Surface structural changes,surface energy and antiwear properties of polytetrafluoroethylene induced by proton irradiation

In this work, the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface was modified with 25 keV proton beam irradiation in vacuum condition. Multiple characterization techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy were employed for research on microstructure changes in the PTFE surface. The changes in the surface energy and antiwear properties of PTFE were evaluated using contact angle analysis and a ball-on-disk tribometer, respectively. Experimental results showed that the surface energy of PTFE obviously increased from 13.17 mJ/m² to 33.73 mJ/m² and the wear rate decreased from 8.9 × 10^− 3 mm³/Nm to 5.8 × 10^− 4 mm³/Nm after proton irradiation for 15 min. Moreover, TRIM simulation indicated that the H⁺ ions cannot penetrate through the PTFE block and only stop at a depth of about 730 nm from the material surface. Proton irradiation has been proved to be a simple, rapid and effective measure for the surface modification of PTFE with distinctly improved surface energy and antiwear properties, and the possible reaction mechanism taking place in PTFE was also discussed in this paper.     

Study of stress relaxation in polytetrafluoroethylene composites by cylindrical macroindentation

In the present work, the time-dependent mechanical behavior of three materials from the fluorocarbon family, including PTFE without filler, 15 vol.% regenerated graphite particles-filled PTFE, and 32 vol.% carbon and 3 vol.% graphite particles-filled PTFE, was investigated using cylindrical macroindentation. Indentation relaxation experiments with a cylindrical flat-tip indenter having a diameter of 1 mm were performed at three different strain levels. The generalized Maxwell model in terms of the Prony series and a time-dependent solution based on the power-law creep equation were used to model the viscoelastic response and to extract the time-dependent properties. The stress relaxation properties were found to improve with the addition of fillers. The unfilled PTFE exhibited the lowest stress–relaxation properties, whereas the 32 vol.% carbon and 3 vol.% graphite particles-filled PTFE composite showed the highest stress–relaxation properties.     

Friction and wear behavior of polytetrafluoroethene composites filled with Ti3SiC2

In this work, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with Ti₃SiC₂ or graphite were prepared through powder metallurgy. The effects of different filling components, loads and sliding velocities on the friction performance of Ti₃SiC₂/PTFE composites were studied. Ti₃SiC₂/PTFE composites exhibit better wear resistance than graphite/PTFE composites due to the better mechanical properties of Ti₃SiC₂. The wear resistance was found to improve around 100× over unfilled PTFE with the addition of 1 wt.% Ti₃SiC₂. In addition, the 10 wt.% sample had the lowest wear rate of K = 2.1 × 10⁻⁶ mm³/Nm and the lowest steady friction coefficient with μ = 0.155 at the condition of 90 N–0.4 m/s. Ti₃SiC₂ was proved to promote the formation of a thin and uniform transfer film on counterpart surface and a protection oxide film on worn surface, which are the key roles for improving wear resistance.     

Wear behaviors of Polytetrafluoroethylene and glass fiber reinforced Polyamide 66 journal bearings

In this study, the effect of sliding velocity, bearing pressure and temperature on friction and wear of PA66 (Polyamide 66), PA66 + 18% PTFE (Polyamide 66 + 18% Polytetrafluoroethylene) and PA66 + 20% GFR + 25% PTFE (Polyamide 66 + 20% glass fiber + 25% Polytetrafluoroethylene) journal bearings were examined at ambient conditions. The results of experiments are presented in graphics which proves that friction coefficients, contact temperatures and wear rates are affected by forming film, increasing temperature, pressure and velocities depending on GFR and PTFE mechanical properties. There are many factors and their widely fluctuation characters on the polymer friction and wear behaviors. The best wear behavior was seen at the PA66 + 20% GFR + 25% PTFE journal bearing.     

Quantum chemical calculation of electron transfer at metal/polymer interfaces

Calculation of contact charging at metal/polymer interfaces were performed by a quantum chemical method (DV-Xa). In the calculation, model clusters with dangling bonds were used. The model clusters showed surface states in the density of states (DOS), the electron transfer occurred at the contact interfaces between polymer and Al. Then, 0.3 nm was a reasonable value as the contact distance in the present simulation.Contact electrifications between PTFE and six metals, such as Pt, Au, Cu, Al, Pb and Ca were simulated. The charge transferred from the metal to PTFE depended on the work function of the metals, and had a gap in range of 4.25–4.28 eV. According to the gap of metals were classified into two groups. If Fermi level of a metal is lower than the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level of PTFE, the electrons of the metal transfer to the surface state (interface state). Electrons in the other metals with a higher Fermi level move into the conduction band of PTFE.     

Application of response surface methodology for optimization of peroxi-coagulation of textile dye solution using carbon nanotube–PTFE cathode

The decolorization of C.I. Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) by peroxi-coagulation process based on carbon nanotube–PTFE electrode as cathode was studied in a batch reactor. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to assess individual and interactive effects of the four main independent parameters (electrolysis time, initial pH, applied current and initial concentration of the dye solution) on the decolorization efficiency. A central composite design (CCD) was employed for the optimization of peroxi-coagulation treatment of BY2. A second-order empirical relationship between the response and independent variables was derived. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a high coefficient of determination value (R² = 0.949). Maximum decolorization efficiency was predicted and experimentally validated. The optimum electrolysis time, initial pH, applied current and initial dye concentration were found to be 16 min, 3, 200 mA and 15 mg l^?1, respectively. Under the optimum conditions established, high decolorization (>95%) was experimentally obtained for BY2. This study clearly showed that response surface methodology was one of the suitable methods to optimize the operating conditions. Graphical response surface and contour plots were used to locate the optimum point.     

Gold nanoparticle/single-walled carbon nanotube film on the surface of glassy carbon electrode and its application

A sensor based on gold nanoparticle/single-walled carbon nanotube film on the surface of glassy carbon electrode is prepared. Electrochemical behavior of adrenaline hydrochloride (AH) on the surface of gold nanoparticle/single-walled carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode is investigated. A simple, sensitive, and inexpensive method for determination of AH is proposed. The oxidation peak currents is proportional to adrenaline hydrochloride concentrations in the range of 0.20 mg L^? 1 to 1.80 mg L^? 1 in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.3, the detection limit for AH is 0.06 mg L^? 1, and the recoveries are in the range from 100.0 to 110.0% with RSD of 1.2–1.9% (n = 6).     

Ultra-light asymmetric photovoltaic sandwich structures

This work evaluated the possibility of using silicon solar cells as load-carrying elements in composite sandwich structures. Such an ultra-light multifunctional structure is a new concept enabling weight, and thus energy, to be saved in high-tech applications such as solar cars, solar planes or satellites. Composite sandwich structures with a weight of ～800 g/m² were developed, based on one 140 μm thick skin made of 0/90° carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), one skin made of 130 μm thick mono-crystalline silicon solar cells, thin stress transfer ribbons between the cells, and a 29 kg/m³ honeycomb core. Particular attention was paid to investigating the strength of the solar cells under bending and tensile loads, and studying the influence of sandwich processing on their failure statistics. Two prototype multi-cell modules were produced to validate the concept. The asymmetric sandwich structure showed balanced mechanical strength; i.e. the solar cells, reinforcing ribbons, and 0/90° CFRP skin were each of comparable strength, thus confirming the potential of this concept for producing stiff and ultra-lightweight solar panels.     

Flame synthesis of carbon nano onions using liquefied petroleum gas without catalyst

Densely agglomerated, high specific surface area carbon nano onions with diameter of 30–40 nm have been synthesized. Liquefied petroleum gas and air mixtures produced carbon nano onions in diffusion flames without catalyst. The optimized oxidant to fuel ratio which produces carbon nano onions has been found to be 0.1 slpm/slpm. The experiment yielded 70% pure carbon nano onions with a rate of 5 g/h. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution electron microscopy and Raman spectrum reveal the densely packed sp² hybridized carbon with (002) semi-crystalline hexagonal graphite reflection. The carbon nano onions are thermally stable up to 600 °C.     

Influence of carbon precursors on thermal plasma assisted synthesis of SiC nanoparticles

Nanosized SiC was synthesized by solid state method using silicon and carbon powders followed by non-transferred arc thermal plasma processing. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that activated carbon has highest reactivity while graphite has lowest activity in the crystallization of SiC through solid state method. The reactivity was dependent on surface area of carbon source and activated carbon with highest surface area (590.18 m² g⁻¹) showed highest reactivity, whereas graphite with least surface area (15.69 m² g⁻¹) showed lowest reactivity. The free silicon content was decreased with increasing reaction time as well as carbon mole ratio. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) study showed that the shape and size of synthesized SiC depends on the shape and size of carbon source. SiC nanoparticles within 500 nm were formed for carbon black while bigger particles (∼5 μm) were formed for activated carbon and graphite. Plasma processing of these solid–solid synthesized SiC resulted into the formation of well dispersed, ultrafine SiC nanoparticles (30–40 nm) without any structural modification. Thermal plasma processing resulted into the increase in crystallite size of SiC.     

Morphological characteristic of the conventional and melt-spun Al-10Ni-5.6Cu (in wt.%) alloy

The Al-10Ni-5.6Cu alloy was prepared by conventional casting and further processed melt-spinning technique. The resulting conventional cast and melt-spun ribbons were characterized using X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy together with energy dispersive spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and microhardness techniques. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that ingot samples were α-Al, intermetallic Al₃Ni and Al₂Cu phases. The optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy results show that the microstructures of rapidly solidified ribbons are clearly different from their ingot alloy. Al-10Ni-5.6Cu ribbons reveal a very fine cellular structure with intermetallic Al₃Ni particles. Moreover, at high solidification rates the melt-spun ribbons have a polygonal structure dispersed in a supersaturated aluminum matrix. The differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that exothermic reaction was between 290 °C and 440 °C which are more pronounced in the ternary Al-10Ni-5.6Cu alloy.     

Tribological behavior of poly (phenyl p-hydroxybenzoate)/polytetrafluoroethylene composites filled with hexagonal boron nitride under dry sliding condition

The sliding friction and wear behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with poly (phenyl p-hydroxybenzoate) (PHBA) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) was investigated with a pin-on-disc tester. The tensile properties, ball indentation hardness, impact strength and thermal diffusivity were measured. The test results in this paper indicate that the tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength decreased, however, the ball indentation hardness and thermal diffusivity were increased when the content of h-BN was increased. PTFE composites filled with 20 wt% PHBA and 20 wt% h-BN exhibited a comparative friction coefficient to pure PTFE. Meantime, the wear rate of the composite decreased about 15 times compared to pure PTFE. The synergistic effect of h-BN with low friction and PHBA with high bearing ability promoted the low friction coefficient and wear rate of h-BN/PHBA/PTFE composites.     

The roles of nano-SiO2 particles on the tribological behavior of short carbon fiber reinforced PEEK

In the present work, the roles of low-loading (1 vol.%) nano-SiO₂ particles (13 nm) on the tribological behavior of short carbon fiber (SCF)/PTFE/graphite (micro-sized) filled PEEK were investigated. Tribological tests were carried out at room temperature in extremely wide pressure and sliding velocity ranges, i.e. from 1 MPa to 7 MPa and from 1 m/s to 2 m/s, respectively. Under all conditions studied, the nanopartilces remarkably reduce the friction coefficients. With respect to the wear rates, however, the roles of the nanoparticles show a strong dependence on the sliding conditions. Under 1 MPa, the abrasiveness exerted by possible nano-SiO₂ agglomerates seems to accelerate SCF destructions. Under pressures higher than 2 MPa, however, the nanoparticles remarkably reduce the wear rate. This effect is more pronounced under high pressures and especially at high sliding velocities. The protection of SCF/matrix interface by the nanoparticles is supposed to be the main reason for the enhancement of the wear resistance.     

Effect of surface nanocrystallization induced by fast multiple rotation rolling on mechanical properties of a low carbon steel

Fast multiple rotation rolling (FMRR), a novel and efficient surface nanocrystallization technique, was used to fabricate a nanostructured layer in the surface of low carbon steel. The microstructure of the surface layer was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical properties were investigated by microhardness measurements, tensile measurements and friction and wear tests. In addition, the fracture and wear scars morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results indicated that a deformation layer with thickness about 200 μm is clearly observed in the FMRR sample surface. A nanostructured layer of 30 μm thick is obtained, with grain size ranging from 8 to 18 nm and average grain size about 14 nm in the top surface layer. The microhardness of the FMRR sample change gradiently along the depth from about 316 HV in the top surface layer to about 160 HV in the matrix, which is nearly twice harder than that of the original sample. The ultimate tensile strength has also been markedly improved. And the friction and wear experiments show that tribological properties of the low carbon steel have been enhanced by FMRR treatment.     

Preparation of carbon aerogel microspheres by a simple-injection emulsification method

Carbon aerogel microspheres were successfully prepared using a simple-injection emulsification method, employing sol–gel polycondensation of a resorcinol–formaldehyde solution containing sodium carbonate as a catalyst. This process was followed by solvent exchange using acetone, supercritical drying with carbon dioxide and carbonization in a nitrogen atmosphere. The effect of curing time before starting injection, injection rate and agitation rate of continuous phase on the particle size and the porous properties of the carbon aerogel microspheres was investigated. Adsorption of phenol by using the prepared carbon aerogel microspheres was also examined. The diameter of carbon aerogel microspheres was controlled in the range of 20–55 μm by varying injection rate and agitation rate. The mean diameter of carbon aerogel microspheres decreased with increasing the injection rate and the agitation rate, whereas their mean diameter was independent of the curing time. The BET surface area and total pore volume of carbon aerogel microspheres increased with increasing the curing time. In contrast, their BET surface area and total pore volume decreased with increasing the injection rate and the agitation rate. The BET surface area, total pore volume, mesopore volume and micropore volume of the carbon aerogel microspheres with a mean diameter of 45 μm were 903 m²/g, 0.60 cm³/g, 0.31 cm³/g and 0.27 cm³/g, respectively. The phenol-adsorption capacity of these carbon aerogel microspheres was 29.3 mg phenol/g adsorbent.     

Effects of rare earth La on microstructure and properties of Ag–21Cu–25Sn alloy ribbon prepared by melt spinning

Ag–21Cu–25Sn alloy ribbon as a promising intermediate temperature alloy solder (400–600 °C) was prepared by melt spinning technique in this paper. Rare earth La was added into Ag–21Cu–25Sn alloy to refine the microstructures and improve the wettabilities of as-prepared alloy solders. The phase constitutions, microstructures, melting temperatures and wettabilities of selected specimens were respectively tested. The results showed that the dominant phase constitutions of Ag–21Cu–25Sn–xLa alloy ribbons were Ag₃Sn and Cu₃Sn. The grain size of Ag–21Cu–25Sn–xLa alloy decreased with the addition of La increasing. La addition reduced the melting temperatures of Ag–21Cu–25Sn–xLa alloy ribbons, and effectively improved the wettabilities of the alloy ribbons. When the addition of La was 0.5 wt%, the wettability of as-prepared alloy solder achieved the optimal value of 158 cm² g⁻¹ under brazing temperature 600 °C and dwell time 15 min. In addition, raising brazing temperature and prolonging dwell time could improve the wettability of Ag–21Cu–25Sn–xLa alloy ribbon.     

Theoretical study on the electronic properties and stabilities of low-index surfaces of WC polymorphs

The low-index surfaces of WC polymorphs are calculated using the first-principles method based on density functional theory. It is found that there are large relaxations within the top three layers for all termination surfaces, and charge density falls greatly toward the vacuum. The outermost and second interlayer relaxations for C-terminated surfaces are much larger than those for W-terminated surfaces. The surface energies for all low-index surfaces are large which is due to the breaking of strong W–C bonds. For both WC polymorphs, the C-termination surfaces are thermodynamically more unstable than W-terminated surfaces over the whole range of carbon chemical potentials considered in this paper; the most stable surfaces correspond to the (0 0 1) surface with W termination for α-WC, and the (0 0 1) surface with WC termination for β-WC.     

Synthesis,characterization and magnetic performance of Co-incorporated ordered mesoporous carbons

Co-incorporated ordered mesoporous carbon (Co-OMC) with magnetic frameworks has been synthesized via a one-pot self-assembly strategy. The effects of cobalt loading on carbon matrix, adsorption properties and magnetic properties of the resultant mesostructured cobalt/carbon composites were investigated by nitrogen sorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and magnetometer measurements. The results show that the mesoporous composites with a high cobalt content (such as 18.0 wt%) possess an ordered and uniform mesoporous structure (5.3 nm), high surface areas (up to 687 m²/g) and high pore volumes (up to 0.54 cm³/g). Cobalt nanoparticles of size 4–9 nm are confined inside the mesopores or walls of the mesoporous carbon. These materials exhibit typical ferromagnetic characteristics. The saturation magnetization strength can be easily adjusted by changing the content of cobalt. The carbonization temperatures have significant effects on the structure and magnetic properties of Co-OMC also.     

Fabrication and mechanical/conductive properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) reinforced carbon matrix composites

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) reinforced carbon matrix (MWNT/C) composites have been explored using mesophase pitch as carbon matrix precursor in the present work. Results show that carbon nanotubes (CNTs)can enhance the mechanical properties of carbon matrix significantly. The maximal increment of the bending strength and stiffness of the composites, compared with the carbon matrix, are 147% and 400%, respectively. Whereas the highest in-plane thermal conductivity of the composites is 86 W m^− 1 K^− 1 which much lower than that of carbon matrix (253 W m^− 1 K^− 1).At the same time the electrical resistivity of the composites is much higher than that of matrix. It is implicated that CNTs seem to play the role of thermal/electrical barrier in the composites. FSEM micrograph of the fracture surface for the composites shows that the presence of CNTs restrains the crystallite growth of carbon matrix, which is one of factors that improve mechanical properties and decrease the conductive properties of the composites. The defects and curved shape of CNTs are also the affecting factors on the conductive properties of the composites.     

Carbon layers formed on steel and Ti alloys after ion implantation of C+ at very high doses

Ion implantation is a useful technique to tailor surface properties of steel and Ti alloys. In particular, very high dose C⁺ implantation (in the range of 10¹⁸ ions cm⁻²) offers the possibility of forming carbon layers without a sharp interface with the substrate material. In this study, ion implantation of carbon doses up to 8×10¹⁸ ions cm⁻² has been performed on 440C martensitic stainless steel and Ti6Al4V substrates under similar conditions and tribological and surface analysis results have been compared. Surface hardening occurred for all ion implantation conditions up to doses of 10¹⁸ ions cm⁻²1, 2, 3. Higher doses resulted in a different behaviour for both materials. The stainless steel showed a softening while a twofold hardness increase was maintained in the Ti alloy. Nevertheless, at the higher implanted dose a decrease in hardness was also observed in the Ti alloy. Small area XPS analyses were performed to evaluate the chemical states after ion implantation and establish a relationship with the observed surface hardening. Depth profile XPS analyses showed that for a dose of 4×10¹⁸ ions cm⁻² a carbon layer (with concentration over 85% at. C) was formed in the near surface region for both materials.