Interpenetrating Polymer Network

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2014) | Viewed by 24665

Special Issue Editor

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, Whitaker Laboratory, #5, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
Interests: polymer network

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

What is the Value of an Interpenetrating Polymer Network?

Interpenetrating polymer networks, IPNs, are a class of polymer blends, where in this case, both polymers are in network form. Depending on their composition, they may serve as impact resistant materials, sound and vibration absorbers, bearers of medicines, and a range of other applications which work better if the material has two phases, which most IPNs have. For example, if one phase is at or near its glass transition temperature, it can absorb significant physical punishment, the sample only heating up. If one of the phases can absorb other materials, while the other phase provides mechanical support, it can transport soluble materials very efficiently. Significant research has been done, and is continuing on using IPNs for biomedical purposes: replacement of parts of blood vessels, for example. In such a case, one phase should be rubbery, while the other phase is somewhat stiffer, providing mechanical support. If the two phases, one rubbery and the other plastic can mix to some extent, very tough, impact resistant materials can be made. If one of the phases is at its glass transition temperature, it can absorb sound and vibration well, especially if the two phases mix to some extent, then the material may absorb sound and vibration over a very broad temperature range. Read on, and see what the current researchers in this field are suggesting...

Prof. Dr. Leslie H. Sperling
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Article
Sulfonation Process and Desalination Effect of Polystyrene/PVDF Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network Cation Exchange Membrane
by Yin-lin Lei, Yun-jie Luo, Fei Chen and Le-he Mei
Polymers 2014, 6(7), 1914-1928; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym6071914 - 07 Jul 2014
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 11959
Abstract
With the classical sulfonation method of polystyrene-based strongly acidic cation exchange resins, polystyrene/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) alloy particles were sulfonated to obtain a cation exchange resin, which was then directly thermoformed to prepare a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) cation exchange membrane. The effects of [...] Read more.
With the classical sulfonation method of polystyrene-based strongly acidic cation exchange resins, polystyrene/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) alloy particles were sulfonated to obtain a cation exchange resin, which was then directly thermoformed to prepare a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) cation exchange membrane. The effects of the swelling agent, sulfonation time and temperature and the relative contents of polystyrene and divinylbenzene (DVB) in the alloy particles on the feasibility of the membrane formation are discussed. The results indicate that a favorable sulfonation degree above 80% and a suitable ion exchange capacity of 1.5–2.4 mmol/g can be gained, with concentrated sulfuric acid as the sulfonation agent and 1,2-dichloroethane as the swelling agent. The running electrical resistance and desalination effect of the prepared cation exchange membrane were measured in a pilot-scale electrodialyser and not only obviously exceeded a commercial heterogeneous cation exchange membrane, but was also very close to a commercial homogenous membrane. In this way, the authors have combined the classical sulfonation method of polystyrene-based cation exchange resins with the traditional thermoforming manufacturing process of heterogeneous cation exchange membranes, to successfully develop a novel, low-price, but relatively high-performance polystyrene/PVDF cation exchange membrane with the semi-IPN structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interpenetrating Polymer Network)
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Review
Photochemical Production of Interpenetrating Polymer Networks; Simultaneous Initiation of Radical and Cationic Polymerization Reactions
by Jean Pierre Fouassier and Jacques Lalevée
Polymers 2014, 6(10), 2588-2610; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym6102588 - 20 Oct 2014
Cited by 64 | Viewed by 11911
Abstract
In this paper, we propose to review the ways to produce, through photopolymerization, interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) based, e.g., on acrylate/epoxide or acrylate/vinylether blends and to outline the recent developments that allows a one-step procedure (concomitant radical/cationic polymerization), under air or in laminate, [...] Read more.
In this paper, we propose to review the ways to produce, through photopolymerization, interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) based, e.g., on acrylate/epoxide or acrylate/vinylether blends and to outline the recent developments that allows a one-step procedure (concomitant radical/cationic polymerization), under air or in laminate, under various irradiation conditions (UV/visible/near IR; high/low intensity sources; monochromatic/polychromatic sources; household lamps/laser diodes/Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)). The paper illustrates the encountered mechanisms and the polymerization profiles. A short survey on the available monomer systems and some brief examples of the attained final properties of the IPNs is also provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interpenetrating Polymer Network)
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