nanocomposite samples based on elastomer blends of butyl rubber (iir) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (epdm) were prepared using a laboratory scale two-roll mill in order to study the effect of cloisite 15a organoclay content (i.e., 1, 3, 5 and 7 wt%) on the mechanical and morphological properties  of  iir/epdm/cloisite  15a  nanocomposites  compared  to  the  unflled epdm/iir blends. rheo...

In this paper we report the performances of a lithium-ion sulfur battery characterized by a polymer configuration. The cell, based on a sulfur-carbon cathode, a Li-Sn-C nanostructured anode and a PEO-based, polysulfide-added electrolyte, shows very good electrochemical performances in terms of stability and delivered capacity. The remarkable cell performances are ascribed to the mitigation of t...

The elastic response of a smectic-C elastomer to three deformations, namely imposed lambda(xx), lambda(xz), and lambda(zz), has been modeled using a nonlinear theory of a nematic elastomer with embedded smectic layers, and with the director tilt (in the x direction) at a fixed angle with respect to the smectic layer normal (z direction). The main focus is the elastic response after any soft mod...

Lithium, with its high theoretical specific capacity and lowest electrochemical potential, has been recognized as the ultimate negative electrode material for next-generation lithium-based high-energy-density batteries. However, a key challenge that has yet to be overcome is the inferior reversibility of Li plating and stripping, typically thought to be related to the uncontrollable morphology ...

The carbonized Kimwipes® (CK) interlayer has been found to be a modulable, low-cost hierarchical interlayer for Li-S cells, leading to a high discharge capacity with superior cycling stability and rate performance. This new interlayer is designed to allow controllable thickness for analyzing the polysulfide interception mechanism within the interlayer architecture.

in petrochemical industry, the production of polyvinyl chloride (pvc) is accompanied by formation of heavy end wastes which consist of a mixture of di and multichloro compounds as kind of materials which are generated in ethylene dichloride (edc) purifcation. a high quantity of chloro compounds found in the heavy end waste allows it to be polymerized with alkaline polysulfdes to form polysulfde...

Vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (VASWCNTs) have been successfully transferred onto transparent conducting oxide glass and implemented as efficient low-cost, platinum-free counter electrode in sulfide -mediated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), featuring notably improved electrocatalytic activity toward thiolate/disulfide redox shuttle over conventional Pt counter electrodes. ...

Citation: Bera T, Malcuit C, Clements RJ and Hegmann E (2016) Role of Surfactant during Microemulsion Photopolymerization for the Creation of Three-Dimensional Liquid Crystal Elastomer Microsphere Spatial Cell Scaffolds. Front. Mater. 3:31. doi: 10.3389/fmats.2016.00031 role of surfactant during Microemulsion Photopolymerization for the creation of Three-Dimensional liquid crystal elastomer Mic...

We find that low molecular weight liquid crystalline cooperative effects acting over length scales larger than the typical mesh size of a liquid single crystalline elastomer {LSCE), controls the elastomer shape. This result provides a “proof of concept” for the novel suggestion of de Gennes et al. that LSCEs may be used as temperature activated artificial muscles.

INTRODUCTION The aim of the study is to evaluate interfacial bond strength between silicone prosthetic elastomers and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Silicone elastomers were attached to PMMA and a total 120 specimens were fabricated which were then subdivided into 12 sub-groups. Each sample was then subjected to laboratory test to determine the bond strength. The specime...