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Written by Martin Vines Ph.D., Editor
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Oct 01, 2009 at 09:51 PM |
Graphene is the thinnest known material and has the highest intrinsic strength of any material ever measured. We are posting an article to describe some of the interesting research on graphene and graphene-based polymer nanocomposites (GPNC) that is occuring. This article reviews how graphene is made, explain how single sheets can be dispersed in a polymer matrix to give plastics with interestiong properties and where these works are being carried out. May 05, 2009 Expressing the rationale for pursuing a green environment along with the movement toward pursuing the same has brought about terms such as peak oil, greenhouse gases, and sustainability. Are these terms indicative of an upsurge in green-chemistry research? Indeed they are: the plastics research community is up and running in developing “green” polymers. Manufacturing plastics from carbon dioxide, sugarcane, corn, and switch grass are in high gear. Traditional petrochemical-resin companies such as Braskem and Dow are getting ready to produce bio-polyethylene while Solvay is focusing on “green” polyvinylchloride (PVC). In fact, Braskem made bio-ethylene consisting of 100% renewable carbon and then polymerized into “green” polyethylene*. And we can say the same about the list of growing bio-polymer related industry standards (including EN 13432, ASTM D6866, D6868, D7075, D7081, D5511, D5271). We see fibres and packaging products made from corn on the grocers' shelves. Of course, there is science behind transforming a kernel of corn into lactic acid and into poly-lactide molecules (PLA). Technically, however, to make PLA plastics as a viable and a cost-effective alternative to conventional plastics is another story. This is our rationale for publishing Dr. Zuzanna Cygan’s work on PLA, a work that shows how scientists are tackling challenging processing issues to improve PLA properties. * More on innovation and industrial trends of bio-plastics are available in the latest issue of Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part C: Polymer Reviews, vol. 49, 2009. This site is all about plastics. Polymers are the backbone of plastics. The giants of the molecular world. They can be built from simple molecules. Understanding polymers' behaviour and building it accordingly is a fascinating science. Only the education of polymers in young and brighter minds could open up new material ideas and technologies for a brighter tomorrow. Our mission is to bring plastics education and its news to everyone. |
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Trends in Graphene and Graphene-based nanocomposites |
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Written by Prithu Mukhopadhyay and Rakesh K. Gupta
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Sep 27, 2009 at 05:37 PM |
Since graphene was isolated by a group of physicists from Manchester University, UK in 2004, interest in graphene research throughout the world has skyrocketed. This huge activity stems from graphene’s unusual and extraordinary electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Professor Geim, who was instrumental in the separation of graphene, recently commented, “Graphene is a wonder material with many superlatives to its name”. Why such glorification of graphene as a material? Because it is the thinnest known material in the universe and its strength is the highest ever measured1. Prior to its separation into platelets, graphene was a controversial material and the subject of much speculation. Many believed that graphene could not exist as a freestanding sheet, and yet it was studied theoretically for over 6o years. The results of this intense work over the years have been comprehensively documented in an article by Geim and Novoselov2. Particularly noteworthy is the research, at MIT, of Gene Dresselhaus and Mildred Dresselhaus who began work with graphite (multi-layered graphene) several decades ago. The results, until 1980, of the Dresselhaus team on graphite intercalated compounds have been described by these authors themselves3. Today graphene’s unique structure allows for a wide spectrum of applications in a variety of fields while giving researchers an unprecedented opportunity for fundamental physical science. Picture on the top left show false-color 3-D rendered TEM image of isolated hydrogen atoms (purple-tipped) and an isolated carbon atom (red-tipped) on a graphene membrane ("Courtesy Zettl Research Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and University of California at Berkeley"). This article aims to capture and convey in a few words the excitement provided by some of the interesting trends observed in research on graphene and graphene-based polymer nanocomposites (GPNC). |
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Improving processing and properties of poly(lactic acid) |
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Written by Zuzanna Cygan Ph.D. Arkema, USA
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May 05, 2009 at 08:49 PM |
Poly(lactic acid) or PLA is a thermoplastic polymer made from the polymerization of lactic acid derived from the fermentation of natural sugars from corn, beets, or sugar cane (Figure 1)1-3. The polymer is biobased and can also be composted under industrial compost conditions. With increasing interest in sustainability and finding alternatives to petroleum-based products, PLA is at the forefront of the current trend towards bioplastics usage. PLA is being used as a replacement for many traditional PET and PS applications such as thermoformed packaging, fibers, card stock, foamed food trays and in blends with other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate for electronic or automotive applications. PLA is rapidly gaining increasing commercial acceptance and new applications are continually appearing on the market. |
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Welcome to PlasticsTrends |
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Written by Prithu Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D. Founding Editor
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Mar 13, 2006 at 12:00 AM |
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Plasticstrends presents impactful and insightful articles: articles written by eminent scientists and industry experts.
What's the latest in plastics materials, technology, and applications? Where are these ideas taking shape? Bottom line: How do they work? When reliable plastics news has industry-wide impact, and when insightful articles are written, you'll find them on plasticstrends.net website. Visit us again for the latest in breaking news and articles on plastics.
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