Multistage thermal decomposition in films of cadmium chloride-doped PVA–PVP polymeric blend

Several reports exist on the use of natural-oil-based materials as rejuvenators to restore the properties of aged binders—more specifically, regarding their ability to enhance the binders’ low-temperature properties and to reduce their stiffness. Rejuvenators are typically made of low molecular weight constituents which could easily volatilize and thus render the rejuvenated binder thermally unstable. Hence, the study of the thermal stability of rejuvenated binders is of paramount importance. In this research, a binder with a performance grade (PG) of PG58-28 modified with a soybean-derived rejuvenator at 12% by mass is added to an extracted reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) binder at a ratio of 1:5 resulting in a rejuvenator dosage rate of 2% by total mass of binder. The PG of the rejuvenated RAP binder is determined using both dynamic shear rheometer and bending beam rheometer. The thermal stability of the rejuvenator and the binders is verified using thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The rejuvenator shows good thermal stability up to a temperature of 302 °C. The RAP binder containing the rejuvenator shows similar thermal stability to the unrejuvenated RAP binder. The evolved gases from the TG analysis are analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) to chemically characterize the rejuvenator and the binders. The FTIR spectrum of the rejuvenator reveals characteristic peaks. The intensity of these peaks serves as an indication of the rate of mass loss of the rejuvenator within the rejuvenated RAP binder.     

Bacterial cellulose films with controlled microstructure–mechanical property relationships

Bacterial cellulose (BC) films with different porosities have been developed in order to obtain improved mechanical properties. After 13 days of incubation of Gluconobacter xylinum bacteria in static culture, BC pellicles have been set. BC films have been compression molded after water dispersion of BC pellicles and filtration by applying different pressures (10, 50, and 100 MPa) to obtain films with different porosities. Tensile behavior has been analyzed in order to discuss the microstructure–property relationships. Compression pressure has been found as an important parameter to control the final mechanical properties of BC films where slightly enhanced tensile strength and deformation at break are obtained increasing mold compression pressure, while modulus also increases following a nearly linear dependence upon film porosity. This behavior is related to the higher densification by increasing mold compression pressure that reduces the interfibrillar space, thus increasing the possibility of interfibrillar bonding zones. Network theories have been applied to relate film elastic properties with individual nanofiber properties.     

Structure–property relationships of novel fluorinated polycarbonate polyurethane films with high transparency and thermal stability

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Novel polycarbonate diol (PCDL) was synthesized using dimethyl carbonate, 1,5-pentanediol (1,5-PD), 1,6-hexanediol (1,6-HD) and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol...     

Dual-functional chitosan–methylisothiazolinone/microfibrillated cellulose biocomposites for enhancing antibacterial and mechanical properties of agar films

In order to enhance the antibacterial and mechanical properties of agar films, the chitosan-methylisothiazolinone (C–MIT) complex was first prepared by the ionic gelation method, and the characterization of the C–MIT complex was carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Thermo gravimetry. Chitosan was successfully crosslinked with tripolyphosphate for the nanoencapsulation of methylisothiazolinone, and the C–MIT complex was spherical in shape with a diameter of about 10 nm. The C–MIT/MFC biocomposites obtained through the adsorption of the C–MIT complex on the microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) was then incorporated into the agar films. In comparison with the pure agar films, the tensile strength of the agar composite films was increased by about 19 % at the loading of 10 wt% of C–MIT/MFC biocomposites, and antibacterial tests demonstrated that the agar composite films exhibited remarkable antibacterial activities against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This work provides a new approach to utilizing multifunctional agar films in the medical field.     

Correction to: Multistage thermal decomposition in films of cadmium chloride-doped PVA–PVP polymeric blend

Core/shell composites of CuC₂O₄·2H₂O@AP and ZnC₂O₄·2H₂O@AP were prepared from metal oxalates on suspended AP particles in ethanol. CuO and ZnO nano-metal oxides as the nano-catalysts were made from CuC₂O₄·2H₂O and ZnC₂O₄·2H₂O simultaneously by thermal decomposition of AP. The particle size of CuO nano-particles was very finer, and the ZnO particles showed a considerable growth during formation. The kinetic triplet of activation energy, frequency factor, and model of thermal decomposition of pure AP, CuC₂O₄·2H₂O@AP, and ZnC₂O₄·2H₂O@AP composites were estimated by applying three model-free (FWO, KAS, and Starink) and model-fitting (Starink) methods. Based on the thermal analysis, the CuC₂O₄@AP composite has better catalytic performance and the thermal decomposition temperature of AP decreased to about 126.44 °C.     

Studies on high-temperature thermal transformation and dielectric property of aluminum–chromium phosphates

High-temperature thermal transformation of aluminum–chromium phosphates has been investigated by means of DSC–TG, IR, and XRD analysis. The relative dielectric constant and thermal decomposition were measured and discussed. The results show that crystallization and thermal decomposition started at about 1,273 K, only AlPO₄ and Cr₂O₃ have been found at 1,873 K due to the decomposition of PO ₃ ^? , P₂O ₇ ^2? , and PO ₄ ^3? . The relative dielectric constant is fluctuant.     

Enhanced mechanical property of chitosan via blending with functional poly(ε-caprolactone)

Blends of chitosan and poly(ε-caprolactone-co-2-oxepane-1,5-dione) (PCO) were fabricated by solvent casting technique using 77% acetic acid as the cosolvent. The interactions between chitosan and PCO were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and differential scanning calorimetry. The miscibility became poorer with increase of PCO from 50% to 75%, which was supported by the Flory–Huggins interaction parameter and crystallinity of PCO. According to X-ray pattern, crystallinity of CS became weaker when PCO content was improved. Results indicated that there existed stronger interactions in comparison with PCL/CS blends. Therefore, the addition of functional polyester PCO made the brittle chitosan ductile. The elongation was significantly prolonged to 21.60 ± 4.92% with the break stress maintaining about 32 MPa, better than that of PCL blends. The degradation behavior showed slower degradation rate compared with pure CS and the morphology was illustrated by scanning electron microscopy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013     

Structural and thermal behavior of polystyrene thin films using ATR–FTIR–NanoDSC measurements

Most studies report a depression of the glass transition temperature in thin polymer films. To gain insight into this behavior, we have simultaneously investigated the structure of materials and their thermal behavior by developing an ATR–FTIR–nano-differential scanning calorimeter (nanoDSC) hybrid instrument consisting of a ZnSe ATR crystal upon which the sample and a DSC-on-a-chip rests. FTIR spectra showed property changes with film thickness; nanoDSC did not. The relative absorbance of an IR peak at 797 cm⁻¹ was found to correlate with aging time in thin films, suggesting that conformational structure of thin films is critical to their thermal behavior.     

Effect of epoxidized palm oil on the mechanical and morphological properties of a PLA–PCL blend

In this study, the effects of epoxidized palm oil (EPO) on the mechanical and morphological properties of a blend of two types of biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL), were investigated. The solution-casting process, with chloroform as a solvent, was used to prepare samples. Addition of EPO reduced the tensile strength and modulus but increased elongation at break for the PLA–PCL blend. The highest elongation at break was observed for the blend with 10 % (w/w) EPO content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the fractured surface morphology of the PLA–PCL blend became more stretched and homogeneous in PLA–PCL–EPO. Possible interactions between the PLA–PCL blend and EPO were also characterized by use of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Thermal stability was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The results from FTIR and SEM revealed that the miscibility of the PLA–PCL blend was improved by addition of EPO.     

Synthesis of L10 Fe–Pd films by electrodeposition and thermal annealing

Fe–Pd alloy films have been prepared by electrochemical deposition from an alkaline electrolyte containing Fe sulfate, Pd chloride and 5-sulfosalicylic acid onto polycrystalline titanium substrates. The as-deposited films were nanocrystalline and magnetically soft (coercivity ∼ 25 Oe). L1₀ Fe–Pd films with a (1 1 1) preferred orientation were obtained by post-deposition thermal annealing of films with composition about 37 at% Fe in an (Ar + 5% H₂) gas flow at 500 °C. Such films exhibit hard magnetic properties, with a coercivity up to 1880 Oe, and a slightly anisotropic magnetic response, with a larger in-plane remanence. Preliminary magnetic investigations support magnetization switching through pinning of domain walls.     

Thermal study and solubility tests of films based on amaranth flour starch–protein hydrolysate

The study deals with the effect of chemical and physical modifications on thermal properties and solubility properties of films based on amaranth flour starch–protein hydrolysate. Biodegradable and edible films were prepared by casting a 25% (w/w) solution of hydrolysate containing 20% glycerol and various additions of dialdehyde starch (0, 1 and 5%). After thermal exposure of films at 65 and 95 °C (for 6 and 48 h), thermal properties of films were studied employing differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Film solubility tests were performed in an aqueous environment at 25 °C. Chemical and physical modifications of films markedly affect their thermal properties and solubility.     

Structure and thermal properties of heterometallic complexes for chemical vapor deposition of Cu–Pd films

Novel volatile heterocomplex compounds based on copper(II) and palladium(II) fluorinated β-diketonates are studied. The crystals of the synthesized compounds are shown to be composed of 1D coordination polymers in the form of chains of alternating molecules of monometallic complexes. The crystallographic data for [Cu(hfa)₂?Pd(zif)₂] are as follows: C₂₆H₂₂F₁₈O₁₀CuPd, P2₁/c, a = 7.9947(18) Å, b = 19.277(4) Å, c = 13.609(3) Å, β = 118.298(15)°, V = 1846.7(7) ų, Z = 2, d = 1.810 g/cm³. The thermal properties of the compounds are examined by TG-DTA and vacuum sublimation. The complexes are studied as the precursors for producing copper-palladium alloy films by chemical vapor deposition. It is demonstrated that bimetallic alloy coatings with a ratio Cu/Pd = 1:1 can be prepared from [Cu(hfa)₂?Pd(zif)₂].     

Influence of the synthesis parameters on the thermal behavior of some ZnO–starch composites

Ten ZnO–starch composites were synthesized using a simple precipitation methodology. The IR spectroscopy and XRD investigations reveal the presence of amorphous starch and crystalline ZnO. The obtained composites present a spherical morphology, 5–8 spheres being interconnected into aggregates. The thermal analysis demonstrates that starch decomposition and ZnO thermally induced nucleation and crystal growth depending on the synthesis parameters such as starch processing (dissolution or gelatinization), reaction temperature (80, 90, and 100 °C), reaction time (15 min or 6 h), and applied treatments (heating or ultrasound irradiation).     

Modification of polyethylene films by radiation grafting of glycidyl methacrylate and immobilization of β-cyclodextrin

Glycidyl methacrylate was grafted onto polyethylene films using a preirradiation method with γ rays. The effect of absorbed dose, monomer concentration, and reaction time on the degree of grafting was determined. The grafted samples were verified by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. β-Cyclodextrin was immobilized onto polypropylene modified with glycidyl methacrylate, and the ability of the cavities of β-cyclodextrin to form inclusion complexes was demonstrated using the typically organic compound approach with m-toluic acid (3-MBA) as a probe.     

A study of thermal–mechanical properties of an automotive coating exposed to natural and simulated bird droppings

Biological resistance of coatings can be regarded as one of the main properties in automotive industries. This study aims to investigate the effects of biological materials on the mechanical performance of an automotive clear coat. To this end, two acrylic melamine clear coats containing different melamine cross-linker contents were used. In addition, biological resistance of these clear coats were studied at two different ageing processes including pre-ageing and post-ageing which involve various hot-cold, humid shockings and UV radiation of sunlight. By the aid of optical microscopy, micro Vickers and DMTA analyses, different optical and mechanical properties such as micro hardness, T _g, cross-linking density and storage modulus were studied. Results revealed an inverse impact of both biological materials to decrease the clear coats mechanical attributes. In addition, a complicated effect of ageing conditions was observed for both clear coats exposed to these materials. It was shown that the coating having a higher mechanical properties and T _g even resulted in a lower biological resistance.     

Numerical modelling of sample–furnace thermal lag in dynamic mechanical analyser

Due to dynamic nature of processes taking place during the experiment (chemical reaction and physical processes, heat flow, gas flow, etc.) the results obtained by thermal methods may considerably depend on the conditions used during the experiment. Therefore, whenever the results of thermal analysis are reported, the experimental conditions used should be stated. In this paper we have studied the heat transfer from the furnace to the sample and through the sample during dynamic mechanical analysis measurements. Numerical modelling of the heat transfer was done using an own computer program based on the heat conduction equation, solved numerically applying the finite difference methods. The calculated values of the thermal lag between the furnace and the sample were compared with the values experimentally determined on samples of a composite polymeric energetic material (double-base rocket propellant). Also, the temperature distribution within the sample as a function of the heating rate was analysed using the same numerical model. It was found out that using this model and temperature dependent heat transfer coefficient, experimentally obtained values of the thermal lag between the furnace and the sample can be satisfactory described. It was also shown that even at slow heating rates, such is, e.g. 2 °C min⁻¹, the thermal lag between the furnace and the sample can reach several degrees, while the thermal gradient within 3-mm thick rectangular sample can reach 0.4 °C.