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16 pages, 4133 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polyurethane/Nanosilver-Doped Halloysite Nanocomposites: Thermal, Mechanical Properties, and Antibacterial Properties

by Jui-Ting Sun, Jia-Wun Li, Chi-Hui Tsou, Jen-Chieh Pang, Ren-Jei Chung and Chih-Wei Chiu

Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2729; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112729 - 17 Nov 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2273

Abstract

In this study, the researchers successfully embellished the surface of halloysite (Ag/HNTs) with silver using halloysite, silver nitrate (AgNO₃), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The researchers then prepared polyurethane that contained pyridine ring by using 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) as [...] Read more.

In this study, the researchers successfully embellished the surface of halloysite (Ag/HNTs) with silver using halloysite, silver nitrate (AgNO₃), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The researchers then prepared polyurethane that contained pyridine ring by using 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) as the hard chain segment and the soft chain segment of polyurethane (PU), as well as 2,6-pyridinedimethanol (2,6-PDM) as the chain extension agent. This was followed by the preparation of Ag/HNTs/PUs nanocomposite thin films, achieved by mixing Ag/HNTs with different ratios into polyurethane that contains pyridine ring. First, the Ag/HNTs powders were analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Subsequently, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the dispersibility of Ag/HNTs in PU, whereas the thermal stability and the viscoelasticity of Ag/HNTs/PU were examined using thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis. When the mechanical properties of Ag/HNTs/PU were tested using a universal strength tester, the results indicated a maximum increase of 109.5% in tensile strength. The researchers then examined the surface roughness and the hydrophobic ability of the Ag/HNTs/PU thin films by using atomic force microscopy and water contact angle. Lastly, antibacterial testing on Escherichia coli revealed that when the additive of Ag/HNTs reached 2.0 wt%, 99.3% of the E. coli were eliminated. These results indicated that the addition of Ag/HNTs into PU could enhance the thermal stability, mechanical properties, and antibacterial properties of PU, implying the potential of Ag/HNTs-02 as biomedicine material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polyurethanes)

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25 pages, 5124 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sorption Features of Polyurethane Foam Functionalized with Salicylate for Chlorpyrifos: Equilibrium, Kinetic Models and Thermodynamic Studies

by Mohamed El Bouraie and Amr Abdelghany

Polymers 2020, 12(9), 2036; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12092036 - 7 Sep 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2616

Abstract

Commercial polyurethane foam was treated with salicylate salt to synthesize PUFSalicylate (PUFS) as a novel, promising, stable and inexpensive adsorbent for chlorpyrifos (CPF) extraction. The properties of PUFS were investigated using UV–Vis spectroscopy, apparent density, FTIR spectroscopy, pH_ZPC, BET surface area, [...] Read more.

Commercial polyurethane foam was treated with salicylate salt to synthesize PUFSalicylate (PUFS) as a novel, promising, stable and inexpensive adsorbent for chlorpyrifos (CPF) extraction. The properties of PUFS were investigated using UV–Vis spectroscopy, apparent density, FTIR spectroscopy, pH_ZPC, BET surface area, elemental analysis, TGA and DTG tests. Batch experiments were performed for the sorption of CPF under different salicylate concentrations, pH, shaking time, ionic strength, agitation speed, sorbent mass, batch factor and initial concentration of CPF. The results confirmed that 97.4% of CPF in a 25 mL solution, 10 μg/L concentration, could be retained by only 0.3 mg of PUFS (1:10⁵mass ratio of PUFS: solution). In addition, the maximum capacity of PUFS for the sorption of CPF was 1249.8 μg/mg (3.9 × 10⁻⁵ mol/g) within 180 min. The negative values of ΔH° and ΔG° indicated that the sorption of CPF onto PUFS is an exothermic spontaneous process (favorable). The calculated data from the experimental procedures fitted perfectly with Freundlich isotherm (R² = 0.9952) and the kinetic Equation of pseudo-second order. In addition, the R² value in the Elovich Equation recorded higher when compared to the Morris–Weber and Bangham Equations; hence, the pore diffusion is not the rate-determining step. Thus, the use of PUFSalicylate for the removal of chlorpyrifos contaminations from agriculture runoff is applicable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polyurethanes)

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13 pages, 4182 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Fluorescent Polyurethane with Covalently Cross-Linked Rhodamine Derivatives

by Saiqi Tian, Yinyan Chen, Yifan Zhu and Haojun Fan

Polymers 2020, 12(9), 1989; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12091989 - 1 Sep 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3722

Abstract

Rhodamine derivatives (RDs) with three reactive hydrogens were synthesized and well characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI mass). Then, the obtained RD was covalently cross-linked into polyurethane [...] Read more.

Rhodamine derivatives (RDs) with three reactive hydrogens were synthesized and well characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI mass). Then, the obtained RD was covalently cross-linked into polyurethane (PU) matrix through chemical linkages to fabricate a network structure, and the fluorescent properties, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and emulsion particle size were systematically investigated. Results demonstrate that PU-RD maintains initial fluorescent properties and emits desirable yellow fluorescence under ultraviolet irradiation. Moreover, compared with linear PU without fluorescers, PU-RD shows clearly improved mechanical properties and thermal stability, on account of the formed network structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polyurethanes)

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18 pages, 4640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Characterization of Tris(trimethylsiloxy)silyl Modified Polyurethane Acrylates and Their Application in Textile Treatment

by Xuecheng Yu, Ying Xiong, Zhen Li and Hongding Tang

Polymers 2020, 12(8), 1629; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12081629 - 22 Jul 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2778

Abstract

Three series of silicone modified polyurethane acrylate (SPUA) prepolymers were prepared from dicyclohexylmethane-4, 4′-diisocyanate (HMDI), PPG1000, triethylene glycol (TEG), 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), and multi-hydroxyalkyl silicone (MI-III) with tris(trimethylsiloxy)silyl propyl side groups. Their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and [...] Read more.

Three series of silicone modified polyurethane acrylate (SPUA) prepolymers were prepared from dicyclohexylmethane-4, 4′-diisocyanate (HMDI), PPG1000, triethylene glycol (TEG), 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), and multi-hydroxyalkyl silicone (MI-III) with tris(trimethylsiloxy)silyl propyl side groups. Their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) analysis, and SPUA films were obtained by UV curing. The properties of films were investigated by attenuated total reflection (ATR)-FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), water contact angle (WCA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), water and hexane resistance, and tensile testing. The results showed that the structures and dosages of MI-III could influence the polymerization properties, surface properties, water and n-hexane resistance, and thermal and tensile properties of SPUA. For instance, the surface aggregation of tris(trimethylsiloxy)silyl propyl groups (even ~2.5 wt%) could endow SPUA films with less microphase separation, good hydrophobicity, lipophilicity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties. Interestingly, obvious regular winkles appeared on the surfaces of SPUAIII films, which are characterized by relatively high WCA values. However, relatively smooth were observed on the surfaces of SPUAIII films, which also exhibit lower water absorption ratio values. Furthermore, the ordinary cotton textiles would be transformed into hydrophobic and oleophilic textiles after treating with SPUA simply, and they were used in the oil/water separation study. Among them, consistent with water and hexane resistance analysis of SPUA films, SPUAII treated cotton textiles are characterized by relatively small liquid absorption capacity (LAC) values. Thus, phenyl groups and side-chain tris(trimethylsiloxy)silyl propyl groups are helpful to improve the hydrophobicity and lipophilicity of SPUA films. SPUAII-5 (even with 5 wt% MII) treated cotton textiles could efficiently separate the oil/water mixture, such as n-hexane, cyclohexane, or methylbenzene with water. Thus, this material has great potential in the application of hydrophobic treatment, oil/water separation, and industrial sewage emissions, among others. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polyurethanes)

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9 pages, 1541 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Shapes and Sizes of Moth-Eye-Inspired Structures for the Enhancement of Their Antireflective Properties

by Ji Seong Choi, Joon Hyung An, Jong-Kwon Lee, Ji Yun Lee and Seong Min Kang

Polymers 2020, 12(2), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12020296 - 2 Feb 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4207

Abstract

Novel antireflective (AR) structures have attracted tremendous attention and been used in various applications such as solar cells, displays, wearable devices, and others. They have also stimulated the development of several other methods, including moth-eye-inspired technologies. However, the analyses of the shapes and [...] Read more.

Novel antireflective (AR) structures have attracted tremendous attention and been used in various applications such as solar cells, displays, wearable devices, and others. They have also stimulated the development of several other methods, including moth-eye-inspired technologies. However, the analyses of the shapes and sizes of nanostructures remain a critical issue and need to be considered in the design of effective AR surfaces. Herein, moth-eye and inverse-moth-eye patterned polyurethane-acrylate (PUA) structures (MPS and IMPS) with three different sizes are analyzed and compared to optimize the designed nanostructures to achieve the best optical properties pertaining to maximum transmittance and minimum reflectance. We fabricated moth-eye-inspired conical structures with three different sizes using a simple and robust fabrication method. Furthermore, the fabricated surfaces of the MPS and IMPS structures were analyzed based on the experimental and theoretical variation influences of their optical properties according to their sizes and shapes. As a result of these analyses, we herein propose a standard methodology based on the optimal structure of IMPS structure with a 300 nm diameter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polyurethanes)

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15 pages, 1297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrofilm Polyurethane Films Reduce Radiation Dermatitis Severity in Hypofractionated Whole-Breast Irradiation: An Objective, Intra-Patient Randomized Dual-Center Assessment

by Leonard Christopher Schmeel, David Koch, Frederic Carsten Schmeel, Bettina Bücheler, Christina Leitzen, Birgit Mahlmann, Dorothea Kunze, Martina Heimann, Dilini Brüser, Alina-Valik Abramian, Felix Schoroth, Thomas Müdder, Fred Röhner, Stephan Garbe, Brigitta Gertrud Baumert, Hans Heinz Schild and Timo Martin Wilhelm-Buchstab

Polymers 2019, 11(12), 2112; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym11122112 - 16 Dec 2019

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 10286

Abstract

Radiation-induced skin injury represents the most frequent side effect in breast cancer patients undergoing whole-breast irradiation (WBI). Numerous clinical studies on systemic and topical treatments for radiation dermatitis have failed to provide sustainable treatment strategies. While protective skin products such as dressings are [...] Read more.

Radiation-induced skin injury represents the most frequent side effect in breast cancer patients undergoing whole-breast irradiation (WBI). Numerous clinical studies on systemic and topical treatments for radiation dermatitis have failed to provide sustainable treatment strategies. While protective skin products such as dressings are undoubtedly the standard of care in wound care management, their utilization as preventive treatment in radiotherapy has been somewhat neglected in recent years. In this prospective, intra-patient randomized observational study, Hydrofilm polyurethane films were prophylactically applied to either the medial or lateral breast-half of 74 patients with breast cancer undergoing hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation following breast-preserving surgery. Maximum radiation dermatitis severity was assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03 toxicity scores, photospectrometric erythema and pigmentation measurements and patient-assessed modified Radiation-Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale (RISRAS) scale. Phantom studies revealed a clinically negligible dose build-up of less than 0.1% with Hydrofilm. Compared to the control compartments physician-assessed radiation dermatitis severity was reduced in the hydrofilm compartments (mean 0.54 vs. 1.34; p = < 0.001). Objective photospectrometric skin measurements showed decreased erythema (p = 0.0001) and hyperpigmentation (p = 0.002) underneath Hydrofilm. Hydrofilm also completely prevented moist desquamation, and significantly reduced patients’ treatment-related symptoms of itching, burning, pain, and limitations of day-to-day-activities. Significant beneficial effects were observed in terms of radiation dermatitis severity, erythema, hyperpigmentation as well as subjective treatment-related symptom experiences, while adverse reactions were rare and minor. Therefore, a prophylactic application of Hydrofilm polyurethane films can be suggested in hypofractionated WBI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polyurethanes)

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13 pages, 4181 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of DMPA and Molecular Weight of Polyethylene Glycol on Water-Soluble Polyurethane

by Eyob Wondu, Hyun Woo Oh and Jooheon Kim

Polymers 2019, 11(12), 1915; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym11121915 - 21 Nov 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5059

Abstract

In this study water-soluble polyurethane (WSPU) was synthesized from isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and polyethylene glycol (PEG), 2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid or dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), butane-1,4-diol (BD), and triethylamine (TEA) using an acetone process. The water solubility was investigated by solubilizing the polymer in water [...] Read more.

In this study water-soluble polyurethane (WSPU) was synthesized from isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and polyethylene glycol (PEG), 2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid or dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), butane-1,4-diol (BD), and triethylamine (TEA) using an acetone process. The water solubility was investigated by solubilizing the polymer in water and measuring the contact angle and the results indicated that water solubility and contact angle tendency were increased as the molecular weight of the soft segment decreased, the amount of emulsifier was increased, and soft segment to hard segment ratio was lower. The contact angle of samples without emulsifier was greater than 87°, while that of with emulsifier was less than 67°, indicating a shift from highly hydrophobic to hydrophilic. The WSPU was also analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to identify the absorption of functional groups and further checked by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The molecular weight of WSPU was measured using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The structure of the WSPU was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The thermal properties of WSPU were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polyurethanes)

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Review

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16 pages, 5916 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in Functional Polyurethane and Its Application in Leather Manufacture: A Review

by Saiqi Tian

Polymers 2020, 12(9), 1996; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12091996 - 2 Sep 2020

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 5284

Abstract

Over last few years, polyurethane (PU) has been applied in a number of areas because of its remarkable features, such as excellent mechanical strength, good abrasion resistance, toughness, low temperature flexibility, etc. More specifically, PU can be easily “tailor made” to meet specific [...] Read more.

Over last few years, polyurethane (PU) has been applied in a number of areas because of its remarkable features, such as excellent mechanical strength, good abrasion resistance, toughness, low temperature flexibility, etc. More specifically, PU can be easily “tailor made” to meet specific demands. This structure–property relationship endows great potential for use in wider applications. With the improvement of living standards, ordinary polyurethane products cannot meet people’s growing needs for comfort, quality, and novelty. This has recently drawn enormous commercial and academic attention to the development of functional polyurethane. Among the major applications, PU is one of the prominent retanning agents and coating materials in leather manufacturing. This review gives a summary of academic study in the field of functional PU as well as its recent application in leather manufacture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polyurethanes)

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