A Novel Polyfunctional Polyurethane Acrylate Derived from Castor Oil-Based Polyols for Waterborne UV-Curable Coating Application

Because of its unique molecular structure and renewable properties, vegetable oil has gradually become the focus of researchers. In this work, castor oil was first transformed into a castor oil-based triacrylate structure (MACOG) using two steps of chemical modification, then it was prepared into castor oil-based waterborne polyurethane acrylate emulsion, and finally, a series of coating materials were prepared under UV curing. The results showed that with the increase in MACOG content, the glass transition temperature of the sample was increased from 20.3 °C to 46.6 °C, and the water contact angle of its surface was increased from 73.85 °C to 90.57 °C. In addition, the thermal decomposition temperature, mechanical strength, and water resistance of the samples were also greatly improved. This study not only provides a new idea for the preparation of waterborne polyurethane coatings with excellent comprehensive properties but also expands the application of biomass material castor oil in the field of coating.

Effect of modified bamboo lignin replacing part of C5 petroleum resin on properties of polyurethane/polysiloxane pressure-sensitive adhesive and its application on the wood substrate

This paper reports a fresh and robust strategy to develop polyurethane/polysiloxane pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) with excellent properties by replacing part of C5 petroleum resin with modified lignin. A unique aspect of this work is the use of renewable lignin to obtain modified monomers. The phenolic hydroxyl group of lignin is increased by 21.4% after demethylation, which will help to introduce 6-bromo-1-hexene into the lignin structure through Williamson method. The L₃ lignin and C5 petroleum resin are mixed with polyurethane/polysiloxane prepolymer, and furthermore a series of PSAs are obtained under ultraviolet light. It turns out that L₃ lignin can not only replace part of C5 petroleum resin, but also obtain attractive and controllable features. Especially when the mass ratio of C5 petroleum resin to L₃ lignin is 6:4, compared with pure C5 petroleum resin, the 180° peel strength and the shear strength of PU46 are increased by 24.1% and 91.5% respectively. Additionally, the shear strength on the wood substrate is increased by 320.6%. This study provides an effective method for the preparation of high value-added lignin PSA, and expands the application fields of PSA.

Evolution properties of the radially polarized Laguerre-Gaussian-correlated Schell-model beams propagating in uniaxial crystals

In this paper, we discuss, both analytically and numerically, the paraxial propagation of the radially polarized Laguerre-Gaussian-correlated Schell-model (LGCSM) beams orthogonal to the optical axis in uniaxial crystals. The analytical expression for the cross-spectral density function and the second-order moments of the radially polarized LGCSM beams are derived, and the evolution properties of the normalized intensity distribution, the spectral degree of the coherence (SDOC), and the spectral degree of the polarization (SDOP) in uniaxial crystals are elucidated by numerical examples. It is found that the intensity distribution of the radially polarized LGCSM beams evolves from a doughnut shape into a solid shape and finally converts into an elliptical symmetric hollow-ring profile in uniaxial crystals due to the combined effect of special correlation functions and the anisotropy effect of the uniaxial crystals. The evolution of the SDOC and SDOP for the radially polarized LGCSM beams is quite different from that of the radially polarized Gaussian-Schell-model beams. In addition, the propagation properties of the radially polarized LGCSM beams are closely related to the spatial coherence length, the mode order, and the ratio of extraordinary and ordinary reflective indices. The results show that the uniaxial crystals could modulate the evolution properties of the radially polarized LGCSM beams.

Effects of polysiloxanes with different molecular weights on in vitro cytotoxicity and properties of polyurethane/cotton–cellulose nanofiber nanocomposite films

A series of polyurethane/cotton–cellulose nanofiber nanocomposite films are manufactured using amino-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, polycarbonate diol, isophorone diisocyanate, and dispersed cotton–cellulose nanofibers.

Propagation properties of partially coherent crescent-like beams under maritime environment

Based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle, the analytical expressions for the intensity distribution, effective radius of curvature, beam wander, Strehl ratio, and the power in the bucket of a partially coherent crescent-like (PCCL) beam under the maritime environment are derived. The propagation properties of the PCCL beams through the maritime environment are investigated in detail. Numerical results indicate that, for the maritime environment, the propagation properties and beam quality of a PCCL beam are closely related to its initial beam parameters and the turbulence parameters. Comparative analyses are performed for the new models under the marine turbulence and the terrestrial turbulence. It turns out that the marine turbulence influences the beam width and the beam wander more than the terrestrial turbulence does. Also, the beam quality of the PCCL beams in marine turbulence can be improved by choosing a large beam width, high coherence length, or short wavelength. The PCCL beams have a range-dependent tilt, which can be useful for some practical applications, such as traveling around an obstacle. The results are of significance for over-the-sea communication systems.

Germline-specific and sexually dimorphic expression of a dead end gene homologue in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

Germ cells are indispensable for gonadal development and fertility. However, the physiological mechanisms regulating germ cell development in marine fish are poorly understood due to a lack of germ cell markers. The dead end (dnd) gene is a vertebrate-specific component of germplasm crucial for primordial germ cells (PGCs) migration and development in teleosts. In this study, we identified a dnd homologue (Smdnd) in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and investigated its expression pattern during embryogenesis and gonadal development. The deduced amino acid sequence of Smdnd shared several conserved motifs of Dnd homologues as well as high identity to other Dnd proteins. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the SmDnd was closely related to its teleost counterparts. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization revealed that Smdnd transcripts could be exclusively detected in germ cells, including presumptive PGC and adult male and female germ cells. In addition, an interesting sexually dimorphic expression of Smdnd during gonadal development was observed by real-time PCR. Female turbot showed greater (P < 0.05) Smdnd expression than male before sex maturation. This difference reduced gradually due to the upregulation of Smdnd in the male during the period corresponding to spermatogonia proliferation and meiosis. These results indicate that Smdnd can be used as a germ cell marker in turbot. In addition, the temporal and sex differences in Smdnd expression indicate that this gene may play different roles in gonadal development in both sexes.