To develop an efficient, simple, and biocompatible method for improving the thermal and mechanical properties of an addition-type liquid silicone rubber (LSR), octavinyl-polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (OPOSS) modified LSR samples were prepared through the addition of 0.5–4.0 wt % OPOSS as a modifier to a platinum-based silicone curing system before vulcanization. The characterization and measurement of the OPOSS and LSR samples were carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, NMR, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (electron impact ionization), scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry, and universal testing. The experimental results show that the crosslinking of the OPOSS and LSR polymer had a significantly positive effect on the thermal and mechanical properties. Compared with the unmodified sample, its tensile strength was enhanced by 423–508%, its tear resistance was increased from 22 to 44%, the residue at 600 °C was increased by 36–75% in an N₂ atmosphere and 8–65% in an air atmosphere, respectively. These results were obviously superior to those from other similar reported methods that used larger molecular or nonreactive polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) derivatives as modifiers at similar POSS loadings. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between the loading rate of OPOSS and the thermal properties. However, the mechanical properties seemed negatively correlated with the OPOSS content within the experimental range; this may have been due to a material defect caused by the uneven distribution and agglomeration. The results of this study proved that the incorporation of OPOSS into an LSR polymer matrix by a hydrosilylation reaction could be an efficient way to improve the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and biocompatibility of LSR in the future. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43906.

Inks composed of renewable resources are important for the environment protection. We report preparation of a new type of edible chitosan-based flexographic ink. The performance of three inks, containing three different molecular weight (MW) chitosan, was analyzed by the different experimental techniques. The Ink viscosity was investigated from the parameters shear rate, time, temperature, and flexographic printing simulation. The printing quality on coated paper was studied by the scratch resistance, contact angle, print fastness, chromatic aberration, and dot gain. Viscosity recovery rate reached 69% after 6 s, and the print fastness was up to 91%. The experimental ΔE is 0.97, the dot gain is 23%, and contact angle is 69° for the best ink. Experimental results indicate that the developed ink is suitable for the flexographic printing with good application prospects. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43997.

A polypyrrole (PPy) using TiO₂ nanotube@poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (TiO₂@PSS) as dopant and template was synthesized by chemical oxidation polymerization. The template TiO₂@PSS consisting of a TiO₂ nanotube core and PSS on the surface was prepared by a “grafting from” approach. PPy on the layer of TiO₂@PSS (TiO₂@PSS/PPy) was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Raman spectroscopic analysis, UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis, and electrical conductivity analysis. Results showed that TiO₂@PSS/PPy was successfully fabricated. The electrical conductivity of the TiO₂@PSS/PPy nanocomposites at room temperature was 11.6 S cm⁻¹, which was higher than that of the PPy (4.2 S cm⁻¹). This result was consistent with those based on FTIR, UV-vis spectroscopy, and XPS analyses. The nanocomposites have nanoparticle size and controllable morphology and thus potential applications in photoelectrochemical devices, photocatalytic devices, conductive inks, electronic printing sensors, and electrodes. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:462–467, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

A poly(aniline-co-pyrrole), using anionic spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (ASPB) as dopant and template, was synthesized by chemical oxidation polymerization. The composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrical studies. The SEM images confirmed that the composites had a spherical-like structure, with a size of ca. 170 nm. The FTIR spectra showed the intermolecular interaction between poly(aniline-co-pyrrole) and ASPB. The XRD analysis revealed that the interplanar distance of the copolymers increased from 0.373 nm to 0.391 nm. The electrical conductivity of the poly(aniline-co-pyrrole)/ASPB nanocomposites at room temperature was 8.3 S cm⁻¹, higher than that of the conducting copolymers (2.1 S cm⁻¹). These conductive nanocomposites have nanoparticle size, controllable morphology, and the potential for application in inkjet electronic printing. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1858–1863, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

The adsorption and the interactions of water-soluble chitosan (DD = 50%) with main components of reed pulp suspensions were investigated with phenol/sulfuric acid spectrophotometry, microelctrophoresis, and retention/drainage methods. The results showed that the Zeta potential of peroxide bleached reed kraft pulp transformed from negative to zero and then to positive because of the adsorption of water-soluble chitosan. Nonelectrostatic forces (hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals force) existed between the fibers and water-soluble chitosan; electrostatic force existed between cellulose fines and water-soluble chitosan. The experimental results showed that the fines existed in pulp suspension would aggregate upon the addition of water-soluble chitosan. The degree of flocculation was affected by the type of cellulose substrates, the electrolyte concentration and pH in the background. With the increase of NaCl concentration, the flocculation performance of water-soluble chitosan decreased slightly for unwashed pulp, whereas the flocculation efficiency of water-soluble chitosan decreased significantly for fine suspension. These adsorption and flocculation resulted in excellent drainage performance of reed pulp, for example, the ⁰SR of cellulosic pulp was reduced by about 39 or 18% at C_NaCl = 0 mol/L, at pH 5 or pH 7, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

The microparticle retention aid system has been a focus on the studies of paper-making chemicals. N-(2-Hydroxy-3-trimethylammonio)-propyl chitosan chlorider [quaternary chitosan (QCS)]—nanoparticle SiO₂ dual component system was investigated in this work. The adsorpton kinetic experiments indicated that there was a very fast (<1 min) polymer adsorption under good mixing conditions. Adsorption of QCS onto the fiber surface was followed by a rearrangement to reach an equilibrium conformation. At the same time, QCS chains, existing on the surface of fiber, could permeate into the porous of the fiber, resulting in the reducing of zeta potential of the cellulosic fiber. In addition, the flocculation would be increased with the increasing of SiO₂ when the fiber substrates surfaces was net positively charged by an adsorbed QCS layer. It was also found that ionic strength decreased significantly the flocculation efficiency in pure QCS system, whereas the turbidity of the reed pulp suspension increased slightly with the increasing of NaCl concentration in QCS-SiO₂ systems. The effect of shear force on the flocculation was tested. It was shown shear led to floc breakage and decreased the flocculation. These phenomena were very obvious for one-component system (QCS or C-St), but the microparticle system (QCS-SiO₂ or C-St-SiO₂) was shear resistance. Dynamic drainage experiment indicated that the turbidity of white water was decreased with the increasing of dosage of SiO₂ in experimental level. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010