Effect of N‐isopropyl‐N′‐phenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine antioxidant on the adhesion properties of (zinc oxide)‐filled (epoxidized natural rubber 25)‐based pressure‐sensitive adhesives

The effect of antioxidant, namely, N‐isopropyl‐N′‐phenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (IPPD), on the adhesion properties of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 25)‐based pressure‐sensitive adhesive was investigated. The concentration of the IPPD was varied from 0 to 5 parts by weight per hundred parts of rubber (phr). Coumarone‐indene resin, zinc oxide, toluene, and polyethylene terephthalate were used as the tackifier, filler, solvent, and substrate, respectively. A Lloyd Adhesion Tester operating at different testing rates (10–60 cm/min) was used to determine the loop tack, peel strength, and shear strength at 60‐µm and 120‐µm coating thicknesses. Results indicate that adhesion properties increase with IPPD up to 2 phr of content, after which it decreases with further addition of the antioxidant. This observation is attributed to the culmination of wettability and compatibility at the optimum IPPD concentration. The 60‐µm coated sample consistently shows higher adhesion strength than that of 120‐µm coated sample. Loop tack and peel strength increase with testing rate up to 30 cm/min. However, shear strength increases with increasing testing rate in the testing rate investigated in this study. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:111–115, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Electrical,mechanical, and thermal properties of exfoliated graphite/phenolic resin composite bipolar plate for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Exfoliated graphite (EG) was synthesized from natural flake graphite by acid treatment followed by microwave irradiation. A maximum expanded volume of 560 mL/g was achieved for this exfoliation of graphite. EG/phenolic resin composite bipolar plates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell were fabricated with a high loading of EG by compression molding. The composites possess low density, high electrical conductivity, high thermal stability, and high compressive strength. The composite bipolar plates were also characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and so on. The composite prepared with 50 wt% of EG has shown the desired properties for bipolar plate as per the US Department of Energy (DOE‐2015) targets. As a result, the EG–resin composites can be used as bipolar plates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:917–923, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Viscosity estimation of triacylglycerols and of some vegetable oils, based on their triacylglycerol composition

The experimentally determined kinematic viscosities of simple triacylglycerols [trilaurin, trimyristin (MMM), tripalmitin (PPP), tristearin (SSS), triolein (OOO), and trilinolein (LiLiLi) were correlated to a modified Andrade-type equation. The constants for the modified equation were derived for each simple triacylglycerol. The method was also used to estimate the viscosity of mixed triacylglycerols [1,2-dimyristoyl-3-palmitoyl (MMP), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoyl (OOP), 1,2-dimyristoyl-3-oleoyl (MMO), and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl (PPO)], binary triacylglycerol mixtures (PPO/OOP, PPP/SSS, and OOO/SSS of different portions), and three types of vegetable oils [refined, bleached, and deodorized palm oil; cocoa butter; and canola oil] by applying modified Kay’s rule utilizing the simple triacylglycerol constants derived earlier. In all cases, the estimated values for liquid viscosity were compared with experimental values determined in this work and with previous work from the literature. When applied to vegetable oils, the method requires knowledge of their triacylglycerol composition. Despite its simplicity, the method gives a reasonable estimate. The method may be used to predict the viscosity of different blends of vegetable oils, and the accuracy is expected to increase when more experimental data on simple triacylglycerols become available.     

Elaboration and thermal analysis of nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) and Maghnia bentonite

Nanocomposites based on an organically modified bentonite, from Maghnia Algeria (OBT) and a copolymer of methyl methacrylate with 4‐vinylpyridine (PMM4VP) synthesized in dioxan at room temperature using a neutral Ni(II)α‐benzoinoxime complex as a single component initiator, were elaborated via solution intercalation method and characterized by several techniques. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy investigations indicate that mainly exfoliated and intercalated PMM4VP/OBT nanocomposites were elaborated and that the degree of exfoliation decreases with an increase of the OBT loading. Thermal analyses of these nanocomposites compared with their virgin copolymer confirmed a significant improvement of their thermal stability as evidenced by an increase of 28°C in their onset degradation temperatures. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry displayed an increase in the range of 12–18°C in their glass transition temperatures relative to their virgin copolymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effect of the dispersed phase fraction on particle size in blends with high viscosity ratio

It has been reported that for polymer blends with high viscosity ratio (>1), the size of the dispersed particles decreases with increasing volume fraction of the dispersed phase. In order to explain this effect, an equation was derived for the affine deformation of an imaginary plane of the dispersed phase in stratified two‐phase steady, simple, shear flow. The model predicts that for viscosity ratio >1, the deformation rate increases with volume fraction of the dispersed phase, and the shear stress also increases, leading to an increase of the breakup time. Therefore, the total deformation of the dispersed phase, before breakup, increases with increase of volume fraction, resulting in a decrease of the size of the dispersed phase particles. Accordingly, one can expect that in industrial mixers, the particle size of the blends should decrease as the volume fraction increases, if coalescence is suppressed. Experiments were carried out in a Haake batch mixer, using polyethylene/polyamide‐6 blends compatibilized by adding maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene. Particle size decreased up to 20 wt% polyamide‐6, at 100, 150, and 200 RPM, and increased between 20 and 30 wt%. The decrease of the particle size is mainly due to increased deformation of the dispersed phase. The increase of the particle size above 20 wt% is due to coalescence at high fractions.     

On the kinetics of the autoxidation of fats: influence of pro‐oxidants,antioxidants and synergists

The influence of minor amounts of pro‐ and anti‐oxidants on the kinetics of the autoxidation of fat has been evaluated. The reaction rates of oxygen with the substrates were found to follow the same basic equation, hitherto established for pure substrates. There is evidence that the surface of the reaction vessel also acts as a reaction catalyst and its effect is proportional to the area of glass in contact with lipids. Oxidation is enhanced by trace metal ions as well as by surface‐active compounds (e.g. hydroperoxides and sterols). Antioxidants such as α‐tocopherol and butylated hydroxyanisole inhibit the oxidation by delaying the start of oxygen consumption (the induction period) while retarders like amino acids only decrease the rate of oxidation. Thus pro‐ and anti‐ oxidants affect either the start or the rate of oxygen consumption. The empirical formula dx/dt = k [O₂] (1‐x/n) f′(t) was found applicable to the different stages of oxidation.     

New polymer synthesis. XXX. Synthesis and thermal behavior of new organometallic polyketones and copolyketones based on diferrocenylidenecycloheptanone

A new interesting category of organometallic polyketones and copolyketones was synthesized via Friedel–Crafts reactions through the polymerization of 2,7‐bis[(2‐ferrocenyl)methylene] cycloheptanone ( II ) with different diacid chlorides. The model compound was synthesized by reacting monomer II with benzoyl chloride and characterized by ¹H‐NMR, IR, and elemental analyses. The polyketones and copolyketones were insoluble in most organic solvents but easily soluble in concentrated H₂SO₄. The thermal properties of these polyketones and copolyketones were evaluated and correlated to their structural units by TGA and DTG measurements and had inherent viscosity of 0.32–0.65 dI g^?1. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of polyketone Va and copolyketone VI was investigated above the temperature range (300–500 K) and followed an Arrhenius equation with activation energy 2.09 eV. Also, the morphological properties of selected example of polyketones were detected by scanning electron microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2394–2401, 2005