Article
Polymer Science
Yi Li, Guoyong Huang, Cong Chen, Xue-Wei Wei, Xi Dong, Wei Zhao, Hai-Mu Ye
Summary: By incorporating AD units into PBS chains, the crystallization temperature and crystallinity of PBS can be depressed, while the primary nucleation capability is significantly strengthened without altering crystal modification or crystallization kinetics. The presence of specific interactions among AD units is crucial for the performance of PBSAD, and further investigation may lead to the design of superior PBS copolymers in the future.
Article
Polymer Science
Maryam Safari, Ricardo A. Perez Camargo, Laura Ballester-Bayarri, Guoming Liu, Agurtzane Mugica, Manuela Zubitur, Dujin Wang, Alejandro J. Mueller
Summary: This study explores the possibility of blending PBS and PCL with BSxCLy copolymers and systematically studies the crystallization behavior of the blends. The results show that the PBS/BS78CL22 blend exhibits good miscibility at high PBS content, while the PCL/BS15CL85 blend still displays partial miscibility at high PCL content. The BS46CL54 copolymer can crystallize in both PBS and PCL type crystals, depending on the polymeric matrix.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhipeng Sun, Zhiguo Jiang, Zhaobin Qiu
Summary: In this research, the thermal, crystallization, and mechanical properties of branched PBS copolymers (PBDS) were systematically investigated and it was found that branching did not modify the crystallization mechanism, but significantly improved the elongation at break and decreased the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the copolymers.
Article
Polymer Science
Xue-Wei Wei, Lu-Lu Yang, Yi Li, Xiaoyu Meng, Li-Hai Cai, Qiong Zhou, Hai-Mu Ye
Summary: The co-crystallization behavior between two kinds of polyester with similar chain structure, PBS and PBF, were investigated in this study. A new type of co-crystal was discovered in the PBS-rich blends, and the forming mechanism and thermodynamic driving force for the isomorphism were revealed. The findings help in designing crystalline/crystalline blends with desired structure and performance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xue-Wei Wei, Cong Chen, Tian-Yu Wu, Li-Hai Cai, Hai-Mu Ye
Summary: Co-crystallization is crucial for integrating and regulating thermal and mechanical properties in polymer blends. However, poor compatibility between components in the crystal phase has hindered co-crystallization. In this study, we propose a method using 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy)-functionalized polymers to connect different chain ends, promoting co-crystallization and inhibiting phase separation. This work enhances our understanding of co-crystallization in crystalline/crystalline polymer blends.
Article
Thermodynamics
Todsapol Kajornprai, Kalyanee Sirisinha
Summary: The influence of post-process annealing treatment on the structural and thermal behaviors of poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate) (PLLA/PBS) blend was investigated. It was found that the temperature and addition of plasticizer can significantly affect the crystalline structure and melting behavior of the samples. Multiple melting behaviors observed were attributed to simultaneous melting, recrystallization, and remelting of PLLA and PBS crystals in the blends.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Carlos Perez-Valdez, Guillermina Burillo, Rodrigo Navarro, Angel Marcos-Fernandez
Summary: PBS and PBSA were irradiated with gamma radiation up to a dose of 400 kGy, resulting in the formation of gel content. PBSA exhibited higher gel content compared to PBS. Analysis revealed that chain scission predominated over crosslinking. Branching and chain scission increased the dispersity and affected the molecular weight. NMR analysis showed the appearance of new species and changes in species with increasing dose. The thermal properties, especially crystallization temperature, were significantly affected by irradiation. Mechanical properties of both polymers were greatly reduced, making them fragile even at low doses.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ahmed Nasr, Petr Svoboda
Summary: The fusion temperature has a tremendous effect on the crystallization kinetics of PBT. The crystallization peak shifted towards lower temperatures by 22 °C and the kinetics changed about ten times. Increasing fusion temperature led to a noticeable shift in the heat flow curve towards lower temperatures, indicating a significant change in the number of nucleation centres. The study provides insights into the crystallization behaviour of PBT at different fusion temperatures and cooling rates.
Article
Crystallography
Cong Chen, Xue-Wen Zhang, Hai-Mu Ye
Summary: The introduction of 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) units as end groups in interacting telechelic poly(butylene succinate) (PBS-UPy) oligomers has been shown to increase primary nucleation density and promote nucleation, while reducing spherulite growth rate. The impact of UPy stacks on nucleation ability changes from inhibition to promotion with respect to molecular weight (M(n)), leading to a significant increase in nucleation density even under an initial inhibition of nucleation ability. The change in the impact of UPy stacks on nucleation ability is speculated to originate from the memory expression feasibility of ordered conformation in the melt during crystallization.
Article
Polymer Science
Weihua Tian, Zhu Tu, Lipeng Liu, Zhiyong Wei
Summary: A series of bio-based random copolymers, PBSGA and PBSLA, with similar comonomer content, were synthesized by incorporating glycolic acid (GA) or L-lactic acid (L-LA) into poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) macromolecular chains. These copolymers exhibited good mechanical properties and degradation rate without altering the crystallization mechanism and crystal morphology.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Panagiotis A. Klonos, Nikolaos D. Bikiaris, Alexandra Zamboulis, Miguel angel Valera, Ana Mangas, Apostolos Kyritsis, Zoi Terzopoulou
Summary: Two series of sustainable block copolymers based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu) and polylactide (PLA) were studied. The effects of PBSu/PLA ratio, chain length, and initial PBSu length on thermal transitions and crystallization of copolymers were investigated. The addition of PBSu improved the performance and degradability of the copolymers, as observed through calorimetry and dielectric spectroscopy.
Article
Polymer Science
Rene Androsch, Katalee Jariyavidyanont, Andreas Janke, Christoph Schick
Summary: In this study, the melt-crystallization process of PBS under different melt-supercooling conditions was analyzed using X-ray scattering techniques, microscopy, and fast scanning chip calorimetry. It was found that lamellar thickening is not the main mechanism of isothermal secondary crystallization, and low-temperature crystallization leads to the presence of crystal defects.
Article
Polymer Science
Tianqi Yue, Huanbo Wang, Yuan Fu, Shiyu Guo, Xuefeng Zhang, Tian Liu
Summary: In this study, TiO2-incorporated RS/PBS biocomposites were prepared with different TiO2 powder loadings, with 1% TiO2 showing the best mechanical and crystallization properties. Both rice straw fiber and TiO2 acted as nucleating agents for PBS, improving its crystallization and mechanical properties significantly.
Article
Polymer Science
Todsapol Kajornprai, Supakij Suttiruengwong, Kalyanee Sirisinha
Summary: The research focused on the impact of crystalline morphology and phase structure on the properties of polymer blends, showing that manipulating crystalline morphology through short-time annealing can affect impact toughness and thermal stability. By adding a plasticizer like poly(ethylene glycol) and heat treatment, a significant enhancement in impact strength and heat resistance of the blends can be achieved, demonstrating changes in fracture mechanism from crazing to shear yielding in the annealed samples.
Article
Thermodynamics
Xiao-Ming Zhou, Xiao-Ya Wang, Tianci Wu
Summary: In this study, graphene oxide (GO) was successfully prepared and dispersed in PBNPGS during the experiment, accelerating the crystallization process. Non-isothermal crystallization behavior of GO-PBNPGS was influenced by GO content and cooling rate, and GO served as an effective nucleating agent when 0.10% GO was added.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Tianze Zheng, Ting Li, Jiaxin Shi, Tianyu Wu, Zhuo Zhuang, Jun Xu, Baohua Guo
Summary: This study investigated the mechanical response and microstructural evolution of polyureas under uniaxial deformation. The results revealed that the macroscopic toughness of polyureas is attributed to the self-reinforcement of the microstructure and the stress-adaptive release of soft segments, shedding light on the development of better materials.
Article
Polymer Science
Tianyu Wu, Sivasurender Chandran, Yao Zhang, Tianze Zheng, Thomas Pfohl, Jun Xu, Guenter Reiter
Summary: This study investigates the characteristics of the critical primary nucleus in polymer crystallization using a combination of experimental and simulation models. The results suggest that classical nucleation theory may not be applicable for weakly supersaturated solutions.
Article
Polymer Science
Baihui Li, Yue Zhao, Xiaotong Chen, Zhiqi Wang, Jun Xu, Weichao Shi
Summary: The crystallization behavior of double emulsion droplets formed by PBA, PCL, and their blends was studied. It was found that crystal growth drives spherical liquid droplets to anisotropic solid microcapsules with orientation-sensitive birefringence. The composition of two polymers can regulate the transition from PBA-dominated shell to PCL-dominated shell.
Article
Polymer Science
Shujing Zhang, Tianyu Wu, Zhiqi Wang, Jiarui Han, Baohua Guo, Jun Xu
Summary: In this study, we investigated the nucleation pathways and growth rates of spherulites in blends of homopolymer/random copolymer. By analyzing the experimental results and applying theoretical equations, we determined the quantitative contribution of each crystallizable component to the secondary nucleation in the blends. Our findings reveal the microscopic mechanism for the nucleation of homopolymer and random copolymer chains in the blends.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shijun Wang, Jiaxin Shi, Takayuki Shimizu, Jun Xu, Zhiping Xu
Summary: This study investigates the kinetic evolution of microstructures in heat-fusion thermoplastic interfaces and discusses the key factors affecting interface quality. Experimental results show that the quality of fused interfaces can be improved by reducing viscosity and interaction parameter. Simulation and experimental results indicate that the stiffness and strength of the interfaces are controlled by inter-diffusion and entanglement of polymer chains.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Crystallography
Jun Xu, Guenter Reiter, Rufina G. Alamo
Article
Polymer Science
Brahim Bessif, Thomas Pfohl, Barbara Heck, Yaser Alshetwi, Emna Khechine, Jun Xu, Guenter Reiter
Summary: By using a hydrophobic-hydrophilic block copolymer, researchers created sandwich-like platelets in a solution through crystallization and observed changes in thickness and morphology when exposed to humid air.
Article
Polymer Science
Yeyuan Hu, Yang Liao, Yanyan Zheng, Kosuke Ikeda, Ryoji Okabe, Ruifen Wu, Ryota Ozaki, Jun Xu, Qingyan Xu
Summary: The influence of cooling rate on the crystallization behavior of a semi-crystalline polypropylene was studied using the flash differential scanning calorimetry method. The results showed that as the cooling rate increases, the crystallization temperatures and crystallinity decrease.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhiqi Wang, Ranlong Duan, Xuan Pang, Rongling Wu, Baohua Guo, Jun Xu
Summary: Determining the size of critical nuclei in single-component crystals and stereocomplex crystals (SCs) has been a challenge. By diluting different components and analyzing the nucleation kinetics, we found that a critical secondary nucleus of an SC bulk crystal consists of 22-27 L-lactide units and the same number of D-lactide units when crystallized from melt.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sunan Tian, Kaihuan Shi, Jun Xu, Baohua Guo
Summary: High molecular weight fully biobased poly(propylene succinate-co-2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) (PPSTF) random copolyesters based on 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid (TFDCA) were synthesized and their properties were systematically investigated. The copolyesters showed cocrystallization and the TFDCA units had stronger crystallization capability. They exhibited excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties that can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of flexible to rigid segments. The copolyesters also had superior gas barrier properties, even with a high content of PS units. The selected lipase could degrade the copolyesters with up to 60 mol% PTF units, and the nonbiodegradable-biodegradable transition occurred at a low sequence length of aromatic PTF units. Compared to TA-based and FDCA-based analogues, the degradation rate of PPSTF60 was between them. These findings have promising implications for green packaging and other applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emna Khechine, Sebastian Noack, Helmut Schlaad, Jun Xu, Gunter Reiter, Renate Reiter
Summary: We investigated the hydration state of PEG in PEG-b-PLLA diblock copolymer Langmuir monolayers. Hydrated PEG blocks formed bundles of concentric ring-like filaments, while dehydrated PEG blocks packed into a dense polymer brush. The change in curvature of the filaments provided a means for distinguishing between the hydrated and dehydrated states of PEG.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenqi Zou, Hongli Bian, Jinjing Guo, Jun Xu, Baohua Guo
Summary: In this study, titania-silica composite aerogels with resistance to hydrolysis and large specific surface area were prepared and further used as efficient catalysts for PBS polycondensation reactions. The composite aerogels exhibited high specific surface area and Lewis acid content, and showed excellent catalytic activity for the polycondensation reaction of PBS. The use of the composite catalyst resulted in the synthesis of high molecular weight PBS and reduced the end carboxyl group content in the products.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sunan Tian, Yan Du, Pujin Wang, Tong Chen, Jun Xu, Huimin Yu, Baohua Guo
Summary: The need for high-performance bioplastics poses new challenges for the design and preparation of sustainable bioplastics. This study systematically investigates the effects of different isomers of thiophenedicarboxylic acids (TFDCAs) on the synthesis and properties of polyesters. The biobased polyester based on the 3,4-TFDCA isomer demonstrates superior gas and water vapor barrier properties and exhibits strong antibacterial effects.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jing Tian, Xiaoliang Cheng, Baohua Guo, Jun Xu
Summary: This study established a laboratory test method for evaluating the film-blowing processability of biodegradable materials and proposed key indicators. The generalizability of these indicators was verified, and the optimal formulation for PHBHHx was successfully validated. Finally, a quantitative relation between material formulation, key indicators, and film-blowing processability was developed to guide blown film processing and formulation design.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiaxin Shi, Zhiqi Wang, Tianze Zheng, Xueyan Liu, Baohua Guo, Jun Xu
Summary: The research introduces a synthesis strategy to create thermal and UV light adaptive polyurethane elastomers with high strength, self-healing capability, surface tunable properties, and patternable functions for photolithography-transfer printing flexible circuits.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2022)