Castor oil and PEG‐based shape memory polyurethane films for biomedical applications

A series of polyurethane film were prepared from poly(ethylene glycol) with different molecular weight (PEG 1500, 3000, and 8000) and castor oil by one‐shot bulk polymerization method. Hexamethylene diisocyanate and 1,4‐buthane diol were used as diisocyanate and chain extender, respectively. In order to characterize the samples, their density, swelling ratio, water contact angle, surface free energy, gel content, thermal, and viscoelastic properties were determined. The effect of the soft segment length (SSL) and hard segment content (HSC) of all polyurethane films on their shape memory behavior such as shape fixity (R_f) and shape recovery (R_r) rates were investigated by bending test. Direct contact and MTT tests were used for assessment of cell adhesion and proliferation. The relatively high R_f and R_r values were obtained for the samples programmed at high temperature difference. R_f increased with decreasing HSC. On the other hand, R_r tended to decrease with increasing SSL. After evaluating experimental data by a nonlinear equation, it was found that HSC is more effective parameter on shape memory property than SSL. The gel content, swelling ratio, and water contact angle of the samples were dependent on both SSL and HSC in their structures. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40590.     

An Evaluation of Structural,Topographic, Optical,and Temperature-Dependent Electrical Features of Sol–Gel Spin-Coated p-NiO/n-Si Heterojunction

p-NiO/n-Si heterodiode was deposited with an easy and cheap sol–gel route using a spin coater. The XRD results revealed that NiO film had polycrystalline cubic bunsenite structure with (200) preferential direction. The AFM and SEM micrographs indicated that the film was composed of homogenously distributed nanoparticles on n-Si surface. The uniform scattering of Ni and O elements was also seen from EDX mapping pictures. The band gap value for NiO sample was found to be 3.74 eV. The current–voltage (I–V) properties of Ag/p-NiO/n-Si heterojunction were inquired in the temperature range of 80 K to 300 K (−193 °C to 27 °C). The temperature coefficient of barrier height of the Ag/p-NiO/n-Si heterojunction was determined to be 2.6 meV/K. The I-V measurements showed that the barrier height of the heterojunction increased with an increment in the temperature.

     

Synthesis and absorption spectra of some novel hetaryldisazocalix[4]arene derivatives

In this study, a convenient method for the synthesis of thirteen novel disazo dyes containing 25,26,27‐tribenzoyloxy‐28‐hydroxycalix[4]arene have been described. 5,11,17,23‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐25,26,27,28‐tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene, 25,26,27,28‐tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene and 25,26,27‐tribenzoyloxy‐28‐hydroxycalix[4]arene were synthesised based on previously published literature. 2‐Arylhdrazone‐3‐ketiminobutyronitriles were synthesised and reacted with hydrazine hydrate to afford the corresponding 5‐amino‐4‐arylazo‐3‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazoles. Thirteen novel hetaryldisazocalix[4]arene derivatives were achieved by diazotisation of 5‐amino‐4‐arylazo‐3‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazoles using nitrosylsulphuric acid, coupled with 25,26,27‐tribenzoyloxy‐28‐hydroxycalix[4]arene. The obtained hetaryldisazocalix[4]arene dyes were characterised based on Fourier Transform–infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopic techniques, as well as elemental analysis. The solvatochromic behaviour of these dyes in various solvents was examined. Acid‐base effects on the visible absorption maxima of the dyes were also reported.