As the demand for electric vehicles increases, the stability of batteries has become one of the most significant issues. The battery housing, which protects the battery from external stimuli such as vibration, shock, and heat, is the crucial element in resolving safety problems. Conventional metal battery housings are being converted into polymer composites due to their lightweight and improved corrosion resistance to moisture. The transition to polymer composites requires high mechanical strength, electrical insulation, and thermal stability. In this paper, we proposes a high-strength nanocomposite made by infiltrating epoxy into a 3D aligned h-BN structure. The developed 3D aligned h-BN/epoxy composite not only exhibits a high compressive strength (108 MPa) but also demonstrates excellent electrical insulation and thermal stability, with a stable electrical resistivity at 200 °C and a low thermal expansion coefficient (11.46×ppm/°C), respectively.

다양한 원인으로 콘크리트 구조물에 하중이 작용되며, 이에 대한 적절한 대응이 이루어지지 않으면 구조물에 열화가 발생하고, 붕괴와 같은 대규모 재난을 초래할 수 있다. 구조물에 발생하는 하중을 감 지하는 연구는 지속적으로 이루어지고 있지만, 안전성 모니터링을 위한 혁신적인 시스템에는 여전히 부족함이 존재한다. 탄소나노튜브/폴리우레탄 복합체는 다양한 공학 분야에서 구조물 건전성 모니터링 을 위한 센서로 활용되어 센싱 효과가 뛰어난 것으로 알려져 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 다양한 공학 분야에서 구조물 건전성 모니터링 센서로 활용되고 있는 탄소나노튜브/폴리우레탄 복합체를 제작하여 모니터링 시스템을 개발하였다. 다양한 하중에 대한 센싱 성능을 파악하기 위해 인장, 압축, 충격 시험 을 진행하였고, 동시에 센서의 전기적 변화를 분석하였다. 추가적으로 본 센서가 구조물 표면에 적용 됨에 따라 온도, 습도와 같은 환경적 영향성을 분석하여 활용 가능성을 평가하였다. 또한, 최대 48행, 48열의 다중 계측이 가능한 IoT 기반 다중 모니터링 시스템을 개발하고, 이를 구조물에 적용된 센서 와 연계하여 스마트 모니터링 시스템으로서의 성능을 평가하였다. 이를 통해 탄소나노튜브/폴리우레탄 복합체 기반 센서는 구조물 하중 감지 시스템으로 활용이 가능할 것으로 판단되었다.

Polylactic acid (PLA) is often used in the preparation of environmentally friendly biodegradable polymer plastics, and how to improve the flame retardant performance of polylactic acid has been concerned by experts and scholars. Here, we provide a new idea, using bamboo activated carbon as the main material, and phytic acid, urea and Zn(NO3)2·6(H2O) as modifiers to produce a new type of carbon flame retardant. It has bamboo activated carbon as carbon source; second, it has P, N elements and metal oxides. The two synergistically play a flame retardant role on polylactic acid. The polylactic acid composite showed good thermal stability, from no grade optimization to V-0 in the UL-94 test, and the limiting oxygen index was also increased from 20.1 to 31.2%. The above tests show that bamboo activated carbon loaded with ZnO has a good flame retardant effect on polylactic acid.

The combination of the two-dimensional (2D) materials g-C3N4 and MXenes in photocatalysis offers several advantages. The g-C3N4 can serve as a visible light-absorbing material, while MXenes can enhance the charge separation and transfer processes leading to improved photocatalytic efficiency. A critical review of 77 already published articles in the field of photocatalytic reactions using g-C3N4 and MXenes, such as hydrogen evolution, the reduction of carbon dioxide, the degradation of organic compounds, the redox reactions of nitrogen, was conducted. For the purpose of greater objectivity, the published results were analysed by non-parametric Mann–Whitney, Kolmogorov–Smirnov, and Mood´s median tests and visualised by box and whisker plots. It was found that MXenes can significantly improve the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4. Adding other co-catalysts to the MXene/g-C3N4 composites does not bring a significant improvement in the photocatalytic performance. Promising results were obtained especially in the fields of hydrogen evolution and the reduction of carbon dioxide. Since the MXenes are relatively a new class of materials, there is still a big challenge for finding new photocatalytic applications and for the enhancement of existing photocatalytic systems based on g-C3N4, especially in terms of the MXenes and g-C3N4 surface and in the heterojunction engineering.

In this work, we investigated a modern combined processing technique for the synthesis of lightweight superhard composites based on boron–carbon. We used traditional B4C with precipitates of free graphite and Al powder as initial materials. In the first stage, the composites were fabricated by the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) with the subsequent hot pressing of the compound. Further, by the disintegration and attrition milling, the ultrafine-grained powder was obtained. We used HCl and HNO3 acids for the chemical leaching of the powder to remove various impure compounds. At the last stage, a solid composite was obtained by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method under nitrogen pressure. The main feature of this approach is to implement different synthesis techniques and chemical leaching to eliminate soft phases and to obtain superhard compounds from low-cost materials. The phases were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The composites compacted by the SPS method contained superhard compounds such as B13C2, B11.7C3.3, and c-BN. The fabricated composite has an ultrafine-grained microstructure. Using a Berkovich indenter, the following nanohardness results were achieved: B13C2 ~ 43 GPa, c-BN ~ 65 GPa (all in Vickers scale) along with a modulus of elasticity ranging between ~ 400 GPa and ~ 450 GPa.

Epoxy-based composites find extensive application in electronic packaging due to their excellent processability and insulation properties. However, conventional epoxy-based polymers exhibit limitations in terms of thermal properties and insulation performance. In this study, we develop epoxy-based siloxane/silica composites that enhance the thermal, mechanical, and insulating properties of epoxy resins. This is achieved by employing a sol–gelsynthesized siloxane hybrid and spherical fused silica particles. Herein, we fabricate two types of epoxy-based siloxane/ silica composites with different siloxane molecular structures (branched and linear siloxane networks) and investigate the changes in their properties for different compositions (with or without silica particles) and siloxane structures. The presence of a branched siloxane structure results in hardness and low insulating properties, while a linear siloxane structure yields softness and highly insulating properties. Both types of epoxy-based siloxane/silica composites exhibit high thermal stability and low thermal expansion. These properties are considerably improved by incorporating silica particles. We expect that our developed epoxy-based composites to hold significant potential as advanced electronic packaging materials, offering high-performance and robustness.

This article presents recent advancements in the development of flexible piezoresistive strain sensors based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs)–polymer composites, with particular attention to their electromechanical properties. Various fabrication approaches and material preparation of CNTs–polymer composites with improved piezoresistive performance are introduced. Moreover, the article presents the working principle of the piezoresistive sensors in terms of the tunneling effect and disconnection-reconnection mechanism. The sensing performances of recently reported applications are studied. This work also reveals that the CNTs–polymer composites have great potential for flexible, skin-mountable, and wearable electronics applications. Finally, possible challenges for the future developments of CNTs–polymer composites are discussed.

One-step hydrothermal reduction method was used to prepare three-dimensional carbon fiber brush-based graphene–platinum (CFB/Pt–G) composites to improve the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction activity of cathode materials for seawater oxygen-dissolved battery. Characterization results show that the reduced graphene oxide of as-prepared graphene–platinum composite displays the few-layer folded structure. In addition, Pt nanoparticles with the polycrystalline structure dispplay a preferential growth along the crystal plane of (111) and are mainly distributed around the defect cavities of folded graphene. Electrochemical results show that the diffusion-limited current density of CFB/Pt–G composite tested with 1600 rpm/min in 3.5% NaCl solution reaches 5 mA/cm2, while that of CFB/G is only 2.64 mA/cm2. Battery discharge results show that the maximum volume power density of CFB/Pt–G–Mg battery with a stable open voltage of 1.73 V is 81 times as much as the commercial seawater battery SWB1200.

최근 대규모 토목 및 건축 구조물 증가 추세로 건설 부재의 고강도 및 경량화에 대한 수요가 높아지고 있다. 기존 시멘트 경량 복합체의 경우 단위 체적 중량이 낮아 강도 저하 문제가 발생할 수 있다. 보통 경량화를 위해서 시멘트 복합체를 배합할 때 일반 경량골재와 고무재질의 경량골재, 플라스틱 펠릿 등 다양한 인공 경량골재를 적용한 시멘트 복합체로 경량화를 확보할 수 있다. 이 중에서도 시멘트 복합체의 인공 경량골재로 플라스틱을 사용하면 상대적으로 골재 자체의 강도를 확보하면서 경량화를 꾀할 수 있지만 재료의 매끄러운 표면 특성으로 인해 시멘트 페이스트와 부착하는 데 불리한 부분이 있고 이는 콘크리트 골재 또는 시멘트 복합체 골재로서의 사용에 있어 단점이 된다. 띠라서 이번 연구에서는 기존 연구에서 플라스틱 골재 로 가장 적합한 유형으로 확인된 PP, PE 두가지 유형의 플라스틱 골재와 강섬유, 양생방법을 변수로 하여 실험을 진행하였고 실험 결과 플라스틱의 비중이나 표면 재질뿐만 아니라 강섬유의 혼입유무, 양생방법에 의해서 시멘트 복합체의 물리적 특성이 변화된다는 것을 확인하였다.

In this study, nitric acid oxidation with varied treatment temperature and time was conducted on the surfaces of polyacrylonitrile- based ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and surface tension/dynamic contact angle instruments were used to investigate changes in surface topography and chemical functionality before and after surface treatment. Results showed that the nitric acid oxidation of ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers resulted in decreases in the values of the crystallite thickness Lc and graphitization degree. Meanwhile, increased treating temperature and time made the decreases more obviously. The surfaces of ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers became much more activity and functionality after surface oxidation, e.g., the total surface energy of oxidized samples at 80 °C for 1 h increased by 27.7% compared with untreated fibers. Effects of surface nitric acid oxidation on the mechanical properties of ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers and its reinforced epoxy composites were also researched. Significant decreases happened to the tensile modulus of fibers due to decreased Lc value after the nitric acid oxidation. However, surface treatment had little effect on the tensile strength even as the treating temperature and processing time increased. The highest interfacial shear strength of ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers/epoxy composites increased by 25.7% after the nitric acid oxidation. In the final, surface oxidative mechanism of ultrahigh modulus carbon fibers in the nitric acid oxidation was studied. Different trends of the tensile strength and tensile modulus of fibers in the nitric acid oxidation resulted from the typical skin–core structure.

This study developed a flame-retardant fiber-reinforced composite material that satisfies the required regulations of railway vehicle interior parts for the purpose of reducing weight and simplifying the production process using SMC(sheet molding compounds) composite materials. It is essential to secure flame-retardant performance that minimizes flames and smoke for the safe evacuation of passengers in case of fire for interior parts of railway vehicles. In this study, the resin for SMC was developed by adding various flame retardant materials such as vinyl ester (halogen-based and phosphorus-based) and antimony trioxide, and chopped glass fibers were used as the reinforcing material. As a result of preparing specimens for phosphorus-based and halogen-based SMC materials, and comparing the flame retardant performance, the phosphorus-based SMC material had an oxygen index of 36.1, smoke density (1minute 30 seconds, 4minutes, 10minutes) of 1.7, 51.5, 195.1. It was measured with a toxicity index of 0.05 R and average heat for sustained burning of 4.5MJ/m, which satisfies all the flame retardant standards required for interior parts of railway vehicles, and it was found that most of the performance was better than that of halogen-based SMC.

The widespread use of automobiles has greatly increased energy demand and exhaust gas pollution. In order to save energy, reduce emissions and protect the environment, making lightweights automobiles is an effective measure. In this paper, carbon fiber composites and automobile B-pillars are briefly introduced, and then the mechanical properties and impact resistance of the DC590 steel B-pillars and carbon fiber composites B-pillars are simulated by the ABAQUS finite element software. The results show that the quality of compound B-pillars is reduced by 50.76 % under the same dimensions, and the mechanical property of unit mass is significantly better than that of metal B-pillars. In the course of a collision, the kinetic energy of the two B-pillars is converted into internal energy, but the total energy remains the same; the converted internal energy of the composite B-pillars is greater, the deformation is smaller and the maximum intrusion and intrusion speed is also smaller, indicating that the anti-collision performance of the composite B-pillars is excellent. In summary, the carbon fiber composites can not only reduce the quality of the B-pillars, but also improve their anti-collision performance..

Molybdenum silicide has gained interest for high temperature structural applications. However, poor fracture toughness at room temperatures and low creep resistance at elevated temperatures have hindered its practical applications. This study uses a novel powder metallurgical approach applied to uniformly mixed molybdenum silicidebased composites with silicon carbide. The degree of powder mixing with different ball milling time is also demonstrated by Voronoi diagrams. Core-shell composite powder with Mo nanoparticles as the shell and β-SiC as the core is prepared via chemical vapor transport. Using this prepared core-shell composite powder, the molybdenum silicide-based composites with uniformly dispersed β-SiC are fabricated using pressureless sintering. The relative density of the specimens sintered at 1500oC for 10 h is 97.1%, which is similar to pressure sintering owing to improved sinterability using Mo nanoparticles.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are increasingly attracting scientific and industrial interest because of their outstanding characteristics, such as a high Young's modulus and tensile strength, low density, and excellent electrical and thermal properties. The incorporation of CNTs into polymer matrices greatly improves the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the materials. Surface modification of CNTs can improve their processibility and dispersion within the composites. This paper aims to review the surface modification of CNTs, processing technologies, and mechanical and electrical properties of CNT-based epoxy composites.

본 연구에서는 유리단섬유로 보강된 분사식 섬유보강 복합재료의 인장거동 평가를 위한 실험 및 해석연구를 수행하였다. 이를 위해 다양한 변형율속도(strain rate)에 따른 에폭시수지 및 분사식 섬유보강 복합재료의 인장강도 실험을 수행하였다. 본 연구에 사용된 분사식 섬유보강 복합재료는 15mm 길이로 절단된 유리단섬유가 25% 부피비율로 혼입된 보수·보강용 재 료이다. 에폭시수지의 점탄성 특성을 고려하기 위해 역산모델링(inverse simulation)을 수행하여 변형율속도에 따른 점성변화 를 함수식으로 제안하였다. 역산모델링을 통해 제안된 함수식을 미세역학 기반의 점탄성 손상모델(micromechanics-based viscoelastic damage model; Yang et al., 2012)에 적용하여 분사식 섬유보강 복합재료의 인장거동을 수치적으로 해석하였다. 분사식 섬유보강 복합재료의 인장거동 해석결과와 실험결과를 비교하여 미세역학 기반의 점탄성 손상모델의 정확성을 검증 하였다.

To investigate new applications for illite as an additive for carbon-based composites, the composites were prepared with and without illite at different heat-treatment temperatures. The effects of the heat-treatment temperature on the chemical structure, microstructure, and thermal oxidation properties of the resulting composites were studied. As the heat-treatment temperature was increased, silicon carbide SiC formation via carbothermal reduction increased until all the added illite was consumed in the case of the samples heat-treated at 2,300℃. This is attributed to the intimate contact between the SiO2 in the illite and the phenol carbon precursor or the carbon fibers of the preform. Among composites prepared at all temperatures, those with illite addition exhibited fewer pores, voids, and interfacial cracks, resulting in larger bulk densities and lower porosities. A delay of oxidation was not observed in the illite-containing composites prepared at 2,300℃, suggesting that the illite itself absorbed energy for exfoliation or other physical changes. Therefore, if the illite-containing C/C composites can reach a density generally comparable to that of other C/C composites, illite may find application as a filler for C/C composites. However, in this study, the illite-containing C/C composites exhibited low density, even when prepared at a high heat-treatment temperature of 2300℃, although the thermal oxidation of the resulting composites was improved.

Recently, the use of thermal conductive polymeric composites is growing up, where the polymers filled with the thermally conductive fillers effectively dissipate heat generated from electronic components. Therefore, the management of heat is directly related to the lifetime of electronic devices. For the purpose of the improvement of thermal conductivity of composites, fillers with excellent thermally conductive behavior are commonly used. Thermally conductive particles filled polymer composites have advantages due to their easy processibility, low cost, and durability to the corrosion. Especially, carbon-based 1-dimensional nanomaterials such as carbon nanotube (CNT) and carbon nanofiber (CNF) have gained much attention for their excellent thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance and low thermal expansion coefficient than the metals. This paper aims to review the research trends in the improvement of thermal conductivity of the carbon-based materials filled polymer composites.

Al2O3 has received wide attention with established use as a catalyst and growing application in structural or functional ceramic materials. On the other hand, the boehmite (AlO(OH)) obtained by sol-gel process has exhibited a decrease in surface area during phase transformation due to a decline in surface active site at high temperature. In this work, Al2O3-CuO/ZnO (ACZ) and Al2O3-CuO/CeO (ACC) composite materials were synthesized with aluminum isopropoxide, copper (II) nitrate hemi (pentahydrate), and cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate or zinc (II) nitrate hexahydrate. Moreover, the Span 80 as the template block copolymer was added to the ACZ/ACC composition to make nano size particles and to keep increasing the surface area. The ACZ/ACC synthesized powders were characterized by Thermogravimetry-Differential Thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Field-Emmision Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Bruner-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface analysis and thermal electrical conductivity (ZEM-2:M8/L). An enhancement of surface area with the addition to Span 80 surfactant was observed in the ACZ powders from 105 m2/g to 142 m2/g, and the ACC powders from 103 m2/g to 140 m2/g, respectively.