Quantifying Chemical Reactions and Interfacial Properties at Buried Polymer/Polymer Interfaces

Maleic anhydride (MAH)-modified polymers are used as tie layers for binding dissimilar polymers in multilayer polymer films. The MAH chemistry which promotes adhesion is well characterized in the bulk; however, only recently has the interfacial chemistry been studied. Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG) is an interfacial spectroscopy technique which provides detailed information on interfacial chemical reactions, species, and molecular orientations and has been essential for characterizing the MAH chemistry in both nylon and ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) model systems and coextruded multilayer films. Here, we further characterize the interfacial chemistry between MAH-modified polyethylene tie layers and both EVOH and nylon by investigating the model systems over a range of MAH concentrations. We can detect the interfacial chemical reaction products between MAH and the barrier layer at MAH concentrations of ≥0.022 wt % for nylon and ≥0.077 wt % for EVOH. Additionally, from the concentration-dependent reaction reactant/product SFG peak positions and the product imide or ester/acid C═O group tilt angles extracted from the polarization-dependent SFG spectra, we quantitatively observe concentration-dependent changes to both the interfacial chemistry and interfacial structure. The interfacial chemistry and molecular orientation as a function of MAH concentration are well correlated with the adhesion strength, providing important quantitative information for the future design of MAH-modified tie layers for a variety of important applications.

Multiblock Copolymers for Recycling Polyethylene-Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Mixed Waste

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing global environmental issues we face today, in part due to the continued rise in production and use of disposable plastic products. Polyolefins and polyesters are two of the most prevalent polymers in the world accounting for ∼80% of total nonfiber plastic production. Recycling, despite being intrinsically environmentally friendly and sometimes economically viable, remains at a surprisingly low level (<9% in the U.S.) with most plastic waste ending up in landfills. One reason for this low rate of recycling stems from the challenge of recycling mixed waste streams and multicomponent plastics. In mixed waste streams, physical presorting of components prior to recycling requires significant effort, which translates to added cost. For multicomponent plastics (e.g., multilayer films such as food wrappers), the individual plastic components cannot be efficiently physically separated, and they are immiscible with poor interfacial adhesion when melt reprocessed. Thus, direct recycling of mixed plastics by melt reprocessing results in products that lack desired end-use properties. In this study, we describe the synthesis of novel poly(ethylene terephthalate)-polyethylene multiblock copolymers (PET-PE MBCPs) and evaluate their utility as adhesive tie layers in multilayer films and compatibilizer additives for melt reprocessed blends. PET and PE are targeted because they are two of the most prevalent commercial polymers in the world and are high volume waste streams. The work described here demonstrates two key findings. First, the PET-PE MBCPs serve as effective adhesive tie layers between neat PET/PE films with adhesive strength comparable to that of commercially available adhesives. Second, PET/PE (80/20 wt %) blends containing ∼0.5 wt % PET-PE MBCP were melt mixed to mimic recycling mixed plastic waste, and they were found to exhibit mechanical properties better than neat PET. Overall, this study demonstrates that PET-PE MBCPs could significantly enhance the ability to recycle PET/PE mixed waste streams by serving the role as both an adhesive promoting layer and a compatibilizer additive.

Comparison of Properties of PVA Nanocomposites Containing Reduced Graphene Oxide and Functionalized Graphene

The thermal properties, morphologies, oxygen barrier properties, and electrical conductivities of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hybrid films containing different nanofillers were compared. For the fabrication of the PVA hybrid films, we used reduced graphene oxide (RGO) synthesized from graphite or functionalized hexadecylamine-graphene sheets (HDA-GS) obtained from HDA and GS as a reinforcing filler. The properties of the PVA hybrid films fabricated by intercalating PVA and the fillers for different filler contents ranging from 3 to 10% w/w were then compared. The dispersions of the graphene fillers in the matrix polymers were examined using wide-angle X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy, and the changes in their thermal properties were observed using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, we measured the oxygen permeability and electrical conductivity of the films to investigate their industrial applications. In addition, all the physical properties of the PVA composites obtained using the two nanofillers were compared.

Thermal properties and crystallite morphology of nylon 66 modified with a novel biphenyl aromatic liquid crystalline epoxy resin

In order to improve the thermal properties of important engineering plastics, a novel kind of liquid crystalline epoxy resin (LCER), 3,3',5,5' -Tetramethylbiphenyl-4,4' -diyl bis(4-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)benzoate) (M1) was introduced to blend with nylon 66 (M2) at high temperature. The effects of M1 on chemical modification and crystallite morphology of M2 were investigated by rheometry, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). TGA results showed that the initial decomposition temperature of M2 increased by about 8 °C by adding 7% wt M1, indicating the improvement of thermal stability. DSC results illustrated that the melting point of composites decreased by 12 °C compared to M2 as the content of M1 increased, showing the improvement of processing property. POM measurements confirmed that dimension of nylon-66 spherulites and crystallization region decreased because of the addition of liquid crystalline epoxy M1.

Peel Adhesive Properties of Polymer Laminates Composed of Polyethylenes and Polypropylenes

Peel adhesive strengths of multi-layered laminates composed of two polypropylene (PP) sheets and an inserted polyethylene (PE) layer (the middle layer) between the PP layers were evaluated. PE-glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) copolymers and a maleic-anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) were compared to the PE homopolymer and the PP homopolymer. The peel adhesive strength of PE-GMA/MAPP laminates was much higher than that of PE homopolymer/PP homopolymer laminates. Meanwhile, the blends composed of the PE-GMA and three types of PE homopolymer (PE-GMA+LDPE, PE-GMA+MDPE, PE-GMA+HDPE) were formulated as the PE middle layer of the multi-layered laminates. The PE blends had the same amount of glycidyl groups, and the deformation capacity was different in each. Namely, the PE blend of LDPE had higher elongation to break than the PE blend of HDPE. The peel adhesive strength of the multi-layered laminates with the middle layer of the LDPE blend was highest among the three types of laminates with the middle layer of the PE blends. Scanning electron microscopy on the fractured surfaces revealed that the large plastic deformation of the LDPE blended middle layer was responsible for the high energy absorption, and resulted in the high peel strength.