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Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a conventional packaging material. Its modification has attracted immense attention in the industry and academia. Here, office waste paper, white cardboard waste, and waste corrugated paper were first employed as raw materials for cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) extraction by acid hydrolysis. Thereafter, CNC/PET composite films with various CNC additions were prepared via a self‐assembly technique. The results revealed that the CNCs formed a self‐assembled film on the PET surface via the synergistic effect of the complex interactions among the CNCs as well as between the CNCs and PET. Moreover, the CNCs improved the barrier property of PET and decreased the oxygen and water vapor transmittances of CNC/PET by 30.7% and 21.7%, respectively. Additionally, the coating of the PET surface with 0.2 wt.% CNCs extracted from the waste paper decreased the surface wettability of PET, exhibiting application potentials in the hydrophobic modification of polymers. This study realized waste paper recycling and provided a basis for constructing self‐assembled functional films on PET surfaces. The findings and insights of this study could exhibit application potentials in the fields of waste recycling and packaging materials. Highlights: A functional cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) film is prepared from waste paper.Self‐assembled CNC is coated on a PET surface to form a CNC/PET composite film.The synergistic interactions among CNCs and between CNC and PET modified PET.The low addition of CNCs realized the efficiency modification of PET.The study achieves waste paper recycling and high‐value utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventionally, waste shells from aquaculture are dumped as a low‐value byproduct, which deteriorates ecosystems and threatens public health. Therefore, the reuse of waste shells is a pivotal issue. Calcination (≥700°C) can thermally convert calcium carbonate (CaCO3; the main component in waste shells) into active calcium oxide (CaO). This calcined shell powder has adsorption properties, antimicrobial properties, and biocompatibility, which can be used as a functional biofiller in food packaging. Calcined shell powder is also ecofriendly and nontoxic at the concentrations required for food processing and packaging, and has been approved as a food additive in Japan. Thus, this review comprehensively discusses the calcination process, compositions, adsorption and antimicrobial properties (and the underlying mechanisms), and applications of calcined shell powder in food processing and packaging. Practical applications: The active ingredient of calcined shell powder is active calcium oxide (CaO), which has functional abilities such as adsorption and antimicrobial properties, and is also ecofriendly and nontoxic to humans at the concentrations required for food processing and packaging. Its application as functional filler for food preservation and packaging films, the benefits, and the related mechanisms behind was the finding of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold sintering process (CSP) is a new method to prepare ceramics under quite low temperature. In this work, two‐step CSP under different pressures was employed to prepare (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN) ceramics. The density of KNN green pellets can be raised by enhancing the pressure of second‐step CSP. Energy‐dispersive spectroscopy reveals the composition segregation of A‐site cations in large grains. The dissolution rate of K+ in an aqueous medium is faster than Na+, and high pressure can accelerate K+ dissolution, resulting in more Na+ in some grains. Besides, the diffusion rate of Na+ in grains is better than K+, which promote the grains growth. Finally, the piezoelectric property is improved even with low ceramic density due to the larger grains, which possess the higher performance composition. This result demonstrates that the pressure and inhomogeneous dissolution of alkali metal ions among CSP play an important role in grain growth and piezoelectric enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reuse of waste cigarette filters is helpful to save resources and protect environment, and cellulose based functional materials can be applied in wastewater treatment due to the high porosity. Therefore, a novel kind of cellulose foams were fabricated by using waste cigarette filters and polyvinyl alcohol via a lyophilization technology and hydrophobicity modification in this work. As‐prepared foams possessed an ultra‐low density and high specific surface area (up to 40 m2 g−1). After the hydrophobicity modification, the cellulose foam exhibited a water contact angle of 91.9° and 126.2° on external surface and cross section, which showed a superior oil adsorption capacity of 14 g g−1. These developed cellulose foams have a low cost, good hydrophobicity and high adsorption capacity for oil as a promising absorbent, realizing the conversion of waste into high‐value products successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted much attention in the next generation of photovoltaic devices due to their low material costs, simple preparation process, and excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, the poor photostability severely limits their commercial application. In this review, the degradation mechanism of PSCs under different light conditions, and various recovery mechanisms are discussed in detail, including i) the degradation of hybrid perovskite under visible light and ultraviolet (UV) light; ii) the degradation of inorganic perovskite under the mixed conditions of oxygen, moisture, and light; iii) the superoxide promoted degradation of perovskite under the combined action of photo‐oxygen; iv) photoinduced ion migration and phase segregation in mixed halide perovskites. Moreover, recent approaches to improve the photostability of PSCs are further summarized and discussed. Among them, the interface modification, the structural optimization of perovskite layer, the material selection of carrier transport layers, and the associated encapsulation technology of PSCs are essential to the photostability of PSCs. A perspective and outlook toward more photo‐stable PSCs are further given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dense (K, Na)NbO3 ceramics are successfully fabricated via the cold sintering process at 350°C under a uniaxial pressure of 400 MPa for 4 h. Equimolar KOH and NaOH solutions were utilized as a transient alkaline flux. The microstructure and dielectric properties were studied in detail. Scanning electron microscope and the relative densities reveal dense structures of the ceramics. After post‐annealing at 800°C for 1 h, the ceramics show good electrical performance. The relative dielectric permittivity is 829 (at 10 kHz) at room temperature, and the piezoelectric constant (d33) reaches up to 148 pC/N. The cold sintering technique with equimolar KOH and NaOH solutions as a transient alkaline flux endow KNN ceramics with excellent dielectric and piezoelectric properties, showing a potential way to fabricating other KNN‐based ceramics at low temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of biological matters and functional polymers to generate novel hybrids with multi‐functional properties has attracted an increasing attention in organic/organic systems, possessing a great promise for sensor, medical, and materials science applications. In this work, a facile co‐precipitation method was developed to prepare conductive composite via a co‐assembly process with one‐step. Lysozyme was employed as an assembly template, and the pyrrole monomers were polymerized and aggregated with the lysozyme nanoparticles via oxide polymerization, forming a hybrid and functional coating with significant conductivity of ca. 6.7 × 10−5 S. The structure and morphology of the hybrid is performed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, and laser scanning confocal microscope, and so on. The results showed that the coating was composed of homogenously and densely hybrid nanoparticles with the diameter of ca. 250 nm, possessing a certain degree of bio‐adhesion from the lysozyme precipitations according to the 3 M peeling test. In addition, the composite performed good infrared radiation shielding property when it was coated onto normal gauze. It suggests that the composite consisting of lysozyme and polypyrrole precipitations in nanoscale may possess significantly potential applications as conductive and shielding materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modification is mostly used to adjust and increase the performance of polymers by employing organic or inorganic fillers in composites. It is significant to investigate the functions of different fillers in polymer matrix. In this work, we prepared a series of composites by using polyurethane/acrylic dispersions as polymer matrix and nanofillers (cellulose nanocrystals, carbon nanotubes and aluminum oxide nanoparticles) as modifiers to study their micro‐structure and applied performance. It is found that the different nanofillers can be dispersed in PUA homogenously, which are inclusive physically. Different nanofillers have a noticeable influence on the Tg for the acrylate copolymers and the Tg of the interphase between the acrylate and polyurethane. The CNTs significantly increases the elongation to 127.29%, and gives the highest dielectric response. We imply that the CNTs may be the most significant fillers to increase the mechanical and electrical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two near neutral pH electrolyzed water (NEW1 produced by redirecting of the catholyte solution back to the anode chamber and NEW2 produced by NaCl and NaHCO3 as electrolyte) and control (NEW0, produced by commercial unit) were evaluated for their stability during 75 hr storage at 7°C. The physicochemical properties, bactericidal efficiencies, and sanitizing effects on organic fresh‐cut lettuce of them were compared. The results showed that NEW2 was more stable than NEW1 and NEW0 during storage. The free available chlorine of it increased by approximately 35% after the storage. And, all three NEWs showed decreased bactericidal effects compared with that before the storage. In addition, all of them were effective against Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua Seeliger inoculated on organic fresh‐cut lettuce, with 1.19–1.40 and 0.92–1.21 log CFU/g reductions, respectively. In terms of physicochemical parameters, there were no significant differences among different treatments. Practical applications: Neutral electrolyzed waters (NEW) are a kind of potential organic compatible sanitizer and satisfy the urgent market need. But the stability of NEW has significant effects on their bactericidal activity. The results of the comparative study of different NEWs produced by developed NEW‐producing unit could provide valuable reference data of NEWs regarding their stability during storage and the reduction of the risk from foodborne pathogens in a future application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Styrene‐butadiene‐styrene (SBS) modified asphalt (SMA) has been widely used in road engineering for decade. However, the phase separation of SMA was obvious during the transport and SBS degraded after aging. To resolve these problems, β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was used to modify SMA in this work. Conventional properties, storage stability, the effect of short‐term aging on the morphology, and rheological property for SMA and β‐CD/SMA were investigated. The softening point of modified asphalt reached to the maximum of 66.7°C when 1 wt% β‐CD was added to SMA, where the penetration had shown the minimum of 80.8 dmm. In addition, the ductility of β‐CD/SMA increased to the maximum of 797 mm when the content of β‐CD was increased to 5 wt%. Furthermore, incorporation of β‐CD improved the storage stability of SMA. Importantly, the aggregation of SBS was observed in β‐CD/SMA, but modifiers distributed uniformly after a short‐term aging. The rutting resistance and antiaging performances of SMA were also improved by the addition of β‐CD. Considering the comprehensive properties of modified asphalt, the optimum content of β‐CD was found to be 2 wt%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal liquefaction was applied to treat paper‐plastic‐aluminum (Al‐PE‐Pa) complex packaging waste for bio‐oil production. The interactive effects between the main components of paper fiber, low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), and aluminum foil in such complex material were studied. The co‐liquefaction of paper fiber and LDPE had a significant synergistic effect. The addition of hydrogen‐rich LDPE effectively promoted the removal of oxygen‐containing groups. Aluminum foil had only a slight impact on the liquefaction of paper fiber, but it can significantly decrease the oxygen content of the bio‐oil, increase the high heating value of the bio‐oil, and significantly reduce the ester and phenol contents in the bio‐oil. The co‐liquefaction of paper fiber/LPDE/aluminum foil exhibited superimposed effects of paper‐plastic synergy and in‐situ hydrogenation of Al‐H2O reaction. A new pathway for the energy utilization of Al‐PE‐Pa complex packaging waste is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of mineral crystals on the implant surface under physiological conditions is an efficient way to repair defects in hard tissues. However, there is still a challenge to mimic the complicated structure of hard tissue with well bonding stability. Herein, a peptide sequence: Leu–Asp–Asp–Try–Glu–Glu–Ser–Cys is designed. The peptide forms a self‐assembled peptide (SAP) coating at the solid/water interface via a facile and rapid process. The abundant functional groups on the SAP coating can be utilized to bind with calcium ions trough chelation, which may facilitate the formation of c‐axis hydroxyapatite crystals. Owing to the amyloid adhesion properties, a c‐axis hydroxyapatite layer with low wear extent and well bonding robustness can be integrated with virtually arbitrary material irrespective of their size and morphology, even hard tissues such as dentin. This suggests that the facile process may hold a great potential application in repairing hard tissue and designing complex materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dy3+‐doped K0.5Na0.5NbO3‐Ba(Sc0.5Nb0.5)O3 transparent ferroelectric ceramics, a novel smart white‐lighting (WL) photochromic (PC) material, were prepared by conventional pressureless sintering. The ceramics exhibit high optical transmittance (~67% at 1800 nm), good photoluminescence (PL) performance, high‐quality WL, and moderate electrical properties. Meanwhile, high‐contrast modulations of optical transmittance and PL intensity (with the maximal modulating values of 20.5% and 57.4%, respectively) have been realized via PC behavior by alternating the illumination of UV light and thermal stimulus. In particular, the reversible modulations of WL intensity, color coordinates, correlated color temperature, and color purity have been achieved through the PC regulation to the intensity ratio of yellow/blue emission. Definitively, based on the effect of intrinsic defects and extrinsic defects (Ba4+/Sc3‐x) on the PL properties, the PC mechanism in KNN‐based material has been further complemented. The transparent ceramics should be a promising material in white LEDs and optoelectronic multifunctional devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) film, one of the biobased materials, exhibited poor mechanical properties. To use CMC film in antibacterial packaging, it was necessary to overcome this drawback and introduce antibacterial nanoparticles. In this article, using CMC and starch (SR) as the reductant and stabilizer, Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs)/CMC/SR composite (ACS) films were prepared by in situ reduction method. The obtained Ag NPs were uniformly distributed in the ACS films and its diameter was in the range of 8 to 16 nm. The mechanical properties of ACS films were improved by adding SR into CMC. The ACS films exhibited higher tensile strength and lower elongation at break than that of CMC film. When the amount of SR was 4 g, the tensile strength of the ACS film reached the maximum of 9.8 MPa and its elongation at break was 63%. In addition, the ACS films showed an obvious antibacterial activity against gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli via disc diffusion method. The inhibitory effect of the ACS film increased significantly as the increasing of the concentration of AgNO3 solution. Therefore, as‐prepared ACS films had potential applications in antimicrobial packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer and nanomaterial modifiers can improve the performance of asphalt, and how to utilize the synergistic effect for modifying asphalt is still a problem. In this article, modified asphalt by waste polyethylene (WPE)/styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block polymer (SBS) in different proportions was prepared via a melting‐mixing method. Then, the WPE/SBS‐modified asphalt with an optimum modifier content was further modified by nano‐CaCO3 into different shapes. The performances of modified asphalt were investigated by thermal gravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic shear rheological test (DSR), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the morphology was observed by fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that the penetration of modified asphalt increased and the ductility decreased with the increase of WPE content. In addition, the softening point increased with the increase of WPE/SBS content. For the modified asphalt with 4 wt% composite modifier (40 wt% WPE+60 wt% SBS), the ductility was improved after adding nano‐CaCO3 whiskers. However, the ductility slightly decreased when the content of nano‐CaCO3 particles increased, resulting in negative effects. The WPE content in WPE/SBS modifier was optimized to 40 wt%, and the performance of modified asphalt can satisfy the requests in practical applications, thus providing an economical access to reuse packaging waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modified asphalt with waste packaging polypropylene (WPP) and WPP/organic rectorite (OREC) was prepared by the melt blending method. The effects of OREC on the physical and aging properties of WPP-modified asphalt were studied. The morphologies, microstructure, and thermal properties of WPP-modified asphalt and WPP/OREC-modified asphalt were characterized by fluorescence microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry (TG). The results show that the composite-modified asphalt exhibits excellent ductility and plasticity when the contents of WPP and OREC are 4 wt. % and 1.5 wt. %, respectively. The deformation ability, softening point, ductility, and high-temperature storage stability of WPP-modified asphalt can be improved by adding the appropriate content of OREC. It is demonstrated that the composite-modified asphalt has an outstanding operational performance when the content of OREC is in the range of 1.5–2 wt. %. Compared with base asphalt, the high temperature performance of WPP-modified asphalt and WPP/OREC-modified asphalt is also improved significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite emulsions of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) with multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) have been synthesized successfully. Waterborne polyurethane emulsions were synthesized from the alcoholysis products of waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Carbon nanotubes were treated with concentrated acid, to have better compatibility in waterborne polyurethane. Thermal properties show that the introduction of carbon nanotubes enhances the thermal stability of WPU matrix. However, a further increment of the content of MWCNTs from 0.3 to 0.5% causes a reduction. When the content of MWCNTs increases from 0.5% to 2%, the thermal stability of waterborne polyurethane samples enhances, which is related to the steric hindrance effect of MWCNTs. The dispersion of MWCNTs is the best for waterborne polyurethane with 0.3% MWCNTs. X‐ray diffraction tests show the introduction of MWCNTs does not change the crystallographic structure of the WPU matrix. Visual examination, TEM images, and UV/Vis absorption spectrum prove that partial carbon nanotubes have been dispersed homogenously in the waterborne polyurethane matrix. The dispersion of MWCNTs is the worst for waterborne polyurethane sample with 2% MWCNTs in three samples. Water absorption tests show that carbon nanotubes can decrease the water absorption. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:2149–2155, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenol, acetic acid, and naphthalene, as the most common and refractory intermediates during the supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of biomass were selected as the model compounds, and the their mutual interactive effects during the SCWG process were investigated. The gasification performances of one‐component solutions and their two‐ and three‐components mixtures were thoroughly studied in a tubular reactor at 550°C, 25 MPa, reaction time of 20 s. Results showed that for the one‐component solutions, the difficulty degree of degradation order of the three compounds was naphthalene > phenol > acetic acid, and concentration of the reactants showed little influence on the gasification efficiencies. For the two‐components solutions, acetic acid promoted the degradation of phenol and naphthalene, and the gasification of phenol and naphthalene inhibited each other. The 3D curved surface for gas yields and total organic concentration (TOC) removal efficiencies of three‐components mixture clearly showed that the increasing concentration of acetic acid increased the H2 and CO2 yields. While the interactive effects of the three compounds were favorable for CH4 yield. Acetic acid played a positive effect on TOC removal, while the increasing concentration of naphthalene was unfavorable for the degradation of TOC, and the inhibition effect was higher when phenol existed. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1140–1148, 2018 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) and shape memory polymer composites have drawn considerable attention in recent years for their shape memory effects. A unified modeling approach is proposed to describe thermomechanical behaviors and shape memory effects of thermally activated amorphous SMPs and SMP-based syntactic foam by using the generalized finite deformation multiple relaxation viscoelastic theory coupled with time-temperature superposition property. In this paper, the thermoviscoelastic parameters are determined from a single dynamic mechanical analysis temperature sweep at a constant frequency. The relaxation time strongly depends on the temperature and the variation follows the time-temperature superposition principle. The horizontal shift factor can be obtained by the Williams-Landel-Ferry equation at temperatures above or close to the reference temperature ( Tr), and by the Arrhenius equation at temperatures below Tr. As the Arruda-Boyce eight-chain model captures the hyperelastic behavior of the material up to large deformation, it is used here to describe partial material behaviors. The thermal expansion coefficient of the material is regarded as temperature dependent. Comparisons between the model results and the thermomechanical experiments presented in the literature show an acceptable agreement. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Crumb rubber (CR) and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) were adopted as asphalt modifiers. Routine tests, softening point, penetration, and ductility were used to evaluate the basic properties of crumb rubber and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (CR/EVA) modified asphalt. The segregation experiment measured the storage stability. Modern test methods such as fluorescence microscopic photography technology was used to study stability of polymer modified asphalt. Infrared spectrum experiment was used to analyze the composition differences of the upper part and lower part of CR/EVA modified asphalt. Matlab software was employed to fit out the formulae of ductility, penetration, and softening point difference of modified asphalt and shearing temperature, shearing time and shearing rate separately. Compared with base asphalt, the properties of CR/EVA modified asphalt have been greatly improved. The formulae which were fitted out by Matlab software showed that the shearing time was the foremost factor affecting the properties of CR/EVA modified asphalt, followed by shearing temperature, and the last was shearing rate. The conclusions which were fitted by orthogonal experiment were basically consistent with the results of formulae which were fitted out by Matlab software. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43598. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Soft drinks poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles were depolymerized by glycolysis using a 1 : 3 molar ratio of PET repeating unit to glycols like neopentyl glycol (NPG) and dipropylene glycol (DPG). Further, a series of waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) was synthesized using pure polypropylene glycol (PPG), and glycolyzed oligoesters/PPG blends in different molar ratios as soft segment. Thermal property of WPU was tested by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, viscosity and particle size of WPU were also investigated. The results show that introduction of a certain amount of glycolyzed oligoester to soft segment makes the degree of hard-soft domain microphase separation smaller, and can also improve thermal stability of WPU. Furthermore, WPUs synthesised from glycolyzed oligoesters and PPG blends possess larger particle size, better particle size distribution, relative lower and more stable viscosity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42757. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste-polyethylene (WPE) in packaging, instead of virgin polymer, was utilized as a modifier of base asphalt, and rheological properties of the modified asphalt were studied. Results show that the modified asphalt possesses better anti-distortion capacity than the base asphalt, as indicated by the fact that the modified asphalt has higher viscosity and smaller endothermic peak dispersion in the transformation process of asphalt aggregation. Compared with base asphalt, the modified asphalt has higher complex modulus ( G*), storage modulus ( G′), and dissipation modulus ( G″). In addition, the modified asphalt has smaller phase angle ( δ), less tangent (tan δ), and lower rut factor ( G*/sin δ), reflecting the high-temperature rut resistance of the asphalt. The improvement of the rheological properties is related to the main features of the modified asphalt, including the swelling, whereas packaging-waste-PE absorbs low-molecular-weight fractions of asphalt, the displacement restriction of asphalt particles, and the molecular structure and performance of PE molecules. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:215-219, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, waste polyethylene (WPE), a large class of waste plastic packaging, and organic montmorillonite (OMMT) were employed as the polymer modifier and additive to modify base asphalt, and then hot storage stability of modified asphalt was studied. Structure of the modified asphalt was characterized with X-ray diffraction and fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, the hot storage stability of WPE-modified asphalt was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal gravimetry. Results show that an exfoliated structure is formed in the modified asphalt after adding OMMT. The WPE modifier particles become smaller and are more uniformly dispersed in the modified asphalt system after adding OMMT. Also, the addition of OMMT effectively improves the hot storage stability of the modified asphalt. The OMMT not only increases the compatibility between the WPE modifier and base asphalt but enhances the homogeneity of the modified asphalt at extreme temperatures. Heat capacity and phase behavior of modified asphalt after adding OMMT are changed; in the meantime, the thermal stability of the modified asphalt increases. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:89-93, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We report preparation of graphene oxide (GO) from expanded graphite (EG) via a modified Hummers method. GO/PVDF composites films were obtained using solvent N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) and cosolvent comprising deionized water/DMF combination. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses revealed that the main crystal structure of the composite films is β-phase, and use cosolvent method tends to favor the formation of β-phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the microstructure of composite films. Storage modulus and loss modulus were measured by Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Broadband dielectric spectrum tests showed an increase in the dielectric constant of the GO/PVDF composite films with the rising content of GO, and by cosolvent method could improve the dielectric constant while reducing the dielectric loss. Our method that uses GO as an additive and deionized water/DMF as the cosolvent provides a promising and low-cost pathway to obtain high dielectric materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41577. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycled packaging-waste polyethylene (WPE) was used to replace the ordinary polymer modifier in the modification of raw asphalt, and the pavement properties of the modified asphalt were studied. The high-temperature stability, anti-cracking properties at low temperature, life span, and stability against water of the asphalt mixture were improved, a finding which is attributed to the properties and characteristics of WPE, the swelling of sheared WPE, and the WPE/asphalt network structure. The use of packaging WPE can improve the pavement properties of asphalt, as well as save resources and reduce white pollution. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:31-35, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the consideration of the environmental and economic issues, retrieved packaging waste polyethylene and waste rubber powder were selected as modifiers to modify the ordinary oil asphalt, and the rotating film oven test was adopted to study the aging process of the modified asphalt. The results showed that the performance of the modified asphalt deteriorated, as indicated by the increase in the softening point and the reduced ductility and penetration. However, compared with nonmodified asphalt, the rangeability of the performance indicators of the modified asphalt before and after aging became narrow, indicating that the aging properties of the modified asphalt were improved. In the modified asphalt system, the swelling of the polymer modifiers was caused by the absorption of the light components of the asphalt, thereby reducing the formation of asphaltenes in the aging process. The polymer modifiers absorb the light oil of the asphalt, which can reduce the content of free radicals and improve the aging properties of the asphalt. In addition, the waste rubber power containing antioxidants and anti-ozone agents effectively improves the antiaging properties of the asphalt. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Octaepoxysilsesquioxane (POSS-Ep) was first synthesized by the hydrolysis and condensation of γ-[(2,3)-epoxypropoxy]propyltrimethoxysilicane (KH-560) with the presence of ethanol and HCl at 55°C for 72 h. Then, it was cured with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) and methylnadic anhydride (MNA), respectively. The curing reactions between POSS-Ep and DDS or MNA were investigated by FTIR. Thermal stability of the cured nanocomposites was studied by TGA. The micromophologies of the obtained hybrids were observed by SEM. FTIR results show that POSS-Ep can be cured completely with DDS or MNA to obtain the final organic-inorganic (O-I) hybrids after the same experimental curing cycle: 120°C/2 h + 140°C/2 h + 160°C/2 h + 180°C/2 h + 200°C/2 h. TGA results show that POSS-Ep/DDS hybrid displays better thermal stability than that of POSS-Ep/MNA hybrid. Initial thermal degradation temperature (Tdi) of POSS-Ep/DDS hybrid is 420°C, 195°C higher than that of POSS-Ep/MNA (225°C). SEM images of the fracture surfaces of the hybrids suggest the cured POSS-Ep possesses good mechanical properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the treatment of water pollution and solid waste has received more attention than the oil in waste water, even though all topics greatly impact human life. This cover image by Youliang Cheng and Qingling Zhang shows how waste cigarette filters were recycled and converted into adsorbents to effectively remove oil in waste water. [Extracted from the article]