Effects of surface modification of β-CaSiO3 on electrospun poly(butylene succinate)/β-CaSiO3 composite fibers

In this experiment, pure PBSU fibers, PBSU/12.5% β-CaSiO₃, and PBSU/25% β-CaSiO₃ composite fibers were fabricated by electrospinning. In order to investigate the effects of surface modification of β-CaSiO₃ on composite fibers, β-CaSiO₃ nanowires were surface esterified using dodecyl alcohol. SEM micrographs showed that composite materials with modified β-CaSiO₃ have homogeneous fibrous structures similar as that of pure PBSU fibers, while the fibers containing unmodified β-CaSiO₃ were inhomogeneous and much larger in diameter, and also junctions where β-CaSiO₃ agglomerated could be found. Mechanical testing showed that with the addition of unmodified β-CaSiO₃ into PBSU matrix, the tensile strength of fibrous materials decreased obviously, and the decrease degree increased with increased β-CaSiO₃ content. However, the tensile stresses of composite materials after surface modification of β-CaSiO₃ turned back and increased about 40% compared to those containing unmodified β-CaSiO₃. All of these results suggested surface modification of β-CaSiO₃ was an effective approach to obtain composite fibrous materials with better morphologies and enhanced mechanical properties, and this method is supposed to be feasible in other fibrous material systems.     

Synthesis of Janus composite particles by the template of dumbbell-like silica/polystyrene

Janus particles possess promising performances. It is challenging to develop new methods to control composition and microstructure of the particles. In this report, we describe a general template synthesis of several non-spherical Janus composite particles by the template of dumbbell-like silica/polystyrene (PS) Janus particles. Both PS and silica can be modified to introduce desired functional groups respectively, or induce crystallization of other materials on the particle surface. Especially, by favorable growth of materials within the sulfonated PS gel forming the core–shell structure at the polymer part, several new Janus hollow particles are obtained after removal of the PS core.     

Microstructure and orientation relationships of Mg alloy matrix composite reinforced with SiC whiskers and B4C particles

The microstructure and orientation relationships of ZK60A magnesium alloy matrix composite reinforced with SiC whiskers and B₄C particles have been studied by means of transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution electron microscopy. MgO nanocrystalline particles are formed at SiC/Mg interfaces with a cube-on-cube orientation relationship with SiC whiskers. MgB₂ nanorods are formed near the B₄C particles. Two types of orientation relationships between the SiC whisker and Mg are observed, which are [1¯11]_SiC|| [0001]_Mg and (022¯)_SiC|| (112¯0)_Mg, and [1¯11]_SiC|| [112¯0]_Mg and (022¯)_SiC|| (011¯2)_Mg. Geometrically, [1¯11]_SiC|| [0001]_Mg and (022¯)_SiC|| (112¯0)_Mg is more favorable than [1¯11]_SiC|| [112¯0]_Mg and (022¯)_SiC|| (011¯2)_Mg.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) nanofibrous composites with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles

Nanofibrous composites are a new class of polymer materials with controlled and tailored properties. Novel Fe₃O₄/poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) nanofibrous composites with magnetic behavior have been prepared by a simple electrospinning process. The nanofibrous composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. The distribution of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles inside the nanofibrous composites was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in the nanofibrous composites. The maximum saturation magnetization for the composites, measured at 300 K, was 30.51 emu/g.     

Microstructural studies and wear assessments of Ti/TiC surface composite coatings on commercial pure Ti produced by titanium cored wires and TIG process

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) process and titanium cored wires filled with micro size TiC particles were employed to produce surface composite coatings on commercial pure Ti substrate for wear resistance improvement. Wire drawing process was utilized to produce several cored wires from titanium strips and titanium carbide powders. Subsequently, these cored wires were melted and coated on commercial pure Ti using TIG process. This procedure was repeated at different current intensities and welding travel speeds. Composite coating tracks were found to be affected by TIG heat input. The microstructural studies using optical and scanning electron microscopy supported by X-ray diffraction showed that the surface composite coatings consisted of α′-Ti, spherical and dendritic TiC particles. Also, greater volume fractions of TiC particles in the coatings were found at lower heat input. A maximum microhardness value of about 1100 HV was measured which is more than 7 times higher than the substrate material. Pin-on-disk wear tests exhibited a better performance of the surface composite coatings than the untreated material which was attributed to the presence of TiC particles in the microstructure.     

Preparation of polystyrene-encapsulated silver hollow spheres via self-assembly of latex particles at the emulsion droplet interface

In the present work, we have developed a novel route to wrap inorganic nanoparticles in polymer hollow spheres, which includes self-assembly polystyrene (PS) latex particles at the aqueous/oil interface, sintering and γ-ray radiation reduction. The Ag/PS composite microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The advantage of this method is that the PS shell thickness, permeability, the size of composite spheres, and the quantity of the encapsulated Ag nanoparticles can be easily adjusted, which gives the product a brilliant prospect in the field of catalysis.     

Biomimetic electro-active polymer based on sulfonated poly (styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene)

Based on the sulfonated poly (styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) ionic membrane, a novel electro-active polymer, which can be used as sensors and actuators, was developed through the electroless plating procedure. The surface and cross-sectional morphologies of the SSEBS actuator were disclosed by using scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy. The electromechanical results of the SSEBS actuators show high-speed bending actuation under constant voltages and also give excellent harmonic responses under sinusoidal excitation. In the voltage-current test, the electrical current is almost synchronous with the applied voltages, while the mechanical displacement shows high phase shift from the voltage signals. The SSEBS-based ionic polymer-metal composite can be a promising smart material and may possibly be used to implement biomimetic motion.     

Effect of citrate on poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-stabilized gold nanoparticles formed by PVP reduction in microwave (MW) synthesis

Colloidal PVP (poly(vinyl pyrrolidone))–stabilized gold nanoparticles (PVP–AuNPs) are synthesized in aqueous solution with PVP as a reducing and stabilizing agent using a short microwave (MW) heating duration of 1 min. The size and uniformity of the synthesized PVP–AuNPs can be varied by modifying the concentration of sodium citrate (Na₃Ct), which acts predominantly as mediator of the stability of PVP–AuNP formation during the rapid synthesis. Due to the increase in the Na₃Ct concentration, the number of citrate ions adsorbed on the growing surface of AuNPs increase, and less reactive gold solute complexes are formed, leading to slow stable reactions that produce small, uniform colloidal PVP–AuNPs. We therefore demonstrate that by adjusting the Na₃Ct concentration used in the PVP reduction, the diameter of PVP–AuNPs was varied from 19.47 ± 3.97 nm to 7.94 ± 0.14 nm when using constant concentrations of chloroauric acid (HAuCl₄) and PVP.     

Unique electrochemiluminescence behavior of Ru(bpy)3 in a gold/Nafion/Ru(bpy)3 composite

The unique electrochemiluminescence (ECL) behavior of tris(bipyridine) ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) immobilized in a gold/Nafion/Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ composite material was investigated. In this composite, the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL was found mainly occurred at 0-0.4 V during the cathodic scan process and the ECL peak was at about 0.1 V, which was quite different to the reported Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL. Similar to the generally observed Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL, the present ECL also could be enhanced by tri-n-propylamine (TPA). It is also unique that in the presence of TPA, another ECL peak at about 0.38 V occurred. These two ECL peak potentials all could be used as characteristic potential for the ECL determination of TPA.     

Preparation of gold nanosheets using poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers via photoreduction

Gold nanosheets having single crystalline structure were successfully synthesized using the bulk phase mixture of HAuCl₄ and poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers through the irradiation of a glow lamp for 5 days. When the molar ratio of propylene oxide to ethylene oxide block units in the block copolymer is about 1.75, mostly gold nanosheets were obtained. Gold nanosheets with an average width of 8 and 5 μm were obtained from the when the molar ratio of gold salt to the ethylene oxide units in the block copolymer were 1/80 and 1/160, respectively.     

Electrochemical preparation of composite coatings of 3,4-etylenodioxythiophene (EDOT) and 4-(pyrrole-1-yl) benzoic acid (PyBA) with heteropolyanions

The possibility of incorporating 4-(pyrrole-1-yl) benzoic acid, (PyBA), and heteropolyacids (SiMo₁₂) during the electrodeposition of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT, is demonstrated in the paper. The formed novel composite material was applied on the electrode surface as a moderately thin (ca. 0.9–1 μm thick) PEDOT/PyBA/SiMo₁₂ coating. The physicochemical identity of our composite coating was established with the use of electrochemical, spectroscopic, and microscopic techniques. The fact that carboxylate-containing PyBA units link with positively charged and PEDOT structures tend to improve the overall stability and adherence of composite coatings to glassy carbon and stainless steel. The PEDOT/PyBA composite serves as a stable host matrix for large negatively charged silicium heteropolymolybdates inorganic species. Consequently, due to the formation of denser polymeric structures and due to the existence of electrostatic repulsion effects, the large polyanion-containing composite coatings are capable of blocking the access of smaller pitting-causing anions (chlorides) to the surface of stainless steel.     

Improved thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride) by nanoscale layered double hydroxide particles grafted with toluene-2,4-di-isocyanate

A novel interlamellar surface modification of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) via covalent bonding by toluene-2,4-di-isocyanate (TDI) has been successfully obtained, and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/TDI-modified LDH nanocomposites have been prepared via solution intercalation process. After the interlamellar modification, TDI was grafted to the surface hydroxyl groups of LDHs with nitrate, dodecyl sulfate or stearate anion as counterion anion. The structures of the TDI-modified LDHs and the nanocomposites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The enhanced thermal stability of PVC/TDI-modified LDH nanocomposites was confirmed by means of conventional Congo Red test and dynamic thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, the thermal degradation mechanism was briefly discussed on the basis of the above experimental results.     

Effect of sintering condition on microstructure and dielectric properties of BSTN composite ceramics

The effect of sintering condition on the phase composition, microstructure and dielectric properties of barium strontium titanate niobate (BSTN) composite ceramics, in which the perovskite phase and the tungsten bronze phase coexisted, was investigated by XRD, SEM and LCZ Meter. The results show that more Sr²⁺ ions dissolved from the grain boundaries into the crystal lattice of the pervoskite phase and the tungsten bronze phase, especially, into the lattice of the pervoskite phase with the increasing of sintering temperature and sintering time, respectively. So the Curie temperature point decreases with the increasing of sintering temperature. The crystal growth rate of the tungsten bronze phase is higher than that of the perovskite phase in BSTN composite ceramics as the sintering temperature increases. The reasonable sintering temperature is about 1275 °C for BSTN composite ceramics. The activation energy to setting up polarization in BSTN composite ceramics increases with the increase of the applied frequency.     

Microstructure and room temperature fracture toughness of cast Nbss/silicides composites alloyed with Hf

The effect of Hf addition on microstructure and room temperature fracture toughness of cast Nb-16Si alloy was investigated. The Hf addition changes significantly the microstructural morphology of Nb-16Si alloys, which includes microstructure refinement and disappearance of eutectic colonies. Fracture toughness of the alloys improves with increasing Hf content. The improvement in fracture toughness is mainly attributed to the microstructural change by Hf addition. The Hf addition leads to a transition of Nb solid solution fracture manner from brittle cleavage to plastic stretching.     

Fabrication of nanofibrous macroporous scaffolds of poly(lactic acid) incorporating bioactive glass nanoparticles by camphene-assisted phase separation

Here we produced macroporous and nanofibrous scaffolds with bioactive nanocomposite composition, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) incorporating bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGnp) up to 30 wt%, targeting bone regeneration. In particular, the nanofibrous structure in the scaffolds was generated by using a bicyclic monoterpene, camphene (C₁₀H₁₆), through a phase-separation process with PLA-BGnp phase in chloroform/1,4-dioxane co-solvent. Furthermore, macropores were produced by the impregnation of salt particles and their subsequent leaching out, followed by freezing and lyophilization processes. The produced PLA-BGnp scaffolds presented highly porous and nanofibrous structure with porosities of 90–95% and pore sizes of over hundreds of micrometers. BGnp with sizes of ∼90 nm were also evenly impregnated within the PLA matrix, featuring a nanocomposite structure. The nanofibrous scaffolds exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity and more rapid hydrolytic degradation as the incorporated BGnp content increased. The bone-bioactivity of the scaffolds was substantially improved with the incorporation of BGnp, exhibiting rapid formation of apatite throughout the scaffolds in a simulated body fluid. The developed macroporous and nanofibrous scaffolds with PLA-BGnp bioactive composition are considered as a novel 3D matrix potentially useful for bone tissue engineering.     

Effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes on the optical and photo-conductive properties of their composite films with regio-regular poly(3-hexylthiophene)

The effect of a small admixture of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) HiPCO (high pressure carbon monoxide) (from 0.5 to 2 wt%) on the supramolecular structure in regio-regular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (RR-P3HT) thin films is studied and their optical and photoconductivity properties are investigated. It is demonstrated that the presence of such small amounts of nanotubes improves the structural organization in the films as evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. This is confirmed by UV–visible optical absorption investigations which clearly show a better conjugation of P3HT in the presence of nanotubes. In Raman spectra of composites, changes in intensities and frequencies of the radial breathing modes are observed upon addition of nanotubes. This can be rationalized by a modification of the resonance conditions caused by a selective dispersion and wrapping of SWNTs via π-interaction (π-stacking). As a consequence of these interactions, a dramatic photoluminescence (PL) quenching is observed which becomes more and more pronounced with increasing the nanotube content. This implies a fast photo-induced electron transfer favoured by a large area of the SWNTs/P3HT interface and strong interactions between these two components. An increase in the composite photocurrent by at least one-order of magnitude, as compared to the case of pure P3HT film, is the most pronounced effect of this electron transfer. These two effects are of crucial importance for the application of the investigated composites in bulk hetero-junction photovoltaic cells (BHJPCs) and organic photo-detectors (OPDs).     

Dielectric and magnetic properties of ferrite/poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites

Particulate composite films of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and CoFe₂O₄ and NiFe₂O₄ were prepared by solvent casting and melt processing. The well-dispersed ferrite nanoparticles nucleate the piezoelectric β-phase of the polymer, but the different ferrites nucleate the whole polymer crystalline phase at different filler concentrations. The macroscopic magnetic and dielectric response of the composites demonstrates a strong dependence on the volume fraction of ferrite nanoparticles, with both magnetization and dielectric constant increasing for increasing filler content. The β-relaxation in the composite samples is similar to the one observed for β-PVDF obtained by stretching. A superparamagnetic behavior was observed for NiFe₂O₄/PVDF composites, whereas CoFe₂O₄/PVDF samples developed a hysteresis cycle with coercivity of 0.3 T.     

Effect of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) on impact property improvement of hybrid kenaf/glass epoxy composite

Environmental regulations, costs and lightweight encourage car manufacturers to develop new reliable products. Epoxy provides a reliable fibre impregnation and creates substantial three-dimensional (3D) cross-linking for proper load transmission and impact strength improvement, but their low toughness decreases their energy absorption. Thermoplastic toughening improves the epoxy impact property with a low thermo-mechanical defect. This study, focused on improving the impact property of hybrid kenaf/glass fibre epoxy composite by use of a modified sheet moulding compound (GMT). The results indicated that most of the mechanical properties of developed material were almost the same as those of the GMT, except impact. This result highlights the potential for utilisation of the toughened hybrid bio-composite in some automotive structural components. Moreover, geometric parameters, e.g., cross-section, thickness, and reinforcement ribs suggest an improvement of structural impact resistance to comply with the bumper beam product design specification (PDS).     

Effects of aging treatment on microstructure and tribological properties of nickel-based high-temperature self-lubrication wear resistant composite coatings by laser cladding

The NiCr/Cr₃C₂–WS₂ high-temperature self-lubrication wear resistant composite coatings were fabricated on substrate of a hot-rolled AISI304 austenitic stainless steel by laser cladding. The high-temperature phase stability of the composite coatings was evaluated by aging at 600 °C for 10 h, 30 h, 50 h, and the microstructures of the as-laser clad and aged coatings were examined by means of XRD, SEM, EDS, respectively. The sliding wear resistance of the as-laser clad and aged coatings was evaluated at 600 °C. The results show that NiCr/Cr₃C₂–WS₂ composite coating has excellent high-temperature phase stability, the γ-(Fe,Ni)/Cr₇C₃ eutectic phases, Cr₇C₃ and (Cr,W)C hard phases, CrS/WS₂ mixed solid lubricant phases all existed in the as-laser clad and aged coatings. The volume fraction of eutectic phases decreased gradually with the increasing of aged time due to their dissolution. The microhardness of the aged coating decreased slightly after aging the coating 50 h at 600 °C due to the dissolution of the eutectic phases and notable breaking or granulation of the Cr₇C₃ hard phase, but the tribological properties were not significantly affected by aging treatment.