Preparation and characterization of alginate/Hydroxypropyl chitosan blend fibers

Hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCS) was synthesized from chitosan and propylene oxide under alkali conditions. It was characterized by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). We prepared alginate/HPCS blend fibers by spinning their solution through a viscose-type spinneret into a coagulating bath containing aqueous CaCl₂ and ethanol. The structure and properties of the blend fibers were studied with the aid of IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and XRD. The results indicate a good miscibility between alginate and HPCS because of the strong interaction of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The mechanical properties and water-retention properties were also measured. The best values of the tensile strength and breaking elongation of the blend fibers were obtained when the HPCS content was 30 wt %. The water-retention values of the blend fibers increased as the amount of HPCS increased. Antibacterial fibers, obtained by the treatment of the fibers with an aqueous solution of silver nitrate, exhibited good antibacterial activity to Staphylococcus aureus. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Preparation and characterization of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) blend fibers

Chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) blend fibers were prepared by spinning their solution through a viscose‐type spinneret at 25°C into a coagulating bath containing aqueous NaOH and ethanol. The influence of coagulation solution composition on the spinning performance was discussed, and the intermolecular interactions of blend fibers were studied by infrared analysis (IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and by measurements of mechanical properties and water‐retention properties. The results demonstrated that the water‐retention properties and mechanical properties of the blend fibers increase due to the presence of PVA in the chitosan substract, and the mechanical strength of the blends is also related to PVA content and the degree of deacetylation of chitosan. The best mechanical strength values of the blend fibers, 1.82 cN/d (dry state) and 0.81 cN/d (wet state), were obtained when PVA content was 20 wt % and the degree of deacetylation of chitosan was 90.2%. The strength of the blend fibers, especially wet tenacity could be improved further by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. The water‐retention values (WRV) of the blend fibers were between 170 and 241%, obviously higher than pure chitosan fiber (120%). The structure analysis indicated that there are strong interaction and good miscibility between chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) molecular resulted from intermolecular hydrogen bonds. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2558–2565, 2001     

The novel alginate/N‐succinyl‐chitosan antibacterial blend fibers

Alginate/ N‐Succinyl‐chitosan (SCS) blend fibers, prepared by spinning their mixture solution through a viscose‐type spinneret into a coagulating bath containing aqueous CaCl₂, were studied for structure and properties with the aid of infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated a good miscibility between alginate and SCS, because of the strong interaction from the intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The best values of the dry tensile strength and breaking elongation were obtained when SCS content was 30 wt %. The wet tensile strength decreased with the increase of SCS content, and the wet breaking elongation achieved maximum value when the SCS content was 30 wt %. Introduction of SCS in the blend fiber improved water‐retention properties of blend fiber compared to pure alginate fiber. Antibacterial fibers, obtained by treating the fibers with aqueous solution of silver nitrate, exhibited good antibacterial activity to Staphylococcus aureus. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

海藻酸钙/纳米TiO_2共混纤维的制备与表征

将含固体质量分数为5%的海藻酸钠纺丝原液与纳米二氧化钛(TiO2)水分散液均匀混合,制得海藻酸钠/纳米TiO2混合纺丝原液,采用湿法纺丝,通过氯化钙凝固浴,经拉伸、水洗,制备了海藻酸钙/纳米TiO2共混纤维,研究了纳米TiO2含量对共混纤维结构及性能的影响。结果表明:纳米TiO2的加入,提高了共混纤维的力学性能;加入质量分数为0.5%的纳米TiO2,海藻酸钙大分子链上的红外特征吸收峰峰形明显变宽,共混纤维的力学性能最佳,断裂强度为2.93 cN/dtex,断裂伸长率为7.34%,优于海藻酸钙纤维;添加纳米TiO2质量分数为3%时,纳米TiO2在共混纤维中仍能较好的分散,且纤维表面光滑。加入纳米TiO2后,共混纤维的热稳定性提高。     

聚乙烯醇／水滑石共混纤维的制备及其性能研究

采用凝胶纺丝法制备聚乙烯醇／水滑石（PVA／HT）共混纤维。通过扫描电镜（SEM）观察水滑石在PVA／HT共混纤维中的分散状况和共混纤维的表面形态。从傅里叶变换红外光谱（FT-IR）可以看出HT和PVA之间存在明显的氢键作用;热重分析（TG）测试表明水滑石的加入可以有效提高PVA的热性能;加入适量的HT可以提高PVA纤维的断裂强度;随着HT含量的增加,PVA／HT共混纤维的最大拉伸倍数下降且表面易产生缺陷。     

Preparation and characterization of starch/polycaprolactone blend

To make starch/polycaprolactone (PCL) blend with high miscibility, starch was chlorinated (starch‐Cl) by using methanesulfonylchloride (CH₃SO₂Cl) in dimethylformamide (DMF) prior to blending. Starch‐Cl/PCL blends were prepared by the mixing between starch‐Cl and PCL solutions under various conditions. To study the change of structure, thermal and physical characteristics of starch‐Cl/PCL blend, FTIR, DSC, SEM, and solvent resistance were measured. By blending starch‐Cl and PCL, a chemical reaction occurred partially in blend (FTIR result); thereby, the miscibility (DSC and SEM results) and solvent resistance were increased. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1716–1723, 2004     

Characterization of konjac glucomannan–gelatin blend films

Novel blend films of konjac glucomannan (KGM) with gelatin were prepared by using the solvent‐casting technique. Transparent blend films were obtained in all blending ratios of the two polymers. The structure and physical properties of the films were investigated by Fourier transform IR, wide angle X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and strength tests. The results indicated that intermolecular interactions between the KGM and gelatin occurred that were caused by hydrogen bonding and the physical properties of the films largely depended on the blending ratio. The crystallinities of the blend films decreased with the increase of the KGM. The thermal stability and mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break) of the films were improved by blending KGM with gelatin. It is worth noting that the blend films had a good tensile strength of 38 MPa when the KGM content in the blend films was around 30 wt %. The surface morphology of the blend films observed by SEM displayed a certain level of miscibility. Furthermore, the water absorbability of the blend films was also measured and discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1596–1602, 2001     

3D printing of porous alginate/gelatin hydrogel scaffolds and their mechanical property characterization

Hydrogel scaffolds with well-defined internal structure and interconnected porosity are important for tissue engineering. A three-dimensional bioplotting technique supplemented with thermal/submerged ionic crosslinking process was used to fabricate hydrogel scaffolds. Six scaffold geometries were fabricated and their influence on mechanical performance was investigated. The 0/90–0.8 group with the lowest porosity showed the highest Young’s modulus while the Shift group showed the lowest Young’s modulus. Same trend has also been observed for the dynamic modulus of each group. Results demonstrated that the mechanical performance of hydrogel scaffolds can be tuned by changing the internal structure parameters including strands orientation and spacing between strands.     

Preparation of atactic poly(vinyl alcohol)/sodium alginate blend nanowebs by electrospinning

Through the blending of a rigid polymer, sodium alginate (SA), and a flexible polymer, atactic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), with various ratios of SA and PVA and through the electrospinning of SA/PVA solutions, SA/PVA blend nanowebs were successfully prepared. The structure and morphology of the SA/PVA blend nanowebs were investigated through a series of instrumental analyses. Through the examination of the morphological variations of each blend web, it was found that with only PVA, the electrospun nanowebs had very uniform and fine fiber structures, but the SA/PVA blend nanowebs had a mixture of large beads and fibers, which were generated with increasing SA content. A thermal analysis indicated that the endothermic peaks of the SA/PVA blend nanowebs decreased with an increase in the SA content. The SA content was determined by the observation of the changes in the SA peak intensity via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The tensile strength decreased with increasing SA content. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

纤维素/海藻酸钠共混膜的制备及力学性能

将纤维素和海藻酸钠分别溶于氢氧化钠/尿素/硫脲体系,制得纤维素膜和纤维素/海藻酸钠共混膜,通过正交实验和单因素实验法分析,确定制备纤维素膜的最佳工艺条件,在此基础上研究了纤维素/海藻酸钠共混膜的制备工艺。结果表明:质量分数为4.5%的纤维素溶液所制得的膜在25℃的5%的硫酸溶液中凝固15 min,20%的甘油溶液中塑化30 min,其膜的拉伸强度较佳为5.2 MPa;纤维素/海藻酸钠共混膜的较佳工艺:质量分数分别为4.5%的纤维素溶液和3%的海藻酸钠溶液按质量比100/5共混后先浸入5%硫酸溶液中反应15 min,再放入10%氯化钙溶液中凝固10 min,用15%甘油溶液塑化15 min后,共混膜的拉伸强度达到3.50 MPa。     

Preparation of gelatin fiber by gel spinning and its mechanical properties

A gel‐spinning process was used in an attempt to prepare a gelatin fiber with a high level of drawability. A gel fiber prepared by extrusion of 15 wt % gelatin in dimethyl sulfoxide into methanol at ?20°C was drawn to sixteen times the original length. After extraction of the dispersion medium, the mechanical strength of the fiber increased markedly with the draw ratio, and the fiber exhibited a tensile strength of 146 MPa and a Young's modulus of 2.3 GPa when drawn to the maximum. A gelatin fiber with greater mechanical strength was obtained when ethylene glycol was used as the spinning solvent. The X‐ray diffraction profile indicated the formation of triple‐helical structures and their lateral association, which is responsible for the mechanical strength of the fiber. Heat‐treatment improved the water‐resistance of the prepared fiber. γ‐Irradiation and treatment with glutaraldehyde improved the mechanical strength of the fiber. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

海藻酸钠及其共混溶液的流变性研究

研究了海藻酸钠溶液,海藻酸钠与羟甲基纤维素、丙三醇、明胶、粒子填充剂等共混溶液的流变性能。结果表明:海藻酸钠溶液属于切力变稀的非牛顿流体;随溶液浓度的提高,粘流活化能增加;海藻酸钠相对分子质量增大,其溶液的结构粘度指数增大。海藻酸钠共混溶液的表观粘度随羟甲基纤维素的加入而增大;随明胶和丙三醇的加入而减小;随粒子填充剂的加入,先增加后减小。     

Preparation and characterization of konjac glucomannan and sodium carboxymethylcellulose blend films

The novel blend films of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) were prepared by casting the mixed polymer aqueous solutions. The physical properties of the blend films from konjac glucomannan and sodium carboxymethylcellulose were investigated by using FT‐infrared (FTIR), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and measurements of mechanical properties. The experimental results showed that the occurrence of the interactions between KGM and NaCMC molecular chains through hydrogen bond formation, and the physical properties of the films largely depend on the blending ratio. The thermal stability, mechanical properties of both tensile strength, and elongation at break of the blend films were improved by blending KGM with NaCMC. The surface morphology of the films observed by SEM was consistent with the results mentioned above. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 26–31, 2001     

Preparation and characterization of soy protein isolate–carboxymethylated konjac glucomannan blend films

To improve the mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of soy protein films, the transparent films were prepared by blending 5 wt % soy protein isolate (SPI) alkaline water solution with 2 wt % carboxymethylated konjac glucomannan (CMKGM) aqueous solution and drying at 30 °C. The structure and properties of the blend films were studied by infrared spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, and measurements of mechanical properties and water vapor transmission. The results demonstrated a strong interaction and good miscibility between SPI and CMKGM due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The thermostability and mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of blend films were greatly enhanced due to the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding between SPI and CMKGM. The tensile strength and breaking elongation of blend films increased with the increase of CMKGM content: the maximum values achieved were 54.6 MPa and 37%, respectively, when the CMKGM content was 70 wt %. The water vapor transmission of blend films decreased with the increase of CMKGM content: the lowest value achieved was 74.8 mg · cm^?2 · d^?1 when the CMKGM content was 70 wt %. The SPI–CMKGM blend films provide promising applications to fresh food packaging. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1095–1099, 2003     

Structural and physical properties of silk fibroin/alginate blend sponges

Silk fibroin/alginate blend sponges were examined through IR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, and differential scanning calorimetry to determine the structural changes of silk fibroin. The effects of fibroin/alginate blend ratios on the physical and mechanical properties were investigated to discover the feasibility of using these blend sponges as biomedical materials such as wound dressings. The compressive modulus of silk fibroin was increased up to 30 kPa, from 7.1 kPa, by blending with alginate. Thermal crystallization behavior of fibroin induced by heat treatment was restricted by blending with alginate. In spite of that, the structural characteristics of fibroin were not changed by incorporation with alginate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2174–2179, 2004     

Preparation of nanostructured porous carbon composite fibers from ferrum alginate fibers

Nano‐microstructured porous carbon composite fibers (Fe₂O₃@C/FeO@C/Fe@C) were synthesized by the thermal decomposition of ferrum alginate fibers. The ferrum alginate fiber precursors were prepared by wet spinning, and calcined at 300–1000°C in high purity nitrogen. The resulting composite fibers consist of carbon coated Fe₂O₃/FeO/Fe nanoparticles and porous carbon fibers. All the prepared nanostructures were investigated using thermal gravimetry, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm. The results show that there are five stages in the decomposition process of the ferrum alginate fibers. Transitions between the five stages are affected by the decomposition temperature. XRD results show that maghemite (Fe₂O₃), wüstite (FeO), martensite (Fe) nanoparticles were formed at 300–500°C, 600–700°C, 800–1000°C, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy and TEM results indicate that the composite fibers consist of nanoparticles and porous carbon. The diameter of the nanosized particles increased from 100 to 500 nm with increasing reaction temperature. The nitrogen adsorption–desorption results also show that the composite fibers have a micro‐ and mesoporous structure. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Rheological properties of UHMWPE/HDPE blend gels and morphology and mechanical properties of gel-spun fibers

To produce polyethylene (PE) fibers with relatively high tensile strength but low cost, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (UH) blend gels were prepared from paraffin oil and further fabricated into UH blend fibers by gel spinning. This research focused on the rheological properties of UH blend gels with high solid contents (SCs) ranging from 25 to 100 g/L, as well as morphology and mechanical properties of resultant gel-spun UH blend fibers. The rheological measurements indicated that the apparent viscosity, shear storage, and loss moduli of the UH blend gels were not markedly increased compared with those of the UHMWPE gel with much less SC. No obvious solid–liquid phase separation occurred in UH blend gels at a temperature above the sol–gel transition temperature. UH blend fibers were prepared by drawing as-spun fibers (draw ratio [λ] = 3) at 110°C to λ = 15, 45, 60, and 80, respectively. The orientation degree of fibril structure in UH blend fibers increased with increasing λ but the length of fibrils (L_fibril) showed a complex change. The L_fibril of UH blend fibers became larger due to chain arrangement in company with the transformation of the kebab structure to the extended shish structure when the λ was less than 45 but decreased during further elongation (λ = 60 and 80) because of fibril breakage and recrystallization. The change in morphological behavior led to the corresponding change in mechanical properties of resultant gel-spun UH blend fibers. The tensile strength of gel-spun UH55-45 blend fiber (UHMWPE/HDPE = 5/5 and λ = 45) reached 15.6 cN/dtex, which could fulfill the requirement of mechanical properties in common application.     

Preparation and characterization of biocompatible poly(L‐lactic acid)/gelatin blend membrane

Poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA)/gelatin blend membranes were prepared by solution casting method and using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a cosolvent. Scanning electron microscopy measurement indicated that when the amounts of gelatin in PLLA/gelatin blend membranes are less than 5%, the sizes of phase separation of gelatin are in range of several hundred nanometers. These benefit in retaining the strength of PLLA membranes. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the semicrystalline PLLA became amorphous and the melt temperature of crystalline PLLA changes from 56 to 38°C after it was processed in DMSO solvent. When the content of gelatin is less than 5%, the films not only retain a good mechanical property but also improve the hydrophilicity of PLLA. The molecular motion of PLLA in blend films were also investigated by solid state ¹³C CP/MAS NMR. On the basis of the result of relaxation times, it was found that the molecular motion of PLLA100 and PLLA/gelatin blends increased when compared with that of original PLLA. It was further verified that semicrystalline PLLA became amorphous. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 269–276, 2006     

Study on physical properties of blend films from gelatin and polyacrylamide solutions

Blend films of gelatin and polyacrylamide (PAAm) were prepared by casting the mixed aqueous solutions of both samples in different ratios. All blend films obtained are optically clear to the naked eye. The structure and physical properties of the films were studied by FT‐infrared (FTIR), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results show that the blend films exhibit the higher thermal stability and improved mechanical properties of both tensile strength and elongation at break in dry states, which suggests the occurrence of interaction detected by FTIR between gelatin, PAAm, and water molecules in the films. The morphological transition of the blend films from gelatin‐like to PAAm‐like was observed by SEM. Furthermore, moisture content and water swelling property of the blend films were also investigated, which was consistent with the results from SEM. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 949–955, 2002     

Preparation of alginate/soy protein isolate blend fibers through a novel coagulating bath

Alginate and soy protein isolate blend fibers were prepared by spinning their solution through a viscose‐type spinneret into a novel coagulating bath containing aqueous CaCl₂, HCl, and ethanol. The structures and properties of the fibers were studied with the aids of infrared spectra (IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Mechanical properties and water‐retention properties were measured. And with the sample of AS1 fiber (soy protein isolate weight content was 10%), the effects of the composition of the novel coagulating bath were also studied. The best values of the tensile strength of AS1 were 14.1 cN/tex in the dry state and 3.46 cN/tex in the wet state, respectively. Both the dry state and wet state breaking elongation were also having the best value 20.71% and 56.7% with AS1. Mechanical properties of the AS1 enhanced with the CaCl₂ content increased in the coagulating bath. When the HCl content was 1%, the mechanical property of the fiber was best. Ethanol in the coagulating bath increased the wet mechanical properties of the fiber by 41.2% (tensile strength) and 45.1% (breaking elongation) when the ethanol weight content in the coagulating bath was 50%; but it had little effect on the dry mechanical properties. And the water‐retention value (WRV) of blend fibers decreased as the amount of soy protein isolate was raised. The structure analysis indicated that there were strong interaction and a certain level of miscibility between alginate and soy protein isolate. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 425–431, 2006