Effect of Blend Ratio and Testing Rate on the Adhesion Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR 25)/Styrene–Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Blend Adhesive

The effect of rubber blend ratio and testing rate on the adhesion properties of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 25)/styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) blend adhesive were studied using 40 parts per hundred parts of rubber (phr) of coumarone-indene resin as the tackifying resin. Toluene and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film were used as the solvent and substrate, respectively. A SHEEN hand coater was used to coat the adhesive on the PET substrate at 30, 60, 90, and 120 µm coating thickness. Viscosity was determined by a Brookfield viscometer whereas loop tack, peel strength, and shear strength were measured by a Llyod Adhesion Tester at various testing rates from 10 to 60 cm/min. Results show that viscosity increases gradually with % ENR 25. However, loop tack, peel strength, and shear strength of adhesives indicate a maximum value at 40% ENR 25, after which the adhesion properties decreases with further increase in % ENR 25. This observation is attributed to the varying degree of wettability which culminates at an optimum value of 40% ENR 25 blend ratio. In all cases, the adhesion properties increase with increasing coating thickness and rate of testing.     

Rheological Properties of Hot Melt Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (HMPSAs) Based on Styrene–Isoprene Copolymers,Part 3: Rheological Behavior of Different Block Copolymers With High Diblock Content

The processing and application properties of hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives (HMPSA) are governed, to a large extent, by their rheological properties. Coating of the HMPSA is performed at high temperatures in the molten state. At room temperature, the adhesive satisfies the Dahlquist criterion and, consequently, has permanent tack. We have particularly studied the full formulations based on triblock and diblock copolymers, and also those based on newly designed molecules, such as tetrablock or radial copolymers. We have demonstrated in the previous articles of this series that, for these systems, the volume fraction of the free polyisoprene is the most important parameter that drives the tack performances by controlling the level of the secondary elastic plateau modulus observed in the low-frequency range. To improve the end-user properties, we have increased the diblock content in the blends. We describe here the dynamic mechanical properties, at room temperature, of the pure copolymer blends (i.e., without addition of a tackifying resin) and the full HMPSA formulations. We focus particularly in this article on blends that contain a high diblock content. The effect of the morphology of the diblock copolymer on the rheological behavior of the adhesive is discussed in detail. Finally, we propose a model, based on molecular dynamics concepts, which describes the rheological behavior in a very wide range of frequencies for all copolymers and full formulations of the study.     

New Ion Exchangers Based on Copolymers: 2,3-(2-Hydroxy-3-Methacryloyloxypropoxy)Naphthalene–Styrene

Synthesis and characterization of the new polymeric ion exchangers with thiol and sulfonyl hydroxide groups are presented. These new sorbents were also compared with polymeric microspheres possessing methylenethiol groups on the surface presented previously. The polymeric cation ion exchangers in the form of microspheres were obtained by the suspension-emulsion polymerization tetrafunctional monomer: 2,3-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)naphthalene (2,3-NAF.DM) with styrene (St). Next, multistage modification introducing sulfur-containing group (thiol or sulfonyl hydroxide or methylenethiol) on the surface of polymeric matrices was made. In order to obtain sulfonyl hydroxide derivatives the matrices were performed as follows: the parent microspheres were treated by H₂SO₄ (Method I) or with the addition of oleum (Method II). The thiol groups were introduced in a two-stage reaction. In the first stage chlorosulfonation of parent microspheres in the presence of chlorosulfonic acid was carried out. Finally, the reduction of modified microspheres by using SnCl₂·2H₂O was conducted. The sulfur group content (elemental analysis, scanning electron microscope EDX SEM), thermal properties (thermogravimetric analysis), porous structure as well as the swelling characteristics of the functional beads were examined. The surface texture was also visualized by the AFM method.     

Effect of Magnesium Oxide and the Testing Rate on the Viscosity and Adhesion Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber/Acrylonitrile–Butadiene Rubber Blend Based Adhesives

The effect of magnesium oxide loading on the adhesion properties of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 50)/acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR)-based pressure-sensitive adhesives was systematically investigated using 40 parts per hundred parts of rubber (phr) of coumarone–indene resin as the tackifier. The concentration range of magnesium oxide was from 10–50 phr. Toluene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films were selected as the solvent and the substrate, respectively, throughout the experiment. A Sheen hand coater was used to coat the adhesive onto the PET substrate at various coating thicknesses. The viscosity of the adhesive was measured using a Brookfield viscometer, whereas the loop tack, peel strength, and shear strength were determined using an adhesion tester operating at 10–60 cm/min. The results indicate that the viscosity increases with magnesium oxide loading, an observation which is attributed to the concentration effect of the filler. However, loop tack, peel strength, and shear strength increase with magnesium oxide loading up to 30 phr before decreasing upon further addition of the filler. This observation is ascribed to the effect of a varying degree of wettability of the adhesive, which culminates at 30 phr of magnesium oxide loading. At a fixed loading of magnesium oxide, all the adhesion properties of adhesives increase upon increasing the coating thickness and rate of testing.     

Effect of a Shale Oil–Based Additive on the Properties of Biodiesel Fuel

Multifunctional diesel fuel additives SOMAN and SO-2E were obtained on the basis of kukersite shale oil fractions. Possibilities for the practical application of the additives in diesel engines under actual service conditions were considered. It was shown that the use of the additives decreases fuel consumption and improves the performance characteristics of the engine, including reduction in the amount of exhaust gases.     

A Structure-Properties Relationship Study of Self-Healing Materials Based on Styrene and Furfuryl Methacrylate Cross-Linked via Diels–Alder Chemistry

A series of copolymers of styrene and furfuryl methacrylate characterized by various molecular structures (linear and star, block and random) is synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization, and cross-linked with a bismaleimide by means of thermally reversible Diels–Alder (DA) reaction, to obtain self-healing materials. The prepared materials are studied in terms of gelation, swelling, thermal, and dynamic-mechanical analysis, with the aim of correlating relevant properties to their chemical structure. It is found that the furan/styrene ratio, as well as the molecular architecture, have a major influence on the properties. It is also found that the reversibility of the DA reaction is not complete in the solid state for materials with high cross-linking density. This study provides some important tools for the design of materials characterized by thermally reversible behavior, which find usually application as self-healing thermosets, coatings, or adhesives.     

Effect of a Self-Etching Adhesive System Containing a Novel Antimicrobial Polymer (QAMP) on Inhibiting Carious Lesions by Evaluating the Mechanical Properties of the Resin–Dentin Interface

The objective of this study was to assess the in vitro effect of a quaternary ammonium methacrylate polymer (QAMP) incorporated into a self-etching adhesive system on inhibiting caries by evaluating the mechanical properties of the adhesive interface. Twenty-four human third molars were distributed into: Clearfil? SE Bond containing 5% QAMP (experimental group), Clearfil? Protect Bond (positive control), and Clearfil? SE Bond (negative control). Teeth of each group were divided according to the method for producing artificial caries lesions: pH-cycling or microbiological assay. All samples were sectioned and polished in order to obtain hardness (H) and Young's modulus (E) values by nanoindentation test in the hybrid layer and dentin. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Games Howell's post hoc test (α = 0.05). Regarding the hybrid layer, Clearfil? SE Bond containing QAMP demonstrated H and E values statistically higher than Clearfil? SE Bond in both pH-cycling and microbiological experiments. Considering dentin, Clearfil? SE Bond containing QAMP showed H and E values statistically higher than Clearfil? Protect Bond and Clearfil? SE Bond in the pH-cycling method and then Clearfil? SE Bond concerning the microbiological method. In general, Clearfil? SE Bond containing QAMP provided better mechanical properties for the resin–dentin interface after cariogenic challenges.     

Synthesis,Structure, Photoluminescent and Drug Loading and Release Properties of a Novel Cadmium (II) Coordination Polymers Based on Terphenyl–3, 4″, 5–tricarboxylic Acid

A stable three-dimensional coordination complex, {[Cd_1.5(tta)(H₂O)_4.5]·H₂O}_n (1) (tta?=?terphenyl—3,4″,5—tricarboxylic acid), was prepared by the solvothermal reaction of Cd(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O and tta in water, which was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, fluorescence, and thermogravimetric analyses. In the solid state of this compound, the Cd (II) center displayed a distorted trigonal bipyramid coordination sphere consisting of two oxygen atoms from two different carboxyl which were offered by two separate tta ligands and three oxygen atoms from three water molecules. The one-dimensional linear (1D) structure and two-dimensional plane were formed by Cd-O coordination bond while the 3D supramolecular reticular structure was formed by hydrogen-bond interactions. And there are large rectangular holes whose size are 13.30?×?13.31 Å along crystallographic axis a. The drug loading content (DLC) of 1 was 0.203 g (Ibu)/g (compound) and the release was desirable.     

Syntheses, Structures and Properties of Two Metal–Iodide Polymers Based on a Flexile N-Donor Ligand

Two novel metal–organic frameworks based on 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzene (m-bix), namely [(Cu₄I₄)(bix)₂] _n (1) and [HgI₂(bix)] _n (2) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, luminescent properties and X-ray crystallography. The structure of compound 1 exhibits a 1D metal–organic chain composed of Cu₄I₄ clusters and m-bix ligands, and such chains are further united together to generate a 3D supramolecular structure through inter-chain π···π interactions. In compound 2, the HgI₂-bix chains interact each other to form a layer structure through π···π interactions, then the layers are extended to 3D supramolecular architecture through intermolecular C–H···π interactions.     

Incorporation of Lamotrigine Drug in the PEO–PPO–PEO Triblock Copolymer (Pluronic F127) Micelles: Effect of Hydrophilic Polymers

The hydrophobic drug Lamotrigine (LTG) shows low bioavailability after oral administration. Work has been performed to improve the aqueous solubility of LTG using the micelles of amphiphilic block copolymers. Polyethylene oxide- polypropylene oxide- polyethylene oxide triblock copolymers (PEO–PPO–PEO), known as Pluronic^®, have been the subject of current interest due to the versatile structural possibilities of varying PEO/PPO ratios. Incorporation of LTG in the aqueous micellar solutions of Pluronic^® F127 was investigated using UV–visible spectroscopy. The shapes and size of the micelles with and without LTG have been ascertained using dynamic light scattering and small angle neutron scattering experiments. Results show increase in the Pluronic^® micellar size with hard sphere radius with the incorporation of LTG. The effect of hydrophilic polymers (PEG1500 and F68) on the LTG-incorporated Pluronic^® F127 micelles was also studied and found inefficient for enhancement of the solubility of LTG. Solid forms of LTG-incorporated Pluronic^® F127 micelles with and without hydrophilic polymers, coded as LPMs, were successfully prepared through the thin-film hydration method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis have been used to ensure the compatibility of the LTG with Pluronic^® F127 micelles in prepared LPMs. All the LPMs showed good incorporation efficiency, loading capacity and the sustained release profile of LTG. Results showed no specific improvement with the addition of hydrophilic polymers in the studied concentration range.     

Synthesis,Characterization of Fulvic Acid–Poly(Methylmethacrylate) Graft Copolymers Based on Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization and its Effect on Performance of Poly(Lactic Acid)

Fulvic acid–poly(methylmethacrylate) graft copolymers were synthesized by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization with fulvic acid. The result demonstrated that the hydrophobicity of fulvic acid–poly(methylmethacrylate) was improved after modification by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. Furthermore, poly(lactic acid)/fulvic acid–poly(methylmethacrylate) composites were prepared to improve the performances of poly(lactic acid) by blend melting. Compared to poly(lactic acid) with X_c of 5.38%, the X_c of poly(lactic acid)/fulvic acid–poly(methylmethacrylate) composites was 19.94%. Moreover, the impact strength of poly(lactic acid)/fulvic acid–poly(methylmethacrylate) composites was increased by 5.19% compared to poly(lactic acid). In all, this study provided an effective and feasible method for optimizing interface performance and enhancing the thermal stability of poly(lactic acid).     

Synthesis of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes–Poly(Methacrylic Acid) Nanohybrid Systems: Characterization,Thermal Properties,and In Vitro Release Studies of Naproxen as a Model Drug

Nanohybrid systems based on carbon nanotubes and pH-sensitive poly(methacrylic acid) were prepared through attaching polymer chains onto carbon nanotubes. First, polymerizable groups were attached onto carbon nanotube walls, then the polymerizable groups were copolymerized with different ratios of methacrylic acid. Obtained systems were studied and characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. A model drug (naproxen) was entrapped into the prepared materials and in vitro release studies were performed in pH 1 (simulated gastric fluids) and pH 7.4 (simulated intestinal fluids). It was noticed that release in simulated intestinal fluids was faster than simulated gastric fluids, therefore the prepared nanohybrid systems can be considered as appropriate carriers for colon-specific drug delivery.     

The Preparation of Core–Shell P(St-MMA)–SiO2 Hybrid Nanoparticles and Filling in the Styrene/n-butyl Acrylate Adhesive

In this study, core–shell poly(styrene-methyl methacrylate) (P(St-MMA))–SiO₂ hybrid nanoparticles were prepared successfully by emulsion polymerization. Firstly, nanosilica particles were modified by oleic acid (OA) in order to introduce the polymerization active vinyl groups and hydrophobic groups onto the nanosilica. This was followed by graft copolymerization onto the modified nanosilica particles to obtain P(St-MMA)–SiO₂ hybrid nanoparticles. The hybrid nanoparticles were characterized by: transmission electron microscope (TEM); Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR); dynamic light scattering (DLS); and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicate that the hybrid particles had a regular spherical morphology with a diameter ranging from 50 to 80 nm. A reasonable mechanism for the preparation of the core–shell hybrid nanocomposites was presented. The obtained hybrid nanoparticles were subsequently (incorporated into) filled in the poly(styrene-n-butyl acrylate) (PSBA) latex. The effect of (hybrid nanoparticle concentration) filling content on the physicochemical properties of PSBA latex and the resulting node strength per monofilanment of the fibre glass gridding cloth was investigated. The results indicated that the node strength/monofilanment of the fibre glass gridding cloth coated with the PBSA latex filled with 1.0 wt% hybrid nanoparticles demonstrated greatest improvement among all the investigated PSBA latex. This result is related to the rheological properties of the latex. Moreover, the water-resistance property of PSBA composite film was found to be enhanced when compared with that of unfilled PSBA film.     

Composites of Poly(Keto-Sulfide)–Epoxy Resin Systems and Their Thermal and Mechanical Properties

A novel matrix resin system, poly(keto-sulfide)–epoxy resin, has been developed. The poly(keto-sulfide)s (PKS), based on various ketones, formaldehyde, and sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaSH), were prepared by the reported process. These (PKS) having terminal thiol (–SH) groups were used for curing commercial epoxy resin (i.e., diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A – DGEBA), to fabricate crosslinked epoxy-poly(keto-sulfide) resin glass fiber-reinforced composites (GRC). Various epoxy/hardener (PKS) mixing ratios were used, and the curing of epoxy-PKS has been monitored using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in dynamic mode. Based on DSC parameters the GRC of epoxy-PKS were prepared and characterized by thermal and mechanical methods. The variation in resin/hardener ratio led to variations in thermal and mechanical properties.     

A Systematic Structure–Activity Study of a New Type of Small Peptidic Transfection Vector Reveals the Importance of a Special Oxo-Anion-Binding Motif for Gene Delivery

We discovered a new class of artificial peptidic transfection vectors based on an artificial anion-binding motif, the guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole (GCP) cation. This new type of vector is surprisingly smaller than traditional systems, and our previous work suggested that the GCP group was important for promoting critical endosomal escape. We now present here a systematic comparison of similar DNA ligands featuring our GCP oxo-anion-binding motif with DNA ligands only consisting of naturally occurring amino acids. Structure–activity studies showed that the artificial binding motif clearly outperformed natural amino acids such as histidine, lysine, and arginine. It improved the ability to shuttle foreign genetic material into cells, yet successfully mediated endosomal escape. Also, plasmids that were complexed by our artificial ligands were stabilized against cytosolic degradation to some extent. This resulted in the successful expression of plasmid information (comparable to gold standards such as polyethyleneimine). Hence, our study clearly demonstrates the importance of the tailor-made GCP anion-binding site for efficient gene transfection.     

Organophosphazenes. 23. The Reactions of (4-(α-Methylethenyl)phenyl, 2-Phenylethynyl)tetrafluorocyclotriphosphazene–Styrene Copolymers with Dicobalt Octacarbonyl

The geminal and nongeminal isomers of N₃P₃F₄( CC₆H₅)C₆H₄C(CH₃)=₂ undergo radical addition polymerization with styrene to produce copolymers having pendant cyclophosphazenes containing a phenylethynl substituent. Reactions of the copolymer derived from the non-geminal phosphazene derivative with dicobalt octacarbonyl leads to formation of an organometallic cluster, -C CC₆H₅·Co₂(CO)₆, as a phosphazene substituent. The redox active nature of the copolymer with the organometallic substituent was confirmed by observation of a one electron reversible reduction using cyclic voltametry. TGA studies suggest that the free alkyne substituent contributes to cross-linking in thermal degradation processes.     

Effect of Different Synthesis Approaches on Structural and Thermal Properties of Lanthanide(III) Metal–Organic Frameworks Based on the 1H-Pyrazole-3,5-Dicarboxylate Linker

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - The impact of different synthetic procedures such as: hydrothermal, mechanochemical and precipitation on the structure and thermal...     

Effect of Acid–Base Properties on the Catalytic Activity of Pt/Al2O3 Based Catalysts for Diesel NO Oxidation

The activity of Pt catalysts supported on Al₂O₃ modified with various acid–base additives has been investigated for oxidation of NO to NO₂. Although Pt dispersion was changed by the additives, there was no clear effect of Pt dispersion on the catalytic activity. The measurement of solid acid–base properties of the modified Pt/Al₂O₃ indicated that the NO oxidation activity increased by the increase of surface density of strong acid sites and decreased by the increase of basic sites. It was suggested that platinum on the acidic supports keeps its highly active metallic state for NO oxidation, while the formation of nitrate/nitrite on the basic supports inhibits the reaction on the Pt surface.