Nonlinear stability of advanced sandwich cylindrical shells comprising porous functionally graded material and carbon nanotube reinforced composite layers under elevated temperature

The nonlinear stability of sandwich cylindrical shells comprising porous functionally graded material(FGM) and carbon nanotube reinforced composite(CNTRC)layers subjected to uniform temperature rise is investigated. Two sandwich models corresponding to CNTRC and FGM face sheets are proposed. Carbon nanotubes(CNTs) in the CNTRC layer are embedded into a matrix according to functionally graded distributions. The effects of porosity in the FGM and the temperature dependence of properties of all constituent materials are considered. The effective properties of the porous FGM and CNTRC are determined by using the modified and extended versions of a linear mixture rule, respectively. The basic equations governing the stability problem of thin sandwich cylindrical shells are established within the framework of the Donnell shell theory including the von K’arm’an-Donnell nonlinearity. These equations are solved by using the multi-term analytical solutions and the Galerkin method for simply supported shells.The critical buckling temperatures and postbuckling paths are determined through an iteration procedure. The study reveals that the sandwich shell model with a CNTRC core layer and relatively thin porous FGM face sheets can have the best capacity of thermal load carrying. In addition, unlike the cases of mechanical loads, porosities have beneficial effects on the nonlinear stability of sandwich shells under the thermal load. It is suggested that an appropriate combination of advantages of FGM and CNTRC can result in optimal efficiency for advanced sandwich structures.

Covalent organic frameworks/carbon nanotubes composite with cobalt(II)pyrimidine sites for bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis

With characteristics and advantages of functional composite materials,they are commendably adopted in numerous fields especially in oxygen electrocatalysis,which is due to the significant synergies between various components.Herein,a novel bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst(Co-CNT@COF-Pyr)has been synthesized through in-situ growth of covalent organic frameworks(COFs)layers on the outer surface of highly conductive carbon nanotubes(CNTs)followed by coordination with Co(Ⅱ).For electrocatalytic OER,Co-CNT@COF-Pyr reveals a low overpotential(438 mV)in alkaline electrolyte(1.0 M aqueous solution of KOH)with a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2),which is comparable to most discovered COF-based catalysts.For electrocatalytic ORR,CoCNT@COF-Pyr exhibits a low H_(2)O_(2) yield range(9.0%-10.1%)and a reaction pathway close to 4e^(-)(n=3.82-3.80)in alkaline electrolyte(0.1 M aqueous solution of KOH)within the test potential range of 0.1-0.6 V vs.RHE,which is superior to most reported COF-based catalysts.Hence,this research could not only offer an innovative insight into the construction of composites,but also facilitate the practical application of renewable fuel cells,closed water cycle,and rechargeable metal-air batteries.

Carbon nanotubes-Nafion composites as Pt-Ru catalyst support for methanol electro-oxidation in acid media

Carbon nanotubes-Nafion （CNTs-Nation） composites were prepared by impregnated CNTs with Nation in ethanol solution and characterized by FT-IR. Pt-Ru catalysts supported on CNTs-Nafion composites were synthesized by microwave-assisted polyol process. The physical and electrochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscope （TEM）, CO stripping voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry （CV） and chronoamperometry （CA）. The results showed that the Nation incorporation in CNTs-Nation composites did not significantly alter the oxygen-containing groups on the CNTs surface. The Pt-Ru catalyst supported on CNTs-Nafion composites with 2 wt% Naton showed good dispersion and the best CO oxidation and methanol electro-oxidation activities.

Preparation of multi-walled carbon nanotube-reinforced TiNi matrix composites from elemental powders by spark plasma sintering

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced TiNi matrix composites were synthesized by spark plasma sintering (SPS) employing elemental powders.The phase structure,morphology and transformation behaviors were studied.It was found that thermoelastic martensitic transformation be-haviors could be observed from the samples sintered above 800 ℃ even with a short sintering time (5min),and the transformation tempera-tures gradually increased with increasing sintering temperature because of more Ti-rich TiNi phase formation.Although decreasing the sin-tering temperature and time to 700 ℃ and 5min could not protect defective MWCNTs from reacting with Ti,still-perfect MWCNTs re-mained in the specimens sintered at 900 ℃.This method is expected to supply a basis for preparing CNT-reinforced TiNi composites.

Coral-Like Yolk–Shell-Structured Nickel Oxide/Carbon Composite Microspheres for High-Performance Li-Ion Storage Anodes

In this study, coral?like yolk–shell?structured NiO/C composite microspheres(denoted as CYS?NiO/C) were prepared using spray pyrolysis. The unique yolk–shell structure was characterized, and the formation mechanism of the structure was proposed. Both the phase separation of the polyvinylpyrrolidone and polystyrene(PS) colloidal solution and the decompo?sition of the size?controlled PS nanobeads in the droplet played crucial roles in the formation of the unique coral?like yolk–shell structure. The CYS?NiO/C microspheres delivered a reversible discharge capacity of 991 mAh g^(-1) after 500 cycles at the current density of 1.0 A g^(-1). The dis?charge capacity of the CYS?NiO/C microspheres after the 1000 th cycle at the current density of 2.0 A g^(-1) was 635 mAh g^(-1), and the capacity retention measured from the second cycle was 91%. The final discharge capacities of the CYS?NiO/C microspheres at the current densities of 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, and 10.0 A g^(-1) were 753, 648, 560, 490, 440, and 389 mAh g^(-1), respectively. The synergetic e ect of the coral?like yolk–shell structure with well?defined interconnected mesopores and highly conductive carbon resulted in the excellent Li+?ion storage properties of the CYS?NiO/C microspheres.

La_(0.75)Sr_(0.25)Cr_(0.5)Mn_(0.5)O_(3)-δ−Ce_(0.8)Gd_(0.2)O_(1.9) composite electrodes as anodes in LaGaO_(3)-based direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells

Direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells(DC-SOFCs)are promising,green,and efficient power-generating devices that are fueled by solid carbons and comprise all-solid-state structures.Developing suitable anode materials for DC-SOFCs is a substantial scientific challenge.Herein we investigated the use of La_(0.75)Sr_(0.25)Cr_(0.5)Mn_(0.5)O_(3)-δ−Ce_(0.8)Gd_(0.2)O_(1.9)(LSCM−GDC)composite electrodes as anodes for La_(0.9)Sr_(0.1)Ga_(0.8)Mg_(0.2)O_(3)-δelectrolyte-based DC-SOFCs,with Camellia oleifera shell char as the carbon fuel.The LSCM−GDC-anode DC-SOFC delivered a maximum power density of 221 mW/cm^(2) at 800℃ and it significantly improved to 425 mW/cm^(2) after Ni nanoparticles were introduced into the LSCM−GDC anode through wet impregnation.The microstructures of the prepared anodes were characterized,and the stability of the anode in a DC-SOFC and the influence of catalytic activity on open circuit voltage were studied.The above results indicate that LSCM–GDC anode is promising to be applied in DC-SOFCs.

Effects of carbon nanotubes on hydrogen storage property of Mg-based nanocomposites

Mg-based hydrogen storage nanocomposites added with carbon nanotubes(CNTs) were prepared by mechanical milling under the atmosphere of hydrogen. The results show that because of their own excellent heat conductivity and good hydrogen storage ability, the carbon nanotubes improve the mass transfer and heat transfer properties of the Mg-based nanocomponents, thus enhancing the kinetic property of hydrogen absorption and desorption of the hydrogen storage nanocomposites, and raising the hydrogen storage capacity. Due to the addition of the carbon nanotubes, the milling stress in the process of preparing the Mg-based nanocomposites is reduced, the components can be closely bonded easily, and the additives can play better catalytic roles.

Forced vibration analysis of nano-composite rotating pressurized microbeam reinforced by CNTs based on MCST with temperature-variable material properties

In this study, free and forced vibration analysis of nano-composite rotating pressurized microbeam reinforced by carbon nanotubes （CNTs） under magnetic field based on modify couple stress theory （MCST） with temperature-variable material propertiesis presented. Also, the boundary conditions at two ends of nano-composite rotating pressurized microbeam reinforced by CNTs are considered as simply supported. The governing equations are obtained based on the Hamilton＇s principle and then computed these equations by using Navier＇s solution. The magnetic field is inserted in the thickness direction of the nano-composite microbeam. The effects of various parameters such as angular velocity, temperature changes, and pressure between of the inside and outside, the magnetic field, material length scale parameter, and volume fraction of nanocomposite microbeam on the natural frequency and response systemare studied. The results show that with increasing volume fraction of nano-composite microbeam, thickness, material length scale parameter, and magnetic fields, the natural frequency increases. The results of this research can be used for optimization of micro-structures and manufacturing sensors, displacement fluid, and drug delivery.

Electroless deposition of Cu on multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Copper has been deposited on the surface of multiwailed carbon nanombes （MWNTs） and inside MWNTs by electroless deposition. The as-prepared Cu-MWNT composite materials have been characterized by X-ray diffractometer （XRD）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and electrochemical measurement. XRD analyses showed that Cu was a face-centered cubic （fcc） structure. The average size of Cu was calculated by Scherrer＇s formula from XRD data, and it was 11 nm. TEM revealed that Cu grains on the surface of MWNTs were uniform with the sizes of about 30-60 nm. The electrochemical measurement indicated that Cu-MWNT composite materials possessed fine electron conductivity.

Effect of Surfactant Stabilizers on the Distribution of Carbon Nanotubes in Aqueous Media

The results of a study on the homogeneity of suspensions are described considering the effect of different types of surfactant stabilizers and their concentrations on the uniform distribution of a carbon nanotubes（CNTs）-based modifying additive to construction materials in an aqueous medium. This problem was solved herein by using surfactants and ultrasound. The sonication treatment of CNTs particle agglomerates allowed for dispersing their globules and achieving a 15-20-fold decrease in their average size, for which it became possible to make better use of the CNTs as cement modifier. As a result of the experimental studies carried out, the effect of the surfactant type and concentration promoting uniform distribution of the CNTs in the bulk of the suspension and, correspondingly, in the structural composite matrix was revealed. The CNTs-based additive improved the physical-mechanical and operational characteristics of the material.

Glass-Reinforced Plastic Filled by Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes and Their Modified Forms

The effect of modifying the surface of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) by oxygen and nitrogen on the strength characteristics of the fiberglass filled with them was investigated by testing for tension and bending. The method of obtaining nitrogen-containing nanostructures is developed. It was shown that in the epoxide system LR285-LH286 hydrophobic CNT’s (outgoing) at introducing into the catalyst polymerization of LH286, increase the strength with respect to unreinforced CNT’s by 48% - 54%. Oxidized CNT’s (200 A?h/kg) introduced into the resin LR285 increase the strength by 59%. The distribution of the filler particles in size, both in the epoxy resin and in the catalyst, depends on their concentration nonlinear, and correlates with the strength characteristics of the composite.

Synthesis of hydrophobic carbon nanotubes/reduced graphene oxide composite films by flash light irradiation

Carbon nanotubes/graphene composites have superior mechanical, electrical and electrochemistry prop- erties with carbon nanotubes as a hydrophobicity boosting agent. Their extraordinary hydrophobic performance is highly suitable for electrode applications in lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors which often employ organic electrolytes. Also the hydrophobic features enable the oil enrichment for the crude oil separation from seawater. The ever reported synthesis routes towards such a composite either involve complicated multi-step reactions, e.g., chemical vapor depositions, or lead to insufficient extru- sion of carbon nanotubes in the chemical reductions of graphene oxide, e.g., fully embedding between the compact graphene oxide sheets. As a consequence, the formation of standalone carbon nanotubes over graphene sheets remains of high interests. Herein we use the facile flash light irradiation method to induce the reduction of graphene oxides in the presence of carbon nanotubes. Photographs, micrographs, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis all indicate that graphene oxides has been reduced. And the contact angle tests confirm the excellent hydrophobic perfor- mances of the synthesized carbon nanotube/reduced graphene oxide composite films. This one-step treatment represents a straightforward and high efficiency way for the reduction of carbon nanotubes/graphene oxides composites.

Preparation of well-aligned carbon nanotubes/silicon nanowires core-sheath composite structure arrays in porous anodic aluminum oxide templates

The well-aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) arrays with opened ends were prepared in ordered pores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. After then, silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were deposited in the hollow cavities of CNTs. By using this method, CNTs/SiNWs core-sheath composite structure arrays were synthesized successfully. Growing structures and physical properties of the CNTs/SiNWs composite structure arrays were analyzed and researched by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD), respectively. The field emission (FE) behavior of the CNTs/SiNWs composite structure arrays was studied based on Fowler-Nordheim tunneling mechanism and current-voltage (I-V) curve. And the photoluminescence (PL) was also characterized. Significantly, the CNTs/SiNWs core-sheath composite structure nanowire fabricated by AAO template method is characteristic of a metal/semiconductor (M/S) behavior and can be utilized to synthesize nanoscale PN junction or Schottky diode device. This process also could be useful for the fabrication of SiNWs and other nanoscale core-sheath composite structure nanowires with chemically inert interfaces for nanoscale electronic and device applications where surface oxidation is undesirable. The diameters and lengths of nanoscale composite structure arrays can be dominated easily, and the experimental result shows that the curling and twisting structures are fewer than those prepared by other synthesized methods.

A Novel Multiscale Reinforcement by In-Situ Growing Carbon Nanotubes on Graphene Oxide Grafted Carbon Fibers and Its Reinforced Carbon/Carbon Composites with Improved Tensile Properties

In-situ growing carbon nanotubes （CNTs） directly on carbon fibers （CFs） always lead to a degraded tensile strength of CFs and then a poor fiber-dominated mechanical property of carbon/carbon composites （C/ Cs）. To solve this issue, here, a novel carbon fiber-based multiscale reinforcement is reported. To synthesize it, carbon fibers （CFs） have been first grafted by graphene oxide （GO）, and then carbon nanotubes （CNTs） have been in-situ grown on GO-grafted CFs by catalytic chemical vapor deposition. Characterizations on this novel reinforcement show that GO grafting cannot only nondestructively improve the surface chemical activity of CFs but also protect CFs against the high-temperature corrosion of metal catalyst during CNT growth, which maintains their tensile properties. Tensile property tests for unidirectional C/Cs with different preforms show that this novel reinforcement can endow C/C with improved tensile properties, 32% and 87% higher than that of pure C/C and C/C only doped with in-situ grown CNTs. This work would open up a possibility to fabricate multiscale C/Cs with excellent global performance.

Synthesis, Characterization and Gas Sensing Properties of Graphene Oxide-Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composite

Graphene oxide （GO）-multiwalled carbon nanotube （MWCNT） composite was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, micro Raman, Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet-visible near infrared spectroscopy techniques. Spectral characteris- tics of cladding modified fiber optic gas sensors were studied for various concentrations of ammonia, ethanol and methanol at 27 ℃. Thickness of the gas sensing layer was controlled by varying the concentration of composite in ethanol medium （0.5 and 1 mg/mL） for three times dipping process. The O.S mg/ mL concentrated GO-MWCNT coated sensor showed 1.20, 1.40 and 1.15 times higher sensitivity than the GO coated sensor for ammonia, ethanol and methanol vapors, respectively. Furthermore, it exhibited 1.50, 1.80 and 1.80 times better sensitivity than 1 mg/mL concentrated GO-MWCNT coated sensor for ammonia, ethanol and methanol vapors, respectively. The presence of functional groups in GO increased the sen- sitivity. This is mainly attributed to the effective electron charge transfer between the composite materials and analytes.

Evaluation for cell affinity of the composite material containing carbon nanotubes

The composite material of poly-(L-lactide) (PLLA) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared. Itssurface morphologies and property were worked out by us-ing atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle meas-urement. Moreover, the prime cytocompatibility was used to investigate the biocompatibility of the composite materialcontaining CNTs and the effects of CNTs on one aspect of cell function, cell affinity. The results obtained indicate that thecomposite material of PLLA and CNTs possesses good bio-compatibility for both the 3T3 fibroblasts and Oct-1 os-teoblast-like cells. The addition of CNTs will greatly affectcell affinity of the material, which may be disadvantage for the cell adhesion.

Synergistic Effects of Carbon Nanotube(CNT)and Reduced Graphene Oxide(RGO)on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of ZK61 Alloy

The hybrid of carbon nanotube(CNT)and reduced graphene oxide(RGO)reinforced ZK61 composite was fabricated by a hot extrusion process.Compared with the raw ZK61 alloy and single-reinforced composites,the hybrid-reinforced by RGO+CNT complex exhibited significant enhancements both in mechanical and thermal performance.By adjusting the proportion of RGO and CNT in ZK61 alloy,the obtained optimum ZK61/(0.06 wt%RGO+0.54 wt%CNT)composite exhibited increase of 25.4%in yield strength,26.5%in ultimate tensile strength,104%in failure strain and 30.4%in thermal conductivity,respectively,in comparison with ZK61 alloy.The superior properties of the nano-hybrid composite are attributed to the synergetic effects of RGO and CNT,leading to a uniform dispersion and integrated structure as well as the enhanced interfacial bonding with matrix.The strengthening ability of RGO and CNT was calculated to quantify their individual contribution to the improvement in mechanical and thermal properties of the ZK61 matrix composite.The RGO+CNT hybrids provide a promising way to develop Mg matrix composites with impressive performances.

Effects of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes on the Electromagnetic Absorbing Characteristics of Composites Filled with Carbonyl Iron Particles

The electromagnetic （EM） wave absorbing property of silicone rubber filled with carbonyl iron particles （CIPs） and multi-walled carbon nanotubes （MWCNTs） was examined. Absorbents including MWCNTs and spherical/ flaky CIPs were added to silicone rubber using a two-roll mixer. The complex permittivity and complex permeability were measured over the frequency range of 1-18 GHz. The two EM parameters were verified and the uniform dispersion of MWCNTs and ClPs was confirmed by comparing the measured reflection loss （RL） with the calculated one. As the MWCNT weight percent increased, the RL of the spherical CIPs/silicone rubber composites changed insignificantly. It was attributed to the random distribution of spherical ClPs and less content of MWCNTs. On the contrary, for composites filled with flaky ClPs the absorption bandwidth increased at thickness 0.5 mm （RL value lower than -5 dB in 8-18 GHz） and the absorption ratio increased at lower frequency （minimum -35 dB at 3.5 GHz）. This effect was attributed to the oriented distribution of flaky CIPs caused by interactions between the two absorbents. Therefore, mixing MWCNTs and flaky CIPs could achieve wider-band and higher-absorption ratio absorbing materials.

Electrochemical detection and degradation of ibuprofen from water on multi-walled carbon nanotubes-epoxy composite electrode

This work describes the electrochemical behaviour of ibuprofen on two types of multi-walled carbon nanotubes based composite electrodes, i.e., multi-walled carbon nanotubes-epoxy （MWCNT） and silver-modified zeolite-multi-wailed carbon nanotubes-epoxy （AgZMWCNT） composites electrodes. The composite electrodes were obtained using two-roll mill procedure. SEM images of surfaces of the composites revealed a homogeneous distribution of the composite components within the epoxy matrix. AgZMWCNT composite electrode exhibited the better electrical conductivity and larger electroactive surface area. The electrochemical determination of ibuprofen （IBP） was achieved using AgZMWCNT by cyclic voltammetry, differential-pulsed voltammetry, square-wave voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The IBP degradation occurred on both composite electrodes under controlled electrolysis at 1.2 and 1.75 V vs. Ag/AgCl, and IBP concentration was determined comparatively by differential-pulsed voltammetry, under optimized conditions using AgZMWCNT electrode and UV-Vis spectrophotometry methods to determine the IBP degradation performance for each electrode. AgZMWCNT electrode exhibited a dual character allowing a double application in IBP degradation process and its control.

Improving interface adhesion in TiNi wire/shape memory epoxy composites using carbon nanotubes

In order to increase both the interfacial strength and interphase region strength between TiNi wires and shape memory epoxy,a novel interface structure including aminated CNTs was designed.The morphology shows that after electroplating and etching,continuous and homogeneous concave-convex layers form on the surface of astreated TiNi wires,meanwhile aminated CNTs were planted on the surface which could react with shape memory epoxy at the interface region.The interfacial shear strength increases first with the CNT content rising but then a dramatic drop happens,and the maximum is obtained at CNT content of 0.6 g·L^(-1),which is about twice the result of acid etching TiNi wires.