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Volume 18 Issue 1 - Special Issue: Polymers and Composite Materials (PCM 2017) / Guest Editor: Esteban Broitman

Issue of e-Polymers

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Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available January 5, 2018

Cover and Frontmatter

Page range: i-iv

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Publicly Available January 5, 2018

Editorial

Open Access January 5, 2018

Advances in science and technology of polymers and composite materials

Esteban Broitman

Page range: 1-1

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Full length articles

Publicly Available August 18, 2017

Electrospun amorphous medicated nanocomposites fabricated using a Teflon-based concentric spinneret

Qing Wang, Deng-Guang Yu, Sun-Yi Zhou, Chen Li, Min Zhao

Page range: 3-11

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Abstract

Facile methods to improve the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs are highly sought after. In this study, a modified coaxial electrospinning process was exploited to create medicated amorphous nanocomposites, an approach characterized by the application of a Teflon-coated coaxial spinneret. The hydrophilic polymer hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and the active ingredient tamoxifen citrate (TAM) were selected as the drug carrier and model drug, respectively. Their electrospun nanocomposites showed linear morphology with the drug presented in an amorphous state. The loaded cargoes could be released from the nanocomposites simultaneously when they were placed in the dissolution media, showing faster dissolution rates than their counterparts (physical mixtures). Based on the reasonable application of the polymeric carrier, the reported protocols not only provided an approach to enhance the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs, but also exhibited a method to facilitate the implementation of coaxial electrospinning.

Open Access October 31, 2017

Performance and preparation of modified pearlite thermal-insulating composites

Baohua Tang, Chen Wang, Zhongjun Shu, Yong Wang, Xiaoqi Shao

Page range: 13-17

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Abstract

In this article, three composites were prepared by filling the composition of hydrophobically modified pearlite with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), urea-formaldehyde resin (UF), and melamine urea formaldehyde resin (MUF). Properties including combustion time, smoke density, oxygen index, and thermal conductivity, as well as the effects of component ratio on the combustion performance were determined for each of the three composites. The results indicated improved flame retardancy of all composite samples as a result of synergistic effects of the hydrophobically modified pearlite and the three binding agents. The PVA-based composite showed advantages in density, thermal decomposition, and smoke density, whereas UF-based and MUF-based ones showed good flame retardancy. Specially, the oxygen index of MUF-based composite material reached 52.5% (Level B1 flame retardancy).

Open Access September 26, 2017

Effects of key thermophysical properties on the curing uniformity of carbon fiber reinforced resin composites

Xiaoxia Wang, Qinglin Wang, Linlin Gao, Yuxi Jia

Page range: 19-26

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Abstract

Key thermophysical properties of the thermosetting resin, including density, conductivity coefficient and specific heat that evolve with resin curing, are related to temperature and curing degree fields of the fiber/resin composite material. However, their effects on heat transfer inside composite materials, consequently on the curing non-uniformity in thick-section laminates, are not well understood. The focus of this study is on the effects of key thermophysical properties of resin on the curing uniformity of AS4/3501-6 composite by means of the coupled thermochemical analysis with the method of numerical simulation. The results clearly indicate that the conductivity coefficient and specific heat of resin have obvious influence on curing uniformity, especially for thick laminates, while the density of resin has no noticeable effect on the curing uniformity. The simulation results can help to guide the material preparation of industrial production.

Open Access September 19, 2017

Collapse characteristics of a circular-cross-section CFRP pipe structure member using finite element analysis

Dae Young Kim, Hee Seong Kim, Ji Hoon Kim

Page range: 27-33

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Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) are advanced composite materials that have been used as lightweight structural materials for vehicles. Unlike general isotropic materials, the structural characteristics of composite materials are strongly influenced by the stacking directions and sequences of the composite laminates. In this study, finite element analysis was used to predict the material properties of the carbon fibers and the resin composing a CFRP in cases of laminated carbon fibers and modified external angles. The results verify the approach’s reliability by comparing the simulation results and the real test results related to the material properties of the carbon fibers and the resin. The results of the finite element analysis and the experimental results were compared with the load-displacement curves and the maximum load. The [0 2 /90 2 ] S , [90 2 /0 2 ] 2 , and [0/90] 2S specimens showed a maximum error rate of 8.6%, whereas the [90 2 /0 2 ] S , [0 2 /90 2 ] 2 , and [90/0] 2S specimens showed a maximum error rate of approximately 12.93%. By applying CFRP static collapse analysis of fiber properties and resin properties through basic experiments and basic theory, we predicted the properties of CFRPs through finite element analysis; an error rate of approximately 10% indicated that our approach is effective.

Open Access September 22, 2017

Effect of ultrasonic-assisted impregnation parameters on the preparation and interfacial properties of MWCNT/glass-fiber reinforced composites

Shaohua Zeng, Mingxia Shen, Pengpeng Duan, Fengling Lu, Shangneng Chen, Yijiao Xue

Page range: 35-47

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Abstract

In this study, an ultrasonic-assisted impregnation method was employed to deposit carboxyl multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) onto the E-glass fiber fabric (GFf) for the preparation of the MWCNT-GFf reinforcer. The effects of ultrasonic power, duration and temperature on the dispersion of MWCNTs onto GFf were investigated, and the mechanical properties, interlaminar adhesion, and dynamic viscoelasticity of the resulting MWCNT-GFf-reinforced composites (MGCs) were evaluated. The results indicated that an effective dispersion of MWCNTs onto GFf without obvious breakage of the MWCNTs was achieved under an ultrasonic power of 600 W, duration of 6 min, and processing temperature of about 0°C. Compared with the GFf-reinforced composite, the tensile strength, flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength of the MGCs exhibited maximum increments of 38.4%, 34.6% and 47.1%, respectively. Moreover, the storage moduli and glass-transition temperatures of the MGCs were significantly enhanced. The ultrasonic parameters were of key importance for dispersing MWCNTs onto GFf and improving the interfacial properties of the composites.

Open Access October 31, 2017

The suppression of space charge accumulation in CB/LDPE nanocomposites and its association with molecule relaxation

Zhiyu Yan, Hong Zhao, Baozhong Han, Jiaming Yang, Junqi Chen

Page range: 49-56

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Abstract

Space charge accumulation within insulating material poses a threat to the reliability in the operation of DC power cables. To investigate the influence of carbon black (CB) on the space charge accumulation of low density polyethylene (LDPE), both conductive carbon black (C-CB) and insulating carbon black (I-CB) were employed as filler particles. The space charge distributions of LDPE and CB/LDPE nanocomposites were obtained by the pulsed electro-acoustic (PEA) method. Additionally, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermally stimulated current (TSC) spectroscopy were applied to explore the mechanism of improving space charge performance. Both the C-CB/LDPE and I-CB/LDPE nanocomposites can effectively suppress space charge accumulation. It was concluded that the improvement in space charge characteristics of CB/LDPE nanocomposites was attributable to the interaction between the CB particles and the LDPE, which reduces the number of defects formed from molecules participating in α relaxation and decreases the density of traps within the LDPE.

Open Access October 18, 2017

Effects of preparation methods on the mechanical and thermal properties of graphene-modified HNBR composites

Dejiang Yang, Chun Wei, Yongyang Gong, Tianxi Liu, Jian Lv

Page range: 57-65

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Abstract

Polymers modified by graphene have become an attractive method to enhance the matrix properties, wherein the dispersion of graphene in the matrix and the interfacial interactions between graphene and matrix are critical to influence the final performance. In the present work, graphene nanosheet (GNS)-modified hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (GNS/HNBR) composites were prepared via solution-mixing and mechanical-blending methods. The curing performance, mechanical properties and heat resistance of the prepared composites were studied. The results showed that when the content was 0.2 wt%, the tensile strength and modulus at 300% elongation of the GNS/HNBR composite prepared via solution-mixing method reached 19.36 and 3.62 MPa, which increased by 32% and 18% compared with those of pure HNBR, respectively. In addition, the swelling index of the composite in cyclohexane was decreased from 413% to 337%. On the other hand, the tensile property of GNS/HNBR composite prepared by mechanical-mixing method became poor. SEM observation showed that GNS was well dispersed and incorporated into HNBR via the solution-mixing method, resulting in a significant reinforcing effect.

Open Access October 12, 2017

Mechanical and thermal properties of polybutylene terephthalate/ethylene-vinyl acetate blends using vane extruder

Cong Meng, Jin-ping Qu

Page range: 67-73

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Abstract

The poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) blends with different contents of EVA were prepared by an vane extruder. From the observation of morphologies, impact strength and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), the EVA particles were well dispersed in the PBT matrix and improved the impact strength of PBT. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements demonstrate that there is little diversification in the crystal structure and type. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that as the weight fraction of EVA increases, the thermal stability of composite is enhanced. The rheological analyses indicate that the PBT/EVA blends follow a non-Newtonian behavior and viscosities of the blends are drastically lower than that of pure PBT at higher frequencies. The storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of the blends monotonously increase as the frequency rises. This work provides a novel method to develop blends with excellent performance.

Open Access November 11, 2017

Highly aligned graphene oxide/waterborne polyurethane fabricated by in-situ polymerization at low temperature

Lei Sang, Wentao Hao, Yuanyuan Zhao, Lulu Yao, Peng Cui

Page range: 75-84

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Abstract

Nanocomposites of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) containing graphene oxide sheets (GO) were prepared by an in-situ polymerization method at low temperature. The morphology and interface structure were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Without undergoing complicated functionalization processes, GO can be finely embed into a WPU matrix and present high degree of orientation at high GO contents, due to the formation of chemical bonds and hydrogen bonding. From the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results, incorporation of GO exists in two ways and shows inverse effects. At a content of 2.0 wt.% GO loading, the tensile elastic modulus of the GO-WPU film increased by 193% to neat WPU. The nanocomposites also displayed 30°C higher thermal stability than WPU in thermogravimetric (TG) curves. This environment-friendly method may pave the way to design graphene-based polymer composites.

Open Access November 9, 2017

Conductive switching behavior of epoxy resin/micron-aluminum particles composites

Pin Lu, Zhaoming Qu, Qingguo Wang, Yan Wang, Wei Cheng

Page range: 85-89

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Abstract

Epoxy resin (ER)/micron-aluminum particles (MP) composites with different filling concentration of spherical particles were fabricated. The nonlinear conductive behavior of ER/MP composites under increasing applied voltage using the improved V-I method was investigated. Under sufficient high intensity applied constant voltage, the obvious conductive switching behavior of samples with volume fraction 12.7%, 16.9% and 18.9% was found. The conductivity of ER/MP composites increase up to 3–4 orders of magnitude when the conductor-insulator transition occurs. The switching threshold voltage decreases with the increase of volume fraction of MP in the composites. The results show that the ER/MP composites with conductive switching properties are of great potential application in electromagnetic protection of electron devices and systems.

Open Access November 15, 2017

Improvement of color value of bio-based polyamide 56 fibers

Shouyun Zhang, Jinghong Ma

Page range: 91-95

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Abstract

This paper introduces a feasible method to improve the color value of bio-based polyamide 56 (PA56) fiber. Three types of whitening modifiers were introduced into the bio-based PA56 fibers by the in-situ polymerization method and melt blending method in order to improve the fiber color. The color values and mechanical properties of PA56 fibers were tested and analyzed and the optimum additive ratio and process conditions were discussed. The results show that the improved color value of bio-based PA56 fibers can be achieved by the melt blending method of fluorescent whitening masterbatch and reasonable spinning condition control. When the additive amount of fluorescent whitening agent is 0.3%, the index of lightness (L) increased from 84 to 90, while the yellow index (YI) reduced from 16.8 to 12.6. Moreover, PA56 fibers show high breaking strength about 4.27 cN/dtex and good yellowing resistance and durability.

Open Access November 15, 2017

Preparation and crystallization kinetics of polyesteramide based on poly(L-lactic acid)

Xipo Zhao, Zheng Ding, Yuejun Zhang, Yingxue Wang, Shaoxian Peng

Page range: 97-104

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Abstract

Using the melt polycondensation method, a polyesteramide was prepared based on poly(L-lactic acid) prepolymer and poly(ε-caprolactam) prepolymer and was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1 H-NMR. Isothermal crystallization behavior at different temperatures and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics at different cooling rates were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics parameters were obtained using the Mo, Ozawa and Jeziorny methods. It was found that the increased cooling rates led to the broadening of the polyesteramide crystallization peaks and their shift toward lower temperatures. Mo and Jeziorny methods were found to be more suitable than the Ozawa method for the analysis of this system, as shown by the comparison these non-isothermal crystallization analysis methods. In addition, the values of activation energy of non-isothermal crystallization for polyesteramide obtained by the Kissinger and Takhor methods were −155.96 and −149.12 kJ/mol, respectively.

About this journal

e-Polymers is an open access, single-blind peer-reviewed scientific journal. The aim of e-Polymers is to publish, in an ongoing way, pure and applied polymer-science-related original research articles, reviews, and feature articles. It includes synthetic methodologies, characterization, and processing techniques for polymer materials. Reports on interdisciplinary polymer science and on applications of polymers in all areas are welcome.

In 2013 e-Polymers has been transferred from the e-Polymer Foundation to the scientific publisher De Gruyter. Prof. Seema Agarwal and Prof. Andreas Greiner took over as Editors-in-Chief. e-Polymers is dedicated to serve the polymer community and will continue publishing scientific contributions on highest possible standards.

The present Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Seema Agarwal, would like to thank the authors, the reviewers, the editorial staff, the advisory board, and the supporting organization that made e-Polymers a successful and sustainable scientific journal of the polymer community. The Editors of e-Polymers feel very much engaged to provide best publishing services at the highest possible level.

Topics

Pure and Applied Polymer Science
Organic Chemistry
Industrial Chemistry
Polymer Science and Technology

Article formats
Research Article, Review Article, Rapid Communication, Erratum

Information on submission process

Secure archiving by De Gruyter and the independent archiving service Portico

Special Issues:

"Biodegradable and bio-based polymers: Green approaches"
Guest Editors: Dr. Kumaran Subramanian (Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Jeppiaar Nagar, India), Prof. A. Wilson Santhosh Kumar (AMITY University, Mumbai, India), and　Dr. Venkatajothi Ramarao (The Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia)

Submission deadline: August 31, 2023

Volume 18 Issue 1 - Special Issue: Polymers and Composite Materials (PCM 2017) / Guest Editor: Esteban Broitman

Issue of e-Polymers

Cover and Frontmatter

In this Issue

Advances in science and technology of polymers and composite materials

Electrospun amorphous medicated nanocomposites fabricated using a Teflon-based concentric spinneret

Abstract

Performance and preparation of modified pearlite thermal-insulating composites

Abstract

Effects of key thermophysical properties on the curing uniformity of carbon fiber reinforced resin composites

Abstract

Collapse characteristics of a circular-cross-section CFRP pipe structure member using finite element analysis

Abstract

Effect of ultrasonic-assisted impregnation parameters on the preparation and interfacial properties of MWCNT/glass-fiber reinforced composites

Abstract

The suppression of space charge accumulation in CB/LDPE nanocomposites and its association with molecule relaxation

Abstract

Effects of preparation methods on the mechanical and thermal properties of graphene-modified HNBR composites

Abstract

Mechanical and thermal properties of polybutylene terephthalate/ethylene-vinyl acetate blends using vane extruder

Abstract

Highly aligned graphene oxide/waterborne polyurethane fabricated by in-situ polymerization at low temperature

Abstract

Conductive switching behavior of epoxy resin/micron-aluminum particles composites

Abstract

Improvement of color value of bio-based polyamide 56 fibers

Abstract

Preparation and crystallization kinetics of polyesteramide based on poly(L-lactic acid)

Abstract