Síntesis, caracterización estructural de redes metal orgánicas (MOFs) y su evaluación en catálisis heterogénea de polímeros biodegradables

Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) are porous materials made up of organic binders and a metal cluster, currently attracting attention as heterogeneous catalysts in various reactions of interest. However, their application in ring-opening polymerization (ROP) reactions of cyclic esters has not been sufficiently explored yet. In this work, study of zirconium-based MOF as a catalyst in ε-caprolactone Read more about Síntesis, caracterización estructural de redes metal orgánicas (MOFs) y su evaluación en catálisis heterogénea de polímeros biodegradables[…]

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023

February 11th marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. For this reason, the elastomers Group has decided to record our female scientists answering some questions related to their professional careers. What does it mean to be a scientist? Or what message would you leave for girls who are considering a career in Read more about International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023[…]

Effect of gamma irradiation on the physical properties of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA)

PBS and PBSA were irradiated with gamma up to a 400 kGy dose. Gel content appeared at approximately 100 kGy dose with a higher gel content for PBSA. Charlesby-Pinner analysis indicated that chains scission predominated over crosslinking. Dispersity was increased by branching, that increased molecular weight until gelation, and by chain scission that decreased molecular weight. Careful Read more about Effect of gamma irradiation on the physical properties of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA)[…]

Crosslinked networks in electron beam irradiated polyethylenes evaluated by proton low-field NMR spectroscopy

Effect of electron beam (EB) irradiation is analyzed in low and high density polyethylenes (LDPE and HDPE, respectively) at different doses. Parameters as important as degree of crystallinity, melting or crystallization temperatures are dependent on the initial PE molecular architecture, which also controls the gel content developed by action of EB irradiation and the EB Read more about Crosslinked networks in electron beam irradiated polyethylenes evaluated by proton low-field NMR spectroscopy[…]

Marina Montero Escrivá

Student of the Master of High Specialization of Polymers and Rubber (MAEPYC). Performing the TFM on tire rubber recycling under the direction of Zenen Zepeda Rodríguez and Juan López Valentín. Project title Sustainable elastomeric materials with high technological performance. Academic formation Graduated in Chemical Sciences (UCM) Link mmonteroescriva@gmail.com

Science week 2022

On the 11th and 17th of November, students from Colegio Sagrado Corazón Rosales and Colegio Salesianos El Pilar visited the laboratories of the Elastomers Group of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), carrying out 3 activities in a collection of up to 12 in which many members of the Institute of Polymer Science and Read more about Science week 2022[…]

Thermally Rearranged Mixed Matrix Membranes from Copoly(o-hydroxyamide)s and Copoly(o-hydroxyamide-amide)s with a Porous Polymer Network as a Filler — A Comparison of Their Gas Separation Performances

Copoly(o-hydroxyamide)s (HPA) and copoly(o-hydroxyamide-amide)s (PAA) have been synthesized to be used as continuous phases in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). These polymeric matrices were blended with different loads (15 and 30 wt.%) of a relatively highly microporous porous polymer network (PPN). SEM images of the manufactured MMMs exhibited good compatibility between the two phases for all Read more about Thermally Rearranged Mixed Matrix Membranes from Copoly(o-hydroxyamide)s and Copoly(o-hydroxyamide-amide)s with a Porous Polymer Network as a Filler — A Comparison of Their Gas Separation Performances[…]

Micronized Recycle Rubber Particles Modified Multifunctional Polymer Composites: Application to Ultrasonic Materials Engineering

There is a growing interest in multifunctional composites and in the identification of novel applications for recycled materials. In this work, the design and fabrication of multiple particle-loaded polymer composites, including micronized rubber from end-of-life tires, is studied. The integration of these composites as part of ultrasonic transducers can further expand the functionality of the Read more about Micronized Recycle Rubber Particles Modified Multifunctional Polymer Composites: Application to Ultrasonic Materials Engineering[…]

Response of water-biochar interactions to physical and biochemical aging

Biochar aging may affect the interactions of biochar with water and thus its performance as soil amendment; yet the specific mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. By means of FTIR, N2 adsorption, Hg intrusion porosimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, 13C solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 1H NMR relaxometry, we investigated changes in the chemistry and structure of biochar as Read more about Response of water-biochar interactions to physical and biochemical aging[…]

Supramolecular Polycaprolactone-Based Polyurethanes with Thermally Activated Shape-Memory Behavior

In this work, using supramolecular polyurethanes theories, two polycaprolactone-based polyurethanes with 2-ureido-4-[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) motifs capable of forming quadruple hydrogen bonds were synthetized and characterized, focusing our attention on their capability to show thermally activated shape-memory response. In particular, 1H NMR analyses confirmed the chemical structure of the supramolecular polyurethanes, while DSC showed their totally amorphous morphology. Read more about Supramolecular Polycaprolactone-Based Polyurethanes with Thermally Activated Shape-Memory Behavior[…]

Dynamic Permittivity Measurement of Ground-Tire Rubber (GTR) during Microwave-Assisted Devulcanization

Many efforts are being made to find innovative ways of recycling rubber from end-of-life tires (ELTs), also called ground tire Rubber (GTR). Recycling through devulcanization allows the reintroduction of rubber back into the manufacturing industry. Such a process requires providing enough energy to break the sulfur links, while preventing damage to the polymeric chain. Microwave Read more about Dynamic Permittivity Measurement of Ground-Tire Rubber (GTR) during Microwave-Assisted Devulcanization[…]

Press release: scientific trainees

LEADING RESEARCH LABORATORIES HOST INTERNSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PROMOTE SCIENTIFIC TALENT Pioneering experience in Spain promoted by the CSIC and AEAC in Madrid to bring science closer to young people: Scientists in practice.From 20th to 24th June, 38 students from the 3rd year of ESO and 2nd year of PMAR (Programme for the Read more about Press release: scientific trainees[…]

Chemical upcycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste: Moving to a circular model

The circular economy is a path that society, governments, and business must adopt to develop a viable and sustainable model for plastic production. Following the route guided by the United Nations and the new laws of the European Union, such as the Green Deal, it will be able to put an end to the great Read more about Chemical upcycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste: Moving to a circular model[…]

Biodegradable and Biocompatible Thermoplastic Poly(Ester-Urethane)s Based on Poly(ε-Caprolactone) and Novel 1,3-Propanediol Bis(4-Isocyanatobenzoate) Diisocyanate: Synthesis and Characterization

A series of non-toxic biodegradable and biocompatible polyurethanes bearing p-aminobenzoate moieties are presented. The introduction of this attractive motif was carried out by the synthesis of a novel isocyanate. These biodegradable polymers were chemically and physically characterized by several techniques and methods including bioassay and water uptake measurements. The molecular weight of the soft segment Read more about Biodegradable and Biocompatible Thermoplastic Poly(Ester-Urethane)s Based on Poly(ε-Caprolactone) and Novel 1,3-Propanediol Bis(4-Isocyanatobenzoate) Diisocyanate: Synthesis and Characterization[…]

Shape-Memory Composites Based on Ionic Elastomers

Shape-memory polymers tend to present rigid behavior at ambient temperature, being unable to deform in this state. To obtain soft shape-memory elastomers, composites based on a commercial rubber crosslinked by both ionic and covalent bonds were developed, as these materials do not lose their elastomeric behavior below their transition (or activation) temperature (using ionic transition Read more about Shape-Memory Composites Based on Ionic Elastomers[…]

Cristina Martínez

Last year student from Chemical Sciences Degree developing her curricular intership under the direction of the future PhD. Paulina Garnica Chávez and the guidance of Rodrigo Navarro. Title of the project Bone healing and regeneration from the design of a biohybrid material with magnetic properties based on polyester-Si-Ti. Summary The fundamental objective of the work Read more about Cristina Martínez[…]

Laura Diñeiro García

Internship student from Universidad de Alcalá (UAH). Advisor from ICTP-CSIC: Dr. Rodrigo Navarro. Advisor from UAH: Dr. Pedro Letón García (pedro.leton@uah.es) Title of the project Design, development and characterization of new polyurethane formulations for tire filling Summary With the intent of avoiding flat tires in the construction industry, the composition of various polyurethanes is being studied regarding the Read more about Laura Diñeiro García[…]