Research

12 pages, 15539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dielectric and Structural Properties of the Hybrid Material Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Bacterial Nanocellulose-Based Composite

by Aleksandra Janićijević, Suzana Filipović, Aleksandra Sknepnek, Branislav Vlahović, Nenad Đorđević, Danijela Kovacević, Miljana Mirković, Ivan Petronijević, Predrag Zivković, Jelena Rogan and Vladimir B. Pavlović

Polymers 2023, 15(20), 4080; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15204080 - 13 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 824

Abstract

In the search for environmentally friendly materials with a wide range of properties, polymer composites have emerged as a promising alternative due to their multifunctional properties. This study focuses on the synthesis of composite materials consisting of four components: bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) modified [...] Read more.

In the search for environmentally friendly materials with a wide range of properties, polymer composites have emerged as a promising alternative due to their multifunctional properties. This study focuses on the synthesis of composite materials consisting of four components: bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) modified with magnetic Fe₃O₄, and a mixture of BaTiO₃ (BT) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The BT powder was mechanically activated prior to mixing with PVDF. The influence of BT mechanical activation and BNC with magnetic particles on the PVDF matrix was investigated. The obtained composite films’ structural characteristics, morphology, and dielectric properties are presented. This research provides insights into the relationship between mechanical activation of the filler and structural and dielectric properties in the PVDF/BT/BNC/Fe₃O₄ system, creating the way for the development of materials with a wide range of diverse properties that support the concept of green technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer-Based Composites)

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13 pages, 6327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Highly Stable Polymer Microstructure with Enhanced Adhesion Strength by Pushpin-like Nano/Microstructure Array

by Yongjin Wu, Guifu Ding, Yuan Zhu, Yan Wang, Rui Liu and Yunna Sun

Polymers 2023, 15(4), 1015; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15041015 - 17 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1316

Abstract

This polymer microstructure expands more available application, which is a milestone for the development of micro-electro-mechanical system devices towards intelligence and multifunction. Poor interface bonding between the polymer and Si or metal is a particular problem, which restricts the application and promotion of [...] Read more.

This polymer microstructure expands more available application, which is a milestone for the development of micro-electro-mechanical system devices towards intelligence and multifunction. Poor interface bonding between the polymer and Si or metal is a particular problem, which restricts the application and promotion of polymer materials. In this study, a transition strengthening layer is proposed to obtain a highly stable polymer microstructure by enhancing the interfacial adhesion strength. The transition strengthening layer is activated by a pushpin-like nano/microstructure array with micromachining technology. Given its good graphical qualities and compatibility, epoxy negative photoresist SU-8 is applied to evaluate the strengthened capabilities of the pushpin-like nano/microstructure array. The microstructure of SU-8 is prepared by the same processes, and then the adhesion strength between the SU-8 microstructure and various activated substrates is tested by the thrust tester. It was determined that SU-8 with an activated pushpin-like microstructure array possessed a highly stable adhesion ability, and its adhesion strength increased from 6.51 MPa to 15.42 MPa. With its ultrahigh stable adhesion ability, it has been applied in fabricating three typical microstructures (hollow square microstructure, gradually increasing adjacent periodic microstructure, and slender strip microstructures) and large-area SU-8 microstructures to evaluate the feasibility of the transition strengthening layer and repeatability and universality of the microfabrication processes. The drifting and gluing phenomenon are avoided by this method compared with the traditional design. The proposed pushpin-like nano/microstructure array is promising in enhancing the stability of polymer microstructures with a substrate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer-Based Composites)

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16 pages, 5767 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Stacking Sequence on Mechanical Properties of Basalt/Ramie Biodegradable Hybrid Polymer Composites

by Velumayil Ramesh, Krishnasamy Karthik, Robert Cep and Muniyandy Elangovan

Polymers 2023, 15(4), 985; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15040985 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1407

Abstract

In this study, the mechanical properties of basalt/ramie/polyester hybrid composite laminates were investigated. A matrix of 45% polyester was used, as it has good bonding properties between fibers. The composite laminates were fabricated using a hand layup technique, with seven layers stacked in [...] Read more.

In this study, the mechanical properties of basalt/ramie/polyester hybrid composite laminates were investigated. A matrix of 45% polyester was used, as it has good bonding properties between fibers. The composite laminates were fabricated using a hand layup technique, with seven layers stacked in different sequences and impregnated in the polyester matrix to create a hybrid configuration. Tensile, flexural, impact, compression, and hardness tests were conducted according to ASTM standards for mechanical characterization. The results showed that the overall stacking sequence of sample number seven (BRBRBRB) had the highest tensile strength at 120 MPa, impact energy at 8 J, flexural strength at 115 MPa, compression strength at 70 MPa, and hardness of 77. Natural fiber-reinforced composites are being used in current automotive industry applications, such as in electric vehicles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer-Based Composites)

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15 pages, 5896 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Structural, Optical Properties and Antibacterial Activity of PEO/CMC Doped TiO₂ NPs for Food Packaging Applications

by Ibrahim A. Alhagri, Talal F. Qahtan, Mohammed O. Farea, Ahmed N. Al-Hakimi, Sadeq M. Al-Hazmy, Saeed El-Sayed Saeed and Abuzar EAE Albadri

Polymers 2023, 15(2), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15020384 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1868

Abstract

In this article, the synthesis, optical, and electrical properties of composites consisting of polyethylene oxide (PEO), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and titanium dioxide nanoparticles are examined. Flexible nanocomposite samples comprising PEO, CMC, and TiO₂ nanoparticles were produced swiftly via using the cast synthesis [...] Read more.

In this article, the synthesis, optical, and electrical properties of composites consisting of polyethylene oxide (PEO), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and titanium dioxide nanoparticles are examined. Flexible nanocomposite samples comprising PEO, CMC, and TiO₂ nanoparticles were produced swiftly via using the cast synthesis method. In addition, XRD and FT-IR analysis were performed in order to analyze the structures of the prepared samples. Our results demonstrate the PEO/CMC blend’s effectiveness in interacting with TiO₂ nanoparticles. The optical properties of the PEO/CMC and nanocomposite samples, such as the energy band gap, were studied using the UV/Vis optical absorbance. It was found that as TiO₂ NP weight fraction increases, the energy gap narrows. Moreover, TiO₂ nanoparticles with an average size of 16 nm were formed in spherical and rod shapes, according to a TEM image. The SEM images demonstrate how the distribution of TiO₂ NPs increased upon the surfaces of the prepared films. The antibacterial activity in the nanocomposites was shown to be enhanced by the TiO₂ NP concentrations. Finally, we proposed that PEO/CMC-0.8 wt. % TiO₂ nanocomposites with enhanced optical, electrical, and dielectric properties should be used in electrochemical devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer-Based Composites)

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12 pages, 5965 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comprehensive Study on EMI Shielding Performance of Carbon Nanomaterials-Embedded CFRP or GFRP Composites

by Daeik Jang, Bum-Jun Kim and Il-Woo Nam

Polymers 2022, 14(23), 5224; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235224 - 01 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1607

Abstract

The rapid advancement of electrical and telecommunication facilities has resulted in increasing requirements for the development of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composites. Accordingly, an experimental study was conducted to evaluate the EMI shielding performance of carbon nanomaterial (CNM)-embedded carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) or glass-fiber-reinforced [...] Read more.

The rapid advancement of electrical and telecommunication facilities has resulted in increasing requirements for the development of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composites. Accordingly, an experimental study was conducted to evaluate the EMI shielding performance of carbon nanomaterial (CNM)-embedded carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) or glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. Nine combinations of CNMs and carbon or glass fibers were used to fabricate the composites. The synergistic effects of CNMs on the EMI shielding performance were systematically investigated. The results indicated that plate-type CNMs (i.e., graphene and graphite nanoplatelets) have more prominent effects than fiber-type CNMs (carbon nanofibers). The composites fabricated with CFRP afforded higher EMI shielding than the GFRP-based composites. Among the eighteen samples, 3% CNT-GNP in CFRP composites, which included plate-typed CNM, exhibited the best EMI shielding performances, showing 38.6 dB at 0.7 GHz. This study helps understand the shielding performance of CNM-embedded CFRP and GFRP composites in electrical and telecommunication facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer-Based Composites)

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16 pages, 3270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Response of Components Containing Polymer Composites in the Resonance Region for Vibration Amplitudes up to 5g

by Zuzana Murčinková, Pavel Adamčík and Dominik Sabol

Polymers 2022, 14(22), 5051; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14225051 - 21 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1214

Abstract

This paper focuses on high-speed-operation textile machines with the aim of increasing the rotational speed by operating within the resonance region to vibration amplitudes up to 5g. The native design does not allow keeping the vibration amplitude under 5g, which is a safe [...] Read more.

This paper focuses on high-speed-operation textile machines with the aim of increasing the rotational speed by operating within the resonance region to vibration amplitudes up to 5g. The native design does not allow keeping the vibration amplitude under 5g, which is a safe operation mode, for revolutions more than 120,000 min⁻¹. The innovative modification of the design was made by the incorporation of polymer composite materials with carbon dust, glass hollow microspheres, and silica sand fillers to the rotor-bearing casing; moreover, through the incorporation of a multilayered foam composite structure and particle damper to the pressure plate of the mechanical machine system. By using the approach of supplementing with high-damping composites, the existing native design can be used, thus avoiding the costly production of new components and subassemblies with modified shapes and dimensions. Twelve possible combinations of mentioned modifications were tested, evaluated and compared with the native design made of steel, as standard structure material in mechanical engineering. The average vibration amplitudes were evaluated in the region before the resonance peak and in the range of the resonance peak, i.e., 120,000–135,000 min⁻¹. Significant vibration amplitude reductions in the range from 30 to 70% of the average vibration amplitude were obtained. The vibration amplitude reduction results were evaluated considering the mass through the amplitude reduction efficiency coefficient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer-Based Composites)

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13 pages, 4348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrical Stability and Piezoresistive Sensing Performance of High Strain-Range Ultra-Stretchable CNT-Embedded Sensors

by Hammad R. Khalid, Daeik Jang, Nadir Abbas, M. Salman Haider, Syed N. A. Bukhari, Cyrus R. Mirza, Noureddine Elboughdiri and Furqan Ahmad

Polymers 2022, 14(7), 1366; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14071366 - 28 Mar 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2154

Abstract

Highly flexible and stretchable sensors are becoming increasingly widespread due to their versatile applicability in human/robot monitoring sensors. Conductive polymeric composites have been regarded as potential candidates for such sensors, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely used to fabricate such composites. In the [...] Read more.

Highly flexible and stretchable sensors are becoming increasingly widespread due to their versatile applicability in human/robot monitoring sensors. Conductive polymeric composites have been regarded as potential candidates for such sensors, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely used to fabricate such composites. In the present study, CNT-embedded high flexible sensors were fabricated using a facile three-roll milling method, which mitigates the drawbacks of the conventional fabrication methods. CNTs content varied between 0.5 and 4.0 wt.%, and the percolation threshold range was obtained via conductivity/resistivity values of the fabricated sensors. Following this, the electrical stability of the sensors was examined against the various DC and AC signals. Furthermore, the fabricated sensors were stretched up to 500% strain, and their sensitivity against varying strain amplitudes was investigated in terms of the change in resistance and gauge factors. Lastly, the fabricated sensors were applied to human fingers for monitoring finger bending and releasing motions to validate their potential applications. The experimental results indicated that these sensors have a percolation threshold of around 2% CNTs content, and the sensors fabricated with 2 to 4% CNTs content showed measurable resistance changes against the applied strain amplitudes of 50–500%. Among these sensors, the sensor with 2% CNTs content showed the highest sensitivity in the studied strain range, exhibiting a resistance change and gauge factor of about 90% and 1.79 against 50% strain amplitude and about 18,500% and 37.07 against 500% strain amplitude, respectively. All these sensors also showed high sensitivity for finger motion detection, showing a resistance change of between 22 and 69%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer-Based Composites)

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20 pages, 16699 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elastoplastic Indentation Response of Sigmoid/Power Functionally Graded Ceramics Structures

by Mohamed A. Eltaher, Ahmed Wagih, Ammar Melaibari, Ghazi S. Alsoruji and Mohamed A. Attia

Polymers 2022, 14(6), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14061225 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1662

Abstract

Due to the applicability of new advanced functionally graded materials (FGMs) in numerous tribological systems, this manuscript aims to present computational and empirical indentation models to investigate the elastoplastic response of FG substrate under an indention process with spherical rigid punch. The spatial [...] Read more.

Due to the applicability of new advanced functionally graded materials (FGMs) in numerous tribological systems, this manuscript aims to present computational and empirical indentation models to investigate the elastoplastic response of FG substrate under an indention process with spherical rigid punch. The spatial variation of the ceramic volume fraction through the specimen thickness is portrayed using the power law and sigmoid functions. The effective properties of two-constituent FGM are evaluated by employing a modified Tamura–Tomota–Ozawa (TTO) model. Bilinear hardening behavior is considered in the analysis. The finite element procedure is developed to predict the contact pressure, horizontal displacement, vertical deformation, and permanent deformation of FG structure under the rigid cylindrical indentation. The empirical forms for permanent deformation were evaluated and assigned. Model validation with experimental works was considered. The convergence of the mesh and solution procedure was checked. Numerical studies were performed to illustrate the influence of gradation function, gradation index, and indentation parameters on the contact pressure, von Mises stresses, horizontal/vertical displacements, and permanent plastic deformation. The present model can help engineers and designers in the selection of an optimum gradation function and gradation index based on their applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer-Based Composites)

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