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Synthetic and Natural Origin Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Modification, Functionalized Properties and Applications

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2023) | Viewed by 10737

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Prof. Dr. Barbara Gawdzik

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Department of Polymer Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska, Lublin, Poland
Interests: synthesis of new monomers and polymers; chemical modification of synthetic and natural polymers; synthesis of porous polymers for applications in various chromatographic techniques; synthesis of novel polymer-based adsorbents having desired properties for health and environmental protection; synthesis and applications of imprinted polymers; synthesis and investigations of carbon adsorbents from synthetic and natural polymers; chromatographic analysis; investigations of porous structure of polymeric materials; use of recycled polymers in the synthesis; environmental protection; wasteless processes
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Dr. Przemysław Pączkowski

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Department of Polymer Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
Interests: heterogeneous polymerization techniques; investigations of porous structure of polymeric materials; chemical modification of polymers; preparation of polymeric microspheres for chromatography and separation techniques; accelerated aging test of materials; synthesis of (bio)composites; degradation studies of (bio)composites; thermal analysis of polymers; spectroscopic analysis of polymeric materials; solid-phase extraction of synthetic and natural organic compounds; chromatographic analysis of synthetic and natural organic compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer materials are widely used in various fields of industry and everyday life. In the last few decades, especially the use of synthetic polymers has seen significant growth and application in many sophisticated fields, such as medicine, sensors, optical fibers, electronics, and as large-size composites in the automotive and aerospace industries. A dozen or so years ago, no one would have believed in the existence of polymers with electrical conductivity or mechanical strength comparable to steel. However, it should be emphasized that the history of synthetic polymers is very short and only slightly exceeds 100 years.

In turn, polymers of natural origin have a long history. They were used in antiquity and later accompanied man along with the development of civilization. Currently, they are widespread in many areas of life and used, among others, in packaging in the automotive and pharmaceutical industries.

Various types of modifications are often carried out to obtain polymers with the desired properties. The functional groups present in the structure of the polymers enable hardening, block copolymer formation, functionalization, deactivation, etc. Chemical modification methods have also been found for synthetic polymers without functional groups. The unexpected properties appear even when different polymers are mixed with or active fillers are added.

Recently, significant attention has been paid to polymers from renewable sources, as both industry and municipalities are aware of the problems caused by the stability of waste polymer products.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight progress in the manufacturing, characterization, modification, and applications of polymeric materials of natural and synthetic origin. It is our pleasure to invite you to submit your manuscript.

Prof. Dr. Barbara Gawdzik
Dr. Przemysław Pączkowski
Guest Editors

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Keywords

polymer synthesis
chemical modification
synthetic polymers
natural polymers
composites and biocomposites
properties
applications

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 5014 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Degradation during Mixing of Silica-Reinforced Natural Rubber Compounds

by Ammarin Kraibut, Wisut Kaewsakul, Kannika Sahakaro, Sitisaiyidah Saiwari, Jacques W. M. Noordermeer and Wilma K. Dierkes

Materials 2024, 17(2), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020341 - 10 Jan 2024

Viewed by 746

Abstract

The optimal mixing conditions for silica-filled NR compounds dictate the need to proceed at a high temperature, i.e., 150 °C, to achieve a sufficient degree of silanization. On the other hand, natural rubber is prone to degradation due to mechanical shear and thermal effects during mixing, particularly at long exposure times. The present work investigates NR rubber degradation during mixing in relation to prolonged silanization times. The Mooney viscosity and stress relaxation rates, bound rubber content, storage modulus (G’), and delta δ were investigated to indicate the changes in the elastic/viscous responses of NR molecules related to rubber degradation, molecular chain modifications, and premature crosslinking/interaction. In Gum NR (unfilled), an increase in the viscous response with increasing mixing times indicates a major chain scission that causes a decreased molecular weight and risen chain mobility. For silica-filled NR, an initial decrease in the Mooney viscosity with increasing silanization time is attributed to the chain scission first, but thereafter the effect of the degradation is counterbalanced by a sufficient silanization/coupling reaction which leads to leveling off of the viscous response. Finally, the higher viscous response due to degradation leads to the deterioration of the mechanical properties and rolling resistance performance of tire treads made from such silica-filled NR, particularly when the silanization time exceeds 495 s. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic and Natural Origin Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Modification, Functionalized Properties and Applications)

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12 pages, 1626 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Illite and Its Amine Modifications on the Self-Adhesive Properties of Silicone Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

by Adrian Krzysztof Antosik, Karolina Mozelewska, Marlena Musik, Piotr Miądlicki and Katarzyna Wilpiszewska

Materials 2023, 16(7), 2879; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072879 - 04 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1015

Abstract

Obtaining new silicone self-adhesive in the presence of modified illite has been described. The filler was modified with N,N,4-trimethylaniline. The effect of illite content and modification on functional properties (adhesion, cohesion, stickiness, and shrinkage) was determined. Additionally, the thermal resistance (the SAFT test) of obtained silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives was evaluated. For all the systems tested, an increase in thermal resistance and shrinkage decrease were noted. Moreover, only a slight adhesion and tack decrease was revealed. Such self-adhesives could be applied for joining elements operating at increased temperatures, e.g., in heavy industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic and Natural Origin Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Modification, Functionalized Properties and Applications)

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10 pages, 8478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Material Extrusion 3D Printing (ME3DP) Process Simulations of Polymeric Porous Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

by Ramsha Imran, Ans Al Rashid and Muammer Koç

Materials 2023, 16(6), 2475; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062475 - 20 Mar 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1645

Abstract

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is an active area of research for bone defect treatment. Some polymeric materials have recently gained adequate attention as potential materials for BTE applications, as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, inexpensive, lightweight, easy to process, and recyclable. Polyetherimide (PEI), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyamide-12 (PA12) are potential biocompatible materials for biomedical applications due to their excellent physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. The current study presents preliminary findings on the process simulations for 3D-printed polymeric porous scaffolds for a material extrusion 3D printing (ME3DP) process to observe the manufacturing constraints and scaffold quality with respect to designed structures (porous scaffolds). Different unit cell designs (ventils, grid, and octet) for porous scaffolds, virtually fabricated using three polymeric materials (PEI, ABS, and PA12), were investigated for process-induced defections and residual stresses. The numerical simulation results concluded that higher dimensional accuracy and control were achieved for grid unit cell scaffolds manufactured using PEI material; however, minimum residual stresses were achieved for grid unit cell scaffolds fabricated using PA12 material. Future studies will include the experimental validation of numerical simulation results and the biomechanical performance of 3D-printed polymeric scaffolds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic and Natural Origin Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Modification, Functionalized Properties and Applications)

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17 pages, 4250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Polymers Based on Glucose Derivatives

by Barbara Gawdzik, Izabela Bukowska-Śluz, Anna E. Koziol and Liliana Mazur

Materials 2023, 16(1), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16010253 - 27 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1197

Abstract

Syntheses of two new monomers, namely the glucose derivatives 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1 methacryloyl-glucopyranose (MGlc) and 2,3,4,6 tetra-O-acetyl-1-acryloylglucopyranose (AGlc), are presented. Their chemical structures were determined by the FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, the single-crystal X-ray analysis, supported by the powder X-ray diffraction, and the DSC analyses. Molecules of both monomers exist in the β-anomeric form in the solid state. The variable temperature X-ray diffraction studies, supported by the DSC analyses, revealed AGlc’s propensity for polymorphism and temperature-induced phase transitions. MGlc and AGlc crystallised from methanol were polymerized or copolymerized with methyl methacrylate and N-vinylpyrrolidone. The biodegradabilities of polymers as well as thermal and optical properties were studied. The results show that some properties of the obtained homopolymers and copolymers resemble those of PMMA. The main difference is that the AGlc and MGlc homopolymers are biodegradable while PMMA is not. The ternary copolymers, i.e., MGlc/AGlc-MMA-NVP lose more than 10% of their weight after six months. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic and Natural Origin Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Modification, Functionalized Properties and Applications)

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17 pages, 6761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment Study on the Solvent Resistance of Low-Density Polyethylene with Pumpkin Seed Hulls

by Karolina Głogowska, Przemysław Pączkowski and Barbara Gawdzik

Materials 2023, 16(1), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16010138 - 23 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3733

Abstract

When designing products that are made of composite materials and that contain natural fillers, it is particularly important to consider the long-term exposure of these materials to caustic liquids and substances (concentrated acids, bases), and to ensure that these products meet strict requirements for reliability and operational safety. This study investigated the effects of different solvents on the mass, mechanical, thermal, surface, and structural properties of polymer composites containing natural fillers in the form of pumpkin seed hulls. Experiments were conducted using four different filler contents (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) and grain sizes ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 mm and 0.6 to 0.8 mm. Hybrid injection-moulded pieces were immersed in distilled water (H₂O), 1% NaOH solution, acetone (C₃H₆O), and toluene (C₇H₈) for 84 days. After that, their mechanical and thermal properties as well as their structure geometries were analysed statistically. Changes in the properties of the tested composite materials were assessed depending on the solvent type, and the statistical significance of these changes were determined. The results showed that the nature of degradation depended on the applied solvent type. It was observed that the polymer matrix of the toluene-immersed samples absorbed the liquid to a significant extent first and then underwent a gradual degradation with time. In contrast, the samples immersed in water showed a slight increase in their mass. It was found that all tested properties of the composite samples deteriorated irrespective of the solvent type. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic and Natural Origin Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Modification, Functionalized Properties and Applications)

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16 pages, 3792 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Segmented Poly(Thiourethane-Urethane)s Based on Poly(ε-Caprolactone)Diol Soft Segment: Synthesis and Characterization

by Andrzej Puszka and Janusz W. Sikora

Materials 2022, 15(14), 4940; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15144940 - 15 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1527

Abstract

New segmented poly(thiourethane-urethane)s (SPTURs) were synthesized by the reaction of 1,1′-methanediylbis (4-isocyanatocyclohexane) (Desmodur W^®, HMDI) and poly(ε-caprolactone)diol (PCL) and (methanediyldibenzene-4,1-diyl)dimethanethiol as nonconventional polymer chain extender. FTIR spectroscopy was used for the structural analysis of obtained polymers. The molecular weight distribution was examined by GPC chromatography. Based on the measured contact angles, free surface energy parameters were calculated. Thermal properties of polymers were examined by DSC and TGA, while viscoelastic properties were measured by DMTA. The tensile, adhesive and optical properties were also investigated for the obtained polymers. It was shown that SPTURs were transparent or partially transparent solids with high molar masses up to 84,300 Da. These polymers showed a good resistance to hydrolysis during incubation in Optylite^® physiological saline over 8 weeks. Obtained polymers possessed a tensile strength of up to 43.26 MPa, hardness of up to 96.25/59.00 Sh A/D and adhesion to copper of 14.66 MPa. The surface properties of the obtained polymers show that all obtained SPTURs were hydrophilic (CAs for water between 64.07° and 73.12°) with calculated SFE up to 46.69 mN/m. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic and Natural Origin Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Modification, Functionalized Properties and Applications)

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