Butadiene Styrene Research Articles

Effect of particle size and replacement ratio on mechanical performance of cementitious mortar containing ground recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (GRABS) waste plastics

While waste plastics have been used as a natural sand aggregate replacement in cementitious mortar as a sustainable option to mitigate global accumulation of plastic waste in landfills, fundamental mechanical properties like compressive, tensile, and shear must be known to advance design and practical application of these cement-concrete composites as suitable building construction materials. Experimental testing is conducted to reveal to what extent the cementitious composite properties are altered, thereby influencing their overall mechanical performance, when both ungraded and graded ground recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (GRABS) plastic are employed as substitutes for natural aggregates. The novelty of this research lies in its pioneering investigation to quantify the effects of varying particle sizes and volume fractions of waste plastics acquired through mechanical recycling and their influences on the mechanical properties of mortars containing plastics as a composite material. The results from fresh and hardened material properties are compared to conventional mortar properties to examine the impact of various GRABS particle sizes and volume fractions on the overall material strength. While replacing sand with waste plastic generally reduced mechanical properties, the resulting mixes still met the minimum compressive strength (4060 psi [28 MPa]) as per ASTM C150 standards for Portland cement. Notably, graded plastic particles with sizes less than 0.024 in [0.6 mm] demonstrated an overall improvement in mechanical properties compared to ungraded particles. Failure mechanisms responsible for compressive, tensile, and shear damage development are discussed by analyzing the fracture surfaces, which provide insight into the intricate relationship between waste plastic size and distribution on the mechanical behavior of mortar. The findings indicate that GRABS waste plastics, when combined with sand at appropriate particle sizes and volume fractions, have the potential to create tailored mixes to meet minimum mix design standards for construction applications.

Composite Material from Waste ABS 3D Filaments and Graphite: A Cost‐Effective and Sustainable Alternative for Electrochemical Sensor Manufacturing and Voltammetric Analysis of Acebutolol

AbstractAdditive manufacturing technology is renowned for its ability to produce components on demand. Presently, the development of sustainable materials has been promoted by Green Chemistry, leading to an increase in the recycling of polymers and other materials for use in 3D printing. In this work, we proposed the construction of a 3D printed electrochemical device using a conductive paste made from 3D printing residues of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filaments and graphite to develop a sustainable sensor for acebutolol detection using square wave voltammetry method. The electrode was characterized using imaging and electrochemical techniques, demonstrating superior electrochemical performance compared to a commercial device. The method exhibited excellent analytical performance with a linear working range from 0.98 to 51.8 μmol L−1 and good detectability (detection limit) of 0.28 μmol L−1. Furthermore, the recycled sensor demonstrated good precision with a relative standard deviation of less than 8.4 % and good accuracy with recovery percentages ranging from 93 to 107 % for monitoring acebutolol in urine and tap water samples. Additionally, the device was free from interference from the matrix and other commonly used drugs, making it suitable for electroanalytical applications and extremely promising.

An experimental analysis of mechanical properties for a dissimilar pattern structure in the 3-D printing of a PLA5F filament using the Taguchi method

Abstract Many automobile components and machine parts can be fabricated using the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process with materials such as Polylactic Acid (PLA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PET-G), and polymeric composite materials (e.g., PLA with carbon fiber, PLA with glass fiber). In this study, a new polymeric composite material was fabricated using Polylactic Acid and natural flax fiber was analysed for tensile stress, elongation, and impact load resistance using Taguchi Analysis. This analysis optimized the printing parameters, including layer thickness (0.15, 0.25, 0.35 mm), nozzle movement speed (80, 100, 120 mm s−1), filling structure (Lines - a, Triangular - b, and Octet - c), and occupancy rate (20%, 40%, 60%). The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for tensile strength (ASTM D638) and impact strength (ASTM D256) were used for evaluation. As a result, layer thickness was found to be the most effective variable for improving tensile characteristics, compared to extruder temperature, occupancy rate, or filling structure pattern. Mechanical properties including a layer thickness of 0.25 mm, an occupancy ratio of 20% for the bottom of the 2nd layer and 40% for the top of the 4th layer, triangular and octet filling structures, a nozzle speed of 100 mm s−1, and an extruder temperature of 200 °C are considered the most appropriate parameters for producing automotive parts in Three Dimensional (3D) Printing. Due to its tensile properties and impact strength resistance, these settings can be utilized in potential application in a wide variety of machine parts and vehicle components.

Morphometric characteristics and spatiotemporal heterogeneity of microplastics on the north-east coast of India

The study analysed microplastics (MPs) in surface waters along the north-east coast of India and focused on the spatiotemporal distribution and morphometric characteristics of 800 particles for environmental insights. The MPs were consistently present in all water masses, with an average abundance of 0.67 ± 0.66 particles/m3 during the monsoon and 0.12 ± 0.08 particles/m3 post-monsoon. Fragments and fibers were dominant in both seasons, comprising over 83% and 12%, respectively. In terms of colours, blue was significantly dominant during the post-monsoon (H, χ2 (5) = 15.38, p < 0.01); however, such variation was absent during the monsoon. Spatially, significant variance in abundance (F4, 34 = 8.542; p < 0.01) and across colours and forms during the monsoon was correlated with land-based inputs from the Hooghly River. FTIR analysis revealed ten polymer types, predominantly polyethylene (44%). SEM observations indicated that 80% of particles exhibited polymer ageing from oxidative weathering. The size distribution of MPs varied notably, with a higher proportion of < 0.3mm (16.7%) during the monsoon, possibly due to increased particle disintegration. The study noted MPs had low to moderate circularity, with increased irregularity during the monsoon due to heavy precipitation and river flushing. An initial risk assessment of MP pollution in surface waters on the north-east coast revealed a low-risk state. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) was identified as the most hazardous MP polymer. A wide range of toxic trace elements were found in MPs in these waters. The findings from the study deepen our knowledge of MPs and their fate in the pelagic zone, which supports the development of science-based policies that effectively reduce MP pollution.

Thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of automotive plastic wastes to diesel range fuel

This study investigated the pyrolysis of automotive plastic wastes (APW) for the production of diesel-grade oil products using a modified calcium bentonite clay catalyst. The research aimed to optimize the process for maximum oil yield and diesel range organics yield. The APW was characterized by its chemical composition and physical properties and the optimal temperature and catalyst amount were determined for maximum oil yield and diesel range hydrocarbons. The results showed that the APW contained mixed Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), High/Low Density Polyethylene (H/LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystrene (PS) and fiberglass, with a large quantity of volatiles and ash. The average oil yield was higher in the catalytic process compared to that in the thermal process. Generally, higher temperature above 450 °C produced waxy oil, thus lower temperature favoured more Diesel Range Organics (DRO). Both processes yield similar yields of C8–C24 DRO, and in both cases, lower temperature favoured high yield of C8-C24 hydrocarbons. The catalyst significantly increased the yield of oil, but did not significantly increase C8–C24 DRO yield. The optimal conditions for a maximum oil yield of 78.6 % and DRO yield of 79.5 % was a temperature of 416 °C and 24.3 wt% clay. Thus, the modified calcium bentonite clay can be used to improve oil yield from pyrolysis of APW. The oil produced had properties such as calorific value (49.85 MJ/kg), flash point (113 °C) and total aromatics 3.55 area%, similar to those of commercial diesel, and comprised mostly of 2,4-Dimethyl-1-heptene (25.37 ± 2.01 %) of thermal and 2, 4 – Dimethyl – 1 – heptane (23.44 ± 2.42) in the catalytic process. The study suggests further research to explore different catalysts, maximization of both DRO and gasoline range organics, recover energy from residues, and conduct techno-economic assessments for plant-scale operations. Additionally, policies on the management of end-of-life vehicles should include provisions for stripping and segregation of plastic components by accredited providers for the purpose of plastics recycling.

Study on the Microscopic Mechanism and Performance of TPU/SBR Composite-Modified Asphalt

To enhance the service life of traditional asphalt pavement and mitigate issues such as high-temperature rutting and low-temperature cracking, this study investigates the composite modification of matrix asphalt using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Initially, the study examines the conventional properties of the composite-modified asphalt from a macro perspective, analyzing the performance variations of asphalt before and after TPU and SBR modification. Subsequently, microscopic analysis is conducted to explore the microstructure, phase structure, and modification mechanisms of the composite-modified asphalt, with a focus on understanding the underlying reasons for performance changes. The influence of TPU and SBR on asphalt performance is evaluated comprehensively. It is found that TPU-modified asphalt demonstrates superior high-temperature performance, storage stability, and elastic recovery. Conversely, SBR-modified asphalt excels in ductility at low temperatures, though its storage stability decreases with increasing dosage. Based on a thorough analysis of the conventional properties of the two types of modified asphalt, the optimal dosages of TPU and SBR are determined to be 15% and 3.5%, respectively. In the composite-modified asphalt, TPU facilitates the even distribution of chemical components, creating a more stable cross-linked network structure. The compatibility of TPU, SBR, and asphalt contributes to the good storage stability of the composite-modified asphalt. While SBR effects physical modification, TPU induces chemical modification of asphalt. Consequently, the composite modification system benefits from both physical and chemical enhancements, resulting in excellent overall performance.

Proposal for a New Method for Evaluating Polymer-Modified Bitumen Fatigue and Self-Restoration Performances Considering the Whole Damage Characteristic Curve

Fatigue performance and self-repairing activity of asphalt binders are two properties that highly influence the fatigue cracking response of asphalt pavement. There are still numerous gaps in knowledge to fill linked with these two characteristics. For instance, current parameters fail to accommodate these two bitumen phenomena fully. This study aims to propose a new procedure to address this issue utilizing the linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test, LAS with rest period (RP) (LASH) test, and simplified viscoelastic continuum damage (S-VECD) model. This research work used four different types of asphalt binders: neat asphalt (NA), self-healing thermoplastic polyurethane (STPU)-modified bitumen (STPB), self-healing poly (dimethyl siloxane) crosslinked with urea bond (IPA1w)-modified bitumen (IPAB), and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)-modified bitumen (SBSB). Before the testing process, all the materials were subjected to short-term and long-term aging. The new procedure showed a superior capacity to analyze and accommodate all bitumen fatigue performances and self-repairing activities compared to the current method. Another finding proved that asphalt binders with a higher self-restoration behavior failed to show a better fatigue performance. Moreover, the higher fatigue performance increments produced by STPU and IPA1w in NA concerning the control bitumen were 123.7% and 143.7%, respectively. Those values were obtained with 1.0% STPU and 0.5% IPA1w in NA. A breakthrough finding demonstrated that asphalt binder fatigue response is augmented when the RP was applied at a higher damage intensity (S) value. STPB and IPAB reached their highest increments of fatigue response, containing 1.0% of STPU and 0.5% of IPA1w, respectively. Those augmentations were 207.54% and 232.64%, respectively.

Vision‐based monitoring system for in‐plan seismic tests conducted on a shaking table: The case study of prefabricated concrete shells

AbstractComputer vision enables a much more efficient monitoring system of structural behavior, compared to traditional methods. This derives from the fact that it allows the assessment of displacements in a vast number of points that can be processed to the estimate deformations, accelerations, and other key parameters at relevant cross‐sections. This paper proposes a computer vision‐based methodology, specifically designed for monitoring seismic tests conducted on a shaking table with a reduced‐scale model, using a single camera approach. This innovative methodology uses artificial targets with predefined color and geometry to optimize their detection and tracking. These targets are positioned at key points of the reduced model—“Moving Targets”—and at reference points of the seismic table—“Control Targets.” Videos are recorded during the seismic tests and the coordinates (in pixels) of the targets' centers are automatically detected and captured. Then, transformations are applied to each frame to compute the targets coordinates in millimeters and based on the differences between frames, to calculate the displacements of each target. The methodology was first calibrated with dynamic tests performed on a reduced‐scale model (1:33) of a prefabricated concrete shell, printed in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), conducted on an educational shaking table. Afterwards, the methodology was validated with seismic tests performed on a 1:3 reduced model of a prefabricated concrete shell, produced according to the similitude theory to best reproduce the behavior of the corresponding prototype. It was demonstrated the ability of the methodology to monitoring seismic tests, enabling continuous tracking of the targets placed on a structure with complex geometry.

Exploring how 3D printing parameters affect the flexural strength of ABS materials

: This research focuses on testing the flexural strength of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) materials used in 3D printing by the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) method. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanical strength of ABS using a full factorial experimental design, applying three main factors such as layer height, infill density and infill pattern. Flexural testing was conducted following ASTM D790 standards. A total of 27 specimens were made by varying the layer height, infill density and infill pattern. The results showed that layer height was the most influential factor on flexural strength, with the highest value of 41.815 Mpa at 0.2 mm layer height, 100% infill density, and line infill pattern. ANOVA analysis supported this conclusion with p values &lt;0.05 for layer height, while infill pattern and infill density showed no significant effect. This study provides guidelines for the use of optimal parameters in ABS-based 3D printing processes.

Visualization study on the dry devolatilization characteristics of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers

Dry devolatilization is a promising method for saving energy, but understanding the devolatilization process has been challenging. A static devolatilizer was designed to study the devolatilization process of a Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) block copolymer solution at different temperatures using visualization technology. The study found that temperature, Reynolds number, and heat flux are key factors influencing the devolatilization process. The optimal residence time was determined to be 196 s and the suitable feed coefficient is 0.17. Additionally, a new dimensionless parameter (the LZ number) was introduced. A value closer to 1 indicated a more effective devolatilization process. The obtained thermodynamic parameters and LZ number can guide the design of industrial devolatilization devices.

Research on the Rheological Performance of Fast-Melting SBS-Modified Asphalt under Complex Environmental Factors

Currently, fast-melting SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene)-modified asphalt is widely used in pavements. However, in practical applications, complex environmental factors accelerate the deterioration of asphalt material properties, significantly affecting the service life of roads during their operational period. This study aims to examine the effects of complex environmental factors, including thermal oxidation, ultraviolet radiation, and various concentrations of salt solutions, on the high and low-temperature rheological properties of fast-melting SBS-modified asphalt (abbreviated as SBS-T-modified asphalt). Pressure aging–ultraviolet aging coupling and pressure aging–ultraviolet aging different concentration salt solution coupling were selected as the aging groups to simulate complex environmental conditions. Additionally, base asphalt and pressure-aged asphalt were used as control groups. The rheological properties of SBS-T-modified asphalt were evaluated using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR). The results indicate that multiple-factor coupling aging reduces both the high-temperature and low-temperature performance of SBS-T-modified asphalt compared to single-factor aging, although the impact on rheological properties is not consistent across all conditions. After the combined effects of UV aging and pressure aging, the rutting resistance and high-temperature performance of SBS-T-modified asphalt are most severely impacted. However, when coupled with salt-solution aging, the rutting resistance of SBS-T-modified asphalt improves, with the complex modulus increasing by approximately 30%. This indicates that the presence of the salt solution enhances the high-temperature performance of the asphalt. An analysis of the low-temperature rheological properties of SBS-T-modified asphalt based on Burgers model shows that the low-temperature rheological performance of SBS-T-modified asphalt worsens under three-factor coupling aging compared to two-factor or single-factor aging, leading to poorer crack resistance. Notably, after adding salt solutions, the thermal sensitivity of SBS-T-modified asphalt increases significantly, with the ΔTc value decreasing approximately sixfold for every 2% increase in salt concentration.

Association of mixed exposure to microplastics with sperm dysfunction: a multi-site study in China

Microplastics are environmental pollutants detected in various human organs and tissues. These particles originate from multiple sources including the degradation of larger plastic items and the intentional inclusion in consumer goods. Potential risks for human health resulting from microplastics exposure have also been reported. However, the distribution in the male reproductive system and its effect remains largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the presence of multiple microplastics in human semen and urine and their association with sperm quality in a multi-site study across China. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 113 male participants from three regions in China. Semen and urine samples were collected and analysed using Raman microscopy to detect eight types of microplastics: polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Semen quality parameters, including total sperm count, concentration, motility, and morphology, were assessed. Statistical analyses, including single and multi-variable models, were used to evaluate the relationship between microplastic exposure and semen quality, with a focus on PTFE, after adjusting confounding factors of age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol drinking, and sites. Microplastics were detected in all semen and urine samples, with participants typically exposed to 3-5 different types. The detection rates of PS, PP and PE were the highest. Notably, PTFE exposure was significantly associated with decreased semen quality. Participants exposed to PTFE showed reductions in total sperm count [188.90±163.71 vs. 207.67±132.36 million, p=0.091], sperm concentration [52.13±47.47 vs. 58.32±37.26 million/mL, p=0.041], and progressive motility [40.29%±19.06 vs. 34.11%±17.02, p=0.083]. The multi-linear regression analysis indicated that each additional type of microplastic exposure was associated with a significant decrease in total sperm number [β=-15.4 (95% CI:-25.6,-5.2)], sperm concentration [β=-7.2 (95% CI:-12.4,-2.0)], and progressive motility [β=-8.3 (95% CI:-13.5,-3.1)]. Latent category analysis further refined these groups by types of microplastic exposure, highlighting specific types more strongly associated with decreased semen quality (OR=3.5, 95% CI: 1.8, 6.9, p<0.001). The nomogram can be used to assess the risk of sperm damage by combining the type of microplastic exposure in urine with age and BMI. Our findings highlight the potential reproductive health risks posed by microplastic contamination, particularly PTFE, a non-stick pan coating material, and raise concerns about the potential of urine testing as an indicator of male reproductive microplastic exposure. Future research is warranted to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of microplastics on male fertility and cross-generational effects. This study was funded by the Clinical Research Project of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family planning (20224Y0085), Open Fund Project of Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences (YKY-KF202202), CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (2019-I2M-5-064), Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Gynecological Diseases (22MC1940200), Shanghai Urogenital System Diseases Research Centre (2022ZZ01012), Key Discipline Construction Project (2023-2025) of Three-Year Initiative Plan for Strengthening Public Health System Construction in Shanghai (GWVI-11.1-35, GWVI-11.2-YQ29) and Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Reproduction and Development.

Crosslinked Natural Rubber and Styrene Butadiene Rubber Blends/Carbon Black Composites for Self-healable and Energy-saved Applications

Crosslinked Natural Rubber and Styrene Butadiene Rubber Blends/Carbon Black Composites for Self-healable and Energy-saved Applications

How does heat generation affect the cut and chip wear of rubber?

AbstractTire wear is a fracture process that has a decisive impact on tire life and on the environment. When a tire rolls, a heating process occurs due to friction caused by the viscoelastic rubber sliding over uneven road. This process occurs globally in the contact patch area and locally around the asperity tips, heating the tread and transferring heat to the surrounding material. On roads with a good quality pavement, the stress, and therefore the heat, is evenly distributed throughout the rubber material of the tire, which has a direct effect on fatigue wear. In contrast, unevenly distributed stress, and therefore heat, is generated in the tread when the tire rolls and slides over sharp asperities in rough terrain. This leads to very pronounced, unstable fracture processes that cause unevenly distributed wear, known as cut and chip (CC). The extent of heat generation or temperature evolution and its effect on CC wear have not yet been investigated and described in scientific publications. Therefore, this study firstly presents the detailed characterization of the influence of temperature development on the CC wear of a styrene–butadiene rubber, which commonly is used in treads of consumer tires. The investigations were carried out using the unique instrumented cut and chip technique in combination with a high-speed thermography.

Grafting of maleic anhydride onto waste acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and its application for compatibilization of ABS blends

AbstractIncorporating recycled plastics into the manufacturing process is an essential way to establish a sustainable plastics economy. However, current processes are limited by the degradation of mechanical properties, high cost, and inconsistent product quality compared with their virgin counterparts. Here, we present an upcycling strategy for waste plastics where waste acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (reABS) is first grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH), then utilized to compatibilize nylon 6(PA6)/ABS and PA6/ABS/CaCO3 blends. The reABS‐g‐MAH exhibits improved Young's modulus and tensile strength, but lower strain at break and impact strength compared with reABS. As an additive, reABS‐g‐MAH effectively compatibilizes PA6/ABS and PA6/ABS/CaCO3 blends, indicated by greatly decreased PA6 domain size, homogeneous dispersion of fillers, and narrowed glass transition temperature regions between PA6 and ABS. Adding only 5 wt% reABS‐g‐MAH increases the Young's modulus, strain at break, and impact strength of PA6/ABS blends by 26%, 180%, and 110%, respectively, compared with uncompatibilized samples. Similarly, for PA6/ABS/CaCO3 blends, the strain at break and impact strength increase by 370% and 150%, respectively, while the Young's modulus and tensile strength show increases of 5% and 10%. The results show that this strategy of using polar groups to functionalize waste plastics as compatibilizers may open numerous opportunities for upcycling waste plastics.

3D Printing of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene–Jute Fiber-Based Sandwich Composites: Mechanical Properties and Fractography Analysis

3D Printing of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene–Jute Fiber-Based Sandwich Composites: Mechanical Properties and Fractography Analysis

Utilizing synergy of MLG and MWCNT with optimized mixing protocol to improve the high temperature stability of SBS modified bitumen

High temperature instability is the biggest problem which limits the application of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) modified bitumen in flexible pavements. Addition of multi-layer graphene (MLG) nanomaterial improves the performance of SBS modified bitumen, but deteriorates its thermal stability. The binary additive comprising of MLG and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) can be a way to improve the thermal stability through their synergistic effects, however, mixing protocol needs to be optimized simultaneously. In this present study, MLG, MWCNT and their combination have been dispersed by two different organic solvent dissolution protocols, i.e., wet and dry to prepare the SBS-nano modified binders. Thermal stability analysis and rheological characterization (small & large amplitude oscillatory shear) have been used to optimize the method and to compare the effect of sole and binary additive. Advanced tools such as Raman spectroscopy and Field emission scanning electron microscopy have been used to understand the underlying science at micro-molecular level. The synergistic effects of combined additives are prominently visible only in dry organic dissolution method and with this method, the combination of MLG-MWCNT (0.1phr-1phr) significantly eliminates the thermal instability of SBS modified binder by upto 96 %. This SBS-nano modified bitumen may serve as futuristic binder for the black top pavements.

Polydopamine‐modified black phosphorus/microcapsule composite material used to enhance the solar thermal conversion and self‐healing performance of SBS modified asphalt

AbstractThis study developed UV‐responsive microcapsules to enhance the self‐healing properties of asphalt, addressing the limitations of low survival rates and single‐release mechanisms in current encapsulated rejuvenators. The microcapsules, featuring a urea‐formaldehyde shell embedded with polydopamine‐coated black phosphorus nanosheets (BP/DA) and microalgae bio‐oil as the core, can convert solar energy into thermal energy, promoting proactive self‐healing in asphalt materials. BP/DA expands the microcapsules' light absorption range, enhancing their photothermal conversion efficiency. When incorporated into styrene‐butadiene‐styrene (SBS)‐modified asphalt at a 1.5% dosage, the microcapsules (BP/DA/MC) improved the mechanical properties: ductility increased by 13.7%, softening point rose by 2%, and penetration decreased by 3.3%. The storage modulus (G′) at 46 and 64°C increased by 35.9% and 24.3%, respectively, compared to SBS asphalt. Additionally, the ductility self‐healing rate of BP/DA/MC/SBS asphalt improved by 209.7%, with a healing index (HI) of 78.16%. The microcapsules also demonstrated excellent photothermal conversion, increasing the asphalt's temperature by 22.6% under identical lighting conditions. This research offers a new method for developing intelligent self‐healing asphalt with multi‐mechanism activation, providing theoretical support for future third‐generation microcapsule‐based asphalt with remote‐controlled release and activation response.

Assessing Mechanochemical Properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Items in Cultural Heritage Through a Multimodal Spectroscopic Approach.

A multimodal spectroscopic approach is proposed to correlate the mechanical and chemical properties of plastic materials in art and design objects, at both surface and subsurface levels, to obtain information about their conservation state and to monitor their degradation. The approach was used to investigate the photo-oxidation of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a plastic commonly found in many artistic and design applications, using ABS-based LEGO bricks as model samples. The modifications of the chemical and viscoelastic properties of ABS during photoaging were monitored by correlative Brillouin and Raman microspectroscopy (BRaMS), combined with portable and noninvasive broad-range external reflection infrared (IR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry, directly applicable in museums. BRaMS enabled combined measurements of Brillouin light scattering and Raman spectroscopy in a microspectroscopic setup, providing for the coincident probe of the chemical and mechanical changes of ABS at the sample surface. NMR relaxometry allowed for noninvasive measurements of relaxation times and depth profiles which are directly related to the molecular mobility of the material. Complementary chemical information was acquired by external reflection IR spectroscopy. The simultaneous probe of the chemical and mechanical properties by this multimodal spectroscopic approach enabled us to define a decay model of ABS in terms of compositional changes and variation of stiffness and rigidity occurring with photodegradation. The knowledge acquired on LEGO samples has been used to rate the conservation state of ABS design objects noninvasively investigated by external reflection Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and NMR relaxometry offered by the MObile LABoratory (MOLAB) platform of the European Research Infrastructure of Heritage Science.

Temperature-dependent evolution of synthetic coal-derived graphite fillers and their reinforcement in styrene butadiene rubber composites

This study investigated the structural evolution of synthetic coal-derived graphite (SCG), produced from anthracite through high-temperature treatments ranging from 1000 to 2900 °C, and its reinforcement potential in styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites. Upon heating the anthracite to 2000 °C, We observed a gradual structural transformation from an amorphous carbon structure with mixed sp2-sp3 bonding to an ordered sp2-bonded nano-sized graphitic structure. This transformation was accompanied by the evaporation of heteroatom functional groups, an increase in high surface energy site as well as micropore and void structures, and enhanced hydrophobic surface property. Beyond 2000 °C, a flake-like graphite with a larger particle size (average lateral size >10 μm) was gradually formed through lateral and vertical crystalline growth mechanisms. The reinforcing potential of SCG fillers was revealed by incorporating them into SBR and evaluating the properties of the resulting composites. It was found that the tensile strength and 300 % tensile modulus initially enhanced with SCG fillers treated up to 2000 °C, but decreased for fillers treated at 2300 and 2900 °C. On the other hand, storage modulus, tear resistance, and gas permeability consistently improved with fillers treated at higher temperatures. These findings highlight the relationship between the temperature-induced structural evolution of SCG fillers and their reinforcement performance in SBR composites, offering valuable insights for industrial rubber applications, particularly enhancing the performance and sustainability of automotive tire.