Superhydrophobic melamine sponge prepared by radiation-induced grafting technology for efficient oil-water separation

This paper presents a superhydrophobic melamine(ME)sponge(ME-g-PLMA)prepared via high-energy radiation-induced in situ covalent grafting of long-alkyl-chain dodecyl methacrylate(LMA)onto an ME sponge for efficient oil–water separation.The obtained ME-g-PLMA sponge had an excellent pore structure with superhydrophobic(water contact angle of 154°)and superoleophilic properties.It can absorb various types of oils up to 66–168 times its mass.The ME-g-PLMA sponge can continuously separate oil slicks in water by connecting a pump or separating oil underwater with a gravity-driven device.In addition,it maintained its highly hydrophobic properties even after long-term immersion in different corrosive solutions and repeated oil adsorption.The modified ME-g-PLMA sponge exhibited excellent separation properties and potential for oil spill cleanup.

Grafting Methyl Methacrylate onto Silk via Emulsion Graft Copolymerization Using a Diethylzinc Complex Initiator

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was grafted onto silk fiber in a one-step emulsion system using a diethylzinc and 1,10-phenanthroline complex. The reaction conditions were investigated by varying temperature and initiator to monomer ratio. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEC) techniques were used to characterize the structure, thermal stability, and surface morphology of the obtained product, respectively. Grafting of MMA onto silk increased the thermal stability of silk. The FTIR spectrum and SEM images provided further evidence that MMA has been successfully grafted onto the silk fiber. A peak ascribed to the C=O stretching vibration of MMA was detected in the FTIR spectrum of grafted silk fiber, which was not present in the spectrum of pure silk fiber. Moreover, the SEM images illustrated the increase in diameter and surface roughness of grafted silk compared with pure silk. Lastly, the dyeing performance of the modified silk was significantly increased.

Grafting of 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate onto Silk by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Silk was grafted using 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate(HEMA)by atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP)method.The amino groups and hydroxyl groups on the side chains of the silk fibroin was reacted with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide(BriB-Br)to obtain efficient macroinitiator for ATRP.And the macroinitiator was grafted with HEMA in water aqueous using CuBr/N,N,N',N",N"-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine(PMDETA)as catalyst system.The effects of monomer concentration,the proportion of CuBr and PMDETA,grafting temperature and time on the silk grafting were discussed,and the optimal grafting technology was obtained.FT-IR characterization of the grafted silk showed a peak corresponding to HEMA,which indicated that HEMA was grafted onto the surface of silk.ATRP method could be applied on the silk modification and this technique provided a new way for silk grafting.

GRAFTING OF POLYSTYRENE ONTO A NANOMETER SILICA SURFACE BY MICROEMULSION POLYMERIZATION

The grafting of polystyrene onto a nanometer silica surface by microemulsion polymerization is described. Silica was functionalized with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane coupling agent before polymerization. A mixture of ionic and non-ionic surfactants as well as water-soluble and oil-soluble initiators were used. The effect of the amount of silica and ionic surfactant on the graft polymerization was studied. The graft polymerization procedure for styrene was also applied to methyl methacrylate, Composite particles with a core-shell structure were obtained and the yield and grafting efficiency of monomer were high.

MICRON CORE-SHELL PARTICLES PREPARED BY GRAFTING POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE FROM NARROW DISPERSE SURFACE OF CHLOROMETHYLATED POLYDIVINYLBENZENE VIA ATRP

Grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate)from narrow disperse polymer particles by surface-initiated atom transferradical polymerization(ATRP)was investigated.Polydivinylbenzene(PDVB)particles were prepared by dispersionpolymerization with poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)(PVP)as the stabilizer.Chloromethylated PDVB was used as initiating coresites for subsequent ATRP of methyl methacrylate with CuBr/bpy as catalyst system.It was found that poly(methylmethacrylate)was grafted not only from the particle surfaces but also from within a thin shell layer,leading to particles sizeincreases from 2.38-3.00 μm with a core-shell structure particles.The grafted core-shell particles were characterized withFTIR,SEM,DSC.

Polycaprolactone (PCL) Chains Grafting on the Surface of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) during <i>In Situ</i>Polymerization of <i>ε</i>-Caprolactone at Room Temperature

This work aimed at investigating the feasibility of surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) using in situ ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) at room temperature. Residues of flax and milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) stem fibers were used as a source of cellulose to obtain and isolate CNCs. The cationic ring opening polymerization (CROP) of the monomer ε-CL was used to covalently graft polycaprolactone (PCL) chains at the CNCs surface. Silver hexafluoroantimonate (AgSbF6) was used in combination with the extracted CNCs to initiate, at room temperature, the polymerization and the grafting reactions with no other stimulus. Fourier-Transform InfraRed (FTIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometry (XPS), UV/visible absorption and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analyses evidenced the presence of PCL chains covalently grafted at CNCs surface, the formation of Ag(0) particles as well as low or moderate molecular weight free PCL chains.

Anti-fouling ultrafiltration membrane prepared from polysulfone-graft-methyl acrylate copolymers by UV-induced grafting method

Membrane fouling is one of the most important challenges faced in membrane ultrafiltration operations. The copolymers of polysulfone-graft-methyl acrylate were synthesized by homogeneous photo-initiated graft copolymerization. The variables affecting the degree of grafting, such as the time of UV （Ultraviolet-visible） irradiation and the concentrations of the methyl acrylate and photoinitiator, were investigated. The graft copolymer membranes were prepared by the phase inversion method. The chemical and morphological changes were characterized by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （ATR/FT-IR）, scanning electron microscopy, and water contact angles measurements. Results revealed that methyl acrylate groups were present on the membranes and the graft degree of methyl acrylate had remarkable effect on the performance of membranes. Pure water contact angle on the membrane surface decreases with the increase of methyl acrylate graft degree, which indicated that the hydrophilicity of graft copolymer membranes was improved. The permeation fluxes of pure water and bovine serum albumin solution were measured to evaluate the antifouling property of graft copolymer membranes, the results of which have shown an enhancement of antifouling property for graft copolymer membranes.

UV-induced Self-initiated Graft Polymerization of Acrylamide onto Poly(ether ether ketone)

Photo-grafting of hydrophilic monomer was used to enhance the hydrophilicity of poly（ether ether ketone） （PEEK） with the aim of extending its applications to biological fields. PEEK sheets were surface modified by grafting of acrylamide（AAm） with ultraviolet（UV） irradiation in the presence or absence of benzophenone（BP）. The effects of BP, irradiation time and monomer concentration on the surface wettability of PEEK were investigated. Characteriza tion of modified PEEK using scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, energy-disperse spectrometer（EDS） and water contact angle measurements shows that AAm was successfully grafted on PEEK surface both in presence and absence of BP. With the increase in irradiation time and monomer concentration, contact angles decrease to as low as 30°, demonstrating a significant improvement of surface hydrophilicity. In agreement with the decrease in contact angle, under identical conditions, the nitrogen concentration increases, suggesting the increase in grafting degree of the grafting polymerization. This investigation demonstrates a self-initiation of PEEK due to its BP-like structure in the backbone of the polymer. Though the graft polymerization proceeds more readily in the presence of BP, the self-initiated graft polymerization is clearly observed.

PHOTO-INDUCED GRAFT POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLAMIDE ON POLYPROPYLENE MEMBRANE SURFACE IN THE PRESENCE OF DIBENZYL TRITHIOCARBONATE

Ultraviolet （UV）-induced graft polymerization of acrylamide （AAm） on polypropylene substrates was successfully conducted using dibenzyl trithiocarbonate （DBTTC） as photoinitiator. It was confirmed by chemical analysis and surface morphology observation with attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. A possible mechanism for this graft process was presented, which suggested that, under UV irradiation, the C： S bond in DBTTC could split and abstract a hydrogen from the polypropylene surface and a surface free radical was then formed, and initiated the graft polymerization of AAm.

SURFACE MODIFICATION OF MICROPOROUS POLYPROPYLENE MEMBRANES BY GRAFT POLYMERIZATION OF N,N-DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL METHACRYLATE

Surface modification of microporous polypropylene hollow fiber membranes was performed by radical-induced graft polymerization of N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). The influences of temperature, monomer concentration and pre-adsorbed amount of benzoyl peroxide on grafting degree were studied respectively. It was found that the appropriate graft temperature was 75 'C, at which the grafting degree was the highest and the hydrolytic decomposition of DMAEMA the lowest. Scanning electron photomicrography and the average pore diameters of the modified membranes demonstrated that part of the micropores on the membrane surface was plugged by the grafted polyDMAEMA chains, especially at high grafting degree. Contact angle and water swelling experiments showed that a moderate grafting degree could improve the hydrophilicity of the membranes. In the range of 11.3%-12.0% grafting degree, the water swelling percentage reached its maximum (51.1%) and the contact angle reached its minimum (74 degrees). The bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption experiment indicated that the grafted polyDMAEMA had a dual effect on protein adsorption. At the first stage, the BSA adsorption decreased with increasing of DMAEMA grafting degree. As the interaction between BSA and polyDMAEMA on membrane surface increased, the BSA adsorption increased with increasing of DMAEMA grafting degree.

PREPARATION OF NOVEL POLYETHYLENE-graft-POLY(4-VINYLPYRIDINE)-SUPPORTED METALLOCENE CATALYSTS FOR ETHYLENE POLYMERIZATION

Polyethylene (PE) grafting 4-vinylpyridine copolymers has been produced as powders of different rushes by theirradiation method. After treatment with methylaluminoxane (MAO), the copolymers were used as supports for Cp_2ZrCl_2catalyst Results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy andscanning electron microscope measurements show that the catalytic sites have been linked through MAO on the PE-graft-4-vinylpyridine (PEVP). The percentages of grafting 4-vinylpyridine and supported Cp_2ZrCl_2 depend on the size ofpolyethylene powder. The smaller the polyethylene powder, the more percent of 4-vinylpyridine groups and Cp_2ZrCl_2 existon the polyethylene chains, and the PEVP-supported catalyst has a relatively high activity for ethylene polymerization.

LAMINATION OF POLYMER FILMS BY BULK SURFACE PHOTOGRAFTING PROCESS AND PROPERTIES

A new process for lamination of polymer films by 'bulk surface photografting' has been developed. The chemical component of the invention is that the curing of reactive solution between two substrates is initiated by the surface free radicals produced by aromatic ketones and surface-hydrogen of substrates. Using the new approach, two or more polymer films are bonded together by a grafted polymer network which is grafted to adjacent substrate surfaces. The technique has been applied to film substrates of different polymers such as polyolefins, polyesters, and polyamides which have abstractable hydrogens at the surface. The photolaminated film composites containing carrier films and an intermediate functional film of low permeability give strong laminates with high barrier properties, e.g, for oxygen and air.

Synthesis of polyurea from 1,6-hexanediamine with CO_2 through a two-step polymerization

Activation and transformation of CO_2 is one of the important issues in the field of green and sustainable chemistry. Herein, CO_2 as a carbonoxygen resource was converted to CO_2-polyurea with 1,6-hexanediamine through a two-step polymerization. The reaction parameters such as temperature, pressure and reaction time were examined; and several kinds of catalysts were screened in the absence and presence of NMP solvent. The formed oligomer and the final polyurea were characterized by FT-IR, VT-DRIFTS, NMR, XRD, AFM and their thermal properties were examined by TGA and DSC. It was confirmed that the final polyurea has a high thermal stability; the melting temperature is 269℃ and the decomposition temperature is above 300℃. It is a brittle polymer with a tensile strength of 18.35 MPa at break length of 1.64%. The polyurea has a stronger solvent resistance due to the ordered hydrogen bond in structure. The average molecular weight should be enhanced in the postpolymerization as the appearance, hydrogen bond intensity, crystallinity, melting point and the thermal stability changed largely compared to the oligomer. The present work provides a new kind of polyurea, it is expected to have a wide application in the field of polymer materials.

Ultravilolet-radiation-induced graft polymerization of acrylamide onto the melt-blown polypropylene filter element by dynamic method

By dynamic method under UV irradiation, commercial melt-blown polypropylene （PPMB） filter element was modified with acrylamide （AAm） using benzophenone （BP） as initiator. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope verified that polyacrylamide chain was grafted on the fiber surface of PPMB filter element. Elemental content analysis with energy dispersive X-ray of fibers revealed that the polymerization content in the inner part of filter element was relatively higher than that in the outer. Degree of grafting changed with initiator concentration, monomer concentration, reaction temperature and reached 2.6% at the reaction condition： CBp=0.06 mol/L, CAAm=2.0 mol/L, irradiation time： 80 min, temperature： 60℃. Relative water flux altered with the hydrophilicity and pore size of filter element. In the antifouling test, the modified filter gave greater flux recovery （approximately 70%） after filtration of the water extract of Liuweidihuang, suggesting that the fouling layer was more easily reversible due to the hydrophilic nature of the modified filter.

Graft Copolymerization of N,N-Dimethylacrylamide to Cellulose in Homogeneous Media Using Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Hemocompatibility

In homogeneous media, N,N-Dimethylacrylamide (DMA) was grafted copolymerization to cellulose by a metal-catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. First, cellulose was dissolved in DMAc/LiCl system, and it reacted with 2-bromoisobutyloyl bromide (BiBBr) to produce macroinitiator (cell-BiB). Then DMA was polymerized to the cellulose backbone in a homogeneous DMSO solution in presence of the cell-BiB. Characterization with FT-IR, NMR, and GPC measurements showed that there obtained a graft copolymer with cellulose backbone and PDMA side chains (cell-PDMA) in well-defined structure. The proteins adsorption studies showed that the cellulose membranes modified by the as-prepared cell-PDMA copolymer owns good protein adsorption resistancet.

Adsorbent for Arsenic(V) Removal Synthesized by Radiation-Induced Graft Polymerization onto Nonwoven Cotton Fabric

A fibrous adsorbent for arsenic (As) removal was synthesized with nonwoven cotton fabric as a trunk polymer. 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate phosphoric acid monomer which composed of phosphoric acid mono (50%) and di (50%) ethyl methacrylate ester was introduced with radiation-induced graft polymerization onto nonwoven cotton fabric. The degree of grafting of 130% was obtained at irradiation dose of 20 kGy with 5% of monomer solution for 2 hours reaction time at 40?C reaction temperature. After the grafted material was contacted with 10 mmol/L of zirconium (Zr) solution at pH 1, 0.38 mmol/g of Zr was loaded on phosphoric units as a functional group for As(V) removal. The resulting adsorbent was evaluated by column mode adsorption with 1 mg/L of As(V) solution at various pH with space velocity 200 h–1. The maximum capacity of As(V) adsorption was 0.1 mmol/g at pH 2.

Synthesis of Amine-type Adsorbents with Emulsion Graft Polymerization of 4-hydroxybutyl Acrylate Glycidylether

Radiation induced graft polymerization on polymeric matrix followed by functionalization is widely accepted for the preparation of metal adsorbents. In this paper, a pre-irradiation method was used for emulsion graft polymerization of 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate glycidylether (4-HB) onto polyethylene/polypropylene (PE/PP) nonwoven fabric. The degree of grafting (Dg) which can be calculated by weight increment was determined as a function of reaction time, irradiation dose, and monomer concentration. After 30 kGy irradiation, with 4-HB concentration of 5%, surfactant Span 20 of 0.5% at 40°C for 2 h, the trunk polymer was made grafted at a Dg of 135%. 4-HB-grafted PE/PP nonwoven fabric was modified by ethylenediamine (EDA) in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) as a solvent at 60°C. With a Dg of 135%, the amine group density of the adsorbent is 2.8 mmol/g. The adsorption test was carried out by batch experiment in several metal ion solutions, and the removal ratio from the EDA modified adsorbent of the metal ions is in the order of Cu2+ > Pb2+ > Zn2+ > Ni2+ > Li+. Compared with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) which is a typical functional monomer for graft polymerization, 4-HB-grafted adsorbent exhibited not only better mechanical property but also higher adsorption capacity of Cu2+ and Pb2+.

Plasma-induced graft polymerization on the surface of aramid fabrics with improved omniphobicity and washing durability

Durable superomniphobic surfaces are desirable for their practical applications,including selfcleaning,non-fouling,protective clothing and the separation of liquids.The plasma-induced polymerization of environmentally friendly C6 from a perfluoralkyl methlacrylate copolymer emulsion,AG-E081,was performed and a durable omniphobic fabric was achieved.C6 is an ecological alternative to C8(eight CF2 groups)fluorinated compounds,and it was thereafter successfully incorporated into aramid fabric to achieve a durable superomniphobic surface.The fabric became water and oil repellent with an extremely high water contact angle of 180°.As tested by the water spray AATCC test and hydrocarbon resistance test,the as-prepared fabric gained 100°(ISO 5)and grade number 4 respectively.Furthermore,the fabrics also showed significantly improved washing durability after ten washing cycles.By scanning electron microscopy(SEM),Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)tests,it is indicated that the durable superomniphobicity can be attributed to the roughness and activation of the aramid surface by the plasma pre-treatment,which induces more adsorption and chemical graft of the C6 copolymer.

Adsorption behavior of uranyl ions onto amino-type adsorbents prepared by radiation-induced graft copolymerization

Amino-type adsorbents(ATAs) were prepared by radiation-induced graft copolymerization of 4-hydroxybutyl acry late glycidyl ether(HB) onto a polyethylene-coated polypropylene(PE/PP) duplex fiber of a non-woven fabric,and modified with different amines of ethylenediamine(EDA),diethylenetriamine(DETA),triethylenetetramine(TETA) and diethylamine(DEA).The adsorption behavior of uranyl ions onto the ATAs was studied in batch experiments.The effects of the contact time,initial concentration of the ions,temperature,and pH value.The salinity were investigated along with the adsorption kinetics and the adsorption isotherms.The kinetic experimental data followed the pseudo second-order kinetic model,and the adsorption isotherms correlated well with the Langmuir model.The ATAs showed good efficiency in adsorbing uranyl ions,with the best saturation adsorption capacity being 64.26 mg g^(-1) for ATA-DETA within 120 min.The temperature dependence of ATADETA was quite abnormal and the quickest behavior was obtained at 25 ℃.ATAs showed good adsorption capacity over a wide pH range of 4.0-8.5,and HCl could be used in the elution process.Salinity of the solution had great effect on the adsorption capacity,3.5%salinity resulted in a 55%loss of capacity from ATA-DETA.The selectivity of ATA-DETA showed an order of:UO_2^(2+)≈Fe^(3+)> Zn^(2+) > VO_3^- > Co^(2+) > Ni^(2+).

Graft co-polymerization of maleic acid and vinyl acetate onto poly(vinylidene fluoride) powder by pre-irradiation technique

Binary monomers of maleic acid and vinyl acetate are grafted onto poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) powder by pre-irradiation induced graft polymerization technique in emulsion solution. The co-grafting of binary monomers is successfully proved by FT-IR spectroscopy analysis. The influences of the absorbed dose, reaction temperature, reaction time, total concentration of monomers, and feed ratio of binary monomers on the degree of grafting are investigated. The thermal property of grafted PVDF powder was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo-gravimetry analysis (TGA).