Investigation of bulk and in situ mechanical properties of coupling agents treated wood plastic composites

This paper presents the interfacial optimisation and characterisation of WPC by the use of maleated and silane coupling agents (MAPE, Si69 and VTMS), and its effect on the bulk and in situ mechanical properties. The results showed the treated WPC possessed better interface by showing improved compatibility between the constituents, wettability of wood flour, and resin penetration in the SEM images. The enhanced interface led to the increase in the tensile strength and stiffness of the treated WPC, which was confirmed by their superior load bearing capacity, namely the higher storage moduli measured by DMA. The observed shift of the relaxation peak of the treated WPC indicated the constraints on the segmental mobility of the polymeric molecules resulted from the treatments. Nanoindentation investigation revealed that the in situ mechanical properties were subject to a number of phenomena including fibre weakening or softening impact, crystalline structure transformation and cell wall deformation, concluding that the bulk mechanical properties of WPC might not be governed by the local property of materials within the interface.     

SiO_x-based(0<x≤2) composites for lithium-ion batteries

Silicon(Si) materials as anode materials for applications in lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) have received increasing attention.Among the Si materials,the electrochemical properties of SiO_x-based(0x≤2)composites are the most prominent.However,due to the cycling stability of SiO_x being far from practical,there are some problems,such as Iow initial coulombic efficiency(ICE),obvious volume expansion and poor conductivity.Researchers in various countries have optimized the electrochemical properties of SiO_x-based composites by means of pore formation,surface modification,and the choice of constituents.In this review,SiO_x-based composites are classified into three categories based on the valency of Si(SiO_2 composites,SiO composites and SiO_x(0x2) composites).The synthesis,morphologies and electrochemical properties of the SiO_x-based composites that are applied in LIB are discussed.Finally,the prope rties of several common SiO_x-based composites are briefly compared and the challenges faced by SiO_x-based composites are highlight.     

Intercalated MXene-based layered composites:Preparation and application

Combining high conductivity,hydrophilicity and excellent electrochemical perfo rmance in one,MXe nes have attracted increasing attention since their inception.However,easy to stack caused by the van der Waals' force between the layers limits their practical application.Fortunately,intercalating other substances between layers of MXe nes and getting intercalated MXene-based layered composites(IMLCs)with open structure can improve their physical and chemical properties effectively.Larger available surface helps expose more active sites and enlarged layer spacing facilitates ion transport.In addition,other substances fixed in the interlayers by MXenes' two-dimensional confinement effect can produce synergistic effect and expand their applicable range greatly.This review is dedicated to summarizing the preparation methods and applications of IMLCs,emphasizing the advantages of them in the fields of energy storage,catalysis,sensors,electromagnetic interference(EMI) shielding and biomedicine.Furthermore,prospects and further developments in these gratifying fields are also commented.     

Mechanical characterization of polymethyl methacrylate composites reinforced with surface-coated carbon fibers

Using trihydroxy polyether polyol (PPG), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) as soft segment and hard segment, carbon fiber (CF) as reinforcement, and self-crosslinking CF/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composite was prepared by prepolymer method. In this study, starch and octanoyl chloride were esterified to obtain esterified starch (SE). The fiber is then melt blended with PMMA matrix to prepare PMMA composite. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and SEM were used to analyze and characterize the composites produced. The results show that the composite material was prepared by separately modifying the fiber with NaOH and SE, respectively. The mechanical properties of the composite materials prepared by the modified fiber are improved, and the fiber and the PMMA matrix showed better compatibility. The mechanism of comodified fiber enhanced the mechanical properties of its composites.     

Noncovalent functionalization of boron nitride nanotubes using poly(2,7-carbazole)s

To fully actualize the potential of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), it is necessary to overcome the inherent insolubility of this nanomaterial. Drawing on the successes realized in the analogous carbon nanotube field, noncovalent functionalization with conjugated polymers offers a simple, scalable route toward the production of stable dispersions of BNNTs. 2,7-carbazoles were chosen as our core monomer based on density functional theory (DFT) predictions, which suggest superior interactions with BNNTs when compared to fluorene-BNNT interactions. Homo poly(2,7-carbazole)s and copolymers with fluorenes were synthesized and used successfully to disperse BNNTs into organic solvents. Thermogravimetric analysis and atomic force microscopy results confirm the proficiency of these polymers to disperse large amounts (> 80% by weight) of individualized BNNTs. Analysis of absorbance data shows that the choice of solvent is critical, with stability enhanced in THF compared to CHCl₃ due to the more efficient planarization of polymer chains on the surface of BNNTs, particularly for the homopolymers. The utility of these highly-soluble poly(2,7-carbazole)-BNNT complexes for printed electronics and transparent composites was demonstrated by the fabrication of simple capacitors and incorporation into poly(methyl methacrylate) composites, respectively.     

Suzuki coupling reaction catalyzed heterogeneously by Pd(salen)/polyoxometalate compound: another example for synergistic effect of organic/inorganic hybrid

A hybrid compound consisting of palladium(salen) [salen = N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine] complex covalently linked to a lacunary Keggin‐type polyoxometalate, K₈[SiW₁₁O₃₉](POM), was synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR, elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma and diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectroscopic methods. The hybrid, [Pd(salen)–POM], was investigated in the Suzuki cross‐coupling in EtOH/H₂O under mild reaction conditions. In comparison to the corresponding organic and inorganic moiety, the hybrid has shown greatly improved catalytic activity, and much higher yields toward coupling products were obtained with a low catalyst loading for various aryl halides, including unreactive and sterically hindered ones. The catalyst also exhibited prominent recyclable performance and no obvious loss of activity was observed after six consecutive runs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A review on the research progress of push-out method in testing interfacial properties of SiC fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites

Experimental analysis of single-fiber push-out for SiC fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMCs) is complicated by the incorporation of large thermal residual stresses, strong chemical bond of the fiber/matrix interface and matrix plastic deformation. This paper summarizes the development of push-out test and the characteristics of push-out test for TMCs such as crack initiating at the bottom face and theoretical analysis of the test. Moreover, it deeply analyzes the progresses of interfacial shear strength and fracture toughness, and work focus is pointed out in future.     

微波原位合成Ag NPs/MoS2复合材料及其电化学性能

二硫化钼纳米片（MoS₂）受到带电杂质、结构缺陷和易聚集等因素的影响，导致其电子转移性能下降，使其应用受限。将银纳米颗粒（Ag NPs）与少层MoS₂纳米片复合，可提升MoS₂纳米片的电化学性能。本研究创新性地采用微波还原法，使Ag NPs原位沉积于MoS₂，得到Ag NPs/MoS₂复合材料。结果表明，将Ag NPs/MoS₂复合材料修饰于丝网印刷电极（screen printed elec-trodes，SPE）后，测得的循环伏安（cyclic voltammetry，CV）曲线峰电流值为同浓度单一MoS₂修饰电极的1.8倍，方波伏安（square wave voltammetry，SWV）曲线峰电流值为单一MoS₂修饰电极的3.4倍，电化学阻抗谱（electrochemical impedance spectroscopy，EIS）的电子转移阻抗值（R_et）仅为167 Ω，相比MoS₂/SPE的R_et （320 Ω）显著减小，说明Ag NPs与MoS₂复合可显著增强单一MoS₂的电化学性能。此外，还推测了高导电性Ag NPs/MoS₂复合材料的导电机理。最后，基于Ag NPs/MoS₂复合材料构建了电化学传感器并对前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）进行检测。结果表明，该传感器针对PSA的检测限为0.009 ng·mL^-1，线性检测范围为0.1~1 000 ng·mL^-1，灵敏度为0.011 μA·mL·ng^-1。     

Laser fabrication nanocrystalline coatings using simultaneous powders/wire feed

Laser melting deposition (LMD) fabrication is used to investigate feasibilty of simultaneously feeding TC17 wire and the Stellite 20–Si₃N₄–TiC–Sb mixed powders in order to increase the utilization ratio of materials and also quality of LMD composite coatings on the TA1 substrate. SEM images indicated that such LMD coating with metallurgical joint to substrate was formed free of the obvious defects. Lots of the ultrafine nanocrystals (UNs) were produced, which distributed uniformly in some coating matrix location, retarding growth of the ceramics in a certain extent; UNs were intertwined with amorphous, leading the yarn-shape materials to be produced. Compared with substrate, an improvement of wear resistance was achieved for such LMD coating.