The environmental stress cracking resistance of halloysite nanoclay-polyester nanocomposites was investigated using fracture mechanics approach. The incorporation of halloysite nanoclay was found to improve the enviro...The environmental stress cracking resistance of halloysite nanoclay-polyester nanocomposites was investigated using fracture mechanics approach. The incorporation of halloysite nanoclay was found to improve the environmental stress cracking resistance of the nano-composites. The storage modulus of nano-composites measured by dynamic mechanical analysis increased remarkably as a function of halloysite nanoclay content. At 0.7 wt% nanoclay, the Tg improved from 72°C to 76°C. The fracture toughness increased up to 33% and time to failure improved 155% with the addition of 0.7 wt% of halloysite nanoclay. The maximum microhardness was found 119% higher for the same nano-filler concentration compared to monolithic polyester. The reinforcement with 1 wt% showed lower fracture toughness due to agglomerations of nanoclay which act as flaws. The presence of agglomerates weakened the bond between nano-particles and matrix hence reduces the environmental stress cracking resistance by halloysite nanoclay reinforcement.展开更多
It is crucial to discover lead-free materials with ultrahigh recoverable energy density(Wrec)that can be employed in future pulse power capacitors.In this work,a high Wrec of 4.51 J/cm^(3) was successfully obtained in...It is crucial to discover lead-free materials with ultrahigh recoverable energy density(Wrec)that can be employed in future pulse power capacitors.In this work,a high Wrec of 4.51 J/cm^(3) was successfully obtained in lead-free Nd-doped AgNb_(0.8)Ta_(0.2)O_(3) antiferroelectric ceramics at an applied electric field of 290 kV/cm.It is discovered that Nd doping paired with Nb-site vacancies could stabilize the antiferroelectric phase by lowering the temperatures of the M1-M2 and M2-M3 phase transitions,which leads to higher energy storage efficiency.Furthermore,Nd and Ta co-doping will contribute to the electrical homogeneity and low electrical conductivity,resulting in large breakdown strengths.Aliovalent doping in Ag-site with Nb-site vacancies serves as a novel strategy for the construction of AgNbO_(3)-based ceramics with excellent energy storage performance.展开更多
Flexible dielectric materials with environmental-friendly,low-cost and high-energy density characteristics are in increasing demand as the world steps into the new Industrial 4.0 era.In this work,an elastomeric nanoco...Flexible dielectric materials with environmental-friendly,low-cost and high-energy density characteristics are in increasing demand as the world steps into the new Industrial 4.0 era.In this work,an elastomeric nanocomposite was developed by incorporating two components:cellulose nanofibrils(CNFs)and recycled alum sludge,as the reinforcement phase and to improve the dielectric properties,in a bio-elastomer matrix.CNF and alum sludge were produced by processing waste materials that would otherwise be disposed to landfills.A biodegradable elastomer polydimethylsiloxane was used as the matrix and the nanocomposites were processed by casting the materials in Petri dishes.Nanocellulose extraction and heat treatment of alum sludge were conducted and characterized using various techniques including scanning electron microscopy(SEM),thermogravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetric(TGA/DTG)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis.When preparing the nanocomposite samples,various amount of alum sludge was added to examine their impact on the mechanical,thermal and electrical properties.Results have shown that it could be a sustainable practice of reusing such wastes in preparing flexible,lightweight and miniature dielectric materials that can be used for energy storage applications.展开更多
文摘The environmental stress cracking resistance of halloysite nanoclay-polyester nanocomposites was investigated using fracture mechanics approach. The incorporation of halloysite nanoclay was found to improve the environmental stress cracking resistance of the nano-composites. The storage modulus of nano-composites measured by dynamic mechanical analysis increased remarkably as a function of halloysite nanoclay content. At 0.7 wt% nanoclay, the Tg improved from 72°C to 76°C. The fracture toughness increased up to 33% and time to failure improved 155% with the addition of 0.7 wt% of halloysite nanoclay. The maximum microhardness was found 119% higher for the same nano-filler concentration compared to monolithic polyester. The reinforcement with 1 wt% showed lower fracture toughness due to agglomerations of nanoclay which act as flaws. The presence of agglomerates weakened the bond between nano-particles and matrix hence reduces the environmental stress cracking resistance by halloysite nanoclay reinforcement.
基金supported by the Royal Society Research Grant(RGSR1221252).
文摘It is crucial to discover lead-free materials with ultrahigh recoverable energy density(Wrec)that can be employed in future pulse power capacitors.In this work,a high Wrec of 4.51 J/cm^(3) was successfully obtained in lead-free Nd-doped AgNb_(0.8)Ta_(0.2)O_(3) antiferroelectric ceramics at an applied electric field of 290 kV/cm.It is discovered that Nd doping paired with Nb-site vacancies could stabilize the antiferroelectric phase by lowering the temperatures of the M1-M2 and M2-M3 phase transitions,which leads to higher energy storage efficiency.Furthermore,Nd and Ta co-doping will contribute to the electrical homogeneity and low electrical conductivity,resulting in large breakdown strengths.Aliovalent doping in Ag-site with Nb-site vacancies serves as a novel strategy for the construction of AgNbO_(3)-based ceramics with excellent energy storage performance.
基金supported by a Research Environment Links Grant No.MIGHT/CEO/NUOF/1-2022(2)from the British Council and Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technologypart of the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships programThe program builds stronger,more inclusive,internationally connected higher education and TVET systems。
文摘Flexible dielectric materials with environmental-friendly,low-cost and high-energy density characteristics are in increasing demand as the world steps into the new Industrial 4.0 era.In this work,an elastomeric nanocomposite was developed by incorporating two components:cellulose nanofibrils(CNFs)and recycled alum sludge,as the reinforcement phase and to improve the dielectric properties,in a bio-elastomer matrix.CNF and alum sludge were produced by processing waste materials that would otherwise be disposed to landfills.A biodegradable elastomer polydimethylsiloxane was used as the matrix and the nanocomposites were processed by casting the materials in Petri dishes.Nanocellulose extraction and heat treatment of alum sludge were conducted and characterized using various techniques including scanning electron microscopy(SEM),thermogravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetric(TGA/DTG)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis.When preparing the nanocomposite samples,various amount of alum sludge was added to examine their impact on the mechanical,thermal and electrical properties.Results have shown that it could be a sustainable practice of reusing such wastes in preparing flexible,lightweight and miniature dielectric materials that can be used for energy storage applications.
