Microfibers nanocomposite based on polyacrylonitrile fibers/bismuth oxide nanoparticles as X-ray shielding material

The main focus of the current study was to fabricate fibrous nanocomposite based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers containing Bi₂O₃ NPs as the X-ray shielding material. Bi₂O₃ NPs were synthesized based on the solid dispersion evaporation method and dispersed into PAN polymer solution with different weight concentrations. The electrospinning technique was used to fabricate nanocomposite. The morphology, surface functional group, wettability, elemental analysis, and X-ray shielding efficacy of the fabricated nanocomposite were thoroughly evaluated. The dimeter of the fibrous nanocomposites containing 10, 20, and 30 wt% Bi₂O₃ NPs were 1.33 ± 0.08, 1.01 ± 0.11, and 1.69 ± 0.32 μm, respectively. EDX elemental analysis showed that NPs were uniformly distributed into/onto the fibers. The X-ray shielding studies showed that the prepared nanocomposites effectively attenuate the intensity of the X-ray. The entrance surface dose for the negative control was 24.10 ± 1.71 mSv and the application of the nanocomposites significantly reduced the entrance surface dose. The results showed NPs concentration-dependent CT number shift as the indication of X-ray protection and the highest value was obtained by 30 wt% NPs. The obtained results implied that the fabricated nanocomposites effectively attenuate the radiation and they could be applied as the X-ray shielding materials.     

A New Analytical Expression for the Relationship Between the Charpy Impact Energy and Notch Tip Position for Functionally Graded Steels

The effect of the distance between the notch tip and the position of the middle phase in the FGSs on the Charpy impact energy is investigated in the present paper. The results show that when the notch apex is close to the middle layer, the Charpy impact energy reaches its maximum value. This is due to the increment of the absorbed energy by plastic deformation ahead of the notch tip. On the other hand, when the notch tip is far from the middle layer, the Charpy impact energy strongly decreases. Another fundamental motivation of the present work is that for crack arrester configuration, no accurate mathematical or analytical modelling is available up to now. By considering the relationship between the Charpy impact energy and the plastic volume size, a new theoretical model has been developed to link the Charpy impact energy with the distance from the notch apex to the middle phase. This model is a simplified one and the effect of different shapes of the layers and the effect of microstructure on the mechanical properties and plastic region size will be considered in further investigation. The results of the new developed closed form expression show a sound agreement with some recent experimental results taken from the literature.     

Tribological behavior of self lubricating Cu/MoS2 composites fabricated by powder metallurgy

The effects of MoS₂ content on microstructure, density, hardness and wear resistance of pure copper were studied. Copper-based composites containing 0–10% (mass fraction) MoS₂ particles were fabricated by mechanical milling and hot pressing from pure copper and MoS₂ powders. Wear resistance was evaluated in dry sliding condition using a pin on disk configuration at a constant sliding speed of 0.2 m/s. Hardness measurements showed a critical MoS₂ content of 2.5% at which a hardness peak was attained. Regardless of the applied normal load, the lowest coefficient of friction and wear loss were attained for Cu/2.5MoS₂ composite. While coefficient of friction decreased when the applied normal load was raised from 1 to 4 N at any reinforcement content, the wear volume increased with increasing normal load. SEM micrographs from the worn surfaces and debris revealed that the wear mechanism was changed from mainly adhesion in pure copper to a combination of abrasion and delamination in Cu/MoS₂ composites.     

Development of a voltammetric sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for caffeine measurement

A new voltammetric sensor for caffeine measurement is introduced. A caffeine-selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and a non-imprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized and then used for carbon paste (CP) electrode preparation. The MIP, embedded in the carbon paste electrode, functioned as a selective recognition element and a pre-concentrator agent for caffeine determination. The prepared electrode was used for caffeine measurement via a three-step procedure including analyte extraction in the electrode, electrode washing and electrochemical measurement of caffeine. The MIP-CP electrode showed very high recognition ability in comparison to NIP-CP. It was shown that electrode washing after caffeine extraction led to enhanced selectivity. Differential pulse voltammetry for caffeine determination was more effective than square wave voltammetry. Some parameters affecting sensor response were optimized, and a calibration curve was then plotted. A linear range of 6 × 10⁻⁸ to 2.5 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ was obtained. The detection limit of the sensor was calculated to be equal to 1.5 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. This sensor was used successfully for caffeine determination in spiked beverage and tea samples.     

A novel thermal decomposition method for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles from low concentration ZnSO4 solutions

In this research work, ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by direct thermal decomposition method with Zn₄(SO₄)(OH)₆·0.5 H₂O as a precursor. The precursor was calcinated in air for 1 h at 825 °C. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), infrared spectrum (IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD, EDS, and IR results indicated that the ZnO nanoparticles were pure. The average crystallite and particle size of the ZnO nanoparticles were estimated to be 87 nm and 92 nm by XRD and TEM, respectively. The SEM and TEM images showed that the ZnO nanoparticles were of spherical shape. The simplicity of the present method suggests its potential application at industrial scale as a cheap and convenient way to produce pure ZnO nanoparticles from low concentration ZnSO₄ solutions.