Electrical percolation threshold in Ag–DLC nanocomposite films prepared by RF-sputtering and RF-PECVD in acetylene plasma

Silver–diamond like carbon (Ag–DLC) nanocomposite films were deposited on glass and silicon substrates by co-deposition of RF-sputtering and RF-PECVD method in acetylene plasma. The effects of deposition time on creation of conductive percolation pathway in Ag–DLC nanocomposite films were investigated. The films were characterized by XRD pattern, AFM images, UV–Vis and FTIR spectra. Pressure of chamber’s variation over time was illustrated the rate of carbon and silver deposition changing. The results showed that nanoparticles’ size and surface roughness was increased by increasing deposition time. Surface plasmon resonance peak’s red shift in optical absorption spectra of samples could be depends on silver nanoparticles’ scale up. Based on electrical measurements, electrical percolation threshold was observed only in the film with 35 min deposition time. Pathway was created for electric current by Ag nanoparticles’ moving in carbon matrix due to sp³ bonds and silver content in the films. The aging effect was studied for sample #2 in the threshold of percolation, where obtained Ag nanoparticles memorize its previous pathway. This investigation provides a better understanding for electric properties of Ag–DLC nanocomposite based on the percolation theory.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of SWCNT–polymer nanocomposite and its constituents

Elastic and engineering properties of nanoparticle enhanced composites and their constituents (matrix, reinforcement and interface) are calculated. The nanocomposites considered in this study consist of a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) embedded in polyethylene matrix. Molecular dynamics simulations are used to estimate the elastic properties of SWCNT, interfacial bonding, polyethylene matrix and composites with aligned and randomly distributed SWCNTs. The elastic properties of bundles with 7, 9, and 19 SWCNTs are also compared using a similar approach. In all simulations, the average density of SWCNT–polymer nanocomposite was maintained in the vicinity of CNTs, to match the experimentally observed density of a similar nanocomposite. Results are found to be in good agreement with experimentally obtained values by other researchers. The interface is an important constituent of CNT–polymer composites, which has been modeled in the present research with reasonable success.     

Morphological investigation of ternary and semicrystalline organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposite

Journal of Materials Science - Organic–inorganic (O–I) hybrid nanocomposites have already been widely investigated in the optoelectronic industry and are emerging in the biomedical...     

Compressive properties of a new metal–polymer hybrid material

Compressive properties of a new hybrid material, fabricated through filling of an aluminum foam with a thermoplastic polymer, are investigated. Static (0.01 s⁻¹) and dynamic (100 s⁻¹) compression testing has been carried out to study the behavior of the hybrid material in comparison with its parent foam and polymer materials. Considering the behavior of metal foams, the point on a compressive stress–strain curve corresponding to the minimum cushion factor is defined as the “densification” point. The analysis of the stress–strain curves provides insight into the load carrying and energy absorption characteristics of the hybrid material. At both strain rates, the hybrid is found to carry higher stresses and absorb more energy at “densification” than the foam or polymer.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new liquid polymer precursor for Si–B–C–N ceramics

A new liquid polyborosilazane precursor for Si–B–C–N ceramic was synthesized by co-condensation reaction of boron trichloride, organodichlorosilanes, and hexamethyldisilazane. The structure and properties of polyborosilazane were studied by means of Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), rheology, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The conversion of polymer to ceramic and the high-temperature behavior of the new polymer-derived ceramic were investigated by TG–MS, FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-temperature TGA (HTGA). The ceramics showed good oxidative resistance and thermal stability with weight gain of 1.8 wt% at 1350 °C under air atmosphere and weight loss of 2.6% at 1900 °C under Ar atmosphere.     

Preparation and characterization of self-assembled organic–inorganic nacre-like nanocomposite thin films

The SiO₂/Poly(DMCB) nanocomposite thin films were prepared by supermolerculer self-assembly method on glass substrate. In the nanocomposite thin films, the surfactant DMCB was used as both structure-directing agents and poly monomers. The structures of the films were characterized using FT-IR, XRD and TEM. The results indicated that the films were composed of organic and inorganic layers with orderly interlaced arrangement and the distance between organic layer and inorganic layer was 3.48 nm before polymerization and 2.84 nm after polymerization, respectively.     

Structure–property relation and third order nonlinear optical absorption study of a new organic crystal: 1-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(2-fluorophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one

A new third order centrosymmetric organic crystal: 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(2-fluorophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (2FRDP) belonging to chalcone family has been synthesized and characterized by FTIR, CHNS and UV–Visible spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that compound crystallizes in C2/c monoclinic space group. The X-ray powder diffraction of the crystal was carried out and hkl values are indexed for the diffraction pattern using mercury software. UV–Visible spectrum showed that 2FRDP is transparent in the entire visible region. The thermal stability of the grown 2FRDP crystal was analyzed by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dielectric study revealed that, 2FRDP possesses low dielectric constant and dielectric loss at high frequency. The third order nonlinear optical absorption and the optical limiting experiment were carried out using open aperture Z-scan data using an Nd:YAG laser operating at the wavelength 532 nm.     

Structure and orientation relationship of new precipitates in a Cu–Cr–Zr alloy

The crystallography and morphology of the nano-sized precipitate particles in a ternary Cu–Cr–Zr alloy were studied by transmission electron microscopy. A new type of face-centred-cubic (f.c.c) Cr-rich precipitate was observed. This precipitate is ordered and solute enriched on alternate {110} f.c.c planes, with an ellipsoid-shaped morphology. The new orientation relationship (OR) between the precipitate and Cu matrix satisfies [211]M//[011]p and [100]M//[111]p, {-111}M//{200}p and {02-2}M//{02-2}p. The difference between this new OR and the Nishiyama–Wasserman OR between body-centred-cubic (b.c.c) Cr and the Cu matrix can be detailed by Δg vectors in the diffraction patterns. Furthermore, the precipitation strengthening effect is increased greatly with the formation of these new precipitate particles when compared to binary Cu–Cr alloys.     

Capillary absorption in concrete and the Lucas–Washburn equation

Capillary absorption kinetics of concrete–ethylene glycol system was studied with respect to concrete matrix porosity and liquid viscosity. Porosity of specimens was altered by air-entraining agents and superplasticizers. Liquid which doesn’t react with cement gel was chosen for the experiment in order to study the reasons for deviation from Lucas–Washburn equation observed in concrete–water system. Viscosity of ethylene glycol changes from ～23 to 2 mPa s in the temperature range from 20 to 100 °C. The values of the capillary coefficient were determined at 20, 60 and 100 °C using Neutron Radiography and were found to be in the range from ～1.5 to 4.9 mm h^?1/2. The results show that the Lucas–Washburn equation in concrete–ethylene glycol system is valid only for ～25 h, which indicates that swelling and rehydration of cement gel are not the main reasons for deviation observed in concrete–water system.     

A new resource-saving,low chromium and low nickel duplex stainless steel 15Cr–xAl–2Ni–yMn

A new family of resource-saving, low Cr and low Ni duplex stainless steels, with compositions of 15Cr–xAl–2Ni–yMn (x = 1.2–2.8, y = 8–12, wt.%) has been developed by examining the effect of Al and Mn on microstructure, mechanical property and corrosion property. The results show that 15Cr–1.2Al–2.0Ni–8Mn and 15Cr–2.0Al–2.0Ni–10Mn alloys have a balanced ferrite–austenite relation and that 15Cr–2.8Al–2.0Ni–12Mn alloy has a primary ferrite phase structure. The ferrite volume fraction increases with the solution treatment temperature and Al content while decreases with Mn content. No precipitate was found after solution-treated at 750 °C for 30 min. 15Cr–1.2Al–2.0Ni–8Mn alloy has a strong strain hardening effect, and 15Cr–2.0Al–2.0Ni–10Mn alloy has a good TRIP effect. Both of the 15Cr–1.2Al–2.0Ni–8Mn and 15Cr–2.0Al–2.0Ni–10Mn alloys have excellent impact toughness at low temperature with the impact energy higher than 125 J at −40 °C. The pitting corrosions always occur in austenite phase. Among the designed alloys, 15Cr–1.2Al–2.0Ni–8Mn and 15Cr–2.0Al–2.0Ni–10Mn are found to be excellent alloys with a proper phase proportion and a better combination of superior mechanical property and good pitting corrosion resistance.     

Optically transparent wood–cellulose nanocomposite as a base substrate for flexible organic light-emitting diode displays

Nine types of matrix resin were reinforced with cellulose nanofibers extracted from wood powder, and we measured regular light transmittances, tensile moduli, and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values. To evaluate the potential application as display substrates, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) materials were manufactured on the wood–cellulose nanocomposites. As a result, we succeeded in depositing an OLED on flexible, low-CTE and optically transparent wood–cellulose nanocomposites. At the same fiber content, the nanocomposites using lower Young’s modulus matrix resin exhibited lower CTE values than using higher Young’s modulus matrix resins. It led to the development of nanocomposites with a very low CTE while having high flexibility and ductile properties. Furthermore, since wood–cellulose is one of the most abundant biomass resources, production of these nanocomposites can be undertaken at a commercial scale.     

Ceramic–metal and ceramic–polymer composites prepared by a biomimetic process

A biomimetic process was developed to prepare apatite–metal and apatite–polymer composites. A variety of metals and organic polymers incorporated surface functional groups such as Si–OH, Ti–OH or Ta–OH to induce formation of a biologically active bonelike apatite by chemical treatment or physical adsorption. Subsequent immersion in a simulated body fluid (SBF) with ion concentrations nearly equal to those of human blood plasma or 1.5 SBF led to the formation of a dense and uniform bonelike apatite layer on the surface. Apatite–metal and apatite–polymer composites prepared in this way are believed to be very useful as artificial bone substitutes.     

Non-absorbing isotropic–uniaxial interfaces: refraction in ordinary and extraordinary total reflection

We study characteristics of refraction of plane waves in a non-absorbing isotropic–uniaxial interface in conditions of total and partial reflection when the incident wave has arbitrary direction with regard to the optical axis of the crystal and polarization. We analyse the ordinary and extraordinary fields and a phase shift that appears in the propagating wave which subsists in ordinary or extraordinary total reflection. We obtain that, unlike what happens in isotropic interfaces, under conditions of ordinary total reflection, the ordinary time-averaged Poynting vector changes its direction with the angle of incidence which does not depend on the existence of extraordinary total reflection. Extraordinary total reflection gives place to an analogous behaviour of the extraordinary time-averaged Poynting vector. In addition, we define and calculate in an explicit way complex coefficients of transmission for geometries with and without symmetry in partial and total reflection.     

Fabry–Perot interferometer in pulsed illumination: a new approach and capabilities

An analysis of the spectral-time characteristics of a Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI) in pulsed illumination is given. Processes that occur in the transit of light pulses of different widths through a FPI are considered in detail. A relationship between the baseline of a FPI and the width of the incident light pulse is established. The time structure of a pulse that has traversed a FPI is analyzed. The theoretical difference in the transit of a light pulse through a FPI and of a regular sequence of synchronized laser pulses is found. The maximum time resolution of a FPI is determined. A model that describes the transit of a regular sequence of synchronized laser pulses through a FPI functioning in the mode of an optical filter is determined.     

Optical solitons in a new type of coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations

Abstract

We consider a new type of integrable coupled nonlinear Schrödinger (CNLS) equations proposed by Park and Shin [1999, Phys. Rev. E, 59, 2372]. Using the Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur method, we construct the Lax pair for simultaneous propagation of four fields in the new type of CNLS equations. The explicit form of soliton solutions are derived using the Hirota bilinear method.     

Low temperature charge transport and microwave absorption of carbon coated iron nanoparticles–polymer composite films

In this paper, the low temperature electrical conductivity and microwave absorption properties of carbon coated iron nanoparticles–polyvinyl chloride composite films are investigated for different filler fractions. The filler particles are prepared by the pyrolysis of ferrocene at 980 °C and embedded in polyvinyl chloride matrix. The high resolution transmission electron micrographs of the filler material have shown a 5 nm thin layer graphitic carbon covering over iron particles. The room temperature electrical conductivity of the composite film changes by 10 orders of magnitude with the increase of filler concentration. A percolation threshold of 2.2 and an electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE) of ～18.6 dB in 26.5–40 GHz range are observed for 50 wt% loading. The charge transport follows three dimensional variable range hopping conduction.     

Metal–organic frameworks for electronics: emerging second order nonlinear optical and dielectric materials

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been intensively studied over the past decade because they represent a new category of hybrid inorganic–organic materials with extensive surface areas, ultrahigh porosity, along with the extraordinary tailorability of structure, shape and dimensions. In this highlight, we summarize the current state of MOF research and report on structure–property relationships for nonlinear optical (NLO) and dielectric applications. We focus on the design principles and structural elements needed to develop potential NLO and low dielectric (low-κ) MOFs with an emphasis on enhancing material performance. In addition, we highlight experimental evidence for the design of devices for low-dielectric applications. These results motivate us to develop better low-dielectric and NLO materials and to perform in-depth studies related to deposition techniques, patterning and the mechanical performance of these materials in the future.     

Metal–organic frameworks for electronics: emerging second order nonlinear optical and dielectric materials

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been intensively studied over the past decade because they represent a new category of hybrid inorganic–organic materials with extensive surface areas, ultrahigh porosity, along with the extraordinary tailorability of structure, shape and dimensions. In this highlight, we summarize the current state of MOF research and report on structure–property relationships for nonlinear optical (NLO) and dielectric applications. We focus on the design principles and structural elements needed to develop potential NLO and low dielectric (low-κ) MOFs with an emphasis on enhancing material performance. In addition, we highlight experimental evidence for the design of devices for low-dielectric applications. These results motivate us to develop better low-dielectric and NLO materials and to perform in-depth studies related to deposition techniques, patterning and the mechanical performance of these materials in the future.     

Correlation of microstructures and low temperature toughness in low carbon Mn–Mo–Nb pipeline steel

Abstract

By adjusting thermomechanical controlled processing parameters, different microstructures were obtained in a low carbon Mn–Mo–Nb pipeline steel. The microstructural characteristic and its effect on low temperature toughness were investigated. The results show that under higher reduction in austenite non-recrystallisation region and faster cooling rate during accelerated cooling, the microstructure is dominated by acicular ferrite (AF) accompanied by a small amount of fine martensite/austenite (M/A) islands. In contrast, lower reduction and slower cooling rate lead to a predominantly quasi-polygonal ferrite microstructure with coarse M/A islands. The fine effective grain size (EGS) and the high fraction of high angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) make the cleavage crack propagation direction deflect frequently. The coarse M/A islands can lead to cleavage microcracks at the M–A/ferrite matrix interfaces. Compared with the microstructure mainly consisting of quasi-polygonal ferrite, the microstructure dominated by AF exhibits excellent low temperature toughness because of fine EGS, high fraction of HAGBs and fine M/A islands.