A series of polyurethane (PU) ionomers with different degree of sulfonation (DS) have been synthesized and successfully used as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel (MS) in acidic medium. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectra of the sulfonated PUs confirmed the sulfonation on the .NH group of the urethane linkage and DS increases with the increase in the ratio of the sulfonating agent and PU. More than 90% inhibition efficiency (IE) of sulfonated polyurethanes (SPU) has been reported using only 20 ppm of the ionomers. These ionomers inhibited the corrosion of MS through adsorption following the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Surface coverage has been scaled using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effect of sulfonation on the electronic and chemical structure of PU molecules has also been investigated. Electronic structure calculations have been performed to predict the adsorption behavior of ionomers on the metal surface, and thereby, the relative inhibition has been quantitatively correlated with DS.

The inhibitive effect of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (DMABT) on the corrosion of mild steel (MS) in 1 N HCl and 1 N H 2 SO 4 solutions was investigated by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements. It is inferred on the basis of the obtained results that DMABT is a mixed-type inhibitor, predominantly retarding cathodic reaction in both acidic media through adsorption on a MS surface. Adsorption obeys Langmuir's adsorption isotherm in both acidic media. The observations regarding energy-dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy confirm the existence of a protective film of the inhibitor on a MS surface. The molecular adsorption of DMABT was ascertained by density functional theory data.

Surface functionalization of graphene oxide with sulfonate group and subsequent grafting with polyurethane chains leads to the significant improvement in the properties of polymer and modified graphene as a filler. Modification of graphene oxide is revealed through spectroscopy while grafting of polymer chain over sulfonated graphene is confirmed through 1H NMR and other techniques. Higher order of self-assembly phenomena is observed in nanohybrids as compared to pure polymer through greater interaction between polymer chain and sulfonated graphene. Significant improvement in corrosion inhibition phenomena is observed using nanohybrids at low concentration as compared to pure polymer indicating its superior efficiency as a corrosion inhibitor. Nanohybrids also exhibit better biocompatible nature in lower concentration of filler with considerable sustained release of drug vis-à-vis pure polymer suggest its potential to use as a biomaterial for tissue engineering applications.

Background Implanon ® insertion appears to be an easy procedure, but in a small minority of cases difficulties have been encountered with removal if the rod is impalpable.Methods Patients were referred to the contraceptive and sexual health service with non-palpable Implanon. Following a clinical assessment and examination of the arm where the implant had been inserted, an ultrasound examination was carried out to identify and locate the implant. These implants were subsequently removed, some under general anaesthesia and others under local anaesthesia.Results Twenty-seven patients were referred to the unit with impalpable Implanon rods. In four cases the rods were palpable and were removed in the clinic setting without the need for further intervention. Positive identification of the implants was achieved in 21 of the remaining 23 cases using ultrasound. No implant was detected in two cases and etonogestrel was not demonstrated serologically in either woman, suggesting non-insertion. All 21 Implanon rods identified by ultrasound were successfully removed. In just over 52% of women a previous attempt at removal had been undertaken prior to referral. Conclusions It is possible to identify and locate impalpableImplanon rods with the aid of ultrasound, facilitating their subsequent safe removal. Although previous reports have identified the position of 'lost' implants using ultrasound, this is the first case series to discuss measuring the skin/implant depth. This parameter, together with the precise position of the implant (in muscle or fat), aids removal. All health professionals inserting and removing contraceptive implants should have been appropriately trained. Key message pointsG Non-palpable Implanon ® rods are not radio-opaque but can be identified and located by ultrasound scanning carried out by a skilled ultrasonographer.G Ultrasound detection facilitates safe and uneventful removal of the contraceptive implant.G Early referral of women with non-palpable Implanon rods to centres of expertise should be made to avoid unnecessary patient distress. Clinicians should not attempt removal themselves.G Care should be taken at insertion to ensure subdermal placement of the Implanon rod.

Objective To determine whether or not migration of the Implanon ® rod does occur if correctly positioned and, if indeed migration does occur, to measure the degree of such migration. Methods A prospective study of 100 women who requested and had Implanon rods inserted by one fully trained health care professional holding the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care Letter of Competence in Subdermal Contraceptive Implant Techniques. Measurements were made from the insertion site to the distal end of the rods at 3 and 12 months post-insertion. Results Of the 100 women studied, 95 were seen for followup at 3 months. There was no migration of Implanon in 58 (61%) patients. Of the remaining 37 (39%) patients where migration had occurred, 34 showed migration caudally and only three demonstrated cranial migration. With regard to the degree of migration, all but one case showed this to be less than 2 cm either cranially or caudally. At 1-year followup 87 patients were seen. No migration was noted in 39 (45%) patients. In the remaining 48 (55%) patients where migration had occurred, 44 showed migration caudally and only four demonstrated cranial migration, which in one case was over 2 cm. With regard to the degree of migration, all but one case showed this to be less than 2 cm either cranially or caudally. The measurement in the single case showing migration over 2 cm at 3 months remained the same at the 1-year follow-up. Conclusions These results show that up to 1 year after insertion of Implanon significant migration of the rod does not occur. The degree of migration noted in all cases except one was less than 2 cm. Where migration was noted, in the majority of cases this occurred caudally towards the insertion site. There were no cases of deep migration.