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Advanced Functional Polymer Nanocomposites
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Advanced Functional Polymer Nanocomposites

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecular Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 9471

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Maria-Cristina Popescu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: nanocomposite materials; natural polymers; physicochemical evaluation; 2D correlation spectroscopy; intermolecular interactions; crystallization; optical properties of materials; biodegradation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer nanocomposites represent an advanced branch of polymer science formed by combining two phases of different components in order to obtain new materials with superior properties and performance. The enhanced properties of the formed nanocomposites depend on the individual properties of each component material, their relative amounts, and their overall geometry. They have higher thermal and mechanical stability, multifunctional capabilities, chemical functionalization, and a huge interphase zone.

The combination of the various materials with different properties results in the formation of new materials, which has attracted large interest in the various fields, such as food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, transport, electronics, material manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, etc. Additionally, smart polymer nanocomposites, which respond to external stimuli by changing their properties and structure, represent an important group of materials that hold a boundless potential for the fabrication of sensors, actuators, robots, electronics, and medical devices.

This Special Issue is open to researchers from academia and industry from different scientific fields such as polymers, chemical, biochemical, mechanical and materials engineering, as well as plastics technology.

The collection aims to include current studies in the field of Advanced Functional Polymer Nanocomposites by combining original papers or review articles in order to link the performance and functionalities with fundamental properties, chemistry, physics, and application of these materials, to provide a multidisciplinary image and a deeper understanding of the topic.

Dr. Maria-Cristina Popescu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Functional polymer nanocomposites
  • Smart polymer nanocomposites
  • Advanced processing
  • Structure and properties
  • Performance
  • Applications

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 3490 KiB  
Article
Poly(styrene sulfonic acid)-Grafted Carbon Black Synthesized by Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
by Artavazd Kirakosyan, Donghyun Lee, Yoonseong Choi, Namgee Jung and Jihoon Choi
Molecules 2023, 28(10), 4168; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28104168 - 18 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2166
Abstract
Owing to their excellent electrical conductivity and robust mechanical properties, carbon-based nanocomposites are being used in a wide range of applications and devices, such as electromagnetic wave interference shielding, electronic devices, and fuel cells. While several approaches have been developed for synthesizing carbon [...] Read more.
Owing to their excellent electrical conductivity and robust mechanical properties, carbon-based nanocomposites are being used in a wide range of applications and devices, such as electromagnetic wave interference shielding, electronic devices, and fuel cells. While several approaches have been developed for synthesizing carbon nanotubes and carbon-black-based polymer nanocomposites, most studies have focused on the simple blending of the carbon material with a polymer matrix. However, this results in uncontrolled interactions between the carbon filler and the polymer chains, leading to the agglomeration of the carbon filler. Herein, we report a new strategy for synthesizing sulfonated polystyrene (PSS)-grafted carbon black nanoparticles (NPs) via surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization. Treatments with O2 plasma and H2O2 result in the effective attachment of the appropriate initiator to the carbon black NPs, thus allowing for the controlled formation of the PSS brushes. The high polymeric processability and desirable mechanical properties of the PSS-grafted carbon black NPs enable them suitable for use in nonfluorinated-hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells, which must exhibit high proton conductivity without interrupting the network of channels consisting of ionic clusters (i.e., sulfonic acid moieties). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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11 pages, 2815 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Hydroxy-Terminated Polybutadiene with Piezoelectric Property by Functionalized Branch Chain Modification
by Bo Yuan, Guang Wang, Wenxue Tian, Li Zhou and Chunxiang Li
Molecules 2023, 28(4), 1810; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041810 - 14 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2152
Abstract
Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)-based piezoelectric polymer (m-HTPB) is prepared for the first time by functionalized branch chain modification strategy. In the presence of HTPB with >98.8% cis-1,4 content, the C=C bond partly breaks down, and functionalized acetylferrocene groups are introduced to the cis-1,4 polybutadiene [...] Read more.
Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)-based piezoelectric polymer (m-HTPB) is prepared for the first time by functionalized branch chain modification strategy. In the presence of HTPB with >98.8% cis-1,4 content, the C=C bond partly breaks down, and functionalized acetylferrocene groups are introduced to the cis-1,4 polybutadiene branch chain, retaining the high cis-1,4 content of HTPB. The whole process is conducted under mild conditions, without complicated manipulations. The microstructure and molecular weight of m-HTPB are characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, 1H or 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The thermal properties of HTPB and m-HTPB are determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Electrochemical investigations reveal that m-HTPB exhibits higher conductance compared with HTPB. The m-HTPB flexible piezoelectric polymer is further used for in situ and real-time pressure monitoring. This simple and effective strategy provides a promising polymeric material for flexible piezoelectric sensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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21 pages, 5232 KiB  
Article
Gelatin Reinforced with CNCs as Nanocomposite Matrix for Trichoderma harzianum KUEN 1585 Spores in Seed Coatings
by Bianca-Ioana Dogaru, Vasile Stoleru, Gabriela Mihalache, Sems Yonsel and Maria-Cristina Popescu
Molecules 2021, 26(19), 5755; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195755 - 23 Sep 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2209
Abstract
Increasing interest on sustainable agriculture has led to the development of new materials which can be used as seed coating agents. In this study, a new material was developed based on gelatin film reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) which was further used as [...] Read more.
Increasing interest on sustainable agriculture has led to the development of new materials which can be used as seed coating agents. In this study, a new material was developed based on gelatin film reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) which was further used as nanocomposite matrix for Trichoderma harzianum KUEN 1585 spores. The nanocomposite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showing the formation of new hydrogen bonds between the components with a good compatibility between them. Measurements of water contact angles and tests of water vapor sorption and swelling degree revealed an improvement in the water vapor absorption properties of the films as a result of their reinforcement with CNC. Furthermore, by adding the Trichoderma harzianum KUEN 1585 spp. in the seed coating material, the germination percentage, speed of germination and roots length of the corn seeds improved. The polymeric coating did not inhibit the growth of T. harzianum KUEN 1585, with this material being a good candidate in modern agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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18 pages, 4759 KiB  
Article
Functional Nanocomposite Films of Poly(Lactic Acid) with Well-Dispersed Chitin Nanocrystals Achieved Using a Dispersing Agent and Liquid-Assisted Extrusion Process
by Mitul Patel, Daniel Schwendemann, Giorgia Spigno, Shiyu Geng, Linn Berglund and Kristiina Oksman
Molecules 2021, 26(15), 4557; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154557 - 28 Jul 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2312
Abstract
The development of bio-based nanocomposites is of high scientific and industrial interest, since they offer excellent advantages in creating functional materials. However, dispersion and distribution of the nanomaterials inside the polymer matrix is a key challenge to achieve high-performance functional nanocomposites. In this [...] Read more.
The development of bio-based nanocomposites is of high scientific and industrial interest, since they offer excellent advantages in creating functional materials. However, dispersion and distribution of the nanomaterials inside the polymer matrix is a key challenge to achieve high-performance functional nanocomposites. In this context, for better dispersion, biobased triethyl citrate (TEC) as a dispersing agent in a liquid-assisted extrusion process was used to prepare the nanocomposites of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs). The aim was to identify the effect of the TEC content on the dispersion of ChNCs in the PLA matrix and the manufacturing of a functional nanocomposite. The nanocomposite film’s optical properties; microstructure; migration of the additive and nanocomposites’ thermal, mechanical and rheological properties, all influenced by the ChNC dispersion, were studied. The microscopy study confirmed that the dispersion of the ChNCs was improved with the increasing TEC content, and the best dispersion was found in the nanocomposite prepared with 15 wt% TEC. Additionally, the nanocomposite with the highest TEC content (15 wt%) resembled the mechanical properties of commonly used polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene. The addition of ChNCs in PLA-TEC15 enhanced the melt viscosity, as well as melt strength, of the polymer and demonstrated antibacterial activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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