Papers by Keyword: Nanofillers

Abstract: Recent interests in hybrid polymers for fuel cell applications have given rise to the exploration, modification, and application of various polymer ionomers. Polymer membranes doped with suitable fillers have improved fuel cell performance compared to the pristine polymers. In this study, three ionomers, PAN, PVP, and PVA were synthesised idividually and then functionalised with zirconium phosphate nanoparticles as membrane nanofillers. The nanofibers were synthesised using the sol-gel polymerisation method from their respective precursors dissolved in either water or DMF solution. This was followed by their subsequent fabrication through the incorporation of the zirconium phosphate nanoparticles, which were synthesised from their precursor salt using the precipitation method. Techniques such as SEM, FTIR, TGA, and XRD were employed to characterise the physiochemical properties of the synthesised polymers. In addition, the electrochemical properties of the synthesised polymers were evaluated using CV and EIS. The obtained results showed that conductive nanofibers were successfully synthesized. As the scan rates increased under cyclic voltammetry, the reduction peak for PVP voltammograms disappeared, and the PAN exhibited an irreversible redox system. It is also noticeable that when scan speeds increase, the oxidation peaks for PAN voltammograms shift to higher potentials. On the other hand, the TGA results indicated that these nanoparticles had excellent thermal stabilities, making them suitable for use in fuel cell membranes under tough conditions. Based on these findings, PAN, PVA, and PVP polymer materials can be used as filler (dopant) materials for fuel cell membranes.

Abstract: To preserve the environment and its resources for future generations, research must focus on alternate methods of producing materials that begin with an environmentally friendly and sustainable source. In view of this, nanosize reinforcing fillers were obtained from date palm agricultural waste without use of any toxic chemicals. Date nanofillers (DNF) with typical filler sizes ranging from 30-110 nm in width and 1-10 mm in length were obtained using rotary mechanical ball milling methods. This filler was then dry blended with the polypropylene (PP) to make a biocomposites thin film to study processability characteristics of this fillers. The loading of this filler was kept in the range of 1-5wt. % and film were melted cast through a slit height of 0.6mm. The resulting PP/DNF biocomposites films were subsequently analyzed by various analytical techniques to established structure property relationship. The change in thermal properties with loading of this filler was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). TGA study showed that the thermal stability of film samples improved up to 20 °C when compared to the neat PP, representing an 8% enhancement. While the DSC measurement indicated that the crystallinity of the highest filler loading sample reduced from 52.89% to 41.79% in comparison to the PP sample. The surface morphology of some samples shows the compact and smooth feature, indicating the incorporation of fiber fillers could improve the structure of polymer. Therefore, study gave some insight into the processing behavior of such composites, which may be useful in some packaging applications.

Abstract: In this study, therefore, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared on account of morphology, particle size and thermal properties of CNTs from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste and polypropylene (PP) using pyrolysis in the presence of Fe/Mn/Al catalyst. A comparison between the produced CNTs and commercially available CNTs was conducted to analyse if any deviations exist between both products. It was discovered that The commercial CNTs properties have similarities with the MWCNTs produced from plastic wastes. These materials were found to differ in purity with 1% error. The structures and morphologies of these materials are comparable as they were found to be crystalline and they revealed lattice fringes. They differ by the planes in the structural orientation. The MWCNTs synthesized from plastic wastes showed low thermal stability as opposed to the commercial CNTs.

Abstract: Modification of polymers by fillers is one of the most used material alterations to improve its required properties. This article is about modification of polymer matrix by fillers with layered particles. Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) was used as matrix and it was mixed with different kinds of fillers. Fillers used were: CaPhP – Calcium Phenylphosphonate, double layered hydroxides (ZnAl-DDS, ZnAl-lac and ZnAl-CO3) and natural Talc. Individual fillers were mixed into the matrix by kneading machine with the use of several velocities. The article focuses on influence of the individual filler on mechanical properties measured by tensile strength test. This paper also investigates the problem of process parameters’ influence on final mechanical properties and later confirms positive impact of all fillers that were used, although the size of them differs.

Abstract: Lithium ion batteries have become a popular power source for portable electronic equipments. It is found to be superior in gravimetric energy density as it provides about 1.5 times more energy compared to nickel hydride battery. In this study, Polyethylene Oxide based polymer electrolytes were used for investigation. PEO based solid polymer electrolyte films were prepared by solution casting technique with different concentration of salt and different %wt of zirconia nanofiller. The X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out for the identification of compounds available in the sample and to determine the relative concentrations by the intensities of pattern lines. Also the superposition of absorption bands of specific functional groups was confirmed with the infra-red spectrum of FTIR. The Complex Impedance Spectroscopy technique was further used to measure the cell admittance / impedance in a wide range of frequencies and analyzed in the complex admittance/ impedance plane. From the impedance test results it is observed that the conductivity of polymer electrolyte was improved from 7.39×10−4 Scm−1 to 5.24×10−3 Scm−1 after adding 3%wt of ZrO₂ nanofiller with pure polymer. Set up of nano Lab is rare, new and uncommon. It is also an emerging technology. Fabrication of powder needs extra machines which are not popular among common people. It will become popular in the coming future. When particle size is reduced, the quantity of powder is reduced, quality is increased.

Abstract: Polymer based insulating dielectric materials have been replaced ceramic dielectric materials in the recent past due to their better electric, thermal and mechanical properties. They are user friendly and can be poured into any shape and size. In this work, room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTVSR) is used as the base insulating material on account of its hydrophobicity and consequent low leakage losses. Further, addition of nanosized fillers into bulk polymers has often been seen to improve their electrical and non-electrical properties. Here, nanosized alumina fillers have been used in the RTVSR matrix. A concentration level of 3% by weight of nanoAlumina (Al₂O₃) is used. Mechanical mixing and ultrasonic mixing are used for reducing the agglomeration of nanofillers. In this work, we study the effect of incorporation of nanofillers into RTVSR on its propensity to tracking and associated degradation. Inclined plane test for erosion (IPT) as per the IEC60587 is performed. To estimate the extent of erosion, SEM and weight loss analysis are also done. Silicone rubber filled with nanosized alumina is seen to have a greater resistance to erosion in comparison to pure silicone rubber.

Abstract: Since discovery of graphene, great attention had been paid to other two dimensional (2D) layered materials. As a graphene-like layered nanomaterial, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) had gained enormous attention from the materials fields which had been widely used in many areas such as solid lubricants, lithium ion batteries, photocatalysts, sensors or as conductive fillers in polymer composites. In this work, MoS₂ nanosheets were incorporated into polymer matrix as nanofillers by three typical preparation methods, including solvent blending, in situ polymerization and melt blending method. The MoS₂ nanosheets were dispersed well in the polymer matrices which improved the thermal stability, mechanical properties and reduced fire hazards of the composites obviously. The improvements in the thermal properties, fire resistance properties and mechanical properties of polymer/MoS₂ nanocomposites were mainly attributed to good dispersion of MoS₂, physical barrier effects of MoS₂ and catalytic char function of MoS₂ nanosheets.

Abstract: Nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (NCPEs) have been playing a considerable role in the development of alternative clean and sustainable energy technologies. This review article summarizes the recent research progress on the synthesis and characterization of NCPEs and its application in lithium ion battery based energy storage devices. First, an introduction on the properties, synthesis strategies and use of NCPEs is briefly given, followed by a state-of-the-art review on the preparation of NCPEs and their electrochemical properties in lithium ion battery (LIB) applications. Finally, the prospects and future challenges of NCPEs for energy storage are discussed

Abstract: In this recent decades, there was a significant growth in the applications of nano technology in the field of electrical and electronics engineering. In this research paper, the estimation of the different types of losses on a normal and nano coated three phase induction motor was done and hence the results were compared with each other. From these researches, it found that the mechanical losses were reduced by 33.33% in the motor after nano coating whereas stator iron losses were reduced by 13.8%. Stator losses were reduced up to 16.7% by coating the windings of the motor with the enamel filled with nano fillers of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ whereas rotor copper losses were high in the nano coated motor. The output mechanical power developed by the normal motor was increased by 39% with the application of the nano fillers to the enamel used for the coatings of the windings of the motor whereas the gross rotor torque was improved by 42%. The power factor of the motor was also improved by nano coating by 15.5%.