Morphological characterization of nylon-6 nanocomposite following a large-scale simple shear process

Effect of Ultrasonication on the Morphology, Mechanical Property, Ionic Conductivity, and Flame Retardancy of PEO-LiCF3SO3-Halloysite Nanotube Composites for Use as Solid Polymer Electrolyte

PEO-LiCF₃SO₃-halloysite nanotube (HNT) composites were fabricated by solution casting together with hot compression to form a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membrane. Different ultrasonic exposure times were used to disperse HNT nanoparticles in the PEO-20%LiCF₃SO₃-HNT composite solutions prior to casting. An exposure time of 15 min gave the highest ionic conductivity in the SPE membrane, the ionic conductivity significantly increased by two orders of magnitude from 6.6 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.1 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm. TEM, FE-SEM, and EDS-mapping were used to study the dispersion of HNTs in the SPE membrane. ATR-FTIR revealed that the bonding of PEO-LiCF₃SO₃ and PEO-HNT was created. XRD and DSC showed a reduction in the crystallinity of PEO due to HNT addition. The ultrasonication for an optimal period gave uniform dispersion of HNT, reduced the polymer crystallinity and strengthened the tensile property of SPE membrane. Moreover, the electrochemical stability, flame retardance and dimensional stability were improved by the addition of HNT and by ultrasonication.

Solid-state extrusion of polymers using simple shear deformation

The review considers the possibilities of new methods of solid-state extrusion of polymers based on the use of deformation schemes that include simple shear - equal-channel angular extrusion, equal-channel multi-angle extrusion and combined extrusion. Information on the evolution of the physico-mechanical properties of glassy, semi-crystalline polymers, polymer blends and composites is given.

Processing of Polypropylene-Organic Montmorillonite Nanocomposite by Equal Channel Multiangular Extrusion

By the example of polypropylene-organic montmorillonite composite (PP-OMMT), the abilities of the method of equal channel multiangular extrusion have been studied with respect to the modification of the structure and the properties of polymeric nanocomposites. With using X-ray structure analysis, TEM, DSC, and dilatometry, it has been demonstrated that this kind of processing provides an additional intercalation of the polymer into OMMT tactoids with the succeeding exfoliation and facilitates an increase in the aspect ratio, the degree of platelet orientation, the crystalline lamellar thickness, and a decrease in the dispersion of the crystallite thickness, as well as the formation of biaxial orientation of the OMMT and PP crystals. The observed structure rearrangements determine enhanced microhardness, ductility, and the heat distortion temperature of the PP-OMMT composite.

Hierarchical structures of olefinic blocky copolymer/montmorillonite nanocomposites with collapsed and intercalated clay layers

Hierarchical structures of two types of nanocomposite at different scales were characterized by various techniques.