This review summarises the research work carried out in the field of carbon nanotube (CNT) metal matrix composites (MMCs). Much research has been undertaken in utilising CNTs as reinforcement for composite material. However, CNT-reinforced MMCs have received the least attention. These composites are being projected for use in structural applications for their high specific strength as well as functional materials for their exciting thermal and electrical characteristics. The present review focuses on the critical issues of CNT-reinforced MMCs that include processing techniques, nanotube dispersion, interface, strengthening mechanisms and mechanical properties. Processing techniques used for synthesis of the composites have been critically reviewed with an objective to achieve homogeneous distribution of carbon nanotubes in the matrix. The mechanical property improvements achieved by addition of CNTs in various metal matrix systems are summarised. The factors determining strengthening achieved by CNT reinforcement are elucidated as are the structural and chemical stability of CNTs in different metal matrixes and the importance of the CNT/metal interface has been reviewed. The importance of CNT dispersion and its quantification is highlighted. Carbon nanotube reinforced MMCs as functional materials are summarised. Future work that needs attention is addressed.

Carbon nanotube reinforced metal matrix composites - a review

https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/files/126683921/Edited_sudagar_R1.pdf

Electroless nickel, alloy, composite and nano coatings – A critical review

Recent advances in the field of nanotechnology have led to the synthesis and characterization of an assortment of quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) structures, such as nanowires, nanoneedles, nanobelts and nanotubes. These fascinating materials exhibit novel physical properties owing to their unique geometry with high aspect ratio. They are the potential building blocks for a wide range of nanoscale electronics, optoelectronics, magnetoelectronics, and sensing devices. Many techniques have been developed to grow these nanostructures with various compositions. Parallel to the success with group IV and groups III–V compounds semiconductor nanostructures, semiconducting metal oxide materials with typically wide band gaps are attracting increasing attention. This article provides a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art research activities that focus on the Q1D metal oxide systems and their physical property characterizations. It begins with the synthetic mechanisms and methods that have been exploited to form these structures. A range of remarkable characteristics are then presented, organized into sections covering a number of metal oxides, such as ZnO, In2O3, SnO2 ,G a 2O3, and TiO2, etc., describing their electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical and chemical sensing properties. These studies constitute the basis for developing versatile applications based on metal oxide Q1D systems, and the current progress in device development will be highlighted. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quasi-one-dimensional metal oxide materials—Synthesis, properties and applications

Polymer-assisted fabrication of nanoparticles and nanocomposites

Superhydrophobic surfaces with high contact angle and low contact angle hysteresis exhibit a self-cleaning effect and low drag for fluid flow. The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaf is one of the examples found in nature for superhydrophobic surfaces. For the development of superhydrophobic surfaces, which is important for various applications such as glass windows, solar panels, and microchannels, materials and fabrication methods need to be explored to provide mechanically durable surfaces. It is necessary to perform durability studies on these surfaces. Carbon nanotube (CNT), composite structures which would lead to superhydrophobicity, self-cleaning, and low-drag, were prepared using a spray method. As a benchmark, structured surfaces with lotus wax were also prepared to compare with the durability of CNT composite structures. To compare the durability of the various fabricated surfaces, waterfall/jet tests were conducted to determine the loss of superhydrophobicity by changing the flow time and pressure c...

Mechanically Durable Carbon Nanotube−Composite Hierarchical Structures with Superhydrophobicity, Self-Cleaning, and Low-Drag

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes/epoxy resin (MWNTs/EP) nanocomposites with different MWNTs contents have been prepared successfully. The influence of MWNTs on the friction and wear behaviors of the nanocomposites was investigated by a friction and wear tester under dry-sliding contact conditions. The relative humidity of the air was about 50±10%. Contrast to pure EP, MWNTs/EP nanocomposites showed not only higher wear resistance but also smaller friction coefficient. MWNTs could dramatically reduce the friction and improve the wear resistance behaviors of the nanocomposites. The mechanisms of the significant improvements on the tribological properties of the MWNTs/EP nanocomposites were also discussed.

Study on Tribological Properties of Multi-walled CarbonNanotubes/Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites

Nanometer Diamond (ND) was synthesized by using the detonation method. It was a kind of materials with properties of diamond and nanometer particle. The Ni–P–ND composite coating was prepared from a suspension of diamond nanoparticles in electroless bath. The tribological properties, hardness and corrosion behaviours of the composite coating on medium carbon steels were investigated. The Ni–P–ND composite coating exhibits not only high wear resistance but also low friction coefficient compared with the Ni–P composite coating. The highest microhardness of the Ni–P–ND composite coating was obtained by heat treated at 673 K. The corrosion resistance of Ni–P–ND composite coating is superior to that of Ni–P coating. The mechanisms of improvement of the tribological and electrochemical properties of the electroless composite coating are also discussed.

Yi Huang

Papers

Study on Tribological Properties of Multi-walled CarbonNanotubes/Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites

Synthesis and properties of electroless Ni–P–Nanometer Diamond composite coatings

A study on carbon nanotubes reinforced poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

Enhanced wear resistance and micro-hardness of polystyrene nanocomposites by carbon nanotubes

Preparation and properties of Ni/P/single-walled carbon nanotubes composite coatings by means of electroless plating