K. Chandra Shekar

Synthesis and fluorescence studies of porphyrin appended 1,3,4-oxadiazoles

A modular synthetic approach for preparing a family of porphyrin appended 1,3,4-oxadiazoles 9 is described. The porphyrin hydrazides are reacted with aryl aldehydes in presence of Yb(OTf)3 as catalyst to give porphyrin hydrazones 8 which are then cyclized to porphyrin appended 1,3,4-oxadiazoles 9 using iodobenzene diacetate. Photophysical studies in CHCl3 solvent shows that the electronic structure of the porphyrin chromophore is not greatly perturbed by the incorporation of the oxadiazole group onto the meso-phenyl ring. Efficient quenching of porphyrin fluorescence was observed in 9g with a pyridinium moiety.

C/C and C/SiC Composites for Aerospace Applications

This chapter deals with different aspects of the carbon fibre-reinforced carbon composites (C/C) and carbon fibre-reinforced silicon carbide composites (C/SiC), especially for aerospace applications. The reinforcement and matrix materials and the process technologies developed for these composites are discussed. Typical mechanical and thermal properties at room and high temperatures are also presented, together with some actual and potential aerospace applications. Some products developed in India are also included.

Effect of Amino Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Reinforcement on the Flexural Properties of Neat Epoxy

The effect of amino multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the flexural properties of epoxy/ nanocomposites was studied. Sonication technique was employed for dispersion of amino MWCNTs in epoxy. The properties of both neat epoxy and nanocomposites extensively studied by using three point bend test and scanning electron microscopy. From the experimental results, it was found that reinforcement with carbon nanotubes improved the flexural properties, namely (a) flexural modulus, (b) flexural strength, (c) nonlinear deformation and (d) total flexural toughness.

Processing, structure and flexural strength of CNT and carbon fibre reinforced, epoxy-matrix hybrid composite

Advanced materials such as continuous fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites offer significant enhancements in variety of properties, as compared to their bulk, monolithic counterparts. These properties include primarily the tensile stress, flexural stress and fracture parameters. However, till date, there are hardly any scientific studies reported on carbon fibre (Cf) and carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced hybrid epoxy matrix composites (unidirectional). The present work is an attempt to bring out the flexural strength properties along with a detailed investigation in the synthesis of reinforced hybrid composite. In this present study, the importance of alignment of fibre is comprehensively evaluated and reported. The results obtained are discussed in terms of material characteristics, microstructure and mode of failure under flexural (3-point bend) loading. The study reveals the material exhibiting exceptionally high strength values and declaring itself as a material with high strength to weight ratio when compared to other competing polymer matrix composites (PMCs); as a novel structural material for aeronautical and aerospace applications.

Strengthening in and fracture behaviour of CNT and carbon-fibre-reinforced epoxy–matrix hybrid composite

Advanced materials such as continuous fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites offer significant enhancements in strength and fracture resistance properties as compared with their bulk, monolithic counterparts. In the present work, mode-I (tensile) fracture behaviour of the neat epoxy (without nano- or hybrid reinforcements), nanocomposite (with amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforcement to neat epoxy) and hybrid composite (with amino MWCNT and carbon fibre reinforcements to neat epoxy) along with their flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength has been reported and discussed. Limited topological studies have also been conducted to understand the nature of material fracture and its dependence on the notch orientation. The results thus obtained are analysed and discussed in detail to elucidate: (i) alignment of fibre and its influence on the anisotropy in strength and fracture resistance, (ii) dependence of notch root radii on the apparent fracture toughness and concurrence to strain-controlled fracture and (iii) finally, the nature of J–R curves. The results thus obtained have revealed that the resistance to fracture is significantly increased with the addition of amino-functionalized MWCNTs and carbon fibres. In the hybrid composite, fracture resistance is greater in the longitudinal orientation of fibres than in the transverse orientation and it exhibits a significantly higher strength–fracture toughness combination.