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Polymers
Special Issues
Polymer Microcellular Foam Molding and Its Functionalization
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Polymer Microcellular Foam Molding and Its Functionalization

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Smart and Functional Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2024 | Viewed by 3639

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiaoli Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: processing, property and application of microcellular foamed polymer and its composites; new technology in polymer processing; development and relationship of structure and property of polymer and its composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Xia Liao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Interests: polymer processing; polymer structure and properties; supercritical CO2 polymer foaming; functional lightweight porous polymer materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer microcellular foam is a lightweight materials with a porous structure. In addition to reducing the material’s weight, the existence of tiny voids endows it with good impact resistance, insulation, and sorption properties. Therefore, it is widely used in packaging, transportation, buildings, sports, sound insulation, and oil sorbents. Different from conventional polymer foams, polymer microcellular foams generally have a cell size of about 10 μm, a cell density up to 109 cells/cm3, and contain physical foaming agents, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or nitrogen (N2), instead of chemical foaming agents. The main approaches include batch foaming (rapid temperature rise and/or rapid pressure quench), continuous extrusion foaming, foam injection molding (FIM), and foam compression molding. This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for academic exchange among scholars working in related fields. As Guest Editors, we cordially invite you to submit original research or review articles on this subject. Please also feel free to pass on this invitation to any colleagues you feel may be interested. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Xiaoli Zhang
Prof. Dr. Xia Liao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Polymers 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

  • microcellular foams
  • properties of microcellular foams
  • batch foaming
  • injection or extrusion foaming
  • microcellular foamed polymer composites
  • functional application of microcellular foams
  • electric conductive polymer foams
  • EMI shielding polymer foams

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 8185 KiB  
Article
3-Pentadecylphenol (PDP) as a Novel Compatibilizer for Simultaneous Toughened and Reinforced PA10,12 Composites
by Yuwei Jin, Qi Zhang, Xiaokun Zhai, Hao Teng, Youmei Du, Jing Lu, Sumaiya Farzana, Patrick C. Lee, Ruiyan Zhang and Faliang Luo
Polymers 2024, 16(13), 1915; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16131915 - 4 Jul 2024
Viewed by 508
Abstract
The utilization of polyamide 10,12 (PA10,12) composites in various industries has been limited constrained by their inherent low toughness, making it a challenge to achieve a balance between toughness and structural integrity through conventional elastomer addition strategies. Herein, we introduce a straightforward method [...] Read more.
The utilization of polyamide 10,12 (PA10,12) composites in various industries has been limited constrained by their inherent low toughness, making it a challenge to achieve a balance between toughness and structural integrity through conventional elastomer addition strategies. Herein, we introduce a straightforward method for the concurrent toughening and reinforcement of PA10,12 composites. This is accomplished by blending polyolefin elastomer (POE) and 3-pentadecylphenol (PDP) with the PA10,12 matrix. The incorporation of 5 wt% PDP effectively blurred the PA10,12/POE interface due to PDP’s role as a compatibilizer. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, as evidenced by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Further investigation, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), elucidated the crystallization thermodynamics and kinetics of the resulting binary PA10,12/POE and ternary PA10,12/POE/PDP composites. Notably, the crystallization temperature (Tc) was observed to decrease from 163.1 °C in the binary composite to 161.5 °C upon the addition of PDP. Increasing the PDP content to 10% led to a further reduction in Tc to 159.5 °C due to PDP’s capacity to slow down crystallization. Consequently, the ternary composite of PA10,12/POE/PDP (92/3/5 wt%) demonstrated a synergistic improvement in mechanical properties, with an elongation at break of 579% and a notch impact strength of 61.54 kJ/m2. This represents an approximately eightfold increase over the impact strength of unmodified PA10,12. Therefore, our work provides the potential of PDP as a compatibilizer to develop nylon composites with enhanced stiffness and toughness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Microcellular Foam Molding and Its Functionalization)
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13 pages, 5401 KiB  
Article
Enhanced High-Performance iPP/TPU/MWCNT Nanocomposite for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
by Yanru Li, Wenting Yu, Qian Ruan, Kun Li, Xiaoqin Guo, Zhongyi Bai and Jingbo Chen
Polymers 2024, 16(13), 1837; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16131837 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 396
Abstract
The rapid development of electronic communication technology has led to an undeniable issue of electromagnetic pollution, prompting widespread attention from researchers to the study of electromagnetic shielding materials. Herein, a simple and feasible method of melt blending was applied to prepare iPP/TPU/MWCNT nanocomposites [...] Read more.
The rapid development of electronic communication technology has led to an undeniable issue of electromagnetic pollution, prompting widespread attention from researchers to the study of electromagnetic shielding materials. Herein, a simple and feasible method of melt blending was applied to prepare iPP/TPU/MWCNT nanocomposites with excellent electromagnetic shielding performance. The addition of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) effectively improved the interface compatibility of iPP and TPU. A double continuous structure within the matrix was achieved by controlling the iPP/TPU ratio at 4:6, while the incorporation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes endowed the composites with improved electromagnetic shielding properties. Furthermore, by regulating the addition sequence of raw materials during the melt-blending process, a selective distribution of carbon nanotubes in the TPU matrix was achieved, thereby constructing interconnected conductive networks within the composites, significantly enhancing the electromagnetic shielding performance of iPP/TPU/MWCNTs, which achieved a maximum EMI shielding efficiency of 37.8 dB at an iPP/TPU ratio of 4:6 and an MWCNT concentration of 10 wt.%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Microcellular Foam Molding and Its Functionalization)
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25 pages, 9943 KiB  
Article
Phosphorus/Bromine Synergism Improved the Flame Retardancy of Polyethylene Terephthalate Foams
by Jia Du, Jiaxin Zheng, Chunling Xin and Yadong He
Polymers 2024, 16(12), 1690; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16121690 - 13 Jun 2024
Viewed by 408
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foams have the characteristics of being lightweight and high strength, as well as offering good heat resistance, minimal water absorption, etc., and they have been widely used in the wind power field. In addition, they are being promisingly applied in [...] Read more.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foams have the characteristics of being lightweight and high strength, as well as offering good heat resistance, minimal water absorption, etc., and they have been widely used in the wind power field. In addition, they are being promisingly applied in automotive, rail, marine, construction, and other related fields. Therefore, the flame retardancy(FR) of PET foams is an issue that requires investigation. The addition of flame retardants would affect the chain extension reaction, viscoelasticity, and foamability of PET. In this study, zinc diethyl hypophosphite (ZDP) and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) were used to form a synergistic FR system, in which ZDP is an acid source and DBDPE is a gas source, and both of them synergistically produced an expanded carbon layer to improve the flame retardancy of PET foams. The ratio of ZDP and DBDPE is crucial for the carbon yield and the expansion and thermal stability of the char layers. At the ZDP/DBDPE ratios of 9/3 and 7/5, the thickness of the char layers is about 3–4 mm, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) values of FR modified PET are 32.7% and 33.6%, respectively, and the vertical combustion tests both reached the V-0 level. As for the extruded phosphorous/bromine synergism FR PET foams, ZDP/DBDPE ratios of 3:1 and 2:1 were applied. As a result, the vertical combustion grade of foamed specimens could still reach V-0 grade, and the LOI values are all over 27%, reaching the refractory grade. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Microcellular Foam Molding and Its Functionalization)
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19 pages, 5634 KiB  
Article
Morphology and Compressive Properties of Extruded Polyethylene Terephthalate Foam
by Zhicheng Zhang, Chunling Xin, Chiyuan Ma, Wenchong Xu, Feng Ren and Yadong He
Polymers 2024, 16(6), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16060776 - 12 Mar 2024
Viewed by 964
Abstract
The cell structure and compressive properties of extruded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam with different densities were studied. The die of the PET foaming extruder is a special multi-hole breaker plate, which results in a honeycomb-shaped foam block. The SEM analysis showed that the [...] Read more.
The cell structure and compressive properties of extruded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam with different densities were studied. The die of the PET foaming extruder is a special multi-hole breaker plate, which results in a honeycomb-shaped foam block. The SEM analysis showed that the aspect ratio and cell wall thickness of the strand border is greater than that of the strand body. The cells are elongated and stronger in the extruding direction, and the foam anisotropy of the structure and compressive properties decrease with increasing density. The compression results show typical stress–strain curves even though the extruded PET foam is composed of multiple foamed strands. The compression properties of PET foam vary in each of the three directions, with the best performing direction (i.e., extrusion direction) showing stretch-dominated structures, while the other two directions show bending-dominated structures. Foam mechanics models based on both rectangular and elongated Kelvin cell geometries were considered to predict the compressive properties of PET foams in terms of relative density, structure anisotropy, and the properties of the raw polymer. The results show that the modulus and strength anisotropy of PET foam can be reasonably predicted by the rectangular cell model, but more accurate predictions were obtained with an appropriately assumed elongated Kelvin model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Microcellular Foam Molding and Its Functionalization)
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13 pages, 4004 KiB  
Article
Lightweight ZnO/Carbonated Cotton Fiber Nanocomposites for Electromagnetic Interference Applications: Preparation and Properties
by Muhammad Waseem, Yuxiang Xie, Kesong Yu, Xiling Zhou, Yingchun Cai, Xiaoli Zhang, Baochen Liu and Jingbo Chen
Polymers 2024, 16(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16010116 - 29 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 898
Abstract
Electromagnetic wave pollution has become a significant harm posed to human health and precision instruments. To shelter such instruments from electromagnetic radiation, high-frequency electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are extremely desirable. The focus of this research is lightweight, high-absorption EMI shielding composites. Simple [...] Read more.
Electromagnetic wave pollution has become a significant harm posed to human health and precision instruments. To shelter such instruments from electromagnetic radiation, high-frequency electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are extremely desirable. The focus of this research is lightweight, high-absorption EMI shielding composites. Simple aqueous dispersion and drying procedures were used to prepare cotton fiber (CF)-based sheets combined with various zinc oxide (ZnO) contents. These composites were carbonated in a high-temperature furnace at 800 °C for two hours. The obtained CF/ZnO samples have densities of 1.02–1.08 g/cm3. The EMI shielding effectiveness of CF-30% ZnO, CF-50% ZnO, and CF-70% ZnO reached 32.06, 38.08, and 34.69 dB, respectively, to which more than 80% of absorption is attributed. The synergetic effects of carbon networks and surface structures are responsible for the high EMI shielding performance; various reflections inside the interconnected networks may also help in improving their EMI shielding performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Microcellular Foam Molding and Its Functionalization)
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