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Globally, researchers have devoted consistent efforts to producing excellent coating properties since coating plays an essential role in enhancing electrochemical performance and surface quality. In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles in varying concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 wt.% were added into the acrylic-epoxy polymeric matrix with 90:10 wt.% (90A:10E) ratio incorporated with 1 wt.% graphene, to fabricate graphene/ TiO 2 -based nanocomposite coating systems. Furthermore, the properties of the graphene/ TiO 2 composites were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, water contact angle (WCA) measurements, and cross-hatch test (CHT), respectively. Moreover, the field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests were conducted to investigate the dispersibility and anticorrosion mechanism of the coatings. The EIS was observed by determining the breakpoint frequencies over a period of 90 days. The results revealed that the TiO 2 nanoparticles were successfully decorated on the graphene surface by chemical bonds, which resulted in the graphene/ TiO 2 nanocomposite coatings exhibiting better dispersibility within the polymeric matrix. The WCA of the graphene/ TiO 2 coating increased along with the ratio of TiO 2 to graphene, achieving the highest CA of 120.85° for 3 wt.% of TiO2. Excellent dispersion and uniform distribution of the TiO 2 nanoparticles within the polymer matrix were shown up to 2 wt.% of TiO2 inclusion. Among the coating systems, throughout the immersion time, the graphene/ TiO 2 (1:1) coating system exhibited the best dispersibility and high impedance modulus values ( Z 0.01   Hz ), exceeding 10 10 Ω   cm 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imperata cylindrica (IC) is one of the most abundantly found agricultural wastes that have been used to produce lignocellulose fiber and nanocellulose. Cellulose fiber from IC leaves has been isolated and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. Biocomposite was prepared using Imperata cylindrica cellulose fiber (ICCF) as reinforcing filler and natural rubber (NR) as the matrix. The NR vulcanizates were cured with conventional vulcanization (CV) and efficient vulcanization (EV) curing system using two roll mills. The effect of ICCF content on curing characteristic, tensile properties, and morphology of ICCF-filled NR vulcanizates was studied. The results indicated that the tensile strength and tensile modulus of EV system were higher compared with CV system. The tensile strength and modulus at 300% increased as the ICCF content increased accompanied by a moderate decrease in elongation at break. The morphology study of biocomposites showed that ICCF were dispersed better in the NR matrix. © 2015 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HCl-doped polyaniline (PANI) and polymeric composites of polyaniline-cobalt chloride (PANI-CoCl2) were synthesized in the laboratory via an in situ oxidative polymerization technique. Their chemical, structural and morphological properties were examined through FESEM, XRD, EDX and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. The electrochemical performance of the as-prepared composites was examined through cyclic voltammogram, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurement techniques. The thermal properties of the as-prepared composites were examined through thermal gravimetric analysis technique. The results obtained were found satisfactory and well suitable for its use as hybrid electrode materials for supercapacitor application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]