Submit to Polymers Review for Polymers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Polymer Hybrids and Composites

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2018) | Viewed by 61160

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Em. Dr. Robert A Shanks

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Interests: composites, blends and surfaces; biopolymer and polymers from natural resources

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer-based multiphase materials combine properties of constituents depending on morphologies and interfacial bonding. Most efficient functional materials are two-phase because the individual properties are retained, whereas with a single phase or miscible composition, properties tend to be averaged. An example is the need for two phases to optimise strength and toughness. Natural materials have been used as models for synthetic compositions and innovations have evolved in materials selection, mixing and dispersion, morphology formation through processing and self-assembly, and physio-chemistry at interfaces and the surface. Synthetic materials simulating natural materials are called biomimetic materials. Salient to biomimetic materials are physical interactions or chemical bonding between the components. When like-polymers are combined they are called blends. When polymers are combined with other materials they are called composites, and when they are chemically bonded they form a new material called a hybrid. A multiphasic structure assumes that components are immiscible, yet compatible in that they interact favourably at interfaces. Interactions and bonding require uniform dispersion that may include orientation and anisotropic structures. Molecular rigidity, symmetry and dispersed phase shape contribute to packing and orientation.

Dispersed phase(s) could be biomaterials, nano-materials, minerals, synthetic inorganic fillers such as: zeolites, pyrogenic silica or titania, layered clay. Some of these dispersed phases modify processing causing thixotropy, with less emphasis in final product performance. A dispersion modifies the polymer causing: Reinforcement, toughening, dimension scale—surface to volume ratio, aspect ratio—fibers, platelets, and particles. The polymer is a support or binder for the filler that may exhibit: Conductivity, magnetic, bioactive, light sensitive, coloured pigments, and 3D printing materials (filaments). Examples of biomimetic materials, learning or copying from nature are nacre replicas, cellulose skeleton after removing lignin, hemicellulose and pectins, and laminated structures mimicking plant surface membranes. Natural organic fillers from wood are cellulose fibres, nano-fibers, particles, and wood flour. Single component polymer–polymer composites have integrated interfaces, such as all-polypropylene, all-polyethylene or all-poly(ethylene terephthalate). Organic polymers are combined with organo-inorganic (polysiloxane) hybrids and form hybrids with polymeric silsesquioxanes (POSS). Biopolymer composites form with cellulose fibres and inorganic reinforcements. Coupling agents, such as reactive siloxanes, can transform a composite into a hybrid. Grafting from or to as matrix polymer will form a graft copolymer, that may be considered as a hybrid depending on the nature of the constituents. The aim of this Special Issue of Polymers is to present a selection of research papers and reviews exemplifying self-assembly, hybrid formation and biomimetic principles.

Prof. Em. Dr. Robert A Shanks
Guest Editor

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

Composites
Nano-composites
Polymer blends
Polymer hybrid
Biomimetic materials
Dispersion
Orientation
Self-assembly
Interface
Grafted polymers
Biopolymer
Natural resources

Published Papers (10 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 3265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Significantly Enhanced Electromechanical Performance of PDMS Crosslinked PVDF Hybrids

by Dan He, Yunchuan Xie, Xiao Wang and Zhicheng Zhang

Polymers 2018, 10(7), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10070714 - 29 Jun 2018

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4078

Abstract

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based ferroelectric polymers have large and tunable dielectric permittivity (ε_r), but rather high Young’s modulus (Y), which limits its electromechanical response when used as actuators. In this work, a silicone oligomer involving amino groups is employed to crosslink a non-crystallized poly(vinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene) matrix bearing double bonds (P(VDF-CTFE-DB)) via addition reaction. Thanks to the flexible silicone molecules, the modulus of the hybrids is reduced over 30% when compared with the pristine matrix. Most interestingly, the ε_r of the hybrids is improved to nearly 100% higher than that of the matrix when the silicone content reaches 30 wt %. This may be due to the dilution effect of silicone molecules, which favors macromolecular chain rearrangement and dipole orientation of the hybrids under an applied electric field. As a result, electric-field activated displacements of the above hybrid increases to 0.73 mm from 0.48 mm of the matrix under 60 MV/m. The maximum electric field-induced thickness strain increases from 1% of the matrix to nearly 3% of the crosslinked hybrid. This work may provide a facile strategy to fabricate PVDF-based hybrids with enhanced electromechanical performance under low activating voltage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Hybrids and Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

10 pages, 3690 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Permittivity Nanocomposites Embedded with Ag/TiO₂ Core–Shell Nanoparticles Modified by Phosphonic Acid

by Xizi Chen, Fei Liang, Wenzhong Lu, Zheng Jin, Yifei Zhao and Ming Fu

Polymers 2018, 10(6), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10060586 - 27 May 2018

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3495

Abstract

In this paper, nanocomposites that contain core-shell Ag/TiO₂ particles as the filler and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as the matrix were investigated. Two surfactants, namely octyl phosphonic acid (OPA) and pentafluorobenzyl phosphonic acid (PFBPA), were applied to modify Ag/TiO₂ fillers for uniform dispersion in the matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of bonds between the TiO₂ shells and the phosphonic modifiers shows Ti–O–P chemical bonding between the Ag/TiO₂ fillers and the modifiers. Thermogravimetric analysis results show a superior adsorption effect of PFBPA over OPA on the Ag/TiO₂ filler surface at the same weight percentage. For nanocomposites that contain modified Ag/TiO₂ nanoparticles, the loss was reduced despite the high permittivity at the same loading. The permittivity of the nanocomposites by PFBPA is larger than that of OPA, because the more uniform dispersion of inorganic particles in the PTFE matrix enhances the interfacial polarization effect. The mechanism of enhanced dielectric performance was studied and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Hybrids and Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 5224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In-Situ Incorporation of Alkyl-Grafted Silica into Waterborne Polyurethane with High Solid Content for Enhanced Physical Properties of Coatings

by Yanting Han, Jinlian Hu and Zhongyin Xin

Polymers 2018, 10(5), 514; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10050514 - 09 May 2018

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4965

Abstract

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) with high solid content (45%) was obtained by utilizing dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) and ethoxylated capped polymeric diol as complex hydrophilic groups. Alkyl-grafted silica was incorporated into polymer matrix through in situ polymerization to improve the performance of coatings casted from WPU dispersions. The addition of alkyl-grafted silica enlarged the particle size distribution whilst increased emulsion viscosity, which showed little influence on attainment of high solid content for WPU. The properties of obtained WPU/Silica coatings were investigated. Results showed that the functionalized surface of silica provides good compatibility with the WPU matrix, which promoted the homogeneous dispersion of silica particles. This facilitated the formation of nanosized silica papillae on coatings, contributing to surface roughness and hydrophobicity. Solvent resistance of WPU was enhanced with existence of alkyl-grafted silica particles. The WPU/Silica coatings also displayed improved thermal stability due to the thermal insulation ability and tortuous path effect of silica. Besides this, valid interactions between silica and WPU resulted in hybrid microphase of which the synergistic effect imparted superior mechanical properties at relatively low loadings of silica (2%). The facile technique presented here will provide an effective and promising method for preparing WPU hybrids with enhanced performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Hybrids and Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

11 pages, 4333 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transformation of H-Aggregates and J-Dimers of Water-Soluble Tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) Porphyrin in Polyion Complex Micelles

by Shuai Liu, Cun Hu, Ying Wei, Ming Duan, Xin Chen and Yue Hu

Polymers 2018, 10(5), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10050494 - 03 May 2018

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4968

Abstract

Tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) and polyelectrolyte poly(N-methyl-2-vinylpyridinium iodide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PMVP₄₁-b-PEO₂₀₅) can self-aggregate into polyion complex (PIC) micelles in alkaline aqueous solution. UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, and dynamic light scattering were carried out to study PIC micelles. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation method was applied to study the interaction of TCPP and PMVP₄₁-b-PEO₂₀₅. We found that the H-aggregates and J-dimers of anionic TCPP transformed in PIC micelles. H-aggregates of TCPP formed at the charge ratio of TCPP/PMVP₄₁-b-PEO₂₀₅ 1:2 and J-dimer species at the charge ratio above 1:4, respectively. It is worth noting that the transformation from H-aggregates to J-dimer species of TCPP occurred just by adjusting the ratio of polymer and TCPP rather than by changing other factors such as pH, temperature, and ions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Hybrids and Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 6017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Epoxy Composites with Liquid Crystalline Polyurethane Modified Graphene

by Yuqi Li, Jian Gao, Xiuyun Li, Xu Xu and Shaorong Lu

Polymers 2018, 10(5), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10050485 - 01 May 2018

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6047

Abstract

Graphene nanosheets (GNs) often result in incompatibility with the hydrophobic polymer matrix, and the tendency to form aggregates during processing. Herein, liquid crystalline polyurethane modified GNs (GPLP) were obtained by π–π stacking interactions between GNs and perylene bisimide derivatives, and then in-situ polymerization of liquid-crystalline polyurethane. Spectroscopic studies, elemental analysis, and thermal properties confirmed the successful π–π stacking and the integrated structure of GPLP. The good dispersion state of GPLP in the epoxy matrix (EP), and the strong interactions between GPLP and EP, lead to the significant improvement of the thermal and mechanical performance of the GPLP/EP composites. The impact strength, Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and toughness of the GPLP/EP composites with 1.47 wt % GNs reached the highest values of 54.31 kJ/m², 530.8 MPa, 112.33 MPa and 863 J/m³, which significantly increased by 210%, 57%, 143%, and 122% compared to that of neat epoxy, respectively. As well, the glass transition temperature increased by a notable 33 °C. It is hoped that this work can be used to exploit more efficient methods to overcome the poor adhesion between GNs and polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Hybrids and Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

22 pages, 44597 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morphology, Nucleation, and Isothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Poly(Butylene Succinate) Mixed with a Polycarbonate/MWCNT Masterbatch

by Thandi P. Gumede, Adriaan S. Luyt, Ricardo A. Pérez-Camargo, Agnieszka Tercjak and Alejandro J. Müller

Polymers 2018, 10(4), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10040424 - 10 Apr 2018

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4889

Abstract

In this study, nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) with a polycarbonate (PC)/multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) masterbatch, in a twin-screw extruder. The nanocomposites contained 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 wt% MWCNTs. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) results indicate that the blends are partially miscible, hence they form two phases (i.e., PC-rich and PBS-rich phases). The PC-rich phase contained a small amount of PBS chains that acted as a plasticizer and enabled crystallization of the PC component. In the PBS-rich phase, the amount of the PC chains present gave rise to increases in the glass transition temperature of the PBS phase. The presence of two phases was supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis, where most MWCNTs aggregated in the PC-rich phase (especially at the high MWCNTs content of 4 wt%) and a small amount of MWCNTs were able to diffuse to the PBS-rich phase. Standard DSC scans showed that the MWCNTs nucleation effects saturated at 0.5 wt% MWCNT content on the PBS-rich phase, above this content a negative nucleation effect was observed. Isothermal crystallization results indicated that with 0.5 wt% MWCNTs the crystallization rate was accelerated, but further increases in MWCNTs loading (and also in PC content) resulted in progressive decreases in crystallization rate. The results are explained by increased MWCNTs aggregation and reduced diffusion rates of PBS chains, as the masterbatch content in the blends increased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Hybrids and Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 35068 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study of the Effect of Internal Defects on Stress Waves during Automated Fiber Placement

by Zhenyu Han, Shouzheng Sun, Wenqi Li, Yaoxu Zhao and Zhongxi Shao

Polymers 2018, 10(4), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10040413 - 09 Apr 2018

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4221

Abstract

The detection technique of component defects is currently only realized to detect offline defects and online surface defects during automated fiber placement (AFP). The characteristics of stress waves can be effectively applied to identify and detect internal defects in material structure. However, the correlation mechanism between stress waves and internal defects remains unclear during the AFP process. This paper proposes a novel experimental method to test stress waves, where continuous loading induced by process itself is used as an excitation source without other external excitation. Twenty-seven groups of thermosetting prepreg laminates under different processing parameters are manufactured to obtain different void content. In order to quantitatively estimate the void content in the prepreg structure, the relation model between the void content and ultrasonic attenuation coefficient is revealed using an A-scan ultrasonic flaw detector and photographic methods by optical microscope. Furthermore, the high-frequency noises of stress waves are removed using Haar wavelet transform. The peaks, the Manhattan distance and mean stress during the laying process are analyzed and evaluated. Partial conclusions in this paper could provide theoretical support for online real-time detection of internal defects based on stress wave characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Hybrids and Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 4898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unsaturated Polyester Resin Nanocomposites Containing ZnO Modified with Oleic Acid Activated by N,N′-Carbonyldiimidazole

by Hengzhi Chen, Xiaoxue Tian and Jing Liu

Polymers 2018, 10(4), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10040362 - 24 Mar 2018

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5914

Abstract

Hydrophobic zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were produced through grafting aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) and oleic acid (OA), which was activated by N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI). The functional group containing ZnO nanoparticles were incorporated into unsaturated polyester (UP) resin, and their dispersibility in the UP matrix and effects on the properties of UP/ZnO nanocomposites were investigated. ZnO nanoparticles modified by APS and OA activated by CDI, (CDI–OA–APS–ZnO), can be homogeneously dispersed as supported by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations and had been encapsulated in the UP resin. CDI–OA–APS–ZnO nanoparticles were embedded in the net structure of the UP composites through chemical bonds between oleic acid, styrene, and polyester resin, which significantly influence the cure reaction of UP resin and the properties of UP composites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles could improve the thermal stability of UP when thermal cracking temperature exceeds 365 °C. The exothermic peak and the initial temperature of cure reaction of the UP resin decreased with increasing ZnO content. The tensile strength and bending strength of UP/CDI–OA–APS–ZnO nanocomposites increased by 91.4% and 71.3% when 3 wt % CDI–OA–APS–ZnO nanoparticles was added into the composites, respectively, compared with pure UP resin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Hybrids and Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

27 pages, 6083 KiB

Open AccessReview

Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites Reinforced by Aligned Carbon Nanomaterials

by Shuying Wu, Shuhua Peng and Chun H. Wang

Polymers 2018, 10(5), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10050542 - 17 May 2018

Cited by 69 | Viewed by 9717

Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials such as carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene have demonstrated significant potential as fillers to improve the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of polymers and their fiber-reinforced polymer composites. The level of improvement has been found to depend significantly on the degree of alignment of carbon nanomaterials. Due to the very small scale and complex interactions of carbon nanomaterials with polymers and structural fibers, alignment in a given direction has been a major challenge. Over the past decade, considerable effort has been devoted to developing effective strategies to align carbon nanomaterials in polymer matrices. However, significant technological challenges remain, and there is still a lack of understanding of the alignment mechanisms and their effects on the properties of polymers and composites. This paper reviews in situ alignment techniques including shear deformation, mechanical stretching, electrospinning, and application of an external magnetic or electric field, and ex situ techniques including using vertically grown CNTs or graphene. This review particularly focuses on physical mechanisms underpinning the magnetic or electric field-induced alignment and theoretical analyses that describe the different motions occurring and the major parameters controlling alignment. Moreover, this review highlights the recent research findings of the effects of alignment on the properties of polymer nanocomposites. The outlook towards the challenges and opportunities in this field are also discussed in this review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Hybrids and Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

47 pages, 16854 KiB

Open AccessReview

by Tatyana Ageyeva, Ilya Sibikin and József Karger-Kocsis

Polymers 2018, 10(4), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10040357 - 22 Mar 2018

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 12069

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive overview of polymers and related (nano)composites produced via anionic ring opening polymerization (AROP) of lactams. It was aimed at surveying and showing the important research and development results achieved in this field mostly over the last two decades. This review covers the chemical background of the AROP of lactams, their homopolymers, copolymers, and in situ produced blends. The composites produced by AROP were grouped into nanocomposites, discontinuous fiber, continuous fiber, textile fabric, and self-reinforced composites. The manufacturing techniques were introduced and the most recent developments highlighted. Based on this state-of-art survey some future trends were deduced and as their “driving forces” novel and improved manufacturing techniques identified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Hybrids and Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Polymer Hybrids and Composites

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (10 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI