溶胶-凝胶法制备碳纳米管/SiO_2复合材料过程的TG-DSC-MS研究

利用热重 -差示扫描量热 -质谱 ( TG-DSC-MS)联用技术对溶胶 -凝胶 ( Sol-Gel)法热压烧结制备碳纳米管 ( CNT) /Si O2 复合材料过程中的热分解行为特性进行了表征研究。采用多离子检测模式预定测量热分解生成的 C+ ( m/z1 2 )、OH+ ( m/z1 7)、H2 O+ ( m/z1 8)、CO2 + ( m/z2 8)等 9种正离子。实验发现 :用溶胶 -凝胶法制备 CNT/Si O2 复合材料过程中 ,在 5 0 0℃以下生成 Si O2 ,CNT在 5 0 0～ 73 0℃左右氧化燃烧。在 5 0 0℃条件下煅烧 1 h,凝胶 Si O2 完全转变成玻璃粉。选择在 5 0 0℃条件下煅烧 CNT/Si O2 复合粉体 1 h可作为CNT/Si O2 复合材料的煅烧工艺     

Complex dynamics of carbon nanotube probe tips

Carbon nanotube (CNT) tips in tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) enable very high-resolution imaging, measurements, and manipulation at the nanoscale. We present recent results based on experimental analysis that yield new insights into the dynamics of CNT probe tips in tapping mode AFM. Experimental measurements are presented of the frequency response and dynamic amplitude-distance data of a high-aspect-ratio multi-walled (MW) CNT tip. Higher harmonics of the microcantilever are measured in frequency ranges corresponding to attractive regime and the repulsive regime where the CNT buckles dynamically. Surface scanning is performed using a MWCNT tip on a SiO(2) grating to verify the imaging instabilities associated with MWCNT buckling when used with normal control schemes in the tapping mode. Lastly, the choice of optimal setpoints for tapping mode control using CNT tip are discussed using the experimental results.     

Experimental and theoretical modeling of a quarter-circular gate flow

Gates are important hydraulic structures and used for flow measurement, water delivery, and water level regulation in open channels and irrigation networks. In this study, the quarter-circular gate is introduced and investigated. The cross section of this gate consists of a quarter circular arc and the lip angle of the gate equals to zero. Discharge coefficient, variation of downstream flow depth, and velocity distribution at opening section of gate were experimentally measured. Using potential flow theory supported by dimensional analysis, equations for discharge coefficient and velocity distribution at gate opening section of quarter-circular gate were derived and then validated using experimental data. The mean percentage error (MPE) of obtained equation for discharge coefficient of quarter-circular gate was calculated as 2.24%, indicating the high precision of the proposed theory. Based on obtained results, downstream flow depth of quarter-circular gate is uniform. Also, velocity distribution at gate opening section is nearly uniform. Discharge coefficient of quarter-circular gate was averagely obtained 55% larger than that of sluice gate. It was also obtained larger than that of radial gate. Elimination of contraction section at downstream of gate opening, which is the main source for energy loss and therefore discharge capacity reduction, is the main reason for larger discharge coefficient of quarter-circular gate.     

多通道门选通纳秒分幅相机

采用光学分幅技术和多通道门选通法研制了纳秒分幅相机。首次应用八棱锥将图像分为8幅,每幅图像有相等的光学能量并包含与原图像相同的光学信息,每个通道使用独立的带门选通的像增强器和CCD相机,自行开发的近贴门选通像增强器用于增强弱光图像。相机系统可一次获得8幅图像,分幅速率达到1×10⁸ frame/s,最短曝光时间和时间间隔为3 ns和10 ns并分别可调,可记录持续时间为百纳秒到几十微秒的发光现象,动态空间分辨率达到15 lp/mm。该相机已成功应用于电脉冲、等离子发光等现象的试验并获得了有意义的数据,可满足高速摄影机等设备具有高分幅速率,短曝光时间和适当间隔以及在曝光时间内固定时刻记录超快现象过程的要求。     

Micromechanical scribing and indentation behavior of injection-molded polymeric carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites

Polymeric carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites have unique mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Anisotropy can be induced depending on the alignment of the CNT fillers within polymeric composites, which is known to affect material properties. In order to investigate the effects of CNT alignments in micromechanical scribing using a single crystal diamond tool, a microindenter–scriber system was developed. Multiwalled carbon nanotube–polystyrene (MWCNT–PS) samples with varying CNT concentrations were prepared through a microinjection molding process, where the injection enables the partial alignment of CNTs in the flow direction through high shear stress. A mechanistic scribing force model was proposed based on the material properties that could be obtained using the microindentation techniques. Scribing experiments were performed in the parallel and perpendicular directions to the CNT alignment. Forces in three axes were measured and analyzed to identify three unknown parameters—the shearing, plowing, and adhesion friction coefficients. The resulting coefficients for scribing perpendicular to the CNT alignment showed distinguishable trends from scribing parallel to the CNT alignment as the CNT loadings increased. Their linear trends in relation to the material properties identified from indentation techniques can be used to predict microscribing parameters and resulting cutting forces, in combination with the proposed mechanistic model.     

Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka approach for vibrational behavior of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced plate resting on elastic foundation

In this study, based on the three-dimensional theory of elasticity, free vibration characteristics of functionally graded (FG) nanocomposite plates reinforced by randomly-oriented straight single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) resting on an elastic foundation are considered. Material properties are graded in the thickness direction of the plate according to the volume fraction power law distribution. An embedded carbon nanotube (CNT) in a polymer matrix and its surrounding inter-phase which is perfectly bonded to surrounding resin is replaced with an equivalent fiber to predict the mechanical properties of the carbon nanotube/polymer composite. The Mori-Tanaka approach is employed to calculate the effective elastic moduli of the plate. The natural frequencies of the plate are obtained by means of the generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method. Detailed parametric studies have been carried out to investigate the influences of the CNT volume fraction, Winkler foundation modulus, shear elastic foundation modulus and various geometrical parameters on the vibration behavior of the functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced (FG-CNTR) plates.     

Thermal analysis of randomly oriented carbon nanotube reinforced functionally graded timoshenko beam

The unique thermal properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) are utilized to increase the use of functionally graded material (FGM) at higher temperatures which resulted in introduction of a new type of material called as functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composites (FG-CNTRCs). To use the FG-CNTRCs at elevated temperatures, their thermal analysis is very important. In this context, this article presents the thermal analysis of a CNT based FG Timoshenko beam. Material properties distribution is assumed to vary along the thickness direction according to power law distribution and linear distributions. Finite difference method is implemented to find out the temperature distribution. Using first order shear deformation theory (FSDT), expressions for strains and stresses are obtained. The results are compared with temperature distribution according to power law. The effect of CNT distribution on strains and stresses is also observed. Based on these results important conclusions have been drawn.     

Modeling the electron field emission from carbon nanotube films.

A theoretical framework for the electron field emission from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is discussed. Using the tunneling theory, the influence of the detailed electron energy dispersion is proven to be of little importance for the electron field emission. By means of numerical computations in a simplified model, the influence of the environment on the local field on a CNT is discussed for an aligned CNT film. In a simple triangular model for the potential energy barrier at the tube end, a tunneling probability was obtained. A statistical model was developed for the structural and functional parameters of aligned CNT films. Practical CNT films of excellent alignment, obtained directly on a tungsten wire by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, were analyzed by this statistical model. Their distribution in the enhancement factors was thus deduced. An indirect method to get the average electrical parameters of the film using only a limited amount of experimental data was thus established.     

单壁碳纳米管与石墨基底间摩擦的模拟研究

采用分子动力学模拟方法研究了常温300 K时,公度、不公度情况下,单壁碳纳米管CNT(10,10)在石墨基底上的运动、摩擦行为。计算中首先使碳纳米管在基底上弛豫平衡,而后施加持续时间500 fs的固定外力,撤去外力后碳纳米管在基底上减速至相对基底静止。结果表明,碳纳米管在石墨基底上不同的放置位置决定了它与基底接触面的微观构型,从而决定了碳纳米管的运动、摩擦规律。公度时,碳纳米管先在基底上滑动,摩擦力、平动能均呈现周期性起伏,之后碳纳米管在基底上滚动、滑动、翻转,滑动、转动之间运动形式的转变提高了能量耗散,增大了摩擦力,非公度时摩擦力约为公度时的70%。非公度时碳纳米管一直在基底上滑动,平动能和摩擦力不具有周期性。     

基于一阶剪切变形理论的CNTRC板的自由振动分析

基于Reissner-Mindlin一阶剪切变形假设（First-order shear deformation theory,FSDT）,考虑碳纳米管（Carbon nanotube,CNT）功能梯度材料的不均匀性,建立CNT梯度增强复合薄板结构的自由振动分析模型,模型中考虑了CNT增强体的分布形式、体积率、边界条件及结构的边厚比等因素对该复合薄板结构自由振动响应的影响。克服了经典板理论中不考虑剪切应力的缺陷,通过四边简支（Simply supported,SSSS）板的振动响应特征验证模型的准确性,利用所建模型对CNT梯度增强薄板结构进行了自由振动分析及模态分析。研究表明：CNT增强复合薄板结构的自振频率随着CNT体积率的增加发生几乎线性化的增长;不同的CNT分布形式对振动频率的影响：X型分布的功能梯度板的自振频率最大,O型分布的功能梯度板的自振频率最小,均一及V型分布的固有频率大小介于两者之间。边界条件对板振动形态的影响：由于四边固支（Clamped,CCCC）的边界条件比SSSS约束性更强,其对于边厚比的变化更灵敏,并且随着宽厚比值的增大,边界条件产生的影响越来越大。CNT增强体分布形式、体积率、结构边厚比及边界条件对复合薄板结构自由振动的频率及振动模态有显著的影响。     

MD simulation of the frictional behavior of CNTs with respect to orientation

In this work, the frictional behaviors of carbon nanotubes under various sliding conditions were investigated using Molecular Dynamics Simulation. A single CNT and multiple aligned CNTs were modeled for friction simulation under a normal load ranging from 3 nN to 32 nN. Three sliding directions were chosen to investigate the effects of orientation. Results showed that a lower friction coefficient was obtained under high normal loads for all cases. When a single nanotube was used, the friction coefficient along the 0° direction was the smallest, while simulations with multiple aligned CNTs exhibited the smallest friction coefficient along the 90° direction.     

High-yield synthesis of conductive carbon nanotube tips for multiprobe scanning tunneling microscope

We have established a fabrication process for conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) tips for multiprobe scanning tunneling microscope (STM) with high yield. This was achieved, first, by attaching a CNT at the apex of a supporting W tip by a dielectrophoresis method, second, by reinforcing the adhesion between the CNT and the W tip by electron beam deposition of hydrocarbon and subsequent heating, and finally by wholly coating it with a thin metal layer by pulsed laser deposition. More than 90% of the CNT tips survived after long-distance transportation in air, indicating the practical durability of the CNT tips. The shape of the CNT tip did not change even after making contact with another metal tip more than 100 times repeatedly, which evidenced its mechanical robustness. We exploited the CNT tips for the electronic transport measurement by a four-terminal method in a multiprobe STM, in which the PtIr-coated CNT portion of the tip exhibited diffusive transport with a low resistivity of 1.8 kOmega/microm. The contact resistance at the junction between the CNT and the supporting W tip was estimated to be less than 0.7 kOmega. We confirmed that the PtIr thin layer remained at the CNT-W junction portion after excess current passed through, although the PtIr layer was peeled off on the CNT to aggregate into particles, which was likely due to electromigration or a thermally activated diffusion process. These results indicate that the CNT tips fabricated by our recipe possess high reliability and reproducibility sufficient for multiprobe STM measurements.     

Ionization gauge by carbon nanotube field emission

A newly developed ionization gauge using carbon nanotube (CNT) field emission effect has been designed and manufactured. The fabricated ionization gauge is of a triode type, consisting of a cathode (carbon nanotube field emitter arrays), a grid and a collector. The principle involved here is that for a constant number of electrons available for ionization emitted from carbon nanotube arrays by the grid potential, a constant fraction of gas will be ionized and the number of ions collected in the collector will be proportional to the number of gas molecules in the chamber traversed by the electrons. Due to the excellent field emission characteristics of CNT, it is possible to make a cost effective cold cathode ionization gauge. A screen-printing method has been used to make the CNT cathode. The glass grid with Cr deposited by E-beam has been put on the cathode with a gap of 200 μm between the two electrodes. Using the voltage applied to the grid, the electrons emitted from the carbon nanotube ionize gas molecules in the chamber and the ionized molecules are gathered in the collector. At this time, the collector voltage is maintained at a lower level than that of the grid voltage to obtain a large ionization ratio. The current detected in the collector is proportional to the pressure in the chamber. The ionization characteristics are dependent on the gas and the voltage applied to the grid and collector. In this paper we have shown the various metrological characteristics of the simple pressure sensor utilizing carbon nanotube.     

Fabrication of carbon nanotube AFM probes using the Langmuir–Blodgett technique

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-tipped atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes have shown a significant potential for obtaining high-resolution imaging of nanostructure and biological materials. In this paper, we report a simple method to fabricate single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) nanoprobes for AFM using the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique. Thiophenyl-modified SWNTs (SWNT-SHs) through amidation of SWNTs in chloroform allowed to be spread and form a stable Langmuir monolayer at the water/air interface. A simple two-step transfer process was used: (1) dipping conventional AFM probes into the Langmuir monolayer and (2) lifting the probes from the water surface. This results in the attachment of SWNTs onto the tips of AFM nanoprobes. We found that the SWNTs assembled on the nanoprobes were well-oriented and robust enough to maintain their shape and direction even after successive scans. AFM measurements of a nano-porous alumina substrate and deoxyribonucleic acid using SWNT-modified nanoprobes revealed that the curvature diameter of the nanoprobes was less than 3 nm and a fine resolution was obtained than that from conventional AFM probes. We also demonstrate that the LB method is a scalable process capable of simultaneously fabricating a large number of SWNT-modified nanoprobes.     

Fabrication of carbon nanotube AFM probes using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-tipped atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes have shown a significant potential for obtaining high-resolution imaging of nanostructure and biological materials. In this paper, we report a simple method to fabricate single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) nanoprobes for AFM using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. Thiophenyl-modified SWNTs (SWNT-SHs) through amidation of SWNTs in chloroform allowed to be spread and form a stable Langmuir monolayer at the water/air interface. A simple two-step transfer process was used: (1) dipping conventional AFM probes into the Langmuir monolayer and (2) lifting the probes from the water surface. This results in the attachment of SWNTs onto the tips of AFM nanoprobes. We found that the SWNTs assembled on the nanoprobes were well-oriented and robust enough to maintain their shape and direction even after successive scans. AFM measurements of a nano-porous alumina substrate and deoxyribonucleic acid using SWNT-modified nanoprobes revealed that the curvature diameter of the nanoprobes was less than 3nm and a fine resolution was obtained than that from conventional AFM probes. We also demonstrate that the LB method is a scalable process capable of simultaneously fabricating a large number of SWNT-modified nanoprobes.     

Wear behaviour of carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy resin composites

This paper deals with the effect of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforcement on the wear behaviour of Epoxy (EP) composites. Firstly, various dispersion methods were compared. Secondly, the optimum CNT amount was evaluated. In a third step, dry lubricants were added to the optimised EP/CNT composite. Finally, the influence of the steel counterpart (martensitic bearing steel 100Cr6 and austenitic stainless steel X5CrNi18-10) was studied. The preparation method was found to have a decisive effect on the wear behaviour of the composite. A pre-treatment of the CNTs in concentrated nitric acid proved beneficial. Even more important was the mixing method. A dual asymmetric centrifuge delivered so good wear results that the pre-treatment could be skipped. The optimum CNT content was at about 1 wt%, regardless of the preparation method. The lowest wear rates were found after addition of 10 wt% graphite. MoS₂ proved to be less effective and Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) even increased the wear. The wear rates against the unalloyed martensitic steel were far higher than against austenitic stainless steel.     

Tribological behavior and graphitization of carbon nanotubes grown on 440C stainless steel

Vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays were directly grown onto 440C stainless steel substrates by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Tribological properties of both short and long CNTs samples were studied under normal loads of 10 g, 25 g and 100 g. The CNTs had a steady-state friction coefficient of about 0.2 in humid air. In dry nitrogen, a friction of 0.2 was measured under a load of 10 g while high friction was measured at 25 g and 100 g loads. No significant variation of tribological behavior was measured between the short and long CNTs samples. SEM observations showed that rubbing caused the CNTs to align or lay down along the wear scar. They formed aggregates and were compressed by rubbing, which resulted in layer-structured graphite formations. SEM observation of the wear scars revealed loss of CNT structures accompanied by the appearance of dark areas. Micro Raman spectroscopic studies demonstrated that the dark areas were graphitized CNTs. Shear stress aligned the basal planes of the small graphene sheets in the CNT layers to the low friction orientation and eventually caused formation of more ordered graphite. The tribological formation of interfacial carbon layers increased with increasing stress from higher loads.     

Improvement on Sliding Wear Behavior of Al/Cast Iron Tribopair by CNT's Reinforcement of an Al Alloy

The results presented in this work show the wear characterization of Al-Si matrix composites reinforced by multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) under dry reciprocating sliding conditions against a grey cast iron (GCI) The wear resistance is investigated as a function of the carbon nanotube (CNT) content that varied from 2 to 6 wt%. The results demonstrated that the CNT content plays a relevant role in the wear behavior by substantially reducing the wear loss of Al-Si CNT composites. Further, it reduces the wear loss of the grey cast iron counterface. A physical model able to explain the improved behavior in both mating materials is depicted from experimental results.     

Achieving uniform field emission from carbon nanotube composite cold cathode with different carbon nanotube contents: Effects of conductance and plasma treatment

A carbon nanotube (CNT) composite cold cathode was studied for field emission display application. The CNT composite cold cathode was composed of CNTs and silicon dioxide binder. Field emission from CNT composite cold cathode with different CNT contents was studied. It was found that with increase in CNT contents, the threshold field decreased. The conductance of the composite cathode was measured and with increasing CNT content, there was a critical CNT content where the conductance increased several orders of magnitude. Plasma etching using SF₆ as the etchant was adopted to treat the cathode. Improvement in emission uniformity was achieved. It was also found that after post-treatment the threshold field of the cathode decreased. The morphology of the etched cathode was analyzed and the improvement of uniformity and lowering of the threshold field was attributed to the exposure of CNTs after etching.     

Note: Design and construction of a simple and reliable printed circuit board-substrate Bradbury-Nielsen gate for ion mobility spectrometry

A less laborious, structure-simple, and performance-reliable printed circuit board (PCB) based Bradbury-Nielsen gate for high-resolution ion mobility spectrometry was introduced and investigated. The gate substrate was manufactured using a PCB etching process with small holes (Φ 0.1 mm) drilled along the gold-plated copper lines. Two interdigitated sets of rigid stainless steel spring wire (Φ 0.1 mm) that stands high temperature and guarantees performance stability were threaded through the holes. Our homebuilt ion mobility spectrometer mounted with the gate gave results of about 40 for resolution while keeping a signal intensity of over 0.5 nano-amperes.