Sharif Digital Repository

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of pyrogenic nanosilica with different specific surfaces areas (200 and 380 m2/g) on mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced high-performance concrete (FRHPC) produced with two different types of fibers including steel and polypropylene fibers. Accordingly, different mechanical tests (compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths) as well as electrical resistivity were performed at 7, 28, and 91 curing days. In addition, the modulus of rupture and flexural toughness of FRHPC prisms were calculated based on the flexural testing results. Also, scanning electron microscopy test (SEM) was conducted to evaluate the... 

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of less than 50 nm diameter were electrodeposited from cyanide solution by pulsating electric current on modified copper and indium tin oxide (ITO) films coated on glass. Morphology, size, and composition of the deposited AuNPs were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Effects of peak current density, pulse frequency, potassium iodide and cysteine on grain size, and morphology of the AuNPs were determined. Experiments showed that cathode current efficiency increases with the pulse frequency and the iodide ion. Size of the AuNPs increased with the current density. The number of... 

Recently, application of silica nanoparticles (SNP) for enhancing oil recovery during water flooding has been much attended. However, understanding how rock and nanoparticles (NP) interacts through adsorption onto the carbonate reservoir rocks is not well discussed. In this work, adsorption behavior of SNP onto the calcite had been characterized, through kinetic, equilibrium, thermodynamics and electrokinetic studies as well as interaction energy analysis by DLVO theory. Also, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was utilized to visualize the adsorption process. It had been found that kinetic behavior of SNP-calcite system followed the pseudo-second order model. Equilibrium... 

In this study, the effects of different concentrations of SiO2 nanosized particles in the bath on deposition rate, surface morphology and wear behavior of Ni–P–SiO2 composite coatings were investigated. The rate of coating deposition was influenced by the incorporation of SiO2 particles. The observations of microstructural morphology were performed with field emission scanning electron microscopy. The amount of deposited SiO2 was examined by X-ray energy dispersive analysis. The results showed that for the coating produced at 12.5 g/L of nanoparticles, the amount of co-deposited SiO2 nanoparticles and microhardness reached their maximal... 

Abstract In this study, adsorption of the CO2 and N2 gases on the MIL-53(Al) and its hybrid composite with the graphene nano-plates (GNP), MIL-53(Al)/GNP, adsorbents were investigated. These materials were synthesized using the solvothermal reaction method. The prepared samples were characterized by means of the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms (BET-BJH surface area measurement) and Fourier transfer infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy methods as well as; thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Adsorption equilibrium of the CO2 and N2 on the sorbents were... 

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloys have been widely used as implant materials, due to their superior shape memory properties and similar mechanical behavior to bone tissue. The presence of nickel on the surface of nickel-titanium alloy and release of this ion in the body environment will result in some allergic reactions. In current study, we used shot pinning process to produce nanocrystalline nickel-titanium alloy with increased corrosion resistance. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and atomic force microscopy were employed to investigate the surface features of samples. The quantitative chemical analysis of NiTi and modified... 

Abstract: This study aimed to understand the microstructural, optical, and electrical properties of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) prepared with tetravalent and divalent tin salts. The influence of tin valence on the electrical, optical, structural, and morphological properties of the films were characterized by the mean of four-point probe, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA), UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope. XRD results revealed formation of cubic bixbyite structure of In2O3 with a small shift in major peak position toward lower angles with... 

An efficient method has been developed to synthesize well-aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on a conductive Ta substrate by chemical vapor deposition. Free-standing MWCNTs arrays were functionalized through electrochemical oxidation with the formation of hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups. Facile template-free electrochemical routes were then developed for the shape-selective synthesis of less-common Au nanostructures, including flower, sphere, dendrite, rod, sheet, and cabbage onto the aligned MWCNTs at room temperature. Especially, among all the synthesis methods for Au nanocrystals, this is the first report using electrochemical technique to synthesize wide variety... 

In this study, the effects of pulse current mode on corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of anodized coatings were explored. Thickness and hardness measurements, polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to take mechanical and corrosion behaviors of the anodized coatings into consideration. Also, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was utilized to characterize the surface morphology of the coatings. It was shown that in short anodizing times, coating thickness is controlled by the heat concentrated on coating. Although at prolonged anodizing times, the coating thickness is affected by average current density. Hardness measurements showed... 

The electrocodeposition of Ni-TiO2 nanocomposite single layers and Ni-TiO2/TiO2 multilayers from a Watts bath containing a TiO2 sol on copper substrates was investigated by different deposition techniques. Compared with direct current (DC) deposition, both pulse plating (PP) and pulse reverse plating (PRP) facilitated higher incorporations of TiO2 nanoparticles. Morphological studies conducted by scanning electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the microstructure of the Ni-TiO2 nanocomposite coatings are affected both by pulse potentials and durations, indicating that higher incorporations of TiO2 nanoparticles refine the microstructure. The results... 

Abstract In this study, aluminium titanate (AT) particles and nanofibers were synthesized through citrate sol gel and sol gel-assisted electrospinning methods in both nanostructured powder and nanofiber forms. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and differential thermal analysis showed that the synthetic products benefit a nanostructured nature with a grain size less than 70 nm. The optimal values for time and temperature at which a roughly pure AT is attained were determined as 2 h and 900 C, respectively. It was found that the sol gel precursor bears an amorphous structure till 700 C and begins to be crystallized to alumina, anatase and AT... 

Polystyrene resin was functionalized by diethanolamine for the efficient removal of p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TSA) from aqueous solution. Functionalized adsorbent (DEA-PS) was characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, point of zero charge measurement and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. According to the results, maximum removal of p-TSA was observed at the pH range of 2.5-5. The adsorption kinetics of p-TSA onto DEA-PS was represented by pseudo-first-order model and the equilibrium data followed Langmuir model well. The adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous, along with the positive change of entropy. The regeneration of DEA-PS was... 

Abstract Cu-15%NbC (volume fraction) powder was synthesized using the starting powders of Cu, Nb and graphite in a high energy vibratory disc mill for 7 h of milling under argon atmosphere. A composite sample and a Cu/NbC functionally graded material (FGM) sample were produced by using the two-step press and sintering at 900 °C for 1 h under vacuum. The microstructure and physical and mechanical properties of the specimens were investigated. The field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the synthesis of the nanostructure matrix of 18-27 nm with the nanoparticles reinforcement of 42 nm after sintering, verifying the thermal... 

In this study, the effect of surface modified nano-zirconia (nano-ZrO2) on the corrosion protection of epoxy coating on mild steel was investigated. An organosilane (trimethoxy methyl silane) was used as a surface modifier to improve the dispersability of the inorganic nanoparticles in the organic coating matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the sol-gel surface modified nanoparticles. The dispersability of the modified and unmodified nano-zirconia in an epoxy coating was examined by field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and salt spray were employed to... 

TiO2 a nanotube array was prepared using an anodization process. The process proceeded in a two-electrode cell containing of platinum sheet as the cathode electrode. Two phosphate-base electrolyte solutions containing different amounts of HF and NH4F were prepared. Different concentration of fluorine ions were examined in respected electrolytes. Current transient techniques were used to produce the TiO2 nanotubes at constant voltage of 18-25V. It was revealed that anodization at 18-22V, in so-called electrolytes would end up to nano-tubular structure. However the tubular structure prepared at 20V and from phosphate electrolyte containing of 0.5 wt% NH4F as well as 0.5 wt% HF, was recognized... 

Na3MnCO3PO4 (NMCP) particles were synthesized via ball milling of Mn(NO3)2.4H2O, Na2HPO4.2H2O and Na2CO3.H2O powders. The particles were anchored onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets during hydrothermal reduction process under stirring. Materials produced were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric (TG) measurement and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests. Results showed that dissolution of ball milling products in DI water is an effective method for separation of NMCP from byproducts. Best milling time for production of pure NMCP of minimum particle... 

In this study, the effects of pulse current parameters on corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of anodized coatings were evaluated. Hardness measurements, polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests were employed to investigate the mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of these coatings. Also, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to analyze the surface morphology and microstructure of the coatings. It was found that the properties of anodized coatings were dependent on various parameters, among which, time, temperature and pulse current parameters (current density limit, frequency and duty cycle) were optimized. Analysis of Variance... 

BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 as a novel nanocomposite photoanode was designed, synthesized and characterized for photoelectrochemical application. BiVO4/Graphene nanocomposite was initially synthesized by photocatalytic process and then, BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite thin film was prepared by deposition of the BiVO4/Graphene solution onto the surface of sol-gel derived TiO2 thin film. Morphology, crystal structure, surface chemical composition and optical properties of the synthesized BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite thin film were characterized and compared with the BiVO4/Graphene and pure TiO2 samples. Observations of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the surface of the... 

The main challenges of biological implants are suitable strength, adhesion, biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. This paper discusses fabrication, characterization and electrochemical investigation of anodized Ti6Al4V without and with a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer, HA/TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and HA/TiO2 nanotubes (HA/anodized). X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize and compare properties of different samples. Dense HA with uniform distribution and 12.8 ± 2 MPa adhesive strength enhanced to 19.2 ± 4 MPa by the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles and enhanced to 23.1 ± 4 MPa by the... 

A novel visible-light-driven Ag3VO4/Ag3PO4/Ag photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via an anion-exchange reaction and characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of prepared catalysts were evaluated by degradation of acid blue 92 (AB92) aqueous solutions under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic results indicated that the synthesized Ag3VO4/Ag3PO4/Ag hybrid displays a significantly enhanced activity in degradation of acid blue 92 under visible light compared with pure Ag3VO4. The improved...