Quantitative estimation of the reinforcing effect of layered silicates in PP nanocomposites

Assessment of Nano-Indentation Method in Mechanical Characterization of Heterogeneous Nanocomposite Materials Using Experimental and Computational Approaches

This study investigates the capacity of the nano-indentation method in the mechanical characterization of a heterogeneous dental restorative nanocomposite using experimental and computational approaches. In this respect, Filtek Z350 XT was selected as a nano-particle reinforced polymer nanocomposite with a specific range of the particle size (50 nm to 4 µm), within the range of indenter contact area of the nano-indentation experiment. A Sufficient number of nano-indentation tests were performed in various locations of the nanocomposite to extract the hardness and elastic modulus properties. A hybrid computational-experimental approach was developed to examine the extracted properties by linking the internal behaviour and the global response of the nanocomposite. In the computational part, several representative models of the nanocomposite were created in a finite element environment to simulate the mechanism of elastic-plastic deformation of the nanocomposite under Berkovich indenter. Dispersed values of hardness and elastic modulus were obtained through the experiment with 26.8 and 48.5 percent average errors, respectively, in comparison to the nanocomposite properties, respectively. A disordered shape was predicted for plastic deformation of the equilateral indentation mark, representing the interaction of the particles and matrix, which caused the experiment results reflect the local behaviour of the nanocomposite instead of the real material properties.

Sustainable Biocomposites from Pyrolyzed Grass and Toughened Polypropylene: Structure-Property Relationships

A novel class of injection-molded, toughened biocomposites was engineered from pyrolyzed miscanthus-based biocarbon, poly(octene ethylene) elastomer, and polypropylene (PP). The elastomer and biocarbon were added to the PP matrix at 30 and 20 wt %, respectively. The particle size of the biocarbon varied within two main ranges: <20 and 106-125 μm. The morphology and adhesion between the filler and the matrix were controlled by the addition of maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAPP). The composites were melt-blended and then injection-molded to tensile, flexural, and impact bars. The results showed that although the morphology of the composite is almost independent of particle size it is greatly dependent on the addition of MAPP. Two completely different morphologies, separate dispersion and encapsulated filler particles, were obtained in the presence and absence of MAPP, which was verified by atomic force and scanning electron microscopies. Model calculations based on a modified Kerner equation showed that the encapsulated filler content decreased from 64 to 8% by the addition of MAPP, which caused a major improvement in the stiffness and strength of the composites. Despite having a different morphology caused by the compatibilizer, composites with smaller particles exhibited better strength and modulus and lower impact toughness compared to those with a larger particle size. Results suggest that the failure mechanisms are mainly controlled by the local fracturing of biocarbon particles, which was more pronounced when the particle size was larger.

Low-birefringent and highly tough nanocellulose-reinforced cellulose triacetate

Improvement of the mechanical and thermal properties of cellulose triacetate (CTA) films is required without sacrificing their optical properties. Here, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-grafted cellulose nanofibril/CTA nanocomposite films were fabricated by casting and drying methods. The cellulose nanofibrils were prepared by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation, and amine-terminated PEG chains were grafted onto the surfaces of the TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNs) by ionic bonds. Because of the nanosize effect of TOCNs with a uniform width of ∼3 nm, the PEG-TOCN/CTA nanocomposite films had high transparency and low birefringence. The grafted PEG chains enhanced the filler-matrix interactions and crystallization of matrix CTA molecules, resulting in the Young's modulus and toughness of CTA film being significantly improved by PEG-grafted TOCN addition. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the original CTA film was mostly preserved even with the addition of PEG-grafted TOCNs. These results suggest that PEG-TOCNs are applicable to the reinforcement for transparent optical films.

Preparation and Properties of Metallocene-catalyzed PE/Starch Nanocomposites: Role of Nanocompatibilizer

The properties of metallocene catalyzed polyethylene (mPE)/starch blends and nanocomposites containing mPE-g-maleic anhydride (mPE-g-MA) compatibilizer, reinforced with 1 phr commercial organoclay (20A) at various amounts of pristine starch are discussed. The results from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) experiments revealed that nanocomposites were achieved in all cases. No observable diffraction peaks in the low angle region were detected. Clay was preferentially located within the mPE and starch interface and the mPE matrix. The crystallization temperatures of nanocomposites increased with the addition of clay acting as a nucleating agent. However, the melting temperatures and the glass transition temperatures remained largely unchanged. Clay incorporation provided a heat barrier that profoundly increased the blend thermal stability. A maximum increase in tensile strength and Young's modulus was obtained, up to 60% and 105%, respectively, using nanoclay reinforced compatibilizer (termed nanocompatibilizer) in comparison with neat compatibilizer for pristine starch filled cases. Slightly lower water absorption capability was observed for nanocompatibilizer reinforced cases through the sheet-like structure of clay compared with neat compatibilizer cases.

Polymer nanocomposites: structure, interaction, and functionality

This feature article discusses the main factors determining the properties of polymer nanocomposites with special attention paid to structure and interactions. Usually more complicated structure develops in nanocomposites than in traditional particulate filled polymers, and that is especially valid for composites prepared from plate-like nanofillers. Besides the usually assumed exfoliated/intercalated morphology, i.e. individual platelets and tactoids, such nanocomposites often contain large particles, and a network structure developing at large extent of exfoliation. Aggregation and orientation are the most important structural phenomena in nanotube or nanofiber reinforced composites, and ag-gregation is a major problem also in composites prepared with spherical particles. The surface characteristics of nanofillers and interactions are rarely determined or known; the related problems are discussed in the paper in detail. The surface of these reinforcements is modified practically always. The goal of the modification is to improve dispersion and/or adhesion in nanotube and spherical particle reinforced composites, and to help exfoliation in nanocomposites containing platelets. However, modification decreases surface energy often leading to decreased interaction with the matrix. Very limited information exists about interphase formation and the properties of the interphase in nanocomposites, although they must influence properties considerably. The properties of nanocomposites are usually far from the expectations, the main reason being insufficient homogeneity, undefined structure and improper adhesion. In spite of considerable difficulties nanocomposites have great potentials especially in functional applications. Several nanocomposite products are already used in industrial practice demonstrated by a few examples in the article.