Electroactive Shape Memory Property of a Cu-decorated CNT Dispersed PLA/ESO Nanocomposite

Shape memory polymer (SMP) nanocomposites with a fast electro-actuation speed were prepared by dispersing Cu-decorated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (Cu-CNTs, 1 wt %, 2 wt %, and 3 wt %) in a polylactic acid (PLA)/epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) blend matrix. The shape memory effect (SME) induced by an electrical current was investigated by a fold-deploy “U”-shape bending test. In addition, the Cu-CNT dispersed PLA/ESO nanocomposite was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile and electrical measurements. The results demonstrated that the SME was dependent on the Cu-CNT content in the nanocomposites. When comparing the SMEs of the nanocomposite specimens with different Cu-CNT contents, the 2 wt % Cu-CNT dispersed system exhibited a shape recovery as high as 98% within 35 s due to its higher electrical conductivity that results from uniform Cu-CNT dispersion. However, the nanocomposites that contained 1 wt % and 3 wt % Cu-CNTs required 75 s and 63 s, respectively, to reach a maximum recovery level. In addition, the specimens exhibited better mechanical properties after the addition of Cu-CNTs.

Structural and optical studies of pHEMA encapsulated ZnS:Ni²⁺ nanoparticles

In this study, ZnS:Ni(2+) nanostructures have been synthesized through chemical precipitation method using poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) as capping agent. The structural, morphological and optical properties at different pHEMA concentration of ZnS:Ni(2+) were studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), UV-Vis Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Photoluminescence (PL). The Average crystalline size of the nanoparticles was found to be in the range of ∼3.59-4.36 nm. The surface morphological analysis reveals that the pHEMA capped nanoparticles showed homogeneous smooth surface. HR-TEM analysis reminds the original size of pHEMA capped nanoparticles. The band gap investigation revealed the size dependent of quantum confined nanoparticles. The immobilized nanoparticles in pHEMA matrix were verified by FT-IR studies. Novel luminescence properties have been observed for uncapped and pHEMA capped ZnS nanoparticles. The optimal capping concentration was successfully determined and its influence on photoluminescence behavior has been thoroughly analyzed.

Crystal growth, morphology, spectrographic characterization and thermal properties of Glycine Barium Bromo Chloride crystals

Glycine Barium Bromo Chloride material was purified by repeated recrystallization. Single crystal was grown by the slow evaporation solution technique (SEST). The presence of functional groups in the grown crystals was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrum analysis. Thermal properties of the crystals were investigated using thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). The dielectric studies were carried out to identify the phase transition temperature and the dielectric constant was found. The transparency of crystal was tested using UV-visible spectra. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study has been carried out to find the crystal system and unit cell parameters.

SURFACE MODIFICATION OF TPR SOLE: AN APPROACH TO IMPROVE SLIP RESISTANCE ON QUARRY AND CERAMIC TILES

Human slip on smooth surfaces is a common accident, even though the footwear soling materials are designed with cleats and treads to provide more friction with the floor. About 20% of footwear is made with thermoplastic rubber (TPR; styrene-butadiene-styrene) soles. The slip resistance property under wet-flooring conditions of this kind of sole is poor because of the nonionic nature of the polymer. Chemical surface modification can be exploited to improve the slip-resistance property of TPR soles. The surface is chemically modified with trichloroisocyanuric acid in a methyl ethyl ketone medium (TCI/MEK; at 1, 2, and 3%) to introduce chlorinated and oxidized moieties to the rubber surface. The extent of surface modification produced in TPR with this change can be tested using attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle and surface roughness measurements. The improvement in slip resistance can be evaluated by measuring the coefficient of friction using a dynamic slip-resistance tester. The extent of the change in the functional physical properties, such as surface roughness, contact angle, work adhesion, in slip resistance can be improved by optimizing the concentration of trichloroisocyanuric acid. Physicomechanical properties of unmodified and modified soles that are essential for wear performance can be tested and compared. Quantitative changes on the surface of modified rubber soles increases surface roughness, reduces contact angles, and increases work energy, so there is a considerable increase in the coefficient of friction, especially under wet floor conditions. The chemical surface treatment tends to reduce the bulk mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elongation at break, and abrasion resistance, because cyanuric acid attacks the sole. The coefficient of friction produces a positive trend at 1 and 2% TCI/MEK treatments, but the trend is negative at a 3% concentration. The optimum surface treatment level for surface modification to enhance the slip resistance of TPR is 2% TCI/MEK.