Preparation and characterization of polystyrene-MgAl layered double hydroxide nanocomposites using bulk polymerization

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 681-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadja Benaddi ◽  
Djafer Benachour ◽  
Yves Grohens

Abstract Polymer/mineral filler nanocomposites are more and more used for diverse applications. As mineral fillers, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) present a great advantage as flame retardants from an environmental point a view (reduction of smoke and toxic gases). This article deals with the use of LDH as flame retardants as compared to montmorillonite (MMT). In situ bulk polymerization of styrene was carried out in the presence of MgAl LDH modified with dodecyl sulfate (DDS) and dodecylbenzene sulfonate (DBS) surfactants. LDH concentrations used were lower than 10 wt.%. X-ray diffraction analysis of the LDH-styrene suspensions revealed the monomer intercalation into the DDS-LDH galleries and a slight decrease in the DBS-LDH basal spacing. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the polymerization occurred outside the DBS-LDH galleries, leading to exfoliation of the layers on the outer surface of LDH platelets. DDS-LDH particles were trapped in the PS polymer. The thermal stability effect was observed for all LDH nanocomposites by thermogravimetric analysis. Cone calorimetry measurements revealed that only the DBS-LDH nanofiller resulted in a reduction of the peak heat released rate (PHHR) and a decrease of smoke released. DBS-LDH/PS exhibited fire properties close to those of clay-PS nanocomposite at 7 wt.% montmorillonite. The PHRR reduction remained small and the total heat release rate constant at 7 wt.% DBS-LDH loading.

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
RAVI BHATIA ◽  
V. PRASAD ◽  
M. REGHU

High-quality multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were produced by a simple one-step technique. The production of MWNTs was based on thermal decomposition of the mixture of a liquid phase organic compound and ferrocene. High degree of alignment was noticed by scanning electron microscopy. The aspect ratio of as-synthesized MWNTs was quite high (more than 4500). Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed the presence of the catalytic iron nanorods at various lengths of MWNTs. Raman spectroscopy was used to know the quality of MWNTs. The ratio of intensity of the G-peak to the D-peak was very high which revealed high quality of MWNTs. Magnetotransport studies were carried out at low temperature and a negative MR was noticed.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1332
Author(s):  
Florian Riedlsperger ◽  
Bernadette Gsellmann ◽  
Erwin Povoden-Karadeniz ◽  
Oriana Tassa ◽  
Susanna Matera ◽  
...  

A thermokinetic computational framework for precipitate transformation simulations in Ta-containing martensitic Z-steels was developed, including Calphad thermodynamics, diffusion mobility data from the literature, and a kinetic parameter setup that considered precipitation sites, interfacial energies and dislocation density evolution. The thermodynamics of Ta-containing subsystems were assessed by atomic solubility data and enthalpies from the literature as well as from the experimental dissolution temperature of Ta-based Z-phase CrTaN obtained from differential scanning calorimetry. Accompanied by a comprehensive transmission electron microscopy analysis of the microstructure, thermokinetic precipitation simulations with a wide-ranging and well-documented set of input parameters were carried out in MatCalc for one sample alloy. A special focus was placed on modelling the transformation of MX into the Z-phase, which was driven by Cr diffusion. The simulation results showed excellent agreement with experimental data in regard to size, number density and chemical composition of the precipitates, showing the usability of the developed thermokinetic simulation framework.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianlu Cui ◽  
Yaogang Li ◽  
Qinghong Zhang ◽  
Hongzhi Wang

Flaky layered double hydroxide (FLDH) was prepared by the reconstruction of its oxide in alkali solution. The composites with FLDH/Ag3PO4mass ratios at 1.6 : 1 and 3 : 1 were fabricated by the coprecipitation method. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results indicated that the well-distributed Ag3PO4in a fine crystallite size was formed on the surface of FLDH. The photocatalytic activities of the Ag3PO4immobilized on FLDH were significantly enhanced for the degradation of acid red G under visible light irradiation compared to bare Ag3PO4. The composite with the FLDH/Ag3PO4mass ratio of 3 : 1 showed a higher photocatalytic efficiency.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cha Ping Liau ◽  
Mansor Bin Ahmad ◽  
Kamyar Shameli ◽  
Wan Md Zin Wan Yunus ◽  
Nor Azowa Ibrahim ◽  
...  

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/polycaprolactone (PCL)/stearate Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites were prepared via solution casting intercalation method. Coprecipitation method was used to prepare the anionic clay Mg-Al LDH from nitrate salt solution. Modification of nitrate anions by stearate anions between the LDH layers via ion exchange reaction. FTIR spectra showed the presence of carboxylic acid (COOH) group which indicates that stearate anions were successfully intercalated into the Mg-Al LDH. The formation of nanocomposites only involves physical interaction as there are no new functional groups or new bonding formed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the mixtures of nanocomposites are intercalated and exfoliated types. XRD results showed increasing of basal spacing from 8.66 to 32.97 Å in modified stearate Mg-Al LDH, and TEM results revealed that the stearate Mg-Al LDH layers are homogeneously distributed in the PHB/PCL polymer blends matrix. Enhancement in 300% elongation at break and 66% tensile strength in the presence of 1.0 wt % of the stearate Mg-Al LDH as compare with PHB/PCL blends. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proved that clay improves compatibility between polymer matrix and the best ratio 80PHB/20PCL/1stearate Mg-Al LDH surface is well dispersed and stretched before it breaks.


Author(s):  
Hongyan Xu ◽  
Jing Guo ◽  
Qing Meng ◽  
Zhanling Xie

<i>Morchella</i> is a genus of edible fungi with strong resistance to Cd and the ability to accumulate it in the mycelium. However, the mechanisms conferring Cd resistance in <i>Morchella</i> are unknown. In the present study, morphological and physiological responses to Cd were evaluated in the mycelia of <i>Morchella spongiola</i>. Variations in hyphal micro-morphology including twisting, folding and kinking in mycelia exposed to different Cd concentrations (0.15, 0.9, 1.5, 2.4, 5.0 mg/L) were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Deposition of Cd precipitates on cell surfaces (at Cd concentrations > 2.4 mg/L) was shown by SEM-EDS. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of cells exposed to different concentrations of Cd revealed the loss of intracellular structures and the localization of Cd depositions inside/outside the cell. FTIR analysis showed that functional groups such as C=O, -OH, -NH and -CH could be responsible for Cd binding on the cell surface of <i>M. spongiola</i>. In addition, intracellular accumulation was observed in cultures at low Cd concentrations (< 0.9 mg/L), while extracellular adsorption occurred at higher concentrations. These results provide valuable information on the Cd tolerance mechanism in <i>M. spongiola</i> and constitute a robust foundation for further studies on fungal bioremediation strategies.


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