Gypsum-based Silica Gel Humidity-controlling Composite Materials:Preparation,Characterization,and Performance

Gypsum was used as substrate,and silica gel was mixed into substrate at a certain mass ratio to prepare humidity-controlling composites;moreover,the moisture absorption and desorption properties of gypsum-based composites were compared with adding different silica gel particle size and proportion.The morphological characteristics,the isothermal equilibrium moisture content curve,moisture absorption and desorption rate,moisture absorption and desorption stability,and humidity-conditioning performance were tested and analyzed.The experimental results show that,compared with pure-gypsum,the surface structure of the gypsum-based composites is relatively loose,the quantity,density and aperture of the pores in the structure increase.The absorption and desorption capacity increase along with the increase of silica gel particle size and silica gel proportion.When 3 mm silica gel particle size is added with a mass ratio of 40%,the maximum equilibrium moisture content of humidity-controlling composites is 0.161 g/g at 98% relative humidity(RH),3.22 times that of pure-gypsum.The moisture absorption and desorption rates are increased,the equilibrium moisture absorption and desorption rates are 2.68 times and 1.61 times that of pure-gypsum at 58.5% RH,respectively.The gypsum-based composites have a good stability,which has better timely response to dynamic humidity changes and can effectively regulate indoor humidity under natural conditions.

In-situ route for the graphitized carbon/TiO composite photocatalysts with enhanced removal efficiency to emerging phenolic pollutants

TiO2 is the most photoactive material because of its superstrong photooxidizing ability,and TiO2 photocatalysis has been widely applied in sustainable water treatment and environmental remediation.However,poor sunlight or visible-light harvesting efficiency and fast recombination rate of the photogenerated charge carriers severely limit the practical applications of TiO2.To overcome these problems,the present work demonstrates a facile in-situ co-condensation method combined with hydrothermal treatment to prepare a series of graphitized carbon/TiO2 composite photocatalysts,and anatase TiO2 phase andp-p-conjugated polycyclic aromatic carbon structure are created simultaneously.As-prepared TiO2/C composites exhibit remarkably high visible-light photocatalytic activity in the degradation of aqueous emerging phenolic pollutants,acetaminophen(APAP)and methylparaben(MPB),and apparent rate constant of the TiO2/C composite with carbon doping level of 10.3%for APAP and MPB removal is 7.6 and 2.8 times higher than that of bare TiO2,and 6.2 and 2.6 times higher than that of Degussa P25 TiO2.Based on the results of photoelectrochemical experiments,indirect chemical probe measurements,and ESR spectroscopy,it is verified that doping TiO2 with graphitized carbon is responsible for this enhanced photocatalytic activity,which renders the improved visible-light harvesting ability,the accelerated separation of the photogenerated charge carriers,and enlarged BET surface areas.Through analyzing the intermediates yielded in the photodegradation process,the pathway of visible-light photocatalytic degradation of APAP and MPB over the TiO2/C composite is proposed.

Effect of Hybridization on the Mechanical Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fiber/Kenaf Phenolic Hybrid Composites

In this study,pineapple leaf fiber(PALF),kenaf fiber(KF)and PALF/KF/phenolic(PF)composites were fabricated and their mechanical properties were investigated.The mechanical properties(tensile,flexural and impact)of the PALF/KF/PF hybrid composites were investigated and compared with PALF/KF composites.The 3P7K exhibited enhanced tensile strength(46.96 MPa)and modulus(6.84 GPa),flexural strength(84.21 MPa)and modulus(5.81 GPa),and impact strength(5.39 kJ/m2)when compared with the PALF/PF and KF/PF composites.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)was used to observe the fracture surfaces of the tensile testing samples.The microstructure of the 7P3K hybrid composite showed good interfacial bonding and the addition of KF improved the interfacial strength.It has been concluded that the 3P7K ratio allowed obtaining materials with better mechanical properties(tensile,flexural and impact strengths)than PALF/PF and KF/PF composites.The results obtained in this study will be used for further comparative study of untreated hybrid composites with treated hybrid composites.

Tailoring polymeric composite gel beads-encapsulated microorganism for efficient degradation of phenolic compounds

Phenol and its derivatives are highly toxic pollutants in industrial wastewater for the ecological environments,so there is essential attention to develop effective means of removing these harmful substances from water.In this work,the microorganism was immobilized into polymeric composite gel beads prepared by the effective recombination of natural abundant chitosan(CS)and industrial polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)for treating phenolic compounds.The degradation rate of 99.5%can be achieved to treat 100 mg·L^(1)of phenol at 30℃using the fresh resultant immobilized microorganism,where only 21.1%degradation rate was obtained by the free microorganism under the identical conditions.The recycling experiments of repeated 90 times to treat 100 mg·L^(1)of phenol displayed that the degradation rate of phenol was stable to 99%with the appearance of beads unchanged significantly,indicating the immobilized microorganism possessed excellent operating stability.Moreover,while the phenol derivatives of 100 mg·L^(1)were treated catalytically including pmethylphenol,catechol,and oaminophenol for 24 h by the immobilized microorganism,the degradation rates were all above 95%.The immobilized microorganism into PVACS polymeric composite with excellent operating stability and degradation activity would provide a feasible solution for treating phenolic compounds in water in industrial applications.

The Effects of DOPO-g-ITA Modified Microcrystalline Cellulose on the Properites of Composite Phenolic Foams

In order to improve the comprehensive performance of phenolic foam,9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide(DOPO)was grafted with itaconic acid(ITA)(DOPO-g-ITA)to modify microcrystalline cellulose(MCC).DOPO-g-ITA modified MCC(DIMMCC)was used to prepare composite phenolic foam(DCPF).The structures of DIMMCC were verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR).The microstructure and crystalline property were characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)respectively.Compared with MCC,the crystallinity of DIMMCC was dramatically decreased,but the diffraction peak positions were unchanged.Thermal stability was decreased,and T_(i)decreased by 45.0°C.The residual carbon(600°C)was increased by 22.34%.With the dosage of DIMMCC/PR increased,compared with PF,the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of DCPF were increased.Especially,the dosage of DIMMCC/PR was 10%,the comprehensive properties of DCPF was better than others.

Fluxing Agents on Ceramification of Composites of MgO-Al2O3-SiO2/Boron Phenolic Resin

Fluxing agents of zinc borate, antimony oxide, galss frit A and glass frit B, with different melting or softening point temperatures, were added into MgO-Al_2O_3-SiO_2/boron phenol formaldehyde resin（MAS/BPF） composites to lower the formation temperature of eutectic liquid phase and promote the ceramification of ceramifiable composites. The effects of fluxing agents on the thermogravimetric properties, phase evolution, and microstructure evolution of MAS/BPF composites were characterized by TG-DSC, XRD and SEM analyses. The results reveal that the addition of a fluxing agent highly reduces the decomposition rate of MAS/BPF composites. Fluxing agents lower the formation temperatures of liquid phases of ceramifiable MAS/BPF composites obviously, and then promote the ceramification and densification process. The final residues of composites are ceramic surrounded by large amount of glass phases.

Ceramification of Composites of MgO-Al_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2)/Boron Phenolic Resin with Different Calcine Time

The ceramifiable polymer composite of MgO-Al_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2)/boron phenolic resin(MAS/BPF)with 40wt%of inorganic fillers was calcined at 1200℃for different time to promote ceramification of ceramifiable composite and improve heat resistance.The effects of different calcine time on the macroscopical morphology,mass loss,phase evolution,microstructure and chemical bond evolution of MAS/BPF composites were characterized by XRD,XPS,and SEM analyses.The experimental results reveal that the increase of calcine time result in the fewer holes,relatively denser and smoother top layer of MAS/BPF composites and protect the interior from deeper decomposition.The final residues of composites are amorphous carbon and C-O-Si-Al-Mg ceramic.And MAS/BPF composites show excellent mass stability,low shrinkage and self-supporting features after 2 h holding compared with BPF composites without 40wt%of inorganic fillers.

Effect of electropolymer sizing of carbon fiber on mechanical properties of phenolic resin composites

Carbon fiber/phenolic resin composites were reinforced by the carbon fiber sized with the polymer films of phenol, m-phenylenediamine or acrylic acid, which was electropolymerized by cyclic voltammetry or chronopotentiometry. The contact angles of the sized carbon fibers with deionized water and diiodomethane were measured by the wicking method based on the modified Washburn equation, to show the effects of the different electropolymer film on the surface free energy of the carbon fiber after sizing by the electropolymerization. Compared with the unsized carbon fiber, which has 85.6°of contact angle of water, 52.2°of contact angle of diiodomethane, and 33.1 mJ/m2 of surface free energy with 29.3 mJ/m2 of dispersive components (γL) and 3.8 mJ/m2 of polar components (γsp), respectively. It is found that the electropolymer sized carbon fiber tends to reduce the surface energy due to the decrease of dispersiveγL with the increase of the polymer film on the surface of the carbon fiber that plays an important role in improving the mechanical properties of carbon/phenolic resin composites. Compared with the phenolic resin composites reinforced by the unsized carbon fiber, the impact, flexural and interlaminar shear strength of the phenolic resin composites were improved by 44 %, 68% and 87% when reinforced with the carbon fiber sized by the electropolymer of m-phenylenediamine, 66%, 100%, and 112% by the electropolymer of phenol, and 20%, 80 %, 100% by the electropolymer of acrylic acid. The results indicate the skills of electropolymerization may provide a feasible method for the sizing of carbon fiber in a composite system, so as to improve the interfacial performance between the reinforce materials and the matrix and to increase the mechanical properties of the composites.

Mechanical Properties of Phenolic-Resin Composites Reinforced with CF/BF Interlayer Hybrid Fibers

Phenolic-resin composites reinforced with carbon fiber（CF） and basalt fiber（BF） interlayer hybrid fibers plain fabric were fabricated.The tensile strength,compressive strength and interlaminar shear strength of the prepared composites were studied.The results indicated that hybrid fibers reinforced composites possessed the advantages of both CF and BF.When resin content was 35% by volume fraction,the comprehensive mechanical performance of BF/CF reinforced phenolic resin composites reached the optimal values with the warp and weft direction tensile strength,compressive strength and interlayer shear strength being 252 MPa and 487 MPa,105 MPa and 129 MPa,21 MPa and 20 MPa,respectively.The scanning electron microscope（SEM） observations showed that the BF/CF hybrid fibers reinforced composites had better interfacial adhesion.

Corrigendum to“Effect of organo-modified montmorillonite nanoclay on mechanical,thermal and ablation behavior of carbon fiber/phenolic resin composites”[Defence Technol 17(3)(June 2021)812e820]

Due to editing errors,the ordinate and unit of Fig.5(a)in the article were incorrect.The correct ordinate of Fig.5(a)should be Flexural strength(MPa).In the published article<Effect of organo-modified montmorillonite nanoclay on mechanical,thermal and ablation behavior of carbon fiber/phenolic resin composites>.

A Study on a Magnesium-Based Layered Composite Used as a Flame Retardant for Phenolic Epoxy Resins

The effects of a magnesium-based layered composite on the flammability of a phenolic epoxy resin(EP)are studied.In order to produce the required composite material,first,magnesium hydroxide,aluminum salt and deionized water are mixed into a reactor according to a certain proportion to induce a hydrothermal reaction;then,the feed liquid is filtered out using a solid-liquid separation procedure;finally,the material is dried and crushed.In order to evaluate its effects on the flammability of the EP,first,m-phenylenediamine is added to EP and vacuum defoamation is performed;then,EP is poured into a polytetrafluoroethylene mold,cooled to room temperature and demoulded;finally,the magnesium-based layered composite is added to EP,and its flame retardance is characterized by thermogravimetric analysis,limiting oxygen index and cone calorimetry.The X-ray diffraction patterns show that the baseline of magnesium-based layered composite is stable and the front shape is sharp and symmetrical when the molar ratio of magnesium to aluminium is 3.2:1;with the addition of magnesium-based layered composite,the initial pyrolysis temperature of EP of 10%,15%and 30%magnesium-based layered composite decreases to 318.2°C,317.9°C and 357.1°C,respectively.After the reaction,the amount of residual carbon increases to 0.1%,3.45%and 8.3%,and the limiting oxygen index increases by 28.3%,29.1%and 29.6%,respectively.The maximum heat release rate of cone calorimeter decreases gradually.The optimum molar ratio of Mg:Al for green synthesis is 3.2:1,and the NO_(3)-intercalated magnesium-based layered composite has the best flame retardance properties.

Evolution of Physical and Chemical Properties of Phenolic Resin-Based Carbon/Carbon Composites Reinforced with Short Discrete Fibers during Pyrolysis

In the present work, novolac phenolic resin-based composites reinforced with short discrete carbon fibers were pyrolized at different temperatures from 400℃ to 900℃. Their physical and chemical properties were studied, linterfacial bonding between the matrix and carbon fiber and its influence on mechanical properties of analyzed composites were analyzed. Experimental results demonstrated strengthening of interfacial bonding with increase of pyrolysis temperature. Evolution of failure behavior was observed.

Evaluation of Sawdust and Rice Husks as Fillers for Phenolic Resin Based Wood-Polymer Composites

We produced Wood-Polymer Composites (WPCs) with phenolic resin (PR) filled with saw dust (SD) and rice husks (RH) in a PR:fillerratio of 60:40 wt.%. RH and SD were grinded and sieved into particles μm. The aim of this research work was to evaluate sawdust and rice husks as fillers for sustainable phenolic resin based WPCs. Therefore, we investigated the thermal stability of PR/RH and PR/SD WPCs then we studied and compared the tensile, flexural properties of PR/SD and PR/RH WPCs samples, as well as their dimensional stability after water absorption test. Furthermore, through ultraviolet light exposure, we evaluated the effects of photo-oxidation on the water stability and mechanical properties of PR/RH and PR/SD WPCs samples compared to unexposed ones. PR filled with SD presented better mechanical properties compared to PR/RH WPCs samples. However, PR/RH WPCs showed good mechanical properties, and better thermal resistance and better water repulsion capabilities compared to PR/SD WPCs samples. Although, long time UV exposure ended up lowering considerably the mechanical properties and water resistance of PR/SD and PR/RH WPCs, both RH and SD offer great added value as fillers for PR based WPCs;SD having better interactions with PR matrix compared to RH.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol over MWCNTs-TiO2 Composite Catalysts with Different Diameters

Titania-based composite catalysts were prepared through a sol-gel route employing multi-walled carbon nanotubes with different diameters. The materials were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and diffuse reflectance UV-Vis absorption spectra. The application of the catalysts to photocatalytic degradation of phenol was tested under UV-Vis irradiation. A synergetic effect on phenol removal was observed in case of composite catalysts, which was evaluated in terms of apparent rate constant, total organic carbon removal and photonic efficiency.

Property of three-dimensional silica composites

Silica fibers-reinforced, fused silica composites were fabricated with repeated vacuum-assisted liquid-phase infiltration. The mechanical properties, thermal properties, and ablative properties of the samples were evaluated. The effect of the silica fiber content and treatment temperature on the flexural strength of the three-dimensional SiO2 （3-D SiO2） composites also was investigated. The SiO2 composites show good mechanical properties and excellent ablative performance. The flexural strength increases with an increase in silica fiber content, and decreases with an increase in treatment temperature. When the volume fraction of the silica fiber is 50vo1% and the treatment temperature is 700℃ the flexural strength of the composites reaches a maximum value of 78 MPa. By adding cyclohexanone surfactant, the infiltration property can be largely improved, resulting in the density of SiO2 composites increasing up to 1.65 g/cm^3. The fracture surfaces of the flexural specimens observed using SEM, show that the pseudoplasticity and the toughening mechanisms of the composites are caused by absorption of a lot of energy by interface debonding and fiber pulling out.

Preparation of Composite Microporous Silica Membranes Using TEOS and 1,2-Bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane as Precursors for Gas Separation

This paper reports on a new microporous composite silica membrane prepared via acid-catalyzed polymeric route of sol-gel method with tetraethylorthosilicate(TEOS)and a bridged silsesquioxane[1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane, BTESE]as precursors.A stable nano-sized composite silica sol with a mean volume size of^5 nm was synthesized. A 150 nm-thick defect-free composite silica membrane was deposited on disk support consisting of macroporous α-Al2O3 and mesoporousγ-Al2O3 intermediate layer by using dip-coating approach,followed by calcination under pure nitrogen atmosphere.The composite silica membranes exhibit molecular sieve properties for small gases like H2,CO2,O2,N2,CH4 and SF6 with hydrogen permeances in the range of(1-4)×10 -7mol·m -2·s -1·Pa -1(measured at 200°C,3.0×105 Pa).With respect to the membrane calcined at 500°C,it is found that the permselectivities of H 2 (0.289 nm)with respect to N2(0.365 nm),CH4(0.384 nm)and SF6(0.55 nm)are 22.9,42 and>1000,respectively, which are all much higher than the corresponding Knudsen values(H2/N2=3.7,H2/CH4=2.8,and H2/SF6=8.5).

Characterization and adsorption behaviors of a novel synthesized mesoporous silica coated carbon composite

A novel mesoporous silica coated carbon composite(denoted SEG) with hierarchical pore structure has been successfully prepared in an aqueous solution that contains triblock copolymer template, aluminum chloride, siliceous source and expanded graphite. Textural property and morphology of the SEG composite were characterized by the combination of X-ray diffraction, N_2 adsorption–desorption, scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared measurements. Results show that mesoporous silica is steadily and uniformly grown on the surface of the graphite slices and the thickness of the silica layer can be finely tuned according to the silica/C molar ratio in the initial reaction solution. This newly synthesized SEG composite shows greatly increased adsorption capacity to methylene blue than the pristine expanded graphite in the batch tests. Both Langmuir and Frendlich models were further used to evaluate the adsorption isotherms of methylene blue over expanded graphite and SEG samples with different silica contents. Finally, pseudosecond-order model was used to describe the kinetics of methylene blue over expanded graphite and the silica-carbon composites.

Effects of precoating and calcination on microstructure of 3D silica fiber reinforced silicon nitride based composites

Three-dimensional silica fiber reinforced silicon nitride based composites were fabricated by preceramic polymer infiltration and pyrolysis method using perhydropolysilazane as a precursor. The effects of precoating and high temperature calcination on the microstructures of the composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. For the composite without a precoating, the fracture surface is plain, and the fiber/matrix interfaces become very unclear after calcination at 1 600 ℃ due to intense interfacial reactions. The composite with a precoating shows tough fracture surface with distinct fiber pull-outs, and the fiber/matrix interfaces are still clear after calcination at 1 600 ℃. It is the appropriate precoating process that contributes to the good interfacial microstructures for the composite.

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.

Processing and performance of 2D fused-silica fiber reinforced porous Si_3N_4 matrix composites

Two-dimension （2D） fused-silica fiber reinforced porous silicon nitride matrix composites were fabricated using slurry impregnation and cyclic infiltration with colloidal silica sol. The microstructure and fracture surface were characterized by SEM, the mechanical behavior was investigated by three-point bending test, and the dielectric constant was also measured by impedance analysis. The microstructure showed that the fiber and the matrix had a physical bonding, forming a clearance interface. The mechanical behavior suggested that the porous matrix acted as crack deflection, and the fracture surface had a lot of fiber pull-out. However, the interlaminar shear strength was not so good. The dielectric constant of the composites at room temperature was about 2.8-3.1. The relatively low dielectric constant and non-catastrophic failure indicated the potential application in the radome materials field. 2008 University of Science and Technology Beijing. All rights reserved.