Browsing by Subject "Elastomers"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Open Access
Bioaromatic-associated multifunctionality in lignin-containing reversible elastomers
(American Chemical Society, 2023-07-12) Thys, Marlies; Kaya, Görkem Eylül; Soetemans, Lise; Van Assche, Guy; Bourbigot, Serge; Baytekin, Bilge; Vendamme, Richard; Van den Brande, Niko
The unique molecular structure of lignin, intrinsically rich in bioaromatic groups (phenolic hydroxyls), gives it, e.g., antioxidant, antistatic, antimicrobial, UV-blocking, hydrophobic, or even flame-retardant properties, which are highly interesting. An attractive strategy to use lignin as a macro-monomer for the design of functional materials that retain certain of these lignin-specific properties is to partially preserve some phenolic groups during the synthesis. In this work, we explore the properties of reversible elastomers containing a lignin fraction whose phenolic groups have only been partially modified. To do so, Kraft lignin was first fractionated and partially (89%) modified with furan groups, allowing its homogeneous incorporation in Diels-Alder formulations. The effect of the residual phenolic groups embedded in the polymer matrix was then systematically studied, focusing on the specific material properties associated with lignin. The obtained lignin-containing networks notably showed increased radical scavenging activity (which directly resulted in improved antistatic and antioxidant properties), displayed improved UV absorbance due to the presence of multiple lignin chromophores, and were even able to inhibit the growth of bacteria. This article demonstrates that tailored and partially modified lignin fractions could be used as multi-functional building blocks for the design of complex (and reversible) polymer architectures, mimicking some of the unique lignin functionalities found in nature, and this without the need to add specific additives.
Open Access
Polymeric waveguide Bragg grating filter using soft lithography
(Optical Society of American (OSA), 2006) Kocabas, A.; Aydınlı, Atilla
We use the soft lithography technique to fabricate a polymeric waveguide Bragg grating filter. Master grating structure is patterned by e-beam lithography. Using an elastomeric stamp and capillary action, uniform grating structures with very thin residual layers are transferred to the UV curable polymer without the use of an imprint machine. The waveguide layer based on BCB optical polymer is fabricated by conventional optical lithography. This approach provides processing simplicity to fabricate Bragg grating filters. © 2006 Optical Society of America.