Grafting of CNTs onto the surface of PBO fibers at high-density for enhancing interfacial adhesion, mechanical properties and stability of composites.

Thermoplastic composites are rapidly emerging as alternative materials for auto parts owing to recyclability as well as excellent stiffness- and strength-to weight ratios. In this study, an optimal stacking sequence using twill-weave carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene (CF/PP) prepregs and random fiber-reinforced polypropylene (RFP) sheets were investigated for the fabrication of an automobile fender. The lamination consisting of CF/PP only incurred imperfect resin impregnation. RFP insertion between CF/PP layers improved the resin impregnation. The hybrid stacking sequence not only reduced internal void contents but also increased the flexural and impact strength of the composite laminate. Using the optimal stacking sequence, a real-scale composite fender was fabricated and impact tests were performed. The test results were compared with the ones from an existing steel fender. In case of the steel fender, permanent deformation was observed even in one attempt, while no visible damage was found from the composite fender even after five consecutive impact tests.

Investigation of impact resistance performance of carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene composites with different lamination to applicate fender parts

TiO2 is seen as a low cost, well-known photocatalyst; nevertheless, its sluggish charge kinetics does limit its applications. To overcome this aspect, one of the recent approaches is the use of its composites with graphene to enhance its photoactivity. Graphene-based materials (nanosheets, quantum dots, etc.) allow for attachment with TiO2 nanostructures, resulting in synergistic properties and thus increasing the functionality of the resulting composite. The current review aims to present the marked progress recently achieved in the use of TiO2/graphene composites in the field of photocatalysis. In this respect, we highlight the progress and insights in TiO2 and graphene composites in photocatalysis, including the basic mechanism of photocatalysis, the possible design strategies of the composites and an overview of how to characterize the graphene in the mixed composites. The use of composites in photocatalysis has also been reviewed, in which the recent literature has opened up more questions related to the reliability, potential, repeatability and connection of photocatalytic mechanisms with the resulting composites. TiO2/graphene-based composites can be a green light in the future of photocatalysis, targeting pollution remediation, energy generation, etc.

/pdf/a-review-on-the-progress-and-future-of-tio2-graphene-23hnmhoz.pdf

A Review on the Progress and Future of TiO2/Graphene Photocatalysts

In the present study, the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoparticles were used as a reinforcement to fabricate glass fibre polymer composite at different orientations (unidirectional glass fibres 0° and 90°; woven glass fibres 0°/90° and 45°/45°). The composites were developed using hand lay-up-assisted vacuum bagging method at 1 torr pressure. The concentrations of nanoparticles (~diameter 5–20 nm) were varied in the range of 0.1–0.3 wt% in the matrix. The mechanical properties like impact strength, tensile strength and fatigue strength were carried out on Izod and Charpy machine, universal testing machine and computer-controlled machine under sinusoidal wave, respectively. It is observed that the glass fibre/epoxy composite blended with MWCNTs/graphene by 0.2 wt% has shown higher fatigue life by 56%, higher tensile strength by 36% and higher capability of energy absorption by 927.7% in notched type and lower capability of energy absorption by 155.43% in un-notched type, as compared to pure composite. The increment in properties is due to the better bonding between fillers and matrix. However, the increase of MWCNTs and graphene nanoparticles by wt% in composite laminates have shown lower fatigue strength because of the agglomeration of MWCNTs particles in matrix that caused the propagation of fatigue cracks under cyclic loading. Further, the damage behaviour of composite materials was analysed using scanning electron microscopy. It is found that a different damage behaviour in each composite is observed which is attributed to the matrix cracking, fibre rupture, fibre pullout, fibre split and fibre de-bonding.

Mechanical properties of MWCNTs and graphene nanoparticles modified glass fibre-reinforced polymer nanocomposite

Ballistic performance of synergistically toughened Kevlar/epoxy composite targets reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes/graphene nanofillers

Photocatalytic water splitting, CO2 reduction, and pollutant degradation have emerged as promising strategies to remedy the existing environmental and energy crises. However, grafting of expensive and less abundant noble-metal cocatalysts on photocatalyst materials is a mandatory practice to achieve enhanced photocatalytic performance owing to the ability of the cocatalysts to extract electrons efficiently from the photocatalyst and enable rapid/enhanced catalytic reaction. Hence, developing highly efficient, inexpensive, and noble-metal-free cocatalysts composed of earth-abundant elements is considered as a noteworthy step toward considering photocatalysis as a more economical strategy. Recently, MXenes (two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have shown huge potential as alternatives for noble-metal cocatalysts. MXenes have several excellent properties, including atomically thin 2D morphology, metallic electrical conductivity, hydrophilic surface, and high specific surface area. In addition, they exhibit Gibbs free energy of intermediate H atom adsorption as close to zero and less than that of a commercial Pt-based cocatalyst, a Fermi level position above the H2 generation potential, and an excellent ability to capture and activate CO2 molecules. Therefore, there is a growing interest in MXene-based photocatalyst materials for various photocatalytic events. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in the synthesis of MXenes with 2D and 0D morphologies, the stability of MXenes, and MXene-based photocatalysts for H2 evolution, CO2 reduction, and pollutant degradation. The existing challenges and the possible future directions to enhance the photocatalytic performance of MXene-based photocatalysts are also discussed.

A Review on MXene Synthesis, Stability, and Photocatalytic Applications.

Synergistic bridging effects of graphene oxide and carbon nanotube on mechanical properties of aramid fiber reinforced polycarbonate composite tape

Herein, nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) co-doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using different one-dimensional (1-D) carbon nanomaterials as precursors were synthesized, followed by heterojunction formation with TiO2. GQDs exhibit unlike physiochemical properties due to the disproportionate ratio of N and S heteroatoms and dissimilar reaction parameters. Tailored type-II band gap (Eg) alignment was formed with narrowed Eg value that improves photogenerated electron transfer due to π-conjugation. GQDs-TiO2 nanocomposites exhibit remarkably high methylene blue (MB) degradation up to 99.78% with 2.3–3 times elevated rate constants as compared with TiO2. CNF-GQDs-TiO2 demonstrates the fastest MB degradation (60 min) due to the synergistic effect of nitrogen and sulfur doping, and is considered the most stable photocatalyst among prepared nanocomposites as tested up to three cyclic runs. Whereas, C–O–Ti bonds were not only responsible for nanocomposites strengthening but also provide a charge transfer pathway. Moreover, charge transport behavior, generation of active species, and reaction mechanism were scrutinized via free-radical scavenger analysis.

/pdf/nitrogen-and-sulfur-co-doped-graphene-quantum-dots-anchored-126ztpzc.pdf

Jishu Rawal

Papers

A Review on MXene Synthesis, Stability, and Photocatalytic Applications.

Synergistic bridging effects of graphene oxide and carbon nanotube on mechanical properties of aramid fiber reinforced polycarbonate composite tape

Nitrogen and Sulfur Co-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots Anchored TiO2 Nanocomposites for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity