Ethylenically unsaturated polycarbosiloxanes for novel silicone hydrogels: synthesis,end‐group analysis,contact lens formulations,and structure–property correlations

A series of novel mono‐ethylenically unsaturated polycarbosiloxanes macromonomers as compatibilizer materials for soft silicon hydrogels were prepared from the anionic ring‐opening polymerization (AROP) of 2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐2,5‐disila‐1‐oxacyclopentane followed by methacrylation. The characterization was performed by end‐group analysis and included the determination of molecular weight, molecular weight distributions, end‐group functionality, and impurity profiles using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. The synthetic procedure was optimized to minimize the formation of any dimer that would have the potential to act as a low molecular weight cross linker. In addition, the novel di‐ethylenically unsaturated polycarbosiloxanes were synthesized by cationic polymerization. Use of these silicone derivatives was explored in the formulation of contact lenses, and the structure–property relationship was examined. When copoymerized with hydrophilic monomers, these were able to give transparent and wettable films with desired properties, particularly a low moduli for contact lenses. Contact lens with high modulus is often shown to impart a higher degree discomfort when worn upon the eye. It was clear from the structure–property relationship that the modulus and the tensile strength of the formulated material depend on the nature and length of the polycarbosiloxane used and may be tuned for the purpose as needed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phase-Separation Phenomena of Copolymer Solutions and Fractionation of Copolymers by Chemical Composition

Precipitation temperature-total polymer concentration diagrams for toluene solutions of two styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers different in chemical composition and their mixtures were determined and then triangular phase diagrams of this system were constructed from these diagrams. It is speculated from the triangular phase diagrams and experimentally shown that the copolymer may be effectively fractionated by chemical composition in this system.     

Novel test method to estimate bound rubber formation of silica-filled solution styrene-butadiene rubber compounds

Bound rubber formation was investigated in detail by applying various extraction temperatures (at room temperature, 90°C, and 180°C) and novel treatment methods (ammonia bubbling and sonication). Bound rubbers could be divided into three major components of core shell, primary layer including tightly primary layer and occluded rubber, and secondary layer including connecting filament. Bound rubber content of the core shell was measured by four successive procedures of extraction at room temperature, ammonia bubbling, extraction at 180°C and sonication. Bound rubber content of the tightly primary layer was measured by three successive procedures of extraction at 90°C, ammonia bubbling and sonication. Bound rubber content of the primary layer was measured by two successive procedures of extraction at 90°C and sonication.     

Synthesis and properties of polyhydroxyurethane bearing silicone backbone

Polyhydroxyurethane bearing silicone backbone was prepared by polyaddition of silicone diamines with a bifunctional five‐membered cyclic carbonate prepared from the corresponding diepoxide and CO₂. Polymerization in propylene glycol methyl ether acetate proceeded smoothly, and polymers could be obtained in high yields under appropriate conditions. The introduced silicone moieties improved the hydrophobicity and lowered the glass transition temperature keeping thermal stability. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1113–1118     

Synthesis and application of cinnamate-functionalized rubber for the preparation of UV-curable films

A butyl rubber derivative that can be cured upon exposure to UV light in the absence of additional chemical additives was developed. This polymer was prepared by the reaction of hydroxyl-functionalized butyl rubber with cinnamoyl chloride to provide a cinnamate functionalized rubber. The cinnamate content was varied by starting with derivatives prepared from butyl rubber containing either 2 or 7 mol% isoprene. The kinetics of the cross-linking was studied by UV–visible spectroscopy and it was found to vary according to the film thickness. The changes in gel content and volume swelling ratio with irradiation time were dependent on the cinnamate content. Toxicity studies suggested that the cross-linked materials do not leach toxic molecules. The approach was also applied to obtain cross-linked films of butyl rubber-poly(ethylene oxide) graft copolymers, leading to surfaces that resisted the adhesion and growth of cells. Thus the approach is versatile and is of particular interest when non-leaching coatings of cross-linked butyl rubber are desired for biomedical or other applications.     

Nitrile Rubber Reactor Operation Troubleshooting with Principal Component Analysis

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is employed as a tool in order to demonstrate yet another application of the technique, and, most importantly, to show that results from the statistical multivariate technique do make physico-chemical sense. The operation of a typical emulsion copolymerization of acrylonitrile and butadiene (nitrile butadiene rubber, NBR) is used as an example of process troubleshooting. In more general terms, a statistical tool is used to aid process data analysis and process operation (recipe, product property) troubleshooting.

The goal is to produce consistent Mooney Viscosity (MV) among different batches. The observation is that varying induction times lead to Mooney Viscosity inconsistencies. Firstly, we show results from the application of PCA to process data. Secondly, we deal with an even more important (and often ignored) question by examining whether the trends indicated by PCA make process sense.     

Radiation Processed Styrene-Butadiene Rubber/Ethylene-Propylene Diene Rubber/Multiple-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposites: Effect of MWNT Addition on Solvent Permeability Behavior

Different compositions of SBR/EPDM 50:50 blends containing multiple-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) as nanoparticulate fillers (0.5%–10%) were evaluated for radiation sensitivity and solvent permeability. The efficiency of radiation ***cross-linking was analyzed by gel-content and Charlesby–Pinner parameter measurements. ***Gamma-radiation-induced cross-linking extent was found to increase with radiation dose and MWNT concentration, which was reflected in different extents of swelling. Rigorous analysis of swelling and diffusion data, on the basis of the transport exponent (n) values and diffusion/relaxation rate indicated anomalous diffusion behavior for most of the nanocomposites. The swelling extent in different solvents was found to be a function of polymer-solvent interaction as well as stearic hindrance due to the structure/size of the solvent molecules. Polymer-filler interaction investigated by a Kraus plot indicated high reinforcement of the SBR/EPDM matrix on MWNT addition. There was no significant change in surface energy or hydrophilicity of the SBR/EPDM matrix on introduction of MWNT into it.     

高灵敏度Si基纤毛式MEMS湍流传感器

为了满足湍流探测高灵敏度、高分辨率的要求,提出了一种新型纤毛微电子机械系统(MEMS)湍流传感器。基于MEMS技术制作了硅十字梁敏感受力结构,通过橡胶探头的受力振动传递水中的湍流信号,凭借传感器头部的导流罩来保证传感器的高分辨率探测。对MEMS湍流传感器进行理论和仿真分析,其一阶共振频率达到481.04 Hz。经过海洋环境模拟机测试实验,结果显示其在50 MPa压力下保持了完好的结构和良好的性能,验证了其水下的可靠性。在湍流实验平台进行测试,通过比较标定法得出其灵敏度为1.92×10^-4 V·m·s^2/kg,满足海洋湍流测试要求。