For polymer-matrix composites (PMCs) that contain insulating matrices and conducting fillers, the electrical properties of the PMCs are especially sensitive to the local concentration of the fillers in the matrix. For PMCs that have phase-segregated microstructures, better prediction of the properties is possible since enhanced control over the distribution of the filler in the matrix can be achieved. In this research, PMMA-ITO nanocomposites were chosen as the composite system in which to explore alternative microstructures, specifically highly phase-segregated microstructures. The microstructures were primarily controlled by varying the ITO particle size and concentration, and the fabrication parameters used to form the nanocomposites. The motivation for this research was to develop correlations between the microstructure and non-destructive measurements in order to improve the predictability of properties in percolating PMCs. As a result of this work, a novel phase-segregated microstructure was discovered, where ITO aggregate-wire structures self-assembled during the composite forming process. Structural analysis of the specimens was conducted primarily using transmission optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Impedance spectroscopy and optical spectroscopy were the primary NDE characterization tools used for analyzing the variations among the specimens. Ultra-small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS) and stereological techniques were also used to describe the dimensions of the ITO aggregate-wire structures that self-assembled in the PMMA-ITO nanocomposites.

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Os modos de interação de silsesquioxano poliédrico oligomérico (POSS) de gaiolas fechadas com distintos grupos funcionais foram avaliados na nanoestruturação de polipropileno isotático (iPP) via processamento reativo. Analisaram-se POSS com grupos substituintes isobutila, alila e vinila em concentrações de 0,5, 1, 2 e 5%m misturados a iPP fundido utilizando peróxido de dicumila (DCP) como iniciador. Na caracterização dos nanocompósitos foram utilizadas diversas técnicas. A morfologia foi avaliada através de cromatografia por exclusão de tamanho, espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier, microscopia de transmissão e difração de raios X. O comportamento viscoelástico dos materiais no estado fundido foi medido por reologia oscilatória e no estado sólido por análises dinâmico-mecânicas. As transições térmicas foram levantadas tanto por análises dinâmico-mecânicas como por calorimetria diferencial de varredura. Modificações morfológicas e viscoelásticas importantes foram observadas para os nanocompósitos em dependência do tipo e teor de POSS empregado. A adição do Octaisobutil-POSS (OI) sugere ação estabilizante radicalar e lubrificante para este POSS. Os efeitos da incorporação do Alilisobutil-POSS (AL) indicam que este atuou como agente plastificante em função da concentração. Com Octavinil-POSS (OV) os nanocompósitos parecem adquirir estrutura ramificada ou interligada em dependência da concentração. A ativação radicalar promovida pelo DCP mostrou-se fundamental na enxertia de alguns POSS. Assim, a forma e intensidade das interações entre nanocargas e matriz foram definidas pelos grupos funcionais e concentração dos POSS. Alterações observadas na morfologia, propriedades térmicas e viscoelásticas são resultantes dessas formas e graus de interação. Deste modo, foi possível propor mecanismos de interação e arranjos morfológicos entre iPP, DCP e POSS pela avaliação do conjunto de resultados obtidos. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-10-06T16:44:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Sergio Graniero Echeverrigaray.pdf: 3289598 bytes, checksum: f804be75d287c3fd55eeb0690f47dfab (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-06T16:44:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Sergio Graniero Echeverrigaray.pdf: 3289598 bytes, checksum: f804be75d287c3fd55eeb0690f47dfab (MD5) / The interaction modes of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) of closed cages with distinct functional groups were evaluated on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) nanostructuration via reactive processing. POSS were analyzed with isobutyl, allyl and vinyl substituent groups in concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2 and 5m% mixed with melting iPP using dicumil peroxide (DCP) as initializer. Several techniques were used to characterize the nanocomposites. The morphology was evaluated through size exclusion chromatography, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The samples viscoelastic behavior in melting state was measured by oscillatory rheometry and in solid state by dynamic mechanical analysis. The thermal transitions were obtained through dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Important morphology and viscoelastic modifications were observed in nanocomposites by dependency on the type and content of POSS used. The addition of OctaIsobutyl-POSS (OI) suggests lubricant and radicalar stabilizing action for this POSS. The AllylIsobutyl-POSS (AL) incorporation effects indicate that this one acted as plasticizing agent in function of concentration. With OctaVinyl-POSS (OV), the nanocomposites seem to acquire ramified or interlinked structure in dependency on concentration. The radicalar activation promoted by DCP was decisive in the grafting efficiency for some POSS. Therefore, the mode and the interaction intensity between nanoparticles and polymeric matrix were defined by functional groups and POSS concentration. Changes observed in morphology, thermal and viscoelastic properties as in solid state as in melting state are results of these modes and interaction degrees. It was possible to propose interaction mechanisms and morphology arrangements among iPP, DCP and POSS by evaluation of the obtained results as a whole.

Os modos de interação de silsesquioxano poliédrico oligomérico (POSS) de gaiolas fechadas com distintos grupos funcionais foram avaliados na nanoestruturação de polipropileno isotático (iPP) via processamento reativo. Analisaram-se POSS com grupos substituintes isobutila, alila e vinila em concentrações de 0,5, 1, 2 e 5%m misturados a iPP fundido utilizando peróxido de dicumila (DCP) como iniciador. Na caracterização dos nanocompósitos foram utilizadas diversas técnicas. A morfologia foi avaliada através de cromatografia por exclusão de tamanho, espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier, microscopia de transmissão e difração de raios X. O comportamento viscoelástico dos materiais no estado fundido foi medido por reologia oscilatória e no estado sólido por análises dinâmico-mecânicas. As transições térmicas foram levantadas tanto por análises dinâmico-mecânicas como por calorimetria diferencial de varredura. Modificações morfológicas e viscoelásticas importantes foram observadas para os nanocompósitos em dependência do tipo e teor de POSS empregado. A adição do Octaisobutil-POSS (OI) sugere ação estabilizante radicalar e lubrificante para este POSS. Os efeitos da incorporação do Alilisobutil-POSS (AL) indicam que este atuou como agente plastificante em função da concentração. Com Octavinil-POSS (OV) os nanocompósitos parecem adquirir estrutura ramificada ou interligada em dependência da concentração. A ativação radicalar promovida pelo DCP mostrou-se fundamental na enxertia de alguns POSS. Assim, a forma e intensidade das interações entre nanocargas e matriz foram definidas pelos grupos funcionais e concentração dos POSS. Alterações observadas na morfologia, propriedades térmicas e viscoelásticas são resultantes dessas formas e graus de interação. Deste modo, foi possível propor mecanismos de interação e arranjos morfológicos entre iPP, DCP e POSS pela avaliação do conjunto de resultados obtidos. / The interaction modes of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) of closed cages with distinct functional groups were evaluated on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) nanostructuration via reactive processing. POSS were analyzed with isobutyl, allyl and vinyl substituent groups in concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2 and 5m% mixed with melting iPP using dicumil peroxide (DCP) as initializer. Several techniques were used to characterize the nanocomposites. The morphology was evaluated through size exclusion chromatography, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The samples viscoelastic behavior in melting state was measured by oscillatory rheometry and in solid state by dynamic mechanical analysis. The thermal transitions were obtained through dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Important morphology and viscoelastic modifications were observed in nanocomposites by dependency on the type and content of POSS used. The addition of OctaIsobutyl-POSS (OI) suggests lubricant and radicalar stabilizing action for this POSS. The AllylIsobutyl-POSS (AL) incorporation effects indicate that this one acted as plasticizing agent in function of concentration. With OctaVinyl-POSS (OV), the nanocomposites seem to acquire ramified or interlinked structure in dependency on concentration. The radicalar activation promoted by DCP was decisive in the grafting efficiency for some POSS. Therefore, the mode and the interaction intensity between nanoparticles and polymeric matrix were defined by functional groups and POSS concentration. Changes observed in morphology, thermal and viscoelastic properties as in solid state as in melting state are results of these modes and interaction degrees. It was possible to propose interaction mechanisms and morphology arrangements among iPP, DCP and POSS by evaluation of the obtained results as a whole.

No description available.

The aim of this Thesis was on one side to contribute to a better understanding of the phases formed in the TiAlSiN(O) system and the influence of impurities on their properties. On the other side it was also aimed in the Thesis to individually study the phases forming the nanocomposite. <p><p>In each chapter the individual conclusions from that particular chapter are presented, a summary of the most relevant conclusions and achievements is listed below. <p><p><p>¡à\ / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Orientador: Oswaldo Luiz Alves / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T15:35:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Moraes_AnaCarolinaMazarinde_D.pdf: 5504556 bytes, checksum: ff8566e313e82701925549e2ecd544ab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: O óxido de grafeno (GO) é uma forma quimicamente modificada de grafeno que possui grupos funcionais contendo oxigênio (epóxi, carboxila, carbonila, e hidroxila) distribuídos sobre a base e as bordas de suas folhas. Devido à abundância dos grupamentos oxigenados, o GO tem sido usado como uma plataforma para suportar e estabilizar nanoestruturas metálicas, tais como nanopartículas de prata (NPAgs), visando aplicações biológicas. Além disso, devido à sua excelente capacidade de dispersão e elevada área superficial, o GO tem sido considerado uma carga promissora para a construção de compósitos poliméricos. Neste trabalho, relatamos a síntese do GO e dos nanocompósitos de óxido de grafeno funcionalizado com NPAgs (GO-Ag) os quais podem ser utilizados como agentes antibacterianos de amplo espectro. O GO foi sintetizado por meio do método de Hummers modificado, e o GO-Ag foi preparado através da redução in situ dos íons de prata por citrato de sódio. As folhas de GO foram funcionalizadas com NPAgs esféricas de diâmetro médio de 9,4 nm. Estes nanocompósitos exibiram excelente atividade antimicrobiana contra as principais bactérias em ambiente hospitalar, tais como Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter baumannii, e Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina. Os nanocompósitos GO-Ag também foram aplicados como eficazes agentes antimicrobianos a fim de evitar a proliferação bacteriana em membranas de micro e ultrafiltração. Neste sentido, membranas antimicrobianas de acetato de celulose (CA) foram fabricadas a partir da incorporação de GO e GO-Ag na matriz polimérica (CA-GOAg). Após a funcionalização, as membranas permeáveis modificadas com GO-Ag foram capazes de inativar cerca de 90% das células de E. coli em comparação com as membranas de CA não modificadas. Os resultados sugerem que a incorporação de nanocompósitos GO-Ag é uma abordagem promissora para controlar o desenvolvimento da adesão bacteriana em membranas de purificação de água. Com relação à demanda de novos materiais com elevada estabilidade e com capacidade de proteção contra radiação ultravioleta (UV), foram fabricados filmes compósitos transparentes a partir de acetato de celulose e óxido de grafeno. A caracterização físico-química revelou que as folhas de GO estão bem dispersas por toda a matriz polimérica, proporcionando filmes compósitos lisos e homogêneos. Em comparação com os filmes pristinos de CA, os filmes compósitos exibiram melhor capacidade de proteção contra radiação UV combinado com transparência óptica à luz visível, o que reforça a sua aplicação como revestimentos transparentes com proteção UV para alimentos, produtos farmacêuticos, biomédicos, e produtos eletrônicos / Abstract: Graphene oxide (GO) is a chemically modified form of graphene that possesses oxygen-containing groups (epoxy, carboxyl, carbonyl, and hydroxyl) distributed on the plane and edges of the sheets. Owing to the abundance of oxygenated groups, GO has been used as a platform to support and stabilize metallic nanostructures such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), aiming biological applications. In addition, GO has been considered a promising material for building polymeric composites because of its excellent dispersibility and high surface area. In this work, we report the synthesis of GO and GO functionalized with AgNPs (GO-Ag) for use as a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. GO was synthesized through the modified Hummers method, and the GO-Ag was prepared through the in situ reduction of silver ions by sodium citrate. Spherical AgNPs with average size of 9.4 nm were found well-dispersed throughout the GO sheets. This nanocomposite exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against common nosocomial bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter baumannii, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. GO-Ag nanocomposites were also applied as an effective antimicrobial agent in order to prevent the bacterial proliferation on micro and ultrafiltration membranes. Cellulose acetate (CA) membranes were then fabricated from the incorporation of GO and GO-Ag into the polymeric matrix (CA-GOAg). After functionalization, the permeable CA membranes modified with GO-Ag were able to inactivate mostly 90% of E. coli cells compared to the non-modified CA membranes. The results suggest that the incorporation of GO-Ag nanocomposites is a promising approach to control biofouling development in water purification membranes. Concerning the demand for novel ultraviolet shielding materials with high stability, transparent and UV-shielding composite films were fabricated by casting a mixture of GO with cellulose acetate (CA). The physicochemical characterization revealed that GO sheets were well-dispersed throughout the polymeric matrix, providing smooth and homogeneous composite films. By comparison with pristine CA films, the composite films displayed an improved UV-shielding capacity combined with optical transparency under visible light, which underscores their application as transparent UV-protective coatings for food, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and electronic products / Doutorado / Quimica Inorganica / Doutora em Ciências

The new nickel/layered silicate nanocomposites were electrodeposited from different pHs to study the influence on the metal ions/layered silicate plating solution and on the properties of the deposited films. Nickel/layered silicate nanocomposites were fabricated from citrate bath atacidic pHs (1.6−3.0), from Watts’ type solution (pH ~4-5), and from citrate bath at basic pH (~9). Additionally, the new nickel/molybdenum/layered silicate nanocomposites were electrodeposited from citrate bath at pH 9.5. The silicate, montmorillonite (MMT), was exfoliated by stirring in aqueous solution over 24 hours. The plating solutions were analyzed for zeta potential, particle size, viscosity, and conductivity to investigate the effects of the composition at various pHs. The preferred crystalline orientation and the crystalline size of nickel, nickel/layered silicate, nickel/molybdenum, and nickel/molybdenum/layered silicate films were examined by X-ray diffraction. The microstructure of the coatings and the surface roughness was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Nickel/molybdenum/layered silicate nanocomposites containing low content of layered silicate (1.0 g/L) had increase 32 % hardness and 22 % Young’s modulus values over the pure nickel/molybdenum alloy films. The potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance measurements showed that the nickel/molybdenum/layered silicate nanocomposite layers have higher corrosion resistance in 3.5% NaCl compared to the pure alloy films. The corrosion current density of the nickel/molybdenum/layered silicate nanocomposite composed of 0.5 g/L MMT is 0.63 µA·cm-2 as compare to a nickel/molybdenum alloy which is 2.00 µA·cm-2.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Nanocomposite ceramics have been widely studied in order to tailor desired properties at high temperatures. Methodologies for development of material design are still under effect. While finite element modeling (FEM) provides significant insight on material behavior, few design researchers have addressed the design paradox that accompanies this rapid design space expansion. A surrogate optimization model management framework has been proposed to make this design process tractable. In the surrogate optimization material design tool, the analysis cost is reduced by performing simulations on the surrogate model instead of high fidelity finite element model. The methodology is incorporated to and the optimal number of silicon carbide (SiC) particles, in a silicon-nitride(Si3N4) composite with maximum fracture energy [2]. Along with a deterministic optimization algorithm, model uncertainties have also been considered with the use of robust design optimization (RDO) method ensuring a design of minimum sensitivity to changes in the parameters. These methodologies applied to nanocomposites design have a significant impact on cost and design cycle time reduced.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In materials chemistry, surface-initiated reversible deactivation radical polymerisation (SI-RDRP) has emerged as one of the most versatile routes to synthesising inorganic/organic hybrid materials consisting of well-defined polymers. The resultant materials often exhibit a remarkable improvement in bulk material properties even after the addition of very small amounts of inorganic modifiers like clay. A novel cationic reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent with the dual purpose of modifying the surface of Laponite clay and controlling the polymerisation of monomer therefrom, was designed and synthesised. Its efficiency to control the polymerisation of styrene was evaluated and confirmed through investigating the molar mass evolution and chain-end functionality. The surface of Laponite clay was modified with the cationic chain transfer agent (CTA) via ion exchange and polymerisation performed in the presence of a free non-functionalised CTA. The addition of the non-functionalised CTA gave an evenly distributed CTA concentration and allowed the simultaneous growth of surface-attached and free polystyrene (PS). Further analysis of the free and grafted PS using analytical techniques developed and published during the course of this study, indicated that the free and grafted PS chains were undergoing different polymerisation mechanisms. For the second monomer system investigated n-butyl acrylate, it was apparent that the molar mass targeted and the monomer conversions attained had a significant influence on the simultaneous growth of the free and grafted polymer chains. Additional analysis of the grafted polymer chains indicated that secondary reactions dominated in the polymerisation of the surface-attached polymer chains. A new approach to separating the inorganic/organic hybrid materials into their various components using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) was described. The results obtained not only gave an indication of the success of the in situ polymerisation reaction, but also provided information on the morphology of the material. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out on the polymer-clay nanocomposite samples. The results showed that by adding as little as 3 wt-% of clay to the polymer matrix, there was a remarkable improvement in the thermal stability. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oppervlakgeïnisieerde omkeerbare deaktiveringsradikaalpolimerisasie (SI-RDRP) is een van die veelsydigste roetes om anorganiese/organiese hibriedmateriale (wat bestaan uit goed-gedefinieerde polimere) te sintetiseer. Die produk toon dikwels ʼn merkwaardige verbetering in die makroskopiese eienskappe – selfs na die toevoeging van klein hoeveelhede anorganiese modifiseerders soos klei. ʼn Nuwe kationiese omkeerbare addisie-fragmentasie kettingoordrag (RAFT) middel met die tweeledige doel om die modifisering van die oppervlak van Laponite klei en die beheer van die polimerisasie van die monomeer daarvan, is ontwerp en gesintetiseer. Die klei se doeltreffendheid om die polimerisasie van stireen te beheer is geëvalueer en bevestig deur die molêre massa en die funksionele groepe aan die einde van die ketting te ondersoek. Die oppervlak van Laponite klei is gemodifiseer met die kationiese kettingoordragmiddel (CTA) deur middel van ioonuitruiling en polimerisasie wat uitgevoer word in die teenwoordigheid van ʼn vrye nie-gefunksionaliseerde CTA. Die toevoeging van die nie-gefunksionaliseerde CTA het ʼn eweredig-verspreide konsentrasie CTA teweeggebring en die gelyktydige groei van oppervlak-gebonde en vry polistireen (PS) toegelaat. Verdere ontleding van die vrye- en geënte PS met behulp van analitiese tegnieke wat ontwikkel en gepubliseer is gedurende die verloop van hierdie studie, het aangedui dat die vry- en geënte PS-kettings verskillende polimerisasiemeganismes ondergaan. n-Butielakrilaat is in die tweede monomeer-stelsel ondersoek en dit was duidelik dat die molêre massa wat geteiken is en die geënte polimeerkettings. ʼn Nuwe benadering tot die skeiding van die anorganiese/organiese hibriedmateriale in hulle onderskeie komponente met behulp van asimmetriese vloeiveld-vloei fraksionering (AF4) is beskryf. Die resultate wat verkry is, het nie net 'n aanduiding gegee van die sukses van die in-situ polimerisasiereaksie nie, maar het ook inligting verskaf oor die morfologie van die materiaal. Termogravimetriese analise (TGA) is uitgevoer op die polimeer-klei nanosaamgestelde monsters. Die resultate het getoon dat daar 'n merkwaardige verbetering in die termiese stabiliteit was na die toevoeging van so min as 3 wt% klei by die polimeermatriks.