Characterization of conducting poly(3‐methylthiophene) films prepared under sono‐electrochemical conditions

Poly(3‐methlthiophene) films were prepared under “silent” and “sono‐electrochemical” potentiostatic (SEP) conditions. A three‐electrode one‐compartment sono‐cell was used with a working platinum disc electrode. The sono‐electrochemically formed polymer films were deposited with different working electrode‐to‐horn distances. The composition, electrochemical, spectroscopic, and morphological characteristics of the resulting polymer films were determined. Elemental analysis, FTIR‐spectra, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data proved that the polymer films prepared under SEP conditions have predominant α‐α′‐couplings between the 3MT units, and the aromatic ring integrity is maintained in the film. Scanning electron microscopy showed that those films are more compact and less porous compared to the films prepared under silent conditions. The use of sono‐irradiation during electropolymerization enhanced the diffusion of the monomer units towards the electrode surface and resulted in relatively less doped polymers with less conductivity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data for films prepared under silent and SEP conditions were collected in a monomer‐free solution. The results show that the impedance of SEP films is relatively higher than those prepared under silent conditions, and a combination of charge transfer kinetics with diffusion‐controlled conduction mechanism within the films. The diffusion was found to be a function of the porosity of the film. Conductivity measurements are in good agreement with EIS, elemental analysis, and XPS data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 2416–2425, 2006     

Interfacial shear strength of C/C composites

Fiber-bundle push-out, single-fiber push-in, and single-fiber push-out tests were conducted in order to examine the applicability of these methods for determining the interfacial shear strength of carbon-carbon composites. The fiber-bundle push-out test resulted mostly in fractures along the fiber/matrix interface but created a small amount of fractures in the matrix. Hence, the evaluated strength was regarded as an approximate value. In order to precisely evaluate the interfacial strength, push-in and push-out tests for a single fiber were performed using a micro-Vickers indentation tester. In these tests, the load has to be placed within a target fiber, and the indentation should not extend to the matrix. This condition restricted the load that could be applied to a carbon fiber. Within this limit, a single carbon fiber could not be pushed-in. For the sake of load reduction, single-fiber push-out tests were conducted using thin specimens. The thickness appropriate for a single-fiber push-out specimen was estimated based on the interfacial shear strength obtained by the bundle push-out tests. Below this thickness, single-fiber push-out tests could be successfully performed.     

Static and dynamic behaviour of recycled tyre rubber-filled concrete

The paper summarises the experimental results of mechanical behaviour under static and dynamic loads of specimens made of concrete filled with small volumetric fractions of crushed tyre rubber and polypropylene short fibres, at 7 and 28 days. The experimental results are compared with results of concrete specimens of similar features without fibres or tyre. The results of a microscopic study (SEM) of the interface cement-rubber fiber are included in order to analyze their compatibility. Compression, indirect tension and bending static tests and compression dynamic tests have been performed. The results of the dynamic tests have been used to calculate the complex modulus and the capacity of this material to dissipate elastic energy due to low-frequency dynamic actions.     

Effect of Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, or Zn2+ on properties of polyaniline nanoparticles

Uniform polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles with typical sizes of about 50 nm were electropolymerized on indium tin oxide surfaces in the presence of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, or Zn²⁺. According to shaping theory, we first suggest the reason forming PANI spherical particles. Their conductivity, UV‐vis spectra, FTIR spectra, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis were investigated. The conductivities and crystallinity of PANI doped with these ions are higher than those of PANI doped with HCl (PANI/HCl). Both UV‐vis absorption spectra and FTIR spectra indicate the interactions between Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, or Zn²⁺ and PANI chains. TG analysis also shows that the thermal stability of PANI doped by Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, or Zn²⁺ is lower than that of PANI/HCl. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

The effect of various slaked limes on the microstructure of a lime-cement-sand mortar

The present work aims to provide a better understanding of the effect of both the proportions and the characteristics of slaked lime on the microstructure of a lime-cement-sand mortar. Cement (CPA CEM I 52.5) has been replaced by various categories of slaked lime chosen for the diversity of their physico-chemical characteristics.Cement has been replaced by lime in proportions varying between 0 to 10% of the total binder mass. With very few exceptions, mortars were produced by maintaining the quantity of water constant.Experimental results show that it is necessary to have a high lime substitution percentage to influence the microstructure of the mortar, except in the case of a lime containing magnesium hydroxide or calcic lime featuring sizeable specific surface area.The influence of the nature of the substituted lime on the development of the microstructure in the matrix has been examined by SEM observations of the mortar micro porosity.     

Removal of phosphate from wastewaters

Gas concrete waste was used to remove phosphate from aqueous solutions in this study. The influence of suspension pH, temperature, mixing rate, and gas concrete dosage on phosphate removal was investigated by conducting a series of batch adsorption experiments. In addition, the yield and mechanisms of phosphate removal were explained on the basis of the results of X-ray spectroscopy, measurements of zeta potential of particles, both values of BET-N₂ specific surface area, and images of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the particles before and after adsorption. In this study, phosphate removal in excess of 99% was obtained and it was concluded that wastes of gas concrete are an efficient adsorbent for the removal of phosphate. The removal of phosphate predominantly takes place by precipitation mechanism and the weak physical interactions between the surface of adsorbent and the metallic salts of phosphate.     

Experimental research and prediction of the effect of chemical and biogenic sulfuric acid on different types of commercially produced concrete sewer pipes

New equipment and procedures for chemical and microbiological tests, simulating biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion in sewerage systems, are presented. Subsequent steps of immersion and drying, combined with mechanical abrasion, were applied to simulate events occurring in sewer systems. Both chemical and microbiological tests showed that the aggregate type had the largest effect on degradation. Concrete with limestone aggregates showed a smaller degradation depth than did the concrete with inert aggregates. The limestone aggregates locally created a buffering environment, protecting the cement paste. This was confirmed by microscopic analysis of the eroded surfaces. The production method of concrete pipes influenced durability through its effect on W/C ratio and water absorption values. In the microbiological tests, HSR Portland cement concrete performed slightly better than did the slag cement concrete. A possible explanation can be a more rapid colonisation by microorganisms of the surface of slag cement samples. A new method for degradation prediction was suggested based on the parameters alkalinity and water absorption (as a measure for concrete porosity).     

Internal deterioration of concrete by the oxidation of pyrrhotitic aggregates

This paper presents research results on the causes of a severe concrete deterioration, which occurred in many building foundations approximately 2 years after construction. Concrete samples were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a petrographic examination performed with a stereomicroscope. It was found that the early cracking of concrete stemmed from the oxidation of the pyrrhotite found in the anorthosite aggregates used to produce the concrete. The oxidation process led to the precipitation of iron hydroxides having a higher volume than the original pyrrhotite does. The presence of micas (biotite) close to the pyrrhotite seemed to promote and accelerate the oxidation process.     

焦炭颗粒的粒度分布及其微观结构研究

焦炭颗粒是生产碳石墨制品的主要原料，它的粒度组成、分布及其微观结构不仅对碳石墨制品的机械性能和理化性能有一定的影响，而且还直接影响到各生产工序的成品率．为此，主要对粉碎后几种焦炭颗粒的粒度组成、分布及其微观结构进行了研究．并通过分析，确立了焦炭颗粒的粒度组成及其分布规律与粉碎方式和焦炭强度之间的内在关系．     

Sulfate attack of concrete building foundations induced by sewage waters

A case history of a severe degradation of concrete foundation plinths and piers of an about-35-year-old building located in Northern Italy is described. Significant amounts of gypsum, near ettringite and/or thaumasite were detected by X-ray diffraction analyses performed on ground concrete samples. Large gypsum crystals were mainly located at the interface between the cement paste and aggregates, as observed by scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy-dispersive spectroscopy microanalysis. The degradation effects increased with decreasing the distance of concrete structures from an absorbing well located in the courtyard of the building. The well was recognized as the sulfate source due to the microorganism metabolism of sulfur compounds present in the sewage. Consequences of this attack were a very poor bond strength between cement paste and aggregates and a severe cracking of the concrete cover of the steel reinforcement.