This work reports on the preparation and gas transport performance of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) based on the polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) and potassium dodecahydrododecaborate (K₂B12H12) as inorganic particles (IPs). The effect of IP loading on the gas separation performance of these MMMs was investigated by varying the IP content (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 wt %) in a PIM-1 polymer ma...

This paper compares the properties of iPP based composites and PLA based biocomposites using 5% of ZnO particles or ZnO particles coated with stearic acid as filler. In particular, the effect of coating on the UV stability, thermostability, mechanical, barrier, and antibacterial properties of the polymer matrix were compared and related to the dispersion and distribution of the loads in the pol...

This nanorheological study addresses the water transport hindrance in perfluorinated ionomer membranes (Nafion® H+ form) in conjunction with structural relaxation properties of the polymer matrix. A low-temperature relaxation of the “dry” Nafion® matrix at 79 ◦C, about 35 ◦C below the glass transition temperature, was found to be responsible for a steady improvement of the water transport above...

The ability of a polymer therapeutic to access the appropriate subcellular location is crucial to its efficacy and is defined to a large part by the many and complex cellular biological and biochemical barriers such that a construct must traverse. It is shown here that model dextrin conjugates are able to pass through a cartilaginous extracellular matrix into chondrocytes, with little perturbat...

In simple terms, the wood cell wall is a composite made of a rigid cellulose polymer in a matrix of lignin and the hemicelluloses. The lignin polymer in the middle lamella and S2 layer is thermoplastic; that is, it softens upon heating. The glass transition temperature Tg of the lignin in the matrix is approximately 170°C (338°F). Above the matrix Tg, it is possible to cause the lignin to under...

Flax fibres are oftenly used for reinforcing thermoplastic to manufacture biocomposite materials exhibiting numerous advantages such as high mechanical properties, low density and biodegradability. The mechanical properties of a biocomposite material depends on the nature and orientation of the fibres, the nature of the matrix and mainly on the adhesion between fiber and the polymer matrix. The...

Composite materials, especially polymer matrix composites, have been intensively studied for energy absorption applications. When the temperature is close to or higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg), the polymer matrix is usually viscoelastic. With an external loading, either dynamic or quasi-static, the relaxation of the network polymer chains would cause a considerable energy diss...

Polymer nanocomposites have always attracted the interest of researchers and industry because of their potential combination of properties from both the nanofillers and the hosting matrix. Gathering nanomaterials and 3D printing could offer clear advantages and numerous new opportunities in several application fields. Embedding nanofillers in a polymeric matrix could improve the final material ...

In this work, a 3-D porous carbon nanotube sponge (CNTS) was embedded within a shape memory polymer (SMPs) matrix. We demonstrate complete infiltration and filling of the SMPs into the CNTS by capillary force without any damage to the CNTS structure. With only ~0.2 wt% carbon nanotube loading, the glass transition temperature is increased by ~20 °C, indicating strong interaction between CNTS an...

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The behavior of polymer-matrix composite is dependent on the degree of conversion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion of two resin cements following storage at 37°C immediately, 24 and 48 hours, and 7 days after light-curing by FTIR analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The specimens were made in a metallic mold and cured with blue LED with power dens...