Polymer Blend Nanocomposites Research Articles

Investigation of the Crystallization Kinetics and Melting Behaviour of Polymer Blend Nanocomposites Based on Poly(L-Lactic Acid), Nylon 11 and TMDCs WS2.

The aim of this work was to study the crystallization kinetics and melting behaviour of polymer blend nanocomposites based on poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA), nylon 11 and tungsten disulfide nanotubes (INT-WS2), which are layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), using non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Blends containing different nylon 11 contents ranging from 20 to 80 wt.% with or without INT-WS2 were prepared by melt mixing. Evaluation of their morphology with high-resolution SEM imaging proved that the incorporation of inorganic nanotubes into the immiscible PLLA/nylon 11 mixtures led to an improvement in the dispersibility of the nylon 11 phase, a reduction in its average domain size and, consequently, an increase in its interfacial area. The crystallization temperatures of these PLLA/nylon 11-INT blends were influenced by the cooling rate and composition. In particular, the DSC results appear to demonstrate that the 1D-TMDCs WS2 within the PLLA/nylon 11-INT blend nanocomposites initiated nucleation in both polymeric components, with the effect being more pronounced for PLLA. Moreover, the nucleation activity and activation energy were calculated to support these findings. The nucleation effect of INT-WS2, which influences the melting behaviour of PLLA, is highly important, particularly when evaluating polymer crystallinity. This study opens up new perspectives for the development of advanced PLA-based nanomaterials that show great potential for ecological and biomedical applications.

Toward simultaneous compatibilization and nucleation of fully biodegradabe nanocomposites: Effect of nanorod-assisted interfacial stereocomplex crystals in immiscible polymer blends

Reactive compatibilization of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)-based polymer blend nanocomposites exhibit tremendous merits of biodegradability and high-performance towards commercial criteria, but the inferior crystallinity as well as the accompanied poor thermal stability impede its practical exploitation. In this work, we demonstrate that the interfacial positioned nanorods containing dual-grafts result in simultaneous “interfacial compatibilization” and “interfacial nucleation” in the fully biodegradable PLA/poly butylene succinate (PBSU) blend nanocomposites. The dual-grafted AlOOH containing both PBSU and poly (d-lactic acid) (PDLA) grafts (AlOOH-g-(D&B)) were pre-made and incorporated into the PLLA/PBSU blend. During melt compounding, AlOOH nanorods were selectively bridged at the PLLA-PBSU interface, facilitating both physical entanglement (PBSU-grafts within PBSU phase) and stereocomplex formation (PDLA-grafts within poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) phase). The unique interfacial architecture with both nanorods and stereocomplex crystals induces the refined morphology, rapid crystallization, and enhanced thermal resistance of the fully biodegradable polymer blend nanocomposites.

Novel of (PLA/PCL blend)/Gd2O3 rare earth oxide nanocomposites: Shape memory effect, thermal, magnetic, and mechanical properties

AbstractPoly ɛ‐caprolactone (PCL) and poly lactic acid (PLA) stand out as biocompatible polymers. In this study, PCL and PLA were blended in 40:60 ratio, respectively, and then the Gd2O3 compound, which is an important earth element oxide, was mixed in PLA–PCL shape memory polymer (SMP) blend at different rates and polymer blend nanocomposites were obtained. First of all, the effects of Gd2O3 oxide on the thermal properties of the SMP blend were determined with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and it was determined that Gd2O3 did not have a significant effect on the melting temperature of the blend, while it significantly increased its thermal stability. As a result of the XRD (X‐ray diffraction) analysis of the composites at room temperature, it was determined that the semicrystalline blend, with the addition of Gd2O3, increased its crystalline property. When the shape memory effect was examined, it was understood that the additive did not eliminate the shape memory effect. When the magnetic property of the gadolinium oxide‐doped composite, which is magnetocaloric oxide, was examined, the magnetic property of the composite changed from diamagnetic to paramagnetic with increasing additives. Finally, the mechanical properties of the shape memory blend composite were investigated and no regular changes were observed in the mechanical properties with increasing Gd2O3.

Interfacial Engineering with Rigid Nanoplatelets in Immiscible Polymer Blends: Interface Strengthening and Interfacial Curvature Controlling.

The interfacial nanoparticle compatibilization (INC) strategy has opened up a promising avenue toward simultaneous functionalization and interfacial engineering of immiscible polymer blends. While the INC mechanism has been well developed recently, few investigations have focused on rigid nanoplatelets because of the inherent steric hindrance of the surface-grafted polymer chains. Herein, surface-modified rigid nanoplatelets have been incorporated into an immiscible poly(l-lactide) (PLLA)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBSU) blend. It is demonstrated that the strong interfacial adhesion between PLLA and PBSU phases is promoted via molecular entanglements of the grafted chains on the surface of nanoplatelets with the individual components. A refined phase morphology with improved mechanical properties can be achieved with the addition of 5 wt % modified Gibbsite nanoplatelets. It was further found that the stiffness of nanoplatelets can change the geometry of the interface significantly. It is, therefore, indicated that the simultaneous interface strengthening and interfacial curvature controlling of rigid nanoplatelets originate from the selective swelling/collapse of the in situ-formed PLLA and PBSU grafts within the corresponding phase at the interface. Such a mechanism is confirmed by the Monte Carlo simulations. This work provides new opportunities for the fabrication of advanced polymer blend nanocomposites.

Reactive graphene as highly efficient compatibilizer for cocontinuous poly(lactic acid)/poly(ε-caprolactone) blends toward robust biodegradable nanocomposites

Polymer blend nanocomposites with cocontinuous morphology are popular options for realizing various functions, whereas their miscibility and mechanical properties are usually marginalized. Herein, mechanically strong biodegradable nanocomposites were achieved by exploiting the vinyl functionalized graphene (VGN) as a highly efficient compatibilizer for cocontinuous poly (lactic acid)/poly (ε-caprolactone) (PLA/PCL) blends. After being reactively compatibilized using 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt% of VGN, the phase size of cocontinuous PLA/PCL blend was remarkably decreased, and the tensile strength was increased by 200%, 280%, and 253%, respectively. Moreover, the reactively compatibilized PLA/PCL/VGN blend nanocomposites were more ductile than the PLA/PCL blend. Efficient compatibilization and strong interfacial interactions were responsible for the enhanced mechanical properties. The strong interfacial interactions in reactively compatibilized PLA/PCL/VGN blend nanocomposites were evidenced by the linear rheological and atomic force microscopical modulus measuring results. This work provides a facile strategy for compatibilizing and reinforcing biodegradable polymer blend nanocomposites using reactive graphene, which can be potentially used as highly efficient compatibilizers for immiscible biopolymer blends.

The Role of Phase Migration of Carbon Nanotubes in Melt-Mixed PVDF/PE Polymer Blends for High Conductivity and EMI Shielding Applications.

In this work, the effects of blend ratio and mixing time on the migration of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) within poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/polyethylene (PE) blends are studied. A novel two-step mixing approach was used to pre-localize MWCNTs within the PE phase, and subsequently allow them to migrate into the thermodynamically favored PVDF phase. Light microscopy images confirm that MWCNTs migrate from PE to PVDF, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show individual MWCNTs migrating fully into PVDF, while agglomerates remained trapped at the PVDF/PE interface. PVDF:PE 50:50 and 20:80 polymer blend nanocomposites with 2 vol% MWCNTs exhibit exceptional electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) at 10 min of mixing (13 and 16 dB, respectively-at a thickness of 0.45 mm), when compared to 30 s of mixing (11 and 12 dB, respectively), suggesting the formation of more interconnected MWCNT networks over time. TEM images show that these improved microstructures are concentrated on the PE side of the PVDF/PE interface. A modified version of the “Slim-Fast-Mechanism” is proposed to explain the migration behavior of MWCNTs within the PVDF/PE blend. In this theory, MWCNTs approaching perpendicular to the interface penetrate the PVDF/PE interface, while those approaching in parallel or as MWCNT agglomerates remain trapped. Trapped MWCNTs act as barriers to additional MWCNTs, regardless of geometry. This mechanism is verified via TEM and scanning electron microscopy and suggests the feasibility of localizing MWCNTs at the interface of PVDF/PE blends.

Novel Dispersion of 1D Nanofiber Fillers for Fast Ion-Conducting Nanocomposite Polymer Blend Quasi-Solid Electrolytes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Electrospun nanocomposite polymer blend poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) membranes with a novel dispersion of x wt % of one-dimensional (1D) TiO2 nanofiber fillers (x = 0.0–0.8 in steps of 0.2) were developed using the electrospinning technique. The developed nanocomposite polymer membranes were activated using various redox agents such as LiI, NaI, KI, and tetrabutyl ammonium iodide (TBAI). Introduction of the 1D TiO2 nanofiber fillers improves the amorphous nature of the blended polymer membrane, as confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and yielded an electrolyte uptake of over 480% for a 6 wt % TiO2 nanofiber filler-dispersed sample. PVDF-HFP/PMMA–1D 6 wt % TiO2 nanofiber fillers with the LiI-based redox electrolyte provided a high conductivity of 2.80 × 10–2 S cm–1 and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.08% to their fabricated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The observed better ionic conductivity and efficiency of the fabricated DSSCs could be due to the faster movement of the smaller-ionic-radius (Li) ions entrapped inside the amorphous polymer. This enhanced mobility of ions in the quasi-solid electrolyte leads to faster regeneration of the depleting electrons in the photoanode, resulting in improved efficiency. Further, the achieved high conductivity was analyzed in terms of the dynamics and relaxation mechanisms involved by the ionic charge carriers with complex impedance spectroscopy using a random barrier model and Havriliak–Negami formulation. It was observed that the high-conducting PVDF-HFP/PMMA–1D 6 wt % TiO2 nanofiber fillers with LiI-based redox electrolyte show better ac conductivity parameters such as a σ of 5.82 × 10–2 S cm–1, ωe (12685 rad s–1), τe (0.909 × 10–4 s), and n (0.578). Also, dielectric studies revealed that the high-conducting sample has a higher dielectric constant and subsequently high loss. The J–V characteristics were studied using the equivalent circuit of a single-diode model, and the parameters influencing the photovoltaic performance were determined by Symbiotic Organisms Search (SOS) algorithm. The results suggest that the high-efficient sample possesses a minimum series resistance of 1.33 Ω and a maximum shunt resistance of 997 Ω. Hence, the highest-conducting electrospun-blended polymeric nanocomposite (PVDF-HFP–PMMA–6 wt % TiO2 nanofiber fillers) with LiI-based redox agent and tert-butyl pyridine (TBP) additive as the polymer quasi-solid electrolyte nanofibrous membrane can be a better electrolyte for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cell applications.

Pvc/Pvp/Srtio3 Polymer Blend Nanocomposites as Potential Materials for Optoelectronic Applications

Pvc/Pvp/Srtio3 Polymer Blend Nanocomposites as Potential Materials for Optoelectronic Applications

Role of bimetallic (Ag-Cu) nanoparticles on the structural properties of PVA/PVP blend green nanocomposites

This study reports the green synthesis of polymer blend nanocomposites of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Poly vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) embedded with Silver (Ag), Copper (Cu) mono metallic and Silver-Copper (Ag-Cu) bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs), generated using plant mediated solution casting method. The formation of blend, polymer-polymer interactions, interaction between polymer and nanoparticles and role of the nanoparticles on the interactions among PVA/PVP blend nanocomposites were studies by FTIR spectroscopy. The crystallinity of the prepared nanocomposites was studied by the XRD characterisation technique and it is observed that there is an increase in amorphous nature, which is due to the addition of nanoparticles into the base matrix. These green composites are suitable for various applications such as food, medical packaging and electronic industries.

Organic compound gas detector based on polylactic acid/poly (styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile)/multi‐walled carbon nanotube blend composite with co‐continuous microstructure

AbstractA conductive polymer composite (CPC) based on polylactic acid (PLA)/poly (styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (SAN)/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) blend was prepared and used as a sensitive layer for detecting methanol, ethanol, toluene, and water vapor. The response behavior of polymer blend nanocomposite in comparison with PLA‐MWNT and SAN‐MWNT sensitive layers was studied as well as the influence of solution blending on the morphology, electrical behavior, and performance parameters of prepared sensitive layers. The scanning electron microscopy micrograph results showed that the PLA/SAN solution blended with a 50/50 wt% ratio had formed the co‐continuous morphology. In addition, the electrical conductivity investigation revealed that the percolation threshold of sensitive layers decreased from 1.5 vol%, related to PLA‐MWNT, to 0.8 vol%, related PLA/SAN blend nanocomposite. Thermodynamic investigation revealed that, in the solution blended conductive composites, MWNTs are preferentially localized in the PLA phase. The relative response (Rrel) of blended conductive composite, in comparison with PLA‐MWNT, was increased toward ethanol and toluene vapor while it was decreased against the methanol vapor. The sensitivity behavior of polymer blend composite was investigated based on the double percolated conductive network as well as the thermodynamic parameters such as Flory‐Huggins interaction parameter and solubility parameters.

Porous conductive elastomeric composites with carbon nanotubes suspended in the narrow pores from Co-continuous polymer blend nanocomposites

Porous conductive poly(ethylene-co-octene) (POE) elastomeric composites have been fabricated by selectively etching of the poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) phase from the co-continuous POE/PBAT/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) ternary nanocomposites in which CNTs are exclusively located in the PBAT phase. The CNTs were fully left and suspended in the narrow pores with the solvent etching of PBAT by the dichloromethane. The obtained porous composites are light weight, flexible, and elastic. Moreover, the conductivity of the porous elastic composites is 11 orders of magnitude higher than that of the ternary nanocomposites with 2.0 wt% CNTs. In addition, the fully exposure of the CNTs in the pores induces the significantly increased electromagnetic interference shielding effects. The formation of porous conductive elastomers paves new possibility to fabricate functional materials for flexible electronics.

Impact of nano-titania and ultrasonic irradiation on the physical properties of polymer blend electrolytes

Nanocomposite polymer blend electrolytes (NCPBEs) consisting of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) as polymers, lithium triflate (LiCF3SO3) as an electrolyte and nano-titania (TiO2) as a filler were prepared by both conventional stirring and ultrasonic irradiation methods. Complex formation and an increase in the amorphicity of the sample were confirmed through X-ray diffraction analysis. From alternating current impedance spectroscopy studies, it was observed that the ultrasonically irradiated NCPBEs exhibited maximum ionic conductivity compared with the NCPBEs prepared through conventional mechanical stirring. The Arrhenius behavior was observed from temperature-dependent ionic conductivity studies. Wagner’s polarization studies revealed that the charge transport in the prepared NCPBEs was predominantly due to ions. The dielectric behavior was analyzed by complex dielectric permittivity (ε*) and loss tangent studies. Notable morphological changes of the samples were observed from scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies. From thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, the sample with the maximum ionic conductivity was found to be thermally stable up to 300°C.

Antibacterial Activity of Polymer Blend Nanocomposites with the Incorporation of Bentonite and Gold Nanorods

Antibacterial Activity of Polymer Blend Nanocomposites with the Incorporation of Bentonite and Gold Nanorods

Interface Strengthening of PS/aPA Polymer Blend Nanocomposites via In Situ Compatibilization: Enhancement of Electrical and Rheological Properties.

The process of strengthening interfaces in polymer blend nanocomposites (PBNs) has been studied extensively, however a corresponding significant enhancement in the electrical and rheological properties is not always achieved. In this work, we exploit the chemical reaction between polystyrene maleic anhydride and the amine group in nylon (polyamide) to achieve an in-situ compatibilization during melt processing. Herein, nanocomposites were made by systematically adding polystyrene maleic anhydride (PSMA) at different compositions (1–10 vol%) in a two-step mixing sequence to a Polystyrene (PS)/Polyamide (aPA) blend with constant composition ratio of 25:75 (PS + PSMA:aPA) and 1.5 vol% carbon nanotube (CNT) loading. The order of addition of the individual components was varied in two-step mixing procedure to investigate the effect of mixing order on morphology and consequently, on the final properties. The electrical and rheological properties of these multiphase nanocomposite materials were investigated. The optical microscope images show that for PS/aPA systems, CNTs preferred the matrix phase aPA, which is the thermodynamically favorable phase according to the wettability parameter calculated using Young’s equation. However, aPA’s great affinity for CNT adversely influenced the electrical properties of our blend. Adding PSMA to PS/aPA changed the structure of the droplet phase significantly. At 1.5 vol% CNT, a more regular and even distribution of the droplet domains was observed, and this produced a better framework to create more CNT networks in the matrix, resulting in a higher conductivity. For example, with only 1.5 vol% CNT in the PBN, at 3 vol% PSMA, the conductivity was 7.4 × 10−2 S/m, which was three and a half orders of magnitude higher than that seen for non-reactive PS/aPA/CNT PBN. The mechanism for the enhanced conductive network formation is delineated and the improved rheological properties due to the interfacial reaction is presented.

Facile fabrication of PVB-PVA blend polymer nanocomposite for simultaneous removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions: Kinetic, equilibrium, reusability and adsorption mechanism

The available poly (vinyl butyral) (PVB)-based materials are potential media for wastewater treatment, however, their high butyral contents and low quantity of hydroxyl groups cause their low adsorption efficiency for heavy metals removal. Here, a new polymer blend nanocomposite of PVB-poly (vinyl alcohol), (PVB-PVA), incorporated with different contents of stearic acid-grafted epsilon-manganese oxide nanoflowers, (PVB-PVA/SA-ε-MnO2), was prepared through blending, solution casting and solvent evaporation techniques. According to the results, PVB-PVA/SA-ε-MnO2 nanocomposite containing 6 wt% SA-ε-MnO2 showed the maximum efficiency of 99.88%, 94.26% and 87.12%, respectively, for the adsorptive removal of Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ metallic ions from aqueous solutions. The binary and ternary adsorption of the heavy metal ions in aqueous solutions indicated a high adsorption affinity towards Cu2+. Kinetic modeling revealed that the adsorption of Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions follow the diffusion–chemisorption model (R2 = 0.99, RMSE = 0.31–0.56). The adsorption isotherms modeling confirmed that the Langmuir isotherm well-fitted the adsorption data of the target ions on the nanocomposite surface (R2 = 0.96–0.99, RMSE = 3.20–9.68), suggesting a homogeneous monolayer surface adsorption with the maximum adsorption capacity of 172.54, 112.89 and 111.23 mg/g for Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions, respectively. The reusability of PVB-PVA/SA-ε-MnO2 nanocomposite presented the removal efficiency of 94.50%, 92.05% and 88.60%, respectively, for Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions after five successive sorption/desorption cycles. The great adsorption performance of PVB-PVA/SA-ε-MnO2 towards the heavy metal ions could be attributed to the important role of various types of physicochemical interactions (e.g., electrostatic interactions and surface complexation) in the adsorptive removal process.

Peculiar Morphologies Obtained for 80/20 PLA/PA11 Blend with Small Amounts of Fumed Silica.

This work highlights the possibility of obtaining peculiar morphologies by adding fumed silica into 80/20 polylactic acid/polyamide11 (PLA/PA11) blends. Two kinds of fumed silica (A200 and trimethoxyoctylsilane modified R805 fumed silica) were dispersed (by twin-screw extrusion, TSE) at a weight amount of 5% in neat PLA, neat PA11 and a 80/20 PLA/PA11 blend. Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) was used to verify this 5 wt % amount. Oscillatory shear rheology tests were conducted on all the formulations: (1) on neat polymer nanocomposites (PLASi5, PLASiR5, PA11Si5, PA11SiR5); and (2) on polymer blend nanocomposites (PLA80Si5 and PLA80SiR5). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) characterizations and laser granulometry were conducted. Microscopic analysis performed on polymer blend nanocomposites evidenced a localization of A200 silica in the PA11 dispersed phase and R805 silica at the PLA/PA11 interface. Frequency sweep tests on neat polymer nanocomposites revealed a pronounced gel-like behavior for PLASi5 and PA11SiR5, evidencing a high dispersion of A200 in PLA and R805 in PA11. A yield behavior was also evidenced for both PLA80Si5 and PLA80SiR5 blends. For the blend nanocomposites, PA11 dispersed phases were elongated in the presence of A200 silica and a quasi-co-continuous morphology was observed for PLA80Si5, whereas PLA80SiR5 exhibits bridges of silica nanoparticles between the PA11 dispersed phases.

Investigations on Structural, Optical Properties, Electrical Properties and Electrochemical Stability Window of the Reduced Graphene Oxides Incorporated Blend Polymer Nanocomposite Films.

The incorporation of reduced Graphene oxides (rGO) as a nanofiller in the blend polymer nanocomposite (BPNC) based on Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) are presented. The blend polymer electrolytes films are prepared by the standard solution cast technique, and it is characterized to investigate the structural, morphological, thermal, optical and electrochemical property. The X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of polymer nanocomposite and is agreed with FESEM analysis. The FTIR confirms the presence of various interactions between the polymer, salt and rGO, and indicates the composite formation. The DSC examines the thermal property of the blend polymer nanocomposite electrolytes system. The bandgap energy has been obtained from the UV-spectroscopy and examines the direct and indirect gap, both offer the decreases bandgap with the addition of a higher concentration of rGO as nanofillers. The highest value of ionic conductivity of the film is obtained ~1.39×10-6 S cm-1 at 15 wt.% of rGO content in polymer blend nanocomposite (BPNC) films. For these BPNC films, the electrochemical stability window (ESW) is ~4.0 V at 25 wt.% of rGO content and ionic transport number (tion) is ~0.98, for 10 wt.% of rGO content at the room temperature. These highly stable blend polymer nanocomposite electrolyte films offer the excellent properties for utilized as a separator for solid-state devices e.g., battery, supercapacitors, electrochromic display devices and other electrochemical energy storage/ conversion devices respectively.

Thermomechanical and gas transport behavior of silica-doped polymer blend nanocomposites

Blending of polymers enhances the transport rate of gases due to cross-linking of polymer chains. Nanofillers dispersed into a single polymer matrix also tend to modify the transport behavior. Polymer blend nanocomposites show changes in their thermomechanical and gas transport properties. Blending plays a vital role in improving gas permeation. Silica nanoparticles are used as filler with a polycarbonate and polysulfone polymer matrix. Membranes were prepared using the solution-casting method, and uniform dispersion of silica nanoparticles was obtained by sonication. A gas permeability test for hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) was carried at 30 pounds per square inch (207 kPa) constant upstream pressure at room temperature using the constant pressure/variable volume method. Oxygen permeability was determined from the oxygen transmission rate using the differential pressure method. Characterization of thermomechanical properties was carried out using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis.

Impact of Nanosized CuO Insertion on Structural and Mechanical Properties of PVA: HPMC Based Polymer Blend Nanocomposites

Insertion of metal-oxide nanoparticles to polymers stipulate the modification of physical properties of polymers over and above the accomplishment of new features in the polymer matrix. In the current study, an attempt was made to disperse the CuO nanoparticles in the polyvinyl alcohol and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) blend to investigate the structural, mechanical and optical properties of the nanocomposite. Blend was prepared in different ratios using PVA and HPMC, viz. 25:50, 50:50 and 75:25 wt%. The CuO nanoparticles were added to the 75:25 PVA:HPMC blend in different percentage like 0.5,1 and 1.5%. The polymer with and without CuO incorporation were subjected to X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectral analyses and mechanical strength, etc. The results revealed that the incorporation of the CuO nanoparticles enhanced the structural and mechanical properties of the polymer by forming successful nanocomposite.

NanoZnO Modified Polymer Electret Electrodes for Cyclic Voltammetry of Some Synthasized Anils

Preparation and characterization of pure and nano-ZnO doped PVDF-PMMA polymer blend-nanocomposites for investigating the charge storage and transfer effects have been studied. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was used for characterization and structure elucidation of the blended polymers. Polymer microstructure, chain conformation and polymer morphology were studied to establish the structure activity relations. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was chosen to study the electronic properties of the modified polymers as it furnishes information as a function of an energy scan. The effectiveness of CV results from its capability of rapidly observing the redox behavior of the analyte over a wide potential range. Electrode reactions of the intermediates and the products formed during the forward scan have been studied for sulphonamide analogues of synthesized azomethines. Comparative electro activity of plain glassy carbon electrode and the PVDF-PMMA polymer blend-nanocomposite electrets modified electrode was studied.