Paraffin-Multilayer Graphene Composite for Thermal Management in Electronics.

Multilayer graphene-paraffin composites with different contents of graphene (0-10 wt.%) were prepared using an ultra-high shear mixer. The aim is to improve the heat transfer in paraffin wax, which will lead to more-efficient thermal buffering in electronic applications.

Carbon-Nanowall Microporous Layers for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell.

The cathode microporous layer (MPL), as one of the key components of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM-FC), requires specialized carbon materials to ensure the two-phase flow and interfacial effects. In this respect, we designed a novel MPL based on highly hydrophobic carbon nanowalls (CNW). Employing plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition techniques directly on carbon paper, we produced high-quality microporous layers at a competitive yield-to-cost ratio with distinctive MPL properties: high porosity, good stability, considerable durability, high hydrophobicity, and substantial conductivity.

Hybrid Proton-Exchange Membrane Based on Perfluorosulfonated Polymers and Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Hydrogel.

Organic resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) hydrogels were introduced into a hybrid cation-exchange membrane in order to enhance its following properties: water uptake, thermal stability, and ionic conductivity. This study was aimed to investigate the modifications induced by the RF organic clusters that form a uniform distributed network within the perflourosulfonated acid (PFSA) matrix. RF concentration was controlled by resorcinol and formaldehyde impregnation time using water or ethanol solvents.

Stainless Steel Surface Nitriding in Open Atmosphere Cold Plasma: Improved Mechanical, Corrosion and Wear Resistance Properties.

This work presents preliminary results regarding improving the mechanical, wear and protective properties (hardness, coefficient of friction, corrosion resistance) of AISI 304 stainless steel surfaces by open atmosphere cold plasma surface treatment method. Comparative evaluations of the morphological, corrosion resistance, mechanical and tribological properties for different periods of treatment (using N gas for cold plasma generation in an open atmosphere) were performed. AFM surface analyses have shown significant surface morphology modifications (average roughness, FWHM, surface skewness and kurtosis coefficient) of the treated samples.

Electropolymerized molecular imprinting on glassy carbon electrode for voltammetric detection of dopamine in biological samples.

A simple and reliable method for preparing a selective dopamine (DA) sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer of ethacridine was proposed. The molecularly imprinted polymer electrode was prepared through electrodepositing polyethacridine-dopamine film on the glassy carbon electrode and then removing DA from the film via chemical induced elution. The molecular imprinted sensor was tested by cyclic voltammetry as well as by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to verify the changes in oxidative currents of DA.

Eco-designed biohybrids based on liposomes, mint-nanosilver and carbon nanotubes for antioxidant and antimicrobial coating.

Noncovalent entities (consisting of liposomes, phyto-nanosilver and carbon nanotubes) with interesting properties were constructed by a "green" bottom-up method. Phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the Mentha piperita extract combines the benefits of this herb with the interesting properties of silver. The obtained silver-based biohybrids showed antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that have been considerable improved in the presence of carbon nanotubes.