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Polymer Chemistry 2018
Polymer Sciences
ISSN: 2471-9935
Page 65
March 26-28, 2018
Vienna, Austria
3
rd
Edition of International Conference and Exhibition on
Polymer Chemistry
S
ynthetic polymers are the cause of some major
environmental impacts due to their low degradation rates.
Polyurethanes (PU) and polysulfone (PSU) are widely used
synthetic polymers, and their growing use in industries has
caused an increase in plastic waste. A commercial polyether-
based thermoplastic PU with hydrolytic stability and fungus
resistance was only attacked by an entomopathogenic fungus,
Metarhizium anisopliae,
when the films were pre-treated
with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in the presence of reactive
atmospheres. The same results were obtained for PSU films.
The films were mainly characterized by WCA, FTIR-ATR,
SEM, and optical profilometer measurements. Permanent
hydrophilic PU and PSU films were produced by the UV-
assisted treatments. Pristine polyether PU and PSU films
incubated for 10, 30, and 60 days did not show any indication
of fungal growth. On the contrary, when using oxygen in the
UV pre-treatment, a layer of fungi spores covered the sample,
indicating a great adherence of the microorganisms to the
polymer. However, when acrylic acid vapors were used during
the UV pre-treatment, a visible attack by the entomopathogenic
fungi was observed. SEM and FTIR-ATR data showed clear
evidence of fungal development; growth and ramifications
of hyphae on the polymer surfaces with the increase in UV
pre-treatment time and fungus incubation time. The results
indicated that the simple UV surface activation process has
proven to be a promising alternative for polyether PU and PSU
waste management.
Biography
Daniel Eduardo Weibel studied Chemistry (Diploma) at the National Univer-
sity of Córdoba (UNC), Argentina and obtained his PhD in Physical Chem-
istry from University of North Carolina. He spent his Post-doctoral period
at the University of Gakushuin (Japan), Munster University, (Germany) and
Manchester University, (UK). He is currently an Associate Professor at the
UFGRS, Brazil. He has experience in the field of Physical-Chemistry and in
particular in surface science acting on the following topics: synchrotron ra-
diation, polymers and photochemistry. His research has wide applications in
self-cleaning and protective coatings, biomaterials, biocompatibility and bio-
degradation, photocatalysis and hydrogen generation by the water splitting
reaction. His research interests also include surface science and surface
modification of polymers.
danielw@iq.ufrgs.brUV-surface treatment of fungal resistant polyether polyurethane
and polysulfone films-induced growth of entomopathogenic fungi
Daniel Eduardo Weibel
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Daniel Eduardo Weibel, Polym Sci, Volume 4
DOI: 10.4172/2471-9935-C1-008