Dynamic and buckling analysis of polymer hybrid composite beam with variable thickness

This work deals with a study of the dynamic and buckling analysis of polymer hybrid composite(PHC) beam. The beam has variable thickness and is reinforced by carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and nanoclay(NC) simultaneously. The governing equations are derived based on the first shear deformation theory(FSDT). A three-phase HalpinTsai approach is used to predict the mechanical properties of the PHC. We focus our attention on the effect of the simultaneous addition of NC and CNT on the vibration and buckling analysis of the PHC beam with variable thickness. Also a comparison study is done on the sensation of three impressive parameters including CNT, NC weight fractions, and the shape factor of fillers on the mechanical properties of PHC beams,as well as fundamental frequencies of free vibrations and critical buckling load. The results show that the increase of shape factor value, NC, and CNT weight fractions leads to considerable reinforcement in mechanical properties as well as increase of the dimensionless fundamental frequency and buckling load. The variation of CNT weight fraction on elastic modulus is more sensitive rather than shear modulus but the effect of NC weight fraction on elastic and shear moduli is fairly the same. The shape factor values more than the medium level do not affect the mechanical properties.     

Miscanthus stem fragment – Reinforced polypropylene composites: Development of an optimized preparation procedure at small scale and its validation for differentiating genotypes

The production of ligno-cellulosic biomass-based composites requires the development of new methodologies to evaluate the reinforcement potential of a given biomass, such as miscanthus studied in the work. Miscanthus stems from thirteen genotypes were broken into elongated fragments and mixed with polypropylene composites in an internal mixer. The aim is to find the best protocol able to discriminate miscanthus genotypes for their reinforcement capability. The following process parameters were optimized in order to maximize the reinforcement effect of the stem fragment filler: mixing parameters (mixing time, rotor speed and chamber temperature), temperature, fragment content, size and length distributions and coupling agent. The relationship between the process parameters and the mechanical properties of composites were analyzed to evaluate the influence of genotype on reinforcement performance, showing the robustness of the protocol in effectively discriminating genotypes according to their reinforcing capacity.     

Chemical versus Electrochemical Synthesis of Carbon Nano‐onion/Polypyrrole Composites for Supercapacitor Electrodes

The development of high‐surface‐area carbon electrodes with a defined pore size distribution and the incorporation of pseudo‐active materials to optimize the overall capacitance and conductivity without destroying the stability are at present important research areas. Composite electrodes of carbon nano‐onions (CNOs) and polypyrrole (Ppy) were fabricated to improve the specific capacitance of a supercapacitor. The carbon nanostructures were uniformly coated with Ppy by chemical polymerization or by electrochemical potentiostatic deposition to form homogenous composites or bilayers. The materials were characterized by transmission‐ and scanning electron microscopy, differential thermogravimetric analyses, FTIR spectroscopy, piezoelectric microgravimetry, and cyclic voltammetry. The composites show higher mechanical and electrochemical stabilities, with high specific capacitances of up to about 800 F g^?1 for the CNOs/SDS/Ppy composites (chemical synthesis) and about 1300 F g^?1 for the CNOs/Ppy bilayer (electrochemical deposition).     

Highly Efficient Copper(II) Ion Sorbents Obtained by Calcium Carbonate Mineralization on Functionalized Cross‐Linked Copolymers

A new type of Cu^II ion sorbents is presented. These are obtained by CaCO₃ mineralization from supersaturated solutions on gel‐like cross‐linked polymeric beads as insoluble templates. A divinylbenzene–ethylacrylate–acrylonitrile cross‐linked copolymer functionalized with weakly acidic, basic, or amphoteric functional groups has been used, as well as different initial inorganic concentrations and addition procedures for CaCO₃ crystal growth. The morphology of the new composites was investigated by SEM and compared to that of the unmodified beads, and the polymorph content was established by X‐ray diffraction. The beads, before and after CaCO₃ mineralization, were tested as sorbents for Cu^II ions. The newly formed patterns on the bead surface after Cu^II sorption were observed by SEM, and the elemental distribution on the composites and the chemical structure of crystals after interaction with Cu^II were investigated by EDAX elemental mapping and by FTIR‐ATR spectroscopy, respectively. The sorption capacity increased significantly after CaCO₃ crystals growth on the weak anionic bead surface (up to 1041.5 mg Cu^II/g sample) compared to that of unmodified beads (491.5 mg Cu^II/g sample).     

Alkyne hydrogenation using Pd–Ag hybrid nanocatalysts in surface‐immobilized dendrimers

A series of Pd–Ag mixed‐metal nanocatalysts were prepared by reduction of Pd–Ag salts in the presence of poly(propylene imine) dendrimers, which were covalently bound to the surface of a silica polyamine composite, BP‐1 (polyallylamine covalently bound to a silanized amorphous silica gel). Three different Pd‐to‐Ag ratios were evaluated (50:50, catalyst 1 ; 40:60, catalyst 2 ; 60:40, catalyst 3 ) with the goal of determining how the amount of Ag effects selectivity, rate and conversion in the selective reduction of alkynes, such as phenylacetylene and 1‐ or 4‐octyne, to the corresponding alkenes. Conditions for the catalysis are reported where there is improved selectivity without a serious reduction in rate when compared with the analogous Pd‐only catalysts. Catalyst 2 worked best for phenylacetylene and catalyst 3 worked best for the octynes. The catalysts could be reused seven times without loss of activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

变角度纤维复合材料层合斜板的颤振分析

假设纤维方向角沿层合板的长度方向线性变化，研究了变角度纤维复合材料层合斜板的颤振．通过坐标变换将斜板变换为正方形板，采用层合板表面连续变化的速度环量来模拟空气对其的作用，速度环量分布利用Cauchy积分公式计算．建立了系统的Lagrange方程并采用Ritz法得到了层合板的自振频率和颤振/不稳定性分离临界速度．通过数值算例验证了本文模型和方法的正确性和收敛性，分析了各个铺层内纤维方向角的变化对自振频率和颤振/不稳定性分离临界速度的影响．研究结果表明，通过纤维的变角度铺设，可有效地提高层合板的基频和颤振/不稳定性分离临界速度．经合理设计的变角度复合材料层合板具有抑制颤振的作用．     

Revealing the Effect of Surface Composition on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Supported Pt-Fe Alloy Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation Performance

The designs of efficient and inexpensive Pt-based catalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) are essential to boost the commercialization of direct methanol fuel cells. Here, the highly catalytic performance PtFe alloys supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorating nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) have been successfully prepared via co-engineering of the surface composition and electronic structure. The Pt₁Fe₃@NC/MWCNTs catalyst with moderate Fe³⁺ feeding content (0.86 mA/mg_Pt) exhibits 2.26-fold enhancement in MOR mass activity compared to pristine Pt/C catalyst (0.38 mA/mg_Pt). Furthermore, the CO oxidation initial potential of Pt₁Fe₃@NC/MWCNTs catalyst is lower relative to Pt/C catalyst (0.71 V and 0.80 V). Benefited from the optimal surface compositions, the anti-corrosion ability of MWCNT, strong electron interaction between PtFe alloys and MWCNTs and the N-doped carbon (NC) layer, the Pt₁Fe₃@NC/MWCNTs catalyst presents an improved MOR performance and anti-CO poisoning ability. This study would open up new perspective for designing efficient electrocatalysts for the DMFCs field.     

酰胺功能化修饰琼脂糖/硅胶复合材料的制备及吸附性能研究

采用溶胶-凝胶法,以氧化琼脂糖和四甲氧基硅烷为前驱体,通过水解、缩聚反应制得琼脂糖/硅胶复合材料,进一步利用开环、"巯-烯"点击和酰胺化反应对复合材料实现酰胺基团功能化修饰.借助红外光谱(FT-IR)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对所制备复合材料进行结构、组成和微观形貌表征.以制备的酰胺功能化修饰琼脂糖/硅胶复合材料为吸附剂,探讨其对莱克多巴胺的吸附过程,实验考察了溶剂、吸附时间、莱克多巴胺的初始浓度等对吸附的影响.结果表明:经过修饰反应酰胺基团成功接枝到琼脂糖/硅胶复合材料,该材料颗粒呈球形,粒径在2～3μm之间;复合材料对莱克多巴胺表现出良好的吸附性能,吸附过程50 min达到平衡,适合准二级动力学特征,属化学吸附,吸附等温线符合Freundlich模型;复合材料经过6次吸附解析,再生后对莱克多巴胺的吸附率仅有小幅下降,表明具有较好的循环再生吸附能力.     

纤维复合材料界面横向拉伸分析

以单纤维十字型横向拉伸试验为研究对象,对纤维/基体界面采用弹性-软化双线性内聚力模型,建立了纤维复合材料在横向拉伸作用下界面法向失效过程的解析模型。得到了沿纤维/基体圆周界面的法向应力分布,纤维/基体界面的状态与界面承载力和单纤维复合材料承载力的关系,以及内聚力参数和试件几何尺寸对它们的影响。结果表明:纤维/基体圆周界面在脱粘前经历全部弹性及弹性+软化两种状态;当界面为弹性状态时,界面法向应力随界面强度线性增加;当界面为弹性+软化状态时,界面软化范围随界面裂纹萌生位移的增加而增大;界面初始脱粘位置与拉伸荷载方向重合;界面初始脱粘时的界面承载力随界面强度及界面裂纹萌生位移的增加而增加,随界面裂纹生成位移的增加而降低;单纤维复合材料的脱粘荷载受基体截面尺寸的影响,当纤维体积含量相同时,沿荷载方向截面尺寸的增大对提高脱粘荷载更显著。