Microhardness studies of PMMA/natural rubber blends

The microhardness, H, of PMMA/natural rubber blends, prepared following the solution method has been investigated by means of the microindentation technique. Hardness changes are correlated with the variation of the glass transition temperature. The influence of temperature and degree of deformation on H were additionally examined. The inclusion of rubber particles in the PMMA matrix is shown to soften the blends. The variation of the micromechanical property at the phase boundary of polymer/rubber particle has been studied. Results reveal that H drastically drops at the interphase. In the case of the drawn materials, the indentation anisotropy (ΔH) is shown to gradually increase with the draw ratio, where ΔH is found to be higher for the PMMA/rubber blend than for the original PMMA. This result is explained by the higher orientation of the PMMA molecules near the periphery of stretched rubber particles. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 205–210, 2004     

Application of an Air‐Operated Impinging Streams Contactor in Liquid‐Liquid Extraction

An experimental study was conducted on the liquid‐liquid extraction of isobutyric acid by means of cumene from its aqueous solutions in an air‐operated impinging streams contactor (AOISC) with spray nozzles. Aqueous and organic streams may or may not contact one another inside the spray nozzles depending on the modes of operation. The overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient, K_La, determined enabled us to evaluate the performance capability of the contactor. The effects of air and solution flow rates, contactor length and diameter, impingement zone as well as modes of operation have been investigated. These experimental results verify the capability of the method of impinging streams in liquid‐liquid extraction.     

Kinetic Model for Invertase‐Induced Sucrose Hydrolysis: Initial Time Lag

The kinetics of sucrose hydrolysis by invertase was studied in order to find a comprehensive model for the reaction pathway and mechanism. First, three common models of Michaelis‐Menten (MM), substrate inhibition (S²), and substrate clusters' inhibition (S³(I)) were investigated. The third model was found to better predict the initial sucrose concentration. Then, the S³(I) model was modified to cover the remaining pathway (S³(II)). Finally, a new comprehensive model (S³(III)) was evaluated, which in addition to what is considered in the two previously mentioned models (S³(I) and S³(II)) also involved the initial time lag. The model predictions showed an excellent agreement with the experimental data. The mean absolute error for the MM model is significantly reduced for the S³(III) model.     

Studies of Micromechanical Deformation Processes in Particle-Filled Glassy Polymer

The deformation behavior of rubber-toughened polymer, which was prepared by incorporating soft, core-shell rubbery particles into a glassy polymer such as poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), has been investigated by means of mechanical tests, optical monitoring (OM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By mechanical testing, the neat PMMA reveals a 2% strain with high yield stress. After inclusion of 17.5 and 35 vol%rubber particles, the softened-PMMA samples exhibit corresponding strain of 20% and 38%, showing an increase of strain along with the relative decrease of yield stress, resulting in a toughening behavior of PMMA. Clear shear bands and stress whitening develop in the rubber-toughened PMMA after deformation, as observed by OM. Investigation by SEM shows crazes/cracks in the stretched, rubber-softened PMMA samples in which the core-shell particles are found to be cavitated. The mechanism of this deformation has been explained based on the void formation in the rubbery shell as well as the initiation and propagation of crazing.     

Preparation of micrometer‐sized,multifunctional capsule particles for cosmetic by microsuspension polymerization utilizing the self‐assembling of phase separated polymer method

Micrometer‐sized polymer particles with encapsulated ultraviolet (UV) absorbent, fluorescent agent, and blue pigment were successfully prepared by microsuspension polymerization utilizing the Self‐assembling of Phase Separated Polymer method. The particles were characterized by optical microscope and particle size distribution analysis, and they were evaluated on their usefulness for cosmetic using UV spectrometry, colorimetry, VISIA? Evolution, and bioassay. The capsule particles had multifunctional properties, which are very attractive in the cosmetic field, especially in whitening, brightening, the improvement of face‐texture, and less noticeable pores in face, as well as the protection from UV. Moreover, bioactivities of the particles under the UV irradiation, which were examined with the films prepared from capsule components, revealed not only makeup effect but also the activation of human epidermal keratinocytes. The results suggest the importance of blue light in the field of cosmetics. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Fabrication and modification of polyvinylchloride based heterogeneous cation exchange membranes by simultaneously using Fe-Ni oxide nanoparticles and Ag nanolayer: Physico-chemical and antibacterial characteristics

Polyvinylchloride-blend-styrene butadiene rubber based nanocomposite cation exchange membranes were prepared by solution casting technique. Iron-oxide nanoparticles and Ag-nanolayer were simultaneously utilized as filler and surface modifier in membrane fabrication. The effects of Ag-nanolayer film thickness on membrane physicochemical and antibacterial characteristics of nanocomposite PVC-blend-SBR/Iron-oxide nanoparticles were studied. SEM images showed membrane roughness decreasing by Ag nanolayer thickness increasing. Membrane charge density and selectivity declined by Ag nanolayer coating up to 5 nm in membranes and then showed increasing trend by more nanolayer thickness. Ionic flux also showed increasing trend. Membranes showed good ability in E-Coli removal. 20 nm Ag-nanolayer coated membrane showed better performance compared to others.     

Synthesis of an Enantiocomplementary Catalyst of β‐Isocupreidine (β‐ICD) from Quinine

Compound 20 , a pseudoenantiomer of β‐isocupreidine (β‐ICD), was synthesized from quinine employing a Barton reaction of nitrosyl ester 13 and acid‐catalyzed cyclization of carbinol 18 as key steps. The Baylis–Hillman reaction of benzaldehyde, p‐nitrobenzaldehyde, and hydrocinnamaldehyde with 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate (HFIPA) using 20 as a chiral amine catalyst was found to give the corresponding S‐enriched adducts in high optical purity (>91% ee) in contrast to the β‐ICD‐catalyzed reaction which affords R‐enriched adducts. This result suggests that compound 20 can serve as an enantiocomplementary catalyst of β‐ICD in the asymmetric Baylis–Hillman reaction of aldehydes with HFIPA.     

Eco-friendly Geopolymer Composite Based on Non-heat-treated Phosphate Sludge Reinforced With Polypropylene Fibers

Silicon - Geopolymers produced with metakaolin (MK) and thermally untreated phosphate sludge (PS) are beneficial and environmentally advantageous materials, but their fragility limits its...     

pHEMA: An Overview for Biomedical Applications

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) as a biomaterial with excellent biocompatibility and cytocompatibility elicits a minimal immunological response from host tissue making it desirable for different biomedical applications. This article seeks to provide an in-depth overview of the properties and biomedical applications of pHEMA for bone tissue regeneration, wound healing, cancer therapy (stimuli and non-stimuli responsive systems), and ophthalmic applications (contact lenses and ocular drug delivery). As this polymer has been widely applied in ophthalmic applications, a specific consideration has been devoted to this field. Pure pHEMA does not possess antimicrobial properties and the site where the biomedical device is employed may be susceptible to microbial infections. Therefore, antimicrobial strategies such as the use of silver nanoparticles, antibiotics, and antimicrobial agents can be utilized to protect against infections. Therefore, the antimicrobial strategies besides the drug delivery applications of pHEMA were covered. With continuous research and advancement in science and technology, the outlook of pHEMA is promising as it will most certainly be utilized in more biomedical applications in the near future. The aim of this review was to bring together state-of-the-art research on pHEMA and their applications.