Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of

Low surface energy polymers like polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are highly valued because of their lightweight strength, affordability, and resilience. However, their incompatibility with adhesives has been an obstacle for many applications. Conventional primers and surface treatments offer imperfect solutions to this problem, but a specialty chemtech company in Victoria, Canada, is now offering a different approach with its unique chemical crosslinking technology. 

PlastiLynx PXN is the latest and most advanced version of XLYNX’s polymeric diazirine primer, providing improved adhesion while also eliminating fluorine from its chemical composition. Head-to-head against the established brand name polyolefin primers, PlastiLynx PXN provided between 150% to 350% stronger adhesion in PP/PE substrate tests. Simply put, PlastiLynx PXN outperforms every polyolefin primer on the market, and does so by a wide margin. See the results for yourself. 

“These latest results really highlight how PlastiLynx PXN is in a class of its own compared to conventional polyolefin primers,” remarked Dr. Stefania Musolino, who led the XLYNX R&D team responsible for the new crosslinker. “Not only did we observe enhanced adhesion across the board, but we also saw strong compatibility with every type of bulk adhesive we tested.”

Unlike commercial polyolefin primers, which are designed to function primarily with cyanoacrylate-type adhesives, PlastiLynx PXN is a universal primer that makes surfaces receptive to all manner of adhesives, including epoxies and polyurethanes. XLYNX Materials tested PlastiLynx PXN with 13 different leading adhesives – many specifically designed for polymers – and in every case, polymer adhesion was significantly improved. By being able to select the right adhesive for the job, manufacturers can choose from a variety of cost-effective adhesives that work with a much broader range of substrates and applications than ever before.

The product’s versatility is a result of the permanent covalent bonds it forms with the substrate surface, leaving a reactive amine layer that is receptive to adhesives, dyes, and coatings. Compared to traditional surface modification techniques for polyolefins like plasma and corona, PlastiLynx PXN is a long-lasting treatment that remains active for months and does not damage the substrate surface.  

Topically applied and cured rapidly with UV light or moderate heat, PlastiLynx PXN unlocks new design opportunities, manufacturing efficiencies, and dissimilar bonding applications. With the release of PlastiLynx PXN, XLYNX Materials is now able to offer a full suite of advanced PFAS-free diazirine adhesives and primers designed specifically for polyolefin applications. 

To learn more, contact us at info@xlynxmaterials.com. Trial quantities of PlastiLynx PXN can often be shipped within a week. 

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Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a remarkable material, either as a solid plastic or a woven textile. It has a strength-to-weight ratio that is 8-15X greater than high-strength steel, is extremely tough and wear resistant, and has a low coefficient of friction. These qualities are highly valued for automotive, aerospace, defense, and medical applications, but low surface energy also makes it challenging to incorporate UHMWPE into composite materials or to add dyes and colorants to this substrate. In fact, poor dyeability is one of the main factors contributing to minimal use of polyolefin fabrics like UHMWPE in the textile industry, despite its advantages.

This month, the R&D team at XLYNX Materials published new results in Applied Polymer Materials, a scientific journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS), proving how PlastiLynx can be used to treat UHMWPE fabrics for the purpose of dyeing with an extremely high color fastness. This means that rolls of UHMWPE fabric can be permanently dyed after PlastiLynx treatment, and precision color logos or patterns can added to the weave, all without risk of the colors leaching into the environment.

If you’d like to learn more, contact us for more information. Samples are ready to ship, and our R&D team is available to support any questions you have.

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As we near the end of one year and the beginning of another, it’s a good opportunity to take a deep breath and reflect on all that was accomplished.

On the Horizon for 2024:

New and Improved Fluorine-Free PlastiLynx We’re happy to report that the XLYNX team is currently putting the final touches on a new PlastiLynx adhesion-promoting surface primer for launch in the New Year. Initial adhesion results for fluorine-free PlastiLynx suggest it will be our best polymer primer yet. Watch this space for more information! New Research: Quantum Dots and Polymer Dyes XLYNX is also expecting to make major announcements with new research studies nearing the final approval stages for publication. The anticipated results will highlight how diazirine crosslinkers can improve quantum dot stability, as well as create new dyeing opportunities for unreactive polyolefins. Stay tuned!

What adhesion or stabilization challenge is your business facing?

Let’s talk.

Our platform of diazirine crosslinking technology is proven to improve performance across a wide range of applications, and can be customized for specific material substrates.

To learn more, contact us at any time: info@xlynxmaterials.com.

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The XLYNX team has been running our new fluorine-free molecular crosslinker, BondLynx BXW-202, through its paces and the results have been exceptional! Head-to-head in lap shear tests against conventional polyurethane adhesives designed specifically for polymer bonding, BondLynx BXW-202 has exceeded the competition in every dissimilar material bonding application we’ve tried.

Regardless of the combination of HDPE, PP, nylon, polyamid (PA), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials, BondLynx BXW-202 provides stronger bonding for polyolefins than conventional adhesives; an innovation that opens the door to exciting new material combinations and applications.

What dissimilar polymer bonding challenge is your business facing? We encourage you to reach out with your adhesion problems. With our innovative team of scientists and customizable technology platform, XLYNX Materials may have just the answer you’ve been looking for.

Contact us at info@xlynxmaterials.com for information, pricing, and solutions!

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VICTORIA, BC – XLYNX Materials, the pioneering company behind the world’s first commercial crosslinker capable of bonding non-functionalized polymers, is making headlines once again with the radical redesign of its flagship molecular adhesive, BondLynx.

The new surface treatment solution, known as BondLynx BXW-202, has been rebuilt from the ground up to eliminate fluorine from its chemical structure. The result is an adhesive that is safer for the environment, more stable for storage, and more efficient to produce.

Unlike traditional adhesives that rely on mechanical forces to hold materials together, BondLynx employs bis-diazirine technology to create covalent bonds between polymer chains, permanently crosslinking them through strong carbon-carbon bonding. Originally designed to bond “unbondable” low surface energy plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene, BondLynx has since found applications as a surface functionalizing agent, an additive in semiconductor fabrication, a performance textile strengthener, and a molecular stabilizer for perovskites, quantum dots and organic electronics.

Until now, fluorine was considered a critical component of bis-diazine crosslinking, but with the tide turning against the use of PFAS chemicals, the development of a suite of fluorine-free products was the company’s top priority.

“With all we now know about the persistence of PFAS chemicals in the environment, it was important for us to get ahead of the problem and be a part of the solution,” stated Director of Strategy, Sean Bourquin. “Our clients have been telling us the same thing. This issue is on everyone’s radar these days, so we knew we had to find a new formula for BondLynx.”

To accomplish this goal, the R&D team at XLYNX Materials went back to the drawing board to create a version of BondLynx that did not depend on fluorine.

“To be honest, we weren’t sure whether a fluorine-free crosslinker with the adhesive strength of the original BondLynx would be possible,” admitted Senior Research Chemist, Dr. Rashid Nazir. “It was uncharted territory, but being innovative is what our team has always done best.”

While he did not reveal details about the solution they designed, Dr. Nazir reported that test results for the new molecular adhesive have exceeded expectations. In comparative lap shear adhesion tests with conventional polyurethane, cyanoacrylate, and epoxy adhesives, BondLynx BXW-202 outperformed the competition in every category, including:

• 70% to 124% stronger adhesion for polypropylene (PP)
• 84% to 316% stronger adhesion for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) rubber
• 100% to 200+% stronger adhesion for high density polyethylene (HDPE)

“It’s exciting to see how well it’s performing,” Sean Bourquin commented. “To be able to eliminate PFAS chemicals, add stability, and drive down costs, all without compromising the quality of BondLynx adhesion, is a remarkable achievement that we can all be proud of.”

XLYNX Materials is now capitalizing on its innovative platform technology to design a suite of PFAS-free crosslinkers for specific substrates and client applications. The company encourages new and existing clients to reach out for information on how BondLynx BXW-202 can address their manufacturing needs, unlock new opportunities, and support their move towards a more sustainable future.

XLYNX Materials Inc.

XLYNX Materials is an innovative chemtech company located in Victoria, BC, Canada, specializing in surface treatment solutions that transform the properties of low surface energy materials. The company is a global leader in the field of materials-based diazirine crosslinking and works with industry leaders and innovative researchers from around the world to address long-standing challenges in a broad range of manufacturing applications. XLYNX’s diazirine crosslinking technology has been featured in numerous peer-reviewed academic journals, including Science, and the company was recently awarded a 2023 Innovation Award by the Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC), joining past winners that include DuPont, Dow, PPG, and Avery Dennison.

For information and sales, visit www.xlynxmaterials.com or contact info@xlynxmaterials.com.

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While we might live and breathe diazirine crosslinking here at XlynX Materials, the concept isn’t exactly common knowledge for most.

For new clients, there can be a lot of questions when the first sample of BondLynx or PlastiLynx arrives at their door. While the topical application and curing of our diazirine crosslinkers is a fairly straightforward process, there are a few common pitfalls first-time clients should avoid.

With this in mind, here are our top three recommendations:

1. Less is More

BondLynx and PlastiLynx are mixed with solvent for topical application. When applying the solution, it might be tempting to apply a thick coating to get a a strong bond.

More is better, right?

Not in this case. BondLynx and PlastiLynx operate at the molecular level, making covalent bonds with polymer chains on the surface of a substrate. When excess solution is applied, the additional crosslinker may simply bond with itself during the curing process, which can weaken the effectiveness your desired bond. The important thing to remember in your trial is to apply only a thin, even layer. In most topical applications, 1 to 5 mg/in² (0.5 to 2.5 mg/cm²) is enough.

2. Allow for Evaporation

After the crosslinker solution has been applied, it’s important to allow the solvent to evaporate completely before proceeding with the curing step.

While the surface may appear dry, we recommend allowing 30-to-45 minutes for solvents like Ethanol or Methanol to evaporate completely. Other solvents, such as purified water, may require additional time. You can use as a lyophilizer or ventilated fume hood to accelerate this evaporation process.

This step is necessary because diazirine crosslinkers are highly promiscuous and will not distinguish between the polymer substrate and trace amounts of solvent when activated during the curing stage. For best results, don’t rush this stage of the application process.

3. Store in a Cool, Dark Location

We’re often asked how long BondLynx and PlastiLynx samples can last before they “expire”. Storing your samples (neat) in a cool, dark location (fridge or freezer, ideally) can provide remarkable stability. When stored in the dark at -20°C / -4°F, our crosslinkers are stable for at least 4 years. 

Even when mixed with solvent, BondLynx and PlastiLynx solutions will remain stable for up to 2 months when stored in a cool, dark location.

The important thing to remember about diazirine crosslinkers is that they are light and heat sensitive. Any exposure to UV light or heat, even in the form of natural sunlight or room temperature, will cause them to activate over time, degrading their effectiveness. In recent stability trials, neat samples stored in the light, at room temperature, remained stable for about a week. Mixed solutions in these exposed conditions degraded in as little as a day. Don’t jeopardize the success of your trials by leaving samples exposed to light or heat any longer than necessary.

We’re Here to Help

Our success is made possible through your success. Only through successful trials will you know whether diazirine crosslinking is the right solution for your business.

Every crosslinking application is unique and our knowledgeable team is here to offer answers to whatever questions you may have. While our instructions provide guidance around solvent ratios and curing specifications, the optimum conditions for your trial may depend on variables such as the substrate you’re treating, the solvent you’re using, the application method you’re employing, your curing device, or other factors.

Before getting started, we encourage you to reach out to our team.

Contact us at any time at info@xlynxmaterials.com.

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As a specialty chem-tech company, our attention tends to focus on promoting new compounds created by our R&D team, or on new applications for our products. However, without the critical work of our testing team to validate assumptions, evaluate products, and confirm optimum conditions, none of this would be possible. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Madisen MacFarlane and Cole Brawner from the Testing Department to talk about their experience working in an innovative, evolving company like XLYNX Materials. Madisen is the Testing Department’s Lead Materials Scientist. He was also XLYNX’s first dedicated testing resource, so has seen a lot of change in his time with the company. Cole was initially brought onboard as an engineering intern to support the company’s testing program and is now a Materials Scientist working under Madisen. Together, they are responsible for testing, validating, and optimizing XLYNX product performance.

Q:  Why don’t you start by telling me a little more about your role with XLYNX? 

Madisen MacFarlane running lap shear adhesion tests

MM: My role encompasses all the responsibilities of a testing department. This has involved establishing systems for data management and documentation, determining best practices for sample preparation, and standardizing our testing methodologies. Because diazirine technology represents a new way of thinking about material bonding, we needed to build our knowledge base to better understand and communicate the strengths and limitations of our products, so this has been a major part of my role.

CB: I’m primarily involved with sample preparation and adhesion testing. We use a variety of ASTM standards to test the products created by the XLYNX R&D team, and are always looking for ways to optimize conditions for maximum adhesion. We test new crosslinkers in different applications on a variety of substrates. With each combination of crosslinker, application, and substrate comes a new set of variables that needs to be tested and optimized so the list of testing requirements is always growing.

Q: What is the importance of testing for a company like XLYNX Materials?

MM: Testing is an essential part of product development. Knowing where a product excels and what its limitations are has a great effect on how a client perceives the product and how trials are conducted. This also allows for standard operating procedures to be established while flushing out details that help to optimize performance. For the company, testing has been an important part of the decision making process around developing new products and targeting specific industries.

Q: Diazirine technology is a disruptive innovation, as it challenges how designers and manufacturers think about what is possible with materials. What has been your experience working with clients who are trying our products for the first time?

MM: Working with clients has been my favourite part of the job, as it has exposed me to a wide variety of industries and projects. We’re always excited to receive new challenges, as it helps us understand how our products perform in different fields. For clients, I think we are a great resource for validating their applications and optimizing their tests. Through consultation, we can better understand their unique challenges and support them with their trials. 

Cole Brawner prepares HDPE coupons for adhesion test

CB: Clients benefit from our attention to detail when it comes to preparing and testing their samples. We focus on ensuring test results are as accurate as possible (we can get a bit obsessive with things like error bars!) as we want to give clients a true representation of the value that our products add. We’re also constantly learning and optimizing our processes, so have been able to provide timely advice to help our clients achieve success in their trials. 

Q: Based on your experience, what do you think are the greatest strengths of XLYNX products? What are you most interested in testing in the future? 

MM: XLYNX products are application-specific. PlastiLynx has proven to be a great primer for commercial adhesives, while Bondlynx works well as both an adhesive and fabric strengthener. Something I’m interested in testing further is the use of PlastiLynx to create composites, especially epoxy composites made with UHMWPE fabric. I think this has great potential and could be a game-changer in the composite materials industry. 

CB: XLYNX molecules are particularly versatile and can have a significant impact in a variety of industries and applications: as adhesives and adhesive primers, in the development of epoxy composites, and as additives to improve the strength-to-weight ratio of fabrics. We also know they have been successful stabilizers for semiconductors and Perovskite solar cells. In the future, I will be very interested in exploring the potential for using XLYNX molecules to process waste plastics into new usable materials. (For reference, here’s a link to the recent XLYNX study that Cole is referring to, where cleavable crosslinkers were applied to a plastic waste reprocessing solution). 

Q: Let’s change gears before we wrap this up. What are your interests when you’re not in the lab? 

MM: Outside of work, I enjoy snowboarding, video gaming, seeing live music, and getting out into nature with my dog. Eventually, I look forward to exploring more of the backcountry that the north of Vancouver Island has to offer. 

CB: I love the outdoors, mostly water sports and mountaineering, which is ideal on the island.  My true passion is in designing and creating things using the tools and experiences I’ve gained throughout my life. 

Thank you to Madisen and Cole for taking the time to share their thoughts and experiences working with XLYNX Materials. If you have any questions for the Testing Department or require some friendly advice with your trials, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at info@xlynxmaterials.com and ask for Madisen or Cole!

The post Meet the Materials Scientists responsible for testing XLYNX’s innovative products appeared first on XLYNX Materials.

Developed in partnership with the Wulff Group of organic chemists at the University of Victoria (UVIC) and published in the German scientific journal Angewandte Chemie, the study demonstrates how diazirine crosslinking technology pioneered by XlynX Materials can be adapted in new and innovative ways to address material challenges. This research project was aimed at two main challenges associated with post-consumer plastic waste; the incompatibility of mixed waste thermoplastics and the irreversible nature of thermoset plastics.

It is estimated that only 9% of all plastics ever produced have been recycled. In part, this is because most post-consumer plastic waste is a mix of thermoplastics like polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). Attempting to blend these two incompatible substrates together will lead to separation and an inferior reprocessed product. As a result, most thermoplastic waste is destined for incineration or landfills at the end of its useful life cycle.

Diazirine crosslinkers, like those employed in BondLynx, don’t distinguish between polymer substrates and can be used to bond dissimilar materials like PP and PE together into rigid thermoset plastics. Thermoset plastics are highly valued by manufacturers for their mechanical strength and thermal resistant properties, and account for about 18% (over 65 million tons) of polymeric materials manufactured each year. However, thermosets pose their own challenges. Once hardened into their final form, they cannot be easily broken down for reprocessing or reshaping. As a result, most thermosets also end up being incinerated or landfilled.

The innovative solution employed by lead investigator Liting Bi (UVIC Phd Candidate) was to introduce a cleavable group to the diazirine crosslinker. In doing so, these cleavable bonds can later be selectively uncoupled through an appropriate input. The success of this study suggests a more sustainable life cycle for plastics could be achieved by upcycling post-consumer waste plastic into high value thermosets which can eventually be broken down for future reprocessing.

XlynX would like to thank Liting Bi for her dedication and efforts on this important work, and congratulate her on her first published study. To read this study, entitled “A Cleavable Crosslinking Strategy for Commodity Polymer Functionalization and Generation of Reprocessable Thermosets”, follow this link: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202304708 

If you’d like to learn more about XlynX’s diazirine crosslinking technology, we would love to hear from you. Contact us at info@xlynxmaterials.com or visit us online at www.xlynxmaterials.com. 

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June 14, 2023 – Each year, the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC), a not-for-profit association of students and professionals, hosts the country’s premier conference for the chemical sciences. This year’s conference – CSC 2023: Chemistry at the Edge – was held in beautiful Vancouver, BC from June 4th to 8th, and members of the XLYNX Materials team were on-hand to organize, present and learn. 

As a company rooted in academic science, XLYNX Materials is a proud supporter of the CSC and the advancement of the chemical sciences. This year, XLYNX sponsored a symposium on Strategies for Organic Materials Modification, which was organized by two of the company’s research scientists, Dr. Stefania Musolino and Dr. Miranda Baran. 

“Overall, I think the symposium was well received and the presentations sparked some insightful, engaging conversations,” Dr. Baran reflected after the conference. “I also appreciated the chance to attend other material chemistry talks and learn about the challenges being faced by other chemists; particularly where our products might be able to address those challenges, like in the field of 3D bioprinting.”  

XLYNX co-founder, Dr. Jeremy Wulff (University of Victoria Professor of Chemistry), played a key role at this year’s conference as the Organic Chemistry Division Chair. In addition to his coordination and fundraising responsibilities, Dr. Wulff was also a key speaker at CSC 2023, presenting on the development of the company’s diazirine-based crosslinkers in a session called Diazirine Reagents as (Near) Universal Tools for On-Demand Modification of Organic Materials. 

“In my opinion, the annual CSC conference is one of the best things about the Canadian chemistry scene,” Dr. Wulff described. “Almost every academic chemist in the country attends every year or two, and participation from industrial and international chemists is also very high. As a result, the meeting provides a unique opportunity to connect and create a real sense of community.”

In addition to Dr. Wulff’s session, two other presentations at CSC 2023 highlighted some of the exciting new research being supported by XLYNX Materials; one describing how diazirine-based cleavable crosslinkers can be used in polymer upcycling applications, the other demonstrating how diazirine technology can be used to apply antimicrobial surface treatments. 

“It was a great conference, and with three presentations, we were able to reach a large audience,” Dr. Wulff concluded. “There are people that I’ll definitely be following up with over the next few days, and I expect deeper collaborations will directly result from this conference.”

Initially developed to solve polymer adhesion challenges, XLYNX’s diazirine crosslinkers are now marketed to a broad range of industries. Beyond bonding and priming applications, the company’s team of chemists and material scientists are collaborating with clients to add strength to performance textiles, stabilize perovskite solar cells, and solve surface treatment problems for engineered plastics. 

We transform how materials work at the surface to enable innovation, new applications, enhanced product performance and new technologies. To find out more, visit us at www.xlynxmaterials.com or contact us at https://xlynxmaterials.com/contact/.

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VICTORIA, BC, May 17, 2023 – The past decade has seen remarkable progress in the field of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a next-generation technology that offers a lower cost and easier to manufacture alternative to conventional silicon solar cells. While major advances have been achieved with rapidly-rising power conversion efficiencies for PSCs, their long-term stability when exposed to environmental stimuli has remained an obstacle on their path to commercialization. A small Canadian specialty chemical company believes it has the answer to this problem. 

When perovskites are exposed to heat and sunlight, their volatile organic components have a tendency to escape or migrate from the perovskite layer. This leads to rapid degradation, which significantly reduces the efficiency, stability, and performance of PSCs. Solving this problem and improving the operational lifetimes of PSCs requires the immobilization of these organic components, known as organic cations. While several strategies have been employed in the past to address this instability, none have been able to effectively protect the perovskite material from environmental exposure. Until now, that is. 

In a recent study published in the sustainable energy research journal, Joule, BondLynx – a molecular crosslinker designed and manufactured by XLYNX Materials – was used to covalently bond with the organic cations in PSCs. The results were extraordinary:

• Illumination Stability: After 200 hours of continuous operation under 1 sun illumination (1 kW/m2), untreated control PSCs exhibited a 35% loss in power conversion efficiency. In comparison, BondLynx-treated PSCs showed remarkable stability, retaining nearly 99% of their initial efficiency even after 1,000 hours of continuous illumination. 
• Thermal Stability: When exposed to constant heat (60°C), untreated PSCs demonstrated poor thermal stability, losing 27% efficiency after 600 hours of continuous operation. In comparison, BondLynx-treated PSCs maintained nearly 98% efficiency under the same conditions. 
• High Efficiency: Overall, BondLynx-treated PSCs achieved a high certified efficiency of over 24% with long operational stability over 1,000 hours. 

The reason BondLynx is effective is because it forms chemical covalent bonds with the organic components in PSCs to strongly immobilize them, thereby reducing the losses of efficiency, stability, and performance typically seen in PSCs. With no significant reduction in performance over the course of the study, the stability improvements realized by BondLynx are expected to extend far beyond the 1,000 hour mark.

“It’s great to see these results published in Joule,” remarked Sean Bourquin, Director of Strategy for XLYNX Materials. “But mostly we’re looking forward to engaging with companies operating in the perovskite field, as this could have a huge impact on the future of this technology.”

The work of this peer-reviewed study also suggests that, in addition to enabling highly efficient and ultra-stable PSCs, there are potential benefits to be realized in other perovskite-based optoelectronic applications.

“It’s fascinating to witness the impact of BondLynx in the field of perovskite solar cells, considering that its original design didn’t anticipate such a role for this molecular linker,” XLYNX Senior Research Scientist and study collaborator Dr. Stefania Musolino commented. “There’s no doubt that many more innovative applications will arise in the years to come.”

To read the study and learn more about these BondLynx results, visit https://xlynxmaterials.com/ultra-stable-perovskite-solar-cells/

For BondLynx product information and sales, contact info@xlynxmaterials.com. 

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