Article
Polymer Science
Silviu Preda, Jeanina Pandele-Cusu, Simona Viorica Petrescu, Elena Madalina Ciobanu, Gabriela Petcu, Daniela C. Culita, Nicoleta G. Apostol, Ruxandra M. Costescu, Iuliana Raut, Mariana Constantin, Luminita Predoana
Summary: In this study, doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using a sol-gel process. The samples were characterized by TG/DTA analysis, SEM, and XPS, and were found to possess anatase crystalline structure with the presence of Ti, O, Zn, and Cu. The samples exhibited good antibacterial activity and photocatalytic efficiency for the degradation of methyl orange.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
K. Showkat Ali, R. Karunanithi, M. Prashanth, S. Sivasakaran, B. Subramanian, H. Siddhi Jailani
Summary: The main aim of this study was to produce in-situ alpha-Ti/TiO2/TiC hybrid composites from CP-Ti powders through mechanical milling and spark plasma sintering techniques. The results showed that longer milling time led to the formation of Ti, Ti3O5, TiO, TiO2 phases, and dissolved C atoms from the process control agent. These were then converted to alpha-Ti, TiO2, and TiC phases through spark plasma sintering. The micro-hardness results demonstrated that increasing milling time improved the hardness due to grain refinement and the formation of TiO2/TiC intermetallic particles.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Farzaneh Khojasteh, Mansour Rezaee Mersagh, Hassan Hashemipour
Summary: The effects of doped nanoparticles and nanocomposites as photoanode on the performance of Dye synthesized Solar Cells were studied using various synthesis methods, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, FTIR, optical absorption spectra and EIS analysis. The study showed that the photovoltaic properties of DSSCs largely depend on the compounds and structure of photoanodes. The DSSC based on Ag-doped SnO2/TiO2 exhibited the highest conversion efficiency due to lower charge transfer resistance, recombination, and higher short-circuit photocurrent.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Youssef Essam, Ghada H. El-Nowihy
Summary: The study presents a highly efficient nanocomposite based on titania for dye-synthesized solar cells (DSSCs). The nitrogen-cobalt-cadmium-doped titania (N-Co-Cd-doped TiO2) prepared using the sol-gel method significantly enhances the photoelectric properties of DSSCs. Material characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy reveal the surface morphology, composition, and phases of the prepared N-Co-Cd-doped TiO2 nanocomposite. The current-voltage measurements confirm the improved charge transport in DSSCs using N-Co-Cd-doped TiO2, and the power conversion efficiency in fluorescent dye reaches 5.4% (approximately eight times higher than TiO2).
AIN SHAMS ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tong Gao, Yihan Bian, Xiangfa Liu
Summary: In this study, an (alpha-Al2O3 + ZrB2)/Al composite was prepared by promoting reactions among Al, ZrO2, and B2O3 powders. The nano-particles, with alpha-Al2O3 particles around 50 nm and ZrB2 particles around 10 nm in size, were mainly distributed along grain matrix boundaries, forming particle networks. The composite exhibited well-matched tensile strength and elongation, with the particle networks playing a positive role in piling up of dislocations during the tensile process.
Article
Polymer Science
Reem D. Alghamdi, Arief Yudhanto, Gilles Lubineau, Edy Abou-Hamad, Nikos Hadjichristidis
Summary: In this study, polyolefin nanocomposites were fabricated using the surface-initiated polyhomologation (SI-polyhomologation) technique, and their physiochemical properties were investigated. The results showed that the grafting extent of polyethylene plays a significant role in the dispersion of fillers and the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Ankit Rathi, Abhijit Majumdar, Nisha Rathi, Arun Kumar
Summary: This study focuses on the development of multifunctional nanocomposites by dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with TiO2 nanoparticles using ultrasonic waves. The results show that the incorporation of MWCNT/TiO2 hybrid nanofiller into an epoxy (EP) matrix significantly improves the thermo-mechanical properties and toughness of the nanocomposites.
JOURNAL OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Dezhi Zhang, Yingru Li, Zhenliang Yang, Bingqing Li, Zhiyi Wang, Qiqi Huang, Biaojie Yan, Mingfu Chu, Libing Yu, Rongguang Zeng, Pengcheng Zhang, Bin Bai, Rui Gao, Xinchun Lai
Summary: The novel UO2/SiC nanocomposite pellet, constructed via in-situ hydrothermal synthesis and SPS, showed significantly higher thermal conductivity compared to traditional UO2 pellets. This improvement is expected to enhance heat transferring efficiency of reactors and minimize risks of pellet failure in the entire fuel life cycle.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Sridhar Thipperudrappa, Anupama Hiremath, Bharath Kurki Nagaraj
Summary: This study focuses on the synergistic effect of ZnO and TiO2 nanofillers in epoxy composites, showing that an appropriate amount of nanofillers can improve the mechanical properties of the composites, especially impact strength.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Yuan Gao, Jiawei Hu, Huaming Wang, Liyue Liu, Lei Li, Sixun Zheng
Summary: In this study, polyethylene/Fe3O4 nanocomposites with excellent mechanical and magnetothermic properties were successfully synthesized using surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (SI-ROMP) method.
COMPOSITES PART A-APPLIED SCIENCE AND MANUFACTURING
(2024)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wasim Ullah Khan, Md Khairul Bahar, Hassam Mazhar, Farrukh Shehzad, Mamdouh Ahmed Al-Harthi
Summary: Polyethylene, a major product of the plastics industry, can be improved by incorporating nitride-based fillers to enhance its properties and create nanocomposites.
ADVANCED COMPOSITES AND HYBRID MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Papari Das, Ashish B. Deoghare, Saikat Ranjan Maity
Summary: PANI and PANI/S-RGO composites were successfully synthesized via in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of S-RGO nanosheets. The various characterizations confirmed the improved properties of PANI/S-RGO nanocomposites and showed excellent thermal stability and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Luminita Predoana, Gabriela Petcu, Silviu Preda, Jeanina Pandele-Cusu, Simona Viorica Petrescu, Adriana Baran, Nicoleta G. Apostol, Ruxandra M. Costescu, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Adelina C. Ianculescu
Summary: Using the microwave-assisted sol-gel method, Zn- and Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with an anatase crystalline structure were prepared. The presence of single-phase anatase and dopants in the nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD and XRF analysis. XPS analysis verified the presence of Ti, O, Zn, and Cu on the surface of the nanoparticles. Cu doping was found to enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 in the visible-light range by narrowing the band-gap energy.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Guodong Su, Shuwei Wang, Jiangang Yu
Summary: A modified tetra-needle like ZnO whiskers filler is synthesized through a coagglomeration method, and it exhibits good activity towards ethylene polymerization, leading to enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties of polyethylene.
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Sun Hwa Lee, Jae Hong Seo, Eunhye Shin, Se Hun Joo, Onur Buyukcakir, Yi Jiang, Minhyeok Kim, Hyunju Nam, Sang Kyu Kwak, Rodney S. Ruoff
Summary: We describe a method for structural analysis of a hyperbranched polyhydrocarbon (PHC) synthesized by electrochemical polymerization. Experimental techniques including NMR, elemental analysis and FTIR were used to determine the polymer's structure, and a simulated structure was also developed. The results showed good agreement between the experimental and simulated values for density, refractive index, melting temperature, and IR spectrum. The calculated solubility parameters rationalized the observed solubility in different solvents at room temperature. This comprehensive elucidation of the structure of a randomly branched polymer using experimental and theoretical methods is a significant contribution and has potential for wide application in the future.
Article
Polymer Science
Hassam Mazhar, Farrukh Shehzad, Sung-Gil Hong, Mamdouh A. Al-harthi
Summary: This study investigated the in-situ incorporation of NiFe-(Anion) layered double hydroxides (LDH) in the ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymerization, resulting in EP/LDH nanocomposites with improved thermal stability. Different types of intercalated anions in the LDH were found to have a significant effect on the thermal stability and degradation mechanism of the polymer nanocomposites.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Yunusa Umar, S. K. Manirul Haque, Mamdouh Al-Harthi, Zakariya Sadique, Omar Ashwaq, Edwin Obra, P. A. Sreekumar
Summary: In this study, composites were prepared by incorporating powdered waste date palm midribs into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The addition of date palm midribs as filler enhanced the tensile modulus and thermal stability of the composites.
JOURNAL OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Hassam Mazhar, Farrukh Shehzad, Sung-Gil Hong, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
Summary: This paper investigates the synthesis and thermal degradation mechanism of LLDPE and its nanocomposite with ZnAL LDH. The results show that the addition of 1-hexene during the in-situ process increases the product yield but decreases the thermal stability of the polymer, while the addition of ZnAL LDH improves the thermal stability.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fahad H. Falqi, Osamah A. Bin-Dahman, Ahmed Khair, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
Summary: This study developed nanocomposites with different amounts of graphene in low-cost PVA/PEG materials and investigated their shape-memory performance under various actuation methods. The nanocomposite containing 0.2 wt% graphene exhibited the best shape-memory performance.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mukarram Zubair, Hamidi Abdul Aziz, Ihsanullah Ihsanullah, Mohd Azmier Ahmad, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
Summary: A novel hybrid composite consisting of biochar, layered double hydroxide, and chitosan was successfully synthesized and used for adsorptive removal of Eriochrome black T from water. The composite exhibited a heterogeneous structure with abundant surface functionalities, which facilitated faster and enhanced removal of the dye. The kinetic and equilibrium adsorption data showed good fitting to the pseudo-second order model and Langmuir and Redlich Peterson isotherm models, respectively. The spectroscopic analysis and experimental results suggested that the adsorption process was mainly governed by electrostatic, chemical, and anion-exchange interactions. This study highlights the importance of coupling composite materials with bio-fillers for efficient purification of dye-contaminated water streams.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Muhammad Nasir, Muhammad Arif Aziz, Mukarram Zubair, Mohammad Saood Manzar, Noman Ashraf, Nuhu Dalhat Mu'azu, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
Summary: Nanotechnology has become essential in producing high value-added products in construction, with nanostructured cellulose showing promising technical, environmental, and economic advantages in concrete reinforcement. The presence of NSC in concrete structures results in significant improvement in mechanical strength and durability.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi, Manwar Hussain
Summary: The study investigated the influence of functionalized MWCNT and GNF on the properties of MWCNT/GNF-PVDF nanocomposites, including mechanical, thermal, and thermo-oxidative stability, as well as thermal conductivity. The results showed that the addition of functionalized GNF/MWCNT improved the thermal stability of the PVDF nanocomposites and altered their crystallization and melting behavior.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi, Manwar Hussain
Summary: Nanocomposites of PVDF with graphene nanoflakes were prepared using two different methods, and their thermal and mechanical properties were evaluated. The addition of graphene improved the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites, with better performance observed in the composites prepared by mix-melting method.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Muhammad Nasir, Muhammad Arif Aziz, Mukarram Zubair, Noman Ashraf, Tag Nasreldin Hussein, Moath Khalid Allubli, Mohammad Saood Manzar, Walid Al-Kutti, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
Summary: This study investigated the incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with different properties into mortar, and found that the mortar with CNCs synthesized under mild acid hydrolysis conditions (C1) showed the best performance. C1-based mortar exhibited improved compressive strength, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity, as well as reduced volume of permeable voids compared to the CNC-free mortar. The enhanced performance of C1 specimens was attributed to the increased precipitation and crystallinity of the CNCs, as well as the intertwining of major elements and crack-bridging effects in the cementitious composites.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wasim Ullah Khan, Mamdouh Ahmed Al-Harthi
Summary: Polyolefins are a type of plastics with unique characteristics such as chemical resistance, smooth surface, and reshaping capabilities, making them lighter than glass and metal materials. They are widely used as commercial commodity plastics, and their properties can be further enhanced by forming blends and composites with fillers such as titanium dioxide-based, nitride-based, and carbon-based nanomaterials.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Arafat Husain, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
Summary: Treatment of oilfield wastewater, typically in the form of emulsion, is a significant environmental concern. Chemical demulsification is the most effective method to separate oil and water, especially at high temperatures. This review discusses recent advancements and modifications of demulsifiers, including triblock EO-PO copolymers, non-biodegradable polymers, and branched copolymers, as well as upcoming alternatives like nanomaterial demulsifiers and ionic liquids. Factors such as chemical structure and temperature play important roles in demulsifier selection and efficiency. Additionally, the article explores the whole mechanism of chemical demulsification and introduces emerging chemical treatment methods.
GEOENERGY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wasim Ullah Khan, Hassam Mazhar, Farrukh Shehzad, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
Summary: The synthesis of polar functionalized polyolefin (PFP) improves mixing properties, polymer surface, and rheological properties for upgraded polyolefins. Metal-based catalyzed olefin copolymerization with polar comonomers offers an energy-efficient and upfront methodology, with late transition metal-based catalysts making progress in recent years. The development of nickel-based catalysts for PFP synthesis has shown rigorous progress in the past half-decade. This review summarizes the research trends in both early and late transition metal-based catalyst development and highlights the influence of transition metal-based catalysts on polymer properties.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Md Khairul Bahar, Hassam Mazhar, Wasim Ullah Khan, Mamdouh Ahmed Al-Harthi
Summary: This paper reports the in situ synthesis of ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymer, its terpolymer with styrene, and composites with nickel-chromium (NiCr) layered double hydroxide (LDH), as well as their thermal properties. The addition of styrene significantly increased the yield of EP, but had negative effects on crystallinity, melting temperature, and thermal stability. Incorporation of NiCr LDH adversely affected the thermal stability of the terpolymer, but ultrasonication treatment improved it.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hassam Mazhar, Douglas H. Adamson, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
Summary: Functionalization of hexagonal boron nitride can be achieved through oxidation and hydro-lyzation, leading to the formation of different phases of functionalized hBN. The degree of oxidation influences the dispersion properties and surface morphology of hBN.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mukarram Zubair, Nuhu Dalhat Mu'azu, Muhammad Nasir, Mohammad Saood Manzar, Muhammad Arif Aziz, Muhammad Saleem, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
Summary: Concrete engineers are constantly seeking to improve the mechanical performance and reduce the carbon footprint of construction materials. This study found that cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) isolated from office paper waste (OPW) can serve as a low-cost and environmentally friendly additive for strong structural concrete in the construction industry.
ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
