Enhanced thermal and tensile behaviour of MWCNT reinforced palm oil polyol based shape memory polyurethane

Shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) has received tremendous interest because of its low cost, low density, as well as easy processing. However, its inferior mechanical properties compared to shape memory alloys have constrained its application in a broad range of engineering areas. Nanofillers are commonly added to polymers to overcome the problem associated with low mechanical characteristics. This study aims to examine the effect of various loadings of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on the thermal stability, soft segment crystallinity, tensile and shape memory behaviour of palm oil polyol based SMPU nanocomposites. The SMPU nanocomposites were synthesised using a two-step polymerisation process. Microphase-separated SMPU nanocomposites obtained as the differential scanning calorimetric analysis showed two melting transitions, which belonged to the soft and hard phase domains. Furthermore, it was found that MWCNT had acted as a nucleating agent, which promoted the crystallisation process of SMPU nanocomposites. The thermal stability and tensile properties of SMPU/MWCNT nanocomposites were enhanced significantly as the MWCNT was added to the SMPU matrix. A considerable enhancement in the shape fixity (SF) value was revealed for PU-30 and PU-40 samples with the addition of MWCNT. The shape recovery (SR) time of SMPU was faster for samples reinforced with MWCNT, whereas SF increased while SR decreased upon increasing the shape memory cycle. The SMPU nanocomposites produced demonstrated enhanced thermal and tensile properties, which has the potential as smart material in many industrial applications.     

Mechanical and shape memory performance of shape memory polyurethane-based aligned nanofibers

In recent years, shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) as a smart material has been used in various applications owing to its desirable shape memory effect and biocompatibility. In this study, unidirectional SMPU nanofibers are innovated by electrospinning to clarify the mechanical and shape memory properties with nanofiber directions. The results showed that when the nanofiber alignment degree is 0° (parallel to the tensile direction), the aligned SMPU nanofibers achieved the obvious improvement of tensile strength (increased to 135%) and elastic modulus (increased to 313%), compared with the random SMPU nanofiber. Moreover, the developed aligned nanofibers exhibited good ability against stress relaxation and creep under constant strain or constant stress conditions in cyclic loading. The aligned SMPU nanofibers with a 0° alignment degree exhibited excellent shape memory properties with shape recovery rates larger than 93% and shape fixity rates larger than 90%, and a dramatic increase of shape recovery stress.     

Kinetic isotope effect for H2 and D2 quantum molecular sieving in adsorption/desorption on porous carbon materials

Adsorption and desorption of H(2) and D(2) from porous carbon materials, such as activated carbon at 77 K, are usually fully reversible with very rapid adsorption/desorption kinetics. The adsorption and desorption of H(2) and D(2) at 77 K on a carbon molecular sieve (Takeda 3A), where the kinetic selectivity was incorporated by carbon deposition, and a carbon, where the pore structure was modified by thermal annealing to give similar pore structure characteristics to the carbon molecular sieve substrate, were studied. The D(2) adsorption and desorption kinetics were significantly faster (up to x1.9) than the corresponding H(2) kinetics for specific pressure increments/decrements. This represents the first experimental observation of kinetic isotope quantum molecular sieving in porous materials due to the larger zero-point energy for the lighter H(2), resulting in slower adsorption/desorption kinetics compared with the heavier D(2). The results are discussed in terms of the adsorption mechanism.     

Investigation into stress recovery behavior of shape memory polyurethane fiber

In this work, the stress recovery behavior of shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) fiber was investigated. The as‐spun SMPU fibers were subjected to various programing‐recovery conditions. It was observed that recovering at 100 °C generated higher recovery stress than recovering at 150 °C. It was also found that, while hot‐drawn programed fiber has higher recovery stress than cold‐drawn programed fiber if recovered at 100 °C, cold‐drawn programed fiber has higher stabilized recovery stress than hot‐drawn programed counterpart when recovered at 150 °C. A morphological model was proposed based on the results from differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and X‐ray diffraction to understand the physics behind the different stress recovery behaviors. It is found that SMPU experiences different phase transitions and phase separations under different programing and stress recovery conditions. It is concluded that the two sequential phase separations taking place at 100 and 150 °C are primarily responsible for the differences in the stress recovery behavior. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 1429–1440     

预还原催化剂LaNiO3, La4Ni3O10, La3Ni2O7和La2NiO4 催化分解CH4制碳纳米管 的研究

通过预还原的LaNiO3,La4Ni3O10,La3Ni2O7和La2NiO4催化分解CH4可以制备大量高度石墨化的碳纳米管。还原前后的催化剂的结构和组分通过X射线衍射(XRD)测定。所制得的碳纳米管由扫描电镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)表征。碳纳米管在空气在的热氧化性由热重实验(TG)测定。实验结果表明不同催化剂前驱中的La/Ni比会影响碳纳米管的管径分布和石墨化程度。La/Ni比越小,碳纳米管的管径越大,石墨化程度越高。     

甲烷干重整催化剂Ni/Al2O3表面积炭表征与分析

用蒸发法制备了Ni/Al2O3催化剂及浸渍法制备了Ni/α-Al2O3和Ni/γ-Al2O3催化剂, 并与商品天然气水蒸气重整催化剂Z118Y一起进行了甲烷干重整实验, 考察了各催化剂上表面积炭行为. 通过H2程序升温还原(H2-TPR)、BET(Brunauer-Emmett-Teller)比表面积分析、X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电镜(TEM)、热重-差式扫描量热(TG-DSC)、程序升温氢化(TPH)等表征手段对催化剂表面沉积炭的特性进行了表征. 结果表明, 各催化剂上至少存在三种形式的碳物种: 无定形碳、丝状碳及石墨碳. 由于载体性质不同, 各催化剂上沉积炭的种类及其含量有所差别. Z118Y、Ni/Al2O3及Ni/α-Al2O3催化剂上主要沉积丝状炭, 而Ni/γ-Al2O3催化剂上则主要是石墨碳. Ni/γ-Al2O3催化剂中金属Ni颗粒较小(小于15 nm)、粒径分布范围较窄、分散性较好, 能减少催化剂表面炭的沉积, 有效地抑制丝状碳的生长.     

Ni/La_2O_3/Al_2O_3催化剂上甲烷干重整积炭表征与分析(英文)

用传统的等体积浸渍法或蒸发法制备了Ni/La_2O_3/γ-Al_2O_3与Ni/La_2O_3/α-Al_2O_3催化剂,在没有稀释气体的条件下进行了甲烷干重整反应.采用H_2程序升温还原、N_2吸附脱附、X射线衍射、透射电子显微镜、热重-差示扫描热量以及程序升温加氢等手段对新鲜的与反应后的催化剂以及沉积的碳进行了表征.结果表明,催化剂上有四种含碳物种,以三种形态存在,即无定形碳(聚合态)、丝状碳或石墨碳.这些催化剂上积炭的数量与种类各不相同,依赖于催化剂中金属Ni颗粒的大小与载体的织构特性.丝状碳的形成及其形貌与金属Ni颗粒的大小有着密切的联系.Ni颗粒小于15nm时能抑制丝状碳的形成与沉积.减少积炭的数量,同时能产生较多的活性C_a物种,从而在一定程度上导致催化剂具有较好的活性与稳定性.     

气相生长碳纤维/形状记忆聚氨酯复合薄膜的力学及形状记忆性能研究

采用溶液混合法制备了不同含量的气相生长碳纤维(VGCF)增强形状记忆聚氨酯(SMPU)的复合材料薄膜,测试分析了纯SMPU及VGCF/SMPU复合材料薄膜的力学性能及形状记忆性能.结果表明,制得的复合材料薄膜在VGCF含量达到9 wt%时,VGCF在SMPU基体中仍具有较好的分散性;SMPU与VGCF复合后,得到的复合材料薄膜的拉伸强度和刚度有较大程度的提高,含量达到9 wt%时复合材料薄膜的拉伸强度比纯SMPU提高66%,弹性模量提高300%,储能模量也有较大程度提高;SMPU与VGCF复合后,形状记忆性能有一定的下降,但经过适当预处理后,其形状记忆性能可以基本接近纯SMPU.     

Nanoporous Carbon Tubes from Fullerene Crystals as the π‐Electron Carbon Source

Here we report the thermal conversion of one‐dimensional (1D) fullerene (C₆₀) single‐crystal nanorods and nanotubes to nanoporous carbon materials with retention of the initial 1D morphology. The 1D C₆₀ crystals are heated directly at very high temperature (up to 2000 °C) in vacuum, yielding a new family of nanoporous carbons having π‐electron conjugation within the sp²‐carbon robust frameworks. These new nanoporous carbon materials show excellent electrochemical capacitance and superior sensing properties for aromatic compounds compared to commercial activated carbons.     

Highly conducting graphitic carbon films and nano patterns from poly(p-phenylenevinylene) prepared on the surface of silicon wafers by the CVD method

We could prepare highly electrically conducting graphitic carbon films and nano patterns by carbonizing the poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) films and nano patterns prepared on the silicon surface by the chemical vapor deposition polymerization method of α,α'-dichloro-p-xylene. When the PPV films on silicon wafers were thermally treated at 850°C highly oriented graphitic carbon films were obtained which exhibit an electrical conductivity higher than 0.7 x 10³ Scm⁻¹. This conductivity value is more than 10 times the value for the carbon films obtained from bulk PPV films or glassy carbons heat treated at the same temperature. Moreover, nano patterns of graphitic carbons were easily obtained on silicon wafers through carbonization of nano patterned PPV obtained by the CVD polymerization method.     

Investigation of tribological properties of Al2O3-polyimide nanocomposites

Polyimide (PI) nanocomposites with different proportions of nanoparticle Al₂O₃ were made by compression molding at elevated temperature. The mechanical and tribological properties of the resulting PI-based nanocomposites were investigated. The bending strength and microhardness of the nanocomposite specimens were determined, and the tribological behavior of the nanocomposite blocks in dry sliding against a plain carbon steel ring was evaluated on an M-2000 friction and wear tester. The morphologies of the worn nanocomposite surfaces and transfer films on the counterpart steel ring were observed on a scanning electron microscope. Results indicated that the PI-based nanocomposites with appropriate proportions of nanometer Al₂O₃ exhibited lower friction coefficient and wear volume loss than PI under the same testing conditions. The nanocomposite containing 3.0wt.%–4.0wt.% nanometer Al₂O₃ registered the lowest wear volume loss under a relatively high load. The differences in the friction and wear behaviors of PI and PI–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites were attributed to the differences in their worn surface morphologies, transfer film characteristics, and wear debris features. The agglomerated abrasives on the worn composite and transfer film surfaces contributed to increase the wear volume loss of the nanocomposites of higher mass fractions of nanometer Al₂O₃.     

Effect of SSL and HSC on morphology and properties of PHA based SMPU synthesized by bulk polymerization method

Searching new shape memory polymer and the associating synthesis technology are critical on the development of smart materials. In this paper, a comprehensive study on Poly(hexylene adipate) PHA being the soft segment of shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) was presented. Bulk polymerization method was employed to synthesize the SMPU with different soft segment length (SSL) and hard segment content (HSC). The influences of SSL and HSC on its morphology and thermomechanical property using DSC, DMA, POM, and shape memory behavior were presented here. The results indicate that the thermal properties, dynamic mechanic properties, and crystal morphology of SMPU are influenced significantly by SSL and HSC. And it is found that the shape fixity increases with SSL but decreases with HSC. On the other hand, the shape recovery decreases with both SSL and HSC, and the associated recovery temperature increases either with the increasing SSL or with decreasing HSC. Lastly, it is concluded that in the PHA‐based‐SMPU, the lower limiting value of SSL for polyurethane having shape memory effect is 2000; their response temperature varied with SSL and HSC, changing from 41.0 to 51.9 °C. Stable hard segment crystal are formed at above 30% HSC sample in bulk polymerization, but shape memory behavior can also be observed when its physical crosslink point are formed in the lower HSC PHA‐based‐SMPU. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 444–454, 2007     

Shape memory properties of polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate /carbon nanotube composites

The safe operation of electrical equipment relies on advanced polymer insulation to contain electrical pathways. Polymer sheath materials should be mechanically robust and chemically stable in order to protect the internal metal wiring from environmental attack. Polyethylene (PE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) have often been used as electrical cable jacket materials for electrical power industry. Partially crosslinked PE is able to shrink and wrap tightly around the metal wires upon stimulated by external heat, exhibiting shape memory behaviour. In this work, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were introduced to partially crosslinked linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE) and EVA blend in order to enhance the shape memory performance at lower temperature by promoting the thermal transfer and antistatic properties of the polymer nanocomposite. The morphologies of the partially crosslinked and non-crosslinked composites are analysed. The MWCNTs preferentially resided in the EVA phase while the peroxide crosslinking process drastically altered the morphology and electrical properties. The addition of 3 wt% of MWCNTs resulted in a percolation transition and enhanced the alternating current (AC) conductivity by 10 orders of magnitude for non-crosslinked LMDPE/EVA and by 3 orders of magnitude for crosslinked LMDPE/EVA composites. LMDPE/EVA (80/20) containing 3 wt% MWCNTs possessed excellent shape recovery of 100% and shape fixing of 82%. The addition of MWCNTs can not only promote the shape memory efficiency of the polymer sheath material, but also introduce antistatic properties to avoid electrical shocking or sparking.     

一维碳纳米管/二维二硫化钼混合维度异质结的原位制备及其电荷转移性能

一维(1D)材料与二维(2D)材料的结合可形成独特的混合维度异质结,其在继承2D/2D范德瓦尔斯异质结的独特物性之外,还具有丰富的堆叠构型,为进一步调控异质结的结构及性能提供了新的可操控自由度。p型1D单壁碳纳米管(SWCNT)与n型2D二硫化钼(MoS₂)的结合,为调控异质结的能带结构及器件性能提供了丰富的选择。本文直接在高密度、手性窄分布的SWCNT定向阵列及无序薄膜表面原位生长MoS₂,制备出高质量1D SWCNT/2D MoS₂混合维度异质结。深入分析形核点的表面形貌与结构,提出了“吸附-扩散-吸附”生长机制,用于解释混合维度异质结的生长。利用拉曼光谱分析,证实SWCNT与MoS₂间存在显著的电荷转移作用,载流子可在界面处快速传输,为后续基于此类1D/2D异质结的新型电子及光电器件的设计与制备提供了新思路。     

4D electron microscopy visualization of anisotropic atomic motions in carbon nanotubes

We report the anisotropic atomic expansion dynamics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, using 4D electron microscopy. From time-resolved diffraction on the picosecond to millisecond scale, following ultrafast heating at the rate of 10(13) K/s, it is shown that nanotubes expand only in the radial (intertubule) direction, whereas no significant change is observed in the intratubular axial or equatorial dimensions. The non-equilibrium heating occurs on an ultrafast time scale, indicating that the anisotropy is the result of an efficient electron-lattice coupling and is maintained up to equilibration. The recovery time, which measures the heat dissipation rate for equilibration, was found to be on the order of ～100 μs. This recovery is reproduced theoretically by considering the composite specimen-substrate heat exchange.     

Separation of polar compounds using carbon columns

The objective of this review with 122 references is to provide structure and retention mechanisms of porous graphitic carbon by chromatographic analysis and computational chemical analysis of retention mechanisms. Synthesis methods of porous graphitic carbon are described. Applications for use as matrix for dynamic coating on porous graphitic carbon and direct separation of polar compounds on porous graphitic carbon demonstrated that the physical and chemical stability of graphitic carbons performed in both chromatography and extraction, especially for polar compounds, those are difficult on both silica-based and organic polymer-based packing materials. The disadvantage is difficult desorption of non-polar compounds adsorbed on the surface. The development of 3.5-microm particles improves the separation power of graphitic carbon columns with the high theoretical plate number.     

有序中孔炭的电化学储氢性能

将蔗糖、聚环氧乙烯-聚环氧丙烯-聚环氧乙烯三嵌段共聚物和硅源构成的复合物进行预炭化、炭化和除硅处理合成出有序中孔炭, 采用XRD、TEM、HRTEM和N2吸脱附等手段对其进行表征, 并将有序中孔炭制成电极开展恒流充放电储氢性能研究. 结果显示, 具有较高比表面积(720 m2·g-1)和孔容(0.86 cm3·g-1)的有序中孔炭材料的电化学储氢容量为70.1 mAh·g-1, 高于具有相对较低比表面积(610 m2·g-1)和孔容(0.66 cm3·g-1)的有序中孔炭储氢容量(64.1 mAh·g-1). 通过与单壁碳纳米管电极(25.9 mAh·g-1)的对比, 表明有序中孔炭具有良好的电化学储氢性能和更高的电化学活性.     

ACNT/C纳米复合材料导热性能及其机理的初步研究

以定向碳纳米管(ACNT)阵列为骨架, 利用化学气相渗(CVI)工艺制备了新型的定向碳纳米管/碳(ACNT/C)纳米复合材料. 导热性能测试结果表明, 密度为1.47 g/cm3的ACNT/C纳米复合材料的热扩散系数和热导率均比相同工艺条件下密度为1.50 g/cm3的传统C/C复合材料高4～6倍; 经过2 500 ℃热处理, ACNT/C的热导率接近140 W/(m·K), 而C/C仅为40 W/(m·K)左右. 这主要是由于CNT对热解炭结晶存在诱导作用, 同时特殊的准一维结构也减少了热扩散时“声子”的散射.     

Formation of carbon nanotubes from a silicon carbide/carbon composite

The reaction of a SiC/C composite powder in an arcing plasma forms carbon nanotubes in good yield. Besides carbon nanotubes, a Si/C composite composed of β SiC covered with a shell of graphite is formed. The graphitic carbon surface layers of the carbon shell of this composite reacts further to form carbon nanotubes when heated to 600 °C. This process seems highly effective since only a small overall low weight loss, indicative for a complete carbon shell oxidation is observed by thermal analysis. The formation of the carbon nanotubes from SiC is unlikely since no SiO₂ has been found when heating the SiC/C core shell composite to its reaction temperature of 600 °C under O₂. The CNTs formed are of good quality with 3 to 6 concentric walls and high aspect ratio. Occasionally even single walled carbon naotubes have been observed.     

Mesoscopic structure and properties of liquid crystalline mesophase pitch and its transformation into carbon fiber

The history and present state of the art in the chemistry of mesophase pitch, which is an important precursor for carbon fiber and other high-performance industrial carbons, are reviewed relative to their structural properties. The structural concepts in both microscopic and macroscopic views are summarized in terms of the sp(2) carbon hexagonal plane as a basic unit common to graphitic materials, its planar stacking in clusters, and cluster assembly into microdomains and domains, the latter of which reflect the isochromatic unit of optical anisotropy. Such a series of structural units is described in a semiquantitative manner corresponding to the same units of graphitic materials, although the size and stacking height of the hexagonal planes (graphitic sheets) are very different. Mesophase pitch is a liquid crystal material whose basic structural concepts are maintained in the temperature range of 250 to 350 degrees C. The melt flow and thermal properties are related to its micro- and mesoscopic structure. The structure of mesophase-pitch-based carbon fiber of high tensile strength, modulus, and thermal conductivity has been formed through spinning, and has inherited the same structural concepts of mesophase pitch. Stabilization settles the structure in successive heat treatments up to 3000 degrees C. Carbonization and graphitization enable growth of the hexagonal planes and their stacking into units of graphite. Such growth is governed and controlled by the alignment of micro- and mesoscopic structures in the mesophase pitch, which define the derived carbon materials as nanostructural materials. Their properties are controlled by the nanoscopic units that are expected to behave as nanomaterials when appropriately isolated or handled.