Photocatalytic performance of TiO2/V2O5 nanocomposite powder prepared by DC arc plasma

TiO₂/V₂O₅ nanocomposite powder was synthesized by the DC arc plasma, and its photocatalytic activity was examined by decompositions of Rhodamine B solution and toluene gas. In the synthesis of TiO₂/V₂O₅ nanocomposite powder, TiCl₄ and VOCl₃ precursors were introduced into thermal plasma flame with argon carrier gases through separated two gas bubblers. They were decomposed by Ar–N₂ thermal plasma generating Ti and V vapors, followed by the formation of oxides with the injection of additional oxygen into a plasma reactor. Nanocomposite composed of relatively small size V₂O₅ nanoparticles on a spherical TiO₂ nanoparticle which was about 250 nm in diameter was identified by X-ray diffractometry, electronic microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy when the ratio of carrier gas flow rates for TiCl₄ to VOCl₃ was 1:4 or 1:5. In ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, the absorbed wavelength of light for synthesized TiO₂/V₂O₅ nanocomposite powder was wider than that for commercially available TiO₂ nanopowder. Therefore, Rhodamine B solution exposed to visible light was decomposed by TiO₂/V₂O₅ nanocomposite, whereas it was not decomposed by TiO₂ nanopowder. In addition, toluene decomposition in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor was carried out with nano-sized photocatalysts of TiO₂ nanopowder and TiO₂/V₂O₅ nanocomposite. Relatively higher removal rate of toluene was found in the case of TiO₂/V₂O₅ nanocomposite in virtue of improved photocatalytic performance.     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the Ba0.92Ca0.08Ti0.95Zr0.05O3 thin films grown on different substrate

Lead free Ba_0.92Ca_0.08Ti_0.95Zr_0.05O₃ (BCZT) thin films were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si and LaNiO₃(LNO)/Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrates by a sol–gel processing technique, respectively. The effects of substrate on structure, dielectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated in detail. The BCZT thin films deposited on LNO/Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrates exhibit (100) orientation, larger grain size and higher dielectric tunability (64%). The BCZT thin films deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si exhibit (110) orientation, higher Curie temperature (75 °C), better piezoelectric property (d₃₃ of 50 pm/V) and lower dielectric loss (0.02). The differences in dielectric and piezoelectric properties in the two kinds of oriented BCZT films should be attributed to the difference of structure, in-plane stress and polarization rotation in orientation engineered BCZT films.     

Polyaniline/LiNi0.5La0.08Fe1.92O4 Nanocomposite: A Study of Dielectric and Electric Modulus Spectroscopy

Polyaniline(PANI)/LiNi_0.5La_0.08Fe_1.92O₄ nanocomposite was synthesized by an in situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of LiNi_0.5La_0.08Fe_1.92O₄ nanoparticles. The dielectric properties of a PANI/LiNi_0.5La_0.08Fe_1.92O₄ (10 wt% weight ratio of LiNi_0.5La_0.08Fe_1.92O₄ to aniline monomer) nanocomposite were investigated in the frequency range of 10⁶–10⁹ Hz. The dielectric constant (?′) and dielectric loss (?″) were frequency dependent, having relatively high values at low frequency and decreasing with increasing frequency. The values of ?′ and ?″ of PANI/LiNi_0.5La_0.08Fe_1.92O₄ nanocomposite were found to be lower than those of the pristine PANI. Electric modulus analysis was carried out to understand the electrical relaxation process.     

Curing behavior and physical properties of an epoxy nanocomposite with amine-functionalized graphene nanoplatelets

Amine-functionalized graphene nanoplatelets (AGNPs) were prepared via an easy simple one-step process, treating graphite powder with 4-aminobenzoic acid in polyphosphoric acid, and then the effects of the AGNPs on the curing and physical properties of an epoxy resin were studied. The formation of the AGNPs was confirmed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analyzer. Curing behavior of the epoxy/AGNPs nanocomposite was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter. The AGNPs made the epoxide curing reaction with amine groups slightly faster. The physical properties of the epoxy/AGNPs nanocomposite were investigated by dynamic mechanical analyzer, thermomechanical analyzer, and impact test. The AGNPs improved T_g by 21.4 °C, and storage modulus and impact strength of the epoxy resin 23 and 73%, respectively, much more effective than the graphite powder at the same filler loading of 1 phr. SEM images for the fracture surfaces of the epoxy/AGNPs nanocomposite showed improved interfacial bonding between the epoxy matrix and the nanofillers due to the amine functional groups of the AGNPs.     

Effects of different parameters on thermal and mechanical properties of aminated graphene/epoxy nanocomposites connected by covalent: A molecular dynamics study

This paper is devoted to studying the thermal and mechanical properties of aminated graphene (AG)/epoxy nanocomposites connected by covalent bond using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The effects of crosslinking degree, mass fraction and functionalized graphene (FG) type on AG/epoxy nanocomposites are considered. The elasticity modulus (E), the glass transition temperature (T_g), the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the interfacial energy (E_int) are also investigated. The MD simulation results indicate that, when the mass fraction of AG is between 1.2% and 3.1% and crosslinking degree reaches about 70%, the E, T_g, E_int and CTE of AG/epoxy nanocomposites are significantly improved compared with those of pure epoxy and graphene/epoxy nanocomposites. The reason is that AG not only possesses some excellent thermodynamic properties of graphene, but also has the function of curing agent to crosslink with epoxy monomer to form the carbon-nitrogen (C–N) covalent bond. A better interfacial interaction between nanoparticles and epoxy is essential in enhancing the thermal and mechanical properties of nanocomposite materials, which will provide a microscopic theoretical basis for the study of epoxy nanocomposites.     

Preparation and characterization of semiconductor GNR-CNT nanocomposite and its application in FET

So far, little is known about the experimental potential of graphene nanoribbon-carbon nanotube (GNR-CNT) heterostructure as a semiconductor nanocomposite. The present work examined the structural features, topography and electronic properties of GNR-CNT nanocomposite by using Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STS). The homogenous semiconductor GNR-CNT nanocomposites were produced under optimized synthesis conditions. The narrow band gap was exhibited by optimization of the reduction step. The STS of the micro-scale surface of the nanocomposite shows local density of state in selected areas that represent the 0.08 eV band gap of a homogenous nanocomposite. The potential of the semiconductor nanocomposite was considered for application in stacked graphene nanoribbon-field effect transistors (SGNR-FETs). A simple method of device fabrication is proposed based on a semiconductor stacked GNR nanocomposite. The high hole mobility and rectifying effect of the p–n junction of the SGNR nanocomposite on TiO₂ are demonstrated. The optimal thickness for the back gate TiO₂ dielectric for the tested devices was 40 nm. This thickness decreased leakage current at the p–n junction of the SGNR/TiO₂ interface, which is promising heterojunction for optoelectronics. The thickness of gate dielectric and quantum capacitance of the gate was investigated at the low 40 nm thickness by calculating the mobility. In the proposed SGNR-FET, holes dominate electrical transport with a high mobility of about 1030 cm²/V s.     

Enhanced dielectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride with addition of SnO2 nanoparticles

In this letter, SnO₂/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites with outstanding dielectric properties were fabricated. The SEM and TEM images showed that SnO₂ nanoparticles with size of 5–7 nm dispersed homogeneously in polymer matrix. The significantly improved dielectric constant was well explained by percolation theory. The nanocompo‐ sites can retain a certain value of breakdown field. The maximum energy density of SnO₂/PVDF nanocomposites was 5.4 J/cm³, two times that of the pure polyvinylidene fluoride. These findings suggest that SnO₂/PVDF nanocomposites are suitable candidates for energy storage applications. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optical and dielectric properties of nanocomposites systems based on epoxy resins and reactive polyhedral oligosilsquioxanes

An epoxy network structure made of diglycidylether of bisphenol-A and diamino diphenylsulfone was modified by adding various amounts of an epoxy functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized in terms of optical and dielectric properties. The UV-absorption spectra were collected in the wavelength range of 400–800 nm. The optical data were analyzed in terms of absorption formula for non-crystalline materials. The optical energy gap and other basic constants, such as energy tails, dielectric constants, refractive index and optical conductivity, were determined and showed a clear dependence on the POSS concentration. It was found that the optical energy gap for the neat epoxy resin is less than for nanocomposites, and it decreases with increase in the POSS content. The refractive index of nanocomposites was determined from the calculated values of absorption and reflectance. It was found that the refractive index and the dielectric constants increased with increase in the POSS concentration. The optical conductivity, which is a measure of the optical absorption, increased with the POSS content. Furthermore, it was found that the glass transition temperature and the optical energy gap correlate well with the POSS filler concentration.     

等离子体介质阻挡放电氟化改性环氧树脂的时效性

等离子体对材料的改性效果随放置时间会有所减弱,即表现出一定的时效性,限制了等离子体改性技术的进一步发展。为了探究等离子体介质阻挡放电（DBD）氟化改性环氧树脂的时效性,利用等离子体介质阻挡放电实现了环氧树脂表面氟化改性,并利用扫描电镜（SEM）、表面轮廓仪、X射线光电子能谱分析（XPS）、接触角测试仪、高阻计和闪络电压、表面电位测试系统对改性前和改性后放置在25 ℃老化箱中0～30 d的环氧树脂表面进行了物理形貌和化学组分的表征以及电气性能的测试。测试结果表明,DBD氟化改性实现了氟元素在环氧树脂表面接枝,这使得环氧树脂表面能降低,表面电阻率减小,陷阱能级变浅,从而加快了表面电位衰减速度,进而提升了沿面闪络电压。同时,等离子体DBD氟化改性环氧树脂表现出一定的时效性,放置30 d后,氟元素含量减少,表面能增大,表面电位衰减速度略有减慢,闪络电压也有所下降,但仍高于未处理的试样。     

Functionalization of carbon nanofibers with elastomeric block copolymer using carbodiimide chemistry

Surface functionalization of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with aminopropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane [(PDMS-NH₂)] and other organic diamines was achieved using carbodiimide chemistry. The carbodiimide chemistry provides faster reaction rate so that the reaction occurs at lower temperature compared to amidation and acylation-amidation chemistry. CNF functionalized with PDMS-NH₂ fibers were further functionalized with oligomer of polyimide (6FDA-BisP) using imidization reaction. The formation of block copolymer on the surface of CNF is proposed as an effective method to engineer the interphase between the fiber and the polymer, which is essential to modulate and enhance the properties of the nanocomposite. The efficiency of the carbodiimide chemistry to functionalize amine terminated groups on CNF and the functionalization of block copolymer was characterized using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis spectroscopy.     

Low temperature crystallization behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 nanocomposite thin films through annealing in various atmosphere and duration control

We report a successful fabrication of 300 nm thick carbon nanotubes and Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (CNT–PZT) nanocomposite thin films with annealing temperature as low as 500 °C in H₂/N₂ atmosphere. Realizing the thickness of CNT–PZT nanocomposite thin films down to few hundred nanometers is one way to reduce the operating voltage of its application to micro- or nano-electromechanical system. The field emission scanning electron microscopic and atomic microscopic analysis revealed that the nanocomposite thin films annealed in H₂/N₂ atmosphere exhibits the most favorable surface morphology with adequate perovskite (111) reflection of PZT based on X-ray diffraction analysis. The measured dielectric constant and loss tangent of the nanocomposite thin films show that the annealing duration of 30 min promotes the optimum dielectric properties of the nanocomposite thin films. Our observations suggest that the annealing atmosphere and duration are important parameters in controlling the crystallization behavior hence the dielectric properties of the nanocomposite thin films, which can be readily applicable to other nanocomposite thin films.     

Enhancement of the magnetoresistive effect in nanocomposites based on manganite La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 and magnetite Fe3O4

The effect of a magnetite Fe₃O₄ nanopowder in a nanocomposite with manganite La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ on its magnetoresistive effect and conductivity is studied. The addition of a magnetite nanopowder to the initial material leads to a substantial (twofold) increase in the low-field magnetoresistive effect. The low-field magnetoresistive effect in substituted lanthanum manganite nanopowders is based on spin-dependent electron tunneling through grain boundaries. The transport mechanisms in such systems are analyzed, and noise spectroscopy is also used for this purpose.     

Dielectric properties of liquid-crystal azomethine polymer with a side alkyl-substituted chain,doped with fullerene C<Subscript>60</Subscript>

We studied the actual and imaginary components of the dielectric constant of liquid-crystal azomethine polymer with a side chain, doped with 0.5 wt % of fullerene C₆₀, over a wide range of temperatures and frequencies; measurements were made by means of dielectric spectroscopy. By analyzing the frequency dependence of the dielectric constant, we detected the relaxation processes (α, β₁, and β₂) in the nanocomposite, corresponding to certain modes of molecular motion and described them by the Arrhenius equations (β₁- and β₂-processes) and the Vogel–Fulcher–Tamman equation (α-process). An antiplasticization effect is discovered after doping the polymer with fullerene C₆₀, which manifests itself in increasing the glass transition temperature of the nanocomposite compared to this parameter typical of pure polymer.     

Thermal conductivity of the opal-epoxy resin nanocomposite

The effective thermal conductivity κ_eff of seven opal + epoxy resin nanocomposite samples with 100% filling of first-order pores by epoxy resin was measured in the 100-to 300-K temperature interval. In the nanocomposite studied, the thermal conductivity of the matrix (amorphous SiO₂ spheres) is larger than that of the filler material (epoxy resin). κ_eff(T) of the opal + epoxy resin nanocomposite at intermediate temperatures (100–300 K) is shown to behave similar to pure opal. An explanation of the observed effect is proposed.     

Synthesis and characterization of silanized-SiO2/povidone nanocomposite as a gate insulator: The influence of Si semiconductor film type on the interface traps by deconvolution of Si2s

The polymer nanocomposite as a gate dielectric film was prepared via sol-gel method. The formation of cross-linked structure among nanofillers and polymer matrix was proved by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Differential thermal analysis (DTA) results showed significant increase in the thermal stability of the nanocomposite with respect to that of pure polymer. The nanocomposite films deposited on the p- and n-type Si substrates formed very smooth surface with rms roughness of 0.045 and 0.058 nm respectively. Deconvoluted Si_2s spectra revealed the domination of the SiOH hydrogen bonds and SiOSi covalence bonds in the structure of the nanocomposite film deposited on the p- and n-type Si semiconductor layers respectively. The fabricated n-channel field-effect-transistor (FET) showed the low threshold voltage and leakage currents because of the stronger connection between the nanocomposite and n-type Si substrate. Whereas, dominated hydroxyl groups in the nanocomposite dielectric film deposited on the p-type Si substrate increased trap states in the interface, led to the drop of FET operation.     

Novel conducting lithium ferrite/chitosan nanocomposite: Synthesis,characterization, magnetic and dielectric properties

A study on Lithium ferrite/chitosan nanocomposite (LFCN), easily moldable into arbitrary shapes, as the conducting polymer and ferromagnetic characteristics is presented. The composite material is produced in the presence of Li_0.5Cr_0.1Fe_2.4O₄ and Li_0.5Co_0.1Fe_2.4O₄ nanoparticle by ex-situ polymerizations process. Various characterizations techniques have been used to explore the characteristic of the synthesized products. The frequency dependent dielectric properties and electrical conductivity of all the samples have been measured through complex impedance plot in the frequency range of 1 kHz–6 MHz at room temperature. It was observed that in case of (LFCN), fluctuation in value of (ε′) and (ε″) is ceased over the frequency range of 4 Mz which can be attributed to the steady storage and dissipation of energy in the nanocomposite system. Moreover, it is also observed that electrical conductivity of (LFCN) increases with frequency and its value was found to be (0.032–0.048) (ohm-cm)⁻¹ in frequency range of 1 kHz–6 MHz. Due to its low cost, a simple synthesis process and high flexibility, the proposed LFCN may find applications in various types of electronic components.     

Characterization, sintering and dielectric properties of nanocrystalline zinc oxide prepared by a citric acid-based combustion route

Nanosized zinc oxide has been synthesized through a novel single step solution combustion route using citric acid as fuel. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the synthesized ZnO nanopowder has the pure wurtzite structure. The phase purity of the nanopowder has been confirmed using differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The morphology and crystalline size of the as-prepared nanopowder characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the powder consisted of a mixture of nanoparticles and nanorods. The nanocrystalline ZnO could be sintered to ∼97% of the theoretical density at 1200 °C in 4 h. The dielectric constant (ε_r) and dielectric loss (ε_i) of sintered ZnO pellets at 5 MHz were 1.38 and 9×10⁻², respectively, at room temperature.     

Radiation Effects on Optical Properties of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer Films

The optical properties of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film have been studied. The effects of gamma irradiations on the optical spectrum of EVA films have been investigated using spectrophotometric measurements of reflectance and transmittance in the wavelength range 200–1100 nm. The absorption spectra were recorded in the UV–vis region for the unirradiated and irradiated films (from 0 to 50 kGy). Optical constants such as refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (K), and complex dielectric constant have been determined, as well as the optical dispersion parameters and high frequency dielectric constants. A large dependence of the fundamental optical constants on the irradiation dose was noticed. On irradiation, a higher refractive index was obtained as compared with that for unirradiated film. The dispersion parameters, such as E ₀ (single‐oscillator energy), E _d (dispersive energy), and M _?1 and M _?3 (moments), are discussed in terms of the single‐oscillator Wemple–DiDomenico model.     

Dielectric investigations in the nematic and hexatic smectic B phases of 4-hexyl-4′-[2-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)ethyl]-1,1′-biphenyl

Temperature-dependent dielectric characterization of 4-hexyl-4′-[2-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)ethyl]-1,1′-biphenyl (HIEB), which exhibits smectic B and nematic phases, has been carried out over the frequency range of 1 Hz to 10 MHz for homeotropic and planar alignment of sample molecules. This compound shows positive dielectric anisotropy (Δε = ε _∥ ? ε _⊥ > 0) in the nematic (N) phase. One mode of dielectric relaxation showing Arrhenius behaviour has been detected in the hexatic smectic B (SmB) phase. Various electrical parameters, namely, dielectric anisotropy, relaxation frequency and activation energy, have been determined in the N and SmB phases.     

Dynamic Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate/Carbon Nanotube Composites

A comparative study of the dielectric and mechanical properties of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) filled with various concentrations of pristine and modified carbon nanotubes is reported. The surface of the carbon nanotubes was modified with 4-(2-(cholesteryloxycarboxy)ethyl) phenyl to improve the interaction of the filler with the block copolymer matrix. The improved interaction and the better dispersion of the modified carbon nanotubes (mMWCNTs) were demonstrated by a detailed study of the EVA molecular mobility through dynamic mechanical analysis and broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. The storage modulus of the nanocomposite with 6 wt.% of mMWCNTs at ?50°C was enhanced by 103%, whereas for the nanocomposite with the same amount of unmodified filler, the storage modulus was only enhanced by 76% compared to the pure elastomeric matrix. This difference is more pronounced in the rubbery region in which the storage moduli were increased by 117% and 48% for the composite with the modified and unmodified fillers, respectively. The morphologies of the nanocomposites were studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopies to demonstrate the dispersion of the mMWCNTs within the EVA matrix.