Rational Synthesis of Hyperbranched Poly(ester)s

Synthesis and quantification of oligoesters migrating from starch-based food packaging materials

The term oligomer refers to structurally diverse compounds coming from incomplete polymerisation or polymer degradation. Their ability to migrate into foodstuffs along with recent studies about their bioavailability and toxicity have risen concerns about the scarcity of standards needed to perform thorough analytical and toxicological studies. In this work, migration extracts of three starch-based biopolymers films for the packaging of fruits and vegetables were analysed according to European legislation 10/2011. Oligoesters analysed by UPLC-MS(QTOF) were the main non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) identified in the food simulants. A stepwise synthesis approach was used to synthesise and isolate eleven cyclic and linear oligoester standards ranging from 2 to 8 monomers based on adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, isophtalic acid and propylene glycol monomers. These standards were characterised by 1H and 13C NMR as well as high resolution mass spectrometry. An overall high purity of > 98 % was achieved as detected by UPLC-MS(Orbitrap). The standards were then used to unequivocally identify the oligoesters in the migration assay samples by comparing their UPLC-MS/MS spectra, and to semi-quantify or fully quantify these migrant oligoesters. The oligoester quantification results deemed safe only one out of the three biopolymer films according to their threshold of toxicological concern concept. The work herein described aims to contribute towards the oligomers knowledge gaps, opening the door for comprehensive toxicological risk and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) studies.

Research Progress of Natural Rubber Wet Mixing Technology

The performance of natural rubber (NR), a naturally occurring and sustainable material, can be greatly enhanced by adding different fillers to the NR matrix. The homogeneous dispersion of fillers in the NR matrix is a key factor in their ability to reinforce. As a novel method, wet mixing technology may effectively provide good filler dispersion in the NR matrix while overcoming the drawbacks of conventional dry mixing. This study examines the literature on wet mixing fillers, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, silica, carbon black, and others, to prepare natural rubber composites. It also focuses on the wet preparation techniques and key characteristics of these fillers. Furthermore, the mechanism of filler reinforcement is also examined. To give guidance for the future development of wet mixing technology, this study also highlights the shortcomings of the current system and the urgent need to address them.

Thermal Degradation of Organophosphorus Flame Retardants

The development of new organophosphorus flame retardants for polymeric materials is spurred by relatively low toxicity, effectiveness, and demand for replacement of more traditional materials. To function, these compounds must decompose in a degrading polymer matrix to form species which promote modification of the solid phase or generate active radical moieties that escape to the gas phase and interrupt combustion propagating reactions. An understanding of the decomposition process for these compounds may provide insight into the nature of flame retardant action which they may offer and suggest parameters for the synthesis of effective new organophosphorus flame retardants. The thermal degradation of a series of organophosphorus esters varying in the level of oxygenation at phosphorus-alkyl phosphate, aryl phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate-has been examined. Initial degradation in all cases corresponds to elimination of a phosphorus acid. However, the facility with which this occurs is strongly dependent on the level of oxygenation at phosphorus. For alkyl phosphates elimination occurs rapidly at relatively low temperature. The same process occurs at somewhat higher temperature for aryl phosphates. Elimination of a phosphorus acid from phosphonate or phosphinate occurs more slowly and at much higher temperature. Further, the acids formed from elimination rapidly degrade further to evolve volatile species.

Poly(Glycerol Succinate) as an Eco-Friendly Component of PLLA and PLCL Fibres towards Medical Applications

This study was conducted as a first step in obtaining eco-friendly fibres for medical applications using a synthesised oligomer poly(glycerol succinate) (PGSu) as an additive for synthetic poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly (L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL). The effects of the oligomer on the structure formation, morphology, crystallisation behaviour, and mechanical properties of electrospun bicomponent fibres were investigated. Nonwovens were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical testing. The molecular structure of PLLA fibres is influenced by the presence of PGSu mainly acting as an enhancer of molecular orientation. In the case of semicrystalline PLCL, chain mobility was enhanced by the presence of PGSu molecules, and the crystallinity of bicomponent fibres increased in relation to that of pure PLCL. The mechanical properties of bicomponent fibres were influenced by the level of PGSu present and the extent of crystal formation of the main component. An in vitro study conducted using L929 cells confirmed the biocompatible character of all bicomponent fibres.

Pseudo-branched polyester copolymer: an efficient drug delivery system to treat cancer

In this study, a new hyperbranched polyester copolymer was designed using a proprietary monomer and diethylene glycol or triethylene glycol as monomers. The synthesis was carried out using standard melt polymerization technique and catalyzed by p-tolulenesulfonic acid. The progress of the reaction was monitored with respect to time and negative pressure, with samples being subjected to standard characterization protocols. The resulting polymers were purified using the solvent precipitation method and characterized using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods including GPC, MALDI-TOF, and NMR. We have observed polymers with a molecular weight of 29 643 Da and 33 996 Da, which is ideal to be used as a drug delivery system. Thus, these polymers were chosen for further modification into folate-functionalized polymeric nanoparticles for the targeted treatment of cancer, in this case we have chosen prostate cancer cells as a model. We hypothesized that due to the 3D structure of the A2B monomer, we expect a pseudo-branched polymer that is globular in shape which will be ideal for drug carrying and delivery. We used a solvent diffusion method for the one-pot formulation of water-dispersable polymeric nanoparticles as well as theraputic drug (doxorubicin) encapsulation. The efficacy of this delivery system was gauged by treating LNCaP cells with the drug-loaded nanoparticles and assessing the results of the treatment. The results were analyzed by cytotoxicity (MTT) assays, drug release studies, and fluorescence microscopy. The experimental results collectively show a nanoparticle that was biocompatible, target-specific, and successfully initiated apoptosis in an in vitro prostate cancer model.

Phosphorus Flame Retardants for Polymeric Materials from Gallic Acid and Other Naturally Occurring Multihydroxybenzoic Acids

The development of polymer and polymer additives from renewable biosources is becoming increasingly prominent. This reflects increasing concerns about sustainability, environmental quality, and human health. Bioproducts produced in nature are generally inexpensive and benign in the environment. Moreover, degradation of derivatives does not yield toxic products. Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) is found widely in nature and has long been touted for its medicinal qualities. 3,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is also produced by several plants, most notably buckwheat. Both compounds, as the anilide and methyl ester, respectively, have been converted to a series of phosphorus esters, both phosphonate and phosphate. Esters have been fully characterized using spectroscopic and thermal methods. These compounds display good flame retardancy at low loadings in DGEBA epoxy resin.

Dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides in water samples with hyperbranched polyester composite as sorbent

Hyperbranched polyester was used as efficient and accessible sorbent in the dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction method.