@article { ISI:000241203400011, title = {Nanocomposites of polypropylene impact copolymer and organoclays: role of compatibilizers}, journal = {Polymer International}, volume = {55}, number = {11}, year = {2006}, month = {NOV}, pages = {1270-1276}, publisher = {JOHN WILEY \& SONS LTD}, type = {Article}, address = {THE ATRIUM, SOUTHERN GATE, CHICHESTER PO19 8SQ, W SUSSEX, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

Nanocomposites of polypropylene impact copolymer and organoclays were prepared using different compatibilizers (polypropylene-graft-(maleic anhydride) (PPMA), polyethylene-graft-(maleic anhydride) (PEMA) and their mixture) and varying percentages of clay (3 and 6\%) in an attempt to obtain balanced mechanical properties. The nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding and test specimens were prepared by injection molding. Mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and Izod impact strength are reported. The clay dispersion was investigated using wide-angle X-ray diffraction while the phase morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that the mechanical properties of the system with mixed PPMA and PEMA compatibilizers showed the best balance of mechanical properties among the nanocomposites explored. (C) 2006 Society of Chemical Industry.

}, keywords = {clay, compatibilizers, Nanocomposites, polypropylene}, issn = {0959-8103}, doi = {10.1002/pi.2077}, author = {Deenadayalan, E. and Vidhate, Shailesh and Lele, Ashish K.} } @article { ISI:000264247300034, title = {Reactive extrusion of poly(L-Lactic Acid) with glycidol}, journal = {Journal of Applied Polymer Science}, volume = {112}, number = {3}, year = {2009}, month = {MAY}, pages = {1391-1398}, publisher = {JOHN WILEY \& SONS INC}, address = {111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN, NJ 07030 USA}, abstract = {

Glycidol modified polylactic acid (PLLA) polymers have been prepared by reactive extrusion. Influences of residence time and the concentration of glycidol on the extent of reaction with different weight average molecular weight (45,000, 65,000, and 100,000) PLLA{\textquoteright}s were studied. Structure-property relationship has been established by measuring molecular, mesoscopic, and macroscopic properties. Under reactive extrusion conditions glycidol reacted with the end groups of PLLA to initiate chain extension. Low-molecular weight PLLA reacted with glycidol faster than the medium molecular weight PLLA, whereas high-molecular weight PLLA did not show significant reactions. The glass transition temperature, melting temperature, crystallization temperature, and heat of fusion were measured for unmodified and modified PLLA{\textquoteright}s. Chain extended PLLA had higher T(g) and T(m) than the unmodified samples. Time sweep rheological experiments were performed to test the melt stability of PLLA. Chain extended PLLA{\textquoteright}s were found to retain viscoelastic properties for much longer time than the unreacted samples. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 1391-1398, 2009

}, keywords = {biodegradable, reactive extrusion, Rheology, structure-property relations, Thermal properties}, issn = {0021-8995}, doi = {10.1002/app.29581}, author = {Deenadayalan, E. and Lele, Ashish K. and Balasubramanian, M.} } @article { ISI:000302902200006, title = {Mechanical properties of polypropylene blended with esterified and alkylated lignin}, journal = {Journal of Applied Polymer Science}, volume = {125}, number = {3}, year = {2012}, month = {AUG}, pages = {1701-1712}, publisher = {WILEY-BLACKWELL}, address = {COMMERCE PLACE, 350 MAIN ST, MALDEN 02148, MA USA}, abstract = {

Lignin does not show miscibility with commercial polyolefins. Therefore, industrial waste lignin was modified in two different ways and subsequently blended with commercial polypropylene (PP) up to 25 wt \%. A Brabender electronic plasticorder was used for melt mixing at 190 degrees C. The influence of different modifications on the mechanical properties and processing stability was studied for both polymer blends. The blends of PP and lignin modified (esterified) with maleic anhydride showed less deterioration in the mechanical properties compared to blends of PP and alkylated lignin with dichloroethane. Intermolecular interactions between the PP matrix and modified lignin were concluded on the basis of indicative values derived from various relevant theoretical models to the experimental data. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

}, keywords = {mechanical properties, miscibility, modification, polymer blends}, issn = {0021-8995}, doi = {10.1002/app.35633}, author = {Maldhure, Atul V. and Ekhe, J. D. and Deenadayalan, E.} } @article { ISI:000360002300005, title = {Studies on melt processable biocomposites of polylactic acid}, journal = {Journal of Polymers and the Environment}, volume = {23}, number = {3}, year = {2015}, month = {SEP}, pages = {321-333}, publisher = {SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS}, address = {233 SPRING ST, NEW YORK, NY 10013 USA}, abstract = {

Melt processable microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were successfully prepared by twin-screw extrusion. Several characterization techniques were used to investigate the effect of MCC on rheological behavior, morphology, crystallization and melting behavior of the PLA and structure-property correlation of the MCC/PLA composites has been established. Rheological measurements showed that the addition of MCC has a dramatic influence on the low frequency relaxations of PLA chains and above 5 \% of MCC, it forms percolated network structure. Differential scanning calorimeter analysis showed that MCC acted as nucleating agent enhancing crystallization below the percolation concentration. Properties of MCC/PLA composites have been compared with that of talc and CaCO3 filled composites. Talc is found to be more effective in crystallizing PLA than MCC and CaCO3. MCC/PLA composites are found be melt processable like that of talc and CaCO3 filled PLA composites.

}, keywords = {Biopolymers, composites, Rheological properties, Structure-property relationship}, issn = {1566-2543}, doi = {10.1007/s10924-014-0668-5}, author = {Joseph, Seena and Deenadayalan, E. and Mahanwar, Prakash A.} } @article {44092, title = {Polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites filled with waste leather buff (WLB)}, journal = {Journal of Polymers and the Environment}, volume = {25}, year = {2017}, month = {DEC}, pages = {1099-1109}, type = {Article}, abstract = {A large amount of leather waste is generated from tanning industries and most of which are disposed of landfill or discharged into the natural water bodies without any treatment, causing environmental problems. The aim of this study is to develop eco-biocomposites using waste leather buff (WLB) as filler in Polylactic acid (PLA) matrix to reduce the environmental issues and provide sustainable solution. WLB/PLA composites were prepared by twins-screw micro extruder varying the WLB content from 2\% to 30 wt\%. These composite were extensively characterise by several techniques. Tensile properties of the composites showed addition of WLB resulted in improvement of tensile property of composite and reduction in percentage crystallinity of PLA matrix observed with increase in WLB content. The effect of WLB on properties of interfacial adhesion and dispersion in WLB/PLA composites were studied by SEM. Wettability of composites was tested by contact angle and water absorption studies. WLB/PLA composite showed increase in water absorption with WLB loading. These WLB/PLA composite could be used to develop low cost eco-friendly product material.}, doi = {10.1007/s10924-016-0891-3}, author = {Ambone, Tushar and Joseph, Seena and Deenadayalan, E. and Mishra, Satyendra and Jaisankar, S. and Saravanan, P.} } @article {44122, title = { Processing and characterization of waste leather based polycaprolactone biocomposites}, journal = {Polymer Composites}, volume = {38}, year = {2017}, month = {DEC}, pages = {2889-2897}, type = {Article}, abstract = {Waste leather buff (WLB) filled polycaprolactone (PCL) composites were prepared by twin-screw extrusion varying the WLB content from 2\% to 40\%. These composites were extensively characterized by several techniques in order to establish micro and macroscopic properties. Addition of WLB resulted in improvement of tensile modulus of neat PCL and reduction in percentage crystallinity of PCL matrix was observed with increase in WLB content. Interfacial adhesion and dispersion of WLB on PCL matrix was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope. Percentage of water uptake increased with increase in concentration of WLB in the composite. These biodegradable composites could be used to develop low cost materials suitable for applications in footwear industry, for making bags, suitcases, etc., eliminating the environmental issues arising from WLB generated from tanneries in leather industry. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2889-2897, 2017. (c) 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers}, doi = {10.1002/pc.23891}, author = {Joseph, Seena and Ambone, Tushar S. and Salvekar, Abhijit V. and Jaisankar, S. N. and Saravanan, P. and Deenadayalan, E.} }