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In this study, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were synthesized from graphite by a liquid-phase exfoliation (layer separation) method, and their surfaces were functionalized with poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) by using the rotatingbed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses were performed to characterize the unmodified (u-GNP) and modified GNP (PGMA-GNP). Epoxy nanocomposites were prepared with both types of GNPs at different loading levels (0.1–2% by weight). The role of the surface modification of the GNPs on the mechanical, thermal, electrical conductivity, contact angle, water sorption, and corrosion properties of the epoxy nanocomposite coatings was also investigated. Consequently, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the epoxy resin (ER)/PGMA-GNP nanocomposites were enhanced by 10.2–20 and 3.3–18.4%, respectively, as compared to the ER/u-GNP composites. Moreover, the nanocomposites prepared with PGMA-GNP had better water sorption and wettability properties than those prepared with u-GNP, but lower electrical conductivity. The corrosion test results showed that the addition of GNPs to epoxy effectively improved the corrosion resistance of the epoxy composites in high salinity, basic, and acidic environments.

Phenolic novolac-type epoxy (EPN) resin composites were fabricated by reinforcing with cotton waste (CtW), along with aluminum hydroxide (AH), and boric acid (BA) particles under different filler loadings. For characterization, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and water sorption tests were performed on the composites. The effects of the CtW, AH, and BA contents on the thermal, flame-retardant, and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The triple hybrid additive (CtW:BA:AH) with a ratio of 20:5:10 wt% exhibited the best mechanical and combustion properties. The tensile strengths of this composite and the neat EPN were determined as 95.7 ± 6.92 and 96.6 ± 4.77 MPa, respectively. The T50 temperatures of the BA- and AH-doped composites were higher than that of neat EPN. The highest char percentages were observed in the triple composites, while the lowest were observed in the EPN/CtW composites. The combustion of the triple composite with a CtW:BA:AH ratio of 20:5:10 wt% was spontaneously extinguished in 37 s. Horizontal flammability testing also showed better fire resistance for the CtW/BA/AH composites over their CtW counterparts, with the highest estimated limiting oxygen index of 32.3 obtained for the 20:5:10 wt% composite. The water sorption test results show that the CtW composites had the highest hydrophilicity, especially those with 30 wt% CtW or higher, in the presence of water at room temperature.

In the first stage of this study, the epoxy resin-hardener system, which was used in modification with thermoplastic polystyrene (PS) waste, was determined. For this purpose, different epoxy resins: bisphenol-A type (ER) and phenolic novolac (EPN) epoxy resins and modified cycloaliphatic amine type different curing agents were tried, and the EPN-IPOX system was found suitable. The curing degrees of the neat ER, EPN, and modified EPN (EPN-PS) resins calculated from the FTIR spectra were found as 99.3%, 99.9%, and 86.5%, respectively. The increase in the degree of curing increased the density values. Pristine (NC) and chemically modified (MNC) montmorillonite nanoclays were used in the preparation of nano- and hybrid composites. Chemical modification was accomplished by treating NC particles with tetramethylammonium chloride (TMAC). Chemical structures of nanoclays were elucidated by FTIR. The appropriate ratio of PS and NC was accepted as 4% and 2% by weight, respectively. Hybrid composites were produced at a fixed NC or MNC ratio of 2% by weight, with red mud waste (RMW) released during the production of alumina from bauxite. The surface morphology of nano- and hybrid composites was characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A comparative study of the influence of 1–4 wt% pristine NC, and two-types binary systems; (a) 2 wt% NC-(15–35) wt% RMW; and (b) 2 wt% MNC-(15–35) wt% RMW on the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and thermal properties of modified epoxy resin (EPN-PS) was investigated. Combustion of the EPN-PS matrix decreased with adding NC/MNC and RMW.

Coconut waste (CW), a novel, low cost adsorbent, has been utilized for the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from an aqueous solution. CW was chemically modified with acrylic (AcA) and polyacrylic acids (PAcA) using different modification methods, such as esterification with AcA, chemically grafting of PAcA, and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) coating with PAcA. CW-based adsorbents were used in the experiments to study MB adsorption probability, and their activities were compared. The adsorption behavior of MB onto the adsorbents was investigated with respect to parameters such as sorbent dosage (0.5-4 g/L), pH (2-10), initial dye concentration (50-250 mg/L), and temperature (22-65 °C). The time taken of AcA modified CW (CW-AcA), PAcA-grafted CW (CW-PAcA

In this study, a novel bio-based epoxy resin (ESA) with curable double bonds was synthesized by esterification reaction between sebacic acid (SAc) and epichlorohydrin (ECH). Its chemical structure was confirmed by FT-IR and 1H NMR. Untreated, alkali treated, acrylic acid (AcA)- and acetic anhydride (AA) modified hazelnut shell waste (HSh) were used as inexpensive reinforcing materials in the ESA matrix system. The composites were prepared with HSh in varied per cent values (10–50 wt%) using the casting technique. The effects of chemical modification and amount of reinforcement materials on the properties of the composites were investigated. The composites were characterized using mechanical tests, as well as SEM, XRD, TGA, and contact angle measurement. The morphological results indicate an improvement in adhesion between the HSh fillers and ESA matrix upon chemical treatments. The modified HShs reinforced composites showed an increase of 7.7–46.2% in elongation at break when compared to the untreated HSh reinforced composite at more appropriate 20 wt% of filler. Also, tensile strengths of all chemically modified HSh composites are higher than that obtained with neat ESA and untreated HSh composites. It was observed that 20 wt% AA-modified HSh composite exhibited higher tensile strength (66 MPa) and elasticity modulus E (6.72 GPa) values. The TGA analysis showed that the HShs can significantly improve the thermal stability of neat ESA. Vicat softening temperature (VST) of composites was obtained higher than epoxy matrix. Additionally, all composites exhibited hydrophobic surfaces. The incorporation of HSh fillers reduces the wetting and hydrophilicity of synthesized epoxy resin.

Bu calismada dogal atik bir malzeme olan kayisi cekirdegi kabugu (KCK), bisfenol-A tipi epoksi recine matrisli kompozit malzemelerin hazirlanmasi icin dolgu maddesi olarak kullanilmistir. Ayrica, dogal dolgu malzemesi NaOH ve asetik asitle kimyasal olarak modifiye edilerek cevre dostu ustun ozellikli kompozitlerin hazirlanmasi hedeflenmistir. Modifiye edilen dogal meyve cekirdegi atiginin yapisi FTIR ile aydinlatilmis, partikul boyutu tayin edilmistir. Kompozitler taramali elektron mikroskobu (SEM), X-isini difraksiyon cihazi (XRD) ve termal gravimetrik analiz (TGA) ile karakterize edilmistir. Kompozitlerin mekanik ve termal ozelliklerine dolgu maddesi oraninin etkisi incelenmistir.

This study has developed an innovative and environmentally friendly approach for the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye by natural shells (NShs) chemically modified with levulinic acid (LA). Almond shell (ASh), walnut shell (WSh), and apricot kernel shell (AKSh) were used as waste fillers. The adsorption behavior of MB onto the biosorbents was investigated with respect to parameters such as sorbent dosage (0.4-6 g/L), pH (3-10), initial dye concentration (10-500 mg/L), and temperature (25-65 °C). The biosorbents were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The isotherm and kinetic adsorption data can be said to fit the Freundlich isotherm model and the pseudosecond-order model, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity (

Bu çalışmada doğal atık malzemelerden ceviz kabuğu (CK) ve pirina bisfenol-A tipi epoksi reçine (ER) kompozitlerinin hazırlanması için dolgu maddesi olarak kullanılmıştır. Ayrıca, doğal takviye malzemeleri 700 ºC’da piroliz edilerek katı ürün atığı çarla da kompozitleri oluşturulmuştur. Epoksi reçinede dolgu oranı %10-50 aralığında değiştirilerek kompozitlerin mekanik, elektriksel, iletkenlik ve termal özelliklerine dolgu maddesi oranının etkisi araştırılmıştır. Çarların morfolojisi taramalı elektron mikroskobu (SEM) ile incelenmiştir. Ayrıca, elde edilen biyobazlı kompozit malzemeler özel olarak hazırladığımız toprağa gömülerek bozunma süreleri (biyobozunurluk testi) belirlenmiştir., In this study, natural waste materials (walnut shell waste and pirina waste) were used as a filler material to prepare bisphenol-A type epoxy (ER) composite materials. In addition, natural reinforcement materials were pyrolyzed to form solid product such as char and its composites were prepared. The filler ratio in epoxy resin has been changed in the range of 10-50%. The effect of filler ratio on the mechanical, electrical conductivity and thermal properties of composites has been investigated. The morphology of the chars was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, prepared biodegradable composite materials were buried in specially prepared soil to determine their disposal time (biodegradability test).

WOS: 000464781100001, In this study, the waste of sunflower oil refinement was converted to a fatty acid glycidyl ester (FAGE). An unsaturated oligo(ether-ester) (OEE) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization using propylene oxide (PO) and FAGE. Oligo(ether-ester) production was achieved with a high yield of 80% at 5 h and 0 degrees C when the mole ratio of PO : FAGE was 1 : 1. Synthesized OEE was characterized by FTIR and several chemical analysis methods. According to the TGA results, T-5, T-10, and T-50 values of OEE-styrene copolymers increased up to a 7 : 3 mole ratio then decreased. The weight losses of these copolymers changed in the range of 3-5%. The data of longitudinal and transversal wave velocities showed that copolymers with styrene had better elastic properties and impact resistances compared to those with pure polystyrene., Selcuk University Scientific Research FoundationSelcuk University, The authors acknowledge the Selcuk University Scientific Research Foundation for the financial support.

In this study, acrylated soybean oil (AESO) was used as a modifying agent for DGEBA-type epoxy resin (ER). The structure of modified epoxy resins (M-ERs) cured with various hardeners (SAc-sebacic acid, MNA-methyl nadic anhydride, PhA-phthalic anhydride, MA-maleic anhydride, SA-succinic anhydride, cycloaliphatic polyamine Epamine PC 17, MXDA-m-xylenediamine, MI-2-methylimidazole and polyamide type Crayamid) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and SEM were used to determine the microstructures of some M-ERs. DSC test was conducted to study the effects of hardners on the Tg of the M-ERs. The influence of the modifying agent and hardeners on the curing process was studied through FTIR spectroscopy, and the curing degrees of M-ERs were determined to be over 94%. To investigate the effects of the curing agents, a comparative study was also performed on the mechanical properties of neat ER, such as the tensile strength and hardness. Comparison between the mechanical properties of the epoxy systems demonstrated that the neat ER system had a higher tensile strength and e-modulus than that of M-ERs, which is in contrast to the elongation at break. Higher tensile strength values of 58 MPA and 53 MPa were observed for M-ERs cured with MNA and MXDA curing agents, respectively. A comprehensive study of the mechanical and water sorption properties of M-ERs illustrated that for an epoxy system modified with AESO in 50 wt%, MNA and MXDA were a more effective hardeners. Coatings obtained from M-ERs cured with anhydride type hardeners were determined to be highly resistant to acidic corrosive media. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In this study, precipitated calcium carbonate-lime waste (LW) from sugar beet production was recycled as a raw material for the preparation of composite materials. Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) was used as a co-matrix in 50 wt% with bisphenol A-type epoxy resin (ER). The composites were prepared with LW in varied per cent values (10 − 50 wt%) using the casting technique. The morphology of the composites was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Effects of ESO and LW amounts on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were investigated. Modification with ESO remarkably enhanced the plasticity of the material, but decreased the curing degree about 2%. The modified ER shows about 13% increase in elongation at break over the pure epoxy matrix. Density and hardness of neat epoxy matrices were observed to increase with the LW content in the composite. Tensile strengths of all composites are higher than that obtained with neat epoxy. The thermogravimetric analyses show that ESO and LW significantly improve the thermal stability of neat ER at the temperatures above 300°C. The best thermal results were obtained with the composites containing 40- and 50 wt% LW. The residual weights of the composites are higher than that of neat ER and ER-ESO, and increases with the increasing LW amount. The T5, T10 and T50 data of the composites are higher than those of neat ER and ER-ESO. The water sorption values of the ER-ESO matrix composites are in the range of 1.0 − 2.9 wt%. POLYM. COMPOS., 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers

In this study, thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method was utilized to fabricate carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using an Fe/Al catalyst. Plasma enhanced CVD (PECVD) was applied to coat CNTs surfaces with a hydrophobic poly(hexafluorobutyl acrylate) (PHFBA) thin film. Then pure CNT and surface-modified CNT (f-CNT) were used as nanofillers at 0.5–3 wt% in bisphenol-A (DGEBA) and phenolic novolac types epoxy (EPN) resins to produce composite materials with superior properties. For characterization of both types of CNTs, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM and TGA analyses were performed. The morphologies of composites were examined via XRD and SEM. Thermal properties of composites were revealed by TGA. The influences of CNT surface functionalization and matrix type on the thermal, mechanical, electrical conductivity and surface wettability properties of composites were investigated. EPN based composites exhibited higher mechanical properties than that DGEBA based ones. At 1.5 wt% f-CNTs, the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the nanocomposites were found 6.9 ± 0.50 GPa and 141.0 ± 7.8 MPa, respectively using DGEBA matrix; 8.7 ± 0.59 GPa and 153.4 ± 7.9 MPa respectively, using EPN matrix. Composites electrical conductivity increased with increasing both type CNTs amount and reached a maximum value of 10−4 S/m and 10−6 S/m at 3 wt% of neat and f-CNTs contents.

In this study, surface-modified grinded coconut waste (CW) particles were used as bio-fillers to prepare polymeric composite materials with enhanced properties. Epoxy resin modified with acrylated and epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) was used as the polymer matrix. Two different strategies, namely chemical treatment and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) were utilized to modify the surface of CW particles for using them as compatible bio-fillers in composite preparation. Chemical modification involved the treatment of CW particles in a highly alkali NaOH solution, while PECVD modification involved coating of a thin film of hydrophobic poly(hexafluorobutyl acrylate) (PHFBA) around individual CW particle surfaces. Untreated and surface-modified CW particles were used in 10-50 wt% for preparation of epoxy composites. FTIR analysis was performed to study the effect of modification on the structures of particles and as-prepared composites. The composite morphologies were investigated by XRD and SE. TGA test was conducted to study the thermal behavior of the composites. Also, the effects of CW particle surface modification on the mechanical and water sorption properties of epoxy resin composites were investigated in detail. It was observed that PECVD-treated CW particles had much more positive effects on the thermal, mechanical, wettability and flammability properties of composites. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In this study, as a serial of our previous studies, polystyrene (PS) containing acetyl group (CH 3 CO ) was used as a raw material and condensation reaction was performed in basic medium with aliphatic saturated and unsaturated aldehydes. Synthesized modified polystyrenes (MPSs) were characterized using spectroscopic ( 1 H NMR and IR) and chemical analysis methods. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), has been used to determine the microstructure of PS, APS and MPS with crotonaldehyde, as example. The thermal properties of polymers were investigated after crosslinking by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The crosslinking of MPSs was quantitatively estimated from the amount of insoluble polymer as well as the change in the glass transition temperature. As a result, MPSs with crotonaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde had higher thermal properties and crosslinking than others due to two double bonds in their structure. MPSs films were resistant to corrosive mediums. After irradiation, water sorption of MPS decreased 0.65%.

In this study, plastic [polyethylene terephthalate (PET)] waste was recycled as raw material for the preparation of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A-type epoxy composite materials. The other inexpensive fillers used to prepare the composites were wood shavings char and pine cone char (PCC), obtained from natural resources. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that plastic waste char (PWC) and PCC can significantly improve the thermal stability of neat epoxy resin at temperatures above 300°C. The best thermal and electrical conductivity results were obtained with PWC. The residual weight of the composite with 30 wt% PWC was 69%. Surface hardness, Young's modulus, and tensile strength of the composites were higher than those with a pure epoxy polymer matrix. The composite morphology was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

During the past two decades, photoinitiated polymerization has been attracting a great interest in terms of scientific and industrial activity. The wide recognition of UV treatment in the polymer industry results not only from its many practical applications but also from its advantage for low-cost processes. Unlike most thermal curing systems, radiation-curable systems can polymerize at room temperature without additional heat, and the curing is completed in a very short time. The advantage of cationic UV technology is that post-cure can continue in the ‘dark’ after radiation. In this study, bio-based acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) was cured with UV radiation using radicalic photoinitiator Irgacure 184. Triarylsulphonium hexafluoroantimonate was used as cationic photoinitiator for curing of 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate. The effect of curing time and the amount of initiators on the curing degree and thermal properties were investigated. The thermal properties of the coating were analyzed after crosslinking UV irradiation. The level of crosslinking in the coating was evaluated by FTIR analysis. Cationic UV-cured coatings demonstrated excellent adhesion and corrosion resistance properties. Therefore, our study holds a great potential with its simple and low-cost applications., {"references":["C. Decker, Progr. Polym. Sci., 21, 593 (1993).","D. K. Chattopadhyay, S.S. Panda, K.V.S.N. Raju, Prog. Org. Coat., 54, 10 (2005).","D. H. Klein, Kjorg, T. Dinnissen, Surf. Coat. Int., 12, 558 (1998).","A. Noomen, JOCCA, 64, 347 (1981).","A. Udagawa, F. Sakurai, T. Takahashi, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 42, 1861 (1991).","I. Ozaytekin, H. Turedi, G. Ahmetli, Polym. Compos. (2015), doi: 10.1002/pc.23542 (2015).","S.J. Park, F.-L. Jin, J.-R. Lee, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 374, 109 (2004)."]}

In this study, acrylated soybean oil (AESO) was used as modifying agent for DGEBF-type epoxy resin (ER). AESO was used as a co-matrix in 50 wt % with ER. Composites with eco-friendly natural fillers-banana bark and seashell were prepared. MNA was used as a hardener. Effect of banana peel (BP) and seashell (SSh) fillers on mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness of M-ERs were investigated. The structure epoxy resins (M-ERs) cured with MNA and sebacic acid (SAc) hardeners were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Tensile test results show that Young’s (elastic) modulus, tensile strength and hardness of SSh particles reinforced with M-ERs were higher than the M-ERs reinforced with banana bark., {"references":["U. Riedel, Biocomposites: Long Natural Fiber-Reinforced Biopolymers, Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering, v. 10: Polymers for a Sustainable Environment and Green Energy, 2012, Pages 295–315.","J. Bolton, Outlook Agric., 24, 85 (1995).","J. Lu, Zh. Lu, X. Li, H. Xu, X. Li, J. Cleaner Product., 92, 223 (2015).","S. Yoo, J.S. Hsieh, P. Zou, J. Kokoszka, Bioresour. Technol., 100, 6416 (2009).","H.H. Cai, S.D. Li, G.R. Tian, H.B. Wang, J.H. Wang, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 87, 982 (2003).","L. Zhang, C. Li, R. Huang, J. Polym. Sci. Part B, 42, 1656 (2004).","K. Leja, G. Lewandowicz, Polish J. Environ. Stud., 19, 255 (2010).","S. Garg, A.K. Jana, Eur. Polym. J., 43, 3976 (2007).","I. Ozaytekin, H. Turedi, G. Ahmetli, Polym. Compos. (2015), doi: 10.1002/pc.23542 (2015).\n[10]\tI. Jirasutsakul, B. Paosawatyanyong, W. Bhanthumnavin, Prog. Org. Coat., 76, 1738 (2013).\n[11]\tT. Okabe, T. Takehara, K. Inose, N. Hirano, M. Nishikawa, T. Uehara, Polymer, 54, 4660 (013).\n[12]\tG. M. Roudsari, A. K. Mohanty, M. Misra, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 2, 2111 (2014).\n[13]\tF. Jeyranpour, Gh. Alahyarizadeha, B. Arab, J. Molecular Graph. Modelling, 62, 157 (2015)."]}

Shell wastes represent a considerable quantity of byproducts in the shellfish aquaculture. From the viewpoint of ecofriendly and economical disposal, it is highly desirable to convert these residues into high value-added products for industrial applications. So far, the utilization of shell wastes was confined at relatively lower levels, e.g. wastewater decontaminant, soil conditioner, fertilizer constituent, feed additive and liming agent. Shell wastes consist of calcium carbonate and organic matrices, with the former accounting for 95-99% by weight. Being the richest source of biogenic CaCO3, shell wastes are suitable to prepare high purity CaCO3 powders, which have been extensively applied in various industrial products, such as paper, rubber, paints and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, the shell waste could be further processed to be the filler of polymer composites. This paper presents a study on the potential use of mussel shell waste as biofiller to produce the composite materials with different epoxy matrices, such as bisphenol-A type, CTBN modified and polyurethane modified epoxy resins. Morphology and mechanical properties of shell particles reinforced epoxy composites were evaluated to assess the possibility of using it as a new material. The effects of shell particle content on the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. It was shown that in all composites, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus values increase with the increase of mussel shell particles content from 10 wt% to 50 wt%, while the elongation at break decreased, compared to pure epoxy resin. The highest Young’s modulus values were determined for bisphenol-A type epoxy composites., {"references":["F. Mustata N. Tudorachi, D. Rosu, Compos. Part B-Eng., 43, 702 (2012).","V. Fombuena, L. Bernardi, O. Fenollar, T. Boronat, R. Balart, Material. Design, 57, 168 (2014).","G.L. Yoon, B.T. Kim, B.O. KIm, S.H. Han, Waste Management., 23, 825 (2003).","E.-I. Yang, S.-T. Yi, Y.-M. Leem, Cemenet Concrete Research., 35, 2175 (2005).","H. Yoon, S. Park, K. Lee, J. Park, Waste Management Research., 22, 158 (2004).","M.R.R. Hamester, P. Santos Balzer, D. Becker, Mat. Res., 15, 204 (2012).","M.H. Chong, C.C. Byoung, Y.C. Chung, B.G. Cho, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 99, 1583 (2006).","K. Rajkumar, P. Sirisha, M.R. Sankar, Procedia Mater. Sci., 5, 1248 (2014).","I. Ozaytekin, H. Turedi, G. Ahmetli, Polym. Compos. (2015), doi: 10.1002/pc.23542 (2015).\n[10]\tF.P. Beer, E.R. Johnston and J.T. De Wolf, Mechanics of Materials (5th ed.), McGraw Hill, New York (2009).\n[11]\t F.W. Billmeyer, Textbook of Polymer Science, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1984).\n[12]\tC. A. Mahieux, Effect of temperature on polymer matrix in environmental degradation of industrial composites, Chapter 2, Elsevier Ltd. (2005)."]}

The disposal of waste plastics has become a major worldwide environmental problem. Pyrolysis of waste plastics is one of the routes to waste minimization and recycling that has been gaining interest. In pyrolysis, the pyrolysed material is separated into gas, liquid (both are fuel) and solid (char) products. All fractions have utilities and economical value depending upon their characteristics. The first objective of this study is to determine the co-pyrolysis product fractions of waste HDPE- (high density polyethylene) and LDPE (low density polyethylene)-olive pomace (OP) and to determine the qualities of the solid product char. Chars obtained at 700 °C pyrolysis were used in biocomposite preparation as additive. As the second objective, the effects of char on biocomposite quality were investigated. Pyrolysis runs were performed at temperature 700 °C with heating rates of 5 °C/min. Biocomposites were prepared by mixing of chars with bisphenol-F type epoxy resin in various wt%. Biocomposite properties were determined by measuring electrical conductivity, surface hardness, Young's modulus and tensile strength of the composites. The best electrical conductivity results were obtained with HDPE-OP char. For HDPE-OP char and LDPE-OP char, compared to neat epoxy, the tensile strength values of the composites increased by 102% and 78%, respectively, at 10% char dose. The hardness measurements showed similar results to the tensile tests, since there is a correlation between the hardness and the tensile strength., {"references":["M.V. Gil, J. Fermoso, C. Pevida, J.J. Pis, and F. Rubiera, Fuel Process. Technol., 91, 1776 (2010).","S.H. Rezaeian, P. Jafari, Zahedi, and S. Nouri, Polym. Composite, 30, 993 (2009).","M. Kracalik, L. Pospisil, M. Slouf, J. Mikesova, A. Sikora, J. Simonik, and I. Fortelny, Polym. Composite, 29, 915 (2008).","J. Alongi, F. Carosio, and G. Malucelli, Polym. Degrad. Stabil., 97, 1644 (2012).","J.W. Mary, H.H. Robert, A.D. Kevin, and Y.C. Nancy, Twenty-sixth Symposium (International) on Combustion, The Combustion Institute (1996).","J.F. Gonzalez, S. Roman, J.M. Encinar, and G.J. Martinez, Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis, 85, 134 (2009).","F. Yan, S.Y. Luo, Z.Q. Hu, B. Xiao, and G. Cheng, Bioresource Technol., 101, 5633 (2010).","D. Mohan, Sh. Rajput, V. K. Singh, Ph. H. Steele, and Ch. U. Pittman Jr, J. Hazard. Mater., 188, 319 (2011).","K. K.H. Choy, and G. McKay, Chemosphere, 60, 1141 (2005).\n[10]\tG. James, D. A. Sabatini, C. T. Chiou, D. Rutherford, A. C. Scott, and H. K. Karapanagioti, Water Res., 39, 549 (2005).\n[11]\tY.-N. Chen, L.-Y. Chai, and Y.-D. Shu, J. Hazard. Mater., 160, 168 (2008).\n[12]\tT.P. Murali, S.V. Prasad, M.K. Surappa, P.K. Rohatgi, and K. Gopinath, Wear, 80, 149 (1982).\n[13]\tI. Ozaytekin, and Y. Kar, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 123, 815 (2012).\n[14]\t19. G. Ahmetli, S. Kocaman, I. Ozaytekin, and P. Bozkurt, Polym. Compos., 34, 500 (2013).\n[15]\tH.Q. Pham, and M.J. Marks, Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley- VCH, Weinheim (2005).\n[16]\tP. Tsotra, and K. Friedrich, Compos. A, 34, 75 (2003)."]}

WOS: 000385159000001, Epoxy resin (ER) was modified with four different epoxide compounds, 4,5-epoxy-4-methyl-pentane-2-on (EMP), 3-phenyl-1,2-epoxypropane (PhEP), 1-chloro-2,3-epoxy-5-(chloromethyl)-5-hexene (CEH), and a fatty acid glycidyl ester (FAGE), to improve its chemical and physical properties. The effects of the addition and amount of these modifiers on mechanical, thermal, and coating properties were investigated. Atomic force microscopy was used to observe the changes obtained with the modification. The influence of the modifying agents on the curing process was monitored through FTIR spectroscopy. The curing degrees of ER and modified ERs (M-ERs) were found to be over 91%. The results showed that tensile strength of ER improved till 30% (wt.) with addition of the modifier content. Modification with EMP and PhEP remarkably enhanced the thermal stability of ER to be highly resistant to the corrosive media.

Tire waste (TW) was recycled as raw material for the preparation of DGEBA-type epoxy composite materials. The effects of filler amount and epoxy type on the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the composites with NPEL were generally higher than composites with NPEF. The appropriate mass level for TW in both type composites was found to be 20 wt%. The equilibrium water sorption of NPEL/TW and NPEF/TW composites for 14-day immersion was determined as 0.10 % and 0.21 %, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for characterization of the composites.

The purpose of this study is to develop the semiconductive composites. Semiconducting glass (SG) binary system Sb2S3–Yb3S4 in mole ratio 1:1 was synthesized and was doped with I2. Next, electrically conductive DGEBA-type epoxy resin (ER)/SG-filled composites and epoxy toluene oligomer (ETO) modified epoxy resin-SG filled composites were developed with 3–10 wt. % of fillers and characterized. As a result, the effects of the modifier and amount of semiconductive filler on the electrical properties of commercial epoxy resin were examined. Percolation concentration was 7 wt. % for all composites. For the SG-reinforced composites, the dispersion of the fillers is investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).