The physisorption of Kr on graphitic amorphous carbon (g-C) has been investigated using a statistical approach. The interaction energy calculation process (i) established a structural model of g-C and (ii) determined the adsorbate-adsorbate and the adsorbate-substrate interaction potentials on g-C. The structural model of g-C was divided into three regions. For the interaction potential between a Kr atom and a carbon atom the short and medium range order of g-C was described with a discrete medium model based on three ring clusters using ring statistics from Beeman's continuous random network C1120 model of g-C. For the intermediate distance region, Beeman's radial distribution function was used to model g-C. A homogenous and isotropic continuous medium model was used at large distances. The Kr-Kr and Kr-g-C interaction potentials used for Kr on g-C, which are pair-wise Lennard-Jones 6-12 potentials, are similar to Kr on graphite potentials. the validity of the model for g-C and the potentials were verified though calculations for Kr on graphite. Results compared favorably with recent literature values. The interaction energy calculation results for Kr on a g-C substrate assert that (i) Kr adlayers will form on g-C, (ii) the structure of the Kr adlayer is governed by the substrate corrugation at low coverage and by the Kr-Kr interaction at high coverage, and (iii) there is no direct relation between the structure of Kr adlayers on g-C and those on graphite. The average binding energy of Kr on g-C is comparable with that on graphite, but the corrugation of g-C is perhaps six times that of a graphite substrate. The wrinkling of the g-C surface, due to the presence of a distribution of 5-, 6-, and 7- membered rings, is responsible for this large corrugation of the g-C substrate.

Friction interaction between brake materials see a rise in temperatures of over 1000 oC contributing to thermal fade of brakes and deterioration/cracking of rotors. Various microstructural features like graphite, ferrite and pearlite could influence the mechanical and thermal properties and related friction performance of the brake materials. Even more relevant impact on properties and friction performance of rotors can be expected after coatings or surface treatments. The primary purpose of this research is to identify the impact of microstructure and surface treatment on properties and friction performance of four types of pearlitic gray cast irons. The C30, C20 and FC150 rotors were surface treated by bombarding with heavy ions which diffused into cast iron and created a coating with different chemistry and properties when compared to the “non-treated” rotors. Complete chemical and material characterization of the brake rotors using optical emission spectrometer (OES), carbon-sulfur combustion analyzer, polarized light microscopy, density (analytical balance and Archimedes principle), Brinell hardness tester, laser flash apparatus, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The pearlitic gray cast iron rotors are typified by the presence of graphite, carbides, and inclusions in an almost fully pearlitic matrix with a minimum amount (2-4 vol.%) of “free” ferrite. Graphite can be further classified based on its morphology. The investigated cast irons contained two different graphite types: type VII-E5 for the F150 OEM rotor, and type VII-C5 characteristic for the ASTM A48 classes C30 and C20, as well as the “Japanese” JIS G5501 FC150 rotors. It was identified from the initial curve fitting models that the observed microstructural differences in individual cast iron types are responsible for the observed mechanical (density – decreases with increasing ferrite and decreasing pearlite contents; hardness – decreases with increasing ferrite contents) and thermal properties (increase with increasing ferrite and pearlite contents), and friction performance (increases with increasing ferrite and decreasing graphite contents) of the studied rotors. The applied surface treatment also contributed to the modification of the mechanical and thermal properties, as well as friction performance of the studied rotors. However, there were not enough statistically relevant models developed from the generated data, which could identify the combined influence of various microstructural features observed and applied surface treatment over the properties and friction performance of the studied rotors.

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The biological treatment of wastewaters from an industry was studied. Among the more important wastewater constituents of concern were high levels of suspended solids, due to graphite and nitrocellulose, the solvents, ethanol and acetone, and nitroglycerine (NG). The goal of this project was divided into four objectives. The impacts of graphite on a microbial population were evaluated. Sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were used to monitor the effects of graphite on mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), removal of soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD), and specific oxygen uptake rates (sOUR). Graphite appeared to have no adverse effect on the microbes. The potential benefits of adding sucrose, nitrogen, and phosphorus to SBRs were evaluated. The MLSS was maintained at 1,250 mg/L, similar to the microbial population in the suspended growth system at the industry. Sucrose addition increased the sCOD removals and sOUR. No direct effect was observed with the addition of nitrogen and phosphorus. The treatability of acetone and ethanol was studied through sOUR and batch testing to determine bacterial response to solvents. Both solvents were utilized by the microbes. The concentrations tested proved to be beneficial, not inhibitory. Ethanol and a 50/50 mixture of acetone and ethanol were more viable substrates than acetone. NG treatability was examined under anoxic and aerobic conditions in SBRs and batch biological reactors. NG degradation occurred under anoxic conditions, but was more favorable in aerobic environments. NG was degraded in all SBR tests to below detection limit (0.5 mg/L); therefore, the optimal treatment could not be determined. / Master of Science

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In this study, composite system was developed to enhance mechanical properties of plastic pallets. The potential of graphite nanoplatelets (GnP)/PP composites for the application in packaging was scrutinized by examining mechanical properties, thermal properties, flow properties, and morphology as a function of GnP loading and by comparison of two mixing methods: physical melt compounding (PMC) and chemical pretreatment compounding (CPC) processes. Incorporation of the GnP into PP resulted in a significant enhancement in the mechanical strength (tensile, impact, and flexural strength) and thermal decomposition temperature compared to the neat PP specimen. The CPC process clearly shows good exfoliation and better distribution on the PP matrix compared to the PMC method based on morphological evaluation measured by SEM. The impact test at low temperature revealed that the composites made by the CPC process showed 64% higher impact strength than neat PP due to higher even-distribution of GnP molecules into the PP matrix. We attempted to discover the degree of dispersion of natural fiber (kenaf) and graphite nanoplatelets (GnP) into the polypropylene (PP) polymer matrix and the effect of filler-adding sequence on physical and mechanical properties. Tensile strength of the composites was increased up to 25%. In the case of Young's modulus, composites showed a 56% enhancement compared to the control. However, the impact strength decreased as a result of the increased brittleness when kenaf fiber was added. Another study investigated the effects of hybrid filler systems (graphite nanoplatelets (GnP)/commercially available modified calcium carbonate (mCaCO3) nanoparticles) on mechanical and physical properties of polypropylene nanocomposites with three variables, filler loading amount, the number of compounding processes, and the compounding order of two different fillers. The impact strength of composite samples, containing 1wt% of GnP and mCaCO3 nanoparticles, increased up to 64% compared to neat PP. Among all tested samples, the highest tensile strength was found at 1wt% of mCaCO3 nanoparticles regardless of the presence or absence of GnP addition. There was no significant difference in flexural strength regardless of any nano-filler addition. However, both the flexural modulus and Young's modulus increased significantly when 10wt% of mCaCO3 nanoparticles were added. The number of compounding processes did not affect any strength, and the single compounding process was found to be more effective than the double compounding process. It may be contributed by thermal degradation of polymeric structure by double heat processing. This study can be able to provide a solution for value-added high-end products in various industries such as application in logistics, aerospace or electric automobile, where carbon-based nanomaterials are more affordable. / Doctor of Philosophy / Pallets are the basic structure of a unit load which allows handling and storage efficiency. The advantages of plastic pallets are durability, cleanliness, and performance reliability, However, those are expensive and have lower mechanical properties than that of wood, such as low strength, creeps and deformation. Therefore, hybrid composites were fabricated using various fillers, such as graphite nanoplatelets, kenaf fiber or calcium carbonate on polypropylene matrix to enhance mechanical properties for plastic pallets. In order to fabricate the composites, two methods were utilized and compared: physical melt compounding (PMC) and chemical pretreatment compounding (CPC) processes. Graphite nanoplatelets (GnP) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites made by both PMC and CPC process showed significance in the mechanical process compared to the neat PP. Moreover, the CPC process showed better dispersion on the PP matrix resulting in higher impact strength in low temperature. Based on the first chapter, we attempted to focus on reducing weight and sustainability using natural fiber. At the same time, when two or more fillers are reinforced in a polymer matrix, I wondered if the order in which the fillers were added could affect properties. Kenaf fiber and GnP were reinforced in the PP matrix through the CPC process to discover the degree of dispersion of fillers and the effect of filler-adding sequence on physical and mechanical properties. Tensile strength of the composites was increased up to 25%. In the case of Young's modulus, composites showed a 56% enhancement compared to the control. However, the impact strength decreased as a result of the increased brittleness when kenaf fiber was added. Another study investigated the effects of hybrid filler systems (GnP/commercially available modified calcium carbonate (mCaCO3) nanoparticles) on mechanical and physical properties of polypropylene nanocomposites with three variables, filler loading amount, the number of compounding processes, and the compounding order of two different fillers. This study was concentrating on the impact strength based on the result that the material adding sequence affects the mechanical strength when manufacturing the hybrid composites. The hybrid composite system on GnP/mCaCO3/PP resulted in enhancement of impact strength, tensile strength, flexural modulus and Young's modulus. The number of compounding processes did not affect any strength, and the single compounding process was found to be more effective than the double compounding process. Enhancement of impact strength in low temperature, and effect of filler-adding sequence on mechanical properties in hybrid composite system can be able to provide a solution for value-added high-end products in various industries such as application in logistics, aerospace or electric automobiles, where carbon-based nanomaterials are more affordable.