• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.99-104
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• 2013

Recently, various nanoparticles have been used for filler in polymer matrices. The particles of nano size are whether high or not cross-link density in polymer affects the thermal and mechanical properties of one. The properties change as a result of chemical reactions between the nanoparticles and the surface of the polymer. There are two models for nanocomposites: "repulsive interaction" and "attractive interaction" between the nanoparticles and matrix. In this study, the variation in the curing mechanism was examined when nano-size $TiO_2$ was dispersed into an epoxy (Bisphenol A, YD-128) with different curing agents. The results of this study showed that the exothermic temperature and Tg in the case of the nanoparticles used (Jeffamine) (D-180) at room temperature were reduced by an increase in the $TiO_2$ contents because of the "repulsive interaction" between the nanoparticles and the matrix. The tensile strengths were increased by increasing amounts of $TiO_2$ until 3 wt% because of a dispersion strengthening effect caused by the nanoparticles, because of the repulsive interaction. However, such tensile properties decreased at 5 wt% of $TiO_2$, because the $TiO_2$ was agglomerated in the epoxy. In contrast, in the case of the nanoparticles that used NMA and BDMA, the exothermic temperature and Tg tended to rise with increasing amounts of $TiO_2$ as a result of the "attractive interaction." This was because the same amounts of $TiO_2$ were well dispersed in the epoxy. The tensile strength decreased with an increase in the $TiO_2$ contents. In the general attractive interaction model, however, the cross-link density was higher, and tensile strength tended to increase. Therefore, for the nanoparticles that used NMA, it was difficult to conclude that the result was caused by the "attractive model."

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2004

The cure, viscoelastic and mechanical characteristics of organoclay filled NR/BR blends were studied and compared with the properties of carbon black and silica filled NR/BR blends. The nanocomposites with extensive exfoliation state can be fabricated by a solution mixing method. In the composites, the amount of filler content was fixed to 10 phr. Degree of intercalation and exfoliation was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD results indicated exfoliation of the silicate layers into the rubber matrix. While the degree or intercalation and exfoliation is lowered by the conventional mixing method, extensive exfoliation can be obtained by the solution mixing method. It was found that the clay filled NR/BR compound showed better viscoelastic (tan ${\delta}$) and mechanical properties than the carbon black or silica filled NR/BR compounds.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.476-482
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• 2009

The crystallization behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in the presence and absence of polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy NPs) was investigated in terms of the heterogeneous nucleation effect of PPy NPs using FTIR, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter and polarized optical microscope analysis. PPy NPs were prepared by dispersion polymerization method stabilized by PVA in aqueous solution. A polymer nanocomposite with uniform dispersity could be readily obtained due to the enhanced compatibility between the filler and matrix. Compared with the PPy NP-absent PVA, the PPy NP/PVA nanocomposite exhibited an enhanced degree of crystallinity. The degree of crystallinity increased up to 17% at the PPy NP concentration of 1 wt%, compared to the pristine PVA. The PPy NP acted as an effective nucleating agent during the crystallization process, thereby enhancing the degree and rate of crystallization. The kinetics study of the crystallization also revealed the decreased value of the Avrami coefficient in the case of the PPy NP/PVA nanocomposite.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.158-167
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• 2018

In this study, in-situ trans-selective polymerization of isoprene was carried out using titanium-based Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by high-energy ball milling. Individually Large-inner-diameter carbon nanotubes (CNTL), and hydroxylated carbon nanotubes (CNTOH), along with magnesium chloride ($MgCl_2$) were used as the carriers for the catalysts. The optimum ball-milling time for preparing the $CNT/MgCl_2/TiCl_4$ Ziegler-Natta catalysts was 4 h. The $CNTOH/MgCl_2/TiCl_4$ catalyst showed a higher efficiency than that of the $CNTL/MgCl_2/TiCl_4$ catalyst, based on the rate of polymerization. The effects of the CNT-filler type on the isoprene polymerization behaviors and polymer properties were investigated. The morphologies of the trans-1,4-polyisoprene (TPI)/CNT and TPI/CNTOH nanocomposites exhibited a tube-like shape, and the CNTL and CNTOH fillers were well dispersed in the TPI matrix. In addition, the thermal stability of TPI significantly increased upon the introduction of a small amount of both CNTL/CNTOH fillers (0.15 wt%), owing to the satisfactory dispersion of the CNTL/CNTOH in the TPI matrix.