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14 pages, 3400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploitation of a New Nucleating Agent by Molecular Structure Modification of Aryl Phosphate and Its Effect on Application Properties of the Polypropylene

by Fuhua Lin, Mi Zhang, Tianjiao Zhao, Yanli Zhang, Dingyi Ning, Wenju Cui, Yingchun Li, Xinde Chen and Jun Luo

Polymers 2023, 15(24), 4730; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15244730 - 17 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1202

Abstract

In this work, a novel α-nucleating agent (NA) for polypropylene (PP) termed APAl-3C-12Li was prepared and evaluated compared with the commercially available type NA-21. For the synthesis of the organophosphate-type NA (APAl-3C), the -OH group of the acid part of NA-21 was substituted [...] Read more.

In this work, a novel α-nucleating agent (NA) for polypropylene (PP) termed APAl-3C-12Li was prepared and evaluated compared with the commercially available type NA-21. For the synthesis of the organophosphate-type NA (APAl-3C), the -OH group of the acid part of NA-21 was substituted by the isopropoxy group. The structure of APAl-3C was analyzed by spectroscopy and element analysis, the results of which were consistent with the theoretical molecular formula. APAl-3C’s thermal stability was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG), which showed only weak mass loss below 230 °C, meaning that it would not decompose during the processing of PP. The APAl-3C-12Li was used as a novel nucleating agent, studying its effects on crystallization, microstructure, mechanical and optical properties. Tests were performed in a PP random copolymer at different contents, in comparison to the commercial NA-21. The composite with 0.5 wt% APAl-3C-12Li has a similar crystallization temperature of 118.8 °C as with the addition of 0.5 wt% NA-21. An advantage is that the composite with the APAl-3C-12Li has a lower haze value of 9.3% than the counterpart with NA-21. This is due to the weaker polarity of APAl-3C-12Li after the introduction of methyl and better uniform dispersion in the PP matrix, resulting in stronger improvement of optical and mechanical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Polymer Additives)

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10 pages, 4254 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Uniform Polydimethylsiloxane Arrays through Inkjet Printing

by Ning Tu, Jeffery C. C. Lo and S. W. Ricky Lee

Polymers 2023, 15(2), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15020462 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1553

Abstract

The inkjet printing method is a promising method to deposit polymer and functional nanoparticles at the microscale. It can be applied in the fabrication of multicolor polymer light emitting diodes (polyLEDs), polymer base electronics, multicolor color conversion layers, and quantum dot light emitting [...] Read more.

The inkjet printing method is a promising method to deposit polymer and functional nanoparticles at the microscale. It can be applied in the fabrication of multicolor polymer light emitting diodes (polyLEDs), polymer base electronics, multicolor color conversion layers, and quantum dot light emitting diodes (QLEDs). One of the main challenges is to print high-resolution polymer dots from dilute polymer solution. In addition, the quality of printed multicolor polyLEDs, QLEDs and multicolor color conversion layers is currently limited by non-uniformity of the printed dots. In this paper, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is selected as the functional polymer, due to its high transparency, good reflective index value, inflammable and flexible properties. The optimal ink to form a uniform PDMS dot array is presented in this paper. Both the solvent and PDMS were tuned to form the uniform PDMS dot array. The uniform PDMS dot array was printed with a diameter of around 50 µm, and the array of closely spaced green quantum dots (QDs) mixed with PDMS ink was also printed on the substrate uniformly. While the green QD-PDMS film was printed at a resolution of 1693 dpi, the uniformity was evaluated using the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum and color coordinate value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Polymer Additives)

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16 pages, 3731 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Composition, Properties, and Utilization of Fumaric Acid Sludge By-Produced from Industrial Phthalic Anhydride Wastewater Treatment

by Zhongjin Wei, Fengshan Zhou, Sinan Chen and Hongxing Zhao

Polymers 2022, 14(23), 5169; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235169 - 28 Nov 2022

Viewed by 2520

Abstract

To understand fumaric acid sludge (FAS) systematically and comprehensively and find out how to utilize it, we conducted a series of characterization analyses on FAS. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) Spectra shows that the main component of FAS is fumaric acids and also contains [...] Read more.

To understand fumaric acid sludge (FAS) systematically and comprehensively and find out how to utilize it, we conducted a series of characterization analyses on FAS. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) Spectra shows that the main component of FAS is fumaric acids and also contains a small amount of silicate. The nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen (¹H-NMR) spectrum also shows that fumaric acid accounted for a large proportion of FAS. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the main phase in FAS is fumaric acid, and there is also a small amount of Kaliophilite. After gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and pyrolysis gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) analysis, it indicates that the possible volatiles and pyrolysis products in FAS are fumaric acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, phthalic acid, etc. In the test of Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS), we determined the contents of phthalic acid, fumaric acid, and maleic acid in FAS. The detailed mass content of each component in FAS is as follows: phthalic acid is about 0.10–0.15%; maleic anhydride is about 0.40–0.80%; maleic acid is about 18.40–19.0%; fumaric acid is about 55.00–56.90%; succinic anhydride is about 0.06–0.08%; acrylic acid is about 0.06–0.08%; malic acid is about 0.90–1.00%; acetic acid is about 0.10–0.20%; silicate is about 0.25–0.30%; phthalic anhydride is about 0.20–0.30%; water is about 24.30–24.80%. The filtrate loss reducer (PAAF) used in oilwell drilling fluids synthesized by FAS not only has excellent temperature and complex saline resistance, the API filtration loss (FL) was only 13.2 mL/30 min in the complex saline based mud, but is also cost-effective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Polymer Additives)

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17 pages, 5000 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Photoluminescence and Vibrational Properties of Black Phosphorous Sheets Chemically/Electrochemically Functionalized in the Presence of Diphenylamine

by Mihaela Baibarac, Teodora Burlanescu, Malvina Stroe, Ion Smaranda and Catalin Negrila

Polymers 2022, 14(21), 4479; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214479 - 22 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1244

Abstract

In this work, new information concerning the optical properties of black phosphorus (BP) sheets chemically/electrochemically functionalized with diphenyl amine (DPA) and its macromolecular compound (poly(diphenylamine) (PDPA)) in the absence/presence of phosphotungstic acid (PTA) is reported. Raman scattering and FTIR spectroscopy studies indicate that [...] Read more.

In this work, new information concerning the optical properties of black phosphorus (BP) sheets chemically/electrochemically functionalized with diphenyl amine (DPA) and its macromolecular compound (poly(diphenylamine) (PDPA)) in the absence/presence of phosphotungstic acid (PTA) is reported. Raman scattering and FTIR spectroscopy studies indicate that the interaction of BP with PTA leads to the elimination of the P_xO_y layer onto the surface of the BP sheets. In the case of the chemical interaction of BP with DPA, the reaction product corresponds to DPA chemically functionalized BP sheets having an imino-phosphorane (IP) structure. The electrochemical oxidation of BP sheets chemically functionalized with DPA in the presence of PTA leads to an increase in the weight of P-N bonds as a consequence of the generation of PDPA doped with the PTA heteropolyanions, as shown by FTIR spectroscopy and Raman scattering. This process is evidenced by a shift of the Raman line from 362 cm⁻¹ to 378 cm⁻¹, assigned to the A_1g mode. This change was explained by taking into account the compression of the layers containing P atoms, which is induced by PDPA macromolecular chains. The decrease in the intensity of the PL spectra of DPA as well as PDPA, in the presence of BP, indicates that BP acts as a PL quenching agent for these compounds. A preferential orientation of the PDPA doped with the PTA heteropolyanions on the surface of BP sheets is highlighted by the variation of the binding angle of the PDPA on the surface of BP sheets from 44.7° to 39.9°. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Polymer Additives)

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14 pages, 3420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Effects of Diatoms on Intumescent Flame Retardant High Impact Polystyrene System

by Fuhua Lin, Mi Zhang, Xiangyang Li, Shuangdan Mao and Yinghui Wei

Polymers 2022, 14(20), 4453; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14204453 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1181

Abstract

In this work, aiming to improve the flame retardancy performance of high impact polystyrene (HIPS), HIPS compounds were synthesized with the addition of intumescent flame retardant (IFR: mass ratio of APP and PER was 3:1) and diatoms into HIPS matrix by melt blending [...] Read more.

In this work, aiming to improve the flame retardancy performance of high impact polystyrene (HIPS), HIPS compounds were synthesized with the addition of intumescent flame retardant (IFR: mass ratio of APP and PER was 3:1) and diatoms into HIPS matrix by melt blending method. It was found the IFR/diatoms system exhibited high flame retardant efficiency and catalytic carbonization effect to HIPS matrix in the burning process. The LOI value of HIPS-2 compound with the addition of 28 wt% IFR and 2 wt% diatoms was increased to 29.0% and passed V-0 rating. The value of PHRR for HIPS-2 compound is about 460.58 kW/m² compared with 937.22 kW/m² of pure HIPS and the value of THR for HIPS-2 compound is about 32.9 MJ/m² compared with 62.7 MJ/m² of pure HIPS, suggesting that the addition of IFR/diatoms system can decrease the values of PHRR and THR, which shows the synergistic effect between IFR and diatoms on reducing heat release. The 21.9% reduction in Av-EHC and 41.4% reduction in TSP seen on introducing an IFR/diatoms system indicates effective smoke suppression, which potentially would significantly reduce the death rate in real fire accidents. The TG-IR results indicated that the IFR/diatoms flame retardant system functioned in the gas phase to suppress the flame. The SEM images showed the char residue produced was more compact and continuous, which suggests that the IFR/diatoms flame retardant system exhibits barrier and catalytic effects to block heat transferring and promote char forming. The tensile strength and impact strength of HIPS-2 compound were 22.95 MPa and 2.63 KJ/m², respectively. The tensile strength and impact strength were increased by 34.13% and 19.55% compared with that of pure HIPS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Polymer Additives)

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17 pages, 4338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Attapulgite Structure Reset to Accelerate the Crystal Transformation of Isotactic Polybutene

by Shuang-Dan Mao, Mi Zhang, Fu-Hua Lin, Xiang-Yang Li, Yu-Ying Zhao, Yan-Li Zhang, Yi-Fan Gao, Jun Luo, Xin-De Chen and Bo Wang

Polymers 2022, 14(18), 3820; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14183820 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1324

Abstract

Isotactic polybutene (iPB) has a wide application in the water pipe field. However, the most valuable form I, needs 7 days to complete the transformation. In this study, the attapulgite (ATP), which produces lattice matching of the iPB form I, was selected to [...] Read more.

Isotactic polybutene (iPB) has a wide application in the water pipe field. However, the most valuable form I, needs 7 days to complete the transformation. In this study, the attapulgite (ATP), which produces lattice matching of the iPB form I, was selected to prepare an iPB/ATP composite. The Fischer–Tropsch wax (FTW) was grafted with maleic anhydride to obtain MAFT, and the ATP structure was reset by reactions with MAFT to the prepared FATP, which improved the interface compatibility of the ATP and iPB. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the water contact angle test confirmed the successful synthesis of FATP. X-ray diffraction (XRD) verified that the graft of MAFT did not affect the crystal structure of ATP. The iPB + 5% FATP had the maximum flexural strength, which was 12.45 Mpa, and the flexural strength of the iPB + 5% FATP annealing for 1 day was much higher than others. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs verified that FATP and iPB had good interface compatibility. The crystal transformation behavior indicated that the iPB + 5% FATP had the fastest crystal transformation rate, which proved that the reset structure, ATP, greatly accelerated the crystal transformation of iPB. This was a detailed study on the effect of lattice matching, interfacial compatibility and internal lubrication of the reset structure, ATP, in the nucleation and growth stages of iPB form I. The result was verified by XRD, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Avrami kinetics and polarizing microscope (POM) analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Polymer Additives)

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14 pages, 6601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Metal Lithium and Alkyl Chain in the Nucleating Agent Lauroyloxy-Substituted Aryl Aluminum Phosphate on the Crystallization and Optical Properties for iPP

by Fuhua Lin, Mi Zhang, Shuangdan Mao, Jianjun Zhang, Kezhi Wang, Jun Luo, Xinde Chen, Bo Wang and Yinghui Wei

Polymers 2022, 14(17), 3637; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173637 - 02 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1381

Abstract

In this work, a kind of aryl phosphate salt nucleating agent (APAl-12C) was synthesized, which was replaced in the hydroxyl group on the aluminum hydroxy bis [2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate] (APAl-OH) by lauroyloxy, which could improve the dispersion between the nucleating agent and the iPP [...] Read more.

In this work, a kind of aryl phosphate salt nucleating agent (APAl-12C) was synthesized, which was replaced in the hydroxyl group on the aluminum hydroxy bis [2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate] (APAl-OH) by lauroyloxy, which could improve the dispersion between the nucleating agent and the iPP matrix and reduce the migration potential of the nucleating agent in the iPP matrix by increasing the molecular weight. The structure of the nucleating agent APAl-12C was analyzed by fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR ) and ¹H NMR. The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) results indicated that the addition of APAl-OH or APAl-12C alone was inferior to the commercial nucleating agent NA-21 (compounds of APAl-OH and Lithium laurate) in terms of the crystallization behavior, which may be due to the importance of metal Li in the crystallization property. Thus, the iPP/A12C-Li composites were prepared with APAl-12C, lithium laurate (lilaurate) and the iPP matrix. The crystallization behavior, morphology, optical and mechanical properties for the iPP/A12C-Li composites were systematically studied and compared with that of the iPP/NA-21 composite. Among the iPP/A12C-Li composites with the addition of 0.5 wt%, APAl-12C/Lilaurate had the fastest crystallization rate and reduced the haze value of the neat iPP from 36.03% to 9.89% without changing the clarity, which was better than that of the iPP/NA-21 composite. This was due to the weakening of the polarity of the APAl-12C after lauroyloxy substitution and better dispersion in the iPP matrix, resulting in a significant improvement in the optical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Polymer Additives)

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Review

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21 pages, 10298 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on the Effect of the Mechanism of Organic Polymers on Pellet Properties for Iron Ore Beneficiation

by Hongxing Zhao, Fengshan Zhou, Hongyang Zhao, Cunfa Ma and Yi Zhou

Polymers 2022, 14(22), 4874; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14224874 - 12 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2450

Abstract

Iron ore pellets not only have excellent metallurgical and mechanical properties but are also essential raw materials for improving iron and steel smelting in the context of the increasing global depletion of high-grade iron ore resources. Organic polymers, as important additive components for [...] Read more.

Iron ore pellets not only have excellent metallurgical and mechanical properties but are also essential raw materials for improving iron and steel smelting in the context of the increasing global depletion of high-grade iron ore resources. Organic polymers, as important additive components for the production of high-quality pellets, have a significant impact on the formation as well as the properties of pellets. In this review, the mechanisms of organic polymers on the pelletizing properties, bursting temperature, and pellet strength at low and high temperatures, as well as the existing measures and mechanisms to improve the high-temperature strength of the organic binder pellets are systematically summarized. Compared with traditional bentonite additives, the organic polymers greatly improve the pelletizing rate and pellet strength at low temperatures, and significantly reduces metallurgical pollution. However, organic binders often lead to a decrease in pellet bursting temperature and pellet strength at high temperatures, which can be significantly improved by compounding with a small amount of low-cost inorganic minerals, such as bentonite, boron-containing compounds, sodium salts, and copper slag. At the same time, some industrial solid wastes can be rationally used to reduce the cost of pellet binders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Polymer Additives)

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