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Kheradmandkeysomi M, Salehi A, Jalali A, Omranpour H, Tafreshi OA, Naguib HE, Park CB. Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Density Polyethylene at Different Environmental Conditions with Outstanding Foamability through In-Situ Rubber Nanofibrillation: Exploring the Impact of Interface Modification. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:29291-29304. [PMID: 38776211 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c05589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we utilized in situ nanofibrillation of thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer (TPEE) within a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix to enhance the rheological properties, foamability, and mechanical characteristics of the HDPE nanocomposite at both room and subzero temperatures. Due to the inherent polarity differences between these two components, TPEE is thermodynamically incompatible with the nonpolar HDPE. To address this compatibility issue, we employed a compatibilizer, styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene copolymer-grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA), to reduce the interfacial tension between the two blend components. In the initial step, we prepared a 10% masterbatch of HDPE/TPEE with and without the compatibilizer using a twin-screw extruder. Subsequently, we processed the 10% masterbatch further through spun bonding to create fiber-in-fiber composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a significant reduction in the spherical size of HDPE/TPEE particles following the inclusion of SEBS-g-MA, as well as a much smaller TPEE nanofiber size (approximately 60-70 nm for 5% TPEE). Moreover, extensional rheological testing revealed a notable enhancement in extensional rheological properties, with strain-hardening behavior being more pronounced in the compatibilized nanofibrillar composites compared to the noncompatibilized ones. SEM images of the foam structures depicted substantial improvement in the foamability of HDPE in terms of the cell size and density following the nanofibrillation process and the use of the compatibilizer. Ultimately, the in situ rubber fibrillation and enhancement of HDPE and TPEE interface using a compatibilizer led to increasing the HDPE ductility at room and subzero temperatures while maintaining its stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Kheradmandkeysomi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Amirmehdi Salehi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Amirjalal Jalali
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Hosseinali Omranpour
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Omid Aghababaei Tafreshi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Hani E Naguib
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Chul B Park
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
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Romeiro A, Teixeira C, Costa H, Coelho JFJ, Serra AC. Recycling Polyethylene/Polyamide Multilayer Films with Poly(isoprene- g-Maleic Anhydride) Compatibilizer. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1079. [PMID: 38674998 PMCID: PMC11053548 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymers generally form incompatible mixtures that make the process of recycling difficult, especially the mechanical recycling of mixed plastic waste. One of the most commonly used films in the packaging industry is multilayer films, mainly composed of polyethylene (PE) and polyamide (PA). Recycling these materials with such different molecular structures requires the use of compatibilizers to minimize phase separation and obtain more useful recycled materials. In this work, commercial polyisoprene-graft-maleic anhydride (PI-g-MA) was tested as a compatibilizer for a blend of PE and PA derived from the mechanical recycling of PE/PA multilayer films. Different amounts of PI-g-MA were tested, and the films made with 1.5% PI-g-MA showed the best results in terms of mechanical properties and dart impact. The films were also characterized thermally via thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and morphologically using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Other parameters, such as tearing and perforation, were analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Romeiro
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering Materials and Processes, ARISE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Rua Silvio Lima- Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.R.); (J.F.J.C.)
| | - Cidália Teixeira
- Componit, lda, Estrada Nacional 3 km 28.6, Vila Chã de Ourique, 2071-621 Santarém, Portugal;
| | - Henrique Costa
- Inventive Matl, Casal dos Eucaliptos, Casais Lagartos, 2070-389 Pontével, Portugal;
| | - Jorge F. J. Coelho
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering Materials and Processes, ARISE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Rua Silvio Lima- Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.R.); (J.F.J.C.)
| | - Arménio C. Serra
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering Materials and Processes, ARISE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Rua Silvio Lima- Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.R.); (J.F.J.C.)
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Xu M, Wu M, Li X, Tang J, Ma W, Zhu X, Ren Q, Wang L, Zheng W. Biodegradable nanofibrillated microcellular PBS/PLA foams for selective oil absorption. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127844. [PMID: 37923032 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
To address the challenges posed by spilled oil and oily wastewater, the development of clean oil-adsorption materials is crucial. However, traditional oil-adsorption materials suffer from the issue of secondary pollution. Herein, fully biodegradable nanofibrillated poly(butylene succinate)/poly(lactic acid) (PBS/PLA) foams with outstanding selective oil-adsorption performance were successfully fabricated via an eco-friendly supercritical CO2 foaming technology. The PBS/PLA composites, featuring nanofibrils with a diameter of approximately 100 nm, were prepared through a hot-stretching method subsequent to extrusion. Substantial improvements were observed in the crystallization rate and rheological properties of the fibrillated PBS/PLA composites. Furthermore, PLA nanofibrils enhanced foamability of the composite, achieving an impressive expansion ratio of up to 38.0, resulting in an outstanding oil-absorption performance (19.2-50.4 g/g) of the F-1 %-95 foam. Additionally, 20 adsorption-desorption cycles illustrated the prepared F-1 %-95 foam displayed recyclable oil-absorption characteristics. This work provides an eco-friendly strategy for preparing fully biodegradable foams intended for application as oil-adsorption materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxian Xu
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315201, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Minghui Wu
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315201, PR China
| | - Xueyun Li
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315201, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Jiayi Tang
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315201, PR China
| | - Wenyu Ma
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315201, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Xiuyu Zhu
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315201, PR China
| | - Qian Ren
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315201, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Long Wang
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315201, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Wenge Zheng
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315201, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
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Liu Q, Zhang XX, Jia DZ, Yin J, Lei J, Xu L, Lin H, Zhong GJ, Li ZM. In situ nanofibrillation of polypropylene/polyethylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) ternary system: A strategy of upgrade recycling. POLYMER 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2023.125729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Jalali A, Romero-Diez S, Nofar M, Park CB. Entirely environment-friendly polylactide composites with outstanding heat resistance and superior mechanical performance fabricated by spunbond technology: Exploring the role of nanofibrillated stereocomplex polylactide crystals. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 193:2210-2220. [PMID: 34798187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study aims at investigating the manufacturing and characterization of all-polylactide composites prepared by melt spunbond spinning technology. To do so, a series of asymmetric stereocomplex polylactide (SC-PLA) blends (PLLA 95 wt%/PDLA 5 wt%) was melt spun. To examine the impact of molecular structure of PDLA, the blends of linear PLLA, and low and high molecular weight as well as branched PDLAs, were subjected to a single step spunbond process. DSC thermograms of the samples showed two melting temperatures at around 170 °C and 210 °C, which were attributed to the melting of homo and stereocomplex crystals, respectively. The samples were spun at 190 °C, between the homo and stereocomplex crystals' melting temperatures, and at 230 °C, above the stereocomplex crystals' melting temperature. Morphology images showed the formation of fibers in the range of 40-50 μm. Shear rheological measurements revealed that the spun SC-PLA samples had a substantially higher viscosity and storage modulus in the low frequency region, and higher shear thinning behavior, compared to the non-spun samples. Extensional rheology measurements also showed that the spun samples demonstrated strain hardening behavior. Substantial enhancement of rheological properties was noted for the samples containing the branched and high molecular weight PDLA spun at 230 °C. After etching, the spun samples at 190 °C exhibited small spherical crystals with diameters in the range of 80-90 nm, whereas comparatively thin fibers in the size range of 60-70 nm were observed for the samples spun at 230 °C. Remarkable enhancements up to 100% and 60% was noted for the tensile modulus and strength, respectively, of the spun SC-PLA samples. The spun fibers also demonstrated a considerable reduction in boiling water and hot air shrinkage. The distinctive role of nanofibrillated stereocomplex crystals as a rheology modifier and a crystallization nucleating agent makes PLA more sustainable and paves the way for the fabricated all-PLA composites in applications requiring high heat resistance and superior mechanical performance. The present study unequivocally indicates a huge potential for the sustainable entirely all-PLA products manufactured by fiber in fiber and, indeed, unfolds unknown opportunities for PLA-based merchandises in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirjalal Jalali
- Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Sandra Romero-Diez
- Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada; Multifunctonal Composites Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Mohammadreza Nofar
- Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, Istanbul 34469, Turkey
| | - Chul B Park
- Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada.
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