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Polymers
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Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers
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Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2022) | Viewed by 19227

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Ana María Díez-Pascual

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
Interests: nanomaterials; polymers; nanocomposites; inorganic nanoparticles; antibacterial agents; surfactants; interphases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Inorganic nanoparticle-modified polymer nanocomposites have attracted substantial attention over the last years in the preparation of materials for a number of applications. One of the major aims of the addition of inorganic nanoparticles to polymers is to enhance their mechanical and thermal properties. Nanoparticles display ahigher specific surface area compared to microsized particles and can therefore lead to better properties that those attained using conventional microfiller loadings. However, a number of tasks have to be completed first. Nanoparticle agglomeration within the polymer matrix and poor interfacial adhesion between the nanofillers and the matrix often impede property improvements, which represents a challenge in modifying the surface chemistry to promote physical or chemical interactions with polymer chains.

This Special Issue is planned to bring together a number of original papers and reviews covering (but not restricted to) the following topics:

  • Novel fabrication methods of polymer/inorganic nanoparticle composites;
  • Properties of inorganic nanoparticle-reinforced polymers (mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, chemical, magnetic, etc.);
  • Structure–property relationships in polymer nanocomposites;
  • Applications of inorganic nanoparticle-reinforced polymers;
  • Future perspectives for inorganic nanofiller-reinforced polymeric nanomaterials.

Prof. Dr. Ana María Díez-Pascual
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Nanocomposites
  • Inorganic nanoparticles
  • Polymers
  • Mechanical properties
  • Electrical performance
  • Thermal properties

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

5 pages, 425 KiB  
Editorial
Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers
by Ana M. Díez-Pascual
Polymers 2022, 14(10), 1979; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14101979 - 12 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2073
Abstract
Inorganic nanoparticle-modified polymer nanocomposites have attracted substantial attention over the last years in the preparation of materials for a number of applications [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers)
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Research

Jump to: Editorial

13 pages, 3757 KiB  
Article
Biopolymer Nanocomposite Materials Based on Poly(L-lactic Acid) and Inorganic Fullerene-like WS2 Nanoparticles
by Mohammed Naffakh
Polymers 2021, 13(17), 2947; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13172947 - 31 Aug 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1583
Abstract
In the current study, inorganic fullerene (IF)-like tungsten disulphide (WS2) nanoparticles from layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) were introduced into a poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) polymer matrix to generate novel bionanocomposite materials through an advantageous melt-processing route. The effectiveness of employing IF-WS [...] Read more.
In the current study, inorganic fullerene (IF)-like tungsten disulphide (WS2) nanoparticles from layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) were introduced into a poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) polymer matrix to generate novel bionanocomposite materials through an advantageous melt-processing route. The effectiveness of employing IF-WS2 on the morphology and property enhancement of the resulting hybrid nanocomposites was evaluated. The non-isothermal melt–crystallization and melting measurements revealed that the crystallization and melting temperature as well as the crystallinity of PLLA were controlled by the cooling rate and composition. The crystallization behaviour and kinetics were examined by using the Lui model. Moreover, the nucleating effect of IF-WS2 was investigated in terms of Gutzow and Dobreva approaches. It was discovered that the incorporation of increasing IF-WS2 contents led to a progressive acceleration of the crystallization rate of PLLA. The morphology and kinetic data demonstrate the high performance of these novel nanocomposites for industrial applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers)
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17 pages, 2304 KiB  
Article
Environmentally Friendly Synthesis of Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene): Poly(Styrene Sulfonate)/SnO2 Nanocomposites
by Ana M. Díez-Pascual
Polymers 2021, 13(15), 2445; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13152445 - 25 Jul 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2342
Abstract
Conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is widely used for practical applications such as energy conversion and storage devices owing to its good flexibility, processability, high electrical conductivity, and superior optical transparency, among others. However, its hygroscopic character, short durability, and poor thermoelectric performance compared [...] Read more.
Conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is widely used for practical applications such as energy conversion and storage devices owing to its good flexibility, processability, high electrical conductivity, and superior optical transparency, among others. However, its hygroscopic character, short durability, and poor thermoelectric performance compared to inorganic counterparts has greatly limited its high-tech applications. In this work, PEDOT:PSS/SnO2 nanocomposites have been prepared via a simple, low cost, environmentally friendly method without the use of organic solvents or compatibilizing agents. Their morphology, thermal, thermoelectrical, optical, and mechanical properties have been characterized. Electron microscopy analysis revealed a uniform dispersion of the SnO2 nanoparticles, and the Raman spectra revealed the existence of very strong SnO2-PEDOT:PSS interactions. The stiffness and strength of the matrix gradually increased with increasing SnO2 content, up to 120% and 65%, respectively. Moreover, the nanocomposites showed superior thermal stability (as far as 70 °C), improved electrical conductivity (up to 140%), and higher Seebeck coefficient (about 80% increase) than neat PEDOT:PSS. On the other hand, hardly any change in optical transparency was observed. These sustainable nanocomposites show considerably improved performance compared to commercial PEDOT:PSS, and can be highly useful for applications in energy storage, flexible electronics, thermoelectric devices, and related fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers)
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17 pages, 21042 KiB  
Article
The Effect of WS2 Nanosheets on the Non-Isothermal Cold- and Melt-Crystallization Kinetics of Poly(l-lactic acid) Nanocomposites
by Mohammed Naffakh, Pablo Rica, Carmen Moya-Lopez, José Antonio Castro-Osma, Carlos Alonso-Moreno and Diego A. Moreno
Polymers 2021, 13(13), 2214; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13132214 - 05 Jul 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1907
Abstract
In the present work, hybrid nanocomposite materials were obtained by a solution blending of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and layered transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) based on tungsten disulfide nanosheets (2D-WS2) as a filler, varying its content between 0 and 1 wt%. [...] Read more.
In the present work, hybrid nanocomposite materials were obtained by a solution blending of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and layered transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) based on tungsten disulfide nanosheets (2D-WS2) as a filler, varying its content between 0 and 1 wt%. The non-isothermal cold- and melt-crystallization and melting behavior of PLLA/2D-WS2 were investigated. The overall crystallization rate, final crystallinity, and subsequent melting behavior of PLLA were controlled by both the incorporation of 2D-WS2 and variation of the cooling/heating rates. In particular, the analysis of the cold-crystallization behavior of the PLLA matrix showed that the crystallization rate of PLLA was reduced after nanosheet incorporation. Unexpectedly for polymer nanocomposites, a drastic change from retardation to promotion of crystallization was observed with increasing the nanosheet content, while the melt-crystallization mechanism of PLLA remained unchanged. On the other hand, the double-melting peaks, mainly derived from melting–recrystallization–melting processes upon heating, and their dynamic behavior were coherent with the effect of 2D-WS2 involved in the crystallization of PLLA. Therefore, the results of the present study offer a new perspective for the potential of PLLA/hybrid nanocomposites in targeted applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers)
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13 pages, 5171 KiB  
Article
Tuning Photophysical Properties of Donor/Acceptor Hybrid Thin- Film via Addition of SiO2/TiO2 Nanocomposites
by Bandar Ali Al-Asbahi, Mohammad Hafizuddin Hj. Jumali, M. S. AlSalhi, Saif M. H. Qaid, Amanullah Fatehmulla, Wafa Musa Mujamammi and Hamid M. Ghaithan
Polymers 2021, 13(4), 611; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13040611 - 18 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1967
Abstract
The influence of SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposites (STNCs) content on non-radiative energy transfer (Förster-type) from poly (9,9′-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PFO) to poly [2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) using steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopies was investigated at room temperature. The improved energy transfer from PFO to MEH-PPV upon [...] Read more.
The influence of SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposites (STNCs) content on non-radiative energy transfer (Förster-type) from poly (9,9′-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PFO) to poly [2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) using steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopies was investigated at room temperature. The improved energy transfer from PFO to MEH-PPV upon an increment of the STNCs was achieved by examining absorbance, emission (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra. The shorter values of the quantum yield (φDA) and lifetime (τDA) of the PFO in the hybrid thin films compared with the pure PFO, indicating efficient energy transfer from PFO to MEH-PPV with the increment of STNCs in the hybrid. The energy transfer parameters can be tuned by increment of the STNCs in the hybrid of PFO/MEH-PPV. The Stern–Volmer value (kSV), quenching rate value (kq), Förster radius (R0), distance between the molecules of PFO and MEH-PPV (RDA), energy transfer lifetime (τET), energy transfer rate (kET), total decay rate of the donor (TDR), critical concentration (Ao), and conjugation length (Aπ) were calculated. The gradually increasing donor lifetime and decreasing acceptor lifetime, upon increasing the STNCs content, prove the increase in conjugation length and meanwhile enhance in the energy transfer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers)
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15 pages, 3962 KiB  
Article
Phase Behavior and Thermo-Mechanical Properties of IF-WS2 Reinforced PP–PET Blend-Based Nanocomposites
by Ding Chen, Santosh K. Tiwari, Zhiyuan Ma, Jiahao Wen, Song Liu, Jiewei Li, Feng Wei, Kunyapat Thummavichai, Zhuxian Yang, Yanqiu Zhu and Nannan Wang
Polymers 2020, 12(10), 2342; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12102342 - 13 Oct 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2710
Abstract
The industrial advancement of high-performance technologies directly depends on the thermo-mechanical properties of materials. Here we give an account of a facile approach for the bulk production of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polypropylene (PP)-based nanocomposite blend with Inorganic Fullerene Tungsten Sulfide (IF-WS2) [...] Read more.
The industrial advancement of high-performance technologies directly depends on the thermo-mechanical properties of materials. Here we give an account of a facile approach for the bulk production of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polypropylene (PP)-based nanocomposite blend with Inorganic Fullerene Tungsten Sulfide (IF-WS2) nanofiller using a single extruder. Nanofiller IF-WS2 was produced by the rotary chemical vapor deposition (RCVD) method. Subsequently, IF-WS2 nanoparticles were dispersed in PET and PP in different loadings to access impact and their dispersion behavior in polymer matrices. As-prepared blend nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic differential scanning (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In this work, the tensile strength of the PP/PET matrix with 1% IF-WS2 increased by 31.8%, and the thermal stability of the sample PP/PET matrix with 2% increased by 18 °C. There was an extraordinary decrease in weight loss at elevated temperature for the nanocomposites in TGA analysis, which confirms the role of IF-WS2 on thermal stability versus plain nanocomposites. In addition, this method can also be used for the large-scale production of such materials used in high-temperature environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers)
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13 pages, 23530 KiB  
Article
Improving Photophysical Properties of White Emitting Ternary Conjugated Polymer Blend Thin Film via Additions of TiO2 Nanoparticles
by Sameer Al-Bati, Mohammad Hafizuddin Hj. Jumali, Bandar Ali Al-Asbahi, Khatatbeh Ibtehaj, Chi Chin Yap, Saif M. H. Qaid, Hamid M. Ghaithan and W. A. Farooq
Polymers 2020, 12(9), 2154; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12092154 - 21 Sep 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2987
Abstract
The effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the photophysical properties of ternary conjugated polymer (CP) blends of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PFO), poly 9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole (F8BT) and poly(2-methoxy-5(2-ethylhexyl)-1,4 -phenylenevinylene (MEH-PPV) thin films was investigated. This ternary blend used a fixed amount of PFO as the donor with [...] Read more.
The effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the photophysical properties of ternary conjugated polymer (CP) blends of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PFO), poly 9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole (F8BT) and poly(2-methoxy-5(2-ethylhexyl)-1,4 -phenylenevinylene (MEH-PPV) thin films was investigated. This ternary blend used a fixed amount of PFO as the donor with MEH-PPV and F8BT in various ratios as the acceptors. The solution-blending method and the spin-coating technique were used to prepare the blends and the thin films, respectively. Through efficient Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), the desired white emission was achieved with PFO/0.3 wt.% F8BT/0.5 wt.% MEH-PPV ternary blend thin film. Additions of nanoparticles up to 10 wt.% dramatically intensified the white emission which then dimmed at higher contents due to agglomerations. The current density–voltage characteristics of the nanocomposite thin films exhibited dependency on the content and distributions of the nanoparticles. Finally, a possible underlying mechanism for the intensification of emission is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers)
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15 pages, 6165 KiB  
Article
Mussel-Inspired Approach to Constructing Dual Network Coated Layered Clay for Enhanced Barrier and Antibacterial Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposites
by Long Mao, Jianda Xie, Huiqing Wu and Yuejun Liu
Polymers 2020, 12(9), 2093; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12092093 - 15 Sep 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2468
Abstract
Inspired by complexation and mussel adhesion of catechol groups in tannic acid (TA), organophilic layered double hydroxides (LDHs@TA-Ti) were synthesized by forming a one-pot assembled TA-titanium (Ti) dual network coating on the surface of layered clay for the first time. LDHs@TA-Ti/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) [...] Read more.
Inspired by complexation and mussel adhesion of catechol groups in tannic acid (TA), organophilic layered double hydroxides (LDHs@TA-Ti) were synthesized by forming a one-pot assembled TA-titanium (Ti) dual network coating on the surface of layered clay for the first time. LDHs@TA-Ti/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites were prepared by the solution casting method. The results show that TA-Ti(IV) and TiO2 coordination compounds are simultaneously formed due to hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride and complexation of TA in aqueous solution. Upon TA-Ti coatings onto the surface of LDHs, the antibacterial rate of LDHs@TA-Ti is up to 99.98%. Corresponding LDHs@TA-Ti/PVA nanocomposites also show outstanding antibacterial properties. Compared with pure PVA, LDHs@TA-Ti/PVA nanocomposites show a 40.9% increase in tensile strength, a 17.5% increase in elongation at break, a 35.9% decrease in oxygen permeability and a 26.0% decrease in water vapor permeability when adding 1 wt % LDHs@TA-Ti. UV transmittance (at 300 nm) of LDHs@TA-Ti/PVA nanocomposites decrease by 99.4% when the content of LDHs@TA-Ti reaches 3 wt %. These results indicate that PVA matrix incorporated with LDHs@TA-Ti could be used as a potential active packaging material to extend the shelf life of food products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic-Nanoparticle Modified Polymers)
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