Mari Honkanen

Performance of epoxy filled with nano- and micro-sized Magnesium hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide (MDH) particles are often used as fillers to improve the flame retardancy of polymers. However, achieving the balance between the enhanced fire resistance and reduced mechanical properties, especially toughness, is still a challenge to the composite community. In this study, the effect of the particle size and silane surface modification of MDH particles on the flame retardant, thermal, and mechanical properties of epoxy was studied. Both nano- and micro-sized MDH particles were modified by a silanization reaction with γ-aminopropyltrietoxysilane in an aqueous solution and filled into epoxy matrix by a high-shear mixer and a three-roll mill. Results show that nano-MDH filled epoxy composites yielded better mechanical properties than their micro-MDH filled counterparts. Furthermore, the adhesion between nano-sized MDH and the matrix was improved by the silane surface modification. When comparing the flame retardant properties, enhancements in heat release rates and total heat released were observed for MDH filled epoxy composites.

Metal–Plastic Adhesion in Injection-Molded Hybrids

Polymer–metal hybrids are replacing steel structures in many applications. Combining metals and plastics is, however, complicated because they have very different physical and chemical characteristics. This study characterizes plastic–metal adhesion in insert-injection-molded hybrids. Diaminofunctional silane was used as a coupling agent between thermoplastic urethane and stainless steel. Before silane treatment, various surface treatments, including electrolytic polishing and different oxidation treatments, were applied to the steel inserts to understand better the bonding between silane and steel. The effects of the surface treatments and silane application on plastic–metal adhesion were studied by means of contact angle measurements, adhesion tests, and microscopic characterizations. Electrolytic polishing and oxidation of the steel inserts significantly improved the silane bonding to the steel insert, and consequently the plastic adhesion to steel.

Hydrothermal carbonization of pulp mill streams.

The progress of the conversion, the yield, the structure and the morphology of the produced carbonaceous materials as a function of time were systematically studied with pyrolysis-GC/FID and FESEM microscope. The conversion of galactoglucomannan, bleached kraft pulp and TEMPO oxidized cellulose nanofibrils followed the reaction route of glucose being slower though with fibrous material, higher molar mass and viscosity. The conversion of kraft lignin was minor following completely different reaction route. Carbonaceous particles of different shape and size were produced with yields between 23% and 73% after 4h with being higher for lignin than carbohydrates. According to the results, potential pulp mill streams represent lignocellulosic resources for generation of carbonaceous materials.

Deactivation of Diesel Oxidation Catalysts by Sulphur in Laboratory and Engine-Bench Scale Aging

The activity of sulphur–water- and water-treated PtPd/Al2O3- and Pt/Al2O3-based monolith catalysts was investigated. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray photoelectron fluorescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and BET–BJH. The sulphur poisoning had a diminishing effect on the catalyst activity. The correlation between the laboratory-poisoned and engine-bench-aged catalyst activity was detected and found to have a relatively good correspondence.

Measuring Synthesis Yield in Graphene Oxide Synthesis by Modified Hummers Method

Synthesis of graphene oxide by the modified Hummers method and measuring the synthesis yield were investigated. Based on the results, a comprehensive method to measure graphene oxide synthesis yield was proposed, which will allow comparison of future literature results. In addition, changes are proposed to the exfoliation procedure to improve the yield of the modified Hummers synthesis. With the proposed method, systematic error of the concentration measurement was calculated to be ±0.08 × 10−3 g mL−1. In addition, changes proposed to the graphene oxide exfoliation process can improve the synthesis yield by up to 70%.

Insight to Nanoparticle Size Analysis—Novel and Convenient Image Analysis Method Versus Conventional Techniques

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new image analysis program “Nanoannotator” particularly developed for analyzing individual nanoparticles in transmission electron microscopy images. This paper describes the usefulness and efficiency of the program when analyzing nanoparticles, and at the same time, we compare it to more conventional nanoparticle analysis techniques. The techniques which we are concentrating here are transmission electron microscopy (TEM) linked with different image analysis methods and X-ray diffraction techniques. The developed program appeared as a good supplement to the field of particle analysis techniques, since the traditional image analysis programs suffer from the inability to separate the individual particles from agglomerates in the TEM images. The program is more efficient, and it offers more detailed morphological information of the particles than the manual technique. However, particle shapes that are very different from spherical proved to be problematic also for the novel program. When compared to X-ray techniques, the main advantage of the small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) method is the average data it provides from a very large amount of particles. However, the SAXS method does not provide any data about the shape or appearance of the sample.

Characterisation of stainless steel surfaces – modified in air at 350°C

Abstract This work aimed to modify stainless steel surface by oxidation for metal-plastic hybrid applications. Oxidation behaviour of the stainless steels AISI 304 and 316L was studied by TEM and AFM. Air exposures for steels were carried out in air at 350°C for 5–300 min. The oxide layer structures were characterised by planar and cross-sectional TEM samples. Behaviours of the both steels were very similar. Oxidation started already during first 5 min and a protective oxide layer formed fast and further oxidation was slower. Oxide structures were mainly of the type M2O3. Surface topography of the oxide layer was studied by AFM. At first, single oxide islands formed on the base oxide layer. After 100 and 300 min exposures, the islands have combined to the thin, uniform and dense oxide layer. Owing to this, an optimal stainless steel insert surface for metal-plastic hybrid parts would be after those treatments.

Effect of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on the Properties of EPDM/NBR Dissimilar Elastomer Blends

In the presence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), polar nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and nonpolar ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) blends were prepared following a melt mixing method. For the preparation of MWCNT filled EPDM/NBR blends, two mixing methods were used: direct mixing and the masterbatch dilution method. Various physical, mechanical, and morphological properties are explored to elucidate the dispersion behavior of MWCNTs. It was concluded that the preparation method influences the dispersion of the nanotubes in different rubber phases and the properties of these blends are controlled by the degree of dispersion of the nanotubes in the two phases. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Aligned Poly(ε‐caprolactone) Nanofibers Guide the Orientation and Migration of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell‐Derived Neurons, Astrocytes, and Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells In Vitro

Stem cell transplantations for spinal cord injury (SCI) have been studied extensively for the past decade in order to replace the damaged tissue with human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural cells. Transplanted cells may, however, benefit from supporting and guiding structures or scaffolds in order to remain viable and integrate into the host tissue. Biomaterials can be used as supporting scaffolds, as they mimic the characteristics of the natural cellular environment. In this study, hPSC-derived neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are cultured on aligned poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofiber platforms, which guide cell orientation to resemble that of spinal cord in vivo. All cell types are shown to efficiently spread over the nanofiber platform and orient according to the fiber alignment. Human neurons and astrocytes require extracellular matrix molecule coating for the nanofibers, but OPCs grow on nanofibers without additional treatment. Furthermore, the nanofiber platform is combined with a 3D hydrogel scaffold with controlled thickness, and nanofiber-mediated orientation of hPSC-derived neurons is also demonstrated in a 3D environment. In this work, clinically relevant materials and substrates for nanofibers, fiber coatings, and hydrogel scaffolds are used and combined with cells suitable for developing functional cell grafts for SCI repair.

The Effect of Phosphorus Exposure on Diesel Oxidation Catalysts—Part II: Characterization of Structural Changes by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Abstract Phosphorus poisoning and its effect on the diesel oxidation catalysts morphology was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The studied catalyst samples were PtPd or Pt supported on the alumina-based washcoat including additives. The laboratory-scale phosphorus exposures were carried out with two different phosphorus concentrations. The cross-sectional TEM samples were prepared from the fresh and phosphorus-treated catalysts. After phosphorus exposures, significant structural changes were observed compared to the fresh catalysts. The shape of the noble metal particles had changed from irregular to more spherical-shaped particles. In addition, phosphorus was detected throughout the catalyst TEM samples but the amount varied depending on the local composition of the support. Phosphorus accumulated mainly in the alumina-containing areas of the support and indications of dense and amorphous aluminium phosphates were found. Based on the results gained, cross-sectional TEM characterization is essential to observe these kinds of morphological changes in the catalysts caused e.g. by phosphorus exposures. In addition, cross-sectional TEM samples are needed to study the effect of local variation in the support composition on the phosphorus accumulation.