Insight into Structural Changes and Electrochemical Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Nanostructured Ferritic and Austenitic Stainless Steels.

Nanostructured ferritic (Fe-Cr-Si, x = 0-3 wt %) and austenitic (Fe-Cr-Ni-Six, x = 0-3 wt %) stainless steel (SS) alloys were developed by mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The unit cell parameter estimated from X-ray diffraction spectra exhibited a decreasing trend with an increase in wt % of Si content in both alloy systems. The particle size of powders estimated using bright field transmission electron microscopy images for ferritic (3 wt % Si) and austenitic (3 wt % Si) SS powders was found to be 65 ± 5 nm and 18 ± 3 nm, respectively.

Porous AlO-CNT Nanocomposite Membrane Produced by Spark Plasma Sintering with Tailored Microstructure and Properties for Water Treatment.

Ceramic-based nanocomposite membranes are gaining great attention in various applications, such as water treatment; gas separation; oil and gas, amid their superior fouling resistance and remarkable chemical/thermal stability. Here, we report for the first time the use of spark plasma sintering (SPS) process to fabricate a porous alumina-carbon nanotubes (AlO-CNT) nanocomposite membrane for water treatment. The challenge is this work is to achieve a balance between the amount of porosity, desired for a high water flux, and the membrane strength level, required to resist the applied pressure during a water flow experiment.

Tribological and Electrochemical Characterization of UHMWPE Hybrid Nanocomposite Coating for Biomedical Applications.

A new approach of using a polymer hybrid nanocomposite coating to modify the surface of titanium and its alloys is explored in this study. Electrostatic spray coating process is used to deposit the coating on the plasma-treated substrates for better adhesion. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been selected as the parent matrix for the coating due to its biocompatibility and excellent tribological properties.

Stretchable Hydrophobic Surfaces and Self-Cleaning Applications.

Hydrophobizing of stretchable elastomer surfaces is considered and the reversible behavior of the resulting surface wetting state is examined after stretching and relaxing the hydrophobized samples. The environmental dust are analyzed in terms of elemental constitutes and size, and the dust pinning on the hydrophobized surface is measured. The dust removal mechanisms, by the water droplets on the hydrophobized surface, are investigated.

Environmental Dust Particles Repelling from A Hydrophobic Surface under Electrostatic Influence.

Environmental dust particles repelling from a hydrophobic surface under the electrostatic influence are considered and the dynamics of the dust particles are analyzed incorporating the high speed camera. The velocity of the repelled dust particles are formulated using the force balance incorporating the forces associated with the electrostatic repulsion, particle adhesion, particle drag, and the inflight particles interaction under the charge influence. The functionalized silica particles are deposited on the glass surface towards achieving a hydrophobic wetting state on the surface.

Correction: Water droplet on inclined dusty hydrophobic surface: influence of droplet volume on environmental dust particles removal.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C8RA10092F.].

PEDOT/FHA nanocomposite coatings on newly developed Ti-Nb-Zr implants: Biocompatibility and surface protection against corrosion and bacterial infections.

The fabrication of bioactive polymer nanocomposite coatings with enhanced biocompatibility and surface protection has been a topic of abundant concern in orthopaedic implant applications. Herein, we electrochemically prepared a novel poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) based nanocomposite coatings with different contents of fluoro hydroxyapatite (FHA) nanoparticles on a newly developed Ti-Nb-Zr (TNZ) alloy; an appropriate approach to advance the surface features of TNZ implants. FTIR, XRD, and Raman analyses of the coating confirm the successful preparation of PEDOT/FHA nanocomposite, and XPS validate the chemical interaction between FHA and PEDOT matrix.

Water droplet on inclined dusty hydrophobic surface: influence of droplet volume on environmental dust particles removal.

A water droplet's behavior on an inclined hydrophobic surface in the presence of environmental dust particles is considered and the droplet's dynamics are analyzed pertinent to self-cleaning applications. A polycarbonate wafer is crystallized using the solution-crystallization method to generate hierarchically distributed micro/nano-sized spherules and pillars on the surface. To improve the wetting state and lower the contact angle hysteresis, functionalized silica particles are synthesized and, later, deposited on the crystallized surface.

Recent Advances in the Processing and Properties of Alumina⁻CNT/SiC Nanocomposites.

An alumina-based nanocomposite is fabricated through the addition of secondary nanophase material to an alumina matrix to alter and tailor the properties of alumina. The addition to alumina of semi-conductive materials, such as silicon carbide (SiC), and high conductive materials, such as carbon nanotubes with a characteristic size in the nanometer range, can alter the mechanical strength, hardness, toughness, and electrical and thermal properties of alumina. This paper discusses recent advances in the synthesis of alumina⁻SiC and alumina-carbon nanotube (CNT) nanopowders and their consolidation using conventional and non-conventional techniques.

Mobility of A Water Droplet on Liquid Phase of N-Octadecane Coated Hydrophobic Surface.

A water droplet behavior on the liquid n-octadecane film is investigated. The coating of hydrophobic surface by N-octadecane film provides exchange of wetting state on the surface. The polycarbonate surface is crystallized and the functionalized silica particles are placed on the resulting surface prior to thin film coating of n-octadecane.

Environmental dust removal from inclined hydrophobic glass surface: avalanche influence on dynamics of dust particles.

The removal of environmental dust particles from optically transparent glass surfaces is considered, and the dynamics of the dust particles on the inclined hydrophobic glass surface is examined. The glass surfaces are coated by functionalized nano-sized silica particles to create a hydrophobic wetting state on the surface. A thin layer of environmental dust particles, collected from the local area of Dammam in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is deposited on the surface while mimicking the dust accumulation on the surfaces in the dusty days of KSA.

Influence of surface treatment on PEDOT coatings: surface and electrochemical corrosion aspects of newly developed Ti alloy.

Surface treatment of metallic materials prior to the application of polymer coatings plays an important role in providing improved surface features and enhanced corrosion protection. In the current investigation, we aimed to evaluate the effect of surface treatment of newly developed TiNbZr (TNZ) alloys on the surface characteristics, including the surface topography, morphology, hydrophobicity and adhesion strength of subsequent poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coatings. The surface morphology, chemical composition, and surface roughness of both treated and coated alloys were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and optical profilometry, respectively.

A Water Droplet Pinning and Heat Transfer Characteristics on an Inclined Hydrophobic Surface.

A water droplet pinning on inclined hydrophobic surface is considered and the droplet heat transfer characteristics are examined. Solution crystallization of polycarbonate is carried out to create hydrophobic characteristics on the surface. The pinning state of the water droplet on the extreme inclined hydrophobic surface (0° ≤ δ ≤ 180°, δ being the inclination angle) is assessed.

Water Droplet Dynamics on a Hydrophobic Surface in Relation to the Self-Cleaning of Environmental Dust.

The dynamic motion of a water droplet on an inclined hydrophobic surface is analyzed with and without environmental dust particles on the surface. Solution crystallization of a polycarbonate surface is carried out to generate a hydrophobic surface with hierarchical texture composed of micro/nanosize spheroids and fibrils. Functionalized nanosize silica particles are deposited on the textured surface to reduce contact angle hysteresis.

Reversible exchange of wetting state of a hydrophobic surface phase change material coating.

Reversible exchange of the wetting state of a hydrophobic surface is examined. Solution crystallization of a polycarbonate surface is carried out to form hierarchically distributed micro/nano size spherules and fibrils on the surface. Although the solution crystallized surface has hydrophobic characteristics, the contact angle hysteresis remains high.

Electrochemical Corrosion and In Vitro Bioactivity of Nano-Grained Biomedical Ti-20Nb-13Zr Alloy in a Simulated Body Fluid.

The bioactivity and the corrosion protection for a novel nano-grained Ti-20Nb-13Zr at % alloy were examined in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The effect of the SPS's temperature on the corrosion performance was investigated. The phases and microstructural details of the developed alloy were analyzed by XRD (X-ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope).

Environmental dust effects on aluminum surfaces in humid air ambient.

Environmental dusts settle on surfaces and influence the performance of concentrated solar energy harvesting devices, such as aluminum troughs. The characteristics of environmental dust and the effects of mud formed from the dust particles as a result of water condensing in humid air conditions on an aluminum wafer surface are examined. The dissolution of alkaline and alkaline earth compounds in water condensate form a chemically active mud liquid with pH 8.

Surface Characteristics of Silicon Nanowires/Nanowalls Subjected to Octadecyltrichlorosilane Deposition and n-octadecane Coating.

In this study, nanowires/nanowalls were generated on a silicon wafer through a chemical etching method. Octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) was deposited onto the nanowire/nanowall surfaces to alter their hydrophobicity. The hydrophobic characteristics of the surfaces were further modified via a 1.

Chemo-Mechanical Characteristics of Mud Formed from Environmental Dust Particles in Humid Ambient Air.

Mud formed from environmental dust particles in humid ambient air significantly influences the performance of solar harvesting devices. This study examines the characterization of environmental dust particles and the chemo-mechanics of dry mud formed from dust particles. Analytical tools, including scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, particle sizing, and X-ray diffraction, are used to characterize dry mud and dust particles.

Characterization of Environmental Dust in the Dammam Area and Mud After-Effects on Bisphenol-A Polycarbonate Sheets.

Owing to recent climate changes, dust storms are increasingly common, particularly in the Middle East region. Dust accumulation and subsequent mud formation on solid surfaces in humid environments typically have adverse effects on surface properties such as optical transmittance, surface texture, and microhardness. This is usually because the mud, which contains alkaline and ionic species, adheres strongly to the surface, often through chemical bonds, and is therefore difficult to remove.

Influence of dust and mud on the optical, chemical, and mechanical properties of a pv protective glass.

Recent developments in climate change have increased the frequency of dust storms in the Middle East. Dust storms significantly influence the performances of solar energy harvesting systems, particularly (photovoltaic) PV systems. The characteristics of the dust and the mud formed from this dust are examined using various analytical tools, including optical, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopies, X-ray diffraction, energy spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Fabrication and Assessment of Crumb-Rubber-Modified Coatings with Anticorrosive Properties.

Scrap tires continue to be a major source of waste due to the lack of valuable and effective disposal routes. A viable solution to this problem is to recycle crumb rubber (CR)-a granulated material derived from scrap tires-and use it to develop other valuable products. Herein we report the fabrication and characterization of CR-modified coatings with anticorrosive properties on metal substrates.

Matrix Structure Evolution and Nanoreinforcement Distribution in Mechanically Milled and Spark Plasma Sintered Al-SiC Nanocomposites.

Development of homogenous metal matrix nanocomposites with uniform distribution of nanoreinforcement, preserved matrix nanostructure features, and improved properties, was possible by means of innovative processing techniques. In this work, Al-SiC nanocomposites were synthesized by mechanical milling and consolidated through spark plasma sintering. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) facility was used for the characterization of the extent of SiC particles' distribution in the mechanically milled powders and spark plasma sintered samples.

Characterization of Nanoreinforcement Dispersion in Inorganic Nanocomposites: A Review.

Metal and ceramic matrix composites have been developed to enhance the stiffness and strength of metals and alloys, and improve the toughness of monolithic ceramics, respectively. It is possible to further improve their properties by using nanoreinforcement, which led to the development of metal and ceramic matrix nanocomposites, in which case, the dimension of the reinforcement is on the order of nanometer, typically less than 100 nm. However, in many cases, the properties measured experimentally remain far from those estimated theoretically.