Fast switching response and dielectric behaviour of fullerene/ferroelectric liquid crystal nanocolloids

The electro-optical and dielectric responses of the fullerenes C₆₀-doped ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) nanocolloids are reported. Order parameter and phase transition temperature remain invariant as a function of varying dopant concentration (0.10 wt% to 0.50 wt%). Faster switching response of nanocolloids comparing to that of the non-doped FLC is manifested by increase in the localised electric field (around 76% increment for 0.50 wt%), while reduction in the spontaneous polarisation could be the result of anti-parallel correlation amid dopant and FLC dipoles. Decrease in dielectric constant, absorption strength, dielectric strength and rotational viscosity of FLC nanocolloids than that of non-doped FLC is the other consequence of C₆₀ doping. Goldstone-mode relaxation frequency is found to be increased with increasing doping concentration of C₆₀ in FLC.     

Photorefractive effect in composites of ferroelectric liquid crystal and photoconductive polymer

The photorefractive effect in composites of a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) and several photoconductive polymers was investigated. The photorefractivity of mixtures of photoconductive polymers and an FLC (polymer/FLC), as well as that of photoconductive‐polymer‐stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals (PPS‐FLCs) was examined. The polymer/FLC samples exhibited two‐beam coupling gain coefficients of about 6～12 cm^?1 in a 5 µm gap cell. The photopolymerization of a methacrylate monomer in the FLC medium established a polymer‐stabilized state in which the alignment of FLC molecules was mechanically stabilized. The noise in a two‐beam coupling signal was reduced significantly in the PPS‐FLC samples.     

Thermal Degradation Behavior and Kinetic Analysis of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Based Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites Prepared Via in-situ Polymerization

Thermal degradation behavior of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposites, with different nanotubes contents (0.5, 1.5 and 3.5 wt%) prepared via in-situ polymerization technique have been investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA spectra revealed that these nanocomposites had enhanced thermal stability and no significant mass loss (<0.4 wt%) occurred up to 350°C. Thermal degradation of these UHMWPE/MWCNT nanocomposites was investigated in terms of parameters such as the onset temperature of degradation (T₁₀), the decomposition temperature at 50% wt loss (T₅₀), the degradation temperature of maximum rate of the weight loss (T_m), and the residual yields (W_R) from TGA. The degradation activation energies (E) of virgin UHMWPE and its nanocomposites were estimated using the Friedman, the Ozawa, Flynn, and Wall (OFW), and the Kissinger's methods. Results indicated that the degradation activation energy for the virgin UHMWPE was 281.3 kJ/mol. The activation energy increased with increasing nanotube loading up to 1.5 wt% indicating that MWCNTs had a stabilizing effect on the degradation of the matrix. However, loadings of 3.5 wt% of nanotube or more could slightly decrease the activation energy. The decrease in the activation energy for degradation of nanocomposites with higher MWCNT concentrations might be attributed to the catalytic effects of nanotubes and polymerization catalyst residues. The “model fitting” method indicated a mechanism of n ^th-order auto-catalysis from the form of the conversion curves for UHMWPE/MWCNTs nanocomposites prepared via in-situ polymerization.     

Synthesis and physical properties of laterally fluoro substituted ferroelectric liquid crystals with a fluoro substituted chiral terminal chain

A new series of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) has been designed for active matrix displays based upon the chiral smectic C phase. The FLCs have been derived from optically active fluorinated alkanols and a laterally fluoro substituted biphenylyl-1,3-dioxan core. Their physical properties such as spontaneous polarization, current response time, and tilt angle have been determined. The FLC derived from 2-fluoro-octanol showed a very short current response time of 10μs at T _Sm*-N* - T= 10°C, while another FLC with the same core derived from 5-fluoro-octanol gave a value of 150μs.     

Electrical properties study of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/hybrid-glass nanocomposites

Electrical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)/hybrid-glass nanocomposites prepared by the fast-sol–gel reaction were investigated in light of percolation theory. A good correlation was found between the experimental results and the theory. We obtained a percolation threshold ? _c  = 0.22 wt%, and a critical exponent of t = 1.73. These values are reported for the first time for a silica-based system. The highest conductivity measured on the MWNT/hybrid-glass nanocomposites was σ ≈ 10^?3(Ω cm)^?1 for 2 wt% carbon nanotube (CNT) loading. The electrical conductivity was at least 12 orders of magnitude higher than that of pure silica. Electrostatic force microscopy and conductive-mode atomic force microscopy studies demonstrated conductivity at the micro-level, which was attributed to the CNT dispersed in the matrix. It appears that the dispersion in our MWNT/hybrid-glass system yields a particularly low percolation threshold compared with that of a MWNT/silica-glass system. Materials with electrical conductivities described in this work can be exploited for anti-static coating.     

Thermal degradation kinetics of in situ prepared PET nanocomposites with acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

A series of PET/acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites of varying nanoparticles’ concentration were prepared, using the in situ polymerization technique. TEM micrographs verified that the dispersion of the MWCNTs into the PET matrix was homogeneous, while some relatively small aggregates co-existed at higher filler contents. Intrinsic viscosity of the prepared nanocomposites was increased at low MWCNTs contents (up to 0.25 wt%), while at higher contents a gradual reduction was observed. The surface carboxylic groups of acid-treated MWCNTs probably reacted with the hydroxyl end groups of PET, acting as chain extenders at smaller concentrations, while at higher concentrations, on the other hand, led to the formation of branched and cross-linked macromolecules, with reduced apparent molecular weights. From the thermogravimetric curves, it was concluded that the prepared samples exhibited good thermostability, since no remarkable mass loss occurred up to 320 °C (<0.5%). The activation energy (E) of degradation of the studied materials was estimated using the Ozawa, Flynn, and Wall (OFW), Friedman and Kissinger’s methods. Pure PET had an E = 223.5 kJ/mol, while in the PET/MWCNTs nanocomposites containing up to 1 wt% the E gradually increased, indicating that MWCNTs had a stabilizing effect upon the decomposition of the matrix. Only the sample containing 2 wt% of MWCNTs exhibited a lower E due to the existence of the aforementioned cross-linked macromolecules. The form of the conversion function for all the studied samples obtained by fitting was the mechanism of nth-order auto-catalysis.     

Thermogravimetric, differential scanning calorimetric and experimental thermal transport study of MWCNT/NBR nanocomposites

Pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were impregnated in acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) using internal dispersion kneader and two roller mixing mill to investigate the effects of various nanotubes concentrations on the thermal transport/stability of rubber nanocomposites. Thermal conductivity (λ _N) and thermal impedance (R) measurement experimental setups were established according to ASTM E1225-99 and D5470-03. The 1 mass % addition of MWCNTs in the polymer matrix has enhanced R up to 44 % and reduced λ _N of the rubber nanocomposite up to 40 % compare to the base composite formulation. Thermal decomposition and differential thermal analyses of the fabricated composite specimens simulate that the thermal stability and endothermic capability are augmented with increasing the nanotubes contents in the host matrix. The progressive incorporations of carbon nanotubes into the rubber matrix have efficiently influenced the composite specimens regarding glass transition, crystallization, and melting temperatures including their specific enthalpies. Scanning electron microscopy along with the energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to analyze MWCNTs dispersion in NBR matrix, compositional analysis of the nanocomposite, and impregnated nanotubes.     

Spontaneous polarization and electro-optic behaviour of a ferroelectric liquid crystal cell fabricated with polyimide Langmuir-Blodgett films

The spontaneous polarization and electro-optic response of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) were investigated in a cell fabricated with a polyimide alignment layer coated by the Langmuir-Blodgett method. The surface properties of the cured polyimide layers were monitored by contact angle measurement, and by FTIR spectroscopy and AFM for the orientation and surface roughness, respectively. The apparent spontaneous polarization of an FLC determined in a practical sandwich-cell depended on various conditions such as cell thickness, cooling rate from the smectic A to chiral smectic C phase, and deposition pressure. Electro-optic response and decay times of FLCs were also measured. Furthermore, the ions in the FLC mixture reduced the magnitude of the effective electric field, but had no effect at high frequency.     

Rheological Behavior of Spinning Dope of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/Polyacrylonitrile Composites

The spinning dope of Multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyacrylonitrile composites was prepared by in-situ polymerization in 50wt% NaSCN solution. The rheological behavior of the dope containing carbon nanotubes from 0.19wt% to 1.9wt% was investigated using rotational rheometry at 60°C.The nanotubes have diameters between 30-50nm and lengths ranging from 6 to 10 μm. The apparent viscosity decreases with the addition of carbon nanotubes; this can be explained by the inhibition of carbon nanotubes during polymerization progress. The spinning dope containing various contents of carbon nanotubes exhibits a shear thickening effect. However, the dynamic rheological test shows there is a peak of complex viscosity with the increasing in frequency.     

Phase modulation and ellipticity of the light transmitted through a smectic C* layer with short helix pitch

A chiral ferroelectric smectic C* liquid crystal (FLC) with the helix pitch p ₀?=?330 nm was developed to avoid any scattering of visible light when the helix is not unwound over a certain limit. Planar cells with different FLC layer thickness (16 and 44 μm) have been assembled with helix axis parallel to the glass plates and aligned along the rubbing direction. The ellipticity of the light passing through the cells vs. the electric field was investigated, and a method for evaluating the electrically controlled birefringence via ellipticity measurements has been established. We have found that the FLC cell is an optical retardation layer driven by the electric field, the effective birefringence being proportional to the square electric field. The physical origin of the electrically controlled phase shift of the light passing through the FLC layer has been analysed.     

Effects of silver nanoparticles doping on morphology and luminescence behaviour of ferroelectric liquid crystals Langmuir–Blodgett films

We report the deposition of Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) thin films of low-weight dispersed composite systems of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs)–functionalised silver (Ag) nanoparticles. Because of their amphiphilic nature the molecules form stable Langmuir monolayers, which were transferred to silicon substrates. We noticed that absorption wave numbers are present for each bond constituting FLC–nanoparticles composite system, ensuring a complete transfer of molecules from water sub-phase. XRD showed intense peaks at 2θ = 3.2° due to the layer structure of FLC molecules. We infer from the morphology of LB films that doping of nanoparticles do not provide any hindrance to SmC* layer structure of FLC molecules. The photoluminescence study indicates blue shift in emission spectra and peak intensity increases with Ag nanoparticles concentration.     

Comparative study on the properties of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) ‐based nanocomposites containing multi‐walled carbon (MWCNT) and tungsten disulfide (INT‐WS2) nanotubes

Multi‐walled carbon (MWCNT) and tungsten disulfide (INT‐WS₂) nanotubes are materials with excellent mechanical properties, high electrical and thermal conductivity. These special properties make them excellent candidates for high strength and electrically conductive polymer nanocomposite applications. In this work, the possibility of the improvement of mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) by the introduction of MWCNT and INT‐WS₂ nanotubes was investigated. The PTT nanocomposites with low loading of nanotubes were prepared by in situ polymerization method. Analysis of the nanocomposites' morphology carried out by SEM and TEM has confirmed that well‐dispersed nanotubes in the PTT matrix were obtained at low loading (<0.5 wt%). Thermal and thermo‐oxidative stability of nanocomposites was not affected by the presence of nanotubes in PTT matrix. Loading with INT‐WS₂ up to 0.5 wt% was insufficient to ensure electrical conductivity of PTT nanocomposite films. In the case of nanocomposites filled with MWCNT, it was found that nanotube incorporation leads to increase of electrical conductivity of PTT films by 10 orders of magnitude, approaching a value of 10^?3 S/cm at loading of 0.3 wt%. Tensile properties of amorphous and semicrystalline (annealed samples) nanocomposites were affected by the presence of nanotubes. Moreover, the increase in the brittleness of semicrystalline nanocomposites with the increase in MWCNT loading was observed, while the nanocomposites filled with INT‐WS₂ were less brittle than neat PTT. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of low multi‐walled carbon nanotubes loadings on the crystallization behavior of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) nanocomposites

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBSU)/carboxyl‐functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWNTs) nanocomposites were prepared via solution casting method at low f‐MWNTs loadings of 0.5 and 1 wt%, respectively, in this work. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations reveal a fine dispersion of f‐MWNTs throughout the PBSU matrix. Non‐isothermal melt crystallization at different cooling rates, isothermal melt crystallization at different crystallization temperatures, spherulitic morphology, and crystal structure of neat PBSU and its nanocomposites were investigated with various techniques in detail. The addition of f‐MWNTs is found to enhance the crystallization of PBSU, apparently in the nanocomposites during both nonisothermal and isothermal melt crystallization, due to the heterogeneous nucleation effect; however, the crystallization mechanism and crystal structure of PBSU remain almost unchanged. Effect of the presence of f‐MWNTs and their loadings on the thermodynamic driving force for nucleation and nucleation activity of PBSU was evaluated quantitatively through two methods. Moreover, it is found that incorporating with 1 wt% f‐MWNTs significantly improves the storage modulus of PBSU in the nanocomposites by about 147% at room temperature as compared with that of neat PBSU. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of an extractive spectrophotometric method for uranium using MWCNTs as solid phase and arsenazo(III) as chromophore

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based sorptive extraction method for uranium (U) from aqueous solutions has been developed. The proposed method was optimized by evaluating the analytical parameters including pH, eluent type, flow rates of sample and eluent, etc. The adsorption capacity of MWCNTs was found to be 9.80 μg g^?1, while the detection limit based on 3σ criterion was 1.9 μg L^?1. The presented method was applied for the estimation of U in ore sample. Effect of potentially interfering ions was also studied and were found to inert not interfering with U during the analysis. The results suggest that MWCNTs can be used as reliable solid phase for preconcentration and arsenazo-III as chromophore for U spectrometric determination from aqueous solutions.     

An electrochemical sensor for stripping analysis of Pb(II) based on multiwalled carbon nanotube functionalized with 5-Br-PADAP

The present study serves to focus attention on the modification of multiwalled carbon nanotube with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (5-Br-PADAP) and its application for the development of a new, simple, and selective modified electrode in order to determine Pb(II) in standard alloys and water samples. The electrochemical method was based on open circuit accumulation of lead ions onto a 5-Br-PADAP-modified multiwalled carbon nanotube electrode and then their anodic stripping voltammetric determination. The linear range for Pb(II) ions was from 0.9 to 114.6 μg L⁻¹. The detection limit and relative standard deviation were found to be 0.1 μg L⁻¹ and 1.6%, respectively. This method demonstrates the powerful application of carbon nanotubes in the field of mercury-free electrodes in voltammetric stripping analysis.

     

Amperometric sensor based on carbon nanotubes and electropolymerized vanillic acid for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid,dopamine, and uric acid

This paper describes the development of a simple and efficient nanostructured platform based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) functionalized with an in situ generated vanillic acid (VA) polymer. It was used as an analytical sensor for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA). The electropolymerization process of VA, performed on MWCNT-modified glassy carbon electrode, produces three redox systems based on quinone/hydroquinone functionality, as observed by cyclic voltammetry. The amperometric sensor has as figures of merit for the simultaneous determination of AA, DA, and UA the following values: for AA, a linear range of 5–120 μM and detection limit of 3.5 μM; for DA, a linear range of 5–120 μM and detection limit of 4.5 μM; and for UA, a linear range of 5–120 μM and a detection limit of 1.5 μM. From the obtained performance, the development of the platform based on MWCNT/poly-VA is justified for the simultaneous determination of AA, DA, and UA.     

Study of thermal stabilization for polystyrene/carbon nanocomposites via TG/DSC techniques

The degradability and durability for polymer–nanocomposites under various environmental conditions are from the essential fields of research. This study was carried out to examine the thermal stability of polystyrene loaded by carbon (C) nanoparticles up to 20 wt% content. The thermal degradation of PS/C nanocomposites were studied by thermogravimetry analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under non-isothermal condition and inert gas atmosphere at constant heating rate 10 °C min^?1. The variation of degradation characteristic temperatures as a function of C content has been a non-monotonic behavior. The obtained results suggested that the C nanoparticles act as a promoter slowing down the degradation and providing a protective barrier to the nanocomposite, except 5 wt% C content. The latter exception was confirmed by DSC curve through the emergence of a small endothermic peak before the fundamental endothermic, melting, one.     

Polarisation-dependent dielectric processes in ferroelectric liquid crystals

The behaviour of dielectric relaxation process has been investigated in four ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) materials having different spontaneous polarisation (Ps) values. Ps effect on the permittivity in four different FLCs has been carried out in highly anchored sample cells around ~8 μm thick. It has been found that the main contribution to the dielectric permittivity in chiral Smectic C (SmC*) phase is due to Goldstone mode (GM) and partially unwound helical mode (p-UHM). In higher PS value FLC materials, the p-UHM process is found to dominate the dielectric properties. It has also been observed that p-UHM process is highly dependent on the probing ac voltage and temperature, whereas GM is found to be weakly dependent of probing voltage and temperature in SmC* phase of all the studied FLC materials. The influential contribution of p-UHM has exhibited the dielectric properties in its intrinsic frequency range making the materials suitable for futuristic display and photonics devices.     

Thermal degradation kinetics of PET/SWCNTs nanocomposites prepared by the in situ polymerization

The decomposition and thermal behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites were studied using thermogravimetric (TG) analysis in air atmosphere. A series of PET/single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) materials of varying nanoparticles concentration were prepared using the in situ polymerization technique. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy micrographs verified that the dispersion of the SWCNTs in the PET matrix was homogeneous, while some relatively small aggregates co-existed at higher filler concentration. Two-stage decomposition was observed in the experiments. During first stage, strong chemical bonds are broken, i.e., aliphatic bonds and benzyl ring containing molecules decompose into small molecules in the gaseous phase. During second stage, when temperature is higher, the remaining nanotubes along with the residues of the first stage are burned. Kissinger and Coats–Redfern (5, 10, 20, 50 K min^?1) methods were applied to TG data to obtain kinetic parameters (activation energy, Arrhenius constant at 600 K and A factor) and Criado method to kinetics model analysis. In this kinetic model, energy activation is increasing with the increase of nanotubes concentration.     

PtRu/carbon nanotube nanocomposite synthesized in supercritical fluid: a novel electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells

Platinum/ruthenium nanoparticles were decorated on carbon nanotubes (CNT) in supercritical carbon dioxide, and the nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). TEM images show that the particles size is in the range of 5-10 nm, and XRD patterns show a face-centered cubic crystal structure. Methanol electrooxidation in 1 M sulfuric acid electrolyte containing 2 M methanol were studied onPtRu/CNT (Pt, 4.1 wt%; Ru, 2.3 wt%; molar ratio approximately Pt/Ru = 45:55) catalysts using cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. All the electrochemical results show that PtRu/CNT catalysts exhibit high activity for methanol oxidation which resulted from the high surface area of carbon nanotubes and the nanostructure of platinum/ruthenium particles. Compared with Pt/CNT, the onset potential is much lower and the ratio of forward anodic peak current to reverse anodic peak current is much higher for methanol oxidation, which indicates the higher catalytic activity of PtRu/CNT. The presence of Ru with Pt accelerates the rate of methanol oxidation. The results demonstrated the feasibility of processing bimetallic catalysts in supercritical carbon dioxide for fuel cell applications.