High Strength, Epoxy Cross-Linked High Sulfur Content Polymers from One-Step Reactive Compatibilization Inverse Vulcanization

Inverse vulcanization provides a simple, solvent-free method for the preparation of high sulfur content polymers using elemental sulfur, a byproduct of refining processes, as feedstock. Despite the successful demonstration of...

Reactive Compatibilization of Poly(Butylene Succinate)/Soy Protein Isolate Bio-Composites By Peroxide And Diacrylate Via Melt Blending

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/soy protein isolate (SPI) bio-composites were reactive compatibilized by adding dibenzoyl peroxide (BPO) and hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) via melt blending in an internal mixer. The structure and properties of composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Soxhlet extraction experiments, dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA), rheological tests, contact angle measurements, thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), mechanical tests and water absorption tests. The results show that a branched graft copolymer (SPI-g-HDDA-g-PBS) was produced with the aid of BPO and HDDA via melt blending, which served as the compatibilizer and improved the compatibility and enhanced the adhesion between PBS matrix and SPI phase by forming a network structure in the composites. The crystal form of PBS was not changed in the composites. The melt viscocity and elasticity, hydrophobicity, thermal stability, crystallinity, tensile strength and water resistance of PBS/SPI-HDDA/BPO composites were improved compared with PBS/SPI composites.

Morphological and thermal characterization of an immiscible catalyzed polymer blends (PC/PET)

The aim is to study the reactive compatibilization of two immiscible thermoplastic polyesters, namely polycarbonate (PC) and poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), by transesterification reactions through melt compounding. For this, a catalyst, which is hydrated samarium acetylacetonate (Sm(acac)3), is incorporated with concentrations of 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 phr into the 70PC/30PET mixture. The characterization of the PC/PET blends by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that, the transesterification reactions in the absence of catalyst are undetectable or practically impossible; however, by increasing the catalyst concentration, significant variations are noticed on the thermal properties. These modifications, due to the interfacial reactions between the two phases of the system, were also evidenced by variations in morphological properties observed after the study of atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Reactive compatibilization of biodegradable PLA/TPU blends via hybrid nanoparticle

In this study, the compatibilization effects of triglycidylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (TEpPOSS) on biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blends were investigated. All blends were prepared via melt blending and PLA/TPU (80/20, 70/30, 50/50 wt%) ratio was selected as the experimental parameter. In order to predict the selective localization of TEpPOSS thermodynamically, wetting coefficient were determined by means of surface energy measurements. Morphological analyses were carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, rheological, mechanical, thermomechanical and thermal properties of the blends were performed via rheometer, universal tensile tester, dynamic mechanic analyses and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), respectively. Morphological test results revealed that TEpPOSSs were mostly located at the interfaces of the PLA and TPU phases. According to the rheological studies, the interfacial interactions between PLA and TPU were improved with the addition of TEpPOSS, which resulted from the potential reactions between epoxy-carboxylic acid and/or epoxy-hydroxyl functional groups. The addition of TEpPOSS enhanced the mechanical properties of PLA/TPU blends. DSC test results revealed a decrease in the glass transition temperatures of PLA in the presence of TEpPOSS, which was an another indication of improved compatibility between PLA and TPU.