Article
Polymer Science
Adriano Vignali, Roberto Utzeri, Maurizio Canetti, Fabio Bertini
Summary: In this study, composites based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) filled with hollow glass microspheres (HGM) or functionalized hollow glass microspheres (HGMf) were prepared via melt-compounding. Silanization treatment improved the compatibility between the inorganic particles and the polymer matrix, leading to enhanced dispersion of glass microspheres in the matrix and better filler-polymer adhesion. The presence of silanized glass microspheres promoted faster crystallization rates and higher nucleation activity compared to neat PCL and composite filled with 20 wt% HGMf. Crystalline and supermolecular structure of PCL and composites crystallized from the melt showed differences in terms of crystallinity index and structural parameters under different crystallization conditions.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sergio Alexander Gomez Nemocon, Juan Manuel Lizarazo Marriaga, Julian David Puerto Suarez
Summary: This research focuses on the rheological influence of ball bearings made of hollow glass microspheres (HGM) on cementitious materials. The study found that the incorporation of HGM improved the fresh state properties of the mixtures while slightly reducing the hardened properties.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Zoya Ghanem, Hana Jelinek Sourkova, Jan Sezemsky, Petr Spatenka
Summary: This study investigated the effect of plasma treatment on the adhesion between polyethylene and glass fibers in composites prepared by rotational molding. The results showed that treating both the powder and fibers improved the adhesion and mechanical properties of the resulting composites compared to pure polyethylene samples.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sergei Vlassov, Sven Oras, Martin Timusk, Veronika Zadin, Tauno Tiirats, Ilya M. Sosnin, Runno Lohmus, Artis Linarts, Andreas Kyritsakis, Leonid M. Dorogin
Summary: PDMS, the widely used silicon-based polymer, can be significantly improved for thermal insulation properties by adding hollow glass microspheres (HGMs), but the sound insulation capacity may slightly decrease.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yingjie Qiao, Qiuwu Li, Qi Li, Kun Yang, Chengying Bai, Lili Zhang, Zhaoding Yao, Peng Wang, Ting Zheng, Xiaohong Zhang, Xiaodong Wang
Summary: A novel lightweight, thermally insulated epoxy resin composite was designed and fabricated by arranging hollow glass microspheres/epoxy resin hollow spheres and epoxy resin matrices. The designed composite exhibited low density and excellent thermal insulation properties.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
C. M. Martin, N. B. Scarponi, Y. A. Villagran, D. G. Manzanal, T. M. Pique
Summary: This study characterized the interaction between Hollow glass microspheres (HGMS) and cement paste, showing that HGMS initially act as nucleation agents with later pozzolanic reaction, with activity comparable to metakaolin or fly ash in terms of pozzolanic activity.
CEMENT & CONCRETE COMPOSITES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chengying Bai, Jiahuan Shao, Xinyu Li, Zhihui Zhang, Yingjie Qiao, Junqi Hao, Hongqiang Li, Ting Zheng, Paolo Colombo
Summary: In this study, high porosity and high strength slag-based geopolymer syntactic foams were achieved through a combination of embedding hollow glass microspheres and direct foaming with H2O2 and a surfactant. The addition of hollow glass microspheres had a significant impact on the pore morphology, porosity, density, mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity of the foam material, leading to improved overall performance. The results indicated that the hollow glass microspheres were uniformly dispersed and well bonded with the geopolymer matrix.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Leizhen Pei, Bin Ya, Zhaojun Ding, Zhijian Fan, Xingguo Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the compression properties and failure mechanisms of syntactic foams using different resin matrices and hollow glass microspheres (HGMs). The results show that the compression strength of the syntactic foams increases with the strength of the HGMs or resin matrix. The weaker part between the HGMs and the matrix becomes the initial point of failure.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Yuhui Qiao, Qian Li, Amirjalal Jalali, Jinian Yang, Xiaofeng Wang, Na Zhao, Yongchao Jiang, Shiwei Wang, Jianhua Hou, Jing Jiang
Summary: The study found that the fibrillated PCL/PLA composites formed a 3D network of PLA fibers after hot-stretching, increasing the viscosity and storage modulus of the materials, and exhibited a solid-like behavior.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiadong Lu, Songli Zhang, Leizhi Zhang, Chenxi Wang, Chunying Min
Summary: In this study, an ethyl phenylacetate-cured dicyclopentadiene phenol (DCPD) epoxy resin was used as the matrix, and KH550 coupling-agent-treated SiO2 hollow glass microspheres were incorporated to produce composite materials with low dielectric, high heat resistance, and high modulus. The prepared epoxy resin composite material exhibited good comprehensive performance, with a dielectric constant of 2.39 and a dielectric loss of 0.018 at 10 MHz. The thermal conductivity was 0.1872 Wm(-1) k(-1), the coefficient of thermal expansion was 64.31 ppm/K, the glass transition temperature was 172°C, and the elastic modulus was 1221.13 MPa when the hollow glass microsphere content was 10 wt.%.
Article
Polymer Science
Paola Stagnaro, Roberto Utzeri, Adriano Vignali, Giulio Falcone, Salvatore Iannace, Fabio Bertini
Summary: Innovative composites based on PE filled with HGMs were successfully prepared for rotational molding technology, achieving lightweight materials with appealing aesthetics. Surface modification of HGMs and the addition of a compatibilization agent effectively improved the properties of the composites, leading to the production of lightweight plastic items with excellent aesthetics on a large scale.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Vicente Contreras, Francisco J. Maturana, Jesus Poveda, Karina C. Nunez, Juan C. Merino, Jose M. Pastor
Summary: A foaming system composed of hollow glass microspheres and thermally expandable microspheres was used in injection molding to achieve a balance between higher flexural properties and lower density required for automotive interior parts. Experimental plan using Taguchi's L16 and optimization based on signal to noise ratio were employed, with melt and mold temperature identified as important injection molding parameters. The amount of HGM had the most significant effect on flexural modulus, while the amount of EM had the greatest impact on density.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PLASTICS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Youqu Shen, Julie A. Semon, Richard K. Brow
Summary: Hollow biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) microspheres with different fractions of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) were prepared and evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo reactivity. The microspheres showed varying degrees of calcium ion release and bone formation, with greater fractions of beta-TCP promoting more new bone formation.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tobias Helling, Florian Reischl, Andreas Rosin, Thorsten Gerdes, Walter Krenkel
Summary: Direct atomization of free-flowing glass melt using a high-speed flame was conducted to produce tiny hollow glass microspheres. Numerical simulations showed that the maximum gas velocity achieved at the point of atomization in the flame was approximately 170 m/s. The particle size distribution of the atomized glass droplets ranged from 2μm to 4mm, with mean particle sizes varying from 370μm to 650μm depending on process parameters such as gas velocity.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Karla Cuevas, Mehdi Chougan, Falk Martin, Seyed Hamidreza Ghaffar, Dietmar Stephan, Pawel Sikora
Summary: The use of waste glass and expanded thermoplastic microspheres in the mixture formulation for 3D printed lightweight concrete can reduce density and improve thermal conductivity, resulting in better flowability and hardening properties. Replacing natural aggregate with waste glass enhances the strength of the composite, while full replacement maintains or slightly reduces mechanical properties.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Bao Wang, Roberto Utzeri, Maila Castellano, Paola Stagnaro, Alejandro J. Muller, Dario Cavallo
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paola Lova, Heba Megahd, Paola Stagnaro, Marina Alloisio, Maddalena Patrini, Davide Comoretto
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Elisabetta Brunengo, Lucia Conzatti, Ilaria Schizzi, Maria Teresa Buscaglia, Giovanna Canu, Lavinia Curecheriu, Chiara Costa, Maila Castellano, Liliana Mitoseriu, Paola Stagnaro, Vincenzo Buscaglia
Summary: Composites of PVDF and BaTiO3 nanoparticles fabricated through melt blending and compression molding exhibit improved dielectric properties, with increased permittivity and lower dielectric losses. Processing parameters play a key role in optimizing material performance.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Paola Stagnaro, Roberto Utzeri, Adriano Vignali, Giulio Falcone, Salvatore Iannace, Fabio Bertini
Summary: Innovative composites based on PE filled with HGMs were successfully prepared for rotational molding technology, achieving lightweight materials with appealing aesthetics. Surface modification of HGMs and the addition of a compatibilization agent effectively improved the properties of the composites, leading to the production of lightweight plastic items with excellent aesthetics on a large scale.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Angelica Cifarelli, Laura Boggioni, Adriano Vignali, Incoronata Tritto, Fabio Bertini, Simona Losio
Summary: Bio-polyols were prepared using an environmentally friendly, solvent-free method, with the presence of triethylamine as catalyst reducing side reactions. The experimental targets included a medium functionality value of around 3, hydroxyl number up to around 90 mg KOH/g, narrow polydispersity index, and relatively low molecular mass. Water blown polyurethane foams were produced from selected bio-polyols and an aliphatic partially bio-based isocyanate, showing the effect of the chemical nature of substituents in the polyol backbone on the PU properties.
Review
Polymer Science
Sofia Maggiore, Mariana D. Banea, Paola Stagnaro, Giorgio Luciano
Summary: Hybrid joining techniques combine different joining methods to create joints with improved properties. They are widely used in various industries and the research on structural adhesives in hybrid joining processes shows promising potential for reducing mass and manufacturing costs.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Giuseppe Leone, Benedetta Palucci, Giorgia Zanchin, Adriano Vignali, Giovanni Ricci, Fabio Bertini
Summary: This article presents a two-step synthesis method for polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers (PTPEs) with dynamic hydrogen bonding cross-links, which have high strength, high toughness, and low stiffness.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Fabio Bertini, Adriano Vignali, Marcello Marelli, Nicoletta Ravasio, Federica Zaccheria
Summary: This study focuses on the preparation of styrene-free thermosetting resins using vegetable oils and terpenic comonomers, which not only addresses environmental and safety concerns but also allows for tunable physical properties. The potential applications of these resins in combination with natural fibers have also been explored.
Article
Polymer Science
Adriano Vignali, Roberto Utzeri, Maurizio Canetti, Fabio Bertini
Summary: In this study, composites based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) filled with hollow glass microspheres (HGM) or functionalized hollow glass microspheres (HGMf) were prepared via melt-compounding. Silanization treatment improved the compatibility between the inorganic particles and the polymer matrix, leading to enhanced dispersion of glass microspheres in the matrix and better filler-polymer adhesion. The presence of silanized glass microspheres promoted faster crystallization rates and higher nucleation activity compared to neat PCL and composite filled with 20 wt% HGMf. Crystalline and supermolecular structure of PCL and composites crystallized from the melt showed differences in terms of crystallinity index and structural parameters under different crystallization conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simona Tomaselli, Fabio Bertini, Angelica Cifarelli, Adriano Vignali, Laura Ragona, Simona Losio
Summary: Water-blown polyurethane foams were prepared using bio-polyols from epoxidized linseed oils and caprylic acid combined with toluene diisocianate. Natural compounds, including menthol, geraniol, terpineol, and borneol, were added to the starting formulations to give the final material bactericidal properties. The foams exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, with menthol-additivated foams showing the highest overall efficacy.
Article
Polymer Science
Giorgio Luciano, Maurizio Vignolo, Elisabetta Brunengo, Roberto Utzeri, Paola Stagnaro
Summary: This paper reports on the formulation and characterization of composite coating materials susceptible to microwave heating, aiming to investigate their application in improving the energy efficiency of the rotomolding process. The experimental results show that the coatings with a ratio of 2:1 w/w of inorganic/MPS are the most microwave-susceptible materials. By applying these coatings to molds and using microwave-assisted laboratory uni-axial rotomolding process, polyethylene samples were successfully manufactured and characterized by calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, and tensile tests.
Article
Polymer Science
Simona Losio, Angelica Cifarelli, Adriano Vignali, Simona Tomaselli, Fabio Bertini
Summary: In this study, bio-polyols with high hydroxyl number, narrow polydispersity index, and low molecular mass were synthesized from partially and completely epoxidized soybean and linseed oils and caprylic acid or 3-phenyl butyric acid. These bio-polyols were used to produce polyurethane foams, which showed superior mechanical properties compared to reference foams. The novel synthesized polyurethane materials could be potential replacements for petroleum-based materials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Heba Megahd, Mariela Villarreal Brito, Andrea Lanfranchi, Paola Stagnaro, Paola Lova, Davide Comoretto
Summary: In this paper, the integration of a near-infrared molecular fluorophore in an all-polymer planar microcavity is investigated. The modulation of the fluorescence decay and radiative rate of the dye used, as well as its fluorescence spectral line-shape and intensity, has been achieved by engineering the dielectric contrast of the polymers. This paves the way for innovative opportunities in invisible near-infrared-light communications and wireless technologies.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christian Tavella, Giorgio Luciano, Paola Lova, Maddalena Patrini, Cristina D'Arrigo, Davide Comoretto, Paola Stagnaro
Summary: A novel thiophene derivative, 2,5-diisopropenylthiophene (DIT), was synthesized by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction (SMCCR) and used as a comonomer in the inverse vulcanization (IV) process with waste elemental sulfur to obtain sulfur-rich polymers called inverse vulcanized polymers (IVPs) with high refractive index. The design of DIT was aimed at promoting the IV process and enhancing the refractive index of the resulting IVPs. A series of S-r-DIT copolymers with varying sulfur content were synthesized by adjusting the S/DIT feed ratio, and the main chemical-physical features of the new IVPs were characterized.