In this work, graphene/nature rubber (GE/NR) composites with filler content from 0 wt% to 1 wt% were prepared by an in situ reduction process. Thermal properties of the nanocomposites were studied by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and thermogravimetric difference (ΔTG). Composites with higher GE content evidenced stronger thermal stability-enhancing effect. Kinetic analysis showed that the activation energies (Ea) during degradation of composites were always higher than pure NR. However, Ea reached its maximum at 0.1 wt% GE content and started to decrease with further increase in GE loading. The changes in the thermal properties were attributed to the chemical structure and heat transfer properties of graphene sheets.

Carbon-based nanomaterials have attracted much research interest in recent years due to their excellent chemical and physiological properties such as chemical stability, low cytotoxicity, and biocompatibility. The traditional methods to prepare hollow carbon nanospheres require complicated instrumentation and harsh chemicals, including high-temperature furnace, gas inlets, and hydrogen fluoride etching. Herein, we propose a new strategy to prepare hollow carbon nanospheres in a simple and fast manner by using microwave radiation. Polypyrrole-coated silica core-shell nanoparticles (SiO2@PPy NPs) were firstly prepared and subsequently processed by microwave radiation and aqueous alkaline solution to obtain the hollow carbon nanospheres. This facile method has potent potential to be utilized in the preparation of different types of hollow carbon nanospheres with various microstructure and elemental composition.

We report on the synthesis of chitosan-alginate nanodisks (Cs-Al NDs) using a simple approach consisting of the ionotropic gelation method. Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) was used as crosslinking agent to promote the electrostatic interaction between amine groups the chitosan and hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of alginate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images provided direct evidence of the morphology of the nanodisks where agglomeration was observed due to the electrostatic interaction between the functional groups. Furthermore, dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that the hydrodynamic size of the Cs-Al NDs was 227 nm and 152 nm in pH 1.2 and pH 7.4, respectively, which is in agreement with the information observed in the SEM images. The chemical structure is presented mainly the amine and carboxyl groups due to the presence of chitosan and alginate in the nanodisks, respectively, which allow the electrostatic interaction through N-H linkages. According to the X-ray diffraction, we found that the Cs-Al NDs exhibited the typical structure of chitosan and alginate, which lead the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes. We also evaluated the encapsulation of amoxicillin in the nanodisk, obtaining a loading efficiency of 74.98%, as well as a maximum in vitro release amount of 63.2 and 52.3% at pH 1.2 and 7.4, respectively. Finally, the cytotoxicity effect of the Cs-Al nanodisks was performed in human prostatic epithelial PWR-1E and Caucasian prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cell lines, in which the cell viability was above 80% indicating low inhibition and determining the Cs-Al NDs as a promising technology for controlled delivery systems.

Previously, we developed several technical solutions for the conversion of isotropic polymers into materials of a new type—gradually oriented polymers with a gradient of physical and mechanical properties, thereby materializing for the first time the unused possibilities inherent in the polymeric nature of the substance. The scientific basis of these developments is the concept of a new structural state of linear polymers—a gradually oriented (stretched) state (GOS), the essence of which is set out briefly. An algorithm and a mathematical model for controlling the process of uniaxial, zonal stretching of linear polymers are proposed, which allow the formation of gradually or homogeneously oriented polymers (polymer composites). At the same time, specified values of quantitative parameters are ensured, in particular, the selected profile of distribution of the relative elongation (linear, sinusoidal, etc.) along the length of the gradually oriented polymer sample and the specified constant relative elongation along the length of the homogeneously oriented polymer. Mathematical expressions for calculating the conditions to obtain gradually oriented polymers with given geometric dimensions (length, width) and with a given distribution of relative elongation along the length of the resulting sample were also derived. The description of method and principles of operation of the appropriate device is given. Experimental data illustrating the possibilities of the proposed method and the efficiency of mathematical modeling are presented. The issues of creating functionally graded materials with a gradient of microstructure (gradient of degree of orientation/relative elongation) or chemical composition (volume fraction of functional fillers), respectively, based on thermoplastic polymer/copolymer or polymer composite (containing functional fillers) by method of uniaxial, zonal graded stretching are discussed.

Prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) is widely used for long-distance water pipelines throughout the world. However, prestressing wire breakage is the most common form of PCCP damage. For some pipelines that cannot be shut down, a new technique for in-service PCCP repair by externally bonding the pipe with layers of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) was proposed. A set of three-dimensional finite element models of the repaired PCCP have been proposed and implemented in the ABAQUS software, which took into account the soil pressure, the weight of the PCCP, the weight of the water, and the hydrostatic pressure. The stress–strain features of the PCCP repaired with CFRP of various thicknesses were analyzed. The stress–strain features of different wire breakage rates for the repaired PCCP were also analyzed. The results showed that the strains and stresses decreased at the springline if the PCCP was repaired with CFRP, which improved the operation of the PCCP. It has been found that the wire breakage rates had a significant effect on the strains and stresses of each PCCP component, but CFRP failed to reach its potential tensile strength when other materials were broken.

In view of the oilfield well thin oil layer, small gap, and side drilling cementing after perforating and subsequent stimulation caused by the cement ring embrittlement (i.e., secondary channeling), the preparation of nano-SiO2/carbon fiber-reinforced body and its influence on the performance of oil well cement were studied to improve the cement stone and enhance its adaptability to oil well pressure in this study. Carbon fibers were treated by liquid phase oxidation and a coupling agent, and the “grafting to” was used to bond nano-SiO2 and carbon fibers. It was found that the mechanical properties of the enhanced cement stone are far better than those of the blank cement stone. The compressive strength and tensile strength of the enhanced oil well cement stone were increased by 25% and 26%, respectively, compared with those of the blank oil well cement sample; the modulus of elasticity was reduced by 29%. Finally, the enhancement mechanism of SiO2/carbon fiber reinforcement on cement stone was explored by infrared, scanning electron microscopy, and XRD patterns. The deflection effect, pull-out effect, and bridging effect of crack were obtained.

A new modified hydrophobic organic polymer P(AM-DM-DMC12) is synthesized by free radical polymerization of three monomers in aqueous solution using a REDOX initiator system. Its structure is characterized by FT-IR and 1H-NMR, the effect of reaction conditions on the product is studied, and the flocculation performance and mechanism are discussed with the aim of wastewater turbidity and COD removal rate. The results showed that the synthesized compounds accorded with the target structure, and the optimum synthetic conditions are as follows: the molar ratio of AM, DM, and DMC12 is 4 : 1 : 1, total mass fraction of monomer is 35%, the mass fraction of redox initiator is 0.06%, and the molecular weight of P(AM-DM-DMC12) is 1.02×107. Moreover, the flocculation effect of P(AM-DM-DMC12) is obviously better than that of PAM, and it has the advantages of short flocculation time, low dosage, and wide application range of pH and has a good industrial application value and prospect.

Objective. Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) has antioxidant activity, immune enhancement, and other biological properties. However, the effect of PSP on intervertebral disc degeneration has not been reported. In this study, we mainly investigated the effect of PSP on the apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) during the process of intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods. A rat NPC model induced by H2O2 was constructed. The CCK8 method was used to measure the effects of PSP on the apoptosis of rat NPCs induced by H2O2. The effects on the activity of SOD and content of MDA were also determined. The rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration was treated with PSP for 1 month, and the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, COX2, iNOS, Col2α1, Col10α1, and MMP3 were measured by qPCR in the tissue of intervertebral disc. NPCs from the degenerated intervertebral discs were separated, and the cell viability was measured by the CCK8 method. The contents of SOD and MDA in NPCs were determined as well. Results. PSP significantly reduced the apoptosis of NPCs induced by H2O2, significantly increased the SOD content, and decreased the content of MDA in H2O2-induced NPCs. The expression level of IL-1β, COX2, and iNOS in the rat model with intervertebral disc degeneration was significantly downregulated after 1 month of PSP treatment. PSP treatment increased the expression of Col2α1 type and significantly decreased the expression of Col10α1 type collagen and MMP3 in rats with disc degeneration. PSP treatment significantly reduced NPC apoptosis and increased its SOD content and reduced MDA content, which is consistent with the results from cell-level experiments. Conclusion. PSP can effectively reduce the apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress of H2O2-induced NPCs in rats with intervertebral disc degeneration and mitigate the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration, which has the potential to be developed as new drugs for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.

This paper is aimed at assessing the fire retardancy and thermal stability of intumescent flame retardant (IFR) containing ammonium polyphosphate (APP), pentaerythritol (PER), and melamine (MEL). Zinc borate (ZB) was added at the loading of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, and 12% by weight of IFR. The sizes of investigated ZB fall in 3 ranges: 1-2 μm, 2-5 μm, and 5-10 μm. The performance of APP/PER/MEL was investigated by using thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), cone calorimeter test, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectrometry. The results obtained from the above experiments show that the incorporation of ZB can improve the fire protection performance. A 77% decrease in total smoke production and 84.6% decrease in total heat release were achieved for the addition of 2 wt% ZB (2-5 μm) in the IFR coating. TGA results indicate an increased amount of char residue. Compared to the control IFR coating, the char residue of IFR containing 2 wt% ZB (2-5 μm) has increased approximately 1.5-fold, 10-fold, and 25-fold, at 600°C, 700°C, and 800°C, respectively. The effective char formation results in excellent smoke suppression. Regarding smoke suppression performance, the order for smoke density is IFR/ZB (2-5 μm) < IFR/ZB (5-10 μm) < IFR/ZB (1-2 μm), regardless of investigated loading levels. The decline of smoke suppression performance for IFR/ZB (5-10 μm) and IFR/ZB (1-2 μm) is believed to be due to the poor char formation, as a result of a weak interaction of APP, PER, MEL, and ZB. This weak interaction is caused by the decrease in the specific surface area and agglomeration of ZB particles for IFR/ZB (5-10 μm) and IFR/ZB (1-2 μm), respectively.

Heating films were prepared by using poly(methyl methacrylate) and polybutadiene composites containing graphite. The heating film was prepared by casting the as-made polymer composite on the PET film. Copper electrodes were attached to both ends of the as-prepared film, and the heating characteristics of the film were analyzed while applying the DC voltage. The electrical conductivity and the heating temperature of the heating films depended on the size, the structure, the content, and the dispersion characteristics of the graphite in the composite. The electrical resistance of the heating film was controlled to adjust the heating temperature of the film. The relationship between the physical/chemical structure and the heating characteristics of the composite film was studied by measuring the heating temperature as functions of film thickness and resistance by using an infrared thermal imaging camera. The lower the film resistance, the higher the heating temperature of the film. The surface temperature was uniform throughout the film.