We report on an extremely fast and versatile synthetic approach, based on microwave assisted sol-gel chemistry, that allows a conformal nanometric coating of intricate three-dimensional structures. Using this methodology, we have achieved a conformal coverage of large areas of three-dimensional opals with a superparamagnetic manganese ferrite layer, yielding magneto-photonic crystals with excel...

In this work, we communicate a facile and low temperature synthesis process for the fabrication of graphene-TiO2 photocatalytic composite thin films. A sol-gel chemical route is used to synthesize TiO2 from the precursor solutions and spin and spray coating are used to deposit the films. Excitation of the wet films during the casting process by ultrasonic vibration favorably influences both the...

This paper aims to develop a novel method, i.e., sol-gel combined with layer-by-layer assembly technology, to impart flame retardancy on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fabrics. Silica-sol was synthesized via the sol-gel process and acted as cationic solution, and phytic acid (PA) was used as the anionic medium. Flame-retardant-treated PAN fabric (FR-PAN) could achieve excellent flame retardancy with 1...

The novel complex photocatalytic material was prepared by coating TiO₂ nanoparticles on tourmaline using the sol-gel method, and used in the degradation of the herbicide 2,4-D. The results indicated that coating TiO₂ with tourmaline enhanced the photocatalytic activity significantly. Based on the research of a simplified model for the average light intensity in the photoreactor, the influence o...

Infrared thermography is a non-destructive method that is becoming attractive due to its ability to inspect noninvasively large areas in short times. This work demonstrates that the analysis of the thermographic response of coating layer can be greatly improved with a multiscale decomposition. Based on 2D discrete wavelets transform, effective scales in the thermographic responses of samples ca...

This paper reports on a rapid new method for in-situ sol-gel deposition of silica layers in PDMS microchannels. A two-step process is used; first allowing TEOS to diffuse briefly into the channel, followed by acid catalysed hydrolysis and condensation. The silica coating results in an increased and stabilised electroosmotic flow. With this novel method there is no need for pretreatment of the m...

The inherent reactivity of the Al–Cu alloys is such that their use for structural, marine, and aerospace components and structures would not be possible without prior application of a corrosion resistance system. Historically these corrosion resistance coatings were based on the use of chemicals containing Cr (VI) compounds. Silane coatings are of increasing interest in industry due to th...

T h e prepara t ion and propert ies of combined a luminium oxide coatings have been investigated. T h e coating has been prepared in two steps. First , a luminium subs t ra te was anodically oxidized. In t he next s tep the anodized film has been coated by the sol-gel method . T h e condit ions of forming coatings wi thout shrinkage were obta ined empirically. It was found out t h a t the film ...

We report on the photoconductive response of nanostructured sol-gel films in function of the silver nitrate concentration (ions and colloids). Silver colloids were obtained by spontaneous reduction process of Ag+ ions to Ag(0). 2-d hexagonal nanosructured sol-gel thin films were prepared by dip-coating method using the non-ionic diblock copolymer Brij58 to produce channels into the film, which ...