Effect of Conditions on the Dispersibility of ZrB2 Particles

ZrB₂@A1(OH)₃‐Y(OH)₃ core‐shell composite particles are synthesized by co‐precipitation method for strengthening the antioxidation of ZrB₂ at high temperature. To reach better A1(OH)₃‐Y(OH)₃ composite shell and higher coating ratio on the ZrB₂ particles surfaces, ZrB₂ particles must be adequately dispersed in the ZrB₂ suspension during the coating process. The dispersibility of ZrB₂ particles under different conditions is investigated by the sedimentation method. Through test and analysis, the optimum conditions of the dispersibility of ZrB₂ particles in the ZrB₂ suspension are sedimentating for 15 minutes, ultrasonic dispersion for 10 minutes, the lower ZrB₂ concentration, pH=9, the dispersant content for the 2% volume of ZrB₂ suspension, and using the polyelectrolyte dispersant, respectively.     

Comparative plasma SNMS and AES measurements on ceramic powders and fibres

SNMS depth profiles of layers of 0.4–0.8 m sized Si₃N₄, BN and partly SiC-coated B₄C powder particles and of 10 m sized SiC fibres are obtained without great expenditure on time and specimen preparation. Close contact with Au foil provides for electrical conductivity. Averaged depth profiles of a great number of particles or fibres are obtained. AES serves as a comparative method; the carrier-gas heat extraction (inert gas fusion) technique is used for the semiquantification of OH signals in SNMS. Esterification of surface OH with ethanol during suspension is not detectable. Hydrolyzation or oxidation reactions having penetrated through the bulk of BN particles cause qualitatively different depth profiles than found on Si₃N₄ particles carrying a nm thin natural (hydr-)oxidic layer. The effects of preparative surface reactions like additive coating (SiC on B₄C particles), etching and oxidation (of SiC fibres) can be monitored. Quantification attempts yield standard deviations between 10 and 50%.Presented on the 15. Kollquium über Werkstoffanalytik, Vienna, May 27–29, 1991     

Facile method to prepare monodispersed Ag/polystyrene composite microspheres and their properties

This article presents a facile method to prepare silver/polystyrene composite microspheres. In this approach, monodispersed polystyrene (PS) particles were synthesized with carboxyl acid groups on the surfaces of the PS particles via dispersion polymerization at first. With the addition of [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ to the PS dispersion, [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ was absorbed to the surfaces of the PS particles, and then by heating the system, [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ complex ions were reduced to silver to form the Ag/PS composite microspheres. In the synthesis of PS dispersion, PVP was used as dispersant to stabilize the PS particles, it also acted as reducing agent in the reduction of [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ complex ions to silver, so no additional reducing agent was needed. The resulting composite microspheres were characterized by TEM, SEM, XPS, and XRD. The catalytic properties and surface‐enhance Raman scattering (SERS) was studied as well. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4547–4554, 2009     

Influence of MoSi2 content in suspension on the phase, microstructure and properties of hydrothermal electrophoretic deposited SiC n �CMoSi2 coating for SiC pre-coated C/C composites

To protect carbon/carbon (C/C) composites from oxidation at high temperature, a nano SiC?CMoSi₂ (SiC _n ?CMoSi₂) coating on SiC pre-coated C/C composites was prepared by hydrothermal electrophoretic deposition. The phase composition, surface and cross-section microstructures of the prepared SiC _n ?CMoSi₂ coating deposited with different MoSi₂/SiC _n mass ratio were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of MoSi₂ content in the hydrothermal electrophoretic deposition suspension on the phase composition, microstructure and high-temperature oxidation resistance of the multi-layer coatings were investigated. Results showed that the content of MoSi₂ phase in the prepared coating increases with the increase of MoSi₂ content in the suspension. The density and oxidation resistance of the SiC_n-MoSi₂ coating improve with the increase of MoSi₂ mass content from 20 to 60 wt% in the deposition suspension. However, micro-cracks and micro-holes in the coating are found when deposited with 80 wt% MoSi₂, and a decrease in oxidation resistance was also detected. The multi-layer coatings deposited with suspension of 60 wt% MoSi₂ exhibited the best anti-oxidation ability, which can effectively protect C/C composites from oxidation in air at 1,873 K for 90 h with weight loss of 2.08%.     

Preparation and characterization of NiO(core)/Fe2O3(shell) composite particles

A novel hydrothermal coating process has been developed to deposit amorphous Ni(OH)₂·H₂O over octahedral α-Fe₂O₃ particles by treating aqueous dispersion of the preformed cores in Ni(NO₃)₂/CH₃COONa solution. NiO_(core)/Fe₂O_3(shell) composite particles were prepared by air sintering of the Ni(OH)₂·H₂O_(shell)/Fe₂O_3(core) particles at 200–500°C for 1–6 h. The changes of morphology, structure and weight of the hydrothermal and sintering products were studied by means of TEM, XRD, XPS, TG and IR analyzers. The nucleation and growth model was suggested for the non-isothermal decomposition of Ni(OH)₂·H₂O coatings and the kinetic equation was derived from the non-linear regression of the TG data. The activation in the thermal-decomposition process is 73.8 kJ mol⁻¹ and the pre-exponential factor is 1.95×10⁴ s⁻¹.     

Polypropylene filled with flame retardant fillers: mechanical and fracture properties

Two grades of isotactic polypropylene (homopolymer and block copolymer) were filled with magnesium and aluminium hydroxides, and studied focusing the mechanical and fracture characteristics of the composites. As expected, dispersion of such fillers in PP resulted in improved stiffness and reduced tensile yield strength. By one hand, the composites fracture resistance was characterised at low strain rate applying the J‐integral concept; the resistance to crack growth initiation (J_IC) was found decreasing as the Mg(OH)₂ concentration was raised in the copolymer PP matrix. By the other hand, the linear‐elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) parameters were determined by means of instrumented impact tests at 1 m/s on the homopolymer PP filled with uncoated Al(OH)₃ particles. The higher the Al(OH)₃ mean particle size, the lower the composite fracture energy (G_IC). In the opposite, with commercial surface‐coated filler grades it was not possible to achieve LEFM conditions to characterise the fracture toughness of filled PP at 1 m/s, because the Mg(OH)₂ surface coating, which is applied in practice to improve the melt processing, acts increasing the composite plasticity and reducing the tensile yield strength.     

纸张涂料用纳米CaCO3表面改性的研究

利用铝锆偶联剂对纳米CaCO₃进行表面改性。采用红外光谱(IR)、X射线衍射分析(XRD)、热分析(TG-DTG)对改性前后的纳米CaCO₃进行了表征。通过透射电镜(TEM)、粒度分析、吸油值、比表面积及静滴接触角等实验对纳米CaCO₃的表面改性效果进行评价。红外光谱分析表明，偶联剂以化学键合的方式在纳米CaCO₃的表面形成化学吸附。TEM及粒度分析结果显示，未改性纳米CaCO₃存在严重的团聚现象，而改性后纳米CaCO₃的分散性有很大改善。经表面改性，水滴在纳米CaCO₃粉体压片表面静滴接触角变大，改性纳米CaCO₃同时具有亲水性和亲油性，能够较好地分散在水和有机相中。将改性前后的纳米CaCO₃分别加入到纸张涂料体系中，制得纳米CaCO₃复合纸张涂料。涂料流变实验表明，经铝锆偶联剂表面改性的纳米CaCO₃制得的复合纸张涂料具有较高的动态弹性模量和粘性模量。     

Synthesis and characterization of ferromagnetic Fe3C/C composite nanoparticles as a catalyst for carbon nanotube growth

Polystyrene template microspheres of narrow size distribution were prepared by dispersion polymerization of styrene in a mixture of ethanol and 2-methoxy ethanol. These template particles dispersed in aqueous solution have been used for the entrapment of ferrocene by a swelling process of methylene chloride emulsion droplets containing ferrocene within these particles, followed by evaporation of methylene chloride. The effects of CH₂Cl₂ volume and the [CH₂Cl₂]/[FeC₁₀H₁₀] (w/w) ratio on the size and size distribution of the swollen template particles were elucidated. Air-stable Fe₃C nanoparticles embedded in amorphous carbon matrix (Fe₃C/C) have been prepared by thermal decomposition of the ferrocene-swollen template polystyrene particles at 500 °C for 2 h in a sealed cell. Decomposition of these swollen template particles for 2 h at higher temperatures led to the formation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in addition to the Fe₃C/C composite nanoparticles. The yield of the CNTs increased as the annealing temperature was raised. An opposite behavior was observed for the diameter of the formed CNTs. The size and size distribution, crystallinity, and magnetic properties of the different Fe₃C/C composite nanoparticles have also been controlled by the annealing temperature.     

Formation of chromium composite electrochemical coatings from sulfate oxalate solutions based on Cr(III)

The mechanism responsible for the inclusion of Al₂O₃ and SiC nanoparticles, the mixture of Nb₂N and Ta₂N (1: 1), MoS₂, Cr₂O₃, and SiO₂ with diverse electric conductivity, hydrophilicity, and resistance to solution components in chromium deposits from the sulfate–oxalate suspension solutions based on Cr(III) was studied. The main factors that determine the formation of chromium composite electrochemical coatings, their composition, and surface morphology were determined. The film on the surface of the growing deposit of the intermediates of the reduction of chromium ions plays the key role in the formation of composite coatings from Cr(III) and Cr(VI) sulfate–oxalate suspension solutions. The film can play the role of a structural mechanical barrier that hinders the incorporation of particles in the deposit, or it can fix the particles on the electrode surface by creating hydroxo bridges with chemisorbed hydroxide compounds on the particle surface.     

The search for a solid electrolyte,as a polysulfide barrier,for lithium/sulfur batteries

Composite Li₁₀SnP₂S₁₂ (LSPS)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) films, containing 25 to 50 % polymer, were electrophoretically deposited from acetone-based suspension and tested as possible candidates for polysulfide barriers in Li/S batteries. It was found by XRD and XPS tests that saturation of composite films by LiI salt, followed by prolonged annealing at 90 °C, diminishes the crystallinity of neat LSPS and results in the formation of a novel composite Li_10+xI_xSnP₂S₁₂ (LISPS)/P(EO)₃/LiI solid electrolyte (x < 1). The high room-temperature ion conductivity of amorphous sulfide Li_10+xI_xSnP₂S₁₂ (0.1–0.3 mS cm^?1) is restricted by slow ion transport via the polymer electrolyte (PE) imbedded in ceramics and grain boundaries between the PE and sulfide. Increase in polymer content and temperature improves total ion transport in the LISPS/PEO system. Conformal EPD coating of sulfur and lithium sulfide cathodes by the developed composite electrolyte increased the reversible capacity and Faradaic efficiency of the Li/S and Li/Li₂S cells and enabled their operation at 60 °C.     

Preparation of Doped Ceria Electrolyte Films for SOFCs by Spray Coating Method

Spray coating method is a cost-effective technique suitable for the preparation of uniform and large-area thin films. This article presents findings on the preparation of dense electrolyte thin films by spray coating method. Dense, crack-free Gd-doped CeO₂ (GDC) thin films with a thickness of approximately 2 µm were successfully prepared on porous NiO-GDC substrates. The influence of the dispersion of GDC nanopowders in susupension on the microstructure of the thin films was investigated. Results show that agglomeration of GDC nanopowders in suspension resulted in a porous microstructure and a densely packed microstructure was obtained for the film prepared from a well-dispersed suspension.     

A study on superhydrophobic coating in anti-icing of glass/porcelain insulator

This paper focuses on the preparation of a superhydrophobic coating on glass/porcelain insulators which possess anti-icing property below freezing temperature. Inspired by lotus-effect, the fabrication of a superhydrophobic coating has two steps: the first step is to construct a hierarchical SiO₂ coating on the substrate surface, and the second step is the chemical modification of the SiO₂ coating with 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PDTS). The precursor for the hierarchical SiO₂ coating is a suspension of SiO₂ sol particles and dispersible SiO₂ powder particles. According to the TEM testing, SiO₂ sol particles prepared by sol–gel method has an average particle size about 2–5 nm, while the size of the dispersible SiO₂ particles is ca. 20 nm. The precursor was sprayed on glass/porcelain insulators, and then dried at ambient condition, finally heat-treated at 773 K for 2 h. The morphology of the superhydrophobic coating was characterized by TEM and AFM, and experimental results indicated that the coating featured [hierarchical structure consisting of both large bumps with micron-sized height (0.8 μm) and tiny papillae with the size about 30 nm] micron-sized roughness (0.8 μm) combined with nano-sized roughness (about 2 nm). Moreover, the scratch test showed that the coating tightly adhered to the surface of the glass/porcelain insulators. The superhydrophobic property of the coating was examined by a contact angle measurement, and the results demonstrated that the static water contact angle is high up to 163.6°, and the sliding angle is 1.4°. The superhydrophobic property of the coating was also confirmed by the outdoor tests in winter, and it was found that the superhydrophobic coating had the function in anti-icing, based on which the anti-icing mechanism underlying was discussed in terms of the interaction between impacting droplets and superhydrophobic surface.     

Surface modifications of Li-ion battery electrodes with various ultrathin amphoteric oxide coatings for enhanced cycleability

Ultrathin ZnO, ZrO₂, and Al₂O₃ surface coatings are deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD) with high conformality and atomic scale thickness control to enhance the electrochemical performance of LiMn₂O₄ for applications in lithium ion batteries. Two types of ALD-modified LiMn₂O₄ electrodes are fabricated: one is ALD-coated LiMn₂O₄ composite electrode and the other is electrode composed of ALD-coated LiMn₂O₄ particles and uncoated carbon/polyvinylidenefluoride network. Cycling performance and cyclic voltammetric patterns reveal that ZnO ALD coating is the most effective protective film for improving the electrochemical performance of LiMn₂O₄ at either 25 or 55 °C, followed by ZrO₂ and Al₂O₃. After 100 electrochemical cycles in 1 C at 55 °C, the electrode consisting of LiMn₂O₄ particles coated with six ZnO ALD layers (as thin as ~1 nm) delivers the highest final capacity, more than twice that of the bare electrode. It is also found that amphoteric oxide coating on LiMn₂O₄ particles can enhance the cycleability of LiMn₂O₄ more effectively than coating on the composite electrode. Furthermore, for ALD coating either on the composite electrode or on LiMn₂O₄ particles, the effect of oxide ALD modification for improving capacity retention and increasing specific capacity of LiMn₂O₄ is more phenomenal at elevated temperature than at room temperature.     

Synthesis and visible light photocatalytic activity of Ag spot-coated TiO2–60 wt% SrO composite powders

Nano-sized TiO₂–60 wt% SrO composite powders were synthesized from titanium isopropoxide and Sr(OH)₂·8H₂O by use of a sol–gel method. Ag spot-coated TiO₂–60 wt% SrO composite powders containing 3, 5, or 7 wt% Ag were synthesized by hydrothermal-assisted attachment, by use of Ag hydrosol in a high-pressure bomb at 250 °C and 450 psi. Nano-sized Ag particles approximately 5–25 nm in diameter adhered to the TiO₂–60 wt% SrO₂ composite powders. The photocatalytic activity of Ag spot-coated TiO₂–SrO powders in the degradation of phenol showed that all were highly active when irradiated with UV light. TiO₂–60 wt% SrO composite powder spot-coated with 5 wt% Ag was more photocatalytically active under visible light than TiO₂–SrO composite powder.     

Dispersion stability and rheological behavior of suspensions of polystyrene coated fumed silica particles in polystyrene solutions

Polystyrene coated silica（SiO₂@PS） core-shell composite particles with averaged diameter of about 290 nm were prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization of styrene on the surface ofγ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane grafted SiO₂ nanoparticles of 20-50 nm in diameter.Rheological behavior and dispersion stability of SiO₂@PS suspension in 10 wt%PS solution were compared with suspensions of untreated SiO₂ and silane modified SiO₂ nanoparticles.Suspensions of the untreated and the silane modified SiO₂ exhibited obvious shear thinning.The SiO-2@PS suspension exhibits shear viscosity considerably smaller than suspensions of untreated and silane modified SiO₂ at low shear rates.Transmission electron microscopy showed that the composite particles can uniformly and stably disperse in PS solution compared to other suspensions,implying that the PS shell can effectively enhance the particle compatibility with PS macromolecules in solution.     

Preparation and characterization of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>composite particles

Using Fe₃O₄ nano-particles as seeds, a new type of Fe₃O₄/Au composite particles with core/shell structure and diameter of about 170 nm was prepared by reduction of Au³⁺ with hydroxylamine in an aqueous solution. Particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscope were used to analyze the size distribution and microstructure of the particles in different conditions. The result showed that the magnetically responsive property and suspension stability of Fe₃O₄ seeds as well as reduction conditions of Au³⁺to Au⁰are the main factors which are crucial for obtaining a colloid of the Fe₃O₄/Au composite particles with uniform particle dispersion, excellent stability, homogeneity in particle sizes, and effective response to an external magnet in aqueous suspension solutions. UV-Vis analysis revealed that there is a characteristic peak of Fe₃O₄/Au fluid. For particles with d(0.5)=168 nm, the λmax is 625 nm.     

Preparation and characterization of core-shell structured TiO2–BaCO3 particles

Preparation of core-shell structured TiO₂–BaCO₃ particles as precursor of BaTiO₃ genesis, proceeds using a two step procedure, by first coating the TiO₂ core by Ba(OH)₂ shell followed by conversion of the shell region with CO₂ gas by the formation of BaCO₃. Straightforward experimental results reveal environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) as suitable methods for analytical characterization of the core and shell regions from individual TiO₂–BaCO₃ grains. Evidence of coating the whole ensemble of TiO₂ particles is possible using Photo Electro Motive Force (Photo EMF, PEMF) measurements. This method is able to indicate very sensitively changes of surface properties of TiO₂ after coating with Ba(OH)₂ and BaCO₃, respectively. PEMF measurements were used for the first time with concern to this topic.     

Facile and scalable fabrication of graphene/polypyrrole/MnO<Subscript>x</Subscript>/Cu(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite for high-performance supercapacitors

In this study, to improve the specific capacitance of graphene-based supercapacitor, novel quadri composite of G/PPy/MnO_x/Cu(OH)₂ was synthesized by using a facile and inexpensive route. First, a two-step method consisting of thermal decomposition and in situ oxidative polymerization was employed to fabricate graphene/polypyrrole/manganese oxide composites. Second, Cu(OH)₂ nanowires were deposited on Cu foil. Afterwards, for the electrochemical measurements, composite powders were deposited on Cu(OH)₂/Cu foil substrate as working electrodes. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The XRD analysis revealed the formation of PPy/graphene, Mn₃O₄/graphene, and graphene/polypyrrole/MnO_x. In addition, the presence of polypyrrole and manganese oxides was confirmed using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies. Graphene/polypyrrole/MnO_x/Cu(OH)₂ electrode showed the best electrochemical performance and exhibited the largest specific capacitance of approximately 370 F/g at the scan rate of 10 mV/s in 6 M KOH electrolyte. In addition, other electrochemical measurements (charge–discharge, EIS and cyclical performance) of the G/Cu(OH)₂, G/PPy/Cu(OH)₂, G/Mn₃O₄/Cu(OH)₂, and G/PPy/MnO_x/Cu(OH)₂ electrodes suggested that the G/PPy/MnO_x/Cu(OH)₂ composite electrode is promising materials for supercapacitor application.     

Preparation and electrochemical performance of graphene–Pt black nanocomposite for electrochemical methanol oxidation

This work reports the preparation, characterization, and electrocatalytic characteristics of a new metallic nanocatalyst. The catalyst, Pt black–graphene oxide (Pt-GO), was prepared by deposition of Pt black on the surface of graphene oxide nanosheet and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and voltammetry. The Pt-graphene (Pt-GR) composite modified glassy carbon electrode (Pt-GR/GCE) was prepared with cyclic voltammetric scanning of Pt-GO/GCE in the potential range from ?1.5 to 0.2 in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution at 50 mV·s^?1 for 5 cycles. The electrocatalytic properties of the Pt-GR/GCE for methanol (CH₃OH) oxidation have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV); high electrocatalytic activity of the Pt-GR/GCE can be observed. This may be attributed to the high dispersion of Pt catalyst and the particular properties of GR support. The long-term stability of Pt-GR composite was investigated in 0.05 M CH₃OH in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ solution. It can be observed that the peak current decreases gradually with the successive scans. The loss may result from the consumption of methanol during the CV scan. It also may be due to the poisoning organic compounds. The results imply that the Pt-GR composite has good potential applications in fuel cells.     

Highly Dispersed and Small‐Sized Nickel(II) Hydroxide Co‐Catalyst Prepared by Photodeposition for Hydrogen Production

Photodeposition has been widely used as a mild and efficient synthetic method to deposit co‐catalysts. It is also worth studying how to synthesize non‐noble metal photocatalysts with uniform dispersion. Different synthetic conditions in photodeposition have a certain influence on particle size distribution and photocatalytic activity. Therefore, we designed experiments to prepare the inexpensive composite photocatalyst Ni(OH)₂/g‐C₃N₄ by photodeposition. The Ni(OH)₂ co‐catalysts disperse uniformly with particle sizes of about 10 nm. The photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of Ni(OH)₂/g‐C₃N₄ reached about 19 mmol g^?1 h^?1, with the Ni(OH)₂ deposition amount about 1.57 %. During 16 h stability testing, the rate of hydrogen production did not decrease significantly. The composite catalyst also revealed a good hydrogen production performance under sunlight. The Ni(OH)₂ co‐catalyst enhanced the separation ability of photogenerated carriers, which was proved by surface photovoltage and fluorescence analysis.