Yude Zhang

Bio: Yude Zhang is an academic researcher from Queensland University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Natural rubber & Styrene-butadiene. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 18 publications receiving 336 citations.

Influence of Calcination and Acidification on Structural Characterization of Anyang Anthracites

Abstract: The structural parameters of six coals were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. The results reveal that the derivative coals prepared by calcination and HF acidification contain much crystalline carbon like graphite structure and are improved significantly in aromaticity, coal rank, and hydroxyl concentration. The increase of hydroxyl (OH) bonds is very beneficial to the surface modification of coal crystalline layers. In addition, the derivative coals have an obvious decrease of the aliphatic C–H content and a significant increase of the aromatic C–H content in FTIR spectra compared to that for the raw coal (AY). They are consistent with the changes of aromaticity and crystalline carbon measured by XRD and Raman spectra. With the increase of coal rank, the content of defect crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon decreases gradually from AY to the coal prepared by calcination and HF acidification (AY-C-HF). The particles of AY-C-HF w...

Thermal stability of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites filled with kaolinite/silica hybrid filler

Abstract: Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites filled with fillers, such as modified kaolinite (MK), precipitated silica (PS), and the hybrid fillers containing MK and PS, were prepared by melt blending. The kaolinite sheets were finely dispersed in the SBR matrix around 20–80 nm in thickness and reached the nano-scale. The SBR composites with fillers exhibited excellent thermal stability compared to the pure SBR. The thermal stability of SBR composites was improved with the increasing of MK mass fraction. When MK hybridized with PS, kaolinite sheets were covered by the fine silica particles and the interface between filler particles and rubber matrix became more indistinct. SBR composite filled by hybrid fillers containing 40 phr MK and 10 phr PS became more difficult in decomposition and was better than that of 50 phr PS/SBR and 50 phr MK/SBR in thermal stability. Therefore, the hybridization of the fine silica particles with the kaolinite particles can effectively improve the thermal stability of SBR composites.

Gas barrier properties of polymer/clay nanocomposites

Abstract: In the field of nanotechnology, polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) have attracted both academic and industrial interest due to their exceptional electrical, mechanical and permeability properties. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art progress on the use of platelet-shaped fillers for the gas barrier properties of PNCs. Layered silicate nanoclays (such as montmorillonite and kaolinite) appear to be the most promising nanoscale fillers. These exfoliated nanofillers are able to form individual platelets when dispersed in a polymer matrix. The nanoplatelets do not allow diffusion of small gases through them and are able to produce a tortuous path which works as a barrier structure for gases. The utilization of clays in the fabrication of PNCs with different polymer matrices is explored. Most synthesis methods of clay-based PNCs are covered, including, solution blending, melt intercalation, in situ polymerization and latex compounding. The structure, preparation and gas barrier properties of PNCs are discussed in general along with detailed examples drawn from the scientific literature. Furthermore, details of mathematical modeling approaches/methods of gas barrier properties of PNCs are also presented and discussed.