A Highly Tunable Silicone-Based Magnetic Elastomer with Nanoscale Homogeneity

Magnetic elastomers have been widely pursued for sensing and actuation applications. Silicone-based magnetic elastomers have a number of advantages over other materials such as hydrogels, but aggregation of magnetic nanoparticles within silicones is difficult to prevent. Aggregation inherently limits the minimum size of fabricated structures and leads to non-uniform response from structure to structure. We have developed a novel material that is a complex of a silicone polymer (polydimethylsiloxane-co-aminopropylmethylsiloxane) adsorbed onto the surface of magnetite (γ-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles 7-10 nm in diameter. The material is homogenous at very small length scales (<100 nm) and can be crosslinked to form a flexible magnetic material, which is ideally suited for the fabrication of micro- to nanoscale magnetic actuators. The loading fraction of magnetic nanoparticles in the composite can be varied smoothly from 0 to 50 wt% without loss of homogeneity, providing a simple mechanism for tuning actuator response. We evaluate the material properties of the composite across a range of nanoparticle loading, and demonstrate a magnetic-field-induced increase in compressive modulus as high as 300%. Furthermore, we implement a strategy for predicting the optimal nanoparticle loading for magnetic actuation applications, and show that our predictions correlate well with experimental findings.     

Synthesis of transparent BaTiO3 nanoparticle/polymer composite film using DC field

Transparent BaTiO₃ nanoparticle/polymer composite films were synthesized from titanium-organic film and barium ion in aqueous solution under direct current (DC) field. Titanium-organic precursor was synthesized from titanium isopropoxide, acetylacetone and methacrylate derivative. The UV treatment was effective to increase the anti-solubility of the titanium-organic film during DC processing. BaTiO₃ nanoparticles were crystallized in the precursor films on stainless substrates without high temperature process, as low as 40°C. The crystallite size of BaTiO₃ increased with increasing reaction temperature from 40 to 50 °C at 3.0 V/cm. BaTiO₃ nanoparticles also grew in size with increasing reaction time from 15 min to 45 min at 3.0 V/cm and 50 °C. Transparent BaTiO₃ nanoparticle/polymer films were synthesized on stainless substrates at 3.0 V/cm and 50°C for 45 min.     

Ionic conduction and phase separation studies in PEO-P(VdF-HFP)-LiClO4-dedoped polyaniline nanofiber composite polymer electrolytes — I

In the present work, dispersion of dedoped polyaniline nanofibers into PEO-LiClO₄ blended with P(VdF-HFP) has been discussed. Polyaniline nanofibres have been synthesized by a gentle interfacial polymerization route. The nanofibers are dedoped with base NaOH and films of PEO-P(VdF-HFP)-LiClO₄-dedoped polyaniline nanofibres are prepared by solution casting method with varying concentration of dedoped (insulating) nanofibers (from 5 wt. % to 25 wt. %). The synthesized polymer electrolyte films have been characterized by ac impedance analysis, XRD and SEM. The ionic conductivity of PEO-P(VdF-HFP)-LiClO₄ electrolyte system increases with increase in concentration of dedoped polyaniline nanofibers. The high aspect ratio (> 50) nanofibres prevent PEO-P(VdF-HFP)-LiClO₄ electrolyte matrix from reorganization resulting in increase in amorphicity that leads to enhancement in ionic conductivity. However, the XRD results show that at higher concentration (> 15 wt. %) the nanofibres get phase separated out from the polymer electrolyte phase and start forming insulating clusters which impedes the ion motion. SEM studies confirm the formation of domain like structure of nanofibres at higher concentration, which act as physical barrier for the conduction of Li⁺ ions.     

Thickness effect of the TiO2 nanofiber scattering layer on the performance of the TiO2 nanoparticle/TiO2 nanofiber-structured dye-sensitized solar cells

TiO₂ nanofibers (NFs) were fabricated by an electrospinning process and were used as scattering layers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The NF-coated photoanodes of the DSSCs were prepared with a variety of scattering layer thicknesses. The thickness effect of the scattering layer on the double-layered TiO₂ nanoparticle (NP)/TiO₂ NF structure was investigated through structural, morphological, and optical measurements. In the double-layered photoanode, the TiO₂ NP layer plays a major role in dye adsorption and light transmission, and the TiO₂ NF scattering layer improves the absorption of visible light due to the light scattering effects. The scattering effect of TiO₂ NFs layer was examined by the incident monochromatic photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) and UV–Vis spectrometry. The conversion efficiency for the 12 μm-thick photoanode composed of a 2 μm-thick TiO₂ NF layer and 10 μm-thick TiO₂ NP layer was higher than that of DSSCs with only TiO₂ NPs photoanode by approximately 33%.     

Combined effect of CuO nanofillers and DBP plasticizer on ionic conductivity enhancement in the solid polymer electrolyte PEO–LiCF<Subscript>3</Subscript>SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

We report a new kind of polyethylene oxide, PEO–LiCF₃SO₃-based composite polymer electrolyte, containing active copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles with dibutyl phthalate (DBP) prepared by solution-cast technique. The incorporation of 10 wt.% DBP and 5 wt.% CuO to the salted polymer showed a significant conductivity enhancement with maximum conductivity 2.62 × 10⁻⁴ Scm⁻¹ at room temperature. This could be attributed to the increasing of amorphous phase content and structural changes in the polymer electrolyte. Arrhenius plot suggest that temperature-dependent conductivity is a thermally activated process.     

Fabrication and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles filled polypyrrole nanocomposites

The effect of iron oxide nanoparticle addition on the physicochemical properties of the polypyrrole (PPy) was investigated. In the presence of iron oxide nanoparticles, PPy was observed in the form of discrete nanoparticles, not the usual network structure. PPy showed crystalline structure in the nanocomposites and pure PPy formed without iron oxide nanoparticles. PPy exhibited amorphous structure and nanoparticles were completely etched away in the nanocomposites formed with mechanical stirring over a 7-h reaction. The thermal stability of the PPy in the nanocomposites was enhanced under the thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites increased greatly upon the initial addition (20 wt%) of iron oxide nanoparticles. However, a higher nanoparticle loading (50 wt%) decreased the conductivity as a result of the dominance of the insulating iron oxide nanoparticles. Standard four-probe measurements indicated a three-dimensional variable-range-hopping conductivity mechanism. The magnetic properties of the fabricated nanocomposites were dependent on the particle loading. Ultrasonic stirring was observed to have a favorable effect on the protection of iron oxide nanoparticles from dissolution in acid. A tight polymer structure surrounds the magnetic nanoparticles, as compared to a complete loss of the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles during conventional mechanical stirring for the micron-sized iron oxide particles filled PPy composite fabrication.     

Enhanced photoluminescence of ZnO-SiO2 nanocomposite particles and the analyses of structure and composition

Stable blue-green photoluminescent ZnO-SiO₂ nanocomposite particles exhibiting quantum efficiency as high as 34.8% under excitation at 360 nm were prepared using a spray-drying process from a feed solution that contained both luminescent ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by a sol-gel method and commercially-available SiO₂ nanoparticles. The effects of silica nanoparticle size and SiO₂-to-ZnO concentration ratio on the PL properties of the composite particles were investigated. The internal structure and chemical composition were investigated in detail using elemental mapping, which revealed that ZnO nanoparticles were well-dispersed within silica nanoparticle matrix. At a LiOH concentration of 0.23 M, the predicted ZnO crystallite diameter before and after spray drying was approximately constant at 3.3 and 3.6 nm, respectively. This result indicates that ZnO particle growth was inhibited and therefore the PL property of ZnO nanoparticles was stably preserved in the composite.     

The tribology properties of alumina/silica composite nanoparticles as lubricant additives

The as-prepared alumina/silica (Al₂O₃/SiO₂) composite nanoparticles were synthesized with a hydrothermal method and modified by silane coupling agent. The tribological properties of the modified Al₂O₃/SiO₂ composite nanoparticles as lubricating oil additives were investigated by four-ball and thrust-ring tests in terms of wear scar diameter, friction coefficient, and the morphology of thrust-ring. It is found that their anti-wear and anti-friction performances are better than those of pure Al₂O₃ or SiO₂ nanoparticles. When the optimized concentration of nanoparticle additive is 0.5 wt.%, the diameters of wear scar and friction coefficients are both smallest. Such modified composite nanoparticles can adsorb onto the friction surfaces, which results in rolling friction. Therefore, the friction coefficient is reduced.     

Nanocomposite fabric formation by electrospinning and electrospraying technologies

Electrospraying and electrospinning processes were employed for the production of nanocomposite material of polymer nanofibers blended with nanoparticles. The diameter of polymer nanofibers made of PVC, PSU or nylon was smaller than 500 nm. Metal oxide nanoparticles of TiO₂, MgO, and Al₂O₃ of the size 20–100 nm suspended in methanol were deposited on the polymer nanofibers. Three configurations of electrospray/electrospun nozzles used for the nanocomposite production were tested: 1. simultaneous electrospraying during the electrospinning process, 2. electrospraying onto the same rotating drum after the electrospinning is completed, and 3. electrospraying onto the electrospun mat removed from the drum and placed onto a heated table.     

Fe2O3 nanoparticles dispersed unsaturated polyester resin based nanocomposites: effect of gamma radiation on mechanical properties

ABSTRACT

In this work, unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix based nanocomposite was fabricated using synthesized Fe₂O₃ nanoparticle as reinforcement and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as curing agent by solution casting method. The Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol–gel method and the formation of nanoparticle was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscope, Energy dispersive spectrometry analysis. Interactions between metal oxide nanoparticles and polymer molecules in fabricated nanocomposite were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis. Pure UPR and Fe₂O₃/UPR composite were irradiated with various gamma radiation doses (0–15?kGy). At the 0?kGy (without radiation), the nanoparticles loaded composite showed better mechanical properties (increased in tensile strength and Young’s modulus and decreased in elongation) compared to that of pure UPR sheet. At the 5?kGy radiation dose, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus were further increased; whereas, the elongation was decreased in both samples.     

Modeling of nanoparticles’ aggregation and sedimentation in nanofluid

The aggregation and sedimentation of nanoparticles in nanofluid have significant influences on the stability and applicability of nanofluids. The objective of this study is to propose a model to predict the nanoparticles’ aggregation and sedimentation characteristics. The characteristics are evaluated by the concentration of nanoparticles in nanofluid at different time. The concentration of nanoparticles can be calculated according to the speed and location of each nanoparticle. Then, the speed and location of each nanoparticle can be yielded when the forces on each nanoparticle are determined. For the forces on nanoparticles are related to the space structure of nanoparticle clusters, the clusters’ space structures are simulated. Case study shows that the mean deviation of predicted nanoparticle concentration from experimental data for Fullerence + H₂O, Fullerence + Oil and CuO + Oil nanofluids are 25%, 16% and 13%, respectively. The model can provide quantitative prediction of the aggregation and sedimentation characteristics of nanoparticles in nanofluid.     

Development of high efficiency nanofilters made of nanofibers

Electrospinning is a fabrication process that uses an electric field to control the deposition of polymer fibers onto a target substrate. This electrostatic processing strategy can be used to fabricate fibrous polymer mats composed of fiber diameters ranging from several microns down to 100 nm or less. In this study, optimized conditions to produce nanofibers using Nylon 6 are investigated and the Nylon 6 nanofilters using nanofibers of 80–200 nm in diameter are designed and evaluated the filtration efficiency and pressure drop across the filter. When the Nylon 6 concentration is 15 wt.%, electrospun fibers have an average diameter of 80 nm, but there are many beads, and the concentration increases to 24 wt.%, the fiber diameter gradually thickens to 200 nm, but there are not any beads. When the spinning distance is small, the thinner nanofibers are produced and the more fibers are collected on the grounded electrode. The filtration efficiency of Nylon 6 nanofilters is 99.993% superior to the commercialized HEPA filter at the face velocity of 5 cm/s using 0.3 μm test particles. Even though the high pressure drops across the nanofilter, they show the potential to have the application of HEPA and ULPA grade high efficiency filter.     

Electrochemical properties of TiO2 nanoparticle/nanorod composite photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells

A unique composite of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) and nanorods (NRs) has been used to fabricate a photoelectrode for developing dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with higher sensitivity. The TiO₂ nanorods were synthesized using a mechanical process, in which electrospun TiO₂ nanofibers was grinded in a controlled way to obtain uniform size distribution. The characteristics of electron transport, recombination lifetime and charge collection were investigated by intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS) and intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS). Photoelectrodes prepared with the composites of NRs and NPs showed significant improvements in electron transportation compared to only NP photoelectrodes, which would enhance the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. IMPS and IMVS measurements show that fast electron transport and slightly decreased recombination lifetime resulted in the improvement of efficiency. The highest energy conversion efficiency obtained from the photoelectrodes fabricated with the as-prepared rutile TiO₂ nanofibers at 5 wt% NR content was up to 6.1% under AM1.5G solar illumination. The results demonstrate that the composite nanostructure can take advantage of both the fast electron transport of the nanorods and the high surface area of the nanoparticles.     

Room-temperature synthesis of gold nanoparticles and nanoplates using Shewanella algae cell extract

Biosynthesis of spherical gold nanoparticles and gold nanoplates was achieved at room temperature and pH 2.8 when cell extract from the metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella algae was used as both a reducing and shape-controlling agent. Cell extract, prepared by sonicating a suspension of S. algae cells, was capable of reducing 1 mol/m³ aqueous AuCl₄ ⁻ ions into elemental gold within 10 min when H₂ gas was provided as an electron donor. The time interval lapsed since the beginning of the bioreductive reaction was found to be an important factor in controlling the morphology of biogenic gold nanoparticles. After 1 h, there was a large population of well-dispersed, spherical gold nanoparticles with a mean size of 9.6 nm. Gold nanoplates with an edge length of 100 nm appeared after 6 h, and 60% of the total nanoparticle population was due to gold nanoplates with an edge length of 100–200 nm after 24 h. The yield of gold nanoplates prepared with S. algae extract was four times higher than that prepared with resting cells of S. algae. The resulting biogenic gold nanoparticle suspensions showed a large variation in color, ranging from pale pink to purple due to changes in nanoparticle morphology.     

Improved charge collection efficiency of hollow sphere/nanoparticle composite TiO2 electrodes for solid state dye sensitized solar cells

The photoanodes of solid state dye sensitized solar cells (ss-DSCs) embedded with different contents of TiO₂ hollow spheres (HSs) were prepared and the photovoltaic performances were systematically characterized. TiO₂ hollow spheres were synthesized by a facile sacrificial templating method, grounded and added in different ratios to TiO₂ nanoparticle (NP) paste, from which composite HS/NP electrodes were fabricated. The composite photoanodes include hollow spheres of 300–700 nm with enhanced light scattering characteristics in visible range which leads to improved light absorption in conventional thin film electrodes of ss-DSC. By optimizing the amount of HSs in the paste, 40% improvement in efficiency was obtained in comparison to ss-DSC utilized pure NP electrodes. By increasing the fraction of HSs in the electrode the current density increased by 56% (from 2.5 to 3.9 mA cm^?2). The improved photovoltaic performance of ss-DSC is primarily due to different morphology and altered charged trap distribution in HSs in comparison to NP which leads to significant enhancement in electron transport time and electron lifetime as well as charge collection efficiency and light absorption properties.     

Nonlinear diffraction in gratings based on polymer–dispersed TiO 2 nanoparticles

In this letter we report a simple technique to produce volume holographic gratings based on photopolymerizable composites containing TiO₂ nanoparticles. Diffraction gratings with high refractive index modulation amplitude (up to 1.25 × 10⁻²) have been formed due to the periodic distribution of high refractive index nanoparticles in a low refractive index polymer matrix. The diffraction efficiency increases strongly on increasing the nanoparticle concentration. Taking the mixture with 10 wt.% TiO₂ nanoparticles, gratings with high diffraction efficiency, low level of scattering and high transparency in the visible-wavelength range have been obtained. This will ultimately lead to different applications of diffractive optical elements based on nanocomposites. The dependence of the gratings’ diffraction efficiency on the intensity of probe laser pulses at 1064 nm has been explored. It is shown that the nonlinear response of the gratings is attributed mainly to the nonlinear properties of the TiO₂ nanoparticles embedded in the polymer matrix. The mechanism of the grating formation and the reasons for the nonlinear behavior of the diffraction efficiency are discussed.     

Ionic conduction and phase separation studies in P(VdF-HFP))-LiClO4-dedoped polyaniline nanofiber composite polymer electrolytes — II: Effect of incorporation of PC and DEC

In the present work, ionic transport and interfacial stability of dedoped (insulating) polyaniline (PAni) nanofibers dispersed P(VdF-HFP) based nanocomposite gel polymer electrolytes have been investigated. Samples of P(VdF-HFP)-(PC+DEC)-LiClO₄-x wt. % dedoped PAni nanofibers (x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) are prepared by conventional solution casting technique. By analysis of SEM, XRD and impedance spectroscopy results it has been demonstrated that the incorporation of up to 6 wt. % of dedoped PAni nanofibers to P(VdF-HFP)-(PC+DEC)-LiClO₄ polymer electrolyte system significantly enhances the ionic conductivity and interfacial stability of the electrolyte system. Above that concentration phase separation of PAni nanofibers is observed leading to decrease in ionic conductivity. The aggregated phase decreases the porosity, which results in lower ionic conductivity as confirmed by SEM. Experiments on the interfacial stability reveals that the stability of polymer electrolytes containing nanofibers is better than that of nanofiber free polymer electrolytes.     

Piezoelectric and magnetoelectric properties of PVDF/NiFe2O4 based electrospun nanofibers for flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators

In this study, flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) were fabricated using the composite fibers which were prepared by combining polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) at a concentration of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 wt%. The piezoelectric properties of PNG indicate that the PVDF/NiFe₂O₄ fibers containing NiFe₂O₄ NPs at a concentration of 10 wt% has a higher power efficiency of 5.4% at 20 Hz compared to that of the pure PVDF fibers at 10 Hz, under the same resistive load of 2.5 MΩ. The magnetoelectric properties of PNG show that the PNG with PVDF+7 wt%NiFe₂O₄ supplied the highest electrical power of 0.40 μW under a resistive load of 750KΩ while it reached a maximum voltage value of 17.50 mV at the same load resistive load for a low-level magnetic field of 50 Hz frequency.     

Proton-conducting composite membranes from graft copolymer electrolytes and phosphotungstic acid for fuel cells

New organic–inorganic composite membranes based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene)-graft-poly(styrene sulfonic acid) [P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-PSSA] with embedded phosphotungstic acid (PWA) were prepared. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated the existence of a specific interaction between P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-PSSA graft copolymer and PWA particles. PWA nanoparticles were well confined in the polymeric matrix up to 20 wt.%, above which they started to be extracted from the matrix, as revealed by scanning electron microscope analysis. Accordingly, Young’s modulus of membranes also increased with PWA concentration up to 20 wt.%, above which it continuously decreased. Upon incorporation of PWA nanoparticles, the proton conductivity of composite membranes slightly decreased from 0.042 to 0.035 S/cm at room temperature up to 20 wt.%, presumably due to strong interaction between the sulfonic acids of graft copolymer and PWA nanoparticles. The characterization by thermal gravimetric analysis demonstrated the enhancement of thermal stabilities of the composite membranes with increasing concentration of PWA.     

Surfactant-modified nickel zinc iron oxide/polymer nanocomposites for radio frequency applications

Low loss, flexible, polymer nanocomposites with improved magneto-dielectric properties at radio frequencies (RF) were successfully fabricated. Surfactant-modified nickel zinc iron oxide (NiZnFe₂O₄) nanoparticles with ferrimagnetic behavior at room temperature were synthesized by a seed-mediated growth method. The surfactant prevented NiZnFe₂O₄ particle aggregation and provided compatibility with [styrene-b-ethylene/butylene-b-styrene] block copolymer matrices. NiZnFe₂O₄/polymer composites were prepared by a solution-casting method. Experimental results showed that the dielectric permittivity (?_r) and magnetic permeability (μ_r) of the polymer composite increased with increasing amount of NiZnFe₂O₄ doping. The dielectric loss (tanδ) was less than 0.010 at 1 GHz frequency. The increased miniaturization factor ((?_rμ_r)^1/2) and relative wave impedance ((μ_r/?_r)^1/2) of the NiZnFe₂O₄ nanocomposites could potentially lead to a reduced RF device’s physical size with ease in impedance matching. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that nanocomposites maintained 125% strain (elongation at break) with 30% nanoparticle doping.