Search results for "MORPHOLOGY"
showing 10 items of 1425 documents
Polymeric scaffolds prepared via Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS): Tuning of structure and morphology
2007
Scaffolds suitable for tissue engineering applications were prepared by Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS) starting from a ternary solution PLLA/dioxane/water. The experimental protocol consisted of three consecutive steps, a first quench from the homogeneous solution to an appropriate demixing temperature (within the metastable region), a holding stage for a given residence time and a final quench from the demixing temperature to a low temperature (within the unstable region). A large variety of morphologies, in terms of average pore size and interconnection, were obtained upon modifying the demixing time and temperature, owing to the interplay of nucleation and growth processes dur…
Effect of the Components Molar Mass and of the Mixing Conditions on the Compatibilization of PE/LCP Blends by PE-g-LCP Copolymers
1999
The rheology, morphology, and mechanical properties of blends of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with a semiflexible liquid crystalline copolyester (SBH) were studied in order to assess the compatibilizing ability of added PE-g-SBH copolymers, and its dependence on the molar mass of the PE matrix, and on the technique used for blend preparation. The PE-g-SBH copolymers were synthesized as described in previous articles, either by the polycondensation of the SBH monomers in the presence of a functionalized PE sample containing free carboxyl groups, or by reactive blending of the latter polymer with preformed SBH. Two samples of HDPE having different molar masses, and two samples of SBH with…
Compatibilization of blends of polyethylene with a semirigid liquid crystalline polymer by PE-g-LCP copolymers
1997
The blends of thermoplastics with liquid crystalline polymers show, in general, poor properties because of the lack of adherence between the two phases. The use of ad hoc synthesized copolymers containing the monomer units of the two polymers has been recently considered by some of us for blend compatibilization, and the results appear promising. In this work, new PE-g-LCP copolymers, prepared either by the synthesis of the LCP in the presence of a functionalized PE, or by reactive blending of the latter polymer with preformed LCP, have been employed as compatibilizing additives for blends of PE with a semirigid LCP. The morphology and the rheological and mechanical properties of the ternar…
Novel cuprous oxide morphologies using amino acids and carboxylic acids as structure directing agents in a simple hydrothermal method
2021
Abstract The reactivity and catalytic performance of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) particles rely on the size and morphology of the Cu2O crystals. In this study, a facile and mild hydrothermal route is applied to generate novel uniform cuprous oxide microcrystals, using non-toxic and low-cost carboxylic acids (O,O-type) and amino acids (N,O-type) as structure directing agents. N,O-type complexing agents showed a higher ability to reduce the copper species compared to the O,O-type ligands. Using oxalate and citrate complexes, pure Cu2O was obtained after 4 h at 200 °C, whereas the oxalate-based complex leads to the morphology of uniformly stepped microcubes, the citrate complex as precursor leads to …
Modelling Monomer/Disc Composites Phase Behaviour
2012
Summary: A model developed by Balazs' group to explain the phase behaviour of polymer/clay composites is extended to obtain an expression for the free energy of polymer/thin disc mixtures. Phase diagrams for monomer/disc mixtures are built by minimizing the free energy and calculating the chemical potentials of the three system components. Via the comparison of the diagrams, it is studied the effects of nanodisc size and interaction parameters on mixture stability and attained morphology. The performed predictions between monomers and discs give criteria that advance the properties of the mixture. Changes in monomer concentration and interaction parameters provide a means to prevent van der…
Reprocessing and Properties of Homopolymer Blends of Virgin and Recycled Polymers
1998
The blends of the same virgin and recycled polymer, (homopolymer or “monopolymer” blends), show rheological and mechanical properties in most cases between those of the two components athough, in general, lower than those expected on the basis of additivity rules. In some cases, however, a minimum observed in some property versus composition curves is correlated with the change of the crystalline morphology induced by structural differences of the two components and due to different molecular weights and, in particular, the presence of oxygenated groups. In this chapter, the main properties of some homopolymer blends will be reviewed by considering, in particular, the influence of compositi…
PLLA/PLA scaffolds prepared via Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS): tuning of properties and biodegradability
2008
Foams for tissue engineering applications were prepared via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) and blends of PLLA with PLA in different proportions were used (100/0, 90/10, 75/25, 50/50, 0/100 PLLA/PLA wt/wt) starting from ternary systems where dioxane was the solvent and water the non-solvent. Morphology was evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (average pore size and interconnection) and the void fraction was measured by means of Hg porosimetry. Foams apparent density was also evaluated (porosity ranges from 87% to 92%). Biodegradability was estimated in a body mimicking fluid. Results show that structure and morphology (in terms of average pore size …
Synthesis and Characterization of Syndiotactic Polystyrene-Polyethylene Block Copolymer
2019
The direct synthesis of syndiotactic polystyrene-block-polyethylene copolymer (sPS-b-PE) with a diblock structure has been achieved. The synthetic strategy consists of the sequential stereocontrolled polymerization of styrene and ethylene in the presence of a single catalytic system: cyclopentadienyltitanium(IV) trichloride activated by modified methylaluminoxane (CpTiCl3/MMAO). The reaction conditions suitable for affording the partially living polymerization of these monomers were identified, and the resulting copolymer, purified from contaminant homopolymers, was fully characterized. Gel permeation chromatography coupled with two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy COSY, HSQC, and DOSY confirme…
Spatial and short-term temporal variations in runoff, soil aggregation and other soil properties along a Mediterranean Climatological Gradient.
1998
Abstract Physical and chemical soil properties were measured along a mountainous climatological gradient in the province of Alicante (Spain). The objective was to evaluate how the climate affects certain soil properties at different temporal and spatial scales. These properties include infiltration, runoff and sediment concentrations resulting from rainfall simulation experiments performed in winter and in summer. Chemical soil properties like carbonate content, organic matter content and CEC were analysed in reference soil profiles along the gradient. Physical soil properties like soil moisture content, macroaggregation and waterstable microaggregation were measured at monthly intervals du…
Structure and morphology of liquid-crystalline polymers
2007
Liquid-crystalline phases are characterized by structures intermediate between a three-dimensionally ordered crystal and a disordered fluid. Polymers with liquid-crystalline structures can be obtained from specific monomers containing mesogenic groups with a tendency to form liquid-crystalline phases. These mesogenic groups are either incorporated into the main chain or attached to a chain as side groups. In both cases liquid-crystalline structures, and also enantiotropic liquid-crystalline phases, have been reported. Smectic polymers are characterized by layered structures with long-range order in the direction of the layer normal and two-dimensional short-range order within the layers. Th…