Grafting of Phosphonate Monomer onto Natural Rubber Latexes via Emulsion Polymerization

The synthesis of phosphorus-containing monomer, methacryloyloxyethyl phenyl benzenephosphonate (MPBP), was carried out. The monomer was successfully prepared as evidenced by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR and MS analyses. Subsequently, MPBP was grafted onto natural rubber particles via emulsion polymerization. It was found that as the reaction temperature increased from 40 to 70 oC, percent grafting efficiency increased from 72% to 85%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the grafted NR showed a semi core-shell morphology. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of grafted NR indicated a two step degradation. Moreover, the grafted polyMPBP promoted the char residue of up to 3.5%. Flame tests revealed that the grafted NR exhibited an increased LOI value (20.5 %) over that of pure NR (17.0 %). </jats:p

Produção e caracterização de microesferas de quitosana modificadas quimicamente Production and characterization of chemically modified chitosan microspheres

Microesferas de quitosana podem ser empregadas na área de biomaterias, em processos biotecnológicos e como adsorventes. Neste trabalho, foi empregada a técnica de atomização e coagulação para produção dessas microesferas, que permitiu o controle dos parâmetros de operação e por conseqüência a obtenção de microesferas de tamanho e faixas de tamanho específicos. Após a sua obtenção, as microesferas foram modificadas quimicamente com objetivo de estudar as resistências térmica, mecânica e química. Para isso foram empregadas três rotas distintas: a-) reticulação com glutaraldeído; b-) reticulação com epicloridrina e c-) acetilação. As microesferas preparadas apresentaram distribuição de tamanho da ordem de 140 µm com desvio padrão de 11,9 µm. Após as modificações químicas, as microesferas apresentaram temperatura de degradação térmica em torno de 300 ºC, aumento da estabilidade química à solução de HCl, e diminuição da resistência mecânica.<br>Chitosan microspheres can be used as biomaterial, in biotechnology processes and as adsorbents. This work is concerned with the production of chitosan microspheres using spraying and coagulation processes, which allows us to control the operating parameters and to produce chitosan microspheres of several ranges and sizes. The microspheres were modified chemically in order to study their thermal, mechanical and chemical resistance. The methods used were: 1) crosslinking with glutaraldehyde; 2) crosslinking with epichlorohydrin; 3) acetylation. The microspheres obtained presented mean particle size of 140 µm and standard deviation of 11.9 µm. The modified microspheres showed thermal degradation around 300 ºC, an increase of chemical stability using HCl solution and a decrease of mechanical resistance