Carbon-based Composite Materials Research Articles

Pharmacokinetic properties of new antitumor radiopharmaceutical on the basis of diamond nanoporous composites labeled with rhenium-188

Today the development of address therapeutic radionuclide delivery systems directly to tumor tissue is of current interest. It can be achieved by the design of drug containers of specific sizes and shapes from carbon-based composite materials. It will be allowed to enhance the efficacy of anticancer therapy and avoid serious side effects. In this work we studied the pharmacokinetic properties of nanodiamond nanoporous composite labeled with rhenium-188 in rats with hepatocholangioma PC-1 after intratumoral injection.It was established that substantial part of injected radioactivity remained in tumor tissue. Within three hours after 188Re-nanoporous composites injection activity in tumor constituted 79.1–91.3% of injected dose (ID). Then activity level declined to 45.9% ID at 120 hours. No more than 1.34% ID entered the bloodstream. In soft organs and tissues, except thyroid gland, the content of compound didn’t exceed 0.3% ID/g. The highest activity in thyroid gland was 6.95% ID/g.In conclusion, received results suggest 188Re-nanoporous composites can be promising radionuclide delivery systems for cancer treatment.

Carbon-based composite materials for supercapacitor electrodes: a review

Electrochemical capacitors, so-called supercapacitors, play an important role in energy storage and conversion systems.

Using Carbon-Based Composite Materials for Manufacturing C-range Antenna Devices

Abstract C-range horn antenna made of a graphene-containing carbon-based composite material has been developed. Electrodynamic characteristics of the developed antenna and the identical metal antenna have been measured in the frequency range of 4.6–4.9 GHz. We have created two prototypes of horn antennas made of (i) carbon fiber and (ii) carbon fabric. It has been shown that the horn antenna made of graphene-containing composite material is capable of efficiently operating in the C-range frequency and possesses almost the same electrodynamic characteristics as the conventional metal antenna of the same geometry and size. However, the carbon-based antenna has enhanced stability in the wide range of temperatures to compare with the corresponding metal antenna.

Hierarchical Porous Carbon Scaffolds As a Materials Scaffold for the Attachment of Silicon in Lithium Ion Battery Anodes

Carbon and carbon-based composite materials have long been an important component in electrodes utilized for energy storage applications. Their widespread use can be attributed to their combination of good electrical conductivity, relative chemical inertness and low bulk material density (~2 g/cm3). For lithium ion battery (LIB) anodes, graphite is typically employed, but silicon has been heralded an excellent replacement candidate due to its very high theoretical capacity (~ 4200 mAh/g—a capacity over ten times greater than that of graphite). A principal obstacle for the practical application of a Si anode is the extreme volume changes (> 300%) during the lithiation process which eventually leads to a pulverization of the Si material. This is particularly true for larger Si particles (> 200 nm), which severely compromises the commercialization of Si based LIB anodes. Herein, we present our recent work utilizing various carbon-silicon composite materials systems as LIB anodes. We will show that by using a hierarchical porous carbon scaffold with tailorable textural properties such as pore size, surface area and pore volume, we are able to provide silicon nanoparticles with an excellent scaffold for attachment. Furthermore, we will reveal how this tailorable carbon structure can be further modified via functionalization pathways for both the carbon and silicon materials. We will demonstrate how these strategies improved various performance parameters for these LIB anodes; specifically in terms of cyclic performance—a characteristic weak point for silicon-based LIB anodes.

Review on carbon-based electrode materials for application in capacitive deionization process

Most of the electrochemical studies related to porous carbon electrodes are those which can be used for either electrostatic energy storage or for energy conversion [using electrical double layer capacitor (EDLC)]. The techniques, such as electrodialysis, membrane filtration, advanced oxidation process, thermal evaporation, can be used now-a-days to treat salty water. Among which, capacitive deionization (CDI) has emerged as a novel cost effective and environment friendly desalination technology. CDI process involves the removal of inorganic ions from the salty water by applying an electrical potential between two porous carbon electrodes. Because of the passage of electrical potentials in the system, the unwanted ions present in the water sample will be adsorbed on the electrode surfaces. Hence, the electrodes which are having high surface area can exhibit higher desalination capacity. In this article, the application of various carbon-based composite electrode materials such as activated carbon and PVDF composite, carbon–metal oxide composite, carbon–CNT composite, carbon–polymer composite and carbon sheet (carbon aerogel, activated carbon cloth) in CDI process is systematically reviewed and presented. CDI process is being developed now-a-days especially toward commercialization in treating the brackish water.

Tunable Carbon Scaffolds As Materials Platforms for a Silicon-Based Anode Used in Lithium Ion Batteries

Carbon and carbon-based composite materials are an important component in electrodes utilized for energy storage applications. Their widespread use can be attributed to carbon’s combination of good electrical conductivity, relative chemical inertness and low bulk material density (~2 g/cm3). For lithium ion battery (LIB) anodes, graphite is typically employed, but silicon has been heralded an excellent replacement candidate due to its very high theoretical capacity (~ 4200 mAh/g—a capacity over ten times greater than that of graphite). A principal obstacle for the practical application of a Si anode is the extreme volume changes (> 300%) during the lithiation process which eventually leads to a pulverization of the Si material. This is particularly true for larger Si particles (> 200 nm), which severely compromises the commercialization of Si based LIB anodes. Herein, we present our recent work utilizing hierarchical porous carbon as a host for silicon to be used as an anode for LIB anodes. We will show that by using a porous carbon scaffold with tailorable textural properties such as pore size, surface area and pore volume, we are able to provide silicon nanoparticles with an excellent scaffold for attachment. Furthermore, we will reveal how this tailorable carbon structure can be further modified via functionalization pathways for both the carbon and silicon materials. We will demonstrate how these strategies improved various performance parameters for these LIB anodes; specifically in terms of cyclic performance—a characteristic weak point for silicon-based LIB anodes.

Structural optimization of structured carbon-based energy-storing composite materials used in space vehicles.

The hot work environment of electronic components in the instrument cabin of spacecraft was researched, and a new thermal protection structure, namely graphite carbon foam, which is an impregnated phase-transition material, was adopted to implement the thermal control on the electronic components. We used the optimized parameters obtained from ANSYS to conduct 2D optimization, 3-D modeling and simulation, as well as the strength check. Finally, the optimization results were verified by experiments. The results showed that after optimization, the structured carbon-based energy-storing composite material could reduce the mass and realize the thermal control over electronic components. This phase-transition composite material still possesses excellent temperature control performance after its repeated melting and solidifying.

Реология графитопластовых композиционных материалов

Rheological methods for the solution of technical tasks were developed in metallurgy, in the production of polymers, construction and other materials as far as in the middle of the last century. The methods are based on dependences between stresses and strains or the deformation rates in the processes of loading the materials. A thorough study of various plastic systems made in related fields of technology was of great importance for understanding structural and mechanical properties of powder graphitoplastic composite materials. Rheology which investigates deformation and flow of disperse systems which in particular include powder graphitoplastic composite materials was widely developed. Without using rheology methods it is impossible to estimate structural and mechanical properties of graphitoplastic powders which are often called rheology properties. Currently, clear conceptions of structural and mechanical properties of graphitoplastic powders are created as a result of numerous studies by both Soviet and foreign scientists. Scientifically grounded methods of their studies are developed. Unfortunately, up to now Russian technical literature lacks information about the rheology of carbon-based composite materials. The results of studying rheology of graphitoplastic composite materials are presented in this article.

Development of Carbon-based Composite Materials for Energy Storage

The following work aims the preparation and characterization of electrodes for supercapacitors employing different carbon materials and their integration functional prototypes. Preparation of electrodes was conducted in two steps; I) formulation and mixing of raw materials and II) coating of the aluminum foil that supports the electrode with the mixture of materials. Different compositions and formulations were carried out to prepare the electrodes. Electrodes were composed by a matrix polymer of PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) and several carbon material additives (activated carbon, graphite, carbon black, carbon nanotubes and graphene) that ensured a high specific capacity and low electrical resistance. Finally, the build-up of “single-cell” prototypes employing the electrodes was carried out to validate their performance. Galvanostatic charging/discharging cycles, cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy to characterize the electrodes and prototypes were performed. From these experiments important parameters of a supercapacitor were estimated; equivalent serie resistance (ESR) and specific capacitance (F/g). Results of characterization have shown high capacities and good kinetics in the electrodes developed.

Electrode materials for microbial fuel cells: nanomaterial approach

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has the potential to become a major renewable energy resource by degrading organic pollutants in wastewater. The performance of MFC directly depends on the kinetics of the electrode reactions within the fuel cell, with the performance of the electrodes heavily influenced by the materials they are made from. A wide range of materials have been tested to improve the performance of MFCs. In the past decade, carbon-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising materials for both anode and cathode construction. Composite materials have also shown to have the potential to become materials of choice for electrode manufacture. Various transition metal oxides have been investigated as alternatives to conventional expensive metals like platinum for oxygen reduction reaction. In this review, different carbon-based nanomaterials and composite materials are discussed for their potential use as MFC electrodes.

Development on the Preparation and Application of Onion-like Carbon

Due to unique structure, onion-like carbon has excellent physical and chemical properties that brodens the application in carbon and carbon-based composite materials. The classification and the structure of onion-like carbon were firstly introduced. Its advantages and disadvantages of traditional preparation methods, including arc discharge, plasma, electron-beam radiation, chemical vapor deposition, nanodiamond annealing in vacuum, thermolysis, were summarized. Then, some new synthetic methods developed in recent years were also presented. Subsequently, the application of onion-like carbon on anode materials of lithium ion secondary battery, counter electrode materials of dye-sensitized solar cell, electrodes materials of electrochemical hydrogen storage and super capacitor, friction and wear, and catalyst fields was summarized. Finally, deficiencies of preparation and application on onion-like carbon were pointed out and future research were put forward.

Review on carbon-based composite materials for capacitive deionization

Carbon-based composite electrode materials, including carbon–carbon, carbon–metal oxide, carbon–polymer and carbon–polymer–metal oxide for efficient capacitive deionization are summarized.

Fabrication of free-standing pure carbon-based composite material with the combination of sp2–sp3 hybridizations

Composite structures have been in a center of interest for many decades. Carbon–carbon composites combine different carbon-based allotropes. Combining different carbon structures each with its unique property results in a new composite material with designed properties. In this contribution we present a technological procedure for preparation of a new flexible material consisting of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD). The fabrication process starts from the preparation of a paper made of SWNTs bundles followed by the CVD-growth of NCD in the interior of the SWNT paper. Keeping balance between the two competing processes during the CVD, i.e. growth of diamond particles versus etching SWNTs, is found as a key factor for the formation of a compact SWNT/NCD composite material. From a technological point of view, both processes are influenced mainly by the CVD conditions (temperature, gas composition, etc.) and/or substrate pretreatment. The essential idea of the diamond integration into the SWNT paper is demonstrated and discussed in more details. The morphology and structural aspects of the prepared composite material are further characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.

Electrically conductive multiphase polymer blend carbon-based composites

The present review focuses on summarizing key advances made on controlling polymer blend morphology to improve electrical conductivity in carbon-based polymer composite materials, including those based on carbon black, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Fundamentals for controlling polymer morphology and the distribution of conductive fillers in various polymer composite systems and the impact on the electrical, rheological, mechanical, and thermal properties are reviewed. The concept of triple percolation and its beneficial effect on electrical conductivity is then reviewed. A high level overview of key theories and mechanisms related to phase morphology, percolation, and conductive properties in polymer composites is provided. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1–16, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

Improving immunosensor performance through oriented immobilization of antibodies on carbon nanotube composite surfaces

We report the straightforward oriented covalent attachment of antibodies (Abs) on the surface of carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotube-polystyrene (MWCNT-PS) materials. The combination of this composite material, applied as a robust electrochemical transducer platform, and its covalent functionalization with Abs in a controlled way by means of a two-step process, could contribute to the development of highly sensitive immunosensor devices. Using the simple and versatile carbodiimide chemistry, Abs were attached to the carboxylic groups of the MWCNT-PS composite surfaces via their superficial amine groups. By taking into account the Ab isoelectric point and the net charge of the composite surface, we engineered an immobilization process to achieve the oriented binding of the Ab molecules by favoring an ionic pre-adsorption step before covalent binding occurred. Thus, the antigen binding capacity of the attached Abs was enhanced by up to 10 times with respect to the capacity estimated for a random spatial distribution of these molecules. The proposed strategy would also serve as a model for the efficient biofunctionalization of other carboxylated carbon-based polymer composite materials with potential applications in the biosensor field.

Development of PCM/carbon-based composite materials

Innovative Phase Change Material (PCM)/carbon-based composite materials were developed. These materials show higher thermal conductivity than that of pure PCM. An increase of up to 576% in thermal conductivity was obtained. They consist of PCM embedded in a carbon-containing host matrix (expanded graphite or multiwall carbon nanotubes). Previously, different expansion methods were carried out on several types of graphite. A thorough characterization of the graphite was made using Isotherms BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) method (N2 adsorption), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) which allowed to understand the changes of the microstructure at the different expansion method stages and to select the most efficient expansion method with the most promising graphite. The surface area of the expanded graphite was increased up to 1267%. PCMs inside carbon-based matrices were integrated using an autoclave reactor in a novel way. The composites were thermally characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal conductivity (TC) and thermal validation tests. These new materials are focused on electronic applications and plastic injection moulds, where high thermal conductivity is required. The objectives are to avoid peak temperature and reduce thermal oscillations, respectively.

Temperature, atomic oxygen and outgassing effects on dielectric parameters and electrical properties of nanostructured composite carbon-based materials

This work deals with the dielectric properties of carbon-based nanostructured polymeric composite materials. A commercial epoxy matrix is currently filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes in different percentages, and final composite material characterized in terms of microwave behavior by means of the waveguide method. By following the guidelines of previous studies, the attention is focused on the changes induced by hard environmental conditions (high temperature in ultra-high vacuum system) on the above mentioned properties. The results obtained in this preliminary research have outlined the intriguing properties of carbon nanostructures, establishing themselves as very promising materials for the future aerospace composite technology.

Advanced x-ray imaging of metal-coated/impregnated plasma-facing composite materials

A combination of x-ray imaging techniques is employed in the characterization of the coated/impregnated carbon-based composite materials to be used as plasma-facing components (PFC) in fusion devices. X-ray micro-tomography (μXCT) is applied in the visualization of carbon fiber composites (CFC)–Cu joined samples and in the characterization of CFC material porosity networks. Quantitative determination of the thickness of tungsten coating on carbon materials is performed using a combined absorption/fluorescence x-ray technique. The method was applied in the analysis of W-coated fine-grain graphite and CFC tiles. The x-ray imaging techniques allow rapid analysis with high spatial resolution.

Catalytic synthesis of a high aspect ratio carbon nanotubes bridging carbon felt composite with improved electrical conductivity and effective surface area

High aspect ratio (>5000) composite with macroscopic shape consisted of multi-walled carbon nanotubes bridging a 3D network of the micrometers carbon felt host structure was synthesized by means of the chemical vapour deposition technique. Such carbon-based nano-macro composite material displays a high mechanical strength, high electrical conductivity along with a high and fully accessible effective surface area (>100m2g−1), which allows it to be efficiently employed as structured catalyst support, in fixed-bed catalytic reactions, without the problem of pressure drop as encountered with the nanoscopic carbon support materials. The nanoscopic structure also provides a high degree of mixing of the reactant mixture which strongly increases the effective surface contact between the reactants and the active sites. In addition, the total effective surface area of the composite can be finely tuned, depending to the downstream application, as a function of the carbon nanotubes intake.

X-Band microwave characterization of carbon-based nanocomposite material, absorption capability comparison and RAS design simulation

This paper presents a microwave characterization of several carbon-based composite materials interesting the future aircraft/aerospace systems. They consist in epoxy resin reinforced with five different carbon species: micro-sized granular graphite, fullerenes, carbon nanofibers, single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Main goal of this work is to show how carbon inclusions size and geometry are able to significantly modify the electromagnetic properties at microwave frequencies. Microwave characterization is performed in terms of microwave permittivity and intrinsic wave impedance evaluation; all the computations are based on microwave scattering parameters measured in the X-band (8.2/12.4 GHz) by waveguide method. A theoretical analysis of the microwave absorbing capability is then performed assuming that a multilayer of nanocomposite material was backed on a conductor plate (such a structure is typically called Radar Absorbing Material). The results obtained for the reflection coefficient indicate that nanoparticles give better absorption properties to the matrix than micro-sized ones: nanocomposite materials could thus be used successfully as microwave absorbers, not only for their absorption performances but also for their light weight.