Simple Blending Method Research Articles

Enhanced removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions using a zero-valent nickel/iron-PDA@PVDF membrane prepared via a simple blending method

Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) is extensively employed in the realm of wastewater treatment. However, conventional synthesis methods involve inherent risks of nZVI oxidation and aggregation, resulting in challenging recovery and potential waste generation. To address these concerns and improve stability, nano zero-valent nickel (nZVNi) was employed as a modifier for nZVI. The modified nZVNi/nZVI was successfully blended with polydopamine (PDA)-modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) powder, enabling the preparation of a novel hydrophilic composite membrane termed nZVNi/nZVI-PDA@PVDF (NFPP). PDA played a crucial role in effectively immobilizing nZVI particles and preventing their oxidation and aggregation. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm the consistent dispersion of nZVNi/nZVI particles both on the surface of the membrane and within its pores. Moreover, the NFPP membrane exhibited excellent performance in removing Cr(VI), with a maximum adsorption capacity of 75.65 mg/g. The presence of PDA endowed the NFPP membrane with a plentiful supply of hydroxyl and amino groups, enhancing its hydrophilicity, antioxidation properties, and loading capacity for nZVNi/nZVI. Additionally, the NFPP membrane demonstrated remarkable resistance to interference under different pH and ionic conditions. The removal of Cr(VI) by the NFPP membrane followed a pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm adsorption model. Furthermore, the NFPP membrane retained good performance and stability in Cr(VI) removal even after undergoing five cycles. This study indicates that the highly efficient NFPP composite material holds promising potential for application as a functional material in heavy metal wastewater treatment.

Synthesis of decorated polyborosiloxane for enhancing the flame retardancy and mechanical property of epoxy resin

In this work, the decorated polyborosiloxane (MAPBS) with phosphorus-nitrogen components was first synthesized via a hydrolysis-condensation reaction and thus incorporated the MAPBS filler into epoxy resin (EP) to fabricate composites by a simple blending method. It could be found that the MAPBS with epoxy groups showed a good dispersion level in the EP matrix, endowing EP composites with superior flame retardancy and mechanical properties. Thanks to the combination of phosphorus-, nitrogen-, boron-, and silica-containing units in MAPBS filler, the addition of 6 wt% MAPBS made EP achieve significantly improved limiting oxygen index (25.2 ± 0.5%) and UL-94 rating (V1). Meanwhile, cone calorimeter test results revealed that the peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), and total smoke production (TSP) of the EP-MAPBS6 composite were reduced by 31%, 62%, and 67%, respectively, as compared to the pure EP. In addition, the MAPBS6 composite exhibited balanced tensile strength (105.1 MPa) and elongation at break (87.6%) among the prepared samples. The present work provides an effective strategy to fabricate EP composites with improved comprehensive performances.

Preparation and artificial weathering properties of Ce/TiO2/BTA-HALS coating on heat-treated wood surface

Heat-treated wood has only short-term weathering resistance, while wood cracking, discoloring and other problems will appear in long-term outdoor environments. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the anti-weathering properties of heat-treated wood. In this study, organic ultraviolet absorbers, light stabilizers and inorganic Cerium/Titanium dioxide (Ce/TiO2) ultraviolet shielding agents were compounded by the simple physical blending method, and the modifiers were loaded on the surface of heat-treated wood by brushing method. The UV-Vis spectrum showed the high transparency and UV shielding of the composite coating. After artificial weathering, the color difference (ΔE) of Ce/TiO2/BTA-HALS coated sample was only 1.64 and 2.68, which is significantly lower than 2.3 and 6.1 of the heat-treated sample. The surface roughness, scanning electron microscope and X-ray energy spectrum also showed that the stability of the coating was significantly improved, and the loss of inorganic particles has decreased. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance proved that the modifier was successfully grafted on the surface of heat-treated wood. The composite coating has a certain synergistic effect in improving the weathering resistance of heat-treated wood and improves the film-forming property of the modifier and the stability of the coating during weathering.

Modulation of shape memory properties of trans-polyisoprene by sulfur

Abstract In this paper, TPI/S composites were prepared by a simple physical melt blending method, and the composites were hot-pressed and molded using a vulcanization system. The effect of cross-linking on the vulcanization properties, mechanical properties, crystalline properties, and shape memory properties of trans-1-4 polyisoprene (TPI) was investigated by varying the amount of sulfur (S). It was shown that with the increase of sulfur dosage, both TPI scorch time and orthoclave time were shortened and the mechanical properties decreased; The melting peak area and melting temperature of the crystalline region of TPI decreased with the increase of sulfur content, and the cross-linking density increased while the crystallinity tended to decrease and the heat resistance deteriorated; In addition, with the increase of sulfur content, the shape return rate of TPI/S composites was increasing and the shape fixation rate was decreasing. When the TPI/S composites were used as shape memory materials, the sulfur dosage of 1 phr had the best shape memory performance, at which time the shape fixation rate of the composites reached 96.9% and the shape recovery rate reached 86.2%. When the sulfur content was elevated to 2 phr, the shape memory fixation rate was significantly decreased, indicating that the shape memory properties were severely compromised. This study reveals that the quantity of sulfur exerts a significant influence on the application of TPI/S composites. An appropriate amount of sulfur can facilitate the preparation of thermoplastic elastomers for utilization in shape memory materials. Nevertheless, an excessive amount of sulfur will substantially enhance the internal cross-linked structure of the composite and deteriorate the shape memory performance.

Rational construction of dicarbonous CB/CNT@PI composites toward low filler loading and low-frequency electromagnetic wave absorption.

With the application of low frequency radar and the demand for stealth of high temperature resistant components, it is increasingly urgent to develop absorbing materials with both low frequency and high temperature resistant properties. Here, we successfully prepared various carbon/polyimide composites as low-frequency electromagnetic wave absorbing materials by simple blending method. The well-designed mesh lap structure introduces a large amount of free space, further optimizing the impedance matching of the material. At the same time, the multiple loss mechanism formed by the combination of carbon black dominated polarization and carbon nanotube dominated conductive loss enhances the loss of incident electromagnetic wave. The results showed that only 10 wt% filler loading of the CB/CNT@PI is achieved in the low frequency range (1-4 GHz) with a minimum RL strength of - 18.3 dB, which has obvious advantages compared with other works in recent years. This study provides a way for the design and preparation of resin-based absorbing materials.

Sodium alginate/guar gum/multi-walled carbon nanotubes-based hydrophobic Joule thermal textiles for enhanced body thermal management and dehumidification

A sodium alginate (SA), guar gum, and multi-walled carbon nanotube composite solution was prepared using a simple blending method, followed by the construction of alginate/guar gum/multi-walled carbon nanotube fibers and fabrics through complexation with various metal ions (zinc, copper, calcium), featuring multiple hydrogen bonds and ionic complex structures. Specifically, the sodium alginate zinc/guar gum/multi-walled carbon nanotube (SA/GG/Zn2+/MWCNTs) composite fibers exhibited a significant Joule heat effect. By integrating with electronic components such as a temperature control switch, a wearable device capable of operating in cold and humid environments for dehumidification and warming was fabricated. The SA/GG/Zn2+/MWCNTs composite fabric demonstrated excellent hydrophobicity, with a contact angle reaching 145.4°, significantly enhancing its resistance to droplet penetration. Under a 5V voltage, the composite fabric rapidly generated Joule heat, increasing the surface temperature by 5∼7 °C (sensible heat) within just 40 s. Additionally, part of its energy (latent heat) transformed the tiny droplets adhering to the fabric's surface from liquid to gas, achieving dehumidification. This research provides an important theoretical and practical foundation for enhancing the performance and energy efficiency of personal thermal management textiles.

Fabrication of pH-stimuli hydrogel as bioactive materials for wound healing applications

Hydrogels exhibit exceptional suitability as wound dressing due to their remarkable three-dimensional (3D) characteristics. Here, we have reported the fabrication of hydrogels from biopolymers carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and gelatin via a simple blending method to mimic the natural extracellular matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact meters (WCM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to evaluate the chemical structural, morphological, and wettability behavior. The wetting and degradation behavior were also found to be different for different formulations (Min. (51.60o) and Max. (113.60o)) and (Min. (38.82 mg) and Max. (3.72 mg)), respectively. Swelling was investigated in different media, including phosphate buffer saline solution (PBS) and aqueous media. It was observed that the hydrogel displayed the highest degree of swelling in an aqueous medium (Min. (597.32–1121.49 %) and Max. (1089.51–2139.73 %)) compared to PBS media (Min. (567.01–1021.85 %) and Max. (899.13–1639.17 %)). The release of Neomycin was studied in a PBS medium via the Franz diffusion method at 37 °C. The maximal release in various media demonstrated pH-responsive behavior. The viability and proliferation of fibroblast (3T3) cell lines were examined in vitro to evaluate cytocompatibility. Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) 293 cells were used to evaluate the hydrogels' ability to promote vascularization and angiogenesis. Therefore, the data demonstrate that hydrogels that have been manufactured have qualities that make them promising for use as wound dressings in wound healing applications.

A Hydrophilic Polyethylene Glycol-Blended Anion Exchange Membrane to Facilitate the Migration of Hydroxide Ions.

As one of the most important sources for green hydrogen, anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) have been developing rapidly in recent decades. Among these components, anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with high ionic conductivity and good stability play an important role in the performance of AEMWEs. In this study, we have developed a simple blending method to fabricate the blended membrane ImPSF-PEGx via the introduction of a hydrophilic PEG into the PSF-based ionic polymer. Given their hydrophilicity and coordination properties, the introduced PEGs are beneficial in assembling the ionic groups to form the ion-conducting channels. Moreover, an asymmetric structure is observed in ImPSF-PEGx membranes with a layer of finger-like cracks at the upper surface because PEGs can act as pore-forming agents. During the study, the ImPSF-PEGx membranes exhibited higher water uptake and ionic conductivity with lower swelling ratios and much better mechanical properties in comparison to the pristine ImPSF membrane. The ImPSF-PEG1000 membrane showed the best overall performance among the membranes with higher ionic conductivity (82.6 mS cm-1 at 80 °C), which was approximately two times higher than the conductivity of ImPSF, and demonstrated better mechanical and alkaline stability. The alkaline water electrolyzer assembled by ImPSF-PEG1000 achieved a current density of 606 mA cm-2 at 80 °C under conditions of 1 M KOH and 2.06 V, and maintained an essentially unchanged performance after 48 h running.

Evaluation of Chemical and Biological Properties of Biodegradable Composites Based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and Chitosan.

In this study, composite films and scaffolds of polyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and polysaccharide chitosan obtained via a simple and reproducible blending method using acetic acid as a solvent were considered. The degradation process of the films was studied gravimetrically in a model biological medium in the presence of enzymes in vitro for 180 days. The kinetics of weight reduction depended on the amount of chitosan in the composition. The biocompatibility of the films was evaluated using the Alamar blue test and fluorescence microscopy. The materials were non-cytotoxic, and the addition of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) to chitosan improved its matrix properties on mesenchymal stem cells. Then, the 3D composites were prepared by freeze-drying. Their structure (using SEM), rheological behavior, moisture absorption, and porosity were investigated. The addition of different amounts of chitosan allowed us to vary the chemical and biological properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) materials and their degradation rate, which is extremely important in the development of biomedical poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) materials, especially implantable ones.

A novel anti-corrosion and antibacterial integrated MAO/PCNZ composite coating on AZ31B Mg alloy

Magnesium and its alloys possess elastic modulus close to natural bone and degradable effects, making them widely applied in bone implantation. However, their rapid corrosion in a simulated body fluid restricts further application. This work firstly employs micro arc oxidation (MAO) technique to in situ grow a corrosion-resistant ceramic layer on the surface of AZ31B Mg alloy. Subsequently, nano ZnO particles are modified using a silane coupling agent and then incorporated into a poly(ε-caprolactone) coating with chitosan through a simple blending and micellar method to obtain the PCNZ composite coating. The chemical composition and micro structure are characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM and AFM. Electrochemical tests and antibacterial experiments indicate that PCNZ composite coating exhibits excellent long-term corrosion resistance and certain antibacterial ability, demonstrating potential application in the field of bone implantation.

Anti-corrosion and anti-fouling superhydrophobic silicone coating with continuous micro/nano structure

At present, silicone superhydrophobic coatings are attracting much attention in the fields of anti-corrosion and antifouling, so they have a broad application prospect. In this paper, superhydrophobic surfaces with continuous micro/nano structure were prepared on various substrates using a simple blending method similar to the conventional preparation of RT vulcanized silicone rubber. The difference was that the new kinds of crosslinker (MF-S) was synthesized by 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethocysilane and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Linear fluorinated copolymer (L-SF) was prepared by free radical polymerization of 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (MPTES) and 1H, 1H, 7H-dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFMA). And the condensation reaction with α, ω-dihydroxypodimethylsiloxane (PDMS), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and inorganic nanoparticles constructed superhydrophobic coatings with continuous micro- and nanostructures. The coating had a water contact angle (WCA) of up to 162° and a sliding angle (SA) as low as 2°. What's more, the WCA of the coating remained around 160° and the SA stayed below 5° after sandpaper abrasion, UV irradiation, and hot and cold treatment. The adhesion of the coating on different substrates was higher than 2 MPa. Due to the synergistic effect of the superhydrophobicity of the coating and the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 nanoparticles, the coating achieves an antimicrobial efficiency of 97.8 % against Staphylococcus aureus. The synergistic effect of the air layer and the densification of the coating resulted in the electrical impedance modulus at the lowest frequency of the coating remaining two orders of magnitude higher than that of the bare carbon steel plate after several days of immersion in sodium chloride solution. The work showed great potential for application in anti-corrosion and anti-fouling coatings.

Enhanced thermal conductivity in boron nitride incorporated polyethylene/polymethyl methacrylate composites via double percolation structure

AbstractDue to the miniaturization, integration and multi‐functional development of contemporary electronic devices, there is a growing need for efficient thermal conductive composite materials. This study focuses on enhancing the dispersion of modified boron nitride (mBN) within a linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) phase by incorporating LLDPE‐graft‐Aminomethylpyridine (LLDPE‐g‐Py) to non‐covalently modify BN. Additionally, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and LLDPE polymers were introduced to create modified BN/LLDPE/PMMA (mBN/LLDPE/PMMA) composites with a double percolation structure. The co‐continuous structure of the polymer composites was observed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By selectively locating the BN modified by LLDPE‐g‐Py within the LLDPE phase, the co‐continuous structure of the LLDPE/PMMA blend was upgraded to a double percolation structure. This double percolation structure establishes a dense and optimal heat transfer network within the polymer matrix. The thermal conductivity of the mBN/LLDPE/PMMA composite with BN loading of 40 wt% was significantly increased to 1.12 Wm−1 K−1, which was 350% higher than that of pure LLDPE, 38% higher than that of the BN/LLDPE composite, and 17% higher than that of the BN/LLDPE/PMMA composite. This study offers valuable insights into non‐covalent modification techniques for BN and the design of double percolation structures in thermal conductive polymer composites.Highlights The double percolation structure was successfully constructed by simple melt blending method with LLDPE and PMMA as matrix and BN as thermal conductive filler. The double percolation structure can significantly promote the efficiency of heat transfer inside the thermal conductive composites. A novel non‐covalent modifier LLDPE‐g‐Py was prepared to modify the surface of BN, and the selective localization of modified BN (mBN) in the LLDPE phase was realized.

Enhancing photocatalytic efficiency with Mn-doped ZnO composite carbon nanofibers for organic dye degradation

<abstract> <p>In this study, Mn-doped ZnO composite carbon nanofibers (Mn-ZnO/CNFs) were prepared via a simple blending and electrospinning (ES) method, followed by a thermal treatment. These fibers were used to investigate the photocatalytic degradation of an organic dye under UV and visible light irradiation. The results showed that Mn-ZnO/CNFs were successfully prepared under the same conditions used for CNFs preparation conditions, which induced a morphological change from a smooth to a rough surface compared to the CNFs. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed the formation of Mn-doped ZnO on the CNFs' surface. Furthermore, the addition of the catalyst significantly increased in the specific surface area, and a N<sub>2</sub> adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis revealed that all samples had mesoporous characteristics with a type IV isotherm index. The photocatalytic activity of the Mn-ZnO/CNFs carbonized at 650 ℃ using methylene blue (MB) dye as a model pollutant was investigated. All prepared samples effectively removed the MB with a degradation rate of 70-90%. The kinetic reaction rate was described using the simplified Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation. Overall, the CNFs and composites nanofibers developed through moderate thermal treatment processes possessed a high specific surface area and oxygen vacancy, enabling their potential use as adsorbents and as a catalyst support for reactions at room-to-elevated temperatures, as well as photocatalysts for the removal of organic contaminants.</p> </abstract>

Humidity‐Responsive Polyvinyl Alcohol/Microcrystalline Cellulose Composites with Shape Memory Features for Hair‐Styling Applications

AbstractThis study investigates the maintenance of humidity‐responsive shape memory polymer composites comprising polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and cellulose microcrystal for maintaining hair curls in humid environments. The composite films are prepared by a simple blending method using aqueous solutions of different polymer ratios and characterized for thermal properties, chemical structure, and surface morphology. The hydroxyl groups in the PVA and cellulose provided hydrogen‐bonding interactions and improved the miscibility of the composites. Increasing the cellulose content in the composites enhanced mechanical properties and curl‐shape recovery performance, with 20–25 wt.% cellulose achieving maximum recovery. When the PVA/cellulose solution is applied to natural hair, it effectively maintains the shape of curled hair bundles for at least 6 h under 80% humidity and promotes the hair shape recovery rate to 8–10%. Overall, The proposed humidity‐responsive PVA/cellulose composites present promising application potential in the field of hairstyling to withstand humid weather.

4D printing light-driven actuator with lignin photothermal conversion module

Light-responsive shape memory polymers are attractive as they can be activated through remote and spatially-controlled light. In this work, 4D printing of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites with a near-infrared light-responsive was achieved by using the simple melt blending method and adding 3 wt% of lignin. Lignin with a conjugated structure was used as the photothermal conversion module. The composites exhibited significant photothermal effects under near-infrared (808 nm) laser irradiation, and the laser irradiation was also effective in initiating and controlling the shape memory. The structure of lignin can be improved by the action of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) to enhance the interfacial adhesion between polyamide elastomer (PAE) and polylactic acid (PLA), reduce the size of dispersed phases, and serve as an effective rheological modifier to exhibit the ideal melt viscosity required for 3D printing of composites. The good mechanical, thermal stability, and rheological properties provide assurance for the 4D printing of composites. This research provides an environmentally friendly and practical method for creating composites that have the potential to serve as ideal actuator components in a range of applications.

Bandage modified with antibacterial films of quaternized chitosan & sodium carboxymethyl cellulose microgels/baicalein nanoparticles for accelerating infected wound healing

Wound dressings capable of sterilizing pathogenic bacteria and scavenging free radicals are important to inhibit bacterial invasion and accelerate wound healing. The target of this work is to develop an antibacterial dressing by modifying bandages with films composed of biological macromolecule microgels and baicalein@tannic acid (Bai@TA) nanoparticles (NPs). Firstly, hydrophobic Bai was made into water soluble Bai@TA NPs using a solvent exchange method with TA as stabilizer. Polymeric microgels of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)&hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) were then prepared by a simple blending method. Further, CMC&HACC/Bai@TA multilayer films were deposited on medical bandages by using a layer-by-layer assembly technique to obtain an antibacterial dressing. The as-prepared dressings showed great antibacterial ability against E. coli, S. aureus and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), excellent antioxidant activity and good biological safety. In addition, compared to conventional medical bandages, the dressings could efficaciously diminish inflammation in the wound, accelerate skin regeneration and functional restoration, and promote the in vivo healing speed of full-thickness skin wounds infected by MRSA. We believe that as a low-cost but effective wound dressing, the antibacterial bandage modified with CMC&HACC/Bai@TA films has potentials to replace traditional dressings in the clinical management of infected wounds.

Bioinspired Fast Room-Temperature Self-Healing, Robust, Adhesive, and AIE Fluorescent Waterborne Polyurethane via Hierarchical Hydrogen Bonds and Use as a Strain Sensor.

Developing a new generation of ecofriendly water-based polymeric materials that integrate mechanical robustness, fast room-temperature self-healing, adhesive, and fluorescence remains a formidable challenge. Herein, inspired by titin protein, a series of novel waterborne polyurethanes (WPU-CHZ-NAGA) containing irregular 6-fold and diamide hydrogen bonds are synthesized by introducing carbohydrazide (CHZ) and N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-amino propionyl glycinamide (HO-NAGA-OH) groups. The representative WPU-CHZ2-NAGA3 exhibits outstanding mechanical properties (tensile strength of 36.58 MPa, tearing energy of 81.2 kJ m-2, and toughness of 125.82 MJ m-3) and fast room-temperature self-healing ability with the aid of ethanol (≥90% within 8 h) originated from hierarchical hydrogen bonds. These properties are superior to those of most of the reported room-temperature self-healing polymer materials. Benefiting from plentiful hydrogen bonds, the WPU matrix achieves excellent adhesive properties without heating or adding curing agents. Interestingly, WPU-CHZ2-NAGA3 film emits inherent blue fluorescence due to the aggregation-induced emission effect of tertiary amine groups, and its potential applications in information encryption and anticounterfeiting are further demonstrated. Specially, a eutectic gel strain sensor is also fabricated with WPU-CHZ2-NAGA3 and deep eutectic solvent by a simple physical blending method, which can be used to monitor the movement of human fingers and wrists as well as the change in body temperature. In summary, this work provides new insight into the design and synthesis of multifunctional WPU with fast room-temperature self-healing and high mechanical properties.

In-situ polymerisation of carbon nanotubes/blended polyimide composites for flexible thermal conductive special-shaped structures

Cutting-edge applications put forward higher requirements for the comprehensive performance of polyimide (PI). In this study, a simple blending method was used to regulate the properties of blended PI (BPI) films, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane grafted multi-walled carbon nanotube modified BPIs (MWCNT_APS_BPIs) were prepared by in-situ strategy. The resultant BPI films had excellent mechanical property, thermal stability and corrosion resistance. The tensile strength and breaking elongation were up to 163.5 MPa and 31.6%, the 5% mass-loss temperature (T5%) was up to 577.1 °C, and the glass-transition temperature (Tg) was up to 353.4 °C. The resultant MWCNT_APS_BPI exhibited good thermal conductivity and flexibility. The highest in-plane and out-of-plane thermal conductivities of the MWCNT_APS_BPI were 1.151 and 0.763 W/mK, which were 106.22% and 45.51% higher than those of the pure BPI. The designable lightweight flexible structure prepared by MWCNT_APS_BPI is expected to be applied to heat sinks with complex structures.

Highly stretchable, repeatable, and easy-to-prepare ionogel based on polyvinyl chloride for wearable strain sensors

Conventional hydrogels are prone to water loss and instability, while non-hydrogel materials can be designed with high stability and repeatability. Therefore, a flexible sensing material was developed to meet the requirements of high elasticity, good stability, and high repeatability using a simple physical blending method. The developed ionogel comprised polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel as the elastomer matrix, ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate as the dielectric, and dibutyl adipate (DBA) as the plasticizer. The PVC organic-ionogel exhibited good physicochemical stability without any phase change in the range of − 30 to 127 °C, and it had a maximum tensile strain of 424 %. Its shape and dimensions remained unchanged in air for 60 days, and the sensing performance was maintained following exposure to air for over a year. Moreover, the PVC organic-ionogel with moderate DBA and IL contents (DBA 7, IL 3 %) showed the best performance, which exhibited the best linearity with a relative error of only 0.96 %, sensitivity of 1.90, modulus of 17.71 kPa, response time of 161 ms, and continuous and stable operation for 35,000 cycles. This excellent performance enabled the PVC organic-ionogel to detect a range of human movements, namely finger flexion, throat vibration, muscle contraction, daily movements, and special limb movements, such as Tai Chi, with high accuracy and sensitivity. This work provides a new approach for the design of flexible sensing materials with variable parameters, in addition to a new solution for the development of wearable devices, sports-related risk monitoring, and boxing action optimization.

A simple melt blending method for preparing PP/HMSPP foaming composites with superior surface appearance and mechanical performance

AbstractIncreasing mold temperature is effective to improve the surface quality of injection molding foamed products, but high mold temperature often leads to deteriorative cellular quality. Based on this, the polypropylene/high melt strength polypropylene (PP/HMSPP) composites with temperature insensitivity were prepared by a simple melt blending method, the rheological behavior and crystallization behavior of PP/HMSPP composites were studied by rotational rheometer and DSC at different cooling rates, respectively. In addition, foamed PP/HMSPP composites were prepared by chemical foaming injection molding, and their cellular quality, surface quality, and mechanical properties were analyzed. The results showed that when the content of HMSPP came to 50 wt%, the effect of the cooling rate on the rheological behavior of PP/HMSPP composites could be ignored. Furthermore, when the mold temperature increased from 60 to 120°C, the surface quality increased significantly, with the average cell diameter only increasing from 15.92 μm to 19.03 μm, and the cell density decreasing from 2.3 × 107 cells/cm3 to 1.9 × 107 cells/cm3. The tensile strength, bending strength, and impact strength were maintained at 24.15 MPa, 38.11 MPa, and 3.24 kJ/m2, respectively. This temperature‐insensitive PP/HMSPP composite foaming material can be used as guidance for the industrial stable production of PP injection molding chemical foaming. And this work suggested new thinking for future research on the modification of other polymer foam products at a high mold temperature.