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Polylactic acid (PLA) was compounded with 30 wt% chalk and 5 wt% of a bio-based plasticiser on a twin screw extruder. Mechanical recycling of the obtained compound was studied by multiple extrusions up to six cycles. The degradation was monitored by mechanical and thermal tests. Tensile and flexural tests did not reveal any major degradation after six cycles of processing. Characterising the material with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) did not detect any significant change of the thermal properties. The material was also characterised by FTIR and, again, no significant change was detected. The material was finally characterised by melt flow index and by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). Both tests revealed that some degradation had occurred. The 1H-NMR clearly showed that the chain length had been reduced. Also, the MFI test showed that degradation had occurred. However, the study reveals that PLA filled with chalk can be recycled by repeated extrusion for up to 6 cycles, without severe degradation. This should be of relevance when considering the end-of-life treatment of polymer products made from PLA.

Highlights The lithium-ion conduction mechanism of organic-inorganic composite solid electrolytes (OICSEs) is thoroughly conducted and concluded from the microscopic perspective based on filler content, type, and system. The classic inorganic filler types, including inert and active fillers, are categorized with special emphasis on the relationship between inorganic filler structure design and the electrochemical performance of OICSEs. Advanced characterization techniques for OICSEs are discussed, and the challenges and prospects for developing superior all-solid-state lithium batteries are highlighted. To address the limitations of contemporary lithium-ion batteries, particularly their low energy density and safety concerns, all-solid-state lithium batteries equipped with solid-state electrolytes have been identified as an up-and-coming alternative. Among the various SEs, organic–inorganic composite solid electrolytes (OICSEs) that combine the advantages of both polymer and inorganic materials demonstrate promising potential for large-scale applications. However, OICSEs still face many challenges in practical applications, such as low ionic conductivity and poor interfacial stability, which severely limit their applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research advancements in OICSEs. Specifically, the influence of inorganic fillers on the main functional parameters of OICSEs, including ionic conductivity, Li + transfer number, mechanical strength, electrochemical stability, electronic conductivity, and thermal stability are systematically discussed. The lithium-ion conduction mechanism of OICSE is thoroughly analyzed and concluded from the microscopic perspective. Besides, the classic inorganic filler types, including both inert and active fillers, are categorized with special emphasis on the relationship between inorganic filler structure design and the electrochemical performance of OICSEs. Finally, the advanced characterization techniques relevant to OICSEs are summarized, and the challenges and perspectives on the future development of OICSEs are also highlighted for constructing superior ASSLBs.

The incorporation of inorganic fillers into poly(ethyleneoxide)(PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) is well known as a low-cost and effective method to improve their mechanical and electrochemical properties. Porous zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is firstly used as the filler for PEO-based SPEs in this work. Due to the introduction of ZIF-8, an ionic conductivity of 2.2 × 10 −5 S/cm (30 °C) is achieved for the composite SPE, which is one order of magnitude higher than that of the pure PEO. ZIF-8 also accounts for the broader electrochemical stability window and lithium ion transference number (0.36 at 60 °C) of the composite SPE. Moreover, the improved mechanism of ZIF-8 to the composite SPE is investigated by zeta potential and Fourier transform infrared spectrograph characterizations. The stability at the composite SPE/lithium interface is greatly enhanced. The LiFePO 4 ||Li cells using the composite SPE exhibit high capacity and excellent cycling performance at 60 °C, i.e., 85% capacity retention with 111 mA·h/g capacity retained after 350 cycles at 0.5 C. In comparison, the cells using the pure PEO show fast capacity decay to 74 mA·h/g maintaining only 68 capacity. These results indicate that the PEO-based SPEs with ZIF-8 are of great promise for the application in solid-state lithium metal batteries.

Biodegradable plastics are experiencing increasing demand, in particular because of said property. This also applies to the two biopolyesters poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) covered in this study. Both are proven to be biodegradable under industrial composting conditions. This study presents the influence of mineral fillers on the disintegration process of PLA/PBS blend systems under such conditions. Chalk and talc were used as fillers in PLA/PBS (7:3) blend systems. In addition, unfilled PLA/PBS (7:3/3:7) blend systems were considered. Microscopic images, differential scanning calorimetry and tensile test measurements were used in addition to measuring mass loss of the specimen to characterize the progress of disintegration. The mineral fillers used influence the disintegration behavior of PLA/PBS blends under industrial composting conditions. In general, talc leads to lower and chalk to higher disintegration rates. This effect is in line with the measured decrease in mechanical properties and melting enthalpies. The degrees of disintegration almost linearly correlate with specimen thickness, while different surface textures showed no clear effects. Thus, we conclude that disintegration in a PLA/PBS system proceeds as a bulk erosion process. Using fillers to control the degradation process is generally regarded as possible.

Among the various types of polymer electrolytes, gel polymer electrolytes have been considered as promising electrolytes for high-performance lithium and non-lithium batteries. The introduction of inorganic fillers into the polymer-salt system of gel polymer electrolytes has emerged as an effective strategy to achieve high ionic conductivity and excellent interfacial contact with the electrode. In this review, the detailed roles of inorganic fillers in composite gel polymer electrolytes are presented based on their physical and electrochemical properties in lithium and non-lithium polymer batteries. First, we summarize the historical developments of gel polymer electrolytes. Then, a list of detailed fillers applied in gel polymer electrolytes is presented. Possible mechanisms of conductivity enhancement by the addition of inorganic fillers are discussed for each inorganic filler. Subsequently, inorganic filler/polymer composite electrolytes studied for use in various battery systems, including Li-, Na-, Mg-, and Zn-ion batteries, are discussed. Finally, the future perspectives and requirements of the current composite gel polymer electrolyte technologies are highlighted.

The development of high-performance and low-cost composite nucleating agents has become a pioneering point in expanding the application of isotactic polypropylene (iPP). To this end, this article used a physical blending method to mix nucleating agent organic phosphate salt (LPN-9081) with inorganic fillers such as wollastonite and talc powder. Change the ratio of nucleated mineral-reinforced composition LPN-9081/wollastonite (L/WO) and LPN-9081/talc powder (L/Tac) to study their effects on the crystallization, melting behavior, and mechanical properties of iPP. And a preliminary exploration was conducted on its mechanism. The results suggest that the nucleated mineral-reinforced composition more significantly enhance the crystallization temperature, increasing it by up to 10 °C. Furthermore, it was observed that the mechanical properties of iPP were significantly improved via the synergistic effect of LPN-9081 and the inorganic fillers. In the iPP/L/WO system, the addition of the composite nucleating agent improved rigidity by 146% while maintaining toughness. Similarly, compared with iPP system, the iPP/L/Tac system has improved its rigidity by 107% and toughness by 50%. Using the nucleated mineral-reinforced compositions mentioned above can reduce industrial expenses, while increases the rigidity and toughness of iPP, expanding its potential of applications.

Solid-state lithium batteries (SSBs) have attracted attention as the next-generation high-safety lithium batteries due to their high energy density, excellent security, and electrochemical stability. Currently, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is considered one of the most crucial materials in solid polymer electrolytes because of its flexibility and workability. However, PVDF-based solid electrolytes encounter challenges such as low electrical conductivity and high internal resistance. The electrochemical properties of these solid electrolytes can be effectively enhanced through composite design and molecular structure modification. This review specifically focuses on the impact of nano-fillers with different structures (zero-dimensional nanoparticles, one-dimensional nanofibers, two-dimensional nanosheets, and three-dimensional nanoskeleton structures) on the key properties of PVDF-based solid electrolytes. The specific focus is on optimizing ion conductivity, improving lithium-ion migration efficiency, expanding the electrochemical stability window, extending battery life, enhancing electrical performance stability, and increasing battery capacity. The goal is to explore innovative filler design and modification technology application strategies in order to effectively enhance the performance of PVDF-based solid electrolytes in the field of solid lithium-ion batteries.

A comparative study of the fracture features, strength and deformation properties of pseudo strain-hardening composites based on alkali-activated slag and Portland cement matrices with polypropylene microfiber was carried out. Correlations between their compositions and characteristics of stress–strain diagrams under tension in bending with an additional determination of acoustic emission parameters were determined. An average strength alkali-activated slag matrix with compressive strength of 40 MPa and a high-strength Portland cement matrix with compressive strength of 70 MPa were used. The matrix compositions were selected for high filling the composites with polypropylene microfiber in the amount of 5%-vol. and 3.5%-vol. ensuring the workability at the low water-to-binder ratios of 0.22 and 0.3 for Portland cement and alkali-activated slag matrices, respectively. Deformation diagrams were obtained for all studied compositions. Peaks in the number of acoustic signals in alkali-activated slag composites were observed only in the strain-softening zone. Graphs of dependence of the rate of acoustic events occurrence in samples from the start of the test experimentally prove that this method of non-destructive testing can be used to monitor structures based on strain-hardening composites.

This study aimed to enhance the performance of dental resin composites (DRCs) by increasing the content of inorganic fillers while addressing potential health risks associated with Bisphenol A (BPA). To achieve this, the BPA-based resin monomer Bis-GMA was replaced with BPA-free Bis-EFMA. The study then explored the impact of varying inorganic filler contents on the physiochemical properties of Bis-EFMA-based bulk-fill dental resin composites (BF-DRCs). Four distinct Bis-EFMA-based BF-DRCs were formulated, each with different inorganic filler contents ranging from 70 wt% to 76 wt%. The study tested the depth of cure (DOC), double-bond conversion (DC), water sorption (WS), solubility (SL), and cytotoxicity of the system. It notably investigated the effects of increasing filler content on mechanical properties through flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), Vickers microhardness (VHN), and wear resistance, as well as the impact on polymerization shrinkage, including volumetric shrinkage (VS) and shrinkage stress (SS). To assess the commercial application potential of Bis-EFMA-based BF-DRC, the research used the commercially available BF-DRC Filtek Bulk-Fill Posterior (FBF) as a control. The results indicated that a higher filler content did not affect the DOC of Bis-EFMA-based BF-DRCs. Inorganic fillers at higher concentrations significantly enhanced overall mechanical properties while significantly reducing volumetric shrinkage (VS; p < 0.05). When the concentration of inorganic fillers in the resin system reached 76 wt%, most of the performance of the Bis-EFMA-based BF-DRC surpassed that of the commercial control FBF, except for FS, FM, and SS. These findings highlight the potential of Bis-EFMA-based BF-DRC as a long-term restorative material for dental applications.

The work is focused on the study of the influence of different types of inorganic fillers, in combination with modifiers, on the rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties of a biodegradable mixture based on PLA/PHB. Ten types of inorganic fillers based on talc, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and silicon dioxide were used in the study, along with three types of modifiers. It was concluded that fillers containing reactive OH groups on their surface act as strong pro-degradants in PLA/PHB blends, and their degrading effect can be suppressed by the addition of reactive modifiers. Each modifier acts specifically with different types of fillers. Therefore, it is necessary to select a suitable filler/modifier combination not only for fillers with different chemical compositions but also for fillers with different morphologies within the same chemical type. Moreover, the preparation of PLA/PHB/magnesium hydroxide blends with suitable processing and application properties opens the possibility of developing environmentally friendly polymeric materials with a reduced flammability. The addition of talc, which has a platelet structure, can increase the barrier properties of the mixture.