Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been produced by low-dose (1-20 kGy) gamma irradiation of silver nitrate in the presence of graphene-based material (graphene oxide or electrochemically exfoliated graphene). The large surface area of those graphene-based materials combined with the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface provided successful nucleation and growth of Ag nanoparticles, which resulted in a uniformly covered graphene surface. The obtained Ag nanoparticles were spherical with a predominant size distribution of 10-50 nm for graphene oxide and 10-100 nm for electrochemically exfoliated graphene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe hybridisation of injection moulding (IM) and additive manufacturing (AM) offers the opportunity to combine the high productivity of IM and the high flexibility of AM into a single process. IM parts can be overprinted through fused filament fabrication (FFF) to allow for the customisation of parts or to add new functionalities. However, the right material pair must be chosen, and processing parameters must be optimised to achieve suitable adhesion between the components.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanomaterials (Basel)
January 2024
The present study focuses on correlations between three parameters: (1) graphite particle size, (2) the ratio of graphite to oxidizing agent (KMnO), and (3) the ratio of graphite to acid (HSO and HPO), with the reaction yield, structure, and properties of graphene oxide (GO). The correlations are a challenge, as these three parameters can hardly be separated from each other due to the variations in the viscosity of the system. The larger the graphite particles, the higher the viscosity of GO.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo decrease the amount of plastic waste, the use of recycling techniques become a necessity. However, numerous recycling cycles result in the mechanical, thermal, and chemical degradation of the polymer, which leads to an inefficient use of recycled polymers for the production of plastic products. In this study, the effects of recycling and the improvement of polymer performance with the incorporation of an additive into recycled polypropylene was studied by spectroscopic, rheological, optical, and mechanical characterization techniques.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this research work, we propose a synergistic effect of a green crosslinker and cellulose nanomaterial on the crystallinity, viscoelastic, and thermal properties of starch nanocomposites. A disaccharide derivative was used as a bio crosslinker and nanofiber from pineapple leaf as a reinforcing phase for starch. Sucrose was oxidised using periodate, that can selectively oxidise the vicinal hydroxyl group of sucrose and form tetra aldehyde derivative.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReversible colour change of leuco dye-based composites is in general closely related to their phase change, thus the two phenomena should occur at around the same temperature and should be influenced similarly. However, spatial confinement of the analysed sample affects the change in colour differently compared to its phase transition and the most pronounced effects can be observed during cooling. The bulk composite is coloured while still liquid and the colour hysteresis does not exhibit a loop.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEco-friendly "green" nano composites were fabricated from potato starch and cellulose nanofibers from pineapple leaf. Nanocomposites of starch/cellulose nanofibers were prepared by solution mixing followed by casting. The investigation of the viscoelastic properties confirms starch macromolecular chain confinement around the nano scale cellulose surface, superior dispersion and very good interaction between thermoplastic starch and cellulose nanofibers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF