A síntese de Fischer-Tropsch é um processo de conversão do gás de síntese (CO + H2) em hidrocarbonetos de cadeias longas. Os catalisadores clássicos para a hidrogenação do CO são, principalmente, o Fe e o Co suportados em diferentes óxidos. O desempenho catalítico do catalisador é influenciado pelo tamanho, dispersão e grau de redução das partículas metálicas. Estudos recentes mostram uma promissora aplicação de materiais à base de nanofibras de carbono na catálise heterogênea. Estes materiais apresentam algumas vantagens em relação aos suportes catalíticos tradicionais, tais como: uma baixa interação metal-suporte, elevada área superficial, ausência de poros fechados, alta condutividade térmica, elevada inércia química e hidrofobicidade. Neste trabalho foram fabricados suportes catalíticos macroscópicos à base de nanofibras de carbono, empregando o método de vapor deposição, a partir da decomposição do etano. Os catalisadores foram preparados pela impregnação incipiente do Co e de promotores na superfície do suporte. Foram empregados os metais nobres, Ir, Pt e Ru, como promotores catalíticos, com o objetivo de incrementar a redutibilidade e a atividade do catalisador. Todos os catalisadores foram caracterizados por Quimissorção de CO, Fisissorção de N2, Redução a Temperatura Programada (TPR), Espectroscopia Fotoeletrônica de Raios X (XPS) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (MET). Os catalisadores foram, então, testados na síntese de Fischer-Tropsch, utilizando um reator de leito fixo e fluxo contínuo, com análise simultânea dos produtos gasosos e controle sistemático da temperatura, pressão e vazão dos reagentes. Finalmente, foram analisados os produtos líquidos obtidos na reação com objetivo de conhecer a influência dos promotores na seletividade dos hidrocarbonetos formados. / Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is a process of converting the syngas (CO + H2) to long-chain hydrocarbons. The traditional catalysts for the CO hydrogenation are Fe and Co supported on different oxides. Catalytic performance of the catalyst is influenced by size, dispersion and degree of reduction of metal particles. Recent studies show a promising application of materials based on carbon nanofibers in heterogeneous catalysis. These materials have some advantages compared to traditional catalyst supports, such as a low metal support interaction, high surface area, no closed pores, high thermal conductivity, high chemical resistance, and hydrophobicity. In this work, based on macroscopic carbon nanofiber catalyst supports have been manufactured by employing the method of chemical vapor deposition from ethane decomposition. Catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of Co and promoters on the support surface. Noble metals, Ir, Pt and Ru were used as catalytic promoters, with the aim of increasing the reductibility and catalyst activity. All catalysts were characterized by CO Chemisorption, N2 Physisorption, Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The catalysts were then tested in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using a fixed bed reactor, continuous flow, with simultaneous analysis of gaseous products and systematic temperature control, pressure, and flow rate of the reactants. Finally, the liquid products obtained in the reaction were analyzed in order to determine the influence of promoters on the selectivity of hydrocarbons formed.

The advancement of each component of aerospace vehicles is necessary as the continual demand for more aggressive missions are created. Improvements in propulsion and guidance system electronics are invaluable; however without material development to protect the vehicle from its environment those advances will not have a practical application. Thermal protection systems (TPS) are required in both external applications; for example on reentry vehicles, as well as in internal applications; to protect the casing of rockets and missiles. This dissertation focuses on a specific type of internal solid rocket motor TPS, ablatives. Ablatives have been used for decades on aerospace vehicles. To protect the motor from the hostile environment, these materials pyrolyze and char. Both of these mechanisms produce a boundary between the combustion gases and the motor as well as release the heat that the decomposed material has absorbed. These sacrificial materials are intended to protect the casing that it is attached to. With the development of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) in the last couple of decades, it is of interest to see how these two fields can merge. Three different nanomaterials (carbon nanofibers, multiwall carbon nanotubes, and nanoclays) are examined to observe how each behaves in environments that simulate the motor firing conditions. These nanomaterials are individually added to a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) at different loadings, creating three distinct families of polymer nanocomposites. To describe a materials ablative performance, a number of material properties must be individually studied; such as thermal, density, porosity, char strength, and rheology. Different experiments are conducted to isolate specific ablative processes in order to identify how each nanomaterial affects the ablative performance. This dissertation first describes each material and the ablative processes which are characterized by each experiment. Then basic material properties of each family of materials are described. Degradation and flammability experiments then describe the degassing processes. Studies of the material char are then performed after full blown rocket experiments are done. These tests have shown that of the three nanomaterials, nanoclay enhances the TPU ablative performance the most while the CNF provides the least enhancement. / text

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Jun Li / Developing new and rapid methods for pathogen detection with enhanced sensitivity and temporal resolution is critical for protecting general public health and implementing the food and water safety standards. In this research vertically aligned carbon nanofiber nanoelectrode arrays (VACNF NEAs) have been explored as a sample manipulation tool and coupled with fluorescence, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and impedance techniques for pathogen detection and identification. The key objective for employing a nanoelectrode array is that the nano-Dielectrophoresis (nano-DEP) at the tip of a carbon nanofiber (CNF) acts as a potential trap to capture pathogens. A microfluidic device was fabricated where nanofibers (~ 100 nm in diameter) were placed at the bottom of a fluidic channel to serve as a ‘point array’ while an indium tin oxide coated glass slide acted as a macroscale counter electrode. The electric field gradient was highly enhanced at the tips of the CNFs when an AC voltage was applied. The first study focused on the capture of the viral particles (Bacteriophage T4r) by employing a frequency of 10.0 kHz, a flow velocity of 0.73 mm/sec, and a voltage of 10.0 Vpp. A Lithenburg type of phenomenon was observed, that were drastically different from the isolated spots of bacteria captured on VACNF tips in previous study. At the lowest employed virus concentration (1 × 10[superscript]4 pfu/mL), a capture efficiency of 60% was observed with a fluorescence microscope. The motivation of the second study was to incorporate the SERS detection for specific pathogen identification. Gold-coated iron-oxide nanoovals labeled with Raman Tags (QSY 21), and antibodies that specifically bound with E.coli cells were utilized. The optimum capture was observed at a frequency of 100.0 kHz, a flow velocity of 0.40 mm/sec, and a voltage of 10.0 Vpp. The detection limit was ~210 CFU/mL for a portable Raman system with a capture time of 50 seconds. In the final study, a real-time impedance method was employed to detect Vaccinia virus (human virus) in the nano-DEP device at 1.0 kHz and 8.0 Vpp giving a detection limit of 2.51 × 10[superscript]3 pfu/mL.

A síntese de Fischer-Tropsch é um processo de conversão do gás de síntese (CO + H2) em hidrocarbonetos de cadeias longas. Os catalisadores clássicos para a hidrogenação do CO são, principalmente, o Fe e o Co suportados em diferentes óxidos. O desempenho catalítico do catalisador é influenciado pelo tamanho, dispersão e grau de redução das partículas metálicas. Estudos recentes mostram uma promissora aplicação de materiais à base de nanofibras de carbono na catálise heterogênea. Estes materiais apresentam algumas vantagens em relação aos suportes catalíticos tradicionais, tais como: uma baixa interação metal-suporte, elevada área superficial, ausência de poros fechados, alta condutividade térmica, elevada inércia química e hidrofobicidade. Neste trabalho foram fabricados suportes catalíticos macroscópicos à base de nanofibras de carbono, empregando o método de vapor deposição, a partir da decomposição do etano. Os catalisadores foram preparados pela impregnação incipiente do Co e de promotores na superfície do suporte. Foram empregados os metais nobres, Ir, Pt e Ru, como promotores catalíticos, com o objetivo de incrementar a redutibilidade e a atividade do catalisador. Todos os catalisadores foram caracterizados por Quimissorção de CO, Fisissorção de N2, Redução a Temperatura Programada (TPR), Espectroscopia Fotoeletrônica de Raios X (XPS) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (MET). Os catalisadores foram, então, testados na síntese de Fischer-Tropsch, utilizando um reator de leito fixo e fluxo contínuo, com análise simultânea dos produtos gasosos e controle sistemático da temperatura, pressão e vazão dos reagentes. Finalmente, foram analisados os produtos líquidos obtidos na reação com objetivo de conhecer a influência dos promotores na seletividade dos hidrocarbonetos formados. / Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is a process of converting the syngas (CO + H2) to long-chain hydrocarbons. The traditional catalysts for the CO hydrogenation are Fe and Co supported on different oxides. Catalytic performance of the catalyst is influenced by size, dispersion and degree of reduction of metal particles. Recent studies show a promising application of materials based on carbon nanofibers in heterogeneous catalysis. These materials have some advantages compared to traditional catalyst supports, such as a low metal support interaction, high surface area, no closed pores, high thermal conductivity, high chemical resistance, and hydrophobicity. In this work, based on macroscopic carbon nanofiber catalyst supports have been manufactured by employing the method of chemical vapor deposition from ethane decomposition. Catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of Co and promoters on the support surface. Noble metals, Ir, Pt and Ru were used as catalytic promoters, with the aim of increasing the reductibility and catalyst activity. All catalysts were characterized by CO Chemisorption, N2 Physisorption, Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The catalysts were then tested in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using a fixed bed reactor, continuous flow, with simultaneous analysis of gaseous products and systematic temperature control, pressure, and flow rate of the reactants. Finally, the liquid products obtained in the reaction were analyzed in order to determine the influence of promoters on the selectivity of hydrocarbons formed.

The effects of vapor-grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF) weight fraction, applied stress, and temperature on the viscoelastic responses (creep strain, creep rate, and creep compliance) of VGCNF/vinyl ester (VE) nanocomposites were studied using a central composite design (CCD). The nanocomposite test articles were fabricated by high shear mixing, casting, curing, and post-curing in an open face mold under a nitrogen environment. Short-term creep/creep recovery experiments were conducted at prescribed combinations of temperatures (23.8 – 69.2 C), applied stresses (30.2 – 49.8 MPa), and VGCNF weight fractions (0.00 – 1.00 parts of VGCNF per hundred parts of resin, phr) determined from the CCD. The response surface models (RSMs) for predicting these viscoelastic responses were developed using the least squares method and an analysis of variance procedure. The response surface estimates indicate that increasing the VGCNF weight fraction decreases the creep resistance of the VGCNF/VE nanocomposites at high temperatures (46.5 – 69.2 C).

No description available.

Yes / Owing to their small size, good wettability, uniform dispersion ability and high thermal properties, the nickel-plated carbon nanotubes (Ni-CNTs) with different aspect ratios are used to reinforce reactive powder concrete (RPC) through modifying the nano/micro- structural units of concrete. Incorporating only 0.075 vol% of Ni-CNTs (0.03 vol% of CNTs) can significantly increase mechanical properties of RPC. The enhancement effect on compressive strength caused by the incorporation of Ni-CNTs with aspect ratio of 1000 reaches 26.8%/23.0 MPa, mainly benefiting from the high polymerization C-S-H gels, low porosity, and refined pore structure. The 33.5%/1.92 MPa increases of flexural strength can be attributed to the decrease of large pore, original cracks, molar ratio of CaO to SiO2, and gel water content when Ni-CNTs with aspect ratio of 125 are added. Ni-CNTs with aspect ratio of 1500 have the largest utilization rate of being pulled-out, resulting from the improvement of dispersibility and the pining effect of nickel coating and then leading to the increased toughness. Therefore, incorporating Ni-CNTs can fundamentally modify the nano/micro- scale structural nature of RPC, providing a bottom-up approach for controlling the properties of RPC. / Funding supported from the National Science Foundation of China (51908103 and 51978127) and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2019M651116).

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is the main constituent of concrete works as a principal binder for aggregates and intrinsically transmits the brittleness into concrete through the formation of hydration crystals in the cement microstructure. A number of nano cementitious composites were developed in recent years to offset the brittleness with newly discovered nanomaterials and the most prevalent among those is the graphene oxide (GO). The main objective of this PhD research work is to develop nano graphene cementitious composites (NGCC) using low cost, two dimensional (2D) graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and one dimensional (1D) graphited carbon nanofibres (GCNFs) with unique conical surface morphology. The GNPs were sourced synthesised in an environmental friendly way via plasma exfoliation whereas, GCNFs were manufactured through catalytic vapour grown method. The project further investigated the effect of these nanomaterials in regulating the distinctive microstructure of cement matrix leading to enhance its mechanical properties. Three different types of high-performance NGCC namely NGCC-Dot, NGCC-Fnt and NGCC-CNF, are developed by activating pristine GNPs (G-Dot), functionalised GNPs (G-Fnt) and graphited nanofibers (G-CNFs) into the cement matrix respectively. It is found through various characterization and experimental techniques that both GNPs and GCNFs regulated the cement microstructure and influenced the mechanical properties of NGCC uniquely. A remarkable increase in the flexural and the tensile strength of newly developed NGCC has been achieved and that could be attributed to the formation of distinctive microstructure regulated by catalytic activation of these nanomaterials. The shape (1D, 2D) and unique morphology of these nanomaterials played a vital role in the mechanism of crystal formation to regulate the cement microstructure. Based on the observations of test results and comprehensive characterization, the possible mechanisms of crystal formation and development of distinctive microstructure of NGCC has been established which has then proceeded to the development of a physical model for NGCC development.

Dans la nature, la réduction de l'oxygène et l'oxydation de l'hydrogène sont catalysées par des enzymes oxydoréductases. Ces catalyseurs spécifiques, efficaces, renouvelables et biodégradables constituent une alternative séduisante au platine dans les piles à combustible. L'immobilisation à des interfaces nanostructurées de l'hydrogénase membranaire tolérante à l'oxygène de la bactérie hyperthermophile Aquifex aeolicus, et de la bilirubine oxydase thermostable de la bactérie Bacillus pumilus, a été étudiée dans ce sens.L'électrochimie et la dynamique moléculaire ont permis d'affiner le modèle d'orientation de l'hydrogénase sur les surfaces planes. L'efficacité de l'immobilisation de l'hydrogénase sur différents nanomatériaux carbonés (nano-particules, tubes et fibres de carbone) structurant la surface de l'électrode a été évaluée. Les nanofibres de carbone (CNFs) ont permis de former une bioanode efficace pour l'oxydation de l'H2 en l'absence de médiateurs redox. L'étude a souligné l'importance d'un transport efficace du substrat dans le film carboné mésoporeux. Les CNFs ont également été utilisées comme matériau d'électrode pour réaliser la 1ère connexion directe de la bilirubine oxydase. L'existence d'une forme resting alternative de l'enzyme, influencée par les ions chlorures, le pH et la température, a été mise en évidence. Une biocathode efficace pour la réduction de l'oxygène a été développée.Les deux électrodes thermostables ont permis le développement de la 1ère biopile H2/O2 qui délivre des densités de puissance supérieures au mW.cm-2 sur une large gamme de température. Ce résultat ouvre la voie à l'alimentation électrique de dispositifs de faibles puissances. / The oxygen reduction and the hydrogen oxidation reactions are realized in nature by oxidoreductase enzymes. These highly efficient, specific, renewable and biodegradable catalysts appear as a seducing alternative to platinum in fuel cell devices. The immobilization at nanostructured interfaces of the membrane-bound oxygen-tolerant hydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus, and of the thermostable bilirubin oxidase from Bacillus pumilus, has been studied within this objective.Electrochemistry and molecular dynamics have been used to validate the orientation model of the hydrogenase at planar electrodes. Hydrogenase immobilisation in 3D-networks based on various carbon materials (nanoparticles, nanotubes and nanofibers) has been especially studied. Fishbone carbon nanofibers were demonstrated to provide an efficient platform for mediatorless H2 oxidation. Mass transport inside the carbon mesoporous film has been especially studied and demonstrated to be one of the limitations of the catalytic efficiency. Direct electrical connection of bilirubin oxidase has also been realized for the first time thanks to its immobilization on carbon nanofiber films. An alternative resting form of the enzyme, influenced by chlorides, pH and temperature, has been evidenced. An efficient biocathode for the oxygen reduction reaction has been developed. Thanks to the two thermostable electrodes, the first H2-O2 bio fuel cell able to deliver power densities over 1 mW.cm-2 over a large temperature range has been developed. This result paves the way for the electrical alimentation of low-power devices.

Dans ce travail, nous décrivons les différentes formes, la structure, les propriétés et la croissance catalytique de nanotubes et nanofibres de carbone (Chapitre I). L'hydroxyapatite a été utilisée comme support de la phase active pour la synthèse de nanotubes de carbone multi-feuillet (MWCNTs) et de nanofibres de carbone (CNFs-H) par la technique de dépôt chimique en phase de vapeur catalytique (C-CVD) en lit fluidisé (Chapitre II). Après l'élimination du support par un simple lavage à l'acide chloridrique dilué, une étude théorique et expérimentale de l'oxydation de la surface de nanotubes de carbone par un traitement à l'acide nitrique a permis d'une part d'identifier et de quantifier les groupes formés à la surface de nanostructures carbonées et d'autre part de proposer un mécanisme pour la formation de ces groupes (Chapitre III). Les matériaux résultants après génération des fonctions carboxyliques de surface ont été utilisés comme support de catalyseur. L'hydrogénation du p-halogénonitrobenzène a été choisit comme réaction modèle pour comparer les performances catalytiques de catalyseurs à base de ruthénium en fonction de la nature du support utilisé, MWCNTs ou CNFs-H. L'influence de certains paramètres tels que la température, la nature du substrat et un traitement thermique du catalyseur (activation) est présentée. Une explication des performances catalytiques est proposée après caractérisation du catalyseur par MET, TPD, TPR et PZC (Chapitre IV). Les nanostructures carbonnées produites et caractérisées ont été utilisées comme charge de renforcement d'hydroxyapatites connue comme biomatériaux. Nous avons étudié en particulier la capacité de germination du phosphate octocalcique par la méthode de croissance cristalline à composition constante (C4) (Chapitre V). / In this work, we describe the different forms, the catalytic growth, the structure and properties of carbon nanotubes and nanofibres (Chapter I). Hydroxyapatite was used as catalyst support for the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nanofibres (CNFs) by catalytic chemical vapour deposition (C-CVD) in a fluidized bed reactor (Chapter II). After support removal by washing with diluted hydrochloric acid, a theoretical and experimental study of surface oxidation of carbon nanotubes by nitric acid treatment has been performed. It allows to identify and quantify the groups formed on the surface of carbon nanostructures and also to propose a mechanism for the formation of these groups (Chapter III). The functionalized nanotubes and nanofibers have been used as supports for heterogeneous catalysis. The hydrogenation of p-halonitrobenzene was used as model reaction to compare the catalytic performances of ruthenium supported on MWCNTs or CNFs-H catalysts. The influence of experimental parameters such as temperature, nature of the substrate and prior heat treatment (activation) of the catalyst on the catalytic activity and selectivity is presented. The catalytic performances have been correlated to the structure of the catalyst as determined from TEM, TPD, TPR and PZC analysis (Chapter IV). The carbon nanostructures produced have also been used as reinforcement fillers for hydroxyapatite-nanotube composites. We have studied in particular, the germination of octacalcium phosphate crystals under conditions of constant solution composition on the surface of the composite (Chapter V).