Predictive models for mixed-matrix membrane performance: a review.

A comprehensive review on the state-of-the-art of piezoelectric energy harvesting

Poly (lactic acid) blends: Processing, properties and applications.

Graphene- and CNTs-based carbocatalysts in persulfates activation: Material design and catalytic mechanisms

Polylactic acid blends: The future of green, light and tough

Advances in Piezoelectric Polymer Composites for Energy Harvesting Applications: A Systematic Review

Poly(Llactide) (PLA) was blended with polypropylene (PP) at various ratios (PLA:PP = 90 : 10, 80 : 20, 70 : 30, and 50 : 50) with a melt-blending technique in an attempt to improve the melt processability of PLA. Maleic anhydride (MAH)-grafted PP and glycidyl methacrylate were used as the reactive compatibilizers to induce miscibility in the blend. The PLA/PP blend at a blend ratio of 90 : 10, exhibited optimum mechanical performance. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis studies showed that the PLA/PP/MAH-g-PP blend had the maximum thermal stability with the support of the heat deflection temperature values. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical analysis findings revealed an increase in the glass-transition temperature and storage modulus with the addition of MAH-g-PP compatibilizer. The interaction between the compatibilizers and constituent polymers was confirmed from Fourier transform infrared spectra, and scanning electron microscopy of impact-fractured samples showed that the soft PP phase was dispersed within the PLA matrix, and a decrease in the domain size of the dispersed phase was observed with the incorporation of MAH-g-PP, which acted as a compatibilizer to improve the compatibility between PLA and PP. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Poly(L‐lactide)/polypropylene blends: Evaluation of mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics

Polyethersulfone (PES) was sulfonated using chlorosulfonic acid in order to improve proton conductivity. Incorporation of ‒SO3H groups into polymer main chain through sulfonation was confirmed using FTIR and 1H NMR. Ion exchange capacity of sulfonated membranes was determined via titration. Morphological studies (AFM, SEM) revealed the presence of hydrophilic proton transfer channels, which became continuous at higher degrees of sulfonation. Thermal stability was observed from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Storage modulus and tan δ also exhibited an increase with degree of sulfonation as determined from DMA. Conductivity measurements and fuel cell performance showed that sulfonated samples possessed higher conductivity than virgin PES.

Polyethersulfone Membranes: The Effect of Sulfonation on the Properties

Polylactic acid (PLA)/banana fiber (BF) biocomposites were fabricated using melt compounding technique. The effect of variable fiber composition, mercerization of fiber as well as incorporation of Maleic anhydride (MA) as compatibilizer and Glycerol triacetate ester (GTA) on the properties of PLA/BF composites was studied. MA compatibilized biocomposites exhibited improved tensile modulus to the tune of 62% whereas GTA plasticized composites showed improvement in impact strength by 143%. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed an increase in the stability of MA incorporated systems and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed increase in Tc with the incorporation of BF and compatibilizer. Increase in storage modulus of the composites as determined from Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) also confirmed effective stress transfer from the matrix to banana fiber. The morphological investigations using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated improved interfacial adhesion in compatibilized and plasticized systems.

Mechanical and fracture behavior of banana fiber reinforced Polylactic acid biocomposites

The PMMA nanocomposites were prepared by melt processing method. The influence of organoclay loading on extent of intercalation, thermal, mechanical and flammability properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–clay nanocomposites were studied. Three different organoclay modifiers with varying hydrophobicity (single tallow vs. ditallow) were investigated. The nanocomposites were characterized by using wide angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile tests. The intercalation of polymer chain within the silicate galleries was confirmed by WAXD and TEM. Mechanical properties such as tensile modulus ( E ), tensile strength, percentage elongation at break and impact strength were determined for nanocomposites at various clay loadings. Overall thermal stability of nanocomposites increased by 16–17 °C. The enhancement in T g of nanocomposite is merely by 2–4 °C. The incorporation of maleic anhydride as compatibilizer further enhanced all the properties indicating improved interface between PMMA and clay. The flammability characteristics were studied by determining the rate of burning and LOI.

Preparation and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)–clay nanocomposites via melt intercalation: Effect of organoclay on thermal, mechanical and flammability properties

Lakshmi Unnikrishnan

Papers

Advances in Piezoelectric Polymer Composites for Energy Harvesting Applications: A Systematic Review

Poly(L‐lactide)/polypropylene blends: Evaluation of mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics

Polyethersulfone Membranes: The Effect of Sulfonation on the Properties

Mechanical and fracture behavior of banana fiber reinforced Polylactic acid biocomposites

Preparation and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)–clay nanocomposites via melt intercalation: Effect of organoclay on thermal, mechanical and flammability properties