Open Access Published by De Gruyter

Volume 20 Issue 1

January 2020

Issue of e-Polymers

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Contents
Journal Overview

In order to promote the degradation of PLA in seawater, a series of seawater-degradable polyester blends PVA/PLA were prepared by blending biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) with water-soluble modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in this paper. ADR 4370S was introduced to bring a certain degree of improvement in compatibility of PVA/PLA blends. The results of degradation test in natural seawater for 180 days show that the weight loss of PVA/PLA blends in seawater is much higher compared with that of pure PLA. PVA can be used as an effective hydrolysis accelerator for PLA matrix, helping to significantly reduce the molecular weight of PLA. The channels caused by dissolution/swelling of PVA facilitate the entry of water and microorganisms into the materials to contact with PLA, thereby promoting the degradation process of PLA matrix itself. Thus, both dissolution/swelling of PVA and degradation of PLA occur in PVA/PLA blends, and the degree of rapid dissolution of PVA in the early stage determines the degree of degradation of PLA. Graphical abstract

Electrospinning as one of the most versatile technologies have attracted a lot of scientists’ interests in past decades due to its great diversity of fabricating nanofibers featuring high aspect ratio, large specific surface area, flexibility, structural abundance, and surface functionality. Remarkable progress has been made in terms of the versatile structures of electrospun fibers and great functionalities to enable a broad spectrum of applications. In this article, the electrospun fibers with different structures and their applications are reviewed. First, several kinds of electrospun fibers with different structures are presented. Then the applications of various structural electrospun fibers in different fields, including catalysis, drug release, batteries, and supercapacitors, are reviewed. Finally, the application prospect and main challenges of electrospun fibers are discussed. We hope that this review will provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the structural design and applications of electrospun fibers in different fields.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of the lipase-catalyzed ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and ω-pentadecanolactone (ω-PDL) monomers was studied. A series of P(CL-co-PDL), with different molar feed ratios, including (ε-CL/ω-PDL) 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100, were synthesized. The resulting polyesters were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The microwave-assisted polymerization of the monomers reached high conversions (91–95%) within 60 min. FTIR spectra showed the typical absorption bands of these polyesters. A very intense band in the carbonyl region, which was shifted from 1,720 cm −1 for PCL to 1,732 cm −1 for PPDL homopolymer, as well as peaks owing to methylene groups in the 2,990–2,850 cm −1 range. DSC results revealed that all polyester samples were semi-crystalline. Interestingly, the copolymers exhibited only one melting peak ( T m ), and their T m values linearly increased from 57°C to 95°C as PPDL concentration was increased. Thermal stability of polyesters also depended on PDL content; an increase in PDL concentration increases polymer degradation temperature ( T d ).

Rapid Communications

Open Access June 2, 2020

Pilot-scale production of polylactic acid nanofibers by melt electrospinning

Kylie Koenig, Fabian Langensiepen, Gunnar Seide

Page range: 233-241

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Abstract

Melt electrospinning has been used to manufacture fibers with diameters in the low micrometer range, but the production of submicrometer fibers has proven more challenging. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of fabricating polylactic acid nanofibers using polymer grades with the increasing melt flow rates (15–85 g/10 min at 210°C) by melt electrospinning with a 600-nozzle pilot-scale device featuring an integrated climate control system realized as a glass chamber around the spinneret. Previous experiments using this device without appropriate climate control produced fibers exceeding 1 µm in diameter because the drawing of fibers was inhibited by the rapid cooling of the polymer melt. The integrated glass chamber created a temperature gradient exceeding the glass transition temperature of the polymer, which enhanced the drawing of fibers below the spinneret. An average fiber diameter of 810 nm was achieved using Ingeo Biopolymer 6252, and the finest individual fiber (420 nm in diameter) was produced at a spin pump speed of 5 rpm and a spinneret set temperature of 230°C. We have therefore demonstrated the innovative performance of our pilot-scale melt-electrospinning device, which bridges the gap between laboratory-scale and pilot-scale manufacturing and achieves fiber diameters comparable to those produced by conventional solution electrospinning. Graphical abstract Here, we present the first polylactic acid nanofibrous webs produced by pilot-scale melt electrospinning featuring a novel 600-nozzle device. The device makes a decisive contribution to achieving industrial production of melt-electrospun nanofibers.

Erratum

Open Access May 27, 2020

Erratum to: Synthesis and characterization of new macromolecule systems for colon-specific drug delivery

M. Galehassadi, M. Mahkam, F. Hosseinzadeh

Page range: 272-272

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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 20 Issue 1

Issue of e-Polymers

The regulatory effects of the number of VP(N-vinylpyrrolidone) function groups on macrostructure and photochromic properties of polyoxometalates/copolymer hybrid films

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How the hindered amines affect the microstructure and mechanical properties of nitrile-butadiene rubber composites

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Novel benzimidazole-based conjugated polyelectrolytes: synthesis, solution photophysics and fluorescent sensing of metal ions

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Study on the variation of rock pore structure after polymer gel flooding

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Investigation on compatibility of PLA/PBAT blends modified by epoxy-terminated branched polymers through chemical micro-crosslinking

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Investigation on degradation mechanism of polymer blockages in unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs

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Investigation on the effect of active-polymers with different functional groups for EOR

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Fabrication and characterization of hexadecyl acrylate cross-linked phase change microspheres

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Surface-induced phase transitions in thin films of dendrimer block copolymers

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ZnO-assisted coating of tetracalcium phosphate/ gelatin on the polyethylene terephthalate woven nets by atomic layer deposition

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Animal fat and glycerol bioconversion to polyhydroxyalkanoate by produced water bacteria

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Effect of microstructure on the properties of polystyrene microporous foaming material

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Synthesis of amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) containing trityl ether acid cleavable junction group and its self-assembly into ordered nanoporous thin films

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On-demand optimize design of sound-absorbing porous material based on multi-population genetic algorithm

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Enhancement of mechanical, thermal and water uptake performance of TPU/jute fiber green composites via chemical treatments on fiber surface

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Enhancement of mechanical properties of natural rubber–clay nanocomposites through incorporation of silanated organoclay into natural rubber latex

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Preparation and characterization of corn starch/PVA/glycerol composite films incorporated with ε-polylysine as a novel antimicrobial packaging material

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Preparation of novel amphoteric polyacrylamide and its synergistic retention with cationic polymers

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Effect of montmorillonite on PEBAX® 1074-based mixed matrix membranes to be used in humidifiers in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

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Insight on the effect of a piperonylic acid derivative on the crystallization process, melting behavior, thermal stability, optical and mechanical properties of poly(l-lactic acid)

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Lipase-catalyzed synthesis and post-polymerization modification of new fully bio-based poly(hexamethylene γ-ketopimelate) and poly(hexamethylene γ-ketopimelate-co-hexamethylene adipate) copolyesters

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Dielectric, mechanical and thermal properties of all-organic PI/PSF composite films by in situ polymerization

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Morphological transition of amphiphilic block copolymer/PEGylated phospholipid complexes induced by the dynamic subtle balance interactions in the self-assembled aggregates

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Silica/polymer core–shell particles prepared via soap-free emulsion polymerization

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Antibacterial epoxy composites with addition of natural Artemisia annua waste

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Design and preparation of 3D printing intelligent poly N,N-dimethylacrylamide hydrogel actuators

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Multilayer-structured fibrous membrane with directional moisture transportability and thermal radiation for high-performance air filtration

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Reaction characteristics of polymer expansive jet impact on explosive reactive armour

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Synthesis of a novel modified chitosan as an intumescent flame retardant for epoxy resin

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Synthesis of aminated polystyrene and its self-assembly with nanoparticles at oil/water interface

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The synthesis and characterisation of porous and monodisperse, chemically modified hypercrosslinked poly(acrylonitrile)-based terpolymer as a sorbent for the adsorption of acidic pharmaceuticals

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Crystal transition and thermal behavior of Nylon 12

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All-optical non-conjugated multi-functionalized photorefractive polymers via ring-opening metathesis polymerization

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Fabrication of LDPE/PS interpolymer resin particles through a swelling suspension polymerization approach

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Determination of the carbonyl index of polyethylene and polypropylene using specified area under band methodology with ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

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Synthesis, electropolymerization, and electrochromic performances of two novel tetrathiafulvalene–thiophene assemblies

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Wetting behaviors of fluoroterpolymer fiber films

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Plugging mechanisms of polymer gel used for hydraulic fracture water shutoff

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Synthesis of flexible poly(l-lactide)-b-polyethylene glycol-b-poly(l-lactide) bioplastics by ring-opening polymerization in the presence of chain extender

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Effect of montmorillonite on PEBAX^® 1074-based mixed matrix membranes to be used in humidifiers in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Fabrication of flexible SiO₂ nanofibrous yarn via a conjugate electrospinning process

Solubility and diffusion coefficient of supercritical CO₂ in polystyrene dynamic melt