Author
Lawrence T. Drzal
Bio: Lawrence T. Drzal is an academic researcher from Michigan State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Epoxy & Fiber. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 43 publications receiving 1933 citations.
Topics: Epoxy, Fiber, Natural fiber, Cellulose acetate, Graphite
Papers
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TL;DR: The degree of mechanical reinforcement that could be obtained by the introduction of glass fibres in biofibre (pineapple leaf fibre/sisal fibre) reinforced polyester composites has been assessed experimentally as mentioned in this paper.
772 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a sonication technique was used to disperse fluorinated single-wall carbon nanotubes (FSWCNT) in the glassy epoxy network resulting in nanocomposites having large improvement in modulus with extremely small amount of FSWCNT.
259 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the surface modifications of natural fibers involving alkali treatment and treatment with maleated polyolefins are found to be very effective in improving fiber-matrix adhesion.
Abstract: Environmentally-benign powder impregnation processing is adopted in fabricating bio-composites from chopped natural fibers and powder polypropylene. The surface modifications of natural fibers involving alkali treatment and treatment with maleated polyolefins are found to be very effective in improving fiber-matrix adhesion. Bast fiber (kenaf) based composites showed best tensile and modulus properties while leaf fiber (henequen) based biocomposites showed best impact behavior. Through a blend of surface-treated bast and leaf fibers, 'engineered natural fibers' (ENFs) can be designed and such ENFs on reinforcement with a polymer matrix result in biocomposites with superior physico-mechanical properties.
157 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a cellulose acetate biopolymer with varying concentrations of an eco-friendly triethyl citrate (TEC) plasticizer was used to make it a suitable matrix polymer for bio-composite applications.
Abstract: This paper deals with the development of a cellulose acetate biopolymer. Plasticization of this biopolymer under varying processing conditions to make it a suitable matrix polymer for bio-composite applications was studied. In particular, cellulose acetate was plasticized with varying concentrations of an eco-friendly triethyl citrate (TEC) plasticizer, unlike a conventional, petroleum-derived phthalate plasticizer. Three types of processing were used to fabricate plasticized cellulose acetate parts: compression molding, extrusion followed by compression molding, and extrusion followed by injection molding. The processing mode affected the physico-mechanical and thermal properties of the cellulosic plastic. Compression molded samples exhibited the highest impact strength, tending towards the impact strength of a thermoplastic olefin (TPO), while samples that were extruded and then injection molded exhibited the highest tensile strength and modulus values. Increasing the plasticizer content in the cellulosic plastic formulation improved the impact strength and strain to failure while decreasing the tensile strength and modulus values. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the cellulose acetate increased with increasing amounts of plasticizer. Plasticized cellulose acetate was found to be processable at 170-180°C, approximately 50°C below the melting point of neat cellulose acetate.
138 citations
125 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, a colloidal suspension of exfoliated graphene oxide sheets in water with hydrazine hydrate results in their aggregation and subsequent formation of a high surface area carbon material which consists of thin graphene-based sheets.
12,756 citations
TL;DR: Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Triesteadays.
Abstract: Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vass. Constantinou Avenue, 116 35 Athens, Greece, Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire, UPR9021 CNRS, Immunologie et Chimie Therapeutiques, 67084 Strasbourg, France, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
3,886 citations
TL;DR: Graphene and its derivatives are being studied in nearly every field of science and engineering as mentioned in this paper, and recent progress has shown that the graphene-based materials can have a profound impact on electronic and optoelectronic devices, chemical sensors, nanocomposites and energy storage.
3,118 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of literature on bio-fiber reinforced composites is presented in this paper, where the overall characteristics of reinforcing fibers used in biocomposites, including source, type, structure, composition, as well as mechanical properties, are reviewed.
3,074 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an extended account of the various chemical strategies for grafting polymers onto carbon nanotubes and the manufacturing of carbon-nanotube/polymer nanocomposites is given.
2,766 citations