Assembly of metals and nanoparticles into novel nanocomposite superstructures

Recent Progress in Emerging Novel MXenes Based Materials and their Fascinating Sensing Applications

Early transition metals based 2D carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides nanomaterials are known as MXenes, a novel and extensive new class of 2D materials family. Since the first accidently synthesis based discovery of Ti₃ C₂ in 2011, more than 50 additional compositions have been experimentally reported, including at least eight distinct synthesis methods and also more than 100 stoichiometries are theoretically studied. Due to its distinctive surface chemistry, graphene like shape, metallic conductivity, high hydrophilicity, outstanding mechanical and thermal properties, redox capacity and affordable with mass-produced nature, this diverse MXenes are of tremendous scientific and technological significance. In this review, first we'll come across the MXene based nanomaterials possible synthesis methods, their advantages, limitations and future suggestions, new chemistry related to their selected properties and potential sensing applications, which will help us to explain why this family is growing very fast as compared to other 2D families. Secondly, problems that help to further improve commercialization of the MXene nanomaterials based sensors are examined, and many advances in the commercializing of the MXene nanomaterials based sensors are proposed. At the end, we'll go through the current challenges, limitations and future suggestions.

Grain Refinement Mechanisms of TiC0.5N0.5 Nanoparticles in Aluminum

In this study, TiC_0.5N_0.5 nanoparticles (NPs) are shown to induce a remarkable grain refinement of aluminum at various cooling rates. The grain refinement mechanisms are systematically investigated by microstructure observation, edge-to-edge matching (E2EM) model prediction, and first-principles calculations. The experimental results suggest that as the cooling rates increase from 10 K/s to 70 K/s, a transition from intergranular to intragranular distribution of NPs occurs and the Al/TiC_0.5N_0.5 interface varies from incoherent to coherent. Based on the E2EM analysis combined with first-principles calculation, it is found that TiC_0.5N_0.5 can act as a potent nucleant for the heterogeneous nucleation of α-Al. By analyzing the NP effects on the nucleation and growth of α-Al, the grain growth restriction and nucleation promotion mechanisms are proposed to elucidate the refinement phenomena at low and high cooling conditions, respectively.

Aluminum with dispersed nanoparticles by laser additive manufacturing

While laser-printed metals do not tend to match the mechanical properties and thermal stability of conventionally-processed metals, incorporating and dispersing nanoparticles in them should enhance their performance. However, this remains difficult to do during laser additive manufacturing. Here, we show that aluminum reinforced by nanoparticles can be deposited layer-by-layer via laser melting of nanocomposite powders, which enhance the laser absorption by almost one order of magnitude compared to pure aluminum powders. The laser printed nanocomposite delivers a yield strength of up to 1000 MPa, plasticity over 10%, and Young’s modulus of approximately 200 GPa, offering one of the highest specific Young’s modulus and specific yield strengths among structural metals, as well as an improved specific strength and thermal stability up to 400 °C compared to other aluminum-based materials. The improved performance is attributed to a high density of well-dispersed nanoparticles, strong interfacial bonding between nanoparticles and Al matrix, and ultrafine grain sizes.

Incorporating and dispersing dense nanoparticles into metals remains a challenge. Here, the authors use nanocomposite powders containing very dense nanoparticles to print an aluminium nanocomposite with one of the highest specific modulus and yield strength among all structural materials.

Nanoporous Metallic Networks: Fabrication, Optical Properties, and Applications

Nanoporous metallic networks are a group of porous materials made of solid metals with suboptical wavelength sizes of both particles and voids. They are characterized by unique optical properties, as well as high surface area and permeability of guest materials. As such, they attract a great focus as novel materials for photonics, catalysis, sensing, and renewable energy. Their properties together with the ability for scaling-up evoke an increased interest also in the industrial field. Here, fabrication techniques of large-scale metallic networks are discussed, and their interesting optical properties as well as their applications are considered. In particular, the focus is on disordered systems, which may facilitate the fabrication technique, yet, endow the three-dimensional (3D) network with distinct optical properties. These metallic networks bridge the nanoworld into the macroscopic world, and therefore pave the way to the fabrication of innovative materials with unique optoelectronic properties.

Structure of capillary suspensions and their versatile applications in the creation of smart materials

In this article, we review recent research in the field of capillary suspensions and highlight a variety of applications in the field of smart materials. Capillary suspensions are liquid-liquid-solid ternary systems where one liquid is only present in a few percent and induces a strong, capillary-induced particle network. These suspensions have a large potential for exploitation, particularly in the production of porous materials since the paste itself and the properties of the final material can be adapted. We also discuss the rheological properties of the suspension and network structure to highlight the various ways these systems can be tuned.

Presence of Li Clusters in Molten LiCl-Li

Molten mixtures of lithium chloride and metallic lithium are of significant interest in various metal oxide reduction processes. These solutions have been reported to exhibit seemingly anomalous physical characteristics that lack a comprehensive explanation. In the current work, the physical chemistry of molten solutions of lithium chloride and metallic lithium, with and without lithium oxide, was investigated using in situ Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra obtained from these solutions were in agreement with the previously reported spectrum of the lithium cluster, Li₈. This observation is indicative of a nanofluid type colloidal suspension of Li₈ in a molten salt matrix. It is suggested that the formation and suspension of lithium clusters in lithium chloride is the cause of various phenomena exhibited by these solutions that were previously unexplainable.

Highly Porous Materials with Unique Mechanical Properties from Smart Capillary Suspensions

Smart capillary suspensions are used to fabricate macroporous solids with unique features regarding porosity and mechanical strength from a wide range of materials, including carbon layers and polyethylene membranes, even if sintering or high-temperature treatment is not feasible. High-strength porous ceramics are obtained, tailoring neck and pore shape via controlled deposition of fine particles at the sintering necks.

Interaction between Polymeric Additives and Secondary Fluids in Capillary Suspensions

Capillary suspensions are ternary systems including a solid and two liquid phases representing a novel formulation platform for pastes with unique processing and end-use properties. Here we have investigated aqueous suspensions of non-Brownian graphite particles including different polymers commonly used as thickening agents or binders in paste formulations. We have studied the interaction between these additives and organic solvents in order to elucidate its effect on the characteristic formation of a particle network structure in corresponding ternary capillary suspension systems. Organic solvents with different polarity have been employed, and in the presence of nonadsorbing poly(ethylene oxide), all of them, whether they preferentially wet the graphite surface or not, induce the formation of a network structure within the suspension as indicated by a strong change in rheological properties. However, when the adsorbing polymers carboxymethylcellulose and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) are included, the drastic change in rheological behavior occurs only when polar organic solvents are used as secondary liquids. Obviously, these solvents can form pendular bridges, finally resulting in a sample-spanning particle network. Vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy provides evidence that these polar liquids remove the adsorbed polymer from the graphite particles. In contrast, nonpolar and nonwetting solvents do not force polymer desorption. In these cases, the formation of a percolating network structure within the suspensions is presumably prevented by the strong steric repulsion among graphite particles, not allowing for the formation of particle clusters encapsulating the secondary liquid. Accordingly, polymeric additives and secondary fluids have to be carefully selected in capillary suspension formulations, then offering a new pathway to customize paste formulations. The polymer may serve to adjust an appropriate viscosity level, and the capillary bridging induces the desired degree of shear thinning. Alternatively, the polymer may be selected with respect to its binding properties in the final dry product, and capillary bridging may be used to control the flow and processing behavior of the wet paste.

Atmospheric pressure PECVD nanoparticles: mechanism of nanoparticle self-organisation into micron sized fractal clusters on a solid surface

A physical model of the micron fractal clusters formation from nanoparticles synthesized in an atmospheric pressure PECVD process is proposed.

Capillary suspensions: Particle networks formed through the capillary force

The addition of small amounts of a secondary fluid to a suspension can, through the attractive capillary force, lead to particle bridging and network formation. The capillary bridging phenomenon can be used to stabilize particle suspensions and precisely tune their rheological properties. This effect can even occur when the secondary fluid wets the particles less well than the bulk fluid. These materials, so-called capillary suspensions, have been the subject of recent research studying the mechanism for network formation, the properties of these suspensions, and how the material properties can be modified. Recent work in colloidal clusters is summarized and the relationship to capillary suspensions is discussed. Capillary suspensions can also be used as a pathway for new material design and some of these applications are highlighted. Results obtained to date are summarized and central questions that remain to be answered are proposed in this review.

Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide) amphiphilic block copolymer-mediated growth of silver nanoparticles and their antibacterial behavior

Silver nanoparticles were grown in self-assembled amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide) (PEO/PPO) triblock copolymers in selective solvents. Ternary systems of block copolymer, water, and p-xylene were used, forming a dispersion of water droplets in oil (reverse micellar) as well as binary water/block copolymer solutions. Besides its stabilizing affect, the role of the copolymer as a reducing agent for the metal salt precursors was examined. It was found that block copolymer-enabled reduction, carried out mainly by the PEO blocks, could take place only under particular conditions mostly related to the metal precursor, the block copolymer concentration, and the self-assembled micellar configuration. The effect of the triblock copolymers on growth and stabilization of gold nanoparticles was also examined. The antibacterial effect of the silver nanoparticles was investigated against Escherichia coli cells, and their performance was evaluated through a series of parametrization experiments, including the effect of the metal concentration, stability, activity over time, and dosage, while particular emphasis was given on the role of ions versus nanoparticles on the antibacterial performance.