Laboratory of Plastics and Rubber Technology
Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science
Introduction of the Research Group
The Laboratory of Plastics and Rubber Technology (MGL) carries out basic and applied research in the field of polymer science , covering a wide range of topics from theoretical studies to materials development . The Laboratory continuously collaborates with and helps solve technological challenges for industry partners . Interfacial interactions and structure-property correlations in polymer blends and composites have been in the focus of our attention for many years. We also study the degradation and stabilization of polymers and the melting, crystallization , and morphology of crystalline polymers. In recent years, considerable research has been done at the Laboratory on natural and bio -based polymers, fillers, fibers, and additives, as well as on functional materials for demanding applications in the automotive industry, packaging, and medicine .
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Achievements
Developed methods for the surface characterization of micro- and nanofillers , enabling the prediction of interfacial adhesion in blends and composites .
Created unique models for the description of interfaces and interphases .
Developed and implemented specific methods for analyzing micromechanical deformation processes.
Gained extensive experience in the quantitative description of filler aggregation and its effect on macroscopic properties.
Publications
-Ferdinánd M, Várdai R, Móczó J, Pukánszky B. Poly( lactic acid) reinforced with synthetic polymer fibers : interactions, structure and properties . Composites A 164 : 107318 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2022.107318
-Ferdinánd M, Várdai R, Móczó J, Pukánszky B. A novel approach to the impact modification of PLA . Engineering Fracture Mechanics 277 : 108950 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2022.108950
-Pregi E, Kun D, Faludi G, Móczó J, Pukánszky B. Modeling the mechanical properties of polypropylene/lignin/flax hybrid composites . Materials & Design 220 :110833 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110833
-Tátraaljai D , Tang Y , Pregi E , Vági E , Horváth V , Pukánszky B. Stabilization of PE with Pomegranate Extract: Contradictions and Possible Mechanisms . Antioxidants 11 : 418 (2022) https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11020418
-Józó M , Simon N , Yi L , Móczó J , Pukánszky B. Improved Release of a Drug with Poor Water Solubility by Using Electrospun Water-Soluble Polymers as Carriers . Pharmaceutics 14 : 34 (2022) https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14010034
-Molnár J , Sepsi O , Gaál B , Zuba Z , Dobrzyńska-Mizera M , Menyhárd A. Probabilistic numerical simulation for predicting spherulitic morphology from calorimetric crystallization conversion curves: An isothermal case . Materials & Design 212 : 110245 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2021.110245
-Polyák P , Bartha K , Pukánszky B. Quantitative determination of release kinetics from fibrous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) scaffolds . Materials Science and Engineering C 114 : 111026 ( 2020 ) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2020.111026
-Bartos A, Utomo BP, Kanyar B, Anggono J, Soetaredjo FE, Móczó J, Pukánszky B. Reinforcement of polypropylene with alkali-treated sugarcane bagasse fibers : Mechanism and consequences. Composites Science and Technology 200 : 108428 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2020.108428
-Fekete E, Bella É, Csiszár E, Móczó J. Improving physical properties and retrogradation of thermoplastic starch by incorporating agar . International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 136 :1026 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.06.109
-Kun D, Pukánszky B. Polymer/lignin blends: interactions, properties, applications . Eur opean Polymer Journal 93 : 618-641 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2017.04.035
Patents
Lummerstorfer T, Jerabek M, Hochradi S, Pretschuh C, Renner K, Sobczak L, Stockreiter W, Pukanszky B, Móczó J. US10752762B2 Fiber reinforced polypropylene composite. BOREALIS AG, Vienna (2020)
Pukánszky B, Braun H, Renner K, Jerabek M, Doshev P, Kalmár S , Lummerstorfer T. US10081726B2 Composite comprising a cellulose-based filler . Borealis AG ( 2018 )
Lummerstorfer T, Jerabek M, Hochradl S, Pretschuh C, Sobczak L, Stockreiter W, Pukánszky B, Móczó J. EP3309211B1 Fiber reinforced polymer composite . Borealis AG ( 2018 )
Kröhnke C , Kenyó C, Renner K , Pukánszky B. EP2204404B1 Polymer compositions with improved barrier properties against the permeation of oxygen . AirSec SAS ( 2012 )
Turcsányi B, Epacher E, Pukánszky B, Kröhnke C, Stoll K. WO0132762A1 Use of phthalides in stabilizer mixtures for organic materials . Clariant ( 2001 )
Awards
BME Ernő Pungor Award , 2022 (Dóra Tátraaljai)
BME Excellent Teacher Award , 2022 (Róbert Várdai)
BME Most Excellent Publication Award 2016-2020 , 2021 ( Béla Pukánszky )
BME József Réffy Award, 2020 ( Emília Csiszár)
ÚNKP-20-4 New National Excellence Scholarship , 2020 ( Alfréd Menyhárd )
MTA János Bolyai Young Researcher Scholarship , 2018 (Alfréd Menyhárd )
MMSz Innovation Award, 2017 (Béla Pukánszky)
Middle Cross of Hungarian Order of Merit, 2015 (Béla Pukánszky)
BME Ernő Pungor Award , 2015 ( János Móczó )
Outstanding Young TA&C Researcher in Central and Eastern Europe , 2013 (Alfréd Kállay-Menyhárd)
BME VBK László Erdey Award, 2013 (Erika Fekete)
Edwin P. Plueddeman Award for excellence in Interface Science, 2003 (Béla Pukánszky)
Journals
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (Alfréd Menyhárd , deputy editor -in-chief )
Composite Interfaces (Béla Pukánszky, European editor)
Polymers and Polymer Composites (Béla Pukánszky, member of Editorial Advisory Board)
European Polymer Journal (Béla Pukánszky, member of Editorial Advisory Board)
Journal of Natural Fibers ( Emília Csiszár, member of Editorial Board)
Polymers (Imre Balazs, guest editor, member of Topical Advisory Panel )
Infrastructure
Plastics processing and sample preparation: Brabender W50 EHT internal mixer; Brabender Lab-station extrusiograph extruder; Brabender DSK 42/7 twin screw extruder; Labtech Scientific twin screw extruder; Demag 50/330-100 injection molding machine; POLYMIX 110L laboratory roll mill; Retsch PM 100 laboratory ball mill; Leica EM UC6/FC7 microtome; Mathis Labomat BFA12 textile dying system; CraftBot Plus 3D printer
Thermal analysis: Perkin Elmer Diamond DMA; Perkin Elmer Diamond DSC; Perkin Elmer STA 6000 TGA-DSC; Perkin Elmer TGA 6; Perkin Elmer DSC 7; Metrohm 763 PVC Thermomat thermal stability tester
Viscometry & Mechanical testing: Göttfert 2002 capillary rheometer; Mon-Tech MDR3000 moving die rheometer; Anton Paar Physica MCR 301 rotational rheometer ; CEAST 7027 MFI tester; Ceast 6510 HDT- Vicat tester; Instron 5566 universal testing machine + Sensophone AED 40/4 acoustic emission detector; Ceast Resil 5.5 impact tester ; ZwickRoell HIT5.5P impact tester
Chromatography & Spectroscopy: Perkin Elmer AutoSystem XL GC ; Lachrome Elite + Knauer 64 HPLC ; ColorQuest XE spectrophotometer ; Bruker Tensor 27 FT- IR spectrometer
Other: HORIBA LA 950 A2 particle size analyzer ; Systech 8000 oxygen permeation analyzer ; Ramé - hart 100-00 contact angle goniometer ; Metrohm 716 DMS Titrino titrator; Keyence VHX 5000 digital optical microscope
Projects
OTKA PD 138507 Processing stabilization of polyethylene with antioxidant-rich natural extracts, 2021- 20 24 (Dóra Tátraaljai)
OTKA 129270 Hybrid composites: structure, properties, functionality , 2018 - 2022 (János Móczó)
OTKA K 120039 Physical and chemical modification of synthetic and biopolymers , 2016-2020 (Béla Pukánszky)
WOOD – COMET Program AUT Competence Center for Wood Composite Materials and Wood Chemistry, 2015-2018
FP7-KBBE-2007-1 Forest Resource Sustainability through Bio-Based-Composite Development, 2008-2012
Industry relations
Polymer suppliers : Borealis AG, MOL Nyrt .
Automotive industry: AUDI HUNGARIA Zrt ., Hirschmann Car Communication Kft .
Consumer electronics: Electrolux Lehel Kft . , Samsung Zrt .
Advanced and specialty products: Dunafin Zrt ., Nolato Hungary Kft ., Zoltek Zrt .
Conferences
Organizer of the series of International Conferences on Bio-based Polymers and Composites: BiPoCo 2012, Siófok ; BiPoCo 2014, Visegrád ; BiPoCo 2016, Szeged; BiPoCo 2018, Balatonfüred