scholarly journals Preparation of Transparent Fast-Growing Poplar Veneers with a Superior Optical Performance, Excellent Mechanical Properties, and Thermal Insulation by Acetylation Modification Using a Green Catalyst

Polymers ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Wen He ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Feiyu Guo ◽  
Jizhou Cao ◽  
Zhihao Guo ◽  
...  

There has been growing interest in transparent conductive substrates due to the prevailing flexible electron devices and the need for sustainable resources. In this study, we demonstrated a transparent fast-growing poplar veneers prepared by acetylated modification, followed by the infiltration of epoxy resin. The work mainly focused on the effect of acetylation treatment using a green catalyst of 4-Dimethylpyridine on the interface of the bulk fast-growing poplar veneer, and the result indicated that the interface hydrophobicity was greatly enhanced due to the higher substitute of acetyl groups; therefore, the interface compatibility between the cell wall and epoxy resin was improved. The obtained transparent fast-growing poplar veneers, hereafter referred to as TADPV, displayed a superior optical performance and flexibility, in which the light transmittance and haze were 90% and 70% at a wavelength of 550 nm, respectively, and the bending radius and bending angle parallel to grain of TADPV were 2 mm and 130°, respectively. Moreover, the tensile strength and tensile modulus of the TADPV were around 102 MPa and 198 MPa, respectively, which is significantly better than those of the plastic substrates used in flexible electron devices. At the same time, the thermal conductivity tests indicated that TADPV has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity of 0.34 Wm−1 K−1, which can completely meet the needs of transparent conductive substrates. Therefore, the obtained TADPV can be used as a candidate for a flexible transparent substrate of electron devices.

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1790
Author(s):  
Francesco Galvagnini ◽  
Andrea Dorigato ◽  
Luca Fambri ◽  
Giulia Fredi ◽  
Alessandro Pegoretti

Syntactic foams (SFs) combining an epoxy resin and hollow glass microspheres (HGM) feature a unique combination of low density, high mechanical properties, and low thermal conductivity which can be tuned according to specific applications. In this work, the versatility of epoxy/HGM SFs was further expanded by adding a microencapsulated phase change material (PCM) providing thermal energy storage (TES) ability at a phase change temperature of 43 °C. At this aim, fifteen epoxy (HGM/PCM) compositions with a total filler content (HGM + PCM) of up to 40 vol% were prepared and characterized. The experimental results were fitted with statistical models, which resulted in ternary diagrams that visually represented the properties of the ternary systems and simplified trend identification. Dynamic rheological tests showed that the PCM increased the viscosity of the epoxy resin more than HGM due to the smaller average size (20 µm vs. 60 µm) and that the systems containing both HGM and PCM showed lower viscosity than those containing only one filler type, due to the higher packing efficiency of bimodal filler distributions. HGM strongly reduced the gravimetric density and the thermal insulation properties. In fact, the sample with 40 vol% of HGM showed a density of 0.735 g/cm3 (−35% than neat epoxy) and a thermal conductivity of 0.12 W/(m∙K) (−40% than neat epoxy). Moreover, the increase in the PCM content increased the specific phase change enthalpy, which was up to 68 J/g for the sample with 40 vol% of PCM, with a consequent improvement in the thermal management ability that was also evidenced by temperature profiling tests in transient heating and cooling regimes. Finally, dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) showed that both fillers decreased the storage modulus but generally increased the storage modulus normalized by density (E′/ρ) up to 2440 MPa/(g/cm3) at 25 °C with 40 vol% of HGM (+48% than neat epoxy). These results confirmed that the main asset of these ternary multifunctional syntactic foams is their versatility, as the composition can be tuned to reach the property set that best matches the application requirements in terms of TES ability, thermal insulation, and low density.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002199832110316
Author(s):  
Nuno Gama ◽  
B Godinho ◽  
Ana Barros-Timmons ◽  
Artur Ferreira

In this study polyurethane (PU) residues were mixed with residues of textile fibers (cotton, wool and synthetic fibers up to 70 wt/wt) to produce 100% recycled composites. In addition, the effect of the type of fiber on the performance of the ensuing composites was evaluated. The presence of fibers showed similar effect on the density, reducing the density in the 5.5-9.0% range. In a similar manner, the addition of fillers decreased their thermal conductivity. The 70 wt/wt wool composite presented 38.1% lower thermal conductivity when compared to the neat matrix, a reduction that was similar for the other type of fibers. Moreover, the presence of fillers yields stiffer materials, especially in the case of the Wool based composites, which with 70 wt/wt of filler content increased the tensile modulus of the ensuing material 3.4 times. This was attributed to the aspect ratio and stiffness of this type of fiber. Finally, the high-water absorption and lower thermal stability observed, especially in the case of the natural fibers, was associated with the hydrophilic nature of fibers and porosity of composites. Overall, the results suggest that these textile-based composites are suitable for construction and automotive applications, with the advantage of being produced from 100% recycled raw-materials, without compromised performance.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2013
Author(s):  
Zhong Wu ◽  
Jingyun Chen ◽  
Qifeng Li ◽  
Da-Hai Xia ◽  
Yida Deng ◽  
...  

By modifying the bonding of graphene (GR) and Fe3O4, a stable structure of GR-Fe3O4, namely magnetic GR, was obtained. Under the induction of a magnetic field, it can be orientated in an epoxy resin (EP) matrix, thus preparing EP/GR-Fe3O4 composites. The effects of the content of GR and the degree of orientation on the thermal conductivity of the composites were investigated, and the most suitable Fe3O4 load on GR was obtained. When the mass ratio of GR and Fe3O4 was 2:1, the thermal conductivity could be increased by 54.8% compared with that of pure EP. Meanwhile, EP/GR-Fe3O4 composites had a better thermal stability, dynamic thermomechanical properties, and excellent electrical insulation properties, which can meet the requirements of electronic packaging materials.


2021 ◽  
Vol 412 ◽  
pp. 128647
Author(s):  
Jingjing Meng ◽  
Pengfei Chen ◽  
Rui Yang ◽  
Linli Dai ◽  
Cheng Yao ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tariq Aziz ◽  
Hong Fan ◽  
Xiangwei Zhang ◽  
Farman Ullah Khan ◽  
Shah Fahad ◽  
...  

AbstractThe adhesive properties of a self-prepared bio-based epoxy resin with native cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are evaluated in this article. The porosity of actual CNCs is high. The most promising finding is the acquisition of high tensile modulus. The addition of CNC composites significantly increased the tensile modulus at lower wt.%, and the maximum crystallinity of CNCs was obtained. Bearing in mind the advantages of CNCs, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a uniform distribution of concentrated CNCs. Clusters were formed at higher CNCs ratios, and the composite matrix content with high CNCs produced good expansion, low crystallinity, and increased elongation. Our analysis showed that the original CNCs were more evenly distributed in the self-prepared bio-based epoxy resin, which enhanced transformation, supported by improved dispersion of native CNCs. The presence of native CNCs greatly improved and enhanced the bonding performance of the bio-based epoxy resin in the interface area. Enhancing the mechanical properties of native CNCs has broad application prospects in environmental areas. This suggests that the widespread use of native CNCs in environmental engineering applications is feasible, especially in terms of adhesives properties.


RSC Advances ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (38) ◽  
pp. 23355-23362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Huang ◽  
Xiaoliang Zeng ◽  
Yimin Yao ◽  
Rong Sun ◽  
Fanling Meng ◽  
...  

In recent decades, significant attention has been focused on developing composite materials with high thermal conductivity utilizing h-BN, which has outstanding thermal conductivity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 51654
Author(s):  
Huawei Qiao ◽  
Xiuhuang Lin ◽  
Wei Zhong ◽  
Jiashui Lan ◽  
Huagui Zhang ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 546-549 ◽  
pp. 1581-1584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiu Peng Zhao ◽  
Deng Teng Ge ◽  
Sai Lei Zhang ◽  
Xi Long Wei

Silica aerogel/epoxy composite, a kind of efficient thermal insulation material, was prepared by doping silica aerogel of different sizes into epoxy resin through thermocuring process. The results of thermal experiments showed that silica aerogel/epoxy composite had a lower thermal conductivity (0.105W/(m·k) at 60 wt% silica aerogel) and higher serviceability temperature (Martens heat distortion temperature: 160°C at 20 wt% silica aerogel). In addition, the composite doping larger size (0.2-2mm) of silica aerogel particle had lower thermal conductivity and higher Martens heat distortion temperature. Based on the results of SEM and FT-IR, the thermal transfer model was established. Thermal transfer mechanism and the reasons of higher Martens heat distortion temperature have been discussed respectively.


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