Permeability of Clustered Fiber Networks: Modeling of the Unit Cell

The paper is focused on estimating the permeability of a clustered fiber network by variational methods. First, a laminar flow in ducts is considered by using polynomial trial functions. Then, a longitudinal flow through a square array is described by expanding the flow-rate field in trigonometric and Laurent series. Finally, a formal scheme for estimating the longitudinal permeability in a cluster with an irregular distribution of fibers is given. The irregular distribution is modeled by setting an individual effective radius for each fiber and then letting this fiber reach its minimum gravitational energy. The results obtained here form a basis for future predictions of the permeability of fibrous reinforcements.     

Morphological changes in annealed ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) gel-films

X-ray diffraction of the UHMWPE gel-films has shown that high heating rate annealing of the films causes deformation of the crystallites. The apparent crystal sizes change with the annealing temperature (T_a). With T_a below 110°C, the dimensions of the crystallites in c-axis (L_c) increase associated with the decreasing in a-axis (L_a) and b-axis (L_b), but the changes are small because of the higher energy barrier. When T_a is raised to 138°C, L_c is nearly doubled its value at 60°C whereas L_b increases and L_a remains unchanged. IR spectral subtraction was applied to reveal the morphological changes of the gel-films upon annealing. It has been found that bands of the same type of conformation have different sensitivities subject to the thermal treatment at different annealing temperatures. The results can be understood by assuming the changing process being completed through chain segments sliding along the (020) sectors. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

ON FINE STRUCTURE OF NASCENT UHMWPE REACTOR POWDERS

Reactor powder of a number of commercial ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes synthesized on heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalyst in a conventional slurry process have been investigated with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and low-frequency Raman spectroscopy. The SEM study reveals a complicated structure of nascent particles consisting of a small (0.5–1.0 μm) spongy-like fibrillar spheres. It is suggested that the elementary morphological units are fibrils formed by the small defective crystallites with the dominating crystalline distortions caused by microstrains. The comparison of longitudinal crystallite sizes derived from WAXS data with the straight chain segment length calculated from Raman shift frequency and the length of extended segments computed from the true melting interval measured by DSC allows to conclude that there are a large number of extended tie chains bridging the neighboring crystallites, which is not in agreement with a lamellar model. The extended chains passing through the noncrystalline regions stabilize a structure and provides its thermal stability. A possible tilting of molecules in the crystals, the location of defects and the distribution of crystallite sizes are discussed.     

Na2S–Carbon Nanotube Fabric Electrodes for Room‐Temperature Sodium–Sulfur Batteries

A unique sodium sulfide (Na₂S) cathode is developed, which will allow the use of sodium‐free anodes for room‐temperature sodium–sulfur (Na–S) batteries. To overcome the “inert” nature of the Na₂S, a special cathode structure is developed by spreading the multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)‐wrapped Na₂S particles onto MWCNT fabrics. Spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses reveal a series of polysulfide intermediates involved in the charge/discharge of the cell. The Na–S battery prepared in full discharge state with the Na₂S/MWCNT cathode provides a remarkable capacity of 500 A h kg^?1 (based on sulfur mass) after 50 cycles.     

Rapid Simultaneous Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Mattress Fabric by Headspace–Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

An analytical method for simultaneously determining 32 volatile organic compounds in mattress fabrics based on static headspace coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry detection was established. Samples were cut into 5?×?5?mm small pieces and placed in a 20?mL headspace vial at 90° for 30?min. To achieve the optimum conditions for the analysis, several parameters including the heating temperature, heating time, sample weight, and injection time were investigated. The results demonstrated that the most important parameter influencing the sensitivity of the analysis was the heating temperature. The optimum method showed good linearities with correlation coefficients ranged from 0.9944 to 0.9998. The limits of detection and quantification for the target compounds were in the ranges of 0.004–0.032 and 0.013–0.099?µg/?g, respectively. The method was successfully applied to determine the volatile organic compounds in six categories of mattress fabrics. The results showed that some volatile organic compounds were found, such as naphthalene, hexadecane, and 1,4-diisopropylbenzene. Moreover, the concentrations of 32 volatile organic compounds decreased following the order of jute, terylene, polyester, velboa, nylon, and cotton samples in the study. These results indicated that the method is fast, accurate, and successful for determining volatile organic compounds in mattress fabrics.     

The interfacial adhesion of wood fiber–reinforced UHMWPE composite filled with acid‐treated clay

Wood fiber–reinforced ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (wood fiber/UHMWPE) composites have been filled with acid‐treated clay to enhance the adhesion. According to the modification, the interlaminar shear strength of composites has been greatly improved. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to examine the microscopic properties of resultant composites. The enhanced interlaminar shear strength is attributed to the clay interlock, which improves the wetting between wood fibers and resins.     

Surface functionalizing effect of fillers on the tribological properties of MWCNT reinforcement HSGFs/phenolic laminate composites under water lubrication

Multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and high strength glass fabrics (HSGFs) were modified by polydopamine and polyethyleneimine, respectively. The aim is to improve the friction and wear performance of the synthesized laminate composites in water environment. In this work, polydopamine was used to improve the dispersibility of MWCNTs in phenolic resin matrix, and polyethyleneimine was utilized to enhance the wettability and reactivity of HSGFs. The modified results showed that the dispersibility of MWCNTs treated by polydopamine in water had a distinct improvement in comparison with that of the pristine MWCNTs. Furthermore, it can be clearly observed that good dispersibility can improve the friction and wear performance of the laminate composites. After functionalizing HSGFs by polyethyleneimine, the laminate composites exhibited excellent interfacial bonding, also greatly enhancing the friction and wear properties of the composites.     

The influence of chitin nanocrystals on structural evolution of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene/chitin nanocrystal fibers in hot-drawing process

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/chitin nanocrystal (CNC) fibers were prepared. Compared with the pure UHMWPE fibers, the ultimate tensile strength and Young’s modulus of UHMWPE/CNC fibers are improved by 15.7% and 49.6%, respectively, with the addition of chitin nanocrystals (CNCs) of 1 wt%. The melting temperature (T _m) of UHMWPE/CNC fibers was higher than that of pure UHMWPE fibers. Pure UHMWPE fibers and UHMWPE/CNC fibers were characterized with respect to crystallinity, orientation and kebab structure by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is found that the CNCs act as the shish structure in UHMWPE/CNC fibers and the kebab crystals are grown around the CNCs. There was almost no difference between pure UHMWPE fibers and UHMWPE/CNC fibers in orientation. But the degree of crystallinity of various stages of UHMWPE/CNC fibers was respectively higher than the corresponding stage of pure UHMWPE fibers. Moreover, the addition of 1 wt% CNCs improved the thickness of kebab crystals and accelerated the transformation of kebab to shish.     

Effects of gamma irradiation and accelerated aging on GO/UHMWPE nanocomposites

This article investigates irradiated and accelerated aged graphene oxide (GO)/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposites. The prepared GO/UHMWPE nanocomposites are gamma-irradiated at a high irradiation dose in a vacuum and then accelerated aging procedure is performed at 80°C in an air oven for 21 days. Irradiated and aged samples are characterized by Raman spectrum, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum, differential scanning calorimetry, contact angle, and gel content. Filling GO reduces the intensity of Raman spectrum of UHMWPE and irradiation or aging cannot affect vibrational modes of UHMWPE and GO/UHMWPE. The result of the FT-IR spectrum shows that UHMWPE and GO/UHMWPE basically have the same oxidation index values, whether with irradiation or accelerated aging. Irradiation or aging can slightly increase the melting temperature. GO, irradiation, or aging can significantly increase the crystallinity and improve wetting properties. In irradiated GO/UHMWPE, GO is able to maintain the efficiency of the cross-linking. However, after aging, the cross-linking density of GO/UHMWPE is reduced significantly. According to the above results, it is proposed that GO shows a very weak scavenging free radicals capacity in GO/UHMWPE composites and cannot display antioxidant capacity.     

In Situ Generated Janus Fabrics for the Rapid and Efficient Separation of Oil from Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions

A cotton fabric was coated with a polymer that contains both poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) and poly(N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA). When the repeat unit number of PDMS is about three‐fold that of PDMAEMA and the fabric is exposed to air, the fabric is superhydrophobic because PDMS in the coating covers the PDMAEMA chains. Upon contact with an oil‐in‐water emulsion, the water‐soluble PDMAEMA rises to the top and the side in contact with the emulsion becomes hydrophilic. The emerged PDMAEMA chains then cause the emulsion droplets to coagulate, and the aggregated oil fills the pores on the superhydrophobic side of the fabric. The oil‐impregnated side remains hydrophobic even upon prolonged contact with water. Thus, a Janus fabric is elegantly generated in situ and sustained. This easy‐to‐prepare Janus fabric rapidly and efficiently separates oil from emulsions and may find practical applications.