Herein, the implications of silicone contamination found in solution-processed conjugated polymer solar cells are explored. Similar to a previous work based on molecular cells, we find this contamination as a result of the use of plastic syringes during fabrication. However, in contrast to the molecular case, we find that glass-syringe fabricated devices give superior performance than plastic-s...

We have prepared and characterized a series of nonfluoro polymer composites with functional carbon additives such as graphite, candle soot and camphor soot which when mixed with EPF (Expanded Polystyrene Foam) matrices increase surface hydrophobicity. Water contact angles of >150° was observed on spin-cast composite film surfaces containing 3% camphor soot particles, compared to 89° in the abse...

Microstructure plays an essential role in determining the properties of crystalline materials. A widely used method to influence microstructure is the addition of nucleating agents. Observations on films formed from clay-polymer blends indicate that particulate additives, in addition to serving as nucleating agents, may also perturb crystal growth, leading to the formation of irregular dendriti...

Polypropylene blended with natural oil and pigment additives has been studied. Different formulations for each compound were made into polybag used for cultivation of oil palm seedlings for strength and mechanical properties studies. One group of sample was exposed under normal sunlight to initiate degradation and another group of sample was placed under shaded area for five months. All samples...

In this study, in-situ bulk polymerization was investigated for obtaining flame retardant polystyrene (PS). The halogenated and phosphoric compounds were used as flame retardant additives and Perkadox 30 was used as a synergist. The flammability of the PS was evaluated by thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94 tests. The results show that polymerization process ...

Polymer nanocomposites have attracted great interest over many years, because of the enhanced properties exhibited by such systems. However, it is only recently that the electrical characteristics of this class of material have begun to be studied in detail. Whenever fillers are added to a host polymer matrix, dispersion is of critical importance since, while a well dispersed nanophase may be b...

Stone matrix asphalt (SMA) mixtures are one of the most resistant types known to date that bulk load is borne by aggregate skeleton. In this research, effect crumb rubber powder (CRP), Vestenamer polymer, and warm additives, including Sasobit, ZycoTherm, a porous mix (PAWMA), was investigated on moisture resistance SMA mixtures. A segregation test performed determine tendency polymer separate f...

In this work, solvent chloronaphthalene (CN) and polymer acceptor an alternating copolymer of perylene diimide and carbazole (PCPDI) were utilized as co-additives to optimize the nanoscale phase-separated morphology and photovoltaic properties of bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) polymer solar cells based on the poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT)/N,N'-bis(1-ethylpropyl)-perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic di...

A new generation of nano-additives for robust high performance nanodielectrics is proposed. It is demonstrated for the first time that mesoporous material could act as "degradation inhibitor" for polymer dielectrics to sequestrate the electrical degradation products then restrain the electrical aging process especially under high temperature conditions, which is superior to the existing additiv...