Carbide Nanoparticles Research Articles

Influence of SiC nanoparticles on properties of alkali‐treated areca fruit husk fiber/hybrid polymer composites

AbstractThis work presents the comprehensive characterization of alkali treated areca fruit husk fiber (AAFHF) an industrial agro‐waste reinforced unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix hybrid composite with silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles as filler material. Hybrid composite plates were fabricated with 40 wt% of AAFHF and diverse wt% of SiC nanoparticles ranging from 1 to 4 wt% in steps of 1 wt%. The effect of wt% of SiC nanoparticles in hybrid composite over mechanical, morphological, wear, thermal and water absorption characteristics was investigated. The findings help to conclude that a hybrid composite plate with 3 wt% filler content excels in overall properties. Meanwhile, the accumulation and meager scattering of SiC nanoparticles in composite deteriorated the functional characteristics when the wt% of filler content enhanced to 4 wt%. Also, the failure pattern and interaction between AAFHF, SiC nanoparticle and UPR were understood from the images obtained using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In addition, the availability of functional groups, crystallite size and crystallinity index was obtained from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for the optimum filler content respectively. Moreover, the achieved results suggest the suitability of the developed composite for marine and lightweight applications.

Influence of hybrid nanoparticles on the wear behavior of aluminum alloy composites for aerospace applications

PurposeEngineers and scientists are searching for novel materials with high performance on all aspect points of view for the applications including marine, aero and automobile fields. AA8090 aluminum alloy is one of the materials used in aero industries for aircraft construction because of its weight reduction ability. However, the AA8090 alloy has a drawback such as low wear resistance that affects the life time of material; hence, it should be addressed. The purpose of this investigation is to improve the wear resistance of AA8090 alloy.Design/methodology/approachIn this investigation, AA8090 aluminum alloy metal matrix composite was fabricated using different types of carbide nanoparticles such as vanadium carbide (VC), Cr3C2 and Mo2C by stir casting method and tribological and mechanical behaviors were studied.FindingsMechanical studies showed that the S1 sample displayed the maximum hardness of 142 HV and maximum tensile strength of 857 MPa because of the inclusion of hard VC particles. Tribological studies revealed that S1 sample showed high performance. A least wear rate of 0.003915 × 10–3 mm3/m was noted for S1 sample, which is 71% lower than the wear rate of S0 sample. Further, a least mass loss and lower coefficient of friction of 0.00152 g and 0.2, respectively, were observed for S1 sample because of its high hardness and high wear resistance because of the stuffing of high-hardness VC particles. Hence, it is concluded from this study that S1 sample, i.e. AA8090/VC, could be a better candidate for aerospace applications as it showed good tribological and mechanical properties.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is original and novel in the field of metal matrix composite which deals with the effect of hybridization on the wear performance of the aluminum alloy composites.

Synthesis of niobium(iv) carbide nanoparticles via an alkali-molten-method at a spatially-limited surface of mesoporous carbon.

One-pot synthesis of niobium carbabide (NbC) nanoparticles with ca. 30-50 nm was achieved via a rationally designed novel alkali-molten salt method using niobium oxide (Nb2O5), potassium carbonate (K2CO3), and mesoporous carbon (MPC). In this reaction, potassium niobate (KNbO3) was produced as an intermediate and carbonization of KNbO3 proceeds at a spatially limited external surface encompassed by the mesopores of MPC due to the repulsive characteristics of ionic KNbO3 toward hydrophobic MPC, which affords the size-controlled NbC nanoparticles with a narrow particle distribution. The particle sizes tended to become smaller as the pore sizes of MPCs or the temperature on the calcination under the nitrogen stream decreased. Elemental reactions along the one-pot synthesis of NbC nanoparticles were clarified by X-ray spectroscopic, thermogravimetric, and mass spectrometric measurements.

Synthesis and Thermal Adsorption Characteristics of Silver-Based Hybrid Nanocomposites for Automotive Friction Material Application

Advances in friction materials are imposed on developing multiceramic reinforced hybrid nanocomposites with superior tribomechanical properties. The silver-based matrix metals are gained significance in various applications like bearing, ratchet, and electrical contacts due to their high frictional resistance and good thermal and chemical stability compared to traditional metals. The present research is to develop silver-based hybrid nanocomposites containing alumina (Al2O3) and silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles of 50 nm mixing with the ratio of 0 wt% Al2O3/0 wt% SiC, 5 wt% Al2O3/0 wt% SiC, and 5 wt% Al2O3/5 wt% SiC via the semisolid vacuum stir-cast technique. The vacuum technology minimizes casting defects and increases composite properties. The casted composite samples are subjected to study the effect of reinforcement on thermal adsorption, conductivity, diffusivity, and frictional resistance. The composite containing 5 wt% Al2O3np/5 wt% SiCnp is to find optimum thermal and frictional behaviour. The thermal adsorption and frictional resistance are increased by 30% and 27% compared to unreinforced cast silver. The Ag/5 wt% Al2O3np/5 wt% SiCnp hybrid nanocomposite is recommended for automotive friction-bearing applications.

Mechanical, wear, and microstructural examination of copper surface composites reinforced with SiC nanoparticles done by FSP

Copper has a high heat absorption capacity and is often utilized as a heat dissipater due to its superior heat transmission characteristics. Because of its intrinsic electrical conductivity, copper is also utilized as a wire for electrical power distribution. The ability to easily deform, makes it an not attractive option in industries as a structural or load-bearing material. Ceramic materials, such as Silicon Carbide, is utilized as a reinforcing material with the copper matrix to boost the mechanical and metallurgical qualities of copper matrix composites. Friction Stir Processing was used to successfully produce copper matrix surface composites with 3 percent, 8 percent, 13 percent, and 18 percent volumes of Silicon Carbide (SiC) nanoparticles as reinforcements. The produced composite's mechanical characteristics, such as tensile strength and hardness were assessed according to the standards. The composite C4 (composite with 18 vol percent silicon carbide) has a tensile strength of 241.1 MPa when compared to the tensile strength of copper tensile strength of 210 MPa.The Microstructure and wear behavior of these composites also were evaluated.

Влияние наночастиц карбида гафния на эмиссионные свойства квази-2D-графен/нанотрубной пленки: исследование из первых принципов

Using computer materials science methods based on first-principles approaches and high-performance computing, we have studied the effect of hafnium carbide (HfC) nanoparticles on the emission properties of graphene/nanotube hybrid films. The optimal distance between graphene/nanotube structures in the composition of the hybrid film and the optimal mass fraction of HfC nanoparticles, which provide the greatest reduction in the electron work function, have been established. It has been found that partial charge transfer from the nanoparticle HfC to the carbon framework leads to changes in the density of electronic states, resulting in a change of both the Fermi energy and the height of the potential barrier for the emitting electron change, which leads to a decrease in the work function of the electron by 8–10%.

Hierarchical carbon hollow nanospheres coupled with ultra-small molybdenum carbide as sulfiphilic sulfur hosts for lithium-sulfur batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are an attractive candidate to replace the current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries due to their promising theoretical capacity of 1675 mA h g-1 and energy density of 2500 W h kg-1. However, the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle effect and the slow sulfur redox kinetics seriously decrease the utilization of sulfur and deteriorate battery performance. Here, hierarchical carbon hollow nanospheres containing intimately coupled molybdenum carbide nanocrystals were synthesized as a sulfiphilic sulfur host. The sufficient interior void space accommodates the sulfur and physically confines LiPSs, while the in situ introduced molybdenum carbide nanoparticles can chemically immobilize LiPSs and catalytically accelerate their redox transformations. As a result, the Li-S batteries with this synergistic effect achieve an excellent rate capability of 566 mA h g-1 at 2C and a long cycle stability over 300 cycles at 1C.

Structural and Optical Features of Sago Starch Polymer Nanocomposites Embedded with Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles

Structural and Optical Features of Sago Starch Polymer Nanocomposites Embedded with Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles

Gram-scale production of in-situ generated iron carbide nanoparticles encapsulated via nitrogen and phosphorous co-doped bamboo-like carbon nanotubes for oxygen evolution reaction

Optimizing electrocatalytic activity and recognizing the most reactive sites for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts are valuable to the order of renewable power. In this research article, we explored an innovative in-situ annealing technique for constructing iron carbide nanoparticles (Fe3C NPs) encapsulated via nitrogen and phosphorous doped bamboo-shape carbon nanotubes (NP-CNTs) for OER. Interestingly, the constructed Fe3C NPs@NP-CNT-800 composite exhibited remarkable electrochemical operation and offered a stable current density of 10 mA/cm2 at a lower overpotential (280 mV) in an alkaline solution. Furthermore, an innovative Fe3C NPs@N,P-CNT-800 hybrid surpassed the standard RuO2 electrocatalyst in terms of OER performance and showed negligible degradation in chronoamperometric (21 h) and chronopotentiometry (3000 cycles) analyses. The remarkable performance and stability are ascribed to the Fe3C NPs, novel tubular bamboo-like morphology of its carbon materials, and heteroatom doping, which contribute to the electrochemical interfaces, large surface area, active catalytic sites, and rapid charge transfer kinetics.

Evolution of the phase composition, crystal structure and magnetic properties of core@shell nanoparticles obtained during conversion of ferrocene at high pressure and high temperature

This work describes structural and magnetic properties of nanoparticles obtained during conversion of ferrocene Fe(C5H5)2 under a high pressure 8 GPa and a high temperature 900 °C (HP-HT treatment) for 10–10000 s, and subsequent self-oxidation in air. The magnetic, structural, and electronic properties of the nanocomposites were studied by XRD, TEM, HAADF-STEM, ED, EDXS, Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetization measurements. Conversion of ferrocene leads to the formation of “pure” and carbon-encapsulated iron carbide (Fe7C3@C) nanoparticles embedded in carbon matrices with varying degrees of structural ordering. Depending on the size and structure of these nanoparticles different products can be obtained as a result of the self-oxidation of iron carbides. Along with solid iron oxide nanoparticles, hollow iron oxide particles were found in the oxidation products. The formation of hollow nanoparticles can be explained by the Kirkendall effect. It is known that magnetite Fe3O4 and maghemite γ-Fe2O3 are ferrimagnets with a high Neel point TN, while wüstite FeO is an antiferromagnet with TN about 198 K. By varying the content of these components in nanoparticles, it is possible to obtain materials with desired magnetic properties, which is of great importance for technological and biomedical applications of such nanostructures.

Lipoic Acid Conjugated Boron Hybrids Enhance Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Processes.

Complications of chronic non-healing wounds led to the emergence of nanotechnology-based therapies to enhance healing, facilitate tissue repair, and prevent wound-related complications like infections. Here, we design alpha lipoic acid (ALA) conjugated hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and boron carbide (B4C) nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance wound healing in human dermal fibroblast (HDFa) cell culture and characterize its antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, gram positive) and Escherichia coli (E. coli, gram negative) bacterial strains. ALA molecules are integrated onto hBN and C4B NPs through esterification procedure, and molecular characterizations are performed by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Wound healing and antimicrobial properties are investigated via the use of cell viability assays, scratch test, oxidative stress, and antimicrobial activity assays. Based on our analysis, we observe that ALA-conjugated hBN NPs have the highest wound-healing feature and antimicrobial activity compared to ALA-B4C. On the other hand, hBN, ALA-B4C, and ALA compounds showed promising regenerative and antimicrobial properties. Also, we find that ALA conjugation enhances wound healing and antimicrobial potency of hBN and B4C NPs. We conclude that the ALA-hBN conjugate is a potential candidate to stimulate regeneration process for injuries.

Molybdenum carbide/Ni nanoparticles-incorporated carbon nanofibers as effective non-precious catalyst for urea electrooxidation reaction

In this study, molybdenum carbide and carbon were investigated as co-catalysts to enhance the nickel electro-activity toward urea oxidation. The proposed electrocatalyst has been formulated in the form of nanofibrous morphology to exploit the advantage of the large axial ratio. Typically, calcination of electropsun polymeric nanofibers composed of poly(vinyl alcohol), molybdenum chloride and nickel acetate under vacuum resulted in producing good morphology molybdenum carbide/Ni NPs-incorporated carbon nanofibers. Investigation on the composition and morphology of the proposed catalyst was achieved by XRD, SEM, XPS, elemental mapping and TEM analyses which concluded formation of molybdenum carbide and nickel nanoparticles embedded in a carbon nanofiber matrix. As an electrocatalyst for urea oxidation, the electrochemical measurements indicated that the proposed composite has a distinct activity when the molybdenum content is optimized. Typically, the nanofibers prepared from electrospun nanofibers containing 25 wt% molybdenum precursor with respect to nickel acetate revealed the best performance. Numerically, using 0.33 M urea in 1.0 M KOH, the obtained current densities were 15.5, 44.9, 52.6, 30.6, 87.9 and 17.6 mA/cm2 for nanofibers prepared at 850 °C from electropsun mats containing 0, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 35 molybdenum chloride, respectively. Study the synthesis temperature of the proposed composite indicated that 1000 °C is the optimum calcination temperature. Kinetic studies indicated that electrooxidation reaction of urea does not follow Arrhenius’s law.

Exalting energy scavenging for triboelectric nanogenerator using silicon carbide particles doped polyvinylidene difluoride nanocomposite

Polymer materials, particularly piezoelectric polymers, have been extensively studied and implemented in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) owing to their ferroelectric properties, low cost and easy synthesis etc. This research is a comprehensive analysis on a novel nanocomposite of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles as a triboelectric material, and fabrication of TENGs using the SiC-PVDF nanocomposite and polyamide (PA6) membrane combination. The composite film obtained from the phase inversion method with varying concentration of SiC nanoparticles is studied and compared with the pristine film prepared by solution casting. The results show that the inclusion of SiC nanoparticles could greatly enhance the β-phase content of the PVDF films, and significantly increase surface roughness and porosity of the SiC-PVDF nanocomposites. The TENG made with a PVDF film with 6 wt% of SiC shows an open circuit voltage of 850 V and a short circuit current of 20 µA under a frequency of 3.5 Hz, 1100 V and 42 µA under a frequency of 15 Hz at a load of 5 N. The TENG has a high-power output of 12.25 mW at 3.5 Hz, which is four times higher than that of the TENG using the film prepared using the solution casting method. This work provides an effective strategy for enhancing the output power of PVDF/PA6 TENGs through the addition of SiC nanoparticles with great application prospects for low power electronics and as active sensors.

Pristine, carboxylated, and hybrid multi-walled carbon nanotubes exert potent antioxidant activities in in vitro-cell free systems

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are tubular-shaped carbon allotropes, composed of multiple concentric graphene cylinders. The extended systems of conjugated double bonds, that MWCNTs are constituted by, provide them with high electron affinities, enabling them to act as electron donors or acceptors. Consequently, their potential biomedical applications, as synthetic antioxidant agents, are of particular interest. Based on the above, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the intrinsic antioxidant properties of pristine and carboxylated MWCNTs, as well as of novel hybrid nanocomposites of MWCNTs and inorganic nanoparticles. To this end, after the synthesis and characterization of MWCNTs, their antiradical, reducing, and antigenotoxic properties were assessed in cell-free assays, using a methodological approach that has been recently proposed by our research group. According to our results, most of the tested MWCNTs exhibited strong antioxidant activities. More elaborately, the hybrid material of MWCNTs and ferrous oxide nanoparticles, i.e., CNTs@Fe3O4, showed robust scavenging capacities in all free-radical scavenging assays examined. As regards reducing properties, the pristine MWCNTs, i.e., CNTs-Ref, exhibited the greater electron donating capacity. Finally, in terms of antigenotoxic properties, the hybrid material of MWCNTs and silicon carbide nanoparticles, i.e., CNTs@SiC, exhibited potent ability to inhibit the formation of peroxyl radicals, thus preventing from the oxidative DNA damage. Conclusively, our findings suggest that the MWCNTs of the study could be considered as promising broad-spectrum antioxidants, however, further investigations are required to evaluate their toxicological profile in cell-based and in vivo systems.

Investigation on Wear Analysis of Aluminium (Al) 7075 Alloy Reinforced with Titanium Carbide (TiC) and Graphene (Gr) Nanoparticles

In this study wear behavior of metal matrix nanocomposites covers a distinctive mixture of Al 7075 reinforced through Titanium Carbide (TiC) and Graphene in nanoform. Present work consists of Al7075 base metal is reinforced with nanopowder TiC (2.5 % wt.) and Graphene (0.25% wt.). The samples casted by ultrasonic stir casting technique and machining in accordance with ASTM standards, then tested for wear behavioral characteristics using pin on disc. This method was functional to determine the effect of three factors like sliding velocity, applied load and sliding distance for the above work by using the Taguchi method. By considering three factors, three levels, and the composition of nanoTiC (2.5%) by keeping a constant Graphene (0.25% wt.), the applied load variations in steps are 10 N, 20 N, and 30 N, the sliding velocity is 1.5m/sec, 2.5m/sec, and 3.5 m/sec, and the sliding distances 500m, 1000m, and 1500 m to study the wear behavior.

Effects of poly(o-phenylenediamine) functionalized SiC on the corrosion protection ability of neat polyurethane coating system in the marine environment

A novel nanocomposite consisting of polyurethane (PU), poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD), and silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles was investigated for its application in marine environment through electrochemical techniques. The PoPD/SiC nanofillers were characterized by TGA, XRD, SEM/EDX, and TEM analyses. The anticorrosion and mechanical properties of different coating formulation in marine environment were evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). It was also found that the coating resistance of PU-PoPD/SiC nanocomposite was over 41 times higher than that of the PU coating. The PU-PoPD/SiC coatings on the brass showed low current of 1.9 I/nA due to copper dissolution and 6.8 I/nA due to zinc dissolution because of the well distribution of PoPD/SiC nanofiller in PU coating. The analyses of the resultant degradation products by SEM/EDX and XRD techniques confirmed the presence of Si which has a major role in protecting the brass surface against corrosion. Results showed that the PU composite with 2 wt.% PoPD/SiC hybrid nanofillers had outstanding coating performance. This nanocomposite demonstrated improved corrosion protection. As a result, the developed PU-PoPD/SiC nanocomposite has exceptional adhesion strength and anticorrosion properties and might be exploited to develop next-generation anticorrosive coatings.

Effect of Alumina and Silicon Carbide Nanoparticle-Infused Polymer Matrix on Mechanical Properties of Unidirectional Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer

Unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polymer nanocomposites were developed by adding alumina (Al2O3) and silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles using ultrasonication and magnetic stirring. The uniform nanoparticle dispersions were examined with a field-emission scanning electron microscope. The nano-phase matrix was then utilized to fabricate the hybrid carbon fiber-reinforced polymer nanocomposites by hand lay-up and compression molding. The weight fractions selected for Al2O3 and SiC nanoparticles were determined based on improvements in mechanical properties. Accordingly, the hybrid nanocomposites were fabricated at weight fractions of 1, 1.5, 1.75, and 2 wt.% for Al2O3. Likewise, the weight fractions selected for SiC were 1, 1.25, 1.5, and 2 wt.%. At 1.75 wt.% Al2O3 nanoparticle loading, the flexural strength modulus improved by 31.76% and 37.08%, respectively. Additionally, the interlaminar shear and impact strength enhanced by 40.95% and 47.51%, respectively. For SiC nanocomposites, improvements in flexural strength (12.79%) and flexural modulus (9.59%) were accomplished at 1.25 wt.% nanoparticle loading. Interlaminar shear strength was enhanced by 34.27%, and maximum impact strength was improved by 30.45%. Effective particle interactions with polymeric chains of epoxy, crack deflection, and crack arresting were the micromechanics accountable for enhancing the mechanical properties of nanocomposites.

Silicon-carbide (SiC) nanocrystal as technology and characterization and its applications in photo-stabilizers of Teflon

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was mixed with silicon carbide nanoparticles in various quantities to create thin films. Long-term UV light exposure to the PTFE films was used to study the effects of SiC NPs as a photo-stabilizer by assessing changes in weight loss and surface shape. Comparing PTFE films with various SiC NP concentrations to the blank film, very little variation was seen. AFM and optical microscopy were also used to analyze the surface morphology of films. When PTFE films with additives were compared to blank film, there were hard to observe any negative changes brought due to photo-degradation. Additionally, the surfaces appeared more uniformly smooth hence SiC NPs work well as photo-stabilizers to impede photo-degradation, particularly 0.0005 gm weight. Silicon carbide nanoparticles absorb ultraviolet light, bind polymeric chains, scavenge radical moieties, and degrade peroxide residues.

Dielectric and electromagnetic interference shielding properties of nano‐silicon carbide/montmorillonite and graphene nanoplatelets filled polyvinylidene fluoride/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol) blend nanocomposites

AbstractHerein, hybrid polymer nanocomposite films comprising polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PEDOT‐block‐PEG) as matrices and silicon carbide nanoparticles (SiC NPs), montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay, and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) as nanofillers were fabricated by solution casting. The structural, morphological, and thermal characteristics of the nanocomposite films were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The SEM results show the homogeneous distribution of nanofillers within the polymer matrix. The dielectric behavior and electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE) of the nanocomposites were also analyzed. The maximum dielectric constant (ε) and dielectric loss (tan δ) obtained are 47.77 and 12.08, respectively, at lower frequency (50 Hz, 150°C). The maximum EMI SE was observed to be 16.8 dB in the Ku‐band region (12–18 GHz) for the nanocomposites with 20 wt% SiC, 8 wt% MMT, and 2 wt% GNPs loading. The EMI shielding was found to be absorption dominant and originated from the formation of a conductive network between hybrid nanofillers within the PVDF/PEDOT‐block‐PEG blend thereby improving the EMI SE values. These results suggest that PVDF/PEDOT‐block‐PEG/SiC/MMT/GNPs nanocomposites can be used as an efficient EMI shielding material.

The TOPSIS method to identify the optimal machining condition with reduced particle emission during machining of the Al-Si based 1%SiC reinforced nanocomposite material

The machining was done following the Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array. The work - piece was Al-Si based silicon carbide nanoparticle reinforced nanocomposite material. The objective of the present study is to identify the machining condition such that the emission of the particle during the machining of the nanocomposite is minimized. The health problem arises due to the emission of the particle during the machining of the nanocomposite. The machining was performed on the lathe by using the Tungaloy made carbide tool insert. The speed (v), feed (f) and depth of cut (DOC, d) were the machining parameters. The chip reduction coefficient (CRC) and surface roughness (Ra) were the measured output responses. The scanning electron microscopy was performed for the chip surfaces. The TOPSIS (Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution) method was applied to optimize the machining parameters. The method is very effective to optimize the machining parameters. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done to find out the influential parameters for CRC and Ra minimization. The optimal solution was found for v = 122.02 m/min, feed = 0.06 mm/rev., and d = 1.5 mm. The optimal solution was validated with a qualitative assessment. This ensured the novelty of the work. The studies on chip types, machined surfaces etc. further indicated that the TOPSIS method was very effective in identifying the optimal parameters with reduced particle emission.