Thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Release of heavy metals into water as a result of industrial activities may pose a serious threat to the environment. The objective of this study is to assess the uptake of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The potential of the t-MWCNT to remove Cu²⁺ cations from aqueous solutions was investigated in batch reactor under different experimental conditions. The processing parameters such as initial concentration of Cu²⁺ ions, temperature, and adsorbent mass were also investigated. Copper uptake was quantitatively evaluated using the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Kaganer–Radushkevich (DKR) models. In addition, the adsorption equilibrium was described well by the Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 12.34 mg/g of Cu²⁺ cations on t-MWCNT. Various thermodynamic parameters, such as ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ were calculated. The thermodynamics of Cu²⁺ cations adsorption onto t-MWCNT system pointed at spontaneous and endothermic nature of the process. Using the second-order kinetic constants, the activation energy of adsorption (E_a) was determined as 27.187 kJ/mol according to the Arrhenius equation.     

UV and thermally stable polystyrene‐MWCNT superhydrophobic coatings

A facile method for ultraviolet (UV) and thermally stable polystyrene‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PS‐MWCNT) superhydrophobic coatings was demonstrated by a simple spray coating method. The superhydrophobicity was understood by an increase in micro/nano roughness with the addition of MWCNTs. Surface morphology of the coatings showed protrusion like structure. The wetting behavior of the coatings was studied as a function of temperature, and it is observed that the coatings were superhydrophobically stable up to 250 °C. A transformation of superhydrophobic to superhydrophilic state is achieved at 300 °C. The coatings remained superhydrophobically stable when it was subjected to UV‐irradiation and water immersion of 50 h. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a small shift (10°) towards higher temperature region with an addition of MWCNTs, suggesting the presence of weak interactions between PS and MWCNT, which is also supported by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies. Both hydrophilic and superhydrophobic coatings find potential applications in our daily life. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal and electrical behaviors of acid functionalized MWCNT/ABC-type triblock copolymer grafted-MWCNT nanocomposites

In this work, ABC-type triblock copolymer grafted onto the surface of the MWCNT/acid functionalized MWCNT (MWCNT-COOH) composites were prepared and the properties of nanocomposites were characterized extensively using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ac electrical conductivity and dielectrical measurements.

DSC study showed that the glass transition temperatures of the nanocomposites are a some higher than that of the matrix polymer. The increase in oxidized MWCNT in the nanocomposite improved the thermal stability of the composite, according to initial decomposition temperatures. The ac electrical conductivity has increased moderately with increasing frequency, but has increased slowly with increase in the oxidized MWCNT content in the nanocomposites. The electrical conductivity increases slowly with increasing temperature to about the glass transition temperature, then it increases faster. The dielectric constants for the matrix polymer and all the composites decreases slightly with increasing frequency from 0.1 kHz to 2.0 kHz. The dielectric constant increases slightly with increasing temperature up to about the glass transition temperature region and then the increase in temperature is accelerated the increase in the dielectric constant.     

Transient electrohydrodynamic convective flow and heat transfer of MWCNT - Dielectric nanofluid in a heated enclosure

A computational research was performed to analyze the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) convective heat transfer in a differentially heated dielectric-MWCNT nanofluid layer. The study was conducted on a square enclosure subjected to a temperature gradient between these two vertical walls as well as a potential difference between these horizontal walls. The enclosure was filled with MWCNT oil-based nanofluid; the MWCNT nanoparticles were dispersed in a perfectly insulating thermal oil with a volume fraction of hardly exceeded 0.4%. The governing equations were derived with the assumption of homogeneous nanofluid and were solved with employing finite volume method. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the increase of Rayleigh number, electric Rayleigh number and nanoparticle concentration enhanced the heat transfer. For high thermal and electric Rayleigh number values, the flow and heat transfer became time dependent and accordingly a frequency study was also performed. It was found that the inclusion of an electric field with the addition of nanoparticles led to a significant heat transfer enhancement of about 43%.     

Facile graft polystyrene onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes via in situ thermo-induced radical polymerization

A facile procedure was developed for the grafting of polystyrene onto the surfaces of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) via the in situ thermo-induced bulk radical polymerization of styrene at the different polymerizing temperatures, in the presence of MWNTs without any initiator added. The grafting products were validated by the dispersibility, TEM, TGA, FT-IR, and Raman analysis. The TGA results also showed the lower polymerizing temperature was propitious to the free radical addition reactions.     

Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on dielectric and electro-optic properties of a high tilt antiferroelectric liquid crystal

By dispersing a small amount of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a high tilt antiferroelectric liquid crystal, a nano composite is prepared. Though the phase sequence remains the same, the transition temperatures of the composite get changed, the stability of SmA* and SmC* phases increases whereas that of SmC_A* phase decreases. Pitch of the helicoidal structure shows a discontinuous change at SmC*–SmC_A* transition. Absorption strength and critical frequency of the anti-phase antiferroelectric mode are reduced in the composite. The dielectric increment of the Goldstone mode (GM) decreases and the critical frequency increases due to increased elasticity of the composite. A two-fold increase in the critical field for suppression of the GM is observed which signifies more stable helical structure in the composite. The switching time is reduced by 56% in the nano composite as a result of decrease in rotational viscosity but the high tilt remains intact. An observed lower value of conductivity indicates ion trapping in the composite.     

不同参数多壁碳纳米管的拉曼光谱研究

拉曼光谱是进行碳材料结构与性质研究的有力手段,为了研究多壁碳纳米管(MWCNT)的管径和长度对其拉曼光学性质的影响,本研究对一系列不同管径和长度的多壁碳纳米管进行拉曼光谱的测试和分析。研究发现: 与高取向的石墨相比,多壁碳纳米管一阶拉曼光谱的G峰中心和D峰中心都会向低波数发生不同程度的红移;MWCNT两个主要特征峰(G峰和D峰)峰强在其他条件相同的情况下,与MWCNT的管径成正比,与长度成反比;G峰的频移与MWCNT的管径和长度两个因素密切相关,与管径成反比关系(这与单壁碳纳米管的径向呼吸模有着一致的结果),与管长成正比关系,而D 峰的频移受MWCNT的管径和长度的影响很弱,并对此现象进行了初步分析。在此基础上,我们以MWCNT的长径比为横坐标,G峰频移为纵坐标作图,进行线性拟合,得到了G峰频移与长径比成一定的线性递增关系。采用同样的分析方法,我们将G峰和D峰强度分别对MWCNT的长径比作图,进行线性拟合,得到了G峰和D峰强度分别与MWCNT的长径比成一定的线性递减关系。     

Significance of Darcy-Forchheimer Porous Medium in Nanofluid Through Carbon Nanotubes

This article manages Darcy-Forchheimer 3D flow of water based carbon nanomaterial (CNTs). A bidirectional nonlinear stretchable surface has been utilized to make the flow. Disturbance in permeable space has been represented by Darcy Forchheimer (DF) expression. Heat transfer mechanism is explored through convective heating. Outcomes for SWCNT and MWCNT have been displayed and compared. The reduction of partial differential framework into nonlinear common differential framework is made through reasonable variables. Optimal series scheme is utilized for arrangements advancement of associated flow issue. Optimal homotopic solution expressions for velocities and temperature are studied through graphs by considering various estimations of physical variables. Moreover surface drag coefficients and heat transfer rate are analyzed through plots.     

Characterization of carbon nanotubes and analytical methods for their determination in environmental and biological samples: A review

In the present paper, a critical overview of the most commonly used techniques for the characterization and the determination of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is given on the basis of 170 references (2000–2014). The analytical techniques used for CNT characterization (including microscopic and diffraction, spectroscopic, thermal and separation techniques) are classified, described, and illustrated with applied examples. Furthermore, the performance of sampling procedures as well as the available methods for the determination of CNTs in real biological and environmental samples are reviewed and discussed according to their analytical characteristics. In addition, future trends and perspectives in this field of work are critically presented.