Influence of surface-modified TiO nanoparticles on fracture behavior of injection molded polypropylene

We prepared surface-modified TiO₂ nanoparticle (21 nm)/polypropylene nanocomposites using a twin-screw extruder and an injection molding machine. The TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) images showed homogeneous dispersion of nano-TiO₂ at 1 vol.% filler content and weak nanoparticle matrix interfacial adhesion. It was found that the essential work of fracture (EWF) approach, usually characterizing fracture toughness of ductile materials, was no longer applicable to the nanocomposite samples because of the extreme crack blunting and tearing processes observed in the EWF tests. As an alternative approach, the specific essential work-related yield was used for assessment of the plane-strain toughness, as suggested in the literature. The results indicated that the addition of 1 vol.% nano-TiO₂ did not toughen the polypropylene (PP) matrix at all. On the other hand, it was observed from the EWF tensile curves that the nanoparticles enhanced the ductility of the PP matrix greatly, the reason of which was probably ascribed to the high level of molecular orientation of the injection molded samples, as revealed by the polarized optical microscopy (POM). Because of the highly ductile behavior induced by the nanoparticles, the fracture energy achieved two- to three-fold increase, depending on the ligament lengths of the samples. The difference between the toughness and ductility of nanocomposites was discussed.     

The one-pot synthesis of dextran-based nanoparticles and their application in in-situ fabrication of dextran-magnetite nanocomposites

The dextran-based nanoparticles containing carboxyl groups were synthesized by a one-pot approach, without using any organic solvents and surfactants. The resultant dextran-based nanoparticles was used as a host for the growing and organization of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles. The approach consists of the mixture of ferrous/ferric ions aqueous solution and host nanoparticles and subsequent coprecipitation of ferrous/ferric ions in basic medium. The magnetic nanocomposite material obtained was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction techniques (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The data demonstrate that the carboxyls which can capture cationic ferrous/ferric by electronic interaction in the dextran-based hosts plays a crucial role in fabricating nanocomposites with a homogeneous spatial distribution of magnetite nanoparticles. The magnetic nanocomposites exhibit comparable saturation magnetizations to that of reported Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles, and therefore display great potential in a large scope of biomedical fields.     

静电纺丝法制备PAN/Fe3O4磁性纳米纤维

采用化学共沉淀法制备纳米四氧化三铁,选用曲拉通X-100为分散剂,利用静电纺丝法制备PAN/Fe3O4磁性纳米复合材料。X射线衍射仪(XRD)验证了四氧化三铁在复合纳米纤维中的存在。同时使用扫描电镜(SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)对复合纳米纤维的微观形貌和Fe3O4在纤维中的分布进行了观察,利用热重(TGA)对纳米复合材料的热稳定性进行分析;通过磁性实验分析了纳米复合材料的磁性性能。结果表明,所制备PAN/Fe3O4磁性纳米纤维成型良好,且Fe3O4磁性颗粒在纤维中分散均匀,其与PAN是物理复合。纳米复合材料具有一定磁性,并可由磁性颗粒的加入量进行控制。     

Synthesis of magnetic nanocomposites and alloys from platinum-iron oxide core-shell nanoparticles

This paper presents a systematic study on the generation of iron platinum-containing magnetic nanocomposites and alloys from Pt@Fe(2)O(3) core-shell nanoparticle precursors. These core-shell nanoparticles were made using a sequential synthetic approach. They could form FePt alloys and alloy-containing nanocomposites through a solid-state reaction at >400?°C. The chemical compositions of FePt alloys were controllable by using Pt@Fe(2)O(3) core-shell nanoparticles that had the designed Pt core diameter and iron oxide shell thickness. We show that face-centred tetragonal (fct) FePt@Fe core-shell nanoparticles could be made from Pt@Fe(2)O(3) core-shell nanoparticles with?5% hydrogen in argon (v/v). Furthermore, various FePt alloys and alloy-containing nanocomposites including metastable intermediate phases could be obtained. The materials were characterized by high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-STEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), parallel electron energy loss spectroscopy (PEELS), and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry. These materials could have potential applications as permanent hard magnets and data storage media.     

Influence of surface-modified TiO2 nanoparticles on fracture behavior of injection molded polypropylene

We prepared surface-modified TiO₂ nanoparticle (21 nm)/polypropylene nanocomposites using a twinscrew extruder and an injection molding machine. The TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) images showed homogeneous dispersion of nano-TiO₂ at 1 vol.% filler content and weak nanoparticle matrix interfacial adhesion. It was found that the essential work of fracture (EWF) approach, usually characterizing fracture toughness of ductile materials, was no longer applicable to the nanocomposite samples because of the extreme crack blunting and tearing processes observed in the EWF tests. As an alternative approach, the specific essential work-related yield was used for assessment of the plane-strain toughness, as suggested in the literature. The results indicated that the addition of 1 vol.% nano-TiO₂ did not toughen the polypropylene (PP) matrix at all. On the other hand, it was observed from the EWF tensile curves that the nanoparticles enhanced the ductility of the PP matrix greatly, the reason of which was probably ascribed to the high level of molecular orientation of the injection molded samples, as revealed by the polarized optical microscopy (POM). Because of the highly ductile behavior induced by the nanoparticles, the fracture energy achieved two-to three-fold increase, depending on the ligament lengths of the samples. The difference between the toughness and ductility of nanocomposites was discussed.     

Cu2O-Au nanocomposites with novel structures and remarkable chemisorption capacity and photocatalytic activity

The decomposition of CuH nanoparticles in aqueous solution has been successfully developed as a novel method for the preparation of Cu₂O nanoparticles. In particular, we found that the decomposition of CuH nanoparticles in aqueous solution could be catalyzed by Au colloids, forming Cu₂O-Au nanocomposites. The composition and structure of the resulting Cu₂O-Au nanocomposites have been characterized in detail by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Their visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity toward various dye molecules has also been investigated. Depending on the Au:Cu ratio, Cu₂O-Au nanocomposites exhibit different novel nanostructures including a beautiful flower-like nanostructure that consists of polycrystalline Cu₂O, amorphous Cu₂O and Au colloids. We propose that the rapidly-generated bubbles of H₂ during the course of the catalytic decomposition reaction drive the simultaneously-formed Cu₂O to form amorphous curved thin foils and might also act as a template to assemble curved thin foils of amorphous Cu₂O, polycrystalline Cu₂O and Au colloids into uniform nanostructures. A Cu₂O-Au nanocomposite with a Cu:Au ratio of 40 exhibits remarkable chemisorption capacity and visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity towards methyl orange and acid orange 7 and is a promising chemisorption-photocatalysis integrated catalyst. The catalytic decomposition of the metal hydride might open up a new approach for the fabrication of other metal/metal oxide nanocomposites with novel nanostructures and properties.      

A facile synthesis of Cu(2)O/SiO(2) and Cu/SiO(2) core-shell octahedral nanocomposites

We report here a simple approach to the synthesis of Cu(2)O/SiO(2) core-shell nanocomposites in water solution. The Cu(2)O cores have a perfect octahedral structure with uniform size of about 200-300?nm. A compact SiO(2) shell 9?nm in thickness is located at the surfaces of Cu(2)O octahedra, and it is composed of fine SiO(2) nanoparticles. During the depositing of the SiO(2) particles, as we presumed, dynamic absorbing and disengaging of Na(+) at the interface of Cu(2)O octahedra and the solution made it possible for the formation of Cu-O-Si bonds between core and shell in the composites. The existence of Cu-O-Si bonds in our core-shell composite can be substantiated by peak changes at?1236 and 1080?cm(-1) in the FT-IR spectra. This is the reason why the SiO(2) shell is so compact and uniform. Moreover, these Cu(2)O/SiO(2) core-shell octahedra were further used as precursors, depending on a simple disproportionation reaction of Cu(2)O in acid, to easily achieve Cu/SiO(2) movable multicore-shell octahedral nanocomposites. In the final Cu/SiO(2) core-shell composite, the thin SiO(2) octahedral shell was held, inside of which formed several free Cu nanoparticles 50-80?nm in size. Studies on the Cu(2)O/SiO(2) core-shell octahedral composites and Cu/SiO(2) movable multicore-shell octahedral nanocomposites would be a good thing not only for fundamental research but also for applications.     

Facile synthesis and application of Ag-chemically converted graphene nanocomposite

An in situ chemical synthesis approach has been employed to prepare an Ag-chemically converted graphene (CCG) nanocomposite. The reduction of graphene oxide sheets was accompanied by generation of Ag nanoparticles. The structure and composition of the nanocomposites were confirmed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction. TEM and AFM results suggest a homogeneous distribution of Ag nanoparticles (5–10 nm in size) on CCG sheets. The intensities of the Raman signals of CCG in such nanocomposites are greatly increased by the attached silver nanoparticles, i.e., there is surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity. In addition, it was found that the antibacterial activity of free Ag nanoparticles is retained in the nanocomposites, which suggests they can be used as graphene-based biomaterials.      

Photoluminescence and raman study of CdS-Al2O3 nanocomposite films prepared by sol-gel techniques

The optical and microstructural properties of CdS-Al2O3 nanocomposite (CdS-Al2O3 = 20:80 to 50:50) thin films synthesized by sol-gel techniques were studied. Optical transmission spectra indicated a marked blue shift of the absorption edge due to quantum confinement. Band gaps of CdS-Al2O3 nanocomposites were found to vary in the range 3.69-2.61 eV. The sizes of the nanocrystals, estimated from the blue shift (0.2-1.2 eV) of the absorption edges and transmission electron microscopy, were found to vary in the range 2.8-7.0 nm. X-ray diffraction studies showed reflections from (111), (200), (220), and (311) planes of CdS in the cubic phase. Microstructural characterization by high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) indicated well crystallinity of the nanoparticles and lattice fringes supported the cubic phase of CdS. Raman spectroscopy was carried out for CdS-Al2O3 nanocomposites, which indicated a prominent peak at approximately 299 cm(-1). Significant changes in the peak position and intensity of the Raman peak were observed with varying the annealing temperature (373-573 K). Photoluminescence measurements indicated a prominent broad peak at approximately 1.81 eV due to the surface defects in the CdS nanocrystallites. The present study revealed Al2O3 to be a good capping material for CdS nanoparticles.     

Controlled self-assembly of metal-organic frameworks on metal nanoparticles for efficient synthesis of hybrid nanostructures

We report a novel approach for synthesizing inorganic nanoparticle/metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) heterostructured nanocomposites by self-assembly of MOFs on nanoparticles. This approach involves the synthesis of Au nanoparticles and preferential growth of [Cu(3)(btc)(2)](n) frameworks consisting of Cu(2+) ions and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (btc) on nanoparticles. Aggregates consisting of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA)-stabilized Au nanoparticles linked by Cu(2+) ions were necessary for preferential self-assembly of [Cu(3)(btc)(2)](n) frameworks on the aggregates, resulting in the formation of Au nanoparticles/[Cu(3)(btc)(2)](n) nanocomposites. The present approach was confirmed to be applicable for other hybrids consisting of Au nanoparticles and tetragonal [Cu(2)(ndc)(2)(dabco)](n) frameworks.     

Biopolymer/montmorillonite nanocomposite: preparation, drug-controlled release property and cytotoxicity

In order to combine the advantages of a biopolymer with clay in a drug delivery system, the hot intercalation technique was used to prepare quaternized chitosan/montmorillonite (HTCC/MMT) nanocomposites. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results revealed that HTCC chains entered into the interlayer of MMT, and the interaction between them has taken place. This is the basis of the advantage combination. Then the HTCC/MMT nanocomposites were modified to prepare the nanoparticles, whose drug-controlled release behaviours were evaluated. The results suggested that, compared to pure HTCC nanoparticles, certain montmorillonite loadings on quaternized chitosan enhanced the drug encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles and slowed the drug release from the nanocomposites. Finally, a study of 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) indicated that the nanocomposites are not cytotoxic. Therefore, the HTCC/MMT nanocomposites are of great potential in the biomedical field.     

Dispersion of luminescent nanoparticles in different derivatives of poly(ethyl methacrylate)

Gd2O3:Tb(5%) nanoparticles were prepared via the polyol route and dispersed without any stabilizer in several ethyl methacrylate derivatives matrices such as poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(2-methoxyethyl methacrylate) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA). Nanocomposites were obtained via free-radical polymerization of methacrylic monomers with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker and colloidal solution of Gd2O3:Tb(5%) nanoparticles. Best results are obtained with PHEMA in which the dispersed Gd2O3:Tb(5%) nanoparticles are spherical with a mean diameter of 15 nm, as measured by TEM. The obtained solid Gd2O3:Tb(5%)/PHEMA nanocomposites are highly transparent (in the visible spectral range) and exhibit characteristic photoluminescence of Tb3+ 5D4-7F(J) (J = 6-3), with 5D4-7F5 strong green emission at 536 nm upon UV excitation. The nanoparticles and nanocomposites have been well characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV/Vis transmission spectra, photoluminescence excitation, and emission spectra.     

Molecular design of nanometric zinc borate-containing polyimide as a route to flame retardant materials

Zinc borate (Zn₂B₆O₁₁·3H₂O) nanoparticles were successfully prepared by using an emulsion liquid membrane (W/O/W emulsion) to control the size of particles with Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, boric acid and ZnSO₄·7H₂O as raw materials. All materials were dispersed with the polyimide (PI) precursor, poly (amic acid). Using a combination of dissolving the poly (amic acid) and mixing fatty acid surfactant-coated zinc borate nanoparticles; we have demonstrated the formation of nanocomposites with uniform nanoparticles dispersion. We report the first deposition of nanocomposite polyimides from solution using spin-coating. The microstructures and morphology of the as-obtained samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectra (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Rapid synthesis and characterization of maghemite nanoparticles

Fe2O3-SiO2 nanocomposites were prepared by a sol-gel method using various evaporation surface to volume (S/V) ratios ranging from 0.03 to 0.2. The Fe2O3-SiO2 sols were gelated at various temperatures ranging from 50 degrees C to 70 degrees C, and subsequently they were calcined in air at 400 degrees C for 4 hours. The structure and the magnetic properties of the prepared Fe203-SiO2 nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements. The gelation temperature of the Fe2O3-SiO2 sols influenced strongly the particle size and crystallinity of the maghemite nanoparticles. It was observed that the particle size of maghemite nanoparticles increased with the increasing of the gelation temperature of the sols, which may be due to the agglomeration of the maghemite particles at elevated temperatures inside the microporosity of the silica matrix during the gelation process, and the subsequent calcination of these gels at 400 degrees C resulted in the formation of large size iron oxide particles. Magnetization studies at temperatures of 10, 195, and 300 K showed superparamagnetic behavior for all the nanocomposites prepared using the evaporation surface to volume ratio (S/V) of 0.1, 0.2, 0.09, and 0.08. The saturation magnetization, Ms, values measured at 10 K were 5.5, 8.5, and 9.5 emu/g, for the samples gelated at 50, 60, and 70 degrees C, respectively. At the gelation temperature of 70 degrees C, gamma-Fe2O3 crystalline superparamagnetic nanoparticles with the particle size of 9 +/- 2 nm were formed in 12 hours for the samples prepared at the S/V ratio of 0.2.     

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.     

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。     

Preparation and structural characterization of vulcanized natural rubber nanocomposites containing nickel-zinc ferrite nanopowders

Single-phase polycrystalline mixed nickel-zinc ferrites belonging to Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 were prepared on a nanometric scale (mean crystallite size equal to 14.7 nm) by chemical synthesis named the modified poliol method. Ferrite nanopowder was then incorporated into a natural rubber matrix producing nanocomposites. The samples were investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and magnetic measurements. The obtained results suggest that the base concentration of nickel-zinc ferrite nanoparticles inside the polymer matrix volume greatly influences the magnetic properties of nanocomposites. A small quantity of nanoparticles, less than 10 phr, in the nanocomposite is sufficient to produce a small alteration in the semi-crystallinity of nanocomposites observed by X-ray diffraction analysis and it produces a flexible magnetic composite material with a saturation magnetization, a coercivity field and an initial magnetic permeability equal to 3.08 emu/g, 99.22 Oe and 9.42 x 10(-5) respectively.     

High-performance visible-light-driven SnS₂/SnO₂ nanocomposite photocatalyst prepared via in situ hydrothermal oxidation of SnS₂ nanoparticles

SnS?/SnO? nanocomposites with tunable SnO? contents were prepared via in situ hydrothermal oxidation of SnS? nanoparticles in 0.375-4.5 mass% H?O? aqueous solutions at 180 °C for 0-12 h. The structure, composition and optical properties of the as-prepared SnS?/SnO? nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. Furthermore, their photocatalytic properties were tested for the degradation of methyl orange in water under visible light (λ > 420 nm) irradiation. It was found that the as-prepared SnS?/SnO? nanocomposites with suitable SnO? content not only demonstrated superior photocatalytic activity to both SnS? nanoparticles and physically mixed SnS?/SnO? composite nanoparticles, but also had remarkable photocatalytic stability. The tight attachment of SnO? nanoparticles to SnS? nanoparticles, which can facilitate interfacial electron transfer and reduce the self-agglomeration of two components, was considered to play an important role in achieving the high photocatalytic performances exhibited by the as-prepared SnS?/SnO? nanocomposites.     

Gd_2O_3/MC尼龙纳米复合材料的制备及性能研究

用原位分散聚合法制备了一系列Gd2O3/ME尼龙纳米复合材料,用SEM观察了Gd2O3纳米粒子在MC尼龙基体中的分散情况,用XRD研究了复合材料的晶体结构,并对复合材料的力学性能进行了表征.研究结果表明:(1)用原位分散聚合法制备Gd2O3//ME尼龙纳米复合材料是可行的,Gd2O3纳米粒子均匀分散在MC尼龙基体中,团聚情况较少;(2)GD2O3纳米粒子没有改变MC尼龙的结晶形态,但使其晶格尺寸发生了一定程度的改变;(3)纳米Gd2O3的加入可明显改善MC尼龙的力学性能,对MC尼龙同时具有增强和增韧双重效果.随着纳米Gd2O3用量的增加,复合材料的拉伸强度、断裂伸长率、缺口冲击强度、弯曲强度和弯曲模量都呈先升后降的趋势.当纳米Gd2O3用量为0.5%时,复合材料的综合性能最好,其拉伸强度、断裂伸长率、缺口冲击强度、弯曲强度和弯曲模量分别比MC尼龙基体提高19.6%、47.2%、19.7%、9.3%%和11.7%.     

Synthesis, characterization, and nonlinear optical properties of donor–acceptor conjugated polymers and polymer/Ag nanocomposites

Two new donor–acceptor (D–A) conjugated polymers P1 and P2 containing 3,4-didodecyloxythiophene and 1,3,4-oxadiazole units are synthesized via Wittig reaction methodology. Cyclic voltammetry studies reveal that the polymers are both p and n dopable, and possess low-lying LUMO energy levels (?3.34?eV for P1 and ?3.46?eV for P2) and high-lying HOMO energy levels (?5.34?eV for P1 and ?5.27?eV for P2). The optical band gap of the polymers is in the range of 2.25–2.29?eV, calculated from the onset absorption edge. The polymers emit orange to yellow light in the film state when irradiated with a UV light. The synthesized polymers are used to prepare polymer nanocomposites with different wt% of silver nanoparticles. The polymer nanocomposites are characterized by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Both polymers and polymer/Ag nanocomposites show good thermal stability with onset decomposition temperature around 300?°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The nonlinear optical properties of polymers and polymer/Ag nanocomposites are measured by Z-scan technique. Both polymers and polymer nanocomposites show a good optical limiting behavior. Nearly five times enhancement in the nonlinear optical properties is observed for polymer/Ag nanocomposites. The value of effective two-photon absorption coefficient (β) is in the order of 10^?10–10^?11?m/W. These results indicate that the synthesized polymers (P1 and P2) and their Ag nanocomposites are expected to be good candidates for application in photonic devices.