Showing papers by "Cabot Corporation published in 2017"

Benchmarking Cellulose Nanocrystals: From the Laboratory to Industrial Production

Abstract: The renewability, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have made them an attractive material for numerous composite, biomedical, and rheological applications. However, for CNCs to shift from a laboratory curiosity to commercial applications, researchers must transition from CNCs extracted on the bench scale to material produced on an industrial scale. There are a number of companies currently producing kilogram to ton per day quantities of sulfuric acid-hydrolyzed CNCs as well as other nanocelluloses, as described herein. With the recent intensification of industrially produced CNCs and the variety of cellulose sources, hydrolysis methods, and purification procedures, the characterization of these materials becomes critical. This has further been justified by the past two decades of research that demonstrate that the CNC stability and behavior are highly dependent on the surface chemistry, surface charge density, and particle size. This work outlines key test method...

The role of hydrogen bonding in non-ionic polymer adsorption to cellulose nanocrystals and silica colloids

Abstract: A piqued interest in nanocellulose has recently arisen due to the growing need to use sustainable and renewable materials in place of those that are derived from petrochemical resources. Although current commercial uses of nanocellulose remain limited, research over the past two decades demonstrates numerous applications including reinforcing agents in polymer and cement composites, coatings, foams, gels, tissue scaffolds, and rheological modifiers, amongst others. Because of the hydrophilic nature of nanocellulose many of the potential uses will likely be in water-based formulations or employ water-based processing methods. Thus understanding the interactions between nanocellulose and water-soluble polymers is critical. Although polyelectrolyte adsorption to cellulose is well understood, adsorption of non-ionic polymers is less clear, with hydrogen bonding often cited as a governing factor. Recent work suggests that in fact hydrogen bonding does not play a significant role in nanocellulose systems, and that non-ionic polymer adsorption is largely entropically driven. Herein we review current literature that investigates non-ionic polymer adsorption to cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and draw upon previous papermaking research to better understand the mechanisms involved. Additionally we analyze recent work that compares the adsorption of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to CNCs and fumed silica that provides further insight into this phenomenon. Our findings, along with current literature, suggest that hydrogen bonding does not significantly impact polymer adsorption in aqueous media despite reports to the contrary.

Effect of Ionic Strength and Surface Charge Density on the Kinetics of Cellulose Nanocrystal Thin Film Swelling.

Abstract: This work explores cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) thin films (<50 nm) and particle–particle interactions by investigating film swelling in aqueous solutions with varying ionic strength (1–100 mM). CNC film hydration was monitored in situ via surface plasmon resonance, and the kinetics of liquid uptake were quantified. The contribution of electrostatic double-layer forces to film swelling was elucidated by using CNCs with different surface charges (anionic sulfate half ester groups, high and low surface charge density, and cationic trimethylammonium groups). Total water uptake in the thin films was found to be independent of ionic strength and surface chemistry, suggesting that in the aggregated state van der Waals forces dominate over double-layer forces to hold the films together. However, the rate of swelling varied significantly. The water uptake followed Fickian behavior, and the measured diffusion constants decreased with the ionic strength gradient between the film and the solution. This work highlight...

Comparison of polyethylene glycol adsorption to nanocellulose versus fumed silica in water

Abstract: The recent intensification of industrially produced cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibrils has positioned nanocelluloses as promising materials for many water-based products and applications. However, for nanocelluloses to move beyond solely an academic interest, a thorough understanding of their interaction with water-soluble polymers is needed. In this work, we address a conflicting trend in literature that suggests polyethylene glycol (PEG) adsorbs to CNC surfaces by comparing the adsorption behaviour of PEG with CNCs versus fumed silica. While PEG is known to have strong hydrogen bonding tendencies and holds water tightly, it is sometimes (we believe erroneously) presumed that PEG binds to cellulose through hydrogen bonding in aqueous media. To test this assumption, the adsorption of PEG to CNCs and fumed silica (both in the form of particle films and in aqueous dispersions) was examined using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, isothermal titration calorimetry, rheology and dynamic light scattering. For all PEG molecular weights (300–10,000 g/mol) and concentrations (100–10,000 ppm) tested, strong rapid adsorption was found with fumed silica, whereas no adsorption to CNCs was observed. We conclude that unlike silanols, the hydroxyl groups on the surface of CNCs do not readily hydrogen bond with the ether oxygen in the PEG backbone. As such, this work along with previous papermaking literature supports the opinion that PEG does not adsorb to cellulose surfaces.

Polymers for inkjet ink compositions

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymers, which can be incorporated in pigment dispersions and inkjet ink compositions, comprising first monomers selected from ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomers, and second monomers selected from maleic anhydride, maleic acid, and salts, esters, imides, and amides thereof. The polymers can have a portion of the second monomers functionalized with at least one organic group having a calcium index value greater than or equal to a calcium index value of phenylphosphonic acid. Additionally and/or alternatively, the at least one polymer can be crosslinked via the second monomers. Dispersions and inkjet ink compositions comprising such polymers can also further comprise at least one pigment and a liquid vehicle. Also disclosed are methods of making such polymers.

Composite particles having coated aggregates with low structure carbon black cores, coatings and inks with high resistivity and optical density, devices made therewith, and methods for making same

Abstract: Composite particles that super-aggregates of coated aggregates having low structure carbon black cores and metal/metalloid oxide mantles are described. Coatings containing filler-polymer compositions which have the composite particles as filler, such as curable coatings and cured coatings or films formed therefrom containing the filler-polymer compositions, with combinations of high resistivity, good optical density properties, good thermal stability, high dielectric constant, and good processability, along with their use in black matrices, black column spacers, light shielding elements in LCDs and other display devices, also are described. Inks containing the composite particle are described. Devices having these compositions, components and/or elements, and methods of preparing and making these various materials and products are described.

Methods of making an elastomer composite reinforced with silica and carbon black and products containing same

Abstract: Methods to make a silica and carbon black elastomer composite with a destabilized dispersion that includes silica are described, along with particle reinforced elastomer composites made from the methods. The advantages achieved with the methods are further described.

Electrodes, compositions, and devices having high structure carbon blacks

Abstract: An electrode for an energy storage device includes carbon black particles having (a) a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area ranging from 70 to 120 m 2 /g; (b) an oil absorption number (OAN) ranging from 180 to 310 mL/100 g; (c) a surface energy less than or equal to 15 mJ/m 2 ; and (d) either an L a crystallite size less than or equal to 29 Å, or a primary particle size less than or equal to 24 nm.

Compounded rubber having improved thermal transfer

Abstract: A compounded elastomer exhibiting excellent mechanical and heat transfer properties is described. The elastomer can include two or more different carbon blacks, and one of the carbon blacks is a partially crystallized carbon black.

Thermally conductive polymer compositions containing carbon black

Abstract: A composite polymer composition comprising partially crystallized carbon black. The composition exhibits superior thermal transfer properties in plastic formulations. The polymer precursor exhibits excellent rheology when compared to similar compositions comprising traditional carbon blacks. The composite polymers provide for higher loading of more thermally conductive carbon blacks in a variety of composite polymer compositions.

Nanocomposites containing crystalline polyester and organosilica

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing core‑shell composite particles comprising a polyester, polymerized ethylenically unsaturated silane compounds, and optionally a hydrophobic surface treatment. The invention further provides a composite particle comprising a polyester and a radically polymerized ethylenically unsaturated silane compound.

Influence of tire debris on tire performance

Abstract: A large number of wear debris particles can be found on the tread surface at any time during normal tire operation. In highly accelerated lab tests, it has been shown that wet friction is ...