Diffusion of CO2 in Polymer Nanocomposites Containing Different Types of Carbon Nanoparticles for Solid-State Microcellular Foaming Applications

Authors: Marcelo Antunes, Vera Realinho, Gabriel Gedler, David Arencón, Jose Ignacio Velasco

Abstract: This work considers the study of the diffusion of carbon dioxide in polypropylene and amorphous polymers containing carbon nanoparticles, particularly carbon nanofibres and graphene, as well as nanoclays, to be used in microcellular foaming. The diffusion of CO2 out and into the nanocomposites was studied during high pressure CO2 dissolution, as the amount of CO2 dissolved into the nanocomposite and CO2 desorption rate are crucial in order to have a proper control of foaming. Comparatively, platelet-like nanoparticles slowed down the desorption of CO2 out of the nanocomposites by means of a physical barrier effect, enabling a higher concentration of CO2 to remain in the polymer and be used in foaming. As a consequence of the higher amount of CO2 retained in the polymer and the cell nucleation effect promoted by the nanoparticles, polymer nanocomposite foams presented finer microcellular structures, in the case of PMMA even sub-microcellular, and higher specific moduli and electrical conductivities when compared to their pure counterparts.

Direct link: http://www.scientific.net/JNanoR.26.63

Morphology and Physical Studies of Nanostructured Fe64Cr36 Alloy Elaborated by Ball Milling

Authors: S. Triaa, L. Faghi, F. Kali-Ali, M. Azzaz

Abstract: Nanostructured iron based alloy, elaborated from pure elemental powders by mechanical milling at high energy was studied. The materials obtained were characterized by several techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), which allowed the dissolution of chromium in the iron phase as a function of milling time. The peaks indicate that the obtained solid solution has the body centred cubic (bcc) structure, for a speed of 250 rpm after 24 hours milling time. The Williamson - Hall analysis method was used to exploit the recorded XRD patterns. The crystallite size of about 14 nm and the microstrain of about 0.90% were obtained for 48 hours of milling. Scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and EDX analysis have confirmed the refining of milled particles as a function of milling time and the homogenization of our powders. The measurement of reflection coefficient has revealed an increase in the microwave absorption versus milling time and has confirmed the formation of our alloy during 24 hours of milling.

Direct link: http://www.scientific.net/JNanoR.26.75

12. Effect of Carbon Nanotube Additive on the Thermal Performance of a Horizontal V-Grooved Heat Pipe

Authors: Meamer El-Nakla, Wael Ahmed, Abdelsalam Al-Sarkhi

Abstract: An experimental facility to examine the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the performance of a horizontal V-grooved heat pipe was build. The circular heat pipe was made of copper with an inner diameter of 10 mm and equipped with 10 axial V-grooves with 1 mm depth and 1 mm mouth. The experiment was performed using water as working fluid with mass percentage of CNT of 0%, 1%, 3% and 5%. The optimum fill ratio of the heat pipe was first determined by examining the fill ratio effect on the total resistance. This optimum fill ratio was then used throughout the whole experiment. The evaporator of the heat pipe was heated using a copper heater block equipped with 6 cartridge heaters. The power input to the evaporator was varied from 60 W to 240 W in steps of 60 W with maintaining steady-state operation at each power level. The condenser was cooled by a water jacket fed by a chiller. The surface temperature of the heat pipe was measured by 7 K-type self-adhesive thermocouples connected to data acquisition system. The experimental results showed that the performance of the heat pipe improved with the use of CNT-water mixture in terms of a reduction in the thermal resistance. The results also showed that this enhancement is a function of the amount of CNT additive.

Direct link: http://www.scientific.net/JNanoR.26.83