Polypropylene/Lignin/POSS Nanocomposites: Thermal and Wettability Properties, Application in Water Remediation

Abstract

Compositing is an interesting strategy that has always been employed to introduce or enhance desired functionalities in material systems. In this paper, sponges containing polypropylene, lignin, and octavinyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OV-POSS) were successfully prepared via an easy and elegant strategy called thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). To fully explore the behaviour of different components of prepared sponges, properties were characterized by a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared measurement (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, wettability properties toward an organic liquid and oil were investigated. The FTIR analysis confirmed the chemical modification of the components. TGA and DSC measurements revealed thermal stability was much better with an increase in OV-POSS content. OV-POSS modified sponges exhibited ultra-hydrophobicity and high oleophilicity with water contact angles of more than 125°. The SEM revealed that POSS molecules acted as a support for reduced surface roughness. Moreover, OV-POSS-based blend sponges showed higher sorption capacities compared with other blend sponges without OV-POSS. The new blend sponges demonstrated a potential for use as sorbent engineering materials in water remediation.

Femtosecond Laser Preparation and Biomineralizability of ZrO2 Ceramic Woven Surfaces

“…As mentioned above, when R f ≥ 1, the wetting property of the material surface increases with increasing roughness, that is, hydrophilic surfaces become more hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces become more hydrophobic. [ 27 ] However, at the same depth and distribution density, the roughness factor decreases with increasing micropit diameter, so the contact angle tends to increase.…”

Hydrophobic and oleophilic 3D weft-knitted spacer fabrics coated by silica aerogels with five different concentrations

“…The existence of Si-O-Si network constructions in the treated 3D WKSFs offered thermodynamic motion from inside to outside and the creation of a homogenous SiO 2 aerogel coating induced constant material distribution on the fabric surface, resulting in decreased surface energy and increased surface roughness, thus, enhanced the hydrophobic and oleophilic properties of the treated samples. 63,71,72 Chemical interaction of untreated and treated 3D weft-knitted spacer fabrics…”

The Effect of Various Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes on Viscoelastic, Thermal Properties and Crystallization of Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanocomposites

“…Various POSS particles have been incorporated into thermoplastic polyolefins [ 28 , 29 ], polylactide [ 30 ], elastomers [ 31 , 32 ], elastomeric blends [ 33 ], epoxy resins [ 34 ], polysiloxane foams [ 35 ], leading to the enhancement of various properties. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquoixane particles are commercially applied in the cosmetics industry [ 36 ].…”