Abstract Polymeric membranes were developed using a SPEEK (sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)) polymer matrix, containing titanium oxide (TiO2) (incorporated by sol-gel method). SPEEK with different sulfonation degrees (SD): 63% and 50% were used. The influence of sulfonation degree on membrane properties was investigated. The thermal analysis (TGA and DTGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were carried out to characterize the membranes and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was carried out to evaluate the proton conductivity of the membranes. The proton conductivities in water were of 3.25 to 37.08 mS.cm-1. Experimental data of impedance spectroscopy were analyzed with equivalent circuits using the Zview software, and the results showed that, the best fitted was at 80 °C.

Membranas de PVA/sílica foram sintetizadas através do processo sol-gel em condições ácidas. Tetraetilortossilicato (TEOS) foi utilizado como precursor em concentrações de 5 a 30% em dois grupos distintos. Um grupo foi utilizado como controle contendo apenas PVA/TEOS. A inserção dos grupamentos necessários para a condutividade ocorreu através da introdução de 12% em massa de heteropoliácido fosfotúngstico hidratado (HPW) em relação à massa de TEOS, formando o segundo grupo. As avaliações quanto ao grau de inchamento, permeabilidade ao etanol e condutividade protônica demonstraram que a membrana contendo 30% em massa de TEOS apresenta os melhores resultados entre as membranas produzidas. Os melhores resultados foram 0,28 mS/cm de condutividade protônica e fluxo de 1,5 kg/m².h de solução de etanol. Nessas condições, considera-se a reticulação das membranas de PVA/SiO2 com o precursor TEOS uma boa alternativa para a reticulação de membranas de PVA visto que as membranas mostraram-se mais seletivas ao fluxo de solução de etanol. Entretanto, para aplicação como eletrólito de célula a combustível, ainda é necessário investigar outras formas de aumentar a condutividade sem prejudicar a estabilidade dimensional.

PVA/silica membranes were synthesized by the sol-gel process under acidic conditions. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was used as precursor with concentration between 5 and 30% in two distinct systems. One system was used as control, which contained only PVA / TEOS. In the second system, groups necessary for conductivity were introduced with 12% by weight of hydrated phosphotungstic heteropolyacid (HPW) in relation to the mass of TEOS. The evaluations of the degree of swelling, permeability for ethanol and proton conductivity have shown that the membrane containing 30 wt% TEOS gives the best results among the membranes produced. The best results achieved in this study were 0.28 mS / cm of proton conductivity and 1.5 kg/m².h flux of ethanol solution. Thus, under these conditions, crosslinked membranes with PVA/SiO2 and TEOS precursor are good alternative for crosslinking PVA membranes since they were more selective to the flow of ethanol solution. However, for applications such as in electrolyte fuel cells, it is still necessary to investigate other ways to increase conductivity without affecting the dimensional stability.

The principal techniques for the synthesis of liquid crystalline block copolymers are reviewed. The syntheses are done by living/controlled free radical chain polymerization. The copolymers display an amorphous continuous phase and a discontinuous liquid crystalline phase (LC). The presence of oxypropylenic segments disturbs the range of mesophase transitions at lower temperatures. This behavior is not observed when styrenic segments are employed and suggests that the liquid crystalline behavior can be modified in block copolymers to show mesophases at higher and lower temperatures according to the flexibility of the chain segment that is present.

New types of copolymers using monomers which form inorganic polymers network (glass-like) and organic networks have been developed, known as ormocers. The aim of this work was to study how a particular dental filling material is degraded when subjected to a caries challenge by using low pH solutions. The supernadants were studied by HPLC to detect the presence of molecules from the resin, while the changes of the material surface were evaluated by contact angle. An organic modified ceromer (ormocer) called Definite® (Degussa ) was tested. Samples were built following manufacturer's instructions. After pH cycles, solutions were injected in a HPLC. The contact angle was obtained using a goniometer after and before the cycles. HPLC results showed material degradation, only detected in acid solutions. Bis-GMA and TEGDMA were detected in Definite® residues. Means and S.D. of contact angle were (p < 0,05): baseline: 85.16° ± 3.90° and after pH cycles: 69.77° ± 7.12°. The authors concluded that an ormocer filling material degraded on a caries simulated environment.