Observation of early to full covering stages of ethylene-based CVD of graphene

Scalable growth is essential for graphene-based applications. Recent development has enabled the achievement of the scalability by use of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at 1000°C with copper as a catalyst and methane as a precursor gas. Here we report our observation of early stage of graphene growth based on an ethylene-based CVD method, capable of reducing the growth temperature to 770°C for monolayer graphene growth on copper. We track the early stages of slow growth under low ethylene flow rate and observe the graphene domain evolution by varying the temperature and growth time. Temperature-dependence of graphene domain density gives an apparent activation energy of 1.0 eV for nucleation.

Compression and tensile properties of self-reinforced poly(ethylene terephthalate)-composites

Tensile and compression properties of self-reinforced poly(ethylene terephthalate) (SrPET) composites has been investigated. SrPET composites or all-polymer composites have improved mechanical properties compared to the bulk polymer but with maintained recyclability. In contrast to traditional carbon/glass fibre reinforced composites, SrPET composites are very ductile, resulting in high failure strains without softening or catastrophic failure. In tension, the SrPET composites behave linear elastically until the fibre-matrix interface fails, at which point the stiffness starts decreasing. As the material is further strained, strain hardening occurs and the specimen finally fails at a global strain above 10%. In compression, the composite initially fails through fibre yielding, and at higher strains through fibre bending. The stress-strain response is reminiscent of an elastic-perfectly plastic material with a high strain to failure (typically over 10%). This indicates that SrPET composites are not only candidates as semi-structural composites but also as highly efficient energy absorbing materials. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Macrocyclic polyamine-modified poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith for capillary electrochromatography

1,4,10,13,16-Pentaazatricycloheneicosane-9,17-dione (macrocyclic polyamine)-modified polymer-based monolithic column for CEC was prepared by ring opening reaction of epoxide groups from poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) (GMA-co-EDMA) monolith with macrocyclic polyamine. Conditions such as reaction time and concentration of macrocyclic polyamine for the modification reaction were optimized to generate substantial EOF and enough chromatographic interactions. Anodic EOF was observed in the pH range of 2.0-8.0 studied due to the protonation of macrcyclic polyamine at the surface of the monolith. Morphology of the monolithic column was examined by SEM and the incorporation of macrocyclic polyamine to the poly(GMA-co-EDMA) monolith was characterized by infrared (IR) spectra. Successful separation of inorganic anions, isomeric benzenediols, and benzoic acid derivatives on the monolithic column was achieved for CEC. In addition to hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction played a significant role in the separation process.

Study of crystallinity and thermomechanical analysis of annealed poly(ethylene terephthalate) films

The objective of this article was the determination of the degree of crystallinity of a series of heat-set poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films and their study by thermomechanical analysis (TMA) in order to elucidate a peculiar behaviour that takes place around the glass transition region. For this purpose, amorphous cast Mylar films from DuPont were annealed at 115 °C for various periods of time. Four methods were used to study the crystallinity of the samples prepared: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), density measurements (DM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). From the results obtained, the following conclusions are drawn: amorphous PET Mylar films can be crystallized in a degree of about up to 30% after thermal treatment for 30 min (cold crystallization) above glass transition temperature. When these semicrystalline samples are subjected to TMA, they show a two step penetration of the probe into them, which decreases with the increase of the degree of crystallinity. The first step of penetration was attributed to the shrinkage of the amorphous or semicrystalline sample, which takes place on the glass transition temperature, while the second step was attributed to the continuous softening of the sample, and the reorganization of the matter which takes place on heating run due to cold crystallization. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The fabrication of TiO2-supported zeolite with core/shell heterostructure for ethanol dehydration to ethylene

The TiO2-supported zeolite with core/shell heterostructure was fabricated by coating aluminosilicate zeolite (ASZ) on the TiO2 inoculating seed via in situ hydrothermal synthesis. The catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen physisorption (BET), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The surface acidity of the catalysts was measured by pyridine-TPD method. The catalytic performance of the catalysts for ethanol dehydration to ethylene was also investigated. The results show that the TiO2-supported zeolite composite catalyst with core/shell heterostructure exhibits prominent conversion efficiency for ethanol dehydration to ethylene.

Catalytic Dehydration of Ethanol to Ethylene on TiO2/4A Zeolite Composite Catalysts

TiO2/4A zeolite composite catalysts were prepared by coating TiO2 on 4A zeolite via liquid phase deposition. The TiO 2/4A zeolite composite catalysts wtih higher surface weak acidity and lower mediate strong acidity exhibit much better catalytic performance on ethanol dehydration to ethylene compared with 4A zeolite. It is suggested that the TiO2 promoter could improve the effective Lewis acidity of composite catalyst which consequently enhanced the catalytic performance.

Experimental Investigation on Propane Hydrate Dissociation by High Concentration Methanol and Ethylene Glycol Solution Injection

The dissociation behaviors of propane hydrate by high concentration alcohols inhibitors injection were investigated. Methanol (30.0, 60.1, 80.2, and 99.5 wt %) and ethylene glycol (30.0, 60.1, 69.8, 80.2, and 99.5 wt %) solution were injected, respectively, as alcohols inhibitors in 3.5 L transparent reactor. It is shown that the average dissociation rates of propane hydrate injecting methanol and ethylene glycol solution are 0.02059-0.04535 and 0.0302-0.0606 mol.min(-1).L-1, respectively. The average dissociation rates increase with the mass concentration increase of alcohols solution, and it is the biggest when 99.5 wt % ethylene glycol solution was injected. The presence of alcohols accelerates gas hydrate dissociation and reduces the total need of external energy to dissociate the hydrates. Density differences act as driving force, causing the acceleration effects of ethylene glycol on dissociation behaviors of propane hydrate are better than that of methanol with the same injecting flux and mass concentration.