 indicate that the organic ligands greatly affect the structures of assemblies. Furthermore, in complexes 5 and 6, the counteranions located between the cationic layers can be exchanged by other anions. Reversible anion exchanges between complexes 5 and 6 without destruction of the frameworks demonstrate that 5 and 6 can act as cationic layered materials for anion exchange, as determined by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and X-ray powder diffraction.     

Sustainable,fire‐resistant phthalonitrile‐based glass fiber composites

The sustainable resveratrol‐based phthalonitrile was used in the preparation of E‐glass fiber‐reinforced phthalonitrile composite panels fabricated by hot pressed prepreg consolidation with bis[4‐(3‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone (m‐BAPS) as the curing additive. This amorphous monomer exhibited excellent viscosities at temperatures below 200 °C, which is applicable to standard processing conditions. Rheometric measurements were used to evaluate the cure of the composite as a function of the postcure conditions. The composite retains >95% of its room temperature storage modulus up to 450 °C based on these postcuring parameters. More importantly, flammability performance of the composite—which was determined in terms of ignitability, heat release, and mass loss rate—excels over other state‐of‐the‐art polymer/glass composites. Even under the most extreme heat fluxes (e.g., 100 kW⋅m⁻²), the composite performs exceptionally well suggesting that resveratrol‐based phthalonitrile composites can be used in fire‐resistant applications. Published 2018.^† J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1128–1132     

FREE VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF LATTICE SANDWICH BEAMS UNDER SEVERAL TYPICAL BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

Free vibration problems of lattice sandwich beams under several typical boundary conditions are investigated in the present paper. The lattice sandwich beam is transformed to an equivalent homogeneous three-layered sandwich beam. Unlike the traditional analytical model in which the rotation angles of the face sheets and the core are assumed the same, different rotation angles are considered in this paper to characterize the real response of sandwich beams. The analytical solutions of the natural frequencies for several typical boundary conditions are obtained. The effects of material properties and geometric parameters on the natural frequencies are also investigated.     

Organo-Polyoxometalate-Based Hydrogen-Bond Catalysis

Several urea-inserted organo-polyoxometalates (POMs) derived from polyoxotungstovanadate [P₂V₃W₁₅O₆₁]⁹⁻ were prepared. The insertion of the carbonyl into the polyoxometallic framework activates the urea toward Hydrogen-bond catalysis. This was shown on the Friedel-Crafts arylation of trans-β-nitrostyrene. Modelling shows that the most stable form of the organo-POMs features a cis-trans arrangement of the two N−H bonds, but that the likely catalytically active trans-trans form is accessible at room temperature. Finally, it is possible that the oxo substituents next to the vanadium atoms may help the approach of the nucleophile via H-bonding.     

Hydrophobic cryogels for DNA adsorption: Effect of embedding of monosize microbeads into cryogel network on their adsorptive performances

As alternative hydrophobic adsorbent for DNA adsorption, supermacroporous cryogel disks were synthesized via free radical polymerization. In this study, we have prepared two kinds of cryogel disks: (i) poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐N‐methacryloyl‐l ‐tryptophan) [p(HEMA‐MATrp)] cryogel containing specific hydrophobic ligand MATrp; and (ii) monosize p(HEMA‐MATrp) particles synthesized via suspension polymerization embedded into p(HEMA) cryogel structure to obtain p(HEMA‐MATrp)/p(HEMA) composite cryogel disks. These cryogel disks containing hydrophobic functional group were characterized via swelling studies, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, surface area measurements and scanning electron microscopy. DNA adsorption onto both p(HEMA‐MATrp) cryogel and p(HEMA‐MATrp)/p(HEMA) composite cryogels was investigated. Maximum adsorption of DNA on p(HEMA‐MATrp) cryogel was found to be 15 mg/g polymer. Otherwise, p(HEMA‐MATrp)/p(HEMA) composite cryogels significantly increased the DNA adsorption capacity to 38 mg/g polymer. Composite cryogels could be used repeatedly without significant loss on adsorption capacity after 10 repetitive adsorption–desorption cycles. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acyclovir release from its composites with silica as a function of the silica matrix modification and the drug loading

Acyclovir release from its composites with unmodified silica at pH 1.6 and 7.4 follows zero order kinetics for two days. Modification of the silica matrix with phenyl groups leads to dramatic decrease in the drug release level at pH 7.4 compared with pH 1.6 as well as to heterogeneous phase state of acyclovir in the phenyl modified composite with high loading of the drug.     

Thermal properties stability of UV irradiated PVA nanohybrid composites

Zn‐Al‐salicylic nanohybrid layers have been prepared and used as fillers for polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Nanohybrid layers of a broad absorption area in UV region were completely and uniformly dispersed in a continuous polymer matrix. PVA and PVA nanohybrid composite (NHC) films were exposed to UV irradiation. Thermal properties (diffusivity, effusivity, and conductivity) of both have been measured through photoacoustic technique before and after UV irradiation. Thermal parameters of PVA suffered from a quick deterioration with UV exposure due to reduction of the phonon mean free path as a result of molecular chain scissions. However, significant stability in such parameters of NHC has been obtained under the influence of UV irradiation. This thermal properties stability may be an important step on the way of obtaining photostable polymer NHC. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel elastomeric poly(D,L-lactide urethane) maleate composites for bone tissue engineering

Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel 4-arm poly(lactic acid urethane)-maleate (4PLAUMA) elastomer and its composites with nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) as potential weight-bearing composite. The 4PLAUMA/nHA ratios of the composites were 1:3, 2:5, 1:2 and 1:1. FTIR and NMR characterization showed urethane and maleate units integrated into the PLA matrix. Energy dispersion and Auger electron spectroscopy confirmed homogeneous distribution of nHA in the polymer matrix. Maximum moduli and strength of the composites of 4PLAUMA/nHA, respectively, are 1973.31 ± 298.53 MPa and 78.10 ± 3.82 MPa for compression, 3630.46 ± 528.32 MPa and 6.23 ± 1.44 MPa for tension, 1810.42 ± 86.10 MPa and 13.00 ± 0.72 for bending, and 282.46 ± 24.91 MPa and 5.20 ± 0.85 MPa for torsion. The maximum tensile strains of the polymer and composites are in the range of 5–93%, and their maximum torsional strains vary from 0.26 to 0.90. The composites exhibited very slow degradation rates in aqueous solution, from approximately 50% mass remaining for the pure polymer to 75% mass remaining for composites with high nHA contents, after a period of 8 weeks. Increase in ceramic content increased mechanical properties, but decreased maximum strain, degradation rate, and swelling of the composites. Human bone marrow stem cells and human endothelial cells adhered and proliferated on 4PLAUMA films and degradation products of the composites showed little-to-no toxicity. These results demonstrate that novel 4-arm poly(lactic acid urethane)-maleate (4PLAUMA) elastomer and its nHA composites may have potential applications in regenerative medicine.