Polypropylene/clay nanocomposite: kinetic and thermodynamic of dyeing with various disperse dyes

The preparation of polypropylene/clay nanocomposite fibers is interesting from the point of dyeability. This paper investigated the kinetics and the thermodynamic parameters of polypropylene/nanoclay dyeing with three disperse dyes as common dyestuffs for non-polar polymer (C.I. Disperse Blue 60, C.I. Disperse Red 324, and C.I. Disperse Yellow 211). The physicochemical parameters of dyeing are calculated in terms of sorption isotherm, standard affinity, enthalpy and entropy changes, and diffusion coefficient as well as activation energy of the diffusion. The sorption of disperse dye on polypropylene/nanoclay composite shows the linear isotherm. The value of dyeing rate constant and diffusion coefficient of dye molecules increases with the dyeing temperature. The standard affinity of Disperse Red 324 to polypropylene/nanoclay fiber is higher than the two other dyes due its higher partially polarity.     

On the structure and morphology of polyvinylidene fluoride-nanoclay nanocomposites

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-nanoclay nanocomposites were prepared by both solution casting and co-precipitation methods with the nanoclay loading of 1-6 wt%. The structure and morphology of the nanocomposite were investigated by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), polarized light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. PVDF phase transformation behavior was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and in situ thermal WAXD. All the three typical nanoclay morphologies, namely, exfoliated, partially intercalated and phase separated morphologies, were observed in the PVDF-nanoclay nanocomposites prepared by different methods. In solution-cast samples, phase separation and intercalation occurred depending upon the organic modifiers while complete exfoliation of the nanoclays was observed in the co-precipitated nanocomposites. Furthermore, unique parallel orientation of the nanoclay layers and polymer film surface was achieved in solution-cast samples. β-form PVDF was observed in all the nanocomposites regardless of the nanoclay morphology and contents. Both crystallization and melting temperatures of PVDF were increased with the addition of nanoclay, possibly due to the formation of the β-form PVDF.     

Reaction to fire and water vapour resistance performance of treated wood specimens containing TiO2 and clay nanoparticles

The effect of TiO₂ and/or clay nanoparticles on water vapour permeability and the reaction to fire performance of coated and impregnated spruce wood were studied. Water vapour permeability properties were used to assess the moisture transfer properties and durability of the specimens using the cup test. The reaction to the early stage fire development properties of the specimens was analysed using a small scale cone calorimeter test. Comparisons between the different treated and untreated specimens on the moisture and reaction to fire performances were performed. The results revealed poor reaction to fire and water vapour resistance of specimens treated with TiO₂ and/or clay nanoparticles containing treatments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Research Progress on Properties and Applications of Polymer/Clay Nanocomposite

This review covers significant properties and applications of nanoclays in polymer-based nanocomposites with special emphasis on future potential. Various strategies have been adopted for nanocomposite synthesis including delamination of nanoclays through melt shearing, in situ polymerization, and sol–gel method. Proper dispersion of nanoclay results in improved properties of bulk polymer (thermal stability, mechanical strength, gas barrier, and flame retardancy). Light weight, low cost, and improved physical properties of polymer/clay materials increase their demand in modern material industries (aerospace, automobile, barrier materials, construction, and biomedical). Due to extensive use of these nanocomposites in technical fields, there are still many stones left unturned.     

Combined effect of organic phosphate sodium and nanoclay on the mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene

Combined effect of α‐nucleating agent (NA) sodium 2,2′‐methylene‐bis(4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl) phosphate (NA11) and nanoclay (NC) on the mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was investigated by mechanical testing, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical testing results indicated that the separate addition of NA11 and NC only increased the stiffness of iPP while the combined addition of NA11, NC, and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA) simultaneously improved stiffness and toughness of iPP. Compared to pure iPP, the tensile strength, the flexural modulus, and impact strength of iPP composites increased 9.7, 38.6, and 42.9%, respectively. The result indicated good synergistic effects of NC, NA11, and PP‐g‐MA in improving iPP mechanical properties. WAXD patterns revealed NA11, and NC only induced the α‐crystals of iPP. SEM micrograph showed that the PP‐g‐MA could effectively improve the dispersing of NC in iPP. Finally, the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of neat iPP and PP nanocomposites was described by Caze method. The result indicated that the addition of NA overcame the shortcoming of low crystallization rate of NC nanocomposites and maintained the excellent mechanical properties, which is another highlight of the combined addition of NAs and nanoclay. Meanwhile, the result showed that nuclei formation and spherulite growth of iPP were affected by the presence of NA and nanoclay. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effect of nanoclay type on dyeability of polyethylene terephthalate/clay nanocomposites

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based nanocomposites containing three differently modified clays were prepared by melt compounding. The influence of type of clay on disperseability, thermal, and dyeing properties of the resultant nanocomposite was investigated by various analytic techniques, namely, X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy (OPM), differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, dynamical mechanical thermal analysis, contact angle measurement (CAM), reflectance spectroscopy, and light fastness. OPM images illustrated formation of large-sized spherulites in pure PET, while only small-sized crystals appeared in PET/clay nanocomposites. Decreased glass transition temperatures for all PET/clay nanocomposites indicate that the amorphous regions of such composites become mobile at lower temperatures than those in pure PET. CAMs on the resultant PET composites demonstrated that the wettability of such composites depends on hydrophilicity of the nanoclay particles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Effect on modified nanoclay on dynamic mechanical and thermomechanical properties of natural fiber/polypropylene biocomposites

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of nanoclay addition on thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) biocomposites reinforced with bleached red algae fiber (BRAF), kenaf fiber (KF), and cotton pulp fiber (CPF). The nano-biocomposites were fabricated with 40?wt.% loading of all natural fibers and addition of nanoclay at 5 or 10?wt.% loading by the melting compounding and compression molding techniques. The nanoclay effects on the thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of the biocomposites were analyzed as a function of properties of natural fibers such as chemical composition, fiber length, and surface morphology. Although the thermal decomposition temperature of nano-biocomposites decreased with the addition of nanoclay, the dimensional stability of biocomposites greatly improved with increasing nanoclay loading. Also, the dynamic mechanical properties of nano-biocomposites for the PP reinforced with BRAF, KF, and CPF were enhanced with the addition of 5?wt% nanoclay compared to those of biocomposites without nanoclay. The highest enhancement in dimensional stability was obtained for the nano-biocomposites reinforced with BRAF natural fiber. These increases can be attributed to a uniform distribution of nanoclay and to a good interfacial adhesion between the reinforcement and PP matrix. The well dispersed nanoclay particles can have good interactions with both natural fibers and polymer matrix, with the incorporation of the reinforcing natural fibers restricting the mobility of the polymer molecules resulting in the raised storage modulus values.     

Tin‐containing layered double hydroxides: Synthesis and application in poly(vinyl chloride) cable formulations

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and Sn‐containing LDHs have been synthesized using a co‐precipitation method, and the resulting products have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller(BET) surface area measurement, clearly showing that Sn‐containing LDH hybrids have been successfully prepared. TEM shows the ‘house‐of‐cards’ structure of the Sn‐LDHs produced, resulting from the edge‐to‐face interaction of the LDH layers. Higher tin levels lead to an additional magnesium hydroxystannate, MgSn(OH)₆, (‘MHS’) phase that is present in the form of approximately 40‐nm cubic particles in an LDH/MHS hybrid structure. FTIR and XRD suggest that, at low levels of Sn, the Sn⁴⁺ may exist in the form of amorphous hydrated tin(IV) oxide rather than being incorporated into the LDH lattice. These powders have been compounded into poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and their fire performance has been evaluated using limited oxygen index and cone calorimeter techniques. Peak rate of heat release and smoke parameter can be reduced by 64% and 81%, respectively, when replacing 10 wt% of the primary ATH fire‐retardant filler by the synthesized Sn‐LDHs, while keeping the total fire‐retardant loading at 100 phr. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that Sn‐LDH is an effective char promoter for PVC. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanoclay Reinforcement of Liquid Silicone Rubber

Siloxane modified montmorillonite clay was prepared from sodium montmorillonite and quaternary ammonium-containing siloxane surfactant. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analyses indicated that the polysiloxane oligomer chains were successfully grafted onto the surface of the montmorillonite clay platelets. The siloxane modified montmorillonite clay and commercial organo-modified montmorillonite and bentonite clays were incorporated into a rapid-cure liquid silicone rubber (LSR) matrix. The morphologies of the LSR/nanoclay composites were analyzed by SEM and TEM, and partial exfoliation of the silicate nanolayers of the clay platelets was observed. Up to a 20% reduction in water vapor permeability was achieved as well as a 24% improvement in tear strength and a 40% improvement in the compression set.     

Studies on mechanical and morphological behavior of hybrid nanoclay‐reinforced EPDM‐g‐TMEVS/PS blends

A new copolymer of tris(2‐methoxyethoxy) vinylsilane (TMEVS)‐grafted ethylene–propylene–diene elastomer (EPDM‐g‐TMEVS) has been developed by grafting of TMEVS onto EPDM by using dicumylperoxide (DCP) initiator. The linear polystyrene blends (EPDM‐g‐TMEVS/PS) based on EPDM‐g‐TMEVS have been synthesized with varying weight percentages of polystyrene in a twin‐screw extruder. In a similar manner, the dynamically vulcanized and nanoclay‐reinforced polystyrene blends have also been developed using DCP and organically modified montmorillonite clay separately by means of a twin‐screw extruder. The grafting of TMEVS onto EPDM at allylic position present in the third monomer of EPDM has been confirmed by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy. The effect of silane‐grafted EPDM and concentration of nanoclay on mechanical properties of polystyrene blends has been studied as per ASTM standards. The morphological behavior of these blends has been investigated using scanning electron microscope. It was observed that the incorporation of silane‐grafted EPDM enhanced the impact strength and the percentage elongation of linear‐ and dynamically vulcanized blends. However, the values of tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness of the blends were found to be decreasing with the increase of silane‐grafted EPDM. In the case of nanoclay‐reinforced polystyrene blends, the values of impact strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness were increased with an increase in the concentration of nanoclay. XRD studies have been carried out to confirm the formation of nanoclay‐reinforced EPDM‐g‐TMEVS/PS blends. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009