Metallocene-mediated synthesis of chain-end functionalized polypropylene and application in PP/clay nanocomposites

This paper summarizes our research in the preparation of chain end functionalized isotactic polypropylene (PP) having a terminal functional group, such as Cl, OH, and NH₂. The chemistry involves metallocene-mediated propylene polymerization using rac-Me₂Si[2-Me-4-Ph(Ind)]₂ZrCl₂/MAO complex in the presence of styrene derivatives (St-f) and hydrogen, which serve as the chain transfer agents. The molecular weight of the resulting PP polymers with a terminal Cl, OH and NH₂ group (i.e., PP-t-Cl, PP-t-OH and PP-t-NH₂) are inversely proportional to the molar ratio of [St-f]/[propylene]. Despite the extremely low concentration of functional group, the high molecular weight chain end functionalized PP-t-OH and exhibit a distinctive advantage over other functional PP polymers containing side chain functional groups or long functional blocks. The terminal hydrophilic OH and cations, with good mobility and reactivity, effectively hydrogen bond and ion-exchange the cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, etc.) located between the clay interlayers, respectively. Such interactions anchor the PP chain to the clay surfaces. On the other hand, the remaining rest of the unperturbed end-tethered high molecular weight PP tail exfoliates the clay layers. This exfoliated structure is maintained even after further mixing of the PP-bearing platelets with pure neat PP polymers.     

Recyclability of a layered silicate-thermoplastic olefin elastomer nanocomposite

A multiple-pass study was undertaken with a layered silicate-thermoplastic olefin elastomer (TPO) nanocomposite to study the impact of processing history on the properties of the material. A set of 10 passes were completed through a co-rotating intermeshing twin-screw extruder with samples collected to monitor changes in the composite. The microstructure of the nanocomposite was characterized using TEM, XRD, FT-IR, steady and complex shear rheology, and mechanical testing. With progressive passes through the extruder, the TPO nanocomposite experienced both delamination of the organoclay as well as thermo-oxidative degradation. The onset and extent of degradation were found to be unaffected by the presence of the organoclay species in the polymer, though, inclusion of a maleated compatibilizer led to increased chain scission. The generated carbonyl groups along the polymer chain as a result of oxidation were speculated to have a significant effect on the developing percolating network of clay within the material and on the final rheological properties of the composite. Despite the occurrence of degradation in the nanocomposite during recycling, its rheological and mechanical properties remained significantly higher than those of the unfilled resin.     

A model for thermal degradation of hybrid nanocomposites

A model is developed for thermal degradation of polymer nanocomposites. A composite is thought of as an equivalent network of linear chains with attached side-groups. Thermal degradation is treated as combination of (i) binary scission (fragmentation) of backbone chains, and (ii) detachment of side-groups and their subsequent annihilation (diffusion to the surface of a sample and desorption). An explicit solution is derived for the kinetic equation. This solution involves three adjustable parameters that are found by fitting observations on isotactic polypropylene reinforced with carbon nanofibres. Good agreement is demonstrated between the experimental data and the results of numerical simulation.     

Nanoscale highly filled epoxy nanocomposite

A new technique has been developed to prepare a highly filled epoxy-montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposite using an organically modified MMT. Composites with clay content up to 70 wt.% exhibit unusual transparency, which is related to the spatial distribution of the mineral nanodomains. Dispersion of the layered silicate within the crosslinked epoxy matrix was verified using X-ray diffraction pattern, revealing layer spacings of 30 and 70 Å. Examination of these materials by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that intercalates have wholly layered morphology at all scales, oriented parallel to the surface of the specimen and have good wetting to the silicate surface by the epoxy matrix. Silicate lamellae intercalated with epoxy resin assembled into a cluster of about 50-120 nm thickness. These clusters assembled into superclusters with an average thickness of 300 nm. Studies by the Vickers hardness test of an epoxy-MMT nanocomposite containing 60 wt.% MMT indicated that the diamond pyramid hardness was 10-29 kg/mm².     

Polyacrylate/silica nanocomposite materials prepared by sol-gel process

Polyacrylate/silica nanocomposite was prepared by sol-gel process via in situ emulsion polymerization. The influence of the synthetic conditions, such as the ratio of different monomers and the contents of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (Z-6030), diethanolamine (DAM) and ammonium persulfate (APS) on the physical mechanical properties of polyacrylate/silica nanocomposite was investigated in details. Dynamics Laser Scattering (DLS) indicated that the average diameter of the polyacrylate/silica latex particles (177 nm) was bigger than that of the pure polyacrylate latex particles (105.3 nm), but the ζ potential of polyacrylate/silica was decreased respectively in contrast to that of the polyacrylate. Differential Scanning Calorimeters (DSC) analysis confirmed that the glass transition temperature of polyacrylate/nano-SiO₂ (T_g = −24 °C) was higher than that of polyacrylate (T_g = −36 °C). UV analysis showed that the UV absorbency of polyacrylate/silica was improved evidently in contrast to that of polyacrylate.     

聚酰亚胺/二氧化硅纳米尺度复合材料的研究

通过正硅酸乙酯（ＴＥＯＳ）在聚酰胺酸（ＰＡＡ）的Ｎ，Ｎ’ 二甲基乙酰胺（ＤＭＡｃ），溶液中进行溶胶 凝胶反应，制备出不同二氧化硅含量的聚酰亚胺／二氧化硅（ＰＩ／ＳｉＯ２）复合薄膜材料．二氧化硅含量低于１０ｗｔ％的样品是透明浅黄色薄膜；二氧化硅含量高于１０ｗｔ％的样品是不透明棕黄色薄膜．利用红外光谱、扫描电镜、热失重分析、动态力学分析、热膨胀系数测试和应力 应变测试等方法研究了此类材料的结构与性能．结果表明，ＰＩ／ＳｉＯ２纳米复合材料具有较聚酰亚胺更高的热稳定性和更高的模量；线膨胀系数显著降低；拉伸强度和断裂伸长随二氧化硅含量而变化，分别在１０ｗｔ％和３０ｗｔ％附近出现最大值     

PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF CLAY/POLY(N-ISOPROPYLACRYLAMIDE-co-ACRYL AMIDE)NANOCOMPOSITE HYDROGELS

Polymer hydrogels as a kind of soft materials have attracted increasing scientific and technological interest in past several decades. These materials have been applied widely in many fields [1], such as molecular filter [2,3], superabsorbent [4], and contact lenses [5] etc. However, synthetic polymeric hydrogels are seldom used as mechanical devices due to the lack of mechanical strength. Therefore, it is very imperative to improve their mechanical properties for wider use of polymeric hydrog…     

Enhanced electrical conductivity in chemically modified carbon nanotube/methylvinyl silicone rubber nanocomposite

Chemically modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes/methlyvinyl silicone rubber (m-MWNT/VMQ) nanocomposites with relatively good dispersion of nanotubes were prepared by treating the surface of MWNT using γ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (KH550). Significant enhanced electrical conductivity was discovered in the m-MWNT/VMQ nanocomposites. The results could be attributed a strong interaction between m-MWNT and VMQ which was from the chemically modification of the surface for MWNT. The electrical property was also discussed in order to understand the percolation and electrical transport mechanism. The m-MWNT/VMQ nanocomposites with high conductivity in this study are promising application as one of novel functional materials.     

Analytical characterization of bioactive fluoropolymer ultra-thin coatings modified by copper nanoparticles

Copper–fluoropolymer (Cu-CFx) nano-composite films are deposited by dual ion-beam sputtering. The extensive analytical characterization of these layers reveals that inorganic nanoparticles composed of Cu(II) species are evenly dispersed in a branched fluoropolymer matrix. In particular, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been employed to study the surface chemical composition of the material and to assess how it changes on increasing the copper loading in the composite. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the copper nanoclusters have a mean diameter of 2–3 nm and are homogeneously in-plane distributed in the composite films. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy has been used to study the kinetics of copper release in the solutions employed for the biological tests. The Cu-CFx layers are employed as bioactive coatings capable of inhibiting the growth of target microorganisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Lysteria. The results of the analytical characterization enable a strict correlation to be established among the chemical composition of the material surface, the concentration of copper dissolved in the microorganisms broths, and the bioactivity of the nano-structured layer.     

Structure and mechanical properties of poly(l-lactide)/layered silicate nanocomposites

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) masterbatches with the intercalated and the exfoliated morphology were prepared by ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone in the presence of organomodified montmorillonite (MMT) Cloisite 30B. Poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) nanocomposites with Cloisite 30B or PCL masterbatches were prepared by melt blending. The effects of the silicate type, MMT content and the nanocomposite morphology on thermal and mechanical properties of PLLA nanocomposites were examined. The montmorillonite particles in PLLA/Cloisite 30B and PLLA/intercalated masterbatch nanocomposites were intercalated. In contrary to expectations, the exfoliated silicate layers of exfoliated masterbatch were not transferred into the PLLA matrix. Due to a low miscibility of PCL and PLLA, MMT remained in the phase-separated masterbatch domains. The stress-strain characteristics of PLLA nanocomposites, Young modulus E, yield stress σ_y and yield strain ε_y, decreased with increasing MMT concentration, which is associated with the increase in PCL content. The expected stiffening effect of MMT was low due to a low aspect ratio of its particles and was obscured by both plastifying effects of PCL and low PLLA crystallinity. Interestingly, in contrast to the neat PLLA, ductility was enhanced in all PLLA/Cloisite 30B materials and in PLLA/masterbatch nanocomposites with low MMT concentrations.