Polymers

Research

18 pages, 5570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Effects of Adsorbed Water on Adhesion Energy and Nanostructure of Asphalt and Aggregate Surfaces Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulation

by Wentian Cui, Wenke Huang, Bei Hu, Jiawen Xie, Zhicheng Xiao, Xu Cai and Kuanghuai Wu

Polymers 2020, 12(10), 2339; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102339 - 13 Oct 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3109

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aggregate surface adsorbed water on the adhesive capacity and nanostructure of asphalt-aggregate interfaces at the atomic scale. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed to measure and analyze the molecular interactions of asphalt [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aggregate surface adsorbed water on the adhesive capacity and nanostructure of asphalt-aggregate interfaces at the atomic scale. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed to measure and analyze the molecular interactions of asphalt binder with calcite and silica. Radial distribution function (RDF) and relative concentration (RC) were applied to characterizing the concentrations and distributions of asphalt components on aggregate surfaces. In addition, debonding energy and adhesion energy were employed to calculate the variations of interface adhesion energy of the asphalt-aggregate system under different conditions. The obtained results illustrated that the water molecules adsorbed onto the surface of weakly alkaline aggregates inhibited the concentration and distribution of asphalt components near the aggregate surface, decreased adhesion energy between asphalt and aggregates, and changed asphalt nanostructure. Especially, when external free water intruded into the interface of the asphalt-calcite system, the adsorbed water interacted with free water and seriously declined the water damage resistance of the asphalt mixture with limestone as an aggregate and decreased the durability of the mixtures. The water adsorbed onto the surface of the acid aggregate negatively affected the asphalt-silica interface system and slightly reduced the water damage resistance of the asphalt mixture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Nanocomposite Interfaces; Fabrication, Properties and Simulations)

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19 pages, 4217 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Mechanical Behavior of Melt-Mixed 3D Hierarchical Graphene/Polypropylene Nanocomposites

by Karolina Gaska, Georgia C. Manika, Thomas Gkourmpis, Davide Tranchida, Antonis Gitsas and Roland Kádár

Polymers 2020, 12(6), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12061309 - 8 Jun 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3628

Abstract

The mechanical properties of novel low percolation melt-mixed 3D hierarchical graphene/polypropylene nanocomposites are analyzed in this study. The analysis spans a broad range of techniques and time scales, from impact to tensile, dynamic mechanical behavior, and creep. The applicability of the time–temperature superposition [...] Read more.

The mechanical properties of novel low percolation melt-mixed 3D hierarchical graphene/polypropylene nanocomposites are analyzed in this study. The analysis spans a broad range of techniques and time scales, from impact to tensile, dynamic mechanical behavior, and creep. The applicability of the time–temperature superposition principle and its limitations in the construction of the master curve for the isotactic polypropylene (iPP)-based graphene nanocomposites has been verified and presented. The Williams–Landel–Ferry method has been used to evaluate the dynamics and also Cole–Cole curves were presented to verify the thermorheological character of the nanocomposites. Short term (quasi-static) tensile tests, creep, and impact strength measurements were used to evaluate the load transfer efficiency. A significant increase of Young’s modulus with increasing filler content indicates reasonably good dispersion and adhesion between the iPP and the filler. The Young’s modulus results were compared with predicted modulus values using Halpin–Tsai model. An increase in brittleness resulting in lower impact strength values has also been recorded. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Nanocomposite Interfaces; Fabrication, Properties and Simulations)

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11 pages, 2657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Model Progress for Tensile Power of Polymer Nanocomposites Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes by Percolating Interphase Zone and Network Aspects

by Yasser Zare and Kyong Yop Rhee

Polymers 2020, 12(5), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12051047 - 2 May 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2220

Abstract

In the present work, a simple simulation is advanced based on a Callister equation considering the impacts of interphase and carbon nanotube (CNT) nets on the strength of nanocomposites after percolation onset. The advanced model can analyze the strength of nanocomposite by filler [...] Read more.

In the present work, a simple simulation is advanced based on a Callister equation considering the impacts of interphase and carbon nanotube (CNT) nets on the strength of nanocomposites after percolation onset. The advanced model can analyze the strength of nanocomposite by filler aspect ratio (α), percolation beginning (

φ_{p}

), interphase depth (t), interphase power (σ_i), net density (N), and net power (σ_N). The empirical consequences of several samples agree with the estimations of the industrialised model. The nanocomposite strength straightly depends on “α”, “t”, “σ_i”, “N”, and “σ_N”, while the radius and percolation onset of CNT play the inverse characters. The reasonable impacts of net and interphase possessions on the nanocomposite strength rationalise the accurate progress of the Callister equation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Nanocomposite Interfaces; Fabrication, Properties and Simulations)

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13 pages, 2584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elastomer Characterization Method for Trapped Rubber Processing

by Pooria Khalili, Thomas Boulanger and Brina J. Blinzler

Polymers 2020, 12(3), 686; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12030686 - 19 Mar 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3549

Abstract

The increasing high-volume demand for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) brings into focus the need for autoclave alternative processing. Trapped rubber processing (TRP) of PMCs is a method capable of achieving high pressures during polymer matrix composite processing by utilizing thermally induced volume change [...] Read more.

The increasing high-volume demand for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) brings into focus the need for autoclave alternative processing. Trapped rubber processing (TRP) of PMCs is a method capable of achieving high pressures during polymer matrix composite processing by utilizing thermally induced volume change of a nearly incompressible material inside a closed cavity mold. Recent advances in rubber materials and computational technology have made this processing technique more attractive. Elastomers can be doped with nanoparticles to increase thermal conductivity and this can be further tailored for local variations in thermal conductivity for TRP. In addition, recent advances in computer processing allow for simulation of coupled thermomechanical processes for full part modeling. This study presents a method of experimentally characterizing prospective rubber materials. The experiments are designed to characterize the dynamic in situ change in temperature, the dynamic change in volume, and the resulting real-time change in surface pressure. The material characterization is specifically designed to minimize the number and difficulty of experimental tests while fully capturing the rubber behavior for the TRP scenario. The experimental characterization was developed to provide the necessary data for accurate thermomechanical material models of nearly incompressible elastomeric polymers for use in TRP virtual design and optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Nanocomposite Interfaces; Fabrication, Properties and Simulations)

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12 pages, 5962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coating Strategy for Surface Modification of Stainless Steel Wire to Improve Interfacial Adhesion of Medical Interventional Catheters

by Zhaomin Li, Haijuan Kong, Muhuo Yu, Shu Zhu and Minglin Qin

Polymers 2020, 12(2), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12020381 - 8 Feb 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3669

Abstract

Poor interfacial bonding between stainless steel wire and the inner and outer layer resin matrix significantly affects the mechanical performance of braid-reinforced composite hollow fiber tube, especially torsion control. In this work, a coating of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) deposited on the surface of [...] Read more.

Poor interfacial bonding between stainless steel wire and the inner and outer layer resin matrix significantly affects the mechanical performance of braid-reinforced composite hollow fiber tube, especially torsion control. In this work, a coating of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) deposited on the surface of stainless steel wire greatly enhanced the mechanical performance of braid-reinforced composite hollow fiber tube. This method takes advantage of the hydrogen bonding between polyether block amide (PEBA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for surface modification of stainless steel wire, as well as the good compatibility between PEBA and TPU. The mechanical properties of composited tubes demonstrate that the interlaminar shear strength, modulus of elasticity, and torque transmission properties were enhanced by 27.8%, 42.1%, and 41.4%, respectively. The results indicating that the interfacial adhesion between the coated stainless steel wire and the inner and outer matrix was improved. In addition, the interfacial properties of composite hollow fiber tube before and after coating was characterized by the optical microscope, and results show that the interfacial adhesion properties of the modified stainless steel wire reinforced resin matrix composites were greatly improved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Nanocomposite Interfaces; Fabrication, Properties and Simulations)

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12 pages, 1990 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Expanded Takayanagi Model for Tensile Modulus of Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Nanocomposites Assuming Interphase Regions Surrounding the Dispersed and Networked Nanoparticles

by Yasser Zare and Kyong Yop Rhee

Polymers 2020, 12(1), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010233 - 17 Jan 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3054

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the interphase regions surrounding the dispersed and networked carbon nanotubes (CNT) to develop and simplify the expanded Takayanagi model for tensile modulus of polymer CNT nanocomposites (PCNT). The moduli and volume fractions of dispersed and networked CNT and [...] Read more.

In this paper, we consider the interphase regions surrounding the dispersed and networked carbon nanotubes (CNT) to develop and simplify the expanded Takayanagi model for tensile modulus of polymer CNT nanocomposites (PCNT). The moduli and volume fractions of dispersed and networked CNT and the surrounding interphase regions are considered. Since the modulus of interphase region around the dispersed CNT insignificantly changes the modulus of nanocomposites, this parameter is removed from the developed model. The developed model shows acceptable agreement with the experimental results of several samples. “E_R” as nanocomposite modulus per the modulus of neat matrix changes from 1.4 to 7.7 at dissimilar levels of “f” (CNT fraction in the network) and network modulus. Moreover, the lowest relative modulus of 2.2 is observed at the smallest levels of interphase volume fraction (

ϕ_{i}

< 0.017), while the highest “

ϕ_{i}

” as 0.07 obtains the highest relative modulus of 11.8. Also, the variation of CNT size (radius and length) significantly changes the relative modulus from 2 to 20. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Nanocomposite Interfaces; Fabrication, Properties and Simulations)

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17 pages, 5749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of Nanoparticle Response to the Sound Pressure Effect during the Drug-Delivery Process

by Mohamed Abbas, Mohammed Alqahtani, Ali Algahtani, Amir Kessentini, Hassen Loukil, Muneer Parayangat, Thafasal Ijyas and Abdul Wase Mohammed

Polymers 2020, 12(1), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010186 - 10 Jan 2020

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 3106

Abstract

Intravenous delivery is the fastest conventional method of delivering drugs to their targets in seconds, whereas intramuscular and subcutaneous injections provide a slower continuous delivery of drugs. In recent years, nanoparticle-based drug-delivery systems have gained considerable attention. During the progression of nanoparticles into [...] Read more.

Intravenous delivery is the fastest conventional method of delivering drugs to their targets in seconds, whereas intramuscular and subcutaneous injections provide a slower continuous delivery of drugs. In recent years, nanoparticle-based drug-delivery systems have gained considerable attention. During the progression of nanoparticles into the blood, the sound waves generated by the particles create acoustic pressure that affects the movement of nanoparticles. To overcome this issue, the impact of sound pressure levels on the development of nanoparticles was studied herein. In addition, a composite nanostructure was developed using different types of nanoscale substances to overcome the effect of sound pressure levels in the drug-delivery process. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed nanostructure based on a group of different nanoparticles. This study suggests five materials, namely, polyimide, acrylic plastic, Aluminum 3003-H18, Magnesium AZ31B, and polysilicon for the design of the proposed structure. The best results were obtained in the case of the movement of these molecules at lower frequencies. The performance of acrylic plastic is better than other materials; the sound pressure levels reached minimum values at frequencies of 1, 10, 20, and 60 nHz. Furthermore, an experimental setup was designed to validate the proposed idea using advanced biomedical imaging technologies. The experimental results demonstrate the possibilities of detecting, tracking, and evaluating the movement behaviors of nanoparticles. The experimental results also demonstrate that the lowest sound pressure levels were observed at lower frequency levels, thus proving the validity of the proposed computational model assumptions. The outcome of this study will pave the way to understand the interaction behaviors of nanoparticles with the surrounding biological environments, including the sound pressure effect, which could lead to the useof such an effect in facilitating directional and tactic movements of the micro- and nano-motors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Nanocomposite Interfaces; Fabrication, Properties and Simulations)

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13 pages, 2391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation of Percolation Threshold, Tunneling Distance, and Conductivity for Carbon Nanotube (CNT)-Reinforced Nanocomposites Assuming Effective CNT Concentration

by Yasser Zare and Kyong Yop Rhee

Polymers 2020, 12(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010114 - 5 Jan 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3852

Abstract

This article suggests simple and new equations for the percolation threshold of nanoparticles, the tunneling distance between nanoparticles, and the tunneling conductivity of polymer carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites (PCNT), assuming an effective filler concentration. The developed equations correlate the conductivity, tunneling distance, and [...] Read more.

This article suggests simple and new equations for the percolation threshold of nanoparticles, the tunneling distance between nanoparticles, and the tunneling conductivity of polymer carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites (PCNT), assuming an effective filler concentration. The developed equations correlate the conductivity, tunneling distance, and percolation threshold to CNT waviness, interphase thickness, CNT dimensions, and CNT concentration. The developed model for conductivity is applied for some samples and the predictions are evaluated by experimental measurements. In addition, the impacts of various parameters on the mentioned terms are discussed to confirm the developed equations. Comparisons between the calculations and the experimental results demonstrate the validity of the developed model for tunneling conductivity. High levels of CNT concentration, CNT length, and interphase thickness, as well as the straightness and thinness of CNTs increase the nanocomposite conductivity. The developed formulations can substitute for the conventional equations for determining the conductivity and percolation threshold in CNT-reinforced nanocomposites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Nanocomposite Interfaces; Fabrication, Properties and Simulations)

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12 pages, 2589 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Micro Interfacial Charge Motion of Polyethylene Nanocomposite Based on Electrostatic Force Microscope

by Bai Han, Jiaxin Chang, Wei Song, Zhi Sun, Chuqi Yin, Penghao Lv and Xuan Wang

Polymers 2019, 11(12), 2035; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym11122035 - 9 Dec 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2880

Abstract

The interface area of nano-dielectric is generally considered to play an important role in improving dielectric properties, especially in suppressing space charge. In order to study the role of interface area on a microscopic scale, the natural charge and injected charge movement and [...] Read more.

The interface area of nano-dielectric is generally considered to play an important role in improving dielectric properties, especially in suppressing space charge. In order to study the role of interface area on a microscopic scale, the natural charge and injected charge movement and diffusion on the surface of pure LDPE and SiO₂/LDPE nanocomposite were observed and studied by gradual discharge under electrostatic force microscope (EFM). It was detected that the charge in SiO₂/LDPE nanocomposite moved towards the interface area and was captured, which indicates that the charge was trapped in the interface area and formed a barrier to the further injection of charge and improving the dielectric performance as a result. Moreover, pulsed electro-acoustic (PEA) short-circuited test after charge injection was carried out, and the change of total charge was calculated. The trend of charge decay in the EFM test is also generally consistent with that in PEA short-circuit test and can be used to verify one another. The results revealed the law of charge movement and verified the interface area can inhibit space charge injection in nano-dielectric at the microscale, which provides an experimental reference for relevant theoretical research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Nanocomposite Interfaces; Fabrication, Properties and Simulations)

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