Open Access Published by De Gruyter

Volume 14 Issue 3

Issue of e-Polymers

Submit manuscript

Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available May 1, 2014

Frontmatter

Page range: i-iii

Download PDF

Publicly Available May 1, 2014

Editorial

Open Access May 1, 2014

Editorial May 2014

Andreas Greiner, Seema Agarwal

Page range: 159-159

Download PDF

Full length articles

Open Access April 10, 2014

Swelling characterization of photo-cross-linked gelatin methacrylate spherical microgels for bioencapsulation

Jinmu Jung, Jonghyun Oh

Page range: 161-168

More Download PDF

Abstract

The swelling behavior of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers is important for the delivery and release of cells and drugs in biomedical applications. This study reported the swelling characteristics of photo-cross-linked gelatin methacrylate (GelMa) spherical microgels. Spherical microgels were generated in a microfluidic system consisting of a co-axial flow-focusing device for microdroplet generation and an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation apparatus for polymerization. At a low flow rate ratio (<0.14), the 9 wt.% GelMa spherical microgels were smaller than the 6 wt.% ones. In contrast, at a high flow rate ratio (>0.14), the results were reversed. Overall, a proportional relationship was observed between the flow rate ratio and the droplet size. The increased GelMa concentration improved the mechanical properties and increased the swelling ratios. The possibility of bioencapsulation was demonstrated, with good viability of 3T3 cells encapsulated in the spherical microgels.

Open Access April 4, 2014

Nonbond interactions between graphene nanosheets and polymers: a computational study

Yong-Fang Mo, Chuan-Lu Yang, Yan-Fei Xing, Mei-Shan Wang, Xiao-Guang Ma

Page range: 169-176

More Download PDF

Abstract

Based on the geometries from molecular dynamics simulations and a package compiled by us, the interactions between graphene nanosheet (GNS) and nine types of flexible polymers have been investigated with force field. Both the van der Waals (vdW) interaction and the electrostatic interaction (EI) for two same polymer chains and between a polymer and a GNS were calculated and compared. The effect of cut-off distance was explored. It was found that the cut-off distance plays a significant role in EI energy, but a less important role in vdW energy when the cut-off distance is over 9.5 Å. The reasonable cut-off distances for EI and vdW interactions for simulation are suggested.

Open Access April 2, 2014

Formation of aramid-silica-grafted-multi-walled carbon nanotube-based nanofiber via the sol-gel route: thermal and mechanical profile of hybrids with poly(methyl methacrylate)

Ayesha Kausar

Page range: 177-185

More Download PDF

Abstract

In this study, thermally and mechanically stable poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based nanocomposites were produced through the reinforcement of electrospun aramid-silica - grafted multi-walled carbon nanotube-based nanofibers (MWCNT-Ar-Si). The multi-walled carbon nanotube was initially modified to prepare an isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane-grafted MWCNT via the sol-gel route using 3-isocyanatopropyl-triethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The silica network was developed and linked to MWCNT by hydrolysis and condensation of TEOS. The said isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane-grafted MWCNT was electrospun with the aramid solution. The electrospun MWCNT-Ar-Si nanofibers (0.1–1 wt.%) were then reinforced in a PMMA matrix. For comparative analysis, PMMA was also reinforced with 0.1–1 wt.% of aramid nanofibers. The tensile modulus of PMMA/MWCNT-Ar-Si 0.1 was 5.11 GPa, which was increased to 13.1 GPa in PMMA/MWCNT-Ar-Si 1. The 10% decomposition temperature of PMMA/MWCNT-Ar-Si 0.1–1 hybrids was in the range of 479–531°C. The glass transition temperature, determined from the maxima of tan δ data using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, showed an increase with the filler loading and was maximum (301°C) for PMMA/MWCNT-Ar-Si 1 with 1 wt.% of MWCNT-Ar-Si nanofibers. In contrast, PMMA/Ar 0.1–1 hybrids showed lower values in the thermal and the mechanical profile depicting the combined effect of nanotube and aramid in electrospun nanofibers.

Open Access May 1, 2014

“Nascent” Fe(0)-mediated living radical copolymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile

Guo-Xiang Wang, Mang Lu, Zhao-Hui Hou, Xue-Hui Zhan, Yong Gao, Li-Chao Liu, Hu Wu

Page range: 187-192

More Download PDF

Abstract

In this work, we reported the synthesis of copolymers of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) via single-electron transfer-living radical polymerization using CCl 4 as an initiator and Zn(0)/2,2′-bipyridine (Bpy)/FeCl 2 as catalyst complexes. The polymerization was carried out at 25°C. The polymerization proceeded in a living fashion based on “nascent” Fe(0) as the source of the transition metal, which was prepared by Zn(0)/FeCl 2 in situ. The kinetic experimental results showed that the copolymerization is first-order kinetics. The molecular weights increased linearly with respect to monomer conversion, and narrow polydispersity index values were obtained. The effect of the molar ratio of [Zn(0)] 0 /[FeCl 2 ] 0 on polymerization was investigated. In addition, the polymerization carried out in different solvents was also investigated. The obtained random copolymer was characterized by 1 H NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The living characteristic was demonstrated by chain extension experiment.

Open Access May 1, 2014

Competition in aluminium phosphinate-based halogen-free flame retardancy of poly(butylene terephthalate) and its glass-fibre composites

Sven Brehme, Thomas Köppl, Bernhard Schartel, Volker Altstädt

Page range: 193-208

More Download PDF

Abstract

Aluminium diethylphosphinate (AlPi-Et) and inorganic aluminium phosphinate with resorcinol-bis(di-2,6-xylyl phosphate) (AlPi-H+RXP) were compared with each other as commercially available halogen-free flame retardants in poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) as well as in glass-fibre-reinforced PBT (PBT/GF). Pyrolysis behaviour and flame retardancy performance are reported in detail. AlPi-H+RXP released phosphine at very low temperatures, which can become a problem during processing. AlPi-Et provided better limiting oxygen index (LOI) values and UL 94 ratings for bulk and PBT/GF than AlPi-H+RXP. Both flame retardants acted via three different flame-retardancy mechanisms in bulk as well as in PBT/GF, namely, flame inhibition, increased amount of char, and a protection effect of the char. AlPi-Et was more efficient in decreasing the total heat evolved of PBT in the cone calorimeter test. AlPi-H+RXP reduced the peak heat release rate of PBT more efficiently than AlPi-Et. An optimum loading of AlPi-Et in PBT/GF was found, which was below the supplier’s recommendation. This loading provides a maximum increase in LOI and a maximum decrease in total heat evolved.

Open Access April 2, 2014

X-band microwave absorption and dielectric properties of polyaniline-yttrium oxide composites

Muhammad Faisal, Syed Khasim

Page range: 209-216

More Download PDF

Abstract

This article highlights the microwave absorption and dielectric attributes of synthesized polyaniline (PAni)-yttrium trioxide (Y 2 O 3 ) composites. Temperature-dependent conductivity measurements were carried out in the temperature range of 300–473 K, which indicates the presence of hopping conduction. The PAni-Y 2 O 3 composites showed semiconductor behavior with the exponential variation of inverse temperature dependence of electrical conductivity. Microwave measurements were carried out in the X-band (8–12 GHz) frequency; the composites exhibit absorption-dominated shielding effectiveness (SE A ) in the range -33 to -35 dB (>99% microwave attenuation) and minimum electromagnetic reflection. The ε ′ and ε ″ values of the composites are in the range of 81.5–97.5 and 80–118.5, respectively. The PAni-Y 2 O 3 composites showed significant improvement in microwave SE and complex permittivity of the composites, indicating the influence of Y 2 O 3 in PAni.

Open Access March 6, 2014

Effects of drawing process on the structure and tensile properties of textile-grade PAN fiber and its carbon fiber

Hwayoung Lee, Lo-Woon Lee, Seung-Wook Lee, Han-Ik Joh, Seong-Mu Jo, Sungho Lee

Page range: 217-224

More Download PDF

Abstract

Carbon fibers (CFs) were prepared using low-cost, textile-grade polyacrylonitrile fibers, which were 200% to 400% drawn in a hot water bath at 90°C or/and in a tubular furnace at 180°C. X-ray diffractograms confirmed that the drawing process led to higher crystallinity and molecular orientation. These fibers were stabilized in a convection oven at 25–255°C for 390 min. After stabilization, carbonization was performed to obtain carbon fibers. The tensile strength of CFs without drawing was ∼0.8 GPa; however, CFs with 200% and 200% drawing in a hot water bath at 90°C and in a tubular furnace at 180°C, respectively, showed a tensile strength of ∼1.7 GPa. These results suggest that the drawing process of precursor fibers affected the tensile properties of the resulting CFs significantly.

About this journal

e-Polymers is an open access, single-blind peer-reviewed scientific journal. The aim of e-Polymers is to publish, in an ongoing way, pure and applied polymer-science-related original research articles, reviews, and feature articles. It includes synthetic methodologies, characterization, and processing techniques for polymer materials. Reports on interdisciplinary polymer science and on applications of polymers in all areas are welcome.

In 2013 e-Polymers has been transferred from the e-Polymer Foundation to the scientific publisher De Gruyter. Prof. Seema Agarwal and Prof. Andreas Greiner took over as Editors-in-Chief. e-Polymers is dedicated to serve the polymer community and will continue publishing scientific contributions on highest possible standards.

The present Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Seema Agarwal, would like to thank the authors, the reviewers, the editorial staff, the advisory board, and the supporting organization that made e-Polymers a successful and sustainable scientific journal of the polymer community. The Editors of e-Polymers feel very much engaged to provide best publishing services at the highest possible level.

Topics

Pure and Applied Polymer Science
Organic Chemistry
Industrial Chemistry
Polymer Science and Technology

Article formats
Research Article, Review Article, Rapid Communication, Erratum

Information on submission process

Secure archiving by De Gruyter and the independent archiving service Portico

Special Issues:

"Biodegradable and bio-based polymers: Green approaches"
Guest Editors: Dr. Kumaran Subramanian (Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Jeppiaar Nagar, India), Prof. A. Wilson Santhosh Kumar (AMITY University, Mumbai, India), and　Dr. Venkatajothi Ramarao (The Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia)

Submission deadline: August 31, 2023

Volume 14 Issue 3

Issue of e-Polymers

Frontmatter

In this Issue

Editorial May 2014

Swelling characterization of photo-cross-linked gelatin methacrylate spherical microgels for bioencapsulation

Abstract

Nonbond interactions between graphene nanosheets and polymers: a computational study

Abstract

Formation of aramid-silica-grafted-multi-walled carbon nanotube-based nanofiber via the sol-gel route: thermal and mechanical profile of hybrids with poly(methyl methacrylate)

Abstract

“Nascent” Fe(0)-mediated living radical copolymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile

Abstract

Competition in aluminium phosphinate-based halogen-free flame retardancy of poly(butylene terephthalate) and its glass-fibre composites

Abstract

X-band microwave absorption and dielectric properties of polyaniline-yttrium oxide composites

Abstract

Effects of drawing process on the structure and tensile properties of textile-grade PAN fiber and its carbon fiber

Abstract