Ground iron blast furnace slag as a matrix for cellulose-cement materials

The use of ground iron blast furnace slag (BFS) as a low-cost alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) binders in fibre-cement products was examined. Both high quality softwood fibres and residual sisal from agricultural waste were chemically pulped and used as reinforcement. Composites based on several different binder formulations consisting of slag chemically activated by mixtures of gypsum and hydrated lime displayed their optimum strength and fracture toughness properties at fibre contents between 8% and 12%, with values in the ranges of 14.7–24.5 MPa and 1.13–2.36 kJ/m², respectively. Corresponding flexural moduli lay in the range 4.3–7.8 GPa and, at 12% fibre content, the composites possessed water absorption values up to 34% by mass and densities in the region of 1.3 g/cm³. A formulation of BFS activated by 10% gypsum and 2% lime presented a good compromise between strength and energy absorption combined with a reasonable price.     

Electrodeposition and optical properties of silver infiltrated photonic nanostructures

In this work we report about the preparation and optical characterization of technologically relevant silver based nanostructures by metal infiltration of monolayered or opal-like templates of polystyrene (PS) latex spheres. Low toxicity electrolytic baths present obvious advantages and facilitate the synthesis, and are therefore, desirable methods for this kind of processes. Silver was reduced from an environmentally friendly solution based on ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid or EDTA using pulse plating electrochemical methods. The morphology of the deposits may be controlled by the pre-treatment process performed before the electrodeposition. Optical reflectance spectroscopy analysis shows that high quality films may be obtained by this method.     

Self-assembly of silver nanoparticles: Formation of a thin silver film in a polymer matrix

A synthetic route is presented for the preparation of a silver film in presence of UV-radiation. Methoxy polyethylene glycol, a water-soluble polymer, was used as the reducing agent of the silver ions in the presence of an ultraviolet source to produce silver nanoparticles. During solution stirring, a centrifugal force was generated at the center of the solution. At this point on the surface of the solution, the nanoparticles coalesced to form a self-assembly of small subunits that ultimately develops into a film-like network.     

Synthesis of highly ordered and hydrothermally stable mesoporous materials using sodium silicate as a precursor

Highly ordered mesoporous silica and aluminosilicate materials with extremely high hydrothermal stability have been synthesized successfully at a high hydrothermal treatment temperature of 200 °C by using inexpensive sodium silicate and sodium aluminate as the silica source and alumina source, respectively. The resultant mesoporous materials possess a hexagonal mesostructure and extraordinary stability towards the steam treatment at 800 °C for 2 h. In addition, the direct incorporation of Al into the mesoporous framework can further enhance the hydrothermal stability of ordered mesoporous materials. Our contribution provides a commercially important approach to synthesize ordered mesoporous materials with highly hydrothermal stability, which may find potential applications for the catalytic cracking in the petroleum industry.     

The influence of adding pitch to resin as a matrix precursor on properties of carbon-carbon composites

Carbon-carbon composites were prepared with commercially available carbonized and graphitized fibres, with a mixture of pitch and phenolic resin as a binder and pitch as an impregnant. The contents of pitch in mixtures were: 0, 10, 20 and 30 wt %. The influence of pitch content in the mixture and fibre type on mass loss, shrinkage and mechanical properties of the composites was examined. With an increase of pitch content mass loss and shrinkage increased, while mechanical properties decreased. After three densification cycles, flexural strength increased with increasing pitch content in the binder, especially for composites with graphitized fibres.     

Analytic three-dimensional response function of a double-shielded magnetoresistive or giant magnetoresistive perpendicular head

Using the Fourier method, we have derived a three-dimensional, fully analytic model of a shielded magnetoresistive or giant magnetoresistive head for perpendicular replay. The head may include side shields. The field and the spectral response function are expressed in closed form. Here, we use the model to show the effect of varying the sensor-shield spacings and the air-bearing-surface-underlayer separation on the field and response of the sensor at high areal density.     

Electrodeposition of composite materials containing functionalized carbon nanotubes

New methods have been developed for the synthesis and electrodeposition of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (f-SWNTs). Polystyrene sulfonate functionalized nanotubes (PSS-f-SWNTs) and poly(ethylene imine) functionalized nanotubes (PEI-f-SWNTs) were co-deposited with cationic chitosan macromolecules. It was shown that chitosan promotes cathodic deposition of anionic PSS-f-SWNTs. The strategies for charging and electrodeposition of PEI-f-SWNTs include partial protonation of PEI in acidic chitosan solutions or formation of cationic Ag⁺–PEI complexes. The thickness of chitosan–PSS-f-SWNTs and chitosan–PEI-f-SWNTs composite films was varied in the range of up to 0.5–5 μm. The amount of f-SWNTs in the deposits was varied by controlling the SWNT concentration in the solutions. It was shown that the use of chitosan enabled co-deposition of other materials, such as hydroxyapatite (HA). The proposed method enabled the fabrication of composite films.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyvinylsilazane as a precursor for Si3N4 based ceramic materials

This investigation focused on the synthesis and characterization of a polyvinylsilazane (PVSZ) polymer. This material shows promise as a precursor for silicon nitride/silicon carbide based ceramic materials. The polymer was synthesized via the ammonolysis of vinyltrichlorosilane (VTS) in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The polymer was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ¹H/¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). This polymer was found to have a molecular weight of around 880 g/mol, as determined by GPC. Thermal cross-linking, up to 1500 °C in an inert atmosphere, produced a ceramic material with a char yield of around 85%. The gas by-products from the partial decomposition of the polymer to a ceramic material were characterized using residual gas analysis (RGA). The crystallite phases of the ceramic char, pyrolyzed in different atmospheres, were determined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Lastly, the ability of the polymer to form a free standing monolithic structure as well as the ability to be drawn into fibers was evaluated.     

Laser annealing induced melting of silver nanoparticles in a glass matrix

We have studied the effect of nanosecond-pulsed KrF excimer laser radiation on a composite metamaterial based on a soda-lime-silicate glass containing ion-synthesized silver nanoparticles, depending on the number of pulses. It is established that, as the number of laser pulses increases, the average size of silver nanoparticles in the ion-implanted layer monotonically decreases. In addition, the laser annealing is accompanied by the diffusion of silver inward the glass and by the partial evaporation of silver from the sample surface. The observed decrease in the size of silver nanoparticles is considered with allowance for the simultaneous melting of both the metal particles and glass matrix.     

含钽炭基复合材料前驱体的制备及表征

以煤沥青为原料,氯化钽为钽源,通过化学反应制备了含钽沥青前驱体。利用扫描电镜(背散射电子能谱和X射线能量色散谱)、透射电镜、x射线衍射等测试分析手段对钽化合物在沥青中的存在形态、分散状况和热处理过程中的物相变化进行了研究。结果表明:沥青中钽化合物的粒度为20nm～50nm,主要以五氧化二钽的形式均匀分散于沥青中;惰性气氛下,较低温度(420℃)热处理时,钽化合物以δ-Ta2O5的形式存在,温度升高到900℃时,δ-Ta2O5转化为β-Ta2O5,在温度达到1200℃时,β-Ta2O5和碳化钽共同存在于炭基体中,在2800℃温度下,钽完全转化为碳化钽。     

Electrospun titanium dioxide nanofibers containing hydroxyapatite and silver nanoparticles as future implant materials

In this study, a good combination consisting of electrospun titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanofibers incorporated with high purity hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles (NPs) and antimicrobial silver NPs is introduced for hard tissue engineering applications. The synthesized nanofibers were characterized by various state of art techniques like; SEM, XRD, TEM, TEM EDS and XPS analyses. SEM results confirmed well oriented nanofibers and good dispersion of HAp and silver NPs, respectively. XRD results demonstrated well crystalline feature of three components used for electrospinning. Silver NPs were having a diameter in range of 5–8 nm indicated by TEM analysis. Moreover, TEM EDS analysis demonstrated the presence of each component with good dispersion over TiO₂ nanofiber. The surface analyses of nanofibers were investigated by XPS which indicated the presence of silver NPs on the surfaces of nanofibers. The obtained nanofibers were checked for antimicrobial activity by using two model organisms E. coli and S. aureus. Subsequently, antimicrobial tests have indicated that the prepared nanofibers do posses high bactericidal effect. Accordingly, these results strongly recommend the use of obtained nanofiber mats as future implant materials.     

壳聚糖凝胶材料固定葡萄糖氧化酶制电极的研究

以壳聚糖为载体研究凝胶法固定葡萄糖氧化酶制电极。试验研究了载体壳聚糖的降解性；交联剂戊二醛的浓度、用量；电极的载酶量等固定化条件对所组建的传感器性能的影响。通过影响规律的分析、优化固定化条件的研究，找出了根据壳聚糖溶液粘度适当调整交联剂成二醛的用量和铂丝在酶膜母液中浸涂时间，克服壳聚糖的降解性对酶电极性能的影响，建立了制备性能相近的GOD传感器的方法。     

Thermal characterisation of a tungsten magnetoresistive heat switch

A magnetoresistive heat switch has been developed to improve the performance of our flight-worthy cryogen-free ADR. We have characterised the switch’s thermal conductivity in the temperature range 0.3-4 K under an applied magnetic field of 1.8 T for two tungsten samples of different purity. The results are discussed relating to the key aspects of semi-classical magnetoresistance theory. We show that crystal purity has a strong effect on switch performance and magnetoresistive effect. Our findings are verified by comparison to results obtained by other authors. The measured switching ratio for our best sample is 1.75 × 10⁴ at 1.5 K and 1.51 × 10⁴ at 4.26 K. The lattice conductivity remains dominated by the electronic conductivity in the investigated range of temperatures under an applied magnetic field of 1.8 T. In order for the lattice conductivity to dominate a purity of >99.999% would be required.     

Polyvinyl alcohol/silver nanoparticles (PVA/AgNps) as a model for testing the biological activity of hybrid materials with included silver nanoparticles

Comparing the influence of two different stabilizers as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), as well as organosilanes as tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), allows determining the main role of the silver nanoparticles included in hybrid materials for the realization of their antimicrobial activity. The proposed two-step testing scheme first onto control strains and then onto clinical bacterial and fungal strains resistant to antibiotics allows full investigation of these properties.     

Development of cadmium-free silver metal-oxide contact materials

A cadmium-free silver-base alloy has been developed to substitute the standard Ag-12% CdO contact alloy which is widely used in electrical and electronics industries. Substitution of cadmium was attempted through the addition of zinc as the basic and major alloying element and with minor additions of tin and copper. The developed alloy, after internal oxidation, possesses better electrical contact characteristics than the standard alloy.     

Functionalization of textile materials with silver nanoparticles

Nanoparticles gained much scientific attention in the past decade due to their specific surface chemistry and properties which are significantly different from that of the corresponding bulk materials. Silver nanoparticles were the most extensively studied and they can be already found in a wide range of commercially available products. This article reviews the latest developments in finishing of textile materials with differently synthesized silver nanoparticles. Although antimicrobial activity of functionalized textile materials was primarily discussed, the possibilities to apply silver nanoparticles as a colorant or antistatic agent were also evaluated. In addition, the effect of chemical and physico-chemical activation of fibers before loading of silver nanoparticles on their binding efficiency was considered. Taking into account the importance of environmental impact of novel technologies, potential environmental risks emerging from silver release during washing of textile materials have been also discussed.     

Photoluminescence spectroscopy as a probe of silver doped zeolites as photocatalysts

Nanoclusters of silver ions, dicyanoaurate ions, and dicyanoargentate ions doped in zeolite hosts have been prepared. Luminescence, Raman, and FT-EXAFS spectroscopies along with extended Hückel calculations indicate the formation of silver and [M(CN)₂⁻]_m (M=Au and Ag) oligomers in the zeolite host. The silver and gold nanoclusters in zeolites enhance the photodecomposition rates of NO_x, malathion, and carbaryl when compared to the pollutant's behavior in the absence of silver doped zeolites with the observed rate increase attributed to excimer and exciplex formation.