Chitosan: poly (vinyl) alcohol composite alkaline membrane incorporating organic ionomers and layered silicate materials into a PEM electrochemical reactor

Mixed matrix membranes (MMM) are prepared from equivalent blends of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chitosan (CS) polymers doped with organic ionomers 4VP and AS4, or inorganic layered titanosilicate AM-4 and stannosilicate UZAR-S3, by solution casting to improve the mechanical and thermal properties, hydroxide conductivity and alcohol barrier effect to reduce the crossover. The structural properties, thermal stability, hydrolytic stability, transport and ionic properties of the prepared composite membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), water uptake, water content, alcohol permeability, thickness, ion exchange capacity (IEC) and OH- conductivity measurements. The addition of both organic and inorganic fillers in a CS:PVA blend polymer enhances the thermal and ionic properties. All the membranes are homogenous, as revealed by the SEM and XRD studies, except when UZAR-S3 stannosilicate is used as filler, which leads to a dual layer structure, a top layer of UZAR-S3 lamellar particles bound together by the polymer matrix and a bottom layer composed mostly of polymer blend. The loss of crystallinity was especially remarkable in 4VP/CS:PVA membrane. Thus, the 4VP/CS:PVA membrane exhibits the best ionic conductivity, whereas the UZAR-S3/CS:PVA membrane the best reduced alcohol crossover. Finally, the performance of the CS:PVA-based membranes were tested in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrochemical Reactor (PEMER) for the feasibility use of alkaline anionic exchange membranes in electrosynthesis under alkaline conditions, showing the 4VP/CS:PVA and UZAR-S3/CS:PVA membranes the best performances in PEMER.We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) for CTQ2012-31229 project at the University of Cantabria, and MINECO-FEDER (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (2014- 2020) through the CTQ2013-48280-C3-3-R project at the University of Alicante. C. C. C. also thanks the MINECO for the “Ramón y Cajal” program at the University of Cantabria (RYC2011-08550), and L. G. C. for her PhD fellowship BES-2011-045147 and the EEBB- 14-09094 mobility grant for the research stay at the University of Cantabria, respectively. Dr. César Rubio, Prof. Carlos Téllez and Prof. Joaquín Coronas from the University of Zaragoza are also warmly thanked for the UZAR-S3 sample

Gender differences in the use of cardiovascular interventions in HIV-positive persons; the D:A:D Study

Peer reviewe

Etude des phénomènes de protonation et de diffusion dans des membranes échangeuses d'anions à base de poly (4-vinylpyridine)

MONTPELLIER-BU Sciences (341722106) / SudocSudocFranceF

La rééducation d'emblée des ischiojambiers après chirurgie du DIDT

Etude des effets (amplitude articulaire, douleur) d'un renforcement précoce des muscles ischio-jambiers lors de la rééducation après technique chirurgicale de reconstruction ligamentaire du genou utilisant le droit interne et le demi-tendineux comme transplant (DIDT

Evaluation clinique par le MK des pathologies de la coiffe des rotateurs : incidence sur la prise en charge

Bilan des déficiences musculaires, posturales, articulaires et tendineuses : degré de mobilité, batterie de tests de conflits et de tendinopathies. Bilan des incapacités

Patellofemoral Arthroplasty Is an Efficient Strategy for Isolated Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis with or without Robotic-Assisted System

There is relative paucity in the literature concerning outcomes after robotic-assisted Patellofemoral Arthroplasty (PFA). The aims were (1) to evaluate outcomes in patients undergoing PFA with inlay or onlay components, with or without robotic arm assistance and (2) to identify risk factors of poor outcomes after PFA. This retrospective study included 77 PFA for isolated patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis, assigned to three groups (18 conventional technique, 17 image-free robotic-assisted system and 42 image-based robotic-assisted system). The demographic data were comparable between the three groups. The clinical outcomes assessed were: Visual Analogue Scale, Knee Society Score, Kujala score and satisfaction rate. The radiological measures were: Caton Deschamps index, patellar tilt and frontal alignment of the trochlea. Functional outcomes, satisfaction rate and residual pain were comparable between the three groups. Patellar tilt improvement was superior when a robotic device was used (either image-based or image-free) compared to the conventional technique. There were three revisions (3.9%) at the last follow-up related to femorotibial osteoarthritis progression. Multivariate analysis found no significant risk factors for poor outcomes, with respect to the surgical technique or implant design. Functional outcomes and revisions rate after PFA were comparable between the surgical techniques and implants. Robotic-assisted systems were associated with a superior improvement of the patellar tilt compared to the conventional technique