Ultrathin buffer layer at organic/organic interface for managing the recombination profile in organic light‐emitting diodes: Metal versus dielectric buffer

We report on the utilization of an ultrathin buffer layer at the organic/organic (O/O) interface to enhance device efficiency in organic light‐emitting diodes. Two different kinds of buffer layers are examined: metal and dielectric. It is shown that employment of an ultrathin Ag layer with a thickness of 1–2 nm enhances the device performance, while a MgF₂ dielectric buffer cannot affect the device properties considerably. In particular, the turn‐on voltage of the device with an appropriate buffer layer is reduced about 3 V, its current efficiency increases by a factor of more than three, and the power efficiency increases by a factor of more than five in comparison to the control device when a Ag buffer layer is introduced at the O/O interface. By employment of the buffer layer at the interface, an accumulation of current carriers appears within the device that redistribute the recombination profile toward the interior part of the emissive layer. Also, morphological examinations reveal that distinguishable phase segregation occurs in the blend of the hole‐transport layer. In particular, the polymer component remains at the surface and facilitates the hole transport into the successive layers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43894.     

Transparency of rubber‐toughened polymer blend containing plasticizer

Transparency and its temperature dependence were studied for rubber‐toughened polymer blends composed of poly(methyl methacrylate), core–shell latex–rubber particles, and plasticizers such as tricresyl phosphate and di(2‐ethylhexyl)adipate. The transparency of the blends was found to be improved by the addition of the plasticizers. This phenomenon is attributed to the uneven distribution of the plasticizer in the blends. Furthermore, it was found that the plasticizers improve the transparency in a wide temperature range, because the plasticizer addition reduces the difference in the thermal expansion, and thus the temperature dependence of the refractive index, between poly(methyl methacrylate) and the rubber phases. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40775.     

Non‐catalytic anhydride curing of hydrogenated bisphenol‐A glycidyl ether with 1,2,4‐cyclohexanetricarboxylic anhydride and light emitting diode encapsulation

Noncatalytic anhydride curing of hydrogenated bisphenol‐A glycidyl ether (YX8000) using hydrogenated trimellic anhydride (1,2,4‐cyclohexanetricarboxylic anhydride, H‐TMAn) and methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (MeHHPA) were studied. Differential scanning calorimetry data shows no exthothermal under 190°C using MeHHPA without catalyst because of the low reactivity. On the other hand, H‐TMAn had higher reactivity and it can be cured without catalyst. The effect of anhydride concentration both on curing and on properties was studied in detail. For example, the highest T_g was found when YX8000 : H‐TMAn = 100 : 75 or YX8000 : MeHHPA = 100 : 100. The highest curing exothermal was found at similar ratio. Following, the encapsulation of light emitting diode (LED) was prepared with two anhydrides. Surface volume decrease was observed with MeHHPA by its evaporation, but H‐TMAn gave flat surface. After thermal cycle test of these LED, H‐TMAn was found to have better crack resistance than MeHHPA. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 962–966, 2006     

Effect of molecular weight of curing agents on properties of nanocomposites based on epoxy resin and organoclay with reactive modifier

Nanocomposites of epoxy resin and clay modified with half neutralized salt of Jeffamine D400 were prepared by curing separately with three polyetheramines curing agents of different molecular weights and reactivity. The molecular weight of curing agents and their structural similarity with modifier played an important role in deciding the curing behavior, thermomechanical, and morphological properties of epoxy/clay nanocomposites. Morphological analysis carried out by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) clearly show that the dispersion of clay layers in epoxy matrix decreases with decreasing molecular weight of the curing agents. Curing study done by using temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) demonstrates that extragallery reaction rate increases with decreasing molecular weight of curing agents. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of epoxy/3 wt % modified clay composite prepared by curing with curing agent of higher molecular weight shows around 270% improvement in storage modulus (glassy) as compared with its neat epoxy network. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44595.     

Gloss reduction and morphological properties of polycarbonate and poly(methyl methacrylate‐acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) blends with SAN‐co‐GMA as a reactive compatibilizer

The gloss properties of the polycarbonate (PC)/poly(methyl methacrylate‐acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) (MABS) blend with styrene‐acrylonitrile‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate (SAN‐co‐GMA) as a compatibilizing agent were investigated. For the PC/poly(MABS)/SAN‐co‐GMA (65/15/20, wt %) blend surface, the reduction of gloss level was observed most significantly when the GMA content was 0.1 wt %, compared with the blends with 0.05 wt % GMA or without GMA content. The gloss level of the PC/poly(MABS)/SAN‐co‐GMA (0.1 wt % GMA) blend surface was observed to be 35, which showed 65% lower than the PC/poly(MABS)/SAN‐co‐GMA blend without GMA content. The gloss reduction was most probably caused by the insoluble fractions of the PC/poly(MABS)/SAN‐co‐GMA blend that were formed by the reaction between the carboxylic acid group in poly(MABS) and epoxy group in SAN‐co‐GMA. The results of optical and transmission electron microscope analysis, spectroscopy study, and rheological properties supported the formation of insoluble structure of the PC/poly(MABS)/SAN‐co‐GMA blend when the GMA content was 0.1 wt %. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46450.     

Effects of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether on the structures and properties of isocyanate‐based polyimide foams

A series of thermal insulation, acoustic absorption isocyanate‐based lightweight polyimide (PI) foams with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA) units were prepared from polyaryl polymethylene isocyanate (PAPI) and the esterification solution derived from pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and ODA. The structures and properties of the PI foams prepared with different molar ratio of ODA/PMDA were investigated in detail. The results show that the ODA units have great influence on the foam properties. With the increase of the ODA units, the density decreases firstly and then increases. When the molar ratio of ODA/PMDA is 3/10, the foam reaches the minimum density (13.7 kg/m³). Moreover, with increasing the ODA units, the acoustic absorption properties increase firstly and then decrease owing to the variation of the average cell diameter of the PI foams. All PI foams show excellent thermal stability, and the 5% and 10% weight loss temperature are in the range of 250–270 °C and 295–310 °C, respectively. In addition, the PI foams present low thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity. Furthermore, the mechanical property was also evaluated and the compressive strength of the PI foams is in the range of 33.0–45.7 kPa. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46029.     

Influences of pre‐ordered melt structures on the crystallization behavior and polymorphic composition of β‐nucleated isotactic polypropylene with different stereo‐defect distribution

As part of continuous efforts to understand the surprising synergetic effect between β‐nucleating agent and pre‐ordered structures of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) in significant enhancement of β‐crystallization (Ordered Structure Effect, OSE), two β‐nucleated iPP with different uniformities of stereo‐defect distribution (WPP‐A and WPP‐B) were prepared, their crystallization behaviors with variation of melt structures were studied in detail. The results revealed that β‐phase can hardly form in WPP‐A (whose stereo‐defect distribution is less uniform) because of its strong tendency of α‐nucleation caused by its less uniform stereo‐defect distribution, while WPP‐B is more favorable for β‐crystallization; As fusion temperature decreases, similar variation trends of crystallization temperature and β‐phase proportion can be observed from WPP‐A and WPP‐B, indicating the occurrence of OSE behavior, which provides unsurpassed β‐nucleation efficiency and induces β‐crystallization even in WPP‐A which is less favorable for β‐crystallization; moreover, the upper and lower limiting temperatures of Region II of WPP‐A and WPP‐B are identical, suggesting the uniformity of stereo‐defect distribution has little influence on temperature window for OSE (denoted as Region II). To explore the physical nature of Region II, self‐nucleation behavior and equilibrium melting temperature of PP‐A and PP‐B were studied. The lower limiting temperatures of exclusive self‐nucleation domain of both PP‐A and PP‐B are identical with the lower limiting temperatures of Region II in OSE (168°C); moreover, the T_m⁰ of both PP‐A and PP‐B are close to their upper limiting temperatures of Region II in OSE behavior (189°C). The possible explanation was proposed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42632.     

Preparation and characterizations of RTV epoxy blends using amide maleic anhydride‐g‐liquid polybutadience as both reactive toughening and curing components

Amide maleic anhydride‐g‐liquid polybutadience (AMALPB) was synthesized using maleic anhydride‐g‐liquid polybutadience (MALPB) with ethylenediamine (EDA), and its structure was confirmed by FTIR and ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, respectively. It was then used as a reactive toughening agent to make blends with diglycidyl end‐capped poly(bisphenol‐A‐co‐epichlorohydrin epoxy cured at room temperature. Their thermal decomposing behaviors did not show much difference because both EDA and AMALPB possessed similar aliphatic groups. All their glass transition temperatures (T_g) increased more than 10 °C than that of the neat epoxy, and with the addition of AMALPB, the blends were greatly strengthened upon heating as show from their storage moduli. When AMALPB was added at 10 wt %, its elongation at break increases to a maximum of 8.8% which was about two times higher than that of the neat epoxy, and its tensile strength also increased. However, the excessive addition of AMALPB resulted in an apparent decline in their tensile strength at content above 20%. The simultaneous improvements in both tensile strength and strain were attributed to the existence of well‐dispersed rubber particles in the continuous matrices performing plastic deformation that resulted from the chemical bonds of interfaces among the rubber particles and matrix, and meanwhile, inducing the deflection of the cracks. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45985.     

Blue‐light‐emitting poly(arylene ethynylenes) containing alternating sequences of biphenylene or fluorenediyl and p‐phenylene moieties linked through triple bonds

Two new poly(arylene ethynylenes) were synthesized by the reaction of 1,4‐diethynyl‐2.5‐dioctylbenzene either with 4,4′‐diiodo‐3,3′‐dimethyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl or 2,7‐diiodo‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene via the Sonogashira reaction, and their photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) properties were studied. The new poly(arylene ethynylenes) were poly[(3,3′‐dimethyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diyl)‐1,2‐ethynediyl‐(2,5‐dioctyl‐1,4‐phenylene)‐1,2‐ethynediyl] (PPEBE) and poly[(9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐2,7‐diyl)‐1,2‐ethynediyl‐(2,5‐dioctyl‐1,4‐phenylene)‐1,2‐ethynediyl] (PPEFE), both of which were blue‐light emitters. PPEBE not only emitted better blue light than PPEFE, but it also performed better in EL than the latter when the light‐emitting diode devices were constructed with the configuration indium–tin oxide/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (50 nm)/polymer (80 nm)/Ca:Al. The device constructed with PPEBE exhibited an external quantum efficiency of 0.29 cd/A and a maximum brightness of about 560 cd/m², with its EL spectrum showing emitting light maxima at λ = 445 and 472 nm. The device with PPEFE exhibited an efficiency of 0.10 cd/A and a maximum brightness of about 270 cd/m², with its EL spectrum showing an emitting light maximum at λ = 473 nm. Hole mobility (μ_h) and electron mobility (μ_e) of the polymers were determined by the time‐of‐flight method. Both polymers showed faster μ_h values. PPEBE revealed a μ_h of 2.0 × 10^?4 cm²/V·s at an electric field of 1.9 × 10⁵ V/cm and a μ_e of 7.0 × 10^?5 cm²/V·s at an electric field of 1.9 × 10⁵ V/cm. In contrast, the mobilities of the both carriers were slower for PPEFE, and its μ_h (8.0 × 10^?6 cm²/V·s at an electric field of 1.7 × 10⁶ V/cm) was 120 times its μ_e (6.5 × 10^?8 cm²/V·s at an electric field of 8.6 × 10⁵ V/cm). The much better balance in the carriers' mobilities appeared to be the major reason for the better device performance of PPEBE than PPEFE. Their highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels were also a little different from each other. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 299–306, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel poly(ester‐urethane) containing short lactate sequences and PEG moieties

A novel poly(ester‐urethane) with tailor‐made structure was prepared by using lactic acid (LA) as starting material through a combination of two facile common reactions. First, a diol was prepared via the esterification between LA and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with low molecular weight. Subsequently, the poly(ester‐urethane) was synthesized through the addition polymerization of the LA‐based diol and toluene 2,4‐diisocyanate with 1,4‐butanediol as chain extender. The structure, morphology, and properties of intermediate and the poly(ester‐urethane) were analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicated that the intermediate was a diol of conjugating quite short lactate sequences with PEG oligomer, and the structure of the poly(ester‐urethane) was as expected. The thermal transition, thermal decomposition temperature, and crystallinity of the polymer samples depended on the molecular size of PEG. In vitro degradation property of the poly(ester‐urethane) also relied on the molecular weight of PEG. The weight loss percentages varied from 11 to 36% after 12‐days immersing in phosphate‐buffer saline at 37°C. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effects of layered silicate structure on the mechanical properties and structures of protein‐based bionanocomposites

In this work, a nonconventional protein source of pea protein isolate (PPI) was filled with montmorillonite (MMT) and rectorite (REC) by solution intercalation respectively, and then the reinforced PPI‐based nanocomposites were produced by hot press. The structure and interaction in the nanocomposites were investigated by FTIR, XRD, DSC, DMA, and pH and Zeta‐potential tests whereas the reinforcing effect was verified by tensile test. Furthermore, the origin of enhancing mechanical performances and the effects of layered silicate structure were explored. Although the MMT with lower negative‐charge surface and smaller apparent size of crude particles was easier to be exfoliated completely, the exfoliated REC nanoplatelets with more negative‐charge could form stronger electrostatic interaction with positive‐charge‐rich domains of PPI molecules, and hence produced the highest strength in two series of nanocomposites. In this case, the newly formed hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interaction on the surface of silicate lamellas guaranteed the transferring of the stress to rigid layered silicates. The cooperative effect of newly formed physical interaction between layered silicates and PPI molecules as well as the spatial occupancy of intercalated agglomerates of layered silicates destroyed the original microphase structure of PPI matrix and cleaved the entanglements among PPI molecules. It was not in favor of enhancing the elongation and strength. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

The influence of filler surface modification on mechanical and material properties of layered double hydroxide‐containing polypropylene composites

The processing and properties of layered double hydroxides (LDHs)‐containing polypropylene (PP) composites have been studied extensively. However, no detailed studies have reported on how stearic acid (SA)‐intercalated and SA‐coated LDHs influence the properties of melt‐processed PP/LDH composites. Here, four different types of LDHs: synthesized (cLDH1) and commercial (cLDH2) SA‐coated LDH, SA‐intercalated LDH (iLDH), and unmodified LDH (nLDH), were used to fabricate composites using a master‐batch‐dilution technique in a twin‐screw extruder. The characterization results showed that microcomposites were formed when cLDH2 and nLDH were used, whereas nanocomposites were formed when iLDH and cLDH1 were used. Strong nucleating behavior was observed for the nLDH‐, cLDH1‐, and cLDH2‐containing composites, whereas iLDH delayed the crystallization process of the PP matrix. A significant improvement in modulus, with a balance of tensile and impact strengths, was observed in the case of the cLDH1‐containing composite, whereas the nLDH‐containing composite showed good improvement in temperature‐dependent load‐bearing capacity. On the other hand, the PP/iLDH composite showed a remarkable improvement in thermal stability and a reduction in the peak‐heat‐release rate. Therefore, this study gives us an opportunity to design PP composites with desired properties by the judicious choice of LDH, which further widens the application of PP matrices. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45024.     

Effects of plasticizer on structures,non‐isothermal crystallization,and rheological properties of polyarylates

We herein report the effects of plasticizer content (1–5 wt %) on the structure, non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics, thermal stability, and rheological property of a new type of multicomponent polyarylate (PAR). Fourier transform infrared spectra reveal the presence of a specific interaction between plasticizer and PAR chains, indicating the good dispersion of the plasticizer at the molecular level. The plasticizer influences on the non‐isothermal crystallization behavior of the PAR in two different ways: a mobility enhancer of PAR chains and an impurity to the crystallization of PAR. The melt‐crystallization temperature (T_mc) and enthalpy (ΔH_mc) of the plasticized PARs at cooling runs are higher than those of the neat PAR, which is owing to the enhanced mobility of PAR chains by the plasticizer. On the other hand, the non‐isothermal crystallization rates at different cooling rates of 5–40 °C/min are slower for the PARs with higher plasticizer contents, which is due to the impurity effect of the plasticizer on the melt‐crystallization of PARs. Although the PARs with 1–5 wt % plasticizer have lowered thermal decomposition temperatures, compared to the neat PAR, they are thermally stable up to ～400 °C. The complex melt viscosity of PAR with only 1 wt % plasticizer is far lower than that of the neat PAR. Overall, it is found that only 1 wt % plasticizer is quite effective to facilitate the melt‐processibility and to increase the crystallinity of PAR. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45704.     

Effects of nano‐TiO2 on the properties and structures of starch/poly(ε‐caprolactone) composites

Poor physical properties resulting from low interfacial interactions between hydrophilic biopolymers and hydrophobic thermoplastic matrices have been one of the biggest obstacles in preparing quality biomass materials. This study concentrates on the effects of nano‐TiO₂ on the properties and structure of starch/poly (ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) composites. The molecular and crystal structures of the composites were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that an interpenetrating network structure formed by adding nano‐TiO₂ into starch/PCL composites. The DSC and XRD analysis indicated that the crystallinity degree and the crystallization rate of the composites reduced, whereas the crystal form and crystal size were unchanged. The results also showed that the mechanical properties and water resistance of the composites were improved significantly with the addition of nano‐TiO₂, whereas their transparency decreased. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4129–4136, 2013     

Re‐elucidation of the acid‐catalyzed urea–formaldehyde reactions: A theoretical and 13C‐NMR study

The acid‐catalyzed urea–formaldehyde reactions were reexamined in detail by using quantum chemistry method and ¹³C‐NMR determinations. Some issues in the synthesis theory that were not well understood previously have been addressed and clarified. The identified reaction mechanisms and calculated energy barriers suggest that the competitive formations of methylene and methylene ether linkages are kinetically affected by both reaction energy barriers and steric hindrance effect. The thermodynamic properties determine that the methylene linkages are dominant at the late condensation stage. The theoretical results well rationalized the observed different changing processes of resin structures with different F/U molar ratios. The previously proposed mechanism for transformation of methylene ether linkage to methylene linkage cannot explain the structural changes during condensation, and thus, other mechanisms were proposed. The calculated results for uron explained the fact that the formation of such structure is much slower than other structures under weak acidic condition. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44339.     

Synthesis and photo‐curing behaviors of silicon‐containing (vinyl ether)–(allyl ether) hybrid monomers

A series of silicon‐containing (vinyl ether)–(allyl ether) hybrid monomers used in nano‐imprint lithography resists were synthesized and subjected to photo‐initiated polymerization. The surface energies of the monomers and the resulting polymer films were then investigated. The surface energies of the monomers were very low at less than 15 mJ m^–2. The photo‐curing behaviors of the five hybrid monomers were investigated using real‐time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The monomers were sequentially initiated with cationic (PAG201) and mixed (cationic initiator PAG201, radical initiator ITX or TPO) initiators. The vinyl ether double bond polymerized both rapidly and completely, whereas the allyl ether double bond remained when PAG201 was used as the photo‐initiator and polymerized completely with mixed initiators. The different double bonds of the silicon‐containing (vinyl ether)–(allyl ether) hybrid monomer increased the efficiency of the polymerization and overcame the intrinsic limitations of the free radical and cationic polymerization processes, including strong oxygen inhibition, large volume shrinkage and high humidity sensitivity. The five monomers with low viscosity, low surface energy, good thermal stability and good photo‐polymerization properties were suitable for nano‐imprint photoresists. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Identification of relationship between the synthesis/process parameters and properties of a sol–gel‐derived polymer nanocomposite system

A Ti‐containing silicate‐based epoxy‐functional polymer nanocomposite system was synthesized by a sol–gel route with or without the introduction of a reflux process, which was followed by UV‐induced epoxy polymerization. Influences of synthesis and process parameters, including Ti content, sol ageing, reflux process, and UV‐irradiation on various properties of the system were detailed. It was demonstrated that the introduction of a reflux process during the sol–gel synthesis could significantly modify the chemical and physical properties of the resultant material system along with other parameters such as Ti content. Overall results showed that the synthesis and process parameters examined could be employed to modify the microstructure, and to tune the final properties of this polymer nanocomposite system. The technique described herein, therefore, could be used to develop a new process regime to obtain materials of this type with desired properties, which might potentially be employed in certain applications such as dental restoration. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effects of crosslinking degree and carbon nanotubes as filler on composites based on glycidyl azide polymer and propargyl‐terminated polyether for potential solid propellant application

Triazole crosslinked polymers were prepared by reacting glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) with the propargyl ‐ terminated poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMP) at different molar ratios of azide versus alkyne. Based on the optimum mechanical properties of the GAP/PTMP ‐ 2.5, a series of GAP/PTMP nanocomposites reinforced by either multi ‐ walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or carboxy ‐ functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs ‐ COOH) were prepared with different mass ratios. The glass transition temperatures (T_{g, PTMP}) assigned to PTMP of the GAP/PTMP composites almost kept at a constant range when the molar ratio of azide versus alkyne was from 1.0 to 2.5. When the loading MWCNTs was 1.0 wt %, the tensile strength and elongation at break achieved a maximum of 1.77 MPa and 36.3%, respectively. The nanocomposites with nearly similar T_{g, PTMP} indicated no phase separation in the crosslinked polymers. The results revealed that the improved properties of GAP ‐ based materials could be achieved by changing the molar ratio of azide versus alkyne and the nanofillers content. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45359.     

Investigation on the morphology and tensile behavior of β‐nucleated isotactic polypropylene with different stereo‐defect distribution

Large amount of work has been published on the tacticity‐properties relationship of isotactic polypropylene (iPP). However, the stereo‐defect distribution dependence of morphology and mechanical properties of β‐nucleated iPP (β‐iPP) is still not clear. In this study, two different iPP resins (PP‐A and PP‐B) with similar average isotacticity but different uniformities of stereo‐defect distribution were selected, their β‐iPP injection molding specimens were prepared, and the morphology evolution and tensile behaviors were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), 2D wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (2D‐WAXD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). DSC results showed that with the same concentration of β‐nucleating agent (0.3 wt % WBG‐II), PP‐B with more uniform stereo‐defect distribution exhibited more amount of β‐phase than that of PP‐A with less uniform stereo‐defect distribution, indicating that PP‐B is more favorable for the formation of β‐phase. SEM results showed that PP‐B formed more amount of β‐crystals with relatively high structural perfection, while in PP‐A a mixed morphology of α‐ and β‐phase with obviously higher amount of structural imperfection emerges. The results of room‐temperature tensile test indicated that the yield peak width of PP‐B was obviously wider, and the elongation at break of PP‐B was higher than that of PP‐A, showing a better ductile of PP‐B. The morphology evolution results of SEM, 2D‐WAXD and DSC suggest that, a combination of lamellar deformation and amorphous deformation occurred in PP‐A, while only amorphous deformation mainly took place in PP‐B, which was thought to be the reason for the different tensile behaviors of the samples. In the production of β‐PP products via injection molding, the uniformity of stereo‐defect distribution was found to be an important factor. PP with more uniform distribution of stereo‐defect favors the formation of large amount of β‐phase with high perfection, which exhibit superior ductile property. The related mechanism was discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014 , 131, 40027.     

Comparative study of the structure and properties of wool treated by a chicken‐feather keratin agent,plasma, and their combination

Wool was treated by a chicken‐feather keratin agent, plasma, and their combination. These treated wools were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The performance properties, such as the antifelting performance, wettability, and dyeability, of these treated fibers were tested. The results show that the antifelting performance, wettability, and dyeability of the wool modified by plasma combined with the chicken‐feather keratin were improved. This joint treatment technology is an environmentally friendly green ecological finishing technique. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011