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Degradation and Stabilization of Polymer Systems: Recent Advances PubMed
Collection Editor: Giulio Malucelli
4.967
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Mechanical Properties of Polymeric Materials
Collection Editor: Marta Fernández-García

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Collection Editors: Giulio Malucelli and H. N. Cheng
an Open Access Journal by MDPI
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Collection Editor: Mariaenrica Frigione

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Basel, July 2022

Polymer Analysis and Characterization

 IMPACT
FACTOR
4.967
an Open Access Journal published by MDPI
Contact us: polymers@mdpi.com
Submit your article: www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers
Editor's Choice Articles
DOI: 10.3390/polym14040692
Towards the Sustainability of the Plastic Industry through Biopolymers: Properties and Potential
Applications to the Textiles World
Authors: Antonella Patti and Domenico Acierno
Abstract: This study aims to provide an overview of the latest research studies on the use of
biopolymers in various textile processes, from spinning processes to dyeing and finishing
treatment, proposed as a possible solution to reduce the environmental impact of the textile
industry. Recently, awareness of various polluting aspects of textile production, based on
petroleum derivatives, has grown significantly. Environmental issues resulting from greenhouse
gas emissions, and waste accumulation in nature and landfills, have pushed research activities
toward more sustainable, low-impact alternatives. Polymers derived from renewable resources
and/or with biodegradable characteristics were investigated as follows: (i) as constituent
materials in yarn production, in view of their superior ability to be decomposed compared
with common synthetic petroleum-derived plastics, positive antibacterial activities, good
breathability, and mechanical properties; (ii) in textile finishing to act as biological catalysts;
(iii) to impart specific functional properties to treated textiles; (iv) in 3D printing technologies on
fabric surfaces to replace traditionally more pollutive dye-based and inkjet printing; and (v) in
the implants for the treatment of dye-contaminated water. Finally, current projects led by well-
known companies on the development of new materials for the textile market are presented.
DOI: 10.3390/polym14071300
Green Flame-Retardant Composites Based on PP/TiO2/Lignin Obtained by Melt-Mixing Extrusion
Authors: Marlene Andrade-Guel, Christian Cabello-Alvarado, Carlos Alberto Avila-Orta,
Marissa Pérez-Alvarez, Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego, Pamela Yahaira Reyes-Rodríguez and
Leopoldo Rios-González
Abstract: Nowadays, highly flammable and harmful plastic materials are used in many daily
applications. To prevent burning of materials, other harmful molecules or materials that are
not environmentally friendly are added to plastics. To overcome this environmental issue,
new materials have been investigated. Lignin, an industrial by-product, is an abundant
biopolymer that can be used in fire safety plastics; it is considered a renewable and readily
available resource. In this work, PP–TiO2/lignin composites were obtained with TiO2/
lignin mixtures through the melt extrusion process, with different weight percentages of
nanoparticles (10, 20, 25, and 30 wt.%). The PP–TiO2/lignin composites were characterized
by XRD, FTIR, TGA, and SEM. Furthermore, cone calorimetry tests and the mechanical
properties were evaluated. Cone calorimetry tests revealed that the introduction of 25 wt.%
TiO2–lignin to the PP matrix reduced the peak of heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat
release (THR) by 34.37% and 35.45%, respectively. The flame retardancy index (FRI) values of
the composites were greater than 1.0 and were classified as good; the highest value of 1.93
was obtained in the PP-30 sample. The tensile tests demonstrated that the flexural modulus
of the composites increased gradually with increasing lignin and TiO2 content, and the
flexural strength decreased slightly. The use of lignin in PP composites can be an excellent
alternative to synthesize new materials with improved flame-retardant properties and which
is friendly to the environment.
DOI: 10.3390/polym14040674
Indexed in:
PubMed In Situ Growth of Silver Nanoparticles on Chitosan Matrix for the Synthesis of Hybrid Electrospun
Fibers: Analysis of Microstructural and Mechanical Properties
Authors:Karina Santiago-Castillo, Aidé Minerva Torres-Huerta, Deyanira del Ángel-López,
Miguel Antonio Domínguez-Crespo, Héctor Dorantes-Rosales, Diana Palma-Ramírez and
Helen Willcock
Abstract: A viable alternative for the next generation of wound dressings is the preparation
of electrospun fibers from biodegradable polymers in combination with inorganic
nanoparticles. A poly(vinyl alcohol)-chitosan-silver nanoparticles (PVA-CTS-Ag NPs) system
has been developed for antimicrobial and wound healing applications. Here, the preparation
of PVA-CTS-Ag electrospun fibers using a two-step process is reported in order to analyze
changes in the microstructural, mechanical, and antibacterial properties and confirm their
potential application in the biomedical field. The Ag nanoparticles were well-dispersed into
the chitosan matrix and their cubic structure after the electrospinning process was also
retained. The Ag NPs displayed an average diameter of ~33 nm into the CTS matrix, while
the size increased up to 213 nm in the PVA-CTS-Ag(NPs) fibers. It was observed that strong
chemical interactions exist between organic (CTS) and inorganic phases through nitrogenous
groups and the oxygen of the glycosidic bonds. A defect-free morphology was obtained in the
PVA-CTS-Ag NPs final fibers with an important enhancement of the mechanical properties
as well as of the antibacterial activity compared with pure PVA-CTS electrospun fibers. The
results of antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus confirmed that PVA-CTS-Ag(NPs)
fibers can be potentially used as a material for biomedical applications.
DOI: 10.3390/polym14071316
Cyclic Compression Testing of Three Elastomer Types—A Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Elastomer, a Liquid
Silicone Rubber and Two Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Rubbers
Authors: Anna-Maria Märta Ruth Persson and Erik Andreassen
Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer vulcanizate (TPV) and liquid silicone rubber (LSR) are
replacement candidates for ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers (EPDM), as they offer the
possibility for two-component injection moulding. In this study, these material types were
compared side by side in cyclic compression tests. The materials were also characterized to
provide details on the formulations. Compared to the rubbers, the TPV had higher compression
set (after a given cycle) and hysteresis loss, and a stronger Mullins effect. This is due to the
thermoplastic matrix in the TPV. The LSR had lower compression set (after a given cycle) than
the EPDM, but stronger Mullins effect and higher relative hysteresis loss. These differences
between the LSR and the EPDM are likely due to differences in polymer network structure
and type of filler. Methods for quantifying the Mullins effect are proposed, and correlations
between a Mullins index and parameters such as compression set are discussed. The EPDMs
showed a distinct trend in compression set, relative hysteresis loss and relaxed stress fraction
vs. strain amplitude; these entities were almost independent of strain amplitude in the range
15–35%, while they increased in this range for the TPV and the LSR. The difference between the
compression set values of the LSR and the EPDM decreased with increasing strain amplitude
and increasing strain recovery time.
DOI: 10.3390/polym14030393
Synthesis and Characterization of a Conductive Polymer Blend Based on PEDOT:PSS and Its
Electromagnetic Applications
Authors: Hong-Kyu Jang, Jinbong Kim, Ji-Sang Park, Jin Bum Moon, Jaecheol Oh,
Woo-Kyoung Lee and Min-Gyu Kang
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to prepare a resistive lossy material using conducting
polymers for electromagnetic wave absorbers. This paper presents a conductive paste
largely composed of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) with a
polyurethane binder. The various secondary compounds are added in small amounts to
an aqueous blended solution in order to enhance the electrical and mechanical properties
of the conductive thin film. The synthesized conductive paste is characterized through
electrical, chemical, and morphological analyses. The electrical conductivity of the thin film
is measured using a four-point probe and surface profiler. The chemical and morphological
changes are studied in various experiments using a Raman microscope, X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy, a scanning electron microscope, and an atomic force microscope.