Laser processing effects on Ti−45Nb alloy surface,corrosive and biocompatible properties

The Ti−45Nb(wt.%)alloy properties were investigated in relation to its potential biomedical use.Laser surface modification was utilized to improve its performance in biological systems.As a result of the laser treatment,(Ti,Nb)O scale was formed and various morphological features appeared on the alloy surface.The electrochemical behavior of Ti−45Nb alloy in simulated body conditions was evaluated and showed that the alloy was highly resistant to corrosion deterioration regardless of additional laser surface modification treatment.Nevertheless,the improved corrosion resistance after laser treatment was evident(the corrosion current density of the alloy before laser irradiation was 2.84×10^(−8)A/cm^(2),while that after laser treatment with 5 mJ was 0.65×10^(−8)A/cm^(2))and ascribed to the rapid formation of a complex and passivating bi-modal surface oxide layer.Alloy cytotoxicity and effects of the Ti−45Nb alloy laser surface modification on the MRC-5 cell viability,morphology,and proliferation were also investigated.The Ti−45Nb alloy showed no cytotoxic effect.Moreover,cells showed improved viability and adherence to the alloy surface after the laser irradiation treatment.The highest average cell viability of 115.37%was attained for the alloy laser-irradiated with 15 mJ.Results showed that the laser surface modification can be successfully utilized to significantly improve alloy performance in a biological environment.

Surface modification of fabrics using dielectric barrier discharge plasma for improved antifouling performance

Surface modification of fabrics is an effective way to endow them with antifouling properties while still maintaining their key advantages such as comfort,softness and stretchability.Herein,an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)plasma method is demonstrated for the processing of silk fabrics using 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane(PFDS)as the precursor.The results showed the successful grafting of PFDS groups onto the surface of silk fabrics without causing damage.Meanwhile,the gas temperature is rather low during the whole processing procedure,suggesting the non-equilibrium characteristics of DBD plasma.The influence on fabrics of the processing parameters(PFDS concentration,plasma treatment time and plasma discharge power)was systematically investigated.An optimum processing condition was determined to be a PFDS concentration of 8wt%,a plasma processing time of 40 s and a plasma power of 11.87 W.However,with prolonged plasma processing time or enhanced plasma power,the plasma-grafted PFDS films could be degraded.Further study revealed that plasma processing of silk fabrics with PFDS would lead to a change in their chemical composition and surface roughness.As a result,the surface energy of the fabrics was reduced,accompanied by improved water and oil repellency as well as enhanced antifouling performance.Besides,the plasma-grafted PFDS films also had good durability and stability.By extending the method to polyester and wool against different oil-/water-based stains,the DBD plasma surface modification technique demonstrated good versatility in improving the antifouling properties of fabrics.This work provides guidance for the surface modification of fabrics using DBD plasma to confer them with desirable functionalities.

Mechanism study on the influence of surface properties on the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO_(2)and methanol over ceria catalysts

The direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate(DMC)from CO_(2)and methanol has attracted much attention as an environmentally benign and alternative route for conventional routes.Herein,a series of cerium oxide catalysts with various textural features and surface properties were prepared by the one-pot synthesis method for the direct DMC synthesis from CO_(2)and methanol,and the structure-performance relationship was investigated in detail.Characterization results revealed that both of surface acid-base properties and the oxygen vacancies contents decreased with the rising crystallinity at increasingly higher calcination temperature accompanied by an unexpectedly volcano-shaped trend of DMC yield observed on the catalysts.In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy(DRIFTS)studies indicated that the adsorption rate of methanol is slower than that of CO_(2)and the methanol activation state largely influences the formation of key intermediate.Although the enhanced surface acidity-basicity and oxygen vacancies brought by low-temperature calcination could facilitate the activation of CO_(2),the presence of excess strongly basic sites on low-crystallinity sample was detrimental to DMC synthesis due to the preferred formation of unreactive mono/polydentate carbonates as well as the further impediment of methanol activation.Moreover,with the use of 2-cyanopyridine as a dehydration reagent,the DMC synthesis was found to be both influenced by the promotion from the rapid in situ removal of water and the inhibition from the competitive adsorption of hydration products on the same active sites.

Physico-Chemical and Nutritional Properties of a Food Broth Based on Nere (Parkia biglobosa)

Purpose: Diet and eating habits are major risk factors for the health and the development of disease, such as, for example, metabolic disorder leading to cardiovascular pathology and cancer, decreased immunity exposing to infections. This study of the physico-chemical and nutritional properties of a soumara-based food broth was carried out with the aim of promoting the consumption of organic broth made from nere seeds (soumara). That is to alleviate certain metabolic diseases, which is a matter of food safety, and also to limit the risk for the health about the consumption of some cooking stocks on the market. Methods: Several natural ingredients such as nere seeds (soumara), ginger, black pepper, parsley and garlic were used to create a nere-based stock. All these ingredients were freeze-dried and the powder obtained was used to make the broth, regarding their physical and chemical properties. Results: The broth had a good protein content of 17.41 ± 0.367 g/100g, a lipid content of 16.80 ± 0.08 g/100g and a fiber content of 8.66 ± 0.04 g/100g. In terms of nutritional values, the broth showed good levels of calcium 184.21 ± 0.09 mg/100g, potassium 50.04 ± 1.45 mg/100g and iron and zinc. In terms of antioxidant activity, the broth also showed good antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Regarding the properties of our food broth, whose composition is based on natural ingredients, could be recommended for consumption and, its properties, could play an important role in preventing and combating certain metabolic diseases.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Soils from Diguel and Koudalwa Tchad,and Phytoremediation Potentials of Acasia and Kinkeliba Plants in Removing Cr and Cu from These Soils

The aim of this study to investigate the physico-chemical properties of soils from Diguel and Koudalwa Tchad,and phytoremediation potentials of acasia and kinkeliba plants in removing Cr and Cu from these soils.Soil was sampled from the tannery plant in Diguel and agricultural land around crude oil activities in Koudalwa.Soils were characterized by the following properties:pH,(Electrical Conductivity),TDS(Total Dissolved Solids),salinity,bulk density,OM(Organic Matter),nitrate,phosphate,clay,silt,sand,and textural class.The acasia and kinkeliba plants were used to decontaminate Cu and Cr from sample soils for 30 days period.The bulk density of all the soil samples from Kouldawa was higher compared to Diguil,ranging from 1.421 to 1.64 g/cm^(3)compared to 1.21 to 1.51 g/cm^(3)for Diguel.Most of the soils in Kouldawa are mineral soils,while those of Diguel are mostly mineral soil with some organics.Diguel soils are richer in nitrate(577.9 to 2,687.32 mg/kg in Diguel and 33.64 to 197.64 mg/kg in Kouldawa)and phosphate than soils from Kouldawa.Soils from the studied areas are not saline except for a subsurface soil in Diguel(salinity,4.21;EC,4.280 dS/m;TDS,3,040 mg/L).The highest amount of Cr and Cu removed by acasia is 78%and 53.12%compared to 73.8%and 52.21%by kinkeliba.Diguel soil can be very suitable for agriculture and Kouldawa soils for construction.Acasia and kinkeliba can be effectively used to decontaminate the studied soils from heavy metal pollution.

Preparation and tribological properties of surface modified Cu nanoparticles

Cu nanoparticles surface-modified by dioctylamine dithiocarbamate （DTC8） were synthesized using a two-phase extraction route. The size, morphology and structure of resultant surface-capped Cu nanoparticles （coded as DTC8-Cu） were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and infrared spectrometry. The tribological behavior of DTC8-Cu as an additive in liquid paraffin was evaluated with a four-ball machine, and the surface topography of the wear scar was also examined by means of scanning electron microscopy. Results show that Cu nanoparticles modified by DTC8 have a small particle size and a narrow size distribution. Besides, DTC8-Cu as an additive in liquid paraffin has excellent antiwear ability, due to the deposition of nano-Cu with low melting point on worn steel surface leading to the formation of a self-repairing protective layer thereon.

Surface quality, microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-Sn alloy plate prepared by two-phase zone continuous casting

Cu-4.7%Sn （mass fraction） alloy plate was prepared by the self-developed two-phase zone continuous casting （TZCC） process. The relationship between process parameters of TZCC and surface quality of the alloy plate was investigated. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the TZCC alloy plate were analyzed. The results show that Cu-4.7%Sn alloy plate with smooth surface can be obtained by means of reasonable matching the entrance temperature of two-phase zone mold and the continuous casting speed. The microstructure of the TZCC alloy is composed of grains-covered grains, small grains with self-closed grain boundaries, columnar grains and equiaxed grains. Compared with cold mold continuous casting Cu-4.7%Sn alloy plate, the room temperature tensile strength and ductility of the TZCC alloy plate are greatly improved.

Surface modification of wollastonite by the mechano-activated method and its properties

Surface modification of wollastonite particles using titanate as a modification agent incorporated by simultaneous wet ultra-fine grinding in a laboratory stirred mill was investigated.The physical,physic-chemical and application properties of the modified wollastonite were measured and evaluated.The results showed that grinding intensity markedly influences the modification effect because of the mechano chemical effect.The hydrophilic surface of wollastonite was turned into a hydrophobic one after modification.The interaction between titanate and wollastonite under wet grinding circumstances was studied.It was suggested that physical adsorption and chemical adsorption of titanate coexisted on the wollastonite surface.The mechanical properties of polyethylene（PE） filled with the modified wollastonite powder were markedly improved.

Bio-leaching effects of Leptospirillum ferriphilum on the surface chemical properties of pyrite

Leptospirillum ferriphilum cultured using different energy sources(either soluble ferrous ion or pyrite) changed the surface properties of pyrite.Cell adsorption,zeta-potential,hydrophobicty,FT-IR spectra and surface morphology were investigated.Adhesion of bacterial cells to the pyrite surface is a fast process.Furthermore,the adsorption of cells grown in pyrite is greater than of cells grown in soluble ferrous ion.The Iso-Electric Point(IEP) of pyrite treated with L.ferriphilum approaches that of the cells themselves.The contact angle of the pyrite surface was observed to decrease due to the surface formation of some hydrophilic substances during bio-leaching.Changes in pyrite surface properties after bacterial treatment support the idea that ferric ion plays an important role and that indirect bio-oxidation is the principal mechanism of pyrite bio-leaching.

Preparation and Surface Properties of Silicon-Containing Waterborne Polyurethane Functionalized with Fluorine-Containing Acrylate and Micro-Nano Silica

In order to prepare hydrophobic waterborne polyurethane coatings with better performances, the silicon-containing waterborne polyurethane（SiWPU） with functional chain extender hydroxyethyl acrylate（HEA） was prepared first, and then a series of silicon＆fluorine-containing polyurethane/acrylate（FSiPUA） emulsions were obtained with flourine containing acrylic monomer by seed emulsion polymerization, introducing micro-nano SiO2 into FSiPUA emulsion to make the final hybrid emulsion. The properties of Si WPU, FSiPUA and SiO2/FSiPUA were investigated by fourier transform infrared spectra（FTIR）, transmission electron microscope（TEM）, Scanning Electron Microscope（SEM） and some other analytical methods. The results revealed that FSiPUA emulsion particles possessed composite core-shell structure and FSiPUA films with suitable ratio performed better than Si WPU films in hardness, water resistance and solvent resistance. The SiO2/FSiPUA films with micro-nano dual roughness structure showed a water contact angle of 136° with good resistance to acid and alkali.

Effect of surface preparation on corrosion properties and nickel release of a NiTi alloy

Surface preparation is potentially important to the corrosion and biomedical properties of NiTi shape memory alloys. The effect of surface preparation on corrosion properties and nickel release of a Ti-56 wt.%Ni alloy has been studied. Surface of the NiTi coupons were prepared by four methods, namely, chemical etching, electropolishing, mechanical polishing and oxidizing, and then examined by corrosion test system. Furthermore, the Ni ion releases from NiTi samples with different surface preparations dipped in 1% HCl solution were analysed. Compared with the surface after chemical treatment, mechanical polishing and thermal oxidation, electropolished surface has better corrosion resistance and less nickel release for not only its lower surface roughness, but also the composition and property of its surface film.

Effect of rare earths surface treatment on tribological properties of carbon fibers reinforced PTFE composite under oil-lubricated condition

The effect of rare earths （RE） surface treatment of carbon fibers （CF） on tribological properties of CF reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene （PTFE） composites under oil-lubricated condition was investigated. Experimental results revealed that RE treated CF reinforced PTFE （CF/PTFE） composite had the lowest friction coefficient and wear under various applied loads and sliding speeds compared with untreated and air-oxidated composites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） study of carbon fiber surface showed that, after RE treatment, oxygen concentration increased obviously, and the amount of oxygen-containing groups on CF surfaces were largely increased. The increase in the amount of oxygen-containing groups enhanced interfacial adhesion between CF and PTFE matrix. With strong interfacial adhesion of the composite, stress could be effectively transmitted to carbon fibers; carbon fibers were strongly bonded with VITE matrix, and large scale rubbing-off of PTFE be prevented, therefore, tribological properties of the composite was improved.

Effect of Graphene Surface Functional Groups on the Mechanical Property of PMMA Microcellular Composite Foams

The functional groups on graphene sheets surface affect their dispersion and interfacial adhesion in polymer matrix. We compared the mechanical property of polymethymethacrylate（PMMA） microcellular foams reinforced with graphene oxide（GO） and reduced graphene oxide（RGO） to investigate this influence of functional groups. RGO sheets were fabricated by solvent thermal reduction in DMF medium. UV-Vis, FT-IR and XPS analyses indicate the difference of oxygen-containing groups on GO and RGO sheets surface. The observation of SEM illustrates that the addition of a smaller number of GO or RGO sheets causes a fine cellular structure of PMMA foams with a higher cell density(about 1011 cells/cm3) and smaller cell sizes（about 1-2 μm） owing to their remarkable heterogeneous nucleation effect. Compared to GO reinforced foams, the RGO/PMMA foams own lower cell density and bigger cell size in their microstructure, and their compressive strength is lower even when the reinforcement contents are the same and the foam bulk density is higher. These results indicate that the oxygen-containing groups on GO sheets’ surface are beneficial to adhere CO2 to realize a larger nucleation rate, and their strong interaction with PMMA matrix improves the mechanical property of PMMA foams.

IMPROVING THE SURFACE PROPERTY OF TC4 ALLOY BY LASER NITRIDING AND ITS MECHANISM

The mixing technology of laser and heated nitrogen was applied to improve the surface hardness of titanium alloy （ TC4 ）. The samples were nitrided with laser power density of 6.S × 10^6SW. cm^-2, the scanning speed varioas from 100 to 500mm ·min^-1. The nitrogen gas was pre-heated to 300℃ to accelerate the nitriding process. Some interested samples were tested with XRD method （X-ray diffraction） to analyze the composition of nitrides, and the surface hardness of HV was measured. The results show that TiN and Ti2N were formed on the surface of Ti alloy with proper nitriding parameters, but TiN is the main composition. The surface hardness increased by three times, which is from the original value of 269to 794kg·mm^-2. The mechanism of the mixing technology is considered mainly of the activation of nitrogen by laser power and the pre-heated process which accelerated the nitriding process. The nitridation process can be considered as six steps given in detail. The result by analyzing the mechanism of improving the surface property of TiAl alloy shows the improvement of surface property due to two factors： the first reason is the result of laser annealing, and the second one is the formation of TiN.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Flour, Starch, and Modified Starch of Two Rice Varieties

The physical and chemical properties of the flours, starches, and modified starches of indica rice and japonica rice were investigated in this paper. Results showed that the swelling powers of flour, starch, and phosphate starch [substitution degree （DS）=0.065] of japonica rice were significantly higher than those （DS=0.065） of indica rice. The transmittance of modified starches was highest; and that of flours was lowest. The pasting property investigated with rapid visco analyzer （RVA） indicated that the peak viscosity and breakdown value of paste with high swelling power were high. Furthermore, the effect of protein and amylose content on pasting property were investigated. The results of rheological properties determined using rheological rheometer showed that at the same temperature, the storage modulus （G′ of flour, starch, and modified starch of indica rice was higher than that of japonica rice. For each variety, the G′of flour was the highest, while the G′of modified starch was the lowest.

Study on the surface properties of surface modified silicone intraocular lenses

AIM: To prepare a new-type soft intraocular lens (IOL) that silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) were modified by surface modification technique to assess IOLs biocompatibility. METHODS: With the technique of ion beam combined with low temperature and low pressure plasma, the surface characteristics of the IOLs including physical and optical properties were determined by the instruments of IOLs resolution, UV/VIS scanning spectrophotometer, contact angle measurement system, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The color of titanium (Ti) modified IOLs was light yellow and that of titanium nitride (TiN) modified IOLs was light brown. The absorptive degree of ultraviolet rays and the hydrophilicity of the surfaces of modified IOLs were increased, and appeared suitable chemical compositions. The resolution of unmodified and modified IOLs reached normal standard. The surfaces of unmodified and Ti-modified IOLs appeared uniform. The surfaces of TIN-modified IOLs presented fine porcelain structure. CONCLUSION: The optical properties of all IOLs and the surface morphology of the modified IOLs were not affected by modification processes. The surface properties of the modified IOLs were improved.

Surface chemical properties and pore structure of the activated coke and their effects on the denitrification activity of selective catalytic reduction

In order to study the mechanism of selective catalytic reduction of activated coke to remove NO in low-temperature flue gas and provide some theoretical basis for the development of related technologies.The pore sizedistribution and BET specific surface area of AC were obtain by data analyzing of N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm at -196 ℃ and carbon matrix and surface chemistry of virgin activated coke samples were characterized by acid-base titration and XPS.The process of selective catalytic reduction of activated coke (AC) samples with NH3 as reducing agent was studied in a fixed bed reactor at 150 ℃.The result shows that pore size distribution or BET specific surface of activated cokes have not correlation with denitrification activity for SCR.The NO reduction activities of the activated cokes are apparent to increase with their surface oxygen element content and total amount of acidic sites.Obviously there is good linear relationship between the NH3 adsorption capacity and activity for SCR with linear correlation coefficient 0.943.It has been presented that adsorption of NH3 on acidic functional groups in the edge of large polycyclic aromatic ring of activated coke is key rate controlling step in the SCR heterogeneous catalytic reaction.

Physico-Chemical Properties and Enzyme Activities of the Arable Soils in Lhasa,Tibet,China

An understanding of the physical,chemical,and biological properties of a soil provides a basis for soil use and management.This paper reports the major physico-chemical properties and enzyme activities of the soils of Lhasa's main arable lands and the factors that influence these soil properties.Composite and core samples were taken from the three main arable soil types(alluvial soil,subalpine arable steppe soil,and subalpine arable meadow soil) and were analysed using standard methods.The bulk density and the ventilation porosity ratio of the soils were close to the recommended values for arable lands,and the dominant soil texture was sandy.The soil moisture release rates were arable steppe soil > alluvial soil > arable meadow soil.Soil organic matter content,Cation-Exchange Capacity(CEC),total and available nitrogen content,and catalase activity of the arable meadow soil were higher than those of the alluvial and the arable steppe soils,while soil pH in the arable meadow was lower.Most of the measured properties did not show a significant variance among these three soils.However,the measured indices(apart from the total potassium) indicate that there are notable differences among the three types of soil.The results implied that the utilisation patterns of the arable soil or human activities,such as tillage practices and fertiliser applications,have a substantialeffect on the soil properties in this region.Our results suggest that the cultivation practices in the region have apparently positive impact on the soil organic matter,nutrient contents and bulk density probably due to the sound fertiliser management such as the applications of farmyard manure and chemical fertilisers.However,intense cultivation practices lowered the activity of most soil enzymes.The results demonstrate that the choice of soil management strategy had a significant impact on the soil physicochemical and biological properties in the region studied.

COMPARISON OF SURFACE PROPERTIES OF Ti-6Al-4V COATED WITH TITANIUM NITRIDE, TiN+TiC+Ti(C,N)/DLC, TiN/DLC AND TiC/DLC FILMS BY PLASMA-BASED ION IMPLANTATION

The surface properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy coated with titanium nitride, TiN+TiC+Ti(C,N)/DLC (diamond like carbon), TiN/DLC and TiC/DLC films by plasma-based ion implantation (PBII) with nitrogen, PBII with nitrogen then acetylene, PBII with nitrogen then glow discharge deposition with acetylene plus hydrogen and PBII with acetylene then glow discharge deposition with acetylene plus hydrogen respectively were studied. The corresponding films are found getting dimmer, showing light gold or gold, smoky color (uneven), light red in black (uneven), and graphite black separately. The corresponding film resistivities are given. Antioxidation ability of the titanium nitride film is poor, while the existence of carbon (or carbide) improves the antioxidation ability of the films. Having undergone excellent intermediate transitional region of nitrogen and carbon implantation, the top DLC layer of the TiN+TiC+Ti(C,N)/DLC multilayer are formed after the carbon implantation has the best adhesion with the substrate among all the multilayers. Although microhardness of the samples increases in the order of coatings of titanium nitride, TiN/DLC, TiN+TiC+Ti(C,N)/DLC and TiC/DLC, the TiN/DLC and TiC/DLC multilayers have greater brittleness as compared with other films.

Effect of the surface properties of an activated coke on its desulphurization performance

Commercial coke was modified by H2O2 and/or NH3.H2O to obtain an activated coke containing additional oxygen functional groups and/or nitrogen functional groups. The aim of the modification was to enhance the SO2 adsorption capacity of the activated coke. Several techniques, including total nitrogen content measurements, SO2 adsorption, XPS and FTIR analysis, were used to characterize the coke samples. The XPS and FTIR spectra suggest the existence of -CONH2 groups in the H2O2 plus ammonia modified coke. The SO2 adsorption capacity of an activated coke increases slightly with an increase in H2O2 concentration during the modification process. The desulphurization performance of a modified coke is considerably enhanced by increasing the treatment temperature during ammonia modification. The amount of nitrogen in a coke modified by H2O2 plus NH3.H2O is the highest, and the SO2 adsorption capacity of the coke is also the highest (89.9 mg/gC). The NH3.H2O (only) modified sample has lower nitrogen content and lower desulphurization capacity (79.9 mg/gC). H2O modification gives the lowest SO2 adsorption capacity (28.9 mg/gC). The H2O2 pre-treatment is beneficial for the introduction of nitrogen onto the surface of a sample during the following ammonia treatment process.