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Polymers
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Advanced Polymer Composite Materials: Processing, Modeling, Properties and Applications III
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Advanced Polymer Composite Materials: Processing, Modeling, Properties and Applications III

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2025 | Viewed by 4268

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maurizio Vignolo

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Guest Editor
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", CNR-SCITEC, 16149 Genova, Italy
Interests: composite material processing; material characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Giorgio Luciano

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Guest Editor
National Research Council of Italy—Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “Giulio Natta” CNR SCITEC, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy
Interests: polymer calorimetric characterization; spettroscopy; design of experiments
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is a continuation of previous successful Special Issues, titled “Advanced Polymer Composite Materials: Processing, Modeling, Properties and Applications” and "Advanced Polymer Composite Materials: Processing, Modeling, Properties and Applications II", also hosted by these editors. 

The subject of composite materials is truly a multi- and interdisciplinary one. People who work in fields such as materials science, processing, polymer chemistry, inorganic chemistry, chemical engineering, solid mechanics and fracture mechanics, nanotechnologies, etc., are important contributors to the field of composite materials. Furthermore, polymer-based composites are often a valid alternative to traditional materials because they combine mechanical resistance to lightness, flexibility to optical properties, and formability to low-cost processing. Due to their peculiar properties and versatility, polymer-based composites have found applications in many industrial fields, such as the construction, automotive, aerospace, biomedicine, and marine fields, to name a few. The performance of a polymeric composite material mainly depends on the nature of the components, the degree of interaction between its components, and the processing technology.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to highlight the latest original results in the development of advanced composite materials based on synthetic/natural polymers and synthetic/natural (nano)fillers/fibers, with improved properties as required by the different foreseen applications. As such, we invite submissions on cutting-edge applications related to advanced polymeric composite materials. All kinds of polymer matrices, including commodity and engineering polymers or newly developed ones—such as bio-based and/or biodegradable polymers, from thermosets and thermoplastics to vitrimers—will be considered. Manuscripts may cover, but are not limited to, the following application fields:

  • Energy storage and harvesting;
  • Biomedicals;
  • Sensors and actuators;
  • Coatings;
  • Textiles;
  • Optoelectronics and photonics;
  • Flexible and stretchable electronics;
  • Membranes;
  • Industrial (automotive, aerospace, naval);
  • 3D printing.

Dr. Maurizio Vignolo
Dr. Giorgio Luciano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • processing technologies
  • modeling, simulation and material optimization
  • synthetic and/or natural polymers
  • modification and/or activation of polymers
  • surface modification
  • fillers and nanofillers
  • (natural) fibers
  • nanoparticles
  • biocomposites
  • bio-based hybrid materials
  • renewable materials
  • green chemistry
  • composites and nanocomposites
  • polymer composites
  • biocomposites
  • composite recycling
  • phase compatibilization
  • properties of composites
  • characterization
  • applications

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 26914 KiB  
Article
A Cost-Effective Approach to Creating Large Silicone Rubber Molds Using Advanced Rigid Polyurethane Foam
by Chil-Chyuan Kuo, Yi-Qing Lu, Song-Hua Huang and Armaan Farooqui
Polymers 2024, 16(15), 2210; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152210 - 2 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1064
Abstract
In practical applications, polyurethane (PU) foam must be rigid to meet the demands of various industries and provide comfort and protection in everyday life. PU foam components are extensively used in structural foam, thermal insulation, decorative panels, packaging, imitation wood, and floral foam, [...] Read more.
In practical applications, polyurethane (PU) foam must be rigid to meet the demands of various industries and provide comfort and protection in everyday life. PU foam components are extensively used in structural foam, thermal insulation, decorative panels, packaging, imitation wood, and floral foam, as well as in models and prototypes. Conventional technology for producing PU foam parts often leads to defects such as deformation, short shots, entrapped air, warpage, flash, micro-bubbles, weld lines, and voids. Therefore, the development of rigid PU foam parts has become a crucial research focus in the industry. This study proposes an innovative manufacturing process for producing rigid PU foam parts using silicone rubber molds (SRMs). The deformation of the silicone rubber mold can be predicted based on its wall thickness, following a trend equation with a correlation coefficient of 0.9951. The volume of the PU foam part can also be predicted by the weight of the PU foaming agent, as indicated by a trend equation with a correlation coefficient of 0.9824. The optimal weight ratio of the foaming agent to water, yielding the highest surface hardness, was found to be 5:1. The surface hardness of the PU foam part can also be predicted based on the weight of the water used, according to a proposed prediction equation with a correlation coefficient of 0.7517. The average surface hardness of the fabricated PU foam part has a Shore O hardness value of approximately 75. Foam parts made with 1.5 g of water added to 15 g of a foaming agent have the fewest internal pores, resulting in the densest interior. PU foam parts exhibit excellent mechanical properties when 3 g of water is added to the PU foaming agent, as evidenced by their surface hardness and compressive strength. Using rigid PU foam parts as a backing material in the proposed method can reduce rapid tool production costs by about 62%. Finally, an innovative manufacturing process for creating large SRMs using rigid PU foam parts as backing material is demonstrated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Composite Materials: Processing, Modeling, Properties and Applications III)
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17 pages, 14472 KiB  
Article
Polydimethylsiloxane Surface Modification of Microfluidic Devices for Blood Plasma Separation
by Margarida Gonçalves, Inês Maia Gonçalves, Joel Borges, Vera Faustino, Delfim Soares, Filipe Vaz, Graça Minas, Rui Lima and Diana Pinho
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1416; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101416 - 16 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1557
Abstract
Over the last decade, researchers have developed a variety of new analytical and clinical diagnostic devices. These devices are predominantly based on microfluidic technologies, where biological samples can be processed and manipulated for the collection and detection of important biomolecules. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is [...] Read more.
Over the last decade, researchers have developed a variety of new analytical and clinical diagnostic devices. These devices are predominantly based on microfluidic technologies, where biological samples can be processed and manipulated for the collection and detection of important biomolecules. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is the most commonly used material in the fabrication of these microfluidic devices. However, it has a hydrophobic nature (contact angle with water of 110°), leading to poor wetting behavior and issues related to the mixing of fluids, difficulties in obtaining uniform coatings, and reduced efficiency in processes such as plasma separation and molecule detection (protein adsorption). This work aimed to consider the fabrication aspects of PDMS microfluidic devices for biological applications, such as surface modification methods. Therefore, we studied and characterized two methods for obtaining hydrophilic PDMS surfaces: surface modification by bulk mixture and the surface immersion method. To modify the PDMS surface properties, three different surfactants were used in both methods (Pluronic® F127, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polyethylene oxide (PEO)) at different percentages. Water contact angle (WCA) measurements were performed to evaluate the surface wettability. Additionally, capillary flow studies were performed with microchannel molds, which were produced using stereolithography combined with PDMS double casting and replica molding procedures. A PDMS microfluidic device for blood plasma separation was also fabricated by soft lithography with PDMS modified by PEO surfactant at 2.5% (v/v), which proved to be the best method for making the PDMS hydrophilic, as the WCA was lower than 50° for several days without compromising the PDMS’s optical properties. Thus, this study indicates that PDMS surface modification shows great potential for enhancing blood plasma separation efficiency in microfluidic devices, as it facilitates fluid flow, reduces cell aggregations and the trapping of air bubbles, and achieves higher levels of sample purity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Composite Materials: Processing, Modeling, Properties and Applications III)
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14 pages, 3536 KiB  
Article
Release and Degradation Mechanism of Modified Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Double-Layer Coated Controlled-Release Phosphate Fertilizer
by Teng Sun, Dekang Zhan, Xiangzhu Wang, Qingjie Guo, Mingzhou Wu, Pu Shen and Man Wu
Polymers 2024, 16(8), 1041; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16081041 - 10 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1112
Abstract
This study aims to improve the slow-release performance of a film material for a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) while enhancing its biodegradability. A water-based biodegradable polymer material doped with biochar (BC) was prepared from modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and chitosan (CTS), [...] Read more.
This study aims to improve the slow-release performance of a film material for a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) while enhancing its biodegradability. A water-based biodegradable polymer material doped with biochar (BC) was prepared from modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and chitosan (CTS), hereinafter referred to as PVA/PVP–CTSaBCb. An environmentally friendly novel controlled-release phosphate fertilizer (CRPF) was developed using PVA/PVP-CTS8%BC7% as the film. The effect of the PVA/PVP-CTS8%BC7% coating on the service life of the CRPF was investigated. The film was characterized via stress–strain testing, SEM, FTIR, XRD, and TGA analyses. The addition of the CTS modifier increased the stress of PVA/PVP-CTS8% by 7.6% compared with that of PVA/PVP owing to the decrease in the crystallinity of PVP/PVP-CTS8%. The hydrophilic –OH groups were reduced due to the mixing of CTS and PVA/PVP. Meanwhile, the water resistance of the PVA/PVP-CTS8%BC7% was improved. And the controlled-release service life of the CRPF was prolonged. Moreover, the addition of BC increased the crystallinity of the PVA/PVP-CTS8% by 10%, reduced the fracture elongation of the material, and further improved the biodegradability of the PVA/PVP-CTS8%BC7%. When the amount of BC added was 7%, the phosphorus release rate of the CRPF was 30% on the 28th day. Moreover, the degradation rate of the PVA/PVP-CTS8%BC7% polymer film was 35% after 120 days. This study provides basic data for applying water-based degradable polymer materials in CRFs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Composite Materials: Processing, Modeling, Properties and Applications III)
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