Impact behavior and fractographic study of carbon nanotubes grafted carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix multi-scale hybrid composites

Carbon nanotubes are the most promising reinforcement for high performance composites. Multiwall carbon nanotubes were directly grown onto the carbon fiber surface by catalytic thermal chemical vapor deposition technique. Multi-scale hybrid composites were fabricated using the carbon nanotubes grown fibers with epoxy matrix. Morphology of the grown carbon nanotubes was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The fabricated composites were subjected to impact tests which showed 48.7% and 42.2% higher energy absorption in Charpy and Izod impact tests respectively. Fractographic analysis of the impact tested specimens revealed the presence of carbon nanotubes both at the fiber surface and within the matrix which explained the reason for improved energy absorption capability of these composites. Carbon nanotubes presence at various cracks formed during loading provided a direct evidence of micro crack bridging. Thus the enhanced fracture strength of these composites is attributed to stronger fiber–matrix interfacial bonding and simultaneous matrix strengthening due to the grown carbon nanotubes.     

Multilayered MoS2 nanoflakes bound to carbon nanotubes as electron acceptors in bulk heterojunction inverted organic solar cells

We demonstrate the deposition of multilayered MoS₂ on a low-cost metallic-semiconducting carbon nanotube via chemical vapor deposition, and the use of this material as electron acceptor species forming a bulk heterojunction with P3HT in inverted-type organic photovoltaics (OPVs). This is an uplifting discovery, in which MoS₂ has been used as an electron acceptor in spite of its innate immiscibility with organic compounds. This is possible because we utilize carbon nanotube’s nature to intercalate with P3HT through π–π interaction. The successful binding of MoS₂ onto carbon nanotube bundles and its optoelectronic effect as a photovoltaic device has been lucidly analyzed through various techniques in this paper. The effect has been ultimately evidenced by a power conversion efficiency of 0.46%, which proves MoS₂ with many advantages can also be used as a photoactive layer.     

Charge injection in metal/organic/metal structures with ZnO:Al/organic interface modified by Zn1−xMgxO:Al layer

Aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al, AZO) electrodes were covered with very thin (∼6 nm) Zn_1−xMg_xO:Al (AMZO) layers grown by atomic layer deposition. They were tested as hole blocking/electron injecting contacts to organic semiconductors. Depending on the ALD growth conditions, the magnesium content at the film surface varied from x = 0 to x = 0.6. Magnesium was present only at the ZnO:Al surface and subsurface regions and did not diffuse into deeper parts of the layer. The work function of the AZO/AMZO (x = 0.3) film was 3.4 eV (based on the ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy). To investigate carrier injection properties of such contacts, single layer organic structures with either pentacene or 2,4-bis[4-(N,N-diisobutylamino)-2,6-dihydroxyphenyl] squaraine layers were prepared. Deposition of the AMZO layers with x = 0.3 resulted in a decrease of the reverse currents by 1–2 orders of magnitude and an improvement of the diode rectification. The AMZO layer improved hole blocking/electron injecting properties of the AZO electrodes. The analysis of the current-voltage characteristics by a differential approach revealed a richer injection and recombination mechanisms in the structures containing the additional AMZO layer. Among those mechanisms, monomolecular, bimolecular and superhigh injection were identified.     

Electrophoretic deposition of graphene oxide on carbon brush as bioanode for microbial fuel cell operated with real wastewater

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising technology for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy harvesting. The properties of the anode material play a critical role in the performance of the MFC. In this study, graphene oxide was prepared by a modified hummer's method. A thin layer of graphene oxide was incorporated on the carbon brush using an electrophoretic technique. The deoxygenated graphene oxide formed on the surface of the carbon brush (RGO-CB) was investigated as a bio-anode in MFC operated with real wastewater. The performance of the MFC using the RGO-CB was compared with that using plain carbon brush anode (PCB). Results showed that electrophoretic deposition of graphene oxide on the surface of carbon brush significantly enhanced the performance of the MFC, where the power density increased more than 10 times (from 33 mWm^?2 to 381 mWm^?2). Although the COD removal was nearly similar for the two MFCs, i.e., with PCB and RGO-CB; the columbic efficiency significantly increased in the case of RGO-CB anode. The improved performance in the case of the modified electrode was related to the role of the graphene in improving the electron transfer from the microorganism to the anode surface, as confirmed from the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements.     

Cathode plasma electrolytic deposition of Al2O3 coatings doped with SiC particles

Semiconductor particles doped Al₂O₃ coatings were prepared by cathode plasma electrolytic deposition in Al(NO₃)₃ electrolyte dispersed with SiC micro- and nano-particles (average particle sizes of 0.5–1.7?µm and 40?nm respectively). The effects of the concentrations and particle sizes of the SiC on the microstructures and tribological performances of the composite coatings were studied. In comparison with the case of dispersing with SiC microparticles, the dispersion of SiC nanoparticles in the coatings was more uniform. When the concentration of SiC nanoparticles was 5?g/L, the surface roughness of the composite coating was reduced by 63%, compared with that of the unmodified coating. Friction results demonstrated that the addition of 5?g/L SiC nanoparticles reduced the friction coefficient from 0.60 to 0.38 and decreased the wear volume under dry friction. The current density and bath voltage were measured to analyze the effects of SiC particles on the deposition process. The results showed that the SiC particles could alter the electrical behavior of the coatings during the deposition process, weaken the bombardment of the plasma, and improve the structures of the coatings.     

Investigation of hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride using different cobalt catalysts

Effective Co/Cu, CoB/Cu, and CoBM (M = Mo,Zn,Fe)/Cu catalysts were prepared on the copper surface by a simple electroless deposition method using a morpholine borane as a reducing agent in the glycine solution. The activity of the deposited catalysts was investigated for hydrogen generation from an alkaline sodium borohydride solution. It was determined that these synthesized catalysts demonstrated the catalytic activity for the hydrolysis reaction of NaBH₄. The lowest obtained activation energy (E_A) of the hydrolysis reaction of NaBH₄was 27 kJ mol^?1 for the CoBMo/Cu catalyst. The hydrogen generation rate of 15.30 ml min^?1 was achieved using CoBMo/Cu catalysts at 313 K and it increased ~3.5 times with the increase of temperature to 343 K. The highest hydrogen generation rate obtained by CoBMo/Cu films may be related to the hierarchical cauliflower-shaped 3D structures and the high roughness surface area. Moreover, the CoBMo/Cu catalyst showed an excellent reusability.     

Phase modulation in nanocrystalline vanadium di-oxide (VO2) nanostructures using citric acid via one pot hydrothermal method

Herein, we report the successful synthesis of different phases of VO₂ nanomaterials via a facile hydrothermal method by simply varying the molar ratio of the reducing agent (citric acid monohydrate) to vanadium precursor (vanadium (V) oxide). Six samples were synthesized with corresponding variation in molar ratio of vanadium (V) oxide to citric acid monohydrate as 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5, respectively. The synthesized nanomaterials were characterized by phase identification, morphologies, compositional, optical, thermal, and electrical properties. The detailed characterizations confirmed the formation of single phase VO₂ (B), VO₂ (M) and amorphous VO₂ by the mere variation of relative concentrations of reducing agent. Even though the synthesis of single phase VO₂ is challenging and interestingly, a simple, one-step hydrothermal process procedure was used to produce pure phaseVO₂ without the use of inert environment or post-synthesis heat treatments.     

A large-grain-size thick-film polycrystalline diamond detector for x-ray detection

A diamond film with a size of 6 × 6 × 0.5 mm³ is fabricated by electron-assisted chemical vapor deposition. Raman spectrum analysis, x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope images confirm the high purity and large grain size, which is larger than 300 μm. Its resistivity is higher than ${10}^{12}\,{\rm{\Omega }}\cdot {\rm{cm}}.$ Interlaced-finger electrodes are imprinted onto the diamond film to develop an x-ray detector. Ohmic contact is confirmed by checking the linearity of its current–voltage curve. The dark current is lower than 0.1 nA under an electric field of 30 kV cm⁻¹. The time response is 220 ps. The sensitivity is about 125 mA W⁻¹ under a biasing voltage of 100 V. A good linear radiation dose rate is also confirmed. This diamond detector is used to measure x-ray on a Z-pinch, which has a double-layer 'nested tungsten wire array'. The pronounced peaks in the measured waveform clearly characterize the x-ray bursts, which proves the performance of this diamond detector.     

The variation of microstructures,spectral characteristics and catalysis effects of Fe~(3+) and Zn~(2+) co-doped CeO_2 solid solutions

Fe~(3+)and Zn~(2+)ions were doped into the lattice of CeO_2 via the hydrothermal method.The micro structure and spectra features were analyzed systemically.XRD results show that the solid solubility of Fe~(3+)and Zn~(2+)ions in Ce_(1-x)(Fe_(0.5)Zn_(0.5))_xO_2 can be identified as x=0.16.The cell volumes are decreased by increasing the doped content.The TEM graphs prove that the grain size of the sample is about 10 nm,and the EDS result indicates that the doped contents are in accordance with that of the theory concentrations.Meanwhile,the doping also causes the increasing concentrations of the defects and oxygen vacancies which are supported by the XPS,Raman,UV and PL characterizations.The samples exhibit better catalytic activities for improving the hydrogen storage properties and the electrochemical kinetics of the ball milled Mg_2Ni based composites.Further,the catalysis effects are improved by increasing the doped contents,which can be ascribed to the increasing contents of the oxygen vacancies,defects,the special electron transition states and the nature of the doped ions in CeO_2-based solid solutions.     

Pure CuBi2O4 Photoelectrodes with Increased Stability by Rapid Thermal Processing of Bi2O3/CuO Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition

A new method for enhancing the charge separation and photo‐electrochemical stability of CuBi₂O₄ photoelectrodes by sequentially depositing Bi₂O₃ and CuO layers on fluorine‐doped tin oxide substrates with pulsed laser deposition (PLD), followed by rapid thermal processing (RTP), resulting in phase‐pure, highly crystalline films after 10 min at 650 °C, is reported. Conventional furnace annealing of similar films for 72 h at 500 °C do not result in phase‐pure CuBi₂O₄. The combined PLD and RTP approach allow excellent control of the Bi:Cu stoichiometry and results in photoelectrodes with superior electronic properties compared to photoelectrodes fabricated through spray pyrolysis. The low photocurrents of the CuBi₂O₄ photocathodes fabricated through PLD/RTP in this study are primarily attributed to their low specific surface area, lack of CuO impurities, and limited, slow charge transport in the undoped films. Bare (without protection layers) CuBi₂O₄ photoelectrodes made with PLD/RTP shows a photocurrent decrease of only 26% after 5 h, which represents the highest stability reported to date for this material. The PLD/RTP fabrication approach offers new possibilities of fabricating complex metal oxides photoelectrodes with a high degree of crystallinity and good electronic properties at higher temperatures than the thermal stability of glass‐based transparent conductive substrates would allow.