Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

Mohammad Jawaid, Mohammad Mansoob Khan

• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
• Year: 2018
• eBook ISBN: 9780081019115
• Topic: Tecnologia e ingegneria
• Subtopic: Scienza dei materiali

Polymer-Based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications provides a comprehensive and updated review of major innovations in the field of polymer-based nanocomposites for energy and environmental applications. It covers properties and applications, including the synthesis of polymer based nanocomposites from different sources and tactics on the efficacy and major challenges associated with successful scale-up fabrication. The chapters provide cutting-edge, up-to-date research findings on the use of polymer based nanocomposites in energy and environmental applications, while also detailing how to achieve material's characteristics and significant enhancements in physical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties. It is an essential reference for future research in polymer based nanocomposites as topics such as sustainable, recyclable and eco-friendly methods for highly innovative and applied materials are current topics of importance. - Covers a wide range of research on polymer based nanocomposites - Provides updates on the most relevant polymer based nanocomposites and their prodigious potential in the fields of energy and the environment - Demonstrates systematic approaches and investigations from the design, synthesis, characterization and applications of polymer based nanocomposites - Presents a useful reference and technical guide for university academics and postgraduate students (Masters and Ph.D.)

1

Introduction of polymer-based nanocomposites

S. Hooshmand Zaferani Petroleum University of Technology (PUT), Abadan, Iran

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are introduced as a class of materials with remarkable properties. The main challenging characteristic of PNCs is the complex interfacial regions between the nanoparticles and polymer matrices. Due to these small scales, large specific surface area is generated that emphasizes the importance of polymer-nanoparticle interactions. Therefore, analyzing the intercalation process among the nanoparticles and polymer bases is mandatory in achieving the desirable properties (e.g., mechanical, thermal, optical, and electric). The main purpose of this chapter is representing the PNC development on behalf of predicting the interfacial regions based on the relevant theories and models. In addition, due to direct link between the nanotechnology development as PNCs and environment sustainability, the green PNCs are discussed by illustrating the biopolymer nanocomposites and their applications.

Keywords

Polymer; Nanoparticles; Nanocomposites; Green materials

1.1 Introduction to polymer nanocomposites—capabilities and challenges

Energy saving and conversion systems along with economic efficiency are attracting a huge attention due to restriction for energy sources and environmentally friendly issues [1]. Nanotechnology as a helpful tool in various fields of science is carried out in developing novel materials. On the other hand, material manipulating at the nanometer scale provides the possibility of designing and generating new products with unprecedented performance and enhanced characteristics [1].

Generally, in composite systems, there are three main matrix types including polymer, metal, and ceramic with different additives in various forms such as lamina, fillers, fiber (short and continuous), flake, and particles (Fig. 1.1). In this field, nanocomposites are defined with at least one component in nanometric scale [2].

Fig. 1.1 Different common forms of composites.

Among the prevalent matrices, in comparison with metals or ceramics, polymers are represented much more complex but cheaper with more easily processing. In addition, polymers provide lower modulus and strength with lower temperature application [3]. Therefore, these materials need to be ameliorated with their features with the lack of mandatory characteristics. In the PNCs, nanofillers are employed in the role of filler components that are categorized due to their chemical nature, physical structure, and particle shapes. The geometries and nanodimension represent these particles as one dimension, linear (e.g., carbon nanotubes); two dimension, layered (e.g., montmorillonite); or three dimension, powder (e.g., silver nanoparticles) [2]. There are several studies that investigated the application of PNCs in various areas (Fig. 1.2), but as a main matter, it is choosing the generation process of the PNCs on the basis of the final expected properties [4-10].

Fig. 1.2 PNC application fields.

1.2 Polymer matrixes and formulations

1.2.1 Thermoplastic polymer matrixes

Thermoplastic polymer is defined as a type of material with linear chain molecules that is softened by exposing to heat and stiffened by cooling in a temperature range [3,11]. As another factor, the thermoplastic polymers are capable to be shaped for demanded design due to their softened malleable state. Also, high-molecular-weight thermoplastic polymers have different types of bonds such as strong dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bonding (e.g., nylon), weak van der Waals forces (e.g., polyethylene), and aromatic rings (e.g., polystyrene) [11].

Regarding to the transition temperature, these polymers are divided in two groups including amorphous and crystalline. A distinct feature is rapid modulus decrease that occurs in the amorphous thermoplastics above the glass transition temperature following liquid state. Thus, the amorphous thermoplastics are normally manipulated above the glass transition temperature. Crystalline thermoplastics or semicrystalline thermoplastics have different range of crystallinity that ranges from 20% to 90%. The melting temperature of crystalline phase and glass transition temperature of coexisting amorphous phase is supposed as the bases for processing of thermoplastic polymers. In these polymers, crystallization occurs rapidly after cooling step, afterward [12]. As an important note, the crystallinity degree of thermoplastic polymers depends on the cooldown time. This is regarded to time requirement of polymer chains for orderly pattern organization and vice versa. In addition, either high level temperature or long dwell time at a specific temperature may change the polymer characteristics such as mechanical factors [3].

There are several applications for thermoplastic resin systems via their special capabilities for cost reduction in manufacturing and damage tolerance enhancement. Moreover, these polymers often sustain in their initial properties regardless their reheating or reforming. Akca et al. [3] studied the thermoplastic materials and matrix toughness influences on the long-term behavior of fiber composites. In addition, due to linear molecular structure, thermoplastic polymers are tougher than thermoset types with highly cross-linked molecular structure. This linear structure provides easy sliding of the molecules among each other, which makes a mechanism for the mechanical energy consuming and toughness improvement. Hence, by using a thermoplastic polymer matrix rather than a thermoset material, both ductility and toughness of the composite will be ameliorated [13]. However, thermoplastics have less strength and chemical stability in high temperature range against the thermosetting polymers but show more resistant to impact damage and cracking [14]. As a brilliant factor for thermoplastic polymers, these types of polymers can be recycled [3]. By utilizing these matrices, thermoplastic composites can be reinforced by carbon, glass, metal, biobased materials, etc. In this field, modern industry demands several types of thermoplastic composites; also, various efforts are directed toward the new modeling development in order to decrease time and costs [15].

1.2.2 Thermosetting polymer matrixes

Thermosetting resins are characterized as low-viscosity liquids or low-molecular-weight solids that need additives as cross-linking agents to be formulated and cured. Also, these polymers can be doped with fillers or fibrous reinforcements to improve final demanding properties such as thermal and mechanical [12]. Among the curing process, which is engaged by pressure and heat, the thermoset resins fully polymerize and gradually harden with polymerization completion and the cross-linking of the polymer molecules. These polymers illustrate some unique characteristics via their three-dimensional cross-linked structure including good resistance to solvents, high stability in dimensions, and resistance to high temperature [14]. The molecules of thermosets can react freely to provide covalent bonds; thus, the cross-linking is gained in one gigantic molecule among the polymer sample as an exothermal reaction. This is due to the effect of molecular arrangement to a lower energy state than the random molecular orientation of the liquid. Consequently, these molecules are bounded together via covalent bonds and cannot be melted through reheating [16,17].

Thermosetting resins include different types of polymers such as epoxies, polyesters, bismaleimides, vinyl esters, and polyamides [12]. There are various researches that used thermoset matrices in polymer composite systems, especially PNCs. Gorowara et al. [18] studied the molecular factors of glass fiber surface coatings in thermosetting composite systems containing polymer matrix/glass fiber. In this research, multicomponent glass fiber sizing was investigated for the full coating packages used in commercial glass fiber manufacture. Kim et al. [19] investigated experimentally and analytically the influences of the size of silver flakes and their distribution on the thermal and electric conductivities of a polymer-based composite. Another study [20] represented a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technique to analyze the brittle fracture in epoxy-based thermoset polymer with mechanical loading. In this research, the ductile behaviors of amorphous polymers were studied by traditional MD simulation methodology via assessing the stress-strain response out of the yield point. There are some techniques that can be carried out to recycle thermosetting polymer (Fig. 1.3).

Fig. 1.3 Recycling techniques for thermosetting-based composites. Derived from Pickering SJ. Recycling te...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• List of contributors
• Preface
• 1: Introduction of polymer-based nanocomposites
• 2: Preparation and properties of nanopolymer advanced composites: A review
• 3: Nanoclay and polymer-based nanocomposites: Materials for energy efficiency
• 4: Energy and environmental applications of graphene and its derivatives
• 5: Polymer-based nanocomposites for significantly enhanced dielectric properties and energy storage capability
• 6: Polymer-based nanocomposites for energy and environmental applications
• 7: Polymer nanocomposites for sensor devices
• 8: Polyaniline-based nanocomposites for hydrogen storage
• 9: Polymer nanocomposite materials in energy storage: Properties and applications
• 10: Polymer nanocomposites for lithium battery applications
• 11: Modification of polymer nanocomposites and significance of ionic liquid for supercapacitor application
• 12: Nanofibrous composites for sodium-ion batteries
• 13: Polymer nanocomposites for dye-sensitized solar cells
• 14: Development of polymer nanocomposites using cellulose/silver for antifouling applications: A preliminary investigations of silver-coated cellulose composite film for antifouling applications
• 15: Nanocomposite membrane for environmental remediation
• 16: Interplay of polymer bionanocomposites and significance of ionic liquids for heavy metal removal
• 17: Polypyrrole-based nanocomposite adsorbents and its application in removal of radioactive materials
• 18: Polymer nanocomposite application in sorption processes for removal of environmental contaminants
• 19: Hybrid materials based on polymer nanocomposites for environmental applications
• 20: Nanofibrous composite air filters
• 21: Polymer nanocomposites for water treatments
• 22: Recent advances in polyaniline-based nanocomposites as potential adsorbents for trace metal ions
• 23: Green polymer nanocomposites and their environmental applications
• 24: Carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites for wind turbine applications
• Index