Special Issue "Advances in Multifunctional Materials"
Quicklinks
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2012)
Special Issue Editor
Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Joong Hee Lee
Department of Polymer & Nano Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, Joenju, Jeonbuk, 561-756, Korea
Website: http://home.jbnu.ac.kr/jhlhome
E-Mail: jhl@jbnu.ac.kr
Phone: +82 63 270 2342
Fax: +82 63 270 2341
Interests: synthesis of nanomaterials; fabrication of nanocomposites; functional materials and composites; functionalization of graphene and its composites; embranes for fuel cells; biosensors and bioelectronics
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The “Materials” Journal’s special issue invites the original research articles and comprehensive reviews on multifunctional materials and their composites, including biocomposites, eco-composites, smart composites, structural composites, layered composites, nanocomposites, and composites of natural materials. The reinforcing filler may vary from nano- to micro- scale in metal, metal oxides, clay minerals, carbin nanostructures, and etc. The research works related to the surface modification of these fillers for composite application are encouraged to submit to this journal. The chemically functionalized fillers can homogeneously disperse in the matrix and forms stiffer, stronger, tougher, lighter and more durable polymer composite materials. This special issue covers all aspects of composites research, from material processing, development, characterization to application. It particularly encourages an interdisciplinary research activity to the investigation of multifunctional composites.
Prof. Dr. Joong Hee Lee
Guest Editor
Submission
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed Open Access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs).
Published Papers (7 papers)
|
Received: 10 September 2012; in revised form: 3 December 2012 / Accepted: 10 December 2012 / Published: 19 December 2012
Show/Hide Abstract
| Download PDF Full-text (305 KB)
Abstract: In materials research, the development of polymer nanocomposites (PN) is rapidly emerging as a multidisciplinary research field with results that could broaden the applications of polymers to many different industries. PN are polymer matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets or elastomers) that have been reinforced with small quantities of nano-sized particles, preferably characterized by high aspect ratios, such as layered silicates and carbon nanotubes. Thermal analysis (TA) is a useful tool to investigate a wide variety of properties of polymers and it can be also applied to PN in order to gain further insight into their structure. This review illustrates the versatile applications of TA methods in the emerging field of polymer nanomaterial research, presenting some examples of applications of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and thermal mechanical analysis (TMA) for the characterization of nanocomposite materials.
|
|
Received: 13 November 2012; in revised form: 10 January 2013 / Accepted: 22 January 2013 / Published: 5 February 2013
Show/Hide Abstract
| Download PDF Full-text (837 KB)
Abstract: The rapidly developing field of quantum dots (QDs) provides researchers with more options for imaging modalities and therapeutic strategies. In recent years, QDs were widely used as multifunctional materials for tumor imaging and therapy due to their characteristic properties such as semiconductive, zero-dimension and strong fluorescence. Nevertheless, there still exist the challenges of employing these properties of QDs for clinical diagnosis and therapy. Herein, we briefly review the development, properties and applications of QDs in tumor imaging and therapy. Future perspectives in these areas are also proposed as well.
|
|
Received: 31 December 2012; in revised form: 22 February 2013 / Accepted: 22 February 2013 / Published: 28 February 2013
Show/Hide Abstract
| Download PDF Full-text (432 KB)
Abstract: TiAlN/Al2O3 multilayers with different Ar/N2 ratios were deposited on Si substrates in different N2 partial pressure by magnetron sputtering. The crystalline and multilayer structures of the multilayers were determined by a glancing angle X-ray diffractometer (XRD). A nanoindenter was used to evaluate the hardness, the elastic modulus and scratch scan of the multilayers. The chemical bonding was investigated by a X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The maximum hardness (36.3 GPa) and elastic modulus (466 GPa) of the multilayers was obtained when Ar/N2 ratio was 18:1. The TiAlN/Al2O3 multilayers were crystallized with orientation in the (111) and (311) crystallographic planes. The multilayers displayed stably plastic recovery in different Ar/N2 ratios. The scratch scan and post scan surface profiles of TiAlN/Al2O3 multilayers showed the highest critical fracture load (Lc) of 53 mN for the multilayer of Ar/N2 = 18:1. It indicated that the multilayer had better practical adhesion strength and fracture resistance.
|
|
Received: 7 January 2013; in revised form: 25 February 2013 / Accepted: 26 February 2013 / Published: 6 March 2013
Show/Hide Abstract
| Download PDF Full-text (2290 KB)
Abstract: In this research, strain-sensing and damage-sensing functional properties of cement composites have been studied on a conventional reinforced concrete (RC) beam. Carbon nanofiber (CNFCC) and fiber (CFCC) cement composites were used as sensors on a 4 m long RC beam. Different casting conditions (in situ or attached), service location (under tension or compression) and electrical contacts (embedded or superficial) were compared. Both CNFCC and CFCC were suitable as strain sensors in reversible (elastic) sensing condition testing. CNFCC showed higher sensitivities (gage factor up to 191.8), while CFCC only reached gage factors values of 178.9 (tension) or 49.5 (compression). Furthermore, damage-sensing tests were run, increasing the applied load progressively up to the RC beam failure. In these conditions, CNFCC sensors were also strain sensitive, but no damage sensing mechanism was detected for the strain levels achieved during the tests. Hence, these cement composites could act as strain sensors, even for severe damaged structures near to their collapse.
|
|
Received: 4 January 2013; in revised form: 7 February 2013 / Accepted: 26 February 2013 / Published: 7 March 2013
Show/Hide Abstract
| Download PDF Full-text (1210 KB)
Abstract: Carbon nanostructures have played an important role in creating a new field of materials based on carbon. Chemical modification of carbon nanostructures through grafting has been a successful step to improve dispersion and compatibility in solvents, with biomolecules and polymers to form nanocomposites. In this sense carbohydrates such as chitosan are extremely valuable because their functional groups play an important role in diversifying the applications of carbon nanomaterials. This paper reports the covalent attachment of chitosan onto graphene oxide, taking advantage of this carbohydrate at the nanometric level. Grafting is an innovative route to modify properties of graphene, a two-dimensional nanometric arrangement, which is one of the most novel and promising nanostructures. Chitosan grafting was achieved by redox reaction using different temperature conditions that impact on the morphology and features of graphene oxide sheets. Transmission Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared, Raman and Energy Dispersive spectroscopies were used to study the surface of chitosan-grafted-graphene oxide. Results show a successful modification indicated by the functional groups found in the grafted material. Dispersions of chitosan-grafted-graphene oxide samples in water and hexane revealed different behavior due to the chemical groups attached to the graphene oxide sheet.
 |
|
Received: 31 December 2012; in revised form: 6 March 2013 / Accepted: 13 March 2013 / Published: 20 March 2013
Show/Hide Abstract
| Download PDF Full-text (1782 KB)
Abstract: This paper presents a study conducted on the thermo-mechanical properties of knitted structures, the methods of manufacture, effect of contact pressure at the structural binding points, on the degree of heating. The test results also present the level of heating produced as a function of the separation between the supply terminals. The study further investigates the rate of heating and cooling of the knitted structures. The work also presents the decay of heating properties of the yarn due to overheating. Thermal images were taken to study the heat distribution over the surface of the knitted fabric. A tensile tester having constant rate of extension was used to stretch the fabric. The behavior of temperature profile of stretched fabric was observed. A comparison of heat generation by plain, rib and interlock structures was studied. It was observed from the series of experiments that there is a minimum threshold force of contact at binding points of a knitted structure is required to pass the electricity. Once this force is achieved, stretching the fabric does not affect the amount of heat produced.
|
|
Received: 31 December 2012; in revised form: 19 February 2013 / Accepted: 19 March 2013 / Published: 26 March 2013
Show/Hide Abstract
| Download PDF Full-text (329 KB)
Abstract: Alginate is a natural polysaccharide exhibiting excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, having many different applications in the field of biomedicine. Alginate is readily processable for applicable three-dimensional scaffolding materials such as hydrogels, microspheres, microcapsules, sponges, foams and fibers. Alginate-based biomaterials can be utilized as drug delivery systems and cell carriers for tissue engineering. Alginate can be easily modified via chemical and physical reactions to obtain derivatives having various structures, properties, functions and applications. Tuning the structure and properties such as biodegradability, mechanical strength, gelation property and cell affinity can be achieved through combination with other biomaterials, immobilization of specific ligands such as peptide and sugar molecules, and physical or chemical crosslinking. This review focuses on recent advances in the use of alginate and its derivatives in the field of biomedical applications, including wound healing, cartilage repair, bone regeneration and drug delivery, which have potential in tissue regeneration applications.
|
Last update: 10 October 2012
