1. Advanced researches related to the behavior of multi-component polymer systems under simulated environmental factors action IDEAS Program, Exploratory Research Project Project number: PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0187 Contracting authority: Executive Unit for Financing Education Higher, Research Development and Innovation Contractor: “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Iasi Romania Project duration: 2011 – 2014

2. PROJECT TEAM Project manager: Dr. Dan Rosu “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Iasi Tel.: 0232-260332/182 e-mail:drosu@icmpp.ro Team members:  Dr. Liliana Rosu  Dr. Carmen-Alice Teaca  Dr. Ruxanda Bodirlau  Drd. Cristian-Dragos Varganici  Drd. Oana Maria Paduraru  Drd. Manuela Tatiana Nistor  Master Elena Marlica

3. ABSTRACT The aging of polymer systems involves different factors: natural (light, heat, humidity), structural and accidental (impurities, oxidation processes occurred during processing), all these being capable to significantly reduce the life-time of materials. The mechanisms of polymers degradation are highly complex. Thus, there can be initiated photo-cross-linking or photo-oxidative reactions of polymers accompanied by decrease in average degree polymerization, increase of polydispersity and formation of chemical structures capable to modify the properties of polymers. The present project envisages increasing knowledge in the investigation upon effect of external factors on stability of multi-component polymer systems. It is aimed to create a research team comprising 4 experienced researchers and 3 doctoral students focused to acquire experimental data and to elaborate original theories in order to explain the performance loss of polymer systems during exposure to controlled environmental factors, and to evaluate their life-time prediction. It is considered that valuable scientific results will be provided, being comparable with those already existing at global level, and will contribute to increasing international visibility of Romanian research activity. The envisaged results will contribute to the finalization of doctoral theses to be realized by the young doctoral students included in the research team.

4. OBJECTIVES The present research project is focused on the transformations of polymers with different structures under weathering conditions and especially solar light. The following objectives were taken into consideration: Immobilisation of dyes of different structures and concentrations onto natural and/or synthetic polymers Obtainment of multi-component systems containing polysaccharides Obtainment of semi-interpenetrating networks based on collagen or polyaspartic acid. Study of the influence of controlled environmental factors upon polymer systems colored with dyes (solar light, heat, humidity) Study of the stability of the multi-component systems to weathering conditions

5. Research directions The mentioned objectives are oriented in the following directions: Obtainment of knowledge on the implications of some reactive dyes immobilized onto polymers and the determination of the biological effects in correlation with their physico-chemical properties. Characterisation and evaluation of the stability of the multi-component systems containing polysaccharides at weathering conditions. Study of the photochemical behaviour of the natural polymers exposed to UV irradiation.

6. PROJECT BUDGET Stage 2011: 120.000 lei Stage 2012: 500.000 lei Stage 2013: 203.171 lei Stage 2014: 596.829 lei Total budget: 1.420.000 lei

7. Project stages Stage 2011 Objectives: 1. Comparative analysis of the current state of polymer behavior under the influence of environmental factors 2. Documentation in the modern instrumental techniques and methods

8. Results 2011 On the results obtained in the stage 2011, these scientific papers were prepared and presented at scientific meetings: 1. R.Bodirlau, C.-A.Teaca, D.Rosu, L.Rosu; Photo-degradation behaviour of wood after coating with epoxidized soybean oil; Zilele Universitatii „Al. I. Cuza”, Iasi, 28-29 oct. 2011 2. O.M.Paduraru, N.Tudorachi, A.Chiriac; Thermal analysis of new hydrogels based on natural and synthetic polymers; Zilele Universitatii „Al. I. Cuza”, Iasi, 28-29 oct. 2011 3. L.Rosu, D.Rosu, C.-D. Varganici; The thermal behaviour of some semi- interpenetrated polymer networks based on epoxy resin and aromatic polyurethane; Zilele Universitatii „Al. I. Cuza”, Iasi, 28-29 oct. 2011 4. D.Rosu, L.Rosu, F.Mustata; Effect of UV radiation on some semi-intepenetrated polymer networks based on epoxy-resin and polyurethane; Zilele Universitatii „Al. I. Cuza”, Iasi, 28-29 oct. 2011

9. Stage 2012 Objectives: 1. Obtainment of multicomponent polymer systems 2. Characterization of synthesized polymer systems and establishing structure-property relationships

10. Scientific papers: 3 1. C.-D.Varganici, A.Durdureanu-Angheluta, D.Rosu, M.Pinteala, B.C.Simionescu; Thermal degradation of magnetite nanoparticles with hyrdrophilic shell; J. Anal. Appl. Pyrol. 96, 63–68 (2012) 2. D.Rosu, L.Rosu, F.Mustata, C.-D.Varganici; Effect of UV radiation on some semi-interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane and epoxy resin; Polym. Degrad. Stab. 97 1261–1269 (2012) 3. O.M.Paduraru, D.Ciolacu, R.N.Darie, C.Vasile; Synthesis and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol/ cellulose cryogels and their testing as carriers for a bioactive component; Materials Science and Engineering C. 32, 2508–2515 (2012)

11. Papers published in extenso by volume (10) and presented at scientific meetings: 27 (communications: 11 and posters: 16) COFrRoCA – 2012, Septième Colloque Franco-Roumain de Chimie Appliquée, 27 – 29 Juin 2012, Bacau, Roumanie: 1. D.Rosu, L.Rosu, C.-D.Varganici; Le comportement photochimique et thermique des systèmes polymérique multicomposant; Proceedings Colloque ISSN: 2068-6382, pg.123-124 (COMMUNICATION) 2. C.-D.Varganici, O.Ursache, C.Gaina, V.Gaina, B.C.Simionescu; Nouveau matériaux hybride autorenouvelable thermique. Etudes thermiques; Proceedings Colloque ISSN: 2068- 6382, pg.129-130 (COMMUNICATION) 3. L.Rosu, C.C.Gavat, D.Rosu; Decoloration degradation des textiles colores en presence des rayonnement ultraviolets; Proceedings Colloque ISSN: 2068-6382, pg.149-150 (POSTER) 4. C.-A.Teaca, R.Bodirlau, L. osu, D.Rosu; FTIR analyse thermiques des bois resineux apres modification et traitment avec l’huile de soja epoxydee; Proceedings Colloque ISSN: 2068- 6382, pg. 153-154 (POSTER) 5. M.T.Nistor, L.E.Nita, A.P.Chiriac, C.vasile, R.Darie; Conception des structures polymeres sensibles avec proprietes controlees. L’influence de l’agent de reticulation; Proceedings Colloque ISSN: 2068-6382, pg. 145-146 (POSTER and Award for best poster )

12. Papers published in extenso by volume (10) and presented at scientific meetings: 27 (communications: 11 and posters: 16) 7th MoDeSt Conference, 2 - 6 Sept., 2012, Prague, Czech Republic, Abstract book, published by the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 6 – Břevnov, Czech Republic 6. D.Rosu, C.-D.Varganici, L.Rosu; Thermal decomposition study of some polymeric multicomponent systems based on aromatic polyurethane and epoxy resin network; ISBN 978-80-85009-74-3, pg. 222-223 (COMMUNICATION) 7. L.Rosu, F. Mustata, D.Rosu, C.-D.Varganici; Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks polyurethane-epoxy resin. Study of photochemical stability; ISBN 978-80-85009-74-3, pg. 278-279 (POSTER) 8. C.-D.Varganici, A.Durdureanu-Angheluta, D.Rosu, M.Pinteala, B.C.Simionescu, Thermal stability of core-shell hydrophilic nanoparticles for biomedicine; ISBN 978-80-85009-74-3, pg. 290-291 (POSTER) 9. R.Bodirlau, C.-A.Teaca; Obtainment and characterization of organic acid modified starch/plasticized corn starch composite films; ISBN 978-80-85009-74-3, pg.369-370 (POSTER) 10. C.-A.Teaca, R.Bodirlau, D.Rosu; Characterization of irradiated wood after chemical modification with organic anhydride and coating with epoxidized vegetable oil; ISBN 978-80- 85009-74-3, pg. 374-375 (POSTER)

13. Papers published in extenso by volume (10) and presented at scientific meetings: 27 (communications: 11 and posters: 16) 21st Symposium on Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 17 Feb. 2012, Bucuresti, Romania 11. C.-D.Varganici, O.Ursache, C.Gaina, V.Gaina, B.C.Simionescu; DSC studies on thermoreversible and non-thermoreversible hybrid materials (COMMUNICATION) 12. S.Patachia, M.T.Nistor, C.Vasile; Thermal behavior of wood treated with ionic liquid (COMMUNICATION) Fifth Cristofor I. Simionescu Symposium “Frontiers in Macromolecular and Supramolecular Science”, 11 – 13 Iunie 2012, Bucuresti, Romania 13. C.-D.Varganici, A.Durdureanu-Angheluta, F.Doroftei, D.Rosu, M.Pinteala, B.C. Simionescu; Core-shell magnetic nanoparticles based on silane compounds and magnetite: Thermal behavior (COMMUNICATION) 2eme Colloque Franco-Roumain de Chimie Medicinale, CoFrRoCM 2012, Iasi, Romania, Oct. 3-5, 2012 14. O.M.Paduraru, A.Bosinceanu, G.Tantaru, C. Vasile; Effect of cyclodextrin on the solubility of an anti-arrhythmic drug (POSTER) Days University "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" Conference Faculty of Chemistry, 25-27 Oct. 2012, Iasi, Romania 15. M.-T.Nistor, C.Vasile; Influence of nanoparticles on the thermal decomposition of hybrid nanocomposites based on starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) montmorillonite (COMMUNICATION)

14. Papers published in extenso by volume (10) and presented at scientific meetings: 27 (communications: 11 and posters: 16 ) The XXXII-nd Romanian Chemistry Conference, Calimanesti-Caciulata, Valcea, Romania, 03-05 October 2012 16. C.-D.Varganici, D.Rosu, L.Rosu;The effect of temperature on the thermal stability of some semi-interpenetrated polymer networks based on epoxy resin and aromatic polyurethane (COMMUNICATION) 17. D.Rosu, L.Rosu, C.-D.Varganici; Photooxidation behavior of some polyurethane based semi-interpenetrated polymer networks (POSTER) 18. C.-A.Teaca, R.Bodirlau, L.Rosu, D.Rosu, C.-D.Varganici; Wood treatment with organic anhydride and epoxidized vegetable oil – thermal properties investigation (POSTER) 19. L.Rosu, D.Rosu, C.C.Gavat; Effect of radiation UV on textile dyeing (POSTER) 20. F.Mustaţa, I.Bicu, L.Rosu; Formaldehyde resins from hydroxyl esters of resin acids (POSTER) 21. F.Mustata, I. Bicu, D.Rosu; Thermoseting resins obtained via sequential photo and thermal crosslinking of epoxy resins. Curing kinetics, thermal properties and morphology (POSTER)

15. Papers published in extenso by volume (10) and presented at scientific meetings: 27 (communications: 11 and posters: 16) Seminar thermal analysis: techniques for materials characterization using thermal analysis, Iasi, Romania, 24 mai 2012 22. O.M.Paduraru, N.Tudorachi, A.Chiriac; Thermal degradation of carboxymethyl starch-g- poly(lactic acid) copolymer by TG-FTIR-MS analysis (COMMUNICATION) 23. C.-D.Varganici, L.Rosu, M.Pinteala, D.Rosu, B.C.Simionescu; Thermal analysis application to some polymeric material micro- and nanoparticles (COMMUNICATION) 15th International Conference Polymeric Materials, Halle, Germany, Sept. 12-14, 2012 24. O.M. Paduraru, D. Ciolacu, C. Vasile; Polyvinylalcohol/cellulose hydrogels as carriers for a bioactive component (COMMUNICATION) 25. O.M.Paduraru, G.Tantaru, C.Vasile; Water soluble complex of hydroxypropyl-β- cyclodextrin and aminodarone (POSTER) 4th Bilateral Symposium on Functional Heterocyclic and Heterochain Polymers for Advanced Materials, Iasi, Romania, Sept. 2-7, 2012 26. O.M.Paduraru, C.Vasile, D.Ciolacu, R.N.Darie; Evaluation of polyvinylalcohol /cellulose hydrogels as carriers for drug delivery (POSTER)

16. Stage 2013 Objectives: Study of the influence of controlled environmental factors upon obtained multi-component polymer systems Kinetic modeling of thermal degradation reactions Modification of the properties during photochemical degradation of multi-component polymer systems

17. Scientific papers: 12 D.Rosu, L.Rosu, C.-D.Varganici; The thermal stability of some semi-interpenetrated polymer networks based on epoxy resin and aromatic polyurethane; J. Anal. Appl. Pyrol. 100, 103-110 (2013) C.-D.Varganici. O.Ursache, C.Gaina, V.Gaina, B.C.Simionescu; Studies on new hybrid materials prepared by both Diels-Alder and Michael addition reactions; J Therm Anal Calorim. 111 (2), 1561-1570 (2013) C.-A.Teaca, D.Rosu, R.Bodirlau, L.Rosu; Structural changes in wood under artificial UV light irradiation determined by FTIR spectroscopy and color measurements – A brief review; BioResources, 8(1), 1478-1507 (2013) S.F.Patachia, M.-T.Nistor, C.Vasile; Thermal behavior of some wood species treated with ionic liquid; Ind. Crops and Prod., 44, 511-519 (2013) M.-T.Nistor, C.Vasile; TG/FT-IR/MS study on the influence of nanoparticles content on the thermal decomposition of the starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) montmorillonite nanocomposites; Iranian Polym. J., 22 (7), 519-536 (2013) C.-D.Varganici, L.Rosu, D.Rosu, B.C. Simionescu, Miscibility studies of some semi-interpenetrating polymer networks based on an aromatic polyurethane and epoxy resin, Composites Part B: Eng., 50, 273-278 (2013) O. M. Paduraru, A.Bosinceanu, G. Tantaru, C. Vasile, Effect of Hydroxypropyl;-Cyclodextrinon the Solubility of an Antiarrhythmic Agent, Ind. & Eng. Chem. Res., 52, 2174-2181 (2013) C.-D. Varganici, O.Ursache, C.Gaina, V.Gaina, D.Rosu, B.C.Simionescu, Synthesis and characterization of a new thermoreversible polyurethane network, Ind, Eng. Chem. Res., 52(15) 5287-5295 (2013) R. Bodirlau, C.-A. Teaca, D. Rosu, L. Rosu, C.-D. Varganici, A. Coroaba, Physico-chemical properties investigation of softwood surface after treatment with organic anhydride”, Appl.Surf.Sci, 2013, submitted M.T. Nistor, A. Chiriac, L. Nita, I. Neamtu, C. Vasile, Semi-interpenetrated network with improved sensitivity based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(aspartic acid), Polym. Eng. Sci., 2013, submitted, DOI: 10.1002/pen.23488. O.Ursache, C.Gaina, V.Gaina, C.-D.Varganici, D.Timpu; New hybrid materials obtained by Diels-Alder and Michael addition reactions. A comparative study; Polym. Bull., 2013, submitted M.T. Nistor, C. Vasile, A.P. Chiriac, Hybrid collagen-based hydrogels with embedded montmorillonite nanoparticles, Applied Clay Science, 2013, submitted

18. Papers presented at scientific meetings: 6 (communications: 1 and posters: 5) European Polymer Congress – EPF 2013, Pisa, Italy, June 16-21, 2013 1. L. Rosu, C.-D. Varganici, D. Rosu, Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks based on an aromatic polyurethane and epoxy resin. Surface properties modifications (POSTER) 2. D. Rosu, C.-C. Gavat, L. Rosu, C.-D. Varganici, Cellulose fabrics painted with some reactive azotriazine dyes. Photochemical behaviour (POSTER) 3. C.-D. Varganici, L. Rosu, D. Rosu, B.C.Simionescu, Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks based on an aromatic polyurethane and epoxy resin. Miscibility studies (COMUNICARE) 4. F.Mustata, I.Bicu, Dan Rosu, C.-D.Varganici, Epoxy monomers based on methyl ester of corn oil (POSTER) 5. R. Bodirlau, C.-A. Teaca, D. Rosu, Organic anhydride treatment of softwood to improve its weathering protection (POSTER) 6. C.-A. Teaca, R. Bodirlau, I. Spiridon, N. Tudorachi, Multi-component polymer systems comprising modified starch microparticles and different natural fillers (POSTER)