Cosimo Carfagna

Enhancement of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) thermal and processing stability using a bio-waste derived additive.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a biodegradable polymer, whose applicability is limited by its brittleness and narrow processing window. In this study a pomace extract (EP), from the bio-waste of winery industry, was used as thermal and processing stabilizer for PHB, aimed to engineer a totally bio-based system. The results showed that EP enhanced the thermal stability of PHB, which maintained high molecular weights after processing. This evidence was in agreement with the slower decrease in viscosity over time observed by rheological tests. EP also affected the melt crystallization kinetics and the overall crystallinity extent. Finally, dynamic mechanical and tensile tests showed that EP slightly improved the polymer ductility. The results are intriguing, in view of the development of sustainable alternatives to synthetic polymer additives, thus increasing the applicability of bio-based materials. Moreover, the reported results demonstrated the feasibility of the conversion of an agro-food by-product into a bio-resource in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way.

Spontaneous Assembly of Carbon-Based Chains in Polymer Matrixes through Surface Charge Templates

Stable chains of carbon-based nanoparticles were formed directly in polymer matrixes through an electrode-free approach. Spontaneous surface charges were generated pyroelectrically onto functionalized ferroelectric crystals, enabling the formation of electric field gradients that triggered the dipole-dipole interactions responsible for the alignment of the particles, while embedded in the polymer solution. The phenomenon is similar to the dielectrophoretic alignment of carbon nanotubes reported in the literature. However, here the electric fields are generated spontaneously by a simple heat treatment that, simultaneously, aligns the particles and provides the energy necessary for curing the host polymer. The result is a polymer sheet reinforced with well-aligned chains of carbon-based particles, avoiding the invasive implementation of appropriate electrodes and circuits. Because polymers with anisotropic features are of great interest for enhancing the thermal and/or the electrical conductivity, the electrode-free nature of this technique would improve the scaling down and the versatility of those interconnections that find applications in many fields, such as electronics, sensors, and biomedicine. Theoretical simulations of the interactions between the particles and the charge templates were implemented and appear in good agreement with the experimental results. The chain formation was characterized by controlling different parameters, including surface charge configuration, particle concentration, and polymer viscosity, thus demonstrating the reliability of the technique. Moreover, micro-Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used for a thorough inspection of the assembled chains.

Manipulation of Nematic Liquid Crystal Microdroplets by Pyroelectric Effect

We present experimental results concerning liquid crystals microdroplets behavior onto functionalized lithium niobate substrates covered with Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer. Droplets are fragmented, driven, and reassembled by electric fields generated by pyroelectric effect. We analyze the dynamics of the observed phenomena and suggest possible technological applications.

Epoxy elastomers reinforced with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes as stimuli-responsive shape memory materials

In this work, the incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) into epoxy-based elastomers was carried out in order to obtain nanocomposite systems with shape memory effect. For the preparation of elastomeric matrices, p-bis(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-α-methylstilbene (DOMS) was cured with sebacic acid. DOMS was synthesized in our laboratory and it is characterized by a rigid-rod, potentially liquid crystalline structure. A lightly cross-linked liquid crystalline elastomer was obtained. As for nanocomposites, variable amounts (0.75, 1.50, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0 wt.%) of COOH-MWCNTs were employed. In order to improve the nanotubes dispersibility and the interfacial adhesion with the epoxy matrix, an optimized two-step procedure was developed, which consisted in grafting the epoxy monomer onto the nanotube surface and then curing it in presence of crosslinking agent. DOMS-functionalized MWCNT were characterized through solvent dispersion experiments, FTIR spectroscopy and TGA analysis, which demonstrated the occurr...

Shape-memory effect of nanocomposites based on liquid-crystalline elastomers

In this work, nanocomposites based on liquid crystalline (LC) elastomers were prepared and characterized in their shape memory properties. For the synthesis of materials, p-bis(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-α-methylstilbene (DOMS) was used as mesogenic epoxy monomer, sebacic acid (SA) as curing agent and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphene oxide (GO) as fillers. First, an effective compatibilization methodology was set up to improve the interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the carbonaceous nanofillers, thus obtaining homogeneous distribution and dispersion of the nanofillers within the polymer phase. Then, the obtained nanocomposite films were characterized in their morphological and thermal properties. In particular, the effect of the addition of the nanofillers on liquid crystalline behavior, as well as on shape-memory properties of the realized materials was investigated. It was found that both fillers were able to enhance the thermomechanical response of the LC elastomers, making them good candidates as shape memory materials.

Hyper-crosslinked resins filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Hyper-crosslinked styrenic resins are tipically prepared by suspension polymerization of a gel-type precursor and successive crosslinking by Friedel-Crafts reaction. This kind of polymers displays high specific surface area and excellent sorption properties. Hyper-crosslinked resins and nanocomposites containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were prepared in this study. Structure and properties of hyper-crosslinked resins containing MWCNT were investigated. Moreover, a new synthetic process of the nanocomposites was developed, based on the bulk polymerization of the precursor resin. The effect of the synthetic procedure and the addition of nanofillers on the material specific surface area, porosity and adsorption properties were explored.

Effect of physical ageing on properties of PLA plasticized with oligomeric esters of lactic acid

Two oligomeric esters of lactic acid with carboxyl or hydroxyl terminal groups were employed to plasticize polylactic acid. The miscibility of the blends as well as the mechanical, thermal and gas/vapour transport properties were tested as a function of plasticizer content and of physical ageing. A ductile PLA behavior was obtained with the addition of at least 20 wt% of both esters supplying an increase of elongation at break values higher than 400%. These blends retain their ductile feature also after ageing. Finally migration tests proved the compliance of these materials with the EU regulation for food contact plastics.

Tailoring Mater‐Bi properties by the use of a biowaste‐derived additive

In this work, a polyphenol‐containing extract from winery bio‐waste (EP) has been used as additive to tailor Mater‐Bi properties. EP was able to efficiently modulate both polymer processing and mechanical, thermal and biodegradation properties. EP decreased the melt viscosity, behaved as a Mater‐Bi plasticizer and delayed the Mater‐Bi crosslinking process occurring upon thermal aging. Finally, the biodisintegration rate of doped Mater‐Bi decreased, thus indicating that EP interfered with the microbial digestion of the polymer films.