Linear and nonlinear torsional free vibration of functionally graded micro/nano-tubes based on modified couple stress theory

The linear and nonlinear torsional free vibration analyses of functionMly graded micro/nuno-tubes （FGMTs） are analytically investigated based on the couple stress theory. The employed non-classical continuum theory contains one material length scale parameter, which can capture the small scale effect. The FGMT model accounts for the through-radius power-law variation of a two-constituent material. Hamilton＇s principle is used to develop the non-classical nonlinear governing equation. To study the effect of the boundary conditions, two types of end conditions, i.e., fixed-fixed and fixed-free, are considered. The derived boundary value governing equation is of the fourthorder, and is solved by the homotopy analysis method （HAM）. This method is based on the Taylor series with an embedded parameter and is capable of providing very good approximations by means of only a few terms, if the initial guess and the auxiliary linear operator are properly selected. The analytical expressions are developed for the linear and nonlinear natural frequencies, which can be conveniently used to investigate the effects of the dimensionless length scale parameter, the material gradient index, and the vibration amplitude on the natural frequencies of FGMTs.

The effect of cations on gelation of cross-linked polymers

The effects of different cation concentrations and types on rheological property and stability of Guar, Xanthan, and Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide(HPAM) cross-linked gels were analyzed through experiments. Also, a new approach was developed to reduce the negative effects of cation by application of multi-walled carbon nano-tubes(MWCNTs). The presence of cations in cross-linked gel system will reduce the viscosity of gel, the higher the cation concentration is, the lower the viscosity will be. The bivalent cation has a greater viscosity reduction effect on gel than monovalent cation. The stability of cross-linked gels is worse with cations, this situation becomes more serious under higher salinity. MWCNTs were added to HPAM gel, cross-linked by(3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane(APTES), they surrounded cations and removed them from polymers and reduced the reaction possibility. This method enhances the viscosity and breakdown pressure of cross-linked gels, improves the stability of HPAM cross-linked gel under different operating conditions, and can be applied to related drilling projects.

CdHgTe Quantum Dots Sensitized Solar Cell with Using of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes

The sensitization of TiO2 nanotubes with CdHgTe quantum dots (QDs) was applied by using the direct dispersion technique. The CdHgTe-QDs were fabricated with different Hg% ratio in organic medium for controlling their particle size. While TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) were fabricated by anodization technique. The QDs and NTs were characterized using SEM, TEM and UV-VIS spectrophotometer. In this work, the photovoltaic parameters of the quantum dots sensitized solar cell (QDSSC) depend mainly on the Hg% ratio in the QDs. The most efficient QDSSC was obtained at 25% of Hg ratio with Jsc of 4 mA/cm2, Voc of 0.63 V, FF of 0.32 and efficiency of 0.81%.

Synthesis, structural characterization and formation mechanism of giant-dielectric CaCu3Ti4O12 nanotubes

A capillary-enforced template-based method has been applied to fabricate calcium copper titanate (CaCu3Ti4O12, CCTO) nanotubes (diameter ~200 nm) by filling sol-gel CCTO precursor solution into the nanochannels of porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates, subsequent heating for phase formation and fi- nally the removal of nano-channel templates by applying basic solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) equipped with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) have been employed to characterize the morphology, structure, and composition of as-prepared nanotubes. XRD and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) in-vestigations demonstrated that postannealed (750○C for 1 h) CCTO nanotubes were poly-crystalline with a cubic pseudo-perovskite cry- stal structure. The FE-SEM and TEM results showed that CCTO nanotubes were of uniform diameter (~200 nm) throughout their length. High resolution TEM (HRTEM) analysis confirm- ed that the obtained CCTO nanotubes are made of randomly aligned nano-particles 5-10 nm in size. EDX analysis demonstrated that stoichi- ometric CaCu3Ti4O12 was formed. The possible formation mechanism of CCTO nanotubes in the AAO template is discussed.

Compocasting of A356-CNT composite

A356 aluminum alloys reinforced with carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) were produced by stir casting and compocasting routes and their microstructural characteristics and hardness were examined.In order to alleviate the problems associated with poor wettability, agglomeration and gravity segregation of CNTs in the melt, CNTs were introduced into the melts by injection of CNT deposited aluminum particles instead of raw CNTs.Aluminum particles with mean diameters of less than 100 μm were first deposited by CNTs using Ni-P electroless plating technique and then injected into the melt agitated by a mechanical stirrer.The slurry was subsequently cast at temperatures corresponding to full liquid as well as 0.15 and 0.30 solid fractions.The results show that addition of CNTs to A356 matrix can significantly refine both full liquid and semi-solid cast microstructures.Hardness of the samples is also significantly increased by addition of CNTs and A356-CNT composite cast at 0.3 solid fraction produces the highest hardness.

Parametric optimization of dry sliding wear loss of copper-MWCNT composites

The wear behavior of multi-walled carbon nano-tubes(MWCNTs)reinforced copper metal matrix composites(MMCs)processed through powder metallurgy(PM)route was focused on and further investigated for varying MWCNT quantity viaexperimental,statistical and artificial neural network(ANN)techniques.Microhardness increases with increment in MWCNTquantity.Wear loss against varying load and sliding distance was analyzed as per L16orthogonal array using a pin-on-disctribometer.Process parameter optimization by Taguchi’s method revealed that wear loss was affected to a greater extent by theintroduction of MWCNT;this wear resistant property of newer composite was further analyzed and confirmed through analysis ofvariance(ANOVA).MWCNT content(76.48%)is the most influencing factor on wear loss followed by applied load(12.18%)andsliding distance(9.91%).ANN model simulations for varying hidden nodes were tried out and the model yielding lower MAE valuewith3-7-1network topology is identified to be reliable.ANN model predictions with R value of99.5%which highly correlated withthe outcomes of ANOVA were successfully employed to investigate individual parameter’s effect on wear loss of Cu?MWCNTMMCs.

The Packaging Materials with Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Composites

A polymer-based carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) composite with high electromagnetic (EM) wave shielding effectiveness (SE) and with high mechanical property is developed for packaging of electronic modulus or devices.The liquid crystal polymers (LCP) and melamine formaldehydes (MF) polymer are used to study the orientation effect of CNTs in various polymeric matrix.The influences of orientation,aspect ratio,and mass fraction of CNTs upon the shielding effectiveness (SE) of CNTs-composites are investigated.The higher the orientation,aspect ratio,and weight percentages of nano-materials are, the higher the SE of the carbon composites.The highest SE for the CNTs/LCP nano composite obtained is more than 62 dB. This results may lead to the developing for CPU IC chip packaging.

Nuclear Properties of Carbon Nanotubes for Fast Neutron Detection

Fast neutron detection is a subject of great relevance in modem nuclear science and engineering, in particular, with the recent advances in nuclear fusion research, detection of fast neutron became a key issue. Nuclear properties of carbon are of special interest due to its relatively high capture cross section for fast neutrons. Devices made of silicon carbide and diamond are based on these properties, and so are being developed to be used with the proper wiring. In addition, in recent years carbon nano-tubes unveiled their electrical and mechamical properties, which can be exploited for neutron detection. In this work, we use MCNP5 Monte Carlo code to analyze the carbon nuclear properties and discuss the way nano-tubes can be used for fast neutron detection.

Nano-tube TiO_2 as a new catalyst for eco-friendly synthesis of imines in sunlight

Nanomaterials are considered as suitable heterogeneous catalysts for many organic reactions.Herein nano-tube TiO_2 has been reported as a heterogeneous catalyst,for synthesis of imines in sunlight at room temperature under solvent-free conditions.The condensation of less electrophilic carbonyl compounds with poorly nucleophilic amines was afforded imines in excellent yields.

POROUS SILICA NANO-TUBE AS HOST FOR ENZYME IMMOBILIZATION

With their hollow morphology and large openings, the as-synthesized porous silica nano-tubes (NTPS), prepared through a sol-gel routine by using nano-sized needle-shaped CaCO3 particles as templates, were used as host for enzyme immobilization. Bioimmobilization study showed that enzyme molecules could not only be adsorbed on the external surface of NTPS but also entrapped in their inner hollow cores, leading to higher enzyme loading capacities of NTPS (more than 350 mg/g silica) in a shorter time, as compared to common porous silica (less than 50 mg/g) and most conventional mesoporous silica materials (less than 100 mg/g).

High-performance, stable and low-cost mesoscopic perovskite （CH3NH3PbI3） solar cells based on poly（3-hexylthiophene）- modified carbon nanotube cathodes

This work explores the use of poly（3- hexylthiophene） （P3HT） modified carbon nanotubes （CNTs@P3HT） for the cathodes of hole transporter free, mesoscopic perovskite （CH3NH3PbI3） solar cells （PSCs）, simultaneously achieving high-performance, high stability and low-cost PSCs. Here the thin P3HT modifier acts as an electron blocker to inhibit electron transfer into CNTs and a hydrophobic polymer binder to tightly cross-link the CNTs together to compact the carbon electrode film and greatly stabilize the solar cell. On the other hand, the presence of CNTs greatly improve the conductivity of P3HT. By optimizing the concentration of the P3HT modifier （2 mg/mL）, we have improved the power conversion efficiencies （PCEs） of CNTs@P3HT based PSCs up to 13.43% with an average efficiency of 12.54%, which is much higher than the pure CNTs based PSCs （best PCE 10.59%） and the sandwich-type P3HT/CNTs based PSCs （best PCE 9.50%）. In addition, the hysteresis of the CNTs@P3HT based PSCs is remarkably reduced due to the intimate interface between the perovskite and CNTs@P3HT electrodes. Degradation of the CNTs@ P3HT based PSCs is also strongly retarded as compared to cells employing the pure CNTs electrode when exposed to the ambient condition of 20%- 40% humidity.