Carbon induced phase transformation in electrospun TiO2/multiwall carbon nanotube nanofibers

Nanofibers of titania and composite nanofibers of titania and multiwall carbon nanotubes were synthesized by electrospinning using a sol-gel process combined with activated carbon nanotubes. The relationships of treatment temperature, carbon nanotube content on the crystal phase, fiber morphology, and electric properties are reported. It is found that the rutile phase becomes more prominent at low heat treatment temperatures with an increase of carbon content in nanofibers, be it for higher amount of carbon due to reducing atmosphere or due to an increase in MWCNT. Atmospheric control and lower heat treatment temperatures enable crystalline nanocomposite fibers of anatase where the level of rutile is below the detection limit of XRD or Raman spectroscopy. This work provides a new path to fabricate electrospun TiO₂/MWCNT nanocomposite nanofibers with limited C-induced rutile phase.     

Sintering behaviour of silicon carbide matrix composites reinforced with multilayer graphene

The scope of this paper includes preparation and characterisation of dense silicon carbide matrix composites reinforced with multilayer graphene (MLG). Application of graphene as a reinforcement phase should simultaneously improve mechanical properties of SiC matrix composites and act as one of the sintering activators. In the present work the mechanical properties and the microstructure changes of samples sintered with different additions of graphene (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 wt%) and boron (0.3, 1 and 2 wt%) were examined. The composites were consolidated at two different temperatures (1800 °C and 1900 °C) using the Spark Plasma Sintering method (SPS). Reference samples with the addition of graphite as a source of carbon (1 and 3 wt%) were also sintered in the same conditions. The abovementioned amounts of graphite are an optimal content which is essential to obtain high density of samples [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]. The influence of MLG on density, mechanical properties and phase structure of the sintered samples were investigated. A high rate of densification for the composites with 0.3 wt% of B and 1 wt% of MLG sintered at 1900 °C was observed. Moreover, these composites showed the highest average of microhardness (2663 HV0.5) and single-phase structure.     

Reactive melt infiltrated Cf/SiC composites with robust matrix derived from novel engineered pyrolytic carbon structure

Needle-punched C_f/SiC composites were fabricated by a novel pore tuned reactive melt infiltration (RMI) process. The novel hierarchically porous carbon structure in the fiber preform with the porosity well open to liquid silicon was engineered by impregnation of phenolic resin with addition of a pore former. Neither residual bulk carbon nor residual bulk silicon is detected in the matrix of the C_f/SiC composites prepared by the pore tuned RMI, indicating that a robust matrix with homogenous SiC can be formed. The composite prepared by the pore tuned RMI exhibits a tensile strength of 159±5 MPa, which is 46% higher than that without addition of pore former.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of fungal oil using CO2, N2O,CHF3 and SF6

The extraction of oil from fungi (Mortierella ramanniana var.angulispora) was studied using carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O), trifluoromethane (CHF₃) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) under supercritical conditions. The oil solubility was highest in SC-N₂O followed by SC-CO₂, while both SC-CHF₃ and SC-SF₆ showed poorer solvent power. The recorded oil solubilities at 333 K and 24.5 MPa were 2.3 wt% in N₂O, 0.48 wt% in CO₂, 0.0099 wt% in CHF₃ and 0.0012 wt% in SF₆. The oil solubilities in SC-N₂O and SC-CO₂ were measured over the pressure range 15.7–29.4 MPa and at temperatures ranging from 313–353 K. N₂O always showed greater solvent power than did CO₂ at the same temperature and pressure. The solvent power of a supercritical fluid increases with density at a given temperature, and increases with temperature at constant density. The change in neutral lipid composition of the extracted oil with the extraction ratio was measured. Free fatty acids or diglycerides were extracted more easily than triglycerides or sterol esters. The change in fatty acid composition was also measured. The proportion of γ-linolenic acid in the extract remained constant throughout the extraction.     

ACETYLATED PLANT-FIBER-REINFORCED POLYESTER COMPOSITES: A STUDY OF MECHANICAL,HYGROTHERMAL, AND AGING CHARACTERISTICS

The potential of acetylation of plant fibers to improve the properties of composites was studied. The chemical modification of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), coconut fiber (Coir), oil palm frond (OPF), jute, and flax using noncatalyzed acetic anhydride were investigated. Proof of acetylation was indicated by the increase in weight percent gain (WPG). Acetylation at a reaction temperature of 120°C had resulted in the reduction in the tensile properties (stress, modulus, and elongation at break) of EFB and Coir composites. However, at 100°C, the acetylated samples exhibited improved properties. The mechanical properties of acetylated EFB- and Coir-fiber-reinforced polyester composites was evaluated at different fiber loadings. The tensile strength and modulus were improved, but elongation at break was slightly reduced upon acetylation, particularly at high fiber loading. Impact properties were moderately increased for those composites with fiber loadings up to 45%. Acetylation exhibited a low moisture absorption, comparable with glass-fiber composites. Acetylated EFB and Coir composites showed superior retention of tensile and impact properties after aging in water up to 12 months.     

SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF N,N-BIS(PHOSPHONOMETHYL) GLYCINE AND ZINC IONS IN CORROSION CONTROL OF CARBON STEEL IN COOLING WATER SYSTEMS

A protective film has been developed on the surface of carbon steel in low chloride aqueous environment using a synergistic mixture of an environmentally friendly phosphonic acid, N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl) glycine (BPMG), and zinc ions. Impedance studies of the metal/solution interface indicated that the surface film is highly protective against the corrosion of carbon steel in the chosen environment. Potentiodynamic polarization studies showed that the inhibitor is a mixed inhibitor. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis (XPS) of the film showed the presence of the elements iron, phosphorus, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, and zinc. Deconvolution spectra of these elements in the surface film showed the presence of oxides/hydroxides of iron(III), Zn(OH)₂, and [Zn(II)-BPMG] complex. This inference is further supported by the reflection absorption Fourier transform infrared spectrum of the surface film. Analysis by SEM is presented for both the corroded and protected metal surfaces. Based on all these results, a plausible mechanism of corrosion inhibition is proposed.     

THE SOLUBILITY OF PARAFFINIC HYDROCARBONS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES IN SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE

The solubilities of twenty-five paraffinic model compounds, octadecane (C₁₈H₃₈) through tetracosane (C₂₄H₅₀) and related monofunctional derivatives, were measured in supercritical carbon dioxide at 310 and 320 K. The derivatives included sulfides, amines, phosphines, ketones and other functional groups. Several of the solutes were liquids at the extraction temperatures and pressures, and both liquid and fluid phase binary composition data are reported in some cases. A systematic attempt was made to explore how the presence of a particular functional group on the solute molecule affected the solubility of the compound relative to the parent hydrocarbon of equivalent chain length.     

Enhancing hygrothermal resistance of aeronautical carbon fabric/epoxy composites via air plasma processing

Air plasma processing is introduced as a surface modification technique for carbon fibers to enhance the hygrothermal resistance of carbon fabric/epoxy composites. On carbon fiber surface subjected to 4-min plasma processing, there are 37.6% of carbon species present as –C–O–C groups and 9.3% of carbon species as –COOH groups. The moisture adsorption behavior of composites can be described by Fick’s law. Increase in temperature accelerates the initial moisture adsorption rate and results in a higher diffusion coefficient. The decreasing interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of composites is mainly ascribed to the loss of adhesion at the fiber/matrix interface. A lower equilibrium moisture content of composites is caused by air plasma processing, which leads to the improved interfacial bonding strength and the higher retention rate of ILSS of carbon fabric/epoxy composites. The interface sensitivity and temperature dependence of moisture adsorption for carbon fabric/epoxy composites are discussed. The results presented herein demonstrate an effective strategy for enhancing hygrothermal resistance of carbon fiber-reinforced composites.     

掺铁氧体和SiC纤维水泥基复合材料的吸波性能

用溶胶凝胶法制备了W型Ba(Zn1-χCoχ)2Fe16O27六方铁氧体,并以铁氧体和短切SiC纤维与水泥复合,制备了水泥基复合材料.测量了该材料的电磁参数,并计算了该材料对电磁波的反射率.结果表明:χ为0.8时,W型Ba(Zn1-χCoχ)2Fe16O27六方铁氧体的吸波性能最好,该铁氧体的掺量(质量分数)为35%和短切SiC纤维掺量(质量分数)为0.2%时,水泥基复合材料在12～18GHz范围内具有最大反射率-13.5dB,有效带宽达到4.7GHz.     

碳纤维复合材料卫星天线的研制

通过对不同模量碳纤维的选择，研制了碳纤维复合材料卫星天线，经过机械性能、电性能和空间环境等试验考核，表明：这种新型复合材料卫星天线在卫星减重方面与传统铝合金天线相比具有很大的优势。