In this study, titania nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a sol-gel template method, employing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and CaCO3 nanoparticles as templates. Titanium(IV) tetraisopropoxide and ethanol were used as a titanium precursor and alcoholic solvent, respectively. The obtained nanosized-titania was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission-electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption and desorption methods. The photocatalytic activity of titania was investigated from the photodegradation of methylene blue solution under UVC irradiation. The results indicated that the amount of anatase crystallites and pore characteristics were important factors influencing the degree of photocatalysis of titania nanoparticles. Highly crystalline anatase titania could be obtained through the controlled hydrolysis reaction rate and the formation of loose-packed titania nanoparticles, while high specific surface area could be achieved with a template method.
Metal foam is a high-porosity engineering material which has many outstanding properties such as lightness, high specific strength and stiffness, large energy absorption during impact and good thermal transportation. Impregnation of metal foams with polymers produces new types of composites such as interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) and co-continuous composites, due to an interconnection on the macroscopic level of individual phases as a co-continuous 3-D network. The coexistence of the metal and polymer phases allows each to contribute its prominent properties to the composite. This novel composite material is a potential candidate for applications in the automotive and aerospace industries. The present study aims to develop two IPCs from open-cell Al foams of 20 ppi impregnated with silicone or epoxy resin. The compressive behavior and energy absorption characteristics of IPCs are also examined and compared. The results showed that although both IPCs have a similar foam structure with similar density, the disparities in the properties of impregnated polymers lead to distinct mechanical properties. The combination of the Al foam and polymers, both silicone and epoxy resin, yield stiffer IPCs than either of the two individual materials alone. Higher stiffness was found in IPCs with epoxy resin, owing to the brittle nature of the resin. Energy absorption capacity was also increased when compared with the original Al foam.
Metal foam is a high-porosity engineering material which has many outstanding properties such as light weight, high specific strength and stiffness, large energy absorption during impact and good thermal transportation. The impregnation of metal foams with polymers produces a new types of composites such as interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) or co-continuous composites due to the interconnection on a macroscopic level of individual phases as a co-continuous 3-D network. The coexistence of the metal and polymer phases allows each to contribute its prominent properties to the composite. This innovative composite material is a potential candidate for applications in the automotive and aerospace industries. The present study aims to develop two IPCs from open-cell Al foams of 20 ppi impregnated with silicone or epoxy resin. The compressive behavior and energy absorption characteristics of IPCs are also examined and compared. The results show that although both IPCs have a similar foam structure with similar density, the disparities in the properties of impregnated polymers lead to distinct mechanical properties. The combination of Al foam and polymers, both silicone and epoxy resin, results in IPCs stiffer than either of the two individual materials by themselves. Higher stiffness was found in IPCs with epoxy resin, owing to brittle nature of the resin. Energy absorption capacity was also increased when compared with the original Al foam.
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