Blend Nanoparticles Research Articles

Comparison of effectiveness of blending and impregnation applications of dispersed nanoparticles on performance of cementitious composites

Blended or impregnated forms of nanomaterials in cementitious composites play a key role in determining mortar performance. In this study, the performance of graphene oxide (GO), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), pristine multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and functionalized MWCNTs impregnated and blended cementitious composites were compared using principal component analysis (PCA). The highest recorded compressive strength at 28 days was 39.1 MPa corresponding to the impregnation of carboxylated MWCNTs, representing a 29% improvement compared to reference cementitious composites while blending of pristine MWCNTs achieved a maximum compressive strength of 50.37 MPa, representing a 45% improvement over the reference. The group of GO, low-density AgNPs, and hydroxylated MWCNT-impregnated cementitious composites achieved the best sulfuric acid resistance, with an average compressive strength of 30.15 MPa, water absorption of 21.82%, porosity of 36.29%, and ultrasonic pulse velocity of 2.91 km/s due to preventing harmful sulfate ions entering their structure. After sulfuric acid exposure, a 5% compressive strength decrease occurred due to the presence of the functional groups of GO, hydroxylated MWCNTs, and small, low-density AgNPs on the surface of the cementitious composites. These results show that the impregnation method effectively improves cementitious composites' durability. Using PCA analysis, the pristine MWCNTs-blended cementitious composites were determined as the optimum specimen to obtain a durable mortar both pre- and post-acid exposure.

Effect of changing injection pressure on Mahua oil and biodiesel combustion with CeO2 nanoparticle blend on CI engine performance and emission characteristics

Alternative fuels have sparked a lot of interest as oil deposits have decreased and environmental concerns have grown. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is being researched as a possible replacement for fossil fuels. In the current investigation, the combustion performance, and emission characteristics of CI(Compression Ignition) engine were examined by changing the fuel injection pressure (180, 200, 220 and 240 bar). The biodiesel (B20) used in this analysis was obtained from Mahua oil at 20% v/v blended with neat diesel (20% Mahua Biodiesel + 80% Diesel). CeO2(Cerium Oxide) nanoparticles were introduced to the B20 fuel at four distinct concentrations are 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm. Performance characteristics such as BTE(Brake Thermal Efficiency) and BSFC(Brake Specific Fuel Consumption) were inferior to diesel, at 240 bar B20 with 25 ppm CeO2 indicated 1.9% increased BTE and 3.8% reduced BSFC compared B20 and 6% lower EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) compared diesel. At 200 bar, fuel samples indicated slightly higher In-Cylinder pressure and lower HRR (Heat release rate) compared to diesel. At 200 bar FIP(Fuel Injection Pressure), HC(Hydro Carbon) and CO(Carbon Monoxide) emissions were reduced significantly compared to diesel. The largest reduction in smoke opacity and NOx(Nitrous Oxide) emissions were observed at 240 bar with 75 ppm dosage, but CO2(Carbon Dioxide) emissions were higher at 220 bar.

Stability of emulsion liquid membrane using blended nonionic surfactant and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for methylparaben removal

The emulsion instability is a significant drawback of the emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) technique for large-scale industrial separations. The synergistic effect of blended surfactant (Span 80 and Span 20) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on ELM stability for methylparaben removal were studied. Emulsion (Span 80 + Span 20 + MWCNTs; HLB 5.7) possesses the highest ESI values at all time intervals. The %swelling of emulsion is reduced by 42% by using blended surfactants (Span 80 and Span 20) and nanoparticles (MWCNTs). The overall mass transfer coefficient is increased by 4.746% by adding MWCNTs to the ELM system. The energy (E) needed to detach a particle from the interface is estimated as 0.7286 × 10−13 J (1.7727 × 107 kT). This indicates effective irreversible adsorption of particles at the interfaces and influences the particles capability to stabilize the emulsion.

Enhanced extreme pressure lubrication performance and load carrying capability of gallium-based liquid metal reinforced with MoSe2 and WSe2 nanoparticles

Ga-In-Sn liquid metal containing MoSe2 and WSe2 nanoparticles was prepared via the mechanical blending technology, and their extreme pressure lubricating behaviors were studied on a high-frequency linear-oscillation tribometer. The blending of nanoparticles and Ga-In-Sn is reversible, and the viscosity of liquid metal is increased with the content of nanoparticles. The introduction of MoSe2 and WSe2 nanoparticles makes the load-bearing capacity of liquid metal increase (exceeding 2000 N) as compared with that of Ga-In-Sn (1600 N). Among these liquid metal lubricants, the 3.0 wt% WSe2/Ga-In-Sn exhibits the best lubricating ability (0.112) and anti-wear property (4.17 ×10−8 mm3/Nm). The improvement of extreme pressure lubrication performance of liquid metal benefits from tribo-films with various nanocrystals, which avoids the adhesive wear and seizure failure of tribo-pairs.

Thermal management of mini channel slotted fin heat sink using TiO2-H2O blend of anatase and rutile nanoparticles: experimental and numerical study

ABSTRACT High processing demand has started high heat generation problems inside compact electronic components. In this work, firstly the thermal performance was investigated experimentally for the mini channel having slots on straight rectangular fin heat sink. Slots were made which reinitialize the thermal boundary layer at each slot position. This effect makes the flow again in a developing state and helps in a better mixing of the flow inside the channel due to the presence of vortexes because of slots, which overall results in better heat transfer. The thermal performance of the slotted fin heat sink was compared to the straight rectangular fin heat sink. Secondly, TiO2-pure water (0.005% and 0.01%) which was the blend of Anatase and Rutile crystalline-shaped nanoparticles were used both numerically and experimentally. The base temperature was reduced 8.2% using pure water at 1LPM when compared with the straight rectangular fin heat sink reported in the literature. The lowest base temperature recorded for the slotted fin heat sink was found to be 40.25°C using TiO2-pure water (0.01%) nanofluids at 1 LPM. The reduction in base temperature observed for TiO2 -H2O (0.005%) and TiO2-pure water (0.01%) was 8.8% and 11%, respectively, as compared to pure water. Experimental results were numerically validated with good agreement.

A synergistic effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles and polyethylene butene improving the rheology of waxy crude oil

This research examined the use of 75 nm zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano ZnO) and polyethylene butene (PEB) to decrease the viscosity of Nigerian waxy crude oil. The rheology of the crude oil was assessed by measuring the viscosity and shear stress of samples containing PEB at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 or 5000 ppm and nano ZnO at 1, 2, 3 or 4 wt% between 10 and 35 °C at shear rates from 1.7 to 1020 s−1. Rheological modeling indicated that a power law pseudoplastic model was the best fit for the experimental data, giving a regression coefficient of 0.99. The addition of these inhibitors induced Newtonian fluid behavior in the crude samples such that the shear stress-shear rate relationship plots were linear at all temperatures. The optimum concentrations of the inhibitors in this study were 2000 ppm PEB (providing a 33% viscosity reduction) and 1 wt% nano ZnO (providing a 26% viscosity reduction). A combination of these additives at these concentrations provided a synergistic effect and gave a greater viscosity reduction of 41%. This work demonstrates that a blend of ZnO nanoparticles and PEB can improve the flowability of waxy crude.

Preparation of hybrid conducting polymers blend nanocomposite for energy conversion using experimental data and TD-DFT/DMOl3 computations

In the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate in an acidic solution while using ferric chloride as an oxidizing agent, a blend of three conducting polymers of poly (ortho-phenylene diamine) (PoPDA), poly (meta phenylene diamine), and polypyrrole was produced. ZrO2 nanoparticles were prepared via sol-gel method and a hybrid nanocomposite of the three conducting polymers blend and zirconium oxide nanoparticles (TCPB/ZrO2)HNC was synthesized. Using the Physical Vapor Deposition technology, a hybrid nanocomposite thin film was prepared from (TCPB/ZrO2)HNC. Density functional theory (DFT) was also used to develop optimization using TD-DFTD/Mol3 and Cambridge Serial Total Energy Bundle (TD-FDT/CASTEP). By closely matching the reported XRD and Raman spectra, the TD-DFT computations validated the molecular structure of the studied materials and confirmed its molecular structure. According to XRD calculations, (TCPB/ZrO2)HNC has an average crystallite size of 61.67 nm. The direct and indirect optical energy bandgaps for the (TCPB/ZrO2)HNC, are 2.352 and 2.253 eV, respectively. As measured by TD-DFT/DMol3, the isolated molecule of (TCPB/ZrO2) HNC has a bandgap of 2.415 eV. The optical properties suggested by CASTEP in TD-DFT agree quite well with the values obtained experimentally. The large optical energy bandgap of (TCPB/ZrO2)HNC is advantageous for various energy storage applications.

Computer simulation of Cu: AlOOH/water in a microchannel heat sink using a porous media technique and solved by numerical analysis AGM and FEM

Extensive improvements in small-scale thermal systems in electronic circuits, automotive industries, and microcomputers conduct the study of microsystems as essential. Flow and thermic field characteristics of the coherent nanofluid-guided microchannel heat sink are described in this perusal. The porous media approximate was used to search the heat distribution in the expanded sheet and Cu: γ - AlOOH/water. A hybrid blend of Boehme copper and aluminum nanoparticles is evaluated to have a cooling effect on the microchannel heat sink. By using Akbari Ganji and finite element methods, linear and non-linear differential equations as well as simple dimensionless equations have been analyzed. The purpose of this study is to investigate the fluid and thermal parameters of copper hybrid solution added to water, such as Nusselt number and Darcy number so that we can reach the best cooling of the fluid. Also, by installing a piece of fin on the wall of the heat sink, the coefficient of conductive heat transfer and displacement heat transfer with the surrounding air fluid increases, and the efficiency of the system increases. The overall results show that expanding values on the NP (series heat transfer fluid system maximizes performance with temperatures) volume division of copper, as well as boehmite alumina particles, lead to a decrease within the stream velocity of the Cu: AlOOH/water. Increasing the volume fraction of nanoparticles in the hybrid mixture decreases the temperature of the solid surface and the hybrid nanofluid. The Brownian movement improves as the volume percentage of nanoparticles in the hybrid mixture grows, spreading the heat across the environment. As a result, heat transmission rates rise. As the Darcy number increases, the thermal field for solid sections and Cu: AlOOH/water improves.

Effect of Janus Nanoparticles on Foam Stability

The foam properties of different surfactants were evaluated by the stirring method. The synergistic foam stabilizing effect was formed by the combination of lauryl glucoside and hydrophilic nanoparticles, but the result was feeble. The blend of Janus nanoparticles and surfactants significantly improves foam stability, and the two have a strong synergistic effect on foam stability. The compound system has a specific temperature resistance. Kruss dynamic surface tensiometer and surface dilatation rheometer were used to measure the gas-liquid interface properties of the hydrophilic nanoparticles compound system, Janus nanoparticles compound system, and surfactant system, respectively. The effects of Janus nanoparticles on the surface tension and surface dilatation modulus of the compound system were analyzed, which were correlated with the stability of the foam.

New Hybrid PVC/PVP Polymer Blend Modified with Er2O3 Nanoparticles for Optoelectronic Applications.

Polymer blend hybrid nanocomposites are of great importance for future optoelectronic applications. This paper presents the preparation of new polymer blend hybrid nanocomposites based on PVC/PVP modified with Er2O3 nanoparticles. A low-cost solution casting method has been used to prepare the polymer nanocomposites at 0.0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.6 wt% of Er2O3. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) measurements have all been used to examine the impact of a varying wt% of Er2O3 on the structural and optical characteristics of PVP/PVC polymer blends. The PVC/PVP polymer blend and Er2O3 nanoparticles showed a strong interaction, which was validated by XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectrum investigations. The SEM micrographs showed a remarkable complexation among the components of the polymer nanocomposites. The activation energies for thermal decomposition of PVC/PVP doped with different Er2O3 concentrations were less than that of the pure polymer film. The linear and nonlinear refractive indexes, dispersion energy, optical susceptibility and the energy gap values were found to be Er2O3 concentration-dependent. With an increase in Er2O3 concentration to 0.1 and 0.3 wt%, the dispersion energy and nonlinear refractive index improved, and thereafter decreased when the concentration was further increased to 0.6For the film doped with 0.1 wt% Er2O3, the optical band gap (Eopt) of the composite film enhanced by about 13%. The optical absorption measurements revealed clear improvements with the addition of erbium oxide. Higher refractive index values of PVC/PVP/Er2O3 films qualify the polymer blend as a cladding for electro-optic modulators. Our results indicated that the PVC/PVP/Er2O3 polymer films could be suitable for optoelectronic space applications.

Evaluation of Novel Chitosan Based Composites Coating on Wettability for Pure Titanium Implants

This work aims to prepare chitosan (CS)-based coated layers, CS (10 wt% nanosilver/90 wt% CS, 10 wt% biotin/90 wt% CS, and 5 wt% nanosilver–5 wt% biotin)/90 wt% CS coatings are prepared, onto pure Ti substrate. The surface morphology of the novel CS composite coating was studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) and wettability test. Results show that the addition of (biotin, nanosilver) 5 Vol.% improves the properties of composite materials. Using different particles’ scale size aid in improving the combinations in the alginate, producing a dual effect on film properties. Coating surface roughness decreased in the chitosan-based biocomposite with preferable homogeneity and crack-free coating layers, as confirmed by AFM. An increase in surface roughness ensured substitution, which enhanced the surface structures. The high wettability of the CS-based coating layers was due to the presence of nanoparticles, and the composite coatings with CS, nanosilver, or biotin had excellent wettability because of the good hydrophilic nature of the CS matrix combined with reinforced particles. The FTIR results showed that peaks of the blending of CS plus nanoparticles, CS plus biotin, or CS plus nanosilver plus biotin were excellent matching with no changes in the structure of the matrix.

Optimization for waste coconut and fish oil derived biodiesel with MgO nanoparticle blend: Grey relational analysis, grey wolf optimization, driving training based optimization and election based optimization algorithm

The present work aimed at the practical utility of waste hybrid (coconut + fish oil) oil-derived biodiesel with magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles (NPs) fuelled to diesel engines. Central composite design (CCD) experimental matrices with different sets of variables (blend type: 10–40 % vol. of biodiesel; MgO NPs: 60–180 ppm; engine speed: 1000–2000 rpm; engine load: 40–100 %) were used to examine the engine performance (brake specific fuel consumption: BSFC; and brake thermal efficiency: BTE) and emission characteristics (carbon monoxide: CO; unburnt hydrocarbon: UHC; nitrous oxide: NOx). The MgO NPs are characterized by using an X-ray diffractometer: XRD, scanning electron microscope: SEM and transmission electron microscope: TEM and confirm the compositions and the crystallite particle size equal to 132 nm. The models developed for each output showed a better value of coefficient of determination (R2) equal to 0.9843 for BSFC, 0.9859 for BTE, 0.9772 for CO, 0.9777 for NOx, and 0.9368 for UHC. Grey relational analysis (GRA) with quality loss function (QLFs) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to correlate the multiple responses and transform multiple objective functions to single objective function necessary for optimization. Three population-based search algorithms, such as driving training-based optimization (DTBO) and election-based optimization algorithm (EBOA) and grey wolf optimization (GWO), were applied and evaluated their optimization performances. EBOA, DTBO and GWO determined the same optimal conditions and converged to 1000 iterations with a computational time equal to 2, 5 and 30 s, respectively. The algorithms determined optimal conditions produced better experimental values than GRA-based QLF and PCA with 31.27 % decrease in BSFC, 24.27 % decrease in CO, 4.64 % decrease in HC, 19.82 % decrease in NOx emissions, and 9.82 % decrease in BTE, respectively. MgO NPs addition to biodiesel fuel resulted in better performance and emission characteristics than without MgO NPs.

Investigation Some Characteristics of Biocomposites Coating for Biomedical Implants

The surface has a vital function in the tissue's response to the presence of foreign material in the field of body implants. Surface modification with coatings can be adjusted to provide the highest service performance at the lowest cost. Coatings can increase corrosion resistance by reducing metal ion and corrosion product migration in the body. We fabricated polymer based bio-composite coatings by blending chitosan (Chi), alginate (Alg) and nanoparticles ((TiO2, Nb2O5) by dip coating onto a 316L stainless steel substrate. The coatings’ surface morphology and phases were studied using FESEM and FTIR analysis. The wettability behavior of the coated samples was also studied by investigating their contact wetting attributes. The antibacterial activity of the functionalized coatings was determined too. The FTIR results showed that the blending of Chi-Alg and nanoparticles was excellent, and no obvious differences in the spectra or any changes in the structures of the polymer matrices were observed. The SEM results demonstrated that the coating layers were uniform, homogeneous, and crack-free on the 316L Stianless steel substrate when using TiO2-Nb2O5 nano particles. The contact angle results showed the highly hydrophilic properties of the pure chitosan-alginate blend. As well, coatings containing nano particles showed the same antibacterial effect of chitosan-alginate blend coating.

Synthesis of Organic Semiconductor Nanoparticles with Different Conformations Using the Nanoprecipitation Method.

In recent years, nanoparticulate materials have aroused interest in the field of organic electronics due to their high versatility which increases the efficiency of devices. In this work, four different stable conformations based on the organic semiconductors P3HT and PC71BM were synthesized using the nanoprecipitation method, including blend and core-shell nanoparticles. All nanoparticles were obtained free of surfactants and in aqueous suspensions following the line of ecologically correct routes. The structural and optoelectronic properties of the nanoparticles were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and UV-visible photoluminescence (PL). Even in aqueous media, the blend and core-shell nanoparticles exhibited a greater light absorption capacity, and these conformations proved to be effective in the process of dissociation of excitons that occurs at the P3HT donor/PC71BM acceptor interface. With all these characteristics and allied to the fact that the nanoparticles are surfactant-free aqueous suspensions, this work paves the way for the use of these colloids as a photoactive layer of organic photovoltaic devices that interface with biological systems.

Study of engine performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine using cerium oxide nanoparticles blended orange peel oil methyl ester

• Engine performance and emissions of a single-cylinder diesel engine are studied • The fuel was modified with a blend of orange peel oil methyl ester and nanoparticles • The results showed modified fuel achieved better performance and exhaust emissions • The BTE of BC15 and BC25 showed a 4% and 23% increase over the diesel fuel data • The improved combustion characteristics and the good cetane rating for OPOME Due to the increasing cost of crude oil, the depletion of this resource has prompted researchers to look into the various potential applications of renewable fuels. Biobased fuels have the potential to reduce the harmful effects of fossil fuels. Here, the Biodiesel extracted from the orange peel can be used as an economical alternative fuel. A metal oxide nanoparticle called cerium oxide was added to an orange peel oil methyl ester to study its impact on the diesel engine. Biodiesel is mixed with cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 ) nanoparticles using an ultrasonicator and a magnetic agitator to ensure that the particles are homogeneous and achieve uniform suspension. The higher surface area/volume ratio of the nanoparticles allows them to perform better combustion and emission characteristics. This Study showed that the brake thermal efficiency of the test fuel was significantly improved by 12% compared to diesel fuel. The Study revealed that the CeO 2 nanoparticles could act as an oxygen shelter for combustion. Its surface energy content has a considerable volume ratio that accelerates the combustion process. Results of an experiment revealed that nanoparticles could reduce emissions. Compared to conventional fuels, biodiesel fuel produced by using CeO 2 nanoparticles exhibited an improvement in various emissions. The performance parameters of a biodiesel blend with a cerium oxide nanofluid additive were improved by 27%, 6.5, and 7% compared to 20% of the Biodiesel fuel mixture in NOx, CO, and smoke emissions. This reveals that the CeO 2 nanoparticles could be the ideal oxidizing catalyst for reducing the emissions of H.C. and C.O.

Remediation competence of nanoparticles amalgamated biochar (nanobiochar/nanocomposite) on pollutants: A review

Advanced biochar blended nanoparticles substances, such as nano biochar or nanocomposites, have provided long-term solutions to a wide range of modern-day problems. Biochar blended nano-composites can be created to create better composite materials that combine the benefits of biochar and nanoparticles. Such materials have been typically improved with active functional groups, porous structure, active surface area, catalytic deterioration ability, as well as easy recovery or separation of pollutants. Such biochar-basednanocomposites have good adsorption properties for a variety of pollutants in various form of polluted medium (soil and water contamination). Catalytic nanoparticle encapsulated biochar, can perform concurrently the adsorption (by biochar) as well as catalytic degradation (nanoparticles) functions for pollutants removal from polluted sites. In this review, the advanced and practically feasible techniques involved in the biochar blended nanoparticles-based nanocomposites have been discussed with environmental applications. Furthermore, the mechanisms involved in this composite material in remediation, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of biochar blended nanoparticles-based nanocomposites, were discussed, and future directions for study in this field were suggested.

Impact of conjugated polymer addition on the properties of paraffin-asphaltene blends for heat storage applications: Insight from computer modeling and experiment.

Adding carbon nanoparticles into organic phase change materials (PCMs) such as paraffin is a common way to enhance their thermal conductivity and to improve the efficiency of heat storage devices. However, the sedimentation stability of such blends can be low due to aggregation of aromatic carbon nanoparticles in the aliphatic paraffin environment. In this paper, we explore whether this important issue can be resolved by the introduction of a polymer agent such as poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) into the paraffin-nanoparticle blends: P3HT could ensure the compatibility of aromatic carbon nanoparticles with aliphatic paraffin chains. We employed a combination of experimental and computational approaches to determine the impact of P3HT addition on the properties of organic PCMs composed of paraffin and carbon nanoparticles (asphaltenes). Our findings clearly show an increase in the sedimentation stability of paraffin-asphaltene blends, when P3HT is added, through a decrease in average size of asphaltene aggregates as well as in an increase of the blends' viscosity. We also witness the appearance of the yield strength and gel-like behavior of the mixtures. At the same time, the presence of P3HT in the blends has almost no effect on their thermophysical properties. This implies that all properties of the blends, which are critical for heat storage applications, are well preserved. Thus, we demonstrated that adding polyalkylthiophenes to paraffin-asphaltene mixtures led to significant improvement in the performance characteristics of these systems. Therefore, the polymer additives can serve as promising compatibilizers for organic PCMs composed of paraffins and asphaltenes and other types of carbon nanoparticles.

Utilization of enriched hydrogen blends in the diesel engine with MgO nanoparticles for effective engine performance and emission control

The influence of hydrogen on the diesel engine has been examined in this study. In addition, the impact of MgO nanoparticles was also analysed by conducting a series of tests on samples such as Diesel (100 % diesel), DN (Diesel-50 ppm MgO), H1N (10 % Hydrogen-50 ppm MgO) and H2N (20 % Hydrogen-50 ppm MgO). Hydrogen was injected through intake manifold at the volume of 10 % and 20 %. Nanoparticles were dispersed using the ultrasonication techniques to accrue stable suspension. The experiments were conducted between 6 N-m to 24 N-m loads on a four-stroke single cylinder engine. The parameters such as brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and heat release rate (HRR) were assessed. In addition to the performance and combustion, the environmental impact of the test blends was also analysed by examining the exhaust with a gas analyser. From the series of tests, it was evident that hydrogen enrichment in the test blends reported lower levels of emissions compared to neat diesel. The formation of the hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen of oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) was reduced due to the drop in the carbon atoms and enriched oxygen content in the combustion chamber. With regard to the performance, the hydrogen enriched nanoparticle blends reported peak BTE (37 %) and HRR (75 J/deg) than the other test blends. By assessing all the results, the addition of hydrogen is a potential option to reduce the environmental impact created by the fossil fuel without forfeiting the engine efficiency.

Experimental investigation on performance, combustion and emission characteristics of nanoparticle blends with diesel as fuel in a CI Engine

The present work has discussed the following characteristics like performance, combustion and emission characteristics of blends of aluminum (Al), zinc oxide (ZnO) and its mixture of nanoparticles at different ratios with diesel tested on a stationary direct injection compression ignition (CI) engine at five different loads. The fuels have been made by blending of nanoparticles with diesel at different concentrations. The results have shown that the Nano fuels have given lower brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and air-fuel ratio when compared with diesel. In combustion analysis, the Nano fuels have given higher heat release rate, crank angle 50 (CA50) and lower ignition delay when compared with diesel. In emission analysis, the Nano fuels have given higher nitrogen oxides (NOx) and lower carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and smoke emissions when compared with diesel. The fuel properties of nano fuels have shown that the kinematic viscosity, calorific values have been higher and flash point, fire point, density have been lower when compared with diesel.

Red-Light-Mediated Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by Hole Transfer from Non-Fullerene Acceptor Y6

We report the use of blend nanoparticles (NPs) of the organic semiconductors PM6 and Y6 for the photocatalytic production of hydrogen under sacrificial conditions, with a 2% mass loading of Pt cocatalyst. When prepared using TEBS, a thiophene-containing surfactant, these blend NPs have a desirable intermixed morphology. Under ≈1-sun illumination from 400 to 900 nm, hydrogen is produced at a rate of 8000 ± 400 μmol h–1 g–1. Remarkably, this rate remains high at 5200 ± 300 μmol h–1 g–1 under 650 to 900 nm excitation, where Y6 is exclusively excited, generating free charges by hole transfer from Y6 to PM6. The rate drops to 2400 ± 200 μmol h–1 g–1 under 400 to 600 nm excitation, where PM6 is preferentially excited and free charges are generated through electron transfer. We also show that the external quantum efficiency is wavelength-independent. This work is the first study to show that free charge generation through hole transfer contributes significantly to hydrogen evolution in a donor:acceptor blend.