Poly(vinyl alcohol)/carboxyl graphene mixed matrix membranes: High-power ultrasonic treatment for enhanced pervaporation performance

High-power ultrasonic treatment was conducted during the mixing process to obtain poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/carboxyl graphene (CG) mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). Results from X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the enhanced esterification reaction. The increased amorphous region and free volume were investigated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope measurements suggested that ultrasonic could uniformly disperse CG in PVA polymer matrix. The mechanical properties and hydrophilicity of as-prepared membrane were enhanced due to ultrasonic treatment. The permeation flux and separation factor of PVA/CG-US membrane for 90 wt % ethanol aqueous solution were 0.79 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ and 860, respectively. For methanol (15 wt %)/methyl tert-butyl ether mixture, its permeation flux and separation factor were also increased significantly compared with membranes without ultrasonic treatment. Due to the simplicity of the ultrasonic process and the versatility of the inorganic fillers, this method may contribute to the design of various MMMs and extend the application of these membranes in different uses. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48526.     

集成式铁基质生物膜反应器自养反硝化深度脱氮

以污水厂处理水为研究对象，采用铁基质生物载体与生物膜耦合实现高效自养反硝化脱氮。考察停留时间（HRT）对系统脱氮效能的影响，通过动力学及微生物群落结构分析，揭示耦合技术的脱氮机理。结果表明：HRT为8 h，对一级A和一级B污水厂处理水，总氮(TN)平均去除率分别为95.41%和92.55%，TN处理负荷分别为0.48 kg TN/(m³·d）和0.58 kg TN/(m³·d），硝化过程氨氮(NH₄⁺-N)饱和常数分别为1.17 mg/L和0.72 mg/L，反硝化过程硝氮(NO₃^--N)饱和常数分别为0.87 mg/L和0.67 mg/L。出水水质分别达到《地表水环境质量标准》Ⅲ类、Ⅴ类水质标准。铁基质生物载体与生物膜耦合系统中微生物优势菌属为Maritimimonas、Rhodobacter和Sphaerotilus, 均为自养反硝化菌，证实了铁基质生物载体可为自养反硝化菌提供电子，实现生物自养反硝化脱氮。     

Preparation of mixed matrix composite membrane for hydrogen purification by incorporating ZIF-8 nanoparticles modified with tannic acid

The incompatibility between nanofillers and polymer, caused by the agglomeration of nanoparticles and their weak interaction with each other, is still a challenge to develop mixed matrix composite membrane. Herein, we introduced the ZIF-8-TA nanoparticles synthesized by in situ hydrophilic modification into the hydrophilic poly(vinylamine) (PVAm) matrix to prepare composite membranes for H₂ purification. The dispersion of ZIF-8 in water was improved by tannic acid modification, and the compatibility between ZIF-8 particles and PVAm matrix was enhanced by chemical crosslinking between the quinone groups in oxidized tannic acid (TA) and the amino groups in PVAm. Moreover, the compatibility between hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) gutter layer and hydrophilic separation layer was achieved by the adhesion of TA-Fe³⁺ complex to the surface of PDMS layer during membrane preparation. The interlayer hydrophilic modification and the formation of separation layer were accomplished in one step, which simplified the preparation process. The experimental results indicated that when the TA addition used for modification was 0.5 g and the ZIF-8-TA_0.5 content in membrane was 12 wt%, the prepared membrane showed the best separation performance with the CO₂ permeance of 987 GPU and the CO₂/H₂ selectivity of 31, under the feed gas pressure of 0.12 MPa.     

A review of particulate-reinforced aluminum matrix composites fabricated by selective laser melting

Selective laser melting (SLM) is an emerging layer-wise additive manufacturing technique that can generate complex components with high performance. Particulate-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (PAMCs) are important materials for various applications due to the combined properties of Al matrix and reinforcements. Considering the advantages of SLM technology and PAMCs, the novel SLM PAMCs have been developed and researched in recent years. Therefore, the current research progress about the SLM PAMCs is reviewed. Firstly, special attention is paid to the solidification behavior of SLM PAMCs. Secondly, the important issues about the design and fabrication of high-performance SLM PAMCs, including the selection of reinforcement, the influence of parameters on the processing and microstructure, the defect evolution and phase control, are highlighted and discussed comprehensively. Thirdly, the performance and strengthening mechanism of SLM PAMCs are systematically figured out. Finally, future directions are pointed out on the advancement of high-performance SLM PAMCs.     

Composite mixed matrix membranes incorporating microporous carbon molecular sieve as filler in polyethersulfone for CO2/CH4 separation

Membrane technology has been considered a key factor for sustainable growth in high-efficiency gas separation. Current mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) technology is rising, but these membranes in the dense structure are having difficulties in operating at high pressures and scale up for commercialization. The purpose of this research is to synthesize composite MMMs (CMMMs) consisting of polyethersulfone (PES), carbon molecular sieve (CMS 1–5 wt %), and Novatex 2471 nonwoven fabric (support layer). The membranes' physical, chemical, and thermal properties were evaluated by different analytical equipment. The morphology of both PES and PES-CMS composite membranes had a porous and asymmetric structure, in which CMS was uniformly distributed in the polymer matrix. The thermal properties showed that the membranes were stable up to 350 °C with a single glass transition temperature. The functional groups in the membrane were confirmed by spectral analysis. The gas performance results showed that carbon dioxide permeance increased with increased CMS concentration and methane permeance decreased due to the hindering effect of CMS under similar operating conditions. The highest selectivity achieved was 12.774 using CMMM of 5 wt % of CMS at 10 bar, which on average was 137.80%, improved selectivity compared to pure PES membrane. The support layer was able to withstand high operating pressures and showed the ability to scale up. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48476.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cu Matrix Composites Reinforced byTiB2/TiN Ceramic Reinforcements

Cu matrix composites reinforced by TiB₂/TiN ceramic reinforcements (Cu/TBN composites) were prepared by hot pressing method. Prior to the hot pressing, Cu/TiB₂/TiN composite powders (CTBN powders), which were used as the starting materials of Cu/TBN composites, were fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis method. The CTBN particles were found to be in a special core-shell structure with a Cu-Ti alloy core and a TiB₂/TiN ceramic shell. The test results presented obvious improvements in mechanical properties. The highest ultimate tensile strength reached up to 297 MPa, 77 MPa higher than that of Cu. And the highest hardness reached up to 70.7 HRF, 15.7 HRF higher than that of Cu. A comparative study indicated that the core-shell structured particles could bring about more obvious strengthening effect than the traditional irregularly shaped particles, which was due to the improved Cu/ceramics interfacial bonding, the linkage strengthening effect of both TiB₂ and TiN, and higher load bearing ability of the core-shell structured reinforcements.     

Al3Zr/Al基原位复合材料等离子体焊接区的组织及表面腐蚀行为

摘要： 本文以5wt%Al3Zr/铝基复合材料为研究对象，以Ar气体为离子气体，Al-Ti-B为丝材进行等离子焊接。用电化学综合测试仪测定了焊接区在3.5%NaCl溶液中的腐蚀极化曲线。采用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、X射线衍射仪（XRD）对复合材料及其焊缝的组织和相组成进行了分析和表征，研究了Al3Zr/Al基复合材料等离子焊接后在3.5%NaCl溶液中的腐蚀行为和腐蚀机理。SEM分析结果表明，等离子弧焊接可获得较好的焊缝组织，焊缝组织主要由Al3Ti相和Al基体组成，Al3Ti相呈条状和球形。电化学极化曲线表明，材料在熔核处的耐蚀性略低于母材，焊缝处浸泡腐蚀机理为Al3Ti相和基体相的电极电位不同形成原电池反应造成。     

Mimicking the Brain Extracellular Matrix in Vitro: A Review of Current Methodologies and Challenges

The brain's extracellular matrix (ECM), a 3-dimensional macromolecular network that supports cell growth and viability, has crucial roles in homeostasis and disease. Accurate recapitulation of the chemical, structural, and mechanical properties of the ECM in brain cell cultures is essential for the development of translatable in vitro models; however, thus far, this task has proven highly challenging. This review provides an in-depth discussion of this challenge, including an overview of the properties of the ECM that in vitro models should endeavour to capture, a survey of ECM analogues that are currently used for this purpose, and a discussion of the main hindrances to developing more effective ECM-like coating materials.     

Evaluation of the moulding process for production of short-fibre-reinforced C/C-SiC composites

For the production of C/C-SiC brake discs via the liquid silicon infiltration method (LSI), the hot pressing process is the state of art technique for the moulding of the CFRP composites. This technique consists of several manual steps which increase production cost. The overall cost can be reduced by implementing injection moulding process.In this paper the influence of the moulding process (hot pressing, injection moulding) on the properties of semi-finished and final products during the production of short-fibre-reinforced C/C-SiC composites by means of the LSI process are examined. The starting polymer is chemically characterised. Carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites are fabricated by hot pressing, as well as injection moulding process. The CFRP composites are converted into porous C/C composites by pyrolysis. Liquid silicon is infiltrated to form dense C/C-SiC composites, which are further investigated during the course of this paper. Significant differences in properties of the composites are discussed.     

基于压缩感知的高阶MIMO系统信道估值算法

针对通信网络中的天线数量巨大，很难完成对信道的有效计算与估值。借助于高阶多输入多输出（MIMO）系统的可靠性，提出了一种基于压缩感知的信道估值高阶MIMO系统。设计了一种简单的导频结构，以降低计算复杂度；利用导频序列长度可以随着信道稀疏度变化情况自适应的调整，从而节省了导频资源的开销。仿真实验表明，与传统的信道估计算法比较，在相同的信道估计精度条件下，HMCE-CS算法可以降低平均导频序列长度；或者在相同的导频序列长度条件下，HMCE-CS算法可以提高信道估计精度，验证了该算法的有效性。