Abstract: A method for producing a polymer nanofoam includes: immersing a polymer material in carbon dioxide at a pressure greater than 5 MPa and a temperature of ?30° C. to 40° C. to obtain a carbon dioxide-saturated polymer material, wherein the melt index of the polymer material measured at 230° C. and 3.8 kg is between 0.1 g/10 min and 8.0 g/10 min. Thereafter, the carbon dioxide-saturated polymer material is depressurized to atmospheric pressure, and then the carbon dioxide-saturated polymer material is heated to form the polymer nanofoam.

Abstract: A method for producing a polymer nanofoam includes: immersing a polymer material in carbon dioxide at a pressure greater than 5 MPa and a temperature of ?30° C. to 40° C. to obtain a carbon dioxide-saturated polymer material, wherein the melt index of the polymer material measured at 230 ° C. and 3.8 kg is between 0.1 g/10 min and 8.0 g/10 min. Thereafter, the carbon dioxide-saturated polymer material is depressurized to atmospheric pressure, and then the carbon dioxide-saturated polymer material is heated to form the polymer nanofoam.

Abstract: Synthesis of polystyrene and/or other thermoplastic polymers or polymer blends which, for example, contain activated carbon and/or bamboo carbon carrying a co-blowing agent such as water and/or at least one of 1-dimensional, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional nano/micro-materials in suspension polymerization without using the inverse emulsion process. CO2 or other blowing agent based foaming processes such as extrusion, batch foaming, and injection molding may then be carried out to produce polymer foams that have low density, high-R value, bimodal structures, good mechanical properties, and high fire retardance.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to polystyrene and/or thermoplastic polymer or polymer blend composite foam or a foamable polymeric material precursor, which contains activated carbon and/or at least one of 1-dimensional, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional nano/micro-materials in polystyrene and/or thermoplastic polymer and/or polymer blend matrix to carry a co-blowing agent such as water without using any surfactant-like molecules and/or polymers, having or adapted to have the properties of low density, high-R value, good mechanical properties, and fire retardance thereof. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include various manufacturing methods that may be employed including, but not limited to, extrusion, batch molding, and injection molding. One example includes synthesis and CO2 and water-based extruded foaming of such a material.

Abstract: Synthesis of polystyrene and/or other thermoplastic polymers or polymer blends which, for example, contain activated carbon and/or bamboo carbon carrying a co-blowing agent such as water and/or at least one of 1-dimensional, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional nano/micro-materials in suspension polymerization without using the inverse emulsion process. CO2 or other blowing agent based foaming processes such as extrusion, batch foaming, and injection molding may then be carried out to produce polymer foams that have low density, high-R value, bimodal structures, good mechanical properties, and high fire retardance.