Preparation and characterization of carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan/sodium montmorillonite hybrid films

Carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CKGM)/ sodium montmorillonite (MMT) hybrid films of various compositions were prepared by casting from a polymer/silicate water suspension. The structure and properties of the hybrid films were investigated by wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile tests. The results from WXRD and TEM indicated that an intercalated CKGM/MMT nanocomposite film was obtained by polymer solution intercalation. WXRD and DSC showed that the high‐T_m crystal phase was induced by the presence of lower MMT loading, but the T_m of the hybrid films became weak with the increase of MMT content due to the polymer confinement. The hybrid films showed higher thermal stability and mechanical properties than that of the neat polysaccharide due to the strong interaction between hydroxyl and carbonyl group of CKGM and the silicate layer of MMT. Furthermore, the degree of swelling of the hybrid films was investigated in acidic buffer solutions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2954–2961, 2007     

Self-assembled patterned CoFe2O4-SrRuO3 electrodes: Enhanced functional properties by polar nano-regions reorientation

Epitaxial CoFe₂O₄ (CFO) and SrRuO₃ (SRO) nanopillar heterostructures were deposited on Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.70Ti_0.30O₃ (PMN-30PT) single crystal substrates by switch pulsed laser deposition (SPLD). Since the CFO nanopillars are insulating, and the SRO matrix conductive, this self-assembled nanopillar heterostructure served as a patterned electrode on PMN-PT, which then enhances the dielectric and piezoelectric constant of the substrate. Cross-sectional electron microscopy images revealed the formation of a nanopillar heterostructure layer with CFO nanopillars within a SRO matrix. AFM and XRD revealed good topography and epitaxy, indicating a high quality SRO-CFO self-assembled nanopillar structure. Using a SRO-CFO thin film patterned electrode, PMN-PT was found to have a notably higher (30%) dielectric constant with increasing electric field and enhanced transverse broadening in reciprocal spacing mapping (RSM) scans.     

Mechanical characterization and chemical resistances of cured unsaturated polyester resins modified with vinyl ester resins based on recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Unsaturated polyester resin (UP) was prepared from glycolyzed oligomer of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste based on diethylene glycol (DEG). New diacrylate and dimethacrylate vinyl ester resins prepared from glycolysis of PET with tetraethylene glycol were blended with UP to study the mechanical characteristics of the cured UP. The vinyl ester resins were used as crosslinking agents for unsaturated polyester resin diluted with styrene, using free‐radical initiator and accelerator. The mechanical properties of the cured UP resins were evaluated. The compressive properties of the cured UP/styrene resins in the presence of different vinyl ester concentrations were evaluated. Increasing the vinyl ester content led to a pronounced improvement in the compression strength. The chemical resistances of the cured resins were evaluated through hot water, solvents, acid, and alkali resistance measurements. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3175–3182, 2007     

Blends of poly(propylene) and polyacetal compatibilized by ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers

Polymer blends of poly(propylene) (PP) and polyacetal (polyoxymethylene, POM) with ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheological, tensile, and impact measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PP–POM–EVOH blends were extruded with a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. The ethylene group in the EVOH is partially miscible with PP, whereas the hydroxyl group in the EVOH can form hydrogen bonding with POM. The EVOH tends to reside along the interface, acting as a surfactant to reduce the interfacial tension and to increase the interfacial adhesion between the blends. Results from SEM and mechanical tests indicate that a small quantity of the EVOH copolymer or a smaller vinyl alcohol content in the EVOH copolymer results in a better compatibilized blend in terms of finer phase domains and better mechanical properties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1471–1477, 2003     

Effect of montmorillonite on the swelling behavior and drug‐release behavior of nanocomposite hydrogels

A series of nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared from various ratios of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and organic montmorillonite (MMT). The influence of the extent of MMT in the NIPAAm/MMT nanocomposite hydrogels on the physical properties and drug‐release behavior was the main purpose of this study. The microstructure and morphology were identified by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the swelling ratios for these nanocomposite hydrogels decreased with increase in the content of MMT. The gel strength and Young's modulus of the gels also increased with increase in the content of MMT. XRD results indicated that the exfoliation of MMT was achieved in the swollen state. Finally, the drug‐release behavior for the gels was also assessed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3652–3660, 2003     

气升式内环流反应器中油滴的分散特性

本文研究了气升式内环流反应器中油滴的分散特性。以对数正态分布密度函数为油滴尺寸的分散模型,导出了油滴的Sauter平均直径解析式。对模型作了实验验证,关联了模型参数。提出了油滴的尺寸分布密度函数和Sauter平均直径的半经验式。结果表明计算值与实验值吻合良好。     

Effects of oxidation and particle shape on critical volume fractions of silver‐coated copper powders in conductive adhesives for microelectronic applications

The effects of oxidation and particle shape on critical volume fractions of silver‐coated copper powders in conductive adhesives are investigated. Silver‐coated copper powders with spherical and flake‐shaped particles were oxidized at temperatures of 30°C, 175°C and 240°C for two hours and dispersed in an epoxy matrix. As silver‐coated copper powders are oxidized at 30°C and 175°C, the critical volume fractions of the conductive adhesives are slightly affected by oxidation and particle shape at these temperatures. As the oxidation temperature approaches 240°C, the critical volume fractions of the conductive adhesives are strongly affected by oxidation temperature and particle shape, owing to the formation of oxides such as Cu₂O on the surface of silver‐coated copper powder—Cu diffuses from the interior to the surface of silver‐coated copper powder and reacts with the oxygen in the air. Silver‐coated copper powder with flake‐shaped particles shows lower critical volume fractions in conductive adhesives than silver‐coated copper powder with spherically shaped particles. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:2075–2082, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Interfacial adhesion reaction of polyethylene and starch blends using maleated polyethylene reactive compatibilizer

The interfacial reaction of the polyethylene (PE)/starch blend system containing the reactive compatibilizer maleated polyethylene (m‐PE) was directly characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A significant amount of anhydride groups on m‐PE existed as hydrolyzed forms, resulting in a large amount of carboxyl groups. Using a vacuum‐heating‐cell designed in the laboratory, the carboxyl groups were successfully transformed into the dehydrolyzed state (i.e., anhydride group). This result enabled the direct spectroscopic observation of chemical reaction occurring at the interface. For the PE/starch blend system containing m‐PE, the chemical reaction at the interface was verified by the evolution of ester and carboxyl groups in the FTIR spectra. The effect of the reactive compatibilizer on the interfacial morphology was also examined by scanning electron micrography (SEM). Enhanced interfacial adhesion was clearly observed for the blend system containing reactive compatibilizer. Tensile strengths of blend systems containing m‐PE also increased noticeably compared with the corresponding system without compatibilizer. A similar observation was made for the breaking elongation data. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 767–776, 2002     

The use of wood pulp and radiation‐modified starch in wastewater treatment

Radiation‐induced graft copolymerization of maize starch/acrylic acid has been performed. Also, natural byproduct wood pulp was used after chemical treatment for the removal of metal ions from the investigated wastewater. The surface and structure morphology of the wood pulp and starch/acrylic acid were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The physical parameters, such as swelling, gel percentage, and grafting efficiency (%) of starch/acrylic acid copolymer, were studied. The factors affecting the abilities of the prepared materials for removing heavy metal ions and dyes from aqueous solutions were studied. It was found that the maximum metal uptake is in the following sequence: Fe³⁺ > Cr³⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺. The adsorption capacity of such investigated metal ions increases with the increase of pH values. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Time optimization of ultraviolet–ozone pretreatment for improving wool fabrics properties

Wool fabrics were exposed to ultraviolet (UV)–ozone treatment for different periods. After exposure, the fabrics were analyzed by Fourior transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Also, the crystallinity and amorphousity regions were followed by an X‐ray diffraction technique. The results were correlated by mechanical properties measurements. After a certain period of exposure, the dyeability and printability were improved because these abilities are strongly related to the percentage ratio of crystallinity regions to amorphousity regions in wool fabrics. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1469–1476, 2002