Article
Polymer Science
Ehsan Rostami-Tapeh-Esmaeil, Sahar Shojaei, Denis Rodrigue
Summary: Uniform and graded polyolefin elastomer (POE) foams were prepared using a single-step technology, and the effects of molding temperature on the foams' morphology, mechanical properties, and thermal conductivity were investigated. The results showed that the foam's properties can be easily controlled by the cellular structure, and graded samples are more interesting for thermal insulation applications.
Review
Polymer Science
Giorgia Zanchin, Giuseppe Leone
Summary: Polyolefins, particularly poly olefin thermoplastic elastomers (P-TPEs), are a class of materials that are easily molded, lightweight, and recyclable, making them suitable for the sustainable circular economy. Recent developments in the field have focused on the synthesis of smart materials with temporary shape storage and molecular level functionality, opening up new possibilities for applications in various industries. Challenges and opportunities for recyclable high performance and lasting P-TPEs are being addressed to meet the demands of the future.
PROGRESS IN POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sean J. D. Lugger, Tom A. P. Engels, Ruth Cardinaels, Tom Bus, Dirk J. J. Mulder, Albert P. H. J. Schenning
Summary: A long thermoplastic liquid crystal elastomer fiber was successfully fabricated through melt-extrusion and drawing, and rotating actuators with large, reversible rotational deformations and torques were created using programmable twisting density. The thermoplastic material also enabled the fabrication of a triple helical twisted rope with increased rotational and longitudinal forces and self-healing properties.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yeyen Nurhamiyah, Amalina Amir, Marie Finnegan, Efrosyni Themistou, Mohan Edirisinghe, Biqiong Chen
Summary: The wholly biobased, self-healing polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer synthesized using a fatty dimer acid and a fatty dimer amine exhibits superior stretchability, high toughness, and excellent shape recovery. Its outstanding properties are attributed to the highly entangled main chain, multiple dangling chains, reversible physical bonds, intermolecular diffusion, and low ratio of amide to methylene group within the elastomer.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Yongsheng Zhao, Jialiang Li, Yuqi Ma, Yangwei Wang, Chaobo Jiang, Haonan Yan, Ruosong Hao, Jianbin Qin, Xuetao Shi, Guangcheng Zhang
Summary: Chemically crosslinking can improve the mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and heat-resistance of thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers. However, chemically crosslinked elastomers often experience reduced flowability and strong shrinkage after reprocessing. In this study, an olefin block copolymer (OBC) elastomer was chemically modified with a dynamic boronic ester bond, inspired by the vitrimer concept. The resulting OBC vitrimer possess tunable composition of dynamic Boron-Oxygen (B-O) bonds and showed good creep-resistance, reprocessability, and excellent mechanical properties even at high temperatures.
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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marvin Langlais, Nicolas Baulu, Severin Dronet, Charlotte Dire, Francois Jean-Baptiste-dit-Dominique, David Albertini, Franck D'Agosto, Damien Montarnal, Christophe Boisson
Summary: Block copolymers based on polyethylene (PE) and ethylene butadiene rubber (EBR) were synthesized using successive controlled coordinative chain transfer polymerization (CCTP). By employing a complex of {Me2Si(C13H8)(2)Nd(BH4)(2)Li(THF)}2 and n-butyl, n-octyl magnesium (BOMAG) as the alkylating and chain transfer agent (CTA), EBR-b-PE diblock copolymers were obtained. Furthermore, triblock and multiblock copolymers featuring highly semi-crystalline PE hard segments and soft EBR segments were synthesized with the development of a bimetallic CTA, pentanediyl-1,5-di(magnesium bromide) (PDMB). These new block copolymers form lamellar structures through crystallization-driven organization and exhibit various mechanical properties, including excellent extensibility and elastic recovery for triblock and multiblock copolymers.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Minghao Sun, Yangke Xiao, Kan Liu, Xuan Yang, Pingwei Liu, Suyun Jie, Jijiang Hu, Shengbin Shi, Qingyue Wang, Khak Ho Lim, Zhenxue Liu, Bo-Geng Li, Wen-Jun Wang
Summary: Polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers (TPE-Os) are high-performance polyolefins consisting of both plastic and rubber phases, possessing better chemical stability, transparency, re-processability, and electrical insulation. Different structured polyolefins with improved thermal and mechanical properties have been developed by manipulating chain structures and topologies of the TPE-Os, including ethylene and alpha-olefin random copolymers (POEs), olefin block copolymers (OBCs), comb-shaped polyolefin elastomers (CPOEs), and dynamically cross-linked polyolefin elastomers. This review summarizes the synthesis, characterization, and future development of TPE-Os.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Su Hyeon Jeon, Jae Eon Jeong, Seongkyun Kim, Sungwan Jeon, Jin Woo Choung, Il Kim
Summary: A series of poly(ether ester) elastomers are synthesized to develop new materials for automobile weather-stripping and seal parts, replacing conventional rubbers. Hardness can be modulated by controlling chain extender composition and the ratio of hard to soft segments, while crystallinity and phase separation behavior can also be tuned accordingly.
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
D. Martinez-Martinez, B. Tiss, L. N. Glanzmann, D. J. Wolthuizen, L. Cunha, C. Mansilla, J. Th. M. De Hosson
Summary: This paper discusses the deposition of protective coatings on complex substrates, specifically on thermoplastic and cellular elastomers. The successful protection of thermoplastic elastomers against wear with diamond-like carbon films and the deposition of coatings against UV light on cork are demonstrated. The paper also highlights the first depositions on cellular elastomers using vapor deposition methods.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sharika T. Nair, Poornima P. Vijayan, Soney C. George, Nandakumar Kalarikkal, Sabu Thomas
Summary: The study found that multiwalled carbon nanotubes significantly improved the tensile toughness and impact strength of polypropylene/natural rubber blends, especially at a 5wt% concentration. The toughening effect of MWCNTs was more pronounced in composites with co-continuous morphologies (50PP/50NR) compared to those with matrix-droplet (80PP/20NR) morphologies.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pornchai Rachtanapun, Araya Kodsangma, Nattagarn Homsaard, Sudarut Nadon, Pensak Jantrawut, Warintorn Ruksiriwanich, Phisit Seesuriyachan, Noppol Leksawasdi, Yuthana Phimolsiripol, Thanongsak Chaiyaso, Suphat Phongthai, Sarana Rose Sommano, Charin Techapun, Toshiaki Ougizawa, Thosak Kittikorn, Sutee Wangtueai, Joe M. Regenstein, Kittisak Jantanasakulwong
Summary: Oil resistant thermoplastic elastomers were prepared by blending mung bean thermoplastic starch with rubbers and sericin as a compatibilizer. The addition of sericin and epoxidized NR improved the mechanical properties, elastic recovery, and oil swelling resistance of the blends. FTIR analysis confirmed a reaction between sericin and ENR, which enhanced the compatibility and oil resistance of the blends.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Santiago Munoz-Pascual, Cristina Saiz-Arroyo, Anja Vananroye, Paula Moldenaers, Miguel Angel Rodriguez-Perez
Summary: This study investigated the effect of adding elastomers on the performance of injection-molded foamed parts, and the results showed that elastomer toughening successfully improved the impact resistance of solid and cellular polymers.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Dan Zhao, Jin Cui, Xinying Dai, Shaogang Liu, Liqiang Dong
Summary: The study investigated the influence of graphene content on the magneto-piezoresistive characteristics of GR/RTV-MRE, showing that the piezoresistive coefficients of samples with different graphene content decrease with an increase in magnetic flux density within a certain range. When the volume fraction of graphene is less than 12%, the piezoresistive coefficient is positively correlated with it, but the increase in graphene content has little effect on the piezoresistive characteristics after exceeding 12%.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lukas Odenwald, Florian P. Wimmer, Nina K. Mast, Max G. Schussmann, Manfred Wilhelm, Stefan Mecking
Summary: Vitrimers combine the advantages of cross-linked materials with thermoplastic processability. Functionalized polyethylenes with cross-linkable groups were directly generated by catalytic insertion polymerization. These vitrimers exhibit excellent material properties and can be recycled due to reversible cross-linking.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)