Boron carbide nanowires with uniform CNχ coatings

Boron carbide nanowires with uniform carbon nitride coating layers were synthesized on a silicon substrate using a simple thermal process. The structure and morphology of the as-synthesized nanowires were characterized using x-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. A correlation between the surface smoothness of the nanowire sidewalls and their lateral sizes has been observed and it is a consequence of the anisotropic formation of the coating layers. A growth mechanism is also proposed for these growth phenomena.

Latex-based nanocomposites

Nanoparticles have been widely used as filler in polymer because of their unique reinforcing effect. There are many compounding methods for nanocomposites. The recent development on latex nanocomposites, a group of special nanocomposites, is reviewed in this chapter. They include carbon black/latex nanocomposite, silica/latex nanocomposite, layered silicate/latex nanocomposite, ZnO/latex nanocomposite, carbon nanotubellatex nanocomposite, lignin/latex nanocomposite, starch/latex nanocomposite, nano-fiber/latex nanocomposite, and Chitin whiskers/latex nanocomposite. Advanced compounding techniques and the latest advance on these latex nanocomposites are described. The nanoreinforcing theories of latex nanocomposites are also studied.

Structure-property relationships of nylon 6, MXD6, their blends and nanocomposites

This research project aimed to develop an understanding of the structure-property relationships of nanocomposite materials (injection moulded and fibres) based on nylon 6, MXD6 and their blends, with a layered silicate in combination with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles and SEBS rubber particles.

Carbon nanotube polymer composites and nanofibres

This study examined how carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in electrospun polymeric nanofibres influenced the polymer morphology, and how polymer morphology change induced by different post-electrospinning treatments influenced CNT-polymer interaction and nanofibre properties. The results showed that both the polymer structure and morphology played important roles in determining the composite and nanofibre properties.

Structure and properties of epoxy nanocomposites

This study investigated the structure-property relationships of epoxy nanocomposites when processing the materials under various conditions. A sonication technique, rapid heating rate and mechanical vibration during curing facilitated the dispersion of nanoclay in an epoxy resin. This led to the successful manufacture of fibre reinforced nanocomposites.

Inter-bonded fibrous matrics for 3D tissue engineering scaffolds

This thesis established a stable three-dimensional fibrous tissue scaffold that has controlled pore structure and inter-bonded fibrous structure, and also examined the effects of the 3D fibrous matrices and functional surfaces including nano-scale topography, bioactive CaP coating and antibacterial treatment on the cell growth begaviour for tissue engineering application.

Nanograin metals and metallic multilayers produced by severe plastic deformation

This research has developed an improved understanding of the structure-property relationships, fabrication technology and deformation mechanism of light bulk ultrafine grained materials and metallic multilayered structure.

Production and characterisation of nanofibre yarns and composites

This thesis propsed a novel method to produce and characterise nanofibre yarns and composites.  It contributed to the fundamental research in the field of nanofibre yarns.

Organic ionic plastic crystal electrolytes; a new class of electrolyte for high efficiency solid state dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells are an increasingly promising alternative to conventional silicon solar cells as a method of converting solar energy to electricity and thus providing an effectively inexhaustible energy source. However, the most efficient of these devices currently utilize liquid electrolytes, which suffer from the associated problems of leakage and evaporation. Hence, significant research is currently focused on the development of solid state alternatives. Here we report a new class of solid state electrolyte for these devices, organic ionic plastic crystal electrolytes, that allow relatively rapid diffusion of the redox couple through the matrix, which is critical to the cell performance. A range of different organic ionic plastic crystal materials, utilizing different cation and anion structures, have been investigated and the conductivities, diffusion rates and photovoltaic performance of the electrolytes are reported. The best material, utilizing the dicyanamide anion, achieves efficiencies of more than 5%.

Influence of ionic liquids on the electrical conductivity and morphology of PEDOT:PSS films

Small-molecule nonvolatile additives based on ionic liquids (IL) as electrical conductivity enhancer in Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was studied. Ionic liquids were investigated in the synthesis of self-assembled, highly organized hybrid nanostructures due to their ability as supramolecular solvents. Different percentage of five ionic liquids, such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (bmim) F 4 and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (bmim)Br were added to a PEDOT:PSScommercial dispersion. Films of pure PEDOT:PSS showed an average conductivity of 14 S cm-1, which corresponded to the value range given by the supplier. AFM images showed that IL induced the formation of a three-dimensional conducting network with smaller PEDOT domains. The ionic character of the films was significantly increased because of the presence of ionic liquids, which can be used effectively in optoelectronic devices.