Increase In Crosslink Density Research Articles

Multiscale Elasticity of Epoxy Networks by Rheology and Brillouin Light Spectroscopy.

The response of soft materials to an imposed oscillatory stress is typically frequency dependent, with the most utilized frequency range falling in the range of 10-2-102 rad/s. In contrast to most conventional contact techniques for measuring material elasticity, like tensile or shear rheology and atomic force microscopy, or invasive techniques using probes, such as microrheology, Brillouin light spectroscopy (BLS) offers an optical, noncontact, label-free, submicron resolution and three-dimensional (3D) mapping approach to access the mechanical moduli at GHz frequencies. Currently, the correlation between the experimental viscoelastic (at lower frequencies) and elastic (at higher frequencies) moduli has fundamental and practical relevance, but remains unclear. We utilize a series of solvent-free epoxy polymer networks with variable cross-link density as models to compare the storage modulus, G', (in the MPa range) obtained from shear rheology and the longitudinal modulus, M', (in the GPa range) extracted from BLS. Our results show that G' exhibits a much stronger increase with increasing cross-link density than M' (by a factor of about 3.5). This finding is discussed in the context of the phantom network model for G' and Wood's inverse rule of mixtures for M'. The epoxy polymer network displays an unexpectedly fast hypersonic dispersion compared to its uncross-linked precursor. These results testify the importance of obtaining reliable information about the elasticity of networks and will hopefully trigger further investigations in the direction of bridging the elasticity of soft materials at different scales.

Tailoring Dielectric Properties and Dimensional Stability of Poly(Phenylene Ether) Using Bismaleimide Crosslinkers for High-Frequency PCB Applications.

With the increasing demand for high-performance printed circuit boards (PCBs) in the 6G communication era, dielectric substrate materials must exhibit a low dielectric constant (Dk), low dielectric loss (Df), and high dimensional stability. In this study, a series of bismaleimide-incorporated poly(phenylene ether) resins (PPE-BMI) with varying bismaleimide (BMI) crosslinker contents is developed, exhibiting significantly enhanced dielectric properties and dimensional stability, owing to the restricted polymer chain mobility and increased crosslinking density. Dielectric property measurements reveal that the PPE-BMI resins exhibit low Dk and Df values at frequencies above 100GHz, while maintaining an excellent dielectric performance even after an 85 °C/85% relative humidity reliability test. A significant reduction in the coefficient of thermal expansion is observed with an increase in the BMI content. Molecular dynamics simulations are employed to clarify the role of BMI crosslinkers in reducing the free volume, enhancing the crosslinking in the PPE (poly(phenylene ether)) matrix, and influencing the thermophysical properties of PPE-BMI. The infiltration of PPE-BMI into glass fabrics and liquid crystal fabrics highlights their potential for practical use in advanced PCB applications operating at high frequencies.

Triethoxysilane-derived silicon quantum dots: A novel pathway to small size and high crystallinity

The crystalline fraction is a critical parameter for assessing the quality of silicon quantum dots (SiQDs), and its enhancement is anticipated to improve the optoelectronic performance of these materials. However, the crystalline fraction of small SiQDs produced through the pyrolysis of hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) polymers still has significant potential for improvement. In this study, we successfully synthesized SiQDs with a diameter of approximately 3 nm and near-perfect crystallinity by optimizing the triethoxysilane (TES)/aqueous hydrochloric acid (HCl) volume ratio during the hydrolysis-condensation process of HSQ polymers. The SiQDs exhibited a photoluminescence (PL) center at 760 nm and an average PL quantum yield (PLQY) of 24.4%. Our findings demonstrate that the TES/aqueous HCl ratio significantly influences the proportion of cage structure and the cross-linking density of the network structure in HSQ polymers, which in turn governs SiQD size and crystallinity. A high proportion of cage structures in HSQ polymers promotes high crystallinity. Notably, an increased cross-linking density within the network structure results in elevated and uniform diffusion barriers. This phenomenon not only hinders the diffusion of silicon atoms, leading to smaller sizes but also facilitates the achievement of high crystallinity due to uniform diffusion. This work presents a novel approach to achieving exceptional crystalline in small SiQDs, with implications for advanced applications in lighting, display technologies, medical imaging, and photovoltaics.

Study on the aging behavior and mechanism of nitrile rubber composites in combined radiation-thermal environments

This contribution investigates the aging property changes and mechanism of nitrile rubber (NBR) under the combined radiation-thermal environments in the N2 atmosphere. Aging resulted in a decrease in elongation at break from 309.01 % to 64.74 %, an increase in modulus of elasticity from 3.84 MPa to 9.09 MPa, and a slight increase in thermal stability. The crosslink density increases and the mass loss of the sample is reduced, while the chemical structure of the sample surface is almost intact. By gas-phase infrared spectroscopy, the irradiation aging-induced gases from NBR were also analyzed, including CO2, CO, and alkanes (CH4, C2H6, C3H8). This indicates that chain scission and pendant group removal also take place, whereas chain breaking primarily occurs at the macromolecular chain end. The above degradation reactions and the decomposed additives account for the generated trace amount of small molecule gas products. These findings suggest that the primary aging mechanisms of NBR are the cross-linking of macromolecular chains and additive loss. Furthermore, radiation and thermal have a synergistic effect on NBR aging, and this effect has a threshold temperature that is clearly between 50 °C and 70 °C. The synergistic effect of additive cleavage is only apparent at temperatures above 65 °C under radiation-thermal conditions.

Fabrication and Characterization of Biopolymers Using Polyvinyl Alcohol and Cardanol-Based Polyols.

Biodegradable polymers are getting attention as renewable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics due to their environmental benefits. However, improving their physical properties remains challenging. In this work, biodegradable biopolymers (PVA-PCD) were fabricated by chemically crosslinking petroleum-based polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with biomass-derived cardanol-based polyols (PCD). Biopolymers were characterized using various techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and swelling tests. Cardanol, the raw material, was converted into polyols via epoxidation followed by hydroxylation. FT-IR analysis confirmed that PVA-PCD biopolymers were crosslinked between the hydroxyl groups of PVA and PCD and the aldehydes of crosslinker glutaraldehyde (GLU), accompanied by the formation of acetal groups with ether bridges. XRD showed that the crystallinity of crosslinked polymers decreased, indicating that crosslinking occurs disorderly. TGA exhibited that GLU significantly improved the thermal stabilities of PVA and PCD-PVA polymers, as evidenced by increased decomposition temperatures. On the other hand, the effect of PVA/PCD ratios was minor on biopolymers' thermal stabilities. Swelling tests revealed that increased crosslinking density decreased the swelling ratio, suggesting that PVA-PCD biopolymers become more hydrophobic with high brittleness, high strength, and low swelling capacity. In summary, this study demonstrates that PVA-PCD biopolymers fabricated from biomass-derived materials have potential for various applications, such as biodegradable materials and sustainable packaging.

Tough bio-based thermosets with dual curing capability via epoxy and allylic functionality

Acrylic monomer from high oleic soybean oil (HO-SBM) was combined with vanillin-derived aromatic counterpart, 2-glycidoxy-5-vinylanisole (GVA), in chain copolymerization to design tough biobased thermosets with a dual-curing capability. Under specified conditions, a polymer network can be formed by selective cross-linking of epoxy groups of GVA or HO-SBM allylic groups as well as dual-curing via epoxy-amine and autoxidation mechanisms simultaneously. Glass transition temperature of the synthesized copolymers increases with the GVA content, although the values fall in a rather narrow range (−10 °C to 7 °C).Thermosets cured via epoxy-amine and dual-curing have a significantly denser network when compared to autooxidation. Such an increase in cross-link density led to improved chemical (solvent) resistance and hardness of thermoset coatings. At the same time, a higher GVA fraction in the chain (from 37 to 44 wt%) noticeably increases Young's modulus of thermosets (up to 235 MPa). A substantial modulus increase at the rubbery plateau was observed for epoxy-amine and dual-curing thermosets with 44 wt% of GVA.

Effect of nano silicon nitride integration on the curing performance of DGEBA epoxy matrix at ambient temperature

Epoxy curing requires substantial thermal energy input and is constrained by the specimen’s scale, shape, and design, especially with autoclave processing. This challenge is addressed in the present study by incorporating Silicon Nitride (SiN) nanoparticles into an epoxy matrix to enhance curing efficiency at room temperature. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) demonstrated a uniform dispersion of nanofillers within the epoxy, indicating improved mechanical and thermal stress transfer between the matrix and the filler. The interphase thickness, determined to be 1.16 nm using Lipatov’s theory and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms, suggests excellent matrix-filler interaction and a significant increase in cross-link density. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed an increase in activation energy by 63 %, 101 %, and 113 % at heating rates of 10, 20, and 30 °C/min, respectively, indicating enhanced thermal stability of the nanocomposite. Additionally, the char yield increased by 7 %, 18 %, and 22 % at the same heating rates, signifying the formation of effective crosslinks, leading to a higher proportion of solid remnants rather than volatiles during degradation.

Design of hybrid multi-crosslinked hydrogel with a combination of high stiffness, elastic applied in high temperature and high salinity reservoirs

The mechanical strength of conventional hydrogels is inadequate for preventing leakage in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoirs, primarily due to the increased mobility of polymer chains and the degradation of crosslinked networks. Herein, we employed the strategy of ’network nesting and layer reinforcement’ to design a hybrid multi-site crosslinked hydrogel. This approach enhances the interconnections between polymer chains and fortifies the crosslinked network. The shear rheological behavior and temperature sensitive characteristics of the profile control working fluids were evaluated based on rheological dynamics. In the high temperature (140 ℃) and high salinity (21.81 × 104 mg/L) preparation environment, the effects of different components to the mechanical strength of the hydrogel were investigated under dynamic shear and uniaxial compression conditions. The incorporation of N-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide (NMA) in the copolymerization with acrylamide (AM) resulted in an increase in the covalent cross-linking density, leading to a rise in the shear elastic modulus from 105 Pa to 238 Pa. The use of pre-gelatinized cassava starch (PGCM) as the grafting framework enhanced the bonding between the polymer chains, as evidenced by the increase in uniaxial compressive strength from 0.018 MPa to 0.081 MPa and the rise in peak strain from 55.0 % to 72.9 %. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of fumed silica (AEROSIL), which exploits mechanical coupling between inorganic nano-fillers and organic polymers, increased the compressive strength from 0.081 MPa to 0.418 MPa and raised the peak strain from 72.9 % to 81.8 %. It provides an effective approach to enhance the plugging performance of hydrogels in high temperature and high salinity reservoirs.

Tribomechanical Properties of PVA/Nomex® Composite Hydrogels for Articular Cartilage Repair.

Due to the increasing prevalence of articular cartilage diseases and limitations faced by current therapeutic methodologies, there is an unmet need for new materials to replace damaged cartilage. In this work, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels were reinforced with different amounts of Nomex® (known for its high mechanical toughness, flexibility, and resilience) and sterilized by gamma irradiation. Samples were studied concerning morphology, chemical structure, thermal behavior, water content, wettability, mechanical properties, and rheological and tribological behavior. Overall, it was found that the incorporation of aramid nanostructures improved the hydrogel's mechanical performance, likely due to the reinforcement's intrinsic strength and hydrogen bonding to PVA chains. Additionally, the sterilization of the materials also led to superior mechanical properties, possibly related to the increased crosslinking density through the hydrogen bonding caused by the irradiation. The water content, wettability, and tribological performance of PVA hydrogels were not compromised by either the reinforcement or the sterilization process. The best-performing composite, containing 1.5% wt. of Nomex®, did not induce cytotoxicity in human chondrocytes. Plugs of this hydrogel were inserted in porcine femoral heads and tested in an anatomical hip simulator. No significant changes were observed in the hydrogel or cartilage, demonstrating the material's potential to be used in cartilage replacement.

Preparation and characterization of UV-curable coatings based on waterborne polyurethane acrylate/g-C3N4 co-crosslinked network for wood materials

Wood materials are often damaged due to exposure to environmental factors including humidity changes, temperature fluctuations, and ultraviolet radiation, resulting in surface aging, deformation, and cracking. Therefore, developing a new wood coating with good mechanical properties and weather resistance is conducive to improving the usability and service life of wood as an outdoor material. In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with a characteristic crystal structure was synthesized using melamine as raw material. By constructing a g-C3N4 /polyurethane acrylate co-crosslinked network, a UV-curable wood coating with excellent interfacial adhesion was prepared, which retained the natural aesthetic texture of the wood and imparted good wear resistance, anti-wetting property, and aging resistance to the wood material. Subsequently, the formation process and cross-linking reaction mechanism of the coating were revealed by XRD, FTIR and XPS measurements. Compared with untreated samples, coatings with a cross-linked network structure exhibited enhanced resistance to external environmental changes. As the content of the g-C3N4 increased (>1.0 %), the mechanical properties were significantly improved, with the mass loss rate and damaged area decreasing by 56.9 % and 60.0 %. Meanwhile, with the increased cross-link density of the coating, the water and heat resistance of the wood increased by 22.77 % and 260 %, respectively. After a seven-day UV aging resistance test, the ΔE values only changed by 10.28 %, showing good weathering resistance. This design and synthesis of wood coating provides an effective technology for the long-term use of outdoor wood material.

Effects of NIR-reflective pigments on waterborne polyurethane coatings and their thermal insulation performance

Waterborne coatings have garnered much attention and gradually occupied the coating market recently due to the significant advantages in volatile organic compound emissions compared with solvent-borne coatings. Waterborne polyurethane coatings are a majority portion of waterborne coatings. Unlike solvent-borne coatings, the film formation of waterborne coatings occurs in an inhomogeneous phase, which brings a challenge for pigmentation in waterborne coatings. However, the influence of pigment on film formation and the property of waterborne polyurethane coating remain unclear. In this study, the different contents of commercial black near-infrared (NIR) reflective pigments were incorporated into both commercial and synthetic waterborne polyurethane systems. The film formation process was monitored by multispeckle diffusing wave spectroscopy. The impact of the pigment content on dry films was assessed through scanning electron microscope, color and gloss measurements, dynamical thermal analyzer, and tensile testing. Furthermore, the thermal insulation performance of the waterborne polyurethane coatings was evaluated to study the function of the NIR reflective pigments. Our findings reveal that the addition of black NIR reflective pigments yields a multifaceted effect on film formation and coating morphology and improves thermal insulating property. Elevated pigment content correlated with increased crosslinking density, tensile stress, and Young's modulus.

Development of single-component epoxy resin with superb thermal stability, flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and latency via Cu-based phosphorus/imidazole-containing complex

To address the growing need for fire-safe single-component epoxy resin (EP) systems, this study introduced a phosphorus-containing copper complex (Cu-DA) as a multifunctional latent curing agent. The Cu-DA complex, synthesized by coordinating copper (II) chloride and a phosphorus-based imidazole, significantly improved the latency, thermal stability, and fire resistance of single-component EP. The obtained EP/Cu-DA-2 mixture with 15.3 wt% Cu-DA showed a 43-day shelf life and a rapid gel time of 22 min at 150 °C, highlighting its superb latency and fast curing. After curing, the resultant thermoset had a high glass transition temperature of 160.9 °C and increased crosslinking density, indicating superior thermal stability. The EP/Cu-DA-3 system with 17.4 wt% Cu-DA achieved a high limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 37.8 % and a UL-94 V-0 rating, reflecting its satisfactory flame retardancy. Furthermore, compared to the control EP system, the total smoke production (TSP) and maximum smoke density (MSD) of EP/Cu-DA-3 were reduced by approximately 28.4 % and 25.8 %, respectively, demonstrating significantly enhanced smoke suppression. The research offers a scalable strategy for developing single-component EP systems with rapid curing, high fire resistance, and great smoke suppression, meeting the demands of industrial applications.

Acid acceptor modulated interfacial polymerization with piperazine-2-carboxylic acid as diamine monomer for ultrathin polyamide nanofiltration membrane

When introducing acid groups in the diamine monomer for the fabrication of polyamide (PA) membranes through interfacial polymerization (IP), the acid groups not only reduce the diffusion flux of diamine monomer for the polymerization to prepare ultrathin membrane but also provide the negative charges on the membrane surface. However, the introduction of acid groups often weakens the reactivity of diamine monomers, resulting in the formation of thick and loose PA membranes with low rejection of ions. This study proposes a strategy of modulating the IP process of piperazine-2-carboxylic acid (CPIP) by employing an acid acceptor (NaOH) to prepare thin nanofiltration membranes. The acid acceptor can neutralize the HCl to prevent CPIP from being protonated during the IP process, thereby facilitating the cross-linking reaction rate. The thickness of the resulting membrane decreases from 180 nm to 30 nm, accompanied by the fortification of the negative charge, an increase in cross-linking density, and a reduction in pore size. The resulting PA-AA/CPIP_1.0 membrane exhibits a water permeance of 44.6 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, with a significantly increased Na2SO4 rejection of 98.4 % compared with 50.4 % of the PA-AA/CPIP_0 membrane fabricated without acid acceptor. This work may open a new avenue to fabricating high-performance PA membranes for nanofiltration.

Emerging Mo-doped MgAl-LDH lamellar/carbon nanotubes as 3D sustainable nanohybrid for designing a durable smart anti-corrosion composite

This paper focused on the utilization of 3D hybrid nanocomposites composed of layered double hydroxides (L) containing sodium molybdate (SM), which are chemically bonded with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (FCN), as nanocarriers for smart corrosion prevention. The SM molecules were loaded into the L, and L/FCN nanocarriers by an anion exchange process, and then the 3 synthesized nanoparticles (L, SM-L, and SM-L/FCN) were characterized. Based on the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PD) tests' outcomes, the maximum corrosion prevention efficiency (about 90.88 %) belongs to the SM-L/FCN nano reservoir containing saline extract. Additionally, for the epoxy phase, the EIS results (on the intact and scratched specimens) revealed a significant diminish in the chloride and water penetration into the epoxy coating during 63 days of immersion for intact and 24 h for scratched states. EIS results indicated the enhancement of the charge transfer resistance (Rct) of the scratched coatings, from 17.42 kΩ.cm2 for the EP sample to 72.47 kΩ.cm2 for the SM-L/FCN/EP one in long immersion times, revealing the self-repairing behavior of the designed coating. The results of intact coating revealed that the Log (|Z|0.01 Hz) value reached 10.63 in long immersion time indicating a decreased occurrence of coating disbondment attributed to the electrolyte infiltration and corrosion of the underlying metal substratum. According to the pull-off and cathodic disbonding tests results, there was an enhancement in adhesion (51.5 % decrease in loss of adhesion strength, & a 52 % decline in diameter of cathodic disbondment), and a strong interaction between the interface of epoxy and substratum. According to the mechanical tests (tensile and DMTA) results the incorporation of L and FCN nanoparticles into the SM-L/FCN sample enhanced the nanocomposite's mechanical properties. The tensile test showed an increase in ultimate tensile strength (σUTS) and elongation at break (Ɛb) of 130.61 % and 107.59 %, respectively, compared to the pure epoxy (EP) sample. Additionally, the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) test indicated a 144 % increase in crosslinking density for the SM L/FCN sample compared to the neat epoxy.

Increasing the cross-link density in a dual dissociative and associative polythiourethane covalent adaptable network improves both creep resistance and extrudability

There have been significant, recent reports of the effects of cross-link density on the relaxation dynamics and processability of exclusively associative covalent adaptable networks (CANs), also called vitrimers. Similar characterization is lacking for the substantial number of CANs that exhibit dual associative and dissociative dynamic covalent chemistries. Polythiourethane (PTU), which is a thiol-based analogue of polyurethane, is one such polymer class that exhibits both dissociative and associative dynamic chemistries. Here, we tune the cross-link density of PTU CANs by systematic incorporation of long-chain and short-chain thiols. As would be commonly expected, relative to networks with lower cross-link density, PTU networks with higher cross-link density exhibit improved creep resistance at 60 °C and 100 °C. However, we also observe faster elevated-temperature stress relaxation with increasing cross-link density, which is attributable to the dual nature of the PTU dynamic chemistry, with the associative dynamic mechanism being increasingly favored and becoming increasingly more rapid with increasing cross-link density. Because of this shift, our PTU CAN with the highest cross-link density undergoes facile melt extrusion at 150 °C; in contrast, our PTU CAN of lowest cross-link density cannot be melt extruded. Overall, this work highlights the significance of cross-link density in networks exhibiting two or more dynamic chemistries and how that may lead to otherwise unexpected outcomes, e.g., better processability at higher cross-link density.

Effect of Peptide-Polymer Host-Guest Electrostatic Interactions on Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogels Structural and Mechanical Properties and Polymer Diffusivity.

Peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels are an attractive class of soft materials for biomedical applications when biocompatibility is a key requirement as they exploit the physical self-assembly of short self-assembling peptides avoiding the need for chemical cross-linking. Based on the knowledge developed through our previous work, we designed two novel peptides, E(FKFE)2 and K(FEFK)2, that form transparent hydrogels at pH 7. We characterized the phase behavior of these peptides and showed the clear link that exists between the charge carried by the peptides and the physical state of the samples. We subsequently demonstrate the cytocompatibility of the hydrogel and its suitability for 3D cell culture using 3T3 fibroblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells. We then loaded the hydrogels with two polymers, poly-l-lysine and dextran. When polymer and peptide fibers carry opposite charges, the size of the elemental fibril formed decreases, while the overall level of fiber aggregation and fiber bundle formation increases. This overall network topology change, and increase in cross-link stability and density, leads to an overall increase in the hydrogel mechanical properties and stability, i.e., resistance to swelling when placed in excess media. Finally, we investigate the diffusion of the polymers out of the hydrogels and show how electrostatic interactions can be used to control the release of large molecules. The work clearly shows how polymers can be used to tailor the properties of peptide hydrogels through guided intermolecular interactions and demonstrates the potential of these new soft hydrogels for use in the biomedical field in particular for delivery or large molecular payloads and cells as well as scaffolds for 3D cell culture.

Castor oil-based polyurethane Vitrimer modified asphalts regulated by dual dynamic reversible reactions and crosslinking density: Preparation, basic assessment and self-healing behavior

Thermosetting polymers, commonly used to improve asphalt properties, bring excellent pavement performance, but also pose significant challenges to the healing and recyclability of their modified asphalts after long-term service. An effective approach involves introducing dynamic bonds into the crosslinking networks to synthesize Vitrimer-modified asphalts with self-healing response. Due to the splendid mechanical properties, high elasticity, flexibility and easily controllable cross-linked structure of polyurethane, a novel castor oil-based polyurethane Vitrimer modified asphalt with disulfide bonds and Diels-Alder reactions was developed. Based on the prepared castor oil-based polyurethane Vitrimer (C-PUV, composed of components A and B) and its modified asphalts (C-PUVAs), a comprehensive study was conducted on the crosslinking density, mechanical properties, thermal stability, viscosity, compatibility, rheological properties, and self-healing behavior. The results indicated that C-PUVAs (C-PUVA1/C-PUVA2/C-PUVA3/C-PUVA4) exhibited sufficient retention times for viscosity, uniform phase distribution, and good high-temperature performance. The damaged C-PUVAs achieved a mechanical strength recovery rate more than 75 % after the first cycle of self-healing at 80 ℃ and 0.3 MPa. Furthermore, the crosslinking density of C-PUV was regulated by the segment length of component B. As the crosslinking density increased, C-PUV and C-PUVAs obtained higher mechanical strength while sacrificing part of self-healing efficiency. The mechanism is that increased crosslinking density altered the gel point distributions of the reversible crosslinked networks, resulting in a longer relaxation time and higher activation energy. In conclusion, the above findings provided valuable insights for developing bio-based polyurethane Vitrimer modified asphalts, and endosing thermosetting polymer modified asphalts with self-healing and recyclable properties.

Advancing flame retardancy, mechanical properties, and hydrophobicity of epoxy resins through bio-based cinnamaldehyde derivative

Developing flame retardants based on biomass materials to improve the flame retardancy and multifunctionality of epoxy resin (EP) is crucial. Herein, we synthesized a novel derivative, PPABCA, combining cinnamaldehyde and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide to serve as flame retardants for EP. Incorporating 5 wt% PPABCA into EP (EP/PPABCA-5) demonstrated remarkable flame retardancy, with a limiting oxygen index of 33.7% and a V-0 rating in UL-94 test. It also reduced the peak heat release rate, total heat release, and peak CO2 production by 32.9%, 29.9%, and 42.8%, respectively. The enhanced flame retardancy was facilitated by the capture of phosphorus-containing free radicals coupled with dilution of combustible gas characterized by the blow-out phenomenon and formation of a dense char layer enriched with triazine and phosphorus. Furthermore, EP/PPABCA-5 exhibited enhanced flexural and tensile strengths by 20.5% and 16.5% compared to EP, attributed to the increased cross-linking density and π-π conjugation from the high rigidity of PPABCA, along with its good compatibility with EP. Additionally, the improved hydrophobic properties of PPABCA, confirmed by electrostatic potential analysis, further enhanced the hydrophobicity of EP composites. Overall, this work underscored a strategic development of multifunctional, bio-based flame retardant, showcasing efficient flame retardancy, enhanced mechanical properties, and boosted hydrophobicity in EP.

Accelerating effect of metal ionic liquids for epoxy-anhydride copolymerization

One of the main drawbacks of high-performance epoxy-anhydride thermosets is slow cross-link kinetics requiring high temperature and long curing cycle. Herein, the accelerating effect of imidazolium metal-based ionic liquids (MILs) bearing (FeCl4)-, (ZnCl4)2-, and (CoCl4)2- anions on epoxy-anhydride copolymerization was investigated. It was observed that MILs accelerated bisphenol diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) − methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) cross-linking, better than the reference catalysts (1-methylimidazole and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride), especially at low temperatures through their ability to activate a rapid anhydride ring opening and formation of carboxyl groups, which initiates polyesterification. A detailed investigation of the polymerization mechanism revealed the formation of alternating epoxy-anhydride copolymers although several MILs-induced initiation mechanisms were detected. Despite the multiple-initiation consisting of imidazole, counter anion, and polyesterification pathways, the cross-linking kinetics was successfully fitted up to vitrification by the Kamal-Sourour model. Finally, MILs-induced cross-linking leads to homogeneous network build-up enabling to produce thermosetting materials with an increased cross-link density, a glass transition temperature above 150 °C, and excellent thermal stability.

The Role of Reduced Graphene Oxide in Enhancing the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of a Rubber Cover Joint.

The development of high-performance rubber composites has always been a research hotspot in the field of conveyor belt manufacturing. In this work, a rubber cover joint composite made of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was prepared using latex mixing and mechanical blending methods, with a steel wire rope conveyor belt as the research object, and the influence of the rGO content on the properties of the rubber composite is discussed. The structure and morphology characterization of the rGO/NR rubber show that the addition of rGO does not change its crystal structure, and 1.2 phr rGO is uniformly dispersed throughout the rubber composite. As more rGO is added, the mechanical properties of the rGO rubber cover joint first improve and then worsen. With the addition of 1.2 phr, the cross-linking density increases by 80.6%, the tensile strength of the rubber composites increases by 49.7%, the elongation at break increases by 23.6%, and the adhesion strength increases by 12.4%. The tensile strength of the rGO rubber cover joint can still maintain 72.5% of its pre-thermal aging value. The wear resistance and thermal conductivity increase as more phr is added. When 3.0 phr is added, the wear resistance of the rubber composites increases by 32.9%, the thermal conductivity increases by 118.8%, and the temperature difference at the completion of vulcanization decreases from 4.5 °C to 1.8 °C. The results show that when 1.2 phr of rGO is added, the rubber conveyor belt joint obtains the best comprehensive performance. These enhanced comprehensive properties allow for the practical application of rGO nanomaterials to conveyor belt rubber.