In this study, LiFePO4/C is synthesized via a novel two-step method. The first step is the synthesis of nano-sized intermediate FePO4 by a modified sol–gel method. A fast and full combustion procedure is involved to remove carbon and control the size of the intermediate particles. The second step is to prepare LiFePO4/C by combining solid-state reaction with controllable carbon coating. This tw...

We aimed to embed silica optical fibers in composites (epoxy vinyl ester matrix reinforced with E-glass unidirectional fibers in mass fraction of 60%) in order to further monitor the robustness of civil engineering structures (such as bridges). A simple system was implemented using two different silica optical fibers (F1-double coating of 172 µm diameter and F2-single coating of 101.8 µm diamet...

The ternary Ni–P–W alloy coating was fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering technique with dual targets of Ni–P/Cu and pure W. Electroplating Ni–P process was introduced to obtain the NiP compound target with extra-high phosphorous contents around 21 at.%. The deposition rate achieved as high as 20 Am/h after modification of the processing parameters. The Ni–P–W coating with a high P/Ni ratio of...

An orally-administered system for targeted, on-demand drug delivery to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is highly desirable due to the high instances of diseases of that organ system and harsh mechanical and physical conditions any such system has to endure. To that end, we present an iron oxide nanoparticle/wax composite capsule coating using magnetic hyperthermia as a release trigger. The coat...

Conducting polymers (CPs), including polypyrrole, have attracted attention for their potential in the protection of metals against corrosion; however, CP coatings have the limitation of poor adhesion to metal substrates. In this study, a composite coating, comprising a self-organized porous anodic oxide layer and a polypyrrole layer, has been developed on iron. Because of electropolymerization ...

Silane coupling agents (SCAs) with different organofunctional groups were coated on the surfaces of Al₂O₃ ceramic particles through hydrolysis and condensation reactions, and the SCA-coated Al₂O₃ ceramic particles were dispersed in a commercial photopolymer based on interpenetrating networks (IPNs). The organofunctional groups that have high radical reactivity and are more effective in UV curin...

The potential of inorganic nanomaterials as reservoirs for healing agents is presented here. Mesoporous silica (SBA-15) and TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) were synthesized. Both epoxy-encapsulated TiO2 nanotubes and amine-immobilized mesoporous silica were incorporated into epoxy and subsequently coated on a carbon steel substrate. The encapsulated TiO2 nanotubes was quantitatively estimated using a 'de...

Despite a favourable morphology, anodized and ordered TiO2 nanotubes are incapable of showing electrochromic properties in comparison to many other metal oxide counterparts. To tackle this issue, MoO3 of ~5 to 15 nm thickness was electrodeposited onto TiO2 nanotube arrays. A homogenous MoO3 coating was obtained and the crystal phase of the electrodeposited coating was determined to be α-MoO3. T...

The Li2TiO3-coated LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (LTO@NCM) cathode materials are synthesized via an in situ co-precipitation method followed by the lithiation process and thermal annealing. The Li2TiO3 coating layer is designed to strongly adhere to the core-material with 3D diffusion pathways for Li(+) ions. Electrochemical tests suggest that compared with pristine NCM, Li2TiO3 serves as both a Li ion c...

0266-3538/$ see front matter 2009 Elsevier Ltd. A doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.12.021 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 979 845 9409; fax E-mail address: [email protected] (D.C The interfacial shear strength of carbon nanotube coated carbon fibers in epoxy was studied using the single-fiber composite fragmentation test. The carbon fibers were coated with carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the ...