Thermal Characterization and Applications of Polymer Composites

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2024) | Viewed by 8911

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Department of Polymers, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: photopolymerization; photocurable coatings, kinetics of polymerization; SLA/DLP stereolithography; nanocomposites; hybrid polymeric materials; biomaterials; solid-state electrolyte; fillers; thermal properties

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Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: innovative machines and devices for the agri-food and forestry sector; DEM and FEM simulation studies; artificial intelligence; neural networks; machine learning; computer image analysis; SLA/DLP; mechanical and thermal properties; application of coatings in devices and machines; photopolymerization; photocurable coatings
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Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: metal and non-metal nanostructures; nanostructures stabilized by biopolymers; properties and application of nanostructures; polymer fillers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Thermal analysis provides a powerful tool for researchers  to determine both unknown and reproducible properties of polymer composite materials. Thermal analysis is a branch of science for studying the thermophysical and kinetic properties of materials with temperature. Moreover, the relevant thermal properties of materials are related to energy transport and thermal transitions. Heat-conducting polymer composites are of particular interest. To improve the thermal conductivity of polymer composites, conducting fillers with relatively high thermal conductivity such as metal powders and carbon-based material such as graphite or inorganic particles may be used.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect high-quality articles in the fields of thermal properties of polymer (nano)composites. Potential  topics include but are not limited to the application of thermoanalytical methods in the study of polymer composites with a special focus on thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermomechanical analysis or thermal conductivity analysis.

It is our pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript to this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mariola Robakowska
Dr. Gierz Lukasz
Dr. Anna Modrzejewska-Sikorska
Guest Editors

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. 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

  • thermal conductivity analysis
  • thermal properties
  • thermogravimetry
  • differential thermal analysis
  • polymer composite

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 6597 KiB  
Article
The Preparation of Acryloxyl Group Functionalized Siloxane Polymers and the Study of Their Ultra Violet Curing Properties
by Dan Du, Xupeng Chen, Yue Wu, Chuan Wu, Zhirong Qu, Yanjiang Song, Dawei Qin, Qiao Li and Hong Dong
Polymers 2024, 16(4), 465; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16040465 - 7 Feb 2024
Viewed by 753
Abstract
Polysiloxane with multiple acryloxyl groups at the terminal site of the polymer chain was synthesized by the condensation reaction between hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane and acryloyl chloride and used to improve the cross-linking density of UV-curable silicone materials initiated from dual acryloxy-terminated symmetric polysiloxane or [...] Read more.
Polysiloxane with multiple acryloxyl groups at the terminal site of the polymer chain was synthesized by the condensation reaction between hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane and acryloyl chloride and used to improve the cross-linking density of UV-curable silicone materials initiated from dual acryloxy-terminated symmetric polysiloxane or single acryloxy-terminated asymmetric polysiloxane with the mixture of Irgacure 1173 and Irgacure 184 at a mass ratio of 1:1 as the photoinitiator. The effects of factors such as initiator composition, UV irradiation time, structure, and molecular weight of linear dual acryloxy-terminated or single acryloxy-terminated asymmetric siloxane oligomers on the gelation yield, thermal properties, water absorption, and water contact angle of UV-cured film were investigated. The synthesized cross-linking density modifier can be copolymerized with acryloxy-functionalized linear polysiloxanes under the action of a photoinitiator to increase the cross-link density of UV-cured products effectively. Both linear dual acryloxy-terminated or single acryloxy-terminated asymmetric siloxane oligomers can be copolymerized with cross-link density modifiers within 20 s of UV irradiation. The gelation yields of the UV-cured products obtained from the dual acryloxy-terminated siloxane oligomers were greater than 85%, and their surface water contact angles increased from 72.8° to 95.9° as the molecular weight of the oligomers increased. The gelation yields of UV-cured products obtained from single acryloxy-terminated asymmetric siloxane oligomers were less than 80%, and their thermal stabilities were inferior to those obtained from the dual acryloxy-terminated siloxane oligomers. However, the water contact angles of UV-cured products obtained from these single acryloxy-terminated asymmetric siloxane oligomers were all greater than 90°. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Characterization and Applications of Polymer Composites)
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20 pages, 6462 KiB  
Article
Effect of Liquid Glass-Modified Lignin Waste on the Flammability Properties of Biopolyurethane Foam Composites
by Agnė Kairytė, Sylwia Makowska, Przemysław Rybiński, Krzysztof Strzelec, Arūnas Kremensas, Jurga Šeputytė-Jucikė and Saulius Vaitkus
Polymers 2024, 16(2), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16020205 - 10 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1251
Abstract
Water-blown biopolyurethane (bioPUR) foams are flammable and emit toxic gases during combustion. Herein, a novel approach suggested by the current study is to use different amounts of lignin waste (LigW), which increases the thermal stability and delays the flame spread and sodium silicate [...] Read more.
Water-blown biopolyurethane (bioPUR) foams are flammable and emit toxic gases during combustion. Herein, a novel approach suggested by the current study is to use different amounts of lignin waste (LigW), which increases the thermal stability and delays the flame spread and sodium silicate (LG), which has foaming ability at high temperatures and acts as a protective layer during a fire. However, there have been no studies carried out to investigate the synergy between these two materials. Therefore, two different ratios, namely 1/1 and 1/2 of LigW/LG, were used to prepare bioPUR foam composites. The obtained bioPUR foam composites with a 1/2 ratio of LigW/LG exhibited inhibition of flame propagation during the ignitability test by 7 s, increased thermal stability at higher temperatures by 40 °C, reduced total smoke production by 17%, reduced carbon monoxide release by 22%, and increased compressive strength by a maximum of 123% and 36% and tensile strength by a maximum of 49% and 30% at 100 °C and 200 °C, respectively, compared to bioPUR foam composites with unmodified LigW. Additionally, thanks to the sufficient compatibility between the polymeric matrix and LigW/LG particles, bioPUR foam composites were characterised by unchanged or even improved physical and mechanical properties, as well as increased glass transition temperature by 16% compared to bioPUR foam composites with unmodified LigW particles, making them suitable for application as a thermal insulating layer in building envelopes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Characterization and Applications of Polymer Composites)
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17 pages, 6485 KiB  
Article
Observation of the Effect of Aging on the Structural Changes of Polyurethane/Polyurea Coatings
by Paulina Mayer-Trzaskowska, Mariola Robakowska, Łukasz Gierz, Joanna Pach and Ewa Mazur
Polymers 2024, 16(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16010023 - 20 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1017
Abstract
In this study, polyurethane/polyurea coatings were exposed to four different types of aging: aging in the natural environment (NC), accelerated ultraviolet aging (UV), aging in a sodium chloride solution (NaCl), and thermal aging (TC). To monitor the changes that occurred during these processes, [...] Read more.
In this study, polyurethane/polyurea coatings were exposed to four different types of aging: aging in the natural environment (NC), accelerated ultraviolet aging (UV), aging in a sodium chloride solution (NaCl), and thermal aging (TC). To monitor the changes that occurred during these processes, the thickness was measured and microscopic and macroscopic observations were conducted continuously. The samples aged under various conditions were then subjected to spectroscopic (FTIR) and thermal (TGA) analysis to determine the possible structural changes in the coatings. The dependence of aging conditions on the physicochemical properties of the tested coating surfaces was thoroughly investigated and characterized by the water contact angle and surface free energy. Adhesion tests were performed after the established aging period. The results show that different aging conditions have a tremendous effect on the appearance and pull-off strength. The coatings that age in a NaCl solution are more affected in terms of their adhesion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Characterization and Applications of Polymer Composites)
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18 pages, 4598 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Monotrimethoxylsilylethyl-Terminated Polysiloxane Fluids and Their Application in Thermal Interface Materials
by Yang Liu, Xu Long, Yang Wang, Chuan Wu, Zhirong Qu, Zhiwei Pei, Chunlong Shi, Ting Wang and Hong Dong
Polymers 2023, 15(16), 3334; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15163334 - 8 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1122
Abstract
In this study, α-Trimethylsilylmethyl-ω-dimethylsilyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, polydiethylsiloxane and poly[2,2,2-trifluoropropyl(methyl)siloxane] are synthesized using an anion catalyzed nonequilibrium polymerization reaction with trimethylsilylmethyl lithium as the initiator; hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, hexaethylcyclotrisiloxane or 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-trifluoropropylcyclotrisiloxane as the monomer; and dimethylchlorosilane as an end-capping agent. Three kinds of α [...] Read more.
In this study, α-Trimethylsilylmethyl-ω-dimethylsilyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, polydiethylsiloxane and poly[2,2,2-trifluoropropyl(methyl)siloxane] are synthesized using an anion catalyzed nonequilibrium polymerization reaction with trimethylsilylmethyl lithium as the initiator; hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, hexaethylcyclotrisiloxane or 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-trifluoropropylcyclotrisiloxane as the monomer; and dimethylchlorosilane as an end-capping agent. Three kinds of α-trimethylsilylmethyl-ω-trimethoxylsilylethyl-terminated polysiloxanes are further prepared by hydrosilylation reaction of α-trimethylsilylmethyl-ω-dimethylsilyl-terminated polysiloxanes with vinyltrimethoxysilane using Karstedt’s catalyst. These α-trimethylsilylmethyl-ω-trimethoxylsilylethyl-terminated polysiloxanes are functionalized as in situ surface treatment agents for AlN particles. The effects of the structure of these polysiloxanes on the dispersion of AlN in the polysiloxane matrix and on the heat transfer performance of silicone pastes and silicone rubbers are investigated. A possible mechanism of surface treatment of AlN fillers by these novel silicone fluids is also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Characterization and Applications of Polymer Composites)
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16 pages, 3193 KiB  
Article
Thermal Stability of Polycaprolactone Grafted Densely with Maleic Anhydride Analysed Using the Coats–Redfern Equation
by Kotchaporn Thangunpai, Donghao Hu, Xianlong Su, Mikio Kajiyama, Marcos A. Neves and Toshiharu Enomae
Polymers 2022, 14(19), 4100; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14194100 - 30 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1820
Abstract
The plastic waste problem has recently attracted unprecedented attention globally. To reduce the adverse eff ects on environments, biodegradable polymers have been studied to solve the problems. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is one of the common biodegradable plastics used on its own or blended with [...] Read more.
The plastic waste problem has recently attracted unprecedented attention globally. To reduce the adverse eff ects on environments, biodegradable polymers have been studied to solve the problems. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is one of the common biodegradable plastics used on its own or blended with natural polymers because of its excellent properties after blending. However, PCL and natural polymers are difficult to blend due to the polymers’ properties. Grafted polymerization of maleic anhydride and dibenzoyl peroxide (DBPO) with PCL is one of the improvements used for blending immiscible polymers. In this study, we first focused on the effects of three factors (stirring time, maleic anhydride (MA) amount and benzoyl peroxide amount) on the grafting ratio with a maximum value of 4.16% when applying 3.000 g MA and 1.120 g DBPO to 3.375 g PCL with a stirring time of 18 h. After that, the grafting condition was studied based on the kinetic thermal decomposition and activation energy by the Coats–Redfern method. The optimal fitting model was confirmed by the determination coefficient of nearly 1 to explain the contracting volume mechanism of synthesized PCL-g-MA. Consequently, grafted MA hydrophilically augmented PCL as the reduced contact angle of water suggests, facilitating the creation of a plastic–biomaterial composite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Characterization and Applications of Polymer Composites)
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14 pages, 3036 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of a Self-Polycondensation Diazaphthalanone Monomer and Its Polymers from Polycondensation Reactions
by Xin Liu, Xiaozhou Zhang, Jiawei Jiang, Hongge Jia, Xigao Jian and Jinyan Wang
Polymers 2022, 14(18), 3904; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14183904 - 19 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2007
Abstract
Polyether ketone (PEK) plastics are linear thermoplastic polymers connected by at least one ether bond and at least one ketone bond on the aryl group. The reason for their excellent heat resistance, rigidity, and mechanical strength is that their main molecular chain contains [...] Read more.
Polyether ketone (PEK) plastics are linear thermoplastic polymers connected by at least one ether bond and at least one ketone bond on the aryl group. The reason for their excellent heat resistance, rigidity, and mechanical strength is that their main molecular chain contains plenty of aromatic rings and polar carbonyl groups, and their molecular chain presents a large rigidity and strong intermolecular force. In addition, the main chain contains a considerable number of ether bonds, resulting in a certain toughness. However, polyether ketone materials have the disadvantage of poor solubility because of their excellent rigidity. To improve the solubility of polyether ketone, the preparation method of a novel nitrogenous heterocyclic polyaromatic ether monomer, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione (CDD), was proposed, and its activity of polymerization was studied. The average molecular weight of the poly(aryl ether ketone) containing a nitrogenous heterocyclic polyaromatic ether group obtained by self-polycondensation of CDD was 4.181 × 103 kg/mol, and the yield was 90.5%. In order to further explore the activity of monomers, novel copolymerized poly(aryl ether ketone) (PBCD) containing a nitrogenous heterocyclic polyaromatic ether structure was prepared by ternary copolymerization with 4,4-difluorobenzophenone (DFBP) and bisphenol fluorene (BHPF) with high activity. The average molecular weight of PBCD was 72.793 × 103 kg/mol, the molecular weight distribution was 2.344, and the yield was 88.1%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and 1H NMR were used to confirm the structure of the obtained polymer. Through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the determined weight loss temperature of 5% under nitrogen was higher than 500 °C, indicating excellent thermal stability. Compared with the solubility of the binary copolymer containing fluorenyl poly(aryl ether ketone) (PBD), the polymer showed reasonable solubility in selective solvents such as chloroform and N,N-dimethylacetamide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Characterization and Applications of Polymer Composites)
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