MWCNT/rGO/natural rubber latex dispersions for innovative, piezo-resistive and cement-based composite sensors

The present study is focused on the development and characterization of innovative cementitious-based composite sensors. In particular, multifunctional cement mortars with enhanced piezoresistive properties are realized by exploiting the concept of confinement of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) and reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) in a three-dimensional percolated network through the use of a natural-rubber latex aqueous dispersion. The manufactured cement-based composites were characterized by means of Inelastic Neutron Scattering to assess the hydration reactions and the interactions between natural rubber and the hydrated-cement phases and by Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray diffraction to evaluate the morphological and mineralogical structure, respectively. Piezo-resistive properties to assess electro-mechanical behavior in strain condition are also measured. The results show that the presence of natural rubber latex allows to obtain a three-dimensional rGO/MWCNTs segregate structure which catalyzes the formation of hydrated phases of the cement and increases the piezo-resistive sensitivity of mortar composites, representing a reliable approach in developing innovative mortar-based piezoresistive strain sensors.

EXTRACTION OF RUBBER FROM LATEX BY HYBRID COAGULANT BASED ON POLYDIMETHYLDIALLYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE AND VISCOSE FIBER

In the proposed work, the possibility of using a hybrid coagulant based on a polymer cationic electrolyte-VPK – 402 (poly-N,N-dimethyl-N, N-diallylammonium chloride) in combination with viscose fiber in the technological process of separating SKS-30 ark rubber from latex is considered. The influence of the consumption of a hybrid coagulating agent, viscose fiber and its dosage, as well as the process temperature on the reduction of the aggregate stability of styrene-butadiene latex is considered. The influence of viscose fiber on the physical and mechanical properties of vulcanizates is established. At the same time, a number of features were noted consisting in a decrease in the aggregate stability of latex butadiene-styrene rubber during its coagulation with a hybrid coagulant. It was found that the use of a hybrid coagulant can reduce the consumption of cationic polyelectrolyte by up to 30%. It is shown that in the multicomponent system under consideration, several processes can occur simultaneously, which lead to the destabilization of latex dispersions. The use of a hybrid coagulant, including cationic polyelectrolyte, provides a combined effect of the bridging and neutralization mechanisms of violation of the aggregate stability of the dispersion. The presence of viscose fiber in the dispersed phase leads to an additional coagulating effect-adagulation, which is a kind of heterocoagulation. This may be due to the difference in surface potentials between the latex globules and the fiber additive. It is established that the temperature regime of the process of isolation of rubber from latex does not significantly affect the completeness of the extraction of rubber from latex. A decrease in the content of components of the emulsion system in wastewater discharged from the shops producing rubbers by emulsion polymerization was noted. According to the main physical and mechanical parameters, rubbers, rubber mixtures and vulcanizates prepared on their basis meet the requirements.

Colloidal Stability of Positively Charged Dispersions of Styrene and Acrylic Copolymers in the Presence of TiO2 and CaCO3

Increasing antibiotic resistance of several pathogenic microorganisms calls for alternative approaches to prevent spreading of bacterial diseases. We propose to employ for this purpose coatings obtained from positively charged latex dispersions. In this contribution we characterize aqueous mixed dispersions containing TiO2 or CaCO3 and methyl methacrylate-ethyl acrylate or styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymers synthesized using a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as an emulsifier. Particle size, electrokinetic (ζ) potential of the mixed dispersions and the resulting thin films, as well as antimicrobial properties of the latter are described. The TiO2 and CaCO3 dispersions were stabilised with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and optimum pH for the mixed dispersions were chosen on the basis of ζ-potential measurements. For TiO2, the maximum ζ = +35 mV was found at pH 7.5, and for CaCO3, pH was set at 8.2 (ζ = +38 mV), to prevent its dissolution. In most 1:1 mixtures of TiO2 or CaCO3 with the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-stabilised latex dispersions, two distinct particles populations were observed, corresponding to the bare latex and bare TiO2 or CaCO3 fractions. Films made of the mixed dispersions remained positively charged and showed antimicrobial activity similar or reduced with respect to the bare polymer films.

A Study on the Solvent Vapor Induced Film Formation of PS/AgNPs Composites

In this study, pyrene (P) tagged polystyrene (PS) latex dispersions and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were mixed at various weight fractions in the range between 0 and 50 wt%. The prepared mixtures were dropped on the glass substrates by considering drop casting method and were dried at the room temperature. The resultant powder films were then exposed to solvent vapor to monitor how film formation and morphological behaviors of PS/AgNPs composites are altered. Film formation behavior of composites was assessed via fast transient fluorescence (FTRF) which measures the fluorescence lifetimes of P from its decay traces during vapor exposure process. It was observed that pyrene lifetimes decreased as vapor exposure time, t increased. A Stern–Volmer kinetic analysis was used for low quenching efficiencies to interpret the decrease in pyrene lifetimes. UV-Vis (UVV) technique was employed to monitor optical transparency of the films. In the range of 0-20 wt% of AgNPs content, smooth and transparent films were obtained. However, above this range, the films were seen that they have low transparency and poor film formation since the increment in AgNPs content was lead to aggregations. The Prager–Tirrel model was employed to the FTRF data to obtain back-and-forth frequencies, ν, of the reptating PS chains during vapor induced film formation process. SEM images of the samples were taken after film formation process is completed and were found to be consistent with optical and fluorescence quenching data.

A novel and controllable route for preparing high solid-content and low-viscosity poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) aqueous latex dispersions

High solid-content and low-viscosity poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) aqueous latex dispersions were obtained through a novel strategy, which involves swelling followed by diffusion and redox initialized polymerization inside the seed particle.

“Old” chemistry in a new context: photocleavable 2-oxoacetate-containing latex dispersions and core–shell microcapsules for the controlled release of volatile compounds

2-Oxoacetates polymerised into nanoparticles or encapsulated in microcapsules are stable against hydrolysis and release fragrances on UVA irradiation.