Article
Polymer Science
Wenze Li, Mengyao Wang, Huan Luo, Yanhua Niu, Yajiang Huang, Guangxian Li
Summary: This study investigates the crystallization behaviors of stereocomplex and homochiral crystals by blending high molecular weight PLLA with low molecular weight PDLA and its diblock copolymers. It was found that the introduction of different sequences can inhibit the crystallization kinetics of the blends, with the formation of sc crystalites prior to hc ones. Additionally, micro phase separation between PLA and PDMS segments was observed to weaken the competition between sc and hc crystals.
Article
Polymer Science
Suyang Dai, Ziming Dai, Ni Jiang, Zhenbo Ning, Zhihua Gan
Summary: In this study, poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) was toughened by crosslinked polyurethane (CPU) through reactive blending. The resulting material exhibited significant increase in elongation at break, enhanced toughness, and shape memory capacity, showing great potential for applications in biodegradable green composites.
Article
Polymer Science
Chunhai Li, Yingying Gao, Lishen Wang, Jiang Li, Shaoyun Guo
Summary: The proposed strategy constructs PLA multilayers composed almost entirely of TC, and the oriented morphology of TC impacts the properties of PLA. This effort could be a useful reference for research on polymer TC.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Ting Gu, De-xiang Sun, Xiao-dong Qi, Jing-hui Yang, Cheng-shou Zhao, Yan-zhou Lei, Yong Wang
Summary: This study proposed a novel method to significantly enhance the thermal properties of poly(L-lactic acid) composites, by grafting graphene nanoplatelets and promoting the formation of stereocomplex crystallites at the interface.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Mingmei Mi, Jing Yu, Xiangyang Li, Min Zhou, Hao Xiu, Hongwei Bai
Summary: Stereocomplex-type polylactide (SC-PLA) is a promising engineering bio-plastic that enhances heat resistance and hydrolytic stability through the crystallization between poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactide) (PDLA). By using dibenzoylhydrazide compound as a nucleating agent, the SC crystallization of PLLA/PDLA blends is promoted, leading to smaller crystal size.
Article
Polymer Science
Tien-Wei Shyr, Huan-Chieh Ko, Tzong-Ming Wu, Meifang Zhu
Summary: The study found that different storage conditions can lead to varying levels of hydrolysis and degradation in polylactide samples, affecting their thermal stability and crystallization behavior. Hydrolysis results in shortened molecular chains, increased nucleation, decreased melting points, and increased melting enthalpy, impacting the formation of homocrystals in the samples.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yodthong Baimark, Wuttipong Rungseesantivanon, Natcha Prakymoramas
Summary: In this study, low-molecular-weight poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) blend solutions were precipitated as stereocomplex polylactide (scPLA) powders. The scPLA powders showed complete stereocomplex formation and had a single melting-temperature. The addition of scPLA powders improved the crystallization properties of high-molecular-weight PLLA bioplastic.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuhan Wei, Zhengyue Wang, Shuaining Zhou, Zhibo Li
Summary: A tough and transparent film of poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(D-lactide)-b-poly(butadiene)-b-poly(D-lactide) (PLLA/PDLA-PB-PDLA) with balanced strength was obtained. The film was achieved by synthesizing PDLA-PB-PDLA triblock copolymer using ring-opening polymerization and then blending it with PLLA. The blended films exhibited good transparency even with a high loading of PDLA-PB-PDLA. The enhanced mechanical properties were attributed to the synergistic effect of flexible PB chains and stereocomplex crystals formed between PLLA matrix and PDLA chains.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kesong Yu, Yi Wu, Xiaoli Zhang, Junji Hou, Jingbo Chen
Summary: This study successfully prepared high-expansion poly(lactic acid)/poly(lactic acid) foam with excellent oil-water separation performance, and demonstrated its advantages in adsorption capacity, adsorption-desorption cycles, and heat resistance.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Suyang Dai, Ni Jiang, Zhenbo Ning, Zhihua Gan
Summary: The length of the PDLA block was found to have a significant impact on the degradation behavior of PLLA/4-DL-D blend films.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Charles J. McCutcheon, Boran Zhao, Christopher J. Ellison, Frank S. Bates
Summary: Adding PEO-PBO diblock copolymer significantly reduces the crystallization time and increases the ductility of PLLA blends without affecting the modulus. The block copolymer particles facilitate stress-induced cavitation and uniform crazing, leading to a 7-15 fold increase in tensile toughness of the blends.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhuoxin Zhuang, Tiantian Li, Zhenbo Ning, Ni Jiang, Zhihua Gan
Summary: The synthesis of lignin-grafted-poly (o-lactide) (LGPD) with different poly(o-lactide) (PDLA) block lengths improved the crystallization, mechanical properties, and UV-absorbance properties of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA). The longer PDLA block length in LGPD led to faster crystallization rates and broader melting ranges of stereocomplex (SC) crystallites. Moreover, the LGPD blends showed improved tensile strength and UV-absorbance properties compared to neat PLLA.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tiantang Fan, Jingwen Qin, Xiao Meng, Jiafeng Li, Qing Liu, Guannan Wang
Summary: PLPG membranes with sc-PLA improved the crystallizing behavior of PLLA segments, increased thermal stability and degradation ability, and showed low cytotoxicity.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Debora Evelyn de Oliveira Almeida, Ananda Karoline Camelo Albuquerque, Ingridy Dayane Santos Silva, Andreas Ries, Renate Maria Ramos Wellen
Summary: This study investigated the effect of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) content on the curing of polyethylene glycol (PEG) based polyurethanes (PU). The results showed that PLA addition decreased the curing rate and affected the released heat. The morphology of PU foams was also influenced by PLA content and hydrogen bonding.
POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Chikara Tsutsumi, Susumu Nakayama, Yasuhiro Matsubara, Yuushou Nakayama, Takeshi Shiono
Summary: This study aimed to fabricate biodegradable copolyester films that gradually develop UV shielding characteristics based on changes in crystallinity caused by temperature and humidity, achieving the goal of actively regulating UV radiation passage without the need for additional compounds.
REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Wentao Zhai, Die Li, Pengke Huang
Summary: In this study, microcellular PPO composite foams were successfully fabricated by introducing the HIPS phase to improve the fluidity and foaming ability of PPO. The addition of HIPS significantly increased the expansion ratio of the composite foams and enhanced their flame retardant properties and anti-dripping behavior.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Junjie Jiang, Weiwei Feng, Dan Zhao, Wentao Zhai
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wentao Zhai, Bin Hu, Mengya Li, Junjie Jiang, Mengnan Zhou
Summary: This study introduces a novel in situ foaming FDM technology for efficiently fabricating microcellular PEI honeycomb foams with long-time printing ability and high dimensional accuracy. Accuracy correction based on nozzle expansion improves the dimensional accuracy of foam parts.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Wentao Zhai, Junjie Jiang, Chul B. Park
Summary: Elastomer foams are widely used due to their flexibility and physical foaming provides environmental-friendly and adjustable material properties, but also leads to post-foaming shrinkage issues. Researchers have made progress in improving the performance of elastomer foams by understanding the foaming mechanisms.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Bin Hu, Mengya Li, Junjie Jiang, Wentao Zhai
Summary: In this study, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) honeycombs with ordered macrostructure and microcellular lattice structure were fabricated using FDM and solid-state CO2 foaming. The microcellular structure significantly affected the mechanical properties, energy absorption, and elastic recovery behavior of TPU honeycombs, leading to improved performance. The anisotropic characteristics of microcellular TPU honeycombs offer great potential for applications in both low and high stress environments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Junjie Jiang, Hao Zheng, Huawen Liu, Wentao Zhai
Summary: Porous thermoplastic polyurethane micro-films were fabricated using a novel diffusion restricted foaming technology in this study. The sandwiched polyimide films acted as a gas barrier film to trigger enhanced interface cell nucleation, resulting in skin-free cellular TPU film with oriented internal microcellular structure. The possible mechanism of microvoid-assisted interfacial cell nucleation and preferential cell growth along the thickness direction was proposed to explain the cell morphology and their evolution.
JOURNAL OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Junjie Jiang, Fang Liu, Xue Yang, Zujiang Xiong, Huawen Liu, Donghua Xu, Wentao Zhai
Summary: This study introduced critical parameters including softening temperature and viscous flow temperature to explain the autoclave foaming of thermoplastic polyurethane and the inter-bead bonding mechanism of expanded TPU beads. The evolution of ordered structure of TPU in high-elastic state was characterized by different methods, showing possible mechanisms of strong inter-bead bonding in the molded ETPU parts.
Article
Polymer Science
Mengya Li, Fangwei Tian, Junjie Jiang, Mengnan Zhou, Qiyuan Chen, Dan Zhao, Wentao Zhai
Summary: This study presents a microextrusion process combining environmentally friendly CO2 physical foaming with fused deposition modeling technology for continuous production of porous PEEK fibers, showing excellent mechanical properties and multifunctionality, which is of significant importance in textile and wearable device fields.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Junjie Jiang, Fangwei Tian, Mengnan Zhou, Mengya Li, Zujiang Xiong, Ning Gao, Huawen Liu, Wentao Zhai
Summary: Through controlling process parameters, PHC bead foam parts (PHCPs) with densities from 0.11 to 0.25 g cm(-3) were successfully prepared using in-mold foaming and molding technology (IMFM), showcasing superior mechanical properties and flame-retardant properties.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mengnan Zhou, Mengya Li, Junjie Jiang, Ning Gao, Fangwei Tian, Wentao Zhai
Summary: Biological hierarchical porous structures show great potential in various applications with excellent properties, while traditional fabrication methods need improvement. This study successfully fabricated polyetherimide bionic hierarchical porous structures using in situ foaming FDM technology with environmentally friendly CO2 as a blowing agent.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mengya Li, Mengnan Zhou, Junjie Jiang, Fangwei Tian, Ning Gao, Wentao Zhai
Summary: The microextrusion foaming process using CO2 as a blowing agent can create porous PEEK fibers with well-defined cell morphology, high toughness, and excellent thermal insulation properties. This method provides unprecedented opportunities for continuous manufacturing and functional development of porous PEEK fibers.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Huawen Liu, Wentao Zhai, Chul B. Park
Summary: Ultra-light hydrophobic plastic foams with aligned channel structures have been fabricated using an organic solvent freeze casting strategy, which exhibit excellent liquid absorption performance and can be used for oil absorption in aqueous environments.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Junjie Jiang, Mengnan Zhou, Yaozong Li, Bichi Chen, Fangwei Tian, Wentao Zhai
Summary: Foams based on high hardness TPU were prepared using temperature rising foaming, and the effects of hardness on thermal behavior, mechanical properties, rheological properties, gas solubility, and diffusivity of TPU were discussed. The results showed that TPU with higher hardness had lower CO2 solubility and smaller diffusivity.
JOURNAL OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Fang Liu, Zhi-gang Zhao, Xue Yang, Ge Pan, Tong-fei Shi, Dong-hua Xu, Wen-tao Zhai
Summary: A series of microcellular thermoplastic polyurethane foams with different densities were prepared using high-pressure CO2 as blowing agent. The relationship between apparent density and mechanical properties was investigated, showing that the thickness ratio of the skin layer and the area occupation of cell play a key role in determining foam density.
ACTA POLYMERICA SINICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huawen Liu, Donghua Xu, Bin Hu, Junjie Jiang, Mengya Li, Dan Zhao, Wentao Zhai
Summary: This study utilized an edible cassava hydrogel to design wearable skin-like iontronics, which can monitor various human motions and hold significant implications for environmental sustainability and renewable technology in wearable devices.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)