Adsorption behavior of multiwall carbon nanotube/iron oxide magnetic composites for Ni(II) and Sr(II)

Multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/iron oxide magnetic composites were prepared, and were characterized by scan electron microscopy using a field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometer. The adsorptions of Ni(II) and Sr(II) onto MWCNT/iron oxide magnetic composites were studied as a function of pH and ionic strength. The results show that the adsorptions of Ni(II) and Sr(II) on the magnetic composites is strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. The adsorption capacity of the magnetic composites is much higher than that of MWCNTs and iron oxides. The solid magnetic composites can be separated from the solution by a magnetic process. The Langmuir model fits the adsorption isotherm data of Ni(II) better than the Freundlich model. Results of desorption study shows that Ni(II) adsorbed onto the magnetic composites can be easily desorbed at pH<2.0. MWCNT/iron oxide magnetic composites may be a promising candidate for pre-concentration and solidification of heavy metal ions and radionuclides from large volumes of aqueous solution, as required for remediation purposes.     

Magnetic coupling engineered porous dielectric carbon within ultralow filler loading toward tunable and high-performance microwave absorption

Developing microwave absorption(MA)materials with satisfied comprehensive performance is a great challenge for tackling severe electromagnetic pollution.In particular,the magnetic component/carbon hybrids absorbers always suffer from high filler loading.Herein,we propose a feasible strategy to construct hierarchical porous carbon with tightly embedded Ni nanoparticles(Ni@NPC).These highly dis-persed Ni nanoparticles produce strong magnetic coupling networks to enhance magnetic loss abilities.Moreover,the interconnected hierarchical dielectric carbon network affords favorable dipolar/interfacial polarization,conduction loss,multiple reflection and scattering.Impressively,with an ultralow filler loading of 5 wt.％,the resultant Ni@NPC/paraffin composite achieves an excellent MA performance with a minimum reflection loss of as high as-72.4 dB and a broad absorption bandwidth of 5.0 GHz.This capa-bility outperforms most current magnetic-dielectric hybrids counterparts.Furthermore,the MA capacity can be easily tuned with adjustments in thickness,content and type of magnetic material.Thus,this work opens up new avenues for the development of high-performance and lightweight MA materials.     

Magnetoelectric properties of Ni/PZT/Ni layered composite for low field applications

A composite material when placed under the external magnetic/electric fields exhibits voltage/induced magnetization is known as magnetoelectric (ME) composite. Such composite materials should have ferroelectric and ferro/ferri magnetic phases as constituents. The magnetoelectric output is exhibited as a product property. Magnetoelectric composites are being used for variety of applications including resonators, filters, phase shifters, optical isolators, actuators and magnetic field sensors. Metal/ferroelectric/metal magnetoelectric composite using Ni and PZT as constituent phases has been fabricated in 2-2 composite pattern to study its product property. The paper presents magnetoelectric studies of Ni/PZT/Ni composite using low dc magnetic field magnetoelectric set-up. Using this ME set-up ME output of Ni/PZT/Ni composite is studied as a function of dc magnetic field. The results were analyzed to identify the useful magnetic field (dc and ac) range in which Ni/PZT/Ni sensor can be utilized for applications.     

Oxidative Intercalation for Monometallic Ni2+‐Ni3+ Layered Double Hydroxide and Enhanced Capacitance in Exfoliated Nanosheets

Monometallic Ni²⁺‐Ni³⁺ layered double hydroxide (LDH) is prepared using a simple oxidative intercalation process and may be further exfoliated into positively charged Ni(OH)₂ unilamellar sheets. The superior capacitive behavior of the unilamellar sheets stranded in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) networks is achieved because of the complete interfacial charge storage arising from the confined Faradaic reactions at the interfacial region. 3D nanosheet/CNT composites are prepared using an in situ electrostatic assembly of positive charged sheets with CNTs bearing negative charges. The restacking of active nanosheets during electrochemical cycling is effectively prohibited. Consequently, the outstanding specific capacitance and remarkable rate capability of the nanosheet/CNT hybrid electrodes are demonstrated, making them promising candidates for high performance supercapacitors, combining high‐energy storage densities with high levels of power delivery.     

Effect of interlayer addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of NiTi/stainless steel joint by electron beam welding

NiTi/Stainless Steel(SS) sheets have been welded via a vacuum electron beam welding process, with three methods(offsetting electron beam to SS side without interlayer, adding Ni interlayer and adding Fe Ni interlayer), to promote mechanical properties of the Ni Ti/SS joints. The joints with different interlayers are all fractured in the weld zone near the Ni Ti side, which is attributed to the enrichment of intermetallic compounds including Fe2 Ti and Ni3 Ti. The fracture mechanisms of different joints are strongly dependent on the types of interlayers, and the joints without interlayer, adding Ni interlayer and adding Fe Ni interlayer exhibit cleavage fracture, intergranular fracture and mixed fracture composed of cleavage and tearing ridge, respectively. Compared with the brittle laves phase Fe2 Ti, Ni3 Ti phase can exhibit certain plasticity, block the crack propagation and change the direction of crack propagation. The composite structure of Ni3 Ti and Fe2 Ti will be formed when the Fe Ni alloy is taken as the interlayer, which provides the joint excellent mechanical properties, with rupture strength of 343 MPa.     

Magnetic Properties of Ni Nanoparticles and Ni（C） Nanocapsules

Structure and magnetic properties of Ni nanoparticles and Ni(C) nanocapsules were studied.The carbon atoms hardly affect the lattice of Ni to form Ni-C solid solution or nickel carbides.The large thermal irreversibility in zero-field-cooled and zero-field magnetization curves indicates magnetic blocking with a wide energy barrier.Saturation magnetization,remanent magnetization and coercivity of Ni(C) nanocapsules decrease with increasing temperature.magnetization,remanent magnetization and coercivity of Ni(C) nanocapsules decrease with increasing temperature.     

混杂纤维布加固钢筋混凝土梁抗弯性能试验及理论研究

该文提出了碳/芳纶/玻璃三种纤维混杂思路,高强、高弹模碳纤维提高承载能力,高延伸率玻璃纤维改善延性,而芳纶纤维使应力从碳纤维向玻璃纤维平稳转移。通过对11根钢筋混凝土梁的抗弯试验,研究了不同混杂方式、混杂结构、纤维布层数对梁抗弯性能的影响。结果表明:如果应力转移不平稳,混杂纤维布将与混凝土发生局部剥离,导致混杂纤维布加固效果降低;在相同纤维布层数条件下,与单一碳纤维布加固梁相比,碳/芳纶/玻璃层间混杂纤维布加固梁的初裂、屈服、峰值和极限荷载分别降低了22%、12%、12%和16%,而位移延性系数提高了20%,表明碳/芳纶/玻璃层间混杂纤维布能够显著降低单一碳纤维布的脆性。在试验研究的基础上,采用弹塑性截面分析法计算了混杂纤维布加固梁的承载力,理论计算值与试验值吻合良好。     

Facile Synthesis of NiFe_2O_4/Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid with Enhanced Electrochemical Lithium Storage Performance

In this work, a facile, one-pot route has been applied to synthesize nanohybrids based on mixed oxide Ni Fe2O4 and reduced graphene oxide(r GO). The hybrid is constructed by nanosized Ni Fe2O4 crystals confined by fewlayered r GO sheets. The formation mechanism and microstructure of the hybrids have been clarified by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.Electrochemical tests show that the performance of Ni Fe2O4 can be considerably improved by r GO incorporation. The performance improvement can be attributed to the two-dimensional conductive channels and the unique hybrid structure r GO constructed. The easy synthesis and good electrochemical performance of Ni Fe2O4/r GO hybrid make it a promising anode material for Li-ion batteries.     

Catalytic ozonation of p-chlorobenzoic acid by activated carbon and nickel supported activated carbon prepared from petroleum coke

The aim of this research was to investigate catalytic activity of petroleum coke, activated carbon (AC) prepared from this material, Ni supported catalyst on activated carbon (Ni/AC) in the ozonation of aqueous phase p-chlorobenzoic acid (p-CBA). Activated carbon and Ni/AC catalyst were characterized by XRD and SEM. The presence of petroleum coke did not improve the degradation of p-CBA compared to ozonation alone, but it was advantageous for p-CBA mineralization (total organic carbon, TOC, reduction), indicating the generation of highly oxidant species (*OH) in the medium. The presence of either activated carbon or Ni/AC considerably improves TOC removal during p-CBA ozonation. Ni/AC catalyst shows the better catalytic activity and stability based on five repeated tests during p-CBA ozonation. During the ozonation (50 mg/h ozone flow rate) of a 10 mg/L p-CBA (pH 4.31), it can be more mineralized in the presence of Ni/AC catalyst (5.0 g/L), TOC removal rate is over 60% in 60 min, 43% using activated carbon as catalyst, only 30% with ozonation alone.     

Design, Construction, and Evaluation of Ni�CC Eutectic Fixed Points

In this article the design, construction, and evaluation of eutectic fixed points for contact and non-contact measurements that have been recently developed at MIRS/UL/FE-LMK are presented. The design of the cells is made in such way that it can be used for only thermocouple calibration in vertical or horizontal furnaces, for calibration of pyrometers in a horizontal furnace, and for simultaneous calibration of contact and non-contact thermometers in a horizontal furnace. Special care has been taken to achieve repeatability and reproducibility of the transition temperatures and mechanical robustness of the cell. This includes also usage of a carbon sleeve in combination with carbon sheets, in a so-called hybrid design of the eutectic cell. With such a design, significant improvement in mechanical robustness of the cell and temperature stability of the cell has been achieved. All the measurements are performed within specially designed seven-zone furnaces within which different gradients, and different heating and cooling rates can be realized. The melting temperature of Ni?CC ((1328.44 ± 0.70) °C) measured with a thermocouple type R, calibrated at the zinc, aluminum, silver, copper, and palladium fixed points, and a non-contact thermometer, calibrated by comparison against different blackbodies, agree within their expanded uncertainties of 0.7 °C and 1.5 °C, respectively.     

微波多元醇法制备单分散Ni1-xZnxFe2O4/MWCNTs与磁性能

以多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)为模板,三乙二醇(TREG)为溶剂,采用微波多元醇法制备MWC-NTs负载组成可控的Ni1-xZnxFe2O4(x=0.4、0.5、0.6)纳米复合材料Ni1-xZnxFe2O4/MWCNTs。其结构和形貌通过XRD、SEM、TEM和EDX进行表征,用VSM测试样品的磁性,并探讨了微波功率、微波时间对镍锌铁氧体负载的影响。结果表明立方系尖晶石结构的单分散Ni1-xZnxFe2O4磁性纳米粒子均匀负载在碳纳米管表面,平均粒径约为6nm;其磁性能与镍锌铁氧体的组成有关,随着Zn含量的增加,饱和磁化强度(Ms)先增大后减小,当x=0.5时Ms达到最大值。矫顽力(Hc)都比较小,在室温下表现为超顺磁性。     

Low temperature growth of carbon nanotubes in a magnetic field

We report on the growth of carbon nanotubes on a glass substrate at a low temperature of 450 °C by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition in the presence of a magnetic field. The growth of carbon nanotubes can be realized at 450 °C only when a magnetic field is applied to the substrate. Carbon nanotubes cannot be grown in the absence of a magnetic field at the same temperature. An NH₃ plasma pretreatment significantly improved the uniformity of the grain size of the Ni catalyst under the magnetic field. The enhancement in the growth of CNTs at low temperature can be attributed to the magnetic moment pre-alignment of the ferromagnetic catalyst film under high magnetic field. A high emission current density of 20 mA/cm² was obtained at 6 V/μm and a stable emission current was observed. This method permits the growth of carbon nanotubes directly on glass substrate at much more reliable low temperatures for the fabrication of high-density field emitter arrays.     

The Role of Carbon Content: A Comparison of the Nickel Particle Size and Magnetic Property of Nickel/Polysiloxane-Derived Silicon Oxycarbide

A facile and novel processable method to synthesize the Ni nanoparticles (Ni NPs) by tailoring their size in the matrix of the silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramic system is reported. This method is based on polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs), instead of the conventional powder route. The specific structural characteristics and magnetic properties of the various Ni NPs/SiOC composites as a function of carbon content are systematically investigated. The magnetic properties are experimentally investigated as a function of NP size and measurement temperature. It is demonstrated that the change in the size of Ni NPs (average from ≈4 to ≈ 19 nm) determines the magnetic nature of superparamagnetism. Zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) magnetization studies under magnetic fields of 100 Oe are performed. The saturated M versus H (M–H) loops (saturation magnetization) increase and the coercivity decreases with the size reduction of Ni NPs. It is an indicator of the presence of superparamagnetic behavior and single-domain NP for ceramic materials.     

Metal catalyst adsorption effects in the growth of carbon nanostructures on mesoporous material

Mesoporous silica films were used as host for metal-based (Me = Fe, Co, Ni) nanoparticles via wet impregnation at pH = 5. A hydrogen ion beam was used to reduce the metallic oxide and hydroxides, previously detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, in metals. Chemical vapor deposition processes at three different conditions varying the acetylene-nitrogen proportion were performed on the mesoporous films decorated by different metal-based nanoparticles. The grown carbon nanostructures were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The ability to grow carbon nanostructures decreases in the following order: Fe > Co > Ni. When pure acetylene is used, iron allows to form graphene sheets around the metal catalyst like carbon nanocapsules, whereas cobalt allows to form structures that seem to be carbon nanotubes. Nitrogen leads to control the size and shape of carbon nanocapsules for iron catalyst and avoid the growth of such carbon nanotube-like structures for cobalt catalyst.     

Multilayered Si/Ni nanosprings and their magnetic properties

A two-turn, eight-armed, rectangular Si/Ni heterogeneous nanospring structure on Si(100) has been fabricated using a multilayer glancing-angle deposition technique. The multilayered nanosprings with a height of approximately 1.98 mum were composed of alternating layers of amorphous Si nanorods approximately 580 nm in length and face-centered cubic Ni nanorods approximately 420 nm in length, both with a diameter of approximately 35 nm. The magnetic anisotropy of the nanosprings showed that the in-plane easy and hard axes were parallel and perpendicular to the Ni nanorod plane, respectively. The out-of-plane magnetic hysteresis loop was very sensitive to the applied magnetic field direction when rotating the nanosprings about their in-plane hard axis, and the magnetization measurement revealed that the nanosprings tilted at approximately 7.5 degrees toward the plane of the Si nanorods. The magnetic anisotropy of the nanosprings is determined by their structure, and the experimental results can be interpreted by the shape anisotropy energy.     

Modification of magnetic properties of metal nanoparticles using nanotemplate approach

We demonstrate a nanotemplate approach by which different metal magnetic nanoparticles (Ni–Co, Ni–Fe and Co–Pt alloy particles) can be fabricated on a polyimide (PI) film. The process relies on the high interfacial energy between deposited metal and the PI film which forces the deposited metal film to preferentially nucleate on the pre-existing Ni seed particles. During subsequent thermal annealing, the deposited metal film coalesced onto the Ni seed particles to form a monolayer of magnetic nanoparticles on the PI film. Furthermore, the deposition/annealing can be repeated to change both size and constituent of the nanoparticles by introducing a different metal film during deposition. Potentially, any metal film can be deposited onto the Ni seed particles provided that the metal does not react with the Ni seed particles to create a monolayer of metal nanoisland structures with desire magnetic properties.     

Controllable synthesis of hexagonal close-packed nickel nanoparticles under high nickel concentration and its catalytic properties

The hexagonal close-packed (hcp) Ni nanoparticles have been synthesized successfully in triethylene glycol with high ionic Ni concentration under the presence of protective agent (PVP or PEG). The protective agent (PVP or PEG) played an important role in the formation of hcp Ni. The crystal structure of nickel can be tuned by changing the concentration of Ni ions, reaction temperature, and amount of protectors. The X-ray diffraction and magnetic studies revealed the formation of pure hcp Ni. The VSM study showed that the magnetic properties of hcp Ni is quite different from that of face-centered cubic (fcc) Ni. The hcp Ni nanoparticle had a low saturation magnetization, while the coercivity value of hcp Ni was nearly the same as that of fcc Ni. A stable hcp Ni supported on γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was also prepared successfully for the first time and its catalytic activity was investigated in the aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol. The achieved conversion of glycerol and selectivity to hydrogen was high up to 52 and 64%, while the selectivity to methane was only 5%, indicating the preventing of methanation on hcp Ni.     

Electromechanical properties of nanotube-PVA composite actuator bimorphs

Oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube (oxidized-MWNT)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite sheets have been prepared for electromechanical actuator applications. MWNT have been oxidized by nitric acid treatments. They were then dispersed in water and mixed with various amounts of PVA of high molecular weight (198?000?g?mol(-1)). The composite sheets were then obtained through a membrane filtration process. The composition of the systems has been optimized to combine suitable mechanical and electrical properties. Thermogravimetric analysis, mechanical tensile tests and conductivity measurements show that the best compromise of mechanical and electrical properties was obtained for a PVA weight fraction of about 30?wt%. In addition, one face of the sheets was coated with gold to increase the conductivity of the sheets and promote uniform actuation. Pseudo-bimorph devices have been realized by subsequently coating the composite sheets with an inert layer of PVA. The devices have been tested electromechanically in a liquid electrolyte (tetrabutylammonium/tetrafluoroborate (TBA/TFB) in acetonitrile) at constant frequency and different applied voltages, from 2 to 10?V. Measurements of the bimorph deflections were used to determine the stress generated by the nanotube-PVA sheets. The results show that the stress generated increases with increasing amplitude of the applied voltage and can reach 1.8?MPa. This value compares well with and even exceeds the stress generated by recently obtained bimorphs made of gold nanoparticles.     

Comparisons of sorbent cost for the removal of Ni2+ from aqueous solution by carbon nanotubes and granular activated carbon

The reversibility of Ni2+ sorption by NaOCl oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and granular activated carbon (GAC) was investigated to evaluate their repeated availability performance in water treatment. Under the same conditions, the SWCNTs and MWCNTs possess more Ni2+ sorption capacities and show better reversibility of Ni2+ sorption and less weight loss after being repeated sorption/desorption processes than the GAC, suggesting that they are effective Ni2+ sorbents and can be reused through many cycles of water treatment and regeneration. A statistical analysis on the replacement cost of these sorbents revealed that SWCNTs and MWCNTs can be possibly cost-effective Ni2+ sorbents in water treatment regardless of their high unit cost at the present time.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(3-octylthiophene)/carbon fiber thermoelectric composite materials

Poly(3-alkylthiophene) (P3AT) with a high Seebeck coefficient has recently been reported. However, P3AT/inorganic conductive composites exhibit relatively poor thermoelectric performance because of their low electrical conductivity. In this work, carbon fiber sheets with a high electrical conductivity were chosen as the inorganic phase, and poly(3-octylthiophene)(P3OT)/carbon fiber composites were prepared by casting P3OT solution onto the carbon fiber sheets. The carbon fiber sheets incorporated into the composites can provide good electrical conductivity, and P3OT can provide a high Seebeck coefficient. The highest power factor of 7.05 μW m⁻¹ K⁻² was obtained for the composite with 50 wt% P3OT. This work suggests a promising method for preparing large-scale thermoelectric composites with excellent properties.