Thin films of hard cubic Zr3N4 stabilized by stress

Hard, refractory thin films consisting of group IVB element mono-nitrides deposited using various chemical and physical vapour-deposition techniques are widely used in wear-resistant applications. As the demand for performance exceeds the capabilities of existing materials, new materials with superior properties must be developed. Here we report the realization and characterization of hard cubic Zr3N4 (c-Zr3N4) thin films. The films, deposited using a novel but industrially viable modified filtered cathodic arc (FCA) method, undergo a phase transformation from orthorhombic to cubic above a critical stress level of 9 GPa as determined by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The c-Zr3N4 films are significantly harder (approximately 36 GPa) than both the orthorhombic Zr3N4 (o-Zr3N4) and ZrN films (approximately 27 GPa). The ability to deposit this material directly onto components as a thin film will allow its use in wear- and oxidation-resistant applications.     

Mechanical and thermal behavior of non-crimp glass fiber reinforced layered clay/epoxy nanocomposites

Mechanical and thermal properties of non-crimp glass fiber reinforced clay/epoxy nanocomposites were investigated. Clay/epoxy nanocomposite systems were prepared to use as the matrix material for composite laminates. X-ray diffraction results obtained from natural and modified clays indicated that intergallery spacing of the layered clay increases with surface treatment. Tensile tests indicated that clay loading has minor effect on the tensile properties. Flexural properties of laminates were improved by clay addition due to the improved interface between glass fibers and epoxy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the modified clay particles affected the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the nanocomposites. Incorporation of surface treated clay particles increased the dynamic mechanical properties of nanocomposite laminates. It was found that the flame resistance of composites was improved significantly by clay addition into the epoxy matrix.     

UV-curable fluorine-containing hybrid coatings via thiol-ene “click” reaction and an in situ sol–gel method

In this study, photocurable fluorine-containing coatings were prepared via thiol-ene click chemistry and an in situ sol–gel method. MPTMS was used as a coupling agent to perform both the thiol-ene click reaction and the sol–gel reactions. PFOTES was utilized for the preparation of fluorine-containing coatings. The addition of fluorine and silica showed a significant impact on the properties of the coatings. The addition of silica greatly enhanced the mechanical properties of the coatings. As the fluorine and silica contents were increased in the formulations, flame retardancy, hydrophobicity, and oleophobicity of the coatings increased. High char yields were obtained for the silica- and fluorine-containing samples. Furthermore, the effect of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles on the properties of the hybrid coatings was investigated.     

Pyrolysis Kinetics of Blends of Yeni Çeltek Lignite and Sugar Beet Pulp

Abstract

Pyrolysis kinetics of the Yeni Çeltek lignite/sugar beet pulp blends prepared at different ratios (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, and 0:100) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis in the present study. All the experiments were carried out in nitrogen atmosphere under non-isothermal conditions with a heating rate range of 30 K/min in the pyrolysis temperature interval of 298–1,173 K. The Arrhenius model is applied to determine the kinetic parameters from TG/DTG curves. Apparent activation energies of the lignite and sugar beet pulp were calculated as 51.55 kJ/mol and 97.27 kJ/mol, respectively. Activation energies of the blends were also calculated and were found to vary between 54.87 and 74.83 kJ/mol. Effects of blending ratio of lignite to sugar beet pulp on kinetic parameters were investigated and the results were discussed.     

Improvement of dewatering capacity of a petrochemical sludge

Oily sludge produced from a petrochemical industry was used to investigate the improvement of its dewatering properties. The oil content (OC) and the dry solid content (DS) of the raw sludge were respectively, 15% and 3.6% by weight. The capillary suction time (CST) and the specific resistance to filtration (SRF) of the raw petrochemical industrial sludge were found to be 2000s and approximately 5.5x10(16)m/kg, respectively. Conventional chemical conditioners such as alum, lime, and polyelectrolyte, and less conventional ones like fly ash, gypsum, and bentonite were used in the sludge conditioning studies. Conventional chemical conditioners gave better results for the enhancement of the dewatering capacity of the sludge. The best result was obtained by using 0.9% cationic polyelectrolyte by weight, and a decrease of 99%-95% were achieved for CST and SRF, respectively, when this dosage of cationic polyelectrolyte was used.     

Rapid synthesis of aligned zinc oxide nanowires

A solution growth approach for zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires is highly appealing because of the low growth temperature and possibility for large area synthesis. Reported reaction times for ZnO nanowire synthesis, however, are long, spanning from several hours to days. In this work, we report on the rapid synthesis of ZnO nanowires on various substrates (such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), silicon and glass) using a commercially available microwave oven. The average growth rate of our nanowires is determined to be as high as 100?nm?min(-1), depending on the microwave power. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed a defect-free single-crystalline lattice of the nanowires. A detailed analysis of the growth characteristics of ZnO nanowires as functions of growth time and microwave power is reported. Our work demonstrates the possibility of a fast synthesis route using microwave heating for nanomaterials synthesis.     

Design criteria for transparent single-wall carbon nanotube thin-film transistors

A study based on two-dimensional percolation theory yielding quantitative parameters for optimum connectivity of transparent single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) thin films is reported. Optimum SWNT concentration in the filtrated solution was found to be 0.1 mg/L with a volume of 30 mL. Such parameters lead to SWNT fractions in the films of approximately Phi = 1.8 x 10(-3), much below the metallic percolation threshold, which is found to be approximately PhiC = 5.5 x 10(-3). Therefore, the performance of transparent carbon nanotube thin-film transistors is limited by the metallic SWNTs, even below their percolation threshold. We show how this effect is related to hopping or tunneling between neighboring metallic tubes.