Carbon Black Powder Research Articles

Mechanoactivated SHS in Ferrotitanium–Carbon Black Powder Mixtures

Mechanoactivated SHS in Ferrotitanium–Carbon Black Powder Mixtures

Dielectric strength and mechanical properties of epoxy resin filled with self-propagating high-temperature synthesized Al2O3/SiC nanoparticles

In this study, the rice husk as a source of silica was used to synthesize the Al2O3/SiC composite via the self-propagation high-temperature synthesis (SHS) process. Then, the particle size of the synthesized product was reduced to the nanoscale using a planetary ball mill. Finally, different amounts (5, 10, and 15 wt.%) of Al2O3/SiC nanoparticles were incorporated into an epoxy resin in order to improve the mechanical properties and the dielectric strength of fabricated epoxy-based composites. The results indicated that the Al2O3/SiC composite was successfully synthesized by the SHS process from a mixture of the rice husk ash, Al, and carbon black powders as starting materials. The average size of the synthesized Al2O3/SiC particles decreased to 80 nm after 12-h ball milling. Also, the mechanical properties of the fabricated epoxy-based composite samples were improved with the addition of Al2O3/SiC nanoparticles in the investigated range in comparison with the pure epoxy sample. Additionally, the overall dielectric strength of the fabricated epoxy-based composites containing 5–15 wt.% of Al2O3/SiC nanoparticles was higher than that of the pure epoxy. These results were interpreted in terms of the synthesis mechanism of Al2O3/SiC composite via the SHS process, the rice husk ash structure, the interfacial bonding between the polymer chains and the surface of nanoparticles, and the insulation nature of the synthesized nanoparticles.

Evaluation of Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Microporous Layer Material for PEMFC: Performance and Durability Analysis

AbstractIn this paper, the effect of different carbonaceous phases in microporous layers (MPLs) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is reported. A conventional ink with carbon black (CB) powder and an innovative one featuring graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have been produced and used to coat carbon cloth gas diffusion layers (GDLs). Morphological and electrical properties of these samples have been assessed and then compared to determine which characteristics contribute to a possible enhancement of the fuel cell performance. Static contact angle measurements have revealed a similar hydrophobic character for both samples. Through‐plane water permeability and porosity of the samples have been correlated to the optimal working temperature: GNPs‐based MPLs provide the best performance in dry condition (T = 80 °C, RH = 60%), while CB‐based samples work better in more humid conditions. Instead, the electrical conductivity of the samples have not displayed a strong influence on the polarization curve of the cell. In addition, an ex situ mechanical accelerated stress test (AST) has been performed on both samples to assess their durability and understand which factors could lengthen their lifetime. GNPs‐based samples resisted better under the harsh conditions imposed during the AST and a possible optimization of this ink composition is proposed for future development.

Highly efficient synthesis of nano-Si anode material for Li-ion batteries by a ball-milling assisted low-temperature aluminothermic reduction

A nano-sized Si anode material was synthesized by a novel and highly efficient route of ball-milling assisted low-temperature aluminothermic reduction at 150–180 °C in a eutectic NaCl/KCl/AlCl3 mixture, using white carbon black and coarse-grained Al powder as the starting materials. After extending the duration of ball-milling assisted aluminothermic reduction to 10 h, the obtained Si yield reached as high as 94%. The synthesized nano-Si mainly consisted of irregular porous agglomerates constructed by ultrafine primary particles with a particle size less than 50 nm. The nano-Si anode showed a superior electrochemical performance. Its maximum discharge and charge capacities at a current density of 0.05 A g−1 were 3075 and 2597 mAh g−1, respectively, leading to a high initial Coulumbic efficiency of 84.5%. The nano-Si anode exhibited reversible capacities of 2458 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, and of 1169 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 5 A g−1. After cycling at 1 A g−1 for 400 cycles, it still delivered a high reversible capacity of 804 mAh g−1. The synthetic strategy, which is not only facile and highly efficient, but also low-cost and environmentally benign, is thus promising to be applied for mass production of nano-Si anode materials for next-generation Li-ion batteries.

Study of cracking of methane for hydrogen production using concentrated solar energy

In this study, the cracking phenomenon of methane taking place in a cylindrical cavity of 16 cm in diameter and 40 cm in length under the heat of concentrated solar radiation without any catalyst is analysed. Three cases have been chosen; in all cases the primary phase contains methane and hydrogen gases. In the first case, we consider two phases; the secondary phase is a homogeneous carbon black powder with 50 nm of diameter; in the second case we have three phases where the two secondary phases are a particles powder with two diameters 20 and 80 nm and finally, a third case of five phases with a powder of four different diameters 20, 40, 60 and 80 nm. The low Reynolds K-ε turbulence model was applied. A calculation code "ANSYS FLUENT" is used to simulate the cracking phenomena where an Eulerian – Eulerian model is applied. The choice of several diameters greatly increases the calculation time but it approaches more of the physical reality of the radiation by these particles during the cracking. Results have shown that increasing the number of diameters gives higher cracking rates; the case of the powder of 4 different diameters gives the highest cracking rate. A parametric study as a function of the inlet velocity, carbon particle diameters and the intensity of solar radiation is realized. For the cracking heat, provided by the choice of the two concentrators of 5 and 16 MW/m2 used in this simulation, the CH4 inlet velocity is a decisive parameter for the cracking rate. Any increase in the inlet velocity requires more heat and this leads to a decrease in the cracking rate. For a velocity not exceeding 0.177 m/s (i.e. 0.3 L/min), both solar concentrations give the same amount of hydrogen produced. These quantities of hydrogen obtained reach maximum values for an inlet flow rate of CH4 between 0.58 L/min (i.e. 0.34 m/s) and 0.62 L/min (i.e. 0.3655 m/s) for both reactors. The results are interpreted and compared with experimental work.

A facile pathway to prepare ultrafine WC powder via a carbothermic pre-reduction followed by carbonization with CH4-H2 mixed gases

In the present work, ultrafine tungsten carbide (WC) powder with a high purity has been prepared by first roasting yellow tungsten trioxide (WO3) and carbon black powder under argon atmosphere followed by the further carbonization reaction with CH4-H2 mixed gases. The effects of C/WO3 molar ratio, CH4 percentage in the CH4-H2 mixed gases on the phase composition, morphology and particle size of the products were discussed. The results revealed that when the C/WO3 molar ratios were 2.5 and 2.6, nano tungsten carbide powder with the average particle sizes of 93 nm and 77 nm could be prepared. Whereas, when the C/WO3 molar ratio was in the range of 2.7–3.5, the finally prepared WC has the particle size of 446–192 nm, and became smaller with the increase of C/WO3 molar ratio. The percentage of CH4 should be <15% to prepare WC with a low free carbon content. From the results of thermodynamic calculation, X-ray diffraction (XRD), FE-SEM, and infrared carbon‑sulfur analyzer, it was concluded that ultrafine tungsten carbide powders with a high purity could be successfully prepared by this method.

A Small Population Study on Friction Skin Ridges: Differences in Ridge Widths Between Latent and Inked Fingerprints.

Morphological changes in the width of latent fingermark ridges occur naturally over time. This could be used to examine the aging process of latents and eventually estimate time of deposition. In a crime context, it is common practice to compare a questioned (aged) fingermark with a database of known (inked) prints. Therefore, in the absence of fresh fingermarks for aging purposes, it is of interest to reveal correlations between these two categories of fingerprints with regard to the widths of their ridges. The present study explores correlations of ridge widths between flat and rolled inked prints with latent fingermarks visualized with carbon black (CB) and titanium dioxide (TiO2 )-based powders among a small population of ten donors. Results revealed consistent differences between the ridge widths of latent and inked prints as well as flat and rolled impressions. Latent fingermarks visualized with CB and TiO2 powders showed ridges with comparable widths.

Pd, Pd–Ni and Pd–Ni–Fe nanoparticles anchored on MnO2/Vulcan as efficient ethanol electro-oxidation anode catalysts

Pd–Ni–Fe nanoparticles supported on MnO2/Vulcan XC-72 R (carbon black powder) as the electrocatalyst for the anodic oxidation of ethanol in a direct ethanol alkaline fuel cell (DEAFC) has been conducted. Electrocatalyst structures and morphologies are investigated by XRD, FE-SEM, EDX and elemental mapping techniques and subsequently electrochemical performance of electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) are studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Pd/MnO2/Vulcan, Pd–Ni/MnO2/Vulcan and Pd–Ni–Fe/MnO2/Vulcan efficiently advanced ethanol electro-oxidation reaction under alkaline conditions. Pd/MnO2/Vulcan revealed best potential window and low charge transfer resistance (Rct) for EOR. Pd–Ni/MnO2/Vulcan and Pd–Ni–Fe/MnO2/Vulcan electrocatalysts have a good anti CO-poisoning capability. Pd–Ni–Fe/MnO2/Vulcan has significantly high current density, excellent catalyst durability and cyclic stability for ethanol oxidation which encourage researchers for application of such exceptional materials as anode electrocatalysts in DEFC.

Study on Use of Carbon Black Powder in Bitumen

Study on Use of Carbon Black Powder in Bitumen

Niobium-added titanium oxides powders as non-noble metal cathodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells – Electrochemical evaluation and effect of added amount of niobium

An appropriate evaluation of oxide-based compound powders as non-platinum cathodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells is required to investigate the active sites of oxide-based cathodes for the oxygen reduction reaction. A mixture of carbon black powder as an electro-conductive material with oxide catalysts that had low electrical conductivity was attempted to evaluate the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. An appropriate mixture of carbon black and the oxide catalysts let to the electrochemical activation of the oxide surface by the formation of electron conduction networks. Using the carbon black mixture, the niobium-added titanium oxides heat-treated at 700 °C for 10 min under Ar containing 4% hydrogen without carbon materials were focused on to reveal the dependence of ORR activity on the added amount of niobium. The ORR activity of the niobium-added titanium oxides increased the Nb mole percentage from 0 to 20. This was due to the increase in the ratio of the Ti3+/(Ti4++Ti3+), and suggests that the active sites were Ti3+ and/or oxygen vacancies in the anatase phase. On the other hand, although the ratio of the Ti3+/(Ti4++Ti3+) of the oxide with an Nb mole percentage of 30 was almost twice as that with an Nb mole percentage of 20, the ORR activities were almost the same. This might be responsible for the deposition of the amorphous phase composed of Nb2O5, which consisted of a thin layer on the surface of the oxide particles and had low ORR activity.

Determination of pendimethalin in water, sediment, and Procambarus clarkii by high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

We established a high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method for the analysis of pendimethalin residues in water, sediments, and Procambarus clarkii (Louisiana crayfish) tissues. Water samples were concentrated on a HLB solid-phase extraction column and eluted with dichloromethane and acetone (1:1). After drying under a stream of nitrogen gas, the sample volume was adjusted to 1 mL with the mobile phase solvent methanol/water/acetic acid (8:20:0.1). Pendimethalin was extracted with ethyl acetate containing 0.1% acetic acid, after rotary evaporation to dryness at 35 °C, the residue was dissolved in mobile phase solvent, purified by a neutral alumina column and graphitized carbon black powder (0.1 g). The mass characterization was conducted in positive ion mode, and the corresponding ions were detected in multi-reaction monitoring mode. The linear equations were y = 1 × 106x + 14275, at pendimethalin levels of 0.05-20 μg L-1 and y = 691029 × - 414368 for 20-200 μg L-1. The detection limits of pendimethalin in water, sediments, and P. clarkii tissues were 1.0 × 10-4μg L-1, 5.0 × 10-3μg kg -1and 5.0 × 10-3 μg kg -1, respectively. The spiked recoveries ranged from 81.6 to 106.3%, and the relative standard deviations ranged from 4.58 to 13.6% (n = 6). The method provided an efficient and low-cost extraction and purification procedure that enabled a sensitive determination of pendimethalin in water as well as complex matrices.

Study on conductive mechanism of graphene conductive and anticorrosive coatings on steel bar surface in concrete

When conductive and anticorrosive coatings are applied on the surface of reinforcing bars, electrochemical protection measures can be taken when the construction need secondary maintenance. Because graphene is a sp2 hybrid honeycomb structure, higher conductivity can be obtained by adding a small amount of graphene in the coating. In this paper, graphene-based conductive anticorrosive coatings were prepared with mixed conductive fillers (acetylene carbon black, conductive carbon black, graphite, graphene and zinc powder). The conductive mechanism was determined by studying the effects of conductive properties on the change of the content of different conductive fillers and analyzing the microstructural characteristics of conductive coatings with XRD, SEM, TEM and Raman spectroscopy tests. The results show that the conductivity of mixed fillers with different shapes in coatings is better than that of single filler in coatings when the filler content is the same. Because of the flexible structure and thin layer of graphene, the isolated fillers and conductive paths in different areas of the coatings can be connected with it and the conductive efficiency can be improved. The conductive paths are formed by the contact among conductive fillers in the coatings. Finally, the conductive mechanism model of graphene conductive and anticorrosive coatings was established.

Anatomically and Dielectrically Realistic 2.5D 5-Layer Reconfigurable Head Phantom for Testing Microwave Stroke Detection and Classification

This work presents the design and manufacturing of an anatomically and dielectrically realistic layered phantom of the human head that allows the insertion of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke phantom models. A 2.5D physical phantom was designed using a representative anatomical image of the human head, which was simplified into 5 different layers that mimic the scalp, skull, cerebrospinal fluid, brain, and stroke regions in terms of anatomy and dielectric properties. Apart from the brain phantom, all other layers consist of a mixture of polyurethane rubber, graphite powder, and carbon black powder. The brain phantom is in the liquid form to facilitate the insertion of different stroke models (ischemic or hemorrhagic) with different positions and shapes. Phantoms were designed with dielectric properties valid within the frequency range 0.5–3.0 GHz, which is relevant for microwave stroke detection and classification. Molds for casting individual parts of the phantom were printed in 3D. The presented phantom is suitable for the development and testing of microwave systems and algorithms used in the detection and classification of vascular events relevant to stroke diagnosis.

Processing of solid state sintered α-SiC ceramics with carbon-black addition

The efficient removal of surface silica layer from SiC particles by the addition of carbon is required for solid state sintering (SSS) of SiC ceramics. While wax-based organics are generally utilized as carbon source in many commercial SSS-SiC ceramics, carbon black powders with high specific surface area (SSA) are potential alternatives as carbon source, which can be dispersed in ceramic slurries directly without needing any additional pyrolysis reactions. In this study, carbon black powders were utilized as carbon source for sintering of SiC. The effect of particle size of carbon black powders on densification and microstructural development during pressureless and spark plasma sintering (SPS) were investigated. It was observed that while the density of the SiC samples increased with increasing SSA of carbon black powders, complete densification was not achieved for all samples in case of pressureless sintering due to the flaws originated by carbon black segregation on granule surfaces. SPS was found an effective sintering method for the elimination of such flaws and SiC ceramics were sintered to 100% of theoretical density independent from the particle size of the carbon black powders in this sintering technique.

An Experimental Analysis of Aggressive Environment of Concrete with Ceramic Tiles and Carbon Black Powder

In the manufacturing industry among the primary producers of carbon dioxide, cement industry plays one o f the important role. Hence if we reduce the amount of usage of cement in concrete preparation, it will be helpful for a healthy environment. Upon consider the environmental pollution, in the concrete preparation mineral admixtures are used as a partial substitute for cement. Here in this paper, ultra-fine ceramic powder is using as a mineral admixture which are procured from used or broken tiles in 5%, 10% and 15% as level of replacement and also carbon black powder from rubber industry in 1% both by weight of water to made a high strength concrete of M50 grade Concrete. In severe environments like industrial and marine environments, a concrete with high strength may not perform because they are characterized by high chloride content, sulphate content or combination of both. Hence in order to provide such an environment in the laboratory, the specimens are subjected for curing in H2SO4 acid (industrial) and NaCl base (marine). To find the performance of the use of ceramic powder, black carbon powder, compressibility strength and split tensile strength, flexural strength, porosity, corrosion resistance tests are performed.

Bio-Inspired Shape-Adaptive Soft Robotic Grippers Augmented with Electroadhesion Functionality.

Soft robotic grippers (SRGs) have been extensively employed in robotic grasping and manipulation applications due to the fact that they are beneficial for pick-and-place of difficult-to-handle and delicate objects with various geometries and stiffness in a comfortable and safer way. This article presents a bio-inspired and shape-adaptive SRG augmented with electroadhesion (EA) functionality, FinEA, by a cost-effective combination of a Fin Ray structured two-fingered SRG with two soft-stretchable EA pads. The EA pads were manufactured by screen printing a layer of electrically conductive and elastomeric carbon black powder mixed with polydimethylsiloxane onto a dielectric substrate. The compliant Fin Ray fingers, composed of soft longitudinal beams and rigid cross beams, were structurally optimized by the finite element method using ABAQUS/CAE based on three key parameters: the open angle of the longitudinal beams, the spacing between the cross beams, and the incline angle of the cross beams. The soft beams were produced by a traditional soft lithography method, whereas the rigid cross beams were three-dimensionally printed. The resultant FinEA grippers were capable of lifting not only flat/thin materials without distorting them due to the employment of EA, but also concave and convex objects due to the passively shape-adaptive Fin Ray structure and the EA functionality. In addition, the proposed FinEA grippers were able to grasp delicate materials and objects whose diameters are larger than the overall gripper length. Furthermore, 65% more weight in shear were picked up by the FinEA gripper when 4 kV was applied compared with 0 V. The FinEA concept provides useful and alternative solution for controllable adhesion-based SRGs and may facilitate the inspiration and development of future SRGs with added functionality and enhanced versatility.

Study of hydration and hardening processes of self-sensing cement-based materials with carbon black content

In this paper was assessed the influence of carbon black (CB) powder on the hydration and hardening processes of Portland cement (PC)-based materials; this type of materials is designed to be used as cement-based sensors in structural or pavement health monitoring. The rate of PC hydration and hardening processes is influenced by the amount of CB addition, with direct consequences on some properties of these materials, i.e., water for normal consistency and setting time. These results coupled with those obtained by thermal and X-ray diffraction analyses suggest a delaying effect of PC hydration and hardening processes in the presence of carbon black powder, most likely as a result of CB nanoparticles high adsorbent surface. Compressive strength values of PC mortars with CB content up to 1 mass%, assessed after 28 days of hardening, are comparable with those of PC mortars; thus, these materials can be successfully used in construction.

LIP FORENSICS; CHEILOSCOPIC PATTERN AMONG POPULATION OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN.

Introduction: Personal identity is an attribute of a mankind which makes him or her unique. Cheiloscopy is one of the sciences which is used to study and examine the lip prints pattern in order to establish the personal identity in Forensic Medicine. Objectives: To categorize lip patterns in female population of different divisions of Punjab, Pakistan according to Suzuki and Tsuchihashi’s classification. Study Design: Descriptive, Cross-sectional study. Setting: The present study was conducted on 357 female students of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of University Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. Period: March-June, 2018. Methods: After obtaining informed consent students were asked to stand erect and their lip prints were taken on the glass slide. Next carbon black powder was dispensed on the slide and the latent lip print pattern was obtained. The slide was preserved by using cellophane tape and lip prits patterns were scanned. These patterns were then categorized according to Suzuki and Tsuchihashi’s classification by using Software Adobe Photoshop version 6.0. Results: The results showed that most participants were from central Punjab (70%) followed by Southern Punjab (19%), Western Punjab (9.6%) and Northern Punjab (1.4%). The most common lip print pattern was Type I (66%), second was Type II (17.3%), then Type IV (7.1%), after that Type III (5.1%), Type Iʹ(2.5%) &amp; last was Type V (1.7%). Conclusion: The most common lip print pattern in females of Punjab, Pakistan is Type I while the least common is Type V.

Kinetic study of ethanol and methanol electro-oxidation on Pd-vulcan XC-72R/Cu electrocatalyst in alkaline media

Abstract In this study , palladium nano-particles were electro deposited galvano - statically on carbon black powder (Vulcan XC -72R). The catalytic activity for electro - oxidation of ethanol and methanol in alkaline media were studied by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry techniques. The results indicated that the electro-oxidation of ethanol and methanol strongly depends on adsorbed species on the electro catalyst layer. Effects of ethanol, methanol and KOH concentration on the electrocatalytic proper ties of the synthesized electro catalysts during electro-oxidation reactions were evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry with various scan rates. It can be declared that the overall rate equations for ethanol electro-oxidation and methanol electro - oxidation on Palladium / Vulcan in alkaline media were developed. It has been shown that the Pd-C particles with mass loading of 0.11 mg cm–2 have superior catalytic activity. Finally, two overall rate equations were developed for EOR and MOR.

Direct Sodium Hypophosphite Fuel Cell System

The goal of the presented project is development a new type of direct sodium hypophosphite fuel cell (DSHFC) System, with Sodium Hypophosphite direct oxidation at the CoB2O4 based anode. Synthesized CoB2O4 was used as a catalyst of sodium hypophosphate oxidation [1,2]. CoB2O4 was annealed at 280˚C - 350˚C demonstrated best catalytic activity. In X-ray phase analysis of the sample show the X-ray diffraction pattern according to the ASTM standard of СoB2O4 (2.88,2.44, 2.03, 1.86 Å). Sodium Hypophosphite is oxidized in alkaline media. Hypophosphite-ion is adsorbed at metal oxide CoB2O4 surface, hydrogen atom, which is connected with catalyst surface by covalent bond, attenuates P-H bond and finally cleaves it; hydrogen is replaced by hydroxide-ion of water (1, 2) which causes hypophosphite transformation in phosphate. The overall anodic reaction will be (3) H2O=H++OH- (1) H2PO2 -ads + OH-ads = H2PO3 -ads+ H++ 2e- (2) NaH2PO2 + H2O = NaH2PO3 + 2H+ +2e- (3) The DSHFC anode was made by next steps: the CoB2O4 powder and carbon black XC72 powder 1:3 were mixed in isopropanol alcohol, as a binder was used polytetrafluoroethylene suspension and sonicated during 30 min. A carbon felt was used as an anode substrate and catalytic layer was covered bay spry-gun and heated at 250 oC during 5 min. the figure 1 show the DSHFC construction. The fuel Cell is undivided. As a cathode was used ordinary gas diffusion electrode for O2 reduction. The Anode and the cathode geometric surface area was 4 cm2 (2cm X 2cm) The Voltage –Ampere characteristics of the Direct Sodium Hypophosphite Fuel Cell was recorded with various concentrations of electrolyte X NaH2PO2 + Y NaOH, electrolyte was feed in to fuel cell by pump, oxygen to the cathode chamber was feed by air compressor (pressure 35-40 mm.H2O).Test were performed at room temperature. External load was changed from 10 000 Ω to 0.1 Ω. Current and voltage of DSHFC was recorded by multi-meters. In optimal conditions, electrolyte 1M NaH2PO2 + 2 NaOH, external load 1 Ω, the current density was 36 mA cm-1, the suitable power density was 13,5 mwt cm-1, open circuit potential was 1v References [1] Electroless plating: fundamentals and applications edited by G. O. Mallory, J. B. Hajdu [2] P.O. Nikoleishvili, at all, Russian Journal of Electrochemistry, 2015, Vol. 51, No. 7, pp. 665–671 Figure 1