Atomic Force Microscopy of Structural-Mechanical Properties of Polyethylene Reinforced by Silicate Needle-Shaped Filler

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of polyethylene-based composites reinforced with silicate needle-shaped filler (palygorskite) of different mass fraction (0, 5, 10, and 15%). These composites are less flammable and fire toxic than unfilled polyethylene. The structure (size, shape, and agglomeration of filler) and local mechanical properties of composites in nonstretched and elongated states were investigated by AFM. In stretched samples palygorskite takes a wavy shape, and at extremely high elongation the filler is orthogonal to the axis of tension. The smooth surfaces of the samples, required for AFM, were prepared using the heating/cooling procedure

Cyclic Methacrylate Tetrahydropyrimidinones: Synthesis, Properties, (Co)Polymerization

During radical polymerization of novel biocidal methacrylate guanidine monomers, a cyclic byproduct was discovered and identified as 2-imino-5-methyltetrahydropyrimidin-4(1H)-one (THP). Its methacrylate salt (MTHP) was synthesized and characterized via 1H and 13C NMR and pyrolysis chromatography. Synthesis conditions of both THP and MTHP were optimized to high yields, and both MTHP homopolymerization (in aqua) and copolymerization with diallyldimethylammonium chloride (in aqua in salt form) were successfully carried out with middle to high yields, providing a promising platform for potential tailored biocide polymers

Use of Polyguanidine-Derivatives-Based Biocides for Microbial Growth Inhibition and for the Development of A Novel Polyethylene-Based Composite Material Resistant to the Formation of Multispecies Microbial Biofilms

This study aimed to investigate the dependence of the biocidal activity of polyguanidine (co)polymers on their structure during the formation of biofilms by active PE-degrading cultures of model microorganisms. The Bc-2 copolymer of methacryloyl guanidine hydrochloride (MGHC) and diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC), which suppressed both the formation of biofilms and the growth of planktonic cultures, exhibited the highest activity. When PE was exposed in tropical soil, the composition of the microbial community on the PE surface differed significantly from that of the community in the surrounding soil. In particular, the proportion of Actinobacteria increased from 7% to 29%, while the proportion of Bacteroidetes decreased from 38% to 8%. Keywords: biofilms, polyhexamethylene guanidine salts, dynamics of biofilm formation, antibiofilm effect, composite material