Atilla Güngör

Electrical properties and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of polyester yarns with polypyrrole deposition

Polypyrrole was deposited on polyester yarns by vapour phase polymerization technique. Ferric chloride was used as an initiator. In order to determine the effect of the initiator concentration on polymerization process, four different initiator concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mol/l) were used. The effect of the initiator in terms of tensile properties, electrical resistivities and morphological properties of the yarns was investigated. The polypyrrole deposited polyester yarns were then weaved in a handloom to form fabric for the investigation of surface resistivity and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared analyses illustrated that polypyrrole has penetrated into the yarn structure and the highest polypyrrole deposition was obtained at the initiator concentration of 0.6 mol/l. Also, the highest electromagnetic shielding effectiveness value and the lowest surface resistivity were obtained at this concentration.

Photopolymerized injectable RGD-modified fumarated poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether hydrogels for cell growth.

In this study, photopolymerized hydrogels of fumarated poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl-co- poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate have been synthesized and modified with cell adhesion peptide, Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD). The structural and mechanical properties of the hydrogels are found to be poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) dependent. The percentage of gelation is increased from 72 to 89 wt.-% when the amount of the crosslinker co-monomer (PEGDA) in the hydrogel formulation is increased from 20 to 40 wt.-%. In the present case, the equilibrium mass swelling is decreased from 216 to 93%. The viscosities of the uncured formulations have also been measured and likewise, the results were influenced by the increasing amount of PEGDA that reduced the value from 83 to 36 cP. The compressive modulus of the prepared hydrogels was improved with the addition of the PEGDA. Cell growth experiments have been performed by comparing the properties of the hydrogels with and without RGD units. The results show that RGD units enhance the adhesion of cells to the surface of the hydrogels. SEM-EDS studies reveal that nitrogen and calcium are produced on the osteoblast-seeded surface of the scaffold within the culture time period. [Figure: see text].

Preparation of hyperbranched polyester polyol-based urethane acrylates and applications on UV-curable wood coatings

In the present study, hyperbranched urethane acrylates (UA/HB-PEs) were synthesized by modifying the hydroxyl groups of hyperbranched polyester polyols (HB-PEs). The structure of oligomers were characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. Formulations containing UA/HB-PEs, reactive diluents, and photoinitiator were applied onto wood substrates and successfully polymerized under UV-irradiation. The coating performances and thermal properties of UV-cured films were evaluated. The studies on film characteristics reveal that the incorporation of UA/HB-PE afforded coatings with good adhesion and high gloss properties. It is observed that UV-cured coatings originated from [2,2-bis(4-β-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl propane] (HB-HEPA)- and [2,2-bis(4-β-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl 6F propane] (HB-HEPFA)-based oligomers possessed better surface and mechanical properties.

Cell Growth on In Situ Photo-Cross-Linked Electrospun Acrylated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate

In this study, electrospinning was combined with UV curing technology for producing in situ photo cross-linked fibers from methacrylated cellulose acetate butyrate (CABIEM). ECV304 and 3T3 cells were seeded on electrospun fibrous scaffolds. Collagen modified CABIEM fibers were also prepared for improving cell adhesion and proliferation. Cross-linking and the morphology of the fibers were characterized by ATR–FTIR spectrometry and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The cytotoxicity of the fibers was examined using the MTT cytotoxicity assay. According to the results, electrospun fibrous scaffolds are non-toxic and cell viability depends on the amount of collagen. It was found that cell adhesion and cell growth were enhanced as the collagen percentage was increased.

Preparation of Biocompatible, UV-Cured Fumarated Poly(ether-ester)-Based Tissue-Engineering Hydrogels

The aim of this study was to develop biodegradable, photo-polymerizable in situ gel-forming systems prepared from a fumaric acid monoethyl ester (FAME) modified poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) co-polymer. By reacting lactide and glycolide in the presence of stannous octoate as a catalyst and 2-ethyl,2-hydroxymethyl 1,3-propanediol as an initiator, hydroxyl terminated branched PLGA was synthesized. Afterwards, at room temperature hydroxyl terminated branched PLGA was reacted with fumaric acid monoethyl ester (FAME). N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and triethylamine were used as a coupling agent and catalyst, respectively. The gel percentage, equilibrium mass swelling, degradation profile and polymerization kinetics of the hydrogels were investigated. All of the results were influenced by the amount of FAME modified PLGA co-polymer. Biocompatibility of the hydrogels was examined by using MTT cytotoxicity assay. According to the results, hydrogels are biocompatible and cell viability percentage depends on the amount of PLGA co-polymer. While the amount was 15% in hydrogel composition, cell viability was 100%, but after increasing the PLGA co-polymer amount to 30% the viability reduced to 78%.

Synthesis by UV-curing and characterisation of polyurethane acrylate-lithium salts-based polymer electrolytes in lithium batteries

UV-cured caprolactone-based polyurethane acrylate (PUA) polymer blend electrolytes were prepared and characterised. To develop polymer electrolytes suited to ambient temperature, an ionically-conductive and reliable polymer electrolyte based on urethane acrylate resins synthesised from a fluorine-containing di-functional oligomer 6F ethoxylated diacrylate, a di-functional reactive diluent 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate for adjusting the viscosity, and a radical photo-initiator doped with a mixture of lithium salts were used. Free-standing flexible electrolyte films were prepared by UV-curing via free-radical photopolymerisation. The performance of the lithium polymer cell system (Li/PE(F4)/LiCoO2) was determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, a galvanostatic recurrent differential pulse, chronocoulometry and chronoamperometry. The electrolyte with optimal amounts of fluorine-containing oligomer and optimal salt mixture content exhibited enhanced conductivity, showing a conductivity of 1.00 × 10−4 S cm−1 at ambient temperature. The specific capacity, specific energy and specific power of a Li/PE(F4)/LiCoO2 cell were also determined.

Synthesis and characterization of dual-curable epoxyacrylates for polyester cord/rubber applications

In this study, bisphenol-A-based acrylated epoxy oligomers were prepared and utilized to improve the adhesion strength of polyester cords onto rubber. The structure of the oligomers was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Ultraviolet-curable adhesive formulations were prepared by using acrylated epoxy oligomers and applied onto the polyester cord fabric by a dip-coating method and irradiated. Ultraviolet-cured coatings were characterized by thermal and scanning electron microscope analysis, contact angle measurements. In the second stage of the experiment, ultraviolet-cured polyester cords were adhered onto rubber under heat and pressure. The prepared adhesive formulation was expected to improve the adhesion strength. The adhesion strength of the coated material was evaluated by using peel test as a function of the carboxyl/epoxide ratio. The adhesion strength of 18.0 N/cm was obtained when the carboxyl/epoxide ratio was set as 1. It was observed that peel strength, contact angle, and surface energy values of acrylated epoxies strongly depend on the acrylic acid content of the oligomer.

Preparation of flame retardant epoxyacrylate-based adhesive formulations for textile applications

Abstract In this research, UV-curable acrylated epoxy-based oligomer adhesive formulations containing vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) were prepared to adhere cord fabrics onto the rubber surfaces. In order to enhance the peel strength between cord and rubber, an alkali treatment was applied onto the cord fabrics prior to the adhesive application process. Adhesive formulations and alkali-treated cords were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. By changing the VPA ratio in adhesive formulation, peel strength, flame retardancy, and thermal properties were evaluated. Results proved that the 10% VPA-included adhesive formulation provided highest char yield values supporting the flame retardancy property and the highest peel strength value of 50.8 N/cm between the cord fabric and rubber surfaces.

4-Vinylbenzene Boronic Acid–Hydroxy Apatite/Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Nanofiber Scaffold Synthesized by UV-Activated Reactive Electrospinning

In this study, we prepared photo-crosslinked modified HAP (hydroxy apatite)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite nanofiber scaffold for cell growth applications. HAP was synthesized and then modified with 4-vinylbenzene boronic acid (VBBA) to obtain 4-VBBA-HAP. By means of the simultaneous UV electrospinning technique 4-VBBA-HAP/PVA composite was obtained. The structure and morphology of electrospun membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique. Nanofibers were treated with collagen solution via the spraying method. For the cell culture applications ECV304 and SAOS cells were seeded on the chosen electrospun fibrous scaffolds. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

UV-Cured polypropylene mesh-reinforced composite polymer electrolyte membranes

Abstract In this study, a polypropylene (PP) mesh was used to prepare proton- and Li+ conducting composite membranes for fuel cells and lithium rechargeable batteries, respectively. For the preparation of Li+ conducting membrane, polypropylene mesh was first immersed in an electrolyte solution, which was composed of LiBF4 and ethylene carbonate. Then the swollen membrane was immersed in an acetone solution of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), polyvinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoro-propylene and photoinitiator. Finally, PP fabric was taken out from the solution and exposed to UV irradiation. Furthermore, proton conducting membranes were prepared by immersing the PP mesh into a mixture of vinyl phosphonic acid, PEGDA and photoinitiator. Afterwards, samples were cured under UV light. PP-reinforced membranes designed for fuel cell applications exhibited a room temperature conductivity of 3.3×10-3 mS/cm, while UV-cured electrolyte for Li batteries showed ionic conductivities in the range of 1.61×10-3–5.4×10-3 S/cm with respect to temperature. In addition, for lithium-doped composite polymer electrolyte (CPE), the electrochemical stability window was negligible below 4.75 V vs. Li/Li+. It is concluded that lithium-doped CPE has suitable electrochemical stability to allow the use of high-voltage electrode couples.