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
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
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
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
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
Polymer Science
Wei Wang, Bao Wang, Stan F. S. P. Looijmans, Enrico Carmeli, Martin Rosenthal, Guoming Liu, Dario Cavallo
Summary: The study investigated the presence of epitaxy in polybutene-1 form II-on-form I cross-nucleation using nanofocused synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Results showed a clearly defined nucleation area between form II and form I, revealing a preferred mutual orientation of the two structures. The calculated mismatch between interchain distances within the common (110) planes is below the accepted criterion for epitaxial crystallization, providing solid evidence for the existence of an epitaxial relationship in the cross-nucleation between the two forms.
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
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
Timur Mukhametzyanov, Juern W. P. Schmelzer, Egor Yarko, Albert Abdullin, Marat Ziganshin, Igor Sedov, Christoph Schick
Summary: Experimental study on the crystal nucleation and overall crystallization kinetics of cross-linked poly(epsilon-caprolactone) using fast scanning calorimetry revealed that the influences of cross-linking degree differ. Increasing cross-linking leads to longer nucleation and crystallization half-times, while the temperatures of maximum nucleation and overall crystallization rates remain unchanged. The average distance between cross-links in the polymer was found to be smaller than the estimated lamellae thickness, suggesting the inclusion of cross-links in the crystalline phase.
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
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
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
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
Energy & Fuels
Fanghui Wang, Conghui Li, Jing Sang, Jing Li
Summary: By using a quaternization reaction to cross-link the soft SEBS-C6-Br skeleton with the brittle Qr-m-PTP skeleton, a composite membrane with improved conductivity and stability has been prepared.
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
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
Seif Eddine Fenni, Alejandro J. Muller, Dario Cavallo
Summary: This Feature Article discusses our recent research on the nucleation and crystallization of semi-crystalline polymeric droplets dispersed in immiscible matrices. The overall crystallization kinetics of the droplets can provide insights into the contributions of nucleation and growth. By defining the Turnbull number, we can determine the relative importance of nucleation versus growth. Examples are shown where the overall kinetics is dominated by crystal growth and examples where nucleation controls the crystallization. The strategic use of self-nucleation and the role of interfacial roughness and heterogeneous nucleating agents are also discussed. Overall, studying the kinetics of different droplet dispersions contributes to the fundamental understanding of polymer nucleation.
Article
Polymer Science
Nicholas F. Mendez, Deboleena Dhara, Qingteng Zhang, Suresh Narayanan, Linda S. Schadler, Alejandro J. J. Muller, Sanat K. Kumar
Summary: X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy measurements were used to analyze the dynamics of bare and bimodal grafted silica nanoparticles mixed with PEO melts. The results showed diffusive behavior of the nanoparticles in dilute polymer nanocomposite samples, taking into account the adsorbed PEO polymer layer. The dynamics of grafted nanoparticles were found to be influenced by morphology and grafting parameters at larger scales.
Article
Polymer Science
Ruth N. Schmarsow, Ulises Casado, Marcelo Ceolin, Ileana A. Zucchi, Alejandro J. Mueller, Walter F. Schroeder
Summary: There is increasing interest in the study of supramolecular networks formed by self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules due to their responsive behavior to external stimuli. Embedding these networks into polymer matrices can lead to functional polymers with various applications. This study investigates the behavior of supramolecular networks in a rubbery polymer matrix and reveals the influence of diffusional and topological limitations on the dynamics and crystallization within the network. Mechanical tests show that the deformation capacity of these materials can be precisely tuned by programming the temperature within the melting range of the supramolecular network.
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Jordana K. Palacios, Rose Mary Michell, Alejandro J. Mueller
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the crystallization behavior and self-assembly of block copolymers with up to four potentially crystallizable phases. It discusses the factors affecting the development of crystalline structures and highlights recent advances in block copolymer crystallization. The article also explores the influence of different molecular architectures, as well as the role of nanofillers and additives in the crystallization process.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marianne Modlinger, Alessia Provino, Pavlo Solokha, Federico Caglieris, Michele Ceccardi, Daniele Maccio, Marcella Pani, Cristina Bernini, Dario Cavallo, Andrea Ciccioli, Pietro Manfrinetti
Summary: The formation and crystal structure of the binary Cu3As phase were investigated, revealing that it crystallizes in the hexagonal Cu3P prototype and undergoes a structural transition to a trigonal low-temperature superstructure. Cu3As has a melting point of 835 degrees Celsius and exhibits typical metallic properties.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Rosaria Caputo, Changxia Shi, Xiaoyan Tang, Haritz Sardon, Eugene Y. -X. Chen, Alejandro J. Muller
Summary: Among the polyester family, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) has the greatest industrial potential. It can be produced biologically or chemically. However, its poor mechanical properties limit its commercial use. This study investigates the properties of copolymers of PHB and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), which can improve the mechanical properties of PHB while maintaining its biodegradability. The presence of PCL in the copolymers affects the thermal parameters, crystallization kinetics, and morphology of PHB. The results show that copolymerization can tailor the thermal properties, morphology, and crystallization kinetics of PHB, potentially improving its processing, optical, and mechanical properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Magdalena Gora, Sebastian Coba-Daza, Enrico Carmeli, Davide Tranchida, Andreas Albrecht, Alejandro J. Muller, Dario Cavallo
Summary: In blends of polyethylene (PE) as the minor component dispersed in a polypropylene (PP) matrix, increasing the crystallization temperature of the PP matrix enhances the crystallization rate of PE by promoting epitaxial nucleation at the interface. This study investigates the behavior of different industrially produced PE grades in immiscible blends with PP as the matrix.
Article
Polymer Science
Yilong Liao, Li Pan, Zhe Ma, Dario Cavallo, Guoming Liu, Dujin Wang, Alejandro J. Mueller
Summary: The influence of a novel comonomer ODPA on the crystallization and self-nucleation behavior of isotactic polypropylene copolymers was studied. The results showed that ODPA incorporation significantly slowed down the crystallization kinetics and led to a sharp increase in nucleation density, resulting in smaller spherulitic superstructures. Moreover, ODPA induced a strong melt memory effect that persisted even above the equilibrium melting temperature for certain ODPA content ranges.
Article
Polymer Science
I. Razquin, A. Iregui, M. Cobos, J. Latasa, A. Eceiza, K. Gonzales, L. Martin, A. J. Muller, A. Gonzalez, L. Irusta
Summary: Epoxy/polycaprolactone (PCL) blends with cationic photo-initiator were prepared by solution and melt blending, and processed using various techniques including solvent casting, solution electrospinning, melt electrowriting, and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing. The shape memory properties varied depending on the processing technique, with electrospun fibers showing optimal fixity and recovery ratios. AFM images revealed different morphologies for different processing techniques, with electrospun mats exhibiting Shish-Kebab-type crystalline morphology and superior solvent resistance properties. The electrospun mats also showed high affinity towards chloroform, suggesting potential applications as chloroform sensors.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martha Judith Rivera Medina, Lorenzo Di Mario, Simon Kahmann, Jun Xi, Giuseppe Portale, Giovanni Bongiovanni, Andrea Mura, Juan Carlos Alonso Huitron, Maria Antonietta Loi
Summary: We demonstrate blue LEDs with high color purity and excellent performance based on quasi-2D perovskites. The inclusion of isopropylammonium as an additive suppresses the formation of bulk-like phases and improves the performance of the LEDs. The study of excitation dynamics reveals hindered energy transfer, resulting in a narrow distribution of quantum well sizes and a high photoluminescence quantum yield.
Article
Polymer Science
Shaofan Li, Weilong Ju, Guoming Liu, Yunlan Su, Alejandro J. Muller, Dujin Wang
Summary: The properties of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are dependent on the dispersion of nanoparticles within the polymer matrix. This study investigates the dispersion and crystallization behaviors of PE/HDPE1289-g-SiO2 PNCs in different polyethylene (PE) matrices. The results show that the dispersion of HDPE1289-g-SiO2 nanoparticles is influenced by the P/N parameter and the similarity between the grafted and matrix polymer chain structures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lijun Chen, Eelco Kinsa Tekelenburg, Kushagra Gahlot, Matteo Pitaro, Jun Xi, Alessia Lasorsa, Giovanna Feraco, Loredana Protesescu, Patrick C. A. van der Wel, Giuseppe Portale, Petra Rudolf, Christoph J. Brabec, Maria Antonietta Loi
Summary: This study successfully prepared lead-tin perovskite films with a gradient structure using scalable techniques, and improved the surface traps and crystallization by adding tin selenide. The fabricated devices exhibited high power conversion efficiency and stability, and were able to resist environmental factors.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
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.