Ag Nanoparticle-Incorporated Natural Rubber for Mechanical Energy Harvesting Application

The energy conversion performance of the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a function of triboelectric charges which depend on the intrinsic properties of materials to hold charges or the dielectric properties of triboelectric materials. In this work, Ag nanoparticles were synthesized and used to incorporate into natural rubber (NR) in order to enhance the dielectric constant for enhancing the electrical output of TENG. It was found that the size of Ag nanoparticles was reduced with the increasing CTAB concentration. Furthermore, the CTAB surfactant helped the dispersion of metallic Ag nanoparticles in the NR-insulating matrix, which promoted interfacial polarization that affected the dielectric properties of the NR composite. Ag nanoparticle-incorporated NR films exhibited an improved dielectric constant of up to almost 40% and an enhanced TENG performance that generated the highest power density of 262.4 mW/m².     

聚合物的分子结构与吸声性能研究

以甲苯二异氰酸酯和聚乙二醇为原料合成了聚氨酯,同时以乙烯基聚二甲基硅氧烷和含氢硅油为原料合成了硅橡胶.然后,以上述合成的硅橡胶和聚氨酯橡胶分别作为消声涂层的基体材料,研究了聚合物分子结构对涂层吸声性能的影响.采用傅利叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)表征了聚合物的分子结构,用驻波管法测量了涂层的吸声系数,用拉伸法和剪切法测定涂层的拉伸模量和剪切模量,并利用有限元程序ANSYS8.0模拟分析了涂层在水压下的形变.测试结果表明,不同结构的聚合物,在常压和高压下呈现出不同的吸声性能.具有柔性链状结构的硅橡胶基涂层,在水压作用下形变较大,吸声系数随水压增大而迅速减小;而含氢键结构的聚氨酯基涂层,在水压作用下形变较小,吸声系数随水压增大而升高.分析认为聚合物自由体积的大小和运动可能是影响涂层吸声性能的重要因素.橡胶体积压缩后,在一定程度上减少了自由体积的大小,限止了自由体积的运动,因此,选择刚性结构的聚合物作为涂层基体,调节自由体积,是制备在高压下具有高吸声性能涂层的重要途径.     

Synergistic effect between POSS and fumed silica on thermal stabilities and mechanical properties of room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubbers

In this paper, both divinyl-hexa[(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]-POSS (DVPS) and fumed silica were firstly introduced into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) system using as the cross-linker and the reinforcing filler respectively. And a series of novel RTV silicone rubbers synergistically enhanced by DVPS and fumed silica were prepared. The cross-linked networks in the novel RTV silicone rubbers have been studied by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, and the dispersions of POSS and fumed silica in these novel RTV silicone rubbers have been observed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM). And thermal stabilities, thermo-oxidative stabilities and mechanical properties of these novel RTV silicone rubbers were studied by means of thermal gravimetric analysis and universal tensile testing machine, respectively. From the obtained results, it was found that synergistic effect between POSS-rich areas and fumed silica on thermal stability and mechanical property of RTV silicone rubber indeed existed. And the experimental results also exhibited that the thermal stabilities and mechanical properties of the novel RTV silicone rubbers were far better than those of the reference materials (DVPR and MTFR). The striking enhancements in thermal properties and improvements on mechanical properties of novel RTV silicone rubbers were likely attributed to the synergistic effect between POSS-rich domains and fumed silica. Meanwhile, it was found that the mechanical properties of RTV silicone rubbers prepared with a given amount of POSS cross-linker were enhanced with the increment of the loading amount of fumed silica.     

An investigation of dynamic mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of housing materials for outdoor polymeric insulators

The present paper reports the results about a study of mechanical, thermal, dynamic mechanical and electrical properties of housing (weather shed) materials for outdoor polymeric insulators. Silicone rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) and alloys of silicon-EPDM are known polymers for use as housing in high voltage insulators. The result of dynamical mechanical measurement shows that the storage modulus of blends enhances with increase EPDM in formulation. It can be seen from the result of TGA measurement that initial thermal degradation of silicone rubber improves by the effect of EPDM in blends. The blends of silicone-EPDM show good breakdown voltage strength compared to silicone rubber. Surface and volume resistance of silicone rubber improve by EPDM content. The mechanical properties of EPDM such as strength, modulus and elongation at break improve by silicone.     

Fabrication of exfoliated graphite reinforced silicone rubber composites - Mechanical,tribological and dielectric properties

The effect of exfoliated graphite (EG) on the mechanical, tribological and dielectric properties of the silicone rubber (QM) composites has been systematically investigated and analysed. Morphological analysis of the composites helps to understand the interfacial interaction between the filler and the rubber matrix as well as wear mechanism respectively. An enhancement in the mechanical, tribological and dielectric properties was observed with an increase in filler loading and better performance was observed at 7 phr of filler loading. The improvement in performance is attributed to the better interaction between the QM chains and the EG layers as evident from the AFM and TEM analysis. It is also evident from the Kraus plot which supports the reinforcing effect of EG in QM matrix.     

硅橡胶/氟橡胶并用胶的制备及力学性能

硅橡胶和氟橡胶作为国防、航天等重要领域的耐热材料一直被人们青睐,但其有着各自地优缺点且价格昂贵,本文尝试将这两种橡胶制成并用胶以解决氟橡胶不耐低温和加工性差的问题,以期增大其使用温度范围。采用机械共混法制备硅橡胶/氟橡胶并用胶,研究了硅橡胶和氟橡胶的混炼工艺、并用比、共硫化体系和硫化条件对并用胶力学性能的影响。结果表明,当硅橡胶/氟橡胶的质量比为10∶90,共硫化体系为3~#硫化剂/过氧化二异丙苯(DCP),一段硫化温度为170℃、硫化压力为10MPa、硫化时间为30min,二段硫化温度为200℃、硫化时间为6h时,并用胶的力学性能达到最好。     

Investigation of correlation between microstructure and dielectric properties of cyanate ester/silicate tube hybrids by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

The correlation between microstructure and dielectric properties of cyanate ester (CE)/hollow silicate tube (HST) hybrids was investigated by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, coincidence Doppler‐broadening spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and dynamic mechanical analyses. The addition of HST to CE resin brings a multi‐aspect influence (cross‐linked structure and density, free volume, and interfacial action) on the structure of the cross‐linked network and thus results in significantly varied dielectric properties. There is an optimum content of HST in hybrids to get the lowest dielectric constant and loss. When the content of HST is smaller than the percolation threshold, the hybrid has decreased dielectric constant and loss; this mainly results in the reduced size of free volume and orthopositronium intensity (I₃), although when the content of HST is larger than the threshold, the increased I₃ and the size of free volume as well as the interfacial polarization are responsible for the significantly enlarged dielectric constant and loss. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational rigidity and dielectric properties of polyimides

On the basis of two series of polyimides it was shown that the conformational rigidity and the presence of side voluminous substituents determine the packing of macromolecular chains in glassy state. The presence of hexafluoroisopropylidene groups leads to the increase of free volume of polymers due to the repulsion of such groups belonging to different macromolecular chains. The physical properties studied here, such as dielectric permittivity and electrets properties depend on the size of free volume. The normalized surface potential is determined by the mass fraction of fluorine content and by the conformational rigidity of those polymers.     

Thermal behaviour and mechanical properties of novel RTV silicone rubbers using divinyl-hexa[(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]-POSS as cross-linker

Divinyl-hexa[(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]-POSS (DVPS) as an octavinyl-POSS derivative was first prepared. A series of novel polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/DVPS hybrid materials as room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber were prepared. The chemical incorporation of novel POSS into hydroxyl-terminated PDMS system by hydrolytic condensation reaction was verified by attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy. Thermal degradation, thermo-oxidative stability and mechanical properties of these novel RTV silicone rubbers were studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis and tensile testing. The results exhibited significantly enhanced effects on the thermal stabilities and mechanical properties as compared to the PDMS polymer prepared with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The observed improvements in thermal properties could be attributed to the effective three-dimensional network structures resulting from the structure of DVPS. The thermal decomposition of the RTV silicone rubbers in nitrogen was also monitored by TGA coupled with real-time FTIR, and the degradation residues were also characterized by FTIR. It was found that the POSS cross-linker facilitated the formation of cross-links in the degradation residues. The striking improvement in mechanical properties could be attributed to the synergistic action of the structure of three-dimensional multi-arm cross-linker (vinyl-POSS derivative), the plasticization of self-cross-linking Vinyl-POSS derivative and perfect distribution of vinyl-POSS derivative.     

High actuation performance offered by simple diene rubbers

Dielectric elastomers are materials well known for their superior actuation behavior under applied electric field. The simplicity of material fabrication and clear working principle of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) can offer various applications of dielectric elastomers. In this work, we have compared a number of different types of commercially available elastomers in terms of actuation performance. It was found that well‐known commercial rubbers like acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubbers (NBR) can offer higher actuation performance in DEAs than the frequently used dielectric elastomers, such as acrylic rubber and silicone. The acrylonitrile content of the NBR was found to play an important role in the dielectric and consequently actuation properties. More interestingly, we observed that addition of organic oil, such as dioctyl adipate, can greatly enhance the actuation performance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of rubber type on the curing and physical properties of silica filled rubber compounds

As environmental regulations are getting stricter, tire industries for automobiles have shown much interest in substituting silica for conventional carbon black partially or entirely. To take full advantage of silica as fillers for rubbers, it is essential to find a reasonable rubber system that shows an excellent performance with silica reinforcement. Therefore, in this study, several different rubber compounds comprising the same amount of silica were prepared with several different rubber systems, respectively. The processability, curing characteristics, and mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the rubber compounds were investigated to analyze the performance of the rubber compounds as tire tread materials. Among the rubber compounds studied, SBR1721 compound comprising natural rubber (NR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) with high styrene content was considered the most appropriate for application to tire tread materials. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of electrical,mechanical, and nanoscale free‐volume properties of NBR and EPDM rubber reinforced by bentonite or kaolin

The effect of Na bentonite, Ca bentonite, and kaolin fillers on the macrostructure and microstructure of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and their blend (50/50) was studied through electrical and mechanical measurements, as well as with positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. The real part of permittivity (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), and the crosslinking density were found to increase with increasing filler content. The increase of crosslinking density of the blend with increasing amount of fillers reflects a decrease in the equilibrium swelling up to 21.50 wt % compared with that of the unfilled blends. The mechanical investigation showed pronounced increase in the tensile strength, and in elongation at break with the addition of up to 21.50 wt % of filler. In addition, comparing between different fillers showed that the reinforcing effect of Na bentonite is more effective than Ca bentonite and kaolin but the physico‐mechanical of Ca bentonite is less than that for kaolin. The positron annihilation lifetime measurements revealed that the free‐volume properties were strongly affected by the amount and type of filler, in particular, the free‐volume fraction was dramatically decreased with increasing filler content. Furthermore, correlations were made between the free‐volume parameters and both electrical and mechanical properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1825–1838, 2009     

Enhancement of thermal conductivity and tensile strength of liquid silicone rubber by three-dimensional alumina network

ABSTRACT

Rapidly increasing demands for higher integration density and stability of electronic devices embrace higher requirements for thermally conductive silicone rubber, which is promisingly used in ultra-thin components. In this work, alumina whiskers (AWs) and alumina flakes (AFs) are used to modify liquid silicone rubber (LSR) by fabricating binary (AFs/LSR) or ternary (AWs/AFs/LSR) composites. The thermal conductivity and mechanical strength of the binary and ternary composites were investigated. Thermal conductivity of the binary AFs/LSR composite (25AFs/LSR) was 0.1990 W m^?1 K^?1, while the thermal conductivity of the ternary AFs/AWs/LSR composite (20AFs/5AWs/LSR) was 0.2655 W m^?1 K^?1. Furthermore, the tensile strength of the ternary AWs/AFs/LSR composites increased by 180.9% as compared with the binary system, increased to 7.81 MPa from 2.78 MPa due to the introduction of 1 wt% AWs. As a reason, a significant synergistic effect of AWs and AFs in the enhancement of both thermal and mechanical properties of the LSR was proved. Furthermore, the dielectric property measurements demonstrated that the ternary composites exhibited a lower dielectric constant and dielectric loss, indicating that the AWs/AFs/LSR composites were qualified to be applied in the field of electronic devices.     

Structural developments in synthetic rubbers during uniaxial deformation by in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction

The molecular orientation and strain‐induced crystallization of synthetic rubbers—polyisoprene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, and butyl rubber [poly(isobutylene isoprene)]—during uniaxial deformation were studied with in situ synchrotron wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. The high intensity of the synchrotron X‐rays and the new data analysis method made it possible to estimate the mass fractions of the strain‐induced crystals and amorphous chain segments in both the oriented and unoriented states. Contrary to the conventional concept, the majority of the molecules (50–75%) remained in an unoriented amorphous state at high strains. Each synthetic rubber showed a different behavior of strain‐induced crystallization and molecular orientation during extension and retraction. Our results confirmed the occurence of strain‐induced networks in the synthetic rubbers due to the inhomogeneity of the crosslink distribution. The strain‐induced networks containing microfibrillar crystals and oriented amorphous tie chains were responsible for the ultimate mechanical properties. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 956–964, 2004     

Compatibilizing effect of functionalized polystyrene blends: a study of morphology,thermal, and mechanical properties

Polystyrene (PS), being an amorphous polymer is immiscible with other polymers. To engender miscible blends, PS has been functionalized with an active amino‐functional group on the molecular chains of PS to yield amino‐substituted polystyrene (APS), which serves as a reactive compatibilizer. The compatibilization effect of amino functionalized polystyrene on the rubber toughening was explored and results were compared in terms of morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of PS/SEBS‐g‐MA versus APS/SEBS‐g‐MA blends. In addition, the effect of rubber content on the blend morphology and mechanical properties were investigated. An appreciable change in the thermal stability of APS blends in comparison with PS blend has been probed. A marked correlation has been observed between phase morphology and thermal stability. Use of APS produced the compatibilized blends which render improved blend morphology, enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. Optimal thermal, morphological and mechanical profiles were depicted by 20‐wt% APS blend. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

环氧化橡胶及其合金的研究与应用

综述了国内外环氧化橡胶及其合金的研究现状和应用趋势,重点介绍了环氧化天然橡胶、环氧化聚丁二烯、环氧化苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯三嵌段共聚物及其合金的优点,以及影响其物理机械性能的因素和环氧化橡胶的发展方向。     

Thermal and water absorption properties of cyanate ester resins modified by fluoride‐containing and silicone‐containing components

In order to enhance the moisture resistance of cyanate ester resins, modifiers containing silicon or fluorine moieties were introduced. The curing behaviors of the obtained resins, as well as thermal, water absorption, and dielectric properties of all cured polymers, were investigated in detail. Results show that properties of fillers in polymer have great influence on the thermal property and of polymer. In all cases, modifier exhibited percolation threshold at 5 wt%. Compared with pristine cyanate ester resins (CE), when the methyl phenyl silicone resin B filler was added, the cured polymer exhibited water absorption as low as 0.39% and excellent thermal oxygen stability at 300°C. The introduction of silicon H improved thermal oxidative stability at 400°C without significant compromise in processability or mechanical properties.     

一种新型硅藻土填充橡胶纳米复合材料研究

橡胶的填料问题一直是人们的研究热点,针对炭黑和白炭黑在橡胶生产中存在的污染问题,本文选用成分结构与白炭黑类似的硅藻土来填充各种橡胶。首先对硅藻土进行了改性,并对不同改性剂改性硅藻土用于填充橡胶进行了研究。结果表明2.5份偶联剂Si69的改性效果最佳。通过机械共混法制备了改性硅藻土/橡胶纳米复合材料,通过力学性能测试确定了比较适合硅藻土填充的橡胶是氟橡胶、三元乙丙橡胶和丙烯酸酯橡胶。绿色环保且价格低廉的硅藻土可以替代白炭黑增强填充氟橡胶、三元乙丙橡胶和丙烯酸酯橡胶。     

Tensile properties and equilibrium swelling of plasticized amorphous polyurethane rubbers

Incorporation of plasticizers or other inert, liquid diluents causes a profound weakening of rubbers. The modulus of elasticity and tensile strength decrease approximately with the square of the gel fraction v₀ of rubber which was present at the time of formation of the three-dimensional network. Equlibrium swelling of plasticized rubbers is well represented by v_2m = kv₀, where v_2m is the volume fraction of rubber network in the swollen state, at equlibrium, and k a constant equal to v_2m for the unplasticized rubber. This swelling law is independent of the way in which v₀ is obtained; inert liquid diluents, comprising molecularly dispersed compounds, as well as suspensions of insoluble liquids, gases, and chemically inert, solid fillers yield the same relation. Further, it is independent of the chemical nature of solvent and rubber. It appears that also the mechanical properties of foams, liquid-filled foams, and plasticized elastomers containing the same volume fraction of network rubber are very similar.