Article
Agricultural Engineering
Alireza Hosseinmardi, Nasim Amiralian, Darren J. Martin, Pratheep K. Annamalai
Summary: This study successfully prepared ultra-strong, tear-resistant natural rubber nanocomposites by utilizing cellulose nanofibers decorated with nanoscale lignin. The approach not only improved tensile and tear properties, but also showed enhanced resilience in the nanocomposites. The method has great potential for various engineering applications.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Ilse Magana, Dimitrios Georgouvelas, Rishab Handa, Maria Guadalupe Neira Velazquez, Hector Ricardo Lopez Gonzalez, Francisco Javier Enriquez Medrano, Ramon Diaz de Leon, Luis Valencia
Summary: This article proposes a process for preparing fully bio-based elastomer nanocomposites using plasma-induced polymerization surface-modified cellulose nanocrystals. The cellulose nanocrystals modified at 150 W were selected to enhance polyfarnesene-based nanocomposites, showing better properties than those with pristine cellulose nanocrystals. The viscoelastic moduli of the elastomer nanocomposites were found to align with power-law model systems, indicating tunable mechanical properties.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhao Xu, Sen Meng, Dun-Wen Wei, Rui-Ying Bao, Yu Wang, Kai Ke, Wei Yang
Summary: A polyolefin elastomer vitrimer (POEV) was prepared by constructing a dynamic cross-linked network based on boronic ester bonds. The controllable relaxation of POEV by temperature enables the actuation domain with a reduction in entropy and the skeleton domain with a relatively high entropy, greatly affecting the reversible shape memory effects (RSMEs). By combining the decreasing entropy of POEV chains and topological rearrangement, hybrid aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be constructed in POEV, enhancing its elasticity and acting as a hybrid skeleton for RSMEs.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Munir Hussain, Sohail Yasin, Amjad Ali, Zhiyun Li, Xinpeng Fan, Yihu Song, Qiang Zheng, Wanjie Wang
Summary: This study explores the interactions between silica and rubber as well as the replacement of silane for preparing VOC-free vulcanizate nanocomposites using ionic liquid. The results show that the ionic liquid improves the dispersion of silica and the crosslinking density of rubber, resulting in enhanced strength of the vulcanizate materials.
COMPOSITES PART A-APPLIED SCIENCE AND MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Krzysztof Marycz, Agnieszka Smieszek, Klaudia Marcinkowska, Mateusz Sikora, Eliza Turlej, Paulina Sobierajska, Adrian Patej, Alina Bienko, Rafal J. Wiglusz
Summary: The study developed a new nanocomposite nHAp/IO@miR-21/124 and demonstrated its modulatory effects on bone cell metabolism, differentiation, and inflammation in vitro. The results suggest that this fabricated nanocomposite has the potential to impact proper bone regeneration in osteoporosis by restoring the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Dong Wu, Zeang Zhao, Hongshuai Lei, Hao-Sen Chen, Qiang Zhang, Panding Wang, Daining Fang
Summary: Natural tissues can self-strengthen through biological growth, while synthetic materials are typically static. The concept of bio-inspired materials aims to develop materials with dynamically programmable performances. A solvent-free elastomer composite system is proposed in this study, which can be strengthened through tunable self-growth cycles and is compatible with Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing for fast manufacturing of high-precision structures.
COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ali Shakerimoghaddam, Hossein Safardoust-Hojaghan, Omid Amiri, Masoud Salavati-Niasari, Ahmad Khorshidi, Azad Khaledi
Summary: This study investigated the effects of various nanoparticles on the growth and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans, a main cause of tooth decay. The results showed that these nanoparticles could inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans, and decrease the expression of related genes. Among them, Ca19Zn2(PO4)(14) nanoparticles had the best effect and could potentially be used as a coating on dental surfaces.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kerly Samaniego, Armando Matos, Estefania Sanchez-Safont, Maria V. Candal, Jose M. Lagaron, Luis Cabedo, Jose Gamez-Perez
Summary: Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a potential green alternative to commonly used plastics, which is biologically synthesized and biodegradable. However, it has limitations in thermo-mechanical performance. In this study, blends of PHB with a biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer (bio-TPE) were prepared and evaluated. The results showed that the interaction between plasticizers and reactive agents altered the performance of the blends.
Article
Polymer Science
Hongdeok Kim, Joonmyung Choi
Summary: Synthesizing surface-grafted Au nanoparticles and incorporating them into a liquid crystalline elastomer matrix disrupts the mesogen arrangement, forming a highly entangled network on the LCE matrix side and a ductile grafted layer on the AuNP side. The curvature of the inserted AuNPs plays a crucial role in changing the mechanical and structural properties of the LCE matrix phase.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shuo Chen, Yifan Guo, Lijie Sun, Wei Sun, Rasoul Esmaeely Neisiany, Kris Chen, Qingbao Guan, Zhengwei You
Summary: This study develops completely sustainable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) using bio-based materials, green synthesis, and recycling techniques. The TENGs are fabricated with hierarchical porous structures through a salt-assisted 3D printing strategy, resulting in excellent electrical output performance. The discarded TENGs can degrade under benign conditions without negative impact on the environment.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Muteb H. Alshammari, Ahmed Onayzan Alshammari, Mohamed Tharwat Elabbasy, Rafat Zreiq, M. A. El-Morsy, A. A. Menazea, M. F. H. Abd El-Kader
Summary: In order to enhance the antimicrobial potential of hydroxyapatite (HAp), it has been incorporated into various nanocomposites (NCs) with different structures. The HAp/tungsten oxide/graphene oxide (GO) ternary nanocomposite shows an improved cell viability of 96.7 +/-3% for osteoblast cells. Analytical techniques such as XRD, FTIR, XPS, and EDS confirm the chemical compositions. The HAp/WO3/GO composite exhibits a significant improvement in anti-microbial activity with 85.6 +/- 1.6% and 110.1 +/- 2.0% for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively.
RESULTS IN PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Runlian Zhong, Zhennan Luan, Siwei Yan, Quande Cui, Fuhao Zhu, Qianqian Qi, Qingguo Wang
Summary: This article prepared advanced biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer (BTPE)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites using aliphatic diols, aliphatic dibasic acids, and graphene oxide (GO) as raw materials. The rGO is well dispersed in the BTPE matrix through its predispersion in aliphatic diols before the polycondensation of the polyester prepolymers. The addition of GO greatly enhances the tensile strength, elongation at break, biodegradability, and electrical conductivity of the BTPE/rGO nanocomposites.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Monireh Moradienayat, Dania Olmos, Javier Gonzalez-Benito
Summary: By studying the structure, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of polysulfone (PSF)-hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocomposite films, the role of the nanofiller-polymer matrix interphase in the material performance can be understood. The results show that the addition of HA particles has minimal impact on the polymer's structure but slows down its thermal degradation. Adding small amounts of HA particles leads to an increase in the elastic modulus, and the mechanical behavior can be explained by the balance between the contribution of the interphase and the number of particles. In certain cases, high concentrations of nanoparticles can greatly increase the strain to failure.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenpeng Zang, Sijin Jin, Shuxiong Fu, Yuhao Wang, Yingjie Jiang, Xueying Liu, Nanying Ning, Ming Tian, Liqun Zhang
Summary: In order to achieve dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) with excellent energy harvesting performance and long life, electrode materials with high compliance, high electrical conductivity, high stability under high strain, and high durability are crucial. In this study, a highly conductive supermolecule-based electrode material for DEGs was designed and prepared, which showed high elongation at break, self-healing efficiency of electrical conductivity at room temperature, good recyclability, and high durability. Compared to commonly used electrodes, the new electrode exhibited higher energy density and excellent room temperature self-healing ability, reducing the need for disassembling the device and improving convenience.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Matthew W. Halloran, Jim A. Nicell, Richard L. Leask, Milan Maric
Summary: This study focused on designing rubber toughening agents using trans-beta-farnesene as a building block to enhance the impact strength of PLA blends. Ternary blends showed significant improvements in impact strength and elongation at break, and their phase morphologies were evaluated using SEM.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Tetsu Sato, Mariko Takahashi, Takeshi Saito, Masahito Toyonaga, Itsuo Tanuma, Rie Yamada, Satoru Hosoda
Summary: An automatic evaluation system for photooxidation has been developed and successfully applied to assess the photo-OIT of LDPE samples containing photooxidation stabilizers. The system allows independent setting of various measurement conditions and provides detailed information on the photooxidation process.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Zongzheng Zuo, Shuxue Zhou
Summary: In this study, three fluoroalkyl trimethoxysilane (FATMS) additives with different chain lengths were incorporated into a two-component polyurethane clearcoat to improve its hydrophobic durability. The coatings modified with FATMS maintained their surface hydrophobicity under various conditions, but quickly lost it when exposed to both UV irradiation and/or high temperature with water. The results suggest that the FATMS route is more suitable for indoor applications at room temperature.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Song Li, Feng Zhao, Xueya Wang, Zhihua Liu, Jingze Guo, Yutong Li, Shuangmei Tan, Zhenxiang Xin, Shuai Zhao, Lin Li
Summary: Green flame retardants have garnered attention for their environmental friendliness, but current options fall short in achieving high flame retardancy for flammable polymers and maintaining environmental protection. This study takes a two-pronged approach to address flame retardants and the flame-retardant process. An eco-friendly bio-based synergistic flame retardant (PAU), synthesized using phytic acid (PA) and urea (U), is used to create a flame retardant coating that can be directly applied to any surface shape using polydopamine as an adhesive. The resulting EPS-PAU exhibits excellent flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and light weight while only slightly increasing the density.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2024)
