Improvement in impact strength of modified cardanol‐bonded cellulose thermoplastic resin by using olefin resins

Impact strength of a modified cardanol‐bonded cellulose thermoplastic resin was greatly improved by using a small amount of olefin resins. As we showed, this thermoplastic resin (3‐pentadecylphenoxy acetic acid (PAA)‐bonded cellulose diacetate (CDA): PAA‐bonded CDA) exhibited high practical properties such as bending strength, heat resistance, and water resistance. However, its impact strength was insufficient for use in durable products. We improved the impact strength of PAA‐bonded CDA by adding hydrophobic olefin resins, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, while maintaining good bending strength and breaking strain. Furthermore, the application of olefin resins also increased water resistance and fluidity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39829.     

Synthesis and properties of chitosan‐modified poly(acrylic acid)

Potassium persulfate (K₂S₂O₈) was used to initiate the polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) monomer in a chitosan (CS) solution. Both a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) homopolymer and a CS‐co‐PAA copolymer were produced. When the amount of AA was increased from 5 to 40 g with 5 g of CS, the total monomer conversion was found to increase from 89 to 98% after 2 h of reaction at 70°C. In addition, the percentage of reacted AA monomer being converted to the CS‐co‐PAA copolymer (copolymerization efficiency) and the weight composition of the PAA portion in the copolymer (copolymer composition) both increased with the amount of AA added. The structures and properties of the synthesized CS‐modified PAA polymers were studied. In Fourier transform infrared spectra, the formation of a polyelectrolyte complex between CS chains and PAA chains could be observed. From the thermograms obtained via differential scanning calorimetry, we found that the presence of rigid CS chains increased the glass‐transition temperature of PAA. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed three stages of degradation of the synthesized CS‐modified PAA polymers. The swelling ratio of the CS‐modified PAA polymers depended on the pH value and had a maximum value in a buffer solution at pH 7. This was due to the changes in the morphological structure with the pH value. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Modification of a fluorine–silicone acrylic resin with a free‐radical‐catching agent

Several kinds of free‐radical‐catching fluorine–silicone acrylic resins with different contents of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐piperidyl methacrylate (TMPM) were synthesized by solution copolymerization. The chemical structures and properties of the resins were characterized and followed the performances of their respective coatings. The results demonstrate that these kinds of resins showed a high ability to produce nitroxide. The coatings had good thermal stability and hydrophobicity with water contact angles over 100°. Moreover, the weather resistance showed a great improvement for the synergetic protection by bonded TMPM, organic fluorine, and silicone. By aging tests, the modified coatings still maintained excellent mechanical properties with an impact strength and flexibility of 400 N cm and 2 mm, respectively. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46385.     

Bis[4‐(4‐maleimidephen‐oxy)phenyl]propane/N,N‐4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethyene blend modified with diallyl bisphenol A

In this article, 2,2′‐bis[4‐(4‐maleimidephen‐oxy)phenyl)]propane (BMPP) resin and N,N‐4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethyene (BDM) resin blends were modified by diallyl bisphenol A (DABPA). The effects of the mole concentration of BMPP on mechanical properties, fracture toughness, and heat resistance of the modified resins were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the microstructure of the fractured modified resins. The introduction of BMPP resin improves the fracture toughness and impact strength of the cured resins, whose thermal stabilities are hardly affected. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the modified resins can maintain good mechanical properties at 270.0°C, and their glass transition temperatures (T_g) are above 280.0°C. When the mole ratio of BDM : BMPP is 2 : 1(Code 3), the cured resin performs excellent thermal stability and mechanical property. Its T_g is 298°C, and the Charpy impact strength is 20.46 KJ/m². The plane strain critical stress intensity factor (K_IC) is 1.21 MPa·m^0.5 and the plane strain critical strain energy release rate (G_IC) is 295.64 J/m². Compared with that of BDM/DABPA system, the K_IC and G_IC values of Code 3 are improved by 34.07% and 68.10%, respectively, which show that the modified resin presented good fracture toughness. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40395.     

Aqueous polyacrylate/poly(silicone‐co‐acrylate) emulsion coated fertilizers for slow nutrient‐release application

Waterborne polyacrylate/poly(silicone‐co‐acrylate) emulsions were synthesized to develop coated fertilizers. The effects of the n‐butyl acrylate (BA)/methyl methacrylate (MMA) ratio, vinyltriethoxysilane, and synthesis method on the water resistance, glass‐transition temperature, mechanical properties, and nutrient‐release profiles were investigated. The results show that miniemulsion polymerization with a BA/MMA ratio of 55:45 was the most suitable for slow nutrient‐release applications. Under these conditions, the preliminary solubility rate of the nutrient was about 3%, and the 30‐day cumulative nutrient release was 15% at 25°C. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40369.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyimide/modified mCOC composites

Two types of monomers, 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride and 4,4′‐oxydianiline, were employed to synthesize poly(amic acid) (PAA) as a precursor of polyimide (PI). Through the addition of modified metallocene cyclic olefin copolymer (mCOC), PAA/mCOC composites were formed. PI/mCOC composites were obtained through a blade coating and multistep thermal curing process. The structure of the prepared PI/mCOC composites was characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The results showed that the copolymerization of PAA and modified mCOC improved thethermal stability and hydrophobic and electrical properties of the PI/mCOC composites. The formation of a network structure between PI and modified mCOC considerably reduced the mobility of PI molecules, thereby improving the glass transition temperature and thermal properties of the composite. The thermal and hydrophobic properties were improved by increasing the mCOC grafting ratio. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44144.     

Synthesis and evaluation of fluorosilicone‐modified starch for protection of historic stone

Starch is sensitive to moisture and is weak to durability in the protection application to ancient relics. Therefore, two fluorosilicone‐modified starches are firstly prepared and evaluated for the protection of historic stones. The fluoro‐silicone copolymer grafted starch of P(VTMS/12FMA)‐g‐starch is synthesized by grafting copolymer of vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) and dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (12FMA) onto starch. While the fluoro‐silicone starch latex of VTMS‐starch@P(MMA/BA/3FMA) is obtained by emulsion polymerization of VTMS primarily grafted‐starch (VTMS‐starch) with methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA) and 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate (3FMA). The grafting fluorosilicone copolymer onto starch improves obviously their hydrophobic and thermal properties. Comparatively, VTMS‐starch@P(MMA/BA/3FMA) film performs higher water contact angle (107°) and thermal stability (350–430°C) than p(VTMS/12FMA)‐g‐starch film (72°, 250–420°C) due to the migration of fluorine‐containing group onto the surface of film during the film formation. Therefore, VTMS‐starch@P(MMA/BA/3FMA) shows much better protective performance in water‐resistance, and salt/freeze‐thaw resistance for stone samples. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41650.     

Fabrication and characterization of in situ synthesized iron oxide‐modified polyimide nanoweb by needleless electrospinning

A series of poly(amic acid) (PAA) solutions were prepared by sol–gel condensation of 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) and 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA), containing various wt % (5, 10, 15) of an iron oxide precursor, that is, tris(acetylacetonato)iron(III) complex. The resulting PAA solutions were electrospun at 78 kV and collected as webs of nonwoven nanofibers of diameter ～60–70 nm and subsequently converted to iron oxide‐modified polyimide (PI) nanofibers by slow thermal imidization. Aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) and tetraethoxyorthosilicate (TEOS) were used as coupling agent and silica precursor, respectively, to enhance the compatibility between organic polymer matrix and inorganic moieties. SEM images reveal smooth and defect‐free surface morphologies of the nanofibers. Superparamagnetic properties of the nanofibers were revealed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). FT‐infrared spectroscopy (IR), powder XRD, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry were employed to systematically characterize material structural properties, thermal stabilities, etc. Nanowebs showed excellent thermal stability around 446°C, with a glass transition temperature around 270°C. The above study demonstrates a good example for fabrication of highly thermally stable bead‐free nanofiber webs by needleless electrospinning. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40432.     

线性聚醚氨基嵌段有机硅柔软剂的应用特点

以端环氧基硅油、聚醚胺和端环氧基聚醚为主要原料,合成了线性聚醚氨基嵌段有机硅柔软剂;乳化后用于织物的整理。考察了线性聚醚氨基嵌段有机硅柔软剂对织物的白度、摩擦牢度、防水性能和撕破强力等的影响,并用FT-IR表征了产物结构。结果表明,与采用传统有机硅柔软剂氨基硅油和亲水聚醚改性硅油整理的织物相比,经线性聚醚氨基嵌段有机硅柔软剂整理织物的白度、摩擦牢度、防水性能和撕破强力等具有明显的优势,并可很好地平衡手感和亲水性之间的矛盾,具有优良的性能。     

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxy‐terminated polyether‐polydimethylsiloxane‐polyether (PE‐PDMS‐PE) triblock oligomers and their use in the preparation of thermoplastic polyurethanes

A series of hydroxy‐terminated polyether‐polydimethylsiloxane‐polyether (α,ω‐dihydroxy‐(PE‐PDMS‐PE)) ABA triblock oligomers were synthesized from silanic fluids and methyl polyallyloxide polyethers. The reaction was a one‐step solventless hydrosilylation reaction with chloroplatinic acid (CPA) catalyst in the presence of heat. These ABA oligomers were characterized via ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, ²⁹Si‐NMR, FT‐IR, and GPC to demonstrate that they exhibit a 100% linear ABA structure with a siloxane Si? O chain in the center and polyether ethylene oxide (EO)/propylene oxide (PO) chains on the two sides terminated by hydroxy groups. The triblock oligomers were used to form thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) using two‐step solventless bulk polymerization. The investigation of triblock oligomers impact on TPUs mechanical properties, thermal performance, surface water repellency, and morphology performance were analyzed by Instron material tester, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), water contact angles (WCA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). DSC and TGA indicated that PE‐PDMS‐PE modified TPUs had a clear lower T_g under ?120°C and the temperature of 50% weight loss was improved from 280 to 340°C. PE‐PDMS‐PE–modified TPU did not have the marked reduction on mechanical properties than pure polyether produced TPU. Tensile strength was maintained at 13 MPa and elongation was maintained at 300%. SEM and TEM were used to investigate the copolymers’ morphology performance and found that all PO PE‐PDMS‐PE had a pseudo‐three phase separation. WCA analysis confirmed that PE‐PDMS‐PE–modified TPU had significantly improved hydrophobic performance because the silicone structure linked into TPU copolymers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42521.     

Preparation and properties of high performance phthalide‐containing bismaleimide modified epoxy matrices

A series of intercrosslinked networks formed by diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy resin (DGEBA) and novel bismaleimide containing phthalide cardo structure (BMIPP), with 4,4′‐diamino diphenyl sulfone (DDS) as hardener, have been investigated in detail. The curing behavior, thermal, mechanical and physical properties and compatibility of the blends were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), notched Izod impact test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water absorption test. DSC investigations showed that the exothermic transition temperature (T_p) of the blend systems shifted slightly to the higher temperature with increasing BMIPP content and there appeared a shoulder on the high‐temperature side of the exothermic peak when BMIPP content was above 15 wt %. TGA and DMA results indicated that the introduction of BMIPP into epoxy resin improved the thermal stability and the storage modulus (G′) in the glassy region while glass transition temperature (T_g) decreased. Compared with the unmodified epoxy resin, there was a moderate increase in the fracture toughness for modified resins and the blend containing 5 wt % of BMIPP had the maximum of impact strength. SEM suggested the formation of homogeneous networks and rougher fracture surface with an increase in BMIPP content. In addition, the equilibrium water uptake of the modified resins was reduced as BMIPP content increased. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synthesis,characterization, and in vitro biocompatibility study of novel disulfide cross‐linked hydrogels based on poly(amic acid)

In this study, novel disulfide cross‐linked hydrogels were designed and synthesized. First, ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride reacted with butanediamine and amino‐terminated polyethylene glycol via N‐acylation reaction to give biocompatible poly(amic acid) (PAA) with pendant carboxyl groups; then, the amino groups of cystamine reacted with carboxyl groups of PAA to generate disulfide cross‐linked network polymer (PAA‐SS). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, gel permeation chromatography with multiangle laser light scattering, potentiometric titration, rheology, hydrolytic degradation, morphology, porosity, and in vitro biocompatibility studies were used to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the obtained polymers. The results indicated that the equilibrium swelling ratio of the PAA‐SS decreased with the increase in Rm. The PAA‐SS provided good mechanical strength to maintain their integrity, and the storage modules (G′) of the hydrogels can be adjusted by Rm. The PAA‐SS presented co‐continuum pores, and the pore size correlated with the cross‐linking degree. The degradation of PAA‐SS could be controlled by regulating the concentration of dithiothreitol. Particularly, the PAA‐SS possessed an excellent biocompatibility, as the average proliferating rate of osteoblasts on PAA‐SS was appreciably higher than that on PAA and glass coverslips. In conclusion, the above obtained results demonstrate that the performance of the PAA‐SS outbalance and facilitate the application in biomedical region, particularly in bone tissue regeneration. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40930.     

Polylactide/transition metal ion modified montmorillonite nanocomposite—a critical evaluation of mechanical performance and thermal stability

Polylactide (PLA) nanocomposite was prepared by melt blending of PLA and transition metal ion (TMI) adsorbed montmorillonite (MMT). PLA nanocomposite was characterized for mechanical performance, and the results revealed that the tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength were increased marginally. The nanocomposite was optimized at 5 wt% of TMI‐modified MMT (TMI‐MMT) loading. Thermogravimetric analysis displayed increase in onset of degradation temperature, and differential scanning calorimetry showed marginal increase in glass transition temperature (T_g) and melting temperature (T_m) in case of PLA nanocomposites, when compared with virgin PLA. The flammability testing of nanocomposites indicated good fire retardance characters. X‐ray diffraction patterns of TMI‐MMT and the corresponding nanocomposites indicated an intercalation of the metal ions into the clay interlayer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicate formation of [Zn(EDA)₂]²⁺ and [Cu(EDA)₂]²⁺ complexes in the MMT interlayer. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows increase in glass transition temperature (T_g) and storage modulus (E′) in case of PLA nanocomposites reinforced with 5 wt% modified MMT. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Properties of novel diallyl phthalate resin modified with sulfur‐containing allyl ester compounds

Sulfur‐containing allyl ester, which reacts with diallyl phthalate (DAP) resin to have allyl groups, was synthesized by the reaction of allyl phthalic acid with bisphenol having sulfur atoms. The sulfur‐containing allyl ester compound was blended with DAP resin to improve the adhesive properties to copper. By modification with sulfur‐containing allyl ester compound, the T‐peel adhesive strength and the lap shear adhesive strength to copper was improved. In particular, the adhesive strength was greatly improved when the resin was modified with the allyl ester compound having a disulfide bond (?S?S?) (DADS). It is concluded that this result is due to the improvement of the interfacial adhesive strength because the sulfur atom was found to be located in the surface of the copper by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and the thermal decomposition temperature (T_d) of the cured DAP resin modified with DADS slightly decreased with increasing concentration of DADS. The lowering of T_g is because the crosslinking density of the DAP resin modified with DADS is smaller than that of DAP resin. Moreover, from thermogravimetric analysis, the lowering of Td of the DAP resin modified with DADS is because DADS is likely to pyrolyze. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Properties of water‐blown rigid polyurethane foams with reactivity of raw materials

Rigid polyurethane foams (PUFs) were prepared from polymeric 4,4‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI; having functionality of 2.9), polyether polyols, silicone surfactant, amine catalysts, and distilled water. The effects of reactivity on the properties such as density, compressive and flexural strength, and glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of the PUF samples were studied. The kinetic rate of forming the PUF samples was increased with the catalyst and water content. With increasing OH value and functionality of the polyols, the density and compressive strength of the PUF samples also increased. For the PUF samples synthesized with polyols having high functionality (>5), the flexural strength of the PUF samples decreased with the functionality of the polyols. With increasing OH value and functionality of the polyols, the T_g of the PUF increased because of an increase in the degree of crosslinking of the PUF samples. The T_g value and compressive strength of the PUF samples were observed to increase with the NCO index. From this result, it was suggested that the increase in the T_g value and compressive strength of the PUF samples may be attributable to the additional crosslinks that arose from allophonate and biuret formation by the supplementary reactions of excess PMDI. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2334–2342, 2004     

Studies of the properties of a thermosetting epoxy modified with block copolymers

Poly[(n‐butyl acrylate)‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate)‐co‐(glycidyl methacrylate)] (BMG) diblock copolymers incorporating an epoxy‐reactive functionality in one block have been synthesized and used as modifiers for the model epoxy resin E‐51 cured with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM). The properties and morphologies of the modified epoxy thermosets were investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), impact testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results reveal that addition of the block copolymers leaves the glass transition temperatures of the blends relatively unchanged, with small decreases in the storage moduli at room temperature. The toughening effect is dependent on the chemical structures of the block copolymers and an increase in the impact strength by a factor of two was obtained by the addition of ‘relatively symmetrical’ block copolymers. Moreover, the impact test results are consistent with the morphologies of the fracture surfaces as evidenced by SEM. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Facile synthesis of silicone‐toughened unsaturated polyester by hydroxyl‐terminated silicone copolycondensation

A facile method is developed to synthesize silicone‐toughened unsaturated polyester (SUP‐M) by monomer copolymerization of anhydrides and diols with hydroxyl‐terminated silicone. The structures and molecular weights of the SUP‐M resins were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography, respectively. The gelation time and mechanical properties, including impact strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength, were investigated. The fracture behaviors were studied by scanning electron microscopy, and their glass‐transition temperature and storage modulus were measured by dynamic mechanical analysis. The experimental results showed that the impact strength of SUP‐M can be obviously improved through copolymerization with a small amount of silicone without decreasing its mechanical properties. The impact strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength of SUP‐M‐0.5 are as high as 12.5 KJ m^?2, 131 MPa, and 59 MPa, which are increased by 76.1%, 21.2%, and 6.7%, respectively, compared with those of unsaturated polyester. Impacts on SUP‐M with low silicone content produce a large number of evenly and regularly distributed continuous narrow crack bands combined with many evenly distributed branching crazes, which are of great benefit in absorbing a large amount of impact energy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45562.     

Structures and properties of polycarbonate modified polyether‐polyurethanes prepared by transurethane polycondensation

Thermoplastic polycarbonate modified polyether‐polyurethane (PEPU) elastomers were prepared by transurethane polycondensation method using poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol of M_n = 2000 and dimethyl‐hexane‐1,6‐dicarbamate as the main raw materials, 1,4‐butanediol as a chain extender and polycarbonate diol (PCDL) as an additive in the presence of dibutyltin oxide as a catalyst. The effect of the PCDL on the PEPUs' structure, intrinsic viscosity, molecular weight, mechanical, optical, and thermal properties, and water resistance were studied. The polycarbonate modified PEPUs showed better mechanical and thermal properties, but lower molecular weight and optical properties than the PEPUs. The PEPUs modified by PCDL1000 exhibited better performance, including mechanical, optical, and thermal properties, than those by PCDL2000. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42804.     

Studies on mechanical,thermal, and morphology of diglycidylether‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane‐modified epoxy–bismaleimide matrices

An epoxy matrix system modified by diglycidylether‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane (DGETPDMS) and bismaleimide (BMI) was developed. Epoxy systems modified with 4, 8, and 12% (by wt) of DGETPDMS were made using epoxy resin and DGETPDMS, with diaminodiphenylmethane as the curing agent. The DGETPDMS‐toughened epoxy systems were further modified with 4, 8, and 12% (by wt) of BMI, namely (N,N′‐bismaleimido‐4,4′‐diphenylmethane). DGETPDMS/BMI/epoxy matrices were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and heat deflection temperature analysis. The matrices, in the form of castings, were characterized for their mechanical properties, viz. tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact test, as per ASTM methods. Mechanical studies indicate that the introduction of DGETPDMS into epoxy resin improves the impact strength, with reduction in tensile strength, flexural strength, and glass transition temperature, whereas the incorporation of BMI into epoxy resin enhances the mechanical and thermal properties according to its percentage content. However, the introduction of both DGETPDMS and BMI enhances the values of thermomechanical properties according to their percentage content. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 668–674, 2006     

Preparation of a new superhydrophobic nanofiber film by electrospinning polystyrene mixed with ester modified silicone oil

A new superhydrophobic nanofiber membrane with certain mechanical strength was prepared by electrospinning the polystyrene (PS) with ester modified silicone oil (EMSO). To increase the roughness and tensile strength, the EMSO with low energy as hydrophobic macromolecular substance was added into PS precursor solution. Then during the process of electrospinning, some of the ester modified silicone oil was distribution on the surface of substrate (PS) fiber films to generate double structure which leaded to the superhydrophobicity. We probed into the relationship between the surface wettability, morphologies, mechanical property, and the mass ratios of ester modified silicone oil /PS, and with the increasing of EMSO, the water CA value increased from 135 ± 0.5° to 152 ± 0.2°and the tensile strength grown from 0.23 MPa to 0.92 MPa. The film shows a network structure consisting of numerous randomly oriented fibers, the diameters of which changed from 0.5 μm to 2.0 μm belong to relatively big diameter fibers, which has great significance to the research of superhydrophobic membrane with big diameter fibers and also this method is easy, convenient and environment friendly. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40718.