Showing papers by "Prathap Haridoss published in 2016"

Effect of different carbon nano-fillers on rheological properties and lap shear strength of epoxy adhesive joints

Abstract: In this work, the rheological properties, thermal stability and the lap shear strength of epoxy adhesive joints reinforced with different carbon nano-fillers such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and single-walled carbon nanohorns (CNH) have been studied. The nano-fillers were dispersed homogeneously using Brabender® Plasti-Corder®. The epoxy pre-polymer with and without the nano-fillers exhibited shear thinning behavior. The nano-filler epoxy mixtures exhibited a viscoplastic behavior which was analyzed using Casson’s model. Thermo-gravimetric analysis indicated an increase in the thermal stability of the epoxy with the addition of carbon nano-fillers. Carbon nano-fillers resulted in increased lap shear strength having high Weibull modulus. The joint strength increased by 53%, 49% and 46% with the addition of 1 wt.% CNT, 0.5 wt.% GNP and 0.5 wt.% CNH, respectively. The strength of the joints having high filler content (>1 wt.%) was limited by mixed mode type of failure.

Influence of mode of electrodeposition, current density and saccharin on the microstructure and hardness of electrodeposited nanocrystalline nickel coatings

Abstract: The main purpose of the present work is to study the influence of current density, deposition mode and the presence of saccharin as an additive on the microstructure, sulfur content, grain size and microhardness of nanocrystalline Ni coatings. Towards this purpose, nanocrystalline nickel (Ni) coatings were deposited at various current densities in Watt's bath using direct, pulse and pulse reverse current (PRC) electrodeposition and subsequently characterized for sulfur content, grain size and hardness. It was observed that, the current density has no influence on the grain size/hardness of nanocrystalline Ni coatings in direct and pulsed current electrodeposition mode. However, the grain size increased from ~ 20 to ~ 200 nm with decrease in current density in PRC mode of deposition. In addition a substantial change in microstructure and texture of PRC Ni coatings was also evident. The experimental results have been rationalized based on the adsorption–desorption type of mechanism during electrodeposition.

Carbon Nanotubes and Nanohorn Hybrid Composite Buckypaper as Microporous Layer for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract: In the present work, carbon nanotubes (CNT) and CNT-carbon nanohorns (CNH) (0, 30, 50, 70 and 100 wt.% CNH) composite Buckypapers (BPs) were fabricated using vacuum filtration technique. Structure and property relation of composite BPs were studied using scanning electron microscope, four probe technique, BET surface area and contact angle measurements. Properties such as electrical conductivity, hydrophobic nature and microstructure of CNT-30 wt.% CNH composite BP are superior to other composite BP. Hence, CNT-30 wt.% CNH composite BP is chosen as a microporous layer (MPL) for PEMFCs and tested in fuel cell testing fixture. Polarization studies reveal that the cells performance with composite BPs is comparable with SGL-MPL based cell. Hydrogen pumping and polarization studies of the cells confirms that composite BPs act as a good MPL at anode as well as cathode at 0.4 to 0.8 V. Hence, CNT-CNH composite BPs are potential candidates for PEMFC applications.