Special Issue "Fabrication of Carbon and Related Materials/Metal Hybrids and Composites"

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Hybrid and Composite Crystalline Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Walid M. Daoush
E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Helwan University, Cairo; Egypt at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Interests: Fabrication of Carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes-metal Matrix Composites by powder technology, spark plasma sintering and evaluation of the physical and mechanical properties of materials
Prof. Dr. Fawad Inam
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Engineering & Computing, University of East London, London E16 2RD, UK
Interests: design engineering smart materials; nanotechnology; nanocomposites; materials and manufacturing
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals
Dr. Mostafa Ghasemi Baboli
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chemical Engineering Section, Faculty of Engineering, Sohar University, Sohar 311, Oman
Interests: carbon nano materials; composite synthesis and application; application of nanocomposite materials in the wastewater treatment and energy production
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals
Associate Professor Dr. Maha M. Khayyat
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nanotechnology & Semiconductors Center, Materials Science Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Interests: semiconductors; non-destructrive tests (indentation at micro & nano scales); solar cells; nanowires; thin flexible materials

Special Issue Information

This Special Issue on “Fabrication of Carbon and related materials/ Metal Hybrids and Composites” focuses on novel developments and new processing methodologies in the fabrication and modification of carbon and its structure related materials and surface functionalization to improve its surface activities, catalytic application and to increase its adhesion to metals and its consolidation and sinterability for different applications. We invite high-quality submissions addressing current challenges in carbon/metal based materials preparation, including but not limited to the topics as listed below.

  • Hybrid carbon/metallic materials
  • Graphene and Graphene oxide hybrid materials
  • Functionalization and surface treatments of carbon materials.
  • Carbon/metal hybrid materials for removal of waste dyes.
  • Carbon materials for catalytic application.
  • Carbon materials for energy storage applications
  • Carbon materials for water treatments application
  • Carbon/metal hybrid materials for removal of waste dyes.
  • Carbon fibers/ metal matrix composites
  • Carbon nanotubes/metal matrix composites
  • Graphite/metal matrix composites
  • Diamond and related materials/metal matrix composites

Prof. Dr. Walid M. Daoush
Prof. Dr. Fawad Inam
Associate Professor Dr. Mostafa Ghasemi Baboli
Associate Professor Dr. Maha M. Khayyat
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short 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 thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Crystals 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 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Hybrid carbon/metallic materials
  • Graphene and Graphene oxide hybrid materials
  • Functionalization and surface treatments of carbon materials
  • Carbon/metal hybrid materials for removal of waste dyes
  • Carbon materials for catalytic application
  • Carbon materials for energy storage applications
  • Carbon materials for water treatments application
  • Carbon/metal hybrid materials for removal of waste dyes
  • Carbon fibers/ metal matrix composites
  • Carbon nanotubes/metal matrix composites
  • Graphite/metal matrix composites
  • Diamond and related materials/metal matrix composites

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Article
Crystalline Silicon Spalling as a Direct Application of Temperature Effect on Semiconductors’ Indentation
Crystals 2021, 11(9), 1020; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11091020 - 25 Aug 2021
Viewed by 195
Abstract
Kerf-less removal of surface layers of photovoltaic materials including silicon is an emerging technology by controlled spalling technology. The method is extremely simple, versatile, and applicable to a wide range of substrates. Controlled spalling technology requires a stressor layer, such as Ni, to [...] Read more.
Kerf-less removal of surface layers of photovoltaic materials including silicon is an emerging technology by controlled spalling technology. The method is extremely simple, versatile, and applicable to a wide range of substrates. Controlled spalling technology requires a stressor layer, such as Ni, to be deposited on the surface of a brittle material; then, the controlled removal of a continuous surface layer can be performed at a predetermined depth by manipulating the thickness and stress of the Ni layer, introducing a crack near the edge of the substrate, and mechanically guiding the crack as a single fracture front across the surface. However, spalling Si(100) at 300 K (room temperature RT) introduced many cracks and rough regions within the spalled layer. These mechanical issues make it difficult to process these layers of Si(100) for PV, and in other advanced applications, Si does not undergo phase transformations at 77 K (Liquid Nitrogen Temperature, LNT); based on this fact, spalling of Si(100) has been carried out. Spalling of Si(100) at LNT improved material quality for further designed applications. Mechanical flexibility is achieved by employing controlled spalling technology, enabling the large-area transfer of ultrathin body silicon devices to a plastic substrate at room temperature. Full article
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Article
Paraffin Wax [As a Phase Changing Material (PCM)] Based Composites Containing Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Development
Crystals 2021, 11(8), 951; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11080951 - 15 Aug 2021
Viewed by 327
Abstract
Thermal energy storage (TES) technologies are considered as enabling and supporting technologies for more sustainable and reliable energy generation methods such as solar thermal and concentrated solar power. A thorough investigation of the TES system using paraffin wax (PW) as a phase changing [...] Read more.
Thermal energy storage (TES) technologies are considered as enabling and supporting technologies for more sustainable and reliable energy generation methods such as solar thermal and concentrated solar power. A thorough investigation of the TES system using paraffin wax (PW) as a phase changing material (PCM) should be considered. One of the possible approaches for improving the overall performance of the TES system is to enhance the thermal properties of the energy storage materials of PW. The current study investigated some of the properties of PW doped with nano-additives, namely, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNs), forming a nanocomposite PCM. The paraffin/MWCNT composite PCMs were tailor-made for enhanced and efficient TES applications. The thermal storage efficiency of the current TES bed system was approximately 71%, which is significant. Scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) characterization showed the physical incorporation of MWCNTs with PW, which was achieved by strong interfaces without microcracks. In addition, the FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) and TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) experimental results of this composite PCM showed good chemical compatibility and thermal stability. This was elucidated based on the observed similar thermal mass loss profiles as well as the identical chemical bond peaks for all of the tested samples (PW, CNT, and PW/CNT composites). Full article
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Article
A New Approach to Direct Friction Stir Processing for Fabricating Surface Composites
Crystals 2021, 11(6), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11060638 - 02 Jun 2021
Viewed by 755
Abstract
Friction stir processing (FSP) is a green fabrication technique that has been effectively adopted in various engineering applications. One of the promising advantages of FSP is its applicability in the development of surface composites. In the current work, a new approach for direct [...] Read more.
Friction stir processing (FSP) is a green fabrication technique that has been effectively adopted in various engineering applications. One of the promising advantages of FSP is its applicability in the development of surface composites. In the current work, a new approach for direct friction stir processing is considered for the surface fabrication of aluminum-based composites reinforced with micro-sized silicon carbide particles (SiC), eliminating the prolonged preprocessing stages of preparing the sample and filling the holes of grooves. The proposed design of the FSP tool consists of two parts: an inner-threaded hollow cylindrical body; and a pin-less hollow shoulder. The design is examined with respect to three important tool processing parameters: the tilt angle of the tool, the tool’s dispersing hole, and the tool’s plunge depth. The current study shows that the use of a dispersing hole with a diameter of 6 mm of and a plunge depth of 0.6 mm, in combination with a tilting angle of 7°, results in sufficient mixing of the enforcement particles in the aluminum matrix, while still maintaining uniformity in the thickness of the composite layer. Metallographic examination of the Al/SiC surface composite demonstrates a uniform distribution of the Si particles and excellent adherence to the aluminum substrate. Microhardness measurements also show a remarkable increase, from 38.5 Hv at the base metal to a maximum value of 78 Hv in the processed matrix in the surface composites layer. The effect of the processing parameters was also studied, and its consequences with respect to the surface composites are discussed. Full article
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Article
Effect of Copper Addition on the AlCoCrFeNi High Entropy Alloys Properties via the Electroless Plating and Powder Metallurgy Technique
Crystals 2021, 11(5), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11050540 - 12 May 2021
Viewed by 571
Abstract
To improve the AlCoCrFeNi high entropy alloys’ (HEAs’) toughness, it was coated with different amounts of Cu then fabricated by the powder metallurgy technique. Mechanical alloying of equiatomic AlCoCrFeNi HEAs for 25 h preceded the coating process. The established powder samples were sintered [...] Read more.
To improve the AlCoCrFeNi high entropy alloys’ (HEAs’) toughness, it was coated with different amounts of Cu then fabricated by the powder metallurgy technique. Mechanical alloying of equiatomic AlCoCrFeNi HEAs for 25 h preceded the coating process. The established powder samples were sintered at different temperatures in a vacuum furnace. The HEAs samples sintered at 950 °C exhibit the highest relative density. The AlCoCrFeNi HEAs model sample was not successfully produced by the applied method due to the low melting point of aluminum. The Al element’s problem disappeared due to encapsulating it with a copper layer during the coating process. Because the atomic radius of the copper metal (0.1278 nm) is less than the atomic radius of the aluminum metal (0.1431 nm) and nearly equal to the rest of the other elements (Co, Cr, Fe, and Ni), the crystal size powder and fabricated samples decreased by increasing the content of the Cu wt%. On the other hand, the lattice strain increased. The microstructure revealed that the complete diffusion between the different elements to form high entropy alloy material was not achieved. A dramatic decrease in the produced samples’ hardness was observed where it decreased from 403 HV at 5 wt% Cu to 191 HV at 20 wt% Cu. On the contrary, the compressive strength increased from 400.034 MPa at 5 wt% Cu to 599.527 MPa at 15 wt% Cu with a 49.86% increment. This increment in the compressive strength may be due to precipitating the copper metal on the particles’ surface in the nano-size, reducing the dislocations’ motion, increasing the stiffness of produced materials. The formability and toughness of the fabricated materials improved by increasing the copper’s content. The thermal expansion has increased gradually by increasing the Cu wt%. Full article
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Article
Green Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of ZnO Nanoparticles: Role of PEGylated-ZnO Nanoparticles as Doxorubicin Drug Carrier against MDA-MB-231(TNBC) Cells Line
Crystals 2021, 11(4), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11040344 - 28 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 768
Abstract
The present study aimed to develop the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using the green method, with Aloe barbadensis leaf extract as a stabilizing and capping agent. In vitro antitumor cytotoxic activity, as well as the surface-functionalization of ZnO-NPs and their drug [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to develop the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using the green method, with Aloe barbadensis leaf extract as a stabilizing and capping agent. In vitro antitumor cytotoxic activity, as well as the surface-functionalization of ZnO-NPs and their drug loading capacity against doxorubicin (DOX) and gemcitabine (GEM) drugs, were also studied. Morphological and structural properties of the produced ZnO-NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersion X-ray diffraction (EDX), UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared analysis (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The prepared ZnO-NPs had a hexagonal shape and average particle size of 20–40 nm, with an absorption peak at 325 nm. The weight and atomic percentages of zinc (50.58% and 28.13%) and oxygen (26.71% and 60.71%) were also determined by EDAX (energy dispersive x-ray analysis) compositional analysis. The appearance of the FTIR peak at 3420 m–1 confirmed the synthesis of ZnO-NPs. The drug loading efficiency (LE) and loading capacity (LC) of unstabilized and PEGylated ZnO-NPs were determined by doxorubicin (DOX) and gemcitabine (GEM) drugs. DOX had superior LE 65% (650 mg/g) and higher LC 32% (320 mg/g) than GEM LE 30.5% (30 mg/g) and LC 16.25% (162 mg/g) on ZnO-NPs. Similar observation was observed in the case of PEG-ZnO-NPs, where DOX had enhanced LE 68% (680 mg/g) and LC 35% (350) mg/g in contrast to GEM, which had LE and LC values of 35% (350 mg/g) and 19% (190 mg/g), respectively. Therefore, DOX was chosen to encapsulate nanoparticles, along with the untreated nanoparticles, to check their in vitro antiproliferative potential against the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line (MDA-MB-231) through the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay. This drug delivery strategy implies that the PEGylated biogenically synthesized ZnO-NPs occupy an important position in chemotherapeutic drug loading efficiency and can improve the therapeutic techniques of triple breast cancer. Full article
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Article
Development of Red Clay Ultrafiltration Membranes for Oil-Water Separation
Crystals 2021, 11(3), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11030248 - 28 Feb 2021
Viewed by 521
Abstract
In this study, a red clay/nano-activated carbon membrane was investigated for the removal of oil from industrial wastewater. The sintering temperature was minimized using CaF2 powder as a binder. The fabricated membrane was characterized by its mechanical properties, average pore size, and [...] Read more.
In this study, a red clay/nano-activated carbon membrane was investigated for the removal of oil from industrial wastewater. The sintering temperature was minimized using CaF2 powder as a binder. The fabricated membrane was characterized by its mechanical properties, average pore size, and hydrophilicity. A contact angle of 67.3° and membrane spore size of 95.46 nm were obtained. The prepared membrane was tested by a cross-flow filtration process using an oil-water emulsion, and showed a promising permeate flux and oil rejection results. During the separation of oil from water, the flux increased from 191.38 to 284.99 L/m2 on increasing the applied pressure from 3 to 6 bar. In addition, high water permeability was obtained for the fabricated membrane at low operating pressure. However, the membrane flux decreased from 490.28 to 367.32 L/m2·h due to oil deposition on the membrane surface; regardless, the maximum oil rejection was 99.96% at an oil concentration of 80 NTU and a pressure of 5 bar. The fabricated membrane was negatively charged, as were the oil droplets, thereby facilitating membrane purification through backwashing. The obtained ceramic membrane functioned well as a hydrophilic membrane and showed potential for use in oil wastewater treatment. Full article
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Article
Syntheses and Step-by-Step Morphological Analysis of Nano-Copper-Decorated Carbon Long Fibers for Aerospace Structural Applications
Crystals 2020, 10(12), 1090; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst10121090 - 28 Nov 2020
Viewed by 479
Abstract
Carbon long fiber/copper composites were prepared using electroless and electroplating methods with copper metal for potential aerospace applications. Carbon fibers were heat-treated at 450 °C followed by acid treatment before the metallization processes. Three different methods of metallization processes were applied: electroless silver [...] Read more.
Carbon long fiber/copper composites were prepared using electroless and electroplating methods with copper metal for potential aerospace applications. Carbon fibers were heat-treated at 450 °C followed by acid treatment before the metallization processes. Three different methods of metallization processes were applied: electroless silver deposition, electroless copper deposition and electroplating copper deposition. The metallized carbon fibers were subjected to copper deposition via two different routes. The first method was the electroless deposition technique in an alkaline tartrate bath using formaldehyde as a reducing agent of the copper ions from the copper sulphate solution. The second method was conducted by copper electroplating on the chemically treated carbon fibers. The produced carbon fiber/copper composites were extensively investigated by Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) supported with an Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDAX) unit to analyze the size, surface morphology, and chemical composition of the produced carbon long fiber/copper composites. The results show that the carbon fiber/copper composites prepared using the electroplating method had a coated type surface morphology with good adhesion between the copper coated layer and the surface of the carbon fibers. However, the carbon fiber/copper composites prepared using the electroless deposition had a decorated type morphology. Moreover, it was observed that the metallized carbon fibers using the silver method enhanced the electroless copper coating process with respect to the electroless copper coating process without silver metallization. The electrical conductivity of the carbon fiber/copper composites was improved by metallization of the carbon fibers using silver, as well as by the electrodeposition method. Full article
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

1.Title: Improving the Thermal Conductivity of Paraffin-Based Composites Containing Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Nourah H. Almosa, Maha R. Alotaibi, Sadeem S. Aloqiali, Dominik Radziszewski, Bandar M. Alotaibi, Maha M. Khhayyat*
Affiliation: Nanotechnology & Semiconductors Center, Materials Science Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract: In the current study, the thermal conductivity of paraffin wax (PW) have been investigated via various parameters. The first variable was the relative concentrations and contents of the nano additives of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCN), forming nano composites Phase Change Materials (PCM). The second variable is the diameter of these MWCN ranging from 10 nm to 100 nm. The paraffin/MWCNTs composite PCMs have been tailor-made for further applications in producing Thermal Energy Storage (TES). For the purpose of selecting an optimum atomic structure as the supporting matrix for the new composite PCM. It was shown that the diatomite material calcined at 600 °C for 2 h has the best pozzolanic reactivity and comparable paraffin absorption capacity compared to other diatomite candidates. It, therefore, was used as the supporting matrix of the new paraffin/diatomite/MWCNTs composite PCM. The thermal properties of this fabricated composite PCM were determined by the DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) method. In addition, the experimental results from FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) and TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) on this composite PCM showed that it has good chemical compatibility and thermal stability. Moreover, compared to the pure paraffin, the paraffin/CMWNTs composites PCM, the use of MWCNTs was found to have clear beneficial effects for improving the thermal conductivity and heat storage/release rates. Several experimental techniques have been employed to characterise the prepared composites of paraffin/MWCNTs, such as SEM to evaluate the physical appearance at nanoscale of the prepared composites, XRD to examine the contents and the crystal structure of the pure and doped materials. Further investigations are required to study the durability of these composites considering the number of possible circles (heating/cooling) applications and any degrading over time.

2.Title: Investigating the adsorption characteristics of water on silica-gel doped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes for advanced applications
Authors: Maha R. Alotaibi, Mohammed A. Alasaker, Nourah H. Almosa, Bandar M. Alotaib, Fahad S. Alkasmoul, Maha M. Khhayyat
Affiliation: King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, 11442, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Abstract: Water vapor adsorption characteristics onto silica gel has been investigated for its suitability for advanced applications. Porous structure of silica-gel of a few nanometer diameter sizes provides high surface area for adsorption process. Doping silica-gel based materials with Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been studied in some details. Adsorption is essentially a surface phenomenon. Absorption and Adsorption are quite different concepts. While absorption means uniform distribution of the substance throughout the bulk, adsorption means distribution of the substance at the surface of the bulk. Based on this fact, the serface structures and the homogeneity at the 3D of the prepared composites have been examined using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). Raman spectroscopy has been used to investigate the optical scattering properties of the pristine silica-gel and the doped one with MWCNTs. Where the obtained spectra have been analysed based on the effect of the percentage weights of the dopants on the amorphous scattering bands of the base material. The thermal properties of the composites were determined by the DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) method. The study of the water adsorption characteristics onto the silica gel doped with MWCNTs adsorbent is highly important because of its technological applications such as cooling chillers, and water desalination, which is translated to cost. Hence, further experimental and theoretical research are needed to study the effect of water vapor adsorption onto doped silica gel with MWCNTs at different temperatures and pressures, and to interpret the obtained results based on the available theoretical models.

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