I. V. Gofman

Modification of films of heat-resistant polyimides by adding hydrosilicate and carbon nanoparticles of various geometries

The possibility of modifying the properties of poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylene)pyromellitimide films by introducing into prepolymer solutions nanoparticles of various compositions and structures [hydrosilicate nanoparticles in the form of layered structures (montmorillonite) and nanotubes; carbon nanofibers] was examined. New intercalating agents, tetranuclear aromatic diamines, were suggested for pretreatment of montmorillonite prior to introduction into heat-resistant polymers. The mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposites with hydrosilicate nanotubes can be optimized by chemical pretreatment of the nanotubes prior to introduction into the polymer matrix. Introduction of the above-named nanoparticles into the polymer matrix appreciably increases the elastic modulus of the material. The largest increase in the elastic modulus is observed with hydrosilicate nanotubes of the chrysotile structure, coated with an aromatic modifier.

High-strength biocompatible hydrogels based on poly(acrylamide) and cellulose: Synthesis, mechanical properties and perspectives for use as artificial cartilage

New composite hydrogels based on cellulose and poly(acrylamide) have been synthesized via radical polymerization of acrylamide in cellulose swollen in a reaction solution. In this study, both a plant form of cellulose and a bacterial form—that cultivated by Acetobacter xylinum bacteria—were used. The behavior of synthesized hydrogels during swelling in water, as well as the behavior of the samples swollen at equilibrium during deformation under uniaxial compression under various test conditions, have been studied. A comparative analysis of the main mechanical characteristics of hydrogels and the appropriate data for various types of articular cartilage, one of which—rabbit knee meniscus—has been tested in this study, has been performed. An average-strength hydrogel is very close to articular cartilage in all mechanical characteristics. The degrees of loading at the highest compression deformations observed during the function of joint cartilage (30–50%) is in the range 4–12 MPa for this hydrogel, and the average values of the compression modulus in the deformation ranges of 10–15 and 25–30% are 8.8 and 23.7 MPa, respectively. The behavior of hydrogels and rabbit meniscus under cyclic compression with the amplitude of 50% has been studied. Hydrogels and meniscus under this test conditions demonstrate clear viscoelastic behavior, evidenced by noticeable hysteresis for the first cycle and a decrease in the value of the maximum load with an increase in the number of cycles. Structural features of hydrogels, which can affect the behavior of the hydrogels under study, have been considered. On the whole, the results demonstrate the possibility of modeling the mechanical behavior of cartilage with the use of hydrogels of this type.

Nanocomposite based on polyamidoimide with hydrosilicate nanoparticles of varied morphology

Polymeric nanocomposites based on aromatic polyamidoimide and nanotubes of magnesium hydrosilicate Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 with a chrysotile structure were obtained and studied for the first time. The morphology and mechanical and transport properties of the composites formed were analyzed, which enabled optimization of their synthesis conditions.

Specific features of chitosan-montmorillonite interaction in an aqueous acid solution and properties of related composite films

The rheological properties of chitosan solutions in a 2% aqueous solution of acetic acid with added montmorillonite nanoparticles and the mechanical properties and structural organization of chitosan-based composite films are studied. The interaction between the polymer functional groups and surface charges of nanoplatelets is confirmed by conductometric and potentiometric measurements. With the use of a X-ray diffraction analysis, it is shown that the nanoparticles in films are in the exfoliated and intercalated states. The incorporation of up to 10 wt % modified montmorillonite nanoparticles into the chitosan matrix results in a successive increase in rigidity and a decrease in the elongation at break.

Effect of single-walled carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers on the structure and mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyimide matrix films

The effects of additives of single-walled carbon nanotubes prepared via electric-arc synthesis and carbon nanofibers produced via gas-phase synthesis on the crystallization capacities and mechanical and electric properties of composite films of a thermoplastic polyimide (PI) matrix based on 1,3-bis-(3,3′, 4,4′-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene and 4,4′-bis-(4-aminophenoxy)biphenyl after their uniaxial drawing and additional annealing are studied. The use of these fillers induces the heterogeneous nucleation of a crystalline phase of PI on the nanoparticle surface. A higher specific interface area in the case of addition of carbon nanotubes relative to that of carbon nanofibers leads to the formation of the crystalline structure of PI with a small crystallite size and high imperfection. Uniaxial drawing leads to the formation of a supermolecular structure that is optimum for crystallization during additional annealing and removes the kinetic hindrances to crystal growth. The properties of these fillers have a significant effect on the orientation of the nanoparticles and the matrix macromolecules during the uniaxial drawing of the films, which is accompanied by an increase in the elastic modulus with an increase in the draw ratio and the ability of the composite films to undergo orientational crystallization during additional annealing.

Polymeric composite systems modified with allotropic forms of carbon (review)

Most widely occurring classes of carbon nanoparticles used to create polymeric composite systems are considered. The possibility is demonstrated of using “polymer-carbon nanoparticles” composites for raising the level of mechanical properties of polymeric materials, creating friction units with improved tribological characteristics, developing new electrochemical, microelectronic, and optical devices, and modifying barrier properties of polymeric membranes. Methods for treatment of nanoparticles to provide their compatibility with polymeric matrices and preclude their aggregation are discussed.

New polyamides with main-chain cyanine chromophores

Polyamides containing main-chain cyanine chromophores are synthesized, and their molecular, nonlinear optical, and mechanical properties are studied. It is shown that the Kerr electro-optical effect in polymer solutions is determined by the rigidity of polymer chains and that the nonlinear optical properties are dependent only on the chromophore content.

Characteristics of composite films based on methyl cellulose and poly(N-vinylformamide) prepared from solutions in water and dimethyl sulfoxide

The stress-strain characteristics of composite films based on methyl cellulose and poly(vinylformamide) prepared from solutions of polymer blends in water and dimethyl sulfoxide are studied. The temperature of relaxation transitions in the mixed films and the concentration interval where the polymers are compatible are defined via the thermomechanical method and dynamic mechanical analysis. The effect of the nature of a solvent on the mechanism of crystallization of methyl cellulose, the stress—strain characteristics of the composite films, and the compatibility between the polymers is investigated.

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Nanocomposite Films Based on an Aromatic Polyimide and Carbon Nanocones

The mechanical properties of nanocomposite films prepared by incorporating new type nanoparticles, namely, carbon nanocones (CNCs), into thermally stable polypyromellitimide (PMDA-ODA), have been investigated. As the nanocones concentration in the film increases, the Young’s modulus and yield stress increase systematically. No manifestations of particle aggregation have been observed for nanoparticle concentrations up to 15 vol %. The creep has been studied in the nanocomposite films with different nanocones concentrations over wide ranges of tensile stresses and temperatures. The incorporation of these nanoparticles into the polypyromellitimide matrix stabilizes the behavior of the materials under long-term mechanical loading: as the nanocones concentration increases, a systematic decrease has been observed both in strain level during creep and in relaxation intensity in the material. Nanoparticles incorporation expands the temperature range of performance of the films.

Aromatic polysulfone imides and membranes based on them

Aromatic polyimides containing diphenyl sulfone fragments in the backbone were prepared. Asymmetric microporous films of the synthesized polymers were prepared by wet forming under the conditions of a phase-inversion process. The morphologies and the mechanical and transport properties of nonporous and phase-inversion films as materials for pervaporation membranes were studied. Multilayer composite membranes with diffusion layers of an aromatic polyether imide were prepared on the basis of microporous polyamido imide films. These membranes showed high performance in pervaporation separation of ethanol-cyclohexane mixtures of various compositions.