Green Flame-Retardant Blend Used to Improve the Antiflame Properties of Polypropylene.

The flammability properties of polymers and polymeric composites play an important role in ensuring the safety of humans and the environment; moreover, flame-retardant materials ensure a greater number of applications. In the present study, we report the obtaining of polypropylene (PP) composites contain a mixture of two green flame retardants, lignin and clinoptilolite, by melt extrusion. These additives are abundantly found in nature. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), cone calorimetry, UL-94, and carbonized residues analysis were carried out. TGA analysis shows that PPGFR-10 and PPGFR-20 compounds presented better thermal stability with respect to PP without flame retardants. The conical calorimetric evaluation of the composites showed that PPGFR-10 and PPGFR-20 presented decreases in peak heat release rates (HRRs) of 9.75% and 11.88%, respectively. The flammability of the composites was evaluated with the UL-94 standard, and only the PPGFR-20 composite presented the V-0 and 5VB classification, which indicates good flame-retardant properties. Additives in the polymer matrix showed good dispersion with few agglomerates. The PPGFR-20 composite showed an FRI value of 1.15, higher percentage of carbonized residues, and UL-94 V-0 and 5VB rating, suggesting some kind of synergy between lignin and clinoptilolite, but only at high flame-retardant concentrations.

Synthesis of Nylon 6/Modified Carbon Black Nanocomposites for Application in Uric Acid Adsorption.

High uric acid levels cause different clinic conditions. One of them is hyperuricemia, which leads to kidney damage. A solution for eliminating uric acid in the blood is by hemodialysis, which is performed using nanocomposite membranes. In this work, Nylon 6 nanocomposites were synthesized with modified carbon black (MCB), which were considered candidate materials for hemodialysis membranes. The modification of carbon black was made with citric acid using the variable-frequency ultrasound method. The new MCB was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dispersion tests. Nylon 6/MCB nanocomposites were processed using the ultrasound-assisted melt-extrusion method to improve the dispersion procedure of the nanoparticles. The Nylon 6/MCB nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, TGA, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These were assessed for the absorption of toxins and hemocompatibility. MBC and nanocomposites showed excellent uric acid removal (78-82%) and hemocompatibility (1.6-1.8%). These results suggest that Nylon 6/MCB nanocomposites with low loading percentages can be used on a large scale without compatibility problems with blood.

Pigmentation and Degradative Activity of TiO2 on Polyethylene Films Using Masterbatches Fabricated Using Variable-Frequency Ultrasound-Assisted Melt-Extrusion.

Ultrasound-assisted melt-extrusion method (USME) is a high-quality process used to produce polymeric compounds with an adequate homogeneous dispersion. This study evaluates white-color films of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) prepared using TiO2 masterbatch obtained by ultrasound-assisted melt-extrusion at variable frequencies (USME-VF). LLDPE with three different melt-flow indices (2, 20 and 50 g/10 min) were used as the polymer matrix. The films were obtained from the dilution of masterbatches of LLDPE (melt-flow index = 2) at a concentration of 7 wt% TiO2. The morphology, pigmentation, TiO2 reactivity, and the mechanical stability of the films were assessed. The masterbatch compounds were evaluated by melt-flow index (MFI) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The contrast ratio, yellowness index and mechanical properties of films were also measured. The properties of whiteness and elongation at break improved in the films prepared using masterbatches with higher dispersion. Though the reactivity of the TiO2 particles increased during accelerated aging, it did not affect the elongation to rupture. The yellowness index was moderately affected in films that included TiO2 particles processed using USME-VF.

Fogging Control on LDPE/EVA Coextruded Films: Wettability Behavior and Its Correlation with Electric Performance.

The transformation of fog at a non-visible water layer on a membrane of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) was evaluated. Nonionic surfactants of major demand in the polyolefin industry were studied. A kinetic study using a hot fog chamber showed that condensation is controlled by both the diffusion and permanency of the surfactant more than by the change of the surface energy developed by the wetting agents. The greatest permanency of the anti-fog effect of the LDPE/EVA surface was close to 3000 h. The contact angle results demonstrated the ability of the wetting agent to spread out to the surface. Complementarily, the migration of nonionic surfactants from the inside of the polymeric matrix to the surface was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy. Additionally, electrical measurement on the anti-fogging membrane at alternating currents and at a sweep frequency was proposed to test the conductivity and wetting ability of nonionic surfactants. We proved that the amphiphilic molecules had the ability to increase the conductivity in the polyolefin membrane. A correlation between the bulk electrical conductivity and the permanency of the fogging control on the LDPE/EVA coextruded film was found.

Metamaterial Behavior of Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Polypropylene/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Fabricated by Means of Ultrasound-Assisted Extrusion.

Metamaterial behavior of polymer nanocomposites (NCs) based on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated based on the observation of a negative dielectric constant (ε'). It is demonstrated that as the dielectric constant switches from negative to positive, the plasma frequency (ωp) depends strongly on the ultrasound-assisted fabrication method, as well as on the melt flow index of the iPP. NCs were fabricated using ultrasound-assisted extrusion methods with 10 wt % loadings of MWCNTs in iPPs with different melt flow indices (MFI). AC electrical conductivity (σ(AC)) as a function of frequency was determined to complement the electrical classification of the NCs, which were previously designated as insulating (I), static-dissipative (SD), and conductive (C) materials. It was found that the SD and C materials can also be classified as metamaterials (M). This type of behavior emerges from the negative dielectric constant observed at low frequencies although, at certain frequencies, the dielectric constant becomes positive. Our method of fabrication allows for the preparation of metamaterials with tunable ωp. iPP pure samples show only positive dielectric constants. Electrical conductivity increases in all cases with the addition of MWCNTs with the largest increases observed for samples with the highest MFI. A relationship between MFI and the fabrication method, with respect to electrical properties, is reported.

Ultrasound-Assist Extrusion Methods for the Fabrication of Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Polypropylene/Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes.

Isotactic polypropylenes (iPP) with different melt flow indexes (MFI) were used to fabricate nanocomposites (NCs) with 10 wt % loadings of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using ultrasound-assisted extrusion methods to determine their effect on the morphology, melt flow, and electrical properties of the NCs. Three different types of iPPs were used with MFIs of 2.5, 34 and 1200 g/10 min. Four different NC fabrication methods based on melt extrusion were used. In the first method melt extrusion fabrication without ultrasound assistance was used. In the second and third methods, an ultrasound probe attached to a hot chamber located at the exit of the die was used to subject the sample to fixed frequency and variable frequency, respectively. The fourth method is similar to the first method, with the difference being that the carbon nanotubes were treated in a fluidized air-bed with an ultrasound probe before being used in the fabrication of the NCs with no ultrasound assistance during extrusion. The samples were characterized by MFI, Optical microscopy (OM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electrical surface resistivity, and electric charge. MFI decreases in all cases with addition of MWCNTs with the largest decrease observed for samples with the highest MFI. The surface resistivity, which ranged from 1013 to 105 Ω/sq, and electric charge, were observed to depend on the ultrasound-assisted fabrication method as well as on the melt flow index of the iPP. A relationship between agglomerate size and area ratio with electric charge was found. Several trends in the overall data were identified and are discussed in terms of MFI and the different fabrication methods.