A Novel Phosphorus‐Containing Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Nanocomposite with Both Flame Retardancy and Anti‐Dripping Effects

Summary: It is a big challenge to improve simultaneously both the flame retardancy and the melt‐dripping resistance of polymeric materials such as PET. In this paper, a novel intumescent flame retardant, DPSPB, was synthesized and blended with copolyester PET‐co‐DDP/O‐MMT nanocomposites, which were synthesized by polycondensation of TPA, EG, DDP, and O‐MMT. The resulting PET‐co‐DDP/O‐MMT/DPSPB nanocomposites exhibit very good flame retardance and dripping resistance, e.g., LOI = 29, UL‐94 V‐0. SEM, XRD, and XPS were used to investigate the relationships between the structures and properties of the composites. It is proved that DPSPB offers excellent protection for the structure of nanocomposites, which is responsible for the good anti‐dripping properties of the nanocomposites.

Residues of copolyesters after combustion: common nanocomposite residue of PDMN (left) and the novel nanocomposite residue of PDMN/DPSPB (right).     

Synthesis,characterization, and antitumor activity of poly(maleic anhydride‐co‐vinyl acetate‐co‐acrylic acid)

The ternary copolymerization of maleic anhydride (MA), vinyl acetate (VA), and acrylic acid (AA) [P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA)], which is considered to be an acceptor–donor–acceptor system, was carried out in 1,4‐dioxane with benzoyl peroxide as an initiator at 70°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. Constants of complex formation for the monomer systems in the study were determined by UV–visible (hydrogen‐bonding complex) and ¹H‐NMR (charge transfer complex) methods, respectively. The results show that polymerization of the P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA) system proceeds by an alternating terpolymerization mechanism. It is shown that the synthesized copolymers have typical polyelectrolyte behavior, ability for reversible hydrolysis–anhydrization reactions, and semicrystalline structures. In these cases, including radical polymerization, and formation of semicrystalline structures, the hydrogen‐bonding effect plays a significant role. The in vitro cytotoxicities of the synthesized terpolymer and alternating copolymer were evaluated using Raji cells (human Burkitt lymphoma cell line). The antitumor activities of prepared anion‐active copolymers were studied using methyl–thiazol–tetrazolium colorimetric assay and 50% of the cytotoxic dose of each copolymer and terpolymer were calculated. Hydrolyzed P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA) and P(MA‐alt‐AA) copolymers have sufficiently high antitumor activity, which depends on the amount of hydrogen‐bonding carboxylic groups and their regular distribution in the side chain of functional macromolecules. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3425–3432, 2006     

Design,synthesis, and characterization of a potential flame retardant poly(lactic acid‐co‐pyrimidine‐2,4,5,6‐tetramine) via direct melt polycondensation

Directly starting from d ,l ‐lactic acid (LA) and pyrimidine‐2,4,5,6‐tetramine (PTA), the copolymer P(LA‐co‐PTA) as a novel potential solid compatible polymeric flame retardant is synthesized as designed via melt polycondensation. When the molar feed ratio LA/PTA is 60/1, the optimal synthetic conditions are discussed. After the prepolymerization at 140°C for 8 h, using 0.5 wt % stannous oxide as the catalyst, the melt copolymerization at 160°C for 4 h gives the copolymer with the biggest intrinsic viscosity 0.88 dL g^?1. The structures and properties of P(LA‐co‐PTA)s at different molar feed ratios are characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, GPC, XRD, DSC, and TGA. The decomposition temperatures of P(LA‐co‐PTA)s are higher than these of homopolymer poly(d,l ‐lactic acid) (PDLLA). All copolymers have higher char yield than PDLLA, and the more PTA in the feed content, the higher char yield. What's more, there are some residues at 700–800°C, indicating that P(LA‐co‐PTA)s have good charring ability. When the monomer PTA is introduced into polylactic acid by chemical bonding as purine (PU) unit formed during the condensation, both the PTA's relatively higher nitrogen content and the PU's similar structure with flame retardant benzimidazole are beneficial to improve the thermal stability and charring ability, especially the latter. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40275.     

Competitive hydrogen bonding mechanisms underlying phase behavior of triple poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐ethylacrylate) blends

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of triple blends of high molecular weight poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) with oligomeric poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of molecular weight 400 g/mol and copolymer of methacrylic acid with ethylacrylate (PMAA‐co‐EA) demonstrates partial miscibility of polymer components, which is due to formation of interpolymer hydrogen bonds (reversible crosslinking). Because both PVP and PMAA‐co‐EA are amorphous polymers and PEG exhibits crystalline phase, the DSC examination is informative on the phase state of PEG in the triple blends and reveals a strong competition between PEG and PMAA‐co‐EA for interaction with PVP. The hydrogen bonding in the triple PVP–PEG–PMAA‐co‐EA blends has been established with FTIR Spectroscopy. To evaluate the relative strengths of hydrogen bonded complexes in PVP–PEG–PMAA‐co‐EA blends, quantum‐chemical calculations were performed. According to this analysis, the energy of H‐bonding has been found to diminish in the order: PVP–PMAA‐co‐EA–PEG(OH) > PVP–(OH)PEG(OH)–PVP > PVP–H₂O > PVP–PEG(OH) > PMAA‐co‐EA–PEG(? O? ) > PVP–PMAA‐co‐EA > PMAA‐co‐EA–PEG(OH). Thus, most stable complexes are the triple PVP–PMAA‐co‐EA–PEG(OH) complex and the complex wherein comparatively short PEG chains form simultaneously two hydrogen bonds to PVP carbonyl groups through both terminal OH‐groups, acting as H‐bonding crosslinks between longer PVP backbones. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Structure and properties of aromatic poly(benzimidazole‐imide) copolymer fibers

A series of co‐polyimide fibers were prepared by thermal imidization of copolyamic acids derived from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltertracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) in various molar ratios with 2‐(4‐aminophenyl)?5‐aminobenzimidazole (BIA). The dynamic mechanical behaviors of these polyimide (PI) fibers revealed that the glass transition temperature (T_g) was significantly improved upon increasing PMDA content. Heat‐drawing process led to dramatic change on the glass transition behavior of BPDA/BIA system, but had a small impact on BPDA/PMDA/BIA co‐polyimide fibers. This difference for PI fibers is attributed to the different degree of ordered structure of the fibers affected by heat‐drawing. The incorporation of PMDA obviously improved the dimensional stability against high temperature, due to the restricted movement of polymer chains. In addition, the obtained fibers show excellent mechanical and thermal properties because of the strong hydrogen bonding due to the incorporation of benzimidazole moieties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41474.     

Synergistic effect of a novel charring agent with ammonium polyphosphate on flame retardancy and thermal degradation of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer

A novel charring agent poly(1,3‐propylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance. This novel charring agent combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was adopted as an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) to impart flame retardance and dripping resistance to acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer (ABS). Flammability and thermal behaviors of the treated ABS were investigated by limiting oxygen index, vertical burning test and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the IFR with the novel charring agent had both excellent flame retardant and anti‐dripping abilities for ABS. The thermogravimetric analysis curves indicated that there was a synergistic effect between PPTA and APP, which greatly promoted the char formation of IFR‐ABS composites. Meanwhile, the thermal degradation mechanism of PPTA and APP/PPTA was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry. The results demonstrated that APP changed the thermal degradation behavior of PPTA and reacted with PPTA to form a crosslinked structure. Additionally, the structure and morphology of char residues were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

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     

Preparation of Chelating Resins Containing a Pair of Neighboring Carboxylic Acid Groups and the Adsorption Characteristics for Heavy Metal Ions

Abstract

For the functional enhancement of chelating resins containing carboxylic acids, copolymer beads were prepared by suspension polymerization of styrene (St), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and divinylbenzene (DVB) in the presence of toluene as diluent. The phenyl rings of the beads were directly chloromethylated, and the carboxylic ester groups of the beads were converted into hydroxymethyl groups by reduction followed by chlorination to give chloromethyl groups, respectively. The chelating resins containing a pair of neighboring carboxylic acid groups (NCAGs) were obtained by the alkylation of chloromethyl groups in copolymer beads with diethyl malonate in the presence of sodium hydride followed by hydrolysis using aqueous alkali solution. Accordingly, the structural effects of the resins on the adsorption of heavy metal ions were investigated. Poly(St‐co‐DVB)‐based chelating resin containing NCAGs showed adsorption abilities toward heavy metal ions like Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Cu²⁺, whereas poly(MMA‐co‐DVB)‐based chelating resin containing NCAGs showed adsorption abilities toward heavy metal ions like Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Co²⁺. On the other hand, poly(St‐co‐MMA‐co‐DVB)‐based chelating resin containing NCAGs showed adsorption abilities toward heavy metal ions like Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, and Cu²⁺: a synergistic effect on the adsorption of heavy metal ions like Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Co²⁺ was observed. The adsorption ability of poly(St‐co‐MMA‐co‐DVB)‐based chelating resin among three kinds of chelating resins was relatively good.     

Synthesis and characterization of greenish‐blue emitting vinyl copolymer containing pyrene and triarylamine moieties

Two fluorescent monomers N‐phenyl‐N‐(4‐vinylphenyl)pyren‐1‐amine (vinyl‐PyPA) and 1‐vinyl pyrene (VPy) were synthesized in good yields. A series of soluble conductive vinyl copolymers P(PyPA‐co‐VPy) containing vinyl‐PyPA and VPy moieties in different composition ratios were prepared by free radical solution polymerization. These copolymers showed high T_g (190?201 °C) and good thermal stability. The photoluminescence emission maxima of the copolymers were all in the range 474.5?478.5 nm, which was similar to the poly(N‐phenyl‐N‐(4‐vinylphenyl)pyren‐1‐amine) (P(PyPA)) (475 nm) but blue shifted compared with poly(1‐vinyl pyrene) (PVPy) (490.5 nm). The lifetime of the copolymers increased from 10.2 to 29.7 ns with an increase in pyrene content. The copolymers had higher quantum yields (0.51) than those of the homopolymers of P(PyPA) (0.48) and PVPy (0.13). The highest occupied molecular orbital of the copolymers remained relatively unchanged from P(PyPA), while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital varied from ?2.41 eV to ?2.51 eV with an increase in pyrene ratio in the copolymers. The energy bandgaps of the copolymers (from 2.70 eV to 2.81 eV) were smaller than those of P(PyPA) (2.82 eV) and PVPy (3.47 eV). Two polymer light‐emitting diode (PLED) series were attempted including indium tin oxide (ITO) (fluorocarbon (CFx) treated)/P(PyPA‐co‐VPy)/LiF/Al and ITO(CFx treated)/P(PyPA‐co‐VPy)/1,3,5‐Tri(1‐phenyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)phenyl (TPBi)/LiF/Al. The results suggested that the PyPA moiety is hole conducting and the PLEDs can achieve high luminance from 650 to 1150 cd m^?2 (at 100 mA cm^?2) only when an electron injecting layer TPBi is employed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Flame Retardancy and Thermal Performance of Polypropylene Treated With the Intumescent Flame Retardant,Piperazine Spirocyclic Phosphoramidate

Piperazine spirocyclic phosphoramidate (PSP), a novel halogen‐free intumescent flame retardant, was synthesized and used to improve the flame retardancy and dripping resistance of polypropylene (PP) combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and a triazine polymer charring‐foaming agent (CFA). The optimum flame‐retardant formulation was PSP:APP:CFA = 3:6:2 (weight ratio). The flammability and thermal behavior of the (intumescent flame‐retardant)‐PP (IFR‐PP) were investigated via limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning tests (UL‐94), thermogravimetric analysis, and cone calorimetry (CONE). The results indicated that the IFR‐PP had both excellent flame retardancy and anti‐dripping ability. The optimum flame‐retardant formulation gave an LOI value of 39.8 and a UL‐94 V‐0 rating to PP. Moreover, both the heat release rate and the total heat release of the IFR‐PP with the optimum formulation decreased significantly relative to those of pure PP, according to the cone calorimeter analyses. The residues of IFR‐PP obtained after CONE tests were observed by scanning electron microscopy, and it was found that the char yield was directly related to the flame retardancy and anti‐dripping behavior of the treated PP. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:10–15, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterization of polyacrylonitrile,poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate), and poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐itaconic acid) based activated carbon nanofibers

In this study, three different acrylonitrile (AN)‐based polymers, including polyacrylonitrile (PAN), poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate) [P(AN‐co‐VAc)], and poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐itaconic acid) [P(AN‐co‐IA)], were used as precursors to synthesize activated carbon nanofibers (ACNFs). An electrospinning method was used to produce nanofibers. Oxidative stabilization, carbonization, and finally, activation through a specific heating regimen were applied to the electrospun fibers to produce ACNFs. Stabilization, carbonization, and activation were carried out at 230, 600, and 750 °C, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and porosimetry were used to characterize the fibers in each step. According to the fiber diameter variation measurements, the pore extension procedure overcame the shrinkage of the fibers with copolymer precursors. However, the shrinkage process dominated the scene for the PAN homopolymer, and this led to an increase in the fiber diameter. The 328 m²/g Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area for ACNFs with PAN precursor were augmented to 614 and 564 m²/g for P(AN‐co‐VAc) and P(AN‐co‐IA), respectively. The TGA results show that the P(AN‐co‐IA)‐based ACNFs exhibited a higher thermal durability in comparison to the fibers of PAN and P(AN‐co‐VAc). The application of these copolymers instead of AN homopolymer enhanced the thermal stability and increased the surface area of the ACNFs even in low‐temperature carbonization and activation processes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44381.     

Thermal properties and morphology of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/maleic anhydride grafted linear low‐density polyethylene blends

Properties of recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate) were greatly improved. Recycled PET was blended with LLDPE‐g‐MA by low‐temperature solid‐state extrusion. Mechanical properties of the blends were affected obviously by the added LLDPE‐g‐MA. Elongation at break reaches 352.8% when the blend contains 10 wt % LLDPE‐g‐MA. Crystallization behavior of PET phase was affected by LLDPE‐g‐MA content. Crystallinity of PET decreased with the increase of LLDPE‐g‐MA content. FTIR testified that maleic anhydride group in LLDPE‐g‐MA reacted with the end hydroxyl groups of PET and PET‐co‐LLDPE‐g‐MA copolymers were in situ synthesized. SEM micrographs display that LLDPE‐g‐MA phase and PET phase are incompatible and the compatibility of the blends can be improved by the forming of PET‐co‐LLDPE‐g‐MA copolymer. LLDPE‐g‐MA content was less, the LLDPE‐g‐MA phase dispersed in PET matrix fine. With the increase of LLDPE‐g‐MA content, the morphology of dispersed LLDPE‐g‐MA phase changed from spherule to cigar bar, then to irregular spherule. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Syntheses and properties of the PET‐co‐PEA copolyester

An aliphatic‐aromatic random‐block copolyester of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and poly(enthylene adipate) (PEA), PET‐co‐PEA, was synthesized via melt polycondensation. The chemical structure of the products were characterized by two kinds of spectroscopic techniques (Fourier transform infrared and ¹H‐NMR). The thermal properties of the copolyester were characterized by thermogravimetry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy. It was found that the crystallization ability, melting point, glass transition temperature of the random‐block coplyester decreased apparently. Meanwhile, the tensile strength and hydrolysis performance were measured as well. The result showed that the random‐block copolyesters PET‐co‐PEA displayed excellent properties in elasticity and strength. In addition, the potential degradability was found in hydrolysis measurement. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44967.     

Low molecular weight polyacrylic acid with pendant aminomethylene phosphonic acid groups

Low molecular weight poly(acrylic acid‐co‐vinyl aminomethylene phosphonic acid)s were prepared by consecutively applying the Hofmann degradation and the Mannich reaction to polyacrylamide and poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)s. ¹H‐NMR, ³¹P‐NMR, and microanalysis were used for structural analyses. These polymers were tested as anti‐scalent and they showed better anti‐scalent effect than commercial poly(acrylic acid)s. The scale inhibition properties of copolymers increased with increasing amount of aminomethylene phosphonic acid groups. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 870–874, 2000     

Flexible and flame‐retardant S‐SEB‐S triblock copolymer/PPE nano‐alloy

We observed that modified polyphenylene ether (PPE) was solubilized in thermoplastic styrenic elastomer (TPS) and that a two‐phase lacy structure formed on nanometer scales when the TPS composition was 67 wt % and modified PPE and polystyrene‐block‐poly(styrene‐co‐ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene (S‐SEB‐S triblock copolymer) were blended. However, the molecular weight of the outer PS block segments M_outPS and the content of the outer PS block segments ?_outPS were <10,000 g/mol and 20 wt %, respectively. The resulting S‐SEB‐S/modified PPE nano‐alloy exhibited both flexibility and flame retardancy, unlike other materials, where a trade‐off exists between these two properties; that is, the flame retardancy was excellent when the phosphorus additive was present. This combination of properties might be attributed to the two‐phase nanometer‐scale structure consisting of flame‐retardant styrene/PPE domains and a continuous soft, lacy SEB matrix. The results for polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene (S‐EB‐S triblock copolymer)/modified PPE blends were presented for comparison. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40446.     

An investigation on recycled PET/PP and recycled PET/PP‐EP compatibilized blends: Rheological,morphological, and mechanical properties

The effectiveness of P(E‐co‐MA‐co‐GMA) as a compatibilizer for recycled PET/PP and recycled PET/PP‐EP (polypropylene (ethylene‐propylene) heterophase copolymer) blends was investigated by means of morphological (scanning electron microscopy), rheological (small amplitude oscillatory shear), mechanical (tensile, flexural and impact tests), and thermal (differential scanning calorimetry) properties. Compatibilizer concentration ranged from 1 to 5 wt % with respect to the whole blend. All blends were obtained in a 90/10 composition using a twin screw extruder. Compatibilization effects for PETr/PP‐EP were more pronounced due to ethylene segments present in both PP‐EP and P(E‐co‐EA‐co‐GMA). PETr/PP‐EP has shown greater dispersed phase size reduction, a more solid‐like complex viscosity behavior and larger storage modulus at low frequencies in relation to PETr/PP blend. For both investigated blends, mechanical properties indicated an improvement in both elongation at break and impact strength with increasing compatibilizer content. PETr/PP‐EP blends showed improved performance for the same level of compatibilizer content. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41892.     

A novel halogen‐free intumescent flame retardant containing phosphorus and nitrogen and its application in polypropylene systems

A novel halogen‐free intumescent flame retardant, pentaerythritol spirobisphosphoryl‐dicyandiamide (SPDC), was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and ³¹P NMR spectra. The new flame retardant was used in polypropylene (PP) to prepare flame‐retardant materials whose flammability and thermal behavior were studied by the limiting oxygen index (LOI) method, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and cone calorimetry (CONE). The mechanical properties were also investigated. The results indicated that when the addition of SPDC reached 30 wt%, the material showed both excellent flame retardancy and anti‐dripping abilities for PP. Moreover, the LOI value of the PP‐IFR(30%) was 32.5, and it passed the UL‐94 V‐0 rating test. The CONE results revealed that in PP, SPDC(30%) significantly decreased the peak heat release, total heat release, and smoke relative to their values for pure PP. The morphological structures observed by SEM demonstrated that SPDC could promote the formation of a homogeneous and compact intumescent char layer. The TGA data showed that SPDC could enhance the thermal stability of PP and effectively increase the char residue formation. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of nanofillers on the flame retardant properties of a polyethylene–calcium carbonate–silicone elastomer system

This study shows the effects of three different nanofillers on the viscosity properties and fire behavior of a halogen‐free flame retardant system. The original system, based on ethylene‐acrylate copolymer, calcium carbonate, and a silicone elastomer, shows good flame retardant properties. One of the nanofillers, montmorillonite (MMT), significantly increases the viscosity above 250^°C, resulting in reduced dripping and decreased heat release rate. The ash residue, however, is very brittle, indicating poor interactions between the MMT and other components of the system. The second nanofiller, sepiolite, shows no improvement on the flame retardant properties of the system. Reduced dripping is observed when a small amount of the third nanofiller, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, POSS, is incorporated into the system. In this case, high silica content on the surface indicates char formation originating from the POSS. However, an increased heat release is observed when POSS is used in the system. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Relations between molecular mixing state and conductive property in blends composed of polyaniline and aliphatic copolymer having acid groups

Blend films composed of polyaniline and aliphatic copolymer having carboxylic acid groups were prepared by vaporizing a solvent from a solution of both polymers. Poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid) and poly(1‐vinylpyrrolidone‐co‐acrylic acid) were used as the copolymers in this work. Conductivity of the blend film increased with decreasing concentration of polyaniline and then decreased in the region of low concentration. The N_1s peak in the ESCA spectrum of the blend film was shifted to higher binding energy with decreasing concentration of polyaniline and then was done to lower the binding energy in the region of low concentration. Polyaniline chains in the blend films become conductive by being oxidized with the carboxylic acid groups, which are the constituents of the copolymers. Through strong intermolecular interactions such as ionic bonding and hydrogen bonding between polyaniline and the copolymer, densities of the blend films are always higher than those predicted on the basis of the additive law. Blend films with higher density and higher conductivity are able to be prepared with a higher vaporizing rate, given that phase separation occurring during vaporizing process can be depressed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1113–1117, 2002     

Modification of carbon black pigment: Cotton fabric colouring and anti‐bacterial finishing

Functional polymer modified carbon black (CB) pigment (P‐(DMC‐co‐CHPMA)‐g‐MPTS/CB) with reactive epoxy and quaternary ammonium groups was designed and prepared via a thiol‐ene click chemistry reaction, and its dispersion ability in the aqueous phase, as well as its colouring and anti‐bacterial properties for cotton fabrics, were investigated. In considering both dispersion ability and reactive ability to cotton fabric, the mole ratio of the monomers (methacrylatoethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride [DMC] and 3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate [CHPMA]) was discussed. Morphology and chemical properties of P‐(DMC‐co‐CHPMA)‐g‐MPTS/CB were tested by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, resulting in a weight content of copolymer (DMC‐co‐CHPMA) in P‐(DMC‐co‐CHPMA)‐g‐MPTS/CB of ca. 18%. P‐(DMC‐co‐CHPMA)‐g‐MPTS/CB was fixed onto cotton fabric via a nucleophilic‐substituted reaction between reactive epoxy groups on the CB surface and the hydroxyl groups of cotton fabric, which endowed good fastness to cotton fabric without either a fixing or an adhesive agent. Also, coloured cotton fabric demonstrated excellent anti‐bacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7.