Synthesis of nanocomposites by employing inorganic materials as nanofillers is one of the most effective ways to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of conventional polymers. To design and create new nanomaterials with unprecedented functional attributes, the fabrication techniques and chemistries employed often have utmost importance to attain a better structureproperty relationship. In this respect, click chemistry-based functional methodologies hold great promise in the fabrication of polymeric nanocomposites due to their excellent features. In this contribution, poly (ε-caprolactone)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by Diels-Alder (DA) click reaction of maleimide end-group containing poly(ε-caprolactone) and furan functionalized montmorillonite (MMT). The methodology includes furan modification of MMT clay and ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone that was initiated with a masked maleimide group containing alcohol and following retro DA reaction to obtain maleimide end group functional poly(ε-caprolactone). Subsequently, polymer nanocomposites were efficiently fabricated via DA click reaction of functional poly(ε-caprolactone) polymer and modified clay in thermal heating conditions at 80 C. The characterization of poly(ε-caprolactone)/clay nanocomposites was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Obtained results demonstrated that DA click reaction can be fruitfully employed in the fabrication of MMT-based polymeric nanocomposites.
To achieve increased flow and reduce fouling, polymeric membranes can be functionalized with hydrophilic groups such as sulfone, amines, and others. This research has aimed at the sulfonation of Polysulfone (PSU) with various agents and at varying substitution degrees to change its hydrophobic character. PSU was also blended with Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is a more hydrophilic polymer. The phase inversion method was used to make PSU, PLA, sulfonated PSU, and PSU/PLA blend-based membranes. Sulfonation degrees of sulfonated PSU membranes were assessed using FT-IR, mechanical characteristics of membranes were determined, and thermal properties of membranes were clarified using DSC and TGA techniques. Hydrophilic natures and membrane alterations were investigated, as well as contact angle and water uptake measures. Among three distinct sulfonation agents (trimethylsilyl chlorosulfonate (TMSCS), sulfuric acid, and chlorosulfonic acid) employed to produce a 20% sulfonation degree of polysulfone, TMSCS was chosen as having the highest sulfonation efficiency (91.5%). With increasing sulfonation degree, a drop in molecular weight was seen in all sulfonated polysulfone samples. The mechanical strength values of polysulfone after sulfonation with TMSCS rose from 35.23 MPa to 63.35 MPa, while the contact angle value decreased from 85.58° to 71°. The contact angle value reduced from 85.58° to 64.68° while the mechanical strength of the PSU and PSU/PLA (50:50) blend increased from 35.23 MPa to 39.3 MPa. Membranes were also tested for pure water flux, hydrostability, and biostability. In terms of application requirements, it was determined that sulfonated PSU-based membranes manufactured with TMSCS with a 20% sulfonation degree and PSU/PLA blend-based membranes with a 50:50 (w:w) ratio have the optimum compositions with high flux quantities.
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