Is polylactic acid an amorphous or crystalline polymer?4 answersPolylactic acid (PLA) is a semicrystalline polymer that exhibits both amorphous and crystalline phases. The crystalline structure of PLA is directly related to its piezoelectric activity, with the β-crystalline phase being the piezoelectric one. PLA can crystallize in three different forms: α-, β-, and γ-form, with the β-form being the desired one for piezoelectric activity. The crystallinity and crystal modifications of PLA can be influenced by various factors such as preparation conditions and components. In addition to the crystalline regions, PLA also contains different amorphous fractions, including a bulk-like totally mobile amorphous fraction, a slightly constrained mobile amorphous fraction, and a rigid amorphous fraction located at the crystal-amorphous interface. The presence of these amorphous fractions affects the physical properties and behavior of PLLA, including its melting behavior.
What is the role of amorphous phase in the thermal stability of polymers?5 answersThe amorphous phase plays a crucial role in the thermal stability of polymers. Incorporating amorphous drugs into polymeric components has been shown to enhance the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. The addition of crystalline polymers into bitumen/SBS blends improves the thermal stability of the blends. Designing thermally conductive polymers requires understanding the relationship between molecular morphology and thermal conductivity in bulk amorphous polymers. Increasing the intrinsic thermal conductivity of amorphous polymers is important for their usage in thermal management applications. The amorphous phase affects the phase structure, rheological properties, and thermal stability of polymers. The molecular morphology, including the radius of gyration and persistence length, influences the thermal conductivity of amorphous polymers. Therefore, the amorphous phase is a key factor in determining the thermal stability and conductivity of polymers.
Do the physical properties of glasses depend on the density of oxygen ions?5 answersThe physical properties of glasses can be influenced by the concentration of certain ions in the glass matrix. For example, in lithium-borosulfophosphate glasses, the density and refractive index increase proportionally with the concentration of Dy2O3 and Eu2O3, while the molar volume exhibits the opposite behavior. In bismuth borophosphate glasses doped with Er3+ ions, the density tends to decrease with increasing Er2O3 concentration, while the molar volume tends to increase. Additionally, the density and molar volume of borosilicate glasses doped with Dy3+ ions increase with the concentration of Dy2O3. These findings suggest that the physical properties of glasses can depend on the concentration of certain ions, but it is not explicitly mentioned in the abstracts whether the physical properties depend on the density of oxygen ions specifically.
How does the addition of Bi2O3 affect the structure and properties of PbO-P2O5 glasses?5 answersThe addition of Bi2O3 to PbO-P2O5 glasses affects their structure and properties. The density and molar volume of the glasses decrease with increasing PbO concentration (decreasing Bi2O3). The refractive index, molar refractivity, and ionic polarizability also decrease with the increase of PbO concentration. The presence of Bi2O3 in the glasses leads to the depolymerization of the phosphate links and the creation of Bi-O-P groups. The incorporation of PbO into the glasses forms [PbO6] units, while Bi2O3 affects the network with [BiO6] structural units. The addition of Bi2O3 improves the radiation shielding capabilities of the glasses, as indicated by the increase in linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) values. Overall, the addition of Bi2O3 influences the structure, optical, and radiation shielding properties of PbO-P2O5 glasses.
How do the properties of geopolymers made with glass compare to those made with other materials?5 answersGeopolymers made with glass exhibit different properties compared to those made with other materials. Glass-based geopolymers have a denser gel phase and improved mechanical properties when a low content of glass powder (5%-10%) is introduced. The addition of glass powder also reduces the water loss rate and drying shrinkage of the samples, leading to improved durability. Glass particles introduce a higher extent of alkalinity to the system, resulting in different kinetics of the geopolymer reaction and a denser and stronger final binder. In contrast, other materials such as clay, sand, and wood ash are used in the preparation of geopolymers, and their composition affects the geopolymer formation process and properties. The curing temperature and duration also play a role in the properties of inorganic polymeric materials, with over-curing resulting in visible cracking and diminished compressive strength.
Amorphous polymers and melting point4 answersAmorphous polymers have a melting point (Tm) that is distinct from their glass transition temperature (Tg). The melting point of a crystalline polymer depends on the proportion of amorphous material in its structure. The melting point is determined by the characteristics of the crystalline parts, such as the thickness of the crystalline lamellae. The molar heat of fusion and entropy change during melting are independent of the thickness of the crystalline lamellae. The thermodynamic equilibrium between crystalline and amorphous phases in polymers is influenced by the fringed micelle model. The interaction between the crystalline and amorphous phases can occur at the lateral end of polymeric chains incorporated into the crystalline phase. The melting behavior of semicrystalline polymers is complicated due to the conformational transformation of chain segments during melting.