Open Access Published by De Gruyter

Volume 18 Issue 6

Issue of e-Polymers

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Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available September 28, 2018

Frontmatter

Page range: i-iv

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Publicly Available September 28, 2018

Full length articles

Open Access August 23, 2018

Polyaniline-based cadaverine sensor through digital image colorimetry

Alessandria Maeve Ocampo, Lee Romney Santos, Sam Julian, Mark Xavier Bailon, Joel Bautista

Page range: 465-471

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Abstract

The detection of biogenic amines is important due to the their correlation with spoilage and toxicity. Polyaniline (PANI) is a polymer capable of changing color from blue to green and vice versa through acid-base reactions. This study tested the potential of PANI as a sensing material for the presence of cadaverine. PANI was fabricated on nylon cloths through the redox reaction of aniline and ammonium persulfate. The PANI-coated nylon cloths were exposed to different amounts of cadaverine in a fixed reaction time of 5 min. Through digital image colorimetry, plots of the different color values vs. concentration were prepared and the curve with the highest linearity was obtained using the yellow value. Values for limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated to be 0.8816 m m and 2.9386 m m, respectively. An Android application which analyzes the color values of the PANI image in relation to the amount of cadaverine was also developed.

Open Access July 3, 2018

Lignin linked to slow biodegradability of urea-crosslinked starch in an anaerobic soil environment

Zahid Majeed, Nurlidia Mansor, Zainab Ajab, Zakaria Man, Ariyanti Sarwano, Basharat Ahmad, Zahid Hussain

Page range: 473-483

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Abstract

For slowing fast solubility and increasing the period of urea’s release in soil, urea-crosslinked starch (UcS) was prepared and applied as a slow release fertilizer. The higher environmental biodegradability of UcS is a major drawback for slow release of urea yet it provides an important challenge for large scale production and application on anaerobic farm lands. Hence, in order to reduce biodegradability of UcS, impregnation of UcS with 5–20 wt% of lignin is proposed. Lignin impregnated UcS was buried for a maximum period of 28–64 days under a constructed anaerobic soil environment. Hill’s model predicted that mineralization of UcS by lignin would be reduced by 5.48%. Microbial growth on UcS was inhibited by lignin at the rate of 0.84 day −1 . The α -amylase activity was retarded in response to UcS impregnation with lignin at the rate of 810.94 μg h −1 g −1 soil. Lignin also showed improvement in half-life of UcS up to 0.51 days. This work concluded that lignin impregnation was an efficient approach for improvement of UcS through increasing resistance against natural biodegraders.

Open Access September 7, 2018

Controlling stereocomplexation, heat resistance and mechanical properties of stereocomplex polylactide films by using mixtures of low and high molecular weight poly(D-lactide)s

Yaowalak Srisuwan, Yodthong Baimark

Page range: 485-490

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Abstract

Stereocomplex polylactide (scPLA) films were prepared by blending poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) solutions before solvent evaporation. The PLLA/PDLA ratios were 80/20 and 60/40 (w/w). PDLAs with low and high molecular weights (M.W.) were used as PDLA mixtures. The scPLA films with different low/high M.W. PDLA ratios were investigated for both the 80/20 and 60/40 (w/w) scPLA film series. Stereocomplexation, heat resistance and the mechanical properties of the scPLA films were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile testing, respectively. The results indicated that low M.W. PDLA can enhance the stereocomplexation and heat resistance of scPLA films while the high M.W. PDLA can improve tensile properties of scPLA films. It was concluded that the stereocomplexation, heat resistance and tensile properties of scPLA films could be controlled by adjusting the low/high M.W. PDLA ratio in PDLA fraction.

Open Access August 27, 2018

Effects of zinc acetate and cucurbit[6]uril on PP composites: crystallization behavior, foaming performance and mechanical properties

Yuhui Zhou, Li He, Wei Gong

Page range: 491-499

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Abstract

In this study, polypropylene (PP) foams were prepared with 1.0 wt% of cucurbit[6]uril (Q[6]), zinc acetate (Zn(Ac) 2 ), Zn@Q[6] (a supramolecular compound synthesized from Q[6] and Zn(Ac) 2 ), or a mixture of Zn(Ac) 2 and Q[6] (weight ratio of 1:1) through injection molding in the presence of a chemical blowing agent, azodicarbonamide. The effect of the additions on the crystallization behavior and foaming performance of PP and the mechanical characterizations of the foaming samples were determined. The results showed that the additions can change the crystallization type from homogeneous to heterogeneous, increase the crystallization rate and shrink the size but increase the density of spherulites. Among the additions, Q[6] most significantly altered the crystallization properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the PP foaming performance can be improved by Zn(Ac) 2 addition at a lower temperature (175°C); however, further increasing the temperature had an undesirable effect. Q[6] exhibited the optimum foaming improvement effect on PP in a wide temperature range (175–195°C). Adding nanoparticles also enhanced the tensile properties, flexural strength and impact strength of foaming PP at low temperatures. However, with increasing temperature, the poor cell structure demonstrated undesirable effects in terms of tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength.

Open Access August 20, 2018

Titanium dioxide-benzophenone hybrid as an effective catalyst for enhanced photochemical degradation of low density polyethylene

Thi Kim Ngan Nguyen, Hong Gun Kim, Lee Ku Kwac, Quoc Bao Bui, Dang Mao Nguyen, Hun Jeong

Page range: 501-510

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Abstract

In this study, a hybrid of titanium dioxide, benzophenone and ethylene vinyl acetate (TiO 2 -BP-EVA) was used as a novel catalyst to accelerate photo-oxidization reaction of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film under ambient conditions. The degradation of the LDPE films (thickness of ~25 μm) containing different catalyst concentrations were successfully investigated by different techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and mechanical tests. The results showed that the use of catalyst in which TiO 2 -BP content (1/3 w/w) is 0.5 phr (parts per hundred resin) and EVA content is 4.5 phr in a LDPE film provided the best degradation rate. The carbonyl index of the polymer film achieved the highest value without an equilibrium stage. Besides, the carbon-carbon backbone of the polymer was completely broken down consistent with the deformation of the surface. In addition, the mechanical properties impressively dropped after 3 months’ exposure. The obtained results imply that the TiO 2 -BP-EVA compound can be considered as an efficient catalyst for the photodegradation of LDPE polymer.

Open Access July 28, 2018

Morphology and micromechanics of liquid rubber toughened epoxies

Dheeraj Gunwant, Prakash L. Sah, M.G.H. Zaidi

Page range: 511-527

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Abstract

In the present work, a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)-based epoxy resin was modified with the help of a liquid rubber (LR) obtained from the pyrolysis of rubber. Tensile tests on samples of rubber modified epoxy resins (REs) containing varying rubber volume fractions (RVF) were conducted to obtain their tensile properties. Fractographic analysis of fractured samples using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed the presence of phase separated rubber zones characterized by microvoids, distributed uniformly in the epoxy domain. Young’s modulus and yield strength of REs were observed to drop with RVF. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model was employed to predict the elastic properties and stress distributions in REs. Various stress distributions and their dependence on the properties of rubber were examined in detail through the model. The effect of rubber properties on bulk elastic properties of the REs were also studied. Lastly, the effective stress-strain relationship was predicted with the help of an elastic-plastic analysis. Predicted results showed coherence with experimental results.

Open Access June 2, 2018

Simulation of GAP/HTPB phase behaviors in plasticizers and its application in composite solid propellant

Song Ma, Wenqian Du, Yunjun Luo

Page range: 529-540

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Abstract

Dissipative particle dynamics and molecular simulations were carried out to investigate the phase behaviors of glycidyl azide polymer (GAP)/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) polymer blend in dioctyl sebacate (DOS), and mixture of DOS and bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal/acetal (A3), respectively. The rheology of GAP/HTPB propellant slurry plasticized by A3/DOS was studied. First, single-phase aggregations of GAP and HTPB appear slightly in A3/DOS whereas it is conspicuous in DOS, which results from the small surface tension between the GAP/HTPB plasticized by A3/DOS and the weak thermal diffusion of this blend. Furthermore, with the plasticizing ratio (p o /p l ) increasing to 1.2, the GAP/HTPB propellant slurry plasticized by A3/DOS exhibits small viscosity and yield stress, and the Newtonian-like behavior of slurry improves its manufacturability. Finally, integral GAP/HTPB-based propellant can be obtained using A3/DOS as plasticizers.

Open Access August 18, 2018

Promotion of poly(vinylidene fluoride) on thermal stability and rheological property of ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer

Jing Qian, Chao Fu, Xianyou Wu, Xianghai Ran, Wei Nie

Page range: 541-549

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Abstract

In this work, the thermal stability, rheological properties and mechanical properties of ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) blends were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, rheometer and the tensile test. Thermal results indicated that blends had better thermal oxidation resistance than pure ETFE. Particularly, the initial thermal decomposition temperature ( T d 0 ) and the temperature at maximum decomposition rate ( T d max ) of PVDF/ETFE (10/90 wt%) blends were at 374.49°C and 480°C, which were 52.6°C and 34°C higher than pure ETFE. The activation energy of thermal degradation ( E d ) of ETFE was 66 kJ/mol, while the PVDF/ETFE (10/90 wt%) blends presented a higher E d , near 187 kJ/mol. Furthermore, rheological measurements demonstrated that the shear-thinning tendency of blends became stronger with increasing PVDF content. PVDF/ETFE (10/90 wt%) blends had somewhat lower mechanical properties than ETFE, which was still high enough for various applications. Blends with PVDF provided an efficient method to extend the application area of ETFE.

Open Access September 12, 2018

Poly(N-octyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide) copolymers in aqueous solutions: potentiometric and thermodynamic studies

Lahcene Tennouga, Wassila Bensalah, Ali Mansri

Page range: 551-558

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Abstract

In this work, the P4VP was synthesized by radical polymerization. The quaternization of this polymer by octyl bromide leads to the two copolymers [poly(N-octyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide] named P4VPC 8 Br 48.8% and P4VPC 8 Br 72%. The thermodynamic behavior associated with the potentiometric titration of the copolymers, was reported in the temperature range (293.16–333.16 K) and as a function of the concentrations (0.25×10 −4 mmol/dm 3 12.3×10 −4 mmol/dm 3 ). The free energy of dissociation ΔG diss variation versus the neutralization degree shows the negative value due to the steric and electrostatic effect of the alkyl chains. The positive values of ΔH and ΔS confirmed the spontaneity and disorder of the reaction. The critical concentration C * of the two copolymers was determined from the enthalpy ΔH 0 and entropy ΔS 0 changes. The transition in conformation of the copolymer chains was influenced by the presence of hydrophobic-hydrophilic and hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions.

Open Access September 13, 2018

Synthesis of miktoarm star-shaped and inverse star-block copolymers by a combination of ring-opening polymerization and click chemistry

Xiaoqi Yan, Jianbo Li, Tianbin Ren

Page range: 559-568

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Abstract

Based on the combination of the “arm-first” and “core-first” strategies, the miktoarm star-shaped copolymer PLLA 2 PCL 2 and the inverse star-block copolymer (PCL- b -PLLA) 2 - core -(PCL- b -PLLA) 2 were designed and synthesized by the combination of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and a click reaction. The miktoarm star-shaped copolymer PLLA 2 PCL 2 was synthesized by a click reaction of an azido macroinitiator PLLA 2 (N 3 ) 2 and HC≡C-PCL. The inverse star-block copolymer (PCL- b -PLLA) 2 - core -(PCL- b -PLLA) 2 was synthesized by a click reaction of an azido macroinitiator (PCL- b -PLLA) 2 (N 3 ) 2 and HC≡C-PCL- b -PLLA. The structures of these star polymers were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatograph (GPC). The inverse star-block copolymer could be used to study the potential relationship between polymer structure and properties, which has a unique structure and good crystallization properties.

Communication

Open Access September 15, 2018

Synthesis of polyacrylonitrile and mechanical properties of its electrospun nanofibers

Gaigai Duan, Shuwu Liu, Haoqing Hou

Page range: 569-573

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Abstract

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers are very important to achieve high performance carbon nanofibers. In this work, co-polyacrylonitriles (co-PANs) with different molecular weights were synthesized by a simple free-radical polymerization. The effect of the initiator amount on the molecular weight of co-PAN was investigated. The co-PANs with different molecular weight were electrospun into aligned nanofibers by adjusting the absolute viscosity of co-PAN solution into ~1.0 Pa·s. All the co-PAN nanofibers showed smooth surfaces and homogeneous fiber diameters of ~450 nm. Tensile tests were applied to evaluate the mechanical properties of electrospun aligned co-PAN nanofibers. The results indicated that higher molecular weight led to better mechanical performance of electrospun aligned co-PAN nanofibers. When the molecular weight was 2.3×10 5 , the highest strength of 153 MPa, strain of 0.148, and toughness of 16.0 J/g were obtained. These electrospun aligned co-PAN nanofibers could be good candidates for the preparation of high performance carbon nanofibers.

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 18 Issue 6

Issue of e-Polymers

Frontmatter

In this Issue

Polyaniline-based cadaverine sensor through digital image colorimetry

Abstract

Lignin linked to slow biodegradability of urea-crosslinked starch in an anaerobic soil environment

Abstract

Controlling stereocomplexation, heat resistance and mechanical properties of stereocomplex polylactide films by using mixtures of low and high molecular weight poly(D-lactide)s

Abstract

Effects of zinc acetate and cucurbit[6]uril on PP composites: crystallization behavior, foaming performance and mechanical properties

Abstract

Titanium dioxide-benzophenone hybrid as an effective catalyst for enhanced photochemical degradation of low density polyethylene

Abstract

Morphology and micromechanics of liquid rubber toughened epoxies

Abstract

Simulation of GAP/HTPB phase behaviors in plasticizers and its application in composite solid propellant

Abstract

Promotion of poly(vinylidene fluoride) on thermal stability and rheological property of ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer

Abstract

Poly(N-octyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide) copolymers in aqueous solutions: potentiometric and thermodynamic studies

Abstract

Synthesis of miktoarm star-shaped and inverse star-block copolymers by a combination of ring-opening polymerization and click chemistry

Abstract

Synthesis of polyacrylonitrile and mechanical properties of its electrospun nanofibers

Abstract