Mechanical performance and applications of cnts reinforced polymer composites—A review

Developments in the synthesis and scalable manufacturing of carbon nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely used in the polymer material industry over the last few decades, resulting in a series of fascinating multifunctional composites used in fields ranging from portable electronic devices, entertainment and sports to the military, aerospace, and automotive sectors. CNTs offer good thermal and electrical properties, as well as a low density and a high Young’s modulus, making them suitable nanofillers for polymer composites. As mechanical reinforcements for structural applications CNTs are unique due to their nano-dimensions and size, as well as their incredible strength. Although a large number of studies have been conducted on these novel materials, there have only been a few reviews published on their mechanical performance in polymer composites. As a result, in this review we have covered some of the key application factors as well as the mechanical properties of CNTs-reinforced polymer composites. Finally, the potential uses of CNTs hybridised with polymer composites reinforced with natural fibres such as kenaf fibre, oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre, bamboo fibre, and sugar palm fibre have been highlighted

Use of industrial wastes as sustainable nutrient sources for bacterial cellulose (BC) production: mechanism, advances, and future perspectives

A novel nanomaterial, bacterial cellulose (BC), has become noteworthy recently due to its better physicochemical properties and biodegradability, which are desirable for various applications. Since cost is a significant limitation in the production of cellulose, current efforts are focused on the use of industrial waste as a cost-effective substrate for the synthesis of BC or microbial cellulose. The utilization of industrial wastes and byproduct streams as fermentation media could improve the cost-competitiveness of BC production. This paper examines the feasibility of using typical wastes generated by industry sectors as sources of nutrients (carbon and nitrogen) for the commercial- scale production of BC. Numerous preliminary findings in the literature data have revealed the potential to yield a high concentration of BC from various industrial wastes. These findings indicated the need to optimize culture conditions, aiming for improved large-scale production of BC from waste streams

Treatments of natural fiber as reinforcement in polymer composites-a short review

The demand for environmental awareness, preserving nature and being beneficial for societal economics has attracted the attention of many researchers and industries to examine the potential usage of natural fibers. There are a lot of beneficial natural fiber sources in a wide range of applications in the composites industry. It is worth mentioning that the performance of natural fiber-reinforced composites can be tailored through a certain natural fiber treatment, and hybridization by employing an appropriate number of synthetic fibers or with other natural fibers. In addition to cost-effectiveness balance, a balance between environmental impacts and desired performance can be achieved by designing the composite based on the product requirements. Yet, certain drawbacks such as incompatibility with the hydrophobic polymer matrix, hydrophilic nature and the tendency to absorb moisture during processing greatly reduce the potential of natural fibers to be used as reinforcements in polymer composites. In this short review, the main results presented in the literature are summarized, focusing on the properties and challenges of natural fibers, the processing behavior of natural fiber treatments, and paying attention to the use of physical and chemical treatments for the improvement of fiber-matrix interaction as reinforcement for polymeric matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets and biodegradables)

Kompozyty na osnowie polimeru przewodzącego z udziałem nanorurek węglowych w czujnikach gazu DMMP – przegląd literatury

A number of recent terrorist attacks make it clear that rapid response, high sensitivity and stability are essential in the development of chemical sensors for the detection of chemical warfare agents. Nerve agent sarin [2-(fluoro-methyl-phosphoryl) oxypropane] is an organophosphate (OP) compound that is recognized as one of the most toxic chemical warfare agents. Considering sarin’s high toxicity, being odorless and colorless, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) is widely used as its simulant in the laboratory because of its similar chemical structure and much lower toxicity. Thus, this review serves to introduce the development of a variety of fabricated chemical sensors as potential sensing materials for the detection of DMMP in recent years. Furthermore, the research and application of carbon nanotubes in DMMP polymer sensors, their sensitivity and limitation are highlighted. For sorption-based sensors, active materials play crucial roles in improving the integral performances of sensors. The novel active materials providing hydrogen-bonds between the polymers and carbon nanotubes are the main focus in this review.Przeprowadzone w ostatnich latach liczne ataki terrorystyczne jasno wskazują, że w wypadku czujników do wykrywania chemicznych środków bojowych są niezbędne: ich wysoka czułość, szybka reakcja i stabilność. Środek paralityczno-konwulsyjny sarin (2-fluorometylofosforylooksypropan) to związek fosforoorganiczny (OP) uznawany za jeden z najbardziej toksycznych dostępnych chemicznych środków bojowych. Ze względu na to, że jest on bezwonny, bezbarwny, a ponadto bardzo toksyczny, w badaniach laboratoryjnych szeroko stosuje się jego symulator – metylofosfonian dimetylu (DMMP), o podobnej strukturze chemicznej i znacznie mniejszej toksyczności. W artykule przedstawiono rozwój technologii czujników chemicznych do wykrywania gazu DMMP. Omówiono badania dotyczące wykorzystania kompozytów polimerowych z udziałem nanorurek węglowych w czujnikach gazu DMMP. W wypadku czujników, w których wykorzystuje się zjawisko sorpcji, kluczową rolę w poprawie ich wydajności odgrywają materiały aktywne. W niniejszym przeglądzie skupiono się na nowatorskich materiałach aktywnych, w których występują wiązania wodorowe między polimerem a nanorurkami węglowymi

Development of an energy efficient driving strategy for a fuel cell vehicle over a fixed distance and average velocity

This paper examines the energy efficiency of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle operating at different power settings. The goal is to develop a driving strategy to maximize energy efficiency for a fixed distance and average velocity. The test vehicle is equipped with a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system that provides electric power to a brushless DC motor. This vehicle was designed to compete in the Shell Eco Marathon, an international competition in which the winners are the teams that go the furthest using the least amount of energy. A computer model that simulated the motor and vehicle dynamics was used to predict the output power demanded from the fuel cell. An actual test was then conducted to verify, compare and analyze the performance of the motor for various speed ranges. The result showed how the efficiency varied for different vehicle accelerations. This data can then be used as a basis to operate the vehicle with optimal efficiency

A review on mechanical performance of hybrid natural fiber polymer composites for structural applications

In the field of hybrid natural fiber polymer composites, there has been a recent surge in research and innovation for structural applications. To expand the strengths and applications of this category of materials, significant effort was put into improving their mechanical properties. Hybridization is a designed technique for fiber-reinforced composite materials that involves combining two or more fibers of different groups within a single matrix to manipulate the desired properties. They may be made from a mix of natural and synthetic fibers, synthetic and synthetic fibers, or natural fiber and carbonaceous materials. Owing to their diverse properties, hybrid natural fiber composite materials are manufactured from a variety of materials, including rubber, elastomer, metal, ceramics, glasses, and plants, which come in composite, sandwich laminate, lattice, and segmented shapes. Hybrid composites have a wide range of uses, including in aerospace interiors, naval, civil building, industrial, and sporting goods. This study intends to provide a summary of the factors that contribute to natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites’ mechanical and structural failure as well as overview the details and developments that have been achieved with the composites

3D Printing and Shaping Polymers, Composites, and Nanocomposites: A Review

Sustainable technologies are vital due to the efforts of researchers and investors who have allocated significant amounts of money and time to their development. Nowadays, 3D printing has been accepted by the main industry players, since its first establishment almost 30 years ago. It is obvious that almost every industry is related to technology, which proves that technology has a bright future. Many studies have shown that technologies have changed the methods for developing particular products. Three-dimensional printing has evolved tremendously, and currently, many new types of 3D printing machines have been introduced. In this paper, we describe the historical development of 3D printing technology including its process, types of printing, and applications on polymer materials

Polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposite: Processing, additive manufacturing and advanced applications

Over recent years, enthusiasm towards the manufacturing of biopolymers has attracted considerable attention due to the rising concern about depleting resources and worsening pollution. Among the biopolymers available in the world, polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the highest biopolymers produced globally and thus, making it suitable for product commercialisation. Therefore, the effectiveness of natural fibre reinforced PLA composite as an alternative material to substitute the non-renewable petroleum-based materials has been examined by researchers. The type of fibre used in fibre/matrix adhesion is very important because it influences the biocomposites’ mechanical properties. Besides that, an outline of the present circumstance of natural fibre-reinforced PLA 3D printing, as well as its functions in 4D printing for applications of stimuli-responsive polymers were also discussed. This research paper aims to present the development and conducted studies on PLA-based natural fibre bio-composites over the last decade. This work reviews recent PLA-derived bio-composite research related to PLA synthesis and biodegradation, its properties, processes, challenges and prospects

A review on mechanical performance of hybrid natural fiber polymer composites for structural applications

In the field of hybrid natural fiber polymer composites, there has been a recent surge in research and innovation for structural applications. To expand the strengths and applications of this category of materials, significant effort was put into improving their mechanical properties. Hybridization is a designed technique for fiber-reinforced composite materials that involves combining two or more fibers of different groups within a single matrix to manipulate the desired properties. They may be made from a mix of natural and synthetic fibers, synthetic and synthetic fibers, or natural fiber and carbonaceous materials. Owing to their diverse properties, hybrid natural fiber composite materials are manufactured from a variety of materials, including rubber, elastomer, metal, ceramics, glasses, and plants, which come in composite, sandwich laminate, lattice, and segmented shapes. Hybrid composites have a wide range of uses, including in aerospace interiors, naval, civil building, industrial, and sporting goods. This study intends to provide a summary of the factors that contribute to natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites’ mechanical and structural failure as well as overview the details and developments that have been achieved with the composites