E-polymers 

About: E-polymers is an academic journal published by De Gruyter. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Polymerization & Materials science. It has an ISSN identifier of 1618-7229. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 1718 publications have been published receiving 11939 citations. The journal is also known as: Electronic-Polymers.

Liquid crystalline elastomers as artificial muscles

Abstract: Abstract New nematic co-elastomers were synthesized which consist of a combination of nematic side- and main-chain polymers and where the liquid crystalline main-chain polymer can be considered as a macromolecular crosslinking component. By applying a mechanical field during the crosslinking process, the director of the nematic phase becomes macroscopically uniformly aligned and liquid-single-crystal elastomers were obtained. Within a narrow temperature regime, these networks can change their shape in one dimension by a factor > 3 and considerably improve the ability of being used as artificial muscles or mechanical actuators compared to the well known nematic side-chain elastomers. Networks having a non-ordered polydomain structure exhibit “soft (or semi-soft) elasticity” which is not only determined by a director reorientation process. Obviously, hairpin conformations within the main-chain segments contribute to this effect.

Poly-L-lactide nanofibers by electrospinning - Influence of solution viscosity and electrical conductivity on fiber diameter and fiber morphology

Abstract: Poly-L-lactide (PLA) fibers were obtained by electrospinning of PLA / dichloromethane solutions. Formation of beaded fibers combined with decreased fiber diameters were observed for low PLA concentrations in solution. Increase of the electrical conductivity by addition of pyridinium formiate (PF) caused a significant reduction of bead formation. The electrospinning of dilute PLA / PF / dichloromethane solutions resulted in PLA nanofibers. Systematic variations clearly identified the solution viscosity and the electrical conductivity at otherwise fixed parameters (surface tension, molecular weight, electrode geometry, electrical field, etc.) as crucial parameters for the formation of beads upon electrospinning of PLA / dichloromethane solutions.

Determination of the carbonyl index of polyethylene and polypropylene using specified area under band methodology with ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

Abstract: Abstract The current measurement techniques described in the literature for the determination of the carbonyl index (CI) for polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene were compared and contrasted. These were all found to be inconsistent or inaccurate and were not capable of differentiating significant changes in carbonyl peak evolution throughout accelerated ageing. As a consequence of these findings, a methodology, specified area under band (SAUB) is presented here to more accurately represent the CI as a general means of reporting. The increased precision in the methodology is explained and compared to other methodologies for determining CI. The SAUB method is also shown to be capable of elucidating the differences in relative extent and rates of CI for different polyolefins, exposed to the same conditions over the same time period.

Preparation of chitosan-containing nanofibres by electrospinning of chitosan/poly(ethylene oxide) blend solutions

Abstract: Abstract The first successful preparation of chitosan-containing nanofibres was achieved by electrospinning of chitosan/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blend aqueous solutions. The diameters of the nanofibres were in the range 40 - 290 nm and decreased with increasing chitosan content and decreasing total concentration. An increase of the applied field strength leads to an increase of the diameter of the nanofibres and to a broadening of the size distribution. The possibility to prepare nanofibres containing a model drug - potassium 5-nitro-8-quinolinolate (K5N8Q), a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antimycotic agent - was shown. The incorporation of K5N8Q in the nanofibres resulted in a decrease of the nanofibre diameters and the appearance of bead-shaped defects. Non-woven mats from the drugloaded nanofibres with composition chitosan : PEO = 1:1 (w/w) and 1% K5N8Q showed antibacterial and antimycotic activity against E. coli, S. aureus and C.albicans.

Chitosan based antimicrobial films for food packaging applications

Abstract: Antimicrobial packaging is one of the most promising active packaging systems. Antimicrobial packaging is the packaging system that is able to kill or inhibit spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms that are contaminating foods. A tremendous effort has been made over the last decade to develop and test films with antimicrobial properties to improve food safety and shelf life. For food preservation, chitosan films are very effective. Chitosan has widely been used in antimicrobial films, to provide edible protective coating, dipping and spraying for the food products due to its antimicrobial properties. Chitosan can be formed into fibers, films, gels, sponges, beads or nanoparticles. Chitosan films have been used as a packaging material for the quality preservation of a variety of food. Chitosan has great potential for a wide range of applications due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, non-toxicity and versatile chemical and physical properties. The present review outlines the preparation and antimicrobial activity of chitosan based films.