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The intrinsic properties of nanomaterials offer promise for technological revolutions in many fields, including transportation, soft robotics, and energy. Unfortunately, the exploitation of such properties in polymer nanocomposites is extremely challenging due to the lack of viable dispersion routes when the filler content is high. We usually face a dichotomy between the degree of nanofiller loading and the degree of dispersion (and, thus, performance) because dispersion quality decreases with loading. Here, we demonstrate a potentially scalable pressing-and-folding method (P & F), inspired by the art of croissant-making, to efficiently disperse ultrahigh loadings of nanofillers in polymer matrices. A desired nanofiller dispersion can be achieved simply by selecting a sufficient number of P & F cycles. Because of the fine microstructural control enabled by P & F, mechanical reinforcements close to the theoretical maximum and independent of nanofiller loading (up to 74 vol %) were obtained. We propose a universal model for the P & F dispersion process that is parametrized on an experimentally quantifiable " D factor". The model represents a general guideline for the optimization of nanocomposites with enhanced functionalities including sensing, heat management, and energy storage.

Dion–Jacobson compounds have a layered perovskite structure, and a small number of them have been identified as being ferroelectric. Here, RbBiNb2O7 powders are made by conventional solid-state synthesis. The relatively large Rb ion produces an interlayer within the structure with a large spacing and weak bonding. This work shows for the first time that a polar layered perovskite can be exfoliated into 2D nanosheets using a facile and scalable method, namely liquid-phase sonication. With both 2D materials and ferroelectrics being of interest for photocatalysis, the photocatalytic performance of RbBiNb2O7 nanosheets is characterized by measuring its dye degradation rate under a solar simulator. It is demonstrated that the RbBiNb2O7 nanosheet material effectively decolourizes Rhodamine B under visible illumination even though it has a wide bandgap (3.45 eV), and that its photocatalytic activity is greatly enhanced (∼4 times faster) when decorated with photodeposited Ag nanoparticles. Reducing the nanosheet size also increases the photocatalytic performance. This work demonstrates that polar 2D Dion–Jacobson phase RbBiNb2O7 is a promising candidate for photocatalytic applications. Further improvements are possible by identifying compounds with a narrower bandgap as a broad compositional window is available in this family of compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) with pyroresistive behaviour are of interest for a wide variety of applications such as safe batteries, resettable fuses, temperature sensors and self‐regulating heating devices. Due to their ease of processing, low density, tunable electrical properties, good oxidation resistance, and good flexibility and toughness, CPCs have become the preferred choice of pyroresistive materials in a number of applications. The pyroresistive behaviour of CPCs can be tuned to satisfy the specific requirements of different applications. In this perspective paper, recent progress in the use of pyroresistive CPCs is reviewed. In particular, various factors influencing their performance are discussed and compared, in connection with the associated application, with a special focus on reproducibility and positive temperature coefficient intensity levels. Some of the remaining challenges are identified, together with future prospects in this evolving field. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry After a brief but systematic discussion on the key aspects of pyroresistivity in conductive polymer composites, this paper gives a perspective on the most promising commercial applications, in particular in batteries safety, as temperature sensors and self‐regulating heaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A low‐permittivity dielectric ceramic Li2GeO3 was prepared by the solid‐state reaction route. Single‐phase Li2GeO3 crystallized in an orthorhombic structure. Dense ceramics with high relative density and homogeneous microstructure were obtained as sintered at 1000‐1100°C. The optimum microwave dielectric properties were achieved in the sample sintered at 1080°C with a high relative density ~ 96%, a relative permittivity εr ~ 6.36, a quality factor Q × f ~ 29 000 GHz (at 14.5 GHz), and a temperature coefficient of resonance frequency τf ~ −72 ppm/°C. The sintering temperature of Li2GeO3 was successfully lowered via the appropriate addition of B2O3. Only 2 wt.% B2O3 addition contributed to a 21.2% decrease in sintering temperature to 850°C without deteriorating the dielectric properties. The temperature dependence of the resonance frequency was successfully suppressed by the addition of TiO2 to form Li2TiO3 with a positive τf value. These results demonstrate potential applications of Li2GeO3 in low‐temperature cofiring ceramics technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible and controllable self-regulating heating devices have great potential for use in applications such as healthcare devices, soft robotics, artificial skins and wearable electronics. Conventional self-regulating heating devices are often limited by the rigid nature of the polymer matrices, particularly at high conductive filler concentrations. In this paper, this limitation has been successfully tackled by using binary polymer blends that can achieve a desirable combination of mechanical, electrical and pyroresistive properties. The addition of a suitable secondary thermoplastic elastomeric polymeric phase did not only improve material flexibility, but did also tune the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) behaviour. For the first time, we systematically explore the effect of different blend morphologies as well as the selective localization of conductive fillers like graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the overall mechanical and pyroresistive performance of self-regulating conductive polymer composites (CPCs). The effect of different blend morphologies was studied using different thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) as secondary phases, and various blend compositions, into a GNP filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposite. Blend morphologies included immiscible binary blends with a fine and coarse droplet morphology and a co-continuous morphology. In doing so, this study serves as a guideline for the selection of a secondary elastomeric phase in polymer blend based CPCs for optimised device flexibility and self-regulating heating functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart heating devices with reliable self-regulating performances and high efficiency, combined with additional properties like mechanical flexibility, are of particular interest in healthcare, soft robotics, and smart buildings. Unfortunately, the development of smart heaters necessitates managing normally conflicting requirements such as good self-regulating capabilities and efficient Joule heating performances. Here, a simple and universal materials design strategy based on a series connection of different conductive polymer composites (CPC) is shown to provide unique control over the pyroresistive properties. Hooke's and Kirchhoff's laws of electrical circuits can simply predict the overall pyroresistive behavior of devices connected in series and/or parallel configurations, hence providing design guidelines. An efficient and mechanically flexible Joule heating device is hence designed and created. The heater is characterized by a zero temperature coefficient of resistance below the self-regulating temperature, immediately followed by a large and sharp positive temperature coefficient (PTC) behavior with a PTC intensity of around 106. Flexibility and toughness is provided by the selected elastomeric thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix as well as the device design. The universality of the approach is demonstrated by using different polymer matrices and conductive fillers for which repeatable results are consistently obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spark plasma sintering has become a routine method for the densification of thermoelectric (TE) materials. However, the impacts and details of direct Joule heating within TE materials have not been fully quantified and clarified. Here we investigated the feasibility of flash-sintering (high heating rate Joule heating) magnesium silicide stannide (MSS) using a spark plasma sintering furnace. A Mg2.1Si0.487Sn0.5Sb0.013 (MSS) green compact was sandwiched between two graphite punches without a die. Then a DC pulse voltage was applied between the punches and the current passed completely though the compact, without any of the current bypassing through a graphite die as occurs with a convectional SPS die–punch system. The direct heating was so efficient that a heating rate of ∼1000 °C was achieved and the sample was fully sintered in less than 45 s. Due to the high local Joule heating at the contacts of the particles, the MgO distribution pattern was modified and optimised, which broke the coated passivation layer on the MSS aggregates. The onset densification temperature was 170 to 350 °C lower than that in convectional SPS (750 °C). Importantly, it was possible to produce dense samples in a wide sintering window of ∼6 s, and the flash-sintering was controllable and repeatable. Flash sintering could open a new way for rapid densification of dense nanostructured and/or textured TE materials with low electrical resistivity by optimising the distribution or removal of the surface oxidation of the powder grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NaBiZnVO ceramic was investigated as a promising microwave dielectric material for the ultra-low-temperature co-fired ceramic (ULTCC) technology. Dense NaBiZnVO ceramic was prepared using the conventional solid-state method from 560 to 640 °C. X-ray diffraction data show that NaBiZnVO ceramic crystallized into a cubic garnet structure with a space group Ia-3 d. The sample sintered at 600 °C for 4 h has the highest relative density of 96.3 % and exhibits the optimum microwave properties with a relative permittivity of 22.3, a quality factor of 19,960 GHz (at 8.7 GHz), and a temperature coefficient of resonance frequency of +15.5 ppm/°C. The NaBiZnVO ceramic was found to be chemically compatible with highly conductive aluminum and sliver electrode. These results confirm that NaBiZnVO ceramic can be a promising candidate for the ULTCC technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a new synthetic route towards nanoporous functional carbon materials based on salt templating with pore-padding approach (STPP). STPP relies on the use of a pore-padding agent that undergoes an initial polymerisation/ condensation process prior to the formation of a solid carbon framework. The pore-padding agent allows tailoring hierarchically the pore-size distribution and controlling the amount of heteroatom (nitrogen in this case) functionalities as well as the type of nitrogen (graphitic, pyridinic, oxides of nitrogen) incorporated within the carbon framework in a single-step-process. Our newly developed STPP method offers a unique pathway and new design principle to create simultaneously high surface area, microporosity, functionality and pore hierarchy. The functional carbon materials produced by STPP showed a remarkable CO2/N2 selectivity. At 273 K, a carbon with only micropores offered an exceptionally high CO2 adsorption capacity whereas a carbon with only mesopores showed promising CO2-philicity with high CO2/N2 selectivity in the range of 46-60 %, making them excellent candidates for CO2 capture from flue gas or for CO2 storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polystyrene- (PS-) graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) (0.1, 1, and 10 wt.%) nanofibers were successfully produced via electrospining of dimethyformamide- (DMF-) stabilized GNP and PS solutions. Morphological analysis of the composite nanofibers confirmed uniform fiber formation and good GNP dispersion/distribution within the PS matrix. The good physical properties of GNP produced by liquid exfoliation were transferred to the PS nanofibers. GNP modified PS nanofibers showed a 6-fold increase in the thermal conductivity and an increase of 7-8 orders of magnitude in electrical conductivity of the nanofibers at 10 wt.% GNP loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel processing methodology that allows combined preheating and Flash- SPS ( FSPS) of silicon carbide-based materials has been developed. Beta-SiC (+10 wt% B4C) powders were densified (Ф 20 mm) up to 96% of their theoretical density in 17 s under an applied pressure of 16 MPa (5 kN). The flash event was attributed to the sharp positive temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity (thermal runaway) of SiC, and a sudden increase in electric power absorption (Joule heating) of the samples after a sufficient preheating temperature (>600°C) was reached. The microstructural evolution was analyzed by examining materials densified by FSPS in the range of 82%-96% theoretical densities. FEM modeling results suggest that the FSPS heating rate was of the order of 8800°C/min. A comparative analysis was done between FSPS and reference samples (sintered using conventional SPS in the temperature range of 1800°C-2300°C). This allowed for a better understanding of the temperatures generated during FSPS, and in turn the sintering mechanisms. We also demonstrated the scalability of the FSPS process by consolidating a large α-SiC disk (Ф 60 mm) in about 60 s inside a hybrid SPS furnace equipped with an induction heater, which allowed us to achieve sufficient preheating (1600°C) of the material to achieve FSPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pure ZrB2 powder was Flash sintered in an SPS furnace ( FSPS). The samples were densified up to 95.0% in 35 s under an applied pressure of 16 MPa. Compared to Conventional SPS ( CSPS), the newly developed FSPS technique resulted in an unprecedented energy and time savings of about 95% and 98% respectively. ZrB2 monoliths obtained by CSPS and FSPS were compared with respect to microstructures, densification behavior, and grain growth. The developed methodology might find application to a wide range of highly conductive ceramics as such refractory borides and carbides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processing conditions for preparing well dispersed silica–graphene nanoplatelets and silica–graphene oxide nanoplatelets (GONP) composites were optimized using powder and colloidal processing routes. Fully dense silica–GONP composites with up to 2.5 vol% loading were consolidated using spark plasma sintering. The GONP aligned perpendicularly to the applied pressure during sintering. The fracture toughness of the composites increased linearly with increasing concentration of GONP and reached a value of ∼0.9 MPa m1/2 for 2.5 vol% loading. Various toughening mechanisms including GONP necking, GONP pull-out, crack bridging, crack deflection and crack branching were observed. GONP decreased the hardness and brittleness index (BI) of the composites by ∼30 and ∼50% respectively. The decrease in BI makes silica–GONP composites machinable compared to pure silica. When compared to silica–Carbon nanotube composites, silica–GONP composites show better process-ability and enhanced mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pure ZrB2 powder was Flash sintered in an SPS furnace ( FSPS). The samples were densified up to 95.0% in 35 s under an applied pressure of 16 MPa. Compared to Conventional SPS ( CSPS), the newly developed FSPS technique resulted in an unprecedented energy and time savings of about 95% and 98% respectively. ZrB2 monoliths obtained by CSPS and FSPS were compared with respect to microstructures, densification behavior, and grain growth. The developed methodology might find application to a wide range of highly conductive ceramics as such refractory borides and carbides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel class of ultra-thin fibres, which affect microbial growth, were explored. The microbial properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) fibres containing 2, 4 and 8 wt% of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were studied. GNPs were dispersed in a polymeric solution and processed using pressurized gyration. Electron microscopy was used to characterize GNP and fibre morphology. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of beaded porous fibres. GNP concentration was found to dictate fibre morphology. As the GNP concentration increased, the average fibre diameter increased from 0.75 to 2.71 µm, while fibre porosity decreased. Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used to investigate the properties of 2, 4 and 8 wt% GNP-loaded fibres. GNP-loaded fibres (0 wt%) were used as the negative control. The fibres were incubated for 24 h with the bacteria; bacterial colony-forming units were enumerated by adopting the colony-counting method. The presence of 2 and 4 wt% GNP-loaded fibres promoted microbial growth, while 8 wt% GNP-loaded fibres showed antimicrobial activity. These results indicate that the minimum inhibitory concentration of GNPs required within a fibre is 8 wt%., Competing Interests: We declare we have no competing interests.

Any industrial application aiming at exploiting the exceptional properties of graphene in composites or coatings is currently limited by finding viable production methods for large volumes of good quality and high aspect ratio graphene, few layer graphene (FLG) or graphite nanoplatelets (GNP). Final properties of the resulting composites are inherently related to those of the initial graphitic nanoparticles, which typically depend on time-consuming, resource-demanding and/or low yield liquid exfoliation processes. In addition, efficient dispersion of these nanofillers in polymer matrices, and their interaction, is of paramount importance. Here we show that it is possible to produce graphene/epoxy nanocomposites in situ and with high conversion of graphite to FLG/GNP through the process of three-roll milling (TRM), without the need of any additives, solvents, compatibilisers or chemical treatments. This readily scalable production method allows for more than 5 wt % of natural graphite (NG) to be directly exfoliated into FLG/GNP and dispersed in an epoxy resin. The in situ exfoliated graphitic nanoplatelets, with average aspect ratios of 300-1000 and thicknesses of 5-17 nm, were demonstrated to conferee exceptional enhancements in mechanical and electrical properties to the epoxy resin. The above conclusions are discussed and interpreted in terms of simple analytical models.

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers containing various concentrations of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were prepared by pressurized gyration, and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were obtained after subsequent heat treatment and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The influence of processing parameters such as rotational speed, working pressure, carbonization, and SPS temperature on the diameter of the nanofibers has been studied. Furthermore, the thermal properties, morphologies, and crystallization properties of the CNFs have been investigated by using thermogravimetry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Also, the electrical conductivity and the mechanical properties of these samples have been studied. The results suggest that the gyration conditions and the loading concentration of the GNPs significantly modified the properties of the nanofibers., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.

We have prepared composites of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) reinforced with solution exfoliated graphene. We observe a 50% increase in stiffness and a 100% increase in tensile strength on addition of 0.1 vol % graphene compared to the pristine polymer. As PVAc is commonly used commercially as a glue, we have tested such composites as adhesives. The adhesive strength and toughness of the composites were up to 4 and 7 times higher, respectively, than the pristine polymer.

We describe three related methods to disperse graphene in solvents with concentrations from 2 to 63 mg/mL. Simply sonicating graphite in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, followed by centrifugation, gives dispersed graphene at concentrations of up to 2 mg/mL. Filtration of a sonicated but uncentrifuged dispersion gives a partially exfoliated powder that can be redispersed at concentrations of up to 20 mg/mL. However, this process can be significantly improved by removing any unexfolaited graphite from the starting dispersion by centrifugation. The centrifuged dispersion can be filtered to give a powder of exfoliated few-layer graphene. This powder can be redispersed at concentrations of at least 63 mg/mL. The dispersed flakes are ~1 μm long and ~3 to 4 layers thick on average. Although some sedimentation occurs, ~26-28 mg/mL of the dispersed graphene appears to be indefinitely stable.