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Abstract In this work, low-density polyethylene/high-density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch (LDPE/HDPE/TS) films were prepared with different compositions to obtain environmentally friendly materials. LDPE/HDPE/TS blends, at ratios of 95:5:15, 90:10:15, 85:15:15, 85:15:20, 85:15:25, [...]

The relationship between career resin of carbon black (CB) masterbatch and the performance of bimodal polyethylene pipes (PE100) under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and the long-term stability of black PE100 with different comonomer content have been investigated. For this purpose, two different CB masterbatches varying in carrier resin were selected and added to two PE100 pipes. Samples were exposed to UV irradiation, and then thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties were explored using differential scanning coloriemetry (DSC), tensile, and rheometry analyses. Additionally, Fourier transformed-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been performed to characterize the structural changes of PE100 samples under UV irradiation. According to rheological results, the PE100 sample containing more comonomer underwent a higher degree of degradation. Thermal and mechanical results reveal that the masterbatch composed of highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) as carrier resin has a better influence on PE pipes' UV stability with less comonomer content. KEYWORDS carbon black, HDPE, photodegradation, pipe, rheology, UV irradiation, UV stability, 1 | INTRODUCTION Easy to install, light, flexible, and corrosion-free are the features that have made polyethylene (PE) pipes a material of choice for the network of gas and water [...]

Cystic echinococcosis (CE)/hydatid cyst is one of the most important helminthic diseases in the world. The treatment of hydatid cyst ranges from surgical intervention to chemotherapy, although the efficacy of chemotherapy is still unclear. Postoperative complication which results from the spillage of cysts during surgical operation is one of the most important concerns in surgical treatment of hydatid cyst. The aim of the current study was to solidify the hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) with an injectable and thermosensitive chitosan (CS)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/β-glycerol phosphate (BGP) hydrogel for effective control of spillage during the aspiration of hydatid cysts. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water uptake, rheological analysis, and Alamar Blue cytotoxicity assay were employed to characterize the hydrogel. A five level with three times replication at the central point using a central composite design (CCD), which is a response surface methodology (RSM), was used to optimize the experimental conditions. Assessment of the produced hydrogel showed that the intermolecular interactions of amino groups of chitosan and hydrogen groups of CMC were correctively established and appreciable swelling with a good strength was obtained. Hydrogels morphology had a porous structure. Rheological analysis showed that CS/CMC/BGP blends had a phase transition (32-35 °C) of sol-gel close to the body temperature. Alamar Blue cytotoxicity assay showed that CS (1.75%)/CMC (1.4%)/BGP (2.9%) had IC50 values of 0.598, 0.235 and 0.138 (µg/µL) for 24, 48 and 72 h, which indicated that the produced polymer solution had no significant cytotoxic effect for human fibroblast cell line. In vitro injection of the polymer solution of CS/CMC/BGP with CS/CMC ratio of 1.75/1.4 was done on HCF (1 mL polymer solution to 3 mL of HCF) at 37 °C with a final concentration of 2.9% for BGP resulting in solidification of HCF in less than 45 min.