Capped semiconductor nanocrystals for device applications

For device purpose, our main aim is to synthesise material which is chemically and thermally stable, as well as enhancement in luminescence properties followed with matching lattice parameters. This can be achieved by precisely controlling the size of semiconductor nanocrystals which can create an opportunity for producing functional materials with new properties. Here we showed advantages of using both organic and inorganic capping agents. We reported two synthesis routes, one will lead to nanocomposites and other to Core/Shell nanostructures. Our mechanism consists of two stages: core nanoparticle formation and shell growth. Gibbs free energy of hydration of Zn+2 gives more clarity for shell growth over core rather than ion displacement from core. Colloidal films comprising of nanocrystalline CdS/ZnS were fabricated by the dip coating method. A blue shift in energy level at the nanoscale is demonstrated by optical absorption. Electron microscopy studies with an SEM and TEM show a particle size of 10 nm and diffraction patterns show a crystalline nature. Absence of lattice mismatching is one of the important parameter for device fabrication, which is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Overall reduction in optical absorption due to blue shift is expected to result in higher performance, especially in short-circuit currents in CdS/CdTe solar cells.     

A theory of plasticity for carbon nanotube reinforced composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess exceptional mechanical properties, and when introduced into a metal matrix, it could significantly improve the elastic stiffness and plastic strength of the nanocomposite. But current processing techniques often lead to an agglomerated state for the CNTs, and the pristine CNT surface may not be able to fully transfer the load at the interface. These two conditions could have a significant impact on its strengthening capability. In this article we develop a two-scale micromechanical model to analyze the effect of CNT agglomeration and interface condition on the plastic strength of CNT/metal composites. The large scale involves the CNT-free matrix and the clustered CNT/matrix inclusions, and the small scale addresses the property of these clustered inclusions, each containing the randomly oriented, transversely isotropic CNTs and the matrix. In this development the concept of secant moduli and a field fluctuation technique have been adopted. The outcome is an explicit set of formulae that allows one to calculate the overall stress-strain relations of the CNT nanocomposite. It is shown that CNTs are indeed a very effective strengthening agent, but CNT agglomeration and imperfect interface condition can seriously reduce the effective stiffness and elastoplastic strength. The developed theory has also been applied to examine the size (diameter) effect of CNTs on the elastic and elastoplastic response of the composites, and it was found that, with a perfect interface contact, decreasing the CNT radius would enhance the overall stiffness and plastic strength, but with an imperfect interface the size effect is reversed. A comparison of the theory with some experiments on the CNT/Cu nanocomposite serves to verify the applicability of the theory, and it also points to the urgent need of eliminating all CNT agglomeration and improving the interface condition if the full potential of CNT reinforcement is to be realized.     

Interactions of nanoscopic particles with phase-separating polymeric mixtures

Roughly 70% of all manufactured polymeric materials contain solid ‘filler’ particles. These filled systems exhibit increased strength and heat resistance, and decreased gas permeability as compared to the pure polymer matrix. While the solid additives are essential for providing the desired attributes, the influence of nanoscopic particles on the structural evolution of multicomponent polymeric fluids is still poorly understood. New research is revealing that a dynamic coupling between the fluid–fluid phase separation and fluid–particle wetting significantly affects the morphology and kinetic behavior of the system. In the case of diblock/filler mixtures, the particles can influence the orientation and size of lamellar domains. Thus, the emerging results provide guidelines for fabricating new composite materials.     

可降解聚合物/层状硅酸盐纳米复合材料的研究进展

作为一类性能优良的环保功能材料，生物降解性聚合物/层状硅酸盐（BPLS）纳米复合材料正日益引起人们的关注。本文综述了BPLS纳米复合材料的制备途径、结构表征方法及其性能特点，同时对其应用前景作了展望。     

Morphology and fracture behaviour of polyethylene/Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites

Fracture behaviour of polyethylene (PE)/Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) based nanocomposites has been studied by essential work of fracture (EWF) approach. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis have been used to investigate the morphological features of these nanocomposites. A maximum in the non-essential work of fracture was observed at 5 wt.% LDH demonstrating enhanced resistance to crack propagation compared to pure PE. Morphological analyses of the nanocomposites show that the dispersed LDH platelets are partially exfoliated and also forms clusters with polymer chains remaining entrapped within. Rheological analyses show that the typical low-frequency Newtonian flow behaviour, as observed in unfilled polymer, shifts to shear-thinning behaviour with increasing LDH concentration. At 5 wt.% LDH a ductile-to-brittle transition has been observed. Fracture surface investigation by SEM reveals the arresting of the plastic crack growth by the LDH particle clusters, which is more significant at 5 wt.% LDH content. At higher LDH concentrations, the number of such particle clusters increases causing decrease in the average distance between them. As a result large-scale plastic deformation of the matrix at higher LDH concentration is effectively arrested favouring small strain failure and this in turn reaffirms the possible existence of a ductile-to-brittle transition. The study in general reveals that the resistance against crack initiation (essential work of fracture: EWF) and crack propagation (non-essential work of fracture: βw_p) in these nanocomposites are structurally correlated with the matrix behaviour and the morphology (state of LDH particle dispersion) respectively.     

Scalable silicon nanowire photodetectors

This paper presents photodetectors having vertically stacked electrodes with sub-micron (300 nm) separation based on silicon nanowire (SiNW) nanocomposites. The thin-film-like devices are made using standard photolithography instead of electron beam lithography and thus are amenable to scalable low-cost manufacturing. The processing technique is not limited to SiNWs and can be extended to different nanowires (NWs) (e.g., ZnO, CdSe) and substrates. The current–voltage characteristics show Schottky behaviour that is dependent on the properties of the contact metal and that of the pristine SiNWs. This makes these devices suitable for examination of electronic transport in SiNWs. Preliminary results for light sensitivity show promising photoresponse that is a function of effective NW density.     

Deformation and orientation during shear and elongation of a polycarbonate/carbon nanotubes composite in the melt

In this study, we focused on the elongational rheology and the morphology of an electrically conductive polycarbonate/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (2 wt%) composite in the melt. In shear and melt elongation, the influence of the carbon nanotubes was large when the externally applied stress was small. Consequently, the elastic interactions resulting from the carbon nanotubes dominated in the low frequency range of the shear oscillations. The elongational viscosity of the composite was only moderately influenced by the addition of 2 wt% carbon nanotubes. Transmission electron microscopy investigations of the stretched composite showed that isolated carbon nanotubes were oriented in elongation. In recovery after melt elongation, the recovered stretch of the composite was much smaller than the recovered stretch of pure polycarbonate. This effect is caused by the carbon nanotubes network, which prohibited large extensions of the macromolecules and led to a yield stress of the composite.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/GO-MMT nanocomposites: Preparation,structure and properties

A facile, efficient and environment friendly method is established to prepare poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) based graphene oxide-montmorillonite(GO-MMT) nanocomposites in aqueous media. GO-MMT nanohybrid is obtained by the combination of GO and MMT in water without any reducing or stabilizing agents. The formation of GO-MMT nanohybrid is due to the hydrogen bonding and crosslinking effects. The sodium ions within MMT sheets act as crosslinkers between GO sheets and MMT platelets. The resultant nanocomposites are characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) and mechanical testing. Compared to that of pure PVA, PVA nanocomposites show enhanced thermal stabilities and mechanical properties, which results from strong interfacial adhesion of the nanoadditives in PVA matrix. The further increase in the tensile strength and modulus results from strong interaction between PVA chains and layered GO-MMT as well as good mechanical properties of GO-MMT hybrid, compared to PVA/GO and PVA/MMT nanocompsoites.     

层状仿生高分子纳米复合材料

自然界中,鲍鱼壳具有有机-无机多级次层状结构以及大量的复合界面作用,力学性能优异。这一独特的层状结构主要由霰石碳酸钙片层构成,并通过体积分数约为5%的生物高分子在层间进行粘合。受鲍鱼壳这一微观结构的启发,我们利用不同的基元材料如纳米蒙脱土、碳纳米管以及氧化石墨烯等构筑仿鲍鱼壳层状结构,并结合多种界面设计,实现不同界面、不同基元材料之间的协同作用,得到了力学性能优异的高分子纳米复合材料。仿生高分子纳米复合材料的成功制备,为今后的研究提供了崭新的思路,拓宽了高分子纳米复合材料的应用前景。     

Processing and characterization of epoxy/clay nanocomposites

Nanocomposite materials consisting of an epoxy matrix and silicate clay particles have been processed and characterized mechanically. The clay material used was a modified natural montmorillonite. The clay particles consisted of 1 nm thick layers with aspect ratios in the range of 100–1000. The clay particles were mixed with acetone and sonicated, then mixed with the polymer, deaerated and cured. The ultimate objective of processing was to produce a polymer/clay nanocomposite with separated (exfoliated) platelets, dispersed as uniformly as possible. Samples were prepared with clay concentrations of up to 10 wt%. The process used resulted in limited exfoliation but mostly intercalation, i.e., infusion of polymer between the silicate layers and increase of interlayer spacing. The characteristics of the nanocomposite were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. Results from these observations show that the basal spacing of clay platelets increased from an initial pre-processing value of 1.85 nm to 4.5 nm. Enhancement of mechanical properties was measured by tensile testing of coupons. Stiffness increases of up to 50% over that of the unfilled epoxy were measured for clay concentrations of 5 wt%. Strength increases were also measured for low clay concentrations and low strain rate loading. Micromechanics modeling of mechanical behavior is discussed as a function of clay platelet dispersion.