Novel 0D-nanocarbon-silica ceramic composites: sol-gel synthesis and high-temperature evolution

Advanced progress on the significant influences of multi-dimensional nanofillers on the tribological performance of coatings

Over the past two decades, nanofillers have attracted significant interest due to their proven chemical, mechanical, and tribological performances. However, despite the significant progress realized in the application of nanofiller-reinforced coatings in various prominent fields, such as aerospace, automobiles and biomedicine, the fundamental effects of nanofillers on the tribological properties of coatings and their underlying mechanisms have rarely been explored by subdividing them into different sizes ranging from zero-dimensional (0D) to three-dimensional (3D) architectures. Herein, we present a systematic review of the latest advances on multi-dimensional nanofillers for enhancing the friction reduction and wear resistance of metal/ceramic/polymer matrix composite coatings. Finally, we conclude with an outlook for future investigations on multi-dimensional nanofillers in tribology, providing possible solutions for the key challenges in their commercial applications.

Chemical design of onion-like carbon-silicon diimide polymer composites

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel class of polymer composites based on onion-like carbons (OLCs)-silicon diimide by a salt-free polycondensation reaction. The pyridine-catalyzed polymerization reaction was carried out in the presence of various contents (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt%) of carboxyl-functionalized OLCs in argon atmosphere to provide composites with well-dispersed and covalently incorporated 0D nanocarbons throughout the 3D matrix of silicon diimide polymer. A strong dependency of the optical properties (UV absorbance and the photoluminescence spectra) on the content of functionalized OLCs incorporated within the polymer matrix was observed. The novel polymer composites are suitable precursors for the design of advanced and multifunctional 0D-nanocarbon–containing Si3N4-based ceramic nanocomposites.