This study is focused on the role of nano hydroxyapatite particles on the mechanical properties of PMMA/HA nanocomposites. In order to achieve a proper and homogeneous distribution of HA particles in the polymer matrix, mixer milling process was applied. Wear, compression and three-point bending tests were conducted. It was observed that wear rate decreased by increasing in HA content in both atmosphere and artificial saliva. The results of compression tests showed that the addition of 2.5 percent HA to PMMA promoted ultimate compressive strength, yield strength and modulus while caused to decrease elongation at break. Also it was elucidated that addition of HA more than 2.5 wt.% caused a decrease in both ultimate compressive strength and compression yield strength and an increase in elongation at break. The results of three-point bending tests on the PMMA cements containing 2.5 percent HA demonstrated the maximum bending strength value and modulus among all the HA containing formulations. However there was no direct proportionality between the results of bending tests and the HA content and the addition of HA to PMMA (up to 10 wt.%) did not change the bending properties significantly

In the current research, the role of both concentrated nitric acid and ultrasound waves on oxidation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) was studied. The functionalized MWCNTs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analyzer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. It was found that desirable modifications to MWNTs occurred after acid treatment. Carboxylic acid groups were appeared on the side surfaces of MWNTs. FTIR presented the formation of oxygen-containing groups such as C=O and COOH after modification by concentrated nitric acid. The TEM images showed that the aspect ratio of opened MWCNTs was controlled by both ultrasonic waves and acid treatment time. It was also found that the exposure of about 4 h in nitric acid led to the highest removal of the impurities with the least destructive effect.

In this article, the effect of carbon nanotube’s (CNT) surface modification on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of nanocomposite with different content of CNTs was studied. CNT/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites were prepared by a mini twin-screw extruder. To modify the dispersion of MWCNTs in HDPE, the surface of CNTs was functionalized by HNO3 and stearic acid (SA). The tensile tests results show that addition of 5% of acid-treated CNT in HDPE cause to increase in Young’s modulus and yield strength up to 4% and 6%, respectively; as compared to unmodified CNT/HDPE nanocomposite. The presence of the SA on CNTs can lead to slight decrease of the CNT-SA/HDPE strength properties; when compared to pure CNT/PE nanocomposite. However, there is a fracture toughness enhancement in CNT-SA/HDPE up to 10% compare to unmodified CNT/PE nanocomposite. Furthermore, the calculation of the stress whitening zone of all samples verifies the fracture toughness data of CNT/HDPE nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopic images showed that the best dispersion of CNTs in the HDPE matrix was seen in CNT-SA/HDPE nanocomposite.

In this paper, nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles have been fabricated using wet method and deposited on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). To do so, functional groups were introduced on the surface of MWCNTs by treating with concentrated nitric acid. Nickel oxide nanoparticles were formed on the surface of functionalized MWCNTs by incipient wetness impregnation of nickel nitrate, and the resultant product was calcinated in air atmosphere. Characteristics of the NiO/ MWCNT were examined by various techniques, for example, Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isothermal as well as vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The FTIR spectra showed that carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups existed on the surface of MWNTs after modification by concentrated nitric acid. The pattern of XRD indicated that MWNTs and nickel oxide nanoparticles coexisted in the NiO/MWCNT sample. The TEM images revealed that the NiO nanoparticles were distributed on the surface of the MWNTs, with the size ranging from 5 to 60 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis proved that NiO content decorated on MWCNTs was 80 and 15 wt%. The results of the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) data showed that the slight increment in the specific surface areas and porosities in the presence of the NiO nanoparticles on the surface of CNT.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been grown by decomposition of propane over a nanocamposite catalyst by chemical vapour deposition (CVD). The catalyst was prepared from an aluminum/iron oxide/graphite mixture milled in a high-energy ball-milling equipment. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements have been carried out in order to investigate the catalyst and synthesized CNTs. The results show that iron nanoparticles are produced in an alumina and ball-milled graphite matrix. This produced nanocomposite is used as a catalyst to synthesize CNTs via CVD successfully. The yield of CNTs formation was greatly influenced by the milling time and deposition temperature.