Effect of nano-sized calcium carbonate on cure kinetics and properties of polyester/epoxy blend powder coatings

Today's strict environmental laws pose significant challenges for coating's formulators to look for eco-friendly products. Powder coatings, particularly polyester/epoxy blends have demonstrated their ability as alternatives to traditional solvent-borne coatings. Recently, the use of nanoparticles such as nano-CaCO₃ (nCaCO₃) has been suggested as a beneficial strategy towards powder coating application with improved properties. Here, we study the effect of nCaCO₃ on morphology, cure behavior, adhesion and hardness of polyester/epoxy systems. The nanoparticles shape, size and dispersion state were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. Furthermore, isothermal cure characterization of the neat and filled systems was performed using a torque rheometer. The most important finding based on the rheological studies was the catalytic effect of nCaCO₃ on cure reaction of polyester/epoxy, leading to the shorter curing time. Moreover, the kinetic analyses of rheograms revealed a marked decrease in the activation energy of the cure process upon raising nCaCO₃ content. Interestingly, pull-off adhesion and hardness tests showed that the hardness and adhesion strength were dramatically increased by the addition of nCaCO₃ into the polyester/epoxy system compared to pure blend resin. Therefore, considering the strong competition in powder coating market, the use of nCaCO₃ as a commercial and inexpensive nanofiller is necessary not only to reduce the dwell time which has benefits in terms of the energy consumption and economics, but also to improve the performance of final polyester/epoxy coating.     

Microstructural characteristics of glass bead‐ and wollastonite‐filled isotactic‐polypropylene composites modified with thermoplastic elastomers

Microstructural characteristics of isotactic‐polypropylene/glass bead (iPP/GB) and iPP/wollastonite (iPP/W) composites modified with thermoplastic elastomers, poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) copolymer (SEBS) and corresponding block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA), were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) showed that the iPP/SEBS and iPP/SEBS‐g‐MA blends were partially compatible two‐phase systems. Well‐dispersed spherical GB and acicular W particles without evidence of interfacial adhesion were observed in the iPP/GB and iPP/W binary composites respectively. Contrary to the blends, melt flow rates of the iPP/GB and PP/W composites decreased more with SEBS‐g‐MA than with SEBS because of enhanced interfacial adhesion with SEBS‐g‐MA elastomer. The SEM analyses showed that the ternary composites containing SEBS exhibited separate dispersion of the rigid filler and elastomer particles (i.e., separate microstructure). However, SEBS‐g‐MA elastomer not only encapsulated the spherical GB and acicular W particles completely with strong interfacial adhesion (i.e., core‐shell microstructure) but also dispersed separately throughout iPP matrix. In accordance with the SEM observations, the DSC and DMA revealed quantitatively that the rigid filler and SEBS particles in iPP matrix acted individually, whereas the rigid filler particles in the ternary composites containing SEBS‐g‐MA acted like elastomer particles because of the thick elastomer interlayer around the filler particles. The Fourier transform infrared analyses revealed an esterification reaction inducing the strong interfacial adhesion between the SEBS‐g‐MA phase and the filler particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1265–1284, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Isotactic polypropylene metal oxide and silica nanocomposites by a two‐step process comprising in situ olefin polymerization and melt compounding

Nanocomposites of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) with 0.5 wt% filler of MgO@Mg(OH)₂ (35 nm) or silicon dioxide (20–60 nm) or barium titanate (50 nm) nanoparticles were obtained from melt compounding of filler masterbatches with commercial iPP. The masterbatches with 5 wt% nanofiller were prepared in an in situ polymerization procedure using a metallocene/methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst system that was supported on the respective oxides. The original agglomerates of the nanoparticles were broken up by treatment with dibutylmagnesium for MgO@Mg(OH)₂, and with ultrasound in the presence of MAO for SiO₂ and BaTiO₃. The tacticity (98% mmmm) of the in situ formed PP was not influenced by the presence of the nanofillers. Scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy mapping show a fine dispersion of single particles and small clouds or clusters. The primary nanoparticles appear to be surrounded by polymer. The elongation at break was decreased to 50, 17 and 9% for MgO@Mg(OH)₂), SiO₂ and BaTiO₃, respectively. After melt compounding with iPP, a homogeneous single‐particle distribution of the oxidic nanoparticles was found in the resulting composites with 0.5 wt% filler content. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Anionic nylon 6/TiO2 composite materials: Effects of TiO2 filler on the thermal and mechanical behavior of the composites

The nylon 6‐based composite materials containing untreated and surface‐treated TiO₂ particles with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTEOS), as coupling agent were prepared by in situ anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactam in the presence TiO₂ as a filler using the rotational molding technique. The thermal behavior and mechanical properties of the neat nylon 6 and its composites were investigated using various techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), a tensile and flexural test and impact strength. Experimental results revealed that both untreated and surface‐modified TiO₂ had distinct influence on the melting temperature (T_m), crystallization temperature (T_c), and degree of crystallinity (α_DSC), thermal stability, storage modulus (E′), and loss factor (tan δ), and mechanical properties of nylon 6 matrix. Dynamical mechanical analysis indicated that addition of TiO₂ particles into nylon 6 matrix increased both the storage modulus and the glass transition temperature. The corresponding values of nylon 6 composites with modified filler were higher than that of nylon 6 composite with untreated TiO₂ particles. Tensile and flexural characteristics of the nylon 6 composites were found to increase while the elongation at break and impact strength with increase in TiO₂ concentration relative to neat nylon 6. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Crystallization and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene/calcium carbonate nanocomposites with a stratified distribution of calcium carbonate

Isotactic polypropylene (iPP)/calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanocomposites with a stratified distribution of CaCO₃ were prepared by two‐step molding. The iPP and CaCO₃ nanoparticles were first mixed by a batch mixer and then compressed into thin layers. Thin iPP/CaCO₃ layers alternating with thin neat iPP layers were finally compressed together to form the stratified samples. The transcrystals were observed in the stratified samples by polarized optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The transcrystals grew from the surfaces of the filled layers and occupied most of the space in the neat iPP layers. The β‐form crystals were found in the stratified samples with thick transcrystalline layers, whereas the thickness of the transcrystalline layer was dependent on the content of CaCO₃ nanoparticles and the cooling rate of the processing. The relative crystallinity index of the conventional samples first increased and then decreased with the content of CaCO₃ nanoparticles. However, the relative crystallinity index of the stratified samples deceased slightly with the content of CaCO₃ nanoparticles because of the stratified distribution of the CaCO₃ nanoparticles. The stratified samples, except for the samples with high β‐form contents, became more brittle than the conventional samples because of the transcrystal formation in the iPP layers. The stratified samples with high β‐form contents showed much better mechanical properties than the conventional samples. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39632.     

Size particle effects on the thermal stability of poly(lactic acid) / hydroxyapatite hybrids for biodegradable package

The effects of two nano– and micro– size classes of hydroxyapatite particles ((Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂), HAp) on the controlled stability behavior of poly(lactic acid) are investigated by chemiluminescence, thermal analysis, water uptake and contact angle measurements. The accelerated degradation was achieved by γ-irradiation, when the two constitutive phases interact at the boundary limit partially blocking oxidation. In this paper we studied and characterized the influence of specific particle areas on various material properties, namely thermal and radiation strengths, water diffusion, and wettability. The better behavior of nanostructured patters is explained by the larger adsorption action and the unlike scavenging interaction between free radicals and filler particles. We also analyzed the interaction between the basic material and filler when the loading concentration is changed. The higher stabilization efficiency of PLA/nHAp systems offered by our present results recommends the selection of nanocomposite hybrids as the suitable composition for the manufacture of long life products including medical wear.     

Nano-BN/Nano-TiO2 and micro Mg(OH)2 loaded hybrid ethylene propylene diene monomer elastomer composites for outdoor high-voltage insulation application

This work deals with the synthesis, characterization of hybrid ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composites loaded with nano-boron nitride (nano-BN)/nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO₂) and micro Mg(OH)₂ particles for its suitability towards high-voltage insulation application. The elastomer samples were prepared by carefully dispersing the micro and nano fillers during the mastication process of EPDM polymer using a two roll mill, followed by vulcanization. The samples were characterized for mechanical, morphological, thermal, and electrical insulation properties. The highest tensile strength among the composite samples was noted for 1 phr nanoparticles loaded samples. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) results show no change in the chemical moiety upon addition of nano-BN/nano-TiO₂ in EPDM composites. Enhancement in hydrophobicity is observed for 3 phr nano-TiO₂ loaded composites, which shows a maximum static contact angle of 110°. Meanwhile remarkable enhancement in the thermal conductivity and volume resistance of the composites are contributed to the addition of nano-BN, thereby achieving maximum dielectric breakdown voltage (i.e., ~21 kV/mm for EMB3). Scanning electron microscope images and atomic force microscopy (AFM) topography highlight that low concentration (i.e., 1 phr) based composites have homogeneous dispersion in matrix and excessive nano filler addition deteriorates properties by forming filler aggregates and increasing surface roughness.     

Structures and Performance of White Clay-Filled Isotactic-Polypropylene Composites Prepared by Double-Molding Techniques

Various contents of Bangladeshi white clay (WC)-filled Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) composites were fabricated by double-molding techniques. Scanning electron micrographs shows a good impact between iPP matrix and fillers. X-diffraction and IR spectroscopic measurements reveal that inclusion of fillers develops an additional γ-crystal along with the α- and β-crystals that are merely observed in the neat iPP. Young's modulus and microhardness are found to increase with increasing WC content. Thermal analyses represent a considerable increase of thermal stability of the composites with filler addition. Appearance of new crystalline phase by filler inclusion and performances of the composites are discussed in detail.     

Calorimetric study of nanocomposites of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and isotactic polypropylene polymer

Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) was used to measure the complex specific heat of the crystallization and melting transitions of nanocomposites of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) as function of CNT weight percent and temperature scan rate. In the last few years, great attention has been paid to the preparation of iPP/CNT nanocomposites due to their unique thermal and structural properties and potential applications. As the CNT content increases from 0 to 1 wt %, heterogeneous crystal nucleation scales with the CNT surface area. Above 1 wt %, nucleation appears to saturate with the crystallization temperature, reaching ～8 K above that of the neat polymer. Heating scans reveal a complex, two‐step, melting process with a small specific heat peak, first observed ～8 K below a much larger peak for the neat iPP. For iPP/CNT samples, these two features rapidly shift to higher temperatures with increasing ?_w and then plateau at ～3 K above that in neat iPP for ?_w ≥ 1 wt %. Scan rates affect dramatically differently the neat iPP and its nanocomposites. Transition temperatures shift nonlinearly, while the total transition enthalpy diverges between cooling and heating cycles with decreasing scan rates. These results are interpreted as the CNTs acting as nucleation sites for iPP crystal formation, randomly pinning a crystal structure different than in the neat iPP and indicating complex transition dynamics. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effects of nano calcium carbonate modified by a lanthanum compound on the properties of polypropylene

The surface modification of nano calcium carbonate (nCaCO₃) particles was carried out with a soluble compound of lanthanum via a coating process of chemical deposition, and nCaCO₃ particles covered with a compound of lanthanum (nCaCO₃? La) were prepared. The polypropylene (PP)/nCaCO₃ and PP/nCaCO₃? La composites were prepared with a two‐roll mill. The measurements of the mechanical properties showed that the impact strength of the composites increased at first and then decreased with the addition of fillers, and the tensile strength was reduced at the same time. The impact strength of PP/nCaCO₃? La was higher than that of PP/nCaCO₃, and the impact strength of PP/nCaCO₃? 5La was three times that of virgin PP. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that nCaCO₃? La dispersed well in the PP matrix, the size distribution of the particles was uniform, and nCaCO₃? La adhered to the PP matrix very closely. The crystallization properties of virgin PP and its composites were studied with differential scanning calorimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. The results showed that the β‐PP phase easily formed with the addition of the lanthanum compound. In comparison with virgin PP, the addition of nCaCO₃? La led to a higher crystallization temperature. The size of the crystallites increased with the addition of nCaCO₃? La, and the nucleation of PP crystalline was also improved. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1154–1160, 2005     

Effect of nanoparticles on the performance of thermally conductive epoxy adhesives

Microsized or nanosized α‐alumina (Al₂O₃) and boron nitride (BN) were effectively treated by silanes or diisocyanate, and then filled into the epoxy to prepare thermally conductive adhesives. The effects of surface modification and particle size on the performance of thermally conductive epoxy adhesives were investigated. It was revealed that epoxy adhesives filled with nanosized particles performed higher thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, and mechanical strength than those filled with microsized ones. It was also indicated that surface modification of the particles was beneficial for improving thermal conductivity of the epoxy composites, which was due to the decrease of thermal contact resistance of the filler‐matrix through the improvement of the interface between filler and matrix by surface treatment. A synergic effect was found when epoxy adhesives were filled with combination of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles and microsized BN platelets, that is, the thermal conductivity was higher than that of any sole particles filled epoxy composites at a constant loading content. The heat conductive mechanism was proposed that conductive networks easily formed among nano‐Al₂O₃ particles and micro‐BN platelets and the thermal resistance decreased due to the contact between the nano‐Al₂O₃ and BN, which resulted in improving the thermal conductivity. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1809–1819, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical and thermal properties of bio‐based CaCO3/soybean‐based hybrid unsaturated polyester nanocomposites

Bio‐based calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO₃) were synthesized via size reduction of eggshell powder using mechanical attrition followed by high intensity ultrasonic irradiation. The transmission electron microscopic (TEM) and BET surface area measurements show that these particles are less than 10 nm in size and a surface area of ～44 m²/g. Bio‐based nanocomposites were fabricated by infusion of different weight fractions of as‐prepared CaCO₃ nanoparticles into Polylite® 31325‐00 resin system using a non‐contact Thinky® mixing method. As‐prepared bio‐nanocomposites were characterized for their thermal and mechanical properties. TEM studies showed that the particles were well dispersed over the entire volume of the matrix. Thermal analyses indicated that the bio‐nanocomposites are thermally more stable than the corresponding neat systems. Nanocomposite with 2% by weight loading of bio‐CaCO₃ nanoparticles exhibited an 18°C increase in the glass transition temperature over the neat Polylite 31325 system. Mechanical tests have been carried out for both bio‐nanocomposites and neat resin systems. The compression test results of the 2% Bio‐CaCO₃/Polylite 31325 nanocomposite showed an improvement of 14% and 27% in compressive strength and modulus respectively compared with the neat system. Details of the fabrication procedure and thermal and mechanical characterizations are presented in this article. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1442–1452, 2013     

Polypropylene/nTiO2 nanocomposites using melt mixing and its investigation on mechanical and thermal properties

This study investigates the preparation of nTiO₂ particle using green chemistry approach and its subsequent effect on the properties of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) nanocomposites, which is one of the most suited thermoplastic polymer. The nanocomposite of iPP with TiO₂ nanoparticle (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 wt%) were prepared on Brabender plasticorder, which was then subjected to injection molding to get a dumbbell‐shape specimens. Meanwhile, TiO2 nanoparticles (nTiO₂) were prepared using ultrasonic cavitation technique using leaf extract of Murraya koenigii . The extraction of leaf was carried out using distilled water as a solvent. The size and shape of nTiO₂ particle was confirmed using transmission electron microscope and found to be spherical shape of diameter ∼10–45 nm. The mechanical properties of nTiO₂ reinforced iPP composites were studied using universal testing machine. Moreover, thermal properties were studied using Vicat softening temperature, thermogravimetric analyzer, and differential scanning calorimeter. The extent of dispersion of nTiO₂ in iPP matrix was studied using field‐emission scanning electron microscope and X‐ray diffractometer. The mechanical and thermal properties of nTiO₂‐iPP composites were found to be improved significantly with increasing amount of nTiO₂ particles except elongation at break, which is a marginal increment. This improvement in properties (mechanical and thermal) was due to the uniform dispersion of nTiO₂ in iPP matrix, which means that chains of polymers were well adhered with the spherical shaper particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1273–1279, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Morphology and properties of highly filled iPP/TiO2 nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticle containing 1–15 vol% (4.6–45.5 wt%) of the nanoparticle were prepared by the melt blending process. The effect of an anhydride‐modified polypropylene as a compatibilizer on dispersion of TiO₂ nanoparticles was assessed using SEM. TGA and DSC analysis were performed to study the thermal properties of the nanocomposites. Crystalline structures of iPP in the presence of TiO₂ were analyzed by XRD. Mechanical properties of the nanoparticles were measured and a micromechanical analysis was applied to quantify interface interaction between the polymer and particle. SEM results revealed improvement of TiO₂ particle dispersion by adding the compatibilizer. It was shown that the thermal stability and crystalline structure of the nanocomposite are significantly affected by the state of particle dispersion. TiO₂ nanoparticles were shown to be strong β‐nucleating agents for iPP, especially at concentrations less than 5 vol%. Presence of the β‐structure crystals reduced the elastic modulus and yield strength of the nanocomposites. Micromechanical analysis showed enhanced interaction between organic and inorganic phases of the compatibilized nanocomposites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:874–886, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical properties and fracture behaviors of epoxy composites with phase‐separation formed liquid rubber and preformed powdered rubber nanoparticles: A comparative study

Epoxy composites filled with phase‐separation formed submicron liquid rubber (LR) and preformed nanoscale powdered rubber (PR) particles were prepared at different filler loading levels. The effect of filler loading and type on the rheological properties of liquid epoxy resin suspensions and the thermal and mechanical properties of the cured composites as well as the relative fracture behaviors are systematically investigated. Almost unchanged tensile yield strength of the cured epoxy/PR composites is observed in the tensile test compared with that of the neat epoxy; while the strength of the cured epoxy/LR composites shows a maximum value at ∼4.5 wt% and significantly decreases with increasing LR content. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the cured PR/epoxy has shifted to the higher temperature in the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis compared with that of the cured pure epoxy and epoxy/LR composites. Furthermore, the presence of LR results in highly improved critical stress intensity factor (K_IC) of epoxy resin compared with the corresponding PR nanoparticles. In particular, the PR and LR particles at 9.2 wt% loading produce about 69 and 118% improvement in K_IC of the epoxy composites, respectively. The fracture surface and damage zone analysis demonstrate that these two types of rubber particles induce different degrees of local plastic deformation of matrix initiated by their debonding/cavitation, which was also quantified and correlated with the fracture toughness of the two epoxy/rubber systems. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:785–799, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Morphological and thermal properties of photodegradable biocomposite films

Biocomposites containing ultraviolet (UV) radiation absorbing inorganic nanofillers are of great interest in food packaging applications. The biodegradable polylactide (PLA) composite films were prepared by solvent casting method by incorporating 1 wt % of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and Ag‐TiO₂ (silver nanoparticles decorated TiO₂) nanoparticles to impart the photodegradable properties. The films were exposed to UV radiation for different time periods and morphology of the composite films before and after UV exposure were investigated. The results showed that homogenous filler distribution was achieved in the case of Ag‐TiO₂ nanoparticles. The thermal properties and thermomechanical stability of the composite film containing Ag‐TiO₂ nanoparticles were found to be much higher than those of neat PLA and PLA/TiO₂ composite films. The scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that the photodegradability of PLA matrix was significantly improved in the presence of Ag‐TiO₂ nanoparticles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Influence of zinc oxide on thermoplastic elastomer‐based composites: Synthesis,processing, structural,and thermal characterization

It was aimed to investigate how thermal conductivity and stability properties of synthesized thermoplastic elastomers were influenced by zinc oxide (ZnO) additives which differed in size and surface treatment. ZnO particles were prepared by the homogeneous precipitation method by mixing aqueous solutions of hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) and zinc nitrate. The obtained particles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) was used as a modifier to reduce aggregation among the ZnO particles. The composites, prepared by melt compounding method, were characterized in terms of their morphology and thermal properties. Uniformly distributed surface treated particles caused an enhancement in thermal conductivity properties. At 10 wt% ZnO concentration the thermal conductivity of composite reached 1.7 W/mK compared with 0.3 W/mK for the neat polymer. At the same filler loading, ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a greater effect on thermal conductivity compared with submicron sized particles. It was found that the coefficient of thermal expansion of composites decreased at low temperature (55°C) with increasing ZnO content. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the neat polymer and the composites were resistant up to 340°C without significant mass loss. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2369–2376, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Heat Resistant,Superparamagnetic Poly(ether-imide) Nanocomposites Containing Xanthene: Representing a Strategy for Improving Thermal Stability of Magnetic Polymer-Based Nanocomposites

Two superparamagnetic and heat resistant xanthene based poly(ether-imide) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) techniques were used for studying the morphology, crystalline phase, thermal stability and magnetization properties of the nanocomposites. The neat form of the corresponding poly(ether-imide) was also prepared by thermal imidization method and its structure was confirmed by FTIR, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), UV–Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. In order to investigate the effects of modifying the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on thermal properties of the nanocomposites, the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was coated with SiO₂ and polysuccinimide (PSI), sequentially. Then, both the unmodified Fe₃O₄ and surface-modified Fe₃O₄ (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂–PSI) nanoparticles were used as fillers for the polymer matrix. According to the results, the prepared nanocomposites were superparamagnetic and showed higher thermal stability in comparison to the neat poly(ether-imide). Furthermore, poly(ether-imide)/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂–PSI (PIEN 10b) nanocomposite showed higher thermal stability and dispersed better in the polymer matrix [in comparison to poly(ether-imide)/Fe₃O₄ (PIEN 10 a)] due to the presence of imide groups and high hydroxyl content of the functional Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles which caused high interactions between poly(ether-imide) and functional Fe₃O₄. Furthermore, the presence of methyl, ether and bulky xanthene groups in the poly(ether-imide(backbone improved the solubility of the neat polymer in organic solvents. These properties can be very helpful for extending new applications of poly(ether-imide)s.     

Thermomechanical properties of virgin and recycled polypropylene impact copolymer/CaCO3 nanocomposites

The effect of successive injection moldings on the thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of a polypropylene impact copolymer (PP) was investigated. The crystal content decreased as the molecular weight decreased due to chain scission with repeated injection molding. The Young modulus and the yield stress remained constant, despite a drop in the strain to break. Virgin and recycled PP matrix were filled with nanosized calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) particles. The effect of morphology on the thermal and mechanical properties of nanocomposites of virgin and recycled PP filled with nanosized CaCO₃ particles was also studied. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were strongly influenced by the intrinsic toughness of the matrix and the concentration and dispersion of the filler. The yield strength and strain of virgin PP decreased gradually, while its Young's modulus increased slightly with increasing CaCO₃ loading. These phenomena were less pronounced for the recycled matrix. Incorporation of nanoparticles to virgin matrix produced an increase in tensile stiffness and ductility, when good dispersion of the filler was achieved. However, the impact strength dropped dramatically for high filler contents. A significant increase in impact strength was observed for the recycled PP. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1904–1913, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Influence of a particulate nucleating agent on the quiescent and flow-induced crystallization of isotactic polypropylene

Flow induced crystallization of commercial isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and its blends with sodium 2,2′-methylene bis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate (also known as NA11) is studied by means of in-situ time resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The isothermal crystallization at 145 °C (i.e. well below melting temperature of polymer) is performed after the application of steady shear to probe the anisotropic structure formation. In order to separate the influence of shear rate and shear time on polymer crystallization, four different shear conditions (60 s⁻¹ for 1 s, 30 s⁻¹ for 2 s, 15 s⁻¹ for 4 s and 6 s⁻¹ for 10 s) are applied while maintaining the same imposed strain in the polymer melt. Further the effect of different concentration of nucleating agent on the crystallization kinetics of iPP is examined both under quiescent and shear flow conditions. For instance, under quiescent condition, the crystallization half-time (τ_1/2) decreases with the increasing concentration of nucleating agent in the polymer. Under shear flow conditions, our observations are as follows: In the case of neat iPP, τ_1/2 decreases significantly at higher shear rates (≥30 s⁻¹). Compared to the neat iPP, for the same concentration of NA11 in the NA11/iPP blends differences in τ_1/2 with the increase in applied shear rates are significantly smaller. In other words, the crystallization kinetics is dominated by the amount of nucleating agent in the NA11/iPP blends as opposed to shear rates in the neat iPP. The present study shows that the critical value of shear rate required for chain orientation in the molten polymer is lower in the presence of the nucleating agent compared to neat iPP. The self-nucleation process investigated with the aid of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), indicates that the nucleating efficiency of NA11 on iPP is around 60%.