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Recently, ionic liquids have been utilized to compatibilize polymer blends. In this brief review, two types of ionic liquids utilized as compatibilizing agents for polymer blends are described, namely imidazolium-based and phosphonium-based ionic liquids. Additionally, the preparation of polymer blends with different processes is presented. The effects of ionic liquids as compatibilizing agents on the chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of polymer blends are also briefly reviewed. The information presented in this review contributes to a better understanding of the preparation of polymer blends compatibilized with ionic liquids and the crucial properties of polymer blends.

Enhanced awareness of the environment and environmental conservation has inspired researchers to search for replacements for the use of volatile organic compounds in the processing of polymers. Recently, ionic liquids have been utilized as solvents for solvating natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers since they are non-volatile, recyclable, and non-flammable. They have also been utilized to prepare electrospun fibers from biodegradable polymers. In this concise review, examples of natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers that are generally employed as materials for the preparation of electrospun fibers are shown. In addition, examples of ionic liquids that are utilized in the electrospinning of biodegradable polymers are also displayed. Furthermore, the preparations of biodegradable polymer electrospinning solutions utilizing ionic liquids are demonstrated. Additionally, the properties of electrospun biodegradable polymer fibers assisted by different ionic liquids are also concisely reviewed. Besides this, the information acquired from this review provides a much deeper understanding of the preparation of electrospinning solutions and the essential properties of electrospun biodegradable polymer fibers. In summary, this concise review discovered that different functions (solvent or additive) of ionic liquids could provide distinct properties to electrospun fibers.

Increasing concern for the environment has led researchers to pay more attention to the fabrication of polymer biocomposites for many different applications. Polymer biocomposites have generally been fabricated utilizing synthetic or natural polymers with natural fillers. Recently, ionic liquids have been used for the pretreatment of natural fillers prior to the fabrication of polymer biocomposites. In this mini-review, four types of ionic liquids used for the pretreatment of natural filler are classified, specifically chloride-, diethyl phosphate-, acetate-, and bistriflimide-based ionic liquids. In addition, the pretreatment processes of natural fillers with ionic liquids are described in this review. Furthermore, the influence of ionic liquid pretreatment on the physicomechanical properties of polymer biocomposites is succinctly reviewed. Besides, the information presented in this review contributes to a clearer understanding of the process of ionic liquid pretreatment and the vital physicomechanical properties of polymer biocomposites. In summary, most ionic liquid pretreatments can improve almost all physicomechanical properties of polymer biocomposites.

Increased environmental awareness has encouraged researchers to seek alternatives to replace the use of hazardous chemicals in the extraction of nanocellulose for environmental conservation. Lately, ionic liquids have been used as a medium for processing cellulose and other biopolymers because they are recyclable and reusable. Recently, ionic liquids have been used to extract nanocellulose for a variety of applications. In this short review, examples of ionic liquids that are usually used for the extraction of nanocellulose are demonstrated. Additionally, sources of cellulose that are employed as raw materials for nanocellulose have also been shown. Moreover, the synthesis of ionic liquids and the process of nanocellulose extraction using ionic liquids are exhibited in this paper. In addition, the properties of nanocellulose extracted by different ionic liquids were also shortly reviewed. On top of that, the knowledge gained from this review provides a clearer comprehension of the process of nanocellulose extraction and the important properties of the extracted nanocellulose. In conclusion, this short review revealed that different mechanisms of nanocellulose extraction using ionic liquids give distinct properties to the extracted nanocellulose.

A wide variety of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have escalated the attraction of researchers to explore the application of QACs. The compounds have frequently been synthesized through alkylation or quaternization of tertiary amines with alkyl halides. Recently, QACs have been applied to compatibilize polymer blends and polymer composites in improving their thermo-mechanical properties. This concise review concentrates on the application of two types of QACs as compatibilizers for polymer blends and polymer composites. The types of QACs that were effectively applied in the blends and composites are quaternary ammonium surfactants (QASs) and quaternary ammonium ionic liquids (QAILs). They have been chosen for the discussion because of their unique chemical structure which can interact with the polymer blend and composite components. The influence of QASs and QAILs on the thermo-mechanical properties of the polymer blends and polymer composites is also described. This review could be helpful for the polymer blend and polymer composite researchers and induce more novel ideas in this research area.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is a versatile thermoplastic fluoropolymer with intriguing characteristics, which is receiving considerable attention from researchers in many areas. Recently, PVDF and its copolymer, such as poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) have been blended with ionic liquids to produce blend and composite materials for target applications. In this succinct review, two types of ionic liquids that are utilized for the preparation of PVDF and PVDF-HFP blends and composites, namely, hydrophilic and hydrophobic imidazolium-based ionic liquids, are reviewed. In addition, the effect of the ionic liquids on the physicochemical properties of the PVDF and PVDF-HFP blends and composites, is described as well. On top of that, a multitude of applications of the blends and composites are also succinctly reviewed. This review may give inspirations to the polymer blend and composite researchers in diversifying the applications of thermoplastic fluoropolymers through the utilization of ionic liquids.

In this prelude study, the high-density polyethylene/kenaf core fiber (HDPE/KCF) biocomposites without and containing hydrophobic ionic liquid, namely 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Emim][NTf2]), were prepared via melt mixing process. The process was carried out by using an internal mixer at 150°C with a rotor speed of 60 rpm. The prepared biocomposites were molded into sheets through compression molding technique at the same temperature. The molded biocomposites were cut into dumbbell and rectangular shapes for tensile and impact tests, respectively. The tensile and impact properties of the biocomposites were determined by using universal testing and impactor machines, correspondingly. The tensile test results indicated that the biocomposites containing [Emim][NTf2] had low tensile stress and tensile modulus. Nevertheless, the biocomposites possessed high tensile extension and impact strength compared to the biocomposite without [Emim][NTf2]. This study deduced that the presence of the hydrophobic ionic liquid like [Emim][NTf2] significantly influenced the tensile and impact properties of the HDPE/KCF biocomposites.

The tensile properties are the significant mechanical properties of composite materials. The properties consist of tensile stress, tensile modulus, and tensile extension data. The purpose of this short review is to discover the impact of different types of organic salts on the tensile properties of polymer biocomposites. First, organic salts such as surfactants and ionic liquids that are used in the preparation of polymer biocomposites were identified. Later, the percentages of increase and decrease of tensile properties of polymer biocomposites were calculated to observe the impact of organic salts. Finally, the change of tensile properties of polymer biocomposites was explained concisely. From the review, the use of organic salts can increase the tensile stress, tensile modulus, and tensile extension of polymer biocomposites by up to 136%, 758%, and 233%, respectively, compared to the polymer biocomposites without organic salts. Furthermore, organic salts can act as coupling agent, compatibilizing agent, and plasticizing agent for polymer biocomposites.

This study aims to investigate the effect of AgNPs on the mechanical, thermal and antimicrobial activity of kenaf/HDPE composites. AgNP material was prepared at different contents, from 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 to 10 wt%, by an internal mixer and hot compression at a temperature of 150 °C. Mechanical (tensile, modulus and elongation at break), thermal (TGA and DSC) and antimicrobial tests were performed to analyze behavior and inhibitory effects. The obtained results indicate that the effect of AgNP content displays improved tensile and modulus properties, as well as thermal and antimicrobial properties. The highest tensile stress is 5.07 MPa and was obtained at 10wt, TGA showed 10 wt% and had improved thermal stability and DSC showed improved stability with increased AgNP content. The findings of this study show the potential of incorporating AgNP concentrations as a secondary substitute to improve the performance in terms of mechanical, thermal and antimicrobial properties without treatment. The addition of AgNP content in polymer composite can be used as a secondary filler to improve the properties.

An increase of environmental awareness recently has increased the interest of researchers in using of biopolymer-based films. The films have been prepared extensively by utilizing starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, chitosan, protein, gelatin, carrageenan, alginate, pectin, guar gum and pullulan. They are typically modified with surface-active agents (surfactants) such as glycerol monostearate, sucrose ester, sodium stearoyl lactate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, ethyl lauroyl arginate HCl, Span 20 to 80, Tween-20 to 80 and soy lecithin for improving the functional properties of the films. In this brief review, two types of biopolymer-based films that prepared through casting method were categorized, specifically solution- and emulsion-based films. The four types of surfactants, namely non-ionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants that are regularly used to modify biopolymer-based films are also described. The functional properties of the films modified with different types of surfactants are briefly reviewed. This study enhances the attraction of researchers in biopolymer-based films and the improvement of new concepts in this niche area.

Bamboo is an abundant natural resource in Asia and one of the high potential fibers used to reinforce polymer composites. This article presents a comparative study on the physicochemical and thermal properties of bamboo fiber (BF) from Gigantochloa scortechinii for untreated BF, steam explosion (SE) treatment BF, and steam explosion followed by alkali (SE-alkali) treatment BF. The physicochemical and thermal properties of BF were determined using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the surfaces morphologies. A Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was utilized to detect the presence of functional groups. TGA results showed that SE BF was significantly more thermally stable than the untreated BF and SE-alkali treatment BF. Major changes in chemical composition and surface morphology of the bamboo fibers indicated that hemicellulose and lignin were removed by SE-alkali treatment. In conclusion, the BF surface is physically and chemically modified by the SE-alkali treatment.

The recent growth of nanotechnology consciousness has enhanced the attention of researchers on the utilization of polymer nanocomposites. Nanocomposite have widely been made by using synthetic, natural, biosynthetic, and synthetic biodegradable polymers with nanofillers. Nanofillers are normally modified with surfactants for increasing the mechanico-thermal properties of the nanocomposites. In this short review, two types of polymer nanocomposites modified by surfactants are classified, specifically surfactant-modified inorganic nanofiller/polymer nanocomposites and surfactant-modified organic nanofiller/polymer nanocomposites. Moreover, three types of surfactants, specifically non-ionic, anionic, and cationic surfactants that are frequently used to modify the nanofillers of polymer nanocomposites are also described. The effect of surfactants on mechanico-thermal properties of the nanocomposites is shortly reviewed. This review will capture the interest of polymer composite researchers and encourage the further enhancement of new theories in this research field.

This investigation aims to study the mechanical properties of the bamboo particle (BP) (Gigantochloa scortechinii) reinforced with semirigid Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) composites before and after the steam explosion (SE)-alkali treatment. Mechanical properties, namely, tensile, flexural and impact strengths, were determined using universal tensile and impact testing machines according to ASTM standard. The tensile and flexural strengths of the composites were improved after SE-alkali treatment. Results indicated that the tensile and flexural strengths of the composites increased and reached the optimum values of 17.42 and 11.86 MPa, respectively for SE-alkali treatment BP reinforced semirigid PVC with 40 wt% particle content. The impact strength of SE-alkali-treated composites was unimproved due to less dense and rigid particle.

In this research, nylon-6/liquid natural rubber/montmorillonite (nylon-6/LNR/MMT) nanocomposites were prepared through emulsion dispersion technique with contents of MMT from 2 to 10 wt.%. The mechanical, crystallographical, morphological, and thermal properties of the prepared nanocomposites were then characterised by using mechanical testers, XRD, TEM, DSC, and TGA. The mechanical test results showed that the tensile stress, tensile modulus, and impact strength of the nanocomposites improved with the incorporation of MMT. The XRD results displayed that there are no isotropic peaks were observed in the nanocomposites with 2, 4, and 6 wt.% of MMT. The TEM micrographs exhibited that the exfoliated state was achieved in the nanocomposites with less than 8 wt.% of MMT. The DSC and TGA results also indicated that the incorporation of MMT had increased the glass transition temperatures and degradation temperatures of the nanocomposites. In conclusion, the emulsion dispersion technique could prepare the nylon-6/LNR/MMT nanocomposites with improved mechanical and thermal properties.

Polybutylene succinate (PBS)/rice starch (RS) blends were prepared via the hot-melt extrusion technique through the usage of a twin-screw extruder without and containing ionic liquid-based surfactants (ILbS). Two types of ILbS were used, specifically, 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, [C12mim][OTf] and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [C12mim][NTf2] were mixed into the PBS/RS blends at the different contents (0–8 wt.%). The tensile and flexural results showed that the blends containing ILbS have a high tensile extension and tensile energy compared to the blend without ILbS. The blends containing ILbS also have a high flexural extension compared with the blend without ILbS. The blends containing [C12mim][NTf2] have a significant improvement in the tensile energy (up to 239%) and flexural extension (up to 17%) in comparison with the blends containing [C12mim][OTf]. The FTIR spectra demonstrated that the presence of ILbS in the blends generated the intermolecular interactions (ion-dipole force and hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction) between PBS and RS. The DSC results exhibited that the melting points of the prepared blends are decreased with the addition of ILbS. However, the TGA results showed that the thermal decomposition of the blends containing ILbS are higher than the blend without ILbS. The values of decomposition temperature were 387.4 °C, 381.8 °C, and 378.6 °C of PBS/RS-[C12mim][NTf2], PBS/RS-[C12mim][OTf], and PBS/RS, respectively. In conclusion, the ILbS could significantly improve the physicochemical properties of the PBS/RS blends by acting as a compatibilizer.