Ionic liquid assisted polyetheretherketone-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites: An environmentally friendly approach

Reinforcement of PEEK by nanoparticles such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), is a promising technique to prepare PEEK nanocomposites with improved properties for promising biomedical applications. However, proper dispersion of MWCNTs in the polymer matrices is a primary processing challenge. The present study reports a novel and environmentally beneficial approach for homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT in PEEK by using ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([EMIM][HSO₄]). Neat PEEK, PEEK-MWCNTs (using conventional organic solvent dimethylformamide), and PEEK-MWCNTs-IL (using [EMIM][HSO₄]) nanocomposites were fabricated via melt-compounding and compression molding techniques. The fabricated composites were characterized for morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties and compared to those of neat PEEK and PEEK-MWCNTs. Ionic liquid provoked proficient dispersion of the MWCNTs in PEEK, as confirmed by FESEM and optical micrographs. The thermal stability of PEEK-MWCNTs-IL composite was significantly superior to that of the neat PEEK and PEEK-MWCNTs. Analysis of tensile strength and nanoindentation depicted that the modulus of elasticity of PEEK-MWNCTs-IL was significantly increased by 76% as compared to that of neat PEEK. We believe that the present work could provide a new and green platform for the manufacturing of PEEK nanocomposites with enhanced dispersion of nanofillers for biomedical applications.     

Deformation-induced bonding of polymer films below the glass transition temperature

Bonding between polymers through interdiffusion of macromolecules is a well-known mechanism of polymer adhesion. A new polymer bonding mechanism in the solid state, taking place at ambient temperatures well below the glass transition value (T_g), has been recently reported; in this mechanism, bulk plastic compression of polymer films held in contact led to adhesion over timescales of the order of a fraction of a second. In this study, we prepared various blends of plasticized polymer films with desirable ductility from amorphous and semicrystalline powders of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and polyvinyl alcohol derivatives; then, we observed the bonding of these polymers at ambient temperatures, up to 80 K below T_g, purely through mechanical deformation. The deformation-induced bonding of the polymer films studied in this work led to interfacial fracture toughnesses in the range of 1.0–21.0 J/m² when bulk plastic strains between 3% and 30% were imposed across the films. Scanning electron microscopy observation of the debonded interfaces also confirmed that bonding was caused by deformation-induced macromolecular mobilization and interpenetration. These results expand the range of applicability of sub-T_g, solid-state, deformation-induced bonding processes.     

Interlayer bonding between thermoplastic composites and metals by in-situ polymerization technique

Fiber-metal laminates (FMLs) offer the superior characteristics of polymer composites (i.e., light weight, high strength and stiffness) with the ductility and fracture strength of metals. The bond strength between the two dissimilar materials, composite and metal, dictates the properties and performance of the FMLs. The bonding becomes more critical when the polymer matrix is thermoplastic and hydrophobic in nature. This work employed a novel bonding technique between thermoplastic composites and a metal layer using six different combinations of organic coatings. The flexural, and interlaminar shear strength of the thermoplastic fiber metal laminates (TP-FMLs) were examined to investigate the bond strengths in the different cases along with fracture characteristics revealed from the tested samples using scanning electron microscopy. The viscoelastic performance of the fabricated TP-FMLs were also investigated using the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis method.     

Enhanced impact strength of compatibilized poly(lactic acid)/polyamide 11 blends by a crosslinking agent

Maleated poly(lactic acid) (PLA-g-MA) was prepared through melt grafting of maleic anhydride onto a PLA backbone with the aid of a radical initiator. PLA-g-MA thus formed was incorporated into PLA/polyamide 11 (PA11) blends as a reactive compatibilizer. By morphological observation, it was assessed that PLA-g-MA lowered the interfacial energy and strengthened the interface between PLA and PA11. However, the compatibilized PLA/PA11 blends did not show significant improvement of impact strength compared with noncompatibilized PLA/PA11 blends. Measurements of the molecular weight and impact strength of PLAs compounded with various amounts of radical initiators revealed that decreased molecular weight of PLA by the radical initiator used for the preparation of PLA-g-MA is responsible for this unexpected result. To compensate the decrease of the molecular weight, a crosslinking agent was incorporated in the preparation step of PLA-g-MA. It was found that the crosslinking agent is effective in preventing the molecular weight reduction. As a result, the impact strength of the PLA/PA11 blend was enhanced to a great extent by the PLA-g-MA prepared with the crosslinking agent.     

Introducing four different branch structures in PET by reactive processing––A rheological investigation

Chain extension/branching by reactive processing is a well-known method to enhance the rheological properties of polymers. In this study, pyromellitic dianhydride, poly(glycolic acid), triglycidyl isocyanurate, and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether were used as chain extender/branching agents to produce branched Polyethylene terephthalate (PETs) with four different molecular structures. According to the linear rheological characterizations, the storage modulus and complex viscosity of modified PET samples enhanced significantly after branching. The shear viscosities of modified PET show a pronounced shear-thinning behavior and a remarkable increase at low frequencies, which can be an indication of the existence of long-chain branches (LCBs) in the molecular structure of polymer and broadening the molecular weight distribution. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis were used to investigate the effect of branching agents on the chemical structure and thermal properties of PET, respectively. DSC results show that higher amounts of LCBs lead to lower melting and crystallization temperatures.     

Polybutylene terephthalate modified with dimer acid methyl ester derived from fatty acid methyl esters and its use as a hot-melt adhesive

A series of polyester copolymers was synthesized via melt polycondensation of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), dimethyl isophthalate (DMI), and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) with dimer acid methyl ester (DAME) monomers, previously prepared by the Diels–Alder reaction of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). We obtained copolymers with the desired composition and a high molar mass characterized by ¹H NMR, FT-IR, and SEC. The relationship among the composition, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, and adhesion properties of these copolymers was examined, demonstrating that the DAME-modified copolymers could be substituted for HMA applications and are comparable to petroleum-based commercial products. As a result, these polyesters could offer improved sustainability and performance and may be good candidates for hot-melt adhesive materials. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48474.     

Submicron laser-textured vents for self-cleaning injection molds

Clogging of venting slots in injection molds is a common maintenance problem caused by the degradation and the accumulation of gaseous and volatiles by-products of polymer melting. In this work, the effect of laser-induced periodic surface structures on the self-cleaning properties of venting slots is investigated. The degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) over different surfaces is characterized by reproducing the mechanisms that occurs in mold cavities when the air is pushed through the venting channel. An imaging technique is developed for the quantification of the sediment that deposits on sample surfaces due to condensation of by-products of PET melting. The experimental results indicate that the use of a multiscale texture minimizes the deposition of residues on the vent surface reducing it from 17.2 to 3.1%. A linear dependency between contact angle and clogging ratio indicates the efficacy of the model that explains vent self-cleaning properties considering their wetting properties.     

Ultraviolet radiation aging impact on physicochemical properties of crosslinked polyethylene cable insulation

This article deals within the study of the effect of artificial radiations on physical and chemical properties of the crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) material, widely used for manufacturing high-voltage cables. Within this framework, several experimental tests, using essential characterization techniques, were performed to study XLPE behavior under ultraviolet (UV) aging. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy were thus carried out to identify the main structure changes of the material before and after exposure to UV. In addition, appearance changes and DC (Direct Current) volume resistivity were evaluated. The obtained results showed that UV radiation has a great effect on the physicochemical properties of XLPE cable insulation. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48575.     

Surface treatment of eucalyptus wood for improved HDPE composites properties

In this study, the effect of Eucalyptus globulus wood (UE) used as a filler (5–20% w/w) on the physical and thermal properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was evaluated. To improve the compatibility with HDPE, the wood was modified (TE) using crude glycerol derived from biodiesel production. The addition of 20% (w/w) of UE or TE led to more rigid and durable composite materials compared to neat HDPE (about 50 or 100% increase in tensile strength, respectively). Composites also revealed 55–75°C higher temperatures at maximal degradation rates. The advantageous behavior of TE over UE in composites was attributed to the improvement of surface morphology of modified wood and it is better compatibility with the HDPE as revealed by surface energy analysis. The changes in wetting behavior of HDPE and ensuing HDPE-TE composites (contact angles of ca 72 and 80°, respectively) explain the matrix-filler interactions. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48619.     

Enhanced mechanical and electrical properties of carbon fiber/poly(ether ether ketone) laminates via inserting carbon nanotubes interleaves

The carbon fiber/(carbon nanotubes/polyetherimide)/poly ether ether ketone (CF/(CNTs/PEI)/PEEK) laminates are prepared by inserting carbon nanotubes/polyetherimide (CNTs/PEI) interleaves into interlaminar region. The mechanical properties and electrical conductivities of the developed laminates are evaluated. The results indicate that the interlaminar shear strength and flexural strength of CF/(CNTs/PEI)/PEEK laminates are increased by 42.9% and 24.7%, after inserting CNTs2.91/PEI interleaves, respectively. The cross-sectional images of laminates after mechanical tests verify strong fiber-resin adhesion by scanning electron microscope observation. The pertinent mechanism responsible for the improvement of mechanical properties is mechanical interlocking effect of CNTs. After incorporating CNTs/PEI interleaves, the electrical conductivity of laminates is markedly improved due to the formation of conductive pathway. This work suggests that this method is compatible with the preparation process of thermoplastic composites. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 137, 48658.