Mouldable Conductive Plastic with Optimised Mechanical Properties.

This paper investigates making an injection mouldable conductive plastic formulation that aims for conductivity into the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding range, with good mechanical properties (i.e., stiffness, strength, and impact resistance).

Effect of Soy Wax/Rice Bran Oil Oleogel Replacement on the Properties of Whole Wheat Cookie Dough and Cookies.

This study investigated the replacement of butter with soy wax (SW)/rice bran oil (RBO) oleogel in varied proportions in cookie dough and the resulting cookies. The study mainly evaluates the physical, textural, and chemical properties of the butter cookie dough and cookies by replacing butter with SW/RBO oleogel. The dough was assessed using moisture analysis, microscopy, FTIR Spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared) and impedance spectroscopies, and texture analysis.

Studies on the Effect of the Addition of Nano-Spherical Particles of Aluminum on the Thermal, Mechanical, and Morphological Properties of PBT-PET Blend Composites.

In previous works, we had found that the addition of micron-sized, irregular-shaped aluminum (Al) powder, or Al nano platelets (flakes), improved the mechanical properties of polyesters, and that, additionally, the flakes led to an increase in electrical conductivity. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of nano-spherical particles of aluminum in a 60/40 PBT/PET polyester blend. A blend was used because it can help with the formation of a segregated network of metal particles that allows electrical conductivity at low loading.

Synergistic Effect of Nanoparticles: Enhanced Mechanical and Corrosion Protection Properties of Epoxy Coatings Incorporated with SiO and ZrO.

This research paper presents the fabrication of epoxy coatings along with the hybrid combination of SiO and ZrO. The epoxy resin is incorporated with SiO as the primary pigment and ZrO as the synergist pigment. The study delves into the adhesion, barrier, and anti-corrosion properties of these coatings, enriched with silica and zirconium nanoparticles, and investigates their impact on the final properties of the epoxy coating.

Development of a Soft Robotic Bending Actuator Based on a Novel Sulfonated Polyvinyl Chloride-Phosphotungstic Acid Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) Membrane.

This work presents the development of a cost-effective electric-stimulus-responsive bending actuator based on a sulfonated polyvinyl chloride (SPVC)-phosphotungstic acid (PTA) ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC), using a simple solution-casting method followed by chemical reduction of platinum (Pt) ions as an electrode. The characterizations of the prepared IPMC were performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Excellent ion-exchange capacity (IEC) and proton conductivity (PC), with values of ca.

Date-Palm-Derived Cellulose Nanocrystals as Reinforcing Agents for Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Guar-Gum-Based Phase-Separated Composite Films.

The current study delineates the use of date-palm-derived cellulose nanocrystals (dp-CNCs) as reinforcing agents. dp-CNCs were incorporated in varying amounts to poly(vinyl alcohol)/guar-gum-based phase-separated composite films. The films were prepared by using the solution casting method, which employed glutaraldehyde as the crosslinking agent.

Conductive Plastics from Al Platelets in a PBT-PET Polyester Blend Having Co-Continuous Morphology.

Conductive plastics are made by placing conductive fillers in polymer matrices. It is known that a conductive filler in a binary polymer blend with a co-continuous morphology is more effective than in a single polymer, because it aids the formation of a 'segregated conductive network'. We embedded a relatively low-cost conductive filler, aluminium nano platelets, in a 60/40 PBT/PET polymer blend.

Platinum-coated silicotungstic acid-sulfonated polyvinyl alcohol-polyaniline based hybrid ionic polymer metal composite membrane for bending actuation applications.

An electro-stimulus-responsive bending actuator was developed by synthesizing a non-perfluorinated membrane based on silicotungstic acid (SA), sulfonated polyvinyl alcohol (SPVA), and polyaniline (PANI). The membrane was developed via solution casting method. The dry membrane SA/SPVA showed a sufficient ion-exchange potential of 1.

A Convenient and Simple Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) Actuator Based on a Platinum-Coated Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone)-Polyaniline Composite Membrane.

Herein, we present new approaches for developing sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) and polyaniline-based (PANI) actuator formed by film-casting and chemical reduction of Pt electrodes. We have thoroughly studied the synthesis of SPEEK and characterized it by different analytical techniques. The ion-exchange capacity (IEC) and proton conductivity of SPEEK-PANI polymer membrane were calculated to be 1.

Amorphous Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Composites with High-Aspect Ratio Aluminium Nano Platelets.

Previously, we reported that amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) filled with irregular nodular aluminium (Al) particles gave simultaneous increases in tensile modulus, tensile strength, and impact resistance, which is unusual for materials. Here, we investigated the effect of the particle shape and size by using nano-platelet Al. The Al nano-platelets had a thickness higher than graphenes and clays, but lower than mica and talc, and due to their large widths, they had high aspect ratios.

Isolation and Characterization of Alpha and Nanocrystalline Cellulose from Date Palm ( L.) Trunk Mesh.

Highly pure cellulosic polymers obtained from waste lignocellulose offer great potential for designing novel materials in the concept of biorefinery. In this work, alpha-cellulose and nanocrystalline cellulose were isolated from the date palm trunk mesh (DPTM) through a series of physicochemical treatments. Supercritical carbon dioxide treatment was used to remove soluble extractives, and concentrated alkali pretreatment was used to eliminate the lignin portion selectively to obtain alpha-cellulose in approximately 94% yield.

Effects of SiO and ZnO Nanoparticles on Epoxy Coatings and Its Performance Investigation Using Thermal and Nanoindentation Technique.

Synergistic formulations were developed with nano-pigments, and their effects on the mechanical properties on steel substrates and structures were evaluated. This paper provides a complete analysis of the epoxy coating, focusing on the incorporation of nano-pigments and their synergistic effects in obtaining higher mechanical properties. This study reports the preparation of epoxy nano-silica composites, their characterization, and the development of coatings based on nano-silica and ZnO particles.

Strontium Aluminate-Based Long Afterglow PP Composites: Phosphorescence, Thermal, and Mechanical Characteristics.

A tremendous potential has been observed in the designing of long afterglow materials for sensing, bioimaging, and encryption applications. In this study, two different strontium aluminate-based luminescent materials; SrAlO: Eu, Dy (S), and SrAlO: Eu, Dy (S) were melt-mixed with polypropylene (PP) matrix, and the phosphorescence properties were evaluated. After excitation at 320 nm, the PP/S composite exhibited a green emission and the PP/S generated a blue emission at 520 nm and 495 nm, respectively.

Essential Oil-Containing Polysaccharide-Based Edible Films and Coatings for Food Security Applications.

The wastage of food products is a major challenge for the food industry. In this regard, the use of edible films and coatings have gained much attention due to their ability to prevent the spoilage of the food products during handling, transport, and storage. This has effectively helped in extending the shelf-life of the food products.

Aluminum-Filled Amorphous-PET, a Composite Showing Simultaneous Increase in Modulus and Impact Resistance.

Metal-plastic composites have the potential to combine enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity with a lower density than a pure metal. The drawback has often been brittleness and low impact resistance caused by weak adhesion between the metal filler and the plastic. Based on our observation that aluminum foil sticks very strongly to poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) if it is used as a backing during compression moulding, this work set out to explore PET filled with a micro and a nano aluminum (Al) powder.