Role Of Compatibilizer Research Articles

Supramolecular Polymer Additives as Repairable Reinforcements for Dynamic Covalent Networks.

Employing rigid (in)organic materials as reinforcement for dynamic covalent networks (DCNs) is an effective approach to develop high-performance materials. Yet, recycling of these materials after failure often necessitates inefficient chemical reprocessing or inevitably alters their performance due to unrepairable inert components. Here, a non-covalent reinforcement strategy is presented by introducing a supramolecular additive to a DCN that can reversibly depolymerize and reform on demand, therefore acting as an adaptive and repairable reinforcement. The strong hydrogen-bonding interactions in the supramolecular polymer of triazine-1,3,5-tribenzenecarboxamide (S-T) strengthen the DCN at room temperature, while its non-covalent nature allows for easy one-pot reprocessing at high temperatures. Depending on wether S-T is covalently bond to the DCN or not, it can play either the role of compatibilizer or filler, providing a synthetic tool to control the relaxation dynamics, reprocessability and mechanical properties. Moreover, the S-T reinforcement can be chemically recovered with high yield and purity, showcasing the recyclability of the composite. This conceptually novel supramolecular reinforcement strategy with temperature-controlled dynamics highlights the potential of supramolecular polymer additives to replace conventional unrepairable reinforcements.

Fatty alcohols as sustainable compatibilizer agents for the compound of natural rubber/silica: The curing, rubberiness and tensile strength behaviours

Fatty alcohols are derived from palm oil production and, stearyl and lauryl alcohols are examples of them. The stearyl and lauryl alcohols have the potential to be used as rubber additives for the compounding and vulcanizing processes. These materials are relatively new as rubber additives and, they were added into silica-filled natural rubber (NR) compound. The aim of using them is to increase the grade of silica dispersion inside the NR matrix. Initially, the NR was filled by (precipitate) silica at 30 parts per hundred of NR, whilst the fatty alcohols were added into the silica-filled NR with variable concentrations from 1 to 4 phr, separately. The compounds of NR/silica/stearyl alcohol and NR/silica/lauryl alcohol have been vulcanised at 150 °C by implementing a semi-efficient rubber composition. From the vulcanization behaviour, it was observed that both fatty alcohols have the role of compatibilizer and plasticising agents for the compound of NR/silica. Those fatty alcohols decreased the viscousness but increased the curing rate index (CRI). The more concentration of fatty alcohols was supplied, the less viscousness and the higher the CRI. Those fatty alcohols also shifted the crosslinking level and tensile strength. It also observed that the break elongation or rubberiness has been shifted up. Tensile strength has been shifted to a maximal value with a 2 phr of stearyl alcohol or 3 phr of lauryl alcohol addition.

A review on polylactic acid‐based blends/composites and the role of compatibilizers in biomedical engineering applications

AbstractPoly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most promising biopolymers extensively used in food, packaging, medical and pharmaceutical industries. It is due to favorable physicochemical properties, in‐situ hydrolytic degradation and well‐established processing parameters. However, in medical engineering applications, PLA shows some drawbacks like low cell adhesion, biological inertness, slow degradation rate and high acid inflammation. These shortcomings of pure PLA could be addressed by blending it with other bioresorbable materials and compatibilizers. This review provides comprehensive information on different PLA composites in the field of tissue engineering, implants, injury management and drug delivery systems. The PLA‐based composites are divided into four parts: PLA/polymer, PLA/metal, PLA/ceramic, and PLA/nanoparticles. It also investigates various synthesis process, role of different compatibilizers, in vitro studies and their in vivo applications.Highlights Review the trends of bioresorbable PLA blends/composites. Extensively focused on PLA blend with polymer, metal, ceramic, and nanoparticles. Role of reinforcement and compatibilizer to overcome shortcomings of PLA implant. Highlights advantages, limitations, and properties of different types of PLA implants. Discuss various clinical applications and future of PLA blends/composite scaffolds.

Exploring the Role of Compatibilizers in Modulating the Interfacial Phenomena and Improving the Properties of Cork–Nylon Composites

Exploring the Role of Compatibilizers in Modulating the Interfacial Phenomena and Improving the Properties of Cork–Nylon Composites

Fabrication of highly transparent and multifunctional polyvinyl alcohol/starch based nanocomposite films using zinc oxide nanoparticles as compatibilizers

This work explored biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol/starch (PVA/ST) film compatibilized by rod-like ZnO nanofillers as multifunctional food packaging materials. The influence of rod-like ZnO nanofillers on the microstructural, UV-shielding, antibacterial, mechanical, thermal, together with water barrier performances of PVA/ST composite films was fully studied. Results revealed that rod-like ZnO nanofillers could be uniformly distributed into the PVA/ST matrix, playing the role of compatibilizers to provide compact and dense nanocomposite films. The resulting nanocomposite films presented greatly improved mechanical and water vapor barrier properties as compared to virgin PVA/ST film. Moreover, the well distributed ZnO endowed PVA/ST film with excellent antimicrobial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus, together with outstanding UV-shielding capability meanwhile retaining highly optical transparency (approximately 90%). The developed PVA/ST/ZnO films were tested for packaging fresh-cut carrot slices to prevent microbial infection and prolong their shelf life. These results indicated that the developed highly transparent and multifunctional PVA/ST/ZnO nanocomposite films possess broad application prospects in active food packaging field.

Recent Advances in Multi-Scale Experimental Analysis to Assess the Role of Compatibilizers in Cellulosic Filler-Reinforced Plastic Composites

Adding acid-modified resin compatibilizers is essential for plastic composites reinforced with carbon-neutral cellulosic filler. Researchers have measured the efficacy of adding a compatibilizer in the context of mechanics. However, it is necessary to microscopically clarify how the compatibilizer actually works for quality control and further expansion of applications. In this review, the author first describes the situation of cellulosic composites and presents issues regarding how one assesses the role of the compatibilizer. The author then reviews recent multi-scale experimental approaches to the detection of covalent bonds between the cellulosic filler and compatibilizer, estimation of nanoscale interphases, and the micron-scale dispersibility of the fillers. With accumulation of such experimental facts, appropriate parameter settings can be expected for the structural analysis such as the finite-element method, as well as the potential to provide appropriate explanatory variables for material/process informatics.

Considerations about the role of compatibilizer in coir fiber polypropylene composites containing different stabilization systems when submitted to artificial weathering

Polyolefin-lignocellulosic composites have been widely investigated in recent decades. However, the properties analyses have not considered the interactions between compatibilizer and stabilizing agents when such composites are submitted to artificial aging. This investigation aims to evaluate the interaction between two types of light stabilizers and polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (compatibilizer) in coir fiber polypropylene composites. In this regard, a systematic study is proposed. Compatibilized and non-compatibilized coir fiber reinforced polypropylene composites (PP/FCo), containing different stabilizing systems based on UV absorber (Hostavin® ARO 8) and hindered amines, HALS (Tinuvin® 791), were prepared in a co-rotating twin-screw and subsequently submitted to ultraviolet B (UVB) and xenon arc accelerated artificial weathering. The action of the stabilizer systems and the influence of artificial weathering exposure were verified by means of mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and colorimetric analysis (CIELAB system). A combination of UV absorber + HALS produced a synergistic effect as to the protection of PP and compatibilized and non-compatibilized coir-fiber reinforced PP, resulting in greater retention in mechanical properties, less incidence of cracks and greater resistance to total color increase (ΔE*) and gloss loss (ΔG*). Moreover, despite the fact that mechanical and color changes analysis did not indicate trapping of HALS and decrease in stabilization efficiency in the presence of compatibilizer, SEM images suggest increased degradation of the compatibilized composite containing HALS stabilizer.

Role of Compatibilizer in Improving the Properties of PLA/PA12 Blends

Engineering properties of partially-biobased poly(L-Lactide)/poly(amide-12) (PLA/PA12) blends are here addressed using a functional compatibilizer, namely poly(L-Lactide) grafted maleic anhydride (PLA-g-MA). PLA/PA12 blends with compatibilizers are processed using twin-screw extrusion and the amount of PLA-g-PMA is here optimized with respect to final blend properties such as ductility, impact toughness, and thermal resistance. Blend morphologies depict the enhanced PA12 dispersion into PLA-g-MA with strong interfacial adhesion, in accordance with a compatibilization effect of PLA-g-MA in PLA/PA12 blends. Ductility of the compatibilized blends shows remarkable improvements with the highest ductility which is close to 290% for an optimized PLA/PA12/PLA-g-MA weight composition (respectively 69/30/1). The impact strength of compatibilized blends showed a similar two-fold improvement for compatibilized blends. Morphology of injection molded samples revealed finer dispersion and stronger interfaces. The morphology of the transversal section displayed fibrillation of PA12 for PLA-g-MA content up to 2 wt.%. Fibrillation and lower droplet size seemed to play a key role in the improvement of ductility in compatibilized blends. Considerable synergy was detected in the dynamic mechanic analysis of the compatibilized blends. The thermal resistance of the PLA/PA12 blends showed improvement and this behavior could be due to the formation of copolymer leading to additional interfacial crystallization. This study consequently indicates that PLA-g-MA is an efficient compatibilizer for partially-biobased PLA/PA12 blends with potential applications into the automotive and electronic industry.

Role of compatibilizer in 3D printing of polymer blends

For additive manufacturing interfacial adhesion (bead-bead) remains an important issue affecting uniformity of mechanical properties. The present work examined the role a compatibilizer would play when used in fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing. Poly(styrene-maleic anhydride) (SMA) compatiblizer was mixed in varying compositions in blends of polyamide/poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (PA/ABS) to improve interfacial adhesion. Both small and large-scale 3-D component properties were examined. The mechanical property anisotropy ratio, an indication of bead-bead adhesive strength (defined as a property measured along the z axis versus the x axis) is representative of adhesive strength. Large-scale (big area additive manufacturing, BAAM) tests (flexural properties) showed 62% improvement in the anisotropy ratio for modulus, 77% improvement in the anisotropy ratio of the strength, 56% improvement in the anisotropy ratio of elongation at break, and 55% improvement of the anisotropy ratio of the Charpy impact strength over the control PA values. Thus, use of compatibilized polymer blends can provide customized materials without the need for new chemistry. Addition of maleic anhydride-compatibilized ABS improved PA blend bead-bead adhesion.

Morphology and properties in the binary blends of polypropylene and propylene–ethylene random copolymers

Propylene-based random copolymers copolymerized by propylene and ethylene (PEC) with low degree of crystallinity were used for the modification of isotactic polypropylene (PP) in this work. The phase morphology, miscibility, mechanical properties and rheological properties of the PP/PEC blends were systematically investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) results verified that the blends were partial miscibility. This may be due to the fact that the PP segments from PEC chains are incorporated into crystal lattice of neat PP, and they together act as a matrix of the PP/PEC blends. The rest of the PEC chains serve as the dispersed phase. The segments from the PEC chains incorporated into pure PP play the role of compatibilizer between the PP matrix and the dispersed phase, which make the dispersed phase to be uniformly dispersed in the PP matrix, resulting in an increase in impact strength from 5 kJ/m2 of neat PP to 40 kJ/m2 of blend with 20 wt% PEC. In addition, the viscosity and modulus of the blends were lower than that of pure PP due to the dilution of PEC in the molten state.

Toughness Enhancement of PHBV/TPU/Cellulose Compounds with Reactive Additives for Compostable Injected Parts in Industrial Applications.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-valerate), PHBV, is a bacterial thermoplastic biopolyester that possesses interesting thermal and mechanical properties. As it is fully biodegradable, it could be an alternative to the use of commodities in single-use applications or in those intended for composting at their end of life. Two big drawbacks of PHBV are its low impact toughness and its high cost, which limit its potential applications. In this work, we proposed the use of a PHBV-based compound with purified α-cellulose fibres and a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), with the purpose of improving the performance of PHBV in terms of balanced heat resistance, stiffness, and toughness. Three reactive agents with different functionalities have been tested in these compounds: hexametylene diisocianate (HMDI), a commercial multi-epoxy-functionalized styrene-co-glycidyl methacrylate oligomer (Joncryl® ADR-4368), and triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC). The results indicate that the reactive agents play a main role of compatibilizers among the phases of the PHBV/TPU/cellulose compounds. HMDI showed the highest ability to compatibilize the cellulose and the PHBV in the compounds, with the topmost values of deformation at break, static toughness, and impact strength. Joncryl® and TGIC, on the other hand, seemed to enhance the compatibility between the fibres and the polymer matrix as well as the TPU within the PHBV.

The Role of Compatibilizers on the Properties of PC/ABS Alloy

Two compatibilizers consisting of styrene-acrylonitrile-glycidyl methacrylate (SAG) terpolymer with different contents of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), SAG-001 (1 wt% of GMA) and SAG-005 (5 wt% of GMA), and styrene-acry-lonitrile-maleic anhydride terpolymer (SAM), SAM-002 (2 wt% of maleic anhydride ), were used to evaluate the role of compatibilizers in the PC/ABS alloy in terms of the mechanical properties, thermal stability and phase morphology. The tensile strength of SAG modified PC/ABS alloy slightly increased than that of SAM modified system, but the two compatibilizers barely affected the flexural strength of the system. On the other hand, the impact strength of SAG modified PC/ABS was improved. In addition, the MFR (melt flow index) of the SAG modified PC/ABS alloy reduced, implying that the viscosity or molecular weight of the system increased. The HDT (heat distortion temperature) also improved with SAG modified system. Moreover, the phase morphology of the SAG modified PC/ABS alloys much enhanced than that of SAM modified system. As a consequence, SAG compatibilized PC/ABS alloy showed better properties than those of SAM modified system, suggesting that the reaction between carboxylic or epoxy groups in SAG and terminal carboxyl group in PC would be the main factor to bring the enhancement in the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of the PC/ABS alloy.

Evaluation of crystallinity variation and phase dispersion in polymer blends and nanocomposites by Raman mapping

Raman mapping technique was used to characterize the crystallinity variations and phase distribution of individual components in polymer blends and polymer nanocomposites. The conformational changes of poly-l-lactide (PLA) and poly-e-caprolactone (PCL) were analysed in complex structures comprising PLA50PCL50 binary and PLA50TPS30PCL20 ternary blends (TPS = thermoplastic starch). The mapping images of PLA50PCL50 binary blend showed the existence of the PLA component in the amorphous form, whereas well-crystallized PLA was observed in the mapping images of PLA50TPS30PCL20 ternary blend. XRD and solid-state 13C NMR confirmed the Raman findings on these changes of PLA crystallinity in the blends. Causes of these crystallinity changes were revealed from Raman mapping of phase dispersion of blend components which exhibited small domains of PLA phase confined in between large clusters of PCL in the binary blend, whereas an improved dispersion of both phases in the ternary blend resulted owing to the presence of TPS phase. The role of compatibilizer in the dispersion of graphene (G) filler in the polyethylene matrix was also successfully visualized using Raman mapping technique in polyethylene–graphene (PE-G) and PE-G-CPE35 nanocomposites. The dispersion of graphene was less optimum in the PE-G composites, whereas in the PE-G-CPE35 composites, the addition of compatibilizer resulted in improved filler dispersion. The findings from Raman mapping were also corroborated with the TEM analysis of the filler dispersion.

Morphology development, melt linear viscoelastic properties and crystallinity of polylactide/polyethylene/organoclay blend nanocomposites

ABSTRACTPolylactide/polyethylene blends (PLA/PE) and their nanocomposites were prepared via the melt blending process. The effects of organoclay, compatibilizer (PE‐g‐MA), and PE content on morphology, linear viscoelastic properties of the melt and cold crystallization of the samples have been studied. The Palierne model is applied to predict the rheological behavior of unfilled blends. It implies that there is a quantitative agreement between model and experimental data for low PE content blend. From WAXD and the rheological behavior, it is shown that organoclay exhibits a higher extent of intercalation and dispersion in PLA/PE/organoclay nanocomposite than in PLA/organoclay nanocomposite. The DSC results present that the addition of compatibilizer into blend nanocomposite increases cold crystallization temperature of PLA by about 3°C. This can be explained by the role of compatibilizer in transfer of a part of organoclay from PLA matrix to droplets resulting in increase of PLA chain mobility and, therefore, slightly greater cold crystallization temperature. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41300.

Preparation and characterization of polarity-modulated SIS-based hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives

In order to develop polarity-modulated hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives (HMPSAs), epoxidation of styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) copolymers, using in situ prepared per-formic acid was studied. The polymers were characterized with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and contact angle tests. The epoxidation degree linearly increases with the epoxidation time without side reaction at low temperature. The polarity of the polymers increases with the epoxidation degree. At low epoxidation degree, the 180° peel strength of epoxidated-SIS-based HMPSA increases with the epoxidation degree. In epoxidated-SIS-based HMPSAs, ESIS plays the role of compatibilizer.

MWNT‐filled PC/ABS blends: Correlation of morphology with rheological and electrical response

A systematic study was done on morphological, electrical and rheological behavior of co‐continuous or dispersed‐type polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile‐styrene‐butadiene (ABS) blends, containing different amounts of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT). The MWNTs gave substantial electrical conductivities to these nanocomposites at very low concentrations, owing to the effective melt processing method. Because of selective localization of MWNTs in the PC phase, along with double percolation phenomenon, the blend with co‐continuous morphology showed a lower electrical and rheological percolation threshold, higher melt viscosity and elasticity, as compared to the system with dispersed morphology. The morphology of both the blend systems was refined as a result of MWNTs incorporation but the morphology type remained unchanged. A typical role of compatibilizer in refining blend morphology was observed in both the systems. The electrical conductivity of the system filled with MWNTs in presence of compatibilizer, was lower than the systems filled with MWNTs only, which was attributed to role of compatibilizer in directing a part of MWNTs from PC matrix toward ABS phase. With increasing compatibilizer/MWNTs ratio, the influence of compatibilizer on morphology refinement and conductivity reduction was intensified. By comparing TEM micrograph of PC/SAN/MWNTs with that of PC/ABS/MWNTs, it was revealed that small portion of MWNTs was also located on polybutadiene rubber fraction of ABS. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 739‐748, 2013

Role of compatibilizer and processing method on the mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of polystyrene/organoclay nanocomposites

This study describes the role of compatibilizer i.e. styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, its content and compounding method on the properties of polystyrene/clay nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were fabricated using three different methods: (i) simultaneous mixing of all the components i.e. polystyrene, required amounts of styrene-maleic anhydride and nanoclay using twin-screw extruder; (ii) stepwise mixing method i.e. in which blending of polystyrene and organoclay was first done using single-screw extruder and the mixed compound was then blended with varying amounts of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer using twin-screw extruder and (iii) the effective combination of in situ polymerization of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer in presence of varying amounts of nanoclay by free radical polymerization followed by melt mixing with polystyrene using twin-screw extruder. The effect of processing method on the micrsostructure of nanocomposites was investigated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites such as tensile, flexural and Izod impact strength were measured and discussed in relation to their microstructure. All the fabrication methods yielded nanocomposites with different microstructure ranging from intercalated to exfoliated structure of nanoclay. As expected the stepwise mixing method yielded more intercalated and exfoliated structure as compared to the simultaneous mixing method resulting in improvement in the properties of nanocomposites. On the other hand, combination of in situ polymerization with melt mixing method produced better exfoliation as compared to other two methods. Thermal stability and mechanical strength of polystyrene showed a significant improvement upon incorporation of nanoclay.

Role of compatibilizer in multicomponent polymer mixtures under shear flow

We perform computer simulations to investigate the multiscale effects of a compatibilizer on A/B/C ternary blends under shear flow. Our results confirm the phase diagram predicted by spreading coefficients and reproduce the experimental observations on such systems. Study of the orientation of the interfacial and whole polymer chains reveals a new mechanism regarding the difference in the shear rheological behaviors of the uncompatibilized and compatibilized multicomponent polymer systems. We also examine the structure formation mechanism of the compatibilized multicomponent polymer blends and find that the presence of a compatibilizer hinders the dual coalescence process of the encapsulated composite droplets. This indicates a unique approach to stabilize the vesicles upon external stress.

The influence of synergistic effects of hexakis (4-nitrophenoxy) cyclotriphosphazene and POE-g-MA on anti-dripping and flame retardancy of PET

In this report, hexakis (4-nitrophenoxy) cyclotriphosphazene (HNCP) and ethylene–octene copolymer grafted-maleic anhydride (POE-g-MA) were blended with pure PET together. The fire retardant ability and thermal stability of PET/HNCP/POE-g-MA were investigated respectively. The results indicated that HNCP and POE-g-MA had a synergic effect on the dripping resistance of PET besides the enhancement in flame retardancy to a certain degree. LOI values of the polymers with both POE-g-MA and 10wt%HNCP were higher than that of pure PET and no drips just containing 1wt%POE-g-MA. The reason was that HNCP could be well dispersed in PET when POE-g-MA was added, forming a more effective char layer and preventing dripping of polymers. Indeed, the morphology of charred residue of PET/HNCP/POE-g-MA showed that a porous protective layer with a dense surface was formed. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed that addition of HNCP improved the thermal stability and the yield of char residue of the PET/POE-g-MA systems. Based on a series of experiment results, the synergistic effect of HNCP and POE-g-MA on the anti-dripping of PET was also discussed. In the PET/HNCP/POE-g-MA system, POE-g-MA played a role of compatibilizer. The improved compatibility and dispersion provided the composite with the ideal flame retardancy, thermal stability and anti-dripping property.

Role of compatibilizers on the physicomechanical performance of tea dust polypropylene composites

AbstractTea dust (TD) polypropylene (PP) biocomposites and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)‐grafted PP (GMA‐g‐PP) were manufactured using Brabender (PL‐2000, Plasti‐Corder, Germany) and hot press machine. The effects of fiber loading and the role of compatibilizer like maleic anhydride‐grafted PP (MAH‐g‐PP) and GMA‐g‐PP on morphology and physicomechanical properties of the TD‐reinforced PP biocomposites were investigated. On preliminary observation, it is found that the tensile strength of the biocomposites increased with increasing fiber content and presence of the compatibilizer at a certain limit. Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed that the dispersion of fiber in the matrix became worse with increasing fiber content but improved with addition of compatibilizer. The improved mechanical properties of the biocomposites correspond to the presence of the compatibilizer, which is attributed to interactions between hydroxyl groups in the filler and epoxy groups in GMA‐g‐PP and carboxylic group in MAH‐g‐PP. Swelling properties and biodegradable behavior test of the composites have also been performed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012