Durable antimicrobial treatment of cotton fabrics using N‐(2‐hydroxy)propyl‐3‐trimethylammonium chitosan chloride and polycarboxylic acids

N‐(2‐hydroxy)propyl‐3‐trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC), a water‐soluble chitosan quaternary ammonium derivative, was used as an antimicrobial agent for cotton fabrics. HTCC has a lower minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli compared to that of chitosan; however, the imparted antimicrobial activity is lost on laundering. Thus crosslinking agents were utilized to obtain a durable antimicrobial treatment by immobilizing HTCC. Several crosslinkers such as dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU), butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), and citric acid (CA) were used with HTCC to improve the laundering durability of HTCC treatment by covalent bond formation between the crosslinker, HTCC and cellulose. The polycarboxylic acid treatment was superior to the DMDHEU treatment in terms of prolonged antimicrobial activity of the treated cotton after successive laundering. Also, the cotton treated with HTCC and BTCA showed improved durable press properties without excessive deterioration in mechanical strength or whiteness when compared to the citric acid treatment. With the addition of only 0.1% HTCC to BTCA solutions, the treated fabrics showed durable antimicrobial activity up to 20 laundering cycles. The wrinkle recovery angle and strength retention of the treated fabrics were not adversely affected with the addition of HTCC. Therefore, BTCA can be used with HTCC in one bath to impart durability of antimicrobial activity along with durable press properties to cotton fabric. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1567–1572, 2003     

Physical and electroresponsive characteristics of the intercalated styrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer/clay nanocomposite under applied electric fields

Styrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN)/clay nanocomposites were synthesized through an emulsion copolymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of sodium montmorillonite, and their physical properties and electroresponsiveness under an applied electric field were characterized. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of the synthesized polymer was sustained. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the insertion of SAN into the interlayers of clay, whose separation consequently increased, as compared to those of the pristine clay. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the suspended state of clay. Dry‐base electrorheological (ER) fluids were prepared by mixing intercalated SAN nanocomposite particles into silicone oil. Typical ER behavior, i.e., enhancement of shear and yield stresses in the presence of an applied electric field, was observed using a rotational rheometer equipped with a high‐voltage generator. A universal yield stress scaling equation was also found to fit our experimental data well. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 821–827, 2003     

Effect of hydrophobic hexafluoroisopropylidene group on the water sorption behaviors of rigid poly(p‐phenylene pyromellitimide) polyimide thin films

We prepared poly(p‐phenylene pyromellitimide) (PMDA–PDA), poly(p‐phenylene 4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidene diphthalimide), and their copolyimides with various compositions to explore the relationship between the water sorption and structure. The water sorption behaviors were gravimetrically investigated as a function of composition and temperature and interpreted with a Fickian diffusion model in films. Overall, the water sorption behaviors were strongly dependent on the changes in morphological structure, which originated from the variations in composition. When the content of the bulky hexafluoroisopropylidene group (6FDA) was increased, the water uptake decreased from 5.80 to 3.18 wt %, whereas the diffusion coefficient increased from 3.6 × 10^?10 to 11.3 × 10^?10 cm²/s. The relatively high water uptake in the PMDA–PDA polyimide film was successfully healed by the incorporation of 6FDA, which may have resulted from the increases in the intermolecular packing order and hydrophobicity. The degree of orientation and crystallinity, which are in‐plane characteristics, were directly correlated to the diffusion coefficient and activation energy in the polyimide film. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3442–3446, 2003     

Ceramic sheet hybrid kenaf reinforced polypropylene biocomposites

Hybrid biocomposites are one of the emerging fields in polymer composites. The purpose of this study is the development and characterization of ceramic sheet (CS) hybrid polypropylene (PP) biocomposites for broadening of the field of potential applications of biocomposites. Hybrid PP biocomposites were manufactured with 20 wt % loadings of kenaf and the addition of a CS (single or double sided) by melting and compression molding. The effects of the CS on the mechanical and thermal properties of the hybrid PP biocomposites were analyzed in terms of tensile, flexural, and impact properties, and inflammability, smoke optical density, and toxicity of the combustion gas. Also, the surface morphology of fractured hybrid PP biocomposites was observed by SEM and AFM. In spite of the brittle properties of the ceramic, the mechanical properties of the hybrid PP biocomposites were improved and, also, the inflammability of the hybrid PP biocomposites with the CS was highly improved. As a result, full impregnation of CSs into the kenaf reinforced biocomposite can contribute to the improvement of both the mechanical properties and the inflammability of biocomposites, resulting in a broadening of the field of potential applications of biocomposites such as aerospace. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1917–1922, 2013     

Effect of surface laminate type on the emission of volatile organic compounds from wood-based composite panels

As a part of understanding the influence of wood-based panels on indoor air quality of a building, this study examined the effects of laminate type on the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, toluene, and total VOCs (TVOCs) from particle board (PB) and medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels, using a 20-L small chamber method. Five different types of surface laminates, including three types of surface overlays such as low pressure laminate (LPL), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) film, and urethane coated paper (UCP), as well as two types of surfaces coatings, i.e. direct coating (DC) and ultra-violet coating (UVC) were applied to the veneer bonded to a surface of PB and MDF panels that were of different grades with respect to formaldehyde emission (FE) such as E ₀, E ₁, and E ₂ before surface lamination. As expected, the FE grade strongly affected the FE of panels, regardless of types of panel and laminate. All types of surface laminations dramatically reduced the FE compared to the control. However, the surface laminations by overlay significantly decreased the emission of TVOCs and toluene while both types of surface coatings greatly increased the emission of TVOCs and toluene. In particular, styrene was the main component of TVOCs from the DC sample (about 87%), while toluene was the main species of TVOCs from the UVC sample (about 73%). When two different ways of sample preparation (i.e., single- or all-surface exposure) were compared, the FE of the MDF sample was influenced by the surface exposure type. But TVOCs and toluene emissions were independent of the FE grade and the sample preparation. These results suggest that a proper selection of the surface laminate for wood panels has a significant impact on indoor air quality of a building.     

Adhesion properties of eco-friendly PVAc emulsion adhesive using nonphthalate plasticizer

An eco-friendly poly (vinyl acetate) emulsion adhesive was synthesized without phthalate. Four types of eco-friendly plasticizers for use in these adhesives were selected to confirm their primary properties by injecting the eco-friendly plasticizer without any prior change to its processing or cost. The four types of eco-friendly plasticizers used were dibutyl phthalate DBP-based product, dialkyl ester, acetyl tributyl citrate, and pentandiol-di-isobutyrate. Their properties were determined by comparison with the existing (DBP)-based product. As a result, an emulsion adhesive was produced without addition of phthalate or need for additional additives, resulting in a significant decrease in cost. However, the low temperature characteristics of the eco-friendly plasticizers were slightly inferior to those of DBP. These adhesives containing eco-friendly plasticizer were studied and their characteristics for adhesion strength, water resistance, ability for low temperature film formation, excellent storage stability, and lack of volatile organic compounds productions (including phthalate) were confirmed.     

Synthesis of 3D Silver-Graphene-Titanium Dioxide Composite via Aerosol Spray Pyrolysis for Sensitive Glucose Biosensor

A sensitive glucose biosensor was developed based on the adsorption of glucose oxidase by a three-dimensional silver-graphene-titanium dioxide (3D Ag-GR-TiO₂) composite electrode. Aerosol spray pyrolysis was employed to synthesize the 3D Ag-GR-TiO₂ composite using a colloidal mixture of a silver acetate precursor (C₂H₃AgO₂), graphene oxide, and TiO₂ nanoparticles. The effects of the operating temperature, gas flowrate, and TiO₂ concentration on the particle properties were investigated. The particle morphology of all 3D Ag-GR-TiO₂ composites was spherical in shape. The average sizes of composites could be controlled from 0.45 to 0.64 μm with the variation of process variables. Ag nanoparticles less than 10 nm in diameter were deposited on the surfaces of the TiO₂ nanoparticles and GR after a reduction process. The characteristics of the glucose biosensor fabricated with the as-prepared 3D Ag-GR-TiO₂ composite were assessed through cyclic voltammetry measurements. The biosensor exhibited a high current flow as well as clear redox peaks, resulting in a superior ability of the catalyst in terms of the electrochemical reactions. The highest sensitivity of glucose biosensor was obtained by 3D Ag-GR-TiO₂ composite, which was 12.2 μA/mM·cm², among 3D Ag-GR-TiO₂, 3D Ag-GR, and 3D GR-TiO₂ composites.

Copyright 2015 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Preparation and adhesion performance of transparent acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives for touch screen panel

Transparent acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) comprised semi-interpenetrated structured polymer networks were prepared with different co-monomer compositions. Emphasis was placed on the effect of functional groups in the co-monomer including morpholine and tetrahydrofurane moieties in the typical acrylic PSA formulation. The synthesized acrylic PSA syrups were characterized and the optical properties of the acrylic PSA film were also examined by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, haze meter, and prism coupler. Acrylic PSAs exhibit high transparency in the visible wavelength region. Adhesion performance was measured by the peel strength, cohesion strength, and probe tack tests. With increasing 4-acryloyl morpholine monomer concentration in the acrylic PSAs, the peel strength, cohesion strength, and probe tack increased.     

Aptamer-modified magnetic nanoprobe for molecular MR imaging of VEGFR2 on angiogenic vasculature

Nucleic acid-based aptamers have been developed for the specific delivery of diagnostic nanoprobes. Here, we introduce a new class of smart imaging nanoprobe, which is based on hybridization of a magnetic nanocrystal with a specific aptamer for specific detection of the angiogenic vasculature of glioblastoma via magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The magnetic nanocrystal imaging core was synthesized using the thermal decomposition method and enveloped by carboxyl polysorbate 80 for water solubilization and conjugation of the targeting moiety. Subsequently, the surface of the carboxylated magnetic nanocrystal was modified with amine-functionalized aptamers that specifically bind to the vascular growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) that is overexpressed on angiogenic vessels. To assess the targeted imaging potential of the aptamer-conjugated magnetic nanocrystal for VEGFR2 markers, the magnetic properties and MR imaging sensitivity were investigated using the orthotopic glioblastoma mouse model. In in vivo tests, the aptamer-conjugated magnetic nanocrystal effectively targeted VEGFR2 and demonstrated excellent MR imaging sensitivity with no cytotoxicity.     

Enhancement in electron transport and light emission efficiency of a Si nanocrystal light-emitting diode by a SiCN/SiC superlattice structure

We report an enhancement in light emission efficiency of Si nanocrystal (NC) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by employing 5.5 periods of SiCN/SiC superlattices (SLs). SiCN and SiC layers in SiCN/SiC SLs were designed by considering the optical bandgap to induce the uniform electron sheet parallel to the SL planes. The electrical property of Si NC LED with SiCN/SiC SLs was improved. In addition, light output power and wall-plug efficiency of the Si NC LED with SiCN/SiC SLs were also enhanced by 50% and 40%, respectively. This was attributed to both the formation of two-dimensional electron gas, i.e., uniform electron sheet parallel to the SiCN/SiC SL planes due to the conduction band offset between the SiCN layer and SiC layer, and an enhanced electron transport into the Si NCs due to a lower tunneling barrier height. We show here that the use of the SiCN/SiC SL structure can be very useful in realizing a highly efficient Si NC LED.