Comparative Characterization and Identification of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Producing Bacteria with Subsequent Optimization of Polymer Yield

In this work, the strains Bacillus megaterium BM 1, Azotobacter chrocococcumAz 3, Bacillus araybhattay RA 5 were used as an effective producer of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate P(3HB). The purpose of the study was to isolate and obtain an effective producer of P(3HB) isolated from regional chestnut soils of northern Kazakhstan. This study demonstrates the possibility of combining the protective system of cells to physical stress as a way to optimize the synthesis of PHA by strains. Molecular identification of strains and amplification of the phbC gene, transmission electron microscope (TEM), extracted and dried PHB were subjected to Fourier infrared transmission spectroscopy (FTIR). The melting point of the isolated P(3HB) was determined. The optimal concentration of bean broth for the synthesis of P(3HB) for the modified type of Bacillus megaterium RAZ 3 was 20 g/L, at which the dry weight of cells was 25.7 g/L−1 and P(3HB) yield of 13.83 g/L−1, while the percentage yield of P(3HB) was 53.75%. The FTIR spectra of the extracted polymer showed noticeable peaks at long wavelengths. Based on a proof of concept, this study demonstrates encouraging results.

Fabrication of Magnesium-Silicon Nanocomplexes by the Interaction of Polyphenylsiloxane with Magnesium Carbonate

The interaction of magnesium carbonate with polyphenylsiloxane under the conditions of mechanochemical activation with subsequent heating has been investigated. Based on the TGA and DTA data, it has been shown that, upon heating up to 420°C, the reaction proceeded completely with the release of carbon dioxide. The polymer was dissolved in DMFA and purified by repeated precipitation with water. The polymer yield was 64%. The residue insoluble in organic solvents has been obtained by evaporation of an aqueous solution. The composition and structure of the synthesis products have been analyzed by means of element analysis, IR spectroscopy, and diffractometry. It has been demonstrated that the fraction soluble in DMFA had a silicon-to-magnesium ratio equal to 4.2, while the fraction isolated from water had this ratio equal to 1.0. The IR and XRD data enabled one to conclude that, regardless of the different compositions, the structures of all fractions were similar and corresponded to mesomorphic layered polymers produced by the ion exchange method.

Synthesis and physicochemical properties of poly[2-(cyclohex-2-en-1-yl)aniline] as a new polyaniline derivative

In this study, a new polyaniline (PANI) derivative, poly[2-(cyclohex-2-en-1-yl)aniline], was synthesized for the first time. It was shown by varying the synthetic parameters that the highest polymer yield was obtained...

3D printing orthopedic scoliosis braces: a test comparing FDM with thermoforming

In recent years, 3D printing gained considerable attention in the orthopedic sector. This work evaluates the feasibility of producing orthopedic scoliosis braces by 3D printing, comparing performance and costs with classical thermoforming procedures. Critical parameters, such as manufacture time, mechanical properties, weight, and comfort are carefully considered. Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG) was selected among the several filaments materials present on the market. Printed samples were analyzed with electronic microscope, tensile, and impact tests and compared with thermoformed polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) samples. Moreover, a cost analysis was carried out for the specific application. The thermoformed brace of a volunteer patient affected by scoliosis was reproduced using reverse-engineering techniques. The model was then printed as a single piece and postprocessed by an expert orthotist. Subsequently, the patient wore the brace in a pilot case to compare comfort and mechanical effectiveness. Results show that the 3D printing fabrication method is able to provide a valid alternative to the current fabrication methods, being also very competitive in terms of costs. The morphological analysis does not show critical defects in 3D printed samples, while the mechanical tests highlighted their anisotropy, with an overall brittleness of PETG samples in the direction orthogonal to the fibers. However, in terms of mechanical stresses, a back brace should never reach the polymer yield stress, otherwise the shape would be modified and the therapeutic effect could be compromised. Finally, the patient reported the perception of improved support and no significant comfort differences compared with the thermoformed brace.

A Novel Green Synthesis Method of Poly (3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane) Catalyzed by Treated Bentonite

The present work focuses on the preparation and characterization of poly(3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane) (PGPTMS) under mild conditions. Ring-opening polymerization of the 3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) is initiated with the bentonite of Maghnite-H+ (Mag-H+), an ecologic and low-cost catalyst. The evolution of epoxy ring-opening was studied in bulk and in solution using CH2Cl2 as solvent, as well as the influences of several factors such as the amount of Mag-H+, polymerization time and temperature on the yield of polymer were investigated. The best polymer yield (30 %) was obtained in bulk polymerization at room temperature (20 °C) for a reaction time 8 h, and it’s increases with time and reaches 68 % for 7 days. The structures of the obtained polymers (PGPTMS) were confirmed respectively by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The thermal properties of the prepared polymers were given by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the Tg of PGPTMS is recorded at -31.27 °C, and it is thermally stable with a degradation start temperature greater than 300 °C, all decomposition stopped at 600 °C. Copyright © 2020 BCREC Group. All rights reserved

Effect of different factors on the yield of epoxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane and evaluation of CO2 thickening

We focused on optimizing synthetic parameters based on a Taguchi design to maximize polymer yield and evaluate the polymer-thickening ability in CO2.

Temperature, Strain Rate and Pressure Sensitivity of the Polyetheretherketone’s Yield Stress

The polymer yield behavior is affected by temperature, strain rate and pressure. In this work, tensile yield stress of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is characterized for temperature ranging between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]C and [Formula: see text]C). The tensile yield stress is decreasing in terms of temperature. Two temperature transitions are observed: [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]C) and the glass transition temperature. The temperature sensitivity is well captured by the modified-Eyring equation proposed by the authors. This paper completes three previous works where the PEEK’s yield behavior was described under compression on wide ranges of strain rate and temperature and under tension on a wide range of strain rates. Thus, the pressure effect is analyzed in terms of temperature and strain rate. Using either the experimental data or the modified-Eyring equation, the effect of the hydrostatic pressure is increasing with temperature and decreasing with strain rate.

Effect of Oxygen and Initiator Solubility on Admicellar Polymerization of Styrene on Silica Surfaces

Although admicellar polymerization has been termed the surface analog of emulsion polymerization, previous reports utilizing free radical-initiated admicellar polymerization relied on high levels of the free radical initiator when compared to emulsion polymerization, likely due to the presence of oxygen in the reported admicellar polymerization systems. Admicellar polymerizations of styrene on the surface of precipitated silica initiated by either a water-soluble or a water-insoluble initiator were studied to determine the effect of dissolved oxygen and free radical initiator solubility on the kinetics, yield, and molecular weight of the polymer formed. Results show that the presence of oxygen reduces the polymer yield and limits molecular weight. The solubility of the initiator also affected the polymer formed in the admicellar polymerization of styrene. While monomer conversions and polymer yield were similar, the molecular weights of polymerizations initiated by a water-soluble initiator were higher than comparable polymerizations initiated by a water-insoluble initiator.

Radical Polymerization of a Novel Methacrylamide Derivative

The radical polymerization of a novel methacrylamide derivative, N-[o-(4-ethyl-4, 5-dihydro-1, 3-oxazol-2-yl) phenyl] methacrylamide ((S)-EtOPMAM), was carried out to obtained optically active polymers. The polymer yield and the chiroptical behavior of the resultant polymers have been examined in detail by using IR and 1H NMR spectroscopies in comparison with our previous observation. The polymers showed relatively high molecular weights (Mn=8000-16000) and largest specific rotations ([α]25D =+120.6o). Particularly, the largest specific optical rotation of the polymer is almost the six times of the monomer.