Hydrothermal synthesis of carbonate-free submicron-sized barium titanate from an amorphous precursor: Synthesis and characterization

In this paper, the amorphous barium titanate precursor was prepared by the peroxo-hydroxide method and post-treated by various drying procedures, such as: room temperature drying, room temperature vacuum drying and vacuum drying at 50 °C. The objective in the latter two treatments was to increase the Ti-O-Ba bonds of the precursor. The post-treated precursors were compared with the untreated (i.e., ‘wet’) precursor. Also, a barium titanate precursor was prepared by an alkoxide route. Afterwards, the precursors were hydrothermally treated at 200 °C in a 10 M NaOH solution. Vacuum drying of the precursor seemingly promoted the formation of Ti-O-Ti bonds in the hydrothermal end-product. The low Ba:Ti ratio (0.66) of the alkoxide-route prepared precursor lead to a multi-phase hydrothermal product with BaTiO₃ as the main phase. In contrast, phase pure BaTiO₃, i.e. without BaCO₃ contamination, was obtained for the precursor which was dried at room temperature. Cube-shaped and highly crystalline BaTiO₃ particles were observed by electron microscopy for the hydrothermally treated peroxo-hydroxide-route prepared precursor.     

FRC板力学性能分析和材性结构设计

本文采用预测FRC板的复合材料模型,从表面层到夹芯层进行力学性能分析,并根据工程使用的关键力学性能—抗弯强度进行材性结构设计。     

‘Actions not as planned’ in military air-traffic control

Observations were made of the errors made by eight air-traffic controllers over two periods each of 2½ hours. Errors were classified using a recently devised classification of motor-program errors (Reason 1979) and all the controllers were observed under three conditions of workload, and performing two ostensibly similar air-traffic tasks.

More errors were found with increasing workload, but only in one of the tasks This was interpreted in terms of the pacing and time stress inherently imposed in that task. The assessment of error incidence seems a good candidate as a non-intrusive measure of workload. Analysis of errors in terms of Reason's typology showed no interaction with any of the other variables.

The association of errors with the use of particular pieces of equipment demonstrated ergonomic deficiencies which may have otherwise remained unnoticed It seems that error auditing may also be a useful investigative technique in ergonomic assessment.     

The mechanics of graphene nanocomposites: A review

The preparation and characterisation of the different forms of graphene are reviewed first of all. The different techniques that have been employed to prepare graphene such as mechanical and solution exfoliation, and chemical vapour deposition are discussed briefly. Methods of production of graphene oxide by the chemical oxidation of graphite are then described. The structure and mechanical properties of both graphene and graphene oxide are reviewed and it is shown that although graphene possesses superior mechanical properties, they both have high levels of stiffness and strength. It is demonstrated how Raman spectroscopy can be used to characterise the different forms of graphene and also follow the deformation of exfoliated graphene, with different numbers of layers, in model composite systems. It is shown that continuum mechanics can be employed to analyse the behaviour of these model composites and used to predict the minimum flake dimensions and optimum number of layers for good reinforcement. The preparation of bulk nanocomposites based upon graphene and graphene oxide is described finally and the properties of these materials reviewed. It is shown that good reinforcement is only found at relatively low levels of graphene loading and that, due to difficulties with obtaining good dispersions, challenges still remain in obtaining good mechanical properties for high volume fractions of reinforcement.     

Synergistic effects of toughening of nano-CaCO3 and toughness of β-polypropylene

High performance β-polypropylene (β-PP) nanocomposites were prepared by nano-CaCO₃ with β-nucleation (β-CC) filled PP, and the crystallization and mechanical properties of β-PP nanocomposites were investigated. The results show that β-CC prepared by nano-CaCO₃ supported β-nucleating agent calcium pimelate (CaPA) does not only increase the crystallization temperature of PP, but also induce the forming of a number of β-PP. It indicates that the nucleation mechanism of nano-CaCO₃ has been changed from α- to β-nucleation. The notched impact strength of β-CC filled PP nanocomposites was higher than that of CC filled PP and CaPA nucleated PP. It is suggested that there is a synergistic effect of toughening of CC and toughness of β-PP. Meanwhile, the reinforcing of CC nanoparticles increased the stiffness of β-PP. The synergistic toughening effect of CC and β-PP was discussed. This method can be extended to prepare other high performance filled β-PP composites.     

Optical properties of hybrid T3Pyr/SiO2/3C-SiC nanowires

A new class of nanostructured hybrid materials is developed by direct grafting of a model thiophene-based organic dye on the surface of 3C-SiC/SiO₂ core/shell nanowires. TEM-EDX analysis reveals that the carbon distribution is more spread than it would be, considering only the SiC core size, suggesting a main contribution from C of the oligothiophene framework. Further, the sulfur signal found along the treated wires is not detected in the as-grown samples. In addition, the fluorescent spectra are similar for the functionalized nanostructures and T3Pyr in solution, confirming homogeneous molecule grafting on the nanowire surface. Chemical and luminescence characterizations confirm a homogeneous functionalization of the nanowires. In particular, the fluorophore retains its optical properties after functionalization.     

Improving post irradiation stability of high density polyethylene by multi walled carbon nanotubes

Sterilization of implants and other clinical accessories is an integral part of any medical application. Although many materials are used as implants, polyethylene stands unique owing to its versatility. Carbon nanotubes are being used as a filler material to enhance the properties of polyethylene. However, the role of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as an effective antioxidant and radical scavenger in resisting the deteriorating effects of sterilization is yet to be studied in detail. The present work is aimed to investigate the mechanical properties and oxidation stability of irradiated high density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced by MWCNTs with various concentrations such as 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00 wt.%. The composites were exposed to ⁶⁰Co source in air and irradiated at different dosage level starting from 25 to 100 kGy and then shelf aged for a period of 120 days prior to investigation. The loss in toughness, Young’s modulus and ultimate strength at 100 kGy for 1 wt.% MWCNTs composite were found to be 21.5%, 20.3% and 19.2%, respectively compared to that of unirradiated composite. FTIR and ESR studies confirmed the antioxidant and radical scavenging potentialities of MWCNTs with increased concentration and irradiation dosage. It was found that by the addition of 1 wt.% MWCNTs into virgin HDPE, the oxidation index of the composite at 100 kGy was decreased by 56.2%. It is concluded that the addition of MWCNTs into polyethylene not only limits the loss of mechanical properties but also improves its post irradiation oxidative stability.     

Synthesis and phase stability of precursor derived HfO2/Si-C-N-O nanocomposites

Hafnium alkoxide modified polysilazane was synthesized by the drop-wise addition of hafnium tetra(n-butoxide) to polysilazane. The solid state thermolysis (SST) temperature and the ceramic yield for both the polysilazane and modified polysilazane were determined by performing thermogravimetry. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to understand the polymer to ceramic conversion as well as the bonding characteristics of the ceramics. The modified polymer after crosslinking was subjected to SST at 800 °C at a constant heating rate of 5 °C/min for a dwell time of 2 h in atmospheric ambience. From the X-ray diffractograms, the as-thermolysed ceramics were observed to remain X-ray amorphous and on heat-treatment resulted in the crystallization of tetragonal hafnia. However, on heat-treatment at 1500 °C, reverse phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic hafnia was observed. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to further understand the phase evolution. The thermal stability and the influence of amorphous matrix on the coarsening of HfO₂ were also evaluated.     

Growth characteristics of hierarchical ZnO structures prepared by one-step aqueous chemical growth

By varying the initial precursor concentrations of (KOH/Zn(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O) without addition of surfactants, the branched nanostructures with different growth characteristics can be obtained. In this study, the growth behavior of the three-dimensional hierarchical structure arrays varied from randomly oriented to well-defined sixfold symmetry by altering pH value of the solution and the related effect of erosion phenomenon have been illustrated. In summary, the hierarchical structures with different morphologies can be obtained on preformed Zn microtips through a simple one-step solution method.