Impact behavior and fractographic study of carbon nanotubes grafted carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix multi-scale hybrid composites

Carbon nanotubes are the most promising reinforcement for high performance composites. Multiwall carbon nanotubes were directly grown onto the carbon fiber surface by catalytic thermal chemical vapor deposition technique. Multi-scale hybrid composites were fabricated using the carbon nanotubes grown fibers with epoxy matrix. Morphology of the grown carbon nanotubes was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The fabricated composites were subjected to impact tests which showed 48.7% and 42.2% higher energy absorption in Charpy and Izod impact tests respectively. Fractographic analysis of the impact tested specimens revealed the presence of carbon nanotubes both at the fiber surface and within the matrix which explained the reason for improved energy absorption capability of these composites. Carbon nanotubes presence at various cracks formed during loading provided a direct evidence of micro crack bridging. Thus the enhanced fracture strength of these composites is attributed to stronger fiber–matrix interfacial bonding and simultaneous matrix strengthening due to the grown carbon nanotubes.     

Microwave-assisted Fe3O4 nanoparticles catalyzed synthesis of chromeno[1,6]naphthyridines in aqueous media

Fe₃O₄ nanocatalyst was prepared by co-precipitation method and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TEM, VSM and BET analyses. The particles have an average size of 7 nm and possess highly open mesopores, moderate surface area, and uniform morphology with superparamagnetic behavior. Activity of catalyst was probed through the synthesis of chromeno[1,6]naphthyridines in water under microwave irradiation (MW) and it was about 7-fold higher as compared to conventional method. Nanocatalyst plays a dual role of catalyst as well as susceptor, and enhances the overall capacity to absorb MW. Fe₃O₄ NPs easily recovered by simple magnetic separation and recycled at least 5 times.     

An analytical model for optimizing the performance of graphene based silicon Schottky barrier solar cells

In this paper, a model taking into account the effects of carrier loss mechanisms has been developed. The model simulates the photovoltaic properties of the graphene/n-type silicon Schottky barrier solar cells (G/n-Si_SBSC), and it can reproduce the experimentally determined parameters of the G/n-Si_SBSC. To overcome the low efficiencies of G/n-Si_SBSC, their performances have been optimized by modifying the work function of graphene and Si properties, accounted for variation of its thickness and doping level. The obtained results show that the work function of graphene has the major impact on the device performance. Also, the temperature dependence of the G/n-Si_SBSC performance is investigated.     

Formation of high-density scintillation ceramic from LuAG:Ce + Lu2O3 powders obtained by co-precipitation method

The results of formation of the high density effective scintillation ceramics consisting of two compounds of the cubic symmetry, LuAG:Ce and Lu₂O₃ (LuAG:Ce + Lu₂O₃), are described. Powders of a novel material LuAG:Ce + Lu₂O₃ were synthesized by co-precipitation method. The introduction of Lu₂O₃ into LuAG:Ce was shown to increase the density of the ceramics obtained and modify its scintillation properties.     

Sol–gel synthesis of Nd-doped BiFeO3 multiferroic and its characterization

Neodymium doped bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃, BFO) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a facile sol–gel route. The influence of annealing temperature, time, Bi content and solvent on the crystal structure of BFO was studied. Results indicated that the optimum processing condition of BFO products was 550–600 °C/1.5 h with excess 3–6% Bi and ethylene glycol as solvent. On the other hand, Nd³⁺ ion was introduced into the BFO system and the effect of Nd³⁺ concentration on the structure, magnetic and dielectric properties of BFO were investigated. It was found that the magnetization of BFO was enhanced significantly with Nd³⁺ substitution, being attributed to the suppression of the spiral cycloidal magnetic structure led by the crystal structure transition. Furthermore, with increasing Nd³⁺ content, the dielectric constant was found to decrease while the dielectric loss was enhanced, which was mainly due to the hoping conduction mechanism with the reduction of oxygen vacancies.     

Characterization of a plasma polymer coating from an organophosphorus silane deposited at atmospheric pressure for fire-retardant purposes

Protective coatings from diethylphosphatoethyltriethoxysilane (DEPETS) have been deposited on different polymer substrates in a plasma discharge operated at atmospheric pressure. Plasma polymer chemistry and structure were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (LDI-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A chemical structure of the plasma polymer has been proposed based on the coating molecular characterization. Coatings were deposited on polycarbonate (PC) and polyamide 6 (PA6) substrates. The flame retardant properties of coated substrate samples were assessed using cone calorimetry and compared to those of bare substrates. A significant increase in the time to ignition (TTI), up to +143%, was recorded after coating deposition due to the formation of a high-performance barrier layer at the surface of both polymer substrates.     

Mechanical damage characterization of glass fiber-reinforced polymer laminates by ultrasonic maps

A method for simultaneous measurement of the thickness and density for Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) laminate plates with ultrasonic waves in C-Scan mode is presented in the form of maps. The method uses three different signals in immersion pulse-echo C-Scan mode. The maps obtained based on the density show the heterogeneity of the material at high resolution at the pixel level (1 × 1 mm²) and therefore they represent an efficient tool to assess and evaluate the damage of the composite structures after manufacturing and after an applied mechanical loading.     

In2O3:Ga and In2O3:P-based one-electrode gas sensors: Comparative study

Gas sensing characteristics of one-electrode sensors based on the In₂O₃ ceramics doped by gallium and phosphorus have been discussed. In₂O₃-based ceramic was prepared by sol–gel technology. Ozone, CO, CH₄ and H₂ were used as tested gases. The doping concentration effect on the sensor parameters such as magnitude of response, operating temperature, response and recovery times, sensitivity to the air humidity, and selectivity have been analyzed. It was shown that In₂O₃ doping by Ga and P could be used for the sensor performance optimization. It was assumed that the appearance of the second phase (InPO₄ and Ga₂O₃) and the change of structural parameters, taking place during doping process, were the main factors controlling the change of operating characteristics in In₂O₃:P and In₂O₃:Ga-based sensors.