Ultrasonic irradiation to modify the functionalized bionanocomposite in sulfonated polybenzimidazole membrane for fuel cells applications and antibacterial activity.

In this article the new proton exchange membranes were prepared from sulfonated polybenzimidazole (s-PBI) and various amounts of sulfonated titania/cellulose nanohybrids (titania/cellulose-SO3H) via ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic irradiation effectively changes the rheology and the glass transition temperature and the crystallinity of the composite polymer. Ultrasonic irradiation has a very strong mixing and dispersion effect, much stronger than conventional stirring, which can improve the dispersion of titania/cellulose-SO3H nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. The strong -SO3H/-SO3H interaction between s-PBI chains and titania/cellulose-SO3H hybrids leads to ionic cross-linking in the membrane structure, which increases both the thermal stability and methanol resistance of the membranes. After acid doping with phosphoric acid, s-PBI/titania/cellulose-SO3H nanocomposite membranes exhibit depressions on methanol permeability and enhancements on proton conductivity comparing to the pristine s-PBI membrane. The chemical structure of the functionlized titania was characterized with FTIR, and energy-dispersive X-ray. Imidazole and sulfonated groups on the surface of modified nanoparticles forming linkages with s-PBI chains, improved the compatibility between s-PBI and nanoparticles, and enhanced the mechanical strength of the prepared nanocomposite membranes. From SEM and TEM analysis could explain the homogeneous dispersion of titania/cellulose-SO3H in nanocomposite membranes. Moreover, the membranes exhibited excellent antibacterial activities against S. aureus and E. coli. A.

Construction of proton exchange membranes under ultrasonic irradiation based on novel fluorine functionalizing sulfonated polybenzimidazole/cellulose/silica bionanocomposite.

Novel sulfonated polybenzimidazole (s-PBI)/cellulose/silica bionanocomposite membranes were prepared from fluorine-containing s-PBI copolymer with a cellulose/silica precursor and a bonding agent. The introduction of the bonding agent results in the reinforcing interfacial interaction between s-PBI chains and the cellulose/silica nanoparticles. Commercially available silica nanoparticles were modified with biodegradable nanocellolose through ultrasonic irradiation technique. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that the cellulose/silica composites were well dispersed in the s-PBI matrix on a nanometer scale. The mechanical properties and the methanol barrier ability of the s-PBI films were improved by the addition of cellulose/silica. The modulus of the s-PBI/10 wt% cellulose/silica nanocomposite membranes had a 45% increase compared to the pure s-PBI films, and the methanol permeability decreased by 62% with respect to the pure s-PBI membranes. The conductivities of the s-PBI/cellulose/silica nanocomposites were slightly lower than the pure s-PBI. The antibacterial activity of (s-PBI)/cellulose/silica was investigated against Gram-positive bacteria, ie, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Gram-negative bacteria, ie, Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the disc diffusion method using Mueller Hinton agar at different sizes of cellulose/silica. All of the synthesized (s-PBI)/cellulose/silica were found to have high antibacterial activity.

Synthesis and characterization of polyester bionanocomposite membrane with ultrasonic irradiation process for gas permeation and antibacterial activity.

Optically active bionanocomposite membranes composed of polyester (PE) and cellulose/silica bionanocomposite (BNCs) prepared with simple, green and inexpensive ultrasonic irradiation process. It is a novel method to enhance the gas separation performance. The novel optically active diol containing functional trifluoromethyl groups was prepared in four steps reaction and it was fully characterized by different techniques. Commercially available silica nanoparticles were modified with biodegradable nanocellulose through ultrasonic irradiation technique. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that the cellulose/silica composites were well dispersed in the polymer matrix on a nanometer scale. The mechanical properties nanocomposite films were improved by the addition of cellulose/silica. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) data indicated an increase thermal stability of the PE/BNCs in compared to the pure polymer. The results obtained from gas permeation experiments showed that adding cellulose/silica to the PE membrane structure increased the permeability of the membranes. The increase in the permeability of the gases was as follows: PCH4 (38%)

Surface modification of TiO2 nanoparticles with biodegradable nanocellolose and synthesis of novel polyimide/cellulose/TiO2 membrane.

In this paper, novel polyimide/cellulose/TiO2 bionanocomposites (PI/BNCs) were prepared via a simple and inexpensive ultrasonic irradiation process. PI was synthesized by direct polycondensation reaction of novel monomer dianhydride with 4-(2-(4-aminophenyl)-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl)benzenamine. Due to the high surface energy and tendency for agglomeration the surface of nanoparticles was modified with cellulose. PI/BNCs containing 5, 10, and 15% of cellulose/TiO2 (BNCs) were successfully fabricated through ultrasonic irradiation technique. The obtained PI/BNCs were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermogravimetric analysis data indicated an increase thermal stability of the PI/BNC polymers in compared to the pure polymer. From TEM image of PI/BNCs it can be found that the surface modified TiO2 with diametric size of less than 50nm, uniformly dispersed in the obtained PI matrix. The results obtained from gas permeation experiments with a constant pressure setup indicated that adding cellulose/TiO2 to the polymeric membrane structure increased the permeability of the membranes.