Papers by Author: X.B. Zhang

Abstract: Single-wall Carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) bonded with dodecylamine groups were obtained by chemical modification. The modified SWNTs showed improved solubility in organic solvents. Both its chemical and aggregated structure was characterized by means of FTIR and TEM. The photoconductivity of oxotitanium phthalocyanine (TiOPc) doped with the modified SWNTs was investigated by xerographic photoinduced discharge method. The results showed that the photosensitivity of the double-layered photoreceptor composed of the SWNTs/TiOPc composite as charge generation material was higher than that of pristine TiOPc, and the sensitivity increased with the content of modified SWNTs in the composites. It is the photoinduced charge transfer between TiOPc and SWNTs that contributes to the improved photosensitivity of the modified SWNTs/TiOPc composites.

Abstract: Mg and Mg-Ni-based hydrides were mechanically milled with TiO2 nanoparticles to prepare Mg-20 wt.% Mg2Ni0.8Cr0.2-1.5 wt.% TiO2 composite. XRD results showed that the hydrides decomposed partly during ball milling. Under the combined effects of the catalyst of TiO2 nanoparticles, Mg2Ni0.8Cr0.2 alloy and Ni particles precipitated, and the mechanical driving force, the composite showed rapid hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics. The absorption temperatures of the composite were greatly decreased and the rates of hydriding were increased. The composite can absorb 4.6 wt.% H at 373 K within 3 min and desorb 4.33 wt.% H at 573 K within 20 min.

Abstract: CNTs-HDPE composites were prepared by the blend method. SEM was used to investigate the microstructure of the composites. The electrical and tribologic properties of the composites were studied respectively. The experiments showed that the percolation threshold of composites is about 3wt%, which is much lower than that of the carbon black-HDPE composites, and that the temperature-dependent electrical conductivity of composites had the PTC and double NTC characters, being also different from the carbon black-HDPE composites. These results are due to the unique structure and characters of CNTs. The frictional experiments demonstrated that the addition of CNTs would enhance the wear resistance of the composites.

Abstract: GNFs with fish-bone structure were first produced by a simple method. To optimize the growth conditions, different hydrogen treatment of the catalyst, different growth time and growth temperature, as well as different gas flow rate were employed. The effects of these growth conditions on the morphology and yield of GNFs were studied in details. It is found that fish-bone GNFs with high yield and high purity can be produced under the optimized conditions.

Abstract: Bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (BCNTs) have been synthesized by chemical vapor deposition method. The activated BCNTs after simple ball milling and KOH etching are used as polarizable electrodes in electric double layer capacitor (EDLC). Our results show that the specific capacity of BCNTs can be improved by the activation treatment.