T. A. Osman

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of MWCNTs Reinforced A356 Aluminum Alloys Cast Nanocomposites Fabricated by Using a Combination of Rheocasting and Squeeze Casting Techniques

A356 hypoeutectic aluminum-silicon alloys matrix composites reinforced by different contents of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated using a combination of rheocasting and squeeze casting techniques. A novel approach by adding MWCNTs into A356 aluminum alloy matrix with CNTs has been performed. This method is significant in debundling and preventing flotation of the CNTs within the molten alloy. The microstructures of nanocomposites and the interface between the aluminum alloy matrix and the MWCNTs were examined by using an optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). This method remarkably facilitated a uniform dispersion of nanotubes within A356 aluminum alloy matrix as well as a refinement of grain size. In addition, the effects of weight fraction (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5u2009wt%) of the CNT-blended matrix on mechanical properties were evaluated. The results have indicated that a significant improvement in ultimate tensile strength and elongation percentage of nanocomposite occurred at the optimal amount of 1.5u2009wt% MWCNTs which represents an increase in their values by a ratio of about 50% and 280%, respectively, compared to their corresponding values of monolithic alloy. Hardness of the samples was also significantly increased by the addition of CNTs.

Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes using composite nanofibers under UV irradiation

In this work, photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes such as methylene blue (MB) and indigo carmine (IC) have been studied by composite nanofibers systems containing cellulose acetate (CA), multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT) and TiO2 nanoparticles under UV light. The amino factionalized TiO2–NH2 NPs cross-linked to the CA/CNT composite nanofibers works as a semiconductor catalyst. The morphology and crystallinity were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was also seen that many factors affected the photodegradation rate, mainly the pH of the solution and the dye concentration, temperature, etc. The study demonstrated that IC degrades at a higher rate than MB. The maximum photodegradation rate of both organic dyes was achieved at a pH 2. In comparison to other studies, this work achieved high photodegradation rate in lower time and using less power intensity.

Characterization and mechanical properties of electrospun cellulose acetate/graphene oxide composite nanofibers

ABSTRACT Graphene oxide incorporated cellulose acetate composite nanofibers were prepared via an electrospinning technique. The weight percentage of graphene oxide varied from 0.05 to 1.5 wt.% in the polymer solution. The morphologies and crystal structures of the resultant composite nanofibers were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The specific interaction was demonstrated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Tensile test was performed to measure the mechanical properties of the prepared cellulose acetate/graphene oxide composite nanofibers. 1.5 wt.% cellulose acetate/graphene oxide composite nanofibers showed the highest tensile strength and Youngs modulus.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti-Mo-Zr-Cr Biomedical Alloys by Powder Metallurgy

Titanium and its alloys have been widely used as biometals due to their excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance and moderate mechanical properties. Ti-15Mo-6Zr-based alloys and a series of Ti-15Mo-6Zr-xCr (xxa0=xa01, 2, 3, 4xa0wt.%) alloys were designed and fabricated by powder metallurgy for the first time to develop novel biomedical materials. The microstructure, internal porosity and mechanical properties of the sintered Ti-15Mo-6Zr and Ti-15Mo-6Zr-xCr alloys were investigated using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and bending and compression tests. The experimental results indicated that the microstructure and mechanical properties of these alloys changed as different Cr levels were added. The addition of small Cr levels further increased the β-phase stability, improving the properties of the Ti-15Mo-6Zr-xCr alloy. However, all of the alloys had good ductility, and the Ti-15Mo-6Zr-2Cr alloy had lower bending and compression moduli (31 and 23xa0GPa, respectively) than the Ti-15Mo-6Zr-based alloys (40 and 36xa0GPa, respectively). Moreover, the Ti-15Mo-6Zr-2Cr alloys exhibited higher bending and compression strength/modulus ratios, which were as large as 48.4 and 52.2, respectively; these were higher than those of the Ti-15Mo-6Zr-based alloy (41.3 and 33.6, respectively). In the search for a better implant material, β phase Ti-15Mo-6Zr-2Cr, with its low modulus, ductile properties and reasonably high strength, is a promising candidate.

An effective removal of organic dyes using surface functionalized cellulose acetate/graphene oxide composite nanofibers

AbstractnAn effective photocatalyst obtained from composite nanofibers CA/GO fabricated by electrospinning technique followed by chemical crosslinking surface modified TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) was used for removing the organic dyes Indigo carmine (IC) and Methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution under UV irradiation light. The crystalline structure and morphologies of CA–GO/TiO2–NH2 composite nanofibers were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, and FTIR. The prepared CA–GO/TiO2–NH2 composite nanofibers displayed significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for photodegradation the organic dyes IC and MB under UV irradiation after 150 and 250xa0min respectively. The pH value of the solution was studied from 2 to 8 and obtained results showed a clear improvement of photocatalytic activity at pH 2. The results indicated that the activated CA–GO/TiO2–NH2 composite nanofibers functioned as an adsorbent for the removal of IC and MB from aqueous solutions. In addition, the results showed a high adsorption capacity remain up to 65% after five consecutive capacity cycles.