Preparation of floral-patterned ZnO/MWCNT heterogeneity structure using microwave irradiation heating method

HNO₃-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes enclosed by flower-like zinc oxide particles were prepared by a microwave irradiation heating method. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the flower-like zinc oxide grows around the multi-walled carbon nanotubes to form a floral-patterned structure. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes play a role as a template for the growth of ZnO and they can link ZnO particles together as a complex fabrication. This discovery is useful for nano-electronic applications.     

Characterization of magnetic soluble starch-functionalized carbon nanotubes and its application for the adsorption of the dyes

Soluble starch-functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube composites (MWCNT-starch) were prepared to improve the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of MWCNTs. Characterization of the MWCNT-starch by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG), showed that the starch component (about 14.3 wt%) was covalently grafted onto the surface of MWCNT. MWCNT-starch-iron oxide composites, intended for use as adsorbents for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions, were prepared by synthesizing iron oxide nanoparticles at the surface of MWCNT-starch. Starch acts as a template for growth of iron oxide nanoparticles which are uniformly dispersed on the surface of the MWCNT-starch. MWCNT-starch-iron oxide exhibits superparamagnetic properties with a saturation magnetization (23.15 emu/g) and better adsorption for anionic methyl orange (MO) and cationic methylene blue (MB) dyes than MWCNT-iron oxide.     

Controlled fabrication of noble metal nanoparticles loaded on the surfaces of cyclotriphosphazene-containing polymer nanotubes

We report on the fabrication of noble metal nanoparticles loaded on the surfaces of cross-linked poly(cyclotriphosphazene-co-4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol) (PZS) nanotubes of high stability. PZS nanotubes were first synthesized by precipitation polymerization between hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene and 4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol based on in situ template mechanism. Then the PZS nanotubes were directly used as scafford to load metal Au, Ag, and Pd nanoparticles, respectively, through cation complexation followed by gentle reduction. The structure and morphology of the metal/PZS nanocomposites were determined by means of Fourier transform infrared spectra, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results showed that the metal/PZS nanocomposites possessed 460 °C of initial thermal decomposition temperature under air atmosphere and the loading amount of metal nanoparticles on the PZS nanotube surfaces could be controlled easily. As-fabricated metal/PZS nanocomposites are expected to have potential applications in catalysis.     

Facile attachment of magnetic nanoparticles to carbon nanotubes via robust linkages and its fabrication of magnetic nanocomposites

Magnetic nanoparticles were facilely attached to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by high-temperature reaction of ferric triacetylacetonate in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in the presence of carboxylated MWCNTs. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron morphology and thermogravimetric analysis were used to demonstrate the successful attachment of iron oxide nanoparticles to MWCNTs. It was found that the attached nanoparticles were mainly magnetite. Investigations using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proved that the tight attachment was due to the robust linkages: metal-carbonyl coordination. Modified carbon nanotubes were introduced into epoxy resins to fabricate magnetic nanocomposites. Magnetic properties were analyzed by vibrating sample magnetometer.     

Facile fabrication of functionalized graphene sheets (FGS)/ZnO nanocomposites with photocatalytic property

Functionalized graphene sheets (FGS)/ZnO nanocomposites were fabricated via thermal treatment method, using graphene oxide as a precursor of graphene, Zn(NH(3))(4)CO(3) as a precursor of zinc oxide, and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) as an intermediate to combine zinc with carbon materials. Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize crystal structure and morphology of FGS/ZnO nanocomposites. It was shown that the well-dispersed ZnO nanoparticles were deposited on FGS homogeneously. The composites exhibited photocatalytic activity to decompose rhodamine 6G efficiently under low-power ultraviolet (UV) light. This facile and low-cost method makes the composite a perfect candidate in applications of catalysis and other areas.     

Synthesis of polymer-derived ceramic Si(B)CN-carbon nanotube composite by microwave-induced interfacial polarization

We demonstrate synthesis of a polymer-derived ceramic (PDC)-multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite using microwave irradiation at 2.45 GHz. The process takes about 10 min of microwave irradiation for the polymer-to-ceramic conversion. The successful conversion of polymer coated carbon nanotubes to ceramic composite is chemically ascertained by Fourier transform-infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and physically by thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy characterization. Frequency dependent dielectric measurements in the S-Band (300 MHz to 3 GHz) were studied to quantify the extent of microwave-CNT interaction and the degree of selective heating available at the MWCNT-polymer interface. Experimentally obtained return loss of the incident microwaves in the specimen explains the reason for heat generation. The temperature-dependent permittivity of polar molecules further strengthens the argument of internal heat generation.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of ZnO/MWCNT hybrid nanocomposites and their alcohol-sensing properties

Zinc oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotube (ZnO/MWCNT) hybrid nanocomposites were synthesised by microwave-assisted method using the mixed solution of zinc acetate dehydrate (Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O) and treated MWCNTs. The syntheses were carried out at various microwave irradiation powers. The characterisation of the as-synthesised nanocomposites was conducted by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD results revealed that the composites were composed of two phases of MWCNTs and hexagonal wurzite ZnO. The SEM results showed that the ZnO nanoparticles were well decorated on the surface of MWCNTs. The amount of ZnO nanoparticles and their size increased with increasing irradiation power. Thick-film sensors were fabricated onto interdigitated conducting electrodes using as-synthesised hybrid composites as sensing materials. The alcohol-sensing behaviour of the hybrid composite films was investigated. The results indicated that the irradiation power had significant influence on the sensing response of the sensors toward alcohol. The sensor fabricated from the composite synthesised at higher irradiation power exhibited an enhanced alcohol-sensing performance.     

Photodegradation of organic dyes over nickel distributed CNT/TiO2 composite synthesized by a simple sol-gel method

In this study, the multi-walled carbon nanotubes were oxidized by m-chlorperbenzoic acid followed by the reaction with titanium n-butoxide and nickel nitrate to prepare Ni distributed CNT/TiO₂ composite by a simple sol-gel method. The functional groups formed on the surface of MWCNTs were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The prepared Ni distributed CNT/TiO₂ composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The photodegradation of methylene blue, methylene orange and rhodamine B solution under UV irradiation was employed to test the photocatalytic activity of the Ni distributed CNT/TiO₂ composite. According to the results, Ni distributed CNT/TiO₂ composite showed very excellent photocatalytic activity to decompose MB, MO and Rh.B solutions, due to the electron absorption effect of MWCNTs and electron trapping effect of nickel.     

Interfacial resistive heating and mechanical properties of graphene oxide assisted CuO nanoparticles in woven carbon fiber/polyester composite

Woven carbon fiber (WCF)-based polyester composites were developed via a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process in combination with CuO and graphene oxide (GO). The interlaminar resistive heating behavior and allied mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The CuO nanoparticles were synthesized from copper nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine precursors using traditional microwave green synthesis, while the GO was synthesized by slight modification of Hummer’s method. The nanoparticle shapes and sizes were assessed via scanning electron microscopy, and the nanoparticle distributions in the composites and their chemical interactions were examined using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was found that the composite strengths and moduli were enhanced by up to 61.2% and 57.5%, whereas the interfacial shear strength was enhanced by 89.9%. A composite filled with 120-mM CuO and 1.2-phr GO exhibited maximum performance as regards mechanical and resistive heating. Impact resistance measurements were conducted at 3-J penetration energy, and a 154.2% increase in nanofiller content was achieved. The addition of CuO nanoparticles increased the interlaminar resistive heating of the composite and, at 120-mM concentration, a 78.9% increment in the average temperature was attained. The presence of nanoparticles in the interlaminar region also decelerated the cooling process.     

Cerium oxide dispersed multi walled carbon nanotubes as cathode material for flexible field emitters

Nanomaterials based electron sources are omnipresent in modern flat panel displays. Multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) are the well studied electron emitter among the carbon materials. Since the surface modification of MWNT with low work function materials would have a positive impact on the field emission property of MWNT, cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles dispersed multi walled carbon nanotubes (CeO2/MWNT) were synthesized by catalytic chemical vapour deposition followed by chemical reduction and its field emission property was investigated. The high-purity MWNT as well as CeO2/MWNT showed crystalline structure conformed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Further characterisation was done with Raman spectroscopy, UV-Visible absorption spectra and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FT-IR). The morphology and structural details of CeO2/MWNT composite was probed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The direct evidence of the formation of CeO2/MWNT composites was given by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synthesized sample was coated over a flexible carbon paper using spin coating technique. The experiment was performed under a vacuum of 1 x 10(-6) Torr and Fowler-Nordheim equation was used to analyse the data. The turn-on voltage for the cerium oxide dispersed MWNT was found for a current density of 10 microA/cm2. The emission current density from the CeO2 nanoparticles dispersed MWNT reached 0.2 mA/cm2 at a reasonable bias field of 2.58 V/microm. The results were compared with those of pure MWNT and pure CeO2 nanoparticles with literature values.     

Instantaneous formation of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes and graphene via solvent-free microwave heating

Microwave irradiation was shown to be an effective energy source for the rapid decomposition of organic metal salts (such as silver acetate) in a solid mixture with various carbon and noncarbon substrates under completely solvent-free conditions. The rapid and local Joule heating of microwave absorbing substrates (i.e., carbon-based) resulted in the instantaneous formation of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles on the substrate surfaces within seconds of microwave exposure. Other less absorbing substrates (such as hexagonal boron nitride) required longer exposure times for the salt decomposition to occur. Details of the effects of microwave reaction time, temperature, power, and other experimental parameters were investigated and discussed. The solvent-free microwave method was shown to be widely applicable to various organic metal salts with different substrates including single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes, graphene, expanded graphite, hexagonal boron nitride and silica-alumina particles, forming substrate-supported metal (e.g., Ag, Au, Co, Ni, Pd, Pt) or metal oxide (e.g., Fe?O?, MnO, TiO?) nanoparticles in high yields within short duration of microwave irradiation. The method was also successfully applied to large structural substrates such as nanotube yarns, further suggesting its application potential and versatility. To demonstrate one potential application, we successfully used both carbon nanotube powder and yarn samples decorated with Ag nanoparticles prepared via the above method to improve data acquisition in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.     

Preparation of gold/polyaniline/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites and application in ammonia gas detection

Composites of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), polyaniline (PANI), and gold nanoparticles were prepared by one pot synthesis. Based on the interaction between aniline monomers and MWNTs, aniline molecules were adsorbed and polymerized on the surface of MWNTs. The nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The sensors based on Au/PANI/MWNT nanocomposites were tested for on-line monitoring of ammonia gas. The results show that the as-prepared sensors have superior sensitivity, and good repeatability upon repeated exposure to ammonia gas.     

Preparation of carbon nanotube-neodymium oxide composite and research on its catalytic performance

Carbon Nanotube-Neodymium Oxide (CNT-Nd₂O₃) composite was prepared by using acid treated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and neodymium nitrate in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and ammonia liquid. Techniques of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) are used to characterize the morphology, structure, composition and catalytic property of the CNT-Nd₂O₃ composite. The experimental results show that the Nd₂O₃ nanoparticles, which have an average diameter of about 30-40 nm, are loaded on the surface of carbon nanotube. Compared with pure Nd₂O₃ nanorods, the CNT-Nd₂O₃ composite can catalyze the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate more effectively. The sampling methods of the experimental samples made a difference on the catalytic experiment results, and the best catalytic result was obtained when de-ionized water served as the solvent of ammonium perchlorate.     

Synthesis, characterization and application in electrocatalysis of polyaniline/Au composite nanotubes

Polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes were successfully synthesized using the hydrothermal method via an in situ polymerization. In the process, a fibrillar complex of FeCl(3) and methyl orange (MO), acting as the reactive self-degraded templates, directed the growth of PANI on its surface and promoted the assembly into nanotubular structures. By introducing PANI nanotubes into Au colloid, Au nanoparticles (NPs) could be decorated onto the PANI nanotube surface through the electrostatic effect. The morphology of the nanotubes and the number of decorated Au NPs could be controlled effectively by adjusting the experimental conditions. The resulting products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, the electrocatalytic activity of the composites towards the oxidation of NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) was studied by immobilizing PANI/Au composites on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE).     

高能微波辐照合成类石墨烯氮化碳纳米片的结构特征

以碳纤维为微波吸收剂,基于微波辐照法直接处理三聚氰胺,快速高效地合成类石墨烯结构的氮化碳纳米片。借助于场发射扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、原子力显微镜、X射线衍射和傅里叶变换红外光谱等分析手段,对微波合成产物进行表征。结果表明:与常规热缩聚合成的石墨相氮化碳相比,高能微波技术合成产物具有明显的纳米片特征,即成功地制备得到类石墨烯结构的氮化碳纳米片。同时,与超声剥离或氧化刻蚀得到的类石墨烯氮化碳纳米片相比,高能微波技术合成产物表面光滑平整,且可发现脆性断裂的现象,呈现出一定的刚性。     

聚吡咯/碳纳米管复合纳米材料的制备、表征及其气敏性能

通过原位化学氧化聚合法成功制备了聚吡咯(PPy)包裹酸处理多壁碳纳米管(F-MWCNTs)的复合材料(PPy/F-MWCNTs). 对所制备的PPy/F-MWCNTs纳米复合材料, 分别采用傅里叶变换红外光谱分析(FT-IR)、紫外-可见漫反射(UV-Vis DRS)、热重分析(TGA)、X射线衍射(XRD)、比表面分析(BET)、场发射扫描电镜(FE-SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)进行表征. 实验结果表明: 在F-MWCNTs表面均匀包覆了一层约25~40nm厚的PPy, PPy/F-MWCNTs的比表面积较单一的聚吡咯提高了近3倍. 基于PPy/F-MWCNTs的气敏元件在室温下对NH₃的气敏性能较单一聚吡咯和碳纳米管具有更高的灵敏度, 更短的响应时间以及更好的稳定性, 其中对体积浓度为200×10^-6的NH₃的灵敏度能达到1.9, 响应时间为135s. 另外与PPy包覆未经酸处理的MWCNTs相比, PPy/F-MWCNTs的灵敏度更高.     

Carbon nanotube templated growth of nano-crystalline ZSM-5 and NaY zeolites

MFI-type(ZSM-5) and FAU-type(NaY) zeolites nanocrystals have been synthesized through crystallization of gel in mesoporous system of carbon nanotubes(CNTS) with an internal diameter of 20∼30 nm. Investigation by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that the nanocrystals possess the typical nanosized zeolites' structural characteristic which is different from those of microsized zeolites.     

表面改性及原位还原法制备聚酰亚胺/镍纳米复合薄膜

通过对均苯四甲酸二酐-4,4’-二胺基二苯醚(PMDA-4,4’-ODA)型聚酰亚胺(PI)成品薄膜的表层水解处理、并在硫酸镍水溶液中实施离子交换以及随后的乙二醇热还原的方法,制备了聚酰亚胺/镍纳米复合薄膜。通过X射线衍射仪(XRD)、傅立叶变换红外光谱仪(FT-IR),透射电子显微镜(TEM)等方法研究了复合薄膜结构的变化,结果表明,经乙二醇热还原后,水解后的聚酰亚胺表层又重新形成亚胺环结构,并在其内部形成了均匀分散的具有面心立方晶型(FCC)的金属镍粒子,直径约为100 nm~200 nm。     

磁性羧甲基化壳聚糖纳米粒子的制备与表征

以化学共沉淀法制备了Fe3O4纳米粒子,壳聚糖经羧甲基化改性后接枝在Fe3O4颗粒表面,得到了磁性羧甲基化壳聚糖(Fe3O4/CMC)纳米粒子.利用透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、傅立叶红外光谱(FT-IR)及磁性测试对产物进行了表征.TEM表明Fe3O4纳米粒子被CMC包覆,粒径约10 nm;XRD分析表明复合纳米粒子中磁性物质为Fe3O4;FT-IR表明壳聚糖发生羧甲基反应以及在Fe3O4表面的接枝反应.Fe3O4/CMC纳米粒子具有超顺磁性,比饱和磁化强度25.73 emu/g,有良好的磁稳定性.     

功能化石墨烯片的表面性能调控

以氧化石墨为前驱体,采用真空辅助热膨胀法在低温下即获得功能化石墨烯片。将所得石墨烯在不同温度下热处理,制备了表面化学结构不同的石墨烯片,并用透射电子显微镜、X射线衍射、X射线光电子能谱、傅里叶变换红外光谱等方法对样品进行分析表征。结果表明,还原氧化石墨烯片中含氧官能团的种类和数量均随热还原温度的升高而减小。