Composites and Nanocomposites

Fibrous fillers Nonbiobased Multi wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) Moon et al. [182], Zhang 

Recently, nanostructured carbon-based fillers such as Ceo [313,314], single-wall carbon nanotubes, carbon nanohorns (CNHs), carbon nanoballoons (CNBs), ketjenblack (KB), conductive grade and graphitized carbon black (CB) [184], graphene [348], and nanodiamonds [349] have been used to prepare PLA-based composites. These fillers enhance the crystalUza-tion ofPLLA [184,313,314].Nanocomposites incorporating fibrous MWCNTsandSWCNTs are discussed in the section on fibre-reinforced plastics (section 8.12.3). 

Ec Compressive modulus Reproduced with permission from S.P. Cestari, L.C. Mendes, D.F. da Sdva,  

Due to the gap in literature about isothermal crystallisation studies of HOPE, and also about COED as a filler in polymeric composites, we decided to study the crystalline 

As can be seen, there are ample opportunities to contribute to the sustainability of the planet using science and technology. Considering the characteristics of polymers (low cost, processability and structural diversity) recycling should be encouraged. 

Dannoux, R Cassagnau and A. Michel, The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2002, 80, 6,1075. 

Nascimento, M.L. Dias and C. Azuma, Progress in Rubber, Plastics and Recycling Technology, 2008,24, 3, 183. 

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As more sophisticated metal hydrides are developed (nanocrystalline, multicomponent systems, composites and nanocomposites, graphite/metals or similar hybrid systems, clusters, etc.), it is important to be a vare that, for practical applications, a large volume of material should be processed in a fast, inexpensive and reliable vay, for example casting. Techniques such as cold vapor deposition may be impossible to scale up but this does not mean they should be discarded as a means of studying new metal hydrides. On the contrary, laboratory techniques allow much better control of the end product and permit the elaboration of new compounds. Once an attractive compound is found then another challenge w ill have to be faced scaling up the synthesis. In this respect, it is important for the community of metal hydrides researchers to also study large-scale production techniques in order to make the transition from laboratory to industrial scale easier. 

Dufresne A (2008) Cellulose-based composites and nanocomposites. In Belgacem MN, Gandini A (eds) Monomers, polymers and composites from renewable resources. Elsevier, Amsterdam... 

This volume is including information about thermal and thermooxidative degradation of polyolefine nanocomposites, modeling of catalytic complexes in the oxidation reactions, modeling the kinetics of moisture adsorption by natural and synthetic polymers, new trends, achievements and developments on the effects of beam radiation, structural behaviour of composite materials, comparative evaluation of antioxidants properties, synthesis, properties and application of polymeric composites and nanocomposites, photodegradation and light stabilization of polymers, wear resistant composite polymeric materials, some macrokinetic phenomena, transport phenomena in polymer matrix, liquid crystals, flammability of polymeric materials and new flame retardants. 

The above polyolefin copolymers have also been used to prepare conventional composites and nanocomposites. However, similar to the case of polymer blends, not too many studies have been reported thus far. Recently, Kelarakis et al. (49) have mixed 10 wt% of surface-modified carbon nanofiber (MCNF) with propylene-ethylene random copolymer (propylene 84.3%). The MCNF acted as a nucleating agent for crystallization of the a-form of PP in the matrix. During deformation at room temperature, strain-induced crystallization took place, while the transformation from the 7-phase to a-phase also occurred for both unfilled and 10 wt% MCNF-filled samples. The tensile strength of the filled material was consistently higher than that of pure copolymer. These results are illustrated in Fig. 8.27. 

Kozlov, G. V. Tlenkopachev, M. A. Zaikov, G. E. The rheology of particulate-filled polymer nanocomposites. In Polymer Yearbook-2011. Polymers, Composites and Nanocomposites. Ed. Zaikov, G. Sirghie, C. Kozlowski, R. New York, Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 2011,157-165. 

Georgy V. Kozlov, DSc, is a Senior Scientist at UNIID of Kabardino-Balkarian State University in Nal chik, Russian Federation. His scientific interests include the structural grounds of properties of polymeric materials of all classes and states physics of polymers, polymer solutions and melts, and composites and nanocomposites. He proposed to consider polymers as natural nanocomposites. He is the author of more than 1500 scientific publications, including 30 books, published in the Russia, Ukraine, Great Britain, Germany, Holland, and USA. 

The hole fraction, h, computed from the PVT data, was found to correlate with the static (thermodynamic equilibrium) and dynamic properties (e.g., flow of polymers) [Utracki, 1986 2005], as well as their blends, foamed compositions [Utracki and Simha, 2001a,b], composites, and nanocomposites (see Chapter 14). 

PEAs from Renewable Sources 153 8.5.4 Composites and Nanocomposites ... 

Natural Polymers Their Blends, Composites and Nanocomposites State of Art, New Challenges and Opportunities... 

Abstract The present chapter deals with a brief account on various types of natural polymers such as cellulose, chitin, starch, soy protein, casein, hemicellu-loses, alginates, polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates etc. Blends, composites and nanocomposites based on these polymers have been very briefly discussed. Finally the applications, new challenges and opportunities of these biomaterials are also discussed. 

In this chapter we have reviewed some of the most important characteristics of cellulose and cellulose based blends, composites and nanocomposites. The intrinsic properties of cellulose such as its remarkable mechanical properties have promoted its use as a reinforcement material for different composites. It has been showed that cellulose is a material with a defined hierarchy that tends to form fibrillar elements such as elementary fibrils, micro fibrils, and macro fibers. Physical and chemical processes allow us to obtain different scale cellulose reinforcements. Macro fibers, such as lignocellulosic fibers of sisal, jute, cabuya, etc. are used for the production of composites, whereas nano-sized fibers, such as whiskers or bacterial cellulose fibers are used to produce nanocomposites. Given that cellulose can be used to obtain macro- and nano-reinforcements, it can be used as raw material for the production of several composites and nanocomposites with many different applications. The understanding of the characteristics and properties of cellulose is important for the development of novel composites and nanocomposites with new applications. 

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