High Solids Content Waterborne Acrylic/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites by Miniemulsion Polymerization

Synthesis and Characterization of Dental Nanocomposite Resins Filled with Different Clay Nanoparticles

Nanotechnology comprises a promising approach towards the update of dental materials.The present study focuses on the reinforcement ofdental nanocomposite resins with diverse organomodified montmorillonite (OMMT) nanofillers. The aim is to investigate whether the presence of functional groups in the chemical structure of the nanoclay organic modifier may virtually influence the physicochemical and/or the mechanical attitude of the dental resin nanocomposites. The structure and morphology of the prepared materials were investigated by means of wide angle X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the variation of the degree of conversion over time. Measurements of polymerization shrinkage and mechanical properties were conducted with a linear variable displacement transducer apparatus and a dynamometer, respectively. All the obtained nanocomposites revealed intercalated structures and most of them had an extensive filler distribution into the polymer matrix. Polymerization kinetics werefound to be influenced by the variance of the clay organomodifier, whilenanoclays with vinyl groups considerably increased the degree of conversion. Polymerization shrinkage was almost limited up to 50% by incorporating nanoclays. The absence of reactive groups in the OMMT structure may retain setting contraction atlow levels. An enhancement of the flexural modulus was observed, mainly by using clay nanoparticles decorated with methacrylated groups, along with a decrease in the flexural strength at a high filler loading. The overall best performance was found for the nanocomposites with OMMTs containing double bonds. The significance of the current work relies on providing novel information about chemical interactions phenomena between nanofillers and the organic matrix towards the improvement of dental restorative materials.

K R. Antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and microbial barrier properties of poly (ε-caprolactone)/cloisite 30B thin films

Development of antibacterial and antibiofilm surfaces is in high demand. In this study, nanocomposite of Poly (ε-caprolactone)/Cloisite 30B was prepared by the solvent casting method. The membranes were characterised by SEM, AFM, and FTIR. Evaluation of water uptake, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and microbial barrier properties demonstrated a significant antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against MTCC strain of Staphylococcus haemolyticus and strong biofilm positive Staphylococcus epidermidis of clinical origin at low clay concentrations. These membranes acted as an excellent barrier to the penetration of microorganism. These nanocomposites can have promising applications in various fields including packaging.

MoS₂ nanoplatelet fillers for enhancement of the properties of waterborne pressure-sensitive adhesives

Nanocomposite pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) composed of polyurethane (PU)/(meth)acrylates reinforced with MoS2 nanoplatelets were prepared by blending aqueous dispersions. MoS2 crystals were exfoliated by sonication in water in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP, molecular weight of 10,000 g mol(-1)) to prepare an aqueous dispersion. Waterborne colloidal polymer particles (latex) were synthesized by miniemulsion photopolymerization in a continuous tubular reactor. The adhesive and mechanical properties from the resulting nanocomposite films were determined as the MoS2 fraction was increased. A superior balance of viscoelastic properties was achieved with 0.25 wt % loading of the MoS2 nanoplatelets, leading to a tack adhesion energy that was three times greater than that for the original PSA.

Silica encapsulation by miniemulsion polymerization: distribution and localization of the silica particles in droplets and latex particles

The impact of including hydrophobically modified silica on the morphology of miniemulsified monomer mixtures and that of the resulting polymer particles was investigated, with emphasis placed on the distribution and localization of the inorganic phase. Silica nanoparticles with diameters of 20 and 78 nm were first modified with γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (γ-MPS) to favor their dispersion in methyl methacrylate (MMA)/n-butyl acrylate (BuA) and mixtures of varying MMA to BuA weight ratios. The monomer-silica dispersions were then emulsified by ultrasonication, and the resulting silica-loaded droplets were examined using cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). This represents the first time such silica-loaded nanodroplets were examined in this way. The results of the cryo-TEM show that whereas the silica particles could easily be dispersed in MMA or a mixture of MMA and BuA to produce stable dispersions, the emulsification step promotes the (re)localization of the silica at the oil-water interfaces. It was also shown that not all droplets are equal; some droplets and particles contain no silica whereas others contain many silica particles. After the subsequent polymerization step, the silica was buried inside the latex particles.

High solid content latex: preparation methods and application

One of the major challenges in emulsion polymerization over the past two decades was how to increase the solid content of latex products. In contrast to the conventional latex, high solid content (HSC) latex has a large volume fraction of dispersed phase, even larger than 70% in weight. Conventional emulsion polymerization, miniemulsion polymerization, self-emulsification polymerization and concentrated emulsion polymerization were all used to prepare HSC latexes, and many good results have been reported in recent years. Meanwhile, many applications of HSC latexes have also been developed. The present review summarized the progresses in the past few years mainly on the preparation methods and application of HSC latexes. Finally, some research directions as well as prospects were also proposed.

Miniemulsion polymerization and the structure of polymer and hybrid nanoparticles

The miniemulsion process allows the formation of complex structured polymeric nanoparticles and the encapsulation of a solid or liquid, an inorganic or organic, or a hydrophobic or hydrophilic material into a polymer shell. Many different materials, ranging from organic and inorganic pigments, magnetite, or other solid nanoparticles, to hydrophobic and hydrophilic liquids, such as fragrances, drugs, or photoinitators, can be encapsulated. Functionalization of the nanoparticles can also be easily obtained. Compared to polymerization processes in organic solvents, polymerization to obtain polymeric nanoparticles can be performed in environmentally friendly solvents, usually water.