Preparation and characterization of poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene‐co‐ethylvinyl ether)/poly(styrene acrylate) core–shells and SiO2 nanocomposite films via a solution mixing method

Nanocomposite particles of poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene‐co‐ethylvinyl ether) [poly(CTFE‐co‐EVE)]/poly(styrene acrylate) (PSA)/SiO₂ were prepared with poly(CTFE‐co‐EVE)/PSA [CS(FS); core–shell (CS) fluoro surfactant (FS)] and hydrophilic SiO₂ nanoparticles by a solution mixing method. This method yielded a homogeneous dispersion of hydrophilic SiO₂ nanoparticles in the CS(FS) matrix. The nanocomposite particle composition was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. A slight improvement in the thermal stability was observed and the glass‐transition temperature of the nanocomposite particles increased compared with the CS(FS) matrix. A remarkable enhancement was observed in the mechanical properties with an increase in the tensile strength from 1.1 to 6.2 MPa and with an increase in the elongation at break from 209.6 to 350.1% for the films with 15 wt % SiO₂. The presence of a wettable PSA shell on the fluorocore made interaction possible with SiO₂; this made it more hygroscopic with a decent water uptake capacity and an enhanced water contact angle. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2012     

Poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate)/Ag composite microspheres: One‐pot fabrication and application as catalyst

Waxberry‐like poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate)/Ag composite microspheres have been prepared simply and directly via a one‐step self‐assembly approach. The morphology, formation, and catalytic activity of the as‐prepared composite microspheres are further investigated. The difference in the solubility among different segments of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate) is the basis of the formation of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate) microspheres, while the ? CN groups on the surface of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate) microspheres play an important role in the growth process from poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate) microsphere to poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate)/Ag composite microsphere. It is found that bulk quantities of composite microspheres with high density of Ag nanoparticles on the surface can be obtained readily by controlling the concentration of AgNO₃. The as‐prepared composite microsphere exhibits excellent catalytic activity on reduction of p‐nitrophenol. This study may shed some light on the self‐assembly of other metal/polymer composite microspheres. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1767–1772, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation,structure, and properties of poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite microspheres with exfoliated montmorillonite through using two‐stage in situ suspension polymerization

Effective encapsulation of montmorillonite intermediate particles (I‐MMT) within poly (vinyl acetate‐co‐methyl methacrylate) (PVAMMA) copolymer by in situ suspension polymerization was performed. The I‐MMT encapsulation, layer exfoliation behavior, chemical composition, particle size distribution and thermostability of PVAMMA/I‐MMT nanocomposite microspheres were characterized by electron microscopies, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), laser particle analyzer, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Swelling behaviors of the nanocomposite microspheres in various cationic salt solutions (NaCl and CaCl₂) and anionic salt solution (NaCl and Na₂SO₄) were also investigated. Results showed that the properties of layer dispersion surface and expansion of these nanocomposite microspheres were well achieved. The synthetic yields of the nanocomposites decreased as the I‐MMT loading increased. These nanocomposite microspheres had an average size from 96.8 μm to 138.4 μm with narrow particle size distribution, loose, and porous surface morphology. XRD patterns clearly proved the exfoliation of MMT layers in the copolymer matrix, which was consistent with TEM analysis. These nanocomposite microspheres showed higher negative zeta potential and higher thermal stability than those of the copolymer microspheres, which was due to the layer exfoliations in encapsulated microspheres. These selected microspheres with 10 to 70 μm diameters provided effectively plugging in the micrometer‐sized core channels through deformation and migration process in plugging experiments, which made them be the candidate materials for modifying the porous reservoir to enhance oil recovery in petroleum engineering. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1104–1116, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Ultrasonochemical‐assisted fabrication and evaporation‐ induced self‐assembly (EISA) of POSS‐SiO2@Ag core/ABA triblock copolymer nanocomposite film

Poly(ethylene glycol)‐octafunctionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) (M_n = 5576.6 g/mol) alloying agent stabilized amphiphilic silica@silver metalloid nanocomposite blended with a triblock copolymer poly(p‐dioxanone‐co‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(p‐dioxanone‐co‐caprolactone) (POSS‐SiO₂@Ag/PPDO‐co‐PCL‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPDO‐co‐PCL) has been synthesized in both water and in organic medium utilizing ultrasonochemical reaction. The POSS stabilized pre‐made metalloid was successfully dispersed in amphiphilic PPDO‐co‐PCL‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPDO‐co‐PCL (ABA) triblock copolymer matrix of molecular weight 45.9 × 10⁴ g/mol. The mechanism of synthesis of high concentration of SiO₂@Ag nanocomposite from TEOS/AgNO₃ (in the presence of NH₄OH as catalyst/NaBH₄ as reductant) nonmetal/metal precursors and the successful EISA of POSS‐SiO₂@Ag/ABA nanocomposite into films has been discussed. The successful synthesis of metalloid nanocomposite was morphologically accessed by field emission‐scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Surface plasmon resonance was ensured from UV–visible spectral analysis. Identity and the crystallinity of as prepared nanocomposite were studied by X‐ray diffractometer. Structural and luminescence properties of the nanocomposite were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence. Thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to study the thermal stability of the resulting hybrid nanocomposite. The resultant inorganic–organic nanocomposite can be easily suspended in water and would be useful in variety of applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1620–1627, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and characterization of ceria nanoparticles supported on poly(4‐vinyl pyridine‐co‐divinyl benzene)

Formation of ceria nanoparticles in 2% divinyl benzene (dvb) crosslinked 4‐vinyl pyridine (4vp) polymer [poly(4vp‐co‐dvb)] microspheres was investigated. The polymer was prepared by free radical suspension polymerization method. Poly(4vp‐co‐dvb)/ceria nanocomposites were prepared by reacting CeCl₃·7H₂O and NaOH in the presence of poly(4vp‐co‐dvb) at room temperature in aqueous media. The mole ratio of the metal to polymer was varied from 2.5 to 10% with an increment of 2.5. The polymer and nanocomposities were characterized by various spectrochemical methods. The coordination of nitrogen atoms of the polymer with Ce(IV) of ceria (CeO₂) has been confirmed from X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The method has yielded ceria nanoparticles in an average size of 15 nm according to transmission electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffractometry and XPS analysis with respect to mole percentage of ceria in the composite are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3439–3445, 2006     

Influence of silica nanoparticles functionalized with poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate)‐g‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone on the mechanical and thermal properties of bismaleimide nanocomposites

The silica nanoparticles functionalized with poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate)‐g‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone (P(BA‐co‐GMA)‐g‐DDS)) were prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization and ring open reaction, and characterized by Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Subsequently, the influence of SiO₂ content on the mechanical and thermal properties for the bismaleimide (BMI) resin nanocomposites modified with pristine SiO₂ and SiO₂‐P(BA‐co‐GMA)‐g‐DDS) was investigated. It was found that SiO₂‐P(BA‐co‐GMA)‐g‐DDS) was more effective as a modifier than pristine SiO₂. The most significant improvement of the impact strength (+108.7%) and flexural strength (+64.5%) was obtained with SiO₂‐P(BA‐co‐GMA)‐g‐DDS) at 0.5 wt% content. Moreover, the thermal properties of nanocomposites were distinctly improved with the addition of functionalized SiO₂. The reasons for these changes were discussed in this article. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:2154–2159, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Gold deposition on Fe3O4/(co)Poly(N‐octadecyl methacrylate) hybrid particles to obtain nanocomposites With ternary intrinsic features

Here, nanocomposite particles with three domains including magnetite nanoparticles, poly(N‐octadecyl methacrylate) (PODMA) or poly(N‐octadecyl methacrylate‐co‐1‐vinylimidazole) (P(ODMA‐co‐VIMZ)), and gold nanoparticles were prepared. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with narrow particle size distribution were prepared through a synthetic route in an organic phase in order to achieve good control of the size and size distribution and prevent their aggregation during their preparation. These magnetite nanoparticles, ～ 5 nm in size, were then encapsulated and well‐dispersed in PODMA and P(ODMA‐co‐VIMZ) matrices via a miniemulsion polymerization process to obtain the corresponding nanocomposite particles. The results revealed that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were encapsulated and did not migrate towards the monomer/water interface during polymerization. The resulting latex was used as a precursor for the adsorption of Au³⁺ ions on the surface of the polymeric particles and subsequent reduction to produce Fe₃O₄/P(ODMA‐co‐VIMZ)/Au nanocomposite particles. The morphology of the particles from each step was fully characterized by TEM and AFM, and the results of DLS analysis showed their size and size distribution. Measurement of magnetic properties illustrated the superparamagnetic characteristic of the products and it was observed that the encapsulation process and deposition of gold had no effect on the magnetic properties of the resulting particles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

High performance electrospun PVdF‐HFP/SiO2 nanocomposite membrane electrolyte for Li‐ion capacitors

Electrospun poly[(vinylidene fluoride)‐co ‐hexafluoropropylene]/silica (PVdF‐HFP/SiO₂) nanocomposite polymer membranes (esCPMs) were prepared by incorporating different weight percentages of SiO₂ nanoparticles onto electrospun PVdF‐HFP by electrospinning technique. The surface morphology of electrospun PVdF‐HFP nanocomposite membranes was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of SiO₂ nanoparticles incorporation onto electrospun PVdF‐HFP polymer membranes (esPMs) has been studied by XRD, DSC, TGA, and tensile analysis. The electrospun PVdF‐HFP/SiO₂ based nanocomposite membrane electrolytes (esCPMEs) were prepared by soaking the corresponding esCPMs into 1 M LiPF₆ in EC:DMC (1:1 vol/vol %). The ionic conductivity of the esCPMEs was studied by AC‐impedance studies and it was found that the incorporation of SiO₂ nanoparticles into PVdF‐HFP membrane has improved the ionic conductivity from 1.320 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 to 2.259 × 10^?3 S cm^?1. The electrochemical stability of the esCPME was studied by linear sweep voltammetry studies and it was found to be 2.87 V. Finally, a prototype LiCo_0.2Mn_1.8O₄//C Li‐ion capacitor (LIC) cell was fabricated with esCPME, which delivered a discharge capacitance of 128 F g^?1 at the current density of 1 A g^?1 and retained 86% of its discharge capacitance even after 10,000 cycles. These results demonstrated that the esCPMEs could be used as promising polymer membrane electrolyte for LICs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45177.     

Preparation and property of raspberry‐like AS/SiO2 nanocomposite particles

Surfactant‐free poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐styrene)/silica (AS/SiO₂) nanocomposite particles was synthesized in the presence of cheap, commercially amorphous aqueous silica sol at ambient temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated silica contents ranging from 5 wt % to 29 wt %, depending on reaction conditions. Particle size distributions and morphologies were studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which clearly showed that most of the colloidal nanocomposites comprised approximately spherical particle with raspberry‐like morphology and relatively narrow size distributions. The optical clarity of solution‐cast nanocomposite films was assessed using UV–vis spectrometer, with high transmission being obtained over the whole visible spectrum. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies showed that the glass transition temperature of AS/SiO₂ nanocomposites can be higher than the corresponding pure AS, resulting from the hydrophilicity of the nanometer silica. The robustness and simplicity of this method may make large‐scale manufacture of this nanocomposite possible. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 415–421, 2007     

Syntheses,characterization, and antibacterial activity of chitosan grafted hydrogels and associated mica‐containing nanocomposite hydrogels

Chitosan (CS) grafted poly[(acrylic acid)‐co‐(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)] (CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA)) at different molar ratios of AA and HEMA, and the associated nanocomposite hydrogels of CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA)/mica were synthesized by radical copolymerization. The grafting positions at the amino or hydroxyl groups in the CS were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA) hydrogels were intercalated in the mica and the amount of hydrogel insertion did not affect the spacing of the silicate layers in mica. The higher mica loadings produced a rougher surface of the nanocomposite hydrogel. The water absorbency of the CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA)/mica nanocomposite hydrogels decreased with increasing levels of mica loading to a lower level than those of the CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA) hydrogels. Both CS‐g‐poly(AA) and CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA)/mica nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited a higher antiproliferative activity against Staphylococcus aureus than did the neat CS hydrogel with CS‐g‐poly(AA) revealing a very pronounced minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 1.56 mg mL^?1. The extent of mica loading in the CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA) nanocomposite hydrogels did not affect the MIC (12.5 mg mL^?1). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Preparation of polymer/silica/polymer tri-layer hybrid materials and the corresponding hollow polymer microspheres with movable cores

Tri-layer poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate)/silica/poly(ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) (P(MAA-co-EGDMA)/SiO₂/PEGDMA) and P(MAA-co-EGDMA)/SiO₂/polydivinylbenzene hybrid microspheres were prepared by distillation precipitation polymerization of ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and divinylbenzene (DVB) in the presence of 3-(methacryloxy)propyl trimethoxysilane (MPS)-modified P(MAA-co-EGDMA)/SiO₂ microspheres as the seeds. The polymerization of EGDMA and DVB was performed in neat acetonitrile with 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator to coat the MPS-modified P(MAA-co-EGDMA)/SiO₂ seeds through the capture of EGDMA and DVB oligomer radicals with the aid of vinyl groups on the surface of modified seeds in the absence of any stabilizer or surfactant. Monodisperse P(MAA-co-EGDMA)/SiO₂ core-shell microspheres were synthesized by coating of a layer of silica onto P(MAA-co-EGDMA) microspheres via a sol-gel process, which were further grafted by MPS incorporating the reactive vinyl groups onto the surface to be used as the seeds for the construction of hybrid microspheres with tri-layer structure. Hollow poly(ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) (PEGDMA) and poly(divinylbenzene) (PDVB) microspheres with movable P(MAA-co-EGDMA) core were subsequently developed after the selective etching of the silica mid-layer from the tri-layer hybrid microspheres in hydrofluoric acid. The morphology and structure of the tri-layer polymer hybrids and the corresponding hollow polymer microspheres with movable P(MAA-co-EGDMA) core were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).     

Bio‐Based Hybrid Magnetic Latex Particles Containing Encapsulated γ ‐Fe2O3 by Miniemulsion Copolymerization of Soybean Oil‐Acrylated Methyl Ester and Styrene

This work reports the use of acrylated fatty acid methyl ester (AFAME) as a biomonomer for the synthesis of bio‐based hybrid magnetic particles poly(styrene‐co‐AFAME)/γ‐Fe₂O₃ produced by miniemulsion polymerization. Poly(styrene‐co‐AFAME)/γ‐Fe₂O₃ can be tailored for use in various fields by varying the content of AFAME. The strategy employed is to encapsulate superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as γ‐Fe₂O₃ into a styrene/AFAME‐based copolymer matrix. Raman spectroscopy is employed to ensure the formation of the SPIONs (γ‐Fe₂O₃) obtained by a co‐precipitation technique followed by oxidation of Fe₃O₄. The functionalization of SPIONs with oleic acid (OA) is carried out to increase the SPIONs–monomer affinity. The presence of OA on the surface of γ‐Fe₂O₃ is certified by identification of main absorption bands by fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal analysis (differential thermogravimetry/differential thermo analysis and differential scanning calorimetry) results of poly(styrene‐co‐AFAME)/γ‐Fe₂O₃ show an increase in AFAME content leading to a lower copolymer glass transition temperature (T _g). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements result in poly(styrene‐co‐AFAME)/γ‐Fe₂O₃ particles with diameter in the range of 100–150 nm. It is also observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cryo‐TEM techniques that γ‐Fe₂O₃ particles are successfully encapsulated into the poly(styrene‐co‐AFAME) matrix.     

ZnO nanoparticles dispersed poly(aniline‐co‐o‐anthranilic acid) composites: Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and Ni(II)

In this report, poly(aniline‐co‐anthranilic acid)/zinc oxide (poly(ANI‐co‐ANA)/ZnO) nanocomposites were prepared by in‐situ chemical oxidative polymerization. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy measurements were used to characterize the resulting pure copolymer and nanocomposite. TEM analysis showed that the nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 15–25 nm were dispersed in the copolymer matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the nanocomposite had a higher decomposition temperature than the pure copolymer. The conductivity measurements showed the resulting nanocomposite possessed higher conductivity as compared to the pure copolymer. Photocatalytic removal of Cr(VI) and Ni(II) from aqueous solution using as‐synthesized nanocomposite under UV‐light irradiation was studied. The reduction patterns of Cr(VI) and Ni(II) were better fitted to first‐order kinetic model. The nanocomposite was also applied as a photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue dye. The result revealed substantial degradation of the dye (∼82%) under UV‐light illumination. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:839–846, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polycarbonate microspheres containing tumor necrosis factor‐α genes and magnetic powder as potential cancer therapeutics

Amphiphilic polycarbonate copolymers including methoxy‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol)‐co‐poly (5,5‐dimethyl trimethylene carbonate) [Poly(PEG‐b‐TMC)] and poly(ethylene glycol)‐co‐poly(trimethylene carbonate) [Poly(PEG‐b‐DTC)] were synthesized. The water‐in‐oil‐in‐water (W/O/W) solvent evaporation technique was adopted to produce anticancer magnetic Poly(PEG‐b‐DTC) microspheres containing tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) genes and Fe₃O₄ magnetic ultrafine powder. Drug release studies showed that the microspheres can sustain a steady release rate of TNF‐α genes in 0.1M phosphate buffer saline solution in vitro for up to 60 h. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that the microspheres have high inhibition and antitumor action to human hepatocellular carcinoma (Bel‐7204) cells in vitro. In vivo inhibition on the growth of hepatic carcinomas and histopathologic observation indicated that the microspheres possess a markedly high antitumor activity to human hepatocellular carcinoma (Bel‐7204). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synthesis of poly[(2‐oxo‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐yl)methyl vinyl ether‐co‐N‐phenylmaleimide] and its miscibility in blends with styrene‐acrylonitrile or poly(vinyl chloride)

The aim of the study was to investigate the synthesis of a copolymer bearing cyclic carbonate and its miscibility with styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) or poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). (2‐Oxo‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐yl)methyl vinyl ether (OVE) as a monomer was synthesized from glycidyl vinyl ether and CO₂ using quaternary ammonium chloride salts as catalysts. The highest reaction rate was observed when tetraoctylammonium chloride (TOAC) was used as a catalyst. Even at the atmospheric pressure of CO₂, the yield of OVE using TOAC was above 80% after 6 h of reaction at 80°C. The copolymer of OVE and N‐phenylmaleimide (NPM) was prepared by radical copolymerization and was characterized by FTIR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopies and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The monomer reactivity ratios were given as r₁ (OVE) = 0.53–0.57 and r₂ (NPM) = 2.23–2.24 in the copolymerization of OVE and NPM. The films of poly(OVE‐co‐NPM)/SAN and poly(OVE‐co‐NPM)/PVC blends were cast from N‐dimethylformamide. An optical clarity test and DSC analysis showed that poly(OVE‐co‐NPM)/SAN and poly(OVE‐co‐NPM)/PVC blends were both miscible over the whole composition range. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 1809–1815, 2000     

Thermal degradation behaviors of phosphorus–silicon synergistic flame‐retardant copolyester

A novel phosphorus‐containing poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) copolyester/nano‐SiO₂ composite (PET‐co‐DDP/SiO₂) was synthesized by in situ polycondensation of terephthalic acid (TPA), ethylene glycol (EG), [(6‐oxide‐6H‐dibenz[c,e] [1,2]oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)‐methyl]‐butanedioic acid (DDP), and nano‐SiO₂. The morphology of PET nanocomposites was observed by using transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. It was found that the SiO₂ nanoparticles were dispersed uniformly at nanoscale in the copolyesters with content 2 wt %. The thermal degradation behavior of PET nanocomposites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis performed with air and nitrogen ambience. The activation energies of thermal degradation were determined using Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods, respectively. The results obtained from Kissinger method showed that the activation energy was increased with the introduction of SiO₂. Moreover, the activation energy is decreased for PET‐co‐DDP system in nitrogen and air. The results also indicated that the SiO₂ and DDP had synergic effect on the early decomposition and the late charring in air. Furthermore, in the PET‐co‐DDP/SiO₂ system, the activation energy increased when the DDP component increased. However, the opposite results were obtained when the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method was used. That was because the Doyle approximation stands correct as the conversion degree is from 5% to 20%. The effects of SiO₂ and DDP on the PET thermal degradation were lower in nitrogen than in air. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Electrical actuation of ionic hydrogels based on polyvinyl alcohol grafted with poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid‐co‐acrylonitrile) chains

Novel electrically conducting composite materials consisting of poly(pyrrole) (PPy) nanoparticles dispersed in a poly(vinyl alcohol)‐g‐poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid‐co‐acrylonitrile) hydrogels were prepared within the polymer matrix by in situ polymerization of pyrrole. The conversion yield of pyrrole into PPy particles was determined gravimetrically while structural confirmation of the synthesized polymer was sought by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and UV‐visible spectroscopy. The morphology of PPy nanoparticles containing hydrogel matrix was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. Electrical conductivity of nanocomposite hydrogels of different compositions was determined by LCR meter while electroactive behavior of nanocomposite hydrogels swollen in electrolyte solutions was investigated by effective bend angle measurements. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Antimicrobial nanocomposites and electrospun coatings based on poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) and copper oxide nanoparticles for active packaging and coating applications

Active biodegradable poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) melt mixed nanocomposites and bilayer structures containing copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were developed and characterized. The bilayer structures consisted of a bottom layer of compression molded PHBV3 (3% mol valerate) coated with an active electrospun fibers mat made with CuO nanoparticles and PHBV18 (18% valerate) derived from microbial mixed cultures and cheese whey. The results showed that the water vapor permeability increased with the CuO addition while the oxygen barrier properties were slightly enhanced by the addition of 0.05 wt % CuO nanoparticles to nanocomposite films but a negligible effect was registered for the bilayer structures. However, the mechanical properties were modified by the addition of CuO nanoparticles. Interestingly, by incorporating highly dispersed and distributed CuO nanoparticles in a coating by electrospinning, a lower metal oxide loading was required to exhibit significant bactericidal and virucidal performance against the food‐borne pathogens Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and murine norovirus. The biodisintegration tests of the samples under composting conditions showed that even the 0.05% CuO‐coated structures biodegraded within 35 days. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45673.     

Structure and Performance of Poly(vinylidene chloride‐co‐vinyl chloride) Porous Membranes with Different Additives

Poly(vinylidene chloride‐co‐vinyl chloride) (P(VDC‐co‐VC) membranes were prepared by non‐solvent‐induced phase separation and adjusted by adding water‐soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG) and water‐insoluble silicon dioxide (SiO₂) hydrophilic nanoparticles. The structure of pores and antifouling performance were investigated to illustrate the effect of these nanoparticles. The cross section of the P(VDC‐co‐VC) membrane exhibited more macropores and the typical finger‐like pores turned into more vertically interconnected ones with increasing PEG content, while the number and size of finger‐like pores became less with increasing SiO₂ content. Considering the filtration and antifouling experiments, the presence of hydrophilic PEG and SiO2 nanoparticles in the P(VDC‐co‐VC) polymer matrix improved the membrane performance in terms of high flux, high BSA rejection ratio, and fouling resistance.     

Effect of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane on properties of poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐maleic anhydride)/silica hybrid materials

The transparent poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐maleic anhydride)/silica [P(BA‐co‐MAn)/SiO₂] has been successfully prepared from butyl acrylate‐maleic anhydride copolymer P(BA‐co‐MAn) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) by an in situ sol–gel process. Triethoxysilyl group can be readily incorporated into P(BA‐co‐MAn) as pendant side chains by the aminolysis of maleic anhydride unit of copolymer with APTES, and then organic polymer/silica hybrid materials with covalent bonds between two phases can be formed via the hydrolytic polycondensation of triethoxysilyl group‐functionalized polymer with TEOS. It was found that the amount of APTES could dramatically affect the gel time of sol–gel system, the sol fraction of resultant hybrid materials, and the thermal properties of hybrid materials obtained. The decomposition temperature of hybrid materials and the final residual weight of thermogravimetry of hybrid both increase with the increasing of APTES. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the morphology of hybrid materials prepared in the presence of APTES was a co‐continual phase structure. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 419–424, 1999