Characterization of expanded polystyrene and its composites by supercritical carbon dioxide foaming approach

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) has been used as a physical blowing agent to produce polymer expanded materials. Firstly, a statistic study was performed to determine the neat polystyrene (PS) expansion parameters, using the ANOVA and response desirability approach. The results suggested that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of porous materials 2021, Vol.28 (4), p.1081-1095
Main Authors: Neves, Roberta Motta, Lopes, Kirk Silveira, Lazzari, Lídia Kunz, Monticeli, Francisco Maciel, Zattera, Ademir José
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption
Blowing agents
Bulk density
Carbon dioxide
Catalysis
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Composite materials
Compression tests
Compressive strength
Contact angle
Dyes
Mechanical properties
Morphology
Parameters
Physical Chemistry
Polystyrene resins
Population density
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Summary:Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) has been used as a physical blowing agent to produce polymer expanded materials. Firstly, a statistic study was performed to determine the neat polystyrene (PS) expansion parameters, using the ANOVA and response desirability approach. The results suggested that the optimal parameters are 120 °C (temperature), 2500 psi/17.23 MPa (pressure), and 2 h (residence time). Secondly, defibrillated curauá fibers (CF) were used as reinforcement in the PS matrix, in three different proportions (1.0, 2.5, and 5.0% (w/w)), to produced expanded composites. The results showed that CF acted as a nucleating agent, facilitating scCO 2 to sip into the composite due to the reinforcement/matrix interface. The expanded composites were characterized by SEM, apparent density, cell population density, void volume fraction, and mechanical properties by the compression test, water uptake, dye absorption and, water contact angle (WCA). CF incorporation in the composite increased the compressive strength value and modified the expanded composite final morphology, decreasing the cell size and increasing void content and density. The PS/CF 5.0% sample showed higher water and organic dye absorption and the addition of CF on the expanded composite slightly decrease WCA.
ISSN:1380-2224
1573-4854
DOI:10.1007/s10934-021-01062-8