ABSTRACT
A study of different nanocomposites based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and mesoporous SBA-15 silica that were prepared by melt extrusion was carried out by analyzing the possible effect of this filler on the crystalline details of PCL, on its mechanical behavior, and on the eventual observation of the confinement of the polymeric chains within the hollow nanometric silica channels. Thus, simultaneous Small-Angle and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS) synchrotron experiments at variable temperature were performed on these PCL nanocomposites with different mesoporous silica contents. The importance of the morphological and structural features was assessed by the changes that were observed during the mechanical response of the final materials, which determined that the presence of mesoporous particles leads to a noticeable reinforcing effect.
ABSTRACT
The ultra-stable Y (H-USY) zeolite is used as catalyst for the conversion of plastic feedstocks into high added value products through catalytic cracking technologies. However, the energy requirements associated with these processes are still high. On the other hand, induction heating by magnetic nanoparticles has been exploited for different applications such as cancer treatment by magnetic hyperthermia, improving of water electrolysis and many other heterogeneous catalytic processes. In this work, the heating efficiency of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticle impregnated zeolites is investigated in order to determine the potential application of this system in catalytic reactions promoted by acid catalyst centers under inductive heating. The γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticle impregnated zeolite has been investigated by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, ammonia temperature program desorption (NH3-TPD), H2 absorption, thermogravimetry and dc and ac-magnetometry. It is observed that the diffusion of the magnetic nanoparticles in the pores of the zeolite is possible due to a combined micro and mesoporous structure and, even when fixed in a solid matrix, they are capable of releasing heat as efficiently as in a colloidal suspension. This opens up the possibility of exploring the application at higher temperatures.
ABSTRACT
An approach to obtain disentangled ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) films is proposed using a common compression molding. For that, disentangled UHMWPE nascent powders from reactor are processed at temperatures lower than the main melting peak and at high pressure. Then, disentangled UHMWPE films obtained from homogeneous polymerization powders and from those that incorporate SBA-15 mesoporous silica can be easily achieved by this simple methodology. These disentangled UHMWPE based materials show very high crystallinity and, consequently, outstanding elastic modulus and hardness, both further increasing by presence of mesoporous SBA-15 in the hybrids.
Subject(s)
Materials Testing , Mechanical Phenomena , Polyethylenes/chemistry , Catalysis , PressureABSTRACT
The synthesis of self-reinforced polyethylene-based materials prepared by in-situ polymerisation is described. The methodology developed uses MCM-41 mesoporous material in a triple role: as catalyst carrier for ethylene polymerisation within its pores and channels in a first stage, as nanofiller of the formed polyethylene matrix during its useful lifetime and, finally, as promoter for long-term waste disposal. As evidenced by FTIR analysis, when the polymer is formed under these confined conditions different interactions between the MCM-41 material and the polyethylene matrix occur, when compared to simple blends. The influence of the filler content on the rigidity of the resulting nanocomposites is analysed by microhardness measurements and corroborated by the storage modulus values: a significant increase in rigidity is observed as the filler contents rises. In addition, thermogravimetric studies show interesting features concerning the degradability of these materials. The catalytic action of MCM-41 during degradation involves a reduction of the energetic requirements for their cracking and, therefore, a positive environmental impact.
