Simple and cost-effective reduction of graphite oxide by sulfuric acid

We report a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally benign process for reducing graphite oxide by treating solely with sulfuric acid. The suggested process consists of a two-step reduction of graphite oxide, first in aqueous sulfuric acid at room temperature and then in concentrated sulfuric acid with refluxing. X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the graphite oxide was reduced effectively and was comparable in composition to reduced graphite oxide prepared using previously described methods that rely on toxic and hazardous reducing agents, such as hydrazine, sodium borohydride, or hydrohalic acids.     

Bend,Twist, and Turn: First Bendable and Malleable Toughened PLA Green Composites

The future of green electronics possessing great strength and toughness proves to be a promising area of research in this technologically advanced society. This work develops the first fully bendable and malleable toughened polylactic acid (PLA) green composite by incorporating a multifunctional polyhydroxybutyrate rubber copolymer filler that acts as an effective nucleating agent to accelerate PLA crystallization and performs as a dynamic plasticizer to generate massive polymer chain movement. The resultant biocomposite exhibits a 24‐fold and 15‐fold increment in both elongation and toughness, respectively, while retaining its elastic modulus at >3 GPa. Mechanism studies show the toughening effect is due to an amalgamation of massive shear yielding, crazing, and nanocavitation in the highly dense PLA matrix. Uniquely distinguished from the typical flexible polymer that stretches and recovers, this biocomposite is the first report of PLA that can be “bend, twist, turn, and fold” at room temperature and exhibit excellent mechanical robustness even after a 180° bend, attributes to the highly interconnected polymer network of innumerable nanocavitation complemented with an extensively unified fibrillar bridge. This unique trait certainly opens up a new horizon to future sustainable green electronics development.     

Affixing poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) nanospheres with trimethoxyvinylsilane on silicon solar module to enhance its power conversion efficiency

Poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) [P(MMA-co-AA)] incorporated with 0–9 wt% of trimethoxyvinylsilane (TMVS) has been studied to investigate the effect of TMVS on the adhesion properties of P(MMA-co-AA) nanospheres coated on silicon substrate as well as on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of silicon solar module coated with the polymer nanospheres. The incorporation of 7 and 9 wt% of TMVS into the copolymer has been found to render the copolymer stronger adhesion to glass substrate than the samples with lower amount of TMVS in them. The coating of the P(MMA-co-AA) nanospheres on the glass surface of solar module increases the light harvesting efficiency by serving as an anti-reflective layer. Solar module coated with an array of P(MMA-co-AA) nanospheres with 7 wt% of TMVS yielded the highest PCE enhancement of 98% under the illumination of an AM1.5 solar simulator. The natural weathering results indicate that the copolymer with 7% of TMVS was able to withstand prolonged natural weathering exposure and remained reasonably effective in PCE enhancement up to 130 days of outdoor exposure. This study demonstrates a cost-effective technique to bind [P(MMA-co-AA)] nanospheres onto the silicon surface of solar module via siloxane linkages and thus increases the PCE of the solar module effectively. The T_g of the copolymer increased linearly from 110.31 to 118.42 °C when 0–9 wt% of TMVS was added into it. Thermogravimetry results indicate that the incorporation of TMVS does not give any significant effect on the T_d of the copolymer, which occurs at about 390 °C.

     

Past is prologue: Teachers composing narratives about digital literacy

This study examines the technological literacy autobiographical narratives (TLANs) written by 23 graduate students enrolled in a teacher-preparation course, Teaching Writing in a Digital Age. The purpose of this research was to understand the meanings and values these future composition teachers ascribed to technological literacy in their own past histories, as well as potential sources of reluctance or resistance to engage technological literacy in the teaching of composition. Findings from these TLANs suggest that participants’ past experiences with technology in school were often less compelling than extracurricular motives for using technology, such as social contact, playful experimentation, and the pursuit of existing interests. The article also explores the TLAN as a pedagogical activity and its potential for helping future instructors realign their orientations toward digital literacies.     

Effect of Synthesis Technique and Carbonate Content on the Crystallinity and Morphology of Carbonated Hydroxyapatite

The syntheses of nanosized carbonated hydroxyapatite（CHA） were performed by comparing dropwise and direct pouring of acetone solution of Ca（N0₃）₂-4H₂0 into mixture of（NH₄）₂HP0₄ and NH₄HCO₃ at room temperature controlled at pH 11.Direct pouring method was later applied to study the increment of carbonate content in syntheses.The as-synthesized powders were characterized by various characterization techniques.The crystallographic results of the produced powders were obtained from X-ray diffraction analysis,whilst the carbonate content in the produced powders was determined by the CHNS/O elemental analyzer.Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed that the CHA powders formed were B-type.Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the powders were highly agglomerated in nanosized range and hence energy filtered transmission electron microscopy was employed to show elongated particles which decreased with increasing carbonate content.     

Design of a double microprocessor‐based on‐line process control system

Abstract

A numerical technique for integrating the full Navier‐Stokes and diffusion equations through an initial value problem has been used to investigate the time development of a line buoyant source issuing in a density‐stratified environment. The basic physical features and some structures of the interactions of the motion at the intermediate mixing region are obtained. Results show that the stratification tends to inhibit the flow development of the buoyant source and to encourage the formation of a recirculatory vortex on the lower region near the source and the upper region.