Deposition and super liquid repellency of fluorinated ZnO nanoparticles on carbon fabrics

The liquid-repellent behavior of fluorinated zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles deposited onto carbon fabric (CF) by a pulse microwave-assisted (MA) method followed by surface fluorination treatment was investigated. The MA process is performed at 80 °C within 10 min with different pH values of 5.5, 8 and 12. The hexagonal ZnO nanoparticles with an average size of 100 nm exhibit a well-defined wurtzite crystal structure without any heat treatment. The ZnO nanoparticles produced by MA synthesis at pH = 8 display the maximal density over CF substrate. The fluorination coating effectively imparts super water and oil repellencies on the ZnO–CF surface; i.e., the contact angles are 163° (water) and 153° (ethylene glycol, EG). The liquid repellencies toward water and EG droplets show an increasing function of surface density of ZnO nanoparticles. This result can be attributed to the fact that an air layer is confined in the nanoparticles, thereby inducing a rougher gas–vapor–solid contact line, referred to as the Cassie state. Based on the Young–Duprè equation incorporated with the Cassie parameter, the lowest work of adhesion (W_ad) values of the ZnO–CF surface for water and EG repellencies are estimated to be 3.16 and 4.93 mJ/m², respectively. Accordingly, this work sheds some light on the creation of a two-tier texture by an efficient MA route and on how the surface density of ZnO nanoparticles strongly affects the repellent behavior of the resultant ZnO–CF composites.     

In situ synthesis of Co3O4/graphene nanocomposite material for lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors with high capacity and supercapacitance

Co₃O₄/graphene nanocomposite material was prepared by an in situ solution-based method under reflux conditions. In this reaction progress, Co²⁺ salts were converted to Co₃O₄ nanoparticles which were simultaneously inserted into the graphene layers, upon the reduction of graphite oxide to graphene. The prepared material consists of uniform Co₃O₄ nanoparticles (15-25 nm), which are well dispersed on the surfaces of graphene nanosheets. This has been confirmed through observations by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The prepared composite material exhibits an initial reversible lithium storage capacity of 722 mAh g⁻¹ in lithium-ion cells and a specific supercapacitance of 478 F g⁻¹ in 2 M KOH electrolyte for supercapacitors, which were higher than that of the previously reported pure graphene nanosheets and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles. Co₃O₄/graphene nanocomposite material demonstrated an excellent electrochemical performance as an anode material for reversible lithium storage in lithium ion cells and as an electrode material in supercapacitors.     

One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of ruthenium oxide nanodots on reduced graphene oxide sheets for supercapacitors

Ruthenium oxide nanodots have been deposited on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets homogeneously by hydrothermal and annealing methods. Adding NaOH solution in GO colloids prevents the restack and agglomeration of GO sheets when mixed with ruthenium chloride solution. Local crystallization of RuO₂ in the composites is revealed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The element mapping image demonstrates the uniform distribution of Ru on RGO sheets. Unlike the pure crystalline RuO₂ exhibiting poor electrochemical performance, the composites present superior capacitive properties. The hydrothermal time is optimized and a maximum of 471 F g⁻¹ is measured in the composites at 0.5 A g⁻¹ when loaded with 45 wt% of RuO₂. After 3000 cycles, its specific capacitance remains 92% of the maximum capacitance. Our results suggest potential application of the reduced graphene oxide/ruthenium oxide composites to supercapacitors.     

Sol-gel synthesis and electrochemical performance of Li4Ti5O12/graphene composite anode for lithium-ion batteries

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/graphene composite was prepared by a facile sol-gel method. The lattice structure and morphology of the composite were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical performances of the electrodes have been investigated compared with the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ synthesized by a similar route. The Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/graphene composite presents a higher capacity and better cycling performance than Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ at the cutoff of 2.5-1.0 V, especially at high current rate. The excellent electrochemical performance of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/graphene electrode could be attributed to the improvement of electronic conductivity from the graphene sheets. When discharged to 0 V, the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/graphene composite exhibited a quite high capacity over 274 mAh g⁻¹ below 1.0 V, which was quite beneficial for not only the high energy density but also the safety characteristic of lithium-ion batteries.     

Preparation of Fe2O3/graphene composite and its electrochemical performance as an anode material for lithium ion batteries

The micro-sized sphere Fe₂O₃ particles doped with graphene nanosheets were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The obtained Fe₂O₃/graphene composite as the anode material for lithium ion batteries showed a high discharge capacity of 660 mAh g⁻¹ during up to 100 cycles at the current density of 160 mA g⁻¹ and good rate capability. The excellent electrochemical performance of the composite can be attributed to that graphene served as dispersing medium to prevent Fe₂O₃ microparticles from agglomeration and provide an excellent electronic conduction pathway.     

HIP synthesis of η-carbide-type nitrides Fe3W3N and Fe6W6N and their magnetic properties

We have succeeded in synthesising iron-tungsten nitrides using the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) method and have measured their magnetic properties. Two η-carbide-type iron-tungsten nitrides with lattice constants a = 11.043(1) and 10.937(2) Å were synthesised directly from metal elements under high-pressure nitrogen gas. Their compositions are expected to be Fe₃W₃N and Fe₆W₆N in analogy with other η-carbide-type compounds. Fe₃W₃N is a ferromagnet with a Curie temperature T_C = 110 K and a saturation moment P_S = 0.78μ_B/Fe, whereas Fe₆W₆N is an antiferromagnet with a Néel temperature T_N = 75 K and shows a metamagnetic transition at around 25 T.     

Facile decoration of polypyrrole nanoparticles onto graphene nanosheets for supercapacitors

A facile approach was developed to prepare the graphene nanosheets (GNS) supported polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles via the in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole onto the surfaces of the GNS modified with sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) as surfactant for GNS and dopant for PPy simultaneously. The morphologies of the graphene nanosheets supported polypyrrole nanoparticles (GNS/PPy nanocomposites) with different feeding ratios were characterized with transition electron microscopy (TEM). It indicated that the PPy nanoparticles had been successfully decorated onto the GNS surfaces. The electrochemical performances of the GNS/PPy nanocomposites were investigated with cyclic voltammetry (CV), constant current charge–discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The nanocomposite exhibited specific capacitance of 294 F g⁻¹ at the charge–discharge current density of 10 mA cm⁻² in 1.0 M NaNO₃ electrolyte. It showed that the GNS/PPy nanocomposites might be promising electrode materials for supercapacitors.     

Nanoscale synthesis and optical features of metallic nickel nanoparticles by wet chemical approaches

Nickel nanoparticles (Ni-NPs) were successfully synthesized and attached on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate by two different methods: from solution reduction process by using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) as reducing agent in the presence of poly(N-vinilpyrrolidone) (PVP) as protective and stabilizing agents and by polyol process under ethylene glycol EG as a solvent. The results indicated that the samples prepared in aqueous solution show the occurrence of face-centered cubic metallic nickel nanoparticles with a medium diameter of ∼31 nm and good size dispersion compared to the preparation in EG that revealed large size ∼150 nm. The dynamics of the nanoparticle's growth in the solvents and comparison with optical absorption is presented.     

Synthesis, structural and microwave dielectric properties of Al2W3−xMoxO12 (x = 0-3) ceramics

Low dielectric ceramics in the Al₂W_3−xMo_xO₁₂ (x = 0-3) system have been prepared through solid state ceramic route. The phase purity of the ceramic compositions has been studied using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The microstructure of the sintered ceramics was evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The crystal structure of the ceramic compositions as a result of Mo substitution has been studied using Laser Raman spectroscopy. The microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics were studied by Hakki and Coleman post resonator and cavity perturbation techniques. Al₂Mo_xW_3−xO₁₂ (x = 0-3) ceramics exhibited low dielectric constant and relatively high unloaded quality factor. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of the compositions is found to be in the range −41 to −72 ppm/°C.     

Electron-irradiation-induced reinforcement of reduced graphene oxide papers

Here we show that the graphene sheets in reduced graphene oxide papers (rGOPs) can be cross-linked by electron-irradiation-induced sp³ carbon atoms, resulting in significant enhancements in both the mechanical and electrical properties compared to unirradiated rGOPs. We find that the residual oxygen-containing functional groups in rGOPs are removed during irradiation. We also observe that the Wigner energy release temperature in rGOPs is 102–188 °C, which is lower than that (～200 °C) in pure graphite. The mechanisms to form sp³ cross-links and the evolutions of sp³ carbon atoms under irradiation are revealed through molecular dynamics simulations.