The development of future electronics depends on the availability of suitable functional materials. Printed electronics, for example, relies on access to highly conductive, inexpensive and printable materials, while strong light absorption and low carrier recombination rates are demanded in photocatalysis industry. Despite all efforts to develop new materials, it still remains a challenge to have all the desirable aspects in a single material. One possible route towards novel functional materials, with improved and unprecedented physical properties, is to form composites of different selected materials. In this work, we report on hydrothermal growth and characterization of graphene/zinc oxide (GR/ZnO) nanocomposites, suited for electronics and photocatalysis application. For conductive purposes, highly Al-doped ZnO nanorods grown on graphene nanoplates (GNPs) prevent the GNPs from agglomerating and promote conductive paths between the GNPs. The effect of the ZnO nanorod morphology and GR dispersity on the nanocomposite conductivity and GR/ZnO nanorod bonding strength were investigated by conductivity measurements and optical spectroscopy. The inspected samples show that growth in high pH solutions promotes a better graphene dispersity, higher doping and enhanced bonding between the GNPs and the ZnO nanorods. Growth in low pH solutions yield samples characterized by a higher conductivity and a reduced number of surface defects. In addition, different GR/ZnO nanocomposites, decorated with plasmonic silver iodide (AgI) nanoparticles, were synthesized and analyzed for solar-driven photocatalysis. The addition of Ag/AgI generates a strong surface plasmon resonance effect involving metallic Ag0, which redshifts the optical absorption maximum into the visible light region enhancing the photocatalytic performance under solar irradiation. A wide range of characterization techniques including, electron microscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction confirm a successful formation of photocatalysts. Our findings show that the novel proposed GR-based nanocomposites can lead to further development of efficient photocatalyst materials with applications in removal of organic pollutants, or for fabrication of large volumes of inexpensive porous conjugated GR-semiconductor composites.

As environmental awareness raises the expectations to reduce emission of modern diesel engines are growing as well. Fuel diversity and the advanced injector systems requires even more attention on an ever existing problem which is called nozzle hole fouling. Recent literature and observations at Scania indicate the phenomena is connected to fuel filter plugging caused by metal carboxyl contaminants through the formation of “soft particles”. This report begins with a literature review about the nature of agglomerates in biodiesel. Followed by the evaluation of six particle sizing equipment. This include one ensemble technique based on Brownian motion, namely dynamic light scattering. The remaining five techniques are single particle counters, including a high speed camera system, light blocking system, Nano tracking analysis and two different approaches using light microscope. To characterise the structure and chemical components of the particles SEM, EDX, FT-IR and ICP-OES were used. From the above mentioned methods optical microscopy was chosen to be the best method to evaluate the particle distribution. The main reasons for this is the ability to measure particles in the solution in the desired size range and the possibility to couple it with a Raman spectrometer, providing possibilities for future studies. Besides finding the best technique to measure the particles, a secondary result is the negation of Zinc-neodecanoate creating particles in the fuel. It opposes the assumption made in the literature about filter blocking, and it finds the need for deeper understanding of the nature of soft particles.

Recently, the production of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) has grown rapidly, highlighting the need for efficient and environmentally friendly recycling of LIB waste. In this work, the usage of so-called deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for the leaching of the LIB cathode material lithium cobaltoxide is investigated. The initial DESs investigated are mixtures of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG200) and an organic acid: tartaric, ascorbic, citric, oxalic or succinic acid (PEG:TA (4:1), PEG:AA (8:1), PEG:CA (4:1), PEG:OA (2:1) and PEG:SA (6:1), the molar ratio in parenthesis). Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the solvents are stable up to 180-190 °C. DESs were analyzed with FTIR spectroscopy, pH was measured using a pH-meter and viscosity using a rolling-ball viscometer. The highest leaching efficiency was obtained using PEG:AA followed by PEG:OA, both having the ability to reduce Co(III). This ability was dominant over pH and viscosity influence. For the other three solvents, leaching efficiency increases in the order of decreasing pH (PEG:TA>PEG:CA>PEG:SA). More investigations of leaching as a function of time are needed to determine the impact of viscosity. PEG:CA and PEG:AA are used to study the impact of solid-to-liquid ratio. For PEG:AA the optimal S/L-ratio is 20 mg/g. For PEG:CA the optimal S/L-ratio is different for Li and Co. Three additional CA based DESs are made using ethylene glycol (EG) and choline chloride (ChCl): EG:CA, ChCl:EG:CA and ChCl:PEG:CA. Adding ChCl to EG:CA and PEG:CA increases the leaching efficiency from ca 5 and 10 to ca 30% and the color changes from pink to blue, indicating the formation of tetrachlorocobalt complexes. This reaction may produce chlorine gas, although none was detected using potassium iodide starch paper. Study of leaching as afunction of time of ChCl:EG:CA shows the reaction slows down significantly after 24 h, indicating that the reaction has reached or is near equilibrium at this point. Antisolvent crystallization of this solvent using ethanol was not succesful.

Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates with diverse structures and uniform porosities. They are widely used as catalysts, adsorbents and ion-exchangers in industry. Direct or post modifications optimize the performance of zeolites for different applications. In this thesis, IZM-2 and TON-type zeolites were synthesized, modified and studied. In addition, FAU-type zeolite and silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves were applied as templates for the preparation of microporous carbons. In the first part of this thesis, the IZM-2 zeolite with an unknown structure was synthesized. We focused on the increasing the secondary porosity and the varied framework compositions upon post modifications. The structure determination of this IZM-2 zeolite was hindered by the small size of crystals. In the second part of this thesis, the synthesis composition was directly modified in order to increase the crystal sizes. IZM-2 crystals were enlarged by excluding the aluminium atoms from the framework. The micropores of the obtained pure-silica polymorphs were activated by ion-exchanging alkali-metal ions with protons. Typically, TON-type zeolites that are synthesized at hydrothermal conditions under stirring have needle-shaped crystals. In the third part of this thesis, snowflake-shaped aggregates were produced by using static hydrothermal conditions for the synthesis of TON-type zeolites. The effects of synthesis parameters on the growth and morphology of crystals were discussed in detail. In the last part of this thesis, microporous carbons with a structural regularity were prepared by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of propylene using a silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO-37) template. Compared to the conventional zeolite templates, the SAPO template could be removed under mild conditions, without using hydrofluoric acid, and the generated carbons had a large specific surface area and a high fraction of ultrasmall micropores. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

This thesis aims to provide insight into the fundamental electrochemical processes taking place when cycling SnO2 in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Special attention was paid to the partial reversibility of the tin oxide conversion reaction and how to enhance its reversibility. Another main effort was to pinpoint which limitations play a role in tin based electrodes besides the well-known volume change effect in order to develop new strategies for their improvement. In this aspect, Li+ mass transport within the electrode particles and the large first cycle charge transfer resistance were studied. Li+ diffusion was proven to be an important issue regarding the electrochemical cycling of SnO2. It was also shown that it is the Li+ transport inside the SnO2 particles which represents the largest limitation. In addition, the overlap between the potential regions of the tin oxide conversion and the alloying reaction was investigated with photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) to better understand if and how the reactions influence each other`s reversibility. The fundamental insights described above were subsequently used to develop strategies for the improvement of the performance and the cycle life for SnO2 electrodes in LIBs. For instance, elevated temperature cycling at 60 oC was employed to alleviate the Li+ diffusion limitation effects and, thus, significantly improved capacities could be obtained. Furthermore, an ionic liquid electrolyte was tested as an alternative electrolyte to cycle at higher temperatures than 60 oC which is the thermal stability limit for the conventional LP40 electrolyte. In addition, cycled SnO2 nanoparticles were characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the effects of long term high temperature cycling. Also, the effect of vinylene carbonate (VC) as an electrolyte additive on the cycling behavior of SnO2 nanoparticles was studied in an effort to improve the capacity retention. In this context, a recently introduced intermittent current interruption (ICI) technique was employed to measure and compare the development of internal cell resistances with and without VC additive.

Atlas Copco Secoroc AB are searching after new bulk materials for drill heads that are used in percussive drilling in order to improve their strength and durability. The aim of this project is to assist Atlas Copco in this search and provide them with further information regarding material properties, alloying elements, suppliers, etc. A literary study was carried out in order to identify materials that had UTS and KIC more than or equal to 1700 MPa and 70 MPa*m1/2, respectively. Materials that fulfilled these criteria were T250 grade maraging steel, Cobalt free maraging steel, High cobalt maraging steel, 300 grade maraging steel, AerMet 100, AF1410, S53, M54, 300M, 4340M and PremoMet. These were categorized into maraging steels, high alloy secondary hardened steels, and low alloy steels, and were then further researched.  The material with the highest combination of UTS and KIC was M54 followed by AerMet 100; while AF1410 had the highest KIC but a low UTS, and PremoMet had the highest UTS but a low KIC. Maraging steels and HASH steels have a similar price range, while low alloy steels are much cheaper.

Atlas Copco Secoroc AB are searching after new bulk materials for drill heads that are used in percussive drilling in order to improve their strength and durability. The aim of this project is to assist Atlas Copco in this search and provide them with further information regarding material properties, alloying elements, suppliers, etc. A literary study was carried out in order to identify materials that had UTS and KIC more than or equal to 1700 MPa and 70 MPa*m^1/2, respectively. Materials that fulfilled these criteria were T250 grade maraging steel, Cobalt free maraging steel, High cobalt maraging steel, 300 grade maraging steel, AerMet 100, AF1410, S53, M54, 300M, 4340M and PremoMet. These were categorized into maraging steels, high alloy secondary hardened steels, and low alloy steels, and were then further researched. The material with the highest combination of UTS and KIC was M54 followed by AerMet 100; while AF1410 had the highest KIC but a low UTS, and PremoMet had the highest UTS but a low KIC. Maraging steels and HASH steels have a similar price range, while low alloy steels are much cheaper.

Research on inherently nanolaminated transition metal carbides is inspired by their unique properties combining metals and ceramics, such as higher damage tolerance, better machinability and lower brittleness compared to the binary counterparts, yet retaining the metallic conductivity. The interesting properties are related to their laminated structure, composed of transition-metalcarbide layers interleaved by non-transition-metal (carbide) layers. These materials in thin-film form are particularly interesting for potential applications such as protective coatings and electrical contacts. The goal of this work is to explore nanolaminated transition metal carbides from the aspects of phase formation and crystal growth during thin-film synthesis. This was realized by studying phases in select material systems synthesized from two major approaches, namely, fromdirect-deposition and post-deposition treatment. The first approach was used in studies on the Mo-Ga-C and Zr-Al-C systems. In the former system, intriguing properties have been predicted for the 3D phases and their 2D derivatives (socalled MXenes), while in the latter system, the phases are interesting for nuclear applications. In this work, the discovery of a new Mo-based nanolaminated ternary carbide, Mo2Ga2C, is evidenced from thin-film and bulk processes. Its structure was determined using theoretical and experimental techniques, showing that Mo2Ga2C has Ga double-layers in simple hexagonal stacking between adjacent Mo2C layers, and therefore is structurally very similar to Mo2GaC, except for the additional Ga layers. For the Zr-Al-C system, the optimization of phase composition and structure of Zr2Al3C4 in a thin-film deposition process was studied by evaluating the effect of deposition parameters. I concluded that the formation of Zr2Al3C4 is favored with a plasma flux overstoichiometric in Al, and with a minimum lattice-mismatch to the substrates. Consequently, epitaxial Zr2Al3C4 thin film of high quality were deposited on 4H-SiC(001) substrates at 800 °C. With the approach of post-deposition treatment, the studies were focused on a new method of thermally-induced selective substitution reaction of Au for the non-transition-metal layers in nanolaminated carbides. Here, the reaction mechanism has been explored in Al-containing (Ti2AlC and Ti3AlC2) and Ga-containing (Mo2GaC and Mo2Ga2C) phases. The Al and Ga in these phases were selectively replaced by Au while the carbide layers remained intact, resulting in the formation of new layered phases, Ti2Au2C, Ti3Au2C2, Mo2AuC, and Mo2(Au1-xGax)2C, respectively. The substitution reaction was explained by fast outward diffusion of the Al or Ga being attracted to the surface Au, in combination with back-filling of Au, which is chemically inert to the carbide layers,to the vacancies. The substitution reaction was further applied to Ga-containing nanolaminated carbides, (Cr0.5Mn0.5)2GaC and Mo2GaC, motivated by development of novel magnetic nanolaminates. The former experiment resulted in the formation of (Cr0.5Mn0.5)2AuC, where the retained (Cr0.5Mn0.5)2C layers allowed a comparative study on the magnetic properties under the exchange of Ga for Au. After Au substitution, reduction in the Curie temperature and the saturation magnetization were observed, showing a weakened magnetic exchange interaction of the magnetic (Cr0.5Mn0.5)2 Clayers across the Au. In the Mo2GaC case, an Fe-containing MAX phase, Mo2AC with 50 at.% of Fe on the A site, was synthesized through selective substitution of Au-Fe alloy for the Ga layers, showing the first direct evidence for Fe in the MAX-phase structure. The substitution of Fe did not take place on another Mo2GaC sample tested for Fe exchange only, indicating the essential role of Au in catalyzing the Fe-substitution reaction. The knowledge gained from this thesis work contributes to improved approaches for attaining thin films of nanolaminated transition metal carbides with desired phase composition and crystal quality. The reports on the new nanolaminated phases through exchange interactions are likely to expand the family of nanolaminated carbides and advance their properties, and trigger more studies on related (quasi-) 2D materials.

The use of graphene and conductive polyaniline nanomaterials in the field of electrochemistry is increasing due to their excellent conductivity, rapid electron transfer and high specific surface area. However, these properties are strongly dependent on the preparation processes. To accelerate the development of advanced electrochemical sensors for the simultaneous detection of trace amounts of heavy metal ions, two facile and green methods are proposed to improve their performance in this thesis. The first one was dedicated to make graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid nanocomposites. The introduction of carbon nanotubes not only greatly enhances the conductivity of graphene but also suppresses, to some degree, the aggregation between graphene nanosheets. Another method proposed in this thesis work was to synthesize a phytic acid doped polyaniline nanofiber based nanocomposite. The synergistic contribution from polyaniline nanofibers and phytic acid enhances the accumulation efficiency and the charge transfer rate of metal ions during the differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry analysis. The above-mentioned nanocomposite modified electrodes were all successfully applied to real samples for the simultaneous detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+ with good recovery rates. Meanwhile, corrosion protection is another important branch in the field of electrochemistry. In this direction, an active alkyd-polyaniline composite coating with self-healing functionality was prepared. The polyaniline used in this thesis was doped with p-toluene sulfonic acid, which was employed to increase the conductivity of polyaniline, and 1 wt.% of as-prepared polyaniline nanoparticles were found to offer an effective conductive network for anticorrosion. Finally, the reasons that such low loading levels of nanomaterials can result in significantly reinforced properties in nanocomposites were studied with combined atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. The results demonstrated that the interphase for a 40-nm-sized silica particle could extend to 55–70 nm in poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) and poly(isobutyl methacrylate) (PiBMA) polymer matrix, and the interphase exhibited a gradient distribution in surface nanomechanical properties. / <p>QC 20170315</p>

Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) are advanced material systems that are being used in the hot sections of gas turbines such as combustor, turbine blades, and vanes. The top ceramic coating in TBCs provides insulation against the hot gases and the intermediate metallic bond coat provides oxidation and corrosion resistance to the underlying turbine components. Durability of thermal barrier coatings is very important for the overall performance of the gas turbine. TBCs can fail in several different ways and there is a combination of more than one failure mechanism in most situations. One of the most widely used TBC is atmospheric plasma sprayed (APS) yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Both the deposition technique and the TBC material have certain limitations. The main aim of this research is to study new TBC materials and/or new deposition techniques and compare with the conventional YSZ and understand their failure mechanisms during cyclic oxidation and hot corrosion. Thermal cyclic oxidation of a newly developed high purity nano YSZ thermal barrier coating has been studied. Cross sectional analysis of exposed as well as completely failed samples showed a mixed-type failure caused by crack propagation parallel to the bond coat/top coat interface. The majority of the damage occurred towards the end of the coating life. A finite element model has been developed to study the probability of crack growth along different paths that leads to the final failure. Hot corrosion mechanism in suspension plasma sprayed two-layer gadolinium zirconate/YSZ, three-layer dense gadolinium zirconate/gadolinium zirconate/YSZ, and a single-layer YSZ has been studied in the presence of sodium sulfate and vanadium pentoxide. The test results showed that gadolinium zirconate coatings were more susceptible to corrosion compared to YSZ coatings despite gadolinium zirconate coatings having lower reactivity with the corrosive salts. Thermal cycling behavior of a high chromium bond coat has been studied. Cross-sectional analysis showed formation of sandwich type microstructure with chromium rich oxide and alumina as the top and the bottom layers. Inter-diffusion of minor elements between different MCrAlY coatings – substrate systems has been studied using, diffusion simulation software, DICTRA. The simulation results showed that the diffusion of minor elements in the coatings is dependent on the rate of β phase depletion in the beginning. After the depletion of β phase there was no clear dependence of the coating composition on the diffusion of minor elements.