The role of ferrocene on the enhancement of the mechanical and electrochemical properties of coal tar pitch-based carbon foams

In the present study, the role of ferrocene on mechanical and electrochemical properties of coal tar pitch (CTP)-based carbon foam (CFoam) was investigated. The different weight fractions of ferrocene were mixed with CTP and foam was developed from the mixture of CTP and ferrocene by sacrificial template technique. Before the characterisation of foams, it was heat treated at 1000 and 2500 °C in inert atmosphere. It was observed that the bulk density of CFoam increased with the increase in ferrocene content and as a consequence of an improvement of structural properties of the CFoam. The compressive strength increased by 60 and 62 % of 1000 and 2500 °C heat-treated CFoam with 5 wt% of ferrocene content. However, higher content of ferrocene had negative effect on the compressive strength. The electrical and thermal conductivity increased with the increasing ferrocene content and as a result of catalytic graphitization of ligaments in CFoam. The current density increased with the increasing electrical conductivity of CFoam, and it was 102 mA/cm² at 10 wt% ferrocene. The specific capacitance was 865 μF/cm² at scan rate 10 mV/s, which was due to the higher conductivity and surface area of CFoam. This demonstrated that ferrocene could be useful for improving the properties of CFoam.     

具有负温度系数效应的导电硬质聚氨酯泡沫

采用高能球磨分散方法制备了稳定的聚合物多元醇/碳纳米管分散液,并通过原位聚合制备了导电聚氨酯（PU）/碳纳米管（CNTs）硬质泡沫复合材料。采用扫描电镜（SEM）表征了泡沫复合材料的结构,研究了CNTs含量对泡沫材料导电性的影响以及泡沫材料的负温度系数（NTC）效应,通过压缩测试考察了泡沫材料的力学性能。结果表明,CN...     

Microstructure and properties of metakaolin-based inorganic polymer foams

A mixture of 70 % metakaolin and 30 % blast furnace slag powders, employed as the raw material, is mixed with different alkaline activating solutions in the production of metakaolin-based inorganic polymer foams (MIPF) with various densities ranging from 0.4 to 1.0 g/cm³ using a mechanical foaming process. The microstructures of metakaolin and slag powders, inorganic binder, and MIPF specimens are characterized by using XRD, FTIR, and image analyses. The effects of stirring time, water/binder ratio, and foaming agent on the properties of inorganic binders are also evaluated. Moreover, the pore size distributions, thermal and mechanical properties of the MIPF specimens are obtained by conducting a series of measurements and then compared with each other. Based on the experimental results, it is found that the measured cell length, cell wall thickness, compressive strength, flexural strength, and coefficient of thermal conductivity of the MIPF specimens are significantly affected by their densities.     

Effect of composition and processing parameters on the characteristics of tannin-based rigid foams. Part II: Physical properties

The present work is the continuation of the previous one published in the same issue of this journal, but now focuses on some selected physical properties of tannin-based rigid foams and derived glasslike carbon foams. Such materials are new, lightweight, cellular solids, prepared from 95% natural precursors: bark extracts and furfuryl alcohol, as detailed in the companion paper. After a few structural characteristics are briefly recalled, physical properties like compressive strength, permeability to fluids, solvent absorption, and electrical conductivity are measured, discussed and modelled. The effects of changing a few experimental parameters that have been varied in the synthesis of the foam: amounts of blowing agent, strengthener and nanofillers, shape of the moulds and restricted foaming are discussed in relation with the pore structure observed in the companion paper. Slightly anisotropic properties are evidenced, in agreement with the orientation of the cells, as expected for foams grown vertically in cylindrical moulds.     

Hierarchically porous carbons with partially graphitized structures for high rate supercapacitors

Partially graphitized hierarchically porous carbons (denoted as GHPCs) were prepared by using ordered mesoporous nickel oxide as template. The mesoporous nickel oxide, which is different from the inert template such as mesoporous silica SBA-15, plays an important role in the synthesis of the carbons with partially graphitized nanostructures at high temperature. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption were employed to characterize the structure of GHPCs. It is shown that the GHPC obtained by calcinating the precursor at 700 °C has a hierarchically porous structure with the pore size distributions at 8 and 30 nm. Partially graphitized structure leads to the high electrical conductivity of GHPCs. The GHPC prepared at 700 °C (GHPC700) shows outstanding high rate performance. Its specific capacitance reaches 91 F g^?1 at a potential scan rate of 500 mV s^?1. Meanwhile the specific capacitance for the GHPC prepared at 600 °C (GHPC600) is only 46 F g^?1 at the same scan rate. Synergistic effect of the efficient ion transport in hierarchically porous structure and the high electrical conductivity owing to the partially graphitic structure is contributed to the attractive electrochemical performance of GHPC700.     

Characterization of commercial rigid polyurethane foams used as bone analogs for implant testing

Mechanical properties and microstructure characterization of a series of graded commercial rigid polyurethane foams commonly used to mimic trabecular bone in testing orthopaedic devices is reported. Compressive testing conducted according to ASTM standard F1839-08, which requires large specimens (50.8 mm × 50.8 mm × 25.4 mm blocks) gave elastic modulus and compressive strength values ranging from 115 to 794 MPa and 4.7 to 24.7 MPa, respectively, for foams having densities of 0.240–0.641 g/cm³. All these results were within the requirements of the specification for the corresponding grades. Compression testing using smaller specimens (7.5 mm diameter × 15 mm) typical of testing bone, gave results in good agreement with those obtained in the standard tests. Microstructural measurements showed the average pore size ranged from 125 to 234 μm for densities ranging from 0.641 to 0.159 g/cm³, respectively. The relative modulus as a function of relative density of the foams fit well to the model of Gibson and Ashby. Cyclic testing revealed hysteresis in the lower density foams with a loading modulus statistically equivalent to that measured in monotonic testing. Shore DO durometry (hardness) measurements show good correlations to elastic modulus and compressive strength. The results suggest additional parameters to consider for the evaluation of polyurethane foams for bone analog applications.     

Effect of curing time on microstructure and mechanical strength development of alkali activated binders based on vitreous calcium aluminosilicate (VCAS)

The aim of this paper is to study the influence of curing time on the microstructure and mechanical strength development of alkali activated binders based on vitreous calcium aluminosilicate (VCAS). Mechanical strength of alkali activated mortars cured at 65 °C was assessed for different curing times (4–168 h) using 10 molal NaOH solution as alkaline activator. Compressive strength values around 77 MPa after three days of curing at 65 °C were obtained. 1·68 MPa/h compressive strength gain rate was observed in the first 12 h, decreasing to 0·95 MPa/h for the period of 12–72 h. The progress of geopolymeric reaction was monitored by means of TGA and, electrical conductivity and pH measurements in an aqueous suspension. Significant decrease in pH and electrical conductivity were observed in the 4–72 h period, demonstrating the geopolymerization process. Furthermore, SEM images showed an important amount of (N, C)ASH gel and low porosity of the developed matrix.     

Mesophase AR pitch derived carbon foam: Effect of temperature, pressure and pressure release time

For the carbon foam production, mesophase pitch pellets are heated up in a reactor in an aluminum mold to specified pressures and finally pressure released to obtain green carbon foam samples. The green foams were then stabilized and carbonized. The effects of various temperatures, pressures and pressure release times on production of carbons foams are investigated. The samples are subjected to SEM, mechanical testing, mercury porosimetry analysis and bulk density determination for characterization. For the processing temperatures of 553, 556, 566 and 573 K, the densities of the foams produced were 380, 390, 410 and 560 kg/m³ respectively. The compressive strengths of the respective samples were increased from 1.47, to 3.31 MPa for the lowest and highest temperatures. The processing pressures were 3.8, 5.8, 6.8 and 7.8 MPa. The bulk density and the compressive strength of the carbon foams produced were changed from 500 to 580 kg/m³, and 1.87 to 3.52 MPa for the lowest and highest pressures respectively. Pressure release times of 5 s, 80 s, 160 s and 600 s are used to produce different carbon foam samples. The densities and the comprehensive strengths measured for the highest and lowest pressure release times changed from 560 to 240 kg/m³ and 3.31 to 2.16 MPa respectively. The pore size distribution of all of the products changed between 0.052×10^-6m and 120×10^-6m. Increase in temperature and pressure increased the bulk density and compressive strength of the carbon foams. The mercury porosimetry results show % porosity increase with increasing temperature and pressure. On the other hand, increase in pressure release time decreased the bulk density, compressive strength of the carbon foam.     

Influence of graphene nanoplatelet incorporation and dispersion state on thermal,mechanical and electrical properties of biodegradable matrices

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were used as multifunctional nanofiller to enhance thermal and mechanical properties as well as electrical conductivity of two different biodegradable thermoplastics: poly lactide (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Morphological investigations showed different levels of GNP dispersion in the two matrices, and consequently physical properties of the two systems exhibited dissimilar behaviours with GNP incorporation. Crystallinity of PLA, determined from differential scanning calorimetry, was observed to increase markedly with addition of GNPs in contrast to the decrease in crystallinity of PBAT. Isothermal and non-isothermal thermogravimetric analyses also revealed a more significant delay in thermal decomposition of PLA upon addition of GNPs compared to that of PBAT. Furthermore, results showed that increasing GNP content of PLA and PBAT nanocomposites influenced their Young’s modulus and electrical conductivity in different ways. Modulus of PBAT increased continuously with increasing GNP loading while that of PLA reached a maximum at 9 wt% GNPs and then decreased. Moreover, despite the higher conductivity of pure PBAT compared to pure PLA, conductivity of PLA/GNP nanocomposites overtook that of PBAT/GNP nanocomposites above a certain GNP concentration. This demonstrated the determining effect of nanoplatelets dispersion state on the matrices properties.     

加热条件对炭泡沫材料孔结构和性能的影响

以AR沥青为原料,利用高压釜在不同恒温条件下制备了炭泡沫,并测定了其孔结构、体积密度、显气孔率、压缩强度、常温热导率以及微晶参数.结果表明:相对于短恒温时间,长恒温时间制得的炭泡沫孔径大(412nm)、显气孔率高(83.82%)、体积密度小(0.34g/cm~3)、压缩强度高(4.92MPa),多孔连通结构更丰富.经过石墨化处理后,石墨泡沫呈现出较高的常温热导率(71.34W/(m·K))和较小的层片间距d_(002)(0.33556nm).石墨泡沫的常温比导热率能达到210(W·(m·K)~(-1)) /(g·cm~(-3)),是铜的5倍,铝的4倍.     

Solution blown aligned carbon nanofiber yarn as supercapacitor electrode

Carbon materials with various microtextures and wide availabilities represent very attractive electrode materials for supercapacitors. In this paper, a modified solution blowing process, using a pair of parallel rods as collector, was reported to fabricate carbon nanofiber yarn (CNFY) with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as precursor polymer. The morphology and structure of the nanofibers were investigated. The PAN precursor and carbon nanofibers were well-aligned and their average diameter was 280 nm and 187 nm, respectively. The performance of CNFY as supercapacitor electrode was evaluated. The CNFY possessed high conductivity of 608.7 Scm^?1 and mass specific capacitance of 70 Fg^?1 at the current density of 500 mAg^?1, and the reduction of capacitance is 29.14 % of the initial value at the current density range from 0.5 to 8 Ag^?1. The superior performance of the CNFY electrode was attributed to the well-aligned structure and high electrical conductivity which afforded the potential application as a novel electrode for supercapacitors.     

Preparation of polybenzoxazine foam and its transformation to carbon foam

An organic foam derived from a new type of phenolic resin, namely polybenzoxazine, was successfully prepared with a noncomplex and economical foaming method by using azodicarbonamide (AZD) as a foaming agent. The influence of foam density on the physical and mechanical properties of the foams was studied. All resulting polybenzoxazine foams and carbon foams exhibit a tailorable uniform microstructure. Polybenzoxazine foams showed a density in the range of 273–407 kg/m³, and a compressive strength and a compressive modulus in the range of 5.2–12.4 MPa and 268–681 MPa, respectively. The foam density not only affects the physical and mechanical properties, but also affects the deformation response of the foam. In addition, the polybenzoxazine foam was further transformed into carbon foam by carbonization at 800 °C under an inert atmosphere, and its properties were examined.     

Processing and compression testing of Ti6Al4V foams for biomedical applications

Open cell Ti6Al4V foams (60% porosity) were prepared at sintering temperatures between 1,200 and 1,350 °C using ammonium bicarbonate particles (315–500 μm) as space holder. The resulting cellular structure of the foams showed bimodal pore size distribution, comprising macropores (300–500 μm) and micropores (1–30 μm). Compression tests have shown that increasing sintering temperature increased the elastic modulus, yield and compressive strength, and failure strain of foams. The improvements in the mechanical properties of foams prepared using smaller size Ti64 powder with bimodal particle distribution were attributed to the increased number of sintering necks and contact areas between the particles. Finally, the strength of foams sintered at 1,350 °C was found to satisfy the strength requirement for cancellous bone replacement.     

Scavenging phenomenon and improved electrical and mechanical properties of polyaniline–divinylbenzene composite in presence of MWCNT

A semi-doped polyaniline (PANI)–dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) complex is added with a suspension of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)–divinylbenzene (DVB) to prepare PANI–MWCNT based thermosetting conductive resin system. Firstly, unreinforced nanocomposites with various loading of MWCNT are prepared. Continuous improvement in the electrical conductivity is observed with increasing MWCNT loading in the composite, while improvement in the mechanical properties is observed only up to 0.2 wt% MWCNT loading. On further MWCNT loading, the decrease in mechanical properties is observed. Flexural strength increased by 18% with 0.2 wt% of MWCNT in the unreinforced nanocomposite while electrical conductivity increased continuously to 0.68 S/cm (at 0.5 wt% of MWCNT loading) from 0.25 S/cm (neat sample). DSC and TGA analysis show that MWCNT effectively contributed to enhance the scavenging effect of PANI, affecting degree of DVB polymerization at higher loading of MWCNT. Samples were characterized by FTIR analysis. DMA analysis is also performed to understand the mechanical behavior of the cured unreinforced nanocomposite under dynamic loading. SEM observation has been employed to understand the dispersion behavior of MWCNT into the matrix. PANI-wrapping behavior on MWCNT is observed from the SEM images. Wrapping of PANI on MWCNT increased doping state and surface area of PANI which subsequently contribute to the increased scavenging behavior of PANI at higher MWCNT loading. A structural thermosetting nanocomposite with electrical conductivity of 0.68 S/cm, flexural modulus of 1.87 GPa and flexural strength up to 35 MPa is prepared. In addition, PANI–DBSA/DVB matrix with MWCNT is also used to impregnate carbon fabrics to prepare highly conductive CFRPs. A CFRP with 1.67 S/cm electrical conductivity in through-thickness direction and 328 MPa flexural strength is obtained with the addition of 0.2 wt% MWCNT into the resin system.     

Review on polymer/graphite nanoplatelet nanocomposites

Graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) are a type of graphitic nanofillers composed of stacked 2D graphene sheets, having outstanding electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Furthermore, owing to the abundance of naturally existing graphite as the source material for GNPs, it is considered an ideal reinforcing component to modify the properties of polymers. The 2D confinement of GNPs to the polymer matrix and the high surface area make the GNP a distinctive nanofiller, showing superiorities in modification of most properties, compared with other carbon nanofillers. This review will summarize the development of polymer/GNP nanocomposites in recent years, including the fabrication of GNPs and its nanocomposites, processing issues, viscoelastic properties, mechanical properties, electrical and dielectric properties, thermal conductivity and thermal stability. The discussion of reinforcing effect will be based on dispersion, particle geometry, concentrations, as well as the 2D structures and exfoliation of GNPs. The synergy of GNPs with other types of carbon nanofillers used as hybrid reinforcing systems shows great potential and could significantly broaden the application of GNPs. The relevant research will also be included in this review.     

Enhancement in insulation and mechanical properties of PMMA nanocomposite foams infused with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

In this study, PMMA/CNTs composite materials with carboxyl-multi walled carbon nanotubes (c-MWNTs) or untreated MWNTs were prepared via in-situ bulk polymerization. The as-prepared PMMA/CNTs composite materials were then characterized by Fourier-Transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The molecular weights of PMMA extracted from PMMA/CNTs composite materials and bulk PMMA were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with THF used as the eluant. The PMMA/CNTs composite materials were used to produce foams by a batch process in an autoclave using nitrogen as foaming agent. The cellular microstructure, insulation and compressive mechanical properties of PMMA/CNTs composite foams were also investigated in detail. Compared to neat PMMA foam, the presence of CNTs increases in cell density and reduces cell size. The insulation and compressive mechanical properties of PMMA/CNTs composite foams were found to improve substantially those of neat PMMA foam. In particular, 22.6% decrease in thermal conductivity, 19.7% decrease in dielectric constant and 160% increase in compressive modulus were observed with the addition of 0.3 wt% carboxyl-multi walled carbon nanotubes (c-MWNTs).     

Experimental Investigation on Steel Foams Fabricated by Sintering-Dissolution Process

This article describes a new process to manufacture open-cell steel foams. Calcium chloride anhydrous is used as a space holder. By changing the values of the main manufacturing parameters such as volume percentage, and the size and shape of the space holder, we produce different steel foam samples which cover a wide range of solid fraction, pore size, and shape. The effects of space-holder content and sintering condition such as temperature and time on the porosity of steel foam samples are discussed. The microstructure and composition of steel foam samples are observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The compressive curves of steel foams are measured by a universal testing machine. The experiment results show the compressive strength of steel foam samples with porosities between 65% and 85% is in the range of 66.4 ～ 12.9 MPa. The compressive strength depends mainly on the porosity and pore shape. The absorbed energy per unit volume (W) of steel foams with porosities between 85% and 65% is in range of 6.8 ～ 31.2 MJ/m³. Under the condition of identical porosity, the absorbed energy per unit volume (W) of steel foam is about three times of aluminum foam. In compression, steel foam specimens show heterogeneous macroscopic deformation.     

Comparison of physical property-porosity behaviour with minimum solid area models

An extensive survey of the porosity dependence of (room temperature) physical properties shows that mechanical properties and electrical and thermal conductivity, i.e. properties dependent on the local flux or fields in the material, follow minimum solid area models. This is shown extensively for elastic properties and tensile (flexure) strength, but consistency with other properties, e.g. compressive strength, hardness, electrical and thermal conductivity is also shown. Although data for ceramics is most extensive, data for rocks, metals, and carbon are included, since the consistency of these, especially of metals with ceramics, provides important support for the minimum solid area concept. While porosity characterization is generally minimal, expected model trends with pore character are corroborated by correlating processing and resultant expected pore character with porosity-property results. It is argued that properties dependent on mass should be better fit by a linear, i.e. rule of mixture, relationship between such properties and porosity. Support for this is shown in dielectric constant-porosity data.     

Fabrication, nanostructure evaluation, 3D electrical transport and electrochemical capacitance of PEDOT–Ti(IV)-doped iron(III) oxide nanocomposite

Poly[3,4-(ethylenedioxy)thiophene] (PEDOT) nanocomposites (NCs) reinforced by varying titanium(IV)-doped iron(III) nano oxide (NITO) particles have been fabricated in dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid by in situ polymerization process using ammonium perdisulfate as initiator. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron microscopy, BET surface analysis etc. followed by subsequent evaluation of thermal properties, temperature-dependent 3D electrical transport. Thermal stability of the NCs increased with increasing NITO amount in PEDOT matrix. Electrical conductivity of the NCs increased significantly with increasing NITO content (0.45–67.73 S cm^?1) and also with the temperature (50–300 K). 3D variable range hopping conduction mechanism explained the conduction pathways. Specific capacitance of NCs are enhanced with higher NITO content in polymer from 107 F g^?1 (pristine PEDOT) to 158 F g^?1 (NC) owing to the development of mesoporous (pore size: 4.1 nm and cylindrical pore volume: 0.103 cm³ g^?1) structure and high specific surface area (~104 m² g^?1).     

Tailoring properties of reticulated vitreous carbon foams with tunable density

Reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) foams were manufactured by multiple replications of a polyurethane foam template structure using ethanolic solutions of phenolic resin. The aims were to create an algorithm of fine tuning the precursor foam density and ensure an open-cell reticulated porous structure in a wide density range. The precursor foams were pyrolyzed in inert atmospheres at 700°C, 1100°C and 2000°C, and RVC foams with fully open cells and tunable bulk densities within 0.09–0.42 g/cm³ were synthesized. The foams were characterized in terms of porous structure, carbon lattice parameters, mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, electric conductivity, and corrosive resistance. The reported manufacturing approach is suitable for designing the foam microstructure, including the strut design with a graded microstructure.