Yanfei Pan

Preparation and characterization of micro or nano cellulose fibers via electroless Ni-P composite coatings:

Ni-P composite coatings were prepared on cellulose fiber surface via a simple electroless Ni-P approach. The metal-coated extent, dispersion extent of micro or nano cellulose fibers and crystalline structure of Ni-P composite coatings were investigated. The homogeneous hollow composite coatings and metal-coated extent of micro or nano cellulose fibers were improved with the increase in ultrasonic power, and the ideal composite coatings were obtained as ultrasonic up to 960 W. The metallization for cellulose fibers enhanced the dispersion extent of micro or nano cellulose fibers. A uniform coating, consisting of the hollow coating on cellulose fibers surface, could be obtained. At the same time, metallization did not damage the original structure and surface functional groups of cellulose fibers. The concentration of cellulose fibers and ultrasonic power had a direct influence on the metal-coated extent of cellulose fiber surface. The metal-coated extent, dispersion extent of micro or nano cellulose fibers and crystalline structure of Ni-P composite coatings exhibited excellent properties as the concentration of cellulose fibers and ultrasonic power were 2 g/L and 960 W, respectively.

Multiwall-carbon-nanotube/cellulose composite fibers with enhanced mechanical and electrical properties by cellulose grafting

Multiwall-carbon-nanotube (MWCNT)-cellulose/cellulose composite fibers with promoted mechanical and electronic activities were synthesized. Remarkably, the dispersion of MWCNTs in the composite fibers was facilitated through cellulose grafting, resulting in the tensile strength of the obtained MWCNT-cellulose/cellulose composite fibers being increased to 304.6 MPa with 10 wt% MWCNTs involved, which was almost 106.8% higher than that of pristine MWCNT/cellulose fibers with the same amount of MWCNTs. In addition, the electrical conductivity of the MWCNT-cellulose/cellulose composite fibers was enhanced to 1.3 × 10−1 S cm−1 with the dispersion of 10 wt% MWCNTs, which was almost 108 times higher than that of pristine MWCNT/cellulose fibers with the same amount of MWCNTs.

Nano-SiC effect on wood electroless Ni–P composite coatings:

In this research, Ni–P/nano-SiC composite coatings were prepared on wood surface by simple electroless plating approach. The flatness, porosity, and crystallinity of Ni–P/nano-SiC composite coatings were investigated. The flatness and porosity of the composite coatings enhanced with the increase in nano-SiC content of the coatings, and the composite coatings were obtained within the range of 0.5–1.5 g (1.8 g/L) nano-SiC in the solution bath. The full width at half maximum values of Ni X-ray diffraction peaks in the composite coatings broadened and strengthened with the increment of nano-SiC content in the coatings, which triggered preferred growth direction of diffraction peaks. The composite structure was characterized with scanning electron microscopy images. The uniformity of particles in the composite coatings could be improved obviously with the increase in the nano-SiC content of the coatings because an amorphous phase of SiC hindered the movement of dislocations and declined the size of Ni–P crystallite. Besides, the flatness, porosity, and crystallinity of composite coatings depended on the P content in the composite coatings. P content can be decreased by increasing SiC content of plating solutions. The flatness, porosity, crystallinity, and wear resistance of composite coatings exhibited excellent properties as the content of nano-SiC in the composite coatings reached 1.0 g (1.8 g/L).