Preparation of PA6/nano titanium dioxide (TiO2) composites and their spinnability

In this work, surface modification technique with coupling agents and anchoring polymerization was adopted to tailor the surface properties of nanoscaled titanium dioxide (TiO₂). Ethyl glycol sols with TiO₂ were prepared in order to simulate the dispersibility of differently modified TiO₂ in a molten polyamide 6 (PA6) matrix. The modified TiO₂ were melt compounded with PA6 and composites and fibers were prepared. The average filler diameter of 47 nm (in composites) and 44 nm (in fibers) indicated homogeneous dispersion of TiO₂ in the matrix, whereas unmodified TiO₂ showed agglomerated structures in the PA6 matrix. The mechanical properties of the composite fibers were improved as compared to pure PA6 fibers and composite fibers with unmodified TiO₂.     

J-integral evaluation of nanoclay-modified HDPE/PA6 microfibrillar composites

Microfibrillar composites (MFC) are polymer-polymer composites with many advantages, including good dispersion and bonding of in-situ generated fibrils. Recently, it has been shown that their performance can be enhanced by suitable addition of organophilized montmorillonite (oMMT) provided the numerous oMMT-induced effects are harmonized. This work deals with evaluation of resistance against unstable crack propagation (J-integral) in combination with Charpy and tensile impact strength methods, and SEM observation of fibrils shape and size and fracture surfaces. The results indicate that addition of PA6 inclusions and oMMT to relatively ductile HDPE reduces toughness evaluated using Charpy and J-integral. The fact that tensile impact strength is not reduced by oMMT indicates the importance of the impact testing mode for MFC. Of importance is the fact that formation of PA6 fibres reinforced with oMMT practically does not reduce toughness. Hence, the drawn oMMT-modified system with significantly higher stiffness and practically unchanged fracture resistance can be obtained. Combination of the complex effect of oMMT and in-situ fibrils reinforcement present a tool to attain polymer systems with enhanced well-balanced properties.     

DSC investigations of polyamide 6 in hybrid GF/PA 6 yarns and composites

Glass/PA 6 composites were manufactured from specially designed hybrid yarns. The hybrid yarns were produced by three different spinning systems: friction spinning, ring twisting and pneumatic texturing. Each of these systems gives a different structure of the yarn and a different level of blending of the reinforcing and thermoplastic fibres. The crystallization and melting behaviour of PA 6 in the yarns and the composites were studied by differential scanning calorimetry.

The different structure of the hybrid yarns leads to differences in the crystallinity of PA 6 in the yarns and the composites. The mechanical properties of the thermoplastic yarns and the composites are influenced, among other factors, by the crystal structure of the polymer.     

Mechanical properties, crystallization and melting behaviors of carbon fiber-reinforced PA6 composites

Polyamide-6 (PA6)/carbon fiber (CF) composites were prepared by melt-extrusion via continuous fiber fed during extruding. The mechanical, thermal properties, and crystallization behavior of PA6/CF composites were investigated. It was found that the tensile modulus and strength of the composites were increased with the addition of CF, while their elongations at break were decreased. Scanning electron microscopy observation on the fracture surfaces showed the fine dispersion of CF and strong interfacial adhesion between fibers and matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis results showed that the storage modulus of PA6/CF composites was improved with the addition of CF. Non-isothermal crystallization analysis showed that the CF plays a role as nucleating agent in PA6 matrix, and the α-form crystalline structure was favorable in the PA6/CF composites, as confirmed from the X-ray diffraction analysis. A trans-crystallization layer around CF could be observed by polarizing optical microscopy, which proved the nucleation effect of carbon fiber surface on the crystallization of PA6. The thermal stability of PA6/CF composites was also enhanced.     

Spiky nanostructured metal particles as filler of polymeric composites showing tunable electrical conductivity

This work presents a comprehensive investigation of the piezoresistive response of a composite material based on conductive nickel filler in a silicone‐insulating matrix. In the absence of a deformation, the prepared composite shows no electric conductivity, even though the metal particle content is well above the expected percolation threshold. Upon samples deformation (compressive or tensile stress), the composite exploits a variation of electrical resistance up to nine orders of magnitude. This huge variation can be explained with the quantum tunnelling mechanism where the probability of an electron to tunnel from a particle to the next one is exponentially proportional to the thickness of the insulating layer between them and strongly enhanced by the morphology of the nickel particles, showing spiky nanostructured tips. Two different conduction theoretical models are proposed and compared with the experimental results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Hydrothermal Syntheses of CuO,CuO/Cu2O,Cu2O,Cu2O/Cu and Cu Microcrystals Using Ionic Liquids

In this paper, CuO, CuO/Cu₂O, Cu₂O, Cu₂O/Cu and Cu microcrystals were synthesized via a hydrothermal method by mixing Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and NaOH together in the presence of an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate([BMIM]BF₄) or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride([BMIM]Cl). The structures and the morphologies of the obtained products were characterized by means of X-ray diffractometer(XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy(FESEM/EDS), transmission electron microscopy/selected area electron diffraction(TEM/SAED) and Raman spectroscopy. The result of XRD indicates that Cu₂O and Cu microcrystals are cubic phase and the Raman spectra confirm the presence of carbon. The results of FESEM and TEM images show Cu₂O microcrystals as rule cubes of 2 μm in length and Cu particles of 5 μm in diameter. According to the difference between crystal structures, bi-component and single component products were synthesized by adjusting the reaction conditions. A possible formation mechanism of Cu₂O and Cu was proposed in[BMIM]BF₄.     

Post-irradiation thermal degradation of PA6 and PA6,6

PA 6 and PA6,6 sheets irradiated with electron beam were investigated in relation to their thermal stability in various environments (air, distilled water and NaCl 5% solution) at 70 °C. The preexposure doses were 100, 200, 400 and 600 kGy at a dose rate of 22.4 kGy/s. The FTIR spectra allowed the evaluation of the progress of sample oxidation by elucidating the contributions of each environment to the ageing of polyamides. The increases in the absorbance at 1652 cm^?1 placed the surrounding aggressive attack in the following sequence: air<water<NaCl solution. A scheme of degradation mechanism is proposed for the explanation on the involvement of amidic units.     

尼龙6/有机锂皂石纳米复合材料的制备及性能研究

采用十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)对锂皂石进行有机改性,制备有机改性锂皂石(Hectorite),并通过熔融共混的方法制备了高性能、低吸水率的尼龙6(PA6)/有机化锂皂石纳米复合材料.采用X射线衍射(XRD)、能谱仪(EDS)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、热重分析(TGA)对改性前后的锂皂石进行了分析,结果表明有机改性后的锂皂石结构变疏松,层间距变大,其层间距由改性前的1.33 nm增加到1.76 nm,元素分析和热重分析计算锂皂石有机物的接枝量分别为0.78和0.73 mequiv/g,接枝效率分别为71.04%和66.62%,两种分析结果基本一致.采用示差扫描量热法(DSC)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、力学性能测试研究了有机化锂皂石的用量对复合材料结晶性能、锂皂石在基体中分散性及力学性能的影响,结果表明锂皂石在PA6中没有起到成核剂的作用,复合材料的结晶度随有机锂皂石用量的增大而逐渐减小,且当锂皂石的含量为5 phr时,锂皂石主要以剥离形式分散在基体中,此时复合材料的拉伸强度和弯曲强度均达最大值,分别为81.6 MPa和122.1 MPa,较纯PA6分别增加了25.54%和23.50%,此外,锂皂石明显降低了PA6的吸水率.     

Preparation of Cu and CuFe Prussian Blue derivative nanoparticles using the apoferritin cavity as nanoreactor

Copper and CuFe Prussian Blue nanoparticles have been prepared by using a Cu(II)-loaded apoferritin as a chemically and spatially confined environment for their construction.     

The mechanical properties of plasma‐treated carbon fiber reinforced PA6 composites with CNT

The aim of this work is the evaluation of the effects of plasma treatment and the addition of CNT on the mechanical properties of carbon fibre/PA6 composite. A powder impregnation process with integrated inline continuous plasma of carbon fibers was used to produce CF/PA6 composite. CF/PA6 composite was processed into test laminates by compression moulding, and interface dominated composite properties were studied. The tensile and impact strength of composites containing CNT and plasma‐treated carbon fibres improved obviously. The tensile strength of nanocomposite largely increases with the increasing of the CNT content and then decreases when the CNT content is over 2%. The hydroxyl groups of the fibers surface are in favor of the wettability of carbon fibers by the polar matrix resin, which is resulting in a further interaction of the fiber surface with the curing system of the matrix resin.     

微波辅助水热法制备花状氧化铜

以硝酸铜为铜源,氨水为碱源,通过微波辅助水热法制备了花状CuO微纳米材料。制备过程中没有使用表面活性剂或离子液体等软模板剂。利用X-射线衍射、电子能谱、场发射扫描电镜以及高分辨透射电镜表征了产物的物相和形貌。对照实验显示碱源对产物形貌有着很大的影响。通过时间演化实验研究了花状CuO的生长过程。结果显示反应过程经历了Cu2(OH)3NO3和Cu(OH)2两种中间产物。     

Preparation of high-efficient flame retardant PA6 via DOPO-ITA initiated ring-opening polymerization of caprolactam

It has been a long-term challenge to synthesize intrinsically flame retardant polyamide 6 (FRPA6) with high-molecular weight. In this work, through the ring-opening polymerization of caprolactam initiated by 9,10-dihydro-10-[2,3-di(hydroxycarbonyl)propyl]-10 phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO-ITA), intrinsically flame retardant PA6 with high-molecular weight was successfully prepared. Its chemical structure, thermal stability, mechanical and combustion properties, as well as the retarding mechanism were thoroughly characterized in detail. The FRPA6 containing 3.0% retardant could achieve a V-0 rating with an LOI value of 31.2%. An interesting phenomenon was observed during V-0 tests. The melt drip slowly extended downward to form a long strip after moving fire, which was in favor of its heat release in a short time, thereby effectively prevented it from igniting the cotton. That is, a facile method to prepare intrinsically high-efficiency fire retardant polymer via ring opening and polycondensation was proposed.     

Thermal properties of PA 6 and PA 6 modified with copolyamides and layered silicates

This article focuses on the thermal properties of PA 6 and additives, i.e. ternary copolyamides, concentrates consisting of binary or ternary copolyamides + nanoadditive montmorillonite Bentonite 11958 or Cloisite 15A and PA 6 fibres modified with Bentonite, copolyamide and concentrate. The copolyamides are prepared from ε-caprolactam as a major comonomer and nylon salts AN2 from adipic acid + 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine and ADETA from adipic acid + diethylenetriamine. All copolyamides and concentrates exhibit lower melting temperatures T _m and lower melting enthalpies ΔH _m compared to neat PA 6. PA 6 fibres modified with 0.25–2.5 wt% MMT exhibit higher melting enthalpies in comparison with unmodified PA 6 fibres. PA 6 fibres modified with 10 wt% of ternary copolyamide containing 21.4 wt% of comonomers AN2 and ADETA have higher melting enthalpy as well. PA 6 fibres modified with 10 and 20 wt% of concentrate containing the same ternary copolyamide + 5 wt% of MMT have higher melting enthalpies and higher tensile strength in comparison with these characteristics of unmodified PA 6 fibres.     

Toughness mechanism of polypropylene/elastomer/filler composites

The toughening mechanisms of polypropylene filled with elastomer and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) particles were studied. Polypropylene/elastomer/CaCO₃ composites were prepared on a twin‐screw extruder with a particle concentration of 0–32 vol %. The experiments included tensile tests, notched Izod impact tests, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the elastomer and CaCO₃ particles dispersed separately in the matrix. The modulus of the composites increased, whereas the yield stress decreased with the filler concentration. The impact resistance showed a large improvement with the CaCO₃ concentration. At the same composition (80/10/10 w/w/w), three types of CaCO₃ particles with average diameters of 0.05, 0.6, and 1.0 μm improved the impact fracture energies comparatively. The encapsulation structure of the filler by the grafting elastomer had a detrimental effect on the impact properties because of the strong adhesion between the elastomer and filler and the increasing ligament thickness. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1113–1123, 2005     

NiS/Cu7S4 composites as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this study, we report the synthesis of mixed metal sulfide NiS/Cu7S4-DT in a hydrothermal system assisted by triethanolamine (TEOA) and dimethyl...     

Creating super-tough and strong PA6/ABS blends using multi-phase compatibilizers

PA6/ABS blends with excellent mechanical properties are prepared using combination of two effective multi-phase compatibilizers, where finely dispersed domains with unique encapsulation structures are generated for the synergistic improvement in tensile and impact performances.     

Preparation of pinewood/polymer/composites using gamma irradiation

Wood/polymer composites (WPC) have been prepared from pinewood with different compounds using gamma irradiation: butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, styrene, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, and unsaturated polyester styrene resin. The polymer loading was determined with respect to the compound concentration and the irradiation dose. The polymer loading increases generally with increase in the monomer or polymer concentration. Tensile and compression strength have been improved in the four cases, but no improvement was observed using unsaturated polyester styrene resin or acrylamide.     

EPDM异氰酸酯官能化与EPDM/PA6的增容

采用熔融接枝聚合法,将极性单体3异丙烯基-a,a'-二甲基苯基-异氰酸酯(TMI)引入三元乙丙橡胶(EPDM),以实现对EPDM的官能化.通过红外光谱对接枝产物进行表征,结果表明TMI已成功接枝到EPDM分子上.采用化学滴定的方法对产物的接枝率进行测定,最高接枝率可达1.34%.将EPDM-g-TMI作为相容剂,应用于EPDM和PA6共混体系(EPDM/PA6),通过平衡扭矩分析、冲击强度测试及扫描电镜对增容效果进行表征,结果表明:共混体系的平衡扭矩和冲击强度均随着相容剂接枝率和含量的增加而增加,当加入4 g接枝率为1.34%的EPDM-g-TMI时,共混物的冲击强度能提高到原来的190%.EPDM的分散情况随着相容剂接枝率和含量的增加而显著改善.     

Compatibilization of PA6/rubber blends by using an oxazoline functionalized rubber

The compatibilization of blends of polyamide 6 with a nitrile butadiene rubber has been investigated. The procedure consists of two steps: modification of the nitrile groups of the rubber into oxazoline in the melt through condensation of ethanolamine with formation of a molecule of ammonia, followed by use of the modified rubber as a compatibilizing precursor which is melt mixed with the polyamide to produce the compatibilized blend. The modification reaction has been detected by NMR analysis and a rheological, mechanical and thermomechanical characterization has been carried out on the all the blends. The results indicate that the modification reaction occurs but the conversion of nitrile into oxazoline is relatively low. Use of the modified rubber in the preparation of binary polyamide/rubber blends, leads to an increase in viscosity, which is typical of compatibilized systems, and to enhanced tensile, impact and thermomechanical properties. These phenomena can be explained by the formation of in situ rubber/polyamide copolymers that act as compatibilizers, due to the reaction between oxazoline and the end groups of the polyamide. The presence of residual low molecular compounds, from the modification or from the purification of the rubber worsens all of the properties and inhibits the compatibilizing effect of the modified rubber.     

新型PA6/EP/SiO2纳米复合材料的制备

PA6;SiO2;环氧树脂;原位聚合;纳米复合材料