Engineering Nanostructures by Decorating Magnetic Nanoparticles onto Graphene Oxide Sheets to Shield Electromagnetic Radiations

In this study, a minimum, reflection loss of 70 a was achieved, for a 6 mm thick shield (at 17.1 GHz frequency) employing a unique approach. This was accomplished by engineering nanostructures through decoration of magnetic nanopartides (nickel, Ni) onto graphene oxide (GO) sheets. Enhanced electromagnetic (EM) shielding was derived by selectively, localizing the nanoscopic particles in a specific phase of polyethylene (PE)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blends. By introduction of a conducting inclusion (like multiwall carbon nanotubes, MWNTs) together with the engineered nanostructures (nickel-decorated GO, (GO-Ni), the shielding efficiency can be enhanced significantly in contrast to physically mixing the particles in the blends. For instance, the composites showed a shielding efficiency >25 dB for a combination of MWNTS (3 wt %) and Ni nanoparticles (52 wt %) in PE/PEO blends. However, similar shielding effectiveness could be achieved for a combination of MWNTs (3 wt %) and 10 vol % of GO-Ni where in the effective concentration of Ni was only 19 wt %. The GO-Ni sheets facilitated in an efficient charge transfer as manifested from high electrical conductivity in the blends besides enhancing the permeability in the blends. It is envisioned that GO is simultaneously reduced in the process of synthesizing GO-Ni, and this facilitated in efficient charge transfer between the neighboring CNTs. More interestingly, the blends With MWNTs/GO-Ni attenuated the incoming EM radiation mostly by absorption. This study opens new avenues in designing polyolefin-based lightweight shielding materials by engineering nanostructures for numerous applications.

Chitosan Immobilized Porous Polyolefin As Sustainable and Efficient Antibacterial Membranes

Polyolefinic membranes have attracted a great deal of interest owing to their ease of processing and chemical inertness. In this study, porous polyolefin membranes were derived by selectively etching PEO from PE/PEO (polyethylene/poly(ethylene oxide)) blends. The hydrophobic polyolefin (low density polyethylene) was treated with UV-ozone followed by dip coating in chitosan acetate solution to obtain a hydrophilic-antibacterial surface. The chitosan immobilized PE membranes were further characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS). It was found that surface grafting of chitosan onto PE membranes enhanced the surface roughness and the concentration of nitrogen (or amine) scaled with increasing concentration of chitosan (0.25 to 2% wt/vol), as inferred from Kjeldahl nitrogen analysis. The pure water flux was almost similar for chitosan immobilized PE membranes as compared to membranes without chitosan. The bacterial population, substantially reduced for membranes with higher concentration of chitosan. For instance, 90 and 94% reduction in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colony forming unit respectively was observed with 2% wt/vol of chitosan. This study opens new avenues in designing polyolefinic based antibacterial membranes for water purification.

Unimpeded permeation of water through biocidal graphene oxide sheets anchored on to 3D porous polyolefinic membranes

3D porous membranes were developed by etching one of the phases (here PEO, polyethylene oxide) from melt-mixed PE/PEO binary blends. Herein, we have systematically discussed the development of these membranes using X-ray micro-computed tomography. The 3D tomograms of the extruded strands and hot-pressed samples revealed a clear picture as to how the morphology develops and coarsens over a function of time during post-processing operations like compression molding. The coarsening of PE/PEO blends was traced using X-ray micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of annealed blends at different times. It is now understood from X-ray micro-computed tomography that by the addition of a compatibilizer (here lightly maleated PE), a stable morphology can be visualized in 3D. In order to anchor biocidal graphene oxide sheets onto these 3D porous membranes, the PE membranes were chemically modified with acid/ethylene diamine treatment to anchor the GO sheets which were further confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and surface Raman mapping. The transport properties through the membrane clearly reveal unimpeded permeation of water which suggests that anchoring GO on to the membranes does not clog the pores. Antibacterial studies through the direct contact of bacteria with GO anchored PE membranes resulted in 99% of bacterial inactivation. The possible bacterial inactivation through physical disruption of the bacterial cell wall and/or reactive oxygen species (ROS) is discussed herein. Thus this study opens new avenues in designing polyolefin based antibacterial 3D porous membranes for water purification.

Correlation between Discharging Property and Coatings Microstructure during Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation

The voltage-current properties during plasma electrolytic discharge were determined by measuring the current density and cell voltage as functions of processing time and then by mathematical transformation. Correlation between discharge I-V property and the coatings microstructure on aluminum alloy during plasma electrolfic oxidation was determined by comparing the voltage-current properties at different process stages with SEM results of the corresponding coatings. The results show that the uniform passive film corresponds to a I-V property with one critical voltage, and a compound of porous layer and shred ceramic particles corresponds to a I-Vproperty with two critical voltages. The growth regularity of PEO cermet coatings was also studied.

Amorphous Coatings Deposited on Aluminum Alloy by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation

Amorphous [Al-Si-O] coatings were deposited on aluminum alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The process parameters, composition, micrograph, and mechanical property of PEO amorphous coatings were investigated. It is found that the growth rate of PEO coatings reaches 4.44 mu m/min if the current density is 0.9 mA/mm(2). XRD results show that the PEO coatings are amorphous in the current density range of 0.3-0.9 mA/mm(2). EDS results show that the coatings are composed of O, Si and At elements. SEM results show that the coatings are porous. Nano indentation results show that the hardness of the coatings is about 3 - 4 times of that of the substrate, while the elastic modulus is about the same with the substrate. Furthermore, a formation mechanism of amorphous PEO coatings was proposed.

FeAl层对钢基铝镀层陶瓷化的影响

热浸镀铝钢材在铝铁界面处易产成FeAl冶金结合层。本文就FeAl层对铝镀层等离子体电解氧化(PEO)陶瓷层的表面形貌、截面组织、相结构和元素分布的影响进行了研究。结果表明:由于FeAl参与,PEO陶瓷层局部区域出现了50μm～80μm的贯穿性孔洞,在孔洞/FeAl界面处出现了许多微观裂纹。EDS结果显示孔洞周围的Fe、Na元素含量增高了近8倍。陶瓷层主要由γ-Al_2O_3、莫来石相、α-Al_2O_3和Fe_3O_4相组成。与FeAl层相比,PEO陶瓷层具有较高的硬度和塑性变形能力。

热浸铝钢等离子体电解氧化陶瓷层的微观力学特性

采用纳米压入方法表征了热浸镀铝钢表面由Al_2O_3层、Al层和FeAl层组成的复合涂层的纳米硬度、弹性模量及断裂韧性等微观力学性能,采用扫描电镜(SEM)观察了纳米压痕形貌,并分析了孔洞对陶瓷层的纳米压入行为和压痕裂纹扩展的影响.结果表明:等离子体电解氧化(PEO)陶瓷层中包含许多微米和亚微米尺度的细小孔洞,陶瓷层弹性模量约为226.4 GPa,纳米硬度约为19.6 GPa.当纳米压入深度为250 nm时,所测得陶瓷层的力学参数分散性较大.与FeAl层比较,PEO陶瓷层具有较高的裂纹扩展阻力.FeAl层纳米压痕顶端产生了沿直线扩展的径向裂纹;而陶瓷层纳米压痕中除径向裂纹外出现了侧边裂纹.

Finite element analysis on stresses field of normalized layer thickness within ceramic coating on aluminized steel

Multilayer ceramic coatings were fabricated on steel substrate using a combined technique of hot dipping aluminum(HDA) and plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO). A triangle of normalized layer thickness was created for describing thickness ratios of HDA/PEO coatings. Then, the effect of thickness ratio on stresses field of HDA/PEO coatings subjected to uniform normal contact load was investigated by finite element method. Results show that the surface tensile stress is mainly affected by the thickness ratio of Al layer when the total thickness of coating is unchanged. With the increase of A] layer thickness, the surface tensile stress rises quickly. When Al2O3 layer thickness increases, surface tensile stress is diminished. 'Meanwhile, the maximum shear stress moves rapidly towards internal part of HDA/PEO coatings. Shear stress at the Al2O3/Al interface is minimal when Al2O3 layer and Al layer have the same thickness.

Structure and mechanical properties of ceramic coatings fabricated by plasma electrolytic oxidation on aluminized steel

Ceramic coatings were formed by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) on aluminized steel. Characteristics of the average anodic voltages versus treatment time were observed during the PEO process. The micrographs, compositions and mechanical properties of ceramic coatings were investigated. The results show that the anodic voltage profile for processing of aluminized steel is similar to that for processing bulk Al alloy during early PEO stages and that the thickness of ceramic coating increases approximately linearly with the Al layer consumption. Once the Al layer is completely transformed, the FeAl intermetallic layer begins to participate in the PEO process. At this point, the anodic voltage of aluminized steel descends, and the thickness of ceramic coating grows more slowly. At the same time, some micro-cracks are observed at the Al2O3/FeAl interface. The final ceramic coating mainly consists of gamma-Al2O3, mullite, and alpha-Al2O3 phases. PEO ceramic coatings have excellent elastic recovery and high load supporting performance. Nanohardness of ceramic coating reaches about 19.6 GPa. (c) 2007 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

钢基铝镀层转化为陶瓷层的演变规律研究

热浸镀铝钢经等离子体电解氧化（Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation,PEO）处理后,表面铝镀层转化为陶瓷层.实验对阳极电压变化、陶瓷层生长规律、涂层截面形貌和成分等进行了研究.结果表明：在PEO初期,热浸铝试件的阳极电压变化趋势与纯铝试件相同,在PEO后期电压有下降趋势.铝镀层消耗和陶瓷层厚度增长近似为线性变化.当铝镀层完全陶瓷化后,FeAl层参与PEO反应,但陶瓷层生长速率变慢,在界面处出现大量裂纹;陶瓷层主要成分为Al、Si、O元素,相结构主要为γ-Al_2O_3与莫来石相,在PEO后期出现α-Al_2O_3相.复合陶瓷层硬度呈区域性分布,陶瓷层最高硬度可达HV1800.

铝合金表面等离子体电解氧化陶瓷涂层在NaCl溶液中的电化学阻抗谱研究

通过调整电解液中硅酸钠的浓度，利用等离子体电解氧化（PEO）技术在铝合金LY12表面制备了各种陶瓷涂层，利用光学显微镜、XRD、电化学阻抗谱（EIS）对涂层的形貌、成分和涂层在NaCl溶液中耐腐蚀性能进行了研究．结果表明：提高电解液中硅酸钠的浓度可以使得涂层的总厚度增加，但过高或过低的浓度都会导致致密层厚度的减薄．当浓度为20g／L时，所制备的涂层的成分以氧化铝为主；当浓度为40g／L时，涂层的成分主要是莫来石和氧化铝；当浓度超过60g／L时，涂层的成分主要为非晶相．EIS的研究表明，涂层耐腐蚀性取决于涂层中的致密层，增加致密层的厚度可以提高PEO涂层的耐腐蚀性，在中性、酸性、碱性腐蚀介质中，PEO涂层都显示出对基体良好的保护作用．

热浸铝钢等离子体电解氧化陶瓷层的微观力学特性

采用纳米压入方法表征了热浸镀铝钢表面由Al2O3层、Al层和FeAl层组成的复合涂层的纳米硬度、弹性模量及断裂韧性等微观力学性能，采用扫描电镜（SEM）观察了纳米压痕形貌，并分析了孔洞对陶瓷层的纳米压入行为和压痕裂纹扩展的影响．结果表明：等离子体电解氧化（PEO）陶瓷层中包含许多微米和亚微米尺度的细小孔洞，陶瓷层弹性模量约为226．4 GPa，纳米硬度约为19．6 GPa．当纳米压入深度为250nm时，所测得陶瓷层的力学参数分散性较大．与FeAl层比较，PEO陶瓷层具有较高的裂纹扩展阻力．FeAl层纳米压痕顶端产生了沿直线扩展的径向裂纹；而陶瓷层纳米压痕中除径向裂纹外出现了侧边裂纹．

铸态铝硅合金在磷酸盐电解液中表面陶瓷化行为及结构特征

采用等离子体电解氧化技术在铝硅合金表面制备了陶瓷层,电解液为磷酸盐系列。利用轮廓仪、SEM和XRD对陶瓷层的粗糙度、形貌和相组成进行了研究。结果表明,PEO处理过程可分为4个典型阶段。随处理时间延长,陶瓷层的厚度近似线性增长,表面缺陷增大增多,粗糙度显著增加,达到9.5μm。PEO处理初期只生成γ-Al_2O_3,一定时间后α-Al_2O_3出现,其相对含量逐渐增多.

Effects of sensing temperature on the NO2-sensing properties of octa-iso-pentyloxymetallonaphthalocyanine spin-coated films

A kind of 1,6,10,15,19,24,28,33-octa-iso-pentyloxy-2,3-metallonaphthalocyanines complexes MNc(iso-PeO)(8) (M = Co, Cu, Pd) are used as spincoating film-forming materials. The surface morphologies of the films prepared were studied first. These films were then used for the experiments of NO2 sensing. The effects of sensing temperature as well as the NO concentration on the sensing properties were studied. The experimental results showed that the three MNc(iso-PeO)(8) films were uniform, smooth and dense. Due to the different metal ions (M) on the center of naphthalocyanine, the CoNc(iso-PeO)(8) film had a higher film resistance and response-recovery rate in the NO2 sensing experiments. On the contrary, the response to NO2 of the PdNc(iso-PeO)(8) and CuNc(iso-PeO)(8) films were superior to that of CoNc(iso-PeO)(8). By varying the sensing temperature, it was found that the elevation of sensing temperature could improve the sensing response, recovery ratio, and sensitivity of the sensing films. At high concentrations of NO2, the response time became shorter. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Proposta de um otimizador para rastreamento do ponto de máxima potência de um conjunto de painéis solares conectados em um sistema híbrido de energia.

Este trabalho apresenta o projeto e os algoritmos de controle, de um sistema de geração de energia híbrido. Este sistema é formado por conversores de potência conectados em Back-to-Back associados a um arranjo solar fotovoltaico, que por sua vez é conectado no lado CC dos conversores. Em relação ao sistema de geração fotovoltaico, a contribuição consiste no desenvolvimento de cinco algoritmos para determinar o ponto de máxima potência (MPP) do arranjo fotovoltaico. O primeiro algoritmo consiste em uma versão modificada do algoritmo de Perturbar e Observar (PeO); o segundo algoritmo proposto é baseado no método do gradiente (MG); e o terceiro é baseado na otimização do MG (MGO). Porém, são desenvolvidos algoritmos híbridos que combinam rede neural com o método PeO, e rede neural com o algoritmo MGO. O sistema foi desenvolvido e simulado utilizando o Matlab/Simulink, e os resultados de simulação são apresentados com objetivo da avaliar o comportamento do sistema e a resposta dos diferentes algoritmos. Esta resposta foi avaliada para condições transitórias e de regime permanente, considerando diferentes requisitos de consumo na carga, irradiância e temperatura.