Effect of maleic anhydride-grafted ethylene-propylene rubber on the mechanical, rheological and morphological properties of organoclay reinforced polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites

Polyamide 6/polypropylene (PA6/PP = 70/30 parts) blends containing 4 phr (parts per hundred resin) of organophilic modified montmorillonite (organoclay) were compatibilized with maleic anhydride-grafted ethylene-propylene rubber (EPRgMA). The blends were melt compounded in twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. The mechanical properties of PA6/PP nanocomposites were studied by tensile and flexural tests. The microstructure of the nanocomposite were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The dynamic mechanical properties of the PA6/PP blend-based nanocomposites were analyzed by using a dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA). The rheological properties were conducted from plate/plate rheometry via dynamic frequency sweep scans. The melt viscosity in a high shear rate region was performed by using a capillary rheometer. The strength and stiffness of the PA6/PP-based nanocomposites were improved significantly with the incorporation of EPRgMA. Adding EPRgMA to the PA6/PP blends resulted in a finer dispersion of the PP phase. TEM and XRD results revealed that the organoclay was dispersed more homogeneously in the presence of EPRgMA, however, mostly in the PA6 phase of the blends. DMTA results showed that EPRgMA worked as an effective compatibilizer. The storage (G′) and loss moduli (G″) assessed by plate/plate rheometry of PA6/PP blends increased with the incorporation of EPRgMA and organoclay. Furthermore, the apparent shear viscosity of the PA6/PP blend increased significantly for the EPRgMA compatibilized PA6/PP/organoclay nanocomposite. This was traced to the formation of an interphase between PA6 and PP (via PA6-g-EPR) and effective intercalation/exfoliation of the organoclay.     

Chlorinated polyethylene nanocomposites using PCL/clay nanohybrid masterbatches

Exfoliated nanocomposites were prepared by dispersion of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) grafted montmorillonite nanohybrids used as masterbatches in chlorinated polyethylene (CPE). The PCL-grafted clay nanohybrids with high inorganic content were synthesized by in situ intercalative polymerization of ε-caprolactone between silicate layers organo-modified by alkylammonium cations bearing two hydroxyl functions. The polymerization was initiated by tin alcoholate species derived from the exchange reaction of tin(II) bis(2-ethylhexanoate) with the hydroxyl groups borne by the ammonium cations that organomodified the clay. These highly filled PCL nanocomposites (25 wt% in inorganics) were dispersed as masterbatches in commercial chlorinated polyethylene by melt blending. CPE-based nanocomposites containing 3-5 wt% of inorganics have been prepared. The formation of exfoliated nanocomposites was assessed both by wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The thermal and thermo-mechanical properties were studied as a function of the filler content, by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis, respectively. The mechanical properties were also assessed by tensile tests. The Young’s modulus of CPE is increased by a decade when a PCL-grafted clay masterbatch is exfoliated to reach 5 wt% of clay in the resulting nanocomposite. The influence of PCL-grafting on the properties of these nanocomposites was investigated by comparison with materials obtained with ungrafted-PCL.     

Thermal and thermomechanical properties of poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate] nanocomposite

In this article the thermal and thermomechanical properties of neat poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate] (PBSA) and its nanocomposite are reported. Nanocomposite of PBSA with organically modified synthetic fluorine mica (OSFM) has been prepared by melt-mixing in a batch mixer. The structure of nanocomposite is characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) observations that reveal homogeneous dispersion of intercalated silicate layers in the PBSA matrix. The melting behavior of pure polymer and nanocomposite samples are analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which shows multiple melting behavior of the PBSA matrix. The multiple melting behavior of the PBSA matrix is also studied by temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC) and wide-angle XRD (WXRD) measurements. All results show that the multiple melting behavior of PBSA is due to the partial melting, re-crystallization, and re-melting phenomena. The investigation of the thermomechanical behavior is performed by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Results demonstrate substantial enhancement in the mechanical properties of PBS, for example, at room temperature, storage flexural modulus increased from 0.5 GPa for pure PBS to 1.2 GPa for the nanocomposite, an increase of about 120% in the value of the elastic modulus. The thermal stability of nanocomposite compared to that of neat PBSA is also examined in pyrolytic and thermo-oxidative conditions. It is then studied using kinetic analysis. It is shown that the stability of PBSA is increased moderately in the presence of OSFM.     

Synergistic effects of layered double hydroxide with hyperfine magnesium hydroxide in halogen-free flame retardant EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposites

The synergistic effects of layered double hydroxide (LDH) with hyperfine magnesium hydroxide (HFMH) in halogen-free flame retardant ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)/HFMH/LDH nanocomposites have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), mechanical properties' tests, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The XRD results show that the exfoliated EVA/HFMH/LDH can be obtained by controlling the LDH loading. The TEM images give the evidence that the organic-modified LDH (OM-LDH) can act as a disperser and help HFMH particles to disperse homogeneously in the EVA matrix. The TGA data demonstrate that the addition of LDH can raise 5-18 °C thermal degradation temperatures of EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposite samples with 5-15 phr OM-LDH compared with that of the control EVA/HFMH sample when 50% weight loss is selected as a point of comparison. The LOI and mechanical tests show that the LDH can act as flame retardant synergist and compatilizer to apparently increase the LOI and elongation at break values of EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposites. The DMTA data verify that the T_g value (−10 °C) of the EVA/HFMH/LDH nanocomposite sample with 15 phr LDH is much lower than that (T_g = −2 °C) of the control EVA/HFMH sample without LDH and approximates to the T_g value (−12 °C) of pure EVA, which indicates that the nanocomposites with LDH have more flexibility than that of the EVA/HFMH composites.     

Investigation of mechanical properties of polyvinyl chloride-polyethylene oxide (PVC-PEO) based polymer electrolytes for lithium polymer cells

Polymer electrolytes composed of a blend of polyvinyl chloride-polyethylene oxide (PVC-PEO) as a host polymer, lithium triflate (LiCF₃SO₃) as a salt, mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC) and dibuthyl phthalate (DBP) as plasticizers and silica (SiO₂) as the nanocomposite filler were studied. Results suggest that PVC-PEO blending exhibits improved mechanical strength compared to that of pure PEO. The introduction of LiCF₃SO₃ changes the mechanical properties of PVC-PEO blends from hard and brittle to soft and tough. In PVC-PEO:LiCF₃SO₃ (70:30) system, the Young’s modulus value decreases from 5.30 × 10⁻¹ MPa to 4.78 × 10⁻⁴ MPa and the elongation at peak value increases from 3.71 mm to 32.09 mm with the incorporation of DBP and EC. The deteriorated mechanical properties with the addition of plasticizers are overcome with the addition of SiO₂ as nanocomposite filler. In PVC-PEO-LiCF₃SO₃-DBP-EC system, the addition of 5% SiO₂ increases the Young’s modulus value from 4.78 × 10⁻⁴ MPa to 1.51 × 10⁻³ MPa. The improvement of the mechanical properties reveals greater dispersion of SiO₂ particles in PVC-PEO blend based polymer electrolytes. In practical lithium polymer cells, inorganic fillers are frequently added to improve the mechanical strength of the electrolyte films.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) (PVPA)-Fe3O4 nanocomposite

Poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) (PVPA)-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite is synthesized by the precipitation of Fe₃O₄ in the presence of PVPA. Structural, surface, morphological, thermal properties and conductivity characterization/evaluation of the nanocomposite were performed by XRD, FT-IR, TEM, TGA and conductivity measurements respectively. The capping of PVPA around the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, the interaction being via bridging oxygens of the phosphate and the nanoparticle surface. The crystallite and particle size were obtained as 6 ± 2 and 8.7 ± 0.1 nm from XRD line profile fitting and TEM image analysis respectively, which reveal nearly single crystalline nature of the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Magnetic characterization of the bulk magnetite and (PVPA)-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite reveals that both are in the superparamagnetic state at room temperature. The average magnetic domain size of the nanoparticles has been calculated using the Langevin function, which was fitted to the measured M-H hysteresis curves as 7.6 nm for the nanocomposite. In the nanocomposite, the reduction is due to the adsorption of PVPA onto the magnetite surface, which cancels some of the free spins at the surface causing a magnetically dead layer. Analysis of the conductivity and permittivity measurements revealed the coupling of ionic and polymer segmental motions and strong temperature dependency in the nanocomposite.     

Influence of chemical surface modification of cellulose nanowhiskers on thermal,mechanical, and barrier properties of poly(lactide) based bionanocomposites

In the aim of producing fully organic bionanocomposite based on poly(lactide) (PLA), cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) were grafted by n-octadecyl-isocyanate (CNW-ICN) applying an in situ surface grafting method. The compatibilizing effect of the long aliphatic grafted chain was investigated by thermal, mechanical and permeability analysis of solvent cast nanocomposite films. The grafted CNW-ICN could be successfully dispersed in the polymer matrix. The gained compatibility brought about a nucleating effect, decreasing the half time of isothermal crystallization from 25 min for the neat PLA to 8.4 min for the nanocomposite including 2.5 wt% CNW-ICN, e.g., tensile strength was improved by 10 MPa for the same 2.5 wt% CNW-ICN/PLA composite. Mechanical reinforcement was also effective in the rubbery state of PLA and increased the tensile modulus of the rubbery plateau providing thereby thermal resistance to the polymer. Oxygen barrier properties did not change significantly upon the inclusion of CNW-ICN, even when the quantity of CNW-ICN was increased to 15 wt%. More interestingly, the water vapour permeability of the CNW-ICN nanocomposite was always lower than the one of ungrafted CNW composites, which led to the conclusion that the hydrophobic surface graft and improved compatibility could counteract the effect of inclusion of hydrophilic structures in the matrix on water vapour transport. In conclusion, the surface grafting of CNW with isocyanates might be an easy and versatile tool for designing fully organic bionanocomposites with tailored properties.     

Significant improvements in mechanical property and water stability of chitosan by carbon nanotubes

In this work, high storage modulus and high water stability of chitosan was prepared by incorporating chitosan-grafted carbon nanotubes (CNTs-g-CS). This dramatically improved mechanical property and water stability of chitosan would broaden its biochemical and electrochemical applications. The methodology adopted here by incorporating the CNTs-g-CS allowed a high amount of CNTs incorporation in chitosan without phase separations and enabled the preparations of a durable chitosan/CNTs nanocomposite-modified electrode for biosensor uses. The CNTs-g-CS was synthesized by grafting chitosan onto the carboxylated CNTs in acetic acid-added aqueous solution at 98 °C for 24 h. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed that the content of the chitosan grafts on the CNTs was about 25 wt% of the synthesized CNTs-g-CS. As compared with the ungrafted CNTs, the CNTs-g-CS exhibited a significantly improved dispersion in the chitosan matrix, as examined by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, resulting in significantly improved storage modulus and water stability of the chitosan nanocomposites as revealed by dynamic mechanical analysis and water treatments data, respectively. The storage modulus was significantly up by 134% from 6.4 GPa for the pure chitosan to 15 GPa for the chitosan nanocomposite containing 40 wt% CNTs-g-CS. The water stability of the chitosan nanocomposite films was significantly up from less than 12 h for the chitosan containing various amounts of ungrafted CNTs to at least 48 h for the chitosan containing 20, 30, and 40 wt% CNTs-g-CS.     

Micro- and nano-mechanical characterization of polyamide 11 and its composites containing cellulose nanofibers

Nanocomposites from polyamide 11 and dried cellulose nanofibers (CNs), 16–30 nm in thickness and 50–400 nm in length, were prepared via direct melt mixing and their micro- and nano-mechanical properties were studied. (PF) QNM (Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping) method was used to map nanomechanical properties at the surface of polyamide 11 and nanocomposites. This new AFM method emphasized both the increased modulus in nanocomposites as compared to the matrix and the microstructure on different levels in polyamide 11 and its nanocomposites. PF QNM showed that their crystalline structure consists of bundles of lamellar stacks, 200–350 nm in width and 20–40 nm wide lamellar stacks. Moreover, PF QNM study emphasized higher structural order in nanocomposites with 3 and 5 wt.% CNs and lower in the nanocomposite with 8 wt.% CNs as compared to the reference. These observations were verified and are consistent with both crystallinity values determined by DSC and micro-mechanical test results. The oriented bundles of lamellar stacks, observed by PF QNM, could be considered as the main blocks determining high mechanical properties for the studied nanomaterials.     

Direct electrocatalytic oxidation of nitric oxide and reduction of hydrogen peroxide based on α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles-chitosan composite

α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles prepared using a simple solution-combusting method have been dispersed in chitosan (CH) solution to fabricate nanocomposite film on glass carbon electrode (GCE). The as-prepared α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanocomposite film exhibits high electrocatalytic oxidation for nitric oxide (NO) and reduction for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The electrocatalytic oxidation peak is observed at +0.82 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and controlled by diffusion process. The electrocatalytic reduction peak is observed at −0.45 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and controlled by diffusion process. This α-Fe₂O₃-CH/GCE nanocomposite bioelectrode has response time of 5 s, linearity as 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 15.0 × 10⁻⁶ M of NO with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10⁻⁸ M and a sensitivity of −283.6 μA/mM. This α-Fe₂O₃-CH/GCE nanocomposite bioelectrode was further utilized in detection of H₂O₂ with a detection limit of 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ M, linearity as 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 44.0 × 10⁻⁶ M and with a sensitivity of 21.62 μA/mM. The shelf life of this bioelectrode is about 6 weeks under room temperature conditions.     

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.     

Amperometric hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on the immobilization of heme proteins on gold nanoparticles-bacteria cellulose nanofibers nanocomposite

A novel matrix, gold nanoparticles-bacterial cellulose nanofibers (Au-BC) nanocomposite was developed for enzyme immobilization and biosensor fabrication due to its unique properties such as satisfying biocompatibility, good conductivity and extensive surface area, which were inherited from both gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and bacterial cellulose nanofibers (BC). Heme proteins such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP), hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb) were successfully immobilized on the surface of Au-BC nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The immobilized heme proteins showed electrocatalytic activities to the reduction of H₂O₂ in the presence of the mediator hydroquinone (HQ), which might be due to the fact that heme proteins retained the near-native secondary structures in the Au-BC nanocomposite which was proved by UV-vis and IR spectra. The response of the developed biosensor to H₂O₂ was related to the amount of AuNPs in Au-BC nanocomposite, indicating that the AuNPs in BC network played an important role in the biosensor performance. Under the optimum conditions, the biosensor based on HRP exhibited a fast amperometric response (within 1 s) to H₂O₂, a good linear response over a wide range of concentration from 0.3 μM to 1.00 mM, and a low detection limit of 0.1 μM based on S/N = 3. The high performance of the biosensor made Au-BC nanocomposite superior to other materials as immobilization matrix.     

A novel tyrosinase biosensor based on hydroxyapatite-chitosan nanocomposite for the detection of phenolic compounds

A novel tyrosinase biosensor based on hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nano-HA)-chitosan nanocomposite has been developed for the detection of phenolic compounds. The uniform and size controlled nano-HA was synthesized by hydrothermal method, and its morphological characterization was examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Tyrosinase was then immobilized on a nano-HA-chitosan nanocomposite-modified gold electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the sensing film. The prepared biosensor was applied to determine phenolic compounds by monitoring the reduction signal of the biocatalytically produced quinone species at −0.2 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode). The effects of the pH, temperature and applied potential on the biosensor performance were investigated, and experimental conditions were optimized. The biosensor exhibited a linear response to catechol over a wide concentration range from 10 nM to 7 μM, with a high sensitivity of 2.11 × 10³ μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², and a limit of detection down to 5 nM (based on S/N = 3). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constants of the enzyme electrode were estimated to be 3.16, 1.31 and 3.52 μM for catechol, phenol and m-cresol, respectively. Moreover, the stability and reproducibility of this biosensor were evaluated with satisfactory results.     

A sensitive amperometric sensor for hydrazine and hydrogen peroxide based on palladium nanoparticles/onion-like mesoporous carbon vesicle

Onion-like mesoporous carbon vesicle (MCV) with multilayer lamellar structure was synthesized by a simply aqueous emulsion co-assembly approach. Palladium (Pd) nanoparticles were deposited on the MCV matrix (Pd/MCV) by chemical reduction of H₂PdCl₄ with NaBH₄ in aqueous media. Pd(X)/MCV (X wt.% indicates the Pd loading amount) nanocomposites with different Pd loading amount were obtained by adjusting the ratio of precursors. The particular structure of the MCV results in efficient mass transport and the onion-like layers of MCV allows for the obtainment of highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles. The introduction of Pd nanoparticles on the MCV matrix facilitates hydrazine oxidation at more negative potential and delivers higher oxidation current in comparison with MCV. A linear range from 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 7.1 × 10⁻⁵ M and a low detection limit of 14.9 nM for hydrazine are obtained at Pd(25)/MCV nanocomposite modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode. A nonenzymatic amperometric sensor for hydrogen peroxide based on the Pd(25)/MCV nanocomposite modified GC electrode is also developed. Compared with MCV modified GC electrode, the Pd(25)/MCV nanocomposite modified GC electrode displays enhanced amperometric responses towards hydrogen peroxide and gives a linear range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 6.1 × 10⁻³ M. The Pd(25)/MCV nanocomposite modified GC electrode achieves 95% of the steady-current for hydrogen peroxide within 1 s. The combination of the unique properties of Pd nanoparticles and the porous mesostructure of MCV matrix guarantees the improved analytical performance for hydrazine and hydrogen peroxide.     

One-pot green synthesis of Prussian blue nanocubes decorated reduced graphene oxide using mushroom extract for efficient 4-nitrophenol reduction

One-pot green approach to the synthesis of Prussian blue nanocubes/reduced graphene oxide (PBNCs/RGO) nanocomposite had been attempted. It was based on the extract of mushroom with K₃[Fe(CN)₆] and graphene oxide (GO) as precursors, where the reduction of GO and the deposition of PBNCs occurred simultaneously. The obtained nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques. With the introduction of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), the β-CD/PBNCs/RGO system showed linear behavior in the range from 0.01 to 700 μM for 4-nitrophenol with a low detection limit of 2.34 nM (S/N = 3).     

Damping characteristics and mechanical properties of silica filled PUR/PEMA simultaneous interpenetrating polymer networks

Simultaneous polyurethane/poly(ethyl methacrylate) interpenetrating polymer network was synthesised by the one-shot route at the 70PUR/30PEMA composition ratio. This semi-miscible IPN exhibited its potential as a material for damping application by a broad loss factor (tan δ) ? 0.3 spanning a temperature range of 132 °C. The TEM micrographs revealed a multiphase morphology where the mixing between the two polymers was extensive. Incorporation of silica was made in order to study the effects of filler on the IPN properties in terms of glass transition temperature, dynamic mechanical properties, and mechanical and thermal properties. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis indicated that the filler enhanced the damping ability of the IPN at certain temperature range. Furthermore, the addition of filler resulted in improved material strength.     

Effect of copolymer architecture on the response of pH sensitive fibers based on acrylonitrile and acrylic acid

Copolymers of acrylonitrile and acrylic acid with high acrylic acid feed ratio of 43 mol% were synthesized using free radical polymerization. The architecture of copolymers was modified by regulating the dosing of more reactive comonomer-acrylic acid. ¹³C NMR analysis confirmed that two copolymers - one (A) containing enriched blocks of individual monomer-residues (architecture close to a block copolymer) and the second (B) having nearly random distribution of the comonomers, could be successfully synthesized. The resultant acrylic acid content was determined to be nearly 50 mol% for both the copolymers. These copolymers were converted to fine fibers by solution spinning in DMF-water system, drawn in coagulation bath, and annealed at 120 °C for 2 h. The fibers were evaluated for pH response behavior, mechanical stability, and retracting stresses. The fiber A was found to have significantly higher swelling percentage (3300-3700%), faster response, and higher stability to repeated cycling compared to fiber B. Also, Fiber A showed lower thermal shrinkage, better mechanical properties during swelling and higher retracting forces during deswelling. These results indicate that the copolymer with enriched block architecture could possibly form segregated domain structure with acrylic acid domains facilitating enhanced pH response while acrylonitrile domains providing physical crosslinks for stronger mechanical strength. The study suggests that above approach may be more useful than chemically cross-linked gel rods in producing artificial muscles with faster response and good mechanical properties.     

Enhanced thermal and mechanical properties and biostability of polyurethane containing silver nanoparticles

A polyether-type polyurethane (PU) containing silver (Ag) nanoparticles (4-7 nm, 1.51 × 10⁻³-1.13 × 10⁻² wt-%) was prepared by mixing the waterborne PU with the nanoparticle suspension, casting and drying at 60 °C. The Ag nanoparticles were found to be well dispersed in PU. A significant increase in the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the polymer was demonstrated in the nanocomposite PU films, which was believed a result of induced crystallization in the presence of Ag nanoparticles. The biostability was tested in a rat subcutaneous model. After 19 days of implantation, the PU containing Ag showed enhanced biostability and lowered foreign body reaction. The effect of Ag on the stability of the PU polymer was even more remarkable over a wider range of particle contents than that of the gold nanoparticles previously studied.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(propylene carbonate)/montmorillonite nanocomposites by solution intercalation

Poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) is a new biodegradable aliphatic polycarbonate. However, the poor thermal stability and low glass transition temperatures (T_g) have limited its applications. To improve the thermal properties of PPC, organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) was mixed with PPC by a solution intercalation method to produce nanocomposites. An intercalated-and-flocculated structure of PPC/OMMT nanocomposites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal and mechanical properties of PPC/OMMT nanocomposites were investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), and electronic tensile tester. Due to the nanometer-sized dispersion of layered silicate in polymer matrix, PPC/OMMT nanocomposites exhibit improved thermal and mechanical properties than pure PPC. When the OMMT content is 4 wt%, the PPC/OMMT nanocomposite shows the best thermal and mechanical properties. These results indicate that nanocomposition is an efficient and convenient method to improve the properties of PPC.     

Modified epoxy coatings on mild steel: Tribology and surface energy

A commercial epoxy diglycidylether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) was modified by adding fluorinated poly(aryl ether ketone) fluoropolymer and in turn metal micro powders (Ni, Al, Zn, and Ag) and coated on mild steel. Two curing agents were used; triethylenetetramine (a low temperature curing agent) and hexamethylenediamine (a high temperature curing agent) for understanding the curing temperature effect on the properties. Variations in tribological properties (dynamic friction and wear) and surface energies with varying amounts of metal powders and curing agents were evaluated. When cured at 30 °C, dynamic friction and wear decrease significantly due to phase separation reaction being favored between the fluoropolymer and the epoxy. However, when cured at 80 °C, friction and wear increase; this can be explained in terms of a crosslinking reaction favored at that temperature. There is a significant decrease in surface energies with the addition of modifiers.