José Luis Rivera-Armenta

Effects on the Thermo-Mechanical and Crystallinity Properties of Nylon 6,6 Electrospun Fibres Reinforced with One Dimensional (1D) and Two Dimensional (2D) Carbon

Electrospun one dimensional (1D) and two dimensional (2D) carbon based polymer nanocomposites are studied in order to determine the effect provided by the two differently structured nanofillers on crystallinity and thermo-mechanical properties of the nanofibres. The nanomaterials studied are pristine carbon nanotubes, oxidised carbon nanotubes, reduced graphene oxide and graphene oxide. Functional groups associated with the order structure of the polymers are analysed by infrared and Raman spectroscopies; the morphology is studied by scanning electron microscopy and the crystallinity properties are investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Differences in crystallisation behaviour between 1D and 2D carbon based nanofibres are shown by their crystallinity degree and their crystal sizes. The nanocomposite crystal sizes perpendicular to the plane (100) decrease with nanofiller content in all cases. The crystallinity trend and crystal sizes are in accordance with storage modulus response. The results also suggest that functionalisation favours interfacial bonding and dispersion of the nanomaterials within the polymer matrix. As a consequence the number of nucleating sites increases which in turn decreases the crystal size in the nanocomposites. These features explain the improved thermo-mechanical properties in the nanocomposites.

Composites from chicken feathers quill and recycled polypropylene

Recycled polypropylene composites reinforced with quill from chicken feathers were prepared by extrusion process. Chicken feathers, a worldwide waste without any relevant application, may potentially replace nonrenewable reinforcements in composites. The effects of quill reinforcement on the density, as well as the thermal, thermo-mechanical and morphological properties of the composites, were evaluated. Quill showed an excellent compatibility with the polypropylene matrix, revealed by the good dispersion that was confirmed by the physical appearance observed with aid of scanning electron microscopy. This fact is due to the hydrophobic nature of keratin in quill. All of the composites showed higher storage modulus than simple polymer, particularly for the lowest quill content. In addition, the composite materials also had a lower density. The transition temperature remained almost unaltered compared with polypropylene. However, the thermal stability was observed to be strongly related to the quill content. Thus, this study reports a successful industrial process applied to a new natural reinforcement material: quill, used to synthesize composites with an amply used polymer: polypropylene; which can open an important gate towards the extended exploitation of keratin quill as a novel and renewable reinforcement material.

PANI/SBR composites as anticorrosive coatings for carbon steel I. Chemical, morphological and superficial characterization

Research of conducting polymer composites has opened a wide array of possibilities to get high performance organic anticorrosive coatings, minimizing the environmental and health impact involved in many current protection systems. Polyaniline (PAni) is one of most studied conducting polymer, for different reasons, among easy processing from solutions into films, reversibly controlled electrical and optical properties. However, its mechanical and adhesion properties are poor. A path to improve PAni properties is to use an elastomer as insulating polymer matrix, as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). In this work, a composite from doped PAni and SBR was obtained by solution casting method, the effect of the conducting polymer/elastomer ratio and the PAni doping anion on the chemical nature and morphology of PAni/SBR composites has been studied to determine the feasibility of their application as anticorrosive coatings for carbon steel. Chemical characterization, by means of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and RAMAN spectroscopy, was also carried out, the presence of signals attributed to doping anion was identified in composites, also formation of ion oxides such as magnetite, hematite and maghemite were identified. Morphology of composites was obtained by means of optical and scanning electron microscopy, and allows to observe the presence of agglomerates in composites.

Nylon 6,6 electrospun fibres reinforced by amino functionalised 1D and 2D carbon

Nylon 6,6 electrospun nanocomposites were prepared and reinforced with 0.1, 0.5 and 1wt.% of 1D and 2D carbon. Both carbon nanotubes and graphene were functionalised with amino groups (f-CNT and f-Ge respectively). The morphology and graphitization changes of carbon nanomaterials were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy; functional groups of modified nanomaterials was analysed by infrared spectroscopy. The mechanical response and the crystallinity of the fibres were measured by dynamical mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and wide angle x-ray diffraction. The morphology and dispersion of the nanomaterials in the nanofibres was studied by scanning electron microscopy and TEM. The storage modulus was improved by 118% for f- CNT and 116% for f-Ge. The mechanical response of the nanocomposites exhibited different behaviour upon loading of 1D and 2D carbon. This trend is consistent with the crystallinity of the nanofibres. This study showed f-CNT resulted in better mechanical properties at the lowest loading. On the other hand f-Ge showed improved reinforcing effect by increasing the filler loading. The two-dimensional structure of graphene was an important factor for the higher crystallinity in the electrospun nanofibres.

Antimicrobial, Optical and Mechanical Properties of Chitosan–Starch Films with Natural Extracts

Natural extracts possess several kinds of antioxidants (anthocyanins, betalains, thymol, carvacrol, and resveratrol) that have also demonstrated antimicrobial properties. In order to study these properties, extracts from cranberry, blueberry, beetroot, pomegranate, oregano, pitaya, and resveratrol (from grapes) were obtained. Growth inhibition tests of mesophilic aerobes, coliforms, and fungi were conducted in films prepared from the extracts in accordance with Mexican Official Norms (NOM). Optical properties such as transparency and opacity, mechanical properties, and pH were also analyzed in these materials. The films with beetroot, cranberry, and blueberry extracts demonstrated the best antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and fungi in comparison with unmodified chitosan–starch film. This study shows that the addition of antioxidants improved the antimicrobial performance of these films. It was also found that antimicrobial properties are inherent to the films. These polymers combined with the extracts effectively inhibit or reduce microorganism growth from human and environmental contact; therefore, previous sterilization could be unnecessary in comparison with traditional plastics. The presence of extracts decreased transmittance percentages at 280 and 400 nm, as well as the transparency values, while increasing their opacity values, providing better UV–VIS light barrier properties. Despite diminished glass transition temperatures (Tg), the values obtained are still adequate for food packaging applications.

Polyurethane-Keratin Membranes: Structural Changes by Isocyanate and pH, and the Repercussion on Cr(VI) Removal

Keratin has the capacity to interact with metal ions. In order to take advantage of this potential, a novel membrane with polyurethane and keratin has been developed and studied for removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. Physicochemical and morphological properties of these hybrid membranes were studied, varying synthesis parameters such as the type of isocyanate and pH in keratin solution. The effects of using diphenyl-methane-diisocyanate or toluene-diisocyanate and modifying the pH in keratin solutions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and dynamical mechanical analysis. Results show that pH has a strong influence on morphology and on Cr(VI) removal efficiency. When pH in keratin solution is low (2.5), the protein separates from water, and a more closed cell in the membrane is obtained affecting its mechanical properties. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) was also assessed at different pH values of chromium solutions. These results show that when pH of the Cr solution is acidic (at 1.5), the Cr(VI) removal percentages increase significantly, reaching up to a 58%. Thus this paper demonstrates the successful combination of synthetic and natural polymers depending on the process parameters to be applied in the critical purpose of remediation of Cr(VI) contamination.

Evaluation of Graft Copolymerization of Acrylic Monomers Onto Natural Polymers by Means Infrared Spectroscopy

Infrared spectroscopy (IR spectroscopy) is a technique based on the vibrations of atoms of a molecule. An IR spectrum is commonly obtained by passing IR radiation through a sample and determining what fraction of the incident radiation is absorbed at a particular energy. The energy at which any peak in an absorption spectrum appears corresponds to the frequency of a vibration of a part of a sample molecule (Bickford, 2008).

PAni/SBR composite as anticorrosive coating for carbon steel, part II: electrochemical characterization

Conducting polymer composites have gained popularity into the field of organic anticorrosive coatings research due to their low environmental and health impact. In this work, the effect of the conducting polymer/elastomer ratio and the PAni doping method on the electrochemical behavior of polyaniline/styrene butadiene rubber films (PAni/SBR) has been studied in order to evaluate the performance of the proposed coatings for carbon steel corrosion prevention. According to open circuit potential measurements, linear polarization resistance tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization curves, the use of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid as doping agent and the reduction of the PAni content in the composite enhance the anticorrosive behavior of PAni/SBR composites by inducing carbon steel passivation process.

Crude oil UV spectroscopy and light scattering characterization

ABSTRACT Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons representing several classes of compounds. Some of these constituents significantly affect refinery processes and analysis procedures. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy has received wide acceptance because of its broad scope, given that many active species in the spectrum of UV, and many more that with proper treatment, are able to form visible species in that spectrum. In this study two crude oils from different sources were analyzed without dilution C1-RC, in the coastal region and C2-RM of the maritime region of the Gulf of Mexico. Stages for obtaining calibration curves depending on the change in concentration of crude, starting from crude standard solutions and evaluating the repeatability of the method and the dispersion, were established. The results show three signals: (a) 230 nm corresponding to benzene compounds, (b) 260 nm to naphthenic compounds, and (c) 410 nm Soret band corresponding to the metal porphyrins. These species are found in asphaltenes, signals were evaluated individually for separate calibration curves, at concentrations between 10 and 90 mg L−1. The model equation of each curve based on the absorbance and concentration determination coefficient values for each compound are reported. It was possible to establish that the method developed is suitable for oil solutions at low concentrations.

Chitosan/Mimosa tenuiflora films as potential cellular patch for skin regeneration

Bio-composites films were prepared by casting and drying of aqueous solutions containing different weight ratios of chitosan and bark of Mimosa tenuiflora. The physico-chemical and functional properties of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, dynamical mechanical analysis, wettability, cytotoxicity and in vitro antibacterial activities. The morphology studies confirmed that the presence of Mimosa tenuiflora change the surface of films. Moreover, the incorporation of Mimosa tenuiflora improved the thermal stability of the films, as it was indicated by the changes in the glass temperatures obtained. Water-uptake ability changed in relation to polymeric composition of film. This property increased by the addition of Mimosa tenuiflora to the film. Improved antibacterial properties were measured against Escherichia Coli and Micrococcus lysodeikticus or luteus. Finally, cytotoxicity was studied by MTT assay and the films were non-toxic. These preliminary results provide a cheap way to prepare chitosan/Mimosa tenuiflora films for wound healing and skin regeneration.