Preparation and characterization of organic–inorganic hybrids and coating films from 3‐methacryloxypropylpolysilsesquioxane

3‐Methacryloxypropylpolysilsesquioxane (MA‐PS) was prepared by acid‐ or base‐catalyzed hydrolytic polycondensation of 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MAS). MA‐PS coating film was prepared by dip‐coating on organic, metal and inorganic substrates, including poly(ethylene terephthalate), aluminum, stainless steel, and glass. The coating films on poly(ethylene terephthalate) and glass showed high adhesive strength. The hardness of coating films increased with increasing heat treatment temperature, whereas they decreased with increasing H₂O/MAS molar ratio. The refractive index of coating films increased with increasing heat treatment temperature. In addition, flat and transparent free‐standing films (0.24–0.27 mm thickness) were prepared from MA‐PS that were crack‐free after heat treatment at 1000 °C. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of boehmite nanorods on the properties of glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (GPTS) hybrid coatings

AlOOH boehmite nanorods, synthesized by a solid-based process, were incorporated into a sol–gel coating in which GPTS was used as a precursor. Transparent composite coatings with nanorod content up to 40 wt% were obtained by spin coating the sol–gel mixture on glass substrates. Nanorods in the coating were found be aligned parallel to the substrate surface. Mechanical properties, such as modulus and hardness of the nanorod filled coating, were slightly lower than coatings of the same composition but filled with commercially available nanosized boehmite particles. However, crack toughness was greatly improved, as supported by nanoindentation test results. The improvement in crack toughness was attributed to the high aspect ratio of the rigid nanorods, in addition to the fact that the nanorods were aligned within the composite parallel to the surface.     

Piezoelectric film electro-deposition for optical fiber sensor with ZnO coating

The piezoelectric film electro-deposition for optical fiber sensor with ZnO coating is studied. The zinc oxide plating film is made on the copper surface directly by cathodic electro-deposition in the Zn(NO3)2 single salt aqueous solution systems. The influences of main experimental conditions on the properties of ZnO thin film in the electro-deposition processes are analyzed and a stable, practical and economic technique is obtained.     

A facile method for the preparation of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones from tulip tissues by enzyme-mediated conversion

We developed a facile method of enzyme-mediated conversion of 6-tuliposide to α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone (tulipalin). We used a tuliposide-converting enzyme for the conversion of 6-tuliposides extracted from tulip tissues into the corresponding tulipalins in high yields within 2 h at pH 7.0. The resulting tulipalins were selectively extracted by using several organic solvents.     

Use of coated capillaries for the electrophoretic separation of stereoisomers of a growth hormone secretagogue

The diastereoisomeric separation of peptidomimetics of hexarelin, a strong growth hormone secretagogue, in CE has been studied. Highly sulfated‐γ‐CD was found to be an appropriate selector for the separation of the stereoisomers. However, non‐repeatable analyses were obtained on bare fused silica capillary due to the progressive adsorption of the analytes on the capillary wall. Two types of polyelectrolyte coating agents were tested to prevent this phenomenon. Coating with neutral polyethylene oxide was found to be efficient but resulted in a very long analysis time (about 40 min). Coating with cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride was found both to prevent analyte adsorption, reduce analysis time and alter separation selectivity. EOF measurement revealed that the highly sulfated‐γ‐CDs were strongly adsorbed on the poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride coating surface yielding a stable strong cathodic EOF, which considerably reduced analysis time (about 12 min). Very good repeatability of analysis was obtained (RSD_{migration time}<1%).     

TiO2 coating of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

TiO₂-coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ materials were prepared by the hydrolyzation of Ti(OBu)₄. The impact of TiO₂ coating on the structure and electrochemical properties of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and charge–discharge tests. The results indicated that TiO₂ coating did not affect the lattice of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂, but exhibited obvious effects on its discharge capacity and cycling stability. As coated TiO₂ increased from 0.0 to 2.0 mol%, the initial capacity of samples decreased slightly, but the cycling stability over 2.5∼4.3 V increased remarkably. The capacity retention reached 99.5% at the 50th cycle at a coating amount of 2.0 mol%.     

Magnetic iron oxide nanopowders produced by CO2 laser evaporation

Magnetic iron oxide nanopowders were produced with the laser evaporation technique under normal process gas pressure. In addition, the generated particles were coated in situ with stearic acid and separated on magnets. The methods and the used laboratory setup are briefly described. Influences of essential process conditions, particularly the use of continuous and pulsed laser radiation as well as the properties of the process gas, were experimentally investigated. The produced nanopowders were analysed with TEM, XRD, and magnetic measurements and confirmed the in-principle suitability of the presented method.     

Interfacial microstructure of cold gas spraying coated Al and Mg alloy substrates

The interface between cold gas sprayed zinc-based coatings and selected light weight alloy substrates (aluminium AA7022 and magnesium AZ91) has been investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In both cases a non-uniform interfacial zone with a thickness of up to 10 microns is evident. It consists of coating and substrate phases as well as an approximately 1 micron thick, partially whirled layer. For the AA7022 substrate the interfacial layer contains nano and submicron sized crystallites of the binary MgZn₂ phase (η) which are embedded in an aluminium solid solution matrix. In the case of AZ91 substrate two ternary phases, Mg₅Zn₂Al₂ (φ) and Mg₁₁Zn₁₁Al₆ (τ) with particle size smaller than 50 nm are evident. The formation of these phases during spraying cannot be explained by diffusion process only, but a local melting is needed. Consequently, the assumption that the high kinetic energy of cold gas sprayed particles causes an intensive mechanical mixing of coating and substrate material accompanied by a high local temperature rise is proved.     

Incorporation of nano zinc oxide for improvement of electroless nickel plating

The advantages of electroless nickel plating (EN) include excellent corrosion resistance, wear resistance, solderability, low porosity and uniform thickness even on complex parts and ability to plate on nonconductors. In the present study nano ZnO particles were synthesized by using an electrochemical technique and incorporated the particles into Ni-P plates. An alkaline bath was selected and used for nano zinc oxide incorporation. The electrochemical and metallurgical properties of the Ni-nano ZnO-P plates were evaluated and compared with that of the un-reinforced Ni-P plates. The incorporation of the nano ZnO particles resulted in improvement of metallurgical and corrosion resistance characteristics of the plates.