Synergistic effect of chitin nanofibers and polyacrylamide on electrochemical performance of their ternary composite with polypyrrole

Development of simple methods for preparation of polymeric electrode materials with nanofibrous network structure is a perspective way toward cheap supercapacitors with high specific capacitance and energy density. In this work one-pot synthesis of electroactive ternary composite based on polypyrrole, polyacrylamide and chitin nanofibers with beneficial morphology was elaborated. Ternary system demonstrates better electrochemical performance in comparison with both polypyrrole–polyacrylamide and polypyrrole–chitin binary composites. Possible mechanism of synergistic effect of simultaneous influence of polyacrylamide and chitin nanofibers on the formation of composite＇s structure is discussed.The highest attained specific capacitance of electroactive polypyrrole in ternary composite reached 249 F/g at 0.5 A/g and 150 F/g at 32 A/g. Symmetrical supercapacitor was assembled using the elaborated electrode material. High specific capacitance 89 F/g and good cycling stability with capacitance retention of 90% after 3000 cycles at 2 A/g were measured.

Characterization of Manmade and Recycled Cellulosic Fibers for Their Application in Building Materials

The aim of this study was to characterize two types of cellulosic fibers obtained from bleached wood pulp and unbleached recycled waste paper with different cellulose content(from 47.4 percent up to 82 percent),to compare and to analyze the potential use of the recycled fibers for building application,such as plastering mortar.Changes in the chemical composition,cellulose crystallinity and degree of polymerization of the fibers were found.The recycled fibers of lower quality showed heterogeneity in the fiber sizes(width and length),and they had greater surface roughness in comparison to high purity wood pulp samples.The high purity fibers(cellulose content>80.0 percent)had greater crystallinity and more homogeneous and smooth surfaces than the recycled fibers.The presence of calcite and kaolinite in all of the recycled cellulosic fibers samples was confirmed,whereas only one wood pulp sample contained calcite.The influence of the chemical composition was reflected in the fiber density values.Changes in the chemical composition and cellulose structure of the fibers affected the specific surface area,porosity and thermo physical properties of the fibers.More favorable values of thermal conductivity were reached for the recycled fibers than for the wood pulp samples.Testing the suitability of the recycled fibers with inorganic impurities originating from the paper-making processes for their use as fillers in plastering mortars(0.5 wt.%fiber content of the total weight of the filler and binder)confirmed their application by achieving a compressive strength value of 28 day-cured fiber-cement mortar required by the standard as well as by measured more favorable value of capillary water absorption coefficient.

Effect of Twisted Fiber on Flexural Property and Microstructure of Woven Fabric Reinforced Composite

Two kinds of 2.5D deep straight-joint structure ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene（UHMWPE）（twisted and original） fibers woven fabric reinforced epoxy resin composites were prepared by the hand lay-up method. Subsequently, the flexural property, microstructures, and failure mechanisms of the composites were also investigated. The average flexural strength of 2.5D deep bend-joint structure twisted fiber and original fiber woven fabric composites were 176.66 MPa and 204.45 MPa, respectively. The results of the characteristics indicated that the twist was the main factor which affected the flexural performance. Flexural property vitally relied on the strength of the fiber itself. Twist decreased the strength of the yarns, which meant that when the mechanical property of woven fabric reinforced composites was improved, the yarns must be kept straight in the woven fabric. The study are extremely valuable to guide the improvement of the mechanical property of the woven fabric reinforced composites.

Effect of Strontium Substitution on Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Electrospinning BaFe12O19 Nanofibers

Barium ferrite micro/nano fibers were successfully prepared via the electrostatic spinning by using dimethyl formamide（DMF） as the solvent, and poly vinyl pyrrolidone（PVP） as the spinning auxiliaries. Effects of strontium substitution on the structure, morphology, and magnetic properties were investigated by scanning electron microscope（SEM）, X-ray diffraction analysis（XRD）, and vibration sample magnetometer（VSM）. XRD patterns of the samples confirm that pure barium ferrite fibers form, and the Sr substitution makes the main peaks（110）,（107）, and（114） move to right slightly. Also, the FE-SEM images show that the Sr substituted fibers can keep complete fibrous morphology. Moreover, the VSM results demonstrate that the saturation magnetization can reach 56.7 emu/g when the fibers are calcined at 800℃.

Performance improvement of continuous carbon nanotube fibers by acid treatment

Continuous CNT fibers have been directly fabricated in a speed of 50 m/h-400 m/h,based on an improved chemical vapor deposition method.As-prepared fibers are further post-treated by acid.According to the SEM images and Raman spectra,the acid treatment results in the compaction and surface modification of the CNTs in fibers,which are beneficial for the electron and load transfer.Compared to the HNO3 treatment,HClSO_3 or H_2SO_4 treatment is more effective for the improvement of the fibers＇ properties.After HCISO_3 treatment for 2 h,the fibers＇ strength and electrical conductivity reach up to-2 GPa and-4.3 MS/m,which are promoted by-200%and almost one order of magnitude than those without acid treatment,respectively.The load-bearing status of the CNT fibers are analyzed based on the downshifts of the G＇ band and the strain transfer factor of the fibers under tension.The results reveal that acid treatment could greatly enhance the load transfer and inter-bundle strength.With the HCISO3 treatment,the strain transfer factor is enhanced from-3.9%to-53.6%.

Production of Wood Fibers from Thermally Treated Wood

The reduction of the hygroscopicity of wood fibers was investigated through a Thermal Treatment(TT)on wood chips performed before the defibering process.The TT and defibering tests were both carried out on a continuous pilot at semi-industrial scale.The thermal treatment study of wood chips,equivalent to a low temperature pyrolysis,was achieved for four conditions(280°C–320°C)for a duration of 10 min.Mass quantification of solids,condensables and gases(FTIR)at the outcome of the thermal treatment allowed to achieve the mass balances for each condition.The increase of the reactor temperature from 280°C to 320°C leads to a lower solid yield(94%–82%)while gaseous(1%–3.8%)and condensable(3%–11%)products increase significantly.Thermally treated wood samples were afterwards successfully defibered in different conditions to produce suitable fibers for insulation panel production.The aim of the study is also to evaluate the effects of the TT on the lowering of energy consumption necessary for the defibering process while producing good quality fibers.Energy consumption during defibering process shows a significant decrease with the increase the TT severity.Fiber morphology is affected by TT and the morphological quality of the fibers decreases as TT severity increases.The mass percentage of dust was also quantified as a quality marker of produced fibers.Measurements of equilibrium moisture(at 20°C and 65%RH)of the different materials(wood chips before and after TT,produced fibers)show a significant effect of the TT on wood chips hygroscopicity(8.2%for untreated wood to 4.1%for TT at 320°C).However,the effect of the TT on the hygroscopicity reduction of thermally treated wood fibers is drastically less significant due to breaking of the wood structure during defibering process.

High Performance of Paper Strength and Energy Savings in OCC Pulp Papermaking via MFC Addition

Fiber screen fractionation of recycled old corrugated container(OCC)pulp and subsequent targeted processing of each fraction can lead to higher fiber quality,more uniform pulp,and increased handsheet strength and surface smoothness.This pilot-scale study evaluates the benefits of fiber fractionation using a pressure screen prior to low consistency(LC)refining.A 0.81-mm smooth holed screen cylinder is utilized,and two refiner plate patterns are adopted(wide 0.99 km/rev BEL and interim 2.01 km/rev BEL).Here,LC-refined reject fractions are mixed with the created microfibrillated cellulose(MFC),and the mixed pulp and paper qualities are compared with no-MFC OCC pulps.The results indicate that the highest tensile strength of the handsheet is obtained by the addition of MFC to the fractionated refined OCC pulp compared to the unfractionated refined OCC and primary OCC pulps at a given specific energy.Furthermore,the experimental approach adopted in this study can be used to optimize recycled OCC pulping systems.Overall,the results indicate that fractionated LC refining plus MFC addition provides higher pulp and paper qualities and the potential for saving energy to reach the desired tensile strength of the OCC pulp.

Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) density effects on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Goosegrass is one of the worst agricultural weeds on a worldwide basis. Understanding of its interference impact in crop ifeld wil provide useful information for weed control programs. Field experiments were conducted during 2010–2012 to determine the inlfuence of goosegrass density on cotton growth at the weed densities of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 plants m–1 of row. Seed cotton yield tended to decrease with the increase in weed density, and goosegrass at a density of 4 plants m–1 of row signiifcantly reduced cotton yields by 20 to 27%. A density of 11.6–19.2 goosegrass plant m–1 of row would result in a 50%cotton yield loss from the maximum yield according to the hyperbolic decay regression model. Bol production was not affected in the early growing season. But bol numbers per plant were reduced about 25%at the den-sity of 4 plants m–1 of row in the late growing season. Both cotton bol weight and seed numbers per bol were signiifcantly reduced (8%) at 4 goosegrass plants m–1 of row. Cotton plant height, stem diameter and sympodial branch number were not affected as much as cotton yields by goosegrass competition. Seed index, lint percentage and lint ifber properties were unaffected by weed competition. Intraspeciifc competition resulted in density-dependent effects on weed biomass per plant, 142–387 g dry weight by harvest. Goosegrass biomass m–2 tended to increase with increasing weed density as indicated by a quadratic response. The adverse impact of goosegrass on cotton yield identiifed in this study has indicated the need of effective goosegrass management.

Prediction of Rotor Spun Yarn Strength Using Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy Inference System and Linear Multiple Regression Methods

This paper presents a comparison study of two models for predicting the strength of rotor spun cotton yarns from fiber properties. The adaptive neuro-fuzzy system inference （ANFIS） and Multiple Linear Regression models are used to predict the rotor spun yarn strength. Fiber properties and yam count are used as inputs to train the two models and the count-strength-product （CSP） was the targel. The predictive performances of the two models are estimated and compared. We found that the ANFIS has a better predictive power in comparison with linear multiple regression model. The impact of each fiber property is also illustrated.

Properties and Mechanism on Flexural Fatigue of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete Containing Slag

Properties and mechanism were investigated on flexural fatigue of concrete containing polypropylene fibers and ground granulated blast furnace slag（GGBFS）.Four polypropylene fibers’volume fractions and five slag proportions were considered.An experiment was conducted to obtain the fatigue lives at three stress levels in 20 Hz frequency and at a constant stress level of 0.59 in four frequency respectively.Mechanism and evaluation were investigated based on the experimental data.Fatigue life span models were established.The results show that the addition of polypropylene fibers improves the flexural fatigue cumulative strength and fatigue life span.It is proposed that the slag particles and hydrated products improve Interfacial Transition Zone（ITZ）structure and benefit flexural fatigue performance.A composite reinforce effect is found with the incorporation of slag and polypropylene fibers.The optimum mixture contents 55%slag with 0.6%polypropylene fiber for the cumulative fatigue stress.Fatigue properties are decreased as the stress level increasing,the higher frequency reduces the fatigue strength more than lower frequency at a constant stress level.

Effect of carbon nanotube on physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber/glass fiber/cement composites

The objective of this investigation was to introduce a cement-based composite of higher quality. For this purpose new hybrid nanocomposite from bagasse fiber,glass fiber and multi-wall carbon nanotubes（MWCNTs）were manufactured. The physical and mechanical properties of the manufactured composites were measured according to standard methods. The properties of the manufactured hybrid nanocomposites were dramatically better than traditional composites. Also all the reinforced composites with carbon nanotube, glass fiber or bagasse fiber exhibited better properties rather than neat cement.The results indicated that bagasse fiber proved suitable for substitution of glass fiber as a reinforcing agent in the cement composites. The hybrid nanocomposite containing10 % glass fiber, 10 % bagasse fiber and 1.5 % MWCNTs was selected as the best compound.

Effect of Fiber Properties on Nonwovens' Pore Structures with Fractal Geometry Analysis

Nonwovens＇ pore structures are very important to their mechanical and physical properties. And the pore structures are influenced by the fiber properties and fibers arrangement in web. In this paper, the fractal geometry, in combination with computer image anaysis, is used to express the irregularity of pore size distribution in nonwovens, and the effect of fiber properties on fractal dimension of pore size distribution is discussed by using simulated images which are composed of nonlinear staple fibers. The results show that the fiber properties, such as crimp, diameter, angular distribution, and especially the number of fibers prominently influence the pore structure.

Effects of Refining on the Fiber Properties of Poplar APMP

Poplar alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp （APMP） was refined in a PFI mill at varied revolution and the properties of the refined fibers and the resulting hand sheets were tested. The raw poplar APMP fibers are stiff and have been detached from the lamella during APMP pulping process. During the refining process, the APMP fibers did not swell and fibrillate; they were easily broken and formed into fragments. The breaking length of formed hand sheets increased as the heating degree increased because lots of hydrogen bonds were formed between fibers and fine pieces. The tear strength of hand sheets first increased and then decreased as the beating degree changed from 17 to 70~SR. The maximum tear strength was achieved at 61 ~SR of the beating degree. These results indicated that the hydrogen bond between the fibers was the main factor influencing the tear index followed by the fiber length. Along with the increase of the beating degree, the sheet density increased while the opacity decreased.

Towards the Development of Mechanical Systems Entirely Based on Natural Materials

In order to mitigate the risks stemming from the utilization of mineral and synthetic organic substances,consensus exists in the literature that additional efforts should be devoted to the identification of adequate equivalent natural(ecological)materials.This work presents the outcomes of a preliminary study where the physical,mechanical,chemical and thermal properties of natural fibers have been considered.Initially,areca,and materials such as Moroccan doum and jute are considered.As a case study,a brake pad based on natural fibers is critically assessed.

Response of Yield, Yield Components and Fiber Properties of Cotton to Different Application Rates of Nitrogen and Boron

Nitrogen （N） was applied at rates of 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg.ha^-1 and boron （B） was applied as foliar at rates 0, 500 and 1000 g.ha^-1 to study the effect of different application rates of nitrogen and boron fertilizers on yield, yield components and fiber properties of cotton. Statistical results of study showed that N application significantly （P 〈 0.05） enhanced boll number, boll weight, seed cotton weight of boll, seed cotton yield and lint yield. Results of study also indicated that the maximum seed cotton yield was recorded in case of 200 kg.ha^-1 N application rate, and this application rate resulted in 19.6% increased seed cotton yield. Statistical results also indicated that foliar application of B significantly enhanced boll number, boll weight, seed cotton yield and lint yield. Results also demonstrated that the maximum seed cotton yield was obtained in case of 1000 g.hal foliar application of B, and this foliar application rate resulted in 25% increased seed cotton yield. Statistical results showed that effect of different application rates of N was not significant for all fiber properties （fiber length, fiber strength and fiber fineness）. Conversely, results of study indicated that different application rates of B significantly affected some fiber properties.

GRAFTING ONTO WOOL V.RADIATION-INITIATED GRAFTING OF ACRYLIC ACID ONTO WOOL FIBER

This paper deals with graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto Xinjiang fine wool.fiber in aqueous medium initiated by gamma rays. Graft copolymerization was carried out by themutual irradiation method in limited air. Percent grafting and percent efficiency have been deter-mined as a function of total dose, dose rate, concentration of monomer, wool weight and reactiontemperature. Graft copolymers are characterized with infrared (IR) spectroscopy, scanning elec-tron microscopy (SEM), and X--ray diffractometer. Properties of the grafts were studied, and compared with the virgin fiber.

Study on the Structure and Properties of Polynosic Fiber Treated by Alkali

The regenerated cellulose fibers, made from wood pulp, have excellent physical properties like cotton fiber. Especially polynosic fibers can be mercerized by alkali, but conventional Viscose fiber can not be treated or mercerized by alkali. The paper studies on behavior of polynosic fibers treated by alkali, including physical properties, such as weight loss, tensile strength and elongation, and fiber structures properties. In this paper, on the basis of study on polynosic fibers treated by alkali, the conclusions were drawn as following. Firstly, polynosic fiber is good at alkali resistance. Secondly, the changes of fiber structure and physical properties begin declining at 5 wt% NaOH concentration and reverse changes take place at 10 wt%.

Semisolid-rolling and annealing process of woven carbon fibers reinforced Al-matrix composites

Semisolid-rolling method was successfully developed to prepare the Ni-coated woven carbon fibers reinforced Al-matrix composite. Due to the appropriate matrix flowability and rolling pressure, the Al-matrix could infiltrate into the woven fibers sufficiently and attach to the reinforcements closely forming a smooth interface. The rolling speed of 4 rad/min offered a subtle equilibrium between the heat transfer and the material deformation. The covering matrix should be controlled at semisolid state to provide a better infiltration behavior and a protective effect on the carbon fibers. With the addition of fibers, an improvement for more than 25% was obtained in the bending strength of the materials. Furthermore, the woven carbon fibers could strengthen the composite in multiple directions, rather than only along the fiber longitudinal directions. The annealing process promoted the Ni coating to react with and to diffuse into the matrix, resulted in an obvious increase of the bending strength.

Anodic Oxidation on Structural Evolution and Tensile Properties of Polyacrylonitrile Based Carbon Fibers with Different Surface Morphology

Polyacrylonitrile （PAN） based carbon fibers with different surface morphology were electrochemically treated in 3 wt% NH4HCO3 aqueous solution with current density up to 3.47 A/m 2 at room temperature, and surface structures, surface morphology and residual mechanical properties were characterized. The crystallite size （La） of carbon fibers would be interrupted due to excessive electrochemical etching, while the crystallite spacing （d（002）） increased as increasing current density. The disordered structures on the surface of carbon fiber with rough surface increased at the initial oxidation stage and then removed by further electrochemical etching, which resulting in continuous increase of the extent of graphitization on the fiber surface. However, the electrochemical etching was beneficial to getting ordered morphology on the surface for carbon fiber with smooth surface, especially when the current density was lower than 1.77 A/m 2 . The tensile strength and tensile modulus could be improved by 17.27% and 5.75%, respectively, and was dependent of surface morphology. The decreasing density of carbon fibers probably resulted from the volume expansion of carbon fibers caused by the abundant oxygen functional groups intercalated between the adjacent graphite layers.