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Rare earth elements (RRE), due to their unique magnetic, electrical, and optical properties, are an important group of elements demanded in many application areas from machine technology to the health industry. In this study, new composites were obtained by mixing Erbium oxide (Er2O3), one of the rare earth element oxides, into PCL–PEG blend, which is also an important material group, in different ratios. The characteristic functional groups of the obtained polymer blend/Er2O3 nanocomposites were determined by the ATR-IR, and as the erbium oxide ratio increased, characteristic peaks of the polymers in the blend as well as characteristic signals of the Er–O–Er bond were found. When the thermal behavior of the obtained composites was examined, it was observed that the polymer blend exhibited miscible blend properties and the melting temperature of the polymer blend increased as the Er2O3 ratio increased. In addition, it was determined that the thermal stability of the composite increased significantly. X-ray measurements of composites at room temperature support other measurement results. It was determined that the presence of Er-RRE oxide increased the crystal structure feature in the polymer blend composite. Gamma radiation shielding capabilities of polymer materials containing different erbium ratios were investigated by calculating shielding parameters such as half value layer (HVL), radiation protection efficiency (RPE), and mean free path (MFP). Cs-137 and Co-60 radioactive sources were used as gamma sources. According to the obtained measurement results, Erbium oxide increased the absorption property of the polymer composite material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the influence of electron concentration on the NiMnSn alloy, which is a crucial ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA). The alloy was doped with various amounts of iron element to assess its effect. According to DSC measurement, iron doping has resulted in a general decrease in the transformation temperature value of NiMnSn alloy, as well as a decrease in the transformation enthalpy value. The orthorhombic martensite phase of NiMnSn alloy was replaced by L21 austenite crystal structure in X-ray measurements. Martensite, austenite, and precipitate phases were observed in SEM images. Iron doping significantly increased the magnetic saturation value of NiMnSn alloy, according to magnetic measurements, and thermomagnetic measurements revealed similar results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NiTinol alloy has recently been in high demand in biomaterials applications due to its excellent superelasticity and shape memory properties. This demand has increased the studies on improving the negative properties of the NiTinol alloy, even if it is less. In this study, it was aimed to coat the nickel element in the NiTi alloy with biocompatible elements in order to prevent it from secreting its toxic effect after its implantation into the body. In accordance with this purpose, NiTi shape memory alloys were coated with silver and copper element by using thermal evaporation system, and the surface morphology of the alloys after coating was investigated by SEM–EDX (Scanning Electron microscope), and AFM (Atomic force Microscope). After the measurements, it was observed that the coating was successful and homogeneously distributed on the entire surface of the alloy. In addition, an important and positive result was that, the roughness value of the NiTi alloy was decreased with the coating. The change in the crystal structure of the uncoated and coated NiTi alloy was evaluated using an X-ray device, and it was observed that the silver and copper element peaks were formed along with the B2 phase, which is the main phase of the NiTi alloy. In order to examine the effect of coating on the biocompatibility of NiTi alloy, electrochemical test was performed by rapid measurement method in simulated body fluid and corrosion behavior was investigated. According to these experiments, it was concluded that silver plating is more successful in term of biocompatibility than copper coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a great interest in nano-graphite due to its wide application in nanotechnology and important physical properties. Nanocomposites based on polymers and blends are important in the development of traditional polymers and in improving their usage areas. The aim of this study is to improve physico-chemical, and thermal behavior of poly(lactic acid) / poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLA/ PCL) blend by doping nano-graphite (NG) with different amounts and make the characterization of these nano-composites. It was observed that NG affected the temperature at which nanocomposites decompose. Also, the nanoparticles incorporated in the polymer blend become locked between the polymer filaments, speeding up the composites' decomposition. NG has significantly higher melting and evaporation temperature than PLA and PCL, so more residues were left as the quantity of NG rose. There was no significant change in the Tg and Tm peaks in the DSC experiment due to the inclusion of NG. While the NG particles raised the enthalpy of phase transition in general. The sharpness of the XRD peaks and the crystallinity of the nanocomposites both enhanced as the amount of NG in the blend was increased. Shape memory has been demonstrated to be a remarkable characteristic of thermos-sensitive PLA / PCL blend. Although the trained nanocomposite recovered most of its predetermined shape, increasing NG concentration in the composite may diminish its recovery behavior because. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]