Characterization of HDPE /Polyamide 6/ Nanocomposites Using Scanning-and Transmission Electron Microscopy

Summary: Preparation and morphology of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/ polyamide 6 (PA 6)/modified clay nanocomposites were studied. The ability of PA 6 in dispersing clays was used to prepare modified delaminated clays, which were then mixed with HDPE. Mixing was performed using melt processing in a torque rheometer equipped with roller rotors. After etching the materials with boiling toluene and formic acid at room temperature, the morphology was examined by SEM analyses, showing that the PA 6 formed the continuous phase and HDPE the dispersed phase. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the (001) peak of the clay is dramatically decreased and shifted to lower angles, indicating that intercalated/exfoliated nanocomposites are obtained. TEM analyses confirmed the typical structure of exfoliated nanocomposites. A scheme for the mechanism of exfoliation and/or intercalation of these HDPE /PA 6/ /organoclay nanocomposites is proposed.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Conductive Polypyrrole/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites via One-pot Emulsion Polymerization

A series of electrically conductive polypyrrole/clay nanocomposites were synthesized in this work by using one-pot emulsion oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of unmodified clay and using DBSNa as the surfactant. The effect of surfactant on the morphological and electrical properties of PPy also were investigated and discussed in some extent. Electrical conductivity of the samples was measured by using samples in which the conductive materials was sandwiched between two Ni electrodes at room temperature. PPy/MMT nanocomposites were characterized by using XRD, TEM, TGA and DSC means of investigation. Intercalated structures were determined for the nanocomposites as confirmed by XRD and TEM studies. Electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites was measured to be dependent to the clay content, and the methods of preparation. Measurement also showed that polymerization of pyrrole monomers pre-intercalated between the clay gallery spaces of the clay led to higher conductivity for the nanocomposite in the same level of clay content. Thermal property measurements showed a lower thermal decomposition rate for the PPy/MMT nanocomposites with respect to the PPy.     

Law of nonlinear flow in saturated clays and radial consolidation

It was derived that micro-scale amount level of average pore radius of clay changed from 0.01 to 0.1 micron by an equivalent concept of flow in porous media.There is good agreement between the derived results and test ones.Results of experiments show that flow in micro-scale pore of saturated clays follows law of nonlinear flow.Theoretical analyses demonstrate that an interaction of solid-liquid interfaces varies inversely with permeability or porous radius.The interaction is an important reason why nonlinear flow in saturated clays occurs.An exact mathematical model was presented for nonlinear flow in micro-scaie pore of saturated clays.Dimension and physical meanings of parameters of it are definite.A new law of nonlinear flow in saturated clays was established.It can describe characteristics of flow curve of the whole process of the nonlinear flow from low hydraulic gradient to high one.Darcy law is a special case of the new law.A math- ematical model was presented for consolidation of nonlinear flow in radius direction in saturated clays with constant rate based on the new law of nonlinear flow.Equations of average mass conservation and moving boundary,and formula of excess pore pressure distribution and average degree of consolidation for nonlinear flow in saturated clay were derived by using an idea of viscous boundary layer,a method of steady state in stead of transient state and a method of integral of an equation.Laws of excess pore pressure distribution and changes of average degree of consolidation with time were obtained.Re- suits show that velocity of moving boundary decreases because of the nonlinear flow in saturated clay.The results can provide geology engineering and geotechnical engineering of saturated clay with new scientific bases.Calculations of average degree of consolidation of the Darcy flow are a special case of that of the nonlinear flow.     

Micron-scale origin of the shear-induced structure in Laponite–poly(ethylene oxide) dispersions

We study the transient response to simple shear of aqueous dispersions of Laponite clay particles and poly(ethylene oxide) at concentrations for which shear induces structure in the form of a network of polymer–clay bonds. We examine the effects of shear on the structure at the micrometer length scale. Bulk rheometric measurements give the material’s response to step changes in shear rate. We find that a critical value of the shear rate separates two regions with different rheological behaviors. Static small-angle light scattering shows a corresponding qualitative change in the anisotropy of the dispersion under shear at the micron scale. We interpret our results in terms of the effects of shear on the interactions between clay particles and polymer chains and on the aggregation mechanisms in the dispersion.     

循环剪切荷载作用下软土的力学性状研究

利用从现场取得的原状土样,通过室内动三轴试验对循环荷载作用下的变形、孔压和强度特性进行研究。试验研究主要考虑了周围固结压力、循环剪切应力比、荷载频率和循环次数等因素的影响。研究表明,在循环荷载作用下,孔隙水压力和轴向应变均是一个波动上升的过程。当循环应力比增大时,动孔隙水压力变化幅值显著增加,而残余孔压也较大。同时,孔隙水压力值也随着周围压力的增大而明显增大。当作用荷载频率比较大时,需要更多的循环次数才能达到小频率作用荷载能达到的孔隙水压力值。但是,随着循环荷载作用次数的增加,频率对孔隙水压力的影响有减小的趋势。     

Direct Electrochemistry of Myoglobin in DDAB-Clay Composite Films

Direct electrochemistry of redox proteins can provide a good model for the studies of redox process in biological system Electron transfer between redox metalloproteins and underlying electrodes was greatly enhanced in lamillar liquid crystal surfactant films compared to that on bare electrodes with the puoteins in solution1,because these filmsprovide a favorable biomebrane-like micuoencironment for the puwtins2 Orderedsurfactant-clay composite films in which anionic clay platelet layers sandw…     

Characterization of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Na+‐MMT composites: An investigation into the β‐crystalline nucleation effect of Na+‐MMT

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF)/Na⁺‐MMT composites have been successfully prepared utilizing sodium montmorillonite (Na⁺‐MMT) via N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solution mixing. The dispersion of Na⁺‐MMT layers in composites were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of adding Na⁺‐MMT on crystallization behavior of PVDF was specifically studied. The β‐crystalline nucleation effect of Na⁺‐MMT was investigated and confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), XRD, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results. The interaction between PVDF and the surface of Na⁺‐MMT layers in DMF solution was confirmed by UV‐Vis absorbency. The effect of adding Na⁺‐MMT on rheological and electrical properties of PVDF/Na⁺‐MMT composites were also determined. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 903–911, 2009     

FTIR analysis of bentonite in moulding sands

Bentonite is used in a wide range of applications. One of them is the foundry industry. The aim of this study was to investigate modification of moulding sands by dust which is generated during foundry process. Recycling of this dust is very important from ecological point of view. The samples of moulding sands were examined by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Analysis of the bands due to the Si–O stretching vibrations allows to reveal the changes of active bentonite and silica sand, i.e. the main components of the moulding sands. FTIR results are compared with technological properties of the materials studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods have been used as the complementary measurement.     

Selective Iodination of Benzylic Alcohols with KI/H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> Supported on Natural Kaolinitic Clay Under Microwave Irradiation

Summary.  Benzylic alcohols are selectively converted into their corresponding iodides using KI/H₂SO₄ supported on natural kaolinitic clay and microwaves. Received August 20, 2001. Accepted (revised) September 18, 2001     

PMMA colloid particles armored by clay layers with PDMAEMA polymer brushes

Poly[2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) brushes on the surfaces of clay layers were prepared by in situ free‐radical polymerization. Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) colloid particles stabilized and initiated by clay layers with PDMAEMA polymer brushes were prepared by Pickering emulsion polymerization. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the structure and morphology of the colloid particles. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that the intercalated structures of the clay layers were almost destroyed in Pickering emulsion polymerization, and clay layers with exfoliated structures were created. The surface of the colloid particles was analyzed by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS results provide direct evidence that the clay layers with PDMAEMA chains cover the PMMA colloid particles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JPolym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2632–2639, 2008