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The purpose of this paper is to prepare amphiphilic block copolymers polyethylene adipate-block-polyethylene glycol (PEA-b-PEG)s and study their performance as plasticizers in rotogravure ink formulations.

Series of amphiphilic block copolymers (PEA-b-PEG1), (PEA-b-PEG2), (PEA-b-PEG3), (PEA-b-PEG4) and (PEA-b-PEG5) were prepared by the reaction of adipic acid, ethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol of different molecular weights (300, 1,000, 2,000, 10,000 and 20,000 g/mol), respectively. Full characterization of the prepared copolymers was achieved using Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H NMR, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The performance of the prepared copolymers as plasticizers for neat nitrocellulose resin were studied in different formulations, namely, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 containing copolymers (PEA-b-PEG1), (PEA-b-PEG2), (PEA-b-PEG3), (PEA-b-PEG4) and (PEA-b-PEG5), respectively. In addition to formula R0 that contains acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) as a commercial plasticizer. The mechanical properties, thermal analysis (DSC, TGA) and optical properties of the prepared formulations films were investigated. Theses amphiphilic block copolymers were then applied as plasticizers in different rotogravure ink formulations (F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5) and compared with commercial rotogravure ink formula (F0). The color measurements and optical properties of all formulations were achieved.

It was found that the performance of the prepared copolymers as plasticizers in different formulations based on nitro cellulose resin gives better gloss, adhesion for R1 compared with the other samples and color strength for F1 compared with F0. Finally, all the samples gave excellent plasticizing effect.

The authors believe that type of these materials open the way for a new class of plasticizers that upon application or even degradation gives small ecofriendly molecules (adipic acid and or ethylene glycol moieties) taking into consideration the simplicity of the rout of the synthesis process.

The prepared ecofriendly (PEA-b-PEG)s could be successfully used as plasticizers instead of commercial plasticizer ATBC.

The research provides that the prepared (PEA-b-PEG)s with different molecular weights can act as plasticizers in rotogravure ink formulations, and their performance was acceptable and available.

This study aims to develop a new kind of functional low molecular weight organic dyes, which is highly efficient, meanwhile inexpensive and easily prepared and modified and can be used in photoacoustic (PA) imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT). To further realize the release of molecules under the biomedical condition, the releasing efficiency of micellar nanoparticles under different stimuli were represented.

A class of azo and Schiff base derivatives with different click reagents were characterized by PA imaging and photothermal (PT) experiments. The molecule with best PT effect was loaded into a temperature-stimuli-sensitive amphiphilic block copolymer which demonstrated the capability of releasing the polymers under the near-infrared (NIR) light of 650 nm.

The PA and PT effects of a series of azo and Schiff base derivatives with different click reagents were characterized. Introducing the click reagent F4-TCNQ can result in red shift of peaks of PA intensity. Stimulated with 650 nm laser irradiation, the polymer processed higher release rate than being stimulated by temperature stimuli.

This paper not only guides the design of NIR dyes with good PA intensity but also provides a method which has great potential for the application of NIR photothermal dyes in the field of biotechnology for controlled release.

This paper uses click reagents to modify azo and Schiff derivatives and an amphiphilic block copolymer under NIR light to realize controlled release.

Smart materials also called intelligent materials are gaining importance continuously in many industries including aerospace one. It is because of the unique features of these materials such as self-sensing, self-adaptability, memory capabilities and manifold functions. For a long time, there is no review of smart materials. Therefore, it is considered worthwhile to write a review on this subject.

A thorough search of the literature was carried out through SciFinder, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library and reputed and peer-reviewed journals. The literature was critically analyzed and a review was written.

This study describes the advances in smart materials concerning their applications in aerospace industries. The classification, working principle and recent developments (nano-smart materials) of smart materials are discussed. Besides, the future perspectives of these materials are also highlighted. Much research has not been done in this area, which needs more extensive study.

Certainly, this study will be highly useful for academicians, researchers and technocrats working in aerospace industries.

The purpose of this study was the preparation of a poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)-g-polyetheramine (SMA-g-PEA) hyperdispersant that reduces the viscosity of the system and improves the colouring intensities of pigments.

PEA of specific quality was dissolved in propylene glycol methyl ether. SMA was then added according to the required mass ratio. The solution was refluxed for 10 h under a stream of protective N2. The prepared hyperdispersant was then characterised by Fourier-transform infrared, UV–visible and ¹H NMR spectroscopies, gel-permeation chromatography and thermogravimetry.

PEA was successfully grafted onto the SMA polymer and the synthesised product was found to be thermally stable. The copolymer with a 6:1 mass ratio is the best dispersant and was used to disperse carbon black, phthalocyanine blue and permanent violet in water-based systems, which helps to improve the application performance of each pigment by reducing the viscosity of the system and improving the colouring intensity of the pigment. The water dispersion is stable and does not exhibit an increase in viscosity after seven days of oven aging at 50°C.

SMA-g-PEA water-based hyperdispersants were successfully synthesised. The prepared hyperdispersants help to improve the application performance of each studied pigment by reducing the viscosity of the system and improving the colouring intensity of the pigment.

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize a polyacrylate-based dispersant with a determined target molecular weight for oily systems and to determine the optimal dispersant level and monomer ratio of the dispersant.

The dispersant was synthesized by conventional radical polymerization using methacrylic acid, butyl acrylate and dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate as the monomer. It was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic hydrogen spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography and thermogravimetric analysis. The dispersant was used to disperse TiO₂, and the performance of the dispersant was evaluated by measuring the viscosity, particle size and dispersive force of the slurry.

The dispersant exhibited high thermal stability and was successfully anchored to the surface of the TiO₂ pigment. When used to disperse a TiO₂ slurry, it effectively made the TiO₂ slurry more fluid, indicating its strong viscosity-reducing properties. The viscosity, particle sizes and dispersion capabilities of the TiO₂ slurry were found to vary depending on the contents and monomer ratios of the dispersant.

P(MAA-BA-DM) dispersant increases the wettability of TiO₂ only in oily solvents but not in aqueous solvents.

P(MAA-BA-DM) dispersant makes it easier to disperse TiO₂ pigments in oily solvents, increasing the amount of pigment in the solvent and making the preparation of highly pigmented pastes easier.

A dispersant containing suitable carboxyl and tertiary amine groups was initially synthesized to disperse TiO₂ in an oily system. The findings are anticipated to be used in the formulation of pigment concentrates, industrial coatings and other solvent-based coatings.

The purpose of this paper is to review the new trends in plastic additives, with special focus on developments in food packaging materials.

Phenomenological research has brought awareness and increased insight into the role of various plastic additives on the packaging of foods. The approach is based on the current trends and the industrial protocols for the additives used in plastic polymer processing for the development of food packaging materials.

Packaging of foodstuffs is a dynamic process which continually responds to the changes in supply and demand which are the result of adaptations to the varying demands of the consumer, changes in retail practices, technological innovations, new materials and developments in legislation, especially, with respect to environmental concerns. A wide range of additives is available for enhancing the performance and appearance of food packaging, as well as improving the processing of the compound. Polymer additives are important areas of innovation for packaging materials.

The paper reviews and summarizes the recent developments in the functionality of different additives, along with their advantages and disadvantages, currently being used to enhance the properties of food packaging materials that can positively influence the environment within the packaging for the increased demand for raw or processed foods.

The purpose of this paper is to prepare nano size micro-emulsion co-polymer particles based on butyl acrylate (BA)/acrylic acid (AAc) with high monomer/surfactant ratio. The study involved the application of the prepared micro-emulsions co-polymers as textile pigment printing binders.

The micro-emulsion co-polymerisations processes were carried out with different mixtures of BA and AAc using modified process. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and potassium peroxy disulphate/glucose were used as emulsifier and redox initiator, respectively. The prepared emulsion co-polymer was characterized via spectroscopic measurements, FT-IR, 1H-NMR and transmission electron microscope (TEM), in addition to thermal analysis. The prepared micro-emulsion co-polymers were applied as binders for pigment printing process onto cotton fabric, polyester and cotton/polyester blend by using flat screen technique. The optimum curing conditions were determined, colour strength and fastness properties of pigment printed areas to light, washing, perspiration and rubbing were evaluated. In addition, stiffness of the prints was studied.

The achieved results indicated that particle size and homogeneity of the prepared micro-emulsions depend on monomers weight ratio, initiator and emulsifier concentrations. On the other hand, the prints obtained using the prepared binders with optimum conditions have satisfactory fastness, good handle and high colour yield.

Monomers were continuously and slowly added into the polymerising system with mild stirring to avoid disturbing the stability of the micro-emulsion. Also, emulsifier and initiator concentrations should be controlled to avoid coagulation.

The research provides textile pigment printing binder with nano particle size within the range of 24-48 nm. Using the prepared nano binders in pigment printing enhances the stiffness, handle, and fastnesses properties of the prints.

The prepared co-polymer binders showed high-performance physico-mechanical properties; in addition, the ultimate goal of this study is to prepare a nano size binder with high monomer/surfactant ratio using a modified micro-emulsion process.

Surfactants have been reported to have high inhibition efficiencies for corrosion of steel. This paper aims to study the performance of a low toxic copolymer of polydimethylsiloxane and polyoxyalkylene (POA) surfactant named as POPS, as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel (ASTM 1005) in hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution at 25°C.

To evaluate POPS efficiency as a corrosion inhibitor, the following techniques were used: surface tension measurements, weight loss measurements, open circuit potential monitoring, potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements.

Results indicated that POPS acted as a mixed corrosion inhibitor and led to a hydrophobic protector film on the metal surface. The adsorption process obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm by chemisorption. The maximum efficiency of the surfactant studied was achieved in a concentration around the critical micelle concentration.

Surfactant (POPS) of low level of toxicity acts as a mixed corrosion inhibitor in HCl medium. Inhibitor film formation was characterized by EIS results. A mechanism for corrosion inhibition is proposed.

In this study, fabrication of polymer and cotton fabric exhibiting stimuli-responsive wetting and water vapor permeability features together with antibacterial activity was aimed.

Temperature and pH-responsive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-graft-chitosan) (PNIPAM-g-CS) copolymer were produced via the free radical addition polymerization method and fixed to the cotton fabric using butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) cross-linker by double-bath impregnation method. The chemical structure of the graft copolymer was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectroscopy and H-Nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) analyses. Thermo-responsive behavior of the fabric was investigated by wetting time and water uptake tests, contact angle measurement and surface energy calculation. Additionally, antibacterial activity of the fabric treated with copolymer was studied against S. aureus bacterium.

PNIPAM-g-CS graft copolymer was synthesized successfully, which had lower critical solution temperature (LCST) value of 32 °C and exhibited thermo-responsive property. The treated fabrics exhibited hydrophilic character at temperatures below the LCST and hydrophobic character at temperatures above the LCST. It was found that polymer-coated fabric could have regulated the water vapor permeability by the change in its pore size and hydrophilicity depending on the temperature. Additionally, treated fabric displayed a pH-responsive water absorption behavior and strong antibacterial activity against S.aureus bacterium.

In the study, it has been shown that the cotton fabrics can be fabricated which have antibacterial activity and capable of pH and temperature responsive smart moisture/water management by application of copolymer. It is thought that the fabric structures developed in the study will be promising in the production of medical textile structures where antibacterial activity and thermophysiological comfort are important.

This paper aims to show a series of hydrogels with adjustable mechanical properties, which can be cured quickly with visible light. The hydrogel is prepared conveniently with hydroxyethyl acrylate, cross-linker, gelatin and photoinitiator, and can be printed into certain 3D patterns with the direct ink write (DIW) 3D printer designed and developed by the research group.

In this paper, the authors designed a composite sensitization initiation system that is suitable for hydrogels. The concentration of photoinitiator, gelatin and cross-linker was studied to optimize the curing efficiency and adjust the mechanical properties. A DIW 3D printer was designed for the printing of hydrogel. Pre-gel solution was loaded into printer for printing into established models. The models were made and sliced with software.

The hydrogels can be cured efficiently with 405-nm visible light. While adding various content of gelatin and cross-linker, the mechanical properties of hydrogels show from soft and fragile (elastic modulus of 121.18 kPa and work of tension of 218.11 kJ·m⁻³) to rigid and tough (elastic modulus of 505.15 kPa and work of tension of 969.00 kJ·m⁻³). The hydrogels have high capacity of water absorption. With the DIW 3D printer, pre-gel hydrogel solution can be printed into objects with certain dimension.

In this work, a composite sensitization initiation system was designed, and fast curing hydrogels with adjustable mechanical properties had been prepared conveniently, which has high equilibrium water content and 3D printability with the DIW 3D printer.