Fast densification and electrical conductivity of yttria-stabilized zirconia nanoceramics

Nanocrystalline 8YSZ (8 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia) bulk samples with grain sizes of 20-30 nm were synthesized by Sol-Gel method and then densified under a high pressure of 4.5 GPa at 1273 K for 10 min. The method led to the densification of 8YSZ to a relative density higher than 92% without grain growth. Fourier transmission Raman spectroscopy suggested that 8YSZ underwent a phase transition from the cubic phase to a phase mixture (tetragonal plus a trace of monoclinic) after the densification, which decreased the electrical conductivity to a certain degree as concluded from the impedance spectroscopy.

Preparation of In2O3 ceramic nanofibers by electrospinning and their optical properties

Electrospinning was employed to fabricate polymer-ceramic composite fibers from solutions containing polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and In(NO3)(3)center dot 4(1)/2H2O. Upon firing the composite fibers at 800 degrees C, In2O3 fibers with diameters ranging from 200 to 400 nm were synthesized. This indium oxide calcined at 800 degrees C is a body-centered cubic cell. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of the as-formed In2O3 nanofibers were investigated. The In2O3 nanofibers show a strong PL emission in the ultraviolet (UV) region under shorter UV light irradiation.

Preparation and properties of a reactive type nonionic surfactant grafted linear low density polyethylene

A reactive type nonionic surfactant, monostearic acid monomaleic acid glycerol diester (MMGD) was synthesized in our laboratory. Grafting-copolymerization of linear low density polyethylene ( LLDPE) with MMGD was carried out by using beta ray irradiation in air in a twin-screw extruder. Evidence of the grafting of MMGD as well as its extent was determined by Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The effects of monomer concentration, reaction temperature and screw run speed on degree of grafting were studied systematically. The thermal behavior of LLDPE-g-MMGD was investigated by using differential scanning calorimety ( DSC). Compared with neat LLDPE, the crystallization temperature ( Tc) of LLDPE-g-MMGD increased about 3 degrees C, and the melting enthalpy (Delta H-m) decreased with increase of MMGD content. It showed that the grafted MMGD monomer onto LLDPE acted as a nucleating agent. The tensile properties and light transmission of blown films were determined. Comparing with neat LLDPE film, no obvious changes could be found for the tensile strength, elongation at break and right angle tearing strength of LLDPE-g-MMGD film. The wettability is expressed by the water contact angle. With an increasing percentage of MMGD, the contact angles of water on film surface of LLDPE- g-MMGD decrease monotonically.

Preparation and properties of a novel nonionic surfactant grafted linear low density polyethylene

A novel nonionic surfactant, glycerol monostearic acid monomaleic acid diester (GMMD) was synthesized in our laboratory. Grafting-copolymerization of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) with GMMD was carried out by using P-ray irradiation in a twin-screw extruder. Evidence of the grafting of GMMD, as well as its extent, was determined by FT-IR. The effects of monomer concentration, reaction temperature and screw run speed on degree of grafting were studied systematically. The thermal behavior of LLDPE-g-GMMD was investigated by using differential scanning calorimety (DSC). Compared with neat LLDPE, the crystallization temperature (T,) of LLDPE-g-GMMD increased about 3 degrees C, and the melting enthalpy (Delta H-m) decreased with increase of GMMD content. It showed that the arafted GMMD monomer onto LLDPE acted as a nucleating agent. The tensile properties and light transmission of blown films were determined. Comparing with neat LLDPE film, no obvious changes could be found for the tensile strength, elongation at break and right angle tearing strength of LLDPE-g-GMMD film. Accelerated dripping property of film samples was investigated. The dripping duration of LLDPE-g-GMMD film and commercial anti-fog dripping film at 60 degrees C were 52 days and 17 days, respectively.

Preparation and chracaterization of novel graft copolymers of LLDPE

A series of novel fluorine surfactants, a, b, c, d, e and their acrylates, A, 13, C, D and E, were synthesized via poly( ethylene oxide) ( PEG) ( 200, 600, 1000, 2000, 5000) and perfluorooctane poly (ethylene oxide) ether as the main starting materials. Their chemical structures were characterized by means of FTIR and H-1 NMR. The surface activity and surface tension( y) of surfactants a, b, c, d and e were evaluated by maximum bubble pressure method. Surfactants A, 13, C, D and E were adopted as the grafting monomers of linear low density polyethere( LLDPE), and grafting reaction was carried out by melt reactive extrusion procedure. Their surface properties were characterized with measuring contact angle and XPS. It was found that the hydrophilic property of the graft copolymers was better than the palin LLDPE. Thermal properties of graft copolymers were studied by DSC. It was found that their crystalline temperatures of graft copolymers were faster than that of the plain LLDPE.

Preparation and characterization of W-Type hexaferrite doped with La3+

A series of W-type ferrites with the composition of Ba1-xLaxCo2Fe16O27 (where, x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 020 and 0.25) were prepared by solid-state reaction method. The structure transformations of the ferrites were examined by XRD, DTA-TG and XPS, and the microwave-absorbing properties were investigated by evaluating the permeability and permittivity of materials (mu(r), epsilon(r)). The results showed that the phase-transition temperature increased with the addition of La2+ content, and a single-phase was formed at 1250 degrees C at last. Microwave properties were obviously improved as a result of the substitution of La3+ for Ba2+ at the frequency range of 0.5 similar to 18.0 GHz.

Preparation of nano-hydroxyapatite/poly(L-lactide) biocomposite microspheres

Nano-hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) composite microspheres with relatively uniform size distribution were prepared by a solid-in-oil-in-water (s/o/w) emusion solvent evaporation method. The encapsulation of the HA nanopaticles in microshperes was significantly improved by grafting PLLA on the surface of the HA nanoparticles (p-HA) during emulsion process. This procedure gave a possibility to obtain p-HA/PLLA composite microspheres with uniform morphology and the encapsulated p-HA nanoparticle loading reached up to 40 wt% (33 wt% of pure HA) in the p-HA/PLLA composite microspheres. The microstructure of composite microspheres from core-shell to single phase changed with the variation of p-HA to PLLA ratios. p-HA/PLLA composite microspheres with the diameter range of 2-3 mu m were obtained. The entrapment efficiency of p-HA in microspheres could high up to 90 wt% and that of HA was only 13 wt%. Surface and bulk characterizations of the composite microspheres were performed by measurements such as wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Preparation and antibacterial effects of PVA-PVP hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles

The poly(vinyl alcohol)/ poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVA-PVP) hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles were prepared by repeated freezing-thawing treatment. The silver content in the solid composition was in the range of 0.1-1.0 wt %, the silver particle size was from 20 to 100 nm, and the weight ratio of PVA to PVP was 70 : 30. The influence of silver nanoparticles on the properties of PVA-PVP matrix was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter, infrared spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy, using PVA-PVP films containing silver particles as a model. The morphology of freeze-dried PVA-PVP hydrogel matrix and dispersion of the silver nanoparticles in the matrix was examined by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that a three-dimensional structure was formed during the process of freezing-thawing treatment and no serious aggregation of the silver nanoparticles occurred. Water absorption properties, release of silver ions from the hydrogels and the antibacterial effects of the hydrogels against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were examined too. It was proved that the nanosilver-containing hydrogels had an excellent antibacterial ability.

Carbon nanotubes and glucose oxidase bionanocomposite bridged by ionic liquid-like unit: Preparation and electrochemical properties

For their biocompatibility and potential bionanoelectronic applications, integration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with biomolecules such as redox enzyme is highly anticipated. Therein, CNTs are expected to act not only as an electron transfer promoter, but also as immobilizing substrate for biomolecules. In this report, a novel method for immobilization of biomolecules on CNTs was proposed based on ionic interaction, which is of universality and widespread use in biological system. As illustrated, glucose oxidase (GOD) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were integrated into a unitary bionanocomposite by means of ionic liquid-like unit on functionalized SWNTs. The resulted bionanocomposite illustrated better redox response of immobilized GOD in comparison of that prepared by weak physical absorption without ionic interaction. As a potential application of concept, the electrochemical detection of glucose was exemplified based on this novel bionanocomposite.