Viscoelastic, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Melt-Processed Poly (ε-Caprolactone) (PCL)/Hydroxyapatite (HAP) Composites

Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/hydroxyapatite (HAP) composites represent a novel material with desired properties for various applications. In this work, PCL/HAP composites at low loadings were developed through melt-extrusion processing. The effects of HAP loading on viscoelastic, thermal, structural, and mechanical properties of PCL were examined. The morphological analysis revealed better dispersion of HAP at low loadings, while aggregation was noticed at high concentrations. The complex viscosity of the prepared composites increased with increasing concentration of HAP. In addition, a significant decrease in crystallinity was observed upon increase in HAP loading. However, the elongation at break increased with increasing the concentration of HAP, probably due to a decrease in crystallinity. The onset thermal degradation temperature of PCL was enhanced at low concentrations of HAP, whereas a decrease was observed at high loading. Overall, different degrees of HAP dispersion resulted into specific property improvement.

Utilizing an electrical low-pressure impactor to indirectly probe water uptake via particle bounce measurements

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA), formed through oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), displays complex viscosity and phase behaviors influenced by temperature, relative humidity (RH), and chemical composition. Here, the efficacy of a multi-stage electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI) for indirect water uptake measurements was studied for ammonium sulfate (AS) aerosol, sucrose aerosol, and α-pinene-derived SOA. All three aerosol systems were subjected to greater than 90 % chamber relative humidity, with subsequent analysis indicating persistence of particle bounce for sucrose aerosol of 70 nm (initial dry diameter) and α-pinene-derived SOA of number geometric mean diameters between 39 and 136 nm (initial dry diameter). On the other hand, sucrose aerosol of 190 nm (initial dry diameter) and AS aerosol down to 70 nm (initial dry diameter) exhibited no particle bounce at elevated RH. Partial drying of aerosol within the lower diameter ELPI impaction stages, where inherent and significant RH reductions occur, is proposed as one explanation for particle bounce persistence.

Rheological behavior of honey adulterated with agave, maple, corn, rice and inverted sugar syrups

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different adulteration agents (agave, maple, corn, rice and inverted sugar) on honey rheology. There was studied the influence of different percentages of adulteration agent on steady state and dynamic state rheology but also on rheology in the negative temperature domain. The authentic honey and adulterated ones behaved as a Newtonian fluid with a liquid-like behavior (Gʺ>>Gʹ). Regarding the physicochemical parameters analyzed (moisture and sugar content), significant changes depending on the adulteration agent/degree used were observed. The viscoelastical parameters (η*—complex viscosity, Gʹ —elastic modulus and Gʺ—viscous modulus) and glass transition temperature (Tg) were predicted in function of the chemical composition (moisture content, glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, raffinose, trehalose, turanose, melesitose, and F/G ratio) using the PLS-R (partial least square regression). All parameters analyzed had a high regression coefficient for calibration (> 0.810) and validation (> 0.790), except for the elastic modulus.

Artificial Extracellular Matrices Containing Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles Promote Osteogenic Differentiation in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The present study analyzes the capacity of collagen (coll)/sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG)-based surface coatings containing bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGN) in promoting the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stroma cells (hMSC). Physicochemical characteristics of these coatings and their effects on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hMSC were investigated. BGN were stably incorporated into the artificial extracellular matrices (aECM). Oscillatory rheology showed predominantly elastic, gel-like properties of the coatings. The complex viscosity increased depending on the GAG component and was further elevated by adding BGN. BGN-containing aECM showed a release of silicon ions as well as an uptake of calcium ions. hMSC were able to proliferate on coll and coll/sGAG coatings, while cellular growth was delayed on aECM containing BGN. However, a stimulating effect of BGN on ALP activity and calcium deposition was shown. Furthermore, a synergistic effect of sGAG and BGN was found for some donors. Our findings demonstrated the promising potential of aECM and BGN combinations in promoting bone regeneration. Still, future work is required to further optimize the BGN/aECM combination for increasing its combined osteogenic effect.

The combined plasticization of jute and tung oil anhydride for jute fiber reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites

In this work, novel plasticizing biodegradable poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composites were prepared by melt blending of jute and tung oil anhydride (TOA), and the physical and mechanical properties of PLA/jute/TOA composites were tested and characterized. The impact strength of PLA/jute/TOA composites significantly increases with increasing the content of TOA. The SEM images of fracture surface of PLA/jute/TOA composites become rough after the incorporation of TOA. In addition, TOA changes the crystallization temperature and decomposition process of PLA/jute/TOA composites. With increasing the amount of TOA, the value of storage modulus (E′) of PLA/jute/TOA composites gradually increases. The complex viscosity (η*) values for all samples reduce obviously with increasing the frequency, which means that the pure PLA and PLA/jute/TOA composites is typical pseudoplastic fluid. This is attributed to the formation of crosslinking, which restricts the deformation of the composites.

Elastic-viscous properties of acrylic acid 2-propenamide gel

The rheological properties of the gel-like material, the monomer of which is a crosslinked and modified 2-propenamide of acrylic acid, were determined by relaxation rheometry methods. The values of its elastic modulus and modulus of losses and complex viscosity depending on: deforming stress and its frequency are determined; relative deformation; temperature in the range (20-100) ° C and the regularities of these dependences are noted. It is established that: 1) the dependence of the modulus of elasticity (G'); modulus of loss (G'') and complex viscosity from: relative deformation; voltage; temperature; frequencies indicate that in the linear scale they change according to nonlinear dependencies, and in the transition to the logarithmic scale contain plateau-like areas; 2) analytical dependences of the above parameters on stress, strain rate and temperature are complex and difficult to establish; 3) in the range (20-80) ° C and relative deformations (10-100)% hydrogel has a virtually unchanged value of the modulus (G ') ten times greater than the modulus (G' '), whichdetermines the uniqueness of its rheological and biophysical properties ; 4) in the region (20-80) ° C hydrogel in terms of modulus of elasticity and tangent of the angle of loss is close to a completely elastic body; 5) when the frequency of the deforming voltage is more than 15.8 Hz and the relative deformation ≥100%, the gel is brittlely deformed; while the modulus of its elasticity decreases abruptly and the modulus of losses increases rapidly with increasing frequency of the deforming stress. 6) the dependence of the elastic-viscosity characteristics of the samples washed and unwashed in saline gel in the temperature range (20-80) ° C differ little and indicate that the equilibrium structure of the hydrogel 2-propenamide acrylic acid belongs to the typical colloidal dispersed structure of gelatinous substances.

The elastics – viscosity propertis of printing role offset inks according to relacxation rheometry

Dire relacxation rheometry methods carried out quantitative measurements and established quvalitative patterns of the dependencies of the main elastic-viscous characteristics for the Cybo black ink system in the temperature range of ( 293-333)°K of its technological resistence, namely : the equilibrium elastic modulus and the angle loss modulus and loss angle tangent; complex viscosity and full reological flow curves of the first shear rate and second (viscosity) of the species; degree of destraction of elastic and viscous properties depending on the value: shear stress; shear strain rate ; relative or absolute deformation on the sample and its temperature.

Effect of Processing Temperature and the Content of Carbon Nanotubes on the Properties of Nanocomposites Based on Polyphenylene Sulfide

The study aimed to investigate the effect of processing temperature and the content of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the rheological, thermal, and electrical properties of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)/MWCNT nanocomposites. It was observed that the increase in MWCNT content influenced the increase of the complex viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus. The microscopic observations showed that with an increase in the amount of MWCNTs, the areal ratio of their agglomerates decreases. Thermogravimetric analysis showed no effect of processing temperature and MWCNT content on thermal stability; however, an increase in stability was observed as compared to neat PPS. The differential scanning calorimetry was used to assess the influence of MWCNT addition on the crystallization phenomenon of PPS. The calorimetry showed that with increasing MWCNT content, the degree of crystallinity and crystallization temperature rises. Thermal diffusivity tests proved that with an increase in the processing temperature and the content of MWCNTs, the diffusivity also increases and declines at higher testing temperatures. The resistivity measurements showed that the conductivity of the PPS/MWCNT nanocomposite increases with the increase in MWCNT content. The processing temperature did not affect resistivity.

Curing characteristics and rheological properties of bentonite- filled rubber blends

The study deals with the examination of the rheological behaviour of rubber blends which were filled with bentonite. The filler - polymer as well as the filler - filler interactions were studied and determined from the frequency sweep and strain sweep rheological measurements. The used natural bentonite was extracted from the locality called Jelsovy Potok. The natural bentonite had a fine fraction with a particle size of 15μm a 45 μm and it was added into rubber blends as a partial replacement of commonly used filler. The rubber blends were characterised on the basis of curing characteristics (minimum torque ML, maximum torque MH, optimum time of cure t(c90), processing safety of blend ts,). Moreover, the complex viscosity and Payne effect were also specified. The required measurements were done by using PRPA 2000.

Rheological Properties of HDPE based Thermoplastic Polymeric Nanocomposite Reinforced with Multidimensional Carbon-based Nanofillers

The present investigation focused on the evaluation of rheological properties HDPE reinforced with equal weight percentage (i.e., 0.1 wt. %) of Nano-diamond (0D), Carbon nanotubes (1D), and Graphite Nano-platelets (2D) multidimensional nanofillers. The results like storage modulus, loss modulus, Tan delta, and complex viscosity results expounded from the rheological test with a frequency sweep from 10-1 to 102 rad/s. The highest storage modulus was perceived by 0.1 CNT-based composites, i.e., 18408 Pa, which decreased to 19, 52, and 85 % for 0.1 GNP, 0.1 ND, and pure, respectively. A similar trend was observed for loss modulus and damping factor results. The shear-thinning behavior observed in viscosity results and the addition of ND nanofillers improve the viscosity to a large amount. The potential applications of the composites include polymer gears, landing mats, cams, and various functional elements.