Effect Of Compatibilizer Research Articles

Kaolinite-based Janus nanoparticles as a compatibilizing agent in polymer blends

The aim of this work was to obtain Janus nanoparticles from known methods using easily accessible cation modifiers. In addition, the intent was to study the use of these particles in polystyrene/poly (methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA) polymer blends and to perform a complete study of their properties. Two types of Janus nanoparticles were obtained using kaolinite. The octahedral and tetrahedral layers of the clay mineral were modified with a PMMA hairy copolymer and two species of amines, in order to interact with PMMA and PS phases in a polymer blend. The blends were obtained by solution processing using a mixer with high rotation and then evaluated by their morphology and thermo-mechanical, mechanical, and thermal properties. The microscopic analysis showed that the incorporation of Janus nanoparticles improved the interaction between phases and the size of the domains was reduced which increased their compatibility. This increase in compatibility had an influence on the mechanical, thermal, and thermo-mechanical properties. In relation to a pure blend, it increased the storage modulus, Young's modulus, and strain of break up to 50%, 35% and 70%, respectively. The construction of different types of Janus nanoparticles as well as their application in PS/PMMA blends resulted in an interesting material with enhanced properties which indicated that these nanoparticles have a compatibilizing effect in polymeric systems.

Poly (Lactic Acid)/Thermoplastic Starch Films: Effect of Cardoon Seed Epoxidized Oil on Their Chemicophysical, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties

In this work, biodegradable films based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and corn thermoplastic starch (TPS), additivated with epoxidized cardoon oil plasticizer (ECO) at 3% by weight with respect to PLA mass fraction, were prepared by melt extrusion process and compression molding. The effect of ECO on structural, thermal, mechanical, barrier, and spectral optical properties of the films was investigated. Spectroscopic analysis evidenced the development of physical interaction between oil and polymers, mainly PLA. In addition, no oil migration occurrence was detected after six months of film preparation, as evidenced by oil mass evaluation by precipitation as well as by 1H-NMR methods, thus highlighting the good inclusion of oil inside the polymeric network. The plasticizing action of the oil induced a lean improvement of the interfacial adhesion between hydrophobic PLA and hydrophilic TPS, particularly accentuated in PLA80_ECO composition, as evidenced by morphological analysis of blend fracture surfaces. TGA data underlined that, differently from TPS-based films, PLA-based systems followed one degradative thermal profile suggesting a slight compatibilization effect of epoxidized oil in these films. The shifting of Tg values, by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, indicated a weak miscibility at molecular level. Generally, in the investigated blends, the phase separation between PLA and TPS polymers was responsible for the mechanical properties failing; in particular, the tensile strength evidenced a negative deviation from the rule of mixtures, particularly marked in TPS-based blends, where no physical entanglements occurred between the polymers since their immiscibility even in presence of ECO. The epoxidized oil strongly improved the barrier properties (water vapor permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability (O2P)) of all the films, likely developing a physical barrier to water and oxygen diffusion and solubilization. With respect to neat PLA, PL80 and PL80_ECO films evidenced the improvement of surface wettability, due to the presence of polar groups both in TPS (hydroxyl residues) and in epoxidized oil (oxirane rings). Finally, following to the conditioning in climatic chamber at T = 25 °C and RH = 50%, PLA80 film became opaque due to TPS water absorption, causing a light transmittance decreasing, as evidenced by spectral optical analysis.

Oxidative induction and performance of oil palm fiber reinforced polypropylene composites – Effects of coupling agent and UV stabilizer

Reinforced polypropylene/empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber composites were prepared through extrusion and injection moulding. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) and CESA-light PPADOL 12020 (PDOL) were used as compatibilizer and UV stabilizer respectively. The samples were subjected to accelerated UV irradiation and the simultaneous effects of compatibilization and PDOL were investigated. Results showed that PDOL slightly improved the adhesion between PP and EFB, but did not offer mechanical strength improvement. However, oxidative induction time analysis and discoloration analysis revealed that the incorporation of PDOL plays significant role in preventing the composites from discoloration as well as UV degradation. In addition, dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that compared with ternary composites, the quaternary composite containing PDOL and MAPP exhibits lower loss modulus, accrued to good interrelationship between PP, EFB, PDOL and MAPP. Generally, it is evident herein that PDOL may be used in applications requiring higher colour stability.

Effect of polymer-coated gold nanoparticle stabilizers on drop coalescence

Polymer-coated gold nanoparticles (PGNPs) can be used as stabilizers in immiscible polymer blends, similar to block-copolymers (BCs). However, the PGNP gold cores increase the magnitude of the disjoining pressure (Π), i.e., the van der Waals interaction for unit area, in the film between the drops, favoring coalescence. This might explain the counterintuitive 70% drainage time (td) reduction for polymeric drops stabilized by PGNPs compared to those stabilized by BCs, as reported in recent flow-induced head-on collision experiments in extensional flow, despite PGNPs being more surface active. Knowledge of the mechanisms determining td is fundamental for designing effective PGNP compatibilizers. Here, we performed a parametric study of those experiments via boundary integral simulations, treating PGNPs as surfactants and utilizing for the first time a disjoining pressure expression which includes the effect of interfacial PGNPs (ΠPGNP). In particular, we varied the PGNP concentration and core size in ΠPGNP, the surface diffusivity (Ds) via the surface Peclet number, and the surface elasticity via the Marangoni number. Flow-induced coalescence was very sensitive to all three parameters. td was reduced up to 60% for touching 3 nm core diameter PGNPs, increasing significantly the coalescence probability for drop sizes <5 µm, but the soft coronas diminished this effect considerably. Thus, other causes, besides the enhanced Π, had to be simultaneously present to explain the dramatic experimental td reduction; the most likely is a Ds higher than its Stokes-Einstein relation estimate and the PGNP ligands being in a dry-brush regime, leading to entropic attraction between the drop interfaces.

Melt‐mixed carbon nanotubes/polymer nanocomposites

AbstractThis article reviews the recent development in performance and fabrication of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)‐based polymer nanocomposites synthesized by melt‐mixed process. CNTs have attracted enormous attention, since its presence (even in low concentration) causes drastic improvements in the mechanical and electrical properties of several polymer composites. It is suggested that the dispersion state of CNTs within polymer matrices is dictated by the cohesive strength of the CNTs “agglomerates.” Based on this suggestion, this review involves an in‐depth investigation on the origin of this CNTs “agglomerates” when present within polymer matrices. Attempts have also been done to investigate and correlate the varying extent of CNTs “agglomerates” in different polymer matrices. It is considered that the extent of dispersion of CNTs “agglomerates” depends on the interfacial interaction between the two phases, difference in their melt viscosities, and types of CNTs, compatibilizer and modifier used. A comprehensive study has been done on the effect of processing parameters used during melt‐mixing process; functionalization of CNTs, and the effect of compatibilizers and modifier on the final properties and morphology. Herein, an attempt has been done to study the correlation between the synthetic procedure, developed structure, and observed properties of nanocomposites of polymers and CNTs.

Development of polypropylene/banana peel (treated and untreated) composites with and without compatibilizer and their studies

The use of agricultural waste in the preparation of polymer composites is a step towards the replacement of synthetic fibers with the natural fibers. In the present study, banana peel (BP) has been explored as a source of natural fiber for the preparation of composites. The effect of treated (sodium hydroxide, potassium permanganate, silane and Lacasse enzyme treatment) and untreated BP fiber on polypropylene (PP) matrix have been studied using the fiber loading of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%. The effect of compatibilizer (maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene [PP-g-MA], 1, 2 and 4 wt%) on the properties have also been studied with selected natural filler loading. The prepared composites have been evaluated for morphology, mechanical, thermal, rheological and water absorption properties. The results have showed an improvement in different properties with increase in the content of banana peel for PP/BP composites.

Effect of Compatibilization on the Melt Properties of Mixed Waste Plastics

The amount of waste produced increases globally, and valuable resources are lost if materials contained in wastes are not recycled. One such important material group is plastics, but it is typically mixed in municipal solid waste. In this paper, the effect of maleic compatibilizer on the melt properties of mixed waste plastic is studied in order to evaluate the effect of compatibilization on the processability of reclaimed plastics. The results indicate, that compatibilization has significant effect on both melt flow rate and melt volume index. Both are decreased notably, suggesting that compatibilization may impair the processability of mixed waste plastic, even though it is expected to improve other properties.

Effects of epoxidised natural rubbers on cure characteristics and crosslink density of silica-filled natural rubber composite

The effect of two grades of epoxidised natural rubbers (ENR 25 and ENR 50), having 25 and 50 mol of epoxidation, on crosslink density and cure characteristics of silica-filled natural rubber (NR) composites were investigated using a semi-efficient vulcanisation system. The ENRs were incorporated separately into the composites at 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0 and 25.0 parts per hundred rubber (phr). An investigation was carried out to examine the effects of the ENRs on cure characteristics and crosslink density of the silica-filled NR composites. Results revealed that both ENR 25 and ENR 50 functioned as curatives and compatibilizers. They increased the scorch time, cure time, torque difference and crosslink density. The higher the ENRs loadings; the higher were the scorch, cure times, torque difference and crosslink density. At a similar loading, ENR 50 exhibited a more pronounced curative and compatibilization effects than ENR 25.

Characterization of carbon fiber-reinforced poly(phenylene sulfide) composites prepared with various compatibilizers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different compatibilizers on the properties of polyamide-sized carbon fiber-reinforced poly(phenylene sulfide) composites. The composites were prepared by using melt blending and injection molding methods by using three different compatibilizers at various loading levels. The characterization of composites was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile test, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning thermometer, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscope. According to tensile test results, the highest increment in tensile strength and strain at break values of composites was observed with the addition of Joncryl. According to scanning electron microscope and dynamic mechanical analysis results, the best interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber and poly(phenylene sulfide) was obtained by using Joncryl as the compatibilizer.

Effect of MA-g-PP compatibilizer on morphology and electrical properties of MWCNT based blend nanocomposites: New strategy to enhance the dispersion of MWCNTs in immiscible poly (trimethylene terephthalate)/polypropylene blends

Present paper deals with the combined effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA-g-PP) on morphology and electrical properties of poly (trimethylene terephthalate)/polypropylene (PTT/PP) blends. The enhanced dispersion of MWCNTs which was observed in TEM images is due to the improved adhesion between PTT and PP by the compatibilization effect of MA-g-PP. Major portion of MWCNTs found in the PTT phase and also at the interface, minimal amount of MWCNTs extended their dispersion along the interface to PP phase. The observed morphology of the composites was correlated with the electrical properties. Due to the compatibilization by MA-g-PP of PTT/PP blend, the interaction between PTT and PP phase was improved, thereby interfacial adhesion between the components enhanced along with the extended dispersion of MWCNTs and it resulted in the minimization of effective double percolation phenomena and electrical properties. It was observed that combined action of MA-g-PP and MWCNTs promoted noticeable changes in morphology of the PTT/PP system and is directly related to the electrical properties of the system. Compatibilization by MA-g-PP is a new scheme to enhance the dispersion of MWCNTs in immiscible PTT/PP blends and to improve the mechanical properties of the PTT/PP blend.

Morphological evaluation and phase behavior of PVDF/PEO blends in the presence of graphene nanoplatelets through rheological measurements

ABSTRACTIn this study, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were incorporated into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and PVDF/PEO blends using solution casting method in order to achieve binary and ternary polymer nanocomposites. The focus of the work is on the compatibilizing effects of the GNPs on partially miscible PVDF/PEO blends. X‐ray diffraction method, rheological measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy observations enabled us to track the dispersion state and localization of the graphene nanosheets in the nanocomposites. The results exhibited that the nanoplatelets were preferentially distributed through the PVDF phase and/or at the interface of the PVDF/PEO phases. Evaluation of the wetting parameter for the PVDF/PEO/GNPs nanocomposite also verified better affinity of the selected nanofiller with the PVDF component. Extend of the miscibility in the nanocomposites was studied by a well‐known rheological method. A tangible increment in binodal (Tb) and spinodal (Ts) decomposition temperatures by addition of a very low content of the GNPs (0.5 wt %) revealed well‐defined compatibilization effects of the graphene on this binary polymer blend. SEM images at different temperatures confirmed the rheologically determined liquid–liquid phase diagram. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48017.

Compatibilization of immiscible PLA-based biodegradable polymer blends using amphiphilic di-block copolymers

Block copolymer is an effective compatibilizer for PLA-based biodegradable polyester blends to improve the mechanical properties. However, how to find an “A-C” type of di-block copolymer as a common compatibilizer for improving the miscibility of A and B blends is very challenging. In this research, monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-polylactide (MPEG-PLA) di-block copolymers were synthesized for compatibilization of PLA-based polyester blends, such as PLA with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), or poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), or poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA). The results showed that the di-block successfully reduced the interfacial tension and improved the interfacial adhesion, thereby, the size of dispersed phase decreased from 2 μm to 0.3 μm with the addition of MPEG-PLA copolymer which the segment ratio of EG/LA was 2.5 in PLA/PBAT blends. Moreover the elongation at the break of the blends was as high as 296%, which was ten times more than the pristine blends. Furthermore the MPEG-PLA di-block copolymer with specific structure improved the mechanical properties and changed the phase morphology of PLA/PBS and PLA/PBSA blends. In the blends, PEG segment in “A-C” di-block copolymer acted as B blocks in “A-B” di-block copolymers to improve the compatibility of PLA-based biodegradable polymer blends.

Microcellular Foaming Behaviors of Poly (Lactic Acid)/Low-Density Polyethylene Blends Induced by Compatibilization Effect

A facile methodology for improving the crystallization ability, rheological properties and microcellular foaming behaviors of poly (lactic acid)/low-density polyethylene (PLA/LDPE) blends through compatibilization was proposed. Poly (ethylene octene) grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (GPOE) as reactive compatibilizer was introduced into PLA/LDPE blends and the resultant PLA/LDPE/GPOE blends were foamed by supercritical CO2. Torque curves and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy results confirmed that GPOE reacted with PLA successfully. The crystallization ability and rheological properties of PLA was promoted obviously by the addition of LDPE and GPOE. The size of LDPE dispersion phase in PLA/LDPE blends decreased from 4.4 ± 0.1 to 1.2 ± 0.1 µm, owing to the compatibility effect. When the content of GPOE reach 8 phr, microcellular structure appeared in the PLA/LDPE/GPOE blending foam. An interesting flower-like cellular structure was observed in PLA/LDPE/GPOE blending foams, with the foaming temperature at 85 and 90 °C. Finally, the microcellular foaming mechanism for various PLA foams was proposed and clarified using schematic diagram.

Effect of interface affinity on the performance of a composite of microcrystalline cellulose and polypropylene/polylactide blends

AbstractThe effects of compatibilizer and fillers on the mechanical properties and dispersion state of droplets of polypropylene (PP)/polylactide (PLA) blends were investigated. Two blended composite systems, i.e. PP‐rich (80/20) containing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) modified with silane (m‐MCC) and PLA‐rich (20/80) containing MCC were prepared by melt compounding using a twin‐screw extruder. The structural differences between MCC and m‐MCC were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectra. Universal testing machine results revealed that the tensile strength and Young's modulus increased with the addition of compatibilizer and filler, respectively. These results were supported by the reduction of domain size observed by scanning electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis showed a change of the melting and crystallization behavior of blends according to the presence of compatibilizer or filler. An increase of the dynamic storage modulus and a decrease in tan δ with addition of compatibilizer indicated that the interfacial adhesion between PP and PLA improved. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Effect of Poly(styrene-ran-methyl acrylate) Inclusion on the Compatibility of Polylactide/Polystyrene-b-Polybutadiene-b-Polystyrene Blends Characterized by Morphological, Thermal, Rheological, and Mechanical Measurements.

A poly(styrene-ran-methyl acrylate) (S-MA) (75/25 mol/mol), synthesized by surfactant-free emulsion copolymerization, was used as a compatibilizer for polystyrene-b-polybutadiene-b-polystyrene (SBS)-toughened polylactide (PLA) blends. Upon compatibilization, the blends exhibited a refined dispersed-phase morphology, a decreased crystallinity with an increase in their amorphous interphase, improved thermal stability possibly from the thicker, stronger interfaces insusceptible to thermal energy, a convergence of the maximum decomposition-rate temperatures, enhanced magnitude of complex viscosity, dynamic storage and loss moduli, a reduced ramification degree in the high-frequency terminal region of the Han plot, and an increased semicircle radius in the Cole–Cole plot due to the prolonged chain segmental relaxation times from increases in the thickness and chain entanglement degree of the interphase. When increasing the S-MA content from 0 to 3.0 wt %, the tensile properties of the blends improved considerably until 1.0 wt %, above which they then increased insignificantly, whereas the impact strength was maximized at an optimum S-MA content of ~1.0 wt %, hypothetically due to balanced effects of the medium-size SBS particles on the stabilization of preexisting crazes and the initiation of new crazes in the PLA matrix. These observations confirm that S-MA, a random copolymer first synthesized in our laboratory, acted as an effective compatibilizer for the PLA/SBS blends.

Glycidyl methacrylate-based copolymers as new compatibilizers for polypropylene/ polyethylene terephthalate blends

The improvement of flexural properties of polypropylene (PP) could be achieved by blending it with a stiffer polymer like poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The main problem is the compatibilization between a saturated, apolar structure with a polar polyester. Copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) were prepared, characterized and used as compatibilizers in PP/PET (70/30 wt%) blends at different feed ratios. The effects of compatibilization of these polymers were analyzed by SEM, which shows reduction of the size of PET granules, and by TGA, with an increase in the thermal stability of the compatibilized blends. Thermal properties corresponding to melting and crystallization events were also changed by the introduction of the compatibilizers. The DMTA shows that the Tg of the PET domain is affected by compatibilization, contrary to the Tg of PP domain. The compatibilization efficiency was further confirmed by an increase in flexural strain at flexural strength (eFM).

Effect of epoxidised natural rubbers on curing characteristics of kaolin-filled natural rubber composites

Effects of 2 types of epoxidised natural rubbers (ENR 25, ENR 50), with twenty-five and fifty moles of epoxidation, on crosslinking density and cure characteristics of natural rubber (NR) composites, which were filled by kaolin filler, were investigated using a semi efficient vulcanisation system. The ENRs were added separately into composites at 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0 and 25.0 parts per hundred rubber. An observation was conducted to investigate the effects of the ENRs on curing and crosslinking density of the kaolin-filled NR composites. Results revealed that both ENR 25 and ENR 50 functioned as curatives and compatibilizers. They decreased both cure and scorch times and minimum torque but increased difference of torque and crosslinking density. The higher ENRs loadings; the lower were the cure time and scorch time, the higher were the torque difference and crosslinking density. At a similar addition, ENR 50 exhibited a more pronounced curative and compatibilization effects than ENR 25.

Morphology and Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Ethylene-Octene Copolymer Nanocomposites

The effects of the montmorillonite clay surface modified with 0.5-5 wt% aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 15-35% octadecylamine (Clay-APTSO) on morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC)/Clay-APTSO composites were investigated. The blends of PLA/EOC with and without Clay-APTSO were prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer. Scanning electron microscopy analysis observed the morphology of PLA/EOC blends demonstrated a phase separation of minor phase and matrix phase. The addition of Clay-APTSO in PLA/EOC blends showed significant decreased in droplet size of dispersed EOC phase, thus, Clay-APTSO acted as an effective compatibilizer in the PLA/EOC blends. The results of tensile properties found the decrease of Young’s modulus of PLA when added EOC due to the low modulus and flexibility of EOC. While the incorporation of Clay-APTSO increased significantly Young’s modulus of PLA/EOC blends at low EOC and Clay-APTSO content. The strain at break of the blends increased with the increase of EOC loading, this indicated the presence of EOC enhanced the elongation at break of PLA, while the addition Clay-APTSO reduced the strain at break of PLA/EOC blends. The tensile strength of all blend compositions improved when added Clay-APTSO and the tensile strength showed the highest value at 3 phr of Clay-APTSO. The thermal stability of PLA/EOC blends did not change when compared with neat PLA, and when added Clay-APTSO in the blends could improve the thermal stability of the PLA/EOC blends.

Effect of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer on the foaming behavior of polypropylene

To improve the cellular foam structure of common polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer (ABS) and compatibilizer were used to blend with PP, and the foaming behavior of PP/ABS blends was investigated. The solid and foamed samples of the PP/ABS blend with different component were first fabricated by melt extrusion followed by conventional injection molding with or without a blowing agent. The mechanical properties, thermal features, and rheological characterizations of these samples were studied using the tensile test, dynamic mechanical analyzer, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and torque rheometry. The results suggest that ABS is a suitable candidate to improve the foamability of PP. The effect of ABS and compatibilizer on the foamability of PP can be attributed to three possible mechanisms, that is, the weak interaction between phases that facilitates cell nucleation, the improved gas-melt viscosity that prevents the escape of gas, and the influence of crystallization behavior that helps to form a fine foaming structure.

Precise and quantitative assessment of automotive coating adhesion using new microgap pull-off test

The quantification of coating adhesion on substrates is an important technology that has recently received much attention in automotive industry because the adhesion characteristics of automotive paints have a great influence on color and appearance of automobiles. Here, we present a robust and precise method for quantifying the coating adhesion of automotive paints on flat substrates using new microgap pull-off test based on the application of a micrometer-thick layer of adhesive to the divided compartments. The influence of water and organic material penetration on the coating adhesion between paint and plastic substrate is investigated in order to quantitatively measure the water resistance and organic compound resistance of automotive paints. When the paint absorbed moisture and organics, they penetrated through the paint surface to interfere with the coating adhesion between the plastic substrate and the paint layer, thereby reducing the initial coating adhesion. In addition, we investigated the effect of chlorinated polyolefin (CPO) content on the coating adhesion between nonpolar plastic substrate and polar paint coating. As the CPO content in polar acrylic paints increased, the coating adhesion of the polar paint to nonpolar plastics was increased due to the compatibilization effect of CPO resin in the coating interface.