Jarmila Vilcakova

Electrical conductivity of carbon fibres/polyester resin composites in the percolation threshold region

Abstract The electrical conductivity of composites of a polyester resin filled with short carbon fibres has been investigated with a special attention to the properties in the percolation threshold region. A very low percolation threshold (0.7–0.8 vol% of the filler) was confirmed. In contrast to S-shaped curves calculated according to the percolation theory of composites of globular particles, the experimental conductivity vs. fibre content dependence, after a steep increase in the percolation region, increased almost linearly. This atypical behaviour was explained by a different mechanism of formation of fibrous and globular conducting structures above the percolation threshold. An increase in scatter of conductivity values observed at percolation threshold as a consequence of great fluctuation of fibre arrangement manifested itself also in the conductivity–temperature dependences.

Broadening of Operating Frequency Band of Magnetic-Type Radio Absorbers by FSS Incorporation

Problems of the theory of radio absorbers (RAs) involving frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) are considered. A design procedure for these RAs is described that takes into account the multiparameter character of the problem and allows one to determine the optimal characteristics of an FSS that provide the maximal operating bandwidth. RAs for a range of 1-17 GHz are obtained on the basis of polymer composites filled with carbonyl iron and Co2Z ferrite, into which an FSS in the form of a biperiodic array of thin metal rings is embedded. It is shown that the application of such an FSS allows one to increase the operating frequency bandwidth of a magnetic-type RA by a factor of more than 1.5 virtually almost without increasing the thickness of the absorber. Substantially, several types of FSS-based layered magnetodielectric RAs have been produced by compressing molding technique, including a 3-mm-thick RA with an operating bandwidth of 1.05-2.7 GHz, a 2-mm-thick RA with an operating bandwidth of 1.7-4.4 GHz, and a 1.6-mm-thick RA with an operating bandwidth of 6.7-16.1 GHz.

Effect of surfactants and manufacturing methods on the electrical and thermal conductivity of carbon nanotube/silicone composites.

The effect of ionic surfactants and manufacturing methods on the separation and distribution of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a silicone matrix are investigated. The CNTs are dispersed in an aqueous solution of the anionic surfactant dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA), the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and in a DBSA/CTAB surfactant mixture. Four types of CNT-based composites of various concentrations from 0 to 6 vol.% are prepared by simple mechanical mixing and sonication. The morphology, electrical and thermal conductivity of the CNT-based composites are analyzed. The incorporation of both neat and modified CNTs leads to an increase in electrical and thermal conductivity. The dependence of DC conductivity versus CNT concentration shows percolation behaviour with a percolation threshold of about 2 vol.% in composites with neat CNT. The modification of CNTs by DBSA increases the percolation threshold to 4 vol.% due to the isolation/separation of individual CNTs. This, in turn, results in a significant decrease in the complex permittivity of CNT–DBSA-based composites. In contrast to the percolation behaviour of DC conductivity, the concentration dependence of thermal conductivity exhibits a linear dependence, the thermal conductivity of composites with modified CNTs being lower than that of composites with neat CNTs. All these results provide evidence that the modification of CNTs by DBSA followed by sonication allows one to produce composites with high homogeneity.

The influence of interfaces on the dielectric properties of MnZn-based hybrid polymer composites

In the present paper we report on the specific features of the dielectric properties of a MnZn ferrite/Al based composite. Previously, it has been shown that high-frequency magnetic losses in such hybrid composites (HCs) can be enhanced due to the formation of a core-shell-like structure of a composite, in which ferrite particles are immersed into a conducting medium formed by a continuous network of conducting particles that spans throughout the polymer matrix. Simultaneously, one can vary the dielectric properties of HCs by changing the type and the concentration of conducting particles. Dielectric constant and ac conductivity measurements of MnZn-based composites have been made over the frequency range of 10 Hz–100 kHz in temperature interval from −30 to 100 °C and at ambient temperature up to 3 GHz. The results obtained show that addition of aluminum into the MnZn ferrite/polyurethane composite leads to a decrease in the dc conductivity due to the insulating barrier of Al–Al2O3. On the other hand, ac ...

Interaction of Carbon Nanotubes with Some Polymers

Microscopical, differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), and X-ray structural investigations of solution crystallized carbon nanotube (CNT) composites with linear polyethylene (LPE), isotactic polypropylene (iPP), polybutene-1 (PB-1), and nylon 6 (PA6) disclosed varying degrees of surface interaction and nucleation effect of CNT in these polymers and formation of oriented shish-kebab overgrowths on the CNT ropes in LPE and PA6. The character of the attraction and orientation forces at the CNT-polymer interface is discussed.

The effect of pressure deformation on dielectric and conducting properties of silicone rubber/polypyrrole composites in the percolation threshold region

The changes in the frequency dependences of the AC conductivity and complex permittivity during the pressure deformation of silicone rubber/polypyrrole composites have been examined. The experiments revealed that the pressure loading of the composite with particle concentration in the vicinity of the upper part of the percolation region causes disconnection of particle contacts and the transition of the semiconducting particle chain structure to a non-conducting composite structure corresponding to mutually insulated particles below the percolation threshold. A close relation between the frequency dependences of the conductivity and permittivity of the composites at various pressure loadings has been confirmed.

Sonochemical synthesis of Gd3+ doped CoFe2O4 spinel ferrite nanoparticles and its physical properties

In this work, a facile and green method for gadolinium doped cobalt ferrite (CoFe2-xGdxO4; x=0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) nanoparticles by using ultrasonic irradiation was reported. The impact of Gd3+ substitution on the structural, magnetic, dielectric and electrical properties of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles was evaluated. The sonochemically synthesized spinel ferrite nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirmed the formation of single phase spinel ferrite of CoFe2-xGdxO4 nanoparticles. XRD results also revealed that ultrasonic irradiation seems to be favourable to achieve highly crystalline single crystal phase gadolinium doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles without any post annealing process. Fourier Transform Infrared and Raman Spectra confirmed the formation of spinel ferrite crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the impact of Gd3+ substitution in CoFe2O4 nanoparticles on cation distribution at the tetrahedral and octahedral site in spinel ferrite crystal system. The electrical properties showed that the Gd3+ doped cobalt ferrite (CoFe2-xGdxO4; x=0.20) exhibit enhanced dielectric constant (277 at 100Hz) and ac conductivity (20.2×10-9S/cm at 100Hz). The modulus spectroscopy demonstrated the impact of Gd3+ substitution in cobalt ferrite nanoparticles on grain boundary relaxation time, capacitance and resistance. Magnetic property measurement revealed that the coercivity decreases with Gd3+ substitution from 234.32Oe (x=0.00) to 12.60Oe (x=0.05) and further increases from 12.60Oe (x=0.05) to 68.62Oe (x=0.20). Moreover, saturation magnetization decreases with Gd3+ substitution from 40.19emu/g (x=0.00) to 21.58emu/g (x=0.20). This work demonstrates that the grain size and cation distribution in Gd3+ doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by sonochemical method, is effective in controlling the structural, magnetic, and electrical properties, and can be find very promising applications.

New microbial-friendly polyaniline nanoparticles on the base of nitrilotriacetic acid: comparison with PANI prepared by standard techniques

This paper describes the influence of polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles prepared in the presence of the nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) in comparison with PANI prepared by standard techniques, on mixed microbial cultures in the form of a biological extract from soil and activated sludge and partially digested sludge, both sourced from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The presence of PANI prepared by standard techniques in aqueous environment has a negative effect on the activity of mixed microbial cultures in the form of activated sludge, digested sludge (anaerobic conditions), and natural soil. According to biological oxygen demand (BOD) values—respirometric test, the slight inhibiting effect of nanoparticles is attributed to impurities and oligomers from aniline polymerization. The use of NTA in the production of PANI, resulted in nanotubes with channels through which NTA is incorporated into the structure. A sample thus obtained shows higher values of BOD, which is associated with the fact that NTA is released from PANI nanotube channels followed by its biodegradation.

Multicomponent Magnetic Particles With Controllable Electromagnetic Properties

In this paper, we focus on preparation and investigation of magnetic and dielectric properties of multicomponent particles with core-shell structure comprising of low-anisotropy MnZn ferrite (core) and polyaniline containing nanoparticles of noble metals (shell). The main advantage of such hybrid magnetic materials is that their electromagnetic properties can be effectively controlled by synthesis conditions. Developed materials can find their potential application as magnetic fillers in the preparation of electromagnetic wave absorbers, where high permeability, high magnetic loss, and optimum ratio between the permeability and permittivity are of high importance.

Design rules for carbazole derivatized n-alkyl methacrylate polymeric memristors

The alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electrical response of a number of n-alkyl methacrylate polymers with a charge transporting pendant carbazole ring were studied. The electrical properties of the polymers were studied as a function of the n-alkyl length with n ranging from 2 to 11. The DC current (I)–voltage (V) response of the polymers was characterized by an erratic and bistable response, while their AC I–V response was a pinched hysteresis loop when measured between 1–100 Hz. For polymers with n < 9, their pinched hysteresis loop was characterized by “jump transitions” indicative of bistability, while polymers with n ≥ 9 had a pinched hysteresis loop that was smooth in appearance. Dielectric spectroscopy on the polymers indicated that as the n-alkyl length is increased, the rotation flexibility of the carbazole moiety is enhanced. The n-alkyl methacrylate polymers with a pendant carbazole ring spaced n ≥ 9 exhibited a lower activation energy and temperature for the onset of ring motion and resulted in polymer-based memristors that exhibited electrical characteristics, such as incrementally adjustable conductivity and are potential candidates for mimicking synaptic plasticity.