Novel Chemical Architectures Based on Beta-Cyclodextrin Derivatives Covalently Attached on Polymer Spheres.

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of polymer derivatives of beta-cyclodextrin (BCD), obtained by chemical grafting onto spherical polymer particles (200 nm) presenting oxirane functional groups at their surface. The polymer spheres were synthesized by emulsion polymerization of styrene (ST) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), followed by the grafting on the surface of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) by seeded emulsion polymerization. The BCD-polymer derivatives were obtained using two BCD derivatives with hydroxylic (BCD-OH) and amino groups (BCD-NH2). The degree of polymer covalent functionalization using the BCD-OH and BCD-NH2 derivatives were determined to be 4.27 and 19.19 weight %, respectively. The adsorption properties of the materials were evaluated using bisphenol A as a target molecule. The best fit for the adsorption kinetics was Lagergren's model (both for Qe value and for R2) together with Weber's intraparticle diffusion model in the case of ST-HEMA-GMA-BCD-NH2. The isothermal adsorption evaluation indicated that both systems follow a Langmuir type behavior and afforded a Qmax value of 148.37 mg g-1 and 37.09 mg g-1 for ST-HEMA-GMA-BCD-NH2 and ST-HEMA-GMA-BCD-OH, respectively. The BCD-modified polymers display a degradation temperature of over 400 °C which can be attributed to the existence of hydrogen bonds and BCD thermal degradation pathway in the presence of the polymers.

A Facile Synthesis Route of Hybrid Polyurea-Polyurethane-MWCNTs Nanocomposite Coatings for Ballistic Protection and Experimental Testing in Dynamic Regime.

This study describes a simple, practical, inexpensive, improved, and efficient novel method for obtaining polyurea-polyurethane-multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties, and their experimental testing in a dynamic regime. SEM and micro-CT investigations validated the homogeneity of the nanocomposite films and uniform dispersion of the nanofiller inside the polymeric matrix. The experimental measurements (TGA, DSC, DMA, and tensile tests) revealed improved thermal and mechanical properties of these new materials. To demonstrate that these nanocomposites are suitable for ballistic protection, impact tests were performed on aluminum plates coated with the polyurea-polyurethane MWCNTs nanocomposites, using a Hopkinson bar set-up. The experimental testing in the dynamic regime of the polyurea- polyurethane-coated aluminum plates confirmed that the nanocomposite layers allow the metal plate to maintain its integrity at a maximum force value that is almost 200% higher than for the uncoated metallic specimens.

Bisphenol A Adsorption on Silica Particles Modified with Beta-Cyclodextrins.

This study presents the synthesis of silica particles bearing two beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) (beta-cyclodextrin-BCD-OH and diamino butane monosubstituted beta-cyclodextrin-BCD-NH2). The successful synthesis of the BCD-modified silica was confirmed by FT-IR and TGA. Using contact angle measurements, BET analysis and SEM characterization, a possible formation mechanism for the generation of silica particles bearing BCD derivatives on their surface was highlighted. The obtained modified silica displayed the capacity to remove bisphenol A (BPA) from wastewater due to the presence of the BCD moieties on the surface of the silica. The kinetic analysis showed that the adsorption reached equilibrium after 180 min for both materials with qe values of 107 mg BPA/g for SiO2-BCD-OH and 112 mg BPA/g for SiO2-BCD-NH2. The process followed Ho's pseudo-second-order adsorption model sustaining the presence of adsorption sites with different activities. The fitting of the Freundlich isotherm model on the experimental results was also evaluated, confirming the BCD influence on the materials' adsorption properties.