The primary objective of this research paper is to detect and quantify the necking defect and surface velocity profiles in high-speed polymer melt extrusion film casting (EFC) process using Matlab® based image processing techniques. Extrusion film casting is an industrially important manufacturing process and is used on an industrial scale to produce thousands of kilograms of polymer films/sheets and coated products. In this research, the necking defect in an EFC process has been studied experimentally and the effects of macromolecular architecture such as long chain branching (LCB) on the extent of necking have been determined using image processing methodology. The methodology is based on the analysis of a sequence of image frames taken with the help of a commercial CCD camera over a specific target area of the EFC process. The image sequence is then analyzed using Matlab® based image processing toolbox wherein a customized algorithm is written and executed to determine the edges of the extruded molten polymeric film to quantify the necking defect. Alongwith the necking defect, particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) technique is also used in conjunction with the Matlab® software to determine the centerline and transverse velocity profiles in the extruded molten film. It is concluded from this study that image processing techniques provide valuable insights into quantifying both the necking defect and the associated velocity profiles in the molten extruded film.

In the present study, we investigated the possibility of value-added recycling of ultrafine ground tire rubber (uGTR) produced from water jet milling, with an average particle size of a few tens of microns. Our goal was to compare the properties of blends with different uGTR and conventional fine ground tire rubber (fGTR) contents prepared by blending with low-density polyethylene (LDPE). We also aimed to explore the property changes caused by the larger specific surface area due to the size effect. Samples were prepared with a hydraulic press after internal mixing. In the case of ground tire rubber (GTR) filled mixtures, the tensile properties showed rubber-like characteristics: with a significant decrease in modulus, elongation at break remained high, and tensile strength slightly decreased. The fracture surfaces of the samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wherein the case of materials made with uGTR showed better adhesion between the phases. In order to investigate the interfacial adhesion between the GTR and LDPE, we performed dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The glass transition peak of the uGTR shifted to a higher temperature and the storage modulus was higher than in the case of samples containing fGTR. Finally, we determined the Shore D hardness of the materials, which decreased with increasing GTR content, but hardness was greater in the case of uGTR samples. The better mechanical properties of blends containing uGTR were explained by better interfacial adhesion between the two phases due to the significantly higher specific surface area compared to fGTR.

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are an essential aspect of electricity and fuel concerns. Herein, we report a new combination of Palladium nanoparticles anchored on polydiphenylamine with reduced graphene oxide network (rGO/PDPA/Pd) nanohybrid synthesized via an in-situ chemical strategy. The rGO/PDPA/Pd electrocatalyst shows excellent electrocatalytic activity, lower oxidation potential (−0.1 V), improved current density (2.85 mA/cm²), excellent cyclic stability (94%), and longevity (1200 s) towards methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in the alkaline medium, when compared to commercial Pd/C electrocatalyst. Significantly, the forward oxidation peak potential of rGO/PDPA/Pd electrocatalyst was shifted negatively by 110 mV as compared to commercial Pd/C electrocatalyst. These results suggest that rGO/PDPA/Pd electrocatalyst is considered as an effective anode catalyst for DMFCs.

Sulfobetainic polymers were synthesized by polymeranalogous reaction of new amino celluloses starting from cellulose tosylate. To obtain different amino celluloses as starting building blocks, a comprehensive study with a selection of asymmetric and symmetric N-alkylated diamines was performed. For reaction with asymmetric diamines, it turned out that the primary amino moiety reacts preferably. Derivatives thus obtained consist in a neutral main structural unit and a cationic side structural unit, which is not described up to now. In order to investigate the reactivity of the amino celluloses 6-deoxy-6-(N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamino) cellulose was used as uniform starting material for the design of novel polyampholytes by conversion with 1,3-propansultone. Detailed structure characterization was implemented by means of 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopy.

With the escalation in continuous human curiosity, massive research work is going on in the field of inflatable structures and inflatable systems. These inflatable structures offer a great advantage for the building of emergency air shelters for civilian and military, industrial fuel and gas storage tanks, life rafts, lifeboats, etc. Even, more advanced inflatables like hull structure for lighter-than-air systems (LTA) and inflated radomes are employed in the defence sector. The advantage of inflatable structures lies on their excellent mechanical strength, lightweight, durability and they can be stored in a small volume. Specialty elastomers play an important role in developing inflatable structures because of their excellent properties towards weather resistance, UV and ozone resistance, stability against aging, and oxidation. In addition, they show good gas and vapour barrier properties. In the beginning of this review article, the structure and properties of specialty elastomers selected in this study have been discussed and then the gas transport mechanism through polymeric material is described. In the last part, the development of diverse types of inflatable systems used in industry, defence, and marine applications have been highlighted. More attention is given to the advanced application of inflatables in the defence sector. Throughout this review work, various literature and published work related to specialty elastomers application in inflatable systems have been reviewed. The main emphasis of this study is on the structure, properties and application of specialty elastomers in the advancement of inflatable structures.