Induced Aggregation of Epoxy Polysiloxane Grafted Gelatin by Organic Solvent and Green Application

In this paper, we studied the aggregation of amphiphilic polymer epoxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-E) grafted gelatin (PGG) in water induced by methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran (THF), and 1,4-dioxane. The aggregation pattern of the polymer was monitored by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. It was revealed that the aggregate morphology showed clear dependence on the solvent polarity. The PGG aggregates had regular spherical morphology in polar solvents, including water, methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, and acetone. The coating performance was evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and friction experiment, and PGG and acetone coating exhibited excellent coating performance on the surface of pigskin. Gel was formed in acetone and tetrahydrofuran (THF) with the slow evaporation of solvent, and this property can possibly be applied to industrial sewage treatment. White precipitate and soft film were formed in non-polar 1,4-dioxane.