Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Catarina Leite Pereira, Meriem Lamghari, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: Cartilage repair strategies are advancing rapidly with the use of nanomaterials in 3D matrices, which have the potential to improve mechanical properties, cell behaviors, and therapeutic outcomes in cartilage regeneration.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mohammad Reza Shojaei, Gholamreza Pircheraghi, Amir Alinoori
Summary: This study investigates the potential application of using recycled nanosilica from spent lead-acid battery separators to prepare SBR nanocomposites, demonstrating positive effects on the mechanical properties of SBR. This innovative recycling method has the potential to reduce environmental hazards.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
C. Shuai, B. Peng, M. Liu, S. Peng, P. Feng
Summary: This study successfully improved the uniform dispersion of MMT and CNT in biopolymer by forming self-assembled MMT-CNT hybrid nanostructure through intercalating ammonium salt-grafted CNT into MMT interlayers. The mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the poly-L-LACTIC ACID scaffold were enhanced, showing increased tensile strength, modulus, compressive strength, modulus, hydrophilicity, degradability, and cell affinity.
MATERIALS TODAY ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu Zeng, Chenhan Xiong, Wang Li, Shipeng Rao, Guoping Du, Zhaoyang Fan, Nan Chen
Summary: This study investigates the effects of Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets on the thermal stability, dielectric, and mechanical performance of nanocomposites. The results show that Ti3C2Tx MXene/silicone rubber nanocomposites exhibit a dielectric constant of 6.2 and an extremely low dielectric loss of 0.001. Additionally, the nanocomposites demonstrate good thermal stability and mechanical properties.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hengyang Wang, Xiaofang Liu, Zizhen Zhou, Hong Wu, Yao Chen, Bin Zhang, Guoyu Wang, Xiaoyuan Zhou, Guang Han
Summary: In this study, an effective nanocompositing strategy was developed to enhance the thermoelectric and mechanical performance of Ag2Se. The synthesized Ag2Se/CNTs nanocomposites showed significantly reduced lattice thermal conductivity and improved power factor, leading to exceptional thermoelectric performance. Additionally, the composite also exhibited enhanced mechanical properties compared to pristine Ag2Se.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingji Wu, Haoran Ye, Guiyang Zheng, Changtong Mei, Liping Cai, Quyet Van Le, Changlei Xia
Summary: In this study, a quadruple-layering approach was used to fabricate multilayered materials, and it was found that increasing the number of layers can enhance the mechanical properties of the materials. However, the issue of non-uniform layer thickness restricts the improvement of properties.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Nazrul Islam Khan, Sudipta Halder, Subhankar Das, Manjeet S. Goyat
Summary: This study successfully improved the mechanical performance of nanocomposites and hybrid CFRP composites by functionalizing graphitic nanoparticles and incorporating either epoxy or silanization agents.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Iram Aziz, Hatice Duran, Murtaza Saleem, Basit Yameen, Salman Noshear Arshad
Summary: Polymer nanocomposites containing pristine and amine-functionalized electrospun carbon nanofibers were fabricated, with improved interface properties leading to enhanced mechanical and thermal performance. The potential of electrospun CNFs as structural and functional reinforcement was highlighted through discussions on thermal stability, dielectric properties, and AC/DC conductivity.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Charith Herath, Chamila Gunasekara, David W. Law, Sujeeva Setunge
Summary: The study found that different cement replacement levels and additives in HVFA concrete significantly influence the mechanical properties of concrete, with HVFA-65 concrete exhibiting higher compressive strength and flexural strength, and a denser microstructure with stronger bonding in the immature age, demonstrating better long-term mechanical performance.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
L. Natrayan, Gorti Janardhan, Prabhu Paramasivam, Seshathiri Dhanasekaran
Summary: This research investigates the mechanical performance of different weight proportions of nano-TiO2 combined with Kevlar fiber-based hybrid composites under cryogenic conditions. The nanocomposites were fabricated using compression molding techniques, and their mechanical characteristics were evaluated. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to analyze the optimal mechanical strength and forecast the mechanical efficiency of the suggested nanocomposites. The results showed that specific weight proportions of nano-TiO2 filler, Kevlar fiber mat, and cryogenic treatment time produced the maximum mechanical strength.
FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yingqi Shu, Tingting You, Cheng Xing, Benliang Liang, Huaxiang Chen, Penggang Yin
Summary: A novel rGO and SWNT-COON nanocomposite with improved mechanical properties was successfully fabricated through esterification reaction. The nanocomposite exhibited high rejection rates for dyes with high water flux, showing promising applications in water treatment.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Avinash Shinde, I Siva, Yashwant Munde, Vishal Deore, Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan, Ain Umaira Md Shah, Faizal Mustapha
Summary: This study explores nanocomposites made by blending nano-montmorillonite (MMT) and Silicon Rubber (SR) for mechanical and tribological performance. It is found that 2% MMT loading shows excellent performance compared to other compositions, attributed to the good interfacial interaction between MMT and SR. Statistical modeling through ANOVA reveals the influence of load on coefficient of friction (COF) and sliding distance on wear rate.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Min Su Kim, Kyoung Moon Ryu, Sang Hoon Lee, Young Chul Choi, Sangchul Rho, Young Gyu Jeong
Summary: This study focused on the fabrication of cationic waterborne polyurethane (cWPU) nanocomposite films reinforced with chitin nanofibers (ChNF) and investigated their microstructure, thermal, and mechanical properties. The results showed that the addition of ChNF can increase the thermal decomposition temperature and storage modulus of the composite films.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ali H. Alateah
Summary: This review explores the potential and advantages of graphene-infused concrete, highlighting the significant improvements in strength and reduced carbon emissions. Despite the higher cost, graphene concrete shows promising long-term performance and economic benefits.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Mertol Tufekci, Burak Ozkal, Chris Maharaj, Haibao Liu, John P. Dear, Loic Salles
Summary: The strain-rate-dependent mechanical properties and impact performance of manufactured epoxy-based nanocomposites were investigated in this study. Fumed silica (FS) and halloysite nanotube (HNT) were used as reinforcements. The internal structures of the composites were visualised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three-point bend tests and Charpy impact tests were conducted at different strain rate levels to identify the mechanical properties. Mean-field homogenisation (MFH) and finite element (FE) analyses were performed on the representative volume elements (RVE) of each composite material for further investigation. The modelling and experiments showed good agreement and explained the mechanical behaviour of the epoxy-based nanocomposites.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Roberto J. Aguado, Francesc X. Espinach, Fernando Julian, Quim Tarres, Marc Delgado-Aguilar, Pere Mutje
Summary: This study demonstrates the significant improvement in compatibility between poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and hemp fibers through pulping and bleaching processes, making it a viable option for bio-sourced, recyclable, and biodegradable composites. The soda-bleached hemp fibers (SBHFs) showed a large bonding surface area and satisfactory interphase quality, even without any dispersants or compatibilizers. The biocomposite exhibited higher tensile strength than a polypropylene/sized glass fiber composite, while adhering to the principles of green chemistry.
Article
Polymer Science
Helena Oliver-Ortega, Fernando Julian, Francesc Xavier Espinach, Jose Alberto Mendez
Summary: Currently, researchers are continuously exploring new materials that are sustainable and can reduce waste production. In this study, fully biodegradable composites made from polyhydroxybutyrate and pretreated barley straw fibers were fabricated and their resistance to environmental conditions was characterized. Mechanical properties, water uptake capacity, and surface observations were performed after accelerated aging. The incorporation of fibers helps maintain the structure of the composite for a longer period, but it also increases water permeation, leading to degradation of the composite after one month of exposure to simulated environmental conditions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Hernandez-Diaz, Francisco Hernandez-Abad, Vicente Hernandez-Abad, Ricardo Villar-Ribera, Fernando Julian, Jose Ignacio Rojas-Sola
Summary: In this work, we developed a software tool for simplifying and automating the definition and viewing of loci in the plane, which is crucial in the fields of design, engineering, and architecture. The tool identifies important geometric loci, such as tangents, and uses a geometric approach to handle curves based on the relative positions of circles or a circle and a point. The algorithms used can be easily implemented in commercially available CAD software, testifying to the practicality and timeliness of the proposed tool. The tool successfully solved all target cases and was implemented as a function in the commercial software Adobe Authorware v.7.0.2.
Article
Polymer Science
Antoni Pages-Llobet, Francesc X. Espinach, Fernando Julian, Helena Oliver-Ortega, Jose Alberto Mendez
Summary: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a widely used and cost-effective additive manufacturing process. The mechanical properties of printed products depend on the orientation and interface strength between layers, which is influenced by the thermal union achieved during the melting and cooling process. The use of a pellet extruder instead of filament extrusion improves adhesion between layers, resulting in higher infill and mechanical properties. The higher crystallinity observed in pellet extruded specimens confirms these findings.
Article
Polymer Science
Maria E. Vallejos, Fabiola Vilaseca, Jose A. Mendez, Francisco X. Espinach, Roberto J. Aguado, Marc Delgado-Aguilar, Pere Mutje
Summary: In this study, composites of polypropylene (PP) reinforced with hemp strands (HS) were prepared to investigate the impact performance of these composites. The research found that the quality of the interface plays a significant role in the impact resistance of the materials. The main contributors to crack formation are interface strength, fiber dispersion, and fiber pullout, while fiber pullout is the main contributor to crack propagation. The study also examined the water absorption behavior of the composites in different humid environments and found that water diffusion followed a Fickean behavior.
Editorial Material
Polymer Science
Francesc X. Espinach, Quim Tarres
Article
Polymer Science
Faust Seculi, Francesc X. Espinach, Fernando Julian, Marc Delgado-Aguilar, Pere Mutje, Quim Tarres
Summary: Bio-based polymers can meet the demands of society and regulations to minimize environmental impact, especially for companies seeking a smooth transition with less uncertainty. By using BioPE as the matrix, similar to HDPE, abaca-fiber-reinforced composites were obtained and compared with commercial glass-fiber-reinforced HDPE. Micromechanical models were employed to estimate the interface strength and tensile strength of the reinforcements. The addition of 8 wt.% coupling agent improved the interface strength of biocomposites, resulting in tensile properties comparable to commercial glass-fiber-reinforced HDPE composites.
Article
Polymer Science
Faust Seculi, Fernando Julian, Joan Llorens, Francisco X. Espinach, Pere Mutje, Quim Tarres
Summary: There is a growing focus on developing green composites as alternatives to oil-based materials. However, the mechanical properties of these composites are often studied through tensile tests, with little emphasis on the flexural properties. This study investigates the flexural properties of abaca-fiber-reinforced bio-based high-density polyethylene (BioPE) composites and demonstrates the feasibility of replacing oil-based matrices with bio-based composites that exhibit similar flexural properties.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Joan Llorens, Fernando Julian, Ester Gifra, Francesc X. Espinach, Jordi Soler, Miquel Angel Chamorro
Summary: The use of untreated natural fibers as reinforcement for cementitious composites improves their eco-friendliness and sustainability. However, the impact of these fibers on the hydration process of Portland cement composites is uncertain. This study conducted TGA/dTGA tests on mortar samples with and without fibers, and found that the presence of untreated natural hemp fibers increased the hydration degree by 9% and influenced the formation of various components, leading to improved CO2 fixation and sustainable footprint.
