PolymersPub Date : 2024-10-10DOI: 10.3390/polym16202869
Mehmet-Talha Yapa, Jacques Lalevée, Marie-Pierre Laborie
{"title":"Towards Photocrosslinkable Lyotropic Blends of Organosolv Lignin and Hydroxypropyl Cellulose for 3D Printing by Direct Ink Writing.","authors":"Mehmet-Talha Yapa, Jacques Lalevée, Marie-Pierre Laborie","doi":"10.3390/polym16202869","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202869","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polymer blends containing up to 70% organosolv lignin content and lyotropic cellulose derivatives have been established as \"lignin inks\" for direct ink writing of fully biobased 3D parts. However, a fast-crosslinking mechanism is needed to improve throughput and design space. In this paper, UV-photocrosslinkable organosolv lignin/hydroxypropyl cellulose inks are formulated through doping with common photocrosslinkers. The most potent photocrosslinkers for neat hydroxypropyl cellulose, lignin and their blends are determined through a series of DOEs. Hydroxypropyl cellulose is significantly more amenable to photocrosslinking than organosolv lignin. The optimal photocrosslinkable ink formulations are printable and exhibit up to 70% gel content, although thermal post-curing remains essential. Chemical, thermal, and mechanical investigations of the photocrosslinked 3D parts evidence efficient crosslinking of HPC through its hydroxyl groups, while lignin appears internally plasticized and/or degraded during inefficient photocrosslinking. Despite this, photocrosslinkable inks exhibit improved tensile properties, shape flexibility, and fidelity. The heterogeneous crosslinking and residual creep highlight the need to further activate lignin for homogeneous photocrosslinking in order to fully exploit the potential of lignin inks in DIW.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11510783/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142506646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2024-10-10DOI: 10.3390/polym16202867
Marcio Briesemeister, John A Gómez-Sánchez, Pedro Bertemes-Filho, Sérgio Henrique Pezzin
{"title":"PVC/CNT Electrospun Composites: Morphology and Thermal and Impedance Behavior.","authors":"Marcio Briesemeister, John A Gómez-Sánchez, Pedro Bertemes-Filho, Sérgio Henrique Pezzin","doi":"10.3390/polym16202867","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202867","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Due to their mechanical robustness and chemical resistance, composite electrospun membranes based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are suitable for sensor applications. Aiming to improve the electrical characteristics of these membranes, this work investigated the effects of the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to PVC electrospun membranes, in terms of morphology and thermal and impedance behavior. Transmission electron microscopy images evidenced that most of the nanotubes were encapsulated within the fibers and oriented along them, while field-emission scanning electron micrographs revealed that the membranes consisted of uniform fibers with an average diameter of 339 ± 31 nm, regardless of the addition of the carbon nanotubes. With respect to the neat resin, the addition of nanotubes caused a significant lowering of the glass transition temperature (up to 20 °C) and a marked change in the second degradation step of PVC. Nyquist plots from electrical impedance spectra showed a charge transfer resistance (R<sub>CT</sub>) of 38 and 40 MΩ for neat PVC and PVC/CNT 3 wt.% membranes, respectively, indicating that, in the dry state, the encapsulation of CNTs in the fibers and the high porosity of the membranes prevented the formation of a percolation network, increasing the electrical resistance. In the wet state, however, there was a greater change in the impedance behavior, decreasing the resistance R<sub>CT</sub> to 4.5 and 1.1 MΩ, for neat PVC and PVC/CNT 3 wt.% membranes, respectively. The results of this study, showing a significant variation in impedance behavior between dry and wet membranes, are relevant for the development of various types of sensors based on PVC composites.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11511136/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142506620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2024-10-10DOI: 10.3390/polym16202857
Yutong Li, M J Mohammad Fikry, Jun Koyanagi
{"title":"Numerical Simulation for Durability of a Viscoelastic Polymer Material Subjected to Variable Loadings Fatigue Based on Entropy Damage Criterion.","authors":"Yutong Li, M J Mohammad Fikry, Jun Koyanagi","doi":"10.3390/polym16202857","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202857","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aims to explore the impact of load history on the premature failure of the viscoelastic polymer matrix in carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) using a method based on the concept of fracture fatigue entropy (FFE). A user-defined subroutine (UMAT) developed by the authors in previous studies was incorporated to apply the FFE damage criterion using ABAQUS software. Several variable-amplitude load modes, including frequent load amplitude changes and intermittent interruptions, were designed based on the conventional linear damage accumulation method (Palmgren-Miner rule), and the fatigue life under these loadings was obtained via numerical simulations. The results show that both frequent amplitude changes and even brief pauses in loading can accelerate damage accumulation, leading to premature failure of the polymer matrix. In these scenarios, the fatigue life ranged from 33.6% to 91.9% of the predictions made using the Palmgren-Miner rule, which shows significant variation and highlights cases in which the predicted fatigue life falls far short of expectations. This study offers a more practical and reliable approach for predicting fatigue life under complex loading conditions. Since the accuracy of the FFE criterion has been comprehensively validated in previous studies, this research focuses on its application to predict failure under variable loading conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11511374/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142506590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring the Origins of Low-Temperature Thermochromism in Polydiacetylenes.","authors":"Magdalena Wilk-Kozubek, Bartłomiej Potaniec, Patrycja Gazińska, Joanna Cybińska","doi":"10.3390/polym16202856","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202856","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review article delves into the intriguing phenomenon of low-temperature thermochromism, whereby materials change color in response to temperature variations, with a particular focus on its applications in temperature-sensitive fields like medical storage. By closely examining thermochromic materials, this article highlights their potential to offer innovative solutions for monitoring and preserving thermolabile products that require strict temperature control. This leads to a special emphasis on polydiacetylenes (PDAs), a class of conjugated polymers with unique low-temperature thermochromic properties, positioning them as promising candidates for reliable temperature indicators. This article then explores the underlying mechanisms for fine-tuning the thermochromic behavior of PDAs, particularly discussing recent advancements in PDA design, such as structural alterations of monomers to achieve low-temperature thermochromism. These modifications, influenced by factors like side-chain length, hydrogen-bonding interactions, and the use of copolymers, are intended to result in irreversible color transitions at specific low temperatures, which is crucial to maintaining the integrity of thermally sensitive products. Finally, this article discusses the potential applications of PDAs as thermochromic sensors in tissue biobanking, where their ability to provide visual indications of temperature fluctuations could significantly enhance the monitoring and management of biological samples.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11511177/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142506562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2024-10-10DOI: 10.3390/polym16202863
Miroslav Müller, Viktor Kolář, Rajesh Kumar Mishra
{"title":"Mechanical and Thermal Degradation-Related Performance of Recycled LDPE from Post-Consumer Waste.","authors":"Miroslav Müller, Viktor Kolář, Rajesh Kumar Mishra","doi":"10.3390/polym16202863","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202863","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper presents research aimed at laboratory experiments on static and cyclic fatigue testing of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) recovered from post-consumer waste in order to develop a recycled product exhibiting satisfactory mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties. The results of the cyclic fatigue tests set up to 80% of the maximum load in static tensile testing demonstrated satisfactory functionality of the recycled material developed by using the injection molding process. There was no significant change in the tensile strength under static and cyclic fatigue tests. Under cyclic loading, there was a quasi-static effect manifested by plastic deformation, and the displacement increased significantly. The static and cyclic tensile tests indicated improvement in the mechanical performance of the recycled LDPE as compared to the virgin material, owing to the high quality of the regranulates. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted to analyze the functional groups in virgin and recycled LDPE samples. The analysis showed no significant change in the transmittance spectra. The thermal degradation performance was also analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The results were quite similar for both virgin and recycled LDPE.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11510883/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142506587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2024-10-10DOI: 10.3390/polym16202851
Joaquin Hernandez-Fernandez, Juan Esteban Herrera Zabala, Edgar Marquez
{"title":"Applied Investigation of Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, and Butyl Mercaptan as Potential Poisons in the Gas Phase Polymerization Reaction of Propylene.","authors":"Joaquin Hernandez-Fernandez, Juan Esteban Herrera Zabala, Edgar Marquez","doi":"10.3390/polym16202851","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202851","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The polypropylene (PP) synthesis process is crucial in the plastics industry, requiring precise control as it directly impacts the catalytic activity and the final product's performance. This study investigates the effects of trace amounts of four different mercaptans on the polymerization of propylene using a fourth-generation Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalyst. Various concentrations of these mercaptans were tested, and results showed that their presence significantly reduced the melt flow index (MFI) of the final PP. The most notable MFI decrease occurred at 37.17 ppm of propyl mercaptan and 52.60 ppm of butyl mercaptan. Methyl and ethyl mercaptan also reduced the MFI at lower concentrations, indicating that mercaptans act as inhibitors by slowing down the polymerization process and reducing the fluidity of molten PP. The highest MFI increase was observed at lower concentrations of each mercaptan, suggesting that smaller molecular inhibitors require less concentration. This trend was also seen in the catalyst's productivity, where lower concentrations of methyl mercaptan reduced PP production more effectively than higher concentrations of butyl mercaptan. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) identified interactions between the mercaptans and the ZN catalyst. Computational analysis further supported these findings, providing insights into the molecular interactions and suggesting possible inhibition mechanisms that could impact the final properties of polypropylene.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11511162/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142506547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2024-10-10DOI: 10.3390/polym16202858
Enis Muratović, Nedim Pervan, Adil Muminović, Muamer Delić
{"title":"A Contact Mechanics Model for Surface Wear Prediction of Parallel-Axis Polymer Gears.","authors":"Enis Muratović, Nedim Pervan, Adil Muminović, Muamer Delić","doi":"10.3390/polym16202858","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202858","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As surface wear is one of the major failure mechanisms in many applications that include polymer gears, lifetime prediction of polymer gears often requires time-consuming and expensive experimental testing. This study introduces a contact mechanics model for the surface wear prediction of polymer gears. The developed model, which is based on an iterative numerical procedure, employs a boundary element method (BEM) in conjunction with Archard's wear equation to predict wear depth on contacting tooth surfaces. The wear coefficients, necessary for the model development, have been determined experimentally for Polyoxymethylene (POM) and Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer gear samples by employing an abrasive wear model by the VDI 2736 guidelines for polymer gear design. To fully describe the complex changes in contact topography as the gears wear, the prediction model employs Winkler's surface formulation used for the computation of the contact pressure distribution and Weber's model for the computation of wear-induced changes in stiffness components as well as the alterations in the load-sharing factors with corresponding effects on the normal load distribution. The developed contact mechanics model has been validated through experimental testing of steel/polymer engagements after an arbitrary number of load cycles. Based on the comparison of the simulated and experimental results, it can be concluded that the developed model can be used to predict the surface wear of polymer gears, therefore reducing the need to perform experimental testing. One of the major benefits of the developed model is the possibility of assessing and visualizing the numerous contact parameters that simultaneously affect the wear behavior, which can be used to determine the wear patterns of contacting tooth surfaces after a certain number of load cycles, i.e., different lifetime stages of polymer gears.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11510993/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142506523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Study of Styrene Butadiene Rubber Reinforced by Polybutadiene Liquid Rubber-Modified Silica.","authors":"Qing Liao, Xiao Tang, Jiao Tang, Jiaxiang Tang, Housheng Xia, Zhongyi Sheng, Jianping Zhou, Junfeng Niu","doi":"10.3390/polym16202866","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202866","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The dispersion of silica in rubber systems and its interaction with rubber are two key factors in the preparation of rubber composites with excellent properties. In view of this, silica modified with terminal isocyanate-based polybutadiene liquid rubber (ITPB) is used to improve the dispersion effect of silica in rubber and enhance its interaction with the rubber matrix to improve the rubber's performance. The impact of different modification conditions on the dispersion of silica and the properties of modified silica-filled rubber composites were studied by changing the amount of ITPB and the modification method of silica, including blending and chemical grafting. The experimental results show that ITPB is successfully grafted onto silica, and the use of modified silica improves the cross-linking density of rubber, promotes the rate of rubber vulcanization, and overcomes the shortcomings of the delayed vulcanization of silica itself. When the ratio of ITPB liquid rubber to silica equals 1:20, the comprehensive performance of rubber is the best, the ITPB-modified silica has a better dispersion effect in rubber, and the rolling resistance is slightly improved, with tensile strength reaching 12.6 MPa. The material demonstrates excellent overall performance and holds promise for applications in the rail, automotive, and electrical fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11511095/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142506637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2024-10-10DOI: 10.3390/polym16202859
Seo-Jeong Yoon, Se-Jung Lee, Jae-Hoon Baek, Tae-Hee Kim, In-Yup Jeon
{"title":"Preparation and Properties of Cyano-Functionalized Graphitic Nanoplatelets for High-Performance Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Resin.","authors":"Seo-Jeong Yoon, Se-Jung Lee, Jae-Hoon Baek, Tae-Hee Kim, In-Yup Jeon","doi":"10.3390/polym16202859","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202859","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cyano-functionalized graphitic nanoplatelets (CyGNs) are synthesized by means of a mechanochemical reaction between graphite and acrylonitrile. The resulting CyGNs exhibit excellent mechanical properties and are highly dispersible in various solvents (i.e., THF). Due to their chemical compatibility (specifically, cyano functional groups), the CyGNs serve effectively as a reinforcing filler for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin. Consequently, compared to pure ABS, CyGN&ABS-X demonstrates improved mechanical properties and better thermal stability. Notably, the CyGN&ABS-1 specimen exhibits significant enhancements in the tensile strength (26 ± 1 MPa), Young's modulus (992 ± 71 MPa), and tensile toughness (22 ± 3 MPa), representing increases of approximately 130.6%, 19.2%, and 59.6%, respectively, over pure ABS. This underscores the ability of a mechanochemical reaction to directly modify the functional groups of graphitic nanoplatelets (GnPs) as fillers, facilitating their strong compatibility with a variety of polymers, including copolymers.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11511425/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142506616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2024-10-10DOI: 10.3390/polym16202854
Aigerim Yermagambetova, Sagdat Tazhibayeva, Paul Takhistov, Bakyt Tyussyupova, José Agustín Tapia-Hernández, Kuanyshbek Musabekov
{"title":"Microbial Polysaccharides as Functional Components of Packaging and Drug Delivery Applications.","authors":"Aigerim Yermagambetova, Sagdat Tazhibayeva, Paul Takhistov, Bakyt Tyussyupova, José Agustín Tapia-Hernández, Kuanyshbek Musabekov","doi":"10.3390/polym16202854","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202854","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review examines microbial polysaccharides' properties relevant to their use in packaging and pharmaceutical applications. Microbial polysaccharides are produced by enzymes found in the cell walls of microbes. Xanthan gum, curdlan gum, pullulan, and bacterial cellulose are high-molecular-weight substances consisting of sugar residues linked by glycoside bonds. These polysaccharides have linear or highly branched molecular structures. Packaging based on microbial polysaccharides is readily biodegradable and can be considered as a renewable energy source with the potential to reduce environmental impact. In addition, microbial polysaccharides have antioxidant and prebiotic properties. The physico-chemical properties of microbial polysaccharide-based films, including tensile strength and elongation at break, are also evaluated. These materials' potential as multifunctional packaging solutions in the food industry is demonstrated. In addition, their possible use in medicine as a drug delivery system is also considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11511474/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142516588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}