Design and construction of lightweight EPS geofoam embedded geomaterial embankment system for control of settlements

This paper presents a research study on a bridge site located along US highway 67 over SH 174 in Cleburne, Texas, where bridge approach slabs have experienced more than 0.4 m (17 in.) of settlement within a span of 16 years after construction. Many treatment methods attempted to mitigate this problem had proven to be ineffective. As part of novel rehabilitation works, the top of existing fill soil on the embankment was replaced with lightweight expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam blocks to alleviate the approach slab settlements. This paper describes initial design and construction details of the rehabilitation works performed on the embankment system along with a focus on the early performance details. Field monitoring studies were conducted for almost three years to study the bump/settlements under the EPS geofoam embankment system. Short term measured settlement data was analyzed with hyperbolic model to predict the long term settlements. Numerical finite element studies attempted in this study showed that settlements could be reasonably predicted by modeling these geofoam embankments. Based on the monitoring and modeling studies, the effectiveness of utilizing EPS geofoam as an embankment fill material was addressed to mitigate the differential settlements under a bridge approach slab.     

Influence of the dispersion of Nanoclays on the cellular structure of foams based on polystyrene

In the present work blends of polystyrene (PS) with sepiolites have been produced using a melt extrusion process. The dispersion degree of the sepiolites in the PS has been analyzed by dynamic shear rheology and X-ray micro-computed tomography. Sepiolites treated with quaternary ammonium salts (O-QASEP) are better dispersed in the PS matrix than natural sepiolites (N-SEP) or sepiolites organo-modified with silane groups (O-SGSEP). A percolated network is obtained when using 6.0 wt% of O-QASEP, 8.0 wt% of N-SEP and 10.0 wt% of O-SGSEP. It has been shown that multiple extrusion processes have a negative effect on the polymer architecture. They produce a reduction in the length of the polymeric chains, and they do not lead to a better dispersion of the particles in the polymer matrix. Foams have been produced using a gas dissolution foaming process, where a strong effect of the dispersion degree on the cellular structure of the different foams was found. The effects on the cellular structure obtained by using different types of sepiolites, different contents of sepiolites and different extrusion conditions have been analyzed. The foams produced with the formulations containing O-QASEP present the lowest cell size and the most homogeneous cellular structures.     

聚苯乙烯/交联丙烯酸甲酯共混物的制备及其发泡性能研究

将聚苯乙烯（PS）颗粒溶解到二乙烯基苯（DVB）、丙烯酸甲酯（MA）与偶氮二异丁腈（AIBN）的混合物中，通过加热引发MA聚合，获得PS/交联PMA共混物, 采用釜压法制备了PS/交联PMA共混物泡沫。采用全自动视频光学接触角测试仪、差示扫描量热仪、傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、动态力学分析仪对PS/交联PMA共混物的结构和性能进行了表征，并通过扫描电子显微镜对PS/交联PMA共混物泡沫的结构进行了表征。结果表明，交联PMA的引入能提高体系的成核效率，随着MA用量的增加，PS/交联PMA共混物的接触角从PS的100.5 °降至86.1 °；当MA的用量为9.6份（质量份，下同）时，PS/交联PMA共混物的泡孔尺寸主要分布在40~60 μm之间，泡孔尺寸分布明显变窄，泡孔密度达到了1.2×10⁸ 个/cm³。     

Polystyrene latex particles bearing primary amine groups via soap‐free emulsion polymerization

Polystyrene latexes were prepared in the presence of an amino‐containing functional comonomer, N‐(3‐aminopropyl)methacrylamide hydrochloride (APMH), via soap‐free batch emulsion polymerization initiated by the cationic initiator 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride. These latexes were characterized by studying the influence of the ionic comonomers on the polymerization kinetics, particle size, surface charge density and colloidal properties. The synthesized latexes were monodisperse with a final size between 100 and 600 nm depending on the APMH concentration. The initial polymerization rate and the particle number increased in accordance with the Smith–Ewart theory for soap‐free styrene emulsion polymerization with a hydrophilic functional comonomer. The final functionalization rate of the particles has been particularly studied with the intention of fitting the prepared latexes to be used in the immobilization of biological molecules for biological sample preparation and diagnostic applications. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

Structure,surface tension,and rheological behaviors of hydrophobically associative polyacrylamides by self-emulsified microemulsion polymerization

Hydrophobically associating copolymers using acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), and Styrene (St) as comonomers were successfully prepared by self-emulsified microemulsion polymerization, in which low-molecular-weight AM/AA/St copolymers as surfactant and AM as cosurfactant. The structure and chemical composition of AM/AA/St copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic (NMR), and differential scanning calorimeter. The content of PSt in the copolymers is determined by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, suggesting that the self-made polymer surfactant can disperse uniformly the St monomers to improve the copolymerization efficiency. Furthermore, the polymerization mechanism of the self-emulsified microemulsion method is explored preliminarily. During the synthesis of the copolymers, the purified copolymer solution is obtained in one step without using a small molecular emulsifier such as sodium dodecyl sulfate, in order to avoid the complicated post-treatment process of the small molecular emulsifier. The copolymers revealed good hydrophobic association properties and low surface tension.     

Toward an understanding of how red phosphorus and expandable graphite enhance the fire resistance of expandable polystyrene foams

Flame retardant expandable polystyrene (EPS) foams were prepared by coating method. Red phosphorus (RP) and expandable graphite (EG) were chosen as the flame retardants to be coated on the surface of expanded PS beads. By the presence of 33 phr RP/EG with a mass ratio of 1:1, the limiting oxygen index of EPS foam could reach up to 26.9%, with V-0 rating obtained in UL-94 test. The peak heat release rate could also decrease to 180.67 kW/m², which was 72.9% lower than that of neat EPS sample. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed an obvious increase of thermal stability and residue char amount by the presence of RP and EG. From the observation and analysis of char residue, it could be proposed that there existed a significant synergistic effect between RP and EG. RP could be oxidized and further react with graphite by the presence of oxygen at high temperature, forming isolated char layer and releasing nonflammable gases. Moreover, P radicals were generated at high temperature and could capture the radicals formed during the combustion of polystyrene and eliminate the burning chain reactions.     

Impact strength elastomer composites based on polystyrene components separated from waste electrical and electronic equipment

The reuse of plastic components of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is an important concern both for environmental issues and to preserve the material resources, with minimum energy consumption. Considering that polystyrene fraction was reported as approximate 80% of the total amount of WEEE plastic, this article aims to evaluate the recycling of this fraction, without separation by components, by melt compounding with styrene-butadiene block-copolymer (SBS) and hydrogenated and maleinized SBS, the blend of the two elastomers acting both as an impact modifier and compatibilizer. The composites are characterized by mechanical analysis, impact tests, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The recycling conditions of the polystyrene fraction as composites without eliminating the WEEE additives for improved UV and flame resistance, with physical mechanical properties comparable to those of high-impact polystyrene resulted from the study. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48329.     

Prevailing Research Trends in Carbon Nanohorn and Polymer-based Hybrids

This review outlines research progress on carbon nanohorn (CNH) and polymer/CNH hybrids including structure, properties, application, and future stance. Carbon nanohorn is a type of nanocarbon existing as dahlia-like, bud-like, and seed-like structures. Most widely known form is single-walled carbon nanaohorn with diameter of ～5?nm and tube length ～50?nm. Polymers such as polystyrene, polyaniline, polythiophene, poly(vinylalcohol), poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(ethyleneglycol), polycaprolactone, polyimide, poly(2-aminopyridine), and nylon have been interacted with CNH using various techniques. Structural and physical properties of fine-tuned carbon nanohorn and polymer/CNH hybrids have been used for versatile applications such as dye-sensitized solar cell, supercapacitor, drug delivery, fuel cell, and sensors.     

Fabrication of oriented electrospun cellulose nanocrystals–polystyrene composite fibers on a rotating drum

Nitrobenzene (CNC-1), trifluoromethyl benzene (CNC-2) modified and polystyrene-grafted (CNC-g) cellulose nanocrystals in polystyrene (PS)-N,N dimethylformamide (DMF) solutions were electrospun and collected as stretched and aligned fibers on a rotating drum. Scanning electron microscope pictures showed significant alignment in the case of unmodified and nitrobenzene-modified CNC-1/PS nanocomposite fibers once the linear speed of rotor reached to 15 m s⁻¹. Fiber diameter decrease was more strong with rotor speed increase in the case of trifluoromethyl benzene modified (CNC-2) and polystyrene-grafted (CNC-g) cellulose nanocrystals/PS systems. Dynamic mechanical analysis including storage and elastic modulus of electrospun-oriented fibers were performed on surface-modified and polymer-grafted CNC/PS samples. According to α transition peak, the increase in the glass-transition temperature with filler concentration was the highest in polymer-grafted CNC-g/PS composite fibers. It was due to the interpenetration of grafted polymer brushes and free polymer chains in continuous phase and resulted in restrictions of motions of polymer chains in the PS matrix. The elastic moduli of nitrobenzene (CNC-1) and trifluoromethyl benzene (CNC-2)-modified CNC-filled PS composite fibers agreed well with percolation model, which indicates the CNC–CNC interactions and network formation with an increase in concentration. Magnitude of the elastic modulus of polymer grafted CNC-g at 0.33 vol % in PS was significantly higher than the prediction from percolation theory. It was due the immobilized polymer chains around CNC-g particles. However, grafted polymer chains, at higher CNC concentrations acted like stickers among CNC particles and caused CNC agglomerates with entrapped free polystyrene from the matrix, thus caused a decrease in the elastic modulus. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48942.     

Grape stalk fibers as reinforcing filler for polymer composites with a polystyrene matrix

Lignocellulosic fibers have been one of the most used reinforcements for different types of composites. In this context, grape stalks—often discarded in landfills—can be a potential reinforcement for composites. The present study aimed to incorporate in natura and alkali treated grape stalks into the polystyrene (PS) matrix. Initially, the grape stalks were treated with NaOH and 10, 20, and 30 wt % of stalks were added into the PS matrix. The alkaline treatment of the grape stalk fibers promoted the removal of hemicellulose and the partial removal of lignin, thus increasing the surface roughness and crystallinity index of the fibers. An improvement in the mechanical and dynamic-mechanical properties and an increase in the maximum degradation temperature of the composites were observed. In conclusion, the use of grape stalks is a promising alternative for reinforcing composites, and, in addition, a more proper destination can be given to this type of residue. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47427.