Mn3O4/MnSnO3 nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized via solvothermal method by using the mixed solution consisting of manganese chloride and tin chloride salt dissolved in the mixture of ethanol and deionized water in 50:50 ratio at the processing temperature of 180 °C by adapting different capping agents such as PVP, PVA and ethylene glycol. The synthesized Mn3O4/MnSnO3 nanocomposites were characterized by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The obtained XRD spectra confirmed the formations of Mn3O4/MnSnO3 nanocomposite illustrated by the sharp predominant diffraction peak observed at 34.2° corresponding to the (021) lattice planes of Mn3O4. The SEM images supply the information about the morphology of synthesized Mn3O4/MnSnO3 nanocomposites. The sharp peaks observed at 483 cm−1 further characterize the presence of Mn–O stretching vibration bond in Mn3O4/MnSnO3 nanocomposite by employing Raman spectra. The PL result revealed the emissive nature of the sample. FTIR spectra observed at 625 cm−1 attributed to the characteristic peaks of Mn3O4/MnSnO3 nanocomposite. The Mn3O4/MnSnO3 nanocomposite synthesized by the assistance of PVP surfactant exhibits the high specific capacitance of 178.2 F g−1 at 0.5 Ag−1 current density which can be considered as potential candidate and excellent electrode for pseudocapacitors applications.

2D-COS–FTIR was used to locate the crystallization-sensitive bands of ion-irradiated poly(ether ether ketone). The band at 1310 cm−1 was the most sensitive band, and the area under this band changed linearly with the degree of crystallization which was obtained from differential scanning calorimetry. The deviation between experimentally determined and calculated degree of crystallization progressively increased at irradiation doses above 20 MGy for proton and helium-irradiated PEEK. This was attributed to different cross-linking mechanism on irradiation with the two different ions. 2D-COS–FTIR spectroscopy is a powerful tool for polymer characterization and helps in the quantitative analysis.

In this research, mechanical, thermal, and water uptake behaviour of surface-modified sea urchin spike biofiller and kenaf woven fibre mat-reinforced neem oil blended epoxy resin composite has been studied. The principal aim of this research was fabrication of eco-friendly hybrid composite and explicitness of the importance of surface modification on reinforcements. Neem oil was blended with epoxy resin to reduce extreme brittleness of epoxy, making the composite as an eco-friendly one. Sea urchin biofiller was prepared using high energy ball mill. Both filler and fibre were surface-treated by amino silane. The results revealed that additions of surface-treated sea urchin particle and kenaf fibre increased the mechanical properties of composite. Similarly thermal results exposed that addition of sea urchin bioceramic filler greatly increased the thermal stability of neem-epoxy biocomposite. SEM fractographs showed uniform dispersion of sea urchin filler and improved adhesion of kenaf fibre with epoxy matrix.

The logical outline and assembly of structural–functional materials are a progressive tendency of materials knowledge. Graphene (Gr) spread in LDPE considerably increases thermal/mechanical properties of LDPE/Gr composites. DMA and strength testing machine were used to study mechanical properties. The high specific surface areas and superior properties of Gr improved thermal strength, conductivity, storage modulus, and mechanical properties of composites. The electrical conductivity upgraded owing to the great thermal strength of Grs in LDPE matrix. In terms of rheology, the addition of Grs augmented viscosity of LDPE matrix. Outstanding distribution of Grs was accomplished. LDPE/Gr composites were characterized by SEM, TEM, Raman spectra, XRD, TGA and DSC to study distribution morphology and thermal strength. Results display that presence of filler does not create an alteration in microscopic structure of polymers. However, on a macroscopic scale, Gr constrains mobility of polymer chains, causing a growth in stiffness and strength of composite.

Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) is one of the abundantly available agro-waste materials in Bangladesh. PALF-reinforced low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-based composites were fabricated by compression molding with randomly oriented fiber loading varying 10–60 wt%. In this study the influence of the fiber loading on the mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and Izod impact was investigated. Water absorption tests of the composites were also carried out for determining water resistance properties of composites. Thermal properties of PALF were analyzed by thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry. Scanning electronic microscopic studies were performed to understand the fiber–matrix adhesion and fiber breakage. To improve the compatibility between fiber and matrix, 50/50 PALF/LDPE composites were irradiated with gamma rays (Co-60) of doses where composites irradiated with 7.5 kGy dose showed the best results. Tensile properties of the composites were found to be improved significantly after gamma irradiation.

There is a global acceleration in the employment of inorganic fiber-reinforced wood–plastic composites in various fields. The durability of composites is challenged by hot and humid environments, where their service life is greatly shortened compared to that in normal environments. Therefore, it is rare to adding basalt fibers (BF) for wood plastic composites, to extend the actual applications; how to better improve the service life is important issue. So, the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of composites are deeply investigated for durability. In this study, BF, which is a relatively stable fiber, is selected as the research object. The results indicate that the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of composites improved by BF. The mechanical properties of composites are optimal when the content of BF reached 10%. Water resistance of the impregnated composites improves more than that of non-impregnated composites. The physical and mechanical properties of composites were observed by scanning electron microcopy. Good interfacial adhesion limits the mobility of polymer chains lead to good performance. Additionally, the thermal properties are enhanced owing to the addition of BF, especially the low linear coefficient of thermal expansion and the high thermal decomposition temperature. BF has a positive effect in reinforced composites.

Red brick dust (RBD) is the waste or leftover powder, or the powder formed from deformed bricks in the process of their manufacturing. Bricks can be deformed while handling and the deformed bricks cannot be used for construction purposes; hence, they are dumped as waste. This article describes on erosion wear response of a new class of hybrid composites consisting of epoxy reinforced with glass fiber and filled with RBD particulates. Different compositions of composites are prepared by simple hand lay-up technique. Erosion characteristics are studied with the help of an air jet type erosion test rig employing the design-of-experiments approach based on Taguchi’s orthogonal arrays. An artificial neural network approach is also applied to predict the wear rate of the composites. The morphology of worn surfaces is then examined by scanning electron microscopy, and possible wear mechanisms are discussed. This study reveals that addition of red brick dust improves the erosion resistance of glass–epoxy composites significantly and thus, makes them suitable for tribological applications.

The thermal decomposition and flame-retardant physical characteristics of specimens are explained via the limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter, smoke density, and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) tests. The outcomes of TGA, smoke emission, and LOI tests showed that thermal strength and flame-retardant characteristics of the specimens containing magnesium hydroxide (MH) have superior thermal strength compared with the similar specimens containing alumina trihydrate (ATH). The flame-retardant characteristics and thermal strength of specimens were boosted upon radiation and the development of cross-linking bonds in the polymer structure. The smoke density tester results present that MH specimens generate the least smoke density associated with the pristine low-density polyethylene and the similar ATH specimens. This study proved that the inclusion of MH and radiation of specimens generated greater thermal strength and flame-retardant characteristics compared with the inclusion of ATH to radiated specimens. These successes are right and proper for cable companies to deliver halogen-free flame-retardant cable materials.

Polydimethylsiloxane belongs to a polymeric organosilicon compounds that is widely used as silicon-based organic polymer. Polydimethylsiloxane is a basically optically clear, inert, nontoxic and inflammable material which is widely used in medical devices, as an elastomer, antifoaming agent, heat-resistant lubricants, fire retardants, in cosmetics and for other valuable domestic applications. This comprehensive review of polydimethylsiloxane describes synthesis, characterization, surface modifications and formation of vital biodegradable films/membranes that can facilitate improvements in modern research. Polydimethylsiloxane is viscoelastic, hydrophobic, cytocompatible and herbicidal penetrant that provides water-repellent coatings in textile industry. In this study, copolymers of polydimethylsiloxane were thoroughly studied based on polyimides, carboxyesters, hydroxyethyleneoxide, degradation with polystyrene, cross-linking with block copolymers, phosphorus-based, gelatin-based and polyurethanes, which can be used for modern manufacturing purposes in all kinds of industrial world.

The effects of thermo-mechanical recycling through repeated extrusion cycles on morphology and properties of neat ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and EVA/olive husk flour (OHF) composites (70/30 w/w) with and without ethylene–butyl acrylate–glycidyl methacrylate (EBAGMA) compatibilizer were investigated in a single screw extruder machine up to five repeated cycles. The study showed that no significant modifications in the properties of the virgin EVA/OHF composite were observed along the recycling and this stability was further enhanced in the presence of EBAGMA. Indeed after five repeated extrusion cycles, the chemical structure and properties of both uncompatibilized and compatibilized composites remained unchanged compared to the neat polymer, which was subjected likely to cross-linking, in the fifth cycle. Furthermore, SEM analysis showed a better dispersion of OHF particles in EVA matrix and a good filler–polymer interfacial adhesion, being, however, more pronounced for the compatibilized composite.