Itaconic acid/cellulose-based hydrogels with fire-resistant and anti-freezing properties via vat photopolymerization 3D printing.

Hydrogel-born materials have garnered significant interest due to their inherent flame retardant properties and eco-friendly characteristics. In light of the diminishing petroleum reserves and the escalating environmental challenges, there is an urgent impetus to exploit high-value applications of naturally occurring resources and to advance research in sustainable manufacturing technologies. In this vein, we describe an innovative and sustainable methodology for the development and production of flame-retardant hydrogels.

High-Efficiency Purification and Morphology Regulation of CaSO·2HO Crystals from Phosphogypsum.

Phosphogypsum is a solid waste with great environmental stockpile pressure produced by the wet production of phosphoric acid. Although there are various methods to purify and utilize phosphogypsum, the means for environmentally friendly, low energy consumption, and high value-added utilization still need to be further explored. Here, CaSO·2HO crystal was directly purified and regulated from phosphogypsum by using the anti-solvent method.

Influence of protonic acid on the structure and properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) in oxidation polymerization.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is widely used because of its excellent performance. We report the synthesis of two PEDOT:PSS dispersions. The two dispersions differ by the addition of additional protonic acid in the oxidative polymerization system.

3D Printed All-Natural Hydrogels: Flame-Retardant Materials Toward Attaining Green Sustainability.

Biomass-based hydrogel is a promising flame-retardant material and has a high potential for applications in transportation, aerospace, building and electrical engineering, and electronics. However, rapid vat photopolymerization (VP) 3D printing of biomass-based hydrogels, especially that of all-natural ones, is still rare. Herein, a new class of VP 3D-printed hydrogels with strong covalent networks, fabricating using fully biomass materials and a commercial liquid crystal display (LCD) printer assembled with low-intensity visible light is presented.

Temperature and pressure sensitive ionic conductive triple-network hydrogel for high-durability dual signal sensors.

In this work, the fabrication of strengthened triple network hydrogels was successfully achieved based on in-situ polymerization of polyacrylamide by combining both chemical and physical cross-linking methods. The ion conductive phase of lithium chloride (LiCl) and solvent in the hydrogel were regulated through soaking solution. The pressure and temperature sensing behavior and durability of the hydrogel were investigated.

Fabrication of biodegradable hollow microsphere composites made of polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate/polyvinylpyrrolidone for drug delivery and sustained release.

Sustained drug release has attracted increasing interest in targeted drug therapy. However, existing methods of drug therapy suffer drug action time, large fluctuations in the effective concentration of the drug, and the risk of side effects. Here, a biodegradable composite of polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PBAT/PVP) consisting of electrospun hollow microspheres as sustained-released drug carriers is presented.

Study on the definition, mechanism and controllability of secondary bubbles based on the bubble nucleation model in injection foaming polypropylene.

The process of nucleation and growth of polypropylene foam was observed by using visualizations of the mold-opening foam injection molding (MOFIM) and free foaming (FREEF). The fitting of the mathematical model formula was used to supplement the judgment conditions of the secondary bubbles to explore the generation process and formation conditions of the secondary bubbles. The results of changes in blowing agent content and melt temperature proved the rationality of the judgment basis and the appearance of secondary bubbles started from the late stage of balanced-foaming.

In-Situ Visualization of the Cell Formation Process of Foamed Polypropylene under Different Foaming Environments.

In this paper, the dynamic foaming process of micro-foaming polypropylene (PP) in different foaming environments in real time was obtained via a visualization device. The relationship curve between cell number () and foaming time () was plotted, and then the nucleation kinetics of foam cells was analyzed. Results showed that the formation rate of cells changed obviously with the variation of melt temperature and the content of the foaming agent.

Stereocomplexed electrospun nanofibers containing poly (lactic acid) modified quaternized chitosan for wound healing.

Skin damage, especially the extensive full-thickness wound, is seriously affecting people's daily life and health. Meanwhile, wound healing is always challenged by bacterial infection. In this study, for the purpose of developing a disinfectant wound dressing, we designed a novel multi-functional nanofiber mats via electrospinning combining chitosan derivations and stereocomplex crystallite (SC).

Crystallization Morphology Regulation on Enhancing Heat Resistance of Polylactic Acid.

To expand the use of polylactic acid (PLA) in high-temperature environments, crystallization morphology regulation was studied to enhance the heat resistance of PLA. PLA crystallinity was controlled using heat treatment and nucleating agent (zinc phenylphosphonate, brand TMC). The heat deflection temperatures of PLAs with same crystallinities considerably varied using different treatments.

Preparation and Performance of Antibacterial Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polyethylene Glycol/Chitosan Hydrogels Containing Silver Chloride Nanoparticles via One-step Method.

Silver nano-particles (AgNPs)-filled antibacterial materials have been widely employed in the fields of biology and biomedicine. However, AgNPs have shown obvious cytotoxicity. Hence it is more reasonable to use silver chloride nanoparticles (AgCl NPs) to prepare antibacterial materials due to the slow release of silver ions created by AgCl NPs formed in the chitosan.

Synthesis of Negatively Charged Polyol-Functional PSF Membranes with Good Hydrophilic and Efficient Boron Removal Properties.

Boron removal remains a major barrier to water purification, it is important to develop a specialized adsorption membrane for boron removal. By means of a simple and effective method, a hydrophilic membrane for boron removal with a polyhydroxy functional group on the surface was prepared. Firstly, a polysulfone (PSF) membrane was modified by co-depositing polyethyleneimine (PEI) with dopamine (DA) in one-step to produce amine-rich surfaces, then the DA/PEI-functionalized membranes were reacted with glycidol, with the prepared membranes corresponding to PSF-PDA/PEI membranes and PSF-diol membranes.

Structure and Properties Study of PA6 Nanocomposites Flame Retarded by Aluminium Salt of Diisobutylphosphinic Acid and Different Organic Montmorillonites.

Two different types of organic montmorillonite, namely quaternary ammonium salt intercalated MMT (CMMT) and quaternary phosphonium salt intercalated MMT (PMMT) were used as fillers in the flame-retardant polyamide (PA6) based on aluminium salts of diisobutylphosphinic acid (ABPA). The influence of different types of organic montmorillonite (OMMT) on the structure and properties of flame-retardant PA6 nanocomposites were systematically investigated. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results suggested that the introduction of OMMT improved the dispersion of the flame retardant particles independently of the type of OMMT.

Study on Foaming Quality and Impact Property of Foamed Polypropylene Composites.

In the present work, foamed polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by chemical foaming technology, and the foaming quality and impact property of the foamed PP composites were studied. The results showed that the foaming quality was significantly improved after the introduction of thermoplastic rubber (TPR) and polyolefin elastomer (POE). Meanwhile, it was found that the impact property depended on the intrinsic toughness and contribution of foams (cells) to the PP composites.

Preparation of antibacterial degummed silk fiber/nano-hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid composite scaffold by degummed silk fiber loaded silver nanoparticles.

In this study, an antibacterial degummed silk fiber (ADSF)/nano-hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid (ADSF/nHA/PLA) porous scaffold with antibacterial properties was prepared by using degummed silk fiber (DSF) loaded with silver nano-particles (Ag NPs) as a reinforcing material. In the experiment, ADSF and nHA were used as the main variables to investigate the effect of the change of the composition ratio on the performance of the composite scaffold, and a composite scaffold with excellent performance was obtained. Firstly, the DSFs were treated with dopamine (DA) and the silver ions were reduced to Ag NPs using the strong reducibility of polydopamine (PDA) to prepare ADSF loaded with Ag NPs.

Structure and properties of nano-hydroxyapatite/poly(butylene succinate) porous scaffold for bone tissue engineering prepared by using ethanol as porogen.

Biodegradable polymers, because their degradation products are small molecules that do not cause immune system rejection, have been increasingly used by researchers to explore the preparation of scaffold with excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, nano-hydroxyapatite and polybutylene succinate were mixed by solution-blending to prepare a porous scaffold that could be used in the biomedical industry. Based on the viewpoint of bionics, porous scaffold with well pore structure and uniform dispersion of nano-hydroxyapatite particles was prepared using ethanol as a porogen.

P(-Phenylmaleimide-Alt-Styrene) Introduced with 4-Carboxyl and Its Effect on the Heat Deflection Temperature of Nylon 6.

P(-phenylmaleimide-alt-styrene) (P(NPMI-alt-St)) and P(-(4-carboxyphenyl)maleimide-alt-styrene) (P(CPMI-alt-St)) were designed and synthesized via free radical copolymerization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR and C NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to confirm the structure of P(NPMI-alt-St) and P(CPMI-alt-St). Next, the effect of P(CPMI-alt-St) on the heat deflection temperature () of nylon 6 was studied.

Influence of Thermo-Oxidative Ageing on the Thermal and Dynamical Mechanical Properties of Long Glass Fibre-Reinforced Poly(Butylene Terephthalate) Composites Filled with DOPO.

In this work, the long glass fibre-reinforced poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) composites filled with 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) were prepared by melt blending, and the influence of thermo-oxidative ageing on the static and dynamic mechanical properties, thermal behaviours and morphology of composites with different ageing time at 120 °C were investigated and analysed. The results showed that the mechanical properties decreased in the primary stage of ageing, while embrittlement occurs in the later period, and the crystallinity of PBT decreases first, and then recovers to some extent. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photos of the samples indicated that the obvious crack appeared on the sample surface and a deeper, broader crack occurred with a longer ageing time.