Maryann C. Wythers (Editor)

Series: Advances in Materials Science Research
BISAC: TEC021000

Advances in Materials Science Research. Volume 35 opens with an examination of the effect of bismaleimides based on the Diels-Alder reaction mechanism on high performance aerospace carbon fibre reinforced plastics. More precisely, the interlaminar fracture toughness of unidirectional bismaleimide modified composites and their healing capabilities were measured under mode I and mode II fracture loading conditions.

Following this, polyacrylonitrile nanofibers are first obtained from polyacrylonitrile in dimethylformamide by electrospinning. Then, the carbon nanofibers are obtained by calcination of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers. Additionally, the capacity of these materials to promote oxygen reduction reaction is evaluated.

As new sorbents are developed for purifying gases or liquids via physisorption and/or chemisorption processes, the objective is typically to increase the specific surface area to maximize the available binding sites for capturing various species of interest. One drawback to making a sorbent more porous is that it often leads to a product that is fragile or friable and can be damaged, thus imposing process limitations. Thus, the authors propose an alternative approach for improving the mechanical integrity of the sorbent by binding it within a porous matrix that passively holds the sorbent in place.

Next, evidence that the nanopillared graphene surface can induce strong dewettability is been reported by molecular dynamics simulations. The retracting and detaching behaviors of the liquid film can be effectively controlled by tuning the geometric parameters of the liquid film or nanopillar as well as the temperature.

This compilation also includes a study which aims to present the advantages of using a thermodynamic analysis for the production of high purity hydrogen by the ethanol steam reforming combined with CO2 absorption (ESR-CO2-ABS). For this purpose, a thermodynamic analysis is used to find optimal reaction conditions for the ESR-CO2-ABS system. Thermodynamic analysis of the ESR-CO2-ABS system was performed using CaO, CaO•MgO, Na2ZrO3, Li2ZrO3 and Li4SiO4 as CO2 absorbents to determine optimal operating conditions to generate high production and concentration of hydrogen in the product gas.

In conclusion, the authors discuss how recently, research emphasis has been directed towards integrating multiple functions into polymer materials. Among these new advancements in materials science are functional polymers with structural designs for versatile applications. Piperazine is an interesting heterocyclic diamine which possess excellent medicinal and chelating property. Polymers and surfactants based on piperazine and surfactants have shown good hydrophilic, chelating anti-bacterial and anti-helminthic properties.