The reuse of leather waste is a global challenge because of the increase of leather products. In this paper, collagen fiber (CF) was extracted from leather waste and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel membranes containing CF with high mechanical property are fabricated by freeze–thaw method. Results shows that the composite gel membrane maintains the helical structure of CF. The tensile strength of the PVA/3CF-FW increases to 58.5 MPa, while its elongation at break increases to 365%. The swelling ratio increases with the addition of CF, and the PVA/7CF composite gel membrane has the highest swelling ratio, which is 11.65. However, the crystallinity reduced with the addition of CF. Compared to the pure 24PVA gel membrane and the PVA/GA gel membrane, the PVA/CF composite gel membrane prepared by freeze–thaw method has a better mechanical property.

Improving the flame retardancy and lightweight of fluorosilicone rubber (FSR) foam is important for its application in aerospace, rail transportation, petrochemical equipment, etc. In this work, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and expandable graphite (EG) were used as synergistic flame retardants, and the lightweight FSR composite foam with flame retardancy was prepared by supercritical N2 foaming. When there were 12.5 phr APP and 7.5 phr EG, the composite foam with density of 0.254 g/cm3 showed superiority in foaming performance and flame retardancy, and the limit oxygen index was 36.4%, the UL-94 grade reached V-0, the ignition time was 12 s and the fire performance index was 0.071 s·m2/kW. In addition, the aging, oil and solvent resistance of FSR foam was not affected. This work provided data support for the production and application of the flame retardant FSR foam.

Fluorescent polymers have exciting applications in sensing, imaging, and probes. Agricultural waste is increasingly being used to develop fluorescent nanomaterials due to technology, cost, and waste management advantages. This study developed fluorescent carbon-based nanomaterials, that is, potassium doped graphene oxide (K-GO) from Quercus ilex waste and used them to optimize fluorescent epoxy nanocomposites. The resulting nanocomposites showed significant enhancement in tensile strength with only 0.05 wt% of the renewable nanomaterial. The developed fluorescent epoxy nanocomposites have enhanced thermal and mechanical properties and can be used in sensing, imaging, and other applications.

In this work, a strategy was used to combine Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles (MDH), the bentonite nano-sheets, and melamine cyanurate (MC) to prepare dioctyl phthalate (DOP) plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanocomposites with increased thermal stability, Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI), and tensile strength as well as reduced total heat release. To prepare MC-modified Mg(OH)2@bentonite nanohybrid (MMHB), MDH was installed on the calcined bentonite and consequently modified with MC. The nanocomposite thin films were prepared from plasticized-PVC and MMHB using the solvent casting method. It was found that the combination of MDH and the bentonite nano-sheets in the presence of MC could improve the PVC properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in both N2 and air atmospheres, indicated that the thermal stability of PVC was enhanced via adding MMHB, which was evident by the increased thermal decomposition temperature. The microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) results of the PVC nanocomposites with 5% and 8% by mass of MMHB revealed that an optimal isolating layer is formed, which increased flame retardant properties. The PVC matrix nanocomposite containing 8% by mass of MMHB with LOI value of 33.4% exhibited high flame retardancy. Moreover, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the sample containing 5% by mass of MMHB increased by 65.5% and 55.2% compared to those of pristine PVC, respectively.

It is usually desired but often challenging to improve the wet traction, and reduce the abrasion and rolling resistance simultaneously in tread rubber, which is referred to as “magic triangle” in tire industry. To fulfill this goal, the filler dispersion and interfacial interaction required to be improved, as they are two essential factors to concurrently govern the ultimate properties of rubber composites. Herein, we synthesized the epoxidized solution polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (ESSBR) with different epoxy level, and used them as interfacial compatibilizer to promote the silica dispersion and silica/rubber interfacial interaction. The epoxy of ESSBR would react with silanol on silica surface and co-crosslink with SSBR simultaneously, therefore build a strong bridge between rubber matrix and filler. By incorporation of 20 phr of ESSBR-15% (15% of double bonds on main chain was epoxidized), the wet grip was improved by 40%, and DIN abrasion and rolling resistance were reduced by 38% and 21%, respectively with hardly sacrifice the mechanical properties. We envisage that this study provides an approach for the fabrication of rubber composites with improved silica dispersion and strengthened interfacial interaction.

Polypropylene (PP) was melt blended with a new mono molecular intumescent flame retardant, melamine salt of pentaerythritol phosphate halloysite (MPPH) to enhance its thermal stability, flame retardancy, and smoke suppression properties. The structure of MPPH was elucidated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H NMR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. PP composites results showed that MPPH increased the thermal stability of PP at high temperatures in all PP composites. The horizontal flammability test (UL94H) showed that MPPH stopped flame propagation in PP composites. Vertical burning rate test (UL94V) revealed that PP composites can attain V0 rating at loading levels 25, 30, and 35 wt.% of MPPH. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) data indicated that adding 20, 25, 30, and 35 wt.% of MPPH to PP increased the LOI value of PP (19.2%) to 27.1%, 32.5%, 35.4%, and 38.7%. MPPH succeeded in reducing the maximum specific optical density (Dsmax), mass specific optical density (MOD), and rate of smoke generation during the first 4 min (VOF4) of PP composites compared to PP alone. FTIR gas analyzer results revealed that MPPH decreased the emission of CO and CO2 in the gas phase during the combustion process. Digital photos and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of char residues remained after the smoke density test revealed that MPPH succeeded in forming a cellular and cohesive char layer on the PP surface. The new data is expected to increase the use of PP in rigid packaging applications.

In today's world, transportation infrastructure plays a vital role in global competitiveness and quality of life in societies. The pavement industry deals with tremendous amounts of construction materials. Thus, even a small improvement in the technology can lead to significant environmental benefits and a reduction in the life-cycle cost of road networks. Asphalt cement is an integral part of road pavement construction, and despite favorable properties at the processing temperature, some challenges need to be addressed to reduce cost and improve performance. This review discusses the nanocellulose modification of asphalt cement for pavement application. Three primary cellulose-based nanoparticles were studied, including bacterial cellulose, cellulose nanofibers, and cellulose nanocrystals, and their applications in asphalt cement modification. Various research results show significant improvement in pavement's rheological and performance properties with the help of cellulose-based nanoparticles. However, this review provides the reader with an objective evaluation of the benefits and practical challenges ahead of the industrial-scale application of nanocellulose in the pavement industry.

Although processing via external stimuli is a promising technique to tune the structure and properties of polymeric materials, the impact of magnetic fields on phase transitions in thermoresponsive polymer solutions is not well-understood. As nanoparticle (NP) addition is also known to impact these thermodynamic and optical properties, synergistic effects from combining magnetic fields with NP incorporation provide a novel route for tuning material properties. Here, the thermodynamic, optical, and rheological properties of aqueous poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) solutions are examined in the presence of hydrophilic silica NPs and magnetic fields, individually and jointly, via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), magneto-turbidimetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and magneto-rheology. While NPs and magnetic fields both reduce the phase separation energy barrier and lower optical transition temperatures by altering hydrogen bonding (H-bonding), infrared spectra demonstrate that the mechanism by which these changes occur is distinct. Magnetic fields primarily alter solvent polarization while NPs provide PNIPAM–NP H-bonding sites. Combining NP addition with field application uniquely alters the solution environment and results in field-dependent rheological behavior that is unseen in polymer-only solutions. These investigations provide fundamental understanding on the interplay of magnetic fields and NP addition on PNIPAM thermoresponsivity which can be harnessed for increasingly complex stimuli-responsive materials.

In this work, betaine (trimethyl glycine) and tannin (complex biomolecules of polyphenolic nature) were used as bio-fillers. Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin with a molar ratio of formaldehyde versus urea (FA/U) of 0.8 was synthesized in situ with tannin and betaine as bio-fillers, to obtain UF resin with reduced free FA content and increased hydrolytic and thermal stability by the principles of sustainability. The samples TUF (with tannin) and BUF (with betaine) were characterized by using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA), supported by data from Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The percentage of free FA in modified BUF resin is 0.1%, while the percentage of free FA in tannin-modified resin is 0.8%. The hydrolytic stability of the modified UF resins was determined by measuring the concentration of liberated FA in the modified UF resins, after acid hydrolysis. The modified BUF resin is hydrolytically more stable because the content of released FA is 3.6% compared to the modified TUF resin, where it was 7.4%. Based on the value for T5%, the more thermally stable resin is the modified TUF resin (T5% = 123.1°C), while the value of the T5% for the BUF resin is 83.1°C. This work showed how UF bio-composite with reduced free FA content and increased hydrolytic and thermal stability can be obtained using tannin and betaine as bio-fillers.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has a strong oxidation effect when absorbing ultraviolet light. Therefore, when TiO2 is used as a light stabilizer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), it will cause the photodegradation of PVC. Herein, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) coated TiO2 composite (TiO2@CQDs) was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method. The prepared TiO2@CQDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photostability of PVC film containing TiO2@CQDs was investigated via photodegradation conductivity test, weight loss rate test, and ultraviolet aging test. Due to the down-conversion effect of CQDs under ultraviolet light, its existence can alleviate the photoaging of PVC. In addition, the thermal stability of PVC containing TiO2@CQDs was studied by conductivity tests and oven thermal aging tests. The presence of CQDs significantly improved the thermal stability of PVC. Meanwhile, the HCl absorption capacity of CQDs could reach 30.8 mg/gcat. According to the DFT calculations, this high absorption capacity is attributed to the HCl immobilization effect via forming hydrogen bonds between HCl and the keto oxygen, carboxyl keto oxygen in CQDs. The hydroxyl group in CQDs could also combine ZnCl2 by forming a coordination bond.

Studies of smart and biocompatible hydrogels have resulted in the development of efficient drug-delivery systems controlled by external stimuli. Taking inadequate doses of ketorolac could cause health complications in humans. Therefore, it is necessary the development of a polymeric matrix for controlled drug delivery to extend the release of Ketorolac. In this work, acrylic acid was polymerized using ammonium persulfate as initiator and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a cross-linking agent, and in the presence of chitosan (Chit) and linseed mucilage (LS) biopolymers to obtain a composite of PAAc/LS/Chit hydrogel which was used for adsorption and release of ketorolac. Hydrogel was characterized by cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of pH on water hydrogel swelling percentage (S), water absorption percentage (W), and ketorolac-releasing kinetics were studied. SEM analysis showed hydrogel pore size pH-depending, with micropore diameters ranging between 5 and 10 nm at acidic pH, while for the hydrogel swollen at pH = 9, bigger pores are observed in the range of 30 to 50 nm. It was observed that S and W increased with the pH of the medium with an S of 608% at a pH of 9 following a Fickian behavior of water diffusion into the hydrogel pore and swelling kinetics represented by a second-order model. Ketorolac kinetic release was well described through the Korsmeyer-Peppas mathematical model, with the release rate increasing with the pH, extending the total release time of drug to 20 h.

Four vitrimers were made using polyethylene – glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (PE-GMA) and 3,3′ – dithiodipropionic acid (DTDPA) using a two-step procedure. The amount of DTDPA added was varied, and therefore, the crosslink density was also varied. Rheological experiments were performed. The vitrimers exhibit different rheological behavior depending on the angular frequency applied, which most likely stems from the presence of a crosslinked network. Additionally, there appears to be an on-going reaction occurring during rheological tests, all of which occur above the melting temperature. Thermal and mechanical tests were also conducted. Thermomechanical testing determined that increasing crosslink density resulted in a decrease in the yield strength.

An epoxy-based intumescent coating containing the silica and zinc borate nanoparticles was fabricated. The fire performance of the coating with the optimum formulation was investigated in terms of the changes in the physical and chemical structure of the formed char layer during the exposure to a temperature of 1000°C. The state of the chemical structure was analyzed by performing the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis from the char layer at the three-time intervals of 10, 30, and 60 min of the heating process. The innovative Condorcet method was also employed to examine the changes in the physical structure of the formed char layer. Some instabilities were detected in the physical structure of the char layer in the middle period of heating. Moreover, a gradual formation of silicon carbide crystalline structure was observed on top of the surface, followed by its oxidation to silica over time. In contrast, in the bulk structure, silicon crystalline structures (Coesite) intensified with time. Boron nitride was also increasingly created on the top surface and in the bulk of the coating over the heating time. These findings proved the effective role of the silica and zinc-borate nanoparticles in the fire performance of epoxy-based intumescent coatings.

In this work, polyolefin-blend/clay nanocomposites based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and organically modified clay (OC) were prepared by melt extrusion. Various grades of maleic anhydride (MA) grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA) were used and examined as compatibilizers in these nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that OC and compatibilizer affect the crystallization behavior of LDPE/LLDPE with different mechanisms. Thermodynamic calculations of wetting coefficient based on interfacial energy between OC, LD, and LL, Morphological characterization based on field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, small angles X-ray scattering, and dynamic rheology measurements revealed that the compatibilizer and OC were localized at the interface of LDPE and LLDPE phases with a preferred tendency toward one phase. Results demonstrated that at a specific amount of OC, there is an optimum compatibilizer concentration to achieve nanodispersed OC and beyond that the compatibilizer causes a structural change in the polymer crystalline morphology. It was also found that the tensile property enhancement of LDPE/LLDPE/OC nanocomposites is closely related to the crystalline structure development made by incorporation of both OC and compatibilizer.

Several polyethylene resins using Ziegler, metallocene, and Phillips catalyst technologies were examined to obtain more detailed information about the effect of different polymerization catalyst systems on the production of extractable thermo-oxidative degradation products formed during melt processing cycles. This produces volatile organoleptic components (VOCs and extractable) such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids. Although some of the oxidation products are in-chain bound, many are produced as free, easily extractable entities or volatile components. The purpose of this study is to identify the nature of the products by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and FTIR analysis. The identity of the VOCs formed is necessary to modify the product's quality or establish which are toxic and/or leachable with food products. The results show that the evolution of carbonyl products, nature, and quantity is influenced significantly by the polymer type and catalyst used. Over 300 organoleptics low molar mass degradation products, such as alkane, alkene, carbonyl, and alcohol functionalities were detected by GC–MS analysis coupled with FTIR analysis on hexane extractables. Certain stabilizers can control the generation of certain functionalities and inhibit others. Of importance was the discovery of the relationship between additive activity and structure and inhibition of the formation of specific types of oxidation functionalities to a particular catalyst system.

Exploiting high phosphorus content of phytic acid, it was grafted onto magnesium hydroxide (MH) by neutralization reaction to obtain MGPA, a flame retardant. A current study investigated the effect of MGPA on hydrophobicity, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties of MGPA-linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) composites. The LLDPE composite with 50 parts of MGPA has the better flame retardancy and thermal stability with a limiting oxygen index of 23.3%, which is higher than that of neat LLDPE (17%). In addition, MGPA could effectively promoted LLDPE to form a continuous and compact char residue during combustion, which reduce the peak of heat release rate and total smoke production value of LLDPE composite by 70% and 36%, respectively, and the char residue rate increase to 67.5%. Furthermore, the maximum of loss-rate showed by LLDPE composite with MGPA reduce to 1.25%/min while the value of LLDPE composite with MH is 1.8%/min. Meanwhile, the LLDPE composite with MGPA show remarkable elongation at break and hydrophobicity, which are 398% and 99°, respectively. In addition, this study presents a substantial flame retardancy and interfacial compatibility of MGPA for extending the applications of flame-retardant LLDPE composites.

Low flame retardant efficiency and poor acid resistance of filled polymer composites are two main drawbacks of magnesium hydroxide (MH) as a flame retardant (FR). To solve these problems, expandable graphite (EG) and microencapsulated red phosphorus (MRP) were introduced into polypropylene/magnesium hydroxide (PP/MH) composite by melt compounding. The obtained PP/MH/EG/MRP quadruple composite was studied regarding its fire behavior as well as acid resistance. Obvious flame retardant synergism among MH, EG, and MRP is found in PP, which diminishes the loading of FR from 63.0 to 37.5 wt% to obtain V-0 rating in UL-94 test and low smoke release. Compact intumescent char with high thermo-oxidative stability was generated on composite surface, which plays a vital role in flame retardancy. The removal of MH by acid erosion on PP/MH/EG/MRP composite surface does not affect production of intumescent char and fire behavior of this composite. The composite displays good fire retardancy, smoke inhibition, and acid resistivity concurrently. This article renders an easy and cheap route to overcome the main faults of MH.

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is a worthy biodegradable thermoplastic polyester for blending along with other biopolymers, especially with poly (lactic acid) (PLA), to overcome its inadequacies in mechanical and thermal characteristics. Since binary blends of PLA and PBS showed that they are incompatible, compatibilization is required. In this work, multi-epoxide polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (Glycidyl POSS) was added to PLA and PBS using the melt blending method to make them compatible. The blends were prepared at different weight ratios having different amounts of compatibilizer. SEM analysis showed that the Glycidyl POSS impacted the interfacial adhesion and other properties of PLA and PBS blends. Noticeable improvements in mechanical properties were revealed by tensile and impact test results. Tensile strength and Young's modulus were improved when epoxy-POSS was added up to 1 and 3 wt% into ternary blends, but further increasing POSS concentrations resulted in lower values. FTIR analysis showed a strong interaction between the epoxide group of POSS and the end groups of PBS or PLA. The thermal properties of samples were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The shifts in glass transition temperatures of the PLA phase towards lower values appeared in DSC, confirming the enhanced compatibility of PLA and PBS. Also, the reinforcing ability of the POSS inorganic core structure impacted the thermal stability of the blends.

In this study a highly flexible microwave shielding material was fabricated by solution casting method utilizing Nickel and biocarbon particles in PVA matrix and characterized for mechanical, magnetic, and microwave shielding properties. The main aim of this study was to prove the significant role of magnetic particles in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding along with conductive particles. The results show that the addition of Ni-biocarbon hybrid particle increases the shielding properties up to 56.5 dB at 20 GHz. The magnetic permeability increased gradually with the inclusion of Ni particles with a highest magnetization, coercivity, and retentivity of 1250 E−6 emu, −9000 G, and 1100 E−6 emu. Similarly the mechanical results show that adding biocarbon enhances the composite's mechanical properties. A highest tensile strength, tear strength, elongation, and hardness are noted as 38, 168 MPa, 18.4%, and 36 Shore-D. Comparatively, the hardness and elongation% of composite designations contains 3 and 5 vol% of hybrid particles have increased by 9% and 26%, respectively, in comparison to composite containing only 5 vol% of biocarbon with PVA. Scanning electron microscope fractography indicates biocarbon particles reduce voids and improve adhesion. These flexible EMI shielding composites could be used in telecommunication and other wave transmitting devices in engineering applications.

In this paper, a new bio-based flame retardant MHPA was prepared by the reaction of magnesium hydroxide (MH) and phytic acid (PA). Then the crosslinked high-density polyethylene (HDPE) flame-retardant composite was prepared by adding it and silicone rubber (SR) into HDPE and using electron beam irradiation. The test results of limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimeter test (CCT) show that the combination of MHPA and SR can increase the flame retardancy and smoke suppression performance of HDPE. The LOI of HDPE composite with 10 parts of SR is 28.3%, and its pHRR, THR and TSP values are reduced to 454.1 kW/m2, 99.7 MJ/m2 and 8.3 m2, respectively, which is because MHPA and SR jointly promote the formation of continuous and high-density carbon slag in the combustion process of HDPE and inhibit the penetration of flame. In addition, the HDPE composite with 10 parts of SR has significant tensile strength, elongation breaking strength and tear strength, because SR can produce continuous stable structure with HDPE after irradiation and crosslinking. Therefore, this study verified that MHPA and SR together can effectively improve the flame retardancy, smoke suppression and mechanical properties of HDPE composite.