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15 pages, 4108 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Nanosized Substituted Ferrites (NiZn)_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄ on the Surface of Carbon Nanotubes for Effective Interaction with High-Frequency EM Radiation

by Ruslana Mazurenko, Serhii Prokopenko, Marcin Godzierz, Anna Hercog, Anastasiia Kobyliukh, Grygorii Gunja, Stanislav Makhno, Urszula Szeluga, Petro Gorbyk and Barbara Trzebicka

Materials 2024, 17(5), 986; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17050986 - 21 Feb 2024

Viewed by 890

Abstract

To create materials that interact effectively with electromagnetic (EM) radiation, new nanosized substituted ferrites (NiZn)_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.5, and 1) anchored on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been synthesized. The concentration of [...] Read more.

To create materials that interact effectively with electromagnetic (EM) radiation, new nanosized substituted ferrites (NiZn)_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.5, and 1) anchored on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been synthesized. The concentration of CNTs in the (NiZn)_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄/CNT system was from 0.05 to 0.07 vol. fractions. The dielectric and magnetic characteristics of both pristine (NiZn)_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄ ferrites and (NiZn)_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄/CNT composite systems were studied. The introduction of (NiZn)_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄/CNT composites into the amorphous epoxy matrix allows to tailor absorbing properties at the high-frequency by effectively shifting the maximum peak values of the absorption and reflection coefficient to a region of lower frequencies (20–30 GHz). The microwave adsorption properties of (NiZn)_1−xMnxFe₂O₄/0.07CNT–ER (x = 0.5) systems showed that the maximum absorption bandwidth with reflection loss below −10 dB is about 11 GHz. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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13 pages, 1620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Dependence on Hue, Value and Opacity of Real-Time- and Post-Curing Light Transmission in a Nano-Hybrid Ormocer

by Nicoleta Ilie

Materials 2024, 17(2), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020496 - 20 Jan 2024

Viewed by 603

Abstract

This study aims to quantify the influence of hue, value and opacity on the variation in light transmittance of a full color palette of an ormocer-based dental composite. Samples with a thickness of 2 mm were cured in real time while the incident [...] Read more.

This study aims to quantify the influence of hue, value and opacity on the variation in light transmittance of a full color palette of an ormocer-based dental composite. Samples with a thickness of 2 mm were cured in real time while the incident irradiance and light transmittance were recorded with a spectrophotometer, either in real time during the polymerization or through the polymerized composite at different exposure distances. Across the entire shade range, light attenuation was high, varying between 70.3% and 92.1%. The light transmittance during polymerization increased exponentially with exposure time in all shades. The differences between the cured and uncured composites decrease with increasing value and with increasing opacity within a value. The pattern of variation in light transmittance with increasing value is non-linear and depends on the hue, but not on the opacity within a hue. Small variations in value in lighter shades of hue B reduce the transmitted light more than in hue A, while the opposite is true for darker shades. The results strongly suggest an adequate curing of the lower increments in larger restorations, as the additional light expected from curing the upper increments is very small, regardless of hue, value or opacity. An additional unfavorable condition by increasing the exposure distance consistently contributes to a reduction in light transmission and thus further supports the above statement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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22 pages, 4940 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transport Mechanism of Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) in Polyurethane Nanocomposite Hydrogel Patches—Cloisite^® 30B Influence on the Drug Release and Swelling Processes

by Justyna Strankowska, Małgorzata Grzywińska, Ewelina Łęgowska, Marek Józefowicz and Michał Strankowski

Materials 2024, 17(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010040 - 21 Dec 2023

Viewed by 989

Abstract

This article describes the swelling and release mechanisms of paracetamol in polyurethane nanocomposite hydrogels containing Cloisite^® 30B (organically modified montmorillonite). The transport mechanism, swelling and release processes of the active substance in nanocomposite matrix were studied using gravimetric and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods. [...] Read more.

This article describes the swelling and release mechanisms of paracetamol in polyurethane nanocomposite hydrogels containing Cloisite^® 30B (organically modified montmorillonite). The transport mechanism, swelling and release processes of the active substance in nanocomposite matrix were studied using gravimetric and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods. Swelling and release processes depend on the amount of clay nanoparticles in these systems and the degree of crosslinking of PU/PEG/Cloisite^® 30B hydrogel nanocomposites. The presence of clay causes, on the one hand, a reduction in free volumes in the polymer matrices, making the swelling process less effective; on the other hand, the high swelling and self-aggregation behavior of Cloisite^® 30B and the interactions of paracetamol both with it and with the matrix, cause a change in the transport mechanism from anomalous diffusion to Fickian-like diffusion. A more insightful interpretation of the swelling and release profiles of the active substance was proposed, taking into account the “double swelling” process, barrier effect, and aggregation of clay. It was also proven that in the case of modification of polymer matrices with nanoparticles, the appropriate selection of their concentration is crucial, due to the potential possibility of controlling the swelling and release processes in drug delivery patches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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17 pages, 7222 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surface-Modified Electrospun Glass Nanofibers from Silane Treatment and Their Use for High-Performance Epoxy-Based Nanocomposite Materials

by Abhijeet Mali, Philip Agbo, Shobha Mantripragada and Lifeng Zhang

Materials 2023, 16(20), 6817; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206817 - 23 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1244

Abstract

As a new and promising reinforcing filler, electrospun glass nanofibers (EGNFs) have attracted attention in the field of polymer composite materials. However, the reinforcing effectiveness of surface-modified EGNFs using different silane coupling agents in epoxy resin is still not quite clear. In this [...] Read more.

As a new and promising reinforcing filler, electrospun glass nanofibers (EGNFs) have attracted attention in the field of polymer composite materials. However, the reinforcing effectiveness of surface-modified EGNFs using different silane coupling agents in epoxy resin is still not quite clear. In this research, a series of silane coupling agents with increasing chain lengths in the order of methyl trimethoxysilane (MTMS), (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES), (3-glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPTMS), and dual silane coupling agent APTES–GPTMS were employed to carry out surface treatment on the EGNFs. The pristine and silane functionalized EGNFs were then incorporated into epoxy resin as reinforcing fillers at low loading levels, i.e., 0.25 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, and 1 wt.%, and the mechanical properties of the resultant epoxy nanocomposites, including strength, stiffness, ductility, and toughness, were evaluated. A commercial product of glass nanoparticles (GNPs) was used as a control to compare the reinforcing effectiveness of the EGNFs and the GNPs. This study revealed that the EGNFs could provide significant reinforcing and toughening effects at ultra-low loading (0.25 wt.%) in epoxy nanocomposite materials. Furthermore, surface modification of the EGNFs with silane coupling agents with long chain lengths, e.g., by using dual silane coupling agents, APTES–GPTMS, could enhance the interfacial bonding between the EGNFs and the epoxy matrix and further increase the mechanical performance of the EGNF-reinforced epoxy nanocomposite materials. Through this research, we realized epoxy nanocomposite materials with much-improved mechanical properties, i.e., 37%, 24%, 18%, 57% improvement in strength, stiffness, ductility, and toughness, respectively, with respect to those of the cured neat epoxy material with an ultra-low loading (0.25 wt.%) of APTES–GPTMS–EGNFs. Our research paves the road for developing lighter and stronger epoxy nanocomposite materials with EGNFs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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12 pages, 4934 KiB

Open AccessArticle

LCST-UCST Transition Property of a Novel Retarding Swelling and Thermosensitive Particle Gel

by Liang Li, Jixiang Guo and Chuanhong Kang

Materials 2023, 16(7), 2761; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072761 - 30 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2065

Abstract

Super absorbent resin particles used as profile control and water plugging agent remains a deficiency that the particles swells with high speed when absorbing water, resulting in low strength and limited depth of migration. To address this issue, we proposed a thermosensitive particle [...] Read more.

Super absorbent resin particles used as profile control and water plugging agent remains a deficiency that the particles swells with high speed when absorbing water, resulting in low strength and limited depth of migration. To address this issue, we proposed a thermosensitive particle gel possessing the upper critical solution temperature (UCST), which was synthesized from hydrophobically modified poly(vinyl alcohol)s (PVA) with glutaraldehyde (GA) as a cross-linker. The structure of the hydrogel was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The thermosensitive-transparency measurement and swelling experiment show that the hydrophobic-modified PVA solutions and corresponding hydrogels exhibited thermosensitive phase transition behaviors with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and UCST. The results indicated that the temperature-induced phase transition behavior of CHPVA hydrogels leads to their retarding swelling property and great potential as an efficient water plugging agent with excellent temperature and salt resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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14 pages, 3243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Investigation of High Performance PVA/NiO and PVA/CuO Nanocomposites with Improved Physical, Dielectric and Mechanical Properties

by Faiza, Zahida Malik, Abraiz Khattak, Ahmad Aziz Alahmadi and Safi Ullah Butt

Materials 2022, 15(15), 5154; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155154 - 25 Jul 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1788

Abstract

A series of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)based composites with well dispersed nano fillers were fabricated and compared in terms of dielectric, mechanical, and optical properties. Specifically, NiO and CuO nano-fillers were utilized in a range of 0.2–0.6 wt% for thin film fabrication by solution [...] Read more.

A series of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)based composites with well dispersed nano fillers were fabricated and compared in terms of dielectric, mechanical, and optical properties. Specifically, NiO and CuO nano-fillers were utilized in a range of 0.2–0.6 wt% for thin film fabrication by solution deposition method. The characterization of nanocomposites was confirmed through FTIR, FESEM, and XRPD, whereas dielectric and mechanical properties were analyzed with respect to the filler concentrations. The bandgap of PVA/nano-filler composites reduced with an increase in NiO and CuO concentration from 0.2 to 0.6 wt%. The increase in the permittivity of the material was observed for 6 wt% of nano-fillers. The toughness of PVA/nano-filler composites was improved by increasing CuO and NiO concentration and Young’s modulus of 30.9 and 27.2 MPa for 0.6 wt% of NiO and CuO-based nanocomposite, respectively, was observed. The addition of nano-fillers showed improved optical, dielectric, and mechanical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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19 pages, 11017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Swelling Behaviour of Polystyrene Microsphere Enhanced PEG-Based Hydrogels in Seawater and Evolution Mechanism of Their Three-Dimensional Network Microstructure

by Chen Zhang, Yuhong Qi and Zhanping Zhang

Materials 2022, 15(14), 4959; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15144959 - 16 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1641

Abstract

To understand the microstructure evolution of hydrogels swollen in seawater, freeze-drying technology was used to fix and preserve the swollen three-dimensional microstructure. By this method, we revealed the swelling behavior of hydrogels in seawater, and elucidated the mechanism of the swelling process. Meanwhile, [...] Read more.

To understand the microstructure evolution of hydrogels swollen in seawater, freeze-drying technology was used to fix and preserve the swollen three-dimensional microstructure. By this method, we revealed the swelling behavior of hydrogels in seawater, and elucidated the mechanism of the swelling process. Meanwhile, we also used Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy; laser confocal microscopy; field emission scanning electron microscopy, and swelling performance tests to research the structure and properties of PS-PEG hydrogels, before and after seawater swelling, and analyzed the structure and properties of PEG-based hydrogels with different contents of polystyrene microspheres. Results showed that PS-PEG hydrogels went through three stages during the swelling process, namely ‘wetting-rapid swelling-swelling equilibrium’. Due to the capillary effect and hydration effect, the surface area would initially grow tiny pores, and enter the interior in a free penetration manner. Finally, it formed a stable structure, and this process varied with different content of polystyrene microspheres. In addition, with the increase of polystyrene microsphere content, the roughness of the hydrogel before swelling would increase, but decrease after swelling. Appropriate acquisition of polystyrene microspheres could enhance the three-dimensional network structure of PEG-based hydrogels, with a lower swelling degree than hydrogels without polystyrene microspheres. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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11 pages, 5089 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Multi-Functional Behavior of Graphene-Based Nano-Reinforced Polymers

by Konstantina Zafeiropoulou, Christina Kostagiannakopoulou, Anna Geitona, Xenia Tsilimigkra, George Sotiriadis and Vassilis Kostopoulos

Materials 2021, 14(19), 5828; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14195828 - 5 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1543

Abstract

The objective of the present study is the assessment of the impact performance and the concluded thermal conductivity of epoxy resin reinforced by layered Graphene Nano-Platelets (GNPs). The two types of used GNPs have different average thicknesses, <4 nm for Type 1 and [...] Read more.

The objective of the present study is the assessment of the impact performance and the concluded thermal conductivity of epoxy resin reinforced by layered Graphene Nano-Platelets (GNPs). The two types of used GNPs have different average thicknesses, <4 nm for Type 1 and 9–12 nm for Type 2. Graphene-based polymers containing different GNP loading contents (0.5, 1, 5, 10, 15 wt.%) were developed by using the three-roll mill technique. Thermo-mechanical (Tg), impact tests and thermal conductivity measurements were performed to evaluate the effect of GNPs content and type on the final properties of nano-reinforced polymers. According to the results, thinner GNPs were proven to be more promising in all studied properties when compared to thicker GNPs of the same weight content. More specifically, the glass transition temperature of nano-reinforced polymers remained almost unaffected by the GNPs inclusion. Regarding the impact tests, it was found that the impact resistance of the doped materials increased up to 50% when 0.5 wt.% Type 1 GNPs were incorporated within the polymer. Finally, the thermal conductivity of doped polymers with 15 wt.% GNPs showed a 130% enhancement over the reference material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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12 pages, 4126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Particle Size on the Mechanical Properties of TiO₂–Epoxy Nanocomposites

by Young-Min Choi, Seon-Ae Hwangbo, Tae Geol Lee and Young-Bog Ham

Materials 2021, 14(11), 2866; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14112866 - 27 May 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2956

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of the packing density and particle size distribution of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of TiO₂–epoxy nanocomposites (NCs). The uniform dispersion and good interfacial bonding of TiO₂ in the epoxy resin resulted in [...] Read more.

This study investigated the effects of the packing density and particle size distribution of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of TiO₂–epoxy nanocomposites (NCs). The uniform dispersion and good interfacial bonding of TiO₂ in the epoxy resin resulted in improved mechanical properties with the addition of nanoparticles. Reinforcement nano-TiO₂ particles dispersed in deionized water produced by three different ultrasonic dispersion methods were used; the ultrasonication effects were then compared. The nano-TiO₂ suspension was added at 0.5–5.0 wt.%, and the mechanical and thermal properties of TiO₂–epoxy NCs were compared using a universal testing machine, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The tensile strength of the NCs was improved by the dispersion strengthening effect of the TiO₂ nanoparticles, and focused sonication improved the tensile strength the most when nano-TiO₂ suspensions with a particle size of 100 nm or smaller were used. Thus, the reinforcing effect of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the epoxy resin was observed, and the nano-TiO₂ suspension produced by focused sonication showed a more distinct reinforcing effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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16 pages, 6222 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Effect of Surfactant-Modified Montmorillonite on the Cross-Linking Efficiency of Polysiloxanes

by Monika Wójcik-Bania and Jakub Matusik

Materials 2021, 14(10), 2623; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14102623 - 17 May 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 1852

Abstract

Polymer–clay mineral composites are an important class of materials with various applications in the industry. Despite interesting properties of polysiloxanes, such matrices were rarely used in combination with clay minerals. Thus, for the first time, a systematic study was designed to investigate the [...] Read more.

Polymer–clay mineral composites are an important class of materials with various applications in the industry. Despite interesting properties of polysiloxanes, such matrices were rarely used in combination with clay minerals. Thus, for the first time, a systematic study was designed to investigate the cross-linking efficiency of polysiloxane networks in the presence of 2 wt % of organo-montmorillonite. Montmorillonite (Mt) was intercalated with six quaternary ammonium salts of the cation structure [(CH₃)₂R’NR]⁺, where R = C₁₂, C₁₄, C₁₆, and R’ = methyl or benzyl substituent. The intercalation efficiency was examined by X-ray diffraction, CHN elemental analysis, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Textural studies have shown that the application of freezing in liquid nitrogen and freeze-drying after the intercalation increases the specific surface area and the total pore volume of organo-Mt. The polymer matrix was a poly(methylhydrosiloxane) cross-linked with two linear vinylsiloxanes of different siloxane chain lengths between end functional groups. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies have shown that the increase in d-spacing of organo-Mt and the benzyl substituent influence the degree of nanofillers’ exfoliation in the nanocomposites. The increase in the degree of organo-Mt exfoliation reduces the efficiency of hydrosilylation reaction monitored by FTIR. This was due to physical hindrance induced by exfoliated Mt particles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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14 pages, 2532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potentiometric Sensor with High Capacity Composite Composed of Ruthenium Dioxide and Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Polystyrene Sulfonate

by Nikola Lenar, Robert Piech and Beata Paczosa-Bator

Materials 2021, 14(8), 1891; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14081891 - 10 Apr 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1687

Abstract

This work presents the first-time application of the ruthenium dioxide–poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate high-capacity composite material as a mediation layer in potassium selective electrodes, which turned out to significantly enhance the electrical and analytical parameters of the electrodes. The idea was to combine the [...] Read more.

This work presents the first-time application of the ruthenium dioxide–poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate high-capacity composite material as a mediation layer in potassium selective electrodes, which turned out to significantly enhance the electrical and analytical parameters of the electrodes. The idea was to combine the properties of two different types of materials: a conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate, and a metal oxide, ruthenium dioxide, in order to obtain the material for a solid-contact layer of great electrical and physicochemical parameters. The preparation method for composite material proposed in this work is fast and easy. The mediation layer material was examined using a scanning electron microscope and chronopotentiometry in order to confirm that all requirements for mediation layers materials were fulfilled. Ruthenium dioxide–poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate nancomposite material turned out to exhibit remarkably high electrical capacitance (of approximately 17.5 mF), which ensured great performance of designed K⁺-selective sensors. Electrodes of electrical capacity equal to 7.2 mF turned out to exhibit fast and stable (with only 0.077 mV potential change per hour) potentiometric responses in the wide range of potassium ion concentrations (10⁻⁶ M to 10⁻¹ M). The electrical capacity of ruthenium dioxide–poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate-contacted electrodes characterized by electrical capacitance parameters was the highest reported so far for this type of sensor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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Review

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19 pages, 5966 KiB

Open AccessReview

Shape Memory Materials from Rubbers

by Arunima Reghunadhan, Keloth Paduvilan Jibin, Abitha Vayyaprontavida Kaliyathan, Prajitha Velayudhan, Michał Strankowski and Sabu Thomas

Materials 2021, 14(23), 7216; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14237216 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3088

Abstract

Smart materials are much discussed in the current research scenario. The shape memory effect is one of the most fascinating occurrences in smart materials, both in terms of the phenomenon and its applications. Many metal alloys and polymers exhibit the shape memory effect [...] Read more.

Smart materials are much discussed in the current research scenario. The shape memory effect is one of the most fascinating occurrences in smart materials, both in terms of the phenomenon and its applications. Many metal alloys and polymers exhibit the shape memory effect (SME). Shape memory properties of elastomers, such as rubbers, polyurethanes, and other elastomers, are discussed in depth in this paper. The theory, factors impacting, and key uses of SME elastomers are all covered in this article. SME has been observed in a variety of elastomers and composites. Shape fixity and recovery rate are normally analysed through thermomechanical cycle studies to understand the effectiveness of SMEs. Polymer properties such as chain length, and the inclusion of fillers, such as clays, nanoparticles, and second phase polymers, will have a direct influence on the shape memory effect. The article discusses these aspects in a simple and concise manner. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials)

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