Papers by Keyword: Functionalisation

Abstract: Continuous fibre reinforcements in thermoplastic composites require an enhanced adhesion to the matrix component, in order to effectively divert external forces from the matrix. Therefore different silanes as adhesion promoters are used as a part of the sizing. They operate as a connector to the matrix component. These silanes affect the sliding properties of the sizing during the production of the glass filaments in a negative way, in which case the proportion of the adhesion promoter in the sizing must be kept at a low level in order to maintain the processing speed in the textile production process. With the immersion bath method, it was examined whether the treatment of the surface of textile fabric after the textile production process with a silane-containing aqueous solution could solve these problems. Different silane concentrations and solvents were considered. After drying the textiles were processed during a two-step pressing process directly into a multi-layer organic sheet with a textile-based polypropylene matrix. The successful layering of the adhesion promoter on the glass fibre surface was verified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. With thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the thermal resistance of the adhesion-promoting layer for the subsequent pressing process could be shown. In order to examine the influence of the layer on the fibre/matrix adhesion within the composites, the Young’s modulus and flexural modulus of the composite panels were determined. Impact experiments were made to measure the required penetration energy and the energy absorption capacity of the composite panels. An optimum for the amount of adhesion promoter could be found. Exceeding the optimum amount of adhesion promoter in the solution led to a decrease in the mechanical properties of the composite.

Abstract: Chemically functionalized muliti-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/vinyl ester resin (VE) nanocomposites were prepared. MWCNTs were first treated by H₂SO₄/HNO₃ acid mixture, and then carboxylated MWCNTs were grafted of methacrylic acid glycidyl ester (GMA). Raman microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses proved the effectivenss of acid-treatment and chemical functionalization. Furthermore, chemical functionalization did not greatly disrupt carbon nanotubes structure and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that there was a GMA thin layer on the MWCNTs surface, which contributes to the homogenous dispersion of MWCNTs in vinyl ester resin matrix and the CNTs-VE interfacial interaction. Thus the nanocomposites containing MWCNT-GMA possess larger storage modulus values as well as higher glass transition temperatures (Tg).

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have excellent mechanical and electrical properties than conventional materials (carbon black and glass fibers), and are promising candidates as reinforcement material for composites. Formation of electrical conductive with effective dispersion of filler remains a main challenge in the polymer matrix and fillers in order to achieve a good electrical conductivity. Therefore, one of the solutions is to functionalize through wet oxidation of the CNTs besides adding surfactants or assisted liquids. Functionalization of CNTs involves the generation of chemical moieties on their surface that can improve the solubility and processibility. Any functionalization that is undertaken must preferably not influence other key properties such as strength and electrical conductivity of the nano-composite. The matrix used in this study was epoxy and reinforcement filler was multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). MWCNTs were treated with sulfuric acid and nitric acid at 3:1 (v/v) ratio. The present of functional groups on CNTS were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR). Different weight percentages of MWCNTs (functionalized and as produced) / epoxy composite were prepared. The electrical conductivity of functionalized MWCNTs nanocomposites and as produced MWCNTs nanocomposites were measured by the four point probe. Dispersion state of CNTs in epoxy matrix was observed on fractured surface by scanning electron microscopic. Functionalized CNTs gave better dispersion stability in solvents than non-functionalized CNTs. As expected, non- functionalized CNTs (as produced MWCNTs) are not dispersed at all in all the solvents. However, functionalized CNTs composites give low electrical conductivity. Defects from acid treatment are assumed will damage the original chirality of as produced CNTs and give unbalance polarization on the CNTs, which are the reasons for no formation of conductive pathway networks of acid treated CNTs under electric field.

Abstract: Chemical modified silica fume by polyaniline was studied as a sorbent for removal of chromium (VI) determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometer. TEM analysis confirmed that the mean diameter of silica fume before and after treatment was of the order of 120 nm. The functionalized nanoparticles showed an extremely high efficiency towards chromium (VI) in the pH range of 4-5. Adsorption of chromium (VI) from water using functionalized silica fume was both a simple and efficient approach compared to the traditional adsorbents from the angle of integrated utilization of the secondary resources.

Abstract: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized with a carboxyl group (-COOH) to improve their dispersion in a nylon6 (PA6) matrix, a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and their blend. This functionalized MWCNTs also achieved better interfacial adhesions with both polymer matrices and with both phases in the blend. The dispersion of MWCNT-COOH in the polymer matrices and their interfacial interactions with polymer molecules were found to be the most important factors affecting the properties of composites. Moreover, studies on morphological, rheological, and mechanical properties confirmed that a better miscibility between PA6 and LCP had been constituted in the presence of MWCNT-COOH. Therefore, it is observed that the functionalized MWCNTs not only played the traditional role as reinforcing fillers in the polymer matrices, but also performed a novel role as compatibilizers for their blend.

Abstract: The present work deals with the functionalization of graphene sheet and preparation of functionalized graphene/linier low density polyethylene (LLDPE) nanocomposites by solution-mix techniques. Dodecyl amine (DA) has been used for the surface modification of graphene oxide (GO) and hydrazine as reducing agent. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra exhibits the appearance of new peaks in the functionalized graphene (DA-G), which suggests the functionalization of graphene by DA. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis infers the formation of fully exfoliated DA-G/LLDPE nanocomposites. The tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB) of the composites are higher in comparison to neat LLDPE. The nanocomposites with only 0.5 wt.% of DA-G content results in TS and EB to be 17% and 10% higher compared to neat LLDPE. TGA shows that the thermal stability of the DA-G/LLDPE nanocomposites is higher compared to pure matrix polymer.

Abstract: Functional poly(L-lactide) (PLLA-OH) containing vinyl groups as well as hydroxyl end groups was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP), using stannous octanoate as the catalyst and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as the initiator. The structure of the obtained PLLA-OH was characterized using both Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, while their crystallinities and thermo behavior were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), separately. The best condition for the ROP of the studied PLLA-OH was found with the polymerization temperature of T= 145 °C, the weight percent of the catalyst of 0.03 wt%, the ROP duration of 48 h and the L-lactide/initiator molar ratio of 100/1.

Abstract: Though hydroxyapatite has the ability to promote bone growing, devices based on OHAp are mechanically weak and need to be reinforced for load bearing applications or in the manufacturing of scaffolds for bone regeneration. Graphite (Gr) could provide appropriate reinforcement properties to OHAp without being deleterious for the biocompatibility of the system. This paper describes an accelerated synthesis of the OHAp with ultrasonic agitation in the presence of functionalized graphite (GO). The toxicity of the Graphite and the GO-OHAp system is evaluated. GO-OHAp was produced by a wet chemical reaction involving CaCl2 and Na2HPO4. The calcium salt solution was added first and the solution sonicated for 1 hour, before repeating the operation with the phosphate solution. Biocompatibility was tested by using a primary cell culture of HOB (ECCAC). The disappearance of the maximum at 2q = 26.32º corresponding to the d002 plane of graphite and the appearance of the maximum at 2q = 13.2º in the XRD patterns is related with an expansion of the grapheme sheets from 0.34 nm to 0.59 nm and it has been used to assess the graphite oxidation. The OHAP on GO growing has been confirmed by the appearance of a broad peak centred at 2q = 31.5º and a sharpened peak at 2q = 26.0º characteristic of low crystalline apatites. Although the employed graphite can be considered biocompatible, cellular viability is significantly improved by the presence of apatite.

Abstract: Two different glasses, one biocompatible but with a low bioactivity index (G1) and the other with an higher bioactivity index (G2), the ceramic version of the second glass and a titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) have been functionalizated by anchoring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) on their surfaces. The enzyme has been chosen because it is involved in mineralization processes of hard tissues and is a model for more complex ones. ALP has been grafted on glasses and glass-ceramics surfaces both with and without samples silanization and on metallic surfaces with and without tresyl chloride activation. Samples have been analyzed at each step of the functionalization process in order to verify it.

Abstract: Owing to their exceptional stiffness, strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, carbon nanotubes have the potential for the development of nano composites materials for a wide variety of applications. In order to achieve the full potential of carbon nanotubes for structural, thermal and electrical multifunctional applications, both single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), double wall nanotubes (DWNTs) and multi wall nanotubes (MWNTs) need to be developed into fully integrated carbon nanotube composites. Full integration of nanotubes requires their development beyond conventional composites so that the level of the non-nanotube material is designed to integrate fully with the amount of nanotubes and where the nanotubes are part of the matrix rather than a differing component, as in the case of conventional composites. In order to advance the development of multifunctional materials from nanotubes, this research is focused on the simultaneous control of structural properties, thermal and electrical conductivity of fully integrated carbon nanotube composites. These are hybrid material systems designed to surpass the limits of rule of mixtures engineering and composite design. The goals are to implement designs to fully mimic the properties of carbon nanotubes on larger scales for enhanced thermal and electrical management in addition to controlled strength and toughness. These new approaches involve, functionalization, dispersion, stabilization, alignment, polymerization and reaction bonding, in order to achieve full integration. Typical examples of polymeric and ceramic matrices, as well as other material systems are presented and discussed.