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The preparation of oligosilsesquioxanes from methyltrimethoxysilane and cyclohexyltrimethoxysilane for use as organic–inorganic fillers is reported. These oligomers were characterized by molecular weight, nuclear magnetic resonance analyses, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites containing oligosilsesquioxanes were prepared by two methods: (i) the solution blending method and (ii) the solution–melt blending method. The solution–melt blending method was found to be a superior method for improving the thermal and mechanical properties of PMMA by intermolecular interaction between oligosilsesquioxanes fillers and PMMA. Highlights Preparation of oligosilsesquioxanes via hydrolysis–condensation reaction of alkylalkoxysilanes. Characterization of oligosilsesquioxanes by nuclear magnetic resonance analyses and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Difference of poly(methyl methacrylate) composites containing oligosilsesquioxanes by preparation methods. PMMA composite by solution-melt-blending method showed improved properties.

Dielectric capacitors have attracted increasing attention for their fast charge–discharge speeds as well as high power density, and they have been widely used in advanced electronics and electric power systems. Here, dopamine-modified TiO 2 (TiO 2 @PDA) nanosheets were synthesized via hydrothermal reaction and in situ polymerization. Then the synthesized TiO 2 @PDA nanosheets were introduced into the poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix via solution blending. Our results reveal that loading a small amount of TiO 2 @PDA nanosheets can effectively enhance the energy storage performance of the nanocomposites. For example, a superior discharge energy density with 10.53 J/cm 3 is obtained for the 9 wt.% TiO 2 @PDA/PVDF nanocomposite at 195 MV/m, which is 1.75 times as large as discharge energy density of pure PVDF (6.01 J/cm 3 at 170 MV/m). Such significant improvement is due to the large aspect ratio as well as dopamine modification of the TiO 2 nanosheets. The study provides a feasible way to prepare the nanocomposites with excellent energy storage performance.

Ag nanoparticles were in-situ grown on the surface of MXene nanosheets to prepare thermally conductive hetero-structured MXene@Ag fillers. With polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the polymer matrix, thermally conductive MXene@Ag/PVA composite films were fabricated by the processes of solution blending, pouring, and evaporative self-assembly. With the same mass fraction, MXene@Ag-III (MXene/Ag, 2:1, w/w) presents more significant improvement in thermal conductivity coefficient (λ) than MXene@Ag, single MXene, Ag, and simply blending MXene/Ag. MXene@Ag-III/PVA composite films show dual functions of excellent thermal conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. When the mass fraction of MXene@Ag-III is 60 wt.%, the in-plane λ (λ ∥ ), through-plane λ (λ ⊥ ), and EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) are 3.72 and 0.41 W/(m·K), and 32 dB, which are increased by 3.1, 1.3, and 105.7 times than those of pure PVA film (0.91 and 0.18 W/(m·K), and 0.3 dB), respectively. The 60 wt.% MXene@Ag-III/PVA composite film also has satisfying mechanical and thermal properties, with Young’s modulus, glass transition temperature, and heat resistance index of 3.8 GPa, 58.5 and 175.3 °C, respectively.

The rational use and conversion of energy are the primary means for achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. MXenes can be used for photothermal conversion, but their opaque appearance limits wider applications. Herein, we successfully develop visible-light transparent and UV-absorbing polymer composite film by solution blending the MXene with polyethylene and then vacuum pressing. The resulting film could be quickly heated to 65 °C under 400 mW cm −2 light irradiation and maintained over 85% visible-light transmittance as well as low haze (<12%). The findings of the indoor heat insulation test demonstrate that the temperature of the glass house model covered by this film was 6-7 °C lower than that of the uncovered model, revealing the potential of transparent film in energy-saving applications. In order to mimic the energy-saving condition of the building in various climates, a typical building model with this film as the outer layer of the window was created using the EnergyPlus building energy consumption software. According to predictions, they could reduce yearly refrigeration energy used by 31-61 MJ m −2 , and 3%-12% of the total energy used for refrigeration in such structures. This work imply that the film has wide potential for use as transparent devices in energy-related applications. While MXene-based composites have been reported as promising materials for photothermal conversion, their opaque appearance limits applications. Here, authors demonstrate visible-light transparent and UV-absorbing composite films by vacuum pressing solution blends of MXene with polyethylene.

MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) nanosheets were synthesised by selective etching of the Ti 3 AlC 2 MAX phase and subsequently incorporated into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) via solution blending to afford PET/MXene nanocomposites. Owing to their high specific surface area and abundant surface terminations, MXene sheets acted as efficient heterogeneous nucleation sites within the PET matrix. Consequently, the crystallisation peak temperature ( T c ) of the nanocomposite containing 1 wt % MXene (PET-MX-1) rose from 186.4 °C to 212.6 °C and the overall crystallisation rate was markedly accelerated with respect to neat PET. Non-isothermal kinetic analysis confirmed that MXene lowered the apparent crystallisation activation energy and thus enhanced crystallisation kinetics, while thermogravimetric measurements revealed a modest improvement in thermal stability. These findings demonstrate that the introduction of trace amounts of MXene offers a simple yet effective strategy for tailoring the crystallisation behaviour and thermal performance of PET, thereby expanding its potential for high-performance engineering applications.

Nowadays, plastic contamination worldwide is a concerning reality that can be addressed with appropriate society education as well as looking for innovative polymeric alternatives based on the reuse of waste and recycling with a circular economy point of view, thus taking into consideration that a future world without plastic is quite impossible to conceive. In this regard, in this review, we focus on sustainable polymeric materials, biodegradable and bio-based polymers, additives, and micro/nanoparticles to be used to obtain new environmentally friendly polymeric-based materials. Although biodegradable polymers possess poorer overall properties than traditional ones, they have gained a huge interest in many industrial sectors due to their inherent biodegradability in natural environments. Therefore, several strategies have been proposed to improve their properties and extend their industrial applications. Blending strategies, as well as the development of composites and nanocomposites, have shown promising perspectives for improving their performances, emphasizing biopolymeric blend formulations and bio-based micro and nanoparticles to produce fully sustainable polymeric-based materials. The Review also summarizes recent developments in polymeric blends, composites, and nanocomposite plasticization, with a particular focus on naturally derived plasticizers and their chemical modifications to increase their compatibility with the polymeric matrices. The current state of the art of the most important bio-based and biodegradable polymers is also reviewed, mainly focusing on their synthesis and processing methods scalable to the industrial sector, such as melt and solution blending approaches like melt-extrusion, injection molding, film forming as well as solution electrospinning, among others, without neglecting their degradation processes.

The enhancement of anti-migration performance in insulation materials is critical for the stability and reliability of solid rocket motors (SRMs). This study explores two innovative methods to improve the barrier properties of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) insulation layers. Firstly, a composite liner combining Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB) and Graphene Oxide (GO) was synthesized through a solution blending method. Additionally, a GO film was fabricated and integrated with the HTPB liner and EPDM to create a multilayer sandwich structure. The incorporation of these materials was found to significantly enhance the anti-migration performance, with the composite samples showing a 16.89% improvement over standard samples. The layered structure of GO effectively impedes the migration of dioctyl sebacate (DOS), enhancing the anti-plasticizer migration properties of the EPDM. While the multilayer sandwich samples also demonstrated improved performance, issues with adhesion between the GO film and EPDM lead to reduce its effectiveness. Future research will focus on improving the adhesion between the GO film and EPDM to further enhance anti-migration performance. This study provides valuable insights for developing high-performance EPDM insulation materials with enhanced anti-migration properties for aerospace applications.

This review aims to report the status of the research on polyaryletherketone-based thermoplastic blends (PAEK). PAEK are high-performance copolymers able to replace metals in many applications including those related to the environmental and energy transition. PAEK lead to the extension of high-performance multifunctional materials to target embedded electronics, robotics, aerospace, medical devices and prostheses. Blending PAEK with other thermostable thermoplastic polymers is a viable option to obtain materials with new affordable properties. First, this study investigates the miscibility of each couple. Due to different types of interactions, PAEK-based thermoplastic blends go from fully miscible (with some polyetherimides) to immiscible (with polytetrafluoroethylene). Depending on the ether-to-ketone ratio of PAEK as well as the nature of the second component, a large range of crystalline structures and blend morphologies are reported. The PAEK-based thermoplastic blends are elaborated by melt-mixing or solution blending. Then, the effect of the composition and blending preparation on the mechanical properties are investigated. PAEK-based thermoplastic blends give rise to the possibility of tuning their properties to design novel materials. However, we demonstrate hereby that significant research effort is needed to overcome the lack of knowledge on the structure/morphology/property relationships for those types of high-performance thermoplastic blends.

Biocomposites of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) incorporated with eggshell powder (ESP) were prepared by solution blending and casting into films. The effects of ESP content (0–50 wt% of dry PVA basis) on structure and properties of the resultant PVA/ESP composite films were systematically evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy suggested a strong adhesion and the well-dispersion of ESP particles in the PVA matrix due to the hydrogen-bonding interactions. The incorporation of opaque, hydrophobic and stable ESP in the composite films could consequently decreased their transparency and hydrophilicity while improving their thermal stability. Optimal ESP content in the composite films was found to be 30 wt% in terms of their mechanical and water vapor barrier properties, showing a tensile strength of 38.78 MPa, elongation at break of 165.9%, and water vapor permeability of 1.229 × 10–12 g cm/cm2 s Pa, respectively. However, overloading of ESP in the composite films might produce some aggregations and thus have negative effects on their performance. These results indicated that ESP was an excellent biological filler for PVA to prepare composite films with improved properties, which might hold the potential as biodegradable materials for packaging applications.

This study presents novel transparent and thermally stable nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate-co-N-2-methyl-4-nitrophenylmaleimide) (P(MMA-co-MI)) reinforced with thiol-functionalized zirconium phosphate (ZrP-SH) nanofillers. The key innovation is the thiol modification of ZrP, which enhances interfacial interactions and ensures uniform dispersion at low loadings (≤1 wt%). The nanocomposites were prepared through solution blending and characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, DSC, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Compared to the neat copolymer, the nanocomposites demonstrated an approximately 30 °C increase in glass transition temperature (from 164.3 °C to 168.4 °C) and an increase in onset degradation temperature from 265 °C to about 297 °C while maintaining high optical transparency in the visible range at low filler contents. These silicon-free materials effectively address the trade-off between thermal stability and optical clarity, offering significant potential for advanced optical coatings, sensors, protective layers, and optoelectronic packaging applications.