Polycarbonate/Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-Blend-Based Nanocomposites-Effect of Adding Different Carbon Nanofillers/Organoclay

Synergy of Hybrid Fillers for Emerging Composite and Nanocomposite Materials-A Review

Nanocomposites with polymer matrix provide tremendous opportunities to investigate new functions beyond those of traditional materials. The global community is gradually tending toward the use of composite and nanocomposite materials. This review is aimed at reporting the recent developments and understanding revolving around hybridizing fillers for composite materials. The influence of various analyses, characterizations, and mechanical properties of the hybrid filler are considered. The introduction of hybrid fillers to polymer matrices enhances the macro and micro properties of the composites and nanocomposites resulting from the synergistic interactions between the hybrid fillers and the polymers. In this review, the synergistic impact of using hybrid fillers in the production of developing composite and nanocomposite materials is highlighted. The use of hybrid fillers offers a viable way to improve the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of these sophisticated materials. This study explains the many tactics and methodologies used to install hybrid fillers into composite and nanocomposite matrices by conducting a thorough analysis of recent research. Furthermore, the synergistic interactions of several types of fillers, including organic-inorganic, nano-micro, and bio-based fillers, are fully investigated. The performance benefits obtained from the synergistic combination of various fillers are examined, as well as their prospective applications in a variety of disciplines. Furthermore, the difficulties and opportunities related to the use of hybrid fillers are critically reviewed, presenting perspectives on future research paths in this rapidly expanding area of materials science.

Melamine Network as a Solution for Significant Enhancement of the Mechanical, Adsorptive, and Surface Properties in a Novel Carbon Nanomaterial-Silica Aerogel Composite

Silica aerogels exhibit exceptional characteristics such as mesoporosity, light weight, high surface area, and pore volume. Nevertheless, their utilization in industrial settings remains constrained due to their brittleness, moisture sensitivity, and costly synthesis procedure. Several studies have proved that adding nanofillers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT) or graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), can improve the mechanical strength of the aerogels. The incorporation of nanofillers is often accompanied by agglomeration and pore blockage, which, in turn, deteriorates the surface area, pore volume, and low density. Including flexible melamine foam (MF) as a scaffold for the silica aerogel and nanofiller composite can prevent the restacking of the nanofillers through π-π interaction, hence maintaining the incredible properties of aerogels and improving their mechanical properties. CNT, GNP, and the polymeric silica precursor, polyvinyltrimethoxysilane (PVTMS), were added to a MF, at varying concentrations, to fabricate the MF-aerogel nanocomposites. Surfactant and sonication were utilized to ensure a homogeneous dispersion of the nanofillers in the system. The presence of MF prevented the agglomeration of nanofillers, resulting in lower density and relatively higher surface properties (SBET up to 929 m2·g-1 and pore volume up to 4.34 cc·g-1). Moreover, the MF-supported samples could endure 80% strain without breakage and showed an outstanding compressive strength of up to ∼20 MPa. These aerogel nanocomposites also demonstrated an excellent volatile organic compound (∼2680 mg·g-1) and cationic dye adsorption (∼10 mg·g-1).

Modifications of Phase Morphology, Physical Properties, and Burning Anti-Dripping Performance of Compatibilized Poly(butylene succinate)/High-Density Polyethylene Blend by Adding Nanofillers

A twin-screw extruder was used to fabricate poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) blends (7:3 weight ratio) and blend-based nanocomposites. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), and organoclays (15A and 30B) served as the nanofiller, while maleated HDPE (PEgMA) acted as an efficient compatibilizer for the blend. In the composites, individual nanofillers were mostly localized in HDPE domains, but some fillers were also observed at PBS-HDPE interfaces. The sea-island morphology of the compatibilized blend evolved into a pseudo-co-continuous morphology in the composites. Differential scanning calorimetry results confirmed that PEgMA with HDPE evidently accelerated the crystallization of PBS in the blend. The possible nucleation effect of added fillers on PBS crystallization was obscured by the formation of quasi-connected HDPE domains, causing fewer PBS nucleation sites. The presence of nanofillers improved the thermal stability and burning anti-dripping behavior of the parent blend. The anti-dripping efficiency of added fillers followed the sequence CNT > 15A > 30B > GNP. The rigidity of the blend was increased after the formation of nanocomposites. In particular, adding GNP resulted in 19% and 31% increases in the Young's modulus and flexural modulus, respectively. The development of a pseudo-network structure in the composites was confirmed by measurement of rheological properties. The electrical resistivity of the blend was reduced by more than six orders of magnitude at 3 phr CNT loading, demonstrating the achievement of double percolation morphology.

An Investigative Study on the Progress of Nanoclay-Reinforced Polymers: Preparation, Properties, and Applications: A Review

Nanoclay-reinforced polymers have attracted considerable universal attention in academic and industrial research due to their outstanding properties and their ever-expanding utilization in diversified applications. In that regard, in the present review, the structure of layered silicate clay, as well as procedures for clay material modification, are outlined. We also discuss the general characterization techniques, synthesis methods, and various properties of polymer-clay nanocomposites (PCNs), and some examples likewise are depicted from the scientific literature. The study's primary goal is to provide an up-to-date survey of polymer-clay nanocomposites and their specific applications in industries such as automotive, flame-retardant, and biomedical applications, coating, and packaging.