Optimisation Of Nano-ZnO And Nano-SiO2 Mixing Time For Bitumen Modification

Nanotechnologies have gradually penetrated to the field of bitumen modification especially where durable asphalt mixtures have to be designed. Longer mixing time, higher temperatures or/and higher rotation (shearing) speeds are needed to increase the dispersion of nanoparticles in bitumen. However, this is not necessarily beneficial to the physical and mechanical properties of the final material. As a result, in this study nano-zinc oxide (nano-ZnO) and nano-silica (nano-SiO2) mixing time for bitumen modification was optimized considering the physical and mechanical properties of the final bitumen. For this purpose bitumen PMB 25/55-60 was modified with nanoparticles at 180 °C using a laboratory high-shear mixer at a rotation speed of 4000 rpm for different modification time selected on the basis of literature review (60 and 90 minutes). Penetration, softening point, viscosity at 135 °C, recovery and non-recoverable creep compliance (multiple stress creep and recovery test) at 60 °C were measured in order to determine the optimal mixing time. The results showed that 60 minutes ensures the dispersion of nano-ZnO and nano-SiO2 in the bitumen PMB 25/55-60 and longer mixing time do not have a significant effect on the properties of nano-ZnO and nano-SiO2 modified bitumen (the difference was less than 7%).

Evaluation and Improvement of PCM Melting in Double Tube Heat Exchangers Using Different Combinations of Nanoparticles and PCM (The Case of Renewable Energy Systems)

In this work, the melting process of phase change material (PCM) in double tube heat exchangers was investigated and evaluated through the use of different combinations (1, 2, 3% Nano-Enhanced PCM and 1, 3, 5% Nano-HTF) of GQD, as well as SWCNT nanoparticles and PCM (RT82). In this study, the effect of three different methods, namely the dispersion of nanoparticles in PCM (nano-enhanced PCM), the dispersion of nanoparticles in HTF (nano-HTF), and the simultaneous dispersion of nanoparticles in PCM and HTF (nano-enhanced PCM, nano-HTF) concerning the nanoparticles participation in the thermal energy storage system in a double tube heat exchanger was evaluated. Other effective factors, such as the inlet fluid temperature, different Reynolds numbers, fin as well as new parameter of pipe, and fin thickness were also evaluated. The results showed that the highest effect of different parameters on the PCM melting process was related to the 1% nano-HTF and 3% nano-enhanced PCM nanoparticles of SWCNT, which decreased the PCM melting rate by about 39%. The evaluation of the effect of pipe and fan thickness also showed that the melting rate improved by 31% through reducing the thickness of the HTF fin and pipe. In general, the current study followed two purposes first, to examine three methods of the dispersion of nanoparticles in the thermal energy storage system; second, to reduce the thickness of the tube and fin. Findings of the study yielded positive results.

Nanoclay Effect into the Biodegradation and Processability of Poly(lactic acid) Nanocomposites for Food Packaging

One of the most promising expectations in the design of new materials for food packaging is focused on the development of biodegradable systems with improved barrier character. In this sense PLA reinforced with nanoclay is a potential alternative to the use of conventional oil-derivative polymers due to the synergetic effect of the biodegradable character of PLA and the barrier-induced effect derived from the dispersion of nanoparticles. In this work, composite materials based on PLA and reinforced with bentonite nanoparticles (up to 4% w/w) (NC) have been prepared to produce films with improved barrier character against water vapor transportation. Additionally, the biodegradable character of the composites depending on the crystallinity of the polymer and percentage of NC have been evaluated in the presence of an enzymatic active medium (proteinase K). Finally, a study of the capacity to film production of the composites has been performed to determine the viability of the proposals. The dispersion of the nanoparticles induced a tortuous pathway of water vapor crossing, reducing this diffusion by more than 22%. Moreover, the nanoclays materials were in all the cases acceptable for food packing in terms of migration. A migration lower than 1 mg/m2 was obtained in all the materials. Nonetheless, the presence of the nanoclays in decreased biodegradable capacity was observed. The time was enlarged to more than 15 days for the maximum content (4% w/w). On the other hand, the incorporation of NC does not avoid the processability of the material to obtain film-shaped processed materials.

Non-Ionic Surfactants for Stabilization of Polymeric Nanoparticles for Biomedical Uses

Surfactants are essential in the manufacture of polymeric nanoparticles by emulsion formation methods and to preserve the stability of carriers in liquid media. The deposition of non-ionic surfactants at the interface allows a considerable reduction of the globule of the emulsion with high biocompatibility and the possibility of oscillating the final sizes in a wide nanometric range. Therefore, this review presents an analysis of the three principal non-ionic surfactants utilized in the manufacture of polymeric nanoparticles; polysorbates, poly(vinyl alcohol), and poloxamers. We included a section on general properties and uses and a comprehensive compilation of formulations with each principal non-ionic surfactant. Then, we highlight a section on the interaction of non-ionic surfactants with biological barriers to emphasize that the function of surfactants is not limited to stabilizing the dispersion of nanoparticles and has a broad impact on pharmacokinetics. Finally, the last section corresponds to a recommendation in the experimental approach for choosing a surfactant applying the systematic methodology of Quality by Design.

Structural Analysis of Sol-Gel Derived TiO2 Nanoparticles: A Critical Impact of TiO2 Nanoparticles on Thermo-Mechanical Mechanism of Glass Fiber Polymer Composites

The incorporated of inorganic nanoparticles with thermosetting epoxy polymer are an emerging field of research over past few years. It is well analyzed that epoxy matrix are brittle in nature that shows poor crack initiation and propagation and results poor thermo-mechanical properties. Therefore, researchers are showing their interest towards nanoparticles embedded epoxy composites to improve their fracture resistance (brittleness and toughness). In this investigation, the dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles at different weight fraction (0-2%) with glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites is performed to enhance structural and thermo-mechanical properties. The TiO2 nanoparticles are prepared by sol-gel method and structural analysis of TiO2 nanoparticles shows greater interfacial bond with epoxy matrix and glass fibers due to fine dispersion of nanoparticles. From obtained results, a significant enhancement in their tensile strength (38.56%), flexural strength (30.52%), inter-laminar shear stress (25.22%), impact strength (327.10%), micro-hardness (48.53%) and fracture energy (40.19%) with minimum detrimental effect on toughness was revealed for GFRP-T1.0 compare to GFRP-T0.0 composite laminates. The stiffness and rigidity also improved up to 52.72% and 34.13% respectively for GFRP-T1.5 compare to GFRP-T0.0 composite laminates. The effects of nanoparticles contents and clustering size on thermal stability and glass transition temperature of developed composites are observed by thermo-gravimetric analysis. The surface morphology of TiO2 nanoparticles are characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) while dispersion of nanoparticles and failure of developed composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Influence of Piezoelectric Properties on the Ultrasonic Dispersion of TiO2 Nanoparticles in Aqueous Suspension

In this study, the soft-type and hard-type lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics were compared in order to create an optimal system for ultrasonic dispersion of nanoparticles, and sound pressure energy for each PZT ceramic was analyzed and closely examined with ultrasonic energy. TiO2 was water-dispersed using the soft-type and hard-type PZT transducer, possessing different characteristics, and its suspension particle size and distribution, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and dispersion were evaluated for 180 days. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the particles dispersed using the hard-type PZT transducer were smaller than the particles dispersed using the soft-type PZT by 15 nm or more. Because the hard-type PZT transducer had a lower PDI, uniform particle size distribution was also confirmed. In addition, by measuring the zeta potential over time, it was found that the hard-type PZT transducer has higher dispersion safety. In addition, it was confirmed that the ultrasonically dispersed TiO2 suspension using a hard-type PZT transducer maintained constant particle size distribution for 180 days, whereas the suspension from the soft-type PZT aggregated 30 days later. Therefore, the hard-type PZT is more suitable for ultrasonic dispersion of nanoparticles.