An amphiphilic co-network (APCN) membrane has been synthesized through end-crosslinking of amphiphilic grafts of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) backbone carrying polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) branches fitted with terminal vinylsilyl groups via free radical polymerization. The synthesis strategy has been carried out by the free radical polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP) with methacrylate allyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (MA-PDMS-V) and dimethacrylate terminated polydimethylsiloxane (MA-PDMS-MA) to form a soluble graft consisting of PVP main chains carrying vinyl terminated PDMS branches, which is crosslinked with polymethylhydrosiloxane through hydrosilylation. The resulting APCN membrane exhibited a combination of unique properties, that is, high transparency, high mechanical properties, and high permeation rate to inulin. Notably, the mechanical properties and inulin permeability of fabric-support APCN membrane were higher than that of pure APCN membrane. As a result of their unique performance, the resulting APCN membranes showed a wide range of potential applications in drug release vectors, soft contact lenses, and biomedical separation materials. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 42985.

In the present study, regenerated cellulose membrane with “imprinted morphology” and low crystallinity was fabricated from the crystal cellulose/[Bmim]Cl solution. Spherulites of 1-butyl-3-methilimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) and cellulose/[Bmim]Cl solution were observed using polarized optical microscopy under certain condition. The fabricated cellulose membranes presented some particular characteristics compared with the membrane prepared from traditional cellulose/[Bmim]Cl solution. All the fabricated membranes were characterized by optical microscope, Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), thermo-gravimetric analysis, and mechanical testing. The images showed that the resulting membranes prepared from crystal cellulose/[Bmim]Cl solution were “imprinted” with patterns which originated from the crystalline structure of [Bmim]Cl. The results of WAXD showed that the obtained cellulose membrane exhibited low diffraction peaks and crystallinity of approximately 24.57%. Furthermore, the low crystallinity led to the low mechanical property (27.5 MPa), thermal stability (315.4 °C), and high moisture regain (9.5%). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43798.

A series of amphiphilic conetworks (APCNs) is synthesized through crosslinking of well-defined tri-arm star diblock copolymers via atom transfer radical polymerization. A new three-arm initiator is synthesized to initiate the polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) via “core-first” method. The resulting star HEMA homopolymers with well-defined molecular weight and narrow polydispersity are used as macroinitiator to incorporate allyl methacrylate to get the star diblock copolymers. Then, the precursors with allyl pendant groups are fully crosslinked with polyhydrosiloxanes through hydrosilylation. The so-prepared APCNs exhibit unique properties of microphase separation of hydrophilic (HI) and hydrophobic (HO) phases with small channel size, a variable swelling capacity, excellent biocompatibility, and outstanding mechanical strength (2 ± 0.5 MPa). The properties of APCNs depend on the ratio of HI to HO, which can be regulated via precise synthesis of the star diblock copolymers. The APCNs show well-controlled drug release to choline theophyllinate, suggesting a promising intelligent drug carrier for controlled release. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2537–2545

The aim of this paper is the preparation and characterization of cellulose/chitin blend filaments over the experimental blend ratio scope i.e., 2.89 and 6.46% (w/w) chitin content through high wet modulus (HWM) procedure. The spinnability of the invested solutions was found to vary in the following order: chitin < cellulose < 9.5:0.5 blend < 9:1 blend < 8:2 blend < 5:5 blend (9:1 means the mass ratio of cellulose to chitin, so does 9.5:0.5, 8:2, and 5:5). The cross-section of the blend filaments is of chrysanthemum shape. It was shown through the SEM photographs that there existed grooves on the surface of filaments, which became coarse with increase in chitin content. Based on the data from X-ray, sonic velocity, intensity, and hygroscopicity, it is concluded that the degree of crystallinity, dry and wet intensity modulus, degree of orientation, and regain rate of the filaments decreased with increase in chitin content in the experiment scope. The mechanical properties of the blend filaments are much higher than those of Crabyon fiber and normal viscose filaments, which proves that the HWM method is an efficient way of preparing cellulose/chitin blend filaments with satisfactory mechanical properties and processing property. The blend filaments prepared have an effective biostatic effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherchia coli, and Corinebaterium michiganence according to different testing standards. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The focus of this article is the preparation and characterization of cellulose/chitin blend filaments obtained from cellulose/chitin xanthate blend solution over the experimental blend ratio, i.e., 2.89% and 6.46% (w/w) chitin content. The addition of chitin xanthate into cellulose xanthate leads to an increase of intermittence rate and the blend solution has good filtering property. Scanning electronic microscope photos shows that there exist grooves on the filaments surface, which are becoming coarse with increasing chitin content. The mechanical properties of the spun blend filaments is much higher than that of Crabyon® fiber, which proves that the viscose method we adopt here is an efficient way to prepare cellulose/chitin blend filaments with satisfactory mechanical properties and processing property. Based on the data from X-ray, sonic velocity, equilibrium regain rate, and accessibility, it is concluded that the degree of crystallinity, modulus, degree of orientation, density, equilibrium regain rate, and accessibility of blend filaments decreases with increasing chitin content in the blend filaments in the experiment scope. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009

The focus of this article is the rheological properties of cellulose xanthate, chitin xanthate, and their blend solutions with cellulose/chitin blend weight ratios of 9.5 : 0.5, 9 : 1, 8 : 2, and 5 : 5 (mostly 9 : 1 blend solutions). The preparation and properties of fibers from 9 : 1 blend solutions and cellulose xanthate solutions are also discussed. The non-Newtonian index of the investigated solutions was found to vary in the following order: chitin < cellulose < 9.5 : 0.5 blend < 9 : 1 blend < 8 : 2 blend < 5 : 5 blend. Showing a tendency contrary to that of the non-Newtonian index, the structure viscosity index varies in the following order: chitin > cellulose > 9.5 : 0.5 blend > 9 : 1 blend > 8 : 2 blend > 5 : 5 blend. For 5–9 wt % 9 : 1 blend solutions, increasing the solution temperature aids the improvement of the fluidity of 9 : 1 blend solutions in the temperature range of 10–40°C. The zero shear viscosity decreases in an index manner with the solution temperature increasing. The 7–8 wt % 9 : 1 blend solutions have good filtering and rheological properties and are ideal for spinning fibers. The mechanical properties of blend fibers spun from 7% 9 : 1 blend solutions are lower than those of pure cellulose and are much higher than those of Crabyon fiber, and they still reach the national criteria and fit the need for further processing. This proves that the viscose method which we have developed here is an efficient way of preparing cellulose/chitin blend fibers with satisfactory mechanical properties and processing properties. Scanning electron microscopy photographs show that the surface of 9 : 1 blend fibers is coarser than that of pure cellulose fibers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008