Electrochemical performance of polyaniline nanofibres and polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite as an electrode material for aqueous redox supercapacitors

Polyaniline (PANI) nanofibres are synthesized by interfacial polymerization and their electrochemical performance is evaluated in an aqueous redox supercapacitor constituted as a two-electrode cell. The initial specific capacitance of the cell is 554 F g−1 at a constant current of 1.0 A g−1, but this value rapidly decreases on continuous cycling. In order to improve the cycleability of the supercapacitor, a composite of polyaniline with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is synthesized by in situ chemical polymerization. Its capacitive behaviour is evaluated in a similar cell configuration. A high initial specific capacitance of 606 F g−1 is obtained with good retention on cycling. In both supercapacitors, the effect of charging potential on cycling performances is investigated.

Silver Nanocomposite Electrode Modified with Hexacyanoferrate. Preparation, Characterization and Electrochemical Behaviour Towards Substituted Anilines

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

One-step preparation of graphene nanosheets via ball milling of graphite and the application in lithium-ion batteries

An improved method for mass production of good-quality graphene nanosheets (GNs) via ball milling pristine graphite with dry ice is presented. We also report the enhanced performance of these GNs as working electrode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this improved method, the decrease of necessary ball milling time from 48 to 24 h and the increase of Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area from 389.4 to 490 m2/g might be resulted from the proper mixing of stainless steel balls with different diameters and the optimization of agitation speed. The as-prepared GNs are investigated in detail using a number of techniques, such as scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, X-ray diffractometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic. To demonstrate the potential applications of these GNs, the performances of the LIBs with pure Fe3O4 electrode and Fe3O4/graphene (Fe3O4/G) composite electrode were carefully evaluated. Compared to Fe3O4-LIBs, Fe3O4/G-LIBs exhibited prominently enhanced performance and a reversible specific capacity of 900 mAh g−1 after 5 cycles at 100 and 490 mAh g−1 after 5 cycles at 800 mA g−1. The improved cyclic stability and enhanced rate capability were also obtained.

Seizure resistance of cast aluminium alleys containing dispersed graphite particles of differing sizes

The seizure resistance of cast graphite-aluminium composite alloys containing graphite particles of various sizes was studied using a Hohman wear tester. If the graphite content is more than 2% these alloys can be selfmated without seizure under conditions of boundary lubrication. The size and shape of the graphite particles had no significant effect on seizure resistance. Owing to the extensive deformation and fragmentation of graphite, the low yield strength of the aluminium matrix and the low flow stress of the graphite particles, a continuous layer of graphite is formed on the mating surfaces even after a short running-in period. This layer persisted even after extensive wear deformation.

Mechanism of improvement in oil spreadability of aluminium alloy-graphite particle composites

The spreadability of SAE-30 oil on Al-12 Si base (LM-13) alloy containing dispersed graphite particles about 50 μm average size in its matrix is found to be greater than on either LM-13 with no graphite or brass. It is also found that the spreadability on LM-13 base alloys increase with increasing volume of graphite dispersion in the matrix of these alloys. Further increases in the spreadability of oil on machined LM-13-graphite particle composite test surfaces occur if these are rubbed initially against control discs of either LM-13 or grey cast iron. The formation of a triboinduced graphite-rich layer, confirmed by esca, appears to be responsible for the improved oil spreadability on the rubbed test surfaces of LM-13 base alloys as compared to the as-machined test surfaces prior to rubbing. The triboinduced layer of graphite is apparently responsible for the observed reduction in the friction, wear and seizing tendency of triboelements made from aluminium alloy-graphite particle composites.

Dry wear of al-graphite particle composites

Under lubricated conditions, Al-graphite particle composite is a good antiseizure bearing and antifriction material possessing properties which inhibit excessive temperature rise in bearings. The present study characterizes the dry wear properties of the composite. The dry wear characteristics of the Al-(2.7%–5.7% graphite particle) (50–200μm) composite were found to deteriorate with the addition of graphite, load and sliding distance. Both micro structural and microhardness studies of the worn subsurfaces and analysis of wear debris show that the reductions in strength and ductility of the composite due to graphite addition are the most likely causes of deterioration in the wear properties of the composite.

Stress and strength analysis of pin joints in laminated anisotropic plates

Mechanical joints in composites can be tailored to achieve improved performance and better life by appropriately selecting the laminate parameters. In order to gain the best advantage of this possibility of tailoring the laminate, it is necessary to understand the influence of laminate parameters on the behaviour of joints in composites. Most of the earlier studies in this direction were based on simplified assumptions regarding load transfer at the pin-plate interface and such studies were only carried out on orthotropic and quasi-isotropic laminates. In the present study, a more rigorous analysis is carried out to study pin joints in laminates with anisotropic properties. Two types of laminates with (0/ + ?4/90)s and (0/ ± ?2/90)s layups made out of graphite epoxy T300/5208 material system are considered. The analysis mainly concentrates on clearance fit in which the pin is of smaller diameter compared to the hole. The main aspect of the analysis of pin joints is the changing contact between the pin and the plate with increasing load levels. The analysis is carried out by an iterative finite element technique and a computationally efficient routine is developed for this purpose. Numerical studies indicate that the location and magnitude of the peak stresses along the hole boundary are functions of fibre angle and the overall anisotropic properties. It is also shown that the conventional assumption of cosine distribution for the contact pressure between pin and the plate in the analysis lead to underestimation of bearing failure load and overestimation of shear and tensile failure loads in typical (0/905)s cross-ply laminates.

Hybridization of carbon-glass epoxy composites: An approach to achieve low coefficient of thermal expansion at cryogenic temperatures

The paper is based on a study to develop carbon-glass epoxy hybrid composites with desirable thermal properties for applications at cryogenic temperatures. It analyzes the coefficient of thermal expansion of carbon-epoxy and glass-epoxy composite materials and compares it with the properties of carbon-glass epoxy hybrid composites in the temperature range 300 K to 125K. Urethane modified epoxy matrix system is used to make the composite specimens suitable for use even for temperatures as low as 20K. It is noted that the lay-up with 80% of carbon fibers in the total volume fraction of fibers oriented at 30 degrees and 20% of glass fibers oriented at 0 degrees yields near to zero coefficient of thermal expansion as the temperature is lowered from ambient to 125 K. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of Circular Defects on the Flexural Strength of Kevlar/Epoxy Composites

The flexural strength of the Kevlar/epoxy composite laminates, in the pres ence of unfilled and filled circular defects, was studied. Circular drillings of two different diameters extending up to the neutral axis from the compression face as well as through holes, at three different positions from the midspan, have been considered as simplified cases of dents and defects. Bonded buttons of aluminium metal have been tested and shown to yield a strength-wise compensation for test samples with depressions. Macrography of the failed specimens is also discussed.

Residual strength and fatigue life assessment of composite patch repaired specimens

Design, analysis and technology for the integrity enhancement of damaged or underdesigned structures continues to be an engineering challenge. Bonded composite patch repairs to metallic structures is receiving increased attention in the recent years. It offers various advantages over rivetted doubler, particularly for airframe repairs. This paper presents an experimental investigation of residual strength and fatigue crack-growth life of an edge-cracked aluminium specimen repaired using glass epoxy composite patch. The investigation begins with the evaluation of three different surface treatments from bond strength viewpoint. A simple thumb rule formula is employed to estimate the patch size. Cracked and repaired specimens are tested under static and fatigue loading. The patch appears to restore the original strength of the undamaged specimen and enhance the fatigue crack growth life by an order of magnitude. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamic compressive response of composite square honeycombs

Carbon fibre-epoxy composite square honeycombs, and the parent composite material, were tested in quasi-static compression at a strain rate of 10 -3 s -1 and in dynamic compression at strain rates of 10 3-10 4 s -1 using an instrumented Kolsky bar arrangement. Taken together, these tests provide an assessment of the potential of this composite topology for use as a lightweight sandwich core. The honeycombs had two relative densities, 0.12 and 0.24, and two material orientations, ±45° and 0/90° with respect to the prismatic, loading direction of the honeycomb. Honeycomb manufacture was by slotting, assembling and bonding together carbon fibre/epoxy woven plies of composite sheets of 2 × 2 twill weave construction. The peak value of wall stress in the honeycombs was about one third that of the parent material, for all strain rates. An elastic finite element analysis was used to trace the source of this knock-down in strength: a stress concentration exists at the root of the slots and leads to premature failure by microbuckling. Shock-wave effects were evident at impact velocities exceeding 50 ms -1 for the honeycomb of relative density 0.12. This was traced to stubbing of the buckled cell walls against the face of the Kolsky bar. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Glassy carbon ceramic composite electrodes

A new carbon composite electrode material, based on dispersing glassy carbon (GC) microparticles into methyltrimethoxysilane-derived sol, is described in the present paper. The resulting glassy carbon ceramic composite electrodes (GCCEs) combine the electrochemical properties of GC with the advantages of composite electrodes, and thus offer high electrochemical reactivity, low background current and are easy to prepare, modify and renew. The new material has a low double-layer capacitance and a wide potential window. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicate significant difference in the structure of GCCE and carbon ceramic composite electrode (CCE). The electrochemical properties and advantages of GCCE should find broad utility in electroanalysis.

Sol-gel derived iridium composite glucose biosensor

Iridium powder is introduced into sol-gel process for the first time to fabricate a novel type of sol-gel derived metal composite electrode. The iridium ceramic electrode shows excellent electrocatalytic action for both oxidation and reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The glucose biosensor based on sol-gel derived iridium composite electrode was fabricated. The biosensor shows highly selectivity towards glucose because of the strong catalytic action of iridium composite matrix for enzyme-liberated hydrogen peroxide at low operating potential, at which common interferences cannot be sensed. The novel type of biosensor can be renewed by simply mechanical polishing with favorable reproducibility and long-term stability.

Sol-gel derived iridium composite glucose biosensor

Iridium powder is introduced into sol-gel process for the first time to fabricate a novel type of sol-gel derived metal composite electrode. The iridium ceramic electrode shows excellent electrocatalytic action for both oxidation and reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The glucose biosensor based on sol-gel derived iridium composite electrode was fabricated. The biosensor shows highly selectivity towards glucose because of the strong catalytic action of iridium composite matrix for enzyme-liberated hydrogen peroxide at low operating potential, at which common interferences cannot be sensed. The novel type of biosensor can be renewed by simply mechanical polishing with favorable reproducibility and long-term stability.