High PL-efficiency ZnO nanocrystallites/PPV composite nanofibers

In this paper, we report for the first time on the synthesis of ZnO nanocrystallites in conjugated polymer (PPV) nanofibers by the coupling of the in situ/blend methods and electrospinning. These composite nanofibers were characterized by fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscope (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD).

Structure and electrochemical characteristics of melted composite Ti0.10Zr0.15V0.35Cr0.10Ni0.30-LaNi5 hydrogen storage alloys

The structure and electrochemical characteristics of melted composite Ti0.10Zr0.15V0.35Cr0.10Ni0.30+x% LaNi5 (x=0, 1, 5 and 10) hydrogen storage alloys have been investigated systematically. XRD shows that the matrix phase structure of V-based solid solution phase with a BCC structure and C14 Laves phase with hexagonal structure is not changed after adding LaNi5 alloy. However, the amount of the secondary phase increases with increasing LaNi5 content. Field emission scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) shows that the C14 Laves phase contains more Zr and the white lard phase has a composition close to (Zr, Ti)(V, Cr, Ni, La)(2).

Hollow fibers of yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) prepared by calcination of electrospun composite fibers

8YSZ fibers were synthesized by calcination of PVP/zirconium oxychloride/yttrium nitrate composite fibers (PVP-Precursor) obtained by electrospinning. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the 8YSZ fibers are hollow and the gas released during organic binder decomposition resulted in the formation of hollow center in fibers

Multilayer structured carbon nanotubes/poly-L-lysine/laccase composite cathode for glucose/O-2 biofuel cell

Multilayer film of laccase, poly-L-lysine (PLL) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by a layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. The results of the UV-vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy studies demonstrated a uniform growth of the multilayer. The catalytic behavior of the modified electrode was investigated. The (MWNTs/PLL/laccase)(n) multilayer modified electrode catalyzed four-electron reduction of O-2 to water, without any mediator.

Effect of immersion in various media on the sorption, solubility, elution of unreacted monomers, and flexural properties of two model dental composite compositions

Immersion in various media has different effect on the properties of dental composites, such as sorption, solubility, elution of unreacted monomers, flexural strength, and flexural elastic modulus. In the present work, the effect of immersion in various media and the relationship between the variation of these properties and the components of dental composite were investigated.

Properties of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)-ionic liquid composite film and its application in the determination of trace metals combined with bismuth film electrode

A new kind of bismuth film modified electrode to sensitively detect trace metal ions based on incorporating highly conductive ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6) in solid matrices at glassy carbon (GC) was investigated. Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), silica, and Nafion were selected as the solid matrices. The electrochemical properties of the mixed films modified GC were evaluated. The electron transfer rate of Fe(CN)(6)(4-)/Fe(CN)(6)(3-) can be effectively improved at the PSS-BMIMPF6 modified GC.

Research progress on noble metal composite nanoparticles

Noble metal composite nanoparticles, as attractive building blocks of advanced functional materials, have received enormous attentions due to their specific optical, electronic and catalytic properties that are distant from those of the corresponding monometal nanoparticles. Such materials have important applications in such areas as sensors, optical materials, catalysis and biology, and developed into an increasingly important research area in nanomaterials science. This article reviews the recent progress in the synthesis, properties, and applications of noble metal composite nanoparticles with core-shell, heterostructure, and alloy structure.

The Effect of MMT/Modified MMT on the Structure and Performance of the Superabsorbent Composite

A series of superabsorbent composites containing Montmorillonite (MMT), modified- Montmorillonite (OMMT) and sodium acrylate were synthesized by free-radical polymerization in aqueous solution. The structure of composites was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the results showed that the polymer chains were grafted onto the edge and the surface of MMT or OMMT. At the same time, the equilibrium swelling ratio of the composites was investigated as a function of the clay content and the results showed that the equilibrium swelling ratio of composites was improved by the introduction of clay.

Unique electrochemiluminescence behavior of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) in a gold/Nafion/Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) composite

The unique electrochemiluminescence (ECL) behavior of tris(bipyridine) ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) immobilized in a gold/Nafion/Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) composite material was investigated. In this composite, the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) ECL was found mainly occurred at 0-0.4 V during the cathodic scan process and the ECL peak was at about 0.1 V, which was quite different to the reported Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) ECL. Similar to the generally observed Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) ECL, the present ECL also could be enhanced by tri-n-propylarnine (TPA). It is also unique that in the presence of TPA, another ECL peak at about 0.38 V occurred.

Novel thin-film composite membranes with improved water flux from sulfonated cardo poly(arylene ether sulfone) bearing pendant amino groups

A new class of polymeric amine, namely, sulfonated cardo poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPES-NH2) was synthesized and used for the preparation of thin-film composite membrane. The TFC membranes were prepared on a polysulfone supporting film through interfacial polymerization with trimesoyl chloride (TMC) solutions and amine solutions containing SPES-NH2 and m-phenylenediamine (MPDA). The resultant membranes were characterized with water permeation performance, chemical structure, hydrophilicity of active layer and membrane morphology including top surface and cross-section.

Polyamide thin film composite membranes prepared from isomeric biphenyl tetraacyl chloride and m-phenylenediamine

Three novel of isomeric tetra-functional biphenyl acid chloride: 3,3',5,5'-biphenyl tetraacyl chloride (mm-BTEC), 2,2',4,4'-biphenyl tetraacyl chloride (om-BTEC), and 2,2',5,5'-biphenyl tetraacyl chloride (op-BTEC) were synthesized, and used as new monomers for the preparation of the thin film composite (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes through interfacial polymerization with m-phenylenediamine (MPDA). The results of membrane performance test showed that membranes prepared from om-BTEC and op-BTEC had higher flux at the expanse of rejection compared with membranes prepared from mm-BTEC.

Fabrication, thermal stability and mechanical properties of novel composite hardmetals obtained by solid-state reaction and hot-pressing sintering

A novel cemented carbides (W0.7Al0.3)C-0.65-Co with different cobalt contents were prepared by solid-state reaction and hot-pressing technique. Hot-pressing technique as a novel technique was performed to fabricate the bulk bodies of the hard alloys. The novel cemented carbides have superior mechanical properties compared with WC-Co. The density, operate cost of the novel material were lower than WC-Co system. The novel materials were easy to process nanoscale sintering and get the rounded particles in the bulk materials. There is almost no eta-phase in the (W0.7Al0.3)C-0.65-Co cemented carbides system although the carbon deficient get the astonished 35% value.

Fabrication, thermal stability and mechanical properties of novel (W0.5Al0.5)C-0.8-Co composite prepared by mechanical alloying and hot-pressing sintering

A novel cemented carbides (W0.5Al0.5)C-0.8-Co with different cobalt contents were prepared by mechanical alloying and hot-pressing technique. Hot-pressing technique as a common technique was performed to fabricate the bulk bodies of the hard alloys. The novel cemented carbides have superior mechanical properties compared to WC-Co. The density, operating cost of the novel material were much lower than WC-Co. There is almost no eta-phase in the (W0.5Al0.5)C-0.8-Co cemented carbides system although the carbon deficient get the value of 20%, and successfully got the nanostructured rounded (W0.5Al0.5)C-0.8 particles.