Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2009. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (M. S.)--Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Gerhardt, Rosario; Engineering: Dr. Arun M. Gokhale; Engineering: Dr. Preet Singh; Engineering: Dr. Mohan Srinivasarao; Engineering: Dr. Meisha Shofner.

In this work the interaction between peripherally (b) substituted nickel tetrahydroxyphthalocyanines (b-NiPc(OH)4 and poly-b-Ni(O)Pc(OH)4) with 4-chlorophenol is theoretically rationalized by performing calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular orbital theory are used to calculate the condensed Fukui function for phthalocyanine derivatives and 4-chlorophenol, in order to determine the reactive sites involved when 4-chlorophenol is oxidized, and to compare theoretically predicted reactivity to experimentally determined electrocatalytic activity. Electrocatalytic activities of adsorbed NiPc derivatives: OPGE-α-NiPc(OH)8 (OPGE = ordinary pyrolytic graphite electrode, α = nonperipheral substitution), OPGE-a-NiPc(OH)4 and OPGE-β- NiPc(OH)4 are compared with those of the polymerized counterparts: OPGE-poly-α-Ni(O)Pc(OH)8, OPGE poly-a-NiPc(OH)4 and OPGE-poly-β-NiPc(OH)4, respectively. β-NiPc(NH2)4, β-NiPc(OH)4, α-NiPc(OH)4, α-NiPc(OH)8, α-NiPc(C10H21)8 are adsorbed on singled walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and β-NiPc(NH2)4-SWCNT (linked to SWCNT), are used to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and employed for the electro oxidation of chlorophenols. The β-NiPc(NH2)4-SWCNT gave the best current response for the oxidation of 4-chlorophenol. α-NiPc(OH)8-SWCNT and α-NiPc(C10H21)8 gave the best resistance to electrode fouling due to oxidation by product of 4-chlorophenol. The synthesis of conjugates of cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe-QDs) capped with thioglycolic acid and peripherally substituted nickel tetraamino phthalocyanine (β-NiPc(NH2)4) complex were also employed for the oxidation of chlorophenols. Separation of one of the diastereomers of 1, 2-subnaphthalocyanine (SubNPc) was achieved as well as separation of the enantiomers. The absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectra, together with theoretical calculations, reveal rather small variations in the frontier molecular orbitals of the SubNPc compared to conventional subphthalocyanine (SubPc), except for the destabilization of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), which results in a characteristic absorption in the Soret band region. The chirality of SubNPc, including the cyclic dichroism (CD) signs and intensities, are discussed in detail.

Neste trabalho foi realizado uma avaliação das propriedades térmicas e mecânicas dos compósitos de PP/PP-g-AM com 5% e 10% m/m das nanocargas MMT-Na+, MMT-15A, MMT-30B, CaCO3 e CaCO3-AE, preparados em extrusora de dupla rosca co-rotante com configuração de L/D 32 para elencar três nanocargas com melhor desempenho nestas propriedades. Posteriormente foram processados compósitos de PP/PP-g-AM com 10% m/m das nanocargas MMT-Na+, MMT-15A e CaCO3 com a configuração de L/D 46 processadas uma e três vezes para avaliar a influência do processamento nas propriedades mecânicas, térmicas, morfológicas, reológicas e termomecânicas. Nos compósitos de PP com nanocargas preparados com L/D 32, os resultados demonstraram que a adição do agente compatibilizante PP-g-AM provoca alterações nas propriedades mecânicas, indicando que os compósitos de PP compatibilizados apresentaram resultados superiores nestas propriedades em relação aos compósitos de PP não compatibilizados. Nos compósitos de PP com as nanocargas MMT-Na+, MMT-15A e o CaCO3 preparados na configuração L/D 32 apresentaram os resultados mais significativos nas análises das propriedades mecânicas e térmicas quando incorporadas em 10% m/m ao PP/PP-g-AM, sendo utilizadas para análise da variação das condições de processamento. Posteriormente foi realizado o estudo do efeito do tipo de configuração da rosca (L/D 46) e de nanocarga nos compósitos de PP/PP-g-AM. Estes compósitos foram caracterizados pelas suas propriedades mecânicas, propriedades térmicas, morfologia, reologicas e termomecânicas. A análise das propriedades mecânicas dos compósitos processados com a configuração L/D 46 uma e três vezes apresentou uma redução nas propriedades mecânicas em comparação com os compósitos processados com configuração L/D 32, ficando com valores próximos ao do PP puro. Este resultado indicou que a variação da configuração L/D no processamento proporcionou a degradação da matriz polimérica, evidenciada nos ensaios de reologia, onde houve um aumento da fluidez dos compósitos e uma redução na viscosidade complexa. As análises de MET mostraram que a argila MMT-15A incorporada de 10% m/m ao PP/PP-g-AM apresentou formação de tactóides intercalados e fase esfoliada no processamento com L/D 32. A análise das propriedades discutidas neste trabalho indicou que a argila MMT-15A apresenta a melhor adesão e dispersão na matriz de polipropileno. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-08-12T17:55:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Leandro Soares de Lima.pdf: 3194982 bytes, checksum: 3979198068c0c31fd2c896803cf04888 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-08-12T17:55:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Leandro Soares de Lima.pdf: 3194982 bytes, checksum: 3979198068c0c31fd2c896803cf04888 (MD5) / In this work an evaluation of the thermal and mechanical properties of PP/PP-g-MA composites with 5 and 10 wt% of MMT-Na+, MMT-15A, MMT-30B, CaCO3 and CaCO3-AE nanofillers was performed. Composites were prepared in a co-rotating, double-screw extruder configured at L/D ratio 32 to specify three nanofillers of best performance. Thereafter PP/PP-g-MA composites with 10 wt% of MMT-Na +, MMT-15A and CaCO3 nanofillers at L/D ratio 46 were processed one and three times in order to evaluate the influence of processing on the mechanical, thermal, morphological, rheological and thermo- mechanical properties. For PP nanocomposites with nanofillers prepared at L/D ratio 32, results demonstrate that the addition of the compatibilizing agent PP-g-MA changes the mechanical properties, indicating that for these properties, the results obtained for the compatibilized PP composites are improved in relation to those obtained for the non-compatibilized samples. PP composites with MMT-Na+, MMT-15A and CaCO3 nanofillers prepared at L/D ratio 32 configuration had the most relevant results obtained for mechanical and thermal properties when these nanofillers were incorporated in the amount of 10% m/m to PP/PP-g-MA, so they were used in the analysis of the variation of the processing conditions. The effect of the screw configuration L/D ratio 46 and of nanofiller in PP/PP-g-MA composites was also studied. These composites were characterized by their mechanical, thermal, morphological, rheological and thermo-mechanical properties. Analysis of the mechanical properties of the composites processed at L/D 46 ratio one and three times showed to reduced values when compared to the composites processed at the configuration L/D 32 the figures being close to those of neat PP. These data reveals that by varying the L/D ratio configuration during processing the polymer matrix is degraded, as evidenced by rheology tests, a flow increase and reduction in complex viscosity being observed in the composites. TEM analyses have shown that 10 wt% MMT-15A clay incorporated to PP/PP-g-MA formed intercalated tactoids and exfoliated phase during processing at L/D ratio 32. Analysis of the properties discussed in this work indicated that MMT-15A clay has the best adhesion and dispersion in the polypropylene matrix.

A busca por materiais de origem natural, com menos impacto ambiental e com as mesmas propriedades de materis sintéticos está cada vez mais em foco nas pesquisas na área de engenharia. Um modo de fazer isto é o desenvolvimento de nancompósitos reforçados por materiais oriundos de fibras naturais visto que estas possuem em sua estrutura celulose e a celulose é o composto presente em maior quantidade no planeta. Dentro dos nanocompósitos existe a classe dos nanocompósitos expandidos que combinam boas propriedades mecânicas com densidade reduzida e capacidade superior de isolamento térmico e acústico, quando comparados aos nanocompósitos convencionais não expandidos. Nanocompósitos expandidos são materiais que possuem pelo menos três fases: uma contínua (matriz polimérica), a fase dispersa (elementos de reforço) e a presença de espaços vazios no interior da estrutura, denominadas células. O poliestireno (PS) é um polímero muito utilizado na produção de materiais expandidos. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo tem por objetivo, primeiramente a obtenção das nanofibras (NFC) e nanowhiskers (NWC) de celulose ambas extraídas de fibras de curauá (FC). As NFC foram obtidas pelo processo de desfibrilação e os NWC a partir do método de oxidação. Estas foram caracterizadas quanto sua morfologia por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET), microscopia eletrônica de varredura com emissão de campo (MEV-FEG), grau de polimerização (GP), quanto sua estrutura cristalina (DRX), quanto suas propriedades térmicas (TG) e quanto a estrutura química (FTIR). Após, ocorreu o desenvolvimento de nanocompósitos de poliestireno (PS) reforçado com NFC e NWC, nas seguintes concentrações de reforço: 0,25%, 0,50% e 1,00% (m/m). Avaliou-se a influência da incorporação dos reforços na matriz por DMA onde observou-se um aumento no módulo de armazenamento e de perda para todos os nanocompósitos, em relação ao PS sem reforço. Após os nanocompósitos foram expandidos utilizando dióxido de carbono em estado supercrítico como agente expansor e os nanocompósitos expandidos foram avaliados por propriedades mecânicas (resistência à compressão), na morfologia final do nanocompósito expandido por MEV-FEG e por distribuição de tamanho de células. Nos nanocompósitos expandidos, a incorporação das NFC promoveu um aumento na resistência a compressão e uma diminuição no tamanho de células, quando comparado as amostras reforçadas com NWC e PS puro. De modo geral, a incorporação dos NWC nos nanocompósitos antes da expansão proporcionaram melhores resultados quando comprados ao reforçados com NFC. Por poutro lado a incorporação de NFC nos nanocompósitos expandidos proporcionaram melhores resultados quando comparados aos reforçados com NWC. / Submitted by cmquadros@ucs.br (cmquadros@ucs.br) on 2018-02-20T11:45:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Roberta Motta Neves.pdf: 2419021 bytes, checksum: 98834ba297d6c3752a7400aba41b8968 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-20T11:45:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Roberta Motta Neves.pdf: 2419021 bytes, checksum: 98834ba297d6c3752a7400aba41b8968 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-20 / The search for materials of natural origin, with less environmental impact and with the same properties of synthetic materials is increasingly focused on research in the field of engineering. One way to doing this is a development of nanocomposites reinforced with materials obtained from natural fibers, because that have on your biologic structure cellulose and the cellulose is present in greater quantity in the planet. Within the nanocomposites there is a class of expanded nanocomposites that combine good mechanical properties with reduced density and superior capacity of thermal and acoustic insulation when compared to conventional non-expanded nanocomposites. Expanded nanocomposites are materials that have at least three phases: a continuous (polymer matrix), the dispersed phase (reinforcing elements) and the presence of voids inside the structure, called cells. Polystyrene (PS) is a polymer widely used in the production of expanded materials. In this sense, the aim of the present study were firstly to obtain nanofibers (NFC) and nanowhiskers (NWC) of cellulose both extracted from curauá fibers (CF). The NFCs were obtained by the defibrillation process and the NWC from the oxidation method. These were characterized by their transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy with field emission (SEM), degree of polymerization (GP), their crystalline structure (XRD), and their thermal properties (TG) and the chemical structure by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). After that, the next step was the development of PS/NFC and PS/NWC nanocomposites in the following reinforcement concentrations: 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00% (w/w). The influence of the incorporation of the reinforcements in the matrix by DMA was evaluated, where an increase in the storage and loss modulus was observed for all the nanocomposites, in relation to the PS without reinforcement. After the nanocomposites were expanded using carbon dioxide in the supercritical state as an expander and the expanded nanocomposites were evaluated by mechanical properties (compressive strength), in the final morphology of the expanded nanocomposite by SEM and by cell size distribution. In the expanded nanocomposites, the incorporation of the NFC promoted an increase in the compressive strength and a decrease in the cell size when compared to the samples reinforced with NWC and pure PS. In general, the incorporation of NWC in nanocomposites prior to expansion provided better results when purchased from NFC-reinforced ones. On the other hand, the incorporation of NFC in the expanded nanocomposites provided better results when compared to those reinforced with NWC.

Neste trabalho foi realizado uma avaliação das propriedades térmicas e mecânicas dos compósitos de PP/PP-g-AM com 5% e 10% m/m das nanocargas MMT-Na+, MMT-15A, MMT-30B, CaCO3 e CaCO3-AE, preparados em extrusora de dupla rosca co-rotante com configuração de L/D 32 para elencar três nanocargas com melhor desempenho nestas propriedades. Posteriormente foram processados compósitos de PP/PP-g-AM com 10% m/m das nanocargas MMT-Na+, MMT-15A e CaCO3 com a configuração de L/D 46 processadas uma e três vezes para avaliar a influência do processamento nas propriedades mecânicas, térmicas, morfológicas, reológicas e termomecânicas. Nos compósitos de PP com nanocargas preparados com L/D 32, os resultados demonstraram que a adição do agente compatibilizante PP-g-AM provoca alterações nas propriedades mecânicas, indicando que os compósitos de PP compatibilizados apresentaram resultados superiores nestas propriedades em relação aos compósitos de PP não compatibilizados. Nos compósitos de PP com as nanocargas MMT-Na+, MMT-15A e o CaCO3 preparados na configuração L/D 32 apresentaram os resultados mais significativos nas análises das propriedades mecânicas e térmicas quando incorporadas em 10% m/m ao PP/PP-g-AM, sendo utilizadas para análise da variação das condições de processamento. Posteriormente foi realizado o estudo do efeito do tipo de configuração da rosca (L/D 46) e de nanocarga nos compósitos de PP/PP-g-AM. Estes compósitos foram caracterizados pelas suas propriedades mecânicas, propriedades térmicas, morfologia, reologicas e termomecânicas. A análise das propriedades mecânicas dos compósitos processados com a configuração L/D 46 uma e três vezes apresentou uma redução nas propriedades mecânicas em comparação com os compósitos processados com configuração L/D 32, ficando com valores próximos ao do PP puro. Este resultado indicou que a variação da configuração L/D no processamento proporcionou a degradação da matriz polimérica, evidenciada nos ensaios de reologia, onde houve um aumento da fluidez dos compósitos e uma redução na viscosidade complexa. As análises de MET mostraram que a argila MMT-15A incorporada de 10% m/m ao PP/PP-g-AM apresentou formação de tactóides intercalados e fase esfoliada no processamento com L/D 32. A análise das propriedades discutidas neste trabalho indicou que a argila MMT-15A apresenta a melhor adesão e dispersão na matriz de polipropileno. / In this work an evaluation of the thermal and mechanical properties of PP/PP-g-MA composites with 5 and 10 wt% of MMT-Na+, MMT-15A, MMT-30B, CaCO3 and CaCO3-AE nanofillers was performed. Composites were prepared in a co-rotating, double-screw extruder configured at L/D ratio 32 to specify three nanofillers of best performance. Thereafter PP/PP-g-MA composites with 10 wt% of MMT-Na +, MMT-15A and CaCO3 nanofillers at L/D ratio 46 were processed one and three times in order to evaluate the influence of processing on the mechanical, thermal, morphological, rheological and thermo- mechanical properties. For PP nanocomposites with nanofillers prepared at L/D ratio 32, results demonstrate that the addition of the compatibilizing agent PP-g-MA changes the mechanical properties, indicating that for these properties, the results obtained for the compatibilized PP composites are improved in relation to those obtained for the non-compatibilized samples. PP composites with MMT-Na+, MMT-15A and CaCO3 nanofillers prepared at L/D ratio 32 configuration had the most relevant results obtained for mechanical and thermal properties when these nanofillers were incorporated in the amount of 10% m/m to PP/PP-g-MA, so they were used in the analysis of the variation of the processing conditions. The effect of the screw configuration L/D ratio 46 and of nanofiller in PP/PP-g-MA composites was also studied. These composites were characterized by their mechanical, thermal, morphological, rheological and thermo-mechanical properties. Analysis of the mechanical properties of the composites processed at L/D 46 ratio one and three times showed to reduced values when compared to the composites processed at the configuration L/D 32 the figures being close to those of neat PP. These data reveals that by varying the L/D ratio configuration during processing the polymer matrix is degraded, as evidenced by rheology tests, a flow increase and reduction in complex viscosity being observed in the composites. TEM analyses have shown that 10 wt% MMT-15A clay incorporated to PP/PP-g-MA formed intercalated tactoids and exfoliated phase during processing at L/D ratio 32. Analysis of the properties discussed in this work indicated that MMT-15A clay has the best adhesion and dispersion in the polypropylene matrix.

Orientador: Fernando Alvarez / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T22:24:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Antunes_ViniciusGabriel_M.pdf: 3019304 bytes, checksum: 07f935b74d9527a192ce26b38e17afda (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Os tratamentos de superfície a plasma são amplamente usados em diversas áreas de tecnologia, tais como: indústria metalmecânica, microeletrônica, plástico e medicina, para o crescimento de filmes finos, camadas protetoras em instrumentos e ferramentas de corte, funcionalização de superfícies plásticas, tecidos sintéticos, esterilização de instrumentos cirúrgicos e plasma reativo em semicondutores. Há alguns anos, uma nova família de filmes duros e protetores com baixo atrito compostos por nanoestrururas, tem sido intensamente pesquisada por apresentar propriedades particularmente interessantes, do ponto de vista da físico-química básica, como possíveis aplicações tecnológicas em que a demanda por desgaste, altas temperatura, e resistência mecânica são necessárias. A deposição de filmes finos, constituídos por nanocompósitos, e a compreensão de propriedades (mecânicas, elétricas, ópticas) desses novos materiais, gera um leque de possíveis aplicações tecnológicas. A partir de tais premissas, focalizamos o objetivo do trabalho em estudar a obtenção e caracterização das propriedades físico-químicas de filmes finos nanoestruturados (nanocompósitos), que contêm compostos de Ti, C, N, e O, utilizando a técnica de Deposição Química pela Decomposição do precursor líquido tetraetóxido de titânio (Ti(OC2H5)4) (PECVD, na sigla em inglês). Ressalta-se que o interesse em obter esses materiais, a partir do reagente em questão, reside no fato de que ele poderia substituir o uso de outros precursores de difícil manuseio, tais como o tetracloreto de titânio (TiCl4), o qual é normalmente utilizado em numerosas aplicações de deposições de filmes compósitos, mediante a técnica de PECVD, e cujo subproduto da reação gera reagentes altamente corrosivos. Em resumo, este trabalho contempla a caracterização da composição química, micro e nano estrutura de compósitos que contêm os compostos mencionados, em função das variáveis mais importantes de deposição. O presente estudo foi bem sucedido em obter nanocompósito e correlacionar a dependência das ligações químicas do material com os parâmetros mais importantes de deposição / Abstract: Plasma surface treatments are widely used in several technological areas (e.g., metallurgic industry, microelectronic, plastic industry, medicine) in order to obtain hard coatings on cutting tools and instruments, funtionalization of plastics and synthetic materials used in the textile industry, sterilization of chirurgic instruments, etching by reactive plasma in the semiconductor industry, etc. Recently, a new family of coatings deposited by plasma assisted techniques owing interesting physical chemical properties such as super-hardness, low friction and wear resistant, temperature and corrosion resistant, known as nano-composites, have been intensely studied.The objectives of this work is developing a nano composite containing Ti, C, N e O and understand as far as possible its physical and chemical properties. The material is obtained by plasma assisted enhanced chemical deposition (PECVD) using Titanium(IV) ethoxide ( (Ti(OC2H5)4) and N as precursors of the reaction. The importance of the attempt to use the cited precursor resides in the fact that it is a friendly liquid without corrosive o major toxic effects, as the normal precursors used in the actual industrial process (e.g., titanium tetrachloride, TiCl4). Summarizing, this work is focusing the research in the deposition and study of the physical and chemical properties of thin films nano composites obtained from Titanium(IV) ethoxide precursor. The study shows that the deposition procedure allows obtaining a material containing nanoscopics size crystallites of the compounds cited above. Finally, the relation of the material properties with the more important deposition parameters is discussed and presented / Mestrado / Física / Mestre em Física

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Engineering: Mechanical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Despite the huge improvements made in the development of vehicle brake pad materials, problems such long stopping distances, noise pollution, and heat dissipation still continue to persist. In this regard, a novel polymer-based hybrid nanocomposite brake pad (HC) has been developed. Here, a combination of carbon-based materials, including those at a nanoscale, was used to produce the brake pad. The coefficient of friction, wear rate, noise level, and interfacial temperature was investigated and compared with that of a commercial brake pad material (CR). It was found that the brake pad performance varied with the formulation of each pad. Hybrid nanocomposite brake pads material exhibited superior performance in most tests when compared to the commercial brake pad. They exhibited a 65% lower wear rate, 55% lower noise level, 90% shorter stopping distance, and 71 % lower interfacial temperature than the commercial brake pad (CR). Furthermore, mechanical properties such as hardness, compressive strength, shear strength, and impact resistance were also evaluated. The material exhibited a 376% higher shear strength, 100% improved compressive strength, 77% greater modulus and 100% higher impact strength than the commercial brake pad. The hardness of both brake pads material was statistically comparable. Additionally, the thermal stability, degradation, water and oil absorption behaviour were measured. It was found that HC brake pad material exhibited a 100% lower water absorption and 80% oil absorption rate. The brake pads also exhibited a thermal stability within the brake pad standard maximum working temperature of 300 -400 0C. The superior performance of hybrid nanocomposite brake pad material observed was due to synergism between the carbon-carbon additives and uniform dispersion of carbon fiber as shown in Figure 4.16. Scanning electron microscopy study was subsequently performed on fracture and worn surfaces of the brake pads. The micrographs show changes in the structural formation after the incorporation of carbon based fillers. It also shows the smooth structure and uniform dispersion of the carbon fiber. The smooth surface of the worn brake pad is an indicative of a harder structure. No ploughing or score marks were evident. Hence, it was deduced that the reinforced had superior mechanical and tribological properties. These improved properties are suggestive of materials that may be successfully used for brake pad application. / M

M.Sc. (Chemistry) / Polymer nanocomposites are a new class of composites in which at least one dimension of the particles dispersed in the polymer matrix is in the nanometer range. Recently, different types of zeolite minerals, either natural (Clinoptilolite, chabazite, modernite) or synthetic (A-type, X-type, Y-type) are being employed as particulate fillers into the polymer matrix. Owing to their unique ion exchange phenomenon, zeolites have been widely studied as heavy metal adsorbents, but very few researchers have focused on the sorption of heavy metal ions on zeolite-filled polymer nanocomposites...

M.Sc. (Chemistry) / The quality of fresh water is deteriorating due to pollution by a wide range of substances as a result of industrial, agricultural, domestic, mining and other anthropogenic activities. Even at trace levels in water, some pollutants are toxic to organisms through acute or chronic effects or through bioaccumulation. Conventional water treatment is often ineffective at removing pollutants to the ultra-low levels required by water quality standards and other technologies employed to remove toxic compounds from water have high capital and operating costs and other disadvantages. There is therefore an ongoing need to develop low-cost technologies that are effective for the removal of toxic pollutants from water. In our laboratories, iron and nickel (Fe/Ni) decorated carbon nanotube (CNT)/cyclodextrin polymers (β-CDs) showed promising results in previous studies carried out for the degradation and removal of toxic organic pollutants in water. However, the powder form of the polymer makes its direct application in water treatment difficult. The leaching of metal nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes from the polymer into the water being treated is also of concern due to their potential toxicity. In this study, alginate beads were investigated as supports for two kinds of nanocomposites, Fe/Ni decorated carbon nanotubes and Fe/Ni decorated carbon nanotube/cyclodextrin polymers. Alginate beads were selected as supports to render the nanocomposites more conducive towards water treatment applications since they are easy to handle and recover from water and are also stable supports that can prevent the leaching of nanomaterials into treated water.