The application of bulk polymerized acrylic and methacrylic interpenetrating polymer networks to noise and vibration damping

Novel acrylic/methacrylic interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were examined by dynamic mechanical spectroscopy for their damping capabilities. While simple homopolymers exhibit high damping properties only over a 20–30°C range, multicomponent polymer systems with controlled degree of miscibility, such as IPNs, may exhibit high damping properties over temperature ranges as broad as approximately 100°C. Two series of IPNs based on poly(n-butyl acrylate) and poly(n-butyl methacrylate) were synthesized and the dynamic mechanical properties were investigated using a Rheovibron. Graphite was incorporated into the poly(n-butyl acrylate) homopolymer and a few IPNs to measure the change in the damping properties. For important IPN compositions, tan δ values between 0.4 and 0.85 were observed over a 75°C plus temperature range. Graphite increased the damping properties of poly(n-butyl acrylate) and the IPNs, as indicated by the tan δ values.     

Interpenetrating polymer networks based on carboxylated nitrile rubber and poly(alkyl methacrylate)s

A series of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) and poly(alkyl methacrylate)s such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) and poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBuMA) were synthesized. The compositions of the IPNs were also varied by changing the swelling time of the rubber in the methacrylate monomer. The tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of the IPNs were studied. The dynamic mechanical properties in the range of 1–10⁵ Hz were obtained by the time‐temperature superposition of the data under multifrequency mode, which indicated high tanδ with good storage modulus in the entire frequency range. This indicates the suitability of these IPNs as vibration and acoustic dampers.     

Interpenetrating polymer networks of poly(butyl methacrylate) and poly(α‐terpineol‐co‐styrene): Synthesis and characterization

Simultaneous interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on poly(butyl methacrylate) and poly(α‐terpineol‐co‐styrene) were synthesized with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator and divinyl benzene as the crosslinking agent in xylene under an inert nitrogen atmosphere. Fourier transform infrared spectra provided structural evidence for the IPNs, indicating characteristic frequencies of ester groups of butyl methacrylate at 1723 cm^?1 and alcoholic groups of α‐terpineol at 3436 cm^?1. Scanning electron microscopy revealed threadlike network structures. Properties such as percentage swelling and average molecular weight between crosslinks were direct functions of the copolymer and initiator (AIBN) concentrations and inverse functions of the monomer (butyl methacrylate) and crosslinking agent (divinyl benzene) concentrations. Differential scanning calorimetry showed an IPN glass‐transition temperature at 80.2°C. The thermal decompositions of the IPNs were established with the help of thermogravimetric analysis. The value of the activation energy, calculated from thermogravimetric analysis with the Coats and Redfern equation, was 23 kJ/mol. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 343–352, 2006     

Dye Sorption and Water Uptake Properties of Crosslinked Acrylamide/Sodium Methacrylate Copolymers and Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Composed of PEG

A series of novel semi-interpenetrating polymer networks hydrogels composed of poly(ethylene glycol) and random copolymer of acrylamide/sodium methacrylate were prepared by polymerization of aqueous solution of acrylamide, sodium methacrylate using ammonium persulphate/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine as a redox-initiating pair in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate as crosslinker. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the presence of different repeating units in the semi IPNs. Water uptake and dye-sorption properties of acrylamide/sodium methacrylate hydrogels and acrylamide/sodium methacrylate/poly(ethylene glycol) semi IPNs were investigated as a function of chemical composition of the hydrogels. Cationic dye, Janus Green B have been used in sorption studies as a model molecule. This study has given the quantitative information on the swelling and sorption characteristic of acrylamide/sodium methacrylate hydrogels and acrylamide/sodium methacrylate/poly(ethylene glycol) semi IPNs in many potential applications.     

Studies on IPNS based on nitrile rubber and polyalkyl methacrylates

Sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on nitrile rubber and various types of polyalkyl methacrylates such as poly(n-butyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate), and poly(methyl methacrylate) were synthesized. The compositions of the IPNs could be varied by varying the reaction parameters such as swelling time and concentration of crosslinker. The tensile properties of the IPNs show that with increase in bulkiness of the ester group of the acrylates the tensile strength decreases, whereas elongation at break increases because of decreased stiffness of the acrylate phase. The dynamic modulus and loss tangent of the IPNs also show similar trend because of the above reason. All the IPNs were also tested for dynamic properties under multifrequency mode, and with the help of the WLF equation, the behavior of these IPNs in the frequency range of 1–10⁵ Hz were evaluated. The results showed reasonably high tan δ with good storage modulus in the entire frequency range for all the IPNs. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polm Sci 65:549–554, 1997     

Sequential interpenetrating polymer network based on nitrile–phenolic blend and poly(alkyl methacrylate)

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on a nitrile rubber (NBR)–phenolic resin (PH) blend and poly(alkyl methacrylates) were synthesized by a sequential method. The cured blends were swollen in a methacrylate monomer containing a crosslinker and initiator. The swollen rubber sheets were cured at 60°C. From the swelling study of the monomer, it was found that IPN formation in the blend is in between the rubber and poly(alkyl methacrylate) phases only. The IPNs thus formed were characterized for their tensile, dynamic mechanical, and solvent-resistance characteristics. The tensile strength of the IPNs are dependent on the PH content; at a lower content of PH (up to 20 parts), IPNs have a higher strength compared to their corresponding blends, whereas at a higher content of PH (beyond 30 parts), the strength decreases. But for every NBR/PH-fixed composition, the strength of IPNs was found to be increasing in the order of PBuMA < PEMA < PMMA. The dynamic property results showed that NBR/PH blends are incompatible. The storage modulus of IPNs are always higher than their corresponding blends at all temperatures. The tan δ peaks of IPNs are broad, indicating the presence of microphase-separated domains. The IPNs show superior solvent-resistance characteristics compared to the blends. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68:255–262, 1998     

Preparation,morphology, and thermoelectric property studies of BaTiO3 superfine fiber/castor oil polyurethane‐based IPN nanocomposites

A series of castor oil polyurethane/poly(methyl methacrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and gradient IPNs, cured at room temperature, were prepared by a simultaneous IPN method. The polymerization processes were traced through IR techniques; results for the morphology and miscibility among multiple phases of materials, obtained by transmission electron microscopy, indicated that the systems belonged to graft‐mode IPNs, and the domains between two phases were controlled on a nanometer scale. Thermomechanical analysis detection results showed that through interpenetration between networks, the glass‐transition temperatures of the systems could be linked up effectively. Furthermore, the systems were combined with selected barium titanate superfine fibers. The composite techniques were determined, and the thermoelectric and mechanical properties were examined in detail. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 709–715, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10024     

Dynamic‐mechanical behavior of hydrophobic–hydrophilic interpenetrating copolymer networks

Sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were prepared by free‐radical polymerization. One of the components of the IPN was a poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) network, and the other one was a poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymer network. Dynamic‐mechanical experiments show that the IPNs are phase separated: two main α relaxations occur in all samples, the low temperature one corresponding to the PBA network and that appearing at higher temperature due to the copolymer network. The latter shows a shape analogous to a pure poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) network independently of the copolymer composition. The influence of water absorption on the dynamic‐mechanical spectrum shows that only a small amount of water reaches the butyl acrylate segments. The dependence of the mechanical behavior of the poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymer networks with the copolymer composition has been also analyzed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:930–937, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel: from a brittle material to a nanofilled semi‐interpenetrating polymer network with potential application in wound dressings

In this work we report the photopolymerization of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) together with a hydrophilic chitosan derivate (carboxymethyl‐chitosan) to yield a semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) that was filled with poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam)/poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate) core–shell nanogels in order to enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels. The mechanical properties of the nanofilled semi‐IPNs were found to be more suitable for wound dressing applications than the PHEMA hydrogel as described by dynamic mechanical analysis in dry form and submerged in water. This was evidenced by a higher Young's modulus and higher elongation at break in the semi‐IPNs compared to blank PHEMA hydrogels. Furthermore, when the hydrogels were filled with nanogels, there was an elongation at break similar to that of skin with only a slightly lower Young's modulus. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermomechanical properties and morphology of interpenetrating polymer networks of polyurethane–poly(methyl methacrylate)

Interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of polybutadiene‐based polyurethane (PU) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were synthesized. The effect of the incorporation of 2% glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2‐HEMA) on the thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of IPNs was investigated. Both 2‐HEMA and GMA led to improvements in these properties. However, 2‐HEMA‐containing IPNs showed somewhat better tensile strength, elongation, and damping characteristics. The morphology of IPNs containing 2‐HEMA showed better mixing of the components. The improvement in the properties was observed for up to 40% PMMA in the IPNs. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms showed the presence of three glass transitions. The third glass‐transition temperature was explained by possible grafting of methyl methacrylate onto PU. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1576–1585, 2002     

Interpenetrating polymer networks of castor oil polyester and poly(methyl methacrylate)

The physical and mechanical properties of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and semi-I IPNs of the castor oil polyester network and poly(methyl methacrylate) were investigated. In the semi-I IPNs, the second component was a copolymer of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene (PS) or poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PnBA). The dynamic mechanical properties indicated the semi-I IPNs to be more compatible than the IPNs. The degree of molecular mixing was higher than that for IPNs. The impact strength showed a gradual increase with the increase in the percentage of PS or PnBA in the copolymer. The effect of the copolymerization of the second component on transparency was investigated. The transparency of the semi-I IPNs increased with the increasing composition of PnBA, but reduced with the increasing composition of PS. These results are discussed in light of existing theories.     

Behavior of semi IPN hydrogels composed of PEG and AAm/SMA copolymers in swelling and uptake of Janus Green B from aqueous solutions

Semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi IPN) hydrogels of poly(ethylene glycol; PEG) were prepared as a water adsorbent for dye (Janus Green B) sorption. For this, PEG and copolymer of acrylamide/sodium methacrylate (AAm/SMA) were prepared by polymerization of aqueous solution of acrylamide (AAm), sodium methacrylate (SMA) using ammonium persulfate (APS)/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) as redox initiating pair in presence of PEG and poly(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) as crosslinker. FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify the presence of different repeating units in the semi IPNs. Some swelling and diffusion characteristics were calculated for different semi IPNs and hydrogels prepared under various formulations. Water uptake and dye sorption properties of AAm/SMA hydrogels and AAm/SMA/PEG semi IPNs were investigated as a function of chemical composition of the hydrogels. Janus Green B have used in sorption studies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Behavior of polyoxyethylene‐containing interpenetrating polymer networks and their LiCLO4 complexes as phase transfer catalysts and ionic conductors

Simultaneous grafted interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on [castor oil–poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)] polyurethane and poly(alkyl methacrylate) were synthesized by simultaneously coupling castor oil and PEG with 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate and by radical polymerization of alkyl methacrylate with castor oil. The gel content of the IPNs is ～96% in most cases. The IPNs were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. The effects of compositional variation of the IPNs on phase transfer catalytic efficiency and mechanical properties, and conductivity of the IPNs complexed with LiClO₄ were also studied. The results show that the IPNs have good phase transfer catalytic ability in the Williamson reaction and exhibit a maximum conversion of potassium phenolate at 55% polyoxyethylene (PEO). The phase transfer catalytic ability of the IPN increases with molecular weight of PEG used in the IPN synthesis and with the length of alkyl groups of the grafts, but decreases with increasing crosslinking degree. The complex of the IPNs with LiClO₄ exhibits good ionic conductivity at room temperature in the range 10^?5–3 × 10^?4 S/cm. This ionic conductivity decreases with increasing either the crosslinking degree or the molecular weight of PEG used, but increases with increasing PEO content. The more compatible are the grafts with PEO, the lower is the conductivity. Either butyl methacrylate or ethyl methacrylate is a good choice for the monomer in the synthesis of the IPNs for use as phase transfer catalysts and ion conducting materials. The IPNs showed high tensile strength in the range 10–20 MPa. The good mechanical properties of the IPNs favor their applications as a strong solid polymer electrolyte film and an easily recoverable phase transfer catalyst. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 830–836, 2003     

Blood protein adsorption onto macroporous semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and assessment of in vitro blood compatibility

This work reports a study of the adsorption of fibrinogen (Fgn) onto the surface of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA). The semi‐IPNs were prepared by polymerizing 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate with a redox system and in the presence of PEG and crosslinker ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate. The proposed spongy IPNs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and environmental scanning electron microscopy methods, and network structural parameters, such as molecular weight between crosslinks and crosslink density, were calculated using swelling measurements. The adsorption of Fgn was carried out onto the spongy IPNs and kinetic constants of the adsorption process as well as isotherm constants were evaluated. The adsorption process was also studied under varying pH, ionic strengths, and chemical architecture of the IPNs. The anti‐thrombogenic behaviour of the polymer matrices was judged using in vitro tests. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Radiation synthesis and environmental responsiveness of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks composed of poly(dimethyl–aminoethyl methacrylate) and poly(ethylene oxide)

Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) composed of poly(dimethyl–aminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were synthesized by γ‐radiation; three semi‐IPNs with 80 : 20, 90 : 10, and 95 : 5 weight ratios of DMAEMA/PEO were obtained by use of this technique. The gel–dose curves showed that the hydrogels were characterized by a structure typical of semi‐IPNs and the results of elemental analysis supported this point. The temperature‐induced phase transition of semi‐IPNs with the composition of 95 : 5 was still retained, with the lower critical solution temperature of PDMAEMA shifting from 40 to 27°C. The temperature sensitivity of the other two semi‐IPNs gradually disappeared. The pH sensitivity of three semi‐IPNs was still retained but the pH shifted slightly to lower values with increasing PEO content in the semi‐IPNs. The effect of PEO content in semi‐IPNs on their environmental responsiveness was discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2995–3001, 2004     

Comparison of viscoelastic properties of polydimethylsiloxane/poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) IPNs with their physical blends

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) were prepared by sequential method. The dynamic mechanical parameters of obtained IPNs and their variations with the structural composition were evaluated. The results for the IPNs were compared with corresponding physically blended systems. The tensile properties and damping factor (tan δ) were assessed by stress–strain measurement and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), respectively. The glass–rubber transition temperature (T_g) was assessed by DMTA and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed higher tensile strength and elongation at break for IPNs than those for physical blends. The shifts of T_g for that two components that make up the IPNs were greater than those for corresponding blends. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3480–3485, 2002     

Epoxy resin–poly(ethyl methacrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks: Morphology,mechanical, and thermal properties

Full (interpenetrating networks (IPNs)) and semi-IPNs of the epoxy resin and poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) were prepared by the sequential mode of synthesis. These were characterized with respect to their mechanical properties, namely, tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus, and toughness. Thermal properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The morphological features were studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarized light microscopy. The effects of variation of the blend ratios on the above-mentioned properties were examined. There was a gradual decrease of modulus and tensile strength with consequent increases in elongation at break and toughness for both types of IPNs with increases in PEMA content. The weight retentions in the thermal decomposition of both the semi-IPNs and full IPNs were higher than the epoxy homopolymer. This enhancement was presumably related to the presence of the unzipped ethyl methacrylate monomer, which acted as radical scavengers in the epoxy degradation. An inward shift and lowering (with respect to pure epoxy) of the T_g of the IPNs was observed. The polarized light microscopy exhibits bimodal distribution of particle sizes. The fractography as studied by SEM shows change in fracture mechanics from shear yielding to crazing with increasing PEMA content. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:1051–1059, 1998     

Thermodynamic characterization of interpenetrating polymer networks

Crosslinked poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-c), poly(carbonate-urethane) (PCU-c), poly(vinyl pyridine) (PVP-c), and full, simultaneous interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on the above polymers were characterized by precise heat capacity (C_p) measurements in the temperature interval 4.2–450 K. The raw values of C_p scaled with temperature (T) as C_p ∼ T^d with d = 2 and 5/3, as expected for a fracton-like vibration regime, in the temperature intervals 8–10 and 10–30 K, respectively. A single glass transition temperature (T_g) and two T_g's were observed for apparently homogeneous and microphase-separated IPNs, respectively. Judged by the positive sign of the excess Gibbs free energy, the apparently single-phase state of homogeneous IPNs is thermodynamically unstable; however, its kinetic stability is ensured by permanent topological constraints (network junctions) prohibiting the incipient phase separation.     

Polyurethane–poly(methyl methacrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks. I. Synthesis,characterization, and preliminary blood compatibility studies

Simultaneous polyurethane–poly(methyl methacrylate) (PU–PMMA) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were synthesized with the PMMA polymerization initiated at room temperature. Transparent IPNs with better miscibility and synergism of mechanical properties were obtained. Dynamic mechanical analysis data indicated that up to 30% PMMA can be incorporated into PU networks without substantial phase separation. The PU–PMMA 90/10 IPNs elicit less than 2% hemolysis, suggesting that these materials could be used as blood contacting materials. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Swelling behavior of semi‐interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(acrylamide‐co‐sodium methacrylate)

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylamide‐co‐sodium methacrylate) poly(AAm‐co‐SMA) were prepared by the semi IPN method. These IPN hydrogels were prepared by polymerizing aqueous solution of acrylamide and sodium methacrylate, using ammonium persulphate/N,N,N¹,N¹‐tetramethylethylenediamine (APS/TMEDA) initiating system and N,N¹‐methylene‐bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker in the presence of a host polymer, poly(vinyl alcohol). The influence of reaction conditions, such as the concentration of PVA, sodium methacrylate, crosslinker, initiator, and reaction temperature, on the swelling behavior of these IPNs was investigated in detail. The results showed that the IPN hydrogels exhibited different swelling behavior as the reaction conditions varied. To verify the structural difference in the IPN hydrogels, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to identify the morphological changes in the IPN as the concentration of crosslinker varied. In addition to MBA, two other crosslinkers were also employed in the preparation of IPNs to illustrate the difference in their swelling phenomena. The swelling kinetics, equilibrium water content, and water transport mechanism of all the IPN hydrogels were investigated. IPN hydrogels being ionic in nature, the swelling behavior was significantly affected by environmental conditions, such as temperature, ionic strength, and pH of the swelling medium. Further, their swelling behavior was also examined in different physiological bio‐fluids. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 302–314, 2005