In this research presenting, a new polyfuran-based silver nanocomposite is successfully developed via the chemical oxidative polymerization process with ferric chloride (FeCl3) acting as an initiator and chloroform (CHCl3) acting as an oxidant. The polymer and its composite undergo a comprehensive analysis of their structural, morphological, thermal, and electrochemical properties. The potential interaction between the pure polymer and the polymer nanocomposite, as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation, Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). XRD analysis reveals that the polymer nanocomposite's crystallite size is 47 nm. The FESEM and EDX analysis endorse the successful inclusion of Ag nanoparticles into the polymer matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the polymer nanocomposite's thermal stability was better than that of the pure polymer. Electrochemical performance was further evaluated using cyclic voltage measurements (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge testing (GCD), and electrochemical impedance (EIS). Then the obtained polymer nanocomposite exhibits lower internal resistance with a specific capacitance of 464 Fg-1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s-1. The Ragone plot indicates improved energy density, showing that the incorporation of silver nanoparticles into polyfuran enhances the electrochemical performance of electrode materials. Thus, the synthesized nanocomposite offers a promising route toward efficient electrode material.
This work examines the dynamic mechanical behavior of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with emphasis on the influence of temperature, humidity, and aging, factors that govern its reliability in armor applications. Although UHMWPE is widely recognized for its high tensile and impact strength, reported values of its modulus vary significantly due to testing conditions. To address this, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is conducted over a wide frequency and temperature range to quantify the storage modulus, loss modulus, and damping factor (Tan delta). The results indicate a systematic decrease in storage modulus and an increase in damping under combined exposure to temperature and humidity (individual effects are not considered). The Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) approach enables prediction of long-term behavior beyond the experimental frequency window using time-temperature superposition (TTS) to construct master curves. The extended frequency response represents model-based extrapolation obtained through TTS rather than direct long-term experimental aging. Prony series parameters are subsequently extracted from the complex modulus curves using curve approximation and implemented in finite element simulations. To validate these parameters, a lumped material model (generalized Maxwell) is developed, which shows good agreement with experimental trends. The combined experimental and modeling framework provides a pathway to predict UHMWPE performance under environmental conditions and supports the design of polymer-based protective systems.
