Application of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds as Compatibilizers for Polymer Blends and Polymer Composites—A Concise Review

A wide variety of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have escalated the attraction of researchers to explore the application of QACs. The compounds have frequently been synthesized through alkylation or quaternization of tertiary amines with alkyl halides. Recently, QACs have been applied to compatibilize polymer blends and polymer composites in improving their thermo-mechanical properties. This concise review concentrates on the application of two types of QACs as compatibilizers for polymer blends and polymer composites. The types of QACs that were effectively applied in the blends and composites are quaternary ammonium surfactants (QASs) and quaternary ammonium ionic liquids (QAILs). They have been chosen for the discussion because of their unique chemical structure which can interact with the polymer blend and composite components. The influence of QASs and QAILs on the thermo-mechanical properties of the polymer blends and polymer composites is also described. This review could be helpful for the polymer blend and polymer composite researchers and induce more novel ideas in this research area.

Influence of Eco-Friendly Processing Aids on Silica-Based Rubber Composites

As eco-friendly “green tires” are being developed in the tire industry, conventionally used carbon black is being replaced with silica in rubber compounds. Generally, as a lubricant and dispersing agent, processing aids containing zinc ions have been employed as additives. However, as zinc is a heavy metal, alternative eco-friendly processing aids are required to satisfy worldwide environmental concerns. Furthermore, non-toxic, degradable, and renewable processing aids are required to improve the mechanical properties of the rubber composites. In this study, we evaluated the effects of diverse silica-based processing aids containing hydrocarbon, benzene, and hydroxyl functional groups on the mechanical properties of rubber composites. Among them, rubber composites that used amphiphilic terpene phenol resin (TPR) with hydrophilic silica showed compatibility with the hydrophobic rubber matrix and were revealed to improve the mechanical and fatigue properties. Furthermore, owing to the enhanced dispersion of silica in the rubber matrix, the TPR/styrene butadiene rubber composites exhibited enhanced wet grip and rolling resistance. These results indicated that TPR had multifunctional effects at low levels and has the potential for use as a processing aid in silica-based rubber composites in tire engineering applications.

The Effect of Palm Oil-Based Hybrid Oils as Green Multifunctional Oils on the Properties of Elastomer Composites

Hybrid oils in an elastomer matrix provide superior physical and chemical properties over conventional elastomer composites. In this study, we investigated the possibility of utilizing palm-based hybrid oil as a processing oil, with various other added oils such as methylester, palm monoglyceride and dammar, and their effects on the curing characteristics, mechanical, abrasion resistance and heat build-up properties of elastomer composites. The elastomer composites with the hybrid oils exhibit remarkable improvements in mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, elongation and toughness, which were ascribed to the enhanced dispersion of the fillers in the elastomer matrix. Also, the hybrid oils in the elastomer matrix showed outstanding heat build-up, abrasion and rebound resilience properties at low loadings. The synergistic effects in the elastomer matrix achieved by the hybridization of palm oil and other oils represent a significant contribution to advanced, stronger elastomer composites in various applications.

Synthesis and inhibitive performance of novel cationic and gemini surfactants on carbon steel corrosion in 0.5 M H2SO4solution

Novel cationic and gemini surfactants are corrosion inhibitors.

Green synthesis of reduced graphene oxide and its reinforcing effect on natural rubber composites

A green and facile approach to produce graphene using an environmentally friendly reagent, namely proanthocyanidin (PC) as a reducing agent was developed. The obtained graphene (PC-rGO) was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, confirming the effective reduction of GO. With the incorporation of PC-rGO into natural rubber (NR) latex, NR/PC-rGO composites were then prepared by an ultrasonically assisted latex mixing and the co-coagulation. The results show that PC-rGO presents a good dispersion and exfoliation in the NR matrix, contributing to an increase in the mechanical performance. Compared with neat NR, the tensile strength, modulus at 300%, and tear strength for NR composites containing 0.9 phr PC-rGO were increased by 50.2%, 154.9% and 65.2%, respectively. With increasing PC-rGO loading, cross-link density and storage modulus of NR composites increase because of the formation of cross-link points and physical interaction between PC-rGO and the matrix.