Vesna Radojević

Wood-Thermoplastic Composites Based on Industrial Waste and Virgin High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

This article investigated the water resistance, mechanical and thermal properties, and the microstructure of wood–plastic composites, which were made by hot pressing using either virgin or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as industrial waste with wood filler. The waste polyethylene was collected from residues of polymer production from Petrochemical plant, and wood particles were obtained from a local sawmill. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composites based on waste polyethylene were lower to those based on virgin HDPE, and the water resistance was shown to be higher. Adding ethylene maleated anhydride copolymer (MP) by 0.5–1.5 wt% in the composite formulation significantly improved both the stability and mechanical properties. Microstructure analysis of the fractured surfaces of MP modified composites confirmed improved interfacial bonding.

Dynamic mechanical and impact properties of composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes

This study presents dynamic mechanical and impact properties of the new form of hybrid thermoplastic composites. The six composites of polyurethane/p-aramid multiaxial fabric forms (Kolon fabrics) were impregnated with 10 wt% poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)/ethanol solution with the addition of pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) where the PVB/fabric ratio was 20 wt%. All the composites consisted of four layers of the impregnated fabrics. The MWCNT/PVB content was 0, 0.5 and 1 wt%. The surface of the three composites with different MWCNT/PVB content was modified with γ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (AMEO silane)/ethanol solution. The physical and dynamic mechanical properties of the prepared composite samples were analyzed by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and high speed puncture impact tester. The structures of the composite samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the Kolon/AMEO/PVB/1 wt% MWCNT sample yielded a 60 % improvement in the storage modulus and a 73 % improvement in the impact absorbed energy compared to the Kolon/PVB sample. The carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were added to improve the dynamic mechanical and impact properties of the materials for ballistic protection.

Formulation and characterization of nanofibers and films with carvedilol prepared by electrospinning and solution casting method

ABSTRACT The preparation and characterization of films and nanofibers with carvedilol as a poorly water‐soluble drug in poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) polymer were investigated. Films are prepared by solution casting method, and nanofibers by electrospinning from a polymer solution. Water and mixture of ethanol and water were used as solvents. FT‐IR analysis of the samples showed that there was no interaction between the polymer and the drug substance. DSC analysis revealed that carvedilol was dissolved in the polymer and influenced the degree of crystallinity of PEO. Carvedilol release rate for all of the formulations was increased in comparison with pure carvedilol. Significant differences in the rate of release of carvedilol from the films and nanofibers were observed. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) images of the obtained fiber was revealed the dependence of the fiber diameter of formulation and electrospinning process parameters, and consequently influence the amount and distribution of carvedilol in the encapsulated fibers. Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available.

Intensity Fiber-Optic Sensor for Structural Health Monitoring Calibrated by Impact Tester

In this paper, the use of intrinsic intensity fiber-optic sensors for structural health monitoring was investigated. Polyethylene-based composite samples with glass mat reinforcement and embedded telecommunication fibers were subjected to impact using high-speed puncture impact tester as a calibration device. Transfer function of the sensor was generated by linking the light intensity modulation depth with the impact force and the impact point to fiber distance. Conditions for transfer function validity were presented. To detect any possible dangerous impact, a net of crossed fibers was proposed and the net spacing for the given material was calculated. Appropriate non-damaging calibration procedure was proposed, as well as the algorithm for locating the impact point. The method for calculating the impact force, the projectile momentum change, and the place of impact was verified by consecutive strikes on the previously calibrated sample. The sensor can also provide information on the time of the impact and an alarm signal if the force exceeds the damaging threshold force..

Raman spectroscopy of bismuth silicon oxide single crystals grown by the Czochralski technique

In this work, single crystals of bismuth silicon oxide (BSO; Bi12SiO20) have been grown by the Czochralski method. The growth conditions were studied. The critical diameter and the critical rate of rotation were calculated. Suitable polishing and etching solutions were determined. The structure of the Bi12SiO20 has been investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results obtained are discussed and compared with the published data. The pale yellow Bi12SiO20 single crystals prepared were without cores. Using spectroscopic measurements 19 Raman and 5 IR modes were observed.

Spectroscopic characterization of YAG and Nd:YAG single crystals

In this paper, we used the Czochralski method to obtain good quality yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG, Y3Al5O12) and yttrium aluminium garnet doped with neodymium (Nd:YAG) crystals. The investigations were based on the growth mechanisms and the shape of the liquid/solid interface crystallization front on the crystal properties and incorporation of Nd3+ ions. The obtained single YAG and Nd:YAG crystals were studied by use of x-ray diffraction, Raman and IR spectroscopy. There are strong metal oxygen vibrations in the region of 650–800 cm−1 which are characteristics of Al-O bond: peaks at 784/854, 719/763 and 691/707 cm−1 correspond to asymmetric stretching vibrations in tetrahedral arrangement. Peaks at 566/582, 510/547 and 477/505 cm−1 are asymmetric stretching vibrations and 453/483 cm−1 is the symmetric vibration of the Al-O bond in octahedral arrangements of the garnet structure. Lower energy peaks correspond to translation and vibration of cations in different coordinations—tetrahedral, octahedral and dodecahedral in the case of the lowest modes.

Influence of pastes containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on surface of demineralized enamel.

Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the surface characteristics of demineralized enamel after treatment with pastes containing casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) or casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP) and to compare their efficacy with that of 0.05% NaF. Methods Following formation of the artificial carious lesion, enamel slabs were divided into 4 groups (CPP-ACP, CPP-ACFP, 0.05% NaF and control) and submitted to a chemical caries model. Remineralization potential was examined using scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and microhardness test. Scanning electron microphotographs were analyzed for area, minimal, maximal and mean diameter, perimeter, roundness and number of enamel defects and percentage of tooth surface affected by defects. Results Treatment with 0.05% NaF partly reduced the appearance of enamel defects when compared with irregular demineralized enamel. Treatment with CPP-ACP or CPP-ACFP resulted in occlusion of defects which produced more flattened enamel surface. Image analysis revealed reduction of the dimensions of the defects in the 3 experimental groups. Treatment with CPP-ACFP decreased the number of enamel defects when compared with demineralized enamel. The EDS analysis did not show differences in Ca/O, P/O and Ca/P ratios between the groups (P>0.05). Microhardness test revealed significant effects of CPP-ACP and CPP-ACFP (P<0.05). Conclusions Pastes containing CPP-ACP or CPP-ACFP showed potential to remineralize enamel surface lesions.

Effect of Silane Coupling Agents on Mechanical Properties of Nano-SiO2 Filled High-Density Polyethylene Composites

Composites with nano-SiO2 particles and high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix were produced by hot pressing with various particle contents and particle surface treatment using commercially available silane coupling agents: γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane and γ- glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane. The influence of the particle treatment on the mechanical properties of composites was determined by compression and indentation tests. Additionally, numerical analysis was performed in order to calculate Young’s modulus and stress concentrations for various particle contents in order to provide reference data by simulating micro- and macro particle composites with perfect bonding to the matrix.

Processing of hybrid wood plastic composite reinforced with short PET fibers

ABSTRACT Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers (virgin, waste, and mixed) were incorporated in the composite poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–wood. Hybrid composite panels were prepared by pressure molding. Toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) and (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) were used as cross-linking bonding agents for modification of wood fibers. Influence of cross-linking bonding agents, structure, and composition of PET fibers was examined by studying thermomechanical properties as well as moisture absorption. Moisture absorption was lower for composites with bonding agents. Mechanical testing revealed that the addition of PET fibers drastically enhances properties of the composites. Covalent and hydrogen bonds formed with the addition of bonding agents have also improved mechanical properties compared to the untreated composites.

Healing efficiency of polystyrene electrospun nanofibers with Grubbs’ catalyst in thermosetting composite

The study presents a novel method for the protection of Grubbs’ catalyst, by incorporation in polystyrene fibres via electrospinning technique. Epoxy-glass fibre composite with embedded self-healing agents (polystyrene fibres with Grubbs’ and microcapsules with dicyclopentadiene) was processed. Fibres retained pale purple colour during processing, revealing that fibres provided good protection of the catalyst from the amine hardener. The influence of self-healing agents’ content and thermal treatment on self-healing efficiency was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that a polydicyclopentadiene formed at the healed interface. Thermal analysis revealed that ‘bleed’ at the healing sites from different samples had similar concentration of polydicyclopentadiene, indicating that the same amount of the catalyst has been provided to dicyclopentadiene for polymerization. This finding lead to assumption that electrospun polymer fibres enabled good dispersion of the catalyst in the composites. The low energy impact tests of the samples showed a recovery of 90% after 24 h at room temperature and up to 111% after repeated heating cycles.