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Kheradmandkeysomi M, Salehi A, Jalali A, Omranpour H, Tafreshi OA, Naguib HE, Park CB. Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Density Polyethylene at Different Environmental Conditions with Outstanding Foamability through In-Situ Rubber Nanofibrillation: Exploring the Impact of Interface Modification. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:29291-29304. [PMID: 38776211 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c05589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we utilized in situ nanofibrillation of thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer (TPEE) within a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix to enhance the rheological properties, foamability, and mechanical characteristics of the HDPE nanocomposite at both room and subzero temperatures. Due to the inherent polarity differences between these two components, TPEE is thermodynamically incompatible with the nonpolar HDPE. To address this compatibility issue, we employed a compatibilizer, styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene copolymer-grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA), to reduce the interfacial tension between the two blend components. In the initial step, we prepared a 10% masterbatch of HDPE/TPEE with and without the compatibilizer using a twin-screw extruder. Subsequently, we processed the 10% masterbatch further through spun bonding to create fiber-in-fiber composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a significant reduction in the spherical size of HDPE/TPEE particles following the inclusion of SEBS-g-MA, as well as a much smaller TPEE nanofiber size (approximately 60-70 nm for 5% TPEE). Moreover, extensional rheological testing revealed a notable enhancement in extensional rheological properties, with strain-hardening behavior being more pronounced in the compatibilized nanofibrillar composites compared to the noncompatibilized ones. SEM images of the foam structures depicted substantial improvement in the foamability of HDPE in terms of the cell size and density following the nanofibrillation process and the use of the compatibilizer. Ultimately, the in situ rubber fibrillation and enhancement of HDPE and TPEE interface using a compatibilizer led to increasing the HDPE ductility at room and subzero temperatures while maintaining its stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Kheradmandkeysomi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Amirmehdi Salehi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Amirjalal Jalali
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Hosseinali Omranpour
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Omid Aghababaei Tafreshi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Hani E Naguib
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Chul B Park
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
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2
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Zhao R, Cai S, Zhao Y, Ning X. Enhanced stereocomplex crystalline polylactic acids in melt processed enantiomeric bicomponent fiber configurations. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127123. [PMID: 37774817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The formation of stereocomplex crystalline domains in the bicomponent fiber melt spinning of enantiomeric polylactic acids (PLAs) is systematically explored and enhanced. Here we report a polycrystalline morphology where distinctly different crystalline regions are formed and aligned along the longitudinal direction of the fiber. This approach employs side-by-side and sheath-core bicomponent melt spinning configurations where the two components are the enantiomeric pairs of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA). We demonstrate the formation of the PLA stereocomplexes at the junction interphase through the melt spinning process which subsequently crystallize into a round fibers with stereocomplex and homogeneous crystal lamella morphologies. The fiber morphologies and crystallinities of the melt processed fiber are substantially different from the solution based bicomponent spinning system reported in the prior literature. Furthermore, the different molecular weight in the PLLA/PDLA pairing are found to be crucial to the structural development and properties of the PLA polycrystalline materials. The solid-state annealing does not change the crystal distribution of the crystalline domains and stereocomplex crystalline state, it just enhances the homo-crystallinity in the peripheral of the bicomponent fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renhai Zhao
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens & Technical Textiles, College of Textiles & Clothing, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Shandong Center for Engineered Nonwovens, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Shunzhong Cai
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens & Technical Textiles, College of Textiles & Clothing, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Shandong Center for Engineered Nonwovens, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yintao Zhao
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens & Technical Textiles, College of Textiles & Clothing, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Shandong Center for Engineered Nonwovens, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xin Ning
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens & Technical Textiles, College of Textiles & Clothing, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Shandong Center for Engineered Nonwovens, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
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Liu J, Liu G, Han X, Tao F, Xu P. Characterization of the Pro101Gln mutation that enhances the catalytic performance of T. indicus NADH-dependent d-lactate dehydrogenase. Structure 2023; 31:1616-1628.e3. [PMID: 37729918 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
NADH-dependent d-lactate dehydrogenases (d-LDH) are important for the industrial production of d-lactic acid. Here, we identify and characterize an improved d-lactate dehydrogenase mutant (d-LDH1) that contains the Pro101Gln mutation. The specific enzyme activities of d-LDH1 toward pyruvate and NADH are 21.8- and 11.0-fold greater compared to the wild-type enzyme. We determined the crystal structure of Apo-d-LDH1 at 2.65 Å resolution. Based on our structural analysis and docking studies, we explain the differences in activity with an altered binding conformation of NADH in d-LDH1. The role of the conserved residue Pro101 in d-LDH was further probed in site-directed mutagenesis experiments. We introduced d-LDH1 into Bacillus licheniformis yielding a d-lactic acid production of 145.9 g L-1 within 60 h at 50°C, which was three times higher than that of the wild-type enzyme. The discovery of d-LDH1 will pave the way for the efficient production of d-lactic acid by thermophilic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiongqin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gongquan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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Baniasadi H, Madani Z, Mohan M, Vaara M, Lipponen S, Vapaavuori J, Seppälä JV. Heat-Induced Actuator Fibers: Starch-Containing Biopolyamide Composites for Functional Textiles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:48584-48600. [PMID: 37787649 PMCID: PMC10591286 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c08774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
This study introduces the development of a thermally responsive shape-morphing fabric using low-melting-point polyamide shape memory actuators. To facilitate the blending of biomaterials, we report the synthesis and characterization of a biopolyamide with a relatively low melting point. Additionally, we present a straightforward and solvent-free method for the compatibilization of starch particles with the synthesized biopolyamide, aiming to enhance the sustainability of polyamide and customize the actuation temperature. Subsequently, homogeneous dispersion of up to 70 wt % compatibilized starch particles into the matrix is achieved. The resulting composites exhibit excellent mechanical properties comparable to those reported for soft and tough materials, making them well suited for textile integration. Furthermore, cyclic thermomechanical tests were conducted to evaluate the shape memory and shape recovery of both plain polyamide and composites. The results confirmed their remarkable shape recovery properties. To demonstrate the potential application of biocomposites in textiles, a heat-responsive fabric was created using thermoresponsive shape memory polymer actuators composed of a biocomposite containing 50 wt % compatibilized starch. This fabric demonstrates the ability to repeatedly undergo significant heat-induced deformations by opening and closing pores, thereby exposing hidden functionalities through heat stimulation. This innovative approach provides a convenient pathway for designing heat-responsive textiles, adding value to state-of-the-art smart textiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Baniasadi
- Polymer
Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Zahra Madani
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials Science, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Mithila Mohan
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials Science, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Maija Vaara
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials Science, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Sami Lipponen
- Polymer
Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Jaana Vapaavuori
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials Science, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Jukka V. Seppälä
- Polymer
Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, 02150 Espoo, Finland
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Liu H, Zhao Y, Zheng Y, Chen J, Wang J, Gao G, Bai D. Toward ultra-tough and heat-resistant biodegradable polylactide/core-shell rubber blends by regulating the distribution of rubber particles with stereocomplex crystallites. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 232:123422. [PMID: 36708887 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Ultra-tough and heat-resistant poly(l-lactide)/core-shell rubber (PLLA/CSR) blends were fabricated by utilizing stereocomplex (SC) crystallites to effectively regulate the CSR distribution in PLLA matrix. Linear and 3-11 armed poly(d-lactide)s (PDLAs) were synthesized and then melt-mixed with PLLA/CSR blend. Interestingly, the incorporated PDLA chains could collaborate with PLLA chains to form dense SC crystallites network in PLLA/PDLA/CSR blends, thus inducing the CSR particles to transform from uniform distribution structure to network-like structure. With increasing the PDLA arm numbers, the size of CSR clusters in the network-like structure first increased and then decreased, and the continuity of the network-like structure first remained at a high level and then decreased obviously. The formation of CSR network-like structure could remarkably improve the impact strength of PLLA/PDLA/CSR blends without deteriorating their strength and modulus (compared with PLLA/CSR blend), and the CSR network-like structure with larger-sized CSR clusters and higher continuity could help obtain higher impact strength (78.3 kJ/m2). Moreover, the heat resistance of PLLA/PDLA/CSR blends could also be significantly improved (the highest Vicat softening temperature was 131 °C) by the SC crystallites network and CSR network-like structure. This work provides an effective strategy for controlling the rubber network-like morphology and thereby preparing high-performance PLLA materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huili Liu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Environmental Materials & Remediation Technologies, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China
| | - Yaling Zhao
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Environmental Materials & Remediation Technologies, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China
| | - Yushan Zheng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Environmental Materials & Remediation Technologies, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China
| | - Jianyang Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Environmental Materials & Remediation Technologies, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China
| | - Jianchuan Wang
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Guangyong Gao
- SWS Hemodialysis Care Co., Ltd, Chongqing, Chongqing 401120, China
| | - Dongyu Bai
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Materials Surface & Interface Science, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China.
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Biodegradable and biocompatible supramolecular polymers based on poly(ε-caprolactone-co-δ-valerolactone)-b-poly(lactide) block copolymers with different branched structures: Synthesis, crystallization and properties. Eur Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Enhancement in Crystallizability of Poly(L-Lactide) Using Stereocomplex-Polylactide Powder as a Nucleating Agent. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14194092. [PMID: 36236039 PMCID: PMC9571414 DOI: 10.3390/polym14194092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
High-molecular-weight poly(L-lactide) (HMW-PLLA) is a promising candidate for use as a bioplastic because of its biodegradability and compostability. However, the applications of HMW-PLLA have been limited due to its poor crystallizability. In this work, stereocomplex polylactide (scPLA) powder was prepared by precipitation of a low-molecular-weight poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) (LMW-PLLA/LMW-PDLA) blend solution and investigated for use as a fully-biodegradable nucleating agent for HMW-PLLA compared to LMW-PLLA powder. The obtained LMW-PLLA and scPLA powders with a nearly spherical shape showed complete homo- and stereocomplex crystallites, respectively. HMW-PLLA/LMW-PLLA powder and HMW-PLLA/scPLA powder blends were prepared by melt blending. The LMW-PLLA powder was homogeneously melted in the HMW-PLLA matrices, whereas the scPLA powder had good phase compatibility and was well-dispersed in the HMW-PLLA matrices, as detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was shown that the enthalpies of crystallization (ΔHc) upon cooling scans for HMW-PLLA largely increased and the half crystallization time (t1/2) dramatically decreased as the scPLA powder content increased; however, the LMW-PLLA powder did not exhibit the same behavior, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystallinity content of the HMW-PLLA/scPLA powder blends significantly increased as the scPLA powder content increased, as determined by DSC and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). In conclusion, the fully biodegradable scPLA powder showed good potential for use as an effective nucleating agent to improve the crystallization properties of the HMW-PLLA bioplastic.
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Tuccitto AV, Anstey A, Sansone ND, Park CB, Lee PC. Controlling stereocomplex crystal morphology in poly(lactide) through chain alignment. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 218:22-32. [PMID: 35850270 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The incorporation of poly(d-lactide) (PDLA) to form stereocomplex crystallites (SCs) within a poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) matrix is among the most effective strategies in overcoming PLLA's numerous drawbacks. However, high concentrations of PDLA (>3 wt%) are required to improve PLLA's crystallization kinetics and melt strength, which is undesirable owing to PDLA's high cost. In this study, we use chain alignment as a levier to tune stereocomplex superstructure morphology to overcome these limitations. Herein, PLLA/PDLA blends were manufactured using an environmentally friendly and low-cost single step spunbond fibrillation process, yielding microfibers stretched to diameters of 5-20 μm. During this stretching process, PLLA and PDLA chains are aligned along the flow direction. SCs subsequently formed in situ upon heating, dramatically improving crystallization kinetics, melt elasticity, and tensile performance compared with neat PLLA and non-stretched blend analogues, even with low PDLA content (<3 wt%). These improvements were attributed to topological variations in SC superstructures caused by alignment of PLLA and PDLA chains. The application of chain alignment in tuning SC superstructure morphology is ubiquitous in fibrillation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony V Tuccitto
- Multifunctional Composites Manufacturing Laboratory (MCML), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada; Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory (MPML), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Andrew Anstey
- Multifunctional Composites Manufacturing Laboratory (MCML), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada; Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory (MPML), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Nello D Sansone
- Multifunctional Composites Manufacturing Laboratory (MCML), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Chul B Park
- Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory (MPML), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada.
| | - Patrick C Lee
- Multifunctional Composites Manufacturing Laboratory (MCML), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada.
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