Hybrid nanocomposites of aluminium (NHAMMCs) made from AA5052 are fabricated via stir casting route by reinforcing 12 wt% Si3N4 and 0.5 wt% of graphene for usage in aeronautical and automotive applications due to the lower density and higher strength to weight proportion. The wear characteristics of the NHAMMCs are evaluated for different axial load, rotational speed, sliding distance and sliding time based on Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Orowan strengthening mechanism is identified from optical image which improves the strength of the composite. Outcomes show that with higher axial load and rotational speed, there is substantial increase in wear loss whereas with increased sliding distance and sliding time there is no considerable increase in wear loss due to the lubricating nature of the reinforced graphene particles since it has higher surface area to volume ratio. Besides, artificial intelligence approach of neuro-fuzzy (ANFIS) model is developed to predict the output responses and the results are compared with the regression model predictions. Prediction from ANFIS outplays the regression model prediction.

The present studies explored the possibility of immobilizing phosphocholine (PC) liposomes on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) which was pre-adsorbed with two kinds of enzymes, horseradish peroxidase and glucose oxidase. The transmission electron microscope images showed that the PC liposomes adsorbed onto the GO surface kept integrity. By using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)-encapsulated liposomes, a one-step colorimetric assay for glucose was developed. In the presence of glucose, the GO nanocomposites catalyzed the cascade enzymatic reaction producing colorimetric signals directly. Under the optimal conditions, the GO nanocomposites produced linearly increased colorimetric signal with increased concentrations of glucose ranging from 50 to 500 μM. The detection limit was 33 μM. The GO nanocomposites also exhibited good selectivity for the detection of glucose and were able to detect glucose in human serum.

나노복합재료는 다기능성과 고성능을 가지는 혁신적인 복합재료이다. 나노 스케일 필러의 혼입함으로써 복합재료의 전기적, 역학 적 및 열적 특성이 크게 향상될 수 있기 때문에 나노 스케일 필러를 이용한 나노복합재료의 특성화에 관한 다양한 연구가 광범위하게 수행되어 왔다. 특히, 탄소계 나노 필러(탄소나노튜브, 카본블랙, 그래핀 나노판 등)를 활용하여 전기/역학적 특성을 향상시킨 나노복 합소재 개발에 관한 연구들이 복합재료 분야에서 큰 관심을 받고있다. 본 논문은 실제 응용에 필수적인 나노복합재료의 전기/역학적 특성을 문헌조사를 통해 고찰하는 것을 목표로 한다. 또한, 나노복합재료의 전기/역학적 특성 예측을 위한 최신 멀티스케일 모델링 연 구들에 대해서 검토하고, 멀티스케일 모델링에 대한 과제와 향후 발전 가능성에 대해서 논의한다.

Epoxy resin (EP) is a thermosetting resin with excellent properties, but its application is limited due to its high brittleness and poor flame retardancy. Therefore, to solve this problem, a dispersion system of imidazole-containing ionic liquid ([Dmim]Es) and graphene in epoxy resin is designed based on the π–π stacking effect between imidazole and graphite layers. The study on the thermal and flame-retardant properties of the composites show that the modified [Dmim]Es–graphene nanosheets improved the flame retardancy, smoke suppression and thermal stability of epoxy resin. With the addition of 5wt% [Dmim]Es and 1% Gra, the exothermic rate (HRR) and total exothermic (THR) of the composites decrease by 35% and 30.2% compared with the untreated epoxy cross-linking, respectively. The limiting oxygen index reaches 33.4%, the UL-94 test rating reaches V-0. The characterization of mechanical properties shows that the tensile properties and impact properties increased by 13% and 30%, respectively. Through SEM observation, the addition of [Dmim]Es improves the dispersion of graphene in the EP collective and changes the mechanical fracture behavior. The results show that ionic liquid [Dmim]Es-modified graphene nanosheets are well dispersed in the matrix, which not only improves the mechanical properties of epoxy resin (EP), but also has a synergistic effect on flame retardancy. This work provides novel flame-retardant and graphene dispersion methods that broaden the range of applications of epoxy resins.

Tin-antimony sulfide nanocomposites were prepared via hydrothermal synthesis and a N2 reduction process for use as a negative electrode in a sodium ion battery. The electrochemical energy storage performance of the battery was analyzed according to the tin-antimony composition. The optimized sulfides exhibited superior charge/discharge capacity (770 mAh g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1) and stable lifespan characteristics (71.2 % after 200 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g-1). It exhibited a reversible characteristic, continuously participating in the charge-discharge process. The improved electrochemical energy storage performance and cycle stability was attributed to the small particle size, by controlling the composition of the tin-antimony sulfide. By optimizing the tin-antimony ratio during the synthesis process, it did not deviate from the solubility limit. Graphene oxide also acts to suppress volume expansion during reversible electrochemical reaction. Based on these results, tin-antimony sulfide is considered a promising anode material for a sodium ion battery used as a medium-to-large energy storage source.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP), as one of the common pesticide and preservatives, is easily accumulated in living organisms. Considering the high toxicity of PCP, the development of an effective and sensitive inspection method to determine the residual trace amounts of PCP continues to be a significant challenge. Herein, a convenient and sensitive electrochemical sensor is constructed by modifying glassy carbon electrode with cerium dioxide ( CeO2) nanoparticles anchored graphene ( CeO2-GR) to detect trace PCP. Benefiting from the two-dimensional lamellar structural advantages, the extraordinary electron-transfer properties, as well as the intensive coupling effect between CeO2 nanoparticles and graphene, the afforded CeO2- GR electrode nanomaterial possesses excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of PCP. Under the optimum synthetic conditions, the PCP oxidation peak currents of developed CeO2– GR sample exhibit a wide linear range of 5–150 μM. Moreover, the corresponding detection limit of PCP on the CeO2– GR electrode is as low as 0.5 μM. Apart from providing a promising electrochemical sensor, this work, most importantly, promotes an efficient route for the construction of highly active sensing electrode materials.

This work reported the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of a new photoelectrode based on hematite Co-Fe2O3@NiO, a photoactive semiconductor, was prepared using a process involving a combination of the co-precipitation and microwave-assisted synthesis of Fe2O3, Co-Fe2O3 and Co-Fe2O3@NiO, respectively. The obtained products were characterized by X-Ray powder Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–vis) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the sample determined the crystal structure of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The SEM image shows spherical nanoparticles. FTIR spectrospy spectrum confirmed the phase purity and chemical bond for the sample. Optical studies show a variation of band gap from 2.118 to 2.07 eV. The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of the films were examined by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The electrochemical oxidation of water achieved by Cobalt-doped Fe2O3@ GCE modified electrode exhibited the current density of 21 mA/g at 0.5 V vs. SCE for 5 at% of Co and reveals enhanced specific capacitance of 352.11 F/g. The catalytic performance of urea oxidation was measured by cyclic voltammetry on Co-Fe2O3@NiO nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in alkaline medium. The electrode Co-Fe2O3@NiO without annealing showed a peak current density of 1.59 mA/cm2 at 0.1 M urea in 1.0 M NaOH, which was 3.6 fold higher than that of Co-Fe2O3@NiO with annealing. In another part, this work reported the photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of photoanode prepared by spin coating. The highest photocurrent 0.042 mA/cm2 at 0.5 V Vs SCE was obtained for 5% Co-Fe2O3@NiO while the photocatalytic oxidation of urea.

NiMoS2 is a promising material for various functional applications and highly compatible with GO to make hybrid nanocomposites with excellent characteristics for supercapacitor electrode material. Deposition of NiMoS2 was achieved on the rGO(reduced Graphene Oxide) surface to form a NiMoS2− rGO nanocomposite by the method of the facile hydrothermal synthesis process. XRD pattern shows the crystalline nature of composites. Raman and EPMA result interpreting the composites formation and elements compositions, respectively. The sheet-like morphology of rGO was found in the composites by FESEM images. Particles distribution was confirmed by HR-TEM. The electrochemical properties of the pure NiMoS2 and NiMoS2– rGO composites have been studied by cyclic voltammetry analysis. The results revealed that the NiMoS2/ 5% rGO nanocomposites exhibit high specific capacitance compared to pure NiMoS2 due to the synergistic effects of NiMoS2 and rGO in the composite material. The photocatalytic behavior of the prepared nanocomposites for dye degradation was tested. The quantity of rGO has significantly improved the photocatalytic behavior of NiMoS2/ rGO composites. The studies on degradation mechanism, the N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, pore size distribution behavior and % of removal of MB reveal the enhanced photocatalytic performance of sysnthesised composites.

Silver/graphene core/shell nanocomposites were synthesized through a one-step electric explosion of wire method using only silver wires and ethanol. The morphology of the graphene shell structures can be easily formed by alternating the solvent from deionized water to ethanol. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the size of the prepared silver/graphene core/ shell nanocomposites was in the 10–110 nm range. The Raman spectra showed the formation of graphene shells on silver. A possible formation mechanism of the silver/graphene core/shell nanocomposites is proposed in this study. The crystallinity of the nanoparticles was investigated via X-ray diffraction. The graphene on the surfaces of the nanocomposites containing functional groups was analyzed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. Zeta potential and dynamic light scattering analyses were performed to determine the dispersion characteristics of the nanocomposites when redispersed in other solvents.

This study investigated the arsenide removal by using mesoporous CoFe2O4/ graphene oxide nanocomposites based on batch experiments optimized by artificial intelligence tools. These nanocomposites were prepared by immobilizing cobalt ferrite on graphene oxide and then characterized using various techniques, including small angle X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Artificial intelligence tools associated with response surface methodology were employed to optimize the conditions of the arsenide removal process. The results showed that back propagation neural network combined with genetic algorithm was suitable for the arsenide removal from aqueous solutions by the nanocomposites based on the minimum average values of absolute errors and the value of R2. The optimal values of the four variables (operating temperature, initial pH, initial arsenide concentration, and contact time) were found to be 25.66 °C, 7.58, 10.78 mg/L and 46.41 min, and the predicted arsenide removal percentage was 84.78%. The verification experiment showed that the arsenide removal percentage was 86.62%, which was close to the predicted value. Three evaluation methods (gradient boosted regression trees, Garson method and analysis of variance) all demonstrated that the temperature was the most important explanatory variable for the arsenide removal. In addition, the arsenide removal process can be depicted with pseudo-second-order kinetics model and Langmuir isotherm, respectively. The thermodynamics investigation disclosed that the adsorption process was of a spontaneously endothermic nature. In summary, this study showed that ANN-GA was an efficient and feasible method in determining the optimum conditions for arsenic removal by CoFe2O4/ graphene oxide nanocomposites.

In this paper, the performance evaluation of Al-graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) composites surface engineered by a modified friction stir processing (FSP) is reported. Here, multiple micro channels (MCRF) are used to incorporate GNPs in the aluminium matrix instead of a single large groove (SCRF) that is usually used in conventional FSP. With the MCRF approach, ~ 18% higher peak temperature (compared to SCRF) was observed owing to the presence of aluminium sandwiched between consecutive microgrooves and higher heat accumulation in the stir zone. The MCRF approach have significantly reduced the coefficient of friction and wear rates of the processed composites by ~ 14% and ~ 57%, respectively as compared to the SCRF approach. The proposed reinforcement filling method significantly improves the particle dispersion in the matrix, which in turn changes the adhesion mode of wear in SCRF to abrasive mode in MCRF fabricated composites. The uniformly squeezed out GNP tribolayer prevented the direct metal to metal contact between composite and its counterpart which have effectively reduced the deterioration rates.

Aluminium metal matrix composites (AMMCs) are the fastest developing materials for structural applications due to their high specific weight, modulus, resistance to corrosion and wear, and high temperature strength. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is known as the material of the twenty-first century for its various applications in structural components for their high specific strength as well as functional materials for their exciting thermal and electrical characteristics. The present study comprise a systematic literature review of Al/CNT nanocomposites fabricated through a solid state friction stir processing. The present review is primarily focussed on the dispersion and survivability of CNTs in the Al matrix because these are the key factors in deciding the mechanical properties of the fabricated composite. Additionally, the formability, weldability and machinability of the FSPed fabricated composites reinforced with CNTs are also summarised here. Based on the detailed literature review, following research gaps are identified which require a critical and more focussed attention of the scientific community working in this research area: (i) the presence of agglomeration or clustering of CNTs in the composite, (ii) survivability and shortening of CNTs during FSP, (iii) interfacial reactions or the formation of reaction products (such as Al4C3) between Al matrix and CNTs, and (iv) the unidirectional alignment of CNTs in the fabricated composite. Important suggestions for further research in effective dispersion of CNTs with its preserved structure by FSP are also provided.

Processing and characterization of graphene (Gr)-reinforced aluminium alloy 7075 (AA7075) microcomposites and nanocomposites are reported in this work. Composites are fabricated by mechanical alloying process at wet conditions. The bulk composites are prepared by uniaxial die pressing to get higher densification and sintered in an inert atmosphere. Density of the nanocomposites is higher than the microcomposites due to the reduction of grain size by increased milling time. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms graphene interaction with the AA7075 matrix lattice spaces. The effective distribution of graphene with aluminium alloy is further confirmed by the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis. The hardness of the composites proportionally increases with the graphene addition owing to grain refinement. Wear morphology is characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Microcomposites reveal abrasive and ploughing wear mechanism of material removal from the surface. Nanocomposites show adhesive wear with delamination and particle pull-out from the material surface.

In this work, Ag3PO4/In2S3 nanocomposites with low loading of In2S3 (5-15 wt %) are fabricated by two step chemical precipitation approach. The microstructure, composition and improved photoelectrochemical properties of the asprepared composites are studied by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photocurrent density, EIS and amperometric i-t curve analysis. It is found that most of In2S3 nanoparticles are deposited on the surfaces of Ag3PO4. The as-prepared Ag3PO4/ In2S3 composite (10 wt%) is selected and investigated by SEM and TEM, which exhibits special morphology consisting of lager size substrate (Ag3PO4), particles and some nanosheets (In2S3). The introduction of In2S3 is effective at improving the charge separation and transfer efficiency of Ag3PO4/In2S3, resulting in an enhancement of photoelectric behavior. The origin of the enhanced photoelectrochemical activity of the In2S3-modified Ag3PO4 may be due to the improved charge separation, photocurrent stability and oriented electrons transport pathways in environment and energy applications.

Herein, we report significantly enhanced mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of polyimide (PI) by incorporating a small amount (0.01 wt %) of individualized boron-doped high-quality graphene as a filler. The boron-doped expandable graphite (B-EG) was synthesized by mixing boric acid ( H3BO4) with expandable graphite (EG) and thermally treating the mixture at 2450 °C for 30 min using a graphite furnace in an argon atmosphere. The boron-doped graphene (B-g) was prepared by the solution-phase exfoliation of B-EG with an ultrasonication process, which is a method to obtain individualized graphene as well as few-layer graphene. The PI nanocomposites were prepared using the obtained graphene. The PI nanocomposites synthesized with high-quality B-graphene (B-g) showed enhanced mechanical properties and thermal conductivity compared to those of pure PI due to the doping effects and strong interfacial interactions between graphene and the PI matrix.

For solving phase separation of nanoparticles and graphene oxide (GO) in the application process, MgWO4– GO nanocomposites were successfully synthesized using three different dispersants via a facile solvothermal-assisted in situ synthesis method. The structure and morphology of the prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and Raman techniques. The experimental results show that MgWO4 nanoparticles are tightly anchored on the surfaces of GO sheets and the agglomeration of MgWO4 nanoparticles is significantly weakened. Additionally, MgWO4– GO nanocomposites are more stable than self-assembly MgWO4/ GO, which there is no separation of MgWO4 nanoparticles and GO sheets by ultrasound after 10 min. The catalytic results show that, compared with bare MgWO4, MgWO4– GO nanocomposites present better catalytic activities on the thermal decomposition of cyclotetramethylenete tranitramine (HMX), cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) and ammonium perchlorate (AP). The enhanced catalytic activity is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of MgWO4 nanoparticles and GO. MgWO4– GO prepared using urea as the dispersant has the smallest diameter and possesses the best catalytic action among the three MgWO4– GO nanocomposites, which make the decomposition temperature of HMX, RDX and AP reduce by 10.71, 11.09 and 66.6 °C, respectively, and the apparent activation energy of RDX decrease by 68.6 kJ mol−1.

In this paper, an analytical model is developed for electrical conductivity of nanocomposites, particularly polymer/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites. This model considers the effects of aspect ratio, concentration, waviness, conductivity and percolation threshold of nanoparticles, interphase thickness, wettability between polymer and filler, tunneling distance between nanoparticles and network fraction on the conductivity. The developed model is confirmed by experimental results and parametric studies. The calculations show good agreement with the experimental data of different samples. The concentration and aspect ratio of nanoparticles directly control the conductivity. Moreover, a smaller distance between nanoparticles increases the conductivity based on the tunneling mechanism. A thick interphase also causes an increased conductivity, because the interphase regions participate in the networks and enhance the effectiveness of nanoparticles.

Cross model correlates the dynamic complex viscosity of polymer systems to zero complex viscosity, relaxation time and power-law index. However, this model disregards the growth of complex viscosity in nanocomposites containing filler networks, especially at low frequencies. The current paper develops the Cross model for complex viscosity of nanocomposites by yield stress as a function of the strength and density of networks. The predictions of the developed model are compared to the experimental results of fabricated samples containing poly(lactic acid), poly(ethylene oxide) and carbon nanotubes. The model’s parameters are calculated for the prepared samples, and their variations are explained. Additionally, the significances of all parameters on the complex viscosity are justified to approve the developed model. The developed model successfully estimates the complex viscosity, and the model’s parameters reasonably change for the samples. The stress at transition region between Newtonian and power-law behavior and the power-law index directly affects the complex viscosity. Moreover, the strength and density of networks positively control the yield stress and the complex viscosity of nanocomposites. The developed model can help to optimize the parameters controlling the complex viscosity in polymer nanocomposites.