Advanced Materials Research Vol. 664

Abstract: TerraZyme as an enzymatic soil stabilizer was used in this research. The stabilized soil was mixed with TerraZyme in proper proportion to determine the relationship of unconfined compression strength and microstructure caused by the introduction of TerraZyme. The experimental results show that the unconfined compressive strength of stabilized soil with TerraZyme added is higher than that without TerraZyme. The micrographs of scanning election microscopy (SEM) indicate that the microstructure of the stabilized soil sample with TerraZyme added is denser than that without TerraZyme. This is because the particles of stabilized soil sample treated with TerraZyme are more coarse and blocky than those untreated with TerraZyme. The stabilized soil is with fewer pores than that without TerraZyme. This kind of compact microstructure should be the basis of higher unconfined compressive strength of stabilized soil with TerraZyme added.

Abstract: Presently composites made up of either both the binder and the reinforcing fibers are synthetic or either one of the material is natural or synthetic. In the present study coagulum (dried latex) of Euphorbia royleana has been used for replacing polyester resin as a natural binder in polyester banana fiber composite. The influence of different volume fraction of the coagulum in the composite is studied. It is observed that with the increase in the coagulum fraction, the flexural property of the polyester banana fiber composite increases. The flexural strength increase by 25% and flexural modulus by 15% at 40% of coagulum weight fraction. This study presents the possibility of preparation of composites using coagulum of Euphorbia latex. The developed composite may be used in partition walls, roof tiles, interior linings of automobiles, etc as wood substitute.

Abstract: An in-house constructed Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) facility was used in this study to facilitate the surface chemistry improvement on High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) sheets and allow an increase in adhesion of copper thin films on HDPE sheets. The material’s wet ability and polymer-metal adhesive strength are compared before and after plasma treatment to understand the creation and rearrangement of the functional groups present on the surface of H₂ and O₂ ion irradiated HDPE sheets. Results showed the detection of O-H, C≡C, C═C and C-O bonds on the surface of the irradiated samples. H₂ ion irradiated sheets, however, showed no surface chemical functionality changes.

Abstract: Anodization of Ti-6Al-4V is crucial for dental implants because it promotes the roughness, chemical species and hydrophilicity of the surface that leads to its biocompatibility. The anodized film was prepared by the galvanostatic method at a low current density in either 1 M H₃PO₄ or 1 M NaOH as the electrolyte. The as-anodized film showed a significant decrease in the water contact angle, likely to be due to an increased surface roughness (as revealed by scanning electron and atomic force microcopy) and change in the surface species (as revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS). XPS analyses confirmed that the Ti2p spectra scarcely changed while the O1s spectra significantly changed due to Ti-OH bonding. Moreover, the O/Ti ratio of the as-anodized film was increased. The results suggest that anodization by the galvanostatic method at a low current density in 1 M H₃PO₄ or 1 M NaOH could enhance the surface roughness and chemical surface species, and that both are likely to be important factors for enhancing the hydrophilicity of the anodized films.

Abstract: Sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s (SPAES) with different sulfonation degree (DS) were synthesized through aromatic nucleophilic substitution polymerization, and subsequently used to prepare ultrafiltration membranes by the phase inversion method. The performance and morphological structures of the prepared SPAES membranes were investigated and evaluated for ultrafiltration applications. With DS of 3%, the prepared ultrafiltration membrane showed the largest water permeability with bovine serum albumin rejection over 99%.

Abstract: The significance of catalytic conversion on Methane was summarized, the methods and mechanism of catalytic partial oxidation on Methane were elaborated, and the advance in catalyst application on Methane in the process of catalytic conversion was discussed and summarized.

Abstract: According to compressor working conditions and compressor lubrication performance requirements in this paper. It use a polyether and dioctyl sebacate as the base oil, and adding a variety of functions of composite additive deployment, Develop a kind of a compressor oil used on compressing and filling sulphur dioxide (SO₂) in the supercritical condition. Experiments show that the developed compressor oil not only meets the performance requirements of compress and filling SO₂ in supercritical condition, but also has a very strong adaptability condition.

Abstract: Among several hydrogen storage methods for application in fuel cells, on-board hydrogen generation using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄; a chemical hydride) for application in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells can be considered as a low-weight method for portable applications. In this paper, an integrated continuous-flow system for on-demand hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis reaction of the NaBH₄ solution in the presence of a low-cost catalyst is proposed. By using the prepared non-noble Co(NO₃)₂ on porous alpha-alumina support, as catalyst, the cost of the catalyst has cut down considerably. Up to 15 SLPM high-purity hydrogen gas is expected to be generated by this system to supply to a 1 kW-scale proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack (H₂-air, 40% efficiency).

Abstract: In this study, local pottery stone (PTS) was hydrothermal treated with 2 M of NaOH at different reaction temperatures (60, 80 and 120°C) and times (8, 12 and 24 h) in a Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave in order to synthesize analcime fine powders. All the as-prepared samples were characterized for their phase composition and morphology using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The results showed that under the conditions investigated, pure analcime could be obtained only at 120°C for all synthesis durations. The analcime microcrystalline particles exhibit isometric trapezohedron or deltoidal icositetrahedron morphology with narrow size distribution from 8 to 14 µm.

Abstract: Advanced engineering ceramics have been widely used in modern industry due to their excellent physical and chemical properties. However, they are difficult to machine due to their high hardness and brittleness. End electrical discharge milling and mechanical grinding compound machining method is employed to machine SiC ceramic in this paper. The process is able to effectively machine a large surface area on SiC ceramic. Furthermore, the tool for the compound machining of SiC ceramic is designed based on the goal of the higher material removal rate, the lower tool wear, and the better machined surface quality. The results show that with the designed tool for the compound machining, the higher material removal rate, the lower tool wear, and the better machined surface quality can be obtained.