Na montagem de um farol automobilístico são utilizados diversos materiais, tais como insertos metálicos nas fixações, vidros nas lâmpadas, materiais poliméricos nas lentes, carcaças, molduras, vedações e refletores, além de vernizes, tintas, película de metal para reflexão do feixe luminoso. Há cerca de quatro décadas foi iniciada a confecção dos refletores utilizando o BMC (bulk moulding compound), sigla em inglês para composto para moldagem em forma de massa, que é um compósito polimérico termofixo. Este material apresenta inúmeras vantagens sobre o metal, tal como forma e geometria que podem se integrar facilmente ao desenho do carro, elevada produtividade, baixo custo e da elevada resistência térmica. Contudo, apresentam o inconveniente de não poderem ser reciclados. Uma opção ao BMC tem sido o PEI [poli (éter imida)], que é um material polimérico termoplástico de alto desempenho que apresenta propriedades atrativas para essa utilização. Oferece também elevada produtividade, porém com um custo elevado se comparado ao BMC. Tem a vantagem de pode ser reciclado. De modo a analisar o potencial dos dois materiais e extrair deles suas vantagens competitivas, bem como determinar suas possíveis limitações, o presente trabalho apresenta os resultados de caracterização mecânica, análise térmica, ensaios de impacto, ensaios de temperatura de deflexão térmica (HDT) e reaproveitamento de resíduos de BMC, incorporando-o ao PVC [poli (cloreto de vinila)], resultando uma nova blenda polimérica. O estudo conclui que ambos os materiais podem ser utilizados para fabricação de refletores automobilísticos. No entanto, o preço do PEI é maior que o do BMC, o que desestimula sua utilização em produtos de alta escala de produção, como, por exemplo, o produto do presente trabalho. O BMC por sua vez não pode ser reciclado, exigindo um custo adicional para seu reaproveitamento de maneira a evitar seu descarte em aterro sanitário. / For assembly of an automobile headlight a lot of materials are used such as metallic inserts anchors, glass in the lamps, lens of polymeric materials, bezels, frames, fences and reflectors as well as paints, metallic sheet for reflection of the luminous beam. About four decades ago begun the manufacturing of BMC reflectors, which is a thermoset composite material. This material presents countless advantages on the metal, such as shape and geometry that can easily integrate the designing of cars, high productivity, low cost and high heat resistance. However, they have the disadvantage of not being able to be recycled. An option to the BMC has been the PEI [poly (ether imide)], which is a high performance polymeric thermoplastic material which brings attractive properties for the production of reflectors. It also offers high productivity, however with a high cost compared to BMC. It also has the advantage of being recycled. In order to analyze the potential of both materials and extract their competitive advantages, as well as determine their possible limitations, this study presents the results of mechanical characterization, thermal analysis, impact tests, tests on heat deflection temperature (HDT) and the reuse of BMC waste, incorporating it to PVC [poly (vinyl chloride)], resulting in a new polymeric blend. The study concludes that both materials can be used for manufacturing automobile reflectors. However, the price of PEI is higher than the one of BMC, which discourages their use in high-scale production products, as the one of this work. The BMC for your time can not be recycled, demanding an extra cost for their reuse, avoiding its disposal in landfill.

Na montagem de um farol automobilístico são utilizados diversos materiais, tais como insertos metálicos nas fixações, vidros nas lâmpadas, materiais poliméricos nas lentes, carcaças, molduras, vedações e refletores, além de vernizes, tintas, película de metal para reflexão do feixe luminoso. Há cerca de quatro décadas foi iniciada a confecção dos refletores utilizando o BMC (bulk moulding compound), sigla em inglês para composto para moldagem em forma de massa, que é um compósito polimérico termofixo. Este material apresenta inúmeras vantagens sobre o metal, tal como forma e geometria que podem se integrar facilmente ao desenho do carro, elevada produtividade, baixo custo e da elevada resistência térmica. Contudo, apresentam o inconveniente de não poderem ser reciclados. Uma opção ao BMC tem sido o PEI [poli (éter imida)], que é um material polimérico termoplástico de alto desempenho que apresenta propriedades atrativas para essa utilização. Oferece também elevada produtividade, porém com um custo elevado se comparado ao BMC. Tem a vantagem de pode ser reciclado. De modo a analisar o potencial dos dois materiais e extrair deles suas vantagens competitivas, bem como determinar suas possíveis limitações, o presente trabalho apresenta os resultados de caracterização mecânica, análise térmica, ensaios de impacto, ensaios de temperatura de deflexão térmica (HDT) e reaproveitamento de resíduos de BMC, incorporando-o ao PVC [poli (cloreto de vinila)], resultando uma nova blenda polimérica. O estudo conclui que ambos os materiais podem ser utilizados para fabricação de refletores automobilísticos. No entanto, o preço do PEI é maior que o do BMC, o que desestimula sua utilização em produtos de alta escala de produção, como, por exemplo, o produto do presente trabalho. O BMC por sua vez não pode ser reciclado, exigindo um custo adicional para seu reaproveitamento de maneira a evitar seu descarte em aterro sanitário. / For assembly of an automobile headlight a lot of materials are used such as metallic inserts anchors, glass in the lamps, lens of polymeric materials, bezels, frames, fences and reflectors as well as paints, metallic sheet for reflection of the luminous beam. About four decades ago begun the manufacturing of BMC reflectors, which is a thermoset composite material. This material presents countless advantages on the metal, such as shape and geometry that can easily integrate the designing of cars, high productivity, low cost and high heat resistance. However, they have the disadvantage of not being able to be recycled. An option to the BMC has been the PEI [poly (ether imide)], which is a high performance polymeric thermoplastic material which brings attractive properties for the production of reflectors. It also offers high productivity, however with a high cost compared to BMC. It also has the advantage of being recycled. In order to analyze the potential of both materials and extract their competitive advantages, as well as determine their possible limitations, this study presents the results of mechanical characterization, thermal analysis, impact tests, tests on heat deflection temperature (HDT) and the reuse of BMC waste, incorporating it to PVC [poly (vinyl chloride)], resulting in a new polymeric blend. The study concludes that both materials can be used for manufacturing automobile reflectors. However, the price of PEI is higher than the one of BMC, which discourages their use in high-scale production products, as the one of this work. The BMC for your time can not be recycled, demanding an extra cost for their reuse, avoiding its disposal in landfill.

Natural and synthetic polymers are highly related to people's daily life in every perspective and determine everyone's life quality. This study investigated the interactions between polymer thin films and other molecules, specifically natural polymer films with other components in plant and fungal cell walls, crosslinked thermoplastic films with solvent molecules, as well as commodity thermoplastic films with air and moisture during aging by a powerful surface analysis instrument, a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). The assembly and interactions of glucan and chitin are crucial for understanding the fungal infection mechanism. Adsorption of mixed-linkage glucan (MLG) onto regenerated chitin (RChitin) and cellulose (RC) surfaces were investigated by QCM-D and atomic force microscopy (AFM). MLG was irreversibly adsorbed onto both surfaces and formed soft hydrogel-like layers with viscoelastic properties. This work established a QCM-D method to mimic the assembly of natural polymers in fungal cell walls and provided insight into the interactions of these polymers with chitin and cellulose. Poly(ether imide) (PEI) has poor solvent resistance towards solvents including chloroform, dimethylformamide (DMF), dichloromethane (DCM), and N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP). Exposure to these solvents severely affects the thermal and mechanical performances of PEI. Therefore, crosslinked PEI (X-PEI) films was prepared from azide-terminated PEI (N₃-PEI-N₃) via a thermal crosslinking reaction. X-PEIs maintain outstanding solvent resistance towards common solvents by swelling ratio tests using QCM-D. Meanwhile, the thermal and mechanical properties of X-PEI were enhanced compared to the original PEI. Photo-oxidation is one of the dominant degradation mechanisms affecting the lifespan of polymers. The effect of photooxidative aging on the physiochemical properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films were investigated using QCM-D, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile stress-strain tests. The crystallinity, mechanical properties, and weight loss were correlated to understand the aging behavior. Materials after aging showed higher tensile stress and modulus, with reduced mass and elongation properties. Particularly, the aging-induced damage of polymer chain integrity was first determined by QCM-D through the evolution of mass loss during aging, providing supports to the changes of mechanical properties under aging. / Doctor of Philosophy / Natural polymers and thermoplastics are two major materials that are highly related to modern life. The interactions of these polymers with other molecules are important research topics for people to understand and predict the material properties. This dissertation studied the following three topics using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D): 1) interactions between plant natural polymer films and polymers in fungal cell wall; 2) solvent resistance of crosslinked thermoplastic films; and 3) physiochemical changes during photo-oxidation degradation of thermoplastic films. Pathogenic fungal cells can attack beneficial plant cell hosts by adhering themselves onto the plant cells, followed by penetration and enzymatic degradation of the multilayered plant cell walls until the host is digested. Therefore, the interaction between the components in fungal and plant cell walls is critical to understand pathogenic fungal cell invasion. Adsorption of mixed-linkage glucan (MLG) onto regenerated chitin (RChitin) and cellulose (RC) surfaces was monitored by QCM-D and atomic force microscopy (AFM). An irreversible binding interaction of MLG with chitin and cellulose films and a soft hydrogel-like layer on both surfaces were observed in our work. Poly(ether imide) (PEI) is a high-performance polymer with excellent thermal and mechanical properties. However, the good solubilities in common organic solvents that facilitate reasonable processibility limits its applications in solvent-related domains. Several methods of PEI crosslinking were developed in the literature to improve solvent resistance. This study prepared crosslinked PEI (X-PEI) films from azide-terminated PEI (N₃-PEI-N₃) via a simple thermal crosslinking reaction. X-PEI had better resistance to organic solvents from QCM-D measurements and maintained good thermal and mechanical performances. Photo-oxidation from air and sunlight slowly degrades plastics, shortens their service time, and leads to environmental pollution. This work bridged the gap between molecular integrity and its effect on the overall macroscopic mechanical changes through accurate measurement of the mass loss during degradation using a QCM-D. This work is essential in ensuring polymer design and active environmental protection.

End-functional poly(ether amic acid)s and poly(siloxane imide) multiblock copolymers, comprised of 2,2'-Bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride (BPADA) / meta-phenylene diamine (MPDA) and hexafluoroisopropylidene-2-bis(phthalic acid anhydride) (6FDA) / meta-phenylene diamine (MPDA) polyimide segments, have been prepared and characterized to explore possibilities for controlling interface properties. Incorporation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) components into polyimide backbone structures can yield advantageous properties such as low energy surfaces and low stress interfaces. End-functional BPDA/MPDA poly(amic acid) salts and poly(siloxane amic acid) salts were prepared in methanolic or aqueous tripropylamine solutions. The polymeric salts formed stable water solutions (or dispersions) and imidized in less than 10 minutes at 260°C. The water solubility and rapid imidization times are ideal for on-line processing. Thus, these materials can be used as sizing and interface toughening agents for fiber reinforced composite manufacturing. Epoxy-polyimide networks prepared from the amine functionalized polyimide with DER 331 epoxy resin and diamino diphenylsulfone showed microphase separation (100-300 nm inclusions) by transmission electron microscopy. Slight toughening of the cured epoxy with 9 weight % imide was observed with the imide as the included phase. Epoxy bilayer films of polyimide (amine end-functional and commercial Ultem™) and poly(siloxane imide) multiblock copolymers were prepared to evaluate the polymer-matrix interphase region. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of the bilayer films showed diffusion at the interphase for the bilayers prepared with the polyimides and the BPADA/MPDA block copolymers containing polyimide continuous phases. Poly(siloxane imide) multiblock copolymers comprised of 6FDA/MPDA polyimide structures are ideal candidates for controlling interfacial properties between silicon substrates layered with thin films for microelectronic applications. These high Tg materials offer an approach for obtaining reduced moisture absorption and low stress interfaces. Evaluation of the refractive indices of the block copolymer films showed a decrease with increasing siloxane content thus suggesting the possibility of lower dielectric constants. The polymer-metal interfacial properties were investigated for films cast on titanium and tantalum substrates. The results suggested a correlation between the surface hydroxyl concentration of the metal oxide layer with the interfacial properties of the cast poly(siloxane imide) block copolymer films. The surface hydroxyls were thought to hydrogen bond with the PDMS component of the block copolymer. Since the titanium substrate has a higher surface hydroxyl concentration than the tantalum, higher silicon concentrations were observed. The melt imidized end-functional polyimides and poly(siloxane imide) block copolymers produced thermally stable materials with 5% weight loss temperatures well above 400°C. However, the block copolymers showed slightly lower 5% weight loss temperatures as a function of siloxane content with a significant increase in char formation. Correlation of the upper glass transition temperatures with the imide segment length was consistent with findings noted for other phase separated randomly segmented block copolymers. Incorporating PDMS into the polyimide backbone structure has an effect on the bulk and surface properties. The bulk properties of the poly(siloxane imide) block copolymers were characterized using TEM. The morphologies were consistent with classical block copolymers. Surface properties of the block copolymer films as a function of PDMS content were investigated using angular dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at take-off angles of 15, 30, and 45°. Surface enrichment of PDMS content over that of the bulk was observed at all three sampling depths. Further evidence of this siloxane enrichment in the surface was demonstrated with water contact angle analyses. With as little as 5 weight % PDMS (<Mn> = 5000 g/mol) in the block copolymer there was over a 25% increase in the water contact angle over the polyimide control. The surface topography was influenced by the degree of phase separation and was characterized using AFM. The roughness factor was used to represent the data. It was found that the surface roughness increased with increasing PDMS content. / Ph. D.

[pt] Nas últimas décadas a tecnologia de displays e células solares evoluiu consideravelmente. Há menos de cinco décadas atrás a tecnologia de volume (bulk) era a mais amplamente utilizada no mundo. Com o surgimento das tecnologias de dispositivos planos ocorreu uma grande revolução e, nos dias atuais, é a tecnologia dominante na área de displays e de células solares. Já a tecnologia do futuro surgiu com a descoberta dos materiais orgânicos semicondutores tornando possível a substituição dos convencionais substratos de vidro por substratos flexíveis, como os substratos poliméricos ou metálicos. Nesta tese foram desenvolvidos diferentes tipos de substratos compósitos poliméricos baseados no termoplástico comercial de alto desempenho, poli(éter imida) (PEI), e na celulose bacteriana (CB), um polímero natural e biocompatível comumente utilizado como pele artificial. Os nanocompósitos foram idealizados para aplicação como substratos flexíveis em dispositivos orgânicos. Três tipos de substratos foram estudados: nanocompósito PEI/nanotubos de carbono (CNTs); nanocompósito CB/PEI; e CB modificada por camada de dióxido de titânio dopado com alumínio (AlTiO2). Os dois primeiros substratos foram utilizados na produção de dispositivos orgânicos emissores de luz (OLEDs), enquanto o último na produção de um dispositivo fotodetector em meio aquoso – implante de retina. Os novos materiais foram caracterizados, principalmente, por suas propriedades ópticas e morfológicas, e os resultados foram utilizados para determinar suas possíveis aplicações. O nanocompósito PEI/CNT apresentou propriedades similares ao polímero puro quando produzido com baixas concentrações de CNTs. Para maiores concentrações os resultados obtidos mostraram-se inferiores aos do polímero puro. Já o nanocompósito CB/PEI apresentou propriedades comparáveis ou melhores que dos polímeros puros. Podemos destacar a grande melhoria em sua transparência óptica na região do visível, além de ter sido possível a obtenção de uma rugosidade superficial comparável à encontrada para substratos de vidro e com maior homogeneidade em relação aos substratos de PEI. Ambos substratos foram funcionalizados pela deposição de uma camada de óxido de índio-estanho (ITO), que foi utilizado como eletrodo transparente na produção dos OLEDs. A análise da funcionalização da superfície mostrou que os filmes de ITO sobre os compósitos apresentou propriedades elétricas também comparáveis aos obtidos para substratos de vidro e PEI. No caso do substrato de CB/PEI foi verificada melhor estabilidade do filme de ITO nos testes de flexão, não sendo observado variações no valor de sua resistividade mesmo após sofrer flexão de 5mm de diâmetro. Os dispositivos produzidos no substrato compósito PEI/CNT também apresentaram propriedades semelhantes às obtidas pela utilização do polímero puro. A maior eficiência atingida por ambos dispositivos flexíveis chegou a 1,45 cd/m2, ainda abaixo dos valores obtidos para os substratos de vidro – 2,15 cd/m2 no caso do substrato com ITO comercial e 2,00 cd/m2 no caso do substrato com ITO depositado. Já os dispositivos produzidos no nanocompósito CB/PEI apresentou excelente eficiência (2,50 cd/m2), sendo maior que o obtido para subtratos revestidos com ITO comercial. O substrato de CB/AlTiO2 foi idealizado para melhorar a aderência do ITO no filme de CB quando em contato com a água. O resultado obtido foi bastante satisfatório, pois, além de manter a camada de ITO aderido ao substrato, melhorou em 46 porcento sua rugosidade superficial. Essa modificação na morfologia da superfície acarretou em uma melhora significativa da resistividade elétrica do filme de ITO sobre o substrato flexível, uma redução de aproximadamente 63 porcento. Os substratos modificados foram utilizados para a produção de um dispositivo fotodetector. Os resultados obtidos apontam substratos promissores para a produção de implantes de retinas flexíveis e biocompatíveis. / [en] Over the past decades displays and solar cells technology had substantially evolved. For less than five decades ago the bulk technology was the most widely used worldwide. With the emergence of flat device technology a great revolution has occurred and, nowadays, this is the dominant technology in the field of displays and solar cells. The future technology has begun with the discovery of the organic semiconductor material which makes possible to replace conventional glass substrates for flexible substrates such as polymeric or metallic ones. In this thesis different types of polymeric composite substrates based on commercial high performance thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI), and a natural and biocompatible polymer commonly used as artificial skin, bacterial cellulose (BC) has been developed. The above mentioned nanocomposites were developed for application as flexible substrates in organic devices. Three types of substrates were studied: PEI/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposite; BC/PEI nanocomposite; and BC modified with an aluminum doped titanium dioxide (AlTiO2) layer. The first two substrates were used for the production of organic emitting devices (OLEDs), while the latter one was used for the production of a photodetector device in aqueous medium – retinal prosthesis. The new materials were mainly characterized by its optical and morphological properties and the results were used to determine its possible applications. PEI/CNT nanocomposite presented similar properties to the pure polymer when produced with low CNTs contents. For higher concentrations the results were inferior to those of the pure polymer. BC/PEI nanocomposite has showed comparable or better properties when compared with pure polymers. A highlight was the great improvement in their optical transparency in the visible region of electromagnetic spectrum, and the smooth surface achieved by the nanocomposite – comparable to that found for glass substrates and with better uniformity in relation to PEI substrates. Both substrates were functionalized by depositing a layer of tin doped indium oxide (ITO), which was used as a transparent electrode in the production of OLEDs. The analysis of surface functionalization showed that electrical properties of ITO films onto composites were also comparable to those obtained for glass and PEI substrates. However, BC/PEI substrate presented better ITO film stability in bending tests, showing no changes in its resistivity value even after undergoing 5 mm diameter of bending. The devices produced in the PEI/CNT composite substrate has also similar properties to those obtained by using pure polymer. The higher efficiency achieved by both flexible devices reached 1.45 cd/m2 which is still below the values obtained for the glass substrates – 2.15 cd/m2 in the case of commercial ITO substrate and 2.00 cd/m2 in the case the substrate with deposited ITO. The devices produced onto CB/PEI composite substrates showed excellent efficiency (2.50 cd/m2), a higher value than that obtained for substrates coated with commercial ITO. The CB/AlTiO2 substrate was designed to improve the adhesion of the ITO film onto BC substrate when in contact with water. The result was quite satisfactory, because in addition to maintaining the ITO layer adhered to the substrate it has a 46 percent improvement in surface roughness. This change in surface morphology resulted in a significant improvement of ITO electrical resistivity, a reduction of approximately 63 percent was observed. The modified substrates were used for production of a photodetector device and the results showed a promising substrate for production of biocompatible and flexible retinal prosthesis.