Comparative study of conducting polyaniline/copper and polyaniline/nickel composites in the presence of surfactants

Polyaniline/copper and polyaniline/nickel composites were synthesized in the presence and absence of surfactants using ammonium persulfate as an initiator. The structural and surface characteristics of the composites were studied and compared using different techniques. The interfacial interactions and thermal stability of the composites were characterized using X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Surface properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersed X‐ray spectroscopy. The results indicate significant changes in the morphological and physicochemical properties of the composites when incorporating surfactants. The surfactant‐induced surface characteristics also have an effect on conductivity. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hybrid carbon-glass fiber vinyl ester resin composites

Hybrid carbon-glass fiber composites of novolak epoxy-based vinyl ester resins have been investigated. The chemical resistance, the thermo-oxidative stability and the mechanical properties such as tensile strength and tensile modulus, as well as flexural strength and flexural modulus, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and impact strength have also been estimated. The combination of glass and carbon fibers in the hybrid turns out to be an excellent mix. These composites have good tensile and flexural properties as well as the good chemical resistance of the carbon fibers and the high impact strength of the glass fibers and also the thermo-oxidative stability of highly aromatic vinyl ester resins based on novolak epoxy.     

Hybrid fiber fabric composites from poly ether ether ketone and glass fiber

Poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer was extruded into filaments and cowoven into unidirectional hybrid fabric with glass as reinforcement fiber. The hybrid fabrics were then converted into laminates and their properties with special reference to crystallization behavior has been studied. The composite laminates have been evaluated for mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), and flexural strength. The thermal behavior of the composite laminates were analyzed using differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analyzer, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and thermomechanical analyzer (TMA). The exposure of the fabricated composite laminates to high temperature (400 and 500°C) using radiant heat source resulted in an improvement in the crystallanity. The morphological behavior and PEEK resin distribution in the composite laminates were confirmed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and nondestructive testing (NDT). Although DMA results showed a loss in modulus above glass transition temperature (T_g), a fair retention in properties was noticed up to 300°C. The ability of the composite laminates to undergo positive thermal expansion as confirmed through TMA suggests the potential application of glass–PEEK composites in aerospace sector. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117:1446–1459, 2010     

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of phenol in aqueous solutions at a Raney nickel electrode in the presence of cationic surfactants

The electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) of phenol at a Raney nickel cathode was studied in aqueous solutions. At 30 °C, without surfactants, cyclohexanol was obtained with low or medium yields. The best results were observed in alkaline solutions (pH 9). At pH 2 the efficiency of the hydrogenation reaction is significantly improved by low amounts of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB). This surfactant effect is studied in relation to the substrate and hydrogen adsorption phenomena.     

Polypropylene composites obtained from self‐reinforced hybrid fiber system

The purpose of the study was to obtain a composite material with the self‐reinforced structure, which processing provide increased mechanical properties. The composites used in presented work were prepared from the two types of fiber mixtures, both were based on polypropylene fibers, the difference was in used cellulose or wood flour filler. Composites were prepared using the hot compaction method. The presented research describes the effect of the composite composition and processing conditions. The results include the static tension measurements, tensile impact tests and thermal analysis, including: DSC and DMTA. The structure has been studies using the SEM observations. Results of presented studies confirm the self‐reinforcing effect in obtained hybrid composites. It provides in the comparison to the standard wood polymer composites to the higher level of material reinforcement with lower amount of natural filler. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43283.     

Molecular composites obtained by polyaniline synthesis in the presence of p‐octasulfonated calixarene macrocycle

Polyaniline (PANI) molecular composites were synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of the aniline and aniline dimer, N‐phenyl‐1,4‐phenylendiamine, in the presence of a macrocycle, calix[8]arene p‐octasulfonic acid (C8S), using ammonium peroxidisulfate as oxidant. The macrocycle has acted both as acid dopant and surfactant to obtain processable PANI‐ES. The PANI/calix[8]arene p‐octasulfonic acid composite was also obtained by a simple doping of PANI emeraldine base form with calix[8]arene sulfonic acid. The structure of materials was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, UV–vis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All synthesized composite materials are amorphous and soluble in chloroform, dimethylsulfoxide, NMP, showing excellent solution‐processing properties combined with electrical conductivity. Cyclic voltammetry evidenced a good electroactivity for the composite films. Dielectric properties (dielectric constant and dielectric losses) were determined and are comparable with those of other PANI/ionic acid polymer composites. Preliminary studies have evidenced a high dielectric constant (10⁴ at 100 Hz) and electrical conductivity of 6 × 10^?3 S/cm for PANI composites. From sulfur elemental analysis of the PANI/calixarene, it results that the content in macrocycle is ～30% (weight). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effect of fiber chemical treatment of nonwoven coconut fiber/epoxy composites adhesion obtained by RTM process

In this work untreated and alkali treated nonwoven coconut fiber mats/epoxy resin composites were manufactured using the resin transfer molding process. The alkaline solution removes some impurities present on fibers superficial layers and the effect regarding fiber/matrix adhesion were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultrasonic C‐scan, and quasi‐static flexural test. Results show a removing of some amorphous fibers constituents, mainly waxes, extractives, and hemicellulose, revealing the fiber roughness surface but no initial degradation temperature changing. Regarding the composites, a similar interfacial adhesion was observed in both one through the results of SEM, DMA and quasi‐static flexural tests. The conclusion is that chemical treatment conditions applied on the fiber surface was been suitable to improve fiber roughness but did not the adhesion between coconut fibers mat and epoxy resin. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2518–2527, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Pulsed electrodeposition of Zn in the presence of surfactants

The preparation of Zn deposits has been performed by galvanostatic pulsed electrolysis, from acidic zinc sulphate solutions, on a stainless steel substrate. The influence of the surfactants (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and octylphenolpoly(ethyleneglycolether)_n, n = 10, Triton X-100) on the voltammetric behaviour, structural and morphological characteristics of the deposits have been investigated. The characterization of the samples was made by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The experimental data shows that the presence of surfactants affects the zinc deposition process. The electrodeposits are mainly composed by Zn with different texture, crystal shape and size (grain size ranging from 40 to 20 nm). The obtained results led us to conclude that the Zn deposits prepared in the absence of surfactants and in the presence of SDS are more crystalline and with a higher grain size than the ones obtained in the presence of CTAB and Triton X-100. These facts may be justified by the increase on the overpotential deposition as the electrochemical studies confirm.The XRD results show that the deposits prepared, in the absence of surfactant and in the presence of SDS, contain ZnSO₄ and Zn₄SO₄(OH)₆ as oxidation products. ZnO is also detected on the deposits obtained in the presence of CTAB and Triton X-100.     

The stability of sodium hypochlorite in the presence of surfactants

Studies were made on the stability of NaOCl at 40°C in the presence of sodium alkanesulfonate or alkylarenesulfonate anionic surfactants, and in the presence of a nonionic surfactant,N-octylpyrrolidinone. The results were compared with NaOCl stability in the absence of additives and in the presence of nonsurfactant short-chain sodium alkylbenzenesulfonates. The data indicated that the rate of NaOCl loss is greatly dependent upon the pH of the solution, even at alkaline pHs. At initial pHs below 11, in the absence of additive, there is significant disproportionation of OCl⁻ to ClO ₃ ⁻ , accompanied by decrease in the pH of the solution, within a period of several days. Even at an initial pH of 11.3, in the presence of the surfactants investigated, there is significant disproportionation of OCl⁻ and decrease in the pH of the solution in the first several days. When the initial pH of the solution is 13.5, there is no significant decrease in pH of the solution for at least two months in the presence of the surfactants studied. NaOCl stability in the presence of surfactant decreases in the order: sodium linear alkanesulfonate > sodium linear alkyldiphenylethersulfonate > sodium linear alkylbenzenesulfonate >>N-octylpyrrolidinone. Stability was greater in the presence of linear alkylarenesulfonates than in the presence of branched alkylarenesulfonates. It is suggested that the differences in stability observed are due to the greater ease of oxidation of tertiary carbon atoms compared to primary or secondary atoms.     

Identification of fiber misalignment in continuous fiber composites

Misaligned fibers are invariably present in nominally unidirectional high‐performance composites. Such misaligned fibers are known to affect key mechanical properties of the composite, such as the longitudinal compressive strength, longitudinal tensile modulus, fatigue endurance, shear strength, and delamination resistance (1). In this paper we present a method for the automated detection of large angle fiber misalignment (θ > 40°) in continuous fiber‐reinforced composite materials. The method relies on the application of a series of geometrical criteria based upon measurements routinely obtained during optical scanning of polished sample cross‐sections. As such, the technique is ideal for the automated identification of highly misaligned fibers in large‐area (∼ cm²) specimens that may contain several millions of individual fiber images. The criteria applied take into account the fact that prepared cross‐sections of such materials contain many damaged fibers as a result of attrition during polishing. Data obtained from three pultruded unidirectional rods reinforced with continuous carbon filaments are used to illustrate the effectiveness of this method in identifying regions where large angle misalignment occurs.     

Recycling carbon fiber composites using microwave irradiation: Reinforcement study of the recycled fiber in new composites

With increasing use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites in transportation, sports, and many other industries, recycling of the scrap and end‐of‐life composites has presented both great challenges and opportunities. In this work, we report our study on reclaiming carbon fibers from CFRP using energy efficient microwave irradiation. Different irradiation conditions were used and the optimal conditions were determined based on the surface morphology of the recycled fiber. Polypropylene (PP) and Nylon, representing nonpolar and polar polymers, respectively, were reinforced using the recycled fiber through extrusion and injection molding. For comparison, PP and Nylon reinforced by virgin carbon fiber were also prepared using the same processing conditions. Tensile, flexural, and impact test results showed that, while both carbon fibers could improve these properties, they exhibited different reinforcing effects on the two polymers. The recycled fiber outperformed the virgin fiber in reinforcing PP whereas the virgin fiber performed better in Nylon. This was due to the differences in surface roughness, surface bonding, and fiber aspect ratio between the two fibers. This study shows the great potential of recycled carbon fiber and microwave irradiation as an effective recycling technique. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42658.     

The anomalous codeposition of tungsten in the presence of nickel

Deposition of tungsten-rich alloys from plating baths that do not contain ammonia is reported. Alloys with nominal composition of NiW and even NiW₂ have been formed for the first time by electroplating. It was shown in this paper, and in our previous work [Electrochem. Solid-State Lett. 3 (2000) 543; Proc. Advanced Metalization Conf. (AMC 2000) p. 337; Langmuir 17 (2001) 8270; J. Electrochem. Soc. 149 (2002) C100; J. Appl. Surf. Sci. 200 (2002) 1], that alloys of tungsten and nickel having any composition between a few a/o and 67 a/o of tungsten can be electroplated, by suitable choice of the experimental conditions. The most important factors among these are the concentrations of citrate, which acts as the complexing agent, the ratio of concentrations of nickel and tungstate ions and the pH of the solution. New indirect evidence for the existence of a mixed metal complex of the type [(Ni)(WO₄)(Cit)(H)]²⁻ was obtained by: (a) the pH dependence of the composition of the alloy and (b) by the linear dependence of the partial current density for deposition of tungsten on the calculated concentration of this complex, over a wide range of solution compositions. Removing ammonia from the plating bath allows the deposition of tungsten-rich alloys, but this is achieved at the cost of a substantial reduction in Faradaic efficiency.     

High electrical conductivity of nylon 6 composites obtained with hybrid multiwalled carbon nanotube/carbon fiber fillers

The synergetic effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and carbon fibers (CFs) in enhancing the electrical conductivity of nylon 6 (PA6) composites was investigated. To improve the compatibility between the fillers and the PA6 resin, we grafted γ‐aminopropyltriethoxy silane (KH‐550) onto the MWNTs and CFs after carboxyl groups were generated on their surface by chemical oxidation with nitric acid. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis proved that the KH‐550 molecules were successfully grafted onto the surface of the MWNTs and CFs. Scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy showed that the obtained modified fillers reduced the aggregation of fillers and resulted in better dispersion and interfacial compatibility. We found that the electrical percolation threshold of the MWNT/PA6 and CF/PA6 composites occurred when the volume fraction of the fillers were 4 and 5%, respectively. The MWNT/CF hybrid‐filler system exhibited a remarkable synergetic effect on the electrically conductive networks. The MWNT/7% CF hybrid‐filler system appeared to show a second percolation when the MWNT volume fraction was above 4% and a volume resistivity reduction of two orders of magnitude compared with the MWNT/PA6 system. The mechanical properties of different types of PA6 composites with variation in the filler volume content were also studied. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40923.     

二甲基硅油及其表面活性剂在化纤生产中的应用

综述了二甲基硅油及其表面活性剂在化纤油剂中的应用 ,化纤油剂应具有的高平滑性、高耐热等特性 ;介绍了改善油剂的综合性能及硅油表面活性剂用来提高纤维的可纺性等性能的方法。建议我国应尽快开发研制含硅油的化纤油剂     

Measurement of fiber and matrix orientations in fiber reinforced composites

Short glass fiber reinforced polypropylene was employed in a study to determine the effect of molding and mold design variables on the distrubution of fibers and their orientations, and consequently, on the distributions of mechanical properties in the molded article. In this paper, a variety of experimental techniques were employed to evaluate the distributions of fibers and their orientations. Moreover, techniques were developed to evaluate the orientation and crystallization of the matrix. The results yield significant information regarding the development and control of both the microstructure and the properties of short fiber reinforced composites.     

Escherichia coli adhesion to abiotic surfaces in the presence of non-ionic surfactants

Escherichia coli adhesion to the silica gel surface in the presence of non-ionic surfactants was investigated. E. coli adhesion to silica gel begins with long-range, non-specific van der Waals interactions, followed by short-range, specific Lewis acid-base interactions. When surfactants were introduced to the system before E. coli, the amounts of attached E. coli to silica gel surfaces corresponded to interactions between E. coli and silica gel, which were determined by surface properties of both E. coli and silica gel, as well as the intervening medium. When surfactants were introduced after E. coli colonization, the amounts of attached E. coli desorbed from silica gel surfaces corresponded to interactions between lipopolysaccharides and silica gel, which were determined by surface properties of both lipopolysaccharides and silica gel, as well as the intervening medium.     

涂层法制备镍纤维

采用改进型螯合溶胶凝胶法分别制备出Ni-EDTA和Ni-CA两种溶胶,将溶胶连续地涂覆于国产连续碳纤维上,通过原位还原法制得涂层型金属镍纤维,并分别对所制备的溶胶和镍纤维微观结构与性能进行了系统研究。研究表明制备溶胶的最佳配方为:n(Ni)∶n(EDTA)=2∶1或n(Ni)∶n(CA)=1∶2(溶液pH值分别为6 7、2 7)时,所得溶胶稳定性最好,溶胶在陈化2 5h、超声时间为0 5h时涂层效果好,改变溶胶黏度和超声时间可调节涂层厚度。制得的镍纤维连续、柔顺有光泽、纯度高,涂层厚度为160～200nm,涂层后T300碳纤维的单丝力学强度提高了10.7%。     

Electroless nickel plating of polyester fiber

The optimization of the electroless nickel plating process used for textile applications was investigated with the orthogonal array testing strategy. It was found that the electroless nickel plating process conducted at 40°C and pH 10 for 20 min was the most effective method for improving the metal adhesion performance. The performance of nickel‐plated polyester fabrics was confirmed to be dependent on the amount of nickel particles adhering to the fabric surface. The properties of the optimized nickel‐plated polyester were enhanced in terms of the fabric weight, fabric thickness, and tensile strength. However, there was a moderate decrease in the tearing strength and crocking fastness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008