Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy is used in the characterization of synthetic polymers. MALDI allows for determination of: modal, most probable peak (M P), molecular number average (MN), molecular weight average (MW), polydispersity (PD), and polymer spread (PSP). We evaluate a new sample preparation method using Induction Based Fluidics (IBF) to kinetically launch and direct nanoliter volumes to a target without contact. IBF offers signal improvement via field enhanced crystallization. This is the first study to discuss filed enhanced crystallization in MALDI sample preparation. IBF can increase signal/noise (S/N) and signal intensity for polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) across a mass range of 2,500 to 92,000 Da showing more accurate PSP. Increases in S/N range up to: 279% for PS, 140% for PMMA, and 660% for PEG. Signal intensities increased up to: 438% for PS, 115% for PMMA, and 166% for PEG. Cross-polarization microscopy indicates dramatic morphology differences between IBF and micropipette. Finally, we speculate as to why IBF nanoliter depositions afford higher S/N values in experiments conducted in different instrumental configurations even without optimization. Next we sought to investigate whether nanoliter volumes of concentrated polar liquids and organic monomers launched to targets using IBF can be verified through the real time charge measurements. We show that using a nanoliter IBF dispensing device and nanocoulomb meter, charge measurements made on nanoliter drops in real time are correlated with the droplets surface area following Gauss’s Law. We infer the "induction only" formation of the double layer showing the ability to determine nanoliter volumes, nearly instantaneously, in real time. Implications are presented from these IBF measurement observations on improving/monitoring MALDI quantitation and its quality control. Polymer-dye interactions were further investigated using PMMA composites made from a polar metalloporphyrin [5-(4',4',5',5'-tetramethyl[1',3',2']dioxaborolan-2'-yl)-10,20-diphenylporphyrinato]zinc(II) (Zn(II)Bpin-DPP) in select weight %s (wt%s). Fluorescence spectroscopy has revealed that the porphyrin was well dispersed within the composite. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) showed that porphyrin acted as an antiplasticizer raising the glass transition (Tg) from 105 °C to 123 °C. Dielectric Analysis (DEA) was performed in the frequency range of 0.3 Hz to 100 kHz between -150 to 270 ⁰C. Permittivity (ε’), loss factor (ε’’) and dielectric response of beta (β), alpha beta (αβ), and conductivity relaxations were studied. Previous DEA data was limited to 190 ⁰C. This study brings analysis to 270 ⁰C which is start point for the first part of PMMA degradation. Thus forwarding DEA can be used to evaluate PMMA degradation. The electric modulus formalism is used to reveal the β and conductivity relaxations. The apparent activation energies (Ea) for the molecular relaxations are presented. AC (ζAC) and DC (ζDC) conductivity are also evaluated. Tan delta (δ), dissipation factor, evaluated between 1 Hz to 100 kHz was shown to increase with porphyrin loading although locally affected by free volume restriction. Havriliak-Negami (H-N) equation was fit using the complex electric modulus (M*) modified form and was performed on the conductivity region 160 to 190 ⁰C and degradation region 190 to 270 °C. Relaxations above the Tg were proven to be conductivity relaxations using four proofs. This is the first study to investigate PMMA degradation DEA with the complex electric modulus, M*, revealing a unique occurrence of increasing central relaxation times (s-1) and reducing electric loss modulus (M") frequency maxima (Hz) after the degradation temperature of 220 ⁰C was reached supporting current literature of the first of a two part degradation process that proceeds via end chain scission.

Nanocellulose is an interesting natural material thatis gaining interest in the field of materials science, particularly nanocomposites. Depending on the disintegration route, nanocellulose can be isolated either in the form of long and flexible fibres (nanofibrillated cellulose, NFC), or stiff, rod-like crystals (cellulose nanocrystals, CNC). Nanocellulose can be utilized in nanocomposites either as a reinforcement element or as a network matrix due to its ability to form a strong network. In this thesis, nanocellulose based materials are prepared by evaporation of a liquid medium. The key step in this processing route is a good dispersion of the nanoparticles in the selected matrix. Therefore the importance of surface modification in order to ensure favourable nanocellulose dispersion is clarified in avariety of materials systems. In Paper I, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) based fibres prepared by electrospinning were reinforced with nanofibrillated cellulose. Native NFC appeared to show a good compatibility with PMMA matrix in the electrospinning solution and resulting fibres. Furthermore, a new method for mechanical testing of mats with random fibre orientation as well as aligned fibres was developed. In Paper II, commingled nanopaper structures with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared. Several surfactants were used to disperse hydrophobic CNTs in water. A nonylphenol phosphate ester (NPPE) was found to work well for both dispersing CNTs in water and providing compatibility with NFC through electrostatic repulsion between the phosphate ester groups of the surfactant and the carboxylate groups of NFC. In Paper III, a new water based route for functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals was developed. In this approach, inspired by organo-modified layered silicates, quaternary ammonium salts were adsorbed. It was demonstrated that different functionalities (alkyl, phenyl, glycidylor diallyl) can be introduced onto the cellulose and the dispersibility in organic solvents was studied. Subsequently, in Paper IV, nanocomposites with poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)were prepared. The effect of modification on the degree of dispersion of the CNC within the matrix was studied as well as the strong effects on the properties of the resulting nanocomposites. In Paper V, taking advantage of the entangled NFC network and the possibility to tailor the pore size and surface chemistry, lubricant-infused slippery films and coatings based on NFC were prepared for the first time. / <p>QC 20131016</p>

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:07:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JoseKMAR_DISSERT.pdf: 2948541 bytes, checksum: 646d8653b036843236db0bfc42c7f90b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-10 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico / Currently new polymeric materials have been developed to replace other of traditionally materials classes. The use of dyes allows to expand and to diversify the applications in the polymeric materials development. In this work the behavior and ability of azo dyes Disperse Blue 79 (DB79) and Disperse Red 73 (DR73) on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were studied. Two types of mixtures were used in the production of masterbatches: 1) rheometer 2) solution. Processing by extrusion-blow molding of PMMA was carried out in order to evaluate the applications of polymeric films. Thermal analysis were performed by thermogravimetry to evaluate polymer and azo dyes thermal stability. Colorimetric analysis were obtained through monitoring the spectral variations associated with sys/trans/anti azo dyes isomerization process Colorimetric data were treated and evaluated in accordance to the color system RGB and CIEL*ab, by monitoring the color change as function of time. Mechanical properties, characterized by tensile tests, were evaluated and correlated with the presence and content of azo dyes in the samples. Analyses by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) were performed on the surfaces of samples to check the azo dye dispersion after the mixing process. It was concluded that the production of PMMA/azo dyes is possible and feasible, and the mixtures produced had synergy of properties for use in various applications / Atualmente novos materiais polim?ricos v?m sendo desenvolvidos, visando substituir outras classes de materiais tradicionalmente empregados. O uso de corantes possibilita ampliar e diversificar as possibilidades de aplica??es no desenvolvimento desses novos materiais. Neste trabalho foi estudado o comportamento e a capacidade de tingimento dos azocorantes: Azul Disperso 79 (DB79) e o Vermelho Disperso 73 (DR73), em uma matriz de poli(metacrilato de metila) (PMMA). Duas formas de misturas foram utilizadas na produ??o dos concentrados: na primeira, em re?metro de torque e na segunda, em solu??o. O processamento por extrus?o-sopro do PMMA foi realizado neste trabalho com intuito de avaliar suas aplica??es na forma de filmes polim?ricos. An?lises t?rmicas foram realizadas por termogravimetria para avaliar a estabilidade t?rmica dos pol?meros e dos azocorantes. An?lises por colorimetria foram obtidas por meio do acompanhamento das mudan?as espectrais associadas ao processo de isomeriza??o cis/trans/anti dos azocorantes. Os dados de colorimetria foram tratados e avaliados segundo o sistema de cores RGB e CIEL*ab, por meio do acompanhamento da mudan?a de colora??o em fun??o do tempo. As propriedades mec?nicas, caracterizadas por meio de ensaios de tra??o uniaxial, foram avaliadas e correlacionadas com a presen?a e quantidade de azocorantes na constitui??o das amostras. An?lises por microscopia eletr?nica de varredura (MEV) foram realizadas nas superf?cies das amostras para verificar a dispers?o dos corantes no final do processo de mistura. Verificou-se que a produ??o de PMMA/azocorantes ? poss?vel e vi?vel e as misturas produzidas apresentaram sinergia de propriedades para utiliza??o em diversas aplica??es

Orientador: Oswaldo Luiz Alves / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T10:57:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigues_CarolinaMartins_D.pdf: 3785624 bytes, checksum: 900b631cfaf12d5446ec0fee86c6118b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Esta Tese visa avaliar a importância da morfologia e da composição química das nanoestruturas de titanato usando a modificação com moléculas orgânicas e desenvolvimento de nanocompósitos poliméricos. As nanoestruturas de titanato de sódio foram obtidas via tratamento hidrotérmico em solução de hidróxido de sódio 10 mol L em 150 e 180°C. De acordo com as caracterizações físico-químicas foi observada a formação de nanotubos de titanato de sódio quando o tratamento hidrotérmico foi realizado a 150°C. No caso do tratamento feito a 180°C foi verificada a formação de nanofitas de titanato de sódio. Os nanotubos de titanato protonados foram obtidos via processo de troca iônica dos nanotubos de titanato de sódio em solução de ácido clorídrico 0,1 mol L. Uma vez obtidas às nanoestruturas de titanato, estas foram submetidas à etapa de modificação com moléculas orgânicas. Essa etapa de modificação consistiu na dispersão destas nanoestruturas em soluções de ácido oléico (OAC) e de brometo de cetiltrimetilamônio (CTAB). Nesta etapa foi verificado que os nanotubos apresentaram maior adsorção/ligação das moléculas orgânicas, o que pode ser relacionado à sua maior área superficial. Em relação à composição química foi observado que os nanotubos de titanato de sódio adsorveram/ligaram maior quantidade de CTAB, o que pode ser indicativo da maior quantidade de grupos OH presentes na superfície dos nanotubos de titanato de sódio, o que poderia resultar em um potencial zeta mais negativo, gerando uma maior interação eletrostática entre os nanotubos e o CTAB. Por último, as nanoestruturas de titanato foram incorporadas em filmes de poli (metacrilato de metila) (PMMA) e borracha natural pelo método de evaporação de solvente. Para o caso do PMMA, as nanofitas resultaram em maior estabilidade termo-oxidativa, e os nanotubos protonados resultaram em melhores propriedades mecânicas. Em ambos os casos, as nanoestruturas foram observadas na forma de aglomerados na matriz. O uso de nanoestruturas modificadas nos filmes de PMMA resultou em melhor dispersão e também na melhoria das propriedades mecânicas. Para os nanocompósitos de borracha, os nanotubos de titanato de sódio foram os que apresentaram melhor dispersão e aumento discreto nas propriedades mecânicas / Abstract: The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the importance of the morphology and chemical composition of titanate nanostructures using the modification with organic molecules and the development of polymeric nanocomposite. The sodium titanate nanostructures were obtained via hydrothermal treatment in a solution of 10 mol L sodium hydroxide at 150 and 180°C. According to the physical-chemical characterizations, it was observed the formation of sodium titanate nanotubes when the hydrothermal treatment was performed at 150°C. In the case of treatment given to 180°C, the formation of sodium titanate nanoribbons was observed. Protonated titanate nanotubes were obtained by ion exchange process of sodium titanate nanotubes in 0.1 mol L hydrochloric acid solution. Once obtained the titanate nanostructures, they were subjected to phase modification with organic molecules. This step of modification was performed dispersing the nanostructures in solutions of oleic acid (OAC) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). At this stage it was found that the nanotubes had a higher adsorption/bonding of organic molecules, which may be related to their larger surface area. Regarding the chemical composition, it was observed that the sodium titanate nanotubes adsorbed/bonding contain the highest amount of CTAB, which can be related to the greater amount of OH groups adsorbed on the surface of sodium titanate nanotubes, which could result in a more negative zeta potential, producing a greater electrostatic interaction between the nanotubes and CTAB. Finally, the titanate nanostructures were embedded in films of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and also films of natural rubber by the casting method. For the case of PMMA, the nanoribbons resulted in a greater thermo-oxidative stability, and protonated nanotubes resulted in better mechanical properties. In both cases, the nanostructures were observed in the form of clusters in the matrix. The modified nanostructures embedded in the film of PMMA dispersed better and the mechanical properties were improved. For the rubber nanocomposites, the sodium titanate nanotubes showed greater dispersion and resulted in a slight increase in mechanical properties / Doutorado / Quimica Inorganica / Doutor em Ciências

This thesis is an experimental investigation of the phase behavior, volumetric properties, and viscosity of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and their blends. Homopolymerization and copolymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDO) in mixtures of acetone + CO2 have also been explored. The viscosities and densities of acetone + CO2 mixtures were measured in the temperature range 323-398 K at pressures up to 35 MPa. This is the first study in which viscosity of acetone + CO2 mixtures have been measured and the mixtures have been evaluated as solvents for PCL. It is shown that PCL can be readily dissolved in these fluid mixtures at modest pressures even at high carbon dioxide levels. Investigations have been conducted over a temperature range from 323 to 398 K at pressures up to 50 MPa for polymer concentrations up to 20 wt %, and CO2 concentrations up to 60 wt %. It is shown that in these mixtures PCL is dissolved at pressures that are much lower than the pressures reported for miscibility in the mixtures of carbon dioxide with other organic solvents. It is shown that PMMA also readily dissolves at modest pressures. Blends of PMMA and PCL require higher pressures than for the individual polymers for complete miscibility. Free-radical polymerizations of MMA in acetone at 343 K were followed using in-situ measurements of viscosity and density at different pressures from 7- 42 MPa. This is the first time viscosity has been used as a real-time probe of high pressure polymerizations. Two distinct kinetic regimes were identified. Homopolymerizations of MDO were conducted in carbon dioxide at 323 and 343 K at pressures up to 42 MPa. For the first time it is shown that high molecular weight PCL can be produced from MDO in high pressure CO2. Ring-opening free-radical copolymerizations of MDO with MMA, styrene and acrylonitrile were conducted for the first time in carbon dioxide and have been shown to lead to polymers with high molecular weights. / Ph. D.

L'objectif de ces travaux était de mettre au point des vecteurs de diffusion efficaces du thymol pour lutter contre un acarien parasite des abeilles. Le choix s'est porté sur la formation de nano-objets par émulsification spontanée pouvant libérer efficacement du thymol grâce à leur grande surface spécifique. L'émulsification spontanée par « effet Ouzo » a été choisie en raison de (i) la simplicité du procédé nécessaire pour son application par les apiculteurs et de (ii) la possibilité de former une grande diversité de nano-objets. L'émulsification spontanée par effet Ouzo a tout d'abord été étudiée fondamentalement avec un polymère (nanoprécipitation), le polyméthacrylate de méthyle (PMMA), pour s'affranchir des phénomènes déstabilisants typiques des émulsions tels que le mûrissement d'Ostwald et la coalescence. Cette étude a permis de définir clairement les compositions du système PMMA/solvant/eau pour lesquelles la nanoprécipitation du PMMA induit la formation exclusive de nanoparticules de distribution de taille étroite (zone Ouzo) ou la formation de nanoparticules additionnées de macroparticules (zone non-Ouzo), séparées par la limite Ouzo. Deux mécanismes de formation des nanoparticules ont été déduits suivant la sursaturation du PMMA (nucléation et croissance ou nucléation et agrégation). L'influence des stabilisants a montré l'importance de l'adsorption des ions OH- sur la taille des nanoparticules et sur le déplacement de la limite Ouzo alors que seule la stabilité colloïdale est améliorée avec l'ajout de tensioactifs. Cette étude fondamentale a servi de base pour la formation des nanogouttelettes de thymol et des nanocapsules thymol-PVA réticulé et thymol-PMMA par effet Ouzo. Des nanoparticules thymol-PVP ont également été formées par complexation de la poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) en milieu aqueux. Ces nano-objets de thymol ont été testés sur des ruches infestées pour déterminer leur efficacité d'éradication de l'acarien Varroa Destructor. / The objective of this work dealt with setting up efficient thymol diffusion vectors to fight against a bee mite, the Varroa Destructor. The formation of nano-objects by spontaneous emulsification was investigated because they provide large specific area to enhance thymol evaporation. Spontaneous emulsification by so-called Ouzo effect was chosen because of (i) the simplicity of the process necessary for the transfer to beekeepers and (ii) the great diversity of nano-objects morphologies which can be designed. Spontaneous emulsification by Ouzo effect was first studied fundamentally with a polymer (nanoprecipitation), the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), in order to avoid typical emulsion destabilizing phenomena such as Ostwald ripening and coalescence. This study enabled to clearly define the PMMA/solvent/water system compositions for which PMMA nanoprecipitation induces only formation of nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution (Ouzo domain) or formation of microparticles besides nanoparticles (non-Ouzo domain), separated by the Ouzo boundary. Two nanoparticles formation mechanisms were deduced with respect to the supersaturation of PMMA (nucleation and growth or nucleation and aggregation). Stabilizers influence set off the importance of OH- ions adsorption on nanoparticles size and on Ouzo boundary shifting whereas only colloidal stability is improved through surfactant addition. This fundamental study laid down basis for thymol nanodroplets and for thymol-cross linked PVA and thymol-PMMA nanocapsules formation by Ouzo effect. Thymol-PVP nanoparticles were also prepared by poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) complexation in aqueous medium. These thymol nano-objects were tested on infested beehives to determine their efficiency to eradicate the Varroa Destructor mite.

L’objectif de cette thèse est de proposer une stratégie simplifiée et précise pour caractériser et modéliser le comportement mécanique des polymères amorphes de l'état quasi-fluide à l'état solide.L'étude a été réalisée sur des PMMA de masses molaires et de degré de réticulations différentes.D’abord, le comportement mécanique dans le domaine viscoélastique linéaire est étudié à l'aide de tests DMTA et rhéologiques. Il ressort de l’étude que l'augmentation de la masse molaire et du degré de réticulation augmentait les modules de stockage et de perte en tant que la transition α. En parallèle, l'utilisation du principe de superposition temps-température a permis de déterminer «des vitesses de déformation équivalentes à la température de référence».Ensuite, le comportement mécanique à grande déformation est étudié par essais cycliques en traction uni-axial et de cisaillement à haute température et couplés à la DIC. De plus, les effets de la vitesse de déformation et de la température ont été couplés grâce à "vitesse de déformation équivalent à la température de référence" extrait des observations dans le domaine linéaire. Les résultats ont montré que cibler la même vitesse de déformation équivalente conduira aux mêmes courbes contrainte-déformation, c'est-à-dire la même réponse mécanique. Ceci permet de réduire le nombre de tests expérimentaux nécessaires pour caractériser le comportement mécanique des polymères amorphes.Enfin, un modèle basée dans un cadre thermodynamique a été utilisée pour reproduire la réponse mécanique des PMMAs à grande déformation. Le modèle présentait un bon accord avec les données expérimentales, étant capable de reproduire des comportements visco-élasto-plastiques, viscoélastiques, hyperélastiques et visco-hyperelastiques pour la traction cyclique. / The present PhD thesis proposes a simplified and accurate strategy for characterising and modelling the mechanical behaviour of amorphous polymers from the quasi-fluid state up to the solid state.The study was carried out on PMMAs with different molar masses and crosslinking degree.First, we addressed the mechanical behaviour in the linear viscoelastic domain using DMTA and rheological tests. Results showed that increasing the molar mas and crosslinking degree increased the elastic and loss moduli as the α-transition. In parallel, using the time-temperature superposition principle allowed determining “equivalent strain rates at reference temperature”.Then, we performed uniaxial tensile and shear uploading-unloading tests at high temperature and coupled with DIC, to characterise the mechanical behaviour at large strain. Additionally, strain rate and temperature effects were coupled by means of the “equivalent strain rate at reference temperature” extracted from observations in the linear domain. Results showed that targeting the same equivalent strain rate lead to the same stress-strain curves, i.e. same mechanical response. This allows reducing the number of experimental tests needed to characterise the mechanical behaviour of amorphous polymers.Finally, a constitutive modelling based in a thermodynamics framework, was used to reproduce the mechanical response of the PMMAs at large deformation. The model presented a good agreement with the experimental data, being able to reproduce viscoelastoplastic, viscoelastic, hyperelastic and viscohyperelastic behaviours for cyclic loading tensile.

Foram desenvolvidos e manufaturados compósitos porosos com estrutura de gradiente funcional em Poli (metacrilato de metila) (PMMA) e Hidroxiapatita (HAp) aplicáveis como implantes ósseos. O PMMA é largamente utilizável e aceito como material de implante tem boas propriedades mecânicas, baixo custo, fácil manufatura, porém é considerado bioinerte. A HAp é uma cerâmica comprovadamente bioativa, porém de baixas propriedades mecânicas, alto custo e de difícil manufatura. O PMMA com estrutura funcional e HAp apresentou valores próximos a 50 MPa, mas com potencial de melhoria. O objetivo deste desenvolvimento é produzir um implante com a sua superfície porosa e bioativa, para que este possa ser osteointegrado em um tempo menor ao tecido hospedeiro, melhorando a relação: material implantado/leito receptor. O conceito é baseado em uma estrutura de núcleo denso em PMMA e camada superficial porosa com superfície bioativa. A camada de PMMA porosa foi desenvolvida utilizando-se o carboximetilcelulose (CMC) como agente porogênico e HAp como agente bioativador da matriz polimérica. Foram elaboradas análises de bicompatibilidade, resistência mecânica, macro e microestrutura. Para testar a biocompatibilidade foram realizados inicialmente testes in vitro com cultura de células VERO, visando investigar a toxicidade dos materiais constituintes, a influência do novo biomaterial em atividades celulares e o comportamento destes em condições próximas daquelas a serem encontradas no ambiente de implantação. Em seguida, os testes in vivo realizados em coelhos averiguaram a interação tecido-material (bioatividade), a biocompatibilidade do material, e a potencialidade do uso do material em aplicação à superfícies (osteointegração). Foi realizada análise histológica dos tecidos explantados, onde os resultados basearam-se na análise da morfologia geral dos componentes teciduais encontrados junto ao implante. A caracterização da superfície foi realizada por testes de rugosidade, por microscopia ótica e eletrônica de varredura. Foram realizados ensaios mecânicos de compressão para analisar a resistência mecânica do biomaterial. Os resultados in vitro mostraram que os materiais utilizados não apresentaram qualquer indício de toxicidade. Através das imagens realizadas em MEV (Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura) pode se observar o crescimento de células VERO na superfície do material e em direção aos poros da matriz. A análise macroestrutural dos poros também obtida por MEV demonstrou em uma caracterização inicial do material que este apresentou características biomiméticas como poros em formato oblongo e interconectados. A média obtida do tamanho dos poros foi de aproximadamente 250 \'mü\'m. Os resultados dos ensaios mecânicos de compressão mostraram que o PMMA denso é o que mais se aproximou do tecido ósseo cortical com 101 MPa. Por fim, os resultados histológicos apontam para a biocompatibilidade do compósito, tornando-o assim aplicável como camada superficial de implantes. / Were developed and manufactured porous composite with functional gradient structure in Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) applicable as bone implants. PMMA is widely used and accepted as implant material, has good mechanical properties, low cost, easy manufacturing and considered a bioinert biomaterial, the Hap is a demonstrably bioactive ceramic with poor mechanical properties, high cost and difficult to manufacture. The PMMA functional structure and HAp had values close to 50 MPa, but with potential for improvement. The objective of this development was produced an implant with a porous surface and bioactive to be osteointegrated in a less time, improving the relationship: implanted material/receiver bed. The concept is based on a dense structure core of PMMA and a porous bioactive surface layer. The porous PMMA was developed using the carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as a porogenic agent and hap to bioactive the PMMA matrix. Biocompatibility tests, mechanical strength tests and macro and microstructure analisys were carried out. To evaluated the biocompatibility of this material were made primarily in vitro tests, the VERO cells were used in vitro analysis aimed investigate the toxicity of the constituent materials, the influence of the new biomaterial in cellular activities and behavior in these conditions close to those to be found in the environment of deployment. Then, in vivo tests conducted in rabbits evaluated the interaction with tissue-material (bioactivity), the biocompatibility of the material, and the potential use of the material in the application areas (osseointegration). Were performed histological analysis of tissues, where the results were based on the analysis of the general morphology of the tissue components found near the implant. The surface characterization was performed by roughness tests, optical microscopy and SEM. Mechanical tests were conducted to examine the compressive strength of biomaterial. Results in vitro showed that the materials did not present any evidence of toxicity. The samples were analyzed by SEM where the growth of cells can be observed in the surface of the material and towards to the pores. The macrostructural analysis also obtained by SEM showed in an initial characterization of the material that presented bone biomimetics characteristics with oblong pores with interconnected. The average pore size obtained was approximately 250 \'mü\'m. The results of mechanical tests showed that the compression of PMMA is the densest approached the cortical bone tissue near 101 MPa. Finally, the histological results point to the biocompatibility of the composite, thus making it applicable to the surface layers of implants.

Stereocomplex poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fibers for the purpose of reinforcing PMMA materials were developed. These kinds of composites are known as "self-reinforced" composites. We were successful in producing stereocomplex PMMA fibers with three different methods - wet spinning, gel spinning and electrospinning. Gel spinning and electrospinning produced the most crystalline fibers. Steroecomplex PMMA fibers were further shown to be resistant to high temperature and also to hot monomer solvent during bulk polymerization. We further describe our efforts in characterization, replication and mimicry of structural color features of butterflies and beetles. We have developed a simple method of characterizing the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of microscopic objects such as butterfly wing scales. We used this method to characterize nanometer sized structural color features resulting from the replication of butterfly Morpho rhetenor, mimickry of butterfly Papilio palinurus and also the native structural color features of iridescent beetle Chrysina gloriosa, which were shown to be cholesteric focal conic defects lined on the surface.

Polymer composites containing nanosized fillers have generated explosive interest since the early 1980's. Many recent studies have been conducted incorporating nano-fillers into polymer matrices to design and synthesize materials with tunable mechanical, thermal, and optical properties. Conventional filled polymers, where the reinforcement is on the order of microns, have been replaced by composites with discrete nanosized fillers. Gradually, theories that predicted that composite properties are independent of particle size in the micron range were challenged by nanocomposites. Rather, nanocomposite properties are greatly influenced by the surface area of the. All of this is complicated by the fact that nanoparticles are inclined to aggregate or migrate to interfaces. Much effort has been devoted to optimize dispersion of nanofillers in the polymer matrices, as polymer-nanoparticle interactions and adhesion greatly influence performance of the material. A well- dispersed composite system with various noncovalent interactions such as those that arise from hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attractions and π-π interactions between the filler and the matrix, can transfer stress and the interface will stop the development of cracks and impede stress concentrations. Overall, large reinforcement increases are noted at low nanoparticle loadings. Additionally, functional properties such as thermal, electrical conductivity and porosity can be tailored for specific applications. The design of high performance composites requires optimizing dispersion, nanoparticle-polymer noncovalent interactions and the chemistry of the materials. Therefore polymer composites with different types of nanofillers were investigated to prove various noncovalent interaction and to improve the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties in this study. Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with BaTiO3 and Bi2O3 composites were fabricated by two different methods; sonication of fillers in PMMA and in situ polymerization. Samples were irradiated in air via a JL Shepherd Mark I cesium-137 source. The dose rate was 985 rads/min and the total dose was 2.0 Mrad. The polymer sonication (PSON) method has a greater effect than in situ polymerization on sample uniformity. With the PSON method there was a slight improvement in rad hardness in the barium titanate composites. This is the case with and without MWNTs and coupling agents. The storage modulus and loss modulus were measured via Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) under the tension film mode using a heating rate of 5 °C min-1 from -150 °C to 200 °C and a scanning frequency range of 1-100 Hz. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided images of the polymer-nanocomposites. An aliphatic isocyanate, polyether, polyol thermoplastic polyurethane, Tecoflex® SG-85A, was solution processed with the varying amounts of silica nanowire. A new grade polyurethane, Tecoflex®, was synthesized from the aliphatic 4,4-methylene dicyclohexyl diisocyanate (H12MDI) with polytetramethylene ether glycol. Despite Tecoflex®'s longevity and wide use, this polymer's dielectric behavior has not been widely studied. Therefore, the dielectric response of neat PU, Tecoflex®, and PU composites with silica nanowire from -150 to 150 °C is presented. The mechanism of nanowire growing with diameters ranging from 50 to 500 nm has been established to follow the vapour liquid solid (VLS) model via the PtSi phase acting as the catalyst. Our previous thermal stability study of PU nanowire composites have yielded increased heat stability to 330 °C. In comparison, neat PU only maintains thermal stability in temperatures that range to 250 °C. The onset of decomposition temperature was measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided images of the polymer-nanocomposites. A series of PMMA-dodecyloxy NB and PHEMA-dodecyloxy NB composites were synthesized in situ and characterized. The dodecyl groups significantly alter the solubility of the nanoballs, imparting hydrophobicity to the surface of the nanoball. A comparison study was made between the PMMA-NB and PHEMA-NB nanocomposites. Structure property relations are discussed in terms of interactions between the polymer matrices and nanoball surfaces and interiors. These OC12 NB and the hydroxyl NB polymer composites are the first studies to date that probe relaxations and conductivity in discrete polyhedral metal-organic polymer composites. A novel ultra-flexible polycarbonate-polyurethane (PCPU) was synthesized with methylene bis(4-cyclohexylisocyanate), 1,4 butanediol as a chain extender and a polycarbonate polyol containing 1,6-hexanediol and 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol. Through the techniques of water coagulation, the synthesis of self-healing PCPU with various concentrations of SWNT (Single-Walled Nanotubes) is possible. The resulting features of this synthesized rubber-like substance are to be evaluated to determine glass transition temperature. This novel type of polyurethane material targets growing markets for biocompatible polymers. Also, a secondary goal of this project is to obtain information useful to determining whether PCPU-carbon nanotube composites would be good candidates for use as a gel electrolyte in polymer batteries. All nanocomposites were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine glass transition temperatures. The dielectric permittivity (ε’) and loss factor (ε”) were also measured via Dielectric Analysis (DEA) in the frequency range 1Hz to 100 kHz and between the proper temperatures in all polymer composite. The electric modulus formalism was used to reveal structural relaxations including conductivity relaxation. The activation energies for the relaxations are presented.