A better understanding of the polymeric irradiation using physico-electrochemical characteristics

Abstract

Poly(ester-urethane) urea (PEUU) based on ethanolamine as a chain extender contain hydroxyl and amino groups was chemically synthesized using 1,1'-methylenebis(4-isocyanatobenzene) MDI diisocyanates, and castor oil. One step polymerization procedure has been used to complete the PEUU formation and this polymeric target was irradiated with different doses (100, 250, 400, and 600 kGy) of gamma rays. A full physico-electrochemical characterization package was performed on the solid surfaces, radiated vs. non-irradiated, for a better understanding of the structure changes. To that end, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the morphological features were characterized by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Thermal stability was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), while the crystallinity and electrochemical properties were explored by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), and cyclic voltammetry (CV), respectively. Eventually, swelling, crosslinking density, mechanical strength, water absorption, and contact angle measurements were discussed. Ultimately, the crosslinking density was discovered to be irradiated dependent. Worth mentioning here, this kind of study is recommended as a protocol that could be applied on other polymeric targets exposed to electromagnetic radiations.

KEYWORDS:

• Poly(ester-urethane) urea (PEUU)
• gamma irradiation
• crosslinking
• urethane and urea groups

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hany Abd El-Raheem

Hany Abd El-Raheem is a research assistant at the Center for Materials Science (CMS), Zewail City of Science and Technology, Egypt. He received his MSc degree in Chemistry. He has got Erasmus Mobility Fellowship Programme within University Paris-Saclay, France to follow his research interests. His main research focuses on the preparation of new nanomaterials for biosensing applications.

Rabeay Y. A. Hassan

Dr. Rabeay Y. A. Hassan is Associate Professor in the Nanoscience Program, Zewail City of Science and Technology (Egypt). In 2011, he received the PhD in Bioanalytical Chemistry from Braunschweig University of Technology (Germany). In 2013, he joined the group of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, University of Technology Potsdam, Germany, as a Postdoctoral research fellow. In 2014, he joined the group of Proteomics and Microbiology, UMONS in Mons, Belgium. In 2015, he was a visiting scholar at University of California, USA. His major research interest is microbial electrochemistry, electrochemical nano-sensors and biosensors.

Rehab Khaled

Dr. Rehab Khaled is Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Beni-Suef University. She received her PhD in inorganic chemistry from Beni-Suef University, Egypt in 2009. Her research focuses on synthesis of new nanomaterials for different applications.

S.I. El-Dek

Prof. S.I.El-Dek, Professor of Physics (materials science and nanotechnology), Former head of the Mat.Sci. and nano Dept.(2015-2019), and currently vice dean for postgraduate and research of the faculty of Postgraduate studies for advanced sciences and director of the international ranking office at Beni-Suef University. Research interest comprises synthesis of nanomaterials, characterizations, physico-chemical, thermal, mechanical, magnetic properties. Special focus on magnetic materials, multiferroics and nanocomposites and their versatile applications. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Farghali is the Professor of Physical Chemistry and Dean of the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences, Beni-Suef University. He got his PhD degree from Beni-Suef University, Egypt in 2006. His research focuses on synthesis of new nanomaterials for different applications.

Ibrahim M. El-Sherbiny

Prof. Dr. Ibrahim M. El-Sherbiny is the Professor and Founding Chairman of Nanoscience Program and the Director of the Center for Materials Science at Zewail City of Science and Technology, Egypt. His main research focuses on development of new smart nanomaterials for various advanced biomedical applications.