Tungsten nanoparticle-strengthened copper composite prepared by a sol–gel method and in-situ reaction

Tungsten nanoparticle-strengthened Cu composites were prepared from nanopowder synthesized by a sol–gel method and in-situ hydrogen reduction.The tungsten particles in the Cu matrix were well-dispersed with an average size of approximately 100–200 nm.The addition of nanosized W particles remarkably improves the mechanical properties,while the electrical conductivity did not substantially decrease.The Cu–W composite with 6 wt%W has the most comprehensive properties with an ultimate strength of 310 MPa,yield strength of 238 MPa,hardness of HV 108 and electrical conductivity of 90%IACS.The enhanced mechanical property and only a small loss of electrical conductivity demonstrate the potential of this new strategy to prepare W nanoparticle-strengthened Cu composites.

Preparation of nanosized W/Cu composite powder by sol-gel technique

Cu(NO3)(2) and (NH4)(6)H(2)W(12)O(40)center dot 4H(2)O were used to prepare W/Cu nanosized composite powder by sol-gel technique. The influences of heat treatment process, pH value of the solution and the amount of an addition agent on particle size were investigated by DSC, XRD and TEM. The results show that, at a certain heat treatment temperature, the W/Cu nanoparticle size increases with the pH value or the amount of the addition agent increasing.

Preparation of three-dimensional braided carbon fiber reinforced mullite composites from a sol with high solid content

To prepare the three-dimensional braided carbon fiber reinforced mullite （3D C/mullite） composites, an Al2O3-SiO2 solwith a solid content of 20% （mass fraction） and an Al2O3/SiO2 mass ratio of 2：1 was selected as the raw material. Characteristics andmullitization of the sol were analyzed throughly. It is found that the formation of mullite is basically completed at 1300℃ and thegel powders exhibit favorable sintering shrinkage. The 3D C/mullite composites without interfacial coating were fabricated throughthe route of vacuum impregnation-drying-heat treatment. Satisfied mechanical properties with a flexural strength of 241.2 MPa anda fracture toughness of 10.9 MPa·m1/2are obtained although the total porosity reaches 26.0%. Oxidation resistances of the compositesat 1200, 1400 and 1600 ℃ were investigated. Due to the further densification of matrix, the 3D C/mullite composites show tiny massloss and their mechanical properties are well retained after oxidation at 1600 ℃ for 30 min.

Microwave permittivity of SiC-Al_2O_3 composite powder prepared by sol-gel and carbothermal reduction

SiC-Al2O3 composite powder was prepared by sol-gel and carbothermal reduction method. The powder synthesized was characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) to confirm the phase formation, and the thermodynamic analysis was performed systematically. Moreover, the variation of its microwave permittivity with different atomic ratio of Al/Si was investigated in the frequency range of 8.2-12.4 GHz. The results show that, the powder obtained consists of spherical particles of 300-400 nm in diameter, which are composed of SiC and Al2O3 microcrystal with the grain size of approximately 45 nm. The results of XRD accord with those of the thermodynamic analysis. It is impossible for Al atoms to dissolve in the lattice of SiC during the carbothermal reduction process. Along with the increase of atomic ratio of Al/Si in the xerogel, the amount of Al2O3 in the powder synthesized increases, which reduces bothε', the real part of complex permittivity, and tgδ(ε'/ε'), the dissipation factor, whereε' is the imaginary part of complex permittivity.

PREPARATION AND CORROSION RESISTANCE OF NiP/TiO_2 COMPOSITE FILM ON CARBON STEEL IN SULFURIC ACID SOLUTION

A NiP/TiO2 composite film on carbon steel was prepared by electroless plating and sol-gel composite process. An artificial neural network was applied to optimize the prepared condition of the composite film. Corrosion behavior of the NiP/TiO2 composite film was investigated by polarization resistance measurement, anode polarization, ESEM （environmental scanning electron microscopy） and EIS （electrochemical impedance spectroscopy） measurements. Results showed that the NiP/ TiO2 composite film has a good corrosion resistance in 0.5mol/L H2SO4 solution. The element valence of the composite film was characterized by XPS （X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy） spectrum, and an anticorrosion mechanism of the composite film was discussed.

Preparation and characterization of SnO_2-Li_4Ti_5O_(12) composite by sol-gel technique

SnO2-Li4Ti5O12 was prepared by sol-gel method using tin tetrachloride,lithium acetate,tetrabutylorthotitanate and aqueous ammonia as starting materials.The composite was characterized by thermogravimertric(TG)analysis and differential thermal analysis(DTA),X-ray diffractometry(XRD)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)combined with electrochemical tests.The results show that SnO2-Li4Ti5O12 composite derived by sol-gel technique is a nanocomposite with core-shell structure, and the amorphous Li4Ti5O12 layer with 20?40 nm in thickness is coated on the surface of SnO2 particles.Electrochemical tests show that SnO2-Li4Ti5O12 composite delivers a reversible capacity of 688.7 mA·h/g at 0.1C and 93.4%of that is retained after 60 cycles at 0.2C.The amorphous Li4Ti5O12 in composite can accommodate the volume change of SnO2 electrode and prevent the small and active Sn particles from aggregating into larger and inactive Sn clusters during the cycling effectively,and enhance the cycling stability of SnO2 electrode significantly.

STUDIES ON SYNTHESIS OF SILICA SOL-ORGANIC POLYMER COMPOSITE EMULSION

An emulsion of polystyrene/poly (butylacrylate-methyl methacrylate acrylic acid) core/shell latex particles (PS/P (BA-MMA-AA)) has been prepared by use of three synthetic methods. The effects of synthetic methods on the distribution of carboxyl groups in latex particles were studied. The results show that the seed emulsion polymerization in which the pre-emulsified monomers were added by dropping method to the second stage is the best technique for obtaining the optimum distribution of carboxyl groups on the surface of the latex particles. Furthermore, by using PS/P (BA-MMA-AA), a type of novel composite emulsion of silica sol-PS/P (BA-MMA-AA) was synthesized with the above method. By observation through transmission EM, the morphology of the latex particles obtained shows that a composite structure has been formed between silica sol particles and organic polymer particles.

Synthesis and Microstructure of Doped Alumina Composite Membrane by Sol-Gel Process

The supported membranes of Al 2O 3 and its modification membranes were prepared.Al 2O 3,Al 2O 3 SiO 2 TiO 2 and Al 2O 3 SiO 2 TiO 2 ZrO 2 membranes were mamufatured by the slip casting process using mixing boehmite,silicate,titania and zirconia sols under proper conditions,then the composite membrane was prepared.The structure and characteristics of the membrane were determined by XRD,SEM and AFM measurement.The conditions of preparation of the membrane are discussed.The thickness of the layer is about 1-2μm,the diameter of an average pore is 200-300nm and has a narrow pore distribution without crack forming.By changing the ratios of Al∶Si∶Ti∶Zr(mol),variations of surface pore size of Al 2O 3 SiO 2 TiO 2 ZrO 2 membrane can be gained.

Determination of A.C. Conductivity of Nano-Composite Perovskite Ba_{(1- x - y)}Sr_(x)TiFe_(y)O₃Prepared by the Sol-Gel Technique

Nano-composite, perovskite Ba(1- x - y)Sr(x)TiFe(y)O3, denoted as (BSTFe) in powder form was derived via sol-gel (SG) method followed by sintering at fixed temperature 750℃ for one hour. The chemical composition, morphology and structure of the powder samples were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The XRD characterization indicates formation of a cubic crystalline phase in the pure BST. A well defined perovskite phase with nano-crystallite sizes equal to about 34 nm was achieved from XRD for B10ST3F sample, while TEM study confirmed the obtained XRD results giving the following crystallite size value about 33.75 nm for the same sample. The dielectric A.C. conductivity was evaluated as a function of temperature and frequency ranging from 42 Hz up to 1 MHz.

Sol-Gel Preparation of Graphite/TiO_2 Composite Particles and Their Electrorheological Effect

Graphite/TiO2 composite particles were obtained by sol-gel technique in this paper. The structure and characteristic of the composite particles are analyzed by XRD, SEM and TG-DTA. The electrorheological properties of the ER fluid containing the particles were measured by a Couette-type rheometer under shear rates of 1-136 s-1 and AC electric fields of 0-3 kV/mm. The experimental results show that the leaking current density of the ER fluid is higher than that of pure titanium dioxide particles dispersed in damping oil. The shear yield stress of the ER fluid increases with increasing electric field and exhibits a typical Bingham flow behavior. The suspension demonstrates an excellent ER performance (τ/τo=1200) compared with conventional ER fluids (τ/τ0 ≤500). The sedimentation of the ER fluid is improved obviously due to the coating effect of the particles.

Photocatalytic properties of TiO_2 bonded active carbon composites prepared by SOL-GEL

Photocatalyst of TiO2 bonded active carbon （TiO2/AC）, was prepared via sol-gel method from a mixture of TiO2 sol with active carbon. Post heat treatment was performed at 250 ℃ for 2 h in air and then kept at 400 ℃ to 600 ℃ under a flow of nitrogen for 2 h. The TiO2/AC composites obtained were characterized by SEM, XRD, UV-vis and BET. The photocatalytic activities of the TiO2/AC composites were studied in comparison with TiO2, AC, P-25 and a mixture of TiO2 and AC, respectively. The Ramnant rate of Rhodamine B absorbed by the active carbon is found to be almost 70% and the remnant rates of the Rhodamine B decolorized by TiO2 and the mixture of TiO2 and the active carbon are 30% and 25%, respectively. However, nearly complete removal of Rhodamine B is observed for a TiO2/AC composite after 200 min under UV irradiation, which will take the P-25 commercial product 5 h. Therefore, the TiO2/AC composite is much more effective in decolorization of aqueous Rhodamine B. In addition, the composite can be easily separated from solutions.

Sol-gel derived bioactive hydroxyapatite/titania composite films on Ti6Al4V

The composite films consisting of the titania gel impregnated with hydroxyapatite （HAP） submicron particles were prepared on commercial Ti6A14V plates processed by a sol-gel route. HAP powders were synthesized based on wet chemical precipitation method with Ca（NO3）2.4H2O and （NH4）2HPO4 as starting reagents. After being calcined at 900℃, HAP powders were ultrasonically scattered in ethanol to produce HAP sol. The titania sol was prepared using titanium （IV） isopropoxide {Ti[OCH（CH3）2]4} as precursor. Both the titania sol and the HAP/titania mixture were sequentially spin-coated on the substrates and calcined at various temperatures. The characteristics and mechanical adhesion of the composite films were investigated. The results show that the as-prepared films are dense, homogeneous, well-crystallized, and there is a good interfacial adhesion between the film and the substrate. The in vitro bioactivities of these films were discussed based on the analysis of the variations of Ca and P concentrations in the simulated body fluid and their surface morphologies against immersion time.

Preparation and characterization of barium strontium titanate/silicon nanoporous pillar array composite thin films by a sol-gel method

Barium strontium titanate （Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3, BST）/silicon nanoporous pillar array （Si-NPA） thin films were prepared by a spin-coating/annealing technique based on Si-NPA with micro/nano-structure. Both the isomer conversion of acetylacetone and the network structure combined by enol and Ti-alkoxide facilitate the formation of the BST sol and the subsequent crystallization. Before the perovskite BST begins to form, the intermediate phase （Ba, Sr）Ti2OsCO3 is found. The boundary between BST and Si-NPA is of clarity and little interface diffusion, disclosing that Si-NPA is an ideal template substrate in the preparation of multifunctional composite films.

Photoluminescence properties of ZnSe/SiO_2 composite thin films prepared by sol-gel method

ZnSe/SiO2 composite thin films was prepared by sol-gel method. XRD results indicate the phase structure of ZnSe particles embedded in ZnSe/SiO2 composite thin films is sphalerite (cubic ZnS). Spectroscopic ellipsometers were used to investigated the dependences of ellipsometric angle with wavelength of ZnSe/SiO2 composite thin films. The optical constant, thickness, porosity and the concentration of ZnSe of ZnSe/SiO2 thin composite films were fitted according to Maxwell-Garnett effective medium theory. The thickness of ZnSe/SiO2 composite thin thin films was also measured through surface profile. The photoluminescence properties of ZnSe/SiO2 thin composite thin films was investigated through fluorescence spectrometer. The photoluminescence results show that the emission peak at 487 nm (2.5 eV) is excited at 395 nm corresponds to the band-to-band emission of sphalerite ZnSe crystal(2.58 eV). The strength free exciton emission and other emission peaks correlating to ZnSe lattice defect were also observed.

Preparation of Al_2O_3-SiO_2-TiO_2-ZrO_2 Composite Ceramic Membranes by Sol-Gel Method

Al 2O 3-SiO 2-TiO 2-ZrO 2 supported membranes were prepar ed by Sol-Gel method. These composite ceramic membranes are level, even and no macro crack. There exist several crystalline phases such as Al 2O 3, TiO 2(a natase), Al 2SiO 5, and ZrO 2 in these membranes. Changing the molar ratio of Al∶Si∶Ti∶Zr,the kinds and content of crystal phases of composite membranes could be different, which may lead to a variety of microstructure of membranes. The surface nanoscale topography and microstructure of membranes were investiga ted by XRD,SEM,AFM,EPMA. The effects of additives and heat treatments on the sur face nanoscale topography and microstructure of composite ceramic membranes were also analyzed.

Preparation and Characterization of CA-MA Eutectic/Silicon Dioxide Nanoscale Composite Phase Change Material from Water Glass via Sol-Gel Method

This work mainly involved the preparation of a nano-scale form-stable phase change material（PCM） consisting of capric and myristic acid（CA-MA） binary eutectic acting as thermal absorbing material and nano silicon dioxide（nano-SiO_2） serving as the supporting material. Industrial water glass for preparation of the nano silicon dioxide matrix and CA-MA eutectic mixture were compounded by single-step sol-gel method with the silane coupling agent. The morphology, chemical characterization and form stability property of the composite PCM were investigated by transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, Fourier-transform infrared（FT-IR） spectroscopy and polarizing microscopy（POM）. It was indicated that the average diameter of the composite PCM particle ranged from 30-100 nm. The CA-MA eutectic was immobilized in the network pores constructed by the Si-O bonds so that the composite PCM was allowed no liquid leakage above the melting temperature of the CA-MA eutectic. Differential scanning calorimetry（DSC） and thermogravimetric analysis（TGA） measurement were conducted to investigate the thermal properties and stability of the composite PCM. From the measurement results, the mass fraction of the CA-MA eutectic in the composite PCM was about 40%. The phase change temperature and latent heat of the composite were determined to be 21.15 ℃ and 55.67 J/g, respectively. Meanwhile, thermal conductivity of the composite was measured to be 0.208 W·m^（-1）·K^（-1） by using the transient hot-wire method. The composite PCM was able to maintain the surrounding temperature close to its phase change temperature and behaved well in thermalregulated performance which was verified by the heat storage-release experiment. This kind of form-stable PCM was supposed to complete thermal insulation even temperature regulation by the dual effect of relatively low thermal conductivity and phase change thermal storage-release properties. So it can be formulated that the nanoscale CA-MA/SiO_2 composite PCM with the form-stable property, good thermal storage capacity and relatively low thermal conductivity can be applied for energy conservation as a kind of thermal functional material.

Graphene oxide based carbon composite as adsorbent for Hg removal:Preparation, characterization, kinetics and isotherm studies

The presence of Hg in the aqueous media is known to cause severe health issues in both humans and animals.Many technologies and especially adsorbents have been applied for its removal. In this study, a graphene oxide–carbon composite(GO–CC) as a new adsorbent was prepared by sol gel procedure and characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy, BET and EDX. The effects of different variables including solution p H, contact time, adsorbent dose and GO ratio in adsorbent matrix on the removal capacity of Hg were studied. The isotherm data correlated well with the Langmuir isotherm model. Further analysis recommended that the Hg^(2+) adsorption process is governed by the intra-particle and external mass transfer, in which the film diffusion was the rate restrictive step. The presented composite has maximum absorption capacity, q_(max) of 68.8 mg·g^(-1), which is comparable with carbon based adsorbent reported in the previous publications.

STUDY ON C-FIBER-REINFORCED CELSIAN-MATRIX COMPOSITES

Strong, tough, and almost fully dense C fiber reinforced celsian matrix composites have been fabricated by impregnation of the fiber tows with the matrix slurry, winding on a drum, drying, stacking the prepreg tapes in the desired orientation, and hot pressing. The monoclinic celsian phase in the matrix was produced in situ, during hot pressing, from amphosous BAS. The unidirectional composites having ≈20 vol% of fibers exhibited graceful failure with extensive fiber pullout in three point bend tests at room temperature. Values of ultimate flexural strength and fracture toughness were 379MPa and 8 3MPa·m 1/2 , respectively.

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of composite films containing clustered TiO_2 particles and mineral tourmaline powders

The novel composite films containing clustered TiO2 particles and fine tourmaline particles on the surface of copper webs were prepared by the sol-gel method. The microstructures of the composite films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the photocatalytic activity of the films was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange, respectively. The results indicate that tourmaline particles can obviously influence the microstructures of TiO2 films and enhance the photocatalytic activity due to their spontaneous permanent polarity and high radiotechnology of far infrared. During preparing the composite films, the clustered TiO2 particles with lots of nano-sized ladder layers can grow on the surface of fine tourmaline particles, the thickness of ladder layer is 10 nm, and the average diameter of nano-sized TiO2 particles is 15 nm.

Grain Size and Wettability of TiO_2/SiO_2 Photocatalytic Composite Thin Filing

The uniform transparent TiO2/SiO2 photocatalytic composite thin films are prepared by sol-gel method on the soda lime glass substrates, and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET surface area, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the addition of SiO2 to TiO2 thin films can suppress the grain growth of TiO2 crystal, increase the hydroxyl content on the surface of TiO2 films, lower the contact angle for water on TiO, films and enhance the hydrophilic property of TiO2 films. The super-hydrophilic TiO2/SiO2 photocatalytic composite thin films with the contact angle of 0((o) under bar) are obtained by the addition of 10%-20% SiO2 in mole fraction.