Hung Thang Bui

The effect of sintering temperature on the mechanical properties of a Cu/CNT nanocomposite prepared via a powder metallurgy method

Metal matrix nanocomposites have become popular in industrial applications. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), since theirs appearance, with their unique properties such as exceptionally small diameters and high Youngs modulus, tensile strength and high chemical stability, are considered to be an attractive reinforcement material for lightweight and high-strength metallic matrix composites. The powder metallurgy method allows nanocomposite materials, notably metal–ceramic composites, to be produced by sintering a mixture of powders.In this study, we have utilized the powder metallurgy method to fabricate a Cu/CNT nanocomposite. Sintering is the important process in this method; it is the process whereby powder compacts are heated so that adjacent particles fuse together. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of sintering temperature on the mechanical properties of the Cu/CNT nanocomposite. The sintering temperature was in the range of 850–950 °C for 2 h. A correlation between the microstructure and mechanical properties, including the microstructure, density, hardness and compressive strength, is established. In this process, the density, and the physical and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites, can be changed, depending on the rate of sintering as well as the sintering temperature.

Carbon-nanotube-based liquids: a new class of nanomaterials and their applications

Carbon-nanotube-based liquids—a new class of nanomaterials—have shown many interesting properties and distinctive features offering unprecedented potential for many applications. This paper summarizes the recent progress on the study of the preparation, characterization and properties of carbon-nanotube-based liquids including so-called nanofluids, nanolubricants and different kinds of nanosolutions containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes/single-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene. A broad range of current and future applications of these nanomaterials in the fields of energy saving, power electronic and optoelectronic devices, biotechnology and agriculture are presented. The paper also identifies challenges and opportunities for future research.

Thermal dissipation media for high power electronic devices using a carbon nanotube-based composite

Challenges in the thermal dissipation of an electronic package arise from the continuous increase in power density of higher-power devices. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are known as the highest thermal conductivity material (2000 W mK−1). This excellent thermal property suggests an approach in applying the CNTs in thermal dispersion materials to solve the aforementioned problems. In this work, we present an effect of thermal dissipation of the CNTs in the high-brightness light emitting diode (HB-LED) and micro-processor. For the thermal dissipation of the HB-LED, a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VA-CNT) film on a Cu substrate was applied. Meanwhile, for the thermal dissipation of a micro-processor, the composite of commercial thermal paste/CNTs was used instead of the VA-CNTs. The experimental and simulation results have confirmed the advantages of the VA-CNT film and thermal paste/CNT composite as excellent thermal dissipation media for HB-LEDs, μ-processors and other high power electronic devices.

Effect of nanowire length on the performance of silicon nanowires based solar cell

Currently, silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are attracting attention as promising candidate materials for developing the next-generation solar cells to realize both low cost and high efficiency due to their unique structural, electrical, and optical properties. In this paper, a vertical-aligned SiNWs array has been prepared by metal-assistant chemical etching technique and implemented on SiNW array textured solar cells for photovoltaic application. The shape and size of SiNWs were controlled by etching time of 30 min, 45 min and 60 min with the length of SiNWs of 4 μm, 6 μm and 8 μm, respectively. The etching rate was estimated to be about 133 nm per minute. The optical properties of a SiNWs array with different lengths were investigated in terms of optical reflection property. Less than 6% reflection ratio from 300 nm to 800 nm wavelength was achieved. In addition, I–V characteristic was used to estimate the dependence of the SiNWs length on the performance of SiNWs based solar cell. Conservation efficiencies were achieved of 1.71%, 2.19%, and 2.39% corresponding to 4 μm, 6 μm and 8 μm SiNWs in length, respectively.

Fabrication of few-layer graphene film based field effect transistor and its application for trace-detection of herbicide atrazine

We describe the fabrication of highly sensitive graphene-based field effect transistor (FET) enzymatic biosensor for trace-detection of atrazine. The few-layers graphene films were prepared on polycrystalline copper foils by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition method using an argon/hydrogen/methane mixture. The characteristics of graphene films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicated low uniformity of graphene layers, which is probably induced by heterogeneous distribution of graphene nucleation sites on the Cu surface. The pesticide detection is accomplished through the measurement of the drain-source current variations of the FET sensor upon the urea enzymatic hydrolysis reaction. The obtained biosensor is able to detect atrazine with a sensitivity of 56 μA/logCATZ in range between 2 × 10−4 and 20 ppb and has a limit of detection as low as 0.05 ppt. The elaboration of such highly sensitive biosensors will provide better biosensing performances for the detection of biochemical targets.

A method to obtain homogeneously dispersed carbon nanotubes in Al powders for preparing Al/CNTs nanocomposite

Recently carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) have attracted increasing attention due to their promising properties. Most research on metallic matrix–CNTs composites (MMCs–CNTs) show that uniform dispersion of CNTs has been by far the most significant challenge in the field of CNTs-reinforced composites. In this research we will present an approach to obtain homogeneously dispersed CNTs in Al powders for preparing Al/CNTs nanocomposite. A novel polyester binder-assisted (PBA) mixing method was used for achieving uniform dispersion of CNTs, and power metallurgy (PM) technique was used for preparing Al/CNTs nanocomposite. The distribution quality of CNTs in Al matrix nanocomposites was also qualified based on image analysis technique. The morphologies, structures and mechanical properties of the Al/CNTs nanocomposite were also investigated in detail by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and mechanical measurement methods. Experimental results show that this method not only achieves good dispersion but it also avoids the damage on structure of CNTs by conventional mixing methods.

Thermo-mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes and applications in thermal management

Thanks to their very high thermal conductivity, high Youngs modulus and unique tensile strength, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become one of the most suitable nano additives for heat conductive materials. In this work, we present results obtained for the synthesis of heat conductive materials containing CNT based thermal greases, nanoliquids and lubricating oils. These synthesized heat conductive materials were applied to thermal management for high power electronic devices (CPUs, LEDs) and internal combustion engines. The simulation and experimental results on thermal greases for an Intel Pentium IV processor showed that the thermal conductivity of greases increases 1.4 times and the saturation temperature of the CPU decreased by 5 °C by using thermal grease containing 2 wt% CNTs. Nanoliquids containing CNT based distilled water/ethylene glycol were successfully applied in heat dissipation for an Intel Core i5 processor and a 450 W floodlight LED. The experimental results showed that the saturation temperature of the Intel Core i5 processor and the 450 W floodlight LED decreased by about 6 °C and 3.5 °C, respectively, when using nanoliquids containing 1 g l−1 of CNTs. The CNTs were also effectively utilized additive materials for the synthesis of lubricating oils to improve the thermal conductivity, heat dissipation efficiency and performance efficiency of engines. The experimental results show that the thermal conductivity of lubricating oils increased by 12.5%, the engine saved 15% fuel consumption, and the longevity of the lubricating oil increased up to 20 000 km by using 0.1% vol. CNTs in the lubricating oils. All above results have confirmed the tremendous application potential of heat conductive materials containing CNTs in thermal management for high power electronic devices, internal combustion engines and other high power apparatus.