MXene Enabling the Long-Term Superior Thermo-Oxidative Resistance for Elastomers

Toward Mechanically Robust Crosslinked Elastomers through Phase Transfer Agent Tuning the Solubility of Zn2+ in the Organic Phase

Zinc oxide (ZnO), which is toxic to aquatic organisms, is widely used as an activator in the rubber industry. The reduction of ZnO content is one of the efficient ways to tackle ecological environment impacts induced by ZnO. However, the incompatibility between Zn2+ and organic matrix inhibits the solubility and activity of Zn2+ in the organic matrix, causing the heavy use of ZnO. This work develops a phase transfer agent with Zn2+-philic structure and oleophilic structure to increase the solubility of Zn2+ in the organic matrix. The phase transfer agent and Zn2+ form coordination interactions, while the hydrophobic chains of phase transfer agent and organic matrix form hydrophobic interactions. The above two interactions improve the solubility and activity of Zn2+ in the organic matrix, contributing to the formation of crosslinking network. Through the phase transfer agent strategy, we obtain the mechanically robust elastomers, and the samples with low ZnO content still maintain the superior properties. This work provides an efficient way to reduce ZnO content without sacrificing the performance of elastomers.

Novel Hybrid Polymer Composites with Graphene and MXene Nano-Reinforcements: Computational Analysis

This paper presents a computational analysis on the mechanical and damage behavior of novel hybrid polymer composites with graphene and MXene nano-reinforcements targeted for flexible electronics and advanced high-strength structural applications with additional functions, such as real-time monitoring of structural integrity. Geometrical models of three-dimensional representative volume elements of various configurations were generated, and a computational model based on the micromechanical finite element method was developed and solved using an explicit dynamic solver. The influence of the geometrical orientation, aspect ratio, and volume fractions of the inclusions, as well as the interface properties between the nano-reinforcements and the matrix on the mechanical behavior, was determined. The results of the presented research give initial insights about the mechanical and damage behavior of the proposed composites and provide insight for future design iterations of similar multifunctional materials.