The microenvironment in polymer solids with added plasticizers. An attempt to measure the size and distribution of free volume in poly(methyl methacrylate) solids

Various amounts of n-alkylbenzenes (C_n: C₆H₅-C_nH_2n+1 (n = 3-16)) were doped into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films, and the emission and thermal properties of each film were measured in detail together with their solid-state ¹³C NMR spectra. The aim of the present work was to estimate the size distribution of free volume in amorphous regions of polymer solids heavily doped with plasticizers by using C_n as models of a plasticizer. The excimer fluorescence yields of C_n in PMMA were found to depend on both the amount of C_n and the length of the alkyl chains of C_n, although the fluorescence spectra of all of the C_ns in dilute fluid solution were almost the same. The quantitative analysis showed: (1) C_n with n ? 12 induces a phase separation in PMMA, in which almost all of the C_n molecules are in a separated phase, and thus they cannot penetrate regions in which PMMA chains are aggregated. This means that C_n with n ? 12 cannot enlarge the space between PMMA chains. (2) Smaller C_n (n < 11) can enter free volumes between PMMA chains that correspond to their molecular size, but they can enlarge them only to a limited extent. Thus, the amount by which plasticization can increase the free volume of PMMA is limited by the size of the dopant and the inherent free volume of the polymer matrix. (3) The efficiency of excimer formation was found to reveal the maximum amount of C_n that could fit in the free volume of PMMA. Thus our fluorescence measurements showed that PMMA solids that were plasticized to their limit had a free volume that was larger than the volume occupied by all the conformers of C₅ and smaller than the volume occupied by almost all the conformers of C₁₂. In conclusion, we were able to obtain information on plasticization and to demonstrate a method of monitoring microenvironments in polymer solids after they have been doped with plasticizers.     

Influence of sorbed carbon dioxide on transition temperatures of poly(p-phenylene sulphide)

Static pressure usually increases the transition temperatures of polymers by decreasing their free volume. If the pressurizing medium is soluble in the polymer matrix, the opposing effect of increasing the free volume is possible. Those shifts of transition temperatures were monitored with a medium-pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) device. The influences of sorbed and surrounding gas molecules are demonstrated by changes occurring in the transition temperature regions. The results show the severe plasticizing effect of CO₂ on poly(p-phenylene sulphide) (PPS). The glass transition temperature T_G and the temperature of crystallization T_C are influenced by sorbed gas molecules. They decrease due to sorbed CO₂ molecules. Glass transition is lowered, but is difficult to interpret, as relaxation phenomena which diminish with increasing pressure occur during DSC runs. In crystallites no gas solution is usually possible, so that the melting point of PPS is mainly affected by influences other than plasticization.     

Influence of plasticizers and crosslinking on the properties of biodegradable films made from sodium caseinate

Plasticized protein films were prepared by the casting method from water solution of sodium caseinate and plasticizers with the aim to obtain environmentally friendly materials for packaging applications. Mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation and Young’s modulus) of caseinate based films were determined versus ratio of protein to plasticizer, plasticizer type and relative humidity conditions. Among the different polyol-type plasticizers tested, glycerol (Gly) and triethanolamine (TEA) were the most efficient for the improvement of mechanical properties (high strains for low stresses). Further, chemical crosslinking between formaldehyde (HCHO) and free amino groups (ε-NH₂) of sodium caseinate was performed to increase water resistance of TEA plasticized films. Optimal mechanical properties, i.e. elastic modulus of 105 MPa, tensile strength of 8-9 MPa for elongation at break about 110-125% were obtained for HCHO/ε-NH₂ ratios higher than 1.35. Protein specific water solubility was determined from a 280 nm absorbance. For convenient crosslinker (HCHO) content sodium caseinate solubility can be lowered to less than 5 wt% after 24 h immersion in water.     

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) hydrogel confined in a hydrophobous porous matrix

A series of interpenetrated polymer networks (IPNs) in which the first component is a porous poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) hydrophobic network and the second one is a poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) hydrophilic network were synthesized. Equilibrium sorption isotherms can be reduced to a single master curve for all the IPNs when the water absorbed is expressed per gram of PHEA in them. The equilibrium water sorption in immersion is always much smaller than that of pure PHEA. This feature is due to the confining effect of the stiff PEMA matrix. The plasticizing effect of the absorbed water on the PHEA phase was characterized using thermally stimulated depolarization currents, dynamic-mechanical analysis and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. The results show that the shift of the main relaxation peak towards lower temperatures is unaffected by the presence of the PEMA matrix, and only depends on the water content per gram of PHEA in the IPN.     

Effect of moisture content on the heat-sealing property of starch films from different botanical sources

In this study, we investigated the differences in the crystallinity of starch films (mung bean, water chestnut, sweet potato, and cassava starches) with different moisture contents stored in different humidity conditions (11%, 22%, 33%, 43%, 54%, 75%, and 84%) and evaluated their thermal adhesion and sealing properties. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed an association between the degree of crystallinity and the moisture content in starch films: crystallinity decreased with an increase in the moisture content. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis showed that films with low moisture content failed to completely adhere, but films with a high moisture content and lower crystallinity showed good adherence, with two films perfectly adhered at the same temperature because water molecules acted as a mobility enhancer. The peeling test demonstrated the failure modes of the heat-bound films. The cassava starch film, which had a low amylose content and crystallinity, showed better adhesion compared to other starch films.     

Molecular structure and properties of cellulose acetate chemically modified with caprolactone

Cellulose acetate (CA) with a degree of substitution of 1.7 was modified with caprolactone (CL) under various reaction conditions in an internal mixer. Processing temperature changed from 120 to 220 °C, while reaction time varied between 5 and 45 min. The composition and structure of the polymer was analyzed by various methods including FTIR, MALDI-TOF and NMR spectroscopy and its mechanical characteristics were determined by dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing. The results indicate that homopolymerization occurs under relatively mild conditions, while grafting requires higher temperatures and longer times. Grafted polycaprolactone (gPCL) chains are attached mainly to positions 2 and 6 of the glucose ring and their length increases with increasing reaction time and temperature, but the chains are always much shorter than those obtained in solution polymerization. Changes in the degree of substitution during grafting are small indicating that homopolymerization proceeds easier than grafting. Grafting seems to be easier in cellulose acetate with a larger degree of substitution in spite of the smaller number of active -OH groups present. Internal plasticization is more efficient than the external plasticizing effect of monomeric caprolactone. Plasticization results in a decrease of stiffness and strength, but deformability increases only slightly.     

Polylactide (PLA)-CaSO4 composites toughened with low molecular weight and polymeric ester-like plasticizers and related performances

Large amounts of stable β-anhydrite II (AII), a specific type of dehydrated gypsum and a by-product of lactic acid production process, can be melt-blended with bio-sourced and biodegradable polylactide (PLA) to produce economically interesting novel composites with high tensile strength and thermal stability.To enhance their toughness, while preserving an optimal stiffness, selected low molecular weight plasticizers (bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate and glyceryl triacetate) and polymeric adipates with different molecular weights have been mixed with a specific PLA (l/d isomer ratio of 96/4) and 40 wt% of AII using an internal kneader. Addition of up to 10 wt% plasticizer into these highly filled compositions can trigger a fourfold increase of the impact strength with respect to the compositions without any modifier, cold crystallization properties and a significant decrease of their glass transition temperature. Moreover, these ternary compositions (PLA-AII-plasticizer) are clearly characterized by easier processing, notable thermo-mechanical performances and good filler dispersion. This study represents a new approach in formulating novel melt-processable polyester grades with improved characteristic features using PLA as biodegradable polymer matrix.     

Plasticization of poly(lactide) with blends of tributyl citrate and low molecular weight poly(d,l-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers

Polylactide (PLA) is a potential candidate for the partial replacement of petrochemical polymers because it is biodegradable and produced from annually renewable resources. Characterized by its high tensile strength, unfortunately the brittleness and rigidity limit its applicability. For a great number of applications such as packaging, fibers, films, etc., it is of high interest to formulate new PLA grades with improved flexibility and better impact properties.In order to develop PLA-based biodegradable packaging, the physico-mechanical properties of commercially available PLA should be modified using biodegradable plasticizers. To this end, PLA was melt-mixed with blends of tributyl citrate and more thermally stable low molecular weight block copolymers based on poly(d,l-lactide) and poly(ethylene glycol) of different molecular weights and topologies. The copolymers have been synthesized using a potassium based catalyst which is expected to be non toxic and were characterized by utilization of TGA, GPC and NMR techniques.The effect of the addition of up to 25 wt% plasticizer on the thermo-mechanical properties of PLA was investigated and the results were correlated with particular attention to the relationship between properties and applications.To confirm the safety of the catalyst used for the preparation of the copolymers, in vitro cytotoxicity tests have been carried out using MTS assay and the results show their biocompatibility in the presence of the fibroblast cells.Compost biodegradation experiments carried out using neat and plasticized PLA have shown that the presence of plasticizers accelerates the degradation of the PLA matrix.     

氯化镁增塑改性聚乙烯醇

以氯化镁为增塑剂, 采用流延法制备了增塑改性聚乙烯醇(PVA). 研究了氯化镁与PVA的相互作用以及氯化镁增塑改性PVA的结晶性能、 热性能和机械性能. 研究结果表明, 氯化镁能与PVA大分子发生较强的相互作用, 从而破坏PVA分子链内和链间的氢键, 降低PVA的结晶度. 氯化镁对PVA的热性能影响显著, PVA在加入氯化镁后的热分解过程由纯PVA的两段失重过程转变成三段失重过程. 氯化镁可有效增塑PVA, 其玻璃化转变温度降低, 拉伸强度下降, 断裂伸长率上升, 储能模量下降.