Ryszard Pilawka

Detailed study on interfacial interactions in epoxy composites cured with 1-buthylimidazole containing functionalized carbon nanotubes

This work provides a detailed information on the preparation process and characterization of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes/Epidian 6 nanocomposites using ARES rheometer, TGA, and DSC measurements, with the imidazole derivative as a curing agent. Scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surfaces of the composites with a total nanofiller concentration below 0.5 wt.% reveals a uniform dispersion of MWCNT with only some minor agglomerates. At the same time, the TEM analysis of the composite with a total concentration of MWCNT–COOH higher than 0.5 wt.% confirmed the presence of carbon nanotube aggregates along with a large number of places without any presence of nanoparticles in the whole volume of the epoxy matrix. Mechanical tests (bending as well as dynamic mechanical analysis) show that compared with the neat epoxy resin, the bending strength of the composite was improved by about 30 and 21% after incorporating as little as only 0.1 and 0.2 wt.% MWCNT–COOH, respectively. The work presented hereby is a continuation of a previous study on epoxy-based nanocomposites with different types of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and it is a part of a wider project on precise charting of the influence of carbon nanotubes (particularly multiwalled carbon nanotubes) in the system of epoxy resin with 1-buthylimidazole, as a curing agent.

Effect of 1-substituted imidazole derivatives for the curing process of epoxy- -isocyanate composition

Abstract The kinetics of the curing process of isocyanate-epoxy materials hardened in the presence of 1- substituted imidazole derivatives was studied by the Coast-Redfern method. The extent of a conversion parameter of the curing process in two ways was calculated: DSC (peak area integration) and rheology (viscosity changes). The activation energy values were determined for epoxy-isocyanate cured in the presence of 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0 phr 1-substituted imidazole derivatives respectively. Increasing of accelerators amount results in decreasing the activation energy and other kinetic parameters.

Epoxy adhesive formulations using latent imidazole metal cation complexes

Epoxy adhesive formulations using latent imidazole metal cation complexes Complexes of 2-methylimidazole with cations from several metal sulfates were prepared and investigated as curing agents for epoxy resins. The reactivity of one-part formulations of these complexes with a bisphenol A type epoxy resin was determined by the differential scanning calorimetry and the pot life observed by viscosity measurements. Tensile lap shear tests at room temperature and at 120°C were used to evaluate the adhesive strength of the formulations directly after preparation as well as after one and three months of storage at room temperature. The DSC measurements showed much lower reactivity (7 - 32%) and higher reaction temperatures of the complex formulations in comparison to the mixtures with pure 2-methylimidazole. The viscosity of most formulations remained almost unchanged over the observed period of three months. The adhesive strength of the freshly prepared complex formulations is comparable to a formulation with pure 2-methylimidazole and decreases over time, depending on the type of metal cation and the cation-to-imidazole molar ratio. The obtained results indicate that complexes of 2-methylimidazole with cations are suitable as latent curing agents for epoxy resins.

Novel crosslinkable polyester resin–based composites as injectable bioactive scaffolds

ABSTRACT In this study new composite materials obtained by crosslinking two polyester resins were investigated. The solid composite material and the scaffolds with varied porosity were obtained in the presence of a foaming system consisted of calcium carbonate/citric acid mixture. It was found that the presence of citric acid solution influenced rheological behavior of liquid formulations as well as morphology and mechanical properties of cured materials. SEM observations and analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the presence of hydroxyapatite formed at the scaffolds surfaces in phosphate buffer solution. The MTS cytotoxicity assay was carried out for extracts from selected composite materials using the human osteosarcoma cells (SaOS-2). GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Poly(isosorbide succinate)-based in situ forming implants as potential systems for local drug delivery: Preliminary studies

In situ forming implants (ISFI) are proved to be effective drug delivery systems in various local therapies. This research focuses on preliminary characteristics of a new biodegradable ISFI formulation based on poly(isosorbide succinate) (PISU) for modulated, over 3-week, release of doxycycline hyclate (DOXY). The Alamar Blue cytotoxicity assay was carried out for PISU using FK-1 and AoSMC cell lines. PISU resin was found to be non-toxic in wide range of concentrations. The formulation viscosity, dependent on shear rate, facilitates its easy injection into required site where solid depot is formed immediately after injection. DOXY, incorporated into this formulation, was released in vitro within 21 days, during which collected solutions exhibited antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The morphology of the precipitated depots was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained results suggest potential applicability of this new PISU-based formulation as injectable drug delivery system forming implant at an injection site by phase separation and precipitation of the polymer.

Bio-Based Epoxies and Composites for Technical Applications

This paper focuses on the thermal and mechanical behavior of fiber-reinforced bio-epoxy materials in which the bio-content has been varied from 0 up to 100 %. Assorted formulations based on standard epoxy resin and epoxidized plant oil with varying bio-hardeners in differing matrix formulations, filler contents and fibers were used. DSC, TGA, DMA and HDT tests were carried out, as well as tensile and Charpy impact tests. The results show possible technical applications for bio-based epoxy materials.