Trends in Structural Polymer Science in Industry

Plastics production has grown rapidly in the past 30 years. The versatility of plastics which is not exceeded by any other class of materials, guarantees that polymers will continue to be very important in the future. However, at present a distinct change is taking place in polymer research and development. While in the pioneering days of plastics new polymer properties were determined by the choice of suitable monomers, today the commercialization of polymers from new monomers is restricted to a few specialities with a rather modest production volume. On the other hand, the number of new polymers derived from old monomers is increasing very rapidly. The development of highly selective catalysts and advances in reactor technology have provided the means for producing new tailor-made polymers. The same is true regarding new polymer blends and alloys based on old polymers: blending immiscible polymers yields materials with property profiles superior to the features of the individual components. Using selected examples, this paper will discuss trends, possibilities and challenges for structural polymer research in industry. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure formation in polymer blends as a result of phase separation and deformation processes

Polymeric blends, which are materials consisting of two or more polymers, are gaining in practical importance and scientific interest. The properties of these materials are greatly affected by their state of miscibility. This paper reviews selected thermodynamic and rheological considerations regarding the phase behavior and the morphological control of polymer blends. Major emphasis is placed on the phase behavior of poly-blends comprising random copolymers. - The majority of polymer blends are microheterogeneous systems. There is consequently, a great need for control of the phase morphology during processing of immiscible polymers to achieve the desired property combinations. The key to this are both the microrheology of the phases and the macrorheology of the dispersion itself. In a qualitative way, one can establish that the ratio of the viscosities and the difference in the elasticities of the components determine sizes and shapes, respectively, of the phases indicating that the variety of morphologies observed in polymer-polymer systems subjected to shearing has to be attributed to the viscoelasticity of each component. Furthermore, particular compositions are associated with changes in the morphology. This fact supports the particular compositions as an inherent feature of the melt rheology of polyblends.     

The reactor granule technology: A revolutionary approach to polymer blends and alloys

The new plastic materials frontier in general and in thermoplastic polyolefins in particular developed in the last years and into next century are and will be represented by polymer alloys. The new trend in polymer alloy is to obtain them from monomer directly in the reactor, replacing the polymer blends previously made by mechanical melt extrusion of preformed polymers. It discloses new opportunities in term of properties together with better economics. The reactor granule technology developed by Himont/Montecatini produces spherical form alloys that are a synergistic combination of morphological, chemical, rheological and thermomechanical properties, by which the polymer finds many applications not previously suitable for polypropylene or polyethylene. In reactor granule technology the multimonomer random and heterophasic copolymers can be produced primarly within the granule enclosed by a solid polymer skin free from sticky nature, typical of polymers obtained by gas-phase technology and causing many problems like particles agglomeration and fouling.     

A new approach to DSC calibration in wax/polymer blending

DSC analysis of wax/polymer blends is carried out between 270 and 420 K. Calibration for melting point and enthalpy is normally carried out using indium (melting point 430 K), which is unsatisfactory for these materials. IUPAC organic standards covering this range tend to sublime and their onset temperatures are variable. Pure alkanes have similar thermal characteristics to wax/polymer blends and some have been well characterised by adiabatic calorimetry. They are being investigated as alternative secondary calibration standards to give more accurate thermal characterisation of wax/polymer blends. Also,n-triacontane can be used to check DSC resolution.     

Miscibility of polymer blends studied by a simplified method of data analysis using light heating modulated temperature DSC

A simple method of application of light heating modulated temperature DSC to a study of miscibility of polymer blends has been developed. In this method only the sample was measured and the standard materials were not used. The total heat flow, the complex heat capacity, the reversing and non-reversing heat flows were obtained as values measured from those quantities in hypothetical glassy state at T>T_g. The values of the hypothetical glassy state were calculated by extrapolation from T<T_g. The present method gives relative values but useful information can be obtained from the results. Some results from miscible and immiscible polymer blends are shown. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Quality assurance of recycled engineering plastics using blend technology

The automotive, electrical and electronic sectors account for over 12% of all plastics consumed. A large fraction of these polymers are engineering plastics representing a value considerably higher than that of commodity thermoplastics; hence, mechanical recycling including upgrading efforts appears economically attractive. This paper shows some methods of upgrading the property profile of ABS from dismantled automobiles using polymer blend technology. The results for blends of ABS with PC or PA are reported. The aim of blending of the waste materials is twofold: to reduce the number of plastic materials to be recycled in car dismantling plants, and to improve properties of the ABS scrap, which is the main engineering plastic in the waste stream from automobiles.     

聚合物共混物相容性的研究进展

相容性聚合物共混物由于其优异的复合性能已成为新材料的主要研究方向。但许多共混物是互不相容的 ,因此必须改善它们的相容性。文章综述了聚合物共混物相容性研究的现状与发展 ,介绍了各种增容方法及其应用     

双组分共混体系中晶相结晶行为

含结晶组分的双组分共混体系，其中的结晶组分的结晶行为会受到另一组分的影响，进而影响到材料的结构与性能。本文总结了近年来含结晶相的聚合物共混物在改性过程中，共混与添加组分对晶相结晶速率、晶型比例、晶体尺寸等结晶行为的影响。     

Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Bio-Phenolic/Epoxy Polymer Blends

Polymer blends is a well-established and suitable method to produced new polymeric materials as compared to synthesis of a new polymer. The combination of two different types of polymers will produce a new and unique material, which has the attribute of both polymers. The aim of this work is to analyze mechanical and morphological properties of bio-phenolic/epoxy polymer blends to find the best formulation for future study. Bio-phenolic/epoxy polymer blends were fabricated using the hand lay-up method at different loading of bio-phenolic (5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, and 25 wt%) in the epoxy matrix whereas neat bio-phenolic and epoxy samples were also fabricated for comparison. Results indicated that mechanical properties were improved for bio-phenolic/epoxy polymer blends compared to neat epoxy and phenolic. In addition, there is no sign of phase separation in polymer blends. The highest tensile, flexural, and impact strength was shown by P-20(biophenolic-20 wt% and Epoxy-80 wt%) whereas P-25 (biophenolic-25 wt% and Epoxy-75 wt%) has the highest tensile and flexural modulus. Based on the finding, it is concluded that P-20 shows better overall mechanical properties among the polymer blends. Based on this finding, the bio-phenolic/epoxy blend with 20 wt% will be used for further study on flax-reinforced bio-phenolic/epoxy polymer blends.     

Interfaces and interphases in multicomponent materials: past, present, future

Interfacial interactions and interphases play a key role in all multicomponent materials irrespectively of the number and type of their components or their actual structure. They are equally important in particulate filled polymer, polymer blends, fiber reinforced advanced composites, nanocomposites or biomimetic materials. Recognition of the role of the main factors influencing interfacial adhesion and proper surface modification may lead to significant progress in many fields of research and development, as well as in related technologies. Although the role and importance of interfaces and interphases are the same for all multicomponent materials, surface modification must be always selected according to the objectives targeted, as well as to the characteristics of the particular system. Efficient surface treatment or coupling alone might not achieve the desired goal, we must always keep in mind that an interphase forms always in such materials and the control of interphase properties must be part of the modification philosophy. The use of multiphase, multicomponent materials is expected to grow with a larger than average rate also in the future. It is important to keep the interdisciplinary nature of the area, since principles and techniques developed by one field may find application also in other areas.     

高分子共混体系界面张力的研究

<正> 在高分子多相体系中,相间界面张力(γ_(12))是微区的重要控制因素,无论是Donatelli,Sperling等提出的IPN体系微区尺寸关系式,还是Tokita提出的共混体系中分散相粒径表达式,都含有界面张力因子。 然而,由于高分子体系中界面张力测定的诸多实际困难,当前在国内外非常多的研究工作中,广泛地采用了一些替代的办法,应用较多的有以表面张力差来代替界面张力的Antonow原则延伸及一些近似的计算方法,如Wu及Girifalco和Good提出的由表     

Iridium(III) complexes as polymer bound oxygen sensors

New luminescent oxygen sensors have been prepared by covalent attachment of iridium complex luminophores to a silicone polymer. The oxygen sensor properties of these novel materials were compared to related sensors in which the luminophore is dispersed within the polymer matrix. Covalently bound luminophore materials showed increased sensitivity to oxygen over dispersions in pure silicone polymer as well as in blends with polystyrene, which was added to improve the mechanical properties of the material.     

Synthesis of polyvinyltrimethylsilane-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers and properties of gas-separating membranes formed on their basis

A method is developed for the synthesis of the graft copolymer polyvinyltrimethylsilane-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) via the interaction of a brominated polymer with the methyl ether of a low-molecular-mass poly(ethylene glycol). Graft copolymer samples containing up to 79 wt % poly(ethylene glycol) are synthesized through this method. The properties of the graft copolymers and blends formed on their basis with a specially synthesized low-molecular-mass PEG derivative with a terminal trimethylsilyl group are investigated. Physical blends are prepared in order to increase the content of ethylene oxide groups while the film-forming properties of the composite materials are preserved. As shown by structural studies, the graft copolymers are amorphous single-phase systems, while the related blends are two-phase disperse systems, in which one phase is enriched in polytrimethylvinylsilane and the other is enriched in PEG. Studies of the gas-transport behavior of the samples reveal that the introduction of PEG, in contrast to the nonselective initial polymer, results in the formation of PVTMS-based materials that are selective for CO₂ in mixtures with H₂.     

多组份聚丙烯共混物的微观结构及共混纤维的染色性能

研究了PP GPET、PP GPET EVA、PP GPET EVA PS共混物的结构和性能 .研究表明 ,PP GPET体系属于非相容共混体系 ,共混物呈典型海岛型两相结构 ,EVA的加入可以改善体系相容性 ;共混物的结晶度比纯聚丙烯低 ,PS有增大共混物晶粒尺寸的作用 ;改性聚丙烯纤维的染色性有明显提高 ,用分散染料E EX可染成深蓝色     

Optically switchable liquid crystal photonic structures

Photo-optic materials offer the possibility of light controlled photonic devices, intelligent and environmentally adaptive optical materials. One strategy for creating these materials is the combination of structure formation through holographic photopolymerization and the variable optical properties of liquid crystals. Holographically patterned, polymer stabilized liquid crystals (HPSLCs) have proven to be useful optical materials. By incorporating photo-optic, azobenzene-derived liquid crystal blends into such material systems, we have generated practical photoresponsive optical materials.     

聚烯烃共混物注射制品的形态控制与多层次结构

从注射制品形态控制和结构表征的角度探讨高分子材料加工-形态-性能之间的关系.研究中采用动态保压成型方法来制备注射样品,在注射成型过程中引入剪切应力场的作用,制得的样品表现出明显的多层次结构,从外向里分别为皮层、剪切层、芯层,表现出不同的相形态、结晶形貌以及取向行为.研究发现,剪切应力对聚烯烃的形态发展和结构变化具有重要影响.在剪切应力的作用下,聚烯烃共混物中分散相会发生变形、取向,从而导致共混物的相转变点发生移动;结晶形态从球晶转变为shish-kebab结构;聚烯烃共混物在高剪切应力下相容,低剪切下发生相分离;HDPE/PP共混物的注射制品中出现附生结晶等现象.     

Pure hydrocarbon sorption properties of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP), poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne) (PPP), and PTMSP/PPP blends

Propane and n-butane sorption in blends of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) and poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne) (PPP) have been determined. Solubilities of propane and n-butane increased as the PTMSP content in the blends increased. This result is consistent with the higher free volume of PTMSP-rich blends and the better thermodynamic compatibility between PTMSP and these hydrocarbons. Propane and n-butane sorption isotherms were well described by the dual-mode model for sorption in glassy polymers. PTMSP/PPP blends are strongly phase-separated, heterogeneous materials. A noninteracting domain model developed for sorption in phase-separated glassy polymer blends suggests that sorption in the Henry's law regions (i.e., the equilibrium, dense phase of the blends) is consistent with the model. However, Langmuir capacity parameters in the blends are lower than predicted from the domain model, suggesting that the amount of nonequilibrium excess free volume associated with the Langmuir sites depends on blend composition. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polystyrene-based blend nanorods with gradient composition distribution

The polystyrene-based polymer blends, partially miscible poly(bisphenol A carbonate)/polystyrene (PC/PS) and completely miscible poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide)/polystyrene (PPO/PS), in nanorods with gradient composition distribution were discussed. The polymer blend nanorods were prepared by infiltrating the polymer blends into nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates via capillary action. Their morphology was investigated by micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (micro-FTIR) and nano-thermal analysis (nano-TA) with spatial resolution. The composition gradient of polymer blends in the nanopores is governed by the difference of viscosity and miscibility between the two polymers in the blends and the pore diameter. The capillary wetting of porous AAO templates by polymer blends offers a unique method to fabricate functional nanostructured materials with gradient composition distribution for the potential application to nanodevices.     

Compatibilization and impact modification of mixed recycled plastics

In order to solve the problems related to the reuse and recycling of polymer materials, approaches must be developed to address the incompatibility of most plastics. In many cases, the complete separation of dissimilar plastics may not be economically feasible or technologically possible, so commingled plastics recycling may be the only option. Our work has concentrated on upgrading the performance of a blend of two incompatible polymers. For this, we have used a model composition of two plastics commonly found in business machine housings. Our approach concentrates on compatibilization of the blend with a tailored copolymer, in addition to impact modification of the different phases. Improvements in mechanical performance of the blends are elucidated through the use of transmission electron microscopy.     

Design and characterization of polymers and polymer blends for high temperature structural applications

Reviewing the development of new polymeric materials for high temperature structural applications (T > 200°C) over the past several decades, reveals a paradox which, to date, has not been completely resolved. Polymers which exhibit very high temperature stability tend to be either intractable or brittle, whereas, easily processible polymers tend to fall short of property targets. Approaches to resolving this paradox include modification of the chain backbone chemistry and polymer blending (especially to form miscible systems). Recent research has shown that, in contrast to low temperature flexible polymers, many high temperature aromatic heterocyclic polymers form miscible systems which permit the design of the desired processibility and performance into the blend. An example of such a system is the blend of Poly(2,2′-(meta-phenylene-5,5′-bibenzimidazole) (PBI) with a series of polyamides, including commercially available polyether imide (PEI) and imide copolymers containing sulfone and fluorinated isopropylidene (6F) units. Other examples include all polyimide blends and blends of polyimides with polyethersulfone.