High-Density Polyethylene-Polypropylene Blends: Examining the Relationship Between Nano/Microscale Phase Separation and Thermomechanical Properties.

Polymers (Basel)

School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Sanderson Building, King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, UK.

Published: January 2025

The phase separation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-polypropylene (PP) blends was studied using atomic force microscopy in tapping mode to obtain height and phase images. The results are compared with those from scanning electron microscopy imaging and are connected to the thermomechanical properties of the blends, characterised through differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile testing. Pure PP, as well as 10:90 and 20:80 weight ratio HDPE-PP blends, showed a homogeneous morphology, but the 25:75 HDPE-PP blends exhibited a sub-micrometre droplet-matrix structure, and the 50:50 HDPE-PP blends displayed a more complex co-continuous nano/microphase-separated structure. These complex phase separation morphologies correlate with the increased loss modulus (viscous properties) of the corresponding blends as measured by DMA, demonstrating the potential for the creation of strong and simultaneously tough, energy-absorbing materials for numerous applications.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/polym17020166DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

phase separation
12
hdpe-pp blends
12
thermomechanical properties
8
blends
7
high-density polyethylene-polypropylene
4
polyethylene-polypropylene blends
4
blends examining
4
examining relationship
4
relationship nano/microscale
4
phase
4

Similar Publications

The ternary complex effectively prevents droplet aggregation, Ostwald ripening, and phase separation through its gel network, thereby demonstrating its capability in bioactive compound delivery. In this work, the influence of varying chickpea protein isolate (CPI) levels on the microstructure, gel characteristics, stability and functional properties of grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSP) and konjac gum (KGM) stabilized ternary complexes was investigated. Visual appearance indicated the formation of a non-stratified ternary complex as the CPI enhanced to 3-4 %.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Efforts to reduce the impact of chemical processes on the environment are leading to a shift to enzymatic alternatives, with laccases standing out for their versatile substrate oxidation capabilities. This study addresses the improvement of biocatalytic reactions by deep eutectic solvents (DES), in particular DES-based aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) for the extraction of biomolecules. Continuous laccase extraction from crude samples was achieved using a DES-based ATPS, which was first optimized in a batch extractor and later intensified in a microextractor.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In recent years, the chiral biological effects of nanomedicines have garnered significant interest. Research has focused on understanding how material chirality affects cellular transcription and metabolism. Stress granules, which are membraneless organelles formed through liquid-liquid phase separation of G3BP1 proteins and related compartments, have been extensively studied and are closely associated with cellular damage repair and metabolism.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

As the global consumption of pharmaceuticals increases, so does their release into water bodies. The effects, although not fully understood, can be detrimental to aquatic ecosystems and human health. The new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) in European Union requires implementation of quaternary wastewater treatment processes to limit the loads of pharmaceuticals reaching water bodies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Synthesis of a fluorophilic magnetic microporous organic network for selective enrichment of fipronil and ethiprole in milk and egg samples.

J Chromatogr A

January 2025

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, and Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China. Electronic address:

Considering the widespreadly use, large consumption, and serious environmental and health threats of phenylpyrazole insecticides (PPIs), development of a selective and sensitive method for accurate detection of their residuals in food samples is of great significance and challenging. Herein, depending on the hydrophobic and F-containing characteristics of PPIs, a novel fluorinated magnetic microporous organic network (FMMON) was designed and prepared for efficient and selective magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of two typical PPIs (fipronil and ethiprole) from milk and egg samples before the HPLC-UV determination. FMMON owned large specific surface area, multiple interaction sites, excellent magnetic separation performance and stability and exhibited good extraction and selectivity for fipronil and ethiprole through the specific F-F, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic, and π-π interactions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!