Scanning electron microscopy nanocomposite

This is a nonpolar rubber with very little unsamration. Nanoclays as well as nanotubes have been used to prepare nanocomposites of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. The work mostly covers the preparation and characterization of these nanocomposites. Different processing conditions, morphology, and mechanical properties have been smdied [61-64]. Acharya et al. [61] have prepared and characterized the EPDM-based organo-nanoclay composites by X-ray diffracto-gram (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy... 

The dispersion morphology of prepared materials was studied with a multitechnique approach, by means of rheology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results of these tests showed that the so formulated PA6 nanocomposites used in the present study are fully exfoliated [1,2],... 

The nanotubes were first oxidized in nitric acid before dispersion as the acidic groups on the sidewalls of the nanotubes can interact with the carbonate groups in the polycarbonate chains. To achieve nanocomposites, the oxidized nanotubes were dispersed in THF and were added to a separate solution of polycarbonate in THF. The suspension was then precipitated in methanol and the precipitated nanocomposite material was recovered by filtration. From the scanning electron microscopy investigation of the fracture surface of nanotubes, the authors observed a uniform distribution of the nanotubes in the polycarbonate matrix as shown in Figure 2.3 (19). 

Figure 2.3. Scanning electron microscopy image of the fracture surface of the polycarbonate nanocomposite. Reproduced from reference 19 with permission from American Chemical Society.

Two specific imaging modes developed in combining ESEM (environmental scanning electron microscopy) and STEM and developed in the MATEIS laboratory can be useful for the characterization of CNT and CNT polymer nanocomposites. 

The novel SERS-active substrates were prepared by electrodeposition of Ag nanoparticles in the MWCNTs-based nanocomposites. The formation of Ag-MWCNTs nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The application of the Ag-MWCNTs nanocomposite in SERS was investigated by using rhodamine 6G (R6G). The present methodology demonstrates that the Ag-MWCNTs nanocomposite is suitable for SERS sensor. 

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) involves scanning an electron beam (5-lOnm) across a surface and then detecting the scattered electrons. Literature abounds, with work focussing on the use of SEM in the fracture and failure of epoxy resins and other thermoset polymers. Also work on multiphase thermosets (thermoset-thermoplastic blends, thermoset nanocomposites, interpenetrating network (IPN) polymers) is abundant. 

Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), glancing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), micro Raman scattering, Fourier transform inftaied (FTIR) spectrometry, Rutherford back scattering (RBS) studies and electron probe micro analysis (EPMA) have been carried out to obtain micro-structural and compositional properties of the diamond/p-SiC nanocomposite films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and indentation studies have been carried out to obtain film properties on the tribological and mechanical front. 

Magnetron deposited Al-Nb nanocomposite films were selectively etched for fabrication of nanoporous niobium. Atomic force and scanning electron microscopy investigations have shown that the fabricated nanostructures include interconnected nanowires of 20-50 nm in diameter and 100-150 nm plates. Annealing at 450 °C in air transformed porous niobium into the porous niobia, which can be as thick as 3 pm. 

In Reference 107, the effect of grafting of a polar group (MAH) onto LDPE chains and the chemical modification of clay particles with 2,6-diaminocaproic acid (L-lysine monohydrochloride) to produce nanocomposites with a matrix composed of a ternary blend of PEs (LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE) was studied in detail. X-ray diffraction was used to determine the exfoliation degree of the clay. Morphological features were revealed by scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis disclosed the thermal stability of the samples. Comparative analyses of the mechanical (under tension) and rheological properties of the nanocomposites were carried out as well. 

The objective of this work was to use rice straw pulp cellulose fiber to prepare environmental-friendly rice straw fibril and fibril aggregates (RSF) and evaluate the fibril and fibril aggregates as a novel reinforcing material to compound polypropylene (PP)/ RSF nanocomposite. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), laser diameter instrument (LDl) were used to evaluate the characteristics of RSF. The RSF/PP nanocomposite was prepared by novel extrusion process. The interface compatibility and tensile properties of nanocomposite were investigated by FTIR and tensile test, respectively. 

Recently, in our group, we evaluated the potentiality of a poly(iniide) (PI)/ organically-modified montmorillonite (O-MMT) nanocomposite membrane for the use in alkaline fuel cells [73]. Both X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealed a good dispersion of O-MMT into the PI matrix and preservation of the O-MMT layered structure. When compared to the pure PI, the addition of O-MMT improved thermal stability and markedly increased the capability of absorbing electrolyte and ionic conductivity of the composite. Based on these results, the PI/ O-MMT nanocomposite is a promising candidate for alkaline fuel cell appUcations. 

In this section, the production of PP nanofibres containing silver nanoparticles using the above technique, together with their characterisations using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis are presented. Additionally, the antibacterial properties of nanofibres are evaluated using the quantitative American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) 100 test. The inclusion of nanosilver into polymers to form a nanocomposite has been demonstrated to have a profound effect on the crystallisation of the polymer, which in turn affects the properties of nanofibres, including their antibacterial properties. 

---