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10 pages, 2093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microfoamed Strands by 3D Foam Printing

by Daniele Tammaro, Massimiliano Maria Villone and Pier Luca Maffettone

Polymers 2022, 14(15), 3214; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14153214 - 7 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2629

Abstract

We report the design, production, and characterization of microfoamed strands by means of a green and sustainable technology that makes use of CO₂ to create ad-hoc innovative bubble morphologies. 3D foam-printing technology has been recently developed; thus, the foaming mechanism in the [...] Read more.

We report the design, production, and characterization of microfoamed strands by means of a green and sustainable technology that makes use of CO₂ to create ad-hoc innovative bubble morphologies. 3D foam-printing technology has been recently developed; thus, the foaming mechanism in the printer nozzle is not yet fully understood and controlled. We study the effects of the operating parameters of the 3D foam-printing process to control and optimize CO₂ utilization through a maximization of the foaming efficiency. The strands’ mechanical properties were measured as a function of the foam density and explained by means of an innovative model that takes into consideration the polymer’s crystallinity content. The innovative microfoamed morphologies were produced using a bio-based and compostable polymer as well as polylactic acid and were then blown with CO₂. The results of the extensive experimental campaigns show insightful maps of the bubble size, density, and crystallinity as a function of the process parameters, i.e., the CO₂ concentration and temperature. A CO₂ content of 15 wt% enables the acquirement of an incredibly low foam density of 40 kg/m³ and porosities from the macro-scale (100–900 μm) to the micro-scale (1–10 μm), depending on the temperature. The foam crystallinity content varied from 5% (using a low concentration of CO₂) to 45% (using a high concentration of CO₂). Indeed, we determined that the crystallinity content changes linearly with the CO₂ concentration. In turn, the foamed strand’s elastic modulus is strongly affected by the crystallinity content. Hence, a corrected Egli’s equation was proposed to fit the strand mechanical properties as a function of foam density. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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13 pages, 3066 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deposition Offset of Printed Foam Strands in Direct Bubble Writing

by Prasansha Rastogi, Cornelis H. Venner and Claas Willem Visser

Polymers 2022, 14(14), 2895; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14142895 - 16 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1869

Abstract

Direct Bubble Writing is a recent technique to print shape-stable 3-dimensional foams from streams of liquid bubbles. These bubbles are ejected from a core-shell nozzle, deposited on the build platform placed at a distance of approximately 10 cm below the nozzle, and photo-polymerized [...] Read more.

Direct Bubble Writing is a recent technique to print shape-stable 3-dimensional foams from streams of liquid bubbles. These bubbles are ejected from a core-shell nozzle, deposited on the build platform placed at a distance of approximately 10 cm below the nozzle, and photo-polymerized in situ. The bubbles are ejected diagonally, with a vertical velocity component equal to the ejection velocity and a horizontal velocity component equal to the motion of the printhead. Owing to the horizontal velocity component, a discrepancy exists between the nozzle trajectory and the location of the printed strand. This discrepancy can be substantial, as for high printhead velocities (500 mm/s) an offset of 8 mm (in radius) was measured. Here, we model and measure the deviation in bubble deposition location as a function of printhead velocity. The model is experimentally validated by the printing of foam patterns including a straight line, a circle, and sharp corners. The deposition offset is compensated by tuning the print path, enabling the printing of a circular path to the design specifications and printing of sharp corners with improved accuracy. These results are an essential step towards the Direct Bubble Writing of 3-dimensional polymer foam parts with high dimensional accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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13 pages, 3654 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Methodology Based on Cell-Wall Hole Analysis for the Structure-Acoustic Absorption Correlation on Polyurethane Foams

by Beatriz Merillas, Fernando Villafañe and Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Pérez

Polymers 2022, 14(9), 1807; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14091807 - 28 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2484

Abstract

Polyurethane foams with a hybrid structure between closed cell and open cell were fabricated and fully characterized. Sound absorption measurements were carried out in order to assess their acoustic performance at different frequency ranges. The cellular structure of these systems was studied in [...] Read more.

Polyurethane foams with a hybrid structure between closed cell and open cell were fabricated and fully characterized. Sound absorption measurements were carried out in order to assess their acoustic performance at different frequency ranges. The cellular structure of these systems was studied in detail by defining some novel structural parameters that characterize the cell wall openings such as the average surface of holes (S_h), the number of holes (h), and the area percentage thereof (%HCW). Therefore, these parameters allow to analyze quantitatively the effect of different structural factors on the acoustic absorption performance. It has been found that the parameters under study have a remarkable influence on the normalized acoustic absorption coefficient at different frequency ranges. In particular, it has been demonstrated that increasing the surface of the holes and the percentage of holes in the cell walls allows increasing the acoustic absorption of these types of foams, a promising statement for developing highly efficient acoustic insulators. Additionally, we could determine that a suitable minimum value of hole surface to reach the highest sound dissipation for these samples exists. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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24 pages, 31656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Light Microscopy of Medium-Density Rigid Polyurethane Foams Filled with Nanoclay

by Ilze Beverte, Ugis Cabulis, Janis Andersons, Mikelis Kirpluks, Vilis Skruls and Peteris Cabulis

Polymers 2022, 14(6), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14061154 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2312

Abstract

Practical applications and mathematical modelling of the physical and mechanical properties of medium-density rigid polyurethane foams require knowledge of their structure. It is necessary to determine structural characteristics without destroying the foams and measuring each element. A methodology is described for the use [...] Read more.

Practical applications and mathematical modelling of the physical and mechanical properties of medium-density rigid polyurethane foams require knowledge of their structure. It is necessary to determine structural characteristics without destroying the foams and measuring each element. A methodology is described for the use of light microscopy on environmentally sustainable, medium-density rigid polyurethane foams (in the density region of ≈210–230 kg/m³), by the analysis of two types of light microscopy images: (1) Cutting surface images; and (2) Through-cutting surface images. The dimensions of structural elements of polyurethane foams, filled with the nanoclay Cloisite-30B at concentrations of 0.0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%, and 5.0% from the mass of the filled reacting mixture, are estimated. Probability density functions of projections of bubbles’ diameters and struts’ length are determined using images in three mutually perpendicular planes. A mathematical model is developed for the restoration of the actual dimensions of bubbles’ diameters using data of cutting circles’ diameters. Intercalation and exfoliation of the filler’s Cloisite-30B mono-layers is evaluated via the basal spacing by X-ray diffraction at a 5 wt.% concentration of nanoclay. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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15 pages, 5518 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Attempt to Optimize Supercritical CO₂ Polyaniline-Polycaprolactone Foaming Processes to Produce Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

by Antonio Montes, Diego Valor, Laura Delgado, Clara Pereyra and Enrique Martínez de la Ossa

Polymers 2022, 14(3), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14030488 - 26 Jan 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2548

Abstract

Conjugated polymers are biomaterials with high conductivity characteristics because of their molecular composition. However, they are too rigid and brittle for medical applications and therefore need to be combined with non-conductive polymers to overcome or lessen these drawbacks. This work has, consequently, focused [...] Read more.

Conjugated polymers are biomaterials with high conductivity characteristics because of their molecular composition. However, they are too rigid and brittle for medical applications and therefore need to be combined with non-conductive polymers to overcome or lessen these drawbacks. This work has, consequently, focused on the development of three-dimensional scaffolds where conductive and non-conductive polymers have been produced by combining polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyaniline (PANI) by means of supercritical CO₂ foaming techniques. To evaluate their therapeutic potential as implants, a series of experiments have been designed to determine the most influential variables in the production of the three-dimensional scaffolds, including temperature, pressure, polymer ratio and depressurization rate. Internal morphology, porosity, expansion factor, PANI loads, biodegradability, mechanical and electrical properties have been taken as the response variables. The results revealed a strong influence from all the input variables studied, as well as from their interactions. The best operating conditions tested were 70 °C, 100 bar, a ratio of 5:1 (PCL:PANI), a depressurization rate of 20 bar/min and a contact time of 1 h. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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9 pages, 1394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Expanded Beads of High Melt Strength Polypropylene Moldable at Low Steam Pressure by Foam Extrusion

by Daniele Tammaro, Alberto Ballesteros, Claudio Walker, Norbert Reichelt and Ulla Trommsdorff

Polymers 2022, 14(1), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14010205 - 5 Jan 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3794

Abstract

We explore the foam extrusion of expanded polypropylene with a long chain branched random co-polypropylene to make its production process simpler and cheaper. The results show that the presence of long chain branches infer high melt strength and, hence, a wide foamability window. [...] Read more.

We explore the foam extrusion of expanded polypropylene with a long chain branched random co-polypropylene to make its production process simpler and cheaper. The results show that the presence of long chain branches infer high melt strength and, hence, a wide foamability window. We explored the entire window of foaming conditions (namely, temperature and pressure) by means of an ad-hoc extrusion pilot line design. It is shown that the density of the beads can be varied from 20 to 100 kg/m³ using CO₂ and isobutane as a blowing agent. The foamed beads were molded by steam-chest molding using moderate steam pressures of 0.3 to 0.35 MPa independently of the closed cell content. A characterization of the mechanical properties was performed on the molded parts. The steam molding pressure for sintering expanded polypropylene beads with a long chain branched random co-polypropylene is lower than the one usually needed for standard polypropylene beads by extrusion. The energy saving for the sintering makes the entire manufacturing processes cost efficient and can trigger new applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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11 pages, 2670 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Novel Non-Toxic Bismuth Catalyst for the Preparation of Flexible Polyurethane Foam

by Said El Khezraji, Suman Thakur, Mustapha Raihane, Miguel Angel López-Manchado, Larbi Belachemi, Raquel Verdejo and Mohammed Lahcini

Polymers 2021, 13(24), 4460; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13244460 - 20 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5751

Abstract

Foam products are one of the largest markets for polyurethane (PU) and are heavily used in many sectors. However, current PU formulations use highly toxic and environmentally unfriendly production processes. Meanwhile, the increasing environmental concerns and regulations are intensifying the research into green [...] Read more.

Foam products are one of the largest markets for polyurethane (PU) and are heavily used in many sectors. However, current PU formulations use highly toxic and environmentally unfriendly production processes. Meanwhile, the increasing environmental concerns and regulations are intensifying the research into green and non-toxic products. In this study, we synthesized flexible polyurethane foam (PUF) using different weight percentages (0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1%) of a non-toxic bismuth catalyst. The bismuth-catalyzed foams presented a well evolved cellular structure with an open cell morphology. The properties of the bismuth-catalyzed flexible PUF, such as the mechanical, morphological, kinetic and thermal behaviors, were optimized and compared with a conventional tin-catalyzed PUF. The bismuth-catalyst revealed a higher isocyanate conversion efficiency than the stannous octoate catalyst. When comparing samples with similar densities, the bismuth-catalyzed foams present better mechanical behavior than the tin-catalyzed sample with similar thermal stability. The high solubility of bismuth triflate in water, together with its high Lewis acidity, have been shown to benefit the production of PU foams. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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16 pages, 1987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Suberinic Acids as a Potential Feedstock for Polyol Synthesis: Separation and Characterization

by Janis Rizikovs, Daniela Godina, Raimonds Makars, Aigars Paze, Arnis Abolins, Anda Fridrihsone, Kristine Meile and Mikelis Kirpluks

Polymers 2021, 13(24), 4380; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13244380 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2784

Abstract

Global sustainability challenges prompt the world to modify its strategies and shift from a fossil-fuel-based economy to a bio-resources-based one and to the production of renewable biomass chemicals. Depolymerized suberinic acids (SA) were considered as an alternative resource to develop bio-polyols that can [...] Read more.

Global sustainability challenges prompt the world to modify its strategies and shift from a fossil-fuel-based economy to a bio-resources-based one and to the production of renewable biomass chemicals. Depolymerized suberinic acids (SA) were considered as an alternative resource to develop bio-polyols that can be further used in polyurethane (PU) material production. Birch (Betula pendula) outer bark was used as a raw material to obtain the SA, extracted with ethanol, and depolymerized with potassium hydroxide ethanol solution. By acidifying the filtrate to pH 5.0, 3.0, and 1.0 and drying it at 50 °C and 130 °C, 12 different SA potential feedstocks were obtained and characterized using chemical (total phenolics content, solubility in DMSO, acid, hydroxyl, and saponification number) and instrumental analytical methods (GC-MS, SEC-RID, DSC, and FTIR). Several bio-polyols were synthesized from the SA sample acidified to pH 1 and dried at 130 °C. Acid number and hydroxyl number values, the apparent viscosity and moisture content were measured. It was concluded that SA have a high enough saponification and acid value to investigate the polyol synthesis route via the esterification reaction. Moreover, SA had OH groups in their structure, which can be exploited for PU material development. The majority of SA compounds had relatively low molecular weight with <1300 Da that are suited for bio-polyol synthesis applied for rigid PU foam development. The synthesized bio-polyols had high hydroxyl number values necessary for bio-polyols to be used for rigid PU foam production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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18 pages, 27052 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Properties and Energy Absorption Characteristics of Additively Manufactured Lightweight Novel Re-Entrant Plate-Based Lattice Structures

by Sultan Al Hassanieh, Ahmed Alhantoobi, Kamran A. Khan and Muhammad A. Khan

Polymers 2021, 13(22), 3882; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13223882 - 10 Nov 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5879

Abstract

In this work, three novel re-entrant plate lattice structures (LSs) have been designed by transforming conventional truss-based lattices into hybrid-plate based lattices, namely, flat-plate modified auxetic (FPMA), vintile (FPV), and tesseract (FPT). Additive manufacturing based on stereolithography (SLA) technology was utilized to fabricate [...] Read more.

In this work, three novel re-entrant plate lattice structures (LSs) have been designed by transforming conventional truss-based lattices into hybrid-plate based lattices, namely, flat-plate modified auxetic (FPMA), vintile (FPV), and tesseract (FPT). Additive manufacturing based on stereolithography (SLA) technology was utilized to fabricate the tensile, compressive, and LS specimens with different relative densities (ρ). The base material’s mechanical properties obtained through mechanical testing were used in a finite element-based numerical homogenization analysis to study the elastic anisotropy of the LSs. Both the FPV and FPMA showed anisotropic behavior; however, the FPT showed cubic symmetry. The universal anisotropic index was found highest for FPV and lowest for FPMA, and it followed the power-law dependence of ρ. The quasi-static compressive response of the LSs was investigated. The Gibson–Ashby power law (≈ρⁿ) analysis revealed that the FPMA’s Young’s modulus was the highest with a mixed bending–stretching behavior (≈ρ^1.30), the FPV showed a bending-dominated behavior (≈ρ^3.59), and the FPT showed a stretching-dominated behavior (≈ρ^1.15). Excellent mechanical properties along with superior energy absorption capabilities were observed, with the FPT showing a specific energy absorption of 4.5 J/g, surpassing most reported lattices while having a far lower density. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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16 pages, 8296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Manipulation of Zero-Dimension and One-Dimension Hybrid Nanofillers in Multi-Layer Two-Dimension Thin Films to Construct Light Weight Electromagnetic Interference Material

by Bihui Jin, Feiran Meng, Haoyu Ma, Bowen Zhang, Pengjian Gong, Chul B. Park and Guangxian Li

Polymers 2021, 13(19), 3278; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13193278 - 26 Sep 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2273

Abstract

Nanocomposite foam with a large expansion ratio and thin cell walls is promising for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, due to the low electromagnetic (EM) reflection and high EM absorption. To overcome the dimensional limitation from two-dimension (2D) thin walls on the construction [...] Read more.

Nanocomposite foam with a large expansion ratio and thin cell walls is promising for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, due to the low electromagnetic (EM) reflection and high EM absorption. To overcome the dimensional limitation from two-dimension (2D) thin walls on the construction of conductive network, a strategy combining hybrid conductive nanofillers in semi-crystalline matrix together with supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) foaming was applied: (1) one-dimension (1D) CNTs with moderate aspect ratio was used to minimize the dimensional confinement from 2D thin walls while constructing the main EM absorbing network; (2) zero-dimension (0D) carbon black (CB) with no dimensional confinement was used to connect the separated CNTs in thin walls and to expand the EM absorbing network; (3) scCO₂ foaming was applied to obtain a cellular structure with multi-layer thin walls and a large amount of air cells to reduce the reflected EM; (4) semi-crystalline polymer was selected so that the rheological behavior could be adjusted by optimizing crystallization and filler content to regulate the cellular structure. Consequently, an advanced material featured as lightweight, high EM absorption and low EM reflection was obtained at 0.48 vol.% hybrid nanofillers and a density of 0.067 g/cm³, whose specific EMI shielding performance was 183 dB cm³/g. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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19 pages, 3722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modification of Mechanical and Electromechanical Resonances of Cellular Ferroelectret Films Depending on the External Load

by Julio Quirce Aguilar and Tomás Gómez Álvarez-Arenas

Polymers 2021, 13(19), 3239; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13193239 - 24 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1572

Abstract

Ferroelectret films are cellular polymers with electrically charged pores that exhibit piezoelectric response. Among other applications, ferroelectret films have been widely used as active elements in air-coupled ultrasonic transducers. More recently, they have also been tested in water immersion. They show a promising [...] Read more.

Ferroelectret films are cellular polymers with electrically charged pores that exhibit piezoelectric response. Among other applications, ferroelectret films have been widely used as active elements in air-coupled ultrasonic transducers. More recently, they have also been tested in water immersion. They show a promising wide frequency band response, but a poor sensitivity produced by the disappearance of the electromechanical resonances. This paper studies in detail the modification of FE films response when put into water immersion, both the mechanical and the electromechanical responses (the latter in transmission and reception modes). The lack of electromechanical thickness resonances when the films are put into water is explained as the result of the different profile of the modification of the polarization vector along the film thickness imposed by the large mechanical load produced by the water. This different electromechanical response can also be the reason for the subtle modification of the mechanical thickness resonances that is also observed and analyzed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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14 pages, 4770 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Foaming Window for Thermoplastic Polyurethane with Different Hard Segment Contents

by Mercedes Santiago-Calvo, Haneen Naji, Victoria Bernardo, Judith Martín-de León, Alberto Saiani, Fernando Villafañe and Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Pérez

Polymers 2021, 13(18), 3143; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13183143 - 17 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4254

Abstract

A series of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) with different amounts of hard segments (HS) (40, 50 and 60 wt.%) are synthesized by a pre-polymer method. These synthesized TPUs are characterized by Shore hardness, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray [...] Read more.

A series of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) with different amounts of hard segments (HS) (40, 50 and 60 wt.%) are synthesized by a pre-polymer method. These synthesized TPUs are characterized by Shore hardness, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and rheology. Then, these materials are foamed by a one-step gas dissolution foaming process and the processing window that allows producing homogeneous foams is analyzed. The effect of foaming temperature from 140 to 180 °C on the cellular structure and on density is evaluated, fixing a saturation pressure of 20 MPa and a saturation time of 1 h. Among the TPUs studied, only that with 50 wt.% HS allows obtaining a stable foam, whose better features are reached after foaming at 170 °C. Finally, the foaming of TPU with 50 wt.% HS is optimized by varying the saturation pressure from 10 to 25 MPa at 170 °C. The optimum saturation and foaming conditions are 25 MPa and 170 °C for 1 h, which gives foams with the lowest relative density of 0.74, the smallest average cell size of 4 μm, and the higher cell nucleation density of 8.0 × 109 nuclei/cm³. As a final conclusion of this investigation, the TPU with 50 wt.% HS is the only one that can be foamed under the saturation and foaming conditions used in this study. TPU foams containing 50 wt.% HS with a cell size below 15 microns and porosity of 1.4–18.6% can be obtained using foaming temperatures from 140 to 180 °C, saturation pressure of 20 MPa, and saturation time of 1 h. Varying the saturation pressure from 10 to 25 MPa and fixing the foaming temperature of 170 °C and saturation pressure of 1 h results in TPU foams with a cell size of below 37 microns and porosity of 1.7–21.2%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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12 pages, 2295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tannin-Furanic Foams Formed by Mechanical Agitation: Influence of Surfactant and Ingredient Ratios

by Thomas Sepperer, Primož Šket, Alexander Petutschnigg and Nicola Hüsing

Polymers 2021, 13(18), 3058; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13183058 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2710

Abstract

With increasing demand of alternatives to oil-based lightweight materials, the development of tannin-based foams is getting more and more attention. In this paper, an alternative to traditionally used solvent-evaporation in the production of tannin-foams is presented. Mixing the tannin-furanic resin with different amounts [...] Read more.

With increasing demand of alternatives to oil-based lightweight materials, the development of tannin-based foams is getting more and more attention. In this paper, an alternative to traditionally used solvent-evaporation in the production of tannin-foams is presented. Mixing the tannin-furanic resin with different amounts of ionic and non-ionic surfactants at high agitational speed allows for the formation of highly porous, mechanically stable tannin-foams. Investigations on the influence of surfactant type and ingredient ratios on the foaming behavior and properties of the final foams were conducted. Materials obtained via this route do present extraordinary compression resistance (about 0.8 MPa), good thermal insulation (40 mW/m·K) and are suitable as a wastewater treatment agent at the end-of-life. It was shown that during mechanical blowing, homogeneous cross-sections and almost perfectly round pores form, leading to the high compression resistance. Investigations by means of Fourier transform infrared and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy show that the milder reaction environment leads to more linear poly(furfuryl alcohol)-tannin chains. This new type of tannin foam allows for use in various different fields of application ranging from durable building insulation to wastewater treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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17 pages, 6228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shape Memory Composite Sandwich Structures with Self-Healing Properties

by Fabrizio Quadrini, Denise Bellisario, Leandro Iorio, Loredana Santo, Panagiotis Pappas, Nikolaos Koutroumanis, George Anagnostopoulos and Costas Galiotis

Polymers 2021, 13(18), 3056; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13183056 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3367

Abstract

In this study, Polyurea/Formaldehyde (PUF) microcapsules containing Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) as a healing substance were fabricated in situ and mixed at relatively low concentrations (<2 wt%) with a thermosetting polyurethane (PU) foam used in turn as the core of a sandwich structure. The shape [...] Read more.

In this study, Polyurea/Formaldehyde (PUF) microcapsules containing Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) as a healing substance were fabricated in situ and mixed at relatively low concentrations (<2 wt%) with a thermosetting polyurethane (PU) foam used in turn as the core of a sandwich structure. The shape memory (SM) effect depended on the combination of the behavior of the PU foam core and the shape memory polymer composite (SMPC) laminate skins. SMPC laminates were manufactured by moulding commercial carbon fiber-reinforced (CFR) prepregs with a SM polymer interlayer. At first, PU foam samples, with and without microcapsules, were mechanically tested. After, PU foam was inserted into the SMPC sandwich structure. Damage tests were carried out by compression and bending to deform and break the PU foam cells, and then assess the structure self-healing (SH) and recovery capabilities. Both SM and SH responses were rapid and thermally activated (120 °C). The CFR-SMPC skins and the PU foam core enable the sandwich to exhibit excellent SM properties with a shape recovery ratio up to 99% (initial configuration recovery). Moreover, the integration of microcapsules (0.5 wt%) enables SH functionality with a structural restoration up to 98%. This simple process makes this sandwich structure ideal for different industrial applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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27 pages, 6592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Capture Utilization for Biopolymer Foam Manufacture: Thermal, Mechanical and Acoustic Performance of PCL/PHBV CO₂ Foams

by Kayode E. Oluwabunmi, Weihuan Zhao and Nandika Anne D’Souza

Polymers 2021, 13(15), 2559; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13152559 - 31 Jul 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2955

Abstract

Biopolymer foams manufactured using CO₂ enables a novel intersection for economic, environmental, and ecological impact but limited CO₂ solubility remains a challenge. PHBV has low solubility in CO₂ while PCL has high CO₂ solubility. In this paper, PCL is [...] Read more.

Biopolymer foams manufactured using CO₂ enables a novel intersection for economic, environmental, and ecological impact but limited CO₂ solubility remains a challenge. PHBV has low solubility in CO₂ while PCL has high CO₂ solubility. In this paper, PCL is used to blend into PBHV. Both unfoamed and foamed blends are examined. Foaming the binary blends at two depressurization stages with subcritical CO₂ as the blowing agent, produced open-cell and closed-cell foams with varying cellular architecture at different PHBV concentrations. Differential Scanning Calorimetry results showed that PHBV had some solubility in PCL and foams developed a PCL rich, PHBV rich and mixed phase. Scanning Electron Microscopy and pcynometry established cell size and density which reflected benefits of PCL presence. Acoustic performance showed limited benefits from foaming but mechanical performance of foams showed a significant impact from PHBV presence in PCL. Thermal performance reflected that foams were affected by the blend thermal conductivity, but the impact was significantly higher in the foams than in the unfoamed blends. The results provide a pathway to multifunctional performance in foams of high performance biopolymers such as PBHV through harnessing the CO₂ miscibility of PCL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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14 pages, 6717 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Foamability of Cellulose Palmitate Using Various Physical Blowing Agents in the Extrusion Process

by Teijo Rokkonen, Pia Willberg-Keyriläinen, Jarmo Ropponen and Tero Malm

Polymers 2021, 13(15), 2416; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13152416 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3489

Abstract

Polymer foams are widely used in several fields such as thermal insulation, acoustics, automotive, and packaging. The most widely used polymer foams are made of polyurethane, polystyrene, and polyethylene but environmental awareness is boosting interest towards alternative bio-based materials. In this study, the [...] Read more.

Polymer foams are widely used in several fields such as thermal insulation, acoustics, automotive, and packaging. The most widely used polymer foams are made of polyurethane, polystyrene, and polyethylene but environmental awareness is boosting interest towards alternative bio-based materials. In this study, the suitability of bio-based thermoplastic cellulose palmitate for extrusion foaming was studied. Isobutane, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and nitrogen (N₂) were tested as blowing agents in different concentrations. Each of them enabled cellulose palmitate foam formation. Isobutane foams exhibited the lowest density with the largest average cell size and nitrogen foams indicated most uniform cell morphology. The effect of die temperature on foamability was further studied with isobutane (3 wt%) as a blowing agent. Die temperature had a relatively low impact on foam density and the differences were mainly encountered with regard to surface quality and cell size distribution. This study demonstrates that cellulose palmitate can be foamed but to produce foams with greater quality, the material homogeneity needs to be improved and researched further. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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12 pages, 4276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cyclic Gas Dissolution Foaming as an Approach for Simultaneously Reducing Cell Size and Relative Density in Nanocellular PMMA

by Judith Martín-de León, Victoria Bernardo and Miguel Ángel Rodriguez-Perez

Polymers 2021, 13(14), 2383; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13142383 - 20 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2186

Abstract

A new approach to produce nanocellular polymers combining small cell sizes with low relative densities is presented herein. This production method, based on gas dissolution foaming, consists of performing a double saturation and foaming cycle. Thus, nanocellular polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has been produced through [...] Read more.

A new approach to produce nanocellular polymers combining small cell sizes with low relative densities is presented herein. This production method, based on gas dissolution foaming, consists of performing a double saturation and foaming cycle. Thus, nanocellular polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has been produced through a first saturation at different saturation conditions (6, 10, and 20 MPa and −32 °C), at constant foaming conditions (60 °C for 1 min). Then, the nanocellular PMMAs obtained from the previous step were again saturated at different saturation conditions, 10 MPa 24 °C, 31 MPa 24 °C, 35 MPa 22 °C, and 6 MPa −15 °C and foamed at different temperatures (40, 80 and 100 °C) for 1 min. This new approach allows the cells created in the first saturation and foaming cycle to further grow in the second cycle. This fact permits producing nanocellular polymethylmethacrylate sheets combining, for the first time in the literature, cell sizes of 24 nm with relative densities of 0.3. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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Thermal Conductivity of Nanoporous Materials: Where Is the Limit?

by Beatriz Merillas, João Pedro Vareda, Judith Martín-de León, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Pérez and Luisa Durães

Polymers 2022, 14(13), 2556; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14132556 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3657

Abstract

Nowadays, our society is facing problems related to energy availability. Owing to the energy savings that insulators provide, the search for effective insulating materials is a focus of interest. Since the current insulators do not meet the increasingly strict requirements, developing materials with [...] Read more.

Nowadays, our society is facing problems related to energy availability. Owing to the energy savings that insulators provide, the search for effective insulating materials is a focus of interest. Since the current insulators do not meet the increasingly strict requirements, developing materials with a greater insulating capacity is needed. Until now, several nanoporous materials have been considered as superinsulators achieving thermal conductivities below that of the air 26 mW/(m K), like nanocellular PMMA/TPU, silica aerogels, and polyurethane aerogels reaching 24.8, 10, and 12 mW/(m K), respectively. In the search for the minimum thermal conductivity, still undiscovered, the first step is understanding heat transfer in nanoporous materials. The main features leading to superinsulation are low density, nanopores, and solid interruptions hindering the phonon transfer. The second crucial condition is obtaining reliable thermal conductivity measurement techniques. This review summarizes these techniques, and data in the literature regarding the structure and thermal conductivity of two nanoporous materials, nanocellular polymers and aerogels. The key conclusion of this analysis specifies that only steady-state methods provide a reliable value for thermal conductivity of superinsulators. Finally, a theoretical discussion is performed providing a detailed background to further explore the lower limit of superinsulation to develop more efficient materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellular Polymers)

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