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Materials, Volume 7, Issue 1 (January 2014) – 43 articles , Pages 1-622

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876 KiB  
Article
A Self-Assembled Electro-Active M8L4 Cage Based on Tetrathiafulvalene Ligands
by Sébastien Goeb, Sébastien Bivaud, Vincent Croué, Vaishali Vajpayee, Magali Allain and Marc Sallé
Materials 2014, 7(1), 611-622; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010611 - 22 Jan 2014
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 7514
Abstract
Two self-assembled redox-active cages are presented. They are obtained by coordination-driven self-assembly of a tetra-pyridile tetrathiafulvalene ligand with cis-M(dppf)(OTf)2 (M = Pd or Pt; dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; OTf = trifluoromethane-sulfonate) complexes. Both species are fully characterized and are constituted of 12 [...] Read more.
Two self-assembled redox-active cages are presented. They are obtained by coordination-driven self-assembly of a tetra-pyridile tetrathiafulvalene ligand with cis-M(dppf)(OTf)2 (M = Pd or Pt; dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; OTf = trifluoromethane-sulfonate) complexes. Both species are fully characterized and are constituted of 12 electro-active subunits that can be reversibly oxidized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supramolecular Cage Complexes)
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847 KiB  
Article
Nanocomposites Based on Luminescent Colloidal Nanocrystals and Polymeric Ionic Liquids towards Optoelectronic Applications
by Annamaria Panniello, Chiara Ingrosso, Paul Coupillaud, Michela Tamborra, Enrico Binetti, Maria Lucia Curri, Angela Agostiano, Daniel Taton and Marinella Striccoli
Materials 2014, 7(1), 591-610; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010591 - 21 Jan 2014
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 8503
Abstract
Polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) are an interesting class of polyelectrolytes, merging peculiar physical-chemical features of ionic liquids with the flexibility, mechanical stability and processability typical of polymers. The combination of PILs with colloidal semiconducting nanocrystals leads to novel nanocomposite materials with high potential [...] Read more.
Polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) are an interesting class of polyelectrolytes, merging peculiar physical-chemical features of ionic liquids with the flexibility, mechanical stability and processability typical of polymers. The combination of PILs with colloidal semiconducting nanocrystals leads to novel nanocomposite materials with high potential for batteries and solar cells. We report the synthesis and properties of a hybrid nanocomposite made of colloidal luminescent CdSe nanocrystals incorporated in a novel ex situ synthesized imidazolium-based PIL, namely, either a poly(N-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) or a homologous PIL functionalized with a thiol end-group exhibiting a chemical affinity with the nanocrystal surface. A capping exchange procedure has been implemented for replacing the pristine organic capping molecules of the colloidal CdSe nanocrystals with inorganic chalcogenide ions, aiming to disperse the nano-objects in the PILs, by using a common polar solvent. The as-prepared nanocomposites have been studied by TEM investigation, UV-Vis, steady-state and time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy for elucidating the effects of the PIL functionalization on the morphological and optical properties of the nanocomposites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites of Polymers and Inorganic Particles 2013)
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370 KiB  
Article
A Constitutive Description for Shape Memory Alloys with the Growth of Martensite Band
by Weiguo Li, Xueliang Shen and Xianghe Peng
Materials 2014, 7(1), 576-590; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010576 - 20 Jan 2014
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5829
Abstract
Based on the experimental results and the finite element analysis, a constitutive model is proposed for two phase shape memory alloys by introducing a compensative volumetric strain into a constrained relationship between the two phases, accounting for the reduced constraint due to the [...] Read more.
Based on the experimental results and the finite element analysis, a constitutive model is proposed for two phase shape memory alloys by introducing a compensative volumetric strain into a constrained relationship between the two phases, accounting for the reduced constraint due to the growth of martensite band. The pseudoelasticity of NiTi shape memory alloy micro-tube, subjected to pure tension, is analyzed and compared with the experimental results. It can be seen that the pseudoelastic behavior, especially the phenomena of a stress drop during tension processes, can be well described with the proposed model. The proposed model separates the complicated constitutive behavior of a shape memory alloy (SMA) into simple responses arising respectively from its two phases, taking into account laminar microstructure, the thickness of martensite phase and the interaction between the two phases, and provides an easy but comprehensive method for the description of the constitutive behavior of SMAs under complex thermomechanical loading. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shape Memory Materials)
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1030 KiB  
Article
High-Voltage Insulation Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposites by Plasma Polymerization
by Wei Yan, Zhao Jun Han, B. Toan Phung, Franz Faupel and Kostya Ostrikov
Materials 2014, 7(1), 563-575; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010563 - 20 Jan 2014
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 8161
Abstract
In organic-inorganic nanocomposites, interfacial regions are primarily influenced by the dispersion uniformity of nanoparticles and the strength of interfacial bonds between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix. The insulating performance of organic-inorganic dielectric nanocomposites is highly influenced by the characteristics of interfacial regions. [...] Read more.
In organic-inorganic nanocomposites, interfacial regions are primarily influenced by the dispersion uniformity of nanoparticles and the strength of interfacial bonds between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix. The insulating performance of organic-inorganic dielectric nanocomposites is highly influenced by the characteristics of interfacial regions. In this study, we prepare polyethylene oxide (PEO)-like functional layers on silica nanoparticles through plasma polymerization. Epoxy resin/silica nanocomposites are subsequently synthesized with these plasma-polymerized nanoparticles. It is found that plasma at a low power (i.e., 10 W) can significantly increase the concentration of C–O bonds on the surface of silica nanoparticles. This plasma polymerized thin layer can not only improve the dispersion uniformity by increasing the hydrophilicity of the nanoparticles, but also provide anchoring sites to enable the formation of covalent bonds between the organic and inorganic phases. Furthermore, electrical tests reveal improved electrical treeing resistance and decreased dielectric constant of the synthesized nanocomposites, while the dielectric loss of the nanocomposites remains unchanged as compared to the pure epoxy resin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites of Polymers and Inorganic Particles 2013)
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395 KiB  
Article
Visible Light Curable Restorative Composites for Dental Applications Based on Epoxy Monomer
by Alessandra Vitale, Marco Sangermano, Roberta Bongiovanni, Peter Burtscher and Norbert Moszner
Materials 2014, 7(1), 554-562; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010554 - 20 Jan 2014
Cited by 57 | Viewed by 8579
Abstract
A cationic photo-curable cycloaliphatic epoxy resin has been investigated as reactive monomer in blue light crosslinking process. We have demonstrated that camphorquinone is able to abstract labile hydrogen from the epoxy monomer, giving rise to the formation of carbon-centered radicals that are oxidized [...] Read more.
A cationic photo-curable cycloaliphatic epoxy resin has been investigated as reactive monomer in blue light crosslinking process. We have demonstrated that camphorquinone is able to abstract labile hydrogen from the epoxy monomer, giving rise to the formation of carbon-centered radicals that are oxidized by the onium salt; a complete epoxy group conversion was reached after 50 s of irradiation. The presence of water up to 1 wt% was tolerated without any important detrimental effect on the kinetics of light-curing. The presence of the inorganic filler up to 65 wt% did not significantly influence the curing process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites of Polymers and Inorganic Particles 2013)
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726 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Small Quantities of Oxygen in the Structure, Microstructure, Hardness, Elasticity Modulus and Cytocompatibility of Ti-Zr Alloys for Dental Applications
by Fábio B. Vicente, Diego R. N. Correa, Tatiani A. G. Donato, Victor E. Arana-Chavez, Marília A. R. Buzalaf and Carlos R. Grandini
Materials 2014, 7(1), 542-553; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010542 - 20 Jan 2014
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 7070
Abstract
The mechanical properties of Ti alloys are changed significantly with the addition of interstitial elements, such as oxygen. Because oxygen is a strong stabilizer of the α phase and has an effect on hardening in a solid solution, it has aroused great interest [...] Read more.
The mechanical properties of Ti alloys are changed significantly with the addition of interstitial elements, such as oxygen. Because oxygen is a strong stabilizer of the α phase and has an effect on hardening in a solid solution, it has aroused great interest in the biomedical area. In this paper, Ti-Zr alloys were subjected to a doping process with small amounts of oxygen. The influence of interstitial oxygen in the structure, microstructure and some selected mechanical properties of interest for use as biomaterial and biocompatibility of the alloys were analyzed. The results showed that in the range of 0.02 wt% to 0.04 wt%, oxygen has no influence on the structure, microstructure or biocompatibility of the studied alloys, but causes hardening of the alloys, increasing the values of the microhardness and causing variation in the elasticity modulus values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Titanium Materials for Biomedical Application 2013)
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885 KiB  
Article
Desorption of Furfural from Bimetallic Pt-Fe Oxides/Alumina Catalysts
by Gloria Lourdes Dimas-Rivera, Javier Rivera De la Rosa, Carlos J. Lucio-Ortiz, José Antonio De los Reyes Heredia, Virgilio González González and Tomás Hernández
Materials 2014, 7(1), 527-541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010527 - 20 Jan 2014
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8720
Abstract
In this work, the desorption of furfural, which is a competitive intermediate during the production of biofuel and valuable aromatic compounds, was studied using pure alumina, as well as alumina impregnated with iron and platinum oxides both individually and in combination, using thermogravimetric [...] Read more.
In this work, the desorption of furfural, which is a competitive intermediate during the production of biofuel and valuable aromatic compounds, was studied using pure alumina, as well as alumina impregnated with iron and platinum oxides both individually and in combination, using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The bimetallic sample exhibited the lowest desorption percentage for furfural. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) imaging revealed the intimate connection between the iron and platinum oxide species on the alumina support. The mechanism of furfural desorption from the Pt-Fe/Al2O3 0.5%-0.5% sample was determined using physisorbed furfural instead of chemisorbed furfural; this mechanism involved the oxidation of the C=O group on furfural by the catalyst. The oxide nanoparticles on γ-Al2O3 support helped to stabilize the furfural molecule on the surface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Materials Characterization)
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2408 KiB  
Concept Paper
Mechanical Characterization of High-Performance Steel-Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites with Self-Healing Effect
by Dong Joo Kim, Seok Hee Kang and Tae-Ho Ahn
Materials 2014, 7(1), 508-526; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010508 - 20 Jan 2014
Cited by 53 | Viewed by 9111
Abstract
The crack self-healing behavior of high-performance steel-fiber reinforced cement composites (HPSFRCs) was investigated. High-strength deformed steel fibers were employed in a high strength mortar with very fine silica sand to decreasing the crack width by generating higher interfacial bond strength. The width of [...] Read more.
The crack self-healing behavior of high-performance steel-fiber reinforced cement composites (HPSFRCs) was investigated. High-strength deformed steel fibers were employed in a high strength mortar with very fine silica sand to decreasing the crack width by generating higher interfacial bond strength. The width of micro-cracks, strongly affected by the type of fiber and sand, clearly produced the effects on the self-healing behavior. The use of fine silica sand in HPSFRCs with high strength deformed steel fibers successfully led to rapid healing owing to very fine cracks with width less than 20 µm. The use of very fine silica sand instead of normal sand produced 17%–19% higher tensile strength and 51%–58% smaller width of micro-cracks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Self-healing Concrete)
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927 KiB  
Article
Crystal Growth and Spectroscopic Investigations of Tm3+:Li3Ba2Gd3(MoO4)8 Crystal
by Mingjun Song, Lintong Wang, Nana Zhang, Xishi Tai and Guofu Wang
Materials 2014, 7(1), 496-507; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010496 - 17 Jan 2014
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6511
Abstract
Tm3+:Li3Ba2Gd3(MoO4)8 crystal has been grown by the top seeded solution growth (TSSG) method from a Li2MoO4 flux. The room temperature polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay curves [...] Read more.
Tm3+:Li3Ba2Gd3(MoO4)8 crystal has been grown by the top seeded solution growth (TSSG) method from a Li2MoO4 flux. The room temperature polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay curves of the crystal were measured. Based on the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory, the main spectroscopic parameters of the crystal, including the spontaneous emission probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios, and radiative lifetimes were calculated and analyzed. The broad and strong absorption bands of the crystal show that it can be efficiently pumped by the diode laser, while the large emission cross-sections of the 3F43H6 transition indicate that the crystal is a promising candidate for tunable and short pulse lasers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Luminescent Materials 2013)
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567 KiB  
Article
Plastron Respiration Using Commercial Fabrics
by Shaun Atherton, Joseph C. Brennan, Robert H. Morris, Joshua D.E. Smith, Christopher A.E. Hamlett, Glen McHale, Neil J. Shirtcliffe and Michael I. Newton
Materials 2014, 7(1), 484-495; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010484 - 16 Jan 2014
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 8114
Abstract
A variety of insect and arachnid species are able to remain submerged in water indefinitely using plastron respiration. A plastron is a surface-retained film of air produced by surface morphology that acts as an oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange surface. Many highly water repellent and [...] Read more.
A variety of insect and arachnid species are able to remain submerged in water indefinitely using plastron respiration. A plastron is a surface-retained film of air produced by surface morphology that acts as an oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange surface. Many highly water repellent and hydrophobic surfaces when placed in water exhibit a silvery sheen which is characteristic of a plastron. In this article, the hydrophobicity of a range of commercially available water repellent fabrics and polymer membranes is investigated, and how the surface of the materials mimics this mechanism of underwater respiration is demonstrated allowing direct extraction of oxygen from oxygenated water. The coverage of the surface with the plastron air layer was measured using confocal microscopy. A zinc/oxygen cell is used to consume oxygen within containers constructed from the different membranes, and the oxygen consumed by the cell is compared to the change in oxygen concentration as measured by an oxygen probe. By comparing the membranes to an air-tight reference sample, it was found that the membranes facilitated oxygen transfer from the water into the container, with the most successful membrane showing a 1.90:1 ratio between the cell oxygen consumption and the change in concentration within the container. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Porous Materials)
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645 KiB  
Article
Luminescent Properties of Surface Functionalized BaTiO3 Embedded in Poly(methyl methacrylate)
by Sebastian Requena, Srijan Lacoul and Yuri M. Strzhemechny
Materials 2014, 7(1), 471-483; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010471 - 16 Jan 2014
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 7571
Abstract
As-received BaTiO3 nanopowders of average grain sizes 50 nm and 100 nm were functionalized by (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and mixed with poly(methyl methacrylate)/toluene solution. The nanocomposite solution was spin coated on Si substrates to form thin films. The photoluminescence spectrum of the pure [...] Read more.
As-received BaTiO3 nanopowders of average grain sizes 50 nm and 100 nm were functionalized by (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and mixed with poly(methyl methacrylate)/toluene solution. The nanocomposite solution was spin coated on Si substrates to form thin films. The photoluminescence spectrum of the pure powder was composed of a bandgap emission at 3.0 eV and multiple bands centered about 2.5 eV. Surface functionalization of the BaTiO3 powder via APTES increases overall luminescence at room temperature while only enhancing bandgap emission at low-temperature. Polymer coating of the functionalized nanoparticles significantly enhances bandgap emissions while decreasing emissions associated with near-surface lattice distortions at 2.5 eV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites of Polymers and Inorganic Particles 2013)
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255 KiB  
Article
Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy for the Determination of Asbestos Species in Bulk Building Materials
by Grazia Accardo, Raffaeke Cioffi, Francesco Colangelo, Raffaele D'Angelo, Luca De Stefano and Fderica Paglietti
Materials 2014, 7(1), 457-470; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010457 - 16 Jan 2014
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 8444
Abstract
Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy is a well-known technique for thin film characterization. Since all asbestos species exhibit intense adsorptions peaks in the 4000–400 cm−1 region of the infrared spectrum, a quantitative analysis of asbestos in bulk samples by DRIFT [...] Read more.
Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy is a well-known technique for thin film characterization. Since all asbestos species exhibit intense adsorptions peaks in the 4000–400 cm−1 region of the infrared spectrum, a quantitative analysis of asbestos in bulk samples by DRIFT is possible. In this work, different quantitative analytical procedures have been used to quantify chrysotile content in bulk materials produced by building requalification: partial least squares (PLS) chemometrics, the Linear Calibration Curve Method (LCM) and the Method of Additions (MoA). Each method has its own pros and cons, but all give affordable results for material characterization: the amount of asbestos (around 10%, weight by weight) can be determined with precision and accuracy (errors less than 0.1). Full article
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715 KiB  
Article
On the Rule of Mixtures for Predicting Stress-Softening and Residual Strain Effects in Biological Tissues and Biocompatible Materials
by Alex Elías-Zúñiga, Karen Baylón, Inés Ferrer, Lídia Serenó, Maria Luisa García-Romeu, Isabel Bagudanch, Jordi Grabalosa, Tania Pérez-Recio, Oscar Martínez-Romero, Wendy Ortega-Lara and Luis Ernesto Elizalde
Materials 2014, 7(1), 441-456; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010441 - 16 Jan 2014
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 7897
Abstract
In this work, we use the rule of mixtures to develop an equivalent material model in which the total strain energy density is split into the isotropic part related to the matrix component and the anisotropic energy contribution related to the fiber effects. [...] Read more.
In this work, we use the rule of mixtures to develop an equivalent material model in which the total strain energy density is split into the isotropic part related to the matrix component and the anisotropic energy contribution related to the fiber effects. For the isotropic energy part, we select the amended non-Gaussian strain energy density model, while the energy fiber effects are added by considering the equivalent anisotropic volumetric fraction contribution, as well as the isotropized representation form of the eight-chain energy model that accounts for the material anisotropic effects. Furthermore, our proposed material model uses a phenomenological non-monotonous softening function that predicts stress softening effects and has an energy term, derived from the pseudo-elasticity theory, that accounts for residual strain deformations. The model’s theoretical predictions are compared with experimental data collected from human vaginal tissues, mice skin, poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone) (PGC25 3-0) and polypropylene suture materials and tracheal and brain human tissues. In all cases examined here, our equivalent material model closely follows stress-softening and residual strain effects exhibited by experimental data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biomaterials)
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479 KiB  
Article
Decoration of ZnO Nanorods with Coral Reefs like NiO Nanostructures by the Hydrothermal Growth Method and Their Luminescence Study
by Mazhar Ali Abbasi, Zafar Hussain Ibupoto, Mushtaque Hussain, Galia Pozina, Jun Lu, Lars Hultman, Omer Nur and Magnus Willander
Materials 2014, 7(1), 430-440; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010430 - 15 Jan 2014
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 8451
Abstract
Composite nanostructures of coral reefs like p-type NiO/n-type ZnO were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates by hydrothermal growth. Structural characterization was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. This investigation shows that the [...] Read more.
Composite nanostructures of coral reefs like p-type NiO/n-type ZnO were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates by hydrothermal growth. Structural characterization was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. This investigation shows that the adopted synthesis leads to high crystalline quality nanostructures. The morphological study shows that the coral reefs like nanostructures are densely packed on the ZnO nanorods. Cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra for the synthesized composite nanostructures are dominated mainly by a broad interstitial defect related luminescence centered at ~630 nm. Spatially resolved CL images reveal that the luminescence of the decorated ZnO nanostructures is enhanced by the presence of the NiO. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Composites)
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1156 KiB  
Concept Paper
Non-Destructive Thermography Analysis of Impact Damage on Large-Scale CFRP Automotive Parts
by Alexander Maier, Roland Schmidt, Beate Oswald-Tranta and Ralf Schledjewski
Materials 2014, 7(1), 413-429; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010413 - 14 Jan 2014
Cited by 59 | Viewed by 11165
Abstract
Laminated composites are increasingly used in aeronautics and the wind energy industry, as well as in the automotive industry. In these applications, the construction and processing need to fulfill the highest requirements regarding weight and mechanical properties. Environmental issues, like fuel consumption and [...] Read more.
Laminated composites are increasingly used in aeronautics and the wind energy industry, as well as in the automotive industry. In these applications, the construction and processing need to fulfill the highest requirements regarding weight and mechanical properties. Environmental issues, like fuel consumption and CO2-footprint, set new challenges in producing lightweight parts that meet the highly monitored standards for these branches. In the automotive industry, one main aspect of construction is the impact behavior of structural parts. To verify the quality of parts made from composite materials with little effort, cost and time, non-destructive test methods are increasingly used. A highly recommended non-destructive testing method is thermography analysis. In this work, a prototype for a car’s base plate was produced by using vacuum infusion. For research work, testing specimens were produced with the same multi-layer build up as the prototypes. These specimens were charged with defined loads in impact tests to simulate the effect of stone chips. Afterwards, the impacted specimens were investigated with thermography analysis. The research results in that work will help to understand the possible fields of application and the usage of thermography analysis as the first quick and economic failure detection method for automotive parts. Full article
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772 KiB  
Article
A Study of Crystalline Mechanism of Penetration Sealer Materials
by Li-Wei Teng, Ran Huang, Jie Chen, An Cheng and Hui-Mi Hsu
Materials 2014, 7(1), 399-412; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010399 - 14 Jan 2014
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 8911
Abstract
It is quite common to dispense a topping material like crystalline penetration sealer materials (CPSM) onto the surface of a plastic substance such as concrete to extend its service life span by surface protections from outside breakthrough. The CPSM can penetrate into the [...] Read more.
It is quite common to dispense a topping material like crystalline penetration sealer materials (CPSM) onto the surface of a plastic substance such as concrete to extend its service life span by surface protections from outside breakthrough. The CPSM can penetrate into the existing pores or possible cracks in such a way that it may form crystals to block the potential paths which provide breakthrough for any unknown materials. This study investigated the crystalline mechanism formed in the part of concrete penetrated by the CPSM. We analyzed the chemical composites, in order to identify the mechanism of CPSM and to evaluate the penetrated depth. As shown in the results, SEM observes the acicular-structured crystals filling capillary pores for mortar substrate of the internal microstructure beneath the concrete surface; meanwhile, XRD and FT-IR showed the main hydration products of CPSM to be C-S-H gel and CaCO3. Besides, MIP also shows CPSM with the ability to clog capillary pores of mortar substrate; thus, it reduces porosity, and appears to benefit in sealing pores or cracks. The depth of CPSM penetration capability indicated by TGA shows 0–10 mm of sealer layer beneath the concrete surface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials)
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2961 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Thermo-Mechanical and Fracture Behaviors of Thermoplastic Polymers
by Elhem Ghorbel, Ismail Hadriche, Giuseppe Casalino and Neila Masmoudi
Materials 2014, 7(1), 375-398; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010375 - 13 Jan 2014
Cited by 46 | Viewed by 15824
Abstract
In this paper the effects of the strain rate on the inelastic behavior and the self-heating under load conditions are presented for polymeric materials, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), and polyamide (PA66). By a torsion test, it was established that the [...] Read more.
In this paper the effects of the strain rate on the inelastic behavior and the self-heating under load conditions are presented for polymeric materials, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), and polyamide (PA66). By a torsion test, it was established that the shear yield stress behavior of PMMA, PC, and PA66 is well-described by the Ree-Eyring theory in the range of the considered strain rates. During the investigation, the surface temperature was monitored using an infrared camera. The heat release appeared at the early stage of the deformation and increased with the strain and strain rate. This suggested that the external work of deformation was dissipated into heat so the torsion tests could not be considered isothermal. Eventually, the effect of the strain rate on the failure modes was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Polymers and Polymeric Structures)
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578 KiB  
Article
Rapid Growth of Nanostructured Diamond Film on Silicon and Ti–6Al–4V Alloy Substrates
by Gopi K. Samudrala, Yogesh K. Vohra, Michael J. Walock and Robin Miles
Materials 2014, 7(1), 365-374; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010365 - 13 Jan 2014
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6467
Abstract
Nanostructured diamond (NSD) films were grown on silicon and Ti–6Al–4V alloy substrates by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). NSD Growth rates of 5 µm/h on silicon, and 4 µm/h on Ti–6Al–4V were achieved. In a chemistry of H2/CH4/N [...] Read more.
Nanostructured diamond (NSD) films were grown on silicon and Ti–6Al–4V alloy substrates by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). NSD Growth rates of 5 µm/h on silicon, and 4 µm/h on Ti–6Al–4V were achieved. In a chemistry of H2/CH4/N2, varying ratios of CH4/H2 and N2/CH4 were employed in this research and their effect on the resulting diamond films were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. As a result of modifying the stock cooling stage of CVD system, we were able to utilize plasma with high power densities in our NSD growth experiments, enabling us to achieve high growth rates. Substrate temperature and N2/CH4 ratio have been found to be key factors in determining the diamond film quality. NSD films grown as part of this study were shown to contain 85% to 90% sp3 bonded carbon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Manufacturing Processes and Systems)
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750 KiB  
Review
Green Adsorbents for Wastewaters: A Critical Review
by George Z. Kyzas and Margaritis Kostoglou
Materials 2014, 7(1), 333-364; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010333 - 13 Jan 2014
Cited by 318 | Viewed by 18228
Abstract
One of the most serious environmental problems is the existence of hazardous and toxic pollutants in industrial wastewaters. The major hindrance is the simultaneous existence of many/different types of pollutants as (i) dyes; (ii) heavy metals; (iii) phenols; (iv) pesticides and (v) pharmaceuticals. [...] Read more.
One of the most serious environmental problems is the existence of hazardous and toxic pollutants in industrial wastewaters. The major hindrance is the simultaneous existence of many/different types of pollutants as (i) dyes; (ii) heavy metals; (iii) phenols; (iv) pesticides and (v) pharmaceuticals. Adsorption is considered to be one of the most promising techniques for wastewater treatment over the last decades. The economic crisis of the 2000s led researchers to turn their interest in adsorbent materials with lower cost. In this review article, a new term will be introduced, which is called “green adsorption”. Under this term, it is meant the low-cost materials originated from: (i) agricultural sources and by-products (fruits, vegetables, foods); (ii) agricultural residues and wastes; (iii) low-cost sources from which most complex adsorbents will be produced (i.e., activated carbons after pyrolysis of agricultural sources). These “green adsorbents” are expected to be inferior (regarding their adsorption capacity) to the super-adsorbents of previous literature (complex materials as modified chitosans, activated carbons, structurally-complex inorganic composite materials etc.), but their cost-potential makes them competitive. This review is a critical approach to green adsorption, discussing many different (maybe in some occasions doubtful) topics such as: (i) adsorption capacity; (ii) kinetic modeling (given the ultimate target to scale up the batch experimental data to fixed-bed column calculations for designing/optimizing commercial processes) and (iii) critical techno-economical data of green adsorption processes in order to scale-up experiments (from lab to industry) with economic analysis and perspectives of the use of green adsorbents. Full article
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433 KiB  
Communication
Thermo-Plasmonics for Localized Graphitization and Welding of Polymeric Nanofibers
by Ahnaf Usman Zillohu, Nisreen Alissawi, Ramzy Abdelaziz and Mady Elbahri
Materials 2014, 7(1), 323-332; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010323 - 13 Jan 2014
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 7450
Abstract
There is a growing interest in modulating the temperature under the illumination of light. As a heat source, metal nanoparticles (NPs) have played an important role to pave the way for a new branch of plasmonics, i.e., thermo-plasmonics. While thermo-plasmonics have been [...] Read more.
There is a growing interest in modulating the temperature under the illumination of light. As a heat source, metal nanoparticles (NPs) have played an important role to pave the way for a new branch of plasmonics, i.e., thermo-plasmonics. While thermo-plasmonics have been well established in photo-thermal therapy, it has received comparatively less attention in materials science and chemistry. Here, we demonstrate the first proof of concept experiment of local chemistry and graphitization of metalized polymeric nanofibers through thermo-plasmonic effect. In particular, by tuning the plasmonic absorption of the nanohybrid through a change in the thickness of the deposited silver film on the fibers, the thermo-plasmonic effect can be adjusted in such a way that high enough temperature is generated enabling local welding and graphitization of the polymeric nanofibers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites of Polymers and Inorganic Particles 2013)
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2266 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Grain Interactions on the Plastic Stability of Heterophase Interfaces
by Jason R. Mayeur, Irene J. Beyerlein, Curt A. Bronkhorst and Hashem M. Mourad
Materials 2014, 7(1), 302-322; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010302 - 13 Jan 2014
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 7387
Abstract
Two-phase bimetal composites contain both grain boundaries and bi-phase interfaces between dissimilar crystals. In this work, we use a crystal plasticity finite element framework to explore the effects of grain boundary interactions on the plastic stability of bi-phase interfaces. We show that neighboring [...] Read more.
Two-phase bimetal composites contain both grain boundaries and bi-phase interfaces between dissimilar crystals. In this work, we use a crystal plasticity finite element framework to explore the effects of grain boundary interactions on the plastic stability of bi-phase interfaces. We show that neighboring grain interactions do not significantly alter interface plastic stability during plane strain compression. The important implications are that stable orientations at bimetal interfaces can be different than those within the bulk layers. This finding provides insight into bi-phase microstructural development and suggests a pathway for tuning interface properties via severe plastic deformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Modeling and Simulation in Materials Study)
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950 KiB  
Article
Self-Assembled M2L4 Nanocapsules: Synthesis, Structure and Host-Guest Recognition Toward Square Planar Metal Complexes
by Christophe Desmarets, Thierry Ducarre, Marie Noelle Rager, Geoffrey Gontard and Hani Amouri
Materials 2014, 7(1), 287-301; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010287 - 9 Jan 2014
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 7863
Abstract
Metallosupramolecular cages of the general formulas [M2(L)4][X]4 can be self-assembled in good yields, where M = Pd, X = NO3, L = L1 (1a); M = Pd, X = OTf, L = L [...] Read more.
Metallosupramolecular cages of the general formulas [M2(L)4][X]4 can be self-assembled in good yields, where M = Pd, X = NO3, L = L1 (1a); M = Pd, X = OTf, L = L1 (1b); M = Pt, X = OTf, L = L1 (2); M = Pd, X = OTf, L = L2 (3); L1 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)-5-methoxybenzene; and L2 = 2,6-(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)- 4-methoxyaniline, respectively. These cages have been fully characterized using 1H, 13C NMR, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and electrospray mass spectrometry. Additionally the molecular structure of [Pd2(L1)4][OTf]4 (1b) was confirmed using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The capacity of central cavities of M2L4 cages to accommodate square planar metal complexes was investigated. In particular, the tetracationic cage [Pd2(L2)4][OTf]4 (3) was found to encapsulate the anionic metal complex [PtCl4]2− through electrostatic interactions and also via hydrogen bonding with the amino groups of the bridging ligand displayed by this nanocage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supramolecular Cage Complexes)
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706 KiB  
Article
Alginate-Poly(ethylene glycol) Hybrid Microspheres for Primary Cell Microencapsulation
by Redouan Mahou, Raphael P. H. Meier, Léo H. Bühler and Christine Wandrey
Materials 2014, 7(1), 275-286; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010275 - 9 Jan 2014
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 9415
Abstract
The progress of medical therapies, which rely on the transplantation of microencapsulated living cells, depends on the quality of the encapsulating material. Such material has to be biocompatible, and the microencapsulation process must be simple and not harm the cells. Alginate-poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid [...] Read more.
The progress of medical therapies, which rely on the transplantation of microencapsulated living cells, depends on the quality of the encapsulating material. Such material has to be biocompatible, and the microencapsulation process must be simple and not harm the cells. Alginate-poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid microspheres (alg-PEG-M) were produced by combining ionotropic gelation of sodium alginate (Na-alg) using calcium ions with covalent crosslinking of vinyl sulfone-terminated multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-VS). In a one-step microsphere formation process, fast ionotropic gelation yields spherical calcium alginate gel beads, which serve as a matrix for simultaneously but slowly occurring covalent cross-linking of the PEG-VS molecules. The feasibility of cell microencapsulation was studied using primary human foreskin fibroblasts (EDX cells) as a model. The use of cell culture media as polymer solvent, gelation bath, and storage medium did not negatively affect the alg-PEG-M properties. Microencapsulated EDX cells maintained their viability and proliferated. This study demonstrates the feasibility of primary cell microencapsulation within the novel microsphere type alg-PEG-M, serves as reference for future therapy development, and confirms the suitability of EDX cells as control model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biomaterials)
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673 KiB  
Article
Electrodeposition of Manganese-Nickel Oxide Films on a Graphite Sheet for Electrochemical Capacitor Applications
by Hae-Min Lee, Kangtaek Lee and Chang-Koo Kim
Materials 2014, 7(1), 265-274; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010265 - 9 Jan 2014
Cited by 58 | Viewed by 9663
Abstract
Manganese-nickel (Mn-Ni) oxide films were electrodeposited on a graphite sheet in a bath consisting of manganese acetate and nickel chloride, and the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of these films were investigated. The electrodeposited Mn-Ni oxide films had porous structures covered with nanofibers. [...] Read more.
Manganese-nickel (Mn-Ni) oxide films were electrodeposited on a graphite sheet in a bath consisting of manganese acetate and nickel chloride, and the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of these films were investigated. The electrodeposited Mn-Ni oxide films had porous structures covered with nanofibers. The X-ray diffractometer pattern revealed the presence of separate manganese oxide (g-MnO2) and nickel oxide (NiO) in the films. The electrodeposited Mn-Ni oxide electrode exhibited a specific capacitance of 424 F/g in Na2SO4 electrolyte. This electrode maintained 86% of its initial specific capacitance over 2000 cycles of the charge-discharge operation, showing good cycling stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Energy Materials)
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1957 KiB  
Article
Microstructural Evolution and Dynamic Softening Mechanisms of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloy during Hot Compressive Deformation
by Cangji Shi, Jing Lai and X.-Grant Chen
Materials 2014, 7(1), 244-264; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010244 - 8 Jan 2014
Cited by 91 | Viewed by 11173
Abstract
The hot deformation behavior and microstructural evolution of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu (7150) alloy was studied during hot compression at various temperatures (300 to 450 °C) and strain rates (0.001 to 10 s−1). A decline ratio map of flow stresses was proposed and [...] Read more.
The hot deformation behavior and microstructural evolution of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu (7150) alloy was studied during hot compression at various temperatures (300 to 450 °C) and strain rates (0.001 to 10 s−1). A decline ratio map of flow stresses was proposed and divided into five deformation domains, in which the flow stress behavior was correlated with different microstructures and dynamic softening mechanisms. The results reveal that the dynamic recovery is the sole softening mechanism at temperatures of 300 to 400 °C with various strain rates and at temperatures of 400 to 450 °C with strain rates between 1 and 10 s−1. The level of dynamic recovery increases with increasing temperature and with decreasing strain rate. At the high deformation temperature of 450 °C with strain rates of 0.001 to 0.1 s−1, a partially recrystallized microstructure was observed, and the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) provided an alternative softening mechanism. Two kinds of DRX might operate at the high temperature, in which discontinuous dynamic recrystallization was involved at higher strain rates and continuous dynamic recrystallization was implied at lower strain rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light Alloys and Their Applications)
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525 KiB  
Article
Influence of Oxygen Content and Microstructure on the Mechanical Properties and Biocompatibility of Ti–15 wt%Mo Alloy Used for Biomedical Applications
by José R. S. Martins, Jr., Raul O. Araújo, Tatiani A. G. Donato, Victor E. Arana-Chavez, Marília A. R. Buzalaf and Carlos R. Grandini
Materials 2014, 7(1), 232-243; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010232 - 6 Jan 2014
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6630
Abstract
The Ti–15Mo alloy has its mechanical properties strongly altered by heat treatments and by addition of interstitial elements, such as, oxygen, for example. In this sense, the objective of this paper is to analyze the effect of the introduction of oxygen in selected [...] Read more.
The Ti–15Mo alloy has its mechanical properties strongly altered by heat treatments and by addition of interstitial elements, such as, oxygen, for example. In this sense, the objective of this paper is to analyze the effect of the introduction of oxygen in selected mechanical properties and the biocompatibility of Ti–15Mo alloy. The samples used in this study were prepared by arc-melting and characterized by density measurements, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, microhardness, modulus of elasticity, and biocompatibility tests. Hardness measurements were shown to be sensitive to concentration of oxygen. The modulus results showed interstitial influence in value; this was verified under several conditions to which the samples were exposed. Cytotoxicity tests conducted in vitro showed that the various processing conditions did not alter the biocompatibility of the material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Titanium Materials for Biomedical Application 2013)
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636 KiB  
Article
Study on the Carbonation Behavior of Cement Mortar by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
by Biqin Dong, Qiwen Qiu, Jiaqi Xiang, Canjie Huang, Feng Xing and Ningxu Han
Materials 2014, 7(1), 218-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010218 - 3 Jan 2014
Cited by 71 | Viewed by 8464
Abstract
A new electrochemical model has been carefully established to explain the carbonation behavior of cement mortar, and the model has been validated by the experimental results. In fact, it is shown by this study that the electrochemical impedance behavior of mortars varies in [...] Read more.
A new electrochemical model has been carefully established to explain the carbonation behavior of cement mortar, and the model has been validated by the experimental results. In fact, it is shown by this study that the electrochemical impedance behavior of mortars varies in the process of carbonation. With the cement/sand ratio reduced, the carbonation rate reveals more remarkable. The carbonation process can be quantitatively accessed by a parameter, which can be obtained by means of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)-based electrochemical model. It has been found that the parameter is a function of carbonation depth and of carbonation time. Thereby, prediction of carbonation depth can be achieved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials)
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1180 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of CIS Absorber Layers with Different Thicknesses Using A Non-Vacuum Spray Coating Method
by Chien-Chen Diao, Hsin-Hui Kuo, Wen-Cheng Tzou, Yen-Lin Chen and Cheng-Fu Yang
Materials 2014, 7(1), 206-217; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010206 - 3 Jan 2014
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6497
Abstract
In this study, a new thin-film deposition process, spray coating method (SPM), was investigated to deposit the high-densified CuInSe2 absorber layers. The spray coating method developed in this study was a non-vacuum process, based on dispersed nano-scale CuInSe2 precursor and could [...] Read more.
In this study, a new thin-film deposition process, spray coating method (SPM), was investigated to deposit the high-densified CuInSe2 absorber layers. The spray coating method developed in this study was a non-vacuum process, based on dispersed nano-scale CuInSe2 precursor and could offer a simple, inexpensive, and alternative formation technology for CuInSe2 absorber layers. After spraying on Mo/glass substrates, the CuInSe2 thin films were annealed at 550 °C by changing the annealing time from 5 min to 30 min in a selenization furnace, using N2 as atmosphere. When the CuInSe2 thin films were annealed, without extra Se or H2Se gas used as the compensation source during the annealing process. The aim of this project was to investigate the influence of annealing time on the densification and crystallization of the CuInSe2 absorber layers to optimize the quality for cost effective solar cell production. The thickness of the CuInSe2 absorber layers could be controlled as the volume of used dispersed CuInSe2-isopropyl alcohol solution was controlled. In this work, X-ray diffraction patterns, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Hall parameter measurements were performed in order to verify the quality of the CuInSe2 absorber layers obtained by the Spray Coating Method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Energy Materials 2013)
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611 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Fe3O4-Embedded Poly(styrene)/Poly(thiophene) Core/Shell Nanoparticles and Their Hydrogel Patterns for Sensor Applications
by Yong Seok Kim, Hyun Jong Lee, Patakamuri Govindaiah, Woohyun Son, Won-Gun Koh, In Woo Cheong and Jung Hyun Kim
Materials 2014, 7(1), 195-205; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010195 - 2 Jan 2014
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 9720
Abstract
This research describes the preparation and sensor applications of multifunctional monodisperse, Fe3O4 nanoparticles-embedded poly(styrene)/poly(thiophene) (Fe3O4-PSt/PTh), core/shell nanoparticles. Monodisperse Fe3O4-PSt/PTh nanoparticles were prepared by free-radical combination (mini-emulsion/emulsion) polymerization for Fe3O4 [...] Read more.
This research describes the preparation and sensor applications of multifunctional monodisperse, Fe3O4 nanoparticles-embedded poly(styrene)/poly(thiophene) (Fe3O4-PSt/PTh), core/shell nanoparticles. Monodisperse Fe3O4-PSt/PTh nanoparticles were prepared by free-radical combination (mini-emulsion/emulsion) polymerization for Fe3O4-PSt core and oxidative seeded emulsion polymerization for PTh shell in the presence of FeCl3/H2O2 as a redox catalyst, respectively. For applicability of Fe3O4-PSt/PTh as sensors, Fe3O4-PSt/PTh-immobilized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogels were fabricated by photolithography. The hydrogel patterns showed a good sensing performance under different H2O2 concentrations. They also showed a quenching sensitivity of 1 µg/mL for the Pd2+ metal ion within 1 min. The hydrogel micropatterns not only provide a fast water uptake property but also suggest the feasibility of both H2O2 and Pd2+ detection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites of Polymers and Inorganic Particles 2013)
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934 KiB  
Article
Improvement to the Corrosion Resistance of Ti-Based Implants Using Hydrothermally Synthesized Nanostructured Anatase Coatings
by Martina Lorenzetti, Eva Pellicer, Jordi Sort, Maria Dolors Baró, Janez Kovač, Saša Novak and Spomenka Kobe
Materials 2014, 7(1), 180-194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7010180 - 2 Jan 2014
Cited by 58 | Viewed by 9413
Abstract
The electrochemical behavior of polycrystalline TiO2 anatase coatings prepared by a one-step hydrothermal synthesis on commercially pure (CP) Ti grade 2 and a Ti13Nb13Zr alloy for bone implants was investigated in Hank’s solution at 37.5 °C. The aim was to verify to [...] Read more.
The electrochemical behavior of polycrystalline TiO2 anatase coatings prepared by a one-step hydrothermal synthesis on commercially pure (CP) Ti grade 2 and a Ti13Nb13Zr alloy for bone implants was investigated in Hank’s solution at 37.5 °C. The aim was to verify to what extent the in-situ-grown anatase improved the behavior of the substrate in comparison to the bare substrates. Tafel-plot extrapolations from the potentiodynamic curves revealed a substantial improvement in the corrosion potentials for the anatase coatings. Moreover, the coatings grown on titanium also exhibited lower corrosion-current densities, indicating a longer survival of the implant. The results were explained by considering the effects of crystal morphology, coating thickness and porosity. Evidence for the existing porosity was obtained from corrosion and nano-indentation tests. The overall results indicated that the hydrothermally prepared anatase coatings, with the appropriate morphology and surface properties, have attractive prospects for use in medical devices, since better corrosion protection of the implant can be expected. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Titanium Materials for Biomedical Application 2013)
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