Bio-Based Hydrogels With Ion Exchange Properties Applied to Remove Cu(II), Cr(VI), and As(V) Ions From Water

Hydrogels with ion exchange properties were synthesized from compounds derived from wood biopolymer hemicellulose and from commercial vinyl monomers to be tested as active materials for the removal of Cu(II), Cr(VI), and As(V) ions. The hemicellulose O-acetyl galactoglucomannan (GGM) was used as the precursor material, and through a transesterification reaction, GGM was converted into a macromonomer GGM–glycidyl methacrylate (GGM-GMA). Subsequently, the GGM-GMA macromonomer, containing more than one methacrylate group, was used as a crosslinking agent in the synthesis of hydrogels through free-radical polymerization reactions in combination with a 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid monomer to produce a cation exchange hydrogel. Also, (3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride monomer was applied together with the GGM-GMA to form hydrogels that can be used as anion exchange hydrogel. The hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR), 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), as well as derivative thermogravimetry (DTG). The microstructure of the hydrogels was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis with X-ray microanalysis energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results obtained regarding the absorption capacity of the Cu(II), Cr(VI), and As(V) ions were studied as a function of the pH value and the initial concentration of the metal ions in the solutions. Absorption was carried out in consecutive batches, and it was found that the poly(GGM-GMA/AMPSH) hydrogel reached an absorption capacity of 90 mg g–1 for Cu(II). The poly(GGM-GMA/APTACl) hydrogel reached values of 69 and 60 mg g–1 for Cr(VI) and As(V) oxyanions, respectively. Tests with polymer blends (mixtures of anionic and cationic hydrogels) were also carried out to remove Cu(II), Cr(VI), and As(V) ions from multi-ionic solutions, obtaining satisfactory results.

Methyl methacrylate in external fixation of supracondylar humerus fractures: An experimental study

Supracondylar humerus fractures are common fractures around the elbow. Open fractures, comminuted metaphyseal fractures and also fractures with bone loss may need to be treated with external fixators. The aim of this study is to compare two different external fixators, tubular external fixators and polymethyl methacrylate with K wires external fixators, with regard to stiffness and stability for metaphyseal-diaphyseal osteotomies of distal humerus close to the joint. Six matched pairs (24 specimens) of second-generation sawbone humerus were prepared in a standard fashion to create a metaphyseal fracture, 5 cm proximal to the distal joint line of humerus and were randomly divided into two groups of 12 specimens each. Each sawbone humerus was osteotomized transversely at the mid-olecranon fossa with a 2-mm oscillating saw to simulate a Gartland type III fracture. The osteotomy was then reduced and stabilized using two different external fixation methods: carbon tubular external fixator with Schanz screws and methyl methacrylate with multiple K wires. Three-point bending and torsion tests were performed on the specimens. Bending and torsional stiffness of specimens were obtained for the fixation methods. According to the results of the study, the methyl methacrylate group has provided higher stiffness than classical tubular fixator with Schanz screws in three-point bending test (7.79 ± 2.33 N/mm vs 3.78 ± 1.18 N/mm, p = 0.006). The methyl methacrylate group also showed better stiffness in torsion test (0.12 ± 0.042 N m/° vs 0.067 ± 0.013 N m/°, p = 0.02). We determined for the first time in literature that external fixation with methyl methacrylate was significantly superior to the classical tubular external fixator with Schanz screws with regard to stiffness and stability under three-point bending and torsional loads. Moreover, methyl methacrylate is inexpensive and easily applied.

In situ photopolymerization of dimethacrylamide-based resins and composites

A dimethacrylamide was synthesized and used to formulate with the selected (meth)acrylates to form the in situ photocureable resins and composites. The effects of the selected comonomers with different functional groups on polymerization rate, degree of conversion, gel time, and compressive strength were investigated. The results show that in situ photopolymerization of the synthesized dimethacrylamide with comonomers having an electron-withdrawing and/or acrylate group dramatically increased the polymerization rate, degree of conversion, and compressive strength. On the other hand, an electron-donating group on either carbon-carbon double bond or ester linkage slowed down the polymerization. In contrast, the triethylene glycol dimethacrylate-based system did not show a clear pattern. The synergistic effect of the strong hydrogen-bonding between dimethacrylamide and organic acid groups may be responsible for higher compressive strengths. The formed composites showed the similar trend in compressive strength to the corresponding resins. Within the limitation of this study, it seems that in situ photopolymerization of dimethacrylamide or diacrylamide can be greatly accelerated by copolymerization with monomers having electron-withdrawing and/or acrylate groups. The monomers with methacrylate group can significantly reduce the polymerization rate and degree of conversion.

RAFT polymerization of ciprofloxacin prodrug monomers for the controlled intracellular delivery of antibiotics

Prodrug monomers derived from the antibiotic ciprofloxacin were synthesized with phenolic or aliphatic esters linking the drug to a polymerizable methacrylate group.

Structures and packing of ferrocenylmethyl methacrylate and ferrocene-1,1′-diylbis(methylene) dimethacrylate

Electroactive metallocene polymers are of interest due to the possibility that they offer a muscle-like response, and in gel systems very large volume changes are possible. The ferrocenyl moiety exhibits physical and electrochemical stability of the neutral and oxidized forms and could be a candidate for use as the redox-active group in these materials. The title compounds, [Fe(C5H5)(C10H11O2)], (I), and [Fe(C10H11O2)2], (II), comprise a typical ferrocene core with coplanar and approximately eclipsed cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings. In (I), there is a single methyl methacrylate substituent, with the other Cp ring unsubstituted. In (II), a methyl methacrylate substituent on each Cp ring completes the structure. In both compounds, there is an s-transgeometry of the vinyl and carbonyl components of the methacrylate group. Inversion dimers formed through C—H...O contacts dominate the crystal packing of both molecules. Weak C—H...π(ring) contacts and, in the case of (I), an unusual C—H...π(alkene) contact further stabilize the structures.

Preparation of a Novel Prepolymer of Polyurethane Acrylate

A new prepolymer of polyurethane acrylate (PUA) was synthesized from cyclohexanone- formaldehyde resin (CFR) with high hydroxyl value, toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) by using dibutyltion dilaurate as catalyst via two steps. The result from Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) showed that methacrylate group was introduced into the terminal of CFR by using TDI as bridge and curable PUA was obtained. Then, the PUA was cured by using azodiisobutyronitrile as catalyst at 110-130°C for 2h. The resulting product has excellent solvent resistance.