Alei Dang

Strategies for the Synthesis of Thermoplastic Polymer Nanocomposite Materials with High Inorganic Filling Fraction

The governing parameters controlling the miscibility of particle additives within polymeric host media are analyzed for the particular case of silica particle fillers embedded within a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix. For athermal polymer-graft modification of particles (corresponding to equal chemical composition of graft and matrix polymer), compatibility is found to be a sensitive function of the degree of polymerization of graft and host polymer chains as well as the particle radius. In agreement with theoretical predictions, uniform particle dispersion is observed if the degree of polymerization of grafted chains is comparable to (or exceeds) the corresponding value of the polymer matrix. The resulting restriction to high degree of polymerization limits the accessible inorganic fraction that is attainable in athermal particle/polymer blends. In contrast, favorable interaction between grafted polymer chains and the polymeric host (as realized in the case of poly(styrene-r-acrylonitrile)-grafted particles embedded within PMMA matrix) is shown to facilitate thermodynamically stable and uniform particle dispersion across the entire compositional range even in the limit of large particle size, short grafted chains, and high molecular matrix chains. The synthesis of thermoplastic composite materials with inorganic fraction exceeding 50 vol % combining quantitative optical limiting within the UV frequency range and polymer-like mechanical properties is demonstrated.

Performance of Dielectric Nanocomposites: Matrix-Free, Hairy Nanoparticle Assemblies and Amorphous Polymer–Nanoparticle Blends

Demands to increase the stored energy density of electrostatic capacitors have spurred the development of materials with enhanced dielectric breakdown, improved permittivity, and reduced dielectric loss. Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs), consisting of a blend of amorphous polymer and dielectric nanofillers, have been studied intensely to satisfy these goals; however, nanoparticle aggregates, field localization due to dielectric mismatch between particle and matrix, and the poorly understood role of interface compatibilization have challenged progress. To expand the understanding of the inter-relation between these factors and, thus, enable rational optimization of low and high contrast PNC dielectrics, we compare the dielectric performance of matrix-free hairy nanoparticle assemblies (aHNPs) to blended PNCs in the regime of low dielectric contrast to establish how morphology and interface impact energy storage and breakdown across different polymer matrices (polystyrene, PS, and poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA) and nanoparticle loadings (0-50% (v/v) silica). The findings indicate that the route (aHNP versus blending) to well-dispersed morphology has, at most, a minor impact on breakdown strength trends with nanoparticle volume fraction; the only exception being at intermediate loadings of silica in PMMA (15% (v/v)). Conversely, aHNPs show substantial improvements in reducing dielectric loss and maintaining charge/discharge efficiency. For example, low-frequency dielectric loss (1 Hz-1 kHz) of PS and PMMA aHNP films was essentially unchanged up to a silica content of 50% (v/v), whereas traditional blends showed a monotonically increasing loss with silica loading. Similar benefits are seen via high-field polarization loop measurements where energy storage for ∼15% (v/v) silica loaded PMMA and PS aHNPs were 50% and 200% greater than respective comparable PNC blends. Overall, these findings on low dielectric contrast PNCs clearly point to the performance benefits of functionalizing the nanoparticle surface with high-molecular-weight polymers for polymer nanostructured dielectrics.

Nanoparticle-Driven Orientation Transition and Soft-Shear Alignment in Diblock Copolymer Films via Dynamic Thermal Gradient Field

Sharp dynamic thermal gradient (∇T ≈ 45 °C mm(-1)) field-driven assembly of cylinder-forming block copolymer (c-BCP) films filled with PS-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs; dNP ≈ 3.6 nm, φNP ≈ 0-0.1) is studied. The influence of increasing AuNP loading fraction on dispersion and assembly of AuNPs within c-BCP (PS-PMMA) films is investigated via both static and dynamic thermal gradient fields. With φNP increasing, a sharp transition from vertical to random in-plane horizontal cylinder orientation is observed due to enrichment of AuNPs at the substrate side and favorable interaction of PMMA chains with gold cores. Furthermore, a detachable capping elastomer layer can self-align these random oriented PMMA microdomains into unidirectional hybrid AuNP/c-BCP nanolines, quantified with an alignment order parameter, S.

Expanded graphite embedded with aluminum nanoparticles as superior thermal conductivity anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

The development of high capacity and long-life lithium-ion batteries is a long-term pursuing and under a close scrutiny. Most of the researches have been focused on exploring electrode materials and structures with high store capability of lithium ions and at the same time with a good electrical conductivity. Thermal conductivity of an electrode material will also have significant impacts on boosting battery capacity and prolonging battery lifetime, which is, however, underestimated. Here, we present the development of an expanded graphite embedded with Al metal nanoparticles (EG-MNPs-Al) synthesized by an oxidation-expansion process. The synthesized EG-MNPs-Al material exhibited a typical hierarchical structure with embedded Al metal nanoparticles into the interspaces of expanded graphite. The parallel thermal conductivity was up to 11.6 W·m−1·K−1 with a bulk density of 453 kg·m−3 at room temperature, a 150% improvement compared to expanded graphite (4.6 W·m−1·K−1) owing to the existence of Al metal nanoparticles. The first reversible capacity of EG-MNPs-Al as anode material for lithium ion battery was 480 mAh·g−1 at a current density of 100 mA·g−1, and retained 84% capacity after 300 cycles. The improved cycling stability and system security of lithium ion batteries is attributed to the excellent thermal conductivity of the EG-MNPs-Al anodes.

Three-Dimensional Graphene/MnO2 Nanowalls Hybrid for High-Efficiency Electrochemical Supercapacitors

In this paper, a facile method is designed to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) graphene (GR)/manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanowall electrode material. The 3D GR/MnO2 hybrid is prepared by a combination...

Direct in situ synthesis of a 3D interlinked amorphous carbon nanotube/graphene/BaFe12O19 composite and its electromagnetic wave absorbing properties

The 3D interlinked amorphous carbon nanotube (ACNT)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/BaFe12O19 (BF) composite was directly prepared by a self-propagation combustion process. The RGO was synthesized in situ through the massive heat release during the auto-combustion reaction. The interlinked ACNTs and graphene as well as BF formed the conductive networks for improving the dielectric and magnetic loss. The reflection loss peak of ACNT/RGO/BF composite was −19.03 dB at 11.04 GHz in the frequency range of 2–18 GHz. The frequency bandwidth of the reflection loss below −10 dB was 3.8 GHz. The 3D interlinked ACNT-RGO structure, which was composed of dense intertwined ACNT and graphene with quantities of dihedral angles, could consume incident waves via multiple reflections inside the 3D structures. The high conductivity of 3D interlinked ACNT/RGO networks would lead to energy dissipation in the form of heat through molecular friction and dielectric loss.

Preparation and electromagnetic wave absorbing properties of 3D graphene/pine needle-like iron nano-acicular whisker composites

The improvement of high reflection loss and broad frequency bandwidth for electromagnetic wave absorption materials is a long-term effort. The superb micro-structures of the absorber have significant impact on increasing reflection loss and broadening frequency bandwidth. Herein, we prepared 3D graphene by chemical vapor deposition and then 3D graphene/pine needle-like iron nano-acicular whisker composites were in situ synthesized by an electrochemical deposition process under an electric field using 3D graphene as substrate. The nano-acicular whiskers show different sizes and the mean diameter of the individual iron nano-acicular whiskers was about 150 nm. The saturation magnetization (MS) of the 3D graphene/iron nano-acicular whisker composite was about 42.65 emu g−1 and the coercivity (Hc) was 143 Oe, and it shows good magnetic properties. In the frequency range of 2–18 GHz, the reflection loss value of the graphene/iron nano-acicular whisker composites with a thickness of 2 mm could reach −12.81 dB at 10.95 GHz and the effective absorption bandwidth below −10 dB was 2.16 GHz. The nano-acicular whiskers could effectively improve the electromagnetic wave absorbing properties. The results suggested that the as-prepared graphene/iron nano-acicular whisker nanocomposite showed great potential applications as a new absorber material.

Self‐propagating Combustion Triggered Synthesis of 3D Lamellar Graphene/BaFe12O19 Composite and Its Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Properties

The synthesis of 3D lamellar graphene/BaFe12O19 composites was performed by oxidizing graphite and sequentially self-propagating combustion triggered process. The 3D lamellar graphene structures were formed due to the synergistic effect of the tremendous heat induced gasification as well as huge volume expansion. The 3D lamellar graphene/BaFe12O19 composites bearing 30 wt % graphene present the reflection loss peak at −27.23 dB as well as the frequency bandwidth at 2.28 GHz (< −10 dB). The 3D lamellar graphene structures could consume the incident waves through multiple reflection and scattering within the layered structures, prolonging the propagation path of electromagnetic waves in the absorbers.

In situ synthesis and electromagnetic wave absorbing properties of sandwich microstructured graphene/La-doped barium ferrite nanocomposite

The development of high reflection loss and broad frequency bandwidth for electromagnetic wave absorbing materials has been pursued for a long time. Constructing a rational microstructure of an absorber will have significant impact on reflection loss increase and frequency bandwidth broadening. Herein, we successfully prepare a sandwich microstructured graphene/BaFe12O19 nanocomposite by an in situ auto-combustion method. Compared to pure BaFe12O19, the sandwich microstructured graphene/BaFe12O19 showed better electromagnetic wave absorbing properties. Furthermore, the sandwich microstructured graphene/Ba0.8La0.2Fe12O19 nanocomposite was prepared with La-doped BaFe12O19 using the same method. The obtained graphene/Ba0.8La0.2Fe12O19 nanocomposite exhibited a saturation magnetization of 26.55 emu g−1 at room temperature and exhibited excellent magnetic performance. The maximum reflection loss of the sandwich microstructured graphene/Ba0.8La0.2Fe12O19 nanocomposite with a thickness of 1 mm could reach up to −40.26 dB, and a frequency bandwidth value below −10 dB was observed up to 3.87 GHz within the frequency range of 2–18 GHz.