Soy
protein (SP)-based adhesives can replace traditional aldehyde-based
adhesives for the manufacturing of wood-based panels. However, developing
a SP-based adhesive with excellent prepressing bonding strength, flame
retardancy, and mildew resistance remains a challenge. Herein, an
inorganic crystal cross-linked hybrid SP adhesive was developed inspired
by the “secreting–hardening” process of the mussel
adhesive protein and the organic–inorganic hybrid adhesive
system of the oyster. Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) was introduced
into the adhesive mixture of SP and acrylic acid to induce the in
situ polymerization of acrylic acid to achieve adhesive gelation.
The generation of the inorganic crystals by hydration of CSA not only
contributed to the formation of a stable cross-linked hybrid adhesive
system for strong cohesion but also provided strong interfacial adhesion
between the adhesive layers and the plywood veneers. As anticipated,
the prepared plywood sample bonded with the hybrid adhesive gel had
an excellent prepressing bonding strength of 544 kPa, representing
a significant increase compared to that of the pure SP adhesive (19
kPa). Moreover, the generated inorganic crystals endowed the adhesive
with excellent mildew resistance and flame retardancy. This study
provides a novel and effective strategy for the preparation of high-performance
SP-based adhesives.
Janus nanorods are used as a novel rigid compatibilizer to improve the interfacial tension of incompatible A/B homopolymer blends. Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) methods are preformed to explore the effect of Janus nanorods on the interfacial tension. The results show that Janus nanorods are a good compatibilizer only when the appropriate length is chosen, which is different from the traditional coil compatibilizer (surfactants and block copolymers). The length of the Janus nanorods can significantly influence their orientation through the competition between the entropic and enthalpic effects. The shorter Janus nanorods preferring "standing" have a better efficiency in improving the interfacial tension than the longer ones preferring "lying." If we can control the orientation of the longer Janus nanorods, they are still a good compatibilizer. This simulation work can widen the application of Janus nanoparticles.
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