Different environmentaly-friendly strategies for loading waterborne polyurethane and polyurethane-urea dispersions

The environmental awareness has increased the research and development of eco-friendly green synthesis routes for many different applications, such as the waterborne polymer systems. Among others, waterborne polyurethanes (WBPU) and waterborne polyurethane-ureas (WBPUU) have gained attention due to their versatility in terms of composition and properties, making them suitable in a wide range of applications [1]. WBPU and WBPUU synthesis process is based on the incorporation of internal emulsifiers covalently bonded to the polymer obtaining stable water dispersions over months. Furthermore, the waterborne character of the dispersions provides the opportunity of incorporating water dispersible nanoentities and water soluble additives, enhancing or even providing additional properties. In this context, the use of renewable derivatives opens the possibility of enhancing the environmentally-friendly character. Among them, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are presented as a suitable candidate for the preparation of nanocomposites, considering their unique properties in the nanoscale dimension, provided by their high length/diameter aspect ratio and high specific mechanical properties [2]. Otherwise, the incorporation of natural water soluble additives has focused attention on extracts obtained from plants, consisting in biologically active compounds [3], whose antimicrobial character can determine the antimicrobial behavior of the WBPU and WBPUU. Therefore, in this work, different strategies have been analyzed for the preparation of WBPU-CNC nanocomposites and WBPUU-plant extracts varying their content as well as their incorporation route.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of waterborne polyurethane-ureas added with plant extracts: Study of different incorporation routes and their influence on particle size, thermal, mechanical and antibacterial properties

Polyurethane-ureas are a versatile family of polymers which can be employed in a wide range of applications. Among them, waterborne polyurethane-urea (WBPUU) dispersions are gaining relevance in the field of environmentally-friendly products since their productive process adopts green synthesis routes, avoiding the use of organic solvents. Furthermore, their waterborne character can be exploited to incorporate several water compatible ingredients able to confer functional properties to the final materials. Among them, plant extracts, which are known to have relevant bioactivities, can be viewed as interesting candidates. Therefore, in this work, two extracts known to present antimicrobial activity (Melissa officinalis L. and Salvia officinalis L.) were obtained by the infusion method and incorporated into the WBPUU (1, 3 and 5 wt%) following different incorporation routes comprising its adding during different phases of the productive process (post-, in-situ and pre- methods). Thereafter films were prepared by solvent-casting and characterized from the viewpoint of physicochemical, thermal, mechanical, thermomechanical and antibacterial properties and morphologically. The studied incorporation routes resulted in different intercalation mechanisms that varied from extract positioned among the polyurethane-urea nanoparticles (post-method) to extract partially embedded inside them (in-situ and pre-methods), which produced stiffening or flexibilizing effects in the produced films, enhancing in general the antimicrobial characteristics of films after 4 days of incubation comparing with base WBPUU, especially when the extract is embedded.Financial support from the Basque Government (IT-776-13), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) (MAT2016-76294-R), POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 (LA LSRE-LCM) funded by ERDF through POCI-COMPETE2020 and FCT and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000006, funded by NORTE 2020, under PT2020 through ERDF is gratefully acknowledged. We also wish to acknowledge the “Macrobehaviour- Mesostructure-Nanotechnology” SGIker units from the University of the Basque Country, for their technical support. A.S-E thanks the University of the Basque Country for Ph.D. grant (PIF/UPV/12/201).Financial support from the Basque Government (IT-776-13), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) (MAT2016-76294-R), POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 (LA LSRE-LCM) funded by ERDF through POCI-COMPETE2020 and FCT and NORTE- 01-0145-FEDER-000006, funded by NORTE 2020, under PT2020 through ERDF is gratefully acknowledged. We also wish to acknowledge the “Macrobehaviour- Mesostructure-Nanotechnology” SGIker units from the University of the Basque Country, for their technical support. A.S-E thanks the University of the Basque Country for Ph.D. grant (PIF/UPV/12/201).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bacteriostatic ecffect of waterborne polyurethane-ureia films containing bioactive plant extracts incorporated by different routes

The environmental awarenessh as promoted the development of new materiats towards eco-friendty systems based on both,green synthesis processes as well as the renewable origin of the raw compounds. In this way,focusing on synthesis methods, the use of waterborne polyurethane-urea dispersions have gained attention due to their versatility leading to a wide variety of apptications broadening the range of appLications. In addition, it is worth nothing that the dispersibitity in water offers the possibitity of incorporating soluble additives such as plant extracts. Therefore, in this work Melissa officinalis L . ptant was setected in order to obtain bioactive plant extract, in order to be incorporated to a waterborne polyurethane-urea disspersion varying their content as well as using three differernt incorporation routes. These dispersions were characterized and employed in the preparation of films which were analyzed from the viewpoint of physicochemical, thermal and mechanical properties, among others. Finatty, the antibacterial properties of the films were analyzed after 1 and 4 days of incubation. Where it was observed that the content and incorporation route of the extract influenced in the behavior of the films against common pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichio coli ond Pseudomonas aeruginosa.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Medication use in uncontrolled pediatric asthma:Results from the SysPharmPediA study

Background: Uncontrolled pediatric asthma has a large impact on patients and their caregivers. More insight into determinants of uncontrolled asthma is needed. We aim to compare treatment regimens, inhaler techniques, medication adherence and other characteristics of children with controlled and uncontrolled asthma in the: Systems Pharmacology approach to uncontrolled Paediatric Asthma (SysPharmPediA) study. Material and methods: 145 children with moderate to severe doctor-diagnosed asthma (91 uncontrolled and 54 controlled) aged 6–17 years were enrolled in this multicountry, (Germany, Slovenia, Spain, and the Netherlands) observational, case-control study. The definition of uncontrolled asthma was based on asthma symptoms and/or exacerbations in the past year. Patient-reported adherence and clinician-reported medication use were assessed, as well as lung function and inhalation technique. A logistic regression model was fitted to assess determinants of uncontrolled pediatric asthma. Results: Children in higher asthma treatment steps had a higher risk of uncontrolled asthma (OR (95%CI): 3.30 (1.56–7.19)). The risk of uncontrolled asthma was associated with a larger change in FEV1% predicted post and pre-salbutamol (OR (95%CI): 1.08 (1.02–1.15)). Adherence and inhaler techniques were not associated with risk of uncontrolled asthma in this population. Conclusion: This study showed that children with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma were treated in higher treatment steps compared to their controlled peers, but still showed a higher reversibility response to salbutamol. Self-reported adherence and inhaler technique scores did not differ between controlled and uncontrolled asthmatic children. Other determinants, such as environmental factors and differences in biological profiles, may influence the risk of uncontrolled asthma in this moderate to severe asthmatic population

Flexible polyurethane foams based on 100% renewably sourced polyols

Since polyol is one of the major components in polyurethane foam synthesis, introducing renewably sourced polyols in the foam formulation leads to materials with high renewable carbon content. A series of flexible polyurethane foams with variations in polyol composition were synthesized with castor oil based Lupranol Balance ® 50 polyether polyol and corn based polytrimethylene ether glycol mixtures. Water was used as the unique and eco-friendly blowing agent. The effect of the relative amount of each polyol on the structure and properties was analyzed by optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile and compressive tests, dynamic mechanical analysis and atomic force microscopy. The average molecular weight and hydroxyl number of the polyol components showed to influence the foaming reaction and hence the structure and properties of the polyurethane foam. The newly developed peak force quantitative nano-mechanics technique was used to map the elastic modulus values of foam cell struts and it seemed to be adequate to assess the purity of the different phases.Authors thank financial support from University of the Basque Country (PIFUPV047/2011), Basque Government (IT776-13 and S-PE13UN091), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) (IPT-2012-0728-420000) and European Union (PIRSES-2012-318996). Technical support provided by SGIker (UPV/EHU, MINECO, GV/EJ, ESF) is gratefully acknowledged.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Modulating the microstructure of waterborne polyurethanes for preparation of environmentally friendly nanocomposites by incorporating cellulose nanocrystals

Increasing environmental awareness has promoted development of ecofriendly materials incorporating renewable raw materials and using green synthesis routes such as waterborne dispersion, avoiding employment of organic solvents and thus reducing generation of volatile organic compounds. In this regard, waterborne polyurethanes (WBPU) present an opportunity to tailor material properties while meeting application requirements and avoiding use of organic solvents. In addition, WBPU dispersions offer the possibility to incorporate hydrophilicwater-dispersible reinforcement materials, such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), which represent a suitable candidate for preparation of nanocomposites due to their renewability, availability, and unique properties resulting from their nanoscale dimension. Therefore, in this work, different WBPU having small particle size with narrow distribution were synthesized at various isocyanate/hydroxyl (NCO/OH) group ratios, and CNC were isolated for preparation of nanocomposites with 1, 3, or 5 wt% CNC by solvent casting. It was observed that, just by varying the NCO/OH ratio, the polyurethane microstructure was altered, resulting in different ordered structures. At low NCO/OH ratio, soft ordered domains were observed, whereas at higher NCO/OH ratio, hard ordered domains were obtained. These different microstructures of the matrix induced different behaviors of the CNC reinforcement, acting either as crystal growth inhibitor or nucleating agent, thereby modulating the properties of the final material in different ways.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Water-borne polyurethane-ureas added with plant extracts with bacteriostatic characteristics

The environmental awareness has promoted the development of new materials towards eco-friendly systems based on both, green synthesis processes and raw-materials of renewable origin. In this way, focusing the synthesis methods, the use of waterborne polyurethane-urea dispersions has gained attention due to their versatility leading to a wide variety of applications [1], broadening the range of applications. In addition, it is worth noting that the dispersibility in water offers the possibility of incorporating water compatible additives, such as plant extracts obtained by aqueous-based extraction procedures. Therefore, in this work bioactive plant extracts from Melissa officinalis L. [2] were incorporated into waterborne polyurethane-urea dispersions (WBPUU), varying their content and using three different incorporation routes. These dispersions were characterized and employed in the preparation of films which were analyzed from the viewpoint of physicochemical, thermal, thermomechanical and mechanical properties as well as their morphology, among others. Finally, the antibacterial properties of the films were analyzed after 1 and 4 days of incubation, where it was observed that the content and incorporation route of the extracts has influenced the behavior of the films against common pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).Financial support from the Basque Government in the frame of Grupos Consolidados (IT-776-13), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MAT2016-76294-R) and technical support provided by SGIker (UPV/EHU), UID/AGR/00690/2013 (CIMO) and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 (LA LSRE-LCM) are gratefully acknowledged.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio