scholarly journals Surface Treatment of Carbon Nanotubes Using Modified Tapioca Starch for Improved Force Detection Consistency in Smart Cementitious Materials

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 3985
Author(s):  
Leonard Chia ◽  
Gina Blazanin ◽  
Ying Huang ◽  
Umma Salma Rashid ◽  
Pan Lu ◽  
...  

The remarkable mechanical properties and piezo-responses of carbon nanotubes (CNT) makes this group of nanomaterials an ideal candidate for use in smart cementitious materials to monitor forces and the corresponding structural health conditions of civil structures. However, the inconsistency in measurements is the major challenge of CNT-enabled smart cementitious materials to be widely applied for force detection. In this study, the modified tapioca starch co-polymer is introduced to surface treat the CNTs for a better dispersion of CNTs; thus, to reduce the inconsistency of force measurements of the CNTs modified smart cementitious materials. Cement mortar with bare (unmodified) CNTs (direct mixing method) and surfactant surface treated CNTs using sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (NaDDBS) were used as the control. The experimental results showed that when compared with samples made from bare CNTs, the samples made by modified tapioca starch co-polymer coated CNTs (CCNTs) showed higher dynamic load induced piezo-responses with significantly improved consistency and less hysteresis in the cementitious materials. When compared with the samples prepared with the surfactant method, the samples made by the developed CCNTs showed slightly increased force detection sensitivity with significantly improved consistency in piezo-response and only minor hysteresis, indicating enhanced dispersion effectiveness. The new CNT surface coating method can be scaled up easily to cater the potential industry needs for future wide application of smart cementitious materials.

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2908
Author(s):  
Kazuo Umemura ◽  
Ryo Hamano ◽  
Hiroaki Komatsu ◽  
Takashi Ikuno ◽  
Eko Siswoyo

Solubilization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a fundamental technique for the use of CNTs and their conjugates as nanodevices and nanobiodevices. In this work, we demonstrate the preparation of CNT suspensions with “green” detergents made from coconuts and bamboo as fundamental research in CNT nanotechnology. Single-walled CNTs (SWNTs) with a few carboxylic acid groups (3–5%) and pristine multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs) were mixed in each detergent solution and sonicated with a bath-type sonicator. The prepared suspensions were characterized using absorbance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Among the eight combinations of CNTs and detergents (two types of CNTs and four detergents, including sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the standard), SWNTs/MWNTs were well dispersed in all combinations except the combination of the MWNTs and the bamboo detergent. The stability of the suspensions prepared with coconut detergents was better than that prepared with SDS. Because the efficiency of the bamboo detergents against the MWNTs differed significantly from that against the SWNTs, the natural detergent might be useful for separating CNTs. Our results revealed that the use of the “green” detergents had the advantage of dispersing CNTs as well as SDS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suman Kumar Adhikary ◽  
Žymantas Rudžionis ◽  
Simona Tučkutė ◽  
Deepankar Kumar Ashish

AbstractThis study is aimed to investigate the effect of carbon nanotubes on the properties of lightweight aggregate concrete containing expanded glass and silica aerogel. Combinations of expanded glass (55%) and hydrophobic silica aerogel particles (45%) were used as lightweight aggregates. Carbon nanotubes were sonicated in the water with polycarboxylate superplasticizer by ultrasonication energy for 3 min. Study results show that incorporating multi-wall carbon nanotubes significantly influences the compressive strength and microstructural performance of aerogel based lightweight concrete. The addition of carbon nanotubes gained almost 41% improvement in compressive strength. SEM image of lightweight concrete shows a homogeneous dispersal of carbon nanotubes within the concrete structure. SEM image of the composite shows presence of C–S–H gel surrounding the carbon nanotubes, which confirms the cites of nanotubes for the higher growth of C–S–H gel. Besides, agglomeration of carbon nanotubes and the presence of ettringites was observed in the transition zone between the silica aerogel and cementitious materials. Additionally, flowability, water absorption, microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and semi-adiabatic calorimetry results were analyzed in this study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-104
Author(s):  
Mingrui Du ◽  
Yuan Gao ◽  
Guansheng Han ◽  
Luan Li ◽  
Hongwen Jing

AbstractMulti-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been added in the plain cementitious materials to manufacture composites with the higher mechanical properties and smart behavior. The uniform distributions of MWCNTs is critical to obtain the desired enhancing effect, which, however, is challenged by the high ionic strength of the cement pore solution. Here, the effects of methylcellulose (MC) on stabilizing the dispersion of MWCNTs in the simulated cement pore solution and the viscosity of MWCNT suspensions werestudied. Further observations on the distributions of MWCNTs in the ternary cementitious composites were conducted. The results showed that MC forms a membranous envelope surrounding MWCNTs, which inhibits the adsorption of cations and maintains the steric repulsion between MWCNTs; thus, the stability of MWCNT dispersion in cement-based composites is improved. MC can also work as a viscosity adjuster that retards the Brownian mobility of MWCNTs, reducing their re-agglomerate within a period. MC with an addition ratio of 0.018 wt.% is suggested to achieve the optimum dispersion stabilizing effect. The findings here provide a way for stabilizing the other dispersed nano-additives in the cementitious composites.


2016 ◽  
Vol 865 ◽  
pp. 6-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kateryna Pushkarova ◽  
Maryna Sukhanevych ◽  
Artur Martsikh

One of the most important problem of concrete durability is increasing of waterproofing. Researches are devoted studying of cement mortars modified by carbon nanotubes, dispersed in plasticizers solutions. Were investigated physico-mechanical properties of cement paste, cement-sand mortar into which structure entered untreated carbon nanotubes (production of plant TM "Spetsmash" Kyiv, Ukraine) in various quantity. Were used as plasticizers in cement compositions additives substances of the various chemical nature – naphtaleneformaldehyde, melamineformaldehyde and polycarboxylate. Quantity of untreated nanotubes varied from 0,5%; 1,0% and to 1,5%. Concentration of additives was accepted taking into account recommendations of producers and made about 1% from the weight of cement. Were studied some technological processes of introduction untreated carbon nanotubes in cement system and is shown that the way of introduction of nanomodifiers has essential impact on strength characteristics of cementitious materials. Optimum decision introduction of untreated carbon nanotubes is using its in dispersion plasticizer of the working concentration prepared in an ultrasonic dispergator is established. Results of physico-mechanical tests of cement paste and cement-sand mortar showed positive influence at introduction of untreated carbon nanotubes as cement modifiers on strength characteristics of samples. Resalts is shown that the nanomodifier, used quantity about 1% in solution of lignosulfonate with polycarboxylate and melamineformaldehyde plasticizer has great impact on strength characteristics.


Author(s):  
Dae-Eun Park ◽  
Tae-Kyu Kim ◽  
Sejin Kwon ◽  
Choong-Ki Kim ◽  
Euisik Yoon

In this paper we have successfully demonstrated a new micromachined fuel processing system including vaporizer, catalytic combustor and methanol steam reformer. This fuel processing system utilizes the thermal energy generated from the catalytic hydrogen combustion to heat up the entire system. For the first time, we have used carbon nanotubes as a supporting structure of Pt catalyst for combustion. The catalytic combustor could supply the energy to heat the reformer and maintain its working temperature. We have also developed a new coating method of reforming catalyst (Cu/ZnO/Al2O3) and observed that adequate amount of hydrogen can be generated for PEMFC. We have successfully reported the feasibility of the proposed fuel processing system in each assembled component.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 9362-9371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanjun Lai ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Qing Zhou ◽  
Zhongbin Ye ◽  
Chun Wei ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Wladyka-Przybylak ◽  
Dorota Wesolek ◽  
Weronika Gieparda ◽  
Anna Boczkowska ◽  
Ewelina Ciecierska

The effect of the surface modification of carbon nanotubes on their dispersion in the epoxy matrix Functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has an effect on the dispersion of MWCNT in the epoxy matrix. Samples based on two kinds of epoxy resin and different weight percentage of MWCNTs (functionalized and non-functionalized) were prepared. Epoxy/carbon nanotubes composites were prepared by different mixing methods (ultrasounds and a combination of ultrasounds and mechanical mixing). CNTs modified with different functional groups were investigated. Surfactants were used to lower the surface tension of the liquid, which enabled easier spreading and reducing the interfacial tension. Solvents were also used to reduce the liquid viscosity. Some of them facilitate homogeneous dispersion of nanotubes in the resin. The properties of epoxy/nanotubes composites strongly depend on a uniform distribution of carbon nanotubes in the epoxy matrix. The type of epoxy resin, solvent, surfactant and mixing method for homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the epoxy matrix was evaluated. The effect of CNTs functionalization type on their dispersion in the epoxy resins was evaluated on the basis of viscosity and microstructure studies.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002199832199945
Author(s):  
Dinesh Kumar ◽  
Suneev Anil Bansal ◽  
Navin Kumar ◽  
Prashant Jindal

The present work has been aimed to synthesize Polyurethane (PU)/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite using a two-step method to enhance mechanical properties. In the first step, films (0.2 mm thickness) have been synthesized using a solution mixing method to disperse MWCNTs in the PU matrix. In the second step, thin films of uniformly dispersed MWCNTs in the PU matrix have been compression molded to synthesize PU/MWCNTs composite required for real mechanical applications. The two-step method has the advantages of solution mixing as well as compression molding method. The results of quasi-static nanoindentation tests indicated that in comparison to pure PU, elastic modulus and hardness have been enhanced by 124% and 53% respectively for 10 wt% PU/MWCNTs composite. Fracture resistance of PU/MWCNTs composites, with 7 wt% of MWCNTs, has been enhanced by 52% as compared to pure PU. To understand bulk behavior, nanoindentation results have been cross-verified with compression testing. Results of compressive testing shown that the modulus of composite material has been significantly improved under the influence of the increasing composition of MWCNTs. A noticeable improvement of 52% has been observed in compressive modulus of 10 wt% composite in equivalence to pure PU. The overall improvement in mechanical behavior has been attributed to the uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the PU matrix by the two-step synthesis method.


2013 ◽  
Vol 591 ◽  
pp. 138-141
Author(s):  
Zhi Dong Han ◽  
Xin Ke Zhang ◽  
Yue Wang ◽  
Zheng Quan Jiang ◽  
Peng Wang

Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) was modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) by regeneration method. The structure of modified LDH (SDS-LDH) was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The composites of SDS-LDH and polyethylene (PE) were prepared by melt blending and solution mixing method with maleated PE (PEgMA) as compatibilizer. The structure of the composites and the dispersion of SDS-LDH in the matrix were investigated by XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The results reveal that SDS was successfully intercalated into the interlayer space of LDH. SDS-LDH was hardly exfoliated in PE/PEgMA by melt blending. The nanocomposites of PE/(PEgMA/SDS-LDH) were successfully prepared by melt blending PE with SDS-LDH/PEgMA master-batch obtained by solution mixing. Homogeneous dispersion of SDS-LDH in the matrix was observed by TEM.


Polymers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafiqah Ayu ◽  
Abdan Khalina ◽  
Ahmad Harmaen ◽  
Khairul Zaman ◽  
Mohammad Jawaid ◽  
...  

In this study, polybutylene succinate (PBS) was blended with five types of modified tapioca starch to investigate the effect of modified tapioca starch in PBS blends for food packaging by identifying its properties. Tensile and flexural properties of blends found deteriorated for insertion of starch. This is due to poor interface, higher void contents and hydrolytic degradation of hydrophilic starch. FTIR results show all starch/PBS blends are found with footprints of starch except OH stretching vibration which is absent in B40 blends. Besides, Broad O–H absorption in all specimens show that these are hydrogen bonded molecules and no free O–H bonding was found. SEM testing shows good interfacial bonding between PBS and starch except E40 blends. Therefore, poor results of E40 blends was expected. In TGA, a slightly weight loss found between 80 to 100 °C due to free water removal. Apart from this, insertion of all types of starch reduces thermal stability of blend. However, high crystallinity of starch/PBS blend observed better thermal stability but lower char yield. Starch A and B blends are suggested to be used as food wrap and food container materials while starch D blend is suitable for grocery plastic bags according to observed results.


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