Silicone Rubber and Microcrystalline Cellulose Composites with Antimicrobial Properties

The goal of this study was to create polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) composites with high mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity. Vinyl-terminated PDMS was mixed with bifunctional filler, which combines MCC stiffness and antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles. To provide antimicrobial properties the silver nanoparticles in situ were synthesized by chemical reducing method in MCC aqueous suspension. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) concentration deposited on MCC particles surface was varied. The morphology, antimicrobial activity and mechanical properties of PDMS/MCC composites and their components have been investigated. It was shown that the combination of MCC/AgNPs as a filler and PDMS as matrix advantages bring multifunctional properties to polymer matrix composite. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.20.1.4397</p

Investigation of Polyvinyl Chloride and Thermoplastic Polyurethane Waste Blend Miscibility

In this study the miscibility of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and poly-e-caprolactone based thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) waste blends were investigated by dilute solution viscometry. The miscibility criteria a, Db, DB, and D[h] were used to assess the degree of miscibility of polymers in tetrahydrofuran solution. Also, to assess the miscibility and microstructure of PVC/TPU blends obtained by solution casting have been characterized by X-ray diffraction. The tensile strength and deformability properties varying on the blend composition were determined. It was found that PVC and TPU are partially miscible, their blend is amorphous and show two-phase structure. TPU changes the mechanical behaviour of PVC the blends. Increase of TPU content causes PVC elongation at break increase and tensile strength decreases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.19.4.3145</p