TY - JOUR
T1 - Hierarchical and fractal structuring in polymer processing
AU - Schaller, Raphael
AU - Neerincx, Peter E.
AU - Meijer, Han E.H.
PY - 2017/6/1
Y1 - 2017/6/1
N2 - The potential of structuring thermoplastic polymers by convection only, using a combination of static mixer elements, which easily produce stratified structures with thousands of layers, and the black box concept that serves to elegantly combine materials in standard co-extrusion technology is investigated. The aim is to obtain an alternative for routes that try to structure organic matter such as polymers down to submicrometer levels, usually via self-organization based on phase separation. Structure is characterized by its complexity, here defined by the level of hierarchy. Horizontal stratification, parallel to the surface, is level 0. Vertical stratification connected to horizontal surface layers, is level 1. A series of horizontal stratifications in distinct places vertically connected to the surface layers is level 2. Higher levels of hierarchy finally result in dendritic structures that are fractal. Applications of complex structures with a huge interface and guaranteed cocontinuity throughout the whole cross section of the products are found in, for example, membranes for fuel cells and gas separators, and in miniaturizing electronic and optical devices such as photovoltaic cells. (Figure presented.).
AB - The potential of structuring thermoplastic polymers by convection only, using a combination of static mixer elements, which easily produce stratified structures with thousands of layers, and the black box concept that serves to elegantly combine materials in standard co-extrusion technology is investigated. The aim is to obtain an alternative for routes that try to structure organic matter such as polymers down to submicrometer levels, usually via self-organization based on phase separation. Structure is characterized by its complexity, here defined by the level of hierarchy. Horizontal stratification, parallel to the surface, is level 0. Vertical stratification connected to horizontal surface layers, is level 1. A series of horizontal stratifications in distinct places vertically connected to the surface layers is level 2. Higher levels of hierarchy finally result in dendritic structures that are fractal. Applications of complex structures with a huge interface and guaranteed cocontinuity throughout the whole cross section of the products are found in, for example, membranes for fuel cells and gas separators, and in miniaturizing electronic and optical devices such as photovoltaic cells. (Figure presented.).
KW - hierarchical fractal structures
KW - interfaces
KW - polymer processing
KW - splitting serpentines
KW - static mixers
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85017173935&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/mame.201600524
DO - 10.1002/mame.201600524
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85017173935
SN - 1438-7492
VL - 302
JO - Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
JF - Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
IS - 6
M1 - 1600524
ER -