Le mélange de polymères offre une voie pratique et économique pour élaborer de nouveaux matériaux qui peuvent avoir des propriétés que chacun des polymères ne possède pas nécessairement. L’élaboration de mélanges de polymères à base de PP a souvent pour objet d’obtenir des matériaux avec une résistance au choc élevée, une rigidité suffisante et une processabilité adéquate. Le polycarbonate (PC) est mélangé avec le PP en raison de ses propriétés exceptionnelles (rigidité élevée et résistance au choc excellente) par rapport à d’autres polymères techniques. Le PC se disperse mal dans le PP car ils sont immiscibles entre eux et leur rapport de viscosité très élevé. La clé pour obtenir des mélanges PP/PC avec une résistance au choc élevée et une rigidité suffisante consiste à les compatbiliser et à diminuer le rapport de viscosité de manière efficace. De nouveaux agents compatibilisants ont été développés pour renforcer les interactions entre le PC et le PP et contrôler la morphologie des mélanges. Les mélanges PP/PC obtenus ont une très résistance au choc et une rigidité suffisante. La performance des agents compatibilisants ainsi que les mécanismes d’amélioration de la résistance au choc ont été étudiés. L’évolution de la morphologie des mélanges PP/PC ainsi que la relation entre la composition et la microstructure ont été simulées avec l’aide des théories de dynamiques à l’échelle moléculaire et mésoscopique / Polymer blending provides a practical and economic way of preparing new materials with combinations of properties not available in a single polymer. In order to improve the toughness of polypropylene while retaining its rigidity as much as possible, a new concept “rigid–rigid polymer toughening” was developed. Polycarbonate (PC) was selected to blend with PP in this study because of the advantages it provides over many other conventional engineering polymers in terms of high strength and toughness. The key to obtaining materials with high toughness and balanced rigidity relies on effectively compatibilizing this polymer pair and reducing the viscosity ratio. In this study, novel compatibilizers for the PP/PC blend were prepared or chosen to promote interactions between PP and PC and control the morphology of the blend. Some of the compatibilizers took the role of both compatibilizer and toughener. The performance of compatibilizers and toughening mechanism of blends were studied in detail. The morphology evolution of PP/PC blends and the relationship between the composition and microstructure were simulated based on molecular dynamics and mesodyn theories

In this dissertation, two approaches were taken to design aqueous dispersible or soluble high performance ion containing polymers to be used as composite system interfacial modifiers and processing aids. In the first approach, thermally stable pyridine containing poly(ary/ene ether)s were designed which could be ionized by protonation in acidic aqueous media. A novel pyridine containing bisphenol monomer, 2,6-(p-hydroxyphenoxy)pyridine, was synthesized and utilized as a monomer for the synthesis of these pyridine moiety containing, high performance polymers containing sulfone, sulfoxide, phosphine oxide, ketimine, and ketone moieties. These pyridine containing poly(arylene ether)s can function as electrostatic stabilizers, but not as the more efficient steric stabilizers. ThE: second approach endeavored to form controlled molecular weight poly(ether-irTlides) via water soluble poly(amic acid) salt precursors. In this approach controlled molecular weight poly(amic acid)s were synthesized, and treated with stoichiometric quantities of tertiary or quaternary ammonium bases to form poly(amic acid) salts. The imidization conditions, and chemistry of the conversion of the poly(amic acid) salts to imide were studied, with the aim of maintaining the targeted molecular weight distribution and properties analogous to a control polyimide. For the above mentioned aqueous dispersion prepregging process, it is required that the matrix resin be in the form of small uniform particles capable of penetrating the interstices of a tight carbon fiber weave. Sub ~lm dimension poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) particles useful for aqueous dispersion prepregging were prepared on a large scale by precipitation from high temperature solvent, quantitatively purified, and shown to display properties analogous to the commercial precursor material. In the final chapter of this dissertation, the synthesis and characterization of a polyolefin macromer, and it's incorporation into a polyester is detailed. These macromers, and the graft polymers resulting, have applicability in the area of polymer blend compatibilization. / Ph. D.

Neste trabalho, blendas de polipropileno/amido termoplástico (PP/TPS) foram preparadas como um material alternativo para uso em embalagens descartáveis. Este material apresenta características morfológicas típicas de blendas imiscíveis e um agente compatibilizante é necessário. Para obter o amido termoplástico (TPS), amido de milho foi misturado com glicerol, na proporção amido/glicerol de 70/30 m/m. As blendas PP/TPS com e sem agentes compatibilizantes foram produzidas em extrusora dupla rosca. Utilizou-se como agentes compatibilizantes naturais (ACN) três diferentes ácidos carboxílicos: mirístico (C14), palmítico (C16) e esteárico (C18), em concentração constante de 3 % m/m. O efeito dos ACN nas propriedades mecânicas, físicas, térmicas e morfológicas foram investigadas e comparadas com blendas de PP/TPS com polipropileno graftizado com anidrido maléico (PPgMA). Entre as blendas, as com C14 apresentaram propriedades equivalentes ou melhores que as com PPgMA, como resistência à tração e deformação na ruptura (18,1 e 18,9 MPa, e 263 e 216 % respectivamente). A blenda PP/TPS/C14 mostrou a maior resistência ao impacto (370 J/m), boa adesão e interação interfacial entre PP e TPS como demonstrado nas imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Após 180 dias de exposição ao intemperismo natural, a tensão na ruptura da blenda PP/TPS não se alterou, enquanto que a blenda PP/TPS/C14 apresentou 80 % de redução. Em relação a deformação na ruptura, a blenda não compatibilizada mostrou 75 % de redução e a blenda com C14, 97 %. As imagens de MEV da superfície dos materiais expostos mostram um início degradação biótica, devido a presença de possíveis microrganismos. Após o intemperismo as amostras foram submetidas ao ensaio de respirometria por 120 dias. Os resultados mostraram que a exposição ao intemperismo afeta diretamente a taxa de biodegradação, onde períodos maiores foram responsáveis por índices maiores de gás carbônico, principalmente para a blenda PP/TPS/C14. Assim, o ácido mirístico atuou como um agente compatibilizante e também como um foto-iniciador, catalisando a degradação abiótica das blendas PP/TPS. / In this work, polypropylene/thermoplastic starch (PP/TPS) blends were prepared as an alternative material to use in disposable packaging. This material displays morphological characteristics typical of immiscible blends and a compatibilizer agent is needed. For obtaining the thermoplastic starch (TPS), starch granules were plasticized with glycerol in a weight ratio of starch/glycerol 70/30. PP/TPS blends with and without compatibilizer agent were manufactured in a twin-screw extruder. It was used as natural compatibilizer agent (NCA) three different carboxylic acids: myristic (C14), palmitic (C16) and stearic (C18), in constant concentration of 3 % w/w. NCA effect on the mechanical, physical, thermal and morphological properties of PP/TPS blends were investigated and compared against PP/TPS with PP-grafted maleic anhydride (PPgMA). When compared to PP/TPS with PPgMA, blends with C14 presented equivalent or even better properties, as tensile strength and elongation at break (18.9 and 18.1 MPa, and 216 and 263 % respectively). PP/TPS/C14 blend showed the highest impact strength (370.4 J/m), good adhesion and interfacial interaction between PP and TPS was observed in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. After 180 days of natural weathering exposure, the tensile strength of the PP/TPS has not changed, while the PP/TPS/C14 showed 80 % reduction. For elongation at break, the non-compatibilized blend showed a 75 % reduction and blend with C14, 97 %. SEM images of exposed surface suggest the presence of microorganism. After the natural weathering, the samples were subjected to respirometry test for 120 days at 58 °C. Natural weathering exposition directly affects the rate of biodegradation, where longer period were responsible for higher rates of carbon dioxide, mainly for PP /TPS/C14. Thus, myristic acid served as a compatibilizer agent and also as a photo-initiator, catalyzing the abiotic degradation of the blends PP/TPS.

In this study, the effects of organoclay loading, compatibilizer loading and polyethylene type on the morphology, rheology, thermal properties and mechanical properties of polyethylene/compatibilizer/organoclay nanocomposites were investigated. As compatibilizer, terpolymer of ethylene-methacrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (Lotader&reg / AX8900), as organoclay Cloisite&reg / 15A were used. All samples were prepared by a co-rotating twin screw extruder, followed by injection molding. Considering ternary nanocomposites, highest impact strength results were obtained with 10% compatibilizer plus 2% organoclay / highest yield stress, elastic modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus were obtained with 5% compatibilizer plus 4-6% organoclay. DSC data indicated that addition of organoclay and compatibilizer did not change the melting point remarkably / on the other hand it affected the crystallinity. The organoclay used had no nucleation effect on polyethylene, and the compatibilizer decreased the crystallinity of the matrix. X-ray diffraction showed that in all ternary nanocomposites and in binary nanocomposite of high density polyethylene with organoclay, layer separation associated with intercalation of the clay structure occurred,. The highest increase of interlayer gallery spacing was obtained with 10% compatibilizer plus 2% organoclay, which were 25%, 28% and 27% for HDPE, LLDPE and LDPE matrices respectively.

The effects of polyethylene, (PE), type, compatibilizer type and organoclay type on the morphology, rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties of ternary low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), matrix nanocomposites were investigated in this study. Ethylene &ndash / Methyl acrylate &ndash / Glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (E-MAGMA) and Ethylene &ndash / Butyl acrylate- Maleic anhydrate terpolymer (E-BA-MAH) were used as the compatibilizers. The organoclays selected for the study were Cloisite 30B and Nanofil 8. Nanocomposites were prepared by means of melt blending via co-rotating twin screw extrusion process. Extruded samples were injection molded to be used for material characterization tests. Optimum amounts of ingredients of ternary nanocomposites were determined based on to the mechanical test results of binary blends of PE/Compatibilizer and binary nanocomposites of PE/Organoclay. Based on the tensile test results, the optimum contents of compatibilizer and organoclay were determined as 5 wt % and 2 wt %, respectively. XRD and TEM analysis results indicated that intercalated and partially exfoliated structures were obtained in the ternary nanocomposites. In these nanocomposites E-MA-GMA compatibilizer produced higher d-spacing in comparison to E-BA-MAH, owing to its higher reactivity. HDPE exhibited the highest basal spacing among all the nanocomposite types with E-MA-GMA/30B system. Considering the polymer type, better dispersion was achieved in the order of LDPE&lt / LLDPE&lt / HDPE, owing to the linearity of HDPE, and short branches of LLDPE. MFI values were decreased by the addition of compatibilizer and organoclay to the matrix polymers. Compatibilizers imparted the effect of sticking the polymer blends on the walls of test apparatus, and addition of organoclay showed the filler effect and increased the viscosity. DSC analysis showed that addition of compatibilizer or organoclay did not significantly affect the melting behavior of the nanocomposites. Degree of crystallinity of polyethylene matrices decreased with organoclay addition. Nanoscale organoclays prevented the alignment of polyethylene chains and reduced the degree of crystallinity. Ternary nanocomposites had improved tensile properties. Effect of compatibilizer on property enhancement was observed in mechanical results. Tensile strength and Young&rsquo / s modulus of nanocomposites increased significantly in the presence of compatibilizers.

Polypropylene (PP) and ethylene-co-octene copolymer (EOC) blends were prepared at various component ratios and reinforced with silica nanoparticles (SiO2). Strategies to improve filler dispersion involved the grafting of a silane coupling agent on the PP matrix, the addition of a maleated PP (PP-g-MA) as a compatibilizer and the use of hydrophobic silica nanoparticles. These approaches resulted in a fine dispersion of the nanoparticles within the PP phase and induced a reduction of the size of the EOC domains, due to a barrier effect. Tensile and flexural properties were significantly increased, whereas ductility and impact properties were not affected. These enhancements are attributed to the favourable microstructure of the blends, featuring a segregated microstructure, and to the improved interfacial adhesion between the functionalized polymer matrix and the surface of the nanoparticles. The microstructure and rheology of model melt compounded EOC-based nanocomposites were investigated. Functionalization of the polyolefin matrix was accomplished through silane grafting, or addition of a maleated EOC (EOC-g-MA) compatibilizer. Various grades of unmodified SiO2 having different specific surface areas (SSA), as well as a surface-modified grade were added to the EOC matrix at various loadings. The formation of covalent and hydrogen bonds between the silanol groups and the functionalized polymer generated strong polymer/filler (P/F) interactions, resulting in improved filler dispersion. Bound polymer characterization revealed that in the compatibilized materials, the amount of polymer physically attached to the nanoparticles was higher than in the non-compatibilized samples. In the absence of a compatibilizer, larger SiO2 aggregates formed upon increasing SSA because of increased probability of hydrogen bonding between the particles. The increased propensity for aggregation was revealed by time sweeps as well as by the increased strain sensitivity in stress sweeps. On the contrary, the compatibilized composites exhibited a stable response and a higher critical strain for the onset of non-linearity, indicative of stronger adhesion between the fillers and the matrix. Superposition of oscillatory and creep/recovery experiments revealed that the viscoelastic properties in the terminal region were influenced substantially by the state of dispersion of the nanoparticles. In the absence of a compatibilizer, substantial enhancements in the linear viscoelastic (LVE) functions were noted and an increasing SSA resulted in more significant deviations from terminal flow. On the contrary, the SSA of the particles had no effect on the viscoelastic and mechanical properties of the compatibilized composites. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-04-18 15:17:52.471

Neste trabalho, blendas de polipropileno/amido termoplástico (PP/TPS) foram preparadas como um material alternativo para uso em embalagens descartáveis. Este material apresenta características morfológicas típicas de blendas imiscíveis e um agente compatibilizante é necessário. Para obter o amido termoplástico (TPS), amido de milho foi misturado com glicerol, na proporção amido/glicerol de 70/30 m/m. As blendas PP/TPS com e sem agentes compatibilizantes foram produzidas em extrusora dupla rosca. Utilizou-se como agentes compatibilizantes naturais (ACN) três diferentes ácidos carboxílicos: mirístico (C14), palmítico (C16) e esteárico (C18), em concentração constante de 3 % m/m. O efeito dos ACN nas propriedades mecânicas, físicas, térmicas e morfológicas foram investigadas e comparadas com blendas de PP/TPS com polipropileno graftizado com anidrido maléico (PPgMA). Entre as blendas, as com C14 apresentaram propriedades equivalentes ou melhores que as com PPgMA, como resistência à tração e deformação na ruptura (18,1 e 18,9 MPa, e 263 e 216 % respectivamente). A blenda PP/TPS/C14 mostrou a maior resistência ao impacto (370 J/m), boa adesão e interação interfacial entre PP e TPS como demonstrado nas imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Após 180 dias de exposição ao intemperismo natural, a tensão na ruptura da blenda PP/TPS não se alterou, enquanto que a blenda PP/TPS/C14 apresentou 80 % de redução. Em relação a deformação na ruptura, a blenda não compatibilizada mostrou 75 % de redução e a blenda com C14, 97 %. As imagens de MEV da superfície dos materiais expostos mostram um início degradação biótica, devido a presença de possíveis microrganismos. Após o intemperismo as amostras foram submetidas ao ensaio de respirometria por 120 dias. Os resultados mostraram que a exposição ao intemperismo afeta diretamente a taxa de biodegradação, onde períodos maiores foram responsáveis por índices maiores de gás carbônico, principalmente para a blenda PP/TPS/C14. Assim, o ácido mirístico atuou como um agente compatibilizante e também como um foto-iniciador, catalisando a degradação abiótica das blendas PP/TPS. / In this work, polypropylene/thermoplastic starch (PP/TPS) blends were prepared as an alternative material to use in disposable packaging. This material displays morphological characteristics typical of immiscible blends and a compatibilizer agent is needed. For obtaining the thermoplastic starch (TPS), starch granules were plasticized with glycerol in a weight ratio of starch/glycerol 70/30. PP/TPS blends with and without compatibilizer agent were manufactured in a twin-screw extruder. It was used as natural compatibilizer agent (NCA) three different carboxylic acids: myristic (C14), palmitic (C16) and stearic (C18), in constant concentration of 3 % w/w. NCA effect on the mechanical, physical, thermal and morphological properties of PP/TPS blends were investigated and compared against PP/TPS with PP-grafted maleic anhydride (PPgMA). When compared to PP/TPS with PPgMA, blends with C14 presented equivalent or even better properties, as tensile strength and elongation at break (18.9 and 18.1 MPa, and 216 and 263 % respectively). PP/TPS/C14 blend showed the highest impact strength (370.4 J/m), good adhesion and interfacial interaction between PP and TPS was observed in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. After 180 days of natural weathering exposure, the tensile strength of the PP/TPS has not changed, while the PP/TPS/C14 showed 80 % reduction. For elongation at break, the non-compatibilized blend showed a 75 % reduction and blend with C14, 97 %. SEM images of exposed surface suggest the presence of microorganism. After the natural weathering, the samples were subjected to respirometry test for 120 days at 58 °C. Natural weathering exposition directly affects the rate of biodegradation, where longer period were responsible for higher rates of carbon dioxide, mainly for PP /TPS/C14. Thus, myristic acid served as a compatibilizer agent and also as a photo-initiator, catalyzing the abiotic degradation of the blends PP/TPS.

Neste trabalho, blendas de polipropileno/amido termoplástico (PP/TPS) foram preparadas como um material alternativo para uso em embalagens descartáveis. Este material apresenta características morfológicas típicas de blendas imiscíveis e um agente compatibilizante é necessário. Para obter o amido termoplástico (TPS), amido de milho foi misturado com glicerol, na proporção amido/glicerol de 70/30 m/m. As blendas PP/TPS com e sem agentes compatibilizantes foram produzidas em extrusora dupla rosca. Utilizou-se como agentes compatibilizantes naturais (ACN) três diferentes ácidos carboxílicos: mirístico (C14), palmítico (C16) e esteárico (C18), em concentração constante de 3 % m/m. O efeito dos ACN nas propriedades mecânicas, físicas, térmicas e morfológicas foram investigadas e comparadas com blendas de PP/TPS com polipropileno graftizado com anidrido maléico (PPgMA). Entre as blendas, as com C14 apresentaram propriedades equivalentes ou melhores que as com PPgMA, como resistência à tração e deformação na ruptura (18,1 e 18,9 MPa, e 263 e 216 % respectivamente). A blenda PP/TPS/C14 mostrou a maior resistência ao impacto (370 J/m), boa adesão e interação interfacial entre PP e TPS como demonstrado nas imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Após 180 dias de exposição ao intemperismo natural, a tensão na ruptura da blenda PP/TPS não se alterou, enquanto que a blenda PP/TPS/C14 apresentou 80 % de redução. Em relação a deformação na ruptura, a blenda não compatibilizada mostrou 75 % de redução e a blenda com C14, 97 %. As imagens de MEV da superfície dos materiais expostos mostram um início degradação biótica, devido a presença de possíveis microrganismos. Após o intemperismo as amostras foram submetidas ao ensaio de respirometria por 120 dias. Os resultados mostraram que a exposição ao intemperismo afeta diretamente a taxa de biodegradação, onde períodos maiores foram responsáveis por índices maiores de gás carbônico, principalmente para a blenda PP/TPS/C14. Assim, o ácido mirístico atuou como um agente compatibilizante e também como um foto-iniciador, catalisando a degradação abiótica das blendas PP/TPS. / In this work, polypropylene/thermoplastic starch (PP/TPS) blends were prepared as an alternative material to use in disposable packaging. This material displays morphological characteristics typical of immiscible blends and a compatibilizer agent is needed. For obtaining the thermoplastic starch (TPS), starch granules were plasticized with glycerol in a weight ratio of starch/glycerol 70/30. PP/TPS blends with and without compatibilizer agent were manufactured in a twin-screw extruder. It was used as natural compatibilizer agent (NCA) three different carboxylic acids: myristic (C14), palmitic (C16) and stearic (C18), in constant concentration of 3 % w/w. NCA effect on the mechanical, physical, thermal and morphological properties of PP/TPS blends were investigated and compared against PP/TPS with PP-grafted maleic anhydride (PPgMA). When compared to PP/TPS with PPgMA, blends with C14 presented equivalent or even better properties, as tensile strength and elongation at break (18.9 and 18.1 MPa, and 216 and 263 % respectively). PP/TPS/C14 blend showed the highest impact strength (370.4 J/m), good adhesion and interfacial interaction between PP and TPS was observed in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. After 180 days of natural weathering exposure, the tensile strength of the PP/TPS has not changed, while the PP/TPS/C14 showed 80 % reduction. For elongation at break, the non-compatibilized blend showed a 75 % reduction and blend with C14, 97 %. SEM images of exposed surface suggest the presence of microorganism. After the natural weathering, the samples were subjected to respirometry test for 120 days at 58 °C. Natural weathering exposition directly affects the rate of biodegradation, where longer period were responsible for higher rates of carbon dioxide, mainly for PP /TPS/C14. Thus, myristic acid served as a compatibilizer agent and also as a photo-initiator, catalyzing the abiotic degradation of the blends PP/TPS.

Under de senaste åren, på grund av överanvändningen av icke förnybara resurser har den ekologiska miljön på jorden påverkats allvarligt. I takt med detta ökade oron bland människor om att resurserna skulle ta slut. Därför är det nödvändigt att utveckla och använda mer miljövänliga förnybara resurser. Ett av dessa alternativ är cellulosabaserat material, vilket är ett utmärkt val. Vanligtvis består cellulosabaserat material av ett förstärkande material (cellulosafiber) och en matris (polymer eller metall). Dock bör kompatibiliteten mellan cellulosamaterialet och polymermatrisen ses över, eftersom generellt är kompatibiliteten mellan de låg. I detta projekt studerades olika metoder för att förbättra kompatibiliteten mellan cellulosamaterialet och polymermatrisen. Två cellulosamaterial (mikrokristallin cellulosa (MCC) och cellulosaoxalat (COX)) behandlades med olika modifieringsmetoder för att förbättra kompatibiliteten och gränssnittsinteraktionen mellan materialen. För att modifiera MCC och COX användes bland annat kulmalning, vatten som dispergeringsmedel, förestring av cellulosafibrerna med oljesyra under olika reaktionstider (6, 18, respektive 48 timmar), samt att tillsätta ett kompatibiliseringsmedel, maleinsyraanhydrid-ympad polypropylen (MAPP), i olika halter (1% respektive 2%). För att framställa kompositproverna användes extrudering och formsprutning. Dragprovning genomfördes för att testa de mekaniska egenskaperna hos proverna. Ytterligare karakteriseringsanalyser som utfördes på de olika cellulosapulvren var kontaktvinkeln (CA), svepelektronmikroskopi (SEM), infrarödspektroskopi (FTIR), och röntgendiffraktion (XRD). Resultatet från dragprovningen visade att COX-proverna med 1% MAPP som kompatibilisator gav den högsta draghållfastheten och Youngs modul av alla kompositproverna som producerades i detta exjobb. Användningen av MAPP som kompatibiliseringsmedel visade ett bättre resultat än de andra undersökta metoderna för att förbättra kompatibiliteten mellan den hydrofila ytan på MCC/COX och den hydrofoba ytan på polymermatrisen. Att använda MAPP som kompatibilisator bör prioriteras vid tillverkningen av kompositmaterial. / In recent years, with the excessive use of non-renewable resources on the earth, the ecological environment has been seriously affected. At the same time, humans began to worry about running out of resources. Therefore, it is necessary to develop environmentally friendly renewable resources. Cellulose-based material is an excellent choice. Commonly, cellulose-based material consists of reinforcement (cellulose fiber) and matrix (polymer or metal). However, the compatibility between cellulosic material and polymer matrix should be considered. In general, the compatibility between them is poor. In this project, several methods to improve the compatibility between the cellulose material and polymer matrix were studied. Two cellulosic materials (microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and cellulose oxalate (COX)) were treated with different modification methods to improve the compatibility and interfacial interaction between the cellulosic material and polymer matrix. Ball milling, using water as a dispersing agent, using oleic acid to esterify cellulose fiber for different reaction times (6 h, 18 h, and 48 h), and using different concentrations (1% and 2%) of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as compatibilizers were applied to improve the compatibility between cellulose fiber and polymer matrix.  To produce the composite specimens, extrusion and injection molding were utilized. Tensile testing was done to test the mechanical properties of the specimens. Contact angle (CA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) were also performed on the various cellulose powders as characterization methods. According to the result of tensile testing, COX samples with 1% MAPP as compatibilizer, showed the highest tensile strength and Young’s modulus of all the composite samples produced in this master thesis. Using MAPP as a compatibilizer shows a better result than using other methods to improve the compatibility between hydrophilic MCC/COX surface and hydrophobic PP matrix. The use of MAPP as a compatibilizer should be prioritized when producing composite materials.

Orientador: Guilherme de Camargo Ferraz / Resumo: A descoberta de polímeros biodegradáveis influenciou a pesquisa biomédica. O poli (ácido lático) (PLA) e a Poli (Ɛ-caprolactona) (PCL) e suas blendas se tornaram foco de vários estudos por serem biodegradáveis e biorreabsorvíveis, particularmente em pesquisas envolvendo a implantação in vivo. Pelo presente, objetivou-se avaliar se o implante subcutâneo (SC) e intraperitoneal (IP) de PLA ou blenda PLA/ PCL são seguros, biocompatíveis e biodegradáveis em ratos machos Wistar. Os ratos foram distribuídos em cinco grupos avaliados em duas fases; aguda: -1, 1, 2, 7 e 14 dias e crônica: 2, 8 e 24 semanas após a implantação. Assim, estudaram se os grupos PLA (PLA puro), PLA/PCL (mistura PLA/PCL), instrumentado (GI), controle (C) e grupo controle inflamatório (CI). Para avaliar a biocompatibilidade utilizou-se teste comportamental de campo aberto (CA), filamentos de von Frey (FvF) e análises histopatológicas utilizando coloração de hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e picrosirius-hematoxilina (PSH). A biodegradação in vivo e degradação in vitro em solução de PBS a 37°C do PLA e PLA/PCL foram avaliadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As comparações foram realizadas entre os grupos subdivididos conforme a implantação IP e SC. No teste CA, realizado dois dias após a implantação, o grupo CI demonstrou redução nas frequências de locomoção e levantar e aumento na frequência de grooming em relação aos grupos implantados PLA, PLA/PCL, GI pela via IP ou SC e grupo C. As avaliações de FvF ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The discovery of biodegradable polymers influenced biomedical research. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (Ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and their blends have become the focus of several studies because they are biodegradable and bioreabsorbable, particularly in research involving implantation in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the subcutaneous (SC) and intraperitoneal (IP) implantation of PLA or PLA / PCL blends are safe, biocompatible and biodegradable in male Wistar rats. The rats were distributed in five groups evaluated in two phases; acute: -1, 1, 2, 7 and 14 days and chronic: 2, 8 and 24 weeks after implantation. Thus, we studied whether the groups PLA (pure PLA), PLA / PCL (PLA / PCL mixture), sham (S), control (C) and inflammatory control group (IC). To evaluate the biocompatibility, the open field behavioral test (OF), von Frey filaments (FvF) and histopathological analyzes using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and picrosirius-hematoxylin (PSH) were used. In vivo biodegradation and degradation in vitro in PBS solution at 37°C of PLA and PLA / PCL were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The comparisons were made between groups subdivided according to the IP and SC implementation. In the OF test, performed two days after implantation, the IC group demonstrated a reduction in the locomotion frequencies and augmentation and increase in the grooming frequency in relation to the PLA, PLA / PCL, sham implanted groups via IP or SC and C groups. FvF... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre