Compatibility Of Blends Research Articles

Transformation of truck tire rubber waste into thermoplastic vulcanizates: influence of vulcanization systems and compatibilizers in copolyester blends

Transformation of truck tire rubber waste into thermoplastic vulcanizates: influence of vulcanization systems and compatibilizers in copolyester blends

Tough and biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate blends for screw-based 3D printing: Interfacial compatibilizing via reactive carbon nanotubes

Reactive nanoparticles were recently reported as novel and highly effective compatibilizers for biodegradable polymer blends. In this work, three kinds of reactive carbon nanotubes with low, medium, and high vinylsilane grafting ratios (VCNT-L, VCNT-M, and VCNT-H) were synthesized, and their compatibilizing efficiencies were studied. Poly(lactic acid)/polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PLA/PBAT) blends for 3D printing were prepared by reactive blending PLA and PBAT with either of VCNT-L, VCNT-M, and VCNT-H in the presence of organic peroxide. Tough and biodegradable 3D printed samples were achieved by using PLA/PBAT blends reactively compatibilized by VCNT-M and VCNT-H. The impact strength of 3D printed blend samples containing VCNT-M and VCNT-H is 4.1 and 6.2 folds to that of 3D printed PLA samples, respectively. The high interfacial compatibilizing efficiency of both VCNT-M and VCNT-H for PLA/PBAT blend was evidenced by SEM and linear rheological examining results. However, the VCNT-L tended to induce large size PBAT phase domains, hence the poor interfacial adhesion. As a result, 3D printed PLA/PBAT blend samples containing VCNT-L exhibited low impact strength, closing to that of PLA samples. Apart from the remarkable compatibilizing effects, the VCNT-H was observed to significantly improve the interlayer adhesion of the 3D printed samples.

Compatibilization of Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(propylene carbonate) blends by star-shaped multi-arm polymer with low molecular weight

Compatibilizing polymer blends via a facile and efficient manner is of great significance since polymer blends are practical in industrial applications but limit severely by poor compatibility. Herein, we propose a novel compatibilization strategy that star-shaped multi-arm polymer with low molecular weight can be an excellent compatibilizer for polymer blends. As an example of the concept, a modified tannic acid (mTA) with a star-shaped multi-arm structure is fabricated to compatibilize biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(propylene carbonate) (PLA/PPC) blend. Compared to traditional compatibilization methods, mTA shows higher compatibilization efficiency and lower limitation in distribution as mTA can exert compatibilization at the interface and in PLA and PPC phases. Consequently, mTA compatibilizes the PLA/PPC blend efficiently, leading to strikingly reduced size of PPC dispersed phase and optimized interface. The mechanism is revealed to stem from the reduced interfacial tension and regulated viscosity ratio. With the improved compatibility, PLA70/PPC30/mTA4 shows an elongation at break of 307.5 ± 15.4 % and a toughness of 85.2 ± 4.5 MJ/m3, which is 680 % and 800 % of that of PLA70/PPC30 respectively. We envision that this work provides a novel and facile compatibilization strategy and will promote the fabrication of high-performance polymer blends.

Dissipative Particle Dynamics Study on Interfacial Properties of Ternary H-Shaped Copolymer–Homopolymer Blends

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations is used to study the effect of Am/2BmAm/2 and H-shaped (Am/4)2Bm(Am/4)2 block copolymers on the interfacial properties of ternary blends. Our simulations show the following: (i) The capacity of block copolymers to diminish interfacial tension is closely linked to their compositions. With identical molecular weights and concentrations, H-shaped block copolymers outperform triblock copolymers in mitigating interfacial tension. (ii) The interfacial tension within the blends correlates positively with the escalation in H-shaped block copolymer molecular weight. This correlation suggests that H-shaped block copolymers featuring a low molecular weight demonstrate superior efficacy as compatibilizers when contrasted with those possessing a high molecular weight. (iii) Enhancing the concentration of H-shaped block copolymers fosters their accumulation at the interface, leading to a reduction in correlations between immiscible homopolymers and a consequent decrease in interfacial tension. (iv) As the length of the homopolymer chains increases, there is a concurrent elevation in interfacial tension, suggesting that H-shaped block copolymers perform more effectively as compatibilizers in blends characterized by shorter homopolymer chain lengths. These findings elucidate the associations between the efficacy of H-shaped block copolymer compatibilizers and their specific molecular characteristics.

Assessment of compatibility of dextran/PEMA blends by thermal, topologic and viscoelastic analysis

In this study, the compatibility of polymer blends of dextran (DEX) and poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (PEMA) was evaluated with their enhanced thermal and dynamic mechanical properties as well as structural and topological properties. Blends were prepared in various ratios via solution casting method. The effects of composition and dispersion on interactions, thermal, viscoelastic and topological properties of the blends were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. TGA results indicated that blends exhibited higher thermal stability than the individual polymers, with residue percentages increasing from 13.57 % and 11.43 % for DEX and PEMA, respectively, to 27.42 %–16.86 % for the blends at 605 °C. DMA results showed that all blends remained intact at higher temperatures compared to the polymers, with higher Tg values due to the H-bonding interactions confirmed by ATR-FTIR. AFM phase imaging enabled the visualization of miscibility distinctions, revealing that the 30/70 DEX/PEMA blend had a uniform phase distribution and minimal phase shifts, suggesting improved miscibility. In contrast, other blends exhibited more heterogeneous miscibility. These findings highlight that DEX/PEMA blends, with their enhanced thermal and dynamic mechanical properties, have significant potential for various applications.

Effect of acetylation of kraft lignin on the blend compatibility with cellulose acetate and the resulting physicomechanical properties

Effect of acetylation of kraft lignin on the blend compatibility with cellulose acetate and the resulting physicomechanical properties

Flame retardant polyurethane foam prepared from compatible blends of ammonium ligninsulfonate-based and zinc alginate

Abstract Zinc alginate (ZnAlg) was prepared and subsequently employed to modify ammonium ligninsulfonate-based polyurethane foams (PUFs). A range of analytical techniques, including thermogravimetry, integral programmed decomposition temperature, activation energy, smoke density, cone calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy, were employed to characterise the modified PUFs. The results demonstrated that the PUFA15Z5 (15 % ammonium lignin sulfonate and 5 g ZnAlg) with the lowest mass loss exhibited the second-highest sample decomposition temperature (T50 %), second-highest peak temperature (TMAX2), IPDT and activation energy. Furthermore, the PUFA15Z5 sample exhibited the smallest smoke density (23.11) and the highest light transmittance (67.11 %). The peak heat release rate, total heat release, smoke production rate, total smoke release and four fire risk assessment indicators of the PUFA15Z5 were the lowest, while its carbon residue was the densest. The results demonstrated that the PUFA15Z5 exhibited the most favourable thermal stability, flame retardant properties and the lowest smoke toxicity. These findings provided a valuable reference for subsequent biomass-based flame retardant modified polyurethane foams (PUFs).

Improving Phase Compatibility of PLA-PCL Matrix-Droplet Blend Using CNC/PCL-PEG-PCL Triblock Copolymer to Prepare Porous 3D Osteoinductive Scaffolds

Improving Phase Compatibility of PLA-PCL Matrix-Droplet Blend Using CNC/PCL-PEG-PCL Triblock Copolymer to Prepare Porous 3D Osteoinductive Scaffolds

Janus nanoparticles as efficient interface compatibilizer in blends of polylactide and elastomers: Importance of interfacial relaxation on toughening

For blending immiscible polymers, such as in the toughening modification of polylactide (PLA) via blending with rubbery materials, interfacial compatibilization is of great significance while the mechanism, especially the role of interfacial rheology, remains elusive. In this study, styrene-butadiene block copolymer elastomer (SBC) was employed to toughen PLA and a dumbbell-shaped Janus nanoparticle (JNP) consisting of polymethyl methacrylate and polystyrene spheres with equal size (∼80 nm) was used as the compatibilizer. Located at the interface, JNPs exhibited a great compatibilization efficiency in PLA/SBC blends, as demonstrated by the good morphology stabilization against droplet coalescence under static annealing and low shear flow conditions, as well as by the resistance against droplet breakup under high shear flow conditions. Moreover, as revealed from the linear viscoelasticity of JNP compatibilized blends, when JNP loading is more than 2 phr, aside from shape relaxation, an interfacial relaxation dominated by Marangoni stress was observed, indicating the possibility of particle redistribution on droplet surfaces. However, when loading is more than 4 phr, relaxations in the terminal zone no longer exist, implying the possible formation of a particle network on the droplet surface. This is consistent with the mechanical properties. The blend shows the greatest toughness at JNP loading around 3 phr, while the toughness is very poor when JNP loading is either too low or too high. This suggests interfacial relaxation to be crucial to guarantee a good toughening effect of SBC in PLA.

Advances in Nonreactive Polymer Compatibilizers for Commodity Polyolefin Blends.

Recycling mixed polyolefin plastics is a significant challenge due to the limitations in sorting and degraded mechanical properties of blends. Nonreactive compatibilization by adding a small amount of polymeric additive is a widespread approach to restoring the performance and value of recycled plastics. Over the past several decades, synthetic advances have enabled access to low-cost copolymers and precision architectures for deepening the understanding of compatibilization mechanisms in semicrystalline polyolefins. This review covers the design parameters of a polymeric compatibilizer, the testing of blends, the synthetic methods of producing economically viable additives, and surveys the literature of blends of compatibilized HDPE, LLDPE, LDPE, and iPP. From this, readers should gain a comprehension of the polymer mechanics, synthesis, and macromolecular engineering of processable polyolefin blends, along with the field's future directions.

The Development of Polylactide Nanocomposites: A Review

Polylactide materials present a promising alternative to petroleum-based polymers due to their sustainability and biodegradability, although they have certain limitations in physical and mechanical properties for specific applications. The incorporation of nanoparticles, such as layered silicate (clay), carbon nanotubes, metal or metal oxide, cellulose nanowhiskers, can address these limitations by enhancing the thermal, mechanicals, barriers, and some other properties of polylactide. However, the distinct characteristics of these nanoparticles can affect the compatibility and processing of polylactide blends. In the polylactide nanocomposites, well-dispersed nanoparticles within the polylactide matrix result in excellent mechanical and thermal properties of the materials. Surface modification is required to improve compatibility and the crystallization process in the blended materials. This article reviews the development of polylactide nanocomposites and their applications. It discusses the general aspect of polylactides and nanomaterials as nanofillers, followed by the discussion of the processing and characterization of polylactide nanocomposites, including their applications. The final section summarizes and discusses the future challenges of polylactide nanocomposites concerning the future material’s requirements and economic considerations. As eco-friendly materials, polylactide nanocomposites offer significant potential to replace petroleum-based polymers.

Compatibilization of Polymer Blends under Conditions of High Pressure and Shear Deformation

AbstractStructural changes in polylactide/polybutylene terephthalate (PLA/PBT) and glycol‐modified polyethylene terephthalate/polybutylene terephthalate (PET‐G/PBT) polymer blends at a pressure of 1 GPa and room temperature in combination with shear deformation are investigated. High pressure torsion (HPT) is chosen as the compatibilization technique. Based on solid‐state NMR data, it is found that the compatibility of immiscible polymers is significantly improved under high pressure conditions in combination with shear deformation. It is assumed that the thickness of the deformed polymer layers decreases to the thickness of the interphase and it can be a fully interphase material.

Compatibility of Methanol-Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil Blends with Chosen Steels and Aluminum

Compatibility of Methanol-Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil Blends with Chosen Steels and Aluminum

Morphologies, Compatibilization and Properties of Immiscible PLA-Based Blends with Engineering Polymers: An Overview of Recent Works.

Poly(L-Lactide) (PLA), a fully biobased aliphatic polyester, has attracted significant attention in the last decade due to its exceptional set of properties, such as high tensile modulus/strength, biocompatibility, (bio)degradability in various media, easy recyclability and good melt-state processability by the conventional processes of the plastic/textile industry. Blending PLA with other polymers represents one of the most cost-effective and efficient approaches to develop a next-generation of PLA-based materials with superior properties. In particular, intensive research has been carried out on PLA-based blends with engineering polymers such as polycarbonate (PC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and various polyamides (PA). This overview, consequently, aims to gather recent works over the last 10 years on these immiscible PLA-based blends processed by melt extrusion, such as twin screw compounding. Furthermore, for a better scientific understanding of various ultimate properties, processing by internal mixers has also been ventured. A specific emphasis on blend morphologies, compatibilization strategies and final (thermo)mechanical properties (tensile/impact strength, ductility and heat deflection temperature) for potential durable and high-performance applications, such as electronic parts (3C parts, electronic cases) to replace PC/ABS blends, has been made.

Rational design and elucidation of interfacial dynamics in PMMA/PVDF compatibilized blends through solution blending for stable quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

In the photovoltaic market, the widespread adoption of traditional dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) faces obstacles due to inherent stability challenges. The solution to these issues involves replacing liquid electrolytes with quasi-solid electrolytes. In this work, quasi-solid state electrolytes were synthesized by employing a polymer blend and inorganic salt. The polymeric blends, comprising polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), were meticulously prepared through the solution blending technique. The investigation of blend compatibility, crystallinity, and stability involved analyses through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-degradation assessments, respectively. The findings indicated that the concentration of ingredients significantly influenced the compatibility, crystallinity, and stability of the blends. The compatibilized blend was employed in crafting polymer gel electrolytes (PEGs), demonstrating that both the concentration and type of salts significantly influence the ionic conductivity of PEGs. The highest conductivity, reaching 2 mS/cm, was achieved with a mixed salt concentration of 50w%/50w% (NH4I/KI). Subsequently, this electrolyte was incorporated into the fabrication of quasi-solid state DSSC. The results showed that the DSSC with PEG achieved 2.81 % efficiency, while the traditional DSSC had 4.11 % efficiency. Notably, after fifteen days, the efficiency of the traditional DSSC dropped to 0.20 %, while the PEG-based DSSC remained stable (2.58 %).

Efficient and Robust Dynamic Crosslinking for Compatibilizing Immiscible Mixed Plastics through In Situ Generated Singlet Nitrenes.

Creating a sustainable economy for plastics demands the exploration of new strategies for efficient management of mixed plastic waste. The inherent incompatibility of different plastics poses a major challenge in plastic mechanical recycling, resulting in phase-separated materials with inferior mechanical properties. Here, this study presents a robust and efficient dynamic crosslinking chemistry that effectively compatibilizes mixed plastics. Composed of aromatic sulfonyl azides, the dynamic crosslinker shows high thermal stability and generates singlet nitrene species in situ during solvent-free melt-extrusion, effectively promoting C─H insertion across diverse plastics. This new method demonstrates successful compatibilization of binary polymer blends and model mixed plastics, enhancing mechanical performance and improving phase morphology. It holds promise for managing mixed plastic waste, supporting a more sustainable lifecycle for plastics.

Enhancing Polymer Blend Compatibility with Linear and Complex Star Copolymer Architectures: A Monte Carlo Simulation Study with the Bond Fluctuation Model.

A Monte Carlo study of the compatibilization of A/B polymer blends has been performed using the bond fluctuation model. The considered compatibilizers are copolymer molecules composed of A and B blocks. Different types of copolymer structures have been included, namely, linear diblock and 4-block alternating copolymers, star block copolymers, miktoarm stars, and zipper stars. Zipper stars are composed of two arms of diblock copolymers arranged in alternate order (AB and BA) from the central unit, along with two homogeneous arms of A and B units. The compatibilization performance has been characterized by analyzing the equilibration of repulsion energy, the simulated scattering intensity obtained with opposite refractive indices for A and B, the profiles along a coordinate axis, the radial distribution functions, and the compatibilizer aggregation numbers. According to the results, linear alternate block copolymers, star block copolymers, and zipper stars exhibit significantly better compatibilization, with zipper stars showing slightly but consistently better performance.

Controlling grafting density of compatibilizer to enhance performance of thermoplastic Starch/Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends

The wide utilization of thermoplastic starch (TPS) as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics is hindered by its high hydrophilicity, which limits compatibility with biodegradable polymers that are hydrophobic, such as poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Addressing this challenge, we introduce an innovative two-step blending process that effectively controls grafting density of a compatibilizer within a TPS/PBAT blend to enhance their interfacial compatibility without compromising the low-cost advantage of TPS. We synthesized a reactive compatibilizer, poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (EG), which was systemically located within the TPS phase. By controlling the grafting density of PBAT onto EG by adjusting the melt-blending duration (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 min), we successfully modified the affinity of the compatibilizer for the blend components and controlled its migration toward the PBAT phase. Adjustment of the duration of the pre-grafting of PBAT onto EG significantly influenced the distribution of the TPS domains throughout the blend. The blend that incorporated the compatibilizer pre-grafted for 20 min (blend B20) had the smallest domain size and maximum tensile strength. Additionally, this particular blend exhibited the highest complex viscosity and storage modulus among the compatibilized blends, along with significantly improved water barrier properties, thereby indicating effective compatibilizer anchoring between TPS and PBAT. Our findings underscore the potential of this two-step blending approach to design the optimal compatibilizer for the TPS blends, paving the way for their broader application in sustainable material development.

The effect of mixing sequence on synthesis of PP-g-GMA compatibilizer for multilayer packaging (MLP) compounding

Melt recycling Multilayer Packaging (MLP) waste is difficult due to challenging separation procedures. However, blending techniques with compatibilizers can simplify MLP waste melt recycling. PP-g-GMA is a common compatibilizer in polyolefin and PET blends. PP-g-GMA compatibilizer was synthesized by utilizing an internal mixer at 175℃, 50 rpm, and 10 min using styrene as a comonomer. Titration was a method to examine effect of three different sequences of adding the BPO initiator on GMA grafting. Each sequence's PP-g-GMA samples were compounded with MLP waste using a twin-screw extruder and injection molded to make tensile test specimens. FTIR analysis shows that the GMA and Styrene monomers had grafted onto the PP polymer backbone, with the GMA grafting degree by varying mixing sequence. Sequence 3, which introduced initiator, GMA, and styrene simultaneously to PP melt, yielded PP-g-GMA with the most significant GMA grafting degree of 5.11%. Adding PP-g-GMA produced from sequence 3 into the MLP melt enhanced the highest increase in tensile strength and elongation at break of the MLP/PP-g-GMA compound.

Supertoughened Polylactic Acid/Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate Blends Compatibilized with Ethylene-Methyl Acrylate-Glycidyl Methacrylate: Morphology and Mechanical Properties by the Response Surface Methodology.

Optimized extrusion melt-blending of polylactic acid (PLA) polymer with a minor biopolymeric phase, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and compatibilized with random ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (EMA-GMA, Trademark: Lotader AX-8900) led to an outstanding improvement in mechanical properties. At the noncompatibilized PLA-PBAT (80-20) blend point, significant enhancement (∼4500%) in toughness and elongation-at-break was already obtained without compromising any elastic properties. The effect of the compatibilizer content on the mechanical properties of the PLA-PBAT (80-20) blend was investigated by an optimal custom response surface methodology. Thus, 2 wt % Lotader content was determined to be optimal by a numerical optimization methodology with a desirability value, D, of 0.882 to maximize toughness and elongation-at-break. The compatibilization and thermal behavior of the Lotader-modified blends were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Upon adding the compatibilizer, the original phase-separated morphology of the blends changed from PBAT quasi-spherical domains to nearly elongated elliptical ones. It was also found that the interfacial boundary line of the domains faded away, which revealed that interfacial compatibility was achieved. The thermostability of the blends remained largely unaltered following the incorporation of PBAT and Lotader. Moreover, while PBAT exhibited a minor influence on the crystallinity of PLA, Lotader had no discernible impact on crystallinity, as evidenced by the DSC thermograms. Thus, the compatibilizer at the optimal point in the optimized blend ratio led to the formation of a phase-separated morphology that combined internal cavitation, interfacial cavitation, and strong adhesion features at the right proportions in the microstructure which underlies the micromechanisms driving the remarkable enhancement of as much as 7100% in toughness and ductility.