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Mariani A, Malucelli G. Polymer Hydrogels and Frontal Polymerization: A Winning Coupling. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4242. [PMID: 37959922 PMCID: PMC10647350 DOI: 10.3390/polym15214242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymer hydrogels are 3D networks consisting of hydrophilic crosslinked macromolecular chains, allowing them to swell and retain water. Since their invention in the 1960s, they have become an outstanding pillar in the design, development, and application of engineered polymer systems suitable for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications (such as drug or cell delivery, the regeneration of hard and soft tissues, wound healing, and bleeding prevention, among others). Despite several well-established synthetic routes for developing polymer hydrogels based on batch polymerization techniques, about fifteen years ago, researchers started to look for alternative methods involving simpler reaction paths, shorter reaction times, and lower energy consumption. In this context, frontal polymerization (FP) has undoubtedly become an alternative and efficient reaction model that allows for the conversion of monomers into polymers via a localized and propagating reaction-by means of exploiting the formation and propagation of a "hot" polymerization front-able to self-sustain and propagate throughout the monomeric mixture. Therefore, the present work aims to summarize the main research outcomes achieved during the last few years concerning the design, preparation, and application of FP-derived polymeric hydrogels, demonstrating the feasibility of this technique for the obtainment of functional 3D networks and providing the reader with some perspectives for the forthcoming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Mariani
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
- Consorzio Interuniversitario per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali, INSTM, Via Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Giulio Malucelli
- Consorzio Interuniversitario per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali, INSTM, Via Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Viale Teresa Michel 5, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
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Suslick BA, Hemmer J, Groce BR, Stawiasz KJ, Geubelle PH, Malucelli G, Mariani A, Moore JS, Pojman JA, Sottos NR. Frontal Polymerizations: From Chemical Perspectives to Macroscopic Properties and Applications. Chem Rev 2023; 123:3237-3298. [PMID: 36827528 PMCID: PMC10037337 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis and processing of most thermoplastics and thermoset polymeric materials rely on energy-inefficient and environmentally burdensome manufacturing methods. Frontal polymerization is an attractive, scalable alternative due to its exploitation of polymerization heat that is generally wasted and unutilized. The only external energy needed for frontal polymerization is an initial thermal (or photo) stimulus that locally ignites the reaction. The subsequent reaction exothermicity provides local heating; the transport of this thermal energy to neighboring monomers in either a liquid or gel-like state results in a self-perpetuating reaction zone that provides fully cured thermosets and thermoplastics. Propagation of this polymerization front continues through the unreacted monomer media until either all reactants are consumed or sufficient heat loss stalls further reaction. Several different polymerization mechanisms support frontal processes, including free-radical, cat- or anionic, amine-cure epoxides, and ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The choice of monomer, initiator/catalyst, and additives dictates how fast the polymer front traverses the reactant medium, as well as the maximum temperature achievable. Numerous applications of frontally generated materials exist, ranging from porous substrate reinforcement to fabrication of patterned composites. In this review, we examine in detail the physical and chemical phenomena that govern frontal polymerization, as well as outline the existing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A Suslick
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Julie Hemmer
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Brecklyn R Groce
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 United States
| | - Katherine J Stawiasz
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Philippe H Geubelle
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Giulio Malucelli
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Alberto Mariani
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Jeffrey S Moore
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - John A Pojman
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 United States
| | - Nancy R Sottos
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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Nuvoli L, Conte P, Garroni S, Farina V, Piga A, Fadda C. Study of the Effects Induced by Ball Milling Treatment on Different Types of Hydrocolloids in a Corn Starch-Rice Flour System. Foods 2020; 9:E517. [PMID: 32325986 PMCID: PMC7230955 DOI: 10.3390/foods9040517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of ball milling treatment on both the structure and properties of guar gum (GG), tara gum (TG), and methylcellulose (MC) were analyzed prior to assessing their potential interactions with starch components when they are used alone or in blends in a corn starch-rice flour system. X-ray diffraction profiles showed that the ball milling caused a reduction in the crystallin domain and, in turn, a diminished viscosity of the GG aqueous solutions. Despite an increase in its viscosity properties, effects on TG were minimal, while the milled MC exhibited reduced crystallinity, but similar viscosity. When both milled and un-milled hydrocolloids were individually added to the starch-flour system, the pasting properties of the resulting mixtures seemed to be affected by the type of hydrocolloid added rather than the structural changes induced by the treatment. All hydrocolloids increased the peak viscosity of the binary blends (especially pure GG), but only milled and un-milled MC showed values of setback and final viscosity similar to those of the individual starch. Ball milling seemed to be more effective when two combined hydrocolloids (milled GG and MC) were simultaneously used. No significant differences were observed in the viscoelastic properties of the blends, except for un-milled GG/starch, milled TG/starch, and milled MC/milled TG/starch gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Nuvoli
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari and INSTM, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.N.); (S.G.); (V.F.)
| | - Paola Conte
- Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Sebastiano Garroni
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari and INSTM, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.N.); (S.G.); (V.F.)
| | - Valeria Farina
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari and INSTM, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.N.); (S.G.); (V.F.)
| | - Antonio Piga
- Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Costantino Fadda
- Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.P.); (C.F.)
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