Low temperature shape recovery effect of polyurethane copolymer grafted with pendant <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl group

Effect of the pendant n-butyl group on shape recovery and tensile properties of polyurethane (PU) block copolymer was investigated. The grafted n-butyl group was intended to keep PU chains away and to deter molecular interaction between PU chains by its flexible chains, and thus improve shape recovery at subzero temperature while maintaining high and reproducible tensile properties and shape recovery at ambient temperature. The attachment of n-butyl group did not make any change in the molecular interaction and phase separation of hard and soft segments in PU structure as judged from IR and DSC analysis. Cross-link density and intrinsic viscosity increased with the increase of n-butyl content due to the partial cross-linking by the linking reagent. Shape recovery and shape retention were not diminished after cyclic shape memory tests. Finally, the effect of n-butyl group on low temperature shape recovery was compared with linear ones and the potential application of this finding was discussed.     

Dependence of montmorillonite dispersion in nanocomposites on polymer matrix and compatibilizer content, and the impact on mechanical properties

A series of polyurethane (PU)/monmorillonite (MMT) or nylon 66/MMT nanocomposite were prepared by melt-compounding method to take a close look at the MMT dispersion in the nanocomposite depending on the polymer matrix and the compatibilizer content. Cloisite 30B, the brand name, was selected as MMT, because surface was covered with methyl tallow bis-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium group and the reduced surface hydrophilicityity rendered MMT dispersed better in polymer matrix compared to bare MMT. MMT dispersion, due to the difference in hydrophilicity and the fondness of similar hydrophilicity, was better in nylon than PU. Maximum stress and tensile modulus could be increased by the control of MMT content for both nylon and PU, and the compatibilizer, when added at the same MMT content, also could increase the tensile properties of both nylon and PU. It was found from this investigation that the good dispersion of MMT in polymer matrix can improve the mechanical properties of nanocomposite.     

Grafting of Triphenylmethyl Group onto Polyurethane and the Impact on the Shape Recovery and Flexibility at Extremely Low Temperature

The bulky and rigid triphenylmethyl group was grafted onto polyurethane (PU) to reduce the molecular attractions between hard segments and to improve the mobility of the PU chain under freezing conditions. The triphenylmethyl-grafted PU exhibited improvement in the cross-link density, solution viscosity, maximum tensile stress, shape recovery at 10 °C, and low temperature flexibility compared with the plain PU. The soft segment melting was not affected by the grafted triphenylmethyl group, whereas the soft segment crystallization disappeared with the increase of the triphenylmethyl group content. The glass transition temperature (T_g) increased with the increase of the triphenylmethyl group content. The rapid increase of the tensile strength and shape recovery at 10 °C resulted from the cross-linking effect, whereas the strain at break and shape retention at -25 °C slightly decreased with the increase of the triphenylmethyl group content. The triphenylmethylgrafted PU displayed an excellent low temperature flexibility even at -50 °C due to the improved mobility of the PU chain compared to ordinary PU.     

The grafting of recycled polyol from waste polyurethane foam onto new polyurethane and its impact on shape recovery and water vapor permeation

Recycled polyols from waste polyurethane (PU) foams were grafted onto PU to improve the properties such as tensile strength, shape recovery, low-temperature flexibility, and water compatibility. The recycled polyol was either purified by column chromatography before grafting or was used directly for grafting. The soft segment melting temperature of PU did not notably increase with the addition of polyol, whereas the glass transition temperature increased with increased polyol content. The tensile strength sharply increased at low polyol content and decreased at high polyol content, while the strain at break did not significantly change with an increase in polyol content. The shape recovery at 10 oC notably improved compared with unmodified PU and remained high after four cyclic tests. Polyol-grafted PU demonstrated better lowtemperature flexibility and reduced the water vapor permeability of PU membranes. Overall, grafting recycled polyol onto PU significantly improved the tensile stress, shape recovery, and low-temperature flexibility of PU.     

Hybrid multi-scale basalt fiber-epoxy composite laminate reinforced with Electrospun polyurethane nanofibers containing carbon nanotubes

In this study, we report the fabrication and evaluation of a hybrid multi-scale basalt fiber/epoxy composite laminate reinforced with layers of electrospun carbon nanotube/polyurethane (CNT/PU) nanofibers. Electrospun polyurethane mats containing 1, 3 and 5 wt% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were interleaved between layers of basalt fibers laminated with epoxy through vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The strength and stiffness of composites for each configuration were tested by tensile and flexural tests, and SEM analysis was conducted to observe the morphology of the composites. The results showed increase in tensile strength (4–13 %) and tensile modulus (6–20 %), and also increase in flexural strength (6.5–17.3 %) and stiffness of the hybrid composites with the increase of CNT content in PU nanofibers. The use of surfactant to disperse CNTs in the electrospun PU reinforcement resulted to the highest increase in both tensile and flexural properties, which is attributed to the homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the PU nanofibers and the high surface area of the nanofibers themselves. Here, the use of multi-scale reinforcement fillers with good and homogeneous dispersion for epoxy-based laminates showed increased mechanical performance of the hybrid composite laminates.     

The exceptional low temperature flexibility of polyurethane copolymer grafted with dimethylphenyl group

The grafted 3,5-dimethylphenyl group remarkably improved the low temperature flexibility of a polyurethane (PU) copolymer. The rigid and blunt shape of 3,5-dimethylphenyl was designed to interrupt molecular interactions and to disturb the close contact between PU chains and, thus, to improve the flexibility at extremely low temperature, while maintaining high and reproducible tensile and shape memory properties at ambient temperature. The effect of the 3,5-dimethylphenyl group on the flexibility of PU was tested at −30 °C together with a linear PU, and the reason for the exceptional flexibility at low temperature is discussed.     

Laterally crosslinked polyurethane copolymers with polycarbonate as a soft segment

The polyurethane (PU) copolymer was laterally crosslinked with an extra MDI, in which a more rigid polycarbonatediol replaced the conventional poly(tetramethyleneglycol) as a soft segment. What is the impact of the possible molecular interaction between polycarbonate soft segments and lateral crosslinking. The structural change after crosslinking and the impact of new soft segment were followed by infrared spectra, crosslink density, UV-VIS spectra, and relative viscosity. The tensile stress could improve as much as 554 % by selecting the polycarbonate soft segment and the lateral crosslinking. Shape recovery was over 90 % for the entire series and reproducible for four test cycles. The adoption of polycarbonate soft segment and lateral crosslinking significantly could improve the tensile strength and shape recovery compared to PU with polyetherdiol or polyesterdiol soft segment.     

Selective cationic surfactant detection in aqueous solution by polyurethane copolymer linked with metal ion indicator

Polyurethane (PU) copolymer is laterally linked with three kinds of metal ion indicator (calcein, calmagite, or eriochrome black T), with which free metal ion in aqueous solution is intended to be detected by PU color change. Metal ion detection by the indicator-PU fails due to the poor permeation of hydrophilic metal ion into hydrophobic PU layer. Instead, three surfactants with different ionic head groups, aerosol OT (AOT), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), are tested for metal ion. Cationic CTAB exhibits an instant PU color change, but anionic AOT and SDS do not respond at all. Reason for the selective detection of cationic surfactant is the complex formation between cationic surfactant and indicator. Molecular interactions between PUs are affected by the laterally linked indicators based on the results by infrared spectra and differential thermal analysis. UV-vis spectra reveal that extra peak arising from the linked indicator appears compared to plain PU. The lateral linking of indicator to PU demonstrates, as well as the selective surfactant detection, a 454 % increase in tensile strength and reproducible shape recovery as high as 99 % compared to plain PU.     

The characterization and effects of the alizarin series dyes grafted to polyurethane copolymers on the photoluminescence and low temperature flexibility

Alizarin-series dyes (alizarin, alizarin red S, alizarin yellow GG, or mordant orange) are grafted onto shape memory polyurethane (PU) through an allophanate bonding, and the photoluminescence and the low-temperature flexibility of the resulting PUs are tested. The PU is mainly composed of 4,4′-methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) (MDI), poly (tetramethyleneglycol) (PTMG), and 1,4-butanediol (BD), and the dye is connected, through another MDI, to the carbamate moiety of the PU chain. The PUs with different dye contents are characterized, and their shape recovery and photoluminescence properties are compared. With respect to the tensile mechanical properties, the maximum stress increases up to 50 MPa, and the strain remains above 1000 % even after the dye is grafted onto the PU. The shape recovery is as high as 99 %, and the shape retention improves as the dye content increases. Finally, the photoluminescence of the PUs is demonstrated by the luminescent light emission test, and the dye-grafted PU shows excellent low-temperature flexibility compared with that of linear PU.     

Preparation and characterization of (polyurethane/nylon-6) nanofiber/ (silicone) film composites <Emphasis Type="Italic">via</Emphasis> electrospinning and dip-coating

This paper reports on the preparation and characterization of nanofibers and nanofiber/film composites fabricated by electrospinning and dip-coating. The polymers in this study consist of polyurethane, nylon-6, and silicone. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fiber distribution, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and tensile tests were conducted. The electrospun nylon-6 nanofiber/dip-coated silicone film (dried for 5 min) showed the optimum tensile strength and strain results, showing an increase in tensile strength of 63 % compared to pure nylon-6 nanofiber alone. XRD and FTIR verified the presence of individual polymers in the composite matrix. The electrospun PU nanofiber produced the biggest fiber diameter, while electrospun nylon-6, and PU/nylon-6 produced uniform fiber diameters, with PU/nylon-6 obtaining very random and curved fiber morphology.     

Preparation and properties of alkaline functionalized carbon nanotubes reinforced polyurethane composites

Composites consisting of polyurethane (PU)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been successfully prepared by solution mixing method. CNTs were modified through mechano-chemical reaction to increase the compatibility with PU via hydrogen bondings. SEM microphotographs proved that modified CNTs (M-CNTs) became shorter and FTIR spectra showed that hydroxyl groups had been introduced to the surface of M-CNTs. SEM images of PU/M-CNTs composites also proved that M-CNTs were effectively dispersed in PU matrix. Mechanical property tests showed that addition of M-CNTs could significantly improve the tensile properties of PU/M-CNTs composite (breaking strength enhancement ratio for composite with 5.0 wt% M-CNTs was 103.81 %). The thermal stability of composites with M-CNTs was also improved. The initial degradation temperature enhancement was 19.9 oC for the composite with 0.5 wt% M-CNTs. Electrical property tests showed that the electrical properties were improved by adding M-CNTs. The volume conductivities increased 3 and 5 orders of magnitude for the composites with 5.0 wt% and 10 wt% M-CNTs, respectively. The addition of M-CNTs had little effect on the elastic properties of the composites.     

Small diameter Polyurethane vascular graft reinforced by elastic weft-knitted tubular fabric of polyester/spandex

Small diameter vascular grafts were fabricated from pure Polyurethane (PU) as well as PU reinforced with a tubular weft-knitted fabric. The tensile properties of the reinforced composite vascular grafts were compared with that of the tubular fabric itself and the pure PU vascular grafts. The elasticity and strength of the reinforced vascular grafts were improved compared with the tubular fabric. Strength of the reinforced vascular grafts was 5–10 times of the strength of the pure PU vascular grafts. Expanding the tubular fabric to increase the inner diameter of the reinforced vascular graft reduced the graft’s strength and initial modulus, but the difference was reduced as the PU content was increased. For grafts of the same inner diameter, increasing the PU content increased the thickness and strength of the graft wall, which led to a general increase in the strength and initial modulus of the composite vascular grafts.     

Preparation and characterization of PVA/PU blend nanofiber mats by dual-jet electrospinning

A series of blend nanofiber mats comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and polyurethane (PU) were prepared by dual-jet electrospinning in various parameters. Orthogonal experimental design was used to investigate how those parameters affected on fiber diameters and fiber diameter distribution. Altogether three parameters having three levels each were chosen for this study. The chosen parameters were tip-to-collector distance (TCD), voltage and tip-to-tip distance (TTD). Fiber diameters, thermal properties, mechanical properties and hydrophilicity of the blend nanofiber mats were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile test, contact angle and water absorption test, respectively. The results showed that the optimum conditions for PVA/PU blend nanofiber mats fabricated by dual-jet electrospinning were TCD of 20 cm, voltage of 18 kV and TTD of 4 cm. Besides, the thermal stability of PVA/PU blend nanofiber mats had been improved compared with pure nanofibers. Furthermore, the elongation and tensile strength of the blend nanofiber mats were significantly increased compared with pure PVA and pure PU, respectively. And the blend nanofiber mats exhibited well hydrophilicity.     

Processing and characterization of polyacrylonitrile/soy protein isolate/polyurethane wet-spinning solution and fiber

Using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a solvent, the polyacrylonitrile/soy protein isolate/polyurethane (PAN/SPI/PU) blend solutions and wet-spun fibers were prepared. The rheological properties of the PAN/SPI/PU solution were investigated. Investigations of the structure and properties of the PAN/SPI/PU fibers involved Fourier transform infrared, enzymatic hydrolysis, scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties, dye adsorption, contact angle, and moisture regain measurements. The results showed that all PAN/SPI/PU solutions possess pseudoplastic properties, and there are opposite effects of SPI and PU in the PAN/DMSO solution. The apparent viscosity, the amount of non-Newtonian fluid and the extent of structuralization of the PAN/DMSO solution increase with the addition of SPI, whereas these features all decrease with the addition of PU. The biodegrability, the absorption of acidic dye and the moisture regain increase with the proportional increase in weight of SPI in the fiber blend.     

Effect of cross-linking agent structure on the shape memory property of polyurethane block copolymer

Effect of cross-linking agent on the shape memory and mechanical property of polyurethane (PU) block copolymer is comprehensively investigated. The selected chemical cross-linking agents are glycerol, 1,2,6-trihydroxyhexane, and 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzaldehyde that are differentiated from each other in having remote hydroxyl group and aromatic ring. Significant increase in maximum stress was observed for all of the cross-linked PUs, although the cross-linker structure was different. Structural change of PU after cross-linking as evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectra was not detected, suggesting that interaction between PU chains remained intact. Shape recovery went to as high as 95 % after cross-linking for all of the cross-linking agents, and shape retention did not improve even if cross-linker was used. The remarkable increase in shape recovery and maximum stress definitely originated from the employment of a cross-linking agent, and the effect of different cross-linker structure on shape memory and mechanical property is discussed.     

Characterization and mechanical properties of prepolymer and polyurethane block copolymer with a shape memory effect

The prepolymer and the final polyurethane (PU) block copolymer were synthesized by reacting 4,4-methylene bis(phenylisocyanate) with poly(tetramethylene glycol) and the prepolymer with 1,4-butanediol as a chain extender, respectively, to investigate the relation between phase separation and it’s resulting properties. According to FT-IR data, the phase separation of hard and soft segments in the prepolymer and the PU block copolymer grew bigger by increasing the hard segment content, and the PU showed more dominant phase separation than the prepolymer. The heat of fusion due to soft segments decreased in both the prepolymer and the PU by increasing the hard segment content, whereas the heat of fusion due to hard segments increased in the PU did not appear in the prepolymers. The breaking stress and modulus of the prepolymer increased by increasing the hard segment content, and the elongation at break decreased gradually, and the PU showed the highest breaking stress and modulus at 58 % hard segment content. However, the best shape recovery of the PU was obtained at 47 % hard segment content due to the existence of proper interaction among the hard segments for shape memory effect. Consequently, the mechanical properties and shape memory effect of the PU were influenced by the degree of phase separation, depending on the incorporation of chain extender as well as the hard segment content.     

树脂膜控释尿素及普通尿素配施对强筋小麦产量、品质和氮肥利用率的影响

为给小麦高产优质栽培中控释尿素的合理应用提供理论依据,以控释期90 d的树脂膜控释尿素为材料,通过田间小区试验,研究了树脂膜控释尿素及普通尿素配施对强筋小麦产量、品质及氮肥利用率的影响.结果表明,与普通尿素(PU)全部底施相比,树脂膜控释尿素及普通尿素配施抑制剂处理均能显著提高小麦产量和氮肥利用率,增幅分别达5.6％～12.6％和32.4％～137.3％.与分次施用普通尿素相比,树脂膜控释尿素及普通尿素配施抑制剂处理使籽粒产量增加1.5％～8.2％;等氮量施用树脂膜控释尿素处理显著提高了籽粒蛋白质含量、沉降值及湿面筋含量;等氮量施用树脂膜控释尿素及普通尿素配施抑制剂处理显著提高了氮肥利用率,增幅达13.9％～42.6％.小麦籽粒产量、品质、土壤无机氮与氮肥利用率皆以树脂膜控释尿素70％+普通尿素30％处理最高,其中产量和氮肥利用率与其他施氮处理差异显著.     

The effect of a new setting agent for wool

Pleated wool fabrics were prepared by the treatment with ethylenediamine (EDA) at 90°C for 30 min. The degree of set, tensile property and dyeing of the treated fabrics have been discussed in relation to the concentration of EDA in the treatment system. No significant decreases in tensile strength and elongation, and great increases of exhaustion of synthetic and natural dyes were observed. Pleat and flat set were successfully attained in a wide range of the concentration of EDA. Excellent dyeability and setability of the fabrics obtained were considered to be associated with the existence of new crosslink, β-N-(2-aminoethyl)alanino-β-aminoalanine and the pendant group, β-N-(2-aminoethyl) aminoalanine produced by the reaction of EDA with dehydroalanine intermediate.     

Preparation of Polyurethane Silicon Oxide Nanomaterials as a Binder in Leather Finishing

Leather finishing processes using toxic organic solvent based produce volatile organic compounds (VOC), chronic exposure to this chemicals effect on workers' health causing many diseases especially lung cancer. So, polyurethane waterbased was synthesized for application in leather finishing instead of organic solvent based because it’s economic and safety for industry and workers. Preparation of water-based polyurethane (PU) depends on the reaction of polyethylene glycol (PEG, 300) with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and the reaction of IPDI-1,4-butanediol (BDO) together with dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), was synthesized by poly-addition polymerization reaction. PU was then modified with different amounts of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (1-5 % SiO₂), used as a binder in leather finishing. Leather coated was characterized physically, chemically and thermally by FTIR, GPC, DLS, TEM, SEM and TGA. The results revel that, water vapor permeability (WVP) of leather coated with PU modified with SiO₂ showed improvement due to the existence of SiO₂ particles which increases the interspaces of the polyurethane coating. SEM showed that when the amount of SiO₂ nanoparticles increases, there is uniform nanoparticles accumulated can be observed. EDX prove the presence of Si and O₂ elements and the formation of SiO₂ nanoparticles. Mechanical properties discussed that tensile strength; tear strength and elongation at break % increase with increase SiO₂ concentration until 3 % SiO₂ nanoparticles. TGA showed an improvement of thermal stability of coated leather modified with SiO₂. Therefore, this study succeeded in preparation of safe, ecofriendly of water-based polyurethane binders which modified with SiO₂ for using in leather finishing.     

菠萝叶渣青贮饲料对生长育肥猪生长性能的影响研究

研究菠萝叶渣青贮饲料对生长育肥猪生长性能的影响，结果表明：试验组B、C、D平均日增重分别比对照组A提高826.31、805.25和796.46 g；料肉比分别比对照组A降低9.84 %、6.33 %和2.27 %；每头猪效益分别比对照组A提高70.94、18.62、7.74元/头；猪肉品质也比对照组A有不同程度的提高，尤其以添加4 %菠萝叶渣饲料肥育猪的日增重、料肉比和经济效益均最好。