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Natural Additives as Modificators of Polymer Biocomposites

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2023) | Viewed by 34794

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Marcin Masłowski

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Institute of Polymer and Dye Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Interests: polymer technology; polymer composites; polymer processing; biocomposites; fillers; bioadditives; modifications; functional properties; elastomers
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Green composites are a specific class of composites, where at least one of the components (such as the matrix or the reinforcement) is obtained from natural resources. The terms “green composites,” “biocomposites,” and “eco-composites” all broadly refer to the same class of materials. Green composites, especially natural fiber-reinforced composites (NFRC), have been used since the beginning of human civilization. They are devoted to all types of polymer materials: thermoplastic, thermosetting, and elastomers.

Polymer composites are one of the most important material groups that are of great interest both in terms of experimental research and the possibility of their applications. Composites and additives obtained from renewable raw materials constitute their special branch. By focusing on modern and ecological technologies, it is important to emphasize the important role played by substances of plant origin. Their high application potential allows for obtaining materials with unique properties that often exceed those of their synthetic counterparts. The development of this type of materials has led to increased scientific activity combining research from the border of many fields, such as chemistry, biology, medicine, chemical technology, and materials engineering.

The proposed Special Issue focuses on:

✓ polymer composites based on natural, bio-based, or biodegradable raw materials

✓ the use of bio-additives in various polymer matrices

✓ green technologies used in the production of polymer composites

✓ physical, chemical, and biological modification of bio-fillers

✓ characteristics of the functional properties of environmentally friendly polymer materials

✓ aging and degradation processes of biocomposites

Dr. Marcin Masłowski
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

polymer biocomposites
bioadditives
green technology
modifications of fillers
functional properties
elastomers
biocomponents
aging and degradation
natural fibers

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3633 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Properties and Polymorphism of Acrylic Acid-Grafted Poly(1,4-butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/Organically Modified Layered Double Hydroxide Nanocomposites

by Yun-Ju Chen, Yu-Jia Hung, Ming-Yen Chiang, En-Tze Wang and Tzong-Ming Wu

Polymers 2022, 14(3), 492; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14030492 - 26 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1991

Abstract

Novel and biodegradable acrylic acid-grafted poly(1,4-butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/organically modified layered double hydroxide (g-PBAT/m-LDH) nanocomposites were synthesized through the polycondensation and transesterification process, with the covalent linkages between the polymer and the inorganic materials. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the g-PBAT/m-LDH nanocomposites. The experimental results show that the m-LDH was exfoliated and widely distributed in the g-PBAT matrix. The addition of m-LDH into the g-PBAT extensively improved the storage modulus at −90 °C, when compared to that of the pure g-PBAT matrix. The effects of the minor comonomer of the butylene terephthalate (BT) unit and the addition of m-LDH on the crystallization behavior, and the polymorphic crystals of the g-PBAT at numerous crystallization temperatures, were examined, using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The data indicate that the minor comonomer of the BT unit into g-PBAT can significantly change the starting formation temperatures of the α-form and ꞵ-form crystals, while a change in the starting formation temperatures of the α-form and ꞵ-form crystals using the addition of m-LDH into g-PBAT is not evident. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Additives as Modificators of Polymer Biocomposites)

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27 pages, 10607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Fillers and Ionic Liquids on the Crosslinking and Performance of Natural Rubber Biocomposites

by Magdalena Maciejewska and Anna Sowińska

Polymers 2021, 13(10), 1656; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13101656 - 19 May 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3165

Abstract

This work concerns the effect of fillers and ionic liquids on the cure characteristics of natural rubber (NR) compounds, as well as the mechanical and thermal properties of the vulcanizates. Three types of white filler were applied, such as cellulose, nanosized silica and hydrotalcite, to modify the performance of NR composites. Additionally, ionic liquids (ILs) with bromide anion and different cations, i.e., 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (Bmi) and 1-butyl-3-methylpyrrolidinium (Bmpyr), were used to improve the cure characteristics of NR compounds and functional properties of the vulcanizates. The type of filler and the structure of ILs were proved to affect the rheometric properties and cure characteristics of NR compounds as well as the performance of the NR vulcanizates. Owing to the adsorption of curatives onto the surface, silica reduced the activity of the crosslinking system, prolonging the optimal vulcanization time of NR compounds and reducing the crosslinking degree of the elastomer. However, silica-filled NR exhibited the highest thermal stability. Hydrotalcite increased the crosslink density and, consequently, the mechanical properties of the vulcanizates, but deteriorated their thermal stability. ILs beneficially influenced the cure characteristics of NR compounds, as well as the crosslink density and mechanical performance of the vulcanizates, particularly those filled with silica. Cellulose did not significantly affect the vulcanization of NR compounds and crosslink density of the vulcanizates compared to the unfilled elastomer, but deteriorated their tensile strength. On the other hand, cellulose improved the thermal stability and did not considerably alter the damping properties of the vulcanizates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Additives as Modificators of Polymer Biocomposites)

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24 pages, 8319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Natural Rubber Biocomposites Filled with Phyto-Ashes Rich in Biogenic Silica Obtained from Wheat Straw and Field Horsetail

by Marcin Masłowski, Justyna Miedzianowska, Maciej Delekta, Agnieszka Czylkowska and Krzysztof Strzelec

Polymers 2021, 13(7), 1177; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13071177 - 06 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2560

Abstract

The rich structural hierarchy of plants permits the obtainment of porous structures which can be expected to show improved performances in fields such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, catalysis, drug delivery, adsorption, separation or sensors in various chemical reactions. On the other hand, porous materials can be an active additive to polymer composites. The aim of the study was to obtain natural rubber (NR) biocomposites with the addition of phyto-ashes reach in biogenic silica from plant biomass. For the production of bioadditives, a two-stage method of high-temperature heat treatment was used, preceded by acid hydrolysis of plant tissues in the form of horsetail and wheat straw. Hydrolysis was performed with hydrochloric and citric acid. The efficiency of the processes and their influence on the elemental composition, surface morphology, thermal stability and particle size of the fillers were determined. Modified bioadditives were introduced into the elastomer matrix and their processing properties, as well as the vulcanization characteristics, were examined. Static mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, stress at 100%, 200% and 300% elongation), dynamic-mechanical analysis and the influence of additives on the cross-link density of the composites were determined. Structural analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the field horsetail and cereal straw are plants rich in many valuable chemical compounds, especially silica. The specific and appropriate treatment of these plants can lead to bioadditives that significantly affect the properties of rubber materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Additives as Modificators of Polymer Biocomposites)

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30 pages, 8907 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modified Nanoclays/Straw Fillers as Functional Additives of Natural Rubber Biocomposites

by Justyna Miedzianowska, Marcin Masłowski, Przemysław Rybiński and Krzysztof Strzelec

Polymers 2021, 13(5), 799; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13050799 - 05 Mar 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2388

Abstract

Increasingly, raw materials of natural origin are used as fillers in polymer composites. Such biocomposites have satisfactory properties. To ensure above-average functional properties, modifications of biofillers with other materials are also used. The presented research work aimed to produce and characterize elastomeric materials with a straw-based filler and four different types of montmorillonite. The main research goal was to obtain improved functional parameters of vulcanizates based on natural rubber. A series of composites filled with straw and certain types of modified and unmodified nano-clays in various ratios and amounts were prepared. Then, they were subjected to a series of tests to assess the impact of the hybrids used on the final product. It has been shown that the addition of optimal amounts of biofillers can, inter alia, increase the tensile strength of the composite, improve damping properties, extend the burning time of the material and affect the course of vulcanization or cross-linking density. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Additives as Modificators of Polymer Biocomposites)

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Review

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33 pages, 2717 KiB

Open AccessReview

Thermogravimetric Analysis Properties of Cellulosic Natural Fiber Polymer Composites: A Review on Influence of Chemical Treatments

by N. M. Nurazzi, M. R. M. Asyraf, M. Rayung, M. N. F. Norrrahim, S. S. Shazleen, M. S. A. Rani, A. R. Shafi, H. A. Aisyah, M. H. M. Radzi, F. A. Sabaruddin, R. A. Ilyas, E. S. Zainudin and K. Abdan

Polymers 2021, 13(16), 2710; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13162710 - 13 Aug 2021

Cited by 154 | Viewed by 11557

Abstract

Natural fiber such as bamboo fiber, oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber, kenaf fiber, and sugar palm fiber-reinforced polymer composites are being increasingly developed for lightweight structures with high specific strength in the automotive, marine, aerospace, and construction industries with significant economic benefits, sustainability, and environmental benefits. The plant-based natural fibers are hydrophilic, which is incompatible with hydrophobic polymer matrices. This leads to a reduction of their interfacial bonding and to the poor thermal stability performance of the resulting fiber-reinforced polymer composite. Based on the literature, the effect of chemical treatment of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites had significantly influenced the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) together with the thermal stability performance of the composite structure. In this review, the effect of chemical treatments used on cellulose natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer composites has been reviewed. From the present review, the TGA data are useful as guidance in determining the purity and composition of the composites’ structures, drying, and the ignition temperatures of materials. Knowing the stability temperatures of compounds based on their weight, changes in the temperature dependence is another factor to consider regarding the effectiveness of chemical treatments for the purpose of synergizing the chemical bonding between the natural fiber with polymer matrix or with the synthetic fibers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Additives as Modificators of Polymer Biocomposites)

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47 pages, 78836 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on Mechanical Performance of Hybrid Natural Fiber Polymer Composites for Structural Applications

by N. M. Nurazzi, M. R. M. Asyraf, S. Fatimah Athiyah, S. S. Shazleen, S. Ayu Rafiqah, M. M. Harussani, S. H. Kamarudin, M. R. Razman, M. Rahmah, E. S. Zainudin, R. A. Ilyas, H. A. Aisyah, M. N. F. Norrrahim, N. Abdullah, S. M. Sapuan and A. Khalina

Polymers 2021, 13(13), 2170; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13132170 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 162 | Viewed by 11935

Abstract

In the field of hybrid natural fiber polymer composites, there has been a recent surge in research and innovation for structural applications. To expand the strengths and applications of this category of materials, significant effort was put into improving their mechanical properties. Hybridization is a designed technique for fiber-reinforced composite materials that involves combining two or more fibers of different groups within a single matrix to manipulate the desired properties. They may be made from a mix of natural and synthetic fibers, synthetic and synthetic fibers, or natural fiber and carbonaceous materials. Owing to their diverse properties, hybrid natural fiber composite materials are manufactured from a variety of materials, including rubber, elastomer, metal, ceramics, glasses, and plants, which come in composite, sandwich laminate, lattice, and segmented shapes. Hybrid composites have a wide range of uses, including in aerospace interiors, naval, civil building, industrial, and sporting goods. This study intends to provide a summary of the factors that contribute to natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites’ mechanical and structural failure as well as overview the details and developments that have been achieved with the composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Additives as Modificators of Polymer Biocomposites)

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