Thermoplastic elastomers are a special class of polymeric materials that combine the properties of thermo plasticity during processing and rubber-like behaviour in service. They can be processed in conventional plastic processing equipment, such as twin screw extruders, internal batch mixers, extruders and injection moulding machine, but exhibit vulcanized rubber like ultimate properties (i.e. ...

We employed an easy and direct method to measure the thermal conductivity of epoxy in the liquid (nanofluid) and solid (nanocomposite) states using both rodlike and platelet-like carbon-based nanostructures. Comparing the experimental results with the theoretical model, an anomalous enhancement was obtained with multiwall carbon nanotubes, probably due to their layered structure and lowest surf...

The preparation of a high-strength and highly transparent nacre-like nanocomposite via layer-by-layer assembly technique from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Na+-montmorillonite clay nanosheets is reported in this article. We show that a high density of weak bonding interactions between the polymer and the clay particles: hydrogen, dipole-induced dipole, and van der Waals undergoing break-reform ...

Hollow-structured g-C3N4 polymers with a high thermal stability up to 550 °C and an enhanced photocatalytic activity have been developed by post-annealing treatment, which effectively modifies the textural, crystal, and electronic properties of the g-C3N4 semiconductors without extra chemical assistance. This is a unique example of thermally and chemically stable conjugated polymers with hollow...

Aqueous suspensions of polysaccharide (cellulose, chitin or starch) nanocrystals can be prepared by acid hydrolysis of biomass. The main problem with their practical use is related to the homogeneous dispersion of these nanoparticles within a polymeric matrix. Water is the preferred processing medium. A new and interesting way for the processing of polysaccharide nanocrystals-based nanocomposit...

In previous part of this work factors influencing the thermal stability of polymer nanocomposite materials were indicated, such as chemical constitution of organic modifier, filler content, nanocomposites’ structure and the processing-dependent degree of homogenization of nanofiller, were presented. In this part the basic changes in thermal behaviour of different polymeric matrixes (e.g. polyol...

In this paper, we report the intermatrix synthesis of Ag nanoparticles in different polymeric matrices such as polyurethane foams and polyacrylonitrile or polyamide fibers. To apply this technique, the polymer must bear functional groups able to bind and retain the nanoparticle ion precursors while ions should diffuse through the matrix. Taking into account the nature of some of the chosen matr...

Thiol-capped silver nanoparticles were prepared by in situ thermal decomposition of different silver(I)-thiolates precursors in a polymeric matrix. Depending on the structure of the organic coating, contact-free distribution of metal nanoparticles or nanoparticles aggregates were achieved. The structure and morphology of nanocomposites was analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and...

Benefits of employing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a component of large-scale composite structures include mechanical (strength, toughness, etc.) as well as multifunctional property tailoring. In this experimental work, aligned-CNT forests and polymeric composites of aligned-CNTs are tested for both DC and AC electrical properties. Understanding the aligned-CNT forest and nanocomposite behavior i...

A phenomenon that is typical in dc insulation is the accumulation of space charge which can significantly enhance the local electric field. This phenomenon is of special importance for polymeric insulation. Accumulation of space charge proved to be a limiting factor for HVDC applications. The goal of this paper is to show the different behavior of epoxy nanocomposites under various dc field str...