Thermoplastic Polymer-Based Multifunctional Materials

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Smart and Functional Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 January 2024) | Viewed by 1801

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Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering, Instituto de Química y Materiales Álvaro Alonso Barba (IQMAA), Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, 28911 Madrid, Spain
Interests: design, preparation, and characterization of polymer-based multifunctional materials with (i) special electrical properties and (ii) antibacterial activity; characterization of polymers and composite materials; use of fluorescent probes and labels to monitor physico-chemical changes at a molecular scale; atomic force microscopy: nanothermodeformation (linear coefficients of thermal expansion of polymer thin films), nanopiezodeformación; FTIR (middle and near range): structural, dynamics, and aging phenomena studies; solution blow spinning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering, Instituto de Químicay Materiales Álvaro Alonso Barba (IQMAA), Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 28911 Leganés, Spain
Interests: nanocomposites; polymers; polymer nanocomposites; interphases and interfaces; characterization techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer science, specifically the field of thermoplastic polymers, has contributed to the development of new multifunctional materials with different applications. Apart from the nature of the thermoplastic polymer itself, the functionality of these materials can be changed by selectively choosing the processing conditions and introducing additives with certain properties for the desired application. One of the most common strategies is the addition of particles, such as micro- or nanoparticles, to improve the final performance of the overall material by improving or providing new properties that can lead to additional functionalities. The aspect ratio can play a fundamental role in enhancing the interfacial properties of the overall nanocomposite material. This Special Issue addresses the recent developments and applications of thermoplastic polymer-based multifunctional nanocomposites. This Special Issue emphasizes materials used for the following: (a) biomedical applications, such as scaffolds and/or materials for wound-healing applications; (b) fabrics for the textile industry; (c) food packaging and the agro-alimentary industry; (d) the controlled release of drugs or active molecules antibiotics or food preservatives; (e) flexible materials for smart sensors and actuators; and (f) energy harvesting applications.

Prof. Dr. Javier González-Benito
Dr. Dania Olmos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • polymers
  • thermoplastic
  • nanocomposite
  • multifunctional
  • materials

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 4655 KiB  
Article
An Investigative Study on the Structural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Clay-Based PVC Polymer Composite Films
by Neeraj Kumari, Chandra Mohan and Arvind Negi
Polymers 2023, 15(8), 1922; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym15081922 - 18 Apr 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1437
Abstract
The present study aims to explore the impact of pristine and surfactant-modified clays (montmorillonite, bentonite and vermiculite) on the thermomechanical properties of a poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) polymer film. Initially, clay was modified by employing the ion exchange method. The modification of clay [...] Read more.
The present study aims to explore the impact of pristine and surfactant-modified clays (montmorillonite, bentonite and vermiculite) on the thermomechanical properties of a poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) polymer film. Initially, clay was modified by employing the ion exchange method. The modification of clay minerals was confirmed by the XRD pattern and thermogravimetric analysis. Pristine PVC polymer film and clay (montmorillonite, bentonite and vermiculite)-based PVC polymer composite films were fabricated using solution casting. The ideal dispersion of surfactant-modified organo-clays was observed in the PVC polymer matrix due to the hydrophobic nature of modified clays. The resultant pure polymer film and clay polymer composite film were characterized using XRD and TGA, and their mechanical properties were determined using a tensile strength tester and Durometer. From the XRD pattern, the intercalation of the PVC polymer film was found in the interlayer of organo-clay while exfoliation or partial intercalation and exfoliation were observed for pristine clay mineral-based PVC polymer composite films. Thermal analysis indicated a lowering of the decomposition temperature of the composite film as clay promotes the thermal degradation temperature of PVC. Improvement in the tensile strength and hardness was found to be more frequent in the case of organo-clay-based PVC polymer films, which is only due to the hydrophobic nature of organ clays, resulting in greater compatibility with the polymer matrix. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermoplastic Polymer-Based Multifunctional Materials)
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