Nonlocal Flugge Shell Model for Thermal Buckling of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Layerwise Boundary Conditions

Presented herein is the thermal buckling analysis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the basis of nonlocal Flugge shell model capturing small scale effects. Based upon the continuum mechanics, a multiple-shell model is adopted in which the nested tubes are coupled with each other through the van der Waals interlayer interaction. The utilized van der Waals model incorporating the interlayer interactions between any two layers, whether adjacent or non-adjacent is curvature dependent. To analytically solve the problem, the Rayleigh–Ritz method was implemented to the variational form equivalent to the Flugge type equations. The present analysis provides the possibility of considering different combinations of layerwise boundary conditions. It is shown that the shell-like thermal buckling is significantly sensitive to the nonlocal parameter variation, whereas the column-like thermal buckling remains unaffected when the nonlocal parameter is varied.     

Thermal Buckling Analysis of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Through a Nonlocal Shell Theory Incorporating Interatomic Potentials

Described in the current study is the thermal buckling behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (WCNTs) via a nonlocal atomistic-based shell model. The model including the effects of small-scale length and the van der Waals (vdW) forces between adjacent nanotubes is established through the incorporation of the interatomic potential into the nonlocal Flügge shell theory. This model links the strain energy density induced in the continuum to Eringen's nonlocal constitutive relations. The set of coupled field equations are analytically solved for two types of temperature distribution. The present model is of a distinguishing feature which is its independence from the widely scattered values of Young's modulus and the effective wall thickness of carbon nanotubes.     

Stress and stability analysis of toroidal shells

A finite element formulation applicable to the general shell of revolution is presented for the stress and stability analysis of toroidal pressure vessels under hydrostatic pressure. Considering the follower force effect of the external pressure, linear bifurcation buckling loads and corresponding mode shapes have been obtained in both axially and equatorially symmetric as well as antisymmetric buckling modes. Calculated critical values are compared with results of other investigations.     

Dye-sensitized solar cells using graphene-based carbon nano composite as counter electrode

We demonstrated a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using the graphene-based multi-walled carbon nanotubes (GMWNTs) structure. Graphene layers were prepared by drop casting on a SiO₂/Si substrate and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were synthesized on graphene layers using iron catalyst by chemical vapor deposition. The structural properties of GMWNTs were investigated by transmission electron microscope and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The GMWNTs sheets were lifted off from the Si substrate by buffered oxide etching and were transplanted on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass by Van der Waals force as a counter electrode. From the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and energy conversion efficiencies, electrochemical properties of GMWNTs were comparable with those of MWNTs counter electrode. The results suggested that GMWNTs were one of the candidates for a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells.     

Thermomechanical nonlinear analysis of axially compressed carbon nanotube-reinforced composite cylindrical panels resting on elastic foundations with tangentially restrained edges

Buckling, postbuckling, and nonlinear responses of composite cylindrical panels reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), supported by an elastic foundation, exposed to elevated temperature and axially compressed by uniform load are investigated in this article. Distribution of CNTs is uniform or graded in the thickness direction and the effective properties of CNT-reinforced composite are assumed to be temperature dependent, and are estimated by extended rule of mixture through a micromechanical model. Governing equations are established based on thin shell theory taking von Kármán–Donnell nonlinearity, initial geometrical imperfection, Pasternak-type elastic foundation and tangential elastic constraints of boundary edges into consideration. Approximate solutions of deflection and stress functions are assumed to satisfy simply supported boundary conditions, and Galerkin method is applied to derive explicit expressions of load–deflection relation from which critical buckling loads can be obtained. Unlike works in the literature, the present study accounts for elasticity of tangential restraint of two unloaded straight edges in model of cylindrical panel. The study also gives conditions for which bifurcation type buckling response can occur and novel findings in numerical examples.     

The effect of solvent and ionomer on agglomeration in fuel cell catalyst inks: Simulation by the Discrete Element Method

We simulate agglomeration in different fuel cell catalyst ink solutions using Discrete Element Method. Carbon support is modelled as particles in various inks with ionomer and various solvents. The particles interact with particle-pair forces resulting in agglomerate build-up. The classical colloidal theory with van der Waals and electric double layer forces underestimates the ink stability, which motivates the development of a new model of polymer force between particles. The force is activated when there is a bridging of polymer between the carbon black particles, and the strength is dependent on the ionomer interaction with the solvent by the dielectric constant. A critical dielectric constant was defined for which ionomer form a web-like polymer network that increases the ink stability. This modification can explain the trend of the ink stability, and the model can simulate the effect of different solvents on the agglomerate size distribution with good agreement with experimental results.     

Acoustic Mismatch Model for Thermal Contact Conductance of Van Der Waals Contacts Under Static Force

Van der Waals interfaces play a major role in technology today. Thermal transport in material systems with van der Waals interfaces is mainly limited by the contact conductance. Although the effects of static force, such as pressure or the electrostatic part of hydrogen bonds, on the thermal contact conductance of van der Waals interfaces have been examined in a few studies, the focus was either on numerical simulation using techniques such as molecular dynamics or on experimental investigation. In this article, an analytical model of thermal contact conductance that accounts for the effects of static force and adhesion energy is presented. The application of static forces is found to cause a decrease in the intermolecular distance, which leads to increased interatomic forces across the interfaces and thus higher thermal conductance. The model is in good agreement with experimental data on the effect of pressure on thermal conductance collected by Gotsmann and Lantz (Nature Materials, Vol. 12, p. 59–65, 2012).     

Numerical simulation of nano-carbon deposition in the thermal decomposition of methane

A comparison of various hydrogen production processes indicates that the thermal decomposition of methane (TDM) provides an attractive option from both economical and technical points of view. The main problem for this process is the deposition of the nano-carbon particles on the reactor wall (or catalyst surface). This research concentrates on the numerical simulation of the TDM process without use of a catalyst to find a technique that decreases the carbon accumulation in a tubular reactor. In this model, the produced carbon particles are tracked with the Lagrangian method under thermophoretic, Brownian, van der Waals, Basset, drag, lift, gravity, pressure and virtual mass forces. In additional to experimental studies, numerical simulation also shows some carbon particle deposit around and especially downstream of the reaction zone. The results indicate that the main cause of the separation of particles from the wall is the thermophoretic force, and that downstream of the reactor, where the temperature gradient has decreased, the particles are trapped on the wall under van der Waals and Brownian forces. Two methods are investigated to decrease carbon deposition on the wall. The first is to increase the wall temperature to use the thermophoretic effect, which is rejected because in addition to the increase of thermophoretic force, the probability of particle generation increases nearly 10 times. The second method is the application of a wall jet as a sweeping flow to generate a buffer gas and to decrease particle generation near the wall. This design provides good results in producing a clean reactor.     

Thermal buckling and postbuckling behavior of functionally graded carbon-nanotube-reinforced composite plates resting on elastic foundations with tangential-edge restraints

This article presents an analytical approach to investigate the buckling and postbuckling behavior of functionally graded nanocomposite plates reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes, resting on elastic foundations and subjected to thermal load due to uniform temperature rise or linear temperature change across the plate thickness. The material properties of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) are assumed to be temperature independent, graded in the thickness direction, and estimated by extended rule of mixture through a micromechanical model. Formulations are based on classical plate theory taking von Kármán nonlinearity, initial geometrical imperfection, Pasternak-type foundation interaction, and tangential-edge constraints into consideration. Approximate solutions of deflection and stress functions are assumed to satisfy simply supported boundary conditions, and the Galerkin method is applied to obtain closed-form expressions of buckling temperatures and temperature-deflection relations. The influences of carbon-nanotube volume fraction and distribution pattern, aspect ratios, stiffness of foundations, degree of tangential-edge constraints, and imperfection on the thermal buckling and postbuckling behavior of FG-CNTRC plates are analyzed and discussed.     

Enhanced hydrogen sorption on carbonaceous sorbents under electric field

The effect of an applied electric field on hydrogen physisorption isotherm on carbonaceous sorbents was studied. Distinctive sorption enhancement was obtained by applying a positive electrical potential of 2000 V to platinum-supported carbon samples. The phenomenon was ascribed to stronger interactions between hydrogen and the sorbent. Theoretical studies suggested that, the interaction between hydrogen and neutral carbon is primarily the electrostatic attraction between the π-bonds of the aromatic rings and the σ-bonds of H₂, which is classified as van der Waals interaction and is weak. However, the interaction between electrically charged carbon and hydrogen might involve orbital interactions between hydrogen and carbon, an interaction stronger than van der Waals attraction. Experimental studies indicated that the presence of platinum would induce dissociation of hydrogen molecules in to hydrogen atoms. The easier accessibility of the atomic orbital might favor the electron transfer from the atomic hydrogen to charged carbon.     

Thermal Conductivity Prediction of Thermally Conductive,Electrically Insulating Materials under van der Waals Interactions

The thermal transport phenomenon in small-scale heterogeneous composites is essentially controlled by van der Waals interactions. In this article, thermal conductivity of nanocomposites with 33 wt% crystallized silicon dioxide is four times higher than that of epoxy (EP) resin composites. Nanocomposites with 33 wt% boron carbide exhibit seven times higher thermal conductivity than pure EP. Pal and Lewis-Nielsen multiscale models were used to infer that distance-associated van der Waals interactions vary between composites with different weight fractions. Such variation consequently affects the thermal conductivity of the composites. Scanning electron microscope images of crystallized silicon dioxide/EP composites provide evidence of our reasonable and accurate inferences with regard to the thermal conduction mechanism. Experimental values confirm that the Pal model is superior to the Lewis-Nielsen model. The observed enhancement in thermal conductivity indicates important implications for the development of highly and thermally conductive electrically insulating materials. Results of this study can also be considered to improve modeling for thermal conductivity under van der Waals interactions.     

Thermomechanical postbuckling behavior of CNT-reinforced composite sandwich plate models resting on elastic foundations with elastically restrained unloaded edges

Buckling and postbuckling behaviors of two models of sandwich plate reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) resting on elastic foundations and subjected to uniaxial compressive and thermomechanical loads are investigated in this paper. Material properties of all constituents are assumed to be temperature dependent and effective properties of CNT-reinforced composite layer are determined according to extended rule of mixture. Governing equations are established within the framework of first-order shear deformation theory taking into account von Kármán nonlinearity, initial geometrical imperfection, plate-foundation interaction and tangential elastic constraints of unloaded edges. Three types of loading are considered including uniaxial compression, preexisting thermal load combined with uniaxial compression and preexisting mechanical load combined with thermal load. Approximate analytical solutions are assumed to satisfy simply supported boundary conditions and the Galerkin method is used to derive nonlinear load-deflection relations from which buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths are determined. The most important findings are that tangential constraints of unloaded edges significantly lowers buckling loads and postbuckling load capacity of sandwich plates and, in contrast, buckling loads and postbuckling strength are considerably enhanced as sandwich plate is constructed from CNT-reinforced composite core layer and homogeneous face sheets.     

Mesoscale simulation of ferrofluid structure

By means of the lattice-Boltzmann (LB) method, the mesoscaled structure of ferrofluids consisting of magnetic nanoparticles and a carrier fluid as well as some surfactant is investigated. The ferrofluid is a complicated system and its morphology is affected by a number of internal and external forces including gravitational force, Brownian force, van der Waals attraction potential, and dipole-dipole interaction potential. All these factors are included in the lattice-Boltzmann model. The distribution of suspended magnetic nanoparticles and morphology of the ferrofluid are simulated in both cases of the absence and the presence of an external magnetic field. The effects of the dipole-dipole interaction energy and the thermal energy on the aggregation structures of the magnetic nanoparticles are discussed.     

开孔和补强对圆柱壳轴压屈曲的影响分析

  [目的]  早期的圆柱壳轴压屈曲试验结果与理论偏差较大,导致差异的因素较多,其中初始几何缺陷是产生差异的主要因素。  [方法]  文章采用一种专用的轴压屈曲试验平台,可以利用激光位移传感器扫描壳体三维实际形貌。屈曲试验轴压采用液压装置,轴压数据通过称重传感器读取。  [结果]  试验结果表明:开孔降低了圆柱壳轴压屈曲临界载荷,在开孔处插入圆管补强件,提高了圆柱壳轴压屈曲临界载荷。基于壳体形貌实测数据建立了有限元模型,利用Abaqus对圆柱壳、开孔圆柱壳和补强圆柱壳进行非线性屈曲有限元分析。  [结论]  模拟得到的规律与试验规律一致,壳体轴向载荷均是先呈线性增大后减小,开孔圆柱壳轴压屈曲临界载荷最小,含补强件圆柱壳轴压屈曲临界载荷次之,未开过孔的圆柱壳轴压屈曲临界载荷最大。对不同壳体的临界载荷模拟值与试验值进行了比较,其中最小的相对误差只有13.8%。说明运用此方法可以预测壳体轴压屈曲临界载荷,对壳体屈曲设计具有参考价值。     

Designer Viscoelastic Materials Tailored to Minimize Probabilistic Failures for Thermal Stress-Induced Dynamic Column Creep Buckling

ABSTRACT

The dynamic response of linear viscoelastic temperature-dependent prismatic columns is investigated under axial compressive loads and due to thermal stresses and moments. Creep buckling instabilities and probabilities of material failures are analyzed to determine column life or survival times. Optimum designer materials are studied to minimize thermal stress and axial load effects while concurrently lowering failure probabilities and extending survival times.     

Studies on the mechanism and capacity of hydrogen uptake by physisorption-based materials

Nanostructure carbons are the most important physisorption-based hydrogen carriers. The mechanism of hydrogen uptake was studied based on the adsorption isotherms collected for a wide range of temperature and pressure. It was concluded that the hydrogen adsorbed is arranged on carbon surface monolayerly; therefore, the storage capacity depends only on the specific surface area of the carbon. This rule applies also for other organic/inorganic materials if the interaction between hydrogen and the solid surface remains the Van der Waals force. Carbon nanotubes cannot be good carriers of hydrogen due to the small surface area, but superactivated carbon is of great potential and a storage capacity over 10 wt% was proven for the condition of 77 K and 6 MPa.     

Thermal buckling of temperature-dependent composite super elliptical plates reinforced with carbon nanotubes

In this work, the problem of thermal buckling of composite plates reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is investigated. Distribution of CNTs as reinforcements through the thickness direction of the plate is assumed to be either uniform or functionally graded (FG). Properties of the reinforcement and matrix are both temperature dependent. Properties of the composite media are obtained according to a refined rule of mixture approach where the e?ciency parameters are introduced. The plate is in a super elliptical shape where the simple elliptical shape and rectangular shapes are obtained as especial cases. In these types of plates due to the round corners, stress concentration phenomenon is eliminated. Based on the Ritz method where the shape functions are of the polynomial type, the governing equations are obtained. These equations are solved using an iterative eigenvalue problem since the properties are temperature dependent. Numerical results are validated for the simple case of an isotropic plate. Novel numerical results are provided for plates reinforced with CNTs in different shapes, various volume fractions and different patterns of CNT distribution. It is shown that FG-X pattern of CNTs in matrix results in the maximum critical buckling temperature.     

不同海况下近海超大型风力机动力学响应及结构损伤分析

以超大型DTU 10 MW单桩式近海风力机为研究对象,通过p-y曲线和非线性弹簧建立桩-土耦合模型,选取Kaimal风谱模型建立湍流风场,基于P-M谱定义不同频率波浪分布,并利用辐射/绕射理论计算波浪载荷,采用有限元方法对不同海况下单桩式风力机进行动力学响应、疲劳及屈曲分析。结果表明：不同海况波浪载荷作用下塔顶位移响应及等效应力峰值远小于风及风浪联合作用,其中风浪联合作用下风力机塔顶位移响应及等效应力略小于风载荷;波浪载荷对风载荷引起的单桩式风力机动力学响应具有一定抑制作用,此外相较于波浪载荷,风载荷为控制载荷;风载荷与风浪联合作用下风力机等效应力峰值位于塔顶与机舱连接处,波浪载荷风力机等效应力峰值位于支撑结构与桩基连接处;仅以风载荷预估风力机塔架疲劳寿命将导致预估不足;随着波浪载荷的增大,风力机失稳风险加大,波浪载荷不可忽略;不同海况下,风浪联合作用局部屈曲区域位于塔架中下端,在风力机抗风浪设计时,应重点关注此处;变桨效应可大幅降低风力机动力学响应、疲劳损伤及发生屈曲的风险。     

The evolution of the micro-morphology and micro-structure of particles from diesel engine in combination with exhaust gas recirculation

In this study, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to investigate the microstructure, spatial structure, and structural rigidity of the particles in the particulate matter (PM) produced at different exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates, exhaust compositions and temperatures as well as the size and number of gaps in the aggregates. The results showed that with increasing EGR rate and exhaust temperature, the aggregate size of the PM and the number of primary carbon particles increased significantly, the electronic density difference in the PM decreased gradually, the statistical mean distance between the PM decreased, the size and number of gaps in the aggregates decreased significantly, the spatial structure gradually became tighter, the Young’s moduli of the powders increased gradually, the structural rigidity increased, the liquid bridge force and the van der Waals force increased gradually, the type of cohesive force changed from the liquid bridge force to a combination of the liquid bridge force and the van der Waals force, and the van der Waals force played a more prominent role. In contrast to the particles that formed due to the introduction of exhaust gas, the particles that formed due to the introduction of CO₂ exhibited a chain structure, and the cohesive force decreased significantly, which resulted in loose particle packing. The particles that formed due to the introduction of only N₂ mainly exhibited a clustered structure, the cohesive force did not change significantly, and the primary carbon particles were tightly packed. The particle gap sizes ranged from 4 to 6 nm, 3 to 4 nm and 11 to 13 nm when exhaust gas, N₂ and CO₂ were introduced, respectively. The N₂ in the exhaust gas was the main factor responsible for the aggregation of particles and the improvement of the structural rigidity, whereas CO₂ in the exhaust gas increased the statistical mean distance between the particles and decreased the packing density of the structure and the structural rigidity.