Polybutylacrylate/poly(methyl methacrylate) Core-Shell Elastic Particles as Epoxy Resin Toughener: Part I Design and Preparation

Polybutylacrylate (PBA)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) core-shell elastic particles (CSEP), whose rubbery core diameter ranged from 0.08 μm to 1.38μm, were synthesized by using conventional emulsion polymerization, multi-step emulsion polymerization, and soapless polymerization. Allyl methacylate (ALMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were selected as crosslinking reagents for core polymerization. Methacrylic acid (MAA) was used as functional co-monomer with methyl methacrylate as shell component. The content of vinyl groups in PBA rubbery core increased with the amount of crosslinking reagents. The core-shell ratio affected great on the morphology of the complex particles. Furthermore, the amounts of carboxyl on the surface of core-shell particles, copolymerized with acrylic acid, were determined by potentiometric titration. Results showed that methylacrylic acid was distributed mostly on the surface of particles.

AN ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY STUDY ON THE AGGREGATION OF ISOTACTIC POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)

Aggregation process of isotactic poly（methyl methacrylate） （i-PMMA） has been studied extensively for many years, and considerable progress has been made in both experimental and theoretical studies. They are, however, seldom sustained by real-space observations of the underlying morphology. In this paper, the aggregation process of i-PMMA in concentrated acetone solutions and the fractal structure of the resulting three-dimensional clusters were characterized on the basis of real-space AFM observations of their two-dimensional projection. It was found that spherical multiple-chain particles formed upon collapse and aggregation of the involving chains as a whole during quenching the solution to room temperature. By keeping the solution at room temperature, the initially formed particles stick together upon contact to form larger particles through reassembling very slowly. The succeeding collision of the enlarged spherical particles leads to the formation of small clusters. These newly formed small clusters grow when they meet with other clusters or single Brownian particles. This leads to the formation of large clusters with fractal dimension of 1.95 ± 0.05, which suggest a reaction-limited cluster aggregation of i-PMMA in a concentrated acetone solution. This is in accordance with the conclusion obtained by light scattering measurements.

Synthesis of Comblike Poly(methyl methacrylate) by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization with Poly(ethyl 2-bromoacrylate) as Macroinitiator

Comblike poly(methyl methacrylate) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate with poly(ethyl 2-bromoacrylate) as a macroinitiator, which was prepared by conventional free radical polymerization of ethyl 2-bromoacrylate. The obtained comblike polymers were characterized by GPC and 1H NMR.

PREPARATION OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)/LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDES NANOCOMPOSITES via in situ SOLUTION POLYMERIZATION

An exfoliated layered double hydroxides/poly（methyl methacrylate） （LDHs/PMMA） nanocomposite was prepared by in situ solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate （MMA） in the presence of 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate intercalated LDHs（MgAl-VBS LDHs）. MgAl-VBS LDHs was prepared by the ion exchange method, and the structure and composition of the MgAl-VBS LDHs were determined by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. XRD and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） were employed to examine the structure of LDHs/PMMA nanocomposite. It was indicated that the LDHs layers were well exfoliated and dispersed in the PMMA matrix. The grafting of PMMA onto LDHs was confirmed by the extraction result and the weight fraction of grafted PMMA increased as the weight fraction of LDHs in the nanocomposites increased.

Effect of Low-Pressure Nitrogen DC Plasma Treatment on the Surface Properties of Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene, Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) and Polyvinyl Chloride Films

In this study, commercial biaxially oriented polypropylene （BOPP）, polyvinyl chlo- ride （PVC） and poly （methyl methacrylate） （PMMA） films were treated with nitrogen plasma over different exposure times in a Pyrex tube surrounded by a DC variable magnetic field. The chemi- cal changes that appeared on the surface of the samples were investigated using Fourier transform infrared （FT4R） spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared （ATR- FTIR） spectroscopy after treatment for 2 min, 4 min and 6 rain in a nitrogen plasma chamber. Effects of the plasma treatment on the surface topographies and contact angles of the untreated and plasma treated films were also analyzed by atomic force microscopy （AFM） and a contact angle measuring system. The results show that the plasma treated films become more hydrophilic with an enhanced wettability due to the formation of some new polar groups on the surface of the treated films. Moreover, at higher exposure times, the total surface energy in all treated films increased while a reduction in contact angle occurred. The behavior of surface roughness in each sample was completely different at higher exposure times.

Effect of Methyl Methacrylate– Acrylonitrile -Butadiene–Styrene (MABS) on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA)-Fly Ash Cenospheres (FAC) Filled Composites

With the advent of plastics and the wide range of fillers that are available have made modifications as precise as the tailored resins themselves. To modify the properties of polymer either by using fillers or by preparation of polymer blends gives rise to new materials with tailored properties. More complex, three-component systems, obtained by the addition of polymeric modifier to polymer filled composites may be of interest. Use of Fly ash cenospheres is very attractive because it is inexpensive and its use can reduce the environmental pollution to a significant extent. In the present study, Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA)-Fly ash cenospheres composites were prepared using extrusion followed by Injection molding. The effect of matrix modification with Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene–styrene (MABS) on the performance of PMMA- Fly ash cenospheres compositions was also, studied. It was found that with the addition of Fly ash cenospheres particulate as filler in PMMA showed marginal reduction in Tensile Strength, % Elongation and Impact strength and improvement in Flexural Strength, Heat Deflection Temperature and Vicat Softening Point. Compared with PMMA-cenospheres composites, the notched Impact Strength of the PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites showed marginal enhancement in values at higher loading of cenospheres. The optimum performances in mechanical and thermal properties were obtained when the ratio of MABS to cenospheres was 1:2.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Hybrid Poly(methyl methacrylate)/Iron Nanowires for Potential Hyperthemia Therapy

Externally applied magnetic fields have been used in this study to fabricate bamboo-like iron nanowires with or without a layer of Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The hybrid PMMA/Fe nanowires were synthesized via hard X-ray synchrotron radiation polymerization with various treatment parameters. The results of XRD show that an oxide layer formed on the surface of the iron nanowires. The Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 phases coexist in the iron nanowires without X-ray irradiation. After X-ray irradiation, the Fe2O3 phase transformed into Fe3O4, which stabilized the iron nanowires. The results of XAS proved this phase transformation. TGA analysis confirmed the thermal properties and solid contents in these specimens. Their ferromagnetic behaviors were examined by magnetic hysteresis measurement, which indicated that the magnetic and structural properties of the nanowires can be manipulated by irradiation treatment. This may lead to a novel synthesis for iron nanowires that can be used in high thermal efficiency hyperthermia therapy.

Antibiotic-free antimicrobial poly (methyl methacrylate) bone cements:A state-of-the-art review

Prosthetic joint infection(PJI)is the most serious complication following total joint arthroplasty,this being because it is associated with,among other things,high morbidity and low quality of life,is difficult to prevent,and is very challenging to treat/manage.The many shortcomings of antibiotic-loaded poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)bone cement(ALBC)as an agent for preventing and treating/managing PJI are well-known.One is that microorganisms responsible for most PJI cases,such as methicillin-resistant S.aureus,have developed or are developing resistance to gentamicin sulfate,which is the antibiotic in the vast majority of approved ALBC brands.This has led to many research efforts to develop cements that do not contain gentamicin(or,for that matter,any antibiotic)but demonstrate excellent antimicrobial efficacy.There is a sizeable body of literature on these socalled“antibiotic-free antimicrobial”PMMA bone cements(AFAMBCs).The present work is a comprehensive and critical review of this body.In addition to summaries of key trends in results of characterization studies of AFAMBCs,the attractive features and shortcomings of the literature are highlighted.Shortcomings provide motivation for future work,with some ideas being formulation of a new generation of AFAMBCs by,example,adding a nanostructured material and/or an extract from a natural product to the powder and/or liquid of the basis cement,respectively.

PREPARATION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)/ URETHANE ACRYLATE COPOLYMERS

The urethane acrylate(UA) was made of poly(tetramethylenc oxide), 4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. A series of poly(methyl methacrylate) / urethane acrylate copolymers was prepared by using a redox initiating system. The copolymers had cross linked structures and two-phase morphologies as indicated by the results of the dynamic mechanical measurement and swelling test.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CARBON/GLASS FIBER REINFORCED POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)COMPOSITES

Artificial bone, carbon/glass fiber reinforced PM-MA composites have been prepared by hot press moulding of pre-preg -which monofilments of CF and GF impregnated by MMA prepolymer. When the PMMA volume fraction in com-posites is 50% > theoretical and experimental results show that strength and modules of these hybrid composites are in accord with 'rule of mixture'. The tensile and flexure strength are the lowest when the raletive volume fraction of carbon fiber in rein-forcements is 50%,SEM examinations further explained re-sults.

Synthesis and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)hybrid nanocomposites

A novel poly（methyl methacrylate-co-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane） hybrid nanocomposite was synthesized by free radical polymerization and characterized by 1H NMR, 29Si NMR, and TGA technologies. Compared with PMMA homopolymer, the nanocomposite has better thermal stability.

Surface Perfluoroalkyl Chains Segregation: A Tool for Reducing Calcium Deposits in Medical Grade Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)

Intraocular lenses can be manufactured from a wide variety of polymers, but due to the lost cost associated with the use of Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), it is still the preferred material used in the developing countries. However, a major drawback to its use is the build-up of calcium containing deposits that are formed on the intraocular lens over a period of time. In an attempt to hinder this deposition, surface modification of medical grade PMMA has been carried out using perfluoroalkyl chain (1,2,4-trifluoro-3-(C10F21CH2O)-7-(N,N)-dimethylaminoacridine) segregation. The segregation was explored using a 1% 1,2,4-trifluoro-3-(C10F21CH2O)-7-(N,N)-dimethyla-minoacridine in two methods: film casting and spin-coating, a thin film onto preformed PMMA discs. Both methods were compared against control PMMA to determine which method provided the best hindrance against calcium containing deposits when immersed in a simulated aqueous humour solution. Characterisation of the surface using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy;dispersive x-ray analysis indicated that the surface segregation of perfluoroalkyl chains had hindered calcification in both methods. This pleminary research shows promising results of employing perfluoroalkyl chains in the surface segregation of biomaterials that can be employed in intraocular lenses.

Photochemical kinetics for holographic grating formation in phenanthrenequinone doped poly (methyl methacrylate) photopolymer

The photochemical kinetics of phenanthrenequinone （PQ） doped poly （methyl methacrylate） photopolymer in holographic recording was studied theoretically and experimentally. The diffusion of PQ molecules during holographic recording was negligible because of its small diffusion coefficient at room temperature. A photochemical reaction kinetics model of PQ/PMMA was established. The analytical expressions for the temporal variations of transmittance and diffraction efficiency were derived. By fitting the experimental curves, some parameters related with the polymer components were obtained by the proposed model, which can be used to analyze the photochemical process and will be helpful to the optimization of material preparation.

Effect of catalyst on formation of poly(methyl methacrylate) brushes by surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Poly （methyl methacrylate） （PMMA） brushes were synthesized from silicon wafers via surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization （SI-ATRP）. Energy disperse spectroscopy （EDS） and atomic force microscopy （AFM） confirmed that PMMA brushes were successfully prepared on the silicon wafers, and the surface became more hydrophobic according to the contact angle of 69~. It is found that CuCI/1, 1, 4, 7, 10, 10-hexamethyl triethylenetetramine （HMTETA） system is more suitable than CuBr/N, N, N′, N″, N′″-pentamethyl diethylenetriamine （PMDETA） system to control the free radical polymerization of MMA in solution. Nevertheless, better control on the thickness of PMMA brushes was achieved in CuBr/PMDETA than in CuC1/HMTETA due to higher activity and better reversibility of the former system.

COMPATIBILITY IN POLYMER BLENDS OF POLY (VINYL ACETATE) AND POLY (METHYL METHACRYLATE)STUDIED BY NMR

Compatibility of poly (vinyl acetate) (PVAc) with poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) mixtures has been studied by using nuclear magnetic relaxation, differential scanning calorimeter and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques. The nuclear magnetic relaxation time T_1's were measured as a function of composition in blends of PMMA and PVAc prepared from chloroform solution. The results show that the system is miscible for casting from chloroform solution.

Grafted Deproteinized Natural Rubber as an Impact Modifier in Styrene-Methyl Methacrylate Copolymer Sheet

This research was studied to prepare styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer sheet （S-co-MMA sheet） by using DPNR （deproteinized natural rubber） as an impact modifier. The DPNR was prepared by adding SDS （sodium dodecyl sulfate） into the HANR （high-ammoniated natural rubber latex） and followed by centrifugation. It was found that DPNR was successfully prepared with the lowest nitrogeneous content about 0.034±0.01% w/w by adding SDS for 1.00 phr and centrifugation at 12,000 rpm. Then DPNR was grafted with styrene and methyl methacrylate （DPNR-g-S/MMA） obtained by emulsion polymerization. The effects of DPNR-g-S/MMA were studied by varied the amount of SDS and redox initiator. From this result the grafting efficiency DPNR-g-S/MMA was higher than that of NR-g-S/MMA. The DPNR-g-S/MMA was used as an impact modifier in S-co-MMA sheet. Furthermore, the appropriate quantities of styrene monomer and DPNR-g-S/MMA were also investigated. While DPNR-g-S/MMA was used as impact modifier in S-co-MMA sheet, the result was shown DPNR-g-S/MMA improve impact strength of S-co-MMA sheet. Scanning electron micrographs of S-co-MMA sheet with DPNR-g-S/MMA was found the smooth fracture surface. Thus impact strength of S-co-MMA/gDPNR sheet was high and physical properties of S-co-MMA/gDPNR sheet could be able to be accepted in industry. Concisely, DPNR-g-S/MMA can be used as an impact modifier in S-co-MMA sheet.

The Effect of Direct Gas Fluorination on Medical Grade Poly(methyl methacrylate)

Medical-grade poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is extensively employed in the fabrication of a variety of medical implants, including intraocular lenses (IOLs). However, a postoperative complication that leads to the failure of the implanted intraocular lenses has been recently identified. This process, termed calcification, occurs when calcium-containing deposits accumulate on the surface of the IOL. In this study direct gas fluorination was used to modify the surface of PMMA in an attempt to increase the service lifetime of the material in optical applications. PMMA discs exposed to a 20% fluorine/nitrogen gas mixture for 24 h were compared with untreated PMMA discs serving as control samples. Over time, both surface-fluorinated and untreated PMMA samples immersed in a simulated aqueous humour solution (SAHS) (pH 7.4, 35°C) were used to carry out in vitro studies. Attenuated total refractive Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), coupled with Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), showed that calcium-containing surface deposits were less abundant on surface-fluorinated PMMA compared with the control samples, indicating that the fluorinated surface was acting as a barrier to the deposits. Gravimetric analysis data showed that the decreased rate of diffusion compared with that of a control sample was due to the fluorinated surface.

EFFECTS OF ω-ACRYLOYL POLY (ETHYLENE OXIDE) MACROMONOMER ON EMULSIFIER-FREE EMULSI0N COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE AND n-BUTYL ACRYLATE

Well-defined nonionic hydrophilic ω-acryloyl poly(ethylene oxide) macro-monomer (PEO-A) has been prepared by living anionic polymerization of ethylene oxidewith diphenyl methyl potassium as the initiator and acryloyl chloride as the reaction termi-nating agent. The polymer was characterized by FTIR and SEC. The emulsifier-free emul-sion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and n-butyl acrylate (BA) containingvarious concentrations of PEO-A was studied. In all cases stable emulsion coplymerizationsof MMA and BA were obtained. The stabilizing effect was found to be dependent on themolecular weight and the feed amount of the macromonomer.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FOUR-ARMED BLOCK POLY(STYRENE-b-p-NITROPHENYL METHACRYLATE)PREPARED BY THE ATRP METHOD

A novel tetrafunctional initiator, C [CH_2O (CH_2)_3 OOCCH(Br)CH_3]_4 (1), was synthesized through the reaction oftetraol with α-bromopropionyl chloride, and then was used as initiator of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in thepreparation of 4-armed polystyrene (PSt) with narrow polydispersity. The structure, molecular weight and molecular weightdistribution (MWD) of each arm were studied by ~1H-NMR and GPC data of hydrolyzed products of the 4-armed PSt. TheATRP of St using 1/CuBr/bpy as initiator system is of 'living' character based on the following evidence: narrow MWD,constant concentration of chain radical during the polymerization, control of molecular weight by the molar ratio of monomerconsumed to 1. The 4-armed poly(St-b-p-nitrophenyl methacrylate) [poly(St-b-NPMA)] was prepared by the ATRP ofNPMA using 4-armed PSt with terminal bromine as the initiator, and characterized by FT-IR, ~1H-NMR spectra and GPCcurves. The micelles with PSt as core, and PNPMA as shell were formed by dropping DMSO into a solution of 4-armedpoly(St-b-NPMA) in DMF, as proved by laser light scatter (LLS) method.

Advancements in Polymer Science: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications of Homopolymers and Copolymers

Polymer science encompasses a different range of materials critical to industries spanning from packaging to biomedicine. Understanding the synthesis, characterization, and applications of common homopolymers and copolymers is fundamental to advancing polymer research and development. In this comprehensive review, we explore various preparation methods, including free radical, anionic, and cationic polymerization, utilized for synthesizing homopolymers and copolymers. Furthermore, we investigate solvent choices commonly employed for polymer characterization, ranging from neat conditions, polar protic and polar aprotic solvents. We also explored characterization techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). In addition to industrial applications, we highlight the diverse biological applications of homopolymers, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and polystyrene, which find its extensive use in biomedicine. By synthesizing and analyzing this wealth of information, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the synthesis, characterization, and applications of homopolymers and copolymers, with a particular focus on their biological applications. This holistic approach not only contributes to advancements in polymer science and technology but also fosters innovation in biomedicine, ultimately benefiting human health and well-being.