Preparation and Properties of Bio-Based Flame Retardant L-APP/Poly(L-lactic acid)Composites

Poly(L-lactic acid)(PLLA)is a thermoplastic material with complete degradability,high biocompatibility and excellent mechanical properties.It can replace petroleum-based polymers are currently being used in the fields of packaging,agriculture,textiles,medical and so on.However,PLLA’s extremely flammability greatly limits its wider application.An bio-based flame retardant L-APP/PLLA composites was prepared by melt blending of the L-APP and PLLA.The morphology,impact properties,thermal properties and flame retardant properties of composites were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscope(SEM),impact tester,differential scanning calorimeter(DSC),thermogravimetric analyzer(TGA),limiting oxygen indexer(LOI)and horizontalvertical burning tester.The results showed that the degree of crystallization(X_(c))and LOI of L-APP/PLLA composites increased as increasing of L-APP content.What’s more,the impact strength first increased and then decreased,the glass transition temperature(T_(g))and melting temperature(T_(m))do not changed significantly.The impact strength of composites was 9.1 kJ/m^(2) at a 5 wt%loading for L-APP,which was the highest level.When the content of L-APP was 20%,the LOI was 30.8%,the Xc was 42.3%and the UL-94 level was V-0.This research can promote the value-added utilization of lignin and the application of PLLA in the fields of flame retardant materials.

Preparation of Poly ( L-lactic acid ) / Vermiculites Composites by in situ Copolymerization of Lactic Acid and Hydroxylic Vermiculites

L-lactic acid (L-LA) based copolymer/hydroxylation vermiculites composites (PLLA-co-bis A/HVMTs) were prepared by in situ reaction among L-LA, adipic acid, and hydroxylation lamellar vermiculites (HVMTs) using bisphenol-A epoxy resin as chain extending agent. HVMTs were obtained by sulfuric acid-leaching of lamellar vermiculites (VMTs). The effects of sulfuric acid leaching on the VMTs structure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), 29Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance(29Si NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR, FE-SEM, and TGA were used to characterize the reaction activity of HVMTs. The results indicated that VMTs with increased hydroxyl groups had been successfully obtained and could react with -COOH of the reaction system. The amount of L-LA based copolymer grafted on the surface of HVMTs was more than 22%. The onset decomposition temperature of L-LA based copolymer grafted on the surface of HVMTs was 30℃ higher than that of free L-LA based copolymer.

Preparation and properties of short natural fiber reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites

The natural fiber/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were prepared with ramie and jute short fiber as reinforcement and PLA as matrix. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were investigated. The results show that the properties of the composites are better than those of plain PLA. When the content of the fiber is 30%, the composites can get the best mechanical properties. The dynamic mechanical analysis results show that the storage moduli of the PLA/ramie and PLA/jute composites increase with respect to the plain PLA. The Vicat softening temperature of the composites is greatly higher than that of PLA. The results of thermogravimetric analysis show that adding fiber to the PLA matrix can improve the degradation temperature of PLA.

Poly(lactic acid)-starch/Expandable Graphite (PLA-starch/EG) Flame Retardant Composites

This work reports on the effect of commercial expandable graphite(EG)on the flammability and thermal decomposition properties of PLA-starch blend.The PLA-starch/EG composites were prepared by melt-mixing and their thermal stability,volatile pyrolysis products and flammability characteristics were investigated.The char residues of the composites,after combustion in a cone calorimeter,were analyzed with environmental scanning electron microscopy(ESEM).The thermal decomposition stability of the composites improved in the presence of EG.However,the char content was less than expected as per the combination of the wt%EG added into PLA-starch and the%residue of PLA-starch.The flammability performance of the PLA-starch/EG composites improved,especially at 15 wt%EG content,due to a thick and strong worm-like char structure.The peak heat release rate(PHRR)improved by 74%,the total smoke production(TSP)by 40%and the specific extinction area(SEA)by 55%.The improvements are attributed to the ability of EG to exfoliate at increased temperatures during which time three effects occurred:(i)cooling due to an endothermic exfoliation process,(ii)dilution due to release of H2O,SO2 and CO2 gases,and (iii)formation of a protective intumescent char layer.However,the CO and CO2 yields were found to be unfavorably high due to the presence of EG.

The Green Composites: Millet Husk Fiber (MHF) Filled Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and Degradability Effects on Environment

This study provides an overview on green composites degradability. Practically, the main drawbacks of using natural fibers are their poor dimensional stability, degradability and high degree of moisture absorption. While, end use of product from natural fiber filled or reinforced composites has become subject of concern to material engineers and scientist. The major properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are greatly dependent on the hydrophilic tendency and dimensional stability of the fibers used, morphology aspect ratio for long fiber, while voids for powder fibers. The effects of chemical treatments on cellulosic fibers that are used as reinforcements for thermoplastics were studied. The chemical source for the treatments is alkalization. The significance of chemically-treated natural fibers is seen through the improvement of mechanical properties. The untreated fiber composites degrade faster in municipal soil compared to treated fiber composites.

Multi-porous electroactive poly(L-lactic acid)/ polypyrrole composite micro/nano fibrous scaffolds promote neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells

In this study, poly（L-lactic acid）/ammonium persulfate doped-polypyrrole composite fibrous scaffolds with moderate conductivity were produced by combining electrospinning with in situ polymerization. PC12 cells were cultured on these fibrous scaffolds and their growth following electrical stimulation （0-20.0 μA stimulus intensity, for 1-4 days） was observed using inverted light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with the MTT cell viability test. The results demonstrated that the poly（L-lactic acid）/ammonium persulfate doped-polypyrrole fibrous scaffold was a dual multi-porous micro/nano fibrous scaffold. An electrical stimulation with a current intensity 5.0- 10.0 μAfor about 2 days enhanced neuronal growth and neurite outgrowth, while a high current intensity （over 15.0 μA） suppressed them. These results indicate that electrical stimulation with a moderate current intensity for an optimum time frame can promote neuronal growth and neurite outgrowth in an intensity- and time-dependent manner.

Composite Biomaterials Based on Poly(L-Lactic Acid)and Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals

The biocomposite films were prepared from poly(L-lactic acid)and cellulose nanocrystals.To improve interfacial compatibility of hydrophilic cellulose nanocrystals with hydrophobic matrix polymer as well as to provide the osteoconductive properties,cellulose was functionalized with poly(glutamic acid).The modified cellulose nanocrystals were better distributed and less aggregated within the matrix,which was testified by scanning electron,optical and polarized light microscopy.According to mechanical tests,composites filled with nanocrystals modified with PGlu demonstrated higher values of Young’s modulus,elongation at break and tensile strength.Incubation of composite materials in model buffer solutions for 30 weeks followed with staining of Ca^(2+)deposits with Alizarin Red S assay testified better mineralization of materials containing PGlu-modified cellulose nanocrystals as filler.As the result of in vivo experiment,the developed composite materials showed less level of inflammation in comparison with pure polymer matrix and composites filled with non-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals.

Synthesis of the Biomimetic Polymer: Aliphatic Diamine and RGDS Modified Poly(d,l-lactic acid)

A novel poly（d, /-lactic acid） （PDLLA） based biomimetic polymer was synthesized by grafting maleic anhydride, butanediamine and arg-gly-asp-ser （RGDS） peptides onto the backbone of PDLLA, aiming to overcome the acidity and auto-accelerating degradation of PDLLA during degradation and to improve its biospecificity and biocompatibility. The synthetic copolymer was characterized by FTIR, ^13C NMR and amino acid analyzer （AAA）.

Effect of a Novel Nucleating Agent on Isothermal Crystallization of Poly（L-lactic acid）

The effect of a novel active nucleating agent(TBC8-eb) on the isothermal crystallization of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) . The analysis on kinetics demonstrates that TBC8-eb can not only accelerate the crystallization rate but also transform most of the original spherulite crystals of PLLA into sheaf-like crystals. Furthermore,the free energy of folding(σe) of PLLA and PLLA with TBC8-eb is 0.15 and 0.06 J·m-2,respectively,which suggests that the addition of TBC8-eb favors the regular folding of molecule chains in the crystallization of PLLA,improv-ing its crystallization rate. The FTIR results show that TBC8-eb can accelerate the conformational ordering of PLLA in the isothermal crystallization. The conformational ordering of PLLA nucleated with TBC8-eb begins with the interchain interaction of CH3,and then a short helix emerges where a couple of CH3 groups interact.

Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan-g-poly- (D, L-lactic acid) Copolymer

Biodegradable chitosan-g-poly (D, L-lactic acid) copolymers were prepared via two methods. (1) The lactide was grafted onto hydroxyl groups of chitosan by using macromolecular initiator sodium of trimethylsilyl-chitosan, (2) poly (D,L-lactic acid)(PLA) with low molecular weight can be linked to the amino group by coupling activated PLA to trimethylsilyl-chitosan. Two graft copolymers had hydrophilic-hydrophobic character and can be applied as carriers for drug delivery.

SURFACE OF GELATIN MODIFIED POLY(L-LACTIC ACID)FILM

In this paper, the surface structure of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) film modified with gelatin was investigated. ThePLLA film specimens were treated directly with aqueous alkali solution to provide their surfaces with carboxyl groups, sothat these functional groups could become the reactive sites for gelatin immobilization. The functional groups of the PLLAfilms were identified by ATR-FTIR spectra and XPS spectra, the changes in surface morphology were observed by usingenvironmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and the hydrophilicity of modified PLLA films was examined bywater contact angle measurement. Experimental results showed that the gelatin was immobilized with water-solublecarbodiimide (EDC) onto the PLLA film's surfaces, and the gelatin content on the polymer surface was related to carboxylicgroup formed in the controlled hydrolysis process. Rough surfaces caused by hydrolysis will predominantly favor the adhesion and growth of cell; and the hydrophilicity of these surfaces after the modification procedure is enhanced.

Effect of Process Parameters on Co-precipitation of Paclitaxel and Poly(L-lactic Acid) by Supercritical Antisolvent Process

Paclitaxel(PTX) is an effective anticancer drug with poor solubility in water.Recently,much effort has been devoted into alternative formulations of PTX for improving its aqueous solubility.In this study,PTX and poly(L-lactic acid)(PLLA) were co-precipitated by a supercritical antisolvent(SAS) process using dichloromethane(DCM) and the mixtures of DCM/ethanol(EtOH) or DCM/dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) as the solvent,with super-critical carbon dioxide as the antisolvent.The effects of solvent,solvent ratio,temperature,pressure,polymer con-centration and solution flow rate on particle morphology,mass median diameter(Dp50) and PTX loading were in-vestigated using single-factor method.The particle samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),laser diffraction particle size analyzer and high pressure liquid chromatogra-phy(HPLC).XRD results indicate that the micronized PTX is dispersed into the PLLA matrix in an amorphous form.SEM indicates that the solvent and the solvent ratio have great effect on the particle morphologies,and particle morphology is good at the volume ratio of DCM/EtOH of 50/50.For the mixed DCM/EtOH solvent,Dp50 increases with the increase of the temperature,pressure,PLLA concentration and solution flow rate,and PTX loading in-creases with pressure.Suitable operating conditions for the experimental system are as follows:DCM/EtOH 50/50(by volume),35 ℃,10-12 MPa,PLLA concentration of 5 g·L-1 and solution flow rate of 0.5 ml·min-1.

Preparation and Properties of Carrageenan-g-Poly(Acrylic Acid)/Bentonite Superabsorbent Composite

A novel biopolymer-based superabsorbent hydrogel composite based on kappa-carrageenan (κC) have been prepared via graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) in the presence of bentonite powder using methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinking agent and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. The hydrogel structure was confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy and the morphology of the samples was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The affecting variables onto graft polymerization (i.e. AA, MBA and APS concentration, as well as the bentonite amount) were systematically optimized to achieve a hydrogel with swelling capacity as high as possible. The results of Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis showed that the average pore diameter of the synthesized hydrogel was 11.5 nm. The effect of various salt media and solutions with different pHs on the swelling of the superabsorbent was also studied.

A Hybrid Membrane of Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Phosphotungstic Acid for Fuel Cells

Proton conducting membranes composed of phosphotungstic acid (PWA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)were prepared. Conductivity and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer(FTIR) measurements show that most ofthe acid embedded are stable in the PVA matrix when the membrane is immerged in water or methanol solution atroom temperature. Conductivity of the composite membranes scatters around 10-3 S.cm-1 at room temperature.The methanol crossover through the membranes is about an order of magnitude lower than that through Nafion117 membrane.

Preparation and Degradation Characteristics of Poly(d,1-laetide) Composite Films

PDLLA/CHI/β-TCP/NGF composite films were prepared by a solvent evaporation method. The degradation characteristics of the poly （d, l-lactide） composite films were studied in vitro and in vivo. The acidity produced by poly （d, l-lactide） materials was not obvious. Adding chitosan and β-TCP can relieve the acidity problem and improve strength performance of films. The NGF has influences on the degradation characteristics of films. It is verified that PDLLA/CHI/β-TCP/NGF composite films prepared by solvent evaporation method have excellent degradation characteristics. It can be used as a perfect biomaterial for repairing nerve injuries.

Poly(methyl methacrylate)-induced Microstructure and Hydrolysis Behavior Changes of Poly(L-lactic acid)/Carbon Nanotubes Composites

Poly(L-lactic acid)(PLLA)-based composites exhibit wide applications in many fields.However,most of hydrophilic fillers usually accelerate the hydrolytic degradation of PLLA,which is unfavorable for the prolonging of the service life of the articles.In this work,a small quantity of poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)(2 wt%-10 wt%)was incorporated into the PLLA/carbon nanotubes(CNTs)composites.The effects of PMMA content on the dispersion of CNTs as well as the microstructure and hydrolytic degradation behaviors of the composites were systematically investigated.The results showed that PMMA promoted the dispersion of CNTs in the composites.Amorphous PLLA was obtained in all the composites.Largely enhanced hydrolytic degradation resistance was achieved by incorporating PMMA,especially at relatively high PMMA content.Incorporating 10 wt%PMMA led to a dramatic decrease in the hydrolytic degradation rate from 0.19%/h of the PLLA/CNT composite sample to 0.059%/h of the PLLA/PMMA-10/CNT composite sample.The microstructure evolution of the composites was also detected,and the results showed that no crystallization occurred in the PLLA matrix.Further results based on the interfacial tension calculation showed that the enhanced hydrolytic degradation resistance of the PLLA matrix was mainly attributed to the relatively strong interfacial affinity between PMMA and CNTs,which prevented the occurrence of hydrolytic degradation at the interface between PLLA and CNTs.This work provides an alternative method for tailoring the hydrolytic degradation ability of the PLLA-based composites.

PLA增强改性PBAT/CaCO_(3)/PEG400复合材料的制备及性能研究

针对聚对苯二甲酸-己二酸-丁二醇酯(PBAT)材料拉伸强度低的问题,通过物理共混法制备聚乳酸(PLA)增强的PBAT复合材料,研究了PLA用量对PBAT拉伸性能、微观相结构、热力学性能及化学组成的影响。进一步加入聚乙二醇400(PEG400)后,将复合材料制备成膜,并对薄膜拉伸性能和微观形貌进行研究。结果表明:随着PLA占比的提升,PBAT/PLA/CaCO_(3)复合材料的拉伸强度先增加后减小,而其断裂伸长率减小;PEG400的加入虽然在一定程度上降低了PBAT/PLA/CaCO_(3)复合材料的拉伸强度,但其提升了PBAT与PLA的相容性,故可显著提升复合材料的断裂伸长率;PLA含量为10%时,PBAT/PLA/CaCO_(3)/PEG400复合材料的拉伸强度和断裂伸长率较纯PBAT分别提升了9.43%和6.94%,使其应用范围得到广泛扩展。

基质细胞衍生因子1修饰左旋聚乳酸多孔微球促进软骨细胞增殖和组织形成

背景:二维培养条件下的软骨细胞增殖及表型维持受限,多孔微球作为支架材料可提供三维培养环境,以更好地模拟体内生长条件。基质细胞衍生因子1是有强趋化效力的稳态细胞因子,能够促进细胞的黏附与增殖。目的:明确接枝基质细胞衍生因子1左旋聚乳酸多孔微球对软骨细胞生物学特性及软骨组织形成的影响。方法:(1)体外验证不同质量浓度基质细胞衍生因子1对兔软骨细胞增殖、迁移、表型维持的影响。(2)采用复乳法制备左旋聚乳酸多孔微球,利用碳二亚胺法将基质细胞衍生因子1接枝于左旋聚乳酸多孔微球上,通过酶联免疫吸附实验及孵育基质细胞衍生因子1特异荧光抗体验证接枝情况。(3)将兔软骨细胞分别接种于左旋聚乳酸多孔微球、接枝基质细胞衍生因子1左旋聚乳酸多孔微球上,检测细胞增殖与黏附。(4)在裸鼠背部皮下分别植入甲基丙烯酰胺基明胶-软骨细胞复合体(对照组)、左旋聚乳酸多孔微球-甲基丙烯酰胺基明胶-软骨细胞复合体(多孔微球组)、接枝基质细胞衍生因子1左旋聚乳酸多孔微球-甲基丙烯酰胺基明胶-软骨细胞复合体(多孔微球修饰组),8周后取材,分别进行组织学染色与成软骨相关基因qRT-PCR检测。结果与结论:(1)相较于0,1 000 ng/mL基质细胞衍生因子1,500 ng/mL基质细胞衍生因子1可促进软骨细胞的增殖与迁移,提升软骨细胞内Ⅱ型胶原、弹性蛋白、增殖细胞核抗原、Bcl-2 mRNA表达;(2)基质细胞衍生因子1成功接枝于左旋聚乳酸多孔微球上,接枝率为93.75%;(3)相较于左旋聚乳酸多孔微球,接枝基质细胞衍生因子1左旋聚乳酸多孔微球可促进软骨细胞的增殖、黏附;(4)裸鼠皮下植入8周后,相较于对照组、多孔微球组,多孔微球修饰组具有更明显的软骨陷窝结构、更丰富的软骨特异性基质和Ⅱ型胶原沉积,弹性蛋白、Ⅱ型胶原、增殖细胞核抗原、Bcl-2 mRNA表达升高。结果表明:接枝基质细胞衍生因子1左旋聚乳酸多孔微球有利于软骨细胞的黏附、增殖、表型维持以及体内软骨组织形成。