Engineering Commons^™

Physical Properties Of Polyolefin/Bamboo Charcoal Composites, S Kittinaovarat, W Suthamnoi

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The physical properties of two kinds of polyolefin / bamboo charcoal composites, based upon polypropylene (PP) and low density polyethylene (LDPE), were studied for varying levels of charcoal inclusion between 0 and 20 phr. A Brabender mixer and two-roll mill were used for the mixing process of both polyolefin and bamboo charcoal composites, followed by compression moulding of the homogeneous mixtures to form the composite materials. The tensile strength and Young's modulus were both found to increase, whilst the elongation at break decreased, in a dose-dependent manner with increasing bamboo charcoal content in the composite materials. The tensile strength of …

Thermoplastic Cassava Starch/Sorbitol-Modified Montmorillonite Nanocomposites Blended With Low Density Polyethylene: Properties And Biodegradability Study, S Chuayjuljit, S Hosililak, A Athisart

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The objective of this research paper is to prepare environmentally friendly plastic materials from biodegradable cassava starch, montmorillonite (MMT) and low density polyethylene (LDPE). MMT was first modified by sorbitol via a solid state method. Results from X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that sorbitol molecules were intercalated in between MMT layers along 001 direction. Cassava starch was plasticized with sorbitol and formamide on a two-roll mill to obtain thermoplastic starch (TPS). The TPS/modified-MMT nanocomposites were prepared by means of melt blending of TPS with various amounts of MMT (0, 2, 4, and 6 phr). XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results …

Numerical/Experimental Investigation Of Plunge Stage And Effect Of Donor Material In Friction Stir Welding, Saptarshi Mandal

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) was developed in 1991 as a robust solid-state joining technique that uses a specially shaped rotating tool to generate heat and plasticize material around the tool. The tool then mixes plasticized material along the joint line to produce the weld. Over the last decade, FSW has become increasingly popular for welding aluminum. The combination of attractive properties of the weld and cost-efficiency has led researchers to investigate the feasibility of using FSW for steel. One of the major impediments for using friction stir welding for harder materials such as steel is tool wear. It is well-documented …

Surface Dynamics Of Silicon Low-Index Surfaces Studied By Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction, Ibrahim El-Kholy

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Surface morphology during the growth of Si on Si(111)-(7x7) by femtosecond pulsed laser deposition (fsPLD) is studied using reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) at different temperatures. The growth of Si on Si(111) has received considerable attention as a model system of homoepitaxy. PLD is a deposition technique that uses much more energetic species (atoms and ions) compared to other physical vapor deposition (PVD), such as in molecular beam epitaxy. In this work, in situ reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) was used to study the dynamics of PLD of Si on Si(111)-(7x7). Epitaxial growth of Si/Si(111)-(7x7) at temperatures as low …

Compensation Of Loss And Stimulated Emission Of Surface Plasmon Polaritons, Guohua Zhu

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) have become in recent years an important research topic because of their interesting, physics and exciting potential applications, ranging from sensing and biomedicine to nanoscopic imaging and information technology. However, many applications of surface plasmon polaritons are hindered by one common cause—absorption loss in metal.

Over the years, numerous proposals have been made on how to conquer the plasmon loss. In this dissertation, (1) the known solutions to the loss problem by adding optical gain have been reviewed; (2) the properties of surface plasmon polaritons are studied theoretically, and the solution of the controversy regarding the …

Polarization Switching Kinetics Of Ferroelectric Nanomesas Of Vinylidene Fluoride-Trifluoroethylene Copolymer, R. V. Gaynutdinov, O. A. Lysova, S. G. Yudin, A. L. Tolstikhina, A. L. Kholkin, V. M. Fridkin, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The polarization switching kinetics of ferroelectric polymer nanomesas was investigated using piezoresponse force microscopy. The nanomesas were made by self-organization from Langmuir–Blodgett films of a 70% vinylidene fluoride and 30% trifluoroethylene copolymer. The polarization switching time exhibits an exponential dependence on reciprocal voltage that is consistent with nucleation-type switching dynamics.

Method For The Preparation Of Secondary Emulsions Of Fish Oil In Water, S Siramard, L Dubas, S T. Dubas

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The method for the preparation of stable secondary emulsion has been detailed and discussed in terms of polymer capping and emulsion ratio. The dispersion of omega-3 oil in water by emulsion stabilized with casein was further coated with a polycationic polyelectrolyte, Poly (dially dimethyl ammonium chloride). The stability of the emulsion was studied by turbidity measurements using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The particles size of the primary and secondary emulsion was investigated by light scattering and zeta potential measurements. Results shown in this article provide some details about the mechanism of the formation of secondary emulsion, mainly regarding the polymer/emulsion-mixing ratio.

Characterizations Of Fibers Produced From Polypropylene/Silica Composite, N Srisawat, M Nithitanakul, K Srikulkit

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Fumed silica particles filled polypropylene (PP) filament fibers were prepared by melt spin pilot plant. First, virgin PP and silicas(hydrophilic and hydrophobic) were premixed using twin screw extruder to prepare silica containing PP composite resin. Then, the resin composite was again mixed with virgin PP and spun into filaments with various filler loadings in the range of 0.5 - 2.5 wt%. The characterizations of spun composite fibers including crystallization temperature (DSC analysis), polymer orientation (sonic modulus) and the fine structure (XRD) were studied. XRD results showed β-form crystallinity peak in x-ray pattern of fiber drawn with low take-up speed (300 …

Modelling Of Coal Slag Flow And Layer Thickness In A High Temperature Entrained Flow Gasifier, H. Katalambula

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A 2-D model for the slag flow simulation in an entrained flow gasifier has been developed. In addition to mass, momentum and energy conservation equations, volume of fluid (VOF) equation was solved to track the liquid-gas interface. Liquid phase consists of melted coal ash particles which deposits on the wall and move downward. The gasification reaction is not considered here but it is postulated to have a mass flow through the interface towards the mass of the liquid phase. The reactor walls are usually kept cold so a temperature gradient and then a solid layer form within the slag layer. …

Metamaterial Devices For The Terahertz Band, Gabriel Paul Kniffin

Center for Electron Microscopy and Nanofabrication Publications and Presentations

Terahertz (THz) and metamaterials are both hot topics in electromagnetics research. The THz band (0.1-10 THz) lies in the ‘gap’ between microwave and far infrared regions. Research is currently underway to characterize how these waves interact with matter, with potential applications including security screening, medical imaging, and non-destructive evaluation. Metamaterials are artificial materials containing sub-wavelength structures whose material properties, μ and ǫ can be ‘tuned’ to desired specifications, including simultaneously negative values, resulting in exotic properties such as a negative refractive index. Current metamaterials research includes the design of devices that operate at THz frequencies, filling a niche left wide …

The Effect Of Particle Surface Area To Volume Ratio On Ion Release From Cocr Spheres, Darin J. Grandfield

Master's Theses

In 2005, over 200,000 Americans underwent a hip arthroplasty, the replacement of a hip joint with an artificial prosthesis. Of these arthroplasties, metal-on-metal type implants represent an increasing usage percentage. Metal-on-metal implants are selected largely for their low volumetric wear rate, durability, and resistance to corrosion. In spite of these advantages, little is known concerning the long-term consequences of heavy metal alloy use in the body, although early research indicates potentially carcinogenic results. This thesis is a preliminary investigation into these long term effects and their root causes.

An improved comprehension of the corrosion kinetics and the rate of ion …

Evaluating The Electrical Response Of Polyaniline To Mechanical Strain, Matthew L. Goebel

Master's Theses

This thesis focuses on the electrical output of polyaniline films subjected to uniaxial strain in hydrochloric acid solutions. Polyaniline belongs to novel class of materials known as conducting polymers. Alternating single and double bonds in the backbone of conducting polymers allow them to transmit electric charge when they are doped with negatively charged ions. Modifying the degree of doping and other electrical/chemical treatments allow conducting polymers to exhibit conducting, semi-conducting, or insulating electrical properties. Resilient mechanical properties, good processability, and low cost make conducting polymers good candidates for applications traditionally held by metals and semi-conductors.

When tensile strain is applied …

The Effects Of Thermal Annealing On The Obliquely Deposited Ag–Ge–S Thin Films, F. Wang, W. P. Dunn, M. Jain, C. De Leo, N. Vicker, Richard N. Savage, Xiaomin Jin, S. Mamedov, P. Boolchand

Materials Engineering

Obliquely deposited thin films of ternary Ag–Ge–S glasses are characterized in this work. Thin films are fabricated in a vacuum thermal evaporator at different evaporation angles and examined by Raman spectroscopy. The Raman mode frequency of GeS₄ corner-sharing (CS) structure of the as-deposited films display a red-shift as a function of Ag content due to reduced global connectivity, and therefore decreased network stress. Film thickness of normally deposited thin films is significantly less when compared against obliquely deposited ones. Sulfur-ring (S₈) modes are observed in thin films but not in corresponding bulk material. Thermal annealing of thin …

Stress Corrosion Cracking Of Stainless Steels Used In Manufacturing Brine Circulating Pumps Used In Desalination Plants., Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Joboury

Theses

In earlier works, characterization and stress corrosion cracking of casings of brine recirculation pumps used in desalination plants was investigated. These casings, which were manufactured from two types of Ni resist ductile irons, were reported to show different service lives. Material selection of casings is believed to be one of possible factors to extend the service lives of these pumps. Two types of stainless steels; UNS S31603 and UNS S32750 were recommended as substitutes to Ni resist ductile irons. In this work, mechanical, metallurgical, electrochemical and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) tests were conducted on as received samples, made from these …

Effect Of Liquid Dispersion On Corrosion Behavior Of Metals In Gas/Liquid/Solid Multiphase Corrosion Systems, Jing Jiang, Jia Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Liquid dispersion,described by the parameters of gas/liquid/solid three-phase boundary(TPB) zone of dispersed liquid on a metal surface,is an important property of liquid state influencing corrosion behavior of metals in gas/liquid/solid multiphase corrosion systems.In our paper,the characterisation of cathodic oxygen reduction process in TPB zone was discussed,and a model describing the cathodic process of TPB zone was developed.On this basis,the relationship between the cathodic limiting current and the TPB parameters was studied,and the simulation results were in good agreement with the experimental data.The role of liquid dispersion in atmospheric and sandy soil corrosion systems was also simulated.

Electrodeposition Of Al On Magnesium Alloy In Ionic Liquid, Wen-Ta Tsai, Shu-You Chen, Mu-Huan Zhuang, Jeng-Kuei Chang, Yi-Wen Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrodeposition of a metallic aluminum on a magnesium alloy in acidic aluminum chloride-1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquids(AlCl₃-EMIC) was investigated.The effects of current density and AlCl₃ content in the ionic liquid on the electrodeposition behavior were studied.The results showed that aluminum could be successfully electrodeposited on the AZ91D substrate.At-0.2 V,the ionic liquid containing 60 m/o AlCl₃ was optimum for Al electrodeposition.The current efficiency was higher if electrodeposition was performed at a lower applied current density.The existence of Al coating could caused a substantial increase in open circuit potential,reducing the susceptibility of Mg alloy to corrosion.The results of electrochemical …

Electrochemical Characteristics Of Vitaminb6 At Polybromocresol Green Modified Electrode, Jun Yao, Jiang-Yuan Li, Yang Luo

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrochemical characteristics of VB₆ were investigated at PBG modified electrode by Cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry.The VB₆ produced an irreversible oxidation peak at 0.978 V(Vs.SCE) in HAc-NaAc(pH=4.0) buffer solution over the potential range of 0.7 to 1.2 V.The electron number,the proton number,the transfer coefficient were determined to be 1,1 and 0.37,respectively.The oxidation peak currents of VB₆ versus its concentration showed a linear relationship in the concentration range of 1×10^-3~2×10^-5mol/L with the correlation coefficient of 0.9967 and the detection limit of 2×10^-6mol/L.The recovery was 100.06%.

Corrosion Performance Of Epoxy Coatings By Chemical Modification With Silanes, Liang Liu, Wei-Gang Ji, Ji-Ming Hu, Jian-Qing Zhang, Chu-Nan Cao

Journal of Electrochemistry

The improvement of corrosion performance of epoxy coatings by modification with "active" and "non-active" silanes is presented."Active" silanes are defined as ones having functional groups that can react with the epoxy groups in the epoxy resin,usually amino-silanes."Non-active" silanes are defined as ones not reacting with the epoxy groups,but can react with the hydroxyl groups in the epoxy backbone by the condensation reactions under the catalysis of organic tin compounds.The FTIR results showed that both the "active" and "non-active" silanes had been successfully grafted onto the epoxy resin.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) and accelerated corrosion test(Machu test) showed that the corrosion performance of …

Electrode Of Metallic Oxides Coated Titanium With Interlayer, Yi Tang, Li-Kun Xu, Yong-Lei Xin, Jun-Tao Wang, Ping Long

Journal of Electrochemistry

Various Ti/IrRuSn,Ti/IrTa/IrRuSn and Ti/IrTaSn/IrRuSn oxide electrodes were prepared by sol-gel method.The surface morphology and microstructure were analysed with FESEM and XRD.The electrochemical activity and stability were investigated using electrochemical technologies including chlorine and oxygen evolving potential measurements,cyclic voltammetry,accelerated life test,and alternative electrolysis.The results indicate that the electrodes with interlayers present more cracks on the surface and a little bigger average grain size,with particles of different shapes precipitated in the cracks.The electroactive sites are increased and the selectivity for the chlorine evolving reaction is enhanced,but the current efficiency for the chlorine production is somewhat lowered by the addition of different interlayers.The …

The Accelerated Test Of Simulated Atmospheric Corrosion And The Rust Evolution Of Low Carbon Steel, Jun-Hua Dong, Wei Ke

Journal of Electrochemistry

It has been set up an accelerated method of simulating to atmospheric corrosion by using wet/dry alternate test.The rust evolution rule of mass change vs time(in logarithmic coordinate) of low carbon steel under this test shows two linear sections with different slopes,in which the rust evolution transition in weight change corresponds to the compactness transition and crystallization transition during the rust layer growth.It has found that the rust evolution rule of low carbon steel in Wanning exposure site correlates to the rust evolution rule obtained by simulating the coastal atmospheric corrosion test,and the rust evolution rule of low carbon steel …

Investigation Of Electrochemical Noise In The Crevice Corrosion Of Q235 Carbon Cteel, Qian Hu, Yu-Bing Qiu, Xing-Peng Guo

Journal of Electrochemistry

The crevice corrosion behavior of Q235 carbon steels in a NaHCO₃+NaCl solution was investigated by electrochemical noise(EN) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS).Three stages of crevice corrosion including the induction,the rapid transform and the stable development could be clearly distinguished.The characteristics of the electrochemical noise and the noise resistance Rn showed remarkable differences at each stage.The electrode area ratio(r) of outside to inside the crevice had a significant influence in the development of crevice corrosion.The time of the induction stage increased with increasing r.However,under the stable development stage of the crevice corrosion,the surface outside the crevice was at an active …

Effect Of Naphthalene Water Reducer On Corrosion Behavior Of Reinforcing Steel In Concrete, Yu-Ming Tang, Jie Zhang, Yu Zuo

Journal of Electrochemistry

The influence of naphthalene water reducer on corrosion behavior of reinforcing steel in concrete was studied by the methods of corrosion potential measurement,linear polarization and EIS test.The values of concrete resistance(Rc) and polarization resistance(Rp) of the samples with naphthalene water reducer were higher than those without naphthalene water reducer,especially in the concrete with 0.2 percent naphthalene water reducer.A suitable amount of water reducer can improve the pore structures of concrete,increase the concrete compactness and impermeability,and decrease corrosion rate of rebars in concrete.

Effect Of Electrochemical Property Of Uns J91450 Stainless Steel On Stress Corrosion Cracking In Hydrogen Sulfide Solutions, Zhi-Yong Liu, Chao-Fang Dong, Xiao-Gang Li, Li-Xian Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Effect of electrochemical behaviours on stress corrosion cracking(SCC) of UNS J91450 stainless steel in hydrogen sulfide environment was investigated using slow-strain-rate test(SSRT) and electchemial techniques.Results show that UNS J91540 stainless steel was susceptible to SCC in varying H₂S solutions,and the SCC susceptibility reduced with the increase of pH value.The electrochemical property plays an important role in the SCC occurrence,as a combined effect of hydrogen embritlement and anodic dissolution at SCC cracktip at open circuit potential.In the solution with a lower pH the hydrogen revolution was intensive and the cracktip anodic dissolution was weaker,however,in the higher pH solution the …

Developments Of Scanning Electrochemical Probes And Their Applications In Studying Of Localized Corrosions, Chang-Jian Lin, Yan Li, Bin Lin, Rong-Gang Hu, Min Zhang, Xiang-Dong Zhuo, Rong-Gui Du

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemical inhomogeneities always exist at the interface of metal/solution,and play an important and often controlling role in localized corrosion of metals in a given environment.It is necessary to develop in situ imaging techniques for further studying the electrochemical and environmental inhomogeneities at the interface of metal/solution for the localized corrosion system.In this paper,various techniques with spatial resolution,such as scanning micro reference electrode(SMET),scanning electrochemical microscope(SECM),atomic force microscope(AFM),and scanning Kelvin probe(SKP),and their applications in corrosion studies were briefly reviewed.The chemical probes and array electrode have been developed.It was concentrated to describe our newly developed techniques of the scanning electrochemical probes,including SMET …

Preparation And Electrochemical Properties Of Layered Manganese Oxide(Li-Birnessite Type), Xing-Kang Huang, Hai-Tao Chang, Jian-Long Gan, Qing-Shun Zhang, Hong-Jun Yue, Dong-Ping Lv, Yong Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Layered Li-birnessite was prepared by means of oxidizing Mn²⁺ with O₂ gas in alkaline media.The as-prepared sample was characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD), BET and thermogravimetric/diffenential thermal analysis(TG/DTA) techniques. The electrochemical properties of the material were also investigated. The results show that such a Li-birnessite consists of well-crystallized spherical particles with an interlayer distance of 0.70 nm. The Li-birnessite delivered a high discharge capacity of 203 mAh/g at a rate of 0.2 C(40 mA/g), and had good rate capability as well.

Electrochemical Behavior Of Mg-Li Electrodes In Nacl Solution, Lin Wu, Yan-Zhuo Lv, Xue Cao, Gui-Ling Wang, Dian-Xue Cao

Journal of Electrochemistry

The Mg-Li electrodes containing 8.5% and 14% Li were prepared using an induction melting method. Their electrochemical behavior in NaCl solution was investigated by means of potentiodynamic polarization, potentiostatic oxidation,electrochemical impedance technique and mass-loss measurements. The morphology of the electrodes after discharge was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The Mg-14Li electrode showed more negative open circuit potential and higher discharge current density than Mg-8.5Li electrode. The oxidation products of Mg-14Li loosely attached on the electrode surface and peeled off easily. The Mg-8.5Li exhibited higher utilization efficiency. Both electrodes gave higher utilization efficiencies when discharged at lower anodic potential.

Electrochemical Performance Of The Exfoliated Graphite Containing Sulfur Cathode Material For Lithium Sulfur Battery, Ke-Guo Yuan, Wei-Kun Wang, Zhong-Bao Yu, An-Bang Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The exfoliated graphite containing sulfur cathode material was prepared by the high temperature sulfur gas diffusion adsorption method.This cathode material could obtain an initial discharge specific capacity 972 mAh·g^-1,capacity retention ratio 78% and cycling efficiency above 80%,respectively.The exfoliated graphite containing sulfur cathode could decrease the reaction interphase charge transfer impedance,and restrain the sulfur or polysulfide shuttle phenomenon during the charge-discharge process through improving the diffusion impedance.

Effects Of Kscn On Kinetic Characters Of The Positive Couple And Performance For Vanadium Redox Flow Battery, Jian-Guo Liu, Dong Shi, Yue Men, Chuan-Wei Yan

Journal of Electrochemistry

In order to improve the reaction activity of VO²⁺/VO²⁺ and the battery performance of Vanadium redox flow battery,different concentration of potassium sulfocyanates KSCN were added into 0.1mol/L VOSO₄/ H₂SO₄ solution,and the kinetic characters of electrochemical reaction of VO²⁺/VO²⁺ was studied by CV and EIS.The results showed that the addition of KSCN could improve the oxidative peak current value of positive couple VO²⁺/VO²⁺ reaction,but had little influence in the reductive peak.The addition of KSCN decreased the impedance at 1.0 V.And the value of standard rate constant k0 …

Effect Of Impurity Cu(2+) On Oxygen Electrode In Pemfc, Xiao Jie, Jun-Bo Hou, Zhi-Gang Shao, Bao-Lian Yi

Journal of Electrochemistry

Rotating disk electrode was adopted in this paper to simulate the cathode in PEMFC.In the Cu²⁺ electrolyte,the influence of impurity Cu²⁺ on Carbon-Supported Pt Catalysts was investigated by using electrochemical measurements such as chronocoulometry,cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep.Experimental results showed that,after constant voltage at 0.49 V,the ECA of Pt/C decreased dramatically,it's perhaps under potential deposition of Cu might occur on the substrate.Meanwhile the change of ORR Tafel scope reaction is very large.It might be because oxygen adsorption sites are occupied by Cu atoms after they under potential deposit on surface of Pt/C catalyst,and the adsorption of oxygen on …

Electro-Oxidation Of Methanol On Fe-Doped Pt-Zro2/C Catalyst, Mao-Cai Lin, Dong-Dong Liu, Qing-Chun Yu, Ming-Ruo Hu, Heng-Yong Tu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The Fe-doped ZrO₂ powders were prepared by so-gel method.After that,Pt-Zr_1-xFe_xO₂/C catalysts were made by reducing platinum salts with ethylene glycol.The physical property of the catalyst was characterized by XRD and TEM.It was found that the distribution of the catalyst was narrow,the particle sizes of Pt and ZrO₂ particles were 2~4 nm and 3~7 nm,respectively.The Cyclic Voltammetry and Chronoamperometry testing indicated that the electro-catalytic activity for methanol electro-oxidation on Pt-ZrO₂/C catalyst increased when ZrO₂ was doped with Fe.And Pt-Zr_0.95Fe_0.05O₂/C catalyst showed the highest activity …