• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.3025-3032
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• 2012

Carbon microcapsules containing silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs)-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposite (Si-CNT@C) have been fabricated by a two step polymerization method. Silicon nanoparticles-carbon nanotubes (Si-CNT) nanohybrids were prepared with a wet-type beadsmill method. A polymer, which is easily removable by a thermal treatment (intermediate polymer) was polymerized on the outer surfaces of Si-CNT nanocomposites. Subsequently, another polymer, which can be carbonized by thermal heating (carbon precursor polymer) was incorporated onto the surfaces of pre-existing polymer layer. In this way, polymer precursor spheres containing Si-CNT nanohybrids were produced using a two step polymerization. The intermediate polymer must disappear during carbonization resulting in the formation of an internal free space. The carbon precursor polymer should transform to carbon shell to encapsulate remaining Si-CNT nanocomposites. Therefore, hollow carbon microcapsules containing Si-CNT nanocomposites could be obtained (Si-CNT@C). The successful fabrication was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These final materials were employed for anode performance improvement in lithium ion battery. The cyclic performances of these Si-CNT@C microcapsules were measured with a lithium battery half cell tests.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.120-126
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• 2016

Eco-friendly acrylic resin/clay nanocomposites containing pristine montmorillonite (PM) or modified clays (30B and 25A) were prepared from acrylic and styrenic monomers using non-aqueous dispersion (NAD) polymerization. Effect of nanoclays on physical properties of polymerization product and resulting nanocomposites was investigated. In view of NAD particle stability, addition of nanoclay at the beginning of polymerization is proved to be good. Results of gel fraction, acid value and viscosity of the NAD product showed that nanocomposites containing clay 25A showed better physical properties than the ones with other clays. GPC results exhibit the increase in molecular weight and decrease in polydispersity index for the 25A nanocomposite. Increase in layer distance confirmed from XRD analysis showed good dispersion of 25A in the nanocomposite. Thermal and dynamic mechanical analysis showed that highest glass transition temperature and storage modulus for 25A nanocomposites. These results indicate that 25A nanoclay gives the best properties in the process of non-aqueous dispersion polymerization of acrylic resin/nanoclay nanocomposites.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.2041-2043
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• 2013

A layered perovskite of Dion-Jacobson phase, $RbLaTa_2O_7$, was successfully exfoliated into colloidal suspension via successive ion-exchange and intercalation reaction. The pristine perovskite $RbLaTa_2O_7$ was synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction, and then, it was ion-exchanged with hydrochloric acid to obtain a protonic form of perovskite. The resulting proton-exchanged perovskite was reacted with ethylamine to increase interlayer spaces for further intercalation reaction. Finally, the ethylamine-intercalated form was exfoliated into nanosheets via an intercalation of bulky organic cations (tetrabutylammonium). According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the TBA-intercalated form showed remarkably increased interlayer spacing (${\Delta}d$ = 1.67 nm) in comparison with that of the pristine material. Transmission electron microscopic image of exfoliated perovskite clearly revealed that the present exfoliated perovskite were composed of very thin layers. This exfoliated perovskite nanosheets could be applicable as building blocks for fabricating functional nanocomposites.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4671-4677
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• 2023

For the first time Pb, Ni, and Cu nanocomposites were synthesized by versatile solution combustion synthesis using Aloevera extract as a reducing agent, to study the potential applications in X-ray/gamma, neutron, and Bremsstrahlung shielding. The synthesized Lead-Nickel-Copper (LNC) nanocomposites were characterized by PXRD, SEM, UV-VIS, and FTIR for the confirmation of successful synthesis. PXRD analysis confirmed the formation of multiphase LNC NCs and the Scherrer equation and the W-H plot gave the average crystal sizes of 19 nm and 17 nm. Surface morphology using SEM and EDX confirmed the presence of LNC NCs. Strong absorption peaks were analyzed by UV visible spectroscopy and the direct energy gap is found to be 3.083 eV. Functional groups present in the LNC NCs were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. X-ray/gamma radiation shielding properties were measured using NaI(Tl) detector coupled with MCA. It is found to be very close to Pb. Neutron shielding parameters were compared with traditional shielding materials and found LNC NCs are better than lead and concrete. Secondary radiation shielding known as Bremsstrahlung shielding characteristics also studied and found that LNC NCs are best in secondary radiation shielding. Hence LNC NCs find shielding applications in ionizing radiation such as X-ray/gamma and neutron radiation.

• Composites Research
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.365-370
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• 2020

The icing formation at aircraft occur problems such as increasing weight of the body, fuel efficiency reduction, drag reduction, the error of sensor, and etc. The viscosity of polyurethane (PU) topcoat was measured at 60℃ in real time to set the pre-curing time. SiO2 nanoparticles were dispersed in ethanol using ultra-sonication method. The SiO2/ethanol solution was sprayed on PU topcoat that was not cured fully with different pre-curing conditions. Surface roughness of SiO2/PU nanocomposites were measured using surface roughness tester and the surface roughness data was visualized using 3D mapping. The adhesion property between SiO2 and PU topcoat was evaluated using adhesion pull-off test. The static contact angle was measured using distilled water to evaluate the hydrophobicity. Finally, the pre-curing time of PU topcoat was optimized to exhibit the hydrophobicity of SiO2/PU topcoat.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.28-36
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• 2014

We studied the green synthesis and antibacterial activity of paper coated with chitosan-silver (Ag) green nanocomposites for packaging applications. Green synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) was achieved by a chemical reaction involving a mixture of chitosan-silver nitrate ($AgNO_3$) in an autoclave at 15 psi, $121^{\circ}C$, for 30 min. AgNPs and their formation in chitosan was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). As-prepared chitosan-AgNPs composite materials were coated on manila paper using Meyer rod. Surface morphology and Ag contents in coating layer were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation were significantly affected by coating with chitosan-AgNPs. The antibacterial test of coated paper was performed qualitatively and quantitatively against Escherichia coli (E. coli). It was shown to be effective in suppressing the growth of E. coli with increasing Ag contents on the surface of coated paper and more than 95 R (%) of antimicrobial rate was obtained at chitosan-AgNPs coated papers.

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• v.68
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• pp.246-256
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• 2018

Graphene oxide (GO) reinforced Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-Waterborne Castor Alkyd (WCA) nanocomposites (PVC/WCA/GO) films were processed through solution blending technique. TGA showed that the thermal stability of PVC/WCA/GO-0.5 films was better than that of PVC/WCA blend film. With incorporation of 0.5 wt.% GO, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the blend nanocomposite have significantly improved by about 260% and 185%, respectively, compared with neat polymer. The physicomechanical properties of these films suggest that the PVC/WCA/GO nanocomposite films may have a potential scope for their application in packaging industries. The results are supported by characterizations like FTIR, XRD, TEM and FESEM.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2016

Epoxy composites with concentrations of 5-70 wt% of silica particles were prepared in order to improve mechanical property and poor thermal stability. The mechanical and thermal properties were investigated and compared to the corresponding properties of neat epoxy composite. Furthermore, the effects of silane compound treatment on silica particles were observed by the experimental results of the tensile strength, glass transition temperature, and thermal stability of epoxy composite. Tensile strength of epoxy composites was measured by universal testing machine (UTM) and after that, the structure and morphology analysis of epoxy nanocomposites were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The increased solid content of CA0030 particle improved the tensile strength of epoxy/ modified composites to give 30-50 MPa. The thermal expansion coefficients (CTE) of neat epoxy resin and epoxy/silica composites measured with a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) showed that the incorporation of silica particles was helpful to reduce the CTE of neat epoxy resin.

• Composites Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2017

Damage sensing of polymer composite films consisting of poly(dicyclopentadiene) p-DCPD and carbon nanotube (CNT) was studied experimentally. Only up to 1st ring-opening polymerization occurred with the addition of CNT, which made the modified film electrically conductive, while interfering with polymerization. The interfacial adhesion of composite films with varying CNT concentration was evaluated by measuring the wettability using the static contact angle method. 0.5 wt% CNT/p-DCPD was determined to be the optimal condition via electrical dispersion method and tensile test. Dynamic fatigue test was conducted to evaluate the durability of the films by measuring the change in electrical resistance. For the initial three cycles, the change in electrical resistance pattern was similar to the tensile stress-strain curve. The CNT/p-DCPD film was attached to an epoxy matrix to demonstrate its utilization as a sensor for fracture behavior. At the onset of epoxy fracture, electrical resistance showed a drastic increase, which indicated adhesive fracture between sensor and matrix. It leads to prediction of crack and fracture of matrix.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2023

Growing environmental concerns regarding pollution caused by conventional plastics have increased interest in biodegradable polymers as alternative materials. The purpose of this study is to develop a 100% biodegradable nanocomposite material by introducing organic nucleating agents into the biodegradable and thermoplastic resin, poly(lactic acid), to improve its properties. Accordingly, cellulose nanofibers, an eco-friendly material, were adopted as a substitute for inorganic nucleating agents. To achieve a uniform dispersion of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) within PLA, the aqueous solution of nanofibers was lyophilized to maintain their fibrous shape. Then, they were subjected to primary mixing using a twin-screw extruder. Test specimens with double mixing were then produced by injection molding. Differential scanning calorimetry was employed to confirm the reinforced physical properties, and it was found that the addition of 1 wt% CNFs acted as a reinforcing material and nucleating agent, reducing the cold crystallization temperature by approximately 14℃ and increasing the degree of crystallization. This study provides an environmentally friendly alternative for developing plastic materials with enhanced properties, which can contribute to a sustainable future without consuming inorganic nucleating agents. It serves as a basis for developing 100% biodegradable green nanocomposites.