Effects of silicone resins on copolymerization of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil

In this work, effects of the silicone resins on copolymerization of the acrylated epoxidized soybean oil were investigated. Rheological characteristics, curing behaviors, and thermal properties of acrylate epoxy soybean oil prepolymer (AP), silicone prepolymer (SP), and their hybrids (AP/SP) were studied in detail. Spots in a snowflake pattern were observed on the fracture section surface of cured AP/SP hybrid resins by SEM. According to the change of polymer groups revealed by Fourier transform infrared, a possible reaction between AP and SP was proposed. The curing mechanism of AP/SP hybrids was researched, which was suggested to be an autocatalytic curing process. Furthermore, the degree of cure, the activation energy (E_α) and the reaction frequency factor (A) of the curing reaction were estimated. It was found that the cure kinetic of AP/SP hybrid resins could be well-described by a Sesthk-Bergglen model with the numerical optimization based on the Kissinger method and the Malek approach. The experimental results show that the mass retention rates of AP/SP hybrid resins were significantly increased after curing, indicating that the thermal stability of AP was enhanced with the addition of SP.     

Flame retardant and antibacterial properties of PLA/PHMG-P/APP composites

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has evolved into a commodity polymer with numerous applications. However, its high flammability limits its viability as a perfect alternative to petrochemical engineering plastics. In this study, PLA was modified using polyhexamethyleneguanidine phosphate (PHMG-P) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The flame retardant performance of PLA/PHMG-P/APP was investigated based on the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimetry (CC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman Spectrometry. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to determine the antibacterial properties of PLA composites. The LOI of PLA-10% (P:A = 1:4) was 31.7% and was rated V-0 in the UL-94 V-0 test. The antibacterial properties of the composites reflected the antibacterial effects of PLA-10% (P: A = 1:4) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with the antibacterial rates reaching 93.41% and 93.26%, respectively. PHMG-P and APP had a synergistic flame-retardant effect and improved the flame retardancy of PLA while exhibiting excellent antibacterial properties.     

Characterization and anticorrosive properties of poly(2,3‐dimethylaniline)/Na+‐montmorillonite composite prepared by emulsion polymerization

Composites of Poly(2,3‐dimethylaniline) and inorganic Na⁺‐montmorillonite clay were synthesized by emulsion polymerization. The as‐synthesized composites (PDMA) were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The protective performance against corrosion of the samples was evaluated by Tafel and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The results showed that the composite containing 5 wt. % of clay loading (PDMA‐5%) displayed a better anticorrosive performance than other samples. The Epoxy(E) blend with PDMA‐5% (EPM5) coating was founded to have a higher corrosion potential and a lower current density than that of Epoxy blend P(2,3‐DMA) (EP) coating. The impedance value of EPM5 coating was about 6.68×10⁶Ω·cm² in 5 wt. % NaCl solution even after 288 h, compared to EP (4.26×10⁵Ω·cm²) coating, which went to show that the corrosion inhibition of P(2,3‐DMA) could be effectively enhanced by incorporating MMT into the P(2,3‐DMA) matrix. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4528–4533, 2013     

Preparation and properties of composites based on melamine‐formaldehyde foam and nano‐Fe3O4

In this work, a novel melamine‐formaldehyde‐Fe₃O₄ foam was prepared from a mixture containing melamine‐ethanolamine‐formaldehyde resin, melamine‐glycol‐formaldehyde resin and carboxylated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles by microwave foaming method. The two resins were characterized by ¹³C‐NMR, respectively. The structures of foams, mechanical and fire‐retardant properties were experimentally characterized separately by scanning electron microscopy, universal testing machine, limit oxygen index, thermogravimetry‐differential thermal analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The effects of the resin viscosity, emulsifier, nucleating agent, curing agent, silicone oil, microwave heating time and blowing agent on the structure of foam were investigated. Results showed that the properties of foam were decided by not only the molecular structure but also structure of foam, and the carboxylated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles can improve the toughness and flame retardant properties of magnetic foam obviously from both aspects. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2688–2697, 2013     

Synthesis of amphiphilic heteroarm star‐shaped polymer via free radical polymerization using polyfunctional chain transfer agent and its self‐assembly behavior

Amphiphilic heteroarm star‐shaped polymers have important theoretical and practical significance. In this work, amphiphilic heteroarm star‐shaped polymer was synthesized by the use of polyfunctional chain transfer agent via sequential free radical polymerization in two steps. First, conventional free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by 2,2′‐azobis (isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) was carried out in the presence of polyfunctional chain transfer agent, pentaerythritol‐tertrakis (3‐mercaptopropinate) (PETMP). At appropriate monomer conversion, about two‐arm s‐PMMA having two residual thiol groups at the chain center was obtained. Second, the s‐PMMA obtained above was used as macro‐chain‐transfer agent for free radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AA). The heteroarm star‐shaped polymer with the hydrophobic PMMA segment and the hydrophilic PAA segment was obtained. The successful synthesis of heteroarm star‐shaped polymers, (PMMA)₂(AA)₂, was confirmed by ¹H‐NMR and its self‐assembly behavior in different solvents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Improved synthesis of a branched poly(ethylene imine)‐modified cellulose‐based adsorbent for removal and recovery of Cu(II) from aqueous solution

This study focuses on an improved synthesis of a branched poly (ethylene imine) (PEI)‐modified cellulose‐based adsorbent (Cell‐g‐PGMA‐PEI). We aim to improve the adsorbent capacity by reducing side reaction of epoxide ring opening during graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto cellulose which increases the content of epoxy groups, anchors to immobilize branched PEI moieties. FTIR spectra provided the evidence of successful graft copolymerization of GMA onto cellulose initiated by benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and modification with PEI. The amount of epoxy groups of Cell‐g‐PGMA was 4.35 mmol g^?1 by epoxy titration. Subsequently, the adsorption behavior of Cu(II) on cell‐g‐PGMA‐PEI in aqueous solution has been investigated. The data from the adsorption kinetic experiments agreed well with pseudo‐second‐order model. The adsorption isotherms can be interpreted by the Langmuir model with the maximum adsorption capacity of 102 mg g^?1 which was largely improved compared with the similar adsorbent reported. The dynamic adsorption capacity obtained from the column tests was 119 mg g^?1 and the adsorbent could be regenerated by HCl of 0.1 mol L^?1. Results indicate that the novel pathway for the synthesis of Cell‐g‐PGMA‐PEI exhibits significant potential to improve the performance of adsorbents in removal and recovery of Cu(II) from aqueous solution. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

4-溴-4~’碘联苯的合成研究

对两种不同体系下合成4-溴-4’碘联苯进行了研究。通过对比发现,浓硫酸做催化剂,I2/KIO4为碘化试剂的反应体系具有可行性。对该体系的反应温度和浓硫酸的用量进行了优化。原料4溴联苯,在浓硫酸催化下,与碘/碘酸钾在冰醋酸水溶液中,于100℃下反应2h,紫色褪尽,过滤得到白色固体粗品34g,纯度98%(HPLC),收率为95%。该方法降低了原料成本,简化操作,缩短反应时间,是较为理想4-溴-4’碘联苯的工业合成方法。     

Effect of interfacial chemistry on the linear rheology and thermal stability of poly(arylene ether nitrile) nanocomposite films filled with various functionalized graphite nanoplates

Poly(arylene ether nitrile) (PEN) nanocomposites filled with functionalized graphite nanoplates (GNs) were prepared by a simple solution‐ casting method and then characterized by rheometer and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This study investigates how the surface treatment of GNs affects the GN dispersion state. The linear rheological test indicated that the 4‐aminophenoxyphthalonitrile‐grafted GN (GN‐CN) presented better dispersion in PEN matrix than purified GN because the corresponding composite showed the lower rheological percolation threshold, which was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and solution experiments. The TGA revealed that the presence of 4‐aminophenoxyphthalonitrile‐grafted GN retarded the depolymerization evidently compared with that of purified GN, showing remarkable increase in the temperatures corresponding to a weight loss of 5 wt % (increased by 21°C) and maximum rate of decomposition (increased by 9°C). Both the dispersion state and the surface functionalization of GN are very important to the thermal stability of PEN matrix. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Lubrication of poly(vinyl alcohol) chain orientation by carbon nano‐chips in composite tapes

The extraordinary structural properties of graphene and carbon nanotube materials motivate the development of practical methods for their use in fabricating continuous, strong, and tough composite fibers. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/carbon nano‐chip fiber (CNCF) composite tapes with 0.5 wt % loading show that Young's modulus, tensile strength, and toughness are increased by 585%, 653%, and 20%, respectively as compared to the control (PVA) tapes. Nano‐chips exfoliated from the CNCF during processing, lubricate polymer chain alignment, and orientation during drawing, where composite tapes could be drawn to higher draw ratios compared with the control tapes. As a result, the Herman's orientation factor (f) increased from 0.5 (control tape) to 0.8 (composite tape). Theoretical analysis shows ～ 16 vol % of the composite tapes consists of fully oriented PVA chains, which contributes to its exceptional mechanical performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis and anticorrosion properties of poly(2,3‐dimethylaniline) doped with phosphoric acid

Poly(2,3‐dimethylaniline) (P(2,3‐DMA)) was synthesized chemically by using phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) as protonic acid. The optimum ratio for n(H₃PO₄)/n(2,3‐DMA)/n(APS) was 2.5/1/2, and the optimum temperature was 30°C. The spectra of ultraviolet‐visible and infrared demonstrate that the structure of P(2,3‐DMA) was similar with polyaniline (PANI) except for the 2,3‐ortho‐substitute methyl. The result of X‐ray diffraction and solubility analysis indicate that owing to the 2,3‐ortho‐substitute benzene ring, the P(2,3‐DMA) has poorly partial crystallinity and better solubility. In addition, the anticorrosion property of P(2,3‐DMA) was better than PANI. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013