Farah Hannan Anuar

Hydrophobic modification of cellulose isolated from Agave angustifolia fibre by graft copolymerisation using methyl methacrylate

Graft copolymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto Agave angustifolia was conducted with ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as the redox initiator. The maximum grafting efficiency was observed at CAN and MMA concentrations of 0.91 × 10(-3) and 5.63 × 10(-2)M, respectively, at 45°C for 3h reaction time. Four characteristic peaks at 2995, 1738, 1440, and 845 cm(-1), attributed to PMMA, were found in the IR spectrum of grafted cellulose. The crystallinity index dropped from 0.74 to 0.46, while the thermal stability improved upon grafting. The water contact angle increased with grafting yield, indicating increased hydrophobicity of cellulose. SEM images showed the grafted cellulose to be enlarged and rougher. The changes in the physical nature of PMMA-grafted cellulose can be attributed to the PMMA grafting in the amorphous regions of cellulose, causing it to expand at the expense of the crystalline component.

1H-NMR characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) and polydimethylsiloxane copolymer

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) copolymers. The copolymers were synthesized by reacting hydroxyl group (-OH) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polydimetylsiloxane (PDMS) with isocyanate group (R-N=C=O) of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI). The reaction was carried out at room temperature. The copolymers were synthesized in three different compositions which differ in molar ratios of PEG to PDMS. The ratios (PEG:PDMS) used were 2:6. 3:5 and 4:4. The formation of the copolymers was characterized by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) for structural determination. The presence of proton signal at 4.80 ppm which belongs to the proton of urethane group indicates the formation of urethane links. The formation of urethane links showed that two homopolymers were linked together by HMDI to form longer copolymer chains. It is worth to note that the sequence of PEG and PDMS along the copolymer chain is random.

Characterization of poly(L-lactide/Propylene glycol) based polyurethane films using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

A polyurethane films consisting of PLLA, PPG and PLLA-PPG were prepared using solution casting method. Three types of polyurethane were prepared: PPLA:PMDI, PPG:PMDI and PLLA-PPG:PMDI in the presence of polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) as the coupling agent and catalyst, Sn(Oct)2. The aim of this research was to improve the physicals properties of PLLA and PPG homopolymers through copolymerization between the two polymers. The homopolymers and polyurethane films were characterized using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Chemical reaction between PLLA, PPG and PMDI before and after the reaction were confirmed by observing the shifting of wavenumber for the carbonyl and ether group. Other than that, the additional band for N-H after the reaction indicated that the reaction was successful.A polyurethane films consisting of PLLA, PPG and PLLA-PPG were prepared using solution casting method. Three types of polyurethane were prepared: PPLA:PMDI, PPG:PMDI and PLLA-PPG:PMDI in the presence of polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) as the coupling agent and catalyst, Sn(Oct)2. The aim of this research was to improve the physicals properties of PLLA and PPG homopolymers through copolymerization between the two polymers. The homopolymers and polyurethane films were characterized using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Chemical reaction between PLLA, PPG and PMDI before and after the reaction were confirmed by observing the shifting of wavenumber for the carbonyl and ether group. Other than that, the additional band for N-H after the reaction indicated that the reaction was successful.

Synthesis and characterization of poly(D,L-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol) multiblock poly(ether-ester-urethane)s

In this study, poly(D,L-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol) multiblock poly(ether-ester-urethane)s was synthesized in the framework of environmental friendly products to meet the need for highly flexible polymers. Triblock copolymer with poly(ethylene glycol) as center block and poly(D,L-lactide) as side block were first synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide, followed by chain extension reaction of triblocks using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI). NMR and infra-red spectroscopies were used to determine the molecular composition whereas XRD analysis revealed crystallinity behavior of synthesized multiblock copolymers.

Physical properties of Agave cellulose graft polymethyl methacrylate

The grafting polymerization of methyl methacrylate and Agave cellulose was prepared and their structural analysis and morphology were investigated. The grafting reaction was carried out in an aqueous medium using ceric ammonium nitrate as an initiator. The structural analysis of the graft copolymers was carried out by Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction. The graft copolymers were also characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). An additional peak at 1732 cm−1 which was attributed to the C=O of ester stretching vibration of poly(methyl methacrylate), appeared in the spectrum of grafted Agave cellulose. A slight decrease of crystallinity index upon grafting was found from 0.74 to 0.68 for cellulose and grafted Agave cellulose, respectively. Another evidence of grafting showed in the FESEM observation, where the surface of the grafted cellulose was found to be roughed than the raw one.