Thermo-oxidative stabilization of poly(lactic acid) with antioxidant intercalated layered double hydroxides

Two antioxidant modified layered double hydroxides (AO-LDHs) were successfully prepared by the intercalation of 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (IrganoxCOOH) and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox) in the layered structure of LDH. It was found that by anchoring the phenolic moieties to the LDH layers the antioxidant power is retained in the case of Trolox, and even amplified in the case of IrganoxCOOH. A small amount of the two AO-LDHs was incorporated into poly(lactic acid), PLA, by solution mixing and melt extrusion. The thermo-oxidative stability of the composites was compared with that of the neat PLA and PLA containing free AOs. SEC analy…

Structure-properties relationships of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) filled PS nanocomposites

The polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) additivated polystyrene (PS) based nanocomposites were pre- pared by melt processing and the structure-properties relationships of the POSS-PS systems were compared to those of the neat PS. In order to investigate the effect of these structural parameters on the final properties of the polymer nanocompos- ites, five different kinds of POSS samples were used, in particular, POSS with different inorganic cage and with different organic pendent groups. The rheological investigation suggests clearly that the POSS acts as a plasticizer and that the processability of the PS was positively modified. The affinity between the POSS samples and the PS ma…

Thermo-oxidative resistant UHMWPE-based nanocomposites containing hybrid-nanoparticles based on natural anti-oxidants and carbon nanotubes

The use of natural antioxidants is an attractive way to formulate nanocomposites with extended durability and with potential applications in bio-medical field. In this work, Vitamin E (VE) in the form of α-tocopherol and Quercetin (Q) were physically immobilized onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes bearing covalently-linked long-chain alkyl ester groups (CNTs) and the resulting hybrids CNTs-VE and CNTs-Q were used to formulate thermo-oxidation stable ultra high molecular weight polyethylene based nanocomposites. The thermo-oxidation of the nanocomposites was performed at 120°C in air oven. The samples were then subjected to FTIR analyses at different annealing times. The accurate analysis of …

POSS Grafting on Polyethylene and Maleic Anhydride-Grafted Polyethylene by One-Step Reactive Melt Mixing

This study reports the one-step reactive melt mixing preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid based on maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene and 3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyl-heptaisobutyl substituted polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, (NPOSS), as well as on low-density polyethylene and allyl-heptaisobutyl-POSS (1POSS) in dicumyl peroxide presence, which is believed to activate the unsaturation of the reactive functional group of POSS itself. The successful grafting of POSS molecules onto polymeric backbones was probed through rheological and spectroscopic analysis. Grafting of POSS molecules enhances their dispersion in the polymeric matrix as shown by morphological analysis. Moreover, the…

Novel organo-modifier for thermally-stable polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites

A new novel approach for the stabilisation of polymer-clay nanocomposites has been investigated based on reacting chemically an antioxidant function, a hindered phenol moiety, with an organic modifier based on a quaternary ammonium salt. The chemically linked antioxidant-containing organic modifier (AO-OM) was then introduced into natural montmorillonite (MMt) through a cation-exchange reaction resulting in antioxidant-containing organo-modified clay (AO-OM-MMt). The new antioxidant-containing modified clay, along with other organo-modified clays having a similar organo-modifier but without the reacted antioxidant, were characterised by spectroscopic, thermogravimetric and x-ray diffraction…

Polymeric micelles as a new generation of anti-oxidant carriers

A promising strategy to immobilize a natural stabilizer in polymeric films is presented. Par-Ticularly, nevadensin (N, a natural basil flavonoid) molecules have been encapsulated in Pluronic F-127 micelles [F127, a triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide)] and the obtained nanoparticles have been introduced in poly(ethylene glycol), PEG [otherwise known as poly(ethylene oxide), PEO]. In order to verify the effectiveness of the micelles as anti-oxidant carriers, PEG-based films have been subjected to artificial weathering. The encapsulation of anti-oxidant molecules allows the enhancement of N solubility in PEG, leading to advanced materials with enh…

Nanocompositi a base di polistirene e ossido di zinco: azione disperdente delle molecole POSS

Thermally-stable polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites through intercalation of novel organo-modifier

Multi-functional hindered amine light stabilizers-functionalized carbon nanotubes for advanced ultra-high molecular weight Polyethylene-based nanocomposites

Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer (HAS) molecules have been covalently linked on the outer surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and the so-obtained multi-functional fillers (HAS-f-CNTs) have been compounded with Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) to get composite films. The success of the grafting reaction of the HAS molecules has been confirmed through spectroscopic and thermo-gravimetric analyses. Morphological analyses reveal a segregated microstructure, in which CNT-rich channels surround the polymer domains. This morphology results in improved mechanical properties and appreciable electrical conductive features. More importantly, the addition of only 1 wt.% of …

Biochar Particles Obtained from Agricultural Carob Waste as a Suitable Filler for Sustainable Biocomposite Formulations

In the context of sustainable and circular economy, the recovery of biowaste for sustainable biocomposites formulation is a challenging issue. The aim of this work is to give a new life to agricultural carob waste after glucose extraction carried out by a local factory for carob candy production. A pyrolysis process was carried out on bio-waste to produce biofuel and, later, the solid residual fraction of pyrolysis process was used as interesting filler for biocomposites production. In this work, biochar particles (BC) as a pyrolysis product, after fuels recovery of organic biowaste, specifically, pyrolyzed carobs after glucose extraction, were added on poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalat…

POSS Grafting on Polyethylene and Maleic Anhydride-Grafted Polyethylene by One-Step Reactive Melt Mixing

This study reports the one-step reactive melt mixing preparation of organic-inorganic hybrid based on maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene and 3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyl-heptaisobutyl substituted polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, (NPOSS), as well as on low-density polyethylene and allyl-heptaisobutyl-POSS (1POSS) in dicumyl peroxide presence, which is believed to activate the unsaturation of the reactive functional group of POSS itself. The successful grafting of POSS molecules onto polymeric backbones was probed through rheological and spectroscopic analysis. Grafting of POSS molecules enhances their dispersion in the polymeric matrix as shown by morphological analysis. Moreover, the…

Quercetin as natural stabilizing agent for bio-polymer

The introduction of antioxidants in polymers is the main way to prevent or delay the degradation process. In particular natural antioxidants receive attention in the food industry also because of their presumed safety. In this work bio-polymers, i.e. a commercial starch-based polymer (Mater-Bi®) and a bio-polyester (PLA), and a bio-polyether (PEO) were additivated with quercetin, a natural flavonoid antioxidants, in order to formulate bio-based films for ecosustainable packaging and outdoor applications. The photo-oxidation behavior of unstabilized and quercetin stabilized films was analyzed and compared with the behavior of films additivated with a commercial synthetic light stabilizer. Th…

Polyamide 11/clay nanocomposites: Effect of extrusion, thermo- and photo-oxidation behavior

Advanced nano-hybrids for thermo-oxidative-resistant nanocomposites

In the present work, trisilanol phenyl polyhedral olygomeric silsesquiosane (TSPh-POSS) has been physically immobilized onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) bearing covalently linked Br-terminated long-alkyl chain (Br-alkyl-f-CNTs), and the so obtained hybrid nanoparticles (Br-alkyl-f-CNTs/TSPh-POSS) have been used to prepare ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)-based nanocomposites with enhanced thermo-oxidative resistance. The effective immobilization of the TSPh-POSS molecules has been confirmed by spectroscopic and thermo-gravimetric analyses. Besides, the influence of the hybrid nanoparticles on the rheological and mechanical behaviour and morphology of the nanocomposites have bee…

Molecular Dynamic Simulation on Polyamide6/Graphene nano-layers nanocomposites

In this work results obtained from Molecular Dynamic Simulation (MDS) on Polyamide 6 (PA6) chains in graphene containing nanocomposites are presented. Through detailed MDS, the interface of complex nanocomposites systems can be fully characterized, furthermore different physical properties, such as density, end-to-end distance , and average radius of gyration of polymers chains can be predicted. This issue is useful for the design of highly value-added nanocomposites and the optimization of their production process, by defining transformation steps and status variables (temperature, time and pressure), that can also help the industrial production.

Relazione struttura-proprietà in nanocompositi POSS-PS

Effect of extrusion and photo-oxidation behaviour on polyamide11/clay nanocomposites

Influence of antioxidants intercalated layered double hydroxides (AO-LDHs) on the thermo-oxidative stability of pla and pe based nanocomposites

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are excellent host matrices for storage and delivery of antioxidants (AOs).

NANOCOMPOSITI A BASE POLIMERICA AD ELEVATE PRESTAZIONI:NANOPARTICELLE CON STABILIZZANTI IMMOBILIZZATI IN ORGANO-MODIFICATORI

Improved carbon nanotubes dispersion through polar dispersant agents in polyamide

The potential enhancement of the nanocomposite properties, with respect to the neat matrix, is strictly related to uniform distribution and dispersion of the nanofillers in the host polymer. In this work, two dispersant agents, particularly a polar wax and a silanol polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes POSS, have been used in order to improve the dispersion of bare and functionalized carbon nanotubes in polyamide matrix. To ensure a good compatibility between matrix and nanofillers, the dispersing agents having specific polarity have been chosen, in order to match that of the matrix. Significant alterations of the mechanical and rheological behaviour due to dispersion action of used additi…

Rheological Percolation Threshold in High-Viscosity Polymer/CNTs Nanocomposites

AbstractPolystyrene (PS)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) nanocomposites have been prepared through melt mixing processing aiming at obtaining a uniform and homogeneous dispersion of the used nanoparticles within the polymeric matrix. Optical and scanning electron microscopy has been employed to determine the dispersion and distribution of CNTs at different length scales. Furthermore, the linear viscoelastic behavior of formulated nanocomposites has been deeply investigated. As a result of CNTs added, the nanocomposites experience a transition from liquid-like to solid-like rheological behavior, and a disappearance of relaxation processes at low frequency can be noticed. By plotting G’ v…

POSS-poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) nanocomposites: physical interaction

UV-stabilisation of polystyrene-based nanocomposites provided by polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS)

Abstract The photo-ageing behaviour of Polyhedral Oligomeric SilSequioxane (POSS)-polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites has been investigated for the first time. POSS having different inorganic framework and pendant organic groups have been used in the PS nanocomposite preparation and the formulated films were subjected to accelerated weathering. Compared to pristine PS, the POSS-containing PS developed a lower level of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups as a function of the exposure time, indicating a significantly improved resistance of the nanocomposites to photo-degradation. The results suggest that all of the investigated POSS molecules play a protective role and may extend the in-use lifetime of …

Natural compounds as light stabilizers for biodegradable polymers

Polyamide-Based Fibers Containing Microwave-Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelets

Exfoliated Graphite NanoPlatelets (GNP) have been obtained from Graphite Intercalation Compounds (GIC) subjected to thermal and microwave treatments. Accurate morphological and structural characterization of obtained GNP, performed to compare the degree of exfoliation, show that microwave-treated GNP, exhibit well-exfoliated structure, without any reduction in dimensions compared with the native GIC, differently to the thermal-treated ones. Microwave-treated GNP have been introduced in polyamide (PA) through melt-mixing to obtain nanocomposite that has been subjected to elongational flow, with the aim to improve the nanofiller dispersion and induce GNP orientation along the fiber direction.…

Thermo-oxidative stabilization of poly(lactic acid)-based nanocomposites through the incorporation of clay with in-built antioxidant activity

In this work, an innovative approach to overcome the issue of the poor thermo-oxidative stability of polymer/clay nanocomposites is proposed. Specifically, biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based nanocomposites, containing organo-modified clay with in-built antioxidant activity, were prepared. Through a two-step chemical protocol, a hindered phenol antioxidant was chemically linked to the ammonium quaternary salt which was then intercalated between the clay platelets [(AO)OM-Mt]. The nanocomposites were characterized and their thermo-oxidative stability during melt processing and under long-term thermal test conditions was investigated. PLA nanocomposites containing the (AO)OM-Mt showed…

Advanced nanofillers for polymers: antioxidants immobilized in layered clays

Biopolyester-based systems containing naturally occurring compounds with enhanced thermooxidative stability

Background This work presents a sustainable approach for the stabilization of polylactic acid (PLA) against thermo-oxidative aging. Methods Naturally occurring phenolic and polyphenolic compounds, such as ferulic acid (FerAc), vanillic acid (VanAc), quercetin (Querc) and vitamin E (VitE), were introduced into PLA. Results The preliminary characterization of the systems formulated containing different amounts of natural stabilizers showed that all compounds used acted as plasticizers, leading to a decrease in rheological functions with respect to neat PLA, without significantly modifying the crystallinity of the raw material. The study of the thermo-oxidative behavior of neat PLA and PLA/nat…

On the role of multi-functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane in polystyrene-zinc oxide nanocomposites

Abstract Multi-functional trisilanol phenyl (TSPH) and trisilanol isobutyl (TSIB) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) have been used in the formulation of advanced polystyrene (PS)-zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites. The neat matrix and PS/ZnO-based nanocomposites have been characterized through rheological, morphological, mechanical, and dynamic thermo-mechanical analysis. Both TSPH and TSIB are able to improve the dispersion of ZnO into the polystyrene matrix; furthermore, adding TSIB leads to better results because it facilitates better solubility into the PS matrix and interaction/reaction with the ZnO nanopowder. Finally, the optical properties and photo-oxidative resistance of th…

Double bond-functionalized POSS: dispersion and crosslinking in polyethylene-based hybrid obtained by reactive processing

Polyethylene-based organic inorganic hybrids were prepared by one-step reactive melt mixing using a mono-functionalized nanofiller, i.e., allyl-heptaisobutyl-substituted polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (1POSS) and a multi-functionalized octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (8POSS). The hybrids were also prepared in dicumyl peroxide (DCP) presence and morphological, spectroscopical and calorimetric analysis were carried out. Moreover, rheological measurement and Sohxlet extraction were performed on investigated samples. It was inferred that double bonds of POSS functional groups were triggered by radicals coming from the peroxide decomposition or from the degradation reactions…

Photo-Stability Improvement of Polystyrene-block-Polybutadiene-block-Polystyrene through Carbon Nanotubes

The photo-oxidation stability of Polystyrene-Polybutadiene-Polystyrene (SBS) based nanocomposites containing bare multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanotubes bearing hydroxyl functional groups (CNTs-OH) in comparison to that of pristine SBS has been widely investigated. The photo-oxidation of pristine SBS occurs through crosslinking reactions and oxidized species formation and both these processes begin at early stage of exposure. The formation of crosslinking, formerly in polybutadiene phase, assessed by spectroscopical (FTIR), mechanical, dynamic mechanical and rheological analysis, leads to occurrence of internal mechanical stresses in the solid state and the SBS samples be…

Nanocomposites based on polystyrene and POSS molecules: properties and photo-stability

Natural stabilization for bio-polymeric systems

Degradation of Polymer Clay-Nanocomposites: a Novel Approach to Enhancing Service Life Performance

The problem of degradation of polymer-clay nanocomposites was addressed by sdopting a novel clay-stabilisation methodology prior tothe incorporation of the clay for reinforcement

Understanding the physical and/or chemical interaction in POSS-poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) nanocomposites

Photo-oxidation behaviour and morphology of zinc oxide-poss polystyrene based nanocomposites

Pluronic nanoparticles as anti-oxidant carriers for polymers

Abstract The immobilization of anti-oxidant stabilizers for polymers, particularly naturally occurring systems, can be considered a valuable route for preventing their migration, volatilization, thermo-degradation and decomposition at typical high processing temperatures, as well as for enhance their solubility in polymers. In this work, an innovative approach for the immobilization of naturally occurring stabilizer, through the encapsulation in copolymer nanoparticles, is proposed. Pluronic nanoparticles (PNPs), based on PEO-PPO-PEO, (PEO: poly (ethylene oxide); PPO: poly(propylene oxide)), without and with quercetin, Q, have been successfully formulated and the critical micellar condition…

Natural anti-oxidant additives for bio-degradable polymers

Il ruolo di molecole POSS(polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane) sulle relazioni proprietà struttura nei nanocompositi a base polistirenica

Recycling of Thermoset Materials and Thermoset-Based Composites: Challenge and Opportunity

Thermoset materials and their composites are characterized by a long life cycle with their main applications in aircrafts, wind turbines and constructions as insulating materials. Considering the importance of recovery and valorization of these materials at their end-of-life, avoiding landfilling, the interest concerning their recycling grows continuously. The thermoset materials and their composites, to be successfully recovered and valorized, must degrade their three-dimensional structures and recover the mono-oligomers and/or fillers. The thermoset materials could successfully degrade through thermal treatment at different temperatures (for example, above 1000 °C for incineration, ca. 50…

Ecofriendly Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposite Films with Improved Photo-Oxidative Resistance

The interest towards high performance biopolymer-based materials increases continuously and, to guarantee appropriately industrial applications, the photo-oxidative resistance and stability of these materials must be adequately addressed. In this study, innovative biopolymer-based nanocomposites, i.e., Polyamide 11 (PA11), containing ad-hoc modified Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH), were successfully formulated and characterized. Particularly, LDH were considered carriers for hindered amine light stabilizing molecules, so two different hindered amine moieties (HALS1 and HALS2) were anchored on LDH layered internal structures and/or outer surfaces. The presence of HALS1 and HALS2 in LDH were …

High-performance thermoplastic elastomers/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites: Mechanical behavior, rheology, and durability

Advanced polystyrene-b-polybutadiene-b-polystyrene (SBS) based nanocomposites containing bare carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and CNTs bearing hydroxyl functional groups (CNTs-OH) have been formulated and fully characterized. In particular, the reinforcement effect of CNTs and CNTs-OH on SBS was deeply investigated through mechanical and dynamical thermo-mechanical analysis and the rheological response of SBS-based nanocomposites was investigated and discussed. The mechanical properties of SBS/CNTs and even more of SBS/CNTs-OH nanocomposites are substantially superior to those of neat SBS, due to the uniformly dispersed nanofillers throughout the polymeric matrix. The presence of -OH groups onto CN…

Nanocompositi a base polimerica e molecole POSS: comportamento reologico e proprietà fisiche

Nanocomposites based on PS, PE, or ethylene-acrylic acid (ESCOR 5001) and POSS (Polyhedral oligomeric SilseSquioxanes) molecules were prepared by melt mixing. The nanocomposites’s structure-property relationships were analyzed mainly by rheological investigations and the variations with respect to the matrices were highlighted. The results of the rheological analysis show that the POSS molecules affect the properties in the molten state and act as plasticizer that is contrasted by the hydrogen bonds. The inorganic cage’s structure and the organic nature of the vertex groups of the molecules POSS play an important role in modulating the dispersion and in determining the final properties of t…

Performances and morphology of polyamide/carbonaceous structures based fibers

In this work the influence of carbonaceous particles with different particle sizes and shapes on the morphology and mechanical performances of polyamide (PA) based fibers was investigated. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) are compared with spherical and rod-like carbon fillers such as carbon black (CB) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The different morphologies of the particles control their dispersion and their alignment in PA fibers upon elongational flow action and play a key role in structure-property relationships.

High performance composites containing perfluoropolyethers-functionalized carbon-based nanoparticles: Rheological behavior and wettability

Abstract Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) based composites filled with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon black (CB) modified by perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) have been formulated. All composites show a segregated morphology with nanofillers selectively localized at the polymer particle–particle interface. The composites rheological properties have been deeply investigated: the PFPE functionalities linked on CNTs facilitate the semi-3D nanofillers network formation in the composites that show a solid-like behaviour even at lower investigated filler contents, reaching the rheological percolation threshold at lower nanofiller content than bare CNTs filled composites. For composi…

The role of POSS on the structure-properties relationship in Polystyrene based nanocomposites

Interaction in POSS-poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) nanocomposites

Use of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) in polymer-based nanocomposites is promising for the design of high-performance materials for several applications. In this study, nanocomposites based on ethylene-acrylic acid (EAA) copolymer and POSS molecules were prepared by melt mixing. In particular, partial cage POSS with different pendent organic groups was used to investigate the interaction between the –OH groups of POSS and the acrylic functionalities of the matrix. All nanocomposites were characterized by mechanical, rheological, thermal and spectroscopic analyses. In addition, PE-POSS compounds were prepared under the same processing conditions for sake of comparison. The POSS …

Nanocompositi ad elevata resistenza termo-ossidativa a base di poliammide e nano-argille multifunzionali

One-step reactive processing of low density polyethylene and octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) are an innovative class of organosilicon compounds suitable for formulation of advanced organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Nanocomposites based POSS found application mostly in high-temperature resistance and fire-resistance materials. POSS are characterized by a three dimensional cage-like structure, made of Si-O bonds, with different organic groups directly linked to the Si atoms of the cage structure. The organic groups can be designed to facilitate the dispersion of the nanoparticle itself in the polymer matrix or also to react with the polymer chain. This work focuses on the possibility to obtain crosslinking of polyethylene using octavinyl-…

Improvement of the photo-stability of polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene through carbon nanotubes

Abstract The photo-stability of Polystyrene-Polybutadiene-Polystyrene (SBS) based nanocomposites containing bare multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanotubes bearing carboxylic functional groups (CNTs-COOH) in comparison to that of pristine SBS has been studied. The photo-oxidation of pristine SBS occurs through crosslinking reactions and oxidized species formation and both these processes begin at early stage of exposure. The formation of crosslinking, formerly in polybutadiene phase, assessed by spectroscopical (FTIR), mechanical, dynamic mechanical and rheological analysis, leads to occurrence of internal mechanical stresses in the solid state and the SBS samples become prem…

Novel strategic approach for the thermo- and photo- oxidative stabilization of polyolefin/clay nanocomposites

Polyolefin/clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing and their oxidative stability was studied under long-term thermo- and photo-oxidative test conditions in the absence and presence of a modified organo montmorillonite clay (OM-MMt) containing a chemically-bound hindered phenol antioxidant function, (AO)OM-Mt. It was found that nanocomposites based on both polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene-grafted-maleic anhydride (PEgMA) containing the (AO)OM-Mt gave a higher oxidative stability, along with better clay dispersion, compared to analogous PE or PEgMA-based nanocomposites containing an added (free) conventional antioxidant with a similar hindered phenol function (using the commercial …

How the POSS molecules improve the UV stability of polystyrene based nanocomposites?

Multi-functional hybrid-carbon nanotubes for advanced Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene-based nanocomposites: a novel approach for stabilization

Our results demonstrate that immobilizing stabilizing molecules on nanoparticles, and using the latter as multifunctional filler for nanocomposites, is a viable route towards to produce high-performance polymeric materials

Polymeric nanoparticles as a new generation of anti-oxidant carriers

In recent years, polymeric nanoparticles have been the object of growing scientific interest, especially as drug carriers. In this work, PEO-PPO-PEO (F127, commercial Pluronic F127®) nanoparticles has been used as carriers for naturally occurring anti-oxidant, such as quercetin (Q).

Polar Wax as Adhesion Promoter in Polymeric Blend Films for Durable Photovoltaic Encapsulants

Technological developments in the solar photovoltaic field must guarantee the high performance and low deterioration of solar cells in order for solar power plants to be more efficient and competitive. The solar cell needs comprehensive protection offered by a polymeric encapsulant, which improves UV stability, reduces water and moisture absorption, reduces oxygen and vapor permeability and enhances mechanical resistance. Moreover, high transparency and adhesion yields improved the solar panel performance. The current work analyzes polymeric films based on poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) and polyolefin (PO) for photovoltaic encapsulant use (the high temperature resistance is improved …

Flexible Perfluoropolyethers-Functionalized CNTs-Based UHMWPE Composites: A Study on Hydrogen Evolution, Conductivity and Thermal Stability

Flexible conductive composites based on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modified by perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) were produced. The bonding of PFPE chains, added in 1:1 and 2:1 weight ratios, on CNTs influences the dispersion of nanotubes in the UHMWPE matrix due to the non-polar nature of the polymer, facilitating the formation of nanofillers-rich conductive pathways and improving composites’ electrical conductivity (two to five orders of magnitude more) in comparison to UHMWPE-based nanocomposites obtained with pristine CNTs. Electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) was used to evaluate the morphological changes dur…