Zakir M. O. Rzayev

Controlled graft copolymerization of lactic acid onto starch in a supercritical carbon dioxide medium.

This work presents a new approach for the synthesis of a starch-g-poly L-lactic acid (St-g-PLA) copolymer via the graft copolymerization of LA onto starch using stannous 2-ethyl hexanoate (Sn(Oct)2) as a catalyst in a supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) medium. The effects of several process parameters, including the pressure, temperature, scCO2 flow rate and reaction time, on the polymerization yield and grafting degree were studied. Amorphous graft St-g-PLA copolymers with increased thermal stability and processability were produced with a high efficiency. The maximum grafting degree (i.e., 52% PLA) was achieved with the following reaction conditions: 6h, 100°C, 200 bar and a 1:3 (w/w) ratio of St/LA. It was concluded that these low cost biobased graft biopolymers are potential candidates for several environment-friendly applications.

Functional Copolymer/Organo-MMT Nanoarchitectures. XXII. Fabrication and Characterization of Antifungal and Antibacterial Poly (Vinyl Alcohol-co-Vinyl Acetate/ODA-MMT/AgNPs Nanofibers and Nanocoatings by e-Spinning and c-Spinning Methods

Nanofibrous films and coatings were fabricated by electrospinning and centrifugal spinning of aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate)/octadecyl amine-montmorillonite layered silicate nanocomposites with/without in situ generated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Characterization of nanofibers were realized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and thermal analysis methods. It was found that AgNPs significantly accelerated phase separation process providing fine distribution of nanofibers. Antifungal and antimicrobial activities of nanocomposites investigated by using Candida Spp fungals, G-positive and G-negative microorganisms strongly depended on chemical/physical structural factors, and loading silver species. Observed effective properties of nanomaterials can be employed for many applications (e.g., air filtration, food packaging, biomedical). GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Microwave-assisted rapid synthesis of poly(glycerol-sebacate) elastomers

Poly(glycerol-sebacate) (PGS) was introduced a decade ago as a potential material for soft tissue repair. All of the proposed copolymerization reactions in the literature include a two-stage (prepolymerization and curing) synthesis where the reaction times can take as long as several days. This study, on the other hand, proposes a new route that eliminates these disadvantages and enables a rapid synthesis of PGS elastomers via microwave-assisted prepolymerization in minutes instead of days. No purge gas, catalyst or vacuum is needed in the first prepolymerization step. The curing stage was carried out at 150 °C for 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting temperatures for the glycerol and sebacic acid fragments (Tm1 and Tm2 ) of these PGS elastomers were found as -35.61 °C, -15.82 °C, and 61.70 °C, respectively. The Youngs modulus and tensile strength values were found as 0.50 ± 0.02 MPa and 0.27 ± 0.06 MPa, respectively.

Fabrication and characterization of novel starch-grafted poly l-lactic acid/montmorillonite organoclay nanocomposites

In this work, poly(L-lactic acid)-g-starch layered silicate nanocomposites (NCs) (PLLA-g-starch/MMT) were fabricated by intercalative bulk graft copolymerization of LA with starch, in the presence of either stannous octoate acting as a catalyst or LA-MMT organoclay acting as a cocatalyst-nanofiller. This procedure was performed inside a custom vacuum micro-reactor. To better understand the graft copolymerization mechanism, in situ processing types, interfacial interactions and nanostructure formation of PLLA-g-starch/MMT NCs, methods such as FT-IR, XRD, (1)H NMR, (13)C CP/MAS-NMR, DSC/TGA, TEM and SEM were utilized. The morphology and thermal behaviors of nanocomposites were found to be strongly dependent on the loading mass fraction of LA-MMT within the nanocomposite structure and the type of in situ processing such as interfacial, physical and chemical interactions. Preintercalated LA-MMT organoclay exhibited dual functions. It demonstrated the ability to act as a catalyst, essentially accelerating in situ graft copolymerization via esterification of LA carboxyl groups with hydroxyl groups of starch macromolecules, whilst also acting as a nananofiller-compatibilizer.

Novel multifunctional colloidal carbohydrate nanofiber electrolytes with excellent conductivity and responses to bone cancer cells.

This work presents a new approach to fabricating novel polymer nanofiber composites (NFCs) from water solution blends of PVA (hydrolyzed 89%)/ODA-MMT and Na-CMC/ODA-MMT nanocomposites as well as their folic acid (FA) incorporated modifications (NC-3-FA and NC-4-FA) through green electrospinning nanotechnology. The chemical and physical structures and surface morphology of the nanofiber composites were confirmed. Significant improvements in nanofiber morphology and size distribution of the NFC-3-FA and NFC-4-FA nanofibers with lower average means 110 and 113nm compared with those of NFC-1/NFC-2 nanofibers (270 and 323nm) were observed. The structural elements of polymer NFCs, particularly loaded partner NC-2, plays an important role in chemical and physical interfacial interactions, phase separation processing and enables the formation of nanofibers with unique morphology and excellent conductivity (NFC-3-FA 3.25×10(-9)S/cm and NFC-4-FA 8.33×10(-4)S/cm). This is attributed to the higher surface contact areas and multifunctional self-assembled supramacromolecular nanostructures of amorphous colloidal electrolytes. The anticancer activity of FA-containing nanofibers against osteocarcinoma cells were evaluated by cytotoxicity, apoptotic and necrotic analysis methods.

Fabrication and characterization of PVA/ODA-MMT-poly(MA-alt-1-octadecene)-g-graphene oxide e-spun nanofiber electrolytes and their response to bone cancer cells

This work presents a new approach to fabrication and characterization of novel polymer nanofiber electrolytes from intercalated PVA/ODA-MMT nanocomposite as a matrix polymer and encapsulated graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets with amphiphilic reactive copolymer as partner polymers using electrospinning method. The chemical and physical structures, surface morphology, thermal behaviors and electric conductivity of nanocomposites and nanofibers were investigated using analyses methods including FTIR, XRD, SEM, DSC-TGA and conductivity analysis. Significant improvements in nanofiber morphology and size distribution were observed when GO and reactive organoclay were incorporated as reinforcement fillers into various matrix/partner solution blends. The structural factors of matrix-partner polymer nanocomposite particles with higher zeta-potential play important roles in both chemical and physical interfacial interactions and phase separation processing and also lead to the formation of nanofibers with unique surface morphologies and good conductivities. The cytotoxic, necrotic and apoptotic effects of chosen nanofibers on osteocarcinoma cells were also investigated. These multifunctional, self-assembled, nanofibrous surfaces can serve as semi-conductive and bioactive platforms in various electrochemical and bio-engineering processes, as well as reactive matrices used for the immobilization of various biopolymer precursors.

Synthesis and characterization of poly(glycerol-co-sebacate-co-ε-caprolactone) elastomers

In this study, poly(glycerol‐co‐sebacate‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) (PGSCL) elastomers were synthesized for the first time from the respective monomers. The structural analysis of PGSCL elastomers by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the elastomers have a high number of hydrogen bonds and crosslinks. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis indicated an amorphous state. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed that the elastomers has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of –36.96°C. The Youngs modulus and compression strength values were calculated as 46.08 MPa and 3.192 MPa, respectively. Calculations based on acid number and end groups analysis revealed a number average molecular weight of 148.15 kDa. Even though the foaming studies conducted by using supercritical CO2 resulted in a porous structure; the obtained morphology tended to disappear after 48 h, leaving small cracks on the surface. This phenomenon was interpreted as an indication of self‐healing due to the high number of hydrogen bonds. The PGSCL elastomers synthesized in this study are flexible, robust to compression forces and have self‐healing capacity. Thanks to good biocompatibility and poor cell‐adhesion properties, the elastomers may find diverse applications where a postoperative adhesion barrier is required. Copyright

Multifunctional electroactive electrospun nanofiber structures from water solution blends of PVA/ODA–MMT and poly(maleic acid-alt-acrylic acid): effects of Ag, organoclay, structural rearrangement and NaOH doping factors

Novel multifunctional colloidal polymer nanofiber electrolytes were fabricated by green reactive electrospinning nanotechnology from various water solution/dispersed blends of poly (vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (PVA)/octadecyl amine-montmorillonite (ODA–MMT) as matrix polymer nanocomposite and poly(maleic acid-alt-acrylic acid) (poly(MAc-alt-AA) and/or its Ag-carrying complex as partner copolymers. Polymer nanofiber electrolytes were characterized using FTIR, XRD, thermal (DSC, TGA–DTG), SEM, and electrical analysis methods. Effects of partner copolymers, organoclay, in situ generated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and annealing procedure on physical and chemical properties of polymer composite nanofibers were investigated. The electrical properties (resistance, conductivity, activation energy) of nanofibers with/without NaOH doping agent were also evaluated. This work presented a structural rearrangement of nanofiber mats by annealing via decarboxylation of anhydride units with the formation of new conjugated double bond sites onto partner copolymer main chains. It was also found that the semiconductor behaviors of nanofiber structures were essentially improved with increasing temperature and fraction of partner copolymers as well as presence of organoclay and AgNPs in nanofiber composite.

Functional Copolymer/Organo-MMT Nanoarchitectures: XXVI. Fabrication and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers from PCL/ODA-MMT and Copolymer-g-PLA/ Ag-MMT Blends

We synthesized poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/octadecyl amine-montmorillonite clay nanocomposite as a matrix polymer by solution intercalative method and new amphiphilic poly(maleic anhydrde-alt-1-octadecene)-g-poly(L-lactic acid)/Ag+-montmorillonite clay nanocomposite as a partner polymer by interlamellar graft copolymerization of lactic acid onto anhydride copolymer in the presence of silver salt of montmorillonite clay as catalyst-nanofiller. Novel polymer nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning of matrix/partner blends with different volume ratios. The nanocomposites and nanofibers were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis–differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscope–transmission electron microscope methods. The diameters, morphologies, and thermal behavior of fibers were strongly depended on the partner-polymer nanocomposites loadings. The fabricated biocompatible and biodegradable nanofibers can be utilized for biomedical and filtration applications. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Multifunctional PP-Based Nanocomposites Incorporated with Organoclays, Poly(MA-alt-1-Dodecene)-g-SiO2 Nanoparticles and Bioengineering Polyesters in Melt by Reactive Extrusion

ABSTRACT Polypropylene-based multifunctional nanocomposites were fabricated in melt by a one-step reactive extrusion using a twin-screw extruder. The in situ chemical and physical processes during the extrusion of polymer blend composites consisting (1) polypropylene as a matrix polymer, (2) polypropylene–g-maleic anhydride graft copolymer compatibilizer, (3) copolymer–g-SiO2 encapsulated nanoparticles, (4) biodegradable polyesters, and (5) reactive and nonreactive organoclay nanofillers were investigated. The crystallinity, thermal stability, rheological, mechanical parameters, and surface and internal morphologies of the nanocomposites have been improved compared to polypropylene and its composites. Moreover, the colloidal copolymer–silica nanoparticles play an important role in the formation of nanocomposites with well dispersion in morphology. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT