Abstract: Described is a transparent polymer-based composite and a method for preparing a transparent polymer-based composite. The transparent polymer-based composite includes an activated polycarbonate and one or more nanoparticles grafted to the activated polycarbonate. The activated carbonate is formed via a transcarbonation reaction of a mixture of a carbonic acid species having terminal ester groups and a bisphenol-A with sodium hydroxide and ortho-dichlorobenzene. The transparent polymer-based composite may be used to replace the glass front-sheet of solar panels for photovoltaic applications.

Abstract: Nanocomposite compositions and methods for preparing nanocomposite compositions films are provided. The nanocomposite compositions include dendritic fibrous nanoparticles that have a diameter ranging from 50 to 500 nm, and a polymer matrix comprising poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), where dendritic fibrous nanoparticles are dispersed within the polymer matrix, and where the PMMA is bound to the surface of the dendritic fibrous nanoparticles. Methods of preparing nanocomposite compositions and nanocomposite films including the nanocomposite compositions may include introducing dendritic fibrous nanoparticles into a mixture with a poly(methyl methacrylate) in a solution to form a composite solution.

Abstract: A doubly degradable polymer composition may include one or more aliphatic polyesters and one or more imine functional groups. The imine functional groups may be incorporated into the aliphatic polyester backbone. A method of preparing a doubly degradable polymer composition may include polymerizing one or more lactone monomers to form a polylactone polymer and reacting the polylactone polymer with a bis-imine compound to incorporate one or more imine functional groups into the polylactone polymer backbone. A method of degrading a doubly degradable polymer composition may include providing a doubly degradable polymer composition including one or more ester functional groups and one or more imine functional groups and exposing the doubly degradable polymer composition to at least one of water, an elevated temperature, and soil, thereby hydrolyzing at least one cleavable covalent bond to produce an aldehyde and an amine.

Abstract: A composite insulating material is provided. In one or more configurations the composite insulating material includes one or more active or responsive elements that mitigate corrosion under insulation (CUI). In a further aspect of the present invention, one or more active components of a composite insulation material are provided that dynamically generate an insoluble barrier within an insulating material through a bio-mineralization process.

Abstract: A polymer composite formed from an epoxy based polymer and an amino-graphene. The epoxy based polymer forms a polymer matrix and the amino graphene is dispersed throughout the polymer matrix. Further, a graphene is functionalized with 3,5-dinitrophenyl groups to form functionalized graphene and one or more amine functional groups form Meisenheimer complexes with the functionalized graphene to form the amino-graphene. An associated method of making the polymer composite is also provided.

Abstract: Nanocomposite compositions and methods for preparing nanocomposite compositions films are provided. The nanocomposite compositions include dendritic fibrous nanoparticles that have a diameter ranging from 50 to 500 nm, and a polymer matrix comprising poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), where dendritic fibrous nanoparticles are dispersed within the polymer matrix, and where the PMMA is bound to the surface of the dendritic fibrous nanoparticles. Methods of preparing nanocomposite compositions and nanocomposite films including the nanocomposite compositions may include introducing dendritic fibrous nanoparticles into a mixture with a poly(methyl methacrylate) in a solution to form a composite solution.

Abstract: Reprocessable materials are provided that include a product of cross-linking a glycidyl methacrylate grafted high-density polyethylene (HDPE-g-GMA) with a polymacrolactone of formula (II) to form a cross-linked polymer exhibiting vitrimer characteristics. Methods for preparing the cross-linked polymer materials include reacting the glycidyl methacrylate grafted high-density polyethylene of with the polymacrolactone in the presence of a first catalyst under conditions that initiate cross-linking of HDPE-g-GMA with the polymacrolactone. Mechanically reprocessable articles include a structural element that is or includes the cross-linked polymer material. Examples of the mechanically reprocessable articles include pallets or molded structures formed from the material and configured to support a load of at least 1000 kg without bending.

Abstract: Reprocessable materials are provided that include a product of cross-linking a glycidyl methacrylate grafted high-density polyethylene (HDPE-g-GMA) with a polymacrolactone of formula (II) to form a cross-linked polymer exhibiting vitrimer characteristics. Methods for preparing the cross-linked polymer materials include reacting the glycidyl methacrylate grafted high-density polyethylene of with the polymacrolactone in the presence of a first catalyst under conditions that initiate cross-linking of HDPE-g-GMA with the polymacrolactone. Mechanically reprocessable articles include a structural element that is or includes the cross-linked polymer material. Examples of the mechanically reprocessable articles include pallets or molded structures formed from the material and configured to support a load of at least 1000 kg without bending.

Abstract: A corrosion-indicating material and methods of producing and using the corrosion-indicating material are provided. The corrosion-indicating material comprises a cured product of reacting a bisphenol A diglycidyl ether epoxy (DGEBA) resin with a curing agent, the curing agent comprising a 1,10-phenanthroline derivative having formula (I): where: R1 and R2 are independently selected from —NH2; —NH(CH2)aNH2, where a is 1, 2, or 3; —OC(?O)(CH2)bNH2, where b is 1, 2, or 3; and —H; R3 and R4 are either: non-joined monovalent radicals each independently chosen from —H, —NH2, and (C1-C20)heterohydrocarbyls comprising at least one primary amine or at least one secondary amine; or joined as a single divalent radical, the single divalent radical being a (C1-C40)heterohydrocarbyl comprising at least one primary amine or at least one secondary amine; and at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is not —H.

Abstract: A polymer composite formed from an epoxy based polymer and an amino-graphene. The epoxy based polymer forms a polymer matrix and the amino graphene is dispersed throughout the polymer matrix. Further, a graphene is functionalized with 3,5-dinitrophenyl groups to form functionalized graphene and one or more amine functional groups form Meisenheimer complexes with the functionalized graphene to form the amino-graphene. An associated method of making the polymer composite is also provided.

Abstract: A corrosion-indicating material and methods of producing and using the corrosion-indicating material are provided. The corrosion-indicating material comprises a cured product of reacting a bisphenol A diglycidyl ether epoxy (DGEBA) resin with a curing agent, the curing agent comprising a 1,10-phenanthroline derivative having formula (I): where: R1 and R2 are independently selected from —NH2; —NH(CH2)aNH2, where a is 1, 2, or 3; —OC(?O)(CH2)bNH2, where b is 1, 2, or 3; and —H; R3 and R4 are either: non-joined monovalent radicals each independently chosen from —H, —NH2, and (C1-C20)heterohydrocarbyls comprising at least one primary amine or at least one secondary amine; or joined as a single divalent radical, the single divalent radical being a (C1-C40)heterohydrocarbyl comprising at least one primary amine or at least one secondary amine; and at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is not —H.

Abstract: A pallet tracking system for tracking a plurality of uniquely identified pallets is provided. The pallet tracking system includes a non-transitory storage device and a tracking circuit. The non-transitory storage device is configured to maintain a pallet database of data concerning the pallets. The data concerning each pallet is accessible by the unique identifier of the pallet and includes a material composition of the pallet. The tracking circuit is configured to receive the unique identifier of one of the pallets from the one of the pallets using a scanning device, retrieve the material composition of the one of the pallets from the pallet database using the received unique identifier, and return the retrieved material composition in response to a request. A pallet sharing system for sharing the pallets with a plurality of custodians using this pallet tracking system is also provided.

Abstract: Transparent articles and methods of producing transparent articles are provided. The transparent article includes hydrophobic nanoparticles dispersed within poly(methyl methacrylate). The method of producing transparent articles includes pouring a transparent article precursor into a mold, the transparent article precursor comprising nanoparticles, a solvent, and a polymer, and the mold comprising a flat surface. The method also includes placing the mold into a container having an adjustable opening and allowing the solvent to evaporate from the transparent article precursor, thereby forming the transparent article over the flat surface of the mold. The method further includes flattening the transparent article, in which flattening the transparent article includes positioning a flat article on a first side of the transparent article, and compressing the transparent article between the flat surface and the flat article.

Abstract: A composite insulating material is provided. In one or more configurations the composite insulating material includes one or more active or responsive elements that mitigate corrosion under insulation (CUI). In a further aspect of the present invention, one or more active components of a composite insulation material are provided that dynamically generate an insoluble barrier within an insulating material through a bio-mineralization process.