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Eingeladener Vortrag
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Linear segmented polyurethanes based on poly(butylene adipate)s (PBA) of different molecular weight (Mn 2000, 1000, and 600), 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and the mesogenic diol 4,4-bis-(6-hydroxyhexoxy)biphenyl (BHHBP) as well as the unsegmented polyurethane consisting of MDI/BHHBP units have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, 13C-NMR and SEC. The thermal behavior and the morphology were studied by DSC, polarizing microscopy, and DMA. The properties of the MDI-polyurethanes were discussed in relation to the BHHBP chain extended 2,4-TDI-polyurethanes and common 1,4-butanediol chain-extended MDI products. MDI polyurethanes based on PBA (Mn 2000) exhibit a glass transition temperature Tg of about -40°C independent of the hard segment content up to 50% hard segments. At higher hard segment contents increasing Tgs were observed. Polyurethanes, based on the shorter polyester soft segments PBA (Mn 1000 or 600), reveal an increase in the glass transition temperatures with growing hard segment content. The thermal transitions caused by melting of the MDI/BHHBP hard segment domains are found at 50 K higher temperatures in comparison with the analogous TDI products with mesogenic BHHBP/TDI hard segments. Shortening of the PBA chain length causes a shift of the thermal transitions to lower temperatures. Polarizing microscopy experiments indicate that liquid crystalline behavior is influenced by both the content of mesogenic hard segments and the chain length of the polyester. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The glassy dynamics of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) confined to a nanoporous host system revealed by dielectric spectroscopy, temperature-modulated DSC and neutron scattering is compared. For both systems the relaxation rates estimated from dielectric spectroscopy and temperature-modulated DSC agree quantitatively indicating that both experiments sense the glass transition. For PPG the segmental dynamics is determined by a counterbalance of adsorption and confinement effect. The former results form an interaction of the confined macromolecules with the internal surfaces. A confinement effect originates from an inherent length scale on which the underlying molecular motions take place. The increment of the specific-heat capacity at the glass transition vanishes at a finite length scale of 1.8 nm. Both results support the conception that a characteristic length scale is relevant for glassy dynamics. For PDMS only a confinement effect is observed which is much stronger than that for PPG. Down to a pore size of 7.5 nm, the temperature dependence of the relaxation times follows the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann dependence. At a pore size of 5 nm this changes to an Arrhenius-like behaviour with a low activation energy. At the same pore size vanishes for PDMS. Quasielastic neutron scattering experiments reveal that also the diffusive character of the relevant molecular motions --found to be characteristic above the glass transition-- seems to disappear at this length scale. These results gives further strong support that the glass transition has to be characterised by an inherent length scale of the relevant molecular motions.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and carbon nitride films are synthesized by a direct current (dc) arc discharge at slightly reduced pressure and by an inductively coupled r.f. plasma (ICP) at atmospheric pressure, respectively. By treatment with nitric acid SWNT are purified from by-products and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy. ICP allows the deposition of carbon nitride films on steel substrate. The deposition of the films creates a relatively strong radial symmetric profile. The structure of the films are rather independent of the distance between substrate and plasma. Raman, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy are used for analyzing the carbon nitride materials.
Dielectric spectroscopy and temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry are employed to study the molecular dynamics of oligomeric poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) melts of different molecular weights confined to nanoporous glasses (pore sizes 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 20 nm). Moreover, the results obtained for the polymers are compared with those for the corresponding monomer. The experimental results are discussed in the framework of the interplay of confinement and adsorption effects. For large pore sizes (> 5 nm) a speeding up of the molecular dynamics is observed (the confinement effect), whereas for small pore sizes (< 5 nm) a slowing down of the segmental fluctuations is found (the adsorption effect). In addition, a minimal length scale for the glass transition of 1.6 nm is estimated for PPG confined in nanoporous glasses. This supports the idea that the molecular motions responsible for the glassy dynamics must be describable by a characteristic length scale.
Polarized Raman scattering investigations are carried out to investigate the conformations of the macromolecules inside the pores. These experiments show that the confined polymer chains are locally stretched. This effect increases with decreasing pore size.
Dielectric spectroscopy and temperature modulated DSC are employed to study the molecular dynamics of oligomeric poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) melts of different molecular weights confined to nanoporous glasses (pore sizes 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 20 nm). Moreover the results obtained for the polymer are compared with the corresponding monomer. For large pore sizes an acceleration of the segmental dynamics compared to the bulk state is observed which is already known for low molecular-weight glass forming liquids. For smaller pore sizes the molecular dynamics is slower than in the bulk. The observed behavior is nearly independent of the molar mass of the polymer and of the treatment of internal glass surfaces. The experimental results are discussed in the frame of an interplay of confinement and adsorption effects. Moreover a length scale of about 1.6 nm is estimated as a minimal length scale for the cooperativity for the glass transition. In addition to the ?-relaxation the whole chain dynamics (normal mode relaxation) can be measured by dielectric spectroscopy because PPG has a dipole component parallel to the chain. For virgin internal surfaces the relaxation rate of the normal mode relaxation is shifted dramatically to lower relaxation rates. That can be explained by adsorption effects. For treated surfaces this effect is strongly reduced and it is concluded that also in this case the chain dynamics are influenced by geometric (confinement) effects.
Relaxation behaviour of thermoplastic polyurethanes with covalently attached nitroaniline dipoles
(2002)
Thermoplastic polyurethanes with covalently attached nitroaniline chromophores exhibit a strong high-temperature relaxation associated with a glass transition rather than the typical frequency-independent loss due to the aggregation of polymer chains via hydrogen bonds. This relaxation behaviour suggests the formation of an amorphous structure without separation into soft-segment and hard-segment phases. In such a structure, a field-induced orientation of molecular dipoles is stabilised by the high viscosity of the material below its glass transition. The dipole orientation yields a pyroelectric effect caused by dipole-density changes upon thermal expansion and contraction.
The changes in phase separation are investigated by varying the chain length of the soft-phase component and studying its influence on the calorimetric, dynamic-mechanical, and dielectrical properties. Good correlation was found between differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic-mechanical analysis and dielectric spectroscopy as well as measured and calculated pyroelectric coefficients. This leads to a uniform picture of the structural changes caused by the incorporation of nitroaniline chromophores into the polyurethane structure.
The effect of a nanometer confinement on the molecular dynamics of poly(methyl phenyl siloxane) (PMPS) was studied by dielectric spectroscopy (DK), temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC) and neutron scattering (NS). DK and TMDSC experiments show that for PMPS in 7.5 nm pores the molecular dynamics is faster than in the bulk which originates from an inherent length scale of the underlying molecular motions. At a pore size of 5 nm the temperature dependence of the relaxations times changes from a Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann like behavior to an Arrhenius one. At the same pore size Dcp vanishes. These results give strong support that the glass transition has to be characterized by an inherent length scale of the relevant molecular motions. Quasielastic neutron scattering experiments reveal a strong change even in the microscopic dynamic.
The glassy dynamics of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and poly(methyl phenyl siloxane) (PMPS) confined to nanoporous glasses (pore sizes 2.520 nm) investigated by dielectric spectroscopy, temperature modulated DSC and neutron scattering is compared. For both systems the relaxation rates estimated from dielectric spectroscopy and temperature modulated DSC agree quantitatively indicating that both experiments sense the glass transition.
For PPG the glassy dynamics in nanopores is determined by a counterbalance of an adsorption and a confinement effect where the temperature dependence of the relaxation times obeys the Vogel/Fulcher/Tammann (VFT-) equation. The former effect results from an interaction of the confined macromolecules with the internal surfaces which in general slows down the molecular dynamics. A confinement effect leads to an acceleration of the segmental dynamics compared to the bulk state and points to an inherent length scale on which the glassy dynamics takes place. The step of the specific heat capacity Deltacp at the glass transition vanishes at a finite length scale of 1.8 nm. This result supports further the conception that a characteristic length scale is relevant for glassy dynamics.
For PMPS down to a pore size of 7.5 nm the temperature dependence of the relaxation times follows the VFT-dependence and a confinement effect is observed like for PPG. At a pore size of 5 nm this changes to an Arrhenius-like behavior with a low activation energy. At the same pore size Deltacp vanishes for PMPS. This points to a dramatic change in the character of molecular motions responsible for glassy dynamics and supports further the relevance of a characteristic length scale on which it takes place.
Quasielastic neutron scattering experiments on PMPS reveal that the microscopic dynamics characterized by the mean square displacement depends on confinement above the glass transition. The diffusive character of the relevant molecular motions seems to disappear at a length scale of about 1.6 nm.
Degradation effects of automotive coatings after weathering as detected by thermoluminescence
(2004)
Dielectric spectroscopy in combination with temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry and quasielastic/inelastic neutron scattering are employed to investigate the molecular (glassy) dynamics of poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) and poly(methyl phenyl siloxane) (PMPS) confined to random nanoporous glasses with nominal pore sizes between 2.5 nm and 20 nm. Inside the pores PDMS and PMPS have faster molecular dynamics than in the bulk state. Down to a pore size of 7.5 nm the temperature dependence of the relaxation times (or rates) obeys the Vogel/Fulcher/Tammann (VFT) equation where the data obtained from dielectric and thermal spectroscopy agree quantitatively. At a pore size of 5 nm this VFT-like temperature dependence changes to an Arrhenius behavior. At the same confining length scale the increment of the specific heat capacity at Tg normalized to the weight of the confined polymer vanishes. The results indicate that a minimal length scale seems to be relevant for glassy dynamics in both polymers although the estimated length scale of about 5 nm seems to a bit too large in comparison to other experimental results and theoretical approaches. Neutron scattering is employed to investigate methyl group reorientation and the fast segmental dynamics of both polymers in confinement. Although the methyl group rotation is a localized process these experiments show that a part of the methyl groups is immobilized by the confinement whereas the effects for PDMS are much more pronounced than for PMPS. With regard to the segmental dynamics, neutron scattering reveals a big difference in the behavior of both polymers. Whereas the data obtained for PMPS are in accord with a boundary layer formed at the surfaces of the nanopores, for PDMS a considerable amount of elastic scattering is observed. To explain this result it is assumed that some structure formation of PDMS takes place in the nanopores, although the thermal data show no crystallization or melting effects.
Angesichts der spezifischen Bedeutung der Aushärtung von Phenolharzen für ihre Eigenschaften als Ingenieurwerkstoffe besteht großes Interesse an deren quantitativer Charakterisierung. Mittels DSC-Messungen unter hohem Druck (HP-DSC) kann die Vernetzungsreaktion der Phenolharzformmassen durch die Unterdrückung der Verdampfung niedermolekularer Substanzen ohne störende Überlagerungen verfolgt werden. Mittels verschiedener Vernetzungsgrade können die Einflussparameter der Aufheizrate und der Nachtemperung optimiert werden. Die Messergebnisse ermöglichen eine Modellierung der Reaktionskinetik mit dem Ziel einer verbesserten Prozessführung und Qualitätskontrolle in der industriellen Praxis.
Effects of Heat Treatment on the Structure of Thermal Plasma Synthesized SiCN Composite Nanopowders
(2003)
SiCN composite nanopowders with different chemical composition and characteristics were synthesized by the RF induction plasma at atmospheric pressure. Frequently the as-produced powders exhibit a high degree of chemical disorder or structural defects. Because the composition and the microstructure of starting powders have a great influence on the properties of composite ceramics, the changes of chemical composition, crystallization, and morphology of the as-produced powders during heat treatment up to 1500 °C were investigated in detail.
Due to their extreme high hydrogen contents, high molecular weight (HMW-) and ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW-) polyethylene (PE) are a comprehensible choice as neutron radiation shielding material in casks for storage and transport of radioactive materials. But as a direct consequence of inserting radioactive material in such casks, gamma radiation occurs. Hence, the impact of gamma radiation on the molecular structure of polyethylene has to be taken into consideration. Consequently, PE has to withstand any type of gamma radiation induced degradation affecting safety relevant aspects in order to be applicable for long term neutron radiation shielding purposes during the whole storage period (in Germany, for instance, up to 40 years). The scope of our investigation comprises an estimation of the impact of gamma radiation and temperature on the molecular and supra molecular structure of the two types of PE used as neutron radiation shielding cask components. A further point which is worth exploring is to what extent these changes are detectable by conventional analysis methods. Therefore, thermoanalytical measurements were performed such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo mechanical analysis (TMA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Additionally optical and weighing methods were applied. With those methods it is possible to detect structural changes in polyethylene induced by exposure to gamma radiation. The observed amounts of changes of the irradiated material are not safety relevant for the application of polyethylene as neutron radiation shielding material; moreover, some properties actually improve via irradiation.
The special properties of high molecular weight polyethylene (HMW-PE) and ultra high molecular
weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) result basically from their extreme chain lengths and their high
degree of crystallinity. As high-performance polymers, they are used for a variety of applications.
UHMW-PE in particular is often utilized for endoprothesis (due to its excellent slip and wear
properties) and due to its high hydrogen content as a neutron moderator in casks for storage and
transport of radioactive materials.
To prepare the material for instance for its use as a total joint replacement, it is exposed to radiation
for several reasons, such as sterilization and crosslinking, leading to partial improvement of the
mechanical properties (e.g. fracture toughness, crack propagation resistance, wear resistance) and
better chemical stability.
To be applicable for long term radiation shielding purposes for instance over a period of 40 years,
PE has to withstand any type of degradation affecting safety relevant aspects.
The scope of our investigation comprises an estimation of the radiation impact on the molecular and
supra molecular structure of two types of PE and to what extent these changes are detectable by
thermo-analytical (TA) methods, such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermo
Mechanical Analysis (TMA), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Thermo Gravimetric
Analysis (TGA). Additionally FT-IR spectroscopy as well as density and gas sorption
measurements were carried out.
Due to the poor solubility of HMW-PE and UHMW-PE, some classical analytical techniques are
not applicable. But TA-methods represent a feasible approach to detect structural and
morphological features of these materials as well as changes caused by external influences, such as
thermal treatment and/or irradiation. With the combination of the applied TA-techniques it is
possible to distinguish between crosslinking and degradation.
The effect of a nanometer confinement on the molecular dynamics of poly(methyl phenyl siloxane) (PMPS) was studied by dielectric spectroscopy (DS), temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC) and neutron scattering (NS). Nanoporous glasses with pore sizes of 2.520 nm have been used. DS and TMDSC experiments show that for PMPS in 7.5 nm pores the molecular dynamics is faster than in the bulk which originates from an inherent length scale of the underlying molecular motions. For high temperatures the temperature dependence of the relaxation rates for confined PMPS crosses that of the bulk state. Besides finite states effects also the thermodynamic state of nano-confined PMPS is different from that of the bulk. At a pore size of 5 nm the temperature dependence of the relaxation times changes from a Vogel/Fulcher/Tammann like to an Arrhenius behavior where the activation energy depends on pore size. This is in agreement with the results obtained by NS. The increment of the specific heat capacity at the glass transition depends strongly on pore size and vanishes at a finite length scale between 3 and 5 nm which can be regarded as minimal length scale for glass transition to appear in PMPS.
Nanocomposites were prepared by solution blending of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane with phenethyl substituents (PhenethylPOSS) into poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PBAC). The nanocomposites were investigated by dielectric spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and density measurements. PhenethylPOSS shows one relaxation process, the α-relaxation, confirmed by DSC investigations. PBAC shows a β-relaxation at lower and an α-relaxation at higher temperatures. With increasing PhenethylPOSS content the α-relaxation of the composites shifts to lower temperatures. Thus, incorporation of PhenethylPOSS leads to a plasticization of PBAC due to a decrease of the packing density which is rationalized by density measurements. For higher concentrations of PhenethylPOSS (>10 wt %) the α-relaxation of the polycarbonate matrix splits into two peaks. Moreover, close to the α-relaxation of PhenethylPOSS a third process is observed. These results indicate a phase separation into a PBAC matrix with a few percents of molecularly solved POSS and POSS-rich domains. These POSS-rich domains are surrounded by an interfacial layer of PBAC having a higher concentration of POSS than the matrix. A phase diagram is deduced providing a miscibility criterion. For the phase separated nanocomposites an interfacial polarization phenomena is observed. Using a simplified model the time constant of this process is correlated with the size of the PhenethylPOSS-rich domains and theire increasing size with the increase of the concentration of POSS.
A composite prepared from aerosil A380 and the liquid crystal (LC) 4-hexyl-4'-cyanophenyl benzoate (CP6B) was investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy in a large temperature range. The selected high silica density (ca. 7 g aerosil/1 g of CP6B) allows the observation of a thin layer (two-monolayer structure) adsorbed on the surface of the silica particles. For the composite one relaxation process is observed at frequencies much lower than that of the processes found for bulk CP6B. It is assigned to the dynamics of the molecules in the surface layer. The temperature dependence of its relaxation rates obeys the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann law, which is characteristic for glass-forming liquids. The quasi 2D character of the observed glassy dynamics in the surface layer is discussed. The temperature dependence of the CP6B relaxation in the composite is compared with that of related hexylcyanobiphenyl molecules in the surface layer of aerosil composite with a similar concentration.
Nanocomposites with a predominantly exfoliated morphology were prepared by melt blending of organically modified doubled layered hydroxide (LDH) and low density polyethylene (PE). The prepared materials were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and in detail by dielectric spectroscopy. The DSC experiments show that the degree of crystallinity decreases linearly with increasing content of the LDH. The extrapolation of this dependence to zero results in a limiting concentration of ca. 50 wt % LDH were the crystallization of PE is completely suppressed by the nanofiller. The dielectric response of pure polyethylene shows different weak relaxation processes. The intensity of dynamic glass transition (β-relaxation) increases with the concentration of LDH. This is attributed to the increasing concentration of the exchanged anion dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). The SDBS molecules are strongly adsorbed at the exfoliated LDH layers. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the β-relaxation provides information about the structure and the molecular dynamics in the interfacial region between the exfoliated LDH layers and the polyethylene matrix. This analysis shows that the β-relaxation region consists of two processes: both of them obey glassy dynamics. The difference in corresponding Vogel (ideal glass transition) temperatures is about 30 K. The relaxation process at lower frequency is assigned to polyethylene segments with a reduced molecular mobility close to LDH layers. The process at higher frequencies is related to polyethylene segments in a farer distance for the surface of the nanofiller. In the nanocomposite materials an additional process due to Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) polarization was observed. The time constant of this MWS process can be correlated with characteristic length scales in nanocomposites and therefore provides additional information on dispersion and delamination/exfoliation of the LDH layers in these materials.
Thermosetting moulding compounds are synthetic materials which can be easily formed in the molten state and achieve high temperature stability due to a cross-linking process which takes place during manufacture. To ensure thermal and mechanical properties, post-curing of moulded phenolic resin components is necessary for high quality applications. In the industrial practice, post-curing time-temperature-programs are heuristically acquired. In this paper, dynamical mechanical thermal analysis is employed to determine optimal post-curing conditions for injection moulded parts from phenolic resin.
Nanoparticulate networks as fillers for polymer based nanocomposites offer an optimized, surfactant free distribution of the inorganic component. Additionally, their non-aggregated but interconnected nanoparticulate subunits can lead to new properties owing to special inherent solid state properties and/or spacial restrictions to the polymeric parts. In particular, polymer nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), filled with different nanoparticulate networks of AlOOH were synthesized using two advanced synthesis techniques. An ex situ method, in which a preformed AlOOH-gel was solvent exchanged by methyl methacrylate (MMA) and an in situ method, in which the AlOOH scaffold was prepared within hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), have been used to produce the materials described here through polymerization. On the MMA based composites the particles were removed by etching, yielding porous polymers. Promising for a broad variety of crystallisable networks within polymers, the phase transition of amorphous AlOOH within PMMA towards crystalline boehmite was performed using a hydrothermal method. The materials were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, IR-spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy and hardness measurements. Special material properties were investigated using thermogravimetry, thermomechanical analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. Furthermore, interactions between PMMA segments and the AlOOH network were detailed studied using dielectric spectroscopy.
Radiation induced structural changes of HMW-PE and UHMW-PE as detected by thermo-analytical methods
(2009)
Bei der Abschätzung der Beständigkeit von Kunststoffen gegenüber niedermolekularen Flüssigkeiten ist die Kohäsionsenergiedichte CED ein wichtiger Parameter auf molekularer Ebene. Die Vernetzungsdichte ν eines polymeren Festkörpers bildet hierbei einen bedeutsamen Kennwert, der darüber hinaus neben der Löslichkeit wichtige Eigenschaften wie thermische Stabilität und Steifigkeit des Materials charakterisiert. Für die experimentelle Bestimmung von CED und ν eignet sich die Untersuchung des Quellverhaltens in unterschiedlichen Lösungsmitteln. Es werden zwei Messmethoden miteinander verglichen und die Ergebnisse unter Berücksichtigung des molekularen Aufbaus von Proben aus Polyurethan (PU) und hochmolekularem – (HMWPE) und ultrahochmolekularem Polyethylen (UHMWPE) diskutiert. Zum Verständnis des Quellverhaltens dieser Polymerproben in niedermolekularen Lösungsmitteln werden neben den Messergebnissen Literaturdaten zu Grunde gelegt.
Dielectric Study of Molecular Mobility in Poly(propylene-graft-maleic anhydride)/Clay Nanocomposites
(2005)
Polymer/clay nanocomposite materials based on poly(propylene-graft-maleic anhydride) (PPgMAH) and two different organophilic modified clays were investigated by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). In contrast to ungrafted polypropylene (PP), PPgMAH shows a dielectrically active relaxation process which can be assigned to localized fluctuations of the polar maleic anhydride groups. Its relaxation rate exhibits an unusual temperature dependence, which could be attributed to a redistribution of water molecules in the polymeric matrix. This is confirmed by a combination of Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric experiments (TGA) with real-time dielectric measurements under controlled atmospheres. In the nanocomposites this relaxation process is shifted to higher frequencies up to 3 orders of magnitude compared to the unfilled polymer. This indicates a significantly enhanced molecular mobility in the interfacial regions. In the nanocomposite materials a separate high-temperature process due to Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) polarization was observed. The time constant of this MWS process can be correlated with characteristic length scales in nanocomposites and therefore provides additional information on dispersion and delamination/exfoliation of clay platelets in these materials. These properties also influence the diffusivity of the water molecules as revealed by real-time dielectric investigations.
Nanocomposites of bisphenol A polycarbonate with 2, 4, 6, and 15 wt% multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and their use in fire retardancy are investigated. Their thermal behavior and pyrolysis are characterized using thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimeter, oscillatory shear rheology, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The flammability is addressed using LOI and UL 94; the fire behavior, with a cone calorimeter using different irradiation. With increasing MWNT content the storage modulus is increased (10-20%) and melt viscosity increases by several orders of magnitude, particularly for low shear rates. The melt flow, dripping, and deformation during fire are hindered, which influences UL 94 and cone calorimeter results. The peak heat release rate is reduced up to 40-50% due to an improved barrier for small amounts (2 wt%) of MWNT and for low irradiation, whereas the effect is reduced for increasing irradiation and nearly vanishes for increasing filling. Adjuvant but also deleterious mechanisms result in the complex dependency on the MWNT content. Significant flame retardancy effects are specific and limited to only some fire properties. This study allows the materials' potential for implementation in different fire scenarios and tests to be assessed and provides insight into active mechanisms.
A broadband dielectric study of the dispersions of silica spheres (Aerosil 380) in octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB) with densities between 0.083 and 10 g of silica per 1 cm3 of liquid crystal (LC) is reported. High values of silica densities were achieved for the first time to observe the behaviour of the LC monolayer on the surface of the silica particles. The relaxation characteristic of the bulk LC is noticed especially for the samples with low silica densities. Additionally, a slow relaxation was detected, even at temperatures for which the bulk LC is in the crystalline state. It was assigned to the surface layer of LC molecules. Remarkably, the temperature dependence of the relaxation rates for this slow process shows a behaviour typical for glass-forming liquids.