An amide group was introduced to restrain the cohesion of silica nano-particles and copolymerized with polyamic acid. Amide block copolymers were prepared using silica and (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) with a siloxane group, using 2, 6-Lutidine as a catalyst. Amide block polymers and copolymers were synthesized via ATRP after brominating pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and polyamic acid of methylene diphenyl diamine (MDA) using α-bromo isobutyryl bromide. Characteristic peaks of copolymer with amide and imide groups and patterns of amorphous polymers were studied using FT-IR and XRD analyses; an analysis of the surface characteristic groups was conducted via XPS. Changes in the thermal properties were examined through DSC and TGA; solubility for solvents was also studied.

This study used a batch DAF (dissolved air flotation) jar tester to evaluate the algae removal efficiency of alum and PAC coagulants during coagulation, flocculation, and flotation. Optimal coagulant dosages were 0.06 ~ 0.15 mL/L (12.0 ~ 26.0 mg Al/L,17%), 0.08 ~ 0.20 mL/L (10.0 ~ 24.0 mg Al/L, 12%), 0.25 ~ 0.30 mL/L (25.0 ~ 30.0 mg Al/L, 10%) for PAC, and 3.0 ~ 5.0 mL/L (81.0 ~ 135.0 mg Al/L, 2.7%) for alum. Turbidity of treated water was 1.0 ~ 2.0 NTU in optimal coagulation, flocculation, and flotation conditions for the four coagulants types. The amount of coagulant injected tended to decrease with increasing Al content in the coagulant, as follows : 17% PAC < 12% PAC < 10% PAC < 2.7% alum. Turbidity removal efficiencies were in the order of 12% PAC (93.6%) > 10% PAC (92.7%) > 17% PAC (91.3%) > 2.7% Alum (88.1%).

PVC-Zeolite composite was prepared by immobilizing zeolite with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The prepared PVC-Zeolite beads were characterized by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The removal properties of Sr and Cs ions from aqueous solution were investigated in batch experiment. The removal efficiencies of Sr and Cs ions by the PVC-Zeolite beads were dependent on the initial pH of solution. The removal efficiencies sharply increased at below pH 4 and was kept constant at pH 4 or more. The adsorption kinetics of Sr and Cs ions by the PVC-Zeolite beads were fitted well by the pseudosecond- order model (r2>0.99) more than pseudo-first-order model. The maximum adsorption capacities of Sr and Cs ions calculated from Langmuir isotherm model were 39.37 mg/g and 55.87 mg/g, respectively.

With the incorporation of hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) and NaLS as an initiator and emulsifier, acrylic acid monomer was graft copolymerized with sodium alginate prepared from alginic acid, and then the grafted copolymer was confirmed through IR spectrometer. When the amounts of acrylic acid increased the grafting also showed increasing trend. While the contents of hydrogen peroxide was varied in the aqueous sodium alginate solution, the grafting efficiency decreased gradually as the amounts of initiator increased.

Fibers of microbial polyesters, poly(3-hydroxy butyrate) (PHB) and poly(3-hydroxy butyrate-co-3-hydroxy valerate) (HB-co-HV) were prepared by electrospinning method. The obtained fibers were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and oil absorption. The formation of fibers was strongly dependent on a concentration of solution. At a low concentration, the fibers contained beads which is from aggregation of polymer due to short evaporation time. The fine fibers with 2-5 mm diameter were obtained at 20 wt% concentration. The contact angle measurement showed that the fiber had higher water contact angle than the film due to the lotus-like effect. Oil absorbency showed that the fiber had higher than the film. Specially, the HB-co-HV fiber which was spinned from 20 wt% absorbed 65% oil which is much higher than that of a normal polypropylene-based oil paper.

To improve the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HA)/waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) composites, the hydroxyl group of HA was modified by urethane reactions: the hydroxyl groups of HA were reacted with aliphatic or cyclic diisocyanate, and then the modified HAs were extended by adding polyol and/or ε-caprolactone. Composites were prepared by the prepolymer process method: the modified HA was directly pured into the urethane reaction of isocyanate and polyol. The properties of modified HA/WBPU composites were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, tensile strength, and water resistance. The results showed that the reactivity of aliphatic diisocyanate to the hydroxy group of HA was faster than that of cyclic one. Comparing to those of pure HA/WBPU composite films, the thermal stability, water resistance, and mechanical properties of the modified composite films increased with a degree of modification of HA.

The hydrolytic kinetics of biodegradable poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) have been studied by using two model systems, solution-grown single crystal (SC) and Langmuir monolayer techniques, for elucidating the mechanism for both alkaline and enzymatic degradations. The present study investigated the parameters such as degradation medium and time. The Langmuir monolayers of PLLA showed faster rates of hydrolysis when they were exposed to a basic subphase rather than they did when exposed to neutral subphase. Both degradation mediums had moderate concentrations to show a maximized activity, depending on their sizes. An alkaline degradation of SCs of PLLA showed the decrease of molecular weight of the remained crystals due to the erosion of chain-folding surface. However, the enzymatic degradation of SCs of PLLA occurred in the crystal edges thus the molecular weight of remained crystals was not changed. This behavior might be attributed to the size of enzymes which is much larger than that of alkaline ions; that is, the enzymes need larger contact area with monolayers to be activated.

With the help of mechanical mixing method such as Banbury mixer and open 2 roll mill, ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) was blended with the chloroprene rubber (CR) then mechanical properties and ozone resistance test of blends were subsequently investigated. It was noted that the hardness increased with an increasing of CR contents. Generally the hardness was increased with heat aging time most likely due to the post cure. In ozone resistance test of blend, after 8 hours a portion of fine crack is obtained for pure CR. It is confirmed that ozone resistance is greatly improved by addition of 25wt% EPDM to CR.

This study examined blends of styrene butadiene rubber(SBR) and chloroprene rubber(CR) prepared from an open 2-roll mill following the conventional polymer blend method for a wide range of the blend composition. Rubber vulcanizates were manufactured by hot press and then mechanical properties, heat and ozone resistance of the specimens were examined. Due to the post cure during the aging test, hardness of vulcanizates was increased. It was found that the undesirable characteristics of heat and ozone resistance of pure SBR was significantly improved through the blending of SBR with CR.