Thermal and electrical conduction behavior of alumina and multiwalled carbon nanotube incorporated poly(dimethyl siloxane)

Alumina particles were incorporated in poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) matrix in company with multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) for improving the thermal and electrical conductivities. The concentration of MWCNT was increased from 0 to 10 wt% to PDMS at fixed amounts of alumina (200 and 300 wt% to PDMS). Thermal conductivity of PDMS composites was increased with the increasing amount of MWCNT and the excellent dispersibility of the incorporated pristine MWCNT was achieved. Thermal and electrical conductivities of the composites were increased with the increasing concentration of the alumina because the alumina particles help disperse MWCNT within the PDMS matrix due to the ball milling effect during compounding. The properties of the alumina and MWCNT incorporated PDMS composites were investigated in terms of the curing characteristics, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. The MWCNT/alumina incorporated composite showed the high electrical conductivity to the level of the semiconductor.     

Fabrication of flexible AgNW/cellulose hybrid film with heat preservation and antibacterial properties for agriculture application

In the view of sustainable development and environmental protection, degradable agricultural films with on-demand thermal insulation properties have attracted growing research interest in the last few decades due to the deteriorating environment and extreme climate on the growth and existence of crops. Here, a general strategy has been developed to fabricate degradable silver nanowires modified cellulose (AgNW/cellulose) hybrid film with controllable thermal insulation and antibacterial properties by using plant cellulose and AgNWs as building blocks, PVA and PEG as film forming solvent, as well as their agriculture application. The results show that the AgNWs are evenly dispersed in the three-dimensional grid of cellulose, that they form a film that can withstand a certain tensile force and have good thermal stability. Due to the excellent electrical conductivity, the AgNW/cellulose hybrid films can provide excellent Joule heating, generating rapid thermal response and uniform electrical heating at a low supply voltage of 3 V. In the antibacterial tests against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, the AgNW/cellulose hybrid films exhibited large diameters of inhibition zones, revealing the high antibacterial activity. Additionally, the AgNW/cellulose hybrid films showed highly stretchable behavior by delivering a breaking strain of 1.5% with a tensile stress of 0.45 MPa owing to the cross-linked structures of cellulose and AgNWs. Based on the above properties, this study not only provides a potential strategy for the fabrication of flexible and biodegradable agricultural films but also may provide new insights for agricultural thermal management.

     

Silver nanowires-copper sulfide core/shell nanostructure for electrochemical supercapacitors

This paper reports the synthesis of a new hybrid core (silver nanowires (AgNWs))/shell (copper sulfide (Cu₂S)) nanostructure using simple and inexpensive drop casting and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) methods. The effects of the thickness of the Cu₂S shell on the Ag NW core on the electrochemical properties of the nanocomposite were studied by varying the number of SILAR cycles from one to four. The structure and microstructure of the prepared composite nanostructure electrode materials were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The AgNW/Cu₂S exhibited a high specific capacitance of 603 Fg^?1 (stainless steel substrate) and 707 Fg^?1 (Ni foam substrate) at a scan rate of 10 mVs^?1 with an energy density of 10.01 Whkg^?1 and 25.33 Whkg^?1 at an applied current of 0.2 mA. This study provides a simple and cost-effective strategy for the fabrication of nanostructured electrodes for supercapacitor applications.     

Optical and electrical properties of copper alumina nanoparticles reinforced chlorinated polyethylene composites for optoelectronic devices

The incorporation of transition metal oxide fillers into the polymer matrix through solution mixing polymerization imparts enhanced electrical and thermal properties. The present work focused on the optical properties, crystallinity, thermal stability, temperature-dependent conductivity, dielectric constant and modulus of chlorinated polyethylene/copper alumina (CPE/Cu–Al₂O₃) nanocomposites. Optical absorption measured using an ultraviolet–visible (UV–visible) spectrometer shows enhanced intensity and a blue shift for CPE/Cu–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites. The bandgap energy of CPE/Cu–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites was lower than pure CPE and minimum bandgap energy was recorded for a 7 wt% composites. The X-ray diffraction demonstrates that Cu–Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were uniformly introduced into the CPE matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) manifests improved thermal stability of nanocomposites. Dielectric properties decrease with frequency, whereas AC conductivity increases with frequency, and both AC conductivity and dielectric properties increase with temperature. The maximum AC conductivity and dielectric constant were obtained for 7 wt % nanofiller loaded sample. For all systems, the activation energy for electrical conductivity decreases with rising temperatures. The experimental dielectric constant values of CPE nanocomposites were correlated with different theoretical models. The Bruggeman model was in good agreement with the experimental permittivity. The impedance experiments showed a decreasing trend with temperature, indicating the semiconducting nature of prepared nanocomposites.     

Synthesis of efficient Vulcan–LaMnO3 perovskite nanocomposite for the oxygen reduction reaction

In situ autocombustion has been developed as a novel and efficient route for the synthesis of perovskite–carbon nanocomposites for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. We demonstrate the synthesis of crystalline LaMnO_3 + δ perovskite–Vulcan composite with a high accessibility of active sites and high electronic conductivity required for efficient electrocatalysis. The rotating disc electrode measurements evidenced an excellent activity of the composite for the ORR.     

Coating Cellulosic Material with Ag Nanowires to Fabricate Wearable IR-Reflective Device for Personal Thermal Management: The Role of Coating Method and Loading Level

Textiles coated with silver nanowires (AgNWs) are effective at suppressing radiative heat loss without sacrificing breathability. Many reports present the applicability of AgNWs as IR-reflective wearable textiles, where such studies partially evaluate the parameters for practical usage for large-scale production. In this study, the effect of the two industrial coating methods and the loading value of AgNWs on the performance of AgNWs-coated fabric (AgNWs-CF) is reported. The AgNWs were synthesized by the polyol process and applied onto the surface of cotton fabric using either dip- or spray-coating methods with variable loading levels of AgNWs. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared (IR) reflectance, water vapor permeability (WVP), and electrical resistance properties were characterized. The results report the successful synthesis of AgNWs with a 30 μm length. The results also show that the spray coating method has a better performance for reflecting the IR radiation to the body, which increases with a greater loading level of the AgNWs. The antibacterial results show a good inhibition zone for cotton fabric coated by both methods, where the spray-coated fabric has a better performance overall. The results also show the coated fabric with AgNWs maintains the level of fabric breathability similar to control samples. AgNWs-CFs have potential utility for cold weather protective clothing in which heat dissipation is attenuated, along with applications such as wound dressing materials that provide antibacterial protection.     

Thermal conductivity enhancement of Ag nanowires on an organic phase change material

One of the greatest challenges in the application of organic phase change materials (PCMs) is to increase their thermal conductivity while maintaining high phase change enthalpy. 1-Tetradecanol/Ag nanowires composite PCM containing 62.73 wt% (about 11.8 vol%) of Ag nanowires showed remarkably high thermal conductivity (1.46 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹) and reasonably high phase change enthalpy (76.5 J g⁻¹). This behavior was attributed to the high aspect ratio of Ag nanowires, few thermal conduct interfaces, and high interface thermal conductivity of Ag nanowires in the composite PCM. These results indicated that Ag nanowires might be strong candidates for thermal conductivity enhancement of organic PCMs.     

Transparent electrodes fabricated via the self-assembly of silver nanowires using a bubble template

To shore up the demand of transparent electrodes for wide applications such as organic light emitting diodes and solar cells, transparent electrodes are required as an alternative for indium tin oxide electrodes. Herein the self-assembly method with a bubble template paves the way for cost-effective fabrication of transparent electrodes with high conductivity and transparency using self-assembly of silver nanowires (AgNWs) in a bubble template. AgNWs were first dispersed in water that was bubbled with a surfactant and a thickening agent. Furthermore, these AgNWs were assembled by lining along the bubble ridges. When the bubbles containing the AgNWs were sandwiched between two glass substrates, the bubble ridges including the AgNWs formed continuous polygonal structures. Mesh structures were formed on both glass substrates after air-drying. The mesh structures evolved into mesh transparent electrodes following heat-treatment. The AgNW mesh structure exhibited a low sheet resistance of 6.2 Ω/square with a transparency of 84% after heat treatment at 200 °C for 20 min. The performance is higher than that of transparent electrodes with random networks of AgNWs. Furthermore, the conductivity and transparency of the mesh transparent electrodes can be adjusted by changing the amount of the AgNW suspension and the space between the two glass substrates.     

Effect of electrostatic heterocoagulation of PVM/MA grafted carbon black and attapulgite nanorods on electrical and mechanical behaviors of waterborne polyurethane nanocomposites

In our previous report, poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride) grafted CB (GCB) with stable dispersion in water was successfully prepared. In the present study, waterborne polyurethane (WPU) nanocomposites including GCB and attapulgite (ATT) were prepared by liquid mixing method. Anionically charged GCB nanoparticles were heterocoagulated on the surface of cationically charged ATT nanorods at low pH value and improved the stabilization of ATT nanorods in water as a dispersing aid. The microstructure development in matrix that depended on various weight ratios of the nanoparticles ultimately influenced the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of WPU nanocomposites. Composites containing equal concentrations of GCB and ATT showed reduced electrical conductivity, but significant increase in storage modulus. When the weight ratio of GCB to ATT was 5:1, both electrical conductivity and storage modulus of composite were improved simultaneously. The percolation threshold of composites containing a 5:1 (w/w) GCB/ATT ratio was lower than that of composites with GCB alone. The proposed mechanism for the effect of GCB and ATT on electrical or mechanical behaviors in composite was discussed in details. The clear evidence of microstructure development was also observed by transmission electron microscope.     

双功能聚二甲基硅氧烷/铜纳米线复合薄膜的制备与性能

通过环境友好的葡萄糖模板法和改进的湿化学还原法制备了聚二甲基硅氧烷/铜纳米线(PDMS/CuNWs)复合薄膜, 其采用的“类夹心结构”有效解决了铜在空气中易氧化进而导致电导率大幅度下降的问题, 同时获得了具有优异电磁屏蔽和光热转化性能的双功能轻质柔性复合薄膜. CuNWs面密度为1.6 g/cm²的复合薄膜在重复弯折1000次后性能保持率最高可达99.07％; CuNWs面密度为2.4 g/cm²的复合薄膜在X波段下总电磁屏蔽效能达到30.1 dB, 屏蔽效率达到99.9％; 同时, 在2 W/cm²的近红外光照射下, 复合薄膜在仅加热15 s后其表面温度高达211.2 ℃, 具有十分快速的光热响应和转化效率.     

Effects of processing conditions on rheological,thermal, and electrical properties of multiwall carbon nanotube/epoxy resin composites

We report on the effect of processing conditions on rheology, thermal and electrical properties of nanocomposites containing 0.02–0.3 wt % multiwall carbon nanotubes in an epoxy resin. The influence of the sonication, the surface functionalization during mixing, as well as the application of external magnetic field (EMF) throughout the curing process was examined. Rheological tests combined with optical microscopy visualization are proved as a very useful methodology to determine the optimal processing conditions for the preparation of the nanocomposites. The Raman spectra provide evidence for more pronounced effect on the functionalized with hardener compositions, particularly by curing upon application of EMF. Different chain morphology of CNTs is created depending of the preparation conditions, which induced different effects on the thermal and electrical properties of the nanocomposites. The thermal degradation peak is significantly shifted towards higher temperatures by increasing the nanotube content, this confirming that even the small amount of carbon nanotubes produces a strong barrier effect for the volatile products during the degradation. The ac conductivity measurements revealed lower values of the percolation threshold (pc) in the range of 0.03–0.05 wt %. CNTs for the nanocomposites produced by preliminary dispersing of nanotubes in the epoxy resin, compared to those prepared by preliminary functionalization of the nanotubes in the amine hardener. This is attributed to the higher viscosity and stronger interfacial interactions of the amine hardener/CNT dispersion which restricts the reorganization of the nanotubes. The application of the EMF does not influence the pc value but the dc conductivity values (σ_dc) of the nanocomposites increased at about one order of magnitude due to the development of the aforementioned chain structure. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Enhanced electrical properties of PEDOT:PSS via synergistic effect

As a representing conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been widely employed in organic electronics. However, the electrical conductivity for pristine PEDOT:PSS is only between 0.1 and 0.5 S/cm. In order to enhance the conductivity, the silver nanowires (Ag NWs) were synthesized to dope PEDOT:PSS. It was found the electrical conductivity of PEDOT:PSS was improved to about 200 S/cm with Ag NWs. When double-wall carbon nanotube (DWCNT) was employed together with Ag NWs, the electrical conductivity was further improved to over 2800 S/cm. We proposed the synergistic working model between Ag NWs and CNTs for such enhancement. In this work, UV-vis-NIR spectra and SEM images were also employed to investigate the mechanism of electrical conductivity enhancement.     

Optical and electrical behavior of organic/inorganic hybrid with embedded gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with different diameters (from 4 up to 10 nm) were immobilized within a amine-alcohol-silicate matrix [AA(600)] by mixing a preformed Au nanoparticle colloidal solution with the precursors of amine-alcohol-silicate, prior to the sol–gel transition. The organic–inorganic hybrid (OIH) nanocomposites were synthetized by sol–gel method by reaction of amino-functionalized polyether and a siloxane functionalized with a terminal epoxy group. The obtained homogeneous, high transparent and stable materials exhibit enhanced optical and electrical properties derived from plasmonic effects associated with the size and form of the nanoparticle dopants which show to be preserved during the synthesis steps. Performed electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that OIH gels doped with AuNPs exhibit low conductivity that shows to be slightly dependent on dispersed Au particle sizes. The characterization of this materials by current–voltage (I–V) measurements shows that these materials exhibit an electrical stability within an range of applied potential of about 5 V and suggests that charge transfer mechanism is strongly dependent on the potential applied across the OIH gel as observed by testing different charge transfer models: space-charge-limited current, Poole–Frenkel, Schottky emission and hopping conduction or the Schottky-Simmons. The results obtained from the characterization the electrochemical properties shows that the produced material to be relevant for the potential application of OIH embedded AuNPs nanocomposites in non-volatile organic memory devices.     

Thin and high conductive multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polydimethylsiloxane composite film prepared via solvent method as strain sensors

Flexible strain sensors based on conductive fillers and flexible polymers possessed significant advantages in human motion detection. Preparing a strain sensing layer with high electrical conductivity and excellent mechanical property under high content of conductive filler contributed to the stability of flexible strain sensors. In this study, MWCNTs/PDMS composite film was prepared by the organic solvent method. The microstructure, electrical conductivity, mechanical property, and piezoresistive characteristics of the composite film at different MWCNTs contents were characterized and discussed. When the mass fraction of MWCNTs in the composite film was 5%, the composite film exhibited a high electrical conductivity of 9.56 S/m while maintaining ideal mechanical properties, and the film thickness was just about 180 μm. The relationship between electrical signals and film strain was performed. The piezoresistive characteristic results demonstrated that the prepared composite film could be used as flexible strain sensor for human motion detection. The prepared thin MWCNTs/PDMS composite film in this paper illustrated high conductive and desired flexibility, and was an alternative material for human motion detection.     

Low electrical percolation threshold in poly(ethylene terephthalate)/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites were prepared by three different methods: in-situ polymerization technique (I-S), direct mixing in the melt (DM) and dilution of a 0.5 wt.% masterbatch, synthesized via in-situ polymerization, using melt mixing (MB). The morphology of the resulting nanocomposites was examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy and their electrical properties were characterized by ac conductivity measurements. The I-S series of samples exhibited an extremely low electrical percolation threshold (p_c ≈ 0.06 wt.%), as compared to values of similar systems previously mentioned in literature. The MB series showed a comparable p_c value (p_c: 0.05-0.10 wt.%), whereas the investigation revealed a higher p_c in the DM series (p_c: 0.10-0.20 wt.%). Finally, selected concentrations of samples were prepared using OH-functionalized MWCNT, following the I-S procedure. The conductivity of these samples was found to be lower than that of samples with non-functionalized MWCNT.     

Improvement of electrical and material properties of epoxy resin/ aluminum nitride nanocomposites for packaging materials

This paper presents the influence of Aluminum Nitride (AlN) nanoparticles on the electrical and material properties of epoxy resin (EP). The EP/AlN nanocomposites with different concentrations of nano-AlN fillers are prepared. The dispersion of the nano-AlN particles in the composites is analyzed by a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The electrical properties are investigated by the space charge and DC conductivity measurements, whereas the material properties are studied by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The results show that the homo-charge accumulation appears near both electrodes during the polarization, but there are limited negative charges left near both electrodes in the depolarization for the pure EP sample. There is no space charge accumulation in the 1 wt% and 2 wt% EP/AlN nanocomposites. The electric field distortion of the pure EP sample is 20%. Moreover, the electric field distortion initially decreases with the increase of the nano-AlN content, but it increases for the 2 wt% nano-AlN sample. Temperature has a dominant influence on the DC conductivity of the EP/AlN nanocomposites comparing to the pure EP. However, the DC conductivity of the nanocomposites becomes stable at high temperatures. It is also found that the weight loss of the samples decreases with the addition of the nano-AlN and the 1 wt% nano-AlN sample has the highest glass transition temperature. It is elucidated that the high apparent mobility and activation energy facilitate the space charge transport and suppressing the space charge accumulation. Furthermore, the nano-AlN filler can increase the trap level and trap energy density of the deep traps in the sample. The dielectric loss of the EP at high frequency is reduced with the content of 1 wt% nano-AlN. Furthermore, the addition of the nano-AlN can improve the thermal stability of the EP. The 1 wt% nano-AlN sample has the superior electrical insulation and material performance amongst the tested materials.     

Enhanced magnetoconductivity and electrical property of MWCNT-CdS nanocomposite embedded in polyaniline

PANI/MWCNT-CdS nanocomposites with different content of CdS wt.% has been synthesized by the chemical oxidative in-situ polymerization reaction of aniline in the presence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). TEM, XRD, FTIR, and TGA studies were done for the structural and thermal characterization of the samples respectively. The particle size of CdS nanoparticles distributes in between 2.7 and 4.8 nm. XRD spectrum reveals that the co-existence of MWCNT, CdS in PANI matrix, where CdS forms a hexagonal structure. TGA result shows that nanocomposite becomes more thermally stable with the increase in CdS content. The dc electrical transport property of PANI/MWCNT-CdS nanocomposites has been investigated within a temperature range 77 ≤ T ≤ 300 K. The dc conductivity follows a 3D variable range hopping (VRH) model. A large magnetoconductivity change (19%) is observed for 2 wt% CdS content in PANI/MWCNT-CdS, which is explained by the wave function shrinkage model.     

Oxygen permeation through (Bi2O3)0.74(SrO)0.26–Ag (40% v/o) composite

The dense dual phase composite membrane made from strontium-stabilized bismuth oxide and silver, (Bi₂O₃)_0.74(SrO)_0.26–Ag (40% v/o), was investigated. The composite was found to exhibit very high electrical conductivity at the room temperature, revealing that the silver phase has formed electron-conducting networks in the oxide matrix. The composite shows much improved oxygen permeability compared with the bismuth oxide alone. An oxygen flux of 5×10⁻⁸ mol cm⁻² s⁻¹ was observed for a 1.00 mm thick composite at 700°C with oxygen partial pressures of the feed and permeate side at 0.209, 0.0024 atm, respectively. Combination of electrical conductivity and oxygen permeation measurements reveals that oxygen-ion conduction through the oxide phase of the composite is the rate-limiting step for oxygen permeation.     

Nanocrystals Assembled by the Chemical Reaction of the Dispersion Solvent

The development of methods to pattern nanocrystals with different sizes and shapes remains a challenge. In this study, we demonstrate a unique class of bottom‐up approaches to assemble nanocrystals into patterns. Our approach for patterning nanocrystals focuses on the utilization and control of the chemical reaction of solvents surrounding nanocrystals. The photopolymerization of solvent molecules through a photomask creates time‐dependent concentration gradients of the solvents. Dispersed nanocrystals such as silver nanowires (AgNWs) migrate and are gradually organized and integrated into the polymerizing films based on the concentration gradients. The AgNW‐embedded film properties are determined by the organized AgNW structures and include light transmission and electrical conductivity. Overall, the demonstrated method is very simple, widely applicable to various nanocrystals and solvents, and can thus contribute to the development of a new class of nanocrystal patterning methods.     

Polyaniline/Silver Nanoparticle-Doped Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composites

A simple method was used to synthesize the hybrid nanocomposites consisting of the functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube composites (MWCNTs) with the polyaniline incorporated silver nanoparticles (a-MWCNT/PANI-Ag) through an emulsion polymerization at room temperature in order to enhance the electrical conductivity of polyaniline. The electrical conductivity of the composite with the incorporated Ag nanoparticles was 5% higher than the same weight percent for the composite without Ag nanoparticles, and the thermal stability was dramatically increased from 54% for the composite (a-MWCNT/PANI) to 69% through the incorporation of the Ag nanoparticles at 830°C. Additionally, the advantages of the Ag nanoparticles, including the improved electrical and thermal properties without damage to the polyaniline structure, were confirmed using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.