Browsing by Subject "Nanocomposites"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 26

Open Access
Anisotropic Emission from Multilayered Plasmon Resonator Nanocomposites of Isotropic Semiconductor Quantum Dots
(American Chemical Society, 2011-01-19) Ozel, T.; Nizamoglu, S.; Sefunc, M.A.; Samarskaya, O.; Ozel, I. O.; Mutlugun, E.; Lesnyak, V.; Gaponik N.; Eychmuller, A.; Gaponenko, S. V.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan
We propose and demonstrate a nanocomposite localized surface plasmon resonator embedded into an artificial three-dimensional construction. Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots are assembled between layers of metal nanoparticles to create a highly strong plasmon-exciton interaction in the plasmonic cavity. In such a multilayered plasmonic resonator architecture of isotropic CdTe quantum dots, we observed polarized light emission of 80% in the vertical polarization with an enhancement factor of 4.4, resulting in a steady-state anisotropy value of 0.26 and reaching the highest quantum efficiency level of 30% ever reported for such CdTe quantum dot solids. Our electromagnetic simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental characterization data showing a significant emission enhancement in the vertical polarization, for which their fluorescence decay lifetimes are substantially shortened by consecutive replication of our unit cell architecture design. Such strongly plasmon-exciton coupling nanocomposites hold great promise for future exploitation and development of quantum dot plasmonic biophotonics and quantum dot plasmonic optoelectronics.
Open Access
Broadband optical transparency in plasmonic nanocomposite polymer films via exciton-plasmon energy transfer
(OSA - The Optical Society, 2016) Dhama R.; Rashed, A. R.; Caligiuri V.; El Kabbash M.; Strangi, G.; De Luca A.
Inherent absorptive losses affect the performance of all plasmonic devices, limiting their fascinating applications in the visible range. Here, we report on the enhanced optical transparency obtained as a result of the broadband mitigation of optical losses in nanocomposite polymeric films, embedding core-shell quantum dots (CdSe@ZnS QDs) and gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). Exciton-plasmon coupling enables non-radiative energy transfer processes from QDs to metal NPs, resulting in gain induced transparency of the hybrid flexible systems. Experimental evidences, such as fluorescence quenching and modifications of fluorescence lifetimes confirm the presence of this strong coupling between plexcitonic elements. Measures performed by means of an ultra-fast broadband pump-probe setup demonstrate loss compensation of gold NPs dispersed in plastic network in presence of gain. Furthermore, we compare two films containing different concentrations of gold NPs and same amount of QDs, to investigate the role of acceptor concentration (Au-NPs) in order to promote an effective and efficient energy transfer mechanism. Gain induced transparency in bulk systems represents a promising path towards the realization of loss compensated plasmonic devices. © 2016 Optical Society of America.
Open Access
Comparative study of optically activated nanocomposites with photocatalytic TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles for massive environmental decontamination
(S P I E - International Society for Optical Engineering, 2007) Tek, S.; Mutlugun, E.; Soganci, I. M.; Perkgoz, N. K.; Yucel, D.; Celiker, G.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan
Nanocomposites that incorporate TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles separately in three-dimensional solgel matrices through full chemical integration are prepared to perform highly efficient photocatalytic activities for applications of environmental decontamination. Spectral responses of photocatalytic TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles exposed to UV activation for self-cleaning process were obtained as also their optical relative spectral efficiency curves from 270 to 370 nm in the UV regime. Our investigations of the optimal conditions to increase their spectral photocatalytic efficiencies resulted in remarkably high levels of optical recovery and efficiency.
Open Access
Compound Hertzian chain model for copper-carbon nanocomposites' absorption spectrum
(2011) Kokabi, A.; Hosseini, M.; Saeedi, S.; Moftakharzadeh, A.; Vesaghi, M.A.; Fardmanesh, M.
The infrared range optical absorption mechanism of carbon-copper composite thin layer coated on the diamond-like carbon buffer layer has been investigated. By consideration of weak interactions between copper nanoparticles in their network, optical absorption is modelled using their coherent dipole behaviour induced by the electromagnetic radiation. The copper nanoparticles in the bulk of carbon are assumed as a chain of plasmonic dipoles, which have coupling resonance. Considering nearest neighbour interactions for this metallic nanoparticles, surface plasmon resonance frequency (ω 0) and coupled plasmon resonance frequency (ω 1) have been computed. The damping rate against wavelength is derived, which leads to the derivation of the optical absorption spectrum in terms of ω 0 and ω 1. The dependency of the absorption peaks to the particle size and the particle mean spacing is also investigated. The absorption spectrum is measured for different Cu-C thin films with various Cu particle size and spacing. The experimental results of absorption are compared with the obtained analytical ones. © 2011 The Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Open Access
Excitonic energy transfer dynamics in hybrid organic/inorganic nanocomposites at high loading levels
(Optical Society of America, 2012) Güzeltürk, Burak; Hernandez-Martinez, Pedro L.; Tuncel, Dönüş; Demir, Hilmi Volkan
Temperature dependent exciton migration in the hybrid nanocomposites of conjugated polymers chemically integrated with quantum dots is studied at high loading levels. The underlying interplay between the exciton transfer and diffusion is revealed. © OSA 2012.
Open Access
Fabrication of mesoporous CuO/ZrO2-MCM-41 nanocomposites for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI)
(Elsevier, 2017) Nanda, B.; Pradhan, A. C.; Parida, K. M.
Mesoporous nanocomposites of CuO/ZrO2–MCM-41 (CuO@ZM-41) was designed by incorporating mesoporous ZrO2 (Z) into the high surface area MCM-41 (M-41) framework followed by loading CuO by wetness impregnation method keeping Si/Zr ratio 10. The nanocomposites were studied under PXRD, N2 sorption, DRS spectra, FTIR, XPS, NMR, HRTEM and PL to evaluate structural, morphological, optical properties and also the mesoporosity nature of the samples. The photo-reduction of Cr6+ was performed over CuO@ZM-41 by varying pH, substrate concentration, and irradiation time and catalyst dose. Among all the catalysts, 2 CuO@ZM-41 was found to be efficient photocatalyst for the photo-reduction of Cr6+. Nearly 100% reduction of Cr6+ has been achieved by 2 CuO@ZM-41 within 30 min. Intra-particle mesoporosity, high surface area, presence of CuO nanorods and electron transfer properties are the key factors for enhancing the photo-reduction activity of 2CuO@ZM-41.
Open Access
Gold nanoparticle / polymer nanofibrous composites by laser ablation and electrospinning
(Elsevier BV, 2011) Deniz, A. E.; Vural, H. A.; Ortaç, B.; Uyar, Tamer
Poly(vinylpyrolidone) (PVP) nanofibers incorporating gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) were produced in combination with laser ablation and electrospinning techniques. The Au-NPs were directly synthesized in PVP solution by laser ablation and then, the electrospinning of PVP/Au-NPs solution was carried out for obtaining nanofibrous composites. The presence of Au-NPs in the PVP nanofibers was confirmed by SEM, TEM and EDX analyses. The SEM imaging elucidated that the electrospun PVP/Au-NPs nanofibers were bead-free having average fiber diameter of 810 ± 480 nm. The TEM imaging indicated that the Au-NPs were in spherical shape having diameters in the range of 5 to 20 nm and the Au-NPs were more or less dispersed homogeneously in the PVP nanofiber matrix. The FTIR study suggested the presence of molecular interactions between PVP matrix and the Au-NPs in the nanofibrous composites. The UV-Vis measurement confirmed the enhancement of the optical properties of the PVP/Au-NPs nanofibers in the solid state due to the surface plasma resonance effect of Au-NPs. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All Rights Reserved.
Open Access
In situ preparation of thermoset/clay nanocomposites via thiol-epoxy click chemistry
(Springer Verlag, 2018) Purut, Koc, O.; Bekin, Acar, S.; Uyar, Tamer; Tasdelen, M. A.
A series of thermoset/clay nanocomposites are prepared by thiol-epoxy click reaction using commercially available starting compounds at ambient conditions in very good yields. The incorporation and exfoliation of clay nanolayers in the thermoset matrix are confirmed by FT-IR, XRD and TEM analyses. The influence of clay loadings on the thermal and mechanical analyses is investigated and all nanocomposites exhibit improved properties than that of the pristine thermoset. The nanocomposite containing 1% montmorillonite by weight has the most improved mechanical properties due to its highly exfoliated structure resulting in efficient interactions between clay and polymer matrix. A further increase of the clay loading results in the aggregation of clay plates to form intercalated structures leading to deteriorated thermal and mechanical properties of nanocomposites.
Open Access
In situ synthesis of biomolecule encapsulated gold-cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) nanocomposite as biosensing platform: A model study
(Elsevier BV, 2010) Odaci, D.; Kahveci, M.U.; Sahkulubey, E.L.; Ozdemir, C.; Uyar, Tamer; Timur, S.; Yagci Y.
In situ synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels containing gold nanoparticles(AuNPs) and glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme by photo-induced electron transfer process was reported here and applied in electrochemical glucose biosensing as the model system. Newly designed bionanocomposite matrix by simple one-step fabrication offered a good contact between the active site of the enzyme and AuNPs inside the network that caused the promotion in the electron transfer properties that was evidenced by cyclic voltammetryas well as higher amperometric biosensing responses in comparing with response signals obtained from the matrix without AuNPs. As well as some parameters important in the optimization studies such as optimum pH, enzyme loading and AuNP amount, the analytical characteristics of the biosensor (AuNP/GOx) were examined by the monitoring of chronoamperometric response due to the oxygen consumption through the enzymatic reaction at − 0.7 V under optimized conditions at sodium acetate buffer (50 mM, pH 4.0) and the linear graph was obtained in the range of 0.1–1.0 mM glucose. The detection limit (LOD) of the biosensor was calculated as 0.06 mM by using the signal to noise ratio of 3. Moreover, the presence of AuNPs was visualized by TEM. Finally, the biosensor was applied for glucose analysis for some beverages and obtained data were compared with HPLC as the reference method to test the possible matrix effect due to the nature of the samples.
Open Access
Investigation of grain refinement in Al/Al2O3/B 4C nano-composite produced by ARB
(2014) Akbari Beni H.; Alizadeh, M.; Ghaffari, M.; Amini, R.
In this study, Al/Al2O3/B4C nano-composites were fabricated via the accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process. The grain refinement of the Al/Al2O3/B4C nano-composite strips during the ARB process was studied. Microstructural characterizations of the fabricated composites after 2, 5, and 9 cycles were performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the composite sample, after 9 cycles, was filled with homogenously distributed ultra fine grains with an average grain size of 230 nm. The findings also revealed that the increase in the dislocation density due to the presence of the nano-sized particles resulted in the grain refinement of the specimens. It was also found that the grain refinement is accelerated by the presence of the refinement particles. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Open Access
Modeling the rheological properties of highly nano-filled polymers
(SAGE Publications Ltd, 2017) Kourki, Hajir; Mortezaei, Mehrzad; Famili, Mohammad Hossein Navid; Malekipirbazari, Milad
Organic and inorganic materials are usually added to polymers in order to achieve some benefits such as reducing the product cost, as well as achieving higher modulus and strength. Addition of these materials would change polymers’ behavior. Adding nano-materials to polymers on the other hand is a new challenge in the field of polymer composites where previous studies were unable to achieve good correlation with nano-composites at higher particle volume fractions. In this research, Yamamoto network theory is developed to investigate the behavior of highly nano-filled systems. For this purpose, five different types of sub-chain and two types of junctions are considered and the effect of particle size, concentration, and the model parameters in association with the behavior of the junctions are studied. Moreover, some experiments are performed on polystyrene filled with nano-silica at different particle size and concentration values in frequency mod in the linear region. At last, we compared the results of our final model with the experiments in order to evaluate its accuracy, which confirmed a very good agreement. © 2016, © The Author(s) 2016.
Open Access
Multifunctional ZnO nanorod-reduced graphene oxide hybrids nanocomposites for effective water remediation: effective sunlight driven degradation of organic dyes and rapid heavy metal adsorption
(Elsevier, 2017-10) Ranjith, K. S.; Manivel, P.; Rajendrakumar, R. T.; Uyar, Tamer
We demonstrate the multi-functionality engineering on nanocomposite by combining one dimensional (1D) ZnO nanorod (NR) and two dimensional (2D) reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for efficient water remediation. Nano-engineered ZnO NR-rGO nanocomposites show efficient water remediation in terms of degradation of organic dyes and removal of heavy metal ions. Herein, we report on the fabrication of ZnO NR-rGO nanocomposite via a facile template-free hydrothermal route with an aim to improve the visible photocatalytic efficiency of the ZnO NR based nanocomposites. The structural and morphological features reveal that the rGO sheets are attached on the ZnO NRs and form a hybrid composite assembly. The surface enabled ZnO NR-rGO nanocomposites were used to degrade organic dye molecules (methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RhB)) under visible irradiation and adsorb Cu (II) and Co (II) ions from water through an adsorption process. The nanocomposite containing 7.5 wt% rGO and ZnO NRs shows a 4-fold enhancement in the visible photocatalytic activity and effective removal of Cu (II) and Co (II) ions from aqueous solution respectively. The photocatalytic performance is discussed in detail with respect to interaction between ZnO NRs and rGO sheets, light-harvesting properties of the nanocomposites. The effective experimental adsorption data also fit very well with the pseudo-second-order model which reveals the surface adsorption of metal ions. The results provide insight into a new method utilize for both visible photo degradation and adsorption for the removal of various wastewater pollutants. Construction of hybrid form of nanostructures delivers the effective catalytic properties with tunable functionalities for the water remediation.
Open Access
Nanocomposite glass coatings containing hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles
(Pergamon Press, 2016) Çamurlu, H. E.; Akarsu, E.; Arslan, O.; Mathur, S.
Glass coatings composed of SiO2-K2O-Li2O, containing non-modified and fluorosilane modified hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoparticles, were prepared on stainless steel plates through sol-gel spin-coating method. Coatings were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). 1.3-2.5 μm thick uniform coatings were obtained after curing at 500 Â°C for 1 h. The coatings adhered well to the steel substrates. It was determined by salt spray tests that the coatings enhance corrosion resistance. The aim of hydrophobic fluorosilane modification of hBN nanoparticles was to enrich hBN quantity on the top surface of the coatings. Coatings containing fluorosilane modified hBN nanoparticles presented slightly lower friction coefficient values than the other coatings.
Open Access
Nanofibrous nanocomposites via electrospinning
(2011) Deniz, Ali Ekrem
In recent years, numerous studies have been reported for fabrication of composite nanofibers from polymeric and inorganic materials by using electrospinning method. In the first part of this study, TiO2 and ZnO inorganic nanofibers were produced by electrospinning from their precursors by using polymeric carrier matrix and their photocatalytic activity of these metal oxide nanofibers were studied. Moreover, electrospun TiO2 nanofibers were crushed into short nanofibers (TiO2-SNF) and embedded in electrospun polymeric nanofiber matrixes such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Different weight loading of TiO2-SNF ranging from 2% to 8% (w/w, respect to polymer) incorporated into PVDF nanofibrous matrix was applied and the structural and morphological changes along with their photocatalytic activities were also examined. In the second part, metallic nanoparticles produced by laser ablation method were incorporated into nanofibrous polymeric matrix by using electrospinning technique. For example, gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) were produced from their metallic sources by laser ablation method directly in the polymer solutions. The NPs/polymer mixtures were electrospun and surface plasmon resonance effect of Au-NPs and Ag-NPs on optical properties of the nanofibers was studied. In addition, germanium nanocrystals produced by means of laser ablation were mixed with PVDF polymer solution and consequently electrospun into composite polymeric nanofiber matrix.
Open Access
Nanoparticles, nanocrystals, and nanocomposites produced with pulsed laser ablation and their applications
(Intech, 2017) Ortaç, Bülend; Uzcengiz-Şimşek, Elif; Kurşungöz, Canan; Itina, T.
In the last few decades, nanoparticles have become key components in a variety of applications in nanotechnology, nanoengineering, and nanoscience. Pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) method is frequently preferred for fast and pure nanoparticle generation. There exists a wide range of metal and semi-conductor nanoparticles that are successfully synthesized by PLAL method. In our research, nanoparticle synthesis of different materials and their applications are pursued. After nanoparticle synthesis, the application research proceeds and the scope of the research spans many subjects ranging from sensor realization to biological applications.
Open Access
One-Step Fabrication of Biocompatible Multifaceted Nanocomposite Gels and Nanolayers
(American Chemical Society, 2017) Topuz, F.; Bartneck, M.; Pan, Y.; Tacke, F.
Nanocomposite gels are a fascinating class of polymeric materials with an integrative assembly of organic molecules and organic/inorganic nanoparticles, offering a unique hybrid network with synergistic properties. The mechanical properties of such networks are similar to those of natural tissues, which make them ideal biomaterial candidates for tissue engineering applications. Existing nanocomposite gel systems, however, lack many desirable gel properties, and their suitability for surface coatings is often limited. To address this issue, this article aims at generating multifunctional nanocomposite gels that are injectable with an appropriate time window, functional with bicyclononynes (BCN), biocompatible and slowly degradable, and possess high mechanical strength. Further, the in situ network-forming property of the proposed system allows the fabrication of ultrathin nanocomposite coatings in the submicrometer range with tunable wettability and roughness. Multifunctional nanocomposite gels were fabricated under cytocompatible conditions (pH 7.4 and T = 37 °C) using laponite clays, isocyanate (NCO)-terminated sP(EO-stat-PO) macromers, and clickable BCN. Several characterization techniques were employed to elucidate the structure-property relationships of the gels. Even though the NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) macromers could form a hydrogel network in situ on contact with water, the incorporation of laponite led to significant improvement of the mechanical properties. BCN motifs with carbamate links were used for a metal-free click ligation with azide-functional molecules, and the subsequent gradual release of the tethered molecules through the hydrolysis of carbamate bonds was shown. The biocompatibility of the hydrogels was examined through murine macrophages, showing that the material composition strongly affects cell behavior.
Open Access
Peptide-mediated constructs of quantum dot nanocomposites for enzymatic control of nonradiative energy transfer
(American Chemical Society, 2011) Seker U.O.S.; Ozel, T.; Demir, Hilmi Volkan
A bottom-up approach for constructing colloidal semiconductor quantum dot (QDot) nanocomposites that facilitate nonradiative Förster-type resonance energy transfer (FRET) using polyelectrolyte peptides was proposed and realized. The electrostatic interaction of these polypeptides with altering chain lengths was probed for thermodynamic, structural, and morphological aspects. The resulting nanocomposite film was successfully cut with the protease by digesting the biomimetic peptide layer upon which the QDot assembly was constructed. The ability to control photoluminescence decay lifetime was demonstrated by proteolytic enzyme activity, opening up new possibilities for biosensor applications.
Open Access
Poly(epsilon caprolactone)/clay nanocomposites via host-guest chemistry
(Elsevier Ltd, 2015) Arslan, M.; Tasdelen, M. A.; Uyar, Tamer; Yagci, Y.
Cyclodextrin-modified montmorillonite (MMT-CD) has been prepared from commercial montmorillonite clay (Closite 30B) containing two hydroxyl groups by reacting succinic anhydride through esterification. Poly(epsilon caprolactone) (PCL)/clay nanocomposites are prepared by host-guest chemistry between MMT-CD as host and PCL, hydrophobic polymer as guest. The structures of the intermediates and final nanocomposite are investigated in detail by FT-IR XRD, TEM, DSC and TGA measurements. The intercalated/exfoliated morphologies are determined by combined XRD and TEM analyses. Thermal stabilities of all nanocomposites are improved by the addition of MMT-CD compared to the neat polymer. The DSC data confirm that the crystallinity of PCL is slightly increased by increasing clay loading. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Open Access
Polymer/clay nanocomposites through multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions
(John Wiley and Sons Inc., 2015) Aydin, M.; Uyar, Tamer; Tasdelen, M. A.; Yagci Y.
An 2-ureido-4[1H]pyrimidinone (UPy) motif with self-association capability (through quadruple hydrogen bonds) was successfully anchored onto montmorillonite clay layers. Polymer/clay nanocomposites were prepared by specific hydrogen bonding interactions between surface functionalized silica nanoclays and UPy-bonded supramolecular poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(É-caprolactone). The mixed morphologies including intercalated layers with a non-uniform separation and exfoliated single layers isolated from any stack were determined by combined X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic measurements. Thermal analyses showed that all nanocomposites had higher decomposition temperatures and thermal stabilities compared with neat polymer. The differential scanning calorimetric data implied that the crystallinity of polymers did not show essential changes upon introduction of organomodified UPy clays.
Open Access
Polystyrene / clay nanocomposites by atom transfer radical nitroxide coupling chemistry
(Wiley, 2013) Aydin, M.; Tasdelen, M. A.; Uyar, Tamer; Jockusch, S.; Turro, N. J.; Yagci, Y.
An efficient protocol, atom transfer radical nitroxide coupling chemistry, for the preparation of polymer/clay nanocomposites via grafting-onto strategy with well-defined polymer, which were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization, has been described. The radical coupling, taking place between the clay layers, not only leads to attached polymer chains but also to successful nanocomposite formation with highly exfoliated morphology. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.