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Synthesis and Optical Properties of Hybrid and Alloy Plasmonic Nanoparticles

We determined the size-dependent specific and mass activities of the oxygen reduction in HClO(4) solutions on the Pt particles in the range of 1-5 nm. The maximal mass activity at 2.2 nm is well explained based on density functional theory calculations performed on fully relaxed nanoparticles. The presence of the edge sites is the main reason for the low specific activity in nanoparticles due to very strong oxygen binding energies at these sites. Our results clearly demonstrate that the catalytic activity highly depends on the shape and size of the nanoparticles.

http://ma.ecsdl.org/content/MA2011-01/42/1931.full.pdf

Electrocatalysis on Platinum Nanoparticles: Particle Size Effect on Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity

Elastic interactions arising from a difference of lattice spacing between two coherent phases can have a strong influence on the phase separation (coarsening) behaviour of alloys. If the elastic moduli are different in the two phases, the elastic interactions may accelerate, slow down or even stop the phase separation process. If the material is elastically anisotropic, the precipitates can be shaped like plates or needles instead of spheres and can \sps arrange themselves into highly correlated patterns \cs. Tensions or compressions applied externally to the specimen may have a strong effect on the shapes and arrangement of the precipitates. In this paper, we review the main theoretical approaches that have been used to model these effects and we relate them to experimental observations. The theoretical approaches considered are (i) `macroscopic'' models treating the two phases as elastic media separated by a sharp interface (ii) `mesoscopic'' models in which the concentration varies continuously across the interface (iii) `microscopic'' models which use the positions of individual atoms.

Modelling of Phase Separation in Alloys with Coherent Elastic Misfit

Additive manufacturing (also known as three-dimensional (3D) printing) is being extensively utilized in many areas of electrochemistry to produce electrodes and devices, as this technique allows for fast prototyping and is relatively low cost. Furthermore, there is a variety of 3D-printing technologies available, which include fused deposition modeling (FDM), inkjet printing, select laser melting (SLM), and stereolithography (SLA), making additive manufacturing a highly desirable technique for electrochemical purposes. In particular, over the last number of years, a significant amount of research into using 3D printing to create electrodes/devices for electrochemical energy conversion and storage has emerged. Strides have been made in this area; however, there are still a number of challenges and drawbacks that need to be overcome in order to 3D print active and stable electrodes/devices for electrochemical energy conversion and storage to rival that of the state-of-the-art. In this Review, we will give an overview of the reasoning behind using 3D printing for these electrochemical applications. We will then discuss how the electrochemical performance of the electrodes/devices are affected by the various 3D-printing technologies and by manipulating the 3D-printed electrodes by post modification techniques. Finally, we will give our insights into the future perspectives of this exciting field based on our discussion through this Review.

3D Printing for Electrochemical Energy Applications.

Direct laser deposition of alloys from elemental powder blends

In the present study, hybrid organic–inorganic composites were fabricated from epoxy–TEOS (tetraethyl orthosilicate, Si(OC2H5)4) with various ratios (0–10 wt%) of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as reinforcing nanofillers by the sol–gel method. The effect of the MWCNTs ratios on the structural, optical and mechanical characteristics and the thermal conductivity of the epoxy–TEOS/MWCNTs composites is investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the pure epoxy-TEOS is amorphous, while epoxy–TEOS/MWCNTs composites are crystalline with an orthorhombic crystal structure that has an average crystallite size of 3.9 ± 0.15 nm. In addition, thermal stability and thermal conductivity were improved by adding TEOS and MWCNTs, whereas the exothermic peak temperature decreases compared with pure epoxy-TEOS. Similarly, the hardness Shore-D and tensile strength reach the optimum value at 4 wt% MWCNTs content. The significant improvement in the mechanical and thermal properties of the prepared composites could be attributed to the synergistic effect of MWCNTs and epoxy–TEOS which was emphasized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Moreover, epoxy-TEOS sample has high optical transmittance (T) within the visible region, but the composites samples are transparent at λ < 800 nm and have a lower value of T. The indirect optical band gap decreases from 3.59 to 2.91 eV with an increase in MWCNTs fractions from 0 to 10 wt%, respectively. However, the glass transition reflects the onset of decomposition temperatures was also considerably increased. The acquired outcomes such as a large increase in thermal conductivity and tensile stress coupled with reduced T make the composites readily applicable for a  variety of applications.

Fabrication and evaluation of structural, thermal, mechanical and optical behavior of epoxy–TEOS/MWCNTs composites for solar cell covering

Porous and mesh alumina formed by anodization of high purity aluminum films at low anodizing voltage

Tailoring the porous nanostructure of porous anodic alumina membrane with the impurity control

Mechanically stable nickel (Ni) nanowires array and nanowires network were synthesized by pulse electrochemical deposition using 2D and 3D porous anodic alumina (PAA) templates. The structures and morphologies of as-prepared films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The grown Ni nanowire using 3D PAA revealed more strength and larger surface area than has grown Ni use 2D PAA template. The prepared nanowires have a face-centered cubic crystal structure with average grain size 15 nm, and the preferred orientation of the nucleation of the nanowires is (111). The diameter of the nanowires is about 50–70 nm with length 3 µm. The resulting 3D Ni nanowire lattice, which provides enhanced mechanical stability and an increased surface area, benefits energy storage and many other applications which utilize the large surface area.

A.M. Mebed

Papers

Fabrication and evaluation of structural, thermal, mechanical and optical behavior of epoxy–TEOS/MWCNTs composites for solar cell covering

Porous and mesh alumina formed by anodization of high purity aluminum films at low anodizing voltage

Tailoring the porous nanostructure of porous anodic alumina membrane with the impurity control

Electrochemical fabrication of 2D and 3D nickel nanowires using porous anodic alumina templates

Effect of phase fraction on the tri-junction in two-phase nanoparticle systems