This study proposes a novel and facile method to synthesize high-quality NH₂-functionalized and carboxyl-functionalized graphene oxide (PPD–CFGO)/polyimide (PI) composite films with high dielectric constant (ε), low dielectric loss, high-temperature resistance and outstanding mechanical properties by in situ polymerization. In addition to the partial carboxyl groups located at the edges, the ample hydroxyl and epoxy groups bonded on the basal plane of graphene sheets were exploited to covalently bond to the amines. GO was modified by oxalic acid to obtain carboxyl-functionalized GO (CFGO) before amidation. NH₂-functionalized CFGO (PPD–CFGO), dispersing well in dimethylacetamide (DMAc), was the initial platform for polymer grafting to improve the CFGO dispersion in the polymer matrix. Partially reduced graphene nanosheets are formed during the imidization process. The PPD–CFGO/PI composite films exhibit high tensile strength (up to 848 MPa) and Young's modulus (18.5 GPa). The thermogravimetric analysis results indicate that the PPD–CFGO/PI composites have good thermal stability below 500 °C. The dielectric constant increases up to 36.9 with an increasing amount of PPD–CFGO, higher than that of the pure PI polymer by a factor of 12.5, while the dielectric loss is only 0.0075 and the breakdown strength still remains at a high level (132.5 ± 9.3 MV m⁻¹).

A novel flame retardant (TDA) containing phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon was synthesized successfully via a controllable ring-opening addition reaction between 1,3,5-triglycidyl isocyanurate, 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and TDA was then blended with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A to prepare flame-retardant epoxy resins (EPs). The chemical structure and components of TDA were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that after the introduction of TDA, cured EP maintained good thermal stability with a minimum initial decomposition temperature of 337.6 °C, and the char yields of a EP/TDA-5 sample significantly increased by 76.2% compared with that of the neat EP thermoset. Additionally, with the addition of 25.0 wt % TDA (1.05 wt % phosphorus loading), the limited oxygen index value of cured EP increased from 22.5% of pure EP to 33.4%, and vertical burning V-0 rating was easily achieved. Meanwhile, after the incorporation of TDA, the total heat release and total smoke production of the EP/TDA-5 sample obviously reduced by 28.9 and 27.7% in the cone calorimeter test, respectively. Flame-retardant performances and flame-retardant mechanisms were further analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, FTIR, energy-dispersive spectrometry, and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The results reveal that the synergistic effect of phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon plays an excellent flame-retardant role in both gaseous and condensed phases. In addition, the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of cured EP thermosets are well maintained rather than destroyed. All the results demonstrate that TDA endows epoxy resin with excellent flame retardancy and possesses great promise in the industrial field.

Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) exhibits admirable biocompatibility and mechanical performances but bioinert while tantalum (Ta) possesses excellent osteogenesis and osseointegration but high elastic modulus and density, and processing is too difficult and expensive. In the present study, combining of the advantages of both PEKK and Ta, implantable composites of PEKK/Ta were fabricated by blending PEKK with Ta microparticles of 20 v% (PT20) and 40 v% (PT40) content. In comparison with PT20 and PEKK, the surface hydrophilicity, surface energy, roughness and proteins adsorption as well as mechanical performances of PT40 significantly increased because of the higher Ta particles content in PEKK. Furthermore, PT40 exhibited the mechanical performances (e.g., compressive strength and modulus of elasticity) close to the cortical bone of human. Compared with PT20 and PEKK, PT40 with higher Ta content remarkably enhanced the responses (including adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation) of MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro. Moreover, PT40 markedly improved bone formation as well as osseointegration in vivo. In short, incorporation of Ta microparticles into PEKK created implantable composites with improved surface performances, which played key roles in stimulating cell responses/bone formation as well as promoting osseointegration. PT40 might have great potential for bear-loading bone substitute.

BaTiO₃/MWNT/PBO ternary composites with excellent microwave absorption properties, mechanical properties and thermostabilities.