International Journal of Polymer Science
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Acceptance rate29%
Submission to final decision72 days
Acceptance to publication27 days
CiteScore4.600
Journal Citation Indicator0.470
Impact Factor2.973

Reinforcement of Nanocellulose as Green Agent in the Electronic Applications Associated with the Composites of Polymer Matrix

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 Journal profile

International Journal of Polymer Science publishes research on the chemistry and physics of macromolecules, including the synthesis and characterisation of polymeric materials and polymerisation processes, both theoretical and experimental.

 Editor spotlight

Chief Editor Dr. Qinglin Wu is Gordon Cain Chair and Roy O. Martin Sr. Professor at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. His current research focus on sustainable nanomaterials as building blocks for composites, fluids, and energy storage materials.

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Research Article

Fabrication of pH-Responsive Chitosan/Polyvinylpyrrolidone Hydrogels for Controlled Release of Metronidazole and Antibacterial Properties

This research focused on preparing hydrogels with controlled drug release properties to control gastrointestinal tract bacterial infection. Chitosan (CS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used as the base polymers, with the CS component crosslinked by glutaraldehyde for hydrogel preparation using the solution casting technique. The effect of varying glutaraldehyde content in the hydrogels was characterized by the extent of swelling in simulated physiological fluids of pH 1.2, 6.8, and 7.4; the development of porosity; and gel fraction. Functional groups and covalent and hydrogen bonds formed, thermal stability, phase structure, and morphology were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the components in the hydrogels have good compatibility and formed honeycomb-like structures. In vitro studies confirmed that the hydrogels have good biodegradability at pH 7.4. Based on these properties, a CS/PVP hydrogel of the ratio of 60 : 40 crosslinked with 600 μL glutaraldehyde was selected for the in-situ loading of 200 mg of the drug metronidazole (MTZ). The hydrogel was characterized for cumulative drug release in the simulated physiological fluids and drug release kinetics using different models and for its antibacterial activity. The best-fit Korsmeyer–Peppas model suggests that MTZ release followed diffusion and swelling-controlled time-dependent non-Fickian transport related to hydrogel erosion. This hydrogel displays enhanced antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli showed substantial inhibition zones indicating the produced CS/PVP hydrogels are promising candidates for controlled drug release applications.

Research Article

Preparation and Characterization of Polyurethane Rigid Foam Nanocomposites from Used Cooking Oil and Perlite

Modern chemical industries trend towards industrial ecology to achieve a circular economy, because of increasing environmental and economic awareness jointly. One of the most important of these industries is polyurethane, accompanied by more and more interest in using renewable polyols. The study focuses on synthesizing and characterizing polyurethane rigid foams formulated by replacing 40%, 60%, and 100% of a petrochemical polyol with a bio-polyol derived from used cooking oil, and introducing perlite and modified perlite nanoparticles into the bio-polyol. The products were evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analyses, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The results indicate that the hydroxide value and viscosity at 25°C of the bio-polyol were around  mg KOH/g and 148 mPa s. Bio-polyol blends of 40% and 60% had no significant effect on the thermal properties of polyurethane systems. The lowest value of char yield was observed for the sample with a 100% bio-polyol content of 2.3%. The beneficial effects of both perlite and modified perlite particles on the 100% bio-polyol-based foam were observed as having an effective role in improving thermal stability and reconstructing cellular structure. The yield char increased to 13.2%, 14%, 14.7%, and 15% for the two filler contents 2.5% and 5%. However, the new bio-polyol has a fairly good value in industrial construction, and the perlite particles have enhanced and improved this value.

Research Article

Investigating the Effect of Curing Activators on the Cure Kinetics of Acrylonitrile–Butadiene Rubber Filled with Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxides Nanocomposites

For the first time, acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR)–graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites were prepared without cure activators: zinc oxide/stearic acid (ZnO/SA) and studied. The vulcanization characteristics of the compounds were systematically studied at 160–190°C, with the aid of rheometer and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. NBR revealed rapid curing time (t90) with greater cure rate index compared with NBR–GO/rGO composites for the rheometer measurement. This results were in correspondence with the activation energies Ea (kJ/mol) calculated by Ozawa and Kissinger models of vulcanization kinetics. NBR–rGO obtained reduced t90 and Ea (kJ/mol) than NBR–GO, perhaps due to lower oxygenated groups: epoxide (–C–O–C–), carboxyl (–O–C=O), and hydroxyl (–OH) present. Although, the composites delayed in curing, they significantly recorded high tensile properties with high reinforcing factors than NBR. The order of increasing mechanical properties: NBR < NBR–rGO < NBR–GO followed the same order of increasing crosslinking density. In terms of tensile strength, NBR–GO-1 obtained 62.5% and 18.2% increment than NBR and NBR–rGO-1, respectively. The findings from this study indicate that the absence of ZnO/SA in rubber compounds may slow down curing of rubber–GO/rGO composites and lower networks compared with those containing activators ZnO/SA. However, optimization of ZnO/SA and with desired functional groups on graphene and derivative graphene sheets (GDS) including other proposed factors may enhance the curing speed of rubber–GDS based systems, without compromising their mechanical integrity for advanced applications.

Review Article

Preparation, Characteristics, and Application of Biopolymer Materials Reinforced with Lignocellulosic Fibres

Various environmental concerns motivate scientists and researchers to look out for unique new materials in science and technology. In order to address the demand for polymeric materials with partial biodegradability, the usage of lignocellulosic fibre in the polymer matrix has risen. Lignocellulosic fibres are a cheap, easily renewable resource that is readily available in all regions. Cellulosic plant fibres also have a plethora of possibilities for use in polymer reinforcement because of their properties. Many researchers put their effort into developing a natural polymer with better mechanical properties and thermal stability using nanotechnology and the use of natural polymers to make its composites with lignocellulosic fibres. This study provides a review of the biodegradable composite market, processing methods, matrix-reinforcement phases, morphology, and characteristic improvements. In addition, it provides a concise summary of the findings of significant research on natural fibre polymer composites (NFRCs) that have been published. Indeed, a noticeably brief discussion is provided on the significant issues faced during composite extraction as well as the challenges encountered during the machining. Recent developments in the study of lignocellulosic fibre composites or NFRCs have demonstrated their enormous potential as structural elements in vehicles, aerospace structures, buildings, ballistics, soundproofing, and other structures.

Research Article

The Influence of Glass Fiber/Glass Fiber Powder with β-Nucleating Agent on the Properties of Polypropylene

Glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP/GF) has been widely used due to its high stiffness, but for some applications that need low-module characteristics, PP/GF will have limitations due to its lower toughness, so it is necessary to develop glass fiber-modified polypropylene with good stiffness–toughness balance performance. In this study, two average length glass fibers (4.5 mm and 12 mm) and glass fiber powder, combined with β-nucleating agent, were used to investigate the effects on the crystallization and mechanical properties of polypropylene. The results show that compared with glass fiber, glass fiber powder cooperates with β-nucleating agent reinforced polypropylene composite showed good stiffness–toughness balance performance, and β-crystals were found in the composite measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), the presence of β-crystals can improve the toughness of the composite.

Research Article

Proximate Chemical Analysis and Effect of Age and Height of Oxytenanthera abyssinica on Fiber Morphology and Chemical Compositions for Pulp and Paper Production Potential

This study examined the chemical composition, fiber morphology, and physical properties of Oxytenanthera abyssinica culm to assess its pulping potential. Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) and Franklin’s methods have been used for experiments. The statistical analysis showed that the chemical composition of O. abyssinica is influenced by the age of the plant. The amount of cellulose in the culm increases with age, while hand extractive content decreases with age. The average chemical content of the three years aged O. abyssinica was  wt%,  wt%, and  wt% for cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents, respectively. A significant difference exists between 1, 2, and 3-year aged plants () in cellulose, lignin, ash, and extractive content. The position of the culm also affects the fiber morphology of O. abyssinica. The fiber’s length, diameter, cell wall thickness, and lumen diameter increase from top to bottom, whereas the flexibility and slenderness ratio decrease. The average fiber morphology of O. abyssinica was flexibility ratio (), Runkel ratio (), slenderness ratio (), lumen diameter (μm), cell wall thickness (μm), fiber length ( mm), and fiber diameter (μm). The above data showed that the mean value of the fiber length of the plant is greater than 1.5 mm, the Runkel ratio was less than 1, and the slenderness ratio was greater than 70 standard values. The result also showed that the average bulk density and the moisture content were 660 kg/m3 and 9.6%, respectively. Although O. abyssinica is widely grown in the study area, no comprehensive studies have been carried out on fiber morphology, chemical composition, and physical properties based on age and height. Thus, this research was carried out to study the plant’s fiber characteristics to assess its suitability for pulp and paper production. Based on the above data, the 3-year aged bottom part of O. abyssinica is recommended for more yield pulp and high-quality paper production than the first and second-year aged plant.

International Journal of Polymer Science
 Journal metrics
See full report
Acceptance rate29%
Submission to final decision72 days
Acceptance to publication27 days
CiteScore4.600
Journal Citation Indicator0.470
Impact Factor2.973
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