National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry

ICECHIM

G12: Polymeric composites and nanocomposites

About us

The Research Activity of Team 12 – Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites is focused on the development of multifunctional polymer composites and nanocomposites based on synthetic and/or natural polymers and various synthetic and/or natural micro/nano fillers, with low impact on the environment or biodegradable and with improved specific properties, imposed by different applications in industry (automotive and packaging), construction, agriculture and biomedicine. Consequently, the research directions considered are focused, on the one hand, on the characterization, physical or chemical modification and processing of both the components and the resulting (nano)composites, and on the other hand, on the processes for obtaining and interaction mechanisms. The main objectives of Team 12’s research are to improve processability and replace, as far as possible, toxic additives and synthetic polymers with materials isolated from natural and renewable resources. In the last 10 years, within national and European projects (FP6, FP7 and Horizon 2020), Team 12 has gained knowledge and experience in developing technologies for obtaining (nano)composites, both based on synthetic polymers (PP, PMMA, thermoplastic elastomer, silicone rubber) with different (nano)fillers (natural nanosilicates, with lamellar or tubular morphology, silica nanowires, natural fibres, nanosilica, calcium metasilicate) as well as based on biopolymers (bio-polyamide, aliphatic polyesters, collagen and cellulose) with different reinforcing agents (graphene and non-graphene 2D structures, cellulose nanofibers), implemented and validated to TRL 5-TRL 9, for the manufacture of: • High quality automotive components (bumper, spare wheel well, B-pillar) • Food packaging • Biomedical products • Protective coatings

Team

Team leader, Senior Researcher Ist degree

Dr. eng.

Extension: 123

Vice Team Leader, Senior Researcher Ist degree

Dr. eng.

Extension: 123

Senior Researcher Ist degree

Eng.

Extension: 126

Senior Researcher Ist degree

Dr. eng.

Extension: 123

Senior Researcher IIIrd degree

Eng.

Extension: 126

Research Assistant

Eng.

Extension: 123

Research Assistant

Eng.

Extension: 123

Technician

Techn.

Extension: 126

Research Assistant

Eng.

Extension: 123

Research Assistant

Eng.

Extension: 123

Research Assistant

Eng.

Extension: 123

Research equipment
International projects
National projects

Biopolymer structures obtained by plasma treatment for wounds healing – BIOPLASM

The scope of the project is to obtain effective dressings for the treatment of infected wounds by developing antibacterial nanocellulose nanocarriers deposited on an aliphatic polyester substrate.

Design of new nanocellulose-based gas-carrier systems

The scope of the CELGAS project is to develop innovative oxygen-carrying systems capable of supplying oxygen in a controlled manner to injured tissue/implants or intravenously.

Bio-based nanocomposites from epoxy-celullose with balanced thermo-mechanical properties – EPOCEL

The proposed project aims to develop new nanocomposites, based on renewable and inexpensive biological sources, with thermo-mechanical balanced properties for applications in electronics.

New materials based on polylactic acid with controlled flexibility – FLEX4PLA

FLEX4PLA project aims the research and design of new biomaterials in which both polymers and additives are being derived from renewable resources.

Results
  • Publications
  • Books
  • Conferences
  • Patents
  • Other
Publications

Zina Vuluga Z., Sanporean C.G., Panaitescu D.M., Teodorescu G.M., Corobea M.C., Nicolae C.A., Gabor A.R., Raditoiu V.

The Effect of SEBS/Halloysite Masterbatch Obtained in Different Extrusion Conditions on the Properties of Hybrid Polypropylene/Glass Fiber Composites for Auto Parts

Polymers, Volume 13, October 2021

10.3390/polym13203560

Radu E.R., Panaitescu D.M., Andrei L., Ciuprina F., Nicolae C.A., Gabor A.R., Truşcă R.

Properties of Polysiloxane/Nanosilica Nanodielectrics for Wearable Electronic Devices

Nanomaterials, Volume 12, December 2021

10.3390/nano12010095

Andrei L., Ciuprina F., Radu E.R., Gabor A.R., Panaitescu D.M.

Dielectric performances of LSR-SiO2 nanocomposites for wearable antennas substrate

International Symposium on Electrical and Electronics Engineering (ISEEE), October 2021

10.1109/ISEEE53383.2021.9628494

Chiulan I., Panaitescu D.M., Radu E.R., Vizireanu S., Sătulu V., Biţă B., Gabor R.A., Nicolae C.A., Raduly M., Rădiţoiu V.

Influence of TEMPO oxidation on the properties of ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate grafted cellulose sponges

Carbohydrate Polymers, Volume 272, November 2021

10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118458

Panaitescu D.M., Nicolae C.A., Melinte V., Scutaru A.L., Gabor A.R., Popa M.S., Oprea M., Buruiana T

Influence of microfibrillated cellulose and soft biocomponent on the morphology and thermal properties of thermoplastic polyurethanes

Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Volume 138, August 2021

10.1002/app.50951

Radu E.R., Panaitescu D.M., Nicolae C.A., Gabor R.A., Rădiţoiu V., Stoian S., Alexandrescu E., Fierăscu R., Chiulan I.

The Soil Biodegradability of Structured Composites Based on Cellulose Cardboard and Blends of Polylactic Acid and Polyhydroxybutyrate

Journal of Polymers and the Environment, Volume 29, January 2021

10.1007/s10924-020-02017-x

Raduly F.M., Rădiţoiu V., Rădiţoiu A., Purcar V., Ispas G., Frone A.N., Gabor R.A., Nicolae C.A.

Optical Behavior of Curcuminoid Hybrid Systems as Coatings Deposited on Polyester Fibers

Coatings, Volume 12, February 2022

10.3390/coatings12020271

Popa M.S., Radu E.R., Panaitescu D.M., Gabor A.R., Nicolae C.A., Raduly M.F., Adriana Nicoleta Frone A.N.

The Potential of Biopolyesters as Plasticizers for Polylactide

Chemistry Proceedings, Volume 7, February 2022

10.3390/chemproc2022007014

Popa M.S., Damian C.M., Brîndușa Bãlãnucã B., Panaitescu D.M., Gabor A.R., Nicolae C.A., Rădiţoiu V., Raduly M.F., Frone A.N.

Effect of Nanocellulose Type on the Properties of a Bio-Based Epoxy System

Chemistry Proceedings, Volume 7, March 2022

10.3390/chemproc2022007017

Popa M.S., Frone A.N., Panaitescu D.M.

Polyhydroxybutyrate blends: A solution for biodegradable packaging?

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Volume 207, March 2022

10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.02.185

Books

Florea, D., Corobea, M.C., Vuluga, Z.

Recent Advances in Halloysite Nanotubes Applications

In: Halloysite: Structure, Occurrence and Applications, pp. 57-174, Herbert A. Eckart (Ed.), 2019, Nova Science Publishers, Inc. New York, USA

978-1-53616-813-6

Ianchis, R., Munteanu, T., Ninciuleanu, C. M., Gifu, I. C., Alexandrescu, E., Somoghi, R., Gabor, A. R., Preda, S., Nistor, C. L., Nitu, S., Petcu, C.

The Effect of Clay Type on the Physicochemical Properties of New Hydrogel Clay Nanocomposites

In: Current Topics in the Utilization of Clay in Industrial and Medical Applications, Mansoor Zoveidavianpoor, IntechOpen

978-1-83881-554-7

Corobea, M.C., Vuluga, Z., Florea, D., Miculescu, F., Voicu, S.I.

Composites and Nanocomposites Based on Polylactic Acid

Chapter 13, pp. 327-360 in: “Handbook of Composites from Renewable Materials, Nanocomposites : Advanced Applications”, Eds: Thakur V.K., Thakur M.K., Kessler M.R.,Wiley and Scrivener Publishing, 2017

978-1-11-922383-2

Panaitescu, D.M., Frone, A.N., Chiulan, I.

Green composites with cellulose nano-reinforcements

In: Handbook of Composite from Renewable Materials, Editors: V. K. Thakur, M. K. Thakur, M. R. Kessle, Wiley-Scrivener, Volume 7, 2017

978-1-11-944163-2

Donescu, D., Corobea, M.C.*, Spataru, C.I., Ghiurea, M.

Polymer carbon nanotubes composites obtained via radical polymerization in water-dispersed media

Chapter 11, pp. 281-305 in: Woodhead Publishing Series in Composites Science and Engineering “Hybrid Polymer Composite Materials Processing” 2017 Elsevier Ltd.

978-0-08-100790-7

Sanporean, C.-G., Vuluga, Z., Christiansen, J.deC.

Bioactive nanocomposites with applications in biomedicine

In: Innovative Strategies in Tissue Engineering (pp. 1-24), M. Prasad, & P. Di Nardo (Eds.), River Publishers, 2015

978-8-79-323709-4

Panaitescu, D., Frone, A.

Cellulose Nanofibers: Applications

In: Encyclopedia of biomedical polymers and polymeric biomaterials, Vol. 2, pp. 1441-1452, 2015

978-1-43989-879-6

Conferences

F. Ciuprina, L. Andrei, S. Stoian, R. Gabor, D. Panaitescu

Dielectric response and dynamic mechanical analysis of PHBV-TiO2 nanocomposites

IEE ICD 2020 International Conference on Dielectrics, 6th to 31st July, Virtual Edition, Valecia, Spain

E.R. Radu, D.M. Panaitescu, R.A. Gabor, C.-A. Nicolae, V. Raditoiu, E. Alexandrescu, R.C. Fierascu, I. Chiulan

Development of pla-phb based biodegradable composites for packaging application

NeXT-Chem, 2nd edition, 2020, Bucuresti, Romania

G.M. Teodorescu, Z. Vuluga, A. Ghebaur, M.C. Corobea, C.-A. Nicolae, A.R. Gabor, N. Levinta, A.A. Mainea

Polypropylene/fly-ash nanocomposites for automotive applications

NeXT-Chem, 2nd edition, 2020, Bucuresti, Romania

M. Oprea, C.-A. Nicolae, R.A. Gabor, R. Trusca, D.M. Panaitescu

Bacterial cellulose/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) nanocomposites for biomedical applications

NeXT-Chem, 2nd edition, 2020, Bucuresti, Romania

N. Levinta, Z. Vuluga, M.C. Corobea, G.M. Teodorescu

The nanomechanical properties of bio-polyamide with halogen-free flame retardant composites

NeXT-Chem, 2nd edition, 2020, Bucuresti, Romania

V. Purcar, R. Manea, V. Raditoiu, A. Raditoiu, F. M. Raduly, A. Frone, M. Anastasescu, G. C. Ispas, L. E. Wagner

Preparation of transparent sol-gel modified silica hydrophobic coatings on plastic substrates

Priochem XV, 30 oct – 01 nov 2019, Bucharest, Romania

R.C. Fierascu, R.I. Brazdis, I. Farcasanu, L. Ruta, L.M. Ditu, A.N. Sutan, C.A. Nicolae, V. Raditoiu, R. Somoghi, C.L. Soare

Decorated Apatitic Materials: Synthesis, Characterization and Potential Application

Priochem XV, 30 oct – 01 nov 2019, Bucharest, Romania

G.M. Teodorescu, Z. Vuluga, C.M. Corobea, C.A. Nicolae, A.R. Gabor, N. Levinta, A.A. Mainea

The nanomechanical and tribological properties of polyamide/hydrotalcite nanocomposites

Priochem XV, 30 oct – 01 nov 2019, Bucharest, Romania

C.V. Nicolae, S.O. Dima, A.A. Turcanu, A. Moraru, S.M. Doncea, C.A. Nicolae, F. Oancea

Enzyme immobilization on bioactive thermo-responsive biohydrogels based on never-dried bacterial nanocellulose

Priochem XV, 30 oct – 01 nov 2019, Bucharest, Romania

A.A. Turcanu, S.O. Dima, M. Rapa, R.C. Fierascu, C.A. Nicolae, M. Ghiurea

Biopolymeric-hydrothermal carbon beads for decontamination of polluted waters

Priochem XV, 30 oct – 01 nov 2019, Bucharest, Romania

Patents

Chiulan, I., Panaitescu, D.M., Frone A.N.

Invention Patent Request – Process for obtaining micro(nano)crystals of esterified cellulose

A00860

Frone, A.N., Panaitescu, D.M., Oprea, M.

Invention Patent Request – Polymeric biocomposites with antibacterial effect for biomedical applications

A00286

Oancea, F., Vuluga, Z., Călin, M., Răut, I., Badea Doni, M., Jecu, M.L., Paceagiu, J., Iorga, M.D., Florea, D.

Process for increasing the bio-compatibility of plastics based on polypropylene and the resulted biocomposite product

132559

Oancea, F., Răut, I., Badea Doni, M., Vuluga, Z., Călin, M., Arsene, M.M.L., Jecu, L.

Process for increasing the efficiency of the biomineralization process performed by microorganisms embedded in construction materials

130735

Chiulan, I., Panaitescu, D.M., Frone, A.N., Elena, E.R., Vuluga, Z., Radu, D., Jinescu, G.

Invention Patent Request – Silicone elastomer composites for medical applications

A00775

Vuluga, Z., Sânporean, C.-G., Iorga, M., Panaitescu, D.M., Corobea, M.-C., Florea, D., Iancu, S., Duldner, M.

Masterbatch for improving the impact resistance of PP with glass fibre and process for obtaining

131445

Grigorescu, R.M., Ghioca, P.N., Iancu, L., Vuluga Z., Iorga, M.D., Ion, R.M., Ion, N., Grigore, M.E., Andrei, R.E., Filipescu, M.I., Radu, G.I., Spurcaciu, B.N.

Invention Patent Request – Process for recycling the polystyrene fraction from waste electrical and electronic equipment in anti-shock polystyrene composite

A0075

Vuluga, Z., Elizetxea, C., Ordonez, M., Corobea, M.-C., Iorga, M.D., Dorel, F.

Masterbatch for improving the scratch resistance of polymethylmethacrylate and the process for producing the same

EP180464003

Kaya, D.A., Albu, M.G., Vuluga, Z., Duran, N., Albu, L.F., Mert, A.

Collagen biomaterials with Zeolite and essential oils for treating skin infections and process for obtaining them

128361

Dimonie, O.D.A., Trandafir, I.G., Nicolae, C.A., Gabor, A.R., Petrache, M., Anton, L.R.E., Dinescu, S., Costache, M.

Composition and process for obtaining pH and thermosensitive hydrogels for tissue engineering

129557

Other