SBS and SEBS block copolymers as impact modifiers for polypropylene compounds

Blends of polypropylene (PP) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), namely SBS (styrene‐butadiene‐styrene) and SEBS (styrene‐ethylene/1‐butene‐styrene) block copolymers, were prepared to evaluate the effectiveness of the TPE type as an impact modifier for PP and influence of the concentration of elastomer on the polymer properties. Polypropylene homopolymer (PP‐H) and ethylene–propylene random copolymer (PP‐R) were evaluated as the PP matrix. Results showed that TPEs had a nucleating effect that caused the PP crystallization temperature to increase, with SBS being more effective than SEBS. Microstructure characterization tests showed that in most cases PP/SEBS blends showed the smallest rubber droplets regardless of the matrix used. It was seen that SEBS is a more effective toughening agent for PP than SBS. At 0°C the Izod impact strength of the PP‐H/SEBS 30% b/w blend was twofold higher than the SBS strength, with the PP‐R/SEBS 30% b/w blend showing no break. A similar behavior on tensile properties and flexural modulus were observed in both PP/TPE blends. Yield stress and tensile strength decreased and elongation at break increased by expanding the dispersed elastomeric phase in the PP matrix. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 254–263, 2005     

聚合物乳液的稳定性

简要讨论了乳液稳定性的原理,综述了乳液配方、乳胶粒组成和结构对聚合物乳液电解质稳定性、机械稳定性、冻融稳定性和贮存稳定性的影响。     

Image analysis for interfacial area and cocontinuity detection in polymer blends

A novel image processing method was developed to extract interfacial area concentration measurements from 2D micrographs of immiscible polymer blends. Although this method can be used for analyzing different types of 2D micrographs such as optical or transmission electron microscopy images, it was designed for analyzing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The method operates by detecting edges within the images and using standard image processing operations to selectively eliminate false edges. SEM images of polyethylene oxide/polystyrene (PEO/PS) blends were analyzed using this image processing method to measure the amount of interfacial area in the samples. Interfacial area per unit volume exhibits maxima for blend compositions at the boundary between droplet and cocontinuous morphologies. In addition to the detection of cocontinuity, the interfacial area measurements facilitated by this method may be used in future investigations of blend dynamics, including coalescence, drop deformation, and blend rheology studies. These measurements may also be used to quantify the effects of compatibilizers on blend morphology.     

Does morphology stick? Tailored particle morphologies by swelling polymerization process

Structured dispersion particles suitable for pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) were synthesized via swelling polymerization technique (EP 359562). Particles consisting of poly(n‐butyl acrylate) copolymerized with different types of carboxylic acids were used as seeds. The final particles were synthesized by swelling polymerization process, using 6 wt % styrene or 6 wt % methyl methacylate. The resulting particle morphology was analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From previous works (Coll Surf A 2001, 183–185, 725–737; J Appl Polym Sci 2004, 91, 2610–2623) where two‐step emulsion polymerization was used on similar particles, it is expected that the particle morphology is affected by the polarity of the monomer used for swelling polymerization because of the phase compatibility (thermodynamic parameter). In this work, the seed particles used were always of a glass transition temperature (T_g) below polymerization temperature. The diffusion of the growing polymer chains from the swelling polymerization is therefore mainly affected by their own T_g and the influence of the carboxy groups on the chain length of the entering radicals (kinetic parameter). The different morphologies of the single particles are discussed qualitatively. The effects of reaction parameters are compared with the results given in the previous work. The structure of the corresponding dispersion films was characterized using AFM. Correlations to macroscopic properties such as the cohesive strength and peel adhesion to different substrates are discussed. The results are also compared with the application properties of the corresponding unmodified particles, statistical copolymers, and to blends with small sized PMMA or PS particles. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1444–1455, 2006     

Polymerization of liquid propylene with a fourth‐generation Ziegler–Natta catalyst: Influence of temperature,hydrogen, monomer concentration,and prepolymerization method on powder morphology

Liquid propylene was polymerized in a 5‐L autoclave batch reactor using a commercially available TiCl₄/MgCl₂/Al(ethyl)₃/DCPDMS Ziegler–Natta catalyst, with a phthalate ester as internal electron donor. The powders from these polymerizations were characterized using laser diffraction particle size distribution (PSD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and bulk density measurements. These characteristics were analyzed as a function of the process conditions, including hydrogen and monomer concentration, polymerization temperature, and the prepolymerization method. It was shown that polymerization temperature influences the powder morphology to a large extent. At low temperatures, high‐density particles were obtained, showing regular shaped particle surfaces and low porosities. With increasing temperature, the morphology gradually was transferred into a more open structure, with irregular surfaces and poor replication of the shape of the catalyst particle. When using a prepolymerization step at a relatively low temperature, the morphology obtained was determined by this prepolymerization step and was independent from conditions in main polymerization. The morphology obtained was the same as that observed after a full polymerization at temperature. Even when using a short polymerization at an increasing temperature, the morphology was strongly influenced by the initial conditions. The effect of variation in hydrogen concentration supported the conclusion that the initial polymerization rate determines the powder morphology. In the absence of hydrogen, high bulk densities, and regularly shaped particles were obtained, even at high temperatures. With increasing hydrogen concentration, the reaction rates increased rapidly, and with that changed the morphology. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1421–1435, 2003     

影响纳米CeO_2晶粒形貌的因素及机理

以Ce(NO3)3.6H2O为铈源,NH3.H2O为沉淀剂,用普通沉淀法在不同反应条件下制备了粒径、形貌各异的纳米CeO2。研究结果表明,Ce(NO3)3最佳浓度为0.2 mol/L。XRD和IR结果证实了产物的物相结构。TEM分析表明:控制pH可以得到形貌不同的纳米CeO2粒子。用乙醇作溶剂得到了粒径约为15 nm、分布均匀的纳米CeO2颗粒。正加料(沉淀剂滴入盐溶液中)可以得到各种形貌的纳米CeO2;而反加料(盐溶液滴入沉淀剂中)仅能得到针状纳米CeO2颗粒。     

核壳型乳液聚合研究进展

综述了近年来核/壳结构聚合物乳液的聚合工艺、性能及核/壳结构的表征方法进行,讨论了影响核/壳结构聚合物乳胶粒子形态的各种因素。     

Physical properties of polycaproamide/cationic dyeable poly(ethylene terephthalate) polyblended fibers

Polycaproamide (PCA) and cationic dyeable poly(ethylene terephthalate) (CDP) polymers were blended mechanically (in ratios of 75/25, 50/50, and 25/75) in a melt twin‐screw extruder to prepare three PCA/CDP polyblended materials. The blends of PCA and CDP were spun into fibers. The molar ratio of dimethyl 5‐sulfoisophthalate sodium salt for CDP was 2%. This study investigated the physical properties of PCA/CDP polyblended fibers with nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, gas chromatography, potentiometer, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), extension stress–strain measurements, density gradient analysis, and rheometry. The experimental results of DSC proved that PCA and CDP formed an immiscible system. In an SEM image of a 50/50 PCA/CDP blend, the morphological aggregation of a larger size, from 3 to 5 μm in diameter, was observed. The rheological behavior of the PCA/CDP polyblended materials exhibited negative‐deviation blends, and the 50/50 blend of the PCA/CDP polyblended fibers showed a minimum tenacity value. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1710–1715, 2004     

Epoxy-Polysulfone Networks as Advanced Matrices for Composite Materials

Compatibility between polysulfone (PSF) and epoxy oligomers in the melt state as well as the morphology and properties of alloys obtained were studied as a function of composition. The compatibility depends on the length and structure of epoxy molecules, and is best in the case of epoxysulfone oligomers (ESO).

The properties of hybrid matrices are determined by their composition and morphology. The most pronounced effects are observed in the regions of small concentrations of either component. A small quantity of PSF significantly improves thermal stability and heat resistance of the epoxy resin as well as its impact strength. On the other hand, on addition to PSF of small amounts of epoxysulfone oligomers, the processability of the matrix can be substantially improved. In particular, the melt viscosity decreases, and wetting and impregnation of fibrous reinforcement is facilitated. Besides, the matrix adhesion to fibers is increased.

Powdered PSF/ESO/curing agent mixtures are good for application in solvent-free technological processes of fibrous composites production, e.g. in electrostatic deposition of matrix particles onto a reinforcing fabric. Plastics based on hybrid matrices are distinguished by improved strength.     

Catalytic characteristics of various rubber-reinforcing carbon blacks in decomposition of methane for hydrogen production

Carbon black has recently been reported to act as an effective catalyst for methane decomposition and to exhibit stable catalytic behavior despite carbon deposition, and thus it can be used for CO₂-free production of hydrogen from natural gas. In this work, various carbon blacks with different primary particle size were investigated with respect to methane decomposition under atmospheric pressure from 1123 to 1223 K. Catalytic characteristics, such as activity, activation energy and reaction order, were investigated and compared. It was observed that with decreasing primary particle size (or increasing specific surface area), the specific activity increased and the activation energy decreased. The reaction orders for various pelletized, rubber-reinforcing carbon blacks were 0.6–0.7, about the same regardless of the primary particle size, while they were near 1 for fluffy carbon blacks. Fluffy carbon black showed higher activity and activation energy than the pelletized carbon black of the same primary particle size. Changes of the surface morphology during carbon deposition were observed by TEM. Variations of the number of active sites were discussed in regard of the primary particle size, carbon deposition and binder. The presence of different types of active sites was also suggested.