EMULSION SYSTEMS USED TO OBTAIN SYNTHETIC SILICATES BY HIGHLY DISPERSED PIGMENTS

The studies pertained to production of highly dispersed green pigments, precipitated in the form of chromium(III) and nickel(II) silicates. The experiments were conducted at four various temperatures (20, 40, 60 or 80 o C), using distinct emulsion systems and precipitating agents, so that appropriately selected parameters of the process would permit to obtain pigments of optimum utilitary properties. The obtained silicates were subjected to studies on principal physicochemical properties, such as capacity to absorb water, dibutyl phthalate, paraffin oil and bulk density. The pigments were characterised also using modern investigative techniques: SEM to study morphology and DLS (dynamic light scattering) technique to examine particle size and tendency to form agglomerates

EFFECT OF INORGANIC OXIDES TREATMENT ON THE TITANIUM DIOXIDE SURFACE PROPERTIES

Studies were conducted involving evaluation of titanium white, surface-coated with inorganic oxides. The studies aimed at determining dispersion properties, i.a. particle size distribution and polydispersity index. Moreover, microscopic observation allowed to evaluate surface morphology of the modified TiO 2 particles. Colourimetric data of titanium white was measured and the specific surface area was estimated using BET method. Effect of the surface modification with oxides on electrokinetic properties and zeta potential were appraised. Increased amounts of aluminium oxide and silicon dioxide used for modification of titanium dioxide surface deteriorate uniform character of the sample and results in an increase in diameter of pigment particles. The titanium white pigments belong to mesoporous adsorbents. Value of the isoelectric point (IEP) depends on the amounts of aluminium oxide and silica used for surface processing of titanium white

Complete Hydrogen Storage System by ISRU

New technologies make it possible to build in space a complete hydrogen storage system using ISRU methods and techniques. Hydrogen can be stored in a solid-state form on the surface atoms of high surface area matrices such as those of porous silicon. Silicon is abundant in regolith and can be purified using a purely mechanical means which results in particulates in the scale range of tens of nanometers. Reagents used to porosify these nano-particles can be regenerated thermally to essentially eliminate the need for resupply from earth. Catalysts are needed to divide dihydrogen gas into atomic hydrogen for solid-state adsorption and to mediate the temperatures and pressures of charge and discharge into ranges easily achievable with simple equipment. Recent research has identified the utility of non-platinum group catalyst materials which are widespread on the moon. Rapid discharge, needed for propulsion, is possible with infra-red illumination at wavelengths which pass through pure silicon but are absorbed by the silicon-hydrogen bond. Such IR emitters can be fabricated by embossing of silica and additive manufacturing of metals. Control and power electronics can be fabricated using a patented process designed for space operations, and built on either silicon or silicon carbide substrates derived from regolith. Bringing these five technologies together for the first time allows a system which can be fed with moderate pressure gaseous hydrogen at moderate temperatures, stored for long durations with minimum loss, then released upon demand across a wide range of controllable rates. Such a system can displace the need for cryogenic hydrogen storage. Being suitable to bottom-up fabrication using only in-space materials makes this a “green” ISRU technology to store hydrogen for fuel cells, rocket engines, and chemical processes

Particulate Fillers in Thermoplastics

The characteristics of particulate filled thermoplastics are determined by four factors: component properties, composition, structure and interfacial interactions. The most important filler characteristics are particle size, size distribution, specific surface area and particle shape, while the main matrix property is stiffness. Segregation, aggregation and the orientation of anisotropic particles determine structure. Interfacial interactions lead to the formation of a stiff interphase considerably influencing properties. Interactions are changed by surface modification, which must be always system specific and selected according to its goal. Under the effect of external load inhomogeneous stress distribution develops around heterogeneities, which initiate local micromechanical deformation processes determining the macroscopic properties of the composites