Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Carbon Nanotube/Cotton Functional Nanocomposite: Preparation and Characterization of Properties

In the last decade, preparation of multifunctional composites have attracted researchers around the World for multi-purpose application. In this regard, we produced polyvinylpyrrolidone/carbon nanotubes/cotton (PVP/CNTs/cotton) nanocomposite by coating cotton fabric via pad-dry-cure under UV irradiation. Several characterization methods were used to investigate the functionality and durability including scanning electron microscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, flammability test, reflectance spectroscopy, tensile strength test, water absorption and antibacterial analysis. The interactions among PVP molecular chains, CNT particles and cellulose were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. We observed a uniform coating of PVP/CNTs on the fiber surface. An advantage of our developed method was the strong interfacial interaction among compositions, high durability along with multifunctional properties. PVP/CNT nanocomposite was able not only to improve the thermal stability of cotton, but also provided a reduced flammability and good antibacterial properties. Here, we confirm a simple and versatile method for fabrication of PVP/CNTs/cellulose nanocomposite for multi-purpose applications.     

Mechanical properties,morphology and dynamic mechanical properties of LGF/TPU/SAN composites

A series of the long glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers and poly (styrene-acrylonitrile) (LGF/TPU/SAN) composites with different contents of long glass fiber were prepared by using self-designed impregnation device. Dynamic mechanical properties of TPU/SAN matrix reinforced with 10, 20 and 30 % by weight long glass fibers have been investigated by using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA). The results indicated that the content of long glass fiber and scanning frequency had some influence on dynamic mechanical properties and glass transition of LGF/TPU/SAN composites. In addition, the Arrhenius relationship has been used to calculate the activation energy of a-transition of the LGF/TPU/SAN composites. SEM demonstrates the relatively good dispersion of the long glass fiber in the TPU/SAN matrix. In addition, Effects of the content of long glass fiber on mechanical properties of the LGF/TPU/SAN composites are investigated.     

超细SiO2/NR复合材料的制备工艺及其力学性能

利用乳液共沉原理、正交实验法,研究了Na2SiO3·9H2O与盐酸在助剂的作用下生成的SiO2乳液与天然胶乳共凝制备超细SiO2/NR复合材料的工艺。结果表明:由Na2SiO3·9H2O的质量浓度、反应时间、反应温度3个因子适宜水平组合,采用乳液共沉法制备的超细SiO2/NR复合材料的300％定伸应力为6.43 MPa,拉伸强度为29.04 MPa,撕裂强度为56.88 kN/m,与纯胶、普通SiO2/NR复合材料相比,超细SiO2/NR复合材料的力学性能得到一定程度改善。在本实验条件下,超细SiO2/NR复合材料的最佳制备工艺条件(适宜的因子水平组合)是Na2SiO3·9H2O的质量浓度第1份为280 g/L、第2份为100 g/L,反应时间为30 min、反应温度为80℃。      

Influence of fibre contents on mechanical and thermal properties of roselle fibre reinforced polyurethane composites

The aim of this paper is to study the effect of fibre content on mechanical and morphological properties and thermal stability of roselle fibres (RFs) reinforced polyurethane (TPU) composites. The RF/TPU composites were prepared at difference fibre contents; 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt% by melt mixed mixer and hot press at 170 °C. Mechanical (tensile, flexural and impact strength) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) properties of RF/TPU composites were measured according to ASTM standard. Obtained results indicated that effect of fibre contents display improved tensile and flexural and impact strength properties. RF/TPU composites show the best mechanical and thermal properties at 40 wt% roselle fibre content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph of fractured tensile sample of the roselle composite revealed good fibre/matrix bonding. TGA showed that RF/TPU with difference fibre contents had improved thermal stability.     

Carbon nanotube/poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers with a sheath-core structure prepared by wet spinning

A method for manufacturing sheath-core structured fibers was developed using wet spinning techniques. The core portion of a fiber was prepared using a carbon nanotube (CNT) solution while the sheath used a fiber-forming polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Preparation methods of CNT solutions were investigated and it was found that dispersivity and concentration played an important role in the formation and spinning of fiber??s core. CNT solution prepared using a surfactant with high molecular weight such as sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) was most effective and the CNT concentration was as high as 30 g/l. Fiber processing conditions were optimized and it was determined that stretching fibers in the coagulation bath was a significant step in the formation of a solid and well structured core. Drawn fibers were so strong and flexible that they could be woven into a fabric for potential use as a pressure sensor. These results are relevant for practical applications, such as the development of large-area fabric sensors. Furthermore, the described procedure to produce sheath-core CNT fibers is scalable as wet spinning methods have been widely used in the fiber industry.     

纳米CaCO3/NR复合材料制备工艺对其结构和性能的影响

采用SEM和力学性能测定研究了乳液共沉法制备工艺对纳米CaCO3/NR复合材料结构和力学性能的影响。结果表明:搅拌时间、胶乳质量分数、纳米CaCO3/NR填充量对复合材料结构与性能有显著影响,当它们分别为60min,15%~20%,20:100~40:100时,复合材料力学综合性能最好。纳米CaCO3对NR具有较好的补强效果。      

甲基丙烯酸甲酯改性白炭黑/NR复合材料的研究

在天然胶乳(NRL)和白炭黑(WC)为主的体系中,引入适量的甲基丙烯酸甲酯单体(MMA)和引发剂,利用单体对白炭黑表面发生接枝反应的同时,实现其与橡胶大分子链通过化学键相连接,乳液共沉制备白炭黑填充型天然橡胶复合材料(NR/WC/MMA)。复合材料具有良好的加工流动性、力学性能和耐老化性能。     

Enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of carbon fiber composites with polyamide and thermoplastic polyurethane blends

In this article, we demonstrated the preparation of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites using a polyamide 6 (PA6)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blend, in which the addition of TPU resulted in superior mechanical performances and increased thermal stability. According to various characterization techniques, these results are attributed to an enhanced adhesion and a homogeneous dispersion of long-carbon-fibers (LCFs) with TPU sizing in blended polymer matrix. Above all, dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) measurements clearly show that the dynamic storage modulus (E') of the blend composites is increased by threefold with temperature ranges below and above the glass transition temperature. The presence of LCFs in TPU systems induces effective fiber orientation, exhibiting simultaneous improvements in the tensile strength, flexural strength, and thermal stability.     

天然橡胶/顺丁橡胶共混物相容性的分子模拟研究

天然橡胶（NR）具有优异的综合性能而广泛应用于各个领域,但较差的耐热、耐老化性能影响了NR制品的使用寿命。天然橡胶与顺丁橡胶（BR）共混可改善制品的拉伸强度、耐磨性、抗撕裂性能,提高制品的使用寿命和耐低温性能,二者共混常用于轮胎制造。NR与BR共混,二者的相容性对共混物的相结构和性能具有重要影响。本研究利用Material Studio软件构建模型,采用分子动力学（MD）和耗散粒子动力学（DPD）模拟方法在分子尺度和介观尺度上对室温下NR/BR共混的相容性进行探讨。通过MD模拟,确定了NR和BR在模拟过程的最小聚合度均为20;构建10/90、30/70、50/50、70/30、90/10的NR/BR共混物模型,并计算每个NR/BR共混模型的相互作用参数χ,发现在NR/BR共混体系中NR与BR分子间的相互作用参数χ_NR-BR始终比临界相互作用参数χ_C小;分析了不同质量比NR/BR共混物分子间的径向分布函数,发现NR与BR分子间的径向分布函数g_inter(r)始终高于NR与NR、BR与BR同种分子间的径向分布函数,表明共混物中不同种类分子间（NR与BR）的相互作用比同种类分子间（NR与NR、BR与BR）的相互作用要强;DPD模拟得到不同质量比NR/BR共混物的介观形貌,发现共混物分散相的相畴尺寸会随着分散相含量的增加而增加,但均未出现宏观相分离的情况。上述模拟结果表明,NR和BR在室温下以不同质量比混合时,始终表现出良好的相容性。为验证模拟结论是否准确,制备了NR/BR共混物试样,并采用动态热机械分析仪对样品进行测试,结果证实了NR/BR共混体系的混溶性。模拟结论与实验结果相匹配,证明分子模拟研究和预测共混物相容性是可行的,可为共混实验提供可靠的参考和指导。     

Hybrid multi-scale basalt fiber-epoxy composite laminate reinforced with Electrospun polyurethane nanofibers containing carbon nanotubes

In this study, we report the fabrication and evaluation of a hybrid multi-scale basalt fiber/epoxy composite laminate reinforced with layers of electrospun carbon nanotube/polyurethane (CNT/PU) nanofibers. Electrospun polyurethane mats containing 1, 3 and 5 wt% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were interleaved between layers of basalt fibers laminated with epoxy through vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The strength and stiffness of composites for each configuration were tested by tensile and flexural tests, and SEM analysis was conducted to observe the morphology of the composites. The results showed increase in tensile strength (4–13 %) and tensile modulus (6–20 %), and also increase in flexural strength (6.5–17.3 %) and stiffness of the hybrid composites with the increase of CNT content in PU nanofibers. The use of surfactant to disperse CNTs in the electrospun PU reinforcement resulted to the highest increase in both tensile and flexural properties, which is attributed to the homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the PU nanofibers and the high surface area of the nanofibers themselves. Here, the use of multi-scale reinforcement fillers with good and homogeneous dispersion for epoxy-based laminates showed increased mechanical performance of the hybrid composite laminates.     

基于湿法混炼的天然橡胶/白炭黑/炭黑复合材料的性能研究

采用湿法工艺制备了含50 phr白炭黑的天然橡胶(NR)/白炭黑母炼胶,为改善湿法母炼胶的定伸应力和耐磨性,添加炭黑作为第二相填料,研究炭黑用量和混炼工艺对复合材料性能的影响。结果表明：炭黑的加入顺序对NR/白炭黑/炭黑复合材料的性能具有重要影响。在热处理工序之后加入炭黑,能够增强填料-橡胶相互作用,提高复合材料的定伸应力和耐磨性;在热处理工序之前加入炭黑,能够发挥白炭黑/炭黑的协同效应,改善填料分散性,降低滚动阻力和提高抗湿滑性能。     

Green composites from maleated castor oil and jute fibres

Castor oil was converted to maleated castor oil (MACO) without any catalyst. MACO was characterized with FTIR, NMR, molecular weight and viscosity measurement. Tung oil (20 wt%) was added to MACO as reactive diluent. Non-woven jute felts were used as reinforcing material. The MACO was polymerized and crosslinked in situ during composite fabrication. The curing behavior of MACO with free radical catalyst was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The MACO/jute composites were tested for their flexural properties, impact strength and dynamic mechanical properties and compared with similar unsaturated polyester resin/jute composites. The flexural moduli of both the composites were nearly similar. The impact strength of MACO/jute composites was 42% higher than that of UPE/jute composites. The damping property of the MACO/jute composites was higher than that of UPE/jute composites over a wide range of temperature.     

Flame retardancy,Thermal and mechanical properties of Kenaf fiber reinforced Unsaturated polyester/Phenolic composite

Unsaturated polyester (UP) resin has been blended with phenolic resin (PF) resole type at various ratios to obtain a homogeneous blend with improved flame resistance compared to its parent polymers. The polymer blend was reinforced with 20 wt% kenaf using hand lay out technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to characterize changes in the chemical structure of the synthesized composites. The thermal properties of the composites were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermal stability of UP/PF kenaf composites co-varies with the PF content, as shown by the degradation temperature at 50 % weight loss. The char yield of the composites increases linearly with PF content as shown by the TGA results. The flammability properties of the composites were determined using the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94 fire tests. The LOI increased with the PF content while the composites exhibit improved flame retardancy as demonstrated by UL-94 test. The mechanical and morphological properties of the composites were determined by tensile test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The tensile strength and the Young’s modulus of the blend/composites slightly decreased with increasing PF content albeit higher than PF/kenaf fiber composites.     

Miscibility,Crystallization Behaviors and Toughening Mechanism of Poly(butylene terephthalate)/Thermoplastic Polyurethane Blends

Blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were prepared by melt compounding. The miscibility, crystallization behaviors and toughening mechanism of the PBT/TPU blends were studied. Dynamic mechanical analysis results demonstrated that PBT was immiscible with TPU. Differential scanning calorimetry and wide angle X-ray diffraction results showed that the crystallinity of PBT decreased with increasing TPU content. Furthermore, blending with TPU did not modify the crystal structure of PBT. The small angle X-ray scattering results indicated that the crystal layer thickness decreased and the amorphous layer thickness increased with increasing TPU content, indicating that TPU mainly resided in the interlamellar region of PBT spherulites in the blends. An obvious improvement in toughness of PBT was achieved with addition of TPU. Neat PBT had elongation at break and impact strength of about 15 % and 2.9 kJ/m², respectively. However, the elongation at break and impact strength of the 70/30 PBT/TPU blend reached 410 % and 62.9 kJ/m², respectively. The morphology of the PBT/TPU blends after tensile and impact tests was investigated, and the corresponding toughening mechanism is discussed. It was found that the PBT showed obvious shear yielding in the blend during the tensile and impact tests, which induced dissipation of energy and, therefore, led to the improvement in toughness of the PBT/TPU blends.     

真空辅助酸凝固天然橡胶加工性能的研究

天然橡胶（NR）的性能与制胶工艺密切相关,其中凝固是制胶工艺的重要环节。本文采用真空辅助酸凝固天然橡胶,对比自然凝固天然橡胶和酸凝固天然橡胶,探讨了真空辅助酸凝固对天然橡胶门尼粘度、理化性能、物理机械性能以及加工性能的影响。研究表明,不同凝固方法得到的NR理化性能有一定的差异,自然凝固NR的氮含量>真空辅助酸凝固NR的氮含量>酸凝固NR的氮含量,真空辅助酸凝固NR的塑性初值（P₀）和塑性保持率（PRI）比自然凝固和酸凝固NR的P₀和PRI都高,其中真空辅助酸凝固NR的PRI为85%,而酸凝固NR的PRI为75.7%。真空辅助酸凝固NR的交联密度高于自然凝固NR和酸凝固NR。真空辅助酸凝固NR的拉伸强度、拉断伸长率均高于自然凝固NR和酸凝固NR的拉伸强度、拉断伸长率,3种NR的拉伸强度分别为21.06、19.35、17.60 MPa。RPA测试表明,真空辅助酸凝固NR的弹性模量（G'）<自然凝固NR的G'<酸凝固NR的G',损耗因子（tanδ）变化趋势恰好相反,即真空辅助酸凝固得到的胶样的加工性能最好,自然凝固胶样次之,酸凝固胶样最差。     

Effect of co-monomer ratio in ABS and wood content on processing and properties in wood/ABS composites

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene copolymers (ABS) reinforced with wood flour were investigated for rheological, mechanical and thermal properties. Three grades of commercial ABS resin (high flow (HF-ABS), medium impact (MI-ABS) and super high impact (SI-ABS) grades) were characterized using H-NMR and elemental analysis for the determination of co-monomer content. Wood flour from Para rubber trees treated with N-2 (aminoethyl)-3-(aminopropyl) trimethoxy silane was blended with ABS in the melt blending process using a twin-screw extruder. Wood flour contents used in this work were 0.0 %, 9.1 %, and 33.3 % wt. The composites with higher acrylonitrile contents showed higher melt viscosity especially at the low shear rate. Carreau’s model was used for curve-fitting. The extrudate swell ratio of the composites tended to increase at the shear rate of 10–500 s⁻¹ and then decreased dramatically once the shear rate were further applied. Neat ABS and wood/ABS composites with higher butadiene content illustrated a higher swelling ratio. The neat MI-ABS and composites showed the highest ultimate tensile strength and modulus due to the butadiene content effect. As the wood flour loading was increased, the tensile modulus of all ABS composites increased with the sacrifice of the tensile strength of composites. The elongation at break and impact strength were noticeably the highest for wood/SI-ABS composites among all because of the effect of rubbery butadiene content. Thermal stability of plastic in 9.1 % wood in HF-ABS composites was improved compared with the neat HF-ABS due to the low acrylonitrile content.     

Effects of nanoclay and short nylon fiber on morphology and mechanical properties of nanocomposites based on NR/SBR

Natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber (NR/SBR) reinforced with both short nylon fibers and nanoclay (Cloisite 15A) nanocomposites were prepared in an internal and a two roll-mill mixer by a three-step mixing process. The effects of fiber loading and different loading of nanoclay (1, 3 and 5 wt. %) were studied on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. The adhesion between the fiber and the matrix was improved by the addition of a dry bonding system consisting of resorcinol, hexamethylene tetramine and hydrated silica (HRH). This silicate clay layers was used in place of hydrated silica in a HRH bonding system for SBR/NR-short nylon fiber composite. Nanoclay was also used as a reinforcing filler in the matrix-short fiber hybrid composite. The cure and scorch times of the composites decreased while cure rate increased when the short fiber and nanoclay were added. The mechanical properties of the composites showed improvement in both longitudinal and transverse directions with increasing short fiber and nanoclay content. The structure of the nanocomposites was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction results of nanocomposites indicated that the interlayer distance of silicate layers increased. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites (tensile, hardness and tear strength) are examined and the outcome of these results is discussed in this paper.     

Preparation and UV-protective property of PVAc/ZnO and PVAc/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> microcapsules/poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites

The poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)/zinc oxide (ZnO) microcapsule and PVAc/titanium dioxide (TiO₂) microcapsule were synthesized via in-situ emulsion polymerization method. The PVAc/ZnO microcapsule and PVAc/TiO₂ microcapsule were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis(TG), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). Effect of PVAc/ZnO microcapsule and PVAc/TiO₂ microcapsule on properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was evaluated by UV-vis, SEM and mechanical properties test. The results showed that the addition of PVAc/ZnO and PVAc/TiO₂ microcapsules as a UV-blocking additive could significantly enhance UV-blocking property of PLA/PVAc/ZnO microcapsule composites and PLA/PVAc/TiO₂ microcapsule composites compared with pure PLA, PLA/ZnO composites and PLA/TiO₂ composites. The mechanical properties of PLA/PVAc/ZnO microcapsule composites were better than those of PLA/ZnO composites due to good dispersability and compatibility of PVAc/ZnO microcapsule in PLA matrix. Also, the mechanical properties of PLA/PVAc/TiO₂ microcapsule composites were better than those of pure PLA and PLA/TiO₂ composites. This study demonstrates the great potentials of the intrinsically UV shield additive PVAc/ZnO and PVAc/TiO₂ microcapsules in the application of high performance matrix resin and composite material.     

嫁接和施氮量对冬瓜干物质、氮素积累及其氮代谢酶的影响

本研究通过开展嫁接栽培与施氮量对冬瓜干物质、氮素累积及其氮代谢酶的影响,明确冬瓜干物质、氮素积累动态规律和氮素吸收利用规律,旨在为冬瓜科学施肥提供理论依据.试验以'铁柱2号'冬瓜和'海砧1号'砧木为材料,试验为裂区设计,主区为栽培方式,分别为嫁接栽培和自根栽培2种栽培方式;副区为氮肥施用量,分别设置N0(0 kg/hm...     

Characterization of plant and animal based natural fibers reinforced polypropylene composites and their comparative study

Natural fibers are largely divided into two categories depending on their origin: plant based and animal based. Plant based natural jute fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) matrix composites (20 wt% fiber) were fabricated by compression molding. Bending strength (BS), bending modulus (BM), tensile strength (TS), Young’s modulus (YM), and impact strength (IS) of the composites were found 44.2 MPa, 2200 MPa, 41.3 MPa, 750 MPa and 12 kJ/m², respectively. Animal based natural B. mori silk fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) matrix composites (20 wt% fiber) were fabricated in the same way and the mechanical properties were compared over the silk based composites. TS, YM, BS, BM, IS of silk fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were found 55.6 MPa, 760 MPa, 57.1 MPa, 3320 MPa and 17 kJ/m² respectively. Degradation of composites in soil was measured upto twelve weeks. It was found that plant based jute fiber/PP composite losses its strength more than animal based silk fiber/PP composite for the same period of time. The comparative study makes it clear that mechanical properties of silk/PP composites are greater than those values of jute/PP composites. But jute/PP composites are more degradable than silk/PP composites i.e., silk/PP composites retain their strength for a longer period than jute/PP composites.