Mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes and their polymer nanocomposites

More than 10 years have passed since carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been found during observations by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Since then, one of the major applications of the CNT is the reinforcements of plastics in processing composite materials, because it was found by experiments that CNT possessed splendid mechanical properties. Various experimental methods are conducted in order to understand the mechanical properties of varieties of CNT and CNT-based composite materials. The systematized data of the past research results of CNT and their nanocomposites are extremely useful to improve processing and design criteria for new nanocomposites in further studies. Before the CNT observations, vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCF) were already utilized for composite applications, although there have been only few experimental data about the mechanical properties of VGCF. The structure of VGCF is similar to that of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), and the major benefit of VGCF is less commercial price. Therefore, this review article overviews the experimental results regarding the various mechanical properties of CNT, VGCF, and their polymer nanocomposites. The experimental methods and results to measure the elastic modulus and strength of CNT and VGCF are first discussed in this article. Secondly, the different surface chemical modifications for CNT and VGCF are reviewed, because the surface chemical modifications play an important role for polymer nanocomposite processing and properties. Thirdly, fracture and fatigue properties of CNT/polymer nanocomposites are reviewed, since these properties are important, especially when these new nanocomposite materials are applied for structural applications.     

用于包装防伪的稀土上转换发光材料

目的 从增强稀土离子发光的角度考察上转换发光调控及性能,综述稀土发光材料在光学防伪领域的应用,以期为上转换材料与包装材料的功能化研究提供参考。方法 检索近几年文献,介绍上转换发光纳米材料的发光机理、发光性能及调控、光学材料打印技术的研究进展。结果 稀土掺杂的上转换发光纳米材料表现出优异的发光性能,但随着粒径减小,纳米颗粒出现发光效率、量子产量低的问题。利用纳米颗粒表面钝化、表面等离子体耦合、与有机配体结合和外场调节等手段,可以使发光材料的发光效能显著增强。利用喷墨打印、丝网印刷、纳米压印光刻和气溶胶喷印等技术,可以使稀土掺杂的上转换发光纳米材料被打印成多样的防伪图案,在光学防伪、信息存储与标记等领域具有重大应用潜力,有望成为新型功能包装材料。结论 在光学材料合成技术、光学调控和打印技术的共同推动下,稀土掺杂上转换发光纳米材料因其特殊的光学特性,有望为功能化包装防伪技术作出贡献。     

Preparation, characterization, and luminescence of host (Y zeolite)-guest (FeS, CoS, NiS) nanocomposite materials

The host-guest nanocomposites (Y zeolite)-sulfides (FeS, CoS, NiS) were successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method and characterized by powder XRD, chemical analysis, adsorption technique, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Y zeolite-NiS host-guest nanocomposite material was found to exhibit luminescence. This paper suggests that the luminescence mechanism of Y-NiS resulted from the excitons in the confinement areas and from the defects in the materials. The material Y-NiS may be used as luminescent materials.     

Research progress on the luminescence of biomacromolecules

Luminescent materials show great potential in various applications.Traditional aggregation-induced emission(AIE)luminogens are mostly produced by complex organic synthesis and have poor hydrophilic-ity and biocompatibility,which limit their practical applications.Therefore,it is of great significance to develop fluorescent materials with good hydrophilicity and biocompatibility,and biomacromolecules with these properties have attracted our attention.Partial biomacromolecules can generate unique new fluorophores during the gelation process to obtain hydrogels with good fluorescence properties.In addi-tion,biomacromolecules can be modified with fluorescent groups to obtain fluorescent materials with excellent performance,thus improving the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of fluorophore.In par-ticular,grafting aggregation-caused quenching(ACQ)luminogens onto biomacromolecules can even effectively inhibit the aggregation and self-quenching of luminogens.It is well known that aromatic biological macromolecules such as green fluorescent protein have intrinsic fluorescence.Intrinsic fluo-rescence is also observed in nonaromatic biological macromolecules without traditional chromophores such as chitosan,cellulose and sodium alginate.The luminescence of nonaromatic biomacromolecule can be rationalized by the clustering-triggered emission(CTE)mechanism,namely,clustering of nonconven-tional chromophores and subsequent electron overlap and conformation rigidification are accountable for the emssion.In this review,fluorescence gels obtained from biomacromolecules,biomacromolecules modified with fluorophores,and the intrinsic luminescence of biomacromolecular luminogens are assessed.This review will help to develop low-cost,biocompatible luminescent materials and has great significance for comprehending the luminescence of nonconventional luminophores and expanding the application of luminescent compounds.     

Recent Advances of Carbon Dots with Afterglow Emission

Carbon dots (CDs) have gradually become a new generation of nano-luminescent materials, which have received extensive attention due to excellent optical properties, wide source of raw materials, low toxicity, and good biocompatibility. In recent years, there are many reports on the luminescent phenomenon of CDs, and great progress has been achieved. However,there are rarely systematic summaries on CDs with persistent luminescence. Here, a summary of the recent progress on persistent luminescent CDs, including luminous mechanism, synthetic strategies, property regulation, and potential applications, is given. First, a brief introduction is given to the development of CDs luminescent materials. Then, the luminous mechanism of afterglow CDs from room temperature phosphorescence (RTP), delayed fluorescence (DF), and long persistent luminescence (LPL) is discussed. Next, the constructed methods of luminescent CDs materials are summarized from two aspects, including matrix-free self-protected and matrix-protected CDs. Moreover, the regulation of afterglow properties from color, lifetime, and efficiency is presented. Afterwards, the potential applications of CDs, such as anti-counterfeiting, information encryption, sensing, bio-imaging, multicolor display, LED devices, etc., are reviewed. Finally, an outlook on the development of CDs materials and applications is proposed.     

Mechanical and tribological properties of self-lubricating metal matrix nanocomposites reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene – A review

Rapid innovation in nanotechnology in recent years enabled development of advanced metal matrix nanocomposites for structural engineering and functional devices. Carbonous materials, such as graphite, carbon nanotubes (CNT's), and graphene possess unique electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Owe to their lubricious nature, these carbonous materials have attracted researchers to synthesize lightweight self-lubricating metal matrix nanocomposites with superior mechanical and tribological properties for several applications in automotive and aerospace industries. This review focuses on the recent development in mechanical and tribological behavior of self-lubricating metallic nanocomposites reinforced by carbonous nanomaterials such as CNT and graphene. The review includes development of self-lubricating nanocomposites, related issues in their processing, their characterization, and investigation of their tribological behavior. The results reveal that adding CNT and graphene to metals decreases both coefficient of friction and wear rate as well as increases the tensile strength. The mechanisms involved for the improved mechanical and tribological behavior is discussed.     

New Strategy: Molten Salt-Assisted Synthesis to Enhance Lanthanide Upconversion Luminescence

Lanthanide-doped upconversion luminescent materials (LUCMs) have attracted much attention in diverse practical applications because of their superior features. However, the relatively weak luminescence intensity and low efficiency of LUCMs are the bottleneck problems that seriously limit their development. Unfortunately, most of the current major strategies of luminescence enhancement have some inherent shortcomings in their implementation. Here, a new and simple strategy of molten salt-assisted synthesis is proposed to enhance lanthanide upconversion luminescence for the first time. As a proof-of-concept, a series of rare earth oxides with obvious luminescence enhancement are prepared by a one-step method, utilizing molten NaCl as the high-temperature reaction media and rare earth chlorides as the precursors. The enhancement factors at different reaction temperatures are systematically investigated by taking Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Y₂O₃ as an example, which can be enhanced up to more than six times. In addition, the molten salts are extended to all alkali chlorides, indicating that it is a universal strategy. Finally, the potential application of obtained UCL materials is demonstrated in near-infrared excited upconversion white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) and other monochromatic LEDs.     

高强度水凝胶纳米复合材料的研究进展

水凝胶是化学或物理交联而成的具有三维网络结构的高分子材料,其高分子网络中含有大量的水并能保持一定的形状,是一种特殊的半固体材料。水凝胶由于具有许多优异的性质,在工业、农业、生物医学领域得到广泛重视,然而传统水凝胶的力学性能差,限制了其应用。因此提高水凝胶力学强度的研究吸引了国内外众多研究者的关注。总结了近年来几种主要类别的高强度水凝胶纳米复合材料的实验及理论研究工作,重点分析了纳米复合凝胶在力学性能方面的研究结果,并对其未来的发展进行了展望。     

Polymere Nanoverbundwerkstoffe: Chancen,Risiken und Potenzial zur Verbesserung der mechanischen und physikalischen Eigenschaften

Polymer Nanocomposites: chances, risks and potential to improve the mechanical and physical properties The development of nano‐particle reinforced polymer composites is presently seen as one of the most promising approaches of materials for future engineering applications. The unique properties of at least some types of the nano‐particles (e.g., Carbon Nanotubes or Carbon Black) and the possibility of combining them with conventional materials and reinforcements (e.g., carbon‐, glass‐ or aramid‐fibres), has led to an intense research in the field of nanocomposites. Especially Carbon Nanotubes have shown a high potential for an improvement of the properties of polymers. Besides an increase in the electrical conductivity even at an extremely low nanotube content the improvement of the mechanical properties is of special interest. The exceptionally high aspect ratio in combination with a low density and a high strength and stiffness make the carbon nanotubes a most interesting candidate for a reinforcement of polymeric materials. The electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of Carbon Nanotubes open up new perspectives also for their use as multifunctional materials, e.g. conductive polymers with improved mechanical performance. The problem, however, is to transfer the interesting potential regarding the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties to the polymer. Two main issues have to be addressed for a significant improvement of the properties of polymers by adding Carbon Nanotubes: the interfacial bonding and, especially also, a proper dispersion of the individual Carbon Nanotubes in the polymeric matrix.     

Temporal and Remote Tuning of Piezophotonic‐Effect‐Induced Luminescence and Color Gamut via Modulating Magnetic Field

Light‐emitting materials have been extensively investigated because of their widespread applications in solid‐state lighting, displays, sensors, and bioimaging. In these applications, it is highly desirable to achieve tunable luminescence in terms of luminescent intensity and wavelength. Here, a convenient physical approach of temporal and remote tuning of light‐emitting wavelength and color is demonstrated, which is greatly different from conventional methods. It is shown that by modulating the frequency of magnetic‐field excitation at room temperature, luminescence from the flexible composites of ZnS:Al, Cu phosphors induced by the piezophotonic effect can be tuned in real time and in situ. The mechanistic investigation suggests that the observed tunable piezophotonic emission is ascribed to the tilting band structure of the ZnS phosphor induced by magnetostrictive strain under a high frequency of magnetic‐field excitation. Furthermore, some proof‐of concept devices, including red–green–blue full‐color displays and tunable white‐light sources are demonstrated simply by frequency modulation. A new understanding of the fundamentals of both luminescence and magnetic–optics coupling is thus provided, while offering opportunities in magnetic–optical sensing, piezophotonics, energy harvesting, novel light sources, and displays.     

Polymer nanocomposite foams

Polymer nanocomposite foams have received increasingly attention in both scientific and industrial communities. The combination of functional nanoparticles and supercritical fluid foaming technology has a high potential to generate a new class of materials that are lightweight, high strength and multifunctional. A small amount of well-dispersed nanoparticles in the polymer domain may serve as the nucleation sites to facilitate the bubble nucleation process. Moreover, the nano-scaled particles are suitable for micro-scaled reinforcement, thus achieving the macroscopic mechanical enhancement. In this paper, we will first briefly review the synthesis and processing techniques of nanocomposites based on polymers that are important in the foam industry. Both thermoplastic and thermoset nanocomposite foams will be addressed. This is followed by an introduction of various foaming techniques. The effect of nanoparticles on the foam morphology and properties is then discussed. We conclude with the current and future trends of nanocomposite foams in both industrial and biomedical applications.     

Highly doped alkaline earth nanofluorides synthesized from ionic liquids

Bulk alkaline earth fluorides co-doped with optically active ions are prominent materials for luminescent applications. However, for phosphor materials the changeover to the nanoscale is a tightrope walk between achieving desirable features of small particles such as reduced light scattering and unwanted drawbacks such as a high surface defect concentration which is likely to result in quenching of luminescence. A new preparation route via ionic liquids allows obtaining pure and oxygen-free alkaline earth fluorides co-doped with Eu³⁺ and Gd³⁺ on the nanoscale with excellent quantum cutting abilities.     

Carbon nanotubes as structural material and their application in composites

In the present paper, we will introduce the synthesis and application of carbon nanotubes as filler for nanocomposite materials. Physical and chemical properties such as mechanical strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, chemical stability, density and affinity with the matrix vary a lot among different types of carbon nanotubes. We first will overview the main component of nanocomposite, carbon nanotube and its synthesis and purification, and introduce some of the nanocomposites and its applications that we have taken part in the development.     

Nanoparticle fluorescence based technology for biological applications

Fluorescence is widely used in biological detection and imaging. The emerging luminescent nanoparticles or quantum dots provide a new type of biological agents that can improve these applications. The advantages of luminescent nanoparticles for biological applications include their high quantum yield, color availability, good photo-stability, large surface-to-volume ratio, surface functionality, and small size. In this review article, we first introduce quantum size confinement, photoluminescence and upconversion luminescence of nanoparticles, then describe the preparation and conjugation of water soluble nanoparticles and introduce the applications of luminescence nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo imaging, fluorescence resonance energy based detection, and the applications of luminescence nanoparticles for photodynamic activation.     

Si3N4／SiC纳米复合陶瓷的制备,结构和性能

Ｓｉ３Ｎ４／ＳｉＣＵ纳米复合陶瓷是近年发展起来的高温高温度结构材料，它通过纳米ＳｉＣ颗粒在Ｓｉ３Ｎ４基体中的弥散达到强化增韧的效果。研究表明，这种增韧方法所获得的室温和高温机械性能均远远高于其它的增韧方法。本文综述了Ｓｉ３Ｎ４／ＳｉＣ纳米复合陶瓷在制备、结构和性能方面的研究成果，指出了尚待解决的问题和今后的研究方向。     

Recent progress in dielectric nanocomposites

The rapid development of modern capacitor devices has raised an urgent need of high performance dielectric materials with superior electrical and mechanical properties with low fabrication costs. By now, individual ceramic or polymer dielectrics cannot meet these criteria. Recently, dielectric nanocomposites have shown very promising dielectric and mechanical properties, which combines both advantages of ceramic and polymers. In this review, the recent progress in dielectric nanocomposites has been systematically addressed. The key parameters which determine the performance of nanocomposites, such as dielectric constants, dielectric loss and breakdown strength have been discussed. The fabrication methods of ceramic nanopowders have been reviewed, including sol–gel, hydrothermal and molten salt method are some common techniques to synthesise nanoparticles. For fabrication of electronic device, printing techniques are utilised. Organic light-emitting diode and sensors from nanocomposite thin film capacitors have also been discussed. The review provides a guideline for designing flexible, printable capacitors from nanocomposites.     

Multifunctional Nanocomposites with High Strength and Capacitance Using 2D MXene and 1D Nanocellulose

The family of two‐dimensional (2D) metal carbides and nitrides, known as MXenes, are among the most promising electrode materials for supercapacitors thanks to their high metal‐like electrical conductivity and surface‐functional‐group‐enabled pseudocapacitance. A major drawback of these materials is, however, the low mechanical strength, which prevents their applications in lightweight, flexible electronics. A strategy of assembling freestanding and mechanically robust MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x ) nanocomposites with one‐dimensional (1D) cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) from their stable colloidal dispersions is reported. The high aspect ratio of CNF (width of ≈3.5 nm and length reaching tens of micrometers) and their special interactions with MXene enable nanocomposites with high mechanical strength without sacrificing electrochemical performance. CNF loading up to 20%, for example, shows a remarkably high mechanical strength of 341 MPa (an order of magnitude higher than pristine MXene films of 29 MPa) while still maintaining a high capacitance of 298 F g^?1 and a high conductivity of 295 S cm^?1. It is also demonstrated that MXene/CNF hybrid dispersions can be used as inks to print flexible micro‐supercapacitors with precise dimensions. This work paves the way for fabrication of robust multifunctional MXene nanocomposites for printed and lightweight structural devices.     

Ductile PLA nanocomposites with improved thermal stability

Polylactide (PLA) is used as a biomedical material because it is biodegradable, but the vast majority of biodegradable polymers in clinical use are composed of rather stiff materials that are unsuitable for use in numerous applications because they exhibit limited extendibility, weak mechanical strength, and poor thermal stability. We modified PLA with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl isocyanate (MOI) to prepare ductile PLA materials. By utilizing a novel sol–gel process, PLA nanocomposites were further prepared with improved mechanical properties and thermal stability. The 10% thermal decomposition temperature for PLA modified with 5% MOI and 5–10% silica was 21–32 °C higher than that of original pristine PLA. Elongation at break increased by 4–13 times when compared to neat PLA while the tensile strength was maintained at 30–40 MPa. These synthesized PLA nanocomposites can be applied as biomaterials with improved mechanical and thermal properties.     

Wearing an organic “coat” on nanocrystals of LaF3:Eu3+ to generate dynamic luminescence for optical anti-counterfeit

Nowadays, the continuous emergence of various fake and inferior products has caused a huge impact on high quality products. For protecting the interests of consumers and enterprises from the fake, the development of anti-counterfeiting technology is particularly significant. Here, temperature-dependent luminescence was used here as additional authentication information to improve the anti-counterfeiting level. In this work, a new luminescent material for optical anti-counterfeit was developed by wearing organic Tb (III) complex on nanocrystals of LaF₃:Eu³⁺. The prepared core–shell materials exhibited a dynamic luminescence responding to temperature, mainly due to the energy transfer of hfa → Tb³⁺ and hfa → Tb³⁺→Eu³⁺, and the energy back transfer from the emitting level of the Tb³⁺ to the excited triplet state of the hfa ligand. The dynamic multicolor emissions show higher security level in anti-counterfeiting. We believe that our research results will provide some guidance for the development of temperature-dependent luminescent materials in anti-counterfeiting applications.     

Recent advances in biodegradable nanocomposites

There is growing interest in developing bio-based products and innovative process technologies that can reduce the dependence on fossil fuel and move to a sustainable materials basis. Biodegradable bio-based nanocomposites are the next generation of materials for the future. Renewable resource-based biodegradable polymers including cellulosic plastic (plastic made from wood), corn-derived plastics, and polyhydroxyalkanoates (plastics made from bacterial sources) are some of the potential biopolymers which, in combination with nanoclay reinforcement, can produce nanocomposites for a variety of applications. Nanocomposites of this category are expected to possess improved strength and stiffness with little sacrifice of toughness, reduced gas/water vapor permeability, a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, and an increased heat deflection temperature, opening an opportunity for the use of new, high performance, lightweight green nanocomposite materials to replace conventional petroleum-based composites. The present review addresses this green material, including its technical difficulties and their solutions.