Papers by Keyword: Solvolysis

Abstract: Carbon fibre (CF) is widely used in CF reinforced plastic (CFRP) components. However, waste CF, CFRP and the end-of-life (EOL) CFRP structures will cause an even bigger problem in the next years because of strict environmental regulations. Currently, recycling is carried out almost entirely by the use of pyrolysis to regain CF as a valuable resource. This high temperature process is very energy consuming and the resulting fibres are brittle. Hence, not suitable for textile processing into yarns or fabrics. To enable a grave to cradle circle, a new approach based on a solvolytic recovery of CF and the subsequent spinning process to obtain a hybrid yarn suitable for weft knitting processing is the focus of the international research project IGF/CORNET 256EBR “3D-r-CFRP”.

Abstract: Solvolytic sol-gel synthesis was applied for the low temperature production of photoelectrode for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). In this study, commercial TiO₂ standard (Degussa P25) was used as the main component in the preparation of photoelectrode film. Addition of TiO₂ gel prepared from a solvolytic sol-gel method reduced cracking in the dry film while still maintains porosity. Further modification by simply adding hydrofluoric acid (HF) and ammonia (NH₃) increase porosity and improve interconnection between fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) layer on the substrate and the coated TiO₂ layer even under low temperature baking condition (<150°C). The modified TiO₂ electrode showed significantly better electrical and electrochemical properties. Furthermore, the DSSC cell with modified TiO₂ film also showed higher cell efficiency when compared with the controlled cell that used only Degussa P25.

Abstract: Organically-modified silica xerogels from 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTES) and 3-isocyanatepropyltriethoxysilane (ICPTES) have been synthesized through carboxylic acid (formic acid, acetic acid and valeric acid) solvolysis. The resulting hybrid materials have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, mid-infrared spectroscopy, 29Si and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results show that urea cross-links have been formed in these hybrids. The luminescence features depend on the selected carboxylic acids. For example, comparatively to the hybrids derived from formic and acetic acid solvolysis, valeric acid shows a red-shift of the emission features.