Donghwan Cho

Microstructural interpretation of the effect of various matrices on the ablation properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites

Abstract This paper presents an extensive study of the ablation properties, microstructural behavior of ablation and thermal stability of various carbon-fiber-reinforced composites composed of four different matrices, a phenolic matrix, a carbonaceous matrix, a carbonaceous matrix containing impregnated resin and a carbonaceous matrix containing pyrocarbon. The ablation properties of the composites used were quantitatively evaluated by performing ablation tests with a plasma torch. The ablation behavior of both the carbon fibers and the composite matrix has been qualitatively interpreted through a scanning-electron-microscopy approach. The thermal stability of the composites was also examined by using a thermogravimetric analyzer both in air and nitrogen gas. The ablation test results reveal that composites with a carbonized matrix only (1C/C) and these with a carbonaceous matrix (1C/C+CVI) containing pyrocarbon infiltrated by a CVI process have the highest ablation resistance. In particular, the ablation resistances of 1C/C and 1C/C+CVI composites are improved by about 61 and 67% on the basis of weight change, respectively, in comparison with carbon/phenolic green composite.

Kenaf/polypropylene biocomposites: effects of electron beam irradiation and alkali treatment on kenaf natural fibers

Thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of kenaf natural fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) biocomposites were examined to compare the effects of natural fiber treatment by electron beam irradiation (EBI) and alkalization. The alpha cellulose contents, the functional groups on the surfaces and the thermal stability of the untreated and treated kenaf fibers were studied. Kenaf fiber/polypropylene(PP) biocomposites were fabricated by means of a compression molding technique using chopped kenaf fibers treated with electron beam (EB) dosages of 100, 200, 500 kGy or with NaOH concentrations of 2, 5, 10 wt%, respectively. The thermal stability, the dynamic mechanical and the interfacial properties of untreated and treated kenaf/PP biocomposites were also investigated through a thermogravimetric analysis, a dynamic mechanical analysis and a fractographic observation, respectively. The results show that the characteristics of kenaf fibers and biocomposites depended on the different treatment level with the EB dosages or on the NaOH concentrations used. In this study, the modification of kenaf fiber surfaces at 200 kGy EBI and treatment with 5 wt% NaOH was most effective for improving the performance of kenaf/PP biocomposites. This study suggests that EBI can be used for modification of natural fiber as an environmentally friendly process and contribute to an improvement in the performances of kenaf/PP biocomposites.

Direct electrospinning of ultrafine titania fibres in the absence of polymer additives and formation of pure anatase titania fibres at low temperature

Without polymer additives, ultrafine titania fibres were successfully prepared via the electrospinning technique in combination with the sol?gel process. The viscosity of titania precursor sol for electrospinning was controlled by the evaporation of solvent and contact with moisture in air. The morphology of the electrospun titania fibres was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface morphology and crystallinity of titania fibres were dependent on the calcination temperature. In particular, the titania fibres showed pure anatase crystalline structure when they were calcined at temperature as low as 250??C for 3?h. Also, the titania fibres calcined at 1300??C for 3?h showed rutile crystalline structure and burl-like wavy surfaces. This wavy surface seemed to be formed by aggregation of crystalline titania particles, which favours the round shape to minimize the surface area.

Property improvement of natural fiber-reinforced green composites by water treatment

In the present study, natural fibers (jute, kenaf and henequen) reinforced thermoplastic (poly(lactic acid) and polypropylene) and thermosetting (unsaturated polyester) matrix composites were well fabricated by a compression molding technique using all chopped natural fibers of about 10 mm long, respectively. Prior to green composite fabrication, natural fiber bundles were surface-treated with tap water by static soaking and dynamic ultrasonication methods, respectively. The interfacial shear strength, flexural properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of each green composite system were investigated by means of single fiber microbonding test, 3-point flexural test, and dynamic mechanical analysis, respectively. The result indicated that the properties of the polymeric resins were significantly improved by incorporating the natural fibers into the resin matrix and also the properties of untreated green composites were further improved by the water treatment done to the natural fibers used. Also, the property improvement of natural fiber-reinforced green composites strongly depended on the treatment method. The interfacial and mechanical results agreed with each other.

Effect of Fiber Surface Modification on the Interfacial and Mechanical Properties of Kenaf Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Polymer Composites

The surfaces of kenaf fibers were treated with three different silane coupling agents. 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silane (GPS), 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APS), and 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane (MPS). Among them, the most effective one for the property improvement was GPS when it was applied to the kenaf fiber surfaces at 0.5 wt%. Thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) and thermosetting unsaturated polyester (UPE) matrix composites with chopped kenaf fibers untreated and treated at different GPS concentrations from 0.1 wt% to 5 wt% were fabricated using compression molding technique. The present study demonstrates that the interfacial, flexural, tensile, and dynamic mechanical properties of both kenaf/PP and kenaf/UPE composites importantly depend on the GPS treatments done at different concentrations. The greatest property improvement of both thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer composites was obtained with the silane treatment at 0.5 wt% and the mechanical properties were comparable with E-glass composites prepared the same polymer matrix under the corresponding fiber length and fiber loading. The results also agreed with each other with regard to their interfacial shear strength, flexural properties, tensile properties, storage modulus, with support of fracture surfaces of the composites.

Henequen/poly(butylene succinate) biocomposites: electron beam irradiation effects on henequen fiber and the interfacial properties of biocomposites

Henequen natural fiber-reinforced poly(butylene succinate) biocomposites were prepared through a resin microdroplet formation on a single fiber and also fabricated by a compression molding technique using chopped henequen fibers, surface-treated with electron beam irradiation (EBI) at various dosages. The effect of EBI treatment on the surface characteristics and dynamic mechanical properties of henequen fibers was investigated using SEM, XPS and DMA methods, respectively. Also, the interfacial behavior of biocomposites was explored through a single fiber microbonding test and fracture surface observations. The result indicates that the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of biocomposites greatly depends on the EBI treatment level on the henequen fiber surface. This study also suggests that appropriate modification of natural fiber surfaces at an optimum EBI dosage significantly contributes to improving the interfacial properties of biocomposites.

Stabilization, Carbonization, and Characterization of PAN Precursor Webs Processed by Electrospinning Technique

【In the present study, electrospun PAN precursor webs and the stabilized and carbonized nanofiber webs processed under different heat-treatment conditions were characterized by means of weight loss measurement, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimentric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The result indicated that stabilization and carbonization processes with different temperatures and heating rates significantly influenced the chemical and morphological characteristics as well as the thermal properties of the stabilized and then subsequently carbonized nanofiber webs from PAN precursor webs. It was noted that the filament diameter and the carbon content of a carbonized nanofiber web as well as its weight change may be effectively monitored by controlling both stabilization and carbonization processes.】

Effect of methylcellulose on the formation and drug release behavior of silk fibroin hydrogel

In this study, methylcellulose (MC) was used to control the gelation time of silk fibroin (SF) aqueous solution. The gelation time was measured using a Vibro Viscometer at 50 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a texture meter were used to investigate the effect of MC on the hydrogelation of SF solution. SF/MC hydrogels could be formed by the addition of MC, although their gelation time was increased with MC content. To examine the conformational change of SF/MC hydrogels, time-resolved FT-IR spectra were obtained at constant temperature using a custom-made IR chamber. From FT-IR spectra focused on the amide I peak position, the transition of SF molecules in SF/MC solution from a random coil to a β-sheet structure was inhibited in the presence of MC molecules. In addition, the drug release of SF/MC hydrogels loaded with 5-aminosalicylic acid was studied in 2-dimensional (2-D) and 3-dimensional (3-D) conditions in vitro. The drug release behavior of SF or SF/MC hydrogels was measured using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The release rate of 5-aminosalicylic acid in SF/MC hydrogel was lower than that of SF hydrogel, which may be closely associated with the hydrophilic interaction between MC and 5-aminosalicylic acid. This approach to controlling the sol-gel transition and the drug release of SF hydrogels by the addition of MC will be useful in the design and tailoring of novel materials for biomedical applications.

Effects of E-beam treatment on the interfacial and mechanical properties of henequen/polypropylene composites

In the present study, chopped henequen natural fibers without and with surface modification by electron beam (E-beam) treatment were incorporated into a polypropylene matrix. Prior to composite fabrication, a bundle of raw henequen fibers were treated at various E-beam intensities from 10 kGy to 500 kGy. The effect of E-beam intensity on the interfacial, mechanical and thermal properties of randomly oriented henequen/polypropylene composites with the fiber contents of 40 vol% was investigated focusing on the interfacial shear strength, flexural and tensile properties, dynamic mechanical properties, thermal stability, and fracture behavior. Each characteristic of the material strongly depended on the E-beam intensity irradiated, showing an increasing or decreasing effect. The present study demonstrates that henequen fiber surfaces can be modified successfully with an appropriate dosage of electron beam and use of a low E-beam intensity of 10 kGy results in the improvement of the interfacial properties, flexural properties, tensile properties, dynamic mechanical properties and thermal stability of henequen/polypropylene composites.

Antimicrobial Silver Chloride Nanoparticles Stabilized with Chitosan Oligomer for the Healing of Burns

Recently, numerous compounds have been studied in order to develop antibacterial agents, which can prevent colonized wounds from infection, and assist the wound healing. For this purpose, novel silver chloride nanoparticles stabilized with chitosan oligomer (CHI-AgCl NPs) were synthesized to investigate the influence of antibacterial chitosan oligomer (CHI) exerted by the silver chloride nanoparticles (AgCl NPs) on burn wound healing in a rat model. The CHI-AgCl NPs had a spherical morphology with a mean diameter of 42 ± 15 nm. The burn wound healing of CHI-AgCl NPs ointment was compared with untreated group, Vaseline ointment, and chitosan ointment group. The burn wound treated with CHI-AgCl NPs ointment was completely healed by 14 treatment days, and was similar to normal skin. Particularly, the regenerated collagen density became the highest in the CHI-AgCl NPs ointment group. The CHI-AgCl NPs ointment is considered a suitable healing agent for burn wounds, due to dual antibacterial activity of the AgCl NPs and CHI.