A novel biomass composite inspired from wood porous structure was manufactured by impregnating vinyl monomer into wood cellular structure under vacuum conditions, and initiating the monomer for in situ polymerization through a thermal treatment. The vacuum condition was studied, and the mechanical properties of the composite were also tested. SEM observation shows that polymer generated in the ...

A novel, low-cost and direct green synthesis strategy was developed for the preparation of polymer composite spheres composed of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) decorated on the polymer colloids in a raspberry-like fashion. The polymer colloids were employed as both the reductant and the substrate support. The environmentally benign reaction system consists of AgNO3, polymer spheres and an ethanol...

We demonstrate carbon nanotube (CNT) composite-based optoacoustic transmitters that generate strong and high frequency ultrasound. The composite consists of CNTs grown on a substrate, which are embedded in elastomeric polymer used as an acoustic transfer medium. Under pulsed laser excitation, the composite generates very strong optoacoustic pressure: 18 times stronger than a Cr film reference a...

We demonstrate wide-band ultrafast optical pulse generation at 1, 1.5, and 2 μm using a single-polymer composite saturable absorber based on double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWNTs). The freestanding optical quality polymer composite is prepared from nanotubes dispersed in water with poly(vinyl alcohol) as the host matrix. The composite is then integrated into ytterbium-, erbium-, and thulium-doped...

Polymer-clay nano-composite materials, in which nano-meter thick layers of clay dispersed in polymer matrix, have generally higher mechanical properties than normal polymeric materials. A new three-dimensional unit cell model has been developed for modeling three constituent phases including inclusion, interphase and matrix. The total elastic modulus of nano-composite is evaluated.  Numerical r...

We report the optoelectronic properties occurring in single-walled carbon nanotubes ~SWNTs!— conjugated polymer, poly~3-octylthiophene! composites. Composite films were drop or spin cast from a solution on indium–tin oxide ~ITO! and quartz substrates and studied using absorption spectroscopy and electrical characterization methods. Diodes ~Al/polymer-nanotube composite/ ITO! with a low nanotube...

In this study the polymer composite specimen has been prepared by using polymer Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) a Potassium iodide (KI) and alumina nanoparticles. The polymer composite specimens were developed by using solution cast techniques. The main objective of the project is to study microstructure, XRD, ionic conductivity, ionic transference number, glass transition temperature using DSC, mic...

Polymer matrix composites used in different industrial applications due to their enhanced mechanical properties and lightweight. However, these materials are subjected to friction and wear situations in some industrial and automobile applications. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the wear properties of polymer matrix composite materials. This article emphasizes the dry abrasive wear be...

The structural performance, reliability and durability of polymer composites can now be correlated with three generic classes of internal defects. The _first generic class of chemical structure defects (size 10-lOOA) that control critical design properties such as glass transition T 0 , moisture absorption, and dimensional changes can be controlled by chemical analysis of raw materials prior to...

It is known that carbon nanotubes have impressive mechanical properties and it is thought that one of the best ways to realize them is to incorporate nanotubes into composites. The highest levels of stiffness and strength are obtained for composites with the reinforcing fibers aligned in one direction. It has also been recognized that for any nanocomposite to realize its full potential in terms...