The role of synthetic and natural fillers on three‐body abrasive wear behaviour of glass fabric–epoxy hybrid composites

Polymer matrix composites are a promising candidate in tribological applications due to possibility of tailoring their properties with special fillers. The comparative performance of Glass–Epoxy (G‐E) composites with influence of synthetic fillers such as graphite (Gr) and silicon carbide (SiC) and biobased natural filler jatropha oil cake (JOC) was experimentally investigated. All the composites were fabricated using vacuum‐assisted resin infusion (VARI) technique. The mechanical properties were studied in accordance with ASTM standards. The three‐body abrasive wear studies were carried out with rubber wheel abrasion tester as per ASTM‐G65 standard. Two different loads namely 22 N and 32 N with different abrading distances viz, 135, 270, 405, and 540 m are test parameters. The results reveal that addition of JOC in G‐E composites has significant influence on wear under varied abrading distance/load. Further, it was found that SiC filled G‐E composites exhibited better wear resistance compared to Gr/JOC filled G‐E composites. The operating wear mechanisms have been studied by using scanning electron microscopy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Mechanical,electrical and thermal performance of hybrid polyethylene-graphene nanoplatelets-polypyrrole composites: a comparative analysis of 3D printed and compression molded samples

ABSTRACT

The paper focuses on the investigation of the 3D printing of multi-functional composites using graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), polypyrrole (PPY) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). A holistic approach was performed and characterization methods to assess the properties of 3D printed composites and compared with those of compression molded composites and neat LLDPE to understand the factors affecting their performance. It has been noted that the 3D printed composites have superior mechanical and electrical properties than neat LLDPE, but slightly lower compared to those of compression molded composites having high packing density of fillers. The nominal increases were 13.2% (tensile strength), 31.9% (flexural strength), 29.4% (flexural modulus) and 24.7% (storage modulus).     

V2O5/RGO/Pt nanocomposite on oxytetracycline degradation and pharmaceutical effluent detoxification

The cover image is based on the Research Article V₂O₅/RGO/Pt nanocomposite on oxytetracycline degradation and pharmaceutical effluent detoxification by Mohan, H et al., DOI: 10.1002/jctb.6238 .

     

Design,Synthesis, and Self-Assembly Studies of a Suite of Monodisperse,Facially Amphiphilic,Protein–Dendron Conjugates

The custom design of protein–dendron amphiphilic macromolecules is at the forefront of macromolecular engineering. Macromolecules with this architecture are very interesting because of their ability to self-assemble into various biomimetic nanoscopic structures. However, to date, there are no reports on this concept due to technical challenges associated with the chemical synthesis. Towards that end, herein, a new chemical methodology for the modular synthesis of a suite of monodisperse, facially amphiphilic, protein–dendron bioconjugates is reported. Benzyl ether dendrons of different generations (G1–G4) are coupled to monodisperse cetyl ethylene glycol to form macromolecular amphiphilic activity-based probes (AABPs) with a single protein reactive functionality. Micelle-assisted protein labeling technology is utilized for site-specific conjugation of macromolecular AABPs to globular proteins to make monodisperse, facially amphiphilic, protein–dendron bioconjugates. These biohybrid conjugates have the ability to self-assemble into supramolecular protein nanoassemblies. Self-assembly is primarily mediated by strong hydrophobic interactions of the benzyl ether dendron domain. The size, surface charge, and oligomeric state of protein nanoassemblies could be systematically tuned by choosing an appropriate dendron or protein of interest. This chemical method discloses a new way to custom-make monodisperse, facially amphiphilic, protein–dendron bioconjugates.     

不锈钢表面阻氢涂层研究进展

不锈钢是高压氢系统的常用材料,在氢能储输技术中发挥重要作用,但高压氢环境引起的塑性降低、疲劳裂纹扩展速率加快等不锈钢氢脆问题,严重阻碍了氢能的产业化发展,在不锈钢材料表面制备阻氢涂层是解决不锈钢氢损伤问题的重要手段之一。本文首先综合介绍了典型涂层材料的应用特点及阻氢性能,探讨了制备工艺对涂层阻氢性能的影响、不同涂层材料的阻氢机理,并分析了涂层阻氢性能影响因素,之后总结了涂层阻氢性能评价方法及各种评价方法的优势与不足,并根据各种评价方法的技术特点,指出每种方法的适用范围。最后,基于阻氢涂层研究进展,文章提出以开发新型涂层结构为研究重点,同时加快新型涂层材料的探索,并重点关注涂层氢环境原位性能评价方法的研究。     

Dyeing studies with hydroxyanthraquinones extracted from Indian madder. Part 2: Dyeing of nylon and polyester with nordamncanthal†

Nordamncanthal is an important constituent of the colouring matter extracted from Indian madder roots. Its dyeing properties have never been studied even though the structural characteristics closely resemble those of disperse dyes. In this study, nylon and polyester have been dyed with this colorant. Linear isotherms have been obtained, confirming that the mechanism is similar to that of disperse dyes. The dye has good affinity for both the fibres. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters have been calculated.     

On the Effect of Birefringence on Light Transmission in Polycrystalline Magnesium Fluoride

Light transmission in polycrystalline magnesium fluoride was studied as a function of the mean grain size at different wavelengths. The mean grain size was varied by annealing hot‐pressed billets in argon atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 600°C to 800°C for 1 h. The grain‐size and grain‐orientation distributions were characterized by electron back scatter diffraction. The scattering coefficients were calculated from the in‐line transmittance measured at various wavelengths. The scattering coefficient of polycrystalline magnesium fluoride increased linearly with the mean grain size and inversely with the square of the wavelength of light. It is shown that these trends are consistent with theoretical models based on both a limiting form of the Raleigh–Gans–Debye (RGD) theory of particle scattering and light retardation theories that take refractive index variations along the light path. Quantitative predictions of the theories are, however, subject to uncertainly due to the restrictive assumptions made in the theories and difficulties in representing the microstructure in the theoretical models. In particular, grain‐size distribution has a significant influence on the scattering coefficient calculated using particle scattering models.     

Making Nonwoven Fibrous Poly(ε‐caprolactone) Constructs for Antimicrobial and Tissue Engineering Applications by Pressurized Melt Gyration

A pressurized melt gyration process has been used for the first time to generate poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) fibers. Gyration speed, working pressure, and melt temperature are varied and these parameters influence the fiber diameter and the temperature enabled changing the surface morphology of the fibers. Two types of nonwoven PCL fiber constructs are prepared. First, Ag‐doped PCL is studied for antibacterial activity using Gram‐negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa microorganisms. The melt temperature used to make these constructs significantly influences antibacterial activity. Neat PCL nonwoven scaffolds are also prepared and their potential for application in muscular tissue engineering is studied with myoblast cells. Results show significant cell attachment, growth, and proliferation of cells on the scaffolds.

     

An Assessment of the Applicability of Particle Light Scattering Theories to Birefringent Polycrystalline Ceramics

The applicability of particle light scattering theories to light attenuation in birefringent polycrystalline ceramics was investigated by measuring light transmittance in a model two‐phase system. The system consisted of microspheres of silica dispersed in a solution of glycerol in water. The composition of the liquid medium was chosen to produce a mismatch between the refractive index of the particles (n_p) and of the medium (n_m) equal to the root mean square of the refractive index variation in polycrystalline magnesium fluoride. The variations of the scattering coefficients (γ) with volume fraction of silica microspheres for three different particle diameters (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 μm) were compared with theoretical predictions based on scattering efficiency of single particles (K) and linear extrapolation to multiparticle dispersed systems. The measured scattering coefficients were significantly greater than the theoretical values for particle volume fractions greater than 0.2. These results suggest that application of particle scattering theories to a birefringent polycrystalline ceramic, an intrinsically high volume fraction system, is tenuous at best.     

A Functionally Graded Carbide in the Ta–C System

Hard materials used in such abrasive wear applications as cutting tools and wear inserts in drilling tools require high hardness to resist wear, high fracture toughness to withstand mechanical and thermal shock, and high chemical and thermal stability. Such a combination of properties is difficult to achieve in single‐phase materials. Functional grading is an approach that overcomes this limitation by designing and processing a graded microstructure that provides high hardness and chemical resistance at the surface with a tough interior or bulk. While functional grading is a widely used practice in the cemented carbides industry, it has not been demonstrated with “pure” carbides. This article reports the feasibility of designing and processing a graded carbide in the Ta–C binary system. It is shown that a simple carburization treatment of the high‐toughness carbide, ζ‐Ta₄C_3?x, can lead to the formation of the hard carbide phase, γ‐TaC_y, on the surface. The thickness, microstructure (grain size), and composition (C/Ta atomic ratio, y) of the γ‐TaC_y layer can be optimized to obtain both high hardness and high strength for the graded material.