Article
Polymer Science
Jiugeng Cheng, Zhenxing Zhong, Yuan Lin, Zhaohui Su, Chunyu Zhang, Xuequan Zhang
Summary: This work investigates the miscibility behavior of high molecular weight isotactic poly(1-butene) and isotactic polypropylene blends using AFM-IR technique. It is found that the two polymers partially miscible under certain conditions, and the content of polypropylene in each phase can be determined using a quantitative analysis method. The phase separation kinetics and phase diagram of the blends were studied, suggesting a lower critical solution temperature-type phase behavior of PB/PP blends.
Article
Polymer Science
Bo Wang, Shuangdan Mao, Fuhua Lin, Mi Zhang, Yuying Zhao, Xiuhong Zheng, Hui Wang, Jun Luo
Summary: The study successfully enhanced the interface compatibility between isotactic poly (1-butene) and herb residue (HR) by modifying HR to obtain KHR, accelerating the crystal transformation of iPB and improving the thermal stability of the composite material.
Article
Polymer Science
Rui Xin, Yunpeng Li, Haoran Shen, Jian Hu, Shaojuan Wang, Hao Zhang, Shouke Yan
Summary: Regular and dendritic single crystals were obtained by ultrathin film melt crystallization, and their II-I phase transition behavior was studied using atomic force microscopy. The study found that the II-I phase transition generally leads to the formation of untwinned hexagonal form I iPBu crystals. There are also differences in nucleation between regular and dendritic single crystals.
Article
Polymer Science
Wei Wang, Seif Eddine Fenni, Zhe Ma, Maria Cristina Righetti, Daniele Cangialosi, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Dario Cavallo
Summary: The debate on the origin of annealing peaks in semicrystalline polymers continues, with some suggesting they are related to defective/thinner crystals melting, while others propose they are associated with the enthalpy relaxation of the rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) directly coupled to crystalline stems. The study on polymorphic poly (butene-1) (PB-1) shows that the annealing peaks are related to the RAF striving to attain thermodynamic equilibrium in its glassy state within the investigated temperature range.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhenggang Wei, Chunjing Qv, Wei Li, Ruijun Zhao, Zhe Ma
Summary: The self-nucleation effect on the solid phase transition from the tetragonal phase into the trigonal phase in isotactic poly(1-butene) was investigated. The study found that self-nucleation treatment in Domain II accelerated phase transition, while self-nucleation treatment in Domain III inhibited phase transition. Lowering the self-nucleation temperature further accelerated phase transition and increased internal stress, causing nucleation of a different form. Cooling crystallization in Domain III enhanced isothermal crystallization, but inhibited phase transition. Crystallites preserved and thickened during the isothermal process at a lowered self-nucleation temperature.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiazheng Shen, Wei Li, Ruijun Zhao, Yingzhuo Liu, Zhe Ma
Summary: In this study, copolymers with different concentrations of 3-methyl-1-butene co-monomers were synthesized by introducing them into the PB-1 main chain. The stretching-induced phase transition from the kinetically favored tetragonal form II to the thermodynamically stable trigonal form I was found to depend strongly on the concentration of co-units, as well as the orientation pathway.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xian Zhang, Cheng-Ye Zhu, Wangbei Cao, Zhao-Yu Ma, Hao-Nan Li, Hong-Qing Liang, Chuan-Jie Fang, Xiao-Jun Huang, Zhi-Kang Xu
Summary: Poly(propylene-co-1-butene) (PP-co-BT) has potential in membrane separation due to its flexibility, lower melting point, and reduced crystallinity. In this study, PP-co-BT membranes were prepared using the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process, with soybean oil and dibutyl phthalate as diluents. The membranes showed uniformly distributed bi-continuous pores and were coated with a mussel-inspired coating for Janus wettability. By applying temperature or concentration gradients, gradient or asymmetric porous PP-co-BT membranes were also obtained for specific applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Min Xu, Yu Han, Xiangyang Li, Jianjun Ding, Kang Zheng, Yongxing Lin, Lin Chen, Xingyou Tian
Summary: Adding a moderate amount of WBG-II into the iPP/PB-1 blends can greatly promote the formation of form I' and improve the thermostability by rapidly recrystallizing into form II upon heating.
Article
Polymer Science
Ya-Hui Lou, Wei Li, Chun-Jing Qv, Zhe Ma
Summary: Poly(ethylene glycol) grafted polybutene-1 copolymers with independently tunable branch densities and lengths were successfully synthesized. The introduction of long poly(ethylene glycol) branches elevated the peak temperature of non-isothermal crystallization and enhanced the II-I phase transition. The phase transition kinetics showed a non-monotonic trend with increasing branch density and length. The correlation between phase transition kinetics and the long periodicity of separated phase was obtained.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xiangyang Li, Pujing Chen, Min Xu, Jianjun Ding, Kang Zheng, Xian Zhang, Xingyou Tian
Summary: The study showed that long chains can form intercrystalline links, slowing down phase transition rates, while a minority of short chains can also decrease the phase transition rate, although less significantly. A transient amorphous network exists in the blends, consisting of different sizes of amorphous coils and entanglements, which significantly affect phase transition.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chuang Li, Zefeng Cui, Min Yang, Haifeng Shi, Binyuan Liu
Summary: A series of 1-butene/pentafluorophenylundec-1-ene ester random copolymers were synthesized under the Ziegler-Natta catalyst system. The introduction of biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (mPEG) into the side chain of PB enhanced the crystallization rate and phase transition rate of the polymer. The regularity of the PB structure is crucial in determining the rate of crystallization and phase transition.
Article
Polymer Science
Francois Bargain, Damien Thuau, Georges Hadziioannou, Fabrice Domingues Dos Santos, Sylvie Tence-Girault
Summary: Poly(VDF-ter-TrFE-ter-CTFE) copolymers exhibit ferroelectric or relaxor ferroelectric properties depending on their CTFE content, with their solvent cast films crystallizing into three orthorhombic phases. The electric displacement-electric field (D-E) loop, remnant polarization (P-R), and macroscopic properties of the terpolymers show close correlations with the amount of CTFE and annealing steps. Additionally, a temperature versus mol% CTFE phase diagram is established and discussed in relation to material properties.
Article
Thermodynamics
Chuangchuang Cao, Jianguo Zhang, Bowen Mei, Wei Li, Tianyou Lian, Yuyang Li
Summary: The laminar flame propagation of branched hexene isomers/air mixtures was studied under different conditions. The fuel molecular structure effects were found to be distinct, with different burning velocities observed for each isomer. A kinetic model was developed and analyzed, revealing the fuel-specific flame chemistry of the isomers. Key reactions and intermediates were identified and their distributions and effects on flame propagation were examined.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xiangyang Li, Pujing Chen, Min Xu, Jianjun Ding, Lin Chen, Xian Zhang, Xingyou Tian
Summary: This study introduces a new theory and methodologies for characterizing polymer lamellar crystals, revealing a potentially new physical mechanism in semicrystalline polymers. The new methods effectively extract structural information about the material and validate the theoretical predictions during phase transitions. This research is expected to help more researchers utilize synchrotron SAXS for studying polymer crystallization issues.
Article
Polymer Science
Miriam Scoti, Fabio De Stefano, Filomena Piscitelli, Giovanni Talarico, Angelo Giordano, Claudio De Rosa
Summary: This study synthesized random isotactic propene-butene copolymers (iPPC4) with different stereoregularity using three different homogeneous single center metallocene catalysts with different stereoselectivity. The findings showed that at high cooling rates, the crystallization of the alpha form was preferred, while at low cooling rates, the crystallization of the gamma form was more common. In the presence of defect concentrations, the gamma form was thermodynamically stable, while the alpha form was kinetically favored.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Cristina Righetti, Paola Marchese, Micaela Vannini, Annamaria Celli, Cesare Lorenzetti, Dario Cavallo, Connie Ocando, Alejandro J. Muller, Rene Androsch
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Monika Dobrzynska-Mizera, Monika Knitter, Salvatore Mallardo, Maria Cristina Del Barone, Gabriella Santagata, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Summary: Bio-based composites made of PLLA and CD-Lim were prepared by melt extrusion, with the successful encapsulation of volatile d-limonene molecules within beta-cyclodextrin cages. Despite some limonene release during high-temperature processing, the filler's good dispersion acted as a nucleating agent favoring PLLA crystal growth. Thermomechanical analysis confirmed the lowered glass transition temperature and constant stiffness of the modified materials, which are crucial in PLLA-based formulations.
Article
Polymer Science
Alessandra Longo, Giovanni Dal Poggetto, Mario Malinconico, Paola Laurienzo, Ernesto Di Maio, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Summary: This work presents the enhancement of crystallization rate of poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) by introducing optically pure short chain branches. The synthesized graft copolymer demonstrates faster crystallization rate compared to commercial PLLA and a binary blend with the same composition. The short branches play a crucial role in promoting crystal nucleation and growth.
Article
Polymer Science
Wei Wang, Seif Eddine Fenni, Zhe Ma, Maria Cristina Righetti, Daniele Cangialosi, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Dario Cavallo
Summary: The debate on the origin of annealing peaks in semicrystalline polymers continues, with some suggesting they are related to defective/thinner crystals melting, while others propose they are associated with the enthalpy relaxation of the rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) directly coupled to crystalline stems. The study on polymorphic poly (butene-1) (PB-1) shows that the annealing peaks are related to the RAF striving to attain thermodynamic equilibrium in its glassy state within the investigated temperature range.
Article
Polymer Science
Maria Cristina Righetti, Patrizia Cinelli, Laura Aliotta, Elisa Bianchi, Fabio Tricoli, Maurizia Seggiani, Andrea Lazzeri
Summary: This study investigates the thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties of environmentally friendly poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and PHB/poly[(butylene succinate)-co-(butylene adipate)] (PBSA) blends, revealing that while the blends are immiscible, they exhibit some mechanical compatibility. The elastic modulus is found to be properly described by the rule of mixtures across the composition range, with ductility increasing with higher PBS or PBSA content. The unusual behavior is attributed to a co-continuous morphology and shrinkage during sequential crystallization, potentially leading to physical adhesion between the blend components.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Serena Coiai, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Patrizia Cinelli, Maria Cristina Righetti, Elisa Passaglia
Summary: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a widely produced biobased, biodegradable and biocompatible polyester. Although it shares similarities with petroleum-based polymers, its high brittleness and low toughness limit its utilization, prompting the blending with other biobased and biodegradable polymers. By incorporating appropriate additives and solid nanoparticles, the toughness and ductility of PLA can be improved, enhancing its mechanical performance, thermal stability and gas/vapor barrier properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Alessandra Longo, Ernesto Di Maio, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Summary: This article presents a novel method to enhance and control bubble nucleation in PLLA foaming without relying on external nucleating agents. The method involves annealing amorphous PLLA at temperatures close to its glass transition and foaming it after sorption of CO2. The resulting foam has a bimodal morphology with bubbles of different sizes.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Maria Cristina Righetti, Micaela Vannini, Annamaria Celli, Daniele Cangialosi, Carla Marega
Summary: This study assessed the temperature dependence of the constrained amorphous interphase or rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) in biobased semi-crystalline poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF). The results showed that the RAF developed parallel to the crystal phase during crystallization at lower temperatures, and vitrified upon subsequent cooling. The physical properties of RAF were found to be different from those of the amorphous fraction far from the crystals. The study also revealed the significant influence of temperature on the crystal phase and crystallization rate.
Article
Polymer Science
Maria Cristina Righetti, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Dario Cavallo, Alejandro J. Muller, Massimo Gazzano
Summary: The structural evolution of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) crystals was studied using synchrotron wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS) analysis after crystallization at 100 degrees C. Isothermal crystallization of PBS resulted in a single lamellar population. The temperature-dependent WAXS/SAXS analysis revealed the development of an additional crystal population characterized by thicker lamellae upon heating, leading to a dual lamellar population. The derived temperature dependence of the lamellar thickness for the two different crystal populations provided structural information that elucidated the multiple melting behavior of PBS.
Article
Polymer Science
Alessandra Longo, Ernesto Di Maio, Fanfan Du, Rene Androsch, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Summary: This study compared the cold crystallization of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) containing α-mesophase with fully amorphous PLLA by mild CO2 treatment. CO2-induced mesophase developed in surface-near regions of the PLLA disks, while the core remained amorphous. Cold-crystallization of CO2-treated PLLA resulted in the formation of conformationally disordered α'-crystals.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fanfan Du, Irene Bonadies, Alessandra Longo, Harald Rupp, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Renei Androsch
Summary: Fibers consisting of PLLA and mosquito-repellent IR3535 were successfully prepared by solution electrospinning. The incorporation of more than 40 m% of IR3535 into PLLA fibers was achieved. IR3535 facilitated the crystallization of PLLA and had a plasticizing effect on PLLA, leading to a decrease in the glass transition temperature. The slow release of IR3535 from PLLA/IR3535 fibers suggests their potential use as a long-lasting repellent-delivery system for combating diseases caused by mosquito bites.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria Cristina Righetti, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo, Patrizia Cinelli, Massimo Gazzano
Summary: The study quantified the temperature evolution of the constrained or rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) of PBS, indicating that at room temperature and at human body temperature, all amorphous fraction is mobile. This information is important for the development of PBS products for various applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuanzhang Jiang, Xuyi Wang, Yanting Han, Dakai Gong, Yingchun Gu, Lin Tan
Summary: In this study, FeCl3 and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were doped into waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) to create multifunctional materials with self-healing and antimicrobial properties. WPU/Fe/PAA-5.5, containing 5.5 wt % PAA, exhibited excellent mechanical properties, strong self-healing capabilities, and an impressive antimicrobial rate of over 90%. These supramolecular films were also highly recyclable through hot-pressing.
Article
Polymer Science
Longyu Tian, Min Wang, Guangming Liao, Baoliang Liu, Sujuan Zhang, Yucheng Sun, Zhen Meng, Jintao Zhang, Zaijun Lu
Summary: Two kinds of benzoxazine monomers were synthesized and used to prepare polybenzoxazine anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with quaternary ammonium functionalization. The LQPBZ AEM exhibited better ion conductivity and alkaline stability.
Article
Polymer Science
Claire A. Lemarchand
Summary: This study investigates the shock behavior of three different polymers through molecular dynamics simulations. The results reveal specificities in the shock behavior of polymers, including deviations from the linear relation between shock velocity and particle velocity, as well as differences in shear stress relaxation behind the shock front. It is found that the deviation of the Hugoniot locus is related to the change in the relative contribution of bonding and non-bonding potential energies, while polymers with higher glass transition temperatures exhibit slower shear stress relaxation.
Article
Polymer Science
Zengquan Liu, Xiaochun Yin, He Zhang, Shuo Gao, Qinglin Kuang, Yanhong Feng
Summary: A powder solid-state extension (PSSE) technology was proposed to address the high melt viscosity issue of UHMWPE. By uniaxial extension and sintering in the solid state, a highly self-reinforced material was prepared. X-ray diffraction and scattering techniques were used to study the structural evolution during the PSSE process, and a solid-phase induced transformation model was established.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhike Li, Anyu Luo, Rui Zhou, Xin Li, Haiyan Li
Summary: A novel high temperature resistance IL@SiO2 nanocapsules were successfully prepared and their friction and wear properties in PA6 composites were studied. The addition of IL@SiO2 nanocapsules reduced the friction coefficient and wear rate without affecting the mechanical properties of PA6. The synergy between the IL core and SiO2 wall in the nanocapsules improved the self-lubricating performance of the PA6 composites.
Article
Polymer Science
Xin Liu, Xuhong Guo, Qi Liao
Summary: In this study, an algorithm for accurately estimating viscosity is developed using molecular dynamics simulations and the Green-Kubo formula. This algorithm can be applied to complex systems with long correlations, such as macromolecular and biological simulation systems.
Article
Polymer Science
Hao Pu, Yun-Lei Hou, Jing -Zhou Chen, Dong -Lin Zhao
Summary: The use of modified graphene improves the interfacial adherence of carbon fibers to epoxy resin, resulting in enhanced interfacial and bending properties of CF and matrix in CF/EP composites, as well as increased interlaminar shear strength and flexural strength.
Article
Polymer Science
Wei-Chung Ke, Jin-Wei Lin, Manohar Reddy Busireddy, Yueh-Hsing Lee, Jiun-Tai Chen, Chain-Shu Hsu
Summary: This study introduces a crosslinkable monomer, TAIC, to synthesize three crosslinked polyimide films, which exhibit improved thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties. The introduction of TAIC enhances the tensile strength, reduces the dielectric constant and dielectric loss, and decreases the coefficient of thermal expansion of the polyimide films.
Article
Polymer Science
Alex Kwasi Kumi, Ruiling Fan, Ye Chen, Yumei Zhang
Summary: The difference in leaching of amylopectin from cellulose/amylopectin/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]) blends during regeneration in water and aqueous ethanol has been studied. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the dissolution and regeneration mechanisms of amylopectin in [Bmim][Cl] are similar to cellulose in ionic liquids. Water regeneration leads to weak electrostatic interactions, resulting in high leaching of amylopectin. In contrast, ethanol-water interactions enhance electrostatic interactions among amylopectin chains, limiting amylopectin leaching in aqueous ethanol.
Article
Polymer Science
Xi Zeng, Junwei Zhou, Junbiao Peng, Chunsheng Zhang, Danling Wang, Yihu Song, Qiang Zheng
Summary: This study utilizes an oligomer deep eutectic solvent (DES) based on polyethylene glycol to regulate the vulcanization kinetics of rubber. The results show that the DES can accelerate vulcanization at low temperatures without affecting the crosslinking density and Mullins effect.
Article
Polymer Science
Qianqian Yue, Yongfei Peng, Xingjian Liu, Aihua He, Huarong Nie
Summary: The addition of metal deactivators can effectively suppress the aging of TBIR, prolong its lifespan, and have no negative effects on its physical and processing properties. These research findings are of great importance for improving the stability and aging resistance of polymers.
Article
Polymer Science
J. Gomez-Caturla, J. Ivorra-Martinez, R. Tejada-Oliveros, V Moreno, D. Garcia-Garcia, R. Balart
Summary: This work focuses on the development of environmentally friendly PLA formulations by using different esters derived from geraniol as plasticizers. The results show that these esters have good compatibility with PLA, and they can effectively enhance the elongation and plasticity of PLA, reduce its glass transition temperature, and slightly improve its water absorption capabilities.
Article
Polymer Science
Dandan Li, Zhaohui Lu, Zhao Ke, Ke Xu, Fengna Dai, Youhai Yu, Guangtao Qian, Chunhai Chen
Summary: In this study, cross-linked PI aerogel membranes with low dielectric constant and high moisture resistance were prepared by co-polymerization and scraping coating technology. The incorporation of fluorinated blocks and benzimidazole ring structures resulted in novel PI aerogel membranes with fascinating dielectric properties and outstanding moisture resistance.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhaoyang Chu, Qing Zhang, Haihua Luo, Han Zhou, Fapei Zhang, Wei Chen, Wenhua Zhang
Summary: Multi-physical fields solution processing strategy is a universal and facile method for preparing various conjugated polymer films and high-performance devices. In this study, we employed a combined microfluidic flow and ultrasonication strategy (FU) for processing CP solutions, and found a pronounced synergetic effect in promoting the pre-ordering of chains in solution. The conformation order and anisotropy of the solution were revealed through various characterizations. A non-classical nucleation model for polymer crystallization in non-equilibrium solution processing was confirmed. The roles of microfluidic flow and ultrasonication in chain aggregation and crystallization were addressed through multi-physical simulations. Compared to pristine solutions, the FU strategy showed improved solution anisotropy and crystallization kinetics, resulting in higher crystallinity in films and increased mobilities in OFET devices. The FU processing strategy provides a universal approach for regulating chain conformation and aggregation in conjugated polymer solutions.
