Synthesis, characterization, and solid-state NMR investigation of organically modified bentonites and their composites with LDPE

Insights into the Improved Gas Barrier Properties of Polyurethane-Clay Nanocomposite-Coated Nylon: A Solid-State NMR Study

Herein, the reason for the improvement in the gas barrier properties of polyurethane (PU)-clay nanocomposite-coated nylon fabric compared to unfilled PU-coated nylon fabric is investigated by probing the changes in relaxation times of PU using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SS NMR) spectroscopy. The interaction of the organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) clay (Cloisite 30B) with polyurethane (PU) in PU-clay (0.5/1/2 wt %) nanocomposites was probed with respect to the change in the spin-lattice relaxation time of protons in the PU chain due to the presence of paramagnetic species in clay (T1H, para). The better the dispersion of the clay in the PU matrix, the lower the T1H, para, due to the interaction between clay and the PU matrix. 0.5 wt % PU-clay has lower T1H, para, (6.4 s) compared to 1 wt % (18.3 s) and 2 wt % (14.3 s) filled systems. The SS NMR findings are in good agreement with field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analyses. In SEM microscopic images, it is observed that the PU-0.5 wt % clay has better exfoliation of clay compared to the 1 and 2 wt % PU-clay nanocomposites. This is in agreement with improved gas barrier properties of the nanocomposite coated on the nylon fabric for 0.5 wt % clay (2300 mL/m2/day) compared with 1 wt % (2500 mL/m2/day) and 2 wt % clay (2600 mL/m2/day)-incorporated PU-coated fabrics and neat PU-coated nylon fabric (4500 mL/m2/day) at 260 GSM.

Study on the Impact of Na/Ca Bentonites on the Dispersion Performance of Conventional and Modified Phosphate Polycarboxylate Superplasticizers in Cement Mortar

Through molecular structure design, modified polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCEs) were synthesized via copolymerization using isoprenyl oxy poly(ethylene glycol) ether (TPEG), acrylic acid, and hydroxyethyl methacrylate phosphate. TPEG-PCEs were selected as potential dispersants for Na/Ca-bentonite containing cement mortar. Other two kinds of commercial PCE that were obtained based on methallyl ether (HPEG) and ethylene-glycol monovinyl polyethylene glycol (EPEG) as macromonomers were also applied in the mortar. The effects of the type of bentonite and its dosage, as well as the monomer structure of PCEs and the type of cement, on the dispersion properties of the bentonite-containing mortar were studied. According to the findings, the initial fluidity of the mortar was reduced by about 20 mm when two kinds of bentonite were used. Applying 3% Ca-bentonite resulted in 40% flow loss in the mortar after 1 h. The fluidity of the mortar with Na-bentonite exhibited lower dispersion ability than that with Ca-bentonite when HPEG-PCE and EPEG-PCE were chosen as dispersants. The TPEG-PCE exhibited superior dispersing performance over HPEG-PCE and EPEG-PCE and exerted a retarding effect on cement, being also weakly sensitive to clay content. Thus, TPEG-PCEs with phosphate groups present a viable alternative to conventional PCEs.

Near superhydrophobic-fluorinated THV fiber-like structures and fibers prepared by electrospinning

In the fluoropolymers family, one of the newest members is the terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride (THV). There are scarce data on THV, and therefore it is necessary to study different properties of THV. In the current research, the detailed surface morphology and water wettability of electrospun microfibers prepared from THV/ethyl acetate solutions in the pure state and with the addition of Wyoming-type low-magnesium montmorillonite are discussed. The morphology of the terpolymer microfibers changes as a function of the polymer solution concentration. For the same polymer concentration, changing the applied voltage in microfiber formation does not alter the morphology. The addition of hydrophilic montmorillonite into the THV solution does not modify the rougher hydrophobic nature and morphology of the final electrospun fiber surfaces. Water contact angle measurements show that both in the pure state and in the mixture of montmorillonite, THV electrospun microfibers exhibit “near superhydrophobic” characteristics with contact angles as high as 145°.

Thermochromic polyethylene films doped with perylene chromophores: experimental evidence and methods for characterization of their phase behaviour

LLDPE films doped with aggregachromic PE-Pery fluorophores were proposed as a thermochromic system in the 30–70 °C regime.