Polymer-filler Interaction Research Articles

Effect of NiO Nanofiller on P(VdC‐Co‐AN) With PEG Polymer Blend Electrolyte for Energy Storage Applications

ABSTRACTSolid‐state polymer electrolytes with safety and high energy density are promising novel options for energy storage devices. Nevertheless, the low ionic conductivity and limited mobility of lithium ions at room temperature have significantly impeded their practical application. A flexible composite polymer electrolyte was fabricated using a solution casting method. This electrolyte consisted of a polymer blend of poly (vinylidene chloride‐co‐acrylonitrile) (PVdC‐co‐AN) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), incorporated with lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) as salt, propylene carbonate (PC) as plasticizer, and nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles as filler. The electrolyte is prepared by the various concentrations of NiO nanoparticles (Nps) (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%). The prepared NiO is confirmed by the XRD analysis, and the incorporation of NiO in the polymer blend also determined. The polymer salt plasticizer and filler interactions are confirmed by the FTIR analysis. At room temperature, the sample containing 15% of NiO has a high ionic conductivity value of up to 10−3 S cm−1. The electrochemical and also thermal stability of this electrolyte is achieved at 4.8 V and 312°C. The mechanical stability is enhanced up to 29 MPa. The remarkable performance enhancement is attributed to the incorporation of NiO, which facilitated improved ionic conductivity, mechanical properties, and compatibility for energy storage applications.

Effect of rubber type and accelerator content on polymer–filler interactions of silica‐reinforced vulcanizates

AbstractQuantitatively characterizing the interactions between silica and polymers is crucial, as they significantly influence various essential tire performance metrics, including strain‐stress properties, hysteresis, and abrasion resistance. In this study, the difference in cross‐link densities observed following ammonia treatment and hydrofluoric acid treatment serves to elucidate the chemical interactions between silica and polymer. A swelling test is employed to assess the total cross‐link density, while the ammonia‐modified toluene equilibrium swelling method facilitates the calculation of physical interaction between silica and polymer. The investigation into the effects of rubber type on the structure of vulcanizates demonstrates that matrix cross‐link density, chemical interactions, and total cross‐link density of natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates filled with modified silica are highest. An increase in the content of accelerators enhances both the matrix cross‐link density and the chemical interaction in styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) vulcanizates filled with modified silica. For comparative purposes, the structural characteristics and mechanical performance of unmodified silica‐filled vulcanizates are also discussed. Furthermore, the relationship between the structure and physical properties of the vulcanizates is elucidated.Highlights Chemical interaction of modified silica filled natural rubber (NR) vulcanizate is highest. Physical interaction evidently decreases after adding Bis[3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl] tetrasulfide (TESPT) in NR vulcanizates. For vulcanizates with TESPT, more accelerators, higher chemical interaction. Higher matrix cross‐links rather than chemical interaction apt to reduce tanδ.

A Machine Learning-Enabled Real-Time temperature response system based on Polymer-Filler interactions for conductive network assembly

A Machine Learning-Enabled Real-Time temperature response system based on Polymer-Filler interactions for conductive network assembly

Lignin Particle Size Affects the Properties of PLA Composites Prepared by In Situ Ring-Opening Polymerization.

The present work focuses on the synthesis and characterization of biobased lignin-poly(lactic) acid (PLA) composites. Organosolv lignin, extracted from beechwood, was used as a filler at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 wt% loadings, with ultrasonication reducing the lignin particle size to ~700 nm. The PLA-lignin composites were prepared via in situ ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of L-lactide in the presence of lignin. This method ensured uniform lignin dispersion in the PLA matrix due to grafting of PLA chains onto lignin particles, preventing aggregation. Strong polymer-filler interactions were confirmed through spectroscopic analysis (FTIR and XPS) and their effects on static and dynamic glass transitions (DSC). These interactions enhanced mechanical properties, including a two-fold increase in tensile strength and elongation at 1 wt% lignin. Crystallization was suppressed due to shorter PLA chains, and a 15% drop in dynamical fragility was observed via Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS). Antioxidant activity improved significantly, with PLA-2.5% ultrasonicated organosolv lignin reducing DPPH• content to 7% after 8 h, while UV-blocking capability increased with lignin content.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ВЛИЯНИЯ РЕЖИМОВ ОБРАБОТКИ АЛЮМОСИЛИКАТНЫХ МИКРОСФЕР НИЗКОТЕМПЕРАТУРНОЙ ПЛАЗМОЙ НА СВОЙСТВА ЭЛАСТОМЕРНЫХ ОГНЕТЕПЛОЗАЩИТНЫХ МАТЕРИАЛОВ

An urgent task of our time is to expand the temperature limit of the operating modes of elastomeric materials. One of the promising directions for solving this problem is the use of bulging and hollow fillers, including aluminosilicate microspheres, in elastomeric compositions. The influence of modification modes (discharge power and duration of exposure) of the surface of aluminosilicate microspheres by low-temperature plasma on the properties of flame-retardant elastomeric materials based on ethylene propylene diene rubber has been studied. It is shown that the treatment carried out makes it possible to increase the polymer-filler interaction, the conditional strength of the material, and the coke residue.

Investigation of Rheological, Mechanical, and Viscoelastic Properties of Silica-Filled SSBR and BR Model Compounds.

Active fillers such as carbon black and silica are added to rubber to improve its mechanical and viscoelastic properties. These fillers cause reinforcement in rubber compounds through physical and/or chemical interactions. Consequently, the compounds' rheological, mechanical, and viscoelastic behavior are affected. Changing the filler loading influences these properties due to the different interactions (filler-filler and filler-polymer) taking place in the compounds. In addition, rubbers with varying microstructures can interact differently with fillers, and the presence of polymer functionalization to enhance interactions with fillers can further add to the complexity of the network. In this work, the effects of different loadings (0-108 phr/0-25 vol. %) of a highly dispersible grade of silica with three types of solution styrene-butadiene rubbers (SSBR) and one butadiene rubber (BR) on their rheological, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties were investigated. It was observed that the Mooney viscosity and hardness of the compounds increased with an increasing filler loading due to the increasing stiffness of the compounds. Payne effect measurements on uncured compounds provided information about the breakdown of the filler-filler network and the extent of the percolation threshold (15-17.5 vol. %) in all the compounds. At high filler loadings, the properties for BR compounds worsened as compared to SSBR compounds due to weak polymer-filler interaction (strong filler-filler interaction and the lower compatibility of BR with silica). The quasi-static mechanical properties increased with the filler loading and then decreased, thus indicating an optimum filler loading. In strain sweeps on cured rubber compounds by dynamic shear measurements, it was observed that the type of rubber, the filler loading, and the temperature had significant influences on the number of glassy rubber bridges in the filler network and, thus, a consequential effect on the load-bearing capacity and energy dissipation of the rubber compounds.

How Can the Filler-Polymer Interaction in Mixed Matrix Membranes Be Enhanced?

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) constitute a type of molecular separation membranes in which a nanomaterial type filler is dispersed in a given polymer to enhance its selective permeation ability. The key issue in MMMs is the establishing of a proper filler-polymer interaction to avoid non-selective transport paths while increasing permeability but also to improve other membrane properties such as aging and plasticization. Along the pass years several strategies have been applied to enhance the physicochemical interaction between the fillers (e. g. silicas, zeolites, porous coordination polymers, carbonaceous materials, etc.) and the membrane polymers: increase of external surface area, priming, use of intrinsically more compatible fillers, in situ synthesis of filler, in situ polymerization, polymer side-chain modification and post-synthetic modification of filler.

Surface engineering of silica to control creep failure resistance of natural rubber-based composites for potential application in the suspension of rolling stock

Surface engineering of silica to control creep failure resistance of natural rubber-based composites for potential application in the suspension of rolling stock

An innovative strategy to enhance the interfacial interaction and effective contribution of BN in thermal conductivity in aramid based composites films

An innovative strategy to enhance the interfacial interaction and effective contribution of BN in thermal conductivity in aramid based composites films

Revisiting the mechanism of rapid gas decompression failure in silica-reinforced NBR composites: Effect of interfacial phenomena

Revisiting the mechanism of rapid gas decompression failure in silica-reinforced NBR composites: Effect of interfacial phenomena

Effect of BaTiO3 Filler Modification with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on Electric Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites.

Two ranges of dielectric permittivity (k) increase in polymer composites upon the modification of BaTiO3 filler with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are shown for the first time. The first increase in permittivity is observed at low MWCNT content in the composite (approximately 0.07 vol.%) without a considerable increase in dielectric loss tangent and electrical conductivity. This effect is determined by the intensification of filler-polymer interactions caused by the nanotubes, which introduce Brønsted acidic centers on the modified filler surface and thus promote interactions with the cyanoethyl ester of polyvinyl alcohol (CEPVA) polymer binder. Consequently, the structure of the composites becomes more uniform: the permittivity increase is accompanied by a decrease in the lacunarity (nonuniformity) of the structure and an increase in scale invariance, which characterizes the self-similarity of the composite structure. The permittivity of the composites in the first range follows a modified Lichtenecker equation, including the content of Brønsted acidic centers as a parameter. The second permittivity growth range features a drastic increase in the dielectric loss tangent and conductivity corresponding to the percolation effect with the threshold at 0.3 vol.% of MWCNTs.

Rational design of semi-interpenetrating network based on hyperbranched polyglycerol grafted MXene/polyurethane–epoxy for compressed hydrogen storage

Rational design of semi-interpenetrating network based on hyperbranched polyglycerol grafted MXene/polyurethane–epoxy for compressed hydrogen storage

Simulation and Experimental Study of the Isothermal Thermogravimetric Analysis and the Apparent Alterations of the Thermal Stability of Composite Polymers.

Composite polymers are an interesting class of materials with a wide range of applications. Among the properties of polymers which are currently being enhanced via the development of composite materials is their thermal stability, which is typically evaluated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In this work, a paradox is recognized regarding the considered relationship between the polymer-filler interactions leading to a good dispersion of the filler and the improvement of thermal stability. Simulation of the TGA signal during isothermal measurements of composite polymers is performed along with experimental measurements. It is shown that there are at least three factors that can cause apparent alterations of the thermal stability of composite polymers, namely, the different buoyancy due to the different densities of the composites and the neat polymer, the different thermal diffusivity of the composites and the fact that the mass loss (or remaining mass) of the composites, conventionally, is expressed per overall mass of the composite and not per mass of polymer. The relative contributions of these factors are evaluated and it is found that the conventional expression of mass loss has the most profound effect. Furthermore, it is shown that it is proper to express and evaluate the TGA results of composite polymers per degradable (polymer) mass of the composite and not per overall mass of the composite.

Exploring the Impact of Reinforcing Filler Systems on Devulcanizate Composites.

Composites revolutionize material performance, fostering innovation and efficiency in diverse sectors. Elastomer-based polymeric composites are crucial for applications requiring superior mechanical strength and durability. Widely applied in automotives, aerospace, construction, and consumer goods, they excel under extreme conditions. Composites based on recycled rubber, fortified with reinforcing fillers, represent a sustainable material innovation by repurposing discarded rubber. The integration of reinforcing agents enhances the strength and resilience of this composite, and the recycled polymeric matrix offers an eco-friendly alternative to virgin elastomers, reducing their environmental impact. Devulcanized rubber, with inherently lower mechanical properties than virgin rubber, requires enhancement of its quality for reuse in a circular economy: considerable amounts of recycled tire rubber can only be applied in new tires if the property profile comes close to the one of the virgin rubber. To achieve this, model passenger car tire and whole tire rubber granulates were transformed into elastomeric composites through optimized devulcanization and blending with additional fillers like carbon black and silica-silane. These fillers were chosen as they are commonly used in tire compounding, but they lose their reactivity during their service life and the devulcanization process. Incorporation of 20% (w/w) additional filler enhanced the strength of the devulcanizate composites by up to 15%. Additionally, increased silane concentration significantly further improved the tensile strength, Payne effect, and dispersion by enhancing the polymer-filler interaction through improved silanization. Higher silane concentrations reduced elongation at break and increased crosslink density, as it leads to a stable filler-polymer network. The optimal concentration of a silica-silane filler system for a devulcanizate was found to be 20% silica with 3% silane, showing the best property profile.

Synthesis of Hybrid/Superhydrophobic Coupling Agent Grafted Nano SiO2 and Its Use in Fabrication of Rubber Nanocomposite with Outstanding Oil/Water Separation Capability

Synthesis of Hybrid/Superhydrophobic Coupling Agent Grafted Nano SiO2 and Its Use in Fabrication of Rubber Nanocomposite with Outstanding Oil/Water Separation Capability

Influence of the number of end-chain amine-functionalized arms of star-shaped functionalized SBR

Star-shaped SBRs with alkoxy silyl groups in the center of the molecule and amine groups at the polymer chain ends were prepared. The number of arms were varied, and its influence on the silica/silane-filled compound properties was investigated. The polymer–filler interactions and the filler–filler interactions were evaluated from the viscoelastic properties. The flocculation, tensile properties and tanδ at 60 °C, an indicator of rolling resistance, were investigated as well. The polymer–filler interactions were increased in the SBR with a higher number of arms due to the higher amount of amine groups in these SBRs. The Payne effect was slightly increased with a higher number of arms. This indicates a deteriorated micro-dispersion of the silica caused by too many interactions generated by the higher amount of amine groups in SBR. These high interactions due to the amine groups lead to higher tensile moduli. The combination of the higher polymer–filler interactions and the higher Payne effect in SBR with a high number of arms results in the same tanδ compared to the SBR with a low number of arms.

Synthesis and assessment of novel Na2S dispersed high performance nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte intended for sodium batteries and electric double layer capacitors

Synthesis and assessment of novel Na2S dispersed high performance nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte intended for sodium batteries and electric double layer capacitors

The Structural, Thermal and Morphological Characterization of Polylactic Acid/Β-Tricalcium Phosphate (PLA/Β-TCP) Composites upon Immersion in SBF: A Comprehensive Analysis.

Biocomposite films based on PLA reinforced with different β-TCP contents (10%, 20%, and 25%wt.) were fabricated via solvent casting and immersed in SBF for 7, 14, and 21 days. The bioactivity, morphological, and thermal behavior of composites with immersion were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis, weight loss (WL), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). This broad analysis leads to a deeper understanding of the evolution of the polymer-filler interaction with the degradation of the biocomposites. The results showed that β-TCP gradually evolved into carbonated hydroxyapatite as the immersion time increased. This evolution affected the interaction of β-TCP with PLA. PLA and β-TCP interactions differed from PLA and carbonated hydroxyapatite interactions. It was observed that β-TCP inhibited PLA hydrolysis but accelerated the thermal degradation of the polymer. β-TCP retarded the cold crystallization of PLA and hindered its crystallinity. However, after immersion in SBF, particles accelerated the cold crystallization of PLA. Therefore, considering the evolution of β-TCP with immersion in SBF is crucial for an accurate analysis of the biocomposites' degradation. These findings enhance the comprehension of the degradation mechanism in PLA/β-TCP, which is valuable for predicting the degradation performance of PLA/β-TCP in medical applications.

Effect of the Interplay between Polymer-Filler and Filler-Filler Interactions on the Conductivity of a Filled Diblock Copolymer System.

We investigate the relative roles of the involved interactions and micro-phase morphology in the formation of the conductive filler network in an insulating diblock copolymer (DBC) system. By incorporating the filler immersion energy obtained by means of the phase-field model of the DBC into the Monte Carlo simulation of the filler system, we determined the equilibrium distribution of fillers in the DBC that assumes the lamellar or cylindrical (hexagonal) morphology. Furthermore, we used the resistor network model to calculate the conductivity of the simulated filler system. The obtained results essentially depend on the complicated interplay of the following three factors: (i) Geometry of the DBC micro-phase, in which fillers are preferentially localized; (ii) difference between the affinities of fillers for dissimilar copolymer blocks; (iii) interaction between fillers. The localization of fillers in the cylindrical DBC micro-phase has been found to most effectively promote the conductivity of the composite. The effect of the repulsive and attractive interactions between fillers on the conductivity of the filled DBC has been studied in detail. It is quantitatively demonstrated that this effect has different significance in the cases when the fillers are preferentially localized in the majority and minority micro-phases of the cylindrical DBC morphology.

Interfacial coupling efficiency of functionalised rubbers on silica surfaces

Interfacial coupling efficiency of functionalised rubbers on silica surfaces