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Composite Materials: New Design Trends, Interphase Characterization and Lifecycle

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2023) | Viewed by 21141

Special Issue Editors

Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: polymer composites; adhesion; interphase interactions; surface modification; phenolic resins; benzoxazine
Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: biopolymers; lignin chemistry; synthesis, characterization and applications of advanced functional materials; hybrid materials, biomaterials; polymer composites, biocomposites; chemical modification of synthetic and natural polymers; application of ligno-cellulosic materials in polymer chemistry; (bio)additives and eco-friendly fillers
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

According to the IUPAC, a composite is defined as a multicomponent material comprising multiple different (non-gaseous) phase domains in which at least one type of phase domain is a continuous phase. In addition, a composite is characterized by the existence of an interphase between its components. In combining the best of the worlds that is multicomponent materials and interphases, one can design composites with vastly superior physicochemical and mechanical properties compared to those of their individual components. This is the reasoning that has led to the massive industrial development of composites for several purposes, such as in medicine, the household, automobiles, and aerospace, to name but a few. With the rapid development of technology and analytical methods, it soon became possible to understand the structure of natural and synthetic composites at the molecular level. Additionally, the plethora of available design strategies permit the production of new materials with outstanding features.

New trends emphasize the development of composites that mimic nature. The efforts that have been made toward producing composite-like wood are awaiting success. In this SI, we thus warmly welcome interdisciplinary research papers, particularly those devoted to biomimetic composites. As a matter of fact, future R&D should be performed with respect for nature. This could be achieved by minimizing the use of synthetic compounds, reducing energy for production, and considering the lifecycle of composite materials and their fate if intentionally or accidentally discharged in soils or water (sea, river, lake). Therefore, we do welcome research papers and reviews on utilization/recycling of polymer composites and also contamination of water and ground by microplastics that has been induced by the skyrocketing increase in consumption worldwide.

The Special Issue entitled “Composite Materials: New Design Trends, Interphase Characterization and Lifecycle” welcomes all papers that cover the most important up-to-date problems in the development of composite materials:

  • Progress in the design of new, innovative composite materials, e.g., biomimetic composites and self-healing materials;
  • New methods, techniques for studying the mechanisms of interactions at interfaces/interphases;
  • Structure and spatial arrangement of composite components at the molecular level;
  • Understanding, e.g., thermomechanical, dielectric, and utilitarian properties of the final products at the molecular level and, in this respect, the discussion of computational methods such as multiscale modeling is important;
  • Ecological aspects of the composites, such as their recycling and environmental pollution by microplastics are especially desirable.

We anticipate that this Special Issue will be valuable to experts and newcomers in the field of composites and those interested in the design and characterization of composites as well as their interface chemistry and physicochemical/mechanical characterization.

Dr. Beata Strzemiecka
Dr. Łukasz Klapiszewski
Dr. Mohamed Mehdi Chehimi
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. Materials 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 2600 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

  • Composites
  • natural composites
  • polymer composites
  • cement composites
  • structural composites
  • nano- and microcomposites
  • self-healing materials
  • microplastic impurities
  • composite recycling
  • interphase interactions
  • thermal, dielectric, and mechanical characteristics of composites
  • physicochemical characteristics of composites
  • synthesis of the new components of the composites
  • interfaces/interphases

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 6905 KiB  
Article
Tribological Properties of Cu-MoS2-WS2-Ag-CNT Sintered Composite Materials
by Adam Piasecki, Mateusz Kotkowiak, Maciej Tulinski and Robert Čep
Materials 2022, 15(23), 8424; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238424 - 26 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1251
Abstract
In this work, in order to produce Cu-MoS2-WS2-Ag-CNT self-lubricating materials, powder metallurgy was used. Several different compositions containing single solid lubricant MoS2, WS2, Ag and CNTs as well as multi-component lubricants in the copper matrix [...] Read more.
In this work, in order to produce Cu-MoS2-WS2-Ag-CNT self-lubricating materials, powder metallurgy was used. Several different compositions containing single solid lubricant MoS2, WS2, Ag and CNTs as well as multi-component lubricants in the copper matrix were prepared. Friction and wear tests were carried out using the pin-on-disc method at room temperature. Light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the wear mechanism of sintered materials. The tribofilm on the worn surfaces of sintered materials and counter-specimens was observed. The influence of single solid lubricants and the synergistic interaction of two, three or four solid lubricants on tribological properties of sintered composite materials were determined. Full article
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17 pages, 3855 KiB  
Article
Supercapacitor Properties of rGO-TiO2 Nanocomposite in Two-component Acidic Electrolyte
by Yury M. Volfkovich, Alexey Y. Rychagov, Valentin E. Sosenkin, Sergey A. Baskakov, Eugene N. Kabachkov and Yury M. Shulga
Materials 2022, 15(21), 7856; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15217856 - 07 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1992
Abstract
The electrochemical properties of the highly porous reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide (rGO/TiO2) nanocomposite were studied to estimate the possibility of using it as a supercapacitor electrode. Granular aerogel rGO/TiO2 was used as an initial material for the first time of [...] Read more.
The electrochemical properties of the highly porous reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide (rGO/TiO2) nanocomposite were studied to estimate the possibility of using it as a supercapacitor electrode. Granular aerogel rGO/TiO2 was used as an initial material for the first time of manufacturing the electrode. For the aerogel synthesis, industrial TiO2 Hombikat UV100 with a high specific surface area and anatase structure was used, and the aerogel was carried out with hydrazine vapor. Porous structure and hydrophilic–hydrophobic properties of the nanocomposite were studied with a method of standard contact porosimetry. This is important for a supercapacitor containing an aqueous electrolyte. It was found that the hydrophilic specific surface area of the nanocomposite was approximately half of the total surface area. As a result of electrochemical hydrogenation in the region of zero potential according to the scale of a standard hydrogen electrode, a reversible Faraday reaction with high recharge rate (exchange currents) was observed. The characteristic charging time of the indicated Faraday reaction does not exceed several tens of seconds, which makes it possible to consider the use of this pseudocapacitance in the systems of fast energy storage such as hybrid supercapacitors. Sufficiently high limiting pseudo-capacitance (about 1200 C/g TiO2) of the reaction was obtained. Full article
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16 pages, 13151 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Wear Properties of Pure Nickel Modified by Ni-Cr Composite and CaF2 Solid Lubricant Addition
by Mateusz Kotkowiak and Adam Piasecki
Materials 2022, 15(21), 7511; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15217511 - 26 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1055
Abstract
Nickel composites doped by chromium and calcium fluoride were produced by powder metallurgy. The friction coefficient of the samples containing 20% of the CaF2 was lower at elevated temperatures (600 °C) than the friction coefficient for the Ni-50%NiCr(80/20) composite (0.14 vs. 0.20). [...] Read more.
Nickel composites doped by chromium and calcium fluoride were produced by powder metallurgy. The friction coefficient of the samples containing 20% of the CaF2 was lower at elevated temperatures (600 °C) than the friction coefficient for the Ni-50%NiCr(80/20) composite (0.14 vs. 0.20). Sample surfaces were analyzed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). EDS analysis proved tribofilm formation on the surface of the sample with CaF2 addition. A laser confocal microscope (LCM) was used to investigate the surface condition of the counter-sample after wear tests. The presence of the tribofilm reduced the wear of the frictional pair, and because of that the wear tracks were smooth. Tribofilm limited the abrasive wear and ploughing. Therefore, the tribofilm protected the sample and counter-sample from wear. Full article
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16 pages, 6728 KiB  
Article
The Mechanism of Wear Reduction in the Ni-CaF2 Composite Material: Raman and Confocal Microscopy Insights
by Mateusz Kotkowiak, Adam Piasecki, Michał Kotkowiak and Tomasz Buchwald
Materials 2022, 15(16), 5501; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15165501 - 10 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1294
Abstract
A powder metallurgy process was used to produce high temperature self-lubricating composites based on Ni, with varying content of calcium fluoride (10 wt.% and 20 wt.%). The wear properties of the samples were investigated by a pin-on-disc test at elevated temperature, up to [...] Read more.
A powder metallurgy process was used to produce high temperature self-lubricating composites based on Ni, with varying content of calcium fluoride (10 wt.% and 20 wt.%). The wear properties of the samples were investigated by a pin-on-disc test at elevated temperature, up to 600 °C. Aside from standard techniques for the sample characterization, confocal microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy were used for the first time for this type of sample. These methods were used to examine the changes in topography and to detect the distribution of the tribofilm on sample surfaces. The addition of solid lubricant particles decreased the coefficient of friction and improved the tribological properties, because of the tribofilm which formed on sample surfaces. Full article
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15 pages, 8231 KiB  
Article
The Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Epoxy-Based Composites Filled with Manganese-Containing Waste
by Sebastian Sławski, Anna Woźniak, Patrycja Bazan and Maciej Mrówka
Materials 2022, 15(4), 1579; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15041579 - 20 Feb 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1820
Abstract
Waste from large-scale production processes is a growing environmental problem that can potentially be solved by using this waste as fillers in polymeric composites to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of polymeric matrixes. This paper presents research concerning how the introduction of [...] Read more.
Waste from large-scale production processes is a growing environmental problem that can potentially be solved by using this waste as fillers in polymeric composites to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of polymeric matrixes. This paper presents research concerning how the introduction of fillers in the form of manganese residue and manganese(II) oxide changes the mechanical and tribological properties of epoxy composites produced by gravity casting. The research was carried out for composites with 2.5 wt.%, 5 wt.%, and 10 wt.% of fillers. Properties such as the density, hardness, resilience, flexural strength, deflection, flexural modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young’s modulus were determined. Moreover, based on the ball-on-plate test, the wear volume and friction coefficients of the tested materials were determined. Microscopic images of the abrasion profiles were also obtained. The geometry of the wear paths was measured with a profilometer, and the results showed that introducing fillers reduced the abrasive wear of the composites; however, in all cases, the fillers decreased the strength of the tested materials. Full article
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15 pages, 5703 KiB  
Article
The Role of Inorganic-Organic Bio-Fillers Containing Kraft Lignin in Improvement in Functional Properties of Polyethylene
by Karol Bula, Łukasz Klapiszewski, Adam Piasecki and Teofil Jesionowski
Materials 2021, 14(9), 2114; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14092114 - 22 Apr 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1912
Abstract
In this study, MgO-lignin (MgO-L) dual phase fillers with varying amounts of lignin as well as pristine lignin and magnesium oxide were used as effective bio-fillers to increase the ultraviolet light protection and enhance the barrier performance of low density polyethylene (LDPE) thin [...] Read more.
In this study, MgO-lignin (MgO-L) dual phase fillers with varying amounts of lignin as well as pristine lignin and magnesium oxide were used as effective bio-fillers to increase the ultraviolet light protection and enhance the barrier performance of low density polyethylene (LDPE) thin sheet films. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to check the crystalline structure of the studied samples, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to determine morphological characteristics. The results of optical spectrometry in the range of UV light indicated that LDPE/MgO-L (1:5 wt/wt) composition exhibited the best protection factor, whereas LDPE did not absorb ultraviolet waves. Moreover, the addition of hybrid filler decreased the oxygen permeability factor and water vapor transmission compared with neat LDPE and its composites with pristine additives, such as lignin and magnesium oxide. The strong influence of the microstructure on thin sheet films was observed in the DSC results, as double melting peaks were detected only for LDPE compounded with inorganic-organic bio-fillers: LDPE/MgO-L. Full article
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13 pages, 4183 KiB  
Article
Basalt Fiber-Based Flame Retardant Epoxy Composites: Preparation, Thermal Properties, and Flame Retardancy
by Yu Guo, Meihui Zhou, Guang-Zhong Yin, Ehsan Kalali, Na Wang and De-Yi Wang
Materials 2021, 14(4), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14040902 - 14 Feb 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2849
Abstract
We aimed to study the impact of surface modification of basalt fiber (BF) on the mechanical properties of basalt fiber-based epoxy composites. Four different types of pretreatment approaches to BF were used; then a silane coupling agent (KH550) was applied to further modify [...] Read more.
We aimed to study the impact of surface modification of basalt fiber (BF) on the mechanical properties of basalt fiber-based epoxy composites. Four different types of pretreatment approaches to BF were used; then a silane coupling agent (KH550) was applied to further modify the pretreated BF, prior to the preparation of epoxy resin (EP)/BF composites. The combination of acetone (pre-treatment) and KH550 (formal surface treatment) for basalt fiber (BT-AT) imparted the EP/BF composite with the best performance in both tensile and impact strengths. Subsequently, such modified BF was introduced into the flame-retardant epoxy composites (EP/AP750) to prepare basalt fiber reinforced flame-retardant epoxy composite (EP/AP750/BF-AT). The fire behaviors of the composites were evaluated by vertical burning test (UL-94), limiting oxygen index (LOI) test and cone calorimetry. In comparison to the flame-retardant properties of EP/AP750, the incorporation of BF-AT slightly reduced LOI value from 26.3% to 25.1%, maintained the good performance in vertical burning test, but increased the peak of the heat release rate. Besides, the thermal properties and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), universal tensile test, impact test and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Full article
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15 pages, 2824 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Thermal Conductivity of Polyamide-Based Nanocomposites Containing Graphene Oxide Sheets Decorated with Compatible Polymer Brushes
by Łukasz Łątka, Kamil Goc, Czesław Kapusta and Szczepan Zapotoczny
Materials 2021, 14(4), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14040751 - 05 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2219
Abstract
Polyamide-based nanocomposites containing graphene platelets decorated with poly(acrylamide) brushes were prepared and characterized. The brushes were grafted from the surface of graphene oxide (GO), a thermally conductive additive, using atom transfer radical polymerization, which led to the formation of the platelets coated with [...] Read more.
Polyamide-based nanocomposites containing graphene platelets decorated with poly(acrylamide) brushes were prepared and characterized. The brushes were grafted from the surface of graphene oxide (GO), a thermally conductive additive, using atom transfer radical polymerization, which led to the formation of the platelets coated with covalently tethered polymer layers (GO_PAAM), accounting for ca. 31% of the total mass. Polyamide-6 (PA6) nanocomposites containing 1% of GO_PAAM were formed by extrusion followed by injection molding. The thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite was 54% higher than that of PA6 even for such a low content of GO. The result was assigned to strong interfacial interactions between the brushes and PA6 matrix related to hydrogen bonding. Control nanocomposites containing similarly prepared GO decorated with other polymer brushes that are not able to form hydrogen bonds with PA6 revealed no enhancement of the conductivity. Importantly, the nanocomposite containing GO_PAAM also demonstrated larger tensile strength without deteriorating the elongation at break value, which was significantly decreased for the other coated platelets. The proposed approach enhances the interfacial interactions thanks to the covalent tethering of dense polymer brushes on 2D fillers and may be used to improve thermal properties of other polymer-based nanocomposites with simultaneous enhancement of their mechanical properties. Full article
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18 pages, 3792 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Low-Cost Cresol-Based Benzoxazine Resins as Potential Binders in Abrasive Composites
by Artur Jamrozik, Mateusz Barczewski, Grzegorz Framski, Daniel Baranowski, Paulina Jakubowska, Łukasz Klapiszewski, Teofil Jesionowski, Adam Voelkel and Beata Strzemiecka
Materials 2020, 13(13), 2995; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13132995 - 05 Jul 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2409
Abstract
A series of cresol-based benzoxazines were synthesized for potential application as a polymer matrix in abrasive composites. The chemical structures of the obtained benzoxazine resins were investigated in detail using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and hydrogen-1 as well as carbon-13 nuclear magnetic [...] Read more.
A series of cresol-based benzoxazines were synthesized for potential application as a polymer matrix in abrasive composites. The chemical structures of the obtained benzoxazine resins were investigated in detail using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and hydrogen-1 as well as carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR, 13C NMR) with an additional analysis using two-dimensional NMR techniques (2D NMR 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C gHSQC and gHMBC). Structural analysis confirmed the presence of vibrations of -O-C-N- at ~950 cm−1 wavenumber, characteristic for an oxazine ring. The thermal properties of benzoxazine monomers were examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The polymerization enthalpy varied from 143.2 J/g to 287.8 J/g. Thermal stability of cresol-based benzoxazines was determined using thermogravimetry (TGA) analysis with additional analysis of the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted from the synthesized benzoxazines during their crosslinking by static headspace coupled with gas chromatography technique (HS-GC). The amount of residual mass significantly differed between all synthesized polybenzoxazines in the range from 8.4% to 21.2%. The total VOC emission for benzoxazines decreased by 46–77% in reference to a conventional phenolic binder. The efficiency of abrasive composites with the benzoxazine matrix was evaluated based on abrasion tests. Performed analyses confirmed successful synthesis and proper chemical structure of cresol-based benzoxazines. All the experiments indicated that benzoxazines based on different cresol isomers significantly differ from each other. Good thermal performance and stability of the abrasive composites with the polybenzoxazine matrix and significantly lower VOC emission allow us to state that benzoxazines can be a promising and valuable alternative to the phenolics and a new path for the development of modern, eco-friendly abrasives. Full article
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12 pages, 3102 KiB  
Article
MgO-Lignin Dual Phase Filler as an Effective Modifier of Polyethylene Film Properties
by Karol Bula, Grzegorz Kubicki, Teofil Jesionowski and Łukasz Klapiszewski
Materials 2020, 13(3), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13030809 - 10 Feb 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2971
Abstract
Functional magnesium oxide-lignin hybrid materials were obtained via mechanical grinding. Their particle shape and size as well as physicochemical properties were characterized. MgO-lignin materials with biocomponent content (between 20% and 80% amount of total weight of filler) were used as a partially bio-structured [...] Read more.
Functional magnesium oxide-lignin hybrid materials were obtained via mechanical grinding. Their particle shape and size as well as physicochemical properties were characterized. MgO-lignin materials with biocomponent content (between 20% and 80% amount of total weight of filler) were used as a partially bio-structured modifier of low density polyethylene. The composites with 5% by weight of dual fillers and polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride were compounded in a twin screw extruder working in co-rotating mode. The prepared blends were cast extruded using a single screw extruder and laboratory cast line. The properties of the obtained films were verified in case of their weldability. The seal strength as well as shear test and tear strength of the welded sheets were examined. The results showed that the shortest equivalent time required to perform correct weld occurred in the system, where the highest amount of lignin was used in hybrid filler MgO-L (1:5 w/w). From mechanical tests of welds, a sharp increase in ultimate seal force was noticed for almost all compositions with lignin, especially where MgO was coupled with a high lignin content. For those composition seal open force raised up to 37.0 N, from the value of 23.6 N, achieved for neat low density polyethylene (LDPE). Tear strength of weld sheets confirmed once more that LDPE composition with MgO-L (1:5 w/w) achieved the highest ultimate force with its value of 71.5 N, and it was ~20.0 N higher than in the case of neat LDPE. Full article
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