Anomalous Terminal Shear Viscosity Behavior of Polycarbonate Nanocomposites Containing Grafted Nanosilica Particles.

Viscosity controls an important issue in polymer processing. This paper reports on the terminal viscosity behavior of a polymer melt containing grafted nanosilica particles. The melt viscosity behavior of the nanocomposites was found to depend on the interaction between the polymer matrix and the nanoparticle surface.

In Situ Network Formation in PBT Vitrimers via Processing-Induced Deprotection Chemistry.

Although the network dynamics and mechanical properties of poly(butylene terephthalate) vitrimers can to some extent be controlled via chemical and physical approaches, it remains a challenge to be able to process PBT vitrimers with the same processing conditions via, for example, injection molding as neat PBT. Here, it is shown that the use of protected pentaerythritol as a latent cross-linker and the use of a Zn(II) transesterification catalyst allows for the in situ dynamic network formation in PBT during processing, with a delayed onset of gelation. This process can be controlled by adjusting the processing temperature, (protected) cross-linker content, and the type of protection group.