Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Retaining The High-Temperature Phases Of Rb3h(So4)2 And Rb5h3(So4)4 At Room Temperature, Chatr Panithipongwut Kowalski

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The attempts to maintain the higher-temperature phases of Rb3H(SO4)2 and Rb5H3(SO4)4 were demonstrated in this work for the first time. The goal was to explore the possibility to utilize solid acids at lower temperatures while keeping the high-temperature phases which connects to the desirable conductivities. Enabling to do so will allow the ease of handling and thermal cycling, and the energy saving in fuel cell applications, and will allow researchers to study the high-temperature properties of solid acids at lower temperatures without the expenses for the in-situ measurements and the accessibility limitations. The four relatively simple methods, which were the …

Poly(Vinyl)Alcohol Film Composited With Carbon Dots From Water Hyacinth Stalks Based On Gamma Irradiation For The Uv Blocking Film, Tanagorn Kwamman, Threeraphat Chutimasakul, Panida Sangangam, Nattamon Puengposop, Kanokorn Wechakorn

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

UV-radiation in the range of 200 nm to 400 nm from sunlight can inhibit the photosynthesis process in plants, while visible light in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm promotes photosynthesis and plant growth. In this work, poly(vinyl)alcohol-carbon dots composite film (PVA-CDs film) was developed as a UV-blocking film due to the excellent optical properties of carbon dots and the film-forming properties of PVA. For the synthesis of carbon dots using gamma irradiation, water hyacinth stalk, an invasive aquatic plant, was used as a carbon source. The result showed that PVA-CDs composite film exhibited excellent UV absorption (200 …

Photoelectrochemical Cathodic Protection Of Amorphous Zinc Oxide Coating On Hot Rolled Steel Ss400 In A 3 Wt% Nacl Solution And A Na2s-Naoh Solution, Phatchara Wipataphan, Worapot Sripianem, Naw Blessing Oo, Thanate Na Wichean, Boossayamas Dachbumroong, Oratai Jongprateep, Gasidit Panomsuwan, Naray Pewnim, Ratchatee Techapiesancharoenkij

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The photoelectrochemical cathodic protection of amorphous ZnO thin-film coating on hot rolled steel SS400, in the 3 wt% NaCl environment, was investigated. The ZnO thin film was coated on a SS400 substrate at 200℃ using the spray pyrolysis technique. The x-ray diffractometry analysis confirmed the amorphous ZnO coatings. Two different types of the electrochemical cells were used: a single-cell and a double-cell system. Two different types of the photoelectrolytic solutions were compared: (i) 0.1 M Na2S + 0.2 M NaOH and (ii) 3 wt% NaCl solution. The ZnO-coated SS400 samples were subjected to potentiostatic polarization testing under dark and UV …

Influence Of Graphite Feedstock On The Characteristics Of Silver-Decorated Graphene Oxide And Antimicrobial Property, Ebrahim Mahmoudi, Wei Lun Ang, Gasidit Panomsuwan, Oratai Jongprateep, Abdul Wahab Mohammad, Law Yong Ng, Muneer M. Ba-Abbad

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Graphite from different sources has significant influence on the properties of graphene oxide (GO) and reactivity of GO towards further modification with other nanoparticles. However, such effect has not yet been properly explored. This study aims to investigate the characteristics and antimicrobial property of GO decorated with silver nanoparticles (known as Ag-GO composite) where the GO is synthesized via modified Hummer’s method from various graphite feedstock, namely natural graphite flake (NGF), natural graphite powder (NGP), and synthetic graphite powder (SGP). The Ag-GO nanocomposite was then synthesized using chemical reduction methods. Antimicrobial properties of the Ag-GO were tested using the standard …

Luminescent Properties Of Polyaniline Capped Mn Doped Zns Quantum Dots, Anju Bala, Rajeev Sehrawat, Anil Kumar Sharma, Pardeep Soni

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Synthesis of polyaniline capped and Mn doped quantum dots are performed with co-precipitation tech. while structural, optical and morphological properties have been carried out by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) study, photoluminescent (PL), absorption spectroscopy and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM). Particles size is nearly 2 nm calculated using XRD analysis and nearly 2.5 nm as estimated from HR-TEM study. FTIR spectra confirm that ZnS and polyaniline interact through S-H vibrations. The absorption spectra analysis reflects the occurrence of blue shift at the peak of absorption along with the enhanced band gap of polyaniline capped ZnS(Mn) …

Analysis Of Post-Deposition Recrystallization Processing Via Indium Bromide Of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin Films, Deewakar Poudel, Benjamin Belfore, Tasnuva Ashrafee, Shankar Karki, Grace Rajan, Angus Rockett, Sylvain Marsillac

Applied Research Center Publications

Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) thin films were deposited at low temperature (350 °C) and high rate (10 µm/h) by a single stage process. The effect of post-deposition treatments at 400 °C and 500 °C by indium bromide vapor were studied and compared to the effect of a simple annealing under selenium. Structural, electrical, and chemical analyses demonstrate that there is a drastic difference between the different types of annealing, with the ones under indium bromide leading to much larger grains and higher conductivity. These properties are associated with a modification of the elemental profiles, specifically for gallium and sodium.

Continuous Preparation And Application Of Novel Heterogeneous Catalysis, Michael B. Burkholder

Theses and Dissertations

Transition metal heterogeneous catalysts are widely used across many chemical industries to reduce waste and emissions and reduce production time while increasing rate. The prevalence of these materials results from the complex relationship between metal nanoparticles and supports affecting final catalytic performance. Rational catalyst synthesis describes the ability to precisely engineer structures through controlled preparation. Novel materials and continuous processing represent a promising approach for rational catalyst synthesis.

The application of these catalysts in continuous, multiphase processes, such as cross-coupling reactions, oxidation chemistry, and nitroreduction processes, are paramount to developing new commercial routes for high-value products. Pd/G catalysts synthesized by …

Surface Characterization Of Accident Tolerant Fuel Claddings Candidates After Prolonged Exposure To Steam Oxidation, Connor F. Donlan

Theses and Dissertations

Accident Tolerant Fuel Claddings are designed to improve fuel performance and safety in abnormal reactor conditions. The development of these cladding materials has become a top priority for the nuclear community, with incidents such as the Three Mile Island accident and the Fukashima Dai-chi accident. The development of these claddings has resulted in 2 subsections: coating current claddings or replacing cladding materials with new materials. The claddings studied in this thesis are a Zircaloy-4 cladding coated with chromium through physical vapor deposition, Zircaloy-4, and a FeCrAl alloy, C26M. This thesis assessed the surface chemistry, roughness, and wettability after extended exposure …

Biomass-Derived Electrode Materials And Sustainable Processes For Supercapacitors, Katelyn M. Shell

Theses and Dissertations

Biomass is one of the most abundant natural resources and has been used as a source of energy for thousands of years. Biomass as a precursor for energy storage materials is still relatively novel and faces several obstacles before becoming commonly used in today’s electrical devices. Currently, energy storage devices, such as batteries, capacitors, and supercapacitors, utilize petroleum-derived graphitic carbons for anodes, generating a need for more sustainable materials. Biomass, as a carbon-rich source for electrode materials, presents a viable and economically feasible alternative due to the prevalent lignocellulosic compounds: lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. Preliminary studies on the solid residues …

Perovskite Thin Films Annealed In Supercritical Fluids For Efficient Solar Cells, Gilbert Annohene

Theses and Dissertations

In the field of photovoltaics, scientists and researchers are working fervently to produce a combination of efficient, stable, low cost and scalable devices. Methylammonium lead trihalide perovskite has attracted intense interest due to its high photovoltaic performance, low cost, and ease of manufacture. Their high absorption coefficient, tunable bandgap, low-temperature processing, and abundant elemental constituent provide innumerable advantages over other thin film absorber materials. Since the perovskite film is the most important in the device, morphology, crystallization, compositional and interface engineering have been explored to boost its performance and stability. High temperatures necessary for crystallization of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite films …

Accident Tolerant Fuels Claddings And The Evolution Of Their Surface Characteristics Under Critical Heat Flux, Rajnikant V. Umretiya

Theses and Dissertations

Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATFs) systems for light water reactors require higher temperature oxidation resistance in steam environments than the current UO₂ – zirconium fuel system. Investigating the ATF materials’ surface properties is needed as they have evidenced to affect the Critical Heat Flux (CHF), which is an important parameter of the thermal-hydraulic performance required to provide safety margins. In this dissertation, the surface properties of FeCrAl alloys (APMT and C26M), Zircaloy-2, Zircaloy-4, and Cr-coating on Zircaloy-4 substrates produced by Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Cold Spray (CS) were investigated according to their chemistry, topography, and wettability. The static …

Equations Of State For Warm Dense Carbon From Quantum Espresso, Derek J. Schauss

Theses and Dissertations

Warm dense plasma is the matter that exists, roughly, in the range of 10,000 to 10,000,000 Kelvin and has solid-like densities, typically between 0.1 and 10 grams per centimeter. Warm dense fluids like hydrogen, helium, and carbon are believed to make up the interiors of many planets, white dwarfs, and other stars in our universe. The existence of warm dense matter (WDM) on Earth, however, is very rare, as it can only be created with high-energy sources like a nuclear explosion. In such an event, theoretical and computational models that accurately predict the response of certain materials are thus very …

Impact Dynamics Of Surfactant-Laden Droplets On Non-Wettable Coatings, Amir Esmaeili

Theses and Dissertations

Owing to their excellent water repellency, non-wettable (superhydrophobic) coatings have gained tremendous attention in the past couple of decades. Alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), an inexpensive polymer frequently used in paper industry as a sizing agent, has shown potentials to become superhydrophobic. The formation of a porous structure after curing the solidified AKD for an extra-long time (4–6 days) results in superhydrophobicity, i.e., a static contact angle with water of >150° and a roll-off angle of <10°. In this work, a facile and low-cost method was used to turn the surface of AKD superhydrophobic in a very short period of time by briefly treating the coatings, obtained from isothermally heated molten AKD at 40 °C for 3 min, with ethanol. The resulting superhydrophobicity is due to the formation of porous, entangled irregular micro/nano textures that create air cushions on the surface leading to droplet state transition from Wenzel to Cassie. As a proof of concept, the same material was applied to the co-sputtered nickel-tungsten thin films, commonly used in micro/nano-electro-mechanical systems, to improve their hydrophobicity. According to the results, at least 20% increase was observed in the dynamic contact angles of the treated substrates.

In addition, this work presents a detailed high-speed imaging analysis of the influence of the molecular weight, concentration and ionic nature of surfactants on droplet …

Determination Of Hydrogel Degradation By Passive Mechanical Testing, Avery Rosh-Gorsky

Honors Theses

This paper details a new technique to measure the mechanical properties of ETTMP PEGDA hydrogels using Hertz Contact Theory and simultaneously analyze both the model drug release and gel erosion in situ. This method involves curing a drug loaded hydrogel in a standard cuvette and placing a glass bead and phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Over time, the cross-linked network of the hydrogel breaks down, and, as a result, the ball sinks into the hydrogel. This method provides a macroscopic and inexpensive way to continuously and passively measure properties of the hydrogel as the hydrogel degrades. By plotting both the …

Incorporation Of Perlite And Recycled Aggregates For Internal Concrete Curing, Yosra El Maghraby, Mohamed Nagib Abou-Zeid Prof., Mohamed Abdel-Raouf Dr.

Civil Engineering

No abstract provided.

Potential Advantages Of Basalt Frp Bars Compared To Carbon Frp Bars & Conventional Steel, Yosra El Maghraby, Mohamed Nagib Abou-Zeid Prof., Ezzeldeen Yazeed El Sayed Ahmed Prof

Civil Engineering

No abstract provided.

Viability Of A Proposed Transparent Fluid Model For Analog Metal Casting Filling Process, Andres Segura Irazoqui

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research work was conducted to develop a proposed transparent fluid model to mimic dross formation and dispersion in metal castings during the mold filling process. The major cause for dross formation includes the air entrainment, surface turbulence, and bubbles, which create oxide films inside the molten metal. The oxide films are trapped inside the casting after solidification causing detrimental effects on the mechanical properties of the casting.

The objective of the investigation was to explore the feasibility using phenolic urethane as a transparent fluid material to investigate air entrainment mechanism. The experimentation consists of the following materials: the phenolic …

Degradation Issues And Stabilization Strategies Of Protonic Ceramic Electrolysis Cells For Steam Electrolysis, Hanrui Su, Yun Hang Hu

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Protonic ceramic electrolysis cells (PCECs) are attractive electrochemical devices for converting electrical energy to chemicals due to their high conversion efficiency, favorable thermodynamics, fast kinetics, and inexpensive materials. Compared with conventional oxygen ion-conducting solid oxide electrolysis cells, PCECs operate at a lower operating temperature and a favorable operation mode, thus expecting high durability. However, the degradation of PCECs is still significant, hampering their development. In this review, the typical degradations of PCECs are summarized, with emphasis on the chemical stability of the electrolytes and the air electrode materials. Moreover, the degradation mechanism and influencing factors are assessed deeply. Finally, the …

Mechanical Activation And Cation Site Disorder Of Spinel-Based Ceramics, Cole A. Corlett

Masters Theses

"This research focuses on the processing and the effects that has on the cation disorder of magnesium-aluminate spinel based (MgAl₂O₄) ceramics. The first goal of this project was to determine the effects of high-energy milling, i.e., mechanical activation, on cation disorder (inversion) within the spinel structure. First, 1:1 molar ratios of MgO:Al₂O₃ ceramics were processed using two green processing methods, ball milling (XD) and SPEX milling (mechanical activation, MA) followed by a subsequent annealing treatment in air to form a single spinel phase in each powder sample. Neutron diffraction analysis was employed to …

Toward Understanding Commercial Additives For Zincate Electrogalvanizing, Margaret Scott

Masters Theses

"Cyanide zinc electrogalvanizing has been used for many years to produce high quality and uniform zinc coatings. Due to toxicity concerns, a significant amount of research has occurred to remove the use of cyanide while still producing a similar deposit. One of the resulting plating chemistries is the alkaline zincate bath.

Alkaline zincate plating has the advantages of low startup cost, low toxicity, and low corrosion rate. Despite these advantages, alkaline bath conditions do not produce acceptable zinc deposits without the use of plating additives, which can promote lustrous, smooth deposits. This research aims to: (1) generate fundamental electrochemical data …

The Effects Of Rigid Polyurethane Foam As A Confinement Material On Breaching Charge Detonations, Nathan Franz Paerschke-O'Brien

Masters Theses

"The effects of a rigid polyurethane foam used as a confinement material on four types of breaching explosives were tested, focusing on the changes in shockwave peak pressures, detonation load compression forces, and brisance cratering abilities. The Plate Dent testing procedure was modified to incorporate a load cell force sensor, and two air overpressure sensors were included adjacent to the blast to quantify each test result. The testing variables focused on the polyurethane foam cure times and thickness volumes around the breaching explosives to determine the breaching charges' optimal energy output capabilities when confined by the foam material. The rigid …

New Horizons For Processing And Utilizing Red Mud, M. Archambo

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Red mud is an industrial slurry waste that is produced as a byproduct of the Bayer process for alumina. The waste is generated in large quantities, up to a ratio of 2:1 against the valued product alumina. Red mud exhibits many chemical and physical properties that categorize it as a hazardous material. Due to the addition of sodium hydroxide in processing, the pH is typically at values close to 13. Small particle size discourages separation from water for disposal, so drying red mud happens over many years.

The pH of red mud can be reduced with inexpensive reagents. Carbon dioxide …

Multi-Level Analysis Of Atomic Layer Deposition Barrier Coatings On Additively Manufactured Plastics For High Vacuum Applications, Nupur Bihari

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

While hardware innovations in micro/nano electronics and photonics are heavily patented, the rise of the open-source movement has significantly shifted focus to the importance of obtaining low-cost, functional and easily modifiable research equipment. This thesis provides a foundation of open source development of equipment to aid in the micro/nano electronics and photonics fields.

First, the massive acceptance of the open source Arduino microcontroller has aided in the development of control systems with a wide variety of uses. Here it is used for the development of an open-source dual axis gimbal system. This system is used to characterize optoelectronic properties of …

Studying The Effects Of Initial Crack Angle On The Crack Propagation In Graphene Nano-Ribbon Through Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Vijay Kumar Pathak

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In this research, we have worked on the brittle fracture of graphene nano-ribbon to explore the behavior of crack propagation at different crack angles. We have performed classical Molecular Dynamics simulations using LAMMPS at ten different crack angles between 0 degrees and 45 degrees, in an increment of 5 degrees to observe the parameters that dominate the crack path. The graphene nanoribbon is loaded in the zigzag direction by pulling it in the armchair direction with a pre-existing crack in the center. We have used OVITO for the visualization of the simulation. AIREBO potential is employed in this work because …

The Effects Of Molybdenum, Chromium, And Niobium On Gray Iron For Brake Rotor Applications, Matthew Hasbrouck

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Brake rotor composition and microstructure must be optimized for thermal and mechanical performance to avoid thermal-mechanical cracking, excessive wear, and to reduce noise. Niobium is an element that increases the strength and wear resistance of gray iron; however, the interaction of niobium with other common alloying elements (chromium and molybdenum) is not well understood. Thirteen gray cast iron alloys were produced with varying levels of carbon equivalent (CE), Cr, Mo, and Nb. Bars with four different diameters (8, 14, 22, and 30 mm) were cast from each alloy and microstructural and physical properties such as graphite flake morphology, pearlite spacing, …

Role Of Eta Phase Evolution On Creep Properties Of Nickel Base Superalloys Used In Advanced Electric Power Generation Plants, Ninad Mohale

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Advanced fossil energy power generation plants require materials that withstand high temperatures and corrosive environments. One such material that is used in steam turbines is Nimonic 263. It is a nickel-base superalloy that is principally strengthened by gamma primephase (Ni₃(Ti, Al)) and has an L1₂structure. At extended times and at turbine operating temperatures however, eta (Ni₃Ti) phase is known to form at the expense of gamma prime. Eta has a complex DO₂₄structure and is the stable phase between 750°C and 900°C, but with slow kinetics of formation. Little is understood about eta …

Atomistic Monte Carlo Simulation Study Of Phase Transitions In Metal Alloys, Xiaoxu Guo

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The atomic-scale Monte Carlo simulation study focuses on the intrinsic behaviors of a defect-free crystal that undergoes a cubic-to-tetragonal martensitic transformation. The quasi-spin variable associated with the lattice sites characterizes the local unit cells of the orientation variants of the ground-state martensite phase, which interact with each other through long-range elastic interactions. It is shown that the diffuse scattering in the premartensitic austenite state results from the spatial correlation of the atomic-scale heterogeneous lattice displacements and manifests the displacement short-range ordering. The effects of temperature, elastic anisotropy, and shear modulus softening on the diffuse scattering and displacement short-range ordering are …

Analyzing Variation In Dispersoid Formation In Aluminum Alloys By Minor Changes In Homogenization Temperature, Brendan Treanore

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The homogenization of billets in the aluminum extrusion industry is a critical step that removes chemical segregation from casting, dissolves low melting point phases, forms nanoscale dispersoid phases, and promotes the beta to alpha transformation of iron particles in the matrix. With ever increasing use of aluminum extrusion in the automotive industry there is a constant need for increased efficiency and consistency in processing of extruded aluminum. The work in this thesis explores the effects of 10°C differences in the homogenization temperature on the formation of dispersoids in 6082 alloys used in the automotive industry. The role of dispersoids is …

Dual-Functional Phosphorene Nanocomposite Membranes For The Treatment Of Perfluorinated Water: An Investigation Of Perfluorooctanoic Acid Removal Via Filtration Combined With Ultraviolet Irradiation Or Oxygenation, Joyner Eke, Lillian Banks, M. Abdul Mottaleb, Andrew J. Morris, Olga V. Tsyusko, Isabel C. Escobar

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Nanomaterials with tunable properties show promise because of their size-dependent electronic structure and controllable physical properties. The purpose of this research was to develop and validate environmentally safe nanomaterial-based approach for treatment of drinking water including removal and degradation of per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS). PFAS are surfactant chemicals with broad uses that are now recognized as contaminants with a significant risk to human health. They are commonly used in household and industrial products. They are extremely persistent in the environment because they possess both hydrophobic fluorine-saturated carbon chains and hydrophilic functional groups, along with being oleophobic. Traditional drinking water …

Data-Driven Discovery Of Material States In Composites Under Fatigue Loads, Muthu Ram Prabhu Elenchezhian, Vamsee Vadlamudi, Rassel Raihan, Kenneth Reifsnider

Institute of Predictive Performance Methodologies (IPPM-UTARI)-Archive

Our community has a widespread knowledge on the damage tolerance and durability of the composites, developed over the past few decades by various experimental and computational efforts. Several methods have been used to understand the damage behavior and henceforth predict the material states such as residual strength (damage tolerance) and life (durability) of these material systems. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BbDS) are such methods, which have been proven to identify the damage states in composites. Our previous work using BbDS method has proven to serve as precursor to identify the damage levels, indicating the beginning of …