Immobilization of Air-Stable Copper Nanoparticles on Graphene Oxide Flexible Hybrid Films for Smart Clothes

Through the use of organic/inorganic hybrid dispersants—which are composed of polymeric dispersant and two-dimension nanomaterial graphene oxide (GO)—copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were found to exhibit nano stability, air-stable characteristics, as well as long-term conductive stability. The polymeric dispersant consists of branched poly(oxyethylene)-segmented esters of trimellitic anhydride adduct (polyethylene glycol−trimethylolpropane−trimellitic anhydride, designated as PTT). PTT acts as a stabilizer for CuNPs, which are synthesized via in situ polymerization and redox reaction of the precursor Cu(CH3COO)2 within an aqueous system, and use graphene oxide to avoid the reduction reaction of CuNPs. The results show that after 30 days of storage the CuNPs/PTT/GO composite film maintains a highly conductive network (9.06 × 10−1 Ω/sq). These results indicate that organic/inorganic PTT/GO hybrid dispersants can effectively maintain the conductivity stability of CuNPs and address the problem of CuNP oxidation. Finally, the new CuNPs/PTT/GO composite film was applied to the electrocardiogram (ECG) smart clothes. This way, a stable and antioxidant-sensing electrode can be produced, which is expected to serve as a long-term ECG monitoring device.

Mechanical Durability of Flexible Printed Circuit Boards Containing Thin Coverlays Fabricated with Poly(Amide-Imide-Urethane)/Epoxy Interpenetrating Networks

Because electronics are becoming flexible, the demand for techniques to manufacture thin flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) has increased. Conventional FPCBs are fabricated by attaching a coverlay film (41 μm) onto copper patterns/polyimide (PI) film to produce the structure of coverlay/Cu patterns/PI film. Given that the conventional coverlay consists of two layers of polyimide film and adhesive, its thickness must be reduced to generate thinner FPCBs. In this study, we fabricated 25-μm-thick poly(amide-imide-urethane)/epoxy interpenetrating networks (IPNs) to replace the thick conventional coverlay. Poly(amide-imide-urethane) (PAIU) was synthesized by reacting isocyanate-capped polyurethane with trimellitic anhydride and then mixed with epoxy resin to produce PAIU/epoxy IPNs after curing. Thanks to the soft segments of polyurethane, the elongation of PAIU/epoxy IPNs increased with increasing PAIU content and reached over 200%. After confirming the excellent thermal stability and chemical resistance of the PAIU/epoxy IPNs, we fabricated FPCBs by equipping them as coverlays. The mechanical durability of the FPCBs was evaluated through an MIT folding test, and the FPCB fabricated with PAIU/ep-2 was stable up to 164 folding cycles because of the balanced mechanical properties.

Effective removal of Basic Red 12 dye by novel antimicrobial trimellitic anhydride isothiocyanate-cross-linked chitosan hydrogels

Dyes removal from wastewater of industries is considered the prime demand of the environment. Three trimellitic anhydride isothiocyanate-cross-linked chitosan hydrogels, previously reported as novel antimicrobial agents, were investigated for the first time in this work as adsorbents for Basic Red 12 (BR 12) cationic dye. These hydrogels behave as polyanionic materials. Their adsorption capacity for the BR 12 dye increased significantly with increasing both the temperature, the solution pH and their cross-linking content. Their adsorption fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Their adsorption isotherms conform to the Langmuir model suggesting that the adsorption nature is a monolayer having an optimum sorption capability of 38.27 mg g−1 and removal efficiency of 97.38%. The results proved that the adsorption process is remarkably proceeded by chemisorption phenomenon. The data of adsorption thermodynamics indicate that the adsorption is an endothermic process. The regeneration and reuse of the hydrogels were possible. Thus, incorporation of the functionality of the cross-linker into chitosan within the same structure efficiently enhanced its features. It is a good manner for achieving appropriate series of efficient adsorbents which are considered as favorable nominees in the field of basic dyes removal.

Synthesis of three novel silane-based carboxylic acids for application in methacrylated epoxy-based oligomers and their ability in the UV curable hybrid coatings

In this study, bromoacetic acid was reacted with 3-(mercaptopropyl) trimethoxy silane (MPTS) and trimethoxy silyl propyl thioacetic acid (TSTA) was produced. Also, bromoacetic acid was reacted with 3-(triethoxysilyl) propylamine (APTS), and triethoxysilyl propylamino acetic acid (TSPA) was synthesized. Finally, from a reaction between trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and APTS, trimellitylimidopropyl triethoxysilane (TMIS) resulted. In all reactions mentioned above, a carboxylic acid head and a trialkoxy silane tail including reactants were obtained. Furthermore, hybrid coatings based on methacrylated bisphenol A epoxy (MBAE) and synthesized carboxylic acids were obtained by photopolymerization. Polycarbonate substrates were utilized for preparation of transparent hybrid films. Then, the solvent resistance, hardness, gel content as well as the adhesion of coatings were measured as physical and mechanical properties. According to the obtained results, these properties of hybrid coatings improved with the increase in alkoxysilanes and sol–gel precursor contents. The surface morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that silica particles were not dispersed homogenously at the molecular level in the hybrid system. Also, the thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that alkoxysilanes enhanced the thermal oxidative stability of the hybrid coatings.

Preparation and Properties of Waterborne Varnish for On-Demand Inkjet Printing

A kind of waterborne varnish for inkjet printing was synthesized, and properties of the waterborne varnish were characterized to make it suitable for the glazing requirements of inkjet printing and other printability requirements. The waterborne varnish was synthesized from epoxy resin (E-51), epoxy diluent (ED), acrylic acid, trimellitic anhydride, maleic anhydride and organic amine by three steps of ring opening reaction, esterification reaction, neutralization reaction. The viscosity, film-forming property, water absorption of waterborne varnish and the water resistance, lightness, wear resistance and bonding strength of coated paper were tested. The effects of the ratio of E-51 and ED in the polymerization system on the properties of waterborne varnish were studied. In the test of printability of self-made waterborne varnish, the absorption of digital inkjet paper to varnish and the influence of varnish on color reproduction of printed image were discussed and studied. The results show that when the molar ratio of epoxy group in E-51 and ED is about 1:1, the prepared varnish is suitable for inkjet printing, and its film-forming property, such as water resistance, adhesion and friction resistance are better. At the same time, its printability is also better.

Fabrication and characterization of the ternary composite catalyst system of ZnGA/RET/DMC for the terpolymerization of CO2, propylene oxide and trimellitic anhydride

For poly(propylene carbonate trimellitic anhydride) with good yield, thermal stability and high molecular weight, a catalyst of zinc glutarate/rare earth ternary complex/double metal cyanide was used for terpolymerization of CO2, propylene oxide and trimellitic anhydride.