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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; Keywords: Radiotherapy eye-phantom; radio-fluorogenic gel; x-ray beam imaging; 3D radiation imaging; polymer gel dosimetry.
Online: 30 July 2018 (15:41:48 CEST)
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Abstract: We have filled a 24 mm diameter glass sphere with a transparent polymer-gel that is radio-fluorogenic, i.e. it becomes (permanently) fluorescent when irradiated, with an intensity proportional to the local dose deposited. The gel consists of >99.9% tertiary-butyl acrylate (TBA) pre-polymerized to ~15% conversion, and ~100 ppm maleimido-pyrene (MPy). Its dimensions and physical properties are close to those of the vitreous body of the human eye. We have irradiated the gel with a 3 mm diameter, 200 kVp X-ray beam with a dose rate of ~1 Gy/min. A 3D (video) view of the beam within the gel has been constructed from tomographic images obtained by scanning the sample through a thin sheet of UV light. To minimize optical artifacts, the cell was immersed in a square tank containing a refractive-index-matching medium. The 20%-80% penumbra of the beam was determined to be ~0.4 mm. The research was a preparatory investigation of the possibility of using the method to monitor the millimetre diameter proton pencil beams used in ocular radiotherapy.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; bamboo flour; in situ solid phase method; esterification modification; substituting degree; hydrophobicity
Online: 30 July 2018 (10:24:06 CEST)
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Bamboo plastic composites have become a hot research topic and a key focus of research. However, the many strong, polar, hydrophilic hydroxyl groups in bamboo flour (BF) results in poor interfacial compatibility between BF and hydrophobic polymers. Maleic anhydride-esterified (MAH-e-BF) and lactic acid-esterified bamboo flour (LA-e-BF) were prepared using an in situ solid-phase esterification method with BF as the raw material and maleic anhydride or lactic acid as the esterifying agent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed that BF esterification with maleic anhydride and lactic acid was successful, with the esterification degrees of MAH-e-BF and LA-e-BF at 21.04 and 14.36%%, respectively. Esterified BF was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, contact angle testing, X-ray diffractometry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results demonstrated that esterified BF surfaces were covered with graft polymer and the surface roughness and bonding degree of MAH-e-BF clearly larger than those of LA-e-BF. The hydrophobicity of esterified BF was significantly higher than BF and the hydrophobicity of MAH-e-BF better than LA-e-BF. The crystalline structure of esterified BF showed some damage, with MAH-e-BF exhibiting a greater decrease in crystallinity than LA-e-BF. Overall, the esterification reaction improved BF thermoplasticity, with the thermoplasticity of MAH-e-BF appearing better than LA-e-BF.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; 3D printing; biocompatibility; hearing aids; methacrylates; zebrafish embryo model.
Online: 24 July 2018 (12:09:52 CEST)
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The capacity of 3D printing (3DP) technologies to initiate speedy polymerization of solvent free resins accounts for their utility in the manufacturing of medical devices. Nonetheless, independent biological evaluation of 3D printed materials is recommended due to the unique parameters of the manufacturing process, which can influence their physical, chemical, and biological properties. In this study, E-Shell 450 material indicated for 3DP of hearing aid shells and inner ear devices was examined for biological safety using zebrafish bioassays adapted to OECD fish embryo test. In addition, the proprietary material was characterized for composition using headspace gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To initiate test, newly fertilized zebrafish eggs were cultured on non-treated and ethanol-treated materials in glass petri dishes with ultrapure water, incubated at 28.5°C and assessed for developmental endpoints of toxicity at 24h interval until 96h. Data confirmed non-treated material was extremely toxic in bioassays within 24h whereas ethanol-treated material showed a relative lower toxicity possibly due to ethanoic-aqueous interactions as observed by GC-MS. With the current influx of 3D printing materials, users are urged to exercise caution. Operators must also take cognizance of the potential toxicity of the chemicals used in 3DP and implement safety measures to limit their exposure.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; Heat-resistant; Nylon 6; P(N-phenylmaleimide-alt-styrene); Blends;
Online: 18 July 2018 (15:07:10 CEST)
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In this work, nylon 6/ P(N-phenylmaleimide-alt-styrene) blends were prepared by melt blending, and the mechanical, heat-resistant, crystallographic and dynamical mechanical properties of nylon 6/ P(N-phenylmaleimide-alt-styrene) blends with different contents were investigated and analyzed. The results showed that the mechanical properties decreased with increasing PNS, while the heat deflection temperature (HDT), relative crystallinity (Xn), and storage modulus (G’) increased with increasing PNS. The results of differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) proved the PNS played the positive role of nucleating PA6. And the results of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) proved the PNS could improve the rigidity of PA6/PNS blends. From the SEM, these PNS domains were between 0.2 and 4 μm in diameter. The experimental results indicated that the addition of PNS improved the rigidity of PA6/PNS blends, and then improved the heat-resistant property.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; solid polymer electrolyte; X-Ray diffraction; Ionic conductivity; relaxation time
Online: 11 July 2018 (05:22:13 CEST)
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Herein, we present preparation of solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) comprising of PEO, NaPF6 and varying fraction of Succinonitrile (SN) by standard solution cast technique. The morphological features and structural properties were studied by the FESEM, XRD, respectively. FTIR was performed to study the interactions between polymer host, salt, and SN. Impedance spectroscopy, Transference number measurements, LSV and CV were used to examine the electrochemical properties. The complex permittivity/conductivity & modulus were studied to understand the dielectric properties by evaluating the dielectric strength, relaxation time, hopping frequency and dc conductivity. Based on the experimental results an interaction mechanism is presented.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; particulate composites; periodic structure; particle contiguity; interphase; thermal conductivity
Online: 9 July 2018 (11:52:04 CEST)
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In this paper, an icosahedral non – body centered model to simulate the periodic structure of homogeneous particulate composites, by predicting the particle arrangement, is presented. This model has yielded three different variations which correspond at three different deterministic particle configurations. In addition, the concept of boundary interphase between matrix and inclusions was taken into account. Thus, the influence of particle vicinity was examined in parallel with the interphase concept on the thermomechanical properties of the overall material. Next, by the use of this model the authors derived a closed – form expression to estimate the thermal conductivity of this type of composites. To test the validity of the model, the theoretical values arising from the proposed formula were compared with other theoretical predictions obtained from several accurate formulae found in the literature and an adequate accordance was observed.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; PVDF; copolymers; battery separator; lithium-ion batteries
Online: 2 July 2018 (12:20:58 CEST)
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The separator membrane is an essential component of lithium-ion batteries, separating the anode and cathode and controlling the number and mobility of the lithium ions. Among the polymer matrices most investigated for battery separators are poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP), and poly(vinylidene fluoride-cochlorotrifluoroethylene) (PVDF-CTFE), due to their excellent properties such as high polarity and the possibility of controlling the porosity of the materials through binary and ternary polymer/solvent systems, among others. This review presents the recent advances on battery separators based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers for lithium-ion batteries. It is divided in the following sections: single polymer and co-polymers, surface modification, composites and polymer blends. Further, a critical comparison between those membranes and other separator membranes is presented, as well as the future trends on this area.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; biodestruction, soil constructions, sustainability, polymers, synthetic hydrogels, peat, CO2 emission, water-retention, modeling.
Online: 22 June 2018 (14:20:10 CEST)
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Decomposition of natural and synthetic polymeric materials (peat, humates, biochar, strongly swelling hydrogels and other soil conditioners) in a biologically- and chemically- active soil environment inevitably leads to their degradation and ability to improve the structure, water-retention, absorptive capacity and actual fertility of artificial soil constructions in urbanized ecosystems and agro landscapes (constructozems). Quantitative assessment of the biodegradation process using field and laboratory incubation experiments, as well as mathematical modeling, showed the possibility of significant (up to 30-50% per year) losses of organic matter of constructozems and a corresponding deterioration in their quality. Incubation experiments with the analysis of carbon dioxide emission for polymeric materials under given thermodynamic conditions allow to estimate the potential rates of their decomposition (half-life) and their dependence on the dose of inhibitors of microbial activity. Special nomographs provide an opportunity to determine the optimum depth of the arrangement of organic components in soil constructions to ensure their stable functioning during a fixed operating time in urban conditions. The results of the study are useful for geo-engineers and landscaping practitioners.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; biaxial stretching; blend; polycarbonate; PMMA; phase inversion; surface hardness
Online: 15 June 2018 (10:51:13 CEST)
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We investigated the structural evolution of the two-phase blends of polycarbonate (PC) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at various blend compositions by simultaneous biaxial stretching using optical microscopy and SEM observation. The spherical PMMA domains and PC matrix in 30/70 PC/PMMA were enlarged uniformly at all in-plane direction, while the anisotropic-shaped co-continuous structure in 50/50 PC/PMMA was deformed to crosshatched one by in-plane bimodal orientation. In 70/30 PC/PMMA, the phase inversion was found to occur by simultaneous biaxial stretching; i.e., the spherical PMMA domains were changed to crosshatched matrix by in-plane bimodal orientation due to coalescence of the PMMA domains during the stretching. Owing to the phase inversion, the surface hardness estimated by pencil hardness test became harder from 2B to 2H with increasing the strain from 1.0 to 2.0.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; Keywords: 3D dose imaging; radio-fluorogenic gel; polymer gel dosimetry; radio-fluorogenic co-polymerization; tertiary-butyl acrylate gel; proton beam imaging
Online: 14 June 2018 (16:05:06 CEST)
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Abstract: We review the development and application of an organic polymer-gel capable of producing fixed, three-dimensional fluorescent images of complex radiation fields. The gel consists for more than 99% of γ-ray-polymerized (~15% conversion) tertiary-butyl acrylate (TBA) containing ~100 ppm of a fluorogenic compound, e.g. maleimido-pyrene (MPy). The radio-fluorogenic effect depends on copolymerization of the MPy into growing chains of TBA on radiation-induced polymerization. This converts the maleimido residue, which quenches the pyrene fluorescence, into a succinimido moeity (SPy), which doesn't. The intensity of the fluorescence is proportional to the yield of free-radicals formed and hence to the local dose deposited. Because the SPy moieties are built into the cross-linked polymer matrix the image is fixed. The method of preparing the gel and imaging the radiation-induced fluorescence are presented and discussed. The effect is illustrated with fluorescent images of the energy deposited in the gel by beams of X-rays, electrons and protons as well as a radioactive isotope.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; polymerization theory; photo polymerization kinetic; photoinitiation rate; polymerization efficacy; photodynamic therapy.
Online: 31 May 2018 (11:25:02 CEST)
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The kinetics and optimal efficacy conditions of photoinitiated polymerization are theoretically presented. Analytic formulas are derived for the crosslink time, crosslink depth and efficacy function. The roles of photosensitizer (PS)
concentration, diffusion depth and light intensity on the polymerization spatial and temporal profiles, for both uniform and non-uniform cases, are presented . For optimal efficacy, a strategy via controlled PS concentration is proposed, where re-supply of PS in high light intensity may achieve a combined-efficacy similar to low light intensity, but has a much faster procedure. A new criterion of efficacy based on the polymerization (crosslink) [strength] and [depth] is introduced.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; polymer electrolyte; single-ion conducting; ionic conductivity; Raman spectroscopy
Online: 15 May 2018 (08:45:58 CEST)
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Solvent-free, single-ion conducting electrolytes are sought after for use in electrochemical energy storage devices. Here, we investigate the ionic conductivity and how this property is influenced by segmental mobility and conducting ion number in crosslinked single-ion conducting polyether-based electrolytes with varying tethered anion and counter-cation types. Crosslinked electrolytes are prepared by the polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate, and ionic monomers. The ionic conductivity of the electrolytes is measured and interpreted in the context of differential scanning calorimetry and Raman spectroscopy measurements. A lithiated crosslinked electrolyte prepared with PEG31DA and STFSI monomers is found to have a lithium ion conductivity of 3.2 × 10-6 and 1.8 × 10−5 S/cm at 55 and 100 °C, respectively. The percentage of unpaired anions for this electrolyte was estimated at about 23% via Raman spectroscopy. Despite the large variances in metal cation – STFSI binding energies as predicted via DFT and large variations in ionic conductivity, STFSI-based crosslinked electrolytes with the same charge density and varying cations (Li, Na, K, Mg, and Ca) were estimated to all have unpaired anion populations in the range of 19 to 29%.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; natural rubber; GO-NH-MCM-41; graphene oxide; mesoporous; intumescent flame retardants
Online: 9 May 2018 (05:50:26 CEST)
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Aiming to improve the flame retardancy performance of natural rubber (NR), we developed a novel flame retardant synergistic agent through grafting of MCM-41 to graphene oxide (GO)，named as GO-NH-MCM-41，as an assistant of intumescent flame retardants (IFR). The structure of GO-NH-MCM-41 was characterized by FTIR, TEM and SEM tests, which confirmed that a fine grafting had been applied between GO and MCM-41. The flame retardancy of NR/IFR/GO-NH-MCM-41 composites was evaluated by limited oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 and cone calorimeter test. The LOI value of NR/IFR/GO-NH-MCM-41 reached to 26.3%; the UL-94 ratings improved to V-0 rating. Moreover, the addition of GO-NH-MCM-41 obviously decreased the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and the total heat release (THR) of the natural rubber composites. And the addition of GO-NH-MCM-41 increased the thickness of char residue. The images of SEM indicated the char residue were more compact and continuous. The degradation of GO-NH-MCM-41 based NR composites completed with a mass loss of 35.57% at 600 ℃. The tensile strength and the elongation at break of NR/IFR/GO-NH-MCM-41 composites were 13.9 MPa and 496.7%, respectively. The results of rubber process analyzer (RPA) reached the maximum value, probably due to a better network of the fillers in the matrix.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; immiscible blend; compatibilization; homogeneous phase; alcoholysis; carbonyl group; copolymers
Online: 3 May 2018 (07:57:59 CEST)
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An immiscible blend of poly(hydroxy ether of bisphenol-A) (phenoxy) and poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (PBT) with phase separation was observed in as-blended samples. However, compatibilization of the phenoxy/PBT blends can be promoted through chemical exchange reactions of phenoxy with PBT upon annealing. In contrast to the as-blended samples, the annealed phenoxy/PBT blends had a homogeneous phase with a single Tg that could be enhanced by annealing at 260°C. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy demonstrated that phase homogenization could be promoted by annealing of the phenoxy/PBT blend, where alcoholytic exchange occurred between the dangling hydroxyl group in phenoxy and the carbonyl group in PBT in the heated blends. The alcoholysis reaction changes the aromatic linkages to aliphatic linkages in carbonyl groups, which initially led to the formation of a graft copolymer of phenoxy and PBT with an aliphatic/aliphatic carbonyl link. The progressive alcoholysis reaction resulted in the transformation of the initial homopolymers into block copolymers and finally into random copolymers, which promoted phase compatibilization in blends of phenoxy with PBT. Due to the fact that the amount of copolymers increased upon annealing, crystallization of PBT was inhibited by alcoholytic exchange in the blends.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; fibrous composites; longitudinal molulus; upper bound; strength of materials; interphase
Online: 2 May 2018 (12:42:48 CEST)
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In this paper, an upper bound of the longitudinal elastic modulus of unidirectional fibrous composites is proposed according to strength of materials approach, on the premise that the fiber is much stiffer than the matrix. In the mathematical derivations, the concept of boundary interphase between fiber and matrix was also taken into account and the main objective of this work is the attainment of an upper bound for the interphase stiffness with respect to fiber concentration by volume. The novel element here is that the authors have not taken into consideration any specific variation law to approximate the interphase modulus. The theoretical results arising from the proposed formula were compared with those obtained from some reliable theoretical models as well as with experimental data found in the literature, and a satisfactory agreement was observed.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; Oil palm; Liquefaction; Residue; Polyhydric alcohols
Online: 30 April 2018 (18:50:24 CEST)
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Resides derived from liquefaction of oil palm trunk in the presence of polyhydric alcohol with different liquefaction temperature and time were characterized to provide a new approach to understand some fundamental aspects of the liquefaction reaction. Higher temperature and longer reaction time resulted in lower residue content, indicating more decomposition of components of oil palm trunk. The amorphous polymer comprised of lignin, hemicellulose, starch, and cellulose with non-crystalline structure are firstly degraded at low liquefaction temperature, followed by the decomposition of crystalline region of cellulose. Although it was relatively difficult to destroy the ordered structure of cellulose, most of them could be liquefied via prolonging reaction time or enhancing reaction temperature. Nevertheless, it was found that re-condensation of liquefied products occurred during the liquefaction process when higher temperature of 180 oC was used after 60 min, leading to the gradual increase of residue content with increase of reaction time.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; aminofunctional starch (ANS); biodegradation; carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) latex films
Online: 25 April 2018 (07:53:16 CEST)
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The Aminofunctional starch/Carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (ANS/XNBR) latex films were prepared with control (0), 5, 10, 15, and 20 phr of ANS loadings. The films were subjected to soil burial test for 8 weeks, which recovered every two weeks to quantify the degraded properties. The control (week 0) and biodegraded films were subjected to physical tests (crosslink density, tensile, and tear strength tests) and biodegradation quantification (mass loss retention, and water vapor transmission rates). The optimum physical properties of ANS/XNBR films were subjected to further assessment of its degradation properties which include morphological (optical and scanning electron microscopes (SEM)), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) respectively. Overall, mechanical properties of biodegraded ANS/XNBR latex films decreased as biodegradation period elapses. The biodegradation assessment via water vapor transmission rates and mass loss analyses indicates the high degree of biodegradation rates were observed with higher loading of ANS/XNBR latex films. Morphological analyses via optical microscope shows the transformation of the films surface opacity during biodegradation test. SEM images depicted the microorganism remains on the film surfaces. For FTIR analysis, the most significant changes in the spectras of the films appeared in the region of 790–3000 cm−1. TGA thermograph shows the thermal retention of the materials decreased, as the biodegradation period elapses for optimum ANS/XNBR latex films. From the results obtained, ANS/XNBR latex films shows optimum degradation and mechanical properties at 10 phr filler loading.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; Renewable resources; Lignocellulosic Biomass; Polymerization; Reaction mechanisms; Furfuryl alcohol
Online: 20 April 2018 (14:19:30 CEST)
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Furfuryl alcohol (FA) is a biobased monomer derived from lignocellulosic biomass. The present work describes its polymerization in presence of protic polar solvents, i.e. water or isopropyl alcohol (IPA), using maleic anhydride (MA) as acidic initiator. The polymerization was followed from the liquid to the rubbery state by combining DSC and DMA data. In the liquid state, IPA disrupts the expected reactions during all the FA polymerization due to a stabilization of the furfuryl carbenium center. This causes the initiation of the polymerization at higher temperature, which is also reflected by higher activation energy. In water system, the MA opening allows to start the reaction at lower temperature. A higher pre-exponential factor value is obtained in that case. The DMA study of final branching reaction occurring in the rubbery state has highlighted continuous increase of elastic modulus until 290 °C. This increasing tendency of modulus was exploited to obtain activation energy dependences (Eα) of FA polymerization in the rubbery state.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; Chitosan-g-PMMA amphiphilic nanoparticles; thiolated polymers; mucoadhesion; mucosal drug delivery; Caco2 and HT29-MTX cell lines; apparent permeability in vitro.
Online: 18 April 2018 (16:28:21 CEST)
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Engineering of drug nanocarriers combining fine-tuned mucoadhesive/mucopenetrating properties is currently being investigated to ensure more efficient mucosal drug delivery. Aiming to improve the transmucosal delivery of hydrophobic drugs, we designed a novel kind nanogel produced by the self-assembly of amphiphilic chitosan graft copolymers ionotropically crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate. In this work, we synthesized for the first time chitosan-g-poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles thiolated by the conjugation of N-acetyl cysteine. First, we confirmed that both non-crosslinked and crosslinked nanoparticles in the 0.05-0.1% w/v concentration range display very good cell compatibility in two cell lines that are relevant to oral delivery, Caco2 cells that mimic the intestinal epithelium and HT29-MTX cells that produce mucin. Then, we evaluated the effect of crosslinking, nanoparticle concentration and thiolation on the permeability in vitro utilizing monolayers of (i) Caco2 and (ii) Caco2:HT29-MTX cells (9:1 cell number ratio). Results confirmed that the ability of the nanoparticles to cross Caco2 monolayer was affected by the crosslinking. In addition, thiolated nanoparticles interact more strongly with mucin, resulting in a decrease of the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) compared to the pristine nanoparticles. Moreover, for all the nanoparticles, higher concentration resulted in lower Papp suggesting indicating that the transport pathways could undergo saturation.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; acrylamide; microwave assistance; intrinsic viscosity; flocculant; phenol removal
Online: 18 April 2018 (15:48:27 CEST)
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A composite flocculant P(AM–DMDAAC) was synthesized by the copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (DMDAAC). Using microwave (MV) assistance with ammonium persulfate as initiator, the synthesis provided short reaction time and better solubility product. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential thermal analysis-thermo gravimetric analyzer (DTA-TGA) were used to determine the structure and morphology of P(AM–DMDAAC). Parameters affecting the intrinsic viscosity ([η]) of P(AM–DMDAAC), such as microwave time, mass ratio of DMDAAC to AM, initiator ammonium persulfatedosage, sodium benzoate dosage, bath time, reaction temperature and pH value were examined. Results showed that the optimum synthesis conditions were microwave time 1.5 min, m(DMDAAC): m(AM) is 4:16, 0.5 wt‰ initiator, 0.4 wt‰ EDTA, 0.3 wt‰ sodium benzoate, 2 wt‰ urea, 4 h bath time, 4.0h reaction time and pH 2. To study the removal of phenol by P(AM–DMDAAC), the influence of flocculant dose, pH value and the stirring speed were investigated, with optimization providing 99.8 % removal.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; reactive energetic plasticizer; 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition; polyurethane; energetic binder
Online: 16 April 2018 (08:22:59 CEST)
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Reactive energetic plasticizers (REPs) coupled with hydroxy-telechelic poly(glycidyl azide-co-tetrahydrofuran) (PGT)-based energetic polyurethane (PU) binders for use in solid propellants and plastic-bonded explosives (PBXs) were investigated. The generation of gem-dinitro REPs along with a terminal alkyne stemmed from a series of finely designed approaches to not only satisfy the common demands as conventional energetic plasticizers but prevent the migration of plasticizers. The miscibility and rheological behavior of a binary mixture of PGT/REP with various REP fractions were quantitatively determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rheometer, respectively, highlighting the promising performance of REPs in the formulation process. The kinetics on the distinct reactivity of propargyl vs. 3-butynyl species of REPs towards the azide group of the PGT prepolymer in terms of Cu-free azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (1,3-DPCA) was studied by monitoring 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and analyzing the activation energies (Ea) obtained using DSC. The thermal stability of the finally cured energetic binders with the incorporation of REPs indicated that the thermal stability of the REP/PGT-based PUs was maintained independently of the REP content. The tensile strength and modulus of the PUs increased with increasing the REP content. In addition, the energetic performance and sensitivity of REP and REP triazole species was predicted.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; additive manufacturing; desktop 3D printing; fused deposition modeling; fused filament fabrication; polylactic acid; anisotropy; interlayer bonds; mechanical strength; digital fabrication
Online: 9 April 2018 (10:33:56 CEST)
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This work investigates how the user-controlled parameters of the 3D printing process define temperature conditions on the boundary between layers of the part being fabricated and how these conditions influence the structure and strength of the part. The process studied is fused filament fabrication with a desktop 3D printer and the material utilized is PLA (polylactic acid). As a characteristic of the part strength the fracture load in the case of a three-point bend and calculated related stress were used. During the printing process parts were oriented with the long side along the Z axis, thus, in the bend tests, the maximum stress occurred orthogonally to the layers. During the fabrication process, temperature distribution on the sample surface was monitored with thermal imager. Sample mesostructure was analyzed using SEM. The influence of the extrusion temperature, the intensity of part cooling, the printing speed and the time between printing individual layers were considered. The influence of all the parameters can be expressed through two generalizing factors: the temperature of the previous layer and the flow efficiency, determining the ratio of the amount of extruded plastic to the calculated. A regression model was proposed that describes the effect of the two factors on the printed part strength. Along with interlayer bonding strength, these two factors determine the formation of the part mesostructure (the geometry of the boundaries between individual threads). It is shown that the optimization of the process parameters responsible for temperature conditions makes it possible to approximate the strength of the interlayer cohesion to the bulk material strength.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; cellulose nanofiber; boron nitride nanosheet; oxygen barrier; food packaging
Online: 30 March 2018 (09:46:30 CEST)
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Herein, we introduce a boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS)-reinforced cellulose nanofiber (CNF) film as a sustainable oxygen barrier film that can potentially be applied in food packaging. Most of commodity plastics are oxygen-permeable. CNF exhibits an ideal oxygen transmittance rate (OTR) of <1 cc/m2/day in highly controlled conditions. A CNF film typically fabricated by the air drying of a CNF aqueous solution reveals an OTR of 19.08 cc/m2/day. The addition of 0-5 wt% BNNS to the CNF dispersion before drying results in a composite film with highly improved OTR, 4.7 cc/m2/day, which is sufficient for meat and cheese packaging. BNNS as a 2D nanomaterial increases the pathway of oxygen gas and reduces the chances of pin-hole formation during film fabrication involving water drying. In addition, BNNS improves the mechanical properties of the CNF films (Young’s modulus and tensile strength) without significant elongation reductions, probably due to the good miscibility of CNF and BNNS in the aqueous solution. BNNS addition also produces negligible color change, which is important for film aesthetics. An in vitro cell experiment was performed to reveal the low cytotoxicity of the CNF/BNNS composite. This composite film has great potential as a sustainable high-performance food packaging material.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; low-dissipation factor; thermosets; benzoxazines
Online: 15 March 2018 (03:49:52 CET)
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Poly(2,6-dimethyl phenyl oxide) (PPO) is known for its low dissipation factor. To achieve insulating materials with low dissipation factor for high-frequency communication application, a monomer-type benzoxazine (P-APPO) and a main-chain-type benzoxazine (BPA-APPO) were prepared from an amine end-capped oligo (2,6-dimethyl phenylene oxide) (APPO). The APPO was prepared from a nucleophilic substitution of a phenol-end capped oligo (2,6-dimethyl phenylene oxide) (a commercial product, SA 90) with fluoronitrobenzene, and followed by catalytic hydrogenation. After self-curing or curing with a dicyclopentadiene-phenol epoxy (HP 7200), thermosets with high-Tg and low-dissipation factor can be achieved. Furthermore, the resulting epoxy thermosets show better thermal and dielectric properties than those of epoxy thermoset cured from its precursor SA90, demonstrating it is a successful modification in simultaneously enhancing the thermal and dielectric properties.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; chitin; chitosan; derivatization; controlled functionalization, click chemistry; graft copolymer; cyclodextrin; dendrimer; ionic liquids
Online: 1 March 2018 (07:13:47 CET)
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The functionalization of polymeric substances is of great interest for the development of innovative materials for advanced applications. For many decades, the functionalization of chitosan has been a convenient way to improve its properties with the aim to prepare new materials with specialized characteristics. In the present article, we summarize the latest methods for the modification and derivatization of chitin and chitosan, trying to introduce specific functional groups under experimental conditions, which allow a control over the macromolecular architecture. This is motivated because an understanding of the interdependence between chemical structure and properties is an important condition for proposing innovative materials. New advances in methods and strategies of functionalization such as click chemistry approach, grafting onto copolymerization, coupling with cyclodextrins and reactions in ionic liquids are discussed.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; polymer-matrix composites; natural fiber reinforcement; interface/interphase; microstructural analysis; crystallization behavior; rheological behavior
Online: 6 February 2018 (00:36:44 CET)
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To improve the interfacial bonding of sisal fiber reinforced polylactide biocomposites, polylactide (PLA) and sisal fibers (SF) were melt-blended to fabricate bio-based composites via in situ reactive interfacial compatibilization with the addition of an epoxy-functionalized oligomer (ADR). The FTIR analysis and SEM characterization demonstrated that PLA molecular chain was bonded to the fiber surface and epoxy-functionalized oligomer played a hinge-like role between sisal fibers and PLA matrix, which resulted in improved interfacial adhesion between fibers and PLA matrix. The interfacial reaction and microstructures of composites were further investigated by thermal and rheological analyses, which indicated that the mobility of the PLA molecular chain in composites was restricted because of the introduction of ADR oligomer, which in turn reflected the improved interfacial interaction between SF and PLA matrix. These conclusions were further investigated by the calculated activation energies of glass transition relaxation (△Ea) of composites via dynamic mechanical analysis. The mechanical properties of PLA/SF composites were simultaneously reinforced and toughened via addition of ADR oligomer. The interfacial interaction and structure-properties relationship of composites are key points of this study.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; Polyamide solvent, composite, coated-fabric, Nylon, single-polymer composite, all-polyamide composite coated-fabric
Online: 5 February 2018 (16:19:09 CET)
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Polyamides (PAs) are one of the most important engineering polymers; however, the difficulty in dissolving them hinders their applications. Formic acid (FA) is the most common solvent for PAs, but it has industrial limitations. In this contribution, we proposed a new solvent system for PAs by replacing a portion of the FA with urea and calcium chloride (FAUCa). Urea imparts the hydrogen bonding and calcium ion from the calcium chloride, as a Lewis acid was added to the system to compensate for the pH decrease due to the addition of urea. The results showed that the proposed solvent (FAUCa) could readily dissolve PAs, resulting in less decrease in the mechanical properties during the dissolution. The composite prepared using the FAUCa has almost the same properties like the one prepared using the FA solution. The solution was applied on a polyamide 66 fabric to make an all-polyamide composite coated-fabric, which then was characterized. The FAUCa solution had a higher viscosity than the one prepared using the neat FA solvent, which can be an advantage in the applications which needs higher viscosity like preparing the all-polyamide composite coated-fabric. A more viscouse solution makes a denser coating which will increase the water-/gas-tightness. In conclusion, using the FAUCa solvent has two merits: 1. replacement of 40 % of the FA with less harmful and environmentally-friendly chemicals and 2. enabling for the preparation of more viscouse solutions, which makes denser coating.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; PBS; PBSA; WAXD, SEC-MALLS, degradation, composting, artificial weathering
Online: 26 January 2018 (16:00:40 CET)
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In this paper, the influence of the various degradation conditions, on the molecular and supramolecular structure of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) copolymer during degradation time is described. Experiment was carried out by the use injection molded samples and normalized conditions of biodegradation in soil, composting and artificial weathering. Materials were studied by using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) detection and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Additionally, the physical and mechanical properties of the samples were determined. The performed experiments clearly show difference impact of selected degradation condition on the macroscopic, supramolecular and molecular parameters of studied aliphatic polyesters. The structural changes in PBS and PBSA explain the observed changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the obtained injection molded samples.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; cationic polymers; blends; surfaces; antimicrobial
Online: 26 January 2018 (05:31:49 CET)
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The aim of this work is the preparation of contact active antimicrobial films by blending copolymers with quaternary ammonium salts and polyacrylonitrile as matrix material. A series of copolymers based on acrylonitrile and methacrylic monomers with quaternizable groups were designed with the purpose of investigating the influence of their chemical and structural characteristics on the antimicrobial activity of these surfaces. The biocide activity of these systems was studied against different microorganisms, such as the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomona aeruginosa and the yeast Candida parapsilosis. The results confirmed that parameters such as flexibility and polarity of the antimicrobial polymers immobilized on the surfaces strongly affect the efficiency against microorganisms. In contrast to the behavior of copolymers in water solutions, when they are tethered to the surface, the active cationic groups are less accessible and then the mobility of the side chain is critical for a good contact with the microorganism. Blend films composed of copolymers with high positive charge density and chain mobility present up to a more than 99.999% killing efficiency against the studied microorganisms.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; methacrylate monomers, cosmetics, polymerization rate, thermal properties characterization, mechanical properties characterization
Online: 17 January 2018 (14:05:09 CET)
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Mixtures of methacrylic polymers are the most common materials for making composites to be used as resins for dental and cosmetic applications. Some of these mixtures are composed by poly (ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which constitute a solid component to be mixed with a liquid component made out of methacrylate monomers. The reaction between the thermal initiator benzoyl peroxyde (BPO) present in the solid component and the activator of the polymerization process, N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (DMT) present in the liquid component, gives rise to thermoset materials. In the present study, different liquid formulations composed by a mixture of two methacrylic monomers, ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) for cosmetic applications, were prepared and characterized, using a commercial powder (POW) composed by PEMA and PMMA. With the aim of improving workability during final application of the material, it was necessary to slow down the polymerization rate of liquid formulations. Their thermal behaviour was investigated by DSC in order to check the polymerization rate. Thermal stability of final materials was determined by TGA. DMTA, microindentation hardness and impact tests were performed on final materials, to assess their performance with respect to standard formulation. The combination of thermal and mechanical properties allows choosing which formulations could be suitable for use in cosmetics.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; biodegradable copolyesters; copolymerization kinetics; copolymer microstructure; simulation; reactivity ratios; dilatometry
Online: 10 January 2018 (10:45:16 CET)
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The effect of configuration of an asymmetric bulky initiator 2,2’-[1,1’-binaphtyl-2,2’-diyl- bis-(nitrylomethilidyne)]diphenoxy aluminum isopropoxide (Ini) on structure of copolymer of asymmetric monomer L,L-lactide (Lac) with symmetric comonomer trimethylene carbonate (Tmc) was studied using polarimetry, dilatometry, SEC and 13C NMR. When the S-enantiomer of Ini was used the distribution in copolymer chains at the beginning of polymerization is statistical, with alternacy tendency, changing next through a gradient region to homoblocks of Tmc. When, however, R-Ini was used, the product formed was a gradient oligoblock one, with Tmc blocks prevailing at the beginning, changing to Lac blocks dominating at end part of chains. Initiation of copolymerization with the mixture of both initiator enantiomers (S:R = 6:94) gave multiblock copolymer, of similar features but shorter blocks. Analysis of copolymerization progress required complex analysis of dilatometric data, assuming different molar volume contraction coefficients for units located in different triads. Comonomer reactivity ratios of studied copolymerizations were determined.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; fabric classification; fabric drape; Cusick Drapemeter; PhabrOmeter; directional and side effects
Online: 9 January 2018 (05:35:28 CET)
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With huge varieties of fabrics, the first challenge for any performance evaluation is to categorize the vast types of the products into fewer, more homogeneous and thus akin groups. Classification or sorting is arguably the first step of any scientific investigation, and comparison of product quality is meaningful only when conducted within a group of comparable products. A new criterion termed fabric linear density λ is first proposed in this paper so that fabrics can in general be divided into 4 groups. The derivation and validation of this parameter are provided. The importance of fabric drape is almost self-evident, but there is still no effective ways to measure this fabric attribute. The Cusick Drapemeter suffers from its low repeatability and low sensitivity, and is hence not widely or frequently used. The PhabrOmeter, along with the fabric linear density λ, is proposed and demonstrated in this study as a much more efficient alternative for fabric drape test. By actually testing 40 various fabrics, the principle, procedure and results of this method is presented in this paper.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; poly(acrylic acid); metronidazole; hydrogel; crosslinking; radiation
Online: 5 January 2018 (04:49:18 CET)
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Poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) hydrogels possess good bioadhesive properties and allow enhanced penetration of drugs. In addition, it is possible to localize the absorption site of the drug in the hydrogel and increase the drug residence time. As opposed to other cross-linking processes radiation-induced polymer cross-linking can be easily and rapidly carried out without the use of cross-linking agents and other chemical additives. In this study, we fabricated metronidazole (MD) containing PAAc hydrogel (MD/PAAc) with different MD contents (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 wt%) using varying radiation doses (25, 50, 75 kGy) by gamma-irradiation. The physical and thermal properties were determined by gel content analysis, swelling ratio measurements, compressive strength measurements, differential scanning calorimetery, and thermogravimetric analysis. The properties of the hydrogel degraded due to the crystalline nature of MD. The properties of the hydrogel degraded due to the crystalline nature of MD. Cumulative release observed after 50 min in the case of 0.5MD/PAAc and 0.1MD/PAAc was 50% and 10%, respectively. Our findings suggest that MD/PAAc could be a suitable drug delivery carrier for use with radiation-based techniques.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; bamboo biomass; biodegradable composites; pull-out; surface treatments; mercerization
Online: 25 December 2017 (10:12:19 CET)
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In this work, the apparent shear strength at the interface between a bamboo fiber and the surrounding poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix is quantified. A method for processing pull-out test samples within a controlled embedded length is proposed and the details of the test procedure are presented, along with a critical discussion of the results. Two series of samples are considered: untreated and mercerized bamboo fibers from the same batch, embedded in the same polyester matrix. Electron and optical microscopy are used to observe the fiber-matrix interface before and after the test, and to identify the failure mode of each sample, especially as regards the occurrence of fibrillation in the fiber bundles. The values of apparent interfacial shear strength are calculated only for regular fibers successfully pulled out from the matrix, and reported with their statistical variations. Mercerization, whose efficiency was proven by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy, did not appear though to improve the quality of the interface (τapp = 7.0 ± 3.1 MPa for untreated fibers and τapp = 5.3 ± 2.4 MPa for treated fibers).
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; multi-template molecularly imprinted polymers; SBA-15; Panax notoginseng saponins; separation and determination; solid-phase extraction
Online: 14 November 2017 (04:47:13 CET)
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The feasible, reliable and selective multi-template molecularly imprinted polymers (MT-MIPs) based on SBA-15 (SBA-15@MT-MIPs) for the selective separation and determination of the trace level of ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1), ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) and notoginsenoside R1 (R1) (Panax notoginseng saponins, PNS) from biological samples were developed. The polymers were constructed by SBA-15 as support, Rb1, Rg1, R1 as multi-template, acrylamide (AM) as functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as cross-linker. The new synthetic SBA-15@MT-MIPs were satisfactorily applied to solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the separation and determination of trace PNS in plasma samples. Under the optimized conditions, the limits of detection (LODs) and quantitation (LOQs) of the proposed method for Rb1, Rg1 and R1 were in the range of 0.63-0.75 ng mL-1 and 2.1-2.5 ng mL-1, respectively. The recoveries of R1, Rb1 and Rg1 were obtained between 93.4% and 104.3% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) in the range of 3.3-4.2%. All results show that the obtained SBA-15@MT-MIPs could be a promising prospect for the practical application in the selective separation and enrichment of trace PNS in the biological samples.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; selective laser sintering (SLS); wood-plastic composites (WPC); carbon nanotube (CNT); mechanical properties; binding mechanism
Online: 7 November 2017 (02:43:15 CET)
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A new type of low cost, environmentally friendly wood-plastic composites (WPC) containing carbon nanotubes(CNT)of low content 0%, 0.05wt%, 0.1wt% and 0.15wt%, wood fibers of 14wt% and polymer PES of 86wt% was manufactured by the selective laser sintering (SLS) approach of 3D printing. The experimental results showed that the incorporating of CNTs could obviously increase the mechanical properties of the wood/PES composites material. The tensile strength, bending strength and elasticity modulus were 76.3%, 227.9% and 128.7% higher with 0.1wt% CNTs than without CNTs. And the mechanical properties of specimens firstly increased and then decreased with the increasing contents of CNTs. The SEM results of the specimens’ fracture morphology indicated that the preferable bonding interfaces between wood flour grains and PES grains were achieved by adding CNTs to the composites. There are two reasons to explain why the composites possessed the superior mechanical properties: CNTs could facilitate the laser sintering process of wood plastic composites due to their thermal conductivities; also, CNTs could directly reinforce the WPC composites as reinforcement.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; hydrogel; thermal conductivity; 3ω method; molecular dynamics
Online: 25 October 2017 (03:54:39 CEST)
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As the interface between human and machine becomes blurred, hydrogel incorporated electronics and devices have emerged to be a new class of flexible/stretchable electronic and ionic devices due to their extraordinary properties, such as soft, mechanically robust and biocompatible. However, heat dissipation in these devices could be a critical issue and remains unexplored. Here, we report the experimental measurements and equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of thermal conduction in polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels. The thermal conductivity of PAAm hydrogels can be modulated by both the crosslinking density and water content in hydrogels. The crosslinking density dependent thermal conductivity in hydrogels varies from 0.33 to 0.51 Wm-1K-1, giving a 54% enhancement. We attribute the crosslinking effect to the competition between the increased conduction pathways and the enhanced phonon scattering effect. Moreover，water content can act as filler in polymers which lead to nearly 40% enhancement in thermal conductivity in PAAm hydrogels with water content vary from 23 to 88 wt%. Furthermore，we find the thermal conductivity of PAAm hydrogel is insensitive to temperature in the range of 25 oC – 40 oC. Our study offers fundamental understanding of thermal transport in soft materials and provides design guidance for hydrogel-based devices.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; single-polymer composite; bioreactor; textile reactor; fungal cultivation; economic analysis; polyamide; polyvinyl chloride
Online: 16 October 2017 (06:08:20 CEST)
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All-polyamide composite coated fabric (APCCF) materials were developed and used as the material of construction of textile bioreactors as a replacement of traditional costly steel-/concreate-based bioreactors. Then, APCCF-bioreactor was used to cultivate filamentous fungus Neurospora intermedia to produce ethanol and fungal biomass. The results showed similar performance of the fungus cultivated in stain-less steel bioreactors. Techno-economical analysis for a 5000-m3 APCCF bioreactor for fermentation facility would lead to a reduction of the annual production cost of the facility by $128,000,000 compared to similar stainless-steel processes. The comparative analyses (including mechanical and morphological analyses, density measurements and techno-economical analysis) revealed that the APCCF is a better candidate for material of construction of the textile bioreactor. The APCCF is a 100% recyclable single polymer composite which was prepared from textile production line waste.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; Nanoparticles; fluorescence; optical imaging
Online: 29 September 2017 (18:36:01 CEST)
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Fluorophore molecules can be monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy which are highly useful and widely used techniques in cell biology, biochemistry and medicine (e.g., biomarker analysis, immunoassays, cancer diagnosis). Several fluorescent micro- and nanoparticle systems based on block copolymer micelles and cross-linked polymer networks, quantum dots, -conjugated polymers, and dendrimers have been evaluated as optical imaging systems. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the construction of fluorescent single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) which are valuable artificial soft nano-objects with tunable, small size (as small as 3 nm). In particular, the main methods currently available to endow SCNPs with fluorescent properties are discussed in detail, showing illustrative examples.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; nanoparticles; nanocontainers; catalysts
Online: 29 September 2017 (04:51:17 CEST)
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Enzymes are the most efficient catalysts known working in an aqueous environment near room temperature. The folding of individual polymer chains to functional single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) offers many opportunities for the development of artificial enzyme-mimic catalysts showing both high catalytic activity and specificity. In this review, we highlight recent results obtained in the use of SCNPs as bioinspired, highly-efficient nanoreactors (3–30 nm) for the synthesis of a variety of nanomaterials (inorganic nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanodots), polymers and chemical compounds, as well as nanocontainers for CO2 capture and release.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; fibrous composites; periodic structure; fiber contiguity; interphase; thermal conductivities
Online: 14 August 2017 (04:20:11 CEST)
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In this paper, a geometric body-centered model to simulate the periodic structure of unidirectional fibrous composites is presented. To this end, three prescribed configurations are introduced to predict in a deterministic manner the arrangement of internal and neighboring fibers inside the matrix. Thus, three different representative volume elements (RVEs) are established. Furthermore, the concept of the interphase has been taken into account, stating that each individual fiber is encircled by a thin layer of variable thermomechanical properties. Next, these three unit cells are transformed in a unified manner to a coaxial multilayer cylinder model. This advanced model includes the influence of fiber contiguity in parallel with the interphase concept on the thermomechanical properties of the overall material. Then, by the use of this model, the authors propose explicit expressions to evaluate the longitudinal and transverse thermal conductivity of this type of composite. The theoretical predictions were compared with experimental results, as well as with theoretical values yielded by some reliable formulae derived from other workers, and a reasonable agreement was found.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; abrasive flow machining; a helical passageway; surface roughness, mold core
Online: 29 May 2017 (18:54:24 CEST)
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Due to the fact that abrasive media can deform flexibly in abrasive flow machining (AFM) making this method easily to polish the complex holes and the curved surface of the hard machining shapes. Although abrasive media dominate the polishing behavior in AFM process, the mechanism of the abrasive media are not easy to understand because of the high viscous gels, therefore, many finishing works need lots of time to design AFM process. Power laws of the abrasive gels is studied here to evaluate the non-Newtonian flow of abrasive gels in complex holes polishing firstly, at the mean time different abrasive gels are utilized to finish the complex holes to follow the results by non-Newtonian flow calculation. Moreover, traditional AFM has difficulty to achieve a uniform roughness of radial distribution in the complex holes polishing because of the non-uniform abrasive forces. So a helical passageway is proposed to create a multiple motion of abrasive medium and to obtain the even surface of the complex holes in AFM process.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; soy flour; lignin; adhesive; plywood; bond strength
Online: 23 May 2017 (16:29:41 CEST)
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The aim of this study was to using a lignin based resin (LB) to improve the performance of the soy flour based adhesive. Soy flour (SF), polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE), LB was used to develop a plywood adhesive. The solid content and viscosity of the adhesive, functional groups, thermo-stability, and crystallinity of the cured adhesive were characterized and the performance of the resultant adhesive was evaluated by fabricating three-ply plywood. Results showed using LB and PAE mixture to modify SF adhesive improves dry and wet bond strength by 66.3 and 184.2%. PAE contributed more for the wet bond strength improvement and the LB contributed more for the dry bond strength. The improvement was attributed to: 1) LB/PAE reacted with the functions of the soy protein and form a cross-linking network; 2) Polycondensation reaction between LB molecules further improved crosslinking density of the adhesive and formed a interpenetration structure with crosslinked protein; 3)The easy penetration of LB on wood surface and formed more interlock with wood. The denser structure created by LB and PAE mixture improved the thermal stability and decreased the crystallinity of cured adhesive. The usage of the LB and PAE mixture increased solid content by 35.5%, meanwhile, makes its viscosity acceptable for the industrial application.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; single fiber; cutting; fracture morphology; failure mechanism
Online: 22 May 2017 (05:29:48 CEST)
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The present study investigates the failure mechanisms of industrial fiber materials, using a custom designed fiber cutting performance test bench. The fracture morphologies of single PA6 fibers are examined by scanning electron microscopy. The analysis reveals that fiber cutting can be distinguished according to four distinct stages of fiber failure represented by shearing, cutting, brittle fracture, and tensile failure, which are the result of different mechanisms active during the processes of crack initiation, extension and fracture. The results of fractographic analysis are further verified by an analysis of the blade assembly speed with respect to time over the entire fracture failure process based on high-speed camera data. The results of fractographic analysis and blade assembly speed are fully consistent.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; transparent electrode; organic photovoltaic; distributed Bragg reflector
Online: 9 May 2017 (11:09:37 CEST)
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We demonstrated an ITO-free, highly transparent organic solar cell with the potential to be integrated into window panes for energy harvesting purposes. A transparent, conductive ZnO/Ag/ZnO multilayer electrode and a Ag:Ca thin film electrode were used in this transparent device as the bottom and top electrode, respectively. To further improve the transmittance of the solar cell, the thickness of the top ZnO layer was investigated by both experiment and simulation. An average visible transmittance of > 60% was reached, with a maximum transmittance of 73% at 556 nm. Both top and bottom illumination of the solar cell generated comparable power conversion efficiencies, which indicates the wide application of this solar cell structure. In addition, we fabricated distributed Bragg reflector mirrors with sputtered SiO2 and TiO2, which efficiently increased the power conversion efficiency over 20% for the solar cells on glass and PET substrates,
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; polyurethane foams; castor oil; crude glycerol; biopolyols
Online: 20 April 2017 (04:27:10 CEST)
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Rigid polyurethane foams were synthesized using a renewable polyol from the simple physical mixture of castor oil and crude glycerol. The effect of the catalyst and blowing agent in the foams properties was evaluated. The use of physical blowing agent (cyclopentane and n-pentane) allowed obtaining foams with smaller cells in comparison with the foams produced with a chemical blowing agent (water). The increase of water content caused a decrease of density, thermal conductivity, compressive strength and Young's modulus, which indicates that the increment of CO2 production contributes to the formation of larger cells. Higher amount of catalyst in the foam formulations caused a slight density decrease and an increase small significance of thermal conductivity, compressive strength and Young's modulus values. These green foams presented properties that indicate a great potential to be used as thermal insulation, as density (23 - 41 kg m-3), thermal conductivity (0.0128 – 0.0207 W m-1 K-1), compressive strength (45 - 188 kPa) and Young's modulus (3 - 28 kPa). These biofoams are also environmental friendly alternatives and can aggregate revenue to biodiesel industry, contributing for reduction of this fuel prices.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; PLA; fused deposition modeling (FDM); surface characterization; vibrational spectroscopy; laser confocal microscopy; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Online: 3 April 2017 (17:34:40 CEST)
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Polylactic Acid (PLA) is an organic polymer commonly used in fused deposition (FDM) printing and biomedical scaffolding that is biocompatible and immunologically inert. However, variations in source material quality and chemistry make it necessary to characterize the filament and determine potential changes in chemistry occurring as a result of the FDM process. We used several spectroscopic techniques, including laser confocal microscopy, Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and photoacousitc FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) in order to characterize both the bulk and surface chemistry of the source material and printed samples. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize morphology, crystallinity, and the glass transition temperature following printing. Analysis revealed calcium carbonate-based additives which were reacted with organic ligands and potentially trace metal impurities, both before and following printing. These additives became concentrated in voids in the printed structure. This finding is important for biomedical applications as carbonate will impact subsequent cell growth on printed tissue scaffolds. Results of chemical analysis also provided evidence of the hygroscopic nature of the source material and oxidation of the printed surface, and SEM imaging revealed micro and sub-micron scale roughness that will also impact potential applications.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; waste cooking oil; phthalic anhydride; copolymerization; microwaves
Online: 17 March 2017 (07:36:52 CET)
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Solvent free copolymerization of epoxides derived from fatty acid esters of waste cooking oil with phthalic anhydride using (salen)CrIII Cl as catalyst and n-Bu4NCl/DMAP as co-catalyst was carried out for the first time under microwave irradiation, where reaction time was reduced from number of hours to minutes. The polyesters were obtained with molecular weight (Mw = 3084-6740 g/mol) and dispersity values (D = 1.18-1.92), when (salen)CrIII Cl/n-Bu4NCl was used as catalysts. While in case of DMAP as a co-catalyst, polyesters with improved molecular weight (Mw = 5537-6925 g/mol) and narrow dispersity values (D = 1.07-1.28) were obtained even at reduced concentrations of (salen)CrIII Cl and DMAP. The obtained products were characterized and evaluated by attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) Techniques.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; PEEK; blends; thermal stability; tribological properties; mechanical properties
Online: 25 January 2017 (10:03:49 CET)
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In this study, 10%PTFE/PEEK blend were modified by potassium titanate whisker (PTW) and chopped glass fiber (GF), respectively. The blends were prepared by three-screw extruder. Through the investigation of thermal stability, tribological properties, mechanical properties and rheological behavior, the effects of reinforcing agents were determined. The results illustrated that the mechanical properties of 10%PTFE/PEEK blend can be dramatically improved by adding reinforcing agent of PTW or GF, and the reinforcing effect of GF was especially obvious. As for tribological properties, 1% addition was the best proportion. The friction coefficient and wear rate of the blend with 1% PTW were 0.283 and 4.97 × 10-6 mm3/N · m, which decreased by 7.2% and 21% compared with those of the blend without reinforcing agent.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; nanocomposites; halloysite nanotubes; multi-layer graphene; water absorption; mechanical properties
Online: 5 January 2017 (09:34:10 CET)
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The influence of short term water absorption on the mechanical properties of halloysite nanotubes-multi layer graphene reinforced polyester hybrid nanocomposites has been investigated. The addition of nano-fillers significantly increased the flexural strength; tensile strength and impact strength in dry and wet conditions. After short term water exposure; the maximum microhardness; tensile; flexural and impact toughness values were observed at 0.1 wt% MLG. The microhardness increased up to 50.3%; tensile strength increased up to 40% and flexural strength increased up to 44%. Compared to dry samples; the fracture toughness and surface roughness of all types of produced nanocomposites were increased that may be attributed to plasticization effect. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the main failure mechanism is caused by the weakening of nano-filler-matrix interface induced by water absorption. It was further observed that synergistic effects were not effective at concentration of 0.1 wt% to produce considerable improvement in mechanical properties of produced hybrid nanocomposites.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; textile composite; biaxial tensile; modulus; plain weave fabric (PWF)
Online: 16 November 2016 (13:34:41 CET)
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This paper addresses a new micromechanical model to predict biaxial tensile moduli of plain weave fabric (PWF) composites by considering the interaction between the orthogonal interlacing strands. The two orthogonal yarns in micromechanical unit cell (UC) were idealized as the curved beams with a path depicted by using sinusoidal shape functions. The biaxial tensile moduli of PWF composites were derived by means of the minimum total complementary potential energy principle founded on micromechanics. The biaxial tensile tests were respectively conducted on the RTM-made EW220/5284 PWF composites at five biaxial loading ratios of 0, 1, 2, 3 and ∞ to validate the new model. The predictions from the new model were compared with experimental data and good correlation was achieved between the predictions and actual experiments, demonstrating the practical and effective use of the proposed model. Using the new model, the biaxial tensile moduli of plain weave fabric (PWF) composites could be predicted based only on the properties of basic woven fabric.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; direct laser writing; ultrafast laser; 3D laser lithography; 3D printing; hybrid polymer; integrated microoptics; optical damage; photonics; pyrolysis; ceramic 3D structures
Online: 1 November 2016 (04:59:50 CET)
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We introduce optically clear and resilient free-form micro-optical of pure (non-photosensitized) organic-inorganic SZ2080 material made by femtosecond 3D laser lithography (3DLL). This is advantageous for rapid printing of 3D micro-/nanooptics, including their integration directly onto optical fibers. A systematic study on the fabrication peculiarities and quality of resultant structures is performed. Comparison of microlenses’ resiliency to CW and femtosecond pulsed exposure is determined. Experimental results prove that pure SZ2080 is ∼3 fold more resistant to high irradiance as compared with a standard photo-sensitized material and can sustain up to 1.91 GW/cm2 intensity. 3DLL is a promising manufacturing approach for high-intensity micro-optics for emerging fields in astro-photonics and atto-second pulse generation. Additionally, pyrolysis is employed to shrink structures up to 40% by removing organic SZ2080 constituents. This opens a promising route towards downscaling photonic lattices and creation of mechanically robust glass-ceramic structures.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; shape memory; liquid crystalline; self-healing
Online: 15 September 2016 (11:07:50 CEST)
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To better understand the shape memory materials and self-healing materials, a new series of liquid-crystalline shape memory polyurethane (LC-SMPU) composites, named SMPU-OOBAm, were successfully prepared by incorporating 4-octyldecyloxybenzoic acid (OOBA) into the PEG-based SMPU. The effect of OOBA on the structure, morphology and properties has been carefully investigated. The results demonstrate that SMPU-OOBAm have liquid crystalline properties, triple-shape memory properties and self-healing properties. The incorporated OOBA promotes the crystallizability of both soft and hard segments of SMPU, and the crystallization rate of the hard segment of SMPU decreases when the OOBA-content increases. Additionally, the SMPU-OOBAm forms a two-phase separated structure (SMPU phase and OOBA phase), and it shows two-step modulus changes upon heating. Therefore, the SMPU-OOBAm shows triple-shape memory behavior, and the shape recovery ratio decreases with an increase in the OOBA content. Finally, SMPU-OOBAm shows self-healing properties. The new mechanism can be ascribed to the heating-induced “bleeding” of OOBA in the liquid crystalline state and the subsequent re-crystallization upon cooling. This successful combination of liquid crystalline properties, triple-shape memory properties and self-healing properties make the SMPU-OOBAm composites with many promise applications in smart optical devices, smart electronic devices and smart sensors.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; composite fibers; flexural strength; polyester matrix; reinforcement
Online: 29 August 2016 (10:46:01 CEST)
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Composite fiber materials are superior materials due to their high strength and light weight. Composites reflect the properties of their constituents, which is proportional to the volume fraction of each phase. There are different fiber reinforcement types and each affects it’s flexural, tensile and compression strength. When selecting a composite for a specific application, the forces excreted on the composite must be known in order to determine the reinforcement type. Unidirectional fiber reinforcement will allow very strong load resistance but only in one direction where as a random orientated fiber reinforcement can resist less load but can maintain this quota in all directions. These materials are said to be anisotropic. Certain composite fibers, taking into consideration there weights, are physically stronger than conventional metals. This research deals with the analysis of three composite materials with different reinforcement types, volume fraction and phase content. It was found that material A (glass epoxy) was the strongest in the longitudinal direction with a flexural strength of 534 MPa in the longitudinal and 420 MPa in the transverse direction. The flexural stresses of material B (glass silicone) and material C (glass polyester) where both found in the 120 to 135 MPa range. Differences were due to their differences in matrix composition and reinforcement type.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; PET; Petroleum Coke; Mechanical Alloying; Thermal studies; XRD
Online: 9 August 2016 (14:22:43 CEST)
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The thermal degradation behaviour of 10:90 and 90:10 blends of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and petroleum coke has been investigated using mechanical alloying (milling) at 300 rpm and for periods up to 1-10 hours. Milled specimens were characterised using SEM and x-ray diffraction; their thermal degradation behaviour was investigated using thermo-gravimetric analyser (TGA) for temperatures up to 1200°C. Whereas PET specimens showed a tendency towards flattening out and increased surface area during collisions in ball mills, petroleum coke particles tended to break down into smaller particles. 10:90 and 90:10 blends of PET and coke showed significant microstructural evolution with increasing speeds and time including fracture, strain hardening and re-welding. X-ray diffraction results showed clear evidence for increasing amorphous component in petroleum coke without much influence on PET crystallinity. Thermo-gravimetric results showed a significant increase in the overall degradation and much higher weight losses associated with mechanical alloying. This study has shown that mechanical alloying could be used to modify the degradation behaviour of coke/plastic blends and corresponding yield during pyrolysis with implications for plastic waste management.
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Materials Science, Polymers & Plastics; poly(lactide-co-glycolide); hydroxyapatite; porous scaffold; microchannel; cell ingrowth; mass exchange; bone tissue engineering
Online: 27 May 2016 (11:25:30 CEST)
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Mass transfer restrictions of scaffolds are currently hindering the development of three-dimensional (3D), clinically viable, and tissue engineered constructs. For this situation, a 3D poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite porous scaffold, which was much favorable for transfer of nutrients to and waste products from the cells in the pores, was developed in this study. The 3D scaffold had an innovative structure, including macropores with diameters of 300−450 μm for cell ingrowth and microchannels with diameters of 2−4 μm for nutrition and waste exchange. The mechanical strength in wet state was strong enough to offer the structural support. The typical structure was more beneficial for the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs). The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium (Ca) deposition were evaluated on the differentiation of rBMSCs, and the results indicated that the microchannel structure was very favorable for differentiating rBMSCs into maturing osteoblasts. For repairing rabbit radius defects in vivo, there was rapid healing in the defects treated with the 3D porous scaffold with microchannels, where the bridging by a large bony callus was observed at 12 weeks post-surgery. Based on the results, the 3D porous scaffold with microchannels was a promising candidate for bone defect repair.