Effects of metal salts on the thermal decomposition of edta-gel precursors for ferroelectric ceramic powders

Raw chemicals such as metal nitrates and chlorides were found to affect the thermal decomposition behaviour of EDTA-gel precursors used for the production of ceramic powders. Fine, homogeneous ceramic powders were produced from nitrate solutions while chlorides gave segregated phases. In studies on the production of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) using chlorides, the segregation and loss of lead was observed and shown to be caused by the formation and evaporation of PbCl₂. Thermal analysis (DTA/TG) quantitatively proved the suggested reaction mechanism for this phase segregation. Crystallization of the desired perovskite phase of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and barium titanate (BT) initiated at temperatures as low as 250°C in the nitrate-EDTA precursors. Water of crystallization and formation of BaCO₃ in the barium titanate precursor were suggested to account for differences in the observed decompositional behaviours of the BT and PZT precursors.     

Ageing Effect on the SiO2-based Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials

It is well known that SiO₂ -based inorganic-organic hybrid materials present significant differences due to the organic moieties bound to the inorganic network and to the preparation conditions. In the present work the ageing effect on the thermal stability of the SiO₂ -based inorganic-organic hybrid materials prepared using tetraethoxysilan (TEOS), triethoxymethylsilan (MTEOS), triethoxyvinylsilan (VTEOS), tetramethoxysilan (TMOS), trimethoxymethylsilan (MTMOS) and trimethoxyvinylsilan (VTMOS) was studied. TG/DTA-MS was used to study the decomposition process of the materials. The structural modifications of the materials during ageing were studied using spectral methods. The gels obtained starting with more reactive alkoxides, of methoxy-type, present more complex structures and are less stable during ageing. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Durability of Protective Polymers: The Effect of UV and Thermal Ageing

This paper aimed at studying thermal contribution to the UV ageing process, trying to understand which decisive changes reduce the protective effectiveness of polymer coatings. In this paper the effects on the shielding efficacy of different protective polymers, applied on different low porosity stones have been studied, comparing ageing of a 1000 h simulated solar UV radiation with thermal ageing at about 50 °C, which is the temperature usually reached in UV chambers. The aim of the study has been the evaluation of a possible thermal contribution: the testing methods have been suggested by UNI-Normal Italian protocol and include capillary water absorption, static contact angles and colour variation measurements. A reduction in protective efficacy has been highlighted, probably due to both oxidation and a surface rearrangement of the polymeric material; in most cases chemical degradation of the macromolecules did not occur.     

Thermogravimetric Analysis and Thermal Ageing of Crosslinked Nitrile Rubber/Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl Acetate) Blends

The thermal behaviour of nitrile rubber (NBR)/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) blends was studied by thermogravimetry. The effects of blend ratio, different crosslinking systems (sulphur, peroxide and mixed), various fillers (silica, clay and carbon black) and filler loading on the thermal properties were evaluated. It was found that the initial decomposition temperature increased with the addition of NBR to EVA. Among the various crosslinking systems studied, the peroxide cured system showed the highest initial decomposition temperature. This is associated with the high bond dissociation energy of C–C linkages. The addition of fillers improved the thermal stability of the blend. The mass loss at different temperatures and activation energy of degradation were also studied. The thermal ageing of these blends was carried out at 50 and 100°C for 72 h. It was seen that the properties are not affected by the mild ageing condition. Also, the peroxide cured system was found to exhibit better retention in properties, than other crosslinking systems. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ageing of filled polymers

It is tried to examine briefly all the aspects of filler interactions with polymer ageing, including direct chemical (catalysis of degradation, stabilising effects) and physical (screen and thermooptical effects, modification of transport properties) interactions as well as indirect ones such as stabiliser trapping, influence on the rate of mechanical properties change or interfacial phenomena.     

物理老化对聚苯基单醚喹啉薄膜银纹化的影响

物理老化实质上是聚合物材料在 Tg 以下存放过程中 ,其凝聚态结构通过链段或更小运动单元的运动 ,从热力学非平衡态向平衡态过渡的一个结构弛豫过程[1] .在这一过程中 ,聚合物的密度、自由体积、焓、熵和力学性质随温度和时间产生变化 .因为银纹化是聚合物的特性 ,所以银纹化也将随结构回复过程而产生变化 .有关物理老化对聚合物银纹化的影响尚未得出一致的结论 [2～ 4 ] .聚苯基单醚喹啉 (结构见 Scheme1 )是一种高性能的芳杂环聚合物 [5] ,它可以在比较苛刻的条件下作为绝缘材料和膜材料使用 .有关这类高性能的芳杂环聚合物的物理老化…     

Thermal analysis of some polynuclear coordination compounds as precursors of iron garnets (M3Fe5O12, M=Y3+ or Er3+)

The thermal behaviour of four coordination compounds (NH₄)₆[Y₃Fe₅(C₄O₅H₄)₆(C₄O₅H₃)₆]·12H₂O, (NH₄)₆[Y₃Fe₅(C₆O₇H₁₀)₆(C₆O₇H₉)₆]·8H₂O, (NH₄)₆[Er₃Fe₅(C₄O₅H₄)₆(C₄O₅H₃)₆]·10H₂O and (NH₄)₆[Er₃Fe₅(C₄O₆H₄)₆(C₄O₆H₃)₆]·22H₂O has been studied to evaluate their suitability for garnet synthesis. The thermal decomposition and the phase composition of the resulted decomposition compounds are influenced by the nature of metallic cations (yttrium-iron or erbium-iron) and ligand anions (malate or gluconate).     

Crystallization and Physical Ageing of Poly (2-vinyl pyridine)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) Diblock Copolymers

Summary: A set of melt miscible Poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-b-Poly(ethylene oxide) (P2VP-b-PEO) block copolymers of different compositions were studied. Transmission electron microscopy shows phase separation in the materials during the crystallization process of the PEO block as crystalline lamellae are observed for all compositions evaluated. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of PEO is progressively retarded as the P2VP content in the copolymer increases, since P2VP hinders molecular mobility in the miscible amorphous phase. Polarized light optical microscopy demonstrated that the glassy P2VP block has a negative effect on the secondary nucleation of the PEO. Finally, physical ageing experiments performed in the glassy state of the amorphous mixed phase, at different ageing times, demonstrated that a nucleating effect can be induced in the glassy state as a consequence of the reorganization of the amorphous regions. This nucleating effect significantly alters the cold crystallization rate upon subsequent heating above the glass transition temperature.     

Thermal Study of the Ceramic Pigments CoxZn(7−x)Sb2O12

Using the Pechini method, pigments with spinel structure (Zn₇Sb₂O₁₂)were synthesized by substitution of the cation Zn²⁺ by Co²⁺, in compounds with different concentrations of Sb₂O₃. The doping resulted in Co_xZn_(7–x)Sb₂O₁₂ phases(x=1–7) that were isomorphs to spinel, denominated as samples A and B. After thermal treatment at 400°C for 1 h, the powders were characterized by thermogravimetry(TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The results indicate a different behavior whena higher amount of Sb₂O₃ is used, due to the presence of a secondary phase (ilmenite). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comportement thermique du difluorodioxophosphate ferreux

Difluorodioxophosphates may be used as ceramic phosphate precursor, and their thermal behaviours are very important. In this paper we study by TG and DTA the thermal stability for iron(II) salt. In argon atmosphere, we obtain in a first time the melting of salt at 240°C then the classical breaking up into solid orthophosphate and POF₃ exhaust. If the sample of iron(II) difluorodioxophosphate is heating in air, we do not obtain the melting phenomena, but at the same temperature an exothermic phenomenon that conducts to the formation of iron(III). We observe a mass increase. By IR analysis, we can show that this oxidation is obtained without change of difluorodioxophosphate structure.     

Thermal properties and reactivity determination of micro- and submicrometer nickel powders

Monodispersed fine metal nickel powders of uniform shape and high purity are increasingly required for specific uses in many technological areas, especially in the preparation of electronic materials such as the manufacture of conductive inks and pastes and the formation of catalysts. Metallic nickel powders were prepared in ethylene glycol by the reduction of a nickel solution. Hydrazine was used as a reducing agent. Metal powders were characterized by chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Particle size distributions were determined using laser light scattering. The reactivity and purity of these fine nickel powders were tested by repeated oxidation and reduction of nickel powders in oxidative and reductive atmospheres.     

Counter-flow liquid injection plasma synthesis of spinel powders

A novel counter-flow liquid injection plasma synthesis (CF-LIPS) reactor has been developed to produce ceramic powders. By using a counter-flow plasma configuration, entrainment of reactant particles into the plasma is improved compared to conventional injection methods. The counter-flow process also creates large recirculation zones which increase the residence time to more than 100 ms as predicted by modeling results [1]. The long residence time ensures complete evaporation and decomposition of precursor particles and complete reactions to the desirable products. Also, the process employs liquid precursors rather than solids, resulting in less contamination of products from unevaporated reactants. Results show that CF LIPS is an excellent method for producing single-phase and spherical spinel powders with a narrow particle size distribution. Particle size increases with increasing precursor concentration based on the synthesis of magnesium aluminate powders. Characterization techniques include X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), X-ray mapping, centrifugal sedimentation particle size distribution analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements. In addition, crystallographic studies are conducted to determine the bond lengths, bond angles, and stoichiometries of the as-produced spinels.     

Effects of Water and Chemical Solutions Ageing on the Physical,Mechanical, Thermal and Flammability Properties of Natural Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites

Biocomposites comprising a combination of natural fibres and bio-based polymers are good alternatives to those produced from synthetic components in terms of sustainability and environmental issues. However, it is well known that water or aqueous chemical solutions affect natural polymers/fibres more than the respective synthetic components. In this study the effects of water, salt water, acidic and alkali solutions ageing on water uptake, mechanical properties and flammability of natural fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were compared. Jute, sisal and wool fibre- reinforced PP and PLA composites were prepared using a novel, patented nonwoven technology followed by the hot press method. The prepared composites were aged in water and chemical solutions for up to 3 week periods. Water absorption, flexural properties and the thermal and flammability performances of the composites were investigated before and after ageing each process. The effect of post-ageing drying on the retention of mechanical and flammability properties has also been studied. A linear relationship between irreversible flexural modulus reduction and water adsorption/desorption was observed. The aqueous chemical solutions caused further but minor effects in terms of moisture sorption and flexural modulus changes. PLA composites were affected more than the respective PP composites, because of their hydrolytic sensitivity. From thermal analytical results, these changes in PP composites could be attributed to ageing effects on fibres, whereas in PLA composite changes related to both those of fibres present and of the polymer. Ageing however, had no adverse effect on the flammability of the composites.     

Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry Observation of Physical Ageing in Polymers

Modulated-temperature differential scanning calorimetry (M-TDSC) is becoming a useful tool in the characterisation of thermal behaviour of polymers. In this paper, we discuss whether the non-reversing M-TDSC signal can be used, quantitatively and directly, to study the process of physical ageing in polymers. Difference exists between the values of relaxation enthalpy determined by using average heat capacity, <C _p>, signal as for conventional DSC and non-reversing heat capacity, C ⁿ _p, signal. When the signal of reversing heat capacity of unaged sample is considered as baseline for <C _p> and C ⁿ _p signals, the difference disappears. It is concluded that non-reversing M-TDSC signal can be used to observe the process of physical ageing semi-qualitatively and directly. With increasing annealing time, the peak of the imaginary part, C″_p, of the complex heat capacity becomes narrow, but peak area changes little. This indicated that C″_p is not correlated with relaxation enthalpy. It may be related to entropy change during the modulation. However, the entropy change is quite small. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Properties and Characterization of Organoclay/Dimethacrylate Composites Obtained by In Situ Photopolymerization

Summary: Composites of dimethacrylates/organoclay were obtained by in situ photopolymerization of Bis-GMA (Bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate) and TEGDMA (tetraethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) in the presence of camphorquinone and DEEMA (2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate). The composites contained up to 10% wt/wt of organoclays. Monomer conversion and polymerization kinetics were determined by real time Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy – Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR), and showed an increase of conversion with addition of the clay. The storage modulus E' of the composites also had a marked dependence on the composite composition and increased with addition of clay at all temperatures. T_g also increases with clay content. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the clay is completely exfoliated for the composites with a lower proportion of clay, whereas for larger clay/polymer proportions peaks corresponding to the interlamellar distance of the clay are still observed. This is probably due to the fact that the amount of monomers in the initial formulation was not sufficient to delaminate the clay. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images indicate a quite homogenous copolymer, with some clay aggregates that increase in size and number for the higher filler loadings in agreement with the XRD results.     

高聚物的物理老化和链的凝聚缠结

本文基于高聚物在物理老化和拉伸变形过程中构象弛豫行为的实验结果,进一步阐明了高分子链局部凝聚缠结的观点。     

Enhancement of the thermal and mechanical properties of a surface‐modified boron nitride–polyurethane composite

Thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) elastomer, prepared from poly(tetramethylene glycol) and methyl diphenyl diisocyanate, was blended with boron nitride (BN) to fabricate a thermally conductive interface material. BN treated by a silane coupling agent (BN―NH₂) and PU‐grafted BN were prepared to fabricate a composite that has better thermal conductivity and mechanical strength. The surface‐modified filler showed enhanced dispersibility and affinity because of the surface treatment with functional groups that affected the surface free energy, along with the structural similarity of the doped crystallized diisocyanate molecule with the matrix. The thermal conductivity increased from 0.349 to 0.467 W mk^?1 on 20 wt% PU‐grafted BN loading that is a 1.34‐fold higher value than in the case of pristine BN loading at the same weight fraction. Moreover, the number of BN particles acting as defects, thereby reducing the mechanical strength, is decreased because of strong adhesion. We can conclude that these composite materials may be promising materials for a significant performance improvement in terms of both the thermal and mechanical properties of PU‐based polymers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ageing of different biodegradable polyesters blends mechanical and hygrothermal behavior

The aim of this study is to better understand the performance of binary blends of biodegradable polyesters when exposed to hygrothermal ageing, in order to overcome some of their limitations such as water resistance. For this, blends have been prepared by extrusion using two P(L)LA (l-poly-(lactic acid)) of different molecular weights and P?CL (poly-?-caprolactone). Mechanical properties over ageing are reported and compared to pure P(L)LA. Blending P?CL to P(L)LA allowed to improve P(L)LA initial resilience. During ageing, crystallinity increase seemed to lower water uptake at short ageing times, while osmotic cracking was found to possibly occur in pure P(L)LA for long ageing times, thus increasing water uptake. Besides, P(L)LA/P?CL blends water uptake remained constant over ageing. Finally, while P(L)LA resilience decrease could be related to chain scission, blend aptitude to elongation decrease was related to interphase decohesion, at long ageing times. Results showed P(L)LA molecular weight influence on both initial mechanical properties and water uptake.     

Three-phase cyanate ester composites with fumed silica and negative-CTE reinforcements

Three-phase cyanate ester adhesives have been developed using a bisphenol E cyanate ester resin, fumed silica, and negative-CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) reinforcements: short carbon fiber or zirconium tungstate (ZrW₂O ₈ ). Fumed silica was used to impart thixotropic behavior on the resin and decrease settling in the adhesives. The cured composites were evaluated using various thermal analysis techniques for their thermal-mechanical properties. Composites with short carbon fiber showed enhanced modulus and decreased thermal expansion (70% reduction for 20 vol%) and showed little phase separation. While settling of the dense ceramic particles could not be completely eliminated for the zirconium tungstate composites through rheological modification of the adhesive with added fumed silica, a reduction in CTE of 84% was achieved in the composite (58 vol%) compared to the neat resin. In addition, the effect of thermal history on the cure and temperature induced ZrW₂O₈ phase transitions, and their corresponding influence on thermal strains vs. temperature, are examined by thermomechanical analysis.