Natural fiber-reinforced composites (NFRC) are cheaper and more eco-friendly alternatives compared to synthetic composites for automotive applications. As there is limited understanding about the balance of different physical properties in NFRC, optimizing these properties is an important consideration for a more widespread application of NFRC. The goal of this research was to statistically develop an optimum formulation for oat-hull-reinforced polypropylene composite. Mechanical properties of the composites were first experimentally measured. Then, the mixture design experiment approach was utilized to generate response models for different properties and diagnostic tools were utilized to validate the models. In addition to optimizing the desired material properties, the overall cost of the composite was minimized, which adds novelty to the work.
Polyethylene oxide based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are safer alternatives to the current flammable liquid electrolytes used in lithium‐ion batteries. Lithium ions are typically thought to conduct through the amorphous regions of SPEs with the aid of polymer segmental motion, which is correlated with the glass transition temperature (Tg). The ionic conductivity is generally increased by making the polymer more flexible (decreasing Tg) and/or by increasing the amorphous regions of the SPE, at the cost of compromising its stiffness. This trade‐off makes it impossible to optimize both ionic conductivity and stiffness of SPEs. By incorporating a metal–organic framework (MOF) nanowhisker with the composition EO:Li = 6:1 [EO = ether oxygen, Li = lithium], we synthesized a unique composite electrolyte. We observed an atypical conductivity mechanism in this composite electrolyte, where lithium ions conduct through the crystalline regions without decreasing Tg or increasing amorphous fraction. The room‐temperature ionic conductivity of the 6:1 polymer electrolyte increased by almost 400% when 2 wt% MOF nanowhisker was added. Our results supported the potential of a composite electrolyte, which enables simultaneous improvement in both conductivity and stiffness.
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